Notes During Reading: Star Trek

Star Trek, Alan Dean Foster

page 34

Let me just say this: HUGE Star Trek fan, particularly The Next Generation. For your convenience, I will not elaborate right now on the difference between a Trekkie and a Trekker. However. The book relays the story of the most recent Star Trek movie, and although the language is somewhat challenging, I understand enough of the book to enjoy it. The book is filled with excitement and danger, just like the TV series. I can see the photon torpedos heading for the ship's hull; I can see the sweat and blood trickling down the faces of the ship's crew. Granted, I am somewhat of a nerd; so this kind of thing is perfect. And so if you feel yourself being pulled over to the geeky side if life (we have cookies!) then this book is a must.

Response to Anything But Typical

           I have never really thought about disabilty this hard. It must be really difficult to write in that kind of perspective, the perspective of an autistic boy, but Nora nails it on the head. Reading this troubling book is like moving through sludge. Jason's thoughts are so different from how everybody else sees the world. He takes in every little detail and his brain is in some ways much more advanced. Jason's lack of social skills do not disable his creativity as well. Through his account on a writing website, Nora Raleigh Baskin unleashes the genius in a twelve year old boy.
           Now if only the love of his life, Rebecca, could look past his outer shell as well as the reader can.
           This book inspires pity for Jason, but also regret for pity, which is unwanted by him. Needless to say the reader is sucked in to a whirlwind of awkward sequences that no one ever wants to deal with. But the question is, if not us, then who?

To Read

Invisible Man             
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac 
Forever               
Ever              
Messenger          
Gathering Blue
Girls Out Late
Girls in Love
Totally Joe
The Demonata Series
Crank Series
Impulse
Burned
Identical
Tricks
The Host
Shiver Series

response to Kissing Doorknobs

         Let's see.. who would I recommend this book to? Oh, yeah! Everyone!
         This book has certainly made it on my favorites list. Funny, quirky, it made me anxious for the main character and I felt like I had known her from my childhood. I had no idea OCD held such scary experiences, but Terry Spencer Hesser certainly  sent a chill down my spine with her ingenius writing technique. Tara Sullivan, main character, had my sympathy from page 1.
        Tara's odd rituals started to affect my way of thinking, as well. One night I found every morsel on my plate had to be eaten; if not by me, then by a member of my family; or else it was uneven and wasted. I tell you, it's a scary mindset.  I may not have OCD but the idea of being slave to your own thoughts is enough to send me under the bed.
        I suggest you read  it. It should be on everyone's bookshelf. Or kindleshelf. However the cool kids are reading these days. The point is, it's a fantastic read about the power of will power...if that makes sense.
       

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.