A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

from goodreads

3.5 stars

I have a confession to make. I am vain and like pretty things. When I was going onto my library's website to put a hold on this book I totally chose what edition I wanted based on the cover. The cover was so beautiful and I said to myself "I want to be seen reading a book that looks so great". Man did that ever backfire. When I picked it up the book was huge. And that is when I realized. This book was actually two books in one. It had both A tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. As I started to read I found my wrist starting to hurt and my arm going a bit numb because of the heft of this book. I had to return it and get a different copy.

So lesson most definitely learned. Don't be vain. Especially when choosing book editions!


Synopsis

This book is set in London and Paris, hence the two cities in the title. It looks at how the reign of terror was really not as black and white as the new fraternity made it out to be.

My Thoughts

I had heard so many people say they loved this book and it is their favourite Dickens, so I went into it expecting a great heart wrenching story. And while there are some great moments in the story, it was not my favourite.

As with any Dickens there was a great tangled web of characters. Everyone was related in someway. Dickens definitely uses the whole six (or less) degrees of separation in his novels. But I felt that the characters were rather bland and that the revelations were not as surprising. I kind of figured a lot of things out before they were revealed.

We all know that Dickens can be wordy and that some of the things he refers to are his contemporaries and not ours. Sometimes that can make things confusing. I found at times I was confused about what he was talking about or referring to. He called inanimate objects, she or he. And so it took me a while before I could figure out that he was talking about a gun, or a political movement and not a person. Other times I was just lost and had to reread to know what was going on.

I did like the themes of the book. It looks at the whole concept of sins of our fathers. Should we be condemned or punished for things our forefathers did, especially when we ourselves do not share their views or have not had the chance to prove ourselves? He also allowed us to look into crowd mania and how when we are by ourselves we wouldn't do acts of violence or allow them to happen but as a crowd we get caught up in the hysteria of it all. Especially when there is an us vs. them mentality. We have seen this play out in many countries and politics lately.

I loved that this was a historical novel. Sometimes when we think of authors and time periods before the 20th century we just sort of lump them all together. Shouldn't Austen and Dickens be contemporaries? Of course not, but we just don't think about it. Time and things changed at a snail's pace back then. So when I was reading this I always had in my head that Dickens was really looking back and making observations of the past. This happened 90 years before he wrote this. Was he reflecting on his own time with what happened in the past?

On the whole this book is worth reading. I just felt that the emotional intensity that you find in some of his other books just wasn't there.

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald

from goodreads

3.5 stars

I have mentioned before how I grew up in a house filled with books. While there were many bookshelves everywhere we did have a dedicated room we called the library which had floor to ceiling book shelves. The books were even divided into sections.

I loved going in there and looking at all the books and thinking about what it would be like to read certain books or not.

One book that always caught my eye but I never picked up was The Princess and the Goblin. It was one of my mom's favourites, but I never got around to reading it. When I made my list of books for the year I put it on. It had been on my to read list for so long it was ridiculous. The time was now. Well, I finally read it and I am so happy that I did. Now on to the next!

Synopsis

Princess Irene lives in the mountains, but can not be out at night. That is when the goblins come out. Curdie is a miner, he has learned of a plan the goblins have. Curdie's and Princess Irene's story lines weave together for a magical fairy tale.

My Thoughts

This was a cute story. It was a story that allowed magic to happen without it feeling weird. It had adventure, magic and love.

While it was a bit slow at some parts it was still a fun story. I love the character of Curdie. He seemed so brave and sure of himself. He was cool. I also liked Princess Irene. She was strong willed but also cared for those around her, and she had this naive kind of trust that was lovely.

As with anything written over 100 years ago the cadence of words, the choice of words and pacing of the story was odd and could make this story hard for some readers to enjoy. With classics, either you like it or you don't, it is really a style preference, or more, a style "I can put up with it".

This is and was a children's book. Do not expect a deep Tolkein type novel. It is just a fun story. A story for story sake. If you read it to your kids, I'm not sure what their reaction would be, if they would like it or not. I think my kids would listen to being read aloud but not absorb it. This might be better for 12 and over. But, it is delightful, definitely worth the read.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

from goodreads

3 stars

Well the snow that was here at the beginning of the week is now gone and we have rain. Oh crazy November!

Synopsis

(Synopsis from goodreads)

The Woman in White is a Victorian melodrama concerning a mysterious woman in white who bears an uncanny resemblance to the fiancee of Lord Glyde, a sophisticated fortune hunter. First published as a serial between 1859 and 1860, this chronicle of evil, suspense, and villainy is believed to be the first English novel to deal with crime detection.

My Thoughts

This was a difficult book. There were some parts that I loved. There was action and intrigue and excitement. Others, and these parts were the majority of the book, were very tedious and slow and I really didn't care.

I like how Collins writes the story through letters, journal entries and recollections. He did something similar with his book The Moonstone and I find it very affective. It is an inventive way of getting multiple points of view.

The character of Fosco was quite interesting. I wish I knew more about how he became friends with Sir Glyde so I could better understand their dynamic. But man, he is one scheming, evil dude. Yet, it is hard to not like him.

I wish we found out more about the connection between Laura's father and Sir Glyde. Like why did her father wish for the marriage? If they had met through Fosco, then it would not make much sense for her father to be so excited about the proposal. Was it blackmail? Were they actually friends? It would have been interesting to know.

This book is kind of scary in that it could happen. For Real! It is not some other earthly tale. It is a tale that shows holes in the perfect perception of Victorian England and makes me very glad that we have DNA testing and other ways to prove identity.

The ending was a bit of a disappointment. It kind of wrapped up a little too nicely with very little effort. I'm glad things worked out the way they did, it just seemed too contrived and easy.

This was just a bit too blah for me to be super excited about it. I am definitely glad I read it. I just wished that the intensity in which it started out had continued throughout the entire book.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

from goodreads

4 stars

Growing up I watched a lot of movies from the 40s, 50s and early 60s. I love them! Black and white, technicolour, musicals, film noirs, I watched them all. I especially loved and still love Alfred Hitchcock. Like seriously, how could you not.

Some of my favourites aren't his most popular but they are still great, such as The Trouble with Harry and To Catch a Thief.

I know when I was young I saw Rebecca, but I didn't remember much if anything of the story line or anything. All I remembered is that the housekeeper was creepy. Now that I have finished the book I think I am going to have to rewatch the movie. Perhaps a Hitchcock marathon is in order.

Synopsis

After a whirlwind engagement and marriage our narrator arrives at the home of his husband, Manderly. Once there the presence of his first wife, Rebecca, can be felt everywhere in an almost oppressive shadow.

My Thoughts

This was a confusing read, but ultimately I really liked. It seemed to have me go through a bit of an emotional roller coaster with me going from feelings of indifference, to exasperation, to anger, to relief, to sorrow, to hope.

The settings were great and you could picture things to clearly. I don't know if it is because of the style or if because I have seen the Hitchcock movie version before but I pictured the scenes of the book in black and white.

For most of the book I felt so sorry for the narrator. Here she was this young, innocent, inexperienced girl who was not sure of herself or her new station in life. She really needed her husband to be a bit of a mentor for her and he was not. It bothered me that Maxim, her husband, seem so indifferent and didn't notice how uneasy she was. It also bothered me that she didn't gain gumption to sort herself out and do things her way. Both those points eventually got rectified but it was almost painful to see the narrator go through such sadness and awkwardness.

While the narrator was going through her awkward period the book sort of dragged a bit, but once the boat went ashore the book picked up and was quite exciting and intense.

This book helps to illustrate the importance of not keeping secrets, especially from spouses. It shows the importance of having a belief in your capabilities and not feeling put upon by other people. It can be hard to do but so essential. It is also a book that shows the importance of choosing the correct spouse and not settling for crazy.

This was a great gothic read.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

from goodreads

2.5 stars

Classics are a funny breed of book. It seems when you read them either you love them or you hate them. Very rarely do you fall in between, though it does happen on occasion.

Usually when I look back on the classics I have read I feel a great love and happiness come over me. I love thinking of sweet Jane Eyre and my heart still aches for her sadness but then rejoices at the happiness of her life. I remember the first time I read Great Expectations. I can still remember my exact location when I was reading the final revelations at the end of the book of the connection between the characters. (It was in the back of our car and we were driving back from Owen Sound and we were just passing the turn to Haliburton that is found in the little blip on the map called Tory Hill.)

I don't know what it is about classics that speak to us so much. Is it the wordiness? Is it the fact that they have stood the test of time and these are the books that we still know about in today's day and age? I don't know. Perhaps it is the difference in the language. The need to actually think about what the author was trying to say that makes them so enjoyable, or unenjoyable, to read.

All I know is I haven't read nearly as many classics as I wish to and I am looking forward to reading more.

Synopsis

This book follows the life of Dorian Gray. He is young and impressionable. He has his portrait painted and when he sees the beauty of it he makes a wish. He wishes that he would remain beautiful and young and that the portrait would age. As his life unfolds he begins to realize that that was not just some idle wish.

My Thoughts

I so wanted to like this book more than I did.

The actual story line was great and interesting and some of the social issues of the time that were dealt with were rather intriguing. Yet the execution of the story just wasn't there.

I found the monotonous and contradicting monologues rather tedious. I think you have to be in the right mood for the ridiculous and I was not in the mood when I was reading this. I also found the pages and pages of descriptions of embroidery and jewels almost unbearable. I almost quit reading then and there. During the monologues and descriptions I will admit that my eyes glazed over a bit and I did quite a bit of skimming. I know that you shouldn't skim but it was the only way I could get through it.

If the book was just the story of the painting and Dorian it would have been so great. When there was action happening in the book I loved it and couldn't wait to figure out what was going to happen. If only Mr. Wilde could have stuck to that type of narrative instead of having to put in his "witty" banter and descriptions, because the idea behind the book was quite awesome.

So all in all, I guess I am sort of glad that I read it but I was left unimpressed. It could have been so much more than just a "when is it over" book.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

from goodreads

5 stars

I am going through a bit of a reading frustration this week. I read one book that totally hit me at just the right time. I read it in a day, staying up to the wee hours of the morning to finish it. I usually don't do that as I have kids to look after in the morning but I could not put it down. It was a light enjoyable read. Now I have descended from that reading high and finding it hard to settle down into my next literary conquest.

Does that ever happen to you? You read a book that has fit into your life so well and then when you try to move on every other book is kind of a let down? Hopefully this phase will be over soon and I will find a book that I can fall right into. Until then I will just have to keep persevering.

Synopsis

Eddie is an old lonely man who feels he has had a wasted life. When he dies in an accident Eddie arrives in Heaven where he encounters five different people who help him see his life in a new light.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book.

While Albom's version of heaven isn't exactly how I picture it, it does make you think about what it will be like. Perhaps this isn't too far off.

I like the idea of being able to get a chance to see how our lives have affected others, hopefully positively. Sometimes I think we all feel that our lives have been wasted or we have failed in someway. But, when we actually stop to think of friends, teachers and family that surround us we realize that our sphere of influence is greater than we think. A simple or boring life does not mean that life has been a failure.

I like how Albom shows he interconnectedness of us all. It was interesting to see how certain parts or problems of Eddie's life all seemed to be connected somehow. Coincidence? I don't know.

I think the take away from this is that sometimes the everyday mundane things we do have the most impact on others. We are greater than what we think. No life is a wasted life. We are all of value.

If you haven't read this book before I urge you too. If you are looking for a great pick me up this is the book for you.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

from goodreads

2 stars

What a busy day! I feel like I did so much, even though I didn't really do much at all. And then I realized it was Thursday! Totally thought it was Friday. Hence the later post time.

That seems to happen to me a lot lately. I think it is one day (usually the next day to come) when it is really another. Its weird how that happens. How a day can feel like another. Is it because we secretly long for that day? Is it because we get so busy that we feel we must be ahead or behind? Whatever the reason its always good when I catch myself and realize my mistake. How embarassing would it be if I thought that today was Friday so I didn't get my kids ready for school tomorrow. While a home day would be nice, I have things to do on Friday. Hopefully my brain gets straightened out soon. :-)

Synopsis

Jim Hawkins, a young man of about 12, finds a map that leads to the fabled Treasure Island. With a wide assortment of characters from the honourable to the more nemesising and the unforgettable John Silver, adventure is not too far off.

My Thoughts

For a book about pirates and treasure you would think it would be really exciting. Heck even the muppets did a version of it so it must be great right? Wrong! Oh my goodness this was soooooo boring I almost died. Okay, maybe not that bad but still it was pretty bad. I mean, I have read some classics in my day. In fact I quite enjoy the classics genre, but this was boring and hard to get.

It started off really well. The whole mysterious man at the inn type thing. So I was really looking forward to stuff, but once they got going on their voyage I couldn't remember who was who and it was hard to picture and I really just stopped caring about what was going on.

So if you are thinking about reading this, stop and just watch the movie instead. (I hate saying it but this is definitely a time when the movies are better than the book.)

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

from goodreads

5 stars

I always find it interesting when siblings all have the same vocation. Like when they're all doctors or lawyers or dancers or fisherman. Is there some sort of familial pressure or is it genetics or local circumstances?

In my immediate family there is an optometrist, a municipal accountant, a woodsman/jack of all trades, a teacher, and two stay at home moms who are active in a variety of activities outside of that. None off us are exactly alike, and while the the pay of teachers and optometrists is good, I don't want to do those things, they really don't interest me at all.

The fact that the three Bronte sisters each came up with novels that are so beloved and have stood the test of time is amazing. What are the odds of that. Yes, the lived a secluded life and probably had nothing better to do than hone their craft. But the thing is, they did it. Sometimes I don't have much on my plate but I'm not trying to write a masterpiece that will stand the test of time. I'm usually lazing around, hoping the kids don't interrupt my revery.

Synopsis

Wildfell hall is an older house that has fallen into disrepair. When the neighbourhood finds out that part of it has been let out to a newly widowed woman and her son there is much speculation and rumour. When the truth is ultimately revealed to the main character it is one of heartbreak and shows the flaws and cruelty of 19th century English society.

My Thoughts

This truly is a masterpiece. This is the first book I have read by Anne and I am looking forward to reading her other works. I think Jane Eyre, might have been nudged out of top spot for favourite Bronte sister book. (Though if you haven't seen the BBC mini-series of Jane Eyre with Ruth Wilson, you must get it from your library. It is amazing!!!!)

I loved how readable this book was. Sometimes, when you are reading classics, you can read an entire page and nothing sinks in. Your eyes glaze over and you have to reread the page two or three times. This did not happen with this book. Yes she is still more wordy than she has to be, but it was still readable. It didn't seem to be wordiness for wordiness sake. Her cadence was rich and it conveyed the story so well.

I loved how the struggles that Helen went through can be something that we can relate to today. Of course it would be nice if all women were treated equally to men and were able to get away from abuse of any kind easily and without fear of being trapped or dragged back. That, sadly, has not changed from the time this book was published until now. But Helen's heart ache and love and wanting to do the right thing by others and her conscience is something that I think we all can relate to at some level. Helen could have thrown all her morals to the wind after being betrayed so terribly by her husband, but she doesn't. She still holds herself to her high standard and that is so admirable.

It also shows how rumours can get started and be completely outrageous, though they can hurt people. It shows what qualities we should try to cultivate in ourselves and which ones do nothing more than harm ourselves in other's esteem.

This is also a cautionary tale about thinking you can change people. You can't change people as much as you would like to and as much as it would probably do that person good. People will change if, and only if, they choose to. They have to change for themselves. They can't change for anyone else. Anne does a good job of showing the truthfulness of this.

I love they way that Anne reveals Helen's story. It was such a clever way to break up the story a bit. I was wondering how it was going to be revealed.

When I rated this book on Goodreads.com there was a note that stated if your copy started with "You must go back with me..." it was incomplete. There is actually a prologue of a letter written to J. Halford.  My version was incomplete so I looked online and got the completed version. I recommend reading that as it puts the book in a bit of a better context as to why it is being written and why he signs off on some of the chapters as if he is writing a letter. It is nice to know this upfront, instead of finding out like 20 pages in.

This is an absolute must read. It is just so good. I loved it.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

from goodreads

5 stars

The year is winding down. And though the holiday season is gearing up, I feel eerily relaxed. Perhaps I am missing something or forgetting about something. I don't know. I hope not. But it is such a nice feeling that when you can be relaxed about things. That does not mean to say that everything is ready for Christmas, but rather, I have this feeling that everything will turn out okay.

I am in the process of making some presents currently. And it has been fun. I haven't been reading as much, but I have been enjoying re-watching one of my favourite BBC mini-series Hamish Macbeth. I think when I start to sew I will listen to some audio books. That is always nice to do. That is how I read The Book Thief and reread the Harry Potter series. The orators are so good. They bring a whole other dimension to the story. It is just magical. I still remember how emotional I got at the end of The Book Thief when Liesel called out "Papa". Man it was a blurry eyed moment. Do you like listening to audio books? Which is your favourite?

Synopsis

The mouse took a walk in the deep dark woods, and to all the animals he looked tasty and good. Then he meets a Gruffalo.

My Thoughts

I have read, and read, and read, and read, and read this book to my kids and man, they love it and so do I. The rhythm and the poems are so top notch. I love putting different voices to the different animals. I love how saavy that mouse is. I love the pictures and illustrations, I love everything about this book.

I love how the mouse thinks he has outwitted all these other animals by inventing the Gruffalo and then all of the sudden he runs into one. Yet does that keep him down, nope, the mouse just rolls with it and in the end enjoys a nice acorn without anyone bothering him. My kids love it when the mouse meets the Gruffalo.

I don't know what else to really say about it other than it is just top notch. It is one book that I can stand to read over and over again, and that is saying something. I just love it so much.

So, if you haven't read it yet, well get on it. You will not be disappointed.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

from goodreads

5 stars

One month until Christmas! And I am actually feeling pretty good about it. I have a handle on the presents that I am making myself. I feel confident that my kids aren't going to be sad come Christmas morning, and I won't be sad with more junk. I think it will be good. Now we just need to figure out where we are going to put our tree.

This will be our third Christmas in our house and each year we have had to change where we put the tree. Our first Christmas we only had three chairs in our living room. This meant it was pretty sparse and we cold put our tree wherever we wanted. Then the couches came so we had to move the tree from one corner to another. This year we brought in a piano so now that corner is no good. I am thinking of putting it right in the middle of our front window. I think it will look pretty from the inside and the outside as well. Now we just have to figure out when we are going to cut it down. Since we moved and have no carpet we have been going to a tree farm and cutting our own down. It has been so much fun. My husband was skeptical of the whole real tree thing, but I think we have made a convert out of him.

How is your Christmas looking with a month to go?

Synopsis

Princess Elizabeth has it all; a castle, an awesome wardrobe, and a handsome prince named Ronald. But all that changes when a dragon comes and smashes her castle burns her clothes and carries off Prince Ronald. What's a girl to do?

My Thoughts

This book is a classic. I loved it when I was a kid and I love it now. If you are looking for a strong female role model, Princess Elizabeth is it. She strategizes she is brave, and she can make a paper bag work, fashion-wise.

This book totally shows us that we need to make lemonade out of the lemons in our lives. It also shows us that sometimes we need to take stock of our life and be honest with ourselves. For Elizabeth it took the whole dragon thing for her to see Ronald in his true light. We don't have dragons to do that for us, but sometimes we to figure out how we can do that, even when we might not want to know the truth.

This book is great for kids. It isn't that deep and it isn't beating the kids over the head with morals. It is just fun. Here is the link to listen to the author read the story. Some find him annoying, but as a kid, I loved listening to him tell this story. To be honest, I still do.

The illustrations are awesome. I love Martchenko's work. He captures the the emotions of it so well. Love it.

Some of his books are crazy and not as good, but this book is stellar. If you read only one Munsch book this is the one you have to read. You will love it.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

from goodreads

4 stars

Oh November. You may be the month of leafless trees and dreary gray skies, but you are also a month of hope. Hope? you may ask. Well, yes. You see November is when American Thanksgiving is, and that means new kids movies coming out for the holiday season. Which means, perhaps if I'm lucky, I will no longer have to listen to "Let It Go" on a daily basis. Perhaps we will move onto the next greatest thing.

Now I like "Let It Go" as much as the next person, but when my 20 month old hunts the house for the ipad and then says "wet i go" over and over. Gak! I am able to convince her that Winnie the Pooh is sometimes an okay thing, but inevitably "Let It Go" is played. Luckily there are so many versions on youTube we can get some variety. But the hope remains. So, please film makers. Make something that will trump this song, for all our sakes.

Synopsis

(My own synopsis would not do this book justice so I will take the synopsis from goodreads.) Set in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. Here Steinbeck created some of his most  memorable characters and explored his most enduring themes: the mystery of identity, the inexplicability of love; and the murderous consequences of love's absence.

My Thoughts

I had no preconceived notions going into this book. I have never read Steinbeck before and didn't know anything about this book. To sum it up in one word I would have to say epic. This was a huge book. It covered a lot of years and locations.

We got to see Adam Trask from the beginning of his life to near his end. And while the the book sort of revolved around him, I wouldn't consider him to be the central character. It seemed the book was more of a cast of characters and each played his/her role in creating the society.

At times I found it a bit confusing. All these people seemed to be philosophers and understood these hidden meanings or never fully explained what they were trying to say. It got a bit frustrating during those parts and I was like, "just get on with it!"

Also, at the beginning of some of the chapters Steinbeck talks about his own family's history, this does not always line up with the current time/era that the story is in and made it a bit awkward. I was always trying to figure out how it tied in to where the story was, and quite often, it didn't.

I love the characters of Sam Hamilton and Lee. I would love to spend the afternoon with them and eat some tarts.

All in all, it was an enjoyable story. I had to read the large print version as the others were out at the library so my hands fell asleep a few times, but it was worth it. It gives you something to think about. The pictures Steinbeck is able to put in the readers mind are breathtaking.  This is one of those books that is about everything and nothing all at the same time which makes it the classic it is and will remain. It truly is timeless.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

from goodreads

5 stars

This week I have been forced to slow down and take it easy. It's good to do that once in a while, but it is better if it is not put on you and you can decide to do that for yourself. I am trying to make the most of it but it is still somewhat frustrating.

What happened you ask? I totally bruised the side of my foot, possible toe breakage, while trying to get around my 18 month old. I totally smucked my foot hard against the door frame. So silly, but man it hurt. So now I am a hobbler. I am trying to rest it as much as possible to aid in healing.

The worst thing I had so much energy and I was going to really tackle some house projects and get the ball rolling on things. Oh well! Hopefully that energy comes back when my foot is back to normal. Until then, at least I am getting a whole lot of reading done. :)

Synopsis

Sam-I-Am, server of all things green eggs and ham, is trying to convince this tall hatted man to try some.

My Thoughts

I loved this book when I was little and I love it now. My kids have been asking for this one quite a lot. My oldest is very proficient at reading it and I am always catching my youngest grabbing it and rifling through it.

I love how persistent Sam-I-Am is. Nothing seems to get him down and cause him to give up. He doesn't get exasperated or angry, unlike me when I am trying to convince my own kids to try something new. I like all the different scenarios that are offered too.

It is amazing how a book with only 50 different words, (even though I only got 49, so If you want to count them and see what you get that would be awesome) can be such an entertaining story.

Hopefully the kids are not only entertained, but also get the message of it, try food you will like it. This book is truly a timeless classic,. Its theme is universal. I think that is why it has had such great staying power over the 50+ years it has been in print.

Here is my favourite rendition of Green Eggs and Ham by the Canadian indie band Moxy Fruvous. Enjoy!

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

from goodreads

5 stars

My mom is an avid reader. When I think back to my childhood I remember her always reading. Usually Robert Ludlum or Anne McCaffrey. Our house was an old farm house and in one of the rooms my mom put ceiling to floor shelving that covered the whole width of the walls. That room was "the library". I mostly paid attention to the books that were in the kids section. But, every now and again I would look at the adult books and dream that some day I would be like my mom and read all these book. I imagined what the stories were about. I had my favourite covers. These books became friends even though I hadn't cracked the spine. The Moonstone was one of those books that I couldn't wait to grow up and read. I thought it was about actual moonstone rocks and not a diamond called the moonstone (I grew up in the mineral capital of Canada and I had moonstone outcroppings just down the road), and I thought it was a mystical fairy thing and not a english countryside mystery, but, that is a minor detail.

Synopsis

The moonstone is a sacred rock in India. There is a curse on it that anyone who takes it from its home will have nothing but hardships and sadness. During a british siege an officer, John Herncastle, killed the diamond's guards and took the stone. Returning to England he lead a secluded life, and was nervous about his own gruesome demise. He did die, and left the diamond to his niece, to be given to her on her 18th birthday. The rest of the book are the events that unfold once she has the diamond.

My Thoughts

I simply loved this book. There were so many twists and turns I wasn't sure who the culprit was. I thought I had it figured out and then something happened that made my hypothesis completely wrong. This happened two or three times. There middle section did drag on bit, but on the whole it was an exciting and surprisingly quick read, considering the print was so small and it was published in the mid 19th century (not a time period usually known for its fluff literature). I didn't have to reread sentences to make sure I understood what it meant, like I sometimes have to do with other authors of this era.

The characters were very well developed. I loved the butler Betteredge. He thought that all the answers in life could be found by reading Robinson Crusoe. If something perplexed him he would open Robinson Crusoe and find a passage that would either put him at ease or give him a notion of what to do.

T.S. Eliot had it right when he said The Moonstone was "the best of modern English detective novels." It was one of the first of its kind. Which I think, makes it even more remarkable.

I look forward to reading more by Wilkie Collins. Hopefully his other books leave me as satisfied as I felt after reading this one.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

from goodreads

5 stars

It is Christmas Eve, Santa comes tonight! It is very exciting!!! This book is a Christmas classic. I love it. And I am not afraid of the Grinch trying to steal our presents tonight. We have our Christmas goat standing guard, protecting our gifts. Thanks Ikea!

Synopsis

The Grinch lives in the mountains above Whoville. The Grinch hates Christmas more than anything in the world. The Whos in Whoville love Christmas a lot! Well The Grinch decides he is going to stop Christmas from coming by stealing all the Christmas paraphernalia. Will he succeed?

My Thoughts

I loved this story. I loved it ever since I was a little girl. Every year I waited with anticipation to watch the cartoon version on T.V. It is my favourite Christmas special.

I love the descriptions Dr. Seuss uses. They are easy for children to understand. The whole heart being two sizes too small thing. I love his dog Max, and how well the Grinch can get down and up the Chimney. Santa has magic on his side, I don't know how the Grinch manages to do it.

I also love that this book teaches the moral that Christmas isn't about the receiving of presents without being preachy about it. The Whos simply carry on with their Christmas festivities without any fuss or muss. We see the Grinch's change of heart and it is more powerful because he came up with it himself. With our observance of his change, we get to reflect on what Christmas means to each of us. Dr. Seuss doesn't tell us what it means, just that it means a little bit more. We can leave the interpretation up to ourselves. I like that.

I know that this book can be over done, but it is such a classic. And this is one classic that to me, never gets old!

Have a wonderful Christmas. I hope that Santa leaves a great book under your tree or onto your e-reader. (I am hoping that Santa is going to leave me lots of time to get some of my reading done ;) )

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

from goodreads

5 stars

It is nearing the end of the first week of December. Christmas preparations are in full swing. My family and I cut down our Christmas tree last weekend. The smell is heavenly. With all this thought of Christmas I decided to read A Christmas Carol. It is the first time I have actually read it. I have seen many movie renditions, even with Scrooge McDuck, but I had never taken the time to read it. I'm so glad I took the time this year.

Synopsis

Ebeneezer Scrooge is a misery old man who is a penny pincher and uber tightwad. The accumulation of wealth is his soul focus in life, and his social conscience is rather lacking. On Christmas eve he is visited by four ghosts

: the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley, the ghost of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present and the ghost of Christmas future. Through his experiences with these ghosts Scrooge learns what is truly important in life and decides how he wants to live his life from now on.

My Thoughts

This was a truly delightful tale. I don't know why it took me so long to read it. Perhaps it is because it is written by Dickens. Dickens can be wordy and thus, at times, be hard to follow. A Christmas Carol is not horribly wordy and was a very fast read. So don't be turned off by the fact it is Dickens, it is very readable and does not make your head hurt.

The edition I read was illustrated by P.J. Lynch. The illustrations were so beautiful and enhanced the story. Some illustrated additions have rather grotesque images. The pictures in this edition made you feel the warmth of Christmas and chronicled the change in Scrooge very well. They were perfect.

I love how positive this book is. It shows that no matter what are faults are we can change, it is never too late to change, and it is worth the effort to make those positive changes.

I also like how the spirits did not lecture Scrooge on his faults. They simply showed him how things were and left it up to Scrooge to feel guilt and sadness and come up with the idea to change. Quite often we are well aware of our own imperfections. We don't need people harping about them. Gentle reminders and kindness help us change more than lectures.

Although this story is over done in movie renditions, even the Muppets have a version, it is so worth the read. And this time of year is the perfect time. It will definitely help put you in the holiday spirit.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

from goodreads

4.5 stars

When it comes to reading what is considered a classic  it is hard to give it a rating. Either you love the language used or you don't. Dickens is very wordy and sometimes your eyes do glaze over but, the story is great when you read between the wordiness.

Synopsis

This follows the life of a boy/man named Pip. It begins with Pip as a boy. He runs into an escaped convict whom he gives food and a file. While still young he is ordered to go to a Miss Havisham's, to play. Miss Havisham is a very rich and very odd lady, who has an adopted daughter around Pip's age. While there Pip realizes how un-genteel and crude he is and he begins to feel ashamed of himself and those whom he loves.

Later, as a blacksmith's apprentice, Pip is told that he has a secret benefactor who wishes to increase his fortunes and expectations in life. Pip sets off for London to be educated as a gentleman. With his new "expectations", Pip learns what is truly important in life, though it comes with heartache and humility.

My Thoughts

I first read this story when I was in grade 12 for my english class. I loved it. Rereading it 13 years later my opinion of it has not changed. I love this story. I love it is because of the whole notion of what makes someone great. Pip thinks he needs to be rich, have nice things and a good education in order to be a good and worthy person. Yet, we see the character of Joe, and we realize that those things, though helpful and nice, does not make the worth or the goodness of a person.

The book also delves into the subject of forgiveness and grudges. Those characters who held onto grudges or the wrongs done to them where unhappy and wanted to drag others into their own misery. While those who freely forgave, as Joe did, were happy and content and brought up those around them.

The ensemble of characters that Dickens created was fantastic. They each seemed to embody a particular character flaw or goodness. I loved the range of characters that Wemmick had. He was either the office Wemmick or he was the Walworth Wemmick. It is interesting how he is able to completely compartmentalize his life. I think that is something most people have a hard time doing. I also love Wemmick's need for portable property.

My favourite character was Joe. I mean, how could it not be. Joe is the best person. If we could all be half as kind and loving as Joe the world would be a much happier and nicer place. His undying devotion to Pip, his kindness to his rather abusive wife, his gentle manner, he is truly a saint. Joe is the person you want as your best friend. Your heart aches for him when he is treated unkindly, and in the end you are so glad that he has found true happiness.

I am glad that Pip realizes what is truly important and life and becomes less obsessed with worldly possessions and pride. In the end, he becomes a man with whom you would like to become better acquainted.

Dickens is wordy. Sometimes the story slowed a bit because of that. Some chapters seemed randomly thrown in. I know it was written as a serial for the newspaper, so that might be why they seemed so random. I just sort of skimmed over those until I got back to the meat of the story.

If you are nervous about reading the classics, or Dickens, try Great Expectations. It is a great story. Masterpiece Theatre did a great adaptation not too long ago, if you watch an abridged version first to whet your appetite before diving in. Here is the trailer below.