*** 3 stars
A collection of four novellas all revolving around the same Texas frontier community. Each story was written by a different author, which lead to varying degrees of quality. The first story was, honestly, pretty terrible and poorly written. The third story was just okay. I liked the second and fourth stories the best; the premise of the fourth story was pretty silly but I found it charming rather than ridiculous.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs
**** 4 stars
I really enjoyed this sweet and sometimes tart romance. I loved the sense of place as well as the interesting and intricate family history. I see there is a sequel which is quite new, so I will definitely be reading that.
I really enjoyed this sweet and sometimes tart romance. I loved the sense of place as well as the interesting and intricate family history. I see there is a sequel which is quite new, so I will definitely be reading that.
The Possibilities by Kaui Hart Hemmings
*** 3 stars
I liked this bittersweet novel but not quite as much as I liked The Descendants. This was a good family drama with some nice relationships and interesting situations. I wasn't staggered by it by any means, but there were parts I found genuine and quite touching. Enjoyable read.
I liked this bittersweet novel but not quite as much as I liked The Descendants. This was a good family drama with some nice relationships and interesting situations. I wasn't staggered by it by any means, but there were parts I found genuine and quite touching. Enjoyable read.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
0 stars
I won't be finishing this one. No one is more surprised than I am that I didn't like this book. Sounded like it should be been tailor-made for me. I was listening to it in fits and starts on audio book, so maybe that was a mistake. Maybe it would have been a better read, but I don't know. Seemed somewhat repetitive.
I won't be finishing this one. No one is more surprised than I am that I didn't like this book. Sounded like it should be been tailor-made for me. I was listening to it in fits and starts on audio book, so maybe that was a mistake. Maybe it would have been a better read, but I don't know. Seemed somewhat repetitive.
Colossus: Hoover Dam and the Making of the American Century by Michael A. Hiltzik
0 stars
Didn't get into this one; seemed quite dry. Lots of politics. Maybe it got better but I didn't want to slog through to find out. I'm more interested in the social history of the time.
Didn't get into this one; seemed quite dry. Lots of politics. Maybe it got better but I didn't want to slog through to find out. I'm more interested in the social history of the time.
A Couple of "Coffee Table" Books for Browsing
**** 4 stars
Lazing on a Sunday Crafternoon by Eliza Muldoon
Pleasant book of crafting projects with lovely photos. Some cute ideas.
*** 3 stars
Rings: Jewelry of Power, Love and Loyalty by Diana Scarisbrick
Lovely photos of rings throughout history.
Lazing on a Sunday Crafternoon by Eliza Muldoon
Pleasant book of crafting projects with lovely photos. Some cute ideas.
*** 3 stars
Rings: Jewelry of Power, Love and Loyalty by Diana Scarisbrick
Lovely photos of rings throughout history.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen
0 stars
Oh, my God. I hated this book. I could hardly stand to pick it up; I think I was able to tolerate two chapters of it. It jumped around so much it gave me ADHD. And the writer was so smug and superior. I had hoped for a thoughtful examination of moving on from a family of origin or something like that. But this was just stupid and pointless.
Oh, my God. I hated this book. I could hardly stand to pick it up; I think I was able to tolerate two chapters of it. It jumped around so much it gave me ADHD. And the writer was so smug and superior. I had hoped for a thoughtful examination of moving on from a family of origin or something like that. But this was just stupid and pointless.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
** 2 stars
Meh...this was okay, I guess. It was pretty slow to get going and then it got interesting. Of course, when you are expecting a twist....well, that sort of dissolves the fun of a twist. And I didn't think this twist was all that terrific. I think plot twists are often pretty hard to pull off without leaving the reader feeling cheated. I felt cheated with this one, to some extent. In reading all the buzz on this one, I am clearly in the minority, however.
Meh...this was okay, I guess. It was pretty slow to get going and then it got interesting. Of course, when you are expecting a twist....well, that sort of dissolves the fun of a twist. And I didn't think this twist was all that terrific. I think plot twists are often pretty hard to pull off without leaving the reader feeling cheated. I felt cheated with this one, to some extent. In reading all the buzz on this one, I am clearly in the minority, however.
The Bikini Car Wash by Pamela Morsi
**** 4 stars
Morsi is quickly becoming a reliable favorite. Not great literature but just fun books. This one was right in line with her other cute chick-lit books I've read. I must admit, though, it is a little embarrassing to walk around with a book with such a title! I'll be happier to read some of books with more neutral titles!
Morsi is quickly becoming a reliable favorite. Not great literature but just fun books. This one was right in line with her other cute chick-lit books I've read. I must admit, though, it is a little embarrassing to walk around with a book with such a title! I'll be happier to read some of books with more neutral titles!
Saturday, May 3, 2014
The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis
*** 3 stars
Such an odd book. An easy read for sure and even with it being a pretty slim book, it felt a bit like the material needed to be padded. I liked the structure with each woman having her own chapter. But some women's chapters were all about them, other women's chapters were more about the others, so clearly the author felt challenged to find something to say about some people.
I also liked the photo of each woman with the necklace (even though them calling it "Jewelia" made me want to throw up a little bit...ick!) I was genuinely touched by some of the stories and some of the "lessons" some women got along the way. But then I thought "It's a damn necklace, people...." So odd.
I did not appreciate the info about Jewelia's impact on sex lives. TMI! And the awkward, angry dynamics within the group made me uncomfortable, too. I feel like the author tried to put everything in the best light, but the strain showed. It might have been better to be upfront; some of these women were/are not very nice.
It was an okay read, I guess. Just all a little awkward and weird.
Such an odd book. An easy read for sure and even with it being a pretty slim book, it felt a bit like the material needed to be padded. I liked the structure with each woman having her own chapter. But some women's chapters were all about them, other women's chapters were more about the others, so clearly the author felt challenged to find something to say about some people.
I also liked the photo of each woman with the necklace (even though them calling it "Jewelia" made me want to throw up a little bit...ick!) I was genuinely touched by some of the stories and some of the "lessons" some women got along the way. But then I thought "It's a damn necklace, people...." So odd.
I did not appreciate the info about Jewelia's impact on sex lives. TMI! And the awkward, angry dynamics within the group made me uncomfortable, too. I feel like the author tried to put everything in the best light, but the strain showed. It might have been better to be upfront; some of these women were/are not very nice.
It was an okay read, I guess. Just all a little awkward and weird.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Two Wicked Books
So, we are excited to be going to a touring company production of Wicked next week. In preparation, we have been listening to the soundtrack in the car continuously. I thought I'd pick up a couple books, too, to provide some additional background. Both are 1 star reads for me.
Of course, the source material for the play is Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked. I know I read this about 10 years ago and didn't love it. I think I struggled through it. This time around I got about 1/3 through it and gave up. It's just kind of weird. I get the general gist of it all and I think that's all I need in order to enjoy the play.
I also found Wicked: A Musical Biography by Paul Laird. When I saw the title at the library, I thought it would be an illustrated discussion of the musical production. Oh, no....not at all. It is an exhaustive (and I mean exhaustive!) discussion of every facet (and I mean every facet) of getting the story to the stage. A lot of far too technical detail (and I mean technical) about the music which went waaaaay over my head. Skipped around a lot; I did pick up a few interesting tidbits, but for the most part this is only appropriate for the most devoted fan.
Of course, the source material for the play is Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked. I know I read this about 10 years ago and didn't love it. I think I struggled through it. This time around I got about 1/3 through it and gave up. It's just kind of weird. I get the general gist of it all and I think that's all I need in order to enjoy the play.
I also found Wicked: A Musical Biography by Paul Laird. When I saw the title at the library, I thought it would be an illustrated discussion of the musical production. Oh, no....not at all. It is an exhaustive (and I mean exhaustive!) discussion of every facet (and I mean every facet) of getting the story to the stage. A lot of far too technical detail (and I mean technical) about the music which went waaaaay over my head. Skipped around a lot; I did pick up a few interesting tidbits, but for the most part this is only appropriate for the most devoted fan.
Heartbreak Creek by Kaki Warner
**** 4 stars
I read and loved Warner's Blood Rose trilogy a few years ago, so I was happy to see she's started a new series. This was a sweet, charming and easy read in a similar vein. Probably all pretty formulaic but if you like the formula, who's to say that's bad?
Just a fun and pleasant book to read. It was a quick read and I was at an all-morning debate competition for my son, so this book was the perfect companion. Easy to pick up, easy to set down without losing the thread.
I was trying to figure out why this genre is so appealing to me. I think it's because these books are like The Little House on the Prairie for grown-ups. That romance of frontier life is really compelling, I guess and it appeals for the (perceived) simplicity of life.
I read and loved Warner's Blood Rose trilogy a few years ago, so I was happy to see she's started a new series. This was a sweet, charming and easy read in a similar vein. Probably all pretty formulaic but if you like the formula, who's to say that's bad?
Just a fun and pleasant book to read. It was a quick read and I was at an all-morning debate competition for my son, so this book was the perfect companion. Easy to pick up, easy to set down without losing the thread.
I was trying to figure out why this genre is so appealing to me. I think it's because these books are like The Little House on the Prairie for grown-ups. That romance of frontier life is really compelling, I guess and it appeals for the (perceived) simplicity of life.
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