Review: Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

On the last poll, asking what book I should read next, Ender's Game won and I couldn't be happier. This book was amazing. I had to reshuffle my favorite books to move this one into the top. It is a science-fiction novel that follows a young boy through his training to become a leader who will save Earth and the human race. Of course I love science-fiction, but this was unlike a lot of others I have read. It was also very shocking. I don't recommend finishing the novel too quickly when you are nearing the end, because you need to let some things seep in. I got so caught up in the book that I was rushing to see what would happened and was so completely startled when I got there, that I had to go back and make sure I read it correctly. I recommend that anyone who loves science-fiction read this book. It is a definite must for sci-fy lovers. This would also be good for anyone who is in a leadership position or hopes to be in the future. There is a lot of insightful information on how to be a great leader that can be quite inspirational.

Note: Look for the movie that is supposed to be coming out in 2013.

Review: Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen

I thought this book was decent. This was not the typical happy run off and join the circus story. The novel is an old man's recounting of his experience joining the circus during the time of the Great Depression. This book was great at making it very realistic. Additionally, I would say that this book is sad, frustrating, dirty, embarrassing, romantic, and funny. What should be asked is what emotion the book doesn't portray, because it does a great job of combining so many. Again, this adds more realism to the book. Although this was a good book, I would not put it in as one of my favorites. It was enjoyable, but it isn't one of those books that you put your own life on hold just to finish. Still you may just as easily fall in love with this book, it just depends on what you like. The book has a lot of emotional turmoil rather than action. So while that's not what I like, it may be something you love in books. Furthermore, if you have seen the movie and loved that, you will probably love the book too (which of course is much much better).

Review: The Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov

I absolutely loved this book. READ THIS! The novel is about a strange person and his very unusual gang of trouble makers who visit Moscow around the 1930s and their relationship with a writer. I refuse to mention anything else about the story, I recommend not to read the synopsis either. I think it would be a lot more exciting when you don't know who the characters will be. The novel is funny, though sometimes you feel guilty for laughing, but do so anyway. Also, it's very weird. The closest thing I can compare the strangeness too is Alice in Wonderland. However, the stories themselves are not alike at all. From the very beginning of this book I was hooked. The action doesn't have a long build up; right from the first chapter, the strange things begin and they only get better...or worse if you were in Moscow.  The only flaw I found was that the writing was kind of choppy. I think when it was translated it must have lost some fluidity. Still I don't think this makes much of a difference, it is just noticeable. Furthermore, I know that there are some insightful things about the culture of Moscow during this time, but I don't care about that. This book was just fun and exciting to read. However, for some guarded religious people this book could be offensive, probably really offensive. 

Review: The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

This book went through ups and downs, but came out on top overall. Although the story is very drawn out, it had to be this way for everything to come together. In the novel, there was also quite a lot of references to actual occurrences in history, so the story almost feels as if Edmond Dantes was a real person. Furthermore, there were multiple stories within the novel. Characters would recite a tale in the book, which are themselves interesting to read. Overall, I found that I did feel at times that the book took a while to getting to what you wanted. However, I think that the details kept you interested and when you finally get to it, you completely forget that you were frustrated it took so long in the first place.  I definitely recommend reading this book, but when you have the time to do so. It is a long book, stopping and starting this book between long spans of time is not a good idea. There are many intricate details or characters that you might forget.

Review: Twilight - Stephenie Meyer

Twilight...what can I say. I both loved and hated this book. The first one was good, I admit I was drawn in. It took vampire romance to a totally new level. Still, the huge problem I had with the series is that it just went all down hill from there. Yeah sure I was a crazy fanatic like every other girl and had to get the next book as soon as it came out, but that was only because I became addicted. It's like smoking I guess; people know it's bad, but they do it anyway. The reason I say this is after the first novel, which I still say is amazing, the rest of them were mediocre. You only continued reading because you are already caught up in the story. Well for all the bad impression I am giving this novel, I still say if you like romance you MUST read this. The story takes place in high school and it is written for young adults, but I haven't found a single lady who didn't like this book. Just know up front that they don't get better than the first book. Also, if you enjoyed this book you should read The Host, also by Stephenie Meyer.

Seriously though, an entire section just for Twilight is a bit much

Review: The Things They Carried - Tim O'Brien

This is one of the really great novels of all time. It is written about a group of soldiers in Vietnam during the war. However, you do not have to have a particular interest in the war to enjoy this book. It's one of those really great novels that transcends all genres. The book is so powerful in making the reader feel what the characters must have felt. By exaggerating occurrences in the novel, the emotions conveyed are more realistic than if they were written completely accurate. I also like that each chapter is its own short story. Each chapter can stand alone and still be powerful. Though this book is not directly focused on it, it is very psychological and leaves a strong impression. I recommend that when you read this book to devote yourself to each chapter and not try to rush through or just scratch the surface, this book should be appreciated. I can't really say anything I didn't like about this book. Also it is very short, so it would be great if you have nothing to do on a rainy day or during a plane ride.

Review: Freakonomics - Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

This book was extremely interesting and a lot of fun. This book does not look at the business or state economy side of economics. It uses the fundamental principles to look at topics that are surprising and that I think everyone has a secret desire to know more about. In example, this book looks at discrimination on T.V. game shows and on-line dating, baby names, parenting, the drug dealing appeal, and how cheating teachers are like sumo wrestlers. The list goes on and on. This book makes economics fun and though the book is all over the place with no real point, you can understand it this way. It takes you through the sequential thinking of the authors and not according to some familiar literary structure. I loved this book and I recommend it to all readers. No economic principles or background is necessary to understand and enjoy this book. If you are unsure whether or not you want to read it still, take a look at the explanatory note. This will hook you in, if this is something you will enjoy, I know I did.

Review: A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess

So you have to be okay with violence in order to get through A Clockwork Orange. This is a (don't be too surprised) a coming of age novel; the book follows a teenager of the future as he becomes an adult. Teenagers in Burgess' future are extremely violent and criminal. So there is quiet a lot of that described in the novel. Furthermore, the teenagers use a new slang. Initially I think that this makes the novel extremely difficult to understand. However, just like classic books you get used to the dialog and what different slang means. Still, I recommend that you get the audio book version, if you can. I liked the one narrated by Tom Hollander. This uses the words in tones that makes it easier to identify their meaning. If that doesn't work, don't be afraid to look at the back of the book, there is a dictionary of the slang words (at least in mine). Also, if you enjoy psychology or are interest in it, you will appreciate the use of classical/operant conditioning (think Pavlov's dog). My opinion of this book was that it was enjoyable, but not my favorite. I think if you liked Fight Club, you will enjoy this book and vice versa. They both mix violence and psychology in a way that is exciting and terrible (in a good way) at the same time. The future slang writing was also interesting, just make sure you don't start saying them or people will think you're crazy.

Review: And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie

I thought that this book was was really good and very intense. However, this book is a mystery and the one problem I had was that I don't think that enough evidence was given to allow the reader to solve the mystery themselves. Nonetheless, I guarantee despite what I said you will be forming your own theories about who you think the killer is and I would bet more than likely this will change through the book and in the end you will be wrong (let me know how it worked out for you). This book was really intense in that there is not a moment of dullness in the book, because you are constantly wondering who will be killed next, when, and how. I definitely recommend everyone to read this, unless your a really nervy person. It's not gory or anything, but I will tell you up front the title is true, "And Then There Were None." I won't say anymore, except this was an exciting book to "play" and a great read.