REPLY – THE MARTIAN – BY ANDY WEIR

 

Hey Robert,

Like you I really liked the Martian by Andy

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Weir. You talked about it being a good or great book I argue it was just a fun book. I have already watched The Martian film starring Matt Daemon. The movie was really interesting and funny and honestly now having read the book I feel it was a pretty faithful interpretation of the book. The book just goes into more detail and expands the story more I was totally prepared to find the book boring because I already knew what would happen but it was just as interesting and exciting as I expected. I liked how dark the book was in some parts. Like when the crew it talking about what they would do if they missed the resupply rocket. How they would kill themselves and just one would go on eating the rest of the crew to survive and rescue Mark Watney.

You are right the plot is a weak point. But not as bad as other books, I didn’t feel cheated by the Deus ex machina surprise Chinese rocket. What shocked me was that there was no epilog. “Yep, we’ve got Watney” The End. Nothing about the trip home or even what was going on a year later nothing.

Of course, because science Mark Watney would never have survived there are chemicals in soil that would make growing potatoes impossible.

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REPLY – THE MARTIAN – BY ANDY WEIR

Dogsong – By Gary Paulsen

Hello again, Jared.

After what happened with Tracker, I was a little wary about reading more by Mr. Paulsen, but this book has done a lot to alleviate that.

dogsong.jpgTitleDogsong
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, the Arctic, Survival
Synopsis: Something is bothering Russel Susskit. He hates waking up to the sound of his father’s coughing, the smell of diesel oil, the noise of snow machines starting up. Only Oogruk, the shaman who owns the last team of dogs in the village, understands Russel’s longing for the old ways and the songs that celebrated them. But Oogruk cannot give Russel the answers he seeks; the old man can only prepare him for what he must do alone. Driven by a strange, powerful dream of a long-ago self and by a burning desire to find his own song, Russel takes Oogruk’s dogs on an epic journey of self-discovery that will change his life forever.
Recommendation: This book is recommended for teens.

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Dogsong – By Gary Paulsen

Lord of the Flies – By William Golding

Hey Jared,

With the recent discussions about the possibility of an all-female movie based on this book, I figured I should actually read it. Other than a couple of excerpts I somehow managed to make it through school without sampling this little bit of twisted horror.

lotf2.pngTitle: Lord of the Flies
Author: William Golding
Genre: Fiction, Survival,
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: Deserted island, Survival, Social Commentary
Synopsis: When a plane crashes on a remote island, a small group of schoolboys are the sole survivors. From the prophetic Simon and virtuous Ralph to the lovable Piggy and brutish Jack, each of the boys attempts to establish control as the reality – and brutal savagery – of their situation sets in. The boys’ struggle to find a way of existing in a community with no fixed boundaries invites readers to evaluate the concepts involved in social and political constructs and moral frameworks. Ideas of community, leadership, and the rule of law are called into question as the reader has to consider who has a right to power, why, and what the consequences of the acquisition of power may be.
Recommendation: Recommended for teens. Violence and murder. Reader discretion is advised.

–  – Spoilers – –

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Lord of the Flies – By William Golding

The Crossing – By Gary Paulsen

Hello Jared,

I’m kicking off the Bookshelf Blitz with some good old Gary Paulsen.

thecrossingTitle: The Crossing
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Mexico
Synopsis: 14yo Manny is an orphan in Juarez, Mexico. He competes with his bigger, meaner rivals for the coins American tourists throw off the bridge between Texas and his town. Across that heavily guarded bridge await a different world and a better existence.
On the night when Manny dares the crossing–through the muddy shallows of the Rio Grande, past the searchlights and the border patrol–the young man encounters an old stranger who could prove to be an ally or an enemy. Manny can’t tell for certain. But if he is to achieve his dream, then he must be willing to risk everything–even his life.

Recommendation: This book is recommended for teens.

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The Crossing – By Gary Paulsen

Tracker – By Gary Paulsen

Hey Jared,

tracker.pngGoing to do this one in a different format and there will be spoilers ahead.

No……just, no. Stay away. Save yourself! What did I just read?! How is this even published? Mistakes were made, and the first was that I read this book. I can’t unread it! Make it go away……….

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Tracker – By Gary Paulsen

A Series of Unfortunate Events – Book 1: The Bad Beginning – By Lemony Snicket

Jared,

Have you read this series before? I assume Julia has, but this book confounds me. I don’t really know what to think about it.

thebadbeginningTitle: The Bad Beginning
Series:
A Series of Unfortunate Events; Book 1
Author: Lemony Snicket (Pen Name)
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: Orphans, Dark, Disturbing
Synopsis: (Insert mildly condescending synopsis here.)
Recommendation: Not recommended for younger readers. Mature themes include foster parental abuse, child exploitation, physical abuse, child brides, and hopeless reality.

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A Series of Unfortunate Events – Book 1: The Bad Beginning – By Lemony Snicket

Brian’s Saga – Book 5: Brian’s Hunt – By Gary Paulsen

How’s it going Jared?

Finding decent covers for these books has been disturbingly hard. It’s like they don’t want people to see them or use them in their reviews. A good cover image can really sell a book, so it seems counter-intuitive to make them hard to find.

brianshuntTitle: Brian’s Hunt
Series: Brian’s Saga; Book 5
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction, Survival
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Canada
Synopsis: We find Brian still in the Canadian wilderness, picking up right where we left him.
Recommendation: Perfect for Teens. This book is recommended, but note that this book assumes that the events of all 4 previous books took place.

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Brian’s Saga – Book 5: Brian’s Hunt – By Gary Paulsen

Brian’s Saga – Book 4: Brian’s Return – By Gary Paulsen

Jared,

I can’t help myself. There’s something about these books that draw me in. I really need to get around to finding more survival books because I’m running out.

briansreturn.pngTitle: Brian’s Return
Series: Brian’s Saga; Book 4
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction, Survival
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Canada
Synopsis: Brian is having trouble integrating into “normal” life after his ordeals in the Canadian wilderness. His thoughts are continually pulled to the events he’s experienced and a sense of something miss. Something he left behind out there.
Recommendation: Perfect for Teens. Highly recommend this book, but note that this book assumes that the events of all 3 previous books took place.

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Brian’s Saga – Book 4: Brian’s Return – By Gary Paulsen

Brian’s Saga – Book 3: Brian’s Winter – By Gary Paulsen

Jared,

Since I don’t get to experience winter this year I thought I’d read about it. Which having read this, I’m even more grateful to have avoided the worst of it. No snow and we haven’t even gone below freezing yet.

brianswinterTitle: Brian’s Winter
Series: Brian’s Saga; Book 3
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Winter Survival, Canada,
Synopsis: What if Brian hadn’t been rescued at the end of Hatchet? With the end of summer, Brian must prepare for the realities of winter in the Canadian wilderness.
Recommendation: Another great survival story for teens……and adults alike. If you’ve read the previous books then you know what to expect.

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Brian’s Saga – Book 3: Brian’s Winter – By Gary Paulsen

The Royal Institute Of Magic – Book 1: Elizabeth’s Legacy – By Victor Kloss

Hey guys!

As you know, I love to read youth/YA books, in search of another great series, and I’m certain I just found another winner. 🙂

rimTitle: Elizabeth’s Legacy
Series: The Royal Institute of Magic; Book 1
Author: Victor Kloss
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/YA/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Like most normal people, Ben hadn’t the faintest idea there was an Institute of Magic…

Two years ago, Ben Greenwood’s parents walked out the door and never returned. The police have all but given up finding them when Ben stumbles upon a peculiar letter addressed to his dad. “You are the most wanted man in the Unseen Kingdoms. Unless you come to us, we cannot help. For your child’s sake, tell us what you know.”

The letter is from an organization called the Royal Institute of Magic and is dated a day before his parents disappeared. Like most people, fourteen-year-old Ben hasn’t the faintest idea what the Royal Institute of Magic is, but he has his first clue: the logo on the letter.

Armed with nothing but his wits and the help of his good friend Charlie, Ben sets out to find the Institute and, through them, his parents. To succeed, he will have to navigate a land filled with fantastic creatures and Spellshooters, where magic can be bought and sold, to unravel an ancient family secret that could hold the key to defeating an evil the Institute has been fighting for the last five hundred years.

Recommendation: Late youth, teens, and anybody that loves discovering a new world of magic.

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The Royal Institute Of Magic – Book 1: Elizabeth’s Legacy – By Victor Kloss