Since we had spent 9 months in the UK, I really wanted the UK version of Harry Potter. Not only is the cover different, but the spellings are in UK English and some of the UK slang is used. My wonderful husband took me out on Saturday and bought it for me. I was surprised that it wasn’t longer, but it was still good. All the theories everyone had were right and wrong. I don’t think that anyone had it right, only partially. I started it on Saturday, but couldn’t read a lot as the family we are staying with had a party in which we were invited to. It was really uncomfortable and no one talked to us though. We even got dirty looks from the dad of the family and he asked the people who finally sat near us what they were doing over sitting near us. I think he forgets Mike does understand and speak German. Jerk.
Anyway, I read all but 150 pages on Sunday evening and finished it Monday morning. I couldn’t sleep very well on Sunday I was so preoccupied with what was going to happen. It was well worth the wait. And now I need to read them all over again. It was a spectacular series and I am sad to see it finished. At least the ending was good.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
My mom recommended My Sister's Keeper to me a couple of times. Since we have no TV and when Mike is researching/writing, I have lots of free time on my hands, I finally checked it out from the library. I read the first 20 pages on Saturday night, and by 8pm on Sunday, I had finished the other 387 pages.
The book is about a 13 year old girl, Anna, who was brought into this world specifically to save her sister, Kate, from a rare form of Leukemia. She was a test tube baby who's embryo was chosen to be implanted into her mother because she was a close genetic match to her sister. Anna starts donating to Kate the moment she is born by giving the blood in the umbilical cord. No harm is done to Anna and it is something that would otherwise be thrown in the trash. She doesn't have to give more platelets, white blood cells, etc until she is a toddler, in Kindergarten she donates bone marrow, etc. Her parents thought it would be done with the stem cells in the umbilical cord, but every time they were presented with Kate's eminent death, Anna was usually able to save her.
The reader enters the story as Anna is being asked to donate a kidney. With all the chemo, transplants, etc that Kate has received, she is entering renal failure and needs a close genetic match for the kidney transplant. Anna secretively collects money and walks to an attorney's office. She files a suit against her parents for the medical rights to her own body.
This was an amazing story FULL of twists. The ending was a complete shock and made me cry buckets.
My Sister's Keeper brings up some very difficult questions. What lengths would you go to to save your children's lives? And not only those that are sick. Questions about stem cell research, genetically manufactured embryos, etc. Don't get me wrong, I am all for IVF, I know some spectacular people who won't be here without it. But when you genetically play with them, what are the ethical ramifications? Fortunately for me, I am not in these parents situation, and hopefully will never be. I cannot say for certain that if there was a chance to save my daughter, by having another baby, I wouldn't do it. Even if that embryo had been chosen because of its genetics.
The book is about a 13 year old girl, Anna, who was brought into this world specifically to save her sister, Kate, from a rare form of Leukemia. She was a test tube baby who's embryo was chosen to be implanted into her mother because she was a close genetic match to her sister. Anna starts donating to Kate the moment she is born by giving the blood in the umbilical cord. No harm is done to Anna and it is something that would otherwise be thrown in the trash. She doesn't have to give more platelets, white blood cells, etc until she is a toddler, in Kindergarten she donates bone marrow, etc. Her parents thought it would be done with the stem cells in the umbilical cord, but every time they were presented with Kate's eminent death, Anna was usually able to save her.
The reader enters the story as Anna is being asked to donate a kidney. With all the chemo, transplants, etc that Kate has received, she is entering renal failure and needs a close genetic match for the kidney transplant. Anna secretively collects money and walks to an attorney's office. She files a suit against her parents for the medical rights to her own body.
This was an amazing story FULL of twists. The ending was a complete shock and made me cry buckets.
My Sister's Keeper brings up some very difficult questions. What lengths would you go to to save your children's lives? And not only those that are sick. Questions about stem cell research, genetically manufactured embryos, etc. Don't get me wrong, I am all for IVF, I know some spectacular people who won't be here without it. But when you genetically play with them, what are the ethical ramifications? Fortunately for me, I am not in these parents situation, and hopefully will never be. I cannot say for certain that if there was a chance to save my daughter, by having another baby, I wouldn't do it. Even if that embryo had been chosen because of its genetics.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
I finished this book a few days ago, but waited posting (1) since Mike has been using the computer for ACTUAL work (another paper), and (2) I still have not decided what I think of it. Its a book written in the late 1700's and ever since its publication has been a point of contention as it is deemed "dangerous." I read a review of the book in a magazine and as it is still deemed dangerous today, decided to read it.
The book is written in the form of letters. The letters take place over a few months and track the actions of the two main characters as they set out to destroy people's lives. They take innocent, virtuous people, who they only have contempt for, and very meticulously try to defame them. The book was wonderfully written and the ending suitable for the main characters, but those that they rob of innocence, there is no justice.
I really liked the way the book was written and the plot line. The disturbing part was that you can see this actually see this happening in real life. You can imagine that this conversation would occur between two people, a bet ensues and people's lives are forever changed from it. I believe that is why this book is still deemed as dangerous. For any of you who have seen the movie 'Cruel Intentions', it was based on this book. The movie has a happier ending, in some respects, and the book has racier moments. I know that it seems odd since the book was written in the 1700's and the movie was made in the 1990's, but its the truth.
The book is written in the form of letters. The letters take place over a few months and track the actions of the two main characters as they set out to destroy people's lives. They take innocent, virtuous people, who they only have contempt for, and very meticulously try to defame them. The book was wonderfully written and the ending suitable for the main characters, but those that they rob of innocence, there is no justice.
I really liked the way the book was written and the plot line. The disturbing part was that you can see this actually see this happening in real life. You can imagine that this conversation would occur between two people, a bet ensues and people's lives are forever changed from it. I believe that is why this book is still deemed as dangerous. For any of you who have seen the movie 'Cruel Intentions', it was based on this book. The movie has a happier ending, in some respects, and the book has racier moments. I know that it seems odd since the book was written in the 1700's and the movie was made in the 1990's, but its the truth.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
The Girls
Earlier this week I finished a wonderful book by Lori Lansens, called The Girls. It was a novel written in first person as if the writers are writing an auto-biography. The writers are twins, but what makes it unique is that they are craniopagus twins. They are attached at the head with no hope of ever being seperated. This is why the book has two writers for an auto-biography.
At the point that they are "writing" the women are 29 years old, making them the oldest ever craniopagus twins, and they are dying. It was an amazing story of their lifes with many a surprise and twists. They live in a little town where their teenage mother gave birth to them, and abandoned them. The book takes you through the many things that they have accomplished and experienced in life. It was interesting to think how your life would be if you were always with someone. They were there for showers, bathroom time, class, etc. You could never be by yourself. I have no idea about you, but I like to have time just for me, especially when in the bathroom!
At the point that they are "writing" the women are 29 years old, making them the oldest ever craniopagus twins, and they are dying. It was an amazing story of their lifes with many a surprise and twists. They live in a little town where their teenage mother gave birth to them, and abandoned them. The book takes you through the many things that they have accomplished and experienced in life. It was interesting to think how your life would be if you were always with someone. They were there for showers, bathroom time, class, etc. You could never be by yourself. I have no idea about you, but I like to have time just for me, especially when in the bathroom!
I loved how the book was writen in two different styles. The one twin, Ruby, would write her sections more like she was writing in a diary, and Rose was a writer. She told more of the stories of the past and Ruby kept you up to date on the current situations. It was a great story.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Small Island
The local library recently gave away a new book to all its clientele. I was slightly confused at first, but being the good Dutch girl that I am, I asked no questions. A free book is a free book. The book is called Small Island and is written by Andrea Levy. I had no idea what to expect as it was free. In my experience its not usually the excellent books that are free, but the mediocre ones that no one really likes.
The book is set (again) during the World War II era. It has about four main characters, two being from Jamaica. I really enjoyed the way the author set up the time line of the book. Each chapter would concentrate on one particular character's story. You would hear their views, ideas and take on events. I really thought it was a brilliant way to really get to "know" the people in the book. Also, it was not a straight time line. The book started off with a prologue, then moved to 1948, then before, then back to 1948, etc. It was quite nice to read a story in this fashion.
The story is set for a bit in Jamaica, but mainly in post war London. Its about the obstacles that the Jamaican couple encounter coming to London. The husband had been in the Royal Air Forces during the war and was fairly accepted during that time, except by the Americans. Then he decided to move to London after he returned from the war. He and his wife left Jamaica behind to return to the "Mother Country" only to be rejected because of the color of their skin. Only one women allows them to rent any rooms, and that is because her husband has never returned from the war. It was an amazingly quick read and the story had all sorts of great twists. Even if it was a free book, I highly recommend it.
The book is set (again) during the World War II era. It has about four main characters, two being from Jamaica. I really enjoyed the way the author set up the time line of the book. Each chapter would concentrate on one particular character's story. You would hear their views, ideas and take on events. I really thought it was a brilliant way to really get to "know" the people in the book. Also, it was not a straight time line. The book started off with a prologue, then moved to 1948, then before, then back to 1948, etc. It was quite nice to read a story in this fashion.
The story is set for a bit in Jamaica, but mainly in post war London. Its about the obstacles that the Jamaican couple encounter coming to London. The husband had been in the Royal Air Forces during the war and was fairly accepted during that time, except by the Americans. Then he decided to move to London after he returned from the war. He and his wife left Jamaica behind to return to the "Mother Country" only to be rejected because of the color of their skin. Only one women allows them to rent any rooms, and that is because her husband has never returned from the war. It was an amazingly quick read and the story had all sorts of great twists. Even if it was a free book, I highly recommend it.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Love over Scotland
This is the third in the 44 Scotland Street series written by Alexander McCall Smith. The series started as a serial novel written in one of the Scottish newspapers, The Scotsman, and blossomed into what it is now. I suppose what drew me to read the books was the fact that it is set in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, and there are references to Glasgow as well. Mainly as the uneducated, seedy part of the country, but all the same, we are mentioned!
It is about the residents of 44 Scotland street and the people that they befriend. The lovely part about the series is that they are nothing more or less than the telling of people's lives, people that you can imagine meeting on a street in Edinburgh (where the book takes place), Glasgow, New York, Chicago, etc. The characters are wonderfully complex and make me want to read more and more about them. My favorite character so far is Bertie. He is a six year old boy who wants nothing more to be a six year old boy. But his mother is more than overbearing. She has him speaking fluent French by the age of four along with playing the tenor saxophone, attending psychotherapy, yoga, the Teenage Orchestra, and all the while working ahead on every subject. The mother is crazy and calls it all "The Bertie Project." I am pretty sure that everyone she meets, except the psychotherapist, thinks she's nuts which she is. But either way, the book is excellent and I really hope that another book in the series ensues.
It is about the residents of 44 Scotland street and the people that they befriend. The lovely part about the series is that they are nothing more or less than the telling of people's lives, people that you can imagine meeting on a street in Edinburgh (where the book takes place), Glasgow, New York, Chicago, etc. The characters are wonderfully complex and make me want to read more and more about them. My favorite character so far is Bertie. He is a six year old boy who wants nothing more to be a six year old boy. But his mother is more than overbearing. She has him speaking fluent French by the age of four along with playing the tenor saxophone, attending psychotherapy, yoga, the Teenage Orchestra, and all the while working ahead on every subject. The mother is crazy and calls it all "The Bertie Project." I am pretty sure that everyone she meets, except the psychotherapist, thinks she's nuts which she is. But either way, the book is excellent and I really hope that another book in the series ensues.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
I have read many a book throughout my life and have inevitably forgotten what quite a few were about or that I had read them at all. So... in my attempt to remember, I am going to try to post my thoughts and perceptions on the books I do read.
I just finished reading Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. I had also read The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts by him, which is a great book about a fictional South American country.
For those of you who do not know, Captain Corelli's Mandolin is set in Greece during World War II and follows the life of Pelagia before and after the Italian and German occupation. It started off a tad slow (along with the first book of his I read as well), but was interesting and well written all the same.
The night that I finished it, I stayed up to nearly midnight just to finish the book. Since I am usually well past my prime by 10pm, this is a big thing for me. I'm 24 years old and cannot make it past 10 o'clock at night. Staying up until midnight on New Year's Eve was rough... but anyways... So, I stayed up until nearly midnight so that I could find out what would happen to the ill fated love of Pelagia and the Italian captain, Antonio Corelli. He narrowly escaped death by a Nazi firing squad, and was nursed back to health by Pelagia. Pelagia saw him off as he escaped into the darkness to try to help the fight against the Nazi's and promises to return to her when the war ends. He even leaves his much loved mandolin with her to ensure that his promise to return will happen. Now, while the ending was not bad, it wasn't great either.
This being the second Louis de Bernieres book I have read, I have come to the conclusion that he does not like it when all ends well and happy and the reader has warm fuzzies about the whole thing. There was definitely gore and violence in both books and leaves you questioning human nature. Yet I would recommend either of these books to anyone.
As soon as we get home though, I want to watch the video of Captain Corelli's Mandolin to see if it ends the same way!
I just finished reading Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. I had also read The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts by him, which is a great book about a fictional South American country.
For those of you who do not know, Captain Corelli's Mandolin is set in Greece during World War II and follows the life of Pelagia before and after the Italian and German occupation. It started off a tad slow (along with the first book of his I read as well), but was interesting and well written all the same.
The night that I finished it, I stayed up to nearly midnight just to finish the book. Since I am usually well past my prime by 10pm, this is a big thing for me. I'm 24 years old and cannot make it past 10 o'clock at night. Staying up until midnight on New Year's Eve was rough... but anyways... So, I stayed up until nearly midnight so that I could find out what would happen to the ill fated love of Pelagia and the Italian captain, Antonio Corelli. He narrowly escaped death by a Nazi firing squad, and was nursed back to health by Pelagia. Pelagia saw him off as he escaped into the darkness to try to help the fight against the Nazi's and promises to return to her when the war ends. He even leaves his much loved mandolin with her to ensure that his promise to return will happen. Now, while the ending was not bad, it wasn't great either.
This being the second Louis de Bernieres book I have read, I have come to the conclusion that he does not like it when all ends well and happy and the reader has warm fuzzies about the whole thing. There was definitely gore and violence in both books and leaves you questioning human nature. Yet I would recommend either of these books to anyone.
As soon as we get home though, I want to watch the video of Captain Corelli's Mandolin to see if it ends the same way!
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