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1virginiahomeschooler Premier message
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2virginiahomeschooler
As of today, I've finished three of my challenge books. Here are my thoughts on them:
The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley has been sitting on my shelves of unread books for months now. It was an impulse buy a while back - I'm not even sure why I picked it up. Anyway, I started this one on New Year's Day, and I couldn't put it down. I adore well written children's literature. I think it has something to do with the fact that I have the attention span of a twelve year old... Ok, so back to the book. It was really fantastic. The general concept is two sisters who have been orphaned after their parents disappear. They've ended up living with a woman claiming to be their grandmother and investigating crimes involving Everafters, fairy tale characters who've been trapped in their town by a curse originating from their ancestors, the Brothers Grimm. Now, I doubt you'll ever see this book on a list of 1001 Books to Read Before the Planet Implodes Due to Global Warming, but it's definitely worth reading.
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett was my second book for the year. Having read and absolutely LOVED The Wee Free Men trilogy, I was expecting to enjoy this book from Pratchett's Discworld series. I don't know if it was because WFM was written for a younger audience or what, but Wyrd Sisters just didn't have the spark quality I thought it would. It wasn't a bad book - it was very cleverly written (think Macbeth meets The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), and funny. Pratchett is a hoot when he's on. I just found this book hard to read. It was extremely slow in the beginning, and I even considered not finishing it - not something I do without immense guilt. I did finish it, by the way. It got easier to read as it went on, but I wasn't compelled to keep reading by much more than my compulsive need to finish a book once I've started it. I think the problem for me was the genre. Science fiction doesn't seem to be my thing (this may be a tough category for me, but I feel the need to step out of my comfort zone). Still, it's a witty book, just not so much my cup of tea.
After wading through Wyrd Sisters, I wanted to read something that wouldn't be an effort. So, I took the Barnes and Noble gift card I got for Christmas and bought the next Sisters Grimm book. (I so needed another book added to the hundreds of unreads on my shelves already, but I figure most of the people reading this will somehow undrestand.) Ok, on to The Unusual Suspects. It follows the Grimm girls as they set out again to save the world from rogue fairy tale creatures. Another entertaining read - I'm glad I bought book 3 while I was at it.
I'm currently reading two of my picks, Ella Enchanted and Home to Holly Springs.
The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley has been sitting on my shelves of unread books for months now. It was an impulse buy a while back - I'm not even sure why I picked it up. Anyway, I started this one on New Year's Day, and I couldn't put it down. I adore well written children's literature. I think it has something to do with the fact that I have the attention span of a twelve year old... Ok, so back to the book. It was really fantastic. The general concept is two sisters who have been orphaned after their parents disappear. They've ended up living with a woman claiming to be their grandmother and investigating crimes involving Everafters, fairy tale characters who've been trapped in their town by a curse originating from their ancestors, the Brothers Grimm. Now, I doubt you'll ever see this book on a list of 1001 Books to Read Before the Planet Implodes Due to Global Warming, but it's definitely worth reading.
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett was my second book for the year. Having read and absolutely LOVED The Wee Free Men trilogy, I was expecting to enjoy this book from Pratchett's Discworld series. I don't know if it was because WFM was written for a younger audience or what, but Wyrd Sisters just didn't have the spark quality I thought it would. It wasn't a bad book - it was very cleverly written (think Macbeth meets The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), and funny. Pratchett is a hoot when he's on. I just found this book hard to read. It was extremely slow in the beginning, and I even considered not finishing it - not something I do without immense guilt. I did finish it, by the way. It got easier to read as it went on, but I wasn't compelled to keep reading by much more than my compulsive need to finish a book once I've started it. I think the problem for me was the genre. Science fiction doesn't seem to be my thing (this may be a tough category for me, but I feel the need to step out of my comfort zone). Still, it's a witty book, just not so much my cup of tea.
After wading through Wyrd Sisters, I wanted to read something that wouldn't be an effort. So, I took the Barnes and Noble gift card I got for Christmas and bought the next Sisters Grimm book. (I so needed another book added to the hundreds of unreads on my shelves already, but I figure most of the people reading this will somehow undrestand.) Ok, on to The Unusual Suspects. It follows the Grimm girls as they set out again to save the world from rogue fairy tale creatures. Another entertaining read - I'm glad I bought book 3 while I was at it.
I'm currently reading two of my picks, Ella Enchanted and Home to Holly Springs.
3hailelib
I'm glad to hear that the second Sisters Grimm is also an enjoyable book.
Somehow I've never been able to get into Pratchett although I like a lot of SF and fantasy.
I was entertained enough by Mister Monday that I got Grim Tuesday from the library the first time I saw it on their shelves.
Somehow I've never been able to get into Pratchett although I like a lot of SF and fantasy.
I was entertained enough by Mister Monday that I got Grim Tuesday from the library the first time I saw it on their shelves.
4virginiahomeschooler
I've finished three more on my list - I'm still working on Home to Holly Springs, it's going pretty slowly.
I'm not a huge fan of chick lit, and I'm not sure why. It's amusing, but I don't generally gravitate toward it. However, I thought Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella was a pretty good read. It was certainly entertaining, if predictable. I'm thinking I might pick up one of her Shopaholic books at the library - not sure I loved it enough to pay for another of her books, though.
Ella Enchanted was delightful. It was an easy read, but it was clever and insightful. It was definitely worth reading, and far better than the film version, in my opinion. Not to mention that it made me a little more sympathetic to my own children and their need to sometimes disobey just because they can.
I've fallen in love with The Sisters Grimm books. I just finished The Problem Child which was the third installment in the series. It's quite a bit darker than the first two books, delving into some not-so-kid-friendly themes (such as Little Red Riding Hood's psychotic break). However, I really enjoyed it, and I'm tempted to go buy the fourth.
Six down.
Fifty-Eight to go.
I'm not a huge fan of chick lit, and I'm not sure why. It's amusing, but I don't generally gravitate toward it. However, I thought Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella was a pretty good read. It was certainly entertaining, if predictable. I'm thinking I might pick up one of her Shopaholic books at the library - not sure I loved it enough to pay for another of her books, though.
Ella Enchanted was delightful. It was an easy read, but it was clever and insightful. It was definitely worth reading, and far better than the film version, in my opinion. Not to mention that it made me a little more sympathetic to my own children and their need to sometimes disobey just because they can.
I've fallen in love with The Sisters Grimm books. I just finished The Problem Child which was the third installment in the series. It's quite a bit darker than the first two books, delving into some not-so-kid-friendly themes (such as Little Red Riding Hood's psychotic break). However, I really enjoyed it, and I'm tempted to go buy the fourth.
Six down.
Fifty-Eight to go.
5virginiahomeschooler
Finished books #7, 8, and 9 on my list. Here are my thoughts on them:
#7 The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks was disappointing. I really wanted to like this book, and while it wasn't horribly awful, I can't say I enjoyed it. First of all, it's the first book in a trilogy. I didn't realize this until I was about 350 pages into the book (my copy didn't actually say anything about that on the cover, and I only realized it when I read a review online of the book). At that point, I wasn't that drawn into the story, but my compulsive need to finish the book had me wanting to see it through. So, finding that it was just a first installment, I was a bit put off because I knew I wouldn't really get any closure at the end, and I was fairly certain that I wouldn't be reading books 2 and 3 - having finished the book, I'm completely certain I won't. This book has been compared to The Matrix and Orwell's 1984. And, I can see where that comes from, but it just didn't work for me. The story wasn't bad, exactly, but it was excruciatingly slow for most of the book. The meat of the book could easily have been pared down a couple hundred pages, and I think it would have been much improved. Not the worst book I've ever read (far from it), but it wouldn't be high on my list of recommendations, either.
#8 The Giver by Lois Lowry was a wonderful book. The story is beautiful and touching, and it is very well-written. It is one of those soul-enriching books that makes you appreciate the things that you often overlook or even wish you could omit from you life.
#9 Home to Holly Springs is the first in a new series by Jan Karon. Having read and loved the Mitford books, I was really looking forward to this one. About 180 pages into the story, I would have given about a 2 1/2 star rating, and I had contemplated putting it down - in fact, I did put it down, finishing 3 others before picking it back up. It was really slow to get going. There are constant flashbacks, which are at times disorienting. Her character development wasn't as sharp as in the Mitford books either. After 200 pages, I didn't know who was who or whether they were a person from Father Tim's past or his present or what they had to do with the story. I found myself re-reading paragraphs just to get my bearings. But, then the pace picked up, the story started developing, and I was reminded why I love Jan Karon's writing. If I were to judge the last 150 pages on their own merit, I'd rate them with 4 1/2 stars. As a whole, I'd give the book 3 1/2 because it's just so slow to warm up. I don't know where she'll go with the rest of the books, but I am looking forward to the second book. And, out of all the books I've finished only because I felt like I had to, this is one I'm glad I did finish.
#7 The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks was disappointing. I really wanted to like this book, and while it wasn't horribly awful, I can't say I enjoyed it. First of all, it's the first book in a trilogy. I didn't realize this until I was about 350 pages into the book (my copy didn't actually say anything about that on the cover, and I only realized it when I read a review online of the book). At that point, I wasn't that drawn into the story, but my compulsive need to finish the book had me wanting to see it through. So, finding that it was just a first installment, I was a bit put off because I knew I wouldn't really get any closure at the end, and I was fairly certain that I wouldn't be reading books 2 and 3 - having finished the book, I'm completely certain I won't. This book has been compared to The Matrix and Orwell's 1984. And, I can see where that comes from, but it just didn't work for me. The story wasn't bad, exactly, but it was excruciatingly slow for most of the book. The meat of the book could easily have been pared down a couple hundred pages, and I think it would have been much improved. Not the worst book I've ever read (far from it), but it wouldn't be high on my list of recommendations, either.
#8 The Giver by Lois Lowry was a wonderful book. The story is beautiful and touching, and it is very well-written. It is one of those soul-enriching books that makes you appreciate the things that you often overlook or even wish you could omit from you life.
#9 Home to Holly Springs is the first in a new series by Jan Karon. Having read and loved the Mitford books, I was really looking forward to this one. About 180 pages into the story, I would have given about a 2 1/2 star rating, and I had contemplated putting it down - in fact, I did put it down, finishing 3 others before picking it back up. It was really slow to get going. There are constant flashbacks, which are at times disorienting. Her character development wasn't as sharp as in the Mitford books either. After 200 pages, I didn't know who was who or whether they were a person from Father Tim's past or his present or what they had to do with the story. I found myself re-reading paragraphs just to get my bearings. But, then the pace picked up, the story started developing, and I was reminded why I love Jan Karon's writing. If I were to judge the last 150 pages on their own merit, I'd rate them with 4 1/2 stars. As a whole, I'd give the book 3 1/2 because it's just so slow to warm up. I don't know where she'll go with the rest of the books, but I am looking forward to the second book. And, out of all the books I've finished only because I felt like I had to, this is one I'm glad I did finish.
6virginiahomeschooler
I finished two more books on my list.
#10 Mister Monday by Garth Nix is the first in the Keys to the Kingdom series. While it wasn't fantastic, it did keep my interest for the most part and was a very easy read. It was good enough that I added the second and third books to my list. Some of the scrapes that the main character, Arthur, finds himself in seem a bit forced, and it's confusing at times, but it was still worth reading. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars.
#11 Once Upon a Summer is historical Christain fiction by Janette Oke. It was a sweet story, but I enjoyed her Love Comes Softly so much more. Once Upon a Summer was written in first person from the perspective of a 12 year old boy who has a very strong country twang. At times the dialect was downright distracting. As a whole it wasn't bad, but I don't think I'll be reading any more of Oke's work any time soon.
I'm currently reading two books that I'm thoroughly enjoying, Once Upon a Crime by Michael Buckley, which is the fourth in the Sister's Grimm series, and A Thousand Days in Tuscany by Marlena De Blasi.
#10 Mister Monday by Garth Nix is the first in the Keys to the Kingdom series. While it wasn't fantastic, it did keep my interest for the most part and was a very easy read. It was good enough that I added the second and third books to my list. Some of the scrapes that the main character, Arthur, finds himself in seem a bit forced, and it's confusing at times, but it was still worth reading. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars.
#11 Once Upon a Summer is historical Christain fiction by Janette Oke. It was a sweet story, but I enjoyed her Love Comes Softly so much more. Once Upon a Summer was written in first person from the perspective of a 12 year old boy who has a very strong country twang. At times the dialect was downright distracting. As a whole it wasn't bad, but I don't think I'll be reading any more of Oke's work any time soon.
I'm currently reading two books that I'm thoroughly enjoying, Once Upon a Crime by Michael Buckley, which is the fourth in the Sister's Grimm series, and A Thousand Days in Tuscany by Marlena De Blasi.
7Damiella
just checked your list - ?the 5th Sister's Grimm is coming out!!! - I'll have to watch out for it - I've been enjoying them as well - originally destined for a Xmas present for a niece but they ended up not leaving the house.
8virginiahomeschooler
>7 Damiella: The fifth book is out in hardback - in the U.S. at least. I believe (not sure exactly, but I saw on amazon a week or so ago) that the 6th book is due out in May of this year. I'm trying to hold off reading book five because I HATE waiting for next installments. I'm so not a patient person. But it's sitting on my shelf calling to me.
9cmbohn
I don't know if you are counting books for more than one category, but if you are, I would count The Eyre Affair as sci-fi too. I love that series!
Oh, and I just discovered the Grimm Sisters recently too. Your comment about the 1001 books made me laugh!
Cindy
Oh, and I just discovered the Grimm Sisters recently too. Your comment about the 1001 books made me laugh!
Cindy
10virginiahomeschooler
>9 cmbohn: Cindy
Thanks for the Suggestion. I think I will move The Eyre Affair to sci-fi, as I seem to have loads of unread mysteries on my shelves and very few that would qualify as sci-fi / fantasy. I'm trying not to repeat books if I can avoid it.
Thanks for the Suggestion. I think I will move The Eyre Affair to sci-fi, as I seem to have loads of unread mysteries on my shelves and very few that would qualify as sci-fi / fantasy. I'm trying not to repeat books if I can avoid it.
11virginiahomeschooler
Finished two more from my list.
#12 Once Upon a Crime by Michael Buckley is the fourth in the Sister's Grimm series. Like the other books, this was a pleasant diversion. Nothing really different from the other books, but enjoyable nonetheless.
#13 Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman was far different from the books I generally read. It was dark and a little gruesome at times, but it was engaging, and I'll definitely be reading more from Mr. Gainman. It's the story of a man who quite literally falls through the cracks of society into a dark and sinister underworld in his attempt to help a strange young girl. Gaiman's writing is clever and witty, and his characters are very well written. Highly recommended. ****1/2
#12 Once Upon a Crime by Michael Buckley is the fourth in the Sister's Grimm series. Like the other books, this was a pleasant diversion. Nothing really different from the other books, but enjoyable nonetheless.
#13 Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman was far different from the books I generally read. It was dark and a little gruesome at times, but it was engaging, and I'll definitely be reading more from Mr. Gainman. It's the story of a man who quite literally falls through the cracks of society into a dark and sinister underworld in his attempt to help a strange young girl. Gaiman's writing is clever and witty, and his characters are very well written. Highly recommended. ****1/2
12virginiahomeschooler
#14 Artemis Fowl: The Opal Detective by Eoin Colfer is the fourth of the Artemis Fowl series. These books are cute and entertaining, if not literary genius. This one was maybe not the best in the series, but it still kept me going until the end. My biggest complaint about this and all of the Artemis Fowl books is that I wish Colfer would provide more character development. I feel like in four books the readers should be able to really know the people in the stories, but they're very two-dimensional. There's a great opportunity for them to be great, but it just falls a little short. That being said, I always enjoy reading the stories, they're light, easy reading which is sometimes what I want after a long day.
#15 The 5th Horseman is the fifth novel (obviously) in the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson, and others. Here's the thing. I'm conflicted in my review of this book. I would like to say that I hated it. There was much to dislike. The fact that it was two independent stories, jammed together presumably because each one didn't have enough to stand on its own, the fact that he all but let the main character, Lindsay Boxer, fall completely flat in this installment, and the really annoying tendency to switch from first person to third willy-nilly (this was completely distracting to me), all together left me feeling like this was a work not worthy of a veteran writer (however, I wonder how much writing Patterson actually did on this one, if any). OK, so here's where the conflict comes in. I didn't want to put it down. The action and the wanting to know 'who done it' kept me pushing though this mediocre novel. In the end, it was fairly disappointing. 2 1/2 stars, if I'm being generous.
#15 The 5th Horseman is the fifth novel (obviously) in the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson, and others. Here's the thing. I'm conflicted in my review of this book. I would like to say that I hated it. There was much to dislike. The fact that it was two independent stories, jammed together presumably because each one didn't have enough to stand on its own, the fact that he all but let the main character, Lindsay Boxer, fall completely flat in this installment, and the really annoying tendency to switch from first person to third willy-nilly (this was completely distracting to me), all together left me feeling like this was a work not worthy of a veteran writer (however, I wonder how much writing Patterson actually did on this one, if any). OK, so here's where the conflict comes in. I didn't want to put it down. The action and the wanting to know 'who done it' kept me pushing though this mediocre novel. In the end, it was fairly disappointing. 2 1/2 stars, if I'm being generous.
13virginiahomeschooler
I've been traveling lately, so I haven't been keeping up on what I'm reading too much. I did decide to alter one of my categories from Travel books to "Novel to Film" because I've found several books I wanted to read that had been turned into movies, and I was having difficulty finishing my first travel book. It sort of feels like cheating, but I won't tell me if you don't.
I've only finished 3 books in the past 6 weeks. It's starting to worry me because I promised my 10 year old son that for every book (150 page minimum) he read more than what I read this year, I'd give him 50 cents. I figured maybe I'd owe him $10 or $15 when all was said and done. Ok, so at this point, he's up by $22.50. Soooo, either I get on the ball, or I'm going to be in trouble come December.
Anyway, here are my thoughts on my most recent picks:
Stardust by Neil Gaiman was something I picked up to read on an airplane ride. My flight was delayed 5 1/2 hours, and I ended up having to buy a new book because I'd finished it by the time we boarded. The story is one of a young man, Tristan Thorn, who promises to find and deliver a fallen star to his beloved in exchange for anything he desires. Throughout his journey, Tristan encounters many strange and interesting characters, several of whom are intent on his failing this quest. It's a fanciful tale of magic and love and the lengths one will go to prove his love.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I will say that I find it inappropriate for its intended teen audience (I'm assuming this is the intended audience as I found the book in the teen section of the local Barnes and Noble). The themes might be fairy tale in nature, but several of the scenes are, in my opinion, more mature than the typical young adult writing. That being said, reading it as a novel geared toward adults, I found it enchanting and a nice escape from reality. It's a very quick and easy read, and I am looking forward to seeing the film.
My next book was An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. Colin Singleton is a former child prodigy who has an affinity for girls named Katherine and a tendency to be dumped by them. On the heals of being jilted by Katherine XIX, Colin and his best friend (and my personal favorite character in the book), "Hassan Harbish. Sunni Muslim. Not a terrorist.", set out on a rather soul-searching road trip.
While the overall themes may not be starkly original, the story is told with a unique perspective with humor and sincerity. Colin's longing to find a higher purpose is certainly relatable, and I think his ultimate revelations are spot on. Definitely worth reading.
As part of the Early Reviewer program, I got an advanced release copy of Bulls Island by Dorothea Benton Frank. There were so many things that bothered me with this novel, not the least of which was an incredibly long prelude. There was so much fretting by the main characters concerning what would happen when the story actually got started that I can only describe it as a 140 page pity party. While I'm on the subject of the main characters, I have to say that I felt absolutely no sympathy for these two completely self-involved narcissists. I know I was supposed to be rooting for them, but they were both so unlikeable. Top all this off with an abrupt writing style and oddly forced dialogue that at times seemed like ill-advised public service announcements, and you've got a book that was a chore to finish. I will say that of the other reviewers, I seem to be fairly alone in my opinion. Most everyone else seemed to really dig it. So, perhaps it's just me.
At the moment I'm reading Magic and Other Misdemeanors by Michael Buckley, and it's ok but not great. I'm hoping it'll pick up as I get more into the story.
I've only finished 3 books in the past 6 weeks. It's starting to worry me because I promised my 10 year old son that for every book (150 page minimum) he read more than what I read this year, I'd give him 50 cents. I figured maybe I'd owe him $10 or $15 when all was said and done. Ok, so at this point, he's up by $22.50. Soooo, either I get on the ball, or I'm going to be in trouble come December.
Anyway, here are my thoughts on my most recent picks:
Stardust by Neil Gaiman was something I picked up to read on an airplane ride. My flight was delayed 5 1/2 hours, and I ended up having to buy a new book because I'd finished it by the time we boarded. The story is one of a young man, Tristan Thorn, who promises to find and deliver a fallen star to his beloved in exchange for anything he desires. Throughout his journey, Tristan encounters many strange and interesting characters, several of whom are intent on his failing this quest. It's a fanciful tale of magic and love and the lengths one will go to prove his love.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I will say that I find it inappropriate for its intended teen audience (I'm assuming this is the intended audience as I found the book in the teen section of the local Barnes and Noble). The themes might be fairy tale in nature, but several of the scenes are, in my opinion, more mature than the typical young adult writing. That being said, reading it as a novel geared toward adults, I found it enchanting and a nice escape from reality. It's a very quick and easy read, and I am looking forward to seeing the film.
My next book was An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. Colin Singleton is a former child prodigy who has an affinity for girls named Katherine and a tendency to be dumped by them. On the heals of being jilted by Katherine XIX, Colin and his best friend (and my personal favorite character in the book), "Hassan Harbish. Sunni Muslim. Not a terrorist.", set out on a rather soul-searching road trip.
While the overall themes may not be starkly original, the story is told with a unique perspective with humor and sincerity. Colin's longing to find a higher purpose is certainly relatable, and I think his ultimate revelations are spot on. Definitely worth reading.
As part of the Early Reviewer program, I got an advanced release copy of Bulls Island by Dorothea Benton Frank. There were so many things that bothered me with this novel, not the least of which was an incredibly long prelude. There was so much fretting by the main characters concerning what would happen when the story actually got started that I can only describe it as a 140 page pity party. While I'm on the subject of the main characters, I have to say that I felt absolutely no sympathy for these two completely self-involved narcissists. I know I was supposed to be rooting for them, but they were both so unlikeable. Top all this off with an abrupt writing style and oddly forced dialogue that at times seemed like ill-advised public service announcements, and you've got a book that was a chore to finish. I will say that of the other reviewers, I seem to be fairly alone in my opinion. Most everyone else seemed to really dig it. So, perhaps it's just me.
At the moment I'm reading Magic and Other Misdemeanors by Michael Buckley, and it's ok but not great. I'm hoping it'll pick up as I get more into the story.
14virginiahomeschooler
I finished three more. I'd categorize all of them as pretty good - 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
#19Magic and Other Misdemeanors, book 5 in the Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley was not quite as delightful as the other books in the series. Like many great series that have gone before, I fear that quality might be substituted for quantity. It wasn't a bad book - the plot was inventive enough, but there wasn't any character development or closure, and at some point the stories are just going to get old. Still, a good, solid read.
#20 I searched out P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern because I thought the movie looked good, and I try to read books prior to seeing a film version if I can. I found this book to be sweet and sad (at times) - a nice little story. The beginning and ending were particularly enjoyable, but the middle seemed to go on and on and on. Even still, I thought it was well worth reading.
#21 The Last Oracle by James Rollins was a March Early Reviewer book. It's the latest in a series of scientific thrillers similar to Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt books. It was a fun, fast-paced story that kept me turning the pages. At times it was a bit over the top - constant gunfights where the good guys are exceedingly outnumbered yet seem to walk away with minimal injuries, among other things. But I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I feel like I've read too many easy middle of the road books in a row lately. I think I'm going to go for a more substantial novel next.
#19Magic and Other Misdemeanors, book 5 in the Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley was not quite as delightful as the other books in the series. Like many great series that have gone before, I fear that quality might be substituted for quantity. It wasn't a bad book - the plot was inventive enough, but there wasn't any character development or closure, and at some point the stories are just going to get old. Still, a good, solid read.
#20 I searched out P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern because I thought the movie looked good, and I try to read books prior to seeing a film version if I can. I found this book to be sweet and sad (at times) - a nice little story. The beginning and ending were particularly enjoyable, but the middle seemed to go on and on and on. Even still, I thought it was well worth reading.
#21 The Last Oracle by James Rollins was a March Early Reviewer book. It's the latest in a series of scientific thrillers similar to Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt books. It was a fun, fast-paced story that kept me turning the pages. At times it was a bit over the top - constant gunfights where the good guys are exceedingly outnumbered yet seem to walk away with minimal injuries, among other things. But I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I feel like I've read too many easy middle of the road books in a row lately. I think I'm going to go for a more substantial novel next.
15virginiahomeschooler
#22 I'm really surprised I hadn't read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland when I was younger. I'm not sure how that happened, but I chose this one as one of my "1001 books" books because I happened to have it on my shelves, and I'm trying to pull as much as I can from those. It was really quite good - not that I expected it not to be, but I figured the nonsense stuff would be annoying. I didn't find it to be so. I really enjoyed the poetry (most of it anyway) - my favorite being the introduction to the story. The edition I have has the original illustrations by John Tenniel, and they definitely added to the enjoyment factor. There were parts that I didn't enjoy as much as others (the Duchess and the baby, for one), but for the most part, I thought it was lots of fun.
#23 I read Through the Looking Glass next partly to be able to compare it to Wonderland, but mostly because my edition had both stories - I have separate shelves for read and unread books, and where do you put one that only half of the book has been read. A dilema I did not want to have to deal with, so... I did not enjoy Through the Looking Glass quite as much, although I found the story to be imaginative. I think it was probably due to reading the two back to back. It was just too much. I think read independently I would've liked it more. Still, I'm glad I finished it. It was definitely worth reading (plus I can now put it on my 'read' shelf with no worries. Whew!)
#24 For art class, my kids are studying Leonardo da Vinci in a few weeks, and I'm trying to plan ahead. I found Leonardo da Vinci: Giants of Science by Kathleen Krull and intended to have my 10 year old read it, but I decided to read it first to see if it was appropriate and to learn a little more about the man myself. It was a truly fascinating biography. It dealt more with the scientist aspect of da Vinci than the artist, but it seems that was probably where his heart was anyway. I learned quite a bit about him, but I did decide it probably wasn't the best book for my child. It's easy reading for adults - I think many of the biography / non-fiction books geared toward kids are actually really good for adults because they're written on a more conversational tone, and they tend not to bog the reader down with too much information. You get the facts, but in a much simpler way. I gave the book 4 stars, and wrote a full review. I noticed my review was the second on LT for this book, and the other reviewer gave the book 1 star. I'm not sure why. Their review didn't seem too negative except that they seemed to think it was inappropriate for a book geared toward children to discuss (briefly) da Vinci's probable homosexuality. It didn't bother me - I actually think it was an important factor in his life (specifically because he was arrested at one point in his life, which seemed to be a catalyst for his subsequent trust issues), and worthy of mentioning.
::edited to clean up a confusing sentence::
#23 I read Through the Looking Glass next partly to be able to compare it to Wonderland, but mostly because my edition had both stories - I have separate shelves for read and unread books, and where do you put one that only half of the book has been read. A dilema I did not want to have to deal with, so... I did not enjoy Through the Looking Glass quite as much, although I found the story to be imaginative. I think it was probably due to reading the two back to back. It was just too much. I think read independently I would've liked it more. Still, I'm glad I finished it. It was definitely worth reading (plus I can now put it on my 'read' shelf with no worries. Whew!)
#24 For art class, my kids are studying Leonardo da Vinci in a few weeks, and I'm trying to plan ahead. I found Leonardo da Vinci: Giants of Science by Kathleen Krull and intended to have my 10 year old read it, but I decided to read it first to see if it was appropriate and to learn a little more about the man myself. It was a truly fascinating biography. It dealt more with the scientist aspect of da Vinci than the artist, but it seems that was probably where his heart was anyway. I learned quite a bit about him, but I did decide it probably wasn't the best book for my child. It's easy reading for adults - I think many of the biography / non-fiction books geared toward kids are actually really good for adults because they're written on a more conversational tone, and they tend not to bog the reader down with too much information. You get the facts, but in a much simpler way. I gave the book 4 stars, and wrote a full review. I noticed my review was the second on LT for this book, and the other reviewer gave the book 1 star. I'm not sure why. Their review didn't seem too negative except that they seemed to think it was inappropriate for a book geared toward children to discuss (briefly) da Vinci's probable homosexuality. It didn't bother me - I actually think it was an important factor in his life (specifically because he was arrested at one point in his life, which seemed to be a catalyst for his subsequent trust issues), and worthy of mentioning.
::edited to clean up a confusing sentence::
16Nickelini
I agree with you about Through the Looking Glass. I've read both the Alice books three times in my life, and by the time I'm half way through the second, I've had enough. I think it would be a better read if I gave some time between books. My daughter read them when she was about 9 and she quit at about the same point that I always want to.
I too divide my books into read and not read, and when there are two novels in one book, I put it back on the shelf until both are finished. But I try not to let it sit on the shelf for long. Last December I read In Pursuit of Love but didn't have time to read the second novel in the book, Love in a Cold Climate, so it's back on the unread shelf. But guess what book I'll be finishing in the next month or so?
And finally, I was studying Leonardo last year for a humanities course at university, and I needed a quick overview before I got into the serious academic tomes. I read the Kathleen Krull book you mentioned and I thought it was an *excellent* example of non-fiction for children.
I too divide my books into read and not read, and when there are two novels in one book, I put it back on the shelf until both are finished. But I try not to let it sit on the shelf for long. Last December I read In Pursuit of Love but didn't have time to read the second novel in the book, Love in a Cold Climate, so it's back on the unread shelf. But guess what book I'll be finishing in the next month or so?
And finally, I was studying Leonardo last year for a humanities course at university, and I needed a quick overview before I got into the serious academic tomes. I read the Kathleen Krull book you mentioned and I thought it was an *excellent* example of non-fiction for children.
17virginiahomeschooler
#25 The Winter King was a book my husband had been asking me to read for a while now, and I finally caved. Although I love the idea of books like this - the time period, the legend of Arthur - for some reason I always find them difficult to get through. This one, though didn't strike me that way. I'll admit, at first it was rather daunting. It started off slow, and I struggled through the first 100 or so pages. But, as I got into the story, I became more and more enamored with the narrator, and I felt compelled to keep reading. Bernard Cornwell is very good with these books. His descriptions are rich and realistic, and his characters are 3-dimensional. It wasn't an easy read, for sure, but it was entertaining, and I really enjoyed it.
#26 I love the Echo Falls books by Peter Abrahams. LOVE them. Into the Dark touchstones not working is the third installment in this series that started with Down the Rabbit Hole and was followed by Behind the Curtain. These novels, written presumably with teen and young adult readers in mind, center around Ingrid Levin-Hill, an intelligent young girl who is a Sherlock Holmes aficionado. When faced with a mystery, she asks herself how Holmes would handle the situation. In this newest book, Ingrid finds herself dealing with seemingly insurmountable family problems - not the least of which is that her beloved grandfather has been accused of murder.
Abrahams, who's written several well-known popular fiction titles, seems to have a talent for writing for younger people. His characters are believable and well-written. Ingrid is a fantastic heroine. She's smart and funny, compassionate and brave - everything a heroine should be. While I won't say I was totally shocked by the ending, the plot was well-conceived and there was enough action and suspense to keep me reading late into the night. We also see a lot of growth in not only Ingrid but in her family's situation as well in this book. There are numerous issues amongst her parents and brother that make her situation all the more realistic. All I can say is that I hope there's a fourth book on the horizon.
#26 I love the Echo Falls books by Peter Abrahams. LOVE them. Into the Dark touchstones not working is the third installment in this series that started with Down the Rabbit Hole and was followed by Behind the Curtain. These novels, written presumably with teen and young adult readers in mind, center around Ingrid Levin-Hill, an intelligent young girl who is a Sherlock Holmes aficionado. When faced with a mystery, she asks herself how Holmes would handle the situation. In this newest book, Ingrid finds herself dealing with seemingly insurmountable family problems - not the least of which is that her beloved grandfather has been accused of murder.
Abrahams, who's written several well-known popular fiction titles, seems to have a talent for writing for younger people. His characters are believable and well-written. Ingrid is a fantastic heroine. She's smart and funny, compassionate and brave - everything a heroine should be. While I won't say I was totally shocked by the ending, the plot was well-conceived and there was enough action and suspense to keep me reading late into the night. We also see a lot of growth in not only Ingrid but in her family's situation as well in this book. There are numerous issues amongst her parents and brother that make her situation all the more realistic. All I can say is that I hope there's a fourth book on the horizon.
18virginiahomeschooler
#27 The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver - 4 1/2 stars
#28 The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer audiobook - 3 1/2 stars (might have been higher if it weren't an audiobook)
#29 The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer - 4 stars
#30 Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - 4 stars
If you're interested in full reviews, you can find them on my blog here.
I feel like I'm on a streak of pretty good books. I'm hoping it'll continue.
I'm currently reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, and it's lovely so far.
Edited to fix the link.
#28 The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer audiobook - 3 1/2 stars (might have been higher if it weren't an audiobook)
#29 The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer - 4 stars
#30 Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - 4 stars
If you're interested in full reviews, you can find them on my blog here.
I feel like I'm on a streak of pretty good books. I'm hoping it'll continue.
I'm currently reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, and it's lovely so far.
Edited to fix the link.
19virginiahomeschooler
#31
I came home yesterday to find an advance reader copy of Vamps by Nancy A. Collins waiting for me. It was pretty short, so I decided to set The Thirteenth Tale aside for a bit and read it. I gave it 3 stars, and I feel that was extremely generous. My biggest issue with the book is that its style conflicted with its content. It's obviously a book written for teenagers (and tweens). However, the content was too adult, in my opinion. I wouldn't take issue with a book geared toward teens dealing with serious issues to explore certain topics. But this book was all fluff - it's about vampires who are juniors in high school. For me, it just crossed some lines (having sex in the bathroom stall of a bar to name one line). Still, the story was pretty cute, and the writing clever enough to keep me moderately entertained. I have a feeling teenage girls will really dig it.
Now, I'm back to The Thirteenth Tale, and it's just so wonderful. I'm really loving this book. Going from Vamps to this is like being upgraded from Motel 6 to a suite at the Ritz Carlton.
I came home yesterday to find an advance reader copy of Vamps by Nancy A. Collins waiting for me. It was pretty short, so I decided to set The Thirteenth Tale aside for a bit and read it. I gave it 3 stars, and I feel that was extremely generous. My biggest issue with the book is that its style conflicted with its content. It's obviously a book written for teenagers (and tweens). However, the content was too adult, in my opinion. I wouldn't take issue with a book geared toward teens dealing with serious issues to explore certain topics. But this book was all fluff - it's about vampires who are juniors in high school. For me, it just crossed some lines (having sex in the bathroom stall of a bar to name one line). Still, the story was pretty cute, and the writing clever enough to keep me moderately entertained. I have a feeling teenage girls will really dig it.
Now, I'm back to The Thirteenth Tale, and it's just so wonderful. I'm really loving this book. Going from Vamps to this is like being upgraded from Motel 6 to a suite at the Ritz Carlton.
20virginiahomeschooler
With book #32, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, finished, I am now at the halfway point on my 888 challenge. And what a wonderful book it was.
I'm going to have to give some thought as to my review, but I do believe it warrants 5 stars. I just can't think of a reason to take away even 1/2 a star. Beautiful writing, wonderful story, just perfection.
I'm going to have to give some thought as to my review, but I do believe it warrants 5 stars. I just can't think of a reason to take away even 1/2 a star. Beautiful writing, wonderful story, just perfection.
21virginiahomeschooler
#33 Fablehaven by Brandon Mull was a fast, fun read about siblings who are forced to stay with grandparents they barely know - grandparents, it turns out, who are caretakers of a refuge for mystical creatures. Cute and funny, not especially original, but still enjoyable. I gave it 3 1/2 stars.
#34 The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton was an arc I just got a couple of days ago. It's a great friendship, finding yourself sort of book set during the 60's and 70's. Elegant writing, and a feel good story come together to create a surprisingly easy read. It's not perfect - the stereotypical characterizations get a bit tedious at times, but overall, it was really good. I gave it 4 stars.
I'm just starting on Rubicon by Lawrence Alexander, which is another arc I got recently. So far, it's not fabulous - sort of amateurish, actually, but I'm hopeful it'll get better. I think it's supposed to be a sort of political thriller, so I'm hoping once the meat of the action starts, the not so great dialogue won't stick out so much.
#34 The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton was an arc I just got a couple of days ago. It's a great friendship, finding yourself sort of book set during the 60's and 70's. Elegant writing, and a feel good story come together to create a surprisingly easy read. It's not perfect - the stereotypical characterizations get a bit tedious at times, but overall, it was really good. I gave it 4 stars.
I'm just starting on Rubicon by Lawrence Alexander, which is another arc I got recently. So far, it's not fabulous - sort of amateurish, actually, but I'm hopeful it'll get better. I think it's supposed to be a sort of political thriller, so I'm hoping once the meat of the action starts, the not so great dialogue won't stick out so much.
22virginiahomeschooler
I had to set aside Rubicon because I just could not get into it. The writing was poor, the storyline was inane, and it basically seemed a way for the author to bash the Bush administration through the guise of a work of fiction. I'm not a big GW supporter myself, but the thinly veiled insults got to be incredibly tedious. I feel slightly guilty about not finishing (and may go back and attempt to do so) because I was sent the book to review by William Morrow, but I'm not particularly worried about it at the moment. I have since finished 4 other books, some better than others.
#35 Blue Smoke and Murder by Elizabeth Lowell was another ARC I received from WM, though it was far better than Rubicon. I won't say I was blown away by this mystery set against a backdrop of the western art world, but it was entertaining and easy to read. Not a bad way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon.
#36 I listened to The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan on my Ipod. In general, I thought the story was pretty well thought out. There's a lot of history of Greek mythology explained, and I think it would be an excellent adjunct to the studying of the Greek myths. Overall, I think middle graders would probably enjoy this series. I'm not sure adults would be all that into it, though. I will say that I found the narrator's voice to be really annoying, and I didn't like some of the choices he made with inflection and emphasis during the story. I think I'd have enjoyed the written version more.
#37 Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo was another audiobook, and it goes to show just how much a good narrator can affect one's opinion of a book on CD. This one was perfect. I do think the story was better, as well, but all in all, the audio experience was far superior to The Lightning Thief. I've got the next couple of books in this series on hold at the library (the audio versions), and I'm looking forward to listening to them.
#38 Shadow Command by Dale Brown was an ARC read. It was just ok. I've never read Dale Brown before, and I've since read that this is not up to his usual standards, so I may give him another shot, but if this is indicative of his sort of material I won't be bothering. The plot was excruciatingly slow, his characters are idiotic, and he has a pretty chauvinistic attitude with his writing that I found irritating to say the least.
I'm nearly done with books #39 and #40, both of which I'm enjoying immensely.
edited to change an ambiguous sentence.
#35 Blue Smoke and Murder by Elizabeth Lowell was another ARC I received from WM, though it was far better than Rubicon. I won't say I was blown away by this mystery set against a backdrop of the western art world, but it was entertaining and easy to read. Not a bad way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon.
#36 I listened to The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan on my Ipod. In general, I thought the story was pretty well thought out. There's a lot of history of Greek mythology explained, and I think it would be an excellent adjunct to the studying of the Greek myths. Overall, I think middle graders would probably enjoy this series. I'm not sure adults would be all that into it, though. I will say that I found the narrator's voice to be really annoying, and I didn't like some of the choices he made with inflection and emphasis during the story. I think I'd have enjoyed the written version more.
#37 Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo was another audiobook, and it goes to show just how much a good narrator can affect one's opinion of a book on CD. This one was perfect. I do think the story was better, as well, but all in all, the audio experience was far superior to The Lightning Thief. I've got the next couple of books in this series on hold at the library (the audio versions), and I'm looking forward to listening to them.
#38 Shadow Command by Dale Brown was an ARC read. It was just ok. I've never read Dale Brown before, and I've since read that this is not up to his usual standards, so I may give him another shot, but if this is indicative of his sort of material I won't be bothering. The plot was excruciatingly slow, his characters are idiotic, and he has a pretty chauvinistic attitude with his writing that I found irritating to say the least.
I'm nearly done with books #39 and #40, both of which I'm enjoying immensely.
edited to change an ambiguous sentence.
23hailelib
I just read The Lightning Thief and I liked it. It was good enough that yesterday at work, when I took a break for lunch, I pulled the next one in the series off the shelves and started it.
24virginiahomeschooler
>23 hailelib: I do think I will probably go back and read the second book, but I won't do the audio version this time. I think narrators really can make or break a book, and this one was just not pleasant. It's especially crappy because I actually paid money to download this one from Audible rather than some of the better ones I've listened to that came from the library.
#39 And on the note of narrators, I finished Artemis Fowl: the Lost Colony which was another audio book this time narrated by Nathaniel Parker, who is fantastic. I wonder if it's the British thing because I tend to find those narrated by British men (like the narrator of Midnight for Charlie Bone) much more easily listened to and less annoying than those spoken by Americans (like The Collectors which I'm listening to now and not particularly enjoying). Maybe because I'm around Americans all the time, that the accent lets me sort of escape a little bit into a different world. Or it could just be that I find a British accent exceedingly charming... So, aside from the wonderful narration, the story was quite good. This is the fifth installment in the Artemis Fowl series, and I've enjoyed most of them immensely (The Opal Deception not quite as much as the others).
#40 A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander was an ARC, and I went into it rather hesitantly thinking that it was going to be a snoozer. It so wasn't. It was so fantastic that I've added Alexander's earlier works to my wish-list. Why had I never found this genre (historical mystery) before?? It really was quite good - a quick and easy read.
I'm reading Austenland by Shannon Hale now, and listening to (as mentioned earlier) The Collectors by David Baldacci. After a relatively slow reading month in May, June has started out with a bang.
#39 And on the note of narrators, I finished Artemis Fowl: the Lost Colony which was another audio book this time narrated by Nathaniel Parker, who is fantastic. I wonder if it's the British thing because I tend to find those narrated by British men (like the narrator of Midnight for Charlie Bone) much more easily listened to and less annoying than those spoken by Americans (like The Collectors which I'm listening to now and not particularly enjoying). Maybe because I'm around Americans all the time, that the accent lets me sort of escape a little bit into a different world. Or it could just be that I find a British accent exceedingly charming... So, aside from the wonderful narration, the story was quite good. This is the fifth installment in the Artemis Fowl series, and I've enjoyed most of them immensely (The Opal Deception not quite as much as the others).
#40 A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander was an ARC, and I went into it rather hesitantly thinking that it was going to be a snoozer. It so wasn't. It was so fantastic that I've added Alexander's earlier works to my wish-list. Why had I never found this genre (historical mystery) before?? It really was quite good - a quick and easy read.
I'm reading Austenland by Shannon Hale now, and listening to (as mentioned earlier) The Collectors by David Baldacci. After a relatively slow reading month in May, June has started out with a bang.
25cmbohn
I really liked Austenland. And I read Prince Caspian for the challenge too, so I'll be interested to see what you think of it.
26virginiahomeschooler
>25 cmbohn:
I enjoyed Austenland. I finished it as I was waiting for a plane, and it helped keep me entertained (and less anxious - I hate flying). For me, it was like the movie You've Got Mail. I've seen it probably over 100 times (and have it on DVD), yet every time I see it's on TBS, I compulsively turn over to it. It just makes me happy. Austenland was like that - it was a happy, girly book that left me smiling in the end.
I enjoyed Austenland. I finished it as I was waiting for a plane, and it helped keep me entertained (and less anxious - I hate flying). For me, it was like the movie You've Got Mail. I've seen it probably over 100 times (and have it on DVD), yet every time I see it's on TBS, I compulsively turn over to it. It just makes me happy. Austenland was like that - it was a happy, girly book that left me smiling in the end.
27virginiahomeschooler
#41 Austenland by Shannon Hale (as I mentioned in the previous post) was really fun. It was about a young woman with a Mr. Darcy (as played by Colin Firth) obsession. Can you blame her?? She inherits a trip to Pembrook Park, an English estate that caters to women with similar tastes, and she is determined to break herself of this rather unhealthy fascination. It's a charming and amusing story, and one I'd probably reread eventually.
4 STARS
#42 The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer is the story of Enola (which backward spells Alone) Holmes and her journey to find her mother, all the while eluding her older brothers (one of whom is Sherlock Holmes). It's a historical mystery geared toward middle graders, but it's extremely well-written. It's the first in the series, and I'll definitely be getting the next one. This was actually one that had been recommended by LT's suggester, and it was right on target.
4 1/2 STARS
4 STARS
#42 The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer is the story of Enola (which backward spells Alone) Holmes and her journey to find her mother, all the while eluding her older brothers (one of whom is Sherlock Holmes). It's a historical mystery geared toward middle graders, but it's extremely well-written. It's the first in the series, and I'll definitely be getting the next one. This was actually one that had been recommended by LT's suggester, and it was right on target.
4 1/2 STARS
28virginiahomeschooler
#43 Journey to the Blue Moon by Rebecca Rupp - a surprisingly philosophical tale about a boy who journeys to the moon to find his lost pocket watch and his lost time. Fun and insightful at the same time.
#44 The Collectors by David Baldacci (audio-book) - another one of those "I wish I'd read this instead of listened to it." books. The story was great, exciting and entertaining, but the narrator and cast were dreadful. This is the sequel to Baldacci's The Camel Club. Both books center around The Camel Club, a group of conspiracy theorists who seem to find trouble at every turn. Both are full of suspense, adventure, and wit. But stay clear of the audio-book.
#45 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon - Perhaps not as good as the hype would lead you to believe, but still a solid, charming story. Sad and sweet, and at times funny, it's definitely worth reading.
#46 The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden - This was an arc I got from the Early Reviewer program, and like most of the other reviewers who received this book, I found it to be mediocre. The writing was actually quite good, especially considering this is McFadden's first novel. But, the story needed work, and at times it felt like the author was trying to write too perfectly, which was distracting. She's very descriptive, and while that's not a bad thing, in general, I felt like she was overreaching through most of the book. I do think she has a lot of potential to be a good author, and as debut novels go, this one was pretty good.
#44 The Collectors by David Baldacci (audio-book) - another one of those "I wish I'd read this instead of listened to it." books. The story was great, exciting and entertaining, but the narrator and cast were dreadful. This is the sequel to Baldacci's The Camel Club. Both books center around The Camel Club, a group of conspiracy theorists who seem to find trouble at every turn. Both are full of suspense, adventure, and wit. But stay clear of the audio-book.
#45 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon - Perhaps not as good as the hype would lead you to believe, but still a solid, charming story. Sad and sweet, and at times funny, it's definitely worth reading.
#46 The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden - This was an arc I got from the Early Reviewer program, and like most of the other reviewers who received this book, I found it to be mediocre. The writing was actually quite good, especially considering this is McFadden's first novel. But, the story needed work, and at times it felt like the author was trying to write too perfectly, which was distracting. She's very descriptive, and while that's not a bad thing, in general, I felt like she was overreaching through most of the book. I do think she has a lot of potential to be a good author, and as debut novels go, this one was pretty good.
29cmbohn
I really liked Austenland. I got Mr. Darcy's Daughters from the library - we'll see how it goes.
