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jenniferkat's reviews
574 reviews
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
3.0
I can't really say what I liked and what I didn't without spoiling the book, but suffice it to say that it was a quick, enjoyable read, but I didn't find it to be particularly stand-out.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
4.0
I admit it. I have a soft spot in my heart for YA Lit, must be some sort of arrested development thing. I thought this was a great story with a very real protagonist who made me laugh out loud a few times. The subject matter, though is not so funny, although unfortunatley probably more real than anyone would care to admit.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
2.0
This is the story about a man who time travels (though not by choice) and oddly enough, his wife. For some reason, this book just didn't sit well with me. So many other reviewers have been bothered by the same things I have: the fact that although he spends a lot of his time trying to hide his time traveling from supporting characters, but as soon as they find out, their reaction is always, "Really? Well, okay." I mean honestly! Call me a cynic... Also, the repeated name dropping of artists, writers and punk bands gets old fast. We get it- you're a super hip, on the edge time traveling kind of guy. (Although seeing the Violent Femmes in 91 and trying to pass that off as super cool? Pushing it.) Overall, the time traveler, his wife and most of their friends come off as tres-cool, self absorbed hipsters who take themselves far too seriously.
That having been said though, the actual story itself was fairly interesting, although long at 500+ pages. I just think that if this plot had been wrapped around different characters, I would have enjoyed it more.
That having been said though, the actual story itself was fairly interesting, although long at 500+ pages. I just think that if this plot had been wrapped around different characters, I would have enjoyed it more.
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
3.0
[book: The Plot Against America] is an alternate history of the United States in which Charles Lindberg (yes, the aviator) becomes president, keeps America out of WWII and is possibly symapthetic to the Nazi cause. The story centers on one Jewish family living in New Jersey in the early 1940's. I thought it was a very interesting parable about how quickly people (or a whole country and its government for that matter) can turn downright ugly when given a chance. It spoke volumes to what extent fear and unbridled patriotism will cause people to begin scapegoating minority groups.
What I didn't so much like about it was the pace- it really seemed to plod and plod along for most of the book, then the last chapter was jam packed with all the sorts of action I was expecting to find more of throughout the book.
In all, it was a good story with some really important things to think about, but maybe not the most exciting thing I've read.
What I didn't so much like about it was the pace- it really seemed to plod and plod along for most of the book, then the last chapter was jam packed with all the sorts of action I was expecting to find more of throughout the book.
In all, it was a good story with some really important things to think about, but maybe not the most exciting thing I've read.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
3.0
This was a fun story and I can totally see why this series has taken off with girls. A stunningly gorgeous, not ordinary, mysterious boy named Edward (who just happens to be a vampire) falls in love with a average, ordinary, new-girl-in-town named Bella (who just happens to not be a vampire.) Much swooning and conflict takes place. Edward can't decide if he wants Bella to be his girlfriend or his mid-afternoon snack. Bella for some reason is not at all freaked out that her new boyfriend has to constantly resist killing her and drinking her blood. This book is really a Harlequin Romance novel for a chaste, younger crowd. (Edward and Bella can't do much more than give eachother quick pecks on the cheek or Edward might go berserk and suck all her blood out.) Although there's no bodice ripping in this book, there is quite a bit of "It was intoxicating just to be near him" and "an electric current ran between us and I had to sit on my hands to resist touching him" kinds of things. Which is okay! I mean, I'm 30 something- this book was not written with me in mind!
For a girl such as myself, who used to make plans to head to New Orleans, find a beautiful vampire to bite me and then live out immortality with him this was so much fun to read. I know that had I read this in jr hi or high school, I would have taken the whole thing very seriously and became obsessed with finding my Edward. (Which would have been hard- I grew up in Nebraska, not exactly a hotbed of vampire activity.)
The "Twilight" movie is out this fall and I will probably go see it. Also, I am definitely going to go ahead and read the rest of the books in the series. It's silly, fun, brainless reading.
For a girl such as myself, who used to make plans to head to New Orleans, find a beautiful vampire to bite me and then live out immortality with him this was so much fun to read. I know that had I read this in jr hi or high school, I would have taken the whole thing very seriously and became obsessed with finding my Edward. (Which would have been hard- I grew up in Nebraska, not exactly a hotbed of vampire activity.)
The "Twilight" movie is out this fall and I will probably go see it. Also, I am definitely going to go ahead and read the rest of the books in the series. It's silly, fun, brainless reading.
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
2.0
Here's what Meyer got right- The absolute desperate, horrible, tear your heart out feeling that comes along with your first real break up. Who among us doesn't remember that?
Again, my biggest problem with the book, like the first, was that it was just "too much." Too melodramatic, too cheesy, too eye-roll inducing. But also like the first book, I have to recognize that these books were not written for me. I am far too old and cynical to really take them seriously.
All of that aside, the narrative is compelling. As my friend Shawn said, "I'm devouring these books like a teenage girl." Me too! I read this one in a weekend. Now I begin pestering my husband to finish the third so I can get to work on that one.
Again, my biggest problem with the book, like the first, was that it was just "too much." Too melodramatic, too cheesy, too eye-roll inducing. But also like the first book, I have to recognize that these books were not written for me. I am far too old and cynical to really take them seriously.
All of that aside, the narrative is compelling. As my friend Shawn said, "I'm devouring these books like a teenage girl." Me too! I read this one in a weekend. Now I begin pestering my husband to finish the third so I can get to work on that one.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
4.0
No trickery in the title of this book- it was about an old man. And the sea. Somehow, I have gotten away with never reading any Hemmigway in HS or college, so I really had no context for the book in that way. I wish I could have read it with someone who had some insight on it, but I suppose I can find that later.
To call this book a novel would be streching it as it's very very short. I probably spent just over two hours actually reading it. When I was done, I had an overall impression of sadness for the old man and his struggle. I'm sure one could superimpose almost any metaphor or allegory onto it- I have a few ideas, but this is the type of story that I'll just have to carry around in my brain and think about for a long time.
Overall, I would recommend it. It's at least an entertaining story that you can either read and put aside or really work on deciding what it means to you.
To call this book a novel would be streching it as it's very very short. I probably spent just over two hours actually reading it. When I was done, I had an overall impression of sadness for the old man and his struggle. I'm sure one could superimpose almost any metaphor or allegory onto it- I have a few ideas, but this is the type of story that I'll just have to carry around in my brain and think about for a long time.
Overall, I would recommend it. It's at least an entertaining story that you can either read and put aside or really work on deciding what it means to you.
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
2.0
More Edward. More Bella. They still love each other. Their stars are still crossed. Yadda yadda yadda. We all know this.
I had major problems with this book. Throughout the series, I've felt this seething undercurrent of sexism, but up until the 3rd book I was able to ignore (or at least live with) it. Eclipse, though, was nearly too much for me to take! I don't want to include spoilers, so in general terms, this is what I thought: Every single male character in this book is confident that they know what is best for Bella. They care for her, they want her to be safe, I understand that, but the lengths they go to to try and force their views on her are ridiculous. She is "kidnapped" a few times, effectivley held hostage a few more times and at one point is the recipient of an unwanted kiss becasue even though she has said no, the male in question doesn't believe her and just wants to "make sure." Perhaps worse than all this is the fact that Bella never seems sufficiently annoyed by any of it. Boys will be boys? Gag. Also, there is one scene where Edward is actually picking her up, putting her in a car and buckling her seat belt! Could we make her into any more of a baby?
Part of me says that I am making too big of a deal out of all of this. Another part says that millions of teenage girls are reading this and aren't cynical and grumpy enough to see that maybe there are parts of Bella and Edwards relationship that are just a little creepy. Against all odds, Stephanie Meyers has created a world of teenage vampires that for some reason, I have really bought into- maybe that's why it bothers me so much- I want the series to be as good as I think it is. :)
At any rate, I'm off to the fourth book.
I had major problems with this book. Throughout the series, I've felt this seething undercurrent of sexism, but up until the 3rd book I was able to ignore (or at least live with) it. Eclipse, though, was nearly too much for me to take! I don't want to include spoilers, so in general terms, this is what I thought: Every single male character in this book is confident that they know what is best for Bella. They care for her, they want her to be safe, I understand that, but the lengths they go to to try and force their views on her are ridiculous. She is "kidnapped" a few times, effectivley held hostage a few more times and at one point is the recipient of an unwanted kiss becasue even though she has said no, the male in question doesn't believe her and just wants to "make sure." Perhaps worse than all this is the fact that Bella never seems sufficiently annoyed by any of it. Boys will be boys? Gag. Also, there is one scene where Edward is actually picking her up, putting her in a car and buckling her seat belt! Could we make her into any more of a baby?
Part of me says that I am making too big of a deal out of all of this. Another part says that millions of teenage girls are reading this and aren't cynical and grumpy enough to see that maybe there are parts of Bella and Edwards relationship that are just a little creepy. Against all odds, Stephanie Meyers has created a world of teenage vampires that for some reason, I have really bought into- maybe that's why it bothers me so much- I want the series to be as good as I think it is. :)
At any rate, I'm off to the fourth book.
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
4.0
It is with more than a little chagrin that I will admit that I devoured about 600 of this 750 page book in a 7 hour reading marathon last night. I was tired. I wanted to go to bed, but I wanted to finish this book more. Why? Here's the thing: I have no idea! There are many things to criticize this series for- they're goopy, they're saccrine, they're more than a little sexist... But in the end, it was a good story that I enjoyed following. And for that, I'm done apologizing.
Breaking Dawn was a satisfying end to the series, even though it felt like two different books to me. During the first half, Bella and Edward become a bit more... ahem... mature, but Meyers never turned it smutty. (I'll admit, I was a little disappointed at the lack of smut, but they are for the younger set, I know!) The second half has them battling for their very existence. Given the fairy-tale tone of the series, the ending is apropos, but it worked for me.
I think in this book, Bella finds some of her voice and some of her power that was so severly lacking in the previous installments.
Breaking Dawn was a satisfying end to the series, even though it felt like two different books to me. During the first half, Bella and Edward become a bit more... ahem... mature, but Meyers never turned it smutty. (I'll admit, I was a little disappointed at the lack of smut, but they are for the younger set, I know!) The second half has them battling for their very existence. Given the fairy-tale tone of the series, the ending is apropos, but it worked for me.
I think in this book, Bella finds some of her voice and some of her power that was so severly lacking in the previous installments.
Lush by Natasha Friend
3.0
Natasha Friend will be a guest author at our school in October. Lush is a story about an 8th grade girl, Sam, who is growing up with an alchoholic parent.
I liked the story, it wasn't preachy, condesending or overly saccharine. I didn't, however love it, but I am using it as a read aloud in my 8th grade reading class and the kids are begging to "keep reading!" It is even keeping the attention of many of the boys- no small task!
I liked the story, it wasn't preachy, condesending or overly saccharine. I didn't, however love it, but I am using it as a read aloud in my 8th grade reading class and the kids are begging to "keep reading!" It is even keeping the attention of many of the boys- no small task!