The Book Review Thread!

[Michy]

I recently read The Lovely Bones and I adored it. I did see the film first, but I felt like it helped set the tone, characters, and feel for me to expand upon in the novel. I'm so sad to see people not liking it in this thread. I thought exploring the characters after what happened was really interesting. The last few chapters were really good and I was so happy with how it ended, especially compared to the way the film handled it.

Hmm I've also read it since the last time I posted.
I think the film didn't portray it well, from what I hear (I haven't watched it myself). But the book was pretty good at portraying character development. It was a heaven that broke a typical "heaven stereotype", if I can say that. I probably wouldn't rank it as one of the best books I've read though because the ending fell a little flat for me. There was closure, but not enough closure. I felt it could have been done better.

[Michi]

The film made it more about vengeance and the book was more just about recovery. In that sense, I got enough closure from the book. The film left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Dani]

Lovely Bones takes place in the farm park near me =D

Everyone gets scared of the farm park because some girl in the 70s or whatever might have died there, but they totally ignore the Insane Asylum where murderous loons have escaped from that's RIGHT THERE.

[Tomo Squad]

We're still talking about the lovely bones XD?

One of the only things that actually moved me in the book was the dad's vulnerability and his determination to keep his family together I kinda related him to my own dad, so yeah TT^TT;;

AND DANIIIIII SERIOUSLY?! O-O REMIND ME TO NEVER VISIT YOU LMFAO

[XxHitomixX]

Okay... I'm a huge book junkie. My bedwarmer (instead of a sexy man) is books.

Outlander is a series by author Diana Gabaldon about a British surgeon straight out of World War II reunites with her husband to take a second honeymoon in the Scottish highlands. Claire decides to explore the Scottish countryside whilst her husband, historian Frank Randall, is conducting research. She visits one of thousands of rock circles similar to "Stone Henge" that are scattered across Europe. After stepping through a cleft rock in one of the circles Claire finds herself transported through time to the 17th century where she is instantly caught up in the battle raging between the British and the Scots. She is abducted by a band of highwaymen highlanders, which is how she meets Jamie. Can Claire remain faithful to her husband while trying to find her way back to her time, or will she be swept off her feet by this rugged Scottish highlander? Incredible series. I believe it's over 9 books so far, and she's still writing.

Love and Honour is a novel written by Randall Wallace who also wrote Pearl Harbour and Braveheart. It follows the story of a young American soldier who has been put on a mission by Benjamin Franklin himself to travel to Russia and attract the attention of Catherine the Great, the Tsarina of Russia. He is to plead his case to her and ask for her aid in the brewing war against the British commonwealth. Battling the elements, murderous British convoys, the sly women of the Court and the cunning Tsarina herself, can he possibly decide the fate of his home and country? Amazing book, though a little short. I felt like I could read about this man forever.

Rainbow Boys is a novel following three young teen boys in their high school life who each deal with being a homosexual differently. I am a huge Gay and Lesbian rights activist and this book was a truly great read. It's hard following the stories because not every story ends the same way or in a happy ending, and I enjoyed the sense of realism being portrayed.

[Tomie]

I recently remembered that I was going to do a massive Stephen King book review.  Well, better late than never.  I can't remember everything about the books, but I'll do the best I can.   I start with the one I'm reading right now, Hearts in Atlantis.

Hearts in Atlantis:  is actually a collection of 2 novellas and 3 short stories.  I just finished the first novella, "Low Men in Yellow Coats" and I'm working on the title story now.  "LMiYC" is really good.  really pulls you in. I was really disappointed when it ended.  The ending wasn't disappointing, just the fact that I had become invested in the characters and wanted THEIR story to continue. The next one is sort of connected, but so far only by the mention of a character in the first.  Well, there's still more to go.It also made me want to read more books, specifically "Lord of the Flies", "Of Mice and Men" (though that was on my list beforehand), and another book I can't remember the name (it's driving me crazy XP). 

If any of you have ever seen the movie "Hearts in Atlantis", it more closely follows "LMiYC" with some changes, as movie adaptations are apt to have.  The main plot of the story involves an 11 y/o boy named Bobby who befriends an old man named Ted Brauhtigan, who happens to be on the run from "The Low Men" who, you guessed it, wear yellow coats.  I won't give anymore of the plot away. Let's just say that there is a "twist" to Ted and these "Low Men"


Edit:  FINISHED!  Ok, the character that was "just mentioned" becomes more of a main character, but the story still follows the main character.  Tbh, I care more about the character (Carrol Gerber is her name, btw) from the first novella than the main character in this.  Like I said, I became more invested in the characters from the first.   The story was OK.  Sometimes I like King's Dramatic stuff, sometimes I don't.  This was...in the middle.    I also finally learned what the "peace sign" (that circle with the bird track in it) actually stands for.  I always thought it stood for "peace", but actually it's "N.D." or "Nuclear Disarmament"

The third story is called "Blind Willie".  This was my least favorite of the stories.  It follows a side character from "Low men in yellow coats" and is just...boring. 

The 4th is called "Why We're in Vietnam".  This one actually has a main character from the first story as the main character!  Another OK one.  It makes you think.   

The last one is "Heavenly Shades of Night are Falling".  It takes the main main character from the first story back to the place he grew up, which was where the events of the first story take place.  Even though there's actually someone I care about again, I honestly don't remember this one.  That's saying something since I just read the book recently, I think XXP

Under The Dome: Another great book.  I usually love everything about a King book (save for The Gunslinger..more on that later), but I didn't entirely care for the ending of this one. It was just too predictable. Mind you, I've read other books where the ending was predictable that it didn't bother me.  The difference here was that I was really REALLY hoping to be surprised.  Another "problem" I had was I didn't think King took it as far as he could've.  Overall though, I loved it. 

The book is about how one day, suddenly and (until the end) inexplicably, a mysterious "Dome" seals off the town of Chester's Mill from the rest of the world. While some people are trying to solve the problem of the Dome, others within the town are taking advantage of it and the townspeople's fear. But fear not! For there is a resistance group..er...resisting said advantage takers! 

Spoiler for Hidden:

Remember the "problem" I mentioned before about King not taking it as far as he could've? If not I'd start worrying about your short term memory...Anyway, the town is sealed off. No one knows for how long. Naturally, there's a great deal of worry involving food, fuel for generators, etc... it's also discovered later that the pollution in Chester's Mill isn't getting out, or is any rain getting in (air is, though). I wanted to know what would happen when the town ran out of food, etc...what lengths the people would go to to survive...but the Dome is lifted before then.

MORE LATER!

[Michi]

I just finished Girl with a Pearl Earring last night. It was slow but just in the way I like it. Everything was so descriptive and well written, that if I only had time to read a page or two I was still satiated. Most of the book is basically giving a strong background and lead up to the creation of the painting itself, and I liked that. It gave you a strong sense of the characters and the lives they led. I'm afraid the film won't give me the same feeling the book did, but I intend to watch it very soon!
It's about a 16 year old girl that becomes the maid of the Dutch painter Vermeer, and how her presence in the household changes things and eventually leads to her becoming the subject of the famous painting. (Though this is totally just a made up "what if" since Girl with a Pearl Earring is called the Dutch Mona Lisa.) It focuses a lot on feelings and relationships and I like that sorta stuff.

[Gypmama]

Michi, I read that book too! And saw the movie!

I finished a book called The Magicians a week or so ago. It is by a guy named Lev Grossman.

To picture what this book is like:
Imagine Harry Potter. Now take away all the childish notions. Make it American. Add more alcohol and sex. Add more competitiveness and subtract all the friendly hugging. Sprinkle in some Narnia satire. Now make it college. And speed it up.
There you go.

It is a good read, honestly. While the plot is nearly non-existing until the last 1/4 of the book, everything that happens in the other 3/4 of the book work and build up to it very slowly in a sneaky way.
My only advice is that if anyone who likes their books with a lot of flash and excitement will be bored to tears because it is a leisurely read with very little in-your-face, fast pace writing.

[Serenyty]

Ooh, is it more of a "this is the universe that we're talking about, whee, let's look at everyday occurances for people in this universe?"

If so, I'm totally interested XD. I always liked it when Harry Potter would be like "ooh look, here's what they do in their class but it has nothing to do with the plot" because I found the universe interesting.

Maybe I'm just used to Brit Lit novels, idk, but I like slow-moving slice of life.

[Gypmama]

The way this book applies magic to the real world is likening it to a complex math equation and only really, really, really gifted people can do it. It's like a MENSA gathering of 17 to 22 year olds.
Imagine looking in on a college student trying to get the hang of Quantum Physics. It's like that.

Quoted from a website the reviews the book:

Grossman’s compelling book is fantasy written as a mainstream novel, with none of the joy and wonder found in the usual light fantasy; the seriousness of purpose found in much high fantasy; or the action and derring-do found in contemporary urban fantasy. It is fantasy as character study, with magic seemingly just an overlooked field of study for a very smart teenager.

The main character is a regular guy from Brooklyn with regular parents. Nothing weird has ever happened to him in his entire life up... up until the start of the story. The only thing about him worth noting is that he is a big fan of a series of books that most people stop reading once they hit puberty. He grew up wishing magic was real and then, suddenly, he finds out that it is and it is nothing like what he thought it would. It's hard work, but he thinks it will bring him happiness.

Here, check out the college's website:
http://www.brakebills.com/index_real.html

[Celia]

I just finished "The Front Runner" by Patricia Nell-Warren. It is an amazing book from 1974 about a gay runner and his gay coach, and ... well I can't really say more without spoiling LOL
It's the most amazing book I've ever read, and I highly recommend it to everyone who hasn't read it. if you decide to read it DON'T READ THE BACK OF THE BOOK D< IT SPOILS WAY TOO MUCH AND IT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU ! IT RUINS THE WHOLE STORY! I finished this book in 4 days, I've never been captured by a book like this, I laughed, cried, smiled everything. Best book ever. xD

[Tomie]

I just finished reading "The Lord of the Flies"

I decided to read it for two reasons: 

1. "Hearts in Atlantis"
2. It's one of those well-known books that gets talked/written about alot.  It's like....a classic.  And I've read so few classics. 

It's a very simple narrative, a boys' adventure story, that nonetheless makes you THINK.  Hell, according to this "Critical Analysis" section that was included in the copy I got, over 50 years worth of thinking has gone into thinking about Lord of the Flies. 

I'd recommend giving it a read.   The only bad thing was the copy I had also included an introduction that for some reason saw fit to spoil some of what was going to happen in the story XXP 

[Michy]

So I am on a book hunt to pass time away this weekend without both my laptop and my phone.

I haven't exactly read this, but my friend recommended it.

Nothing by Janne Teller is Young Adult but boy does it sound intriguing and full of existentialism. I'd dig that. I wish they had it in bookshops here but I'll have to probably get it in Amazon when I get back to UK. Will update with a review later, but what I've read so far (of reviews) makes this one top of my to-read list.

Spoiler for Hidden:

"Pierre Anthon left school the day he found out that it was not worth doing anything as nothing mattered anyhow. The rest of us stayed behind. And even though the teachers carefully cleared up after Pierre Anthon in the class room as well as in our heads, a bit of Pierre Anthon remained within us. Perhaps this is why things later happened the way they did ..."

Thus begins the story of Pierre Anthon, a thirteen year old boy, who leaves school to sit in a plum tree and train for becoming part of nothing. "Everything begins just in order to end. The moment you were born you began to die, and that goes for everything else as well." Pierre Anthon shouts and continues: "The whole thing is just one immense play which is about pretending and about being best at exactly that."

Scared at the prospects that Pierre Anthon throws at them together with the ripening plums, his seventh grade class mates set out on a desperate quest for the meaning of life. This involves a closed saw mill, green sandals, a yellow bicycle, a pair of boxing gloves, the Danish flag, the hamster Oscarlille, a Jesus statue stolen from the church, little Ingrid’s crutches, six blue ponytails, a prayer rug, the coffin with Elise’s little brother, the head of the dog Cindarella, fame and a meaning found and lost and ...

[Liana]

I just finished Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides which is one of the best books I have EVER read. There's metaphor and meaning on every page and DELICIOUS language. It's about a hermadephrite and how s/he grew up but before that it's about the generations that came before that birth. So good.

[Michi]

Liana you have convinced me to check out that book. Once I finish the one I'm reading (Life of Pi) I will have to borrow that from the library! Even tempted to borrow it from the library and take it to Japan with me to read, haha, but that might be risky.

Also I didn't mention, I did see the film version of Girl with a Pearl Earring after I read the novel. Book was better, the end. Haha.