Required Reading

Why not start a book list? Here is what I have recently read or am currently reading.

Summerland

by Michael Chabon

Summerland by Michael Chabon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Diamond of Darkhold

by Jeanne DuPrau

Last book brings it all together.

Prophet of Yonwood

by Jeanne DuPrau

Third book is a little weird, seems out of context, but actually I still liked it.

People of Sparks

by Jeanne DuPrau

Second book in this series, still good, in a feel good way.

City of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau

I loved this little series, about two little kids who become the heroes of their world. It definitely targets very young readers, perhaps 8 - 12 year olds or younger.

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

Down and Out in the Magical Kingdom

by Cory Doctorow

Allegiant

by Veronica Roth

Homeland

by Cory Doctorow (2013) Tor Teen - Tom Doherty Associates

Insurgent

by Veronica Roth

MockingJay

by Suzanne Collins (2010) Scholastic Press

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bloodbath. Violent, heartless and depraved also come to mind. If the Hunger Games were a lens into the most dysfunctional aspects of society, it would be scathing critcism and unfortunately offer little or no hope. Or maybe, if the Hunger Games really were a mirror, we actually have lost all hope in humanity. "Real or not real?" Poor perfectly flawed Katniss is as crazy and lovable as ever as her world disintegrates over and over again until nothing is left. "Why am I not dead?" She makes Sylvia Plath seem upbeat. The cynically meandering plot starts slow but picks up fast. Nothing is clear and all motives are suspect. Angst rules as everything keeps shifting into a confusing blur of nothing. What is the moral of this story? Who is the hero? I'm left with nothing, just an empty sick feeling like a hole in my gut that can't be smoothed over, not even with good intentions, it's too late, and definitely not panem et circuses. PS again super strong flavors of Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

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Catching Fire

by Suzanne Collins (2009) Scholastic Press

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

reads like a roller coaster, exciting, scary then done

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The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins (2008) Scholastic Press

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is so brilliantly created, as far as YA novels go it is very complex. The multitude of conflicting themes are a nightmare image of a teenage brain. Love, justice, courage, rebellion, guilt, sacrifice, hope and murder are just the tip. The plot, gripping and gruesome weaves these ideas so fluidly, together with tightly drawn characters and settings so detailed there are layers. Terry Gilliam's Brazil definitely comes to mind. These novels are dark, they may seem lighthearted and girlish for second before the blood starts flowing again. Not cheerful Harry Potter at all, even though I loved those books too, more in tune with the cynical sentiment that is fueling a modern wave of dystopia from the anti-anti-hero to the bad-bad cartoon character. As awesome the Hunger Games is, Catching Fire is that much better. As for audio books, not really my thing, but ok in a pinch.

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Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked it. Gritty action and akward teen romance set in futuristic dystopia.

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My Horizontal Life

by Chelsea Handler