Tag: book review

Categories
Book Club Culture

Book Review: The Dog Stars

dog

Hig narrates life in The Dog Stars set in a future United States, after the world’s population has been decimated by a flu pandemic. The compassionate protagonist has lost his wife to the flu and Heller uses stream of consciousness to give readers an understanding of what he’s going through. His only companions throughout the novel are his polar opposite, Bangley, and his dog Jasper.

With a real history of flu pandemics happening in the United States, the prospect of a world wiped out by sickness is a very plausible plot. Being able to compare our nation’s relevant issues with Higs’ allows for a deep connection with the content. The Dog Stars offers a good balance between realistic fiction and escapist elements. Although science fiction, Heller’s poetic style contrasts the less than ideal circumstances Hig shares with readers.

Why We Love It:

The Dog Stars is an easy read full of beautiful descriptions meant to draw in readers. Heller wraps up the novel with a satisfying end. Although clouds loom in the horizon, there’s a silver lining.

About the Author:

Peter Heller has contributed to NPR, and is a contributing editor at Outside Magazine, Men’s Journal, and National Geographic Adventure. The Dog Stars is his debut novel and his second novel, The Painter, was released in May 2014.

The Dog Stars is published by Random House.

-Gabrielle Rejouis

Categories
Book Club Living

Book Review: Eleven

eleven

September 11th, 2001 was an infamous day in American history; the tragic events impacted thousands of lives, within the neighborhoods of New York City and beyond. Many people simply couldn’t fathom the gravity of the day, and the tragedy was even more difficult to explain to young children. Most kids were simply too young at the time to realize what was happening. And it’s even harder to relay the tale to children who were born following the tragedy. Despite this, 9/11 is a topic that will remain in the public consciousness; it will more than likely be an event that is discussed within the safety of families as well as at schools, as kids are introduced to U.S. history and the significance of that day.

As such, 9/11 is a topic that has many controversial view points with regards to religion, patriotism, nationalism and even conspiracy theories. But what if you were to remove all of the hot button topics and simply tell the story of 9/11? What if you simply explained the events, and how they affected families throughout New York City? What was that day like for those directly affected? These reflections are perhaps the simplest, and yet the most poignant stories of all.

Eleven, by Tom Rogers, tells the story of a boy named Alex, who turns 11 years old on 9/11. His point of view is unlike others in popular media, allowing the reader to see the tragedy through a new lens. The novel focuses on two families, but unfortunately, only one has a happy ending. Throughout the novel, readers will sympathize with the families; both are equally enduring in the face of fear, worry, and tragedy. Though Eleven is a young adult book, Rogers accomplishes notable character development; Alex is tough, but shows glimmers of vulnerability. The incorporation of Alex’s childhood friends and his love for baseball, helps create a feeling of familiarity to the reader; these typical American topics are easy to relate to and help bridge the age gap between characters.

Ultimately, the story is a coming of age tale, set in New York City at a terrible time in U.S. history. Still, the unflinching manner in which the characters and circumstances unfold doesn’t scare away the reader. Instead, it creates an understanding and a feeling of empathy for the families. It helps explain the tragedy to young adults in a simple, yet moving manner. Tom Rogers has told the story in a way that most parents and educators have struggled to accomplish. It’s a thoughtful and important book for readers of all ages.

Why We Love It: The book is a great resource to begin a 9/11 related dialogue with young adults. The thousands of people affected by 9/11 will appreciate what the book says, and perhaps more importantly, what it doesn’t say. It is respectfully written and is not graphic in nature.

About the Author: Tom Rogers is a novelist and a screenwriter of numerous animated films including Disney’s Secret of the Wings and LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers. Eleven is his first novel for young adults.

The Journey of a Boy Turning Eleven on 9/11. Tom Rogers. www.ElevenTheBook.com

– Denise Courter, DOWNTOWN’s Lifestyle and Family Editor & Founder of FiDi Families

Categories
Book Club

Book Review: You Should Have Known

Cover of You Should have knownGrace has everything she could ever wish for. Her husband is a pediatric oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, her son, Henry, studies at one of the most prestigious private schools of the city, and Grace, herself, a therapist who primarily works with with women who are trying to mend their broken marriages. She’s a few weeks away from the publishing of her very first book: You Should Have Known.

In her book, Grace claims that women do not listen to their instincts concerning men and marriage; they should have known from the beginning that he was going to cheat, that he didn’t care for them the way he should. After just a few dates, she says, you should know if someone is a right fit for you. If you make excuses when you feel that something is off, then you are the only one to blame for the failure of your relationship.

But after a tragic event and the disappearance of her husband, Grace realizes that she failed to follow her own advice. Everything she ever worked for is compromised.

Why we loved it? At first, Grace seems to be living the perfect life: perfect husband, perfect marriage, perfect child, and perfect school. She is very hard to like, in fact, she’s a bit irritating. But when the plot starts to unfold, the story snatches you; it’s hard not to sympathize with Grace.

About the author: Jean Hanff Korelitz is a native New Yorker. You Should Have Known is her fifth novel, after Jury of Her Peers, The Sabbathday River, The White Rose, and Admission. The big screen adaptation of Admission was released in 2013.

Get You Should Have Known here.

-Marine Bigand