Review: The Steal

The Steal: A Cultural History of Shoplifting by Rachel Shteir was interesting. The writing was okay for a nonfiction, but I've read much more engaging nonfiction authors.

Some of the information was interesting. Who shoplifts and why. Punishments and prevention techniques throughout history. The top ten most shoplifted items. On the list was steak. Really people? Steak?! Why? And I really don't want to think about the how. But it brought one of the more interesting aspects to light. People who are hungry steal bread (which doesn't anger store owners nearly so much), those who steal steak steal out of a sense of entitlement. They have enough, maybe even a lot, but somehow they feel they deserve more. Or they deserve something for nothing.

So overall, interesting but not fascinating. Well written, but not amazing. Read it if the subject interests you enough.

Review: Divergent

I've been jumping from book to book lately without really committing to or finishing anything. But then I got the YA Fiction Divergent by Veronica Roth from my books on hold at the library. I read it in two days, which is really good for me these days. It was entertaining and interesting. Even though I finished it hours ago, I feel like I should pick it up again and keep reading. It had a good ending, but obviously has a sequel coming.

It fits right in with the current YA craze of dystopian societies. If you liked the Hunger Games series, you will probably like this book. It is not a copycat of it by any means, but it is in the same vein and has the same feeling about it.