Reading Frenzy!
I’ve been on a reading frenzy since Saturday and thanks to a friendly reminder from Reena, I’m going to write up some reviews.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The book is told from an unexpected point-of-view (most reviews give it away but I’ll let you find out for yourself) and follows the life of Liesel Meminger, a child living in Germany with her foster parents during World War II. At her brother’s graveside, she finds a book, The Grave Digger’s Handbook, and it’s at this point that she falls in love with books and words (and stealing!). But it’s about more than just the books. It’s about how she adapts to her new life with her foster family and their struggles during the war.
When my cousin’s wife told me that by the end of the book she was sobbing, I was skeptical. I had started the book that day and immediately found the storytelling to be unique and interesting. I could tell, because of the subject matter, that the book would have a dark and serious tone to it. That it was story meant to have an emotional impact. But would it make me cry by the end? In a word - YES. I didn’t think I would but by the end of it, you get so invested in the characters and the world this author has created. It would be impossible not to feel anything. It was a truly great read.
Do I recommend? Yes.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
In this fantasy world, “Gracelings” are marked by two differently colored eyes and are met with fear, awe and often, manipulation. One such person is Katsa, who is graced with the gift of fighting and living under a tyrannical king (and uncle) who uses her abilities to do his bidding. Secretly (as a means of defiance and penance), she forms a council that carries out secret missions to help people suffering from cruelty or abuse of power. It is on one of these missions that she meets another Graceling who turns her world upside down.
Clearly, I’m still on my Young Adult series obsession. But even I was surprised by how quickly I became absorbed with the story and the characters. The premise is great - it’s still a fantasy novel but (and I know I keep saying this) it’s such a relief to NOT read about vampires, werewolves or witches (I watch the Vampire Diaries for that!). And sure there are lots of elements that you’d probably expect - romance (which I am a total sucker for most of the time), adventure, drama. But what I didn’t expect and really loved was that the book had this undercurrent of feminism if you read between the lines. Katsa was a really strong protagonist to me. She was still figuring herself out but she had a good sense of what she did and didn’t want. She was a fighter. She wanted to help/encourage other women to defend themselves (big big theme!). And I liked that. Hopefully I didn’t give too much away and just enough that you’d want to read it. It’s a good, fast but fun read if you’re in the mood for a YA kind of book.
Do I recommend? Yes.
The Disappeared by Kim Echlin
It’s a love story about Anne Greves, a 16-year-old student, and Serey, a Cambodian refugee, set in Montreal during the 1970s. Her father (and only parent) disapproves of her older boyfriend and his family is still in Cambodia having set him to Canada to escape the political drama in their country. Still, they fall deeper and deeper in love until one day, Serey returns to Cambodia to find his family. And he leaves without Anne. More than a decade later, she sets off to find him and comes face to face with the harsh reality of life in Cambodia and what Serey has been dealing with all these years.
The book wasn’t exactly what I expected and if I had paid closer attention to the cover, the quote about it being similar to Marguerite Duras’ work would’ve turned me off (she wrote L’Amant which I didn’t particularly love). It had a good plot - that and the promise of something more to happen kept me reading on. But it felt like we never hit that point. I wanted to know more about each character, I wanted more of their story. Plus I wasn’t too crazy about the narration (Anne, first person, looking back on her life). And even though I felt for Anne, I never really felt like I fully knew or understood her character.
Do I recommend? Eh. It’s not a terrible read but there are better books out there.
Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
This book focuses on Claudia Parr and her husband Ben. From the moment they met, they were perfect for each other and agreed on almost everything. Including the decision to never have children. Fast-forward a few years and suddenly someone’s changed their mind (I can tell you right now, it’s not Claudia). Both are forced to re-evaluate their marriage, their wants and what this change means to them.
Two things. One, I’m usually pretty anti-chick lit. Two, I’m not married and nowhere near having children (but I know I want kids eventually) so I wasn’t sure how or if I’d relate to these characters at all. That said - I love love love Emily Giffin. This is the fourth book of hers that I’ve read and each time, I find something or someone in her books to relate to. Her characters are just so real and flawed. And Baby Proof was no exception. Even though the premise is very straightforward, you really feel for what Claudia is going through and the internal struggle to figure it all out. She raises great questions about love, marriage and sacrifice (or compromise). I really, really enjoyed this book.
Do I recommend? Yes.
—-
After Baby Proof, I forced myself to take a break from reading because I’ve been sick and had to start sleeping earlier (the need to know the end of each of these books has been keeping me up!). But it’s the weekend and I should be back to normal in a couple days so I’ll be able to get my read on again. And when I do.. there’ll be lots more reviews coming your way.
Enjoy and Happy Friday!
