Uglies Discussion

I thought that this book was pretty interesting and very well thought out. One thing that always kept me reading was that the author didn't just come out and tell you everything right up front. I would find myself asking, "wait, where are their parents" or "why would the government really care what people looked like?", etc. but then I would read on and figure out the answer to my questions.

There were still some unanswered questions for me, though. I don't know if they will be answered in the last 3 books, but I still keep wondering why Tally didn't care to ever see her family ever again. I noticed when they visited her, they were pretty odd, but still, they ARE her parents. She didn't even really mention them much the rest of the book. And she talked so much about Peris at the beginning, but then after she met David, it's like he never existed. I think that she would have at least missed him a little! Also, I am still curious about David and Shay's relationship. Was there really a relationship, or was Shay just wishing there was? David never really even broke up with her if there was actually a relationship.

Other than that, I loved the book! It really made me think about self image and our society. What will our great, great grandchildren think about the way we live our lives?

I liked how Natalie asked some questions for discussion for her review, so I have found a few to pose to you. I'm excited to hear your answers to question #2. I did hope that Tally would get the operation and I kind of still think, "man, life would sure be easy if I got that operation!".

1. Have you ever had a friend like Peris, who abandoned your friendship after they moved away?
2. At first, did you hope Tally would get the operation? When did you change your mind? (Or did you?)
3. Have you ever found yourself trusting someone more or paying more attention to what they said not because they deserved it, but just because of their looks?
4. Would you give up your ability to think independently in exchange for being happy, beautiful, perpetually healthy, and rich?
5. If Shay could have gone back in time and never have met Tally, do you think she would?

Austenland

Our next book will be Austenland, by Shannon Hale. This book is about a girl named Jane, who is obsessed with the character of Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Jane is struggling to find a man who matches up to her dream guy. Can she change her expectations? Or will she eventually find her own Mr. Darcy?

Our end date for this book will be November 13th. Enjoy the book!

Uglies

The next book that we will be reading is Uglies, by Scott Westerfield. This book is a trilogy and can be found at your local library. It is about a future world in which a compulsory operation at sixteen wipes out physical differences and makes everyone pretty by conforming to an ideal standard of beauty. I've heard really good things about this book, so I hope that everyone enjoys it!

Our discussion on this book will be October 30th.

Among the Hidden Discussion

I have read this book before, and I enjoyed reading it again. With short books though, I always want more. Luckily, there are about 5 more books in the series! So, if you liked the books, you can continue to read and see what happens to Luke! I still need to read the last 2 books.

I think Luke was as lucky as a shadow child could be until the new housing developments went in. He was able to go outside to work and play and contribute to his family's well-being. I felt that once he was forced to stay inside AND upstairs, he almost disappeared as a person. His father and brothers barely acknowleded him. I think seeing your lack of relationship with your family would be even harder than being alone all day. Luke had NOTHING to look forward to until he met Jen.

Jen and Luke were sooooo different! I wonder how much was their parents doing and how they were raised, and how much was their personalities. Would Luke have been braver if he had been raised in Jen's family? Or would he still have been afraid everytime he was taken out of the house?

This book exhibited the classic Haves and Have Nots scenario. Being with Luke at his farm led me to believe that this took place in the past. The only technology they had was a radio. So when we finally saw Jen's house, and she had the internet, it was quite a shock! The differences between Luke's family and the Barons are unbelievable. It made me think about a common debate...are celebrities given leeway when it comes to the law? I think that in some cases they are, and in some cases they are treated even harsher in order to prove a point. Unfortunately, Jen was not saved due to her family's Baron status.

The most touching part of the book for me was at the very end when Luke's mom spent the last few days at home with him:
They'd played board games and cards, but she'd interrupted every move with, "Do you remember..." or, "I remember..." ... She was filling him up with memories, he knew, for the times when he'd have no one to talk to about his childhood.
What a wonderful mother! Letting Luke start a new life must have been hard, but she knew it was the best path for him. I hope that he will be able to reunite with his family someday.

Here are some more questions for you to think about and/or post a comment about!
*What number child are you? Would you have been a shadow child?
*What would you do all day as a hidden child?
*Would you have risked your life as Jen did, for the good of others?
*Can you think of a solution for the food shortage problem in the book? Do you think there really was a food shortage?

Suggestions for Next Book

We hope you've enjoyed all the books that have been selected so far! It's time again for us to make another selection for our next read, so please make a suggestion for what you would like to read next! If your book is selected, you will moderate the next read on October 26th (about 2 1/2 weeks from now).