I’m reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood for my October book. Near done. I’m not writing a review (exactly) for it, because I wouldn’t recommend for teens. It is squarely adult.

Haven’t read Atwood before. I have enjoyed much of the story. It is not a normal pick for me, though. A bit depressing. I can definitely see where she has extrapolated from current events. There are some interesting scenes and psychology, but as a dystopian novel it is depressing, and even anti-male at times.

In 2035, the gap between economic classes has grown (more than it has in recent decades). The children/teenagers of the wealthy have become a commodity, kidnapping a regular industry. Charity Meyers wakes in a guarded ambulance. She tries to remember events leading to her predicament, and tries to forget, because it is the best way to survive the ordeal. She concentrates mostly on past events in order to retain her sanity. When jarred into the present, she wonders if she should go along with the kidnappers’ wishes or if she should be looking for an opportunity for escape.

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I’ve revised an old review I did for this month’s selection. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman is one of the best books for the very young (pre-readers).  It is fun for all ages, and even little ones can turn the pages with the large boardbook edition.

REVIEW

Current Pick and List of Previous

I am hosting my first Book Challenge. There are 2 parts to the challenge. First, list 10 books that you were thrilled to read, because they were so unique. Then, choose 5 books from others’ lists to read from October to March (For the first participants, you may wish to post your list and wait for others to post before choosing 5 to read).

Post your list of 10 unique books in the comments, to make it easier for others to choose ones to read.  For the books you intend to read, you may post in the comments or on your own site with a link in the comments. Also post links to reviews of books you see listed here or comments about books, if you wish.

If you want to link to the challenge, you are welcome to use the 125px by 125px image link provided.

<a href=” http://www.bookadvice.net/2008/10/09/knock-your-socks-off-books/“><img src=”http://www.bookadvice.net/socks.jpg/”></a>

My Knock Your Socks Off List

• Anahita’s Woven Riddle by Megan Nuttall Sayres,  YA
• Camelot ed by Jane Yolen,  6th & up
• Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett,   5th-8th
• Click by 10 authors,  YA-adult
• The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper,  7th-adult
• Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey, 1st book of the Harper quartet of The
  Dragonrider series,  7th-adult
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick,  4th & up & read aloud
• Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt,  6th-adult
• The Secret of Sarah Revere by Ann Rinaldi,  YA-adult
• The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood,  6th & up

I’ll Never Forget the Day I Read a Book! is hosting a new Blog Carnival. There are 38 posts included. The next will be hosted on October 12 by Novel Bloggers.

I noticed today that I’ve been doing Book of the Month selections for 2 years now. Yea!

This month’s selection is a book I’ve been wanting to highlight for a few months, but other books inserted themselves. Becoming Naomi León by Pam Muñoz Ryan is a cultural and socially conscious book, but doesn’t get lost in the message. The story feels real, and even the huge side trip is an integral part.

REVIEW

Current Selection and List of Previous

The story starts with a modern-day, Irish, farming family that welcomes visitors regularly to their home to play music together and share their music with the community. This tradition dates back to a time when the Catholic Church was trying to stamp out community dances. J.J. Liddy learns form his best friend that the Liddy family has a dark secret, connected to their music playing. Related but not apparent at first, there is a new policeman in town with a bad memory who can be led astray by an invitation to play his fiddle.

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We interrupt this program for a public service announcement. Craig Ferguson, late night TV show host, performed a monologue on the upcoming election and voting. Can’t stay up late enough to watch, but we saw it on YouTube. In my opinion, he is the best commedian in all of the current shows. He’s funny and smart, and as my kids say, everything is funnier with the accent. He has, by the way, authored a novel, but I wouldn’t recommend it for YA and younger.

He has recently become a citizen of the U.S. His take on the election is rather funny and also quite serious.

The selection this month is Jon Muth’s 3rd giant panda book, Zen Ties. The last book, Zen Shorts, received a Caldecott Honor in 2006. Both are excellent, with exceptional artwork and gently teaching stories. In both, the lessons are integrated into the story without being tedious, and I believe they will be classics.

REVIEW

Current Pick and List of Previous

I wish that I had seen a book like TeenVestor.com by Modu and Walker 10 to 15 years ago. We had more discretionary income (or some) at that time, but just did not know enough to see we could have been investing small amounts. We have recently started investing small amounts for ourselves (not teens), driven by the fact that we no longer have the opportunity of workplace investment. Also by our government’s unwillingness to invest in alternative energy, which we believe needs to be happening NOW-not wait until the current political war is over (i.e. the oil & gas people are ousted). Particularly, we believe alternative electrical generation and electric vehicles will be extremely important for our future. The amount of R & D funds for alternatives is a joke compared to the bonuses oil companies have been handed.

So, yes, we will be doing more of our own investing and helping our children to choose as well. We believe we can improve our situation, while we also promote businesses that are involved in real growth (as opposed to those that are ONLY about making money).

Note: I saw on Amazon that Emmanuel Modu is a former vice president at J.P. Morgan Chase and Citibank and  also  has been a senior treasury analyst at Merrill Lynch.

REVIEW