Since I last posted and why I prefer to BUY books

So, I finished Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, then I read Water for Elephants, The Handmaid's Tale, and To Kill a Mockingbird. I think it would be best to give my reviews on these books because I'm not far enough into my new book to say much about (I'm on maybe page 5.) So let's begin!

Water for Elephants: This book is so dirty. Half of it is about the circus and the main character's life as an old man. The other half is just sex. It's really well written and the plot's good, but I think the author could've made better choices. You don't have to use sex to get people to like your book. I'm a prude, let's be honest, so someone else might not see it the same way. It's not so uncomfortable that you have to stop reading, but it's enough that you wouldn't recommend it to your mom. I thought it related a lot to Hotel because of the story set in the past and the present, as well as the theme of "forbidden love." I would give it a 7/10 stars.

The Handmaid's Tale: So good. this is probably one of the best books I've ever read. It takes place in future where women are horribly suppressed into the roles of wife, Martha or Handmaid. The Martha's are servants and the Handmaids' are basically surrogate mothers for the wives. The main character Offred (get it, "of Fred" because she is considered a belonging) is a handmaid who describes her life now and the short bursts of memory that remind her of the past when she had a husband and a daughter. At first, I was confused but after a couple chapters I got enough of it to enjoy it, while still being confused enough to want to learn more. I thought this book would be more biased, but I liked that the author told a story without thrusting feminism down our throats. My only complaint? I want a sequel so bad. 9/10 stars.

To Kill a Mockingbird: I really, really, really, really (I think you get the idea) wish we would have read this book. It's so good. And it doesn't make me feel bad for being white. I like the perspective and characters the author chose for this book. I think many of us have had to read African American literature and I definitely some of us have had to read books that make us feel awful because it's kind of our fault. But, I didn't feel that way with this book. I felt sympathy for the African American characters and I understood the need for equality. I liked Scout and Jem, so I wanted to (and did) agree with them in their desire for Tom's freedom. Atticus Finch is also a very likeable character, so you want to follow his example. The author did a great job because she showed a case where the accused was obviously innocent, so that you could understand the inequality and learn to hate it. I wish that some how there could be a children's version of this because it would be such a great teacher of equal rights. 10/10 stars.

I was reading In Cold Blood and about 3/4 of the way through when the library wanted my book back even though I hadn't gone through 3 renewals and there was only ONE request and THREE books checked in. So I'm finished.