Caved

So I'm torn. It only took 400 pages for it to get exciting. But even before that I couldn't put it down for some reason. I think it was just because it's so easy to read. The writing definitely wasn't great. I liked this one part on page 30(?) Shoot I can't find it. I thought I took note of the page so I could quote it. She describes the scenery of Phoenix, AZ. And of course I just grew melancholy for my lovely desert home. I was impressed with the use of big words. Glad to see it in a YA novel. The two main characters were well developed but everyone else was truly flat.

In the middle of the novel I was secretly hoping Edward would just give in and eat her, so it would all be over with. I thought that would be real comical. But I knew it wouldn't happen. Bet it does on the movie that makes fun of it. I'm curious to see how the series ends but I really don't want to read the other books. Maybe if I wait a month or two I'll change my mind.

I confess I didn't read a lot of it. I skimmed through parts where there was no dialog. You could pretty much keep up with the whole story if you just read everything in quotes. Which is what I did. Like I said at the beginning of this post, it did become thrilling around page 400. I was glad to finally see something actually happening.

Parts of the love story was LA-HAME! But in the end I was a little dreamy for Edward, just like everyone said I would be. But I definitely don't think I'll ever become obsessed with him like so many women are. I just didn't see what was so great about him. Ben's better.

Wish there had been more symbols or metaphors. There may have been and I just missed them. I tend to do that. Well, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this book. Since I know so many of my blogging buddies have read it.

Mr. Obama

Surprisingly enough I didn't love this book. I still love Mr. Obama. But the book wasn't as good as I was hoping for. The beginning really sucked me in. I read the first 100 pages in less than a day. It was so fascinating to learn about his life in Hawaii and Indonesia. I can't even imagine what it would be like to grow up black when everyone who is raising you is white. I found one particular story about his grandmother being afraid of a black homeless man very interesting. His grandfather was upset because he assumed she wouldn't have been afraid if the man was white. Which I find true for a lot of people. So even with a black grandson living in her house, she was a little bit racist. As for his grandfather. I think he went out of his way to be tolerant, and it sounds like it might have made for some uncomfortable situations. Which makes me wonder if my presence as an assistant coach for basketball ever causes these awkwardnesses.

It was the middle that really dragged on. I liked his experience in Chicago and found it very interesting. Similiar neighborhoods to what I teach in. Similiar attitudes, similiar dissapointments. But it was just a little too much for me.

Then he goes to Kenya, and I was once again fascinated. His family just embraces him with all their hearts. And though he had only met his older half brother and sister he seems to just fit right in. But he does mention the disappointment that must come to all Black Americans when they return to Africa. Because of colonialism much of Africa mimics the western world, and in there lies the disappointment. He tells this amazing story about his grandfather and how he conformed to the ways of the white man when they first entered his village. It reminded me of Achebe's Things Fall Apart. His grandmother tells him about the wars that were fought with the white men. How at first no one thought they would stay. They thought they'd leave like the Arabs did. But soon white men were forcing taxes on the people, and forcing the people to use the white man's money instead of their own goods for trade. They'd burn down the huts of anyone who refused to pay. It's just so sad.

While in Kenya he goes on a safari with his sister Aumua. She was reluctant at first, saying the conservations are a sign of colonialism, a sign that the white man cares more about a dead elephant than 100 black people. I found that statement really interesting. But still, his description of the animals of the grasslands made me want to go one my own African safari. Someday.

And even though it wasn't a five star book, I still hope that someday this great man is the leader of our country. I want it for his sincerity, his charism, his race, and our people. We need a man like this. We need Mr. Obama.