#14 [2014/CBR6] "Labor Day" by Joyce Maynard

Somewhere, someone linked to a list of books that were being made into movies this year. On that list was Labor Day (2009) by Joyce Maynard. I didn't know much about it, but I like Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet enough to want to watch it. And If I'm going to watch the movie, I always prefer to read the book first.

I was surprised when I started reading and discovered that the entire book is from the grown perspective of Henry, a thirteen-year-old boy. Henry lives with his mother, Adele, a woman who is divorced, depressed and barely leaves her house. Henry's father has left and created a new family. Henry and Adele's lives are predictable, odd, and boring--until Frank Chambers escapes from jail and talks himself into Henry and Adele's home on Labor Day weekend. We see Adele and Frank's relationship progress through Henry's protective and often turbulent feelings.

There's a lot I liked about this book, and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. I was afraid that Frank would be using the family as hostages, so any kind of romance in that situation would of creep me out. However, even though I was often concerned about Frank's motivation, he never used any kind of force, so I could understand Adele's attraction to him. In addition, seeing this romance grow but being limited to Henry's point of view was a unique way to tell this story.

I also felt that Maynard did a very good job with young Henry. He had to deal with a lot and his emotions were always very real. He was a jumble of hormones, feelings, and wants that were understandable and age appropriate.

One problem I had while reading the book, and this might not be a fair criticism, is that I dreaded the ending. I couldn't imagine how a happy ending could possibly stem from the circumstances, so for much of the book, I was just thinking: Please, don't let that happen. Please, don't let that happen. I'm not going to go into what actually happened, but I did end up caring for the characters and their situation stressed me out.

Perhaps one of my more major complaints with this book is the character of Frank Chambers. POSSIBLE SPOILERS?*? His whole situation seemed implausible, and he seemed too perfect to be real. Besides going to Adele's house when he's desperate and subsequently falling in love with her, he does absolutely nothing wrong. He is the perfect boyfriend, and the perfect father figure to Henry. He can fix anything--at a house with a single woman who never goes shopping, yet happens to have all the tools and equipment he might need. He is perfectly selfless, patient, and understanding. Yet this is a man who was the victim of tragedy and overzealous prosecution. He's a desperate man who's spent the last eighteen years in prison. As much as I loved the idea that poor, sad Henry and Adele could find such a wonderful man who could turn them into a real family, it's hard for me to believe a man like Frank exists--or a man like Frank could ever exist after living in prison for eighteen years.

Although I wouldn't call this a perfect book, it held my attention, and I'm looking forward to watching the movie.

#13 [2014/CBR6] "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

I wasn't very excited about reading Ender's Game (1977) by Orson Scott Card. Nothing in the cover appealed to me. The only thing I knew about it is that it had something to do with turning boys into soldiers and that the author is apparently homophobic. But I'd also heard it was an award-winning classic. The recently released movie and the fact that even my little brother had read it was beginning to make me feel left out. So I decided to check it out as a necessary part of my cultural education. And it was really good. I was surprised by how this book affected me and how much it disturbed me.

Ender Wiggins is only six when he's brought to Battle School, but they've been watching him for most of his life and hoping that he's the one who can lead them to victory. Ender's entire life is calculated to make him into the most courageous, efficient, and creative leader. The fact that he's an unhappy child and they may be ruining his life are secondary concerns to the survival of the human species. Test after test and challenge after challenge, Ender is continually pushed beyond what some seem to think he can endure. Although there is a lot of physical stress in the Battle Room, most of the stress Ender deals with is emotional. He is isolated and lonely. He can never trust or depend on anyone. The tragedy of it is that Ender's such a sweet boy, and he's turned, unwillingly, into a killer.

I've read a lot of books that I've loved until the end, but the author falters and isn't able to tie it all together in a satisfying way. This was not the case with Ender's Game. Not only was I surprised by the twist, but Card managed to tell enough of Ender's story for some bittersweet closure and enough mystery to allow a number of possibilities for the future.

I couldn't help but compare Ender's Game to the other young adult, dystopian novel I just finished reading, Legend. I liked Legend and its characters and was thoroughly entertained, but it just wasn't as memorable or disturbing. Sure, there's plenty of violence in Legend, but it was never as hard hitting or emotional. Sometimes it felt more like a vehicle for the main characters' love story. In addition, there was very little moral ambiguity or questions of right or wrong. June had to decide if she was going to turn her back on the life she knew, but (SPOILER--for Legend) that decision was made a lot easier as soon as she found out that "the bad guys" were responsible for killing her entire family. And this is where Ender's Game excelled. Obviously, it's distressing to take a six-year-old boy and use him as a tool in a war. But do the ends justify the means? If all of humanity hangs in the balance, then maybe the suffering of one child is worth it. Yet there's also the question of whether the attack was even necessary.

All in all, this was a very good book. I am also planning on reading Ender's Shadow, since I enjoyed Ender's Game so much, and because it's on a list I found of great young-adult novels. As far as Card's homophobia, I wish he were more open-minded and accepting of others. I suspect his Mormon upbringing is at fault. You'd think someone sensitive enough to be able to empathize so well with the lonely and isolated Ender could be more accepting. Yet... "Ender turned to the door. A boy stood there, tall and slender, with beautiful black eyes and slender lips that hinted at refinement. I would follow such beauty said something inside Ender." (109) Interesting.

#12 [2014/CBR6] "Dreamers of the Day" by Mary Doria Russell

"All men dream," Colonel Lawrence wrote, "but not equally. Those who dream by night wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." (245)

Mary Doria Russell is one of my favorite authors. The unique thing about her, though, is that I'm always surprised that I like her books. They are invariably genres or subjects I don't have much interest in but eventually try anyway. And I usually end up loving them. Although I had more trouble with Dreamers of the Day (2008), it still followed a similar pattern. I had a vague idea that it had something to do with the middle east and involved a dog. I know very little about the middle east, especially anything about the detailed intricacy of its history and politics, so the only reason I picked up this book was because I'm slowly working my way through Russell's entire oeuvre. All the reasons why I love Russell's writing were present in this book. Her characters are real, relatable, and sympathetic; I immediately care for them. I also love Russell's style of writing. She manages to convey truths about the world in clear, meaningful sentences.

Agnes Shanklin is left alone after the second wave of the flu epidemic directly following World War I. Finally free from her mother's tyrannical personality, Agnes, who sees herself as an old spinster, finally begins to come into her own and make choices about her life for herself. Remembering how much her sister had enjoyed Cairo, Agnes decides to spend some time there. She brings along an adorable and inseparable companions, her small dachshund. Once there, she stumbles upon the VIP's making up the Cairo Conference in 1921, who are there to decide the fate of much of the middle east. These include the illustrious Lawrence of Arabia, Winston Churchill, and Gertrude Bell. At the same time, she befriends and falls for Karl Weilbacher, a German Jew and sometimes spy with incredible knowledge of the language, people, and history of the area.

I loved parts of this book. The characterization of Agnes is superb. I liked her, I admired her willingness to change her life, and I felt sorry for her all at once. I especially loved the descriptions when Agnes first arrives in Cairo and when they go on the camel ride to the pyramids. Unfortunately, some parts took me out of the story. With my ridiculously limited knowledge of Lawrence of Arabia (I once watched part of the movie and may have slept through some or most of it), the pages long discussions of middle eastern politics in the post World War I days was mostly over my head. I definitely got the gist of a bunch of white people carving up countries without even consulting those affected, but the details I found tedious. It was similar to overhearing a technical conversation between two electrical engineers discussing the working of my ipod. I like music and have an interest in my ipod working. However, I'd need a lot more background information in order to follow such a dialogue.

Another thing I appreciate about Russell is her sensitive view of women throughout history. In her clear presentation of how life was like in whatever story she is writing, I am always reminded  of how opportunities differed depending on sex. It's not that her books are always female-centric, but I appreciate that she doesn't forget about them. I think I only have A Thread of Grace left to read by Russell, which I plan on getting to before the end of the year. And I'm looking forward to her newest novel, whenever it comes out.

#11 [2014/CBR6] "Legend" by Marie Lu

I really thought I would be taking a break from young-adult Dystopian trilogies. They seem to be all over the place these days, and after my disappointment in the last two books of the Divergent trilogy, I wasn't craving any more. But then my book club decided we'd read the Legend (2011) trilogy by Marie Lu for March. I wasn't too excited initially, but dutifully picked up the audio cd from the library (shorter waitlist). Not surprisingly, it didn't take me long to get into it, and soon I was sitting in my garage, waiting to hear about the life and death adventures of June and Day.

The dystopian world in this novel feels almost immediately familiar, although I assume we will discover more of the particulars of this world in the next two books. June and Day are almost Romeo and Juliet-like characters, teenagers living within the Republic. June is part of the wealthy elite, she is a prodigy, the only person to earn a perfect score on her "Trial" exams, forced on everyone at the age of eleven. Day, on the other hand, is a street rat. Grown up wanting in the poor sector of town, Day failed his Trial but escaped the consequences and has been running amok and causing havoc for the federation ever since. It is when June and Day find themselves together and June starts learning the truth about the Federation that everything changes.

This was an entertaining read. The characters feel almost like super heroes. Both are incredibly smart, agile, and accomplished. I got the feeling that they were capable of almost anything. Their only weaknesses seemed to be their love for their families. This makes for an exciting read, but they're a little less relatable than less impressive characters.

I'd like to keep this review pretty short. I'm reserving [most of my] judgment until I finish the whole trilogy. I did enjoy this one and I'm hopeful for the next two books in the series, but I swear, this is the end of the young-adult dystopians...as soon as I read Ender's Game and The Maze Runner.

#10 [2014/CBR6] "Going Clear" by Lawrence Wright

After reading Jenna Miscavige Hill's book about her life in Scientology, Beyond Belief, I was still hungry for more information. Hill's memoir was a fascinating but personal story and I was interested in a broader look at Scientology. So, I picked up Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, & the Prison of Belief (2013) by Lawrence Wright, after hearing some good things about it.

Wright covers a lot of ground with this book, starting with L. Ron Hubbard, his life, his writings, and the beginnings of Scientology. Paul Haggis, Tom Cruise, and John Travolta all consume a fair amount of text as well. Finally, David Miscavige and the Sea Org are described in detail. I now know more than enough about Scientology to stay as far away from it as possible and to be very concerned about the children growing up in the Sea Org. Page after page details another shocking and crazy revelation, Hubbard's insane actions and the way he treated his wives, the physical and mental abuse, the billion year contract Sea Org members sign, and the constant harassment and interference into people's personal lives.

This book held my interest for the most part and was very informative, but I still sometimes wished for something more. I could have done with a little less of Hubbard's writings that built the foundation of the church. I got the idea pretty quickly and since none of it made sense, it stopped being enlightening pretty quickly.

Also, Wright appears to try to stay very neutral in his writing, but I could have done with a little more commentary. I don't mind, and would actually prefer, hearing an author's opinion as long as he makes it clear that it's his opinion and gives his reasoning for it. Wright is the one who interviewed subjects, personally read the material and chose what information to put in the book. With so many of the assertions stemming from disputed testimony, I would have liked his impression on what he believed and why instead of just throwing every accusation aimed at the Church of Scientology into the manuscript. For instance: "One Scientologist who was a bank teller says he was told to comply with a robbery in order to pay off his debt to the church: the robbers took four thousand dollars." (281) This sentence was sandwiched into a discussion on how much money members are pressured into giving the church, but I had trouble believing this one. Really? Scientology is capable of a lot of stupid and illegal shit, but are they really involved in bank robbery? For four thousand dollars? If Wright is going to throw accusations like this into his book, he really has to back it up with more information--or even create some kind of distinction between the things that probably occurred and those less likely.

Finally, there were a number of instances where I wish Wright had been more clear or descriptive. I wish he had focused on fewer things and explained them in more detail. For example, this sentence was used to describe and introduce Katie Holmes to the story: "Holmes was an ingenue with almond-shaped brown eyes, who described herself as a twenty-six-year-old virgin." (291) Again, I'm having trouble believing this one. When did she say this? If she did, wasn't she joking? Of all the ways to describe Katie Holmes, this is what Wright came up with? Here's one last example: "The next year, at the age of eighteen, she [Valeska Paris] was sent to the Freewinds. She was told she would be on the ship for two weeks. She was held there against her will for twelve years." (282) Again, this is where I really wanted more information. An allegation of being imprisoned for twelve years is pretty serious and warrants a lot more discussion than one sentence. Was she physically imprisoned or imprisoned more by circumstances and lack of resources? Morally, there's not much difference, but it would be helpful in understanding why no one is going to jail for this. I assume by the fact that we even know she was imprisoned for twelve years that she has broken free from the church.

Anyway, there were positives and negatives. Although this book had a lot of information, and I learned more about the role celebrities play in the church, I think at the end of the day I preferred Jenna Miscavige Hill's more personal story.

#9 [2014/CBR6] "Something About You" by Julie James

I have a number of books waiting on my kindle that I got from the library and need to be read, so I was going to wait and get to Malin's and Mrs. Julien's recommendation: Something About You (2010) by Julie James a little later. But then I got sick, and the lure of some comfort reading along with my chicken noodle soup was irresistible.

Having mentioned in a previous review that I am a fan of FBI agents--the hunky, protective type--in my romance novels, I was led in the direction of Julie James, and I was not disappointed. This one was easy to read and pretty light and fun. Although there are killers and danger and such things, these more gruesome bits are glossed over in favor of grand recitations of bachelorette parties and weddings.

Cameron Lynde is an assistant U.S. Attorney. She is in a hotel room when she hears a murder next door, barely glimpsing the murderer as he leaves. She is thrown back in the company of Special Agent Jack Pallas, who is leading the investigation into the murder. These two have a past, albeit not romantic. They worked on a case together that ended publicly and badly. Cameron and Jack come together, slowly getting over past misunderstandings in order to make claim to their happy destiny.

I often avoid romance novels with lawyers in them because I am one and I can get tired of reading about them--especially when they are fake or glorified. But I didn't mind Cameron's character in this book. She is smart, powerful, and witty. Yes, there was a misunderstanding, but Cameron did have the logical conversation with Jack at a logical time, which was refreshing. I also very much enjoyed one of Cameron's best friend, a gay man. He was interesting in his own right and defied some of the more trite stereotypes. I also appreciated that James didn't even bother introducing the character of the groom of the wedding they attend. Instead she focused on the relationship between Cameron and Jack and the small circle of people around her. It made for a simple, straight-forward, enjoyable story.

I should mention that there were a couple of times I actually guffawed, such as when Jack drives Cameron home on the back of his motorcycle while she is under police protection. It's not like she didn't have another ride home--one that involved a police car. With seat belts. Can you imagine if he'd gotten in an accident? Also, I kept picturing the defense attorney bringing up Jack and Cameron's relationship at the trial. I think this might be my lawyer personality over analyzing potential consequences. I can't help it. However, since James never took herself or the story too seriously, it still worked, and it was definitely entertaining. I think I'll be reading a couple more from James in the future.

#8 [2014/CBR6] "To Say Nothing of the Dog" by Connie Willis

"I dared to speak the truth to you because I felt you were deserving of it." (374)

It's probably not surprising to anyone that I heard about To Say Nothing of the Dog [Or How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump At Last] (1998) by Connie Willis from another Cannoball review. Time travel and science fiction aren't my go-to genres but the review was more than convincing enough for me to expand my normal boundaries. This was an impressive work: a mixture of romance, mystery, and science-fiction with the clever, lighthearted feeling of a P.G. Wodehouse novel.

After traveling back to 1940 to try to locate the bishop's bird stump, Ned Henry finds himself ordered back to Victorian times. He needs to recover from his excessive time traveling and return something that was accidentally brought back into the future. The entire space-time continuum depends upon him not messing this up.

Ned Henry travels to Victorian times unprepared, not knowing where he is or what's expected of him. He blunders through his encounters, making the best of his situation while he tries to figure out what is required of him. There is a cat, a partner, a very quirky professor, a suitor, unrequited love, and lots and lots of history. The characters are fun and memorable although a couple of them seem a little over the top.

I was impressed by Willis's ability to thread so many things together and keep the book not only understandable but interesting. The more I think back on it, the more I appreciate what she was able to accomplish. BUT, and I'm sorry I have to add this, but after reading the glowing reviews I was a little disappointed. A couple things kept me from feeling too involved with the plot or characters. First, the story sets itself up as a mystery about the Bishop's bird stump along with the mystery of what's going on with the time traveling. The problem I had was that I was not particularly interested in either--especially the bird stump. I didn't know what the bird stump was and I didn't really care whether it was found or not. More than anything I was surprised that the historians were risking so much for the whim of one crazy, rich lady.

The other issue I had was that the mystery felt primarily propelled by the author coyly keeping information from me. I was irritated initially when I was introduced to this new world by a man who was so out of it he had no idea what was going on. I also got a little tired of the odd professor lecturing me about history when I was more interested in the story. I did not fully appreciate how the Professor's musings about history informed the time travelers and how they were affecting history themselves. Despite these minor complaints, I did enjoy this book. It was well-written, original, and clever.