Around The World In 80 Days - Jules Verne

“He was so exact that he was never in a hurry, was always ready, and was economical alike of his steps and his motions.”

Around The World in Eighty Days - Jules Verne

I found this book was a very entertaining and light read. It was a joy to read the adventures that Phileas Fogg went through during his traveling.

The story starts by introducing Phileas Fogg as a very routine-orientated man. His life seems simple and boring. In actuality, I was wondering how the author was going to take such a dull character on such an exciting journey. Yet when he is challenged by his peers, Phileas Fogg cannot refuse. He bets with his friends that he can travel the world in eighty days. Throughout many strange and thrilling events, Phileas Fogg astounds his friends, as well as his fellow citizens of Europe, by the end of his journey.

I liked that this book was continually changing the scenery and events. On every page and every chapter, something new, and possibly dangerous, was going on. The book certainly managed to hold my attention until the very last page!

After finishing the book, I realized that there were certain clues as to what was going to happen softly embedded within the chapters. It was like an "A-ha!" moment when the ending finally came together. The ending seemed to be disappointing, yet amazingly things worked out for the better.

I admired how the journey around the world changed Phileas Fogg. He seemed to have a Stoic personality, where he refused to show too much emotion. By the ending, however, it was as though his heart softened and he found much joy in life. His transformation, although somewhat subtle, was a large factor that made this book so great.

Jules Verne certainly had a wild imagination. Some events in this book may have been a little overdone and extremely exaggerated, but it was fun to read. Reading this book was like sliding down a hill at a rapid pace, hitting jumps and almost crashing a few times, but coming out of it alive and ready to do it again.

Inside the O'Brien's - Lisa Genova

Gratitude and love. Joe replays the memory, and he sees his mother again and anew. Unable to walk or feed herself, unable to defend her reputation from the rumors that she was a drunk and a sinner and a bad mother, unable to live at home or hug her kids or tuck them into bed at night, she's smiling with her eyes at Joe.

Inside the O'Brien's, Lisa Genova 

If I'm completely honest, I almost cried reading this chapter. And you must know that I never cry for anything fictional.  Lisa Genova has done it once again, entangling a story of pain and love into my heart. Awakening a new realization of Huntington's Disease and the horrors of it.

I love Lisa Genova's books because they showcase, if you will, atypical diseases that are oftentimes ignored in today's society. Huntington's Disease is an incurable, fatal and hereditary disease. It causes it's victims to gradually lose all voluntary control. It was at times painful to read this book. Huntington's has been called the cruelest disease known to man, and Lisa captured every fear and horror of this disease through her words. I do find it personally frustrating that people with diseases like Huntington's, or even Alzheimer's, are often considered outcasts in society. Yet they cannot control their "weird" behaviors. I agree that cancer is also a terrible disease, but why is it that cancer patients are hailed as heroes in their death or victory, and everyone roots for them, runs marathons in their honor and... yet the family who suffers from Huntington's Disease, or Alzheimer's is pushed aside into a dark corner? Lisa explores the gruesome journey of having Huntington's, and it broke my heart. She is demonstrating that cancer is not the only disease that haunt's the human race. 

Despite the shadow cast over this book due to such a serious disease, the O'Brien family managed to find hope. And then the rest of the book seems to only be the dark before the dawn. Huntington's is real, but Lisa Genova proved that so is hope. It was an inspiring story, and I encourage you to read this book sometime this year. I could not put it down and I feel that the book has had such an impact on me, that I just want to leave it out for a bit before placing it back on the shelves. 

The ending of the book was probably the most confusingly satisfying. Some things may be left unsaid, yet it gives the book a final sense of hope and peace. The message throughout the book was attempting to live every moment of life. Since the symptoms of Huntington's generally begin in the late thirties, the victims are almost sure to die a young death. One of Joe's daughter's worried about her future constantly, as the child of a parent with Huntington's Disease has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the disease. She is faced with the  hard choice of finding out if she will develop the disease through a genetic test or of leaving her gene status unknown.

Although I loved this book dearly and would highly recommend it, it did have one flaw: The language. I do understand that rage and anger are typically symptoms of Huntington's, yet this book used unpleasant words quite often. As a person who doesn't swear, I did find the language a bit disturbing and distracting from the main focus of the book.

In the end, however, this book had a profound impact on me. For some reason, I dived completely into this book and it left its mark. Lisa Genova has once again created a masterpiece. 

To see Lisa Genova talk about this book, click here

Promises to Keep - Ann Tatlock

I patted my jeans pocket, not the one I'd taken the candy wrappers from but the other one. Tucked deep inside was the necklace Daddy had given to me for Christmas. That, I was going to keep. Not for any sentimental reason, but as a reminder. If I was going to survive in this world, I  had to understand that not everything I wanted to be true was true, and not everything that looked good was good. 

-Promises to Keep, Ann Tatlock

New year... same authors. Ann Tatlock has remained my favorite author ever since Every Secret Thing, and Promises to Keep book was no disappointment. I literally could not put it down, it was in my hand every day of my winter break until I finished it. 

This book was written in a different style than the first book I read by Ann. It had a little more of a charming, cozy and humorous theme to it. It had a lighthearted tone and I found the style of writing as well as certain topics reminded me greatly of To Kill A Mockingbird. 

The story centers on eleven year old Rosalind (Roz) Anthony and her family. Her mother was forced to leave the young girl's father due his alcoholism and anger issues. Throughout the story, we catch glimpses of what Alan Anthony (her father) was like, and we see that it wasn't safe to be with him. However, he soon finds and meets Roz and mends their relationship, but in secret. He has promised to change and restore their family when the time is right,

and Roz is very excited to be seeing her father again.

It is very difficult to write about this book without spoiling the ending. Roz definitely matured by the end. She learned that trust is something that is demonstrated by someone's actions rather than their words, and old habits die hard. My eyes were glued to the page during the last few chapters from excitement, and shock.

In typical Ann Tatlock style, the last two chapters were a curve-ball from the rest of the story. Somehow, she created a beautiful story, while disrupting the happy-go-lucky personality of the book. 

I really don't want to say much more, this book left me surprised, yet pleased. It was a masterpiece in my eyes... and another Ann Tatlock book will soon be in my hands. 

Destined to Soar - K.P. Yohannan

"Look for Him in your own situations that you are facing right now. Listen to the things He speaks to your heart. Look at his life on Earth and consider what it was like for Him. Look for Him in His word.

-Destined To Soar, K.P. Yohannan

This book was, in a way, a very light read; the chapters were short and easy to finish. The content, however, was something to ponder. It was told from a Christian worldview, therefore it challenged my personal faith. To me it seemed that everything that was talked about were only simple truths that we so often forget in our "really busy" lives. It was honestly a breath of fresh air. It demonstrated an "uncluttered" way of thinking of things. 

Although K.P. Yohannan has accomplished many great things for Christ, he did not promote the gain of wealth or applause from others. I could tell from the words he wrote that he was genuine and a real human being, who faces the same things that 'average' people face. 

This is a great study book, for all ages. I believe that the topics he wrote about can be embraced by children, teens and adults alike. Chapters like Finding God's Heart, The Mark of Humility, and The Power of Oneness are topics that mature Christians need to be embracing and teaching to the younger generation. 

This book also made God appear real. As I already mentioned, I had a faith in God before reading this book. But somehow this book shed light onto His awesomeness, but also His tenderness. 

It is the simple but profound words of K.P. Yohannan that challenge you deeply, and do not seek to the change the world, but seek to challenge you personally. 

To Kill a Mocking Bird - Harper Lee

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."

-To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

I think this book is perfect for the winter time. Of course, its perfect all year around... but this book makes a nice cozy by-the-fire read. 

I loved the themes that were talked about in this book. It was completely everything that I wish could be shouted from the top of the highest buildings. Things like racial equality, not judging before you really meet someone, and other topics like such. 

It was also a really cute story. It was told from the perspective of Scout, a little girl who observes the world around her. Scout is quiet, but by the end of the book, she has matured both physically and emotionally. Personally, I can relate with Scout, although I'm a teenager. I'm quiet, however, like Scout, I observe the world around me and question and seek to make changes. 

Although I loved this book, and it's definitely one being added to my extensive "Will Read Again" list, I didn't entirely get the point of the book. Where was the climax? Where was the real problem? I understood the different scenes. And I also see how it kind of ties together into a story of acceptance. However, it took much "after-reading" research to sort of see the plot line within the story. 

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although I didn't quite understand the point or why such a big deal is made of this book. Then again, that is coming from the person who is not excited about that new Star Wars movie... Anyway, I will be reading To Kill a Mocking Bird again, but I'll read others first. 

The Hunger Games Trilogy - Suzanne Collins

So, here’s what you do. You win, you go home. She can’t turn you down then, eh?" says Caesar encouragingly.

I don’t think it’s going to work out. Winning...won’t help in my case," says Peeta.

Why ever not?" says Caesar, mystified.

Peeta blushes beet red and stammers out. "Because...because...she came here with me.” 

-The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

I admit. I was definitely a little late at reading this series. Finally I got my hands on the first book... And well, these books quite frankly never left my hands.

My favourite book was Catching Fire, but that may be because my friends spoiled The Hunger Games for me. I knew who died. So Catching Fire had a little more suspense for me. I prefered Catching Fire over Mocking Jay, however, because I'm a girl, and therefore I obsessed over Peeta and Katniss's relationship. Mocking Jay was also super jam-packed with excitement... I just wanted to see more of Peeta and Katniss actually loving each other. 

The Hunger Games is beautifully written. It's so unpredictable, and yet, the ending is how you imagined it would be. As I was reading it, I was amazed at the brilliance of Suzanne's writing. How does someone come up with something like that? I could tell that from the first book right to the last... That this book - and entire series - was thoroughly thought out.

Catching Fire, as I said, was my favourite. I loved the new characters and different story line. During the book, I wondered how Suzanne would conclude it, without being repetitive. And she did just that. A total shock ending. And of course, the ending left me wanting more.

 Mocking Jay was.... Interesting. I can say I didn't finish it as quickly as the previous two books. I still liked it, but this book was focused more on war and revolution. Not exactly my favourite book subjects. I can see how Mocking Jay would appeal to male readers, and to certain female readers but just not to me. But don't get me wrong, this book also has its own surprises and tragedies. I wish I could express my opinions on all the events of this book... But I will not spoil a thing! (If there are any other late readers)

Of course, this series does deal with mature content. Violence. One reason why I started reading this series later than most is because I knew how violent the books were. This theme in the book can have controversial views. Some say it shows the pain in murder and death, and others say that murder shouldn't be publicized. I agree with both views, none particularly stronger than the other.

All in all, this series was superb. I loved seeing how Mocking Jay related to Catching Fire and Catching Fire related to The Hunger Games. It evidently demonstrated the power and quality of a well planned book series. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new summer read.

Left Neglected - Lisa Genova

“I’ve been so focused on what’s horrible and unfair and terrifying about my condition that I hadn’t acknowledged what is positive about my condition, as if the positive had been sitting quietly by itself on the far edge of the left side of my condition, there but completely ignored. I can’t copy a whole cat. But I can recognize it, name it, know what one sounds and feels like, and I can copy most of it, enough for anyone who looks at it to know what I’ve drawn. I am lucky.”

-  Left Neglected, Lisa Genova

 

 

Another book by Lisa Genova! After reading Still Alice, I couldn't wait to get my hands on another one of Lisa's books.

 

The story centers on Sarah Nickerson, a successful woman who leads a fast-passed and stressful life. Wife and mother of three, working about eighty hours a week. Until that all changes. She gets into a car crash and suffers from a brain damage condition called Left Neglect. It was a very interesting twist to an other-wise average plot. Left Neglect is a disease I had never heard of, but I'm certainly more educated on it now. Basically, the brain ignores all information from the left. She will put makeup on only the right side of her face, but think she put it everywhere.

 

I really enjoyed this book, because her condition wasn't always the focus in the story. There's also a significant "side-plot" as a result of her accident. The book was honestly wonderfully written. It was engaging and we related to Sarah, even if we've never heard of Left Neglect. She is like every other American, but by the end ... well, I won't say!

 

I also like Lisa's book because I learn more about different diseases. I find diseases are so interesting, as weird as  that may seem. So, these books are perfect, however, they are never written in a boring or text-book style. It's written like every other story, but it includes something that we can take out of the story. She makes the disease a painful reality, and I can say that you put the book back on the shelf a different person. They are just wonderful.

 

The characters in the book were all lovable as well. It's fun to see how some characters restore relationships, change their course and start over. I find the book adequately demonstrated true love in a family. Sarah's mother halts her own life to help Sarah with her kids, her husband also makes some sacrifices for Sarah, and unlike many stories, he still loves her with her disease and he doesn't love her less. We see that and we feel that on every page of this book.

 

Truly, this book is one that you'll fall in love with. I can't wait to read more of Lisa's books.