Kaui

1993 Nobel Prize. A taut precisely written novel about Frank Money, an African-American Korean War veteran fighting insanity (PTS) whilst working his way back to his sister Cee in their home in Alabama. Many locks fit his key – why? Frank’s and Cee’s travels are at once heart-wrenching and universal. This book was more accessible than Beloved.

I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up because I had heard that Walter Mosley is a highly regarded writer and I can see why. This book is hopeful yet sad, lyrically melancholy and ultimately, all about love and life, though dementia and impending death are the main "characters". Read this - you will enjoy it. Also, the narrator was sublime.

I join the thousands - millions? - who adore this book. hilarious, skillful and downright stunning, this gripper of a tale mocks the Enlightenment with such wit one cannot put this down!!!!!!

I don't want to say much about the book because its genre will give away a big part of the plot, but suffice to say that the Night Circus is an imaginative exploration of magic and magicians, evokative of times of old. It's on the lighter side, but very enjoyable.

This is a lovely book about a young boy, an orphan, who journeys through a life of hardship and deprivation with a sense of beauty, wonder and honor that all of us would be improved by adopting. I don't want to give the story away; you should read it. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this book immensely. The only reason, I think, that it is a children's book is its length. The style, craftsmanship and vocabulary are of high skill and difficulty.

This is book 4 of 4 in the "Ember" series which describes a post-apocalyptic earth in hopeful terms. I like that part of the series' approach, though the overall style can be a little pedantic (in my adult opinion) for moral lessons. However, the target audience is juvenile readers so I think the clarity and overt description of moral connections is likely appropriate. All middle and elementary schoolers I have spoken to about this book have really enjoyed it.

SPOILER ALERT: This book starts out roughly where ThePeople of Sparks (book 2) leaves off, with winter in full swing and people struggling to get along and survive the winter. The two protagonists want to (again) save things by going back to their abandoned City of Ember. Their adventures are interesting and of course hold many moral lessons. The story telling is skillful and writing is also well done. I would say as an adult I am more accustomed to loose ends left for the reader to fill in according to the reader's inclinations which sometimes can be unsatisfying - other times it is an excellent way to get the reader to continue to ponder and discuss the book long after finishing it. Here, the tying up of details will satisfy all juveniles and any adult who gets frustrated by open endings.

This is book 3 of 4 in the "Ember" series which describes a post-apocalyptic earth in hopeful terms. I like that part of the series' approach, though the overall style can be a little pedantic (in my adult opinion) for moral lessons. However, the target audience is juvenile readers so I think the clarity and overt description of moral connections is likely appropriate. All middle and elementary schoolers I have spoken to about this book have really enjoyed it.

This book predates the City of Ember by it seems at least a hundred years if not more. The reader, if s/he started with the City of Ember, will be hooked on wondering how/when the nuclear war will start. The initiate will also be hooked on this question due to DuPrau's skillfull story telling. Character development and plot continuity are well executed here. I probably enjoyed this book a bit more than The People of Sparks, though the entire series is worth a read.

This is book 1 of 4 in the "Ember" series which describes a post-apocalyptic earth in hopeful terms. I like that part of the series' approach, though the overall style can be a little pedantic (in my adult opinion) for moral lessons. However, the target audience is juvenile readers so I think the clarity and overt description of moral connections is likely appropriate. All middle and elementary schoolers I have spoken to about this book have really enjoyed it.

This book has both a female and male protagonist, making the book likely equally appealing to boys and girls. How the two relate to each other and their dying city of Ember, and how the two work to to solve problems is a nice exploration into egoism, altruism and ultimately, humility.

This is book 2 of 4 in the "Ember" series which describes a post-apocalyptic earth in hopeful terms. I like that part of the series' approach, though the overall style can be a little pedantic (in my adult opinion) for moral lessons. However, the target audience is juvenile readers so I think the clarity and overt description of moral connections is likely appropriate. All middle and elementary schoolers I have spoken to about this book have really enjoyed it.

SPOILER ALERT: This book starts out roughly where The City of Ember (book 1) leaves off, giving a satisfying story of how the people of Ember struggle to learn about a new world. New words for new concepts are a nice touch, and describing the difficulties that two groups of people with different frames of reference have in relating to each other is educational.

Quirky coming of age novel (of sorts) that takes place in N. Carolina. Emily moves back to live with her grandfather after her mother dies¸though Emily never knew she had a grandfather, and knows nothing about her mother’s life in this small town. The loneliness and sadness in this town is balanced by quirky oddness and hope. The book is entertaining but lite. What else to expect from a bestseller recommended as a summer beach read. Keep those expectations and it is entertaining.

warped family dynamics and the ultimate revenge that children always get on their parents all wrapped up in a well crafted novel. It might have been a "light" year that year for Pulitzers, but this one has all the characteristics of a Pulitzer. Sad compelling story extremely well written with vivid, memorable characters. Read this on few long drives - it's worth it!