I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells (sorry it's a re-read, I ran out of books)

Yeah, so this is a re-read, I ran out of books.  Until I get to the states, I'll be re-reading.  Not to fear, I only have 18 days until I fly, so I shouldn't have to re-read many books.  But anyways, here's a new review for I Am Not A Serial Killer.

John Wayne Cleaver, aged 15, male, clinical sociopath.  John is scared of becoming a serial killer, therefore, he makes rules.  Rules to keep him out of trouble, rules to keep the community safe, rules to keep him normal.  But one day, a real live serial killer moves into town and John is the only one who can stop him.  But in order to do that, John must break his rules.  Break them, and kill a killer.

There is only one way to describe this book.  Awesome, awesome, awesome....awesome, awesome on an awesome cracker with awesome sauce.  I said this in my first review of this book, this book is so creepy it's awesome and so awesome it's creepy.  I know I'm using the word 'awesome' a little excessively, but this book deserves it.  It's not everyday you find a book that deserves nine awesomes.  The writing is wonderful, the character is wonderful, everything is wonderful.  This book makes for a great character study, there's so much in it that you would never think.  I kind of want to take this book to a sociopathic serial killer and ask if that's what it's like.  You just really like this book.  And do you know what really tells me this is a good book, I still felt the same suspense at the same scene even though I knew what was going to happen.  I leave you with these words, you have not lived a full and complete life unless you have read this book.

Taryn.

Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer (and a commentary on my vacation to Paris)

Marie Van Goethem lives in poverty.  Her mother hasn't really been sober since her father died, her younger sister aches with hunger, and her older sister's only worry is to find a suitable mister.  But there's one shining light in Marie's life, dancing.  In world full of despair, dancing is her hope.  But will it all be taken away?

This is a great book.  Hopeful, and heartbreaking, and awesome.  The way Meyer writes is great, so pretty.  I also love the way she sticks in some French here and there.  Everything seemed so real (that was probably also helped along by the fact that I was in PARIS), the characters, the setting, the situations.  I love this book, and you will too.



COMMENTARY ON MY TRIP-
Paris was great.  Everything was so pretty.  The best part, being surrounded by French for two days, it was awesome.  I saw the Palais Garnier (only from the outside, but still...), where many scenes from the book take place.  I got to walk the streets of Paris, where the upper parts of buildings still look like they did in the late 1800's.  The food was great, the people were great.  Go there.

So You Want To Be a Wizard by Diane Duane and Leaving for Paris!

Nita Callahan gets beat up on an almost daily basis, but not today.  When bullies are chasing her, she takes refuge in the kids' section of the library.  There she finds a peculiar book.  So You Want To Be a Wizard contains an oath that Nita takes, making her a wizard.  She finds out that immediately after a wizard takes an oath, they have to go through their Ordeal.  Will she make it with the help of her friend and fellow wizard Kit?

This book = Awesome.  It's a simple formula, easy as 2+2=4.  I love it, it's well written and compelling.  Pretty much everything about it is wonderful.  However, there is one problem, the catalyst.  Almost every book has a catalyst, the thing that sets off the main chain of events.  In this book, the catalyst is Nita's space pen (a pen that astronauts use and can write on anything).  I admit that the pen is kind of cool, but it doesn't seem worth the lengths the characters go through to get it back.  Also, the paragraphs are long.  But other than those two things, awesomeness in abundance. It's also funny.

Taryn.

P.S. It's part of a series (with like, ten books).  So when I get back to the States (August 19th will be my first full day) I'll have to finish it.




SIDE NOTE
I'm leaving for Paris tonight, and in honor of the occasion, I'll be reading Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer.  It takes place in Paris, so it's perfect!  I'll be in Europe for a week, therefore, although the book is fairly short, I probably won't finish it until I get back to Qatar.

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

When Dianna was thirteen, she was caught in the back of a Buick with her brother's seventeen-year-old friend.  By her father.  She was instantly labeled the school slut, and her father has never looked at her the same way since.  Now Dianna is sixteen, still trying to redeem herself.  But it's hard.  The jocks of the school consider her public property, to be used at will because she doesn't care.  Her father wouldn't be surprised if she slept with her boss.  This summer, she's trying to make things different.

*silence*

*silence*

*silence*

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!  I really did.  It was hard to read, but it was great.  I really felt sorry for Dianna.  There are so many things that normal, unlabeled 'til high school teens get to do, that she never got to even seriously think about.  And it really hurts to read about how she thinks.  Honestly, I felt my heart tearing inside.  It was hard to read, but the truths this book sent out needed to be heard.  I didn't really cry when I read it, but the pages were blurred more than a few times.

Taryn



P.S.  I've noticed how I never really comment about how well the book was written, but according to my philosophy, that's not the most important thing.  How does that work, you ask.  Well, anybody can write, all it takes to write well is honing, and, if you're published, you've probably already honed your craft well.  Of course there are exceptions, aka Twilight  some books that never should have been published, and forced upon our eyes (Twilight these books tend to be over publicized, turned into sucky movies, with sucky actors and always make whatever medium they are thrust upon disintegrate more than they already are in our modern days).  What I consider the most important thing about writing is if your book made somebody feel something.  If the things you were writing jump of the page and became more than words and ink and paper.  If it made somebody think, and sit quietly for a couple minutes after they turned the last page.  If it talked about something real, something new or not-so-new.  A book that talked about a subject that needed to be talked about.  It's books like that, that make a difference.

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Kelley Winslow is an actress, performing the part of Titania in the upcoming presentation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.  Sonny Flannery is a changeling, a mortal taken by Faeries to live in Otherworld, the land of the Fae.  Central Park is a portal from Kelley's world to Sonny's.  When they meet, the after effects cause Kelley's world to turn on it's side and her eyes to open to who she really is.  She realizes her destiny all because of a Kelpie and a changeling on the first night of the Nine.

This book is pretty good, not great, but good.  I've always been a fan of fairies, although I've never really read any books about them, so this was a change.  I liked it and finished the book pretty quickly, but it wasn't one of the best books I've ever read.  One of the biggest flaws for me was the way the relationship forms.  Here's my take on it (from Kelley's point-of-view)-

God, that dude's annoying, but kinda cute.

God, that dude is still kinda annoying, but I think I like him.
*five seconds later*

(to Sonny) I love thee. (Direct quote)

Another odd thing I found was that changelings are fairy children left in the place of a mortal child, not a mortal child taken to live with fairies.  At least, that's what I always thought, maybe I'm wrong.  If so, please leave a comment. Anyway, for all it's mistakes, this book was actually okay.  I think I'll buy and review it's sequel when I get back to the States.

Taryn

P.S. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

Live long and prosper.