Book Reviews

One of the things I was most looking forward to during my European vacation was time to sit, relax and catch up on some valuable reading. Even though the trip ended up being more fast-paced than relaxing, there were many car rides which allowed for reading time! On the trip I brought one paperback book and my Kindle.

Years ago while on an especially passionate reading kick, I totally pillaged my friend Hannah's bookcase and borrowed probably a dozen books. Since I am notorious for borrowing things and never giving them back (remember this before lending me anything!) I still have Hannah's books. 
One of these books is Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (the book the Miyazaki film is based on).

 

I chose this book because I loved the movie and I wanted an easy read. There were several things in the book's plot that varied from the film but like the movie, the book was fantastical and charming. The author did a good job of writing clever dialogue and likable characters which I sometimes find lacking in fantasy books. I also enjoyed that the plot had many layers and twists that kept the reader wondering even after the last page. If you like books like Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia and LOTR, but don't want to get into an intense and exhausting series, I recommend this book. I was able to finish it in a couple days even with my tortoise-like reading speed!


A few months ago, the movie Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close came out in theatres. A friend of mine, Adam, was adamant that I would love the movie, but had to read the book first.

When I saw that Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer was on sale for the Kindle, I bought it in a heartbeat. I absolutely adored Foer's previous book, Everything is Illuminated (I've read it about three times) and I was hungry for another one of his books. Foer's unconventional writing style is probably one of my favorites in the world. I am in awe in his ability to write heartwrenching characters and juxtapose several different story lines that blow your mind when you realize how they intertwine.
In high school, writing was a major hobby of mine. Sadly, I don't write much anymore, but Foer's books make me want to. He has the ability to take a common, ordinary life event and make it hearbreaking and poignant. I could probably go on for pages about this, and I just might... but that is for a later time.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer is about a boy's journey to find closure in the aftermath of his father's death during the fateful attack on September 11, 2001.

 

While it seems like it was just yesterday that the tragedy of 9/11 occurred, it wasn't; it's shocking to think that it's actually been a decade. I'm glad, however, that it's no longer "too soon" for authors and filmmakers to write stories based on the event. It's important for people (especially in my age cohort) to be reminded of how real the catastrophe was and how it affected so many individuals. I can't speak for everyone, but I was so young when it happened that I don't think I was able to fully understand the horror and sadness of it all. Books and movies like Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Remember Me, even if they are fictional, are meaningful to me because they help me remember and empathize with someone who was personally impacted by the event. 

Aside from the sentimental and patriotic stuff, the book had tons of comic relief. The story is written from the point of view of a smart and quirky nine year old boy who will make you laugh and melt your heart. Remember what I said about Foer making multiple plot lines that blow your mind? Oh yeah, that happens too. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes memoirs and a sad, sweet story.  

Have you read any good books lately? Let me know if you have any that you would recommend, and what you liked about them!