The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (May 14, 1989)
• ISBN-10: 0679723250
• ISBN-13: 978-0679723257
• List Price: $10.95
• I finished this book on Feb. 18
  
• This book is number 98 on the list.

I wanted to read this one anyway, and finding it on the list was really just an added bonus. I've seen both the John Garfield/Lana Turner version of the movie and the JackNicholson/Jessica Lange one as well. As for those, I like the older one better, though the new one was sexier and had a better poster. Anywho, having seen those films I was surprised at how short the book was.
This one is called one of the original thrillers, and it does not disappoint. A young man takes a job at a restaurant run by an older man and his femme fatale wife. They begin a torrid/borderline violent affair and decide to kill him. It doesn't work. So they decide anything worth doing is worth doing twice and give it another go. This time they succeed. Then they go to court. And get away with it...for a while.
The story is narrated by the young man, in his sort of poor English tramp speak. There is added bonus 1940's slang (stinko = drunk) and good use of the phrase 'hell-cat'. The story really has an in depth plot and it flows along surprisingly fast. I was impressed with the naughty bits, they were not all that graphic but they were very racy for their time. I was pleasantly surprised on that count.
I also really like the title, and was disappointed not to have an explanation of it in this story (the Lana Turner movie has an explanation, while the Jessica Lange one does not). I suppose I sort of assumed it would be there and it wasn't. Then, in doing research, I read conflicting opinions on what it meant. I'd like to give my take on it, because, well, it's my blog. The title refers to the idea that if you are expecting a letter or package, even if you miss it the first time it comes, the postman will always comes around a second time. Eventually, you will get it. The same is true of fate, even if you manage to dodge it once it will come back around and get you in the end. That is what this story is about, and what makes the ending so perfect and kind of oddly sad at the same time.
My final thought on this one is that it should have been higher on the list, if for nothing else, the appeal it has. It's racy, it's a crime story. It is fun, some of the others on the list...not so much. That's all I have to say about that.

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385733410
• ISBN-13: 978-0385733410
• List Price: $9.99
• I finished this book on Feb. 14

So, this one is the sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty. Could these titles be any cooler? Plus, I'm digging the cover art, pretty girls, excellent font, check them out here, and here. And did I mention that our author's name sounds like one of her characters' names? Cause it does.
In this edition our heroine Gemma discovers that her actions at the end of the last book have left some serious repercussionsin the Realms (a magic world she can visit). Sexy Indian Kartik is back and Gemma also has a new suitor, Simon. There is suitable tension and quite a good twist in there, as well as Victorian Era teen girl hijinks.
One thing I was surprised by in the first book, and even more so in this one, is the use of some real 'issues'. Things like cutting, incest/rape, and drug addict parents are things I normally think of when I'm thinking modern realistic fiction, not period pieces. But, they are all present here. It doesn't bother me though, maybe because they aren't overly dramatic in context. I guess I just didn't think that girls in corsets were cutting themselves. Little did I know.
In other news, I like the About the Author blurb in the back of the book which urges the reader to visit the author's website (but if you're busy, she understands) so I did. I was not that impressed with it. I thought the Random House site was only marginally better. However, in my searching I did come across some serious fan sites (apparently people are really crazy about Gemma and the girls) as well as info about the upcoming movie. Is every YA book ever being made into a movie?? I think so. So, there should be another book in this series coming out sometime this year. I'll keep my eye out for it, hopefully it will also have an excellent title.

By These Ten Bones by Clare B. Dunkle

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (April 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805074961
• ISBN-13: 978-0805074963
• List Price: $16.95
• I finished this book on Feb. 10

I sat around for quite a while before writing this one trying to cook up something definitive to share with you. Honestly, I've got nothing. So, here goes: let me set the scene for you: it's the Middle Ages. Our heroine is not that attractive. She meets a boy who has a secret. Guess what? He's a werewolf. She decides she's gonna let that slide. Chaos ensues. There is a lot of "I love you" action being thrown around here, but not even kissing. Lame-o.
Here's what I liked about it: the historical fiction-y aspects of it were interesting and very well researched, according to the author's webpage; here. I liked the werewolf lore in the story okay, including the "cure".
Here's what I didn't like: the character development wasn't as deep as I had hoped. I wasn't particularly attached to anyone of them. The story didn't feel particularly solid to me.
But mostly, I'm just feeling kinda "eh" about this one. I'm not mad at it, but I don't want to date it either, you know? Werewolves are second in my heart after vampires, and I can really get behind a monster who doesn't want to be a monster, but for some reason, I am not really feeling this book. Yes, it's a YA book, so I am trying to put it in that context in my head. But another YA werewolf book, Blood and Chocolate, keeps coming to mind, and it is overshadowing this one, big time. I would suggest that one over this one, and if you're interested, check out this werewolf site here.

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (August 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316160199
• ISBN-13: 978-0316160193
• List Price: $17.99
• I finished this book on Feb. 9

Wow, I'm still all flushed from finishing this one, folks. Ever since I read Twilight, the first book in this series, I have been dying to get my hot paws onto the sequel. It did not disappoint, my friends.
In this edition, Edward pulls a typical moves and tries to leave Bella because he feels he puts her in danger. Hasn't he seen any movies or read any books? Doesn't he know that this scenario virtually never works... for anyone? Typically this results in heart break and then the jilted person does something rash. This is exactly what happens: Edwards leaves and Bella plunges into despair. She makes friends with someone who turns out to be a werewolf. Total shenanigans ensue, including motorcycles and jumping off cliffs. Not to mention nasty vengeful redhead vampires.
I liked seeing the other vamps in Italy, even if they were creepy. I liked all the Romeo and Juliet allusions. There were many good things in this one, even if there was a lack of Edward.
This book was slower in parts through the middle than the first, but I still really liked it. I was totally mad about them being broken up through most of it, but I liked Bella's friendship with Jacob, too. I like the contrast of the guys (the species?) and I love the loose ends and sweet promises for a new book, which should be out sometime late this summer. Did I mention that there was a proposal in this one? Even if it wasn't as achingly romantic as this girl would have hoped it did make my night. I'm not entirely sure I will be able to make it until the next book comes out.
I know it's stupid, and probably not going to happen but I want someone to turn Bella into a vampire in the next book. I want it to be Edward, but since he probably won't here's how I think it should go down: Some other bad guy ( or girl) vamp gets at her and she turns and it's not anyone's fault, and no one in the family can be blamed or feel guilty, and then she gets what she wants and Edward can't be too mad. That's way too convenient and completely not going to happen, but it's a long time from now until summer and I can dream...sigh.
There's also talk of making Twilight into a movie, which I want to see badly. But I'm also concerned that they'll wreck it. Here's hoping...

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Everyman's Library; New Ed edition (December 17, 1992)
• ISBN-10: 185715133X
• ISBN-13: 978-1857151336
• List Price: $21.58
• I finished this book on Feb. 6
• Number 4 on the list.
  

Okay, so I think that everyone has an idea about this book. It's one of those books that you hear about, and maybe wonder about. I admit I was very curious, having seen the newer film version, to get my hands on it.
For those who don't know, Lolita is often banned, challenged and considered obscene, as are many of the books on the list (see which ones, here). It is the confession of a man in prison. Humbert Humbert stole away his 12 year old stepdaughter and systematically raped her for years. Hum unapologetically explains his thought processes and habits. Though the sex scenes are never very graphic, the explanations of his habits are still disturbing.
Somehow, though the subject matter is upsetting and in fact there really is no uplifting message nor is there redemption at any point, I found Humbert's telling of the story easily accessible. I found him poetic, and while I didn't sympathize with him, I'm not even going to lie that there were times when I was rooting for him. Though the whole of Humbert's tale is about child rape, there were really only two sections I found overly disturbing, and they were both brief and not at all graphic. I have a feeling I was not as freaked as I thought I would be because you kinda go into it knowing what it's about and that's what you're getting into. You are prepared. Plus, like I said, Humbert is an eloquent story-teller.
Movie side note: In the film version Jeremy Irons plays Hum. Though I find him wonderful in the role, the Humbert of the book is very handsome. While I find Irons oddly attractive, he is not, perhaps, as beautiful as the novel's Humbert proclaims himself to be. Okay, sorry, back to the book.
The book uses a lot of repetition, as well as copious allusions to other works. Humbert also goes to great pains to describe Lolita to us. Her beauty her actions, his feelings. At times, it's actually sort of romantic, until you remember that he's talking about a little girl. One thing that kept bugging me throughout, is that our main character speaks French, a lot. With no translation. I could understand some of this from high school French, but not much. It wouldn't have killed me to know what he was really saying in this parts, I'm just saying. There were some sections where the action of the story dragged, but Humbert's narration usually brought me through them without boredom. In researching this book after reading it, I liked coming across all the different covers. A google image search shows several different, as well as pictures from the movie, if you interested, dearies. The cover I have is simply the title and a flower with some wilted petals. Lame-o. I prefer the lips, or the pigeon-toed legs covers, personally.
So, the moral of this story is: I liked this book the most so far out of the ones I've read from the list.

The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf; Reissue edition (August 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440213460
• ISBN-13: 978-0440213468
• List Price: $5.99
• I finished this book on Feb. 3

I read this book in one day after finishing Twilight. I think I wanted more vampire goodness. This did not exactly do it for me, to be honest. Klause has another book out, which I liked called Blood and Chocolate (about werewolves and now a movie, also). So, I thought, I liked her other book, and I love vampires, so this is a sure thing. But...not so much.
The story is about a teen girl whose best friend is moving away (bummer) and whose mother is dying of cancer (super bummer). One night she sees a strange boy in the park. He scares her and though they lock eyes they do not speak. Then she meets him again on the street, and they talk. She seems to think he's nice, but nothing more. Then she sees him in an alley eating a bird (yikes) and runs away (good move). However, directly after this incident she proceeds to let him into her house where she is home alone and hang out with him. What? By this time I am annoyed. There is nothing smooth about this progression, their relationship is odd to me, off kilter somehow. He trusts her with his vampy secret and she lets him drink her blood and now I'm mad. It's a good scene, but meshed into the story in a weird way.
The characters are odd, and their dialog is not natural, nor compelling. I liked the idea of the story, but nothing really did it for me. The main villain, a child vamp, was not scary enough for me. Believe me, a child can be a scary foe (Stephen King did it, twice, not to mention Anne Rice's Claudia) but this evil child was not chilling. I also felt that the climax was rushed. The whole vanquishing of the bad guy part was not even exciting to me.
Also, there is a pretty preachy moral to this story. Something along the lines of accepting death, blah blah, living life to the fullest, blah blah.
Overall, I'm not mad I read it, but I wanted for it to be better. I had high hopes, and they were sadly unfulfilled. I can't hate on Mrs. Klause too much though, because she is a librarian, and I love the library ladies. (I wonder if she ever booktalks her own books? I totally would.) Anywho, I definitely suggest reading her werewolf book instead of her vampire book.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (October 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316160172
• ISBN-13: 978-0316160179
• List Price: $17.99
  
• I finished this book on Feb. 3

Wow, guys, you're not seeing things, it's two Bee symbols of highest booknerd praise in a row. I just finished reading this and I'm still all pumped. Why? Because #1 I heart YA books. #2 I heart vampires. #3 This is almost exactly the book I would want to write if I were able to write an actual book and not just nerdy blogs. For real, folks, I feel that I have daydreamed nearly every part of this book at some time in my life. So good! For real.
So, here's the scoop: Bella has just moved to some tiny town near Seattle with her father. She hates the area, prefers sunny Phoenix, but has moved here to give her mother some space. Anywho: on her first day she sees this incredibly beautiful "family" of adopted kids sitting together at lunch. Who are they? Vampires. Does she fall in love with one of them, thereby putting herself in incredible danger? Yes sir. Is it cool and sexy? You'd better believe it.
This book mixes cool vampness with a lot of good tension and plenty of confused, angsty teenness. Also, Bella, our hero, is super clumsy and I am also super clumsy, so you know, maybe a vampire is on love with me. (probly not). I really liked Bella's first person narration and her total social awkwardness at times. It was not enough to be annoying, in fact it was totally realistic.
Also, this book has a sequel already in print, and according to Mrs. Meyer, the whole things some big series. So that's excellent too. This book is so popular with the YA kids I know and it's checked out at nearly every library in the area. I'm stoked to read the next book in the series, when I can get my hot little hands on it. In the meantime, there's more reading (book outtakes?? effin outstanding!) at her website, here.
Hmm, if I can't get the sequel at the library, maybe I can find some more vampire goodness. Just keeping you posted!