Book Club: May 2013

In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad Series #1) by Tana French

The Douche Journals: The Definitive Account of One Man’s Genius: Volume One by Schmidt

Isn’t it Pretty to Think So? by Nick Miller

Paper Towns by John Green

The trailer for Catching Fire is out! What did you think of it?

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent, author Veronica Roth’s debut novel, is a dystopian tale of a world split into five factions: Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest), Amity (the peaceful), Erudite (the intelligent), and Dauntless (the brave). These factions were formed based on their respective beliefs as to why the world’s government failed initially (i.e. the Erudite seek knowledge because they believe ignorance caused the collapse of democracy).

The main storyline focuses around the Abnegation-born Beatrice (Tris, Six) Prior. On the eve of her aptitude test she struggles with her decision to leave the Abnegation behind to join the Dauntless. While she ultimately chooses Dauntless, her results from the aptitude test proved her to be Divergent, a person fitting into multiple factions. Divergent is the first book in a trilogy of books followed by Insurgent, while the third title is to be released sometime this fall.

Without having spoilers all throughout, I will try to keep the review as unrevealing as possible because I want you to enjoy the twists and turns. I must say that I really enjoyed this book and while there were similarities between this book and every other dystopian YA book out right now, Divergent not only stood it’s own ground, but it stood out. The initial plot is kinda blah, but then there’s a twist, then another, then another and I was extremely reluctant to put it down. Before I even got to the second half of the book I was ordering Insurgent and I find myself jones-ing for the fall release of the third title.

Of course as a YA read it is at times predictable and sappy, the overall flow of the book is quick and to the point. There is a film adaptation in the works starring Shailene Woodley as Tris, meh, however I am really looking forward to seeing what they include and what they nix for the movie. 

-Elle

Summer Reading Challenge

Between June 1st and August 30th we will be completing our Summer Reading Challenge. While we already have a few picks in mind, we want to hear from you! What books should we read?

Book Review: Bossypants by Tina Fey

It took me a while to read Tina Fey’s “Bossypants”. Why? I didn’t want it to end so I read it piece by piece and a let each section soak in. The book read as it she were sitting right in front of me telling her life story. In my opinion, it was perfection because Tina Fey can do no wrong. 

My favorite section had to be “All Girls Must Be Everything” and she hilariously discusses the stereotypes that women have to fit in. 

Excerpt from this chapter: 

Now every girl is expected to have: 

• Caucasian blue eyes 
• full Spanish lips
• a classic button nose 
• hairless Asian skin with a California tan 
• a Jamaican dance hall ass
• small Japanese feet 
• the abs of a lesbian gym owner 
• the hips of a nine-year-old boy 
• the arms of Michelle Obama 
• and doll tits 

The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, whom as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes. Everyone else is struggling. (pg. 23) 

Another favorite quote: “Blorft” is an adjective I just made up that means “Completely overwhelmed but proceeding as if everything is fine and reacting to the stress with the torpor of a possum.” I have been blorft ever day for the past seven years. (pg. 173) 

This is just an example of the greatness that’s in this book and every page will have you giggling at something in her life or laughing at something in you life that is oddly similar to the craziness that’s in this book. 

Also, for aspiring comedy writers, this book has some awesome tips on getting yourself out there and the different things that go out behind the scenes of the show that Fey has had her hands in. 

So yes, if you’re a fan of Tina Fey, SNL, 30 Rock, or just a person who loves to laugh…read this book. Have fun. 

-L 

Book/Movie Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky  

Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” was presented to me when I was in high school and for some reason, I just didn’t read it. After putting off reading the book for so long, I decided to rent the movie because I just didn’t see myself reading the book anytime soon. Once I started watching the movie, I had to pause it because I realized that I really wanted to read the book.   

Essentially, this book is filled with letters from a boy named Charlie to an unknown recipient. From the very first sentence, we can tell that Charlie has some social issues. He’s going into his freshman year of high school with no friends and a reputation of being that “crazy kid”. 

SPOILERS AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. 

Charlie manages to find two friends who happen to be seniors. Patrick and Sam take Charlie under their wings and introduce him to the world of partying, sex, love, drugs, and rock & roll. What starts off as your traditional coming of age story ends up being a story filled with love and the beauty of friendship and how it can get you through traumatic experiences.

As for the movie, there were clearly some things that were left out. For example, Michael’s and Susan’s relationship. (Michael was Charlie’s best friend in middle school who committed suicide prior to the events in the book.) While the movie shows Susan ignoring Charlie at the beginning, I think it would have been interesting to see the whole scene where Charlie asks her if she misses Michael during the moment when all of his friends were ignoring him. Simple part, but I just would have like to have seen Susan’s and Michael’s relationship touched on. The biggest thing, in my opinion, that was left out in the movie was Candace’s abortion. I believe that was a huge part in the story and I just love the love that Charlie has for his sister even after she treats him the way that she does. For example, after Charlie accidentally tells his teacher that Candace was hit by her boyfriend, there was a point where you could tell that Candace hated Charlie from the pit of her soul. In the book, it was just a huge shift in their relationship after the abortion and I thought that was something that should have been depicted in the movie. With all of that being said, the deleted scenes within the special features on the DVD show these scenes and more. (i.e.: the reading of the poem Charlie gave Patrick during secret Santa.) It’s clear that time restraints on the movie posed a problem and  get everything can’t get in the final cut in however, I was pleased with the final product. I’m content with the fact that Chbosky wrote the screenplay  and directed the film because in my heart I know what he wanted portrayed in the film was put in there and the viewer got exactly what they needed. 

Final Words: Read the book. Watch the movie. 

-L 

Book Club: April 2013

With March coming to an end it is time to announce our picks for April. If you have any suggestions for May leave us a message in our Ask Box or via e-mail at thealphabetdetectives@gmail.com. Thanks!

Looking For Alaska by John Green 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

While this month only consists of two books, next month is a whole other story. We will be posting May’s picks in the last week of April so there is plenty of time to obtain them.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson was one of our back up reads for March’s Book Club. What did you think of it? #johngreen #willgrayson #davidlevithan #goreadabook #thealphabetdetectives

The second episode of A&E’s ‘Bates Motel’ aired last night. What were your thoughts? Does being set in present day diminish the story or give it a new light? Sound off! #batesmotel #aetv #thealphabetdetectives #normanbates #discuss #questionoftheday

Game of Thrones is back this Sunday! Are you as excited as us? #thealphabetdetectives #gameofthrones

April Book Club Sneak Peek! #thealphabetdetectives #bookclub #goreadabook

Review coming April 1st! #thealphabetdetectives #bookclub

Book Club: March 2013

Have you been reading our picks for this month’s Book Club? On April 1st, no joke here, we will be posting our reviews of the following books:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Bossypants by Tina Fey

Happy reading!

foreverneareryet asked: What did you study for your undergrad degree?

L - Early Childhood Education 

Elle - Creative Writing

I told you guys I have ADD right? Self-diagnosed…but I mean, whatever.

So, I started and finished reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower yesterday. I rented the movie on Tuesday and had to stop watching because I realized I really wanted to read the book. I spent all day on a couch at Barnes and Noble lost in the pages of Chbosky’s piece of greatness. [Sidebar: I was introduced to this book in High School but I never read it…it just didn’t interest me at the time. Now I feel like an idiot for not reading this book sooner.] I’ll do a detailed review over the book and movie soon.

That’s my life.

-L