The Giver is the story of Jonas, a young boy living in what is originally presented as a utopian society. Everyone coexists harmoniously, spends the day going about their routines as expected, and even shares their feelings with their family at the dinner table. There is no violence, no pain, and no dissent within the community. As per tradition, when Jonas turns twelve, he and the other twelve-year-olds are assigned a job in the community that they will spend the next several years preparing for and the rest of their life fulfilling. While others receive typical jobs in the community such as Caretaker of the Old, Jonas is given a job that causes an unusual stir in the community, as it is one that is rarely given: Receiver.

Jonas’ training is done by the titular character, the Giver, who reveals a new world to Jonas. He begins transferring long-ago memories to Jonas, letting him in on secrets and knowledge: things like color, emotion, climate – all the things that are regulated and unknown to everyone else. Jonas begins to experience the things the community is kept from (true family, the feeling of a warm summer day), as well as the things the community is protected from (loss, and pain in the form of a blistering sunburn). Eventually, Jonas comes to the realization that the benefit of protecting citizens from the negative things in life does not weigh out the drawback of keeping them from the joys life has to offer.

The Giver has received a lot of praise, but also a lot of criticism because of some of the themes being explored in a children’s book. I’ll admit it’s probably a little advanced for most fifth-graders – I read it on my own when I was about that age, but it was done as a unit when I was in middle school. (Amazon.com describes its reading level as ages twelve and up, which puts a potential reader at the same age as Jonas.)

Towards the end of the novel, Jonas needs to decide: stay and remain oppressed, or leave and live free? What does he decide? What happens to him? The ending is ambiguous, so read it and decide for yourself!

In Alice in Wonderland, Alice is bored and ends up following a rabbit and falling down a rabbit hole into an alternate universe.  As she runs through Wonderland, she encounters several different obstacles, from a mad tea party, to a game of croquet with the evil queen.

In Through the Looking Glass, Alice is playing with her cats and is curious about what happens on the other side of mirrors.  So she goes to look in one and practically falls through it.  Where she lands is a total opposite universe; before, it was winter and snowing outside, and now it is a gorgeous summer day in a garden.  She eventually comes upon a giant game of chess, and that is what most of the book is about, her playing her way through the giant, life sized chess game.  When she finally grabs the Red Queen, she unknowingly puts the Red King into “checkmate” and is allowed to wake up.

Now, you may be thinking, “This isn’t Alice in Wonderland, I saw the movie and it was nothing like this.”  Well, the newest movie (which came out in 2010) is almost like a third part to the series.  In the movie, Alice is 19 and well,  it is fairly similar to Alice in Wonderland, but in the movie Alice slays the Jabberwocky.  Which didn’t happen in either book.  In Through the Looking Glass,  Alice reads a poem about the Jabberwocky and someone killing it, but never does herself.

Both these fabulous books are by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, most commonly know by his pseudonym Lewis Carroll.  Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was written in 1865, as one book.

I read A Long Way Down one summer while working at a golf course. I’d be sitting by the snack shack, ready to give golfers fuel in the form of hot dogs and beer, and they’d inevitably ask me what I was reading. When they questioned the plot, I always hesitated slightly: “It’s a story about four strangers who meet when they all decide to commit suicide on the same night,” sounds a little deranged, but it’s true. The novel is told in alternating viewpoints of the characters – an 18-year-old girl with a penchant for drama, a single mother of a disabled adult son, a struggling American musician, and a former morning show host shamed by a sex scandal – as they decide to put off their suicides and meet three months later to reconsider.

My first introduction to Hornby was through How to Be Good, a novel I read as an assignment in my introductory literature class freshman year of college. Since I had spent high school being forced to read books I didn’t particularly like (with a few exceptions), I was blown away to be reading material I actually enjoyed for an academic class. How to Be Good explores what it means… to be good. Go figure, huh? It focuses on a family of four’s reaction to the father suddenly enlisting the help of a spiritual leader and renovating his life to reflect “good.” This means giving away his children’s toys, inviting homeless strangers into the home, and other extreme behavior. His wife, a physician, struggles with understanding the actions of her “new” husband and tries to decide for herself what “being good” really is.

Hornby’s books tend to be quick reads with a lot of dialogue – not surprising, considering he writes a lot of screenplays and that his books are frequently adapted into movies. Despite addressing bizarre or extreme behavior some of the time, the characters are given backgrounds that make them feel familiar. When I get a chance (or an e-reader for my upcoming birthday… hint, hint!), I’m going to track down some other Hornby novels to give those a try too!

For a speed reader like myself, I appreciate Lamb because he forces me to slow down and pay attention to what I’m reading. I often find myself skimming pages and jumping ahead, eager to find out what’s next, but Lamb puts so much detail into his text that I often have to go back and re-read paragraphs, pages,and  even chapters to make sense of all his references and call-backs. I’ve read several of his books to date, and they’re all very long — but so worth it.

She’s Come Undone is the life story of Dolores Price, who has had some pretty awful things happen to her. I don’t want to give too much away, or tell you what kind of ending to expect, but when one of my roommates returned the book to me and asked why on earth I would want her to read something so sad, I couldn’t give an answer. Maybe it’s because something so unfamiliar reminds me to be thankful for the life I live? I can’t be entirely sure.

What I do find remarkable about this book, though, is that it contains such insight to the mind of a female but that it is written by a male. Another favorite Lamb book of mine, I Know This Much Is True, has a male protagonist, and while the the writing style is definitely similar, I just think the ability to so fully develop such different characters is pretty incredible. In both, Lamb explores how one’s past has a lasting impact on who they are later in life. It’s pretty fascinating, and definitely makes you think.

She’s Come Undone is not recent — it was published in 1992 and one of Oprah’s Book Club picks in 1996. I read it probably about ten years after that, and am thinking about giving it another go again when we get a good, snowy day. This is no light, beach read — though I have read Lamb on the beach, but I’m just weird like that, I guess! — but one that you can certainly lose yourself in.

Do I like everything he writes? No. But with his characters and his Maine, I always enjoy the ride.

I picked up Full Dark, No Stars from the local library this week and was glad to see that it was not only Stephen King, but it was Stephen King short stories.

Even if you aren’t someone who reads a lot of short stories, Stephen King is a great place to start, and this book is a good example of that. King is masterful at weaving a tight, character-driven story that doesn’t disappoint.

Full Dark, No Stars is a collection of four short stories. And while they all contain a hint of King’s traditional horror writing, the meat of the story is really the human condition.

Take “A Good Marriage” – the fourth story in the collection and one of the strongest. We meet Darcy Anderson, a woman who has been in a rather happy marriage for decades when she discovers her husband is in fact capable of some of the most horrific crimes. While the reader gets a sampling of King’s gift for the gore, this story is really about how you can live with someone and never really know them. This story is really all about marriage and relationships. King’s construction of Darcy and her situation is so fluid and believable, I was sad to find this was the last story in the book.

In “Big Driver”, again, King’s main character is female, but this time she is seeking revenge. King takes a unique perspective on a rape victim with a well-known name, and how she tries to seek justice without getting media exposure for the attack she suffered. While there were certain points in this story where I wondered who in their right mind would act in this way, King structures the story in a way to make it almost believable.

The other short stories in this collection, “1922″ and “Fair Extension” are also well worth the read.

I find King to be at his best when writing short stories. They really emphasize his strengths as a writer, his characterizations, dialogues and world building, while not getting bogged down with some of the “fat” of some of his longer works. If you haven’t read any of his short stories, Full Dark, No Stars is a great place to start.

Ginny receives a package from her dead aunt containing 13 envelopes,  all of them numbered 1-13.  So as most people would, she opens the one labeled #1.  Inside is a list of rules and instructions.

• Rule #1: You may bring only what fits in your backpack. Don’t try to fake it out with a purse or a carry-on.
• Rule #2: You may not bring guidebooks, phrase books, or any kind of foreign language aid. And no journals.
• Rule #3: You cannot bring extra money or credit/debit cards, traveler’s checks, etc. I’ll take care of all that.
• Rule #4: No electronic crutches. This means no laptop, no cell phone, no music, and no camera. You can’t call home or communicate with people in the U.S. by Internet or telephone. Postcards and letters are acceptable and encouraged.

After this she is told that she will be traveling to many different foreign places, meeting quite a few people, and that she will be gone for a few weeks.  She is also given $1,000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket.  In the second envelope she’s told to go to a specific London flat and ask a certain person what he sold to the queen.  I know, odd, right!  The third tells her to find a starving artist.  And in envelope four, she and her artist have to go to Scotland.  Which, if I may tell you, results in a couple very disastrous things, although it also creates a bit of romance.  Unfortunately for Ginny, she doesn’t know if she will ever be able to see her artist ever again.

And due to envelopes six and eight, Paris and Rome are in Ginny’s future. And as we found out in the first envelope, Ginny may NOT open the envelopes out of order — that is, if she manages not to lose any of them — or nothing will go according to plan.

A Christmas Carol

We all know the story. It is so familiar and far too often overdone. (Images of the version acted out by The Muppets come to mind.) Ebenezer Scrooge is an old miser with no heart who is forcing his employee to work on Christmas. Later the same night, Scrooge is visited by a series of ghosts. The first ghost takes Scrooge back to his past, to see how much he once enjoyed life. The second ghost shows Scrooge how horrible he is currently acting. The final ghost shows Scrooge the inevitable outcome of his actions. The families and characters portrayed in the book are sure to tug at your heartstrings time and time again.

A Christmas Carol is just as relevant today as it was when it was originally written. In these times of recession and economic hardship, many families are experiencing the same hardships as the families illustrated in the book. With a little bit of hope and generosity, this season can be made happy for those on all parts of the spectrum.

The lessons learned in this classic are often lost or forgotten. It truly reminds all readers that no matter how old you are, or what current state your life is in, it is possible to change for the better. Ebenezer Scrooge had the help of spirits, but the readers have the help of Charles Dickens’ classic story. A re-read of A Christmas Carol will surely get you in the holiday spirit, and will remind all readers of the important lesson it teaches. Be kind not only this holiday season, but as Scrooge learned, all year round.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens tends to be the first pick when it comes to Christmas reading sessions. However, I remember that my cousins and I were quite thrilled when the uncle read How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss one year. After all, what can you say of the Grinch, a sourpuss whose heart is “2 sizes too small,” who isolates himself on Mt. Crumpit away from the rest of Whoville, and who steals the entire town’s Christmas decorations, Who-ham, and presents to “prevent Christmas from coming” and keep everything nice and quiet for himself?

Those of us who are weary of the commercial trappings of Christmas would appreciate the finer nuances of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! while every child to whom I’ve seen the story read celebrates at how the Grinch eventually “gets” Christmas.

When I watched the film, which seemed familiar to me, I had no idea that The Polar Express was based on the Caldecott Medal-winning book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg in 1985. Eventually, I remembered that my uncle had also read this book, in which a young boy travels with other children to the North Pole on the eponymous train, and which placed great emphasis on the magic of Christmas and belief, at one of our family Christmas gatherings.

As the story progressed, my uncle would turn the book around so that we could see the moody, muted illustrations that punctuated the 32 pages. In contrast to the film, the illustrations in The Polar Express were reminiscent of a time long-gone, and are not as stark as the images of Christmas you find nowadays.

We don’t have Christmas reading sessions anymore, but I still make it a point to read such books at Christmastime. All together now: “Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house/Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…”

End of Everything–Megan Abbott. This book centers on the friendship of two 13-year-old girls who live in peaceful and perfect suburban America. A few weeks before their eighth grade graduation, one of the girls abruptly disappears. The other friend becomes the star witness, and gets caught up in all of the attention, as evil is happening all around.

The Marriage Plot–Jeffrey Eugenides. Set in the early 1980s, this is a revitalized and re-energized bildungsroman meant for the 21st century. A recent college grad must choose between two men, who are both equally plagued with character flaws. This book follows the basic model of past coming of age stories, but has found plenty of new ways to complicate it.

State of Wonder–Ann Patchett. This novel has been acclaimed for being just plain amazing. Two dynamic female characters traverse the rainforest together, as a scientist from Minnesota is sent to find another American scientist who has “gone native” on a research mission to extend female fertility.

There but for the–Ali Smith. After a dinner party one night, a guest goes upstairs, and locks himself in the spare bedroom — for several months. Some serious issues currently facing the UK are discussed, and the story is narrated by four characters. Smith’s playful and unique style earns this book a top ranking.

Swamplandia–Karen Russell. This book has received much praise in the last few months, and for good reason. The inventive language and style Russell uses beautifully weave the story of a young girl who is trying to preserve her family’s way of life deep within the mangrove jungle of the Everglades.

11/22/63–Stephen King. King’s newest novel features a diner in Maine that allows an English teacher to go back in time to 1958 to stop Lee Harvey Oswald from assassinating Kennedy. This novel reminds us of the terrifying nature of time.

The Tiger’s Wife–Tea Obreht. Obreht has created a story surrounding a young doctor who blends her grandfather’s folk tales with stories of her own upbringing to tell a spellbinding story of the Balkan conflict.

A World on Fire–Amanda Foreman. Foreman gives the reader a giant and vibrant roster of characters and wildly vivid descriptions in a brilliant examination of the battle between Britain and the side it took during the Civil War.

Hemingway’s Boat–Paul Hendrickson. Hendrickson writes a biography of Hemingway by focusing on his greatest companion in Key West: his boat. The stories are rich and vivid and present Hemingway’s life in an absolutely unique format.

The Secret Mistress–Mary Balogh. Throw away your cheap and trashy romance novel for this tale of a noble debutante and an earl who is anything but suave. The period details are superb, and the characters flawless.

• What I Hate – Forget the A to Z books of the past, which were filled with animals and other friendly images. Roz Chast has put together an A to Z book with a much better subject: epic horrors and daily unpleasantries. You’ll be entertained by cartoon illustrations and appropriate supplemental text for every letter from A to Z.  Chast will help you develop a very necessary fear of abductions, rabies, tunnels, and much more.
• I Am Better Than Your Kids – If you don’t deal well with mean sarcasm, then you should stay away from this book. You will not be able to resist the urge to send this man hate mail. George Ouzounian, who goes by the pen name Maddox, spares no expense in letting you to know that your child’s poor attempts at art and the third-grade book reports you’ve saved belong in one place: the trash. You might be surprised by the hold this book can have on you. Readers love to hate Maddox.
• The Onion Presents: Christmas Exposed – The Onion Staff, a parody news organization, is always able to generate a good laugh. This Christmas, The Onion Staff brings us shocking tales of secret Santas and other wintery topics (such as the unavoidable dysfunctional family dinner), which prove to be quite illuminating (or at the very least, hilarious).
• Goodnight iPad – Goodbye moon, hello iPad. Ann Droyd‘s parody of Margaret Wise Brown‘s Goodnight Moon pokes fun at our plugged-in lives. No more do we say goodnight to our room or the cow jumping over the moon. No more do we say goodnight to our light or a red balloon. Today, we say goodnight to all of our gadgetry.
• Bossypants – Can you really go wrong with Tina Fey‘s autobiography? This book contains silly anecdotes that will draw laughter from you on every page. As a bonus, you will learn how Fey ended up on SNL and how she created 30 Rock.

A reader might equally enjoy some less recent, but equally humorous hits, such as George Carlin‘s Brain Droppings, which was published in 1997. I picked Brain Droppings up off of my neighbor’s shelf after Thanksgiving dinner and couldn’t put it down. I literally ended up taking it back home with me. Good humor never gets old.