James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl - 118 pages

James is rescued from his horrible life with his aunts when he crawls into a giant peach and goes on a trip to America with several giant bugs.

While the narration of this audio was really good, I did not actually enjoy the story.  It was not as good as the other Roald Dahl books that I've been listening to.  Something about the story annoyed me - although I never could never figure out exactly what.

The BFG by Roald Dahl

The BFG by Roald Dahl - 219 pages

Sophie is stolen one night when she spies a giant mysteriously blowing things into children's bedrooms.  Turns out he is the Big Friendly Giant who likes to give children good dreams.  However, the other nine giants are not nearly so nice.  They spend each night roaming the world finding people to eat.  So Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant hatch a plan to stop them once and for all.

I am really enjoying my Roald Dahl listening.  This is the third book I've listened to.  I don't think we have any more in our system so this might be the last one I can listen to. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl - 161 pages

I really enjoyed this audio version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I'm kind of surprised I had not the read the book before.  It was a lot of fun.  The narration by Eric Idle was great.  Two things kind of bothered me about the audio though.  One was that it seemed a very abrupt ending.  It felt like the story should go on.  Which I guess it does in Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.  The second thing was that I kept hearing Gene Wilder's version in my head while listening to the book -- how he didn't really try to stop the kids from misbehaving in the movie.  Still -- a lot of fun!

Watchmen by Alan Moore

Watchmen by Alan Moore, 416 pages

Watchmen is a graphic novel that's been around for a while, and has gained a vast amount of popularity since its initial publishing in the 80's.  I was told to read it by an old friend, so I did, and boy oh boy was it good.  I've read a few graphic novels before, but never before reading this one did I feel any kind of attachment to the characters.  I'll admit I yelled at the book more than once towards the end, a feat normally reserved for novels and series on a grand scale, such as "A Song of Ice and Fire," and "The Dark Tower."  Also the story made me think philosophically, and I can go no further than that without ruining the story.

The story, for those who are interested, follows a group of superheroes set in a fictional version of 1980's America where laws prohibit masked superheroes unless sanctioned by the government. With the exception of Dr. Manhattan, all of the heroes are "normal" people who have trained their ability to fight crime.  Aside Dr. Manhattan, with his ability to control and manipulate atomic matter itself, the Watchmen portrays superheroes in a fashion that makes them just believable enough.  And like I said, the ending really makes one think, or at least it did to me.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda by Roald Dahl - 240 pages

Matilda is an extraordinary little girl who by the time she starts school can already read classic literature like Charles Dickens and do complicated math problems.  Unfortunately, her parents ignore her and her school headmaster considers her to be trouble.  Her only ally is her teacher Miss Honey. 

This was a great audio version of the classic kids book read by actress Kate Winslet.  Her reading was wonderful.  She had distinctive voices and dialects for all of the different characters.  In fact, it might be one of the best audio versions of a book I have listened to.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The Road by Cormac McCarthy, 241 pages

"The Road" tells the story of an unnamed father and son as they make their way through an unnamed land ravaged by some unknown catastrophe.  All that is known is that winter is coming and that the south will be warmer (hopefully).  They do this by walking through the post-apocalyptic world "keeping the fire" and avoiding the "bad guys," scrounging up food items when and wherever they can.

The story provides little to no information as far as characters and setting, and it works.  I really liked this story.  The vagueness allows the reader to become really engaged with the story, making for a more personal reading experience.  I really feel more prepared for life after the fall of civilization.

Blue is the Warmest Color, by Julie Maroh

 Blue is the Warmest Color, by Julie Maroh, 160 pages
This French graphic novel is a young woman's coming of age and coming out story.  Clementine can't stop thinking about the blue-haired girl she saw on the street, and when their paths cross, they begin an adventure that lasts a lifetime.  This one is a bit of a tearjerker, and the characters give you reasons to get mad at them.  Also, there is nudity of a graphic nature, so it's definitely for older readers.  But it was still a beautiful story.  Also, it has been made into a movie.

Into the Wild by John Krakauer

Into the Wild by John Krakauer, 207 pages

"Into the Wild" tells the story of Chris McCandless, aka Alexander Supertramp, a young man in search of many things.  Fresh from college and inspired by the likes of Jack London and Henry David Thoreau, Chris abandons the luxuries of society, assumes the identity of Alexander, and backpacks around the American west, with his ultimate goal being to live off the land in Alaska.  Alex does fulfill his dreams, but only at the cost of his own life.

If I were to say that this book changed me, I wouldn't be lying entirely.  Reading about Alex's adventures planted feeling of wanderlust in me.  It filled me with a need for travel, and a simple stroll through the park would not suffice.  In a way, I envy Alex.  He had a dream of personal freedom and pursued it.  But at what cost?  Beyond the obvious of his premature demise, in his departure from his life he also left behind many friends and family who will never again have their brother/son/friend back.

I really enjoyed this book.  Krakauer did an excellent job portraying McCandless/Supertramp as not just a hard-headed stubborn youth but as a dreamer and an adventurer who wouldn't give up on his dreams.  It's inspiring in a way.  Not that I'm going to disappear one day only to end up starving to death in the wilds of Alaska, but rather in a never give up on your dreams kind of way.