Why the Hype?: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Just the facts:

Overall:  2 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it when I had spare time.

Believe-ability: It was believable.

Dystopia Factor: Eh. It’s “normal” life.

~~~~~

            I’m not sure where to start with this book. It seemed to have rave reviews and since I’ve been reading a little bit of realistic fiction I thought I’d give this a try. I was aware that there was quite a bit of colorful language (over 200 swear words, according to this article. It also includes an interview with Rowell on the subject.) before I started and that it was being accosted by those who find joy in banning books. (This, regardless of the way I feel about this book, is not something I support at all.) What I found, however, is that first impressions stick with you, even when you try to lay them aside.

            My first impression of Eleanor & Park was disgust at the amount and variety of vulgar language. (Rowell supports her use of profanity in the above mentioned article, but as a reader I don’t really agree with all she has to say.) I really hate it when authors use profanity and particularly a lot of it. I find that it distracts from the story. Every time I came across string of curse words I was immediately pulled out of the story world and I had to try to force myself back in. It felt like I was involved in some stupid tug of war. Story world versus reality. Reality was pretty strong, by the way.

            After I got past the constant tug of war (which nearly made me quit the book) and finished the story I was mostly dumbfounded at the praise Eleanor and Park’s love story had received. Honestly, I didn’t find it that wonderful. There are plenty of amazing depictions of falling in love in young adult literature. This was not one of them. And that’s saying something – I’m a bit of a sucker for a good love story. (I’m very happily married to my high school sweetheart, at that.)

            What I found most enjoyable about Eleanor & Park was actually Park’s family. (Not the aim of the story I’m sure.) I really enjoyed the relationship that Park’s parents have. Park may have found them embarrassing, but what would the world be like if more parents were in love like they were? Children need the example of their parents to show them what love really is. And it’s good for children to see their parents show affection towards one another.

            Lastly, I will say that there was one scene in the book that really moved me. About half way through the book, Park’s mother comes to him seeking his forgiveness for how she had been treating Eleanor. I loved how, even though it was difficult for her, she realized that her behavior toward Eleanor was not what it should have been and it pains her to realize this. She is very open and honest during this exchange and it quickly became the best part of the book for me. 

Not What I Was Expecting: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Just the facts:

Overall: 3 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it when I had spare time.

Believe-ability: It was believable.

Dystopia Factor: Eh. It’s “normal” life.

~~~~~

            A Monster Calls is more of a short story than a novel and it follows a thirteen year old Connor as he deals with the emotional impact of his mother’s cancer treatments. Connor is being picked on at school, dealing with a messed up family life, and experiencing a recurring nightmare when a new monster begins to visit him each night. This monster, however, is unlike his nightmare because Connor discovers that the monster is real and not a figment of his imagination. The monster makes a bargain with Connor that he will tell him three stories but that Connor will in turn tell him a story when the time comes. Connor never really agrees to this, but the monster carries on as if he did.

            I feel like I should say this book definitely could fall under the category of “cover deception”. Yes, I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but that’s easier said than done. I certainly was not expecting a hybrid realistic fiction/ fantasy novel. A pure fantasy novel, sure, but not the realistic fiction part of it.  It caught me off guard but I continued with the story because I have been reading a little realistic fiction lately. We have to try new things, yes?

            Although I thought the story was a little obvious (kids dealing with major illnesses seem to be pretty popular right now) there were some things I really liked about the book. First off, the book has some wonderful illustrations throughout. I read the eBook version and wished I would have had a hard copy so I could enjoy the illustrations more (they turned out ok in eBook form, but it’s just different than print). And secondly, I really enjoyed some of the writing. I don’t usually include many quotes in my reviews, but there were a number that stood out to me in A Monster Calls.

Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak? (pg. 35)

It is a true story, the monster said. Many things that are true feel like a cheat. Kingdoms get the princes they deserve, farmers’ daughters die for no reason, and sometimes witches merit saving. Quite often, actually. You’d be surprised. (pg. 44)

“Son,” his father said, leaning forward. “Stories don’t always have happy endings.” This stopped him. Because they didn’t, did they? That’s one thing the monster had definitely taught him. Stories were wild, wild animals and went off in directions you couldn’t expect. (pg. 83)

            A Monster Calls isn’t necessarily a very surprising book or adventurous one, but it was worth the read, especially considering how short it was. Plus, Patrick Ness is a fantastic author. If you’ve read The Chaos Walking trilogy then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Will the Deception Ever End?: Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher

Just the facts:

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it every waking moment.

Believe-ability: It was believable.

Dystopia Factor: Eh. It’s “normal” life.

~~~~~

            Ketchup Clouds is not set in a dystopian world. It is not set in a fantasy world with sword play and action. In fact there really isn’t any action. I guess what I’m saying is that it’s just YA fiction. Plain ‘ole fiction. I read it. And I really, truly liked it. Ketchup Clouds is obviously a huge deviation from my normal reading habits and I can’t really tell you what drew me to it. I guess the snippet from the first chapter is what got my attention. Attention enough that I actually requested it from the library to find out what happens. And so, in lieu of actually giving you a quick summary of the plot I’m going to give you the same snippet that drew me in, in hopes that you’ll find it intriguing too.

Dear Mr. S. Harris,

            Ignore the blob of red in the top left corner. It’s jam, not blood, though I don’t think I need to tell you the difference. It wasn’t your wife’s jam the police found on your shoe.

            I know what it’s like.

            Mine wasn’t a woman. Mine was a boy. And I killed him three months ago exactly.

             Ketchup Clouds really has a lot going for it. The story brings to light a whole slew of issues from family relations to love and more, but by far the one that stands out most to me, is the power of lies and deception. So many of the issues that arise in the book can be traced back to deceit and by the end I wondered if Zoe would even be writing to a convicted murder if not for the deception that she allowed in her life.

            As much as this story made me wrestle with the daily choices we all make, my favorite aspect of the book has nothing to do with the challenges that Zoe faces. In fact, my favorite part of the book is the relationship that grows between Zoe and Stuart. You might not think that this is very special, but I assure you it is. I don’t think many authors can make a relationship happen between two characters when we NEVER have a response from Stuart. He is such a major character to me and yet he never actually participates in the story. He doesn’t have so much as one line to contribute and yet I often found myself thinking about him, wondering what reaction he might be having to reading Zoe’s letters, and trying to figure out if he even cared. Pitcher effectively uses their relationship to create an even bigger story than it seems, or a story within a story, if you will.

            I’m clearly not well versed in the area of “just plain” YA fiction so I don’t have much to compare Ketchup Clouds to, but it is a definite recommendation from me. I think I will even pick up other books from Pitcher because I enjoyed this one so immensely. 

The choices we make define us: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Just the Facts:

Overall Rating: 5 stars

Addiction Level: I ignored the hubby and puppy until I finished the book. (The second time I read it I ignored sleep, because I wanted to relive the story. Divergent is one of those books that draws you in and transports you away.)

Believe-ability: I daydream about the created world and wonder how I fit in. (I wonder which faction I would choose.)

Dystopia Factors: The world has been turned upside down and all hope is lost, but maybe our hero and heroine can save it.

~~~

Initially I picked Divergent up because a friend recommended it, and I had just finished another breathless read, Awaken. I did not expect to be left breathless, sleepless, or suffering from a book hangover...again! Needless to say, reading Divergent has left me breathless. It is not just a dystopia. It is a work that questions values, choices, and ideals. What is right? What is true? Whom can one believe?

Beatrice, like other 16 year olds, must choose which faction of society to belong to forever. Her choices are Candor (honesty), Erudite (intelligence), Amity (peace), Abnegation (selflessness), and Dauntless (brave). Her choice is both surprising and not. What would you choose? Regardless of what you choose, I dare you to pick up this book!

On my second read, I found Divergent just as intriguing, breathless, and amazing. It left me wondering and satisfied.

Children become adults at the age of 16. I know this works for England and other European countries. Could this work for America? As I think about some of my students, I wonder if real responsibility would be a wake-up call. I wonder if they would enter the real world, make mistakes, and revisit education when they were ready. On the other hand I know my students are on the verge of adulthood and still need guidance. Do many students grow up parentless or virtually parentless? Is that why so many novels have limited or no parent involvement?

Is it fair to make people choose one path at the age of 16? I am not even sure that today at 33 I would be satisfied being made to choose one path. Divergent’s society disguises slavery as choice. They want everyone to fit into a mold, desiring robotic citizens.

One of my favorite aspects of Divergent was the romance. I am not a big fan of romance unrealistic romance. The author has to make it believable. Otherwise it is “insta!love” and gag worthy. Roth convinced me of the honesty of the characters' love. For me the best part is their love is ongoing and codependent (Thanks Kara!).

In conclusion, you should pick of Divergent, because it is a wonderful story of the importance of choice.

Meet the Family (Part 2): The Pigeon

AKA: The world’s most (un)persuasive being

Stats: The Pigeon was first published in 2003, so he is at least 11 years old! However, he acts like he is four or five.

Book Character He Most Admires: Himself of course. He has six books!

Favorite Activities: being cute and trying to manipulate persuade anyone who will listen.

Bio: The Pigeon is the most awesome, adorable pigeon alive. A student gave me the stuffed animal version last year for Christmas. (Best present ever!) Though he is adorable, the Pigeon likes to persuade people, especially small children, to let him drive the bus, stay up late, eat a hot dog, or get a puppy. The Pigeon’s only worries in my house are Ember, who thinks he is a new dog toy. Despite that, he makes a wonderful companion and a great cookie baker!

Leave the Light On, Will You? - The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey



Just the facts:

Overall: 5 stars! (Which is pretty rare from me.)

Addiction Level: I read it every waking moment. (And then couldn’t sleep for being afraid of the dark.)

Believe-ability: I daydream about the created world and wonder how I fit in.

Favorite quote: “Yes, my dear child, monsters are real. I happen to have one hanging in my basement.”

Favorite sentence: "How long had he lain thus paralyzed, I wondered, unable to move neither head nor limb, forced to stare hour after hour, day after day, upon that blank canvas, and what terrible scenes of hell unleashed, unbounded by the dictates of our Victorian sensibilities, had his imagination painted there in the vibrant colors supplied by his merciless memory?"

~~~~~

     Although this is not a book I would typically choose for myself (it’s horror!), I am learning not to second-guess my brother’s choice in titles. Yes, I said MY BROTHER. (Shout out!) And, I am regularly coming to the conclusion that I should devour his suggestions with open hands and open eyes. Thus, this is the case for The Monstrumologist.

     The Monstrumologist is about a young orphaned boy, Will Henry, and his life as apprentice to Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, a monstrumologist. This particular book focuses on their quest to track down a commune of flesh eating monsters that should not be found in America. Is it as gross as it sounds? Yup. Is it as thrilling as it sounds? You bet.

     The Monstrumologist is written as a series of journals, penned by Will Henry, that Yancey has edited and published. Yancey writes as if he wishes to find Will’s family and that the journals are a work of fiction from a man that has no other significant ties to this life. But, the story does not need this. If Yancey chose to write just the journals as a work of fiction, it would have been perfect. Frankly, when I read The Monstrumologist I forget the present-day back-story entirely.

                                                          

     Yancey writes a very compelling book. The book can be disturbing (in the way a good book is) and frequently gave me the creeps, not to mention keeping me awake for a couple of nights. But as the story continued, I had to find out what exactly happens to Will Henry (whom I adore!) and Dr. Warthrop (whom I have mixed feelings about), and who the eccentric Dr. Kearns really is. Yancey’s use of vocabulary is astonishing and his sentence structure is like nothing I’ve ever laid eyes on.

*sigh* I think I’m in love. 

In the words of Dr. Warthrop, “Snap to!” and read this book!

Am I Hearing Things? - The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness



Just the Facts:



Overall: 4 stars

Addiction level: I read it every waking moment.

Believe-ability: I daydreamed about the created world and wondered how I might fit in. (I was doing yard work in between reading this story, and I frequently could hear Lacey saying, “Stick, Mom” and “Weeds, Mom”. Oh, how I love my dogs.)

Dystopia Factor: The world has been turned upside down and all hope is lost!

~~~~~

     The Knife of Never Letting Go reminded me a lot of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle…at first. You know… the story of a young boy, accompanied by his faithful dog on a journey to escape his home, run from a murderous psycho, and become a man in the process… Only I soon discovered that the comparisons end there. The Knife is filled with action and suspense as Todd tries to figure out the lie that he has been a part of his entire life. I loved the story because you actually felt the change in Todd as the story progressed and as Todd started to sort out who he was. The Knife is a great story of friendship, identity, and determining what actions really shape an individual. Plus, a little rebellion never hurt anyone. :)

     And so, here’s to hoping that Todd’s story ends much differently than Edgar’s. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!