Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut

 

Breakfast of Champion

author : kurt vonnegut

pages : [paperback] 302

summary:

In Breakfast of Champions, one of Kurt Vonnegut’s most beloved characters, the aging writer Kilgore Trout, finds to his horror that a Midwest car dealer is taking his fiction as truth. What follows is murderously funny satire, as Vonnegut looks at war, sex, racism, success, politics, and pollution in America and reminds us how to see the truth.

review :

 

Breakfast of Champions is the second book that I’ve read by Kurt Vonnegut and I have to say that I enjoyed it much more than the first. I think that I was initially turned off to his writing style because of how early I was introduced to his work and the confusing manner in which my teacher attempted to approach the novel. Breakfast of Champions was much more enjoyable, as I could actually begin to understand the intended meaning behind it all and could appreciate the absurdity as well as the criticism embedded within the narrative.

That being said, I still didn’t really enjoy this book and I don’t think that Vonnegut is the author for me. He can be witty and funny, yes, but there is something about his writing style that just doesn’t grab me and really turns me away from his novels. I know that plenty of people love and revere his work and I can see the potential greatness within it, but I know that it’s for other people to find and won’t be for me, ever.

I’d recommend Breakfast of Champions to Kurt Vonnegut fans, people looking for something absurd to read, or people who have nothing better to read. I don’t think I’ll ever pick up a Vonnegut novel on my own.

The Curiosities by Maggie Stievater, Tessa Gatton, & Brenna Yovanoff

The Curiosities

a collection by maggie stiefvater, tessa gratton, & brenna yovanoff

pages : [hardcover] 304

summary :

From acclaimed YA authors Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff comes The Curiosities: A Collection of Stories.

- A vampire locked in a cage in the basement, for good luck.
- Bad guys, clever girls, and the various reasons why the guys have to stop breathing.
- A world where fires never go out (with references to vanilla ice cream).

These are but a few of the curiosities collected in this volume of short stories by three acclaimed practitioners of paranormal fiction.

But The Curiosities is more than the stories. Since 2008, Maggie, Tessa, and Brenna have posted more than 250 works of short fiction to their website merryfates.com. Their goal was simple: create a space for experimentation and improvisation in their writing—all in public and without a backspace key. In that spirit, The Curiosities includes the stories and each author’s comments, critiques, and kudos in the margins. Think of it as a guided tour of the creative processes of three acclaimed authors.

So, are you curious now?

review:

I love anthologies, but I think I enjoy more conventional ones than this one about writing and experimental writing. The three authors work together and against each other to create stories that sometimes seem half-finished, because they don’t have the regular polish of editing or a longer period of work. This isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy this, I just think that I was hoping for something a little more.

I liked the little comments that all three put in each others’ stories as well as their own; that made things more interesting. I also liked the little explanations of how a story came about or what idea the author latched onto that really inspired them to write that story. While not many of them stuck out to me after reading, I could appreciate the writing process and all of the tips throughout the collection. I think that this book would be valuable for anyone who is looking to better their writing or is wondering what to do when they find themselves stuck for ideas or writing that they’ll like.

I really recommend this collection for aspiring writers. Being able to see into the creative process of three writers who’ve already made names for themselves is definitely what makes this unique and useful.

4/5 stars

Teaser Tuesday 6-28-11

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!

This week’s quote comes from Radiance by Alyson Noel:

And while it may seem weird for a person to look to their dog for guidance, the thing was, Buttercup’s the one that led my family to the bridge. He’s the one that leaped across first. -pg. 57

I’ve had this book for a while, just picked it up, and am really starting to get into it.

Check out the book trailer! :

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Insatiable

Author : Meg Cabot [also wrote Avalon High, Size 12 is Not Fat, and Airhead]

Pages [hardcover]: 451

Favorite Characters:
Mary Lou & Jon

Summary:

Sick of vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her boss is making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.

Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die (not that you’re going to believe her; no one ever does).

But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side . . . a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire-hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, he already is dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met that she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future . . .

If she even has one.

Review:

 I love Meg Cabot. I’ve been branching out of her young adult fiction and have started reading her books geared more toward adults. Insatiable had an interesting premise, especially because it seems everyone and their mother is writing about vampires these days. My first thoughts were, “Oh, no, not you too.” But then I saw that the main character was as over the blood sucking craze as I am. That redeemed it for me, and made me want to pick it up. I ended up reading it with mixed results.

I really liked the main character, Meena, for a majority of the book. I thought she was very strong, knew what she wanted out of life, and how exactly to get that. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself, but she wasn’t above having petty concerns, either. Somewhere before the climax of the novel, she started to change. I can’t exactly put my figure on what was different. But her actions weren’t fitting with her personality that had been established. That distracted and annoyed me.

There were other, odd little bits that didn’t quite mesh for me. The Dracul were stereotypical bad guys, who seemed like they were trying really hard to be intimidating, while working against Lucien, who seemed nearly invincible, most of the time. Characters that I was led to believe were important were killed without another mention of them.

While it didn’t capture my attention the way I’d hoped, it wasn’t a complete disappointment. I might continue on with this series, I might not. Maybe if it comes into the library, but I won’t be going out of my way to buy the sequel. I give Insatiable 3.5/5 stars.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson

Peter and the Starcatchers

Authors: Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson

Peter and the Starcatchers #1
Book 2: Peter and the Shadow Thieves
Book 3: Peter and the Secret of Rundoon

Pages: 451

Memorable Quote: Black Stache had no love for the Queen, no love for women of any sort, except for his ma. He had a real soft spot for his ma, and was truly sorry for the time he’d marooned her.

Favorite Characters: Molly & Peter

Summary:

Don’t even think of starting this book unless you’re sitting in a comfortable chair and have lots of time. A fast-paced, impossible-to-put-down adventure awaits as the young orphan Peter and his mates are dispatched to an island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They set sail aboard the Never Land, a ship carrying a precious and mysterious trunk in its cargo hold, and the journey quickly becomes fraught with excitement and danger. Discover richly developed characters in the sweet but sophisticated Molly, the scary but familiar Black Stache, and the fearless Peter. Treacherous battles with pirates, foreboding thunderstorms at sea, and evocative writing immerses the reader in a story that slowly and finally reveals the secrets and mysteries of the beloved Peter Pan.

Review:

I was wary of starting this, because Peter Pan has to be my favorite classic fairy tale. I didn’t think this could possibly live up to my expectations and capture the fun and serious tale that I’ve loved. I was wrong.

Peter and the Starcatchers, while giving a completely different take on how Peter got to Neverland, and how the island actually came to be, is refreshingly original, while still maintaining the adventurous feel of the original tale. I liked the different twists added, and was kept constantly on the edge of my seat. Each chapter was short and quick, often switching viewpoint between several characters: Peter, Molly, Black Stache, and many more. I loved each of them equally, because they were all well-defined and loveable-even the villains. The good old Captain definitely held my interest.

This book had me laughing aloud. The humorous quips and sarcastic remarks, as well as the conversations between Smee and Black Stache, had me trying to stifle my laughter. Even in the most serious of scenes, there was still an air of childish mischief, which I adored.

I loved seeing how everything fell into place by the end of the story. It was a bittersweet ending for me, and while it made complete sense, it saddened me. I was still hoping for that happy thing I knew couldn’t possibly be. Still, a girl can dream.

I really want to read the other books in this series, immediately. I can’t wait to get my hands on them. If they’re as good as this one, they may soon be one of my all-time favorite series. If you’re looking for an action-packed, fairy tale-esque, funny, addicting novel, this is the one for you.

I give Peter and the Starcatchers 5/5 stars.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty

Author: Libba Bray

Pages [hardcover]: 403

Memorable Quote: “How can my ankles and arms be obscene?”

Favorite Characters: Pippa and her knight, Reginald

Summary:

A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy–jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.

Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother’s death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls’ academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions “for a bit of fun” and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the “others” and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy.

Review:

 I didn’t expect to like this book. It started very slow for me, with several attempts at starting it, setting it aside, and then starting over once again. Finally, I convinced myself to read it, and once I was about a third of the way through, I began to like it, though there were a few things that hindered my enjoyment.

Gemma wants to make friends. In that respect, she’s exactly like any other teen girl. But she complains about how Ann immediately abandons her whenever it looks like it will make her more popular. A few chapters later she’s willing to do anything to keep the friends she’s managed to make, despite not actually wanting to participate. She’s a hypocrite, but then again, many people are. This irked me, and made me dislike her, because combined with her selfish attitude, she seemed exactly like the people she did not like.

I did think the supporting characters were wonderfully defined, and raised the plot immensely. Kartik was delightfully mysterious, though sometimes it seemed forced, and Pippa was the group’s romantic, though air-headed member. Even the teachers, so often neglected in young adult novels, had personalities and lives of their own.

While it isn’t one of the best books I’ve read, the plot of A Great and Terrible Beauty was unique and gripping. I kept wanting to see what would happen next-if the danger level would rise-but perhaps the great event I’ve been looking forward to happening will occur in the next book. I’ll definitely have to get that, and read more of Gemma’s journey of discovering herself.

I give A Great and Terrible Beauty 4/5 stars. Recommended for those who like historical fiction with fantasy thrown in.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Pages [hardcover]: 391

Memorable Quote: “Keep in mind that people change, but the past doesn’t.”

Favorite Characters: Vee & Patch

Summary:
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She’s never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her…until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora’s not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can’t decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen – and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Review:

I’ll admit that I started this book with low expectations. I only picked it up because my friend recently read it and started raving about how fantastic it was. I figured if she liked it, I should give it a try too.

In the beginning of the book, I hated Patch, as a person. As a character, I thought he was brilliant. Very arrogant, cocky, and definitely not the typical mysterious, brooding male lead. He works to make Nora uncomfortable, and while I would have had the same reaction, it made me laugh. He was great!

Nora was a good character, too. Loyal to her friends, and to herself. She has her own personality issues, but sticks true to herself throughout the entirety of the novel.

By far, Vee was my favorite. Her incessant attempts to hook Nora up with someone, her flippant attitude about school, her odd little diet, all added up into a fun character. I loved reading about her.

At points, the book did get on my nerves. Some things seemed to make no sense, but once I reached the conclusion, I realized exactly why everything had happened. While I was happy that the loose ends were neatly tied, I would have liked something less . . . Puzzling. But perhaps that only added to the book’s excitement. It had me on the edge of my seat (or bed, depending on where I read it) through nearly the entire thing. I read way later than a should have and  skipped out on homework and study time to get just another page in.

It was worth it. Especially for that ending. It was my second favorite scene in the entire book. The first has to be when they were in the hotel.

And that’s how I know a book has gotten to me, no matter how long (or short) a time it took to win me over. If I’m still thinking about it and picking out favorite bits of dialogue and scenes, you’ve got me hooked.

I can’t wait to get the second book, Crescendo. I’d love to read it right now! Hush, Hush gets 5/5 stars from me. Go read it! You might be surprised and love it, too.

A Golden Web by Barbara Quick

A Golden Web

Author: Barbara Quick

Pages: [hardcover] 266

Favorite Characters: Nicco & Pierina

Memorable Quote: “But history has lately been revealed to me as the place where I live, where we all live, side by invisible side with others who – if we get quiet enough and listen carefully enough – will touch us and tell us their stories.”

Summary:

Alessandra is desperate to escape.

Desperate to escape her stepmother, who’s locked her away for a year; to escape the cloister that awaits her and the marriage plans that have been made for her; to escape the expectations that limit her and every other girl in fourteenth-century Italy. There’s no tolerance in her quiet village for Alessandra and her keen intelligence and unconventional ideas.

In defiant pursuit of her dreams, Alessandra undertakes an audacious quest, her bravery equaled only by the dangers she faces. Disguised and alone in a city of spies and scholars, Alessandra will find a love she could not foresee — and an enduring fame.

In this exquisite imagining of the centuries-old story of Alessandra Giliani, the world’s first female anatomist, acclaimed novelist Barbara Quick gives readers the drama, romance, and rich historical detail for which she is known as she shines a light on an unforgotten — and unforgettable — heroine.

Review:

 This book had me from the start. The writing style of A Golden Web had me feeling like a was reading an old fairy tale, mixed with a piece of history. It was quickly paced, easily read, and enjoyable from beginning to end. It certainly makes me appreciate how many opportunities I have in life in this time period, as opposed to a girl my age in Alessandra’s time. I’d hate to be married off, or forced to forget my own wishes for the future. These are exactly the sort of things that she faces, and has to fight against.

I love Alessandra’s rebellious stance, and how she tries to keep herself happy and get what she wants. She doesn’t try to bend to any other’s will, and I like this independence about her. She was very likeable-an important trait in any character-and had definition to her. She wasn’t flat or boring in the slightest.

I loved the historical aspect of the book. Beginning it, I half believed it was pure fiction, but when I reached the end and realized that Alessandra had indeed once been alive, the novel took on an entirely different context for me. I’m always up for learning a bit of history, and knowing someone could push the limits in this way just makes me think of where the world would be today, if it weren’t for those who pushed against society’s boundaries.

I found A Golden Web to be a quick, delightful read that will definitely stick around with me for a while. I give it 5/5 stars, and recommend it to those who like history, strong female characters, or a great read.

Books to Movies: I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four has turned out to be one of those rare movies that I actually consider more enjoyable than the book. I’ve seen the film twice; once before reading the book, and once after.

Not only is Alex Pettyfer one of my favorite actors [he was just in Beastly], he was great in this movie. Sure, there were a few elements that didn’t quite fit, but I was drawn into the story. When reading the novel, I couldn’t quite get into it.

I can’t remember the last time this happened to me. Usually, the novel is immensely better. I suppose there’s a first for everything.

If you read the book and were discouraged, I say check out the movie. It’s definitely worth seeing, and I can’t wait for a sequel.

If you’ve seen the movie and aren’t sure whether you want to read the book, I can’t recommend it either way. I say that if you have the time to read it, go for it.

Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns

Author: John Green

Pages [hardcover]: 305

Memorable Quote: “Talking to a drunk person was like talking to an extremely happy, severely brain-damaged three-year-old.”

Favorite Character: Quentin

Available now

Summary:

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life – dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge – he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues – and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

Printz medalist John Green returns with the brilliant wit and searing emotional honesty that have inspired a new generation of listeners.

Review:

 I’ve waited far too long to read one of John Green’s novels. I’ve heard nothing but praise for them, but never had the urge to pick one up before now. Thankfully, my local library had a copy of Paper Towns, which I snatched half on a whim, half to find out whether or not it would click with me.

I can’t put my finger on what exactly made me like this book. The characters were brilliant, and exactly like teenagers-fickle and filled with flaws, but not necessarily bad because of this. And I think so many young adult books dumb it down or add large words that just don’t mix with modern speech. The twisting plot, attitude problems, and relationship drama reminds me of myself and my friends. It’s always great when you can relate to what you read.

I like the little quirks Quentin & Co. are given. Margo is a mystery in and of herself, adding plenty of suspense and intrigue. Though I definitely liked the story from the start, the plot picked up near the end and I ended up blowing off a night of homework just to get to the end. ^^ So, be warned. Whatever you were doing before you started this…Prepare to procrastinate with Paper Towns.

Paper Towns is a great novel that I give 4.5/5 stars. I recommend it to any mystery, young adult, or John Green fans. Plus, any nerdfighters out there. I’ve been one for…half a year now, I think. Have no idea what I’m talking about? Check out vlogbrotherse on youtube, and visit their channel page here. Fight for awesome and decrease world suck!