Life As We Knew It

I'm currently reading Life As We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer. It's very good. The story is told through Miranda's journal entries. Miranda is just finishing her sophomore year in high school when an asteroid collides into the moon, knocking the moon off its orbit and sending the world into a frenzy. The weather goes wild, people go even wilder. It's a very apocalyptic tale, so far anyway. I know it sounds very wierd, but because of Pfeffer's writing style, it seems totally realistic. In fact, much of it reminds me of the immediate panic after 9/11. Parents picking up their kids from school early, crazy long lines at the gas station, people stocking up on bottled water and canned food. The similarities are a little eerie. The book, however, is full of hope and love.

Long Time No Blog

Wow! Has it really been since April that I've posted? I guess I got just a little busy at the end of the school year and a LOT lazy over the summer. Well, I'll get back into it now that school is starting again soon. Here's a list of everything I've read since my last post:
Big Boned Meg Cabot
The Truth About Diamonds by Nicole Richie
Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot
Infected by Scott Sigler
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Checkmate by Malorie Blackman
Nobody Does It Better by Cecily von Ziegesar
Nothing Can Keep Us Together by Cecily von Ziegesar
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
Forever Odd by Dean Koontz
Only in your Dreams by Cecily von Ziegesar
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
Something Blue by Emily Giffin
Don't Make Me Choose Between You and My Shoes by Dixie Cash
The Hammer of Eden by Ken Follett
Shoot The Moon by Billie Letts
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
Would I Lie to You by Cecily von Ziegesar
Don't You Forget About Me by Cecily von Ziegesar
It Had to Be You by Cecily von Ziegesar
Turning Angel by Greg Iles
Airhead by Meg Cabot

It's been a great summer of reading!

Middlesex

After reading millions of young adult and chick lit books, I was really in the mood for something literary. A sweeping epic of sorts that I could become totally absorbed in. I chose Middlesex, not knowing, based on the summaries I had read, whether or not I would enjoy it. In fact, I picked it up, put it back, picked it up, put it back, etc. I finally decided I would give it a try. Nothing says I have to finish it if I don't want to. However, I was hooked from the very first sentence. I really don't want to say much more about the subject matter because it might scare some readers off. There is no way to give a summary of the book without it sounding bizarre. Actually, though, it's written in a very sensitive way, with beautiful languge and imagery. The characters are very well developed and multi-dimensional. Middlesex is a perfect balance of a story and a history lesson. It's been a while since I've read a book that I couldn't wait to get back to, but that's how I feel about Middlesex. It's 9:15 AM right now, which means I can get back to Middlesex in approximately 9 hours and counting!

Size 14 Is Not Fat Either

I decided to take a break from young adult lit, so I read Size 14 is Not Fat Either, which is the follow-up to Size 12 is Not Fat. If you haven't read these, you are missing out on lots of laughs. The main character, Heather, is a former pop star. Like, the mall tour type pop star. Robin Sparkles-type pop star (See: How I Met Your Mother). She now works as an assistant director for a residence hall at New York College (the fictional version of NYU). Unfortunately for Heather and the residents of the dorm-I mean residence hall-there is a murder in each book. Of course, Heather is the only one who seems to be able to solve the crime, much to the chagrin of the the police. I can't wait to read the third installment, Big Boned. Heather is so funny and lovable, and the quirky characters with whom she associates make for some seriously enjoyable reading. If you love Stephanie Plum, you'll love Heather Wells.

Paranoid Park

Wow! It's been a really long time since I've written. Sorry for the delay. I just apologized to myself considering I'm the only one who reads this blog. I really feel, however, that one day this blog will become famous, like The Gospel According to Larry, and that everyone from the Today Show to the New York Times will want me as their book critic. For this reason, I keep my blog going. Okay, Paranoid Park. Did I like the ending? First, let me say that the book was interesting. Blake Nelson is obviously a great storyteller. I totally get why he ended the book like he did. He wanted the reader to think. He certainly accomplished that. On a literary level, I thought the ending was genius. On a personal level, I didn't like it at all. I can't really say anymore than that because I don't want to ruin it for everyone (no one) who reads this blog.

Paranoid Park

Right now I'm reading Paranoid Park by Blake Nelson. It's an intense story about a junior in high school skateboarder (his name is never given), who is accidentally involved in the death of a man. He is terrified and doesn't know what to do or where to turn. To tell or not to tell, that is the question. This haunts him for months. I don't know what happens, as I haven't finished the book, but it really makes the reader think about how fragile life is and how it can change in an instant because of choices we make and people with whom we associate. I will finish the book today, I'm sure, so I'll have more information later. Skateboarders would definitely enjoy this book, but you don't have to be a skateboarder to appreciate the predicament in which the narrator finds himself or to get wrapped up in the suspense of whether or not he'll tell. What would you do?

Deadline

I read another great book over spring break called Deadline by Chris Crutcher. How could it be anything other than fab? Chris Crutcher is such a great author, you have to expect a great book. Deadline does not disappoint one bit. As Ben is entering his senior year in high school, he finds out he has a terminal illness. Rather than go through the pain of treatments, Ben decides to keep his illness a secret from EVERYONE, including his parents and brother, so that he can live his last year of life as normally as possible. I know what you're thinking, "How depressing!" Actually, this book is anything but depressing. It's hilarious and uplifting, and not even close to the tear-jerker you would expect. Deadline was actually a happy book, and not in a poignant, my-heart is-breaking-behind-my-smile-way, but in a plain old, laugh out loud and root for the hero way. Another masterpiece by Crutcher!

Dairy Queen and The Off Season

It's been a while since I posted anything because of spring break. Speaking of spring break, I read ALOT. I finished The Off-Season. I have three words for you... UH MAY ZING. Seriously. Sometimes sequels aren't quite as good as the first, but not in this case. I devoured The Off Season in 24 hours. I highly recommend both The Off Season and Dairy Queen, but you must read Dairy Queen first or The Off Season won't make as much sense.

The Off Season

Finished Dairy Queen last night. LOVED IT! Now I'm reading the sequel, The Off Season. LOVE IT TOO! I really, really love these books. If there were a word that was deeper and more passionate than love, it would describe my feelings about these wonderful masterpieces. Mia Thermopolis used to be my favorite character from young adult literature until I read these books. D.J. Schwenk is so lovable and hilarious. Because of her incredible work ethic and honest nature, she is a great role model for young girls (as well as 35-year-old women like me). I can't wait until the third book comes out, but knowing that it is the last book about D.J., I'll probably read it very, very slowly so as to savor the beauty of the characters and the genius of the author.

Dairy Queen

I'm now reading Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. I really love it. I had read positive reviews about the book, but honestly, I never expected it to be THIS good. It's so sweet and real, and it has a real depth to it. It's definitely a must read! I am so glad there's a sequel because I really don't want this book to end.

Knife Edge

Okay, I finished Knife Edge last night and it was PHENOMENAL!!!! If I hadn't had the third book already, I would have gone ballistic because the ending was absolutely crazy. Fortunately, I was only left hanging for the amount of time it took me to walk to my bag and pull Checkmate out. Ms. Blackman, if you're out there, you are incredible! I'm working hard to get your books circulating as much as the Twilight books do.

Knife Edge continued

Still reading Knife Edge. I'll finish it today. It's incredible. It is definitely a "make you think" book.

Naughts and Crosses

Naughts and Crosses (the first in the trilogy, also know as Black and White) is fantastic! It is so great, but I don't think it is very popular in the U.S. WHAT A SHAME! Seriously, anyone who hasn't read this book is missing out on something truly special. As a high school library media specialist, I have made it my personal mission to get this book circulating like crazy. I'll let you know how that goes.

Right now I am reading the second book in the trilogy, Knife Edge. Just like the first, it is also completely engrossing, phenomenal, etc. More comments to come after I finish the book.

I had to order the third book, Checkmate, from a bookstore in England. It isn't available through Barnes and Noble or Borders. Hopefully it will soon arrive from "across the pond."

Moral of today's post: You will never achieve self-actualization if you don't read this trilogy. Okay, that's somewhat melodramatic, but seriously, this is a powerful story that everyone should experience.