So I've already read 3 books since we've started and I am extremely excited to read the others!
Perfect Cut- (4 stars) This was the first book that I had read and it was amazing! I thought the main character was extremely diverse and how the story was told about him was fantastic. It was such an interesting book to read because you learn so much throughout the book about the end, and when it finally the ends, you are thoroughly impressed! I finished it in 2 or 3 nights because I just could not put it down! Although it was depressing in some parts, it was heartfelt and you really wanted everything to work out for the characters and their situations. Everyone should definitely try to get around to reading it, it is my favourite up to this point!
Cracked Up to Be- (3 stars) I will be honest, I had extremely high hopes for this book, having been told for months before White Pine that it was very good but once I read it I was a little disappointed. It was surely a good book, funny characters, interesting storyline and there was suspense throughout the book, describing the major event that caused all the... issues but I was just very frustrated with the end. I was expecting a huge happy ending and felt that I was left hanging. If you were to choose between The Perfect Cut and this, I would definitely take The Perfect Cut.
last but not least...
Sister Wife- (3 1/2 stars) I had no idea what to expect from this book. Normally when I pick out books for recreational reading, this would be one I would automatically ignore, and dispose of. When I picked this one up I was expecting something a bit boring, something I wouldn't be able to get through but I was genuinely surprised at how riveting and intriguing it was! I read it very fast, and it was just a great book. It's a topic I had never really read about in fictional stories but I am very glad I chose this one. It had some slow and awkward parts, no doubt (Nanette and Mr Neillson...) but overall, I think it was an interesting read, and a well written novel!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Cracked Up To Be
Alright, I'm going to start this out with a personal problem that has been affecting my reading lately, and almost caused me to abandon this book completely...
I will shamefully admit that I am a judge.
Of course I don't judge a book by it's cover, but what about page format, fonts, sizes, titles and page texture??
The colour of the pages and the coarse-ness of them made my skin crawl.
Fortunately, I got over it...
'Cracked Up To Be' is your typical angsty-teenage story... If you couldn't already tell by the back (which was HORRIBLE--'but something terrible has happened and it may be her fault...'--it's so cheesey you could grate it on spagetti). But what kept me reading was the fact that you don't figure out what the terrible thing is. You really don't. You can't even guess. Or at least I couldn't. You get little pieces of it, which was pretty nice. A very pretty puzzle, which of course comes together at the end, with such a heightened climax it still kind of haunts me. Although I wanted to put the book down multiple times throughout the story, I'm glad I didn't. The ending really brings it all together.
This ones really unforgetable. The ending, at least.
Cheers,
Chelsea Dagger
I will shamefully admit that I am a judge.
Of course I don't judge a book by it's cover, but what about page format, fonts, sizes, titles and page texture??
The colour of the pages and the coarse-ness of them made my skin crawl.
Fortunately, I got over it...
'Cracked Up To Be' is your typical angsty-teenage story... If you couldn't already tell by the back (which was HORRIBLE--'but something terrible has happened and it may be her fault...'--it's so cheesey you could grate it on spagetti). But what kept me reading was the fact that you don't figure out what the terrible thing is. You really don't. You can't even guess. Or at least I couldn't. You get little pieces of it, which was pretty nice. A very pretty puzzle, which of course comes together at the end, with such a heightened climax it still kind of haunts me. Although I wanted to put the book down multiple times throughout the story, I'm glad I didn't. The ending really brings it all together.
This ones really unforgetable. The ending, at least.
Cheers,
Chelsea Dagger
The Book of Michael - Wow!
Hi! I just finished reading The Book of Michael and it sure wasn’t what I thought it would be… It’s deep, I’ll say that. And raw. And there’s way more to it than the back cover suggests. Michael’s character is expertly drawn – you learn more and more about him as he tries to deal with his own grief and everyone’s reaction to his presence. Louis, a garage mechanic and Phyllis, Michael’s grandmother, both help him come to terms with his situation and provide a sort of spiritual guidance.
As much as I like and respect Michael though, I sure didn’t expect him to choose the path he does in the end. But I get it, sort of…
As much as I like and respect Michael though, I sure didn’t expect him to choose the path he does in the end. But I get it, sort of…
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Half World
So, for the third White Pine book I've read this year, I chose Half World.
This book has some extreme fantasy, I tell you. A little too much for my liking, but it was ok. It reminded me of the movie 'Spirited Away'... the same kind of weird situations and characters. If you've heard of the movie and liked it, you'll probably like Half World.
I enjoyed it, and all, but it definately wasn't my favourite, or a signifigant book that I've read. In all honesty, I probably won't remember this book in a few months, but hey, that's just me. If you like fantasy, go for it.
I also LOVE the drawings. Very Brett Helquist-esque.
Cheers,
Chelsea Dagger
This book has some extreme fantasy, I tell you. A little too much for my liking, but it was ok. It reminded me of the movie 'Spirited Away'... the same kind of weird situations and characters. If you've heard of the movie and liked it, you'll probably like Half World.
I enjoyed it, and all, but it definately wasn't my favourite, or a signifigant book that I've read. In all honesty, I probably won't remember this book in a few months, but hey, that's just me. If you like fantasy, go for it.
I also LOVE the drawings. Very Brett Helquist-esque.
Cheers,
Chelsea Dagger
Friday, November 20, 2009
Hello, again ... the ranter is back!
OK, so, just to establish and - for many of you - confirm that I am (indeed) completely out of my mind, I've read 4 of the White Pine selection this year and am working on my 5th.
Book thoughts thus far:
The Perfect Cut - emotionally wracking, disturbing, and yet so powerful. it's absolutely gripping, and grants insight into the destructive world of self-mutilators. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. (Warning - relentless tearjerker)
Wondrous Strange - There are no words. Really - none. To describe how amazing this novel was. (But be warned - if you dont have at least a tolerance for Shakespeare, you might want to consider another novel. I, however, would gladly and giddily read dear old Will every day, hence this novel was paradise.)
Sister Wife - I was hesitant, but the author really came through on this one. My only real criticism is that I read half, and knew how the end would play out. No real surprises. However, it is fascinatingly horrifying for the singular reason that its true - crap like that DOES happen, and IS happening - right now.
Cracked Up To Be - This novel was not all its cracked up to be. (I apologize for the play on words, buts fun). Quite frankly, I was mildly disappointed. It's a very typical, predictable story - teenage girl has problems, teenage girls' life spins out of control, loved ones reach outh to help her, ends on a note of healing. For all that, though, it IS well-writen, very direct and to the point, not a bad read overall. Most original and therefore, most interesting feature - personality of Parker Fadley, the main character.
Well, until I've read some more, (quite possibly the rest of them), I leave you to enjoy the White Pine selection. Oh, and please post. I want to know what other people thought of the novels.
~Capt. Holly Short~
Book thoughts thus far:
The Perfect Cut - emotionally wracking, disturbing, and yet so powerful. it's absolutely gripping, and grants insight into the destructive world of self-mutilators. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. (Warning - relentless tearjerker)
Wondrous Strange - There are no words. Really - none. To describe how amazing this novel was. (But be warned - if you dont have at least a tolerance for Shakespeare, you might want to consider another novel. I, however, would gladly and giddily read dear old Will every day, hence this novel was paradise.)
Sister Wife - I was hesitant, but the author really came through on this one. My only real criticism is that I read half, and knew how the end would play out. No real surprises. However, it is fascinatingly horrifying for the singular reason that its true - crap like that DOES happen, and IS happening - right now.
Cracked Up To Be - This novel was not all its cracked up to be. (I apologize for the play on words, buts fun). Quite frankly, I was mildly disappointed. It's a very typical, predictable story - teenage girl has problems, teenage girls' life spins out of control, loved ones reach outh to help her, ends on a note of healing. For all that, though, it IS well-writen, very direct and to the point, not a bad read overall. Most original and therefore, most interesting feature - personality of Parker Fadley, the main character.
Well, until I've read some more, (quite possibly the rest of them), I leave you to enjoy the White Pine selection. Oh, and please post. I want to know what other people thought of the novels.
~Capt. Holly Short~
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Mostly Happy
Mostly Happy was a great story focused on the life of a girl named Bean. Her adventures go from sexual abuse, physical abuse, school fights, unwanted pregnancies and her internal battle with God. Pieces of her life, souveniers from the good times and bad, are kept in a red suitcase that she carries everywhere she goes.
I really liked this book. The descriptions were very clear; I could picture everything going on in my mind like an old movie. It had great character developement as well. You truly hate the bad guys and love the good guys, inside and out. Unless you're wacked. Who couldn't love her best friend Goose? Nobody, that's who.
Another great read. I like this list better than last year's.
Cheers,
Chelsea Dagger
I really liked this book. The descriptions were very clear; I could picture everything going on in my mind like an old movie. It had great character developement as well. You truly hate the bad guys and love the good guys, inside and out. Unless you're wacked. Who couldn't love her best friend Goose? Nobody, that's who.
Another great read. I like this list better than last year's.
Cheers,
Chelsea Dagger
The Perfect Cut
When I got this book, I was expecting another 'Gravity Journal', where they have a great message but the plot jumps around from one thing to another. It's okay to do that if it's written well, but I wasn't convinced with Gravity Journal.
Perfect Cut was different. Bryan's story is told so vividly, so sincerely, you know it isn't someone giving it half of their effort. This is a full out piece of work. You can feel the authours enthusiasm and pain seeping through the spaces in-between the words. Beautiful.
Not everybody cuts themselves, but we all feel that same pain inside. Reading 'The Perfect Cut', I could feel that pain. He's done his research, folks.
Great read. A sad one, but a great one all the same.
Cheers,
Chelsea Dagger
Perfect Cut was different. Bryan's story is told so vividly, so sincerely, you know it isn't someone giving it half of their effort. This is a full out piece of work. You can feel the authours enthusiasm and pain seeping through the spaces in-between the words. Beautiful.
Not everybody cuts themselves, but we all feel that same pain inside. Reading 'The Perfect Cut', I could feel that pain. He's done his research, folks.
Great read. A sad one, but a great one all the same.
Cheers,
Chelsea Dagger
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Mostly Happy by Pam Bustin
This book's title is a misnomer... Mostly Happy? Mostly Abuse would be a better title.
The story jumps mostly from one incident (of sexual and or physical abuse) to another in Bean's life. I did not like it because of the subject matter, the constant cycle of pain or the fact that it suggests only lower levels of society are capable of abuse. That said, it pretty much tells the truth of abuse and how it is passed down from generation to generation and depicts the fact that many endure instead of run. Sad.
The story jumps mostly from one incident (of sexual and or physical abuse) to another in Bean's life. I did not like it because of the subject matter, the constant cycle of pain or the fact that it suggests only lower levels of society are capable of abuse. That said, it pretty much tells the truth of abuse and how it is passed down from generation to generation and depicts the fact that many endure instead of run. Sad.
WHITE PINE 2009/2010
Well, hello everyone! Welcome back!
And welcome new members!
We have a whole new list of novels to read this year, and I think you're gonna LIKE 'em!
Check out the link on the right to see a description of each one, come on down to the library to sign one out, and start blogging your views.
And welcome new members!
We have a whole new list of novels to read this year, and I think you're gonna LIKE 'em!
Check out the link on the right to see a description of each one, come on down to the library to sign one out, and start blogging your views.
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