SHSU Library Science Book Club discussion

Use this thread to post your comments about ROTTERS.

I am going to be getting this as my monthly audio book for May on audio.com.

Excellent!!!

Anyone have a source for getting this for less than $10? I'm trying not to pay for any books right now since my cup. . . err, shelf runneth over. (My local library doesn't have it, nor do any of the schools in the district!)

Email me your mailing address and I'll mail you my copy. Actually, you can either borrow my book or the audio book (CDs). Just let me know which you want in the email with your address. I'll get it in the mail tomorrow.
Dr. P

Book received - thank you, Dr. P!
Soooooo. . . . I loved the start of this book and how the kid was absolutely certain that his mom would be dying at any given time for any given reason. I laughed a little because not knowing our main character, Joey, yet, I wasn't sure if it was neurosis or humor or practicality. Still not sure of the answer. I am just barely in - chapter 17 - and my heart aches for this boy. Surely he has to get a freakin' break sometime soon. Apparently I'm on a roll with books about boys losing their moms (just finished A Monster Calls) and didn't know it. I am definitely hooked and pulling for Joey.

A MONSTER CALLS absolutely tore me apart. Yeah, poor Joey. Just wait. I listened to it on audio and there were a couple of times I was in tears.

I am listening to this on my commute each day. I've had these kids in my class before and just want to take them home with me and take care of them. I feel so bad for Joey.

When I first saw the book, I thought some of my Junior High boys would like reading it. They have really been into the morbid stuff here lately. But now I know this is definitely a high school book. I think my Junior High boys would blush at the language used.

You all are really tempting me to buy this book. It is not at the library! I just read A MONSTER CALLS

Tawnya, I think that for a lot of junior high boys, they wouldn't blink an eye at the language! Sadly, it is firmly a part of their culture now, and they often hear worse on the football field and Xbox.

I am about 3/4 of the way through and STILL am feeling awful for Joey. I'm hoping the tide turns soon for him, but the dilemma is how? So that he becomes the next master digger? ewwwww.

Karin wrote: "A MONSTER CALLS absolutely tore me apart. Yeah, poor Joey. Just wait. I listened to it on audio and there were a couple of times I was in tears."

Didn't it? I was a blubbering mess at the end of AMC.

There are parts in ROTTERS that are so very painful. . .I can't imagine listening to this story. I wouldn't be able to drive the car. I really want to get a hold of the biology teacher. ARRGH!

Tracy wrote: "You all are really tempting me to buy this book. It is not at the library! I just read A MONSTER CALLS"

Sorry about that crazy post! It stopped in the middle of my typing and gave me an error message.

I am finished and I am ready for everyone to finish so we can discuss specifics without spoiling for everyone else.

I am not even sure how I rate this book. . . it is still sinking in and it sticks with me. The SMELLS stick with me, the IMAGES stick with me, the ACTIONS stick with me, and for the most part they are nose-wrinkling, vile, and twisted. But did I like this book? I can't say yet, and I really can't say who I'd recommend it to yet, but there is something to a book that forces this kind of reaction, isn't there? Like the movie SEVEN. . .

LOVED listening to the audio of this book. I will definitely be getting a copy for my library!

Kristine, I have to agree with you about the smells, images, and actions sticking with you. I still cannot get the image of Joey discovering what his dad does for a living. Ken standing there with a hand, cutting off a finger to get the ring. Makes me shiver every time.

Tawnya wrote: "LOVED listening to the audio of this book. I will definitely be getting a copy for my library!

Tawnya - so you will get this for your library? I assume you are in a high school? I am still not sure.

Kristine~ I will get this for my library. I am both Junior High and High School; one library for both campuses.

Just finished Rotters and surprisingly I really liked it. The writing was so well done. The descriptive language, the use of similes, the vocabulary made it a five star book for me. This was not a fluff book but one that will make you think every time you go past a cemetery. I really liked the ending. I would not recommend for anyone under high school because of the foul language.

Yep!!! I loved it too.