Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves   . . . or it might destroy her. -summary provided by goodreads.com

Title: "Divergent"
Author: Veronica Roth
Publication Date: April 25, 2011
Beth's Recommended Age: 16 and up
Beth says: LOVE LOVE LOVE!  A MUST READ!

Beth's Review:

Set in dystopian Chicago, "Divergent" has all the ingredients for one of the best young adult books of our time.  Veronica Roth tells the story of Beatrice "Tris" Prior who joins a faction of fearless, brave and sometimes crazy individuals whose initiation pushes physically, mentally and emotionally.  Tris is one of my favorite heroines written.  She is brave, she is selfless and she is independent. 

Ms. Roth uses factions to divide the city into groups.  At sixteen, each person must choose which faction they will join based on what they value: bravery, selflessness, knowledge, peace or truth.  The idea of the factions is absolutely brilliant.  They stress "faction before blood" and it is evident throughout the book. 

Four is one tough, hot guy.  He will make anyone, young or old drool.  He does not coddle Tris, but shows her how strong she really can be.  The relationship Tris develops with Four and her other friends help her realize her true values and strength. 

Finally, my favorite character in the book is Tris' mom.  She is a strong silent character who makes bold decisions and show her depth.  I absolutely love her. 

All in all, I would recommend for everyone to read this book.  I love it and think Veronica Roth is an absolute genius!  I gave it a 16 and up rating due to violence.....

WARNING......SPOILERS AHEAD

Content Review:

Language: There is not any questionable language in the book.

Sexual: Tris and Four develop a romantic relationship.  They kiss; it does not go beyond that, but they do talk about sex.  In her "fear landscape", one of her fears is having sex with Four.  Also, there was an attempted rape she talks about.  After Tris is attacked, she and Four sleep in bed together, but they do not have sex.  Tris also gets made fun of for being prude and getting embarrassed with other couples kiss in front of her.

Violence: The book is fairly violent.  Tris joins a thrill-seeking, brave faction.  Part of the initiation process is to learn to shoot a gun and also to fight each other.  The initiation process is very competitive, one night an initiate gets stabbed in the eye while sleeping.  Tris gets attacked and almost raped.  After the attack, her friend, Al could not get over the guilt of attacking her and kills himself.  In the fear landscapes, they must face their fears which can raise from drowning, claustrophobia, killing a loved one to being pecked by crows.  Finally, the "big battle" is pretty violent.  Many people get shot and Tris shoots and kills quite a few people.  

Like I said earlier, I absolutely love this book.  I gave it a 16 and up rating because it is fairly violent. 

Matched by Ally Condie

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow. summary provided by goodreads.com
Title: "Matched"
Author: Ally Condie
Publication Date: November 30, 2010
Publisher's Recommended Age: 12 and up
Beth's Recommended Age: 12 and up

Review:

"Matched" is a fun, delightful and refreshing read.  I think I read this book one sitting.  Ally Condie is able to craft an unique dystopian world where the Society is in control.  What is great about the world she writes, is at times, I like the simplicity and decisiveness of the society.  Cassia is a relatable and easily lovable protagonist.  But, I just love the relationship she builds with both Ky and Xander. 

Xander is the friend who will help Cassia no matter what the cost.  His love for her runs deep even after he finds out about Ky.  Ky helps Cassia question the system in which they live and helps her find herself.  All in all, "Matched" is a good book that I would recommend to anyone who likes dystopian fiction.

Content: WARNING.....SPOILERS AHEAD

Language: There is no inappropriate language in this book.

Violence: In the society in which they live, once someone reaches a certain age, they are given a pill to die with dignity.  So there are some serious issues discussed with the topic of euthanasia.  Also, there are some situations where guns are used and kill some people.  However, the violence is not graphic and not the main focus of the book.

Sexual: The book focuses on the society mapping out the citizens life, but primarily there romantic life.  You find out who you are to marry and are not allowed to date anyone besides that.  Cassia does go out on a date with Xander and they kiss, but simultaneously develops a secret relationship with Ky.  Their relationship is more intense; they kiss a few times in the book, but that is as far as they go.

In all, the content of this book is clean.  I would recommend it for anyone to read from 12 and up. 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach--an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life...and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. -Summary by goodreads.com

Title: "Outlander"
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publication Date: June 1, 1991
Publisher's Recommended Age: Adult
Beth's Recommended Age: Mature Adult

Review:

Anytime I see "Outlander" at a used book sale or "Half Price Books", I just have to buy it so I can give it to my friends to read.  Although the size of the book is daunting, it is every second.  If I could pick one book to be transported into, I would choose to be Claire in "Outlander". 

The first 150-200 pages is hard to get through.  In fact, I hate to admit that I fell asleep a couple of times in the first 150 pages; however, they were vitally important to the story.  Once you persevere through those pages, it is impossible to put the book down.  James Fraser is the best male character ever written.  The relationship formed between Jamie and Claire is heart warming, captivating and unforgettable.  Diana Gabaldon is a master writer and will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. 

I highly recommend any mature adult to read this book.  There is significant adult content which is why I feel it is not appropriate for readers under the age of 18.

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

Content:

Violence: Throughout the book, there are significant sword fighting and shoot outs.  The fighting is not graphic, and is part of the history of the area from the setting of the book.  There is a rape homosexual rape scene that is retold in graphic detail that is hard to read.  In my opinion, that is the most gruesome and violent part of the book.

Language: I do not recall there being many curse words, if any, in the book.

Sexual: Jamie and Claire do have sex many times throughout the book.  However, the first time they consummate the relationship is in the context of marriage.  Many of their encounters are described in detail and therefore would be inappropriate for virgin readers. 

All in all, I absolutely love this book.  I love the time period in which it is written and the characters Ms. Gabaldon has created; it is a timeless book!

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match. 

Summary provided by bn.com

Title: "Beautiful Disaster"

Author: Jamie McGuire

Publication Date: July 12, 2012

Publisher's Recommended Age: Adult

Beth's Recommended Age: Adult

Review:

Since July 2012 when "Beautiful Disaster" was released, I have read this book at least a half a dozen times.  In fact, once I read it three times in a row in it first came out.  For a while, I was afraid I would never want to read anything else.  I instantly fell in love with Travis Maddox and Abby Abernathy. 

Jamie McGuire makes a bad boy that you can't help but fall head over heels in love with.  Travis and Abby form a strong friendship turned relationship.  As their relationship progresses, their love gets tested through a series of events that would tear anyone apart.  In this book, I laughed, I cried, I fell in love and wished to be Abby Abernathy.  So good....I may have to go read it again!

I recommend this book to adult audiences only due to the content:

WARNING....SPOILERS AHEAD

Language: Travis is a bad boy with a mouth to go with it.  There is some cursing throughout the book.

Violence: Travis fights in an underground boxing ring.  So, naturally, there are some fight scenes.  They are not graphic and it is not very brutal.

Sexual Content: Abby and Travis' relationship is filled with sexual tension.  Many scenes where they talk about having sex, or there is mention of sexual relations with other people or kissing where the tension is strong.  They do eventually have sex.  The scene is not told in graphic detail, but the point definitely gets across as to what is happening.

Mature Topics/Content: The relationship between Abby and Travis is intense.  He is a very passionate person who loves and feels deeply.  Their relationship progresses quickly and they get married within months of meeting each which only 19.  Gambling is discussed; they go to Vegas for a weekend where Abby uses a fake ID to win money at blackjack.  Finally, although Travis and Abby are underage, they get drunk and drink throughout the book. 

All in all, I really love this book and recommend it for adult audiences. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.

Summary provided by bn.com

Title: "The Hunger Games"
Author: Suzanne Collins
Original Publication Date: 2008
Publishers Recommended Age: 12 and up
Beth's Recommended Age: 14 and up
Beth says: One of the best books I have ever read

I absolutely love "The Hunger Games"!  It is easily one of my favorite books.  Since the books original publication, I have read the book at least five or six times.  Each time, I am in awe of the depth of the characters and the breadth of the world Suzanne Collins built with her words. 

The book is set is dystopian America where the Capitol controls the districts.  Katniss, a poor girl from district 12 is such a strong heroine.  She has the survival instinct taught to her through years of starving that gives her the strength to fight throughout the games.  I love Katniss' character and the struggle she has in killing.  The relationships Katniss builds shows the impact she has on those around her without even realizing it. 

The whole book grips you from the moment you read it.  Whether it is Katniss' love for her family, Peeta's love for Katniss, the brutality and depravity of the Capitol or the suspense of the games themselves.  Suzanne Collins melds the gladiator games and reality TV that leaves you wanting more. 

I gave this book a 14 and up recommendation.  Although there is no language or sex, it is quite violent.  Not only that, but the violence is kids killing kids.  Collins does a good job in not being too graphic while still articulating the appalling nature of the games and the gross brutality it involves. 
However, due the nature of the violence and the seriousness of the topic, I think this book is more geared toward high school and above.

Content:  WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

Sexual: Peeta and Katniss kiss several times, but the scenes are short and are not graphic.  They do sleep in a cave together, but it is in a survival setting and Katniss is trying to keep Peeta alive.   All in all, there is very little sexual content and the focus is not on the physical relationship between them.

Language: As much as I recall, there is no cursing in this book.

Violence: Although Suzanne Collins handles the violence well, the story of the games is very violent.  The youngest tribute in the games is 12, so you have very young children plotting as to how they will use weapons to kill another one.  Ms. Collins is not too graphic, but there is a few of the deaths that is hard to read.  Also, Katniss and Peeta choose to kill themselves versus having to kill one.  Although this does not end up happening, they get the poisonous berries in their mouth before they are stopped and declared victorious.  I caution anyone who has a weak disposition when it comes to reading violence especially with children when reading it; there are some parts that are tough to read. 

Welcome

Welcome to Beth's book nook!  Let me tell you a little bit about myself....I am a wife and mother of three beautiful girls.  When I am not at work or hanging out with my family, I am reading a book. 

For the past few months, I have been working at a local high school in the office.  Since they know I read so much, many parents have asked my opinion on a variety of books.  Specifically, I have been asked whether or not a book is appropriate for their child.  After discussion, I help the parent come to the decision as to if the content of the book is acceptable. 

Since I am so passionate about books (and I have been a guest blogger on a few different blog), I wanted to start my own blog.  The format is going to be a bit different than other book review blogs. 

My plan is to review a book, give my recommendation, but I will also provide a synopsis of the content, language, and violence within the book.  Unfortunately, there will be spoilers (which I will give warnings for), but in order to understand the content of the book, I will have to include some spoilers.

My goal is that Beth's Book Nook provides an opportunity for parents and readers to know what they are getting into prior to reading a book and enabling the reader to make an informed decision as to whether or not the book is acceptable. 

I hope you enjoy my review and thought.  Tomorrow I will be posting my first review and it will be "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. 

Thanks for reading!