followed by reviews of the books I'm currently reading.
FAVES
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
It's the Bear by Jez Alborough
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
It's the Bear by Jez Alborough
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
What a Librarian Reads...
APRIL 2011
Just finished reading Unwind by Neal Shusterman. Although it was written for teens, it's one of those books that you can't put down and that stays with you long after you've finished it. A cautionary tale about the sanctity of human life, it imagines a future where parents can retroactively abort or "unwind" their children between the ages of 13 and 17 if they don't like the way they are turning out. A compelling read in a freakish sort of way.
Now I'm working on Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Since it's always a given that I enjoy the book much more than the movie, and I really wanted to love the movie just this once, I refrained from reading this book last summer. Instead, I set aside time to take myself to the movies, intending to drink in the flavors and feelings of the journey along with Julia Roberts. I truly expected to receive a life-altering experience... or at least a deep and lasting message. Perhaps I was expecting too much, but, alas, I was not impressed.
Only a few chapters in I found what was lacking in the movie. Elizabeth Gilbert was missing. Her voice is what makes the story come alive, even more than the actors and locations could on the screen.
And I'm finding my message. My Italian roots are being watered... thirstily soaking up the descriptions of life in Roma. It's OK to eat gelato at 10:00 in the morning. When you are disappointed that your soccer team loses, you go out with your friends... not to a bar but to a bakery! And life is NOT about your job, but about enjoying food and friends and family. See, there's nothing wrong with ME... I just live in the wrong country!!!
Just finished reading Unwind by Neal Shusterman. Although it was written for teens, it's one of those books that you can't put down and that stays with you long after you've finished it. A cautionary tale about the sanctity of human life, it imagines a future where parents can retroactively abort or "unwind" their children between the ages of 13 and 17 if they don't like the way they are turning out. A compelling read in a freakish sort of way.
Now I'm working on Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Since it's always a given that I enjoy the book much more than the movie, and I really wanted to love the movie just this once, I refrained from reading this book last summer. Instead, I set aside time to take myself to the movies, intending to drink in the flavors and feelings of the journey along with Julia Roberts. I truly expected to receive a life-altering experience... or at least a deep and lasting message. Perhaps I was expecting too much, but, alas, I was not impressed.
Only a few chapters in I found what was lacking in the movie. Elizabeth Gilbert was missing. Her voice is what makes the story come alive, even more than the actors and locations could on the screen.
And I'm finding my message. My Italian roots are being watered... thirstily soaking up the descriptions of life in Roma. It's OK to eat gelato at 10:00 in the morning. When you are disappointed that your soccer team loses, you go out with your friends... not to a bar but to a bakery! And life is NOT about your job, but about enjoying food and friends and family. See, there's nothing wrong with ME... I just live in the wrong country!!!
