Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Genre: YA Fiction
Pages: 221
Rating: 9/10
This book follows Miles Halter's life as he goes off to boarding school where he meets an interesting cast of characters. The most important of these being Alaska Young. This book chronicles his experiences with her and their friends, how he falls in love with her, and eventually culminating into a mystery and it's secrets.
I don't want to give anything away in the story because I read someone's review on this book and they gave away the spoilers without warning.
Anyways, this book is divided into two parts: Before and After. You'll have to find out what that pivotal point in the book is yourself. That's part of the fun of this book, the anticipation.
I liked this book. I don't think I was as crazy about it as some, maybe because I found it hard to relate to the smart kids going to boarding school and getting into mischief. But it was fun nonetheless. I thought the philosophical questions brought up in the book were the most intriguing, and I liked seeing how the main character pondered them. As for the ending, it was good, but the answer to the mystery I was hoping to be a bit more shocking than it was, but it was far from a bad ending. Green's writing was also a strong point; I thought it was witty and gave off the right atmosphere for the setting and plot.
I recommend this for those who like those growing-up stories or just want to try a unique book. I will definitely try Green's other novels.
Author: John Green
Genre: YA Fiction
Pages: 221
Rating: 9/10
This book follows Miles Halter's life as he goes off to boarding school where he meets an interesting cast of characters. The most important of these being Alaska Young. This book chronicles his experiences with her and their friends, how he falls in love with her, and eventually culminating into a mystery and it's secrets.
I don't want to give anything away in the story because I read someone's review on this book and they gave away the spoilers without warning.
Anyways, this book is divided into two parts: Before and After. You'll have to find out what that pivotal point in the book is yourself. That's part of the fun of this book, the anticipation.
I liked this book. I don't think I was as crazy about it as some, maybe because I found it hard to relate to the smart kids going to boarding school and getting into mischief. But it was fun nonetheless. I thought the philosophical questions brought up in the book were the most intriguing, and I liked seeing how the main character pondered them. As for the ending, it was good, but the answer to the mystery I was hoping to be a bit more shocking than it was, but it was far from a bad ending. Green's writing was also a strong point; I thought it was witty and gave off the right atmosphere for the setting and plot.
I recommend this for those who like those growing-up stories or just want to try a unique book. I will definitely try Green's other novels.
Title: Jubilee Trail
Author: Gwen Bristow
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 546
Rating: 9/10
Jubilee Trail is the story of Garnet, a well brought up young woman living in New York city in the middle of the 19th century. She dreams of getting away from her mundane life and escaping the proposals of marriage from boring men. Enter Oliver, a fun, laid back man who is in town doing business for his trading company. Garnet meets him and he tells her that he travels back and forth on the trail to the west, ending in California. Her adventurous spirit is swept away and they get married. This story tells of her journey across the country to California and her experiences there.
This book delivers, just as I expected it would, after reading Celia Garth and also loving that book. Garnet is another smart, strong, and easily likable heroine. The setting is fascinating; Bristow elaborates on details of the move west by settlers and also the annexation of California by the United States. There's also intrigue, some social drama, subtle romance and action.
This is the type of book you sit with and relax and savor and it leaves you feeling good and satisfied.
This book (and Celia Garth) is also good for young adult readers. I wish I had read this when I was a teen.
Title: Celia Garth
Author: Gwen Bristow
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 406
Rating: 10/10
Published in the 1950s, Celia Garth is a book set in Charleston during the American Revolution. There, a talented dressmaker, Celia Garth, experiences the siege of Charleston and becomes apart of the rebel cause in ways you wouldn't imagine. She also finds love in unexpected places.
I don't like to give away much of the plot, so I won't say more than that. Celia is a smart, witty and very likable heroine which is exactly what I like to read. From the first two pages I was hooked by her and Bristow's own voice that was passed through Celia. It is just a really fun book to read. To add to that, the story was great. I don't know a lot of the specifics of this time and place in history but everything felt right. I love when a great female heroine and good historical plot meet in such an enjoyable way that Bristow has given us.
There's a lot of action and adventure, great supporting characters, and some romance. I loved this book so much (and just generally impressed with Bristow's work) that I jumped right into another one of hers called Jubilee Trail.
Highly recommended.
Author: Gwen Bristow
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 406
Rating: 10/10
Published in the 1950s, Celia Garth is a book set in Charleston during the American Revolution. There, a talented dressmaker, Celia Garth, experiences the siege of Charleston and becomes apart of the rebel cause in ways you wouldn't imagine. She also finds love in unexpected places.
I don't like to give away much of the plot, so I won't say more than that. Celia is a smart, witty and very likable heroine which is exactly what I like to read. From the first two pages I was hooked by her and Bristow's own voice that was passed through Celia. It is just a really fun book to read. To add to that, the story was great. I don't know a lot of the specifics of this time and place in history but everything felt right. I love when a great female heroine and good historical plot meet in such an enjoyable way that Bristow has given us.
There's a lot of action and adventure, great supporting characters, and some romance. I loved this book so much (and just generally impressed with Bristow's work) that I jumped right into another one of hers called Jubilee Trail.
Highly recommended.
Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant: Giveaway at Passage to the Past
Contest ends July 13th.
The French Mistress by Susan Holloway Scott also at Passage to the Past.
This one ends July 6th so hurry!
xposted to Books.
Contest ends July 13th.
The French Mistress by Susan Holloway Scott also at Passage to the Past.
This one ends July 6th so hurry!
xposted to Books.
Author: Yoko Ogawa
Genre: Fiction/Japanese Literature
Pages: 180
Rating: 9/10
This short novel (180 pages) is the story of a Housekeeper who goes to work for someone she calls the Professor who is a genius mathematician. What the housekeeper is told is that the Professor has memories up until 1975 which was the year he was in a car crash. From the brain injury he suffered his memory lasts only 80 minutes and then it is refreshed.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story. The writing is so elegant and clean, and I have to give props to the translator. It was really well done. My favorite parts in this book were the interactions of the Professor and the housekeepers son, Root (nicknamed because his head reminded the Professor of the square root sign). Actually, I loved all the interactions of the three characters. It is a very endearing story and will make you feel good by the end of it.
The math theories and things was never overly demanding and even if you never enjoyed it in high school you will come to appreciate the way Ogawa uses it in her novel.
While math is a large part of this book, so is baseball. In Japan baseball is really huge and so I enjoyed seeing a glimpse into that part of Japanese culture.
Author: Marie Brennan
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Pages: 379
Rating: 9/10
This story takes place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in London. The world is as we know it at that time, but there are also Fae people living among mortals, some even closer than you think. The main character, Lune (a Faerie) is out of favor with her Faerie Queen Invidiana who also happens to be cold and merciless ruler. She rules the Onyx Court which resides under London and the Fae of all of England fear her. Lune along with Michael Deven, a mortal, try and uncover the mystery behind Invidiana and the Onyx Court and try to restore peace between the two worlds.
I really enjoyed this book. Brennan's writing is very light and entertaining. This book focuses mostly on fantastical elements, but I still found that Brennan's research of the time was good. Nothing stuck out at me as being wrong, but maybe I was too into the story to care. This book turned out to have one quite good mystery going and I was surprised to see how much thought Brennan put into it. It tied into real history well.
My only negatives about this story is that I had wished on more than one occasion that Brennan explain the different types of Faerie creatures more thoroughly because I'm not particular familiar with all of them. Also, there was one or two very small lose ends I would have liked to see tied up. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book.
This book is followed by the sequel, In Ashes Lie.
Author: Georgette Heyer
Genre: Regency romance
Pages: 355
Rating: 6.5/10
This book is set in the early 19th century England, specifically London. The main character, Kitty Charling is put in a predicament by her adoptive father. She is to inherit his fortune, but only if she marries one of his nephews of her chosing. Her choice seems to be Jack, for she has had feelings for him, but he has not offered for her. In order to get to London her and another nephew, Freddy say they are engaged, but she has another plan in works.
This is my first experience with this type of novel. The writing is witty, quick, and mostly dialogue. I liked the quick pace and the charming story. It's a very light hearted and easy read, and it will definitely make you feel good.
The problems I had with it were some of the dialogues and how they were written; they just weren't in the style that I liked. I felt some of the characters spoke in odd ways and some parts of the novel were boring.
But I recognize this would be a great and fun read for people who like this type of novel. In this case I do recommend it. But if you're like me, and like more traditional or regular style of book, then you might not enjoy the story enough to overlook the style.
Author: Susan Kay
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 570
Rating: 10/10
This award winning novel by Susan Kay chronicles the life of Elizabeth Tudor from her early childhood until her death many, many years later. The novel is separated into five parts: The Girl, The Woman, The Queen, The Goddess and The Effigy. Kay features the many events of Elizabeth's life from her relationship with Robert Dudley, her defeat of the Spanish Armada, and even the Babington plot and other situations dealing with Mary, Queen of Scots.
One of the great things about this practically perfect novel about Elizabeth is that it covers so much of her life and all the things that happened in it, including her 40 year reign as queen. Kay exquisitely weaves so many characters and plots around Elizabeth that you hardly notice you are reading so much history because it's just so smooth.
The other, probably more outstanding is Kay's characterization of Elizabeth. You really get a full image of her and how what the kind of person she probably was. It's very different from what you might read in other novels, but Elizabeth is so intricate and real that you come out of this book thinking you know her and understand her. It took Kay many years to write this book and you really get the idea of how much work and research went into this.
I highly recommend this book, if you can find it, since it is out of print at this time. If you enjoy Elizabeth Tudor it is a must have.
Title: When Christ and His Saints Slept
Author: Sharon Kay Penman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 746
Rating: 7/10
This is the true story of Maude, daughter of King Henry I who is forced into marriage with Geoffrey of Anjou, set in the twelfth century. After losing his sons in the sinking of the White Ship, Henry I chooses to do the unthinkable: name Maude, a woman, as his heir. When he dies, Maude's cousin Stephen snatches races to London and only 3 weeks late is he crowned King. This is the story of Maude's fight for her rightful claim to the crown, and for her son, Henry.
This book stands on it's own but it is part of a triology about the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. We see her later on the this book, along with Henry.
Penman, I think, is probably the best writer of historical stories where it is known to be very complicated politically. About two thirds of this book is Maude and Stephen's war, which I didn't find always intriguing, but it was never confusing. While getting through this first part of the book I was wishing it was shorter. The last part, where we see more of Henry and Eleanor, it gets really, really exciting. It definitely makes you want to pick up the next book and find out more about their relationship.
As always, Penman is spot on with her historical detail. You can't go wrong with her when you want accuracy. I would have given this book an 8 but for the really really long campaigne storyline.
Title: Forever Amber
Author: Kathleen Winsor
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 972
Rating: 8/10
Author: Kathleen Winsor
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 972
Rating: 8/10
I was quite put off by the enormous length of this book but thought that because I heard so much about it that I should give it a try.
The story revolves around Amber St. Clare's life, starting when she is 16 and living her boring (in her eyes) life in the English countryside. She meets Bruce Carlton, on his way through her town when Charles II is finally returning to England during his absence. She falls in love with him, and he brings her to London with him.
The book tells the story of their love and how Amber wants always to marry him but for many reasons Bruce doesn't want to. Through the 10 years of her life that we see, she has many adventures, marriages, prison time, and experiences wealth and even becomes one of Charles II's mistresses.
It was written in the 1940s but you can hardly tell. Winsor is a great storyteller and it she made it a very pleasent ride through Amber's life. The best parts, I felt, were the ones where Bruce wasn't involved; Amber's life and relationships with everyone seemed to be more dynamic. Amber herself is more interesting when she's away from Bruce, because whenever he's around she becomes obsessive and near the end it gets quite draining.
Other than that, and the somewhat abrupt ending, this book all around was great ride through Restoration England. Recommended!
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