#aplit17book

[bri-the-good-blog]

If you enjoy reading books with a slow paced, stubborn, shallow main character, “A Man Called Ove” would be the perfect book for you. Throughout the text, Ove meets several minor characters, most of which he judges very harshly. So, if you find that amusing, this would be a great book for you. The only setback is that Ove's character can become such a distraction that it's easy to miss the deeper meaning scattered throughout the book. Also, there are several stale passages that seem as if their only job is to take up space on the page. An example would be when Backman writes "His sneakers are too big and his jeans too small, Ove notes. His tracksuit jacket is pulled over his chin to protect him against the cold. His emaciated peach-fuzzed face is covered in blackheads and his hair looks as if someone saved him from drowning in a barrel by pulling him up by his locks" (49). Passages like this are often attached to every person that Ove meets, and it's not difficult to get so wrapped up in what Ove is thinking that you miss the beautiful passages in the book, that are worth taking a second glance at. However, if you can hold out until the end, Ove becomes a character that you'll love just as much as your grandpa.

[maggieeeeeliz-blog]

Learning To Love Odd Little Ove~ It seems that no one is ever interested in the old man who lives down the street. Most people find themselves bitter about their bitterness and annoyed by how annoyed they always are. With all honesty- that's Ove. "A Man Called Ove" (a New York Times bestseller) by Fredrik Backman revolves around his story and the story of those past and presently in his life. Although the reader may be initially turned away by the story due to Ove's seemingly negative attitude toward life, throughout the novel, his presentation evolves as you see the pain of his past, answer questions about his quirks, and feel the loneliness of his lost love. The novel is written in third person but the strong diction allows Ove's character to really shine through. You also meet his dynamic neighbors and the role they play in his life, and while less developed, knowing less about them almost helps to know more about Ove. "A Man Called Ove" isn't the most literarily challenging read, but it will challenge how you see the old man who lives down the street because it gives you the opportunity to see someone bitter as a little more sweet.

[ecoonan-blog]

Why YOU should read A Man Called Ove

A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman, is a beautiful story about a grumpy old man, his neighbors, and his past. Let me tell you, it is worth your time to read this book. While I wouldn’t consider it a MUST-READ, it is a charming, feel-good book that will make a lasting impression on you. At 337 pages, it seems kind of long after a quick glance, but the story doesn’t get that deep. It’s fairly surface level. Some people may like that, and some may hate it, but both will love the way Backman writes. After reading this passage, you’ll know what I mean:

“When  [Ove and a stray cat] get back to the house, Ove reluctantly feeds the wretched animal, and once it’s finished, announces they’ve got errands to run. He may have been temporarily press-ganged into cohabiting with this little creature, but he’ll be damned if he’s going to leave a wild animal on it’s own in his house. So the cat has to come with him. Immediately there’s a disagreement between Ove and the cat about whether or not the cat should sit on a sheet of newspaper in the Saab’s passenger seat. At first, Ove sets the cat on two supplements of entertainment news, which the cat, much insulted, kicks onto the floor with its back feet” (pg 173).

See? The book is written in third person, but by the way Backman writes, it’s like you’re inside the heads of every character, including animals. And the characters are so animated and fun to read about.

And the story is so sweet. At first, Ove is pretty easy to judge. You dismiss him as just being old and cranky. But then, you get to know his past. Backman includes chapters that take place before the present storyline. You pity Ove, and you begin to understand him as well. And it’s interesting to see how the whole story fits together.

Not everyone will love this book, but it is still worth the read just to “meet” Ove. He is a character so unique but so commonplace as well. It’s a great story you won’t soon forget.

[benzaremba]

READ ME!

The Serpent of Venice by Chris something is a book. I thought it was a good book, and I think you should read it. The Serpent of Venice is a combination of Shakespearean references, Shakespearean literature, satire and really bad humor. It’s twisting story and development of characters will keep you interested. However, the satire, humor and irony rehash the idea that this is a satirized version of a serious and classical style of literature and that you should be laughing and thinking that it is kinda stupid. The Serpent of Venice isn’t for everyone, it’s a lot like people who enjoy bad comedies. This book is a written version of Anchorman or Horrible Bosses. Some people absolutely detest movies like Talladega Nights or Anchorman, and this book delivers on a similar note. Even though the plot and the humor influence the negative opinions of the reader, but the book is written so well. The use of figurative language and language in general it fantastic, and it was one of my favorite parts of the book. One of my favorite passages was when a fool is forced to try to be sneaky and blend in with a crowd, “As someone used to attracting attention to himself, wearing bells and carrying a smugly profane puppet, the anonymity was more difficult than I had anticipated. There was irony and mirth lurking everywhere, and it was my holy duty as a fool to point it out, nay, chase it out of the corners until it giggled”. The writing by Christopher Moore makes the Serpent of Venice a really smooth and well written read, but it adds in the humor and irony that makes the book really fun and enjoyable. 

[bridgetcona-blog]

You should read Bel Canto. Although opera is the uniting love that brings terrorist and hostage together alike, one does not have to be an opera lover to enjoy it. It is compatible with any passion with the way Patchett lyrically writes in a way that flows from the heart like one with a passion would, building off drama like their story is an opera itself. It makes the situation not appear scary at all but more beautiful like a well-needed vacation. To just build on the beautiful diction, Patchett develops many topics that could be discussed in a classroom setting as part of the curriculum or with friends because you don't have to read the book to know the poor are less fortunate than the rich, passions unite people, or denial of situations. It creates more insight to their perspectives, and she really develops their perspectives well. The characterization is so distinct with emotions that each character contributes something different even though overall there are probably around like 10 or 11. From a hostage wanting to learn opera from the renown Roxane to Gen learning to forget instead of learn and absorb like usual as his job as a translator, everyone is built differently as well as use different signs to show their true selves like Gen hiding in the China closet with Carmen or mr. Hosokawa sitting with Roxane for hours without being able to communicate because of the language barrier. Not that that stops either of them from loving each other. There is nothing that isn't unique about this book. While I think it should be apart of the curriculum due to the endless teaching points on the literary techniques and themes, it is so beautiful that I wouldn't want students to dismiss it due to it being an assignment as well as a delight. You have to want to read it to truly appreciate it.

[rohithaa]

would you read this book?

Bel Canto would be a good book for you if you like romantic, sappy, flowy and musical things. The characters in this novel are a perfect example of what it means to be “in love with the music”. Mr. Hokosawa falls in love with the sound of the opera and his love for Roxane Coss, a women he had listened to when his eldest daughter gave him a CD illustrating her beautiful voice through the sound of music. When they are brought to the same small country in the same house they are able to be super close and relate in more ways then one. When the terrorists drop down into quiet birthday party, everything starts to go wrong. In certain situations someone would not be willing to read such a slow book with many many adjectives to describe situations that would be better to be said in one sentence, then this book is not the one for you. If you don’t like books with dragged out beginnings I would steer clear of this book. If you like romance and music, you should probably read this book.

[withersyd-blog]

Maybe read this book... Or not...

The Shining would be a great book for you if you like very inquisitive characters and not so scary but still classified as a horror book. Danny is a little boy, the son of Jack and Wendy and he plays a big part in the book. Anything that Danny goes through in the book has a lot of imagery and you can imagine it as if you were in his shoes. The only this is Danny is perceived as an adult would see him not how an actual little boy would tell a story. Its still seems as if its from an older POV. Besides the predictable plot, the overly written chapter and the vague story line, Danny is good enough of a character to draw you in to this 600-page book. Unless you like long books or books with bad literary meaning and no concrete meaning, Danny is the only thing that would convince anyone to read this long dragged out book😊

[krispykrew-blog]

READ THIS SPICE

Are you a messy bitch??? Do u live for drama???? WELLLLL ladies and gentlemen do I got a read for u. Bel Canto by Anne Patcherr is one of the SAUCIEST books I've ever read. It's about a bunch of rich people at an opera party but it's HIJACKED by terrorists!!! Scare Bleu! But then after like three months they start to like each other. And then there's affairs and death and opera oh my!!! But hey even if u don't live for the drama like me, you'll still probably like this book. Ya see all of drama and intrigue still serves a porpoise and contributes to subtle themes throughout the book. So even if u don't love the drama there is still subtlety and beauty to the book that u can appreciate.

[riyaa-99-blog]

A Man Called Ove- Your Next Read

All you need is Ove

Remember your grumpy next door neighbor, who never seemed to be in a good mood and wouldn’t let you play on his front lawn? Did you ever get to learn his story beyond his name? What would you have found if you had? A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman, is the story of that grumpy next door neighbor, and what you will learn about him may surprise you.

This book is such an incredibly important one. Backman writes beautifully about the importance of companionship, of strong love and of the unreliability of first impressions. You start off by hating Ove, offput by his extreme negativity and annoying behavior, as anyone would be upon first meeting our curmudgeon of a character. But as the novel progress we learn more and more about Ove, about the tremendous heart break he has been through upon losing nearly each and every person he has cared about; his father, his wife, his best friend, his wife’s father and cat even. And without even realizing it we find ourselves loving this wonderfully odd character.

Ove knows how people see him, “People had always said that Ove was ‘bitter.’ But he wasn’t bloody bitter. He just didn’t go around grinning the whole time. Did that mean one had to be treated like a criminal? Ove hardly thought so. Something inside a man goes to pieces when he has to bury the only person who ever understood him” (325). Here, Backman reveals the roots of Ove’s character, showing us just how deep his pain goes, and perfectly encompasses the roots of book itself: the effect of Ove’s first impressions and the idea of love and loss. Surely enough though, the story is uplifting, showing through its subtleties how Ove is able to find friendship again.

The book may be slow at first, and the true character points that warm your heart may come late in the story, but it is well worth the wait. And what the book may lack in plot development, it makes up for in its rich characterization of Ove and others. We see all the subtleties that show Ove’s slow transformation and grieving process, and all of the texture that the other characters add to Ove’s life as he begins to live again. As a reader, you find yourself slowing learning to love Ove, until the ending has you sobbing over a character you originally thought you’d never like, which goes to show just how unreliable those first impressions can be. This book is a gold mine for studying characterization and exploring themes about relationships, but even beyond that, it is a wonderful story to read.

[brookeblanchette-blog]

Don’t Read This

Made you look! Of course you read this if someone tells you not to... however in my case, I am telling you to read something. Not just any something, the something that is greater than most somethings. I recommend reading The Shining, by Stephen King. Not only is it a great thriller, it provides examples of deeper meanings and thought provoking topics that are good for discussions. Many may argue that they will not read the book  because it is scary, but those people are missing out. It is true that the book provides suspense and the occasional creeps, but those are not good reasons to dismiss a book that is well written and explains the transformation of it’s characters. The book will also tear at your heart strings for those who connect with the characters. One part of the book that gets me, is when Danny truly sees his dad for the last time, “ But suddenly his daddy was there, looking at him in mortal agony, and a sorrow so great that Danny’s heart flames within his chest. The mouth drew in a quivering bob. ‘Doc,’ Jack Torrance said. “ Run away. Quick. And remember how much I love you.’” No matter what Jack Torrance did to his son, Danny loved him anyways. The father son bond through out the book is an interesting relationship to follow when reading the book. The Shining is a classic novel that can hook any reader, so here I am, a person who is not a big reader, recommending this great book to you. Enjoy!

[jonconley-aplang-blog]

WBS by Paul Beatty

People should read White Boy Shuffle by Paul Beatty because the book takes the reader on a journey along with the main character. You to see how the characters thoughts and actions change as his surroundings change. This allows the reader to be exposed to a perspective they may not be familiar with, while also giving the reader a better understanding of why this viewpoint exists. Those who may be weary of the book, believing it to be radical, would need to be reminded that maybe people go on this journey and while you may not agree with where the character ends up mentally, it is always good to gain understanding.

[candadiangirldoll-blog]

Bel canto, with it’s florid language, lengthy descriptions of music , and focus on relationships. might seem off putting to those put off romance. I have to admit, “romance “ like the kind found in Nicholas sparks books, bore or repel me too. But Bel Canto is so much more than your standard “Boy + Girl + Tragedy” novel . The stakes a much higher. Bel canto is set during a failed coup, resulting in a hostage situation with various political and economical leaders, an opera singer, 50+ terrorists as young as 12 , and a translator. The setting is interesting in its self, but the book’s focus expands beyond the conventions of the romance genre as well .Questions like “ Why does love have different values to different people?” How do you adjust to impossible situations” , and “when both terrorists and hostages are trapped, what separates them?” 

[thegloriousstudentninja-blog]

AHH I’m running late

So reading the serpent of venice is like climbing up a wall it has its ups and downs. The ups in this book, I would say would be the character depth, Writing style and the occasional Funny moment. The downs however would be the entire plot, and the writing style, and the fact that they called characters by multiple names at different times. An example of the ups would be on page 98 where you get to hear the main character’s thoughts “ I am a trained thief, one simply can’t expect me to ride in a boatload of gold and leave it unmolested. One ducat(gold coin), what is one ducat.”This I believe is a great example of how the writing style shows itself in a way that if you didn’t know before you know now that the main character is a pretentious asshole.While some people may be turned off at the fact that so many small details have such importance in the plot, take marco polo who pops up out of nowhere and reveals that he has this slime that ends up killing several bad guys later on in the book. Tons of small things like this make the book a fun little exploration.

Ps: this book is a sequel… just a heads up so you know, I didn’t and this might have cleared up some of the confusing plot 

[withersyd-blog]

This paragraph from has a lot of imagery. You can imagine the scene that is going on. The mallet itself is also a symbol in the book. This imagery occurs alot throughout the whole book!

[akoaysi-cathy-blog]

On the news you see this story of how a scrub of an artist survived a crash of a private jet and also saved a kid from the wreck. At first he would seem like a hero, right? But then the question arises of why he was on a private jet in the first place. How did this scrub get onto a private jet? Why was he with a bunch of really well known rich people? Did he cause the crash of the plane?

These are the questions the main character, Scott, in Noah Hawley’s Before the Fall has to endure. Scott goes from living a peaceful life on an island to being the main story on all the big news networks. He doesn’t entirely remember all of the details of the crash because he claims to have hit his head but he still gets absolutely hounded by the press and desperately tries to escape them. All the meanwhile, throughout the book, Hawley sprinkles in the backstories of the other passengers on the private jet and they what they were doing before the crash to keep the reader guessing what happened on the crash. 

This suspenseful thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. Admittedly, the book has a slower pace compared to other books. It needs to be that way, though, to have time for the book to add in the details that makes the book have all the pieces fall into place in the end. 

His book is great! You should read it :)

[2stepsfar-blog]

The Shining

Look, I’m not here to tell you what to do, but if you love horror stories (or hate horror stories, there are no rules), you should DEFINITELY read The Shining by Stephen King. Have you been DYING to read a book with a good plot, but a totally annoying adaption of said plot? Or maybe you love alcoholic fathers who continuously do freaky things to their family in creepy hotels? Or, and this is a real game changer, you love to think deep and try to figure what things like ‘Redrum” mean? If you love all of those things, then this book is really for you. Not only do you get a drug out, mediocrely scary development of what could have been a truly nice novel, you also end up just a tiny bit (majorly) bored for over 50% of the book. But that’s okay, because we all need something to help put us to sleep sometimes. I’m telling you, if you want the melatonin to start flowing, just pick up this horror novel, kiss your kids goodnight, and sweet dreams.