John Green: Paper Towns

I didn't read An Abundance of Katherines...I think I was nervous about the sophomore slump, and after Looking for Alaska, I was worried that John Green might not have another in him...I avoided buying Paper Towns even though I wanted to (I loved the differing covers) for the same reason. I started listening to the book two days ago. I finished it today. AMAZING. Now, it didn't hurt that the reader had different voices (Radar's was my favorite), and that may have increased my love, but I really really REALLY enjoyed this book. Green again goes back to strong allusions to literature (go Whitman!), more "quest" as the focus point, and a really loveable group of friends and a very realistic portrayal of seniors in their final months of high school. If I taught seniors, they would begin listening to this right now. It was really awesome, and even though I wasn't fully satisfied with the ending, the journey (not the planning) was totally worth it!

Howard Dully (with Charles Flemming): My Lobotomy

This is the most horrific story EVER. I can't believe ANYONE would ever be ok with (let alone suggest it) having someone stick ice picks in a CHILD'S orbital sockets in order to SCRAPE THE CHILD'S BRAIN.

Howard Dully was 12 years old when his stepmother and a psychiatrist (Walter Freeman) (and Howard's father) agreed that a lobotomy would be the only way to "control" Howard.

While the vocabulary is extremely basic, and there is a good deal of repetition of basic phrases: "I was always getting in trouble;" "I was always hungry," etc, the story is so heart-wrenching it doesn't matter.

Dully's life was NEVER his own. He was a normal spazzy (probably ADD) kid. His mother died when he was 5, and when his father remarried, Dully's chance at a normal life ended. His stepmother hated him. Why? NO ONE knows. I think that is what I am the most frustrated with. Dully's stepmother died before he was thrown into the midst of the NPR story. We will never know why she was psychotic--and I have no other word for her but that--what else do you call someone who would do this to a baby who wasn't even her own flesh and blood? Dully's father is no better, but at least Dully was able to confront his dad about the experience and ramifications--even if the results were beyond unsatisfying.

What this text is BRILLIANT at: showing the reader that even someone with a HORRIFIC past can overcome and be something. Dully is a kind, compassionate, loving, and caring human being.

I do believe that things happen for a reason. We aren't given anything we can't handle. While Howard Dully DID NOT in any way shape or form deserve to have his "brain scrambled," who he is, what he has overcome, and what he has done for others through his journey might, in a very real sense, be the best thing for the world. We are very lucky to have his voice tell such a story.

NPR story (Dully's voice too!) (Be careful, it will make you cry...)

P.S. I listened to this on my commute from last Friday until today (I drove when I could this weekend, and listened to it on headphones during my prep because it was so good), and when I got home today, I pulled in my garage with about 3 tracks remaining, and put the car in reverse and drove to Barnes and Noble to buy the book.

I've never done that.

It moved me THAT much.

Truman Capote: In Cold Blood

I am super mad I haven't read this before now. And I didn't even read it, I listened to it. Incredible writing. Seriously incredible.

I loved it.

The story was very engaging, set up phenomenally, and Capote really crafted Perry's story well--to the point that I was more than a little miffed at the truth of the night the Clutters were killed.

Really really awesome story. WOW!!!!

LOVED IT!!!

Gennifer Choldenko: Al Capone Shines My Shoes

I loved it. I don't think my freshmen like it, but I wanted to pick a read aloud book that they might have a connection to. In middle school they read book 1.
I thought Moose, his sister, the convicts, Piper, Jimmy, Theresa, Janet, Darby Trixle, and the Warden are developed much more, and I am really impressed with the actual plot and resolution. AND I am hoping for a book three. This one didn't end as open-ended as book one did, but still left some awesome questions for the reader.
I also love the way the author deals with Nat and her autism. I love how all the prejudices (for mental illnesses and women's roles) are addressed for the time period, but I wonder how much of a connection my students today can make (without serious instruction and exploration--which my students are NOT willing to accomodate nor accomplish).
I liked the book a great deal though!!!

Khaled Hosseini: The Kite Runner

I have wanted to read this book for a very long time. I started listening to it in my car on my daily commute (45+ minutes to school each way), and am really glad I did. I would not have even come close to pronouncing the very Afghan words/names used.

I hated the narrator throughout the entire text, which, I guess is a good thing that the book was able to solicit emotion from me at all. There is an element of redemption in the end, but it is a very sad book.

I am glad I read this, but I feel more ignorant because of my lack of knowledge pertaining to global issues--this book made me look up information on the Hazara people and the Taliban faction that massacred them.

All and all, while I didn't totally love it, I am glad I read it--different story, different culture, and pretty darn good writing.

I would recommend listening to at least a few chapters just to hear the pronunciation of words and lilt and subtle nuances in this type of dialect.

Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler's Wife

So I asked Ms. Wescott which book to read:

The House of Sand and Fog

The Time Traveler's Wife

Running With Scissors

or

The Archivist

Her recommendation

<--

Yeah.

A VERY quick read for a 500+ page book, with a very interesting story (and awesome setting--I remember all the neighborhoods/streets referenced in Chicago!!)

But, overall this book gets an underwhelming "eh."

While I appreciate the originality, the cheeseball romance is definitely not my style. Also, there were points in the book that I wanted to punch the author in the face--the text got off-track and rambled and got to be TOO much. But, I am glad I read this. I don't think I would recommend it though...

Robert Goolrick: A Reliable Wife

So, this is my grown-up women's (no men have shown up--yet) book club. The first book I forgot to read (though I am glad, I don't think I'd have liked it), but I read this one.

Maybe I should have reversed it?

Goolrick can't write.

He overuses appositive phrases, uses "you" at random moments (which is beyond annoying), and since the text takes place in the EARLY 1900s, terms like "Gold Digger" (a la Kayne West) and "Holy Rollers" do not belong.

The story could have been really awesome--great premise--man places ad in paper for a "reliable wife," woman answers ad (lies and deceit abound), and she plans on killing him; he, on the other hand, has other plans for her.

The style takes away from the story and about mid-way through the book, I decided I had to finish it as a challenge to myself, no matter how much I hated the writing, the characters, or the plot.

I AM looking forward to our meeting on the 27th--so far no one likes it. :) It should be an awesome conversation!

Laurie Halse Anderson: Catalyst

I bought this book when it first was released. I just finished it this week. I bought enough copies to have a lit circle group for it, and I am really glad that I did.

This was a well-written text. Set in the same high school that Speak took place. Melinda even makes an appearance.

Kate is an interesting character, but she does confound me. I don't understand why she has to be so stubborn and live in such denial of the truth.

Her father is annoying and static, but I know why he has to be that way.

But the ending is VERY disappointing. There are enough twists and a couple of shockers, but the end of the book really left me bummed out.

I felt more closure and relief and belief in the ending of Speak. BUT, if it weren't for the ending, this would be one of my top YA books. But it's not.

Simone Elkeles: Perfect Chemistry

Suzanne Collins: Catching Fire