I will review 'The Girl Who Played with Fire' and 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest' at the same time. Mostly because the stories are totally intertwined, and then also...because I felt the same way about each, or both. They are wonderful. I literally could not put either of the books down. They were exciting, danger-filled, intense, sad and brilliant. There is no question that the first of the series was the most amazing in my eyes. Perhaps this is because I was newly introduced to all of the complex characters that make up the series; notably Salander and Blomkvist. However, it is not my intention to diminish the remainder of the series in any fashion. They hold up in their own regard as enthralling stories that speak to the weaknesses in [socialist] government. Of course there is something to be said for the fact that the current news is bursting with stories of wildly intelligent and successful hackers, such that it gives credence to the author's somewhat fanciful tales. It leads the reader to wonder if Stieg wasn't simply creating a paranoid theory about the potential of an all-powerful, all controlling government, but was just a bit ahead of his time. There is something certainly reminiscent of 1984. There is not much I can write about these books without giving them away, but whether the quality holds up over the course of the series...it was worth every moment I spent reading them. I will also say that it made me think, quite critically, about the absolute power corrupts absolutely clause. It certainly does. Final pronouncement: utterly enjoyable, no question.
For special number 32 I read the silliest book imaginable. That is I finished 'Chasing Harry Winston' by Lauren Weisberger. Honestly, I don't have one bad word to say about this book. Certainly not winning any literary awards, but delightful nonetheless and a profound experience for me. Let me explain before it seems as though I had a 'CTJ' moment from a piece of women's fiction/romance. One of the characters is 29ish and finds out that her younger sister, who coincidentally is married, is pregnant. It isn't until she is on the phone with a good friend that she is able to express how difficult this experience is emotionally. That she is overjoyed to learn of her sister's expecting, but struggles with how she has somewhat fallen behind in this regard. She is able to move past these feelings of pain to really come into her own (no, I am not a fan of that expression...however, it suits the situation). She is empowered enough to tell a creepy old boyfriend to buzz off and feel content with what she does have (friendship, work, etc.). Although told in an entirely dramatic and playful fashion, something about her revelations and experiences really spoke to me. In other words, there was most definitely a reason why I picked up this book. I would categorize this book as good for: 1. a vacation (beach read), 2. a post break-up time period or 3. snuggling up inside on a cold winter day. Just the sweet treat I was craving.
Reading 'Looking for Alaska' by John Green directly following was like a proverbial splash of cold water in my face. Being introduced to YA fiction by my mother has been nothing short of a divine intervention. Most of the YA fiction I have read as of late has been more intelligent and filled with emotional depth than the adult fiction I have perused. This book is sorrowful, brilliant and thought provoking. The characters are engaging, charming and bring about a compassion that I haven't experienced as of late while reading. Mr. Green is a skilled story teller and I found myself laughing aloud and then with tears in my eyes a few pages later. His gentle handling of youth, friendship and death is beyond what I have experienced in any fiction as of late, YA or otherwise. The interactions between the characters (their dialogue) is brilliant and fascinating. I implore anyone and everyone to pick this one up. Its a quick read, but one that will, without question, stay with you. Happy Holidays...
For special number 32 I read the silliest book imaginable. That is I finished 'Chasing Harry Winston' by Lauren Weisberger. Honestly, I don't have one bad word to say about this book. Certainly not winning any literary awards, but delightful nonetheless and a profound experience for me. Let me explain before it seems as though I had a 'CTJ' moment from a piece of women's fiction/romance. One of the characters is 29ish and finds out that her younger sister, who coincidentally is married, is pregnant. It isn't until she is on the phone with a good friend that she is able to express how difficult this experience is emotionally. That she is overjoyed to learn of her sister's expecting, but struggles with how she has somewhat fallen behind in this regard. She is able to move past these feelings of pain to really come into her own (no, I am not a fan of that expression...however, it suits the situation). She is empowered enough to tell a creepy old boyfriend to buzz off and feel content with what she does have (friendship, work, etc.). Although told in an entirely dramatic and playful fashion, something about her revelations and experiences really spoke to me. In other words, there was most definitely a reason why I picked up this book. I would categorize this book as good for: 1. a vacation (beach read), 2. a post break-up time period or 3. snuggling up inside on a cold winter day. Just the sweet treat I was craving.
Reading 'Looking for Alaska' by John Green directly following was like a proverbial splash of cold water in my face. Being introduced to YA fiction by my mother has been nothing short of a divine intervention. Most of the YA fiction I have read as of late has been more intelligent and filled with emotional depth than the adult fiction I have perused. This book is sorrowful, brilliant and thought provoking. The characters are engaging, charming and bring about a compassion that I haven't experienced as of late while reading. Mr. Green is a skilled story teller and I found myself laughing aloud and then with tears in my eyes a few pages later. His gentle handling of youth, friendship and death is beyond what I have experienced in any fiction as of late, YA or otherwise. The interactions between the characters (their dialogue) is brilliant and fascinating. I implore anyone and everyone to pick this one up. Its a quick read, but one that will, without question, stay with you. Happy Holidays...
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