Why I have this book: I bought it a long time ago for my Kindle. I liked other books by the author, so that was a motivation!
I enjoyed this book more than a little. I really would give it about a 3.75 stars on Goodreads, but since that's not possible, I rounded up to a 4. The ending was a little corny to me, and it wrapped up pretty quick compared to the pace of the rest of the story. Still, it was a nice escape read and sometimes that's just the ticket. (Like on weeks when one is fighting a cold and is also procrastinating school work.)
Clean, although the storyline deals with rape. It's not really a focus, though, which is kind of interesting, considering what a life-altering experience rape would assumedly be.
Friday, January 20, 2017
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
The War that Saved My Life (Kimberly Brubaker Bradley)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library.
I really, really liked this book. In fact, it would have been a 5 star book for me on Goodreads, except for one thing. It alludes to one main character being a lesbian. The problem I have with that is 1) This is a book for children - I'd say ages 10 and up. 2) It has NOTHING to do with the story. It doesn't add anything to it. It's like it's just thrown in there to be PC or to have a modern edge to it. I don't know. It just seems out of place, especially since it's a book for children. I honestly think most young readers wouldn't even really process it, so what's the point?
Setting that one topic aside, I absolutely loved the rest of the book. Oh, the mom is a little unbelievably bad. Not quite realistic for me, but she plays such a small part in the story that I can dismiss it. The rest of the story is great. It reminds me of Good Night, Mr. Tom and Secrets of a Charmed Life (both reviewed earlier). It has the same warmth and feelings of love, but not quite the same depth. Maybe the target audience is a little younger.
In any case, I enjoyed it and I'm glad I read it.
Clean, although there are the hints that one character is possibly a lesbian.
I really, really liked this book. In fact, it would have been a 5 star book for me on Goodreads, except for one thing. It alludes to one main character being a lesbian. The problem I have with that is 1) This is a book for children - I'd say ages 10 and up. 2) It has NOTHING to do with the story. It doesn't add anything to it. It's like it's just thrown in there to be PC or to have a modern edge to it. I don't know. It just seems out of place, especially since it's a book for children. I honestly think most young readers wouldn't even really process it, so what's the point?
Setting that one topic aside, I absolutely loved the rest of the book. Oh, the mom is a little unbelievably bad. Not quite realistic for me, but she plays such a small part in the story that I can dismiss it. The rest of the story is great. It reminds me of Good Night, Mr. Tom and Secrets of a Charmed Life (both reviewed earlier). It has the same warmth and feelings of love, but not quite the same depth. Maybe the target audience is a little younger.
In any case, I enjoyed it and I'm glad I read it.
Clean, although there are the hints that one character is possibly a lesbian.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Beyond the Far Horizon (Dorothy Parr)
Why I have this book: It was inexpensive and I like pioneer/settler stories, so I bought it for my Kindle.
I think this is for the young Christian reader. I enjoyed it well enough. It seemed a little simple with not as much depth as I like, but for a younger reader, it's probably about right.
Clean.
I think this is for the young Christian reader. I enjoyed it well enough. It seemed a little simple with not as much depth as I like, but for a younger reader, it's probably about right.
Clean.
Friday, January 6, 2017
When Love Returns (Kim Vogel Sawyer)
Why I have this book: It was the third book in a trilogy I was reading. I borrowed all three from the ebook library.
I enjoyed this conclusion to the trilogy. It was a little hard to read as an adoptive mom, but in the end it all came together in a way that was "happily ever after" for everyone involved. That was nice. I don't know how often it works out that way in real life, but it's nice to think it could happen. It made me think a lot about our own adoption experience and how our daughter might feel as she gets older. Of course, thinking of her birth mom is always something that brings deep emotion, as well. This book brought all of that to the surface.
Clean.
I enjoyed this conclusion to the trilogy. It was a little hard to read as an adoptive mom, but in the end it all came together in a way that was "happily ever after" for everyone involved. That was nice. I don't know how often it works out that way in real life, but it's nice to think it could happen. It made me think a lot about our own adoption experience and how our daughter might feel as she gets older. Of course, thinking of her birth mom is always something that brings deep emotion, as well. This book brought all of that to the surface.
Clean.
You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Why I have this book: It's a book club book. And I even have (unknowingly) read it before we're scheduled to discuss it. I actually thought I had missed the month when it was discussed, but I guess not!
I enjoyed Mrs. Roosevelt's thoughts on most of the subjects presented in this book, although I admit to just skimming the last two chapters on politics and public service. I'm not sure what people might think that says about me, but mostly it just says that those topics aren't ones I find very interesting. (And I'm not sure what that statement says about me, either. haha...)
Clean.
I enjoyed Mrs. Roosevelt's thoughts on most of the subjects presented in this book, although I admit to just skimming the last two chapters on politics and public service. I'm not sure what people might think that says about me, but mostly it just says that those topics aren't ones I find very interesting. (And I'm not sure what that statement says about me, either. haha...)
Clean.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
The Rescue (Nicholas Sparks)
Why I have this book: It was available to borrow on the ebook library, so I borrowed it. I probably don't need to browse for books to borrow right now. I have plenty to read already.
This was typical Nicholas Sparks. I felt a little bit of the plot was borrowed from Top Gun (involving the best friend), and in general, I felt like this book was just okay. I only gave it 2 stars on Goodreads.
There was a little bit of swearing, and the couple had sex before marriage. It's not really described. Again, it's all typical Nicholas Sparks.
This was typical Nicholas Sparks. I felt a little bit of the plot was borrowed from Top Gun (involving the best friend), and in general, I felt like this book was just okay. I only gave it 2 stars on Goodreads.
There was a little bit of swearing, and the couple had sex before marriage. It's not really described. Again, it's all typical Nicholas Sparks.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Let's talk about "Where the Wild Things Are."
I've been cleaning my son's room today, and part of that includes going through our zillions of children's books. Some that I'm getting rid aren't even worth mentioning, but can we just talk about Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak?
This book is a 1964 Caldecott Award winner. That's probably why I bought it when my older kids were young. Or maybe everyone was reading it, so we had to join in. We've dutifully read it to each of our kids.
I really don't get this book. I never have understood what it's supposed to mean. And honestly, I have never loved it. I've only read it to our kids because I thought I should, I guess.
To be fair, Maurice Sendak also illustrated the Little Bear books, and I love those. So I have a fond spot in my heart for his work. Wild Things, though, is heading out the door. I refuse to feel guilty about it!
This book is a 1964 Caldecott Award winner. That's probably why I bought it when my older kids were young. Or maybe everyone was reading it, so we had to join in. We've dutifully read it to each of our kids.
I really don't get this book. I never have understood what it's supposed to mean. And honestly, I have never loved it. I've only read it to our kids because I thought I should, I guess.
To be fair, Maurice Sendak also illustrated the Little Bear books, and I love those. So I have a fond spot in my heart for his work. Wild Things, though, is heading out the door. I refuse to feel guilty about it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)