Book 19 "Mocking Jay"

Mocking Jay By Suzanne Collins

The third and final book of the "Hunger Games" trilogy. I have to admit that the trilogy was one of my favorite fiction series. However, with much disappointment.

I felt she ended the book raw, almost like she was in a rush to end the story. So, for a fan that gave much praise and admiration for Collin's....she disappointed me with the ending of the trilogy.

However, the book and the trilogy are still recommended reading for some good old fashioned fiction.

Borders closing creates openings: Room for small booksellers? - Crain's Detroit Business - Detroit News and Information

Borders closing creates openings: Room for small booksellers? - Crain's Detroit Business - Detroit News and Information

Book 18 "Freedom"

Freedom By Jonathan Franzen

We had the Great Gatsby and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and for many readers it could be said with some certainty that the "Great American Novel" had simply died. Gone. Vanished. Disappeared into the night without a trace. History being written as 'lost art' and a dying lot. The "Great" being replaced with "Junk". We all have times when we'd rather be reading junk anyways. Right? The typical romance novel, the science fiction thrill ride.

And then, as if the little carnival ride of junk reading comes to a momentary halt, along comes Jonathan Franzen.

He is first recognized with his book, the Corrections. A book that I certainly will add to my reading list. Oprah recognizes him and gives him accolades ONLY to have Franzen ironically diss her for picking some "junk" books within her book club's reading list. It happens. Right? Wrong. Dissing Oprah is like throwing a grenade inside a brand new Ferrari. You just don't do it. Never. Not once, not ever. But, his writing was good and nobody expected that his next book would EVER out do his first. But, along comes Freedom. What we have with the novel Freedom is a 360 degree turn from the world of junk to a return to greatness. The "Great American Novel" is alive and well. Ultimately, what we have in this novel from Franzen could be the next great classic. This is a MUST read for classic literature readers and even Oprah herself couldn't refuse adding his second book to her infamous bookclub reading list.

The book surrounds itself around the story of a family in Minnesota (the Berglund's) who find themselves going through a mid-life crisis that brings them back to the very beginning of their relationship. The book carries itself through the years until it comes to a climatic end that only resolves where the book started....finding freedom within themselves. Finding freedom within each other, and learning to forgive.

A highly recommended book and ranks as one of Oprah's book club reads! (For all you Oprah nuts out there!)However, Oprah has nothing to do with Franzens brilliance. So, don't let that stop you from reading this book. Make sure you have some time to chew through this thick novel. It's not a quick read, but fairly easy to digest with Franzen's good writing technique.

Book 17 "A Clockwork Orange"

A Clockwork Orange By Anthony Burgess

A violent tale of a young gang member, Alex, who leads his gang of droogs (friends) into the night where they perform random acts of violence. The gang divides into betrayal as one of Alex's droogs (Dim) wounds him at the scene of a murder to be caught and arrested by the police. Alex is later sentenced to prison and becomes eligible for a new type of rehabilitation called 'Ludovico Technique" which basically reforms acts of violence by forcing the person to watch random acts of violence until they are overcome by negative feelings and sickness. Upon the transformation of becoming 'less violent' through the use of the Ludovico Technique the prisoner is released into society.

In the case of Alex, he is released into society only to face his old gang of droogs and beaten to near death. He is also brought to a near suicidal death from a former victim and found alive in the street after jumping from a high story building. He is brought to a hospital where he is transformed back to his normal, evil, sociopath, and hardened self. Seeking to destroy all his enemies.

I added the book to my list to read mainly from the Modern Library, which ranked the book #65 in its list of 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. What I wasn't prepared for as I started the book was the Shakespearean-like language as Burgess invented a new language that clearly mixed Russian with current British slang words (which later earned the name Nadsat) which made the book an interesting read as I learned to decipher the coded language. Words like gulliver = head; malchick = boy; rooka = hand; Bog = God and on and on. The interesting part of adding this language to the novel made the story line stick more as the level of concentration increased as I read.

In conclusion, I would say that it was interesting to learn that Burgess never intended the book to end the way it did. There was a 21st chapter written in the book that was taken out by the editor to appeal to an American audience. Burgess tried to rectify the entire book by explaining to the world that the number "21" referenced to the fact that the maturity of the age of 21 would leave Alex to mature to the point of abandoning his way of violence and living a peaceful life. However, film director Stanley Kubrick felt the 21st chapter was inconsistent with the rest of the book and left it out of the famous film. Therefore, some copies includes a 21st chapter, but most American versions omit the chapter. It was with this omission that Burgess felt betrayed and dismissed the book with an apology of regret for ever writing it.

Not my every day, fun, laid back kind of read. But for the fact of famous literature I would add it to my lifetime reading list.

Book 16 "Catching Fire"

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Book 2 of "The Hunger Games Trilogy" continued the story of Katniss and her quest for freedom against the Capital and the oppression against 12 separate districts.

Collins failed to disappoint again in this instant classic. This series will go down as one of the best trilogy's I have ever read (placing Collins in such company as Tolkien) The second book continued the fast pace action and drama. There is no doubt that the reader would have a difficulty putting the book down.

I wanted to continue the trilogy even though several other books await being finished simultaneously. Someone called me ADHD the other day. The fact that I can read several books at the same time over the course of weeks and not lose interest might elude to that fact.

If you are a "lover" of fiction and exclusively the world of "fantasy" within that fiction. This is the book for you.

5 Stars out of 5!!! And easily one of my top 10 fantasy fiction books of all time.

Your Local Librarian

I went to the local library today and was in the process of checking out three books when one of the books (Clockwork Orange) caught the librarians attention and struck an interesting conversation.

Sometimes I get questions like, how do you pick the books you read? Where do you find them? Do you buy them? If so where? Do you check them out? Do you read fiction or nonfiction? Do you have a favorite author and so on and so on.

Here are a few thoughts

#1 Go to your local library and get to know your local librarian. They have some outstanding suggestions of books to read if you don't know where to start. If you are one of those who has a huge reading list....the local librarian is STILL a huge asset to your endeavors because they could throw out other books to add to your existing list.

#2 Start a conversation with your librarian and bring them into what your currently reading. You might find that through the conversation that it might trigger a thought or a book.

For example.....I was talking with my librarian today and throughout the conversation I would throw out some different subjects I have been reading (or intend to read) about history. This happened to trigger a history fiction writer and other reading suggestions ALL from bringing up something as simple as "Thomas Jefferson" or some other history subject. Try it. You might amaze yourself at some of the librarians ideas!!

By the way....the librarian that I do MOST of my discussing with about different subject matters INCLUDING "The Green Lantern" (Which happens to be his favorite comic character) is pictured above at the Mason City Public Library!!! Go and talk to your local librarian today!! =)

Book 15 "Atonement"

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Listed on the top 100 Novels of "All Time" by Time Magazine.

I finally had a chance to work my way through "Atonement".

A story of two sisters at odds after the younger made up a story to send the older sisters boyfriend to jail for a crime he didn't commit. The rest of the story dives into the chaos of World War II and the guilt of a sister trying to gain forgiveness for her past sins.

The book was a bit wordy and chewy for the first 100 pages. In fact, I would even dare to say "Dull". I almost stopped reading the book but was brought into the story after the crime was committed. However, after some character building and development the author takes the reader through a series of detailed events and conflicts and progresses to its epic ending.

Considering the book was written in 2002, it could possibly be seen as "Literature of our time" So I was happy to add it to the 365 Challenge. I WOULD NOT rank it amongst the top testosterone reads of all time. But, if Jane Austin were still around I'm confident she would include it in her top 10 reads.

Book 14 "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

By

Mark Twain


I have most of Mark Twain's books in a leather bound book that I have failed to read over the years and I felt compelled to read them at last. I've read this particular story before, but found the re-read delightful. It's nice to offset some serious reads with
some light and playful books.

Not to mention that Mark Twain is thought of the first American writer to stake his claim in "World Literature" let alone "American Literature".

His famous character of "Tom Sawyer" can be seen in several other books, but nothing paints a clear picture of Mississippi living and boyhood adventure more than the story of young Mr. Sawyer. The famous story of tricking his friends to white wash the fence, and witnessing Injun Joe's cemetery murder, and finding buried treasure in a Mississippi River cave makes for an interesting and fun read.

Classic.

I would even add a small tidbit that if you are traveling near Hannibal Missouri to make a small stop and see the setting for most of Twain's books. It brings the books to life.

Book 13 "The Diary of a Napoleanic Foot Soldier"

The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier By Jakob Walter

General William Tecumseh Sherman was quoted once during the
Civil War where he said, "War is Hell".

A quote that sets the tone for the Diary of Jakob Walter. A soldier in Napoleon's "Grande Army" and having the last existing record during this period within the army. It's an interesting account of the cruelty of war, the gruesomeness of its nature and the violence and hardships that exist both within the army itself and the innocent bystanders surrounding the war. His account carries the reader through the fatal campaign of 1812 (Napoleon's Russian Campaign against Tsar Alexander).

Jakob takes in account the march in Moscow and the harsh conditions and the eventual fight for survival as the army struggled through starvation, dehydration, and freezing climates. Countless stories of men freezing to death and dying at each others hands simply for a piece of bread.

An interesting read but gory to its last page. However, truthful to every word written.

Book 12 "Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter"

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
By Seth Grahame-Smith

Two words describes Seth Grahame-Smith's book. Interesting and Gory.

The book leaped out at me for the simple fact that I'm a history guy who is in love with the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. If you add the word "Vampire" into the mix you grab my sick and twisted side and its like reading Stephen King vs. American History. Sweet mixture eh?

Abraham Lincoln is faced with a harsh reality early in his boyhood. First, that life is fragile after the loss of his mother. Second, that vampires are real. After learning that his mother fell victim to a vampire (rather than a natural death) he becomes enraged and vows to kill every vampire and thus becomes the greatest vampire hunter in history.

What amazed me the most about the authors writing ability was his research on American History and how he wove a fictional story within an already existing story. "Clever, Dear Watson. Very Clever"

Overall, I found myself engrossed and amazed by the story. Apparently I wasn't the only one that discovered the book. Tim Burton will be producing the movie, which is to be released in 2012.

Book 11 "1984"

1984 By George Orwell

Orwell was undoubtedly troubled with the entire thought of socialism. He clearly had issues of independent thought, wealth, and living being stamped out by big government. In fact, he was so much troubled by Marxism that he sought to instill fear in readers with a direct correlation between socialism and death.

In 1984, we have a classic science fiction novel where the main character "Winston" finds himself trying to escape the world prison of "big brother". Every turn he has to watch his back that the thought police isn't trying to tap into his thoughts or emotions. Unfortunately for Winston he was living in a new world where even the slight thought of arousal, or love was banned. (Taking it one step further) not only was it illegal to have negative thoughts towards the government or open feelings towards other humans, but it also carried the weight of the death penalty. Death by vaporization to be exact. The entire book follows Winston and his struggle for freedom and rebellion against a power hungry nation.

My biggest reason for reading Orwell's classic science fiction was the fact that it was listed as one of the top 100 novels of all time (according to Time Magazine) but it was also listed as one of the top 25 Science Fiction books by the New York Times. I found the book a little dull about 75% through the book. However, found it to take a scary twist that had me on the edge of my seat the remaining quarter of the book.

Definitely a classic and not to be read lightly. Gives a dreary outlook of the future. Hopefully it doesn't look like Orwell's future.

Book 10 "Blockade Billy"

Blockade Billy By Stephen King

The heat of July has my mind around baseball at the moment and finding this gem of a book, by Stephen King, peaked my interest enough to check it out and read it. King takes the story of a young rookie catcher out of Iowa and casts him as the center piece of the story, but the reader quickly discovers that there is something 'not quite right' with Billy and the 1957 New Jersey Titans.

Scandal and cover ups persist around the young catcher and the ending is where Stephen King drops unveils the true mystery of who and what William "Blockade Billy" Blakely truly is.....

Typical Stephen King and I wouldn't expect anything different. But, it was a quick read and was enjoyable with a mix of summer baseball!

Book 9 "The Hunger Games"

The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins

This book completely took my by surprise and I haven't even finished the other two that go along with it in "The Hunger Game Trilogy".

Wow! This book had me completely on the edge of my seat the entire time. I bought the book on a whim suggestion from my kindle and it blew my mind!! I had the book read in one day.

Let me prepare you for Suzanne Collins addictive writing style. She captures you from the beginning of the book and you literally can not put it down until you come to the conclusion. Its high paced, action packed and beyond that a whole lot of moving story behind it all.

I wouldn't put it among "classics" or rank it in the Oprah book club, but I would put it up my list (in terms of science fiction). Very good book! Can't wait to read the other two that follow it!

Reading around the holidays

It's interesting on the direction the 365 Challenge takes you AND in less than 30 days! I have found myself furiously reading some books to get through them, and some books have been flawless like cutting through soft butter.

I'm going to take a new approach to the challenge in that I don't necessarily read ONE book a Day. That I try and read as many books in a month as I can....and count that towards the year end total (365) Which, quite frankly, is A LOT of books. If I fall short on that number, I can at least say I made an attempt and can't honestly say that I would be a failure for simply reading more? At the end of the 365 trek I will make note of the amount of books I finished.

The change is coming due to the July 4th and with other holidays and special occasions it might be hard to pull away in the corner and seclude myself. But.....in some other blog I will give some ideas and hints of how you can read more in your spare time. It might actually surprise you!

The more I think about the challenge, the more I think about reading, and it seems like there are so many books that jump off the shelves at me when I'm searching for new books. I can't possibly read them all, but my reading WANT list is growing.

I want to read some King, Twain, Poe, Kipling, Stevenson, and of course Tolstoy!! But its going to have to be spread out!!! =) And of course....there is always a surprise in the bunch!! Thank you Suzanne Collins for "The Hunger Games Trilogy"

Day 8 "Heaven is for Real"

Heaven is for Real By Todd Burpo

I received a phone call a few months ago and my good friend, Pastor Jim Norem, brought up a little book that he had recently read about a little boy who had a near death experience. His father went about writing the facts down in the book and how the boy described things about Heaven that only a biblical scholar would claim to know. I remember Jim going on and on about the book and how it was the best he's read in a while. So.... I thought I would read it.

A fairly easy book to read through in one long sitting. If you have a few hours to spare I would suggest reading it through. It didn't answer every personal question that I had, but it did put to light the question of Heaven and the questions that we all have. What does Jesus look like? What does God look like? What does Heaven look like? What does the gate look like? Who's in Heaven?Those type of questions.....

It was a good read. A short faith oriented book that makes you think.

Day 7 "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest"

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest By Stieg Larsson

The conclusion of the epic trilogy that starts with the investigation into a serial killer and ends with a spy novel twist.

The last book was clearly the best, and though at times I was lost through the multitude of names mentioned, Stieg brought the book to a tight knit ending and wrapping up every loose end that existed. And at this point of the series (let me tell you) there were MANY loose ends. In fact, I doubted that the author would be successful.

He took the lead character of Lisbeth Salander and made a hero out of a girl who had "loser" stamped all over her. Misfit turn hero.

The best book of the three.