Finally a New Post

July 6, 2014

I haven't posted in a long time but I've been busy with school and sports. Here is another thing of reading logs.

Enjoy

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

Non-Fiction

This book is a book about the University of Washington’s rowing team and their quest for gold in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. I am a huge history nerd and love reading books about WWII and the Olympics. I enjoyed reading how a team of average people who had been growing up poor and were able to pull together a victory during Hitler’s Olympics when Germany was the favorite team to win. The book gave an inside look at how rowing works and just how badly some people wanted to win. I definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Ashfall, Ashen Winter, and Sunrise by Mike Mullin

Dystopia

This trilogy tells the story of a boy named Alex living in the United States near Yellowstone National Park and what happens to him when the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts while he is at home alone. Yellowstone is a place I visited when I was ten years old and it left a lasting mark on me. The place holds a special spot in my heart. Reading about what could happen if the volcano does go off was really interesting and Alex was a protagonist I connected with. He does meet a girl but their relationship was not just romantic it was about surviving the disaster.

Panic by Lauren Oliver

Fiction

Panic reminded me of a game played by high school students at many high schools across the United States and Canada. It has been called many names but the basic premise is everyone has a water gun and attempts to get other people out without getting out themselves. Well in Panic they play a similar game but a lot more dangerous than shooting people with water guns. Students at Heather and Dodge’s school compete in dangerous tasks such, as robbing someone’s house or jumping off a cliff into the water below. Since the water gun version was going on at my school it was easy to imagine what might happen if my high school did a similar version of Panic like the book. I couldn’t believe people would do the dangerous tasks when their lives were in danger just so they could win the game.

Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell

Non-Fiction

This book takes place in the Catalonia area of Spain during the Spanish Civil War. I had read Animal Farm and 1984 also by George Orwell but I had no idea he had written a non-fiction book. I enjoyed learning about his life aside from being an author. I had no idea he had served in a militia group in Spain.  I also enjoyed learning about what led him to write Animal Farm and 1984 and why he didn’t like the government.

Peeps and The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

Dystopia

This series was the last series of books by Scott Westerfeld that I had left to read and I was holding off on it for some odd reason. When I finally picked them up and read them I couldn’t put them until I reached the end of the books. Peeps and The Last Days follow a few characters through a world with a parasitic disease that causes people to become vampire-like people called peeps. Like all of Scott Westerfeld’s works this series was really well written and made me at the edge of my seat waiting to find out what would happen in the end. One thing that did creep me out was that every few chapters there would be a chapter detailing some horrible disease. Reading these gave me insight on to diseases I was already somewhat familiar with, but it also freaked me out knowing some of the diseases are quite easy to get such as toxoplasmosis.

The Carbon Diaries by Saci Lloyd

Dystopia

The first book in the Carbon Diaries series is set in 2015 and the second book is set in 2017. They follow a girl named Laura living in the UK when the UK starts carbon rationing because climate change has gotten so bad. Laura is just trying to have a normal life going to school and trying to get the attention of a boy while the world is spiralling out of control. This book series was definitely one of my new favorite series since Laura is very relatable and the events of the series could easily happen in the next couple of years. The way Saci writes I felt like I was right there with Laura going through her family problems and boy problems while trying to manage her band and deal with carbon problems. The author write about a future that could easily happen with the way we are treating our world and I would rather not have my children grow up in a world where we have carbon ration cards and a horrible climate.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Dystopia

I know the famous saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, but boy did I misjudge the Giver before reading it. The image on the cover is an older man who looks almost like a rabbi and when I saw it I thought it was another Jewish book about philosophy or something. So I left it sitting on the shelf at the library and walked away. But the books still stayed on my mind and when I heard it is going to be a movie I decided it was high time I picked it up and read it. I loved it and read it in one sitting. Lois is a fabulous writer and Jonas was a very easy character to connect with. The book makes me feel like I am Jonas and I am learning the truth about his world as I go along. When Jonas receives his role as the new receiver of memories he has no clue what the world was like before everything was turned the same. I really got a clear sense of what it was like for him to learn about our world for the first time. When people ask to describe color it’s very hard to describe it exactly right. My favorite parts in the book are when Jonas, who has lived in a black and white world his whole life, is seeing colors for the first time. Picturing his wonder at all the things he missed out on in the world just shows how much memories matter and how important it is to remember them all.


I will be moving this blog from Blogger to a google site since it makes it easier to have different topics aside form just reading logs. Here is a link to the new site: Just Being a Bookworm
I have all my old reading logs and old posts on the new website.

Thanks so much for reading this!

Dena

Finally A New Blog Post

January 16, 2014

I have been really busy lately sorry. I moved from Vancouver, BC to Hanover, NH in August. Starting at a new school went really well and I have joined my school's track team. Since mid-year exams are now over I decided it was time to do another reading log blog post. My science fiction class has been the highlight of my year so far and I wish it didn't have to end.

Here are some more reading logs including one from the worst book in the world.

The Maze Runner Files by James Dashner

Dystopia

This book was an inside look at the Maze Runner series. There were emails and conversations from between characters. I really liked it and it was a good companion guide to the Maze Runner.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Fantasy

The book thief is set during WWII in Germany. The characters were incredibly well written and the plot was incredible. Compared to other holocaust books this book was not very violent and showed a different side of things. The protagonist, Liesel, has a huge love of books. She goes around stealing books at a time when books are being burned. The Book thief is definitely one of my favorite books and I definitely recommend it.

Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness

Dystopian

This series is another one of my favorite dystopian series. Set in a world where people can hear each other’s thoughts the main character, Todd finds out the town is hiding something and he flees with his dog. Along the way he finds a girl and he wonders why she didn’t die off with all the other women. Todd’s journey and the world the series is set in is different from other dystopias. The world is not a modern setting and the characters’ way of life is more old fashioned.

Harry Potter by JK Rowling

Fantasy

I’m sure I don’t have to go into detail about the plot. Before rereading the series I had only read all the books once. Since all my books were still arriving on the moving van I picked up an e-reader, which is something I never do, and I started rereading the series. I loved it even more the second time around. I got a refresher on the plot and fell in love with the series all over again.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Dystopia

This book is one of the books my science fiction class read as part of the course. Fahrenheit 451 is set in a world where books are banned and if you are caught with books you are severely punished. I would have read this book on my own eventually, but reading it for English class was a bonus. The book was a good change from young adult dystopias since the characters are all adults instead of teens.

1984 by George Orwell

Dystopian

 1984 is another book I read for my science fiction course. In 1984 the government is always watching you. After reading 1984 I started to notice a trend in adults science fiction novels. The main character starts out following society. At some point he meets some woman who shows him the other side and then the character decides to go against the government. Sometimes it ends well other times it doesn’t. As with Fahrenheit 451 I probably would have read 1984 on my own eventually.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick

Dystopian

In DADoES pretty much all animals have gone extinct and owning one is a symbol of status. Rick is an android hunter who goes around finding potential androids and eliminating them. Like 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 this book followed the adult dystopia book trend. The book was really good and I definitely recommend it. 

Under the Dome by Stephen King

Dystopian

I started watching the TV series during the summer and got really into it. Since I liked it so much I figured I should read the book. The book turned out to be really good and quite different from the TV series. I am eager to find out whether the second season of the TV series will be any different from the book and I am curious to find out how they get out of the dome on the TV show.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Dystopian

I had been told to read this by my dad and my brother. My dad bought a hard copy of the book especially for me. When he did that I decided I had to finally read it. The book was really good and I don’t know why I didn’t read it sooner. There were many 80s references whether it was a 80s song or an old video game reference. Luckily I know a lot about 80s pop culture from my parents. I really enjoyed the main character spends his days in OASIS, a virtual utopia that lets you do anything and be anyone you want. The creator of OASIS hid a ticket that will lead the finder to fortune and powers. For years people have struggled to find the ticket, but Wade hopes to finally be the one to find it. The book was really well written and funny at times and is a definite must read.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Dystopian

I had been waiting almost a year and a half for this book to be release and the fact that it came out on my birthday made the wait somewhat worth it. I read the book in one sitting stopping only once when I was crying too hard to continue reading. The book was an amazing conclusion to the series. Despite the extremely sad ending the book couldn’t have ended any better. The wait was worth it and I can’t wait until March 21^st for the movie.

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Fiction

The main plot of this book is about two boys, who are trying to break a Guinness world record for the longest kiss. The plot also focuses on other relationships between characters. The book was the first David Levithan book I have read and after reading it I went out and read other books by him. He is a really good author and his writing is similar to John Green. If you love John Green or just love a good romance novel or even if you don’t like romance go out and read this book.

Flame by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Dystopia

This is the last book after Glow and Spark. In Flame all the secrets are revealed. I have never read a more evil antagonist who knows just how evil she is. Some villains I have read think what they are doing is the right thing, but not Anne Mather.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fiction

This book is about two twin sisters who are huge fans of this author. When they head off to college one sister wants a normal college life while the other is still a huge fangirl. The book was really good, however after a while the fangirl started to say things I would say and act how I would act in different situations. It started to get really weird. I read the whole things and despite it being really relatable I recommend it.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Fiction

Like Fangirl this book is really well written. I loved it and after Divergent this is my favorite book. The story of the two characters was incredible. I couldn’t put it down. It made me cry and laugh. It reminded me a lot of John Green’s books which are some of my favorite books as well.

L’etranger (The Stranger) by Albert Camus

Fiction

If I weren’t reading this for French class I would have given up on page one. The characters were extremely flat and the plot was terrible. I don’t know why anyone would make high school students suffer through it. This was the worst class book I have ever read and it was also the worst book I have ever read. I wouldn’t read this book again and I wouldn’t make anyone read it. I definitely don’t recommend this book to anyone.

2013 Reading Challenge and More Reviews

October 24, 2013

Last year my goal was 100 and around this time last  year I completed that goal and by the end of 2012 had read around 170 books. This year I raised my goal to 150 books and I completed that goal and have read more than 190 books so far. I love reading and being able to share my love of reading with others.

I am sorry I have not posted in a long time but I have been busy with school and moving. Here are more review to books I have read.

Tales from the West Coast: Smugglers, Sea Monsters, and Other Stories by Adrienne Mason
Non-Fiction

I am a huge history buff and I love history, especially the history of British Columbia. This book is a book of tales from the West Coast of BC. My favorite stories were the story of the Wreck of the Janet Cowan ship and the story of the first woman librarian. There stories were stories of things I would not learn about in school and were really interesting. I will read it again and again. I recommend it for people who love history and for people who do not because even if you do not like history you will love these stories.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Historical Fiction

The only word to describe this book is incredible. It was different from all WWII books in that there was not much violence and it focused on a different part of the war, books. The main character is a young girl who loves reading and books. I do not have much to say about this book other than that it is a must read for anyone. Whether you know nothing about WWII or you know all there is to know, this book is a must read.

Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness
Dystopia

Set in a world where everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts, no secret is safe. Unlike most dystopias this does not take place in a run down big city but in country towns and the main character is a boy who is almost a man. Patrick's writing kept me wanting to keep on reading and the cliff hangers at the end of each book made me hungry for the next book.

Harry Potter by JK Rowling
Fantasy

Okay you have probably read this already and I have too but that was many years ago. My brother was begging me for months to reread the series and I gave in and reread them on my mom's kindle while my other books were being packed up and taken to our new house. I forgot how much I love the series. All my favorite characters and scenes came to life again in my mind and once again I was lost in the world of Hogwarts. My favorite book of the series will forever be The Goblet of Fire because of the Tri-Wizart Tournament. But 19 Years Later at the end of the series is one of my favorite scenes as well. Relating to Harry Potter, my new school had a Quiddich tournament this year. So far My grade's team: Slytherin will be playing the seniors, Gryfindor in the final next week and since I am one of the players I will be there for sure.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Dystopia

I will be keeping this review short because I have done a lot of work on this for school already. This was one of four books my Science Fiction class is reading this semester and I enjoyed it. It is definitely not my favorite dystopia as there were multiple flat characters and the storyline was not my most favorite but I definitely enjoyed reading it and would have read it wether it was a class book or not.

Under the Dome by Stephen King
Dystopia

I am a huge fan of the TV show and thought it wouldn't be right if I didn't read the book. The book was amazing and puts the TV show to shame. There were other characters and scenes that were left out of the show. My favorite characters were still in it and were way more important in the book than in the TV show. It was a long read but the 1000 or so pages was definitely worth it.

Looking for Alaska by John Green
Fantasy

Another amazing book by John Green. If you love John Green or have never heard of him, go pick up this book now. It had me glued to the book the whole way through. Coincidentally this book has been banned from being read in some places and was on the banned book shelf at my school. I read it in honour of banned book week. I could see why it was banned but I think everyone should read the book.

1984 by George Orwell
Dystopia

Again I am not going to write much as I have done a lot of class work on this book already. It was better than Fahrenheit 451 because the characters were not as flat and the storyline was way more interesting. I still would have read this book had it not been a class book but it was not my favorite book.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Dystopia

This book was really good! It was not your average dystopia with most of the book taking place in a virtual reality but it was really good! I recommend it for people new to the genre because it is not all grim and nasty. There are a lot of 1980s references so I would be familiar with video games, music and movies of that decade before reading it. Definitely a favorite but not an all time favorite.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Dystopia

No spoilers in this review. This was the hight anticipated (a year and five months) book and it was worth the wait. It was the perfect ending to the series even though there are characters I wish Veronica did not kill off I realize if she didn't the ending would not have been as good. I was in tears and had to pause reading the last few chapters I was crying so hard. I give the book a 10/10 and the series a 1000/10. It is AMAZING and my all time favorite book. For a first series by the author it is like she had already written many books. I am eagerly awaiting what Veronica has in store next.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Dystopia

I was looking forward to reading this but it was not as good as I thought it would be. The main character was not a character I was rooting for and the storyline was not the best. The one thing the author achieved was that the world is pretty bad with most of the world dead of disease and an alien take over.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Dystopia

This book starts off like a normal day then turns into disaster when a bunch of kids on their way to school crash into the side of a mall. They end up stuck in a mall during a chemical weapons disaster outside. I really felt like I was in the mall with the kids and was rooting for their survival. This book was really believable because not all the kids got along and there were some kids who wanted to keep things in order and others who just wanted to have fun and goof off.

172 Hours on the moon by Johan Haarstad
Fantasy

Three kids win a lottery and the opportunity to spend 172 hours on the moon. The opportunity it turns out is not all adventure and fun like they thought. This book really shows the limits government will go to get what they want and is not very far off from the truth. I won't give away any spoilers to the book but it is a definite must read.

Fire and Ash by Jonathan Maberry
Dystopia

This book is the final book in the Benny Imura series and was another perfect ending to a series. It continues where the last book left off, in the world set during a zombie apocalypse. I loved it and recommend it to any fan of the Walking Dead or of anything really gory or just anyone who likes a good dystopia.

Okay that it enough for now. As you can see I really like dystopia books. I seem to be in a dystopia fix right now and can't seem to get out of it, which in my mind is not such a bad thing.

Reading Log

July 29, 2013

Operation Orca: Springer, Luna and the Struggle to Save West Coast Killer Whales by Daniel Francis and Gill Hewlett

Non-fiction

I stumbled upon this book while browsing the field guide section at my local library. Since I live in Vancouver and the book looked up my alley I borrowed it. It is about two orca whales that were discovered in Puget and Nootka Sound at a time when people didn’t really know much about orcas. One story is of Springer and her ultimate rescue and the other is of Luna and what lead to his death. Coincidentally while I read this book I was volunteering at the Vancouver Aquarium. The book shone some light on the history of orcas and how clueless people really were back in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson

Romance/Fantasy

This story is about a girl named Harriet living in Cambridge with her father and her aunt. Her only freedom is in ballet. When a Russian ballet master comes looking for girls for his ballet company Harriet defies her father sneaks off with him and his ballet to the Amazon. Like another of Eva’s books, Journey to the River Sea, this book takes place primarily in the Amazon and in the same village too. Having read Journey to the River Sea and then A Company of Swans I got a good picture of what the village and the theatre looked like. Reading this book made me want to visit the Amazon even more.

Hoping for Home: Stories of Arrival by various authors

Historical Fiction

One of my favorite series when I was younger that sparked my love of Canadian history is the Dear Canada series. Each one takes place in a different part of Canada’s history and each story is told through the journal of a Canadian girl. These stories were stories of children coming to Canada but they felt more personal and relatable because the speakers are children. The story, In the Silence of my Heart by Lillian Boraks-Nemetz was one of my favorites because I really like another book by the same author called The Old Brown Suitcase and the story really put me into the mind of the girl. Lillian also came and spoke at my school last year so the story felt even more real. Reading these stories gives me the child’s perspective on life in Canada when most historical fiction is told in an adult’s perspective.

Changeling by Phillipa Gregoy

Fantasy

This book is set in the 1400s and is about Isolde, a princess forced by her older brother to become an abbess and Luca, a boy who is sent by his master to investigate strange things that are happening in the nunnery. Some fantasy books have flat characters and are too confusing but this book had strong characters and the plot wasn’t too confusing. Romance wasn’t the main focus of the book unlike some fantasy books where romance is the main point.