Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Our America

What I really liked about this book is that it was told from a child's point of view. We hear a lot from people who have survived "the ghetto" or from people who have worked with people in "the ghetto", but I thought it fascinating to hear what a teenager who was actually experiencing it (not reflecting on it later. It was a good portrait of the neighborhood in the mid-'90s... I wonder how the story would be currently? Worse? Better?

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Beatrice and Virgil

Wow! This is one of the most engaging books I have read in a long time. I absolutely loved Life of Pi and this did not disappoint! Martel's writing style catches me and doesn't let go. I am a person who loves animals and has a high interest in the Holocaust, so book sits high on my list. I also tend to love books about strange topics or characters. The ending wasn't what I was anticipating, but actually I think it was better than I had expected.

Monday, December 6, 2010

I cried, you didn't listen

This book started off as a train wreck and only got worse. Okay, sure I sympathize a bit for what Abbott went through, but I felt like he was so completely biased (and I don't really blame him) that this book was basically his way of blaming someone for how he turned out. This book wasn't exactly written well. ( I suppose considering he hadn't been in school since he was 10, it wasn't bad.....) Anyhow.... I find some of his story hard to buy. Was there really that much rape and abuse going on? I am not sure I am totally convinced.....