39 Stebs by John Buchan

39 Steps by John Buchan

This small yet tremendously entertaining book gives you a glimpse into the life of Richard Hannay, right when it gets interesting. Seriously, the book starts off with him narrating about how boring his life is and he'll give London one more day and that evening his worlds gets turned upside down! After learning about a plot to assassinate a well known political leader and disrupt the peace in Europe, a murder happens in his very own apartment and he flees for his life so that he can save the nation. Every chapter is it's own adventure as he meets and alludes many fascinating characters until alas the story comes full circle back to London where he engages the aid of the very police that were trying to pin him for murder. 

An excellent tale!

Appearance: 2.5/5 

The cover just doesn't grip me. And then seeing many other covers while trying to get an image.. There are more intriguing cover options out there.

Readability: 5/5

This is the easiest book to read. It has everything you need and you're not wanting for anything. The chapters moved things right along while making the whole book feel a lot bigger than just a hundred or so pages

My Points: 10/10

Again, with the readability and delightful portrayal of the story from the first person point of view; this book is perfect. Read it. You wont regret the small amount it will take.

Total Points: 17.5/20

All I asking for is my body

All I asking for is my body

Milton Murayama

I purchased this book while visiting Honolulu, HI. I was inclined to purchase the book after reading reviews like: "It turns up on ... reading list in the picaresque company of Huckleberry Finn, Catcher in the Rye, .... I suggest that you read [it] if you want to experience how Hawaii has come to be the place it is, town between the traditions of the past and the enterprises of the future."--Rob Wilson, Bamboo Ridge

What I found within the pages of this book was an interesting glimpse into a culture that is not familiar to me. For this same reason, I think it made the read a bit difficult at times. The vernacular, which made the story feel more authentic, was at times hard to follow. This is a story that few will be able to relate to in the sense of their family was a part of the plantation work in Hawaii, but some themes of family dynamics, work, love, and a changing world can connect to many audiences. Unfortunately, even with many themes that are divulged in this coming of age story, the reader is left feeling very much outside of the story and there is no pay off in the end. I oddly felt like I understood characters like the older brother, Toshio, and the mother better than I did the main character. It seemed that most stories never fully developed or were completed before moving on to another instance. Even the title "All I asking for is my body" were Toshio's words and what he identified with--not the main character we were following. There was some closure of some major themes like family debt, but overall there was little pay off the reader received for reaching the end of the book.

Appearance: 3/5: I was intrigued by the cover but it was a little misleading of the content of the story. 

Readability: 3/5: The book was choppy, which made reading not take too long, but also didn't allow for the reader to really invest in the book.

My points: 6/10: There were some portions of the book I felt were a very valuable glimpse into that very real part of American history. But the book was not developed enough to make it feel like it was a complete work with developed characters and plot. It didn't leave the reader wanting more or even having much vested in turning the next page.

Total Points: 12/20