 |
Z
the day i turned uncool: confessions of a reluctant grown-up
dan zevin
|
|
| Please read this book. Zevin's chronicle of his slide from twenties "cool" (although he claims never to have been "Fonz-like" to being with) to thirties "uncool" is a laugh out loud gas. I particularly identify with his confessing that he didn't go out one weekend because he heard the parking could be precarious - this happens to me. Also, while he and his wife don't have children, they have a surrogate daughter in the form of Chloe, his dog that he takes to Petco so she can pick out a treat from time to time. He says "I can't believe I've turned into one of those people that talks about their friggin' dog all the time". Heh. Anyway, if you enjoy super short essays about moving on and growing up, you'll pee your pants over this one. |
|
|
|
reviewed by: lisa may |
November 2003 [link] |
recommend 1 thumbs up
|
the book thief
markus zusak
|
|
| It's hard to reconcile with the fact The Book Thief is classified as "young adult" since it's written on such a highly emotional level. Narrated by "Death" (who is kind and witty), the story takes place in Germany during WWII and thus explores the Holocaust and human hatred and bravery. The book thief is Liesel, who goes to live with foster parents when her mother can no longer care for her. Death "meets" her when he collects her younger brother after a fatal illness and becomes a bit intrigued when she steals her first book, a guide to digging graves. From there she only steals three more books but it spans several years and what seems to be several lifetimes. Her foster parents hide a Jew in their basement and protecting him becomes a sacred thing for the family. As things near the end of the war, the story turns very tragic but then ends bittersweetly – it's a tearjerker to say the least, but in a novel narrated by Death, would else would you expect? |
|
|
|
reviewed by: lisa may |
December 2008 [link] |
recommend
|
|
|
|
|
|
