Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick

Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks - like the gears of the clocks he keeps- with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the train station, Hugo's undercover life and his most precious secret are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this mystery.

Brian Selznick is the illustrator of many celebrated picture books and novels. Selznick has worked as a bookseller, a set designer, and a puppeteer. He lives in Brooklyn, New York and San Diego, California.

I saw this book a few months ago and I cannot remember where anymore. I got intrigued by the color full cover and went on the look for more information on this book. I really loved the idea of the combination between graphics and story so I got myself a copy. I decided to pick it up as part of a read-a-thon I was participating in. I had the feeling that after reading two book the combination of this book would be a relieve and I can say it was.
I picked up the book and was pulled into the story immediately. The whole book is used to set an atmosphere even before the story starts. After a brief introduction the book starts with a lot of images telling the situation of Hugo. The way the images build up it is clear they are part of the story and not just to support the story. I love the drawings. All of them are black and white and they look very basic but if you look careful there are many nice details in them. The build up in the story is very nicely done and I found it very emotional and vulnerable.
The main character Hugo is a young boy. Alone and scared he is holding on to the last memories he has of his belove father. Though he steals things it is obvious he does not do it when not in need, except for the toys. He is obviously very smart and handy. Isabelle is a real know it all. A bossy little lady. I really like the interaction between these characters. I felt some sympathy for the toy seller too. He just tries to make money for his family. I am wondering still after finishing what happened. The explanation for his behavior was not very satisfying but maybe that is my adult eye.
This whole book is beautiful and for sure worth a read!

“ If you lose your purpose ... it's like you're broken. ”

“Time can play all sorts of tricks on you. In the blink of an eye, babies appear in carriages, coffins disappear into the ground, wars are won and lost, and children transform, like butterflies, into adults.”

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Author: Brian Selznick
Publisher:  Scholastic
ISBN-10:  0439813786
ISBN-13:  9780439813785
Pages:  525
Format: Hardcover
Scholastic: various

Train on Thursday: Specials, Scott Westerfield

I travel with public transport on regular base. One of my favorite past times when in bus or train besides reading is checking out what other people read. I usually look these books up (especially when someone is so hooked they don't notice me checking them out) to see if they would be something for me. In this weekly I will introduce you to the books I spotted while traveling. Feel free to leave a comment with your public transport books. If you want to write your own post feel free to link your post in the comments.

"Special Circumstances": The words have sent chills down Tally's spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor -- frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally's never been ordinary.
And now she's been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.
The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.
Still, it's easy to tune that out -- until Tally's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she's programmed to complete. Either way, Tally's world will never be the same.

I have heard about the Uglies trilogy on several occasions but never started reading the books. They sound interesting enough but there are many more books I want to read and if I take that into consideration they do not really fall in the top books that catch my attention. As I like to read series starting at the beginning there is only a small chance I will ever get to Specials.
The girl who was reading the book obviously loved it, she could hardly put it down when someone asked her something.
Did you read the Uglies books and what did you think of them?

Do not hesitate to leave your own travel book spots in the comments or writer your own post if you have a blog and leave the link!!

Wishlist Wednesday: The Ways of the World, Robert Goddard

Wishlist Wednesday is a weeklies hosted by Pen to Paper. As I have enough wishes when it comes to books I decided to join this weekly and tell you about them. I am obviously curious about the books on your wishlist too so feel free to leave a message.

1919. The eyes of the world are on Paris, where statesmen, diplomats and politicians have gathered to discuss the fate of half the world’s nations in the aftermath of the cataclysm that was the Great War. A horde of journalists, spies and opportunists have also gathered in the city and the last thing the British diplomatic community needs at such a time is the mysterious death of a senior member of their delegation. So, when Sir Henry Maxted falls from the roof of his mistress’s apartment building in unexplained circumstances, their first instinct is to suppress all suspicious aspects of the event.

But Sir Henry’s son, ex Royal Flying Corps ace James ‘Max’ Maxted, has other ideas. He resolves to find out how and why his father died – even if this means disturbing the impression of harmonious calm which the negotiating teams have worked so hard to maintain. In a city where countries are jostling for position at the crossroads of history and the stakes could hardly be higher, it is difficult to tell who is a friend and who a foe.And Max will soon discover just how much he needs friends, as his search for the truth sucks him into the dark heart of a seemingly impenetrable mystery.

I was again first attracted to the cover. I don't know exactly why but it has a mysterious touch to it that appealed to me. Next it is murder or not and some person investigating it. So yeah there it goes to my I want to read this book shelf!!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books Dealing With Tough Subjects

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly hosted by The Broke and Bookish. Every week the girls from the Broke and
Bookish come up with a subject and I will try to find 10 results combined with that weeks topic.

The ladies over at The Broke and Bookish really take you from one side to the other. And it is not that this weeks topic is much easier than last weeks when they asked for light and fun reads.
I have been browsing trough my read books for a few times looking for books that would fit into this category and find it difficult to find books. Would you say "just list your favorite books where there is a tough situation"  or do you really want to list the top ten books here that touched you because they where dealing with an emotional situation... Ah well I will just start out and see what sort I end up with.

1. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

I remember I did not want this book to finish. Though it is not the most shocking book out there I was very touched with the lost feeling Victoria displayed.

2. The Magical Stranger by Stephen Rodrick

This one is close to home. It touched the same feelings and questions I had / have after I lost my father at young age.

3. Amity & Sorrow by Peggy Riley

This book gives a very raw and honest view on the way cults work. 

4. Heading out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick

The thing that made me think of this book was the fact that Sam was a witness of things he should not have seen at his age.

5. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

In my review I wrote that this book reads like a children's adventure book until you realize it has actually happened to the author. 

6. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

The scare of the war from the point of view from a teenager. Realizing she is living a normal life and all changes from one day to another. There are obviously a lot of books with a story like this but with this book I really felt it.

7. Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

This book gave me the creeps and made me look over my shoulder. Is it a though subject? Not in my life because I am living in a so called free country but the idea of having to live your life watching every single thing you do and being scared all the time...

It's Monday the 13th of May! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are You Reading! is a weekly hosted by Sheila over at Book Journey. This weekly is meant to keep you people updated on what I read the last week and what I am planning to read the upcoming week.

I did some serious reading this week shutting down my computer so I could get some quality time with some nice books.
I finished The First Rule of Swimming by Courtney Angela Brkic and Little Joe by Michael Glasscock



I am currently reading The Tale of Raw Head and Bloody Bones by Jack Wolf




I am planning to read The Replacement Son by W.C. Culpepper and The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay