TN #9: The Gardener

I really meant to read yesterday...

And I actually did.  Problem was, it wasn't a book on the list, it was something that I had been reading at the gym while working out on the elliptical.  Yes, I read while I am working out.  No there is nothing wrong with me (at least I think not).  I actually read because it makes the workout go a lot faster.  Forty minutes go by really fast when you are reading.  Anyway, the book, while was only slated for keeping me coming back to workout grabbed my attention and I just couldn't put it down.  So I finished it last night and got back to work on my little list of books.  To which my husband commented that "haven't you been reading that book for days?"  Nope, just today...

Anyway, so this morning I picked up The Gardener (with my little green post it) and got to work reading.  At first, it was work.  This seemed like a very strange book to me.  A lot of scientific stuff going on and then there was this football player who had a huge scar on his face.  How in the world did these two things go together?

The story drawls you in, so many questions?  Who is the girl?  Why isn't she eating?  What is Mason's mom hiding from Mason and why?  Who is the Gardener?  Those are just some of the questions that I had.  I'm sure there are more that you will have as you read.

http://records.viu.ca/~soules/medi402/walker/borg1.GIF

Then there is the Star Trek aspect.  I'm not sure how many of you have ever heard of the Borg.  They are these genetically altered humans (think part human/part computer) who went around assimilating species to add to their "collective" (something like a beehive).  Anyway, these were probably one of the most evil things in the new Star Trek Universe.  And they didn't just add to their numbers by force, they also grew babies cyborgs into adult cyborgs.  All this I know because I must have watched every episode of Star Trek:  The Next Generation at least ten times.

So how does this fit into the story (other than being mentioned at least twice in the book)?  The front cover of the book says it all - This Greenhouse...Grows Humans.  I don't know about you, but that is just a bit disturbing.  The book is about a company that is growing humans.  For what?  I can't tell you that.  It is for you to find out, if you choose to read the book.  I for one, would like to hear your thoughts.

Anyway, here is a little video someone made about the book.  It's about two minutes long, but it is a nice setup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLFYdCeEyPU

So, what did I find out about the author, S. A. Bodeen?  Well, first it seems that she like to write books that are a little disturbing. She also has a book called The Compound (2008) and another book coming out shortly called The Raft (2012).  But while she writes these books, she also write sweet little children's books.  Interesting combination.    Anyway, you can learn more about her at her website: http://www.rockforadoll.com/.  

Time to move that little green post-it.  

Bodeen, S. A. The Gardener. New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2010. Print.

Naomibates. "The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen." YouTube. YouTube, 19 Oct. 2010. Web. 16 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLFYdCeEyPU>.

"Children's Author Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen Is Available for School, Author Visits -- Books, Reviews, Honors, Awards." Children's Author Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen Is Available for School, Author Visits -- Books, Reviews, Honors, Awards. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2012. <http://www.rockforadoll.com/index.html>.

"Star Trek." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 June 2012. Web. 16 June 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek>.

"The Compound [Hardcover]." Amazon.com: The Compound (9780312370152): S. A. Bodeen: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2012. <http://www.amazon.com/The-Compound-S-A-Bodeen/dp/0312370156>.