http://dantheman23.livejournal.com/ (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
dantheman23.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
christianreader2015-02-04 07:49 pm
dantheman23.livejournal.com) wrote in christianreader2015-02-04 07:49 pm
Entry tags:
January Books
2 fantastic books this month, and no stinkers!
Son
by Lois Lowry
The conclusion to the wonderful Giver series, I liked how things from the previous books were tied together, bringing some of the characters and events full circle. I was also really into the story that was introduced this time around, but the ending was a little disappointing; kind of anti-climatic. But still, very good series and a nice conclusion. 4/5
Basketball Junkie
by Chris Herren and Bill Reynolds
We've all heard about the athletes who get into drugs and ruin their lives and careers, but this was a really interesting in-depth look at an athlete who was hooked on drugs before he ever became rich and famous. Chris takes you through the pressure he felt living in a basketball crazed town following in the footsteps of his dad and older brother, how he began drinking and using in high school, and his gradual descent to a full-blown heroin junkie, culminating with his arrest when he was found passed out in his car with heroin under the seat and his young daughter in the back. He was so talented he was able to play b-ball at a high level even when he was using. Not a particularly well-written book, but a very interesting read. 3.5/5
Dawn
by Elie Wiesel
Not sure I can even describe this book and do it any justice. Elie was a young Jew who was taken to Birkenau and Auschwitz in 1944. What he recounts in the book is unbelievable. The horrors he saw...the book actually isn't that graphic in terms of the descriptions, but just the events themselves are chilling (I hate the word "chilling" and think it's totally overused, but it fits here). I don't know, me talking about this book is useless. Just read it. 5/5
Without Fail
by Lee Child
Jack Reacher is brought on by Secret Service to help protect the Vice President-elect, who has come under some serious death threats. His dead brother's ex and a mysterious old army friend are in the mix as well. Jack was much more passive than usual in this installation, but it was still a good read. 3.5/5
Notes From a Small Island
by Bill Bryson
Bryson lived in Britain for 20 years before returning to America. Before he returned he decided to do a 7 week tour of the island to take in as much as he could. Bryson is a funny writer and his observations of those quirky English were pretty amusing. He threw out so many place names (sometimes assuming we knew them) that it was hard to follow sometimes; I felt like I needed to have a map by me while I read. But that's a minor quibble, this was a fun read.
Flowers for Algernon
by Daniel Keyes
I don't know why I never read this classic before now. It just sort of stayed below my radar all these years. But I'm glad I read it now. Charlie has a 70 IQ but is chosen for special surgery that gradually increases his IQ to 180 or more. The entire book is in first person journal style, so we get an intimate look at Charlie as he transforms from moron to genius. The book is really about what makes us human, what that means, and the essence of our existence. Wonderful book, highly recommended for anyone. 5/5
Books for January: 6
Books for 2015: 6
Son
by Lois Lowry
The conclusion to the wonderful Giver series, I liked how things from the previous books were tied together, bringing some of the characters and events full circle. I was also really into the story that was introduced this time around, but the ending was a little disappointing; kind of anti-climatic. But still, very good series and a nice conclusion. 4/5
Basketball Junkie
by Chris Herren and Bill Reynolds
We've all heard about the athletes who get into drugs and ruin their lives and careers, but this was a really interesting in-depth look at an athlete who was hooked on drugs before he ever became rich and famous. Chris takes you through the pressure he felt living in a basketball crazed town following in the footsteps of his dad and older brother, how he began drinking and using in high school, and his gradual descent to a full-blown heroin junkie, culminating with his arrest when he was found passed out in his car with heroin under the seat and his young daughter in the back. He was so talented he was able to play b-ball at a high level even when he was using. Not a particularly well-written book, but a very interesting read. 3.5/5
Dawn
by Elie Wiesel
Not sure I can even describe this book and do it any justice. Elie was a young Jew who was taken to Birkenau and Auschwitz in 1944. What he recounts in the book is unbelievable. The horrors he saw...the book actually isn't that graphic in terms of the descriptions, but just the events themselves are chilling (I hate the word "chilling" and think it's totally overused, but it fits here). I don't know, me talking about this book is useless. Just read it. 5/5
Without Fail
by Lee Child
Jack Reacher is brought on by Secret Service to help protect the Vice President-elect, who has come under some serious death threats. His dead brother's ex and a mysterious old army friend are in the mix as well. Jack was much more passive than usual in this installation, but it was still a good read. 3.5/5
Notes From a Small Island
by Bill Bryson
Bryson lived in Britain for 20 years before returning to America. Before he returned he decided to do a 7 week tour of the island to take in as much as he could. Bryson is a funny writer and his observations of those quirky English were pretty amusing. He threw out so many place names (sometimes assuming we knew them) that it was hard to follow sometimes; I felt like I needed to have a map by me while I read. But that's a minor quibble, this was a fun read.
Flowers for Algernon
by Daniel Keyes
I don't know why I never read this classic before now. It just sort of stayed below my radar all these years. But I'm glad I read it now. Charlie has a 70 IQ but is chosen for special surgery that gradually increases his IQ to 180 or more. The entire book is in first person journal style, so we get an intimate look at Charlie as he transforms from moron to genius. The book is really about what makes us human, what that means, and the essence of our existence. Wonderful book, highly recommended for anyone. 5/5
Books for January: 6
Books for 2015: 6