Under the Visible Life by Kim Echlin

from good reads

3.5 stars

Well Christmas has come and gone. And not nearly as much reading was done. I think the problem was a) I got a puzzle for Christmas that I was excited to work on and b) right now the book I am reading, while excellently written, just isn't holding my interest or pulling me in. There are some books where you just can't put it down, while others you can put it down with ease. I hope that this book picks up a bit and pulls me in.

It might be the timing of it too. Right now I am feeling the time crunch because there are four books on my to read list for this year that I want to get done, but I have to read this one first because of the hold list at the library. It is never great when you have to read a book then in there because of outside factors. It is much better if you get to choose the timing of the book. I can feel the lure of the other books so strongly.  I think I might just return it and put it on hold again. I think it would be the perfect spring/summer read.

What do you think? Do you believe in the timing of books?

Synopsis

This is a story that follows two women from two completely different world. They are both having to survive in a world that has been set up against them. Through their love of music, especially jazz, they are able to connect and become each others support.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. This was definitely one where I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen to these two women.

You have Katherine who decides to take charge of her destiny. The man in her life might have done her wrong, but she had a dream and she wasn't going to wait around for some guy to help her get there. I like how the author shows the struggles and hardships she goes through to find her success. Sometimes we just see the end result of someone's success without seeing how they struggled to get where they got. Life isn't always easy. It is hard work.

Mahsa was a lovely character and your heart goes out to her. Her struggles would have been so difficult. Coming from a culture which see women as mere commodities would be hard to break from. The trickery of her uncle and her feelings of being stifled and unable to escape I can't even imagine. Her character allowed us to see how living in two different worlds can be difficult and exhausting. It is like living a lie or being pulled in two.

There is definitely something you can learn from each woman.

The one thing that dragged the book down was the abstract discussion about music. I like music but I don't need to delve into it's mysteries. I just I don't "get it". While the music was the unifying factor in the book it got a bit much sometimes.

On the whole a very lovely read.

Mark of the Plague by Kevin Sands

from goodreads

4 stars

Christmas time is coming. And that means that the library is closed on more often. That means I had to do a stock up to make sure I had enough to get me through. For me nothing is worse than when you finish a book and don't have the next one waiting there to get started. I like to have at least two by my nightstand so I know I will not have in reading gap. When there are so many books you want to read you cannot have reading lulls. It is finish one, get on to the next. (Yes, I know I have a bit of a reading problem. My husband can tell you all about it.)

Last Christmas I went on a bit of a nordic crime spree reading all of Asa Larsson's Rebecka Martinsson series. This year it is a bit of a mix, yet I just noticed that three off them are either set in Scandinavia or talk about Scandinavian culture. Weird, as that was totally not planned.

What do you like to read during the holidays? Do you go for a mix or is there a particular theme?

Synopsis

This is the second installment in the Blackthorn Series. Christopher is waiting for a new master, but that is going to take awhile as the Apothecary guild as left London because of the plague outbreak. With the plague has come a prophet stating who will be the next afflicted. Then a man shows up with a supposed cure for the plague. Is this too good to be true?

My Thoughts

This was an excellent sequel. It has definitely insured success for the rest of the series.

Once again we had a fast paced story filled with riddles and codes. There was danger, friendship and sacrifice. You will laugh, gasp and cry. Your emotions will be in constant flux.

What I really like about Sands is his ability to expose kids some dark aspects of the world in which we live, without making them feel scared or making things seem hopeless. Through his characters we see people who are out for themselves, who are willing to kill in order to get what they want, we see people abuse others, we see people who are hungry an scared. Yet through his characters we see tenacity, we see people still willing to make a change and have things be better, we see people who stand by one another, we see people picking themselves up and dusting themselves off and persevering. What great lessons. Yes, life isn't perfect and there are people who do some pretty bad things but we can stay true to ourselves and do what we can do for a better world.

All in all this was a fantastic thrill ride. A strong addition to a very promising series. I would recommend this for a mature 10 year old and up.

Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel by Megan Morrison

from goodreads

5 stars

This year we decided to give Miss G quite a few books for Christmas. Man, picking them out was so hard to do. My husband and I had a limited time to be out together getting gifts and by the time we got to the bookstore Mr. S was done. I mean for a kid who usually makes no noise and is chill, he was starting to fuss a bit and we knew we had about 10 minutes before total meltdown. There are so many cool looking books out right now that it was hard to choose. You need to pick a book that is not too easy but not so long or difficult otherwise they will get frustrated. You need to make sure it is about something they are interested in, but that you wouldn't mind reading aloud to them with out going insane.

In the end I went with some classic children's stories. You can't go wrong with books that have stood the test of time, right?

Synopsis

Rapunzel is living an idyllic life up in her tower. When a young man climbs her tower and steals a flower from her she decides to leave and get it back and protect Witch.

My Thoughts

I think the majority of the world would agree that Harry Potter is one of the best if not the best kids series of all time. Well, this new Tyme series by Megan Morrison is going to give Harry Potter a run for its money. Morrison has created a well thought through, rich world.

I love how this is not just a retelling of the same old story. Morrison puts her own twist on things as she tells the story of a girl who has lived in a tower, who has been loved by witch. You see from her perspective how witch wasn't the evil person everyone thinks she is. You see how Rapunzel truly loved her, she knew no different. You see how the world is so much bigger than Rapunzel's tower. The land of Tyme is truly interconnected.

Rapunzel and the character Jack were the perfect combination. Witty dialogue, they could be silly but also serious when necessary. The dimensions of these characters were amazing.

I like how Morrison takes care of possible plot holes. For example. Rapunzel had a ton of hair. Hair is heavy. How would she be able to walk around through the woods with all that hair and not get it all messed up and crazy. Well Morrison had a great answer that made sense. So smart. There were some other things like that were taken care of easily and believably. See, what I mean about a well thought out world. I also loved the acorns. Read the book and you will see what I mean.

This is a book of adventure, discovery, resourcefulness, trickery and ultimately love. This is a fantastic debut to what is sure to be a fantastic series. My words cannot do justice to how great these books are. Don't let the childish cover fool you. This is a book that any YA reader or adult would love. Pick it up. Read it. You will not be disappointed.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

from goodreads

2.5 stars

I am trying to come up with some thing to say at the beginning of this post and my mind is a complete blank. It is hard to come up with something new and fresh and not the same old thing. Talk about weather, talk about books, talk about family. I have sort of been there, done that, got the t-shirt. What to say, what to say. This is probably what authors struggle with sometimes. They know that there is something extraordinary that they can put on the page but they got nothing or just don't know how to funnel it down onto the page.

Hopefully something will come to me for the next time. But for now, this is it.

Synopsis

Louisa Clark tries to help Quadriplegic Will feel good about life again.

My Thoughts

This is a book that has been getting a lot of attention. The movie came out this past summer and so a lot of people started reading it. It has been on my to read list for a while and I decided to finally read it because the movie was coming out. I wanted to read it before I saw the movie.

Well, I now have one less movie to watch because after reading this book I have no desire to see it. I really don't know what all the fuss was about.

The whole book was cliche. The characters are the same as you find in a lot of British pop lit. The older successful man who is having to adjust to a new life, the mother hovering at the edges, the crazy girl who has no ambitions and dresses interesting, getting a job she might not really be qualified for, who also has a weird relationship that everyone else can see is a disaster but her. Those characters sound familiar?

I found the character of Will to be annoying. He is asking Louisa to stretch and do things she hadn't tried before, yet he was unwilling to stretch and do the same for himself.

On the cover and from different reviews they said we would need our tissues and that is was super romantic. I am not sure what they were talking about. I kept waiting for the romance but to me it wasn't there (and I like chick flick romances as much as the next person). I just didn't get it and didn't care.

The one positive that can come from this book is opening up a discussion of euthanasia, about allowing ourselves and others the choice to live and die as we choose. It helps us think about our lives and if we are stuck in a rut or if we are willing to try something that might turn out wonderful. Are we making the most out of our lives? It shows how we can feel constricted in our lives in a lot different ways, whether it be physical limitations or emotional ones.

In the end, I didn't really enjoy this book. It is not one I would recommend and I don't care enough to read the sequel. While it does give the reader some serious issues to think about it is not enough to make it the ultimate romantic read.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

from goodreads

3.5 stars

I have always been a reader. I always had a book on the go. Long car trip, no problem, because I had a book. Long bus ride to school, no problem, because I could read. Some of the books I read during my pre-university years have really stuck with me. The Giver is one such book. The idea that you could have a world that made you not see colour, or that didn't remember anything that would cause pain or emotional distress, was so foreign to me that it left me with a sense of incredulous awe. I also loved reading more upbeat books like Gordan Korman's MacDonald Hall series.

It is funny the books that stick with you through the years, the ones that you could read over and over again. Some of them are like old friends helping you know that you are not alone, that others get you. Others are just there to give you an escape and give you dreams. Thank goodness for books.

Synopsis

Jackson's life is in turmoil. His parents are selling all their possessions but won't be completely honest with him about why. Then a giant cat shows up.

My Thoughts

This book is not going to become my favourite, I found it a bit dry, but the story is worthwhile. This is a great book to introduce children to the struggles that families face. This is a great book to help children who are going through tough times, no food, sleeping in cars, feeling helpless. This is a great book that shows that feelings of uncertainty or being scared are okay to have.

The author does a great job at showing how illness can lead to poverty. And that illness and poverty really affects all family members. She also does a great job at showing how we need to educate ourselves and develop many different skills so that we can always be employable. Jackson's parents were free living people, but kids made them become more settled. Their dreams were about playing music all the time. And while it is important to try to live your dreams sometimes those dreams need to be shelved so that necessities can be taken care of and then those dreams can come out again. Reading this book as a parent helped me remember that plans are necessary and that the family's needs need to come first, and my dreams can happen just maybe in a different way or a bit different timing.

I also like how this book shows us how we don't always have to do things on our own. That there are times when self-righteous pride needs to be set aside. Jackson's father refused to go to a shelter or to the food bank. He said others needed it more than they did, even though they were living in their car and were sometimes going hungry. He shows us that sometimes we need to accept that we are at the bottom and need a helping hand up. And it is okay. It doesn't mean you are trying to get something for nothing or taking advantage of people. It just means that you need help, and when you are back on your feet you will pay it forward.

This book shows us how we all need someone in our corner, some friend or parent or even a 6' cat named Crenshaw.

Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff

from goodreads

4 stars

Summer!!! The sun is out, the beach is calling my name and I have finally had the frozen lemonade I have been craving. Summer and its hot weather has finally arrived.

I have signed up the kids for the library reading club. The girls are actually excited and are really thinking about what kinds of books they want to get from the library. It always makes my heart happy when they are excited about going to the library and not grumpy or making it feel like a chore.

Yesterday we went to one of the kick off parties our library is holding to celebrate the summer reading club. Being there helped remind me that no matter where you go, or what branch of your library you go to (we went to a party that was held at a different branch than our regular one) there are always dedicated staff ready to help you. The staff created a warm environment that allowed the kids to explore, want to share what they made and discovered, have fun, and get excited about reading. It was such a nice morning and a lot of that had to do with the great staff. Here's to a magical summer of reading.

Synopsis

Red's granny is sick and Red goes on a quest to find a cure for her granny. A cure that Red hopes will make her granny live forever.

My Thoughts

This was great! This is a fun story that still teaches you, or at least allows you to think about, life, death, the ability to let go, accepting change and being happy and grateful for what you have.

One of the most prevalent, and I think best, themes is looking at what scares us and how these fears can limit us or hold us back. We need to work through these fears and be willing to try again. Yes, there may be risks involved, but, there are always risks in whatever you do so you might as well keep trying.

I love how Shurtliff blends different stories together. Yes, it deals with Red Riding Hood, but it also has elements of one of my favourite stories Snow White and Rose Red. There were also other fairy tales that were thrown into the mix such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Beauty and the Beast. All these different tales flow together seamlessly and helps create this fantastical world that makes sense and you think it is real.

I loved the dwarfs. Now I know why they are always mining for gems. Ingenious!

This is a fun fairy tale retelling that you definitely have to add to your summer reading list. This would be good for ages 9 and up.

Matched Series by AllyCondie

from goodreads

3 stars

The end of school is two weeks away. Lately I have been researching different programs at our library, different books to keep the girls entertained and figuring out my own summer reading list. What I am discovering is there is so much choice. Everything looks good, and it is hard to pare things down. I want to read everything now, which would be an awesome super power, but is not a realistic option. Trying to find the perfect summer read, or the next great book for the kids is a hard undertaking. I have to be careful not to build up my expectations too much or else it will be a let down. Oh the horror of too many books and too little time!

What are you looking forward to reading this summer?

Synopsis

Cassia lives in a society that seems perfect. But when a glitch happens she realizes that there are limits to what she can do, what she can learn, and who she can love. The fabric of her society starts to unravel as she tries to figure things out and save/be with the person she loves.

My Thoughts

This was a pretty average series. The premise had a lot of potential and seemed interesting, but I don't think it lived up to its hype. It had parts that I liked and parts that just seemed meh. The first book did have a Giver vibe. Condie gave us a detailed society with things really thought out.

As the series progressed the story went in directions I wasn't expecting. I found the last two books to be such a contrast from the first book that it was hard to make the leap at first. I found that it dealt with too many abstracts. I wish I knew more about who lived on the fringes. It was confusing to know how they fit into the society. Not all of them were hiding from the society but, they weren't part of it either. It was confusing. I think it would have been helpful to have a map of the country as well. They talked about different provinces and cities, but it was hard to picture.

I found Cassia and Ky's relationship to be a bit hard to believe at first. She talked about her best friend Xander and how she was glad she was matched with him. But when she starts to think that Ky was an option all of the sudden he is all she wants. How could she fall so fast and so deeply? It seemed that Ky was always on the fringe of her radar. How could they be so intense? It just didn't seem believable.

While I liked how the series ended, and I liked it wasn't like all the other dystopians with lots of guns and violence, by the end I was reading just to finish it. I really didn't care about the characters and the society. I just found it dull. All the references to art work and poems and how those things were commodities got confusing and abstract.

This series would be good for getting your feet wet in YA dystopians but it was not my favourite series. It was just a bit dull for my liking.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

2 stars

Well it has been a while since I have posted. Why??? Well I have lots of appointments so that eats up my time. And because it eats up my time and I still have organizing and housework to do the blog was put on the back burner. Also, my laptop went caput. And while I have been using my husbands desktop, I didn't like ignoring Miss P that much as his desktop is in the basement. So it made spending time writing and editing blog posts not the easiest.

Well, thanks to our tax return I have finally gotten myself a Chromebook. It is not as fancy as my last laptop buy I figure since most of what I do is online anyway it made the most sense. Also, if I need to do anything else that requires an actual desktop, I can just use my husband's. I like that all my google stuff is right there and connected. Pretty cool.

Now I am just playing the waiting game. I am officially at term (37 weeks) and would love for this baby to get out. So send baby get out vibes my way.

Synopsis

This follows the life of Kathy and her two friends Ruth and Tom. They all go to a secluded school called Hailsham. This looks at their life at the school, and their life now and the memories they have. Through these memories they learn more about what their life is really about and the strangeness of the society they find themselves in.

My Thoughts

This is an adult, artsy, not violent version of a dystopian novel. I started into it thinking it was going to be more mysterious and thrilling, but it didn't turn out that way. I kind of found the book a bit dull and felt I was forcing myself to finish it.

I didn't understand why once the kids found out their true purpose in life they didn't want to run away and leave. They seemed to be accepting. Perhaps a little too accepting.

I wish that the author went more into the moral dilemma of the society. How this program really worked and was funded and how things got harvested. Like was it as the need arose or did they keep organs on bank or what. What did the rest of society really feel about it? Other schools were always alluded to. It would have been neat to see how those schools were run and what the difference was. How did the people get selected for what school they would go to?

I thought I was getting myself into a boarding school drama and ended up with it being a review of society instead. It took me awhile to realize it was a sort of alternate reality, though it could really happen and that is scary.

The time lines were a bit confusing as well. The author constantly alluded to something that would happen in the future, and then backtrack into the story to lead you to that point. It was not a technique I enjoyed reading. Once in a while maybe, but not every chapter. The story also jumped around a bit so it was hard to follow.

While the premise seems promising the delivery just wasn't there for me. I know some people love it, and that's great, it is well written. I just couldn't get into it to really enjoy it.

Pinkalicious: The Pinkamazing Storybook Collection by Victoria Kann

from goodreads

5 stars
Birthday season number 2 is upon us. And this year I told the girls no birthday parties. I am just over them and really don't feel like figuring out how to entertain a bunch of children for hours, or paying others to do it. But, I have allowed them to have some friends over for a more subdued celebrations, and no presents! (Seriously, they have so much they really don't need anymore.)

I am looking forward to Miss G's playdate this Saturday. Miss G decided to have a spooky tea party with two of her friends. They are going to decorate cupcakes, make flubber and do a monster craft. It was fun seeing Miss G's creative side (and her not going crazy over accessories or mandatory things).

Miss V is also fine to go with a subdued approach. She is going to invite 3 or her friends over for a movie night and some pizza. I can handle that.

Perhaps by the time Miss P gets to school I might feel like doing birthday parties again, but for now low key is the way to go.

Synopsis

This is a collection of 6 stories from Victoria Kann's Pinkalicious collection of books. They are The Pinkerrific Playdate, Pinkalicious:The Princess of Pink Slumber Party, Pinkalicous and the Pink Hat Parade, Pinkalicous:Flower Girl, Pinkalicious: Soccer Star and Pinkalicious and the Pinktastic Zoo Day.

My Thoughts

I really have mixed feelings when it comes to book collections. While it is nice to have a collection of books for the kids to read all in one place, the books themselves are heavy and sometimes cumbersome to read. Sometimes when people give us the collection we already have some of the books so now I have duplicates happening. And often I get stuck reading more stories then I wanted to at the time. This collection, however, I love.

What is so great about this Pinkalicous collection. Well the first is these are books that I would not have readily on my shelf. Some are from her "learn to read" pinkalicious books, which are actually good stories. The others are from her actual story book series but are not her first ones that we would already have.

Second. When the story ends the kids can't see the title page of the next one. This makes it easy to read one story and only one. My kids have a Dora collection story book and I always end up having to read the whole thing because when the story ends they can see what the next story is and of course beg for it. Now, I am all for reading to kids, but at bedtime when you only have time for one story and don't want to start a whine fest it is nice when they can't see what is coming next and can easily accept it is the end. So thank you book editor/designer for making it easy to close the book without tears. Yes, it is more paper, but it makes the transitions so much nicer and makes the stories feel complete and separate.

Third. How can you not like Pinkalicous. The flower girl story is my favourite and I love it. But the other stories help with problem solving, using your imagination, and being nice and supportive to one another. As always the illustrations are fantastic. If you don't like pink you might not like this book as much because there is a lot of it.

So, if you are going to take the plunge and get a story collection book that you aren't going to groan over or wish you never brought into you house, then I would recommend this one. It has fun stories, is easy to read, and it is easy just to read one story and not all of them. And since I recommend it, it must be good because, as I alluded to, I usually can't stand these all in one books.

My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman

from goodreads

4 stars

I feel like I haven't been super branchy outy lately in my reading. If I read a book from a series I feel compelled to read the entire series right away (If the books have all been published and I actually liked the first book). This means that I am not getting much done on my to-read list for this year, which is fine. That list is more there for if I am stumped for what to read next. But still, it would be nice to tick off a few. It also means that I am not as far ahead on my book club reading as I would like to be. But, I am sure I'll manage.

Do you get like that with reading. Where you feel you can't read anything else until you read everything by that author or in a series?

Synopsis

Elsa is a 7-year old who is different and much more grown up than you would expect. Her best friend is her free-living grandmother. When her grandmother dies, she leaves Elsa a treasure hunt to figure out and more is revealed about the neighbours around her then Elsa realizes.

My Thoughts

This was such a delightfully fun read. When I loved A Man Called Ove so much I was nervous if I would like this one as much. I really shouldn't have been.

This book had enough happiness, sadness, quirkiness, mystery and lovingness that you couldn't help but love Elsa and her family. You want to envelope Elsa in a big hug and let her know things are going to be just fine and that she has people she can count on.

Sometimes the narrative got a bit lost when things got switched between the imaginary world that Elsa's grandmother created and the real world. You had to work at it to keep things straight, at least I did. And sometimes the imaginary world took over too much, it would have been nice just to get on with the story sometimes.

My other beef was, Elsa was only 7. How is it okay that she was running around by herself so much. I don't consider myself to be a helicopter parent, but there is no way I would be fine with my 7 year-old running around the city streets and being as independent as Elsa was. It just didn't seem realistic to me and kind of bothered me.

Those minor criticisms aside I thought this was a beautiful story of love, loss and forgiveness. You should definitely put this on your to read list. (Please note, I read the British version of this book, it is also known as My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry.)


 

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

from goodreads

4.5 stars

In life I think most of us try to be our genuine self. But there are times when we just plaster the smile on our face and fake it until we make it. That is not necessarily bad, but we need to have a safe place where we can be our genuine self. Whether that self is grumpy or sad or annoyingly happy it is important to have a time to express that.

In books it is exciting because you get to see the characters' genuine selves. If there is a faker we know it, and we usually know what their true self is as well. I think that is why some of the most beloved characters in literature, such as Jane Eyre and Elizabeth Bennet, and now Ove, are so well liked and treasured. They act as their true selves always. They act as they would always act no matter who is around or what is going on. They stay true to themselves.

What is one of your favourite characters that stay true to themselves?

Synopsis

Ove is a man who is set in his ways and some would say was grumpy and obstinate. Through the antics of crazy neighbours we learn of the love and loss of Ove and how one person can truly touch countless others.

My Thoughts

I could sum up this book in one word: delightful. Who knew that a tale of a man trying to end it all could be so lighthearted and fun.

This is a story that shows the magic of letting people enter your life, whether you let this happen willingly or not. It shows that love and pain that is in all relationships, new and old. This book shows that sometimes it is necessary to break out of our shell and sometimes we need to cling to what makes us us and not compromise our values.

The characters is this book were beautifully created and orchestrated. Ove, though thorny, is so lovable. You want so much good for him. And while some times you are like "It doesn't matter Ove, just let it go" you love him even more for being cantankerous. I love the hospital stuff. Hilarious! The rest of the cast of supporting characters are vastly different from each other but when put together works so well to support a funny and moving story.

I loved this story. There were times I was reading it and thought "Oh my gosh, Ove is my husband". That made reading it even more fun. It was like I was getting a glimpse into the future.

I highly recommend this book. If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry, a book that will make you feel happy and fulfilled at the end, A Man Called Ove is your book.

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein

from goodreads

4 stars

Every time I read a book, whether I end up liking it or not, I am usually in awe of the author's imagination. It is amazing how every author comes up with a unique take on some aspect of life, or adventure, or creates a whole new world. The execution may not always be up to snuff, but the seed of greatness is always there.

That is probably why so many movies are made from book adaptations. The movie people see that seed and what to enhance it. Sometimes they do an excellent job. Sometimes not. There are times when I am reading a book and I say to myself, "I can't wait to see this as a movie". Or, you read a book and it plays in your mind as the movie. You can see it so clearly.

So thank you authors for putting your seeds of inspiration down on paper and giving us worlds and ideas we, ourselves, had not thought of. You open us to so much!

Synopsis

All over the U.S.A. complaints have been coming into Mr. Lemoncello that he didn't allow his last contest to be opened up to them. They want a chance to prove their library know-how. So here comes the library olympics, with the best of the best competing for supremacy and the hometown team feeling the need to prove themselves.

My Thoughts

I always get nervous with sequels, especially after the originals were so good. This did not disappoint. While I still liked the first book Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library a little bit more, this one was still right up there. There is enough of craziness, yet normalcy that would appeal to every reader. I love how he mentions books so that those reading are encouraged to check them out. And, it is fun! I want Mr. Lemoncello to build his next library in my city.

I also liked how this book addressed censorship and banned books. Though he didn't come out in a preachy way, he did express the idea that censorship of books is not a good thing. We should be able to have the right to choose for ourselves what books to read or not. Who is one person, or group of people, to say what book is good for me or not. Grabenstein introduces this idea if a fun way, that hopefully plants the seeds of anti-censorship into his young readers, or at least helps them start thinking about it and start a conversation about it.

As an adult reading it there were some plot points that seemed obvious and I guessed at. But, it was still a fun read and I know that the kids reading this book (10+) will love it!

Meet the Austins by Madeline L'Engle

from goodreads

3 stars

Long weekends always mess up my internal calendar. Even though I knew it was Tuesday, it felt like a Monday. So when I thought about doing my post, I kept saying to myself, "I don't have to do it today, I don't need to post it until tomorrow." Well, now the day is almost over and it has finally sunk in that I have a post to get up.

Does that happen to you when you have a long weekend or holidays? Does your rhythm get all messed up?

Now that being said, I love long weekends. I love it when my husband gets to spend more time with us and help deal with the crazies. And by crazies I mean children, and by help deal with I mean have fun and spend quality time.

This weekend was family day so we put up drywall, went tobogganing with some friends and then watched a movie. It was lovely and low-key. Those are the best kinds of long weekends.

Synopsis

The Austins are a fun family that live in rural New England. When a girl named Maggie is sent to stay with them after her father died things get to be a little more crazy, but they have fun and love each other.

My Thoughts

I love Madeline L'Engle books. I had never heard of this series before but I am glad I was able to enter the world of the Austin's for a little while.

This does not read like your typical novel. It is more snippets into a year in the life of the Austins. So, I guess it is like a collection of short stories that surrounds the family.

I love the sense of family that oozes from the pages. They seem to have fun and love each other, though they get annoyed with each other too. They are real, not an idealistic fantasy. I love the setting of the big farm house set in the middle of nowhere. If money were no object and I could live in any setting, that would be it. An old farm house with enough sunny land for a garden and a nice forest patch for walking through.

Because there was really no narration or climax the book did lack a bit of energy. It was a nice read, a quaint read, but nothing that would get you too excited. And to be honest, there is nothing wrong with books like that. We need books like that once in a while to cleanse our reading palettes. So don't go into this book to think you will be thoroughly entertained, or that it will be supremely gripping.

This is the first of a series of books about the Austins. I will probably peruse their life every now and again, but I am not in a big hurry to do so.

After the War is Over by Jennifer Robson

from goodreads

3 stars

Sorry this is late, I was a bit busy yesterday. So what was I doing? Not reading. Instead I caught up on some family friendly movies. Why? Head lice has come into our home!

Now I know that head lice happens, it has nothing to do with the cleanliness of ones hair or scalp and anyone can get it. I do not have a head lice stigma. But it is still annoying. Going through each strand of hair and making sure all the nits are picked off, washing pillows and stuffies and hats and coats and anything else where lice might be lurking. And since Miss G and Miss V are like two peas in a pod, I will have to be vigilant on two heads, though currently I only see it on one.

At least I have already been through this once before. I have the system down. And I know... if for some reason I am not at thorough and the lice persist, I'll just call in the lice lady. She may be expensive but she is probably worth it. But hopefully that won't happen. So thank goodness for T.V.'s and electricity. I don't know how people dealt with lice without it. Your head itching yet?

Synopsis

This a companion book to Somewhere in France. The war is now over and Charlotte, friend of Lilly, is working to help those around her and she writes a column that sheds light on the hardships and injustices of returning servicemen and their families.

She also can't keep her mind of her friend Edward Neville-Ashford who is now the Earl of Cumberland, after his father unexpectedly dies.

My Thoughts

This was a fluff book and kind of a let down after Somewhere in France which I absolutely loved and adored. While it is a continuation of the Somewhere in France story, it is a stand alone book, with a different protagonist, and you wouldn't need to read Somewhere in France first. Though I would because it is soooo good.

So, what did this book have going for it. It was interesting to learn the history of voting at Oxford. Since Charlotte had graduated from Oxford, or rather one of the colleges, she was eligible to vote in that riding, before women got the vote nationwide. The look at "shellshock" and the social hardships servicemen endured was insightful. Also, the answers to the questions I was left with at the end of Somewhere in France were answered so that was satisfying.

What was not going for it? The main character, Charlotte, was rather flat and I didn't find her all that interesting or complex. I'm not saying all characters need to be complex, but it is hard to carry a book when the character is flat. Because of this, the book and its outcome was kind of predictable.

While the social causes and the history found in this book is just as important and interesting as that discussed in Somewhere in France, the story itself was just not as interesting or gripping.

All in all it was a nice book to pass the time but it will not be a favourite. Robson does have a new book, Moonlight Over Paris, coming out this month which I am excited to read. Hopefully it is not as fluffy.

The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Sometimes I finish a book and am left breathless, thinking it is the best thing ever. Then with some time and distance and reflection its flaws come out and make themselves known. This leaves me befuddled. Should I claim I love it like I did when I first finished reading? Or, harp on all the flaws I have found out after the fact? Do you review on your heart or your head?

This is one of those books. It left me breathless and excited, but then with some distance I realized there were many flaws that I over looked and things that really weren't that great. This has left me feeling confused. I guess a book can't be all bad if it leaves you thinking about it after the fact.

Synopsis

This is the story of Alice. She has left her family farm to forge a life for herself as a factory girl in the cotton mills. There she makes a friend in Lovey, a woman who is kind, takes a stand and lives a bit dangerously. She also catches the eye of the mill owners son. This is a book of friendship, love, courage, murder, and standing up for what is right.

My Thoughts

This is a historical fiction that focuses more on the fiction side. If you are a stickler for historical accuracy this is not the book for you.

This is a great story of friendship and being willing to take a stand against injustice. The characters were varied but believable and you would want to be part of their group. The romance was a bit contrived but lovely.

I found the courtroom scenes to be tedious and it took too much time of the story. I wanted to know more about the ladies and the factory work then I cared to know about the courtroom proceedings. I felt it should have been the side story and not the main feature.

There was something about this book that kept me hooked. I read it in a day. It is a fun, heartrending story. And, while I read it in December, I could see this being a great summer read.

Winter by Marissa Meyer

from goodreads

4 stars

So, this post was supposed to be done on Christmas Eve and totally wasn't. It seemed to be a pretty crammed day and I didn't even touch a computer until today. Our weekend didn't go as planned to do an unforeseen family circumstance, so it changed our Christmas plans slightly.

While I didn't get as much reading done as I would have liked I had a great Christmas and I am looking forward to a great New Year of reading and other fun things. The next big project is renovating part of our basement to become our new office and then our old office will become a bedroom for Miss G. We'll see how that goes.

I will do my best to do my regular Thursday post tomorrow. It might be a bit tight as we are going to watch Star Wars tomorrow morning! Very excited. But, if for some reason I don't get around to it, have a very Happy New Year!

Synopsis

This is the conclusion of the Lunar Chronicles Cinder and her friends infiltrate Luna in the hopes of bringing down the evil Queen Levana. This chapter of the Lunar Chronicles is loosely based off of Snow White.

My Thoughts

When it comes to an end of a series, especially one as fun and awesome as the Lunar Chronicles, either you will feel satisfied or you won't. There have been many endings where you are left feeling a bit jipped really and you feel a bit disappointed, or a lot disappointed. This was not the case at all with Winter. While it was not my favourite book of the series, I felt satisfied with how it ended. Everything got wrapped up in a way that made sense and stayed true to the series. It had romance, adventure, battles, deception, humour, the perfect blend of sci-fi and fairy tales. It was great!

The book is long. It is double the length of previous installments. The length came in part because of multiple/simultaneous story lines that caused some repetitiveness. It was helpful to help keep everything straight, but it did add to the length of the book. And we get it. Princess Winter is beautiful...you don't need to beat us over the head with it!

I found the last battle a bit drawn out and melodramatic. And, the fight was really intense and then just seemed to end which felt a bit anti-climatic.

I appreciated how well thought out the society of Luna was. It was interesting to learn of the different sectors and how things are labeled and what people do. This helped the characters become memorable and real.

My one other beef has nothing to do with the story it is more of the construction of the book. I get that 800+ pages is a lot of pages and that using normal paper would cause it to be super thick, but, the pages were almost too flimsy and I found it quite difficult sometimes to turn the pages as the paper would sometimes stick/turn together. I am not sure what they could do differently, but it was bit frustrating.

All in all, if you liked the rest of the series you will like Winter. While it is a bit more serious in tone there is still a playfulness that sets this series apart from all other dystopians. While it won't leave you in breathless awe it will not leave you disappointed. Now I think I will have to find the time and reread the series... I think I have my summer planned out!

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

from goodreads

5 stars

I am so excited for tomorrow! Yes, it is Christmas Eve. But that's not why I'm excited. My husband is off tomorrow so he can help the kids and I might be able to have some uninterrupted reading time in the morning. I love lazing in my nice, warm and comfy duvet in the morning just reading. I sure hope he isn't expecting a lazy morning... I think we might have to have a discussion tonight.

Synopsis

Christopher is an apprentice for an apothecary, Benedict Blackthorn. Apothecaries are being targeted by some cult. Christopher has to decipher clues in order to save the guild and stop these murders.

My Thoughts

What an awesome book! I read it in a day. I just could not put it down. It had suspense and intrigue and funny bits and puzzles. It was just great.

I will admit I went into the book with a bit of trepidation. This is the author's first book and it seemed to be heavily pushed and that combination does not guarantee a success, quite often it is hit and miss. This is definitely a hit.

I liked how he was able to incorporate historical detail without it feeling like a history book. He is able to create this great world without the reader feeling bogged down in details. You are learning, but you don't feel like you are learning.

He doesn't shy away from the brutality of life in the 1660s. He also doesn't shy away from the brutality of torture and murder, so if you are squeamish, this might not be the best fit for you.

Even though it is set in the 1660s, the characters are relatable and you would love them as your friend.

This is a great mystery and a great adventure. If you are looking for a last minute book for someone on your list pick this up. While anyone could read this book, this might be a good one to introduce to a preteen boy who might not be as interested in reading as you would like. The suggested age for this book is 10-14. I would think that the 10 year old would need to be a bit on the mature side and be able to handle some gore. Just love this book!

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

from goodreads

4 stars

One of my book club friends is in a total reading slump. Even some of her go to authors haven't helped. How frustrating that must be.

I, on the other hand, seem to be on a reading high. Lately I have been reading some awesome books. The book I just finished yesterday I read in a day. I couldn't put it down. Poor Miss P probably felt neglected. Thank goodness for Peppa Pig compilations.

My fear now is that this high won't last and I will soon be in a slump! hopefully that won't happen, but you just never know.

Synopsis

Rose, a young American pilot, is caught by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbruck.

My Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While it is a companion/continuation of Code Name Verity, it could be its own stand alone book. You would not have to read Code Name Verity to understand the story.

I have read quite a lot about this time period and studied it in university. Yet, whenever I read a new book about this era it amazes me just how much more there was to WW II. It was all encompassing war and it seems that the Nazis were scattered in what they were trying to achieve. Instead of being focused on one way of achieving their goals they were spread all over the place trying tons of different things. I don't know if anyone could learn everything that went down back then in a life time. It overwhelms me.

Telling the story using "the rabbits" was an interesting angle. I know people know of the experimentation done in Auschwitz but I did not know about the experimentation in Ravensbruck. What horrible things to have happened to these women.

The cast of characters allowed for the portrayal of the various types of prisoners in the camps. Some of the situations or relationships were, perhaps, a bit contrived but it did allow for a broad overview of the camp and all the facets that went with it.  I would not call this the definitive work on Ravensbruck but it is definitely a great jumping off point to delve and gain an interest in this subject.

I like how this book was able to go beyond the war and showed the Nuremberg trials, and other tribunals, that went on to hold those people who did such gross things to humanity to account. That is one thing I think I would like to research more myself.

One character that I appreciated being included was Anna. She was a german prisoner who actually used to work at Ravensbruck and administered sedatives to the rabbits. Her character shows that there is a big grey area when it comes to the war. Some were all about inflicting pain and horror onto others. Some were merely trying to figure out how to survive themselves. Her character throws a wrench in the simplistic view of good and evil that is sometimes caste up on the German people when discussing this era of their history. It was not an all or nothing scenario.

Whenever I read stories like this, set in concentration camps, I always wonder to myself, what type of prisoner would I be? I would like to think I would be noble, and decent. But then, part of me things I might be like those prisoners who were kind of crazy and would grab food wherever they could and fight over a sock. For those who were able to keep part of their humanity I totally salute them.

This was a great and heart wrenching read. I think it was done very well. It was not over the top graphic, but it also didn't try to downplay the horrors. That is a balance that is hard to perfect, yet Wein did so. Definitely a must read.

The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Today is a very blustery day. The clouds are coming in and I have a feeling that there will be a sprinkle of rain right when I go out to get the older kids from school. It seems to always rain when I go to get the kids. It will stop as soon as we get home but for those ten minutes if it is going to deluge it will.

On a grey like this it is hard to think of anything to do or say. All I really want to do is curl up in a cozy blanket and read or snuggle with Miss P. Looks like I have my afternoon all mapped out!

Synopsis

This is the next installment of the Department Q series featuring Carl Morck. The cold case this time is looking at a girl who was killed on the island of Bornholm. The case takes them to a sun god commune in Sweden and to many other interesting characters. We are also beginning to find out a bit more about Carl and his connection with the shooting that paralyzed one of his partners and killed the other.

My Thoughts

This was another great nordic crime.

Adler-Olsen is the master of parallel story lines. He is able to blend together what is happening with Carl and his team with that of possible people of interests story lines so seamlessly. I always like trying to figure out how he is going to blend the story lines together.

The cold case was interesting and the lady at the commune was a bit crazy! Seriously, how does he come up with some of the characters that he does.

I really wished that more was resolved in Carl's life before his accident. Is he friend or foe? Was he a corrupt cop or was he all above board. I really want to know. I have invested so much into him and I hope he is not a bad cop. I just want answers.

I also wanted Assad's plot to move on a bit more. I know that he has some kind of secret from his former life and I would love to know what it is.

Even with the little movement in Carl's and Assad's plot lines I loved seeing them together and watching their friendship grow. You can tell that they really care for each other and see each other as partners.

If you are a fan of Department Q you will not be disappointed with the latest installment.

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine

from goodreads

5 stars

Summer is over and autumn has definitely settled in. I think autumn is one of my favourite seasons to read in. I obviously enjoy reading anytime of year, but there is something about autumn where you can curl up in your favourite chair with a cup of herbal tea and cozy socks that makes reading a pure joy.

My favourite place to read is in my love seat that is in front our big bay window. I get a lovely view of the tree lined street I live on and in the fall it is beautiful with brilliant oranges and yellows. So beautiful.

Synopsis

(I am stealing the synopsis from goodreads because it is just so good.)

You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of Sinclair's department store!

Enter a world of bonbons, hats, perfumes and MYSTERIES around every corner. WONDER at the daring theft of the priceless CLOCKWORK SPARROW! TREMBLE as the most DASTARDLY criminals in London enact their wicked plans! GASP as our bold heroines, Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lilian Rose, CRACK CODES, DEVOUR ICED BUNS and vow to bring the villains to justice...

My Thoughts

This book was simply a delight. I was drawn to it because of its gorgeous cover. And this book had everything great heroes, horribly mean villains, deception, street urchins, kidnapping, treason and more.

The backdrop which is almost a character to itself is the Sinclair department store that is about to open. The store is the biggest and fanciest store in all of London. It is full of dark stair cases, opulent show rooms and more. I would love to go there and walk around.

I love the characters. Sophie, who is an orphan, who is used to living more comfortably but is determined to make it. Lilian, who is from a well off family but wants to be an actress. And then a great cast of supporting characters. While the characters were young, young teens, there actions were appropriate. Sometimes books or t.v. shows who have young characters are not realistic in what they have them do (I'm speaking to you Arthur). This book was completely believable, especially given the time the book was set in (pre world war one).

While there were times in the mystery that seemed rather obvious it was still a fun and I would say sophisticated mystery and story. For those who are a bit sensitive there is a drugging, a shooting and an intentional murder. Though it is not gory and doesn't go into detail, it still happens.

I think this is the perfect book for your budding detective. I would recommend it for 11 and up. This is the first book in what is to be a series. I am really looking forward to the next installment.