Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, was our latest Book Club pick. Surprisingly, not one of us had read it (one of our rules on our selections is that no one can have read it before). Upon picking the book, I expected it to be a heftier volume. It is not as long as I thought it would be; my version was just over 350 pages. I thought that it might take us the better part of the summer to read it, but I finished it in just a couple weeks.
The book is set in the English countryside, around the turn of the nineteenth century. It gives a good look into what life was like then. This is an aspect of the book that I found fascinating. The way people related to one another, the customs and the way the relationships were formed and maintained was very interesting. Typically, I am not interested in books with this setting, but I found that this book was the exception to that.
The genre of the book is definitely romance. Originally, I thought that if it were written in modern times it might be considered fluff. However, after finishing the book, I can truly appreciate the depth that Austen added to the romance. This book was also a statement of the times in which it was written.
Austen does a remarkable job with her character development. The characters are created in such a way that the reader has feeling for them, whether positive or negative. The reader begins to hope for the characters, and to feel with them. At least, that is how I felt when I read the book. The main character, Elizabeth Bennet, is a wonderfully strong woman who defies the times by speaking her mind more often than is deemed appropriate. But at the same time, she is vulnerable, making her a heroine that the reader can instantly like and identify with even though the setting is so far removed from our own.
By the end of the book, I was rooting for Elizabeth and her sister, Jane. As I have said before, any author that can evoke an emotion has done his/her job. In this book, Jane Austen made me care about her characters. There is something to be said for that considering that I don't typically prefer novels written in this era or even this genre. Austen has made me reconsider that, and has made me a fan. I would recommend this book, as long as you can read through the language barrier. Being written in 1796 and published in 1813, the language is very different and I needed to concentrate to get the gist of what was being conveyed. This is the only Jane Austen novel I have read, but I plan on picking up another of her novels in the future.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Snakes Don't Miss Their Mothers
Snakes Don't Miss Their Mothers is a young adult novel by M.E. Kerr. My 9 year old son read it and really liked it. He asked me to read it, too. He knows how I love to share books with friends, so I was very touched that he wanted to share one with me.
Snakes Don't Miss Their Mothers is a novel about the animals kept at an animal shelter named Critters, and their human companions. The animals are the main characters, with dialogue between them and access to their thoughts and dreams, since it is written from their perspective. The story was cute, and very sweet. It takes place at Christmas time, and the animals go on some interesting adventures with the Critters volunteers and potential new families. There is the ever present Dog Catcher that needs to be avoided. This element added a little suspense to the story line. The characters, both animal and human, are lovable and entertaining. The ending leaves the reader satisfied.
Throughout the book, the author exposes a young reader to new vocabulary and definitions, as well. Reading this as a parent, I appreciated that. The child reading this book learns something along the way. The language used is appropriate for any age and I would estimate the reading level to be around advanced second grade to third grade.
Language and reading level aside, it is a fun book for kids, which is important to foster a love of reading. Happy Reading!
Snakes Don't Miss Their Mothers is a novel about the animals kept at an animal shelter named Critters, and their human companions. The animals are the main characters, with dialogue between them and access to their thoughts and dreams, since it is written from their perspective. The story was cute, and very sweet. It takes place at Christmas time, and the animals go on some interesting adventures with the Critters volunteers and potential new families. There is the ever present Dog Catcher that needs to be avoided. This element added a little suspense to the story line. The characters, both animal and human, are lovable and entertaining. The ending leaves the reader satisfied.
Throughout the book, the author exposes a young reader to new vocabulary and definitions, as well. Reading this as a parent, I appreciated that. The child reading this book learns something along the way. The language used is appropriate for any age and I would estimate the reading level to be around advanced second grade to third grade.
Language and reading level aside, it is a fun book for kids, which is important to foster a love of reading. Happy Reading!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Beyond Recognition
This was my first Ridley Pearson book, and Beyond Recognition made me an instant fan! This book was first published back in 1997, so I am a little behind the times in reading it. It has been sitting on my shelf for ages, the result of a missed "decline shipment" deadline for the Mystery Guild. I picked it up because it has been a while since I have read a mystery. It was a terrific book.
The book is about a detective on the hunt for an arsonist that is using some unknown accelerant for his fires. The accelerant used burns everything fast and super hot. Like the accelerant, this book is fast paced and interesting for the whole ride. The supporting characters are fantastic and compliment the storyline nicely. Enough scientific and forensic detail is given to make the story believable and very interesting, but not so much that the reader doesn't understand or gets bored. There is a subplot that involves the complex relationships of this married cop, and his struggles to balance work and life.
I found that the author is very good at using his language to set the pace. When the detective, or another character is being contemplative or things are moving slower, the language used and sentence structure takes the reader at a slower pace. When the action picks up and time is racing, the language changes and the sentences are more clipped. This causes the reader to speed up their pace, too.
This book was a real page turner. I am a fan of Ridley Pearson now and look forward to reading another of his novels. This book was great as a stand alone, but it turns out this is the 4th book in a series about the detective, Lou Boldt. I plan on getting the other books in this series out of the library so I can catch up on Detective Boldt's life. When I finished the book, I wanted more. I am very glad that I can have it! There are 9 total novels in this series and according to Ridley Pearson's website, another is due out next year.
Happy Reading!
The book is about a detective on the hunt for an arsonist that is using some unknown accelerant for his fires. The accelerant used burns everything fast and super hot. Like the accelerant, this book is fast paced and interesting for the whole ride. The supporting characters are fantastic and compliment the storyline nicely. Enough scientific and forensic detail is given to make the story believable and very interesting, but not so much that the reader doesn't understand or gets bored. There is a subplot that involves the complex relationships of this married cop, and his struggles to balance work and life.
I found that the author is very good at using his language to set the pace. When the detective, or another character is being contemplative or things are moving slower, the language used and sentence structure takes the reader at a slower pace. When the action picks up and time is racing, the language changes and the sentences are more clipped. This causes the reader to speed up their pace, too.
This book was a real page turner. I am a fan of Ridley Pearson now and look forward to reading another of his novels. This book was great as a stand alone, but it turns out this is the 4th book in a series about the detective, Lou Boldt. I plan on getting the other books in this series out of the library so I can catch up on Detective Boldt's life. When I finished the book, I wanted more. I am very glad that I can have it! There are 9 total novels in this series and according to Ridley Pearson's website, another is due out next year.
Happy Reading!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monkey Love
Monkey Love is Brenda Scott Royce's debut novel. It is billed on the cover to be "hilarious", "laugh out loud", "a hilarious romp of a novel". It was funny, it was a romp, an easy, fun book. Hilarious is going a little far, and I don't think I quite laughed out loud. Maybe I chuckled once. That isn't to say that it wasn't a cute book or that I wouldn't recommend it.
Monkey Love is about a single woman (Holly) living in New York who is going through life day by day, hour by hour even and not really thinking about the big picture. Holly is very likable, a little scattered, and quite resourceful. She is busy trying to make ends meet any way she can: pet sitting, typing, running errands for neighbors, and cutting hair. Her family is a little dysfunctional, and not quite lovable sometimes. Her friends are all mixed up in whirlwind lives themselves, and Holly finds herself always cleaning up others messes. Holly realizes that maybe she needs to get her life in order. Maybe instead of jumping from fire to fire, she needs to pick one track and stick to it. But just what is that track?
Along the way she meets a monkey with as much of a personality as any of her friends, and a dad and his little girl. They are a sweet combo that add some interest to Holly's life. Overall the book is enjoyable. Girl's life is crazy, girl meets boy (and child), girl and boy date, girl thinks maybe there is another boy that she likes, girl and boy (with child) fall in love, but is that enough in this crazy life?
I would recommend this book as a light, vacation type read. A book to have fun with, but not one that you will necessarily remember reading. In fact, I realized a few chapters in that I thought maybe I had read it before. A little more than half way through the book I was sure that I had read it before. It took me a while to be positive that I had read it. I still enjoyed it the second time through, though.
Happy Reading!
Monkey Love is about a single woman (Holly) living in New York who is going through life day by day, hour by hour even and not really thinking about the big picture. Holly is very likable, a little scattered, and quite resourceful. She is busy trying to make ends meet any way she can: pet sitting, typing, running errands for neighbors, and cutting hair. Her family is a little dysfunctional, and not quite lovable sometimes. Her friends are all mixed up in whirlwind lives themselves, and Holly finds herself always cleaning up others messes. Holly realizes that maybe she needs to get her life in order. Maybe instead of jumping from fire to fire, she needs to pick one track and stick to it. But just what is that track?
Along the way she meets a monkey with as much of a personality as any of her friends, and a dad and his little girl. They are a sweet combo that add some interest to Holly's life. Overall the book is enjoyable. Girl's life is crazy, girl meets boy (and child), girl and boy date, girl thinks maybe there is another boy that she likes, girl and boy (with child) fall in love, but is that enough in this crazy life?
I would recommend this book as a light, vacation type read. A book to have fun with, but not one that you will necessarily remember reading. In fact, I realized a few chapters in that I thought maybe I had read it before. A little more than half way through the book I was sure that I had read it before. It took me a while to be positive that I had read it. I still enjoyed it the second time through, though.
Happy Reading!
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Shack
The Shack by William Paul Young is a thought provoking read. It leaves you wondering, and maybe hoping for truth in its pages, about God and about what happens after death. This novel is not a light one. It is not one that can be read without using your head, or your heart.
In The Shack, a man who has suffered a horrible tragedy goes on a remarkable journey of understanding and forgiveness. He returns to the place where this tragedy took place, the shack. There he embarks on a trip through his own spirituality and faith. He meets God and gets to ask some tough questions and hear some even tougher answers. But at the same time, he finds beauty and understanding, and eventually some peace.
I personally found this book to be quite cerebral. I had to re-read several passages to make sure I was fully understanding what was being said. This is a novel that requires thought, a quiet space and time to reflect on what is being read. I truly loved the view of God and the ideas in the book regarding God's love of all of his children. There were parts that were very difficult to read, and parts that I myself just can't buy into. Reading this book as a parent of young children, I was at times very saddened and at times very angry. I never got to the forgiveness that the main character was able to reach. I hope and pray that I am never in the same circumstance, but if I ever find myself there, I question whether I would find the forgiveness he is able to find in his heart.
This was an inspiring and hopeful read. One that will not be forgotten, and one that deserves a lot of discussion. I highly recommend reading this one with someone else. I read it with my book club and personally can't wait to discuss it with my them!
In The Shack, a man who has suffered a horrible tragedy goes on a remarkable journey of understanding and forgiveness. He returns to the place where this tragedy took place, the shack. There he embarks on a trip through his own spirituality and faith. He meets God and gets to ask some tough questions and hear some even tougher answers. But at the same time, he finds beauty and understanding, and eventually some peace.
I personally found this book to be quite cerebral. I had to re-read several passages to make sure I was fully understanding what was being said. This is a novel that requires thought, a quiet space and time to reflect on what is being read. I truly loved the view of God and the ideas in the book regarding God's love of all of his children. There were parts that were very difficult to read, and parts that I myself just can't buy into. Reading this book as a parent of young children, I was at times very saddened and at times very angry. I never got to the forgiveness that the main character was able to reach. I hope and pray that I am never in the same circumstance, but if I ever find myself there, I question whether I would find the forgiveness he is able to find in his heart.
This was an inspiring and hopeful read. One that will not be forgotten, and one that deserves a lot of discussion. I highly recommend reading this one with someone else. I read it with my book club and personally can't wait to discuss it with my them!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen was an excellent book! It is a gritty look at life in a traveling circus in the 1930s. The author meticulously researched the book, and it shows. At times funny, at times gross, at times infuriating and at times heartbreaking, this novel has it all. Intrigue, suspense, romance, adventure and amazing characters.
The main character is Jacob, a veterinary student set to take up practice with his dad once he graduates from school. But then tragedy strikes and Jacob's life takes a very different turn. He joins a traveling circus and meets some wonderful and terrifying people (and animals) along the way. One of the animals is an amazing elephant that has such human emotions you can't help but think of her as one of the human characters. The story is told from Jacob's perspective, remembering it all from his place in a nursing home now at the age of 90, or 93 (he really isn't sure). The story switches back and forth between then and now. Both eras of the story are fascinating, and you can't help loving the crotchety old man that he is now, or the flawed but sweet young man that he was then.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down when I was reading it and couldn't wait to pick it back up again each day. I am sad that my time with Jacob is over now. I would love to be able to sit down and have a drink with him and listen to more of his story!
Happy Reading!
The main character is Jacob, a veterinary student set to take up practice with his dad once he graduates from school. But then tragedy strikes and Jacob's life takes a very different turn. He joins a traveling circus and meets some wonderful and terrifying people (and animals) along the way. One of the animals is an amazing elephant that has such human emotions you can't help but think of her as one of the human characters. The story is told from Jacob's perspective, remembering it all from his place in a nursing home now at the age of 90, or 93 (he really isn't sure). The story switches back and forth between then and now. Both eras of the story are fascinating, and you can't help loving the crotchety old man that he is now, or the flawed but sweet young man that he was then.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down when I was reading it and couldn't wait to pick it back up again each day. I am sad that my time with Jacob is over now. I would love to be able to sit down and have a drink with him and listen to more of his story!
Happy Reading!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Sailing to Capri
Sailing to Capri by Elizabeth Adler is a mystery/romance novel about a woman who served as a Personal Assistant to an English tycoon. He dies and leaves her with the unpleasant duty of figuring out who killed him with the help of a private investigator. It was the tycoon's final wish that they put together a cruise with all of the suspects, leading up to the reading of the will in the final port.
The plot, while a little predictable, was interesting enough. The setting, or settings, were spectacular. Elizabeth Adler does a fantastic job of describing the setting (and the food), making you wish you could be there. The characters were quite lovable, too; each quirky and imperfect and charming. This novel wrapped up a little too quickly and might have been a little more of a page turner if some of the mystery was enhanced through out the book. Most of the real intrigue takes place in the last 3/4 of the book. Not much is revealed about the investigation into who the murderer is until one final pivotal scene. But it was still an enjoyable read. Definitely escapist in nature, and one that will leave you wanting to travel!
Happy Reading!
The plot, while a little predictable, was interesting enough. The setting, or settings, were spectacular. Elizabeth Adler does a fantastic job of describing the setting (and the food), making you wish you could be there. The characters were quite lovable, too; each quirky and imperfect and charming. This novel wrapped up a little too quickly and might have been a little more of a page turner if some of the mystery was enhanced through out the book. Most of the real intrigue takes place in the last 3/4 of the book. Not much is revealed about the investigation into who the murderer is until one final pivotal scene. But it was still an enjoyable read. Definitely escapist in nature, and one that will leave you wanting to travel!
Happy Reading!
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