I am slightly
behind my book count for this year (only 4 books read) and completely behind on
my promised book reviews. Here I will talk about two books. One I read in the first
week. The other I just finished yesterday but started the second week of
January. You’ll see why when you read it. J
1. The First
Book
This book is
the sequel to the hilarious “Surviving the Applewhites”. It continues the story
of how Jake, the delinquent adjusts living in his chaotic foster family. In
this story, they realize that the small proceeds from the previous adventure (a
Sound of Music production) are very rapidly decreasing. While brainstorming,
they decide on a summer camp complete with a very selective application
process. While Edie, the family organizer/planner details the entire affair to
the last minute, everything that can go awry, does indeed do so. Mayhem and merriment
ensue and we are left wondering, can they even get through the first day?
Recommendation:
Read the first book first! Other than the inaccurate depiction of pointe shoes
on the cover, this book is a great read-a-loud or option for a fun,
no-thought-required book. 8/10
2. Second Book
After hearing
about the book and watching the movie trailer, I ordered the book, wanting to
know what all the hype was about and also to read the book before the movie.
The book is always better than the movie.
It did not
disappoint. Told from the perspective of Death, a sympathetic character, this
story is filled with tragedy and hope, all infused with imagery of colors and
emotions. The insight into a child’s mind, the careful selection arrangement of
the words like a bride’s bouquet, the story of love and friendship in a time
that hatred and suffering have always thought to have conquered. Every line is
thought-out and makes you want to draw it on canvas and frame it. You can feel
the end coming and even through that, hope flies. It carries the story to the
bittersweet end. You are left with the feeling of been through half a lifetime
in those few hours spent reading these words. I love how the words are
arranged: with vignettes for special meaning, memories or facts that call to be
accentuated.
Just look at
these excerpts and tell me that you don’t want to read more:
“I have hated
words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”
“He was the
crazy one who had painted himself black and defeated the world.
She was the book thief without the words.
“Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain.”
She was the book thief without the words.
“Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain.”
“Usually we
walk around constantly believing ourselves. "I'm okay" we say.
"I'm alright". But sometimes the truth arrives on you and you can't
get it off. That's when you realize that sometimes it isn't even an
answer--it's a question. Even now, I wonder how much of my life is convinced.”
“So much
good, so much evil. Just add water.”'
”A small
fact:
You are going to die....does this worry you?”
You are going to die....does this worry you?”
"There
were stars," he said. "They burned my eyes.”
A small
Summary of this masterpiece:
“It’s a small
story really, about, among other things:
* A girl
* Some words
* An accordionist
* Some fanatical Germans
* A Jewish fist fighter
* And quite a lot of thievery”
* A girl
* Some words
* An accordionist
* Some fanatical Germans
* A Jewish fist fighter
* And quite a lot of thievery”
Recommendation:
Read it! And then again! 15/10
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