Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Author: Mark Haddon
Page Count: 226
Rating: I am still not sure... 3.5ish Stars
Source: I purchased the book from Barnes & Noble
Synopsis: Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the color yellow.

Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, for fifteen-year-old Christopher everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning. He lives on patterns, rules, and a diagram kept in his pocket. Then one day, a neighbor's dog, Wellington, is killed and his carefully constructive universe is threatened. Christopher sets out to solve the murder in the style of his favourite (logical) detective, Sherlock Holmes. What follows makes for a novel that is funny, poignant and fascinating in its portrayal of a person whose curse and blessing are a mind that perceives the world entirely literally.

Review:

This book was a wild ride of 226 pages, and I loved the vast, vast majority of it. I loved our main character, Christopher John Francis Boone. He has Asperger's (at least I am pretty sure he does... correct me if I am wrong.) and it was really interesting seeing everything from his point of view. He had very unique viewpoints on different social situations. His social disorders make it difficult for him to be in public, he has a very extreme form of Asperger's, or so it seems to me... I honestly do not know much about it and the effects of it on mental health except the usually stereotype for having problems with speech, and other things of that nature.

The story starts with the death of Chris' neighbor Mrs Shears dog named Wellington, who was stabbed to death with a garden fork. Chris finds the poor dog bleeding out, and is then caught by Mrs. Shears holding the dog... and here starts a crazy wild ride of Chris trying to find the dog's murderer along with many other things... as he writes a book about this encounter and other encounters he has with the strangers in the city, and school, and more.

I really enjoyed the way Chris observed everything in the world, because it was so different from how most ways people would describe things and I truly appreciated it. I cared about him so immensely much, and as soon as the book started, I loved him, and wanted him to be safe.

I loved Siobhan because she acted as a mother figure for Chris, and she was a great mentor to him through his every day life, when his father wasn't there for him, because he was working, or because he was drinking, and it was difficult for him to cope with.

Chris is extremely intelligent, and his viewpoint on the world, as I have mentioned, is very logical and unimaginative, but it seems so great, and I would love to be able to talk to him, which would be difficult because he does not enjoy talking to people, especially strangers because he doesn't trust them.

This book was phenomenal for the first 100 pages, and it just slowly degraded... and the ending did not satisfy me... I feel like there was more to Chris' story that was left untold and that's the main reason I lowered my rating so much... because it didn't feel like an ending, it felt like the author/publisher decided to stop the book there, because the two main storylines had "finished" but I don't think it was finished...

Overall, the characters were phenomenal and I really enjoyed the book, but I think there was more to be explored... but maybe that shows the limited viewpoint that Chris has...

There are more opinions I have, that I can't express due to spoilers... but know that things are not as they seem... and I loved that... I was not surprised, but I thought it was written well despite the predictability of that part.

Real Love (Poetry by Me #7)

Love is felt deeply when it’s real

yet it can trick us.

Feelings full of deceit,

things that aren’t true

We wish for “true love”

we seek it daily,

but do we want real love

or something that feels good?

Just because it is good doesn’t mean it’s real

Real is indescribable

Yes, you fight

you argue

There are bad days

but also good ones

See real love is not loving

despite the flaws

It’s loving the flaws

as much as the assets

Real love is

the way I feel about you.

Book Review: Mosquitoland by David Arnold

Title: Mosquitoland
Author: David Arnold
Page Count: 342
Rating: Somewhere in-between 3.5 and 4 Stars!
Source: I purchased the book from Barnes & Noble
Synopsis: "I am a collection of oddities, a circus of neurons and electrons: my heart is the ringmaster, my soul is the trapeze artist, and the world is my audience. It sounds strange because it is, and it is, because I am strange." After the sudden collapse of her family, Mim Malone is dragged from her home in northern Ohio to the "wastelands" of Mississippi, where she lives in a medicated milieu with her dad and new stepmom. Before the dust has a chance to settle, she learns her mother is sick back in Cleveland.

So she ditches her new life and hops aboard a northbound Greyhound bus to her real home and her real mother, meeting a quirky cast of fellow travelers along the way. But when her thousand-mile journey takes a few turns she could never see coming, Mim must confront her own demons, redefining her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane.

Told in an unforgettable, kaleidoscopic voice, "Mosquitoland" is a modern American odyssey, as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.  


Review:

"Be a kid of appetite, Iz. You know what I mean, don't you? Of course you do. You're a Malone."

Will I ever write an actually coherent review? Maybe one day, but here is what I have for now, a jumbled mess of my thoughts on a document published to the internet for lots of people to see. I appreciate all of you who read my reviews, and I really hope they are helpful when you are choosing another book for yourself to read.

Mary Iris Malone, better known as Mim... is a lovely, witty sarcastic character that reminded me of my best friend Jenna, for the vast majority of the novel. This made me enjoy it so much more than I think I would have if this was not the case, but boy did I enjoy this novel.

I was very conflicted about my rating as you can see here:

As I read, this was going to be a 5 stars read, and then the final 3rd of the book happened, and it was closer to a 3, then the final 40 pages happened and so now it is a 3.5-4 Star, for sure, because... I didn't realize how invested I really was until that moment. I loved Mim, I loved Beck, I loved my perfect cinnamon roll Walt the most... and I didn't expect everything that happened... I am so used to knowing things, and that was a great thing about this book, I didn't know!

Sadly, The book didn't go anywhere for a looooong time, I mean it did, but I didn't feel like it was actually getting anywhere... but it got somewhere eventually  and that somewhere was good!!!

I think my favorite aspect of the book is the letters that Mim writes to Isabel, they give a great grasp of Mim's thoughts along with everything we really need to know for the story. Plus, I love letters, they are so beautiful and they can convey some extremely strong messages that other forms of writing don't capture in the same way. The letters were beautiful and they communicated exactly what I wanted to learn and I found myself wanting those more than the rest of the novel... until...

Walt. Holy moly. He is adorable and I found myself just caring about that little boy so immensely, like he was my little brother or something. He has such heart, and his love for the Cubs is sweet. My goodness I just love him so so so so much.

One thing I am angry about *MINOR SPOILERS* Is that we never find out what is in the box! I want to know what is in the box! Like, that is super important to me and my curiosity is killing me... I neeeeeeed to know. *MINOR SPOILERS OVER*

More characters that are important to note:

Arlene, the wonderful older lady that sat next to Mim on the bus, I loved her and everything she had to teach Mim, whether intentional or not, it was fantastic. She was one of the highlights of this book.

Poncho Man, never have I been more terrified in my entire life.. I was cringing and wanted to throw the book (Sorry, David Arnold... it was written really well just ahhhh. I didn't want to throw it cause it wasn't good it just was freaky to the max)

My review for this book isn't really a great review... but I think the whole point of this is that this is something different, something I haven't really read before. It's not what you expect it to be, so it's better to go in with no expectations and just read, because I think everyone will get a better experience and enjoy it more that way.

Mosquitoland is an inspiring debut by David Arnold in which he weaves Mim's witty inner monologue, with letters to Isabel and tells a story that leaves us all thinking long after the final page about mental health, the future of the characters, and the world you just left behind... Though this book can drag at times (I almost feel like the fact it dragged was because of my busyness... I had to put this book down for a couple of days cause of school) I think it is well worth the chance, because when you finish this book, It stays with you. Fan-freaking-tastic.

Oh, and before I'm done... The quote I put at the beginning of this... Kid of Appetite... Kids of Appetite is David Arnold's next novel... and based on the synopsis, I don't see any connection except for this line, but I cannot wait to read his next book... It sounds like something more up my alley, because if I enjoyed this even if it isn't necessarily something I would pick up based on the description... imagine how wonderful his next book is going to be! Author's grow as they write, we all grow as we write, so I am excited to see his improvements!

Add it to Goodreads

Barnes & Noble  It's super cheap right now!

The Book Depository Free shipping worldwide!

Amazon Super cheap here as well!

February Wrap Up

I read some incredible books in February and overall I really felt like it was a strong reading month. All the books I read were first books to a series and all but one I thoroughly enjoyed!

1. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

5/5 SHINING BEAUTIFUL STARS

You can find a synopsis for this book here

This book absolutely blew me away.  I had high expectations for this one, especially after reading Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I didn't think there would be a book to be able to top SoC for a long time.  But ADSOM far exceeded my expectations.  The world building is phenomenal and Schwab really brings all the Londons to life. The characters are so fleshed out and intricate.  Delilah Bard is just plain badass and so strong and witty.  Kell is very real and humble and the dynamic he has with the royal family is so interesting and nuanced.  The antagonists are amazing as well. In fact, they were one of my favorite parts of the book.  The Dane twins and Holland are all so deliciously ruthless, and some of the scenes with them chilled me to the bone.  I loved it.  I loved everything about this book and highly highly highly recommend it.

2. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

4.5/5 Stars

You can find a synopsis for this book here

This book was very addicting.  I was a little nervous going into it after coming off of a ADSOM high.  I really didn't want to get into a reading slump.  Turns out, I didn't have to worry.  Ahdieh's writing style is so beautiful and sooooo addicting.  I read 2/3 of this book in one sitting and stayed up until 1am doing so, whilst I had to wake up at 4am to catch a flight.  The first 100 pages or so were a little slow, but when it picked up it reaaaally picked up.  Although the romance may have been a little insta-lovey, I really didn't care.  I loved every ounce of sexual tension and angst and lust in this book.  The world building and descriptions were all so lush and imaginative.  Ahdieh really has a gift for writing descriptions.   Sharzad, the main character, is very strong headed and I enjoyed her as a main character.  I didn't feel 100% connected to her, but the plot more than made up for what lacked in her character. Overall, an amazing read and SUPERB writing.


3. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

2/5 Stars

You can find a synopsis for this book here

This book was very confusing to me as well as underwhelming.  I felt like the plot was everywhere and I rarely found moments that piqued my interest.  The world building was non-existent and it was hard for me to try and visualize where the characters were.  None of the characters interested me or really felt real to me, and the romance.... -_- pls. stahp.  The romance made me want to bang my head against a brick wall. It felt very tropey and insta-lovey. The scenes between Safiya, one of the main charcters, and Merik, the love interest, felt very forced and cheeeeeeeeesy.  I could see no connection between them whatsoever.  My favorite part of the book, which I realized days after I finished it, was Iseult's threadwitch power.  I found myself thinking about how cool it would be to have that power.  Other than that, the book was a struggle for me to read.

4. Angelfall by Susan Ee

 4/5 Stars

You can find a synopsis for this book here

Very fast paced and enjoyable!  The thing I loved most about this book was the main character Penryn.  She is HELLA smart and independent.  I found myself in awe of her character.  I like how she is strong without being prideful.  She can be stubborn at times, VERY stubborn, but only out of the loyalty she has for those she cares about.  She's different from other YA female characters in that she doesn't let some boy determine her actions.  She's an independent woman who don't need no man. The romance was just a very small part of the book and doesn't really show itself until the end.  Its the slow burn kind of romance that I luuuuuuurve.  I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to continue the series.

February Wrap Up and March TBR

February was a little disappointing for a reading month, but really because I was so busy the entire month.... So I guess it was not that bad of a month for the time I had to read!

1. The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig 4/5 Stars My full review is here

2. Lifer by Beck Nicholas 1.5/5 Stars (I changed my rating...) My full review is... here

3. Hamlet by William Shakespeare 3.5/5 Stars (maybe more? Rating classic works is difficult for me)

4. The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle 5/5 Stars (full review to come!)

5. Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula by Andi Watson 3/5 Stars (full review to come!)

6. A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab 50000000 Stars! Full review is here

7. The Haters by Jesse Andrews 2.5/5 Stars! Full review  is here

8. Mosquitoland by David Arnold (currently reading) looking like a 4 star, might change to a 4.5, maybe a 5 depending on how it goes....

I did not really stick to my February TBR, but I still managed to get 4 full novels finished and most of a fifth, two graphic novels and a play!

Obviously my favorite book of the month was A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC!


I will be posting a set of mini reviews for some graphic novels/comic books sometime in March. Should I make it a set of posts or one GIANT post? Let me know in the comments!

March TBR (hoping for the best!)
1. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

2. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

3. A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab

4. The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban

8. Dreamology by Lucy Keating (ARC)

plus a variety of eARCs if I have time... as well as some other books/plays from the library TBD

Stopping it at 8 this month...(with a bunch of others...) I have more time in March, but I don't want to overshoot it this month...

Confession time: I mentioned this in the Love-A-Thon a week ago... but...

I have never read Harry Potter before....

HIDES IN A CORNER

But I am getting to it now... so that counts for something right?

RIGHT?

Please don't hate me...

Forgive me...

But Annelise and I will be buddy-reading the series in the upcoming months!
(She has not read it either!)

March promises to be an awesome month and I am so excited!

What books are you reading this month? Let me know in the comments!

Dead House (Poetry by Me #6)

I live in a dead house

with dead people

and I attend a dead school

where the same dead people

have dead brains

and we all live in a dead world

filled with dead things

and meaningless objects

I wish I could capture

something more in this dead world

but with everything dead

what hope is there

to bring everything alive again?

Then one day

I found my escape

through the written word

I found ways to leave

to leave this dead world

an go somewhere better

somewhere new

where there aren’t as many

dead people

and there is hope once again

and once I found that

I never looked back

I wrote

I read

I lived and breathed it in

The other worlds

The written word

The escape

The pleasure

The living

Hope diminishes

when I think of the dead house

And everyone stuck inside

I feel pity for them because I,

I have escaped the dead house

To a world filled with life.

It took me a long time to get there

but I have arrived

I have made it

I am not dead

I am surely alive

Living in a world

without a dreary existence

It’s called

Well, does the name really matter?

All that matters is that

it’s not the dead house

it is more

and I have found

my haven

that I did not know

even existed

But I am glad that

I didn’t give up

I kept on pushing

to escape

the dead house

Mini-Review: The Haters by Jesse Andrews (Out April 2016)

Title: The Haters
Author: Jesse Andrews
Page Count: 352
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Bands
Rating: 2.5 Stars... maybe 3...
Source: NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, this has in no way impacted my rating of this book.
Synopsis: From Jesse Andrews, author of the New York Times bestselling Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and screenwriter of the Sundance award–winning motion picture of the same name, comes a groundbreaking young adult novel about music, love, friendship, and freedom as three young musicians follow a quest to escape the law long enough to play the amazing show they hope (but also doubt) they have in them.

Inspired by the years he spent playing bass in a band himself, The Haters is Jesse Andrews’s road trip adventure about a trio of jazz-camp escapees who, against every realistic expectation, become a band.

For Wes and his best friend, Corey, jazz camp turns out to be lame. It’s pretty much all dudes talking in Jazz Voice. But then they jam with Ash, a charismatic girl with an unusual sound, and the three just click. It’s three and a half hours of pure musical magic, and Ash makes a decision: They need to hit the road. Because the road, not summer camp, is where bands get good. Before Wes and Corey know it, they’re in Ash’s SUV heading south, and The Haters Summer of Hate Tour has begun.

In his second novel, Andrews again brings his brilliant and distinctive voice to YA, in the perfect book for music lovers, fans of The Commitments and High Fidelity, or anyone who has ever loved—and hated—a song or a band. This witty, funny coming-of-age novel is contemporary fiction at its best.

Review:

This review is almost impossible for me to write because I am just so utterly... disappointed. I actually quite enjoyed the vast majority of the book... but I don't feel it really went anywhere. It did go a many of places, but it felt like a jumbled mess.

Now, I love Jesse Andrews writing, and his humor. I think its phenomenal, and it's something we need in YA today, funny and enjoyable, yet realistic with deep undertones. I think he captured this essence perfectly. But I think part of this is, this book was not for me. I began to groan at the overuse of the immature humor that these characters have... it was funny... at first... and it continued and I would find myself chuckling along... but their comes a point where it no longer has the intended effect, and it just feels wrong.

I love his writing, but this just lacked in other areas for me.

The characters... our three main character, Ash, Corey, and Wes... are a diverse cast of unique characters and they were all very different. This follows the same formula as Me & Earl with the character dynamics, so as much as I liked it, it didn't feel quite right for these characters. The characters, on their own, had interesting backstories that I would have loved to delve into a little more. Ash was especially strong.

Corey reminded me of Earl, in his straightforward way of telling Wes how it is.

And Wes reminded me of Greg... but only in their voices, the way they talked felt so similar. That may be why I am disappointed in this book.

The storyline was interesting and I loved all the band names and how the story progressed until the 90% mark was intriguing then it fell flat... and I can't excuse that.

Anyways, I think this is a case of me and not the book... but it may be the book as well but I definitely still think people should check it out anyways!

I'll leave the linky links here:

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

The Book Depository

Cody @ Roecker Reviews