Amy’s Comments (group member since Jun 10, 2012)

Amy’s comments from the Read by Theme group.

LOL. Hope I didn't oversell this :)

I haven't figured out the challenges yet but I just joined a group yesterday to figure it out. It's called Second Chance Challenges.

I picked this book because the idea of writing a book from the viewpoint of a video game was intriguing. The book does not disappoint. I thought it would be difficult to stay interested, but it turns out the book offers more than just video game lore and nostalgia. There's great elements of dystopia because - get this - the main character lives in the "stacks." Stacks are trailer homes stacked using metal frames ... a development that spawned out of the failed economy that the future-world he lives in. By future world I mean ... not to far into the future.

It also offers the feel of those old Horatio Alger books as the impoverished protagonist struggles to overcome the environment he lives in through what is known as OASIS ... a video environment that most of the society world-wide now virtually lives in with it's own economy of virtual products. Sound familiar? He is first to crack open a decade old contest with the prize to inherit the riches of the OASIS creator - a Howard Hughes meets Bill Gates sort of guy.

I won't give away the rest, but I highly recommend this story.

I went crazy this month. I must really love juvenile fiction or teen characters facing the odds! I was reading this and another book as we opened September because I was afraid I wouldn't get a book done by the end of the month and wanted to keep my commitment to keep reading at least one theme book monthly. Turns out I go through this theme in books fast.

This is a good book for high school age on up. A main character that will immediately befriend you if you've ever wanted to make a drastic change in your life or your personality. Who hasn't felt at some point like a red-headed step child who doesn't quite fit in. Divergent author Veronica Roth reveals her heroine Beatrice (Tris) as a seemingly "Dauntless" girl who was born to a family of "Abnegation." She grows up learning that selflessness above all else is to be valued. But in this dystopian society 16-year old youth reach a "rite-of-passage" where they must choose their faction among the five groups. But they must choose wisely because once they do, there's no going back. And if they fail to pass the initiation and become full-fledged members of that faction, they become the lowest of the low - the untouchable "factionless" with no sense of belonging and no place in civilization.

This system apparently developed after too much war and fighting brought a mutual agreement between groups that there were five main causes to the violence: selfishness, ignorance, dishonesty, cowardice, and aggression. Depending on which of these a person felt most strongly about, they chose their faction accordingly: abnegation, erudite, candor, dauntless, and amity.

Similar to other dystopian story-lines there is a glitch in the heroine and others that don't quite fit any one particular part. So, of course, these Divergent rebels must be eradicated. Although formulaic in this sense, the story isn't always predictable and also includes the added bonus for teens (or anyone) of a little "first-love" romance and dysfunctional family resolutions, etc.

The writing is well done and I will definitely follow the story line into (at least) the next book in the series.

I think I was reading this when we started this month's theme so I'll say a few words on it here.

This story is Highlander meets Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I loved the story and the writing, the characters and the fact that its a series.

I enjoyed this book about a teen alien who was evacuated from his planet to Earth with several other prodigies of the planet's powers. These youth were to be protected until they gained their "legacies" or powers in order to protect the Earth from the antagonist alien brood who destroyed their world.

Full of teenage themes like dealing with awkwardness, bullies, romance, and weird pets - this book also alludes to weightier themes like values, environmental politics, family, and responsibility.

I was also amused to discover that the author, pen named for a wise Lorien from their home world, is actually the same guy that Oprah blew to smithereens with her integrity meter live on her show years ago. I am happy he recovered and is enjoying a genre where he can escape that kind of criticism. If forgiveness is possible, he's asked for it in this line of story. Well done.

Every time I'm in the mood to read a deep one, I forget about this book. I hope to get to it based on your review.

I fell in love with Virginia Woolf in her lighthouse books (To the Lighthouse, Mrs. Ramsey?) but it was a very long courtship so-to-speak before I could really enjoy her writing.

I love historical fiction, especially when it has to do with British royalty. I chose to start reading this one because it takes place from 866 when there was only regional kings and kingdoms who had to band together (albeit temporarily usually) to fend off invaders from the north (the Danes) or from Wales. King Alfred was the Saxon king that was to have the vision and wherewithal to see a British kingdom for his lineage. The story is told from the perspective of a young Earl-to-be, Uhtred. I really enjoyed this book because it was entertaining and realistic, as well as founded very authentically in historical accounts. If you like royal history and the anecdotes that go with it, you'll love the story of an alternate explanation of King Edward's demise. I also loved the author's portrayal of the Danes. I will definitely read more of this series and this author.

Good review. I saw the movie and enjoyed it. Based on your review I don't think they followed the book very closely.

I went crazy and read two (so far). I wanted to read Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie ever since someone else in this group mentioned it during bird month. So I read it and loved it. Glad to see someone else is reading another book in the series and will be interested to see what they have to say. I think, since it was reviewed last month, I will refrain and review the second book I read.

I also got so caught of in and read it in two days (which is saying something for my work schedule). We'll see if I get another England book read before the month is over. It is looking like teen protagonist is going to be in for next month and I've already got my book picked out!

Marie-Claude aka MC wrote: "Alright so this is my 3rd book this month ..."

The love the sound of the summary on this book ... x-man meets dystopic? (You guys taught me that word btw *smirk). Click. Added to my ever growing "to-read" list. Thanks for the mysterious way you allude to the "different writing" ... I'm intrigued. Thanks for the review MC. (P.S. I searched and searched for a message I recall about what you prefer to be called (Marie-Claude or MC) and could not for the life of me find it. Please forgive if I err in my address to you.)

All finished. Here's what I thought:

It was a good book, but not phenomenal. I'm not sure what all the fuss was about. It started out reading like that of an author's first book - one that is a great storyteller, but still not a master of language or word combination. There was, in my opinion, too much use of the "shadow and smoke" motif and especially the actual word, "shadow." This story was good, with a few twists (one that I only saw coming at the last minute and really cracked a smile as I read) and lots of creativity. I think this is not the best Carlos Ruiz Zafron can deliver given the nature of the story's development. So I am looking forward to reading the next release by the author since it follows the same characters. I hope, as with some authors, that his story will remain as good or grow, and that the flow of the telling will take on a more fluid and mature art form.

All in all, a book worth my time and I enjoyed it.

It's funny how books are like friends you meet in passing, sometimes finding an unexplainable urge to get to know them better, sometimes excusing yourself from their company with a smile and polite wink. We may never understand the combination of fate and coffee that bring us to revisit one or the other, opening with a quirky story and ending with tearful eyes and a heartfelt hug.

My impression so far is a good one. One thing that keeps bothering me as I read ... he uses the word "shadow" OFTEN! I mean, things are in shadows, or are the color of shadows, or are shadowed ... the narrator has shadowy visions or thoughts ... people come out of shadows, etc. I wondered if, since this is a translation from the original Spanish, it's similar to the adage about multiple words for those with only one in English. So I looked it up and could only find two or three possible translations in the Spanish. My point? Overkill. Just saying. More to follow.

Marie-claude wrote: "I'm still new on this website and was wondering if anyone can recommend another bookclub I could join?! I LOVE this group here and was wondering if there are any other similar ones out there? ..."

I joined "Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" after this one, but its VERY cluttered so I doubt you'd like it. I turned off all the notifications so I wouldn't get all the traffic. Besides, although the list is huge, they still assign only one book each month. But you can either read it or one of the others from the list as you mark off your 1001 list. At least that's my own interpretation and how I'm going to proceed *smirk.

I think the trick for less clutter (aside from the obvious - just pick a well organized group like Amara's) is to find one with few people. This one was small when I joined but it's getting bigger now, yet it seems to stay organized I think.

Carol wrote: "The description of the movie you watched in elementary school reminds me of the book The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon--at least the idea of the boundaries between reality and fantasy ..."

I've had this ebook on hold at my library for months and it just came available last week. I was going to read one of the other "Blue books" but you guys solved it for me. Since I've read my blue book for the month (and I may read another), I'll read this. And already what a show!

"... a sprawling round hall, a virtual basilica of shadows spiraling up under a high glass dome, its dimness pierced by shafts of light that stabbed from above. A labyrinth of passageways and crammed bookshelves rose from base to pinnacle like a beehive woven with tunnels, steps, platforms, and bridges that presaged an immense library of seemingly impossible geometry. I looked at my father, stunned. He smiled at me and winked. 'Welcome to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Daniel.'" -Page 5.

Its a good thing I'm home sick today. I don't know if I'll be able to put this down. :)
P.S. One could count this as a blue book since it's Spanish edition does have a blue cover, but I'm feeling rebellious anyway and besides, I haven't learned Spanish yet.

Daniela wrote: "Is it totally superficial that I want to try it just because it has a REALLY cool title?"

I don't think so. Reading for pleasure means you can try something just because of its wrapper. I was attracted to it at first because the title was reminiscent to me of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. And while there is no US Southern twang to it, it does ring true of some similar themes, like "bad things happen, but friends and love happens too." All in all, Mary Ann Shaffer (with the help of her niece, Annie Barrows) are just really good story tellers.

Actually, you just go up one level (to the top of this list, i.e. July 2012: A Blue Cover, and select "new topic" at the top right of the list. Then plunk in your book title as the topic, and link your book with the book/author box. Type your review and your G2G.

Hi Rooks. Former Galvestonian (Texas) transplanted to Washington State. I thought I was up late but it's about three hours later there. Up reading a book, eh? I just joined a month ago and am very pleased with this group :)