Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies is a science fiction coming of age book about an adolescent named Tally Youngblood.  She lives at a time where sixteen-year-olds undergo a beautifying operation in order to reduce jealousy, racism, conflict, individuality, etc.  Tally cannot wait to become beautiful and join her best friend Peris in Pretty Town until she meets Shay who does not want to have the operation.  But it is not a choice.  Shay has to run away to escape the knife.  This blows Tally’s mind and she is faced with a decision of her own.

Although, this book is appropriate for young adults, it sent my mind spinning!  It is fast paced and always surprising!  (I love reading books where I cannot guess what is going to happen next).  I had a difficult time putting it down (alright, I downloaded an audiobook, but same difference).  It also made me wonder where our looks-eccentric culture is headed.  We can now decide what we want to look like with modern dentistry, hair dye, piercings, tattoos, and plastic surgery.  How far will we go?  I hardly believe that we will embrace our government making these decisions for us.  However, what if WWII had gone a little differently?  All in all, Uglies is a very fun read.  Thanks to the coworker who recommended it!

I recommend this for those who like a fun, interesting, and surprising novel.  Beware!  If you read this before going to bed, you might find that you are up a little later than expected!

Would I read it again? Probably

Food equivalent: peppermint

Now reading: The Lord of the Rings, Book II

Now reading:  Specials by Scott Westerfeld

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein

The Lord of the Rings is one of those rare instances where I was glad that I watched the movie before reading the book.  Tolkein’s work is seriously intense.  It is amazing that he was able to create such a vivid account of a totally made-up world.  This could be why he is called ‘The Father of Modern Fantasy’ and is one of the most read authors of all time. 

The book is so detailed and dense that I believe that I would have had trouble coming up with all of the images myself.  My memories from the film allowed my imagination to just fill in the extra details—which there were a lot of.  For example, I had never heard of Tom Bombadil, the master of the woods, who was a major part of Book I.  I was also able to concentrate on the numerous songs that are incorporated throughout.  They are beautiful poems that must have taken more than a bit of creativity.

Book I denotes the acquisition of The Ring by Frodo and the beginning of his journey to Mordor.  His quest begins with friends and relatives, Merry, Pippin, and Sam Gamgee.  Along the way, he meets more friends that help him escape The Black Riders and Gollum.  Eventually, the fellowship is formed in Rivendell and they begin their journey south meeting more friend and foe along the way.  Unfortunately, the fellowship is broken in part by Gondalf The Grey’s fall in Moria and Boromir’s lust for The Ring, but also because Frodo desires to go forward without risking his friends’ lives.  Upon his quiet departure, Sam discovers him and they row off together.

Everyone should read The Lord of the Rings at least once.
Did I like it? Yes.  I am really happy that I read one of the most loved novels of all time.
Would I read it again? Maybe to my kids.

Food Equivalent: a stick of butter

Reading: Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

The Magicians

This is an odd book for me to begin this blog with.  I do not usually read fantasy novels.  This one caught my eye for three reasons:

1. It was on the racks of three stores that I went to during one week.
2. It has a beautiful cover.
3. It was written by Lev Grossman, which reminded me of Les Grossman and made me laugh.

So, I bought it…and read it. 

It was easy to read.  The fluidity of Grossman’s words easily paints images in your mind.  In fact, it is more like watching the book, than actually reading it.  Wonderful! 

The book is about Quentin., a genius high school student who discovers he is magic when he is accepted into a very elite college for magicians.   Sound like another book series to anyone???  That is because Grossman loved the Harry Potter series (and other fantasy novels which he refers to in The Magicians), but he wanted to take ‘Harry’ a step further.  Put him into an adult setting where there is no omnipresent adversary out to destroy humankind.  Then, what?  What would a young adult magician do with his knowledge and power?  As Grossman says, “(Quentin is) trying to figure out…what the %#&$ magic is for.”  (View interview here).

Quentin, like so many other young people, is always looking for the next best thing.  He is disillusioned into believing that his school acceptance will make him happy, then his eventual graduation, and his playtime in New   York.  But, everything loses it’s newness and he is just as disappointed as ever.   When an opportunity for an adventure to his favorite ‘fictional’ universe comes up, he believes that he will truly and finally be happy. 

Good premise, right? 

So, good premise and good writing=good book.

Not always. 

The character development was just not there.  Grossman would begin to delve into what made Character X CHARACTER X and then stop short.  He would describe parts of the book in high detail, yet Quentin’s last year of school took up only a couple of paragraphs.   Maybe Grossman got bored writing this section or that section and cut it off.  I don’t know, but it was like reading short summaries instead of a novel.   I hope Grossman fixes this in future novels.  This is his first, but not his last.  He is a really great writer, now he needs to become a really great storyteller. 

This is not recommended for those who dislike reading about drugs and sex as Grossman went a little over the top—so much over the top, that even I felt a bit uncomfortable.

This is recommended for those who really love Rowling, Lewis, Tolkein, and Waugh and for those who wish to be magic.

Did I like it? Yes

Would I read it again? No.

Food Equivalent:  gluten free, dairy free chocolate chip cookies--looks good, but no substance.

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READING: J.R.R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings, Part I