Category: Tuesday Book Blogs

Phantom of the Opera (1910)

By: Gaston Leroux

The story is very similar to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage adaptation, following the mysterious Phantom and his plight to win opera singer Christine Daae’s heart. This version of the novel delves deeper into the Phantom’s torture of people, as well as the Managers’ roles in irking the Phantom, and pushes Christine’s damsel in distress-ness. However, Leroux does an exceptional job describing the Phantom’s grotesque features, as well as the mystery of it all. As he was a lawyer and crime writer before publishing Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, it’s safe to say he used real life to influence his creativity.

This book is a great example of an omniscient narrator. That being said, though this is an interesting supplement to both the musical and movie, the writing is dated. If you have an interest in the story of the Phantom, it’s a good read. Otherwise, go get yourself some Emmy Rossum and enjoy.

Haters (2016)

By: Jesse Andrews

A young man and his best friend decide to go to a Camp Rock-esque band camp, meet a girl, and then decide to leave to start their own band. The story follows their shenanigans trying to book gigs, find places to stay, and landing themselves in a hippie harem sort of place.

Though it was an interesting story, there was the cliché of both guys liking the same girl, and the subsequent fallout from that. Plus, there were a lot of inappropriate situations, that I’d found unexpected. I also couldn’t get into Andrews’ writing style. I enjoyed the text-like rapid conversations, but other things that shouldn’t have been elaborated on, undoubtedly were.

Don’t give this book to someone unless you think they’re old enough to watch South Park.

Enclave (2011)

By: Ann Aguirre

I loved this series. In a dystopic future, 15-year-old Deuce is cast out her underground home, and must try and fend for herself on the surface—which is supposed to be toxic to humans. It turns out the surface isn’t poisonous, but it is treacherous. There are zombie-like creatures that could kill them at any turn, and a Mad Max-like group of cannibals hunting her and her partner, Fade.

This book helped me believe in YA books again. Honestly, I loved Deuce’s strength, and I loved the pacing of the story. Everything unfolded in just the right way. And the world was built in a believable way. It sort of reminded me of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series, but grittier. 10/10 read these books.

Outlander (1991)

By: Diana Gabaldon

I started reading this novel when I was planning my trip to Scotland with my best friend. It follows the story of a WWII-era nurse that gets transported back to eighteenth-century Scotland and falls in with some highlanders. To save her life, she must marry one of the Scotsmen, though she still hopes to return home to her husband and her time.

Though I enjoyed the book when I started reading, I found it was so long, that I wouldn’t be able to finish it before I felt for Scotland. Plus, it was all very long-winded. Personally, I enjoyed watching the TV show more, which suited my needs just fine. That being said, I won’t be watching anything after the first season, given how it ended. But that’s just due to personal tastes about rape being in literature. I understand full well that it was a part of the time period, and is a very serious matter, but I prefer not to read about it.

Other than that, if you’re a fan of the series, of Scotland, of history, and/or of romance, check it out. Jamie and Claire are pretty adorable, and the story is compelling.