Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Category: Classic, Adventure
Published: 1719
Review: 4/5

I missed book club when they chose the next 6 books. When I heard that they had chosen Robinson Crusoe, I thought, "Okay?" Then I started reading it and by the time I was 20 pages in, I thought, "Who the heck suggested this boring book?" I was actually glad we were reading it because it forced me to read a classic that I may never have read otherwise. By the time I got to page 50 and came across a great quote I realized that this book was definitely worth reading even if it was boring and repetitive. Here's the quote:

"Upon the whole, here was an undoubted testimony that there was scarce any condition in the world so miserable but there was something negative or something positive to be thankful for in it; and let this stand as a direction from the experience of the most miserable of all conditions in this world that we may always find in it something to comfort ourselves from, and to set, in the description of good and evil, on the credit side of the account."

About half way through it starts getting interesting and by the time I was finished, I thought it was pretty good. Robinson Crusoe is considered one of the very first English novels so I feel inclined to forgive Daniel Defoe for the problems that exist like repetition and a implausibility. I really liked the lessons of repentance, endurance, faith, hope, and man's relationship with God. I did read a version that had been modernized a bit so that spellings, punctuation, and capitalization are presented in a way consistent with modern English grammar. Others in my book club who read a more historically accurate version were a bit distracted by the old grammar. If you choose to read it, you might try to decide which version would be better for your enjoyment.

Rating: 1.3.1 Contains violence.

Skeleton Coast by Clive Cussler

Content rating: 1.2.3 (to the best of my recollection)
Category: Adventure
Audiobook

Review: 3/5

This is not the kind of book I usually read or listen to but since there is not a huge selection of audiobooks on CD's at my library, I have to take what I can get. I ended up quite enjoying this one. I don't think I would have finished it if I had been reading the book but since I was listening and doing housework/driving at the same time, it kept my interest. By the end I was thinking that I'd like to listen to some more of Clive Cussler's books. This book is part of the Oregon Files which chronicle the stories of a technologically advanced ship called The Oregon. In this one, they are dealing with sunken treasure, maniacal environmentalists, and guerillas in Africa. It's a fairly complex plot and though it took me a while, I quite enjoyed it by the end. There are lots of likable characters and the action moves pretty quickly. Like I said, it's not my usual genre but I still enjoyed it. I would say that it's intended more for the testosterone crowd, but plenty of women could enjoy it too.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Rating: 1.2.2

Recommended audience: Pre-teen and up

Category: Juvenile, Newbery, Realistic fiction

Rating: 4.5/5

I really enjoyed this Newbery Honor book. This is the story of 13 year old, Brian, who gets stranded in the Canadian wilderness. He fortunately has a hatchet that his mother had given to him and it proves to be crucial to his survival. I loved the way he learned through experience what he needed to do to survive, but I loved even more the progression of his emotional and mental survival tactics. My 3rd grader's teacher read this book to her class and I get the impression from my daughter that it kept them on the edge of their seats. I can believe it. Great book! Highly recommended.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Rating: 1.3.2
Recommended audience: Teen to adult
Category: Adventure, survival




This book has two parts. The first is about Pi Patel, a teenager living in India who accepts and practices three religions--Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. The second part is the story of his survival at sea. You've probably heard at least a little about this if you haven't already read it. I loved this book. I loved it even more the second time I read it. For some people the first part is a little boring but please just keep going. It is so different from other books out there. Make sure you know someone else who has read it or will read it because I can guarantee, you'll want to talk about it with someone.