tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89554202824791125082024-03-15T21:10:15.584-04:00Small ReviewCasual reviews about Adult, Young Adult, and Middle Grade books.Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comBlogger986125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-3344939956616415462021-04-21T03:00:00.001-04:002021-04-21T03:00:00.551-04:00Mini-Review Roundup<p> </p><div style="background: rgb(244, 240, 236) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; padding: 5px 8px; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Mini-Review Roundup<br /></b></i></span></div>
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25620395-the-many-reflections-of-miss-jane-deming" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marie Antoinette: The Journey" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348076508l/882675.jpg" width="214" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/882675.Marie_Antoinette">Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser</a><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><p>Honestly, this was kind of a letdown. It's not that there's anything wrong with it, but I guess my expectations were too high. I had the sense that this was <i>THE</i> Marie Antoinette book. Unfortunately for me, I've already read Juliet Grey's fiction series and Caroline Weber's non-fiction <i>Queen of Fashion</i> and I prefer both of those. </p><p>To me, Juliet Grey's series has all of the historical facts of Antonia Fraser's offering (I imagine she used AF's book as a major source-- it feels very much like "copy, paste, add humanity"), but also all of the heart, soul, and caring for the "characters" that Antonia Fraser's book lacks. Juliet Grey's series made the people come alive. I felt for the people in ways that I just didn't when reading AF's book. </p><p>But Juliet Grey's series is fiction, you may say. Of course I'm going to feel for the characters more there, you may say. This is an unfair comparison, you may say. Yes, yes, except Caroline Weber's non-fiction book absolutely captured my heart and emotions. I was sobbing when reading the final years of MA's life, I felt for her as she wiled away her youth to distract herself from her childless and passionless marriage. I was emotionally invested in it all. Antonia Fraser's book just lacked this connection for me, and even though by this point I know enough about the story to fill in all of the emotional bits, AF's writing was just too distant and too plodding and too surface to leap off the page even with this knowledge. </p><p>It wasn't bad by any stretch. If I had read it first, I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more. The facts are there. The writing isn't dry. The history is presented in a way that is easy to follow. It just...lacks the heart I want and have found elsewhere. <br /></p><p> <br /></p><div></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19197364-the-three-edwards" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Victorian Fashion Accessories" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1410802568l/22235382.jpg" width="213" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22235382-victorian-fashion-accessories">Victorian Fashion Accessories by Ariel Beaujot</a></b> </div><div> </div><p>I picked this up on a whim because I was participating in a Victorian theme week and the conversation there sparked my interest in Victorian fashion. I enjoy seeing how fashion is influenced by and influences history (see Caroline Weber's excellent book <i>Queen of Fashion</i>) and Ariel Beaujot did a nice job explaining that interplay here. She focuses not on Victorian fashion overall, but on a few key items such as fans, umbrellas, gloves, etc. </p><p>For those less interested in non-fiction and not terribly familiar with the Victorian era, this might be a little dry and disjointed. It did have that "dissertation" vibe to it. I also don't necessarily agree with all of her conclusions and I do question how factual some of her facts are (it's a little bit of a stretch to make the claims on, for example, umbrellas that she made). So, perhaps not for everyone. </p><p>For me, I didn't mind these things. Overall, I enjoyed the book. I spent a lot of time looking up facts (that were true) and delving more deeply into the history through Internet searches. It was fun. It also taught me a lot of the "why" and the story behind a number of items that are antique store staples that I've seen a lot but didn't fully understand (like celluloid vanity sets). This was neat. It's a short read and one I considered well worth my time. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div>
<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Picnic at Hanging Rock" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546048425l/34785405._SY475_.jpg" width="209" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34785405-picnic-at-hanging-rock"><b>Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay<br /></b></a></div><div> </div><p>Well, this was...not what I was expecting. Did I like it? Yeah. I think. Yes. Mostly. <br /></p><p>I think this might have been, in part, a case of misplaced expectations. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting, but it was not what I got. Here's what I would have told myself to expect if I could go back in time: </p><p>The atmosphere is dreamy and hazy. The sense of place is palpable, but it's more about the heat and the vibe and the feel and the emotions than about feeling any particular historical sense of time and place. The mystery of what happened to the girls is at the center of everything, but this is not a detective story. You're not going to spend time gathering and putting together clues. This isn't about solving the mystery. <br /></p><p>The event happens at the beginning, and then the rest of the story is more of a character study, exploring the impact and fallout of the event on the various characters. This almost reminded me of <i>The Turn of the Screw</i> in that you're in the position to observe the impact of events on the psyche of the characters, but you don't know for sure where the truth lies. Is that character losing their mind? Cool and calculating? Naturally bereaved? You don't know, you won't know. But the exploration and the questioning and the plausible pathways is captivating. </p><p>Overall, yes, I think this is a good one. It has power and effect. It made me think and feel and wonder. It stayed with me. It's not what I would call an <i>enjoyable</i> read. It's not a happy book. I'm glad I read it. </p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-54065802375525569252021-03-24T03:00:00.001-04:002021-03-24T03:00:06.734-04:00Mini-Review Roundup<p></p><div style="background: rgb(244, 240, 236) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; padding: 5px 8px; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Mini-Review Roundup<br /></b></i></span></div>
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25620395-the-many-reflections-of-miss-jane-deming" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Darkbeast" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1357362746l/17209510.jpg" width="212" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17209510-darkbeast">Darkbeast by Morgan Keyes</a><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><p>Solid "nice." I enjoyed reading it, but I don't feel compelled to read the sequel. Chapters are short and it's easy to read quickly, even if the pacing of the plot isn't breakneck. There's also a little bit of the "glimpse into the past" which is a writing approach I usually find makes me want to read more and become more invested in finding out how the past and present connect, and that worked here too. </p><p>The messages are sweet and the relationship between the characters is also sweet. There's just enough depth and nuance to both the characters and the plot to make this book stand out and stand on its own. It's also a sweet book. </p><p>But, it's also kind of a downer book. The main character is likable and endearing, but she's also insecure, afraid, and kind of sad. This cast a bit of a shadow on my reading experience and leaves me with a vague feeling off glumness. So, I liked the book and I'm glad I read it, but I don't love the feeling it's left me with. <br /></p><div>
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19197364-the-three-edwards" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Poison in the Colony: James Town 1622" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1535912571l/41596190._SY475_.jpg" width="212" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41596190-poison-in-the-colony">Poison in the Colony by Elisa Carbone</a></b> </div><div> </div><p>I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. I almost decided to give it away unread, but finally figured I'd give it a shot since I can't find an e-book version. I ended up liking it so much I decided to keep my hardcover copy and added the companion book to my TBR. </p><p>I was expecting a preachy book for kids that would be surface level and not terribly historical. Instead, I got a book with nuance and realistic history and a set of characters I enjoyed reading about. It even made me curious enough to do some light Internet research after I finished, which I always consider a good sign. <br /></p><p>Chapters are very short so it was easy to zip through. The plot also moved at a brisk pace, even jumping ahead in time, but in a way that never felt gripping and fast but also kept things from dragging needlessly. There were scenes that stood out and felt real and I got a good sense of time and place. I wasn't sure at first about the supernatural element, but I thought it was done well. Even with those elements, this felt much more "straight historical" than "historical fantasy." Recommended. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div>
<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485978871l/29358517._SX318_.jpg" width="214" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29358517-the-inquisitor-s-tale"><b>The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz<br /></b></a></div><div> </div><p>Oh, I had <i>such</i> high hopes for this book but I did <i>not</i> like it. The writing seemed forced-funny, and I didn't find it funny. The characters felt forced-likable and I did not like them. The approach to storytelling with all of these random people telling bits and pieces of the story felt gimmicky and unnecessary. The plot felt overly long and pointless. The action scenes felt like something from a comic book, complete with forced "Kapow" moments to tell me what I should be feeling but the writing isn't evoking. I'm left feeling mildly irritated, unimpressed, and like I want to say, "I just spent my time for <i>that??</i>" </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-32740639758742208292021-03-03T03:00:00.001-05:002021-03-03T03:00:00.498-05:00Mini-Review Roundup<p> </p><div style="background: rgb(244, 240, 236) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; padding: 5px 8px; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Mini-Review Roundup<br /></b></i></span></div>
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25620395-the-many-reflections-of-miss-jane-deming" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fiercombe Manor" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444778321l/23527488.jpg" width="213" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23527488-fiercombe-manor">Fiercombe Manor by Kate Riordan</a><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><p>Did I like this? Yes and no. </p><p>The yes? I was engaged. I wanted to know what would happen next. I read through it pretty quickly as a result (this was definitely a "just one more chapter" kind of book for me). </p><p>I love stories where you're unraveling past events and this book did a good job with that. The past (1930s) and further past (early 1900s) were well balanced and I didn't have a favorite. They felt different and "of their time." I was satisfied with the Big Reveal (though not astounded) and very happy with the ending. I also liked the time spent in the house and on the property (I love "house" books). <br /></p><p>The no? The characters were all just okay. The whole book focuses on post-partum depression and the author did a truly excellent job conveying the impact something like this has on the individual and the family. That is a good thing (so a mark in the "yes"), but it was a hard thing to read about (so a mark in the "no"). All of the goods were solid goods, but none of them really wowed me. I decided not to keep my beautiful hardcover and I imagine in a few years I'll see the book and think, "What was that about again?" and shrug. It's good, I'm glad I read it, but it isn't The One for me. <br /></p><div>
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19197364-the-three-edwards" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prisoner of Time (Time Travelers, #3)" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388455090l/93770.jpg" width="193" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/93770.Prisoner_of_Time">Prisoner of Time by Caroline B. Cooney</a></b> </div><div> </div><div>This is definitely a book written in the 1990s. Thankfully I went into it with those expectations and so everything was fine. I was even pleasantly surprised. I also haven't read the previous books in the series and that wasn't a problem at all (though I probably got some spoilers for those earlier books, which I don't plan on reading). </div><p>So what do I mean by "written in the 1990s?" It's short. A lot of things get wrapped up very quickly and the characters don't have a ton of depth or backstory. And that's fine. If I know to expect this, I actually am just fine with this easy-breezy approach. I got a quick story with characters that, even though they didn't have a ton of depth and nuance, were easy to understand and feel for. Some I felt annoyance, some hatred, some sympathy, and some liking. But I did feel for them. The male lead was no someone I liked very much, but the female lead was and I liked her character arc and romance. <br /></p><p>The shortness of it all also meant that the author didn't so much paint a picture of the time and place but rather info-dumped and factoid-packed to give a sense of the setting. And, again, that works for me. There was a lot in there. This approach meant that while I might not have felt like I was living and breathing in the era, it did make me feel like I came away from the book with a good sense of history. I liked it. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div>
<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fanuilh (Fanuilh, #1)" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1332605107l/1416805.jpg" width="197" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1416805.Fanuilh"><b>Fanuilh by Daniel Hood<br /></b></a></div><div> </div><p>I liked it. I didn't love it. I could have almost loved it, but there were a few elements I was looking for that weren't there. Namely, I wanted the relationship between the main character and the dragon to be one of those warm fuzzy bonding friendships and it just never got there. It's not in the dragon's nature. Ok, fine. I accept that, but that would have been the key to making this book a Favorite and not just a solid like. </p><p>Anyway, it is what it is, and what it is is a murder mystery set in a "medieval fantasy village." There's the usual cast of characters, and for the most part I liked them. The main character is likable and tropish (think Geralt in The Witcher but less growly), but I consider that a good thing. The mystery was paced well, and though I never found it gripping, I did find it an enjoyable stroll. I liked it enough that I plan on reading the next book, but I wasn't in love enough that I need to read the next book right now. This ends pretty well as a standalone anyway with a promise of "future adventures" but a completion to this current adventure. <br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-61828307371080251732021-02-17T03:00:00.010-05:002021-02-17T03:00:05.257-05:00Mini-Review Roundup<p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25620395-the-many-reflections-of-miss-jane-deming" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gone with the Wind" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590862701l/50007867._SY475_.jpg" width="207" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50007867-gone-with-the-wind">Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell</a><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I am so blown away by how much I <i>adore</i> this book. I wasn't expecting to love it like this, but this was the kind of book that as soon as I finished reading it I wanted to turn back to the beginning and start reading it all over again. If I hadn't read a single book this year except this one, I would have counted that a win. I don't think I can do this book justice with a full review, so here are some highlights: </div><div> </div><div>The length: Yeah, this worried me and is a big reason why it took me so long to finally pick it up. I didn't need to worry. It's compulsively readable and I flew through it. I wish there were more pages and that it would never end. </div><div> </div><div>The characters: I loved them. I quoted them. I wanted to shake them and hug them and have them in my life. I laughed with them, raged with them, was gripped in terror with them, and cried with them. The character studies alone make this a book worth reading. The movie did an excellent job capturing them, but the book takes them and makes them even more fleshed out, nuanced, and amazing. I can't sing their praises enough. <br /></div><div> </div><div>The history: so well told. I was utterly <i>gripped</i> as the yankees were descending upon Atlanta, I felt the elation and glow of the early days of the war and the anger and frustration and despair of picking up the pieces of life after everything has been shattered. The historical value of the book is less in a play-by-play of events (though you do get a good feel for things) and more for capturing the feeling of life during that time and all of the terror, hopes, fears, despair, grit, adaptation, resolve, and soul searching of a time of massive change and disruption. It's a history of people, and regardless of what side of the war resonates with the reader, it's important to remember that there were people on both sides, and this book shines a light on that human element. <br /></div><div>
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19197364-the-three-edwards" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Catherine of Aragon: The Spanish Queen of Henry VIII" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312027028l/7898998.jpg" width="212" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7898998-catherine-of-aragon">Catherine of Aragon by Giles Trimlett</a></b> </div><div> </div><div>Catherine is one of history's characters who has endeared herself to me. I like her. I feel for her. I admire her. Giles Trimlett's linear narrative non-fiction account of Catherine's life is everything I could have hoped for. You know when you find a version that makes you feel like that's it, you're done, you'll never be able to find a version that tops this one? Yeah, that's what Giles Trimlett has done for me with Catherine of Aragon. </div><div><br /></div><div>What sets this book apart is how well Trimlett captures the <i>emotion</i> of Catherine's story. Her tenacity and fear during the lean years when Henry VII held her fate in limbo, the elation of her early years of marriage to Henry VIII, her love for her daughter, her fight with her husband over her marriage-- all of these events are told with all of the passion, emotion, and tension found in great fiction stories. That scene when Catherine testifies at the divorce trial, throwing herself at Henry's feet, delivering that astounding speech, and then <i>walking out</i> was an absolutely captivating, mic-drop moment. Yes, Catherine did these things, and yes, even the driest author can't take away the power of that moment, but Giles Trimlett captured every detail and emotion with the skill of a great storyteller. I knew exactly what was going to happen, and still I was enthralled. </div><div><br /></div><div>Giles Trimlett has written a book about Catherine's mother Isabella, and I'll read that for sure. I wish he had written more about some of my other favorite historical ladies. I can only imagine how Matilda or Eleanor of Aquitaine, Cleopatra, or Marie Antoinette's stories would unfold in his hands. <br /></div><p><br /></p><div>
<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Enter Three Witches" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328842769l/5021262.jpg" width="195" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5021262-enter-three-witches"><b>Enter Three Witches by Caroline B. Cooney<br /></b></a></div><div> </div><div>Well, it seems a little unfair to review this book after those two Special Shelf Spectaculars, so let's try to give <i>Enter Three Witches</i> a fair shake. </div><div> </div><div>Did I love this book? No. Did I enjoy it a whole lot? Yes. Chapters are moderate size, but there are a ton of little chapter breaks within the chapters and each section shifts focus between different characters. The story spins out at a nice pace and it's easy to follow whether or not you're familiar with Shakespeare's version. There's a sense of doom and dread and while none of the characters were super fleshed out, I ended up invested in each of their stories. There's even a nice sense of time and place. <br /></div><div> </div><div>I liked this a lot. It's a creative, engaging take on the tale and I'm glad I read it. I decided to keep my print copy. <br /></div><div><div>
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25620395-the-many-reflections-of-miss-jane-deming" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eleanor of Aquitaine: The Mother Queen of the Middle Ages" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392024662l/20729815.jpg" width="214" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20729815-eleanor-of-aquitaine">Eleanor of Aquitaine by Desmond Seward </a><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I was hesitant about this author because I've heard his Richard III books are <i>very</i> biased (against Richard). But, I've been so tempted to try one of his books because he writes about so many subjects I enjoy reading. So, I picked up his book about Eleanor, and it is biased in the sense that you can definitely tell which people he likes and doesn't like, but thankfully in this case he likes Eleanor. </div><div><br /></div><div>Otherwise, this was a pretty straight forward linear account of Eleanor's life. Readable, engaging, and hits on all the high points without being boring for readers who are already familiar with Eleanor's story. Chapters are long enough to have substance but short enough to keep things moving at a pretty good pace and not feel bogged down or like I needed to set aside an hour plus just to read through one chapter. It wasn't a <i>love</i>, but it was enough of a strong like that I'm definitely going to pick up more of his books (just, maybe not his Ricardian books). </div><div>
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19197364-the-three-edwards" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Love by the Morning Star" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377648549l/18222678.jpg" width="214" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18222678-love-by-the-morning-star">Love by the Morning Star by Laura L. Sullivan</a><br /></b></div><div> </div><div>Oopffh, this has been sitting on my shelves since 2015! I'm glad I finally read it, but since I also have an e-book version I didn't love it enough to keep the print version too. </div><div> </div><div>Basically, if you like <a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2014/10/mini-review-countess-below-stairs-by.html">Eva Ibbotson's <i>The Countess Below Stairs</i> </a>then you'll probably at least enjoy this book as well. Though I didn't think it was anywhere near as good as Ibbotson's take, the gist of the story is pretty much the same: girl escaping WWII ends up as a servant in a British household and falls in love with the lord of the manor. Essentially. There are differences and I won't spoil them here, but if that type of plot is appealing then this might be worth seeking out. </div><div> </div><div>There is a levity that was both amusing and also, somewhat, out of place. It's hard to reconcile "zany hijinks" with "Jews fleeing Nazi Germany," but Sullivan makes it work and I went into it with those expectations (it's kind of her style). Everything falls into place too perfectly, but, again, if you can suspend disbelief and just enjoy this as a fun romp then it makes for a nice way to pass the time. <br /></div><div>
<br />
<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Faithful (Faithful, #1)" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1378088962l/7163935.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7163935-faithful"><b>Faithful by Janet Fox</b></a><br /></div><div><br />I spent some time knocking off books that had been on my TBR for near on a decade, and so I feel a sense of satisfaction having read this one just for that fact alone. That said, I did enjoy the book, but not enough to keep my print copy.</div><div> </div><div>I loved the premise and even though the main character wasn't particularly likable, she's going through a lot and does change over time so even though she wasn't always the most pleasant person to be around, I felt for her. The premise is right up my ally and the execution was pretty good, too. I felt a pretty decent sense of place, particularly during certain scenes (that hot springs scene, so minor in the story, is seared in my mind now...no pun intended). The mystery about the main character's mother kept my interest and tugged at my heart. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would have liked this a whole lot more, but there were three characters that really rubbed me the wrong way. One is a potential love interest who is painted far too black and white. I thought there was a real opportunity with this character to explore things, but the hamfisted characterization made this a missed opportunity. One character was so unlikable as a person, and yet I got the sense I was supposed to give her a pass. I'm sorry, I don't. I don't think the main character was wrong about her and I didn't like the way it felt like I was being lectured by the author to be sympathetic toward this character. </div><div> </div><div>Finally, the love interest was okay, but then he'd start spouting off these anachronistic lectures at the main character whose only real sin was that she held the actual beliefs of her time and place (and was far more open minded than the love interest gave her credit for). Not only is this annoying, but it also made him a pretty awful love interest. Where is the mutual respect in this romance? I was disappointed in the main character for falling for a guy who treated her so poorly. <br /></div><div> </div><div>Had these characters been better, I probably would have adored this book. As it was, I can't help but feel like a modern author decided to write about the past, half so she could write about the past, and half so she could insert her modern viewpoints in to lecture the reader and the main character. Sorry, agree with the author or not, I don't like being lectured like this and I don't like my historical fiction infused with modern thoughts and approaches. <br /></div><div><div></div><div>
<br />
<br /><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-24315859485797830462020-12-28T17:09:00.008-05:002021-01-16T19:47:58.018-05:002020 Challenges Wrap Up<p> <br />
<br />
</p><div style="background: rgb(244, 240, 236) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; padding: 5px 8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>5 Challenges...how did I do?</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZn1GDA3Ci3yYjdq_o5H8Q-F1XZ99a_AwuvKZaZyOBoUWh8Snz7AHJUUDKQHCUbUx0aSthmrFTc0tzlujkp4HHWRkbpqMAziVN6-N7uCzsV4vx9N1jw7pkqthxaEQDZ7CdpKM7e_y4eQ/s1600/%2523ReRead2016.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZn1GDA3Ci3yYjdq_o5H8Q-F1XZ99a_AwuvKZaZyOBoUWh8Snz7AHJUUDKQHCUbUx0aSthmrFTc0tzlujkp4HHWRkbpqMAziVN6-N7uCzsV4vx9N1jw7pkqthxaEQDZ7CdpKM7e_y4eQ/s200/%2523ReRead2016.png" width="200" /></a><p><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2020/01/2020-re-read-challenge.html"><b>The Re-Read Challenge</b></a><br />
<b>Goal: Re-read as many books as I want</b><br />
<b>Books read: 2</b><br />
<b>Goal achieved? Yes?</b><br />
<br />Previously I had been doing a lot of rereading for comfort or to revisit old favorites. This year I had a mission: read the books on my shelves and remove everything I don't want to carry up and down three flights of stairs when I move. That didn't leave much room for rereading. </p><p>But, I also didn't feel the pull of rereading. If I had, I would have read them regardless of my goal to read books I own. I just didn't feel the pull. And, while I want to reread when I feel the urge, I think it's also equally okay not to force a reread I'm just not feeling at the moment. <br />
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</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/14560847"><b></b></a><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip84uKWV_0MOufp2KIPFzXlCh4ay_rlBUd99S9iPcea9A0ol33nCAA4MCs6dbOYFGJXpwFoKJw0VHTrhoYZjFWCj3N99WMpFVTjPUSTXgc4GK9eHd1n6oIMi_0B4uLR9qTbDzROxRoK0w/s310/index.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip84uKWV_0MOufp2KIPFzXlCh4ay_rlBUd99S9iPcea9A0ol33nCAA4MCs6dbOYFGJXpwFoKJw0VHTrhoYZjFWCj3N99WMpFVTjPUSTXgc4GK9eHd1n6oIMi_0B4uLR9qTbDzROxRoK0w/s0/index.jpg" /></a> </b></p><p><b>Goodreads Reading Challenge</b><br />
<b>Goal: 50 books, then adjusted, and adjusted, up to 85</b><br />
<b>Books read: 85</b><br />
<b>Goal achieved? Yes! </b><br />
<br />
I
set a modest goal of 50 books so I didn't feel pressured by quantity
and because, I love it when my progress bar says "you're x books ahead!"
rather than "you're x books behind" or even the mild "You're on track!" This was also an...anomalous year, to say the least, so I didn't want to feel any kind of pressure to read a certain number of books. Instead, I let myself read when I felt like I wanted to read, and not sweat it when I had months where my brain just could not focus on reading. <br />
<br />
</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7az-1c3usMRLA27OOt7PnpVDOsUmBCJLjziUg1rFbOMTAMz0scs1IwhgszJDTeEVHbo6mi60mZrGlnpJ7O1e33Io109dGwz8QC5UWFR5LUD7eWv14uhz_8c0wTY0F8L4trv-tyZx6yM/s1600/2018%252BHF%252BReading%252BChallenge_Graphic.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="267" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7az-1c3usMRLA27OOt7PnpVDOsUmBCJLjziUg1rFbOMTAMz0scs1IwhgszJDTeEVHbo6mi60mZrGlnpJ7O1e33Io109dGwz8QC5UWFR5LUD7eWv14uhz_8c0wTY0F8L4trv-tyZx6yM/s200/2018%252BHF%252BReading%252BChallenge_Graphic.png" width="166" /></a><p><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2020/01/2020-historical-reading-challenge.html"><b>Historical Fiction Challenge</b></a><br />
<b>Goal: 15 books</b><br />
<b>Books read: 24 (bio-fic/non-fic)</b><br />
<b>Goal achieved? Yes! </b> <br />
<br />
I
love reading about history and I wanted to make sure I put some focus on
the genre again since it's so easy for time to slip away when it
comes to reading (i.e. "has it really been four years since I last read a
book in that series??" Sound familiar? Sorry Patrick O'Brian...).<br />
<br />
While I
included historical fantasy and historical lite in the list, what I
really wanted to make sure I read was biographical historical fiction
and non-fiction. Basically, I wanted to learn about history. This year I also read a lot of disease books and I decided to lump them into this category since I like reading the books that focus on disease through a historical lens. I reveled in gory, horrifying plagues of Ebola, tuberculosis, yellow fever, and smallpox. <br /><br />
Over the last few years I've been steadily and unintentionally shifting from fiction to non-fiction, and this year continued that trend. I read 13 biographical non-fiction books (up from last year's 8) plus another 7 historical non-fiction books (disease, fashion, etc.). That's 20 non-fiction books! Incredible for me. My biographical fiction reading was a lot less than usual, clocking in at only 4 (down from the 6 I read last year, which was lower than the previous year). I'd like to read more biographical fiction next year, especially considering I own so many of them. </p><p>I also read a whole slew of historical fiction that wasn't biographical, but was historical. Toward the middle through end of the year I really got into "westward-ho fiction" with several YA/MG books following fictional characters making their way in the rugged American west. I went to California, Montana, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, and all the states in between. <br /><br />
My biographical reading saw a mix of familiar and new faces. Marie Antoinette, Anne Boleyn, and Eleanor of Aquitaine made several appearances, including the long-hyped but ultimate letdown of Antonia Fraser's <i>Marie Antoinette: The Journey</i>. Less common, but increasingly more common ladies such as Catherine of Aragon, Catherine de Medici, and Matilda also showed up, each with a hit that made for standout reading experiences.<br /><br />
I finally knocked off Trevor Royale's <i>The Wars of the Roses</i>, but much like Antonia Fraser's offering, this one was more of a soulless letdown, though still worth reading. G. J. Meyer's <i>Tudors</i> was another historical overview that had been on my list for a while, but sadly it too could not hold a candle to my previously read <i>Tudor</i> by Leanda de Lisle. Other "just okays" but still glad I read them included the book on Caligula,<i> She Wolves</i>, and <i>The Other Tudor Princess. </i>I wanted to spend more time with the three Edwards this year, and I did through Thomas B. Costain's solidly Good <i>The Three Edwards</i>. Most surprising love? That award goes to the shockingly gripping <i>Empire of the Summer Moon</i>.
<br />
<br />
While much of 2020 saw a lot of familiar Tudors and Plantagenets, it also introduced me to a
number of new-to-me or still very toe-dippy historical figures and
events. I spent some time with James I's wife in <i>The Danish Queen</i> (didn't like her much), Minette, Charles II's sister (she's okay), and Consuelo Vanderbilt. The latter was a result of an accidental foray into her autobiography via an Edith Wharton-inspired Victorian/Edwardian binge, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also did a few inadvertent toe-dips into WWII and while I enjoy the era it still hasn't gripped me enough to go into a full dive. <br />
<br />
Jean Plaidy and Carolyn Meyer were sadly absent this year, along with a second year of no Sharon Kay
Penman, Susan Howatch, or Anne O'Brien. This was a surprisingly American-filled year with the cherry on top the long-feared but best loved <i>Gone with the Wind</i>. On the historical-lite front, I finally, finally read some Kate Morton books and I loved every one of them. All in all, I'm quite happy with how this year's historical reading went. <br />
<br />
</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6mHs2Ulf6csmDWSTTQ7lzRxDdh2p2Z5xzPLs-VQad4Xs8lqj1iwhJ5ThNzRBDt-ZfaBGwPlT7Bz8U9IueVaohnVivCE3j2ajzCzW2SqoOn59iZJNQu_MHLmZlGUq420sZH8UNEpCiSQ/s1600/Keep+off+the+shelf+challenge.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6mHs2Ulf6csmDWSTTQ7lzRxDdh2p2Z5xzPLs-VQad4Xs8lqj1iwhJ5ThNzRBDt-ZfaBGwPlT7Bz8U9IueVaohnVivCE3j2ajzCzW2SqoOn59iZJNQu_MHLmZlGUq420sZH8UNEpCiSQ/s200/Keep+off+the+shelf+challenge.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2020/01/2020-keep-books-off-shelf-challenge.html"><b>Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge</b></a><br />
<b>Goal: Read books I acquired in 2019</b><br />
<b>Books read: 29 read, 12 either read in previous years, DNF/On Hold or Currently Reading</b><br />
<b>Goal achieved? Yes! </b><br />
<br />
The
point of this challenge was so that I wouldn't continually add to my
backlog of unread books on my shelves. Yes, it's important to read
though the books I already own, but I think it's equally important to
read the new books I get so they too don't languish unread for years. <br />
<br />
This year I decided to track my books acquired both as a total and broken out between print and e-books. While I want to make sure to stay on top of both, I have a greater sense of urgency to read the print books so I don't end up carrying them around and cluttering up my home with a bunch of print books I don't actually want. So, to that end, of the 142 books
I acquired in 2020, only 14 were print books (down from 33 last year, yay!) and 134 are e-books. I've read 29% of these books total, 21% of the print books, and 31% of the e-books. I read much more of the print books I acquired last year (65%!) so my achievements this year aren't quite as spectacular. I'd like to try to read a lot of them in 2021 so they don't sit unread for a long time. Not unreasonable considering there are only 11 of them (and one of those I'm halfway through). Still, all in all not bad. I enjoy this challenge and I'll sign up for it again
in
2021.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QvByTZVf1lFqKwXRz3RMwTGRJO1f8HtluXSyJG1kISZ-HBwWj2sfXJFvWLBerKk8qya2Uo0pkTLa7y_Vbe10d66Q87_mEZzvaJJU45rFsfVSgCcDe3zIghTfoa7RjjzIyofxErLb2Ec/s1600/ReadMyOwnDamnBooksbutton.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QvByTZVf1lFqKwXRz3RMwTGRJO1f8HtluXSyJG1kISZ-HBwWj2sfXJFvWLBerKk8qya2Uo0pkTLa7y_Vbe10d66Q87_mEZzvaJJU45rFsfVSgCcDe3zIghTfoa7RjjzIyofxErLb2Ec/s200/ReadMyOwnDamnBooksbutton.jpg" width="200" /></a><p><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2020/01/2020-read-my-own-books-challenge.html"><b>Read My Own Books Challenge</b></a><br />
<b>Goal: Read books I acquired prior to 2018</b><br />
<b>Books read: 53 read</b><br />
<b>Goal achieved? Yes!</b><br />
<br />
I
set a rough target of reading or DNF-ing 12 books this year. Working
out to roughly one book a month, I figured that was doable. Really, what
I want to achieve with this challenge are two things: First, I want to
determine whether or not I should continue lugging these books around
with me. Second, I want to not let books sit unread for years on my
shelves. </p><p>Last year I read 27 books, but this year I read a whopping 53!
Of the 53 books, 21 of them were e-books (40%, down from 63% last year) and
32 were print books (60%! up from 10 books and 37% last year!). In an effort to be proactive and not let books languish unread for years, 19 of them were books I got in 2019. In an effort to read books that have in fact been languishing for years, 34 have been sitting on my shelves unread for 2 or more years, with most of them acquired between 2012 and 2018 (2-8 years!). I didn't keep track of all of the books I gave away this year, but I went
through a major purge and removed over 154 books that I did keep track of, and many more that I haven't (and
many of those I didn't track on Goodreads, so they're not included in
the numbers below). <br />
<br />
I'm
still playing around with how I want to track progress on this, and I
think now I may try tracking both percentage of books read and number of
books removed that year. This way if I either increase the percentage or remove books,
either way I'm moving toward my goal. <br />
<br />
26% read of books acquired in 2020 (140) (104 to 100%)<br />
41% read and 0 added of books acquired in 2019 (165), up 8% (97 to 100%)<br />
34% read and 10 removed from 2018 (253), up 5% (167 to 100%)<br />
33% read and 41 removed from 2017 (302), up 9% (202 to 100%)<br />
47% read and 40 removed from 2016 (322), up 8% (171 to 100%)<br />
39% read and 12 removed from 2015 (96), up 18% (58 to 100%)<br />
49% read and 5 removed from 2014 (74), up 7% (38 to 100%)<br />
54% read and 5 removed from 2013 (50), down 2% (23 to 100%)<br />
67% read and 9 removed from 2012 (60), up 20% (20 to 100%)<br />
89% read and 17 removed from 2010-2011 (129), up 11% (14 to 100%)<br />
83% read and 1 removed from 2008-2009 (35), up 2% (6 to 100%)<br />
87% read and 2 added from 2003-2007 (103), down 2% (13 to 100%)<br />
100% read and 0 removed from 2002 and earlier (75), 0% <br /><br />
This year I also decided to break this up into print and e-books.<br /><br />
Print: <br /><br />
21% read of books acquired in 2020 (14) (11 to 100%)<br />
67% read and 0 added from 2019 (30), up 0% (10 to 100%)<br />
43% read and 0 added from 2018 (28), up 0% (16 to 100%)<br />
44% read and 0 added from 2017 (45), down 0% (25 to 100%)<br />
49% read and 0 removed from 2016 (49), up 0% (25 to 100%)<br />
38% read and 0 removed from 2015 (39), up 0% (24 to 100%)<br />
42% read and 0 removed from 2014 (69), up 0% (40 to 100%)<br />
61% read and 0 added from 2013 (41), up 0% (16 to 100%)<br />
66% read and 0 added from 2012 (44), up 0% (11 to 100%)<br />
80% read and 0 removed from 2010-2011 (111), up 0% (22 to 100%)<br />
91% read and 0 removed from 2008-2009 (33), up 0% (3 to 100%)<br />
87% read and 0 added from 2003-2007 (97), down 0% (13 to 100%)<br />
100% read and 0 removed from 2002 and earlier (65), 0%<br /><br />
E-Books:<br /><br />
27% read of books acquired in 2020 (132), up 0% (96 to 100%)<br />
38% read and 0 added from 2019 (150), up 0% (93 to 100%)<br />
33% read and 0 added from 2018 (239), up 0% (160 to 100%)<br />
34% read and 0 added from 2017 (288), up 0% (190 to 100%)<br />
48% read and 0 removed from 2016 (307), up 0% (160 to 100%)<br />
19% read and 0 removed from 2015 (81), up 0% (66 to 100%)<br />
52% read and 0 removed from 2014 (52), up 0% (25 to 100%)<br />
77% read and 0 added from 2013 (39), up 0% (9 to 100%)<br />
76% read and 0 added from 2012 (45), up 0% (11 to 100%)<br />
93% read and 0 removed from 2010-2011 (108), up 0% (8 to 100%)<br />
95% read and 0 removed from 2008-2009 (21), up 0% (1 to 100%)<br />
93% read and 0 added from 2003-2007 (76), down 0% (5 to 100%)<br />
100% read and 0 removed from 2002 and earlier (44), 0%<br />
<br />
I realized last year that I need to track this differently because I
have a lot of e-books that I don't feel the need to get rid of, but I
also don't think the odds are high that I'll ever read them. These are
throwing off my percentages, since the goal of tracking this is to not
leave books I really do want to read unread. You know, the ones that
when you see them on the shelf they're giving you the stink eye. THOSE
are the books I want to track. Not so much the "digital library" of
books I have but don't care if I read or not. So I also excluded all of the e-books I technically own but know I'm not
going to read (why bother deleting them?). They are included in the
totals above though (I'll remove them for next year). <br />
<br />
I
still have a lot of books I haven't read, but I think this
is going to be a marathon not a sprint. I'll be signing
up for this challenge in 2021 and I hope to continue making a dent. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</p><div style="background: rgb(244, 240, 236) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; padding: 5px 8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Reflection </b></i></span></div>
<br />
Most
of my challenges didn't have a hard number goal, which I like. It
allows me to provide focus to my reading without strictly holding myself
to an actual number.<br />
<br />
I continue to want to read
historical fiction and non-fiction, and I love how this challenge helps
focus my reading on that. I also like being able to
see which eras and people I focus on or haven't focused on in a while.
This is helping me expand the depth and breadth of my knowledge. <br />
<br />
In 2017 I really started to shift my reading to a more relaxed,
read-what-I-want approach, and I've continued that approach in 2018 and
2019 and 2020 to the point where I don't think I'm <i>trying</i> anymore and it's
my new way of being. I like that. It's funny how book blogging became
an obligation and completely changed my approach to reading. I feel like
I've found my way back home to reading as a hobby...and I've learned a
lot through that journey about how I want to (and don't want to)
approach hobbies. <br />
<br />
I really wanted to focus this year on reading the books I own, and I
definitely accomplished that. I also changed up the way I count the books I own and track my progress in terms of reading what I own. It's a work in progress, but I think I'm honing in on how I want to track this. <br />
<br />
I also purged a ton of books I've been carrying around unread for so long by recognizing
that a large part of me didn't actually <i>want</i> to read those books,
which is why they were unread for so long. Shedding feelings of
obligation, guilt, and "but what if it's The One" (when I know it won't
be...and if it is, then I can always re-buy it in the future) was
liberating and I feel much better for it. This combined with the books I
read that I already owned means I focused a lot this year on going
through owned pre-2020 books and that is really what I wanted to achieve
this year. Mission accomplished. I have several empty shelves now, and I feel much better for that. <br />
<br />
The last few years I've noticed that I can look back over my reading and
infer how I was doing emotionally during that time. This year I was
able to keep track of this with all of the craziness of the year and this helped me feel more grounded and like I was in fact doing okay. Using my reading as a "symptom" gauge is
actually pretty handy and I'll continue to do this. It's also almost
like a scrapbook of my life: I can see things like "oh this is when I
was moving" or "oh, this is when I was camping" and so on, so it's
pretty neat in that way, too.<br />
<br />
<b>Other notable things about 2020:</b><br />
<ul><li>Continued my love and exploration of Edith Wharton's books</li><li>Read and fell in love with <i>Gone with the Wind</i><br /></li><li>Finally read some Kate Morton</li><li>Read a lot of books that were sitting unread for a long time</li><li>Really read a lot of historical books, especially, and surprisingly, with American settings</li><li>Delved a lot into those "lady diary" books, which are enjoyable brain candy<br /></li></ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(244, 240, 236) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; padding: 5px 8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Next up</b></i></span></div>
<br />
I'm going to sign up for all of the same challenges again. Here are some hopes and goals:<br />
<br />
<b>The Re-Read Challenge:</b> I'd like to really go with the flow with this one. If I re-read, then great. If I have another year like this where it doesn't really call to me, then that's fine too.<br />
<br />
<b>Goodreads Reading Challenge: </b>I'm going to set the challenge at 50
for the first part of the year and then adjust. This is the best way to
ensure I get that nice "You're X books ahead!" encouragement that works
so well for me. Ultimately, I'd say I'd like to shoot for 72 books, which works
out to an average of 6 books per month and seems to fit the rhythm of
my life, but I think next year is going to have an unpredictable rhythm. I'm not going to set any goals of any particular authors read. I'm going to keep next year pretty free flowing. <br />
<br />
<b>Historical Fiction Challenge: </b>I want to read more historical bio
fiction than I did this year. I enjoy them and I still have a lot of them that I
own but haven't read yet (both print and e-book). I also picked up a bunch of historical fiction e-books, and so it would be nice to read through some of those. And, I picked up a few more print books (mostly non-fiction) and I'd like to make an effort to read them. I love that I'm
reading more non-fiction, and I want to continue that. That's it. No other goals. <br />
<br />
<b>Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge: </b>No real goals for this one. Just try to read the books I get, especially the print books.<br />
<br />
<b>Read My Own Books Challenge: </b>I'd like to continue focusing on
this a lot next year. I made a big dent this year and I'd like to keep it up next year. I didn't end up moving this year, but I may very well move next year and if not then then probably the year after that. So, I need to lighten my load and make sure that what I move is actually worth the effort. This matters to me, and so I want to do it. <br />
<br />
<b>General Reading Goals: </b>Read what I want. Enjoy the time I spend with the books I'm reading. Read authors, books, and series I know make me happy. <br />
<br />
<b>General Blogging/Reviewing Goals: </b>See if this new way of "reviewing"
works for me. This November marks 10 years of blogging. Wow. <br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-82835620667585132092020-12-13T16:44:00.007-05:002021-09-28T23:50:07.300-04:002021 Re-Read Challenge<p> <br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: deeppink;">Challenge Basics:</span></b></span> <br />
<br />
<b>Name: </b>The Re-Read Challenge<br />
<b>Starts: </b>January 1, 2021<br />
<b>Ends: </b>December 31, 2021<br />
<b>Eligible Books:</b> Books you've already read. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Why I'm Interested: </b></span><br />
<br />
Whether
it's re-reading for comfort or to revisit old favorites, I want to make
sure I enthusiastically dive into re-reading whenever I feel the urge. I didn't feel the urge much last year, but in case I do this year I want a place to list 'em out and feel okay. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Some books I'm considering: </b></span><br />
<br />
My <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4579690-small-review?shelf=special-shelf">Special Shelf favorites</a>, of course. Also, books I liked enough or am curious enough to re-listen to on audio.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: deeppink;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Books Completed:</b></span></div><p>
7. Twilight by Meg Cabot</p><br /><p>6. Haunted by Meg Cabot</p><br /><p>5. Darkest Hour by Meg Cabot </p><br /><p>4. Reunion by Meg Cabot</p><br /><p>3. Ninth Key by Meg Cabot</p><br /><p>2. Shadowland by Meg Cabot</p><br /><p>1. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan<br />
<br /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-25259310358166235772020-12-13T16:43:00.004-05:002021-09-28T23:40:41.300-04:002021 Historical Reading Challenge<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<center>
/15 books</center>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: deeppink;">Challenge Basics:</span></b></span> <b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Name: </b>2021 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge<br />
<b>Hosts: </b><a href="http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2020/12/historical-fiction-reading-challenge.html?" target="_blank">The Intrepid Reader</a><br />
<b>Starts: </b>January 1, 2021<br />
<b>Ends: </b>December 31, 2021<br />
<b>Eligible Books:</b> YA and adult historical fiction books. I'm including non-fiction. <br />
<b>Levels: </b>I am going to try for 15 books<br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Why I'm Interested: </b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4579690?shelf=historical-bio" target="_blank">Historical Bio and Historical Non-Fiction</a>:
These are the weightier, meatier books that I want to make top
priority. They go into detail about actual people and events and I'll
learn the most from them. I've thrown in the non-fiction books onto this
shelf, too. I've been toe-dipping into non-fiction, and I'd like to
continue that toe-dip. I added a category last year for Historical Non-Fiction Other because I read a few books that were historical non-fic, but they weren't exactly a biography. I mostly just separated that out because it made sense in my head for what I'm looking to track, even though it doesn't make much sense as an actual category.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4579690?shelf=historical-fantasy" target="_blank">Historical Fantasy</a>:
These vary as far as actual historical learning goes. Some have a ton
of historical detail, but most just use a historical setting. Some of
my favorite books come from this shelf and I don't want to neglect them
just because they're not heavy historical fiction. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4579690?shelf=historical-lite" target="_blank">Historical Lite</a>:
These are a lot like the books on my Historical Fantasy shelf, just
without the fantasy elements. Usually they're mysteries or romances set
with a historical backdrop of varying degrees of detail. They're often
easy breezy, fun books and I want to make sure I read them as well. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: deeppink;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Books Completed:</b></span></div>
<br />
Historical Non-Fiction Bio: <br />
<br /><div>9. The Husband Hunters by Anne de Courcy</div><div>8. Coco Chanel by Susan Goldman Rubin</div><div>7. The White Ship by Charles Spencer</div><div>6. Margaret of Anjou by Jacob Abbott</div><div>5. Mary Queen of Scots by Jacob Abbott<br /></div>
4. Mistress of Hardwick by Alison Plowden<br />
3. Tudor Women by Alison Plowden<br />
2. Magna Carta by Dan Jones<br />1.
Anne of Cleves by Sarah-Beth Watkins<br />
<br />Historical Non-Fiction, Other: <div> </div><div>5. </div>
4. Pandora's Lab by Paul Offit<br />
3. Fire Island by Jack Whitehouse<br />
2. The Blizzard of '88<br />1. Asleep by Molly Caldwell Crosby<br /><p>
</p><p>Historical Bio (fiction):<br />
<br /></p><div>5. Where the Broken Heart Still Beats by Carolyn Meyer<br /></div>
4. The Beaufort Bride by Judith Arnopp<br />
3. The Social Graces by Renee Rosen<br />
2. By Royal Decree by Kate Emerson<br />1. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory<br /><p>
<br />
Historical Lite:</p><div>6. The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas</div><div>5. A Trail of Broken Dreams<br /></div>
4. Footsteps in the Snow by Carol Matas<br />
3. Codename Celene by Jim Eldridge<br />
2. The Great Plague by Pamela Oldfield<br />1.
All the Stars in the Sky by Megan McDonals<br />
<br />
<div style="color: deeppink;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>DNF:</b></span></div><p>
<br />
9. England in the Age of Chivalry and Awful Diseases by Ed West</p><p>8. The Cholera Years by Charles Rosenberg</p><p>7. After Elizabeth by Leanda de Lisle</p><p>6. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli</p><p>5. Rabid by Bill Wasik</p><p>4. The Lavender Garden by lucinda Riley</p><p>3. The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies</p><p>2. Vienna Nocturne by Vivien Shotwell</p><p>1. A Rose for Virtue by Norah Lofts<br />
<br /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-9835712635548704542020-12-13T16:35:00.004-05:002021-09-28T23:33:20.178-04:002021 Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge<br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: deeppink;">Challenge Basics:</span></b></span> <br />
<br />
<b>Name: </b>Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge<br />
<b>Hosts: </b>Me! <br />
<b>Starts: </b>January 1, 2021<br />
<b>Ends: </b>December 31, 2021<br />
<b>Goal: </b>15 books <br />
<b>Eligible Books:</b> Books you acquire in 2021 <br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Why I'm Interested: </b></span><br />
<br />
I'm
not sure if anyone is actually hosting a challenge like this, but
it's a challenge I'm giving myself, again. Last year I read a ton off
books I acquired in 2020, and rather than feel bad about neglecting my
previously owned books, instead I felt like I was accomplishing
something with every new book I acquired and read. And I was!<br />
<br />
Every
year I participate in the Read My Own Books Challenge where I try to read
as many books I own as possible. Downside? Those challenges don't
count books you acquire during the challenge year, and I think they
should! Sure, I know the goal is to read all those books that have
been <i>languishing </i>year after year, but what about preventative measures? I think those should be rewarded, too!<br />
<br />
(I feel like a health insurance plan)<br />
<br />
So,
enter my challenge. I'm going to try to make a dent in the books I
get in 2021 and therefore whittle down my mountain of books remaining
unread on my shelves in 2022.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Some books I'm considering: </b></span><br />
<br />
As
many books from my Own 2021 shelf as possible. At the end of the
year I'll compare how many books I acquired to how many books I've
read from that list to see how well I've done. I'd like to shoot for
reading/DNF-ing at least 15 books. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: deeppink;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Books Completed:</b></span></div><div style="color: deeppink;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">17. Coco Chanel by Susan Goldman Rubin</div><div style="text-align: left;">16. The White Ship by Charles Spencer</div><div style="text-align: left;">15. The Rescuers by Margery Sharp</div><div style="text-align: left;">14. Don't Look Behind You by Peter Allison</div><div style="text-align: left;">13. Evil Thing by Serena Valentino</div><div style="text-align: left;">12. Whatever You Do, Don't Run by Peter Allison</div><div style="text-align: left;">11. Spindrift by Phyllis A. Whitney</div><div style="text-align: left;">10. Margaret of Anjou by Jacob Abbott</div><div style="text-align: left;">9. Mistress of Hardwick by Alison Plowden</div><div style="text-align: left;">8. Pandora's Lab by Paul Offit</div><div style="text-align: left;">7. Outer Banks Tales to Remember by Charles Harry Whedbee</div><div style="text-align: left;">6. Tudor Women by Alison Plowden</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. The Beaufort Bride by Judith Arnopp<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. The Social Graces by Renee Rosen <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. The Varleigh Medallion by Sylvia Thorpe<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Fire Island by Jack Whitehouse<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller<br /></div><p>
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Books DNF'ed: </b></span><br />
<br />
8. England in the Age of Chivalry and Awful Diseases by Ed West</p><p>7. How to Walk a Puma by Peter Allison</p><p>6. Panic in Level 4 by Richard Preston</p><p>5. The Cholera Years by Charles Rosenberg</p><p>4. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James</p><p>3. The Girl who Married a Lion by Alexander McCall Smith</p><p>2. After Elizabeth by Leanda de Lisle</p><p>1. Shadows on the Nile by Kate Furnivall<br />
<br />
<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-68166860388530902692020-12-13T16:32:00.005-05:002021-09-28T23:47:54.828-04:002021 Read My Own Books Challenge<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<center>
/12 books </center>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-make-progress-bar.html">How do you make a progress bar? </a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: deeppink;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><p>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: deeppink;">Challenge Basics:</span></b></span> <br />
<b>Name: </b>Read My Own Damn Books Challenge<br />
<b>Starts: </b>January 1, 2021<br />
<b>Ends: </b>December 31, 2021<br />
<b>Eligible Books:</b> Books you own prior to 2020. <br />
<b>Levels: </b>I'm going to try to read and/or DNF and get rid of 12 books I own. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Why I'm Interested: </b></span><br />
<br />Odds are looking fairly high that I will have another move in store for 2021, and I'm feeling old and achy and like schlepping "just okay" heavy boxes of books up and down three flights of stairs is not something I want to do anymore. So, I don't want to keep a bunch of unread print books on my shelves anymore. It's time to cull the herd. <br /><br />And as for e-books? Well, I had so many books on my TBR that I didn't read when I was loving those genres and now I'm just not as interested in them anymore. So, I'd like to try to read as many of the books that have been languishing on my list that I'm still interested in reading so I don't miss the boat on them too. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Some books I'm considering: </b></span><br />
<br />
Anything on my <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4579690?shelf=own-unread" target="_blank">Own-Unread shelf</a> that I acquired prior to 2021.<br />
<br />
At the start of 2021, here's where I stand as far as what books I own and what percentage of them I've read:<br /> <br />
</p><div style="color: deeppink;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="color: deeppink;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Books Completed:</b></span></div><p>
<br /><br>31. Where the Broken Heart Still Beats by Carolyn Meyer (2020)</br><br>30. The Husband Hunters by Anne de Courcy (2020)</br><br>29. Horus and the Curse of Everlasting Regret by Hannah Voskuil (2018)</br><br>28. The Touchstone by Edith Wharton (2020)</br><br>27. The Odd Sisters by Serena Valentino (2019)</br><br>26. Mistress of All Evil by Serena Valentino (2017)</br><br>25. The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith (2017)</br><br>24. Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories (2017)</br><br>23. The Beast Within by Serena Valentino (2018)</br><br>22. Mary Queen of Scots by Jacob Abbott (2016)</br><br>21. The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas (2018)</br><br>20. The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James (2017)</br><br>19. An Inquiry into Love and Death by Simone St. James (2017)</br><br>18. A Trail of Broken Dreams by Barbara Haworth-Attard (2020)</br><br>17. Ghost on Black Mountain (2017)</br><br>16. Footsteps in the Snow by Carol Matas (2020)</br><br>15. The Blizzard of '88 by Mary Cable (2020)</br><br>14. Magna Carta by Dan Jones (2015)</br><br>13. Codename Celine by Jim Eldridge (2020)</br><br>12. In the Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan (2016)</br><br>11. Madame de Treymes by Edith Wharton (2020)</br><br>10. Miss Cayley's Adventures by Grant Allen (2019)</br><br>9. A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr (2020)</br><br>8. The Night of the Solstice by L.J. Smith (2016)</br><br>7. The Great Plague by Pamela Oldfield (2020)</br><br>6. Asleep by Molly Caldwell Crosby (2020)</br><br>5. Anne of Cleves by Sarah-Beth Watkins (2020)</br><br>4. By Royal Decree by Kate Emerson (2014)<br />
3. All the Stars in the Sky by Megan McDonald (2020)<br />
2. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson (2020)<br />
1. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory (2018)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Books DNF'ed:</b></span></span><br />
<br />
8. A Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli (2020)</p><p>7. Rabid by Bill Wasik (2020)</p><p>6. The Lavender Garden by Lucinda Riley (2013)</p><p>5. The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies (2017)</p><p>4. The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine (2018)<br />
3. Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase (2017)<br />
2. Vienna Nocturne by Vivien Shotwell (2015)<br />
1. A Rose for Virtue by Norah Lofts (2014)<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-61397704130855170472020-11-18T03:00:00.003-05:002020-11-18T03:00:00.564-05:00Mini-Review Roundup<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(244, 240, 236) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; padding: 5px 8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Mini-Review Roundup<br /></b></i></span></div>
<br />
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25620395-the-many-reflections-of-miss-jane-deming" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming" height="243" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465776756l/25620395._SY475_.jpg" width="162" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/35287654-the-danish-queen"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25620395-the-many-reflections-of-miss-jane-deming">The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming by J. Anderson Coats </a><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I read and loved <i>The Wicked and the Just</i>, and so I was expecting something similar here. I both did and didn't get it, but I'm very happy overall. In <i>TW&TJ</i>, things were <i>brutal</i>. I appreciated that level of in-your-face brutality that drove home the situation and made it feel palpable. This book is much more middle grade and so it wasn't nearly as brutal. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Instead, what this evoked was <i>Little House on the Prairie</i>, and I mean that in a good way. It had adventure and the excitement of traveling into the untamed unknown. It had the warmth of family, friendship, dreams, and belonging. It had the hardscrabble disappointments and learning how to live in a new environment. It had scenery and a sense of place. It had so many things I love and I'm so glad I read it. <br /></div><div>
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<div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19197364-the-three-edwards" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Three Edwards" height="243" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386217538l/19197364.jpg" width="145" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5087532-she-wolves"><b></b></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19197364-the-three-edwards">The Three Edwards by Thomas B. Costain</a><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the first book in this series, put down the second one (I'll finish it, it's just... Henry III is annoying) and so I thought I'd jump ahead to this book and learn more about one of my favorite kings (Edward I), one of my least favorite kings but exciting time periods (Edward II), and a king I know little about (Edward III). I got about as much as I was expecting: A fun and engaging narrative from an author I like a whole lot. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Edward I part was fun, but left me wanting as it focused far more on William Wallace and the Scottish squabbles and not nearly as much as I wanted on Edward the man and his family. That's to be expected, but ever since reading (and absolutely loving) <i>Cashelmara </i>I've been pining for another book that focuses on the people. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Edward II part was also to be expected. Solid. The Edward III part was interesting and gave me a lot more insight into The Black Prince, who has always been this figure of legend and not much substance to me. Joan the Fair Maid of Kent, John of Gaunt, and Alice Perrers all made appearances, naturally, and they all took on a little more shading and depth than my cursory knowledge up to this point. It also, of course, gave more insight into Edward III himself, though he still feels more shadowy. I almost feel like I know the other players more. Perhaps I'll try to find a historical fiction book that puts some personality into his character. <br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Provincial Lady in America" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422376978l/24715913.jpg" width="156" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24715913-the-provincial-lady-in-america"><b>The Provincial Lady in America by E. M. Delafield</b></a></div><div><br />I
still wasn't sure if I was going to continue with this series right away, but
it tugged at my mind and I decided to continue on with the third book. It was...mostly as good as the first two. This one felt a little disjointed. The first part of the book was the same pattern as the first two books and I enjoyed it. Then she finally went to America and I lost steam. The new group of characters didn't grab me the way the old bunch did and I couldn't help but feel like her whirling adventure around the US was a distraction from what I really wanted to read, which was her life with her family, friends, and foes in England. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't nearly as into it as I was previously and it was easy to put the series down after this book. I still want to read the final book, but I don't feel the need to do so any time soon. <br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Lady of the Lakes: The True Love Story of Sir Walter Scott" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457488514l/29457858._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29457858-the-lady-of-the-lakes"><b>The Lady of the Lakes by Josi S. Kilpack</b></a><br /> </div>I absolutely adore Kilpack's book <i>A Heart Revealed</i>. I keep reading her other books in the Proper Romance series hoping to hit gold again, but every other book I've read has been just okay. This one included. I did not really like the main character and the story with his love interests was predictable and tortured in the execution. I mean, it wasn't <i>bad</i> and I think if a reader clicks with Walter then they'll enjoy it more than I did. It wasn't badly written, but I really disliked Walter and Mina and their parts were so long and so predictable. I did like Charlotte, but even her charm couldn't balance out the Walter and Mina parts enough to save this one for me. I own a print copy of this book, but I'll be passing it on. <br /><div></div><div></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>
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<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-30523193036502525472020-11-04T03:00:00.032-05:002020-11-04T03:00:00.316-05:00Mini-Review Roundup<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Mini-Review Roundup<br /></b></i></span></div>
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<div><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577164521l/9548106._SY475_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Relax (Mindfulness Essentials, #5)" height="243" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1419320869l/23846205.jpg" width="162" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23846205-how-to-relax"><b></b></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/35287654-the-danish-queen">How to Relax by Thich Nhat Hanh</a></b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I liked these books. They're short reads and each chapter is about a page or two long. So, they're super easy to read. I read them in the background, so to speak, where I might pick it up, read a chapter or two, and put it down again for a few days. I return to it when I want a moment of peace, rest, or to re-find my composure. For that, they're nice. Not every chapter is profound and sometimes they don't really stick, but often enough they do and they give me something to ponder or something that causes me to stop and pause or shift my mindset. <br /></div><div>
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<div><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="She Wolves: The Notorious Queens of Medieval England" height="243" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328819749l/5087532.jpg" width="159" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5087532-she-wolves"><b>She Wolves: The Notorious Queens of Medieval England by Elizabeth Norton<br /></b></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Elizabeth Norton has long been on my TBR bu this is the first book of hers I've read. It won't be my last, but...I'm not rushing out to read more of her books either. The pros? When she got into the groove, her writing was easy and enjoyable to read. I got <i>into</i> it. I liked reading about the queens I knew just as much as reading about the queens I didn't know, which tells me that her narrative style was accessible and provided enough information that I was entertained even if I was already familiar and enough information that I could follow along even if I'd never read about the queen before. That's all good and why I would read another one of her books. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, the downsides? First minor quibble: typos. A few times Henry VI was used when it should have been Henry V, or vice versa or similar. Not a big deal if you know the history, but super confusing if you don't<i>. <br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>More importantly, there was too much repetition and telling and not enough showing. The "thesis" of this book is essentially that history blames strong women and unfairly judges them for actions that are justifiable and wouldn't have been considered wrong if a man had done them. Okay. A little annoying, but fine. I could have gotten on board with this had the author focused on giving examples of what the women did and let me come to my own conclusions that they were 1) badass, 2) justified, and 3) wrongly maligned (which I would have determined on my own had she made a strong case in the examples for 1 and 2). <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Instead, the author glossed over the examples so I could only sort of come to these conclusions on my own and she used more page time just repeating the tired thesis. The chapters fell into a similar pattern of: State thesis, give brief overview of queen's life that somewhat demonstrates her strength and how her actions were justified, and then repeat thesis...a few more times. Had these repetitive "telling" parts been removed, it would have been a solid, if not amazing, book. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Provincial Lady Goes Further" height="263" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421537446l/24551424.jpg" width="203" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24551424-the-provincial-lady-goes-further"><b>The Provincial Lady Goes Further by E. M. Delafield</b></a></div><div><br />I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with this series right away, but it tugged at my mind and I decided to pick up the second book. It was just as good as the first. Same quirky style, same funny and relatable situations, and the characters continued to grow on me. Not much else to say except if you liked the first book, then definitely pick up the second. <br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Please Don't Eat the Daisies" height="243" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542245906l/42793416._SY475_.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42793416-please-don-t-eat-the-daisies"><b>Please Don't Eat the Daisies by Jean Kerr</b></a><br /> </div>I stumbled on this through Goodreads while looking up Shirley Jackson's <i>Life Among the Savages</i> (below). It was reviewed well and only 142 pages so I figured, why not? And started reading it right then and there. It was...okay. It was worth reading to the end, I guess, since it was so short. There were some funny parts. I didn't really like the narrator though, and the whole thing had a mean edge to it that I think was supposed to be funny but didn't appeal to me. The humor sometimes hit the mark exactly, but more often than not I felt like I was supposed to find it funnier and wittier than I actually did. <br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Life Among the Savages" height="256" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1361746138l/131191.jpg" width="168" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/131191.Life_Among_the_Savages"><b>Life Among the Savages by Shirley Jackson</b></a></div><div><br />While quite a departure from the Shirley Jackson I'm familiar with, I may even like this side of her writing more. At least, it hit the spot. This is another one of those "humor through commenting on mundane life" types of books, but unlike <i>Please Don't Eat the Daisies</i>, this one felt nice and relatable. I didn't feel like the author was sneering at me, rather, I felt like we could sit across a worn kitchen table together sipping sub-par coffee and splitting a chocolate bar. It was a quick read and ended nicely, so while I don't need to read the sequel right away, I'd like to pick it up soon. <br /></div><div>
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</div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-68067904201981277442020-10-07T03:00:00.001-04:002020-10-07T03:00:05.834-04:00June's Reads Reviewed- Part 1 <div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>June's Reads Mini-Review Roundup</b></i></span></div>
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<div><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577164521l/9548106._SY475_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Danish Queen" height="217" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496419749l/35287654._SX318_.jpg" width="162" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/35287654-the-danish-queen">The Danish Queen by Lynda M. Andrews</a></b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This was a quick read about a time and people I don't know much about, and so for those reasons I enjoyed this book a lot. I'm sure much was skipped over, but that's okay. I got the highlights, and I got them in a way that I could follow along with events without feeling lost while also forming attachments with the characters. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, maybe "feelings" is more accurate than attachments. I learned that I don't like Anne of Holstein very much. She came across as stubborn and silly, and while I sympathized with her plight regarding her children, I don't love the way she went about handling that situation. I also don't love all the ways she undermined and went against her husband and the story didn't give me any justification to make me get on board with Anne (nor did a few hours of internet research after finishing the book). I did discover a newfound respect for James I that I hadn't appreciated before. In my reading prior to this book, James I has always been a name waiting in the wings, a peripheral shadow to Elizabeth I's story. In this book, he came alive and his struggles in Scotland and then in England made me feel for him. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>While I wasn't blown away, I enjoyed this book enough to want to check out more of Lynda M. Andrews' books. Another bonus? While she wrote James's dialogue phonetically and usually I <i>hate</i> that, the author actually pulled it off pretty well. <br /></div><div>
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<div><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Diary of a Provincial Lady" height="256" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408938782l/249823.jpg" width="171" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249823.Diary_of_a_Provincial_Lady"><b>Diary of a Provincial Lady by E. M. Delafield</b></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've been enjoying the diary-style book lately because they tend to be quick, easy reads that make me nod along in kindred spiritedness. So, I looked for more of this type and came across the Provincial Lady series. It did not disappoint. Super short chapters and a relatively low overall page count made reading a breeze. The Provincial Lady is always somewhat stressed, which makes this not quite the relaxing escape Elizabeth von Armin's diary books provide, but the very mundane nature of her escapades and annoyances makes for a charming read. I definitely don't blissfully wish I was her and I'm not noting down Words of Wisdom, but the Provincial Lady seems like just the kind of lady I'd enjoy getting a coffee with and kvetching about mutual acquaintances and irksome social gatherings. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Anne Boleyn" height="233" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1213818082l/341254.jpg" width="166" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/341254.Anne_Boleyn"><b>Anne Boleyn by Norah Lofts</b></a><br />
<br />Let's get the not-so-good out of the way first: the author gives Anne a likely 6th finger. I know, it's not a big deal, but for some reason this always annoys me. Okay, moving on. Everything else was wonderful. I'm not bothered by the author's references to a "whiff" of the witchy and supernatural surrounding Anne and Elizabeth Woodville. Okay, so maybe this isn't exactly <i>serious</i>, but I find it a fun twist to indulge in mentally (like "believing" in ghosts for the sake of enjoying a good ghost story...while not actually believing in ghosts). <br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Wars of the Roses: England's First Civil War" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349439360l/16068464.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068464-the-wars-of-the-roses"><b>The Wars of the Roses by Trevor Royle</b></a><br /> </div><div>I've owned this book for about five years, so I'm glad I finally read it. It starts all the way back with Richard II, which was on one hand nice because I'm less familiar with Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V, but on the other hand less nice because when I read Wars of the Roses books it's because I want the drama and flair of Margaret of Anjou, Margaret Beaufort, Edward IV, Richard III, Elizabeth Woodville, Warwick the Kingmaker, and the treacherous Duke of Clarence. So, I "slogged" through about 250 pages of history I wasn't particularly interested in reading about. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>On the bright side, it wasn't actually a slog. I enjoyed the way Trevor Royle covered the Richard II - Henry V years and I found myself caught up in the narrative. The writing was easy to read, though on the drier side of things. Not because the content was boring or went on tangents, but mostly because it lacked heart. It was easy to pick up and read a chapter, and then just as easy to put the book down for a few days. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Disappointingly, when I finally did get to Henry VI, the whole pageant of characters fell flat. This was one of those history books with a male-focus, which is fine except I felt robbed of getting to read about Margaret of Anjou, Margaret Beaufort, and Elizabeth Woodville. They're such dynamic characters in history and here they were covered, but largely skimmed over and with no sense of drama, passion, or excitement. While more time was spent on the men, even they suffered from this soulless approach. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps that's a better, more serious approach to history? I don't know, but I do know that I'm the type of reader who likes my history in technicolor. So, overall, okay and a good overview of the time that goes into enough depth that this isn't a skim, but it lacks heart. <br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-63367234589137489292020-09-09T03:00:00.003-04:002020-09-09T03:00:01.411-04:00May's Reads Reviewed<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>May's Reads Mini-Review Roundup</b></i></span></div>
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<div><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577164521l/9548106._SY475_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Forgotten Room" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430158925l/25431172.jpg" width="133" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25431172-the-forgotten-room">The Forgotten Room by White, Willims, and Willig</a></b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I had such high hopes for this book, but ultimately it was just okay. Probably forgettable. Nothing was <i>wrong</i>, but it failed to grab me and make me <i>invested. </i>I didn't feel strongly in any way when reading this. It was just...pleasant. Nice enough to keep reading. Easy enough to put down. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The characters were all okay. The "mystery" wasn't much of a mystery but the story was nice enough to follow along with. The thwarted and achieved romances were all mildly emotive, but more like in a shrugging kind of way-- sure, that thwarted romance was sad *shrug* sure, that achieved romance was nice *shrug*. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The three different authors writing three different time periods about three different but mildly related character sets was done seamlessly, so that's good. It's a good vacation book when you don't want to get so invested that you don't pay attention to your vacation setting, but not so bad that you wish you had brought an alternative with you. Just...nice. Overall though, after reading Kate Morton and loving Karen White's Tradd Street books, I was hoping for more. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Since I own a pretty paperback copy, I now have the dilemma of "do I keep it?" If I didn't already own it, I would feel no need to buy a copy. Since I already do own it, I'm torn between "sure, keep it, it's pretty and was good enough" and "I'm never going to reread this and do I really want to use shelf space and moving boxes for it?" But...I already have it....ugh. <br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Secondhand Charm" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438053818l/7948410._SY475_.jpg" width="130" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7948410-secondhand-charm"><b>Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry</b></a><br />
<br /><div>I have a hit-and-miss history with Julie Berry. I loved <i>The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place</i> but I was pretty meh on <i>The Amaranth Enchantment</i>. This book falls more on the meh side of things. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The thing is, Julie Berry has this tongue in cheek style that can often veer into zany and weird. That worked for <i>Prickwillow</i> because the whole book felt like satire of a genre. <i>Amaranth </i>and <i>Secondhand Charm</i> don't have that satirical edge--they're straight MG/YA fantasy, and so the zany just comes across eye-rollingly weird. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The characters are also pretty thin and hard to feel much about, which again works for satire, but not so much here. Finally, it felt like the audience age was off. In some cases this felt MG or on the younger side of YA (think the sweetness of a Jessica Day George book) and in other places it felt like it had an edge or darkness that made it seem older. This clashed and made for an unsettled feeling. The charms also felt like they were thrown in and not very well fleshed out, which, yes, that's another thing I didn't like about <i>Amaranth</i>-- it felt like too many things were thrown into the mix but it was jumbled and unfinished (but that worked in <i>Prickwillow</i>). Another meh. <br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Peace of Mind: Becoming Fully Present" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1372173441l/17707895.jpg" width="136" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17707895-peace-of-mind"><b>Peace of Mind by Thich Nhat Hanh</b></a><br />
<br />I've been making my way slowly though this author's books and I think this may be my favorite so far. The others are more short paragraphs or a page that focuses on an idea and gives you something to think about. I love them. This one is similar, but different. The book takes you on a sequential journey and helps you build a pathway toward a calmer and more present state of being. The author's voice came through a little more in this way, like you're having a conversation over time rather than getting different pieces of advice. Both are good approaches and I like both types of his books, but this one seems like it had a stronger impact. The sequential, building approach pulled my focus back more effectively and this book felt like a refuge and a motivator. I think I'll reread it. <br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fast And Loose" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517094661l/38220201._SY475_.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38220201-fast-and-loose"><b>Fast and Loose by Edith Wharton</b></a><br />
<br />I'm still making my way through Edith Wharton's novellas and it's such a pleasure. They're so easy to read, but I find they stay with me long after they're over and call to me (I foresee rereads in my future). She's so good at creating vivid characters and intriguing, thought-provoking situations. In some ways I almost prefer her novellas because they let her shine a spotlight on these things and let the reader sit with them for just enough time to really <i>focus</i> on them, but not find them <i>tiresome</i> (which is a fine line, because her characters can be easily intriguing but just as easily tiresome).</div><div><br /></div><div> <i>Fast and Loose</i> had shades of Francis Hodgson Burnett's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3045955923?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1"><i>The Making of a Marchioness</i></a> in that it felt like a cross between the manners and romantic entanglements of Jane Austen and the Gothic drama of Emily Bronte, but shorter and more lighthearted and fun like Burnett's. But, it's also Wharton, so there's still some heft underneath the fluff and you can easily spend a lazy afternoon musing over the different angles of the situation and what you might do if you were to find yourself in such an entanglement. <br /></div><div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Whispers in the Sand" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408926846l/240836.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240836.Whispers_in_the_Sand"><b>Whispers in the Sand by Barbara Erskine</b></a></div><div><br />This is the review I wish my past-self had read, as it would have saved me a whole lot of time and irritation: <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Skip it. Trust me. I know the storyline is right up your alley: Egypt, dual era, mystery, yes, yes, <i>I know</i>. I know Egypt especially is calling to you and you want to spend some time with the romance and adventure of Victorian Egypt. I also know you think you're prepared for the hefty page count because you read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40506644-the-ghost-tree"><i>The Ghost Tree</i></a> last year and while you didn't <i>love</i> it, ultimately you thought it was a pleasant enough read and you loved the super short chapters. I know the first chapter seems like it's well-written. <i>I know.</i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>But you won't get any of that here. The chapters are long and the writing takes a serious dive after that reader-bait opening. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What you will get are awful characters. Every character is a trope pulled from the 1990s, including the painful love triangle where the main character is never quite sure which potential love interest is the misunderstood good guy and which is a villain (and both do awful things). The main character is at turns weak, bitchy, flighty, irrational, naive, and straight up stupid. The historical sections were better, and while those characters were easier to like, they were also insipid. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>At nearly 500 pages with these characters, it's a wonder I didn't quit. But, I didn't like the characters much in <i>The Ghost Tree</i> so I thought I'd keep going...until I started to realize that this book is one big rinse-and-repeat, and by that point I was so far in that I wanted to just see it through to the end hoping that would at least make it all worthwhile. The historical story does advance, albeit in a slow and not particularly interesting way, but the modern portions are just the same contrived situation done over and over again without any plot advancement. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>But the final "toss the book across the room" moment came at the end when the conclusion of the historical portion petered out to a disappointing end and the modern day portion <i>stopped right in the middle of a scene</i>. Now, granted, the scene probably would have been the same old shtick, but ending it this way made me feel like I was stuck in some Sisyphean hell doomed to repeatedly follow these loathsome characters through this contrived and, really, <i>boring </i>situation. Save yourself. Read something else. <br /></div><div></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dark Eminence Catherine de Medici and Her Children" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519908976l/38785188.jpg" width="126" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38785188-dark-eminence-catherine-de-medici-and-her-children"><b>Dark Eminence: Catherine De Medici and Her Children by Marguerite Vance</b></a><br />
</div><div><br /></div><div>In closing out a rather hit-and-miss month, I'm relieved to say that this was a solid hit. Many people will disagree. This is the most fictiony non-fiction book I've ever read. Talk about author bias! And the writing shifts from non-fiction to straight up fiction storytelling (and romantic, blousy writing at that) from paragraph to paragraph. <i>But I loved it</i>. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Catherine is portrayed as her infamous bad self with all the dirt presented as fact, but it's done in such a way that I couldn't help but like and admire her anyway. Kind of like Megan Follows' interpretation in the equally ridiculous but fun TV show <i>Reign</i>. Really, pretty much everyone gets this treatment (Francis, Mary, Elizabeth, etc.). (Actually, for fans of <i>Reign</i> looking to learn a little more about the characters, this would be a fantastic book to start with). <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I think the best way to approach this book is to imagine you're watching a gossipy docu-drama with colorful reenactments and salacious commentary from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dANvIjbtuDk">legit historians</a> who aren't above a sleepover party approach to learning about history. It's non-fiction...but it ain't gospel, and it comes with a bucket of buttery popcorn and tooth-curling cotton candy. I wish I could get my hands on more of her books. <br /></div></div>
<b> </b><br /><br />
<div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-28912548796089302662020-08-12T03:00:00.003-04:002020-08-12T03:00:12.591-04:00April's Reads Reviewed<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>April's Reads Mini-Review Roundup</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577164521l/9548106._SY475_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b></b></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25785650-echo-the-copycat"><img alt="Elizabeth and her German Garden" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474778953l/30965724.jpg" width="131" /></a></b><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30965724-elizabeth-and-her-german-garden">Elizabeth and her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim</a></b><br />
<br /><div>This book is perfect. I love Elizabeth. She'd prefer to spend her days
in her garden, alone, and I can definitely relate to that. This book is
written in diary format with Elizabeth recounting the mundane daily
activities of her life as a wealthy Englishwoman in Germany during the
latter part of the 1800s. It's subtle, but my god this book is <i>funny</i>. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Much is left unsaid but the reader can still pick up on it, like
Elizabeth's loving marriage (with her husband with gentle ribbing and
good-natured fun referred to as The Man of Wrath) and her doting
relationship with her charming children. Elizabeth is perfectly
imperfect. I loved Arnim's <i>The Enchanted April</i> for the tranquil
escapism and lovely characters, and all of that is here again but with a
main character who is even more of a kindred spirit and definitely more
humor. </div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577164521l/9548106._SY475_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Secret Keeper" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455089196l/13508607.jpg" width="132" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13508607-the-secret-keeper">The House at Riverton by Kate Morton</a></b><br />
<br /><div>While I liked <i>The House at Riverton</i> a whole lot, <i>The Secret Keeper</i> is even better. It's another doorstop with fairly large chapters, but I flew through it despite all that. The mystery kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out, some new bit of information changed things up again. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The historical part had me enthralled. It had a great sense of time and place. I loved two of the characters, but one of them I tried to like but couldn't fight off the creeping dread that I really didn't like them. That wasn't a bad thing at all though. Ah, and the romance was lovely. The modern story follows Laurel-- a hardened 66 year old cigarette smoking woman who, while not as developed, was still likable and I was caught up in her sleuthing. She wasn't the typical young lead with a romance, and while I love that trope, it was nice to have a different kind of character to follow. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Morton did a particularly fantastic job of keeping up the tension and mystery between the modern parts and the historical parts. It's hard to describe, but the way she scattered the clues kept me constantly on my toes and voraciously collecting the pieces from the past and present to try to weave together the mystery of the past. It was gripping, and the ending was worthy of the journey. </div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549686633l/42872475._SX318_.jpg" width="172" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42872475-the-world-according-to-mister-rogers"><b>The World According to Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers</b></a><br />
<br /><div>This is another book that I read over time. Each chapter is about 1-3 pages and focuses on a story, life lesson, or thought from Fred Rogers. I felt like I was sitting on the set of <i>Mister Rogers' Neighborhood</i> and chatting with Fred. He felt like a mentor. I learned so much about him, his show, and child psychology, which was unexpected but wonderful. Every time I'd open the book I'd get this sense of calm and love. The book has the subtitle of "Important Things to Remember" and that's very apt. I think I'll open it again from time to time and reread passages. They are important things to remind oneself of again. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Solitary Summer" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328310761l/6374380.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6374380-the-solitary-summer"><b>The Solitary Summer by Elizabeth von Arnim</b></a><br />
<br />This is the second book in the "Elizabeth" series, and everything I said about the first book is true for this second book. I think you could probably read this book without having read the first one, but why would you want to miss out?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div> <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Forgotten Garden" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347364363l/4107909.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4107909-the-forgotten-garden"><b>The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton</b></a><br />
<br />I can't decide if I like this one more or <i>The Secret Keeper</i>. It's a tough call. For about the first quarter of the book I thought that this was good, but I was impatient because I felt like I had it all figured out already and that I was going to spent the next several hundred pages waiting for the main character to get there too. While I was right in guessing that aspect of the mystery, thankfully the main character figured it out about a quarter of the way through as well and then the rest of the book opened up even more mysteries that I happily paced along the main character in unraveling.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was also pleasantly surprised to find there are short stories/fairy tales interspersed throughout. I think there are about five of them and each one is a fantastic story in its own right. All of the characters were fun to follow and I appreciated the romances a lot. There were a lot of bittersweet and sad events that tugged at my heart. The parts with Nell and young Cassandra reminded me of my own grandparents who have recently passed, and so that was personally bittersweet as well. The final, final discovery was a little disappointing, but all in all it was very well worth the read. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /> </div>
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<div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-24934202443510662272020-07-15T03:00:00.003-04:002020-07-15T03:00:00.236-04:00March's Reads Reviewed<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>March's Reads Mini-Review Roundup</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461521324l/25785650._SX318_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Echo the Copycat (Goddess Girls #19)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461521324l/25785650._SX318_.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25785650-echo-the-copycat">Echo the Copycat by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27837205-calliope-the-muse">Calliope the Muse by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams </a></b><br />
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These books are consistently good. I don't have much more to say about them than what I've already said. They're short enough to fit in quickly, but long enough to have substance. There's always a sweet element of humor and the characters are just straight up <i>nice</i>. These are feel-good books and I'm glad the new stories are still being published.<br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577164521l/9548106._SY475_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The House At Riverton" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577164521l/9548106._SY475_.jpg" width="128" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9548106-the-house-at-riverton">The House at Riverton by Kat Morton</a></b><br />
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First, let me get this out of my system: <i>FINALLY!!! </i>Ahem, okay, so I've had Kate Morton's books on my shelves for, oh, over eight <i>years</i> and I've never read them. Why you might ask, when these books seem so right up my alley? Well, because they're <i>long</i> and I had this impression in my head that they would fall into that "rewarding in the end but a <i>slog</i> to get through" category. Where I got that idea I don't know, but firmly set in my mind it was and so I longingly and shamefully looked at their beautiful spines for years.<br />
<br />
Until January 2019, when I picked up <i>The House at Riverton</i> and got about 50 pages in before putting it down again. It seemed nice enough, but it just hadn't grabbed me. I vowed to pick it up again...someday.<br />
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That someday came just over a full year later when in March 2020 after tentatively toe-dipping back into reading I somehow decided NOW was the time. And it was.<br />
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This may be a hefty book (almost 500 pages) and the chapters aren't super short, but I sped through it. I didn't really like any of the characters and the plot wasn't what I'd call fast, but this is the kind of book that has a deceptive slow burn where it feels like not a whole lot is happening but I feel utterly <i>gripped</i> anyway. Then in the final quarter all of the threads started coming together, building and building toward the absolutely face-smacking conclusion. And then that final piece of the puzzle...ah, what a punch in the gut. It's weird to say that a gut-punch is a <i>good</i> thing, but in this book it made me do the mental equivalent of sitting down suddenly in shock with my jaw dropped to the floor. I loved it!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22309627-how-to-love"><img alt="How to Love (Mindfulness Essentials, #3)" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415678203l/22309627.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22309627-how-to-love"><b>How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh</b></a></div><div>I started reading this book years ago, picking away at it a little at a time. It's a short book with tiny chapters-- each only about a minute or so to read. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of love and mindfulness and I read it slowly because I wanted to let each lesson sink in. Not every chapter was profound or mattered to me right now, but every few chapters were. Those were the chapters that made me pause, think, and sometimes change my approach. I love the simple, approachable way this book is written. <br /><b></b></div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sanctuary" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479584884l/32985426.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32985426-sanctuary"><b>Sanctuary by Edith Wharton</b></a><br />
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My dabbling in Edith Wharton's short novels/novellas continued and for the next foray I chose <i>Sanctuary</i>. This one felt a lot shorter than <i>Bunner Sisters</i> with the characters reading more like sketches. The first half of the story follows Kate, a young woman soon to be married to a man who has recently come into a fortune. Shortly before their wedding, Kate discovers something about her husband that irrevocably changes their relationship. The situation unravels with Wharton presenting a thought-provoking moral dilemma that left me mulling over the possibilities and wondering "What would I do?" Had the story ended here, it would have been an interesting short story.<br />
<b> </b><br />
But, of course, it didn't end there. The choice Kate ultimately made (which I thought was absurd) guaranteed that Wharton had to write the second party of the story. This is that part that left me lukewarm. The bones of the story are good. The writing and characterization is strong in the way I've come to expect from Wharton. The dilemma mirroring the dilemma in the first half was interesting and kept up a "What will he do?" tension, thickened by what the reader, but not the character, knows happened in part I. A dozen conversations could be sparked by this story and I would happily chat for hours over the different angles of the story (nature versus nurture, morality, so on). While I appreciated the short length, it might have been nice to have the second part fleshed out a little more, and maybe even told from Dick's point of view. <br />
<br />
And yet...I couldn't shake an icky feeling throughout the whole second half. Kate's relationship with her son felt...wrong. I can't say more without spoiling things, but it's this relationship that leaves me slightly unsettled with the story, even though I loved everything else.<br />
<br />
Okay, almost everything else. Kate is so righteously annoying. But, I don't read Edith Wharton books for her lovable characters. <br />
<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-61356910004535865342020-07-14T03:00:00.001-04:002020-07-14T03:00:08.282-04:00The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Cover Reveal & Author Interview<br /></b></i></span></div>
<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcW-o1VFmxW8qcxA8i4yClC3tyvVTy-W5Z0r1XwDDdHJTs5X8ZYCZGhMJsKGMvYcGgL-nmrikJNX7-iz685Qs-DxZNosDg2qb1izuJhei0b9FirAY6Pr3VPYkrjdiCUR43SS6luAe9eo/s2048/WomenofChateauLafayette_final+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcW-o1VFmxW8qcxA8i4yClC3tyvVTy-W5Z0r1XwDDdHJTs5X8ZYCZGhMJsKGMvYcGgL-nmrikJNX7-iz685Qs-DxZNosDg2qb1izuJhei0b9FirAY6Pr3VPYkrjdiCUR43SS6luAe9eo/w414-h625/WomenofChateauLafayette_final+cover.jpg" width="414" /><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ABOUT THE BOOK<br /><br />An epic saga from New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray based on the true story of an extraordinary castle in the heart of France and the remarkable women bound by its legacy in three of humanity's darkest hours.<br /><br />Most castles are protected by powerful men. This one by women...<br /><br /><i>A founding mother...</i><br /><br />1774. Gently-bred noblewoman Adrienne Lafayette becomes her husband's political partner in the fight for American independence. But when their idealism sparks revolution in France and the guillotine threatens everything she holds dear, Adrienne must choose to renounce the complicated man she loves, or risk her life for a legacy that will inspire generations to come.<br /><br /><i>A daring visionary...</i><br /><br />1914. Glittering New York socialite Beatrice Astor Chanler is a force of nature, daunted by nothing--not her humble beginnings, her crumbling marriage, or the outbreak of war. But after witnessing the devastation in France and delivering war-relief over dangerous seas, Beatrice takes on the challenge of a lifetime: convincing America to fight for what's right.<br /><br /><i>A reluctant resistor...</i><br /><br />1940. French school-teacher and aspiring artist Marthe Simone has an orphan's self-reliance and wants nothing to do with war. But as the realities of Nazi occupation transform her life in the isolated castle where she came of age, she makes a discovery that calls into question who she is, and more importantly, who she is willing to become.<br /><br />Intricately woven and beautifully told, The Women of Chateau Lafayette is a sweeping novel about duty and hope, love and courage, and the strength we find from standing together in honor of those who came before us.<br /><br />Pre-order: <a href="https://bit.ly/3iLkURa">https://bit.ly/3iLkURa</a><br />Add to your Goodreads shelf: <a href="https://bit.ly/320tkya">https://bit.ly/320tkya</a><br />Sign up for Stephanie’s newsletter: <a href="https://www.stephaniedray.com/fun/newsletter/">https://www.stephaniedray.com/fun/newsletter/</a><br /><br /> <br />Q&A WITH STEPHANIE DRAY<br /><br /> <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What made you fall in love with Adrienne Lafayette and why do you think readers will fall for her as you did?<br /></b><br />Thanks to a popular musical, the Marquis de Lafayette is known to a new generation as "America's Favorite Fighting Frenchman"--and there's good reason for that. He's easily the most lovable of our Founding Fathers, and his wife, whom he called his dear heart, is just as lovable if not more so. Adrienne was our French Founding Mother, so right up my alley as a heroine, but at first I worried she was too sweet, devoted, and forgiving. In short, too gentle for a novel. Little did I realize that more than any other historical heroine I've ever written, Adrienne fought and sacrificed for her principles, courageously threw herself into danger, confronted tyrants, and endured trials that would have broken lesser mortals. She truly humbles me, and when I talk about the Lafayette legacy, I think of it as every bit as much hers as it is his.<br /><br /><b>How long did it take you to write this book? Did the story evolve as you researched, or did you always know you wanted to take on the lives of these particular women? </b><br /><br />I was always interested in Lafayette--an interest that grew as Laura Kamoie and I co-authored America's First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton. I think I had the germ of the idea for a Lafayette novel at least seven years ago, but I had other projects in the way. And I was always in search of an angle that would be fresh and unique. That came to me when I discovered that Lafayette's castle in Auvergne, which had been purchased and renovated by Americans, served to shelter Jewish children from the Nazis. Knowing how deeply the Lafayettes both felt about religious freedom, I knew this would have pleased them, and it touched me. I was then determined to know which Americans had purchased the chateau, and when I found out, yet another glorious chapter in the Lafayette legacy was born. That's when the story took shape for me about one special place on this earth where, generation after generation, faith has been kept with principles of liberty and humanity. I find that very inspirational, now more than ever.<br /><br /><b>The book is centered around Lafayette’s castle, the Château de Chavaniac, and the pivotal role it played during three of history’s darkest hours—the French Revolution and both World Wars. If you could have dinner with any three people (dead or alive) at Chavaniac, who would you choose and why?<br /></b><br />Believe it or not, this is actually a difficult choice because so many incredible men and women passed through those doors. I'd have to start with the Lafayettes--though I hope they would not serve me pigeons, which were a favorite at their wedding banquet. To join us for dinner, I'd choose the colorful stage-star of the Belle Epoque, Beatrice Chanler, because she was a force of nature without whom Chavaniac might not still be standing. Actress, artist, philanthropist, decorated war-relief worker and so-called Queen of the Social Register, she was as mysterious as she was wonderful, and even after all the startling discoveries I made researching her larger-than-life existence, I have a million questions about the early life she tried so hard to hide. I can't wait for readers to meet her!<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcW-o1VFmxW8qcxA8i4yClC3tyvVTy-W5Z0r1XwDDdHJTs5X8ZYCZGhMJsKGMvYcGgL-nmrikJNX7-iz685Qs-DxZNosDg2qb1izuJhei0b9FirAY6Pr3VPYkrjdiCUR43SS6luAe9eo/s2048/WomenofChateauLafayette_final+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-45357099383516085922020-07-01T00:00:00.001-04:002020-07-01T00:00:02.285-04:00February's Reads Reviewed<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>February's Reads Mini-Review Roundup</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385926196l/17269362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Time-Traveling Fashionista and Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile" border="0" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385926196l/17269362.jpg" width="216" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17269362-the-time-traveling-fashionista-and-cleopatra-queen-of-the-nile">The Time-Traveling Fashionista and Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile by Bianca Turetsky</a></b><br />
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For purely aesthetic reasons, these books are a joy to read. Illustrations are peppered throughout, the pages are thick, and there are additional flourishes for the chapter headings and page decorations. I usually prefer e-books, but when I read this series, I make sure to read the print versions. I also love that the chapters are super short. I fly through these books.<br />
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But, what about the actual story? Well, it's okay. The main character is nice enough and even though she exudes a miasma of blah with a tinge of dreary, I do actually like her. I love all of the historical settings of these books, and the Cleopatra book had the unexpected but wonderful pit stop to the film setting of Elizabeth Taylor's movie <i>Cleopatra</i>, which was like a mini-bonus destination. All good things.<br />
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Also good, is that the books are sprinkled with good historical tidbits, including fashion bits from the times, which is what I really love. I do feel like you can actual learn from these books. But....they're also much less meaty than I would have liked. The Titanic book spent more time really digging into the history and spending time there, but the Marie Antoinette book was more like an overnight visit instead of a week-long vacation, and the Cleopatra book was more like a day trip. I wanted more.<br />
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The series kind of petered out, which is a shame because I love the concept, love the presentation, loved the zany old-lady sidekicks, and loved the unexpected heft of the first book. I really wish the author had put in the depth of the first book into the next two and I wish she had continued on writing the series. Had she done that, this would have been one of my favorite auto-buy series, but instead it just kind of trickled away into nothing. Very sad. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348342109l/7937395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bunner Sisters" border="0" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348342109l/7937395.jpg" width="213" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7937395-bunner-sisters">Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton</a></b><br />
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I've been on a real Edith Wharton kick lately and she's rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her books are beautifully but accessibly written, describe an era I love (turn of the 20th century), feature memorable characters that are likable despite their flaw, and stories that pull me in and stay vividly in my mind long after they're over.<br />
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But, ah, they are often gut-punchy and sad and <i>The Bunner Sisters</i> is no exception. This is not a happy book. Things just go from bad to worse and at the end when you think the final nail has been hammered into the coffin and you're done and lying on the ground beaten and you've cried mercy and you've been left alone to catalogue your cuts and bruises...Edith turns around and gives you one final kick in the stomach for good measure. <br />
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I know that doesn't sound appealing at all, and I am not the kind of reader that likes depressing books. I'm actually the kind of reader that runs screaming from depressing books. But there's something about Edith Wharton that just makes me <i>like </i>her books in spite of this.<br />
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It does also help that <i>The Bunner Sisters</i> is a quick read. It's one of Wharton's over 100 pages but under 200 pages books (though in some printings they're under 100 pages), and I'm really enjoying working my way through them (she has a lot). I'm not sure if you'd call them novellas or novels and I think depending on the definition you use and who you talk to they're both. I think of a novella as around 60-80 or so pages, but <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_novellas">Wikipedia </a>has a bunch of examples of novellas that I'd personally consider short novels so what do I know? Whatever you classify it, Edith Wharton is really good at writing evocative, immersive stories in a short amount of pages. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Thoughts...</b></i></span></div>
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I was sick for a lot of February and stressing a lot watching the spread of the virus and wondering what was going to happen. This, unsurprisingly, took a toll on my reading and I only managed to get through two books in February. But, the books I did read were both enjoyable in their own way, and both check "goal" boxes as being series/authors that I enjoy, a book I own, historical fiction, and a "classic" author. <br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-92221852290161483502020-06-03T00:00:00.001-04:002020-06-03T00:00:02.940-04:00January's Reads Reviewed<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Mini-Review Roundup</b></i></span></div>
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So, I'm trying something a little different this year. Instead of focusing on single-review posts, which, let's face it, I haven't been doing much of lately, I'm going to try mini round ups. Maybe that will work? We'll see. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1433369883l/25454056._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sword of Destiny (The Witcher, #0.75)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1433369883l/25454056._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25454056-sword-of-destiny">Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski</a></b><br />
After enjoying the first book, I decided to keep going with this series until I didn't want to read it anymore. See, I'm still having commitment issues, and that makes no sense considering I actually really like these books. This collection of stories focused far more on Yennifer and Geralt's relationship and had a mix of stories that were included in the show and a few that weren't. All were good and added depth to the characters and stories that the show just glossed over. I liked the show a lot more before I read the books and saw how much better things could be.<br />
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I warmed up to Yennifer much more than I did in the TV series. See, in the series she's kind of awful, but I didn't get the impression that we were supposed to think that. I got the impression that we were supposed to think she was an awesome badass and her yearning for children and anger at the sorcerers who "stole" her ability to have children (after, you know, demanding they do it) was supposed to be righteous. In the books she's even more awful, but it's very clear that you're supposed to think that. She's flawed and nuanced. As a result, she has depth and I actually care about her and her relationship with Geralt becomes both tragic and epic. That I can get on board with. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413472801l/23359803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Other Tudor Princess: Margaret Douglas" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413472801l/23359803.jpg" width="132" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23359803-the-other-tudor-princess">The Other Tudor Princess by Mary McGrigor</a></b><br />
I started reading this in September 2018, put it down at 55% in October and didn't pick it back up again until January 2020. In the year in between readings my knowledge of the main players (Margaret Douglas, Elizabeth I, Mary Stuart, etc.) has grown significantly (Leanda de Lisle's excellent <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17859587-tudor"><i>Tudor</i> </a>was the perfect prereq).<br />
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I remember putting the book down in part because I was having trouble keeping track of everything and everyone. Picking it up now, I was able to follow everything much better. It's a short book, and maybe it's a little too short for the reader with very little knowledge of the time period. A lot is glossed over in order to keep that page count down, and that combined with so many people with the same name makes this perhaps not the best introduction to the era. Another reason not to read this without pre-knowledge? There are a
surprising number of silly errors like referring to Anne Boleyn as
Catherine Howard's aunt (she was her cousin) or calling Henry VII
Margaret Tudor's grandfather (he was her father). <br />
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However, go into this with some background knowledge and it's a great, quick review that hits all the high points while adding a lot of extra tidbits to keep things interesting. Chapters are super short, the writing is pleasant to read, and I cared about Margaret. I like these quick overview types of books as they help me make connections between the individual components I've gone more in depth with (or have heard about in passing through some of those in-depth excursions, like Arbella Stuart). We also got to go more in depth with Margaret Tudor, which provided nice background. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499870385l/8285324._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Breakfast at Tiffany's" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499870385l/8285324._SY475_.jpg" width="122" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8285324-breakfast-at-tiffany-s">Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote</a></b><br />
So, this was nothing like I was expecting. I had images of a posh Audrey Hepburn and high society ritzy glitz. Clearly, I haven't seen the movie. Or maybe the movie does give that impression. I don't know, I haven't seen the movie. Anyway, that's probably a good thing because I don't think I would have liked this book at all if I had seen the movie first.<br />
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The book isn't uplifting. Holly is a mess, and while this contributes to her charm and attracts men left and right, it's also pretty tragic. She's a fascinating person in that rubberneck at an accident kind of way and if this story had been longer I don't think I would have liked it as much. As it is, it's the perfect length to draw me in, keep my interest, leave before overstaying its welcome, but leave a lingering impression. I'm glad I finally read this one.<br />
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I wasn't planning on reading the three short stories also included in my copy, but I'm very glad I did. Each had that same fascinating draw-you-in vibe of the first, but in three very different ways. The first was intriguing in a way I can't quite put my finger on, the second was sad and had an old west vibe even though it took place in a prison, and the third is easily my favorite: a Christmas memory of a young boy with his grandmother. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1395176404l/7648269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1395176404l/7648269.jpg" width="130" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7648269-empire-of-the-summer-moon">Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwyne</a></b><br />
Loved this. Immersive writing, quick pace, chapters were a little long for me, but that just goes to show how interesting it was that the large chapters didn't deter me. I tend to shy away from this subject because it's hard to find books that focus on the facts of history and don't color things with the perspectives of the present. Thankfully, this was a brutally honest take with no villains and no heroes- just straight up history. Though, I have to say, I loved the Texas spirit. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365758716l/17793052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Minette" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365758716l/17793052.jpg" width="130" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17793052-minette"><b>Minette by Melanie Clegg</b></a><br />
Ah, it's so hard to read historical fiction that ends on a high note when you know it doesn't ultimately end that way.<br />
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Anyway, that aside, I loved this book. Well-drawn characters, good pacing, immersive history. I felt for Minette and I loved the characterization of her mother. The focus on how these two women felt in the aftermath of the revolution and how these events shaped them was well done...and heartbreaking. Not much insight into Charles II or Louis XIV, but that's okay. Melanie Clegg is a historical author to watch. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320562088l/8800906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Tudors: The Complete Story of England's Most Notorious Dynasty" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320562088l/8800906.jpg" width="129" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8800906-the-tudors">The Tudors by G. J. Meyer</a></b><br />
Well, G. J. Meyer clearly is not a fan of Elizabeth I. He didn't sing Henry, Edward, or Mary's praises either, but their sections were a lot more balanced. Elizabeth, not so much. Apparently, she didn't do anything right and anything good from her era was either propaganda or someone else's achievement.<br />
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That aside, this was a nice overview of the Tudor era and worth reading. I liked Leanda de Lisle's <i>Tudor</i> more, but this one is still worth reading. While his Elizabeth section was clearly biased, it was still interesting to entertain that point of view and reexamine the popular narratives.<br />
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Chapters alternated between the chronological history (larger chapters) and historical asides (shorter chapters) that often took a deeper look at a particular aspect of the narrative covered in the prior chapter. Sometimes these asides gave insight into a minor player, more often they gave more general historical depth to one of the major issues of the time like corruption in the church, the history of Lutheranism, the Tower of London, Parliament, and so on.<br />
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I looked forward to these chapters. They added something to the book that let it stand apart from all the other Tudor books. I also appreciated how they were paired with the greater narrative. Some books just focus on these broader topics (Life in Tudor England type books) or take a whole book to focus on one of those topics, but this combination of royal narrative and supplementary asides helped root them in the larger context, making both sections better as a result.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Thoughts...</b></i></span></div>
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Two books I put down earlier and picked up again only to quickly polish them off. Four historicals, three of which are non-fiction. One print copy owned since 2019. One classic. One fantasy. All adult. Engaged with all of them. All winners. <br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-8291017357581269812020-05-06T00:00:00.000-04:002020-05-06T00:00:00.757-04:00Year in Review: October through December<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>I made a really big list</b></i></span></div>
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I'm
slower this time around in getting my year end review in order, so I'm
totally thrown off. It's May 2020, but I'm looking back now on October through December 2019. Oh well, guess I'm just going to go with the
flow? <br />
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I started making these lists because I'm a list
kind of person, but they've become so much more. I've found myself
returning to them time and again almost like a scrapbook. It's been a
nice way to reflect, remember, and reminisce. <br />
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<a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2019/09/book-review-vanished-bride-by-bella.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" The Time-Traveling Fashionista at the Palace of Marie Antoinette " height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1333552286l/13455459.jpg" width="134" /></a><b></b><b>The Time Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky</b><br />
I was still in the grip of my September-induced Motivation to Meet All My Yearly Goals and so I decided to pick up this book: on my shelves since 2017. I was surprised by how much I loved the first book and I was looking forward to this second installment even more because of the Marie Antoinette focus. I adore Marie Antoinette. Unfortunately, I don't think Bianca Turetsky does. Add in a meh love interest, considerably less time spent in the past, and another time-traveling fashionista with a bit of an attitude and consider me disappointed. So disappointed, in fact, that I decided to break up the series and give away my beautiful print copy. I guess I just can't abide someone dissing MA. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1419183116l/1135286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stormy Petrel" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1419183116l/1135286.jpg" width="124" /></a><b>Stormy Petrel by Mary Stewart</b><br />
I've heard Mary Stewart's last three books were different from all her others. They're supposed to be softer, quieter, sweeter. That's exactly what I was looking for and now I've read all three. Sadly, <i>Stormy Petrel </i>is perhaps my least favorite of the three. Or, maybe it's tied with <i>Rose Cottage</i> for number two. Or maybe slightly above <i>Rose Cottage</i>. I don't know. Either way, it's not my number one (that would be <i>Thornyhold</i>), but it's also pretty darn good. I can definitely see myself rereading this, and forgetting enough of it that rereading will be a delight. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386925444l/46565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Orange Trees of Versailles (Les Orangers de Versailles, #1)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386925444l/46565.jpg" width="135" /></a><b>The Orange Trees of Versailles by Annie Pietri</b><br />
I can almost say the same thing about this as I said about <i>The Mozart Girl</i>: This
is such a little book but still managed to pack in so much. I loved the mix of perfumery and French royal history, though I could have wished for a little more detail on both fronts. Still, for such a short book, I can't complain. Athenais has been a villain for me ever since watching <i>Versailles </i>and seeing her played to perfection by Anna Brewster, so I liked the Super Evil version presented here. While the climax is not at all historically accurate, it does draw from a similar enough accusation that ultimately led to her downfall and I'm surprisingly not bothered by it. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548287986l/43521718._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548287986l/43521718._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></a><b><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2019/10/book-review-christmas-spirits-on-tradd.html">The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White</a></b><br />
It felt weird reading this in October rather than December, but I didn't set the blog tour schedule. Still, the days were getting darker and colder and it was certainly starting to feel like winter, if not Christmas. I'm learning that I don't do well with this time of the year, so it was nice to spend time with some early Christmas festivities and old favorites and this helped me feel more cheerful than I otherwise might have felt. Is this mind over matter? Perhaps. <br />
<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387716448l/152192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heart of Darkness" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387716448l/152192.jpg" width="129" /></a><b> </b><br />
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<b>Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad</b><br />
I
really love this cover. I actually owned a dingy mass market paperback of this book years ago that I had long since given away because it just seemed like such a drag. And boring, oh god, so boring. I also somehow mentally mixed <i>Heart of Darkness </i>with <i>Paradise Lost</i> and so I had this mental image of European colonialism, African jungles, Satan, and moralizing gloom.<br />
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But then someone I know started referencing <i>Heart of Darkness</i> as a (not very nice) description of some people we know and after feeling both lost and curious through the course of several conversations I looked up <i>Heart of Darkness</i>, saw it was only 166 pages and figured, "Why not?" I'm glad I did. (Also, those references? Spot on.)<br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389756446l/362971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Ghost-Feeler: Stories of Terror and the Supernatural" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389756446l/362971.jpg" width="129" /></a><b>The Ghost-Feeler by Edith Wharton</b><br />
I love October because I love Halloween and Halloween means ghost stories. I spent the last two weeks of October savoring these stories, turning the final page at the start of November. Edith Wharton played around with different styles and approaches and she excelled at all of them. I was pretty convinced that I liked Edith Wharton a whole lot after reading <i>Ethan Frome </i>and <i>Age of Innocence</i>, but after <i>The Ghost-Feeler</i> she entered into Favorite Author status. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1173911789l/344230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Glimpses of the Moon" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1173911789l/344230.jpg" width="128" /></a><b>The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton</b><br />
Well, after that Favorite Author realization I wasn't about to abandon her. The thing about Edith Wharton, though, is that she doesn't exactly write uplifting books. I wanted something light and romantic, but also, you know, Edith Wharton. After combing through Goodreads and trying not to read spoilers, I finally found <i>The Glimpses of the Moon</i>, which was supposed to be exactly what I wanted--and it was! I feel like <i>Glimpses</i> is to Wharton what <i>Northanger Abbey </i>is to Jane Austen, and NA is my favorite JA. Perhaps because of its lighter tone and happier ending, <i>Glimpses</i> isn't quite as memorable for me in the details as some of her other stories (she's so good at vivid scenes), but that will only make it all the more enjoyable when I reread it. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328332104l/11216255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Enchanted April" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328332104l/11216255.jpg" width="133" /></a><b>The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim</b><br />
I wanted to continue in a similar vein-- uplifting, calm, historical but not *too* historical and so I sought out a whole slew of classics that fit the bill. I decided on <i>The Enchanted April</i>, and not only because it's a pretty short one (though, yeah, that was a big draw). I loved it. I was really starting to settle into this pleasant bubble of gauzy white dresses, lovely gardens, gigantic houses, and lives of leisure and luxury. It helped stave off some of the doldrums of dark November. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389209101l/7045906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Making of a Marchioness, Part I and II (Emily Fox-Seton #1-2)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389209101l/7045906.jpg" width="141" /></a><b>The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett</b><br />
And another. This one was <i>off the rails</i>. It started out like a super saccharine version of a Jane Austen novel. Imagine <i>Persuasion</i> minus the earlier rejection but with an extra heaping of Old Maid and starring an even more angelic Jane Bennett-esque lead. Then transition into the slapstick Gothic thrills of <i>Northanger Abbey</i> with a cameo from an exotic witch-doctor Mrs. Danvers ala du Maurier's <i>Rebecca</i> and the Ridiculous dial cranked up to 11. It was a blast! <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516947488l/98665._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles, Austria - France, 1769" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516947488l/98665._SX318_.jpg" width="138" /></a><b> </b><br />
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<b>Marie Antoinette (Royal Diaries) by Kathryn Lasky</b><br />
I think I needed a break from the low-grade classics after that last whirlwind. I had also been reading a lot of e-books and with the end of November looming I was starting to feel the pressure of Unmet Goals. This book got me a double dose of box checking: owned since 2014 and historical fiction. I was woefully behind on my goal for reading historical fiction, particularly historical bio, and I wasn't too happy about that. I make my reading goals because I know reading those books makes me happy, so I wanted to make sure I was actually doing the things that make me happy. And this book? It made me happy.<br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331184310l/12212231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Borgias" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331184310l/12212231.jpg" width="131" /></a><b>The Borgias by Christopher Hibbert</b><br />
Historical and owned since 2013. Check and check! Christopher Hibbert clearly adores Cesare, and while he definitely sung his praises, that didn't stop Hibbert from detailing out Cesare's flaws as well. And, oh god, I learned far more about Cesare's experiences with syphilis than I was ever expecting to know. I was in the middle of a rewatch of the Showtime series of the same name and so this was a nice parallel. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488240176l/32793043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A True Home (Heartwood Hotel, #1)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488240176l/32793043.jpg" width="142" /></a><b>Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George</b><br />
Owned since 2017--check! December started and I had some ground to cover. This was short, short chapters, adorable illustrations, and MG. I tore through it and loved every second. It was so heartwarming. I just wanted to hug it. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455904117l/28943723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455904117l/28943723.jpg" width="133" /></a><b>The King is Dead by Suzannah Lipscomb</b><br />
Well, the heartwarming reprieve was over and I dove back into historical murder, mayhem, death, and disease. While short, this was a powerhouse of a book. I felt a little like I was reading Lipscomb's dissertation, but I mean that in the best possible way. There was a youthful eagerness, an excitement, curiosity, and investment in the topic that came through every page and that made this a joy to read. I enjoyed the way Lipscomb approached the topic, focusing on the final decade, year, and month of Henry's life, piecing together how the events during these times all shaped how he wrote his will and his hopes for his son's reign. I've seen a number of Suzannah Lipscomb's historical TV shows (so good!) and reading this book felt just like listening to her talk, which is a very good thing. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442558223l/6391467._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heart's Blood" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442558223l/6391467._SX318_.jpg" width="136" /></a><b>Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier</b><br />
The year was winding down, my goals were almost met, and I felt <i>Heart's Blood</i> pulling me to it again. Though I first read this book in the summer of 2015 and though the book takes place across a summer, for some reason this feels like <i>such</i> a winter book to me. I guess it's the Beauty and the Beast storyline where everything feels bleak, dark, and cold like an abandoned garden in the dead of winter...and then slowly but surely...life comes back. That's a good message for me to read in the doldrums of winter! <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328821277l/6307713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1536: The Year That Changed Henry VIII" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328821277l/6307713.jpg" width="127" /></a><b>1536: The Year That Changed Henry VIII by Suzannah Lipscomb</b><br />
After the smashing success of <i>The King is Dead</i> I couldn't stop myself from diving into this book (they're both so short!). I liked it. I did. But I think Suzannah Lipscomb did a better job convincing me that it <i>wasn't </i>just the events of 1536 that changed Henry, but rather the events leading up to and then culminating in 1536 that profoundly impacted him. 1536 didn't just happen in a bubble; there was over a decade of events that all stacked together and took Henry to this final climax of horror...and then set him on the path he would follow until his death. So, I don't ultimately agree with her conclusion, but I loved the journey she took me on to get there. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517001188l/36621586._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Winter of the Witch (Winternight Trilogy, #3)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517001188l/36621586._SY475_.jpg" width="131" /></a><b>The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden</b><br />
Now <i>this</i> is a winter book. I love so much about this series. I cried at the start, I cried at the end. Vasya's relationships with the Winter King, the Bear, her brother, and sister, the magical creatures, and, of course, the horses...I don't even know what to say. I love them all. I love how these books feel like Russian fairy tales mixed with Russian history, both timeless and <i>old</i>. They feel palpable and the imagery...ah I feel like I'm in the pages of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjhgIS8lbLnAhXMl54KHYz8CoEQFjAAegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.laurellong.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw0HDiY6bljP4Rn1WrfObum1">Laurel Long illustrations </a>or those <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=russian+lacquer+boxes&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjvp7LHlbLnAhWQop4KHUnSB5QQ_AUoAnoECA0QBA&biw=2144&bih=1079">Russian lacquer boxes</a>. Breathtaking, heartbreaking, beautiful. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529591917l/40603587._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Last Wish (The Witcher, #0.5)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529591917l/40603587._SX318_.jpg" width="135" /></a><b>The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski</b><br />
I picked this up after watching the Witcher series on Netflix. Yeah, I know, me and everyone else. I was surprised by how much I liked these stories. It feels weird going back to my fantasy roots...and the ingrained flood of knee-jerk excuses for actually liking fantasy books. Interesting. I guess it really has been a while since I've felt guilt or shame for reading what I like. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387710964l/805939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Elizabeth the Great" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387710964l/805939.jpg" width="129" /></a><b>Elizabeth the Great by Elizabeth Jenkins</b><br />
This book took me flipping forever to finish. I started reading at the end of September (the day I bought it, go me) and I didn't finish until the penultimate day of the year. This wasn't because I didn't like the book. I loved it. It's because it's a print book and I couldn't find an e-book version to read. The font was tiny, the book was awkward to hold, I didn't have that nifty "X number of minutes for this chapter" thingy that I have on my e-reader. Yeah, ok, I'm a total e-book convert.<br />
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But, whatever, I read it and I loved it. Between this book and Susan Kay's <i>Legacy</i> you can consider me an Elizabeth I convert, too. It took me a while to warm up to her, and I still think she's crazy as all get out, but I feel for her now. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489610326l/759555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mary, Bloody Mary (Young Royals, #1)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489610326l/759555.jpg" width="120" /></a><b>Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer</b><br />
Was I going to be able to squeeze in one final book to make a cool, round 80 books read in 2019? Ha, yes, it's all about choosing the right book, and I knew Carolyn Meyer would have my back. Also, book I owned since 2014 and historical bio. Nailed my goals.<br />
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I liked reading this book right next to the book about Elizabeth I. Seeing the two sisters side by side, and so soon after immersing myself in Suzannah Lipscomb's Tour of Henry's Horrors, really brought home how terrible their situations were and how much blame can be laid at the feet of their father. It was also interesting to see how these first two queens of England blazed the trail. Their experiences were so similar and so different, and their personalities were shaped in ways that make perfect sense given their history. I find both of their stories so tragic, and it's made even sadder by the fact that they were not able to form a positive relationship with each other.<br />
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So often historical figures are shrouded in History's Mysteries and we can only guess at what they must have thought or felt or even what their personalities might have been like. Sure, we're doing the same thing with Elizabeth and Mary, but they feel much more real, nuanced, and understandable. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Thoughts...</b></i></span></div>
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Well, that's it for 2019. October through December continued very happily and I was able to redirect my reading to happy escapes rather than letting the darkness of winter plunge me into the depths of despair (I use that <a href="https://youtu.be/8HZfQ7EqMUs">Anne of Green Gables reference</a> whenever I can and <i>no one</i> ever gets it so they just look at me funny and think I'm terribly dramatic).<br />
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I need to remember this moving forward. I noticed this quarter that I didn't quite focus on and immerse myself in the books I was reading as much as I did over the summer, and that's a shame since I read some wonderful books. Squandered opportunity, and I want to take that lesson learned to heart and <i>focus</i> on my book fully and completely in the moment. Whatever's on my mind can wait. <br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-89859997335766534092020-04-01T00:00:00.000-04:002020-04-01T00:00:00.304-04:00Year in Review: July through September<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>I made a really big list</b></i></span></div>
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I'm slower this time around in getting my year end review in order, so I'm totally thrown off. It's April 2020, but I'm looking back now on July through September 2019. Oh well, guess I'm just going to go with the flow? <br />
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I started making these lists because I'm a list kind of person, but they've become so much more. I've found myself returning to them time and again almost like a scrapbook. It's been a nice way to reflect, remember, and reminisce. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560808620l/44525770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Vanished Bride (Brontë Sisters Mystery #1)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560808620l/44525770.jpg" width="132" /></a><b><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2019/09/book-review-vanished-bride-by-bella.html">The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis</a></b><br />
July sped along with the same momentum as June. Happy, warm, sunny mornings filled with wonderful time spent reading in bed. I'm writing this now on the first day of February 2020 when the mornings are still too dark and the days are still too cold, and so it's nice to remember that "this too shall pass" and the rhythm of my mornings will get easier. This book was an unexpected surprise and continued my streak of delightful review books. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480113238l/18296048._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Always Emily" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480113238l/18296048._SX318_.jpg" width="139" /></a><b>Always Emily by Michaela MacColl</b><br />
My interest in the Brontes was piqued, but I didn't want to actually read their books (I love <i>Wuthering Heights</i>, but at least for now I don't have much interest in reading the other Bronte offerings, and, yes, that includes <i>Jane Eyre</i>...I know, I know. Someday it will be the right time and I'm sure I'll love it then). Michaela MacColl isn't an author I think of much, but I've enjoyed the two books I've now read of hers. It's funny how some authors, despite enjoying their books, just seem to slip of of my mind. I keep blending these two Bronte books together in my memory, but that's fine. This experience felt like an unexpected, fun, and light way to delve into historical biography of the Brontes. Kind of like a sideways approach. I liked it. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548321154l/41427832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Mozart Girl" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548321154l/41427832.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
<b>The Mozart Girl by Barbara Nickel</b><br />
This is such a little book but still managed to pack in so much. It reminded me of the Royal Diaries books, which is a very good thing. I hope Barbara Nickel writes more like this. I felt so much for Nannerl and I liked how the author balanced her love for and jealousy of her younger brother. I'm really glad I decided to read this one. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1376585490l/17729563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Sacred River" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1376585490l/17729563.jpg" width="128" /></a><b>The Sacred River by Wendy Wallace</b><br />
I don't remember how I came across this book, but it was definitely an impulse read. For so many books I feel like I need to let them "breathe" and "age" with me as if they were a bottle of wine. I have to keep them on my TBR for years, open their Goodreads pages a million times, see them on my list, consider reading them for months before finally committing. This one I discovered and started reading all in the same day, which is what I consider an "impulse" read. I'm always kind of proud of reading them, which is such a funny thing to say. Anyway, I was hoping for something in the vein of Sally Beauman's <i>The Visitors</i> or Jeanne Mackin's <i>The Last Collection</i>. Something...historical but more modernish, fictional characters but real historical context. Something that felt....I don't know, I want to say "profound" but that's really not the right word at all. Something with <i>impact</i>. I didn't quite get that as fully as in the other books, and I think it might be because this book follows three main characters and that split focus watered each story down a little. Still though, even with that, I did love this book and I'm so glad I "gave in" to my impulse. I also love that cover. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429150341l/606928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Case of the Missing Marquess (Enola Holmes, #1)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429150341l/606928.jpg" width="135" /></a><b>The Enola Holmes mystery series by Nancy Springer</b><br />
I "read" the fifth book in the series way back in 2014 as an audiobook, mostly because it was short. I was lukewarm about it. I've since learned the lesson that I cannot read books for the first time as audiobooks. It ruins it for me. Rereads through audio? Fantastic. But not first runs. So, I started this series now not expecting much, and wow was I surprised when I was utterly sucked into the series. I adored Enola and her heartbreak over her mother's abandonment, her tentative heart-melting with her brothers (even if her love for Sherlock sometimes felt a little *too* romantic), her curiosity, and her intrepid spirit. The history was fun, the mysteries engaging, and I really got a kick out of all the costumes. I'm really glad I decided to pick up this series, which had been on my radar for what seems like forever. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421890394l/20695116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Little Bit of Buddha: An Introduction to Buddhist Thought" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421890394l/20695116.jpg" width="144" /></a><b>A Little Bit of Buddha by Chad Mercree</b><br />
I started August with another impulse read. I've been going to a weekly meditation group and my teacher has been dropping in little bits of "wisdom of the Buddha" so when I saw this shortie pop up in my library, I figured why not? The first part was a lot better than the later chapters, but overall this gave me a nice overview of the teachings of the Buddha. I'm learning that there are a lot of interpretations when it comes to Buddhaism, and so I'm taking it all with a grain of salt, picking up the bits that I find inspiring or thought-provoking, and not losing sleep over the rest. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1190925230l/1961542._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Sisters Mortland" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1190925230l/1961542._SX318_.jpg" width="135" /></a><b>The Sisters Mortland by Sally Beauman</b><br />
So, I read this book in August 2019 and I'm writing this post in February 2020...nearly seven months later and I've been thinking of this book off and on that whole time. I can't say it was enchanting or delightful or happy or had characters I loved. No, I didn't really like any of the characters and it was dark and sad and upsetting. But so, so evocative and immersive. I've now read this book and <i>The Visitors</i> by Sally Beauman, and you can count me a fan. I think she may be one of those authors where I can't judge the storyline, I just need to trust that she's going to write it in such a way that I will love the book regardless. There's this scene that features one of my all time favorite perfumes (Guerlain's <i>L'Heure Bleue</i>) in a very *ahem* visceral way (it's a sex scene) and I must admit that whenever I wear that perfume now I can't <i>not</i> think of that scene. <br />
<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455468670l/18820989._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Kiss of the Concubine: A story of Anne Boleyn" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455468670l/18820989._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a><b>The Kiss of the Concubine by Judith Arnopp</b><br />
I can't decide with this book. On one hand I liked how the author portrayed Anne. She was a mix of "good" and "bad" and I like that approach (it feels more realistic)...and on the other hand I can't stop cringing at Anne describing Henry playing with her "duckies" (her breasts). That isn't the best lasting impression. Still, despite this, as far as Anne Boleyn books go, this is one of the better ones.<br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1338224069l/2540136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Age of Innocence" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1338224069l/2540136.jpg" /></a><b> </b><br />
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<b>The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton</b><br />
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I feel silly admitting it, but I'm always so impressed and proud of myself when I read a classic. I don't know why. They're books. I can clearly read. Why this is an accomplishment I don't know, but polishing off a classic never fails to leave me with a warm glow. I'd like to say it's because they're good books and it's that enriching experience that makes me feel this way, but this is not true at all. I'm pretty sure it's my inner A-student basking in the glory of smartypantsness. <br />
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Anyway, I read <i>Ethan Frome </i>back in 2009 and ten years later I was still
thinking about it. At first I thought I disliked it. The story is so
depressing! But it packed a wallop of an impression that wouldn't let go
and I've grown to really appreciate what Wharton did with that
cautionary tale. I decided to pick up <i>Age of Innocence</i> and I loved every second of it. It's funny how even though I lived in NY at the end of the 20th century and Wharton lived there at the start of that century, everything she wrote felt so <i>New York</i>. The characters, the culture, the lifestyle, it all felt so, so familiar. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1354370175l/16112545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Refining Felicity (The School for Manners, #1)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1354370175l/16112545.jpg" width="124" /></a><b>Refining Felicity and Perfecting Fiona by M. C. Beaton</b><br />
I got the Marion Chesney itch again and decided to go back to her historical romances rather than Agatha Raisin. It's the same formula: sweet but slightly off-beat main character, dashing and manly romantic interest, very off-beat elderly sidekicks, and a surprisingly good amount of historical setting. The familiar pattern does wear as it feels like I'm rereading the same book over and over again...but oh I do love that pattern. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551505550l/23734476._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Trouble with Twins" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551505550l/23734476._SY475_.jpg" width="132" /></a><b>The Trouble with Twins by Kathryn Siebel</b><br />
Okay, September started and I began to feel that surge of motivation that can only be felt by a goal-oriented person closing in on the final quarter of the year. Four more months left meant plenty of time to <i>accomplish things</i> as long as I retained Focus. So, in looking at the goals I had set, I realized I wanted to go through more of the books I've owned physical copies of for a number of years. At four years of ownership, <i>The Trouble with Twins</i> definitely checked that box. It was also illustrated, middle grade, super short chapters, and only 208 pages, which meant that I could feel that thrill of <i>crossing off the list</i> in no time at all. Cherry on top? I actually really enjoyed the book. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1274197602l/720717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hammer of the Scots (Plantagenet Saga, #7)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1274197602l/720717.jpg" width="120" /></a><b>Hammer of the Scots by Jean Plaidy</b><br />
There are better covers of this book, but I am just <i>tickled</i> by this cover. The costumes, the posture, combined with the now-made-dirty title and the epic masculinity of Edward I and his swooning brides makes me giggle every time I think of it. After reading <i>Cashelmara</i> the year before I'd been itching for another Edward I book. Surprisingly, there aren't a whole lot of them out there, and even fewer if you're looking for fiction. Edward II? Tons. But his father? Slim pickings. This was a typical Plaidy entry of her "delightful" sort: kind of over the top, but still rooted in good historical writing and it feels like she liked writing this one (as opposed to some of her others that feel a little more phoned in). I had a lot of fun with it. Though I still wish I had more Edward I books to read...<br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327531552l/111785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Catch Me a Colobus" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327531552l/111785.jpg" width="122" /></a><b>Catch Me a Colobus by Gerry Durrell</b><br />
I love that Gerry Durrell was such a prolific author. Some are better than others, but they're all light, quick, and amusing. This one was one of the less wonderful ones, but still enjoyable. I enjoyed reading about him describing this novel culinary experience when he visited Mexico in search of a rabbit and tried this unknown treat called a taco. It's funny how things about Mexico that are so familiar to me now as an American in the 21st century were so unfamiliar to the British Gerry Durrell in the early 20th century. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392424445l/19321449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Swap" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392424445l/19321449.jpg" width="132" /></a><b>The Swap by Megan Shull</b><br />
I confess, I have a weakness for YA/MG body-swap stories. The Preston Norton book I read in April re-opened this Pandora's box for me and by September I was still hankering for more. I searched for body-swap books and this one came up. A quick download from my library and I was in business. I loved it. This nailed everything I love about body-swap stories and had a super contrived and sweet ending that left me with warm fuzzies. Darn, now I want to read another body-swap story. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348043346l/11830428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Come, Tell Me How You Live: An Archaeological Memoir" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348043346l/11830428.jpg" width="132" /></a><b>Come Tell Me How You Live by Agatha Christie Mallowan</b><br />
I've been trying to take a much more "go with the flow" approach to my reading and one interesting effect has been that I'm much more likely to stop reading a book midway through if I start to lose interest and then pick it up many months (or years) later and happily finish it off. That's a new level of casual for me that I'm kind of horrified by and kind of impressed with myself. Anyway, I started reading this book in August 2018, put it down in September after reading 23%, picked it up an entire year later and finished it off in September 2019. How's that for go with the flow? <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Thoughts...</b></i></span></div>
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July through September was a wonderful time. <br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-48758004850918108232020-03-04T00:00:00.000-05:002020-03-04T00:00:06.524-05:00Year in Review: April through June<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>I made a really big list</b></i></span></div>
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It's
that time of year again! I started making these lists because I'm a
list kind of person, but they've become so much more. I've found myself
returning to them time and again almost like a scrapbook. It's been a
nice way to reflect, remember, and reminisce. <br />
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<b>Sif and the Dwarfs' Treasure by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams</b><br />
April continued my more positive trend and started off with a new installment in a fairly new series from a favorite author duo. While I've almost entirely shifted my reading/reviewing to what I'm interested in reading and reviewing rather than letting publishers or new releases drive my reading and reviewing, Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams' Goddess Girls and Thunder Girls series are books I feel compelled to read and review. They're just so good and I <i>believe</i> in these series so much that I need to share them. They're also straight up delightful to read. <br />
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<b>Flashman by George MacDonald Frasr</b><br />
The Flashman books have been on my TBR for a really long time but for a variety of reasons I just never seemed to get around to giving them a try. So, I felt pretty good about <i>finally</i> trying out the series. I'm also glad I did because I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's...not a typical book. Flashman is a horrible person. No excuses, no shades of gray, no anti-heroism. He's just straight up mean, immoral, and despicable. Not only does he invariably choose to do the wrong thing, but he doubles down on the badness of it and comes out smelling roses in the end in ways that should infuriate me. I should hate reading about him, but I didn't.There was also a surprising amount of history packed into what is on the surface a swashbuckling adventure tale. <br />
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<b><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-decoy-princess-by-dawn-cook.html">The Decoy Princess by Dawn Cook</a></b><br />
I first read this back in 2013 and even though I adored it, and even though I bought a copy of the sequel that same year, and even though it ended on a cliffhanger...I didn't read the sequel. So I've let this story go unfinished for six years, and by this point I had to reread the first book because there were too many details I just didn't remember anymore. So, since rereading was going so well this year, I decided to pick up this old favorite. It's still a favorite. I still preferred one romantic interest over the other. I liked the main character even more than I remembered. It was great... <br />
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<b>Princess at Sea by Dawn Cook</b><br />
...And then. Then I read the sequel, and I don't know what to think. Things took a turn, and I don't think I liked it much. I say that in this hesitating way because in a lot of ways what I wanted to happen did happen. So I should be happy. But the <i>way </i>it all happened was weird, a little unsettling, and not exactly in line with the first book. It was like the first book was written as a straight up fantasy, and in the second book the author's urban fantasy roots starting showing through (Dawn Cook is Kim Harrison). The author also introduced a magic element that then took over the whole plot and it just...wasn't very interesting. The same thing happened in her <a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2016/01/spotlight-list-2015-books-in-review.html">Truth series</a>, and I couldn't finish that series because of it, even though there was a lot I did love about that series. I guess I just really dislike the way this author deals with magic. It's super descriptive and, well, boring. <br />
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<b>A Tangled Web by L. M. Montgomery</b><br />
I made a list of all the authors that make me happy and decided I wanted to make an effort to read more of their books. L. M. Montgomery has a solid place on that list due to her Anne books (I've only read the first three so far), but <a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-blue-castle-by-lm-montgomery.html"><i>The Blue Castle</i></a> eclipses everything and I absolutely adore it. It's described as one of two of L. M. Montgomery's books written for adults, so I decided to try her other adult book: <i>A Tangled Web</i>. Well, it was okay. I liked it, but it's no Blue Castle, or even Anne, that's for sure. I'm glad I read it, especially since I've been wanting to read it ever since I got a copy in 2017, but I don't know that this is one I'll reread often. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr_XIQuRr5AsJ1bbR6PJsgyspxVymppfATQO2yEppYkj3HHx8JwExyO7U0bx0hTFcfYnLUe7WIxD72Lby6WmET-eSEcbmCtJhMZa-R_2HYQkhxuAkK2I4jA3S90-D5vx0HzllT6wyPJk/s1600/6261170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr_XIQuRr5AsJ1bbR6PJsgyspxVymppfATQO2yEppYkj3HHx8JwExyO7U0bx0hTFcfYnLUe7WIxD72Lby6WmET-eSEcbmCtJhMZa-R_2HYQkhxuAkK2I4jA3S90-D5vx0HzllT6wyPJk/s200/6261170.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2010/12/book-review-pearl-among-princes-by.html" target="_blank"><b>A Pearl Among Princes by Coleen Murtagh Paratore</b></a><br />
I first read this book in 2010 and while I didn't love it, there were elements that I did like a lot and wanted to revisit. This was another case where the initial read was less enjoyable because of expectations, but the second read, with expectations appropriately calibrated, actually made for a much more enjoyable experience. I'm glad I reread this one. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndyZgXE7hrDQf0-E_BdEv1DDYtbvLEpePD1MpVtGA74bUkoHzz8sNi1e_cnrf1IZn0hOHT8Iy2t8TKk0KKh_w8FkRiAEa0AXNpAvwkhuIRGil2r64mcwthALLubtiwvdSsdNub7ICi9E/s1600/142464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="168" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndyZgXE7hrDQf0-E_BdEv1DDYtbvLEpePD1MpVtGA74bUkoHzz8sNi1e_cnrf1IZn0hOHT8Iy2t8TKk0KKh_w8FkRiAEa0AXNpAvwkhuIRGil2r64mcwthALLubtiwvdSsdNub7ICi9E/s200/142464.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<b>Royal Flash by George MacDonald Fraser</b><br />
I wasn't ready to let Flashman go, and this second book was almost even better than the first. Flashman is still an awful person, but something about him felt a little less reprehensible and the story was a rip-roaring adventure. Flashman is set up, blackmailed, and then forced to stand in as a replacement for a prince with whom he shares an uncanny resemblance ala Prince and the Pauper. Of course this is filled with humor, intrigue, danger, castles, and adventure. I was surprised to find that much of the historical events were also true, and so I got a nice history lesson again. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUESV3BtXRsNJ6dAT80ECxazQDFCCgcmP9qGgvSi9CsHqfD8sQm_DSBn29lz4c8XchfvgMeLJRhyphenhyphenUnCpLG1cAAzl09ryX95O7dVX4dzQNM6wWnQagNMse6V38QWqntsXL4gNGpxh8w_EA/s1600/23309723._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUESV3BtXRsNJ6dAT80ECxazQDFCCgcmP9qGgvSi9CsHqfD8sQm_DSBn29lz4c8XchfvgMeLJRhyphenhyphenUnCpLG1cAAzl09ryX95O7dVX4dzQNM6wWnQagNMse6V38QWqntsXL4gNGpxh8w_EA/s200/23309723._SX318_.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<b>Amphitrite the Bubbly by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams</b><br />
I ended up liking this one a lot more than I thought I would. I had read the first few pages a while ago, didn't click with the main character and put it aside. I'm glad I picked it up again, because this was another delightful addition to the Goddess Girls series.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwQkQWUHLCoSd1m8SGtsMo3IpsOJewABDZJIEz4B-K_mxK3eZXO2iMkBEPREL8RJtbIgiGvnJb7H49J4TtB8p2-CiKuL8qpM7NlobJcSEN4UYsXwA3q7ZBBIqUNIciAINy8cLbh-mYQg/s1600/672492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwQkQWUHLCoSd1m8SGtsMo3IpsOJewABDZJIEz4B-K_mxK3eZXO2iMkBEPREL8RJtbIgiGvnJb7H49J4TtB8p2-CiKuL8qpM7NlobJcSEN4UYsXwA3q7ZBBIqUNIciAINy8cLbh-mYQg/s200/672492.jpg" width="132" /></a><b>The Far Side of the World by Patrick O'Brian</b><br />
I really do like this series, though I read it so slowly. Some books really click with me, whereas others feel slower and are harder to get through. This one was the latter and I don't really remember much beyond that at this point. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_tJHyxZg_Sy64epijscof4XkbjzYx2gF3eXDPfxmgBbuxE7ONVvvSjegQt4CLF1_HMd9sJx4RNTJQNffQ2EdbtAefaTGU1Nq-R-YvCjY2GQT8sUOiBB_BCG64TztXkX7sVY3bisr4F8/s1600/42354183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="274" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_tJHyxZg_Sy64epijscof4XkbjzYx2gF3eXDPfxmgBbuxE7ONVvvSjegQt4CLF1_HMd9sJx4RNTJQNffQ2EdbtAefaTGU1Nq-R-YvCjY2GQT8sUOiBB_BCG64TztXkX7sVY3bisr4F8/s200/42354183.jpg" width="136" /></a><b>Let's Mooove! by Courtney Sheinmel and Bianca Turetsky</b><br />
This came unexpectedly as a review book. It's cute, short, has a sweet but forgettable story, and fun bits about the featured US state. Overall nice, but not particularly standout. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t_Jkh77FLVmoVocq3i0HHryA7xnKu_NPi1svZoS1AjLiLJRqQPEaZBfxmsQxWyxUoJfIyZkcR5fGZuj_6e1PN8dwBh-A3u85gnreQ7ZM4P6HtlMYBwmDcB2v5lzPI4ky51d78mv0fSI/s1600/41883935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t_Jkh77FLVmoVocq3i0HHryA7xnKu_NPi1svZoS1AjLiLJRqQPEaZBfxmsQxWyxUoJfIyZkcR5fGZuj_6e1PN8dwBh-A3u85gnreQ7ZM4P6HtlMYBwmDcB2v5lzPI4ky51d78mv0fSI/s200/41883935.jpg" width="132" /></a><b>The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin</b><br />
I was curious enough about this one to download it from NetGalley, but I wasn't actually convinced I wanted to read it. I loaded it up on my e-reader and grudgingly read the first few pages...and then couldn't stop. I'm so glad I read this book. The fashion, perfume, history, and art have stuck with me all year. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5BtirvMVI9_e5gyMuWImxnFEbc1sZcBhMtKmUcBFSubs6vOoV360-GHw0NJ3Rism9FD-E69sd9mKzeAgaZe7jGoIdQMbPzy4E5pVzeUPIqGgac-GoUwSdz_pAfJe_zsGSzAF5IsbFYo/s1600/17349170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5BtirvMVI9_e5gyMuWImxnFEbc1sZcBhMtKmUcBFSubs6vOoV360-GHw0NJ3Rism9FD-E69sd9mKzeAgaZe7jGoIdQMbPzy4E5pVzeUPIqGgac-GoUwSdz_pAfJe_zsGSzAF5IsbFYo/s200/17349170.jpg" width="131" /></a><b>One Hundred and Four Horses by Mandy Retzlaff</b><br />
I picked this up as an impulse. I think someone might have been reading it on Goodreads. The idea of the horses and the African setting sounded exotic and I was hoping for something uplifting like a Gerry Durrell book. I know it was about exile and the turmoil in Africa, but the historical aspects of this were also intriguing. What I got was both what and not what I had hoped for. Following the family and getting to know the horses was at turns nice, exciting, and terrifying. The history and the bad things that happened were enraging and horrifying. The ending was happy, but in a brittle way that doesn't feel like it will last. I'm glad I read it, but it wasn't an easy read.<br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542679493l/42869046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Where I End and You Begin" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542679493l/42869046.jpg" width="132" /></a><b><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2019/07/book-review-where-i-end-you-begin-by.html">Where I End and You Begin by Preston Norton</a></b><br />
When I get a book for review, outside my genre, and over 400 pages, that shouldn't bode well. But this is Preston Norton, and for some reason none of the usual rules apply. I felt excited every morning to wake up and read this book...and I am decidedly <i>not</i> a morning person. I felt joyful. Things really felt brighter in June.
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347896326l/817225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The King's Secret Matter (Tudor Saga, #4)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347896326l/817225.jpg" width="131" /></a><b>The King's Secret Matter by Jean Plaidy</b><br />
Plaidy, Tudors, check, check. I read her Anne Boleyn book and her Mary I book, both of which covered this time period, and so it was nice to round things out with Katherine's perspective. It's not a happy book, that's for sure, but I was happy while reading it. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550777952l/40506644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Ghost Tree" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550777952l/40506644.jpg" width="130" /></a><b><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2019/07/book-review-ghost-tree-by-barbara.html">The Ghost Tree by Barbara Erskine</a></b><br />
This book = goals achieved. It was a doorstop and a review book and an author I've been meaning to check out. I didn't love the book, but I did really enjoy the experience. June felt so filled with light and possibilities. Thinking back on what was actually happening then, that doesn't entirely fit with my feelings now, but perhaps it's important to remember that the little stresses of life (even if they feel big at the time) blow over and things have a way of working out, so focus less on those stresses of the moment and more on the joys of the moment because they're the things that remain with you. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540085382l/42178610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Poison Thread" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540085382l/42178610.jpg" width="130" /></a><b><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2019/07/book-review-poison-thread-by-laura.html">The Poison Thread by Laura Purcell</a></b><br />
June was a good month for review books, and really, reading in general. My memories again are of waking up and diving into this book and totally losing myself in happy reading. I really threw myself into these stories, and I'm reminded now that this is something I should do more often: throw myself fully into the story I'm reading. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546423049l/23157096._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes, #1)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546423049l/23157096._SY475_.jpg" width="128" /></a><b>A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle</b><br />
Ah, I had forgotten about the story-within-a-story aspect of this one. It's almost like getting two stories in one. Now that I've spent more time in the Utah-Nevada region, the flashback story took on a whole new feel and relevance for me. It's interesting how our life experiences color our reading so much. This reminds me again how important it is to not worry about forcing books at any particular time. Maybe it's not the right time, but maybe in a few years with a few more life experiences the book will suddenly fit. Which isn't the case here since I loved this the first time, but I gained more upon the reread. Which, perhaps is another lesson learned (reinforced?) on the value of rereading. <br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1448828424l/24885742._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hestia the Invisible (Goddess Girls #18)" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1448828424l/24885742._SX318_.jpg" width="134" /></a><b>Hestia the Invisible by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams</b><br />
Another wonderful entry in this series. Hestia's introverted homebody personality was a real winner for me and I loved getting to see Pheme again (who is the complete opposite, but just a joyful character to read). June ended on a high note. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Thoughts...</b></i></span></div>
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April through June really turned things around for me, and keeping close track of my reading helped me keep focus and momentum on turning around my mindset. I don't know that life was any less stressful, but my approach to it was much healthier and happier.<br />
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The fact that it was getting sunnier and warmer outside certainly didn't hurt, either. Now that I'm back living in an area with seasons and more dramatic daylight changes makes me realize how much I thrive in an area with more consistent warmth and sunlight and how much I struggle with the seasons changing. Since I can't control the weather or sunlight, it's good to recognize how much I am affected by it at least and try to take some proactive measures and keep in mind how I'll react to these things (and that my reaction isn't actually rooted in any real stress or sadness).<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-27801825383935313602020-02-26T12:21:00.003-05:002020-02-26T12:21:49.278-05:00Book Review: The Girl in White Gloves by Kerri Maher<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569505935l/45479418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Girl in White Gloves" border="0" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569505935l/45479418.jpg" width="211" /></a><b>The Girl in White Gloves by Kerri Maher</b><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45479418-the-girl-in-white-gloves"><b>Goodreads</b></a><br />
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I was curious to learn about old Hollywood, but beyond that I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was both more and less than what I was hoping for.<br />
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As far as characters go, this was not a big win for me. I'm not sure if it was the way things were written (third person, lots of telling) or Grace herself. She came across as too perfectly good, naive, meek, insecure, and depressed. I felt distant from her, and I'm not sure if it was the writing style or because Grace Kelly was a distant, naive, depressed, meek, goody two shoes (which rings true from what little I know of her). I think the answer is "both." The end result was that Grace wasn't a particularly fun or interesting person to follow, but over time I did develop a fondness for her even if I never shook a constant mild irritation.<br />
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What I did gain was insight into all sorts of interesting things. Grace's life allowed us to flit around learning tid bits here and there about acting styles, approaches, and training and how these differed on TV versus movies versus the stage. We got little bits of information about a ton of starlets of the era from Grace's fascinating insider/outsider perspective. We got to learn about Monaco and little bits of history (the book spans several decades). There's a lot here, and for me this was the highlight of the book and why I kept reading.<br />
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Overall, I'm glad I read this book and I'd check out what Kerri Maher puts out next. It's easy to read, steadily paced, and mild but interesting throughout. Kinda like Grace Kelly, I suppose. <div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-48308561139042292742020-02-05T00:00:00.000-05:002020-02-05T00:00:07.163-05:00Year in Review: January through March<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>I made a really big list</b></i></span></div>
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It's
that time of year again! I started making these lists because I'm a
list kind of person, but they've become so much more. I've found myself
returning to them time and again almost like a scrapbook. It's been a
nice way to reflect, remember, and reminisce. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBflmOu-Si2hlFqLFytIRHf7_61-dCl7TYzw15exAujRiaspCSE3FD5HsVe0qwuyK0pENXBW8EnDrW5yg9Plu3_KXHQ6K6I33hqda0vPNOo4hL8EQsUtFPMB0wGoRE5IxwDS2zCSYUoU/s1600/344664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="294" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBflmOu-Si2hlFqLFytIRHf7_61-dCl7TYzw15exAujRiaspCSE3FD5HsVe0qwuyK0pENXBW8EnDrW5yg9Plu3_KXHQ6K6I33hqda0vPNOo4hL8EQsUtFPMB0wGoRE5IxwDS2zCSYUoU/s200/344664.jpg" width="123" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/344664.The_Deadly_Dance" target="_blank"><b>The Deadly Dance by M.C. Beaton</b></a><br />
I started out the year by continuing with Agatha Raisin. This year continued on with the depression and stress that crept into the end of 2018 as a result of all the tumult at work. I ended up in physical therapy because I was carrying so much stress in my body that I was actually physically injuring myself by clenching my muscles so tightly. Agatha Raisin was a cathartic escape with her indulgent behaviors and ornery nature. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx6GLKIIy7YSu4qP5_QwENKCMdc7LVPQp30d8DTkGvuucxwWZf796izMQ0oZ3Ws3b_KP-w2vlGkw8DW0Vj3VjdGAGJRjS3DKSL5DUw3krJZAv-AHUe5_4hYzAwOpUEPgpRGqhAqOiMOg/s1600/49116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx6GLKIIy7YSu4qP5_QwENKCMdc7LVPQp30d8DTkGvuucxwWZf796izMQ0oZ3Ws3b_KP-w2vlGkw8DW0Vj3VjdGAGJRjS3DKSL5DUw3krJZAv-AHUe5_4hYzAwOpUEPgpRGqhAqOiMOg/s200/49116.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49116.Harry_Potter_and_the_Prisoner_of_Azkaban" target="_blank"><b>Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling </b></a><br />
I ended 2018 by starting a reread of the Harry Potter series. I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue with it, but when 2019 rolled around and the stress continued to pile up, I clung to Harry Potter like a lifeline. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gq7tnoG48c24Chcr4bMNIZKOcSLeTUiNm3UWbTpt0nnWEV3llOhXe5oRaWXZgO6rdHsiWhuTNdr4JQRYZg0hNrEqzXvwBP4rvc2MSpz9YFLqsON9VnvHj7129yO34mhoTir07sgbbRk/s1600/13453842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="290" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gq7tnoG48c24Chcr4bMNIZKOcSLeTUiNm3UWbTpt0nnWEV3llOhXe5oRaWXZgO6rdHsiWhuTNdr4JQRYZg0hNrEqzXvwBP4rvc2MSpz9YFLqsON9VnvHj7129yO34mhoTir07sgbbRk/s200/13453842.jpg" width="121" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13453842-agatha-raisin-and-the-perfect-paragon">Agatha Raisin and the Perfect Paragon by M. C. Beaton</a></b><br />
Much as I wanted the escape into an easy, mindless read, these were starting to wear on me. I don't love the introduction of the agency and the characters Agatha has employed to help her solve mysteries. It's fine, there's nothing bad about it, but making everything an official job takes some of the joy out of it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWenlF4NrjNOuQTyVudz63iJTo7OJg_XYDqxOj_hmnIWMa7P055RaFBCszyeuGsd6O8NPUTTD7NoVokunc6JSreQIpu6AOzfOxk5DsC54Oqijr8_KTGivvV_rM8bbmW-EFwlMHSsAJnY/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWenlF4NrjNOuQTyVudz63iJTo7OJg_XYDqxOj_hmnIWMa7P055RaFBCszyeuGsd6O8NPUTTD7NoVokunc6JSreQIpu6AOzfOxk5DsC54Oqijr8_KTGivvV_rM8bbmW-EFwlMHSsAJnY/s200/6.jpg" width="135" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6.Harry_Potter_and_the_Goblet_of_Fire">Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling</a></b><br />
This has long been one of my favorite books in the series and I enjoyed it very much again. Though, the first time I read the series I had definite stronger and weaker books, but this time rereading through them all they all sort of smoothed out into one larger story. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZyVSeW9F3QgmL06h8deFwhQOJFDLZgpiuuh9h2N8MvI_Ireh2AF586FqiSRY1enXVjpdzjAIXlSECd1onC3ZwPU0LrHdqxQlpRx0epAWYkylA3T8SKT_-6B21TRewuJhZqHwfptnA0Q/s1600/10824293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="253" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZyVSeW9F3QgmL06h8deFwhQOJFDLZgpiuuh9h2N8MvI_Ireh2AF586FqiSRY1enXVjpdzjAIXlSECd1onC3ZwPU0LrHdqxQlpRx0epAWYkylA3T8SKT_-6B21TRewuJhZqHwfptnA0Q/s200/10824293.jpg" width="126" /></a><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10824293-yvonne-goes-to-york">Yvonne Goes to York by M. C. Beaton</a></b><br />
I was a little worn on Agatha but still craving the comfort of Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton) and so I decided to pick up this final book in her traveling matchmaker series. The romance that was slowly building across the series finally came to its lovely conclusion. I don't know if it was because I let a gap go by between the rest of the series and this final book or because I was just so darn depressed, but this book only managed to get a glimmer of response from me emotionally, even though I did enjoy it. Sorry book, it's not you, it's me. <br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2.Harry_Potter_and_the_Order_of_the_Phoenix" target="_blank"><b>Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling</b></a><br />
I struggled with this book when I read it the first time. Umbridge was so <i>awful</i> and I spent pretty much all of the 870 pages raging in frustration with Harry (while also being frustrated with Harry for acting like a jerk). It didn't help that my memories of this book are strongly connected with waiting in an interminable line at the DMV, which is where I read a good chunk of the book. Fast forward to my re-read this year, and things were a lot better. Despite being pretty down myself, that surprisingly didn't make this book worse. By this time I knew Harry's story would work out well in the end. I knew there were a lot of great things to come in the book (the Room of Requirement!). Basically, I had perspective, and that gave me a light at the end of the tunnel which made the entire journey much more enjoyable. Hm, perhaps I could have used some of that perspective for what was happening in my life during this time. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34g2Z3JxxzDRQ51SUzqFZIKauTccXwBx6yEd2KL5pSfCYuXVPM0B3xgN-RuD13B6ttDsP3AVy8kJ9K5dcJ4oHhywhBvVdF8QN-mrNrpwagbFiRF9lfaCrRnClzCYac5lKakunqhRqOsk/s1600/15737115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34g2Z3JxxzDRQ51SUzqFZIKauTccXwBx6yEd2KL5pSfCYuXVPM0B3xgN-RuD13B6ttDsP3AVy8kJ9K5dcJ4oHhywhBvVdF8QN-mrNrpwagbFiRF9lfaCrRnClzCYac5lKakunqhRqOsk/s200/15737115.jpg" width="138" /></a><b><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2019/02/book-review-dream-more-by-dolly-parton.html">Dream More by Dolly Parton</a></b><br />
Short, informative, motivational, inspirational. And funny. I like Dolly Parton and her no-nonsense approach. This was a quick read but packed a punch and helped move me in a better direction. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJT_5DMfSjZU4KUwunS5dnH237XGpNzryg8SvPeISFDMMTIebMJjDdaIJmqtnJMi-GDsKrXaSO829AHBXlL9Gc-6Hs5xNaDaR0rnuokbWZx1FC8ROBf4lksU8gqP86g3XB6JOYo81FtU/s1600/120793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJT_5DMfSjZU4KUwunS5dnH237XGpNzryg8SvPeISFDMMTIebMJjDdaIJmqtnJMi-GDsKrXaSO829AHBXlL9Gc-6Hs5xNaDaR0rnuokbWZx1FC8ROBf4lksU8gqP86g3XB6JOYo81FtU/s200/120793.jpg" width="125" /></a><b>Rotten Rulers by Terry Deary</b><br />
I feel like I somehow missed a key childhood memory by having missed these books and the TV show. I've caught up on much of the TV show thanks to youtube (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oial3aYTGoE">the wife swap episode is the best</a>) and this book was a quick and fun toe-dip into the series. Sometimes the humor felt too forced, most of the time it was just mildly amusing, and every once in a while it was spot on hilarious. I wasn't super impressed and I didn't run out and read anymore books in the series, but I'll probably make my way through a few more of them.<br />
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<b>Love, Lies, and Liquor by M.C. Beaton</b><br />
I liked the location in this one. It's set in a dreary sea-side resort that isn't very vacationy. The mystery kept my interest and overall this one felt a little more like earlier Agatha Raisin books. <br />
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<b>Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling</b><br />
This has always been one of my favorite books in the series. I love the diving into past memories, slowing unraveling the mystery of Voldemort's past, understanding how past experiences shaped the people of the present, and going on a quest to find the locket. A little part of me wondered how I would feel about the book on reread. My experiences rereading the other books in the series was that I definitely did have a different impression, and it was actually an even better one. But what about for this book, my favorite? It's funny how rereading can be fraught with so much worry. Well, I loved it just as much as I did the first time, though it felt like it flew by. <br />
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<b>The Medieval Anarchy by Kaye Jones</b><br />
I love the idea of this series: bite-sized books you can read in an hour and gain a surface-level understanding of a major event or person in history. I know a good bit about the Anarchy by this point, so nothing in the book was new. But it was still nice, accurate, and definitely did give a good overview. I'm not sure if these should "count" as part of my reading challenge, but I also don't know that I need to care that much either since the point of the challenge, for me, isn't to read a certain number of books, but rather to keep me on track in doing something I love and that makes me happy. <br />
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<b>Kissing Christmas Goodbye by M. C. Beaton</b><br />
Ugh, I don't remember much about this book in particular, but I do remember wishing Agatha would stop caring about stupid James Lacey. I loathe James Lacey. If I ever need a reminder to stop being an annoying broken record harping on something that isn't important and isn't good for me, then Agatha and James Lacey are the perfect example.<br />
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<b><a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2019/03/book-review-remembrance-by-jude-deveraux.html">Remembrance by Jude Devraux</a></b><br />
This book is crazy! I picked it up because I adored her book <a href="https://smallreview.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-knight-in-shining-armor-by.html"><i>A Knight in Shining Armor</i></a> and I wanted something like that. I didn't quite get that. I'm not even sure what I got. It had time travel, reincarnation, a story-within-a-story, a blip in another time period, treachery, evil step-mothers, and so much more. It was crazy, ridiculous, annoying, and awesome. I kept wondering if I wanted to DNF it and then getting sucked in again. It felt like a guilty pleasure, but not in a <i>guilty</i> way. It was like taking a break from life, drawing a hot bubble bath, eating chocolate, and having a "me moment." I should do this more often. <br />
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<b>A Spoonful of Poison by M. C. Beaton</b><br />
The thing with these books is that they're not bad. I was getting annoyed with the same old, same old, but also still comforted by it. <br />
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<b>The Kings and Queens of England by Jane Murray</b><br />
March started out with a trip to my local used bookstore and this was one of my finds. I was so proud of myself that I started reading this book the same day I bought it rather than let it sit on my shelves for a few years before I read it, as if used books need to age like wine (my traditional approach, and why I have so many unread books sitting on my shelves for years). I started breaking out of bad patterns around this time, and my reading reflects this. March saw a turning point in my reading away from comfort reads and toward new horizons and achieving things I'd been wanting to do, but hadn't done (like reading newly purchased books right away). As far as the book goes, it was a great old find. I love those history books from the early through mid 20th century. They have a narrative approach that is charming, exciting, and the authors clearly love history. <br />
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<b>There Goes the Bride by M. C. Beaton</b><br />
Ah, James does not look good in this book, and I loved it. He comes across as stupid and tone deaf and I love it when James Lacey is called out for what he is, and when Agatha <i>sees</i> it. It's funny how satisfying it can be to have a person you dislike be seen for what they are by other people. <br />
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<b>The Life and Times of Henry VIII by Robert Lacey</b><br />
This was another book I got at the used bookstore, bringing me up to two books that I read immediately after purchasing. Success! I was definitely proud. I've enjoyed Robert Lacey's style when reading his History of England books and while this wasn't quite as fantastic, it was still very enjoyable. This was more like a coffee table book with big color pictures that I could spend time looking at and enjoying along with his substantial text. <br />
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<b>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling</b><br />
I might have been moving in a more positive direction, but that didn't mean I wasn't <i>dreading</i> finishing this series. I can't believe it had been <i>thirteen years</i> since I had last read these books and I thoroughly enjoyed rereading them. Rereading this final installment wasn't as tense and horrifying because I knew what was going to happen, but it was more bittersweet...because I knew what was going to happen. I knew everything would be okay in the end, but that innocence would be lost and there would be battle scars. <br />
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<b>Productivity Hacks by Emily Price</b><br />
I went into this book hoping for some tips and tricks that I could implement. Instead I got a lot of confirmation that apparently I'm already pretty productive and I do a lot of the things the book suggests. So, not exactly life-changing, but maybe a little affirming? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAI25iumSQMDGIf4gAz5lOU5DfoStFT-jLwZeqZFgJkTJd_bgGABVMYNIctmV2c_QdnrWJrSS-zs_2mPgWF1m-T0rSi-HEJ84gyzHAJOJz-ocyO1KwFsjIyeluPFzYZl6guNfydguHIk/s1600/6294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="212" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAI25iumSQMDGIf4gAz5lOU5DfoStFT-jLwZeqZFgJkTJd_bgGABVMYNIctmV2c_QdnrWJrSS-zs_2mPgWF1m-T0rSi-HEJ84gyzHAJOJz-ocyO1KwFsjIyeluPFzYZl6guNfydguHIk/s200/6294.jpg" width="122" /></a></div>
<b>Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones</b><br />
I feel like I woke up one day and thought, "I want to revisit this book," and so I did. It's nice to feel free to reread books. I used to feel guilty rereading, but I set myself a challenge each year to reread around ten or so books, and I've been enjoying it a lot. It's nice to go back and revisit. Yes, there are plenty of new books out there, but if I want to spend my time with a story I've already experienced, then why should that be a problem? <br />
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<b>Busy Body by M. C. Beaton</b><br />
This one was nice. I like the Christmas stories where I get to experience snow, decorations, holiday cooking, crackling fires, and fuzzy holiday cheer. Plus, you know, murder and mystery. This was my last Agatha Raisin for a while, and while I will read the rest and while I did enjoy this book, it was a good time to part ways for a little while.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Thoughts...</b></i></span></div>
<br />
January
through March was filled with a lot of numbing to try to combat a lot of stress. I read a lot of comfort reads, and it was totally the result of that numbing, hiding response. March started to see some peeking out from under the covers. <br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-58168138148611966032020-01-01T21:26:00.007-05:002020-12-13T16:24:45.838-05:002020 Read My Own Books Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WrN_m6QGgqk2mbAzldM3gJ2HZ3PKu-CKp7XpIdInj1u60BbuoFbnaXcxIe1syTkDS3epF75Tes1MSGKKS6F5_OwzAItrjIAKQBcVONBdXRaSN9x0QJzg7yqKJzq8PcPeNSDTtMKgDec/s1600/ReadMyOwnDamnBooksbutton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WrN_m6QGgqk2mbAzldM3gJ2HZ3PKu-CKp7XpIdInj1u60BbuoFbnaXcxIe1syTkDS3epF75Tes1MSGKKS6F5_OwzAItrjIAKQBcVONBdXRaSN9x0QJzg7yqKJzq8PcPeNSDTtMKgDec/s200/ReadMyOwnDamnBooksbutton.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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/12 books </center>
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<a href="http://smallreview.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-make-progress-bar.html">How do you make a progress bar? </a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: deeppink;"><br />
</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: deeppink;">Challenge Basics:</span></b></span> <br />
<b>Name: </b>Read My Own Damn Books Challenge<br />
<b>Starts: </b>January 1, 2020<br />
<b>Ends: </b>December 31, 2020<br />
<b>Eligible Books:</b> Books you own prior to 2020. <br />
<b>Levels: </b>I'm going to try to read and/or DNF and get rid of 12 books I own. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Why I'm Interested: </b></span><br />
<br />
I
seriously have too many books and they keep sitting on my shelves
unread. I did this challenge in 2015 and ended up getting rid of almost
all the books I read for the challenge, which means I've carted around
and found room for all those books that I didn't even end up liking.
Before I move again, I need to reevaluate the books I'm bringing with me
and make sure they're books I actually want. Bold are for the books where I own/owned a print copy.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: deeppink; font-size: large;"><b>Some books I'm considering: </b></span><br />
<br />
Anything on my <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4579690?shelf=own-unread" target="_blank">Own-Unread shelf</a> that I acquired prior to 2020.<br />
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At the start of 2020, here's where I stand as far as what books I own and what percentage of them I've read:<br />
<br />
33% read of books acquired in 2019 (165)<br />
29% read and 5 added of books acquired in 2018 (265)<br />
26% read and 12 removed of books acquired in 2017 (348)<br />
39% read and 6 removed of books acquired in 2016 (362) <br />
21% read and 6 removed of books acquired in 2015 (107)<br />
39% read and 1 removed of books acquired in 2014 (79) <br />
56% read and 3 removed of books acquired in 2013 (55)<br />
47% read and 9 removed of books acquired in 2012 (68) <br />
79% read and 4 removed of books acquired in 2010-2011 (146) <br />
81% read and 0 removed of books acquired in 2008-2009 (36)<br />
89% read and 1 added of books acquired in 2003-2007 (101)<br />
99% read and 1 removed of books acquired in 2002 and earlier (75) <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="color: deeppink;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Books Completed:</b></span></div>
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<div>
53. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E. L. Konigsburg (2018)</div><div>52. New Year's Day by Edith Wharton (2019)</div><div>51. The Spark by Edith Wharton (2019)</div><div><b>50. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly (2010-2011)<br /></b></div><div><b>49. Our Castle by the Sea by Lucy Strange (2019)</b></div><div>48. Matilda by Catherine Hanley (2019)</div><div>47. The Old Maid by Edith Wharton (2019)</div><div><b>46. Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll (2012)</b></div><div><b>45. The Ruins of Lace by Iris Anthony (2013)</b></div><div><b>44. A Golden Web by Barbara Quick (2017)</b></div><div>43. False Dawn by Edith Wharton (2019)</div><div>42. The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton (2019)</div><div>41. Daisy Miller by Henry James (2019)</div><div><b>40. The Legacy by Katherine Webb (2012)</b></div><div><b>39. Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser (2014)</b></div><div><b>38. The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz (2016)</b></div><div><b>37. Poison in the Colony by Elisa Carbone (2019)</b></div><div><b>36. Darkbeast by Morgan Keyes (2012)</b></div><div><b>35. Fanuilh by Daniel Hood (2017)</b></div><div><b>34. Prisoner of Time by Caroline B. Cooney (2016)<br />
33. Fiercombe Manor by Kate Riordan (2016)<br />
32. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (2008-2009)<br />
31. Enter Three Witches by Caroline B. Cooney (2012)<br />
30. Faithful by Janet Fox (2016)</b><br />
29. Eleanor of Aquitaine by Desmond Seward (2019) <br />
<b>28. Love by the Morning Star by Laura L. Sullivan (2015)<br />
27. The Lady of the Lakes by Josi S. Kilpack (2018)</b><br />
26. The Three Edwards by Thomas B. Costain (2016)<br />
<b>25. The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming by J. Anderson Coats (2017)<br />
24. Anne Boleyn by Norah Lofts (2018)</b></div><b>
</b><div><b>
23. The Wars of the Roses by Trevor Royale (2015)</b></div>
<div>
22. Diary of a Provincial Lady by E. M. Delafield (2019)</div>
<div>
21. The Danish Queen by Lynda M. Andrews (2018)</div>
<div>
20. Dark Eminence by Marguerite Vance (2019)</div>
<div>
19. Whispers in the Sand by Barbara Erskine (2019)</div>
<div><b>
18. Peace of Mind by Thich Nhat Hanh (2017)</b></div>
17. Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry (2017)<br />
<b>16. The Forgotten Room by White, Williams, and Willig (2017)<br />
15. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2012)</b><br />
14. The Solitary Summer by Elizabeth von Arnim (2019)<br />
<b>13. The World According to Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers (2019)<br />
12. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton (2012)<br />
11. Elizabeth and her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim (2019)</b><br />
10. How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh (2017)<br />
<b>9. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton (2016)<br />
8. Calliope the Muse by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams (2017)<br />
7. Echo the Copycat by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams (2016)<br />
6. The Time-Traveling Fashionista and Cleopatra by Bianca Turetsky (2017)<br />
5. The Tudors by G. J. Meyer (2016)</b><br />
4. Minette by Melanie Clegg (2019)<br />
3. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote (2019)<br />
2. The Other Tudor Princess by Mary McGrigor (2018)<br />
1. Sword of Destiny (Witcher 2) by Andrzej Sapkowski (2019)<br />
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<span style="color: deeppink;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Books DNF'ed:</b></span></span><br />
<br />
4. <br />
3.<br />
2. <br />
1. <div class="blogger-post-footer">This feed changes the post formatting. Please view on blog to see intended post formatting. All content © Small Review 2010-2013</div>Small Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.com0