Book Review: I am the Messenger

Well, I'm rubbish at blogging lately. Life, you know? Gets in the way sometimes.

So a couple weeks ago, I finished I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. I've been meaning to write a review for a while now, but am only just getting to it. It was, quite simply, amazing. Some books are like ice cream, you tear through them as fast as you can because they are delicious and fleeting. Other books, you savor like the most decadent dessert from a five-star restaurant. I'm happy to say that I am the Messenger was most definitely the latter. After reading a number of breezy stories, I was so happy to find one that truly took me away from the world and placed me firmly in the mind of Ed Kennedy, underage taxi driver and unlikely hero.

The story opens during a bungled bank robbery that Ed manages to foil. From there, we're launched into Ed's amazing journey of self-discovery via a series of unexplained playing cards. Ed is called to deliver messages to a number of people who need his help in one way or another. More than anything, this story is one of affirmation. Through Ed, I found stories of hope and heartbreak, but none was more profound than that of Ed's own.

If you've read The Book Thief by Zusak, you might already be a fan of his poetic prose. I know I am (wink, wink). In this story, I particularly love Zusak's formatting. It brings meaning to the words without thesaurusing us to death. That, I really liked.

If I could write a review comprised of nothing but overused superlatives (Great! Grand! Breathtaking!), I would. But, in honor of Ed, a simple guy with simple needs, I'll only say this: read the book. It will linger with you longer than the stench of Ed's loveable dog the Doorman. You'll love it. I promise.

Educate yourself on the topics in this post:

• Markus Zusak: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/
• I am the Messenger: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19057.I_Am_the_Messenger
• The Book Thief: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19063.The_Book_Thief

Is Minimalism the Secret to Happiness?

I try not to post more than once a week. I know everyone has enough to do without being bombarded by my dribble. Alas. I read this article that linked to this blog post that I really want to comment on. It sounds more convoluted than it is. SIDEBAR: Sometimes, I want to do that brain map thing where I track my thought process. If I transcribed what I was thinking all day, I'd make Mrs. Dalloway look like kiddie reading (Joking! Just joking! Virgina Woolf could probably have kicked my butt)./SIDEBAR

The Deal: Andrew Hyde is a known entrepreneur and meeting organizer. He is young and (from what I read) not hurting for spending money. But all that is rather ordinary. What makes him so interesting is that he owns 15 things (8 of which are clothing items (not including undies)). This floored me. How can anyone get by without owning more clothing, for one, and more stuff , for another? Well I guess this guy does.

In the interview, he talks about how his change in mindset allowed him to clear the clutter (literally and figuratively) and get his life more relationship centric vs. stuff centric. This is a surprising feat since we live in a very consumerist culture where every holiday is an excuse to buy, buy, buy! I've always admired people who can do without because I never thought of myself as someone who ever could.

If you've read Blue Like Jazz, you might remember a story the author recounted about a friend who went a whole year without buying clothing for herself. A whole year! I still think that's nuts, but as I grow up (and I do, little by little, day by day), I find myself wishing that I was more like those people who didn't need material things or feel driven to consume more. But, like so many things I've just never felt motivated enough to try it.

Cue grand experiment! I'm going to attempt to not spend any money (outside of groceries and gas) for an entire week. Starting Monday (because Mondays already suck and I would hate to inflict this on some other less sucky day of the week).

Anyone ever attempted this? Thoughts and such welcome!

Educate yourself on the topics in this post:

• Interview with Andrew Hyde: http://www.scottberkun.com/blog/2010/the-man-owns-15-things/ 
• Blue Like Jazz (yes, it's Christian non-fiction. No, it doesn't suck. It's actually quite a funny and refreshing take on Christianity and God): http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7214.Blue_Like_Jazz

Book Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

I just finished The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin over the weekend. It was a fast-paced story that took me for a ride that I really enjoyed. I had read some mixed reviews on Goodreads and from my peeps on the Nest Book Club (from whom I get almost every book recommendation). So perhaps my good experience was a result of going into the read with low expectations. Probably not. I would have enjoyed Mara as a character no matter what. 

We meet Mara Dyer, a high school student, when she awakens from a coma after surviving an accident that her friends did not. Mara can't remember anything from the past several days and has no idea what happened to cause the accident that claimed the lives of her friends. Mara's journey takes her away from her home to a new private school in Miami. We're introduced to Noah, Jamie, and a bevy of stereotypical high school bullies - with the exception of Hodkin's version of the dumb jock. Mara's memory slowly unfolds the events of the night she can't remember and she discovers some surprising secrets of her own.

I had a great time reading Mara's story. Her character was fun and funny and the story had several passages of witty banter. I love witty banter. If you've watched Gilmore Girls, you know what I'm talking about. I especially enjoyed Mara's relationship with her two brothers (one older, one younger, just like me!). 

There were several story points I didn't get or agree with and I wish some attention was paid to some of the minor characters who were total scene stealers. Overall, I definitely recommend Mara and hope the next installment will outshine the first.

Speaking of installments...
I didn't know that this was the first installment of a series. I'm kind of ticked that it is because I wasn't mentally prepared for a faux-ending (what I call the point in a story where the author, publisher, editor, whoever chooses to end the first installment). Though I don't know, I expect this to be a three-parter. Most three-parters follow the tried and true Star Wars method. Volume 1) Ends on a high point by wrapping up the major conflict of the story and introducing the larger, more important conflict. Volume 2) End on a low point. Here we have the "How will the hero make it out of this pickle?!?". Volume 3) Ends when the hero faces and triumphs their inner turmoil that has held them back from achieving true greatness. 

Educate yourself on the topic in this post:

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8591107-the-unbecoming-of-mara-dyer