Lord of the Flies--William Golding

Genre: Fiction/Literature
Year Published: 1954
Pages: 199
Rating: 5

I read this for the upteenth time with my high school English class, and as always, I marvel at the skill with which Golding weaves his metaphor of human society. This is one of the most brilliant pieces of fiction I have ever read. Golding's prose is gorgeous--his words are chosen wisely to paint a picture both vibrant and bleak. His use of symbolism is stunning--everything in this book is symbolic, and each time I read it I discover more connections. Everyone should read this book.

Challenge/s: Reread

Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back--Claire and Mia Fontaine

Genre: Memoir
Year Published: 2007
Pages: 320
Rating: 3.5

As a former troubled teen who now teaches troubled teens, I felt a certain affinity with this book. Mia and her mother Claire went through some hard times when Mia was little, but it isn't until Mia turns fifteen that the problems really surface. When her daughter runs away and begins using heroin and other drugs, Claire steps in to rescue her. After placing her in a special boarding school that deals with such children, both Mia and Claire discover truths about their past and themselves that will hopefully save them both.

Sentimental, yes, but the writing is good (Claire is an writer by profession) and the story is captivating. After reading this book, I found myself closely examining my relationship with my son and confronting some truths about myself--and a little self-examination is never a bad thing.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 23

The Devil in the White City--Erik Larson

Genre: Non-fiction
Year Published: 2003
Pages: 447
Rating: 4

I'm not usually a fan of non-fiction, but this book was fascinating. The author weaves two stories--the creation of the Chicago World's Fair, and the crimes of Henry Mudgett, serial killer--seamlessly to paint a vivid picture of Chicago at the turn of the century. I enjoyed visualizing the White City as it grew on the lake shore, especially as a native Chicagoan who knows these areas well. I felt a part of the lives of the unfortunate young women who fell victim to Mudgett's fatal charm, as well as the architects who struggled to create their vision on the lakefront. Larson's research on the subject is nothing short of amazing, but it is his storytelling that makes this such a fantastic read.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 22

The Law of Similars--Chris Bohjalian

This was a very good book which delves into the world of homeopathic remedies and examines the ethical responsibilities of healers, as well as lawyers. A state's prosecuter becomes involved with a homeopathic healer, who relieves him both of his symptoms and his loneliness since his wife passed away, leaving him to raise their young daughter. However, their relationship is almost immediately threatened when one of her patients dies, and his wife holds her responsible. What ensues is not only a moral and ethical dilemna, but a heartbreaking love story as well.

I really loved the book Midwives by this author, and I am glad he is still exploring controversial subjects.

Genre: Fiction/Literature

Year Published: 2000

Pages: 336

Rating: 4

Challenge/s: None

Book a Week # 21

Chelsea Horror Hotel--DeeDee Ramone

Genre: Fiction/Literature
Year Published: 2001
Pages: 252
Rating: 3

My roommate recommended this book on the basis of its insanity alone, and insane it certainly is. While living in the haunted Chelsea hotel, the former Ramone relays a whirlwind life of drugs, hallucinations, and visits with dead punk rockers, including Sid Vicious and Johnny Thunders. Dee Dee is not exactly a literary genius, but he sure can tell a crazy story--one that fluctuates somewhere between the train wreck you can't stop staring at and an actual compelling read. If you have a weak stomach I wouldn't recommend this book--lots of disgusting scenes involving blood, bugs, vomit, and the like--and be warned that its extremely violent. But its quite funny at times in its psychotic, "WTF?" kind of way, and it goes down quickly.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 20

Memoirs of a Geisha--Arthur Golden

Genre: Fiction/Literature
Year Published: 1997
Pages: 448
Rating: 5

As I read this book, it was hard for me to believe that it was a work of fiction. The narrator was so real, and her thoughts so vivid, that I couldn't imagine someone--especially an American male--making it up. I was captivated almost instantly by Chiyo's story of hardship, hope, and love. And the immersion into the geisha culture was eye-opening for me--I knew very little of it before I read this book. This is the best book I've read this year, narrowly surpassing Water for Elephants.

I read this book because I saw a small portion of the movie--the beginning, when Chiyo and her sister were being sold--and it piqued my interest. I went out and bough the book that evening. I have yet to watch the entire movie.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 19

Nim's Island--Wendy Orr

Genre: Children's fiction/literature
Year Published: 1999
Pages: 125
Rating: 4

I took my son to see this movie and fell completely in love--so completely that I bought the book the next day. Nim and her father live alone on a deserted tropical island--alone, that is, insofar as human contact goes. They have plenty of companions of non-human type. Nim is a bright, vibrant, courageous and resourceful girl who loves reading adventure novels, but when her father is lost at sea she finds herself alone and frightened. By a twist of fate, her favorite adventure hero/writer emails her father! Nim turns to Alex Rover for guidance and help--little realizing that Alex is not only a woman, but a neurotic germaphobe who hasn't left her house in years. I will say no more, except that their unlikely friendship teaches them both something about themselves and others.

I thought this was a great piece of children's literature. It is fantastical and unrealistic, but the truths it uncovers are not. And it provides us with two strong female characters, as well as a lesson that our strength and courage can manifest in a variety of ways.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 18

The Thrall's Tale--Judith Lindbergh

Genre: Historical fiction
Year Published: 2006
Pages: 464
Rating: 3/5

This book wasn't bad, considering it was a random selection from a bargain bin in a bookstore. By the end I was ready for it to finish, but the story was interesting enough. It focuses on three women--Thorbjorg, a seeress devoted to the Nordic gods; Katla, a "thrall" or slave from Ireland whose mother taught her Christianity before she died; and Bibrau, an evil, demon-like child spawned of Katla's rape by her owner's brutish son. The three reside in the first Norse settlement in Greenland, sometime around 1000 AD.

I like historical fiction, especially that which focuses upon pre-Christian and early Christian religion. This book was interesting in that aspect. I was also interested in how Erik the Red led his people to Greenland. However, the characters were hard to like. Even Katla, who was delightful in the beginning, becomes (understandably) morose and unlikeable after enduring a horrific rape and beating which scars her physically and mentally. The child is almost imp-like, and has little mischevious fairy friends that provide entertainment, but her viciousness becomes hard to stomach by the end of the book.

While it wasn't a horrible read, I wouldn't read it again.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 17

Is That a Dead Dog in Your Locker?--Todd Strasser

Genre: Children's fiction/literature
Year Published: 2006
Rating: 3.5

My son recommended I read this book, stating it was funny and easy to read. So while he lay at the foot of my bed reading the next book in the series, I read it. A children's book, it was deliciously easy to read, and full of puns, plays on words, gross-out humor and other entertainment worthy of a nine-year old's amusement. Fun! Oddly enough, I had just read another book by the same author, which was about school shootings and wasn't funny at all. Who knew?

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 16

The Stone War--Madeline Robins

Genre: Fantasy/Horror
Year Published: 2000
Pages: 352
Rating: 3

This has been on my shelf for years, and wasn't what I had expected. I thought it would be a sci-fi/fantasy novel, but it fits more in with Stephen King or Dean Koontz. A furturistically dangerous NYC is destroyed by a series of inexplicable disasters--earthquakes, fires, floods--and the hordes of forgotten street people are somehow changed into monsters, bent upon revenge. The rest of the book reminded me heavily of King's The Stand--where everyday people are forced into an epic battle of good versus evil--except that the outcome hinges solely upon the mind of a young, parentless homeless kid.

Although somewhat choppy, and resounding with influences, this was an exciting and thought-provoking read. Its message of the importance of unconditional love is timely and useful in this day and age.

Challenge/s: TBR
Book a Week # 15

The Complete Persepolis--Marjane Satrapi

Another great read. I've never read a graphic novel before, but the author's account of her childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution goes down smoothly in comic book form. It was tragic and heart-wrencing; enlightening and inspiring. Sometimes its good to be reminded of all we Americans are gifted with and take for granted.

Fallen Angels--Walter Dean Myers

Another really good young adult novel. The protagonist joins the army after highschool because he can't afford to do much else, and begins his tour of duty in Vietnam. Told from his point of view, the story takes us through the fear, horror, and sadness the soldier's experience, as well as the bonds and comradeship. It also touches on the racial issues of the time period. Its a real eye-opener for those of us who have never had to be unsafe. A student recommended it to me, and I think its a great read for anyone.

Challenges: Young Adult, TBR

Give a Boy a Gun--Todd Strasser

This was a good, quick, albeit depressing read. A fictionalized account of a school shooting in middle American, the book is told through anecdotes from a wide variety of characters, including the shooters friends, enemies, and various classmates, teachers, parents, etc. Interspersed throughout the book are statistics about gun violence. The author has definate ideas, but no firm solutions, about the problem of school shootings. It is a provocative look at a disturbing and pertinent subject. I'm not sure if I should encourage my students to read it, or worry that it will give them ideas.

Challenges: Young Adult, TBR (alternate)

Water For Elephants--Sarah Gruen

An old man sits in a nursing home, watching himself deteriorate before his eyes, distant from his family, desperate to assert his dignity. As he does, we are treated to memories of his younger years, when he was a vet in a Depression-era circus. Both parts of the story are charming and inviting. The circus is filled with unsavory characters, including a money-hungry boss and a sadistic and psychotic animal trainer. It is also peppered with delightful--yet raw and real--characters, such as a dwarf, a good-hearted, crippled veteran, a beautiful and compassionate female performer, and a brilliant and mischievous elephant. It is captivating and suspenseful, colorful and invigorating. It is a glimpse into this fascinating time period without the bleakness associated with much depression-era literature.

This is my favorite read of the year so far--and the competition, for the most part, has been pretty tough. I highly recommend this book.

Challenges: TBR, Decades (1930's); States (IL)

Death Before Dishonor--Nikki Grimes

Worst. Book. Ever.

Not that I expected much. I bought it for 3.99 at Barnes and Noble, thinking it might interest my students. After reading the first line, which is too obscene to quote here, I realized that was out of the question. I don't even know why I bothered to read it, except that it was so bad it was kind of captivating. The characters are horribly stereotypical (straight out of a ghetto-rap song), the plot is ridiculous, the author contradicts herself constantly, as if she forgot what she had written about a character a page before. Misogyny and violence abound, of course. The writing is terrible--choppy, and peppered with the occasional sentence fragment. The dialogue is forced. And the similes! Again, most of them are too obscene to quote, but here's a sample of a tamer one: "She looked as big and meaty as the chicken wings." Or how about a metaphor? "...no one could figure out why she would waste $55 on a cute hairdo when she would still just be a gorilla with a cute hairdo." But the best is a little tidbit of "gangsta mathematics" written in a love note: "(L+T) x Lty2 = DBD", which translated means (of course): "Love plus Trust, multiplied by Loyalty (to the second power) Equals...Death Before Dishonor." I don't get it, myself, but I never took gangsta mathematics in school.

You may have to read this book in order to believe how bad it really is. But you may not be able to stomach it. My advice is to not bother.