Friday, December 14, 2012

An abundance of Katherines

 

This book by John Green has long been on my "to-read" list and I finally got around to it. Colin Singleton, recent high school graduate, has just broken up with his girl friend named Katherine. The problem is that all his past girl friends were also named Katherine. Colin, a bit of a mathematical prodigy, sees a pattern to this and sets out to figure out a theorem for true love.

Throw in a post-high school graduation road trip for self discovery with Colin's best friend and you have the setting for the story. Colin struggles for most of the book with proving his theorem only to discover the most critical factor is not what he thinks it is. There are a few laugh out loud funny parts. It is a quick read, and a bit predictable. There is some crude and suggestive language, so this book is for older teens.

John Green is known for writing deep, introspective stories (Searching for Alaska), which I haven't read. I'm not sure this book is all that introspective.

Book rating: 3 stars.



The books I select for review are books which I personally select from my local library. I do not receive any reimbursement from authors or publishers or free books. I do provide links to Amazon as a convenience to the readers of this blog. I do earn a small referral pittance which is not even enough to buy a soda.

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Raising Atlantis

 

Raising Atlantis by Thomas Greanis is a sci-fi thriller that explores the idea of finding Atlantis in the Antarctica. Dr. Conrad Yeats and Dr. Serena Serghetti are recruited to find Atlantis. Serghetti is a former nun turned activist recruited by the Pope and Dr. Yeats is an archaeologist. Upon their arrival to Antarctica, they quickly become involved in a conflict with competing factions who wish to exploit the discovery of a buried city. As the city is exposed, it's true origins become clear and threaten a global catastrophe that will change everything.

The story is fast paced and exciting, but thoroughly predictable. Star Gate SG-1 and Atlantis (among others) have also played around with these same ideas. So the big revelation at the end was ho-hum. I did finish the story, which leaves you hanging. I'm not sure when or if I will get to the rest of the series.

Book rating: 2 stars.



The books I select for review are books which I personally select from my local library. I do not receive any reimbursement from authors or publishers or free books. I do provide links to Amazon as a convenience to the readers of this blog. I do earn a small referral pittance which is not even enough to buy a soda.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Shadow Children series

 

The Shadow Children series, written by Margaret Peterson Haddix, is a dystopian young adult series. The titles include:

Among the hidden
Among the imposters
Among the betrayed
Among the brave
Among the enemy
Among the free

The series starts with Among the Hidden. Luke is an illegal second child. His parents have kept him hidden since he was born. He is not allowed to go outside or to school. He must stay home alone while his older brother goes to school and his parents work. He views his world carefully through window blinds, until he notices something he shouldn't at a neighbors house. Soon he learns there are many illegal second children and an underground resistance.

The following books in the series follow the stories of Luke and other second children as they fight for their freedom. I liked this story and read through it pretty quickly. There was one standout paragraph that made me think. I can't remember which book it was in, but Luke asks an adult character why they let things get so bad and why they don't fight back. He tells Luke that the adults gradually let things change for the worse and are now afraid to fight. They have messed things up so badly that it is up to the children to save them.

Book ratings: 4 stars


The books I select for review are books which I personally select from my local library. I do not receive any reimbursement from authors or publishers or free books. I do provide links to Amazon as a convenience to the readers of this blog. I do earn a small referral pittance which is not even enough to buy a soda.

Sunday, December 02, 2012

My Antonia

 

My Antonia by Willa Cather is a classic American novel. Cather tells the story of Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda. Jim is sent to live with his grandparents in Nebraska after being orphaned and Antonia arrives with her parents from Bohemia. The story is told through Jim's point of view. We see the harsh realities of living on the prairie while trying to scratch a living from the dirt. We are given the constant contrast between town and country living, growing up and facing the consequences of our choices. Both characters make choices, some sad and others life altering. This is not a love story per se, but both characters share an affection and caring for each other despite the life choices each make.

While reading this story I kept hoping Antonia and Jim would end up together. Instead, the reader is given more and perhaps a true depiction of what life was like during the time. You grow to care for the characters and there are times when you wish you could reach into the book and make them choose differently. While the story ends differently than one would expect, it is still satisfying.

Book rating: 5 stars



The books I select for review are books which I personally select from my local library. I do not receive any reimbursement from authors or publishers or free books. I do provide links to Amazon as a convenience to the readers of this blog. I do earn a small referral pittance which is not even enough to buy a soda.