An unoffical book review
I am wasting time here online since we don´t have much planned and we don´t have to be at the bus terminal until 11pm. So I´ve decided to give an impromptu unofficial book review on all the books I´ve read since arriving in Ecuador. I don´t remember all the authors - apologies.
*- eh. I found it hard to finish and or boring
** - Fine if you have an 8 hour bus ride and need to spend some time
*** - Good. I´d recommend it for certain people who I think would enjoy it
**** - Great. Really loved it. Think that everyone should read it.
Work Hard. Be Nice. (****) It follows two Teach for America Alumni and their journey to start the KIPP program. Really really interesting look at education and also poverty.
Crossing California (**1/2). A fictional story about kids growing up in the 70´s in Chicago.
Eat, Pray, Love (***). Enjoyed reading this and found it especially appealing because of the travel aspect.
Great Work (*** if you are interested in environmental science and espeically humans interaction with the environment. Otherwise you may find it slightly dry).
The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar WaoI (*** 1/2). I actually haven´t gotten to read the last 50 pages of this book because my copy had a flaw and just skipped a section of the last 50 pages and repeated previous chapters. But I have really really enjoyed reading it. It is a fictional story following one Domincan family and especially one boy in the family but is laced with some really interesting Domincan Republic History. The author uses some spanishwords and phrases here and there without translating, and while I love this aspect, I can imagine someone with no knowledge of spanish finding it slightly obtrusive although in no way does it hinder the flow or understanding of the story.
A Thousand Splendid Suns (*** 1/2). I never read kite runner (I know! Crazy huh!). But I really enjoyed this book as well. Gives a really interesting portrayl of Afghanistan and especially women in Afghanistan. Definately helps to break some of those stereotypical images and beliefs.
Among School Children (***). Another non-fiction story based on the education system (a really interesting topic to me lately). The author (Tracey Kidder) follows a teacher and her class in Holyoke MA. The book was written in the mid 80´s so it is slightly outdated but the lessons and problems are still relevant today. It is also written in an entertaining and enjoyable manner to keep your interest level peaked.
London Bridges (*). This is a James Patterson book that I found at a used american book shop in Quito because I have read everything I brought. Its pretty much your typical detective story fluff. Each chapter is only about a page and a half long. Just sort of something to read when there is nothing else.
