Review: The Julian Chapter: A Wonder Story

The Julian Chapter: A Wonder Story by R.J. Palacio

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Julian, the bully from [b:Wonder|11387515|Wonder|R.J. Palacio|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1366213431s/11387515.jpg|16319487], tells his story in this release. While we got to know the events that are happening to Auggie, a little boy with a genetic defect, in his first year at a public school only from the boy's perspective and those of his family and friends, the book doesn't tell us what made Julian bullying Auggie. This short story catches up on this. We read about Julian's reasons for his behavior, his problems and his parents' action that lead to a big fifth grade melt down, and we follow him to France where he spends his summer holidays - with his amazing grandmother. There he takes a journey to his family's history and to facing his actions until he comes back to New York City as much more responsible and mature boy.

I felt this was an interesting addition to the main book and not too short for the 1 $ I paid for the ebook. I liked to read Julian's point of view and think that the author did a great job in showing the readers, that there's no black and white, no pure evil and good out there. Everybody has his or her own reasons for acting this or that way and everybody can make mistakes. We're all just normal human beings. I think this is a very important lesson to learn, even more so that the target audience are middle graders. That was accomplished very well in my opinion. Still, the loose ends did find together a little too perfectly for me. Too many coincidences, too much understanding...I don't know how to put it, everything went just too well. I liked this short story but I'd have prefered a more realistic way of dealing with the issues, to which more kids could relate in their everyday life.



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Review: Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Auggie - to himself, he's just an ordinary kid but to the world he's unusual, frightening even to some. He doesn't look like every other fifth grader, he was born with a genetic disorder that made several (many!) surgeries necessary to allow the little boy a life as normal as can be. To allow him to eat by himself. Despite all these surgeries he still looks different...and different is always difficult in fifth grade. But Auggie isn't only extraordinary on the outside, he's a very brave and kind young boy who grows with his experiences when he enters a public school for the first time in his life.

His family, friends and classmates all have to deal with the new situation of Auggie going to school. I found it very interesting and enjoyable that the story was told by all these different perspectives and we understand, it's not only Auggie having a hard time.

I think I've never read a book on this topic before and in my opinion the author did a very good job. She told the story very sensitively, there were many serious and sad moments (actually I had difficulties with continuing the book at a certain point because I was crying so hard and every time I made up my mind and wanted to finish it I had to put my Kindle away just after one or two pages because I got all teared up again). But at the same time the book doesn't pity Auggie and there are quite some laughs in it as well. I especially liked the emphasizing on Auggies everyday life, on him being just a little boy and as I also really liked the writing style (you could feel the story was truly told in a kid's perspective but it wasn't overdone, but authentic and enjoyable. The author was involved in a huge Star Wars research I guess!) I was sure that it'll be a five stars read for me...up to maybe 94/95% of the book. Then I was disappointed by the and-he's-not-just-a-boy ending. The ceremony was way over the top for me...too obviously emotional, close to cheesy and in a big contrast to the rest of the book. Also I didn't feel as close to Auggie as I wanted to. I liked him for sure, but I would have loved to like the character even more. I can't really explain, what it was exactly. In some parts of the story he felt distant to me, just like a book character, and of course that's what he is...but do you know the feeling of forgetting the actual act of reading? When you're IN the story and the story goes on in your head, the book is just the input and the characters seem to come to life? It didn't happen here for me with Auggie, while I got that feeling about some of the other protagonists. Having said all this, I really liked the book. That's just my reasons for not rating it five stars...and four stars are really good as well, aren't they? ;)

And now I should definitely finish this massive super long review and start reading 'The Julian Chapter', a short story published last month in which we get to know Julian's point of view on the events. He's the bully of Auggie's class and the quote the short story starts is very promising already: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Ian Maclaren"



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Review: Doctor Sleep

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Having loved the Shining, Doctor Sleep was a must read for me...as are all books by Stephen King ;) And knowing that I like his more recent works better than his earlier ones I went into this with high expectations - which were fulfilled to the fullest. The world building is huge (what I love most about King's stories) and everything seems to be intertwined with his other stories (as also typical for his writing). Dan's childhood name, his family inheritance, the places, his experiences - everything we know from the first book is built into this sequel and somehow makes more sense now, just as if this really is the documentation of the real future of this little special child that had to spend a traumatic winter in a hotel in the mountains of Colorado. Stephen King is an excellent story teller because everything fits together so perfectly, that the reader really gets the feeling, he's just that: he tells Danny's story and he didn't make up anything. The links to the past, the many descriptions of little details and the telling of side stories let the story seem so real which makes it scarier than the big amount of blood and rotten flesh in King's earlier works.

It's the creativity of the Shining wrapped in a more mature writing style.



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Review: Fangirl

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



It's a definite must read - and that's someone saying who's neither a big YA reader nor a fan of love stories.

Cath and Wren - twins, 18 years old and just on their way to leave the nest and start their first year at college. But it's not just that, they look alike and are best friends, they both love Simon Snow and are very popular in the fan fiction community - but they're also different. Years ago their mom left and they try different ways to deal with it. Wren pushes forward, Cath keeps herself locked inside. Wren wants to make new friends at college, Cath is afraid of changes and refers to herself as crazy (she's sure of having her father's "crazy genes") - but she's sooooo strong! She's like an everyday life super hero with social anxiety.

In this amazing novel (oh my god, the writing style!! So beautiful and sweet!) we follow Cath's way - at college, with a room mate who's for the first time ever not her sister, boys, writing, her way away from and back to her sister, to a stronger personality, her way to deal with her family and her past but also her way to an exciting future. I loved the topic (it's not just another book about being a freshman at college, it's so much more, it's love to books, writing, family, finding one's own way and growing but still holding on on who one is), the creative storyline (fan fiction woven into the plot as it is woven into Cath's life...loved it!) and the wonderfully sweet protagonists who seemed to be so alive. My absolute favorite was the dad!! I never had the urge to hug my Kindle before ;)

The only thing that wasn't quite 5 stars to me was the love story - there was a little too much back and forth, slowness and understanding on both sides, but the writing, the fan fiction and Simon and Baz made it up for me...and there are some questions left. The most important: What DID Cath do with Baz?? ;) I need to know!! And I was a little irritated by the author actually mentioning Harry Potter once...I was like "huh, isn't Simon Harry? Similar enough to make everyone understand in what fan fiction world we are but still different enough to not have to tell him Harry? But wait...this can be genius as well...mentioning Harry to make the reader stop? Aaah, confusion!" ;)



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Review: The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Jonas is soon to be a Twelve. In December, when everybody in the community, to which similarity is the most important thing, turns one year older, he will be twelve year old and that means that he will get assigned to a working career. Everybody's happy with what he or she is going to do, the Elders decided wisely. Fiona is going to be a caretaker for the elderly because she likes this work best, a boy who likes building things and mathematics is going to be an engineer...sounds quite logical, right? The community always chooses the best for their members...they do, right? So Jonas becomes assigned to a very special task. He will be the new Receiver and live with all the memories the people in the community don't have anymore...such like individuality, differences, snow, hills, love but also pain.

The Giver was a very nice to read, thrilling and also surprising dystopian novel. I really liked the author's writing style and the characters and the society seemed to be very real...it wasn't too fantastic that one couldn't imagine that something like this could be possible somewhere somewhen. It was a good reading experience to follow Jonas on his way...but this way ended too abruptly in my opinion. Even though there is a sequel I'd prefer to have it all bound up a little more in the first book.



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Review: Das Labyrinth der Träumenden Bücher

Das Labyrinth der Träumenden Bücher by Walter Moers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Hildegunst ist zurück! Und es war wie nach Hause zu kommen. Er schweift ab, redet viel drumherum und ist hypochondrisch wie eh und je...und das lieben wir doch an ihm, oder? Zumindest ich tu's. Ich bin sowieso ein Fan von den langsameren Büchern und unser Lindwurm Hildegunst von Mythenmetz beherrscht diese Kunst bis zur Perfektion ;)

Nachdem er mit seinem Bestseller "Die Stadt der träumenden Bücher" sehr schnell sehr berühmt geworden dadurch in einen Taumel von Ruhm und einem bequemen Leben geriet, hat er sich zunächst ein bisschen verändert...nicht nur sein Körperumfang ist erheblich größer geworden, nein, auch sein Ego scheint sich sehr aufgeblasen zu haben. Abhilfe hier schaffen jedoch ein Frühstückscroissant und ein geheimnisvoller Brief, deren Kombination Hildegunst dazu veranlasst, nach 200 Jahren doch noch einmal die Stadt aufzusuchen, in der sein Bestseller spielt: Buchhaim. Und so begibt er sich auf die Reise zu seinen Erinnerungen und Ängsten, alten Freunden und Feinden...

Die Hörbuchfassung hat mir sehr gut gefallen, auch wenn mir Dirk Bach in der Rolle des Hildegunst lieber war und so perfekt gepasst hat. Die Geschichte hat durchaus ein paar Längen, die eingespart hätten werden können (damit meine ich insbesondere die detailreiche Nacherzählung des ersten Teils, die zwar geschickt als Theaterstück getarnt wurde, für Leser/innen des ersten Bandes aber doch ein wenig zu ausgeschmückt geriet), aber alles in allem war es einfach wundervoll, wieder zusammen mit Hildegunst von Mythenmetz durch Buchhaim zu streifen.



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Review: Netwars - The Code

Netwars - The Code by M. Sean Coleman

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Strider - ein Ritter im Internetzeitalter oder eher ein Monster, das das Deep Web geschaffen hat?

In dieser spannenden Serie begleiten wir Strider, einen Hacker, der über Ungerechtigkeiten richtet und auch hier gleich zu Beginn einen Firmenchef ausschaltet, der sich im Bereich der Kinderpornografie bewegt hat. Und das tut Strider von weit weg, nur über seinen Computer. Strider ist einer der besten Hacker, den es je gab...und gleichzeitig die "zweite Persönlichkeit" eines Regierungsangestellten. Doch bei der Hinrichtung des Firmenchefs hat er einige Verwicklungen übersehen und wird nun selbst zum Gejagten...

Die Story ist spannend, vor allem die zwei Identitäten Mitchells/Striders fand ich sehr interessant und hier liegt meiner Meinung nach auch für die Folgeteile das größte Potential. Sehr enttäuscht hat mich jedoch das Ende, das so gar keins ist. Ich finde die Idee, eine Geschichte als ebook-Serie herauszubringen grundsätzlich gut. Ich habe mir es aber so vorgestellt, dass die ebook-Folge ähnlich einer Folge einer TV-Serie ist - eine kleine, zumindest etwas in sich abgerundete Handlung, die dann mit den anderen Folgen zusammen eine große Geschichte bildet. Gegen Cliffhanger habe ich auch nichts, hier kam das Ende aber einfach so abrupt, dass ich das Gefühl hatte, dass einfach ein Buch beliebig aufgeteilt wurde, ohne die einzelnen Teile irgendwie zu bearbeiten. Aus dem Grund gebe ich trotz großer Spannung und aktuellem und interessantem Thema nur 2 Sterne.



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Review: Böser kleiner Junge

Böser kleiner Junge by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



In dieser Kurzgeschichte begleiten wir einen Rechtsanwalt bei seinem letzten Besuch bei einem seiner Klienten. George Hallas hat noch eine Woche zu leben. Dann ist das Hinrichtungsdatum angesetzt. Er ist ein Kindermörder, hat auf offener Straße einen kleinen Jungen umgebracht. Bisher hat er geschwiegen, doch nun erzählt er zum ersten Mal, warum er das tat...und das erschreckende ist, dass wir als Leser ihn irgendwie verstehen können.

Wie typisch im King-Stil gibt es auch hier wieder so viel Drumherum, dass die Geschichte sehr glaubwürdig erscheint. Man fiebert mit, gruselt mit und leidet mit. Die Kurzgeschichte fällt nicht zu kurz aus und ist doch knapp erzählt und das Ende ist umwerfend, wenn auch ein bisschen vorhersehbar. Trotzdem bekommt sie von mir 5 Sterne, denn ich empfand das nicht unbedingt als störend und könnte einfach noch die nächsten paar Minuten vom genialen Erzählstil Stephen Kings und der Erschaffung so konkreter und echt wirkender Welten schwärmen ;)



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Review: The Elder Origins

The Elder Origins by Bre Faucheux

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I've included a short review of this book in my latest YouTube video here: http://youtu.be/vhni_7FBPyQ

If you rather read a review:
Madison, her brother, and some of their neighbors have to leave their homes because of violence. On their long and desperate trip they find a new country. It's today's America but it's also not as peaceful as it looks and violence is waiting for the refugees again just behind the next forest. They are confronted with a very special tribe...

It is a thrilling and quite surprising story. There were only two problems I had: sometimes the plot was a little confusing to me (but I've read this book during a flight and the first some days in a new time zone. So maybe it's the jetlag's fault) ;) and second, to me personally, Madison, the main character, wasn't very sympathetic. I can't really explain why but I just didn't like her very much. But there were other promising protagonists in the book and I hope I'll read more about them in the sequel that should soon be out.

If you like vampires and have already read enough of all those YA romantic cool vampire guy falls in love with college girl fantasy then you should definitely check this book out. If you like historical contexts in a novella as well, then go for it!



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Review: Das Kind von Noah

Das Kind von Noah by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Der kleine Joseph entdeckt viele Unterschiede zwischen den Menschen. Da gibt es Adelige und Nicht-Adelige...was ist er nun? Adelig oder nicht? Er wird nach einer Straßenbahnfahrt überstürzt zu einer blaublütigen Familie gebracht...weil er auch adelig ist? Und wenn die Juden das auserwählte Volk sind, sind sie dann auch adelig? Was ist denn eigentlich der Unterschied zu den Christen? Doch eigentlich nur, dass die einen noch auf den Messias warten, während die anderen schon Jesus haben. Warum werden denn die einen gejagt und die anderen nicht? Ist es nicht besser, einfach Katholik zu werden?

Diese Fragen bewegen einen Jungen in den 40er Jahren, der von seinen Eltern getrennt und in ein christliches Internat geschickt wird, um unterzutauchen und die Jagd nach den Juden zu überleben. Pater Bims berherbergt dort gleich eine ganze Gruppe jüdischer Jungs und kann mithilfe einer atheistischen Apothekerin noch mehr retten. Diese beiden Figuren sind einfach wundervoll gezeichnet: Bims und Kruzitürken - ein eindrucksvolles Gespann, das so viel Gutes tut. Auch die philosophischen Gespräche zwischen dem katholischen Pater und einem 8-Jährigen auf der Suche nach dem eigenen Ursprung und dem eigenen Weg waren einfach wunderbar. Ein kleines Stück schöne Normalität inmitten des Schreckens der Naziherrschaft ist das Internat, doch der Schrecken ist nie weit weg und die Kinder schweben immer in großer Gefahr.

Das Ende kam überraschend für mich, ich hätte ein anderes erwartet. Aber auch hier hat mir gut gefallen, wie Schmitt darstellt, welche Probleme ein vermeintliches Happy End doch mit sich bringt. Ein außergewöhnlich gutes Buch, bisher das beste, was ich von Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt las.



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