Tuesday Book Club
As I mentioned yesterday, last week I met and was mightily impressed by YA author Jordan Sonnenblick.
I was equally impressed by his novel Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, which was my book for the week.
It takes an artful touch to make you laugh all through a book about a family dealing with cancer. I’m a hundred percent sure I couldn’t have pulled it off. But that book is funny and honest and touching in a non-After School Special kind of way. One of my favorite moments is when the main character, a junior high boy, admits that he’s sometimes relieved when his little brother has to go back to the hospital, because at least our main boy can get his homework done without so many distractions. That’s the kind of realism that kids want, in my opinion. Enough with the “aren’t we all so noble” routine.
And for those of you like HipWriterMama who are searching for great books for boys, this is definitely one of them. Jordan Sonnenblick really understands the junior high boy–both because he taught 8th grade English for several years, and because he’s obviously still able to channel his own 12- or 13-year-old mind.
So that’s my report. What did all of you read this week?
Technorati Tags: Tuesday Book Club, Reading Clubs, Book Clubs, Reading, Books, Jordan Sonnenblick, Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie, Books for Boys, Great Books for Boys
September 11th, 2007 at 6:16 am
Eat, Pray, Love. Thank you, Robin, for pushing this one so hard. I really needed some orgasmic pizza, Richard-from-Texas, and some hilarious banana references in my reading life. Oh, and I got a little bit enlightened while I was laughing. Now I’m pushing it on my sister.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:29 am
Wow, Robin, I’ll definitely check out that book. It’s about a subject close to my heart (http://queenkelley.com/?p=21), and I like that it’s told from the perspective of a sibling. Interestingly, the book I actually finished in one week (an amazing feat for me these days even with its wide margins and large font), Cynthia Kadohata’s kira-kira, is about two sisters, the oldest of whom becomes desperately ill. I enjoyed the younger sister’s voice as she told the story, laughing aloud in some places. Most fascinating and troublesome was the author’s depiction of a Japanese American family in the mid-twentieth century. As a Georgian, I’ve witnessed plenty of discrimination against African Americans and Mexican Americans, but I was horrified all over again to learn of the terrible working conditions for the Japanese employed at chicken factories just a few decades ago. This story highlights family relationships, suffering, and class and race issues–and the narrator, Katie, was still able to make me smile many times.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:54 am
I’m stillllll reading The Magus because it’s, well, incredibly long. But very, very fine. And also, Eat, Pray, Love because I can read that when I’m tired. And also Twyla Tharp’s Creative Habit.
September 11th, 2007 at 8:48 am
I finished Caspian Rain,which made it to #45 on my 50 books list(Yah for me!)and am now reading Lorna Landvik’s new novel,The View from Mount Joy. Also enjoying The Tea Rose(one of those great old fashioned sagas)and yes,my Philip Pullman books have arrived!
Think I’ll just have to put my Jane Austen aside there(even tho I recently acquired the Annotated P&P)to give The Golden Compass a whirl. I will let all of you know my first impressions on it soon.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:14 am
I’m reading Spin, by Robert Charles Wilson. I’m pretty sure I read about the book first in the kidlitosphere, because when my husband brought it home, I recoginized the premise immediately. The “Spin” is a planet-shield that someone (who?) placed around the Earth to cut it off from the rest of the universe. Billions of years pass by outside the shield during the 30 Earth years the novel takes place. It’s science-fiction driven by characters, not the other way around. So far, I recommend it.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I finished The Alchemyst by Michael Scott last night and started Atonement by Ian McEwan this morning. I liked The Alchemyst - it was a fun, fast-paced adventure.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:23 am
I finished Swan Song by Robert McCammon. Given the squandered opportunity of ’90s to rid the world of nuke WMD and instability of several nations armed with nukes, let alone fanatics itching to get hold of nukes, the possiblitiy of a nuclear winter has again raised its ugly head. Setting aside the supernatural aspect of the story, I find it fascinating how humankind could perhaps survive. With social restains removed can good survive evil. I also read Boy Toy. I think Barry did an excellent job of taking the reader through how easy it is for child to be taken advangtage of by a adult in a position of trust. Once the prey hits the web, how impossible it is to escape. Then the guilt and the damage that keeps reverberating for years.
September 11th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Hey Robin on chapter 11 of your book and I gotta say I think I’m falling in love with Casey! He’s just SO sweet!Thanks for creating him!
September 11th, 2007 at 11:02 am
I finished book 5. Yay me! Only two more to go!
September 11th, 2007 at 11:17 am
I loved Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie. It had me from the title alone, and it’s a book I sat up reading, laughing and crying.
I’m reading The Mysterious Benedict Society right now. It’s more of a mystery/adventure, but a fun premise. I’m also sitting her looking at an enormous stack of picture books that I intend to start reading and reviewing this week. Boy, they sure can stack up when you’re not looking.
September 11th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
I read Lottery, by Pat Wood… plus a few more in-progress (including Eat Pray Love).
September 11th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
I actually did not finish a single book this week. How crazy is that? I started The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, but just found it to be too heavy for my current state of mind. I started a new romance over the weekend, but I’m not done with it yet. Craziness!
September 11th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I didn’t read anything this week.
September 11th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I’ve begun but not yet finished The Book Of Joe by Jonathan Tropper. I’m digging this author.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Christen, I assume you mean you started a new romance novel this weekend. Otherwise, I’d need a lot more details than that.
Sara, Katie, and Liz, so glad you’re getting your dose of Eat, Pray, Love!! That book was one of my favorites of the whole year. So much to love in there, so much to think about. And so many great food choices to dream about. Sara, good job spreading the gospel.
Patrick, that’s okay. Come back next week.
Laura, I’ve heard of that guy’s new one, How to Talk to a Widower. Sounds pretty fun! (Based on the reviews, not the title.)
Jen, as far as TBR piles go, it seems like a stack of picture books would be refreshing. Think of all the titles you can list after just a few hours of reading! Whee!
Kimmy, lucky you to have two more Harry Potter books to digest and enjoy! You will LOVE them.
Dylan, I confess to having a huge crush on Casey, too. I would have loved to have known a boy like that in high school. Sigh . . .
Boy, Herb, some heavy reading for this week! But you always tackle the big stuff. Isn’t it weird to now know someone who wrote one of the books you read? I always think that’s so odd.
Kari, that’s good to know about The Alchemyst. That’s been on my radar for a while, but not yet on my shelf.
Alkelda, what a cool-sounding book! Let us know how you like it by the end.
Lady T, congrats on #45! It’s interesting to see the end of the year already approaching, and to compare that to how well you’ve done on your reading goals. I’d say you’re on track to surpass 50!
Liz, hang in there with The Magus, but I totally agree with the Eat, Pray, Love breaks.
Kelley, thanks for reminding me about Kiri-Kiri–another book I’ve been meaning to read.
So many great books out there! Aaarrrggg!!
Mother Reader needs to declare another 48-Hour Book Challenge to help us clear our shelves before the new year.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I just finished Spin, despite the clamors of a 4 year old child. It was quite good, and surprising in an upbeat way.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Alkelda, I wasn’t expecting to see you back here again so soon. You’re a reading machine to be able to power through the clamors of a 4-year-old.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Oh… yeah… a novel.
I now have to live vicariously through the genre I love. I think romance for moi is on hold for a long while.
But on an exciting note, I will have some things to talk about on Friday!!! I’m my new bestest friend and I am treating myself right!
September 11th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
I know I wish there was a guy out there like that I could meet! Most of the guys I know are kinda shy… eek maybe I am too
September 12th, 2007 at 5:12 am
Shy is seriously not my problem! =)
September 12th, 2007 at 7:41 am
I’m halfway through Steven Brust’s Dzur, which is, I think, the second adult book I’ve read this year (not including literary criticism etc.). It’s long enough since I’ve read the last one in the series that I’m struggling to remember the set-up, but it’s wonderful. Can’t believe he can still manage to do something so new and different with each book.
I’m also beta reading for a friend, and my BF, which I love doing! Such a great gig to get.
And my list of books to acquire somehow keeps growing with every entry you make! I’d never heard of Jordan Sonnenblick, but that’s a must, clearly, - and had forgotten that Catherine Gilbert Murdock’s sister had written a book that I thought at the time sounded good. What a family!
September 12th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Finished your book Robin! I LOVED it I think it might actually be one of my favorite books now!
Have you thought about writing a sequel? I need more!
September 12th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Thank you, Dylan! I really appreciate that. No sequel planned, but I think you’ll like the one that’s coming next!
Lady S, you’re right–being a beta reader is such a sweet gig. Especially if it’s for a friend you know can write! Sorry about giving you more books to want to read. Welcome to my world every Tuesday–my shelves just get more and more overloaded because I want to read what everyone else is!
Christen, looking forward to reading the Friday list. I have the feeling you’ll be setting a new standard for us to admire and emulate.
September 12th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Ok I can’t wait! Great Job! I literally couldn’t put it down. That’s like the most reading I’ve done since Eclipse!
*hug*
September 12th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Hey Robin!
I can be a reading machine as long as I’m not trying to do the 48 hour book challenge AND potty-train a girlie. Now, I’m almost finished with your book. Well done, Brande. I’ll have to send you a bookplate or something to sign.
September 13th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Sorry about giving you more books to want to read.
One of the less sincere apologies in the history of apologies.
And rightly so - pushing loved books is one of life’s great pleasures! (Have ordered the first two JS books and Eat, Pray, Love.)
September 13th, 2007 at 9:02 am
I know I’m a little late, but did want to say that I finished Fan Boy and Goth Girl…great book!
I read an adult book on the airplane, but I cannot remember the name of it. Think it was by Phyllis Whitney.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Alkelda, I’d rather sign it in person! Hold on to it, and I promise I’ll make it up your way some time in the not-too-distant future.
Lady S, I’m so glad you ordered all those! Whee! You’re right–I’m not really sorry at all.
Judy, back from Germany already? Did you at least have time to eat some fabulous German chocolate? (And of course I agree about The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl. Wait until you read Boy Toy!
September 13th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Nope, not back…just got here. They have computers in Germany, too! And of course, I’m addicted. I think Patrick has Boy Toy, so I can read that when I get back.