Book 32 of 2011 Lisey's Story by Stephen King

Lisey's Story by Stephen King
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm so glad that I've finally finished this epic book. I put it down about halfway through because it was just too slow moving and because I really didn't like it. My opinion (despite King's snarky comment at the end of the book about the editing) is that this book is about 300 pages too long. I got really tired of the flashback within a flashback within a flashback. I also got tired of hearing about the same incident 47 times. (okay 47 is an exaggeration, but you get what I'm saying). I had to read about certain incidents over and over and over. I also tired of smucking and Manda Bunny and babyluv and SOWISA and all the other tired 'inside' crap after the nth time they were used. And don't get me started on booya moon.  Had this book been more about the author and his survival of an awful childhood and how he grew and coped and how he survived and lived and married and then how his widow survived and lived and coped after his death without all the booya moon, I think I might have enjoyed it. The extent of the fantasy turned me off. It just did. I couldn't recommend this to anyone.


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Book 31 of 2011 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

just saw an article about this one being banned by a school board who admitted that none of them had even read the book. Banning a book makes it more appealing to me. So, I ran over to the Nola Brantley Branch of the Houston County Public Library and snapped it up to read. Back when I'm done to write a review.

Arnold Spirit Jr. is born with hydrocephalus, underwent several surgeries, dealt with seizures and grown to the ripe old age of 14. He's been picked on pretty much his entire life by everyone. After an incident at his reservation high school, he decides to go 'off the rez' to a white high school in a small town. At first he's also picked on there. And the torture from the other Indians on the reservation gets worse.

The book tells the story of that year. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. This book was banned by this school board who decided it was too much for 9th graders (without reading it of course) I think 9th graders would probably think it's pretty lame. It is a little dark, but not so much that it would be harmful for high school kids to read. I'd let my 5th or 6th grader read it.


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Book 30 of 2011 Specials by Scott Westerfeld

Specials by Scott Westerfeld
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book nicely wrapped up the trilogy. While the author left some room for maybe another book or books, it was still a satisfying ending if he doesn't chose to continue the journey with more books I'm okay with that.

In this book we follow Shay, Tally and the Cutters clique of Specials on some unfinished business. Out to find the 'new smoke' and the Smokies. When they finally get there things aren't quite what they expected. Do they finally grow up? Maybe, although Tally still aggravates the hell out of me, she's still a kid and I kept having to tell myself that.


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Book 29 of 2011 -- A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks

A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

What can I say, it's Nicholas Sparks so it's mindless drivel...perfect for summer reading when you don't want to think. I certainly didn't have to. I figured out the 'twist' (if it can even be called a twist) very early on. It's been done before, and better. I think I probably should steer clear of Mr. Sparks from now on, even for mindless summer reading.


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Book 28 of 2011 Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Synopsis:

Tally is back in the City and the operation is complete, she is finally Pretty. She's becoming a member of the Crims gang, she has the perfect boyfriend and everyone wants to be like her. But, she isn't as happy as she thought she would be. She has a sense that something is not right. Then at a party a message from her Ugly/Smoke past arrives with a note that she wrote to herself. She and Zane her perfectly beautiful boyfriend embark on a quest to find the 'New Smoke' and regain their memories of the past.


Two stars equals an okay book. While it didn't blow me away, it wasn't terrible either. The story seemed to get a little tired. It was basically just a rehash of Pretties with a new boy. I expected more and that's probably not fair. This is after all, a YA book and should not be judged on the same basis as a book written for adults. I'll still finish the trilogy with Specials on my hold list at the library, but I'm certainly not excited about this one.


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Book 27 of 2011 Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

just about finished with this one. I think I like it and will definitely have to read Pretties.Finished in the middle of the night when i couldn't sleep. It was interesting enough and will be putting the next on my hold list at the library


Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.


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