Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library.
I haven't read an Amish book for a long time, so I think I need not apologize for it. Haha…
This was a bit different from most of them… a little more relatable, since the protagonist isn't Amish, and there were conflicts that weren't really cut and dried. I enjoyed it.
Clean.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Friday, July 24, 2015
Me Before You (Jojo Moyes)
Why I have this book: A friend recommended it.
Okay, so I stayed up last night until after 2:00 am to finish this book. I just was so sucked in and needed to know what happened. It was so intense and heartfelt… I really cannot stop thinking about it.
And after I fell asleep, I dreamed about it. Then I woke up early in the morning, fell back asleep, and dreamed about it again. It is in my head. I don't even want to start another book until this one settles.
There is a lot of profanity, the ugly words that are used like it's normal speech, including using the Lord's name as swearing. There is also talk about sex, but nothing descriptive. It's very much like "sex is a part of life" and people are having it and the characters talk about it in that casual way. Definitely not a moral issue with unmarried sex in this setting.
Okay, so I stayed up last night until after 2:00 am to finish this book. I just was so sucked in and needed to know what happened. It was so intense and heartfelt… I really cannot stop thinking about it.
And after I fell asleep, I dreamed about it. Then I woke up early in the morning, fell back asleep, and dreamed about it again. It is in my head. I don't even want to start another book until this one settles.
There is a lot of profanity, the ugly words that are used like it's normal speech, including using the Lord's name as swearing. There is also talk about sex, but nothing descriptive. It's very much like "sex is a part of life" and people are having it and the characters talk about it in that casual way. Definitely not a moral issue with unmarried sex in this setting.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
The House at Rose Creek (Jenny Proctor)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library.
I really don't have a lot to say. It was fine, but not really engrossing.
Clean.
I really don't have a lot to say. It was fine, but not really engrossing.
Clean.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Orphan Train (Christina Baker Kline)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library because I like historical fiction.
I assumed this book was written for the upper elementary group, so imagine my surprise when the s-word popped up in the first couple of pages, then the f-bomb a few pages later. WHAT? I quickly found out this was not written for children, although I guess some would argue the high school crowd wouldn't be too offended by the profanity. (I think it's too bad that casual use of profanity has become so accepted, and I find myself surprised that so many adults use it that way.)
The story hopped back and forth between 2011 and the early 1900's. (And the profanity was almost exclusively limited to 2011.) I LOVED the chapters set in the early 1900's. I liked how things came together in the characters from 2011, especially as the story progressed.
When I finished the book, I definitely felt it. I'm really glad I chose to dismiss the teenage cursing and move forward with the reading. It was a meaningful and thought-provoking story, maybe more so because I'm an adoptive mom. I really loved it.
There is quite a bit of swearing, mostly limited to the scenes from 2011. There is a short scene between two teenagers that indicates they have a more physical relationship, and it's slightly descriptive. One of the characters is a victim of an attempted rape, and that part did have quite a bit of detail.
P.S. It was so interesting to read some of the 1-star reviews on Amazon. While I recognized what they were saying about the conservative vs. liberal point of view, I certainly did not get stuck on it. In fact, I just didn't care because the message for me was about how our experiences shape us. But reading those reviews reminded me… the book opens with this quote, and it was the one thing I highlighted:
"In portaging from one river to another, Wabanakis had to carry their canoes and all other possessions. Everyone knew the value of traveling light and understood that it required leaving some things behind. Nothing encumbered movement more than fear, which was often the most difficult burden to surrender." (Bunny McBride, Women of the Dawn)
I assumed this book was written for the upper elementary group, so imagine my surprise when the s-word popped up in the first couple of pages, then the f-bomb a few pages later. WHAT? I quickly found out this was not written for children, although I guess some would argue the high school crowd wouldn't be too offended by the profanity. (I think it's too bad that casual use of profanity has become so accepted, and I find myself surprised that so many adults use it that way.)
The story hopped back and forth between 2011 and the early 1900's. (And the profanity was almost exclusively limited to 2011.) I LOVED the chapters set in the early 1900's. I liked how things came together in the characters from 2011, especially as the story progressed.
When I finished the book, I definitely felt it. I'm really glad I chose to dismiss the teenage cursing and move forward with the reading. It was a meaningful and thought-provoking story, maybe more so because I'm an adoptive mom. I really loved it.
There is quite a bit of swearing, mostly limited to the scenes from 2011. There is a short scene between two teenagers that indicates they have a more physical relationship, and it's slightly descriptive. One of the characters is a victim of an attempted rape, and that part did have quite a bit of detail.
P.S. It was so interesting to read some of the 1-star reviews on Amazon. While I recognized what they were saying about the conservative vs. liberal point of view, I certainly did not get stuck on it. In fact, I just didn't care because the message for me was about how our experiences shape us. But reading those reviews reminded me… the book opens with this quote, and it was the one thing I highlighted:
"In portaging from one river to another, Wabanakis had to carry their canoes and all other possessions. Everyone knew the value of traveling light and understood that it required leaving some things behind. Nothing encumbered movement more than fear, which was often the most difficult burden to surrender." (Bunny McBride, Women of the Dawn)
Monday, July 13, 2015
21 Days to a More Disciplined Life (Crystal Paine)
Why I have this book: Somehow I stumbled on the author's "world" and it was pretty inexpensive… and I can always use a little more self-discipline motivation.
I'm not sure there was anything new or revolutionary for me, but there were some good reminders that the way I do things is going to work… I just need to stick to it. The one thing I've heard before that I haven't mastered is doing the hardest things first. I do tend to put off the things I don't want to do. But really, don't you think the anticipation is worse than the actual task? I need to work on changing that.
Clean.
I'm not sure there was anything new or revolutionary for me, but there were some good reminders that the way I do things is going to work… I just need to stick to it. The one thing I've heard before that I haven't mastered is doing the hardest things first. I do tend to put off the things I don't want to do. But really, don't you think the anticipation is worse than the actual task? I need to work on changing that.
Clean.
Beauty (Robin McKinley)
Why I have this book: It was one of my 2001 Amazon purchases. And it's a real (printed) book!
This is the probably the third time I've read it… but I had to read it this time because of my commitment (haha) to reading all my old Amazon purchases to make sure I want to keep them.
This is definitely a keeper. Sadly, it's starting to get a little brittle in the binding, but it should last through my youngest daughter.
It's so sweet and romantic… although at the end I was trying to figure out if she really was only about 16 and he was like… 40?
I guess that's the magic of fairy tales… nothing is real. :) But I do wish I knew what name she gave him.
(I found myself wishing it was on my Kindle so I could highlight a word here and there to get the definition.)
Clean.
This is the probably the third time I've read it… but I had to read it this time because of my commitment (haha) to reading all my old Amazon purchases to make sure I want to keep them.
This is definitely a keeper. Sadly, it's starting to get a little brittle in the binding, but it should last through my youngest daughter.
It's so sweet and romantic… although at the end I was trying to figure out if she really was only about 16 and he was like… 40?
I guess that's the magic of fairy tales… nothing is real. :) But I do wish I knew what name she gave him.
(I found myself wishing it was on my Kindle so I could highlight a word here and there to get the definition.)
Clean.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
The Diary of Mattie Spenser (Sandra Dallas)
Why I have this book: I bought the Kindle edition in the last year because I thought it looked good.
And it was good. I could hardly get my nose out of it and basically neglected a good portion of my duties today because of it.
I still have a hard time believing that women of that era so freely wrote of their sexuality. I wasn't there, so what do I know? It just seems unlikely. This was my big complaint about Alice's Tulips, also by Sandra Dallas. While this one was a bit more dignified, it still felt a little weird (and unnecessary) to me.
There were also a few editing issues that disrupted the flow a time or two.
Other than that, I really liked the book. I find that books about pioneer settlers are some of my favorite. This one really tugged at my heartstrings.
There was a bit of swearing and some sexuality, though not overly descriptive. There are also situations with death and violence that were common in that era, and quite a bit of verbal racism in regards to blacks and Native Americans, as also was common in that time period.
And it was good. I could hardly get my nose out of it and basically neglected a good portion of my duties today because of it.
I still have a hard time believing that women of that era so freely wrote of their sexuality. I wasn't there, so what do I know? It just seems unlikely. This was my big complaint about Alice's Tulips, also by Sandra Dallas. While this one was a bit more dignified, it still felt a little weird (and unnecessary) to me.
There were also a few editing issues that disrupted the flow a time or two.
Other than that, I really liked the book. I find that books about pioneer settlers are some of my favorite. This one really tugged at my heartstrings.
There was a bit of swearing and some sexuality, though not overly descriptive. There are also situations with death and violence that were common in that era, and quite a bit of verbal racism in regards to blacks and Native Americans, as also was common in that time period.
Snow Bound (Harry Mazer)
Why I have this book: I bought it several years ago when a friend and I were discussing books we liked from our childhood/adolescent years. She classified it as a book of "teenage angst." Haha!
This book was published in 1973. The first thing I noticed was how hard the typeset was to read at first. The new fonts are better, and a Kindle is even better!
Oh, how glad I am to not be a teenager anymore! And I'm so glad I was never a teenage boy. ;) I enjoyed the book, but it definitely is something written for the adolescent crowd of the 70's. I'm trying to decide if my teenage son would even be able to relate to it…
ETA: Some time has passed, and I decided to just go ahead and donate this one.
There were some swear words in this book, including a couple with religious references.
This book was published in 1973. The first thing I noticed was how hard the typeset was to read at first. The new fonts are better, and a Kindle is even better!
Oh, how glad I am to not be a teenager anymore! And I'm so glad I was never a teenage boy. ;) I enjoyed the book, but it definitely is something written for the adolescent crowd of the 70's. I'm trying to decide if my teenage son would even be able to relate to it…
ETA: Some time has passed, and I decided to just go ahead and donate this one.
There were some swear words in this book, including a couple with religious references.
Caleb's Story (Patricia MacLachlan)
Why I have this book: I probably bought it years and years ago when I read Sarah, Plain and Tall.
I discovered that I do, indeed, have this third book in the series. And I also discovered that it's the one that's falling apart, not Sarah..., like I had thought.
I actually enjoyed this book the most of the first three books. I hope my little girl likes them when she is ready to read this level of book.
Clean.
I discovered that I do, indeed, have this third book in the series. And I also discovered that it's the one that's falling apart, not Sarah..., like I had thought.
I actually enjoyed this book the most of the first three books. I hope my little girl likes them when she is ready to read this level of book.
Clean.
Two books by Christine Kersey
Over You
Second Chances
Why I have these books: The first one was free and it was good enough that I bought the second one.
I needed a light read, and the first one delivered. The ending felt a little rushed and a little "out there," but I still liked it enough to get sucked into buying the second one. (It didn't hurt that she included the first four chapters of the second book at the end of the first one… )
The second book, sadly, bordered on ridiculous. The love interest turned out to be wimpy, in my opinion, and it was all just kind of silly.
I don't really feel the need to read the third book.
I don't hate that I read them… I was looking for a light read and they worked.
I think they were clean. I've read a couple of books since then, but I'm pretty sure these ones didn't have any swearing or anything.
Second Chances
Why I have these books: The first one was free and it was good enough that I bought the second one.
I needed a light read, and the first one delivered. The ending felt a little rushed and a little "out there," but I still liked it enough to get sucked into buying the second one. (It didn't hurt that she included the first four chapters of the second book at the end of the first one… )
The second book, sadly, bordered on ridiculous. The love interest turned out to be wimpy, in my opinion, and it was all just kind of silly.
I don't really feel the need to read the third book.
I don't hate that I read them… I was looking for a light read and they worked.
I think they were clean. I've read a couple of books since then, but I'm pretty sure these ones didn't have any swearing or anything.
Parenting with Love and Logic (Foster Cline and Jim Fay)
Why I have this book: Because I needed help!!! (A six-year-old and a seven-year-old live in my house!)
For the most part, I liked the book and thought it had a lot of good ideas. I agree with the general philosophy, for sure. Now I just need to work on my delivery. Haha…
There were a couple of solutions they offered that I definitely didn't agree with, but overall, I have found their ideas helpful.
Clean.
For the most part, I liked the book and thought it had a lot of good ideas. I agree with the general philosophy, for sure. Now I just need to work on my delivery. Haha…
There were a couple of solutions they offered that I definitely didn't agree with, but overall, I have found their ideas helpful.
Clean.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
An Unexpected Widow (Carré White)
Why I have this book: It was free for Kindle and I wanted a mindless read.
1) This was beyond mindless.
2) And super shallow.
3) I'm so glad it was free.
4) It was sadly ridiculous and wrong and just… not good.
Not smutty, but not quite clean.
1) This was beyond mindless.
2) And super shallow.
3) I'm so glad it was free.
4) It was sadly ridiculous and wrong and just… not good.
Not smutty, but not quite clean.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Longbourn (Jo Baker)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library.
I really don't have a lot to say about it. I didn't finish it.
It was super slow going for me. Then the storyline started to get more interesting, but also started to get more smutty and wretched.
I didn't like how she combined the characters from Pride and Prejudice with this story. I just found it distracting. I hated the way she smudged the character of the Bennet family in P&P to make her own story work.
In any case, I'm not sorry to return this to the library early.
I didn't finish the book, but in what I read, there are swear words, crass and disgusting behavior by soldiers, and some sexual references that aren't worth mucking through. In my opinion, the book doesn't have enough redeeming qualities to justify it.
I really don't have a lot to say about it. I didn't finish it.
It was super slow going for me. Then the storyline started to get more interesting, but also started to get more smutty and wretched.
I didn't like how she combined the characters from Pride and Prejudice with this story. I just found it distracting. I hated the way she smudged the character of the Bennet family in P&P to make her own story work.
In any case, I'm not sorry to return this to the library early.
I didn't finish the book, but in what I read, there are swear words, crass and disgusting behavior by soldiers, and some sexual references that aren't worth mucking through. In my opinion, the book doesn't have enough redeeming qualities to justify it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)