Dreaded Slumps

Book slumps are decidedly frustrating. There is no rhyme or reason as to when they happen. Perhaps the book just read or currently reading is particularly dull. For some reason, the drive behind reading and reading and reading has simply vanished.

By the end of October, I was in the middle of no less than three books. None of them were grabbing my attention and holding it. I kept putting books up and down. The sense of obligation to finish those that are started weighed heavily upon my shoulders. To date, I am in the middle of two of them still and finished the other recently.

I ventured into the adult genre, stepping outside of the young adult sphere. I was finding deliciously wonderful books to read, "Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruis Zafon and The Green Rider series by Kristen Britain.

The year began full force, averaging 5-6 books a month, it's dwindled to two. I feel like a failure. But then to remind myself that so many people read 1-2 books a year or none at all. I beat my book goal and page count goal. The end of the year seems very anticlimactic.

Hopefully 2015 will start with new goals, refreshed and ready to read, with many ideas on where to start. Cheers!

~SK

Running in Circles

The Maze Runner
By James Dashner

The Glade is home base in the centre of the maze. There Thomas awakes to a crowd of boys he does not know. They have a whole community, working together, trying to figure out why they are in the middle of a maze and looking for the escape. Who put them there? How can they figure out the maze when it changes every day?

I'm jumping on the bandwagon, wanting to know why this book is so beloved that it would be made into a movie.

A fast read, each chapter was short and almost always ending with a cliff hanger to keep you reading to the next chapter. The premise was very cool. I think if I hadn't heard such disappointing things about the next two books, I would read on.

I didn't particularly like the main character, Thomas, but he was written as a very flawed character. Sometimes in Dystopian books, the protagonist is saint-like because they are "the chosen one" - the one who will save the whole world from distraction (think "The Hunger Games"). He was intelligent, but his anger bubbled to the surface more often than not.

Certainly I liked it, but it won't stick with me as one of my favourites.

3.5/5 STARS

End of Summer Update

Been in a slight reading slump. Procrastinating writing reviews. But mostly, reading adult fiction. Giving myself a break from the Young Adult.

~SK

Bean's Game

Ender's Shadow

By Orson Scott Card

Compaion novel to the sci-fi classic “Ender's Game”, the story follows Bean, a tiny, but incredibly intelligent rival to Ender. Earth has been to war against aliens, known as Buggers. To protect Earth and humanity, the Battleschool is built. High above, in neutral territory orbit the brightest children are sent to train as soldiers and commanders. Here, Bean's tale parallels Ender's in a fully rounded, incredible story.

If you can't tell already, I loved this book. Now to create some waves. I enjoyed this book more than “Ender's Game”. Here's why:

Bean is complex and intelligent. He explains situations and works through them with you, not for you. You're in his head. Basically, you're him. His life began with difficulty and it continues, but he never gives up. Perseverance sees him through.

Ender is morose and most of the time “woe is me” attitude. He does not accept his talents and what's expected of him. Bean, most of the time, believes himself to be better suited for Ender's position.

While it's not a light, easy read, I flew through this story. Bean's voice was uplifting and confident.

One could easily read this without having read “Ender's Game”, however, reading it after will give more insight into the events of the story.

Highly recommended.

4.5/5 STARS

Classroom: Use “Ender's Game” for the classroom. This book is quite lengthy. Or, suggest it to a student who loves Sci-Fi. Introduce them to the wonderful writing of Card.

Dragons Be Everywhere

The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim

By E.K. Johnston

In a parallel world, one like our own, there are dragons. With dragons comes dragon slayers. Tales are told of these brave men and women by loyal bards, sung in halls, passed down through the generations. Present day, the dragons are threatening the normalcy everyday living especially in rural Ontario, Canada. Here, our story teller, bard-in-training, Siobhan tells the story of Owen Thorskard, Dragon Slayer of Trondheim.

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH, PERFECT! ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!

Picked this one up at the library, completely random, excited for a story about dragons. Boy, what a find. Incredible. Honestly, I swear this book was written for me - music, dragons, Canada, history with a twist.


If I could pick one problem, the choice of calling the main character Siobhan. Constantly I had to remind myself that it was Chev-onne not Sie-Oh-Ban. How many people are familiar with this name. And there's no pronunciation guide.


A potential problem, that I really, REALLY enjoyed was the alternative history lessons. Think you knew WWII, think again. A book like this I savoured and didn't mind these stops in action.


LOOOOOVED it. And, the writing was impeccable. It was like a rich dessert, one that you love but have to eat slowly to savour it. I recommend this book to ANY dragon lover, young adult or adult.


Canada represent!


5/5 STARS


Classroom: Probably not... that won't stop me from recommending it to everyone!!!