Book Reviews

The Favored Child (Good)

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:01:25 -0800

Like the first of this series, Wideacre, this book takes a while to really throw the reader into the story. However, once it does, you'll find it's difficult to set down, or to get off your mind for a while. While lacking in the whirlwind of betrayal and manipulation set forth by the first book, this one shows a more subdued side of the Lacey madness, and follows the life of Julia, daughter of Beatrice, and her struggles to overcome the spell cast over the land of Wideacre. Just another excellent book from Gregory's collection of novels.

Wideacre (Excellent)

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:10:08 -0800

While a little slow to pick up, this books basically takes you on a whirlwind of lust, passion, manipulation, greed, power and other craziness. The main character, Beatrice, is a character you will love and you will hate, over and over again until the very end of the novel. You follow this Lacey of Wideacre through her ups and down, and I promise you'll enjoy every minute of it, and do as I did, and rush out to buy the second book before the first is over.

Wuthering Heights (Good)

Tue, 20 May 2008 10:10:38 -0800

If you love drama, isolation and when drama extends generations, you'll love this book. Told through the eyes of the housekeepers, this book will bring you into the world of two households against each other in the matter of love. Heart break and betrayal are only small parts of this book. In a nearly fantasy world, the characters learn about themselves, about life, and about love.It's a book you could read multiple times and never get tired of.

The Bone Doll's Twin (Excellent)

Sun, 18 May 2008 12:12:20 -0800

The entire series that goes along with "The Bone Doll's Twin" is fantastic. With an interesting twist on a hero tale, Flewelling really immerses the reader into her world she created. By the end of the series, I felt like I was going to miss the characters and I was sad it was over. And even the battle scenes are interesting. I defiantly recommend this book and the others for any fantasy lover.

The Catcher in the Rye (Excellent)

Wed, 14 May 2008 17:05:10 -0800

Even though I had to read this book for a class in high school, I actually really enjoyed it. It's not often a book uses the word "crap" on the very first page. I think it really captures the inner thoughts of a boy who is lost in the world that surrounds him. While it may seem slow in some places, I think this story of a day in the life of a young man in New York is very interesting.

The dialect is really great, and you really get a feel for the voice of the main character. It uses a lot of slang words from the 50s, which makes it seem so much more real.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys something a little edgier, with a narriator that thrives on bending the rules.

Me Talk Pretty One Day (Excellent)

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:05:27 -0800

My sister and I, not noticing or knowing much about the author of the book right away, thought this book would be a wonderful tale of a person with a speech impediment that somehow learns to talk... normal?

We were wrong.

This book is absolutely hilarious. His anecdotes for each chapter are so funny, and it is definitely a laugh-out-loud book. He's the kind of guy that would rather stay home and make curtains with his mom and sister than play sports with the other boys. And who could forget the chapter in which he "goes number 2" at a friend's house, and it won't flush down.

I really recommend this book, as do I his other books. You'll want to pass it on to your friends when you've finished as well.

Memoirs of a Geisha (Good)

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:05:53 -0800

I really enjoyed this book. It was another one that I read after I watched the movie, and I think it added to the experience of the movie. While fictional, I think it really shows how one woman's life was like when she was thrown into the world she was not born into. I loved the drama of the women fighting against each other to obtain pretty much the same goal.

Eva Moves the Furniture (Good)

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:05:22 -0800

This book was picked up at basically a yard sale for books at a community college. Many years later, I finally picked it off my shelf and read it. It takes a while to really get the feel of what kind of book this is, but once you get the hang of it, it's not that bad. Eva struggles with trying to figure out where she belongs in life, and it doesn't help that these two "women" who appear either try to help or bar her from succeeding at certain jobs or from making friends with certain people. A little chilling at some points, it's actually a fairly decent novel. The end does a good job of explaining the questions the reader has, such as who these two women are and where they come from, and why they followed her around. It goes along with that theory that everyone has a guardian angel.

Atonement (Worth Reading)

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:05:38 -0800

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I read it after I saw the movie, so I think that helped with knowing the order of events and what is happening when. I can see how people might get confused by it. The book really delves into what happens when someone sees something they do not understand, and the great consequences that can happen from that issue. It's a very interesting time period, taking place during World War 2 and the frequent bombings that were happening to English cities and towns. The last chapter really ties up the whole book, and can leave the reader with a real accomplished feeling once the book is over.