Better Off Friends is the story of Macallan and Levi and it explores the age-old question: can guys and girls ever be just friends?
Macallan and Levi meet in middle school when Levi moves from California to Wisconsin and they almost instantly become friends. The story continues and evolves as they move through middle school and high school and realize that they may have more than just friendship feelings for each other.
I read this book at a time when my oldest daughter was dealing with a broken relationship and I am happy to be passing this book on to her as soon as I finish this blog for a couple of reasons.
1. This book reminds us how important friendship is to a relationship. I am convinced that my marriage has lasted as long as it has because I was friends with my husband for a year before we started dating. Friendship is an essential ingredient in a relationship.
2. This story details how complicated real relationships are. They are not easy and you have to work at them. Love is not all sunshine and unicorns and I think too many people these days think that if a relationship gets tough, it's time to get out. Wrong. It's time to roll up your sleeves and fix it. (Unless you really are just dating, then yes, it may be wise to just get out and move on.)
3. The story is told in alternating chapters by Macallan and Levi. Getting the first person male perspective on relationships (or female if you are a male reader) is enlightening. Knowing what boys thinking is eye-opening.
This is clearly a book written for young adults, but it was recommended to me by a middle school teacher so that makes perfect sense. The timing of this read could not have been better, however, and I am about to hand it off to my 17 year old who swears she's never going to date again. Maybe this book will help her to come around to the idea again one day.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
Monday, June 13, 2016
#18: Paperboy by Vince Vawter
In my effort to read more award winning books for children, I picked up Paperboy solely because it was a Newberry Honor book. It is now book #3 on my all-time favorite book list. I loved this book and dare you not to love it too.
Paperboy is the story of one summer in the life of Little Man, the summer he takes over the paper route of his friend Rat for one month. Little Man is actually typing the story that we read because he stutters and he can actually get words out more clearly when he types them. English teachers everywhere BEWARE! Little Man doesn't ever use commas in his writing because commas mean pauses and he pauses enough when he's trying to talk (whether he wants to or not, he says). So, in his writing he leaves them out and types "and" and lots of them! The story begins with Little Man telling us that he's typing the story of the stabbing because he can't tell us without stuttering. A stabbing? Yes, we are immediately hooked and want to know who was stabbed and why. But Little Man has to give us some background information first and set the stage for the stabbing (which does't actually happen for a while) and so the story begins.
As you could imagine, a paper route for a boy who doesn't like to talk due to a stuttering problem seems like an ideal job. But since this story is set in 1959 (and is the mostly true story of the author's own life), Little Man must collect for the paper every Friday. As a result, he has to figure out a way to communicate with the people from whom he must collect money and he uses a lot of the tricks that his speech therapist is teaching him in order to be a successful collector. During his collection, he meets some really interesting characters: Mrs. Worthington, Mr. Spiro, and a boy who watches TV. Mrs. Worthington seems to be having a rough go of life and Little Man begins to feel as though he needs to watch out for and protect her. Mr. Spiro is a truly wonderful man who sees beyond Little Man's stuttering and teaches him to believe in himself. I found myself looking forward to the sections in the book about Little Man's Friday night collections so I could read the conversations between Mr. Spiro and Little Man. The boy who watches TV has an interesting story and I will leave those details to you to find out on your own. I don't want to spoil a cool story. While I loved Little Man, my favorite character was Mr. Spiro, who reminded me with this words and actions how influential one person can be in the overall life of a child.
While Paperboy hooks us with the story of a stabbing (and the character of Ara T) and details some black-white racial issues (namely as they pertain to Mam, the lady who takes care of Little Man and his family home) stemming from the times, I personally don't think that's what this story is really all about. I see Paperboy being the story of Little Man's coming into his own, embracing who he is, and being proud of himself for the first time in his life. As I was reading early on, I was struck by the thought that Little Man was no ordinary 11 year old. He seems so much wiser and then it hit me. Little Man doesn't talk much. Instead, he listens and he observes. That's where his wisdom comes from--from listening and watching. If only more people would talk less and listen more. Imagine what the world would be like?
At points when I was reading Paperboy, I had to remind myself that I was reading a kid's book. It is intended for ages 10 and up but it in no way reads like a typical kids book. I can see why this was a Newberry Honor book, but what I'd really like to know is why it didn't win? Maybe I should find and read the winner from that year. It must've been pretty amazing to have beaten this one.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
Paperboy is the story of one summer in the life of Little Man, the summer he takes over the paper route of his friend Rat for one month. Little Man is actually typing the story that we read because he stutters and he can actually get words out more clearly when he types them. English teachers everywhere BEWARE! Little Man doesn't ever use commas in his writing because commas mean pauses and he pauses enough when he's trying to talk (whether he wants to or not, he says). So, in his writing he leaves them out and types "and" and lots of them! The story begins with Little Man telling us that he's typing the story of the stabbing because he can't tell us without stuttering. A stabbing? Yes, we are immediately hooked and want to know who was stabbed and why. But Little Man has to give us some background information first and set the stage for the stabbing (which does't actually happen for a while) and so the story begins.
As you could imagine, a paper route for a boy who doesn't like to talk due to a stuttering problem seems like an ideal job. But since this story is set in 1959 (and is the mostly true story of the author's own life), Little Man must collect for the paper every Friday. As a result, he has to figure out a way to communicate with the people from whom he must collect money and he uses a lot of the tricks that his speech therapist is teaching him in order to be a successful collector. During his collection, he meets some really interesting characters: Mrs. Worthington, Mr. Spiro, and a boy who watches TV. Mrs. Worthington seems to be having a rough go of life and Little Man begins to feel as though he needs to watch out for and protect her. Mr. Spiro is a truly wonderful man who sees beyond Little Man's stuttering and teaches him to believe in himself. I found myself looking forward to the sections in the book about Little Man's Friday night collections so I could read the conversations between Mr. Spiro and Little Man. The boy who watches TV has an interesting story and I will leave those details to you to find out on your own. I don't want to spoil a cool story. While I loved Little Man, my favorite character was Mr. Spiro, who reminded me with this words and actions how influential one person can be in the overall life of a child.
While Paperboy hooks us with the story of a stabbing (and the character of Ara T) and details some black-white racial issues (namely as they pertain to Mam, the lady who takes care of Little Man and his family home) stemming from the times, I personally don't think that's what this story is really all about. I see Paperboy being the story of Little Man's coming into his own, embracing who he is, and being proud of himself for the first time in his life. As I was reading early on, I was struck by the thought that Little Man was no ordinary 11 year old. He seems so much wiser and then it hit me. Little Man doesn't talk much. Instead, he listens and he observes. That's where his wisdom comes from--from listening and watching. If only more people would talk less and listen more. Imagine what the world would be like?
At points when I was reading Paperboy, I had to remind myself that I was reading a kid's book. It is intended for ages 10 and up but it in no way reads like a typical kids book. I can see why this was a Newberry Honor book, but what I'd really like to know is why it didn't win? Maybe I should find and read the winner from that year. It must've been pretty amazing to have beaten this one.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
#17: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
An old college friend suggested that I read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and after doing so it has soared to the top of my all-time favorite books list. Seriously, it's Wuthering Heights and then The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. (and then probably the book I am going to blog about next)
I will be honest and admit that when I read the first chapter, I was a bit put off by Fikry. He was grouchy and seemed rather old (as it turns out he is younger than me!) and I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy reading a book about this man. I am glad that I kept with the book, because my opinion of A.J. quickly changed.
A.J. is a young widower who runs a bookstore that was the dream of his wife's. He's now alone in a small island town running a bookstore that is barely making it. Luckily, he possesses a rare copy of a collection of poems by Edgar Allen Poe, so all is not lost. He knows that he can sell this book and his life can change. But, when someone steals his book and his one shot at financial freedom, and a new life, is lost A.J. is thrown into complete despair until one night when someone leaves an unexpected surprise in his store. From this point on, A.J.'s life will never be the same.
The structure of the book is very clever: each chapter begins with a quick review of sorts of a short story that is particularly meaningful for Fikry. He is clearly writing these reviews for someone (Maya) but it takes us a long time to learn who Maya is and why he is writing these reviews for her. The chapter that follows, then, connects Fikry's life to the plot of the short story or the particular idea from the short story that Fikry found relevant to his life. It's all very clever, really, and it reminds the readers how impactful books and stories can really be upon our lives.
As I read this brilliant story, I felt in a way that Fikry and I would be rather good friends if he were not a character in a book, because he and I share the same feelings about books. For instance, when Fikry realizes that the publisher's representative that he has worked with for years has passed away and that he knew very little of the man despite that, "he had spent hours with the man over the last half-dozen years. They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?" (pg18) What is more personal than books? I can think of very little, to be honest. I read a lot of books and I get asked by a lot of people what I would recommend to read and I often have a hard time passing along a title because what appeals to me may/may not appeal to others. What I find compelling could bore other people. What moved me to tears might make someone else laugh. Books are personal.
And Fikry, so nice of him, goes on to explain why in a later short story review: "...the things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life." (pg 41) This is so true! We read and fall in love with certain books sometimes because they are brilliant works but sometimes because our brain and our hearts are ready for the words and emotions evoked by the words. I can't tell you how many books I have read in high school and college that I think back on with such fondness, but am terrified to read again knowing that I am in a different place in my life and the book may not have the same impact upon me again. I have not read many a book because I am terrified of destroying the memory of greatness certain books have inside my head and heart.
I marked one other passage from this amazing book, and not because of it's relevance to books and reading. I marked it because it's excellent advice to give to my girls: "Someday, you may think of marrying. Pick someone who thinks you're the only person in the room." (pg 159) A.J. Fikry is a wise man. I wish his bookstore were real and that I could work there with him.
This book has touched my heart and my mind. I recommend it to anyone who loves books, who loves the feelings they evoke, and who knows that just because I loved it, it doesn't mean they will and yet they want to read it anyway.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
I will be honest and admit that when I read the first chapter, I was a bit put off by Fikry. He was grouchy and seemed rather old (as it turns out he is younger than me!) and I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy reading a book about this man. I am glad that I kept with the book, because my opinion of A.J. quickly changed.
A.J. is a young widower who runs a bookstore that was the dream of his wife's. He's now alone in a small island town running a bookstore that is barely making it. Luckily, he possesses a rare copy of a collection of poems by Edgar Allen Poe, so all is not lost. He knows that he can sell this book and his life can change. But, when someone steals his book and his one shot at financial freedom, and a new life, is lost A.J. is thrown into complete despair until one night when someone leaves an unexpected surprise in his store. From this point on, A.J.'s life will never be the same.
The structure of the book is very clever: each chapter begins with a quick review of sorts of a short story that is particularly meaningful for Fikry. He is clearly writing these reviews for someone (Maya) but it takes us a long time to learn who Maya is and why he is writing these reviews for her. The chapter that follows, then, connects Fikry's life to the plot of the short story or the particular idea from the short story that Fikry found relevant to his life. It's all very clever, really, and it reminds the readers how impactful books and stories can really be upon our lives.
As I read this brilliant story, I felt in a way that Fikry and I would be rather good friends if he were not a character in a book, because he and I share the same feelings about books. For instance, when Fikry realizes that the publisher's representative that he has worked with for years has passed away and that he knew very little of the man despite that, "he had spent hours with the man over the last half-dozen years. They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?" (pg18) What is more personal than books? I can think of very little, to be honest. I read a lot of books and I get asked by a lot of people what I would recommend to read and I often have a hard time passing along a title because what appeals to me may/may not appeal to others. What I find compelling could bore other people. What moved me to tears might make someone else laugh. Books are personal.
And Fikry, so nice of him, goes on to explain why in a later short story review: "...the things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life." (pg 41) This is so true! We read and fall in love with certain books sometimes because they are brilliant works but sometimes because our brain and our hearts are ready for the words and emotions evoked by the words. I can't tell you how many books I have read in high school and college that I think back on with such fondness, but am terrified to read again knowing that I am in a different place in my life and the book may not have the same impact upon me again. I have not read many a book because I am terrified of destroying the memory of greatness certain books have inside my head and heart.
I marked one other passage from this amazing book, and not because of it's relevance to books and reading. I marked it because it's excellent advice to give to my girls: "Someday, you may think of marrying. Pick someone who thinks you're the only person in the room." (pg 159) A.J. Fikry is a wise man. I wish his bookstore were real and that I could work there with him.
This book has touched my heart and my mind. I recommend it to anyone who loves books, who loves the feelings they evoke, and who knows that just because I loved it, it doesn't mean they will and yet they want to read it anyway.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
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