I'm a little late in posting about my readings for April. But here goes! Only three books and 1190 pages.
Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day (320 pages). I like Sylvia Day so much more than EL James. Even though there's sex, there's always a story in her books. Always. And it's a pretty good story. This one occurs in the 1800's. Lady Jessica, on the eve of her wedding, sees something that changes her views on sex (much to her future husband's delight). She sees a young man (a third or fourth son, I couldn't figure that part out) and an older woman in a gazebo. She quickly learns that he is a gigolo. Seven years later, Jessica is widowed and on her way to Jamaica to sell the plantation she inherited from her husband. The owner of the ship she travels on is Alistair, the young man she watched having sex so many years ago. The passion that ignited between them that night in the garden cannot be ignored. But both of them have so much baggage. Can true lust become true love? You betcha! With a supporting cast of characters (Jessica's brother-in-law, who is madly in love with Jessica's sister Hester, who is married to the abusive Regmount and a myriad of others), it's a pretty good story. With some darn good sex.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (550 pages). This was my book club book for May. It's told from Death's point of view. Which at fir4st was a little strange (Death likes to make interjections throughout the story). But I really found myself enjoying it after a while. Liesel Meminger is nine years old when she finds herself given (by her mother) to a foster family, the Hubermanns. Her younger brother died on the train to Molching and at his graveside, Liesel stole the first of many books. She finds a new life with the Hubermanns. She learns to read and learns the value of words, she gains a new best friend and learns to love, and she steals more books. But it's 1939 and this is Germany. There is no such thing as security for Liesel and her neighbors. The son of a man Hans Hubermann fought with during World War I finds himself at the Hubermanns' door. Max is Jewish. The Hubermanns keep him hidden in their basement for months, until he finally decides they are in too much danger with him there and he leaves. But not before making an indelible imprint on Liesel's life by writing two books for her. Hans is taken off to fight, but a fortunate injury sends him back home for a bit (and allows him to escape Death's clutches, yet again). Liesel eventually sees Max again, as he is being marched through the streets toward a concentration camp. Liesel begins to write her own story every night in the basement. The last night she spends writing is the night that an air raid happens, an air raid that is a surprise. No sirens, no warnings. Everyone asleep on Himmel Street, only Liesel safely in a basement. Death came to Himmel Street and took away almost everyone who was improtgat to Liesel. A few years after that, Max finds Liesel. And many many years after that, Death finds Liesel. Death, who has carried her story book with him since Himmel Street. I found my eyes welling up with tears quite frequently. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to see the movie!
Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck (321 pages). My old standby (historical fiction) AND Hemingway's Key West?! I'm sold! It's 1935 and Mariella Bennett is 19 years old the first time she lays eyes on Ernest Hemingway. Her father is dead, her mother is floundering, and she is sole breadwinner for the family (she has two younger sisters). She gets a job as a maid for Hem and wife #2, Pauline (the one he left Hadley for, the one who had all the money, the one who's uncle actually bought their Key West home). Mariella has a front row seat to the Hemingways' lives - the alcohol, the jealousies, the fights. She feels an instant attraction to Hem (from what I understand, who didn't?!) and he to her. One night, after dinner at Sloppy Joe's, Mariella and Hem head to the Blue Goose for Friday night fights. There, Mariella sees Gavin Murray for the first time. He's fighting one of the local champions. He's a vet, down in the Keys to help build the new overseas highway. She can't deny her attraction to Hem and she can't deny her attraction to Gavin. Hem symbolizes freedom, Gavin symbolizes her future. After a summer in Bimini with the Hemingways, Mariella returns home. And that's when disaster strikes in the form of the hurricane of 1935, a hurricane that the government knew was coming and still didn't evacuate the vets (and their families) who were working on the highway. The loss of life was devastating (250 vets and 400+ civilians died). But Mariella gets her happy ever after. The book opened and closed in the year 1961, the year of Hem's suicide. Because no line was ever crossed, Hem and Mariella remained close until his death. It was a good book. Probably because I was just in Key West in December and could picture so many of the places described in the book.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
March readings- we'll just pretend the month was a week long.....
I am humiliated by my complete and utter lack of reading this month. Last time, I blamed Buffy. This time, I blame House of Cards. But really, I only have myself to blame. Fortunately, it's starting to warm up. So poolside reading can begin again!
Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (451 pages). The last in the Beautiful Creatures series. I really liked the first book. Hated the next two. But finally found myself enjoying this last one. In the third book, Ethan sacrificed himself to restore the Order to the world. In this book, he battles through the Otherworld when he learns that his page in the Castor Chronicles had been rewritten and he wasn't supposed to die then. Sacrifices had to be made and struggles had to be overcome. But eventually Ethan makes his way home to Lena and his life in Gatlin.
Glow by Jessica Maria Tuccelli (320 pages). This was my book club book (book club that I couldn't attend because it was the parental's anniversary). I didn't like the book at all. It's several generations of stories, all rolled into one. Riddle and Emmaline Young are orphaned at 18 and 6 years of age. They are part Indian. They meet the Bounds, a white family who's patriarch is a preacher. Riddle has a child with the Bounds' black cook, Lossie. The boy is named Alger. Emmaline marries the Bounds' son, Samuel. Fast forward to their plantation, where young Willie Mae Cotton has just been purchased and brought to live. Her former owners were Samuel Bounds' sister and brother-in-law, the Darlings. She had lived there with her mother and another slave, Enoch, who taught her to read and who happened to be Lossie's father. Willie Mae keeps her head covered at all times because, for some reason, her head glows. Huh?! Willie Mae marries Alger, even though she loves her best friend Mary-Mary. Willie Mae and Alger have a daughter, Lovelady Belle. Then Riddle buys his family's freedom. Then the Civil War happens. Fast forward again- Willie Mae and Mary-Mary find a young girl, Ella, beaten up on the side of the road. Her mother Mia (who she actually thinks is her sister) has sent her home while she is in DC, fighting for civil rights. The Darlings' son married an Indian woman. Their eventual descendant? Mia. Rev Bounds had some children with one of his slaves. Their eventual descendant? Obidiah Bounds. Obidiah and Mia were Ella's parents. Confusing enough for you? Mia had some strange adventures of her own. Her best friend growing up was Lovelady Belle, a ghost. Yep, that Lovelady. I"m still not sure I figured out how she died. There were some men and masks and screaming and a creek. Seriously, not one clue as to what was really happening in the book. It jumped around way too much. I didn't like it at all. Not one little bit.
So there you go. 2 books. 771 pages. Embarrassing, NotSoPlainJane. We need to step it up.
Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (451 pages). The last in the Beautiful Creatures series. I really liked the first book. Hated the next two. But finally found myself enjoying this last one. In the third book, Ethan sacrificed himself to restore the Order to the world. In this book, he battles through the Otherworld when he learns that his page in the Castor Chronicles had been rewritten and he wasn't supposed to die then. Sacrifices had to be made and struggles had to be overcome. But eventually Ethan makes his way home to Lena and his life in Gatlin.
Glow by Jessica Maria Tuccelli (320 pages). This was my book club book (book club that I couldn't attend because it was the parental's anniversary). I didn't like the book at all. It's several generations of stories, all rolled into one. Riddle and Emmaline Young are orphaned at 18 and 6 years of age. They are part Indian. They meet the Bounds, a white family who's patriarch is a preacher. Riddle has a child with the Bounds' black cook, Lossie. The boy is named Alger. Emmaline marries the Bounds' son, Samuel. Fast forward to their plantation, where young Willie Mae Cotton has just been purchased and brought to live. Her former owners were Samuel Bounds' sister and brother-in-law, the Darlings. She had lived there with her mother and another slave, Enoch, who taught her to read and who happened to be Lossie's father. Willie Mae keeps her head covered at all times because, for some reason, her head glows. Huh?! Willie Mae marries Alger, even though she loves her best friend Mary-Mary. Willie Mae and Alger have a daughter, Lovelady Belle. Then Riddle buys his family's freedom. Then the Civil War happens. Fast forward again- Willie Mae and Mary-Mary find a young girl, Ella, beaten up on the side of the road. Her mother Mia (who she actually thinks is her sister) has sent her home while she is in DC, fighting for civil rights. The Darlings' son married an Indian woman. Their eventual descendant? Mia. Rev Bounds had some children with one of his slaves. Their eventual descendant? Obidiah Bounds. Obidiah and Mia were Ella's parents. Confusing enough for you? Mia had some strange adventures of her own. Her best friend growing up was Lovelady Belle, a ghost. Yep, that Lovelady. I"m still not sure I figured out how she died. There were some men and masks and screaming and a creek. Seriously, not one clue as to what was really happening in the book. It jumped around way too much. I didn't like it at all. Not one little bit.
So there you go. 2 books. 771 pages. Embarrassing, NotSoPlainJane. We need to step it up.
Monday, March 3, 2014
February is a short month. Yes, let's use that excuse
This month, I only got three books read. For a total of 1,122 pages. Ouch.
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty (394 pages). I really loved the first book I read of hers. This one, I'm not so sure. The chapters bounced around between several (eventually overlapping) stories, all occurring in Australia. Which had me way confused for a very long time. The first storyline is in Melbourne with Cecilia, her husband John-Paul and their three daughters (Polly, Esther and Isabel). She has a full and fulfilling life. Until she finds a letter from her husband, to be opened at the event of his death (he's still alive, BTW). The letter is so shocking, so life-changing, that Cecilia's world will never be the same. The second storyline is in Sydney with Tess, her husband Will, their son Liam and her cousin Felicity. Tess learns that her husband and cousin have fallen in love. So she takes her son back to her hometown of Melbourne to be with her mother. And begins to learn more about herself than she thought possible. The third storyline is in Melbourne with Rachel, her son Rob, daughter-in-law Lauren and grandson Jacob. Rachel is a widow who lost her daughter when Janie was just a teenager. A murder that was never solved. Her world stops when Rob and Lauren tell her that they are moving to NYC for two years and taking Jacob, the light of her life, with them. Tess grew up with Cecilia and her husband. Rachel is the secretary at the children's elementary school, where the principal is the ex-boyfriend of both Janie (in high school) and Tess (in her twenties). The worlds begin to overlap and intertwine. Eventually, secrets come out and lives are forever changed. One of my favorite parts- the epilogue, where the author tells us all of the might-have-beens that the characters would've experienced if things had gone differently. I liked the book okay (once I got into it). It was definitely not as good as What Alice Forgot, the first book I read by the author.
Cress by Marissa Meyer (550 pages). Third book in the Lunar Chronicles. The books are strange retellings of fairy tales, set in a dystopian future. In book one, we met Cinder, aka Cinderella (she happens to be a cyborg and a missing Lunar princess) and her compatriot, Captain Thorne. In book two, we met Scarlet, aka Red Riding Hood, and her sidekick, a street fighter nicknamed Wolf. In book three, we met Crescent Moon, aka Rapunzel. Cress has been imprisoned in a satellite orbiting Earth, forced to do the Lunar Queen Levana's bidding (Cress is a techie genius). Unfortunately for the Queen, Cress's sympathies lie with Cinder and her crew. While Emperor Kai of New Beijing prepares for his wedding to Queen Levana (something he's willing to do to save Earth from Lunar soldiers), Cinder and her crew search for a way to save Earth themselves. No way is Cinder going to let Kai, the man she loves, marry an evil dictator who will probably kill him when she, Cinder, is the lost Lunar princess who can save both Earth and Luna from Levana's reign. A rescue attempt on Cress goes wrong and the crew ends up separated- Scarlet on Luna, Cress and Thorne in the Sahara and Cinder and Wolf in their spaceship. Eventually they are all reunited and the revolution can begin- a revolution to take Luna back from Queen Levana's clutches.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (178 pages). I have absolutely no idea what I just read. Seriously- weirdest book ever. The narrator returns to his hometown in Sussex for a funeral. He drives back to the property where his childhood home used to be. He then drives to the end of the lane near his house and sees Hempstock Farm. Suddenly, he is taken back to events that occurred when he was seven. A boarder who had been living with the boy's family commits suicide in the family's car. At the end of the lane. By Hempstock Farm. There, the boy meets Lettie. She's eleven. And there is something most unusual about the Hempstock women. Lettie and the boy inadvertently bring a demon-woman named Ursula Mockton into the boy's life. The Hempstock women must fight to send her back to wherever it is she came from. Lettie sacrifices herself for the boy. Well, sort of. Her mother and grandmother put her body back in their "ocean" so she can live. The boy only seems to remember these events when he returns to Hempstock Farm. And never remembers returning to Hempstock Farm. I for real have no idea what I read. Remind me that I don't really like Neil Gaiman, please!
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty (394 pages). I really loved the first book I read of hers. This one, I'm not so sure. The chapters bounced around between several (eventually overlapping) stories, all occurring in Australia. Which had me way confused for a very long time. The first storyline is in Melbourne with Cecilia, her husband John-Paul and their three daughters (Polly, Esther and Isabel). She has a full and fulfilling life. Until she finds a letter from her husband, to be opened at the event of his death (he's still alive, BTW). The letter is so shocking, so life-changing, that Cecilia's world will never be the same. The second storyline is in Sydney with Tess, her husband Will, their son Liam and her cousin Felicity. Tess learns that her husband and cousin have fallen in love. So she takes her son back to her hometown of Melbourne to be with her mother. And begins to learn more about herself than she thought possible. The third storyline is in Melbourne with Rachel, her son Rob, daughter-in-law Lauren and grandson Jacob. Rachel is a widow who lost her daughter when Janie was just a teenager. A murder that was never solved. Her world stops when Rob and Lauren tell her that they are moving to NYC for two years and taking Jacob, the light of her life, with them. Tess grew up with Cecilia and her husband. Rachel is the secretary at the children's elementary school, where the principal is the ex-boyfriend of both Janie (in high school) and Tess (in her twenties). The worlds begin to overlap and intertwine. Eventually, secrets come out and lives are forever changed. One of my favorite parts- the epilogue, where the author tells us all of the might-have-beens that the characters would've experienced if things had gone differently. I liked the book okay (once I got into it). It was definitely not as good as What Alice Forgot, the first book I read by the author.
Cress by Marissa Meyer (550 pages). Third book in the Lunar Chronicles. The books are strange retellings of fairy tales, set in a dystopian future. In book one, we met Cinder, aka Cinderella (she happens to be a cyborg and a missing Lunar princess) and her compatriot, Captain Thorne. In book two, we met Scarlet, aka Red Riding Hood, and her sidekick, a street fighter nicknamed Wolf. In book three, we met Crescent Moon, aka Rapunzel. Cress has been imprisoned in a satellite orbiting Earth, forced to do the Lunar Queen Levana's bidding (Cress is a techie genius). Unfortunately for the Queen, Cress's sympathies lie with Cinder and her crew. While Emperor Kai of New Beijing prepares for his wedding to Queen Levana (something he's willing to do to save Earth from Lunar soldiers), Cinder and her crew search for a way to save Earth themselves. No way is Cinder going to let Kai, the man she loves, marry an evil dictator who will probably kill him when she, Cinder, is the lost Lunar princess who can save both Earth and Luna from Levana's reign. A rescue attempt on Cress goes wrong and the crew ends up separated- Scarlet on Luna, Cress and Thorne in the Sahara and Cinder and Wolf in their spaceship. Eventually they are all reunited and the revolution can begin- a revolution to take Luna back from Queen Levana's clutches.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (178 pages). I have absolutely no idea what I just read. Seriously- weirdest book ever. The narrator returns to his hometown in Sussex for a funeral. He drives back to the property where his childhood home used to be. He then drives to the end of the lane near his house and sees Hempstock Farm. Suddenly, he is taken back to events that occurred when he was seven. A boarder who had been living with the boy's family commits suicide in the family's car. At the end of the lane. By Hempstock Farm. There, the boy meets Lettie. She's eleven. And there is something most unusual about the Hempstock women. Lettie and the boy inadvertently bring a demon-woman named Ursula Mockton into the boy's life. The Hempstock women must fight to send her back to wherever it is she came from. Lettie sacrifices herself for the boy. Well, sort of. Her mother and grandmother put her body back in their "ocean" so she can live. The boy only seems to remember these events when he returns to Hempstock Farm. And never remembers returning to Hempstock Farm. I for real have no idea what I read. Remind me that I don't really like Neil Gaiman, please!
Saturday, February 1, 2014
2014 is not off to a good start
So, I'm rather embarrassed by my lack of reading so far this year. Only three books. Yes, I said three. That's a grand total of 911 pages. I hang my head in shame. I vow to do better. Or at least try to do better. What can I say- Buffy the Vampire Slayer has distracted me.
Promises to Keep by Jane Green (337 pages). I started this book on the way home from Key West. Apparently, I decided that I wasn't going to read too much this month. As evidenced by the fact that it took me until Snowpocolypse 2014 to finish the book! Of course, the subject was a tough one for me, so I think that added to it. Callie is a forty-something year old mother of two, happily married to the love of her life. She's a breast cancer survivor. Several years after she's been declared in remission, she suddenly starts having unexplainable migraines and pain. After weeks in the hospital, they are finally given a diagnosis. Her family (husband Reece, sister Steffi, mother Honor, father Walter) and best friends (Lila and her boyfriend Ed) rally around her. As Callie's life slowly leaves her body, her loved ones learn to cope with the idea of life without Callie. They also learn that life, and love, does go on. It was a beautiful, sad, lovely story.
Enders by Lissa Price (272 pages). Sequel to Starters, a book I really loved. The downside? I read Starters nearly 2 years ago. So I had a devil of a time remembering details of what happened. Callie is a Starter, a younger person who survived the Spore Wars. Don't ask. In the first book, she allowed a microchip to be placed into her brain and had rented out her body to Enders, old people who had survived the Spore Wars. Long story short, there was some Old Man who was trying to take over bodies. And a government issue. Or something like that. In this one, Callie still has the microchip. And the Old Man can still get inside her head. Callie eventually befriends another Starter named Hyden. Turns out, he's the Old Man's son. And might have answers to what the Old Man is up to and maybe even how to stop him. I think I enjoyed the first book more. But it was a great read for a snow day!
Spelling It Like It Is by Tori Spelling (302 pages). Yep, I read yet another of Tori's books. I'm sorry- I like her. And Dean (or at least I did before the cheating rumors came out). Despite the fact that they cheated in order to be together. But that's a whole other story. On to this one. I had heard that Tori had had a rough time with her last pregnancy. I mean seriously, she had a one month old when she got pregnant with her fourth! But I had no idea how tough the pregnancy had been. This book focuses on the last few seasons of Tori & Dean, the last few moves and their last two kids. I like that Tori is open and honest about the troubles she and Dean have (arguments, money, etc.). I like that she's honest about her flaws (she's got champagne taste on a Budweiser budget. OK fine, more like on a Stella budget). I like that she geeks out when she meets her idols. I literally read the whole book in one day!
Long story short- thank goodness for a snow day. It was basically like a pool day for me. I got two books read from start to finish and one just finished!
Promises to Keep by Jane Green (337 pages). I started this book on the way home from Key West. Apparently, I decided that I wasn't going to read too much this month. As evidenced by the fact that it took me until Snowpocolypse 2014 to finish the book! Of course, the subject was a tough one for me, so I think that added to it. Callie is a forty-something year old mother of two, happily married to the love of her life. She's a breast cancer survivor. Several years after she's been declared in remission, she suddenly starts having unexplainable migraines and pain. After weeks in the hospital, they are finally given a diagnosis. Her family (husband Reece, sister Steffi, mother Honor, father Walter) and best friends (Lila and her boyfriend Ed) rally around her. As Callie's life slowly leaves her body, her loved ones learn to cope with the idea of life without Callie. They also learn that life, and love, does go on. It was a beautiful, sad, lovely story.
Enders by Lissa Price (272 pages). Sequel to Starters, a book I really loved. The downside? I read Starters nearly 2 years ago. So I had a devil of a time remembering details of what happened. Callie is a Starter, a younger person who survived the Spore Wars. Don't ask. In the first book, she allowed a microchip to be placed into her brain and had rented out her body to Enders, old people who had survived the Spore Wars. Long story short, there was some Old Man who was trying to take over bodies. And a government issue. Or something like that. In this one, Callie still has the microchip. And the Old Man can still get inside her head. Callie eventually befriends another Starter named Hyden. Turns out, he's the Old Man's son. And might have answers to what the Old Man is up to and maybe even how to stop him. I think I enjoyed the first book more. But it was a great read for a snow day!
Spelling It Like It Is by Tori Spelling (302 pages). Yep, I read yet another of Tori's books. I'm sorry- I like her. And Dean (or at least I did before the cheating rumors came out). Despite the fact that they cheated in order to be together. But that's a whole other story. On to this one. I had heard that Tori had had a rough time with her last pregnancy. I mean seriously, she had a one month old when she got pregnant with her fourth! But I had no idea how tough the pregnancy had been. This book focuses on the last few seasons of Tori & Dean, the last few moves and their last two kids. I like that Tori is open and honest about the troubles she and Dean have (arguments, money, etc.). I like that she's honest about her flaws (she's got champagne taste on a Budweiser budget. OK fine, more like on a Stella budget). I like that she geeks out when she meets her idols. I literally read the whole book in one day!
Long story short- thank goodness for a snow day. It was basically like a pool day for me. I got two books read from start to finish and one just finished!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
I ended 2013 pretty strong (at least on the pages read front)
Thank goodness for vacation at the end of the year. Otherwise, December would have been pretty pathetic. So away we go!
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding (386 pages). Bridget is back! And is now a widow (let's all shed a tear from Mark Darcy, shall we?!) I 100% enjoyed reuniting with Bridg. In typical Bridget fashion, she is still scatterbrained. And still unlucky in love. Well, sort of. Daniel is still around (and shockingly a rather good stepfather to Bridget's two kids). I had totally forgotten how much fun her diary style of writing is.
Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen (310 pages). This was my book club book, and the one that I chose. In 1845, Edgar Allan Poe met Frances Osgood, a children's book author and budding poetess. Frances' husband, a famous portrait painter, had abandoned her and their two daughters for younger, richer women. Frances, Edgar and Edgar's wife Virginia struck up a friendship. Virginia was young and sick, actually dying of consumption during the time Frances knew her. Frances tried to keep her relationship with the Poes strictly platonic. But eventually, the passion between her and Edgar became too great to ignore. They traveled to Boston for an evening, where their daughter Fanny Fay was conceived. Frances knew that they had no future together. Her philandering husband agreed to raise Fanny Fay as his own. The last time Frances saw the Poes, Virginia was days from death. As it turns out, Edgar wasn't too far behind her. I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this one was right up my alley. As enjoyable as The Paris Wife or Z or any of the other recent historical fictions I have read.
Divergent by Veronica Roth (487 pages). This book had been suggested by more than one person. And now a movie has been made based on it. So I decided to give it a read. In dystopian Chicago, you are forced to chose a faction at the age of 16. The options are Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless and Erudite. If you don't fit into just one faction, you are Divergent. Beatrice undergoes testing, just like everyone else, to learn her faction. Turns out, she doesn't belong with the rest of her family in Abnegation- she is Divergent. On the day of her Choosing Ceremony, she switches factions and chooses Dauntless. As she begins to go through initiations, Tris (as she chooses to be called now) begins to learn more about herself and even her family. She also begins to learn more about her society, a society that is no longer content with different factions. The day she finally becomes a Dauntless is the day society erupts into war. I really, really loved this book. Like read it in 24 hours loved it!
Insurgent by Veronica Roth (525 pages). Book 2 in the Divergent series. In this book, Tris and her love Tobias (her former instructor) are facing a new world. The Erudite are poised to take over and destroy the factions. For what reason, only their leader knows. But even she is powerless against the Divergents (apparently, there are a lot more of them than people realized). The factions splinter and find themselves allied in very strange ways, including with the factionless (those who don't fit in). But they learn that the fences that surround them serve a greater purpose. Sounds like their society was some sort of experiment. Hopefully, book 3 goes into more detail about that! Read this one in about 24 hours as well.
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (526 pages). Book 3 in the Divergent series. I hate it when authors change their style mid-series. Tris has been the narrator for 2 books. Now we switch between Tris and Tobias as narrators?! Although, by the end, it made sense. In this book, we finally find out what has been happening this whole time. After Purity Wars nearly destroyed the country, it was determined that the "genetically damaged" could eventually be made "genetically pure" again. Experimental cities were set up, Chicago being one of them. As those in power outside the fence realized what was going on inside the fence, they wanted to use a serum to erase all memories. Fortunately, Tris and her friends were too smart for them. Eventually, Chicago became a new city, factionless and healing. This is one of the few series I've read that I didn't have serious issues with at least one of the books. I enjoyed all three!
So that was in for December. 5 books and 2,234 pages! Not too bad. As for 2013 as a whole, I know I had some slow months, but I feel pretty good. 60 books. 15,577 pages. That's a lot of reading!
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding (386 pages). Bridget is back! And is now a widow (let's all shed a tear from Mark Darcy, shall we?!) I 100% enjoyed reuniting with Bridg. In typical Bridget fashion, she is still scatterbrained. And still unlucky in love. Well, sort of. Daniel is still around (and shockingly a rather good stepfather to Bridget's two kids). I had totally forgotten how much fun her diary style of writing is.
Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen (310 pages). This was my book club book, and the one that I chose. In 1845, Edgar Allan Poe met Frances Osgood, a children's book author and budding poetess. Frances' husband, a famous portrait painter, had abandoned her and their two daughters for younger, richer women. Frances, Edgar and Edgar's wife Virginia struck up a friendship. Virginia was young and sick, actually dying of consumption during the time Frances knew her. Frances tried to keep her relationship with the Poes strictly platonic. But eventually, the passion between her and Edgar became too great to ignore. They traveled to Boston for an evening, where their daughter Fanny Fay was conceived. Frances knew that they had no future together. Her philandering husband agreed to raise Fanny Fay as his own. The last time Frances saw the Poes, Virginia was days from death. As it turns out, Edgar wasn't too far behind her. I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this one was right up my alley. As enjoyable as The Paris Wife or Z or any of the other recent historical fictions I have read.
Divergent by Veronica Roth (487 pages). This book had been suggested by more than one person. And now a movie has been made based on it. So I decided to give it a read. In dystopian Chicago, you are forced to chose a faction at the age of 16. The options are Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless and Erudite. If you don't fit into just one faction, you are Divergent. Beatrice undergoes testing, just like everyone else, to learn her faction. Turns out, she doesn't belong with the rest of her family in Abnegation- she is Divergent. On the day of her Choosing Ceremony, she switches factions and chooses Dauntless. As she begins to go through initiations, Tris (as she chooses to be called now) begins to learn more about herself and even her family. She also begins to learn more about her society, a society that is no longer content with different factions. The day she finally becomes a Dauntless is the day society erupts into war. I really, really loved this book. Like read it in 24 hours loved it!
Insurgent by Veronica Roth (525 pages). Book 2 in the Divergent series. In this book, Tris and her love Tobias (her former instructor) are facing a new world. The Erudite are poised to take over and destroy the factions. For what reason, only their leader knows. But even she is powerless against the Divergents (apparently, there are a lot more of them than people realized). The factions splinter and find themselves allied in very strange ways, including with the factionless (those who don't fit in). But they learn that the fences that surround them serve a greater purpose. Sounds like their society was some sort of experiment. Hopefully, book 3 goes into more detail about that! Read this one in about 24 hours as well.
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (526 pages). Book 3 in the Divergent series. I hate it when authors change their style mid-series. Tris has been the narrator for 2 books. Now we switch between Tris and Tobias as narrators?! Although, by the end, it made sense. In this book, we finally find out what has been happening this whole time. After Purity Wars nearly destroyed the country, it was determined that the "genetically damaged" could eventually be made "genetically pure" again. Experimental cities were set up, Chicago being one of them. As those in power outside the fence realized what was going on inside the fence, they wanted to use a serum to erase all memories. Fortunately, Tris and her friends were too smart for them. Eventually, Chicago became a new city, factionless and healing. This is one of the few series I've read that I didn't have serious issues with at least one of the books. I enjoyed all three!
So that was in for December. 5 books and 2,234 pages! Not too bad. As for 2013 as a whole, I know I had some slow months, but I feel pretty good. 60 books. 15,577 pages. That's a lot of reading!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
No Read November
So apparently, November is now famous for being "No Shave November." I think there's a legit reason behind it, but most guys I know just like to take advantage of not having to shave for a month. Far be it for the women to get that same luxury. But that's a whole other blog topic. This one's about my (again) shameful lack of reading this month. Shall we get to it? It'll take about 2 minutes, promise.
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N. Roquelaure, aka Anne Rice (253 pages). Anne Rice wrote these books back in the 1980's. And boy- are they risqué!! Beauty had been asleep for 100 years, you know, just like the fairytale says. But the Prince doesn't awaken her with a kiss. He awakens her with a sexual experience. Sure, she's passed out. But it does the trick. Unfortunately, the Prince is from a line of royals who take neighboring princes and princesses as Tributes/sex slaves. And Beauty is to become the Prince's first personal sex slave. The Tributes are punished constantly, not to be cruel but rather for them to learn to surrender. I'm still not sure why the Tributes are actually willingly sent to this kingdom. Beauty soon falls in love with her Prince and also with another Tribute, Prince Alexi. He tells her his story of slavery. Beauty slowly begins to yield to her Prince, becoming a Court favorite. She later learns that the ultimate form of punishment is to be sent to the Village, where the Tributes are auctioned off for the summer. Beauty sees the willful Prince Tristan in a wagon, headed towards the Village and his punishment. And something in her breaks. She finds herself in the wagon, next to him, on their way to the Village. Having crazy rabbit sex in the wagon! This book is all sorts of crazy! Like gave 50 Shades a run for its money crazy. Paddling. crazy acts of humiliation, nakedness, violations. The things done to these Tributes is riveting. And insane.
Beauty's Punishment by A.N. Roquelaure (233 pages). The second in the Sleeping Beauty trilogy. Equally as risqué! Beauty and Tristan have each been auctioned off in the Village. Beauty is sold to an Innkeeper and quickly becomes a favorite of the Captain of the Guards. Tristan is sold to the Queen's Chronicler. Unlike his Master in the Palace, the Chronicler finally breaks Tristan, who becomes devoted to his new Master. Everything seems to be going well for Beauty and Tristan (or as well as it could, considering they are sex slaves). Then they, and four other slaves, are kidnapped by a neighboring Sultan and taken off to his kingdom for two years (according to the deal the Queen brokers with the Sultan). The Sultan, unlike the Queen, doesn't even view the slaves as human (or so they are told). But he does enjoy sexual games as much as the Queen. At least this time, Beauty and Tristan are together!
Bunheads by Sophie Flack (294 pages). The author herself was a dancer with the New York City Ballet. You get the feeling that she's telling her own story. Hannah Ward is a nineteen year old ballet dancer (which is certainly not the same thing as a ballerina, who is a principal in a company). She's been in New York for 5 years, studying dance and being a member of the corps of the Manhattan Ballet. One night, she meets Jacob, a struggling student musician. Almost simultaneously, the ballerina with a lead role in a ballet is injured and Hannah, her understudy, takes on the role. The rest of the season, Hannah is faced with a choice - to continue down this path she is on, a path that may or may not ever lead to becoming a ballerina, OR to try a new path, one that leads her out into the world. It sort of reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Center Stage. A talented dancer who realizes there is more to life that dance. At least, for her.
Beauty's Release by A.N. Roquelaure (238 pages). The third and final book in the Sleeping Beauty trilogy. I had to take a little break. Honestly, it had become monotonous. Still risqué, but all three books are almost identical in the crazy sex stuff that happens. In this one, Beauty, Tristan, Laurent (a rebellious runaway slave), Rosalynd, Elena and Dmitri find themselves under the Sultan's command, unsure of what to expect. Turns out, it's more of the same. Lots of degradation. Lots of crazy sex. The book focuses on Beauty and Laurent more than the other slaves. Both of them quickly come to love the Sultan's world. Until they, and Tristan, are rescued by the Queen's soldiers (much to their dismay). Beauty is set free and returned to her parents, where she turns down every Prince who comes to woo her. Laurent and Tristan are sent to become ponies for hire in the Village for their insolence in wanting to remain with the Sultan. After nearly a year, Tristan is sold to his beloved former Master, the Chronicler. Laurent's father dies and he returns to his country as King. And then travels to Beauty's country, to claim her as his Queen, his Slave and his one True Love. So they could live happily (and apparently sexily) ever after.
So that's it for this month. 4 books and 1018 pages read. At least I did better than last month.....
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N. Roquelaure, aka Anne Rice (253 pages). Anne Rice wrote these books back in the 1980's. And boy- are they risqué!! Beauty had been asleep for 100 years, you know, just like the fairytale says. But the Prince doesn't awaken her with a kiss. He awakens her with a sexual experience. Sure, she's passed out. But it does the trick. Unfortunately, the Prince is from a line of royals who take neighboring princes and princesses as Tributes/sex slaves. And Beauty is to become the Prince's first personal sex slave. The Tributes are punished constantly, not to be cruel but rather for them to learn to surrender. I'm still not sure why the Tributes are actually willingly sent to this kingdom. Beauty soon falls in love with her Prince and also with another Tribute, Prince Alexi. He tells her his story of slavery. Beauty slowly begins to yield to her Prince, becoming a Court favorite. She later learns that the ultimate form of punishment is to be sent to the Village, where the Tributes are auctioned off for the summer. Beauty sees the willful Prince Tristan in a wagon, headed towards the Village and his punishment. And something in her breaks. She finds herself in the wagon, next to him, on their way to the Village. Having crazy rabbit sex in the wagon! This book is all sorts of crazy! Like gave 50 Shades a run for its money crazy. Paddling. crazy acts of humiliation, nakedness, violations. The things done to these Tributes is riveting. And insane.
Beauty's Punishment by A.N. Roquelaure (233 pages). The second in the Sleeping Beauty trilogy. Equally as risqué! Beauty and Tristan have each been auctioned off in the Village. Beauty is sold to an Innkeeper and quickly becomes a favorite of the Captain of the Guards. Tristan is sold to the Queen's Chronicler. Unlike his Master in the Palace, the Chronicler finally breaks Tristan, who becomes devoted to his new Master. Everything seems to be going well for Beauty and Tristan (or as well as it could, considering they are sex slaves). Then they, and four other slaves, are kidnapped by a neighboring Sultan and taken off to his kingdom for two years (according to the deal the Queen brokers with the Sultan). The Sultan, unlike the Queen, doesn't even view the slaves as human (or so they are told). But he does enjoy sexual games as much as the Queen. At least this time, Beauty and Tristan are together!
Bunheads by Sophie Flack (294 pages). The author herself was a dancer with the New York City Ballet. You get the feeling that she's telling her own story. Hannah Ward is a nineteen year old ballet dancer (which is certainly not the same thing as a ballerina, who is a principal in a company). She's been in New York for 5 years, studying dance and being a member of the corps of the Manhattan Ballet. One night, she meets Jacob, a struggling student musician. Almost simultaneously, the ballerina with a lead role in a ballet is injured and Hannah, her understudy, takes on the role. The rest of the season, Hannah is faced with a choice - to continue down this path she is on, a path that may or may not ever lead to becoming a ballerina, OR to try a new path, one that leads her out into the world. It sort of reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Center Stage. A talented dancer who realizes there is more to life that dance. At least, for her.
Beauty's Release by A.N. Roquelaure (238 pages). The third and final book in the Sleeping Beauty trilogy. I had to take a little break. Honestly, it had become monotonous. Still risqué, but all three books are almost identical in the crazy sex stuff that happens. In this one, Beauty, Tristan, Laurent (a rebellious runaway slave), Rosalynd, Elena and Dmitri find themselves under the Sultan's command, unsure of what to expect. Turns out, it's more of the same. Lots of degradation. Lots of crazy sex. The book focuses on Beauty and Laurent more than the other slaves. Both of them quickly come to love the Sultan's world. Until they, and Tristan, are rescued by the Queen's soldiers (much to their dismay). Beauty is set free and returned to her parents, where she turns down every Prince who comes to woo her. Laurent and Tristan are sent to become ponies for hire in the Village for their insolence in wanting to remain with the Sultan. After nearly a year, Tristan is sold to his beloved former Master, the Chronicler. Laurent's father dies and he returns to his country as King. And then travels to Beauty's country, to claim her as his Queen, his Slave and his one True Love. So they could live happily (and apparently sexily) ever after.
So that's it for this month. 4 books and 1018 pages read. At least I did better than last month.....
Saturday, November 2, 2013
I am embarassed by my lack of reading in October. I blame Netflix and Sons of Anarchy
So last month was HUMILIATINGLY bad on the reading front. I read 2 books. Yes, just two. I got about halfway through a third, but didn't finish it. So it won't count until this month. Here goes....
Wonder by RJ Palacio (313 pages). This was my book club book. August Pullman (age 10) has just gone to school for the first time. Auggie (who happens to share my birth date) was born with severe facial deformities. Which resulted in his parents' decision to home school him. Once he reached fifth grade, they decided it was time for him to be around other people. So they started him at a nearby private school (less kids around to be shocked by his face). Auggie quickly makes some new friends. Or so he thinks. This story is told from multiple points of view- Auggie, his older sister Olivia, his friend Summer, his friend Jack, Olivia's boyfriend Justin and Olivia's friend Miranda. Each of them views Auggie's "facial abnormalities" differently. And each of them realizes that those abnormalities define all of them, not just Auggie. I bought this book in the kid's section of Books-A-Million. But it was so much more than just a kids' book. It was truly a wonderful story. And it makes you think about who people are, not what they appear to be. Looking beyond looks to who a person truly is. I recommend it to anyone with kids!
Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman (299 pages). I bought this book for one reason - I am obsessed with the Netflix series! No really, season 2 can't get here fast enough! There was a part of me that was a little worried about ruining the show for myself. But not to worry- they aren't really a lot alike. The names of some of the women aren't even the same. And let's face facts- we all know she's only serving one year in prison. Spoiler alert- she gets released! Some of the things that I like so much about the show (Pennsatucky being a crazy Christian, Alex being in the same prison) weren't true in the book. Neither was the timeline of the crime to the arrest. But guess what- I didn't care! I still really liked the book. The characters were just as intriguing (even though you don't get to know them quite as well as the show). I just found Piper, the main character, quite fascinating. A rich white girl thrown into a world that most people don't even understand. And she understood that she put herself there, with her bad decisions. So it was up to her to make the best of the situation.
And that was it for this month. 612 measly pages of reading. I hang my head in shame.....
Wonder by RJ Palacio (313 pages). This was my book club book. August Pullman (age 10) has just gone to school for the first time. Auggie (who happens to share my birth date) was born with severe facial deformities. Which resulted in his parents' decision to home school him. Once he reached fifth grade, they decided it was time for him to be around other people. So they started him at a nearby private school (less kids around to be shocked by his face). Auggie quickly makes some new friends. Or so he thinks. This story is told from multiple points of view- Auggie, his older sister Olivia, his friend Summer, his friend Jack, Olivia's boyfriend Justin and Olivia's friend Miranda. Each of them views Auggie's "facial abnormalities" differently. And each of them realizes that those abnormalities define all of them, not just Auggie. I bought this book in the kid's section of Books-A-Million. But it was so much more than just a kids' book. It was truly a wonderful story. And it makes you think about who people are, not what they appear to be. Looking beyond looks to who a person truly is. I recommend it to anyone with kids!
Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman (299 pages). I bought this book for one reason - I am obsessed with the Netflix series! No really, season 2 can't get here fast enough! There was a part of me that was a little worried about ruining the show for myself. But not to worry- they aren't really a lot alike. The names of some of the women aren't even the same. And let's face facts- we all know she's only serving one year in prison. Spoiler alert- she gets released! Some of the things that I like so much about the show (Pennsatucky being a crazy Christian, Alex being in the same prison) weren't true in the book. Neither was the timeline of the crime to the arrest. But guess what- I didn't care! I still really liked the book. The characters were just as intriguing (even though you don't get to know them quite as well as the show). I just found Piper, the main character, quite fascinating. A rich white girl thrown into a world that most people don't even understand. And she understood that she put herself there, with her bad decisions. So it was up to her to make the best of the situation.
And that was it for this month. 612 measly pages of reading. I hang my head in shame.....
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