Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson - #bookaday 1

Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1)
Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Science Fiction

Amazon

| IndieBound

As a fan of Brandon Sanderson and his extensive world-building (see my attempt to catalog The Way of Kings here, here, here, and here) I was eager to find out how his earlier writing compares to his more recent work. Mistborn is his second published work after Elantris, which I have around here somewhere too.

As much as I can tell, there are two major types of magic in Mistborn, Allomancy and Feruchemy.

Allomancers gain power by downing metals.  They can increase their vision by burning tin or their strentght by burning pewter.  Some Allomancers can only use one type of metals (there are at least 10, possibly 11) but Mistborns can use them all. Feruchemists use their own bodies to gain power, which they store in metals until needed. They can store up youth when they want to appear younger or strenghth when they need muscle power.

Mistborn follows Vin, a street thief, as she is caught up into a new thieving crew whose goal is to take down the Lord Ruler.  The crew is led by the legendary Kelsier, the only known survivor of the Halthisn Pits.  Vin doesn't trust anyone on the crew.  She goes along with them because she's interested in learning more about the gift of Luck that she has.  It turns out she is a true Mistborn and what she calls luck is a form of changing peoples emotions.  She can Soothe or Riot them. She also has many other powers.

What follows is Vin's take on Kelsier's plan. It introduces us to lots of cool magic, including traveling by pushing off metals, which reminds me of the Lashings in Sanderson's The Way Of Kings. They also read a logbook about The Hero of Ages which is the third book in the series. Can't wait to see how that connects!

So far I've enjoyed Mistborn, Warbreaker, Alcatraz Vs. Evil Librarians, The Way of Kings, The Rithmatist, and Steelheart. Hope to hit Elantris this summer and revisit Way of Kings next summer so I can read the sequel, Words of Radiance.

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It's Monday, What Are You Reading? June 16, 2014

I'm looking forward to getting my reading mojo this summer.

Books Purchased
Thrive by Meenoo Rami
Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Books Read
Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince by JK Rowling
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson
The Prophecy by Ellen Oh
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (17%)

I participated in 48 Hour Book Challenge last weekend, as my schedule permitted. The theme this year was #WeNeedDiverseBooks and I was able to finish Prophecy by Ellen Oh which was ok but a little light on development. I don't see myself going any further in the series but who knows!  I also read, and loved, The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson.  This was a seriously fun read! I will be using it as one of my first book club books for 6th graders.  The pacing was just right and the storyline was fun and easy to follow.  It will be interesting to discuss the reality of some of the pranks and see what we can pull off at school.  I'll be on the lookout for some other heist-type or shenanigan-related reads for a full display.

It was amazing to finish the Harry Potter series back to back. I needed an audio book back in April, picked up #1 and just couldn't stop listening. Though when the audiobook was checked out of the library, I did revert to reading the paper books.  It was so interesting to reread knowing how it all ended, every conversation, every spell, every magical item took on a new significance. Well played, JK Rowling.

It's  Monday, What Are You Reading is hosted by TeachMentorTexts.

48 Hour Book Challenge - The Beginning - June 2014

Due to senior graduation (I can't believe my baby graduated! :() and many grad parties (I had many of these students in kindergarten!) my goal is to put in 12 hours. I have from now until Monday, June 9th, at 7am.

I have 3 books I would love to finish:

1. Prophecy by Ellen Oh - diverse author and characters
2. The Great Greene Heist  by Varian Johnson - diverse characters and author
3. Tankborn by Karen Sandler (reread) - diverse characters

I have about 2 hours before the next party. Let's get this reading party started!

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? May 26, 2014

During the weekend of June 6, MotherReader will host the annual 48 Hour Book Challenge. This year the focus is #WeNeedDiverseBooks.  All books read during the event, whether middle grade, young adult, or adult, should have a diverse focus.
Due to graduation, and grad parties, and snow days, I won't be able to give this my full participation but I'm hoping to eek out 12 hours of reading! I'll post about the books I have on hand next week.  So now you gotta come back! ;)







What I Bought
Landline by Rainbow Rowell

What I Read
More Baths Less Talking by Nick Hornby
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling (audio)
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Super Human by Michael Carroll
The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner
Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince by JK Rowling (audio and print) 49%
Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst 45%

We are reading furiously to find our next One Book, One School selection. I'm lucky in that our Language Arts teachers choose great books to read and discuss with class and give students some choice also.  Students still look on this as "school reading" and, as such, our goal is to encourage students to read for fun. We have trivia contests, game shows, a book battle, art/writing/music contests, and this past year, a scavenger hunt. The contests are based on the reading, which we divide over a month, and they can win prizes. We use the power of everyone talking about the same book as a way to encourage students to read. In addition, everyone who works in the building gets the book.  We have a "formula" that we believe works, but we are also looking to branch out a bit. Hence, Super Human and Steelheart. I love superhero books. These also have great supervillians and focus on what is good and what is evil.  We are also looking at Harry Potter because we think this group of students we have may have missed out on the books.

I was lucky enough to meet Gae Polisner! Check out her Gae's facebook page for some great photos of the events she did for Reading For Life! I also got to meet Kelly Vorhis (@kelvorhis) and had a visit with the great, Sherry Gick (@libraryfanatic)! We had a great time at our own impromptu After Party!

Maria and I are doing something different for Batty About Books and so far, I don't like it! I miss her forcing me to check in partways through the book instead of waiting until the end!  Though, I think it's the type of book we are reading too. We read scifi or fantasy each time and mostly feel as if our arbitrary divisions hinder our enjoyment because we remove ourselves from the reading to make our posts.  I'm finding that the weekly breakdowns actually served to keep me vested when other chores were calling to me! Also, I miss the feeling of reading with Maria.  Things might change this week when we write about the book.  Can't wait.

Batty About Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst - Cover Appeal

Batty About Books

presents

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Simon And Schuster (Margaret K. McElderry Books), 2012

424p. $16.99. 978-1-4424-2376-3

Amazon

|IndieBound

We are trying something new with Batty About Books. Several times we've felt the book would have been better if we'd read it straight through. So we decided that we would do that with Vessel. So, we'll have this cover post then, 2 weeks from now, we'll have our thoughts about the book.

Along the way, check out Batty About Books on Facebook as we promise to post quotes and thoughts as we read.

Cover Appeal

Batty About Books talks Cover Appeal

I love this front view.  It looks like they took shades of one color to make this.  The color scheme is amazing. It gives me a Dune vibe, which I love, but the rich wine colors also pop out.  (Stop making me admit to books I haven’t read...)

It’s very atmospheric. The clouds whirling around her, the bright moon in the background, and the undulating sands at the bottom combine to give the cover movement and depth.

It’s rare to see a person of color on the front of a book. She looks thoughtful and beautiful. Heck, just seeing a full woman - not a portion of the face missing or a focus on a single body part - is also a nice change. (ha!, so true!)

Her clothes speak of times past though the henna on her arms makes it seem not too far in the past. I wonder if she wears that scarf to keep out the heat? I definitely felt the desert even before reading the copy!

I love the typeface. Even though it’s not the same font as Not A Drop to Drink - it has that similar see-through treatment. I like that the title is at the bottom giving the girl the more important part of carrying the cover.  I hadn’t picked up on that - but I love it!

Even the tagline and the author’s name are in the background.  The cover I’m showing is a paperback, but I have the hardcover here and at the bottom it says “She must defy the gods to save her tribe.” The inside states Liyana is abandoned by her tribe. So even though she’s abandoned, she sets out to save them. I like that.

The back of the hardcover is mostly just sand and darkness. I really want to know how she will survive that. My back cover has that image as well, but has the copy over the image. It makes it a little hard to read when it goes over the sand, since the text is white.

The spine is also inviting (if you ignore my messy house). It’s sort of a mini-repeat of the front cover, including Liyana.  I really wonder what she is looking at. Her facial expression is determined, resolute, and a little sad. The letters  themselves are like vessels. They are stronger than the letters on the front. And they appear to be empty. I love the spine! I started with that part of the cover, and found it very intriguing. 

Overall, I think it’s attractive both from the side and the front. I can’t wait to get started!

Now you've seen what I think - head over to Maria's Melange to see how she approached this cover appeal. She starts in a very different spot!

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? May 12, 2014

I've been reading More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby and I love the format of the book. It reminds me of the old In My Mailbox posts that used to be popular, combined with the IMWAYR posts.  Each chapter in the book lists what Hornby bought, what he read, including unfinished tomes, and then a narrative that talks about his reading and puts it into some sort of context. It's humorous and informative.  While I can't possibly be as erudite as Hornby, I decided I'd like to try that format to these posts. So, welcome.





What I Bought
Tankborn, Awakening, Rebellion (The Tankborn Trilogy) by Karen Sandler
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson
Ruin and Rising (Grisha Trilogy) by Leah Bardugo
Sinner (Shiver Quarter??) by Maggie Stiefvater

What I'm Reading
Demons of the Oceans (The Vampirates, 1) by Justin Somper  (50%)
More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby (84%)
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix (50%) audio
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson (33%)

I like to listen to books in my car or cleaning the house and when the library didn't have what I wanted, I started listening to the Harry Potter books.  I've read the first four several times but never got into the 5th, The Order of the Phoenix. This time though, I'm obsessed. Even knowing how the entire series ends, I just want to drop everything and pick this book up!  Not so much the Vampirates book. It started out strong but I'm pretty sure I'm going to give up soon. As a matter of fact, a student asked me to read Steelheart so we can discuss it, so I picked that one up instead of reading more of Demons of the Oceans.  So far, so good. At first, I didn't like it because, like this post, it's in first person. I didn't think I had a problem with those sorts of books but for this one, I did. Now, I can hardly put IT down. Which makes it hard to type as I have two books calling my name!

Each chapter in More Baths is a different month from a column in the magazine The Believer.  They are old posts. There was a spot a few chapters back where Hornby talked about books I actually read! He also bought Will Grayson, Will Grayson.  I may get the magazine to see if he ever read it. At one point he mentions sitting on the couch sandwiched between his two sons, each involved in his own activity.  It reminded me of me and the daughter because sometimes it's just nice to be in the same room, no matter what each person is doing.

More of what people have been reading can be found on TeachMentorTexts.

Batty About Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis - Wrap Up

Batty About Books presents

Not a Drop to Drink
by Mindy McGinnis

If you've missed any discussions, check out Cover Appeal, Part One, and Part Two below. Also, feel free to stop by the Batty About Books Facebook page! Join the discussion!

Cover Appeal
Part One - pgs 1-95
Part Two - pgs 96-195

Now here we are at the end. Maria's thoughts are in purple. For her full discussion, check out Maria's Melange (@mselke01).

Part Three - pgs 196 - end

There were several unexpected things that happened in these final pages. And since these are final pages, they are spoilery.  I decided to write them anyway but I changed the font color on most though I left one intact but labeled, so that you can skip them if you want. “If you do want to read them, highlight the text for the full effect.  As I mentioned on Goodreads, this is one of those rare books that would have benefited from more pages. 

Maria: Ahhh, good plan. I struggled with how to talk around the spoilers. And I agree - I wanted a lot more development of a variety of plot points during this section.

Vera and Lucy and Neva

As we knew she would, Grandma arrived. The way she arrived was wholly unexpected to me though. I expected more of an entrance and even though she arrived with the men from the south. And did I know she was Neva’s mom? Why was I thinking it was Eli’s mom? She did not add anything to the story for me, not sure why we needed her as they could have gotten medicine without her.

S-E-X

There’s an undercurrent of sexual assault that comes to the surface several times throughout the book but particularly in this last part.  It was counteracted, somewhat, by Lynn and Eli’s relationship. I found it nice of Stebbs to take Lucy for a spell so that Eli and Lynn could have some time alone. This gave Lynn a chance to be a somewhat “normal” teen-aged girl for a change.  But, the progression to the cot seemed un-Lynn-like to me. She had just wondered if he was going to try to have sex with her (p.209 ) then she didn't understand why he would need to take a bath in a snowbank. (p. 214) If the cot was as small as it was described (he carries it to the stream house later) and they were wrapped in an embrace...well. 

Maria: Yes, I found this confusing as well. I’d be curious to know if teens would find it more understandable. It’s been a GREAT many years since I teetered on the edge of “knowing but not really understanding”.

Spoiler - I didn't understand why the men wanted Neva and not Lynn. We had already been told how pretty she was and they seemed to be running a trade shop, why didn't they take her too? Despite the father. 

Maria: Exactly. This was a spot I found underdeveloped as well. Even with that we find out later, I found this jarring. I talked about the assault aspects on my post as well. I found it so disturbing, and I want to believe it’s unrealistic. But with what is going on in Nigeria right now - that we think all those girls were kidnapped and sold into “marriages” (really sexual slavery) - it feels all too likely. In a world where societal niceties break down, this is the kind of horror that real people actually do.

1st UNEXPECTED THING - SPOILER

I figured Neva had something crazy up her sleeve, we’d been told often enough that she wasn't right in the head. But, I did not expect her to kill herself. Especially so soon after being reunited with her mother and knowing that Lucy was sick. I I would have expected her to believe in Lynn and Stebbs a little more and see if they would rescue her. I thought she would find a way to let them know where she’d gone, leave a trail somehow. 

Maria: YES. I know we've had the build up of her being a bit unstable, but this event still felt unlikely.

2nd UNEXPECTED THING - SPOILER

Lucy’s father is alive. I guess I should have expected that since he was mentioned quite often. But, in my head, he would not have been in great shape. He was also supposed to be crazy, so I pictured him alive but noticeably mental.  But, he was ruling a town. Making trades. And, like no time had ever passed, building a dam. He knew she was alive and how she was living yet offered no assistance.  

Mara: I think I would have liked this plot twist if it didn't feel so…. twisty and abrupt. Yes, I think there were bits leading up to this point that let us know that her father is important to the story. But because the ending was so quick, I didn't feel like it carried through well. More development with her father might have made me like this part better.

3rd UNEXPECTED THING - SPOILER

Eli. Unbelievable. I thought maybe Stebbs or Lucy but Eli? I was for sure Lynn and he would make it to the next book and possibly get married. Raise Lucy. “...unable to look away from the path of the only bullet she had ever fired with love in her heart.” (295) 

Maria: I know, right?!? I mean, on one hand her actual action fits with what we know about her. She’s decisive, and she doesn't let emotion get in the way of what needs to be done. On the other hand, I was angry about this loss. I expected her to lose someone at the end… but NOT this character!

4th UNEXPECTED THING - SPOILER

She shot her father in the forehead.  

Maria: I did like how she phrased her decision. I think that -- again -- more development in this part of the book would have given this choice greater impact.

Epilogue

I would love to know how old Lucy is now.  I've always wondered how Lauren was able to get all the furniture, including a piano, into the attic. When I picture an attic, I can’t see a piano going up the steep stairs, let alone one being carried alone.  I’m so happy that Lynn found the “safety of community”. It tempts me to read the second book. 
Maria: I put the description of the companion novel on my post. I was hoping I’d get to hear about the city - but instead the book jumps ahead in time to describe this community. I’m interested enough in the characters that it will go on my list to read in the future.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading - April 28, 2014

Trying to get back into the groove of reading and blogging about reading! Haven't done one of these since last year! And yes, I know it's not actually Monday...

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts each week.

Read Shelf

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling - rereading, mostly through audio. Love this series.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - sharing this with teens for our local library! One Book, One Michiana!
Wild by Cheryl Strayed - gave this one away to staff for World Book Night. Looking forward to the movie.
Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue by Tom Angleberger - great idea! You could spin-off this by giving kids a classic and having them interpret it for today's audience.
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - not my usual fare but I couldn't put it down! Nice twist.
Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins - Romance and butt-kicking and fantasy. Plus, some smart humor. Win.

Batty About Books is currently reading Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis we finish up this Saturday, May 3, 2014. Stop by. Here are links to what Maria and I have discussed so far:
Cover Appeal
Part 1
Part 2
Final - Saturday

Currently Reading Shelf

Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix - this was my least favorite. I'm currently waiting for the audio to arrive at the library.
More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby - this is a compilation of Hornby's columns for the Believer magazine.  It's like a book of It's Mondays except it's monthly and he lists what he bought and what he actually read then he talks about the books.  I may still that idea for my next post.
Seasons of Wonder (Remnants, 1) by Lisa Bergren - that cover is misleading. That's the series title. I thought I wanted to read some scifi and it's new so I picked it up.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - I've never read this. Trying to remedy my classic-less background. Wish I could take a college-level lit course. Also, I believe it was Harper Lee's birthday. Let's see if I make it through this time.

Honestly, with the exception of the Hornby book, I'm not actively reading anything. I just have these on deck...

In the Future
I need to start reading for our One Book, One School next pick. We have some books on the list this year that I haven't actually read. I need to read them. I have 2 or 3 books I'm championing right now but one I need to re-read soon too!

Batty About Books will start Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst. I will post the dates as soon as we decide them.

Hopefully we'll see you next week!

Batty About Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis - Week Two

Batty About Books presents

Not a Drop to Drink
by Mindy McGinnis

If you've missed any discussions, check out Cover Appeal or Part One below. Also, feel free to stop by the Batty About Books Facebook page! Join the discussion!

Cover Appeal
Part One - pgs 1-95
Part Two - pgs 96-195
Part Three - pgs 196 - end

Finally we are here for Part Two. My thoughts are below in blue and Maria's are in purple. As usual, Maria and I both post but her blog, Maria's Melange, has her thoughts with my responses. I kept this spoiler-free this week but note that we finish the book next week, so no promises! I'm always amazed and how close Maria and I are to deeming the same topics worth discussing and how differently we approach them. It would be awesome to see this played out with students - via an electronic discussion where you can't see the other person's thoughts until you post yours. Hm.. Anyway on to Week Two. Enjoy!

Part Two - pgs 96-195

Well, the relationship between Lynn and Stebbs (I wonder what his real name is) has progressed beautifully. I love knowing about the background of why Lauren was the way she was and getting some insight into how they were connected.  There has been some hints at a relationship between Neva and Eli and I hope it’s just a red herring. I would like to see Lynn have another positive relationship. I’m a little concerned about the guy that came by, too. Was that just an information-gathering mission I really like how this relationship between Lynn and Stebbs is growing! It’s comforting to see her have a positive relationship with a man, after all the warnings we know her mother gave her. It was also great to finally get more of her backstory. I was surprised at how quickly that man walking by disappeared from the plot. I’m betting we get more of that later.

Entargo

We learned more about the city in this section. We know they have population schedules and the use satellites to make water maps. We also know that Stebbs knew about this. Each time he is surprised that the city still uses these tools. But he has hinted that the shortage started at the very minimum 16 years-ago.  We know that people had to move to the city if they wanted water conveniently. Eli lets us know that only the more well-off had pure water. From a tap. So I wonder - why were soldiers hired to go find water if they already had water? Also, why didn't Neva’s mom come with them? She trained with them, she had to know about Bradley’s death and that her daughter and granddaughter would need some help. Why is she still in Entargo? It seems a bit odd… that things broke down so quickly. Sixteen years isn't that long. How are the cities still doing well, and yet the countryside seems like it has been out of civilization for so very long?

Eli and Neva and Lucy

He’s 16 and responsible for his brother’s wife and her 5 year old child. We know that he likes Lynn “...being good-looking doesn't seem to drop the survival rate out here.” 111. “We’re going to have to find a shared vocabulary before I can flirt.” 170 I thought their flirtations were adorable. I loved that Lynn seemed to need to be taught how to flirt. It reminds you that flirting is a learned skill… and very tied to your own culture.

Though McGinnis keeps laying hints of a relationship between him and Neva. I’m hoping this is just what Lynn is thinking and a way to distract us. Eli hasn't mentioned the Grandmother coming to save them. So does he plan to build a life for him, Neva, and Lynn? Does he want to find a new city or does he plan on settling where they are?

Neva also hasn't mentioned her mother coming to find them. She’s angry and sad and knows that she’s not taking care of Lucy. Now she has a gun. I can’t help but think the men that were mentioned earlier will be back for a showdown. Too much has been said about the way her and Lynn look as well as men taking whatever they want.... Especially since we are told over and over how beautiful she is. Yes, and now that Lynn knows a bit more about how men and women interact (how awkward must that have been for Stebbs?), it’s even more tense.

Lucy comes across as much older than a five-year-old. I know Eli mentions that Neva talked to her like an adult, but she’s still five. “...It’s like I got the water inside me, and they can’t just take it out.” 148 Her instant take into this dilemma seemed too insightful even for a bright, precocious child. I want to know what other things she’s overheard. “I know it’s important, all the secrets are” 150 Where is this Lucy is a “water witch” going to take us.... Yes, she does seem awfully precocious. I also thought that the “water witch” thing seemed odd…. like bits of magic stitched into a scientific landscape. McGinnis did make sure to mention that it is genetic… but it still seems awfully magical to me. I’m not sure how well this fits with the rest of the world building.

Stebbs

“He’s kinda like magic, isn't he?” He has this way of bringing everyone together. I curious as to how old he is and if he really is attracted to Neva, after being alone for so long, or if he was just noting Neva’s attractiveness for us. I wondered about that as well. He seems like a much older man sometimes… and relatively youngish at others.

.At first I was surprised to find out that he had a well, especially knowing that Lynn and Lauren depend on a pond that isn't always reliable. I wanted to know why he wasn't helping them but now I know. We know why he is so giving - “Sometimes it’s the things you don’t do that make you feel the worst.” 182

I was also surprised to know that he was a dowser. (Have you read The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt?) And that Lynn didn't immediately get crazy about it, instead she wants to make sure that Lucy keeps it under wraps. But he didn't make more of an effort to share with Lauren and Lynn. I bet if things got rough for Lauren and Lynn, he might have tried to help them with water.

He gave Lynn The TALK! Bwhahahahaha!! I love you, Stebbs! That was adorable - and so awkward! I did appreciate how it was handled. Those reading the books bring their own level of knowledge to what was discussed in that sidebar.

His past with Lauren and Lynn’s dad was interesting. Especially when he admits that he wanted to be with her but missed his opportunity.“...when I shot her down I think it killed everything that was left in her but pride in herself and love for you...” 193

Now he’s trying to make up for lost time and trying to help Lynn. “I’m asking you to be more than she was. Be strong, and be good. Be loved, and be thankful for it. No regrets.” 193 This stems from the part of him that has regrets about not taking Lauren up on her offer, I’m guessing. You mentioned so many of the passages I marked! I love that his idea of having no regrets includes helping those around him.

Lynn

Lynn continues to grow. She slips back into “old Lynn” a bit here and there but mostly, she’s on a totally different path now. She cares for Lucy and Stebbs and she likes (likes him, likes him) Eli. She even helps Neva. We learn about her mom’s background. We know she has an aunt who could possibly be alive. She has an aunt, who could possibly be ALIVE! How is she not freaking the heck out???

Several times she’s mentioned that she feels like someone is watching her. Coupled with learning that she is as attractive as Neva. Something is coming.  I know! I’m a bit surprised we haven’t gotten more of that, since we are already ⅔ through the book and it’s a standalone - not a series.

I love how she knows her mom was too hard. She wants to make sure Lucy doesn’t wake up alone and that she feels her affection. She decides not to be too hard on Eli. But she’s concerned that the combination of her dad’s illness and her mom’s cruelness has affected her more than she knows.

She’s starting to feel like a teenager. “Seems like it would be kind of nice not spending every living minute working against dying.” 171

”The old Lynn would’ve kicked me anyway.” The old Lynn’s still in here somewhere, so don’t tempt her.” 180

Overall

This part moved slower than the first part and felt repetitive to me. (I think this section of the book would have been stronger if I hadn’t been trying to find enough material for a full post. Sometimes I feel like the middle chunk of a  book doesn’t hold up to being examined separately.)Despite that, I was curious to know that both Eli and Lauren had been well-off. This does solve the mystery of the clothes from part one. Lauren’s parents were probably saving clothes for their future grandchildren. I want to know more about the city and how things work there and why Neva’s mom hasn’t come to find them yet. I’m having a hard time understanding how much, or how little, time is passing in the book but I’m eager to tackle the last part. Also, did her mother give birth alone???

GUESS WHAT???

NOT A DROP TO DRINK HAS BEEN OPTIONED FOR A MOVIE!! I'VE POSTED THE COMPLETE MOVIE PRESS RELEASE HERE!

The Fickle Fish company has adapted 3 other books I've enjoyed: Austenland, The Host, and (upcoming) Anna Dressed in Blood. The company is owned by Stephenie Meyer (yes, that Stephenie Meyer) and Meghan Hibbett. You can find more news about the option at Entertainment Weekly, Variety, and Deadline.  Can you say EXCITEMENT IS BREWING!

Batty About Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis - Week One

Batty About Books presents

Not a Drop to Drink
by Mindy McGinnis

Cover Appeal
Part One - pgs 1-95
Part Two - pgs 96-195
Part Three - pgs 196 - end

Part one was a super fast read that left me with many questions. We met 16-year-old Lynn and her mother, Lauren. They live alone and will do anything, even kill, to guard their only source of water, the diminishing pond in their backyard. They have a not-so-distant neighbor, Stebbs, who guards his own mysterious water source and they never talk to him. Lynn and Lauren are threatened by coyotes and a gang of men. Should they stay or travel to the unknown south?

Here are my thoughts on the first third of Not a Drop. Some of Maria's responses are here but you can read her complete thoughts over at Maria's Melange.  She really went deep into this first part! She even tells us how to purify water!

Don't forget to stop by the Batty About Books facebook page where I promise to post quotes this week!

Part One - pgs 1 - 95

“Lynn was nine the first time she killed to defend the pond...” 1

Mother and Lynn

Lynn has never known any life beyond her and her mother and defending their castle and she never wants to leave. (9)  Mother, on the other hand, makes several entreaties for them to abandon the house and set out to possibly make a better life. “Things have changed...so we change with them.” (14) “Stupid to store up the wood to die warm and starving.” (14) I can see why Lynn doesn't want to go - this is her world. But why doesn't Lauren force the issue? We know they only talk when necessary. How did it come to this?

Maria: I assumed that her mother is unsure that it’s the right choice. Maybe she keeps putting it off because she’s been waiting until Lynn is older and better able to defend herself…. just in case? I think she’s getting ready now because she feels like that moment has arrived.

The Rifles

Their rifles are like a part of them. They pretty much always have them, even though they collect weapons from intruders, they stick to their favorites.

“Lynn pulled her own rifle into her lap, the cold metal bringing more comfort to her than her mother’s touch ever could...hugging it tight in the life-taking embrace she’d learned so long ago...the crack of the rifle a relief.” (4)

Such a dichotomy here. When I think of guns I don’t think of comfort or relief. I also love the contrast - life-taking embrace - the conflict in this phrase rebounds over and over in my head and I keep coming back to it. What does this relationship with their weapons say about Lynn and Lauren? Does it say anything about them or does it talk more to their relationship, or lack thereof, with the outside world? 

Maria: Excellent quote selection! I found the dichotomy to be one of the things that made me understand just how desperate the world has become. Mom seems so literate - so much like someone who would have been generous and helpful to those around her in the world before.

Stebbs

Lynn has never gone to school, never had friend outside of her Mother. She’s only once heard another person speak; their neighbor, Stebbs, because she remembers her mother treating him for gangrene around when she was six. He was the “one other person she could name in the world” (55) “Stebbs was proof that not everyone would attack them...” (63) His handkerchief was “...the only element...that had ever spoken of hope...” (63) He has a quiet sense of humor and proves to be very helpful later. “I think we are in danger of becoming friends.” (82) 

Maria: I can’t even begin to imagine how hard Lynn’s mother must have had it when Lynn was little. I identified so strongly with her mother in the first chunk of this section! I’m thankful for Stebbs, because his quiet strength and the little bits of humor he has revealed so far help ease some of my anxiety as I read the book.

The Rest of the Story

There’s a lot I want to say here but I’m trying to avoid spoilers, at least for now. I wonder how they had clothes for Lynn as she got older? She mentions the attic having different sizes where she would go “shopping” and also put her outgrown clothes. Why did mother think it necessary to keep the old clothes? Fuel?  What happened that mother didn't like men? Where was Lynn’s father? Why didn't they join forces with Stebbs?  

Maria: I agree! I wondered about the clothes as well. Maybe the house (which seems large) was a family home… and the clothes belonged to another relative? Maybe they were even mom’s clothes as a girl? Or maybe they were from scavenging raids on the other places in the area? All of these questions, and more, intrigued me!

There are portions of the story that remind me of Alabama Moon by Watt Key (survival) and Pathfinder by Eoin Colfer (passing down wisdom) and I wonder what Mindy McGinnis’s influences were as she was writing this story. I look forward to reading part 2, pgs 96 - 195. 

Maria: I haven’t read either of those, I’ll have to check them out!