The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World by E.L. Kongisburg (juvenile fiction)
Summary: Smart, cultured Amadeo Kaplan moves to Florida hoping to make a big discovery that will change the world, and sees an opportunity when his next door neighbor is liquidating her personal belongings in preparation for her move to a retirement home.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Comments: I loved a lot of things about this book. I loved the art history lesson, the Holocaust lesson, and the way the two stories collide to create an exciting ending. I didn't feel the book was written for children, though, and thought some of the material too old for 10-12 year olds (not to mention confusing). I love Konigsburg, though, and am willing to overlook some minor faults in order to really enjoy this book.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Last Summer (of You and Me)
The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares
Summary: Sisters Alice (21) and Riley (24) spend the summer at their beach house where they are reunited with long-time "summer friend" Paul (also 24), who has a unique relationship with each girl.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Comments: Brashares is the author the the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books. I loved the relationships the girls in those books had, and really connected with them. In this book, the sisters are supposed to have an unbreakable bond, which explains the actions of the younger one half-way through the book. But I didn't feel that relationship until much later in the book, so it didn't really ring true for me. The romance between Paul and Alice was just okay. I didn't love his character enough to really get excited about it. And while I loved Riley, and the way she was portrayed, her character wasn't consistent enough for me to be totally on her side. I'm sure if you haven't read the book this review is very confusing. Sorry about that. But since no one really reads this anyway, it doesn't matter.
To sum up, this book was okay. I expected more. I may have to reread the Sisterhood again...
Summary: Sisters Alice (21) and Riley (24) spend the summer at their beach house where they are reunited with long-time "summer friend" Paul (also 24), who has a unique relationship with each girl.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Comments: Brashares is the author the the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books. I loved the relationships the girls in those books had, and really connected with them. In this book, the sisters are supposed to have an unbreakable bond, which explains the actions of the younger one half-way through the book. But I didn't feel that relationship until much later in the book, so it didn't really ring true for me. The romance between Paul and Alice was just okay. I didn't love his character enough to really get excited about it. And while I loved Riley, and the way she was portrayed, her character wasn't consistent enough for me to be totally on her side. I'm sure if you haven't read the book this review is very confusing. Sorry about that. But since no one really reads this anyway, it doesn't matter.
To sum up, this book was okay. I expected more. I may have to reread the Sisterhood again...
Monday, July 21, 2008
Prince Caspian
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
Summary: One year after leaving Narnia, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy find themselves back, and hundreds of years have passed and they must join together with the few true Narnians who are left to ensure that Caspian becomes King of Narnia.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Comments: Not as good as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Not a lot of action until the end of the book. I would probably recommend it to 8-10 year olds, as the writing is very simple and straight forward. Still entertaining. Now I need to see the movie.
Summary: One year after leaving Narnia, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy find themselves back, and hundreds of years have passed and they must join together with the few true Narnians who are left to ensure that Caspian becomes King of Narnia.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Comments: Not as good as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Not a lot of action until the end of the book. I would probably recommend it to 8-10 year olds, as the writing is very simple and straight forward. Still entertaining. Now I need to see the movie.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Jane Austen Book Club
The Jane Austen Book Club by Joy Fowler
Summary: Five women (and one man!) come together to read the complete works of Jane Austen and discuss them at their monthly book club meetings.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Comments: I wanted to love this book. I love the concept. I really enjoyed the characters and liked getting to know them in the book. But a few things kept me from loving it--bad language and some other uncomfortable moments lowered it for me.
Summary: Five women (and one man!) come together to read the complete works of Jane Austen and discuss them at their monthly book club meetings.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Comments: I wanted to love this book. I love the concept. I really enjoyed the characters and liked getting to know them in the book. But a few things kept me from loving it--bad language and some other uncomfortable moments lowered it for me.
3 Novels of Fitzwilliam Darcy
#1: An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan
#2: Duty and Desire
#3: These Three Remain
Summary: Aidan gives us a look into the mind of Mr. Darcy, as he meets, humiliates, and falls in love with Elizabeth Bennett in the parallel novels to Pride and Prejudice.
Rating: #1- 4 out of 5
#2- 2 out of 5
#3- 3 out of 5
Comments: It probably goes without saying that I love Pride and Prejudice. It is one of my favorite books of all time. I love Darcy and Elizabeth, and so I was excited to read these three books. The first was really good. The second was boring. The third was just okay. Overall, too much needless info that really didn't interest me.
#2: Duty and Desire
#3: These Three Remain
Summary: Aidan gives us a look into the mind of Mr. Darcy, as he meets, humiliates, and falls in love with Elizabeth Bennett in the parallel novels to Pride and Prejudice.
Rating: #1- 4 out of 5
#2- 2 out of 5
#3- 3 out of 5
Comments: It probably goes without saying that I love Pride and Prejudice. It is one of my favorite books of all time. I love Darcy and Elizabeth, and so I was excited to read these three books. The first was really good. The second was boring. The third was just okay. Overall, too much needless info that really didn't interest me.
Persuasion
Persuasion by Jane Austen.
Summary: The last of Austen's novels, written as she was deathly ill, is the story of Anne Elliot and her second chance at love with Captain Wentworth.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Comments: It's not Pride and Prejudice. But nothing could be P&P. So, when not taken as a comparision, I really enjoyed this book. The story resolves rather quickly, and I could've used a lot more, but I liked it.
Summary: The last of Austen's novels, written as she was deathly ill, is the story of Anne Elliot and her second chance at love with Captain Wentworth.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Comments: It's not Pride and Prejudice. But nothing could be P&P. So, when not taken as a comparision, I really enjoyed this book. The story resolves rather quickly, and I could've used a lot more, but I liked it.
The Tipping Point
The Tipping Point: How Little Things can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell (non-fiction)
Summary: Gladwell explores how ideas are transmitted, and how some ideas become widespread epidemics as he illustrates the "tipping point."
Rating: 4 out of 5
Comments: This was a very interesting read and not too difficult to understand. Definitely worth reading and a good break from all the fiction I have been reading lately.
Summary: Gladwell explores how ideas are transmitted, and how some ideas become widespread epidemics as he illustrates the "tipping point."
Rating: 4 out of 5
Comments: This was a very interesting read and not too difficult to understand. Definitely worth reading and a good break from all the fiction I have been reading lately.
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