The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver by Lois Lowry-171 pages

I started reading this for the dystopian challenge last month, but didn't finish it in time. I had already listened to the audiobook version, but I wanted to read it myself. It is a good, thought-provoking read. It's ideas about sameness and differences invite the reader to consider such things and what the effects might be. We ought to celebrate our differences and realize that each of us is unique, yet the same in one aspect: that we are all human beings. I'm not a big fan of the abrupt ending and not learning exactly what happens to Jonas's former community, but perhaps it is best left up to the reader's imagination. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction and being challenged to think critically. I plan to read the other three companion novels written by Lois Lowry at some point in the near future, but I have other books to read, for now.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - 215 pages

I decided to re-read this classic children's book when I started hearing the title mentioned at least once a day.  It is the 50th anniversary of the book's publication and it is getting a lot of notice again.  It was interesting to see how my perspective of the book has changed from when I read it as a kid.  When I read it before I always identified with Meg's character.  However, this time as I was reading it I found myself getting more and more annoyed with her and her blaming everything on her father.  I just wanted to say "Grow up!".  Even with this change, I still enjoyed reading the book and I think I will re-read the entire series as I don't really remember the other books very much at all.