Ok, I can appreciate how and why people like this book. It just isn't what I enjoy. It's a liver book- people either love it or hate it, but rarely will you have someone with no opinion of it. It's funny, quirky, and irreverent. I like funny and quirky, but maybe not to this extent. Grasshopper Jungle is book written with a definite, unique craft. But is it just me, or does it seem like young adult books have more cussing than many adult books? Maybe if you are into Napoleon dynamite you would love this book.
Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polishner (3/5 stars)
I would actually give 3.5 stars. It was a good book- a few times my eyes got a little teary. I can completely see the teenage drama (some of it valid, some typical drama) and how many of my students would enjoy this book, especially those who aren't really into reading for fun. I suppose that the reason it isn't a fantastic book is because it went pretty quickly, and everything happened so fast and almost contrived. Kudos for leaving some mystery, though! Nice touch.
As You Wish by Cary Elwis (4/5 stars)
Maybe it's because the movie is so incredible for me that I truly enjoyed the book about the making of the iconic movie. I have an even greater appreciation for the movie, now
Maze Runner by James Dashner (3.5/5 stars)
I've heard so much about this book, and I'm glad I finally am one of the group now. I really liked the first two books of hungry games, and then I guess I got dystopia tired. But Maze Runner has brought me back. First of all, hooray for James dasher for NOT, I repeat NOT made a love triangle. This is a huge feat for any YA book. But the sure genius of making a maze that boys with no memory of past lives must run through is veery unique. And the epilogue, oh golly, means I now have to read the second book. Not a huge plethora of questions, just one. Who is Wicked?
The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon (3/5 stars)
In a nutshell, it is a long drawn out murder mystery but the writing is so amazing that you keep reading it for that reason. Michael Chabon clearly thought out each word for the book- that part is clear. However, for those of us who know absolutely nothing about Sitka, Hassidic traditions, or chess, I was in a complete fog at times. And Zang, it was an alternate history to boot! No wonder my kindle dictionary was worthless for this book. I think I'm going to go read some Mrs. Piggle Wiggle to unrattle my brain. A great book- probably better if I reread it, but I won't, hence the 3 stars.
Tunnels by Roderick Gordon (3/5 stars)
I didn't hate Tunnels. I didn't love it, either. I'm sure when it came out, when I was a middle school librarian, I could have sold it to tons of kids who were looking for adventure, although the vocabulary could possibly frustrate them. Ok, so it's basically about a boy named Will and his friend Chester who go into a tunnel from Will's basement to try to find his dad, who got into a fight with his mom. There was definitely something a little kookie from the fact that his 12 year old sister was paying the mortgage, bills, and cooking for the family because mom was always watching TV. And then the boys go missing and no one seems to care except for Chester's dad, which is the one and only time we see him. I probably won't read the rest of the books, but I can find out what happens on Wikipedia and be just as content. Wikipedia is not evil, and very useful for circumstances such as this.
Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (3/5 stars)
I know lots of people who absolutely loved, loved, loved the book. I liked it, was engrossed the whole time, but I can't say it was phenomenal. For those who hated it because it was too long and too contrived, I disagree. First, maybe because I listened to it and enjoyed the narrators, I felt that they put something into it that maybe was harder to understand in print. As far as being contrived, I thought that the point of the book was how Clare and Henry got together, that there was a lifetime bond of meeting them. That's kind of the point.
For those who thought it was fantastic and all, that's good. I had a hard time with the constant cussing (it's just who I am- I'm always afraid my mother is going to hear and still give that disappointed face). I also had a hard time with Gomez. Didn't like him, and I wasn't sure what his role was in the book. Just a creeper disguised as a friend?
Spiral by Paul McEuen (4/5 stars)
Ok, I'm not really into torture, but I wasn't too grossed out in the amazing world of biotechnology. This book had adventure, was fairly easy to follow, even though I had no idea of how fungus (fungi?) works, and, thank you Paul McEuen, for not making there be an awkward love scene in the last quarter of the book where the reader is wondering why then? The world's demise is on the brink, but at least your heroes have priorities :-) This is a definite recommendation to the high school biotech book club.
Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski (3.5/5 stars)
I liked that this book did not have a kick-butt girl who saves the world, as most of them seem to be in this genre. I was surprised at some parts, especially at the end, so kudos to Marie Rutkoskif for not making the book end in the same way that most of the books of this genre end- there were some interesting twists which were enjoyable. I have suggested this book to several of the kids at the high school, and they are eagerly awaiting for the library to get it. I just hoped I ordered it this recent purchase...