J.K. Rowling - "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"

     Well, here we are on the dawn of a new year, the year 2011.  I hope you have had the opportunity to read some wonderful books, as well as to enjoy some of the finer things in life, such as loved ones, good food, and of course, coffee! 

     Mr. Potter has done it again, he's managed to break almost every rule in the book, and not get expelled from Hogwarts for yet another year!  Harry, Hermione, Ron, the usual cast of characters, as well as some new characters appear in book three to grace us with the latest enthralling episode of the life of Harry Potter. 

     Once again, we see poor Harry's miserable life with the Dursleys while he waits for the next term at Hogwarts to begin.  Harry accidentally causes his awful aunt Marge to blow up like a balloon after she continually taunts him throughout her visit.  Needless to say, this does not go over very well with Harry's guardians!  Harry decides that anywhere is better than staying there, so he grabs his trunk and heads off on foot.  As Harry is angrily running away, he senses that he's being watched, and he is...  Harry finds himself being observed by a very large black dog; as he backs away and stumbles; suddenly the Knight Bus appears just in the nick of time to whisk him away to the Leaky Cauldron. 

     Once Harry finds himself back among wizarding folk, he discovers that Sirius Black, the man apparently responsible for the death of his parents, has escaped from azkaban and is now after Harry to kill him too.  Because Siriuis is on the loose, azkaban prison has sent Dementors (scary, azkaban guards that literally suck the happiness out of you) to stand watch over Hogwarts.  It is discovered that these terrible creatures have a unique effect on little Harry.  Also, new to the Hogwarts scene is professor Remus Lupin, the newest Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor.  He proves to be a wonderful ally to Harry throughout the tale. 

     As the year progresses full of homework, classes, Quiddich matches, and all sorts of mischief, Harry finds himself haunted by the Dementors, the Grim (an omen of death that appears as a large black canine),  as well as the threat of Mr. Black's dark desire to kill him.  Throw in a magical Marauder's Map that shows all of the secret passages in and out of Hogwarts as well as where everyone is in the castle, and I would hazard to say that you have a fairly exciting and entertaining premise for a story!  Once again, Ms. Rowling whisks her readers away to a universe where the "norm" is far from normal and where natural laws only apply sometimes.

 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) (Hardcover) 
      As was true of the previous Harry Potter book, this one too is a little darker than its predecessor.  It really is true that this series "grows along with it's readers."  I think Ms. Rowling has done a great job of weaving a tale that always has you on your toes or the edge of your seat, depending on whether you are standing or sitting...  There is always a way around a situation, a possibility to make things happen that isn't possible in the muggle world, an animal that is completely unknown to the natural world, and so many "otherworldly" objects and actions.  I can see why she's a bestseller!

I hope you have a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!

Jeffrey Eugenides - "Middlesex"

     I hope the Holidays are treating everyone well!  I know that some of the time off has afforded me some time to plow through a few extra books :)  Always a bonus!

     I have been working on "Middlesex" now for a couple of weeks.  Overall I generally have mixed feelings about the book, but I did enjoy reading it once I was about a third of the way through.  I was kind of on the fence both about the style of writing as well as the content, though, as I neared the end, I think I can admit that both had grown on me over the course of the 500+ pages.  I'm not a HUGE fan of the book, but it definitely met my criteria of, "I need something 'different' to read right now...hmmm?"

     Although this is the story about Calliope Stephanides, a Greek-American girl born in Detroit in 1960, it is also the story of the two generations before her and their unique journeys.  The book is a narrative by Cal, a forty-one-year-old man living in Europe and working for the US government as an ambassador.  He wants to tell his story and decides to start beond the beginning.  After he introduces himself, he launches into his entangled family history opening with his grandparents Lefty and Desdimonda Stephanides and their tiny little town in Greece at the turn of the century.  It tells of their hardship there, and their harried and necessary emigration to Detroit in the early 1920's.

     Upon arriving in Detroit, Lefty and Desdemona live with cousin Sourmalina and her bootlegging husband.  Through many twists, turns, and various other situations, they raise two children Zoe and Milton.  Milton grows up to serve in the US military through WWII, start a family (including Callie), fall in love with Cadillac cars, and start a restaurant empire (Hercules Hot Dog stands).

           by Jeffrey Eugenides (Author)Middlesex: A Novel (Paperback)

     Now we finally arrive at Calliope's turn to be the star.  She grows up as a normal girl who loves her family, has excellent grades, is annoyed by her older brother, and is just trying to survive junior high.  Aside from being a bit of a "late bloomer" everything seems to be normal.  After realizing that she may be a little different than the other girls, she becomes a bit of a loner, but is unwilling to believe that anything is wrong.  Only after an accident that lands her in the hospital is her secret revealed.  Although at birth she appeared to be a normal little girl, puberty launched a few changes that revealed another truth entirely.

     The last few chapters detail how Cal (formerly Callie) began to cope with this new reality.  As he details his first few tragic months of learning to live as a male, you get a glimpse of the darker side of San Francisco in the 1970's as well.  All throughout the book, there are brief interjections that update you of his current life as he tells you of his past.

     Again, all in all, I think it was an ok book, but it took a little "try" to get through the first third or so of the story.  From the get-go, I had a hard time with the vast amount of detail in which Mr. Eugenides described every bit of the story; towards the end, I had accepted this fact of his particular writing style.  He has a truly unique way of using words to bring images to the readers' minds; it's quite poetic.  You also have to give him kudos for writing an entire epic novel from the perspective of a hermaphrodite.  That had to be quite an undertaking! 

     I did really enjoy "experiencing" what it was like to live through a lot of the different historical happenings that these characters went through.  I know it's a work of fiction, but the author did an outstanding job of really making you feel like you were right there in the story.  (I guess all of those details did indeed serve a purpose???)  There were certainly some very tragic elements to the story, as well as some parts that were hard to read due to the nature of the unusual content, but Mr. Eugenides handles a lot of these issues with a measure of poetic vernacular (as opposed to solely literal and graphic terminology).

     This work sated my need for something, "off the beaten path" for sure, but I'm not certain if it's something that I would wholeheartedly push someone to read.  I leave you to decide...

     Happy Holidays to one and all!

J.K. Rowling - "Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets"

               Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)

   What to do, what to do, It's my first day off in 11 days????  Laundry, ironing, exercise, organize the recipe drawer, continue to unpack from the move, make the bed, or read Harry Potter for 4 1/2 hours.  I'll let you guess.  I read the last 2/3 of the book curled up on my couch on my day off with the gingerbread latte that was a sweet surprise from Hubby.  Is there anything more perfect, I ask?  Not in my world...

     I usually try to avoid reading two books from the same series too close together in order to avoid what I call, "Runover."  You know it, where the end of the previous book "runs over" the beginning of the next book, and you can't recall what happened in which book.  I experienced this throughout the Twilight series, and have tried to space my series books out a little since then.  Maybe what I should be doing instead is to work on my reading comprehension / retention instead?

     So, this book picks up with poor Harry right back at the dreadful Dursley's house, basically a prisoner, he's mighty discouraged as he's not heard a peep out of his friends from Hogwarts.  The next thing you know, Dobby the pitiful house elf appears in his room and warns Harry not to return to Hogwarts because danger awaits him.  After an eventful evening with Dobby, Harry finds himself in a flying car accompanied by the infamous Weasley twins and his best friend Ron who've come to rescue him from the Dursleys.  Through a fascinating series of events, Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to Hogwarts, and yet again find themselves smack-dab in the middle of yet another mysterious scenario.  People (and animals) are becoming petrified by a dark magic that is very powerful.  Once people find out that Harry is a Parselmouth (has the ability to speak "snake") they naturally suspect him of these mysterious happenings.

     Another year at Hogwarts unfolds as Ron, Harry, Hermione, and the usual cast of characters try to discover who is behind the petrification epidemic, as well as clear Harry's name in the process.  After a few twists, turns, and other plot line happenings, the case is solved, and the trio of amigos is headed home to enjoy their summer break before returning as third year students.

     I've only read the first two in the series, and I'm already catching a glimpse of the "grows with it's readers" phenomenon.  This episode was written to a slightly older audience than was the previous.  What I mean to say is that the vocabulary was a little more broad, the plot was a little "twistier" and the experiences that the characters go through would appeal to someone on the cusp of "junior high" and still not be too far above a ten-year-old kiddo.   (For example, Hermione and the other Hogwarts girlies hint at a crush on Gilderoy Lockheart, the "celebrity heartthrob" of the wizard community.) This book was ever so slightly "darker" than the last, I think mainly due to the broaching of the subject of "possession" of a person's actions by Voldemort.  There was some of it displayed in "The Sorcerer's Stone," but this story seems to exemplify it in a more concrete way.

     I must say that Ms. Rowling certainly knows what she's doing to sell 325 million books!  Just as in the last book, the plot is full of mystery, adventure, and the unusual.  Her characters are both eccentric and quaint, and the "universe" that she has imagined and set her story in, is enthralling to say the least.  I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

     Cheers to you, and yours! 

Willingham, Medina, Leialoha, Hamilton - "Fables: Legends in Exile"

     I was telling one of the guys that I work with about me reading my very first comic (Artemis Fowl) a few weeks ago, and he immediately told me about the  "Fables"comic series.  The whole series is based upon all of the fairy tale characters that we grew up with, but with the twist that their adventures are set in a modern day urban setting rather than the typical, "far far away" or "long long ago" scenario.

     I thought it was so clever that when each of the fabled characters was introduced, they had their own unique (and usually corresponding) character in the "mundane" world.  For instance, Old King Cole was the mayor of "fable town" and Bigby Wolf was the investigating detective throughout the mystery that serves as the center of this story.  Overall it's just terribly witty and clever!

                              Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile
  
     The story opens with a murder scene, presumably the murder of Princess Rose Red, sister of Snow White.  Jack, of beanstalk fame, rushes in to alert Bigby of the terrific tragedy.  Detective Wolf begins his investigation of the crime, and in the process of, encounters many of our favorite story-book characters such as: Blackbeard, Cinderella, The Frog Prince, and Prince Charming.  Quite a few other legendary characters make brief cameos throughout the story as well.  Not only are Bigby and Snow (the Director of Operations of Fabletown) investigating suspects to solve the murder, but Princess White is trying at the last minute to pull together the annual "Rememberance Day" celebration.  As in most fairy tales, modern or not, everything finds itself working out to a "Happily ever after"... almost.  "Why almost?" you ask, well you'll just have to read it for yourself to discover the answer to that one. 

     That was a nice little break from real life, now, back to reality.... *sigh*

J.K. Rowling - "Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone"

.     I've finally succumbed to the Harry Potter craze.  Yes, I DO realize I'm like a whole decade behind, but I like to take my time about things.  You know, let other people test out the waters first, and it seems that this is a series I'll be working my way through as well!

     I've obviously not read the whole series, but I've been told that it's a series designed to "grow with it's readers."  The tale begins with ten-year-old Harry living a miserable life with his aunt, uncle, and awful cousin believing that his parents had been killed in a car crash when he was a tiny baby.  This same crash is where his lightning bolt shaped scar is supposed to have originated as well.  On the eve of his eleventh birthday he receives a letter in the mail addressed to him.  This has never happened before!  His aunt and uncle destroy it because they know it contains things that point to Harry's past, and they are of the belief that the past is best left in the past.  It's through this that Harry's true nature as well as pieces of his past are revealed to him.                                                                               Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)


     Harry is in fact the son of a witch and a wizard and is, in fact, a wizard himself!  The letter that he receives in the beginning of the story is his acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where his parents met and where, unbeknownst to young Mr. Potter, his name is famous as being the first person to survive an attempted murder by Voldemort.  Through a long, eventful, and magical adventure, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his newfound friends Ron and Hermoine.

     Throughout the course of the story Harry, Ron, and Hermione find themselves entangled in a plot to prevent the heist of the very powerful sorcerer's stone by one of the Hogwart's professors.  As the trio works towards their end, they discover that it takes the skills and strengths that each of the three possesses in order to protect the precious stone from falling into the wrong hands.
                                                                      
     The story is cleverly written and highly entertaining to readers of all ages (I'm rapidly nearing the big three-oh...It doesn't look so scary when it's spelled out in letters rather than numbers).  I love how Ms. Rowling has truly created an entire world of her own down to the smallest detail.  She writes in a way that is easily understandable to her "intended audience," but is not so easy that it's beneath it's older readers.  Every time I opened the book, I was (as cliche' as it is...) whisked off to a land far, far away.  I highly recommend it to readers of all ages!

      Now I just need a few weeks of undisturbed reading to get through the rest of the series.

Francine Rivers - "Her Daughter's Dream"

Her Daughter's Dream (Marta's Legacy)

     I've said it before, and I will say it again, and again, and again, and well, you get the point... I LOVE FRANCINE RIVERS' BOOKS!!!  She writes stories with "real life grit," with spiritual truths embedded, with pictures of extravagant love, and with a poignancy that is truly nothing short of a gift.  I was up till almost 3 a.m. finishing this one, because I simply could NOT put it down! 
 
     The story picks right up where the previous book left off.  Hildemara Rose's daughter Carolyn is a small child in the early 1950's who is being raised mostly by Marta, her "Oma" due to Hildie's health problems and hectic work schedule.  This causes a lot of resentment on Hildie's part because it feels like Marta's taking over.  Through the 50's, Carolyn grows up with loving her Oma dearly, while misunderstanding her own mother's feelings and desires.Carolyn graduates high school, and is off to UC Berkley in the mid 1960's.  

     It's at this point in the book where Carolyn experiences a great loss in her life and throws herself headlong into the turbulent Haight-Ashbury drug-leaden counter-culture hippy movement.  She experiences all manners of things from life in a communal house, the summer of love, the loss of her best friend, to living life as a starving homeless woman in golden gate park.  It is during her last few desperate days as a homeless woman, that she has an encounter with Jesus Christ, and her life is truly touched.  Through a series of events (that you will have to discover on your own as you consume this book...) Carolyn ends up back in her parents' home, pregnant with her daughter.

     May Flower Dawn is born in the early 1970's and is primarily raised by Hildemara.  (Just as Carolyn was raised by Marta.)  Throughout high school, Dawn lives the life of a church-going-Christian, but through her relationship with her first love, Jason she comes to the realization that her relationship with Christ is only skin-deep.  Throughout her college years, Dawn delves into knowing God wholeheartedly.  After spending her whole lifetime being pulled from both sides by the two women she loves most, (as well as growing us with a misconception of her own mother's sentiments towards her) and experiencing her own life struggles, Dawn seeks to act as a bridge between Carolyn and Hildie and their tempestuous relationship.     

      There are so many different story lines and plot points throughout this two-book series, it kinda' makes my head spin, but each different story is so well thought out, delicately told, and not to mention, is beautifully woven throughout the fabric of the whole story, it's worth the read.  Undoubtedly!  Just as in the first book, the delicate subject of the mother-daughter relationship is depicted in a difficult-to-read way.  It's hard, as the reader, to know just how each character really feels, but to see them all misconstrue and misinterpret each others' responses and intentions toward one another.  I really like the way that Francine was able to use the actual history of the US as part of the context of the novel that helped to shape each of her characters in a very tangible way.  It would not have the same depth without it.  This saga is an amazing work of art that should be read by women everywhere! 


     I hope that you are not confused after reading this post!  I have to say that is was very difficult for me to not give the heavily layered and detailed story away and still put together a coherent review.  My suggestion...read the book for yourself! 


Awaiting the next Francine Rivers book with bated breath...
    

Eoin Colfer - "Artemis Fowl The Arctic Incident"

    Can I just admit that in my next life, I too want to be a super wealthy, brainiac in Ireland complete with unlimited resources, a connection to fairy-folk, and an live in a fantastical universe?  One can dream....  I think I liked this book even better than the first installment.  (It was a nice refresher to read the comic of the first book before I read this novel; it had been a while since I read the original "Artemis Fowl" novel.)

     In this book, Artemis discovers the whereabouts of his MIA father and in a roundabout way, enlists the help of the fairy LEPrecon unit that he bested in the last book.   Out of nowhere, Artemis receives word that his father is alive and being ransomed by the Russian mafiya.  About the same time, our underground characters discover human-made batteries are being smuggled in by goblins.  The LEP force needs to find out who the above ground source is, and why they are needed by the goblins.  After their previous encounter with Artemis and his entourage, the LEP reason that he is a primary suspect.  What ensues is an extremely creative and highly entertaining story of mutual mistrust as well as mutual need for one another's resources. 

     Mr. Colfer has a unique wit about his characters and his writing, and is incredibly creative in his story-line and settings.  He also does a great job of using his story to make a statement about how we as humans have lost some respect for the planet.  He shows it in the contrast between the underground fairy network and the above ground "mud men" territory.  It's always good to read an author that makes a positive statement through their work, without letting it get in the way of the story, and who also uses it to actually enhance the story itself. 

     Just like in the last book, there is an encoded message along the bottom of the pages for the reader to crack and discover.  Genius, really!  I believe the code is only a part of this particular book's first edition, or maybe it's only in the non-US release.  I'm not sure which, but I had to do a little research and find a Puffin published book from England.  Call me a nerd, I'm okay with that. 

Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident

     I hope you choose to join Artemis, Butler, Holly Short, and the rest of the gang for this enthralling episode.  Until next time, I bid you, "Adieu."

Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano, Paolo Lamanna - "Artemis Fowl, The Graphic Novel"

     I've just read my very first graphic novel.  I feel so "with it."  I'm in the midst of reading "The Arctic Incident," and it's been a while since I read the first book in this delightful series.  The details of the first novel were a bit fuzzy; I've slept since then....  I was chatting with my hubby in his office, and my eye was drawn to this book.  I know he has a small collection of graphic novels and comics, so I was pleasantly surprised to find one that appealed to me, and was extremely relevant to my current predicament of pre-senior moments and memory loss. 
                                                                                                                                                                  Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel

    It only took me about and hour or two to read through it, and I must say it was pretty good.  It was easy to follow; it rehashed the story perfectly (from what my feeble mind can recall), was imaginatively illustrated, and was very entertaining.  I guess that's what one looks for in a graphic novel???  At least that's what I look for...  I'm not much of a connoisseur, but what more could you want?  The story introduces, 12-year-old criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl.  He goal is to restore his family's VAST fortune by kid-napping and ransoming a fairy.  Genius!  (If only it were that easy...)  Mr. Colfer and friends do a wonderful job of constructing and bringing-to-life a quirky cast of characters and an entertaining plot. 

     Despite me liking the book so much, I don't know that I'll be continuing to read many comics/graphic novels.   The reason is the same one I have for not usually watching movies based on the books that I've read... I like to imagine the scenery, characters, actions, etc that are penned in books on my own.  Every person's mind constructs the mental images in their own way.  When books are illustrated or made into movies, it puts a defined "picture" of events, characters, scenery, etc into your mind.  Sometimes those images match up with your own, and sometimes they don't.  Either way, I prefer to enjoy my own little constructs rather than have them defined by another.  I just like the ambiguity, I think, but again, it's just my own opinion. 

     If you do decide to embark upon this pictorial adventure "down the rabbit hole" with Artemis and his crew, I hope you enjoy it!

Scarlett Thomas - "Going Out"

   What a unique premise for a book...  It SOUNDED interesting... Ok, I got conned!  I can admit that, I was suckered.  How, you ask?  My old roommate cleaned out her bookcase and handed over the goods.  She usually has amazing taste, so I accepted her offerings with gusto.  I have made my way through the box over the years and have generally enjoyed her taste in literature, but not so much this book.  I doubt she even finished reading it (which is probably why it was in the "give away box" now that I think about it.

     The book is primarily about Luke and Julie.  Luke is suffering from a very rare disease/allergy to sunlight that keeps him from being able to be exposed to any sunlight.  Julie is a mathematical genius, but is scared of everything from planes falling out of the sky and onto her to ingesting LSD that had been slipped into prepared foods by an angry food processing employee.  Her brilliant mind allows her to calculate probabilities for just about anything, and despite the low probabilities of some of these things happening to her, she is still afraid.  Sounds interesting right? (if in no other way than the "train wreck magnetism" of it all )

Going Out

     So long story short, Luke is basically trapped at home his entire life due to his illness with no real contact with the outside world with the exception of TV, books, Julie, and a limited number of friends from the neighborhood.  Julie is "trapped" in her own way as well, although it's more emotional/mental than physical.  To help balance the cast of characters out a little, there are quite a few "free spirits" thrown in for good measure, namely Charlotte; I love how they refer to her "type" as hippies throughout the book.   While in the end, Julie and Luke find freedom in one sense or another, it was not achieved in what I found to be a gratifying way.  What I mean by that, is that when Luke finally reaches the man claiming to heal his condition, it was merely an existential conversation that took place.  It may be that I'm just too dense to follow the conversation, or that I just didn't like it because it wasn't what I was expecting.  Who knows for sure??? 

     I do have to say, that although I didn't really enjoy the book, I was fascinated by how intelligent Julie was in regards to numbers, math, and mathematical theories.  That shows me that Ms. Thomas either knows something about math, or at least really knows how to write intelligently regarding math.  It was also interesting to see how she constructed a character who has no experience in the outside world other than basically TV.  It was a little extreme just how out of touch Luke was though.  For example, he got lost in an elevator and a stair well in a hotel, and truly had no grid for how they work or how to use them.  I find that a little bit of a strech, but then again, maybe that's actually how it would be if you never left your house. 

     Now... on to tackle something less existential and more Artemis Fowl, dum, da, dah, dum, DUM!!!!!

Rhoda Janzen - "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home"

     I came by this book in a very round-about-way.  Mom and I were on a "girls' trip" to see my sisters in Atlanta, Ga, and our flight home got delayed by something like four hours.  Mom had finished the book that she brought and needed a little something to help pass the time.  Off to the book stand we go...  I had seen this book a few other places but hadn't really given it much thought until I was trying to help Mom find a little light reading that would be "up here ally."  Here was my thought process: 1. Well she doesn't really like thrillers or some of the darker mysteries (rule out the Stieg Larsson trio)  2. Romance is a no-go (rule out 70% of the books in the store)  3. Politics/business/economics aren't exactly light reading or are not in any way relevant to the situation (rule out the other 28% of the store's selections)  4. "Mennonite" hmmmmm...didn't Mom take us to visit a Mennonite community when we were kids???  They make great soap and DELICIOUS ice cream.  (Ahhh hah!  This seems like something she'd like)

     I have very little exposure to the Mennonite people, but probably more than your "average Joan;"  it was really an interesting look not only into the lifestyle that Rhoda Janzen grew up in, but also delightful insights into her own family.  She experiences a few major life-crises' (ie. Her husband leaves her for a man he met on gay.com), and she elects to move home for a while to regroup.  The memoir came about because during her time at home, she kept all of her friends up to date with some quaint anecdotes about her family and their unique culture.  Her friends were intrigued and suggested she put together a memoir.  I'm glad she did...

     Ms. Janzen talks about her life growing up as part of the Mennonite culture.  I loved the chapter about "shame-based-foods."  She tells of being "that kid" who opens her lunch bag to a thermos full of delicious, but odorous Borscht.  There is nothing like already dressing differently than your whole school, but also having the "smelly lunch."  I love the way she talks about her perky, peppy, ultra-honest-to-a-fault mother.  The same mom who despite the heightened sense of modesty, has no problem examining a rash on the undercarriage of her future daughter-in-law just as they've met for the first time.  You have to love the irony there. 
   
     I experienced smirks aplenty as well as more than one belly laugh whilst immersing myself in this literary delight.  I love her honest, tongue-in-cheek wit and sense of humor, and the fact that she can look back at her roots and see the pro and cons of her childhood lifestyle.  The author is no longer an "active" member of the community; as soon as she was able, she high-tailed it into the life of academia and never looked back.  I do have to say that it was I little disappointed in the fact that she very blatantly slams some of the spiritual beliefs that are held so dearly by her family.  While I do understand that different people have different belief systems, I also think that maybe she should show a little more flexibility on the matter.  She fled the lifestyle and belief system in search of "freedom" so, following that same logic, shouldn't she allow freedom to her still-practicing family.  It's clear that, despite the differences in her spiritual beliefs and her family's, there is a lot of love between them all. 

     I found the book to be a good mix of hilarity, eccentricity, as well as some sadder moments.  I think it's a great thing that she included all these different aspects because that's exactly how life is; it's a mixture of both the up's and down's.  Also, as a side note, keep your dictionary handy throughout your reading.  Her vocabulary is EXTENSIVE; she is an English professor and all.

Seriously, if you get a chance, check out the ice cream...

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home

Francine Rivers - "Her Mother's Hope"

     Well, well, well, she's done it again!  Francine has crafted yet another entrancing novel that is impossible to tear your eyes away from.  This is the first in a two novel series; the second book is titled "Her Daughter's Dream."  I can't WAIT to read the conclusion to this story! 

Her Mother's Hope (Marta's Legacy)

     Francine has eloquently tackled the delicate intricacies of the mother-daughter relationship in this novel.  This story is set in the late 1800's through the 1950's beginning with Marta's early life in Switzerland and following her relationship with her family, namely, her mother.  She's a very driven woman who grows up to make a very full life for herself.  Part of Marta's journey includes marrying and raising four children, a son and three daughters.  Just like any family, each child has their own personalities and gifts, but the real heart of the story is the relationship between Marta and her eldest daughter, Hildemara Rose. 

     Hildemara is a very different person than Mara both by nature as well as by nurture, (as you will see in the book, because you should read it!) and this causes a lot of tension between these two main characters.  I don't want to give the story away, because I would love for you to read it and enjoy it as I have. 

     I do have to say this book was a little hard to read due to the fact that Francine does a marvelous job of creating a necessary tension between her characters.  There is a lot of strain that weighs on the relationship between Hildemara and Marta; it has a lot to do with what each of them doesn't know about the other.  As the reader, you know each character's background, motivations, and though processes, but the characters are not communicating that to each other thus creating another level of tension woven into the fabric of the novel. 

     Sorry for the long gap between entries, but we moved two times in the past month, and that doesn't really allow much time for reading, but I will start the conclusion to "Her Mother's Hope" SOON!

     I recommend a good book, a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, and a super comfy chair to help soothe all of your "fall"-in-Texas allergy symptoms.

Anna Godberson - "Splendor"

     I think "Didn't see THAT coming..." is a more appropriate title for this too-hot-to-handle novel.  Once again Ms. Godberson delivers yet another dose of 350+ pages filled with glamorous girls, scandalous secrets, and gobs of expendable cash.  This book is another snapshot of pretty young girls living life at the pinnacle of high society with too much money, too much time, too many dirty little secrets, and entirely too many opportunities to twist a plot.  Kinda' makes me wish I was an upper echelon debutante then and there and with that much money.

     This is that last of the four-book series and the author does a great job of wrapping up each of the story lines.  She doesn't necessarily end the various plots in ways that one would expect either.  That was very refreshing, especially since it falls under the "young adult" genre.  The writing style remains the same throughout the series, and this book is no exception.  Each chapter begins with a few sentences that give you a veiled preview of the chapter to come, and each chapter is usually about a different thread in the plot line tapestry which keeps the pages turning.  You never know what is coming in this series.  One of the things I really liked about the novel is that the characters all pretty much "got what was coming to them," meaning that all "had to face the music," or "reap what they sowed."  Ok, enough with the cliches!  They all had to live with the consequences of their actions.  I LOVE IT!  It's a novel idea (pun totally intended) in the teen fiction genre.  Yes, it's a fairy tale, and a lovely one at that, but it isn't so out of touch with reality that the totally unrealistic occurs. 
Splendor: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe)

     The book is a great way to expand your vocabulary, especially in relation to textiles, colors, and French decor.  The style allows for easy reading, but it's not brainless reading.  I almost tangibly felt the grandeur of some of the fancy parties the diva-like debutants attended in the plush mansions and hotels of that era (and socio-economic status) as well as the floods of emotions that these characters experience throughout the book.  I love the sensation of closing my book and letting the realization hit me that, "Wow, I was here the whole time, not actually tippling expensive champagne or dancing with Henry, Teddy, or the Prince of Bavaria in my magnificent gown!"  I'd say the author does an outstanding job when that's your experience...

     I think the series as a whole was entertaining, especially this last edition.  I discovered that Anna Godberson has begun work on a new series "Bright Young Things" which seems similar in nature, but is set in the roaring 20's as opposed to the turn of the century.  I don't foresee myself delving into the next series soon (if ever).  I just have too many other literary delights on my plate, awaiting my consumption before I start the next "teen queen" series.  (I don't mean that in any way derogatorily, it's just my opinion on the matter.) 


Until we meet again: eat, read, and be merry!

Francine Rivers - "Unspoken"

     I love Francine Rivers' writing so much!  She is probably my very favorite author of all time, but that's really hard to say so, just to keep from losing sleep over it, I'll rank her in the "Top 3" for now.  I actually got to "meet" her at a Barnes & Noble book-signing this past May.  As embarrassing as it is, I was totally star-struck.  For being such a verbose person, it was very unsettling to not be able to utter a single cohesive sentence.  Hubby to the rescue!  Yes, I did drag my dear sweet, tolerant husband to a Francine Rivers signing.  There were about 200 women, and about 6 very patient men in attendance. 

     When my turn came to put my newly purchased copy of  "Her Mother's Hope" (soon to be read!) on the table, I could not make my brain send words to my mouth.  I just kept thinking, "Oh my goodness, it's REALLY her.  The woman who actually writes down the words to the books that I can't put down!"  I put my copy of "Redeeming Love" down as well, hoping against hope that the B&N event Nazi wouldn't publicly harass me for not obeying orders to only bring the pertinent book to the "Her Mother's Hope" signing.  I was so hoping she'd sign my copy of "Redeeming Love" because that book changed my life.  I have owned about 6 or 7 copies of it throughout the years because I keep lending it out.  All of the people I lend it to end up asking me if I mind if their friend so-and-so reads it.  I answer "Sure! as long as they pass it on as well."  Needless to say, this copy will not get lent out!  Mrs. Rivers did sign both books and even included a scripture reference in each book. 
    
     As I was standing there dumbfounded, my always apropos Hubby strikes up a conversation asking her what her advice to aspiring writers was, and even made the comment, "I hear you like gardening.  I want to start a garden too."  (I had just finished "Leota's Garden" and had told Hubby my little "back of the book trivia" for the day, that she not only writes, but also has a garden.)  She said, "Never give up."  He offered up his little writer's notepad that LIVES in his back pocket for her to sign as well.  A very elegant, gracious, Godly, and ingenious woman!

   Now... on to the good stuff.                                                                              Unspoken: Bathsheba (The Lineage of Grace Series #4)

     "Unspoken" is the novella Mrs. Rivers wrote about Bathsheba, one of the five women mentioned in Matthew's account of the lineage of Christ.  She was the wife of Uriah, one of David's trusted mighty men, and was very beautiful.  David saw her bathing one day, and decided that she should be brought to his personal chambers for some illicit quality time.  They ended up having an affair that produced a son.  In an attempt to cover up their sin, David ends up having Uriah killed.  Double whammy! 

     What is so beautiful about this story is how, despite some very grievous sins (aren't they all?!), God still called David, "A man after God's own heart," and He still honored Bathsheba by giving her a place in the bloodline of Jesus Christ himself.  This is obviously a work of fiction, but it is hemmed in prayer and stems from a heart that desires to please God and honor His Word.  She says from the get-go that there is artistic license taken throughout the work, as there almost has to be in order to round out the story.

     This work does an outstanding job of showing the mercy and grace that God freely extends to us despite our most despicable and deplorable behaviors.  King David fornicated, murdered, tried to bring an honest man into sin to cover his sin, and STILL God calls him a "Man after God's own heart."  Amazing!  As always, Francine Rivers captures your imagination and heart from the beginning of the story, and gives you a vehicle by which to feel as though you are a part of the story.  History comes alive.  I felt my heart race a little when David summons Bathsheba to his room and woos her.  I felt guilt and shame right along with the characters, as well as joy when God blesses them despite it all.  Don't get it wrong, there are still some pretty hairy consequences for their actions that they must face, but that's the nature of the beast, I think.

     It's so easy to empathize with these characters when the writing is so wonderful.  When I finish one of her books, I am always inspired me to want to live my life for God in a more passionate way than before I had read the book.  God has gifted Mrs. Rivers in an awesome way, and I for one am thankful for it.

     And now, for something completely different...

Randy Alcorn - "Lord Foulgrin's Letters"

     Ok, so I admit, I bought this book not, because of a desire to grow my spiritual life, but merely because I shared his last name for 26 years of my life.  For all of 30 seconds, I felt famous.  Shallow?  Maybe, but it was still worth reading...

Lord Foulgrin's Letters

     This book was written in the same vein as C.S. Lewis's, "Screwtape Letters," which I do own, and DO intend to read; I've just not quite gotten there yet.  This is the story of Jordan Fletcher and his family.  Each everyday vignette is followed by a letter from Lord Foulgrin to his subordinate Squaltaint instructing him to destroy, confuse, deceive, and distract Jordan and his family at every opportunity.  Squaltaint is specifically assigned to Jordan to keep him from learning the truth about God, to distract Mr. Fletcher from doing anything that would honor the Lord, as well as to do anything to destroy "the maggot-feeder" in all areas of life.

     The author writes in the Afterward that he has spent much time in prayer and Biblical study regarding fallen angels, their abilities, their motivations, as well as their realm.  He also   As with anything in the spiritual realm, it's hard to translate it into words.  As Mr. Alcorn states, he does his absolute best to present his work truthfully, but he is human and thus prone to error, so don't take this work of fiction as truth.  He also quotes G.C. Berkouwer saying, "There can be no sound theology without a sound demonology."  I think there is something to that; one must understand their enemy in order to oppose him. 

     I think that while this isn't totally an original idea for a book, it is very creative.  I personally had a little bit of a hard time with some of the book, not too much with the content, but with his style of writing.  It was a little cliche' for my taste.  There were a very few ideas/statements that I thought were a little on the "overly conservative" side of the spectrum, but there's nothing wrong with that at all, it's merely my humble opinion of things.  Overall I think it's worth reading just to give you a different perspective on the battle in which we are entrenched, but from which we will one day emerge victoriously. 

     Amen and let it be so!

       

   

Flavia Bujor - "The Prophecy of the Stones"

The Prophecy of the Stones: A Novel


     Flavia Bujor is a young french writer who had this book published by the age of fifteen.  I've never had anything published with the exception of this "self-published" blog and an essay or two (if you call Mom's refrigerator "published").  So I may be a really awful, hypocritical human for saying this, but this book is terribly overrated!  I literally had to force myself to finish it so I would be able to: 1. say that I finished it, and 2. give my readership a review on the entirety of the book.

     I would be horrendously wrong to not give her credit for writing a very creative story, and have it published all before she even finished high school.  I give her "mad props" for that.  This is a story with two main plot lines, and a very few subplot lines.  Story one is about three, fourteen-year-old girls named Jade, Opal, and Amber.  It's set in what appears to be medieval Europe, but resembles something more like "Middle Earth" replete with Tolkien-esque creatures.  Story two is about another fourteen-year-old girl nicknamed "Joa" (Jade, Opal, Amber - a creative acronym if you ask me) who lives in modern day Paris and is dying of a horrible sickness.  She has dreams of another world which is the one where Jade, Opal, and Amber reside.

     The three girls are given three stones on the occasion of their fourteenth birthdays and find that when they all hold their stones, close their eyes, and think about the same thing, stuff happens.  I enjoy some fantasy fiction, for sure, but this particular one is not my cup of espresso.  The reason being that the characters were underdeveloped as were their dialogue and motivations for taking the actions they did, the story was lacking sufficient descriptions leaving giant plot holes everywhere, and there was no real conclusion.  Ms. Bujor made an excellent attempt at trying to build a complex set of story lines, but didn't quite pull it off,  nor did she really tie the ones she had going together very will.  As I said before, I'm impressed that it was written by so young an author, but I think it could have really been a lot better with some editorial guidance.  Better luck next book, Missy!

     My advice to survive the summer, stay inside and read!  It works, I promise...

    

  

Mark Haddon - "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"

     So, how does one describe "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"?  I would start with: curious, intelligent, heart-warming, creative, eccentric, and just down-right greatness!  Mr. Haddon has crafted an exquisite work that definitely keeps you on your mind on it's toes and your heart on a rollercoaster.

     It is the story of 15 year-old Christopher, who is quirky to say the very least.  The story begins during one of his late-night wandering spells, Christopher discovers that his neighbor's dog, Wellington, was murdered.  Christopher loves animals; he feels like he relates to them better than he does to humans.  He determined to become a detective, in the same vein as the great Sherlock Holmes and discover who killed Wellington.  Christopher's mother passed away a few years previous, and he lives with his father in a small English town; he goes to his school, likes the color red, hates the color yellow, and wants to sit for his A level maths test (something like AP math here in the States).  He worms his way into your heart through his tale.  It's true!

     Although the story is written as Christopher's book about being a logical and observant detective, it also includes a look at his everyday life.  In some ways he's very organized and methodical, and in other ways, he's total chaos.  For instance, as a child he made a timetable for his toy train set to follow, but he totally flies off the handle if someone touches him.  I cannot emphasize enough just how much this character not only LEAPT off of the pages, but also how much I want to hug him.  (No, I've not TOTALLY lost my marbles, I'm just lacking in the creativity department today.  Not enough coffee, I suppose...

     I read in Mr. Haddon's bio that earlier in his life, he had spent some time working with autistic children.  It really shows through in this book that he understands them.  Because it's a narrative, you really get a glimpse of what it must be like inside one of those kids' heads.  I realize it's a work of fiction, but it is still really neat to read.

     I seriously cannot think of one negative thing about the book! I did have some difficulty in understanding a few of the English terms like, A level maths, but that is no fault of the author. I realize it's not a lot of fun to read a review with nothing in the "Cons" column, but I really really really enjoyed it and have been recommending it to all of my friends.

Please, taste and enjoy!

                   The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Janet Evanovich - "Twelve Sharp"

     I'm currently struggling to decide if I want to continue feasting on my Stephanie Plum novels, or if I want to stop completely.  My rationale being that I've just flown through number twelve and, as of yet, there are only sixteen Plum delights on which to sustain my voracious appetite for clumsy women, sexy law enforcement agents, doughnuts, psychotic kidnappers, and the other random chaos in which hilarity ensues.  (That one's for you, Rum Fitts.)

     As always, our heroin, Stephanie is dropped smack-dab (I have no idea where that phrase came from, but it seemed appropriate in this context...) into the center of a crazy man's scheme, a too tight pair of leather pants, an adult store mishap, a bar brawl, and the newly renovated Stiva's funeral home.  In this episode, Ranger is accused of kidnapping his daughter, Julie.  Did he do it?  Did his dark side finally get the better of him?  I'll let you find out in this scintillating story of Stephanie Plum at her best.  I do have to say I was a little disappointed that she managed to own only one vehicle throughout the entire book; she didn't even sustain ANY too permanent damage to it.  Strange, right?  

Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum, No. 12)  

     Stephanie is definitely "sharp" in this story; she manages to keep her wits about her in the midst of all the craziness that is "The Burg" and the Plum family.  I think the highlight of this work is not only the ongoing tension between Steph, Joe, and Ranger (Yum! *lip lick*) , but also Grandma Mazur and Lula's stint in "The What" band.  I'll let you get an idea of what that may look like to you, and then I'll recommend that you read the book and totally obliterate your own picture with something more asinine that only Mrs. E could conjure.  
     Things between Stephanie and Morelli heat up right at the end, but I don't want to spoil a great thing for you.  I'll keep this review short and sweet simply because I'm afraid I'll spill the beans...

     Until then...

Stephenie Meyer - "The Host"

     Boy, does this girl know how to write a love triangle or what!?!?  I read all of the Twilight books, and have to admit that it was the kind of reading that goes something like: "One more chapter," and the next time you look up and it's 4 a.m., and you wonder how that happened and how you're going to peel yourself out of bed in a few hours, all the while debating if it's worth it to even TRY and sleep because you will be tired no matter what at this point, and if you forgo the iota of sleep you may or may not get you will probably be able to finish the book completely which would give you an excuse to go to the used book store and buy the next one, hoping you don't run into anyone you know as you fiend for the next little bit of the story...
WHAT?!?!?! It's not like it was that way for ME?!?!  It was merely a hypothetical situation.  (or was it? - you decide...) 

     I didn't feel the need to utterly devour The Host the way I did the Twilight series, but it's still worth the read.  Stephenie says this is her first novel for adults, but honestly, it's not too far off the "teen scene."  There is a little less "high school" going on, and a few more in-depth themes woven throughout the work.  It's a beautiful blend of the sci-fi and romance/adventure genres.  I'm not a huge sci-fi reader, but despite the alien invasion premise, the story is very easy to relate to.  It's set mostly in the desert of Arizona, and centers around a group of humans who have managed to not only survive the invasion, but also to escape detection.  Though it is a bit of a stretch to relate to hiding from aliens, it's not too much of a stretch to imagine yourself hiding yourself and your family from bad guys.  That seems plausible to me; I've never had to do that, thankfully, but I could imagine what it would be like.               The Host: A Novel

     Right off the bat Ms. Meyer does a stunning job of constructing a love story, as twisted and triangle-shaped as it may be.  It's not an original idea to write about "body snatching aliens," but it is a novel idea (pardon the pun) to make the body snatching alien "go native" and join humanity's side (at least as far as I know).  I like the how the love triangle is constructed and complicated by the fact that it's between three bodies, but four entities.  It will make you think!

     It was, I felt, a little redundant in some areas of the plot.  The plot definitely moves forward at a fairly paced jaunt, but it seems to linger a little in some seemingly random places.  I feel like the book could have been about a hundred pages shorter, but, hey, I didn't dream up the story.  I like all the inner monologue that takes place throughout the story.  There is a lot of it due to the fact that one of the main characters only exists inside another character's head/body.

     My recommendation is to read it for yourself.  I don't think it's in my top 10 or anything, but it's not all that bad.  It's an interesting idea for sure, and it really gives sci-fi another facet, that's usually missing (the love story...I don't want to be THAT girl, but I also don't really crave sci-fi in general.)  I feel like she's made science fiction a little more "female friendly."

     Let me know what you think!

Loraine Despres - "The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc"

     I had this book recommended to me by "Smokey," a very good friend of mine, and moved it up in my reading que to "next" while bumping my next Stephanie Meyer book down to "next next."  It took all of five whole days to read it cover to cover, and even re-read some of her witty little quips out loud to my dear sweet, patient hubby.

The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc: A Novel

     I was hooked at the beginning by it's vaguely similar qualities to "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood," a very special book to me for sentimental reasons.  It's reminiscent of my beloved Ya-Ya's in that it is set in a small town in Louisiana (near New Orleans) and takes place mostly during the early 1940's-1950's, and it is a story of a strong woman in a time when that was truly a novelty and even a threat.

     On a very un-Ya-Ya note, there are some ***VERY "ADULT" SCENES*** in this delicious and entertaining tale.  (It's wouldn't be a very "scandalous summer" without them, but be warned this gets graphic in spots and deals with some very mature issues!!!)  You've been warned...
 
     I like that Mrs. Despres deals with some very real and inflammatory issues of the time, such as desegregation, as well as some very provocative, age-old issues like adultery and murder.  I know, sounds pretty heavy for summer chick lit, but there's plenty of brainless fluff and cute wit to keep it light.

     I admit that reading this was a bit of an emotional roller coaster experience for me, ranging from embarrassment, horror, and frustration to pride and joy.  (Thank you, Mr. Stevie Ray for providing me just the right words I needed AND for such a classic song).  I think my favorite thing about this book is Sissy's own literary endeavor, The Southern Belle's Handbook.  Okay, it's not exactly something the character wrote, but it's an ongoing train of thought in her head, and it's pretty cute, though somewhat misguided and possibly even manipulative?

     This is the story of Sissy LeBlanc, wife, mother, fundraiser, hell raiser, and very charmingly unpredictable and outrageous "Southern Belle."  I use that term loosely, but it still fits, even if it's only in her mind.  The other main characters include Peewee (her husband), Parker (high school sweetheart), Borree (her father-in-law), and Clara (her cousin).  There is a rather large "supporting cast" that is typical of Smalltown, Deep South.  The character developement is a little lighter than I generally prefer but is still effective. 

     While there is levity, humor, happiness, and a few snicker-worthy moments, there are just as many, or more, terrifying, overwhelming, and downright aweful moments that comprise this twisted tale of tangled triangles of love (or at least lust).  She starts out as a pretty normal teenager, takes some twists and turns somewhere along the way, and things end up a little differently than she had originally planned.  (Can anyone else relate?)  Some of the scandalous, sticky situations she finds herself in are self-induced, some are out of her control, but regardless, she must deal with them, and take them on headfirst.  (Just as is necessary in real life sometimes)  It's interesting to see how she deals with each situation with gusto; all the while she continues to amend and update her handbook for living.  Even though I wanted to walk away at some exceptionally disheartening points, I could not tear myself away from the novel.  I couldn't wait to see what happened next!  
   
     I do recommend reading the book fully before making your assesment.  If you had asked me at the two-thirds mark what I thought of the book, I would have answered, "It stresses me out, and yet it still keeps me flying through the pages trying to find some resolution!"  Once the drama unfolds completely, it has unexpected resolutions, and makes for one heck of a conclusion.  Check it out if you're into a somewhat gritty (even smutty at some points) snapshot of scandalous Sissy at her best.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!!!!!


                                                                               

Charles Dickens - "A Tale of Two Cities"

     One memorial service, one and one - half months, three mini vacations, and one VERY LONG Brit. lit classic later, "The B!+@h is Back" - Sir Elton John  (I thought I'd stick with the British theme one second longer).

     The way this came about is mainly because I needed to soothe my conscience.  "How?" You ask.  Toward the end of my senior year of high school I was supposed to write a book report on this timeless classic.  I had a perfect GPA (no, seriously), a bad case of "Senioritis," and no desire to ACTUALLY read this book.  I know, it surprises me too.  I did, however, write a report worthy of a B+ based on the CliffsNotes version of it.  Sorry Mrs. Brown!  A full decade passed before I decided that it was time to make amends.

     It actually took FOREVER to read this book, partially because my brain hasn't had to digest Victorian English and it's extensive vocabulary for just under the ten year mark, and also because I've had an extremely full plate over the past month and a half.  I discovered that it's difficult to read classics when there is anything else going on in your life (music, work, cats, car sickness, etc) which is probably why I've never read it until now.

 A Tale of Two Cities

     That's right, I still have my mom's copy from 1962.  An interesting side note: Whoever worked for Scholastic Publishers the year that this edition went to print should lay off the drugs.  The reason being that one of the MAIN characters, Sydney Carton, has his name spelled as such.  If you read the summary on the back of this edition it's written Sidney Carton.  Hmm...  Now, enough about my personal life, and on with the show.

     When I first began the story it was like pulling teeth to read.  I didn't understand a lot of the language (or much of the history of the French Revolution, for that matter).  Lately I've mostly only consumed books that don't take much brain power to digest.  I have to admit, once I got through the first 364 (of 468) pages, I began to see where it was going, and to actually WANTED to finish it.  Sad, right?  Anyway, as I began to get a picture of what it was like to be there in Late 1700's France and England, according to Chuck, it started to make a little more sense.  I do own up to visiting http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/twocities/for some extra comprehension, and I actually made a 96% on their quiz too!

     I must admit, that despite all the difficulties, I really enjoyed the way Dickens weaves together this twisted and somewhat dark tale of kharma, altruism, and a love triangle set with the bloody French Revolution as it's backdrop.  I'm not saying that I am ready to jump into another classic right away, or that I like a book to take +/-  1-1/2 months to complete, but I am saying that I feel like I've made amends with my conscience and have the bragging rights to say that I've now read one of literature's greatest.

     The characters in this book were written in such a way as to represent a people group ("Jaques" the mender of roads), or to act as a full personification of a character trait (Lucie displaying ultimate gentility and compassion; Madame Defarge is a prime example of one who will stop at nothing to extract revenge whether it be deserved or otherwise).  Dickens even uses their names to help convey the depth or extent of their portrayal of a trait (Mr. Stryver strives for a better position in life).

     The plot is very well written to where the different plot lines and plot points are so delicately weaved into the story that when the end comes, it catches you off guard.  At least it did in my case.  I do have to say that I'm glad I finally read it, and enjoyed it (at least the end).  It was really hard to get through a lot of it because I had trouble seeing where it was leading me, however; in the end it was worth it.

     I hope you enjoyed my brief and fairly inarticulate opinion of one of literature's greats.  Please come back for my next episode right here at the same bat time on the same bat channel.

Until then, my friends Adieu...

Eoin Colfer - "Artemis Fowl"

     I know, I know, it's been a really long time since my last post.  Forgive me, it's also been a really really long time since I got to sit down and read much.  I did however like the first book in the "Artemis Fowl" series. 

     It's defiinitely written to a pre-teen - young teen audience, but it was really well written and there was plenty of action to keep you turning those pages.  Artemis Fowl is the youngest member of the very wealthy and notorious crime family.  This is a fanciful tale of how he is trying to find a way to restore his family's fortune and restore their "good" name.  He decides to rob leprecon of his pot of gold.  Sounds simple, right?  Not so much!  It involves blackmailing a fairy, evading a troll, kid napping an elf, and even stopping time, all in a day's work.

Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, Book 1)

     Mr. Colfer does a great job in instilling his work with creative touches everywhere.  The most notable is the hieroglyphic-type code that he has created.  It runs along the bottom of each page and is showcased on the cover.  He offers an extra challenge to the reader to crack it and get a sneak peak into the tale's future.  It was a lot of fun to decipher.  He is also very creative in the naming of his characters; it's very "punny."  I really enjoy subtle humor like that. 

      It was an entertaining, quick read that did not require too much thinking.  I heard they made a graphic novel out of this character and his series, but have not yet explored that particular avenue.  I do, however; look forward to the next book in the series.  You should check it out if you need a quick break from "heady" literature.  I am starting "A Tale of Two Cities" and thought Artemis Fowl would give me a nice "break" before delving into old school British classic literature. 

Enjoy your fat free, low carb, low calorie literature to the fullest!

Valerie Hurley - "St. Ursula's Girls Agains the Atomic Bomb"

     Soooo, I've not been reading as much this week due to the recent addition of a Blackberry to my life.  It took me SEVEN HOURS just to learn how to use the darn thing!  Ok, I know I'm slow, but give a girl a break, it's my first smart phone (that just so happens to be smarter than me.)


     Ok, on with the good stuff!  I just finished "St. Ursula's Girls Against the Atomic Bomb," a novel about a high school senior (for the second time), Raine Rassaby, and her guidance counselor Al.  Raine is a full-steam-ahead kind or Quixotic girl who is more concerned with ridding the world of evil in the form of atomic bombs than finishing high school.  I like Raine's quirky and "take charge" kind of personality, but could not for the life of me get into this book.            St. Ursula's Girls Against the Atomic Bomb

    The language as well as many of the references were pretty "high-brow" for my idea of how the book should be.  I understand it goes a long way in illustrating how intelligent and well informed Raine is, but I had a hard time getting a grasp on how wading through all of that enhanced the story.  Maybe, again, I'm just slow?

   
     Al Klepatar is her "one step behind" ally that is desperately trying to get her head out of the clouds and into the classroom, but to no avail.  He is involved with turmoil of his own when his wife of 14 years decides to bail.  Instead of forcing Raine to keep one foot on solid ground, he allows himself to get swept into her own little idealistic world.

     I guess it's the story of two wandering souls that meet up at just the right time to impact each other to the fullest, but the plot felt like it wasn't going anywhere fast.  I also didn't get much closure at the end of the book.  There was one pretty good surprise in the middle that became my second wind to get me to the end, but I won't ruin it for you.  Overall, I didn't really enjoy it, but I think there IS something to be said about how it is a beautiful thing when two people on opposite side of the spectrum find a way to meet in the middle and are better for it.

     Now that I have a grasp on the workings of my "smarter than me" phone, I'll be able to plow on through the next one in the stack.

Whew!