The lies that be.

Book 28 - A book of short stories

The Amazing Spider-Man, Edge of Spider-Verse by various authors and artists who really shouldn't remain unnamed.

When I first began the journey that is this comic book, I fully intended to place it under the "A funny book" category. People, just because it says "comic" book doesn't mean it's funny. 

I felt more anguish for the characters than humour. I suppose you live and learn. Don't take things so seriously. Finally, don't judge a book by its cover. 

Going back to our challenge for this book...

I have only ever read one other superhero comic book before, and that was Batman. That comic book was just one story; so I was a little confused by the fact that there were five different stories within this comic book. 

As I sat to write to you, I observed the rear of the book and noticed that if one had perused its fine words prior to embarking on the journey from cover to cover, they would be entirely prepared for a five story book. This is where I find myself in somewhat of a pickle. 

Under no circumstances do I ever read the back cover of a book. I don't care what kind of book it is, I won't read it. There are spoilers there. Many people chuckle and claim otherwise, but there are. I've read them. They ruin things.

Therefore, it is indeed my own fault that I was unprepared for what I read. Not that this bothers me. I'm actually quite okay with it already. There may have been a moment of unrest, but I've recovered from such.

If you approve of the Andrew Garfield Spider-man, or are under the impression that there is no Spider-man but Tobey Maguire, please do not read this book. Or rather do read this book. Horizons may be broadened. 

I say this because this book takes the basic idea of Spider-man and then adds alternate universes and strange realities to make what you know as Spider-man into something that resembles Spider-man, but isn't. I am, therefore; disappointed in my choice of comic book. All this time, I could have had Andrew Garfield. The world is harsh sometimes. 

Inhale the smell of freshly chopped grass, it'll cure anything, this is t-bear signing off

The Shape Struggle

Book 27 - A book with a love triangle

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Brought to you by the tired mind of an airport dweller whose flight has been delayed until 3:30am. Don't...fall...asleep...

So, this may be a tad bit of a lie. 

Technically, there is a love square, but only three human bodies are involved. 

Now that I've got your attention... 

Also, I feel that people are concerned about this novel because it's written by Stephanie Meyer. Please don't judge an author by their previous novel(s). (Also, Hollywood did their part to ruined those movies, the books were decent.) The novel in question is gold. Read it. 

The basic storyline: 

(Before I begin, I'd like to mention that this novel would fall under the futuristic/sci-fi category of novel specifications.)

The basic storyline:

Wanderer is a soul from a different planet. Back up, souls "invaded" the earth and stuck themselves inside humans to help bring peace and harmony and loads of hugs. Because what happy, non-violent planet doesn't have hugs?

Wanderer is a soul from a different planet. She gets put in Melanie's body and, unlike usual, Melanie resists this and continues to live in her mind with Wanderer. (Normally, the human consciousness slips away into an abyss of nothingness.)

Melanie has directions to a group of humans who are living off grid, hiding from the souls who are trying to make the humans hosts for souls. 

Wanderer starts to see these directions in Melanie's mind and decides to try to find these humans without her Seeker (similar to a police officer, yet more likely to hug you than arrest you) knowing that's where she's going. Wanderer doesn't appreciate the watchful eyes of her Seeker. 

See, Wanderer has been falling in love with two humans who were very close to Melanie just from the thoughts and memories that Melanie shows her. 

Long story short, Wanderer finds this group of humans. She spends some time being hated for being a soul. People start to appreciate her more. 

Melanie is still in love with a human that she lost before being inhabited by Wanderer, and who is living with these humans.

Then Wanderer starts to fall in love with this other fellow who lives in the group of humans. 

So you can see, it's rather a love square since there are four separate minds involved. 

Confusing, I know. But if you read the book three times you will definitely have a good handle on it. Not that I've done that, cause that would be rather ridiculous. 

I can't very well give you more details as that would involve giving away too many *spoileralert* moments. That would be totally unacceptable of me. 

Initially, I was a bit hesitant myself, to embark on the journey that is this novel, but I was rather pleased with the entire storyline.  "Addicting," as M said on our way back from Myrtle Beach. 

What I've recently realized is that Stephanie Meyer had goals. I, for one, can appreciate a good, strong goaler.

Goals, people, goals, this is t-bear signing off

DC to MB, the glory days.

We interrupt this regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you a travelogue update.

 

In case you hadn't noticed, I have recently been participating in activities which do not include reading. However, last week I was able to read and engage in such consuming activities.

I have the heart and soul of a traveler. Last week, I went on a most wonderful adventure with my best friend, M.

As we are of the ripe age of 21, this was the very first trip that either of us had taken without parents or family members or classmates. It was a very exciting time for both of us.

We left for the airport on Saturday, July 18, 2015 with so much bubbling excitement! Little did we know that that excitement would be squashed by the wonderful announcement at our gate that our flight had been cancelled. We were left to spend the night at a hotel in Detroit, which was an experience; let me tell you.

In the morning, we finally made it to Washington, DC. If there is one thing I love about history, it's American history. Ever since I spent those many months in that grade 11 American History class, I've wanted to take a travel to Mr. Obama's place of residence. There is just so much history there. If only we could have stayed a month, although I fear even that wouldn't have been enough.

One of my favourite things was sitting across the street from the Washington Monument and thinking about all the television shows and movies that I've seen that are based in DC. Just think of all the people who have stood right here in this very spot. Magical, I tell you! Magical!

National Treasure was one of the many movies that we watched on repeat as children. There were so many moments during the day where we observed places that became settings in the movie. That will remain one of my all time favourite movies, even if Mr. B (grade 11 American History teacher) claims it's historically inaccurate. (We were all appalled that he wouldn't let us watch that movie in class.)

Anywho, we visited Mr. Obama's White House, but were surprised that he didn't come outside to greet us. All those people showed up and he didn't even come out of that big white house. The nerve, I say!

We were off to a rather slow start, but the road trip portion of the adventure began on Monday, July 20.

In our rented Toyota Prius, we started the journey south. There were many beautiful things to see as we travelled through the countryside. M chose a path that would take us through the various little towns between Washington, DC and Myrtle Beach; instead of living the fast paced life of a freeway-er.

As we took a wonderfully long time to exit DC, we had not travelled nearly as far as we had hoped the first day. That is not altogether terrible. We were on vacation after all.

We stayed the night in Kitty Hawk, NC. That is just on the edge of the Outerbanks; which are a fantastically beautiful place to travel through. You may have some issues with catching ferries though. Don't worry, there is always the Jolly Roger to entertain your traveling soul as you wait three hours for the next ferry.

We finally arrived in Myrtle Beach at 10pm on Tuesday, July 21. I would normally prefer to be driving during the daytime, but I must say; it was quite a sight to be welcomed into MB with bright lights and excited vacationers. They have a lovely night life there. If you have a vehicle, why not cruise up and down North Ocean Blvd for a few hours every nigh? Traffic pileup at 10pm? Not a problem.

The air that surrounds a vacation destination is one that would make our little Ltown jealous if it were to ever see such a place.

After two and a half spectacularly vacationy days in MB, I was ready to stay forever. Unfortunately, reality took hold of my mind and made me get on the airplane to come home.

Side note: if you ever book a trip where you arrive at the Atlanta airport with only a 50 minute layover, re-evaluate your life. It was enough time, but there are better things in life than rushing from gate C55 to gate B7 in the hopes that you will make it in time. Just leave yourself some room, enjoy your travel.

After arriving home at midnight on Friday, July 24 I felt like I needed a vacation to recuperate from my vacation. We packed so much into 7 days. The week felt like forever, but I wouldn't have changed any of it.

 

One day, I'll be back, this is t-bear signing off

France is Sweet

Book 26 - A book that was originally written in a different language

Suite Française by Irene Nemirovsky

"Suite Française (French; "The French Suite") is the title of a planned sequence of five novels by Irène Némirovsky, a French writer of Ukrainian-Jewish origin. In July 1942, having just completed the first two of the series, Némirovsky was arrested as a Jew and detained at Pithiviers and then Auschwitz, where she died. The notebook containing the two novels was preserved by her daughters but not examined until 1998. They were published in a single volume entitled Suite Française in 2004."

-This quote brought to you by the most reliable, Wikipedia.

 

As you may have noticed, summer is here.

I was all gung-ho when the end of June arrived, and then July hit. There was little I could do to assist the progress of my challenge.

When one is too busy with friends to read, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Oma would be proud of my socialness.

I greatly enjoyed spending time with this novel. It was hard to read a lot in one sitting, as I was constantly on the move, but I rather loved traveling through France with the characters.

As Wikipedia kindly described, this novel is just two of the, potentially, five novels. The first series is called Storm in June which follows the lives of different families from varying social classes, fleeing Paris after hearing news of an invasion from Germany. It was interesting to see that even though there was a war going on, social class was still a major part of life. It could determine whether or not you have a place to stay, have food to eat or are even able to escape the impending invasion at all.

We are faced with every day situations, "have we packed all the linen?", "is the silver in the trunk?"; amid the people who are more concerned about saving their lives, and the lives of their family members, than saving their valuables.

Some people made it out of Paris before the invasion, some left and then returned after not reaching their destination, only to find Paris untouched and rather empty.

The second series is called Dolce which is centered around the lives of different classes of people who live in the same town. The series starts with an occupation by a troop of German soldiers.

At first all the residents of the town do not appreciate anything that involves the German's. Slowly, certain groups start to become more comfortable with their new arrangements.

The children are the first to be welcoming to the troops, followed by the ladies who are excited about the presence of men who aren't from their town. I rather enjoyed the opinions of the townsfolk regarding the mannerisms and traditions of the German's. Although many people grew very comfortable with the German soldiers, they could always take a moment to harshly judge the German way of life; therefore, proclaiming the correctness which is the French way.

These series' were wonderfully helpful in portraying what life was like to be running from dangers and what it was like to be held hostage in your own hometown. There was quite a large amount of seriousness to the tales, but there was also an appropriate amount of humour, which is always welcome.

If you happen to be looking for a novel which was originally written in a different language, look no further, I have found one for you! But really, read it. There is history, war, romance, humour and even a bit of suspensefullness. In other words, there is something for everyone!

 

Travelers, start your packing! this is t-bear signing off

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