I Am the Messenger

Title:  I Am the Messenger

Author:  Markus Zusak

Date Published:  January 10, 2002

Genre:  Contemporary, New Adult

Rating:  ★★★★☆

My Thoughts:

-    This was a re-read for me, but I only remembered a couple of things, so it was almost like reading it for the first time.

-    Ed Kennedy lives a pathetic and mediocre life. He lied about his age to become a cab driver, and he doesn't particularly like his job. He is in love with his best friend, but she doesn't want to be with him. His family gives him grief, and his friends are kind of jerks, but they grow on ya. Throughout the story Ed receives a series of playing cards with random info written on them. Ed has to find the person the card is directing him towards, figure out what they need, and help them. Some of them are easy, and some of them are scary hard. 

-    I love how much is packed into this one story. I love that the story helps readers realize that everyone has story. Everyone has struggles and stories to tell. It made me stop and think about all the people I pass throughout my day. What are their stories? I also love that Ed changes and becomes a better person because he is helping others. 

-    I love the Doorman. Ed's dog reminds me of my dog, and he is one of the most endearing pets I've ever come across in a book. 

-    The author breaks the 4th wall a couple of times. It is so random and weird, and I don't even know how to feel about it. 

-    Sometimes Ed comes across as a creeper. I get that he has to observe these people to help them, but sometimes he comes across as a creeper, especially when he keeps ogling all the girls. 

-    The book can be crude at times, but I think it is supposed to be crude on purpose. There is a point to it all, so I'm not sure if I like it or not. 

-    The ending! THE ENDING! WHAT!?

-    The writing is beautiful, and each word is so purposeful. Zusak is such a unique and lovely writer. There will never be another author like him. 

Content Warning:  Sexual Abuse, Violence, Language, Grief, Sexual Content

Coraline

Goodreads Synopsis:    Coraline lives with her preoccupied parents in part of a huge old house--a house so huge that other people live in it, too... round, old former actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible and their aging Highland terriers ("We trod the boards, luvvy") and the mustachioed old man under the roof ("'The reason you cannot see the mouse circus,' said the man upstairs, 'is that the mice are not yet ready and rehearsed.'") Coraline contents herself for weeks with exploring the vast garden and grounds. But with a little rain she becomes bored--so bored that she begins to count everything blue (153), the windows (21), and the doors (14). And it is the 14th door that--sometimes blocked with a wall of bricks--opens up for Coraline into an entirely alternate universe. Now, if you're thinking fondly of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe or Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, you're on the wrong track. Neil Gaiman's Coraline is far darker, far stranger, playing on our deepest fears. And, like Roald Dahl's work, it is delicious.

My Thoughts:

-    I read this a long time ago, and I don't remember how much I liked it, but I loved it this time through!

-    The story and characters are awesome. I love Coraline's journey and how she grows throughout the book. The side characters are all great. The other mother is perfectly creepy. I also love the cat.

-    The illustrations were so creeptastic. I loved them!

-    Neil Gaiman is SO imaginative. I would love to see him and Tim Burton create an original movie together. The story and style would be mind boggling.

-    Very fun quick read! 

Way to Be!

Goodreads Says:    From one of the world's foremost spiritual leaders, an inspiring book that provides young adults and their parents with a game plan for leading a better life. 

This inspiring, upbeat, life-affirming book shows teenagers and their families how to navigate through the moral minefields of contemporary life and how to truly enjoy the opportunities and blessings that the modern world has to offer. 

Drawing upon his faith as well as his personal experience, Gordon B. Hinckley provides his readers with a game plan for discovering and embracing the things in life that are valuable and worthwhile. He shows how our lives are shaped by the decisions we make every day about personal behavior -- and he shows how to make the right decisions with the help of nine guiding principles. 

With its vivid anecdotes, invaluable precepts, and timeless wisdom, Way to Be! will be a source of both inspiration and practical advice for young people everywhere who want to lead better, fuller, more satisfying lives.

My Thoughts:

-    I loved President Hinckley. He was an amazing man, and I will always remember when he first spoke about the Be Attitudes. I was a teen when he gave this talk, and I love how simple and straight forward his 9 Bs are. I think everyone, not just members of the LDS church, could benefit from living by these Bs. 

-    I loved reading the personal stories and lessons from President Hinckley's life. He had some amazing parents.

-    This book is short and sweet, but there is a lot to absorb.

A Disciple's Life: The Biography of Neal A. Maxwell

Goodreads Says:    The story behind the writing of this book really began in 1976, when Elder Maxwell invited me to take a leave from Brigham Young University and work for two years under his daily direction in the new Correlation Department at Church headquarters. In later years, when I was an administrator and a teacher at Ricks College and then at BYU, I saw him often in Church Educational System meetings, where he was a key figure on the Church Board of Education. In 1996 I was called to the Seventy and assigned to an Area Presidency in Australia, where I remained until returning to Utah in August of 2000. Like so many other Church members, my wife, Marie, and I were stunned by the news of Elder Maxwell's leukemia in late 1996, and we worried and prayed about his health. During October conference 1999, he invited me to come by his office. As we talked, he indicated he was not certain about his condition. He said he was receiving an experimental treatment but "one of these days" the leukemia just might fully return. That was the main reason, he said, why he'd finally yielded to prodding from others that he allow the writing of his biography. I thought a book on his life story would be wonderful until he asked if I would write it. As honored as I felt, I honestly thought my doing this was not a good idea. I believed that he, his family, and the Church deserved thorough research and writing, and the work needed to be done at once to maximize the possibility of being published during his lifetime. He shared those hopes. But given the frightening uncertainty about his health; given that acceptable biographies can take years to document and write; given that he hadn't kept a personal journal, which would necessitate additional months of original research; and given that I was half a world away on a Church assignment I replied that someone who could give this project immediate and full-time attention was needed. Nonetheless, after more visits with Elder Maxwell and with others, within a few days I had agreed to begin the project and to move as quickly as possible. In the weeks that followed, I worried about having committed myself to something as unreachable as this task seemed. As I would awaken to hear the colorful birds that rule those fresh Australian mornings, I would sometimes wonder if indeed, I would hope that I had agreed to write Elder Maxwell's biography only in a dream. Then the reality would hit me again. At times I would remember Nephi's words about the Lord preparing a way for people who have a work to do.

My Thoughts:

-    This was my third attempt to read this book, and I finished this time!! Woo!! Elder Maxwell was my favorite speaker as a teen, and it has always been a goal of mine to finish this book. I DID IT!

-    This book was part text book, part biography, part BYU history, part church history, and part uplifting. I wish it had been mostly biography and uplifting. I really didn't need the all the BYU history and church history. Those parts were tedious to read.

-    I was really moved by Elder Maxwell's obedience, especially during World War II.

-    I like that the author didn't sugarcoat the horrors of war. The chapters about World War II were some of my favorite. It was thrilling to read about, and I loved how Elder Maxwell's faith got him through.

-    I love how highly Elder Maxwell praises his wife. They supported and loved each other, and they were true companions and partners. It is nice to read about marriages like that.

-    A lot of Elder Maxwell's university days read like a textbook. It was very boring, and I didn't really understand much of it.

-    I liked finding similarities between Elder Maxwell and myself. I also get bored in church and start reading my scriptures, I am having to learn empathy, and I'm often impatient and in a hurry to get things done. 

-    I love how the author addressed the way Neal Maxwell spoke. It was very interesting to read how he developed his cadence of speech. His love for language and words was fun to read about, and I love the quotes from the other apostles about Elder Maxwell's speech. 

-    Elder Maxwell was an incredible man, and he accomplished so much in his life. Even though I struggled through some of the book, I'm really glad I read it. His story is inspiring. 

A Mother to Embarrass Me

Goodreads Says:    Now that Laura is 12 years old, she realizes that everything about her mother is totally embarrassing. Like the way she yodels at the top of her lungs while she works (okay, she calls it singing). And plays really oldmusic so loud the neighbors can hear (can’t she listen to normal music?). And walks around in clay-covered pajamas (yes, she is a sculptor, but still . . . ). 

But things are about to get much, much worse. Laura has noticed that her mother is getting a little bit, well, fat. Then one night over dinner (at a restaurant, since she almost burned down the house trying to cook), her mother announces that she’s going to have a baby. Now all the neighbors, including the gorgeous boy Laura has a crush on, will know her parents have been doing it. Maybe even in the house! There must be some way Laura can change her mother before her own life is completely, utterly ruined!

My Thoughts:

-    I think I'm a little old for this book. I probably would have appreciated it more when I was twelve.

-    Laura is really whiny, and she is SO mean to her mother. I can't believe some of things she says and thinks. I just wanted to smack her!

-    I can see why Laura thought a couple things her mom did were embarrassing. The loud music and the dancing in front of her friends would turn my face red too. 

-    The ending was lame. There wasn't really any conclusion. Laura and her mom didn't reconcile anything. There wasn't really a point to the story.

Treasure Hunters

Goodreads Says:    Tensions come to a head in the eighth epic volume of the BONE series.

The Bone cousins, Gran'ma Ben, and Thorn finally reach the city of Atheia, where they reunite with old friends and plan to thwart The Lord of the Locusts. The Pawan army has joined forces with Briar and the rat creatures, and danger increases as Thorn's visions get stronger. Meanwhile, Phoney Bone is convinced Atheia is a city rich in gold, and he is determined to find it!

My Thoughts:

-    Briar is creepy! She looks like Gollum with hair.

-    Phone is heading for trouble! Will he never learn? At least his character is consistent.

-    There was a lot of talking and not a lot of doing. Blah blah blah! It was a bit boring.

-    I'm still confused on how this dream/dragon stuff works.

Previous Bone Books

(click covers to see my thoughts)

  
  

The Importance of Being Earnest

My Thoughts:

-    This movie was slightly amusing but mostly confusing.

-    It was hard to hear some of the dialogue. I had to crank the volume on the TV, but I still missed stuff because there was bad case of mumbling!

-    This was such a different role for Colin Firth. I can't even believe it is the same man in Pride and Prejudice.

-    Cecily's day dreams are corny and weird!

-    The serenading part was hilarious!! It was the best part of the whole movie!

-    I didn't know whether to laugh or roll my eyes. I think I was just bewildered the whole time.

-    I want to read the book now. I wonder if it is as weird as this.

-    Reese Witherspoon's chin bugs me.

-    Judi Dench's performance was amazing as always!

-    The way everyone kisses is pathetic! They peck at each other! 

Fruits Basket: Volume 10

From Goodreads:    Tohru and the Sohmas are spending time at the Sohma family's summerhouse, but it's not all fun in the sun on this little trip. Akito pays a surprise visit, causing a commotion for the rest of the family at the house. Shigure takes a trip down memory lane with an old friend, remembering the days when Hatori wasn't so aloof. Meanwhile, Tohru starts thinking -- what must life be like for the parents and lovers of a cursed member of the Sohma family? Can life with this family truly be happy while bearing such a burden?








My Thoughts:

-    It is easier to tell who is a girl and who is a guy when they are in their swim suits.

-    Tohru is a bit of a spaz.

-    The whole part about Mayu was a weird tangent.

-    I'm still not sure what the story is exactly.

-    What is with Akito? I'm dying to know which zodiac he is!

Previous Fruits Basket Volumes
(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  

  
  

Fruits Basket: Volume 9

Goodreads Synopsis:    Finally summer has arrived! While Tohru struggles through bipolar days of hope and anxiety, what will happen when Yuki comes face-to-face with the new member of the student council?! And... is Uo-chan crazy in love?! Who's that she's hanging out with?! Plus, Hana-chan's past is finally disclosed in a bonus feature! Come join the party in the 9th volume of the super-popular Fruits Basket!











My Thoughts:

-    Did Tohru get a haircut? She did! I like it!

-    Did Yuki, Kyo, and Momiji get taller? 

-    The art has improved some, and I like the dialogue bubbles better.

-    Uotani looks different. It's the hair!

-    We got to know more about Hanajima's past in this volume. It was interesting. I'd like to know more about her powers!

-    I really like that they put fan art in the back of each issue!

-    Momiji is growing on me.

-    The pages in this book are thicker than the others.

Previous Fruits Basket Volumes
(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  

  
 

Fruits Basket: Volume 8

From Goodreads:    Summer is on its way, so of course Tohru and friends are excited about the upcoming vacation and field trip. But what's that sound? It's Hatsuharu going beserk in the classroom... again! Black Haru is full of more rage than usual, so what will happen when Yuki intervenes? And then there's Ritsu Sohma, whose mom Tohru met at the hot spring; what's wrong with this kimono-wearing beauty?











My Thoughts:

-    I've stopped reading the author's notes. They are just a distraction and slow down my reading.

-    Ritchan is SO dramatic, and I totally thought it was a girl! He was also super depressing! Jeez!

-    Ritchan + Shigure's editor = crazy annoying spazes!

-    I thought Haru was gay? Apparently not! Maybe he is bi?

-    I'm dying to know more about Yuki's past!! We only get snippets and hints! I want more!

-    This issue ended with a bit of a mystery! Ooooooooooooo!

Previous Volumes in the Fruits Basket series

(cilck on the covers to see my thoughts)