Obviously, I am not actually underwater. The Georgia Aquarium has the very, very cool underwater tunnel where you can ride a escalator through the tunnel as the fish swim beside and over you!! If you haven't been, I highly suggest driving over to Atlanta and checking it out!
Showing posts with label ocean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ocean. Show all posts
Sunday, May 27
Wednesday, November 16
43. Aquamarine
Book 43: Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman (B-)
I really did expect more from this novella. After reading the praise of the author on the back cover, I thought the tale was going to be an explosion of description, beautiful adjectives, and such detail! But really... Hoffman uses the same adjectives and descriptions so much that they lose their magic. At the end, I shrugged and thought, "Well, I got another book out of it for my goal." There was nothing magical about it.
Two girls are spending their last summer together before one moves away to Florida with her grandparents. One night a horrible storm rocks their coastal town, and a mermaid is washed into the local swimming pool. The girls help her find true love during her brief time in a club's swimming pool. The mermaid, Aquamarine, wasn't some fantastical creature from the ocean's beauty. She was actually spoiled and snobbish. The character wasn't at all fascinating as the girls thought she was. Aquamarine was quite plainly a b____!
This book excelled in its beautiful blue-inked sketches at the beginning of every chapter. They were the spark the text was lacking. I looked forward to seeing what sketch would appear on the next chapter more than I anticipated the plot of the book.
I think the story is better written for young readers. While it was in the young adult section that sported popular fiction like The Vampire Diaries and some twisted supernatural college-appropriate stories, the novel is clearly meant for middle schoolers. I was surprised it in the young adult section, because isn't there a popular family friendly movie about this little book? Well, young adult or not, it deserves to be in the juvenile section.
If you're looking for a quick read or a new bedtime story for the kiddies, this is definitely the book that spark their imaginations. It has a simple plot that won't give nightmares, and it teaches important values like friendship and courage. Looking at the novel from a young reader's viewpoint, I was impressed, but definitely 14 or younger.
I really did expect more from this novella. After reading the praise of the author on the back cover, I thought the tale was going to be an explosion of description, beautiful adjectives, and such detail! But really... Hoffman uses the same adjectives and descriptions so much that they lose their magic. At the end, I shrugged and thought, "Well, I got another book out of it for my goal." There was nothing magical about it.
Two girls are spending their last summer together before one moves away to Florida with her grandparents. One night a horrible storm rocks their coastal town, and a mermaid is washed into the local swimming pool. The girls help her find true love during her brief time in a club's swimming pool. The mermaid, Aquamarine, wasn't some fantastical creature from the ocean's beauty. She was actually spoiled and snobbish. The character wasn't at all fascinating as the girls thought she was. Aquamarine was quite plainly a b____!
This book excelled in its beautiful blue-inked sketches at the beginning of every chapter. They were the spark the text was lacking. I looked forward to seeing what sketch would appear on the next chapter more than I anticipated the plot of the book.
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| Chapter 1's illustration |
If you're looking for a quick read or a new bedtime story for the kiddies, this is definitely the book that spark their imaginations. It has a simple plot that won't give nightmares, and it teaches important values like friendship and courage. Looking at the novel from a young reader's viewpoint, I was impressed, but definitely 14 or younger.
Wednesday, March 23
2. 20,000 Leagues under the Sea
Book 2: 20,000 under the Sea by Jules Verne, Great Illustrated Classics version (A)
The haunting story of Captain Nemo has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. Today, I reread the abridged classic throughout the stormy afternoon while Sparta quietly slept parallel to me on his ottoman.
The haunting story of Captain Nemo has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. Today, I reread the abridged classic throughout the stormy afternoon while Sparta quietly slept parallel to me on his ottoman.
I have always been enthralled by the ocean so an entire book dedicated to exploring and living in the sea is right up my alley. Unfortunately, the book has lost some of its magic since I last read it. Because of its adaptation style, the writing is "dumbed down" for children. It's the reason this book gets an "A" for a grade instead of an "A+." At the same time, I knew I'd probably never be able to plow through the original novel by Verne. It's why the Great Illustrated Classics series are so great; I can read classic novels but not suffer through them. I believe the only classic I can truly stand is Wuthering Heights, but I still have to be in the mood for it!
At the end of the book, Captain Nemo admits to Aronnax that he is a writing a book of his life. Could there be a sequel to 20,000 Leagues that is like the book Captain Nemo mentions?!?! Is there a book like that? I think that'd be even better than 20,000 Leagues because it wouldn't have Ned the harpooner whining about escaping and Aronnax gasping and marveling over everything. Honestly, man, get over yourself! You wrote an entire book on the wonders of the sea. You've researched all this. Now, shut your gaping mouth and just enjoy the scenery. Your never-ending questioning and badgering of Captain Nemo ticks me off!!!! ...Anyway.....
For those of you who can't make it through a page of Bronte, Austen, or any of the other classics, pick up a Great Illustrated Classics next time you're in Books-A-Million. You get to read a great book that everyone who plays Jeopardy is supposed to know about and you get a black-and-white illustration on every other page!! Fun, yeah?!
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