Why I have this book: I bought it for my Kindle because it looked like a good, light read.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was, you know, not like "classic" material... but it was perfect for what I needed.
There will be four books in the series, each written by a different LDS author, each representing the point of view of a different member of "The Newport Ladies Book Club". The interesting thing is that each member is also a different religion (or not religious at all.) So even though it's in the LDS Fiction genre, I don't know how much the religion will play a part in the series.
The next book comes out in July, and I'll get it. I've read other books by that author (Josi Kilpack), and I like her writing.
Clean.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Two books by Ally Condie
Matched
Crossed
Why I have these books: I bought the first one for an online book club I was in. The gals in my family read it (teenage thru young adult - daughters and daughters-in-law) and they loved it, so I pre-ordered the second one.
And now I need to pre-order the third. That's the problem with series books... you have to wait a long time to see what happens next if you start reading it too soon.
I liked these books a lot... I liked the first better than the second because there was more happening between the characters. The second seems like a bridge to the third, if you know what I mean.
The books reminded me a bit of The Hunger Games (but not so violent) and The Uglies series (but with a little more romance.) In a small way, I was also reminded of The Giver.
Definite keepers.
Some violence, but not descriptive. No swearing, no sex.
Crossed
Why I have these books: I bought the first one for an online book club I was in. The gals in my family read it (teenage thru young adult - daughters and daughters-in-law) and they loved it, so I pre-ordered the second one.
And now I need to pre-order the third. That's the problem with series books... you have to wait a long time to see what happens next if you start reading it too soon.
I liked these books a lot... I liked the first better than the second because there was more happening between the characters. The second seems like a bridge to the third, if you know what I mean.
The books reminded me a bit of The Hunger Games (but not so violent) and The Uglies series (but with a little more romance.) In a small way, I was also reminded of The Giver.
Definite keepers.
Some violence, but not descriptive. No swearing, no sex.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered (S. Michael Wilcox)
Why I have this book: I bought it at the recommendation of an acquaintance when I was going through a rough time.
I liked this books a great deal. Brother Wilcox shared some of his thoughts about why it may seem that God is unaware of what we are going through... but by using examples from the scriptures, he shows that God always has our best interest at heart.
I found it comforting and insightful. Definite keeper.
Clean.
I liked this books a great deal. Brother Wilcox shared some of his thoughts about why it may seem that God is unaware of what we are going through... but by using examples from the scriptures, he shows that God always has our best interest at heart.
I found it comforting and insightful. Definite keeper.
Clean.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Remembering Diana; The Way We Were (Paul Burrell)
Why I have this book: I bought it a couple of months ago. I'm not sure why, other than I have always been an admirer of Princess Diana, and something made me think of her. The book was a "bargain book" on Amazon, so I bought it.
What a touching tribute to Princess Diana. I'm so glad that she had someone in her camp who has chosen to share personal and respectful memories of her. She was so much more than how she was portrayed in the media, both before and after her death.
The book was sad in a sense, as the author (her personal butler) shared some details of his grief and the events of her death and the days that followed. The stress and sadness of her life within the royal family, the relationships impacted by her title and fame... it is just... sad. Yet Mr. Burrell describes all the happiness she created in her life. He obviously adored her. I hope her boys recognize his devotion... I imagine it is difficult for them to share their mom with the world.
It was also an interesting look into how a butler's personal life is affected by his job. I don't know if this is the case for every butler in such a high profile family, but Mr. Burrell's family definitely shared him with the Princess. That must have been a challenge for his wife.
I don't know yet if I will keep it. It was an intriguing read, but also sad. I don't think I would read it again, so I will probably donate it to the library. I'm glad I read it, though.
Clean.
What a touching tribute to Princess Diana. I'm so glad that she had someone in her camp who has chosen to share personal and respectful memories of her. She was so much more than how she was portrayed in the media, both before and after her death.
The book was sad in a sense, as the author (her personal butler) shared some details of his grief and the events of her death and the days that followed. The stress and sadness of her life within the royal family, the relationships impacted by her title and fame... it is just... sad. Yet Mr. Burrell describes all the happiness she created in her life. He obviously adored her. I hope her boys recognize his devotion... I imagine it is difficult for them to share their mom with the world.
It was also an interesting look into how a butler's personal life is affected by his job. I don't know if this is the case for every butler in such a high profile family, but Mr. Burrell's family definitely shared him with the Princess. That must have been a challenge for his wife.
I don't know yet if I will keep it. It was an intriguing read, but also sad. I don't think I would read it again, so I will probably donate it to the library. I'm glad I read it, though.
Clean.
Monday, March 12, 2012
All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience (Neal A. Maxwell)
Why I have this book: I bought it on my Kindle... but now I can't remember exactly why. Which is kind of scary, since I just bought it about a week ago. I think my oldest son mentioned it to me. Yes, I'm pretty sure that's it. :)
Anyway, I liked this book very much. Elder Maxwell was an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints prior to his death. He was an amazing speaker and very inspiring.
I loved letting myself soak in the Spirit of God while reading Elder Maxwell's counsel about how life's experiences and the choices we make help us become all we are meant to be. I look forward to reading more books written by Elder Maxwell.
This book is a keeper. And if it was a "real" book on my shelf, it would be worth the room it would take up.
Perfectly clean.
Anyway, I liked this book very much. Elder Maxwell was an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints prior to his death. He was an amazing speaker and very inspiring.
I loved letting myself soak in the Spirit of God while reading Elder Maxwell's counsel about how life's experiences and the choices we make help us become all we are meant to be. I look forward to reading more books written by Elder Maxwell.
This book is a keeper. And if it was a "real" book on my shelf, it would be worth the room it would take up.
Perfectly clean.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Hidden Places (Lynn Austin)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the library on my Kindle. (I love the library loaning feature!)
I like Lynn Austin books, and shortly into this one, I realized I had read it before. It had been a while, though, so I kept reading. I enjoyed it very much.
I was sucked into the characters... I feel like the author did a great job helping the reader to understand the personalities and backgrounds and mindset of each character. I don't think that's easy to do.
Definite keeper or one I would give to my grandma. I know she'd enjoy it, too.
This book is clean, but does deal with abuse, death, and illegitimacy.
I like Lynn Austin books, and shortly into this one, I realized I had read it before. It had been a while, though, so I kept reading. I enjoyed it very much.
I was sucked into the characters... I feel like the author did a great job helping the reader to understand the personalities and backgrounds and mindset of each character. I don't think that's easy to do.
Definite keeper or one I would give to my grandma. I know she'd enjoy it, too.
This book is clean, but does deal with abuse, death, and illegitimacy.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Two books by Anita Stansfield
Return to Love
To Love Again
Why I have these books and a disclaimer: I am not a fan of Anita Stansfield, but I had remembered reading these two books before, and was curious why I had "kind of" liked them.
So, yeah... I actually paid money to get the Kindle versions.
First of all, the first book has horrible editing. The main character's name goes back and forth between his "real" name (Colin) and the name the author must have started using (Corm). (And by the way, is "Corm" a name???) Anyway, that went on for the entire book. Maybe this is just a problem in the Kindle version?
The second book (which is a sequel) was better than the first. Neither is excellent... dialogue is silly at times... but I thought the author developed the emotions of the characters a bit better.
I thought I would throw up if I heard the evil ex-husband say, "my love" one more time. As in: "Don't worry, my love. I'll be back." (Not an exact quote.) So dumb.
In the interest of full disclosure, one summer a friend and I read most of the Anita Stansfield books that were out there. (We borrowed... did not buy!) We did this mostly to make fun of the over the top storylines. I know, not nice.
I'm sorry to Anita Stansfield fans. I don't mean to offend. I've heard her historical books are pretty good. Maybe I'll try one someday. And to be honest, even these two books had some kind of a certain appeal to them. I don't know. I just can't get a foot in the "love" camp.
I should stop talking about it now.
These books are on my Kindle. If they were real books, I'd give them away. They aren't damaging... just not great literature.
Pretty clean. I think there may have been a swear word or two, and they deal with premarital and extramarital sex and the consequences of those actions for people of faith.
To Love Again
Why I have these books and a disclaimer: I am not a fan of Anita Stansfield, but I had remembered reading these two books before, and was curious why I had "kind of" liked them.
So, yeah... I actually paid money to get the Kindle versions.
First of all, the first book has horrible editing. The main character's name goes back and forth between his "real" name (Colin) and the name the author must have started using (Corm). (And by the way, is "Corm" a name???) Anyway, that went on for the entire book. Maybe this is just a problem in the Kindle version?
The second book (which is a sequel) was better than the first. Neither is excellent... dialogue is silly at times... but I thought the author developed the emotions of the characters a bit better.
I thought I would throw up if I heard the evil ex-husband say, "my love" one more time. As in: "Don't worry, my love. I'll be back." (Not an exact quote.) So dumb.
In the interest of full disclosure, one summer a friend and I read most of the Anita Stansfield books that were out there. (We borrowed... did not buy!) We did this mostly to make fun of the over the top storylines. I know, not nice.
I'm sorry to Anita Stansfield fans. I don't mean to offend. I've heard her historical books are pretty good. Maybe I'll try one someday. And to be honest, even these two books had some kind of a certain appeal to them. I don't know. I just can't get a foot in the "love" camp.
I should stop talking about it now.
These books are on my Kindle. If they were real books, I'd give them away. They aren't damaging... just not great literature.
Pretty clean. I think there may have been a swear word or two, and they deal with premarital and extramarital sex and the consequences of those actions for people of faith.
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