Before I get into my latest review, I must share a story from the week. While making breakfast one morning after our morning run (d'Artagnan and I), Dart disappeared for a moment only to return to the kitchen with a little trail of some substance on his nose. Kitty Litter! We have had Dart for 4 months now and he has left the litter box alone, but recently discovered the (joys?) of eating cat poop. Now we find each time he disappears, there is that little something on his nose giving it away. Time for an intervention .
The Review
I just finished the book The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. (I might have mentined it briefly in my last post) I wasn't sure if I was going to like this text at first, but the kids and staff at the high school library nominated it for our book club. After finishing, I must say it is definitely a worthy read. The story centers around two teen characters, Hazel and Gus, who both had cancer and are in a support group for young people who have/had cancer. Both of their lives have been drastically affected by their illness. There is some criticism about how the dialogue of the two characters, as they both sound "academic" in their word usage and eloquence in speaking, but I say it was fitting. While we may complain, not all teens fit in the realm we lump them in. Some can and do speak with a certain refinement. Hazel is a reader and discusses her favorite book, which she shares with Gus, showing where her language comes from and how her thoughts may have been formed. Hazel and Gus go on an adventure to find the author of this beloved text, there is happiness, love, sadness, all facets of emotion that make a great read.
I am on my last Golden Sower nominee- Bruiser and also Graceling. Both books have supernatural elements but are quite different, I hope to complete and write about them soon!
Well, I'm off to make an intervention banner for Dart.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
50 Shades of Dreadful Dialogue
I have heard a lot of talk about 50 Shades of Grey but hadn't picked it up all summer. I heard bits of plot, but it sounds like most people pick it up for the controversy. Some people stated that it wasn't all that shocking, others said they had to put it down beacuse the overt sex scenes made them uncomfortable.
Well, after borrowing the text from my friend Abby, I tried it- finally. AND, I didn't finish it. No- it wasn't because I was shocked (and yes some scenes are definately in the variety to make be blush), or because I was even offended by those scenes, it was the fact that the dialogue between characters was dreadful! I realize, yes, there is going to be cheesy exchanges ala porn with a bad plot line, but I had a terrible time with character believeability. The vapid thought process of the main character Ana made it hard to believe that she was to believe an "intellectual" whom was a lover of classic British literature. Some depth in her vocabulary, nonwithstanding, the "thought process" and her inner dialogue drove me nuts. The clearly controlling character of Grey was bothersome, and maybe I didn't give it enough time to hear the full story, but I didn't want to devote any more time to this text. If steamy sex scenes are what I'm after, I can clearly find the romance section in the local library. Over hyped, as simple as that. There are too many books out there for me to waste my time on one I do not enjoy.
On a more positive note, I have been reading through Nebraska's Golden Sower nominees for this year and have almost finised. The Running Dream, Girl Stolen, and The Red Umberella are in the lead for my favorite. I am also currently listening to another nominee, The Cardturner by Louis Sachar (of Holes fame). I am really enjoying this text, about a teen who helps his blind Uncle by being his card turner for bridge. The family pushes him into helping the Uncle as they mainly have an interest in being left in his will (this is a great Uncle) but we see a relationship develop as the story does. The rules of bridge are explained a bit as we go through the story and I find myself trying to figure out how to play the game. I think I want to now learn bridge, but I am not sure if I know anyone who plays it. We should bring back card game nights and board game nights, not just as a quirky night only once in a while.
Well, after borrowing the text from my friend Abby, I tried it- finally. AND, I didn't finish it. No- it wasn't because I was shocked (and yes some scenes are definately in the variety to make be blush), or because I was even offended by those scenes, it was the fact that the dialogue between characters was dreadful! I realize, yes, there is going to be cheesy exchanges ala porn with a bad plot line, but I had a terrible time with character believeability. The vapid thought process of the main character Ana made it hard to believe that she was to believe an "intellectual" whom was a lover of classic British literature. Some depth in her vocabulary, nonwithstanding, the "thought process" and her inner dialogue drove me nuts. The clearly controlling character of Grey was bothersome, and maybe I didn't give it enough time to hear the full story, but I didn't want to devote any more time to this text. If steamy sex scenes are what I'm after, I can clearly find the romance section in the local library. Over hyped, as simple as that. There are too many books out there for me to waste my time on one I do not enjoy.
On a more positive note, I have been reading through Nebraska's Golden Sower nominees for this year and have almost finised. The Running Dream, Girl Stolen, and The Red Umberella are in the lead for my favorite. I am also currently listening to another nominee, The Cardturner by Louis Sachar (of Holes fame). I am really enjoying this text, about a teen who helps his blind Uncle by being his card turner for bridge. The family pushes him into helping the Uncle as they mainly have an interest in being left in his will (this is a great Uncle) but we see a relationship develop as the story does. The rules of bridge are explained a bit as we go through the story and I find myself trying to figure out how to play the game. I think I want to now learn bridge, but I am not sure if I know anyone who plays it. We should bring back card game nights and board game nights, not just as a quirky night only once in a while.
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