During-Reading Comments

Catalyst, by Laurie Halse Anderson

page 74

    Gripping. How could the main character, Kate, only apply to one college? She couln't take the time to apply to more, at least one more? Where is her future now? It's too late to write to more schools. What is she planning to do? What was she planning to do if she didn't get in? This book has me completely in the moment and STRESSED! Holy cow! I'm not even in high school yet and I'm worried about college!
    Guess what, readers? I have my first ever SIGNED COPY! And this book is by one of my favorite authors! You may have read my posts about Wintergirls and favorite authors. Okay! Read on!

Response to Looking for JJ

     Oh, my goodness. What can't I say about this book? If I thought Wintergirls was haunting, I was not prepared for this book. The plot is made to show that people can change, but also that maybe they were never bad in the first place. Wow, Anne Cassidy should submit an essay to thisibelieve.com. Could she have stated her ideas any louder? She clearly believes in second chances and I support her in that. She certainly got the point across to me.
    If you want a chiller, a thriller, a ten-year old killer, search for this book right away. Walk with Alice Tully (main character) through intense memories of her tragic past and feel her pain and grieve with her. Gosh, this engrossing book is rubbing off on me and making me write very dramatic things! Well, don't mind me. I'll just sit here, type, and wallow in my thoughts!
    But seriously. Get the book.

Response to Wintergirls

         Uh, wow! What to say...I guess I should start with chilling, challenging and even a bit philosophical. This particular "Wintergirl", Lia, is an anorexic struggling with her feelings about her recently deceased friend Cassie. Cassie seems to haunt her until Lia questions what she holds dearest.
         Lia's attempts to hold on and find something worth living for slowly slip away until it's all a jumble of confusing words and comforts. A beautiful, well-spun tale about finding your comforts.
        

The Buzz about The Hunger Games

Everyone I know who has read this book says it's stunning and that the author has a fantastic writing style. I'm beginning to be a bit worried--it's starting to look like hypnotism, or else brainwashing. I'm anxious to read these series to see if I can resist its spell! Wish me luck!

Response to Evermore

         Welcome to the land of Evermore. Ever is a troubled teen whose family died in a tragic car accident when her father tried to swerve a deer and crashed into a tree. Ever's miraculous recovery brings her powers she'll never appreciate or admire; the power of telepathy, and seeing people's "auras".
         Ever dwells deep in her life of lies until along comes magical and mysterious Damen, who seems to be drawn to Ever, much to her confusion. Pretty soon her life takes a turn for the wacky.
         I loved this magical book because it explores the prospect of superhuman abilities-- and this book is not to be judged by its blurb. From the start I thought this was a simple Twilight spin-off, but I was sorely mistaken. So for all out there skeptical and reluctant, hear me now: don't doubt this book Ever again.

List of Favorites

 Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall        Wendy Mass

A Mango-Shaped Space                         Wendy Mass

Fairest                                                         Gail Carson Levine

The Secret Life of Bees                            Sue Monk Kidd

Hatchet                                                       Gary Paulsen

Life as We Knew It                                   Susan Pfeffer

The Last Book in the Universe                Rodman Philbrick

Freak the Mighty                                        Rodman Philbrick

Maniac McGee                                     Jerry Spinelli

Favorite Authors

Wendy Mass, author of Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall and A Mango-Shaped Space.  Wendy Mass' books couldn't be more different; A Mango-Shaped Space is narrated by an adventerous tween whose favorite passtime is exploring and spying with her best friend Jenna, while the backround of narrator Tessa's life in Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall proves somewhat more dismal. Mia finds herself grieving over a loss in her family while Tessa has given up totally and allows her skull to be cracked  open by an apparently lethal, speeding, gym-class quality dodgeball. And yet the message in these books are similiar; happiness can be found almost everywhere you look. I highly recommend both of these intriguing and inspirational novels.

Gail Carson Levine has been one of my favorites for a long while as she writes great works of fantasy and realistic fiction, my two favorite genres. From Ella Enchanted to my personal favorite, Fairest, Gail Carson Levine never fails to capture my attention with books about differences, antidiscrimination ,the journey to find your destiny and, in many cases, true love. These books always put me in "The Reading Zone" and include some of my favorite reads.