The Scorch Trials--Review

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I'm definitely jumping on the young adult dystopia novel bandwagon. I found this book as hard to put down as The Maze Runner, the first in the series. I did not like the setting as much and the new characters made my blood boil (I don't even know why I hate them, I think I'm supposed to like them) but I still found it impossible to stay away from this book for too long. It was extremely suspenseful and even terrifying at times. It's going to be a long wait for The Death Cure which doesn't come out until October!



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I am loving this new trend in young adult literature. I haven't even read The Hunger Games yet and that's the one that started it all!

Katie Succumbs to Peer Pressure and Reviews a Few Books

Kristin's been bugging me to do this for a while so I guess I'll give it a try...

Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I expected a lot from this book because I'd heard so much about it, but I was very disappointed. The writing didn't seem realistic at all, and a lot of the time I was just plain confused. I didn't even like the main character, which made it very hard for me to have sympathy for her. The plot was vaguely interesting, especially near the end but I really just wanted to get through it.




Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I actually liked this book more than I thought I would when I first saw it. The way the characters interacted was a bit fake, and I don't think Adriana Trigiani really has a great understanding of how teenage girls think and feel, but the plot was interesting. I love that Viola's main passion was filming and I think this was the best aspect of the book. I could have used a few more appearances of the ghost I was promised in the inside flap. Finally, I think the whole book could have done without the addition of Viola's love interest, Jared. This book wasn't bad overall but I don't think I need to read the sequel.




The Maze Runner by James Dashner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I knew before I read this book that I would like it, but I had no idea how much I would love it. Dashner ended pretty much every chapter with a cliffhanger, which of course had me reading chapter after chapter without realizing I was doing it. I think one of the most endearing things about this book (besides the characters- I loved all of them, even the ones I knew I was supposed to hate) was the slang used by the Gladers throughout the book. Not only was it unique and even humorous at times, but it was a constant reminder to Thomas that he was in new, confusing surroundings. This book had some technical errors that bothered me while I read, but it was just so interesting and difficult to put down that there was no way I couldn't give it five stars.




The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I didn't like this book quite as much as I enjoyed The Maze Runner, but the difference is so small that I gave it five stars anyway. The Scorch Trials is more violent than its brother, and the diseased Cranks were a bit too zombie-like for my tastes. Still, this book answered many questions asked in The Maze Runner and was just as intriguing. The cliffhanger at the end has me waiting impatiently for The Death Cure.



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Easter Break Reads

I was blessed with some extra time off this Easter. I used a lot of the time to wade through the oceans of work I still have to complete this semester, but I also managed to get some solid reading time in.

Esio Trot by Roald Dahl

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


If I think too hard about the themes of this book, I come up with almost nothing positive to say. It promotes lying to get what you want, it portrays the woman as idiotic and the man as conniving and clever, etc. I do not believe Mr. Dahl was trying to use this book to educate kids in the way of being deceitful spoiled brats, but it's hard to ignore. Still, it's a fast book and a fairly enjoyable read if you have a spare thirty minutes.



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Three Black Swans by Caroline B. Cooney

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I found this a suspenseful and moderately compelling read that nevertheless falls a bit flat. The writing was repetitive but not dull. The multiple perspectives were interesting but I think the reader could have benefited from the parents' perspectives a little earlier in the book. As it is, by the time the parents chime in, it feels a little random and seemingly comes out of nowhere. Recommended for girls who like suspense but not violence.



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The Maze Runner by James Dashner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have not read a book this addictive in a long time. It took me a few chapters to get into it, but once I was in, I was hooked and I never wanted to stop reading. I found the characters and setting extremely interesting and I just love the dystopian premise. This book is not without flaws, but I am willing to overlook them to award the full five stars. I am looking forward to reading the sequel immensely.



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Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Hmmm, books like this just aren't my cup of tea. Viola is an extremely spoiled child and is mostly unlikeable throughout the whole book. The characters' dialogue with one another is so unrealistic as to be ridiculous. Viola insults her new roommates before they even spend their first night together. No one I've ever met would do that, even if they were the Princess of Snark. The major exception to the unbelievable character rule is the RA, Trish, who gives a fun and authentic portrayal of the typical hyper-involved Resident Assistant. The texts and e-mails are a nice touch and a practical literary device. Recommended for teenage girls who enjoy modern realistic fiction.



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The Many Merits of The Music Man

When I'm really busy with schoolwork and I don't want to disturb my roommates with my overzealous vocal performances (I'm incapable of listening to music without singing along) I like to put on a movie that I know so well and have seen so many times it does not take up any extra space in my brain. The movie becomes lovely background noise for my homework and when I need a break I can easily tune in to the film, then just as easily tune back out.

Though I've seen The Music Man plenty of times, I've never been able to make it background noise. I recently tried to get work done while watching it and I failed miserably. When it's on, I just have to partake in it. These are just some of the things I love about the movie:

1. There is a barbershop quartet featured in it. I mean, really, how do you expect me to attend to my schoolwork when there is a perfect four-part harmony flowing out of my speakers?
2. Kristin Chenoweth is in it. In addition to having the world's best name, Kristin also happens to be my personal idol. If I got to pick one celebrity to be, it would be Kristin Chenoweth. I've also just revealed that I am partial to the 2003 incarnation of this musical. I like the 1962 Robert Preston version too, but I don't have that one on DVD.
3. Kristin Chenoweth plays a teacher (a piano teacher, but a teacher nonetheless) who doubles as the town librarian. If there was ever a more perfect combination of occupations, I've not yet heard of it.
   
4. The setting makes me feel summery inside.
5. Certain pieces of dialogue really speak to me. "I always think there's a band, kid" used to be one of quotes in my "About Me" section on Facebook. It might still be there, I don't often look at that section of my own page. I also just quoted this movie in my final reflection for my internship.
6. I made my musical theater debut as a pick-a-little lady when I was in seventh grade so this musical will always have a special place in my heart.

I could go on, but I'll spare you, dear readers. Just wanted to share my love for this beautiful musical in my little corner of the web.

Hattie Big Sky--Review

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I've gone back and forth on a 4 rating or 5 rating for this book but since it's been three days since I finished the book and I still can't stop thinking about it, I've got to give it the full five. I love this book. I love the characters and I am obsessed with the setting, both location and time period. At the end of the book, the author lists other books about homesteading and I intend to try out a few of them. I will definitely revisit this book some time.
I disagree with the publishers on the appropriate age level for this book. It's listed as a 5th grade reading level with an age range of 9-12. First, I do NOT think this is written on a 5th grade level, especially since the subject is something students will likely know very little about. (I did not even know what homesteading was until I read this book.) Second, most middle schoolers I know would probably be bored by this book unless they were history buffs. I think this book would appeal more to adult women who love history. I could be very wrong of course, and I hope there are classes of seventh graders cheering for this book.



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Double Feature Book Review: 2 for the post of 1

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I don't know what to say about this book. Sometimes I really enjoyed reading it and other times I felt ambivalent toward it. The family's craziness makes for a compelling read most of the time and it works even better because the reader knows it's all true. I think I may have missed the point of this book about how family should stick together because I kept wanting to shout at the kids, "Get out and leave your crazy parents behind!" There's not a lot to like about the parents in this story, which may be part of the reason I'm not over the moon about it as many people are. I really need to care about the characters and most of the time in this case I just didn't.



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This is a terribly written review. I feel like I just have nothing to say about this book other than, "Gosh, that family is super crazy" which is what the review boils down to.



The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book had an excellent ending but it just could not make up for its earlier transgressions. I thought it was a bit of a slow read and I did not even like the characters that much. I thought this whole book was going to be about the trip to Birmingham but it took them a very very long time to get on the road. I really just did not care about everything that happened before they started talking about going to Birmingham.



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A disappointing book from the genius who wrote Bud, Not Buddy. I believe this was his first novel, so he definitely improved a bit before writing Bud.