Reading Raiders Blog: October 2010

Monday, October 4, 2010

October Horror/ Thriller

This month books are The Shining by Stephen King, The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd: 8th Grade Bites by Heather Bewer, The Love Bones by Alice Sebold, Pet Sematary by Stephen King, and The Graveyard By Neil Ganiman.

Check the Lost and Found

Engaging and incredibly readable, Graham McNamee has hit it out of the park with Acceleration. What would you do if your dead-end summer job led you to discover the diary of a psycho killer in the lost and found? Enlist the help of your juvenile delinquent best friend and your other moody, brainy friend to track down the killer yourself, of course! Based off McNamee's own experience growing up in "The Jungle" projects in Toronto, Duncan, Vinny, and Wayne jump off the page. Fast-paced and exciting, with dialogue as witty as it is gritty, you won't be able to put it down. Just like watching someone being run over by the subway, you just can't look away.

The Best Prom Date Ever!

Alex Bradley has captured the spirit of "that Special Night" in one very entertaining book. 24 Girls in 7 Days is the outrageously believable saga of one Jack Grammar's hilarious prom date quest. Written by a guy, 24/7 does not ooze annoyingly idealistic and unrealistic notions of a "Dream Prom." On the contrary, Bradley presents Jack--a socially-stunted, but undeniably lovable character who is fully aware of the grand cliche folly that is prom, but at the same time appreciates it as an important rite-of-passage. Jack narrates unabashedly his awkwardness with girls and his botched attempts at dating with hilarity, and a certain element of truth and uncertainty that cuts right to the core of adolescence. Smells like teen spirit. Hands down a delightful read. Will you go to prom with me, Jack?

It Belongs Elsewhere

Thought-provoking and original, yet poorly written and excruciatingly over-rated, Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin was a bit of a let-down. Zevin presents the idea that when we die, we are transported to a place called Elsewhere, where people simply age backwards until they must be shipped back to earth to be reborn. What a depressing concept! Zevin's fifteen-year-old protagonist reaches Elsewhere as her life has just begun, only to learn that she will never be able to grow up and live her life. Forget the Pearly Gates and an-eternity-of-peace-and-happiness! Elsewhere's rebirthing process (basically death in reverse) means that some people will never be reunited with their loved ones after death--they will be tossed back and forth between worlds in their various lives and keep missing each other!Immaturely written in the present tense, with childish concepts of people that "speak canine" and rock stars that become fishermen, Elsewhere makes me extremely happy that Gabrielle Zevin has no true knowledge of life after death.

Dessen Has Done It Again!

Keeping the Moon follows Sarah Dessen's tried and true formula for great novels. Keeping the Moon is a bona fide chick-power book, which reminds us all of the strong bonds of friendship. Colie is typical of many of Dessen's "code" heroines--injured and vulnerable under a tough exterior, and screaming to be loved. Thrown together with the guy they would least expect, and forced to ride out the storm of friend and familial relationships, Colie, Remy, Macy, and Annabel are girls we know, and girls we are. Sarah Dessen knows the art of a good book, and keeps what matters to her readers close to her heart. Keeping the Moon is touching, empowering, and an unbelievably enjoyable read.

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Check the Lost and Found

The Best Prom Date Ever!

It Belongs Elsewhere

Dessen Has Done It Again!

Praise for Sold By Patricia McCormick

A Certain Slant of Light By Laura Whitcomb

13 Little Blue Envelopes By Maureen Johnson

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