Perhaps I've grown a bit weary of Rallison's formula, but I didn't nearly enjoy this one as much as her others. Perhaps I've grown a bit weary of Rallison's formula, but I didn't nearly enjoy this one as much as her others. ...more
I don't often read books twice, but after my oldest read this for the first time, I had to read it again. Unlike other Rallison books that are purely I don't often read books twice, but after my oldest read this for the first time, I had to read it again. Unlike other Rallison books that are purely fun, this one has some depth. The main character, Annika, has a little brother who has a brain tumor. You know from the book's dedication to children taken by cancer, that this story might not have a happily ever after. That said, you still have the endearing characters and enjoyable dialogue that is found in the other Rallison books. In my opinion, she succeeds in combining a fun (yet unrealistic) story with a serious theme....more
A good fantasy book that doesn't try to rewrite Twilight although there are similar plot details.A good fantasy book that doesn't try to rewrite Twilight although there are similar plot details....more
This is a wonderful book to read and discuss with a Middle Schooler. The premise of creating equality through making everyone beautiful and happy makeThis is a wonderful book to read and discuss with a Middle Schooler. The premise of creating equality through making everyone beautiful and happy makes for great discussion about free agency, true beauty, and making a difference. ...more
I love collecting Christmas books, and I especially love it when they make me cry (although my family won't agree with the last sentiment!). I checkedI love collecting Christmas books, and I especially love it when they make me cry (although my family won't agree with the last sentiment!). I checked out this Frank McCourt Christmas book from the library and am putting it on my Christmas to buy list! "Angela and the Baby Jesus" is a beautiful story which I'm assuming is a true account about McCourt's mother. Now I want to read "Angela's Ashes"!...more
I enjoyed reading this interesting portrayal of the Civil War from the point of view of an Abolitionist slave owner living in Richmond, Virgina, the cI enjoyed reading this interesting portrayal of the Civil War from the point of view of an Abolitionist slave owner living in Richmond, Virgina, the capitol of the Confederacy . It begins to explain some of the complexities of the Civil War; but it is very simplified. The characters are engaging but somewhat flat, and the plot kept me interested into the wee hours of the night. "Gone With the Wind" this is not, but a good start for those who are interested in wholesome historical ficiton....more
An engaging and suspenseful novel with first rate dysfunctional characters, villains, and doomed romances. I enjoy an occasional dose of Gothic fictioAn engaging and suspenseful novel with first rate dysfunctional characters, villains, and doomed romances. I enjoy an occasional dose of Gothic fiction, and Zafon doesn't over do it on the eeriness and dysfunctionality. A great read on a "dark and stormy" night!...more
I am so glad that I was interested enough with what happens to Ender after "Ender's Game" that I checked out book #2. If I had waited very long to do I am so glad that I was interested enough with what happens to Ender after "Ender's Game" that I checked out book #2. If I had waited very long to do that, then the desire would have passed, because even though "Ender's Game" was enjoyable, it didn't become a part of my subconscious. "Speaker for the Dead" did! While the first book focuses mostly on action, the second book focuses on the consequences of the first book. I love the complex and emotionally wounded characters who are healed by truth and compassion. I love the description of a new intelligent species, and how they are compared and contrasted to humans. I love how Card portrays a society who enforces limits on the search for knowledge in the name of safety and compassion but in reality are trying to protect their power and hide their fear. For two books to be by the same author and in the same series, I am impressed with how different they are!...more
Phil Doran transfers his humorous and insightful screen writing ability to describing his and his wife's madcap adventure of trying to build a house iPhil Doran transfers his humorous and insightful screen writing ability to describing his and his wife's madcap adventure of trying to build a house in Tuscany. I appreciate how he gleans the lessons and joy from such a frustrating and infuriating experience. Doran's clever writing had me laughing out-loud and even getting misty eyed in parts. As the book progresses, Doran's love for Italians grows as does mine! ...more
Very entertaining and doesn't require much intellectual effort. A fun story about the trials and triumphs of being "the flavor of the month" in RegencVery entertaining and doesn't require much intellectual effort. A fun story about the trials and triumphs of being "the flavor of the month" in Regency London. ...more
Suzanne Collins is an angry woman! She doesn't like where our society is headed, and she has written a masterful story of where we can end up if we doSuzanne Collins is an angry woman! She doesn't like where our society is headed, and she has written a masterful story of where we can end up if we don't make some changes. One of her characters says, "But collective thinking is usually short-lived. We're fickle stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self-destruction." Collins offers neither happily ever afters nor nice little bows.
Unlike the Harry Potter series where evil is very clear and non-negotiable, "Mockingjay" makes us question the motives of our heroes and villains. The oppressed become the oppressor and evil acts are used for the greater good.
This trilogy is dark and gruesome. If a reader misses the satire, then it is a gratuitously violent book. For me the violence, at times overwhelming, acts as a means to raise some very provocative questions that hopefully are not lost in all the action and suspense. Plutarch (a complicated character who makes for great discussion material!) describes his district by quoting the Latin saying, "Panem et Circenses" (Bread and Circuses) meaning "that in return for full bellies and entertainment, his people had given up their political responsibilities and therefore their power." Have we given away our power through dependence on welfare, government bail outs, and socialized medicine? Are we so caught up in being entertained with our reality TV shows and their ridiculous stars, that we are blind to their cruelty and senselessness? In a way, this trilogy is an oxymoron. It satires a society that is so focused on being entertained that they ignore their social responsibility of combating the inhumanity and injustices surrounding them. And yet this book is one of the most entertaining and gripping books of the decade! As for me, I ignored most of my responsibilities and obligations so that I could read this book, and now that I am done, I am still a wretched mess trying to become focused on things other than "Mockingjay".
Kathleen Kent writes about her ancestor, Martha Carrier who was one of the people condemned and killed for being a witch in Salem Massachusetts. Kent Kathleen Kent writes about her ancestor, Martha Carrier who was one of the people condemned and killed for being a witch in Salem Massachusetts. Kent writes from the point of view of Martha's daughter who describes the life, conflicts, and fanaticism that led to the conviction and execution of her mother. Knowing the outcome from the very start and knowing about this period's inhumanity makes for a foreboding and gloomy story, but Kent is a master at taking her readers back to this time period and making it very compelling. "The Heretic's Daughter" is a perfect blend of novel and historical facts and an excellent way to learn more about this dark period in our history....more
I've loved Karen Cushman's historical fiction about the medieval times, so I was excited to read this new one about a young girl during the early 1950I've loved Karen Cushman's historical fiction about the medieval times, so I was excited to read this new one about a young girl during the early 1950's while WWII was still fresh on her mind and people were building bomb shelters to protect themselves from communist attacks. This is not as light hearted as Cushman's other books because it deals with some serious issues. To make the themes and conflicts more relevant, we have a generation of people who are still living that could further talk about this time period. ...more
Donna Jo Napoli is a brilliant author who writes beautifully poetic descriptions. Her rendition of "Beauty and the Beast", told from the beast's perspDonna Jo Napoli is a brilliant author who writes beautifully poetic descriptions. Her rendition of "Beauty and the Beast", told from the beast's perspective, tells the tale of a Persian prince who offends a pari (Persian fairy) and thus turns into a lion. The interesting twist is the conflict of him living as a lion with carnal instincts but having the soul and thoughts of a devote Muslim. Most of the book focuses on his life as a lion hunting, mating, and living in the wild which got a bet tedious for me. The mating scene with the lioness is a bit graphic for younger readers....more
This book was written over 50 years ago about a popular romance author who is panned by the critics but loved by the masses. "Angel" follows the rise This book was written over 50 years ago about a popular romance author who is panned by the critics but loved by the masses. "Angel" follows the rise and fall of Angelica Deverell, a prideful, delusional author who believes that her literature should be ranked with that of Shakespeare. Instead, her books are overly dramatic drivel that create idealistic and non-realistic settings and plots - just as Angelica does with her own life. She believes that all the world adores her, and anyone who tells her otherwise she considers "philistines". The final ironic and pitiful moment is when her last will and testament bequeaths all of her possessions to her sister-in-law when in fact Angelica has nothing while her sister-in-law just inherited a fortune. Her will also entitles her publisher with the authority to deal with all of her copyrights and correspondence when in fact her popularity had long since dissipated. She bequeaths her manuscripts to the British Museum - an absurdity that is so pitiful that you laugh out loud. Angelica writes that she wants her executors to set aside a sum of money to preserve her house "to be retained as a public memorial and true record of my life". Her house once grand and pretentious becomes moldy, dark, and debilitated thus a "true record of her life."
I'm happy to know that there is another prominent Elizabeth Taylor because according to the book jacket, Taylor "was one of the most acclaimed British novelists of this century." She is a gifted writer. I just couldn't empathize with her main character who becomes insane while insisting on living in her delusional world. If comparisons to Shakespeare are being made, I would compare Angelica to Hamlet. It makes for good discussion as to when they lose their minds, and there is no regret when they die....more
A warm and fuzzy book about kind people doing small and simple things that make the world great. I was weeping by page forty, but for me, that is wherA warm and fuzzy book about kind people doing small and simple things that make the world great. I was weeping by page forty, but for me, that is where the book peaked with one more cathartic moment at the end. Very similar to "The Secret Life of Bees" but not as sad. My one gripe is that the only noble male character is dead. All the live ones are either evil and or weak. Since the author is not out to make men look bad, it didn't ruin the book for me. ...more
An interesting yet too strange rendition of Cinderella where the fairy god mother is an agent of the evil underworld. The premise is good but the tellAn interesting yet too strange rendition of Cinderella where the fairy god mother is an agent of the evil underworld. The premise is good but the telling is mediocre. ...more
I was hoping that book number two would start resolving some of the conflicts of "The Hunger Games", but instead it became all the more intense! I wasI was hoping that book number two would start resolving some of the conflicts of "The Hunger Games", but instead it became all the more intense! I was a little disappointed that "Catching Fire" returns the reader back to the arena because it seemed a bit too gratuitous; but by then end, I understood Collins' need to do this. Can't wait for August 24th when book three comes out! I have no idea how it will all end up!...more
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