Jurassic Park ***** (5 out of 5 stars) Lost World ***** (5 out of 5 stars)

I know it's been forever but I have good reasons. Namely, finishing up my Bachelors Degree (whoop whoop), getting married and having a baby. But now I am back on track and have some lovely reviews to give so let's get to it. I was fairly young when the movie Jurassic Park came out so I knew the movie pretty well before I read the book. It's kind of cool to see a movie before you read the book that inspired it. Personally I like this way better because I feel less disappointed with the movie adaptation. Someone recommended this book to me so I felt the need to see if it was anything like what I grew up with. And the answer I got was... yes and no. The book is great. It keeps you on the edge of your seat while being enthralled and still slightly horrified at the gruesomeness of it. I kind of felt all three of the movies came from the first book. Which is fine, it had a lot of good material. What I felt was a little lacking was the ending. I felt it was very abrupt and didn't really tie up the loose ends, but all and all it was a fun read.

After I read the first book I couldn't wait to dive into the sequel. None of it is like the movie at all, well that isn't true. There is a second island and the main character is the same, but other than that it's completely different. In this book the characters are more human; they are selfish, make mistakes, fight, but are willing and able to help each other survive. I had a lot more fun reading this book because I had no idea what was going to happen and I found myself rooting for some characters to make it out alive, and for others to get eaten. 

Grimms Fairy Stories **** (4 out of 5 stars)

So sorry for the long delay. I am no longer taking a Lit. class so I don't have as much time to read as I would like. I am also planning a wedding so that cuts my free time in half. This little gem has been perfect for my busy schedule. I realized that I have never read the "real" stories of our beloved Disney classics. So I thought I would be adventurous and download this. Let me say, the Brothers Grimm had absolutely no problem with horrifying little children. All of their stories are filled with death, decapitated, yet still talking heads, evil witches, and a whole lot of other horrors. I'm not at all surprised that so many people have rewritten them into nicer versions. At the same time though, it's kind of fun to know the "true" version. :)

Brave New World *** (3 out of 5 stars)

I'm not sure if I'm a fan of dystopian books. They have an interesting concept, but they kind of make me angry. Why would people be so willing to give up the right to choose in order to feel mildly satisfied all of the time? It's ridiculous! I would go crazy, but of course I didn't grow up in that world and have been allowed to read whatever I want so I guess I can't really judge.... But I'm still going to speak up against it. This book is a little creepy because for a while you think that is world isn't half that bad, and then you are greatly mistaken. The ending isn't very fulfilling though. Unfortunately.

The Midwife's Apprentice (** 2 out of 5 stars)

Not a whole lot to say about this book. It's about girl empowerment and changing from a nobody into a somebody. The characters weren't very likable (except for the cat) and not a whole lot happened. It's a quick read, I finished it in about an hour and a half.

In Cold Blood **** (4 out of 5 stars)

Creepy but Fascinating.

This book is the true story of two men: Dick Hickock and Perry Smith who killed all four members of the Clutter family late one night in their home. It follows their plan, their escape, their capture, and their executions.

These men are so interesting to read about because they seem like ordinary men, and yet they were able to slaughter four innocent people without even bating an eyelash. Truman Capote is a very good writer and an interesting guy as well. Here are some facts that I learned about him.

• Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird) worked as his assistant and Capote dedicated this book to her.
• Capote also wrote Breakfast at Tiffany's. Basically the complete opposite of this book.
• While doing research for this book in Kansas (the place where the Clutters lived) Dick and Perry were arrested and Capote was able to interview them personally.

Capote claims that every word in this book is true. I'm not sure if I necessarily believe that, but it makes it just a little more creepy to think about.

Seedfolks **** (4 out of 5 stars)

This story is basically...adorable.

It's about a community of strangers that are brought together by an empty lot in a neighborhood that transforms from a pile of garbage to an abundant garden.

Not by magic of course.

Each chapter is told from a different point of view from a person who has been affected by the garden, either by planting something in it or simply enjoying its beauty.

People from all different backgrounds and races come together and form a unique community.

It's a super short read, only about 60 something pages.

Easily read in a couple of hours.

So you have no excuse not to read it.

Go ahead.

It'll make you want to start planting your own garden.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes ** (2 out of 5 stars)

Yes yes I know. Another YAL book, but I can't help it. I have to read two a week so I don't have a whole lot of time to read other things. Anyway let's focus on what's important, and that is this story. I don't really know what to say. It wasn't a bad book by any means, but it was pretty intense. Especially for a young adult book. It tells the story of an overweight boy named Eric who is trying to preserve his friendship with Sarah Byrnes, a burn victim. Sarah was burned when she was very little and was not allowed re-constructive surgery by her abusive father and so has to live with scars covering her entire body. The book explores hers and Eric's friendship and when it is put to the test how it pulls through. I liked the idea of an unlikely alliance between two misfits and how their friendship is so strong, but I wasn't a big fan of all of the controversial issues in the book. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for pushing the envelope, but I felt that the author was trying a bit too hard to be edgy. Along with talking about abuse and bullying it explored the topics of depression, teen suicide, questioning beliefs, abortion, extreme violence, sex, stalking, and a whole lot of other stuff. It was a decent read, but I wasn't in love with it.