Sounds familiar ...

Well, we have hit the time of year where I'll be bombarding this blog with YA literature. As part of our school day, we have 20 minutes of reading time built in where we HAVE to read. I do not complain about this, and this semester I've got a group of kids who stay quiet so I'm not interrupted. I also started teaching a new strategic reading class that has several books in it for reluctant readers. So I can talk to the kids about the books, I need to read them, which has made my selections for this SSR time really easy :)

The first book I picked up for this was Armageddon Summer by Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville. It's a dual narrative from a teenage girl (Marissa) and teenage boy (Jed) (I'm guessing each author took one of the characters). Each of their parents has gone through divorce or a separation and have become involved with an armageddon cult (the book takes place in 2000, so it's similar to all of the Y2K - and has tones of 2012 in it as well). Marissa is a Believer, but Jed isn't. It follows them through the process and questioning of the Believers.

It was an easy read (started it Thursday and finished it Friday), and like I said, has tones of 2012, so it's somewhat timely.

A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire

This is the third book in the Wicked series. I LOVED Wicked, and while the story in Son of a Witch was intriguing, I thought the ending left something to be desired. I have to admit that I wasn't that thrilled when I saw the third book in the series was going to be about The Cowardly Lion. I hadn't really found him to be a compelling character - especially not enough to do an entire book on him. Now, discussing the Scarecrow's rise to power - that might have been interesting.

Sadly, I was right. This book was kinda dull and boring. It wasn't compelling and barely kept my interest. I flew through it, but I think it was more because I just wanted to be done.

However, that isn't going to stop me from reading the fourth and final book in the series, which comes out this fall. I'm hoping it regains some heat.

Waking Up on the Bayou

Last year, I downloaded the 1,001 Books You Should Read Before You Die. Now, I've read quite a few books in my life (I average between 75 and 100 per year; I'm on the northside of 30, you do the math), but there were a lot on the list that I haven't read. So, I decided that I need to read more of the "classics" (there's a notable lack of Brit Lit on my list; we can blame a certain teacher I had my junior year of high school). Somehow, The Awakening by Kate Chopin had slipped through the list (or it might not have; when you've read as much as I have, I frequently forget what I've read/haven't read).

The story centers around Edna in the late 1800s (what makes it even more surprising that I haven't read this is that it takes place in New Orleans). So, you should know what women were expected to be like. Edna, at 30, decides this is not the way she wants to live and falls in love with another, younger man. Even though she's madly in love with him, she sticks to society's rules and doesn't do anything too rash. But, nothing turns out the way she plans for it to.

In some respects, this is a lot like Their Eyes. You've got a female lead bucking society's rules. However, I enjoyed this one much more. That could be because Chopin was a precursor to Southern Gothic writing, which happens to be my favorite. Basically, I just connected to the story and characters more.

At the end, I started thinking about how far we've come in dealing with depression. It was obvious that Edna had some issues with that (and it was probably related to the fact that she felt that her life wasn't fulfilled - yet another thing we've come a long way in when referring to women's rights), but there was just no treatment for it yet. It wasn't even considered to be a real thing at this point. Still, even though there are many, many people who suffer from this disease, it's still looked down upon. Even though we've made great strides, there's still a long way to go. We, as a society, need to realize that suicide is caused by a sickness - a sickness that needs to be eradicated.

The Return of that Blasted Red Letter

I think it's really common for people to hate having to read The Scarlet Letter in high school. I was not one of those people, but then again, I'm not normal. Of course after having to read one of the most dry, boring, sleep inducing books on the witch trials in freshman history in college, the classic was simple and easy.

But, we don't get to find out what happens to Hester and Pearl. Enter Hester by Paula Reed. Hester has taken Pearl and moved to England. They move in with her childhood friend during the time of Cromwell, so England is a bit messy at this point. Staying true to form, Hester manages to get herself in the middle of everything and even gains favor with Cromwell. However, things get turned around, and life becomes not so neat for her again. Throughout it all, though, Hester stays a strong woman and manages to pass this down to Pearl.

This was a good read. You definitely need to have read The Scarlet Letter (and no cheating with just watching Easy A!). If you haven't, you'll be lost. It's much easier to get through than the Hawthorne classic, but then again, the writing isn't as lyrical. Still, it was interesting (but I'm also a sucker for retellings/reimaginings).

Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

This is the second book in the Kane Chronicles. I hadn't planned on reading it so soon after reading the first one (I am now trying to switch up genres when I read so I don't get in a rut. Besides, with school starting in two weeks, I'll be reading plenty of YA books during our school's daily SSR time - yes, I get paid to read a book of my choice for 20 minutes a day! It's a bit of heaven I must say.) But, it was on the shelf, and nothing else looked good at the time.

My review is pretty similar to The Red Pyramid. As with the Percy Jackson series, more about Sadie and Carter's past and family history gets revealed. Their ultimate goal/mission is also made clearer, but I'm also guessing that the full plan has  not been disclosed to us yet. There's also a few twists and turns woven into the plot that you didn't necessarily see coming, which is part of the reason Riordan's books are compelling; he makes sure to keep you on your toes.

I'm glad I read this, and I'll be picking up the third one when it comes out next spring.

Time for a Classic

I've tried many times to read Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, but it's not an easy read. The vernacular, while very accurate, makes it a little difficult to understand. I found myself rereading passages several times trying to figure out what some of the words were supposed to be. ("Kivver" was a particularly difficult one - it's cover, by the way.).

The novel follows Janie Crawford who is on a personal journey for independence, love, and self in the 1930s. As a black female, that was unheard of for that time, which is why this novel is important. However, it's not one of my favorites.

This book is more of a character study, which is typically not my cup of tea. This was no different. I know and understand why it was very groundbreaking and needs to be in the "Greats" canon. But, it just isn't for me.

Despite me not liking it, I still think it is something that needs to be read by everyone. It does a good job of showing what life was really like (which makes sense considering Hurston was also an anthropologist) and really is groundbreaking. It's just not one that I'll put on my have to reread list.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

I have touted and recommended Riordan's Percy Jackson series since I first read it five years ago. I think it is a great series and gives kids a good introduction to the basics of Greek mythology. I read it to my sixth graders, and I had kids who didn't read at all start to read more myths and other series that were similar.

Now that Percy Jackson is finished, Riordan has started two new series. One is the Kane Chronicles and The Red Pyramid is the first in that. Instead of looking at Greek myths, he's moved onto looking at Egyptian mythology, which I think is even more fantastic because this is often overlooked in our education systems. Again, it presents the basics to kids in a non-threatening, action packed method.

The book is told through a "recording" by Carter and Sadie Kane, a brother and sister duo who get swept up into an adventure where Egyptian gods are released into the modern world. They ultimately have to save the world from the god Set, who has a plan to send the world into chaos. As the story unfolds, Carter and Sadie slowly discover their family's history and how important they are in Egyptian history as well as to the safety of the world.

I wouldn't say this is as good as the Percy Jackson series, but it did keep my interest on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's a quick read, fast paced and interesting. I'd say it's a definite for kids, and their parents might just enjoy it too.

Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

This is the second Spellman book. Because I just wrote the review on the first one, I don't have much to add.

"Curse" starts a bit after the first one left off, and again Izzy is embroiled in some madcap capers. This time she's following several suspicious people - including her dad, mom, brother, and neighbor, who ends up getting a restraining order on her.

This book does have a non-traditional timeline as did the first. It goes back and forth, but it isn't hard to follow. Lutz does a good job through fonts and chapter titles of making sure you know where in the chronology. This is still more of a "popcorn" or "potato chip" read, but it isn't low brow or idiotic. Lutz does a good job of weaving in comedy and stays true to all those lovely family issues that pop up (even though these are a little more out there than most of us have experienced most likely).

So, all in all: easy read, fun, light, and yet will still hold your attention.

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

PSA: I'm quite a bit behind in these posts, so expect several in the next few days so I can try to get caught up.

I absolutely loved Niffenegger's first book, The Time-Traveler's Wife. I rarely cry at books, but I absolutely bawled at the end of that one. It was just so beautiful and a great love story. However, I am typically let down by an author's second novel after their first one is so acclaimed. I have to admit that I was a little hesitant going into this book because of this (I also think I remember someone telling me they didn't like it.)

This, however, was another great woven story in my mind - at least for the first two thirds of the book. The story centers around two sisters (twins) whose aunt (their mother's twin) dies and leaves them her flat in London and requires them to live there for a year (and that their parents cannot step foot into the flat). Throughout the entire story, there are hints of something horrible that has happened to separate the aunt and mother before the twins were born. During this time, we're also introduced to the aunt's lover (Robert), the other tenant in the building, Martin who has a severe case of OCD, and the aunt's (Elspeth) ghost, who plays a major role in the story.

I have to admit that the twins, Julie and Valentina, creeped me out a bit. I found it odd that women in their early 20s still dressed exactly alike - but we're allowed to see that that is more of Julie's doing than Valentina's.

Then you hit the last third of the book and there are some twists I didn't really expect. They're a little creepy and disturbing. These twists made me like the book a little less.

It is still wonderfully written despite the creepiness and oddness. Just be forewarned before you start it!

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

This book had been hanging around in my collection for quite a while. Last week, a friend told me that it was hilarious and that another friend loved this series (this is the first; by some miracle - meaning the B&N bargain table - I have the second one, too). So, I needed a quick, brainless read again, so I picked it up.

I'm so glad I did. It's a lot like the Stephanie Plum series started off as. It's funny and quirky. The book revolves around a dysfunctional family (the Spellmans) who run a PI firm out of their house. The story centers around Isabelle who wants out of the business because it is messing with her personal life too much. Her parents force her to take on one last case - a cold one from 10 years ago.

While not hard hitting, it's still a good read. There's some Lucille Ballesque moments, and it kinda makes you think about how nutty your own family really is. This book really filled my need for some "stupid funny."

How to Make Yourself Feel Less Weird

I first read Augusten Burroughs right before the movie Running with Scissors came out (I have the movie printing of that book). I immediately loved his style and honesty. It's insane, off the wall, frightening, disturbing and uplifting all at once. Burroughs had a topsy-turvy childhood to say the least, and he is a recovering alcoholic.

In Magical Thinking (his third and the one I most recently read), Burroughs is sober, and he finally finds a guy he can truly get serious with. All of his memoirs are really short essays compiled together, so it's a quick read. Most of them are no longer than 10 pages, so it's a good book to pick up for a few minutes and put down if needed.

I will admit he's not always easy to read. He's brutally honest about his flaws, which is probably good for his recovery, but it's not easy to see those flaws in someone else. This one, however, gives hope that he's finally on the right track - and chances are will make you feel like you are REALLY normal.

A New Take on an Old Classic

We all know about Big Brother from 1984, but in Little Brother, Cory Doctorow gives us a new twist on this classic.

This book is technically young adult, but it's one that can really hit home for adults, too.

Basically, the premise is the same as Big Brother. Just take it and put it in San Francisco in a post-9/11 era. The plot quickly starts off with an attack on the city's bay bridge, and then the DHS comes in and basically takes away all the freedoms of the residents. Marcus, a 17-year-old geek, hacker, gamer, takes it upon himself to try to show the government what's what and take back his city. He feels he's got more  of a stake in the matter because he, along with three of his friends, were arrested and interrogated for days right after the attack. The DHS tightens their hold on the city as the story progresses - traffic patterns are monitored, Internet usage is watched, etc. All of this eggs Marcus on as he continues to undermine the government on his X-net.

This was a very thought provoking book, and one that's very fitting for our times. I thought the writing drug on at times (I didn't need a lot of details on how Marcus programmed/worked his hacking magic), but that doesn't detract from the message Doctorow is trying to get across. Plus, there's the added bonus of him being cool enough that he's released a lot of his writing under Creative Commons - so it's free. All because he thinks  words/books should be easy to access!

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

This was an excellent book. It could be a little daunting at almost 600 pages, but it really is a quick read. Gaiman does a great job of weaving an intriguing, interesting, and amazing tale.

I don't want to describe too much of the book, because you are given very little from the beginning and part of the magic of the book is that Gaiman very deftly weaves in details as the story progresses. You start out with your main character, Shadow, who is just getting out of prison. On his trip home, he meets Mr. Wednesday, a very mysterious character, who gives Shadow a job. The two then embark on a very odd trip throughout America, although the main part of the story really does take place in the Midwest.

I really can't say enough about this book. It's only the second book I've read by Gaiman. The first was Stardust, which is also fantastically written and is more fairy tale than science fiction (think along the lines of The Princess Bride). I think some people may be automatically turned off by Gaiman because he's considered science fiction, but you really owe it to yourself to try at least one of his books. While some of the things in American Gods are definitely science fictiony, it really doesn't read like that. It truly is just a great story. If you love words and how they work together, then you really need to read Gaiman. You won't regret it.

Counted high enough?

A few years ago, I started reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. All of these books have a number in them (One for the Money, Sizzlin' Sixteen, etc.). She's up to No. 17 now (Smokin' Seventeen), and all I can say is meh.

Honestly, these books have been kinda meh for a while now. They're very formulaic, and the hilarity that used to keep me entertained for a few hours has diminished greatly. I read these for pure entertainment value and for a brain break (and after Game of Thrones, that was desperately needed).

I'm beginning to wonder if they're worth it anymore. Number 18 comes out in 6 months instead of a year, so I'm wondering if she's wrapping it up. I think it may be time for Lulu (the fat lady of the series) to sing.

Epically fantastic

I know the title sounds like something out of Bill and Ted's, but it is very fitting for this book.

I just finished George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, Book One in the Fire and Ice series. It's long; it's intimidating; it's dense; but it's all worth it.

I read it on my Kindle so I didn't have to deal with the insanely huge tome. The other thing I did to make it easier was watch the HBO series as I read it. There's a lot of characters in this book, and each chapter follows one of them (all of the book is done in 3rd person, though). And, not all of the characters are the focus of the chapters, so you have ancillary ones in each chapter that still play a large role in the story. It's a lot to keep track of. Watching the series gave me a mental picture of each of the characters, which was very helpful for me.

A sidenote on the TV series - it's also fantastic. They follow the book very closely. I recognized quite a few direct quotes from the book while watching it. It's a must see.

Ok, back to the book.

A lot of the characters are a little crazy and definitely power hungry. But many of them are still intriguing. Chances are you'll either hate them or like them. But you won't be ambivalent toward any of them.

So, pick it up. Block out some time because chances are, it will quickly suck you in.

Too Many Cooks ...

You know the saying "too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the broth"? That's exactly what happens with Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (this is the 11th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series).

I started reading these before the True Blood craze, but I've kept reading them because they're a nice popcorn/potato chip read. They're quick, and they don't require much brain power. The first few or so in the series were decent for the formulaic novel. But, after a while, it became too much. By too much, I mean that there were way too many plot points. The books are all relatively short, so there shouldn't be more than two plot points. However, it's gotten to the point where there are about five different storylines going on - some don't even start until the middle of the book. Because they are short books, these stories don't get flushed out or developed. This results in me not caring about some of the stories, questioning why they're included in the book, or just not paying attention to them. I just wish she'd go back to the old style and simplify the stories. There's no need to smash all of that into such a small amount of pages. It's a series, for crying out loud. If you want to include that storyline, wait until another book and fully flush it out!

That being said, I'll still continue reading these books. They still serve their purpose of being an easy read - but I have to admit when I have a hard time of remembering exactly what happened in the book, maybe it's time to find a new series.

Burn by Nevada Barr

Nevada Barr has been one of my go tos for easy, brainless reading since I graduated from college. I have a weak spot for murder mysteries, and her settings of U.S. National Parks intrigued me. They've actually taught me a lot about parks that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

So, I was really excited when I saw her latest in paperback at the bookstore a few weeks ago. I got even more excited when I realized it was set in New Orleans (I'll save my lovefest for that town for another time; suffice it to say, I can go on forever about that).

However, when I started it, I wasn't so excited. I am the first to admit that NOLA has its darker, seedier, more menacing side; I'd be a fool to not realize it. But, considering all that city has been through since Katrina (don't fool yourself into thinking it's been fixed), I don't know if I needed to read a book on its sex trade, especially its sex trade of minors (and I'm talking minor minors).

It's not a comfortable subject. No one wants to hear, see, or read about such things happening to kids. I definitely didn't want to read it in one of my no-brainer books.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

So, if you saw my post on Facebook, I absolutely loved this book. Jeremy said he hadn't seen me so engrossed in a book in so long. I'm just sad that I hadn't read it earlier.

I was wary of the book when one of the blurbs on it said that it was one of the most important and must reads since To Kill a Mockingbird. Please. That's a classic and a fantastic one at that. But I was wrong. I was instantly sucked into this story.

It's a three personal narrative that rotates among two black maids and a recent white female college grad. It's set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the early 1960s. I'm sure you can picture the issues that arise, especially since the young woman decides that there is something wrong with Southern society in this time period.

It was so good and so compelling that I've been telling everyone to check it out.

The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

This is one of the books that will be used for small groups in my new strategic reading class this fall. I'm trying to read the "main" books for it so I have an idea of what I'm talking about when teaching it/discussing it with the kiddos.

This was another book I couldn't put down. I started reading it during our SSR time for school, so 18 minutes a day wasn't really enough because the book keeps you wondering from page one.

The premise of the book is trying to figure out what happened to a teenager, Christopher Creed. As the book unfolds, you learn that he was an outcast at school, so a lot of the student body isn't really all that concerned about him or his fate. The book also covers a lot of topics that are very relevant to a high school student: bullying, being the outcast, cliques, parents, drinking, etc.

The point of this class is to help reluctant and struggling readers. I think this book is a perfect fit for that.

Talking to Girls about Duran Duran: One Young Man's Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut by Rob Sheffield

I absolutely LOVED Sheffield's Love is a Mixed Tape memoir. It was very touching, very witty, and written in my favorite style: reporterese. I've been wanting to read his second one since it came out, but I'm usually too cheap to buy hardcovers. So, on an ill-fated trip to Barnes and Noble last week (it was unsupervised and unplanned, which meant I left with seven books in a bag. Sigh.), I was elated to see it in paperback.

It didn't take long to read (this is why I love reporterese). But, it wasn't as great as the first one. I loved all the chapter titles (I was typically singing the song in my head), but I wasn't always sure on how the title fit the chapter. Sometimes he did a great job of tying it to his life; sometimes, not so much.

It wasn't as heartfelt as the first, which was disappointing. This seemed to just trail his bumbling through girls, and teaching ninth grade, I see enough of that every day.

This one seemed a little forced - one of those "Hey, writer, we as your publisher loved your first one, so do it again." I wish publishers would realize that you can't recreate things like that. That's not how writing works.

Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play by Ridley Pearson

If you know me, you know that I may be a bit addicted to Disney. I discovered this series while at WDW for our honeymoon, and it's just fun to read.

In the previous four books, Finn and his fellow DHIs have been chasing the Overtakers (or the Disney villains) throughout the parks. They have managed to capture Maleficient and Chernobog. But things are heating up again and the DHIs (kids who are holographic tour guides) are realizing that things aren't as safe as they were and what their real task is.

If you've been to Disney and have a special place in your heart for it, you should read these. They'd also be a great series to read together with your kids!

Monster by Walter Dean Meyers

Another phone post so it will be short and sweet.

This is one of the main books for my new reading strategies class next year. It's a little different because it is written in a screenplay form with journal entries interspersed throughout. It is about a boy from Harlem who is on trial for being an accomplice to a robbery/murder. He is writing the screenplay throughout the trial.

I could see how the book would be interesting and compelling to reluctant readers. However, I read screenplays too quickly and am not getting all I could out of it. But at least I'll be familiar with it for next year's class.

Taltos by Anne Rice

First off, please ignore any formatting weirdness. Thanks to some crappy Mediacom service, our Internet is down so this is a phone post making it easier to be short and sweet.

This is the third book in the Witching Hour series, and it was probably my least favorite. It seems like Rice has one crapper in her series and this one may be it. I will admit I read this one quickly because I didn't like it as much.

This book gives the history of the Taltos race while intertwining it with the story of Mona's pregnancy, which ultimately carries on the Taltos race.

By about halfway through, I didn't care anymore what was going to happen. It does bring closure to the series but I was rather meh about it.

Away to a Not-So Wonderous Land

I just finished Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin. I did not find it "magic" as Diana Gabaldon's quote says on the front.

The premise of the novel is to unwrap the real relationship between the real Alice (Alice Liddell) and Lewis Carroll (the pen name for Mr. Dodgson.) I think if you didn't know a little of the rumors/assumptions of Dodgson, you'd be confused. The mystery is trying to determine whether he was really a pedophile, but that is hidden throughout the story.
The novel follows the real Alice throughout her life and we don't get her version of the events of what got Dodgson banner from her life. By the end, I didn't care.
I thought the story was dry and uninteresting, and it was a book I made myself finish. I will admit that reading the story of Prince Bertie getting married at the same time Prince William was getting married made that part a little interesting but that quickly waned.

I think if there had been clearer and more frequent clues about the relationship, it would have better held my interest.

Lasher by Anne Rice

This is a re-read. I read the entire Mayfair witches series in high school when I may have been overly obsessed with Anne Rice (what can I say, she went well with my late 90s grunge, alterna-girl, angry at the world persona).  However, now that I've been rereading it, I'm getting a lot that I didn't get earlier in life. Thank you life experiences and background knowledge.

The thing that really helped was having gone to New Orleans. The traditions, the landscape, the knowledge of the town's geography has made the book make even more sense. This series is much more attached to the town than the Vampire Chronicles ever were. It may be the reason I like this series a little more now.

I will admit the rest of it deals with some odd topics: incest and pedophilia, to name a few. But, it's still an amazing story. Rice has always done a great job in creating her own lore when it comes to supernatural creatures. She takes what we know and turns it on its head without being too disruptive to our "natural" beliefs.

So, even though some of the subjects are touchy, I'd still recommend this series (this is the 2nd one; start with The Witching Hour.)

City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare

It's been a few weeks since I've finished a book. That's a bit embarrassing, I have to admit. But, in that time, I finished my thesis (I'll be an official Master's graduate in five days) and bought a house, so, I've been a bit busy. Still, I don't think I've ever gone that long without finishing a book of some sort.

Remember how I said I wasn't going to buy any more books until I read quite a few of the ones I had ... that was a lie. On April 9, I administered the ACTs, so I downloaded City of Fallen Angels onto my Kindle and then promptly left it in my classroom over the weekend after the tests.

This is the fourth in Clare's Mortal Instruments series, and I've really liked the previous three. I've described the series as "Twilight, but good" to other people as well as "Buffy with less focus on vampires and more focus on other creepy crawlies." I started the series because I had a crapton of my students tell me I HAD to read them, and they usually don't completely steer me wrong:) And, they were definitely right on these. Even though they're written with the YA audience in mind, they'll still hold the attention of adults, and the universe Clare's created is pretty fantastic and compelling.

It took me quite a while to get into this book. I thought the beginning dragged a bit, and that's also probably why I've gone so long without finishing anything - I couldn't get into this one. Then, I read the last quarter of the book last night. Holy buckets! That part was the most exciting out of the entire thing. (So, Natalie, you were right!)

Now that I look back, there's a few plot arcs that Clare could have cut, but I'm also guessing that they will make more sense in future books in the series. The cliffhanger at the end was very compelling, and I am excited for the next book to come out.

Woes of a Bibliophile

It is no secret that I love books. I can't explain how excited I am that one of the rooms in the new house will be a library. After having my books boxed up for three years, they will be free, and I will be in heaven.

However, this love also becomes a problem.

Jeremy and I organized some of the books we've bought (many of them have been boxed up to decrease clutter) a few weeks ago.

There is now a pile of 31 that neither of us have read. Nineteen of those are mine. This does not include ones that Jeremy has read and I haven't.

Because of this, I have banned myself from buying any new books.

Problem with this: Books I REALLY want to read have just come out. (City of Fallen Angels and Kingdom Keepers IV, for example).

But, now that my thesis is done, I may actually have time to start reading books again and can power through these in no time.

Maybe...

Shades of Grey: A Novel by Jasper Fforde

I picked this up because I like Fforde. I stumbled onto his books through his Nursery Crimes Series on one of the buy 2 get one free tables at Barnes and Noble. I like rewrites of fairy tails/nursery rhymes/classics/etc. so I decided to give it a whirl, and it was fantastic. Did the same with the Thursday Next series, which is lovely in all of its literary dorkiness.

I cannot say the same for this book.

The first strike against the book was the print. I couldn't even read the paperback version of it, thanks to bad leading (spaces between the lines - too small), kerning (spacing between the letters - too small), and paper (bad color and bad quality). I had to buy the Kindle version because it was so unreasonable. That didn't really set me off on the right foot with this book.

The premise of the book is that the society is based on colors and color perception. The society is somewhat dystopian as there is oppression based on your color as well as lack of supplies. People are also "branded" with their code and expected to fulfill certain jobs based on their rank and ability to see colors. The conflict centers around the fact that the world is slowly becoming monochromatic, which results in some of the characters having to go on color quests.

However, I could have cared less. There wasn't the world play as there has been in previous Fforde books (although one of the "Greys" - the lowest class possible - is named Dorian Grey, ha ha ha) , and it was just kinda boring.

I think the key sign that this book wasn't that great is how long it has taken me to read it. Typically, I'll finish a book in a few days. It's been a week, and I can't read this book for more than 20 minutes without wanting to fall asleep.

I suggest just skipping this one and picking up the next Thursday book - One of Our Thursdays Is Missing.

No reviews yet ...

Thanks to a few students asking for contact information for the summer, and the number of people who ask about what I'm reading, I decided to create a "one-stop shop" for my thoughts on what I've read. As a disclaimer, none of these authors are paying me, and I'm not getting any money from any publishers either. I'll give my honest opinion, and if a book is stupid, most likely, I'll say it's stupid.

I'm going to try my best to be super vigilant and super organized on the categories, too, which will be listed over to the right. I'll definitely do author, and I'll try my best on genres. I'll probably use how Amazon categorizes them.

It'd also be great if you've read one of the books to give your feedback on it in the comments!