hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet

Jamie Ford's book about the love that develops between a young Chinese boy, Henry, and a young Japanese girl captured my heart at first but then disappointed.  I loved the idea of a middle-aged man witnessing a Japanese family's belongings being pulled from the basement of an old hotel.  This was 1986.  He looks back to a time forty years earlier when this family was yanked from his life and sent to an internment camp. 

Eighty pages into the book, my disappointment began to grow.  First, there are too many editing errors, blatant ones.  A note to the author: There was no accessible Internet in 1986, and Brandon Lee was not dead in 1986!  Second, the writing was not impressive; it felt like a YA book more than an adult one.  Third, the characters seemed flat and unbelievable.  Twelve-year-olds who speak and act like forty-year-olds are not convincing.  Finally, the book was repetitive and the ending too predictable.

Overall, I'm not bummed I read the book because it did include an interesting look into a sad time in our nation's history, but I wouldn't pass it along to a friend.

the help

Wow is all I can really say about Kathryn Stockett's book.  One of my favorites of the year.  Touching, sad, funny, and truthfully raw.  It gets at the heart of human relationships, race, and how far we've come.  I would have read it in a couple days if work and children didn't interfere :)

the other wes moore

"Two kids with the same name, living in the same city. One grew up to be a Rhodes scholar, decorated combat veteran, White House fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison for felony murder. Here is the story of two boys and the journey of a generation."

This book follows the lives of two Wes Moores and explores how two seemingly similar young men ended up on two completely different paths.  I really enjoyed the book but wish it spent more time on the discussion after the life stories.  I wanted him to expand on what truly made the difference.

story of a girl

I can see why teenagers would like this book by Sara Zarr.  As an 8th grader, Deanna is caught by her father in a regrettable situation.  Since then, she has been trying to show the people in her life that she isn't that person.  She wonders how life would be different if it never happened and won't let that moment define her as a person. 

This book definitely speaks to the unforgiving nature of high school students and how much kids struggle to live down one bad decision.  Overall, I liked the book and it was a really quick read.

city of bones

Cassandra Clare's fantasy book about an alternate world that humans cannot see is an interesting and somewhat exciting read, but not one of my favorites.  Clary Fray witnesses a murder at an NYC night club, and as a result, she is pulled into this alternate world. 

Although City of Bones is packed with Shadowhunters (demon killers), werewolves, witches, faeries, and vampires, I have never been a big fan of fantasy as a genre.  Perhaps this is why I have never read the Harry Potter series.  Can I admit that?  The book did keep me interested, and I'm sure it's one my students would love, so I would definitely recommend it to them.  If I have time down the road, I may pick up the next book in the trilogy.

water for elephants

The story of Jacob Jankowski's Depression-era experiences with a traveling circus is one that reveals thorough research on the author's part.  She sheds light on the horror and romance that filled one young man's chance encounter with the circus after his parents die and he leaves Cornell just shy of his vet's degree.  

The characters are rich and colorful, layered and intriguing, beautiful and grotesque.  The conditions are squalid, but Jacob's love for Marlena, the enchanting elephant performer, and his friends, keeps him on the train, hoping for a positive outcome. 

My favorite part of Sarah Gruen's book, though, wasn't the circus thread.  I absolutely loved the chapters that reveal present-day Jacob, a 93-year-old man in a nursing home.  He is feisty and crotchety, making for some witty exchanges with the nurse and fellow residents.  I am amazed how well a young author developed an aged character's voice.  I really enjoyed reading this book and even added it to my Netflix queue just to see how it translates on the big screen. 

three cups of deceit

Jon Krakauer's expose of Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea made me sick.  I felt conned by Mortenson's embellishments and lies. Krakauer paints Mortenson as a greedy man who uses the charity's funds for private jets and other obscenely unnecessary travel expenses.  He sheds light on the falsified stories at the heart of the book.  And he exposes schools left empty with no children using them due to lack of support beyond a physical structure.  I was so angered during the couple hours it took to read the book.  Then, when I really thought about it, I realized that Krakauer, while he may be right, is now hurting the thousands of girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan who do benefit from the good that Mortenson does do in spite of the lies.  While I do appreciate the truth, there had to be a better way to deal with deceit. 

the rules of survival

Good book.  I didn't love it like some of the others I read lately, but it was a quick, easy read.  I think what disappointed me is that the writing style isn't unique or challenging.  I know it's a YA book, but that doesn't mean it has to lack complexity.  Jellicoe Road, on the other hand, had a unique style and a more intricate plot line.  Overall, though, Werlin's book shared a disturbing, yet touching, story about three children's struggle to survive at the hands of an abusive mother.  I can see why it was an Abe Awards winner.

sarah's key

"Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten-year-old girl, is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night.  Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard - their secret hiding place - and promises to come back for him as soon as they are released.

Sixty years later: Sarah's story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup. In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own romantic future."

Amazing book.  My friend, Rosalyn, recommended it to me after she read my post on The Book Thief.  It has been on my list for a year now, and I am so glad my mom had a copy and also suggested it!  The way the book went between two narrative voices kept me turning page after page.  A definite eye-opener.

jellicoe road

Melina Marchette's novel made me want to read non-stop for a day; however, because I have little ones, I had to take two days to read it!  The story of Taylor Markham's journey to discovering her past, this book has everything from mystery to romance.  I loved it!  I plan on reading more from this Australian writer.

inexcusable

This book was a quick, one-day read and a good one for high school students.  The story of Keir Jensen and his love Gigi, Inexcusable examines the topic of date rape, and encourages the reader to really look at the narrator's reliability.  I didn't love this book, but it was a decent read.

bossypants

Absolutely hilarious.  If you love Tina Fey, you will love this book.  If you don't love Tina Fey, you will still love this book!

thirteen reasons why

Wow, loved this book.  Hannah Baker records cassette tapes revealing how 13 people contributed to her committing suicide.  She mails them to the first person mentioned, requests that he mail them to the next person on the tapes, and then kills herself.  Despite the sad story, Thirteen Reasons Why was not a downer.

The dual narrator is really cool (Hannah and Clay Jensen, her first love), especially the way their voices are intertwined throughout each chapter, not trading off chapters as some books do (a la My Sister's Keeper). 

The book leaves the reader with the very real message that one must consider how his actions or words may impact another.  Great read.  I can see why it was a New York Times bestseller.

the adoration of jenna fox

I'm not sure how I feel about this book.  The climax wasn't all that climactic; I figured things out too early.  Jenna wakes up from a coma and doesn't remember her parents or her friends, yet she recalls the details of the French Revolution and can recite entire passages from Walden. She quickly realizes there is something different about herself, but what is it? 

The story of one girl's struggle with what it means to be human, this book deals with both medical ethics and love, while maintaining readers' interest with its slight creepiness.  It was a quick two-day read, so I guess it was worth my time.  I can see why teenagers would enjoy this one.

the disreputable history of frankie landau-banks

A great YA read that lauds girl power!  At Alabaster, a prestigious boarding school, Frankie tries to infiltrate her boyfriend's all-male secret society in an effort to show she is just as smart and just as daring as the boys.  Although this book is not a challenging read, it is a fun one for teenagers.  I read it in Florida by the pool and on the plane over the weekend.

the art of racing in the rain

This is my first Garth Stein book, and I really liked it.  Although his writing isn't sophisticated, the story is a touching one, even if you're not a dog lover, I would imagine.  Enzo, a wise and philosophical dog at the end of his life, looks back on his relationship with Denny, a race car driver, and his family.  Having Enzo narrate added an interesting twist to the book, one I haven't seen since Death narrated The Book Thief.

A sweet, quick read.  The perfect summer book to read by the pool :)

where men win glory

I love Jon Krakauer.  This is the fifth book of his that I've read, and once again, I was so impressed.  His sophisticated writing style and ability to weave the story of one man's life with the history of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is remarkable.  The story of Pat Tillman walking away from a life of privilege, as offered by a career in the NFL, in return for a life of sacrifice in the army,  revealed some troubling information about our government and our armed forces. 



Although I was drawn to the story of Pat and the man he really was, not the man the media portrayed, I was most pulled into the story of the cover-up that happened after his death by friendly fire.  How this was allowed to occur I cannot imagine, but it did, and not enough of the American public knows the truth of what happens behind the scenes.

This is a great read.  I learned so much about Afghanistan and our evolving fight there, but I learned more about one man's desire to do what's right.  Loved, loved this book.

swamplandia!

It took me three weeks to get through Swamplandia! by Karen Russell.  It was a rough ride.  This is one of the first books in a long time that I struggled to get through.  It does not take me three weeks to read a book.  This story about a Florida swamp family's fight to save their alligator themed amusement park was the perfect cure for my insomnia.  I found the plot to be stagnant, the characters bizarre, and the pacing slow.  The child-like cover suggests a whimsical story, but this is dark and disturbing at times.  I wanted to give up each time I read a chapter, but I hate quitting.  In the end, I should have.

columbine

Coincidentally, I checked this book out of the library on April 20th.  The anniversary of Columbine was not on my mind, and honestly, I didn't even made the connection until I began reading.  This book was upsetting for many reasons.  I was angered by the myths that the media fed us all in the wake of this tragedy, the negligence of the county in preventing the tragedy, and the parents' total and complete ignorance to what was occurring in their homes.  As parents, we have to be vigilant when it comes to our children.  Being their parent trumps their need for freedom, their need for privacy, and our own desire to be their friend.  We are their parents.

I think this book is a good one for all of us who watched this tragedy unfold before our eyes on television.  It will open your eyes to what really happened leading up to the shooting, the events of the actual day, and the years following it.  It is a true testament to the survivors' strength as well as their families' and friends'.  Columbine took its school back and made it stronger than ever. 

A gripping and informative read! 

war dances

Identity, love, and longing. According to the Seattle Times, "Sherman Alexie mixes up comedy and tragedy, shoots it through with tenderness, then delivers with a provocateur's don't-give-a-damn flourish. He's unique, and his new book, War Dances, is another case in point."

My E1H team is looking for some new short stories, and because I love Sherman Alexie, I picked up his most recent book, a collection of short stories and poetry.  It's a great collection; unfortunately, in quintessential Alexie fashion, none of the stories are appropriate for freshmen :)

unbroken

All I can say about this book is...amazing.  The story of Louis Zamperini's unbelievable life, as told by the author of Seabiscuit, Unbroken kept me up reading well past my bedtime and left me questioning how these tales could all possibly happen to one man, without breaking him.  A truly compelling biography.

365 thank yous

I gave John Kralik's book to my mom for Christmas and have been waiting to read it on spring break.  It was a quick one-day read that really changed my perspective on life.  The author, plagued by misfortune in his life, makes a seemingly small promise to himself and ends up changing his life as a result.  He vows to write 365 thank you notes in one year.  From his children to the Starbucks guy, he recognizes the small acts of kindness that make a difference in his life, and as a result, he finds even more kindness awaiting him.  This little book illustrates the importance of gratitude, something vital to our happiness and well-being. 

the lightning thief

One of my students recommended this book and even lent me a copy, so I felt kind of obliged to read it.  It was a quick read and I was not at all disappointed.  The story of Percy Jackson's quest to return Zeus's lightning bolt is an exciting young adult read.  The gods of Greek myths are alive and as powerful as ever in Rick Riordan's engaging adventure.  My "To Read" list is a bit long right now, so I'm not going to grab the next book in the series, but I know some day I will!

the geography of bliss

"Using the ancient philosophers and the much more recent "science of happiness" as his guide, Weiner travels the world in search of the happiest places. Many authors have attempted to describe what happiness is; fewer have shown us where it is, and what we can learn from the inhabitants of different cultures.

As Weiner makes his way from Iceland (one of the world's happiest countries) to Bhutan (where the king has made Gross National Happiness a national priority) to Moldova (not a happy place), he calls upon the collective wisdom of "the self-help industrial complex" to help him navigate the path to contentment. "

I really enjoyed this book.  Nice change of pace from 2000 pages of Stieg Larsson.  It got me thinking about what constitutes happiness and how I can declutter my life.  It made me want to do a clean sweep of each room of our house, in an effort to make it more of a home.  I laughed on many occasions as I read The Geography of Bliss.  Eric Weiner's sarcasm and wit remind me of Dave Barry, and for those of you who are Barry fans, you know this is a compliment.

stieg larsson's trilogy

I have managed to completely ignore this space for months now.  And honestly, I'm not backtracking.  Instead, here are the 2000 pages that have monopolized my attention for the last few weeks.  The Lisbeth Salander trilogy is absolutely enthralling, in spite of how twisted and disturbing parts of the books are.  Loved them.