Our Comments

Elise
First of all I'd like to apologize for taking so long on commenting on this book and starting our next book. We have a good excuse though! The holidays sort of got in the way so we decided to wait until things slowed down. Which Im sure everyone else feels the same way. So now it's 2010 and in the words of Janell "Now anything can happen!"
Catch of Consequence was a really good book. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I love that the main character was a couragous woman at 24 years of age. Makepeace is a good role model because she was strong and had a healthy conscience to make sure she always did the right thing. Even when Makepeace lost her husband and everything else all in one night she still managed to do the right thing. She didn't give up or lose hope. Well maybe she did for a little bit but she came right back. I enjoyed all the relationships that she shared with those around her. Even her relationship with Catty. They didn't choose to have a relationship it was pushed on them because of Phillip Dapifer but I loved how Makepeace treated her because Phillip never stood up against her and was way too soft. So much that he ended up dying because of it. All in all I thought it was a great story of romance when she first fell in love with him despite him being a british aristocrat. She sacrificed everything for him including her tavern. I liked where the story took us as she moved to England and became Lady Dapifer. As the journey continued with her the hardships she faced, it showed how strong she really was. I didn't like how she treated her daughter though. I felt really bad for her, but I know it wasn't her fault. I will probably read the second book to learn more about the daughter and what she becomes.

Janell
Yes, in 2010 anything can happen!  As for Catch of Consequence, it is a five star book!
This was a very emotionally exhausting book to read. The author does an amazing job of making you feel like part of the story. The characters and their circumstances seem so real. I also love the time period in which the book was written. It is unbelievable that this is the same America we live in today. It frightens me to think what people will do for money and status. I am also appalled at the social snobbery that exists. Sadly, both are themes I think are still present today, but perhaps not as blaringly obvious. I agree with Elise on some points. Makepeace is a strong, intelligent woman especially for her time. She is also courageous in the sense that she takes on any challenge. However, I disagree that she never gave up. I think she gave up when Philip died. She put all her responsibilities on Betty, Susan, and her brother. She was not an active parent and acted as if she could waste to nothing and it would not matter. She was fortunate to be surrounded by people that loved her and her daughter. Makepeace seemed to lose the will to live until she discovered a way to get revenge. At this point, she became the intelligent, vivacious woman we know her to be. Again, however, what is lost because of her unyielding goal to wreak havoc on Catty’s life. Will Makepeace be able to make up for lost time with her daughter? Makepeace seemed to lose sight of everything and neglect maybe what was most important for the sake of revenge. Overall, I think Makepeace did the best she could and at the end she started to prove her decisions, in the end, were for the welfare of her family, friends and daughter. I also do not blame her for dying a little with Philip. She had built a new life and new dreams with this man and then lost it in an instant in a foreign land where money, power and status reigned. She is a survivor and I admire her for that. I do think this book offers a great lesson in being strong and also finding balance in our life. It also shows the importance of family and friends. Where would we be without them? One last comment, Makepeace’s strength and business savvy are her front and foremost character traits, but throughout the whole book, she shows compassion. She shows compassion for Philip, then considered an enemy and then at the end shows compassion for her true enemies. Makepeace’s ability to show compassion even in the most trying and difficult times is admirable.

Catch of Consequence by Diana Norman

From the moment Makepeace Burke fishes Englishman Sir Philip Dapifer out of the Charles River in pre-Revolutionary War Boston, saving his life, her own is forever changed. Suddenly finding herself ranked a traitor for rescuing a member of the English aristocracy, Makepeace is forced to leave her home and set out on a journey that will steer her in directions of which she could never have dreamed.

A Catch of Consequence is at once a vivid historical novel, a haunting love story, and an unforgettable portrait of a remarkable woman. Diana Norman has crafted another richly textured tale of passion, loss, and courage—and of the power and the pain wrought from being true to oneself against all odds.

What we thought...

Janell
The Maze Runner is another five star book for me. I love that the action and suspense begins instantly. I thought the author was able to remain unpredictable throughout the entire book. Just when I thought I knew what would happen I was inevitably surprised. I am interested to see if the book becomes a series. The way the book ends it could potentially continue into a second book. I wonder what the creators next phase of training would have entailed. Once they solved the maze, how would the creators have continued to test them? I would also like to know more of the science behind what the creators did to the boys. I also wonder why they only chose one girl to be put in the maze. Why only boys? One of the best aspects of the book is the language the author gives to the characters. It fits the book and the characters perfectly. I also wonder about human nature. Are we all born with the instinct to fight and stay alive or are there only a select few individuals born with that characteristic? How was Thomas able to rise above the prejudices of the community and break the rules no matter the consequences for the sake of doing what was right? Why was he such a good leader despite the accusations against him? Were they inherent characteristics or was he forced to be that way?

Elise

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

We have made it to the second book!  We would love to hear what your thoughts were on The Book Thief, but in the meantime let's get started on book number 2.  Elise and I chose the Maze Runner by James Dashner and we both thoroughly enjoyed the book. Here is a quick synopsis: Imagine waking up in a pitch black box and the only thing you can remember is your name. It was a scary feeling for Thomas. When the box opened up, he found himself trapped in a dangerous maze amongst other gladers who had been there for 2 years. They don't understand who put them there or why, all they know is that they need to find their way out before it's too late. So find out what happens. We hope you enjoy the book as much as we did. See you in two weeks!

What we thought...

Elise
I really enjoyed "The Book Thief." When I first started reading, it took me a while to get used to the style of writing and I didn't really like it. Then, after reading 10 pages or so I fell in love with the way it was written. It's definately a unique book that takes you on a journey exploring the world during world war II through the eyes of death. I really enjoyed the character of death. He painted a perfect image of human nature. Leisel was such an exciting character. I related to her in some ways and I was drawn to her words. I respected her adoptive parents, especially her Dad. He was very soft spoken yet strong and bold through his actions. I wish I new if Leisel and Max ended up getting married? Any thoughts? I was really sad that Rudy ended up dying because he also had such a strong character. The kiss that they shared and that Rudy fantasized about was so inocent but really was epic. The author was able to take this small action and carry through in such a passionate way. I loved all the thievery and childish competitions as well. So I give this book high ratings because it was uniquely written and the flow of the words take you through the book like the brush strokes in a painting. Markus Zusak is very delicate and poetic as he tells a story of hatred, disease and death.

Janell
I am a little behind in posting my thoughts on The Book Thief and I apologize. I let the Thanksgiving Holiday distract me; kudos to Elise for being prompt!


I thought this book was marvelous! The author had a very interesting writing style. It took me a couple of pages to understand who the narrator was. How creative. I have never read a book from the perspective of ‘Death.’ I also thought the author wrote beautifully. There were passages that were so artistic and poetic.  One of my favoriate parts was the mother sitting on her bed with the accoridan sitting in her lap.  The author gave you an intimate portrait of all the characters and I fell in love with each of them.  For me the book was also filled with little reminder messages, such as, appreciate the little things in life like an unfinished crossword puzzle or bread and the importance of friends and family. It also shows the impacts of compassion and selflessness. I would give The Book Thief five stars.

The Journey Begins!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is where our book club begins.  Random House gives a great description, which is as follows:

"It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul."

We'll see you in two weeks!