the truth flowed freely, so did my tear ducts.

Book 20 - A book that made you cry

we were liars by e. lockhart (I'm beginning to think she has something against capital letters.)

This was one of those novels which I discovered on the Chapters website. I thought it sounded good so I bought it. I had no intention of choosing which challenge it would fall under before I had read from front cover to back.

Now I can't say very much about the novel, because it is the most important part which made me ball my eyes out. Moma was slightly concerned for about two seconds.

The novel is about a family, Sinclair to be exact. We have Granny and Grandad, who had three daughters, and then each daughter got married and had their own children. Then they got divorced, one by one.

The family spends each summer on the family island which has four houses (one for each daughter and one for the grandparents).

The Sinclair's are a family of old money, large trust funds and major pride. They have an island all to themselves every summer with a little crew to keep the yards and houses in order.

After Granny dies the three daughters begin to "sell" their oldest child as the best of the grandchildren in order to stake their place in the inheritance.

The Liars are a three of the oldest grandchildren and the nephew of one of the daughters' boyfriend. (It's really not that confusing, just think about it for a minute.) They are referred to as the "Liars" because they caused a lot of trouble as littlies. They are rather important to the story, so pay attention to them.

All was well in the lives of the Sinclair's until Summer Fifteen. That is all I can say about the story.

When I was coming to the end, I started to realize the direction in which we were headed and that's when I knew it was time to grab the facial tissue box. People, my eyes started flowing faster than a breached dam. No joke. I haven't cried while reading a novel in a long while.

It is rather a wonderful thing to have such emotion worked into a story. Whether or not I cry usually determines how fantastic the author is. Having the ability to invoke such emotion into a fictional story is a sign of a true wordscraft.

If you too have seen this novel whilst viewing the beautifulness that is the Chapters website, please take a moment to purchase it. It will definitely be worth your money. Then buy a box of facial tissues before the novel is delivered. Preparation is everything.

Chicken Tuesday just happened, this is t-bear signing off

Warn your nightmares, wait...just kidding.

Book 19 - A book based on or turned into a TV show

Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy

My initial idea of this novel was entirely based upon the cover and this, quite frankly, scared me a lot.

Here I was thinking I should be reading this novel for the "A book that scares you" challenge instead. (BTW, I'm still looking for ideas on that one so please suggest. Nothing too scary, I still want to be able to sleep at night.)

After a perusal of the first 50 pages I realized that there was nothing horror film about this novel. I was rather excited about this prospect.

As I was reading, I was also watching episodes of Arrow (specifically season 2, episodes 9 and 10). There were a few moments during the novel where I had to sit myself down and mentally separate the two story lines. I'm not even really sure that I was ever able to successfully do that. 

I sort of lost my place somewhere in the middle, but I found my way back. (That's a movie quote by the way. If you don't know it, I'm appalled.)

I finished Part 1, only to discover that I was sitting in an aura of questions. So much had happened that was just hanging around unanswered. I absolutely love these kinds of novel, but I wasn't prepared for it at first because it has been quite some time since I last read one. With a large amount of patience and some faster reading, I arrived at the end of the story without any questions and loads of spectacular fictional things running through my mind. This may have partly been to blame for my initial lack of sleep last night. I did finish the novel at 10:42 which is rather far past my bedtime.

I haven't yet ventured into the television world that is Hemlock Grove, so please don't ask me if it is better than the novel. In any case, if you know me at all, I will always choose the novel over the screen production. Unless we're talking about The Notebook, that movie was better than the book.

If you are one of those sort who enjoy werewolves and all manner of supernatural beings, please take an hour or two or seven to read this novel; you will enjoy such word ordering. (That is to say, the way in which all the words are ordered to create something so spectacular that I now feel I need to recover before picking up another book. Too bad my soul isn't listening to the pathetic attempt by my brain, it just loves reading so much!)

For those of you who have seen the television show, let me know how it is. You've heard my telling of the novel, now let's compare notes. 

Travel friends, travel, this is t-bear signing off

To catch a big one...

Book 18 - A Pulitzer Prize-winning book

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway 

One could say that this book and I had sort of a blind date. I had never heard of this novel before embarking on the task of finding a Pulitzer Prize-winner that I would enjoy. I had also never read a book written by Mr. Hemingway. The entire idea of Book 18 was indeed a mystery.

If you know me well enough, you will note that I rather detest a pause of reading when there is no chapter, part or section to stop at. I enjoy the ability to read till the next chapter and then stop, knowing that I won't be at all confused when I return to the novel, because I am ready to start a new part of the story. Novels that aren't separated in such a way force the reader to stop reading in the middle of a page or even at the end of a sentence.

To my delight, the novel was such an easy, flowy read that I was able to read it in the span of one day. 

I awoke at 6:23am and proceeded to prepare myself for a trip into town for my 7am chiropractor appointment. Whilst sitting in the waiting room, I began to read the novel. About 6 pages in, I was interrupted and forced to pause my reading. 

That same day, I sat down with my lunch in hand and began to read. I was again interrupted by the call of 1pm when I had reached 53 pages. 

To my delight, with supper finished, I was able to retire to my bedroom to finish the remainder of the novel. 

Throughout the entire story, I kept thinking that there was a metaphor there. I would eventually come across some part of the story that would just about blow my mind to bits. 

I arrived at the end of the story to discover that I had either not looked hard enough for the metaphor, or had been looking too hard and had completely missed it. 

As the title suggests, this novel is about an old man and...wait for it...the sea. 

The old man is a fisherman who hasn't caught a since fish in eighty-four days. He is determined that the eighty-fifth day is going to be the day he catches a big one. Rowing out much farther than most fishermen dare, and casting his lines, the old man begins a journey that will involve days of being pulled across the ocean by a marlin only to end the story wishing he had never caught the marlin in the first place. 

There is a great deal of strength and self-encouragement in the old man's heart; these both lead him to make the great catch. 

I would deem this sort of story to be one of those feel-good, inspirational sorts. Even when faced with a task that appeared impossible, the old man pushed on.

This novel is a simple read, and a very entertaining piece of literature. I believe I would rather enjoy reading more of Mr. Hemingway's novels. I suppose only time will tell.

Happy Moma's Day! this is t-bear signing off

Adventures in Crazyland

Book 17 - A book more than 100 years old

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

I must mention that these are technically two different stories, but finding themselves contained between the same covers, I chose to continue reading rather than leave out part of Alice's life. Therefore, for the remainer of our time together today, they will be referred to as a novel rather than novels.

Living in a world where Disney exists, I had never known the true story of Alice until I read this novel. I was always under the impression that the friends Alice meets in Wonderland were a little bit odd, but reading the novel made me realize that they are actually completely crazy. As I kept reading and continued to meet more and more crazy characters, I started to wonder if Lewis had accepted a challenge wherein he was to create the craziest story ever written. Alas, it was but a dream, or was it...

I came upon many events during the course of the novel which made me put the book down and ask myself if there was any bit of sense in the paragraph I just read. Nine times out of ten, there not a bit of sense to be had. 

I tried with all my might to follow the tales told in poem form. Those were the most unsensical of the bunch!

As I came upon the end of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland I thought back. Although dear Tim Burton did a fantastic job on his version of the story, he still left out many parts of the original which could have easily been added. However, I do understand how little they add to the storyline. 

There was one chapter where I completely lost my mind. All of a sudden there was a gryphon in the story and I didn't remember meeting him before. He just kind of showed up and then spent some time with Alice and continued on his merry way. I remember coming to the end of the chapter and thinking "where did the gryphon come from? Was he there the whole time?" Evidently so, he was a large part of that chapter. I, however, was not.

We arrive at the end of the novel, unsure as to whether or not Alice has dreamt the entire adventure or if she is really just as crazy as the rest of the characters. 

The beginning of each story is made to sound like she has become part of the adventure and is entirely not dreaming, but once you arrive at the end, it is as if she has awoken from a dream and therefore, dreamt the whole affair. I suppose that is the way of dreams though. If you have ever watched the movie Inception then you will begin to see how Alice could very well have been dreaming. She doesn't remember how the dream began, and she has no idea how she got to be where she is. This is the way with dreams. They just sort of begin where they will, it is only the end which we are rather attentive for. 

I'm not sure if I am better off having read this novel or not. I don't feel like it has helped me grow in anyway. I am rather more perplexed about the whole idea than I was before I began. I might just stick with the movie versions from hereon out.

Beware the Jabberwocky, this is t-bear signing off

The 3 I's

Book 16 - A memoir

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Now, I'm sure you already know this, but I am primarily a fan of fiction. However, mere hours after picking up this novel, I realized that I could, in fact, love a novel which is not of the fictional sort.

Not to my dismay, I observed the events which happened in the novel with much respect and adornment.

One thing I have always loved to do is travel. This novel is all about Liz Gilbert finding herself through a year of travelling.

Now I realize that all of the things that Liz went through which brought her to the point in her life where she felt she needed to leave her whole life behind and find herself; are not even remotely similar to the issues which would ever drive me to leave my well-grounded home life. Alas, there is a sort of excellentness in the idea that there is more of you out there somewhere, just waiting to be found.

One day, I will travel the globe. Don't worry, I'll take you with me. Although, I feel this blog may not be the way you would wish to travel with me. We'll just have to make it work.

In other news, if you have read this book, written by my new friend, Liz; then you are well aware of the spectacular nature in which she relates her journey through storytelling. I am pleased to say that many times during the travel from front cover to back cover, I created a large amount of respect for dear Liz. She was not only searching for herself, she was finding it.

Liz starts out her story lying on a bathroom floor, wondering where it all went wrong. She then proceeds to take every ounce of strength she has and throw it at the challenge of figuring out how to fix her soul. She is not searching for who she was when things were good, she is looking for who she can be because of everything she has experienced. I quite envy Liz. Not for the pain which she wholeheartedly suffered, but for the way that she was able to calm herself down and get her life in order.

Liz finds pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and balance in Indonesian. Staying in each country for four months, making new friends in every place, and learning brand new things about her soul the entire way through it.

There were many moments during the book where I had to stop myself and remember that this is truly a memoir and not a fictional story. The way in which Liz writes one can easily believe that what is happening is a work of fiction and not a real human life. This is not a bad thing, I found the story much easier to follow with Liz's ability to laugh at her embarrassments and cry at her painfulness. She is truly a role model for lives that have strayed.

I shall definitely be keeping this novel on my shelf, just in case the day comes where I need to do some soul searching of my own.

Peace is a large part of it, this is t-bear signing off

It's getting louder...

Book 15 - A book by a female author

 

crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

 

You may be sitting around thinking to yourself, "hey, I've heard of that author before."

If you have only come across such an author through this blog; then I commend you on your ability to keep reading something that sometimes drones on and on with no end in sight even as the reader has clearly already lost their place and is looking for a way to escape the inevitable end which will most certainly be present and possibly the most horrible of endings ever discovered in the history of ever.

Just remember, you are spectacular if you chose to read every post in such a blog. I'm not sure I would ever go back and read through every single post I've ever written. The thought is rather unexciting and I'm sure I would become bored far sooner than entertained.

Back to the author. If you return to the post of January 31 a.k.a. Book 4, you will note my review of the first book in this series.

Yes, I had to reread it. It was difficult, but I persevered.

As the first book was gifted to me by my very best, and rather only friend, M, the second installment was also given by said very best, and rather only friend, M. Although, this time it was not a Christmas gift, instead a valentine's day gift. As we are both single and don't have any other friends, we were each other's valentine's.

On to the novel! As if the last novel didn't have enough angels; in this one, we are constantly visited by the main characters guardian angel and a few Nephilim, who are just up to no good. (If you really need to know what Nephilim are, you should probably sit yourself down with this novel. But read the first one first. Seriously though, it'll make a lot more sense.) On top of all this angel talk, we are constantly reminded of the presence of the archangels. Only the already-read will know of their true existence. (No spoilers here!)

The love story as shown in the first novel hovers over the entire story, but doesn't interfere nearly as much. I felt that this was helpful for us, as readers, to really get to know the main character. She is not only stubborn and a little OCD, she also likes to do the one thing that she has been told not to. This isn't referring to one specific thing, but rather any restricted area becomes an unhealthy obsession.

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. There were many "sitting on the edge of my seat" moments, which are always my favourite. It doesn't help that the ending was a very large cliff-hanger.

I would really like to get in my little Mini and drive to Chapters to purchase the next two novels in the series. Who needs to wait for shipping and handling when I can pick them off the shelf and handle them with care? Alas, we must practice what is often referred to as self-control. We don't like it, but it is necessary.

 

An at ease mind has a trip booked, this is t-bear signing off

The Rye is Catching

Book 14 - A banned book

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean a band book. Pronunciation is everything people.

As I had already decided that this was to be my banned book, I spent the entire novel trying to figure out why it has been banned in so many places. Although it is not banned everywhere, it is one of the more commonly banned novels in North America.

The novel was interesting. 

This is a way of say that I felt it was neither bad nor good. Some parts were more interesting than others. The entire novel I was stuck with the almost impossible task of figuring out why it was so banned in the first place.

If it had been banned for not being such a book novel, I would have believed the banning far better than if it had been banned for the use of inappropriate language or underage drinking. Many a time in my day have I read a novel that is of more inappropriate language or alcohol/drug abuse. I can't remember really enjoying those either.

I've just read a review as to why it would be banned. I realize that many of these bannings occurred in the mid-late 1900s, which were apparently a more fragile/innocent time period, but that makes it more confusing to be an 'okay' book today. The content in the novel is no worse than that which occurs in almost every movie rated 18A or up. Should we be concerned about the fact that books which have inappropriate content are far more likely to be banned than something that is recorded, advertised on public television and played for all the world to see? 

This novel is about 16 year old Holden Caulfield who gets kicked out of school three days before Christmas Vacation. Instead of going home he decides to spend his time and savings in New York City. After about two hundred pages of underage drinking, constant smoking and many emotional breakdowns, we find Mr. Caulfield in a bit of a pickle. Should he go home to his parents and little sister, or should he run away, get a job and build himself a cabin in a wood? This combined with the ever present struggle to deal with his brother's death makes Mr. Caulfield out to be a bit of a hassle to the readers mind.

I won't spoil the novel for you, but the ending very easily helps the reader to realize that the decisions the character makes are not okay. Many times I stopped to remind myself that Mr. Caulfield must have some sort of mental disorder which is causing him to not think entirely clearly.

I don't know that I will ever need to read this novel again. I have read and understand that the themes are not necessarily ideal. If I never come across it's words again, I will just keep right on living.

However, I feel that it could be instrumental to the lives of teenagers as they grow up and learn what is socially acceptable and what is just downright wrong. Mr. Caulfield is unfortunately a misguided soul and I think there is much to learn from his situations. 

Sunny Sunday to all, this is t-bear signing off