*There are spoilers!*
Really good book! Really awful characters! I hated almost everyone in this book except poor Cora. Everyone else was despicable. To be fair, Anne wasn't necessarily despicable, she was just very blah. She was very unhappy and angry and hurt at everything, but she never fought for what she wanted, and that annoys me. If you're unhappy and have the power to change something that's adding to that unhappiness, change it! She just let it rot and fester, and that's not cool. Anne just let things roll over her and crush her to the point where she wasn't really anything any more. While I didn't dislike her as much as the other characters, I really disliked reading about her. Maybe that's the point?
I get that technically, Marco "isn't" the bad guy in the end, but obviously he's still very much the bad guy. Sure he was "set-up," but he still agreed to kidnap his own daughter instead of talking things out with his wife, sharing things with her, and working out problems with her. No, he'd rather risk his baby daughter by making a deal with a stranger he knew for about an hour. I honestly don't understand how any person could do that. I think this too is part of the appeal of this book: someone so horrible and despicable who is unlike anything you can imagine of yourself is kind of fun to read about. When you encounter such a character, you have to step outside of your own self and try to imagine the life and perspective of someone so different from you. That's an important aspect to any good story, challenging the reader to take on a different persona in order to fully understand and enjoy a new character.
I was impressed with Anne's mother's actions in the end of the novel. I didn't think she had it in her to stand up to her husband. She seemed very weak and a push-over, but she showed me up, again, adding to the appeal because it was another twist that I didn't see coming. It's always a pleasant surprise when you think you have a character figured out, and he takes you by surprise in the end, causing you to rethink your previous profile.
As you might have guessed, one of the things I enjoyed about this book was the amount of shockers I was given. Each chapter seemed to have a new twist. Several times, I gasped out loud and had to explain to my husband why I was shocked. Because of these twists, I couldn't put the book down, making it a fun and addicting adventure. I couldn't wait to find out about the next secret.
The ending though? Whoa. I had thoughts throughout the book, like, oh man, this is the perfect set up for Cynthia's murder, but I didn't think it would actually happen, especially as the truth of Cora came out, but I suppose Anne's mental condition had to come into play at some point, and that was a great way to bring in her blackouts. It's a funny thing when an author can make something so obvious, too obvious for you to believe that's what will happen, and just as you've convinced yourself that it would be too easy, that's the path the author takes. You'd think it would be disappointing, but in reality, it makes me feel accomplished to have "known all along" that it would end that way.
All in all, it was a good read. While I didn't like any of the characters, I was very invested in the story because kidnapping is such a horrible thing, so stories about that can usually keep me in its clutches. This was a quick read, too, which was nice over my vacation. A couple hours by the pool, and I read through this book.
Friday, October 26, 2018
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Reflections on my ABC Challenge
I just posted the final book for my ABC Challenge, Z is for The Zookeeper's Wife: Diane Ackerman, and I wanted to take some time to reflect on this challenge.
To start, I'm thankful I did this. For the first time, I had a drive and direction to what I was reading. I'd fallen off the reading wagon after college, because I didn't really have a reason or a need to read. Because of that, I didn't know what to read. With this challenge, I knew I had to read at least 26 books in 2018. I had to choose these books (within the confines of whatever letter I was on), but I had guidelines, structure, and direction for what to choose.
I'm also thankful because it helped me cross a lot of books of my to-read list. I was so excited when I decided to do this challenge because I would finally have to read Atonement by Ian McEwan. I picked that book up at a Goodwill after watching the movie and loving it, but that was years ago. I just never got around to reading it.
I finally read all the way through Emma and Jane Eyre and cursed myself for waiting so long. I read the entirety of The Turn of the Screw which I was supposed to read during my Junior year of college but didn't want to... and when I finished it, I understood why I didn't want to.
I found a new favorite author through this challenge: Charles Martin. I read Long Way Gone, and I knew I had to read more. Now I will.
I read historic books that helped me view history in a whole new light, like The Underground Railroad and The Zookeeper's Wife.
I read a book given to me by a friend after I miscarried, and A Grief Observed guided me through my hurt.
When searching for a Q book, I found a fascinating book that gave me more understanding and helped me see different ways to utilize my introverted self.
I finally read a book that I wanted to for years because it was a retelling of one of my favorite books in the Bible: Hosea.
I'm sad the challenge is over, because now I'm on my own to figure out what to read, but I'm so glad I did it. I'm already thinking about what to do next year. I highly encourage everyone to do some sort of reading challenge at least once, because it pushes you out of your "usual" reading borders and helps you find a whole new world of writing.
To start, I'm thankful I did this. For the first time, I had a drive and direction to what I was reading. I'd fallen off the reading wagon after college, because I didn't really have a reason or a need to read. Because of that, I didn't know what to read. With this challenge, I knew I had to read at least 26 books in 2018. I had to choose these books (within the confines of whatever letter I was on), but I had guidelines, structure, and direction for what to choose.
I'm also thankful because it helped me cross a lot of books of my to-read list. I was so excited when I decided to do this challenge because I would finally have to read Atonement by Ian McEwan. I picked that book up at a Goodwill after watching the movie and loving it, but that was years ago. I just never got around to reading it.
I finally read all the way through Emma and Jane Eyre and cursed myself for waiting so long. I read the entirety of The Turn of the Screw which I was supposed to read during my Junior year of college but didn't want to... and when I finished it, I understood why I didn't want to.
I found a new favorite author through this challenge: Charles Martin. I read Long Way Gone, and I knew I had to read more. Now I will.
I read historic books that helped me view history in a whole new light, like The Underground Railroad and The Zookeeper's Wife.
I read a book given to me by a friend after I miscarried, and A Grief Observed guided me through my hurt.
When searching for a Q book, I found a fascinating book that gave me more understanding and helped me see different ways to utilize my introverted self.
I finally read a book that I wanted to for years because it was a retelling of one of my favorite books in the Bible: Hosea.
I'm sad the challenge is over, because now I'm on my own to figure out what to read, but I'm so glad I did it. I'm already thinking about what to do next year. I highly encourage everyone to do some sort of reading challenge at least once, because it pushes you out of your "usual" reading borders and helps you find a whole new world of writing.
Z is for The Zoo Keeper's Wife: Diane Ackerman
I had high hopes for this book as I usually enjoy books on wartime. After hearing of the movie, I was more intrigued. I thought a zoo was a perfect place to hide and protect Jews during WWII. I was a little disappointed for a few reasons.
First of all, Ackerman took a style of writing that was 25% story and 75% fact. This combination would serve to create a more enjoyable read, but the switches were random and confusing. It was difficult to follow along with the facts and details only to be jarred back into the facts randomly and without cause. I think it would have been better had Ackerman chosen one method and stuck to it.
I was also unhappy with the content of the novel. It didn't seem to me like there was much about the Zabinski family. Sure, she talked about them and shared some of their experiences, but this was more a story about Warsaw and their war than the Zabinski's, which is fine, Warsaw has an incredible story in itself, but I was hoping for a story about the role the zoo and the Zabinski's played in the war. The parts that were about the Zabinski's and the zoo were very broad and there wasn't a whole lot of detail shared about either. Usually Ackerman pulled a quote from someone outside the story and applied that to whatever story she was sharing. I'm not sure if this is just because of a lack of facts about the Zabinski family, but it seemed like she had an interview with Rys and parts of Antonina's journal, but not much was shared, which was unfortunate.
This story is a brilliant one, and I'd like to see the movie to compare how that told the tale, but the writing I found to be weak.
First of all, Ackerman took a style of writing that was 25% story and 75% fact. This combination would serve to create a more enjoyable read, but the switches were random and confusing. It was difficult to follow along with the facts and details only to be jarred back into the facts randomly and without cause. I think it would have been better had Ackerman chosen one method and stuck to it.
I was also unhappy with the content of the novel. It didn't seem to me like there was much about the Zabinski family. Sure, she talked about them and shared some of their experiences, but this was more a story about Warsaw and their war than the Zabinski's, which is fine, Warsaw has an incredible story in itself, but I was hoping for a story about the role the zoo and the Zabinski's played in the war. The parts that were about the Zabinski's and the zoo were very broad and there wasn't a whole lot of detail shared about either. Usually Ackerman pulled a quote from someone outside the story and applied that to whatever story she was sharing. I'm not sure if this is just because of a lack of facts about the Zabinski family, but it seemed like she had an interview with Rys and parts of Antonina's journal, but not much was shared, which was unfortunate.
This story is a brilliant one, and I'd like to see the movie to compare how that told the tale, but the writing I found to be weak.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Y is for Yesterday: Sue Grafton
I remember reading the first book in this series many years ago because I figured I should attempt it because of the popularity. After reading this one, I understand why I never continued in the series. Perhaps it's cheating to read this book for my Y book in my alphabet challenge, but it was recommended to me, and with Grafton's recent passing, I wanted to give it a shot, knowing this series has big influence in our world.
The story was good, but it would have been better if it was half the length. There was so much extra that really pulled me away from the plot and made it very difficult to enjoy. I had basically figured out the ending after about 75 pages; it just took so long to get there. I was ready for it to be over long before it was. There were a few twists that took me by surprise, but none of them impacted the story much, so I wasn't excited by them. In short, I was just bored by this book. It was fairly dull.
I had a difficult time getting into the story, and I think that's because of Grafton's writing style. It's not a style that draws the reader in barely allowing for any resurfacing. It was easy to put the book down and hard to pick it back up.
Kinsey isn't an enjoyable character either, and that could be because I've only read two in this series, but I found her to be a bit slow, dull, and apathetic. Even when she's fighting against Ned for her life, it was cold and void of emotions making it unexciting for me.
Maybe the reason I didn't enjoy this book is because I haven't read the whole series, but I have no motivation or intention to do so after this book.
The story was good, but it would have been better if it was half the length. There was so much extra that really pulled me away from the plot and made it very difficult to enjoy. I had basically figured out the ending after about 75 pages; it just took so long to get there. I was ready for it to be over long before it was. There were a few twists that took me by surprise, but none of them impacted the story much, so I wasn't excited by them. In short, I was just bored by this book. It was fairly dull.
I had a difficult time getting into the story, and I think that's because of Grafton's writing style. It's not a style that draws the reader in barely allowing for any resurfacing. It was easy to put the book down and hard to pick it back up.
Kinsey isn't an enjoyable character either, and that could be because I've only read two in this series, but I found her to be a bit slow, dull, and apathetic. Even when she's fighting against Ned for her life, it was cold and void of emotions making it unexciting for me.
Maybe the reason I didn't enjoy this book is because I haven't read the whole series, but I have no motivation or intention to do so after this book.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
W is for Wonder: R.J. Palacio
This was an enjoyable read. It was easy to read, easy to follow along, and engaging. I enjoyed Palacio's style of writing and I liked the breakdown of parts amongst the different characters: having that different perspective was fun, especially when Palacio threw in the different writing styles for each character. That was fun.
I'm glad I read the book instead of watching the movie/before watching the movie. I don't know why I had no interest in watching the movie, but my mom suggested I read this for W, and I'm glad I read it. I understand why it was such a hit: it is a great work. Palacio hits on so many touching themes and ties everything up in a neat little bow at the end.
I enjoyed Mr. Browne's precepts in their English class. I thought that was a great idea; one that I might implement if I was a teacher.
I liked that Palacio held off on providing a description of Auggie until it was Via's turn to tell the story. That was an interesting way to make sure the readers understood that this was not about the way Auggie looked and that the other themes were far more important than physical description. That being said, he provided some details that enabled guessing and visualizing, which is important for your readers to build a world.
This is a well-written, easy to read, emotional story of a lovable kid and his middle school adventures.
I'm glad I read the book instead of watching the movie/before watching the movie. I don't know why I had no interest in watching the movie, but my mom suggested I read this for W, and I'm glad I read it. I understand why it was such a hit: it is a great work. Palacio hits on so many touching themes and ties everything up in a neat little bow at the end.
I enjoyed Mr. Browne's precepts in their English class. I thought that was a great idea; one that I might implement if I was a teacher.
I liked that Palacio held off on providing a description of Auggie until it was Via's turn to tell the story. That was an interesting way to make sure the readers understood that this was not about the way Auggie looked and that the other themes were far more important than physical description. That being said, he provided some details that enabled guessing and visualizing, which is important for your readers to build a world.
This is a well-written, easy to read, emotional story of a lovable kid and his middle school adventures.
X is for Xingu: Edith Wharton
What a hoot! Wharton provides a social commentary on women and their role, and pokes fun at the desires of women in the upper class society.
The ladies of this story come together to read books and "discuss," which always ends up being gossip instead of discussion on the novels they've read. Poor Mrs. Roby who never reads the books is deemed a failure in the group. Apparently she never contributes anything worthwhile to the discussions and is reading books that are "out of date." She is seriously judged by the rest of the group, to the point where I thought she would be asked to leave.
When their favorite author joins them for a meeting one afternoon, they find they have nothing of value to talk about. There is an awkward silence among the group and in their attempts to prove their seriousness of reading, they forget all the books they've read and realize they haven't ever discussed anything of value, so they have nothing to contribute to the conversation.
Until, "poor" Mrs. Roby jumps in with a discussion on "Xingu." The rest of the club pretends to understand what she's talking about when they realize that the author among them is impressed and intrigued by what Mrs. Roby has to say. The two leave together, leaving the rest of the group to figure out what Xingu is.
I found this to be a very humorous read: these ladies try so hard to fit in and look good in front of an author, but because they don't have anything of value to contribute (each on is too concerned with her appearance to attempt conversation), they end up looking silly. And, instead of giving credit to Mrs. Roby for saving their hides in what was a very dull luncheon, they criticize her for monopolizing the author's attention and disregard her in frustration.
It's a short 26 pages (depending on the format), so it's an easy read and it goes by quickly, but it's entertaining and funny and it makes you think on the lengths you go to please the people around you and doing/acting/saying what society thinks you should do/act/say.
The ladies of this story come together to read books and "discuss," which always ends up being gossip instead of discussion on the novels they've read. Poor Mrs. Roby who never reads the books is deemed a failure in the group. Apparently she never contributes anything worthwhile to the discussions and is reading books that are "out of date." She is seriously judged by the rest of the group, to the point where I thought she would be asked to leave.
When their favorite author joins them for a meeting one afternoon, they find they have nothing of value to talk about. There is an awkward silence among the group and in their attempts to prove their seriousness of reading, they forget all the books they've read and realize they haven't ever discussed anything of value, so they have nothing to contribute to the conversation.
Until, "poor" Mrs. Roby jumps in with a discussion on "Xingu." The rest of the club pretends to understand what she's talking about when they realize that the author among them is impressed and intrigued by what Mrs. Roby has to say. The two leave together, leaving the rest of the group to figure out what Xingu is.
I found this to be a very humorous read: these ladies try so hard to fit in and look good in front of an author, but because they don't have anything of value to contribute (each on is too concerned with her appearance to attempt conversation), they end up looking silly. And, instead of giving credit to Mrs. Roby for saving their hides in what was a very dull luncheon, they criticize her for monopolizing the author's attention and disregard her in frustration.
It's a short 26 pages (depending on the format), so it's an easy read and it goes by quickly, but it's entertaining and funny and it makes you think on the lengths you go to please the people around you and doing/acting/saying what society thinks you should do/act/say.
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