Book Reviews: The Immortal Life of Henreitta Lacks, The Giver, About a Boy, Paper Towns and The Trouble with Goodbye

Over the past month, I've read quite a few books! I figured, I go through them and give you my thoughts. 

About a Boy

I picked this up without any idea that there was a currently running TV show based off of it. It was funny and clever, but also kinda depressing at times. I hated the ending though, very disappointing. I actually like the TV show better. 

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

This is one of those books that really makes you think. I almost didn't read it because I kept thinking how boring a book about cells would be, but I was wrong. I couldn't put it down. It's opened my eyes to the world of science and made me really question "What really does belong to us?" Weird, I know, but once you read it you will too!

The Giver

It may be shocking, but I had never read this book before! I don't know why, but our schools never required it (we read Number the Stars instead). I figured I'd go ahead and read it since the movie is coming out soon (My girl T-swizzle is in it, holla!) Guys, it's good. Like, I can't believe I've never read it before now, good. It's brilliant and thought provoking and I just want to make every middle-schooler read it! It's a pretty quick, easy read so definitely check it out. 

Paper Towns

You know I had to at least mention my man, John. All of his books are just so brilliantly magnificent that I just want to, like, steal his mastermind of a brain. The dialogue, the characters, the imagery, the metaphors, everything is great in this book (as usual). I'll admit though, that I began reading this in October and read about 1/3 of it and put it down. I just now picked back up where I left off and didn't put it down until I finished it. It's both hilarious and heartbreaking (not as bad as TFIOS, I shed no tears, don't worry) in a way that only John Green could pull off, but it's just freaking amazing. I don't really agree with classifying it as a YA book (same with TFIOS) because the depth of it is so beyond anything I think that genre could ever fill. Just read it. In fact, if you've never read any John Green books before, I recommend starting with this one!

and finally,

This was an extremely fast and short read. It was okay. It's kinda one of those books that requires no thought so I flew through it. Nothing spectacular, just a cute, cheesy love story! Plus it's free on my Nook, so that's a plus. I'm not sure if I will continue with the series or not.

What are you currently reading?

My Current 'To Read' List

So, I am pretty much a book hoarder. (You should know this by now.) I have a current stack of books on my nightstand and bookcase that are just waiting to be read. I honestly wish I could spend the entire day just reading them, but you know, life. Because I am always curious as to what others are reading, I figured I'd share whats in my current stack of books I need to read!

1.

Because The Fault in Our Stars was so great (huge understatement, legit.) I immediately ordered Looking for Alaska. The only reason I haven't read this one yet is because I am still in an emotional depression over TFIOS, and I hear I need to emotionally prepare myself for this one, too.

2.

Three Weeks With My Brother

 I believe this is the only NS book I haven't read yet. I don't know, I wanna read it, but I'm not the best with memoirs. I get bored easily.

3.

In The Woods

I saw this one on the shelf and it just looked intriguing. The back summary sounded great, so for 40 cents, I picked it up. I think this might be the next one I read!

4.

I've been meaning to read this one since last summer because I think it will make for a great book to read on the beach. Obviously, I haven't been to the beach recently, so I probably just need to go ahead and read it. 

5.

Fahrenheit 451

As shocking as it is, I've never read this book! It was never a classic we had to read in high school, and for some reason, it just slipped under the reading radar in my post high school years. I have a feeling I am going to love this book because 1984 is one of my top 3 favorite books and I hear they're pretty similar 'dystopian' story lines. Also, it's about books, so I'm pretty sure I'll love it. 

Okay, so I think I'll stop with five for now. To be honest, there are actually several more books on my bookcase that are just waiting to be read, and you know what? I LOVE that. I love that I don't ever have to worry about what I am going to read next! (especially when I find most at thrift stores and only pay around 50 cents for them!)

My Thoughts on the Divergent Trilogy

Ok, so I am sure that by now you have all heard of a little series called "Divergent." It's soon to be a movie so I decided to read it. Well I've finally finished the series and now I am going tell you my thoughts on it!

Let's start with the first book Divergent. When I started this book, I really struggled with the beginning. I thought it was a rip-off of the Hunger Games (which I never read) and was not really into the plot line. Also, the writing seemed way to young for me. I do realize that this is a young adult book, but I feel like it was written for 13-15 year olds. I say that because the attention to detail wasn't very vivid and the writing seemed very stale. I got about 3 chapters in and stopped reading it. About a week and a half later, I picked it back up one day during nap time when I was babysitting. That day, I didn't put it down until I finished it. The plot picked up and I really wanted to know how it ended. I recant my precious complaint about it being too similar to The Hunger Games. They are not similar at all (well, from what I've seen in the HG movie.) I got past the writing style and actually really enjoyed the book. It was a great suspense towards the end and it was really entertaining. The ending left me wanting to start the next one immediately.

Which brings us to Insurgent (the second book in the trilogy).

I couldn't be more disappointed with this book. I expected a great follow up to Divergent, but all that I was left was a dull, boring sequel. It was confusing and seemed to repeat the same scene with different details over and over again. The characters were under-developed and I really struggled getting through it. I felt like a lot of the 'drama' in it was unnecessary and really just left me angry. I felt like a lot of the characters demises unneeded and not thought out thoroughly.
I finally finished it and decided that since I had already purchased the last book, I might as well finish the final novel to see where it ends.

So Allegiant. First and foremost, I initially liked the idea of hearing Tobias' point of view. But again, this was ill developed and just left me confused. I had to go back and re-read his POV chapters because I hardly understood what 'he' was trying to say or portray. I realize that first person is an extremely hard POV to write and despite everything, I think that it worked in the first two novels. But I feel like it was a mistake to add the chapters with Tobias' point of view in this book. Now, without giving any spoilers, I do understand the necessity for it later in the novel and I liked hearing his voice later. Which brings me to my next point... I got to 'that point' in the novel (if you've read it, you KNOW what I am talking about. Again, no spoilers) and just threw the book at the wall. I feel like 'that' was completely unnecessary and pointless, not mention it REALLY pissed me off. I didn't even finish the book because I was so mad. (Yes, I do get worked up with what I am reading... I can't help it.)

All in all, I would recommend this book but only to more of a middle school crowd. It's catchy and intriguing and no doubt will encourage our youth to enjoy reading.  I did connect with the characters and was intrigued to see where their story lines would lead to. But as an adult reader, I believe it failed in many ways. Like I said, I thought a lot of the plot was unnecessary, irrelevant and ill planned. The second and third books were a major disappointment for me.

With that being said, I will most definitely see the movie as I really did enjoy the first book. I just wish that the series was more of a continuation of the first novel rather than a focus on 'the revolution.' Honestly, I kinda wish I never read the other two and just let my imagination finish the series.

I know that this trilogy is very popular and I might get a lot of backlash over my opinion. But that's all this is, just my opinion. Anyway, have you read the series yet? What were your thoughts on it?

But they ARE my friends...

The following is a real conversation that last saturday:


Me- "I just finished my book...Guess it's time to start the next one!"

My mom- "oh good! Then we could take some of the books you already read up to Half Priced Books to sell and you cou-"

me- (interrupting her mid sentence) "WHAT?"

Mom- "uhhh... you know... the place where you can sell your books?"

me- "No! I know what you mean, it's just...I could never sell my books! I know this sounds weird but my books are all my friends in a way. You see, for a short period of time, they can transport me into a different world, a different life perhaps. I laugh with them, I cry with them. When I was lonely, they were there for me. And when I see all of the books I've read neatly stacked on my bookshelf, I feel a connection with each and every one of them. When I see them I can relive those memories. The times where I stayed up till 3 am turning the pages relentlessly, eager to find out what happens next. The times when salty tears burned my cheeks after a character dies and I feel the loss deep within me. The times when I can't contain my laughter over something I just read and everyone in the room looks at me like I'm crazy. The moments where for a brief instant in time, I was someone else. Each one taking a piece of my soul once I turn that last page.  I could never ever let that go."

Mom- (She looks at me like I have a foot growing off my forehead and followed by an uncomfortable silence.) "Amber. You need help... and maybe friends that can actually hold a conversation with you."


So, here's my question to you:

What are books to you? Are they just simply something to pass your time, nothing more than an inanimate object?
 Or are they something that is only used when you have to, if ever at all?
Or are you like me and they become your best friends?










Do you feel a connection with the books that you've read?

Currently Reading

Due to my complete fail in taking outfit pictures this week, I am going to share with you everything I am currently reading!

This is what is what's actively sitting on my night stand:

 I'm one of those people who can read more than one thing at a time.

I know that this drives a lot of people nuts. My friends always comment 

"How can you remember everything you've read in each book?"

I don't really know, but I do.

And if I do forget, I can quickly refresh a few pages and pick right back up where I left off.

That's just me, I guess. 

First things first is my bible:

I have had this particular one since I was about 13. It's an old friend, and even though it's geared towards younger teens, I just can't seem to part with it. 

It's sentimental to me.

The pages are falling apart and I think I've highlighted just about everything

and to be honest, that's just the way I like it.

Right now I am reading Romans 12.

I guess I read it a while ago and apparently I thought it was awesome then, too. I also seemed to like practicing drawing stars in the margins. ;)

This is the verse I currently am stuck on. I am re-reading it over and over to let it really sink in.

I'm really trying hard to just read one sentence of it at a time and really dig deeper into what each one means.

If you haven't read it, I really recommend that you do.

My next book is my "for fun" book.

I'm still reading 'The Paris Wife' by Paula Mclain.

I like it so far even though I am only on chapter 3.

It's set in Paris in the 1920's

i.e. the time period I would time travel to if I could.

So I looove that!

Plus, how could you not love a book about Hemmingway!?!?!

Oh, and I adore the opening quotes!

My next read is for school:

I am taking an Intro to philosophy course and was having a bit of trouble with the readings.

I found this book at a yard sale for $1, and picked it up out of curiosity.

It's helped a lot!

Mainly because there are hilarious illustrations that kinda set the scene better.

"WHAT THE HECK do you mean that a table isn't a table just because I can't understand Tableness! WHAT IS TABLENESS"

Oh, philosophy. I love you, but sometimes I just don't need to know "Why".

and Finally, the book that I am always referring to:

 (Well, this and the bible, but they're kinda the same)

God's Promises' for Your Every Need

I love this book! I am constantly looking up things and finding new verses to memorize.

Basically it's a giant collection of bible verses that are arranged by certain topics. 

For example, the one I am reading now

"What To Do When I'm feeling Worried:

again with the highlighting!

Right now, I am struggling with anxiety so this is what I am studying.

I am one of those people who have to be constantly reminded of God's word. I have verses everywhere! I like to write down the ones I find in this book and tape them on my mirror for a constant reminder.  There are other topics like "What to do when I'm angry" or "What God says about Jealousy" etc. 

and phew, that's it! If your interested in buying any of these, just look on amazon.

(Sorry, I'm too lazy to link them)

They have the best prices around!

What are you currently reading?