Margo Roth Spiegelman was everything Quentin could hope for: beautiful, clever, and always looking for adventure. Add that to the fact that she lived right next to him, and it's no wonder Quentin fell head over heels for her. Or so he thought. But now, after one last adventure with him, Margo has run away. Everyone says that it's just another of her crazy adventures, but Quentin think this one is different. This time, she's left behind clues for him alone to find--clues to her location. Following the clues and talking to Margo's friends leads Quentin to see the girl he thought he knew, and even himself, from a whole new angle.
Paper Towns is similar to John Green's other books in that it's about a nerdy boy who develops an obsession with a nearly unattainable, amazing girl. This one, however, delves deeper into the nature of knowing people, and society in general. I really love the symbolism used in this book, especially that of mirrors. It's thought-provoking and relatable. The reason, however, that I was interested at first, was just because of the witty dialogue John Green always has in his books. It's something I always love in a book or movie, and one of my favorite parts of this one. I've also always loved his love interests, and I think Margo is my favorite of them all. She's gorgeous and strong, and yet she still needs support, when all is said and done. All in all, I think it might be John Green's best work, and definitely one of my favorites. As a warning to readers, though--this book can be depressing at points, but there's a potentially happy ending.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie by Holly Black
Valiant is the story of seventeen-year-old Valerie who runs away to New York City from New Jersey. She moves into an abandoned subway station with three others around her age: sweet but slightly crazy Lollipop, Sketchy Dave, and Luis, Dave's one-eyed brother. Eventually, Val discovers that there is more to her new friends than meets the eye (hardy har har. Seriously, no pun intended): Luis has the Sight, which means that he can see faeries, and works for a troll named Ravus who lives nearby, delivering a potion which helps the faeries of New York to resist iron. What's more, Lolli and Dave discovered early on that if they inject that same potion into their bloodstream, it gives them a certain amount of faerie magic temporarily, as well as getting them high. As Val begins to take the potion/drug and accidentally binds herself to service for Ravus, she becomes more and more deeply entwined in the world of faeries which has been right under her nose all her life.
This book, a romantic fantasy which is often considered a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, is one you won't be able to put down until the very end, and once you've finished it, you'll want to read it all over again. It has complex and likable characters (I thoroughly enjoyed Val's comparisons of life to video games and some of her reckless decisions, and I adored Ravus, with his gold eyes and wisdom. I even found myself liking sullen Luis, toward the end). It has faeries, swordfighting, and New York city. Best of all, it makes you think about things you've taken for granted your entire life in a whole new light, the way Ravus, with his broad perception of beauty, does. In his eyes, a gum wrapper transforms into "a mirror that never cracks," and a cigarette butt becomes "the breath of a man." The best books, in my opinion, are the ones that leave you thinking even after you're done reading them, and needless to say, Valiant is one of them. Make sure to read it before it becomes the next Twilight, though (and you know what I'm talking about. I love the Twilight books, but they're not exactly Edgar Allen Poe or anything. Plus, the fanbase is starting to scare me)--Holly Black's enticing story is being optioned as a movie, possibly to be released in 2010!
On a side note: The thing about Val's boyfriend really grossed me out. I mean, I know that stuff happens, but was it really necessary? I can think of plenty of other perfectly legitimate catalysts. I have to hand it to Holly Black, though--it really made me sympathize with Val.
Lovingly yours,
FBF
This book, a romantic fantasy which is often considered a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, is one you won't be able to put down until the very end, and once you've finished it, you'll want to read it all over again. It has complex and likable characters (I thoroughly enjoyed Val's comparisons of life to video games and some of her reckless decisions, and I adored Ravus, with his gold eyes and wisdom. I even found myself liking sullen Luis, toward the end). It has faeries, swordfighting, and New York city. Best of all, it makes you think about things you've taken for granted your entire life in a whole new light, the way Ravus, with his broad perception of beauty, does. In his eyes, a gum wrapper transforms into "a mirror that never cracks," and a cigarette butt becomes "the breath of a man." The best books, in my opinion, are the ones that leave you thinking even after you're done reading them, and needless to say, Valiant is one of them. Make sure to read it before it becomes the next Twilight, though (and you know what I'm talking about. I love the Twilight books, but they're not exactly Edgar Allen Poe or anything. Plus, the fanbase is starting to scare me)--Holly Black's enticing story is being optioned as a movie, possibly to be released in 2010!
On a side note: The thing about Val's boyfriend really grossed me out. I mean, I know that stuff happens, but was it really necessary? I can think of plenty of other perfectly legitimate catalysts. I have to hand it to Holly Black, though--it really made me sympathize with Val.
Lovingly yours,
FBF
One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke
One Whole and Perfect Day (for kids middle school age and up) by Judith Clarke is the story of Lily, her mother, her grandparents, and her brother Lonnie: a "freakish" but lovable family. Lily, though still in her teens, is the partial housekeeper for the family, as her mother works long hours as a psychologist, and her lazy older brother would be no help even if he weren't away at college. "Lazy" is one way to describe Lonnie, anyway. Their grandfather, who disowned him right after threatening him with an ax, would probably say "good-for-nothing." Add that to Lily and Lonnie's grandmother, who still has an invisible friend (named Sef), with Lonnie's new girlfriend Clara, who is studying linguistics in college despite the wishes of her father, and you have a host of motley personalities, who, despite their differences, still manage to love each other... sometimes.
One Whole and Perfect Day is a wonderful tale of point of view and family. Each character is uniquely endearing once you delve deeper into his or her personality. Surprisingly, the best one of all is Lily's grandfather, Stanley--the same one who threatened Lonnie with an ax. Though his exterior is gruff, sometimes even alarming, he has a genuinely good heart. His wife, Lily's grandmother, though mildly eccentric, is perfectly sane despite her invisible friend, and all in all the perfect grandmother. She's the one who comes up with the idea of a party for the family, which, with the help of the slightest hint of magic, becomes the kind of thing everyone dreams of: one whole and perfect day.
Okay, now that I'm done with the more professional stuff:
Definitely a comfort read. You know, one of those books that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy at the end? It's not totally intellectual, but the switching point of views part is interesting. It's cool to see Lonnie from his grandfather's eyes, his sister's eyes, Clara's eyes, and then his own eyes. Not a book I'd re-read, but a good one nonetheless.
Lovingly yours,
FBF
One Whole and Perfect Day is a wonderful tale of point of view and family. Each character is uniquely endearing once you delve deeper into his or her personality. Surprisingly, the best one of all is Lily's grandfather, Stanley--the same one who threatened Lonnie with an ax. Though his exterior is gruff, sometimes even alarming, he has a genuinely good heart. His wife, Lily's grandmother, though mildly eccentric, is perfectly sane despite her invisible friend, and all in all the perfect grandmother. She's the one who comes up with the idea of a party for the family, which, with the help of the slightest hint of magic, becomes the kind of thing everyone dreams of: one whole and perfect day.
Okay, now that I'm done with the more professional stuff:
Definitely a comfort read. You know, one of those books that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy at the end? It's not totally intellectual, but the switching point of views part is interesting. It's cool to see Lonnie from his grandfather's eyes, his sister's eyes, Clara's eyes, and then his own eyes. Not a book I'd re-read, but a good one nonetheless.
Lovingly yours,
FBF
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