The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Night

I deemed last weekend Holocaust book weekend. The fact of the matter is that I have been putting both of these books off for quite some time because I knew how perfectly miserable and completely traumatized they'd leave me. Never-the-less, I girded up my loins on Friday night, looked in the mirror and convinced myself I could be a wuss no longer; then I trudged to the bedroom for several hours of tears and pain. Both books, despite Night holding a place a Oprah's DREADED book list which I try to avoid at ALL COSTS, were must-reads. By that I mean their stories are so archetypal that they deserve not only to be read, but should be forced into the broken hearts of humans everywhere. I haven't been able to touch a movie or book concerning the Holocaust since I watched A Beautiful Life and felt like I had died a thousand soulful deaths, so this was a brave but much obliged journey for me.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
I generally don't prefer historical fiction, much rather I would like to read non-fiction or biographies concerning important historical events, but Pajamas is an exception. This is a quick and captivating read that is a step removed from the pain of Auschwitz as it is narrated through the eyes of a German boy whose father is the commander of the camp. The author's main objective is to juxtapose innocence with evil and, though predictable and all-too calculated in terms of diction and syntax, John Boyne presents a striking novel.

Night

Night is on entirely different playing field and it would be ludicrous and pretentious to even attempt to offer a critique of it. Night is the true account of author Elie Wiesel's experience as a boy in Auschwitz. He describes his account from a voice of truth and authenticity that hurts my heart more than I can bare. I cried and cried, which I expected to do, and spent the entire story wishing I could have done something for someone. His bravery in being one of the first to tell this tale warrants full merrit of the Nobel Peace Prize he won.

On a personal note:
In the book There is No Death, Sarah Menet describes her spiritual near death experience. She explains our affinity to certain time periods or historical events as simple echos of our true experiences being there as spirit children of God before we came to Earth. Simply put, she says that our intense interests in certain times past could be explained by the fact that as angels we really were there, protecting and watching over our friends who were living it. Something compels me to believe her and the only real solace I find in the wretched truth of the holocaust is that perhaps I was one of the angels there, spiritually doing everything in my power to uplift and buoy those poor victims who had to live it in the flesh. Perhaps that explains why so many of us take this event so personally. There would have needed to be millions of angels there to witness and carry the hopes and dreams of the victims and martyrs to heaven.

Hush Hush

Becca Fitzpatrick is stealing ideas out of my head...
and Christian doctrine while she's at it.

The premise: Angels denied bodies tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit so the gates of the Garden of Eden could be opened and sin could enter the world. These angels were punished for their deeds and termed "fallen" from the kingdom of heaven never to enter it again. They are banished to earth where they live in constant thirst for a human body of their own so they can feel human physicality. They can influence human behavior only if humans give them permission. With permission, these fallen angels could even possess human bodies.

Okay, if Becca Fitzpatrick isn't Mormon, she's certainly heard of them because this is SO the plan of salvation. I loved the premise but am pretty mad that it is so close to the horrible book I am writing. Yet one more reason to hate myself for taking so long to finish.

Back to Hush Hush: It is the page turning guilty pleasure I have been waiting for since Twilight. I can't wait for the sequel (cover being released this month) but unfortunately I have to wait for a while because Crescendo isn't hitting shelves until November 2010. DOUBLE UG!

Big Fat (Juicy) Warning: It says in big bright script on the cover that this book is for 14-year-olds and up but I would extend that age requirement. It is scandalous and provocative to say the least. This thing pushes the envelope for sexual innuendo in teen lit further than Breaking Dawn did in my opinion. For sure read this book before your teenage daughter does... and when you do, you probably will hide it so she can't read it. The male protagonist... or is he an antagonist (you can't tell- which makes it impossible to stop reading) is every parent's absolute worst nightmare when it comes to their daughter. He's the ethereal bad boy.

Now you know I don't mind scandalous teen lit. Truth be told, I have been waiting to read Hush Hush for a while and finally breaking down and spending the $18 bucks for the hard cover is something I don't regret. You won't love Patch like Edward, but you'll get your romantic fix for the month without having to stoop to a romance novel from the grocery store.

Fairest

Fairest is no Ella Enchanted. Whichever critic on the back cover who claims such must have suffered a mental ailment when making the statement. Recommended by countless 7th grade girls, I had been looking forward to Fairest for quite some time. Yes it is cute and whimsical, a good play on fairy tale classic components, but it's not as cleverly plotted as I would have hopped. I would argue that it was even repetitive in relationship to some of its competition (especially after having just read Book of a Thousand Days). Fairest is about a common ugly girl with a beautiful voice who finds herself in the middle of royal scandal. Predictable for certain, I found the ending a bit disappointed, especially when the issue of heritage was never resolved but merely dismissed in a sentence or two. The cynic in me may also be getting in the way of a good review. The all-too-happy ending is more than enough cheese for me. Must everything end perfectly? It had such promise. Your 5th-7th grade girl will go gaga over it but you'll wish for more depth.

The Girl Who Could Fly

The Girl Who Could Fly is definitely cute by all accounts. Piper McCloud is different, she can fly, and as others who claim to be her friend try to inhibit her, Piper's unique goodness saves her from doom. This book is quite simple and predictable and perhaps pushes the thematic lesson that it's okay to be different a little too hard. Still, for about a 5th grade level, it delivers a good story. I would prescribe wholesome and quaint as good adjectives to describe The Girl Who Could Fly. It's a worthy read for a children's chapter book.