Wither: The Chemical Garden Trilogy
This book is post apocalyptic America. Basically the fit has hit the shan in more ways than one. Most of the countries we know and love have literally been blasted off the face of the planet. And America is sadly what is left. Don’t get me wrong, I dig America or what have you but I am kind of tired of all of the stories that have every other place in the world destroyed. Let’s be honest here folks, Americans fuck shit up way more than other places; our homeland is included in that. To think that America will outlast or out live other places in the world is just unlikely. Plus we are all heathenistic, at least that is what the churchy folk tell me.
So geneticists have been tweaking the human code to rid the species from illness. Cancer and terminal diseases are erased but along with these things the science folks have deleted our longevity. They aren’t sure why but girls kick the bucket at 20 and men kick it at 25. Our story in Wither is about Rhine, yes like the river. She is 16 and snatched away from her life in industrial poor New York and taken to riches in Florida to be wed. Rhine is half of a set of twins. Her brother Rowan is left behind with no idea where his sister has been taken or if she is even still alive. Poor girls are snatched off the street and sold as wives to rich young men. They then are forced to make babies. All the while everyone is killing over at really young ages.
I dug this book. My friend suggested this book to me a few months back when she read it. You can read her review here . I like the main character; while she is strong she is also human. She struggles with Stockholm syndrome and remembering where she comes from. She learns to really care about other people around her. I found the concept of sister wives in this book to be interesting. It made me wonder if the author has had experience with polygamists. It wasn’t a negative portrayal of sister wives which is so common when talking about polygamists. There is not a religious angle to this book at all, but being from Utah you learn the term sister wives pretty early on.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoyed The Hunger Games. I would suggest this book to those who dig YA lit. I liked the writing style of this author. I read her bio and she seems like a nerd, which of course I can relate to.
While writing this blog I am listening to Norah Jones.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Samantha Kingston is exactly like a lot of the mean girls I went to school with. Samantha's friend Lyndsay is a lot like I was in high school. The leader of the mean team. I think in a lot of ways this books feels like it was written by Tina Fey during her mean girls phase had she been obsessively watching Groundhog Day. I know that this comparison to this book has been made multiple times but it is the best way to some up this book. Sam lives the same day over and over seven times.
Sam is faced with her own harsh reality and the harsh reality of those around her. She is also made acutely aware of consequences for actions big and small. The writing style of Lauren Oliver took a little getting used to for me. I blame this on my recent re-reads of Harry Potter, it can be a mind fuck to go from dramatic wizards to dramatic popular girls. Once I adjusted I found the way the characters interacted to be authentic, meaning, that while these girls are mean girls they are also incredibly loyal to one another. They may be bitches, even to each other, but they each have redeeming qualities if you take the time to look for them.
Kent is the love interest in this book. I like that he is kind of over the top with his checkered shoes and bowler hats. I used to spend a lot of time with guys like Kent in high school. It made me miss all those guys for a little bit.
Over all I dig this book. I plan on picking up Lauren Oliver's second book after I finish all the other books I have started right now. I would recommend this book to formally overly bitchy girls such as myself, and or, currently bitchy girls. I liked the message this books sends. I will say though if you have recently dealt with suicide or bullying this book might not be the best thing for you to read.
Sam is faced with her own harsh reality and the harsh reality of those around her. She is also made acutely aware of consequences for actions big and small. The writing style of Lauren Oliver took a little getting used to for me. I blame this on my recent re-reads of Harry Potter, it can be a mind fuck to go from dramatic wizards to dramatic popular girls. Once I adjusted I found the way the characters interacted to be authentic, meaning, that while these girls are mean girls they are also incredibly loyal to one another. They may be bitches, even to each other, but they each have redeeming qualities if you take the time to look for them.
Kent is the love interest in this book. I like that he is kind of over the top with his checkered shoes and bowler hats. I used to spend a lot of time with guys like Kent in high school. It made me miss all those guys for a little bit.
Over all I dig this book. I plan on picking up Lauren Oliver's second book after I finish all the other books I have started right now. I would recommend this book to formally overly bitchy girls such as myself, and or, currently bitchy girls. I liked the message this books sends. I will say though if you have recently dealt with suicide or bullying this book might not be the best thing for you to read.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Ruby is 17 and living alone. Her mother took off about two months ago and had Ruby not had nosey landlords she probably could have continued living alone for a long time. She was keeping up with the basic bills, mostly, and keeping things together, mostly. Long story short it is discovered that Ruby has been abandoned by her mother and is shipped off to live with her older sister. This story is about Ruby figuring herself out.
Like all the other books by Sarah Dessen that I have read we follow Rudy through some tough situations and a lot of emotional growth. However, in this book we get something that I wanted in other Sarah Dessen books. We get better and more in depth character development with the male love interest. Nate is a great guy who helps Ruby come to terms with herself and her situation.
The twist(ish) of this book is that Ruby in turn helps Nate. We have not seen the female lead help the male lead in other Sarah Dessen books that I have read thus far. I liked that we got more of the male(ish) persepective in this book. I also liked that the guy who did all the rescuing needed to be rescued. I think this is closer to reality. I would say in most healthy relationships the "strong one" flips between people and isn't isolated to men.
I would recommend this book for peeps looking for a light and fast read.
While writing this blog I was listening to my boyfriend talk about his job.
Like all the other books by Sarah Dessen that I have read we follow Rudy through some tough situations and a lot of emotional growth. However, in this book we get something that I wanted in other Sarah Dessen books. We get better and more in depth character development with the male love interest. Nate is a great guy who helps Ruby come to terms with herself and her situation.
The twist(ish) of this book is that Ruby in turn helps Nate. We have not seen the female lead help the male lead in other Sarah Dessen books that I have read thus far. I liked that we got more of the male(ish) persepective in this book. I also liked that the guy who did all the rescuing needed to be rescued. I think this is closer to reality. I would say in most healthy relationships the "strong one" flips between people and isn't isolated to men.
I would recommend this book for peeps looking for a light and fast read.
While writing this blog I was listening to my boyfriend talk about his job.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire by JK Rowling
Wooooooooooops! I was suppose to post this weeks ago as part of the Harry Potter read a long with
Harry is getting wiser and older in this book. Harry doesn't seem anywhere as whiney in this book as he has in other books. In this book we getting better insight into Death Eaters and the Dark Lord. I think they way the Dark Lord runs his crew is interesting. I also still can't help but to think, seriously Lord Voldemort, you can't kill that kid? You are like a fucking immortalish snake dude, you can't off some kid? Whateves.
Harry is thrown into the TriWizard Tournament in this book. This is where Hogwarts and other magical schools compete with one another. I liked seeing the snooty French witches and the bad ass Bulgarian wizards. There is more diversity in characters in this book than in the others. In this book the Dark Lord is rebodied and is super bad dude again.
I liked the really normal bits in this book. Ron and Harry are having a hard time finding girls to take to the school dance. Ron is grumpy that Hermione is going to the dance with someone else. I like the normal kid life aspects thrown in with the wizard shit. I think perhaps that is why I have been able to read these "fantasy" books and not others. I like having normal things to relate to.
While writing this half assed review I am listening to Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary
Harry is getting wiser and older in this book. Harry doesn't seem anywhere as whiney in this book as he has in other books. In this book we getting better insight into Death Eaters and the Dark Lord. I think they way the Dark Lord runs his crew is interesting. I also still can't help but to think, seriously Lord Voldemort, you can't kill that kid? You are like a fucking immortalish snake dude, you can't off some kid? Whateves.
Harry is thrown into the TriWizard Tournament in this book. This is where Hogwarts and other magical schools compete with one another. I liked seeing the snooty French witches and the bad ass Bulgarian wizards. There is more diversity in characters in this book than in the others. In this book the Dark Lord is rebodied and is super bad dude again.
I liked the really normal bits in this book. Ron and Harry are having a hard time finding girls to take to the school dance. Ron is grumpy that Hermione is going to the dance with someone else. I like the normal kid life aspects thrown in with the wizard shit. I think perhaps that is why I have been able to read these "fantasy" books and not others. I like having normal things to relate to.
While writing this half assed review I am listening to Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary
Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Colie is the girl we walk with through this book. She is being shipped off to live with her eccentric Aunt while her Mother goes on a European tour for her fitness crazed career.
Colie used to be a heavy girl. She lost 45 pounds with the help and determination of her Mother who is basically the hottest thing to hit fitness since Tae-Bo. Colie's Mother is doing a summer long European tour promoting all of her fitness what not so Colie is shipped off to stay with her "art freak" aunt in a small town.
As a heavy girl I could relate to the main character. She was treated like dirt for being fat. I have always been treated like shit for daring to be fat. I have had random people say mean things to me in the grocery store to people in high school saying the only reason boys talked to me was because I gave good head. Colie has had to deal with a lot of the same bullying behavior. I never let it get to me as much as Colie does. I always stood up for myself. I never let people call me a slut and get away with it. Colie is a lot like many girls I knew in high school. Taking every insult and turning it into a twisted form of self punishment.
Yes this book has a cliched ending, but I didn't mind it. I liked that Colie ended up with an Art dude while learning to accept her art freak aunt. I think the art nerd in my soul smiled a bit at the cheese of the ending.
I would recommend this book as a fast summer read.
While writing this blog I was listening to Lady Gaga - Americano
Colie used to be a heavy girl. She lost 45 pounds with the help and determination of her Mother who is basically the hottest thing to hit fitness since Tae-Bo. Colie's Mother is doing a summer long European tour promoting all of her fitness what not so Colie is shipped off to stay with her "art freak" aunt in a small town.
As a heavy girl I could relate to the main character. She was treated like dirt for being fat. I have always been treated like shit for daring to be fat. I have had random people say mean things to me in the grocery store to people in high school saying the only reason boys talked to me was because I gave good head. Colie has had to deal with a lot of the same bullying behavior. I never let it get to me as much as Colie does. I always stood up for myself. I never let people call me a slut and get away with it. Colie is a lot like many girls I knew in high school. Taking every insult and turning it into a twisted form of self punishment.
Yes this book has a cliched ending, but I didn't mind it. I liked that Colie ended up with an Art dude while learning to accept her art freak aunt. I think the art nerd in my soul smiled a bit at the cheese of the ending.
I would recommend this book as a fast summer read.
While writing this blog I was listening to Lady Gaga - Americano
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Annabell is a girl who on the surface appears to have everything until she and her best friend Sophie get into a huge fight. This book is about learning about that fight and the truth behind it for Annabell.
Annabell is sexually abused by Sophie's boyfriend. Annabell opted not to talk to anyone about what had happened to her. We the reader can kind of guess what happened to her if we pay attention to the clues but it isn't the lead topic by any means. I liked this book.
I liked the character development in this book. Annabell has to figure out how and when to speak up. I can relate to characters who have a hard time coming into their own voice. When I was much younger I had a really hard time talking to anyone. I was bound so tightly in my own head that once I learned to speak up it mostly came out in dramatic flare up and shouts. I still have a tendency toward the dramatic self expression, I am a poet after all.
Annabell develops a friendship with a fellow lunchtime outcast named Owen. This is your typical pissed off white male character who has gone through anger manangement classes. He helps Annabell learn to deal and speak about what has happened to her. His character development is the only character I had a hard time with. I wanted to know a bit more about him and his motivations for some of his behavior. Over all though I would say I still liked Owen.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy the pink books (chick lit) as much as I do, younger girls trying to figure themselves out, older women in the mood for a walk down memory lane.
While writing this review I was listening to Lady Gaga - Government Hooker.
Annabell is sexually abused by Sophie's boyfriend. Annabell opted not to talk to anyone about what had happened to her. We the reader can kind of guess what happened to her if we pay attention to the clues but it isn't the lead topic by any means. I liked this book.
I liked the character development in this book. Annabell has to figure out how and when to speak up. I can relate to characters who have a hard time coming into their own voice. When I was much younger I had a really hard time talking to anyone. I was bound so tightly in my own head that once I learned to speak up it mostly came out in dramatic flare up and shouts. I still have a tendency toward the dramatic self expression, I am a poet after all.
Annabell develops a friendship with a fellow lunchtime outcast named Owen. This is your typical pissed off white male character who has gone through anger manangement classes. He helps Annabell learn to deal and speak about what has happened to her. His character development is the only character I had a hard time with. I wanted to know a bit more about him and his motivations for some of his behavior. Over all though I would say I still liked Owen.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy the pink books (chick lit) as much as I do, younger girls trying to figure themselves out, older women in the mood for a walk down memory lane.
While writing this review I was listening to Lady Gaga - Government Hooker.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Nora Gray is the main character in this story. She is annoying to me from the first chapter on. I never warmed to her as a character. I suppose I couldn't relate to her. I guess I just couldn't get into this one. Like the last book I read, Nora's Father died suddenly and Nora is learning to deal with the death.
Nora is trying really hard to make her normal life work. Then suddenly she is seated next to a guy named Patch in Bio class and all hell breaks out in her life. Nora is a stronger version of Bella from the Twilight series. I suppose this is why I disliked this book so much, it reminded me of Twilight a lot.
Am I asking too much when I ask that characters don't go from hostility to love in a matter of days? I have never made such a fast progression. I am not stupid enough to think I am in love after a few weeks. I really wish these type of books would stop thinking I, the reader, am retarded.
I struggled to get through this book. It was predictable from start to finish. I disliked every character. I also disliked the Fallen Angel talk without the mention of a God. Don't get me wrong, I am not even close to religious but I think if you have religion in your book you either have to have a clear explanation of the theology you are babbling about or pick a generic one that people already know. I found myself thinking back to what I know of Fallen Angels in a variety of contexts and this story didn't really jive with any of them and there wasn't further discussion other than mentioning a heaven.
I would recommend this book to people who want mind numbing cliched predictable crap. Basically, this might be a good read by the pool since you really don't have to pay attention to it very much.
While writing this post I am listening to Massive Attack - Mezzanine.
Nora is trying really hard to make her normal life work. Then suddenly she is seated next to a guy named Patch in Bio class and all hell breaks out in her life. Nora is a stronger version of Bella from the Twilight series. I suppose this is why I disliked this book so much, it reminded me of Twilight a lot.
Am I asking too much when I ask that characters don't go from hostility to love in a matter of days? I have never made such a fast progression. I am not stupid enough to think I am in love after a few weeks. I really wish these type of books would stop thinking I, the reader, am retarded.
I struggled to get through this book. It was predictable from start to finish. I disliked every character. I also disliked the Fallen Angel talk without the mention of a God. Don't get me wrong, I am not even close to religious but I think if you have religion in your book you either have to have a clear explanation of the theology you are babbling about or pick a generic one that people already know. I found myself thinking back to what I know of Fallen Angels in a variety of contexts and this story didn't really jive with any of them and there wasn't further discussion other than mentioning a heaven.
I would recommend this book to people who want mind numbing cliched predictable crap. Basically, this might be a good read by the pool since you really don't have to pay attention to it very much.
While writing this post I am listening to Massive Attack - Mezzanine.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
The Truth About Forever is about a teen named Macy. She is learning to be "fine just fine" after the sudden death of her Father. Macy feels the need to be the perfect daughter her Mother never had in Macy's sister. Macy is living the cookie cutter dream. Perfect boyfriend, perfect grades, prefect job... perfect perfect perfect. There is just one thing, Macy is actually not perfect. She has just being going through the motions of being perfect.
Macy as a character is actually pretty easy to relate to. She is the average kid trying to get through something not so average. She was close to her Father and since his passing she has held the stiff upper lip for her Mother.
Of course, a boy comes along and makes things not so perfect. Wes, is the cliched misunderstood artist type. Tattoo and all. I liked this character even with him being so predictable. I am a sucker for the artsy type though. While "normal" girls lusted over jocks and the "normal" hot guy, I was always getting slimy over the art guys. I don't know what it is about a man who is rough around the edges and creates art that gets me going. Anyway, apparently I have this in common with Macy. She is attracted to Wes from the first time she sees him.
I won't give away why they connect so much but I will say I like the development of the story. I liked the way that this story started, progressed, and ended. It definitely had some eye rolling cliched moments but over all I dug this book.
I would recommend this book to those who have a soft spot for pink books like I do. I would recommend this book to girls who are trying really hard to be something they are not.
While writing this review I am listening to Massive Attack Mezzanine.
Macy as a character is actually pretty easy to relate to. She is the average kid trying to get through something not so average. She was close to her Father and since his passing she has held the stiff upper lip for her Mother.
Of course, a boy comes along and makes things not so perfect. Wes, is the cliched misunderstood artist type. Tattoo and all. I liked this character even with him being so predictable. I am a sucker for the artsy type though. While "normal" girls lusted over jocks and the "normal" hot guy, I was always getting slimy over the art guys. I don't know what it is about a man who is rough around the edges and creates art that gets me going. Anyway, apparently I have this in common with Macy. She is attracted to Wes from the first time she sees him.
I won't give away why they connect so much but I will say I like the development of the story. I liked the way that this story started, progressed, and ended. It definitely had some eye rolling cliched moments but over all I dug this book.
I would recommend this book to those who have a soft spot for pink books like I do. I would recommend this book to girls who are trying really hard to be something they are not.
While writing this review I am listening to Massive Attack Mezzanine.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Goals Goals Goals...
So I have started the weight release goal for my 30 for 30 and so far have lost 1 pound. Go Malinda! I am counting calories which blows but is super enlightening. I have an app on my phone that makes it very easy to keep track of what I am eating. It is also helping me watch my cholesterol. I come from a long line of heavy folk and have many a bad eating habits. I don't want to jump into a program that is too radical to keep up. So I have altered my path and thus far it isn't easy but it is doable.
I have a great concept for a painting working around my noodle and now I just need a sunny weekend day to make it come to life.
The boyfriend got a call today informing him that he has been hired at the University of Utah hospital. While the money isn't much more than he is currently making it is at least in the field he wants to be in. So YAY for him! My own job hunting hasn't been going awesome thus far and I have been frustrated. I am revamping my resume and hopefully that will bring new life to my hunt. So if anyone knows of any jobs out there that you think I would be rockin for please let me know.
I have a great concept for a painting working around my noodle and now I just need a sunny weekend day to make it come to life.
The boyfriend got a call today informing him that he has been hired at the University of Utah hospital. While the money isn't much more than he is currently making it is at least in the field he wants to be in. So YAY for him! My own job hunting hasn't been going awesome thus far and I have been frustrated. I am revamping my resume and hopefully that will bring new life to my hunt. So if anyone knows of any jobs out there that you think I would be rockin for please let me know.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
In short: We follow 17 year old Andy through her emotional tail of her brother's death, her potential suicide, and the heart ache of the French Revolution as she relearns history through the diary of another.
This is not a feel good book. That is not to imply it isn't good, because it is written quite well. I enjoyed the style of Jennifer Donnelly quite a bit. We are instantly curious about this girl Andy who seems way too intense for no reason. We find out later she was present at the accidental killing of her little brother. She has grown up with an eccentric Mother and absent Father. The only thing Andy can hold on to is her music.
Andy can kick some serious ass on the guitar. In this way she reminds me of several musicians I know. All of whom started playing the guitar when they were teenagers at the height of depression. Music is something that I lean on as well. I don't play, but I listen to music every second that I can. I can relate to getting lost on three or four chords of a song.
There is a fair amount of French Revolution history in this book. It made me realize how much I had forgotten about the French Revolution. I went back in my history lessons and expanded them to assist me with the sections of the story that take place in 1795 in Paris.
While, as I said previously, this is not a light read, it is worth the read. I wouldn't recommend this to someone who is currently depressed. There are A LOT of depression triggers in this book if you are prone to the doom and gloom I would be careful of your own mood while reading this book. I always wished that more book reviews gave heads up to us depressives.
I was listening to Norah Jones while writing this review.
This is not a feel good book. That is not to imply it isn't good, because it is written quite well. I enjoyed the style of Jennifer Donnelly quite a bit. We are instantly curious about this girl Andy who seems way too intense for no reason. We find out later she was present at the accidental killing of her little brother. She has grown up with an eccentric Mother and absent Father. The only thing Andy can hold on to is her music.
Andy can kick some serious ass on the guitar. In this way she reminds me of several musicians I know. All of whom started playing the guitar when they were teenagers at the height of depression. Music is something that I lean on as well. I don't play, but I listen to music every second that I can. I can relate to getting lost on three or four chords of a song.
There is a fair amount of French Revolution history in this book. It made me realize how much I had forgotten about the French Revolution. I went back in my history lessons and expanded them to assist me with the sections of the story that take place in 1795 in Paris.
While, as I said previously, this is not a light read, it is worth the read. I wouldn't recommend this to someone who is currently depressed. There are A LOT of depression triggers in this book if you are prone to the doom and gloom I would be careful of your own mood while reading this book. I always wished that more book reviews gave heads up to us depressives.
I was listening to Norah Jones while writing this review.
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