I recently finished reading a book and there was something about the romance plot line that I just didn't like, and I just couldn't figure out what it was that I didn't like about it. And then it hit me. It was just too much of the romance genre romance. I don't mind the love story plot. There is nothing wrong with a good old bit of romantic interaction. But, there is a difference between romance and the romance genre, and I just don't do the romance genre. Generally the writing style is obvious, the action is shallow, and it just doesn't work for me. And that is what I didn't like about this book. Everything else worked, but the romance was a huge detractor for me. It distracted from the major plot and I think it weakened the story.
As I said, I never mind a bit of romance. People falling in love is always a happy thing. One of the greats for adding romance is, remarkably, Agatha Christie. Honestly, Poirot? Brilliant detective, but his other hobby is matchmaking. It's impressive. He's such a sucker for love.
I can't actually think of any other romance books right now, but I do enjoy the more organic approach rather than the spontaneous and passionately crazy love. For example, I don't really buy the Cinderella love story, but I do like Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted. This is a much more believable love story. And, a lot more fun. Little Women is another great romance story. The way the characters fall in love is so normal, natural, and believable, that you just gotta like it. And Jane Austen, for all the stereotypes she gets, really does know how to do a love story.
Anyway, I clearly haven't read a ton of romance/love stories, but a love story done right is a pleasure to read.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Real life read
This week, I finished reading Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt. I have read a couple of his other books, and enjoyed them, so I decided to give this one a go and it was fantastic.
This book is technically Young Adult fiction, but I feel like it falls into the genre of "real life fiction." Meaning it could actually happen.What makes the book stand out, though, is Schmidt's ability to bring the characters to life. Doug, the main character, is the narrator, and as the story progresses, it is hard not to feel and relate to what he feels. You can feel his frustration when good things start to happen and are then followed by bad things and you begin to figure out how his mind works, the way he acts tough to cover for things.
Another of Schmidt's successes with this novel is his cast of teachers and adults who care. As Doug struggles with family problems and other personal difficulties, it is hard not to feel gratitude for the science teacher who lets Doug be free from the reputation of his brother, the librarian who takes the time to teach him drawing, and more. By the end of the book, Doug has won everyone over, and it is cool to see how he makes choices to be different from his less-than-ideal family role models.
It was also interesting to read about the time period, when putting a man on the moon was in the works. I grew up post-moon landing, so I think I always take it for granted that we put people on the moon. But Okay for Now gives a new perspective on what it must have been like to live then.
I really haven't done this book justice, but it is really a fantastic read and I highly recommend it. You'll come away feeling like the world is an okay place.
This book is technically Young Adult fiction, but I feel like it falls into the genre of "real life fiction." Meaning it could actually happen.What makes the book stand out, though, is Schmidt's ability to bring the characters to life. Doug, the main character, is the narrator, and as the story progresses, it is hard not to feel and relate to what he feels. You can feel his frustration when good things start to happen and are then followed by bad things and you begin to figure out how his mind works, the way he acts tough to cover for things.
Another of Schmidt's successes with this novel is his cast of teachers and adults who care. As Doug struggles with family problems and other personal difficulties, it is hard not to feel gratitude for the science teacher who lets Doug be free from the reputation of his brother, the librarian who takes the time to teach him drawing, and more. By the end of the book, Doug has won everyone over, and it is cool to see how he makes choices to be different from his less-than-ideal family role models.
It was also interesting to read about the time period, when putting a man on the moon was in the works. I grew up post-moon landing, so I think I always take it for granted that we put people on the moon. But Okay for Now gives a new perspective on what it must have been like to live then.
I really haven't done this book justice, but it is really a fantastic read and I highly recommend it. You'll come away feeling like the world is an okay place.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Talking the talk
I am happy to report that I finished The Blue Sword and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I also finished A Lesson in Secrets. And now I am reading a bunch of other books, and not making much progress because I have been working, applying for jobs, and checking out the American Museum of Magic, where I plan to volunteer in their archive (seriously awesome stuff!). All of which has kept me pretty busy, and I'm going to use that as my excuse for not posting on Friday, as I try to do. No one complained, so I'm assuming you didn't mind (or didn't notice. Or you are a figment of my imagination and don't really exist, and no one reads this blog).
Anyway, on to the book part of the blogging, which is what you are all waiting for I'm sure. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. This was a new experience for me. I have never read spy lit before, really, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I actually read it because my dad asked me to help him find spy novels that weren't rated R, so I was kind of screening John Le Carre for him. (This particular novel passed the test). But it was a totally new genre for me, and I discovered that I have a few things to learn about the spy novel.
I did enjoy the book, and I checked out another book by Le Carre, but I feel like I missed a lot of content because I don't quite understand the lingo yet. I think I had a similar experience when I started reading mysteries. I hadn't quite figured out how they worked, so I missed things. (I can't say I'm a whole lot better at solving mysteries, but I get how to read them and understand what's going on). I think there is a learning curve to understanding a particular type of literature, and I hope that with more exposure, I figure out this genre. It's always good to expand your options. And having read this one, I'm better prepared for the next one. I know that the Circus is the British spy agency, the Centre is the Russian one. Never did figure out what janitors really are, or the mothers. But I got enough to follow the basic plot. But, if you are planning on picking up the genre, (is spy novel a distinct genre? It had a mystery sticker on it...) be warned that there might be some stuff that you aren't familiar with. Don't be afraid of it, just be prepared.
Another thing about this book: don't think James Bond when you read it. There are not explosions and shootouts in every chapter. In that sense, it is a mystery. Smiley pours over files and records, putting pieces together. He interview people, gets stories. It's methodical. It's a lot of brain work. It's cover stories, people acting like normal people. I think in that sense, it is much more realistic, but if you are expecting an action movie in book format, you might be disappointed. I liked it for it, though.
And finally, I just want to say, Bill Roach was a great character. He will always have a spot in my literary heart.
Anyway, on to the book part of the blogging, which is what you are all waiting for I'm sure. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. This was a new experience for me. I have never read spy lit before, really, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I actually read it because my dad asked me to help him find spy novels that weren't rated R, so I was kind of screening John Le Carre for him. (This particular novel passed the test). But it was a totally new genre for me, and I discovered that I have a few things to learn about the spy novel.
I did enjoy the book, and I checked out another book by Le Carre, but I feel like I missed a lot of content because I don't quite understand the lingo yet. I think I had a similar experience when I started reading mysteries. I hadn't quite figured out how they worked, so I missed things. (I can't say I'm a whole lot better at solving mysteries, but I get how to read them and understand what's going on). I think there is a learning curve to understanding a particular type of literature, and I hope that with more exposure, I figure out this genre. It's always good to expand your options. And having read this one, I'm better prepared for the next one. I know that the Circus is the British spy agency, the Centre is the Russian one. Never did figure out what janitors really are, or the mothers. But I got enough to follow the basic plot. But, if you are planning on picking up the genre, (is spy novel a distinct genre? It had a mystery sticker on it...) be warned that there might be some stuff that you aren't familiar with. Don't be afraid of it, just be prepared.
Another thing about this book: don't think James Bond when you read it. There are not explosions and shootouts in every chapter. In that sense, it is a mystery. Smiley pours over files and records, putting pieces together. He interview people, gets stories. It's methodical. It's a lot of brain work. It's cover stories, people acting like normal people. I think in that sense, it is much more realistic, but if you are expecting an action movie in book format, you might be disappointed. I liked it for it, though.
And finally, I just want to say, Bill Roach was a great character. He will always have a spot in my literary heart.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Alternate Reality
This week, I found myself in the middle of 4 books. This means either life is normal, life is out of whack, or I need a job. And being in the middle of 4 books may not be the most effective way to read. But I'm listening to one on CD (The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley), I'm taking The Princess and the Goblin (George MacDonald) with me to read on breaks and as I walk to work, and I am reading Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (John Le Carre) at home. And the fourth book at the beginning of the week was Goliath, by Scott Westerfeld (fourth book now is A Lesson in Secrets, by Jacqueline Winspear), which I finished. I know. Amazing. I actually finish the books I start! So, today is a bit of a book review.
Goliath is the third book in the Leviathan Trilogy, by Westerfeld. Some of you may be more familiar with his Uglies series. Of the two, I prefer the Leviathan trilogy, and I will admit right now that a good part of why is because I couldn't take the "bubbly" talk in the Uglies series. Drove me nuts. (And it is even worse when you get the audiobook. FYI). The premise was interesting, the plot was well developed, but the airheadedness was too much. Fortunately, none of that was present in the Leviathan series.
Another seller for the Leviathan series was that while one of the protagonists was a girl, there was a male protagonist to counterbalance. And the girl is pretty likeable. I know this makes it seem like I'm anti-female lead figures. I'm not. I just found Deryn more likeable than Tally. Personal preference.
Other pluses for this series:
-the setting. I have a fascination with the World Wars. Primarily WWII, but WWI plays such a huge role in WWII, that it seems intertwined to me. I think the author made a great choice here.
-themes. There are some interesting themes to explore. Alternate realities, evolution, industrialism, truth, etc. Definitely interesting.
-an acceptable love story. By this I don't necessarily mean likely to happen, but the unfolding and such was acceptable.
-the artwork. I think without the art, the book would definitely have lost some of its appeal, for the reason that it would have been difficult to envision what was going on.
All in all, a good series. It is interesting to explore a different history, and I like the way Westerfeld played with fact and fiction. I haven't read many books like that, and I think that adding the fictional and somewhat fantastical elements made it work. I have read alternate reality books where the story is realistic, but history is different, and they haven't really caught my fancy. They've just been okay. The sci-fi/fantasy element really sells the alternate reality. And, if you opt to listen to it, the narrator is pretty good--I enjoyed the accents!
Conclusion: A good read. Worth the time.
That being said, what was the deal with the lorises?
Goliath is the third book in the Leviathan Trilogy, by Westerfeld. Some of you may be more familiar with his Uglies series. Of the two, I prefer the Leviathan trilogy, and I will admit right now that a good part of why is because I couldn't take the "bubbly" talk in the Uglies series. Drove me nuts. (And it is even worse when you get the audiobook. FYI). The premise was interesting, the plot was well developed, but the airheadedness was too much. Fortunately, none of that was present in the Leviathan series.
Another seller for the Leviathan series was that while one of the protagonists was a girl, there was a male protagonist to counterbalance. And the girl is pretty likeable. I know this makes it seem like I'm anti-female lead figures. I'm not. I just found Deryn more likeable than Tally. Personal preference.
Other pluses for this series:
-the setting. I have a fascination with the World Wars. Primarily WWII, but WWI plays such a huge role in WWII, that it seems intertwined to me. I think the author made a great choice here.
-themes. There are some interesting themes to explore. Alternate realities, evolution, industrialism, truth, etc. Definitely interesting.
-an acceptable love story. By this I don't necessarily mean likely to happen, but the unfolding and such was acceptable.
-the artwork. I think without the art, the book would definitely have lost some of its appeal, for the reason that it would have been difficult to envision what was going on.
All in all, a good series. It is interesting to explore a different history, and I like the way Westerfeld played with fact and fiction. I haven't read many books like that, and I think that adding the fictional and somewhat fantastical elements made it work. I have read alternate reality books where the story is realistic, but history is different, and they haven't really caught my fancy. They've just been okay. The sci-fi/fantasy element really sells the alternate reality. And, if you opt to listen to it, the narrator is pretty good--I enjoyed the accents!
Conclusion: A good read. Worth the time.
That being said, what was the deal with the lorises?
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