Wednesday, October 30, 2013

What I Read Wednesday

I only read two books this week. Not for lack of wanting, but because I have six books on my library hold list and none of them are in. This always happens. They'll all come in at once and I'll be overwhelmed.

Allegiant (Divergent)
The last book in the Divergent trilogy. It's hard to discuss this because I don't want to give away any spoilers. I will say that I was mostly happy with it, though a few things bothered me. I don't think anyone will really ever be happy with the last book in a trilogy that they love because they don't want it to end. I will also say that through virtue of spending the last month teaching Divergent, I felt that I had a better grasp on the ending and some other plot points because much of it seemed very thematic to me--and there's nothing I love more than beating theme into my students with a giant, symbolic hammer. That's really all I can say about that, but if you've read it, please feel free to email me and we can discuss it further.

The Rosie Project: A Novel
I loved this book. Don Tillman is a genius, but incredibly socially challenged. Although the book never explicitly states it, he is most definitely on a spectrum somewhere. In his social awkwardness, he's yet to find a wife, so he sets out to do so, but first every applicable woman must meet his very rigid guidelines through filling out a questionnaire he's put together. I loved this book because it was quirky and different, but also because Don's voice was very strong. I teach many students who are autistic or Asperger's and Don reminded me so much of some of them that I felt like I was getting a glimpse into their adult lives. I tore through this book.

What are you reading?

4 comments:

Corrin said...

The Rosie Project is in my vacation reading pile! Can't wait.

Barb Ruess said...

I finished Shanghai Girls and am in the middle of its sequel Dreams of Joy. I think if these two books were edited down to one, it would be fantastic! As it is, there are some parts I feel like I'm trudging through and others that I really enjoy. Oh! And I also read Shirley Jackson's The Lottery for the first time this weekend. Emily & I had fun discussing that and relating it to the dystopian novels she enjoys.

The Rosie Project was on my radar but after your review, I'm adding it to my 'ro read' list!

One crazed mommy said...

I finished Allegiant yesterday. Very mixed on feelings. I don't know what to say without spoilers either...
Just started reading The Beggar King - I had taken a break from the Hangman's Daughter series, but am back on book 3.
After this one I plan to read The Sisterhood.

Becky said...

I was just recommended The Rosie Project and it's in my library queue.

Did you recommend Hopeless or perhaps it was one of your readers. Hopeless by Colleen Hoover. Couldn't put it down.