Audiobook Review: Sorry, Wrong Number

Sorry, Wrong Number by Lucille Fletcher (performed here by L.A. Theater Works) is a famous one-act play (made into a movie!) about a handicapped woman who overhears a murder being plotted and starts to FREAK OUT because she can’t get anybody to do anything about it.

This book is only 23 minutes long, and it is INTENSE. We listened to it while running errands today, and, wow, we were totally invested in the story. The voice work is fantastic. I love that the play is performed by a full cast, and the voice-only production (with a few ringing phones and busy signals thrown in) kind of adds to the mounting terror. Everything is so sparse that it’s like I was sitting trapped in the room with Mrs. Stevenson, trying to get someone to listen to me.

I think because this book is so short, it would be an excellent introduction to audiobooks for someone who wants to try them out. Not only is the action intense, but the storyline is clear, and it’s easy to keep track of all of the characters and what’s going on. Also? It’s really fun to listen to.

Audiobook Challenge: 8; Page to Screen: 7

Note: I received this book for free to review from the publisher through the Solid Gold Reviewer program over at Audiobook Jukebox.

Audiobook Review: Howl’s Moving Castle

In the land of Ingary where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of the three. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes.

Every once in a while, I’ll read a book that I can honestly say I have no clue what’s going on in it, but still I enjoy it very much.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones is one of those books.

Oh, sure, I can give you a rundown of the basic plot: Sophie pisses off the Witch of the Waste who then hits Sophie with a curse so that she turns into an old woman. Sophie, who previous to the curse had settled for being the oldest and therefore the one with no choices, leaves home so as not to freak anybody out and takes up residence in Howl’s castle, which moves across the countryside. Howl has a reputation for destroying young girls, but since Sophie’s no longer young, she’s not afraid. While staying with Howl, she meets Calcifer the fire demon who asks her to break a spell on him. And the other resident of the moving castle is Michael, Howl’s apprentice.

Then some stuff happens with seven league boots, moving between worlds, the witch, Howl being vain and trying to get all the ladies to love him, and Sophie being really nosy or ornery because she’s old. I mean, a lot happens that I can’t really explain so well.

All I do know is that I was completely wrapped up in the story.

This was my second time reading the book. The first time I read it in paperback form; this time, I listened to the audiobook. The narrator, Jenny Sterlin, is fantastic. All of the characters have different and distinct voices, even young Sophie compared to old Sophie.

I listened to most of the book on a very long road trip, and I will admit that I had to shut it off a few times because I got sleepy. I don’t know if it’s because the pace of the story is a little slow or what. But I did need a break from time to time.

That said, even though this was my second time reading the book, I can give you a better run down of some of the plot stuff, though I couldn’t remember the terms of Calcifer’s contract so kept missing all of the hints. And because I was listening instead of holding a physical book, I couldn’t mark the passages to go back and say, “ohhhhhh.” Which means I want to go back and re-read it again in paper form.

I do know that I had the exact same response to the end of the book that I had the first time I read it. It just makes me smile and smile and clap my hands together.

Also, Sophie is the best. Such a great character. I really kind of love her.

YA of the ’80s and ’90s: 7; Support Your Local Library: 40; YA Reading Challenge: 35; Howl’s Moving Castle: 7; Page to Screen: 6

Audiobook Review: Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is a reread for me, though the audiobook narrated by Eden Riegel is a brand new experience. It has been years–years!–since I’ve read EE. In fact, the last (and first) time I read the book was right after the movie came out.

What can I say about this book? It is pretty much perfection. I love Ella so much. I LOVE HER. Love, love, love, LOVE. I wish words could adequately express how awesome Ella is because she is JUST THAT AWESOME. She’s smart, funny, clever, stubborn, bullheaded, and just…I just love her is all. She is so great.

I mean, really. That is my largest take away from the book.

And, yes, the rest of the book is awesome, too, but mostly I just love Ella THE MOST.

As for how it fares as an audiobook: I’m not the biggest fan of Riegel as a narrator–only because Ella sounds much younger than fifteen. And, yes, I realize that’s how Riegel sounds in real life, but that’s not the way I expect Ella to sound. Also, there are weird musical interludes that I didn’t care for.

That said, I could ignore all of that because the story is just so amazingly fantastic.

Did I mention I love Ella? She is really my favorite. Love her.

YA of the ’80s and ’90s: 6; Support Your Local Library: 38; YA Reading Challenge: 34; Audiobook Challenge: 6/6; Page to Screen: 5/5;

Book Review: Alias Madame Doubtfire

“How dare you?” Miranda shook with rage. “How dare you deceive me like this, and arrange for my own children to deceive me? How dare you encourage them to collude with you in lying to me and humiliating me?”

Did you know Mrs. Doubtfire is based on a book???? I certainly did not. So imagine my delight when I ran across Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine at the library book sale. At first, I thought was one of those novels based on movies. But no! Mrs. Doubtfire is based on the novel. So I had to read it.

First of all, let me just say that I love Mrs. Doubtfire. LOVE. It makes me laugh every single time I watch it. Every single time. I love the restaurant bit with the “Help is on the way!” and I love the “He’s a she-she…she’s a he-she” part. And the transformation scene and when he says that Miranda maybe has crabs. And “It was a run by fruiting“! HAHAHAHAHA. That is all from memory! So what I’m saying is that I love the movie.

The book is much more serious. The basic premise is the same. Daniel and Miranda are divorced, Daniel wants to keep the three kids after school, Miranda won’t let him, and so he becomes her housekeeper Madame Doubtfire. There are some funny bits (like Daniel’s other job being a nude model and the neighbor making fun of him), but mostly the book explores the horrors of divorce. The parents are just wretched to each other. Daniel frequently pantomimes killing the mom (IN FRONT OF THE KIDS), and Miranda calls Daniel names and talks bad about him (in front of anyone who will listen).

Basically, all of the bits with the parents being horrible to each other in the movie are lifted straight from the book. Except the book parents are worse.

What I do like about the book is that the kids recognize Daniel right away. (Of course, his disguise is less elaborate since Frank and Jack don’t exist in the book.) I also like that the book is ultimately about the kids and, in the end, they drive the action. So the book kids are better than the movie kids.

In conclusion: Movie parents are better, book kids are better, and overall I prefer the movie’s light-hearted look at divorce (though it is sad!) over the book’s dark tone, though I do appreciate the book’s realism. So American I am with my choice of narrative!

YA of the ’80s and ’90s: 6; YA Reading Challenge: 33; Page to Screen: 4/5

Book Review: Lemonade Mouth

I may not have been the brightest bulb in my family, but you don’t have to be a genius to know that it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.

Look, we all know I read Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes because it was turned into a Disney Channel movie. I might have waited a little longer to read the book if not for the fact that Hughes’s website says an age appropriate version of the book is being released. WELL. I had to know what in the original book is not appropriate for middle schoolers post haste. So to the library I went.

What I Liked

– The premise for this book is fantastic. Five freshmen wind up in detention and then find out they make beautiful music together. Is it fate? Coincidence? And how do these five teens who are trying to avoid attention deal with being in a band that attracts attention?

– Five really great and interesting characters, all with distinct reasons for staying in the band. BONUS: Ethnically and racially diverse as well. Charlie is Latino and Mo is Indian.

– Alternating narratives/points of view.

– I also like the overall message of effecting change with small acts. Oh, and of course how music can bring people together.

– I wish I could hear the music the band plays because it sounds so interesting/different. A ukulele married with a trumpet and congos and classical bass? WHAT. Let me hear some of that.

What I Didn’t Like

– This book is SO BORING. I just so completely didn’t engage with the characters or care about their lives. I mean, there was good stuff in here! An illicit romance, unrequited love, imprisoned dad, hottie/lust object of a stepmom, fish out of water, absent parents, overbearing parents, a dead twin, overachievers, overnight popularity, etc. AND YET. I just wanted the book to either (a) be interesting or (b) be over.

– As far as I can tell, the only bit that may need to be changed is Wen’s whole embarrassing deal of getting a boner on the first day of school. Because, of course, no middle schooler can relate to that. I don’t even know.

In conclusion: I hope the tween appropriate version is more interesting.

Support Your Local Library: 25/30; YA Challenge: 21/20; Page to Screen: 3/5; POC Challenge: 15/15

Mini Book Reviews: June

June, as usual, was a super busy month for me. Not only did school wrap up, but I started a new job and did quite a bit of traveling to visit family and friends. As a result, I didn’t have as much time to blog (though I did read), so mini reviews!

Before I get to that, though, I must put my pimp hat on and link to the Diversify Your Reading Challenge that is all about diversity in YA fiction.

Okay, on to the books.

Dear Lovey Hart, I Am Desperate by Ellen Conford: What I really wanted to read was Seven Days to a Brand New Me, but since my library doesn’t have it, I settled on this Conford classic that I bought from the library book sale. Basically, Carrie agrees to be the newspaper advice columnist, which she has to keep secret. She enjoys it at first, but taking on the burdens of the school body starts to take its toll. The book is a quick, fun read. I actually wish it had been longer and delved a little bit more into some of the relationships. Plus, I really think I have read it before. Some of it felt very familiar to me, especially the big reveal.

Also, I just found out this book was made into an After-School Special. Clearly, I need to get my hands on that.

YA Reading Challenge: 16/20; Page to Screen: 2/5; Off the Shelf: 3/5

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors: Selfors is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. This book was breezy and fun, perfect for the train. I loved the premise (Katrina helps an angel who won’t go away until he can grant her her heart’s desire), loved the characters, loved the setting. Katrina is an awesome character, her grandmother is fantastic, and the conflict between Katrina and her best friend as well as Katrina’s grandmother and their compeition are both ace. I just really enjoyed reading this book. It’s so fun, the overall message is great, and, of course, it has my favorite kind of feminist character.

YA Reading Challenge: 17/20; Off the Shelf: 4/5

She’s So Money by Cherry Cheva: I love, love the premise of the book. I like stories about good girls, but I also like stories about good girls gone bad–as long as they make sense. It’s not enough that a cute boy is involved, and I love that Cheva has really high stakes that make me believe Maya would make the choices she does. My only problem with the book is that it’s more plot than character-driven, and I just couldn’t engage all the way with Maya. If the relationships had been a little bit more developed, I don’t think I would have lost interest/steam going into the end. As it is, I found the beginning of the book more engaging than the conclusion.

Support Your Local Library: 23/30; YA Reading Challenge: 18/20; POC Reading Challenge: 13/15

Deenie by Judy Blume: Yeah, so first time reading this. (I know. I KNOW.) I wasn’t big into Judy Blume as a kid/teen. In fact, I think I have read all of her books post-adolescence. I thought this book was fine as a description of the process of getting a back brace for scoliosis and also what happens when someone completely shallow has to think beyond her looks. However, it was way too short, and I thought it would’ve been better served if the relationships (especially the one between Deenie and her sister) had been more thoroughly explored. Another fast read, just not entirely satisfying.

YA Reading Challenge: 19/20; Off the Shelf: 5/5

Book Review: Static Shock Vol. 1: Rebirth of the Cool

This is an incredibly difficult review to write. Not because of the book or anything in it, but because looking up links to post about Dwayne McDuffie makes me so incredibly sad. He was just so talented, and he did such a great thing creating Milestone Comics and characters like Static and Icon in a city like Dakota, and it just makes me sad. He was so young. I mean, he was an incredible blessing and talent in the comics and animation world and I don’t want to take away from that, but he was just so young and awesome and now he’s gone.

I was going to say that my first introduction to Dwayne McDuffie and his work was through the Static Shock cartoon (which is unfortunately not available as a complete series), but that’s not true. I was introduced to him through the Justice League cartoon on Cartoon Network. Whenever I saw his name at the beginning of an episode I knew it would have great one-liners or a fun plot. Whenever a new DC animation movie came out, I would check to see if either he and/or Bruce Timm were listed before giving it any of my time.

My daughter and I did watch Static Shock when it aired on Cartoon Network, and we really enjoyed it. We especially loved the Li’l Romeo theme song, and cannot, in fact, say Static Shock without adding the “Superhero” and “woo woo.”

As for the actual book, there are lots of differences between the comic book and the television show. Big, obvious differences such as Frieda is his best friend instead of Richie (and he is in love with her). Oh, and his mom is alive in the comic. Also, the tone is lighter on the TV show. Virgil isn’t a bullied kid, though he does still have a smart mouth. I don’t remember his origin story on the show except that he was present during the Big Bang, but in the comic he goes to get revenge on the kids who are pushing him around.

It’s hard for me to even write a review about the book because I was reading it as a celebration of the artist Dwayne McDuffie, not to read critically. I liked the look at the expectations for Virgil from his family, the way his mouth gets him in trouble, his angst about being a superhero, his romantic exploits. I like the different villains and not-so-villains. His relationship with Frieda is very interesting, and it would be nice to see how that continues to play out.

I think, if you like the television show, it’s worth the read. I think, if you are interested in the formation of an inner-city black superhero, it’s worth the read.

I think it’s worth the read.

R.I.P. Dwayne McDuffie. You will be missed.

YA of the ’80s and ’90s: 3; Support Your Local Library: 14/30; YA Reading Challenge: 9/20; POC Challenge 8/15; Graphic Novels Challenge: 3/10; Page to Screen: 1/5

2011 Reading Challenges

I have decided to sign up for the following reading challenges for 2011.

Quirky Brown Reading Challenge: The focus here is on books offering an offbeat black experience, which I’m taking to mean no hood lit and no books about slavery (although 47 counts as offbeat, I’m sure). I’m going to do Level II, which is three books.

Books Read for the Challenge:

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
The Man in My Basement by Walter Mosley
Sex, Murder and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis
Saving Maddie by Varian Johnson
32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter
Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money by Christopher Paul Curtis

YA of the ’80s and ’90s: You had me at YA. You won me at ’80s and ’90s. And that graphic! So much win all around.

Books Read for the Challenge:

A Star for the Latecomer by Bonnie and Paul Zindel
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Static Shock Vol. 1: Rebirth of the Cool by Dwayne McDuffie, Robert L. Washington III, and John Paul Leon
If This Is Love, I’ll Take Spaghetti by Ellen Conford
Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Best Friends Tell the Best Lies by Carol Dines

Support Your Local Library Challenge: No brainer. I get all of my books from the library anyway. I’m doing the mini level: 30 books. I don’t really get the image for the button there, but whatever.