Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
I give this 5 stars out of 5!
Book Description:
Richard Mayhew is a plain man with a good heart - and an ordinary life that is changed forever on a day he stops to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk. From that moment forward he is propelled into a world he never dreamed existed - a dark subculture flourishing in abandoned subway stations and sewer tunnels below the city - a world far stranger and more dangerous than the only one he has ever known…
My Review:
This book was fantastic. I say that about a lot of books, but I went into this with high expectations and none of them were unfulfilled. The characters were the most real I think I’ve ever read in a book to date. The emotions of Richard were my favorite. The ways he reacted and coped with each situation as it presented itself to him, were so true to his character, and very human. Neil Gaiman’s world building is always fantastic, too.
There were no cutesy parts in my opinion, nothing that was forced to be a certain way — characters died, pain was not something easily ignored all of the time, fear was debilitating on occasion, and the characters failed. They were not successful in every endeavor, they were not always smart about things, or perfectly forceful. Each character had flaws and shortcomings which I found to be fantastic.
My one huge criticism would be about Chapter 12, involving the ordeal. It was a relatively short chapter, somewhat confusing to read (I’m 100% positive it is meant to be mildly confusing at the very least.), and it could have been milked to produce more drama. I would have, personally, liked there to be more of a reflection period about the event, but perhaps that would have ruined the flow of the story.
All in all, this book was satisfying, and I was surprisingly attached to the characters by the end of the book. Especially the relationships they had for one another.
SPOILERS BELOW!
One of my favorite parts of the whole book, was that Door and Richard didn’t end up romantically involved, in fact, it was one of my favorite things about the novel in general that romance wasn’t really a theme. There was attraction and tender feelings, but when I reached the end and reflected on the romantic aspects of the book, it was really nice to find none. I can’t express how true this story is, and how honest Gaiman was with his characters and their developments.
One of my least favorite parts was how de Carabas could function as well as he could after the torture he endured. I, perhaps, pictured much more torture happening than what did. I simply think that his body would have been too wrecked for the rest of his actions to really occur.
A couple really nice things: The way the end of the book sort of comes full circle with the bars. The way that Richard seems to struggle with who the knife belongs to. The description of Door’s eyes. The velvets.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, and Terry Pratchett
(Alternate covers. I used the edition with Crowley on the front, which is on the left.)
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Book Description:
From two delightful imaginations comes a comic masterpiece in which the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ride motorcycles, the hound of the devil chases sticks, and the end of the world is subject to Murphy’s Law. “The Apocalypse has never been funnier.”—Clive Barker.
There were 498 pages of the story’s text in the edition I used. Included in the edition was sets of facts and information from the authors, which brought the book up to 412 pages in total.
My Review:
Any book by Neil Gaiman is most likely going to be a solid 5 in my opinion, and about the same goes for Terry Pratchett. Both are fantastic authors, and though they were in the beginnings of their careers when they wrote this, it is no less wonderful than I expected. The cast of characters was full, and wonderful. My personal favorite was Aziraphale, with Crowley following as a close second that sometimes becomes my favorite depending on the part of the novel. My least favorite characters were War, Newton Pulsifer, and Sister Mary Loquacious who all just got on my nerves. Some bits of the book were a little difficult for me to follow, but they were usually intended that way. It was pretty fast paced, and there were a lot of things I was trying to keep track of while reading. The characters were all dealing with different views of the apocalypse, so it really gives a full view of the varying things happening. The text was rich with humor, and there was a great deal of insight into the Great Plan and Armageddon. I would not recommend this to anyone as a comical read if they take religion very seriously. I can’t really see someone in that situation enjoying it much. There was not much theology, overall, involved in the book which was nice for me, because I was mildly worried I was going to feel divided on some bits of humor, but overall, it was uninvolved with actual religion, outside of the Satanic Nuns. This book has more side notes, and underlined things by me, than most other books I read, and that generally shows I hate or love a book.
This will most definitely be reread by me in the future, I had a really wonderful time reading it. My copy was only $7.99 so I recommend everyone go buy themselves one! It’s a cheap, and fantastic read!
The following are a few of my favorite quotes from the novel (spoiler free):
“It may help to understand human affairs to be clear that most of the triumphs and tragedies of history are caused, not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally bad, but by people fundamentally being people” (30).
“I bet it’s like Scottish eggs or American hamburgers. It just has to look Spanish. We’ve just got to make it look Spanish. Then everyone would know it’s the Spanish Inquisition” (135).
“Many people, meeting Aziraphale for the first time, formed three impressions: that he was English, that he was intelligent, and that he was gayer than a tree full of monkeys on nitrous oxide” (166).
Now go out and get your hands on a copy of this book!
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
[{The following information has spoilers for The Hunger Games, book one and two in this series. No other spoilers are given.}]
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Book description:
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss’s family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains - except Katniss.
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss’s willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels’ Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.
My review:
This book kept me on edge. I knew people have said the ending was sad, so I spent half the book simply fearing the ending. Everything was building up to this one resolution. The final bits of plot were unraveling and I was excited and anxious. The final turns all the characters took were shocking, amazing, and heart breaking. I loved it. I absolutely loved this book.
Peeta and Gale were two huge focal points for me while reading this, because they became so important to the war effort, and such confusing people for Katniss as she tried to sift through her own feelings, in a romantic and non-romantic way. Her feelings about their actions, decisions, and personalities in comparison to the ultimate goals of District 13 was something interesting to see play out.
Snow and Coin were two sides of the same coin (no pun intended) so to speak. The way their characters played out was something wonderful to watch, and as the ending grew nearer and nearer, I was finding myself shocked and confused about everything — which is what is supposed to happen with a misleading narrator.
This series overall was spectacular, and one of the best YA fiction stories I have read. I recommend everyone read it. There is no sugar coating, things are realistic and honest, and it is definitely worth your time.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
[{The following information has spoilers for The Hunger Games, book one in this series. No other spoilers are given.}]
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Book Description:
Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.
Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she’s afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she’s not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol’s cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can’t prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.
In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before… and surprising readers at every turn.
My review:
I could not put this book down, just as I could not put down the first installment in the series. The writing bothered me a bit more, certain aspects of some of the narration struck me as less than amazing, but overall, that did not detract much from the experience of reading it. What I have discovered so far, while reading this trilogy, is that the plot is the strongest element that Collins has in her arsenal, her creation of the world being second, and characters being third. Very few characters are Mary-sue like, from what I’ve experienced so far. Not every character goes through major development but that is expected and most times desirable so the readers aren’t bogged down. Her main characters are all shown to change through time, the way they act is not instantly changed, but gradually altered. The actions build and show someone’s change.
The emotions the characters feel is understandable and realistic, which is a large benefit for an author writing about atrocities such as the ones Collins describes. One of my favorite things in this series is the setting. The districts, and the history of her world is so interesting to me, the way there is a warning in her writing like any good dystopian writer should have, is a good quality as well. The themes in this book really hit home for me, and I find myself on edge while reading suspenseful parts, laughing tensely with the characters as they try to make light of the terrible things they are faced with, and I am all around emotionally involved with this story.
It’s definitely worth your time to check out. I was not disappointed, and it is a top notch YA-Lit book, and it’s probably going to remain one of my favorite series. On a more personal note, Peeta is my favorite character and that did not change during this book.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Book Description:
Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun…
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love
374 pages in the paperback edition I read from.
My Review:
This book was fantastic. I was hesitant to read it, for fear of it being some ridiculous Twilight-esque book that would only feel like a waste of time. This book, most certainly, is not a waste of time. At first I thought Katniss seemed a bit Mary-Sue like, but as the story progresses, we see her strengths and weaknesses. The complexity of her emotions is both understandable and realistic. I was impressed at how well her character was written — and impressed with Peeta as well. I could barely breathe during some parts, holding my breath because the words were so immersing. I was very involved with the emotions in this book, and the themes incorporated were striking, to me. The focus on government, war, and changing the society was powerful to me. The world Collins created had depth, history, and showed the capability and futility of societal change at once. This was an amazing book, truthfully, and I am going to be getting started on the next one as soon as possible. I would recommend this book to anyone at all.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Book Overview:
“David Sedaris’s ability to transform the mortification of everyday life into wildly entertaining art,” (The Christian Science Monitor) is elevated to wilder and more entertaining heights than ever in this remarkable new book.
Trying to make coffee when the water is shut off, David considers using the water in a vase of flowers and his chain of associations takes him from the French countryside to a hilariously uncomfortable memory of buying drugs in a mobile home in rural North Carolina. In essay after essay, Sedaris proceeds from bizarre conundrums of daily life-having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a fellow passenger on a plane or armoring the windows with LP covers to protect the house from neurotic songbirds-to the most deeply resonant human truths. Culminating in a brilliant account of his venture to Tokyo in order to quit smoking, David Sedaris’s sixth essay collection is a new masterpiece of comic writing from “a writer worth treasuring” (Seattle Times).
323 pages in the hardcover edition I read from.
My review:
I thought this was a wonderful book. There were a lot of great quotes, I thought, and it was somewhat thought provoking. I would recommend this to anyone struggling with quitting an addiction, seeing as the end is focused on the author’s struggle to quit smoking. The situations described in the book are all unique, but each essay is versatile, seeing as you can relate the lesson to something in your life. I found this book extremely helpful with some evaluations in my own life that I have been doing at this time. The books focus can appeal to most ages, mainly those in their early adulthood, through seniority. The author gives both his current point of view on past events, and the ones he held at the present time, the retrospect is infused into the story seamlessly, and is amusing. The book is a realist view on life, in my opinion, and Sedaris seems to show the good and bad of a lot of situations. I really enjoyed his humor, but sometimes it struck me as out of line — mainly a scene in the last bit of the book between him and a young child. The scene’s phrasing really irritated me, though I think it was meant to be funny. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the easiness of the read, and will be looking into more of his work.
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Book Description:
Once upon a time, in the olden days, heavy-set middle-aged men would congregate in their elitist clubs, sit in over-stuffed leather chairs, smoke air-choking cigars, and pitch story ideas and plots to each other. Problem was, these stories, many of which found their way into the general social consciousness, reflected the way in which these men lived and saw their world: that is, the stories were sexist, discriminatory, unfair, culturally biased, and in general, demeaning to witches, animals, goblins, and fairies everywhere.
Finally, after centuries of these abusive tales, which have been handed down - unknowingly - from one male-biased generation to the next, James Finn Garner has taken it upon himself (that’s right, yet another man) to enlighten and liberate these classic bedtime stories and retell them in a way that is much more in keeping with the society in which we live today.
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, then is the fruit of Garner’s labors. We’d like to think that future generations of fairy-tale fans will see this as a worthy attempt to develop meaningful literature that is totally free from bias and purged from the influences of a flawed cultural past.
79 pages in the edition I read from.
My review:
I thought these were hilarious. I was given this book by an English Professor who was a proud feminist, and made all of her students and the people she interacted with very aware of the injustices of society and the privilege we have. She gave me this book as a gift after we had a pleasant political conversation. The stories were funny, and pointed out a lot of internalized things that I may or may not have noticed had I read over the original tales. The book is for humor, though, and it definitely made me chuckle. I recommend this to everyone and anyone who can get their hands on a copy.
Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks (as “Anonymous”)
I give this book 2 stars out of 5.
Book Description:
In the 35 years since its original publication, this acclaimed, bestselling diary-format account of a teenage girl’s harrowing descent into the nightmarish world of drugs has left an indelible mark on generations of teens readers. This special anniversary edition includes a readers’ group guide. Original.
213 pages in the edition I read from.
My Review:
Personally, I didn’t like this book that much. I thought the story was interesting but I’m not a fan of books formatted as diaries. They’re always interesting, I just find it harder to immerse myself in the story. I started to really enjoy this book during the final 50 pages, but the entry before the epilogue ruined my mildly affectionate feeling for the book. SPOILERS. The fact that she decides that no one needs to keep a journal once they have grown up pissed me off. Keeping a journal is something that generally leads to higher thinking — of at least that’s what I’ve been taught by various teachers and professors. Keeping a journal is an amazing exercise for a person to do, in my opinion. END SPOILERS. The book was worth the read, I believe, definitely something I am glad that I have read, but not something I can see myself putting on my “best loved” books.
Willow by Julia Hoban
I give this book 3.7 out of 5 stars.
Book Description:
Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen-year- old Willow’s parents drank too much wine and asked her to drive them home. They never made it. Willow lost control of the car and her parents died in the accident. Now she has left behind her old home, friends, and school, and blocks the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when Willow meets Guy, a boy as sensitive and complicated as she is, she begins an intense, life-changing relationship that turns her world upside down.
Told in an arresting, fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl’s struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy’s refusal to give up on her.
My Review:
First off, this book can be very triggering. One of my closest friends from a few years back who struggled with self injury warned me that it was triggering before I began it. I personally had problems making it through the first ten pages. As the book went on, I got better at coping with the triggers that were presented, and also there were less due to the plot. The book seemed poorly written at the beginning to me, but I’m going to reread it and mull that over. The writing definitely picked up as the book went along. This book was very personal for me, due to my past with self injury. From someone who suffers from it, the book is pretty accurate in its portrayal of the problems and feelings that a person can experience while self injuring or in a self destructive mode. There are parts of this book that are stuck in my head, the scenes come back to me every few months, and so I know it was a good read for me. I don’t know if I would recommend this to someone unless they were interested in something of this nature, but I did enjoy it.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Book Description:
A wonderfully entertaining coming-of-age story, Northanger Abbey is often referred to as Jane Austens Gothic parody. Decrepit castles, locked rooms, mysterious chests, cryptic notes, and tyrannical fathers give the story an uncanny air, but one with a decidedly satirical twist. The storys unlikely heroine is Catherine Morland, a remarkably innocent seventeen-year-old woman from a country parsonage. While spending a few weeks in Bath with a family friend, Catherine meets and falls in love with Henry Tilney, who invites her to visit his family estate, Northanger Abbey. Once there, Catherine, a great reader of Gothic thrillers, lets the shadowy atmosphere of the old mansion fill her mind with terrible suspicions. What is the mystery surrounding the death of Henrys mother? Is the family concealing a terrible secret within the elegant rooms of the Abbey? Can she trust Henry, or is he part of an evil conspiracy? Catherine finds dreadful portents in the most prosaic events, until Henry persuades her to see the peril in confusing life with art. Executed with high-spirited gusto, Northanger Abbey is the most lighthearted of Jane Austens novels, yet at its core this delightful novel is a serious, unsentimental commentary on love and marriage.
280 pages on my Kindle.
My review:
I adored this book. My favorite parts were hating half of the characters in the best way possible, and loving Henry with all of my soul. The book made me laugh out loud, and I wanted to smack some of the characters so much. The whole read was very entertaining, and I thought the dynamics were wonderful. I loved to hate the characters and made fun of them on a regular basis. I really only loved two of the characters, both being the youngest Tilney family members, and towards the end Catherine’s parents were sweet. I couldn’t help but find Austen’s commentary hilarious at points as she seemed to tease and make fun of her own characters.
Catherine, the heroine, annoyed me to no end with her ignorance, naivety, and unrealistic views of others which blinded her to so much. I thoroughly loved to read her as a character, though. She was written brilliantly and despite getting on my nerves, I couldn’t help but laugh at my own annoyance.
Henry, the hero of the story, was perfect in every sense to me. He is by far, the most quotable character, and I found his wit and snark to be wonderful. The man made me fall in love with him, I don’t see how anyone in that novel could not be head over heels for him.
I sincerely loved this novel, and it thrilled me to read it. I found some parts a bit difficult for me to stay focused, but that’s generally how I feel when reading classics. Sometimes the wordiness of certain parts is overwhelming to me, but this novel was stupendous! It is certainly an amazing introductory book to Jane Austen. I am going to be reading more by her as time passes.
Mister B. Gone by Clive Barker
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Book Description:
The great master of horror returns with this novel that purports to be Barker’s bone-chilling discovery of a never-before-published demonic memoir.
248 pages in the paperback I read from.
My Review:
This book was absolutely amazing! Writers, especially, should read it. The narration was my favorite part, but the story overall was excellent. The word choice was superb, and the book is so quotable. I couldn’t go more than 5 pages without wanting to quote it. The fourth wall is broken very often, as the story is being told by the narrator directly to the audience. Clive Barker is a genius, and I legitimately felt myself wanting to burn the book. I can’t wait to pass the book onto someone else, it’s definitely something you should read. It’s amusing and gritty, and I had a lot of fun reading it.
The narrator is biased, obviously, and we view the story as he sees fit to tell it. The peeks into demonology in it are wonderful, and the secrets Mister B. talks about are intriguing. I was anticipating each turn of the story with anticipation, and I was never disappointed. Though it isn’t exceedingly thought provoking, it tickled my fancy so much with the sheer beauty of its fantasy.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Books Description:
The system was simple. Everyone understood it. Books were for burning, along with the houses in which they were hidden.
Guy Montag was a fireman whose job it was to start fires. And he enjoyed his job. He had been a fireman for ten years, and he had never questioned the pleasure of the midnight runs or the joy of watching pages consumed by flames, never questioned anything until he met a seventeen-year-old girl who told him of a past when people were not afraid. Then Guy met a professor who told him of a future in which people could think. And Guy Montag suddenly realized what he had to do…
190 pages in the paperback edition I read from.
My Review:
This book is brilliant. If you have not read it, you should go out and buy a copy right this minute. The characters are wonderful, the warning to society is phenomenal and relevant, and the different aspects of the novel are just… Flawless. This book was amazing, and I have had very few other books that have hit me this hard and been this well written. I believe everyone should make time in this life to read this book. We need to heed the advice in it, and preserve the world of knowledge we have currently. I cannot stress how much you should read this book.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5
Book Description:
A ten-year-old orphan comes to live in a lonely house on the Yorkshire moors where she discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden.
330 pages in my kindle edition.
My Review:
I thought this book was wonderful. I remember reading it when I was much younger, but the reread was wonderful. The book has such a nice narration and the characters are well constructed. I really enjoy the psychological patterns of healing that Burnett addresses. I recommend this to anyone looking for a nice jovial read. I found myself giggling and beaming at the book, it was very uplifting.
The Summer King by O.R. Melling
I gave this book 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Book Overview:
The second book in the critically acclaimed Chronicles of Faerie series
In this book, which School Library Journal called “lyrical and mesmerizing,” eighteen-year-old Laurel arrives in Ireland on the anniversary of her sister’s mysterious death, to take up her twin’s failed mission to find the Summer King and save Faerie. As Laurel sets her cynicism aside and becomes caught up in dark secrets and old hatreds, she harbors a desperate dream of her own—to save her sister.
With its layers of fantasy and reality, The Summer King invites readers to travel between two worlds in the company of a master storyteller.
My Review:
I thought this book was spectacular. O.R. Melling is definitely an amazing writer. Her use of folklore and mystery is wonderful. She keeps you in the dark, while intriguing you at the same time. I absolutely loved the first book in the series, but this one appealed to me on a much higher level. The tale that is told is well plotted, the arc of action is impressive, and the resolution is believable. Her characters are real and easily related to, while she expertly entwines the Celtic folklore into her modern story.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for brilliant fantasy that falls outside of what seems to be popular these days. The reading level is low, which makes this an easy read. A low reading level, though, does not say anything for how interesting the plot is. When I saw the reading level, I was actually a bit surprised, to be honest. Either way, the book is wonderful. I haven’t enjoyed a read so much in a while.
