'The Banana Hoose': By: Courtney Ella Hrabik

-The Book-

'The Banana Hoose' by Courtney Ella Hrabik is about The Banana Hoose sorority at the University of Dasani during the 85-86 school year.  This year the sorority is being led by Beth and Colleen.  The book follows the Alpha-Upsilon-Beta Tau pledge class during all their pledge tasks, parties, and adventures.  But if Abby and Mary have their way this could by The Bananas last hurra at the University of Dasani.

-The Review-

This is an adult book.  I am in college and their were still times when I thought the language and situations were a bit much for me.  Once I got passed the foul language, drinking, and drugs and I concentrated on just the story I really enjoyed it.  I loved the characters and the bond they had.  I also loved the quotes that were before select sections.  They were humerous and a nice seg way into the section.  My favorite character by far was Karen. We get to see her go on a very special journey.  That everyone should enjoy.  Just like Courtney Ella said at the end of the book that must people aren't like the Bananas that we were like Karen with a little bit of Banana in us.  It is very different from 'One Year' but still a very funny story and well writen. 

I would reccomend this book for women ages 18-21 to 40.  I think this is a must read if you were in a sorority yourself.

'We Were Czech' By: Echo Delling

-The Book-

This really isn't a book but Echo is up front about that.  It is a collection of stories and poetry about people living in Czech.  The stories range from the 1400s to the present.

-The Review-

I didn't know much about Czech are the people to I read this and this book was a window into their lives.  I am not sure how accuarate that is but it was fascinating and has caused me to do more research.  I really liked how in a short amount of time I felt like I new these people.  He has amazing character development in that regard.  I also really liked how it was evident that english was not his first language and because of it their were some awkward places but I think that really gave it character.  I also think it will be cool to see how that matures over time.

I would reccomend this for people thirteen and up.  I feel this was written with a co-ed audience in mind.  I think Czech people will really like it because of the awarness the book brings to the world and I think Americans will like it to see what it is like in other countries.  You can buy the book at amazon.com here:

http://www.amazon.com/We-Were-Czech-Echo-Delling/dp/1440452806/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1288326737&sr=8-4#_

"One Year" Review

Sorry it took so long but here is my review of "One Year" by: Courtney Ella Hrabik. Let me start off this review by saying Courtney Ella is coming from some where completely different then any other writer; like I have no idea from where. Then her language is so unique she has no compound words or contractions. It was very awkward to read at first but it really grew on me. I loved how organically the story was told and how inter-connected it was. I had to read it a couple of times before I caught on to everything. Like the book was written by the character of Latimer in past tense. Through out the book he is getting inspiration for this crazy year from their actual year and from suggestions from Loren. The maping that had to be done before she even began writing the book had to be so intense. Then I read that she plans on using that narrator in all of her books is even crazier. That means she must have this whole world mapped out.

Not only is the language and connections unique but so is the structure. Matthew said there was no climax but I feel that there are actually two. There are two journeys being told one between Josh and the narrator and Loren's. Josh's climax was in the prologue when he died and the resolution was when he made peace with his death. Loren's climax comes when she is running in "Feel" and her resolution comes in "We Are Okay".

Over all I liked it.

'One Year' Review

For everyone that does not go to Brown University here is my review for 'One Year' by Courtney Ella Hrabik.

When I first got the email to write this review I was very surprise that they would want my opinion and then I was flattered because this was the first time I have been personaly asked to review a book.

My first reaction to the book was that it was not a book. Yes it meets the word requirement. But it is lacking almost everything else that makes it a book. Their is no antagonist. Their is no exposition. Their is no raising action. Their is no climax. Their is no falling action. In reality it is a very long story.

What I liked about the story. It was a great story. Courtney Ella once said at reading 'Books are a dying medium. I write for an audience (teenage girls) that would never spend twenty dollars on a book. Yet books are what I am currently writing. So they can't be books any more they have to be experiences. The reader has to be able to relate to the book while never reading it any where else at the same time.' This book is that. From the prologue it was an interesting and unique idea to write around. The character of Loren is the average American teenager but the characters around her are fun and interesting. The situations that the characters are put in are average with a twist. It was also a very easy read. I have a very hectic life between grad school and TAing but I had no trouble finishing this book this week. My sister said she wanted to read it and she hates to read. It was also interesting that at the end of the story she had character bios and explaining each section.

This story is either going to be killed for everything it does not have or Harry Potter popular. If it takes off it may re-write the book on books. If she does that it may screw the majority of writers out there right now because everyone else follows the rule. God knows I could never copy that style so lets hope it does not.

'One Year' by: Courtney Ella Hrabik

I am so excited about posting my first book review on this site.  I am also super excited because I am pretty sure this is the first review of the book.  I was very lucky to be one of the lucky fifteen writers who got advance electric comps of the book. Every one else is just going to have to wait un till the book comes out. I can tell that you all are jealous. 

-The Book-

The book begins in April 2007 at the Virgina Tech.  In the prologue we see Joshua Stevens gunned down in Spanish class during the VT tragedy.  As the book progresses we meet his younger sister Loren Stevens.  The majority of the book focuses on Loren's year after his death.  Through out the book the narrator introduces the reader to a color full cast of characters from Latimer the Mute to Ms. Hall (no first name) to the over protective Susan.  She spends her summer at Camp Piomingo.  As they return to school we see Loren interact with new challanges and people.  We are invited to four sweet sixteen parties, a school play, two vacations and prom.  The book ends in May 2008 on a happy note with a very special wedding and all the characters seem to be at peace at last.

-The Review-

I will be honest when I first heard the concept of the book I thought the idea sounded crazy: it is about Loren Stevens whose brother dies at VT becomes a homeless angel and the book also happens to be narrated by a home less angel and oh their is a song for each section.  Crazy Right? I have to say I loved this book from beginning to end.  It is over 500 pages but it does not feel long enough.  It was a quick read, it took me a day and a half.  The dialogue was witty, the characters were interesting, and the plot flowed very well.  There are a lot of components to the book but they all connect together perfectly.  I loved that she chose to begin with the VT tragedy.  It was a bold way to start but it was done creatively and respectfully.  I loved how Courtney Ella Hrabik brought Bug Juice back to life by having Loren on the show.  I think alot of the readers grew up watching that show so it was so cool to see it again. It is also an example of how Courtney Ella perfectly blended our reality with Loren's reality.  What depressed me about the book was how honestly she showed Americans after tragedy.  How we get so upset and tend to generalize.  We see this when Loren initially over reacts when an Asian student joins her class.  When I first read it I thought 'Racist'.  But as I thought about it more I came to realize that was probably an honest reaction that most in that situation would do. Sadly I also think most Americans act just like Principal Mitchell. The mother/daughter relationship also disappointed me.  In a time like that your mother should be a pilar of strength and it was the opposite in this book.  What really depressed me was that Courtney Ella noted that the relationship was based on her own with her mother.  Then their is the teenage dynmanic.  The friendships, drama, and dating was spot on.  That brings us to the music.  Oh my gosh it was the perfect playlist for her year.  The music was an indicator what the chapter/section was going to be about.  The songs she chose fits each section and just lets you experience the story in another way.  Does any one know if there is an iMix on iTunes for this book yet?  I would love to download it. You could tell that she put so much time and effort in to making this book a time capsle for the year.  I mean the book is about Loren's year but reading the book it brought me back to that year and how I had many of the same experiences.  We see Loren send in a post secret post card, we see reference to many TV shows, get a facebook and twitter, drive, date, and text. It is also apparent where Courtney Ella likes to get pizza, coffee, etc because she mentions those places through out the whole book.  Including an almost full page for Starbucks and Carmel Apple cider. The last thing I found really interesting about the book was that she gave a detailed background of the book and character bio.  Like where each character ends up and why she chose each song.  I had never seen a writer do that before.  It was a cool touch.

This book is for 15 and up for mild language and situations.  This book was written for a female audience in mind.  I would reccomend this book to teenagers who do not like to read because it does not feel like a book.