Summer Reading List!

Here it is...the moment you've all been waiting for (just kidding). My summer reading list! Which, I'm sure, will have my additions. Also, these are not listed in any particular order.

1. Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte
2. Bossypants- Tina Fey
3. Dracula-Bram Stoker
4. Lord of the Rings (trilogy)- J.R.R. Tolkien
5. Gone with the Wind- Margaret Mitchell
6. Anna Karenina- Leo Tolstoy
7. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland- Lewis Carroll
8. War of the Worlds- H.G. Wells

...I know I have more than 8, but I just can't think of them at the moment...I'll get back to you :)

No Country For Old Men- Coramc McCarthy

This is not a very happy book. It's also filled with tons of violence. That being said however, I still liked it for some reason. I had to read it for one of my classes, so I was pretty rushed in the time I had to read it, but at the same time, I really wanted to finish it. Story puts you into the lives of three different characters: Chigurh, Moss, and Bell. They're very diverse, and the story is very well put together. Personally, I like this book way more than I did the movie, though many would argue the movie is exceptional.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest- Ken Kessey

The story is told through a Natvie Amerian's point of view (they call him Chief). He's in a mental institution, and you see everything happening through his eyes. McMurphy is the character that comes in and disrupts everything. I knew that Jack Nicholson was portrayed by this character in the movie, so I had him pictured the whole time. It was actually pretty cool. We're watching the movie now for a class, and it's pretty great as well.

I Am Number Four-Pittacus Lore

I borrowed this book from a friend who said it was an excellent read. I wanted to read it before I went to the movie. (I have a habit of trying to do that.)

I found this book to be...awesome. It had romance and adventure, and above all else, lots of action. The story itself is very interesting, and something I probably wouldn't just pick up and read, but am encouraging anyone who reads my blog to do so.

"John is an extraordinary teen, masking his true identity and passing as a typical high school student to elude a deadly enemy seeking to destroy him. Three like him have already been killed ... he is Number Four."

Fifteen year-old John is an alien that comes to Earth to hide from another alien race that wants to destroy his race. There are only six left of his kind. Him and his guardian run from place to place since he was a little boy, running anytime there is a sign of trouble. They land in a place called Paradise and that's where the action begins.

Obviously, I don't want to give away too much, but it's an epic story, and I can't wait to read the rest of them. (This is the first in what's supposed to be a series of six.) This is a must read for all young adults!!! AAAHHH.

The Cement Garden- Ian McEwan

This novel is actually a pretty easy read. But I will say, it is not for the faint of heart. The basis of the story is about four children how are left on their own after both their parents die. It deals with very serious and controversial issues like incest. The only reason I read this novel was for a class. McEwan is also the author of Atonement, which is a great movie, though I've never read the book. So, I wouldn't steer you completely clear of him, you may just want to skip this one novel.

The Clockwork Orange- Anthony Burgess

I cheated a bit on this one, reading the first half of the book, and sparknoting the rest of it. It has a very interesting story to it, and after reading the shortened version, I don't totally hate it. I do, however, have no desire to see the movie, because I think it will be very gruesome, but I have to for my class.

The story brings up some very interesting points, and in the last bit brings up a very good thought: "youth will always have to suffer its own mistakes". The main character, Alex, realizes that, as he thinks about having a family and children, that no matter how much he tries to teach his children, they're going to have to learn on their own, and make their own mistakes. I like that.

I'm writing this part a couple weeks after I watched the movie and I just have to say that I enjoyed the movie in some ways. It wasn't nearly as gruesome as I thought it would be. I can't say I'd recommend it for everyone, but at least listen to the soundtrack. That's what I enjoyed the most. And, Malcolm McDowell does an excellent job of portraying Alex, the main character.