Book’s Review - Water for Elephants

By Sara Gruen
ASIN: B003I1WY2A

Description:
An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of Riding Lessons.

When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.

Beautifully written, Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.




Comments:
This book by Ms. Gruen is truly wonderful literature, not simply a story. The story is wonderful, but the methods she uses to weave the human existance into it is simply breathtaking. If you do not like to cry after reading a book, I recommend you avoid it. The bittersweet human connection in this book is outstanding and she has truly captured circus life in the depression years as no other book has ever done. A truly wonderful read.

Book’s Review - Where the Red Fern Grows

By Wilson Rawls
ISBN: 9780440412670

Description:
Billy, Old Dan and Little Ann -- a Boy and His Two Dogs...
A loving threesome, they ranged the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. Old Dan had the brawn, Little Ann had the brains -- and Billy had the will to train them to be the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them, but sadness waited too. And close by was the strange and wonderful power that's only found...
An exciting tale of love and adventure you'll never forget.




Comments:
It was a nice story and it is very educational. The boy name Billy wanted two dogs so bad, that he worked for few years to buy two dogs. Billy was very poor so he could not buy anything he wants. He is a very nice little boy and never talked back to his parents but because of the dogs, Billy went out and came back in after 1 week. Billy was out of his state and went to far place to buy those two dogs. Billy finally bought it and had a very happy time with the dogs. Billy was pleased and he wanted to take his dogs to a lot of places. He went to hunt, to camp, and to a contest of dogs. He was having a good time until the dogs died. It's a wonderful story of the love between a young boy and his two faithful hound dogs. It's a sweet and heartwarming novel. I suggest you read it.

Book’s Review - Thirteen Reasons Why

By Jay Asher
ISBN: 9780739356500

Description:
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.




Comments:
Thirteen Reasons Why is a really mesmerizing book. It is definitely heartbreaking. It exposes how poorly teenagers really can and do treat one another. There are consequences to being mean, even if you can't see it right away. Like Clay, I was secretly hoping that there was some sort of mistake, that Hannah wasn't really dead and that she was doing the whole thing to teach some sort of cruel lesson. I wanted her to be alive, I wanted her to see that the world isn't a horrible place and that there are kind people in it. I had a degree of emotional investment in Thirteen Reasons Why; it captured me and still hasn't let me go, even after finishing the novel.

The characters are extremely well written. Each is well-rounded and has their own place within the story. Asher must have taken some time in mapping out the direction of the plot because it is very tightly weaved and intricate. Through Hannah's words, it is easy to see how each person affected her and why. The narration is also very effective - Hannah's thoughts in italics, Clay's in normal script. Though it was a bit confusing at the beginning, I got used to it quickly. It was very interesting to see one person's thoughts and another person's immediate reactions.

The one problem I had with the book? The entire premise. I don't like the idea of someone telling someone else "you are the reason I killed myself." Yes people can be cruel; we've all experienced it at one time or another. And I'm not saying that these actions don't matter and I'm not saying Hannah is completely wrong. I'm just saying I'm uncomfortable with the whole idea of it.

Still, Thirteen Reasons Why is a thoughtful and well-written novel that I would recommend to adults and teens alike. Anyone who reads it will find something to think about, something to ponder. I know I'm still thinking about it days later.

Book’s Review - Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games)

By Suzanne Collins
ASIN: B003XF1XOQ

Description:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.




Comments:
This is the third and final book in The Hunger Games trilogy. The Mockingjay begins with Katniss distraught that she was saved from the arena, but Peeta was not. Throughtout the story, again Katniss must battle with her feelings between Peeta and Gale. Gale becomes more and more determined to bring down the Capital by any means possible, while Katniss becomes the Mockingjay the symbol of rebellion, unity, and hope.

After capture, President Snow controls and uses Peeta against Katniss. She eventually recognizes Snow's intensions and sees Peeta's trauma and completely unravels. She must struggle with Peeta's condition, and even must decide between killing him as he begs for death or continuing to care for him even though he is a severe liability. Other characters from Catching Fire become more prominent and critical in the rebellion cause; they are all brave, but unfortunately not all survive. As Gale and Katniss fight in the different districts, she becomes more aware of what Gale is willing to do in order to win, and fights with the morality of his choices. The list of deaths is disturbing and in the end Katniss must identify who "the real enemy is" as Haymitch and Peeta have always reminded her to do. The Capital becomes the final arena, but this time the only target is President Snow. In the end, someone extremely close to her dies, and Katniss realizes between Gale and Peeta "who she cannot live without". It was a rewarding end to a great trilogy.

I encourage everyone to pick up this fast and fun trilogy.

Book’s Review - Magic Slays

By Ilona Andrews
ASIN: B004LRPJ72

Description:
Kate Daniels has quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but starting her own business isn't easy when the Order starts disparaging her good name. And being the mate of the Beast Lord doesn't bring in the customers, either. So when Atlanta's premier Master of the Dead asks for help with a vampire, Kate jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, this is one case where Kate should have looked before she leapt.



Comments:
Kate's new business is struggling so she can't really turn down her first client. Unfortunately it's a delicate situation. Kate has to keep things quiet in order to preserve the client's reputation. While Kate is more comfortable with the sword, she has to use her brains this time around. People always underestimate her smarts and she connects the dots faster than anticipated. Of course she's in over her head, but she keeps it together and asks for help when she needs it.

There are an assortment of problems running through the background and I can't really go into detail about them without spoiling the story. I felt so bad for Kate for the bulk of the story. She's taking a crash course in relationships and family and it's never smooth. I will say that a lot of painful truths come to light and Kate is hurt badly. There are also positive truths that she finally allows herself to see and it makes a huge difference. What's most important is that she seems to finally have more confidence in herself and the life she is trying to build.

As the stakes get higher and enemies closer, Kate realizes that she can't just stay the course. She'll have to face parts of herself that she's previously ignored in order to protect her family and the city. These new developments not only seem very organic to the story, but the keep the series from getting stale. Characters continue to evolve and every book is fun, filled with action.