Books Purchased:
More Six-Word Memoirs edited by Smith Magazine
The Road to McCarthy by Pete McCarthy
Ireland: True Stories of Life on the Emerald Isle edited by James O’Reilly
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
Books Read:
Inklings by Jeffrey Koterba (library)
Stitches by David Small (library)
Permanent Rose by Hilary McKay (library)
Nine Stories by J. D. Salinger (re-read)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
Previously Reviewed: Inklings, Permanent Rose, The Help, The Sixty-Eight Rooms
Stitches is a graphic novel memoir by one of my favorite children’s book authors, David Small. Stitches is everything that his children’s books are not: dark, angry, and sad. Like his children’s books though, it’s fantastic. A graphic novel was the perfect medium for his story, the illustrations give you a unique look into his memories and experiences. While the story of his childhood is sad, it’s not a depressing book. The story ends with forgiveness, and it from what I know of his life now it seems happy and successful. I enjoyed reading Stitches, and it’s one of the best graphic novel memoirs I’ve read.
I re-read Nine Stories for our February book club, and it was interesting to revisit it now that I’ve read (and re-read) all of his other published work. Teddy and The Laughing Man were my favorites this time around.
Also in February – I finally read The Hunger Games. I’ve been hearing awesome things about this YA Dystopian series for over a year. It did not disappoint… I literally could not put the book down. I’m glad that I read it on a weekend so that I didn’t have to. :) It effortlessly brings you to that highly coveted reading place where you’re completely engrossed in a true adventure on the page.
Little Bee was an impulse purchase and read. It has a lot of critical acclaim and I’d read many positive reviews. I enjoyed reading it, and appreciated the insight into the experiences of a refugee. The point of view changes back and forth between the two main characters, and I enjoyed the narration by the refugee, Little Bee, much more. I thought it was an interesting and well written novel, but it didn’t move me the way that I expected it to, and when it ended I felt surprisingly indifferent to it, which was disappointing.
Loved every minute of reading Hunger Games. :) Can’t wait for book 3.
I love the edition of Salinger’s ‘Nine stories’ that you have – very traditional and very beautiful! ‘Stitches’ looks like an interesting book. I have ‘The Hunger Games’ on my ‘TBR’ list. Hope to read it soon. ‘Ireland : True stories of life on the Emerald Isle’ looks like a fascinating book. Can’t wait to read your review of it :)