Sam's Magical Book Club

Old School by Tobias Wolff

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was another book from Shelly's "required summer reading" list for her English students. It reminded me a little of the movie, "The Dead Poet's Society." Basically it's about an elite school for boys who have an unusual interest in literature. I like that the story primarily follows one boy's struggle to find his voice. THAT I could relate with. I also appreciated the cameo appearances from several real-world authors. The protagonist in this book did make me wonder if I shouldn't give Hemingway a second chance. Not many things could do that.



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The Selection by Kiera Cass

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



It's a good recommendation if you need a fluffy, young adult romance/dystopia that is well-written and interesting. I didn't quite understand why there could be such a controversy about it. Maybe I'm not reading deep enough. I thought it was a cross between a spin-off of the Bible story of Esther and The Bachelor. Make of that what you will. Book 2 is available and I believe Book 3 is coming out next year?



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The Elite by Kiera Cass

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Similarly to Book 1, The Elite reminded me of the reality show, The Bachelor. Except that most of the characters have some class and the story is more engaging. The romance is exciting in a youthful, dramatic, indecisive kind of way, but love triangles are not as enthralling to me as they used to be. I have a hard time respecting these heroines who can't decide which boy they love more. Still, an entertaining read.



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Hi all,

My summer reading list is VERY varied this year. I'm taking on everything from classic lit to light young adult reading. Here's a sampling of what's on the list:

• Crime and Punishment
• Old School
• Insurgent
• The Knife of Never Letting Go
• Heroes of Olympus

Peter and the Secret of Rundoon by Dave Barry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars







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The ending wasn't quite as good as it could have been in my opinion, but I do have to give it a solid 3 stars because it was part of a really original, really engaging series. The book was still great, don't get me wrong. I didn't get bored or anything. I still buzzed through it eagerly.

Great books build up high expectations for me, and I just expected something a bit more... wondrous than your typical, no-fail, world-changing revolution. I guess I missed the mystical quality that existed in the first book, and that's just me.

Still, a highly recommended series. Can't wait for my sisters to read it and tell me what they think.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


One word can sum up the expectations I had for this book:

Yessssss.

I loved everything about The Maze Runner - intriguing characters, exciting story, creative, provocative... and I get to live in the story for a few more books!

Through Thomas's eyes, the small civilization in the middle of a maze is confusing, fascinating, and strangely familiar even though he has no memory of his former life. Some of the characters are mysterious, some are funny, but all of them have an important purpose in solving the dangerous maze they are trapped in. Thomas's part is the catalyst to discovering the mysteries of the maze; things become more interesting as his role - and the role of the only girl in the maze - unfolds.

I take it as a good sign that the 1st book in this series was able to sort of resolve one conflict and introduce a whole new dimension of mystery that builds on what the characters just went through. I'm excited to see what the characters go through next - whether they get their memories back, whether Thomas and the girl find out what their past was together, whether the young will once again outsmart the controlling adults in their world...

Yes! yes! yes! Many thanks to my dentist for telling my husband he had no cavities (hopefully you will tell me the same thing when it's my turn again) and for recommending The Maze Runner! :)



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