Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain

Somehow, in this book, Mark Twain effortlessly places the reader into the early 1800's in Dawson's Landing, Missouri. Immediately the many characters and personalities of this small mid-western town come to life and you find yourself in the middle of it, simply experiencing daily life among them. After a while, though, you begin to wonder what this story is actually about or if there is even a story here at all. At this very moment, Twain begins to weave together the seemingly unimportant events into an intriguing plot that includes theft, murder, and mystery and concludes with Pudd'nhead's eventual triumph.

Despite the (seemingly) slow start, I found this book enjoyable. Although I wouldn't say that I "couldn't put it down", Twain, in his own unique way, creates in the reader an acute desire to find out how it all works out. His writing oftentimes describes antiquities such as steamboats and duals which affords the reader a chance to enter a world and time that we don't often visit, but generally enjoy when we do.

Appearance: 4/5 - The cover is intriguing as it makes you wonder who the men are and what they may be discussing, but after reading the story I am no closer to answering those questions.

Readability: 4/5 - As I said before, the story seems to get off to a slow start, but makes up for it in the end. Also, when Twain writes from the slaves' perspective, he sometimes goes too far in impersonating their speech, making it difficult to decipher.

My Points: 10/10 - I enjoyed this book. Not to mention I think its the first Mark Twain book I've ever actually read. I'll have to read more.

Total: 18/20

The All of It

Gosh, this book was a dud, and a weird dud at that. Generally I am a bit hesitant to give a low review due to the fact that I am not actually qualified to do so - but I really have no problem doing just that to this book. Although the way in which the story was related was somewhat unique (throughout most of the book, the main character told the priest a story about her life living with her brother and letting everybody assume they were husband and wife), it could hardly be described as intriguing. There was also this side story about the priest going fishing that I didn't really get. Lastly, I don't want to give Mr. Prescott (the person who gave this story a positive review) a pat on the back, I am just interested in knowing how much he was paid...

Appearance: 1.5/5 - I'm not sure how the picture on the cover relates at all to the story. That said, somehow this book drew me in enough to buy it, maybe it was the mystery behind this vague cover?

Readability: 1.5/5 - It was easy to read the words themselves, but not the story.

My Points: 3/10 - I just cannot find it within me to add many points here - I simply did not enjoy this book. The points I assign here are due to the fact that at least the story was original. I have never and probably will never read another story quite like this one.

Total: 6/20

The All of It by Jeannette Haien

I'm going to say a few things about this book. My brother started this exchange on my birthday, I read the recommendation from Peter Prescott of Newsweek on the cover that said "One of the year's finest novels, a moral story of the most complex sort." and I thought to myself; interesting! I took this 145 page book along with me on a flight to Connecticut and it didn't take me long to gasp out loud of what this 'complex moral story' was all about: a brother and sister who looooove each other, sort of. Even that was not as interesting as you'd think. And then a priest starts to fall in love too. That's pretty much it. I feel like there was not much drive through the book and the story times were not terribly drawing. Not to say that I would have just given up on it but I also would most likely not recommend it. I can't really say much else. I want to give Mr. Prescott a pat on the back for fooling people into thinking this would be a great read-he got my penny.

Appearance: 1/5 - At least it had a picture. The picture isn't even great but it was there so that's something.

Readability: 2.5/5 - It's not that it is difficult to read, it's just difficult to have interest to read.

My Points: 4/10 - I give it two points for having such great recommendations, and two points to me for finishing it which I donate towards the book. I mean it is December and I read it in August, I didn't exactly feel an excited need to write my review. At the same time I don't want people to think it is strictly awful, I was able to just read it through. For me it just was not potent enough to be interesting enough to really enjoy it.

Total: 7.5/20

The Defender

The Defender is a 1952 Newbery Honor book. It is obviously written for children, but enjoyable nevertheless. Alex brought to light my favorite part of this book, the proverbs offered by Turgen. These snippets of ancient Lamut wisdom were enlightening. The following are a few examples of such sayings: "Words that speak evil, though they have no teeth, can tear the heart. A good man greets each new day as if it were a holiday. The sun shines differently every day. Everywhere there is life and everywhere there are warm human hearts."

Appearance: 3.5/5 - The cover doesn't exactly draw your gaze, but it does offer a good representation of what you will be reading about, and you always like to see an award label.

Readability: 5/5 -It has very short chapters and vocab designed for children. The story line is easy to follow and can easily be read in a couple of hours.

My points: 7/10 - Although the story was nice, this isn't really a book I would consider a "must-read". Overall I had a hard time really getting into the story because it lacked the depth necessary to really draw me in.

Total: 15.5/20

The Defender by Nicholas Kalashnikoff

The Defender is an easy-breezy read about an old man of outstanding character set in the Siberian mountains. The story revolves around the life of a 50+ year old Turgen, one of the last of the Lamut tribe in that area. Living a lonely life and higher up the mountain than most, Turgen discovers a respect and love for the wild mountain rams. Things get more complicated for Turgen when the companionship he has been longing brings unexpected controversy to the town and cruel judgments. Turgen's unwavering faith in the Great Spirit that guides him in his dreams leads him to a fuller life than he ever expected.
This was a heart warming little tale or the ups and downs of life. About having faith and believing. About compassion and hospitality. About ignorance and judgment.
I enjoyed this book because I can relate to Turgen and his love and respect for the rams and how he earns their trust. I also enjoy the redemption factors and the lessons learned through the story line between Turgen and the townspeople. Oh, and there is usually a thought or a sentence that really sticks with me throughout a book; well in The Defender, each chapter starts with a proverb or a profound though from Turgen.. So I liked that as well!

Appearance: 3/5 -There isn't a huge appeal to this cover, but it does represent the story well.

Readability: 5/5 -I read this on a Saturday morning. There is a tribal theme that adds some extra flavor. Short chaptersThere are also pictures which is always a plus!

My Points: 10/10- Consistent flow. Interesting theme. Developed characters. Plot and resolution. Loving animals. What more can one ask for?!

Total: 18/20

Night

I join Zack, who echoes what The New York Times expresses: "A slim volume of terrifying power." It is amazing how well Elie is able to recount his time in these camps after his silence was over. I would have probably repressed a lot but the world needs people like Wiesel to make sure the stories are heard.
There were a few parts of the book that really struck me.
- The hanging of the sad-eyed angel is one scene that draws you in, right there in the middle of the lines questioning with every one else "Where is God?"
- There was a part of the book that breaks from the recollection of events to share that he met someone he worked with later on in life, I think this is a glimmer of hope for all of the readers in the midst of devastating circumstances.
- On page 86 Elie is talking about his father whom he had just waken up after a long march: "He stared all round him in a circle as though he had suddenly decided to draw up an inventory of his universe, to find out exactly where he was, in what place, and why. Then he smiled." I just feel that every person can relate to that moment of reckoning but it was such an inspiration to know that this man was still able to smile.

Appearance: 5/5 - The cover captivated me. 'You get what you see'

Readability: 4/5 - The book is an easy read but not to be read like most books. The content is much more mature so taking time to digest is beneficial.

My Points: 8/10 - While I loved the cover and it is a very easy read it took me forever to get through this short book. Maybe it's just because of the downright depressing material, I just had a hard time committing to it for long periods of time. I do not regret a moment of it though. It is so great to have the opportunity to spend some time and get to know someone's story and see how much you can gain from it.

Total Points: 17/20

Night by Elie Wiesel

Night is an autobiography by Elie Wiesel, a survivor of the Holocaust during WWII. Wiesel recounts his experiences as a Jewish boy of about 13 as his family is first restricted to a ghetto in his hometown, then transported by train to Auschwitz where he is separated from all of his family except for his father, who becomes his only reason for life over the next couple of years. In this short book Wiesel expounds upon the torture he experienced on physical, emotional and spiritual levels during his time in Auschwitz and Buchenwald.

It is important to note that, after being rescued by the allied armies, Wiesel took a vow of silence on the subject of his experiences for 10 years. The trauma that he experienced, then, can be seen in the detail with which is describes his experiences. The reader has no trouble believing that Wiesel relives those horrors every night in his dreams.

What stands out most to me is the dehumanization that occurs in the concentration camps. The prisoners quickly lose their sense of self, and become incredibly indifferent to their own life or the lives of those around them. Death is such commonplace that it eventually fails to frighten those that it oppresses. The prisoners lose their desire for life, and the only things that sustain them are the most basic instincts of survival. At the end, boys attack their own fathers for a morsel of bread showing that humanity in these communities was all but lost.

This book can, in no way, be described as a pleasant book to read and no one could be so cold as to read this book and not be affected by its content.
Appearance: 4/5

Readability: 5/5 Night could easily be read in one sitting

My Points: 9/10 I would definitely recommend this book. I would like to have heard more about what happened after the war, but I assume that may be the content of some of Wiesel's other writings.

Total: 18/20