Book: The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Age-range: 16 and up
Rating: 5 out of 10
Okay, this book was recommended to me by about half a dozen people whose taste I value, writing I adore, and opinions are well-founded. I read it and really really wanted to love it. I kept reading, even when I had gone past my page limit waiting for it to be interesting. It IS interesting, but it could have been just as powerful (if not moreso) as a short story.
This is a story about a man and his son trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. You never really learn what exactly happened to the earth, just that it happened. There were parts of this book that broke my heart and brought me to tears. That is this book described in one word: heartbreaking.
So why did I only give it 5 out of 10? Because it's repetitious and ultimately unsatisfying. Perhaps I wasn't in the right frame of mine to fully appreciate it, but this is my book review, not yours. If you've read this book please share your experience with it so that everyone can know that mine isn't the only opinion out there.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
So Many Books, So Little Time
I have over a dozen books that I received for Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, or forced onto me by my sister as I was leaving her house. :) I wish I had more time to read, but it's not something I can do while Dutch plays because he's a one-man wrecking crew and I have to stop reading to chase him down every few minutes. That doesn't really let the story flow the way it should.
I'm not really one for New Year's resolutions, but I am going to make the resolution to do two things after Dutch goes to sleep: exercise and read!
I'm not really one for New Year's resolutions, but I am going to make the resolution to do two things after Dutch goes to sleep: exercise and read!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Book Review #2
Book: Fairest of All by Serena Valentino
Age-range: 10 and up, possibly younger with Mama and Dad's permission
Rating: 8 out of 10
To begin, the cover of this book is the most amazing thing in the world. If nothing else, you should go to the bookstore and look at it. Make sure to look UNDER the jacket too. Amazingly spooky stuff.
This is a re-telling of the Disney version of Snow White from the Wicked Queen's point of view. When the book begins you adore and love the queen and can't understand how she becomes what she does. The process happens slowly, although there wasn't enough real motivation for her change, in my mind.
The imagery is beautiful and it's a nice, quick read. If you like Snow White you will probably be interested in this telling of the tale.
Age-range: 10 and up, possibly younger with Mama and Dad's permission
Rating: 8 out of 10
To begin, the cover of this book is the most amazing thing in the world. If nothing else, you should go to the bookstore and look at it. Make sure to look UNDER the jacket too. Amazingly spooky stuff.
This is a re-telling of the Disney version of Snow White from the Wicked Queen's point of view. When the book begins you adore and love the queen and can't understand how she becomes what she does. The process happens slowly, although there wasn't enough real motivation for her change, in my mind.
The imagery is beautiful and it's a nice, quick read. If you like Snow White you will probably be interested in this telling of the tale.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Importance of Having a Library Card
I love the library. When we lived in Murrysville, PA I went to the library every week. I would check out 5 books each time and read 3 or 4 all the way through (if I get to page 50 and still don't like the book I give it up as a lost cause). Then I'd go back to the library and get 5 more.
Since moving here to Utah I knew the first thing I needed was a library card. I went and got one yesterday. The problem is not all libraries are created equal. Our library in Murrysville, while being small, was quiet and cozy. The Sandy library is loud and hard to maneuver through, especially with the stroller that's attached to me all day every day. To make matters worse their catalog search stystem online is incredible difficult to use; I thought I found a book and it turns out I was in the wrong branch!
Anyway, I am planning on getting a library card at the Salt Lake City Public Library, one of the best libraries in the world, if you ask me. My son and I will have to ride the train into downtown Salt Lake, but it will be so worth it.
Since moving here to Utah I knew the first thing I needed was a library card. I went and got one yesterday. The problem is not all libraries are created equal. Our library in Murrysville, while being small, was quiet and cozy. The Sandy library is loud and hard to maneuver through, especially with the stroller that's attached to me all day every day. To make matters worse their catalog search stystem online is incredible difficult to use; I thought I found a book and it turns out I was in the wrong branch!
Anyway, I am planning on getting a library card at the Salt Lake City Public Library, one of the best libraries in the world, if you ask me. My son and I will have to ride the train into downtown Salt Lake, but it will be so worth it.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Book Review #1
Book: Aurelia by Anne Osterlund
Age-range: 12 and up
Rating: 6 out of 10
Aurelia is a princess in danger. Someone is trying to kill her and has already made a couple of failed attempts when our story begins. Robert and Aurelia share the point of view in the story, although it's always written in third person. Robert is not royal, not terribly fascinating and has an unhealthy adoration for horses.
I'll admit, this story was completely slow-going. It took me several days between readings to get throught it. About three-fourths of the way through it got really interesting and the story grabbed me. The twists and turns were prosaic and predictable, but the person who is responsible for the assassination attempts came as a complete surprise, thereby making it less believable.
Now I don't want it to seem like I hated this book. I absolutely didn't. The writing is beautiful and Aurelia was an admirable character who would make a positive role model for any little girl. However, if you're going to read an Osterlund book I would suggest her second one, Academy 7, which has all of the good things in Aurelia along with better characters and a more compelling plot.
Happy reading!
Age-range: 12 and up
Rating: 6 out of 10
Aurelia is a princess in danger. Someone is trying to kill her and has already made a couple of failed attempts when our story begins. Robert and Aurelia share the point of view in the story, although it's always written in third person. Robert is not royal, not terribly fascinating and has an unhealthy adoration for horses.
I'll admit, this story was completely slow-going. It took me several days between readings to get throught it. About three-fourths of the way through it got really interesting and the story grabbed me. The twists and turns were prosaic and predictable, but the person who is responsible for the assassination attempts came as a complete surprise, thereby making it less believable.
Now I don't want it to seem like I hated this book. I absolutely didn't. The writing is beautiful and Aurelia was an admirable character who would make a positive role model for any little girl. However, if you're going to read an Osterlund book I would suggest her second one, Academy 7, which has all of the good things in Aurelia along with better characters and a more compelling plot.
Happy reading!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The Bookish Blonde
Welcome to my brand new blog! This is where I will write reviews and opinions about all of the books I read. Feel free to share your opinions and make book suggestions. Most of all, keep reading!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
December Book #1
Book: After This by Alice McDermott
A more literary novel than I've read lately. It tells the story of a family. Very beautiful imagery, but I find myself a little dissatisfied at the ending. It's a book I've been meaning to read for years though and I'm glad I finally got to it.
A more literary novel than I've read lately. It tells the story of a family. Very beautiful imagery, but I find myself a little dissatisfied at the ending. It's a book I've been meaning to read for years though and I'm glad I finally got to it.
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