We Need to Talk About Kevin

As I've probably mentioned before I like "dark" books, and tend to mostly avoid lighthearted chick lit type books. Although I do indulge in those genres from time to time, the books I love the most are usually of a less than happy nature.

For instance, I absolutely love the book We Need to Talk About Kevin. The book is written from the perspective of Kevin's mother and deals with her attempt to come to terms with the murders her son committed. It is told in first person as a series of letters to her husband.

Reading this book really makes you feel for other mothers who have been placed in this position. She goes through the emotions of blaming herself, blaming others, blaming Kevin and trying to understand what exactly brought him to the point where he would kill some of his classmates. It also goes through her experiences of being ostracized from the community because they blame her almost as much as they blame Kevin.

It is really hard not to wonder how you personally would react to this situation when reading the book. It is also really hard to not empathize with Kevin, for reasons I won't disclose. I don't want to ruin the experience of any one who decides to pick this book up.

I was just looking up some information, and it looks like there is the possibility that this book could be turning into a movie. Most books usually are, but given the content, I can see there being a hard time with being accurate to the novel. Especially if there are any more highly publicized incidents of school violence close to its release.

In any case, this book will truly make you question a parent's role in who their children become.

A Good Lighthearted Read

I was looking through my book shelf today and came across a hilarious series by Louise Rennison that I had totally forgotten about. The first book in the series is called: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson. Needless to say, the book is random and hilarious.

The entire series is based around a teenage girl who lives in England and records every detail of her life in her diary. The book even includes a dictionary at the back so that you can understand the crazy vocabulary of the Brits.

This series is perfect if you are in the need of a good laugh and a short read. I have yet to actually finish the series, and doubt that I will. But I am glad that I have had the chance to read the few books from the series that I have.

The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones is another one of those books that I have no problem reading over and over again. There is something about the writing that is hard to resist, and I get drawn in every time I (re)read it.

The story is about a young girl who is murdered by the man across the street. After she dies, she watches her family and her murderer from heaven. What I really like about this book is how it gives the reader a new perspective on what heaven could be. The saddest part is that you see her family suffering through her eyes, and have to be in her head when she realizes she can no longer comfort them.

I am really interested to see how the movie version of this book will turn out. In my opinion, The Lovely Bones is one of those books that could suffer greatly from the artistic vision of any director. This is just my opinion, but when I read a book I create a vivid picture of how I think it should look like in my head. This book in particular will be difficult to translate simply because it is told from the viewpoint of someone in heaven. Maybe I'm just not too creative, and someone has figured out a way to manage this problem, I will just have to wait and see.

All being said, I am very excited to go see the movie, which is supposed to come out in December 2009. Also very excited to see The Time Traveller's Wife which FINALLY has a release date of August 14, 2009!!!!

Adding to the List

Yesterday I found myself waiting around the Milton Mall to pick up my brother's girlfriend after work, and I of course ended up in the book store.

"In times like these", as a student I don't really have the money to be buying myself any new books, at least for the moment. Though, this didn't stop me from picking up every book that caught my eye (I'd say about 20) and deciding if one day I might buy it.

The only way I could make myself feel better was by making a list in my phone of all the books that I would actually read and might have a chance of getting if they were put on my birthday list, even though my birthday is in June.

Anyways, long story short. The two books that made the list were:

Mapping the Edge - Sarah Dunant

The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield

Here are some short descriptions of each:

Mapping the Edge

Anna, a self-sufficient and reliable single mother, packs her bags one day for a short vacation to Italy. She leaves her beloved six- year-old daughter, Lily, at home in London with good friends. But when Anna doesn't return, everyone begins to make excuses until the likelihood that she might not come back becomes chillingly clear. And the people who thought they knew Anna best realize they don't know her at all.

Dunant, a masterly British suspense writer, skillfully interweaves parallel narratives that are stretched taut with tension even as they raise difficult questions about motherhood, friendship, and accountability. In this compelling hybrid of sophisticated crime writing and modern women's fiction, Dunant challenges and unnerves us as she redefines the boundaries of the psychological thriller.

The Thirteenth Tale

Reclusive author Vida Winter, famous for her collection of twelve enchantingstories, has spent the past six decades penning a series of alternate livesfor herself. Now old and ailing, she is ready to reveal the truth about herextraordinary existence and the violent and tragic past she has kept secret forso long. Calling on Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her ownpainful history, Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good. Margaret ismesmerized by the author's tale of gothic strangeness -- featuring the beautifuland willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess,a topiary garden and a devastating fire. Together, Margaret and Vida confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves.

Hopefully I will be reading these sooner than later.

Amazing Discovery!!

If it weren't for writing this blog I would have had NO IDEA that there is going to be a fifth installment to one of my favourite series of all time.

I was going to start writing a post about a series written by Megan Mccafferty and decided to go onto her website when I discovered that she is suprisingly releasing another book. I had thought the series was done, so needless to say I am more than thrilled.

Ther series follows Jessica Darling as she moves through high school, into college and then finally into the "real" world. I was lucky enough to discover these books when I was the same age as Jessica in the book (16). So I really got a chance to grow up with her.

The books focus, like many other teen books, around her relationships and friendships. It specifically follows her unexpected relationship with the reformed druggie loser type Marcus Flutie who is a very very complicated character. He appears in all five books, usually at very inopportune times (I know I can relate to that).

The books are hilarious and told with perfect sarcastic humour. Even though I am no longer 16 I know that I can pick up these books any time and will be drawn right back into the awkwardness of being a teenage girl. Actually, I am almost certain I am going to start reading them again very soon so I can catch up for the April 14th release of Perfect Fifths.

The other books in this series are:
Sloppy Firsts
Second Helpings
Charmed Thirds
Fourth Comings

I highly highly suggest them.

Do you have any favourite "teen" series?