It's that time of the year when I can just sit and read and write book
reviews!
Just finished "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown--fun read, some clues I
got, some I didn't. Fun, fast-paced, found myself trying to see who
would star in the movie (I actually hate that when I am reading) Julia
Roberts as the daughter, definitely. Maybe Harrison Ford as the
historian?? Too popular for me to write a review. If you haven't read it
yet, wait for the paperback to come out or check it out from the public
library. Does want me to to explore goddess theory, and the role of Mary
Magdelene in biblical history.
Currently reading "Disgrace" by J.M. Coetzee, who won the 1999 Booker
Prize for this book. Coetzee just received the Pulitzer in 2003.
"Disgrace" is powerful reading, but not sure for high school. Will write
a review later.
Now on to the Book Review for "Close to Shore"
"Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in the Age of Innocence" by
Michael Capuzzo.
I read the hardbound version. The paperback version, which is an
adaptation, has been retitled: “Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark
Attacks of 1916” with a shark fin on the cover. The hardbound book cover
is minus the shark fin!
I don’t think I want to do any heavy-duty swimming feats on ANY shore
after reading this book! I’m not sure if it will appeal to many high
school readers, perhaps if you have some shark enthusiasts or a marine
biology program. There is also a lot of historical information about the
time (circa 1916) that will be over the heads of most high school
students.
Capuzzo does have a good sense of timing, there were places when I just
had to put the book down, as I knew what was coming—, and it wasn’t
pretty and I couldn't stomach it.
There are no pictures in the hardcover book, but I understand that there
are some in the paperback version. This would be good as I did Google
searches for people, places, and events while reading, just to get a
sense of place.
Capuzzo also gave a great picture of the shark itself, possibly a “rogue”
shark, as there had never been an attack on the East Coast until that
time. It still doesn’t encourage me to go into the water!
Again, this would appeal to selected readers, and I would recommend
buying it in paperback rather than hardcover.
I enjoyed it and will recommend it to selected students.
Adam
Book Review: Close to Shore A True Story of Terror in the Age of
Innocence by Michael Capuzzo
I read the hardbound version. The paperback version, which is an
adaptation, has been retitled: “Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark
Attacks of 1916” with a shark fin on the cover. The hardbound book
cover is minus the shark fin!
I don’t think I want to do any heavy-duty swimming feats on any shore
after reading this book! I’m not sure if it will appeal to many high
school readers, perhaps if you have some shark enthusiasts or a marine
biology program. There is also a lot of historical information about the
time (circa 1916) that will be over the heads of most high school
students.
Capuzzo does have a good sense of timing, there were places when I just
had to put the book down, as I knew what was coming—, and it wasn’t
pretty.
There are no pictures in the hardcover book, but I understand that there
are some in the paperback version. This would be good as I did Google
searches for people, places, and events while reading, just to get a
sense of place.
Capuzzo also gave a great picture of the shark itself, possibly a “rogue”
shark, as there had never been an attack on the East Coast until that
time. It still doesn’t encourage me to go into the water!
Again, this would appeal to selected readers, and I would recommend
buying it in paperback rather than hardcover.
Adam Janowski
Library Media Specialist
Naples High School
1100 Golden Eagle Circle
Naples, FL 34102
E-mail: NHSWebmaster@collier.k12.fl.us
Phone: 239-430-6644 Ext. 390
Fax: 239-430-6673
Library web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/lmc/
School web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/
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