Fiction

Background

The classic book by John Steinbeck published toward the end of the great depression about tenant farmers who had to leave everything they knew to scratch out a living in the promised land of California.

My Thoughts

It’s very sad that this time was part of our country’s history. The whole book was a walk through toil and strife. And what an ending! Wow, I don’t know what to say.

Recommendation

It’s a classic and a big part of early 20th century literature so you should read it. However, it was long and painful for me.

Background

The third book in the Divergent Trilogy. Allegiant is the continuation of the saga of Tris and her friends as they find out what is outside the walls of the only world they knew.

My Thoughts

Unlike the last two books, the reader sees the world through the eyes of the main male character, Four. Unfortunately, he both thinks and acts like the Tris which is to say both childish and ridiculous.

Recommendation

This one was hard to get through. Once it became apparent what the story was about, I couldn’t wait to get through it.

Background

Ken Kesey’s classic book published in 1962, adapted first for the stage in 1963, and then for the silver screen in 1975.

The story takes place in an insane asylum which is run by an iron fisted nurse who is not to be crossed.

My Thoughts

I haven’t seen the movie nor have I seen the play. (I was surprised there was a play and that the first revisions had such big names as Kirk Douglas and Gene Wilder. Later on it had revivals with Danny DeVito and Gary Sinise. All of which I had no idea did stage acting. Shows how much I know.

I really didn’t know anything about the book other than having heard the name Nurse Ratchet and knowing a young Jack Nicholson was on the cover.

I felt it did a good job of depicting the possible horrors of the mentally ill in post WWII America. The tragic story is both inspiring and deflating. I was engaged through the entirety of the read.

Recommendation

Great book and a classic. A must read for those ready for a good story which might not end how you’d hope.

Background

Published in 2015 Kimberly Brubaker Bradley intended this book to be a historical fiction for middle school students. It became a best seller and has a sequel The War I Finally Won.

It is a story of an English girl and her brother were moved out to the country during the German assault on the UK in WWII.

My Thoughts

I read this because my 13 year old son was reading it for school. It really wasn’t a bad story but it isn’t my normal genre of book. Ms. Bradley does a good job of keeping the reader engaged and wanting to continue.

I was glad to hear there was a sequel to the book as it left off without much closure.

Recommendation

I’m about half way on this. I’m not sure why my son was reading it for school but it isn’t a bad story.