The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
This has been on my kindle for a while, which leads me to believe it has been on my to-read list for a while. Admittedly, the thing that finally got me to read this is the series on Hulu. The series looks great, I wish I felt the same about the book.
Taking place in Gilead, a United States city in the future, this is narrated by Offred, a handmaid. It's a weird society. Women have no rights whatsoever, and their role is apparent based on the clothes they wear. If they are a wife, it's blue. Handmaids wear red. Aunts wear brown. Marthas wear green. Unwomen wear grey.
As if that weren't weird enough, the whole purpose of the handmaid is to get pregnant and supply a wife with a baby. In this case, Offred is placed in the house of a Commander and his wife. They are older, which can be determined because the author mentions the white hair and wrinkles. Obviously, they aren't having children of their own at their age. It is Offred's job to have sex once a month with this old guy until she becomes pregnant, so that his wife can take and raise the baby. Weird, right?
Even weirder is the fact that the Commander starts summoning, if you will, Offred to his study late at night to play Scrabble. He gets a hold of forbidden materials that he then allows Offred to use. He's buttering her up, but for what? Dude smuggles her out of the house, more or less, dressed like a hussy, to take her to this club where he can have sex with her outside of the confines of their society. Oddly enough, this little outing comes the same night that the Wife has arranged for Offred to have sex with the hot male servant so she can get pregnant because even she realizes it won't be happening with the Commander.
I wish I could say I enjoyed this book. I like dystopian books, to an extent, but I just didn't like this one. For one, there are a lot of flashbacks and time jumps that happen randomly. This made it hard to keep things straight. Also, the lack of punctuation didn't help matters any. It was sometimes hard to discern when people were talking. I will still watch the Hulu series though, as it looks a lot better than the book turned out to be.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Final Installment of Letters in a Hatbox
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
Not as good as the first in the series, but better than the second. This one finds Lara Jean in the last semester of her senior year of high school. She is waiting to hear back from her dream college, and is still with her boyfriend, Peter. Prom is coming up, and her dad is marrying the neighbor lady.
Lara Jean gets into her second choice school, and right away, her boyfriend has convinced her that she can go there for a year, and then transfer to her dream school--where he is. I hate that. I hate that Peter doesn't give her a chance to find what she wants, and just decides and convinces her to do what he wants.
Honestly, the story is sweet, but I couldn't love it because of Peter. I get that he is her first love, and she wants to be with him, I do. However, I am all about being yourself. A girl/woman should not have to be defined by the man in her life, and Lara Jean has so much going for herself. I was even more pissed at his character when he gets mad at her for changing her mind about college and transferring to be with him. Seriously, it's a high school relationship. Odds are, it isn't going to last, particularly going to schools four hours apart.
Sorry I couldn't give more about this.I am not a feminist, but sheesh, this book sets girls back a ways.
Not as good as the first in the series, but better than the second. This one finds Lara Jean in the last semester of her senior year of high school. She is waiting to hear back from her dream college, and is still with her boyfriend, Peter. Prom is coming up, and her dad is marrying the neighbor lady.
Lara Jean gets into her second choice school, and right away, her boyfriend has convinced her that she can go there for a year, and then transfer to her dream school--where he is. I hate that. I hate that Peter doesn't give her a chance to find what she wants, and just decides and convinces her to do what he wants.
Honestly, the story is sweet, but I couldn't love it because of Peter. I get that he is her first love, and she wants to be with him, I do. However, I am all about being yourself. A girl/woman should not have to be defined by the man in her life, and Lara Jean has so much going for herself. I was even more pissed at his character when he gets mad at her for changing her mind about college and transferring to be with him. Seriously, it's a high school relationship. Odds are, it isn't going to last, particularly going to schools four hours apart.
Sorry I couldn't give more about this.I am not a feminist, but sheesh, this book sets girls back a ways.
A Gender Bending Classic Tale
Lady of Sherwood by Molly Bilinski
This came with my May 2017 Lit-Cube, where the theme was Robin Hood. Apparently, this is the first book in a series, and one I will likely look into continuing.
Rhiannon, aka Robin, is the only child of the Lord and Lady of Locksley. Her father always wanted a son, so he taught her how to shoot a bow, and kept her from being a lady. Her mother tried to teach her how to be a lady, but she was not very good at that. Her father died when she was young, and when she is in her later teens, her mother tries to marry her off to Guy of Gisborne. The marriage is a done deal, but Robin wants nothing to do with it. Her mother says if she doesn't marry, she will sell her best friend, Jemma, a slave, to the highest bidder. Robin can't bear for that to happen, so she agrees, but there is something she must do first.
That something is to have one night with the man she loves, a carpenter, who is "beneath her station." Unfortunately, the dastardly Gisborne has her love killed. Robin and Jemma run off to formulate a plan to kill Gisborne, but he, instead, burns down her home, with her mother and most of the servants in it. Robin wounds Gisborne, and thinks he is dead, so she and her friends flee to Nottingham.
In Nottingham, they befriend a Tinker, and try to make a life for themselves. After a mishap in a tavern, Robin and the girls have to flee to Sherwood Forest, where they rob from the rich to help the poor.
In sum, this is the typical Robin Hood story, but most of the characters are girls. If nothing else, it shows just how strong girl power can be when we are working together, rather than tearing each other down. I will be interested to see where the other books in this series go.
This came with my May 2017 Lit-Cube, where the theme was Robin Hood. Apparently, this is the first book in a series, and one I will likely look into continuing.
Rhiannon, aka Robin, is the only child of the Lord and Lady of Locksley. Her father always wanted a son, so he taught her how to shoot a bow, and kept her from being a lady. Her mother tried to teach her how to be a lady, but she was not very good at that. Her father died when she was young, and when she is in her later teens, her mother tries to marry her off to Guy of Gisborne. The marriage is a done deal, but Robin wants nothing to do with it. Her mother says if she doesn't marry, she will sell her best friend, Jemma, a slave, to the highest bidder. Robin can't bear for that to happen, so she agrees, but there is something she must do first.
That something is to have one night with the man she loves, a carpenter, who is "beneath her station." Unfortunately, the dastardly Gisborne has her love killed. Robin and Jemma run off to formulate a plan to kill Gisborne, but he, instead, burns down her home, with her mother and most of the servants in it. Robin wounds Gisborne, and thinks he is dead, so she and her friends flee to Nottingham.
In Nottingham, they befriend a Tinker, and try to make a life for themselves. After a mishap in a tavern, Robin and the girls have to flee to Sherwood Forest, where they rob from the rich to help the poor.
In sum, this is the typical Robin Hood story, but most of the characters are girls. If nothing else, it shows just how strong girl power can be when we are working together, rather than tearing each other down. I will be interested to see where the other books in this series go.
Monday, May 22, 2017
The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants
Into the Skid by J. H. Trumble
This is the fourth book she has written to date. Where the other three were connected, this one was not. This one also isn't young adult, which is cool, since I am actually an adult and should be reading adult things. Ha.
Patrick has been married to Liz for some time. They have two children together, Wes and Oliver. The thing is, Patrick doesn't love Liz. No, that's not the right word...Patrick doesn't desire Liz because Patrick is gay. He recently reconnected with Isaiah, who he grew up with, who he has always been in love with.
Liz, because she is feeling neglected, gets involved, and not in a good way, with the boys' tae kwon do instructor. She also feels betrayed by Patrick when he finally shares with her that he is in love with someone else. Then Liz attempts to make Patrick's life hell--she destroys his clothes, tries to keep the boys from him, etc,
I hated Liz, until the very end of the book. I mean, I get it, she was hurt, but I don't think her actions in marrying Patrick were entirely noble. It is mentioned at least a couple of times that she married Patrick to piss off her parents and because he could give her the life she thought she deserved.
This is the fourth book she has written to date. Where the other three were connected, this one was not. This one also isn't young adult, which is cool, since I am actually an adult and should be reading adult things. Ha.
Patrick has been married to Liz for some time. They have two children together, Wes and Oliver. The thing is, Patrick doesn't love Liz. No, that's not the right word...Patrick doesn't desire Liz because Patrick is gay. He recently reconnected with Isaiah, who he grew up with, who he has always been in love with.
Liz, because she is feeling neglected, gets involved, and not in a good way, with the boys' tae kwon do instructor. She also feels betrayed by Patrick when he finally shares with her that he is in love with someone else. Then Liz attempts to make Patrick's life hell--she destroys his clothes, tries to keep the boys from him, etc,
I hated Liz, until the very end of the book. I mean, I get it, she was hurt, but I don't think her actions in marrying Patrick were entirely noble. It is mentioned at least a couple of times that she married Patrick to piss off her parents and because he could give her the life she thought she deserved.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Makes Me Want to Go to Florence
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
I picked this up with the gift card I got at the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon last week because I like the cover. So glad I did because this was a sweet read. I was reminded the whole time I was reading this of 13 Little Blue Envelopes and The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson. Similar premise, and European locales.
In this book, Lina lost her mother six months prior to pancreatic cancer. She made Lina promise to go to Florence, Italy and spend time with Howard, a man Lina now believes is her father. While in Italy, she just wants to go home, but feels that, on some level, she owes it to her mother to stay a while.
One day while running, Lina meets Ren, the boy who lives nearby, who goes to the school she would attend if she stays in Italy. Lina also receives a journal from Sonia, who is a friend of Howard's (and her mother's), that belonged to her mother. In reading the journal, Lina finds that she needs to find out the truth of who she is, and Ren helps her on that journey.
This was such a sweet story of finding who you are, with cute boys, and beautiful (I imagine) Tuscan Italy. I really loved Lina and Ren, and I would love it if there were a follow up about the two of them.
I picked this up with the gift card I got at the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon last week because I like the cover. So glad I did because this was a sweet read. I was reminded the whole time I was reading this of 13 Little Blue Envelopes and The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson. Similar premise, and European locales.
In this book, Lina lost her mother six months prior to pancreatic cancer. She made Lina promise to go to Florence, Italy and spend time with Howard, a man Lina now believes is her father. While in Italy, she just wants to go home, but feels that, on some level, she owes it to her mother to stay a while.
One day while running, Lina meets Ren, the boy who lives nearby, who goes to the school she would attend if she stays in Italy. Lina also receives a journal from Sonia, who is a friend of Howard's (and her mother's), that belonged to her mother. In reading the journal, Lina finds that she needs to find out the truth of who she is, and Ren helps her on that journey.
This was such a sweet story of finding who you are, with cute boys, and beautiful (I imagine) Tuscan Italy. I really loved Lina and Ren, and I would love it if there were a follow up about the two of them.
Monday, May 15, 2017
The Consequences of Our Actions
Just Between Us by J. H. Trumble
It's no secret that I like this author's work. It also doesn't hurt that I have met this author, and after reading three of her four books, I now have a little hero worship thing going on.
True confession time: I didn't realize that her first three books go together. Luke from the first book makes a few appearances in the second book, and he's one of the main characters in this book. I feel silly that I didn't pick that up until 1)the author mentioned it in an email and 2)I got a chapter into this book. For those of you keeping track: this book was written third, but takes place second.
As I said, this book follows Luke, who was used by Nate in Don't Let Me Go. Luke is back from Odessa, where they moved because his father was not dealing well with the fact that Luke is gay. Luke now lives on the same street as Curtis, who is a former drum major for Luke's new high school. Luke is not doing so well at the beginning, in terms of marching band. In fact, he's a bit of a joke. Curtis befriends him and things turn around. Luke really likes Curtis, and it is clear that Curtis really likes him.
Unfortunately, Curtis gets a phone call that changes everything, and he won't let himself fall for Luke. He doesn't feel that Luke should be embroiled in what's going on, plus he wants to keep Luke safe, or as safe as he can. Not to mention that Curtis doesn't tell the most important people in his life what is going on, and goes through a bit of a self destructive streak.
This is told in alternating perspectives, and I like being able to see how both Curtis and Luke feel about what is going on. I also like that Ms. Trumble writes about the area I live in, and the university that has bestowed a bachelor's and now Master's degree upon me. There's nothing like reading about places you're familiar with.
It's no secret that I like this author's work. It also doesn't hurt that I have met this author, and after reading three of her four books, I now have a little hero worship thing going on.
True confession time: I didn't realize that her first three books go together. Luke from the first book makes a few appearances in the second book, and he's one of the main characters in this book. I feel silly that I didn't pick that up until 1)the author mentioned it in an email and 2)I got a chapter into this book. For those of you keeping track: this book was written third, but takes place second.
As I said, this book follows Luke, who was used by Nate in Don't Let Me Go. Luke is back from Odessa, where they moved because his father was not dealing well with the fact that Luke is gay. Luke now lives on the same street as Curtis, who is a former drum major for Luke's new high school. Luke is not doing so well at the beginning, in terms of marching band. In fact, he's a bit of a joke. Curtis befriends him and things turn around. Luke really likes Curtis, and it is clear that Curtis really likes him.
Unfortunately, Curtis gets a phone call that changes everything, and he won't let himself fall for Luke. He doesn't feel that Luke should be embroiled in what's going on, plus he wants to keep Luke safe, or as safe as he can. Not to mention that Curtis doesn't tell the most important people in his life what is going on, and goes through a bit of a self destructive streak.
This is told in alternating perspectives, and I like being able to see how both Curtis and Luke feel about what is going on. I also like that Ms. Trumble writes about the area I live in, and the university that has bestowed a bachelor's and now Master's degree upon me. There's nothing like reading about places you're familiar with.
Third, But Likely Not the Last
King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
I loved Red Queen, and the second book was ok. I liked the first two-thirds of this one. It was the last third, and especially the end, that I was losing interest.
When the book starts, Mare has been captured by Maven. One would think he would have her executed, as that is what you do with enemies that you consider terrorists, but he doesn't. No, he keeps her captive in a cell lined with silent stone to quell her ability to use her lightning. He keeps "bracelets" on her wrists to drain her energy and diminish her ability to nothing. He keeps her a prisoner, but for what? I, personally, think it is because he has a thing for her. He can't have her. She's the enemy. It would be inappropriate. And yet, he keeps her.
Even better, Evangeline loses her chance to be queen. Ha! Maven marries someone else, although, it doesn't really matter that he does because Evangeline's father names himself king of another region.
So, the parts of the book when Mare is prisoner are pretty good. When she finally manages to escape is where the book started to devolve for me. Sure, the Scarlet Guard keeps doing what they need to do to thwart Maven and his rule, but it was boring to me.
The end bothered me because I thought this was the end of a trilogy. If it had been, it would have had a better ending. There are still loose ends that need to be tied up, and I don't know if I am up to reading another of these if they are anything like the last third of this book.
I loved Red Queen, and the second book was ok. I liked the first two-thirds of this one. It was the last third, and especially the end, that I was losing interest.
When the book starts, Mare has been captured by Maven. One would think he would have her executed, as that is what you do with enemies that you consider terrorists, but he doesn't. No, he keeps her captive in a cell lined with silent stone to quell her ability to use her lightning. He keeps "bracelets" on her wrists to drain her energy and diminish her ability to nothing. He keeps her a prisoner, but for what? I, personally, think it is because he has a thing for her. He can't have her. She's the enemy. It would be inappropriate. And yet, he keeps her.
Even better, Evangeline loses her chance to be queen. Ha! Maven marries someone else, although, it doesn't really matter that he does because Evangeline's father names himself king of another region.
So, the parts of the book when Mare is prisoner are pretty good. When she finally manages to escape is where the book started to devolve for me. Sure, the Scarlet Guard keeps doing what they need to do to thwart Maven and his rule, but it was boring to me.
The end bothered me because I thought this was the end of a trilogy. If it had been, it would have had a better ending. There are still loose ends that need to be tied up, and I don't know if I am up to reading another of these if they are anything like the last third of this book.
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