page-turners

The Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah - 3

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:23:35 +0100

LOVED this book. The plot of this book consists of a child psychologist who is defamed through the court system for not recognizing the potential of violence in one of her clients. The parents of the client and the parents of victims need someone to blame for the atrocious act committed by this client, so they go after her psychologist and basically discredit her completely. Now, the ruined psychologist Julia feels like she has nothing and is essentially lost. Meanwhile, Julia's sister, a cop back in their small home town, encounters a "wild child" that seems to appear from nowhere. Not certain what to do with the child, she calls upon her sister Julia for help. Julia struggles with this because of her recent public humiliation against her job and the fact that she hates "going home." Regardless of these issues, Julia returns to her old community and faces many demons all the while trying to diagnose and help the child. Julia and her sister's relationship, which was previously quite dysfunctional, begins to heal, as do several old wounds for both sisters. Also, Julia meets a charming doctor who also has a difficult past. Together, the three adults and the community reach out to help the child and essentially help one another.

This book was one of those, "just can't put it down" reads. I stayed up well past 2 AM on a work night to finish the story; I simply had to know the outcome. Kristin Hannah tells a remarkable story with her easy style of writing. She tackles tough issues and difficult drama in a manner that does not stress the reader but connects to the reader. The author also does a great job of creating no real "bad guys." In our society, (like at the beginning of the story) everyone wants to "blame" someone or have a good guy/bad guy situation. At the end of the story, with the fate of the child being determined, the reader can empathize with both sides. The reader, like the characters in the novel, struggles with what they want versus what is right - and even what is right is thrown into question.

Overall, it is just an awesome, easy, engaging read. Check it out!

If I Stay - 3

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:40:21 +0100

I started reading If I Stay yesterday morning and finished it before 9pm. The book is about a young girl named Mia whose family goes for a drive but never makes it to their destination. Instead, they are hit by a large truck and their lives change forever. Mia narrates her out-of-body experience as she sees her parent's lifeless bodies, searches frantically for her much younger brother, watches the surgeons operate on her, and sees her remaining family and close friends deal with the situation as the rush to her side. The idea behind the book is that Mia has a decision to make - does she stay and fight to live, or does she go and join her parents. The book flashes to previous experiences in her life as the readers get to know Mia, her family, her friends, and her boyfriend; thus making it clear how difficult of a decision she has to make. It is quite a different book, in that the "choice" is a new idea in print. Though people have spoken about this idea, I have not previously read anything along these lines. Overall I would highly recommend this book. It was interesteing, different, and realistic - AND it was a very quick read. 3

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - 3

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:13:22 +0100

My family and I often share books, so after reading The Hunger Games I had to wait for my husband to finish Catching Fire. The thing is, I started reading another book in the meantime and never got around to reading the second. When the third book came out, I was so excited but had to (obviously) read the second. I picked the book up on a Wednesday and it was done by Friday evening - it was so captivating. I am a very busy person so reading a book of that magnitude in that amount of time was impressive (to me anyhow).
The first thing I want to talk about is the characters. I love Peeta and Gale - they are genuine, loving, intelligent patient characters. Peeta is so protective and patient with Katniss. He knows she has feelings for Gale but doesn't pressure her. At times he is frustrated and hurt (who wouldn't be) but he always puts Katniss's needs before his own. Gale is quite similar - only he is a bit pushier than Peeta. Both characters have become rocks for Katniss, but she finds she cannot maintain her balance standing on both of them. Katniss, as a character bugs me a bit in this book. She is not quick to figure things out and I want her to be. She has been through too much to be naive - one would think - but she maintains her naivety.
The book is not just its main three characters though. Readers know a twist is coming so it is no shock that the next Hunger Games takes a shocking turn - previous victors must re-enter the games. That means Katniss is returning to the arena. Throughout the book, much foreshadowing occurs for the readers, and Katniss. Whom to trust or not is constantly in mind. The end is such a cliffhanger, I find myself glad I waited until after the third book came out to read the second...I don't know how I could have waited months to see what happens next!
Overall then - This is definitely a must read. Of course, read The Hunger Games first but once you do that I can almost guarantee you are going to want to continue on in this impressive trilogy!

Post failure

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:31:46 +0100

It has been too long since I last posted here. Since my last entry, I have read so manyspectacular books(and some duds...) that I cannot wait to share with you. This year in class, students are able to write a book review for this blog. Simply read a book, write a review (I will go over guidelines in class), include an image, and submit it to me via email. If it is post-worthy I will enter it into this blog and points will be awarded!

Must read titles brought to you by HHS Book Geeks!

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:42:20 +0100

I have not posted on here for ages. I usually think about posting while I am at school but have all my book information at home. I need to remedy this.
Anyhow, at our last book club meeting, members wrote down the titles of some of their all time favorite reads. I am listing them below for your use. If interested in any of them, ask me, Dori, or a Book Geek for more information.
Most Popular -
Harry Potter Series
Hunger Games
The Host
A Northern Light

Others -
The Time Travelor's Wife
Twilight Series
The Book Theif
Pirates
No Place to Call Home
My Sunshine - Catherine ANderson
Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt
Bliss - Lauren Myracle
Johnny and the Homicidal Maniac - Jhonen Vesquez
Slouching Toward Nirvana - Charles Bukowski
Gone with the Wind
Bloody Jack Series: In the Belly of the Bloodhound
Lord of the Rings: Two Towers
I am the Messenger - Marcus Zusak
Peeps - Scott Westerfeld
The Tale of Desperaux
A Child Called "It"
Night - Elie Wiesel
Tuck Everlasting
Red Storm Rising - Tom Clancy
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
The Historian
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Artemis Fowl Series
Thr3e - Ted Dekker
The Land of Elyon Series
Tricks
Wicked Lovely
Children of the Red King
The Princess Bride
Myst

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks - 2

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:14:41 +0100

It has been years since I read a novel by Nicholas Sparks. After the Notebook I read the Guardian and then basically called it quits. I enjoy his novels but they become predictable and are very formulaic. The main reason I read the book was because a student of mine read it and highly recommended it to me. Winter break was approaching so I figured I would need some light reading. On the way to my in-laws for Christmas I started... and finished... the book. Honestly, I liked it. I guessed the end before I got to it, but that was actually not a problem for me because I was still curious to see how exactly everything played out. The characters were likable - all of them. The love story was sweet and the story line was current and realistic (for the most part). In the end - which I can't mention too much about because I do not want to give it away - but in the end you find yourself letdown by the outcome but not by any of the characters and you realize there really isn't any other way.
Overall, it was a nice, sweet, sad, good quick read. I am glad I read it and think others would enjoy it. Is not going to change anyone's world but not every book does and thank goodness that isn't the only criteria for a worthwhile read.

What's the point?

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:13:52 +0100

So often students ask me to recommend a book to them to read. There have been hundreds of books I have read through the years, some great, some not so good...regardless, I cannot always recall a book on the spot that I enjoyed (or didn't). So, this site will help alleviate that problem. If you are wondering what is a good read and why, take a peak here. It won't answer all your questions but it may help.

What's the Point Points Grid (this will explain the random number after the title)
3 - Must Read
2 - Readable
1 - No Need to Read