Coming Soon: 60 Page Reviews

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." - Benjamin Franklin

My book club has a policy which states that in order to disqualify a book from the very fierce competition toward the Melinda Awards, two or three (not sure exactly how many at the moment) persons must read at least sixty pages in order to give it a "No." I've done that at least once (Vampire Crush - even the title is terrible!), and I'm currently struggling to reach the sixtieth page of What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman. So this is basically a preview of something to come. First I shall probably review the aforementioned "vampire" novel. Also, I may be amending my New Year's resolution to 100 or maybe even 150 books. At least. I really need to get up to speed on my reading. In addition to these, I'm trying to read more good books and sixty pages each of more gods-awful books, which means my ascending standards won't tolerate any "decent" or "OK" books - it must be on either side of the fence for me and not on its tip. This is in order to improve my own writing and throw off more books for Printz. Another reason for which I do this is efficiency: I must read more. I already read far more than most people, but I was surprised at the reading abilities of many of my fellow members, particularly Ara. Much power to that one! I must, of course, make room for non-Printz books, but that should't be an issue. Anyhow, time to go!

Peace!

- Lewis

Printz: Finale One

"Always look on the bright side of life!" - Eric Idle

"It is better to fail at originality than to succeed in imitation." - Herman Melville

"Read to your heart's content. Though if you are a reader, the heart is never content." - Jenny Hubbard, Paper Covers Rock

The year of 2011 was my first in a local library's Mock Printz book club. We had lots of fun over the course of the year (and a little into this one) and read some truly great books - and some bloody awful ones as well. We had to narrow down our choices to a "top three" list. Mine were as follows:

1. Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard
2. Every You, Every Me by David Levithan
3. The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier

My first choice (which ended up winning) was one of the best books I've ever read. It details the guilt-burdened life of Alexander Stromm, written in the form of a journal - which works out tremendously, as it seems so real. As one member of the club pointed out, "Alex is not a character, he is a person." And I fully agree to that statement: he just felt so real. The story is very realistic and well-crafted; the writing was simply beautiful. I'm not surprised to learn that the author is a poet and playwright.

The second is the first, and so far only, piece of work I have read by David Levithan. The prose is also very good here (not Paper Covers Rock, but still great) and the characters feel a similar guilt for a friend (I'd hate to spoil it, so I'll keep it vague). The cool thing is that Mr. Levithan asked a photographer, Jonathan Farmer, to send him random pictures, which he based the story around - and nailed it. This is a wonderful novel.

And I've reviewed The Floating Islands in the past, but I still agree that the descriptions are breathtaking, similar to Redwall in their majesty. This is more my preferred style of book, although I can easily accommodate other genres. But I think this is good to show I am not biased.

The competition was keen; Paper Covers Rock was closely tied with a novel I have yet to read, titled A Monster Calls - so closely, in fact, that our lead librarian had to step in and give her vote, which was for Jenny Hubbard's piece of art. I honestly think it will become a classic.

Overall it was a great meeting and I cannot wait for the new season.

Wishing the best,

Lewis

Book Review: The Phantom Limb by William Sleator and Ann Monticone

"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia."  - E.L. Doctorow

"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." - Ray Bradbury

"I try to leave out the parts that people skip." - Elmore Leonard

I selected this book from a cart at Printz in order to eliminate unwanted books; we have too many.

PLOT. Isaac discovers a mirror box (a sort of optical-illusion device) with an amputated limb on the inside. The limb tells him via signing that its owner was murdered and that soon Isaac's mother will be too (Joey, the dead one, shared a passion for the piano with Isaac's mother Vera, and the murderer hates piano players for some reason). Isaac must stop the murderer with the help of Joey's arm.

The main problem was that the writing in the beginning annoyed me. Not only was the actual prose choppy, but the writers ignored the Show-Don't-Tell rule and laid out everything on the table, and the optical illusions, while interesting, were poorly explained. The plot was engaging but the conclusion seemed hasty. Then again, it might be better in the published version - I read an uncorrected proof.

I was not terribly impressed, but not the worst thing I've ever read either.

Final grade: D

Book Review: The Summer of May by Cecelia Galante

At my Mock Printz book club a few sessions back, we were each assigned a Book of Fate in order to clear those which needed to be read and reviewed. Some sounded absolutely atrocious; I was spared that...to a degree.

PLOT. May's mother left years ago, and now her family and life seem to be falling apart. She gets into trouble 24/7 at school, and her father is verbally (and physically, as it later turns out) abusive. After she sprays graffiti on her English teacher's board (and somehow thinks not to be caught), she is faced with either expulsion or one-on-one summer school with the same teacher. She chooses the latter and finds that the teacher has an interesting past.

The writing, while not beautiful, was good, and I liked the teacher (Miss Movado). I did not care for May's character at all; she whined a lot (not quite Bella Swan, but still annoying) and seemed malcontent. She continued to refer to her teacher as Movado the Avocado, due to Movado's squat form and green attire, despite the many kind things which the lady did for her. She was basically impossible to please: for example, Miss Movado took her to a restaurant - which she really didn't have to do, especially after what May did during the school year - and May complained about the food, the seat, you get the idea. Show some gratitude, you little brat! In the end you're supposed to end up liking the father (or at least, that was my impression), but I see no excuse for the way he treated his daughter - even though I understand his being unhappy with her. What I liked was Miss Movado's back-story, which ties in with the mother thing. Bit of a spoiler, but it says that in the front cover anyway.

I somewhat enjoyed The Summer of May, but I would not nominate it for an award (and I didn't), and I wouldn't read it time and time again.

Final grade: C

And I'm Nearing the End

"Even if I knew for certain that the world would end tomorrow, I'd plant an apple tree today." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (approximate quotation)

I heard something interesting this morning: that the world will end tomorrow. Will it? I have my doubts, but if it did, would it be worth panicking? I should think not. If it did, I'd like to spend my last day in this world with friends. I'm not the type to freak out about death; I either laugh at it or calmly accept it.

That's not the original purpose for this post's title (which is an ALL CAPS lyric, by the way). The original point was about yet another school year ending. It's not quite over yet, but it will be soon, and then there are only two more before I get shipped off to college somewhere. I feel like this has more or less been the best year yet, largely thanks to Creative Writing, but also due to other things. Even though I've much to work at, I am happy. I am still trying to break into acting, but I have some time. Book club goes well. I had my third meeting today, and it was the first one at which I reviewed a book (The Floating Islands - the review is on my other blog, Winter Reviews).

I saw a play last night, titled The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. It was funny, and I recognized one actor from my school. I think I could write plays as well as act in them. Why not? I'm still young.

I might have my first guitar lesson this weekend from Hannah, but nothing is certain. That being said, I might go to this Autism Society campground tomorrow to look around. That might be interesting.

I watched Thor last Sunday, and it was excellent. I really loved Loki. I might see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides this weekend, if lucky.

Summer will hopefully be spent reading, watching movies and Doctor Who, and writing and blogging. I might do something I have not done in many a year: attend a camp. I'm thinking writing and/or acting camp.

Library Update

So in case I did not mention before, I am part of a library book club now (my second meeting was on Friday). On the first meeting, four weeks prior to that, we were notified of a contest: Make a video to promote our library and potentially win said library three million dollars. Some friends and I, including Hannah, decided to make one and we became finalists. Unfortunately, we need to pay the artist of the music we used in order to keep it, but I'm sure it will be fine. Even if we do not succeed, we had fun, yes?

Speaking of libraries, I am thinking to become a librarian as well as editor (waffle-waffle, I'm told I can do both). But on the screenplay side, is it true I have to move to Los Angeles? If I have to I might try part time; I do like NC. On Saturday I had my first behind-the-wheel training, and later helped paint sets for the upcoming Robin Hood play. I had fun, and I need to apply for that acting camp soon...and the writing one. I must try for Drama Club next year in order to hone my theatrical skills, for I am an artician: artist, actor, writer, musician, etc.

Got to the episode "Dalek" in Doctor Who. I like the Dalek a lot, and must watch more soon. I am reading a book for Printz (the book club mentioned earlier) called The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier, which is proving good so far. Up next is Rot and Ruin.

Tata,
LMW.

Three Library-Related Things

Ah, I keep meaning to post this, along with my review for The Poison Eaters and Other Stories, but stuff keeps happening. Sorry!

I.
Anyhow, I've been checking out a lot of library audio books as of late. I realized it is more convenient at times to check one out (for free, as opposed to bookstores) and put it on iTunes for later listening. I might have mentioned that I am still listening to Redwall, and it remains so, but I am a good way in - six or seven discs out of nine, I think. I'm liking it so far. I have the prequel, Mossflower, on here too. The only two problems I have had with the audio books have been 1) The Lovely Bones, which was missing a CD, and 2) The World According to Garp, for which Disc 2 was identified as Disc 1 on two separate copies. I guess I'll just read the bound book.

II.
You know what? I'm going to put my Poison Eaters review here after all. I'd give the book four stars out of five, and I really enjoyed all of the stories, particularly "A Reversal of Fortune," "The Coldest Girl in Coldtown," and one I'm forgetting the name of, about a wolf eating people in a castle (sorry Holly!). And of course "The Poison Eaters" was rather interesting. I try to be pickyish about what I give five stars, but this book was really good in every way. Recommend? Certainly.

III.
I went to my first Printz club yesterday, and I enjoyed it. I only wish I'd known about it years ago. I got some good recommendations, and I checked out a book called The Floating Islands, which looked good. I'll see these people in maybe four weeks (some sooner), and I look forward to it. I also met some awesome people there, such as (Nikki? Was that it? She was really cool). Hannah of course is amazing, and Olivia too, and that Rachel seems pretty cool...and lucky her mother lets her have a sword (mine is quite paranoid). And this guy named Alex seemed very friendly. Overall, aside from the not knowing why people start clapping at times, I think it will work out well.