The first book I read this summer was Be More Chill (The authors name has successfully avoided me). It was 280-some pages of freakish reality that I would not care to revisit.
I also found a really cool resource at the library. Quote books. They are exactly what they sound like. Huge books filled with quotes. I found them to be very interesting. Not necessarily a novel but it was indeed "a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers" as described by the dictionary built into my laptop. One of my favorite quote's was "Make yourself necessary to someone" (Emerson, Conduct of Life:Considerations by the Way)
Now I am not sure if this next book was one I had read this summer, or at the end of the school year but I will include it none the less. It was called Snowflower and The Paper Fan. It was about a little girl growing up in China. It brought us through her life from the young age of foot binding to her lonely old age. Along the way she became a friend with another girl her age. It was a noble honor. I can't recall what they called this type of friendship but I would describe it as an arranged best friendship. It was a wonderful heart-breaking story.
I am ashamed to admit this next two books. Yes I am talking about the Twilight Series. This summer I reread the second and third installment of this terrible series. The only way I can describe my reasons for reading these mindless stories are that it's like a car crash. You can't just look away. You have to keep watching.
Finally to cleanse my literary pallet I read the most breath taking story that has ever existed. It was titled The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It was set in Nazi Germany during the second World War. It was told through the eyes of death. And followed the life of Lisel Meminger. A young girl who's mother couldn't care for her and her younger brother. She and her brother are sent to live with a foster family. But on the way her brother falls ill and dies. At the grave site she sees a book. Even though she can't read she "stole" the book anyways. And the story unravels from there. I must stop myself before I explain all the wonders of this story.
I don't believe I have read anything else this summer. If I had it obviously wasn't good enough to be remembered.
I love your blog! Have you read any other books by Markus Zusak? I read 'I am the Messenger' by him, but I think I still like 'The Book Thief' better. Anyway, what I really want to know is who wrote 'Snowflower and the Paper Fan'?
ReplyDelete-Clara
(By the way, I had no problems with your blog)
I love quote books! They seem so... thoughtful. Its amazing that someone actually thought to write down what people said. I have never read "The Book Theif", but I have heard its really good (based on what you told me and what the clerk at the Bookman said too). The way you described the Twilight Series is painfully accurate to say the least.
ReplyDelete-Steph :D
P.S. I will get you back! and you know what for! :P
Where do you find the quote books????? They sound like so much fun- especially for things to say in tight situations. I love your description of the Twilight series...I have been there and back and lived to tell the tale (somehow).
ReplyDeleteYou make The Book Theif sound even better than all the recommendations that my friends have given me. Maybe I should go check it out...after I finish Lord of the Rings.
-Jenni
Clara: I will try to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteSteph: Thanks!
Jenni: I used a computer at the library where you can search for books and just typed in quote books and they have tons of options. You have to look though cause some can't be checked out because they are resource books.
I want to read a quote book. I found one at the Grand Haven library, but I was already getting seven books out on my Dad's card. I also have read The Book Thief, and loved it. I read it in 7th grade book club.
ReplyDeleteI still think it's strange that the Book Thief is narrated by Death.
I agree with you Ivy but also disagree. I think having death narrate the story can give people other ideas that he isn't necessarily into taking peoples lives and that it takes a toll on him as well.
ReplyDelete