The Giver - Lois Lowry

Books on the Nightstand have recommended this book to their listeners, so as a dedicated listener I had to read it.

The Giver follows the story of Jonas; a twelve year-old boy who lives in a seemingly utopian community. People in this community are very happy, their lifes are content and do not want for anything. However they do not have a choice in anything. Husband and wife are matched, parents apply for children and receive exactly one boy and one girl, and children mature into the next stages of their lifes at an annual ceremony until the age of twelve. At the twelve ceremony, children are given their position in life based on what the "Elders" have decided you should be. Jonas is given the position of "The Receiver" where he begins to learn and understand how controlled his community his.

Nadine's review.
I read this in an afternoon. It's only 180 pages and it's language is simple and easy to follow. The story is incredibly intriguing and so sad. You will not want to put this down until you have finished reading it. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys stories of a dystopic nature.

Jaki's review

This book was utter tripe. That is the only way I can describe it. The first third to half of the book is so boring and utilitarian that I had to force myself to continue, and that was only done because so many people said this was an amazing book and I thought it must get better. For a while it did, the middle of the story was interesting with the transfer of memories and Jonas experiencing all sorts of new things. Then you get towards the end of the book, which not only seems extremely rushed, but feels like the author had no idea what to do and so just slapped something together on the spot.

I would definitely not recommend this book to anyway and actually persuade people to take it off their reading lists if it is there. Don't waste your time. While it is a short book and doesn't take long to read, seriously you will have many other better books on your list that you will actually like a whole lot better.

Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall - L.J.Smith

The fifth book in the Vampire Diaries series, but the first in The Return chapter of the story. Written almost two decades after the original books, the story picks up just after the last finishes, with Elena having just been brought back to life.

However Elena is not entirely human. She cannot speak, cannot remember, glows radiant white, and defies the laws of gravity. Not only does Elena and her friends have to deal with all those issues, but also the fact that her blood is now irresistible to vampires. And having two of them in love with her is bound to cause problems. Stefan who truly loves her and his brother Damon who wants her to be his princess of Darkness.

Although there is something new in Fell's Church, something more sinister than the vampires, that not only want Elena's blood, but want her dead. It will stop at nothing to get what it wants, and play with the residents of the town to make sure that it gets it, no matter the cost to everyone else.

Jaki's review

While I loved the first four books in the series, this one let me down a little. The writing is the same and the characters stay true to their original selves, but the story seems to fall apart. The underlying main story makes sense and is a good idea, but at times the way it is explained left me confused as to what exactly was going on, where the characters were and what motivation could have possibly lead a character to do something so out of character.

I thought and hoped that if I kept on reading it would all come together like a good TV crime show where everything is wrapped up in the end, but was left feeling a little cheated when I finished. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy the book as I love the characters and the world they live in, but I don't like feeling completely confused and lost reading a book and then still feeling that way when I finish it.

The open ending gives me a little hope though. Perhaps the next book The Return: Shadow Souls will restore my faith in the series and go back to having the same 'feel' as of the original four books. I've got it on pre-order so here's hoping.

The Devil Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger

An extraordinary debut novel from a stunning new author. Follow Andrea 'Andy' Sachs as she scores the job 'a million girls would die for'. Working at the world's most fashionable magazine, Runway, as second assistant to Miranda Priestly, the boss from hell.

Join in the life of a lowly personal assistant during her first year working at the fashion magazine where, if she makes it through, a recommendation from her boss will help her get a job at the magazine of her choice. The catch, she has to make it though that year. Working with the bitchy, elitist clackers and being assigned absurd takes such as aquiring the yet to be released Harry Potter book for Miranda's children, to finding that vintage dresser Miranda saw that one time in an antique store somewhere downtown.

Not only is Andy dealing with the absurdities of working for absolute meager pay, although sometimes with decent perks, she also has to handle the trials and tribulations of trying to juggle her life with her boyfriend, alcoholic best friend and her cramped living arrangements.

Can Andy survive long enough to make it through and get her recommendation? Does she even want it anymore?

Jaki's review

A phenomenally powerful book. It's hard to believe this is Lauren Weisberger's first novel. While the book is written so well with superb narration by Andy Sachs, I felt that going through all the trials with her left me feeling lethargic, worn out and a little depressed every time I put it down. However I still wanted to read more, after I had time to get my energy back. Though there are light notes throughout the book that leave you feeling good, such as the singing security guard and his games each day, Andy drew me into the book as a likable sane character who steered me through the highly elusive world on the other side of the glossy magazine covers.

The Devil Wears Prada does include a lot of swearing which may deter some readers, but it is an ideal read for anyone interested in what it takes to put out a fashion magazine and what happens behind those closed shiny designer doors. And of course those who think they have worked for a boss from hell, and especially those dreaming of strangling their boss with their one-wear-only Hermes white Scarves.

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Imagine living in a place where each year 24 children are sent to fight to the death for a horrifying reality TV show. Welcome to The Hunger Games.

Follow 16 year old Katniss Everdeen, a tough strong willed girl from the Seam, as she steps up in place of her little sister to be the District 12 tribute. Kat knows this is a death sentence as there can only be one survivor in the games. The rules are kill or be killed.

Whisked away to The Capital with her own stylist team, food she has never even dreamt of, and a constantly drunk mentor, Kat must learn what she can from training to survive in the games arena.

Who will survive the initial bloodbath of the arena? Can Katniss bring herself to do what is necessary to defend herself not only from the other tributes but also the arena itself and all its hidden traps?

Jaki's Review

Originally when hearing about this book I thought of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 film "The Running Man", where the basic premise of trying to stay alive in a rigged arena is the same. However once beginning the book I quickly saw that it was much more than that.

Straight away I was drawn into Katniss' world and began to care deeply for the people around her. My heart lurched at Prim's name being called and again when Kat volunteers to take her place. Her awe of The Capital matched my own as each new person and event was described. Once inside the arena the quick pace doesn't slow with non stop action and adventure making it almost impossible to put the book down.

A phenomenal page turning book that takes you to a world where the residents are being punished for a rebellion 74 years ago, resulting in The Hunger Games. Anyone who loves brilliantly written characters, sensational detail and a mixture of action and adventure will love this book and be looking for it's sequel Catching Fire.

Published review - Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby

To share...

Another published review

The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

I first heard about this story when I saw that Miley Cyrus was going to be in a movie that didn't involve the other half of her split personality.  It intrigued me.  Could she pull this off?  I then heard that the story was written by Nicholas Sparks - one of my favourite romantic story authors.

Of course I had to read it.

So when I finally got around to it, I was pleasantly surprised, but also concerned about whether Miley could actually pull off the strong character that is Ronnie. 

Ronnie is a stubborn little brat.  Her parents have split, seemingly because her father cheated on her mother.  Ronnie is angry with him, as you would be.  So when Ronnie's mother sends her and her brother to spend the summer with her Dad, Ronnie tries to avoid spending time with her at all costs.

This quickly falls into a typical "Sparks" story by introducing a dashing and gorgeous guy that Ronnie relunctantly gets to know and eventually falls in love with.  However, the summer romance has its roadblocks in the form of parent issues, ex-girlfriends and secrets.

If you are a fan of Sparks' other works you will love this story.  It has everything that Sparks is known for; great love and heartache.  If you have never read any of Sparks' stories then this would be a good place to start.  I was crying by the end of this story and I actually can't wait to see it on the big screen come 2010; although I will be taking tissues with me.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

This is the first in a series by Melissa Marr about the human world colliding with the universe of faeries.

Aislinn is a mortal who, unbeknown to the faeries, has the Sight to see the "wicked and lovely" creatures.  This Sight has rules though and one of them is to never let the faeries know that you can see them.  This proves difficult though when Keenan, the Summer King of faeries, begins to stalk Aislinn, believing she is the next Summer Queen.

I don't want to give to much away as I believe my fellow bloggers have not yet read it.  I believe they will both love it though.  I recommend this to anyone else who has been entranced by the literary supernatural phenomenon.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis written by Jodi

New Moon is the second instalment in the Twilight phenomenon. A year has passed since Bella met Edward Cullen, her vampire boyfriend. As Bella’s 18^th birthday looms she fears ageing while Edwards stays frozen at seventeen, however Edward’s wont even contemplate turning her. The night of Bella’s 18^th birthday arrives and a simple paper cut while opening her presents leads to Bella being injured while Edward has to protect her from his suddenly ravenous family. This incident forces Edward to realise that Bella is too fragile to be a part of his life; he decides that it is necessary to end their relationship and the whole Cullen family leave Forks.

Heart broken by Edward’s defection Bella falls into a deep depression. After months spent barely surviving and just going through the motions, she has alienated most of her friends and has her father worried enough to consider sending her to live with her mother. After a promise to try harder to regain her life, she renews her friendship with Jacob Black who helps her rebuild a motorbike she has secretly obtained.

Although it doesn’t seem like she will ever get over Edward’s abandonment, life for Bella seems to be moving on. Until the vicious vampires Victoria and Laurent return to Forks. Mysterious deaths start to occur, and sightings of large ferocious animals have the townspeople scared. When it’s discovered that the vampires are after Bella in retribution for James death in Twilight, Jacob and his friends step in to protect her. It is then that Bella realises why Jacob has become so secretive, he and his friends are the large animals that have been seen lurking around Forks. They have become werewolves and have been trying to protect the town from their mortal enemies the vampires.

In the meantime, Bella has realised that she can cause herself to hallucinate Edward's image and voice by putting herself in harms way. She therefore starts taking unacceptable risks just to have him near her; this culminates in her plummeting from a cliff face into the stormy sea below. Edward’s sister Alice has a vision of Bella’s jump and the Cullen family assume that she has committed suicide in her grief. By the time Alice realises her mistake it is almost too late. Edward having heard of Bella’s apparent suicide is grief stricken and flees to Italy to convince the Volturi, the royal family of vampires, to end his existence.

Alice and Bella then race for Italy in the hope of reaching Edward before he breaks one of the Volturi’s laws and forces them to destroy him. Once there, they must face the Volturi, who are some of the vilest of the vampire race and try to bargain for their lives.

The Reviews

Jodi's Review
Although not my favourite book of the series, New Moon still managed to suck me into the storyline, again. No matter how many times I read it, I howl piteously when Edward leaves Bella, and find that her depression is depicted with almost too much realism for my peace of mind. I do find the glib suicide references disturbing as no man, not even Edward, should be worth killing yourself over.

The portrayal of Edward at the start of this book did not sit well with me (which I’m a definite Edward fan any other time), as he seemed like a washed out version of the vampire we met in Twilight. However this was more then made up for with the development of Jacob Black in all his werewolf goodness.

Altogether I found it a fast paced story that catered for my love of the supernatural. I read it, for the fourth time, in just a matter of days. I would recommend it to young and old alike or anyone with a penchant for vampires and werewolves, with the suggestion that you read Twilight first so that you can have a better understanding of the characters.

Nadine's Review

I loved this book. It has everything that a well-paced story should have - action, thrills, mystery and of course romance. It will break your heart in several ways.

The pace of this story is very quick. Once I pick it up I can never put it down again. I think it's because I sometimes never believe Edward is going to come back and I have to see whether he does.

The introduction of the love triangle, the conflict between the werewolves and vampires and of course the Volturi is fantastic. It sets the story up for further development and engages the reader even further.

As I type this it is three sleeps until New Moon is showing in New Zealand. I really hope that the essential elements of the story have not been lost, and that emotions I feel while reading this are heighten and that it is bigger and better than the hype it's getting.

Jaki's Review

Being a Team Jacob girl, it goes without saying that I loved this book. The story just sweeps you away and the realism of the situations are so spot on you can't help but get into and love the story.

The break up scene between Edward and Bella kills me every time. It's so full of emotion and makes me cry every time I read it. It causes me to wonder about Stephenie Meyer's own past experiences, to be able to make this so believable and heart wrenching. I feel that most people could associate with Bella's feelings of not being good enough at some point in their lives and so connect with her during this point to feel her heartbreak and complete emptiness.

Having Jacob as such a polar opposite to Edward makes for great story telling as Bella can now show a whole different side of herself around Jacob, easy going and carefree as a teenager should be, unlike the stiffness she shows around Edward. Moving into Jake's world gives New Moon an entirely different feel to that in Twilight.

New Moon is a fast paced book that will engross readers from the start. You will not want to put it down until it's finished and when you do, you'll be itching to start the next installment, Eclipse.

Published book reviews

Thought I would quickly kick things off with direct links to my published book reviews at The Southland Times - the place I work.  Click the title of each book to read the reviews.

The Girl Next Door by Elizabeth Noble

A Lucky Child by Thomas Buergenthal

Self plugging I know! but I hope everyone enjoys.

Who are we?

Once upon a time three lovely ladies, Jaki, Jodi and Nadine came together to chat about the books they loved. They wanted to share their love of literature with the world so created a space on the Internet. This is it, a fortnightly review blog called the Literbugs Book Club.