A chilling page turner

Nineteen Minutes

By: Jodi Picoult

I knew that I wanted to read this book, when I read her interview in The Tenth Circle stating what her next topic would be, but I was unaware when my aunt placed this book into my hands that this was the book I'd been coveting the most.

School shootings.

The topic has always fascinated me. More often than not, weeks before the event, I would have found the shooter to be a sympathetic character. The victims are people that days before, I would have rolled my eyes at while reading about them. This book was no exception. Told in a spectacular non linear fashion, we witness the shooting, the investigations and the trial, all the while reading flashbacks spanning back seventeen years. All the while, the book was causing me to examine my own beliefs and wonder how I would react in such a situation.

I often forget, how different a time it is for the teenagers of today and my age group, despite the short age gap. School shootings existed when I was in high school, but it was only in my senior year that Columbine occurred and this tragedy really came to the public's eyes.

The characters, as always, fascinated me. The mother of the shooter. The man defending the shooter, because everyone deserved a fair trial. The popular girl who was found passed out at the scene of the crime. And her mother, the town's judge. Each character struggles with their own fears, opinions and demons and as the reader, you struggle with them.

It's not perfect, but I will say it is perhaps my favourite of hers that I have read yet.

February/March

For two days now, I've been attempting to fill out my recap of the past two months. Unfortunately, I have found it nearly impossible to rank these books. So, in no particular order, some thoughts.

Without You - What can I really say about this book? Those who know me well, know that anything that ties into Rent already has my heart, and this book had me from the first page (in which Anthony is going to audition for the workshop of that show). Furthermore, those who know me, also know that I'm a sucker for parent/child relationships, so a book about Rent and a sick mother really won me over from the premise. The fact that this book happened to be a touchingly well written tale was the chocolate on the cake. So to speak.

Emma - Again, what can I say? Emma is a funny and charming main character who I adored reading about for a months time. And, while I was annoyed that it took me so long to get through the book, how many other books on this list would I have had such patience with? Furthermore, how many books have I never gotten through, because I couldn't put them down for a few days and get back into them? (Interview with a Vampire, I'm looking at you). No, I'm glad this was my Jane Austin novel, as it was a perfect way to dip my toes into her world.

Shopaholic & Baby - As much as I loved it, I do wonder, how much is that love based on this actual book, and how much is based on the other four works that I've read? The first two Becky Bloomwood novels are by far the best, but the other three definitely live up to the standard they've set for each other. Going into the book, I expected to be bothered by the silly plot twists, but they worked well and I enjoyed myself. A worthy addition to the series.

Picture Perfect and The Tenth Circle - I list these two novels together, because they both had similar effects on me. For days after reading, thoughts of them circled through my mind. The questions that were raised, and a sincere desire to discuss the issues presented within these books with others who have read them. I know that I have been made a fan of Jodi Picoult and have decided each month to read another of her books. Spousal abuse and Rape. What will I read about next?

The Notebook - I wonder, how many of my thoughts on this book are coloured by how great the movie was. The movie really did to fix flaws that I wasn't even aware of within the novel. Would a second read solve the issues I had? It was good, but I'm starting to get the feeling that Nicholas Sparks isn't for me.

Water for Elephants - This book was fun. It made me very curious about the circus, and wishing for a movie adaptation of this novel. I'm not sure if I'm ready to give the author's other works a try, but I would recommend this book for anyone in the mood for a depression era fairy tale. Without actual fairies.


Currently Reading: Catcher in the Rye. One friend of mine said that by the time he read it, he was a bit too old to really enjoy it. Let's see if my love of the young adult novel and flighty teenagers makes up for my 10 years on our main character.

Judging a Book by its Cover

Water for Elephants
By: Sara Gruen

I picked this book up, literally knowing nothing about it. The back pages were covered with nothing other than praise for the piece, while the picture on the cover was vague enough for me to say “well, maybe it’s about a circus?” I must admit, I’m a fan of knowing little going into the story, because my expectations are minimal.

Water for Elephants is an interesting and exciting tale of life with the circus, as seen through the eyes of a man who stumbled his way into the life. Jacob Jankowski an old man, remembering his days with the Big Top. Days that involve animals, deception, love and murder. The circus world is easily explained to the reader; we learn as Jacob does.

Every few chapters, the author sticks a historical photograph into book, something I very much appreciated. Author’s notes explained that it was those very pictures that inspired her to write this piece. Often, I read books and imagine that it’d make a great movie. This was one of those times.

A fun, quick read. Definitely glad that I gave it a try.

Want to read for yourself?

Send me an email if you'd like to borrow one of the books I've blogged about. I can't promise that they'll all be available (more than one of them I borrowed myself), but what's the point in reading all these books if I can't share them with people.

Anyhow, let me know! If you're not local, depending on what you want, I'll happily send it your way.

No Easy Answers

The Tenth Circle
By: Jodi Picoult

I picked this book up sort of at random. I glanced over the back of a few of her books, and chose this one because it intrigued me. And saying that I enjoyed the book would be an odd phrasing, because it was truly painful at times. Captivated though, perhaps that's the correct word. Yes, I was captivated.

I do wonder, when I read these horrible stories about teens today, how much have times changed since I was younger? I spent most of my nights home with my computer, but I never heard stories that compare to the things I hear about now. Those stories both fascinate and terrify me. In fact, in some ways, that might be one of my dissapointments of the book.

Yet the truth is that teenagers today isn't the core of this book, but rather family dynamics and how a tragedy can change everything. Jodi Picoult is known for writing about complicated issues, and this book is no exception. In The Tenth Circle the issue is sexual violence. And I must admit, that once again I was reading one of her books feeling empathy for characters I'd never expect to feel empathy for.

And let's face it, I'm a sucker for a book with good parent/child relationships.

She does it again!

Shopaholic & Baby
By: Sophie Kinsella

I wasn't expecting much. Don't get me wrong, I love the Shopaholic series, and find Becky Brandon to be a fabulously entertaining narrator, but really? Did we need another book? I suppose the answer is yes, as I couldn't put this lovely amusing piece down. The main character has such charm and heart, and the author does a splendid job of placing her in these ridiculous situations that are completely plausible. A bit materialistic and occasionally superficial, but with a heart of gold.

For anyone who is a fan of the "Chic-Lit" genre, I recommend the entire Shopaholic series. Fun, funny and fresh. The comedy will pull you in, but the heart will keep you around.

I also applaud Kinsella, for the subtle callbacks to earlier stories, as well as the less subtle reappearance of former characters.

Worse than season 5 of Buffy, including "The Body"

Without You
By: Anthony Rapp

"Mark has got his work, they say Mark lives for his work, and Mark's in love with his work. Mark hides in his work." I suppose in many ways, I was pre-dispositioned to love this piece. An autobiographical work by Anthony Rapp, who originated the role of Mark Cohen in the musical Rent. As many of you know, that musical has influenced my life, and touched me in many profound ways that I I cannot even verbalize. I had to read this book, and am a surprised that it took finding it in a box, nearly two years after I purchased it, for me to open the pages.

Anthony Rapp bares his soul in these pages. The book begins when he auditioned for the first workshop cast of Rent, though as the story progresses, we get glimpses into earlier life moments. Over a few years, Anthony experiences love and loss and triumph and death. And death. Commonly known is, of course, the unexpected demise of Jonathan Larson, but less well known is that during that time, Anthony's mother had been battling with cancer.

Through the pages, you see Anthony come to terms with her fate, learning to express himself, his growing relationships with his family, and their acceptance of his sexuality. You also read this amazing backdrop of his life, as he takes his part in a landmark musical experience. I feel as though tears rested in my eyes through a majority of the read.

Early in the pages, Anthony mentions that, like Mark, he hides in his work. One would not believe it from this raw, honest tale. It does make me look back at my brief moment with Anthony Rapp, in which I walked up to him and, voice shaking, told him how much I admire his work, and asked if I could just shake his hand. He seemed taken aback, and I realize now that 10 years later, he's still impressed by what Jonathan Larson's work has accomplished. (And, okay, maybe the fact that I was wearing cat ears threw him off a bit). Still, I admire a man who grew up hiding his emotions, and as an adult can share them so openly in written form.

Anthony Rapp dedicates his book to his mother. I too, as always, dedicate everything I write, and every performance I give to my own mother.

And now, if you'll excuse me. I have a dvd to pull out of the "R" file and watch with a box of tissues, and possibly some chocolate.