Exquisite
Book title: Snow Falling on Cedars
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Audio Cassette
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Audio Cassette
If you can feel the emotions of the characters in the book, that surely indicates that the book is good. I felt the aching of Ishmail Chambers, I felt the nobelness of Ishmail's father and mother and the doubts of Hatsue. No book had moved me like this one in a long time.The author's depictions recreate the beauty of the island and transport you to a different era. It's as if you are a part of the island while you are reading the book. I guess the main strength of the book is not the plot but in the presentation of it.It's a simple book done exquisitely and beautifully.
EAN: 9780001052079
Publisher: Harpercollins Pub Ltd
Authors:
David Guterson
Shut your mouth and open your mind
Book title: The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Perennial Classics)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
To explore the literary significance of this piece is to torch down a forest for the sake of sighting just one tree. Let the experts revel in their self-indulgent semantics; what is presented before you is a muse for the imagination, inspiration to choose a path less travelled. Hindsight may be clearer than foresight, but perception cannot be measured. The author presents a refreshingly honest, and sometimes brutal case for the ills of our modern society. Romance and apathy walk hand in hand on occasions, and foot in mouth on others. The question is not "why?", more so "why should it matter to you?" Excellent read and not too long in the tooth. A stunning choice for the intelligent reader.
EAN: 9780060932138
Pages: 314
Publisher: Perennial
Authors:
Milan Kundera
Lovingly written, desperately sad
Book title: My Heart is on the Ground: The Diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux Girl (Dear America)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Hardcover
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Hardcover
Ann Rinaldi is known for her impecable historical research and this story is an age-appropriate version of a terrible part of American history. The author's notes at the end of the book explain how and why she chose to write this story, and I disagree with another reviewer who said Rinaldi's choice of character names was disrespectful. On the contrary, she makes it very clear that her characters were created out of gentleness and respect. This is very much a story of assimilation, culture clashes, and tragedy. It can be a springboard for many topics across the curriculum--social studies, English, geography, science, art. The story itself is thoroughly engaging and informative.
EAN: 9780590149228
Pages: 205
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Authors:
Ann Rinaldi
A Fiction Masterpiece
Book title: North and South (North and South Trilogy Series)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
To look at the thickness of these books (North & South, Love & War, and Heaven & Hell) might be a little discouraging. Take heart and plunge right in, no one can tell a story the way Jakes can, He has researched the period and he knows his stuff. You open the cover and begin to read and before you know it, it's over. You catch a glimps of what it was like during that troubling time, both sides of the story are told. This series was insightful and entertaining. If you've only seen the mini-series (which was delightful), read the books.....you're missing out!
EAN: 9780451200815
Pages: 812
Publisher: Signet Book
Authors:
John Jakes
Great, fantastic, and short
Book title: The Giver (Newbery Medal Book)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Hardcover
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Hardcover
I thought that the book, the Giver by Lois Lowery was a great book. I loved it, and if I had the time I would read it again and again. I thought the book made a great point, Stand up for what you believe in. The book also was very boring in the beginning but the author made it more interesting. In the end the author just wrapped it up really quickly and I thought I should have been a longer ending. Overall it was a great book!
EAN: 0046442645669
Pages: 192
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books
Authors:
Lois Lowry
This is a great book.
Book title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Hardcover
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Hardcover
This book is a great one. It is a book about magic. Muggles are people who don't care for magic and that is what Harry's horrible Aunt and Uncle are. So Harry can't wait to get back to Hogwarts Witchcraft & Wizardry (the magic school he goes to). Then when he gets back,he somehow gets entered in a special event where you have to be in your seventh year to enter ( Harrys only in his fourth year). The event is called the Triwizard Cup. You have to do three tasks and if you get the most points you win 10,000 Gaelons (a lot of wizard money). If you read this book you'll see how magical it really is.
EAN: 0038332187076
Pages: 734
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Authors:
J.K. Rowling
an excellent appropriation of Foucault to feminism
Book title: Disciplining Foucault: Feminism, Power and the Body (Thinking Gender)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Jana Sawicki identifies the issues that have been most contentious in feminist efforts to appropriate Foucault's concepts on subjectivities, powers, and the social constructions of Western bodies to an activist form of feminism and feminist research. She is able to reconcile many issues, such as those some feminists have had with Foucault's conceptions of power and subjectivity, and Foucault's clear androcentrism into a feminist theory that moves beyond these arguments and appropriates what is beneficial in Foucault to a feminism I find rewarding.
EAN: 9780415901888
Pages: 160
Publisher: Routledge
Authors:
Jana Sawicki
great
Book title: Weaveworld
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Already a fan, I discovered this book a few years ago. I was a little skeptical, it's a "children's book". Well, whatever the case, I loved it. It may have been written for kids, but it certainly captured and held my attention.I am biased, though, I love Clive Barker!... Anyway. I would also recommend this for (slightly older) children. The imaginativeness (is that a word?!) is great, not your typical story.Maybe I'm gonna offend somebody, but I think this would go over very well with older Harry Potter fans.
EAN: 9780006483007
Publisher: Harpercollins Pub Ltd
Authors:
Clive Barker
a poignant narration on the human condition
Book title: The Diving-bell & the Butterfly (BBC Radio Collection)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Audio Cassette
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Audio Cassette
I am a victim of a severe traumatic brain injury and a series of strokes. I identified with Bauby. I did not have a brain stem stroke like he had, but, I have a lot of the same symptoms because of the numerous brain lesions I do have. I thought his accounts of pain and his feelings of great loss were eloquently expressed. I became choked up several times, but I know that is not what he would have wanted. I never once felt sympathy for him, I only felt glad I was able to share some small space of humanity with him for a few moments. I still read pages of the book every day
EAN: 9780563382881
Publisher: BBC Consumer Publishing
Authors:
Jean-Dominique Bauby
Richard Derrington
Great historical novel for upper elementary kids & adults!
Book title: The Cat of Bubastes : A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Adventure)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
1st published over 100 years ago, G.A. Henty's novels fill a void in the area of literature that is appropriate for kids! It is full of adventure and is written in a style that kids will read comfortably. The 15 year old hero, the prince of a small nation invaded by the Egyptians,is of strong moral character and boys, especially, will love the story of his captivity! Packed full of details: Egyptian architecture, family life, methods of warfare, government, geography, religion, and more! Even a cameo appearance by Moses, himself! As a homeschooling mother, I bought this book for my 6th grader to supplelment our history studies. I found myself reading it whenever she put it down and we were devouring it together for an entire weekend. Can't wait to get more Henty novels!
EAN: 0800759423637
Pages: 320
Publisher: Dover Publications
Authors:
G. A. Henty
