The Right Book at the Right Time

Title: When She Woke

Author: Hillary Jordan

Publisher: Algonquin Books, 2011

Summary/Review:In the not-so-distant future, only the most dangerous criminals serve their sentences behind bars. All others are made to serve their time on the outside, living among the rest of society but with one big difference. In order to readily identify them as criminals, they are injected with a virus to change the color of their skin. Most of these “Chromes” are Yellows, serving short sentences for misdemeanors. Child molesters are Blues but they don’t fare so well out in society so they are rarely seen. Hannah Payne is a Red. She has been convicted of killing her unborn child. Dangers to Hannah and those like her come in many forms. Religious fanatics and vigilantes have them in their sights. How will she ever survive her 16 year sentence?

More than a modern “Scarlet Letter”, this is a very thought provoking and riveting story. Full of controversial topics, I’m sure it will lead to some interesting conversations. Adding to the disturbing nature of “When She Woke” is the realization that we can see glimpses of the fanaticism portrayed in this story just by watching CNN.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

A second look: If Margaret Atwood had written The Scarlet Letter, it would read like this book.  This is a slightly futuristic story where the Religious Right has taken over so that, for instance, abortion is legally considered murder.  Not only that, viruses have been developed that produce changes in skin color.  Yellow for misdemeanor, blue for child molester, red for murderer – a clever solution to prison overcrowding. Criminals are released into society to fend for themselves in a world that can see what you’ve done.

Our heroine woke to find herself chromed red after being convicted of murdering her unborn child.  She keeps her lover’s name a secret, protecting this powerful and well-respected man.  She soon discovers that life on the outside is fraught with danger – even from those who claim they will protect her.

Recommended by: Lauren, Reference Assistant

Who Might Like This?: Fans of dystopian novels, science fiction.

If you liked this, try this: If you’d like to read more Hillary Jordan, try out her incredibly popular “Mudbound”.  If you’re interested in dystopian novels, “1984″ by George Orwell or “Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood are two classics.  For younger readers, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins or “The Giver” by Lois Lowry both depict dystopias. If you liked the book overall, check out “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne or one of the many other books based off this classic.

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Title: Watchmen

Author: Alan Moore

Illustrator: Dave Gibbons

Publisher: DC Comics, April 1995

Summary: After a summer of blockbuster movies, you might just be sick of superheroes. But soon (pending some legal wrangling) the greatest graphic novel ever is coming to the big screen: Watchmen, by legendary scribe Alan Moore (responsible for such classics as The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and V for Vendetta.) It is the story of a group of superheroes undone by their all-too-human frailties. Set in the mid-80s, a killer is stalking the former ‘masks,’ who have either retired or been driven underground by anti-vigilante legislation, as the world moves closer and closer to nuclear conflict.

This is a thoroughly post-modern take on heroes, and while characters like The Comedian, Nite Owl, Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan might not be as familiar as Batman and Wolverine, their stories are just as unforgettable. If you think you’re too grown-up for comics, read Watchmen. This is a true masterwork that explodes any expectations you might have for the flying and tights genre, named an essential book by Entertainment Weekly and Time magazines. Read it before the movie comes out!

Who will like this book?: Superhero fans who have read it all. People who like stories that expose the humanity, for better or worse, of heroic figures.

If you like this, try this: Anything by Alan Moore, especially V for Vendetta and From Hell. 300 by Frank Miller.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

Title:  Broken Angel

Author:  Sigmund Brouwer

Summary: Set in a Christian dystopia, in the not-so-far-off future, Broken Angel is the story of religious fundamentalism gone horribly wrong. Caitlin has grown up in Appalachia, an independent country within the United States run by fanatics who have distorted Christianity. Punishments for crimes in Appalachia (including the heinous crime of reading and teaching others to read) range from forced labor to death by stoning. No wonder there is secret network of people, known as the Clan, who help people escape this hell hole. Oops-that probably would have gotten me 5 years of hard labor in the factory. 

As Caitlin reaches puberty, her father plans for her escape to the Outside. You see, Caitlin was born with a deformity that they have been able to hide up until now. If this deformity is discovered, she will certainly be put to death. Since everyone’s movements in Appalachia are monitored by the government, escaping is never easy. Caitlin is forced to flee on her own as her father tries to draw the bounty hunters away from her tracks, but she eventually meets up with two other fugitives. Together, they must help each other survive while keeping ahead of their pursuers. Will all three of them make it? What really happened to her father when the bounty hunter caught up to him? Is everyone in Appalachia what they appear to be? What is this mysterious deformity of Caitlin’s? Brouwer does a great job of keeping this a fast paced story with intriguing characters and plot twists.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator

Title: Feed

Author: M.T. Anderson

Summary: Imagine having the Internet in your head. In Feed, a dystopian novel set in a not-too-distant future, Titus has grown up with the feed: a computer chip installed at birth that connects him, and everyone else, to the Feednet. Instant messaging, television, telephone, even shopping (complete with pop-up ads) all hard-wired to his brain.  Life revolves around the feed until Titus meets Violet, a girl who prefers to think for herself. When Violet begins to  question this new society and fight the feed – no matter what the cost, Titus must make a decision: Stand by Violet, or give in to the feed.

This book presents an America taken over by consumerism and technology about to implode on itself. That it is entirely plausible makes this novel even more timely and frightening. However, it retains a sense of humor, and like the best satire, will leave the reader thinking about the book long after the last page is turned.

Who will like this book: Sci-Fi fans, technophobes and IM-addicts

If you like this, try: Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini, Jennifer Government by Max Barry

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian