The Book Thief

The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
Evan’s ESS = 8.5 out of 10
Erin’s ESS = 8 out of 10
Content = PG (Adult Content, Violence, Language, Five-Finger-Reading Discounts)

Why: For some reason we get into the habit of postponing those books consistently hyped throughout the halls of literature. The only explanation that makes a little sense is that we sometimes like to ensure our TBR pile maintains a level of anticipation. It’s imperative to maintain a healthy balance of excitement between what you’ve just completed and what you’re about to complete. Well, in the case of The Book Thief we waited about 5 years too long to read this one.

We’ve heard it said before, but Markus Zusak’s novel is so much more than just a book. For starters, the narrative perspective is entirely unique and perfect for the events that take place. We are introduced to little girl named Liesel Meminger who is complex, imaginative, and courageous during one of the most turbulent periods in German history. Her journey is filled with heartache piled on top of heartache which only makes the relationships she preserves that much more significant. We also encounter one of the most touching personal diaries ever expressed in picture and word, created on the most profound medium possible. Sorry for our annoying vagueness, but we really don’t want to give anything away. We will mention that several incidences of book thievery occur...

The only thing we can’t quite figure out is why the conclusion of The Book Thief didn’t have us treading in a pool of tears. There were so many great elements, yet if there was anything lacking it was the quiver-lip factor. We wanted the dramatic elements built up a little more. Admittedly, the narrator was very upfront about his indifference for suspense, but we thought he was a little too quick to reveal certain facts. Sometimes, you just really want a book to make you bawl your little eyes dry, and in this case, it just didn’t happen. Overall though, Zusak wrote a wonderful novel and we are eagerly anticipating the release of Bridge of Clay.

Four Bibliomaniacs???

We’d like to officially introduce the two newest members of our team!  We’d also like to pose the following question:  What are some good books for young kids?  We had a lot of fun with James and the Giant Peach and are anxiously looking for our next selection.

Special thanks to Lavish Photography for capturing our families slight book addiction!     

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Girl with a Pearl Earring – Tracy Chevalier

Evan’s ESS = 7 out of 10

Erin’s ESS = 6 out of 10

Content = PG-13 (Adult Content, Violence, Jealousy, Sudden Infectious Disease Outbreak)

Why: Girl with a Pearl Earring probably won’t change your life, unless you’re really into the Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer.  Also, in our tireless fight to prevent accidental book title confusion, be sure you don’t absentmindedly pick up Girl with a One-Track Mind, which focuses entirely on a female’s single-mindedness towards the topic of s… se… intercourse.  

Girl with a Pearl Earring is a solid historical fiction read.  Vermeer was an amazing painter and we do require you to have a copy of said artwork nearby for inspiration (don’t test us - we have ways of finding these things out).  Capitalizing on the true life mystery surrounding this painting, Ms. Chevalier is able to spin a very convincing narrative.  Enter Griet, a seemingly innocent servant who is the catalyst for much more than a portrait within the Vermeer household.  The novel is painted with wondrous detail of 17^th century Holland (actually the city is located in South Holland, within the Netherlands, however both descriptions seemed laborious) and painted with enough realism that the account seems not only plausible, but the favorable choice.  The novel left us wanting a little more in the relationship building arena, but overall it was a good read.    

We’ve also been anxious to watch the Girl with a Pearl Earring owing mainly to the fact that Scarlett Johnson looks eerily similar to the individual featured in the Vermeer painting. Seriously, has anyone ever checked her bloodline? 

100+ Reading Challenge

With only a couple hours left in 2010 we couldn't resist signing up for 1 more reading challenge.  Historically, we've never tracked the number of novels completed in a calendar year and so the 100+ Reading Challenge seemed like the perfect motivation to start.

Details:

1. Simply put, the goal is to read 100 novels within a calander year.  Anyone can join and you don't need a blog to participate.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Maga, Graphic Novels, Library Books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction - as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

3. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

4. Challenge begins January 1st thru December 31st 2011.

Head on over to My Overstuffed Bookshelf to sign up and view the complete details.

We plan to track our progress on the "2011 Challenges" page.  Be sure to check back hourly for updates.  Okay, maybe not hourly, but all we're saying is don't be a stranger...

The Sound and the Fury

The Sound and the Fury – William Faulkner
Evan’s ESS = 6 out of 10
Erin’s ESS = out of 10
Content = PG (Adult Content, Language, Wicked Confusing Dialogue)
“Wonder. Go on and wonder.”
Why: For a while now we’ve been anxious to read one of William Faulkner’s acclaimed novels. After completing our highly scientific selection process (The first of his titles we came across at the library) we decided to cut our teeth on The Sound and the Fury. Two weeks later, shoulders hunched and lower lip bloodied, we limp back to the return bin defeated…

For us, this novel got off to a rough start and any later redeeming qualities remained elusive. As a rule, we try to know as little as possible before cracking a new spine, however in the case of The Sound and the Fury, we understood even less after part 1. We’ve never pretended to be the sharpest tools in the shed, but the prose was almost impossible to understand and only later did we learn the intent behind the disjointed narrative.

Sadly, even after a couple different narrators, the remaining sections weren’t much clearer. We spent most of the novel recovering from our initial disorientation and trying to fit all the characters together with their storylines. The novel did have a lone redeeming quality for us, which was the dialogue. We felt the mood of the region and the nature of the Compson family was captured wonderfully. We’re definitely going to give Mr. Faulkner another try, but next time it will be with a touch less anticipation and hoopla.

A Christmas Carol: Read-Along (Stave 5)

Try as we might, it’s impossible to remove the great big cheesy grin from our face. We’ve officially completed the final part of A Christmas Carol and honestly, has there ever been a more rewarding conclusion in all of literature? We think not. The transformation within Ebenezer Scrooge is both significant and inspirational. One thing’s for sure, Jacob Marley doesn’t mess around when choosing his team of personal motivators (we haven’t seen results of this magnitude since the noble work of SNL’s Matt Foley...)

It’s easy to share Scrooge’s excitement and sense of urgency as we read about his many acts of kindness throughout Stave 5. The act of sending the turkey to the Cratchit home incognito and the act of overwhelming the two charity workers were both done with a wonderful childlike enthusiasm. Most of all we loved Scrooge’s wishful scheme to catch Bob late to work just so his new nature could be all the more appreciated. Bravo Scrooge! And bravo to all those who keep Christmas well!

What a great book and what a fun read along! Thanks again to Dog-Eared & Bookmarked for hosting this event!

Editor’s Note: Added to this year’s required reading was the viewing of the 1999 television adaptation of A Christmas Carol starring Patrick Stewart. We highly recommend this version and are always impressed with its loyalty to the book and the phenomenal performance by Stewart.

A Christmas Carol: Read-Along (Stave 4)

It’s officially week four of A Christmas Carol read-along hosted by by Dog-Eared & Bookmarked and it’s with trembling knees that we dissect the events in Stave 4.  The ghost of Christmas yet to come could very possibly be the scariest creature (with good intentions) in all of literature.  Frankly, we’re shaking in our books.  Fortunately, Scrooge is up to the challenge and actually encourages the final ghost to, “lead on”.  We must do the same.

For us, it was kind of enjoyable to see Scrooge all petrified and disheveled.  For the entirety of this stave, we watch as the ghost of Christmas yet to come, thrusts his will upon Scrooge, or at least his imposing outstretched hand.  Once again the imagery is wonderful as the pair visits several conversations surrounding the death of a thoroughly disliked individual (any guesses who?).  We also pay another visit to the Cratchit residence, although the mood is heart-wrenchingly somber.  Throughout, we see Scrooge quite anxious to know if the future events being displayed are already written in stone.      

At the climatic end, Scrooge grabs hold of the spirit’s hand only to find an empty garment and then a bedpost.  Has Scrooge been given a second chance to write his legacy?  Stay tuned this weekend as we reveal Stave 5 (literature’s worst kept secret) and the remainder of the exciting conclusion.