The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner

By: Khaled Hosseini

 Published in 2003

324 pages

The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, a young boy who lives with his father, Baba. They live in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, a well off area of town where they have servants and wear American clothing. Amir’s best friend in childhood is Hassan, the son of Amir’s family’s servant. The only complication with their friendship is that Hassan is Hazara and Amir is Pashtun. Hazaras are the inferior race in Afghanistan. Throughout the novel you see how ethnic differences and how the characters respond to them can change their lives.

This novel is extrememly well written and has gotten many excellent reviews. I would agree with most of them that the style of writing is interesting and easy to read. The characters, although you may not like all of them, are honest, real, and very well developed. Hosseini writes the novel straight from first person. This leaves no secrets between you and the narrator, which is a crucial element to the novel. Also, without even realizing it, you end up learning so much about Afghan culture that you would never know. Because the story is so developed and intriguing, I would recommend this book; however, if you are looking for a feel-good story, this is NOT the novel for you! In some places I think it gets rather depressing which, especially in the winter, is not something I am always in the mood to read about. There are moments in it where you wonder if it will ever get happy? For the writing, development, and creativity of this strong story I would give this a full five stars. It is simply extremely well done. However I personally would subtract for the depressing nature and settle for four and a half of five stars.

Gabrielle  Burnett

Keeping You a Secret

Submitted by:

Ashley Miller

Keeping You a Secret

Julie Anne Peters

Published in 2000

250 pages

 Everyone thinks Holland Jaegar has it all. She has the looks, good grades, great boyfriend and popularity. However, she doesn’t have the “chillest” mom. Her mother is unbelievable to say the least. Once Hollandmeets Cece, the new girl, she knows that she is in love with her. In the novel Holland and Cece fall for one another, but decide to keep the relationship a secret. This may have been the worst mistake they could ever make. Throughout the novel they are both forced to face many challenges.

            Well, personally I liked the book. This is about 2 lesbians and how their lives changed when people found out about their sexuality. It was interesting to read about. The only thing about it is if a lesbian read it and was thinking of coming out of the closet, this novel could scare them into keeping everything in.

 

Why I liked it?

            I liked it because first of all it was different. I normally would not choose to read this type of book, but it kept my attention and was not boring.

 

Would I recommend this book?

            Definitely! This book opened my eyes to what could be going on right infront of me. I never really realized how something so little could make such a big impact. It was a good book and I learned from it.

 

How many stars?

            I would give this book a 4.

 

 

-Ashley Miller

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Submitted by: Ashli Carlson

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Sophie Kinsella

published: 2001

350 pages

Becky Blooomwood, a twenty-five year old British woman, finds herself in a dilemma: she is a shopaholic. She can not ignore a cute pair of shoes or an amazing silk blouse in the shop window: she has to have it!
As a result of impulsive shopping and her low paying job, Becky can not keep up with her bills. Her credit card company and her bank plague her with tons of unwanted bills of substantial amounts of money. In order to stop the overflowing bills in her flat, Becky resigns her shopping ways and even tries to make more income, but there’s always that adorable coat in that boutique’s window and one little thing won’t hurt Finally, Becky finds something she actually cares about--more than shopping--that changes her life forever.
I love this book-it’s probably my favorite chick-flick-ish book. It has humor, tragedies, and of course, romance. Sophie Kinsella’s style of writing is delightful and witty. I love the way she writes from Becky’s point of view and the way she is so detailed about the shops and items Becky encounters. I find the novel believable and can somewhat relate to some of the problems Becky faces.
It’s a quick read: I’d say about a day to a day and a half, and you won’t be disappointed. Even though The Confessions of a Shopaholic is not a series, Kinsella has written several separate novels about Becky Bloomwood and her obsessive habit, each are as equally entertaining as the other. I would give this novel four stars because while it is very entertaining, it can get a bit cliché for my liking.
****

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Submitted by: Amber Burn

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

By: J.K. Rowling

2007

759 pages plus epilogue

This book was written by J.K Rowling and is the last book of the series. It is in the fantasy genre. The main characters in the book are Ron, Hermione and of course Harry Potter who are all seventeen and would be in their last year of Hogwarts.
The setting starts out in London, then the burrow, Grimmauld Place, Godric’s Hollow, many forests, the ministry of magic and lastly Hogwarts. In this book the trio are racing against time to find the last Horcruxes. With Dumbledore gone they have no one but themselves and Voldemort that know about the horcruxes. Dumbledore has left them each a clue one that they can't figure out.
Throughout this book there are more deaths, plots, betrayals, fights and devastation. Harry also finds things about the people that he once trusted and those that he never did. People prove to have more courage or cowardice then anyone thought possible. Harry meets and makes friends with those he never thought he would
. Will Harry defeat Voldemort? What really happened to Dumbledore?
This book consists of 759 pages which also includes the epilogue. I really liked this book
a) because we finally find out the whole story. The wait is over!
B) This book is like a roller coaster ride. You never know what’s going to happen and are constantly thrown surprising turns and rooting for people you never thought you would.
C) There are some moments when you get angry at what’s happening but by the next page you’re gripping the book to find out what happens.
I would give this book. Four and a ½ stars out of 5.
****1/2

Dave Matthews Band: Music for the People

Submitted by: Sam Horsch

Dave Matthews Band: Music for the People

1999, updated 2004

169 pages

This is a great biography written all about Dave Matthews Band published first in 1999 and then a second time with up to date material in 2004, and is 169 pages long. This biography is all about how Dave Matthews Band first became a band, and all met each other. It tells the story of Dave Matthew’s life growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, then moving to the United States and starting the band in Charlottesville, Virginia. It tells of how the band members all got started in Dave Matthews band, and each member’s involvement. This biography also goes through all of the albums the band ever recorded, and the process that they had to go through to become one of the biggest known bands with one of the biggest fan-bases.
My opinion of this biography is that it is a great factual read of how Dave Matthews Band became to be what they are today. It is complete with interviews with the band members, a discography, and gigography. However, if the reader does not like Dave Matthews Band, as weird as that sounds, they may not like or enjoy reading this biography. I give this book five stars.
*****

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Submitted by Sammy Fegen

Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban

JK Rowling

1999

355 pages

It's a new year at Hogwarts where Harry, Ron, and Hermoine go to school and this year Harry gets into a lot of danger. Sirius Black escapes from Azkaban and he is out to get Harry. The dementors really scare Harry so every time he is near them he faints and cannot see. All the professors are trying to look out for Harry and help him learn everything he can to escape from Sirius. What Harry later finds out is that Sirius is trying to help him. I thought the book was a very good book and I actually enjoyed reading it. It is a little long but I always wanted to keep reading and I always had a picture in my head of what was going on. It is a fiction book and it has to do with alot of magic. the point of view is third person and i liked the book because it was easy to read and was very easy to understand. I would give this book 4 stars.
****

33 snowfish

Submitted by: Torri Myers

33 snowfish

Adam Rapp

Published in 2003

179 pages

33 snowfish is told through the views of three homeless teens that band together to protect one another. Each has a troubled past of their own; struggling with drug addiction, murder, neglect and abuse. With some, in the end there is forgiveness and love. Unfortunately, it is too late for others to find the same comfort they've been longing for.

Rapp's writing is intense and thoughtful. He really shows you the struggles from the teens' pasts and how it affects them throughout their whole life, as if their future will never let go of the past no matter what. I liked being part of their hope to better themselves.

With Rapp's writing comes his use of language. Since his characters have been through such tough times, they don't really speak as nicely as they should. If you want to read this book, I suggest that having a mature attitude would help you along the way of enjoying and going into the lives of these three characters.

3.5 out of 5 stars

***1/2