Great Book

I really enjoyed The Only Alien on the Planet. I was a little concerned at first, because the description made it seem a lot like Twilight (teenage girl moves to new school, becomes fascinated by a beautiful, mysterious boy who is unlike anyone she has ever met). But the book is actually a bit deeper than that. There is kind of a sweet a romantic aspect to the story, but main message I took from it was the importance of true friendship. I really felt for Smitty, or the "alien" in the story. The way he evolved as a character was very cool- from being completely blank and unresponsive to being able to find his voice even in the face of his abuser made him a very intriguing character. I also found it interesting that Smitty's condition was not the result of parental abuse (like I would have suspected). Rather it is the result of emotional abuse from an older sibling, which is rarely encountered, at least in the literature I've read. This book is a good example of how even adolescent lit can be a source of wisdom. There were a couple of poignant passages that I would go back and highlight if I were to ever read it again, which I probably will. It was definitely worth the 75 cents plus shipping.

Anyone else have anything to add?

I think it's Em's turn to choose the next book . . .

The Only Alien on the Planet

So I finished this book like a week ago but forgot to post. So here are a few of my comments:

I actually enjoyed this book. I was a little worried at the beginning. I like the idea of how it illustrated the importance of friends. Without his friends, he might never have talked.

I enjoyed how it told a story but had a moral and I was connected on an emotional level. I felt for the girl who's family moved. I felt for the boy he didn't talk.

So is anyone else done??

NEW Book!!!

Sorry, guys.....just one of the many things that has slipped my mind these days....

Okay, so for my pick, I'm going with some young adult fiction. This is an old favorite of mine. I first read it MANY years ago...like junior high, I think, and I even went to a discussion group attended by the author. It was cool. Moving on, the book is:

The Only Alien on the Planet

By Kristin D. Randle

If you can't find it at the library, half.com has a bunch for $0.75 plus $3.49 in shipping if you feel that is worth your while. Oh, and it's also being re-released this year with new cover art - which, incidently, I'm not so crazy about....

Anyway, go at it!

Waiting...

Okay, Heath, we're ready for your book choice. And may I say that now that my baby and I are both healthy and home - but on house arrest until JUNE (when RSV season is over) - Mommy could use a book with some adult conversation attached when she's done. :) Hurry!! Quit making spaghetti squash and pick a bloody book! :)

P.S. Also I love you.

oops

I apologize for my neglect of our group :)

hopefully the causes have passed for now. My review of the book...

I loved this book. There was so much I didn't remember from the first time reading, and so much more that I caught on to the second time around. I think the first time I was just trying to get all the stories and characters straight, so I missed a lot of the intricate details and character development. This book is very "spanish" and reminds of works by older spanish authors like Lorca who I read in college. So much symbolism! So much depth! I got more out of the book the second time around. However, there were parts I really didn't like. some of the more violent scenes I had glossed over and didn't remember, sorry about those. This time around I was also more aware of the similarities and differences between Daniel and Carax, which made the book more interesting.

But moving on... the lovely Heather is up next to pick our book of the month...and I personally can't wait.

Let's review, baby!

Okay, so I thought I'd get the ball rolling.
WOW, what a book. Intriguing, mysterious and heart-wrenching all rolled into one. Believable complex characters, twisting unpredictable storylin.........a wild ride.
Overall, I liked it (obviously there were some things I could have done without), I liked it alot. I'd probably recommend it to others. But I won't be buying it (that's the ultimate test for me...I LOVE books and I have alot of them, but I only buy a book if I have read it, loved it and want it to join my group of treasured friends).
Daniel was so interesting to me...how he could become so engrossed in another person's story...their mystery. Someone he did not know, and most likely would never know. But then I realized that I myself have done the same thing. Not exactly to the extent that he did, but I've been drawn in before by another's life, and wanted to know more.
I'm still not sure how the Daniel/Bea relationship happened. Out of thin air, it seemed. But, of course, I was so glad that their story ended happily, with Julian's help. Speaking of Julian and his story NOT ending happily....what would a happy ending have been, seeing as he and Penelope were half-siblings?
Anyway, no really deep thoughts here, it's been too long since I finished. :) Anyone else?

shadow review

I'm ready to post my review and ask some questions...I just finished the book for the second time last week. Where is everyone in their reading? I don't want to post a review that gives away a few of the surprises. I was shocked how much more I caught on reading the book a second time and how quickly I got sucked into reading even though I remembered a good portion of the plot. So, let me know where you ladies are at so I can post my review and we can move on to someone else choosing March's book.