Book Ten: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

by Mark Haddon

I gave up on Sylvia Plath.  It was a very difficult read and I can't be spending all my time on one book if I'm going to finish fifty books in a year!  Paul bought me this book the other day and it was excellent. 

Review: 

The writing style of this book is interesting.  It's written from the perspective of fifteen year old boy with autism named Christopher Boone.  The perspective is fascinating on it's own but the intricate plot of the story is enthralling.  Mark Haddon does an amazing job of drawing all the seemingly unrelated threads together while allowing the reader to see the world through Christopher's eyes.  Reading how Christopher pieces together the mysteries that present themselves in his life and understands the people around him is enlightening.  The book is worded in such away that it is perfect for small breaks.  The simple language makes it easy to pick up where you left off and be immediately reimmersed in the story.

Recommendations:

I am not sure if this book is classified as young adult or adult fiction, but I would classify it as mature young adult.  The writing is easy to read, however the content could be difficult to comprehend.  

Stars:

9 out of 10

Schedules are Difficult

So I'm on spring break.  You'd think that means I have all the time in the world to do nothing but read and write.  I can officially put all the annoying school work on hold.  I don't even have any homework due until Friday after break.  It is during this week of nothing to do that I completely space on my Tuesday update!  I only made one successful Tuesday since making that announcement.  I haven't finished reading a book either (Silvia Plath's a tougher read than I expected).  It turns out even a week off is a busy week for me.  Anyway here's a consolation doodle I made while taking a break from one of my other projects.

Book Nine: The Boy in the Suit Case

The Boy in the Suit Case

by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis

I didn't actually have time to read, buuut I did anyway.  I decided to read something different since I've been reading a lot of YA and this was very different.  According to the front cover this genre is Nordic crime fiction, a genre I have never heard of but I'm suddenly a fan.  Now that I've completely fallen behind on my midterm studying I'm still happy I picked this book up.

I loved everything about The Boy in the Suit Case.  It is well written, the plot is amazing and suspenseful, and the characters all all unique and relatable.  I was surprised by the quality of the writing.  I'm not sure if this is a translation or originally written in English.  If this is a translation it is amazing, it reads as though it's original language is English, complete with beautiful descriptions and word play.  I have never been to Denmark or Lithuania, but I could see the setting as clearly as if the authors had shown me a photograph.  The only hic up is that temperatures are poorly translated into Fahrenheit, but this flaw is minor and easily over looked.  The plot had me on the edge of my seat.  I found my self shouting out loud at Nina for her idiocy from time to time and cheering for Sigita.  Each of the characters has their own unique set of strengths and flaws that left me feeling like I'd met each of them in real life and they are all now my personal friends.  In short this book transported me to the criminal circles of Denmark and Eastern Europe from the comfortable safety of my own couch!

Recommendation: 

I would recommend this book to any adult reader!  I must include the warning though that this book does contain quite a bit of violence and implied sexual abuse so I'd give it a strong PG 13 probably R rating.  The book is suspenseful and had my attention until the very last page.  Definitely pick this up if your looking for break from the everyday.  

Stars:

11 out of 10

Book Eight: Insurgent

Insurgent

By: Veronica Roth

I finally got my hands on a copy of Insurgent and time to read it!  This weekend was a wonderful combination of no homework and no grading.  I loved Divergent and was looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint!  

The characters in this series are well written and unique.  I found each of them relational in their own way.  Beatrice's internal struggle is engrossing.  The reader is pulling for her to overcome her trauma induced failings, while at the same time relived that the trauma was enough to induce such a phobia.  There are massive amounts of character growth in both Tris and Four, but I found the development in both Christina and Peter most interesting.  There is nothing better than a series where even the secondary and minor characters grow.

Recommendations:
Like Divergent I recommend this book to any young adult readers who enjoy sci fi.  The writing is smooth and easy to read.  I would expect readers of all ability within the genre to enjoy with novel.  This book is similar to Hunger games with teens fighting for what the believe in crossed with Uglies sterile world set in black and white.

Stars:
9 out of 10