Ben’s Comments (group member since Feb 05, 2015)

Ben’s comments from the Puzzles Presents: Ultimate Reading Challenge 2015 group.

Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

A truly hysterical and engaging adventure story that begs one question to me: why did I take this long to read it?! Please visit the book's page to read description and commentary. I will simply say that this was one of the best space traveler novels I've ever read. Sharp dialogue, witty commentary, fully-realized characters (and sub-characters), and a spirited plot propel this novel forward while (sometimes) making sure you've got your towel (inside joke). If you like your science fiction and space adventures with humor and sarcasm, then this may be for you.

Dear Life by Alice Munro

This collection of short stories focuses on simple tales of everyday life, including coming home from war, a train ride, and a teacher and doctor become involved. The final four stories are nearly autobiographical and are closely tied together.

Alice Munro has a knack for expressing profound emotion by using frank and uncluttered language. Her prose is at times plaintive and contemplative, yet she also imbues wonder, hope, and endurance within her succinct style. She's a more positive, elaborate Hemingway; she actually wants her characters to enjoy life, however mundane their lives are.

Also, this collection encourages me to both read more Munro books and to read more short stories. I am a big fan of Edgar Allan Poe, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Philip K. Dick. To be honest, Munro was outside my area of usual choices, so this was a good challenge!

The H.G. Wells classic The Time Machine was a short, intriguing story I read in one day. Scientist creates a time-travel machine. He travels hundreds of thousands of years into the future to a strange civilization that appears to be humanoid. These creatures closely resemble our neanderthal ancestors. The scientist relates his adventure and subsequent return to a few other, at that time, luminaries.

It's a brisk, engaging ride that reminds me of Jules Verne, primarily his lightly descriptive approach. The focus is on the science, the adventure, and the characters, which makes this a wholly enjoyable read. I encourage this as a one-day read because you will feel like you are right there in the scientist's estate hearing this amazing story and waiting on every detail. Ultimately, this is a simplistic story about scientific discovery and the basic human need to share and experience.

The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie

One of Christie's best!

A series of murders begin in England and are occurring in alphabetical order: name of town and victim have same initials as well as accompanied by the ABC railway guide. There is a preliminary clue note that is signed by ABC. The story runs two POVs side by side: Poirot and the detectives in third-person and the supposed killer's in first-person.

This novel was a suggestion in a recent Entertainment Weekly review of Christie's bibliography. It is a subtly powerful telling with a blazing intensity. The stakes are high in this crime novel and you're along for a fast ride. By this point, Christie has written a dozen or more novels, so the Poirot and Hastings relationship is seamless as well as their amazing ability to solve mysteries. If I had the time, I probably could have finished this one in a day!

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

Poirot returns to a small village in England where a generous friend resides. Upon her mysterious death, he is asked to assist in the investigation. Hastings, Poirot's long-time friend and assistant, is also introduced.

This is the renowned crime author Agatha Christie's first novel and it ages well. The characters are uniquely drawn, the plot and elements are engaging, and the pace is finely paced. It's a classic whodunit. There are drags and unnecessary parts, descriptions, and narrations, however the overall effect is a suspenseful atmosphere. You become invested with these characters. For a first effort, this mystery is a fantastic read.

My suggestion to first-time Christie readers: choose a more well-known novel before selecting this one.

Die Again by Tess Gerritsen

The latest entry in the Rizzoli & Iles series finds two connected stories running parallel from start to finish. In Boston, Rizzoli & Iles find a horrendously slaughtered man whose death may or may not be connected with other similar deaths across the country. Meanwhile, on a wild safari in South Africa, a group of tourists find themselves with a killer.

This entry into the Rizzoli & Iles series is less enticing and engaging then the previous entries. I found there to be less focus on forensics and more on "TV show" style. I hoped Gerritsen would stay away from what Patterson's Women's Murder Club series has become, however, if this novel is any indication, she has succumbed to dumbing down her impressive instinct and vast knowledge in forensic science. She was a step below Cornwell and Reichs, yet now seems to be sliding with this entry. The intrigue and the mystery and the suspense were still present, so I was enjoying the ride. However, I felt cheated by the lack of in-depth science. She seems to be catering to fans of the show and less to fans of the novels. All in all, this entry felt more like a summer beach read: enjoyable but forgettable.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Honestly, I read this because it fit the criteria and won the Newbery Medal. I was not sorry. It's the first-person story of a gorilla living in a cage at an American mall. Living there with an elephant and a stray dog. One day, a baby elephant is "added" to the group and Ivan takes it upon himself to be her protector, especially after the elder elephant asks it of him. The story also includes Ivan's interactions with his boss and a young girl and her father who visit him. The girl gives him paints and he gradually shifts his thinking from domain to cage.

This book was wholly different from others primarily due to its sparse yet precise description, minimal yet poignant dialogue, and plain yet captivating story. Ivan is at once wise and ignorant, and the author effectively portrays him as both man and beast. The minimalist style of the story forced me to slow down and read each "paragraph" (often one sentence) individually, almost pausing to then read the next. It's an approach that helps you to possibly understand how a gorilla thinks, an animal in a man's world and perspective. For what it's worth, this novel is a beautiful rendition of the power of love, loyalty, and friendship.

Note: This novel is inspired by an actual gorilla named Ivan, who lived in a similar situation.

Golden Son by Pierce Brown

This is the raw, seething sequel to Red Rising and it is a thrilling, mind-boggling, action-packed ride. Be prepared for first-person description of character, scenery, and story. First-person is tough: on the one hand, you enhance the immediacy and the closeness of a character’s emotions, experiences, and perception; however, on the other hand, you sacrifice insights into other characters’ perceptions and other storylines. In other words, if you don’t like the protagonist, you won’t like the book. I found it to be a small sacrifice for powerful storytelling. Choosing first-person makes the revolution appear in your hands; and as easily as it appears in reach it is just as easily ripped away. Let’s just say I’m counting down the days until January 2016 for Book 3.

This could fit into the category of a book my mom loves; however, I chose to place it here. Skellig by David Almond is a beautifully written story with a touch of magic and fantasy. A boy moves to a new house and discovers a strange creature in his crumbling garage. Parallel to his “new kid in town” story, which includes befriending the creature and a home-schooled girl, the narrative also explores his relationship with his father and concern over his sickly baby sister. This story was at once hopeful and truthful. I smiled and sighed at the end. It’s a quick read, so be prepared that it might end sooner than you like.

Something Upstairs by Avi. A boy and his family move into an old house in Providence, Rhode Island. The boy finds out the house is haunted by a ghost. The ghost wants the boy to find out who killed him.

Surprisingly, I have no recollection of reading this superb, brisk, and thrilling book. It's for the elementary/middle-school age, but, when I thought of my homestate (RI), I wanted a mystery. And, I got one! If you like fast and engaging mysteries with some historical aspects thrown in, then I recommend this book.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Classic book with multiple stories interwoven shortly before and during the French Revolution. The two cities are London and Paris.

Part romance, history, and tragedy, it's an entertaining and informative ride. Dickens' is a masterful storyteller weaving characters, plots, subplots, history, romance, loyalty, tragedy, and social culture into a splendid blend. I have to say this novel had a little bit of everything. I read it as my "evening" book and found it to be a mistake on some nights! Some parts were very engaging (i.e. storming of the Bastille). I like books that offer an historical aspect. I'm surprised I hadn't read this before.

I finished Gone Girl a few weeks ago. I somehow managed to not know the book's twists and turns, and its ending, for over two years (published 2012). Plus, I had yet to see the movie.

There are too many ways to describe this book, so I just bypass explanation and say, "read it."