Defending Jacob: Not your ordinary murder mystery

Defending Jacob by William Landay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In its simplest form, this book is about a murder, than again, it's not about just a murder.

But isn't that what murder is all about? I mean, when someone you know is killed, a little part of you dies with them. Your innocence, your self-control or possibly all that you believed in and felt you could depend on.

In Defending Jacob, the reader feels the complexity of a murder case. It's not cut and dry, there are many victims and your heart breaks for all involved. You are tossed from one set of emotions to the next. Riding the roller coaster, you feel for the parents of the victim and the accused. You wonder, as a parent what would I do, how would I handle this? A mother's love for her child is endless, yet, what happens when you feel your child might be capable of the unthinkable? 

This is not my usual genre. I bought it because it was recommended to me, and I could not stop reading it 'till I finished. Landay brilliantly told a story that leaves the reader guessing 'till the end. After I finally closed my Kindle, the book lingered and, dare I admit it, I wanted more.

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Book Review: The Sense of An Ending

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I wonder how well I remember the events from my youth?

This Booker Prize Winner allows the reader to look deep into the life of the narrator and realize that memories are not always what they seem. The book starts with short account of high school events from the point of view from our narrator. Later, after our narrator is in his sixties, the events are reexamined. Not until the very end of the novel are we truly allowed an incite into the author's purpose.

I normally prefer longer novels. I personally think the expanse of time helps develop characters in a way that I prefer. This novel is an exception to that rule. Barnes' ability to develop characters in a short time is amazing. I felt compelled to keep reading, and once I realized my narrator, Tony, was very unreliable, I found myself trying to decide what was really happening.

Our narrator is often told, "You just don't understand!" He doesn't, and best of all you don't 'till you've read the very last line.

I highly suggest this book.  While I normally read books for the middle grades, this book might be more suitable for Young Adults to Adult.



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#Readathon

Today, I am taking part in Dewey's ReadAThon. 


Readathon gives me a grat opportunity to focus a day to just read what has been sitting on my Kindle for a few weeks.  It's cool outside, the coffee is brewing, soup is making and I'm reading!  I will be taking the Kindle with me to the gym - so I won't stop reading when I'm burning a few calories!

My first read is Divergent by Veronica Roth.  I started it about 10 days ago and got stuck.  Not because I didn't like the book, but because real life was so busy that I could not find the time.  Today, my goal is to finish this book to make way for two more books. 

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver and Bruiser by Neil Shusterman.  My goal for the next 24 hours is to complete all three of these books.  My Kindle and I are off to the gym to start some serious reading.

Are you taking part in today's #readathon?  If so, please tweet what you are reading with the #readathon hastag so we can all cheer each other on! 

Happy Reading!  

 

Update @3:23 Central: 

Finished Divergent and Leisel & Po.  I took a lunch break - now I'm reading Bruiser. 

Update @8:17 Central:

Loved Bruiser, thought I'd try something new for me.  The Cursed Man by Keith Rommel

Final Update:

I finally fell asleep, but got up to finish the last book before the end of the #readathon.  I added the September issue of Fitness to help me stay engaged enough to push through, but had to stop reading The Cursed Man mid-read to take a nap.  Now - it's time for a two hour nap, then the gym.

Reading Total for the Day - Three books and one magazine. 

Divergent

Leisel &Po

Fitness (September Issue)

The Cursed Man

I am not exhausted but look forward to doing it again in April

 

 

 

Currently Reading - Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars






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Sunday Salon - Bad Taste in Boys and other books this week, Writing Time, San Antonio

Bad Taste in Boys

This has been a great reading week.  Putting aside several hours a day have allowed me the opportunity read several new and exciting books.

Bad Taste in Boys and other Books of the Week

The first book that I HAVE to recommend for its fun factor is Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris.  First, check out her blog, it rocks! Think of teen drama, meets steroids and add in a healthy dose of zombies and you've got the magic potion that makes this the funniest LOL book I've read in a long time.

After reading the book, I had to check our Carrie Harris' blog.  Totally fun!  If you have middle grade girls who are reluctant readers, pass this book onto them.  Show them her website as well.  (They'll love Carrie for her cool-factor)  The book is also the first in a series, which means you can keep kids reading long after these zombie attacks end.

I've truly enjoyed the reading this week.  Other reads this week include ...

The Emerald Atlas (Books of Beginning)
The Stinky Cheese Man 10th Anniversary (Viking Kestrel picture books)
 All the World

Writing Time

Without the pressure of the school year, I've been able to focus on my personal writing time.  Next week I'll continue spending time writing, while also working on long-term lessons for my teachers.  I'll be at University of Houston Clear Lake where I'll be speaking to graduate level writing teachers, and a few new ones. 

The one thing I don't think writing teachers focus enough time on is their own writing.  If I understand the process from a first hand point-of-view then I'm better able  to deal with the frustrations of children who hit the writing-wall.

San Antonio

This time next week I'll be in San Antonio.    We're going to hang out as a family, spend time with friends and generally just enjoy ourselves.  I'm sure I'll blog with pictures from there, so check back for pictures of our fun time in San Antonio.

I look forward to the time I'll spend with the family!  I hope you have plans for a great week!




Doris

Loving Leaving Gee's Bend

  Reading Leaving Gee's Bend is like reading a breath of fresh air.  Filled with love of family, devotion to God and to a greater cause, this book is a true joy.  I loved the strength of the main character, and the love expressed by the supporting character.  This book sports several strong female characters whose focus is on the family. 

Leaving Gee's Bend is the 26th book I've read in my goal to read 100 books in 2011.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This is a beautiful book that is elegantly written.  I enjoyed the writing style, but at times felt the story was a bit slow.  The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a best seller in France, and is quickly rising in popularity in the US. 

This novel focuses on class boundaries and artfully describes those boundaries.  Overall I loved the characters and the plot development.  The plot does move a bit slowly for my tastes, but overall I think this is a great book with valid commentary on our views of people from various classes.


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