The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

"It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. "

I have read quite allot of books that are about/based in the time of WWII/Nazi Germany. My mother was always adamant that I know what happened so that something like this may never happen again. So I know allot about that time period. So when I was told about this book, I was intrigued to read it. And to be honest, I was less than underwhelmed by it. It was talked up so much, and then they made a movie about it; I was ready for an amazing book. But I wasn't amazed. It was a good book, and aspects of the writing and story were interested, but  I did not see what the author was trying to tell us. I feel that if you are going to write a story about this heavy topic, you need to have a lesson that was or needs to be learned. I didn't learn anything. I was sad, and that was all.

What I did like about it is how Zusak used Death as the narrator. I felt that it made it more poignant. I also liked how it was set up. It had sections within sections, and made it an "easy read". What made it a long read was that there was a lot of time wasted on non important parts of the story and on the little things in life, and made the story drag on. 

If you like unique points of view, life struggles, difficulties to over come, and WWII than I would recommend this book to you. I give this book a generous three out of five stars. 

The Giver by Lois Lowry

"Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back."


I never read this book when I was in school. So now that I work in a school I thought it would be a good one to pick up. Also they just came out with the movie and the trailer looked awesome! I like the beginning of the book and it didn't feel rushed or dragged out. Lowry did a good job at giving all the information you needed to understand the world you were entering. I also liked her character development and you can relate to them in how they live their lives, even though they are different from how we live now.
As the story progressed, and you meet The Giver, the books feeling changed from one that was light and nice, to one that was somber and serious. You start to see what Lowry's message of the story is really about. I also found it interesting (even though the happy ending reader in me wanted more) how she ended the book. She almost leaves it up to you, to how it ends. If this book had been written a decade later it would be turned into a trilogy if not a series. 
I would not say that I enjoyed the book, but rather that I understood the message and agree that it is a book that everyone should read. It has a the feel of The Hunger Games, or should I say that The Hunger Games has the feel of The Giver. 
So If you like the distopian, controlled world, and fighting against the system then you will enjoy this book. It was an easy read, and I do suggest that everyone picks it up to read. 
I give this book a four out of five stars.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

"Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective…but there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

Since its publication, Stephen Chbosky’s haunting debut novel has received critical acclaim, provoked discussion and debate, grown into a cult phenomenon with over three million copies in print, spent over one year at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and inspired a major motion picture starring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a story about what it’s like to travel that strange course through the uncharted territory of high school. The world of first dates, family dramas, and new friends. Of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Of those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up."

 Before I read this nook I watched the movie first. I thought it was great! So great that I went out and bought the movie the next day, it was also so great that i spent $15 to buy a new copy of the book. Even when I was buying it I thought the price was to steep, but I liked the movie so much that I bought it anyways. So when      I started to read the book i was suprised by the format it was written in. It is made up of letters, and that was not what I was expecting, but as you read on you realize that this was the only way that this story could have been written. I was suprised also how good the writers of the movie stayed close to how the book was written. As we know script writters like to change the story when they make a movie, but with this one they didn't do a half bad job at it. 
My only real complaint about the book was that I wish it was longer. But it is selfish to say that because the story ran its course, I just didn't want to leave the characters yet. I felt like this is book that should be a required reading in High School. There are some parts that maybe a student shouldn't read, but there are other parts that I think could help them with the changes and the choices that they are going to have to make. 

I give this book a five out of five stars!!