A Town Like Alice

I read A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute for book club. It is about a young English woman named Jean who works in Malay and becomes a prisoner of war. Along with other women and children, she is part of a Japanese death march all across the country during World War II. This book tells of what happens to her during the death march as well as after she survives.

This book was the quickest read of the books I've read lately. It involved me a lot more, even though parts of it still seemed to throw in unnecessary details or accounts. I liked the historical aspect of it even though it wasn't based on completely accurate historical events. It was a nice story that really gave a glimpse into the life of a prisoner of war. It was also a bit of a chick flick at times, which I enjoyed.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Enchantment

A friend recommended Enchantment by Orson Scott Card and lent me the book. Enchantment is the story of Ivan, who spends his childhood in Russia but then moves to America with his parents. As a child in Russia, he came across a mysterious woman sleeping on a pedestal in the woods near a relative's home. Years later, he feels drawn to go back and see if that woman is still there. The book tells the story of what happens as he becomes part of her 9th century world.

I liked this book. It was kind of slow for me at the beginning, but once I got into it, I was very anxious to see what would happen by the end. It was a unique story, unlike other books I've read. The characters were very likable and believable. It was also an interesting read because there was some references to Russian folk tales as well as a period in history I didn't know much about.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Midnight Rider

My little sister Molly recommended Midnight Rider by Joan Hiatt Harlow as one of her favorite books. Since I tend to love children's historical fiction, I decided to read it. Midnight Rider is the story of 14-year-old Hannah, living in 1775. When she is forced to work as an indentured servant after being orphaned, Hannah finds herself in the home of a British general. Along with her own desires for freedom, Hannah soon becomes sympathetic to the cause of the American colonies. With her horse, Promise, Hannah becomes a midnight rider to help the cause she feels matters most.

I really enjoyed this book. Like most historical fiction books, it was so enlightening to read because of all the historical facts and characters included in the story. It was fun to read this story's take on what individuals may have felt through their experiences during the American Revolution.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Last year, lots of my students loved the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. I wasn't convinced, but one day while my students were at recess, I picked up one of the books on a student's desk to glance through it. And it was hilarious. I decided I might as well give them a try. So, here I am, reading book 4 in the series after being on hold at the library for at least a month. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are about a boy named Greg and his middle school life, entertaining family, and weird friends. The books are written in the form of a diary with little doodles.

This book was entertaining. I couldn't help but laugh aloud at times. I really think this author is a complete goof, and I have no idea where he comes up with this stuff. But it's funny. The best thing about these books is that they take less than an hour (easily) to read. (Then I don't feel that bad about wasting my life reading it.) An enjoyable read.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Savvy

I chose to read Savvy by Ingrid Law because it was a Newbery Honor book. This book is about Mibs Beaumont, who is anxiously awaiting her very near 13th birthday. In her family, turning 13 is special because that's when you discover your savvy. One of her brothers can control electricity; another can start hurricanes. Then, days before her birthday, her dad ends up in the hospital in critical condition--leaving Mibs without her parents on her big day. This book follows Mibs's adventure as she comes to discover her savvy.

This book was okay. It took me a long time to get through (even though it's not a long book). It had some fun ideas, and a few really likeable characters (particularly Will Junior, who crushes on Mibs). Overall, though, I didn't feel like the plot or story line was exceptionally strong. I liked reading it most of the time, but I didn't feel there was anything too wonderful or special about it. I really feel like Newbery award winners (medals/honors) are hit and miss. Some I absolutely LOVE, and others, I really don't know why they were winners. Good thing I'm not a judge.

Rating: * (1/3 = It was okay.)

Twilight

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is one of those books everyone has read and was shocked that I hadn't read. I decided to read it because so many people recommended it and said that I'd for sure like it. For those who don't already know, Twilight is the story of a girl named Bella who moves to a new town and meets and falls for Edward--a vampire. The book brings you into the world of vampires and what choices Bella will make when her boyfriend loves her for both love and lust (ie., wanting to eat her).

This book was a fun read--it definitely brought out smiles and laughs. It is for sure a chick flick, which I can't help but enjoy. It's not the best written book in the world, but that was kind of a nice change from all the "polished" books that are normally popular. However, it's hard to read a book after seeing the movie. It just makes it hard to enjoy the book as much. I'm a big believer that books are always better than movies--but I think that you can only appreciate that when you read the book first. My plan is not to see the second movie until I've read the second book. But I don't feel a huge urge to read the second book right away. We'll see what happens.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins is the sequel to The Hunger Games, a book Connor and I read last year after hearing a lot about it. I don't want to summarize Catching Fire since that would completely give away the first book--so I'll summarize The Hunger Games so you can get the gist of it. The Hunger Games is about a society consisting of the Capitol and 12 districts where the Capitol is in complete control of all the people's lives. To show its great power and dominance, the Capitol hosts the "Hunger Games" every year where 2 children ("tributes") from each district are selected (in a lottery system) to participate in a fight to the death. This "game" is broadcast on television for all the districts to watch and to entertain the Capitol. The games end when one tribute has survived--and the other 23 have been killed. Hunger Games tells the story of Katniss, one of the tributes, and her fight to survive.

Catching Fire (like Hunger Games) was a book that I both hated and loved. (Meaning I loved it.) Such terrible things happen in the book that I have to cry or be completely angry. But the book is so engaging that from the time I started it yesterday to the time I finished it today, it was all I thought about. I dreamt about it last night; I woke up with the story consuming my mind. This book is a wonderful read because the situations are compelling and the characters are real. Unfortunately, both books in this series so far have ended less than ideally because they leave things wide open--forcing you to eagerly await the next book in the sequel. So...I will wait.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it in a hating way)