I definitely like this series, but there was one thing that bothered me this entire book: Why didn't Thomas want to remember the past?? At first I understood why he tried to prevent it from happening because I didn't trust Janson (The Rat Man) any more than Thomas did. I figured that they were really trying to do something else to their brains. BUT, after we realize that WICKED did indeed want to return memories to their "test subjects", why did Thomas keep rejecting the idea? He was the mastermind (or one of them) behind The Maze after all. It seemed to me that having his memories returned would have been helpful at that point! By rejecting his memories, he was flying blind. I did not understand his reasoning. He was dependent on Brenda giving him the answers regarding the layout of WICKED, for one example, when he could have simply remembered himself. Seems to me it would have been more efficient and wasted less time. He seemed to be "running from the truth", which goes against his otherwise brave, intelligent, fearless (or at least not fearful) persona.
I liked Thomas and Brenda. I guess I didn't necessarily think that Thomas and Theresa would end up together. I thought it was sad that their prior relationship couldn't survive the deceit and brainwashing of WICKED, but Theresa didn't really have a very big part in this book so I wasn't very attached to her. I was bummed that she died though. It's not like Thomas and Theresa had a choice about their involvement in WICKED. They were children when they were chosen.
I was shocked that WICKED purposely released the virus. (I have to be careful about what I say here because I am almost finished with the next book, which is a prequel that explains a lot!) I personally think it was a terrible idea! You know what they say about "best laid plans"! Didn't the last Dan Brown novel address the same solution for population control? Yeah, bad idea.
It bothered me that Minho was such a hothead. Cooler heads prevail. He was continually losing his temper, which made most situations worse. I just wanted him to chill and use his head.
I am happy that Chancellor Paige had a Plan B! The best and the brightest and the immune can re-populate the earth - starting with Thomas and Brenda, presumably. ;) Reading this series (I really like the prequel too!), I am intrigued by the other James Dashner series: The Mortality Doctrine. I am thinking I will need to read that series too!
Wendy's Rating: ****
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
The Girls by Emma Cline
Whenever I read a book and I cannot relate to even one character in it, I find myself reading it in a detached manner. I did feel sad for Evie, beginning, middle and end however. I can't imagine ever thinking like Evie, or making the decisions she did, much less any of the other girls. They just seemed so lost. I know the 60's were a unique time in our history, but I guess I have lived a sheltered life. I am okay with that!
This is a well-written book. The author explains Evie's life, feelings and thoughts in such a way that each decision she makes along the way makes sense. Evie stays true to herself. Her parent's divorce, her dad's affair, her mom's questionable taste in men, the loss of her best friend (although her own actions didn't help that situation), being sent off to boarding school - those were the things that made up her life at the time. She was an isolated, lonely girl of 14. I can see how someone like Suzanne (at the ripe old age of 19!) would seem compelling to Evie. After meeting Suzanne however, Evie definitely turned her blinders on! Yikes. The author does an amazing job of describing the filth and smell of the ranch. You can feel the love that everyone had for Russell. I am sure the constant intake of drugs didn't hurt their ability to look past the daily details of their lives either.
I really don't know the reason that Suzanne kicked Evie out of the car that night on the way to Mitch's house. She didn't strike me as someone who thought of anyone but herself (and Russell). Was she trying to save Evie - or was Evie just annoying her? At the time it just seemed like Evie was annoying her, being too clingy and "in love" with her. Despite being "saved" from that horrendous night, Evie never seemed to save herself. That's why the entire book comes across as a sad tale to me. Evie could have made something of herself, of her life. Her parents had money; she made friends at her boarding school. She could have counted her blessings - despite her misgivings about what she would have done that night - and moved on be become a productive member of society. She ends up like she started however, being isolated and lonely with no meaningful relationship in her life.
Wendy's Rating: ****
This is a well-written book. The author explains Evie's life, feelings and thoughts in such a way that each decision she makes along the way makes sense. Evie stays true to herself. Her parent's divorce, her dad's affair, her mom's questionable taste in men, the loss of her best friend (although her own actions didn't help that situation), being sent off to boarding school - those were the things that made up her life at the time. She was an isolated, lonely girl of 14. I can see how someone like Suzanne (at the ripe old age of 19!) would seem compelling to Evie. After meeting Suzanne however, Evie definitely turned her blinders on! Yikes. The author does an amazing job of describing the filth and smell of the ranch. You can feel the love that everyone had for Russell. I am sure the constant intake of drugs didn't hurt their ability to look past the daily details of their lives either.
I really don't know the reason that Suzanne kicked Evie out of the car that night on the way to Mitch's house. She didn't strike me as someone who thought of anyone but herself (and Russell). Was she trying to save Evie - or was Evie just annoying her? At the time it just seemed like Evie was annoying her, being too clingy and "in love" with her. Despite being "saved" from that horrendous night, Evie never seemed to save herself. That's why the entire book comes across as a sad tale to me. Evie could have made something of herself, of her life. Her parents had money; she made friends at her boarding school. She could have counted her blessings - despite her misgivings about what she would have done that night - and moved on be become a productive member of society. She ends up like she started however, being isolated and lonely with no meaningful relationship in her life.
Wendy's Rating: ****
Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander, MD
As others have noted - including he himself - this "proof of heaven" is even more impressive considering EB is a man of science. I think his journey has been incredible, especially considering how ill he was.
Since EB is a neurosurgeon, he speaks/writes like one. Sometimes his descriptions were a little too medically or scientifically detailed for me to completely understand. One thing that really scared me though was his explanation of the KPC enzyme, which "could potentially render a bacteria that absorbed it resistant not just to some current antibiotics, but to all of them." This bacterial strain could wipe out the human race if it got into the general population. Very frightening to think about!
EB's near death experience was also very detailed. Some of it was hard to follow, which makes sense because, again, he is a neurosurgeon who pays attention to the nitty gritty details in life - and death. I guess for me that is beside the point. I can certainly find value in things I don't completely understand. What I love about this book is that this man, who was struggling in his personal life, had this amazing, miraculous experience which changed his life. Then, he is compelled to share his story to give others hope.
I love how he shared his adoption story, his feelings of being given away and how that affected his life. I am happy that he was able to re-connect with his birth family, even though it made things even worse for him for awhile. His experience enabled him to figure out who he is - and realize that he is loved. Most importantly, without the unconditional love of God, we will always feel lost on earth.
Wendy's Rating: ****
Since EB is a neurosurgeon, he speaks/writes like one. Sometimes his descriptions were a little too medically or scientifically detailed for me to completely understand. One thing that really scared me though was his explanation of the KPC enzyme, which "could potentially render a bacteria that absorbed it resistant not just to some current antibiotics, but to all of them." This bacterial strain could wipe out the human race if it got into the general population. Very frightening to think about!
EB's near death experience was also very detailed. Some of it was hard to follow, which makes sense because, again, he is a neurosurgeon who pays attention to the nitty gritty details in life - and death. I guess for me that is beside the point. I can certainly find value in things I don't completely understand. What I love about this book is that this man, who was struggling in his personal life, had this amazing, miraculous experience which changed his life. Then, he is compelled to share his story to give others hope.
I love how he shared his adoption story, his feelings of being given away and how that affected his life. I am happy that he was able to re-connect with his birth family, even though it made things even worse for him for awhile. His experience enabled him to figure out who he is - and realize that he is loved. Most importantly, without the unconditional love of God, we will always feel lost on earth.
Wendy's Rating: ****
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