Sunday, September 23, 2012

Breakdown of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson

ONE Sentence summary:
Lisbeth Salandar’s story continues right where the previous book left off, with her lying with an open wound, bleeding out after attempting to murder her father in self defense (who is a protected source deep within the government).


TWO Things I would have done differently:I would have double checked some of the translations and cut out a lot of the history. (I ended up doing a lot of skimming for this one.)


THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:1.) The previous two Steig Larsson books.(Side note: The Hennepin County Library Website is an excellent source for book ideas.)2.) Girl Who Played With Fire post3.) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo post


FOUR Reasons to care:1.) It’s the epic conclusion of a fascinating series.2.) It was a bestseller for several weeks.3.) It’s going to be a movie, since the first one was. Ahh, sequels.4.) The violence on women in this book is fought back against BY women. It’s interesting to read about women coming to the defense for other women...and sometimes the men.


FIVE Facts about the author:Girl Who Played With Fire postThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo post


SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Amused, entertained, a little bored, anxious, worried, relieved


SEVEN Thoughts:1.) How corrupt is the government, really?2.) At what point do media outlets determine the outcome of specific trials?3.) Should prostitution be illegal in all countries?4.) If a woman is physical stronger than a man, how are the gender roles reconciled?5.) At what point does it matter if something is illegal? (If no one reports it, presses charges, complains etc.)6.) What would you do if you had ridiculous sums of money, after you had done everything you ever dreamed of doing?7.) If a friendship exists solely online, is it real? EIGHT Buzzwords:Violence, abuse, journalism, espionage, corruption, government, crime, money.


NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:1.) Weather as metaphor2.) Email as plot device3.) Perspective and multiple points of view4.) Flashbacks, memories, thought processes5.) Gradual development as a means to an end6.) Flexibility with time tags7.) In medius res. Continuing a story from the middle of things.8.) Travel as metaphor9.) Suspense


TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Salandar is rushed to the hospital with multiple injuries.2.) A secret group of individuals plans to lock her away in a psychiatric hospital...just like last time. 3.) Blomkvist cooks up a new story detailing Salandar’s innocence.4.) The police investigation continues, changes angles and expands.5.) A new investigation in a different unit, but same organization as the secret group of individuals begins a fresh investigation. 6.) Salandar gets a lawyer... Blomkvist’s sister. 7.) Salandar helps out a friend, from the hospital bed using only a hand held computer that was smuggled into her.8.) Salandar goes to trial. 9.) Salandar hears the result of the trial.

10.) The series wraps up in a somewhat satisfying manner.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Breakdown of Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

ONE Sentence summary:
Recently graduated with a degree, twenty-one-year-old Anastasia Steele explores her sexuality with perceived-sexual-deviant-successful-billionaire Christian Grey (27 years old).

TWO Things I would have done differently:
I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A DECENT EDITOR. This novel would have been much more respected if it had been tweaked, tightened and generally cleaned up grammatically. (Which is not to say that the writing is bad. The characters are surprisingly well developed and consistent within their own characteristics; she does a good job of describing scenes and place. It's simply fixing the grammar and mechanical errors that would have made for better writing overall.)  

I would have studied up on the ACTUAL dynamics of a Dom/Sub relationship. It's important to know the facts, ma'am.

THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
The Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter (read them, love them)
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice (Not read, on hold, look for my breakdown soon-ish!) Where I Found It
Over the Knee by Fiona Locke (Never read) Where I Found It

FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) It’s been the top bestseller for quite a few weeks.
2.) The plot explores sexual identity and sexual deviancy.
3.) People typically either LOVE it or HATE it. That doesn’t happen too often.
4.) I smell a movie coming... (up about 36 spots on movie meter on imdb) Where I Found It Where I Also Found It

FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Fifty Shades is her first novel. Where I Found It
2.) Mother of two teenage boys and they are mortified. Where I Found It
3.) She’s English, living in the US. Where I Found It
4.) She ORIGINALLY started out writing Twilight fanfiction, but her writing EVOLVED. Where I Found It
5.) She has a ‘very cooperative’ husband. Where I Found It

SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Annoyed, frustrated, shocked, amused, bemused, confused.

SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) What makes sex ‘taboo?’
2.) If you are a bad communicator, are you bad at sex?
3.) When is it okay to say ‘yes’ to physical abuse/violence?
4.) How do YOU determine your own boundaries without the help of someone else?
5.) How does humiliation tie in with feelings of arousal?
6.) What is the connection between being restrained and feeling emotionally free at the same time?
7.) How do Dom/Sub relationships actually function?  

EIGHT Buzzwords:
abuse, love, passion, lust, pornography, sex, pain, money

NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Written in present tense
2.) Emails/text/paperwork as a way to reveal information
3.) healthy descriptions
4.) Repetition
5.) Nicknames or monikers for other things
6.) Contract as plot device
7.) Internal voices to add depth to first person
8.) Color as metaphor
9.) Witty dialogue as plot device

TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Ana and Christian meet while Ana is doing an interview for the school paper on behalf of her roommate, Kate.
2.) Christian makes excuses to see Ana again while she prepares for graduation.
3.) Ana keeps her distance, but then after indulging in alcohol, calls Christian to rescue her from a dangerous)  encounter.
4.) Christian whisks her away to his private room at the hotel where he is staying.
5.) Christian verbally introduces Ana to the Dom/Sub world.
6.) Christian provides written paperwork detailing his expectations for her as a submissive, and also asks her to do research on terminology and other definitions.
7.) They “practice” role playing and their relationship continues to escalate.
8.) Ana realizes her feelings for Christian are getting stronger.
9.) Christian returns her feelings, without admitting “love.”
10.) Their physical relationship escalates too quickly and suddenly, then Ana walks out.
(It’s assumed she returns, what with there being two sequels, however. More breakdowns to come!)

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Breakdown of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Possible spoiler alert)

ONE Sentence summary : Gone Girl is the story of Nick and Amy whose marriage, like many, is full of lies, malice, sex, betrayl, love and two bedazzingly different sides of a story. Where I Found It (I couldn't even come up with a decent one sentence summary on my own for this one.)

TWO Things I would have done differently: 
I would have added more details...if possible. 
I also would have added more depth...if possible.


THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk (read it, loved it)
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (read it, loved it)
Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon (Never read) Where I Found It


FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) Gillian Flynn likes to write about people with special personality disorders.
2.) Her book has been on USA Today’s Bestseller List for WEEKS now. You know it HAS to be good. (It is.)
3.) The plot is about a relationship, the nittiest grittiest most detailed aspects of a relationship and covers five years. Fascinating!
4.) Another movie coming out...Where I Found It Who Should Star in Gone Girl?


FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Stephen King praises her work. Does it GET more legit than that? 
2.) Flynn has a master’s degree in journalism. Where I Found It
3.) She used to write for Entertainment magazine. Where I Found It 
4.) Her other books have won awards (Gone Girl hasn’t been out long enough is my guess). Where I Found It
5.) She likes analyzing the dark side that women have. Where I Found It


SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Sympathetic, frustrated, scared, thrilled, surprised, shocked.


SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) How similar are the concepts of “love” and “madness?”
2.) In what ways are men and women similarly violent/manipulative?
3.) What role do parents play in creating madness in their children?
4.) At what point does a relationship consume a person?
5.) If someone wants you to be the best person you can be, does that make them a bad person?
6.) How do YOU get what you want?
7.) How does the media influence people’s perception?


EIGHT Buzzwords:
insanity, narcissism, manipulation, passive aggression, relationships, media, family, revenge


NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Journal entries
2.) Memories, flashbacks, thought processes
3.) First person omniscient point of view
4.) Using “place” as isolation
5.) Weather as metaphor
6.) “Pointed” questions
7.) Returning/repeating certain issues/questions
8.) Clues as breadcrumbs
9.) TWISTS, TURNS, SURPRISES


TEN Point plot summary:I am deeply sorry, anyone who reads this. It would not be possible to write a summary without ruining surprises. Read this book so we can talk about it!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Breakdown of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

ONE Sentence summary:  Seventeen-year-old Karou is an apprentice to a sorcerer chimaera but falls in love with an angel seraph even though the two races are enemies of a war that began a thousand years ago.

TWO Things I would have done differently: I would have made a clearer connection between Karou and Madrigal (anagram maybe? Or the meaning of Madrigal be explained) and more details about the hasmas tattoos (origin, how to make them etc). Although both of these may be explained in later novels.

THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (read it, loved it)
Paradise Lost by John Milton (read parts of it, loved it)
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (read it, loved it)

FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) It has an a-linear plot, so it tests your memory and your attention span.
2.) It has some interesting biblical parallels, but nothing preachy.
3.) It’s going to become a movie. I know! Shocking! I swear I don’t look for books that will soon become movies...
IMDB Smoke and Bone
4.) Part of a Trilogy, which means just because the book is finished, doesn’t mean the plot ends.

FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Laini Taylor has pink hair. Where I Found It
2.) She’s educated and is a reader. Where I Found It
3.) She’s funny, values art, and likes traveling. Where I Found It
4.) Taylor has a pretty cool blog, which makes her accessible as an author - always a plus to be able to connect with authors. Laini Taylor's Blog
5.) Taylor also made ornaments and greeting cards, but she set this aside in favor of writing. Where I Found It

SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Curious, baffled, amused, worried, inspired, passionate

SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) Is resurrection possible?
2.) Where does magic come from? How much does it cost?
3.) Is pain more powerful than hope or love?
4.) To what point is a love an element or an emotion
5.) When does the soul end and a body begin? (Or how does one influence the other?)
6.) Are peace or total destruction the only ways to end a war?
7.) What is the difference between wishing and hoping?

EIGHT Buzzwords:
love, life, hope, wish, war, peace, death, hate

NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Delayed release of information
2.) Flashbacks, memories, thought processes
3.) A-linear plot
4.) Changing points of view
5.) Chekhov's Gun Rule (Wishbone)
6.) Returning to memories from a different point of view to release different information
7.) Name meanings
8.) Sentence structure, repetition, diction used to creative emphasis
9.) Animals as symbolism

TEN Point plot summary:
1.) We meet Karou’s normal teenage life and watch it intertwine with her apprenticeship for Brimstone.
2.) We see Karou’s interest in art, her affection for her best friend, and her exasperation with her ex-boyfriend.
3.) Karou makes a few wishes.
4.) Karou goes on a few errands and wonders about her past and the mysteries in Brimstone’s house.
5.) Meanwhile, portals all around the world are being marked for destruction by Akiva (angel/seraph) who takes a liking to Karou.
6.) Karou wanders into another world and Brimstone kicks her out.
7.) Akiva searches for her while thinking about his past, eventually finds her and they spend some time together to explore their feelings even though they are enemies.
8.) Akiva realizes who Karou is, but his angel buddies are not happy to see him fraternizing with the enemy.
9.) Akiva and Karou determine a meeting spot and meet up several days later.
10.) Akiva reveals Karou’s true self and makes a confession regarding the marked portals.  The plot leaves off here with “to be continued...