Jack's Run is the sequel to Zach's Lie, by Roland Smith. While it was a fast-paced and enjoyable action story, it didn't quite measure up to its predecessor, mainly due to some extremely implausible situations.
In Jack's Run, the Osborne family has been reunited in North Carolina after their escape from Elko. Joanne has graduated from high school, and moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA and pursue a career in show business. Jack's parents want him to be safe during the trial of drug kingpin Alonzo Aznar, so they send him to stay with his sister in LA. However, as soon as Joanne settles in LA, she enters an American Idol-like competition and her face makes it onto national TV. Aznar sends his people to kidnap Joanne and Jack and take them to Argentina, with the threat that they will be killed if their father testifies in his trial.
After this, Neil Osborne decides to go rescue his kids. He ends up bringing his wife, a friend of his from the Navy, and Sam Sebesta, the mysterious ex-KGB agent custodian from Elko. They gather up the supplies they need and plan a trip to Aznar's Argentinian compound to save the kids. Meanwhile, the kids try to escape so they can save themselves.
Jack's Run was full of action and suspense, which kept it moving. However, some parts seemed beyond belief. For example, Aznar, the drug kingpin, was able to live an Al Capone-like lifestyle behind bars, obtaining technology necessary to continue running his empire. And his brother, Raphael, was over-the-top stupid, housing an 18-year-old and a 14-year-old in a room with tools they could use to escape. Sam Sebesta's solution for dealing with the Aznar brothers also seemed somewhat implausible, with a remotely triggered heart attack that can be activated at any time. Even so, this novel was fun to read, and I would recommend it for kids.
Rating: ****
Thursday, January 29, 2009
#18: Sit, Ubu, Sit
Sit, Ubu, Sit is the autobiography of Gary David Goldberg, the executive producer of several TV shows, including "Family Ties" and "Spin City." I picked it up after reading an earlier review of it, not because it was especially interesting to me, but because of the title. I vaguely remember watching "Family Ties" when I was younger, but I clearly remember the message of, "Sit, Ubu, Sit. Good Dog!" Whatever the reason I had for choosing the book, it turned out to be very engaging.
Goldberg tells the story of how he rose from an average family in Brooklyn to being successful and extremely wealthy. He jumps around in a non-sequential order with vignettes of his life, but they are very easy to follow. Basically, as a young man, Goldberg was not sure what he wanted to do in life. He attended various colleges, never graduating, and ended up working as a waiter in New York. He met a girl who shared his wanderlust, ended up in California, and eventually spent time traveling through Europe. When his girlfriend became pregnant, they returned home. After some time spent running a day care center in Berkeley, they headed down to San Diego so she could attend grad school. Goldberg enrolled in some courses to finish his degree, and his instructor in creative writing told him he had a lot of talent. He signed with an agent, got involved in TV writing, and progressed from there, eventually forming his own production company named after his beloved dog.
Sit, Ubu, Sit was such an engaging book because Goldberg is a great storyteller, and he has an interesting story to tell. His story just seemed honest and straightforward. While he is obviously proud of his success, he maintains a sense of humility and is not afraid to point out his mistakes. He also emphasizes the value he places on family. With all of the vapid characters in the entertainment world, Goldberg seems like a good guy.
Raitng: *****
Goldberg tells the story of how he rose from an average family in Brooklyn to being successful and extremely wealthy. He jumps around in a non-sequential order with vignettes of his life, but they are very easy to follow. Basically, as a young man, Goldberg was not sure what he wanted to do in life. He attended various colleges, never graduating, and ended up working as a waiter in New York. He met a girl who shared his wanderlust, ended up in California, and eventually spent time traveling through Europe. When his girlfriend became pregnant, they returned home. After some time spent running a day care center in Berkeley, they headed down to San Diego so she could attend grad school. Goldberg enrolled in some courses to finish his degree, and his instructor in creative writing told him he had a lot of talent. He signed with an agent, got involved in TV writing, and progressed from there, eventually forming his own production company named after his beloved dog.
Sit, Ubu, Sit was such an engaging book because Goldberg is a great storyteller, and he has an interesting story to tell. His story just seemed honest and straightforward. While he is obviously proud of his success, he maintains a sense of humility and is not afraid to point out his mistakes. He also emphasizes the value he places on family. With all of the vapid characters in the entertainment world, Goldberg seems like a good guy.
Raitng: *****
Sunday, January 25, 2009
#17: Eclipse
Eclipse, by Richard North Patterson, tells the story of Damon Pierce, a successful Bay Area lawyer who takes the case of a political prisoner in the fictional country of Luandia (very obviously Nigeria with a fake name). It starts out when Pierce receives an email from Marissa Brand Okari, an old friend from college with whom Pierce desired more than friendship. Okari's husband, Bobby, is a political dissident advocating rights for his tribal group through peaceful means. During a rally, the bodies of three oil workers are found hanging from trees. Bobby Okari is charged with their murders, and the Luandian army massacres everyone in his village except him and his wife.
When Pierce arrives in Luandia, he realizes what life is like. He expects that his client will be put through a show trial, but he has to negotiate various dangers as he tries to help his client. He sees the vast contrast between PetroGlobal, the oil company exploiting the country's resources, and the citizens, who live in poverty. He is also forced to rely on other people he is not sure he trusts.
Eclipse was an interesting book to read based on the subject matter. The kleptocratic despot, Savior Karama, was unfortunately modeled after real leaders who use their countries' resources for personal gain and suppress any dissent. The pacing of the book was somewhat uneven - some parts were slow, but then the author included many various twists and turns, usually requiring Pierce to get in a rickety boat or vehicle for a harrowing journey into the unknown. Still, overall, it was fairly exciting and thought-provoking.
Rating: ****
When Pierce arrives in Luandia, he realizes what life is like. He expects that his client will be put through a show trial, but he has to negotiate various dangers as he tries to help his client. He sees the vast contrast between PetroGlobal, the oil company exploiting the country's resources, and the citizens, who live in poverty. He is also forced to rely on other people he is not sure he trusts.
Eclipse was an interesting book to read based on the subject matter. The kleptocratic despot, Savior Karama, was unfortunately modeled after real leaders who use their countries' resources for personal gain and suppress any dissent. The pacing of the book was somewhat uneven - some parts were slow, but then the author included many various twists and turns, usually requiring Pierce to get in a rickety boat or vehicle for a harrowing journey into the unknown. Still, overall, it was fairly exciting and thought-provoking.
Rating: ****
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
#16: Zach's Lie
Ok, I've already moved on to my second Roland Smith novel. Zach's Lie, while completely different from Elephant Run, is also packed with action. 13-year-old Zach Granger has just moved to Elko, NV with his mom and older sister. Moving would be hard enough, but as part of the move, he had to assume a new identity. Zack, formerly Jack Osborne, was forced to go into witness protection after his father was arrested for drug trafficking and agreed to testify against dangerous criminals.
Zach begins to adjust to his life in Elko. He learns about the Basque heritage, and makes friends with Catalin, the granddaughter of a Basque sheepherder. He also befriends Sam Sebesta, the janitor at his school who seems to have a lot of unusual skills for a janitor. Unfortunately for Zach, when his life is coming together, someone finds out his secret, and the enemies are led to him in Elko.
Zach's Lie was quick and fun to read - I polished it off in a couple of hours. Roland Smith's writing style is enjoyable for kids, as he keeps the action moving. Zach was a sympathetic character, and I am interested in reading more about him in the sequel, Jack's Run.
Rating: *****
Zach begins to adjust to his life in Elko. He learns about the Basque heritage, and makes friends with Catalin, the granddaughter of a Basque sheepherder. He also befriends Sam Sebesta, the janitor at his school who seems to have a lot of unusual skills for a janitor. Unfortunately for Zach, when his life is coming together, someone finds out his secret, and the enemies are led to him in Elko.
Zach's Lie was quick and fun to read - I polished it off in a couple of hours. Roland Smith's writing style is enjoyable for kids, as he keeps the action moving. Zach was a sympathetic character, and I am interested in reading more about him in the sequel, Jack's Run.
Rating: *****
Saturday, January 17, 2009
#15: Finn's Going
Finn's Going, by Tom Kelly, is about a 10-year-old English boy whose identical twin brother has died. Danny, fresh off of 6 weeks of self-imposed silence, is unsure how to deal with his feelings, so he decides to run away. He gets on a train and goes to the coast to the site of a past family vacation. Once there, he takes refuge on an island in an old boathouse.
Although Danny packed for his journey, he didn't pack well. As he is laying down in the boathouse during a storm, he sees a man appear, who checks to see if he is alright. Later on, someone leaves food and a note to "come say hello." During Danny's wanderings, he finds the man who had visited him living in a camper near the beach. Danny meets this man, Nulty, and learns about his life and why he ended up in his situation.
Danny continues staying on the island, with the help of supplies from Nulty, who realizes Danny has a purpose of some kind. Danny occupies himself with gathering bricks from around the island (leftover from a destroyed building) and counting and stacking them. Eventually, he feels comfortable confiding at least some of his feelings to Nulty, which leads him to be ready to return home.
The best part of Finn's Going was the character's voice. Most of the story is told using an interior monologue, as Danny spends most of the novel by himself. The character seems like a real 10-year-old, as his logic is not always logical, and he thinks often of bodily functions as many 10-year-old boys do. The book moved slowly, but given the subject matter, the pacing was appropriate. While it may not be appreciated by younger readers, I enjoyed the introspection, and the ending definitely got me thinking.
Rating: ****
Although Danny packed for his journey, he didn't pack well. As he is laying down in the boathouse during a storm, he sees a man appear, who checks to see if he is alright. Later on, someone leaves food and a note to "come say hello." During Danny's wanderings, he finds the man who had visited him living in a camper near the beach. Danny meets this man, Nulty, and learns about his life and why he ended up in his situation.
Danny continues staying on the island, with the help of supplies from Nulty, who realizes Danny has a purpose of some kind. Danny occupies himself with gathering bricks from around the island (leftover from a destroyed building) and counting and stacking them. Eventually, he feels comfortable confiding at least some of his feelings to Nulty, which leads him to be ready to return home.
The best part of Finn's Going was the character's voice. Most of the story is told using an interior monologue, as Danny spends most of the novel by himself. The character seems like a real 10-year-old, as his logic is not always logical, and he thinks often of bodily functions as many 10-year-old boys do. The book moved slowly, but given the subject matter, the pacing was appropriate. While it may not be appreciated by younger readers, I enjoyed the introspection, and the ending definitely got me thinking.
Rating: ****
#14: Dodger and Me
Dodger and Me is the fourth book by Jordan Sonnenblick, and first aimed at elementary aged children. As I really enjoyed his previous three, I wanted to give this one a try.
Dodger and Me is centered around Willie, a 10-year-old who can best be described as a wimp or a loser. His mother is highly overprotective, and does not trust him at all. He also has no friends at school, although Lizzie, a girl he tries to avoid, lavishes him with attention. One day, after failing at the plate in his baseball game and causing his team to lose, Willie takes a forbidden shortcut through the woods to get to his house. As he is walking, he sees a fast food bag, and decides to pick it up so it will no longer spoil nature. After doing this, he is surprised by the appearance of a large blue talking chimpanzee wearing surfer shorts.
Willie begins speaking to the chimp, whose name is Dodger. Willie brings Dodger home, and he agrees to help Willie solve the three most vexing problems in his life - getting his mom to trust him, getting Lizzie to stop bothering him and becoming a better baseball player. Unfortunately for Willie, as Dodger is doing this, he also creates many new problems.
Dodger and Me was an enjoyable book with likable characters. Willie is a boy who wants to do the right thing, and Dodger is very amusing. The situations that Dodger gets Willie into are pretty funny, and kids would enjoy reading the book. I recommended it to my class, especially those who like books like Hank Zipzer. While I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie or Notes from the Midnight Driver, it was written for a different audience and it presents a good message.
Rating: ****
Dodger and Me is centered around Willie, a 10-year-old who can best be described as a wimp or a loser. His mother is highly overprotective, and does not trust him at all. He also has no friends at school, although Lizzie, a girl he tries to avoid, lavishes him with attention. One day, after failing at the plate in his baseball game and causing his team to lose, Willie takes a forbidden shortcut through the woods to get to his house. As he is walking, he sees a fast food bag, and decides to pick it up so it will no longer spoil nature. After doing this, he is surprised by the appearance of a large blue talking chimpanzee wearing surfer shorts.
Willie begins speaking to the chimp, whose name is Dodger. Willie brings Dodger home, and he agrees to help Willie solve the three most vexing problems in his life - getting his mom to trust him, getting Lizzie to stop bothering him and becoming a better baseball player. Unfortunately for Willie, as Dodger is doing this, he also creates many new problems.
Dodger and Me was an enjoyable book with likable characters. Willie is a boy who wants to do the right thing, and Dodger is very amusing. The situations that Dodger gets Willie into are pretty funny, and kids would enjoy reading the book. I recommended it to my class, especially those who like books like Hank Zipzer. While I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie or Notes from the Midnight Driver, it was written for a different audience and it presents a good message.
Rating: ****
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
#13: Elephant Run
Elephant Run is a historical fiction adventure story by Roland Smith. The protagonist, 14-year-old Nick Freestone lives with his mom in London during World War II, but due to the frequent bombings, he is sent to stay with his father in Burma. Nick's father owns a teak plantation where much of the labor is done by elephants. In the nearby village, many of the citizens work as mahouts, or people who drive the elephants. This includes Nang, one of the plantation's most trusted employees, and his son Indaw and daughter Mya, who is about Nick's age.
Unfortunately, the Japanese arrive in Burma at the same time as Nick. Nick's father is taken captive, Nang is killed, and Nick, along with Mya, is forced to work as a servant to the Japanese now occupying his father's house. When Nick receives word that his father is alive, his goal becomes rescuing his father. He receives guidance from Hilltop, an ancient Buddhist monk, who wants to follow Mr. Freestone's desire to get Nick and Mya out of Burma to a safer place. Mya is anxious to join Nick's dangerous quest, as she wants to rescue her brother, who is also being held prisoner. After escaping from the house, Hilltop leads Nick and Mya on a dangerous journey to attempt the rescue.
Elephant Run was a very exciting book to read. The wartime setting provides constant action and danger to the characters. The characters are presented realistically, as the Japanese soldiers are much more than evil caricatures. They range from the ambitious, but dangerous young officer Moto to Sgt. Sonji, who was more soft spoken and appreciated haiku and gardening.
Additionally, the author did a great job establishing the setting in the jungles of Burma during WWII. It was very interesting to learn about the mahouts and the conflicted loyalties of the local people, as they yearned for independence from England, but were wary of what the Japanese were bringing to their land.
Elephant Run was a highly enjoyable book to read, and I am looking forward to checking out more books by Roland Smith.
Rating: *****
Unfortunately, the Japanese arrive in Burma at the same time as Nick. Nick's father is taken captive, Nang is killed, and Nick, along with Mya, is forced to work as a servant to the Japanese now occupying his father's house. When Nick receives word that his father is alive, his goal becomes rescuing his father. He receives guidance from Hilltop, an ancient Buddhist monk, who wants to follow Mr. Freestone's desire to get Nick and Mya out of Burma to a safer place. Mya is anxious to join Nick's dangerous quest, as she wants to rescue her brother, who is also being held prisoner. After escaping from the house, Hilltop leads Nick and Mya on a dangerous journey to attempt the rescue.
Elephant Run was a very exciting book to read. The wartime setting provides constant action and danger to the characters. The characters are presented realistically, as the Japanese soldiers are much more than evil caricatures. They range from the ambitious, but dangerous young officer Moto to Sgt. Sonji, who was more soft spoken and appreciated haiku and gardening.
Additionally, the author did a great job establishing the setting in the jungles of Burma during WWII. It was very interesting to learn about the mahouts and the conflicted loyalties of the local people, as they yearned for independence from England, but were wary of what the Japanese were bringing to their land.
Elephant Run was a highly enjoyable book to read, and I am looking forward to checking out more books by Roland Smith.
Rating: *****
Sunday, January 11, 2009
#12: The Prop
The Prop is a book I picked up off a clearance rack at Borders. I read two young adult novels by the author, Pete Hautman. Godless was a book I enjoyed, but I was more ambivalent toward Invisible.
The Prop is about Peeky, a middle-aged woman who works as a prop player at a Tucson Indian casino. A prop player is someone employed by the casino to prop up the action at a poker table when players leave and the game is shorthanded. Peeky enjoys her work and is successful at it. Things begin to change when she shares in a jackpot meant for someone else in a fixed game. Even though she suspects it was fixed, she feels she is due for some luck and that it is the job of the security staff to catch the cheaters.
Following the fixed game, Peeky is playing at the casino when four men wearing clown costumes burst into the card room with guns. The robbery quickly goes bad, as four people end up dead, although the robbers make off with over one million dollars. Peeky is disheartened to realize that one of the robbers is her boyfriend, Buddy, but she chooses not to reveal this fact to the authorities or her bosses at the casino.
In addition, Peeky's son-in-law Eduardo comes to her with the news that her daughter, Jaymie, is addicted to crack. Jaymie has been stealing money from Peeky to support her habit, and has now disappeared. Peeky and Eduardo become involved with lowlifes as they go in search of Jaymie.
Meanwhile, the reclusive founder of the casino comes to Peeky looking for help with the direction of the casino and with the robbery. He admires her way of reading people, the same quality that makes her successful at poker. Although he realizes she has not always been up front with him, he sees her as the only person who can help unravel the mysteries of what goes on at the casino. She agrees to become his eyes and ears, as she also tries to unravel the mysteries of exactly who her boyfriend is and what to do about her daughter.
I went into this book looking for something like Carl Hiaasen's writing, and while I noticed similarities, it wasn't quite as absurd. Maybe it is because it is hard to measure up to Hiaasen's depictions of Florida. Anyway, the story itself was engaging, with an interesting mix of unusual characters populating the casino. I was not very interested in the poker scenes, as I know nothing about Texas hold'em, but others might be more appreciative. As a mystery, it was enjoyable as a whole.
Rating: ****
The Prop is about Peeky, a middle-aged woman who works as a prop player at a Tucson Indian casino. A prop player is someone employed by the casino to prop up the action at a poker table when players leave and the game is shorthanded. Peeky enjoys her work and is successful at it. Things begin to change when she shares in a jackpot meant for someone else in a fixed game. Even though she suspects it was fixed, she feels she is due for some luck and that it is the job of the security staff to catch the cheaters.
Following the fixed game, Peeky is playing at the casino when four men wearing clown costumes burst into the card room with guns. The robbery quickly goes bad, as four people end up dead, although the robbers make off with over one million dollars. Peeky is disheartened to realize that one of the robbers is her boyfriend, Buddy, but she chooses not to reveal this fact to the authorities or her bosses at the casino.
In addition, Peeky's son-in-law Eduardo comes to her with the news that her daughter, Jaymie, is addicted to crack. Jaymie has been stealing money from Peeky to support her habit, and has now disappeared. Peeky and Eduardo become involved with lowlifes as they go in search of Jaymie.
Meanwhile, the reclusive founder of the casino comes to Peeky looking for help with the direction of the casino and with the robbery. He admires her way of reading people, the same quality that makes her successful at poker. Although he realizes she has not always been up front with him, he sees her as the only person who can help unravel the mysteries of what goes on at the casino. She agrees to become his eyes and ears, as she also tries to unravel the mysteries of exactly who her boyfriend is and what to do about her daughter.
I went into this book looking for something like Carl Hiaasen's writing, and while I noticed similarities, it wasn't quite as absurd. Maybe it is because it is hard to measure up to Hiaasen's depictions of Florida. Anyway, the story itself was engaging, with an interesting mix of unusual characters populating the casino. I was not very interested in the poker scenes, as I know nothing about Texas hold'em, but others might be more appreciative. As a mystery, it was enjoyable as a whole.
Rating: ****
#11: Found
Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix is book 1 of a planned trilogy. I first learned about Haddix from her popular Shadow Children series, which are full of action. Found also fits this criterion, as it was a book I had trouble putting down.
The main character in Found is 13-year-old Jonah. He was adopted as a baby and lives with his parents and sister in Ohio. One day, he is outside playing basketball with a friend Chip when he receives a strange note in the mail in an envelope with no return address. It reads, "You are one of the missing." He thinks it is a joke, although it disturbs him a bit, so he keeps playing.
Later, Jonah and his family are eating dinner, when a frantic Chip comes to the door looking for Jonah. He received the same note as Jonah, and after talking to his parents, was astonished to learn that he was adopted.
Soon, Jonah and Chip each receive a second note along the lines of "They're coming to get you." Chip wants to investigate, but Jonah is very reluctant to help, so he enlists the help of Jonah's sister, Katherine. Their work leads to an FBI agent, a list of other kids, and a woman named Angela DuPre who relays a story about a mysterious plane full of babies and time travel.
The book culminates when Jonah is invited to attend a local conference for adopted children and their families. He brings Katherine and Chip along, and they realize that nearly every child on the list they found is at the conference. The kids are separated from their parents to go on a hike to a secluded location where they learn the unbelievable truth about their adoptions. I don't want to say any more and give it away.
Found is an enthralling blend of adventure and science fiction. Haddix keeps the story moving with a series of small mysteries that have resolutions leading to other mysteries. Jonah, Katherine and Chip are clever, but not unrealistically so, and have to work together to solve problems. The ending was surprising to me but left me eagerly anticipating the second book. I will definitely be recommending this to some of my students.
Rating: *****
The main character in Found is 13-year-old Jonah. He was adopted as a baby and lives with his parents and sister in Ohio. One day, he is outside playing basketball with a friend Chip when he receives a strange note in the mail in an envelope with no return address. It reads, "You are one of the missing." He thinks it is a joke, although it disturbs him a bit, so he keeps playing.
Later, Jonah and his family are eating dinner, when a frantic Chip comes to the door looking for Jonah. He received the same note as Jonah, and after talking to his parents, was astonished to learn that he was adopted.
Soon, Jonah and Chip each receive a second note along the lines of "They're coming to get you." Chip wants to investigate, but Jonah is very reluctant to help, so he enlists the help of Jonah's sister, Katherine. Their work leads to an FBI agent, a list of other kids, and a woman named Angela DuPre who relays a story about a mysterious plane full of babies and time travel.
The book culminates when Jonah is invited to attend a local conference for adopted children and their families. He brings Katherine and Chip along, and they realize that nearly every child on the list they found is at the conference. The kids are separated from their parents to go on a hike to a secluded location where they learn the unbelievable truth about their adoptions. I don't want to say any more and give it away.
Found is an enthralling blend of adventure and science fiction. Haddix keeps the story moving with a series of small mysteries that have resolutions leading to other mysteries. Jonah, Katherine and Chip are clever, but not unrealistically so, and have to work together to solve problems. The ending was surprising to me but left me eagerly anticipating the second book. I will definitely be recommending this to some of my students.
Rating: *****
Saturday, January 10, 2009
#10: The Divide
The Divide, by Elizabeth Kay, is the first book in a trilogy. Felix, a 13-year-old from London, suffers from a heart defect, which has limited his ability to do things that a normal kid could do. His heart is in danger of failing at any time, especially if he overexerts himself, so his parents have taken him to Costa Rica to enjoy himself. While hiking to the Continental Divide, Felix faints and is transported to a magical world on the other side of The Divide. Many things are the opposite of what Felix's world is like. For example, elephants and humans are thought to be mythical creatures, while elves, pixies and brownies roam around freely. Also, things are done using magic, in contrast to the science that Felix is used to.
Felix meets Betony, a "tangle-child," (an elf-like creature). Betony agrees to help Felix to try to find a magical cure for his heart condition. Meanwhile, Betony's older sister and brother encounter Snakeweed, a japegrin (pixie) who is a pharmaceutical entrepreneur. Unfortunately, his remedies are unsuccessful, but he still tries to sell them. Snakeweed finds out about Felix and desires to learn about his scientific knowledge so that he can profit from it. As a result, Felix and Betony also have to evade Snakeweed and his henchmen as they search for the cure.
The Divide presents a conflict of good vs. evil, with many good creatures coming to the aid of Felix, and certain evil creatures working with Snakeweed. The author also makes some interesting commentary about the effects of technology and development on a society (Felix compares the magical society to what he has learned about in history) and the environment (discussing how a decline in the population of one species affects others), among other topics.
The Divide has good pacing, and moves along quickly. I did find myself frequently flipping to Felix's guide to the magical creatures, but the author did a great job coming up with creative beasts like the worrit (a funny-looking dog that kills its prey by constantly telling jokes and causing the prey to laugh to death). The book also ends with a cliffhanger of sorts, so I am looking forward to reading the second one.
Rating: *****
Felix meets Betony, a "tangle-child," (an elf-like creature). Betony agrees to help Felix to try to find a magical cure for his heart condition. Meanwhile, Betony's older sister and brother encounter Snakeweed, a japegrin (pixie) who is a pharmaceutical entrepreneur. Unfortunately, his remedies are unsuccessful, but he still tries to sell them. Snakeweed finds out about Felix and desires to learn about his scientific knowledge so that he can profit from it. As a result, Felix and Betony also have to evade Snakeweed and his henchmen as they search for the cure.
The Divide presents a conflict of good vs. evil, with many good creatures coming to the aid of Felix, and certain evil creatures working with Snakeweed. The author also makes some interesting commentary about the effects of technology and development on a society (Felix compares the magical society to what he has learned about in history) and the environment (discussing how a decline in the population of one species affects others), among other topics.
The Divide has good pacing, and moves along quickly. I did find myself frequently flipping to Felix's guide to the magical creatures, but the author did a great job coming up with creative beasts like the worrit (a funny-looking dog that kills its prey by constantly telling jokes and causing the prey to laugh to death). The book also ends with a cliffhanger of sorts, so I am looking forward to reading the second one.
Rating: *****
Thursday, January 8, 2009
#9: Thank You for Smoking
I watched the movie Thank You for Smoking a couple years ago and found it amusing. The novel from which it was based, by Christopher Buckley, is similarly amusing as a satire of the tobacco industry, product marketing and Washington politics.
Nick Naylor is a spokesman for the tobacco industry. His main job is to try to debunk or marginalize all of the scientific reports and negative press about cigarettes and keep people smoking. His answer when people question him about the morality of what he is doing is that it pays the mortgage, even though his ex-wife is reaping that particular benefit. Naylor is friends with similar spokespeople from the alcohol and firearms industries, and they meet frequently for lunches, nicknaming themselves the Merchants of Death (MOD) Squad.
Naylor is on the verge of being fired by his new boss when he books a gig on Oprah. He gains notoriety when he points out that a government official is trying to exploit a young cancer patient, making the official look like the bad guy. After this showing, Naylor is summoned directly to North Carolina to meet with The Captain, the head of a large tobacco company. The Captain is pleased with him and immediately gives him a huge raise and job security.
The Oprah appearance also gains Naylor the attention of enemies. He receives death threats, and is eventually accosted, kidnapped, and plastered with nicotine patches. The doctors say that the only reason he survived is because as a smoker, he has developed a level of tolerance to nicotine. The bosses encourage him to use this information to promote the benefits of smoking. However, he finds that his heart is less set on his job.
Additionally, the FBI begins investigating Naylor's kidnapping. Based on evidence, they arrest him for faking his kidnapping. Realizing he has been set up, he enlists the MOD Squad to help him figure out who the perpetrators were and exact revenge.
While somewhat far-fetched, the plot is very entertaining. As I was reading, I had to chuckle at some of the ridiculous actions of the characters, that are sadly based on reality. The novel does a great job of poking fun at an industry that has for years used deceitful marketing practices to keep itself going strong.
Overall, Thank You For Smoking a fast-paced, relatively short book that many people would enjoy.
Rating: ****
Nick Naylor is a spokesman for the tobacco industry. His main job is to try to debunk or marginalize all of the scientific reports and negative press about cigarettes and keep people smoking. His answer when people question him about the morality of what he is doing is that it pays the mortgage, even though his ex-wife is reaping that particular benefit. Naylor is friends with similar spokespeople from the alcohol and firearms industries, and they meet frequently for lunches, nicknaming themselves the Merchants of Death (MOD) Squad.
Naylor is on the verge of being fired by his new boss when he books a gig on Oprah. He gains notoriety when he points out that a government official is trying to exploit a young cancer patient, making the official look like the bad guy. After this showing, Naylor is summoned directly to North Carolina to meet with The Captain, the head of a large tobacco company. The Captain is pleased with him and immediately gives him a huge raise and job security.
The Oprah appearance also gains Naylor the attention of enemies. He receives death threats, and is eventually accosted, kidnapped, and plastered with nicotine patches. The doctors say that the only reason he survived is because as a smoker, he has developed a level of tolerance to nicotine. The bosses encourage him to use this information to promote the benefits of smoking. However, he finds that his heart is less set on his job.
Additionally, the FBI begins investigating Naylor's kidnapping. Based on evidence, they arrest him for faking his kidnapping. Realizing he has been set up, he enlists the MOD Squad to help him figure out who the perpetrators were and exact revenge.
While somewhat far-fetched, the plot is very entertaining. As I was reading, I had to chuckle at some of the ridiculous actions of the characters, that are sadly based on reality. The novel does a great job of poking fun at an industry that has for years used deceitful marketing practices to keep itself going strong.
Overall, Thank You For Smoking a fast-paced, relatively short book that many people would enjoy.
Rating: ****
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
#8: The Bonfire of the Vanities
The Bonfire of the Vanities is the second Tom Wolfe book that I have read. The first was I Am Charlotte Simmons, which although flawed, I enjoyed. Still, this book (along with two other Wolfe titles) sat on my shelf for quite a while, intimidating me due to its thickness, as I like books that I can read through quickly. When I finally began reading this one, I found that in spite of its length, I was able to proceed quickly.
The Bonfire of the Vanities is the story of three men. Sherman McCoy is a high-salaried bond trader living with his wife and daughter in a Park Avenue apartment. In spite of his job and status, he finds himself worrying about money as it flows out as quickly as it comes in. His obsession is being a "Master of the Universe." Sherman is also romantically involved with Maria Ruskin, the young wife of an elderly businessman.
Larry Kramer is an assistant district attorney working in the Bronx. He also lives his wife and young child, but his conditions are much different. His tiny apartment would fit into McCoy's living room. Kramer experiences a combination of envy and disdain toward other lawyers with high-paying jobs at big firms, as he would like their salaries, but feels he is on the moral high road as he helps serve the public.
Finally, there is Peter Fallow, an alcoholic British journalist for a tabloid. Fallow has been down on his luck, and his main goal each day is to find ways to get free meals. Fallow tries to dupe his boss into thinking he is being productive, and also desires a lifestyle beyond his means.
The thread that ties the three characters together begins when McCoy and his mistress are involved in an accident where he may have hit someone while driving in the Bronx at night. He is conflicted over whether to report it, while his mistress says to forget about it as they don't know if anything actually happened. It turns out that they hit a young black man from the projects who was living a clean lifestyle, leaving him in a coma. Community leaders put pressure on the police and legal system to go after the perpetrator. Fallow is the reporter who breaks the story, while Kramer is the ADA in charge of prosecuting the case. When witnesses lead the investigation back to McCoy, the case becomes about race and social class.
In telling this story, the author presents a vivid description of New York during the 1980's. Having never been there, I can't judge whether this description is accurate, but it added a lot to the story. Also, the characters are very well fleshed out. Each has his own flaws and virtues, which evolve over time. The arrogant McCoy and the idealistic Kramer from the beginning are definitely depicted differently at the conclusion.
Overall, this was a well-written novel, and I will be dusting off and reading A Man in Full and The Right Stuff (eventually).
Rating: ****
The Bonfire of the Vanities is the story of three men. Sherman McCoy is a high-salaried bond trader living with his wife and daughter in a Park Avenue apartment. In spite of his job and status, he finds himself worrying about money as it flows out as quickly as it comes in. His obsession is being a "Master of the Universe." Sherman is also romantically involved with Maria Ruskin, the young wife of an elderly businessman.
Larry Kramer is an assistant district attorney working in the Bronx. He also lives his wife and young child, but his conditions are much different. His tiny apartment would fit into McCoy's living room. Kramer experiences a combination of envy and disdain toward other lawyers with high-paying jobs at big firms, as he would like their salaries, but feels he is on the moral high road as he helps serve the public.
Finally, there is Peter Fallow, an alcoholic British journalist for a tabloid. Fallow has been down on his luck, and his main goal each day is to find ways to get free meals. Fallow tries to dupe his boss into thinking he is being productive, and also desires a lifestyle beyond his means.
The thread that ties the three characters together begins when McCoy and his mistress are involved in an accident where he may have hit someone while driving in the Bronx at night. He is conflicted over whether to report it, while his mistress says to forget about it as they don't know if anything actually happened. It turns out that they hit a young black man from the projects who was living a clean lifestyle, leaving him in a coma. Community leaders put pressure on the police and legal system to go after the perpetrator. Fallow is the reporter who breaks the story, while Kramer is the ADA in charge of prosecuting the case. When witnesses lead the investigation back to McCoy, the case becomes about race and social class.
In telling this story, the author presents a vivid description of New York during the 1980's. Having never been there, I can't judge whether this description is accurate, but it added a lot to the story. Also, the characters are very well fleshed out. Each has his own flaws and virtues, which evolve over time. The arrogant McCoy and the idealistic Kramer from the beginning are definitely depicted differently at the conclusion.
Overall, this was a well-written novel, and I will be dusting off and reading A Man in Full and The Right Stuff (eventually).
Rating: ****
#7: Case of Lies
I have read most of the other Perri O'Shaughnessy books, and Case of Lies is similar. If you are looking for something life-changing, this is not it, but it is enjoyable as a quick, light read. For people unfamiliar with the series, Nina Reilly is a lawyer with a teenage son. She generally takes challenging cases, often putting herself in some kind of danger. In Case of Lies, Nina has returned to her home of Lake Tahoe after splitting with her private investigator colleague and lover, Paul van Waggoner. While she is picking up the pieces of her life, she meets Chelsi, a masseuse whose aunt was murdered two years previously at a low-rent motel near the Nevada casinos. There were three witnesses, but they fled the scene, and the killer was never caught. Chelsi's alcoholic uncle was pursuing legal action against the motel, but his dysfunctional life stalled his progress. Nina agrees to take the case, which is on the verge of being dismissed.
Nina begins legal proceedings against the motel, but the case becomes personal when the killer begins picking off people related to the case and threatens Nina. She enlists the help of a new private investigator, Wish (the son of her office manager and a longtime friend). He figures out that the missing witnesses were math students from MIT and tracks them down. The case eventually leads Nina to Germany and the father of her son, as she tries to unravel the mystery before the killer takes out all of the witnesses and her.
Case of Lies was fast-paced, even if not always logical. Some of the characters' motivations were a little thin, and most were not very likable. The ending especially was not really satisfying. Also, the characters' study of math played a role in the plot, but some of the theories mentioned were very technical and not necessarily interesting to someone lacking a passion for graduate-level math.
Case of Lies was not a great book, but was not bad either, just fairly mediocre. I got what I expected from it, and will continue reading the series.
Rating: ***
Nina begins legal proceedings against the motel, but the case becomes personal when the killer begins picking off people related to the case and threatens Nina. She enlists the help of a new private investigator, Wish (the son of her office manager and a longtime friend). He figures out that the missing witnesses were math students from MIT and tracks them down. The case eventually leads Nina to Germany and the father of her son, as she tries to unravel the mystery before the killer takes out all of the witnesses and her.
Case of Lies was fast-paced, even if not always logical. Some of the characters' motivations were a little thin, and most were not very likable. The ending especially was not really satisfying. Also, the characters' study of math played a role in the plot, but some of the theories mentioned were very technical and not necessarily interesting to someone lacking a passion for graduate-level math.
Case of Lies was not a great book, but was not bad either, just fairly mediocre. I got what I expected from it, and will continue reading the series.
Rating: ***
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
#6: The Kite Runner
To start out, this is my second time reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I thoroughly enjoyed it the first time, and enjoyed it just as much on the reread, finishing it easily in a couple of days. For those of you who have not read the book and/or seen the movie, The Kite Runner is about Amir, a young boy growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan. Amir lives a privileged life, as his father is a well-connected businessman. However, Amir's mother died during his birth, and his father is somewhat distant - Amir feels like he is unable to please him. He finds friendship with Hassan, the son of Ali, the family's servant.
In Kabul, one of the favored activities was kite fighting. Boys would fly kites with strings coated in glass fragments and try to cut the strings of competitors' kites. When a kite was defeated, others would try to "run" the kite and catch it when it drifted back down. Amir sees the kite competition as a way to finally win the approval of his father, and he teams up with Hassan, a great kite runner. When Amir is successful, his glory fades when he fails to help Hassan out of a terrible situation. The shame and guilt he feels bear down on him through the course of the story.
Eventually, Amir's idyllic life experiences a major change. His father is out of favor with the new government, so the two of them flee Afghanistan, eventually ending up in the Bay Area. They become part of a growing Afghan community of people who were movers and shakers now toiling away in menial jobs. As time passes, Amir marries and pursues his dream of becoming a writer, but he is not satisfied. Then his old friend, Rahim Khan, suddenly summons Amir back to Afghanistan with a mission, offering him the opportunity for redemption.
The Kite Runner is a beautiful story. Hosseini's descriptions paint a vivid picture of what Afghanistan used to be like before it was ravaged by decades of war. Amir is a strong character, as he wants to do what is right, but also wants to gain the approval of his father, two things that lead to conflict. Even so, the story is about so much more than Amir.
The Kite Runner is another book that I highly recommend. Also check out Khaled Hosseini's other novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Rating: *****
In Kabul, one of the favored activities was kite fighting. Boys would fly kites with strings coated in glass fragments and try to cut the strings of competitors' kites. When a kite was defeated, others would try to "run" the kite and catch it when it drifted back down. Amir sees the kite competition as a way to finally win the approval of his father, and he teams up with Hassan, a great kite runner. When Amir is successful, his glory fades when he fails to help Hassan out of a terrible situation. The shame and guilt he feels bear down on him through the course of the story.
Eventually, Amir's idyllic life experiences a major change. His father is out of favor with the new government, so the two of them flee Afghanistan, eventually ending up in the Bay Area. They become part of a growing Afghan community of people who were movers and shakers now toiling away in menial jobs. As time passes, Amir marries and pursues his dream of becoming a writer, but he is not satisfied. Then his old friend, Rahim Khan, suddenly summons Amir back to Afghanistan with a mission, offering him the opportunity for redemption.
The Kite Runner is a beautiful story. Hosseini's descriptions paint a vivid picture of what Afghanistan used to be like before it was ravaged by decades of war. Amir is a strong character, as he wants to do what is right, but also wants to gain the approval of his father, two things that lead to conflict. Even so, the story is about so much more than Amir.
The Kite Runner is another book that I highly recommend. Also check out Khaled Hosseini's other novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Rating: *****
#5: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time
Three Cups of Tea, by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson is a fascinating and very uplifting book to read. It profiles Mortenson, formerly an aimless climbing aficionado as he finds his calling, which is to open schools for the rural poor in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The book opens when Mortenson is on an expedition to climb K2. Though it means giving up on his own pursuit of the summit, he embarks on a mission to rescue a fellow climber in a life-threatening situation. The rescue was successful, but Mortenson, weary and broken down, loses his guide and stumbles into the village of Korphe in northern Pakistan. He is taken in by the village leader and cared for by the townspeople. Eventually he begins sharing his own knowledge with the people of Korphe, especially from his training as an ER nurse, earning himself the nickname Dr. Greg. When he goes to see the children of Korphe at school, he finds them spread out in a clearing, trying to complete their lessons without the aid of a teacher. This gives him his inspiration.
Mortenson returns to Berkeley and passionately begins fundraising for his endeavor. After much frustration, he finally gets the necessary funds and returns to Pakistan, only to be presented with new pitfalls. He cultivates relationships with locals who help him to make his dream a success. From there, he decides that as long as there are other children who need help, he will make a career out of raising money and building schools.
In addition to the inspiring story of Greg Mortenson, I was able to gain insight into what Pakistan is really like. While many people think of Pakistan and other Islamic countries as being teeming with America-hating fundamentalists, Greg's friendships with many ordinary people show what the more typical moderate Muslims are like. The book also does a nice job of describing a completely foreign lifestyle of the tribal peoples, living isolated lives with few modern amenities.
I highly recommend Three Cups of Tea to anyone who wants to read about a person who has truly made a difference or who wants to learn more about life outside of the industrialized world.
***** out of *****
The book opens when Mortenson is on an expedition to climb K2. Though it means giving up on his own pursuit of the summit, he embarks on a mission to rescue a fellow climber in a life-threatening situation. The rescue was successful, but Mortenson, weary and broken down, loses his guide and stumbles into the village of Korphe in northern Pakistan. He is taken in by the village leader and cared for by the townspeople. Eventually he begins sharing his own knowledge with the people of Korphe, especially from his training as an ER nurse, earning himself the nickname Dr. Greg. When he goes to see the children of Korphe at school, he finds them spread out in a clearing, trying to complete their lessons without the aid of a teacher. This gives him his inspiration.
Mortenson returns to Berkeley and passionately begins fundraising for his endeavor. After much frustration, he finally gets the necessary funds and returns to Pakistan, only to be presented with new pitfalls. He cultivates relationships with locals who help him to make his dream a success. From there, he decides that as long as there are other children who need help, he will make a career out of raising money and building schools.
In addition to the inspiring story of Greg Mortenson, I was able to gain insight into what Pakistan is really like. While many people think of Pakistan and other Islamic countries as being teeming with America-hating fundamentalists, Greg's friendships with many ordinary people show what the more typical moderate Muslims are like. The book also does a nice job of describing a completely foreign lifestyle of the tribal peoples, living isolated lives with few modern amenities.
I highly recommend Three Cups of Tea to anyone who wants to read about a person who has truly made a difference or who wants to learn more about life outside of the industrialized world.
***** out of *****
Monday, January 5, 2009
#4: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
The Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao follows the life of a nerdy young man living in New York. Oscar is a comic book-loving overweight kid who is obsessed with girls, but lacks any kind of social skills to actually form a relationship. Even worse, he is of Dominican heritage, and has a reputation to live up to. Also, his family is haunted by a fukú, or curse, resulting from his mother's interactions with the former dictator of the Dominican Republic. The narration is done by different characters in different parts, including Oscar's college roommate Yunior and his sister Lola.
Oscar Wao was a very frustrating book for me to read due to its uneven pacing. While some parts were very interesting, others seemed to drag on forever. As I was reading, I looked up some reviews to determine whether it would get better, and one said that the action picked up after page 150, which was true. However, from about page 75 to page 150, I had to struggle to push myself through.
Another thing that hindered my enjoyment of the book was the pervasive inclusion of Spanish phrases, especially slang. I am far from fluent in Spanish, but have some basic competence; however, many phrases were outside my level of comprehension. As I did not feel like sitting at my computer looking up phrases while I was reading, I just did the best I could within the context of the story.
The part of the story I enjoyed the most was the section about Oscar's mother, Belicia, during her youth. First and foremost, it was very interesting to read about the Dominican history that was the backdrop to her youth. I had no idea of the atrocities committed by their dictator, Trujillo. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the island, as I knew little about it except its history as a hotbed for producing Major League Baseball players.
The other thing I enjoyed about the story was the characters. While the plot sometimes seemed muddled, the characters were very distinctive. Oscar's mother was very negative, and her history explained why she ended up this way. Her two kids, Lola and Oscar, were opposites of each other, but were able to develop a strong bond. I wanted to follow these characters, but would have preferred to do so in an easier to digest manner.
Rating: *** out of *****
Oscar Wao was a very frustrating book for me to read due to its uneven pacing. While some parts were very interesting, others seemed to drag on forever. As I was reading, I looked up some reviews to determine whether it would get better, and one said that the action picked up after page 150, which was true. However, from about page 75 to page 150, I had to struggle to push myself through.
Another thing that hindered my enjoyment of the book was the pervasive inclusion of Spanish phrases, especially slang. I am far from fluent in Spanish, but have some basic competence; however, many phrases were outside my level of comprehension. As I did not feel like sitting at my computer looking up phrases while I was reading, I just did the best I could within the context of the story.
The part of the story I enjoyed the most was the section about Oscar's mother, Belicia, during her youth. First and foremost, it was very interesting to read about the Dominican history that was the backdrop to her youth. I had no idea of the atrocities committed by their dictator, Trujillo. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the island, as I knew little about it except its history as a hotbed for producing Major League Baseball players.
The other thing I enjoyed about the story was the characters. While the plot sometimes seemed muddled, the characters were very distinctive. Oscar's mother was very negative, and her history explained why she ended up this way. Her two kids, Lola and Oscar, were opposites of each other, but were able to develop a strong bond. I wanted to follow these characters, but would have preferred to do so in an easier to digest manner.
Rating: *** out of *****
#3: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp
The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey is the first book in a series (3 so far) aimed at young adults. Alfred is a 15-year-old who lives with his uncle after his mother dies. He lives a pretty boring life as a school outcast due to his large size. One day, his uncle approaches him to ask for help with a plot. A mysterious man has asked Arthur's uncle, the night watchman at an apartment tower, to break in and retrieve a sword from the office of the owner of a tower. Arthur is able to complete the theft, although it involves a harrowing escape from some strange men. Arthur later finds out that the sword is Excalibur, and when he has to protect the sword, trouble follows.
This book was very fast paced and full of action. Alfred is well-developed as a character, an ordinary boy doing extraordinary things. Another interesting point is the juxtaposition of the modern luxuries (Arthur travels in a Ferrari for example) with the elements of the King Arthur story. I look forward to eventually picking up the sequels.
This book was very fast paced and full of action. Alfred is well-developed as a character, an ordinary boy doing extraordinary things. Another interesting point is the juxtaposition of the modern luxuries (Arthur travels in a Ferrari for example) with the elements of the King Arthur story. I look forward to eventually picking up the sequels.
Friday, January 2, 2009
#2: Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
As a teacher, I try to read a lot of the books I purchase for my classroom. Tunnels is a book I had heard about and finally got around to reading recently. Tunnels is the first book in a series. (Amazon says the second book comes out February 3 in the U.S.) It follows the life of Will Burrows, a 14-year old who lives with his family in London. Will's father is the curator of a seldom-visited local museum, while his mother is a shut-in who spends all of her time watching TV. Will is also very fanciful, leaving his younger sister to pick up the pieces, cooking and cleaning for the family.
One thing Will and his father have in common is a love of archaeology. The two of them dig tunnels beneath the city to look for artifacts. One day, Will's father disappears. As Will is looking for clues, he discovers a secret tunnel in the family's basement. Will decides he must go after his father, and brings along his friend Chester. Will and Chester find a mysterious underground society at the end of the tunnel. The people living there do not like people from the surface of the Earth, so they add difficulties to the search for Will's father.
I'm not a huge fan of fantasy novels, but I read through this one pretty quickly. The plot was easy to follow as the author included a lot of description and kept it moving with plenty of action sequences (although it did take a little while to set up the action). I will definitely be reading the next book (Deeper) when it comes out, and this is a book I will be recommending to some of my students who are stronger readers.
One thing Will and his father have in common is a love of archaeology. The two of them dig tunnels beneath the city to look for artifacts. One day, Will's father disappears. As Will is looking for clues, he discovers a secret tunnel in the family's basement. Will decides he must go after his father, and brings along his friend Chester. Will and Chester find a mysterious underground society at the end of the tunnel. The people living there do not like people from the surface of the Earth, so they add difficulties to the search for Will's father.
I'm not a huge fan of fantasy novels, but I read through this one pretty quickly. The plot was easy to follow as the author included a lot of description and kept it moving with plenty of action sequences (although it did take a little while to set up the action). I will definitely be reading the next book (Deeper) when it comes out, and this is a book I will be recommending to some of my students who are stronger readers.
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