A comment

So I got my first comment after yesterday’s post and it is a big one.  Author of Burned Ellen Hopkins left a message after I admittedly did not write a great response to her book.  I am totally amazed and appreciative that she took the time to write a comment.  Reaching out to readers of your book, even not so nice ones, is fantastic and says alot about the writer.  Since I was pressed for time and didn’t write a long review of Burned I’ll post my response that I sent off to Ellen.  I’m still awed that she commented.  So cool. 

Dear Ellen,

Thank you so much for commenting on my blog.  I write it mostly for my benefit so I have a record of my readings.  I never have expected anyone to comment, let alone an author.

I want to say that I did like Burned up to a point.  I’m not a fan of novels written in verse but Burnednever felt overly contrived and read easily, like a novel.  And I loved Pattyn and her messed up life.  She’s a very real and honest character and I really felt what she was going through.  She goes through a huge change in the novel that many people can relate to.  The ending didn’t feel tacked on just unfinished.  If you do decide to write a sequel to BurnedI’d love to read it because having a character make such a huge decision and then not show the consequences felt unfinished and unsatisfying.  What bothered me the most is not that she contemplates going on a rampage, but that as a reader I didn’t make that leap with her.  Maybe it’s just me and my experiences but I didn’t think Pattyn would do something like that.  I didn’t get enough time with her from the accident to the last pages to know. 

When we discussed your book in class quite a few people disagreed with me and thought it was great.  That to me is big sign of a good book, when there’s something to talk about.  I would not hesitate to recommend your book if someone asked my opinion but probably with a spoiler-free warning. 

Thanks again for commenting, I think it’s really awesome.

Oh wow…

So I just glanced at my syllabus for YA Mats to see where I left off in my reviews.  And found new and exciting proof that I am in fact extremely lazy.  Well not so much lazy, I just don’t think I manage my time very well.  Especially at work.  At 8am 4:30pm is so far away.  My final is coming up so it might be a handy exercise to do a one line review with a yah or nah vote for the title.  And hopefully we’ll get back into some serious reading, like the new Percy Jackson.

Genre Fiction

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer – Fun, futuristic, interesting adventure story.  Loved the characters, the action and the humor.  Colfer strikes again, Awesome.

Sabriel by Garth Nix – Sorry to say, I just couldn’t get into it.  Too slow, too boring, I didn’t finish. Just didn’t float my boat.  Whatevs.

Peeps by Scott Westerfield – Set in NYC which was fun.  A different take on “vampires” which was fun too.  Sharp writing and great scenes.  Awesome.

Multimedia…uh, I didn’t read any of the books and I’ve already read Potter 7 so hearing it was nice, Jim Dale rules but nothing much to report.  My committment to not reading Gossip Girl stands. 

Nonfiction

Hitler Youth by Susan Bartoletti – I enjoyed that besides getting general information, Bartoletti decided to follow 6 or 7 teens living in Nazi Germany and went into detail about their lives.  Lots of great resources, pictures and well researches.  Awesome

Fields of Fury: The American Civil War by James McPherson – Although the Civil War is not my favorite war, this book was very well made with tons of good features for kids.  Although not as specific as Hitler Youth, it still had some good stuff.  Cool.

Tree of Life by Peter Sis – A book that looks cooler than it actually is.  Although it gives the basics of Darwin and his work, the art work used in the book is a the real draw, yet not used as efectively as it could be.  Still Cool.

Adult Books for YAs

A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer – A powerful story about an abused child.  So terrible I couldn’t bring myself to read it again.  But would still recommend. Awesome.

Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold – Liked the writing, like the perspective, but very depressing story about death and families.  Would recommend but was hard going trying to read on an airplane when there’s a strom out your window.  Cool.

Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah – I would have appriciated it more if I didn’t feel the author’s point breathing down my neck so much.  A cautionary tale about drug life, it was sometimes hard to care about the characters. Whatevs.

And finally Mock Printz Award Night

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume One: The Pox Party by MT Anderson – I liked it, alot.  Very interesting design, story, writing style.  It was made to look like an 18th century book which was fun.  Would have to make sure to give it to the right kid though.  Not an easy read, writing or story.  Awesome.

Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher – I heart Crutcher.  As much as I want to be mad at him for his flat, secondary female characters I still love his work.  Whale Talk is one of his best and it holds up considering I read it over 5 years ago and still loved it.  Awesome.

Burned by Ellen Hopkins – I was trying very hard in class to descirbe why I disliked this book.  It wasn’t the sad ending, I don’t mind when things don’t end happily ever after.  I mind though when an author spends over 200 pages setting up a character only to destroy that growth and progress in less than 4 pages.  Why?  I feel betrayed as a reader when I feel lead around only to be punched in the face, and not in a good way.  I really felt the ending was added for total shock value.  Totally unecessary.  Lame.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers – Another book I read 5 years ago that still holds up well.  Told in screenplay format the story is a common one of youth crime but it is so unique when told from Steven’s perspective.  Leaves the reader thinking too, not frustrated and wanting to set fire to the thing.  Awesome.

Woo, so not so hard as I thought.  But we’ll get around to more good things soon.  Like Breaking Dawn.

So glad they didn’t mess this up…

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is going to rule.  Loved the book and so happy they haven’t completely screwed with the movie.  

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3166830873/

Blogging from strange locales…the El!

Wow! These iPhone Apps are so cool. Not only can I blog but I can also turn my phone into a light saber. Awesome!

Know what else is awesome? Finishing my last paper for LIS808. Two more and a final to go for YA Mat.

Want more awesomeness? Breaking Dawn comes out at midnight. Sweet. Meiner schwester and I are picking it up. Oh yeah.