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Books: August Edition
Aug. 18th, 2012 10:18 amChasing Fire- by Suzanne Collins - This is the second installment in the Hunger Games trilogy. There are likely thousands of dystopian novels written each year, but this one sells millions, so there you go. I did enjoy the first one and planned on continuing. I will give this some of the caveats that I gave the first book. It does read like a Young Adult reader at time. It also isn't particularly original, but given that everyone has read Orwell (or at least read books or seen movies influenced by 1984) and seen Survivor, I give credit to Collins for making an interesting world that weaves these elements together.
This does suffer some 'second book syndrome', but I did enjoy it, and would continue to recommend the series. I read some of the more critical reviews and I will answer some of them, as none of them affected me. One, was that the main character Katniss was inventive, clever, and unafraid in book one; and many felt that character was missing in book two. I don't know that I saw that, though it is probably based on how you picture the character. Second, minor spoilage, book two is book one redux. There are elements of truth in that, sure, but I was okay with it in the way Collins went about it.
There were also minor squabbles that elements of book 2 should be left out. I was okay with the whole thing as to me, I am as interested in the 'Games' aspect as much as what Collins is trying to accomplish in her universe. Though book 2 seems to drag at times in comparison to Book 1, it is still the perfect summer read. It's a quick book that constantly moves forward. Also, I just know if I was in my preteen or early teenage years, I'd probably be obsessive about this book. I am not, but it is a good read for all ages
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - by Bill Bryson - This is my second time reading Bryson, and again, it is a book that is mostly nonfiction memoir. Here, Bryson describes life growing up in the 1950s and how it has changed. There, of course, is the greater picture of America and the way things were and things that have went away forever.
This book like The Lost Continent is at once nostalgic, sharp, and laugh out loud funny. Living in the area where Bryson grew up is an added bonus. I recognized many names and addresses.
Once again, I could not put this book down, and certain passages will stay with me for a long time. I can't imagine anyone wouldn't like his books, but if I had to categorize, I think it is probably a very 'male' book. Additionally, some people might find this book a bit crude. It's no cruder than say, David Letterman, but some 'straight and narrowers' might not find it funny.
Anyway, there's a couple of Bryson fans here, so I would say, definitely check this one out, and if you haven't read Bryson before, give this a try to see if it something you would like.
This does suffer some 'second book syndrome', but I did enjoy it, and would continue to recommend the series. I read some of the more critical reviews and I will answer some of them, as none of them affected me. One, was that the main character Katniss was inventive, clever, and unafraid in book one; and many felt that character was missing in book two. I don't know that I saw that, though it is probably based on how you picture the character. Second, minor spoilage, book two is book one redux. There are elements of truth in that, sure, but I was okay with it in the way Collins went about it.
There were also minor squabbles that elements of book 2 should be left out. I was okay with the whole thing as to me, I am as interested in the 'Games' aspect as much as what Collins is trying to accomplish in her universe. Though book 2 seems to drag at times in comparison to Book 1, it is still the perfect summer read. It's a quick book that constantly moves forward. Also, I just know if I was in my preteen or early teenage years, I'd probably be obsessive about this book. I am not, but it is a good read for all ages
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - by Bill Bryson - This is my second time reading Bryson, and again, it is a book that is mostly nonfiction memoir. Here, Bryson describes life growing up in the 1950s and how it has changed. There, of course, is the greater picture of America and the way things were and things that have went away forever.
This book like The Lost Continent is at once nostalgic, sharp, and laugh out loud funny. Living in the area where Bryson grew up is an added bonus. I recognized many names and addresses.
Once again, I could not put this book down, and certain passages will stay with me for a long time. I can't imagine anyone wouldn't like his books, but if I had to categorize, I think it is probably a very 'male' book. Additionally, some people might find this book a bit crude. It's no cruder than say, David Letterman, but some 'straight and narrowers' might not find it funny.
Anyway, there's a couple of Bryson fans here, so I would say, definitely check this one out, and if you haven't read Bryson before, give this a try to see if it something you would like.
