1. I actually think it would have made for a much more interesting and complicated ending if Jack had not died. I felt like the ending was a bit of a cop out (getting a little ahead of the questions, sorry). I am not sure they could have saved their relationship, but you never got to hear Jack's side of the story. I felt like his dying actually left the story more unresolved than it would have been if he lived.
2. I'm with mom and Thom. It would have required a lot more work on the author's part if Jack had lived.
3. I agree with everyone else. I liked Charlene. I liked her heroism. I liked that when it was important her husband stood by her. Her character was really tragic, though.
4. I actually thought the writing was pretty good. There were lots of twists and turns that I am sure Dad would have seen coming, but I did not. It was relatively clean, too - at least the language.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Mom's Thoughts on Just One Look
I am dictating my answers to Thom . . .
1)Do you feel that "Jack" needed to die?
I thought that it was very sad that "Jack" died, but I agree with Thom, it would have been too difficult to figure things out if he had lived. Of course, it is a novel, and they just could have left it to your imagination how they worked things out.
2)Regardless of how you feel about "Jack" dieing, why do you think he ended up dying?
I think the author had him die for the same reason that Sam ended his stories in second grade with the characters dying. Those were the best parent-teacher conferences. Sam said he killed off his characters because he didn't know how to end the story.
3)Who was your favorite character? Why?
Same as Thom.
4)In general, what do you think of Coben's writing style?
I . . . um . . . I like it?
Good job picking a book that was so violent I couldn't sleep for days; oh wait I rarely sleep anyway.
1)Do you feel that "Jack" needed to die?
I thought that it was very sad that "Jack" died, but I agree with Thom, it would have been too difficult to figure things out if he had lived. Of course, it is a novel, and they just could have left it to your imagination how they worked things out.
2)Regardless of how you feel about "Jack" dieing, why do you think he ended up dying?
I think the author had him die for the same reason that Sam ended his stories in second grade with the characters dying. Those were the best parent-teacher conferences. Sam said he killed off his characters because he didn't know how to end the story.
3)Who was your favorite character? Why?
Same as Thom.
4)In general, what do you think of Coben's writing style?
I . . . um . . . I like it?
Good job picking a book that was so violent I couldn't sleep for days; oh wait I rarely sleep anyway.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thommy-Boy's Thoughts on "Just One Look"
I also enjoyed this book. The plot twists and turns were fantastic. This type of book falls somewhere in my wheel-house so it was a fun read.
Okay, on to the questions:
1)Do you feel that "Jack" needed to die?
Helicopter-YES!!! I know that this is a very controversial questions but here are the nuts and bolts of the issue. As she stood there and painted "Jack" at the end of the book there were a lot of questions as to who he really was. In my opinion, for her to heal and be healthy and move on with her life, it was best for Jack to stay who he was in her memory and in her heart . . . "her Jack". If he had lived, they would have spent the next billion years trying to wade through the mess and working on trusting each other. This way, she could be safe and whole with her memories. Plus, this is a book . . . it was cleaner.
2)Regardless of how you feel about "Jack" dieing, why do you think he ended up dying?
See above.
3)Who was your favorite character? Why?
Charlene Swain . . . without a doubt. Okay, so when Chapter 6 started I had no idea who this she was and I had to flip back a bunch of pages to see if I had missed anything . . . I hadn't. Not to be a perv - but I like the way we meet her - no really - I think that we see an interesting side of human behavior with this lonely house wife trying to get a cheap thrill.
Honestly, what I like about her is her purely stupid courage. She talks herself into doing things based on what TV and movie characters would do. It reminds me of how I responded to seeing Superman the first time. For someone who starts out as a whimsical housewife, she sure shows her metal and is a great character.
4)In general, what do you think of Coben's writing style?
I liked how it had swift pacing and strong lead characters. But there was also some weaknesses including a plot so complicated that many final pages are devoted to sorting it out. It did take some good twists and turns, I will probably read another one of his books before making my final judgment.
5)Why do birds suddenly appear, every time...you are near?
Just like me, they long to be . . . close to YOU!
PS - I will be picking the book for April, so get your answers in now!
Okay, on to the questions:
1)Do you feel that "Jack" needed to die?
Helicopter-YES!!! I know that this is a very controversial questions but here are the nuts and bolts of the issue. As she stood there and painted "Jack" at the end of the book there were a lot of questions as to who he really was. In my opinion, for her to heal and be healthy and move on with her life, it was best for Jack to stay who he was in her memory and in her heart . . . "her Jack". If he had lived, they would have spent the next billion years trying to wade through the mess and working on trusting each other. This way, she could be safe and whole with her memories. Plus, this is a book . . . it was cleaner.
2)Regardless of how you feel about "Jack" dieing, why do you think he ended up dying?
See above.
3)Who was your favorite character? Why?
Charlene Swain . . . without a doubt. Okay, so when Chapter 6 started I had no idea who this she was and I had to flip back a bunch of pages to see if I had missed anything . . . I hadn't. Not to be a perv - but I like the way we meet her - no really - I think that we see an interesting side of human behavior with this lonely house wife trying to get a cheap thrill.
Honestly, what I like about her is her purely stupid courage. She talks herself into doing things based on what TV and movie characters would do. It reminds me of how I responded to seeing Superman the first time. For someone who starts out as a whimsical housewife, she sure shows her metal and is a great character.
4)In general, what do you think of Coben's writing style?
I liked how it had swift pacing and strong lead characters. But there was also some weaknesses including a plot so complicated that many final pages are devoted to sorting it out. It did take some good twists and turns, I will probably read another one of his books before making my final judgment.
5)Why do birds suddenly appear, every time...you are near?
Just like me, they long to be . . . close to YOU!
PS - I will be picking the book for April, so get your answers in now!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Questions for "Just One Look"
I am glad to see that you all liked this book...for the most part. Amy and I really enjoyed it. Here are some questions...
1)Do you feel that "Jack" needed to die?
2)Regardless of how you feel about "Jack" dieing, why do you think he ended up dying?
3)Who was your favorite character? Why?
4)In general, what do you think of Coben's writing style?
5)Why do birds suddenly appear, every time...you are near?
I will post my answers after you all have. I might even come up with some more questions soon too.
1)Do you feel that "Jack" needed to die?
2)Regardless of how you feel about "Jack" dieing, why do you think he ended up dying?
3)Who was your favorite character? Why?
4)In general, what do you think of Coben's writing style?
5)Why do birds suddenly appear, every time...you are near?
I will post my answers after you all have. I might even come up with some more questions soon too.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Next Book
This month I am choosing a mystery by Harlan Coben, "Just One Look". This is the fourth "stand-alone" novel by Coben. I have read his 5 of his novels and have really enjoyed them so far. I will post questions when I finish, but here is a very quick thing about this book from his website:
Her husband’s disappeared, her kids have been threatened, the police don’t believe her, and all of her friends seem to have something to hide.
Thommy-Boy's Thoughts on The Book Thief
First and foremost . . . I totally heart this book. I gave it five stars in Goodreads and have already recommended it to a couple of people. Great choice Laura . . . great choice.
1.The narrator in this book is somewhat unusual. Did you like the way the book was narrated? Did you like/dislike the way some things were "given away" early or do you prefer a story that is more chronological?
I really liked the narrator, I think it is what made the book special. The author did a great job "humanizing" Death and it was through his eyes that I think the reader could best understand what was going on with all the characters and the setting. I had no problem with how things were given away. There was a sense of foreboding in the story any way and I felt prepared for much of the tragedy. As things approached I still was tense and sad, but not too emotional. I don't know if I could have handled the book if there weren't some give aways. I think it would have just been too darn sad and too much at once.
2. This book is full of interesting relationships. Several relationships are a bit rebellious in Nazi times with people helping others in unusual ways (i.e. Hans and Max, Liesel and Max, Liesel and the Mayor's wife). Pick one and discuss how you thought the relationship helped both parties maintain their humanity.
What about Papa and Liesel? Without Papa would Leisel ever have been able to recover from her brother's death, would she have been able to learn about hope and goodness, would she have been able to come out of the darkest times in her life? Without Leisel would Papa have been able to have hope for a good future, would he have been able to have something to live for, would he have been able to see the goodness in the tragedy that was his life and situation?
3. Why were books so important to Liesel? Are they that important to you?
I think that you make a good point about how books draw her to her family and help create relationships. Liesel's relationship with books reminds me of Francie Nolan's relationship with books in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. They both use books to learn, to develop, and think of a better world. I think it is books that help both of these characters wish for more and then seek it. Books are also an escape from the harsh reality of life, and they gave these girls the hope that they needed. I think that we all enjoy that about books.
1.The narrator in this book is somewhat unusual. Did you like the way the book was narrated? Did you like/dislike the way some things were "given away" early or do you prefer a story that is more chronological?
I really liked the narrator, I think it is what made the book special. The author did a great job "humanizing" Death and it was through his eyes that I think the reader could best understand what was going on with all the characters and the setting. I had no problem with how things were given away. There was a sense of foreboding in the story any way and I felt prepared for much of the tragedy. As things approached I still was tense and sad, but not too emotional. I don't know if I could have handled the book if there weren't some give aways. I think it would have just been too darn sad and too much at once.
2. This book is full of interesting relationships. Several relationships are a bit rebellious in Nazi times with people helping others in unusual ways (i.e. Hans and Max, Liesel and Max, Liesel and the Mayor's wife). Pick one and discuss how you thought the relationship helped both parties maintain their humanity.
What about Papa and Liesel? Without Papa would Leisel ever have been able to recover from her brother's death, would she have been able to learn about hope and goodness, would she have been able to come out of the darkest times in her life? Without Leisel would Papa have been able to have hope for a good future, would he have been able to have something to live for, would he have been able to see the goodness in the tragedy that was his life and situation?
3. Why were books so important to Liesel? Are they that important to you?
I think that you make a good point about how books draw her to her family and help create relationships. Liesel's relationship with books reminds me of Francie Nolan's relationship with books in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. They both use books to learn, to develop, and think of a better world. I think it is books that help both of these characters wish for more and then seek it. Books are also an escape from the harsh reality of life, and they gave these girls the hope that they needed. I think that we all enjoy that about books.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
The Book Thief
Now that we have all finished "The Book Thief," here are some things to think about.
1. The narrator in this book is somewhat unusual. Did you like the way the book was narrated? Did you like/dislike the way some things were "given away" early or do you prefer a story that is more chronological?
2. This book is full of interesting relationships. Several relationships are a bit rebellious in Nazi times with people helping others in unusual ways (i.e. Hans and Max, Liesel and Max, Liesel and the Mayor's wife). Pick one and discuss how you thought the relationship helped both parties maintain their humanity.
3. Why were books so important to Liesel? Are they that important to you?
4. Anything else?
My Thoughts:
1. I loved the idea of death as a narrator. It is so interesting to think that Death has a story to tell. I also loved the little glimpses to into the future. It really kept me engaged.
2. I loved all the relationships, but especially the little one between Liesel and the Mayor's wife. I think the books made both women feel alive and like they were keeping themselves separate from the inhumanity of the day. The Mayor's wife certainly saw the importance of forbidden books and, unable to help Liesel in other ways, chose this as her own act of kindness in a world of sadness.
3. I also loved that books were so central to the story. Clearly the Gravedigger's Guide started as a link between Liesel and her family. Eventually, however, they became a way to feel alive for everyone in the story.
1. The narrator in this book is somewhat unusual. Did you like the way the book was narrated? Did you like/dislike the way some things were "given away" early or do you prefer a story that is more chronological?
2. This book is full of interesting relationships. Several relationships are a bit rebellious in Nazi times with people helping others in unusual ways (i.e. Hans and Max, Liesel and Max, Liesel and the Mayor's wife). Pick one and discuss how you thought the relationship helped both parties maintain their humanity.
3. Why were books so important to Liesel? Are they that important to you?
4. Anything else?
My Thoughts:
1. I loved the idea of death as a narrator. It is so interesting to think that Death has a story to tell. I also loved the little glimpses to into the future. It really kept me engaged.
2. I loved all the relationships, but especially the little one between Liesel and the Mayor's wife. I think the books made both women feel alive and like they were keeping themselves separate from the inhumanity of the day. The Mayor's wife certainly saw the importance of forbidden books and, unable to help Liesel in other ways, chose this as her own act of kindness in a world of sadness.
3. I also loved that books were so central to the story. Clearly the Gravedigger's Guide started as a link between Liesel and her family. Eventually, however, they became a way to feel alive for everyone in the story.
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