Inter-esting: Intertwined

Okay boys and girls, this week I'm actually in California on a nice (and MUCH needed vacation). So This post might be a little short. I was hoping to finish the book I've been reading while I was at the airport, but I got distracted by a few Stephen King short stories in Full dark, no stars (I guess the length was just more appopriate for a busy day of traveling). Unfortunately, I haven't read much else by Stephen King yet so I'm not going to review that book yet because I want to read more of him for reference first.

So instead, this week I'm going to review a book that gives me mixed feelings (don't they all?)--which I guess is appropriate since the main character is basically a guy with a magical version of multiple personality disorder. The book, Intertwined, is a fairly recent young adult title from an author who's been around a while: Gena Showalter. She's usually known for her romance novels, and actually, if you're looking for some great fantasy romance novels you should definitely check her out. If you think Fifty Shades of Grey dealt with some sexual deviancy issues you'll wanna try out her Lords of the Underworld series--definitely an interesting take on Pandora mythology.

Anyway, I guess she decided to expand her fan base, and what we got out of that was Intertwined. Most of the downfalls of this book have to do with the fact that it's a Popular Young Adult book. Basically the fact that it's Young Adult restricts the difficulty of the reading level. Showalter's writing always flows well and the dialogue, though sometimes a little too rapid-fire witty to be completely beleivable, is nice to read. That being said, Showalter has never been a writer I would describe as intellectual--she's a romance novel writer, she's not exactly a writing pioneer. I personally don't really fault her for that, considering that reading what she writes is enjoyable. Just keep in mind that if you're looking for Literature this isn't the place you'll find it.

As for the story, this is definitely something I haven't seen too often, especially in Young Adult fiction. The main character, Aden Stone, is inhabited (possessed, haunted, whatever you want to call it) by three ghosts--and this isn't exactly Casper-the-friendly-ghost we're talking about. These ghosts make his life harder not only because of their constant chatter in is head, but also because of the magical powers they had in their previous lives that they've now transferred to him. It's a lot harder to make friends in high school when you're talking to voices no one else can hear and waking the dead any time you walk by a graveyard. This story is refreshing because even though the framework of the story is familiar, the problems Aden faces aren't the same hackneyed fantasy issues you find all the time in Young Adult fiction. But, again, it's still Young Adult, so you'll still run into some cliches common for the genre. Aden deals with problems at home, problems at school, and problems with girls--things you really can't avoid at the age of sixteen I guess.

So seems pretty straightforward, right? Writing: average. Story: above average. So where are those mixed feelings I was talking about earlier? My conflict when reviewing this book lies mainly in Showalter's decision to add other fantasy creatures. I liked reading about Aden's affliction. You don't often come across ghost driven plots in fantasy fiction. You don't usually even see many zombies. Vampires and werewolves, especially more recently, are the dominant force--they're just easier to romanticize and they're so well known that a writer doesn't usually have to set up their own fantasy rule system, which can be time consuming when you build it from scratch. Vampires and Werewolves are the easy way out. So to me it felt like Showalter didn't stick to her guns. Instead of following through with the ghost issues and strengthening that part of the plot enough to stand up on it's own, she ends up throwing vampires, werewolves, and witches into the plot. Presumably she did this to spice it up, but I personally found the addition a bland.

So, I definitely want to read the following books in the series to see where it goes, but I don't think this is a series I'd read over and over for the rest of my life. I think I'll eventually box this book. But, because of Showalter's stockpile brownie points with me from her romance novels, because I enjoy her writing style, and because the storyline is, for the most part, something pretty new, for now it has a place on my shelf.

Once a Week

Hey guys,

I know I've been complaining about it the past couple posts, but I'm just going to explain and set the record straight. I've unfortunately been so busy with my real job that I don't have time to read a book a week anymore--hence the last minute posts about books I read years ago. So, in an effort to save you guys from my continued apologies and rambling about books that really aren't worth rambling about, I've decided to only post once a week for a while.

I know, it's very sad, (or at least I think it is. Box or Bookshelf is way more fun than work). But hopefully we'll be back to twice a week again soon--whether I find a new job and more time to read, or maybe I'll recruit another poster. Plus, when I do have time and books worth talking about I will post bonus posts on Monday or Tuesday just to tide you guys over.

Anyway I'm sorry to disappoint you guys, but thank you for sticking with me through this book drought. Hopefully I will be drenched in reading again soon!

Kelly

Not Exactly an Ivy League Read: Hacking Harvard

Well, I won't bore you guys with more apologies about being late with my post, nor will I remind you of my lack of review-worthy reading material...oh wait, I guess I kinda just did. Anyway, because I don't have much else to review at this point, I'm going to have to talk about a book today that really isn't much to talk about: Robin Wasserman's Hacking Harvard.

Now, don't get me wrong, this book is in no way awful. The writing is okay, the characters are okay, the dialogue is okay, the storyline is okay. Basically this book can be summed up by the word "okay." This isn't even close to the worst book I've ever read--in fact it’s moderately amusing--it just isn't all that memorable. For a book with characters of superior intelligence, this book was really nothing more than average. It was underwhelming--it hardly made a splash in my reading pool (see what I did there? snuck a summery metaphor in there for your guys to help beat the heat).

So what can you expect from this book if not a cannonball of a read? Well you can expect an interesting, if underdeveloped commentary on the American college admissions system. If you can't tell from the title, Wasserman's characters, Eric, Max, Schwarz, and Alexandra hack the Harvard admissions system as part of a bet to get an underachieving student into Harvard. In doing this, they learn not only about the sometimes unfair system, but also they learn not to underestimate others, and they find out more about themselves and what they want from their higher education and their lives.

Unlike Fifty Shades of Grey, which I’ve mentioned before as being neglectful of the all-encompassing nature of higher education, this book shows characters who understand the gravity of it. In fact, they are so concerned with getting into the right schools that they sometimes forget the point—which I think is a valid concern in the real world. It’s not uncommon for students today to be under so much pressure to do well that they may forget that their education is something they should be doing for themselves, not for society and everyone else.

Wasserman also does a pretty good job depicting the idealistic concerns of intelligent young adults on the verge between high school and college. The young men in this book, while sometimes trying to prove a point are also distracted by things that would distract teenage boys--like money, girls, and dares. And the romantic relationship built in this book is also pretty refreshing because it was more true to a young adult relationship. It wasn’t a twilight-esque obsession, it was more a slowly developed friendship that later becomes something more.

This is an amusing read, ideal for a summer read particularly for young adult readers—especially guys. I also liked that Wasserman has a group of male friends as the main characters (although the narrator is actually a female). As of right now, most Young Adult books have female leads so this is actually a good choice if you're looking to read about a bunch of boys.

 Despite its few merits, I won’t keep you guys any longer talking about a book that’s only “okay.” While this book isn't the worst, just keep in mind if you decide to read it that it's also not the best. It sits firmly in the Young Adult genre and I wouldn't really recommend it for older readers unless they're really looking for a quick, rather amusing book to pass a little time. Otherwise, this one get's the box.

A Work of Art: The Art of Racing in the Rain

Well, since my reading material still sucks right now, I’m going to go back into my repertoire again and let you guys know about an old favorite of mine: Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain. And I guess this book isn’t really that old—it only came out in 2008. But it’s just one of those books that will feel like an old friend and old favorite once you’ve read it. And I’m telling you, no lie, your life won’t be complete until you go out, buy it, and read it.

Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration—I can see where everyone might not like this book. It’s about a dog. Well actually, it’s narrated by a dog (that one got your attention didn’t it?), and it’s about race car driving, loss, the merits of daytime TV, following your dreams, and life. So actually, no, I can’t see why anyone would dislike this book. If you hate a book told by a wise and amusing dog, the epitome of man’s best friend, then maybe you’re just kind of a jerk. But I’ll try to support my assertions first by telling you why this book is awesome, and then I guess you can just decide for yourselves.

For starters, it’s really refreshing to read a book from the point of view of a dog, especially this dog, Enzo. Maybe that’s just because too many of the books I read are narrated by whiny teenage girls (yeah…I told you my reading material isn’t doing so good right now), but it was really nice to come across something new. I mean, I don’t know if you guys read books told by dogs all the time, but for me it was pretty original. On top of that, it gives you a different perspective as a reader. To read about the hopes, concerns, and joys of a dog as opposed to those of a human is enlightening. It takes your mind off the things that bother you every day; it surprises you and makes you laugh thinking about what your pets do when you’re not around; and it helps you realize that sometimes the things we’re taught are important may not be as worth worrying about in the grand scheme of things.

Plus Stein does a great job getting into Enzo’s head—yes we may never know what dogs are actually thinking, and yes the way it’s told is often informed by the way we, as humans, think, but I commend Steins effort—I think his choosing to narrate this story through a dogs eyes was a mostly successful endeavor. The fact that Enzo narrates this book makes the somewhat cliché messages he shares more acceptable and believable. If a human narrator tried to share this kind of wisdom I think many readers would find it too contrived—we’re always just waiting for and expecting other members of the human race, even fictional ones, to be selfish idiots. We even enjoy that in fiction because it makes us feel less badly about our own episodes as selfish idiots. But we expect our pets, almost like children, to see things as they are, uninhibited by societal pressure. Enzo let’s Stein share things without causing readers dismiss his wisdom as purely fictional, fable-induced moral guidance.

And in case you were thinking that the dog is all this book has got going for it, let me set you straight: Stein definitely didn’t skimp on the rest of the book either. I mean, you’d think writing a book about a dog would be enough—and for people obsessed with animals like me, it probably would in most cases. But Stein doesn’t leave Enzo to carry the whole weight of this book by himself. He’s crafted genuinely interesting, believable, and relatable human characters as well. And though it may have been stuff he knows from his own life experience, he definitely didn’t leave out researched details. Even if you’re not interested in race car driving, Buddhism, or anything else Enzo learned about by watching daytime TV, the tidbits of information in this story really bring it home. They’re the type of things we all pick up watching TV, watching people, and from being around the people we love. And they’re told in a way that reminds us that our own details and tidbits are important, even though sometimes we don’t remember that.

And before I go, I better warn you, this book will make you cry. In a good way, but I guarantee even the most hardened college rugby player, determined not to let his teammates see any sign of weakness, would tear up reading this book. Steins writing is not super, impressively advanced, not is it intentionally difficult. It’s the type of writing you won’t have to kill yourself reading, but you also won’t kill your brain-cells reading. And it’s not the some edgy, super modern, depressing story. It’s a feel good read, playing on all your emotions but ultimately leaving you with a happy-ending-feeling. And in this case that’s a good thing. I don’t want to go too far, but I almost want to say it’s one of those books that restore your faith in humanity.

So if you don’t want to read an uplifting book about a faithful canine friend, you can skip The Art of Racing in the Rain. If you do, you can join me and put this book on your shelf.

Skip the Book, Watch the Movie: The Vampire Diaries (series)

Hi there readers. Let me first apologize for my lack of post on Monday and my lateness in posting today. Among other things, I've been a little underwhelmed by my reading material as of late and I was trying to avoid reviewing books that aren't really worth reviewing. A book review blog, after all, should be saving you guys time by letting you know which books are worth reading--it shouldn't waste even more time than reading books that aren't.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), the book I'm reading right now (which is worth reading and reviewing) is taking me rather long to read and I can't review it just yet. So, to avoid leaving you guys without a post again today I'm going to do a short review a series of books (which I read quite a while back) before their subject matter completely leaves the forefront of young adult fiction: L.J. Smith's The Vampire Diaries.

If that title sounds familiar to you it may be because you've heard of the TV series of the same name, which is (VERY) loosely based on the books. And there's a good reason why the TV show has made out better than the books themselves. Honestly, the books just aren't that memorable. The writing is on the lower side of average (and we're talking about the lower side of average for a Young Adult book). The story is relatively interesting but a little overdone--seriously, how many times can you read about teenage girls falling for perpetually teenage vampires who are tortured but ultimately honorable and good. I mean I'm the first person to admit I get sucked in by books that are even vaguely supernatural, but some authors need to work a little harder. You can't simply regurgitate a Hodge-podge of every vampire novel you've ever read--I'd rather read something completely out there than something I've already read a hundred times over. However you feel about Stephanie Meyer's books and the changes she made to vampire myth, you have to admit that at least sparkling vampires was something new.

As for The Vampire Diaries, though some of the plot twists are pretty interesting, the overall story is same-old-same-old. I did enjoy the conflict created by the fact that Elena, the main character, is torn between two brothers (Stefan and Damon), who were also both in love with a woman who looked just like Elena (Katherine), centuries before. And then, to make matters worse, Katherine comes back, pretends to be Elena, tugs at Stefan and Damon's heartstrings, and attempts exact her revenge (talk about complicated!). But, overall the characters are alternately unoriginal and inconsistent--the changes in their personalities are less like character development and more likely the result of an author not completely sure of who she wanted her characters to be.

So, and I'm going to shock you guys again like I did with the Hunger Games, my ultimate verdict is that you should box the book and just watch the TV series instead. If you're at all interested in the subject matter, its a pretty great show. I confess it's one of my guilty pleasure TV shows: unrealistically beautiful cast, long, complex storyline that borders on Soap Opera, ridiculous love-polygons, what more could you want? I mean it's really not one of those shows you can watch to fake your way through explaining the book--basically the only thing the book and TV series have in common are character's names. But, in this case, that's a good thing. The show's characters are more interesting, the plot is more interesting, there's A LOT more going on, and you've got some hotties to look at. It's an all around win. So, like the title says, this is one of those rare times when I'll take TV over a book.

(On a side note, I also did not particularly enjoy The Secret Circle, L.J. Smith's other series, about witches. Though the characters were slightly more interesting, I thought the writing was perhaps a little weaker. I'd be interested to know if the TV show version of those books is also much better. If anyone cares to let us know in the comments below, it would be much appreciated!)