What I Read Wednesday

I only read two books this week. Not for lack of wanting, but because I have six books on my library hold list and none of them are in. This always happens. They'll all come in at once and I'll be overwhelmed.

Allegiant (Divergent)
The last book in the Divergent trilogy. It's hard to discuss this because I don't want to give away any spoilers. I will say that I was mostly happy with it, though a few things bothered me. I don't think anyone will really ever be happy with the last book in a trilogy that they love because they don't want it to end. I will also say that through virtue of spending the last month teaching Divergent, I felt that I had a better grasp on the ending and some other plot points because much of it seemed very thematic to me--and there's nothing I love more than beating theme into my students with a giant, symbolic hammer. That's really all I can say about that, but if you've read it, please feel free to email me and we can discuss it further.

The Rosie Project: A Novel
I loved this book. Don Tillman is a genius, but incredibly socially challenged. Although the book never explicitly states it, he is most definitely on a spectrum somewhere. In his social awkwardness, he's yet to find a wife, so he sets out to do so, but first every applicable woman must meet his very rigid guidelines through filling out a questionnaire he's put together. I loved this book because it was quirky and different, but also because Don's voice was very strong. I teach many students who are autistic or Asperger's and Don reminded me so much of some of them that I felt like I was getting a glimpse into their adult lives. I tore through this book.

What are you reading?