Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I read The Great Gatsby in eight grade (or should I say started to read it) and quit after about one chapter. I've never been great at just reading a book no matter what. If I don't like it, I quit.

But, this year we read Gatsby for school, and so I didn't have the option to quit. And, rather than just skim it like I sometimes do for school books, I decided to try and enjoy the book this time around.

Surprisingly, it worked, and I found myself really enjoying the book. I mean, I just focused on the writing style and all the symbols and imagery, and I just can't help but see the masterpiece aspect of the book that I totally missed the first time. Plus, the characters... I know you aren't supposed to like the characters, but I have to admit that I do.

Gatsby is just such a timeless character with such depth... I don't know; I can't explain why I liked him, but maybe I can just identify with him sometimes.

Anyway, do I recommend this? I give a reserved yes. Read it when you're old enough, not in eight grade, and read it only if you're willing to analyze a little bit as you read. I think you can't just read this for fun, you have to take the time to enjoy the writing and understand the significance behind the book.

Ender's Game

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Several people have told me I need to read Ender's Game, and then I realized there is a movie coming out and decided that I absolutely had to finish the book before the movie. So I devoured the book in three days, only to realize that the December 6th premier only applied to Mexico City, not Oaxaca.

So turns out I have to wait until after Christmas to watch the movie, which is so awful because I absolutely loved the book and can't wait to see the movie!

There was some language and a lot of violence, but it was just great action that kept me reading, and doing the whole "just one more page" thing for hours every night while I was supposed to be sleeping. Plus, the twists at the end... I knew some of what was happening because of hearing conversation from friends that had already read the book, but even knowing that there would be a twist, I was still surprised enough to enjoy it immensely.

So yeah, recommended. For sure. Go, read it. Right now. Before you watch the movie.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

This was another book that I picked up mostly because I liked so many of Bradbury's quotes and wanted to use them in my graduation speech but felt I couldn't until I'd read one of his novels. Then again, there's that short story about the house which I love so much and have read multiple years in school and don't even mind that I'm rereading it again.

I picked up October, a book of short stories by Ray Bradbury, and was traumatized. Apparently Bradbury does have some happy short stories, but I sure haven't read them. I just remember clowns, mummies, and a baby that killed both its parents. Traumatizing. But... I can't say they weren't well written and, well, gripping.

Anyway, I decided to read Fahrenheit 451, partly because it was written by Bradbury, partly because my friend told me I should, partly because the school library had it when I was looking for a book, and partly because Cornelia Funke quotes it at the beginning of a chapter in Inkheart or Inkspell or Inkdeath, or maybe in all three.

Fantastic book.

I loved this book and the characters and the way I could compare it to so many things that I see in the world today and don't like. I loved reading something that echoed my sentiments in a lot of areas, and to see the hopelessness of the main character's case. It was brilliant, and left me wanting more.

I even read the epilogue; I liked this so much. And the note from the author. And the added interview with the author.

Ray Bradbury actually wrote the first draft of Fahrenheit 451 in 9 1/2 days. Isn't that insane? It was only 25,000 words, but still. I'm jealous, but also glad to know that there are other authors who spill out words too fast for their own good and then get back to editing later. I'm not alone.

Anyway, definite recommendation. Read this if you haven't already. Now. Get off your computer and go read this book.

I, Robot

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

I picked this book us because of attempts to write a graduation speech. I kept finding incredible writing quotes from Asimov, but decided that I couldn't quote him in my speech unless I had read at least one of his books. To my surprise, the school library actually had one, I, Robot, and so I picked it up and decided to read it.

Overall it was a good choice, because Asimov is an incredible writer and I decided with that book that if I get a break between readings and have a wider selection of books, I will definitely read another Isaac Asimov book. Plus, that book, coupled with some of the others I've read lately, instilled an unknown love for science fiction.

I would never have pinned myself as the aliens and dystopias kind of girl, but it turns out I think robots are a little bit fascinating and maybe space isn't as weird as I think. I guess I did like Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'engle, but it's been so long that I never remember.

One thing I didn't like though was that this was actually more of a compilation of short stories than a novel. They were all connected, but still just short stories, which made it hard to get through because there was nothing to pull me through the whole story.

Overall, though, I would recommend Asimov, but maybe a novel that isn't just short stories? I don't know, but I do know that I plan on picking up another Asimov sci-fi sometime soon.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Huck Finn


The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
I don't always love Twain (I think this is just because I read Puddin'Head Wilson and The Prince and the Pauper too close together and they had the exact same plotline.) However, Huck Finn has a really fun to read POV, and the character is great. So, although I just started reading this, I am enjoying it so far. Although I have no idea how I managed to not read this book until my senior year of high school.

I really enjoyed the beginning of the story and I fell in love with Huck's character from the beginning.

But I can't say I liked the ending. It seems like things just went downhill once Tom came back into the picture, and I felt like Twain was just rambling on with Jim's escape. I mean, it was funny, but it just went on way too long.

So good book, and if you haven't read this then you need to, but I can't say I liked the ending.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Matched by Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie

This book was another Dystopian novel that seemed like a mix of Divergent, Hunger Games, and the Giver, but not quite comparable to any one of these.
It wasn't a bad book, and it's definitely one of those that are easy to read and quick reads and has a story that gets you hooked and keeps you hooked.

However, as soon as I finished the book it was done, and I don't really have any itch to read the second one Crossed, of course, that could also be due to my friend who told me that second wasn't as good and wasn't worth reading.

It's not the best writing either, just a plot and characters that appeal to young adult readers. Not much that will last, but an enjoyable read while it lasts.

Looking For Alaska

 Looking for Alaska by John Green
I love The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, but Looking for Alaska hasn't had the same affect on me yet. It's a good book, and very well written, but I don't much like the characters. This is probably just a personal preference and something unique to me, but it's hard to enjoy a book when I don't like the characters, especially in a romantic book.

I wrote that first paragraph at the beginning before I finished the book, and I have to say that my opinion has changed some. I mean, the book is so sad, and in the second part I could identify with the main character so much more.

It was a good book overall, but still not comparable to The Fault in Our Stars and not one that I think I'll read again.

Monday, October 21, 2013

The Giver

The Giver by Louis Lowry

This one is one of my favorites. It's a Dystopian novel that I read in eighth grade and just reread to my little brother. It's a fantastic book and I definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it.

Maybe I'm just a weirdo who always likes dystopian novels but then claims to not like sci-fi. Obviously I like it at least a little bit, since I liked this and I liked the Hunger Games and I liked Divergent and Insurgent.

But anyway, I love the ending of this book especially, and since I just finished reading it tonight, I am feeling really impatient to start on the second book, Gathering Blue and then start on the last book of the trilogy, The Messenger. I love the way Lowry writes these books and combines the seemingly different plotlines into such a fantastic third book.

So excited to reread these, and I definitely recommend them to anyone and everyone.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye

I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris

Oh, Joshua Harris. I think this is one of those books that every Christian teenager is supposed to read, but I can't say I enjoyed it.

Okay, I will admit that I had a bad attitude going in, and I was prepared to not like it. But still... it seemed a bit extreme and a bit preachy. Like, "I'm doing everything right and I'm perfect and if you disagree you're wrong."

But he did have some good points, and it's true that today's idea of dating is flawed. So, I guess if you are a Christian teenager you should probably still read at least part of this. It's probably a good book to read. Or if you're struggling with dating you should read it.

But if you are an MK and have grown up in Christian circles and only ever dated one guy and not really even dated him and go to a Christian school with exactly four boys in your class and all younger than you and extremely geeky and not boyfriend material and you probably wouldn't date anyway and are going off to Bible college in a couple of months anyway- then you probably can pass on this book.

Getting Naked Later

Getting Naked Later by Kate Hurley

This is another one of those books for my Bible class.
Despite the often very shocking title (you should have seen my face when my dad came in to show it to me the first time) it's pretty good and not inappropriate. It's a single woman writing about her life and her experience and her thoughts on relationships and singleness.

I liked the book, and liked that it's very different from most of the books we've read about dating and marriage and singleness.

Kate Hurley was really open, and just said how she felt without trying to sound like the "perfect Christian" or the "dating expert". I enjoyed her honestly, and I think she's got a really interesting life.

Oh, and did I mention I met her? She spoke several times at the camp where I worked two summers ago, the camp where I grew up and where my parents met and got married and lived. So it was definitely bonus points reading a book by someone I'd met and knew as a real person with real struggles, not just the guy with the mysterious hat. *cough Joshua Harris cough*

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I don't know if I can even write a blog entry about this book. I'm going to start crying. Every time anyone mentions trophies or video games or eulogies or cancer I think of this book and have to fight back tears.

I really liked the characters and felt drawn to them. Like, even though I can't quite identify with them and my life isn't really anything like theirs, I still could sympathize with them. And I really liked Augustus. The way he talks... and his writing... and the book... so sweet.
But I also loved Isaac and the trophy scene almost made me cry.

And the eulogies at the end- that did make me cry.

Basically, really good book. Written with a very modern feel, easy to follow, easy to identify with, good characters, inevitable ending.

And I cannot wait for the movie to come out.

Insurgent

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

The sequel to Divergent and just as well-written and captivating. I think I read this one even faster than the first, and I am waiting for the last book to come out so I can devour it as well.

I think the plot was even stronger in this one, and I got to see a lot more of the faction life and the second main character, Four. (Yes, I refuse to call him Tobias. I think Four is way cooler.)

Unfortunately, as well as being a super quick hit and great, enjoyable read, I have a feeling this serious won't last long. I think it may be another Hunger Games everyone loves it and then after a while switches to saying the didn't like the books or the movie. Hopefully Veronica Roth can get more books and not just be a one hit wonder, though, because I really enjoyed her writing.

And I cannot wait for the third book and the first movie. Seriously, I get shivers every time I think about it.

Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

This is one of those popular the moment it got published books, or at least that's what it seemed like to me. And, next year it will be made into a movie. So I had several reasons to read it, and I am so glad I did.

I loved this book, and devoured it over one weekend, which is something I haven't done with any book in a long time.

The characters were interesting, the story was captivating, the writing was very easy to follow. Plus, since this was the first book of a trilogy, I was wanting to get on to the second book as soon as I started the first.

PS: If you've read it this will make perfect sense to you. If you haven't, this might be somewhat of a spoiler.
I took a bunch of quizzes to see which faction I would belong to, and I am totally Divergent, with a mix of Amity, Abnegation, and Erudite. I think I would have chosen Erudite.

The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

I read this book for my English class, and as far as English class-must read this for school-books go, it wasn't terrible. I mean, I loved the symbolism and the description, but as for the book itself.

It wasn't bad, and if you somehow get through high school without reading it, then I definitely think you should read it on your own.

However, it wasn't my favorite, and it's not one that I ever think I'll be rereading just for the fun of it.

Five Love Languages

 The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

I read this for my Bible class, which this year happens to be Dating, Marriage, and Family. I am getting sick of the class, but this book was pretty good.

I mean, I like hearing the Love Languages and trying to identify my friends and family members and myself. However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this. I mean, definitely find out about the five Love Languages and figure out which one you are.

And who knows, maybe this book is a lot more appealing to people who are already married.

PS: My love languages are quality time (spend lots of time reading my blog!) and words of affirmation (leave a comment or two!)

Mere Christianity

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

I don't know if I can really put this here, since I didn't start it senior year. I started reading this over the summer, and loved it, but then summer got super busy and I didn't get a chance to finish reading it.

So it dragged on to the school year, but it was incredible.

I think any and every Christian should read this book at some point in his or her life, and I think every non-Christian should as well.

Lewis is one of my heroes, always has been and always will be. Up until now I'd only read the seven Narnia books and Till We Have Faces,  but over the summer I decided to pick up one of his more theological books, and I'm so glad I did.

Lewis has a way of presenting things in a way that just makes perfect sense. I understood what he was saying and where he was coming from, and even the few things that I didn't entirely agree with I still could understand why he believed them and I respect him so much more.

Reading this book allowed me to understand my own opinions and beliefs more, and think about why I have the faith that I do.

Basically, I loved this, and I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to be challenged to think.

The Book Blog of My Writer's Blog

Here is what I know you have all been waiting for. Books.

I am a writer; I know about that longing to be somewhere else. Anywhere else, besides the real world.

I have to admit that I am not as crazy of a reader as I would like to be, but I guess I still read a lot. It depends who you compare me to, I suppose.

So anyway, here is the blog where I tell you about all the fantastic books I'm reading. Probably I will wait until I finish a book to put up a post, where I'll give a quick review on the book and what I thought about it.

Also, I will be starting back from the beginning of the school year. So there will be a whole bunch of books posted at the beginning, that I actually read a month or two ago. But I think they deserve a spot in this blog anyway.

So, here are the books I have read since the beginning of my senior year in high school.

Oh, and be sure to check out my Writing Blog: caijo.blogspot.com