Melanie's Book Blurb

Hiya!
My name is Melanie, and I am a freshman in high school. I’m an avid reader and I LOVE to write, so here I blog on new books.

I first got interested in writing from when I read all these great books. I mostly read anything fictional; sci-fi, fantasy, fiction, historical fiction, and anything of the like. My favorite, most inspirational authors are Brian Jacques, James Patterson, Cornelia Funke, Psuedonymous Bosch, Rick Riordan, J.K. Rowling, Christopher Paolini, J.R.R. Tolkien, Wendy Mass, and Suzanne Collins.

So yes, there’s a lot I read, judging by just some of my favorites, with a series (some quite LARGE) to each. I plan to write my own fiction someday, but for now, I’ll have to settle with a blog.

Hope you enjoy!

(July 2014)

photo The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green

Melanie recommends it because...

Powerful, motivating, contemplative, and stunningly written, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a must read for any mature reader.

Of course, John Green probably would put that more eloquently. He has such a wonderful, frank, and elaborate way of writing. As such, beautiful vocabulary and coalescence of existential thoughts - so often desired from classics - merge with the relatability and humor teenagers look for in novels. Such language will challenge your reading level; I personally kept a dictionary on hand. Finding a book with such elevated language made the story a heightened pleasure - I really enjoy the skill John Green displays, and not just in his word choice.

John Green weaves a thought-provoking tale of life and love between two cancer patients. The plot and emotions of the characters are so starkly realistic that it truly enables any reader to connect their contemplations of the story to their real life. What happens when you love someone but don't want them to get hurt? What are you expected to do with your short, crippled life living as, by definition of cancer, a corruption to yourself? Can you be expected to do anything meaningful? The story of Hazel - struggling with lungs that suck at being lungs, trying to find purpose to life, and trying to impact but not hurt what might possibly be her last love - and Augustus, her equally eloquent, infected, and existential significant other, will deeply touch anyone.

The power of the story encompasses the healthy, the sick, the caretakers, and anyone who has seen a similar struggle. While all who read The Fault in Our Stars will be changed, take the maturity if the book into account. Undertaking even the story of such a terrible and frankly sad disease as cancer is not for the faint of heart. Reading it with John Green's lexicon provides an elevated challenge for those who attempt to glean definitions by context. (Looking up the exact meaning of some of the words I was unfamiliar with heightened my enjoyment of the book.) Add the nature of the teenage heart (with its emotional, sometimes crude, and occasionally sexual turmoil,) and you've gained a mature story perfect for high schoolers looking for deep, refreshing, quality literature. I see parents too taking the story of Hazel's struggle with her parents as a monument to the love story of not only romance, but also familial bonds. Undertake the life-enriching pleasure of reading The Fault in Our Stars, and take from it a plethora of life lessons. It truly is a quality experience for all mature ages.

Want to buy this book?
Contact us at 559-438-1561 or info@petuniasbooks.com

photo Looking for Alaska
by John Green

Melanie recommends it because...

Looking for Alaska by John Green is a beautiful piece of literature that will definitely make any reader think introspectively, especially about their everyday lives. Aimed toward older and mature teenagers, I find this book valuable in its lessons, though not necessarily in its example. I do recommend you take Green’s story of suffering and the mystery of the human heart and absorb it into your own.

It’s stunning, powerful, and dark: we should expect no less from another of Green’s novels. Looking for Alaska delivers a heavy tale of teenager “Pudge” Halter trying to find adventure, mystery, and meaning in his life. Early on, the book is lighthearted and documents the joys and trials of not just high school but also boarding school. Introspective notes creep in subtly at first, then pick up speed until the night when classmate Alaska Young’s impact on Pudge’s life reaches a dark climax.

Looking for Alaska brings readers’ attentions to many issues of our lives, including philosophical things such as suffering, life’s worth, regret, religion, and guilt. More concrete controversial topics though, like teenage smoking, drinking, and sex, are brought forth explicitly throughout the entire novel. These play large roles in the book. It’s attitude, plot, depth, and meaning are largely based off of these morally arguable activities that make Looking for Alaska a book for older audiences. Understand, however, that for the novel to be as deep as it is the darker ethics breached are necessary. Beyond that they provide a very realistic view within this teenage narrative. Still, many parents might want to check out this book first before handing it on to their teenager, and even take time to discuss not only the concrete moral topics but also the philosophical ones.

Want to buy this book?
Contact us at 559-438-1561 or info@petuniasbooks.com

photo The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak

Melanie recommends it because...

In a powerful and inspiring act of incredible writing and personality, Markus Zusak gives us an amazing story of a very different perspective of the Holocaust. Yes, this book still has the many themes and sadness of other Holocaust books, but it follows, most unusually, a German girl living with stepparents after her communist mother is taken away. She faces challenges from adjusting to a new life, dealing with her brother’s death, wanting food, hiding a Jew, and having her stepfather sent to war. There is such a varying perspective of rich and wonderful detail that immerses us into many different aspects that affected others during World War II.

One of the most incredible things about this story is its voice. Narrated by Death itself, the author shows us a special, omniscient perspective that gives his story personality and charm. Reading Death’s notes and opinions pulls you in. With the use of Death as a narrator, Zusak also manages to get away with a lot of foreshadowing. This drives you forward reading (and, in some cases, numbs the rough and brutal pain of the harshness of the acts in Nazi Germany at that time). Characters amaze us and flower, scenes and imagery are richly painted with metaphors and similes, emotions are planted deep within us, and the story is powerful. There is such an influx of talent that truly shows us all sides of this dark period in history. I will note that yes, a dark period in history indicates this book (for this and the language) is for an older audience.

There are really no more words that can compare the touching and stunning pages of The Book Thief. When you read and connect with the living characters of the story, there is something that entrances, bonds, and brings you in. Mixed with stark humor and deep messages comes a powerful lesson: words are everything--influential, healing, hurting, stunning, beautiful. What better way to fortify and engage this lesson than a book, a wonderful book so well written, it is a must for any that have felt the power of words.

Want to buy this book?
Contact us at 559-438-1561 or info@petuniasbooks.com

photo Outpost
by Ann Aguirre

Melanie recommends it because...

In her sequel to the dystopian zombie tale Enclave, Ann Aguirre continues the story of Deuce and Fade as they discover the world and adjust to different social demands. The continued war against the Freaks is made more difficult with every installment. Large portions of the book are Deuce's discovery of her true identity and her coming to terms with it. Aguirre develop the character masterfully. Overall, the book focuses on adjusting to a different world and then being thrown into a tumult of war and shock as the war against the Freaks begins to blur away from simply black and white, good versus evil.

Outpost has still all of the great components of Enclave: great characters and character development and interaction, gripping battles, and a continuation of the bittersweet love story. However, the author’s control and building of all of these aspects only improves, making Outpost a wonderful read. Everything combined truly can draw anyone and everyone in - there’s heart-tugging love that goes beyond chemistry to its true meaning among both “more-than-friends” and family. There’s gripping fights and realistic perspectives to war’s monstrosity. There’s tales of survival. There’s even a relatable school story. Outpost is a great addition to the trilogy, and it definitely keeps me hungering for more in the last installment, Horde. Remember, though: all of the age requirements of Enclave are required for Outpost. It is, in fact, even more intense as ethics, terror, and abuse show in what was once was a saving community. Strong topics are covered and though great conversation starters, save this book for middle-schoolers and up. These things draw you in even more for adult readers, for the intensity, like all good books, bring in your emotions. Definitely grab Outpost and continue the Razorland trilogy, for you will be swept away.

Want to buy this book?
Contact us at 559-438-1561 or info@petuniasbooks.com