This Present Darkness

Frank Peretti

Darkness #1

Summary:

Ashton was not a big town, or important – just a name on the map. Yet it was here that three very different characters would face the hardest tests of their lives.

Marshall Hogan-an ex-city newspaper editor with an eye for a story and a nose for something rotten.

Hank Busche-the young pastor of  a small church in danger of tearing itself apart.

Tal-captain of the angelic warriors summoned to make a stand against an encroaching tide of evil and deception.

Each one fighting an enemy that was callous and clever, often hidden, never asleep. And each one needing the others more than any would dare to believe.

Plot:

This is an intriguing story. The little town and all it’s mysteries and secrets, now threatened by a force of demons, it’s all very interesting. The details and way the story comes together is wonderful. You can tell that the author really put a lot of thought into how his story will progress. It keeps you interested, answering questions and then posing new ones, keeping you guessing, but not to that annoying level some books tend to take it to. I would have liked a little more romance, or just chemistry between the characters, but I understand that that might have distracted from the actual story.

Characters:

The characters are all very interesting, but not the main focus of this book. They do develop, grow and learn, but the story is not about them, they make the story happen. I liked the ones I was supposed to like, and disliked the ones I should. There are a lot of characters, and it can be a bit confusing at the start, but you soon get to know them. I would have enjoyed some deeper insight into their thoughts and feelings, but they were all very good at making the story work.

Who should read this?

13+, there are some references to mature content, as well as quite a bit of violence, but none of it is very graphic. However, this is a Christian fiction book, and the whole demons vs. angels thing may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you find that kind of thing interesting, then definitely read this book. This is not a light, quick read, so be warned, it may take up a bit of your time.

My rating:

I enjoyed this book, and the idea behind it. The writing was good, the storyline interesting etc. But I don’t think I’ll be adding it to my favorites. This is because I enjoy getting to know characters, their emotions and thoughts, when I read a book. And although I can totally appreciate this style of writing, it’s just not my personal favorite style. So based purely on that I’m giving it a 3/5

The Last Song

Nicholas Sparks

Summary: 

Seventeen-year-old Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Miller’s life was turned upside down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York to Wilmington, North Carolina. Since then she has remained angry and alienated from her parents, until her mother decides she should spend the summer with her father.

Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.

What unfolds is an unforgettable story about love – first love and the love between parents and children – that demonstrates the many ways that relationships can break our hearts...and heal them.

Plot:

This is a good story, it’s not a new concept, nor is it unique, but it’s beautiful and touching and sweet. It has its funny moments, especially with Ronnie’s younger brother, Jonah, who always has something to say. It is also incredibly sad at times, but it never gets depressing, it only stays realistic. The story asks all the questions many of us struggle with daily, including the question of life and death, how far to go for friendship, how to know when love is real etc.

Characters:

The characters in this book are very relatable. They all have problems they have to face, and how they face them will influence everything around them. You feel like you understand the characters’ motives and thoughts very well. The only character I thought was a bit underplayed is Marcus, a crazy, fire-loving bad boy, who is shown only as an evil person. I’ve said before that I don’t believe in completely bad people, and I feel like Sparks should have at least given a reason for Marcus’s insane behavior.

Who should read this?

13+, there are some references to mature content, some language and the topic of death is also discussed frequently. I would recommend this to younger people, as it is about first love, and teenagers, but I also think that adults will be able to enjoy it. Definitely a must for Sparks’ fans, and if you like sad, romantic stories you might like this one.

My rating:

I’ve read this book a couple of times and it still moves me. So I’m giving it a 4/5, the one point is only because of Marcus’ character and because this book isn’t one of my very favorites, not because there’s anything really wrong with it.

Quote:
“Life, he realize, was much like a song. In the beginning there is mystery, in the end there is confirmation, but it's in the middle where all the emotion resides to make the whole thing worthwhile.” 

Mrs. Doubtfire

Summary: 
After a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife.

Plot:

This is a great story of a father who would do literally anything to be with his kids. It’s hilarious in all the right places and yet serious when needed. The story is inspiring, funny and very entertaining.

Characters:

This movie shows of all of Robin Williams’ talents as an actor-his natural talent, humor and his incredible talent with voices and accents. The characters are generally very likable, although they’re not perfect. They’re relatable and yet not boring, and I thought they were all wonderful.

Cinematography:

Good, for a movie that was made in 1993. Actually very impressive if one keeps that in mind. It never distracts from the story.

Who should watch this:

(PG-13) mainly for some rude humor, references to mature content and language. Any fans of Williams should have watched this already. If you enjoy movies that are different, yet relatable I would definitely recommend this one.

My rating:

I really, really enjoyed this movie. It made me laugh, and I started to care for the characters. 5/5

Quote:

[Trying to get false teeth out of glass]

Mrs. Doubtfire: Carpe dentum. Seize the teeth.

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens

Summary:

Pip is headed for an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's forge. Then an anonymous donor appears, and sends Pip to London to live as a gentleman. Great Expectations tells the story of a young boy’s life as he grows up, and learns about love, pride and friendship.

Plot:

This story is much like Dickens’ David Copperfield in that it tells the life story of a young orphan. This is a good story, it’s interesting and there are some surprises along the way. However, it’s not a story that inspired me, or had me jumping up and down with excitement. Maybe because I knew what surprises lay in store for me or because I knew the story after having read most of the book, but not finishing. Or because I watched a movie based on it. Dickens’ writing is marvelous, he creates mood and atmosphere, but doesn’t over-describe everything.

Characters:

The characters are all flawed. The nicest character is probably Pip’s friend Herbert Pocket, who is a very optimistic and generally nice guy. Pip, the main character, changes a lot during the novel, starting of as an innocent, naive little boy, growing proud and then learning some important life-lessons. I liked the fact that Pip isn’t a perfect, good guy. He’s just human, with faults, and that makes him very relatable. His love interest, Estella, is a very interesting character. She’s not only proud, but believes herself to be completely incapable of loving anyone. While she’s not a nice person, she is quite fascinating to read about. Miss Havisham, Estella’s guardian, and Provis (who has many names, but I’m just going with this), an escaped convict whom Pip helps as a little boy are also very interesting characters.

Who should read this?

10+, there are very little to no mature content, except some references to hanging, which are not at all descriptive. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who doesn’t enjoy classics or older books. It’s not an easy read, and I think it’ll be very hard to read in one sitting, but that’s just because it spans over so much time, not because the writing is hard to read. If you’re a fan of Dickens you should have read it already, since this is one of his most famous works.

My rating:

I really did like this book, although I prefer David Copperfield’s story. I’m giving it a 4/5.

Quote:
“So throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are usually committed for the sake of the people whom we most despise.”

Racing Stripes

Summary: 

An abandoned zebra grows up believing he is a racehorse, and, with the help of his barnyard friends and a teenage girl sets out to achieve his dream of racing with thoroughbreds.

Plot:

A very funny, heartwarming story about believing in yourself and chasing your dreams, no matter what other people (or horses) say. While there’s been many movies like this one, none of them centred around a zebra. This is a very sweet story with a great message.

Characters:

This movie has some great characters, funny, serious, sweet, you name it. The farm animals are the best, with the motherly goat ‘Franny’ and the little Shetland pony, Tucker (Dustin Hoffman) who is Stripes’ mentor. Then you get a pelican called ‘Goose’, a very stupid chicken, ‘Reggie’, and two very funny flies that sing. The main character ‘Stripes’ is great, not perfect, but self-assured. The humans, Channing (Hayden Panettiere) and her father are also very nice, you find yourself hoping they will make the right choices.

Cinematography:

Okay, the animals ‘talking’ weren’t handled as well as it could have been, although this movie was made a while ago, so it’s understandable. The rest was very well done.

Who should watch this:

(PG) for very mild rude humor, the content is quite clean. Fans of horse movies, or animal stories in general. If you prefer a deep, serious or ‘adult’ movie, don’t watch this. It’s quite immature, but fun and great for just relaxing.

My rating:

I really like this movie, it’s not perfect or my favourite, but I like it so…3/5

Quote:
Franny: What are you?
Stripes: I don't know.
Tucker: We can rule out "genius"

Ramona and Beezus

Summary:

The adventures of young Ramona Quimby and her big sister Beezus come to life in this all new film based on the best-selling books by Beverly Cleary. Ramona's vivid imagination, boundless energy, and accident-prone antics keep everyone she meets on their toes. But, her irrepressible sense of fun, adventure and mischief come in handy when she puts her mind to helping save her family's home.

Plot: 
This is a very cute movie that’ll have you laughing and crying. Funny and sweet, I really do like it. The story kept me interested and you start rooting for the characters. It’s colourful and playful and romantic, you almost feel as if you were in a little girl’s imagination yourself.

Characters:

The characters are great, especially the main character Ramona (great acting by Joey King), who is unintentionally funny and mischievous. She keeps getting into scrapes and just makes you laugh. Her older sister Beezus (or Beatrice, played by Selena Gomez) is slightly mean towards Ramona, but not a bad sister, all things considered. She’s quite sweet and just starting to fall in love and grow up etc. All the other characters are extremely likable.

Cinematography:

Good, very colorful. This movie has a happy atmosphere, almost like a theme park or something. It’s just colorful, slightly ridiculous and fun.

Who should watch this:

I think this is a  movie the whole family will enjoy. There are no mature content, and it’s just a fun, relaxing watch. If you want something serious or thought-provoking you probably won’t like this, but great for a family movie night.

My rating:

I really like this movie, it’s something I would watch when I just want something positive and uplifting to take my mind of things. 4/5

Quotes:
Beezus: Ramona, you're your own person. You don't care about coloring inside the lines.
Ramona Quimby: It really depends on the picture.

Every Day

David Levithan

Summary: 

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

Plot:

This is an intriguing story. The idea of someone (or something, but since A thinks like a human I’m going to make him one) jumping from one body to the next every day is very interesting. This book is very thoroughly thought through (say those three words quickly a couple of times...I dare you!) with all the implications of previously said idea shown and explained very well. I found it fascinating, if a bit strange at times. It’s really interesting to see people from the point of view of someone who’s seen almost every type of person and got to be almost every type of person at some point. There’re funny moments and sad moments and it’s very entertaining.

Characters:

The characters are great. They’re very diverse, although A only switches to bodies the same age as him, so they’re mostly in the same age group. There’re characters from all walks of life, some of them not so great, some very likable. The main, constant characters are portrayed very well. A knows a lot about people, since he’s been almost everything, while Rhiannon is a normal girl who just wants to be appreciated. You start rooting for them very easily, even when they do stupid things.

Who should read this?

13+, quite a bit of mature content, not to mention that the idea of someone (thing?) taking over people’s bodies may be objectionable to some people. If you’re looking for something different, this is definitely a good one for you. I wouldn’t suggest this to just anybody, since it is quite strange, but it’s a very good storyline and idea.

My rating:

I really liked this book, it was interesting, didn’t bore me, I connected with the characters. 4/5

Quote:
“I wake up thinking of yesterday. The joy is in remembering; the pain is in knowing it was yesterday.”