So, I have my Kobo now, and I feel like I've used it often enough to make a decision.
I love it!
The screen was larger than I had thought - I could have just taken out a tape measure and figured out the size sooner, but where's the fun in that?! - and I also find it very readable. The screen width is skinnier than the page of a paperback so I find I'm constantly "flipping" the page - but that just makes it seem like I'm reading faster than I am. I like the fact that you can adjust the font size, and that there are 2 fonts to choose from. I was brushing my teeth one night and changed the font size so I could read the chapter while the Kobo was resting on the counter. What? It was a good story!
The Kobo desktop application uploaded immediately once the Kobo device was plugged into my computer via USB, which meant no CD's or websites to find before using. The only instructions were a 4 panel fold out showing what the buttons meant, even though there are labels on the eReader. 100 classic stories were included on the device, including Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and many other stories that I already owned. On the plus side, many stories were included that I had just never gotten around to buying, so you can imagine my excitement when I found it on there! And you'll have to, because I'm not uploading a video of me re-enacting it.
I also found that my Kobo was thinner and lighter than most books, so it really does fit well in my purse. I loved being able to eat and read at the same time, without having to find creative ways to keep my book open while still using both hands to eat. It's an art, really.
The website, so far, is easy to navigate: the home page highlights the newest releases and top 50 downloads, as well as categories (which then break down in to subcategories). There's even a Free eBooks page! Which, by the way, you don't need a Kobo to read them: you can use your computer! The Kobo that I refer to is just the eReader, which allows me to read my books on a smaller scale than my computer.
Downside? It's hard reading only one story at a time! With so many options to choose from, it's difficult to start a book and keep at it. Another downside is that if I want to read one of my hardcopy books (I'm pretty sure I made that phrase up, but it means a real book) I'll have to remember to bring it with me. And once I start downloading more and more books, it may be more difficult to remember which books I have in which format. I am a little worried about the potential for computer failure and losing all my stories, but a good friend of mine has suggested using a USB key or external hard drive for backup. And it makes sense.
I am still learning to use my device and haven't figured out any more of the perks/cons of it, or even if I do love it more than a real book. So please don't egg my house in the middle of the night because of it! Oh, and if you are interested in buying a REAL book, stop by my favourite book store: I'm sure they wouldn't mind siding with you against me for my sacrilegious use of an eReader.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
This story requires little introduction; however, you'll get one anyway.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was written in 1865 by Reverend Charles Dodgson, under the pen name Lewis Carroll. This story can be read on different levels - ranging from innocent child's story to a story written by a pervert with a drug problem who likes little girls too much. Some common FAQ's about the story can be found here, as well as some alternate explanations here. So I don't have to do it, a synopsis can be found here.
It had been a while since I'd last read it so I thought the story was incredibly confusing, as well as fun and nonsensical; fortunately, that seems to have been the author's intent. The writing was interesting with play on words running rampant, enabling a change of subject or change of context to what was being said. It seemed like just when I started making sense of the story, it would change again - out of the blue! Even the ending was abrupt: a deck of cards flying in Alice's face wakes her.
Earlier in the year I read The Looking Glass Wars, so I was finally able to contrast the real story with the spin-off. (Which I had meant to do shortly after I finished the book, I promise!). And just for fun, here's a link to the Johnny Depp movie (you're welcome).
Due to when the story was written, I know that there are social and/or political nuances that I've missed. Despite that, I really enjoyed the story and will be reading the sequel, Through the Looking Glass soon. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is on the Banned Book Club list of potential stories to read, so if chosen, I'll be one up on the others!
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was written in 1865 by Reverend Charles Dodgson, under the pen name Lewis Carroll. This story can be read on different levels - ranging from innocent child's story to a story written by a pervert with a drug problem who likes little girls too much. Some common FAQ's about the story can be found here, as well as some alternate explanations here. So I don't have to do it, a synopsis can be found here.
It had been a while since I'd last read it so I thought the story was incredibly confusing, as well as fun and nonsensical; fortunately, that seems to have been the author's intent. The writing was interesting with play on words running rampant, enabling a change of subject or change of context to what was being said. It seemed like just when I started making sense of the story, it would change again - out of the blue! Even the ending was abrupt: a deck of cards flying in Alice's face wakes her.
Earlier in the year I read The Looking Glass Wars, so I was finally able to contrast the real story with the spin-off. (Which I had meant to do shortly after I finished the book, I promise!). And just for fun, here's a link to the Johnny Depp movie (you're welcome).
Due to when the story was written, I know that there are social and/or political nuances that I've missed. Despite that, I really enjoyed the story and will be reading the sequel, Through the Looking Glass soon. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is on the Banned Book Club list of potential stories to read, so if chosen, I'll be one up on the others!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Wicked Lovely
Wicked Lovely, written by Melissa Marr, is Book 1 in a Young Adult series by the same name. It starred Aislinn, a normal teenager...who just so happened to see faeries, much to her chagrin.
Aided by Seth, her buddy-turned-boyfriend, Aislinn strives to figure out why faeries are suddenly paying attention to her. Eavesdropping on faeries who believed themselves invisible, Aislinn discovers that the gorgeous guy following her around is the Summer King, Keenan, who believes Aislinn to be his missing Queen. An unexpected friendship with Donia, the Winter Girl and also the last woman who tested to be the Summer Queen, enables Aislinn to understand that her mortality was surrendered when Keenan chose her. And this would have worked out fine if it weren't for Beira, Keenan's mother, the Winter Queen. Beira actively working to prevent Keenan from testing Aislinn actually helped convince Keenan and Donia that Aislinn was the Queen.
This was a cute story and the first one that I read on my new Kobo. One of my good friends is an avid reader of Melissa Marr's work, which is one of the reasons why I chose this story. I found Aislinn to be a great character and easy to relate to - even her relationship with Seth was delayed because she didn't want to be another notch on his bedpost. This book did hint at sex between Seth and Aislinn, but it was a decision that wasn't taken lightly by either parties. I found Aislinn to be a fair person who didn't let her prejudices against the faeries prevent her from helping them, despite the fact that she was totally screwed over by them. She was also strong enough to demand the right to live her life as she sees fit.
I loved Seth. He was patient with Aislinn as she discovered the potential between them. He was also strong, and self-assured, enough to love Aislinn in her new role as Queen. Keenan was annoying, whiny, and too pushy at first. He did end up growing on me, but I still thought of him as a little pathetic; however I'm definitely happy with the way the book ended. It was a happily ever after for everyone involved, I thought.
I also liked Ms. Marr's take on faeries and how they live in the modern world, but that they're invisible. It makes it interesting to think that they live among us, only unseen. It was also interesting to see how the author separated the courts into Summer, Winter, Dark and High Courts. I'm hoping that the next books will show the differences between the courts and how they interact.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series: Ink Exchange.
Aided by Seth, her buddy-turned-boyfriend, Aislinn strives to figure out why faeries are suddenly paying attention to her. Eavesdropping on faeries who believed themselves invisible, Aislinn discovers that the gorgeous guy following her around is the Summer King, Keenan, who believes Aislinn to be his missing Queen. An unexpected friendship with Donia, the Winter Girl and also the last woman who tested to be the Summer Queen, enables Aislinn to understand that her mortality was surrendered when Keenan chose her. And this would have worked out fine if it weren't for Beira, Keenan's mother, the Winter Queen. Beira actively working to prevent Keenan from testing Aislinn actually helped convince Keenan and Donia that Aislinn was the Queen.
This was a cute story and the first one that I read on my new Kobo. One of my good friends is an avid reader of Melissa Marr's work, which is one of the reasons why I chose this story. I found Aislinn to be a great character and easy to relate to - even her relationship with Seth was delayed because she didn't want to be another notch on his bedpost. This book did hint at sex between Seth and Aislinn, but it was a decision that wasn't taken lightly by either parties. I found Aislinn to be a fair person who didn't let her prejudices against the faeries prevent her from helping them, despite the fact that she was totally screwed over by them. She was also strong enough to demand the right to live her life as she sees fit.
I loved Seth. He was patient with Aislinn as she discovered the potential between them. He was also strong, and self-assured, enough to love Aislinn in her new role as Queen. Keenan was annoying, whiny, and too pushy at first. He did end up growing on me, but I still thought of him as a little pathetic; however I'm definitely happy with the way the book ended. It was a happily ever after for everyone involved, I thought.
I also liked Ms. Marr's take on faeries and how they live in the modern world, but that they're invisible. It makes it interesting to think that they live among us, only unseen. It was also interesting to see how the author separated the courts into Summer, Winter, Dark and High Courts. I'm hoping that the next books will show the differences between the courts and how they interact.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series: Ink Exchange.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Magic in the Storm
It seems like I'm ripping through these books, but the truth is that I read some of them and just waited a few days before posting. But I am finally caught up in the Allie Beckstrom series. And wow, did it ever end in a cliff hanger!
The magic in Portland is being drained and a wild storm is approaching. The Alliance is split into different factions and Terric, Shame's possible Soul Complement, has returned to help save the city. Allie is called away to hound a scene involving one of her Hounds and at the hospital learns that Greyson has escaped. Chase and Shame go to hunt Greyson while Zayvion goes to Allie to protect her on the off-chance that Greyson has found her there. When they arrive to help Shame and Chase, they learn that Shame has been attacked by Chase. Enlisting the help of Terric, they attempt to locate her. In the process, Shame is manipulated by Chase to attack Allie and Zayvion takes a big hit, with his soul being sucked in to a gate. Terric and Shame, both injured, help Allie to keep Zayvion's body alive.
When Allie wakes up the next day, magic is gone. She learns that her step-mother's house has been ransacked for secret technology: disks that hold magic. She also learns that the Authority is behind it. Finally, there's a meeting in the park in St. Johns and Allie is ordered to ground the wild magic to the disks. And that's when all hell breaks loose.
Chase and Greyson crash the party, splitting the Alliance down the middle. With the help of Jingo Jingo (a death magic master), Greyson opens a solid gate and the only thing holding back the Hungers is the spirit of Cody. Allie's dad convinces Allie to rescue Cody and that Allie's mom, of all people, will protect him. Somehow, through the part of him still attached to Greyson, Allie's dad was able to talk to Allie's mom to strike a bargain. Anyhow, Allie also learns that by closing the gate, Zayvion will be permanently stuck and will consequently die. So, what does she do? She goes in. Of course.
Umm, yeah. She has the same reckless attitude and she's still being manipulated by her dad, but at least her heart is in the right spot, even if her head isn't. So, needless to say, I will be reading the next book, even if it's just to see what happens next. Sometimes I really hate reading series.
The magic in Portland is being drained and a wild storm is approaching. The Alliance is split into different factions and Terric, Shame's possible Soul Complement, has returned to help save the city. Allie is called away to hound a scene involving one of her Hounds and at the hospital learns that Greyson has escaped. Chase and Shame go to hunt Greyson while Zayvion goes to Allie to protect her on the off-chance that Greyson has found her there. When they arrive to help Shame and Chase, they learn that Shame has been attacked by Chase. Enlisting the help of Terric, they attempt to locate her. In the process, Shame is manipulated by Chase to attack Allie and Zayvion takes a big hit, with his soul being sucked in to a gate. Terric and Shame, both injured, help Allie to keep Zayvion's body alive.
When Allie wakes up the next day, magic is gone. She learns that her step-mother's house has been ransacked for secret technology: disks that hold magic. She also learns that the Authority is behind it. Finally, there's a meeting in the park in St. Johns and Allie is ordered to ground the wild magic to the disks. And that's when all hell breaks loose.
Chase and Greyson crash the party, splitting the Alliance down the middle. With the help of Jingo Jingo (a death magic master), Greyson opens a solid gate and the only thing holding back the Hungers is the spirit of Cody. Allie's dad convinces Allie to rescue Cody and that Allie's mom, of all people, will protect him. Somehow, through the part of him still attached to Greyson, Allie's dad was able to talk to Allie's mom to strike a bargain. Anyhow, Allie also learns that by closing the gate, Zayvion will be permanently stuck and will consequently die. So, what does she do? She goes in. Of course.
Umm, yeah. She has the same reckless attitude and she's still being manipulated by her dad, but at least her heart is in the right spot, even if her head isn't. So, needless to say, I will be reading the next book, even if it's just to see what happens next. Sometimes I really hate reading series.
Kobo
Have you ever heard of Kobo? Or how about Kindle? These little gadgets are eReaders and they work a like an iPod - only for books. You download a book to your computer and then upload it onto your eReader. With differing storage sizes, you can carry up to 1000 books - on a device that is about the size of a (skinny) paperback novel!
And I'm getting one! I've ordered the Kobo eReader (read specs: here) and it should arrive in about a week. Soo excited!
One of my reasons for ordering it is that I simply have too many books. I have 3 book shelves crammed with them (granted, one does contain textbooks) and many of the books that I buy are just to try them out. In a house where bookshelf space is at a premium, I should be reserving those hot spots for my favourites, not just handing them out to whatever fits.
Another reason is because I like to read several books at once, depending on what I'm in the mood for. And now I can carry hundreds of books at once, while taking up much less space in my purse. This is really going to help when I go travelling, especially since hardcovers take up way more space than paperbacks.
Another perk: getting new release novels up to 50% less than what you'd be paying in-store. Also, there is more privacy offered when you buy a book online. I get razzed at work when I buy a romance novel, so if I was interested in something more exotic, I can buy it and no one else would know.
I have a hard time getting rid of books once I've bought them. I usually buy them for a reason, so why would I get rid of it? Well, with an eReader, the story would only use up storage space, and if I only paid $3 (or less!) for a mediocre story, I wouldn't hesitate to delete it.
One of my cons for buying an eReader was that I was worried it would read like a computer screen. And I hate reading off of a computer screen. Having done it for many years during University (and again in College), it just reminds me of doing research. But, since this little device isn't as wide as my computer screen, I'm hoping that it'll be easy to read.
Another con was that when I browse books, I honestly judge them by their cover. If it looks interesting, I pick it up and read the synopsis. If it intrigues me, I buy it. Simple as that. However, if I'm browsing books online, I'm worried that I'll be missing out on some great stories simply because they aren't on that page. Or maybe I don't have the patience. Or that I'm simply looking for something specific. Or that there are too many choices.
After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to get one. The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. Like I said, I read a lot and despite an initial price of $150 (plus tax), I think that in the long run it'll allow me more freedom buying books and not having to worry about storing them. I can keep up with some of my series that are just taking up space at a lower price.
Don't get me wrong, I'll still buy books at my favourite book store! I'll just be more picky about the books I buy. And I'll think of them more as an investment, instead of a passing fling or fad.
PS - Did you notice Kobo is just "book" rearranged?
And I'm getting one! I've ordered the Kobo eReader (read specs: here) and it should arrive in about a week. Soo excited!
One of my reasons for ordering it is that I simply have too many books. I have 3 book shelves crammed with them (granted, one does contain textbooks) and many of the books that I buy are just to try them out. In a house where bookshelf space is at a premium, I should be reserving those hot spots for my favourites, not just handing them out to whatever fits.
Another reason is because I like to read several books at once, depending on what I'm in the mood for. And now I can carry hundreds of books at once, while taking up much less space in my purse. This is really going to help when I go travelling, especially since hardcovers take up way more space than paperbacks.
Another perk: getting new release novels up to 50% less than what you'd be paying in-store. Also, there is more privacy offered when you buy a book online. I get razzed at work when I buy a romance novel, so if I was interested in something more exotic, I can buy it and no one else would know.
I have a hard time getting rid of books once I've bought them. I usually buy them for a reason, so why would I get rid of it? Well, with an eReader, the story would only use up storage space, and if I only paid $3 (or less!) for a mediocre story, I wouldn't hesitate to delete it.
One of my cons for buying an eReader was that I was worried it would read like a computer screen. And I hate reading off of a computer screen. Having done it for many years during University (and again in College), it just reminds me of doing research. But, since this little device isn't as wide as my computer screen, I'm hoping that it'll be easy to read.
Another con was that when I browse books, I honestly judge them by their cover. If it looks interesting, I pick it up and read the synopsis. If it intrigues me, I buy it. Simple as that. However, if I'm browsing books online, I'm worried that I'll be missing out on some great stories simply because they aren't on that page. Or maybe I don't have the patience. Or that I'm simply looking for something specific. Or that there are too many choices.
After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to get one. The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. Like I said, I read a lot and despite an initial price of $150 (plus tax), I think that in the long run it'll allow me more freedom buying books and not having to worry about storing them. I can keep up with some of my series that are just taking up space at a lower price.
Don't get me wrong, I'll still buy books at my favourite book store! I'll just be more picky about the books I buy. And I'll think of them more as an investment, instead of a passing fling or fad.
PS - Did you notice Kobo is just "book" rearranged?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Magic in the Shadows
Magic in the Shadows is book 3 in the Allie Beckstrom series by Devon Monk. This time around, Allie is dealing with spirit of her dead father taking up residence in her head. Nola, her best friend in the whole wide world, is also staying at Allie's place while she deals with the custody battle surrounding Cody. And Zayvion? He's helping Allie cope with the stresses and training involved with the Alliance, because if the Alliance decides that Allie is too unstable, they will Close off her magic, and memories, of anything to do with the Alliance, including Zayvion.
And Allie is definitely unpredictable. Using tricks that she learned from her father, the Alliance is scared of her. However, despite the fact that she opened a gate in a highly warded area, they need Allie and decide to keep her around (memories intact). This has some of Allie's new found friends pleased (Shamus, Zayvion's best friend, and Maeve, Allie's teacher and Shame's mother) while pissing off others (namely Chase, Zayvion's ex-girlfriend and possible soul complement to Greyson, the fellow who killed Allie's dad and was also the necromorph running around town killing things and setting the Hungers free). Did I mention that Allie animated a gargoyle that now lives with her and likes to talk to her sink?
Yeah, Allie's life does sound like a rather ludicrous soap opera, hey? And it sort of reads as one, since Allie acts like a girl who has something to prove. The Alliance is afraid of her because she holds the power of light and dark, on a scale that may be greater than Zayvion's (who is a Guardian of the Gates), but Allie is almost too stubborn to take the training properly, making her dangerous since she has a hard time controlling her magic. Now that they are recognized Soul Complements (magic users who, on top of being able to use their magic in such a way to enhance the other's powers, are also able to touch each other's minds in the process - a technique that is rare and has the tendency to drive the couple involved insane) they are even more dangerous. And Allie can't even take that seriously.
The storyline is interesting. Some of the people are interesting. But the rest of the time they're angsty and read like teenagers. I keep thinking that they're around my age, but they're not (I think they're in their early 20s?) and that makes a world of difference. And the main thing that annoys me, is that when Allie is thinking sex, she can't keep her head in the game.
I'm hoping that now that Allie is taking self-defense training and magic training that it'll make her a more capable character who won't rely on her tough girl attitude to bluff her way through situations. I just hope she doesn't turn in to a character with superhero abilities.
I've already started book 4, Magic in the Storm, so I hope that I'm not getting in to things that haven't started since the end of book 3.
And Allie is definitely unpredictable. Using tricks that she learned from her father, the Alliance is scared of her. However, despite the fact that she opened a gate in a highly warded area, they need Allie and decide to keep her around (memories intact). This has some of Allie's new found friends pleased (Shamus, Zayvion's best friend, and Maeve, Allie's teacher and Shame's mother) while pissing off others (namely Chase, Zayvion's ex-girlfriend and possible soul complement to Greyson, the fellow who killed Allie's dad and was also the necromorph running around town killing things and setting the Hungers free). Did I mention that Allie animated a gargoyle that now lives with her and likes to talk to her sink?
Yeah, Allie's life does sound like a rather ludicrous soap opera, hey? And it sort of reads as one, since Allie acts like a girl who has something to prove. The Alliance is afraid of her because she holds the power of light and dark, on a scale that may be greater than Zayvion's (who is a Guardian of the Gates), but Allie is almost too stubborn to take the training properly, making her dangerous since she has a hard time controlling her magic. Now that they are recognized Soul Complements (magic users who, on top of being able to use their magic in such a way to enhance the other's powers, are also able to touch each other's minds in the process - a technique that is rare and has the tendency to drive the couple involved insane) they are even more dangerous. And Allie can't even take that seriously.
The storyline is interesting. Some of the people are interesting. But the rest of the time they're angsty and read like teenagers. I keep thinking that they're around my age, but they're not (I think they're in their early 20s?) and that makes a world of difference. And the main thing that annoys me, is that when Allie is thinking sex, she can't keep her head in the game.
I'm hoping that now that Allie is taking self-defense training and magic training that it'll make her a more capable character who won't rely on her tough girl attitude to bluff her way through situations. I just hope she doesn't turn in to a character with superhero abilities.
I've already started book 4, Magic in the Storm, so I hope that I'm not getting in to things that haven't started since the end of book 3.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Running Man
Now that I finished The Satanic Verses, I have TONS of time to read other books! Plus, I'm currently on vacation, so I hope to get heaps of extra reading done. If I'm going to spend money for the books, I might as well read them, right?!
The Running Man is a novel by Stephen King, written during his Richard Bachman phase. Made into a movie in the late 1980's, it is loosely based on the novel. By loosely, I mean that it involves running from people trying to kill Ben Richards. And that's it.
In this dystopian novel, set into the not-so distant future (2025!), the social gap has been split even further. The rich are still living the high life, but the less fortunate are so poor that in order to make money they vie to be contestants in game shows that may cause injury or even death. Ben Richards, the novel's hero, is a 28 year old man who is desperate to keep his wife from making money "on her back" to pay for the medicine that their 18 month old daughter needs to treat her influenza. In a last ditch effort to provide for his family, Ben goes through the extensive physical and mental testing required by the game show corporation and ends up on the highly acclaimed, and highly paying, Running Man show.
In this game, the contestant runs for his life: for every hour he survives, he earns $100 and for every hunter he kills, he gets $100. On the flip side, the public is encouraged to help the hunters find the contestant: for a reported sighting, the person gets $100 and for a sighting ending in a kill, the person gets $500 and if the contestant makes it 30 days, he'll receive $1,000,000. However, the longest record for survival is only 8 days.
Ben's plan of attack is to stay low; using his first 12 hour head start, he attains a fake ID to fly to New York. Convinced that his mandatory twice daily tapes to the studio are being traced, he buses to Boston and stays in a run-down hostel. Bored and watching cars, he realizes that the men outside the window are hitmen; to solve this problem, Ben sneaks in to the basement and blows up the hostel on top of him. On the other end of the sewer, he meets a kid by the name of Stacey and his older brother, Bradley.
Turns out, Bradley is an educated gang member who enlightens Ben on the issues of the poor air quality. In his videos, Ben attempts to address this problem, but the games corporation does its own form of censorship: voice overs to increase hostility towards Ben. Bradley helps Ben by smuggling him through road blocks and sending him to meet his contact: Elton. Unfortunately, Elton's mother tips off the hunters, resulting in a car chase.
Separating, Ben ends up in a small town and he hijacks a car driven by an upper class woman named Amelia. Bluffing his way through a few road blocks, he demands a jet and for the head hunter, McCone, to join him onboard. While on board, Ben is offered the job of head hunter by the head of the games corporation, Killian. When Ben refuses, he learns that his wife and daughter were murdered at the start of the show. In a fit of madness (or perhaps clarity) Ben kills everyone on board and crashes the jet in to the building of the games corporation.
I really liked the concept of this book: running for your life and money. I honestly believe that reality tv will end up this way in a few years (hopefully decades). I mean, look at UFC! Sure, that isn't to the death, but it could end up that way eventually. For example, Roman gladiators and hangings of the past were for the entertainment of the public. However, I didn't really care for the personality of Ben Richards - who was too cynical and too quick to flip off everyone.
Having read books by Stephen King in the past, I figured that there was a 50/50 chance of Ben surviving this show. However, I didn't like the ending: sure, the building was destroyed, but who did that benefit? Definitely not Ben or his family; and he sure didn't help out the poor by breaking the news of the poor air pollution and nose filters. Essentially, he destroyed the building out of spite.
So, honestly? If you like dystopia, you might like this book. If you've watched the movie, you may get a kick out of the book to see the differences. Otherwise, I don't know if you'd like it. The language is racist and coarse, the hero really isn't a hero and some scenes are unnecessarily graphic (which is typical of Stephen King).
The Running Man is a novel by Stephen King, written during his Richard Bachman phase. Made into a movie in the late 1980's, it is loosely based on the novel. By loosely, I mean that it involves running from people trying to kill Ben Richards. And that's it.
In this dystopian novel, set into the not-so distant future (2025!), the social gap has been split even further. The rich are still living the high life, but the less fortunate are so poor that in order to make money they vie to be contestants in game shows that may cause injury or even death. Ben Richards, the novel's hero, is a 28 year old man who is desperate to keep his wife from making money "on her back" to pay for the medicine that their 18 month old daughter needs to treat her influenza. In a last ditch effort to provide for his family, Ben goes through the extensive physical and mental testing required by the game show corporation and ends up on the highly acclaimed, and highly paying, Running Man show.
In this game, the contestant runs for his life: for every hour he survives, he earns $100 and for every hunter he kills, he gets $100. On the flip side, the public is encouraged to help the hunters find the contestant: for a reported sighting, the person gets $100 and for a sighting ending in a kill, the person gets $500 and if the contestant makes it 30 days, he'll receive $1,000,000. However, the longest record for survival is only 8 days.
Ben's plan of attack is to stay low; using his first 12 hour head start, he attains a fake ID to fly to New York. Convinced that his mandatory twice daily tapes to the studio are being traced, he buses to Boston and stays in a run-down hostel. Bored and watching cars, he realizes that the men outside the window are hitmen; to solve this problem, Ben sneaks in to the basement and blows up the hostel on top of him. On the other end of the sewer, he meets a kid by the name of Stacey and his older brother, Bradley.
Turns out, Bradley is an educated gang member who enlightens Ben on the issues of the poor air quality. In his videos, Ben attempts to address this problem, but the games corporation does its own form of censorship: voice overs to increase hostility towards Ben. Bradley helps Ben by smuggling him through road blocks and sending him to meet his contact: Elton. Unfortunately, Elton's mother tips off the hunters, resulting in a car chase.
Separating, Ben ends up in a small town and he hijacks a car driven by an upper class woman named Amelia. Bluffing his way through a few road blocks, he demands a jet and for the head hunter, McCone, to join him onboard. While on board, Ben is offered the job of head hunter by the head of the games corporation, Killian. When Ben refuses, he learns that his wife and daughter were murdered at the start of the show. In a fit of madness (or perhaps clarity) Ben kills everyone on board and crashes the jet in to the building of the games corporation.
I really liked the concept of this book: running for your life and money. I honestly believe that reality tv will end up this way in a few years (hopefully decades). I mean, look at UFC! Sure, that isn't to the death, but it could end up that way eventually. For example, Roman gladiators and hangings of the past were for the entertainment of the public. However, I didn't really care for the personality of Ben Richards - who was too cynical and too quick to flip off everyone.
Having read books by Stephen King in the past, I figured that there was a 50/50 chance of Ben surviving this show. However, I didn't like the ending: sure, the building was destroyed, but who did that benefit? Definitely not Ben or his family; and he sure didn't help out the poor by breaking the news of the poor air pollution and nose filters. Essentially, he destroyed the building out of spite.
So, honestly? If you like dystopia, you might like this book. If you've watched the movie, you may get a kick out of the book to see the differences. Otherwise, I don't know if you'd like it. The language is racist and coarse, the hero really isn't a hero and some scenes are unnecessarily graphic (which is typical of Stephen King).
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
the perks of being a wallflower
the perks of being a wallflower is a story by Stephen Chbosky about an antisocial teenager who writes a series of anonymous letters to a recipient that is never named. His advanced english teacher tells him to truly live life, instead of just watching it happen and so "Charlie" ends up befriending a guy in his shop class.
As Charlie's friendship grows with Patrick, Charlie begins to party and use drugs, making friends and gaining a girlfriend in the process. However, Charlie's home life, while stable with good parents, begins to deteriorate after he sees his sister get hit by her boyfriend. A comment to his teacher, which in turn makes its way back to his parents causes his sister to alienate Charlie after their parents forbid her from seeing her boyfriend again. There are continuous references to an Aunt Helen who was always in an abusive relationship, before she passed away due to a car accident on Charlie's birthday years ago.
As the reader delves further into the story, more carnal subjects appear: homosexuality and teenage sex (which, for one character, leads to an aborted pregnancy). Charlie's life becomes more complicated as one of his friends puts the moves on him, and Charlie, for the sake of friendship, doesn't stop it. Not even a girlfriend will prevent him from pining for his elusive Sam.
Charlie is brutally and whimsically honest with his friends, which they pass off as "Charlie-esque" and cute. He is emotional and never truly tries to be someone he is not. He is protective of his friends and will (literally) fight anyone who threatens them.
He is damaged.
It is not until nearly the end of the story that you realize that he has been molested by someone close to him when he was a child. It was buried in his subconscious until Sam attempts to be intimate with him.
He is also a survivor.
His final accounts are of his rehabilitation and counselling. He believes that he no longer needs the support of his unknown reader to live life. And that he'll be just fine. His final letter ends with: "So, if this does end up being my last letter, please believe that things are good with me, and even when they're not, they will be soon enough" (page 213).
I found this story to be bitterly sweet. Charlie is a likeable character who is intensely in love with Sam, but was told to "not think that way" at the start, so he's truly fighting it every step of the way. He's a good kid with a good family, but they have problems just like everyone else.
There's a poem that I want to share with you, from the story (pages70-73) that I find mesmerizing and tragic. You'll see why:
This story reveals itself in bits and pieces. When Charlie mentions a poem that he read, the reader doesn't imagine it could be anything so sad. However, later, Charlie writes down the words and one of his friends comments on how it was a suicide note.
I really can't say too much more about it, except what I've already said: bitter sweet. I loved this story; I read it in one night and honestly didn't feel like I could write a blog about it without thinking about it first. Unfortunately, my internet went down and I subsequently forgot most of what I would've said. The story is beautiful and joyful mixed with sad and tragic. Which is pretty much the definition of adolescence.
As Charlie's friendship grows with Patrick, Charlie begins to party and use drugs, making friends and gaining a girlfriend in the process. However, Charlie's home life, while stable with good parents, begins to deteriorate after he sees his sister get hit by her boyfriend. A comment to his teacher, which in turn makes its way back to his parents causes his sister to alienate Charlie after their parents forbid her from seeing her boyfriend again. There are continuous references to an Aunt Helen who was always in an abusive relationship, before she passed away due to a car accident on Charlie's birthday years ago.
As the reader delves further into the story, more carnal subjects appear: homosexuality and teenage sex (which, for one character, leads to an aborted pregnancy). Charlie's life becomes more complicated as one of his friends puts the moves on him, and Charlie, for the sake of friendship, doesn't stop it. Not even a girlfriend will prevent him from pining for his elusive Sam.
Charlie is brutally and whimsically honest with his friends, which they pass off as "Charlie-esque" and cute. He is emotional and never truly tries to be someone he is not. He is protective of his friends and will (literally) fight anyone who threatens them.
He is damaged.
It is not until nearly the end of the story that you realize that he has been molested by someone close to him when he was a child. It was buried in his subconscious until Sam attempts to be intimate with him.
He is also a survivor.
His final accounts are of his rehabilitation and counselling. He believes that he no longer needs the support of his unknown reader to live life. And that he'll be just fine. His final letter ends with: "So, if this does end up being my last letter, please believe that things are good with me, and even when they're not, they will be soon enough" (page 213).
I found this story to be bitterly sweet. Charlie is a likeable character who is intensely in love with Sam, but was told to "not think that way" at the start, so he's truly fighting it every step of the way. He's a good kid with a good family, but they have problems just like everyone else.
There's a poem that I want to share with you, from the story (pages70-73) that I find mesmerizing and tragic. You'll see why:
"Once on a yellow piece of paper with green lines / he wrote a poem /
And he called it "Chops" / because that was the name of his dog
And that's what it was all about
And his teacher gave him an A / and a gold star
And his mother hung it on the kitchen door / and read it to his aunts
That was the year Father Tracy / took all the kids to the zoo
And let them sing on the bus
And his little sister was born / with tiny fingernails and no hair
And his mother and father kissed a lot
And the little girl around the corner sent him a / Valentine with a row of X's / and he had to ask his father what the X's meant
And his father always tucked him in bed at night
And was always there to do it
"Once on a white paper with blue lines / he wrote a poem
And he called it "Autumn" / because that was the name of the season
And that's what it was all about
And his teacher gave him an A / and asked him to write more clearly
And his mother never hung it on the kitchen door / because of its new paint
And the kids told him / that Father Tracy smoked cigars
And left butts on the pews
That was the year his sister got glasses / with thick lenses and black frames
And the girl around the corner laughed / when he asked her to go see Santa Claus
And the kids told him why / his mother and father kissed a lot
And his father never tucked him in bed at night
And his father got mad / when he cried for him to do it
"Once on a paper torn from his notebook / he wrote a poem
And he called it "Innocence: A Question" / because that was the question about his girl
And that's what it was all about
And his professor gave him an A / and a strange steady look
And his mother never hung it on the kitchen door / because he never showed her
That was the year that Father Tracy died
And he forgot how the end / of the Apostle's Creed went
And he caught his sister / making out on the back porch
And his mother and his father never kissed / or even talked
And the girl around the corner / wore too much makeup
That made him cough when he kissed her / but he kissed her anyway / because that was the thing to do
And at three A.M. he tucked himself into bed / his father snoring loudly
"That's why on the back of a brown paper bag / he tried another poem
And he called it "Absolutely Nothing"
Because that's what it was really all about
And he gave himself an A / and a slash on each damned wrist
And he hung it on the bathroom door / because this time he didn't think / he could reach the kitchen"
This story reveals itself in bits and pieces. When Charlie mentions a poem that he read, the reader doesn't imagine it could be anything so sad. However, later, Charlie writes down the words and one of his friends comments on how it was a suicide note.
I really can't say too much more about it, except what I've already said: bitter sweet. I loved this story; I read it in one night and honestly didn't feel like I could write a blog about it without thinking about it first. Unfortunately, my internet went down and I subsequently forgot most of what I would've said. The story is beautiful and joyful mixed with sad and tragic. Which is pretty much the definition of adolescence.
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