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3 posts tagged kindle
Brooke’s Books
This Kindle device has changed my life, you guys. I’m reading as often as I did when I had no social life in high school, if not more. On the bus, at home, at my boyfriend’s house while I ignore him - nowhere is safe. I’ve got a fever, and the only cure is more digital literature.
So far I’ve read six novels on my Kindle. The first I already reviewed, so here are some quick reviews on the most recent five.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Steig Larsson
It may seem like I was discussing this title recently, but that was the 2011 film, people! I have now read the book as well. The movie did not deviate from the book enough for me to get thrown off or surprised (SPOILER - except Mikael Blomkvist totally bangs Cecelia Vanger in the books, what?!). The novel is basically just a more deatiled version of the film. However, I still enjoyed it! It was nice to get some insight into what the characters are thinking at particular moments, something hard to truly capture on film. The book also takes you deeper into the worlds of journalism and hacking, the fields of the two main characters.The only drawback to having watched the movie first wasn’t that I already knew the ending, but that “The Immigrant Song” was stuck in my head the entire time I was reading.
Blink
Malcolm Gladwell
I read this book on behalf of the newly formed UNO staff book club (so far it’s me and, like, three people from Admissions). It’s all about what the author calls “snap judgements,” or the ability to make an accurate decision based on a very small amount of information. In fact, the book goes on to argue this is often the best way to go about decision-making. At first I hated the idea - I’m the type of person who asks questions and needs to see solid concrete proof of a thing and how it works in order to formulate an opinion. I have a background of study that involves and encourages heavy amounts of research, after all. So imagine how I felt when this guy had the audacity to say such methods are bogus! Yet, Malcolm Gladwell did his own research (lots of it, in fact) and I soon started to see the validity behind snap judgements. For example, sometimes having too much information can cloud your decision making skills because you have too many factors to worry about making it difficult to discern what’s important. Also, we’ve all had those moments where we see someone close to us and can instantly tell what they’re thinking. Or when we meet someone and immediately like or dislike them. Often it is for a reason you can’t describe with words, but you know how you feel and generally these first impressions last. The author also points out that snap judgements are not foolproof (he gives examples of failed first impressions) and also presents the idea that once someone is an expert in a field, they are well-suited to make snap judgments concerning things involving their area of expertise. I highly recommend it.
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Colins
When I first heard of The Hunger Games and its sequels I assumed it was just a silly children’s book and yet another fad akin to Twilight that was of no interest to me. Why do I always do that?! I judged the Harry Potter series that way and held off reading it for years until I cracked and realized how amazing of a story it actually is. Thankfully, I didn’t wait too long to jump on The Hunger Games bandwagon. Katniss Everdeen is the main character and narrator of the trilogy. She volunteers to be a “tribute” in the Hunger Games in place of her little sister, Prim, whose name is picked from a lottery. The Hunger Games is an annual event that involves 24 tributes (one boy and girl from each of the 12 districts) between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in a televised battle to the death in the capitol of Panem (a la Battle Royale and The Lottery). The story is a gritty, gory and honest take on the effect of war and poverty on children and young adults. There isn’t anything silly or childish about it.
Most of these happy, fresh faced looking children die.
I honestly did not want to put this book down. I burned through the novel faster than Katniss Everdeen’s headdress burns at the opening ceremony of the 74th Hunger Games. The novel is bleak, frightening and thrilling and makes the reader wonder if the fictional nation Panem could be a thing of the future. Yikes!
Catching Fire
Suzanne Colins
Catching Fire is book two of The Hunger Games series. It’s almost as thrilling as the first. The novel takes an exciting turn when the main character, Katniss, discovers that she has inadvertently caused her nation to rebel against the ruthless Capitol after she publicly defied them during the Hunger Games. The ending felt a tad rushed, but I really enjoyed the characters introduced and the concept of the arena the 75th Hunger Games take place in.
Mockingjay
Suzanne Colins
This is the third and final book of The Hunger Games. It has a very different feel from the first two - there are no actual Hunger Games, but the stakes are even higher. A full scale revolt is taking place and Katniss is asked to be the face of the rebellion. Shit goes down and a lot of your favorite characters will die (not cool). However, [SPOILER] I was glad when Katniss gets with the boy I wanted her to in the end. However, the ending of this book feels incredibly rushed, more so than the second. And don’t expect it to be happy. The author certainly got her point across - there is nothing positive about war and the psychological effects are always with those who live through it. The Hunger Games is a powerful series.
Next in my queue: The Girl Who Played With Fire, 2:46: Aftershocks: Stories from the Japan Earthquake and Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories.
