Brian Selznick

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I’m finding it difficult to believe that summer is over and I am back to school already! It was a busy summer filled with lots of reading and book reviewing. Back at school this semester I am already knee-deep in English Renaissance Drama, Shakespeare, Modern Grammar, and Young Adult Literature. You all know what that means….less time for pleasure reading but still plenty of books to review! I’m looking forward to sharing my take on some literary classics with you as well as exploring the world of Young Adult literature.

For those of you who missed my initial post on this topic, I have decided to embark on a most enjoyable challenge to read 75 books in 2013. (This goal was updated from 52 to 75 mid-year). I have chosen to participate in the Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge in which I select my own goal, and a book a week is what I came up with as truly doable this year. Each month I will give you an update on where I am in the challenge and what books I was lucky enough to indulge in. I’ll also include a link to Amazon.com for each book in case you would like to pick a read up for yourself.

In the month of August I have read three books and according to the graph on Goodreads, I am at 65% of my goal, which is one book (1%) ahead of schedule! I’m just a bout where I need to be in order to reach my goal on time this year. With all of the books I’ll be reading for class this semester I’m not too concerned about not meeting the goal!

This month I read the following books. You may click on each one to see my review and purchase information.

The Potty Mouth at the Table by Laurie Notaro

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

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As usual I am open to your recommendations and look forward to talking books with you!

Happy Reading!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Hugo Cabret is an orphan who lives with the hope of repairing an automaton that his deceased father once discovered abandoned in a museum. After Hugo is left behind by his alcoholic uncle he spends his days diligently maintaining the clocks of the Paris train station and using his free time to pore over his father’s notebooks kept on the automaton. One day as Hugo steals a toy from a train station shop he is caught by an old man and introduced to Isabella. The old man takes away Hugo’s beloved notebook, setting into action a delightful series of actions to get it back. With the help of Isabella and a mysterious friend met in the bookstore, Hugo not only recovers his notebook, but is able to bring the automaton to life. The secrets that the automaton unfolds hinges upon a great discovery that will change the lives of everyone involved forever. What was thought to be lost forever is found and there is celebration in the discovery.

This charming book is told partially through words on the page and partially through wonderfully detailed illustrations. Although the book appears long at 533 pages, it is full of these beautiful illustrations and short bits of prose. Even though you can read this book easily in an hour, its captivating storyline and amazing illustrations will make you want to linger much longer in the enticing wold of Hugo Cabret.

I loved the way that history intertwined with fantasy in this book. I fell in love with young Hugo and cheered for him from start to finish. His friend Isabella is also charming. I love how she always has a book in her hands and when Hugo asks her how she knows how to pick locks she nonchalantly tells him her knowledge is from books. This book is a lovely mystery that unfolds beautifully. It is a story that will delight readers of all ages.

On a side note, I picked up The Invention of Hugo Cabret because we bought the 3-D film based on the book and I always want to read the book before seeing the film. I’m curious to see how the world of Hollywood filmmaking brings to life a book that is in itself an homage to the magic of filmmaking.