Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Cinder
Marissa Meyer
YA Modern Fairy Tale
4.5

So this sat around for a long time before I finally decided to give it a shot.  The sci-fi/mechanicy aspects kind of scared me, and I didn’t think there was any way I could possibly like it…but I did...a lot. It was very hard to put this one down.

Cinder is a fresh, futuristic take on Cinderella with enough plot changes to keep readers guessing til the end. Cinder is different, cyborg, part machine, part human which makes her disliked by full humans. She does have an “evil” stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, makes friends with an android (animal parallel) and does the family’s dirty work for them. And of course there’s a ball and a Prince, but there the similarities start to fade rather quickly. Cinder has a mysterious past since she can’t remember what happened before she was turned into a cyborg at age 11.  She’s also a skilled mechanic and quite independent.

Meanwhile there’s a deadly plague with no known cure sweeping the post WWIV era world and the threat of war with the ruthless Lunar people of the Moon hanging over everyone. Somehow Cinder finds herself involved in the middle of everything making a wonderful story.

Despite the fact it's a pretty fun, fast teen read, there are a lot of good discussible ideas within the actual story. Like why is is it such a big deal that Cinder is part machine? Why does everyone assume ALL lunars are horrible because there ruler is? Why did the citizens of the nation so easily accept that cyborgs should be guinea pigs for the plague antidote? and the list goes on  and on...I need to go talk some people into reading this so discussions can start happening!

Can’t wait to read the next one in the series!!

Matched by Ally Condie

Mathched
Ally Condie
YA Dystopian
Rating : 4

 Matched is another teen dystopian fiction story, however, it was one I consumed within two days; a super speed read.  Not one with a whole lot of depth, but it has quite a bit in the way of discussible topics.  Cassia finds herself in love with two different boys, Ky the mysterious boy so full of words and Xander the image of perfection.   She is only “allowed” to be with the one the Society has matched her with though, Xander.  However, Cassia finds herself resisting the Society’s rules and guidelines ever since she discovered a piece of paper with real handwritten words from a poem  on it her grandfather secretly left to her.  Poems not part of the Society’s approved list of reading material aren’t allowed, but once Cassia realizes there is more to life than just what the  Society has shown her, something inside of her starts to change.  Her views about the “perfect” Society she lives in transform as she becomes more aware of her surroundings and the people she cares about. Can she be the only one who feels this way?

“Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I'm glad for that.”

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and the Movie Adaptation Directed by Rob Marshall

I bought this book about 3 years ago and never got around to reading it…until now!  I probably wouldn’t have read it for another 3 years if I hadn’t selected it for my book and movie club selection this month though. However, I’m really glad I finally read this book, it was a great read and taught me a lot about geishas (since I knew absolutely nothing beforehand) and it even taught me about myself by making me reflect on decisions I’ve made and decisions I’m making now or will be making in the near future.

"We lead our lives like water flowing down a hill, going more or less in one direction until we splash into something that forces us to find a new course."

Title: Memoirs of a Geisha
Author: Arthur Golden
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.5

Review of book:

A beautifully written book, full of topics and sentences that make the reader stop and think for a while. I felt I was able to learn a lot about what exactly a geisha was (not a prostitute) and some of the different aspects of the culture around and during the time of WWII. It was a very interesting and thought provoking read, but, for me, not an all-consuming "can't put it down book".
The story follows the life of a little girl from a poor fishing village into her ultimate transformation into one of the greatest geisha of all time and then her life after quitting the role of a geisha. Along the way she faces many difficult choices, unfair predicaments, and some pretty nasty characters. Her life is far from easy and her choices will make or break her in the tough life of becoming (and staying) a respected geisha. And can she be a geisha, while still remaining true to herself?
Overall, this was a great book; it teaches many lessons about life and history while not being overly depressing (I didn't even cry!). It made me think about the choices I'm making in my life, so I think it's a worthwhile read.



Movie in comparison with book:



Title: Memoirs of a Geisha
Director: Rob Marshall
Rating Based on Book: 3.5
Rating Independent of Book: 4



The movie was beautiful too, although different from the book in a number of ways.  For me, the overall feel of the characters, including the main character Sayuri, was not the same.  She didn’t have the same charm, vulnerability, sarcastic humor, and intelligence that I perceived throughout the book. Some of the other characters who felt different included;  Sayuri’s sister has a little more depth, the Chairman has more involvement throughout the movie, Mameha was definitely more motherly and understanding than I pictured (I had imagined more of a sister, who is rather harsh).  Mr. Taneka, Sayuri’s mother, Granny, the General, and several other characters are also virtually non-existent in the movie, whereas they had a rather large part in the book.  However, Hatsumomo was pretty spot on. Some of her actions were changed (one of them is quite a shocker!), but the feel of her character I thought stayed true to the book.

Despite the characters not having the same feel as in the book, the tale of Sayuri’s growth into a geisha remains as tragic and moving as the written version. Some scenes are also notably different, but I didn’t feel that they detracted from the overall effect.  However, if I hadn’t read the book first, I don’t think I would have understood this movie very well. The beginning is quite abrupt and offers little explanation, and Mameha’s appearance has no apparent reason at all.

I did enjoy seeing the descriptions of the kimonos, instruments, the style of dance, and the types of architecture described in the book in the movie. I could only picture so much of what was described without the visual aide of the movie. Some of the scenes are breathtaking, with beautiful costumes, make-up, and dancing.

Overall, the movie was pretty good in comparison to the book, not perfect, but not bad.  The book was one I won’t likely forget, and the movie was stunningly beautiful on its own.  A great combination.

Ever by Gail Caron Levine

Title: Ever
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Genre: Junior Fiction
Rating: 3

 

This book was okay. I think if I was younger I would have enjoyed it more, but as it is Gail Carson Levine has several other great books I would recommend before this one. (Ella Enchanted, Fairest, Two Sisters of Bamarre)
I enjoyed the mythology aspect of the book, however, it was a bit confusing (even as an adult). I kept trying to make some correlation between Christianity and the one omniscient god in the story and I couldn't make it pan out.
Cutting that out, the story was okay. Romance, adventure, action, and suspense. The plot keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and wanting to see how the book will end. It's certainly a quick read with not a whole lot of thinking involved (except to keep everyone's name straight throughout the book). The romance did seem to happen a bit too quickly and the heroine didn't really seem to care about her family (although they were planning on sacrificing her, so I guess she had a fairly good reason). Overall, it was just okay, but I'm not upset I read it.

A Cast of Stones by Patrick W. Carr



Title: A Cast of Stones
Author: Patrick Carr
Genre: Sci-Fi
Rating: 3.5


 I received this book as part of the LibraryThing early reviewer's program. I was a bit hesitant when I picked it put, because I have a fear of sci-fi sometimes because some of them are just way to hard to follow...not this book though! I was pleasantly surprised! This was a very good read! Once I started getting into the story it was really hard to put down.

Errol, the main character, had a rough upbringing and took to drinking to blur away his problems. However, his fate will not let him wallow in his misery for long. Errol must find the courage to break away from his drinking problem, and learn to become a man, a fighter, and ...something else. Can he take on a much larger role and become a key figure in helping the kingdom rise fight the aprroaching evil? As Errol attempts to change his past he meets many interesting people along the way ( I want more Merodach!), but who can he trust? Everyone seems to have an ulterior motive.

Secret Letters by Leah Scheier




 Secret Letters
Author: Leah Scheier
Genre: YA Mystery
Rating: 3


 I picked this one up while I was putting away some library books at work because the premise sounded promising: A young girl wants to be like Sherlock Holmes, who is a real life person in the story, and solve mysteries in old-time London. This wasn't a bad read, it just fell a bit flat. In my opinion, if you're going to involve Sherlock Holmes in the story as a character (or his "children") it better be very well done to be believable. For me there was just something lacking and I can't quite put my finger on what it was. I just didn't buy into the whole child of Sherlock Holmes thing.
Putting that aside it was a pretty good fast-paced (young adult) mystery.

Dora convinces her cousin to take her to London to seek the help of Sherlock Holmes, only to find out that he has died. Dora's cousin is devasted because she is being blackmailed by compromising letters given to an ex-lover and needs Sherlock's help to get the letters back. However, Dora takes the news much worse than her cousin for reasons she doesn't care to share. Despite the devasting news, they decide to enlist the help of two other investigators in London, one of which, Mr. Cartwright, is close to Dora's age and works in ways reminiscent of Mr. Holmes. Together, Mr. Cartwright and Dora work to solve the problem Dora and her cousin came to London to eliminate. However, they have stumbled upon a situation worse than they bargained on, and putting themselves in danger instead.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Snow Flower and the
Secret Fan
Author: Lisa See
Rating: 4
Genre:Historical Fiction

I'm glad I finaly read this book, it has been sitting on my shelf for a couple of years now. I can see why this book is a popular bookclub book. It's not a particularly happy story, but it is one you will gain something from.

The story takes place in 19th century China in a remote part of the country. Lily, the main character and narrator, comes from a Chinese family of low status. However, she may be able to rise to a higher status because of her "perfect" feet and the match of a laotang (a girl who is sworn to another girl to be there for each other their entire lives). Lily and Snow Flower become laotang and enter into a lifetime of ups and downs. Both girls face obstacles unthinkable to most woman today; footbinding, arranged marriage, and complete submissiviness. An added dimension to this story is the use of nu shu, a secret language used by Chinese women to communicate with each other without men being able to understand the writings.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is very enlightening about some parts of the 19th century Chinese culture. It also made me think and learn more about myself and hopefully taught me to make better decisions in the future.
Overall, a great read, if not the happiest of books.

I will also be watching this movie in the near future and posting a book/movie comparison...