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

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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.