House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Title: House on Mango Street

Author: Sandra Cisneros

Country: US (1984)

Pages: 134

Genre: Fiction, Classics

Challenges:

Rating: *****

The House on Mango Street seemed to be one of those novellas that every Freshman Comp class but mine! It's taken many years, but I've finally picked it up (even if by accident).

I really like how Cisneros organized HoMS. I read the foreword by her and thought it was interesting that initially when she was writing this in college, it was to be autobiographical. Somehow, however, Mango Street was created with all of these wonderful little characters that encompassed many different traits of all the people she had come to know in life.

HoMS is told in 44 little vignettes. Is that right? How would you identify the miniature sections that are too short to be chapters, really. Definitely too short to be essays! I read somewhere someone refer to them as sections. Perhaps so. In any event, the sections are told in first person by the main character, Esperanza.

Esperanza shares her experiences living in a run-down house on Mango Street, a place where in one of the "sections" Esperanza shares how people avert their eyes disbelieving that anyone could inhabit their home. Her stories share how she deals with her hispanic culture, her female-ness, and her adolescence.

Cisneros uses metaphors and similes to talk about emotional and serious issues such as racism and prejudice. Esperanza voices how many people who come walking into her neighborhood are fearful of the folks that live there and how it's hard to believe because she knows them all so well, and knows them to be harmless. Alternatively, she ends the passage sharing their reaction when outside of their comfort zone. Ironically quite similar!

Some of my favorite sections? I was very fond of Hips, where the girls discuss why women have hips. Esperanza declares that hips are scientific - they're bones that "let you know which skeleton was a man's when it was a man and which a woman's" (59). And perhaps one of the most popular sections, and one that I had red many moons ago, is "Names". Here, Esperanza shares not just the origin of her name, and what it means in her culture, but how difficult of a name it is, and how she longs to have something simpler.

Mango Street isn't just a street; it's a community.

Red Ridin' in the Hood and other Cuentos by Patricia Santos Marcantonio

Title: Red Ridin in the Hood and Other Cuentos

Author: Patricia Santos Marcantonio, pictures by Renato Alarcao

Country: US (2005)

Pages: 186

Genre: children's books, fairy tales

Challenges:

Rating: ****

Red Ridin' in the Hood markets itself as being "retelling of classic European folktales with a modern Latino twist" has received mixed reviews. Honestly, I had never even heard of it until I went cruising through my school's media center to check out Lon PoPo for our fairy tale unit and pulled it up on our intranet database. I'm always looking for something different so thought I would give it a shot.

I'm a bit mixed and can understand the reviewers on Amazon, both the good and bad. Some of the retelling of the stories I really enjoyed, while others (the retelling of Sleeping Beauty bored me to tears) I could have done without reading. Marcantonio does do a fair job at adding present day norms to the fairy tales.

A retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk tuns into Juan and the Pinto Bean Stalk. In this tale, Juan is a very lazy and conceited young man who would rather skip school and hang with his "bros" at the beach checking out the girls. The tale opens with Juan who "hitched up his baggy pants and pulled down his bandana". His mom begs him to focus more on the family and convinces him to go into town rather than the beach to sell their car to a used car dealership. Well, I bet you can guess what happens, right? Juan, instead of getting money, gets 3 magical pinto beans. Juan compares his experience by saying "[it] was not going to be like a walk to the 7-Eleven for a microwave burrito and soda". Upon climbing up the grown pinto bean stalk, he meets El-Grande (yup, the giant) who shouts "Ay Yi Yi Yo, I smell the blood of a lazy Nino".

Belleza y la Bestia, the retelling of Beauty and the Beast, was another favorite of mine. The story is told in first person, fromt he Bestia's point of view. He comes across as caring and decent and the we get to embrace the emotional side of the character.

Emperador's New Clothes is simply a story of a high school bully who thinks he's hot stuff until another student's clever plan convinces him to wear high fashion clothes that don't exist. Emperador ends up strutting the high school in his boxers with all students snickering.

Overall, this was a very fun collection of (updated) fairy tales.

Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

Title: Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Author: Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

Country: US (Sept. 2008)

Pages: 277

Genre: nonfiction, biography & memoir

Challenges:

Rating: ** 1/2

I first heard about Dewey one leisurely Sunday morning sipping coffee and watching CBS's Sunday Morning news program. I have always enjoyed how the show doesn't just focus on current events found on prime time news, but features interviews with dedicated celebrities, musicians, artists, philosophers, politicians, authors and various other special interest stories. It was here that I first saw this adorable lioness looking cat prance around. Dewey was a library cat. And a very famous one at that. After the vignette ended, my heart was captured. I had to get my hands on Dewey's memoir. Evidently so did a lot of other people; I was put on my library's waiting list for what seemed like forever. Dewey finally made it to my house and I finished it in two days.

Dewey's story began a long time ago, one freezing January morning in Spencer, Iowa. Vicky Myron, town librarian, heard some strange noise coming from the overnight drop off box. Initially thinking it was a chipmunk, she crouched down to inspect. She was quite startled to see a tiny kitten crouched in an attempt to stay warm. Vicky shares that even though it's quite cliche, her "heart melted". Thus begins Dewey's journey at the Spencer library.

After introducinsg Dewey to the staff members that morning, the group decides they want to keep the little guy. Next, Vicky must get the board on board with the idea of having a library cat. Then, she must tackle the small town of Spencer to gain acceptance of their furry find. Luckily, Dewey is a rather handsome and charming devil, most fall in love with him immediately.

The memoir (loosely used here) shares stories of how Dewey permanently gets his name - a contest with the town voting. We find out that Dewey has a full name even: Dewy Readmoore Books, which is a nice librarian pun "Do we read more books?". We glimpse into the memories of Dewey's first Christmas, the

Dewey tree, trips to the vet, and a variety of other cutesy feline tales that will, yes, "melt your heart".

The story of Dewey is so popular that through word of mouth, people from all over begin to visit this quaint little town to meet the famous librarian cat. In fact, Dewey's tale makes it across seas and a Japanese group of filmmakers fly over to add Dewey to an ongoing documentary about you guessed it, cats. Dewey was listed on "working cat".

So did I love the book? Oh how I wish I could recommend this to everyone! But unfortunately, I can't. It could have been so much more than what it was. It was a quick read, yes. Very easy, but often very dull. The writing was atrocious. The authors did not paint an emotionally captivating tale, but rather it was stale, much as you would expect from a friend retelling their day. The important details were there, but that certain something that breathes life into a story was missing.

There was too much information about Iowa, firstly, and more specifically, the town of Spencer. The memoir detailed the history of town and state from the late 1980's to present day. It wasn't that this history was interspersed within the memoir; I understand the merit of knowing about the farming crisis in a state where farming is their livelihood, and get that it affects the townspeople, hence the story. Unfortunately Myron & Witter lay it out in cold hard facts that left me with no one to connect to. I wanted more Dewey! And even the librarian, Vicky (who is the author). She merely glosses over her family and background even though she is the connection through out the whole memoir. Vicky is what ties Dewey, the library, and Spencer together.

Ultimately, the book was a large disappointment. There was no depth to the story.

//bookstores//

Every time I go to a different city, I invariably go to a bookstore (independent or used).  So of course, there was no arm twisting when I found Haslam's advertisement in the hotel brochure stand where they keep all of the touristy pamphlets. First, the fact that a bookstore was being advertised amongst all the other attractions made me curious.  But then, in bold they claimed to be Florida's largest new and used bookstore.  So seriously, even though I knew I shouldn't purchase any more books, and knew that if I stepped foot in any bookstore I would not be able to resist...I also knew that I couldn't leave St. Pete without stopping in. I tried to convince myself that I would only buy a bookmark!

The first day that I was in Tampa, I spent it out in the water kayaking.  By the time I got cleaned up and in the hotel room, it was after 6 and figured that it would be closing soon.  Day two I was anxious to make my way there.  Unfortunately, it was Sunday and they were closed! *Finally* Monday came and after some morning breakfast and coffee, we drove over.

They advertise that they carry 300,000 titles in 30,000 square foot. And they were right.  The moment I walked into the store I was in love.  First, there is just something pleasing about the aroma of used books.  I wish that I could bottle up that smell and splash it all over my bookshelves.  I stood there for a moment in complete awe, not knowing which way to turn. Besides the main room, there are "tinier" rooms that branch off which divide the books from new, used, historical, art, poetry, drama, literary criticism, horror, rare, etc.  After walking further down the main room, in the center, you can pick up a photocopied map showing you where everything is located.  

But the final touch, which in my opinion is a must for a highly rated used bookstore, two cats were spotted!  I absolutely succumb to the cats lying on the bookshelves aspect of used bookstores.  One grey kitty was sprawled out definitely used to the attention that fellow book-lovers bestowed on it.  The other, a slightly smaller and rambunctious kitty, pranced around the aisles playing with what I can only suppose were imaginary mice. 

I was in book heaven and could have spent the whole day there.  Instead, a couple of hours later, I left with my bookmark (oh and yeah, um, 3 new books!).

Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo

Title: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread

Author: Kate Dicamillo

Country: US (April 2006)

Pages: Audio

Genre: young adult, fairy tale

Challenges: Young Adult, 9 0f 2009 - AN

Rating: ***

I really wanted to like this story. After all, the main character, Despereaux, pulled at my heart. From the moment he was born he was a bit misunderstood by his mouse family - a young little thing with big ears and a love for music and reading! And then, he does the most horrifying thing ever: he speaks to a human! The human, of course being the princess in the title, Princess Pea. Despereaux falls head over ears (?) for this young princess, promising to honor her forever.

At this point (what is referred to as book one) in the novel, I'm hooked. I can't wait to find out what happens to my little mouse friend. But then Dicamillio changes the story on me, stressing that one must go back in time sometimes to move forward. What? But I was just getting attached.

In book two we are introduced to a couple of other important characters - Roscuro, who adores light and soup, and Miggery Sow, a daft and slightly deaf peasant who desperately wishes to become a princess.

All three character become intertwined in this somewhat confusing fairy tale. I didn't like how I had to stop and start up again my relationship with Despereaux. I felt it was choppy and although I saw how the puzzle came together in the end, I just did not like the style of the writing.

Tale of Despereaux won the Newberry Award in 2004 and I wonder what I missed. I'm rather impartial to the whole tale.

Newes From the Dead by Mary Hooper

Title: Newes From the Dead

Author: Mary Hooper

Country: US (April 2008)

Pages: 272

Genre: young adult; historical fiction

Challenges: YA Challenge

Rating: ***

Video Trailer:  Found here. 

I was captivated the moment that I head about this book. It's set in the mid 1600's and a young servant girl by the name of Anne Green has been wrongly hanged for infanticide and unknowingly buried alive.   The story is told in two points of view - Anne Green, our narrator of the events that led up to her untimely death, and Robert Matthews, a stuttering medical student waiting with others to dissect the newly hanged young woman.  

Anne Green made a poor and very understandable choice while a maid at the manor that she is employed.  The very wealthy young lad, Geoffrey pursues Anne from the moment he lays eyes on her, promising her that if she just gives him what he wants (ahem) then riches will be hers for the future.  Anne is quite naive and as one might imagine, realizes her wrong decision.  Unfortunately for Anne, it is quite too late. She has become with child and finds out that Geoffrey is not only meant to marry another, but denies to be the father of the babe. 

As events take place, Anne has the child prematurely.  When the baby doesn't make it, she is charged with infanticide, found guilty and sentence to hang.  (There is of course more to the story - like the the fact that the wealthy family does not wish to have their name tarnished and ensures that Anne is found guilty). 

Alternatively while we are learning about how Anne ended up alive in a coffin, Robert is filling us in on the activity taking place outside of her coffin and in the exam room.  Robert is feeling a little bit queasy at the prospect of having to observe a human dissection even though he knows that it is a requirement for his profession in medicine.  He is a likable character and sympathy is felt as he struggles to interact with others as his stuttering hinders almost all communication. 

The most fascinating aspect about this novel is that Anne Green really did exist; she was hanged and lived to tell about it in the 1650's.   Hooper says that she was listening to NPR when they did a passing story on the real Anne Green and it immediately piqued her interest.  She knew that she wanted to write Anne's story. 

The book really was an enjoyable read. Hooper did a sufficient job in painting the picture of life in the 1600's.  The dialogue and behaviors all struck me as accurate.  Unfortunately it was not as suspenseful as I hoped.  Perhaps if I was left guessing a bit more as to why Anne was hanged I would have enjoyed it more.  It's one of those books that reminds me of a conversation that one might have with a friend confirming a rumor.  I had my suspicions of what occurred, now I was given the full story.

Hooper did, however, include the real Newes from the Dead pamphlet which told of Anne's story.  That was a very cool inclusion. 

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Title: Never Let Me Go

Author: Kazuo Ishiguro

Country: US & Great Britain (2005)

Pages: 288

Genre: science fiction

Challenges:

Rating: *****

"My name is Kathy H. I'm 31 years old, and I've been a carer now for over eleven years." opens Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. The

The first thing that might strike you odd if having just picked up this book is how the narrator introduces themselves - Kathy H. She has no last name? Why is it so secretive? And a 'carer', does she mean 'caregiver'? After reading further only a few sentences she shares that she's pretty good at her job, as most of her donors' recovery times are quite impressive. Donors, huh? So I'm kind of thinking what I think the author means - after all, the only time I've understood the definition of donors is in context of donating blood, plasma, organs?!?

Kathy begins reminiscing about her days at Hailsham - a private boarding school where the arts are promoted. Hailsham sounds like a marvelous place where her and her dear friends go from art classes to music classes to poetry readings. Guardians run the school - are the students orphans? In her early years (elementary?) when she's not in classes, her time is spent with her dear friend Ruth and other girls gossiping about the boys, especially angry Tommy. As they grow up together, naturally, Tommy becomes the boyfriend of Ruth.

Kathy and all of the children know that they are different than those outside the walls of Hailsham, but she doesn't really quite explain how. As they get older, for example, they are told that they cannot get pregnant, and that they must especially pay close attention to whom they sleep with because it is worse for them to get a sexually transmitted disease than anyone else. In fact, they are taught early on how important it is for the whole lot to remain healthy -which is why they get weekly visits to the nurse on campus. Talk of their future and destined career is also spoken of, but quietly. It's as though the students understand their fate while simultaneously don't understand it.

Which is exactly how the reader - especially if one had forgotten why they added this book to their TBR list (like me!!) - feels through out most of the novel. You see Ishiguro is doing everything but using the C-word.

Clones. Cloning. All told from the point of view of, you guessed it, a clone.

This novel is not set in the far future. It's not even set in the near future. No, Ishiguro sets Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy's life "somewhere in the 1990's". Uh, like fifteen years ago? He also weaves their lives and their destiny together so quietly and without fuss, that I felt as though I needed to take a shower and was the horror of England's decision to clone away. I know, look at me becoming so adamant and political over a fictional group of friends. But oh how many times were there that I wanted to say to Kathy, "Run. Go somewhere. Hide. Don't you know what they're going to do to you?"

Ishiguro definitely sets the stage through Kathy's voice to pose philosophical questions - specifically, how can a society continue using clones if the clones have personalities of their own?

At what point do we use science to move ahead and at what point does science end our sense of humanity? How many times have I casually made a joke about cloning one of my best students? Or even my cat! It's a joke when I say it, of course, I take no significance in it. But just suppose that cloning was a natural (as 'natural' as one can get) choice in present day life. The intent, of course, is initially pure, isn't it? Science is what has created cures for illnesses that would have killed us decades ago. Science is what allows us to live longer, healthier. In Never Let Me Go, science has just taken it a step further. Have pancreatic cancer? No worries, we have donors available. Let's not concern ourselves to question whether or not clones have a soul. What is a soul even? Especially when we can save 'real people'.

I admit. This book gave me the heebie jeebies. There were times when it was difficult to read. And it showed; I think it took me at least a week to get through all of the pages. It was trying to wrap my head around what was happening. I know that it wouldn't have worked had Ishiguro written the novel any other way. He was not preachy nor was the topic shoved down the reader's throat. Instead, he whispered it in your mind. Let's not speak about their deaths, rather let's rather speak about their "completion".

If you are not someone who leans toward science fiction (as I'm not), I think that you will be pleased reading Never Let Me Go. It's a dystopian that doesn't read as one. I'm glad that I randomly chose this off of my TBR list. I've not only broadened what I normally would read, but have found a new author that I would like to read more from.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer & Barrows

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society  

Authors: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows 

Country: US (July 29, 2008)

Pages: 288 

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Challenges: War Through the Ages 

Rating: *****

If it had not been for all of the reviews that I read on book blogs, I would never have picked up this novel. Quite honestly, the title was a bit too awkward for me and rather unappealing. I know that for some it piqued their interest, for me, the effect was quite the opposite. Because of this, every time I went to the bookstore and saw it on the best seller's shelf, I'd walk right by. But then...this little book began appearing on every (or so it seemed) book blog that I read. And the reviews were enticing. I went ahead and requested it from the library, waited on the wait list for about a month, and finally read it last week.

It is a World War II book. In quick summary - the leading character, Juliet, is a journalist on a book tour after her collection of war editorials were published. As it happens, one of her used books has found itself on a tiny little island on the coast of England - Guernsey. A gentleman of the name Dawsey writes Juliet about an mutually enjoyed author - Charles Lamb - and thus begins the correspondence between London's Juliet and Guernsey's Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Through the letters, Juliet begins to learn about the grave moments Guernsey Island's inhabitants shared while under German occupation. She learns of the friendships that develop and the love of reading amongst in the hopes to emotionally battle the circumstances. Juliet grows close to the members and eventually travels to the island to see if there are enough stories to justify a book.

This novel however is so much more than just one story. It's the story of the shared love of books, yes. But it's also a love story told in present and past. Juliet is courted by the overambitious and established "catch" Mark who wines and dines her in London and tries to follow her to Guernsey. Through letters we learn of the love story between a Guernsey Islander, Elizabeth and German soldier, Christian. This relationship is told with a tragic conclusion.

Further, the book is a story of humanity. The authors do not creep past the reality that we do not live in a black and white existence. They boldly show how the islanders, even though devastated by the circumstances of war, could still befriend some of the german soldiers that occupied their homeland. Shaffer and Barrows revealed the devastation and starvation that occurred to the town people, the servants, and eventually the soldiers. When one scene showed a soldier committing a horrific act, an alternating page might show a german soldier with compassion, sneaking medicine to help a sickly islander.

The characters were three-dimensional. I could picture these letters existing, being found dusty and tied with a ribbon while kept in a shoe box, hidden up in someone's attic until found and published. I put the book down feeling as though I could research and find the young child, Kit, and ask her about her life now that she's grown. The authors were daring to set the novel up in a collection of letters, and I'm so glad that they did. I don't know if the novel would have had the same affect if they didn't.

If you haven't read GLPPPS I highly recommend picking it up. If you have a large TBR list (as I do) put it aside for a bit and curl up with this book for a while. It deserves a comforter, cup of tea, and your full attention!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Title: The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman

Country: US (2008)

Pages: 320 

Genre: Young Adult

Challenges: DreamKing, YA

Grade: ****

I feel as though I am one of the few that was not blown away by The Graveyard Book, especially since it just won the Newbery (and a huge congrats for that!)  Here's the thing though - it's not that I didn't enjoy the book, because I did.  In fact, I read it in a day because (a) it's an easy read and (b) it held my interest.  I just wasn't gushing immediately after putting it down.  For one thing, I think that I had heard so much hype about the book, the standard was raised so high that it would probably have been unlikely to reach.  Also, I'm still soaring from reading Coroline a few months back, and quite honestly, Bod just doesn't compare to the character that Gaiman crafted when he brought Coroline to life.  

The Graveyard Book, for the rare few that might not have heard about it yet, is the story of Nobody "Bod" Owens and his life living (you guessed it) in a graveyard.  As he grows up he befriends both living, dead, and even in-between people. He learns ghostly tricks such as how to haunt, or create a feeling of fear and dread out of nowhere. He goes to school and challenges a bunch of bullies.  Bod even meets a young human girl who he befriends twice at different stages in his life.  There's mystery and darkness and humor and light.  The Graveyard Book is an enjoyable read.  

Some parts dwelled a bit too long for me, but Gaiman's voice is both tantalizing and descriptive enough that I could move through those passages and quickly get drawn back in.  Gaiman has crafted the art of showing not telling quite well.  As the reader, you kind of feel like you know what's gonna happen, or who that character is, but you're still pulled along "carrot dangling in front" for a few pages before your speculation is confirmed. (For those who have read it, the appearance of the dog in the graveyard for example).

I did find some cool covers when I was googling the cover for this post.  Check them out:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Title: The Host

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Country: US (May 2008)

Pages: 619

Genre: Fiction - Science Fiction

Challenges:

Grade: ****

After reading the Twilight series, The Host reads as though a completely different author wrote it. (I felt this way about Breaking Dawn as well). The novel has two voices, that of an alien life-form Wanderer, or "Wanda" and human host, Melanie. The conflict of the novel is rather philosophical. Wanderer is an alien life form whose sole purpose is to be a "soul" in the beings on various planets. After living on many planets, she finally takes home on Earth and is placed in the human host, Melanie. Melanie, of course, spends the first part of the story fighting to keep consciousness while Wanderer tries to deny it. Fortunately for Melanie, she is persistent, bombarding Wanderer with images of human emotions, primarily her love for her younger brother Jamie and Jared. Wanderer eventually "wanders" her last time, seeking out Melanie's loved ones and the other rebels who have resisted the alien invasion.

What is most unique about this novel is the difficulty in hating the antagonist. I could empathize with the struggle of both Wanderer and Melanie. Wanderer was not developed to be a heinous villain, nor were the other aliens in their species. She was just existing in the ways that she existed. It is of course, easy to empathize with Melanie. She's the human that has to struggle with this new personality that has taken over hear mind and body. I can understand her animosity and disdain for the creature that has captured her.

Rachel over at American Bibliophile is hosting monthly book discussions (which I'm thrilled about). These are her questions for The Host.

1. Would you classify The Host as a dystopian read? Why or why not? If so, how would you compare it to other dystopian novels?

I struggled with this question. In fact, I read the questions that Rachel came up with even before finishing the novel. I then completed the book on Friday and had to mull over this question again all weekend. Would I classify The Host as a dystopian? I still don't think that I've come up with a convincing answer one way or the other. Here's my struggle: In many ways, I can easily see how someone would immediately refer to the book as dystopian. After all, it is a blatant commentary on humanity. There are many obvious passages where Meyers paints humans as being selfish, violent, and unforgiving. Alternatively, the alien "souls" are the human foils - they are kind, benevolent, cringe against violence, and over all peaceful. It is also mentioned via Wanderer and others that the Souls came to Earth because they viewed it to be too violent and self-destructive. But here's where I'm a bit hesitant on declaring The Host dystopian and closing the book - the Souls were not coming to Earth with the intent of transforming themselves to make the necessary utopian qualities needed to make Earth a better place. What I mean by that is, the Souls were just being who they were. They did not craft a government or creed or create ideals on how life should be led and then follow it. They just existed on Earth as they would have existed on any other planet. Their immediate purpose in life was to find hosts to inhabit. Had we read a chapter of their life on one of the other many planets where Wanderer lived, would we have viewed that as dystopic? Probably not, (1) the other life forms that became hosts did not seem nearly as conscious and aware as humans, thus (2) the souls inhabiting those life forms might not have seen as ghastly. The novel is still a commentary on the human race and perhaps how we treat each other and what changes we need to make. It also poses the question, 'What does it mean to be human' regularly. I just don't know if I'd throw the towel in completely and mark it as dystopian.

2. What do you think Meyer is trying to say about Christianity and religion? What do you think she is trying to say about our society in general?

Maybe I need to re-read the book, maybe I missed some huge obvious symbolism about Christianity and religion. I didn't really catch that as being much of the focus, not nearly as much as Meyers questioning what is human or the ridiculousness of making general all-assuming sterotypes. The illogic of "if I am human and I feel compassion, all humans feel compassion" is no more true than "if the middle east has terrorism, all middle easterns are terrorists" I believe that Myers is fighting against that type of false logic, among other things.

3. A lot of people have speculated that those who liked the Twilight series might not like The Host. Why do you think this is?

The two are definitely on opposites of the spectrum. The Twilight saga was a quick fun read and left very little food for thought. The Host opens the doors for more discussion and internal thoughts. I don't know if all Twilight lovers are going to wrap their heart and soul around The Host as they did with Edward and Bella, but do know that even my students who have read the saga and read The Host were not disappointed. (Some even said they preferred The Host!)

4. Was the ending satisfying for you? Why or why not?

I hated the ending. I really truly was disappointed that everything wrapped itself up in a nice neat little bow. In fact, the ending is the reason why the book was given a "B".

5. Which characters did you find likeable/unlikeable and why?

Even if I didn't care for all of the characters, Meyers did a wonderful job of making me understand them. What more could you ask for as a reader?

6. What overall theme in the book did you relate to most and why?

I really liked that this book had philosophical undertones. I wish that I had been reading it with a companion so that I might have stopped at some point and say "Hey, what did you think about this...". I think that it's important to remember that just because we are human that does not mean we always behave in the most humane way.