Read, Run, Ramble

You know the kind. It grabs you from the beginning and never lets go. The characters make you love or hate them. The author weaves a story so touching, mysterious, or heart-breaking that you can’t tear yourself away. The scenery shows in your mind and the story plays as you read. Then when you close it, you’re tired, happy, amazed, shocked, sad, and at a loss for what to read next.

That hasn’t happened in a while. I’ve read some really good books this year, but I haven’t found that one.

Suggestions?

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Barely got 2 stars from me - I wavered a bit. Enough so that I don’t have the mental energy to write a long/big review.

The writing was horrible, and the story was non-original, redundant, and poorly organized.

From the first mention of this book, I had no interest in reading it. However, I caved to peer pressure (one of the very few times I let that happen) and now I remember why I very seldom go with the “crowd”. At the very least I can now, with experience, explain why I don’t like the book.

One thing I will say is that there were enough redeeming qualities in James’ two main characters that I actually have some hopes for them and would love to know how this trilogy ends. However, the first book wasn’t good enough to make me jump into the rest.

Okay - I caved. I’m reading Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. I wasn’t interested, but I’m being pressured by all my online and RW book friends to read it…so I’ll give it a go - we shall see??!!??

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shadow Kiss is the third installment of the Vampire Academy series and it does not disappoint. Mead’s paranormal world is doses of light and funny mixed with just the right amount of dark and evil. She pulls you into the world with her own twist on all things that go bump in the night.

Rose is a bad ass and I like her even more after reading this 3rd book. She’s strong and smart, and I love that she bucks the system in all the right places. Likewise, I’m a fan of Dimitri’s and this book takes readers on a twisting ride where he’s concerned. Mead doesn’t skirt around the hard plot lines or try to tie everything and everyone up in a nice, neat bow - I appreciate that in her stories.

Two more characters have grown on me - Christian and Adrian both bring action, wit, intrigue, and style to the story. Adrian steps into the limelight more in this book - I enjoyed getting to “know” him a little better, but can tell that there must be much more where he is concerned.

The book takes an unexpected turn towards the end that will leave readers with wide eyes and hungry for number four. 

I started my EVERY.DAMN.DAY challenge on January 1. I’ve mentioned that I joined it through the I <3 Running Facebook page, but I also have several friends joining me and supporting me. With them, I made it to January 29 - no missed days. Some days I did 4.5 miles, others 1 mile exactly (the challenge is for at least 1 mile every day). However, I went for my walk/jog on Sunday the 29th and less than 1/2 way through I was struck with some type of stomach flu/virus - no forewarning…just BAM and I was down for 2 days.

To say the least, I’m very irritated that I made it that far only to go down to illness; however, I’m also happy it was illness - something out of my control. If EVERY.DAMN.DAY turns out to be EVERY.DAMN.DAY I was physically able, I’m good with that.

And now - Feb 1st and I’m back with 2.4 miles (and another episode of Vampire Diaries…ladies, exercise has never been so freaking rewarding than it is when watching the Salvatore brothers)!

Silver lining: I finished two books while I was down - 11/22/63 by Stephen King and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Two very awesome books by two very talented authors. My review for 11/22/63 is upcoming and my review for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close has been posted here. 

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is an amazing book with rich characters and deep, interwoven stories. I enjoyed the book and its narrator (an intelligent, hurting, young boy searching for meaning in his father’s death as well as trying to keep him “alive”) from page one.

Oskar Schell is a smart, capable, lovable, precocious young man. He defines himself in many ways throughout the book, but readers will see a heart-broken little boy who needs answers and love.

Foer uses many non-traditional styles of writing to convey the thoughts, feelings, and personalities of his characters. I found these styles enriching to the stories he has created.

Readers will follow Oskar on his journey and will meet many diverse characters with many layers - their own pain; their own stories. Each connects to Oskar in a different, but meaningful way.

There are a few key elements that went unresolved for me. I’m not sure if I’m missing something or if the author did indeed leave them to the “imagination”; however, I felt they needed/deserved a little more clarification/attention. This is probably the one thing keeping me from going up to 5 stars.

Foer tackles more than one hard and ugly situation in his novel, but does so with clarity, humor, empathy, and caring. I’d recommend this book to anyone who can read - wonderful writing, incredible story, amazing characters, thoughtful author, and all of it together produces an excellent novel.

I met with my group of third graders today to discuss 26 Fairmont Avenue (as noted in yesterday’s post) and it went FABULOUSLY!

There is nothing better than sitting down with a group of kids and feeling their excitement - their love - for a book! Especially something historical. Add to that it is a historical autobiography!

I had 5 students show up (out of 8, which is a good turn out) and they all claimed to enjoy the book. Each of them had excellent opinions and thoughts to share about the book - I was so thrilled. We spend their lunch time discussing, which boils down to about 25 -30 min and my group could have easily spent another 30 - 45 chatting!

Additionally they all seemed to pick up on the major themes and events of the story and I was on CLOUD 9 without a doubt!

This is what happens when you let kids enjoy books; when you encourage them to read for the fun of it instead of focusing solely on how man words per minute they read; when you encourage thought and imagination; when you give them an open environment not filled with criticism and judgement; when they aren’t expecting to be unnecessarily tested to death over a simple story. In summary, this is what happens when you aren’t limited by the ridiculous structure and requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (will not get on my soap box I promise, but I had to get that in).

*Side note: I had one supposed “struggling” reader who freaking ROCKED this discussion - her comprehension and interest levels far exceeded what her teacher and associated reading specialist are able to produce (not totally their fault in my opinion). I had one girl tell me at the end that she was going to “join every chat and chew there ever is”. Each of the students told me it did make learning historical events easier and more fun and each also said they would be looking to read more DePaola books for that reason (one even suggested we do a separate chat and chew group to just read his books). A-MAZ-ING…favorite part of my year are these groups and the corresponding responses I get from the kiddos!