March 2009 Book Challenge - Page 8

[NewCrunchyDaddy]

Originally Posted by Keeta

: : : : :

Yay!!! Congratulations, NCD!!! If you end up in Bellingham we'll have to have a Washington MDC bookclub meetup.

Where else are you waiting to hear from (if you don't mind me asking)?

Already heard back from Penn State and they said "sorry but no" and still waiting to hear back from:

U of Maine (Orono)
Salisbury University (Sailsbury, MD)
Purdue
U of Oregon (Eugene)
U of Alaska Anchorage
Washington State University (Pullman)
Montana State U (Bozeman)

Purdue is choice #1, of course, and U of OR is up there as is WSU (because these three have both MA and PhD programs, while the others are M.A.-terminal (though all 5 have excellent PhD placement rates (80% or higher))) but other than that, anywhere that will have me is fine with me, you know?

[Jenifer76]

Congratulations, NCD!

[PassionateWriter]

congrats Brian! i have been online friends with your DW for years but never realized you were her DH! lol! too funny that i only realized it when she wrote about your acceptance on Face Book!

i hope you guys have a blast!

[katmann]

That is so great, NCD. Congratulations!

Fall on Your Knees, Ann-Marie MacDonald. As much as I love to give Oprah the big eye roll, she can pick some books. I really enjoyed this book, though it is dark. It's beautifully written. It took me longer to read it than I thought it would, but that was kind of nice, because I was thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I think it will stay with me for a while.

[friendtoall]

Originally Posted by NewCrunchyDaddy

Purdue is choice #1, of course, and U of OR is up there as is WSU (because these three have both MA and PhD programs, while the others are M.A.-terminal (though all 5 have excellent PhD placement rates (80% or higher))) but other than that, anywhere that will have me is fine with me, you know?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and Purdue - that's where we are, or half of us (DH and cats) while the rest of us will be in April.

[cathe]

Yeah NCD!

[cathe]

The Answer is Always Yes by Monica Ferrell

Matthew Acciaccatura of Teaneck, New Jersey wants more than anything to be cool. He enters college at NYU with a new sleek build and the "right" clothes and is determined to get in with the cool kids. But when the cool kids, and even the nerdy kids, still ignore him it seems things will not change--until he is discovered by a club owner and hired as a promoter -- now the cool kids are hoping to befriend Magic Matt!

This start out as another book about a misfit, scholarship student trying to fit in at his first year as college . . . but then it took off in a totally original and unexpected direction. Also, unusual were the footnotes and comments throughout the book from German sociologist, Hans Mannheim. At times they were annoying but I liked how they made sense at the end. I highly recommend this book.

[snozzberry]

Congrats, NCD!

#21 A Curse Dark as Gold
Author: Elizabeth C. Bunce
Category: Fiction, Young Adult
Rating: 4/5
Summary: Charlotte Miller’s father has passed away, and it’s up to her to protect the woolen mill that’s been in her family for hundreds of years. But everyone says the mill is cursed. How far will Charlotte go to protect it?

Review: This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin immediately reeled me in. The details of the mill operation brought the story to life, even though I didn’t know all the milling terms used. Looking back on it now, I think a diagram or two of the milling machines could have helped me keep the terms straight as I read. Hopefully in future editions, they will devote a page or two at the front to something like that.

A lot of fairy tale retellings can be unimaginative, but this retelling is fresh and original. That’s saying a lot for a story whose bones have been around for ages.

I also loved the strong female character who doesn’t go running to the men in her life to solve all her problems. And she’s a small businesswoman, to boot!

This is an excellent first novel from Bunce, and more than deserving of this year’s Morris YA Debut Award.

[snozzberry]

#22 Headlong
Author: Kathe Koja
Category: Fiction, Young Adult
Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: Lily Noble has always gone to private school. In her sophomore year, a misfit named Hazel shows up and makes Lily rethink the way she’s been doing things her whole life.

Review: The back-and-forth nature of this book took a little time for me to get used to. The chapters alternate between snippets from the beginning of the school year and the end of the year. A few times, I got confused about whether it was a “later” chapter or a “before” chapter, but I chalk that up to my own work-induced lack of sleep during the week I was reading this one.

I liked that this book doesn’t hit you over the head with what Lily’s feeling. You have to work out on your own what’s going on with her.

I also liked how Lily—who’s always just gone with the flow—finally changes course and questions the ways of her affluent world.

Not a standout for me, but still an enjoyable read.

[Jenifer76]

The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde (audio)

A prominent and out-spoken abortion doctor is found murdered in her own pool. There are several possible perprutrators - from her husband who argued with her that afternoon to her daughter who also argues with her that morning to the Right to Life protestors who surround her office. A mystery novel and study into what motivates people to act.

I wasn't overly impressed with this novel -- I do find audio versions to leave me feeling a disconnect to the story. So that might be the case.

[cathe]

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

This is a YA graphic novel that I had to read for my adolescent lit class . . . Very funny and interesting message. About a Chinese boy who doesn't want to be Chinese and actually becomes white but every year is annoying cousin from China visits and completely embarrasses him.

[KaraBoo]

21. The Reader- Bernhard Schlink

Good book but not great. (DH and I saw the movie last night and actually think the movie is better, even with the little changes in script)

in Post-Hitler Germany, Michael Berg, at 15, has a relationship with much older woman which ends suddenly and mysteriously. Later, in law school, while observing a trial, he sees her...she is one of a group of defendants who are charged with war crimes. There's a big secret she's hiding which could help her case a bit (not completely, mind you) and he only JUST figures it out....it got a bit tedious cuz I sniffed out the secret a mile away. It's so obvious. I didn't like all the flashbacks and forwards. Sometimes he would throw in a sentence in the middle of some other idea and it was like, "Ok, what is he talking about? Why is he saying that NOW?" Sloppy.

I liked some subtle things about this book but overall, I felt it was merely good. As I said, the film is much better. Which is rare.

[NewCrunchyDaddy]

Originally Posted by Jenifer76

I do find audio versions to leave me feeling a disconnect to the story. So that might be the case.

They do take some getting used to.

[Jenifer76]

Originally Posted by NewCrunchyDaddy

They do take some getting used to.

I think a lot of it depends on who is reading it.

[PassionateWriter]

im just now getting into audio books and i have to say...its a totally new experience. its strange not to have a book in hand and see words (for me) but for car rides, its awesome! we are in the car at least once or twice a week for an hour and i am on my 2nd audio book in a week...and its great for books that are informational. im now on the search for some of the parenting books i havent had time to read.

one Q: how many books do you guys read at a time? i am currently reading 2 books but then listening to a book in my car and then one on my computer. i think im listening/reading to too much at a time! lol!

[Jenifer76]

I read one, listen to one. Its about all I can handle right now.

[cathe]

Originally Posted by PassionateWriter

im just now getting into audio books and i have to say...its a totally new experience. its strange not to have a book in hand and see words (for me) but for car rides, its awesome! we are in the car at least once or twice a week for an hour and i am on my 2nd audio book in a week...and its great for books that are informational. im now on the search for some of the parenting books i havent had time to read.

one Q: how many books do you guys read at a time? i am currently reading 2 books but then listening to a book in my car and then one on my computer. i think im listening/reading to too much at a time! lol!

I have trouble with audio books -- my mind will drift off for a second and then I've missed two paragraphs . . .

About your Q: I usually read one book at a time -- though sometimes I'll have a nonfiction and a fiction one going at once.

[cathe]

Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell

I recently saw some shows on DVD and thought I'd check out the book. Though it's very different from the show, I really enjoyed these essays of single life in NYC. Fun book.

[Keeta]

Originally Posted by cathe

I have trouble with audio books -- my mind will drift off for a second and then I've missed two paragraphs . . .

: I can't do it either. I totally drift.

[NewCrunchyDaddy]

Originally Posted by PassionateWriter

one Q: how many books do you guys read at a time? i am currently reading 2 books but then listening to a book in my car and then one on my computer. i think im listening/reading to too much at a time! lol!

Asking a Lit Studies student this question is no fair!

Before going back to school, it was two: one in print, one audio. Now, however, it is a ridiculous amount. I am currently reading:

1. The First 49 Short Stories by Ernest Hemingway
2. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
3. The Portable Steinbeck
4. America and Americans by Steinbeck
5. The Winter of Our Discontent by Steinbeck
6. Brick Lane by Monica Ali
7. New British Poetry
8. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Audio)
9. Plus my French textbook

So ... I'm reading far too much right now, and I can only assume that it's only going to get worse as I get into my Masters program