2011: Book 24

The World Made Straight by Ron Rash


304 pages

Completed 3/16/11

This novel tells the tale of Travis, a high school-aged young man who gets in over his head after stealing marijuana plants from a cruel drug-dealing farmer. The subsequent events lead to Travis living in a broken-down trailer with the town's ex-teacher pot dealer, Leonard, and his pill-popping girlfriend. Falling for a headstrong college-bound girl who insists on remaining chaste, dealing with his father's rejection, and accepting the consequences of dropping out of high school, this coming-of-age tale is one to remember.

But this book is not just Travis' story; intertwined is Leonard's  own sad tale, as well as a mysterious and telling doctor's log from the 1800s. In the small town, everything is connected, and the ending of this book will leave readers stunned.

LIZ: BOOK #25

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

400 pages

Completed 5/31/10

The prequel to Bushnell's oh-so-popular Sex and the City, this book is definitely at a young adult level. Given the tame subjects and story lines throughout, I guess I cant say I'm surprised.

I am a die hard SATC fan...I can recite episodes, I actually DID read the original book, and annoyingly refer to things said as "remember when Carrie..." So I was excited for this cute little book. Introducing us to high school senior Carrie and her misfit group of friends and broken family, requisite bad boy, and chain smoking habit, nothing really blew me out of the water when reading this. But then again, I don't think I was really expecting much; this was just one of those books you HAVE to read because it comes out.

That being said (and be prepared, this is going to reveal just how corny the SATC girls make me feel), when Carrie's introduction to one of the other 3 women who plays an intrinsic in her NYC adventures, I legitimately got goosebumps. The way Bushnell made this book just about Carrie but also led the reader into her infamous future was done wonderfully, in my opinion.

LIZ: Book #2

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

213 pages

Completed 1/2/10

Being sick and stuck at home for almost a week now, I have been flying through books, and this was no exception; this was an incredibly quick read. I literally finished this diary-like novel in 3 hours. Revolving around socially awkward high school freshman Charlie in the 90s, these entries are being written to an unknown receiver and focus on his happiness, struggles, and confusion about coming into his own.

I am a memoir lover, so I am surprised that I have so many fiction books waiting for me on my bookshelf. This book, however, read much more like a memoir. Coming of age is hard for any teenager, let alone one who is dealing with loss, depression, and the ups and downs of making new friends. When Charlie started forging bonds with upperclassmen, I was reminded of one of my favorite movies, Almost Famous. His love of music, tendency to question the outside world, and inner conflicts, the comparison was only reinforced for me with Charlie's announcement one night that he "feels infinite."

This book is definitely more suited to a young adult audience, but considering it has been on my books-to-read list for a few years now, I just had to get to it. I felt more could be provided in the ending; what is presented as a sort of epilogue left me with more questions than closure to the story. But, if you are stuck at home sick (like me!), this is a good quick read.