Library Book Haul

Today I went to not one, but two libraries. I was only going to pick up my holds, not really allowing for hardcore perusal time, but I was able to grab a couple interesting finds.

First book I picked up was Gone by Michael Grant. Now I don't know about you, readers, but I have heard a lot about this book. It definitely looks interesting.

Next, I picked up Forever in Blue: the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. I read the first three in this series ages ago, and I would like to complete the series.

From a different library I picked up four books, two of which were holds. the first was The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene. It's probably typical Nancy Drew book, but I'm excited to read it. I like children's literature.

My next hold is nonfiction. It's called Reading Harry Potter Again edited by Giselle Liza Anatol. It's a bunch of essays about reading the Harry Potter series critically. Apparently, there's a first one that was released right before the fifth book, so I might pick that one up too if this one proves interesting.

A book I picked up, rather at random, is The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong. I've heard some about this book, and have been a little intrigued by it. And it was just kinda sitting on the shelf so I said to myself, "Why not?"

The last book I picked up is Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. It's a historical fiction novel, another one that I've heard a bit about. It looks like your average Holocaust related fiction to me, but I figured I'd give it a whirl.

Still reading Duty and Desire by Pamela Aidan. It's excellent so far. I'm also reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, which is another interesting read.

Keep reading!

What am I Reading? #2

Well, it is Monday.

Right now I'm going through a few series. I'm reading The Thursday Next series and the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy. The book I'm currently reading and have a bookmark in is Duty and Desire of the Fitzwilliam Darcy series. I'm on the final book of The Thursday Next series, which is The Well of Lost Plots. I'll probably read that next then review the series as a whole.

I'm also working my way through the first ten books of the Nancy Drew series, which was inspired by HerInteractive's Nancy Drew video games. Right now, I'm on The Bungalow Mystery. The books are all written in a similar format and basically have the same ending (Spoiler: Nancy solves the case. Every time.) But, the books are cute and they are very relaxing for summer.

A Quick Update

Hello readers! I realize I haven't written anything in awhile, but I've read a lot recently. Unfortunately, I don't have any real reviews. So I'm just going to give you a quick list of what I've read so far this year with dates because that's how I put them on Word. I might be reviewing a couple of these in the near future, especially the more recent books I've read. That is, if I can get my thoughts together.

1. The Heroes of Olympus Book One: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan 01-04

2. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter 01-05

3. Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castelluci 01-06

4. Ophelia by Lisa Klein 01-12

5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… and it’s all the small stuff by Richard Carlson, phd 01-13

6. Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas: The Further, Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison 01-14

7. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle 01-15

8. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 01-24

9. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins 01-28

10. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen 02-12

11. The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry 02-12

12. Deerskin by Robin McKinley 02-19

13. A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle 02-19

14. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L’Engle 02-21

15. Many Waters by Madeleine l’Engle 02-24

16. Persuasion by Jane Austen 02-25

17. The Darcys Give a Ball by Elizabeth Newark 02-26

18. Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley 03-01

19. Jane Eyre by Charolette Bronte (April)

20. The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia McKillip (April)

21. Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris (April)

22. The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson (May 07)

23. The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler (May 08)

24. Jane by April Lindner ( May 12)

25. The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams (May 13)

What am I Reading?

Thought I'd write a quick post about what I'm reading while I'm procrastinating my English homework.

I just finished The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia McKillip, which was excellent and I'll be reviewing that soon.

I'm unsure as to what to read next. I want to check out The Maze Runner to see what all the hype is about, because apparently it's "The next Hunger Games". Nothing is the next Hunger Games. Not even Catching Fire. On the other hand I've got Do Hard Things and Mere Christianity that I'd like to continue, plus the books I bought at Barnes and Noble last Saturday.

Jane Eyre Book Review

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is simply a classic, but I know I'm not the first person to say that. Yes, it is long. Yes, it is mostly geared toward women of the early Victorian Era. But, it is well worth the read.

Jane is an orphan and her life sucks. She lives with relatives who hate her. She is sent to an institution to become a governess. Her only friend at the school dies. Life sucks. But once she becomes a governess, she is employed. Then stuff starts happening. Mr. Rochester and Jane exchange clever dialog. And she embarks on a adventure of love and mystery.

That's all I can give away without spoiling the story. There are several adaptations available including a BBC miniseries on the novel and movie that is already available/will be available April 8th. I plan to see the movie and write a review as well.

Overall, I would say this is an excellent book worth reading. Yes, it is a classic and most people who see a classic run screaming, "AH CLASSIC! I AM NOT SMART ENOUGH TO READ THIS/ NOT STUCK UP!" One does not have to be smart or stuck up to read a classic. One just simply has to be willing to learn.

Jane Eyre Quote

"Worn out with this torture of thought, I rose to my knees. Night was come, and her planets were risen: a safe, still night; to secure for the companionship of fear. We know that God is everywhere; but certainly we feel His presence most when His works are on the grandest scale spread before us: and it is the unclouded night sky, where His infinitude, His omnipotence, His omnipresence. I had risen to my knees to pray for Mr. Rochester. Looking up, I, with tear-dimmed eyes, saw the mighty Milky Way. Remembering what it was- what countless systems there swept space like a soft trace of light- I felt the might and strength of God. Sure was I of His efficiency to save what He had made: convinced I grew that neither earth should perish, nor one of the souls it treasured, I turn my prayer to thanksgiving; the Source of Life was also the Savior of spirits. Mr. Rochester was safe: he was God's and by God would he be guarded. I again nestled to the breast of the hill; and ere long, in sleep, forgot sorrow."

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast review

Beauty is an excellent retelling of Beauty and the Beast, though most of my knowledge of it comes from the Disney movie. The story is familiar to most people, which leads to the author's interpretation of the story, which is what makes this book interesting. Thankfully, Robin doesn't do anything too radical. Otherwise, there might have been an outcry.

One thing that makes this book different from the story is we get to see Beauty's life, and while Beauty's life does consume the book somewhat. This is not in a bad way, just with a lot of back story into her life and just exactly why she goes to the castle. However, because of this the story is a bit slow. This is no doubt due to the fact most readers know the story and know how it ends, so there is no real need for a fast-paced plot. Even though it was not really action-packed, it is still a short read.

All of the books characters are believable, and all of them are lovable. Even though Beauty describes her sisters beautiful and herself as plain, there isn't any real animosity between them. There is no evil stepmother or stepsister, or brother-in-law.

Personally, I enjoyed this book. I love McKinley's writing style. This is one of her earlier works, but in the young adult section probably because Beauty is a teenager. However, I think children and adults can both enjoy this book. Interestingly enough, I found this book on a list of books that college-bound students should read. I would be inclined to agree, but McKinley has numerous other works as well that are worth reading. I'd recommend it to people who enjoy fairytales and really just most people in general.