Thirteen Reasons Why is a real page turner, but not even that could override the shaky concept of the novel.
A girl named Hannah explains on a recordinThirteen Reasons Why is a real page turner, but not even that could override the shaky concept of the novel.
A girl named Hannah explains on a recording tap thirteen reasons why she was led to kill herself. After her death, the taps are sent to the people who have contributed to thirteen reasons, and if they are not passed to the next person on the list then the tapes will be released to the public.
Interesting, right? The book primarily revolves around the thirteen reasons that have had a tragic impact on her life. Truthfully, the reasons given can be 'cured' from some counselling, family advice and such. For instance, one of the reasons is when Hannah beats Jessica (her ex-best friend) on whose hot/not hot list. Jessica slaps her and leaves a scar on Hannah when she dig her nail into Hanna’s forehead. Okay, It basically sounds to me: bitchy teen drama. Another more serious one is that she saw Jessica get raped and did nothing about it. I think that’s ridiculous, because even after that incident she continued to gloat about her probelms, rather than help her friend deal with the rape. You know what would have been a better coping with suicide story? Her ex-best friend who got rapped and had to endure plus live with that.
Obviously, it sounded to me that she wrote those tapes out of vengeance, therefore the characters could always look back and live with the pain of what they have done: overlook her.
Honestly, committing suicide in order to make the people who caused her minor problems depressed is no less bad than what they did to her. She even tries to create more problems, so she can have a bigger excuse to commit suicide. Someone offers to help her but she declines, then she attempts to seek help once and quits straight after. Aside from less than two exceptionally appalling people on the thirteen reasons why list, the others mentioned seem like regular high schoolers - dumb, self-centered, have their own problems.
The protagonist, who is mentioned as the good guy in the tapes, agrees that the people on the list deserve worst of the worst. So, really that’s all you need to know about him.
Overall, I will give the book three stars for being engaging. The message is to always be a saint and put people’s problems ahead of yours. Message learned. ...more
I loved The Pianist for a number of reasons but the supreme reason goes to Władysław Szpilman's storytelling. Szpilman writes down the struggles whichI loved The Pianist for a number of reasons but the supreme reason goes to Władysław Szpilman's storytelling. Szpilman writes down the struggles which he endured in order to survive in Warsaw under the occupation of the Nazis. Władysław voice never grows bitter, neither do his emotions twist to constant abhorrence and it’s why, I find myself greatly respecting him. His story was in no means told to invoke hatred or disgust towards Germans. His intention was not to spit out political statements about WWII. As mentioned on the title of the book, it was solely based on his extraordinary true story to survive when the whole of Europe went into chaos. Not to forget, it was about his determination to live long enough so that one day he could hopefully achieve his dreams.
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Wladyslaw Szpilman was a Polish Jew born in Warsaw. He had three siblings and two loving parents. He was a talented musician growing up. He studied in Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw and then attended the prestigious Academy of Arts in Berlin before Hitler was in power. He then worked at a polish radio performing Jazz and classical music. But in 1939, the Nazis invaded Poland and developed a new general government which established a ghetto in Warsaw, specifically for Jews. Life for Władysław turned into a daily torture. Hunger and illness sweeped every corner of the streets in the ghetto. Senseless hate by the Nazis and unjustified murder led Szpilman to escape rather than await his death. However, survival behind the walls of the Warsaw ghetto proves to be as difficult as a rapid death.
“Tomorrow I must begin a new life. How could I do it, with nothing but death behind me? What vital energy could I draw from death?�
Szpilman, out of all odds, survived the six year war. Considering all he underwent, it did not leave him with a taste of vengeance and animosity. I thought at first that if I read more in-between the lines then I would catch some slight repugnance towards the Germans, but Władysław displayed none whatsoever. I was not the only one curious about this, so when the book reached the epilogue (written by a German poet Wolf Biermann), I finally had my answer, which strengthens my respect for Szpilman.
“One thing strikes me; Szpilman’s emotional register seems to include no desire for revenge. We once had a conversation in Warsaw; he had toured the world as a pianist and was now sitting, exhausted, at his old grand piano, which needed tuning. He made an almost childish remark, half ironically but half in deadly earnest. “When I was young man I studied in music for two years in Berlin. I just can’t make Germans out…they were so extremely musical!�
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I will lastly talk about Captain Wilm Hosenfeld (who I can't help but include in my review). Captain Wilm appeared as if something out of a fairy tale: the one good guy among a sea of cruel men. Hosenfeld helped Szpilman survive when he was closest to his death. Captain Wilm is very much a hero with his capability to clearly draw the line between wrong and right when countless others in Germany were utterly and completely swayed by the Nazi Ideology. The book gives an extract from the diary of Hosenfeld. His opinion is straightforward and clear on how villainous he thought the Nazis were.
“It is hard to believe all this, and I try not to, not so much of anxiety for the future of our nation, which will have to pay for these monstrous things someday � but because I can’t believe Hitler wants such things and there are Germans who will give such order. If it so, there can only explain: they’re sick, abnormal or mad.�
Overall, you might/or might not pick up The Pianist, but if you’re still interested in the story then the film version of The Pianist is also a great insight of Władysław Szpilman's survival....more
Thankfully, I borrowed this book but I can still say:
This isn’t what I didn’t pay for.
“Fierce competition� the book vowed to me.
But I was handed a biThankfully, I borrowed this book but I can still say:
This isn’t what I didn’t pay for.
“Fierce competition� the book vowed to me.
But I was handed a big plate of endless descriptions of a 'magical' circus, which frankly sounds like any other circus. I would have been more impressed with the supposedly ‘fierce� competition the book promised me - that is to say if there was one.
The competition is actually about one chapter long, but it lasted for over a decade. During that decade, the two competitors Celia and Marco literally do nothing of significant interest, until the end which by then everything is resolved 'magically'(pun intended). I’m not even sure if I read ‘The Night Circus� properly, because I’m incapable of explaining the storyline with perfect clarity.
The author’s imagery is very vivid, but it doesn't make up for the lack of plot. Every chapter was set several months or years apart to the previous chapter, and it would take the author one or two pages to set the atmosphere. I felt as if the author knew this book would be adapted to the big screens, therefore she wrote the book in a very cinematic style, which did not improve or help the story. The characters are horrifically underdeveloped and their actions make no sense.
If you’re interested in solely reading about a circus then do so, if you’re interested in developed characters with a decent plot then look somewhere else. By the way if you want a really amazing competition then watch 'The Prestige'....more
Lips Touch could have been close to 4 stars, but the last story was unfortunately a shape-shifter/ werewolf story, and my hate specifically for werewoLips Touch could have been close to 4 stars, but the last story was unfortunately a shape-shifter/ werewolf story, and my hate specifically for werewolfs made me dislike the story. I tried. But I'm incapable of erasing my deep distaste when it comes to people turning into scary dogs. I ended up skimming the last story when I failed to get into it. The other two stories were very captivating and the writing is wonderful. I would definitely recommend Lips Touch. ...more
I cannot stress enough the significance of a half star especially for this book, because the extra half star for 'The Elite' mActual rating: 2.5 stars
I cannot stress enough the significance of a half star especially for this book, because the extra half star for 'The Elite' meant it was not as worse as the first book. It was rather unexpected since many who enjoyed the first book disliked the second. It was the opposite for me, but I still disliked 'The Elite' just not as much as I loathed 'The Selection'.
Now, when I say there was more action in the second book - I mean to say there was more than just a bitch slap.
The action did nothing much to move the plot along. It just caused heavy tension between Maxon and America. If it wasn’t for the action this book would have literally finished at page 80.
Speaking about the love triangle I mean the plot� It's hard to tell them apart in this book.
America has conflicting emotions as she struggles to choose between Maxon and Aspen, as she continues to struggle like forever and ever and ever…the rebels are trying to screw everyone up. The palace security is so shit that they manage to get through every time. But seriously did anyone ever wonder who the fuck is in charge of the security? Cause seriously fire them. Like right now. My home security is better and I’m not even a royal.
I can’t write a sensible review for this book.
It’s still better than the first. I’ll give it that. And I'm still curious to how it ends.
This book glosses over too many things like the fact that greater percentage of Jews were killed in Lithuania (over 90%) than any country in Europe duThis book glosses over too many things like the fact that greater percentage of Jews were killed in Lithuania (over 90%) than any country in Europe during nazi occupation. I doubt it would have been so high if there wasn't so many enthusiastic volunteers.
I also think the story fails to mention that over 30% of Lithuanians sent to the gulags by the Soviets were actually Jews. Lithuanian Jews were more likely to be persecuted by the Soviets than the average non-Jewish Lithuanian. And yet, I bet a greater percentage of Jews who were sent to the gulags survived than the Jews who later ended up under Nazi-lithuanian rule. Isn't that odd? It's strange to think that the gulags ending up saving some people from the extremely murderous nazis.
When nazis arrived the Lithuanians were quick pin all their so-called 'suffering' on the so-called 'bolshevik Jews.' Why did this story fail to mention all of this? I don't know. The story just glosses this over. I wonder why. I don't know if this story is trying to make out the soviets to be equally as evil as the nazis. You can say all you like about the soviets, but they never had a murder factory for children and babies. They never planned to systematically enslave and murder all the so-called 'inferior races.' The Soviets were undoubtedly oppressive and cruel, but when compared to the nazis they come off almost progressive. ...more
Neil Gaiman is a fairly good at writing books that will appeal to all ages. I suppose that he even sometimes has a difficult tActual rating: 3.5 stars
Neil Gaiman is a fairly good at writing books that will appeal to all ages. I suppose that he even sometimes has a difficult time deciding what genre his next novel should be categorized since his story can range from being a children's book to a YA or an adult's book.
I don’t necessarily have much to say about 'The ocean at the end of lane' besides that it was a crossroad between a children and an adult novel.
The novel commences with a middle-aged men who, after attending funeral, goes to his childhood place, which is a farm at the end of the lane. He then abruptly starts having recollections of curious events that happened in childhood after gazing at a pond there.
The beginning was purely wonderful and enjoyable. I loved the setting of story, and I especially loved the tone of his seven year old self.
“I lived in books more than I lived anywhere else.�
The middle and the ending became neutral. It simply became a book with a lot of weird magic in my view.
Then I realized this is really a story that primarily represents growing up.
I expect adults will enjoy this more than teenagers will, taking into account that that teenagers desperately just want to grow up faster � not get younger. I can imagine myself picking this up when I’m far older. But as in now, the book is considerably hard to relate to for me. However, I do definitely miss the innocence of childhood.
“I do not miss childhood, but I do miss the way I took pleasure in small things, even as greater things crumbled. I could not control the world I was in, could not walk away from the things or people or moments that hurt, but I took joy in the things that made me happy.�
One day this book might actually become one of my favourites. Who knows.....more
'The wrong boy' is not a fitting title for this novel neither is the synopsis.
The story of a Jewish girl sent to Auschwitz with her family. Sh
'The wrong boy' is not a fitting title for this novel neither is the synopsis.
The story of a Jewish girl sent to Auschwitz with her family. She falls in love with the wrong boy � the German son of the camp commander.
Yes, it’s a novel about star-crossed lover. This time it’s between a Jewish Hungarian girl and a German boy. It does seem a bit wrong in a way as if the holocaust was a tragedy rather than a great atrocity.
I wish the author gave a second thought about the title. It does not give the book enough justice. ‘The wrong boy' doesn’t solely revolve around the camp commander’s son. As for the historical accuracy, concerning how life was in a concentration camp in Poland, it isn’t anything you couldn’t discover by simply going on Wikipedia. I thought it satisfactorily conveyed the emotions of the characters, but of course I can’t be the judge of that. I don’t think anyone can simply understand the emotions of those unfortunate people thrown in a concentration camps in World War II.
“Hanna Mendel liked to know what was going to happen next. She was going to be a famous concert pianist. She was going to wear her yellow dress to the dance on Saturday night. But she didn’t plan on her street being turned into a ghetto. She didn’t plan on being rounded up and thrown in a cattle truck. She didn’t plan on spending her sixteenth birthday in Auschwitz, in a wooden barrack with two hundred other prisoners.�
Hanna is naïve, but she also has a strong optimistic side to her that makes her endearing. As for the love interest, Karla Jaeger, there was no denying he was also an endearing character and the way his compassion and sympathy was presented made him very likable. Although this book does give the impression of being mainly a love story, it actually very strongly focuses on Hanna’s relationship with her mother, father, and especially with her older sister.
Overall, I would recommend this, but it surely isn’t anything impressive for a historical fiction. However, it’s heart-warming or as heart-warming a book about the holocaust can be....more
The Darkest minds reminds me too much of Dark Vision by L.J. Smith, minus the whole Dystopian and government plot. Actually TDM reminded me of a lDNF.
The Darkest minds reminds me too much of Dark Vision by L.J. Smith, minus the whole Dystopian and government plot. Actually TDM reminded me of a lot of books and movies especially x-men, but then again the Darkest minds is dystopian. And that’s basically what sets TDM from other very similar concepts. It was a dystopian. And a bad one at that.
I gave up after 300 pages in. I just can't continue. Kids who gain superpower in distant time in future is just not a compelling dystopian. And the whole 'I'm a freak and a monster because I have amazing abilities' is simply irritating. Seriously, if I had superpowers I wouldn't think I'm freak. I would definitely think I'm cool though.
The whole colour separation into what kind of superpowers you have was not a particularly great idea, since every time the heroine said what type of superpower a particular character had, she would use a colour. I couldn’t remember what that colour represented for a superpower, and I definitely was not bothered to flip back and look for it in the opening chapters.
Stolen was a different and fresh read compared to the rest of YA genre. It kept my eyes attached frantically to the pages, but at the end I couldn’t hStolen was a different and fresh read compared to the rest of YA genre. It kept my eyes attached frantically to the pages, but at the end I couldn’t help but feel as if the story was rushed, therefore whatever message this novel was attempting to convey to the readers had been slightly lost, in my opinion.
Don’t get me wrong, stolen was an enjoyable read and to say the least that earns four stars solely, but it was simply lacking at compelling me about the main concept of the whole book: Stockholm syndrome.
“People love what they're used to, I guess." "No." You shook your head. "People should love what needs loving. That way they can save it."
I couldn’t make up my mind about Gemma and Ty. Did they really have a big connection? They both had family problems and that was one of the primary reason that made them see eye to eye. Gemma wasn’t close to her family, and continually felt as if she was emotionally abounded by her parents, because they never showed much interest about her daily life.
Ty on the other hand was literally abounded by his family. After sometime his mother signed him up to his dad and returned back to England. He grew up in the outback of Australia surrounded by local Aboriginals. His dad started working in the city and became less visible in Ty’s life after a while. His father transformed into an alcoholic and altered to a less caring person therefore Ty views the city as a sinful place full of people, who create themselves as someone else to fit in.
The plot wasn’t much complex. Yet, I couldn’t help but love the simplicity of it at the same time. It mainly involved Gemma attempting to run away from Ty, who kidnapped her after he gains a sudden obsession or infatuation with her. I really had a hard time believing he kidnapped her out of love because let’s face it, if he deeply understood and loved her � he would not have. (No he was not a lost soul in need of love!)
“How long will you keep me?" I asked. You shrugged. "Forever, of course.�.
I couldn’t help but release my body shivers at Ty’s creepiness. In the postive side, he was more normal if you were to compare him with other truly psychotic kidnappers. Half way through the book I softened up to him, but not completely. I wasn't able to.
“And it's hard to hate someone once you understand them.�
I suppose. But I don’t think being held captive could be fully justified once you attain Stockholm syndrome. I thought Gemma did a good job realizing that.
Basically with the whole lacking complication I felt with this book: Gemma hated Ty at first, understood him, and finally loved him. Is that a deep enough explanation for Stockholm syndrome?
Anyway I still admired this book because it was interesting and something entirely new, as well as, a bit bizarre in a good way.
Just to clarify that if you’re ever contemplating about visiting Australia, that you will not get kidnapped and held captive in the middle of nowhere � well hopefully not. This is kind of bad tourism for Australia.
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