Watchers was okay. Kind of a Frankenstein story. It was entertaining, although a little (a lot) far-fetched in terms of its science. It had interesting characters and a pretty good plot. I enjoyed reading it, but wouldn't read it again.
True Notebooks was interesting and engaging, and really kind of depressing. We have some very serious problems in this country with damaged families and communities, youth violence, and prison systems that offer nothing but more violence, segregation, gang wars, and hopelessness. On the one hand, it is amazing how quickly the kids in this writing program blossomed because one guy listened to them, encouraged them, and saw their potential. They knew that he didn't think of them as throw aways. On the other hand, it is totally depressing because most of them will spend the rest of their lives behind bars, so you wind up asking yourself, what is the point of sending a guy into a youth prison to teach creative writing? But you know not one of those kids will forget the experience, no matter what happens to them. And maybe that is the point--that even when the outcome is unchangeable, there is grace and hope to be found.
On the topic of Veronika--I'm glad I'm not the only one putting a big question mark next to it. Thanks for your questions and comments:)