"The Giver" by Lois Lowry

In some future version of our world, mankind has elected to go the route of "Sameness." There is no pain, no memories, no differences of any notable kind. The land is flat, the weather is regulated, color is nonexistent, and every aspect of life is segmented, pretermined, and utterly controlled. Nobody minds, because nobody has ever known any different. Nobody, that is, but the Giver.

Realizing the danger of permanently discarding the collective memories and emotions of society, the Elders have determined that one person alone should bear the weight of past experience. This person, the Giver, assures society is able to move along smoothly, and can be called upon as needed for advice when the wisdom derived from the memories is needed. When 12-year old Jonas is selected to be the next Giver, he has no idea what lies in store for him. As he begins to see the true emptiness of the world he has always known, will he be able to remain a part of it, or will knowledge destroy him forever?

Lois Lowry's "The Giver" is a highly-regarded classic of YA literature, and rightfully so. Within a relatively brief span, Lowry is able to paint a compelling picture of a unusual dystopian future - a future terrible not for its discord and misery, but for its pleasant, bland sameness. As the book moves into its highly symbolic, ambiguous final act, Lowry somehow manages to paint an abstract picture in words, providing a resolution that you inherently seem to understand is correct, without really answering any questions. But that's the way it goes with knowledge. Each answer only leads to more questions.

A beautiful work, "The Giver" truly is a book that has the power to live forever in the minds and hearts of those who read it. The ambiguousness Lowry veils her story in ensures readers will be mulling over the implications, and drawing their own conclusions, well after the last page has been read. A Newbery winner, "The Giver" remains a timeless classic for the ages, which children and adults can share.

"Hate List" by Jennifer Brown

This is not just another book about bullying and a high school shooting. The main character of the book, Val, is the girlfriend of the shooter and the story is told from her perspective. Both she and her boyfriend, Nick, were constantly ridiculed and bullied by their classmates. Together, they created a list of names of classmates whom they hated and it was from that list that Nick chose who to shoot.. when he opened fire at school. For me, the story really began after the shooting. You will read about Val's summer and what she went through so she was able to take the first steps to move on with her life after such a tragedy. How she coped with the guilt she felt about the list she had helped to create. And, how she was able to return to the same high school for her senior year and face her classmates. But also, how some of the classmates who had been so cruel to Val and Nick felt about her and what Nick had done.

I could not put this book down, nor could I stop thinking about it once I finished it. In fact, thinking about this book kept me awake... revisiting my own high school years in the seventies, my daughters' high school years not all that long ago and wondering what my very young grandchildren's school years will be like in the future. Bullying has always been around, but being taken more seriously recently. No longer are victims told to "toughen up" or "develop thicker skin."

This is a young adult novel, but it is appropriate for young adults and older adults as well. Even though bullying is a very serious, unpleasant matter, this is a great read. I checked to see if the author is going to do a sequel, unfortunately she is not.

"Divergent" by Veronica Roth

The decision is supposed to be an easy one - at sixteen, you cast your lot with one of the five groups making up society (each group divided based on personality), either the one you were born into or another one suggested by an aptitude test - but for Beatrice it is tearing her apart. Born into a group that values selflessness above all else, she has always known she never belongs, but when her aptitude test shows irregularities - her personality does not favor one group over another, she is Divergent - she instinctively and recklessly casts her lot with Dauntless, a group that values thrills, action, and energy over all else. She knows the decision will change her life, but the EXTENT is beyond her wildest dreams.

"Divergent" is a huge book, and it starts off slowly. But once Beatrice enters the world of the Dauntless, the book begins to pick up steam at a startling pace, revealing twists and turns, humor, horror, and even romance. The first book of a series, "Divergent" manages to tie loose ends while leaving many issues unresolved, and anticipation high for the rest of the story.

The thrill of "Divergent" is the thrill of joining a character as they experience a world exotic and thrilling to them. Not unlike the first "Harry Potter" book, or Scott Westerfeld's "Leviathan," Beatrice finds herself flung into a world beyond imagination, full of dangers and thrills, watching as those around her get weeded out. But it is a place she belongs, that she has, in some way, been prepared for her entire life. And as she grows, we feel the thrill of observing her realize her potential.

A dystopian fantasy not unlike "Fahrenheit 451," "Divergent" manages to dwarf that book in sheer scope of plot, if not in cultural impact. It is a big, wild thrill ride of a novel that both rewards further introspection on the issues discussed and manages to keep readers purely in the moment. Once it gets going, it's a thing of beauty.

"Bruiser" by Neal Shusterman

For Brewster (the Bruiser), being a loner isn't a phase or a social statement - it's necessary for his very survival. For when Brewster starts to care about someone - anyone - he begins to absorb all of their injuries and pain, both external and internal. For those who know of his power, they are torn between their care and concern for his well-being and the addiction to the sweet peace of mind and body that being around him can bring. But even Brewster has a limit. Will those closest to him realize it before it's too late, or will Brewster become the ultimate sacrificial lamb?

In "Bruiser," Shusterman hasn't just written a good book - he's written a great one. I read it in one sitting, and was breathless when it ended. The book switches between characters - a few chapters from Brewster's point of view, a few from his little brother, a few from his girlfriend, etc - providing a kaleidoscopic view of the events of the novel, and the horrible choices those closest to him must make.

"Bruiser" is compelling, thought-provoking, scary, sad, funny, and even the tiniest bit romantic. Shusterman raises some interesting points about behavior in the presence of no pain and no sadness. If you knew you could do anything and never get hurt - that your injuries would automatically transfer to another person who would simply endure them in stoic silence - what would you do? Shusterman draws the best and the worst from his characters as they wrestle with this very question, and the result is a masterpiece of YA literature.

"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

In a sad, scary dystopian future, thoughts are discouraged and ideas are illegal. The food of ideas, of course, are books, so the government has outlawed all but the most innocuous of them. When a secret stash of "dangerous" texts is discovered and reported, the firemen are called out - not to put out fires, but to set them.

In the midst of this stifling world is Montag, a fireman who enjoys the cheap thrills of modern life while never quite being able to shake the feeling that something is wrong - that something is missing. When a young woman moves in next door - a young woman with emotions, wonder, and curiosity - Montag knows his suspicions are correct. Suddenly questioning the status quo, Montag sets a course for spiritual rebirth, which may cost him his life.

Bradbury's dark fantasy has been the stuff of legend nearly since its first publication in the 1950's. What surprises today is just how relevant and timeless it remains. The depictions of a society numbed into submission by a nonstop barrage of televised entertainment strikes painfully true. Bradbury is able to paint broad strokes in a relatively brief span; the book feels epic but retains a breathless pace.

Like the best dystopian works, Bradbury is able to raise questions and anger about modern society, while simultaneously inspiring change and providing a glimpse of hope for the future. If you have a bucket list of books to read, "Fahrenheit 451" should be on it!

"Galapagos" by Kurt Vonnegut

Fast forward one million years. With the benefit of a thousand millennia of hindsight, ghost Leon Trout relays the story of the end of life as WE know it, circa 1986, and how the tiniest fraction of us survived to start again and evolve into something beyond our wildest imaginations.

As the world begins to self-combust all around them, a small group of adventurers have gathered at an Ecuadorian hotel in preparation for the "Nature Cruise of the Century," an incredibly hyped up tour of the Galapagos Islands and the strange creatures that live there. As the political situation in the country has fallen apart, the host of celebrities originally slated to take the cruise, including Jackie O'Nassis and Mick Jagger, have backed out. No matter, as by the time the ship finally sets sail, there is little hope for survival for those on board, let alone the "Nature Cruise of the Century."

The real star of the show here, as in all his books, is Vonnegut himself. A master satirist, Vonnegut never was much for touchy-feely sentimentality, and "Galapagos" is no exception. He has a way of pointing out the incredible absurdity of life, underlining its inherent hilarity, but always tempering his bleak outlook with a semblance of tenderness for all of us weirdos crawling around on this big blue ball. "Galapagos" has many moments of laugh out loud hilarity and some bracing revelations about life (via the filter of Vonnegut's outlook).

If you have read some of Vonnegut's other works, including (most famously) "Slaughterhouse-Five," the style and perspective of "Galapagos" will come as no surprise. If you have never read his work, "Galapagos" is as good an introduction to his singular oeuvre as any you are likely to find.

"Lips Touch Three Times" by Laini Taylor

A kiss is just a kiss...unless it startles the soul and binds spirits together irreparably in the dense and heated web of love.

Three stories, all different and yet of a mind...

Young Kizzy hides behind walls of her own design, pretending not to care when the pretty girls seem to catch all the breaks. But of course she does care, more than even she realizes. And when she is suddenly and inexplicably given the chance to be noticed, to feel pretty, she cannot possibly resist the thrilling pull, even if it means facing consequences darker than she can imagine.

An old woman long ago made a bargain with the Devil - one innocent child's soul snatched away too soon for the diseased soul of one whose days on Earth should have ended long ago. By carrying out this role she has restored countless lives of possibility. But there are others with machinations of their own, and a perverse and heartbreaking exchange leaves one young woman the bearer of a beauty strong enough to bring death to all who encounter it. The key to unlocking this horror? A kiss.

In a world filled with magic, one mother will stop at nothing to protect her daughter from the horrors of her birthright. But there are far greater forces at play, wheels turning beyond the comprehension of mother or daughter. Time has passed, but a brown eye inexplicably turning blue overnight means that time is almost up.

"Lips Touch Three Times" is wildly romantic and aided by the visceral knowledge that pleasures are fleeting and must be grasped while they can. Crafted with mastery, and a fair amount of economy, by Laini Taylor, the first two stories quickly lay their groundwork and build immense suspense until their respective climaxes. The final story, "Hatchling," reveals details slowly, languidly, brilliantly mirroring one character's plot, until all of the puzzle pieces finally fit into place, revealing a picture that only gets richer in afterthought.

"Lips Touch" is a book at once exotic and familiar, densely crafted and yet brilliantly direct and simple. It tugs at the heart and the mind in equal measure - a romance with something for everyone. Recommended for ages 15-

"The Unnatural Inquirer" by Simon R. Green

Part of a larger series called "The Nightside," "The Unnatural Inquirer does NOT require you to have read any of the other series books to be able to know what's going on. Although, after you spend a few hours exploring the freaky, magical land where the sun never shines and people from all walks of life (and death) come to get their kicks, you'll likely find yourself hungry for more.

Private eye John Taylor has seen it all in his time in the Nightside, but when word starts to spread of a DVD containing actual footage of the afterlife and the vanishing of the man who allegedly recorded it, even Taylor has reason to pause. With all the disparate factions vying for space and power in the Nightside, possession of the DVD by any of them could prove disastrous for all involved.

With the help of sexy half-demon reporter Bettie, John tracks down lead after lead in classic detective fiction style. Although there is nothing classic or mannered about Green's depiction of the Nightside itself, arguably the star of the entire show.

Filled with humor, action, suspense, and a few grisly thrills, "The Unnatural Inquirer" is a worthy guilty-pleasure read. Fans of detective fiction, science fiction, fantasy, or horror should all find something to enjoy!

J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit

I'll admit to having seen the "Lord of the Rings" movies and loving them without ever having read a page of the books. Of course, I had heard of them, and their companion prequel, "The Hobbit," for years, but had never been able to take the plunge and crack a cover.

Now that I've read "The Hobbit," I have a clearer understanding of what I was so afraid of for all those years, and what I now know to have been totally unfounded. I was afraid of the mythology of Tolkien's world, of the zany names and customs, that it would be impenetrably dense and, well, hard to get into.

I have always heard that "The Hobbit" is Tolkien lite, but even so, I found the book a wonderful introduction to the world of hobbits, and not at all hard to read or get into. There is mythology, and of course a ton of crazy names you may or may not be able to keep track of. But at the heart of the story is a wonderful adventure, full of life and humor, that never lags for a moment.

Most anyone who is even a tiny bit predisposed towards fantasy novels has already read "The Hobbit," I suppose. This review is not for you. It is for those who, like me, had a passing interest but just never took the plunge. The book is a lot of fun, and a classic through and through. I can't wait to dig into the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy!

"Shine" by Lauren Myracle

Young Cat is devastated when her friend Patrick is beaten nearly to death, the apparent victim of a hate crime (Patrick is gay). As local authorities sit on their hands and look the other way, Cat resolves to solve the mystery festering like a wound in the heart of her close-knit Appalachian community. As she digs deeper, she uncovers painful secrets not just within herself, but those closest to her.

Basically a murder mystery sans murder, "Shine" is a compelling whodunit in a classic tradition, while drawing its own conclusions and positing a strong authorial voice in Lauren Myracle. Cat and her classmates have a depth that is refreshing for a YA novel, and Myracle paints a picture of a community smothered by grief and hopelessness, the specter of meth hanging always just behind the action.

Recalling the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, "Shine" is a novel that has been a lightning rod for controversy (recalling much of Myracle's work), and which raises some delicate questions about bigotry and complacency. What it is most of all, though, is a gripping and satisfying mystery.

"Leviathan" by Scott Westerfield

Here's a great example of a book that I didn't know much about and completely impressed and surprised me in every way. An excellent depiction of "steampunk" (an alternate past where modern and even highly impressive possible future technologies coexist with all the trappings and restraint of the Victorian era), the book is a thrill from start to finish. The first of a trilogy, "Leviathan" breezes by and both satisfies and leaves the reader hungry for the next book in the series.

Loosely based on the actual history of the genesis of the "Great War," (World War One), "Leviathan" follows two disparate plot lines, that of young prince Alek who finds his entire life thrown into disarray after his parents are murdered, and Deryn, a girl who longs for nothing more than a military career, and who must disguise herself as a boy to make this possible. As the novel progresses, the two teens are drawn together in surprising and inevitable ways, perfectly laying the foundation for the later adventures in the trilogy.

Almost as compelling as the characters are the steampunk elements themselves. Massive "clanker" machines battle unbelievable, awe-inspiring "Darwinist" creatures - organic living beasts that have been genetically modified to be tools of society and war. The Leviathan of the book's title is a massive zeppelin-like airship comprised of over 100 species, including the body of a whale with countless modifications to make it useful as a flying fortress of war. Reading the descriptions of the massive ship are as awe-inspiring as the action itself.

A unique, creative vision of present and future meets past, "Steampunk" is a compelling genre, and "Leviathan" is a shining example of the best it has to offer.

Welcome!

Welcome to Berryville Reads, an online community where we at the library can share what we are reading and watching. Check back often for updates, and thanks for visiting!