Once again...

Book 25 - A book with nonhuman characters

silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

...we have returned to the saga. 

After much pressure from a certain peer, I read the third novel in the hush, hush series.

To say that I didn't like it, would be false. I may have enjoyed this one more than the first two novels in the series. Isn't that fantastic? The idea that a sequel can be better than the first and foremost, is a rather rare term in Hollywood. This is why I just absolutely love books so much. 

J.K. Rowling,  Lemony Snicket and Uncle Rick (just to name a few) have clearly shown us that a sequel can be as good as, if not better, than the original. Ms. Fitzpatrick may now place herself in that club; as I feel that she deserves it. 

Nonhuman characters.

Well, considering the novel is based around fallen angels and Nephilim, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that there are a whole host of nonhuman characters within its pages. In this part of the series, the main character comes even closer to the nonhumanness than was ever expected. I'm not going to say anymore, you'll just have to read to find out what I'm talking about. 

With an added twist, the main character is faced with the terrible task of placing herself back into her life after amnesia is forced upon her by the people who kidnapped her. (You may think these are spoilers, but we learn such things within the first 15 pages; so don't get your knickers in a knot)

I have to say, I sometimes wish I could forget certain novels that I have read just for the pleasure of returning to their pages with entirely new love. However, there are usually serious reasons for forgetting one's memories, so maybe we'll just stick with our current situation.

I really thought I would write more about the storyline but I just can't. The spoilers would be too much, especially if you haven't even taken the lovely opportunity to read the first two novels. 

I suppose I must bid thee adieu, bedtime is approaching. Best to not be caught off guard when that wonderful time arrives. 

Composed following a very tiring night of two's beach vball, this is t-bear signing off

Not your typical breakfast

Book 24 - A book with a color (the challenge is obviously 'Merican) in the title

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

You may be sitting there thinking, "she's getting tired of reading novels". Not the case.

I took to the Google to find a book with a colour in the title and was not satisfied with the results. 

When the Internet failed, I took to the two bookshelves we have in the living room. One bookshelf largely consists of photo albums, Christian devotional and song books, and Ma and Pa's small collection of novels. After searching through Papa's westerns and Moma's romances, I was unable to locate a colourfully titled novel.

I arrived at the next bookshelf with little hope left in my heart. With Moma at my side, we knelt to the floor to observe the two bottom shelves; which are the only shelves with books on them. The second last shelf is Dr. Seuss, Berenstain Bears, and an assortment of Disney fairy tales. The bottom shelf is Can You See What I see?, I Spy, and a collection of other children's books too tall to fit on the shelf above it. 

The choice became, Green Eggs and Ham or One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

Now I haven't read the latter in quite a while so I can't be sure which was the better choice. 

If you have never sat with Dr. Seuss, then I'm pretty sure you didn't have a childhood. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the book, here is a brief summary.

Our Main Character (who remains nameless throughout the story) is reading quietly when interrupted by Sam who is insistent that Our Main Character try some green eggs and ham. This commences a long trial of Sam asking Our Main Character if he would eat green eggs and ham in/on various modes of transportation or with various types of animals. Poor Sam becomes rather dispirited by the attitude of Our Main Character who won't even try the green eggs and ham.

I was rather discouraged by the dismal air during the first part of the book. I stuck it out till the end, which was a very good thing. Not five pages from the end there is an unexpected plot twist. I don't want to spoil it for you; I just want to make sure you realize that the tone of the story is brightened by the time one meets the conclusion. 

With wonderful illustrations and fantastic rhyming, I really don't understand why anyone would deny loving Dr. Seuss books. That is to say, everyone loves them, some people just tend to deny that they do. 

"She's not fat, she's husky" remarks while looking at Garf, this is t-bear signing off

the FWD movement

Book 23 - A book based on a true story

 

The Freedom Writers Diary

 

I must say, I am embarrassed to share that I have had this novel on my bookshelf for five years and still haven't read it. I really don't know why, because I've recently discovered that it's a wonderful story.

I went to a Christian high school where every year we chose a Prayer Partner who we wrote letters to, drew pictures for and prayed for; from September to December. When Christmas time came around, we were given a theme for what our gift to our Prayer Partner was supposed to be. That year, our theme was thrift stores. We have an MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) store in town which is where I did my shopping.

Anywho, whoever got my name that year wrote a letter to me every single day. I had my suspicions about their identity over the course of the semester, but I didn't truly find out until the evening of Christmas Party. When we were to gather our gifts and deliver them to our Prayer Partner, I finally came face to face with one of my suspicions.

If you haven't already guessed, I received this novel from my Prayer Partner. I was (and have been) told many times that it is a really good read, but I have never actually taken the time to sit and hold it in my hands.

For those of you who haven't heard of their story before:

The Freedom Writers are a group of 150 students who come from various races and mostly live in below par situations in Long Beach, California. They have been classified as "unteachable, at-risk" students who are more familiar with street gun fights than the insides of textbooks. There is more racism in their lives than there is love.

Ms. Gruwell is fresh out of college and, as a newbie, is given the task of teaching these students.

Over the course of these students four years in high school they are taught how they can change their world beginning by simply writing about their lives in a diary. After reading stories such as Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo, and meeting people who have lived in hiding during times of civil unrest in their own countries, the students begin to find parallels between their lives in Long Beach and the stories of their visitors.

I really enjoyed that the story was told only using diary entries from the students and Ms. Gruwell. We wouldn't have received the information in nearly the same way if a third party had told the story. The reader is able to share all the emotions of the writer when a story is written in such a personal way.

There are so many excellent things to learn from the lives of the Freedom Writers. If you get the opportunity to read this novel, please do.

 

this is t-bear signing off

My Sarah Dessen fangirl moment.

Book 22 - A book published this year

 

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

 

To kickoff, if I ever get to BookCon (which will happen) Sarah Dessen had better be there. I will bring all her books and have them all autographed because she is just that spectacular. (The same goes for Rick Riordan.)

Actually, spectacular is not the word. That's correct, there is no word to describe that which is Sarah Dessen.

Anywho, the novel was published in the wonderfully busy year of 2015, which makes it a perfect candidate for the challenge of "a book published this year".

I was a little surprised to find that I had a hard time participating in any activities which didn't include reading, over the past few days. There is this comatose state which one enters into when within the tight grasp of a novel written by Ms. Dessen. It has been awhile since I've read any of her novels. I completely forgot how entirely wonderful it feels to be held captive by the words of another.

There aren't extravagant or complex storylines in her novels. They don't involve inhuman creatures; as in walkers of the night. They are just so very real life that it draws you in and makes you want to stay there forever.

It is a rather interest concept that a fictional storyline can be thought of as completely non-fictional. Although, I live for the moments which take me farthest from reality, I also find a very comfortable home in the lives of characters who have been where I've been. Even though I am continually growing farther from my teenage years, I still enjoy a little flashback to what was, and how I'm happier being past that which was.

If you have ever read a Sarah Dessen novel, you will easily see the reoccurring themes of the cute teenage love story, the difficult relationship between main character and guardian(s) and the ever present discovery of oneself after a time of consuming hardships. The ideas which Sarah translates onto paper are normal things which occur in the lives of teenagers and I think this may be why many people so wholeheartedly identify with the characters.

If you haven't already guessed, I recommend this novel and all of Sarah Dessen's other novels. Read them. Seriously. Do it.

Take a day to be Garf, we all need those, this it t-bear signing off