The Fault in Our Stars- John Green

This book was pretty good. It is a little predictable in that it is a coming of age, finding your own way, teenage love story. However, I did not truly see the ending coming. I had thought something else would occur. That a different individual's funeral would be taking place in the book.

There is a specific book talked about a lot in this book. I also thought perhaps the ending of that book would be the ending of this book, as it was referred to quite often. That was not the case. I did, however, like the ending of this book better.

It was a quick read, had a great voice, and lots of sarcasm, which I appreciate greatly.

This book is a bit sad, as cancer is no laughing matter. I liked some of the messages associated with cancer and the attitude toward it. It is geared toward a younger audience.

All in all a good book.

Enjoy!!

Ahab's Wife of, The Star-Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund

It has been a while since I started this book. Working full time and going to school full time leaves precious little time for recreational reading. This book was quite the undertaking, but well worth it.

I loved the forward thinking of those in Nantucket. In a time when an escaped slave was vying for women's right to vote, the Nantucketeers were in awe of and commending the free thinking of women. I loved the literary genius that was used as educational tools, such as Shakespeare, Keats, Byron, and Wordsworth, as well as the literary greats that Una came in contact with during her life- such as Mr. Hawthorne, Mr. Emerson, Margaret Fuller, and Frederick Douglass. The fact that Una spoke her mind and relished in these acquaintances brought a smile to my face.

In the beginning Una states that Captain Ahab was not her first husband and would not be her last. Her loyalty to her first husband, even when his madness drove him from her, was commendable. Then Ahab came along and you see Una truly flourish with the independence the wife of a sea captain is afforded.

We know from Mr. Melville's tale that Captain Ahab was a man obsessed. However, this is reflected more so in a variety of manners. He is drawn to Una from the very beginning and his obsession with her is solidified once she is free from her previous husband, of which Ahab wastes not time in amending. There is an obsession with success, due to his upbringing, obsession with revenge upon a leviathan, and obsession with the representation of ivory. It is a unique view into Captain Ahab.

We also know Captain Ahab does not survive his obsession, to which Una is, once again, without a coupling. The stance she takes is far beyond that of the times, however works with the strong, independent, free-thinking woman she is portrayed as. Also, the stance that marriage is more about what you do and say than a piece of paper was refreshing. As is the fact that Una took into consideration what others said or attempted to advise on, but ultimately did what she felt was the right thing to do.

This book contained views on religion, or the lack thereof, abolitionists, homosexuality, feminism, life, and death. Love and loss were a great part of life at this time and was evident within the writing as well. But all of this pales in comparison to the catch at the end...

(Spoiler alert)
Ahab's wife ended up sharing a life with Ishmael, the soul survivor of the Pequod, the last man to see her "beloved," and a man who intended on writing the same basic story of Captain Ahab, from a sailors point of view. I found there to be some sort of poetic justice in the fact that Captain Ahab's widow should find comfort and solace in the lone survivor of the last trip to sea her husband ever took.

All in all a great book! Long, but well worth the journey!

Enjoy!