Didn't like it....but didn't NOT like it

I've had WATER FOR ELEPHANTS on my shelf for several months.  Lauren had brought it with a stack of other books for me to read.  I just had a very busy semester, though, so I hadn't had time to pick up any of them to read.  Then, right at the end of the semester, for a student's presentation, he brought the movie version for us to watch.  When I asked him why he chose that movie, he said that the elephant in George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" goes on a rampage and, apparently, an elephant is involved in a rampage in WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.

So we watched the movie.

I wasn't that impressed, but it did inspire me to pull out the book and start reading.  I hate watching a movie based on a book without reading the book first.  This is one of only a few times when I've seen the movie first.

I don't really know what to say about WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.  I didn't hate it.  But I didn't really like it--yet I didn't dis-like it, either. 

It didn't really hold my attention the way I like for books for hold my attention, but it wasn't boring, either.

I guess my real problem with the book as a whole is that I just wanted more of the elephant, Rosie.  She doesn't come into the story until at least a quarter of the way through, if not later than that, and then she's just not in the story often enough to make me happy.  With the title having "elephants" in it, I wanted and expected for elephant(s) throughout the whole novel.

I knew from previews before I ever saw the movie or read the book that a major portion of the story was a forbidden love story, but I still expected--ok, wanted--more about the elephant.

It's not a bad book at all; in fact, I think most people who read it will enjoy it which is obviously why the book has sold as well as it has and why it even has been made into a movie starring one of our favorite hotties Robert Pattinson.  So please don't let me comments about the book dissuade or keep you from reading WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.  I'd love to hear what you think of it!

Charlie Finds Himself...

I had heard about THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER from a student/friend last year when the movie was coming out.  We were both excited about its release because Emma Watson was in it!  (You know; the young woman who played Hermoine in all the HARRY POTTER movies!!!)  I didn't get a chance to see it in theaters nor have I had a chance to watch it since it came out on video....until last week.  We were on a Humanities (English and Spanish) school trip to Florida and someone had the movie put in the bus' DVD player.  At first, I wasn't too terribly interested in watching it because I hadn't read the book yet--I knew the movie was based on a book.  But of course, I was quickly and easily drawn into the movie.

I loved it.

And not because it made me cry, but because it really is a very good story of a young man "finding himself."  The story has some scenes/parts in it that can be considered questionable, so be forewarned.  (In reading the book, I always do research on any book I read, so I found out that the book is on the list of "most challenged" recent books.  I think it's even been "banned" in some schools/areas.) 

So within an hour of the movie being over (it was really a lot sooner than that), I had downloaded to book to my Nook. 

I couldn't put the book down.  There are quite a few parts that are very difficult to read, but this boy is 15/16 years old and dealing with things no young man should have to deal with--but, sadly, more young men (and women) deal with than statistics can possibly reveal since most boys (and girls) don't/won't tell anyone.  Or, as in Charlie's case, they've repressed/blocked the memory(ies).  Charlie's story is one of love, friendship, brokenness, healing, sadness and depression, family, and so much more. 

It's written in epistolary format--Charlie writes letter addressed to "Dear friend."  We never find out who this mysterious friend is.  I thought that this friend was like Anne Frank's way of calling her diary "Kitty," but apparently, according to one of Charlie's letters, the "friend" is someone real he'd heard about being a good person, so he just chose him/her to share his thoughts/feelings with.  He actually mails the letters to this friend.....

I am considering the possibility of using THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER in my English 111 classroom.  I would love to know what you all think of that idea.  I'd also love to hear any ideas you might have for:  1.  how I should handle the more "sensitive" parts of the story--I don't want to offend anyone and 2.  any ideas you might have for writing topics I could use with this book as the base.

If you haven't read the book, you really should read it.  Please wait to watch the movie until after you've read the book, but regardless, the movie is pretty good, too and follows the book quite well.  In other words, yes, the movie does the book justice.

Anne's Story of Hiding

I read THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK or (THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL) many, many years ago, but after reading SARAH'S KEY and THE STORYTELLER (see previous posts), I wanted to go back and read the book again.  After all, it has been a very long time since I read the book originally.

I like books that are written in diary or letter/epistolary format, so I definitely enjoyed that part of the book.  This particular version is supposed to have parts that were left out of the original because they were considered too sexual or inappropriate for younger readers.  Since Anne was 13 when she and her family went into hiding, those publishing her book the first time all those years ago (her dad was part of that crew) felt that they could be removed (edited out) and Anne's story still have the effect it's meant to have.  I have to agree.  After reading both versions (even though, as I said, it's been a long time since I read it the first time), I don't feel that reading Anne's full diary makes it any better--or worse.  It simply is what it is:  a diary by a young girl becoming a young woman who has gone into hiding because if they didn't, they would be taken away to concentration camps--they'd be separated, and gassed, more than likely.

It's a powerful story whether you read the diary as it was originally published or this FULL version.  It is difficult to imagine living in such a confined space for 2 years and finding ways to get along with each other--even after arguments. 

Anne is very honest about her feelings for Peter in that she's not at all in love with him, but she needs a friend, as does he, and, as they're fairly close in age and both lonely, they naturally gravitate toward one another and wanting to be together.  Being with him provides some of the comfort she so desperately needs but can't receive from her family for various reasons, one of which is that she hates her mother.  That's really tough to read.

Anyway, if you haven't read Anne Frank's diary before, it's well worth the read........

Love the Duck Commanders

Reading about the DUCK DYNASTY family is just as fascinating as watching their show on A&E.  The Robertson family is really very interesting and fascinating.  They are funny.  The most impressive information I learned through reading Willie's book is the fact that all the boys have college degrees, including the dad, Phil!  They're rednecks for sure, but they're highly educated rednecks who love the Lord!  What's not to like about them???

I also learned that Uncle Si is married and has children!  He's been married for more than 40 years!  I never would have guess that Uncle Si was a married man with children!!!!  He's always with Phil and Kay, so I just thought he didn't have a family of his own.  I didn't realize that there are several members of the family who are not on the show; I thought everyone in the family was on the show, but they obviously aren't. 

Oh, and Willie explains in his book THE DUCK COMMANDER FAMILY about why he and his brothers call their parents by their first names.  Based on what we've learned about this family through the show, I have to admit that I've been surprised to hear even the sons calling Phil and Miss Kay by their first names.  Willie says that the company began in the family home and, as he and his brothers were growing up, they helped answer the phone for sales requests for Duck calls.  As a result, they naturally progressed to referring to their parents by name because it was just easier when they were on the phone with customers.  It is NOT a sign of disrespect in any way. 

I've only recently become a DUCK DYNASTY fan, but I've quickly learned what all the hoopla has been about and I can't believe we've waited so long to watch it!!!  Now, we record every episode and I can't wait for the new season....if there will be a new season.  I've heard two different stories about why Season 4 might not happen:  1.  that the family members want $250,000/person/show (I'm not sure if this is true, but I did read it somewhere) and 2.  there's been some pressure to remove the family meal with prayer that they do at the end of every show; Phil says that if they can't do the family meal with prayer, they won't renew for a new season. 

Of course, I'm of the opinion that if A&E is stupid enough not to let the Robertsons keep that part of the show, then another network will pick up the show and continue to incredible legacy---and making lots of money....!