The Deeds Of The Disturber, by Elizabeth Peters
★★★★★ and a ♥

Synopsis: (from the back of the paperback edition) Can fear kill? There are those who believe so--but Amelia Peabody is skeptical. A respected Egyptologist and amateur sleuth, Amelia has foiled felonious schemes from Victoria's England to the Middle East. And she doubts that it was a Nineteenth-Dynasty mummy's curse that caused the death of a night watchman in the British Museum. The corpse was found sprawled in the mummy's shadow, a look of terror frozen on the guard's face. What--or who--killed the unfortunate man is a mystery that seems too intriguingly delicious for Amelia to pass up, especially now that she, her dashing archaeologist husband, Emerson, and their precocious son, Ramses, are back on Britain's shores. But a contemporary curse can be as lethal as one centuries old--and the foggy London thoroughfares can be as treacherous as the narrow, twisting alleyways of Cairo after dark--when a perpetrator of evil deeds sets his murderous sights on his relentless pursuer...Amelia Peabody!
In A Sentence: One of my favorite books in this series!
My Thoughts: I'm thoroughly enjoying myself with these novels! Not only is it reigniting my love of Egyptology, but the book are even more fun when you reread them. Since I already know the solution to the mystery, I was able to sit back and enjoy the smaller things that also make this book enjoyable. The Emersons are by far my favorite fictional family. The show more way they interact with each other can be hilarious at times! We also get a brief introduction to one of Amelia's brothers, James Peabody, and his two children, Violet and Percy. Since we have recently become familiar with one of Amelia and Radcliffe's arch-nemeses, it only seems fair that Ramses finds his own arch-nemesis in his cousin Percy.
I think this book has become one of my favorites in the series because the plot moves fairly quickly and has a bit more of a Sherlock Holmes air to it. It doesn't seem quite as long-winded as some previous novels, and the humor is still as funny as ever. Overall, it makes for a great detective read, one that I would recommend to any mystery fan. show less

The Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis
★★★★

Synopsis: For Kivrin, preparing an on-site study of one of the deadliest eras in humanity's history was as simple as receiving inoculations against the diseases of the fourteenth century and inventing an alibi for a woman traveling alone. For her instructors in the twenty-first century, it meant painstaking calculations and careful monitoring of the rendezvous location where Kivrin would be received. But a crisis strangely linking past and future strands Kivrin in a bygone age as her fellows try desperately to rescue her. In a time of superstition and fear, Kivrin -- barely of age herself -- finds she has become an unlikely angel of hope during one of history's darkest hours.

In A Sentence: An excellent read for history buffs, sci-fi nuts, and medical thriller enthusiasts alike.

What I Really Liked: I ended up staying up all night so I could finish this book. Granted I had to nap at 4 in the morning because the lines kept blurring together, but I was eventually able to finish at 8 in the morning. It was a really fun read! Kivrin goes back in time to the Middle Ages, and finds herself in an unexpected and bad situation. Anyone who paid attention in high school history, or to History channel specials about the Black Death, are already reasonably well versed in the Middle Ages (nothing all that new there), so Willis made the story even more interesting by adding a modern epidemic of the Influenza, making it difficult to locate and show more rescue Kivrin, and giving the plot an edge of uncertainty.
This story has something for everyone. It's a medical thriller, it has science fiction, and it has history, which, to my limited knowledge, is accurate. It also has characters that people can fall in love with, and a writing style that brings life and feeling to everything in the plot. The added bonus for me is that half of this story took place in Oxford, my favorite city in England. Dave was studying there for two years, and I got a chance to study in England for a semester and visit him every weekend. I loved that place, so hearing about landmarks I recognized was awesome (ah, Blackwell's, how I miss you!)

Why I Didn't Give This 5 Stars (WARNING! CONTAINS SPOILERS): I think the one death that annoyed me was Gilchrist's. I so wanted him to be alive, mainly so Dunworthy throw all of his mistakes into his face. I also wanted Basingame to make an appearance. After all the confusion of looking for him, I wanted him to be found and come back and take control or something. I just feel that Basingame and Gilchrist could have added a little more to the story.

In A Nutshell: This was a lot of fun to read. I'm glad I took the time to read it, and I think others should try it out too. Strongly recommended. show less

The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
★★★ and 1/2

Synopsis: Set during World War II in Nazi Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing something she can’t resist — books. With the help of her best friend, Rudy, she learns to live on Himmel Street after her brother dies on the train ride there. She learns to read thanks to her accordion-playing foster father, Hans Hubermann, and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man who took refuge in her basement. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul and human spirit.
In A Sentence: A good read.
My Thoughts: This was a good story. The writing style was very nice; it's somehow both choppy and flowing at the same time. I really liked how well that worked. The plot was very good too, and the layout of the story was also nicely done. I also liked how the narrator was Death. It seemed very appropriate considering the setting was Germany during World War Two.
The characters were likeable, the story was likeable, the writing was likeable. So why am I only giving it 3.5 stars? Well, I just wasn't wowed by it. I've been reading quite a few World War Two novels lately, and I just finished The Kite Runner, so perhaps the reason why I wasn't wowed was because I read it after so many wonderful precedents. I'm also show more not a huge fan of endings that are revealed halfway through the story. For me, it takes the emotion out of the story, and I can't cry as a result, and for me to really like a book like this, I just have to burst into tears at the end.
Don't get me wrong though. It's a very good book and really worth a look if you're searching for a beautiful but sad story. Strongly recommended for historical fiction lovers. Fans of general fiction will love this too. show less

Castaways Of The Flying Dutchman, by Brian Jacques
★★★ and 1/2

Synopsis: A boy and dog trapped aboard the legendary ship, the Flying Dutchman, are sent off on an eternal journey by an avenging angel, roaming the earth throughout the centuries in search of those in need. Their travels lead them to Chapelvale, a sleepy nineteenth century village whose very existence is at stake. Only by discovering the buried secrets and solving the dust-laden riddles of the ancient village can it be saved. This will take the will and wile of all the people-and a very special boy and dog!
In A Sentence: A fun read that's great for kids to enjoy.
What I Liked: This was a reread for me. The first time was way back when I was twelve and I loved it. Now as an adult I was still able to enjoy it, but not as much. I thought the main characters were really likeable, and I thought the plot was very fun with a feel-good ending.
What Was...Meh: I thought the treasure hunt was a little unbelievable as an adult. Why hide the deeds and titles for your land for four hundred years and make the clues and hunt so complicated, that your descendents can't find them? It just seemed a little unnecessary. Plus the translation of a clue from Latin to English rhymed, which bugged me a bit
In A Nutshell: This is a decent read. It's a warm, feel-good story that's great for kids ages 10-14. But it doesn't work so well for adults. I enjoyed it, and it made me feel nostalgic, but that was it.

James And The Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl
★★★ and a ½ (round up to 4)

Synopsis: When James accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree, strange things start to happen. The peach at the top of the tree begins to grow, and before long it's as big as a house. When James discovers a secret entranceway into the fruit and crawls inside, he meets wonderful new friends--the Old-Green-Grasshopper, the dainty Ladybug, and the Centipede of the multiple boots. After years of feeling like an outsider in his aunts' house, James finally found a place where he belongs. With a snip of the stem, the peach household starts rolling away--and the adventure begins! Roald Dahl's first and most widely celebrated book for young people continues to thrill readers around the world.
In A Sentence: A very sweet read (“sweet”, get it? Haha.)
My Thoughts: I started this book when I was 9 and never finished it, and I’ve regretted this ever since. Now at 26, I’ve finally gotten around to it.
…And I enjoyed it! It was a very cute read, and, for an adult, very quick. I literally read this in less than 2 hours. And I liked every second of it. The characters were fun, there were some funny moments, and the story was so out there that you just had to like it.
It still a children’s book, however. I think children would enjoy this more than adults would. But adults can still have nostalgic fun with this read. Strongly recommended (c’mon, it’s Roald Dahl! ‘Nuff said.)

The Giver, by Lois Lowry
★★★★

Synopsis: In the story of a seemingly utopian city in a futuristic world, Jonas is singled out to receive special training from The Giver--who alone holds memories of pain and pleasure in life.
In A Sentence: A very good story, I'm glad I finally read this
This Has Been On My TBR Forever! I've been meaning to read this since I was ten, so I think it's about darn time! This was a great story. I can see why it got the Newbery Medal. I thought it was fascinating how this distopian society found the definition and use of words very important, and Lois Lowry was brilliant in his use of words. I didn't even mind the ending (if you've read this you'll know what I mean). This was very good, and worth a look if you haven't read it yet.

☊ Moloka'i, by Alan Brennert
★★★★ and 1/2

Synopsis: This richly imagined novel, set in Hawaii more than a century ago, is an extraordinary epic of a little-known time and place -- and a deeply moving testament to the resiliency of the human spirit.
Rachel Kalama, a spirited seven-year-old Hawaiian girl, dreams of visiting far-off lands like her father, a merchant seaman. Then one day a rose-colored mark appears on her skin, and those dreams are stolen from her.
Taken from her home and family, Rachel is sent to Kalaupapa, the quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka'i. Here her life is supposed to end -- but instead she discovers it is only just beginning.
With a vibrant cast of vividly realized characters, Moloka'i is the true-to-life chronicle of a people who embraced life in the face of death. Such is the warmth, humor, and compassion of this novel that "few readers will remain unchanged by Rachel's story"
In A Sentence: A wonderful, heartbreaking story, worth a look
My Thoughts: As far as historical fiction goes, this was fantastic! It's a bittersweet story of the tragedy of leprosy on the islands of Hawaii. I don't know much about the history of Hawaii, and I was totally oblivious regarding this horrific epidemic. It's tragic that so many families were separated because of this disease, but it was also wonderful to read that the situation was able to improve enormously as time went on, to the point that lepers were finally able to leave the island of show more Moloka'i, their place of exile.
I loved reading about Rachel. She's such a loveable character, full of laughter and even optimism. You hate what's happened to her at first, but then you watch as she grows up to be a wonderful women. Her life story is inspiring and well-lived. It makes you want to laugh and cheer, or just plain cry.
The whole storyline in general was very well-thought-out, with a plot pace that might seem a little slow at times, but was still beautifully done.
Overall, this was an excellent read. Well-executed and well-written, it is certainly worth a look. Thanks Vonnie for this recommendation! It took me a couple of years to get around to it but I finally did, and I loved it! show less

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
★★★★★ and a ♥

Synopsis: The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Enter Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, the result of decades of genetic experimentation.
Is Ender the general Earth so desperately needs? The only way to find out is to throw him into ever-harsher training at Battle School, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when his training begins. He will grow up fast.
But Ender is not the only result of the experiment. His two older siblings, Peter and Valentine, are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Among the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.
In A Sentence: A amazing story that is now permanently on my Favorites list!
Why This Book Is Awesome: This book is brilliant! It's complex, wonderfully written, with characters you can like and a plot that keeps you interested. This is the second time I've read this book and I still think it's an amazing read, with it's incredible war game strategies and original concept. The ending was also very well done (I certainly was surprised the first time I read it, and I thought it was brilliant, so I won't spoil it for you). It's fantastic, well-thought-out science fiction and one of Orson Scott Card's best works.
Could Some People Not Like This Read? Maybe. Perhaps some people show more might find the plot not fast-paced enough. Perhaps others might find the use of very young children (they started them at age 6) a little unbelievable. Others might have found the ending a little abrupt. I personally thought everything worked for the story, and the stuff that I at first thought didn't work, I ended up accepting after some thought.
Read This Book! You Won't Regret It! I've read somewhere that some military professionals are required to read this book, and for good reason. This is a very, very good read. When you finish, I guarantee that you'll think something along the lines of "wow. This was a very good book." Even if you are not a science fiction fan, I would still recommend this book. So I will say this again in capital letters: READ. THIS. BOOK. show less

Guns, Germs, And Steel, by Jared Diamond
★★★ and 1/2

Description: Why did Eurasians conquer, displace, or decimate Native Americans, Australians, and Africans, instead of the reverse? In this groundbreaking book, evolutionary biologist Jared Diamond stunningly dismantles racially based theories of human history by revealing the environmental factors actually responsible for history's broadest patterns. Here, at last, is a world history's broadest patterns. Here, at last, is a world history that really is a history of all the world's peoples, a unified narrative of human life.
In A Sentence: A fascinating study with a lot of information crammed in
My Thoughts: I've been meaning to read this for years, ever since my anthropology professor mentioned it. I don't usually read non-fiction novels, though; despite the interesting subjects, I get bored with the tedious amounts of information and facts. Hence why this book took me a whole month to read.
This was a really interesting book, however. I love history, particularly ancient history. I also love archaeology and reading about the different societies and culture this world has. This book had it all: history, archaeology, anthropology, and biological anthropology. Jared Diamond made a valid argument regarding why some societies were able to conquer others. Basically, each society had to work with the resources that were available to them; if the plants and animals were easy to domesticate, and the people could benefit from show more domesticating them, then more often than not events led to domesticated local plants and animals. Domestication led to sedentary lifestyles, which in turn led to massive food production, diseases, and better opportunities for technological advancement. Geography, climate, and how isolated a society was also affected how domesticated plants and animals and technology would spread to other societies. I summed up the book in a few sentences here, but the science and research that led to this conclusion was really interesting. Plus, Jared Diamond doesn't spend a whole lot of time discussing the Europeans and how powerful they were. He instead discusses everyone, including other societies you hardly ever hear about, making this book very well rounded and very interesting.
There was a whole lot of information in the book however. Jared Diamond had to scrunch in about 13,000 years of world history into one book, as well as a lot of scientific and archaeological information. It was all great information, but it made for a very dense read. No wonder it took me so long!
Overall: If you love non-fiction, particularly historical nonfiction, this is a good book for you. If you're studying history in some type of college course, I would recommend this book as a complementary read. It's certainly worth a look, but prepare yourself for a whole lot of info. Jared Diamond does a great job making the facts reader-friendly, but there's still much to sift through. You have been warned. show less

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien
★★★★★ and a ♥

Synopsis: The dark, fearsome Ringwraiths were searching for a hobbit. Frodo Baggins knew they were seeking him and the Ring he bore--the Ring of Power that would enable evil Sauron to destroy all that was good in Middle-earth. Now it was up to Frodo and his faithful servant Sam, with a small band of companions, to carry the Ring to the one place it could be destroyed--Mount Doom, in the very center of Sauron's dark kingdom of Mordor.
In A Sentence: couldn't help myself, but I had to read this favorite of mine again.
I Couldn't Resist: So I was listening to an audio-lecture on Ancient Rome and started getting bored with it (too much stuff packed into one lecture), so I went to my favorite stand-by, Rings, Swords, And Monsters, with Professor Michael D.C. Drout. It's an audio-lecture discussing fantasy literature, and Drout does an excellent job discussing J.R.R. Tolkien and his works. This is the third time I'm listening to this lecture, and every time I listen to it, I want to read the Lord of the Rings books. So of course I had to read the Fellowship again!
Always A Great Read! These books are fantastic. J.R.R. Tolkien has a great way with words. He comes up with such wonderful, memorable phrases. One example: "One Ring To Rule Them All, One Ring To Find Them, One Ring To Bring Them All, And In The Darkness Bind Them. In The Land Of Mordor Where The Shadows Lie"-- a line so show more memorable that I didn't even need to refer to the book to write this down. His stuff is so subtly good, that you don't realize it until you compare it to some other fantasy work.
What Else Can I Say? This book has become one of my go-to books when I need to something to read. I love reading it. If you haven't read it yet, I would strongly recommend it.
Try The Audio-Lecture! The lecture is really interesting and it's available on Audible if you want! It's from Recorded Books The Modern Scholar and it's called Rings, Swords, And Monsters: Exploring Fantasy Literature. The professor is Michael D.C. Drout, and he does an excellent job in describing various fantasy novels. His lectures on the life of J.R.R. Tolkien and his novels are especially fascinating, and I think they are even available separately from the rest of the lectures if you're interested in only Tolkien and his works. show less

Can't Wait To Get To Heaven, by Fannie Flagg
★★★★★ and a ♥

Synopsis: Life is the strangest thing. One minute, Mrs. Elner Shimfissle is up a tree, picking figs to make jam, and the next thing she knows, she is off on a strange adventure, running into people she never expected to see again, in the unlikeliest of places. Meanwhile, Elner's highly strung niece Norma takes to her bed, before embarking on a brand new career; Elner's neighbour Verbena turns to the Bible; her truck-driver friend, Luther Griggs, runs his eighteen-wheeler into a ditch; a dark secret emerges from the past--and the entire town is left wondering 'what's life all about anyway?'.
In A Sentence: A sweet, feel-good story that remains a favorite of mine.
What I Loved: I loved this entire story in general! I loved all the characters, especially Elner, and I loved how you got to see how her kindness and overall good cheer affected just about everyone she met, even if she only met them once. Her life is a great example to live by, and because of it this book shines.
What Others Might Not Like: This story does move pretty slowly, which some readers might not like. I personally loved the leisurely pace of the story; it sort of amplified Elner's character.
Overall: I first read this story some years back, and it made a huge impact on my outlook on life. Reading it again, my views on this book and the effect it has on me has not changed. It is a great story and I highly recommend it to anyone who's feeling show more a little down. show less

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
★★★ and 1/2

Synopsis: Orphaned Jane Eyre grows up in the home of her heartless aunt and later attends a charity school with a harsh regime, enduring loneliness and cruelty. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane's natural independence and spirit — which prove necessary when she finds a position as governess at Thornfield Hall. However, when she finds love with her sardonic employer, Rochester, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice. Should she stay with him and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions, even if it means leaving the man she loves?
In A Sentence: A decent classic, but not a favorite
What I Liked: I've been meaning to read this book for a while now, and I'm glad I did. I thought it was very well written (I wish I had highlighted a few quotes on my Kindle), and the plot was interesting. The conflict, once it revealed itself, was something that took me by surprise, which doesn't happen often. I also really loved Jane Eyre's character. She was an independent type, which I love to read about in classic novels. This book is a classic that deserves the attention it constantly gets.
What I Didn't Like: I did think the book was slow going about halfway through. And there were times when Charlotte Bronte wrote just a little too much. I also wasn't totally convinced with Edward Rochester's story about how evil his previous wife was. She just sounded crazy, not evil, and Edward was just an idiot show more to not pay attention to any of the warning signs that must have cropped up before the wedding. And what kind of psychosis did she have?! The description of her demeanor when Edward first met her, and the description of her 15 years later seems pretty extreme and unrealistic (or is it?) I dunno, there were just some crucial plot points that didn't seem altogether convincing.
Overall: Overall, I enjoyed the novel, but it wasn't the best classic I've ever read. Really the only thing I liked about the novel was Jane Eyre herself, and the writing too I guess. Okay, and maybe the plot too. So it does merit 3.5, maybe even 4 stars. For some reason, though, I kept thinking about Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice while reading this book, and I kept on wanting to read that book again, as well as watch the movie. So I guess I'm more of an Austen fan than I am a Bronte fan. show less

Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine
★★★

Synopsis: How can a fairy's blessing be such a curse? At her birth, Ella of Frell was the unfortunate recipient of a foolish fairy's gift — the "gift" of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day and a half, or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. Against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a quest to break the curse — once and for all. In this incredible debut novel comes the richly entertaining story of Ella of Frell, who at birth was given the gift of obedience by a fairy. As sharply funny as Catherine, Called Birdy and as richly poignant as Beauty, and with all the marks of a classic in the making.... Ella Enchanted is a Newbery Honor book written by Gail Carson Levine and published in 1997. The story is a retelling of Cinderella featuring various mythical creatures including fairies, elves, ogres, gnomes, and giants.
In A Sentence: A fun read that I might have enjoyed more if I read this 15 years ago.
My Thoughts: This is a book that I really regret taking so long to actually pick it up and read it. This book has literally been on my TBR since I was 11 years old. I didn’t even have a TBR list back then and this book was on it!
There’s a little bit of a back story. Back in sixth grade, our English teacher told us to write a summary of a book we’ve read show more recently, and read the summary out to a small group of our peers. I can’t remember my summary, but what I do remember is this girl Caitlin. She was a good writer, but not very good at summarizing. Her summary was so long that she didn’t have time to finish it. Her summary was of this book, Ella Enchanted, and it was a step-by-step report of what happened in the story. I was enjoying her summary and thinking that this book sounded like a lot of fun, but then the summary ended abruptly because she hadn’t had time to finish it, so I was left hanging, wondering what would happen next! It took me 15 years to find out.
Why did it take so long, you ask? Well, it just never seemed the right time to read it. When I read recreationally, I read based on my moods, and I was never in the right mood for this particular book. I think the movie was also a factor in the delay; I watched the movie, so there was no current need to read the book.
Now that I have finally read it, I wish I had read it when I was still a kid. This is one of those cute stories that kids would absolutely love, but have no substance for adults to enjoy. The mood is light-hearted and sweet, the love story is adorable, just about everything is cute. But for adults, it’s a little too cute.
I did appreciate how the love between Prince Char and Ella developed and grew over time. One thing that has been annoying me a lot lately are the love stories where it’s an instant declaration of love. Saying you love someone within a few hours of meeting is unrealistic and based mainly on someone’s looks. So when it took over a year for Ella and Char to fall in love, I couldn’t help but appreciate and respect it.
I also did like the creativity of the story. It made for an interesting fairy tale retelling. I also liked how Levine had different languages for both people and fairy creatures. Overall, it was a very original story.
So, to conclude, this book is fun, but best for kids. If any of you have daughters, have them read this book before it’s too late. Don’t let them hold off for 15 years! show less

An Abundance Of Katherines, by John Green
★★★

Synopsis: When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton’s type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. He’s also a washed up child prodigy with ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a passion for anagrams, and an overweight, Judge Judy-obsessed best friend. Colin’s on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which will predict the future of all relationships, transform him from a fading prodigy into a true genius, and finally win him the girl. Letting expectations go and allowing love in at the heart of Colin’s hilarious quest to find his missing piece and avenge dumpees everywhere.
In A Sentence: Fun, but The Fault In Our Stars was better
My Thoughts: Well, this got me interested in math again!
This was a fun novel in general. The relationship between Lindsey, Hassan, and Colin was entertaining and fun to read, and there were certainly some hilarious dialogue and scenarios. The math was intriguing as well; this is one of those rare instances where I actually enjoyed reading the appendix (Daniel Bliss made me chuckle a couple of times).
This isn’t John Green’s best work, however. Personally, I thought The Fault In Our Stars was considerably better than An Abundance Of Katherines, mainly because the former made me cry a lot and the latter only got a few chuckles. I have a suspicion show more that John Green is one of those authors who improves with each book he/she publishes.
That doesn’t mean this book isn’t worth a look however, no sir. This story is entertaining, sweet, and light-hearted, and I would say that if you’re a John Green fan, you would probably enjoy this read. Make sure you read the Appendix in the end; it explains the math in the story. show less

A River In The Sky, by Elizabeth Peters
★★★ ½

Synopsis: August 1910. Banned from the Valley of the Kings by the Antiquities Service, Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, are relaxing at home in Kent, enjoying the tranquil beauty of summer. But adventure soon beckons when they are persuaded to follow would-be archaeologist Major George Morley on an expedition to Palestine, a province of the crumbling, corrupt Ottoman Empire and the Holy Land of three religions. Searching for the vanished treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem, Morley is determined to unearth the legendary Ark of the Covenant.
The skeptical Emerson wants no part of the scheme until a request from the War Office and Buckingham Palace persuades him to reconsider. The Germans are increasing their influence in Palestine and British intelligence insists that Morley is an agent of the Kaiser, sent to stir up trouble in this politically volatile land. Emerson can't believe that the seemingly inept Morley is a German spy, but could he be mistaken?
Determined to prevent a catastrophically unprofessional excavation that could destroy priceless historical finds as well as cause an armed protest by infuriated Christians, Jews, and Muslims who view the Temple Mount, also known as the Dome of the Rock, as sacred, Amelia, Emerson, and company head to Palestine. Though it is not to her beloved Egypt, the trip to Jerusalem will also reunite her with her handsome and headstrong son, Ramses, working on a dig at show more Samaria, north of the holy city.
Before Ramses can meet his parents, however, he is distracted by an unusual party of travelers who have arrived in Samaria, including a German woman archaeologist and a mysterious man of unknown nationality and past. Unfortunately, Ramses's insatiable curiosity and his knack for trouble lead him to a startling discovery: information he must pass on to his parents in Jerusalem—if he can get there alive.
Once again the Peabody-Emerson clan must use all their skills and wiles to find the truth, prevent a bloody holy war, and save their son from the clutches of a nefarious enemy in this wonderfully engaging tale chock-full of thrills, mystery, and daring from the inimitable Elizabeth Peters.
In A Sentence: A decent read, an interesting installment, but no “wow” factor
My Thoughts: This story was enjoyable, but it’s not my favorite in the series. Not by a long shot. This was a flashback in time to about 12 years before The Tomb Of The Golden Bird, so the huge time jump was a bit difficult for me to get into. I was so used to Ramses being older and with kids, and to Emerson and Amelia pushing 80, that I had a hard time changing gears to deal with a younger, more independent Ramses.
There were some flaws that were also a little jarring. I mean, not inaccuracies, but there were things that Peters neglected to mention that I felt were crucial for the story to flow smoothly in the Emerson timeline.
For example, in 1910, Nefret is still not aware of Ramses’ love for her, but that is hardly mentioned. She is also much more high-spirited with a quick temper, but in this book, she seems more subdued than usual. In fact, in this installment, we see a Nefret that is more prominent in Tomb Of The Golden Bird: a mature mother who has gone through a lot. Her letters to Lia are also missing in this book, something she used to do a lot in previous books.
Another thing that was jarring was Amelia’s dreams with Abdullah. There was only one dream with Abdullah, and it wasn’t of anything of note. Usually they are much more significant in the story.
Final note: I was surprised with David’s presence in Palestine; previous books gave me the impression that he wasn’t there (maybe I’m wrong). I was also surprised that Peters didn’t mention the incident where Ramses apparently nearly gets whipped to death. It was mentioned in earlier books that it happened while Ramses was in Palestine, but it wasn’t shown period in this book. I was really disappointed with that omission; I wanted to learn more about this incident, since it was an important factor in the other books.
I guess that at the time that Peters wrote this very last book in the Amelia Peabody series, she was already very distanced from the series (there’s a 4-year gap between the publishing of the previous book and this book), and even more distanced from the earlier books, so from that standpoint the flaws and omissions make sense. But it’s still disappointing. I think if she had written this story several years earlier, the book would have been so much better. Ah well.
So overall, was this a good read? Yeah, it was fun alright. It had the humor, the action, the mystery, and everything was tied into a neat little bow in the end. But it didn’t have the energy of previous books, and it doesn’t fit smoothly into the Emerson timeline. If you are planning on reading this, I would say this book works as a standalone novel, but not as a crucial part of the Amelia Peabody series in general. In fact, if you are planning to work through the whole series, you can skip this one; it really doesn’t add to the series. show less

Beastly, by Alex Flinn
★★★

Synopsis: I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.
You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly…beastly.
In A Sentence: Meh. An interesting fairy tale retelling, but a little cheesy.
My Thoughts: I like fairy tale retellings. I’m one of those people who don’t really like the original stories because the princesses are frequently air-headed damsels who can’t seem to stay out of trouble because they ignore really practical warnings. The only thing good about them (if you can call it good) is that they are all the most beautiful maidens and princes fall immediately in love with them. When I daydream about these fairy tales, I often wonder if the prince still loves her a year later after she has his kid and gains a few pounds with some additional stretch marks.
I find retellings bring these fairy tales into the 21st show more century. The women are smarter and more independent, and the princes aren’t superficial men who like to kill things. So I was attracted to this retelling of Beauty And The Beast, especially since it was from the point of view of the “Beast”.
In general, this was an okay story. I liked how Flinn stuck to the more traditional elements of the story, such as the beast having fur and fangs, and the fact that the dad essentially surrendered his daughter to him. The rose garden plays an important role as well, just like in the original fairy tale. Kyle Kingsbury is a likeable character, as are Lindy, Kendra, and the others. This story also brings attention to how, in this day and age, some parents just shouldn’t be parents, and it provides a strong moral message that looks aren’t everything. One thing I really liked was that Lindy was described as “plain-looking”, with slightly crooked teeth and nothing outstanding in her features. I also liked the chat room Kyle joined, where other people who have been cursed get together and discuss their transformations; it gave you a small glimpse at other popular fairy tales, which was entertaining.
Now I knew this was a YA novel. I was prepared for some cheesy romance. And I got it. The writing, particularly at the end, is tacky and not particularly well-done. And Beauty and the Beast doesn’t translate well into the modern era either. Kidnapping isn’t really considered romantic nowadays, and while Kyle/The Beast constantly assures her that he’s not doing this to hurt her in any way, keeping her in his home is just plain weird and slightly creepy. No wonder Lindy was so freaked out at first.
The characters weren’t as well developed either. There was an attempt to provide some depth, but it wasn’t quite as successful as it could have been. And I don’t think guys are realistically quite as melodramatic as Kyle Kingsbury was. Yeah, melodramatic definitely describes it.
I saw the movie that was based off of this story as well, and it’s also very cheesy. They took a different route with the kidnapping, and how the Beast is supposed to look (they went with tattoos and weird implants, instead of fur and fangs). They changed some other small things as well, including some of the dialogue, somehow making it cheesier.
I think what bugs me most about the movie is the fact that everyone is extremely good-looking. Vanessa Hudgens (playing Linda) is a very pretty girl, and Alex Pettyfer is still pretty hot, even when he’s a beast; you just have to look past the tattoos a little. All I’m saying is I think they could have been a little uglier, and promote the original moral a little better.
So, would I recommend this story? Sure. Just go in with some lower expectations. It isn’t an amazing retelling; it’s interesting, but it’s also a little tacky. It’s also a fast read, so you won’t spend too much time on it. show less

Lost Lake, by Sarah Addison Allen
★★★ ½ (rounding up to 4)

Synopsis: The first time Eby Pim saw Lost Lake, it was on a picture postcard. Just an old photo and a few words on a small square of heavy stock, but when she saw it, she knew she was seeing her future.
That was half a life ago. Now Lost Lake is about to slip into Eby's past. Her husband George is long passed. Most of her demanding extended family are gone. All that's left is a once-charming collection of lakeside cabins succumbing to the Southern Georgia heat and damp, and an assortment of faithful misfits drawn back to Lost Lake year after year by their own unspoken dreams and desires.
It's a lot, but not enough to keep Eby from relinquishing Lost Lake to a developer with cash in hand, and calling this her final summer at the lake. Until one last chance at family knocks on her door.
Lost Lake is where Kate Pheris spent her last best summer at the age of twelve, before she learned of loneliness, and heartbreak, and loss. Now she's all too familiar with those things, but she knows about hope too, thanks to her resilient daughter Devin, and her own willingness to start moving forward. Perhaps at Lost Lake her little girl can cling to her own childhood for just a little longer... and maybe Kate herself can rediscover something that slipped through her fingers so long ago.
One after another, people find their way to Lost Lake, looking for something that they weren't sure they needed in the first place: love, show more closure, a second chance, peace, a mystery solved, a heart mended. Can they find what they need before it's too late?
At once atmospheric and enchanting, Lost Lake shows Sarah Addison Allen at her finest, illuminating the secret longings and the everyday magic that wait to be discovered in the unlikeliest of places.
In A Sentence: A lovely story that makes for a great, easy read
My Thoughts: I gave this author a try and I’m glad I did. Sarah Allen created a very heartwarming story. It’s one of those reads that give you a happy little feeling inside. The magical aspect is subdued, so it doesn’t overpower the story, but instead complements it. The plot follows several people, rather than just one, and all of their stories come together in the end, which is something I always enjoy (“Love Actually” is one of my favorite movies for that very reason). All of the characters are loveable and forgiveable, so overall there’s no reason to hate this novel. Everything is geared towards making you feel happy by the end of the story.
I will not say I loved it, however. One reason is because I found the story extremely predictable. And I don’t mean that I was able to vaguely figure out what would happen, I mean I was able to specifically predict the ending without error by the time I was halfway done. The only bombshell I didn’t catch was Wes’ full story (hence 3 ½ as opposed to just 3 stars). I really prefer having a story surprise me, so the fact that this story hardly did so prevents me from giving this a high rating.
That doesn’t mean, however, that this isn’t a great read. Sarah Allen is a talented writer; you really get to sympathize with the characters, and the story was wonderful and creative. It had an even greater impact on me, when the author said in her acknowledgments that she had been diagnosed with advanced-stage breast 3 years ago and is now 2 years in remission, which means that she was in a scary point in her life while writing this book. It makes this story all the more significant.
In general, I would recommend this novel as a good beach read. Or, if you hit a reading slump, this book would be ideal to help pull you out. Enjoy! show less

Serpent On The Crown, by Elizabeth Peters
★★★★ (★★★★★ and a ♥)

Synopsis: A priceless relic has been delivered to the Emerson home overlooking the Nile. But more than history surrounds this golden likeness of a forgotten king, for it is said early death will befall anyone who possesses it. The woman who implores the renowned family of archaeologists and adventurers to accept the cursed statue insists the ill-gotten treasure has already killed her husband. Further, she warns, unless it is returned to the tomb from which it was stolen, more will surely die. With the world finally at peace—and with Egypt's ancient mysteries opened to them once more—Amelia Peabody and her loved ones are plunged into a storm of secrets, treachery, and murder by a widow's strange story and even stranger request. Each step toward the truth reveals a new peril, suggesting this curse is no mere superstition. And the next victim of the small golden king could be any member of the close-knit clan—perhaps even Amelia herself.
In A Sentence: better than I previously remembered, but I still think the series starts to go downhill after book #12, and this is book #17.
My Thoughts: After a while, all the different things that happen to Amelia and her family just start to blend together. Even though I finished this yesterday, I can barely remember what happened at the beginning of the novel. When they discussed the facts of the case at the end of the story, my first immediate thought show more was, “wait, there was a boat involved? Huh?”
Despite my lapses in memory, I still enjoyed the read. For some reason I didn’t like this novel the last time I read this. So maybe the lowered expectations allowed me to enjoy it more this time around. The plot was interesting, with multiple things happening at once. The humor is still there, although it hasn’t changed much since the first novel. And Ramses is still my favorite.
I am looking forward to the end of this series. There are two books left, and I want to re-read Lord Of The Silent eventually (reading the abridged version ruined it!). So here we go! 17 down, 2 more to go! show less

Children Of The Storm (Amelia Peabody #15), by Elizabeth Peters
★★★★ and a ♥ for the series as a whole

Synopsis: At last the Great War is over. Amelia, her distinguished Egyptologist husband Emerson and their extended family are preparing for another season of excavation in Egypt. To everyone's great joy their son Ramses and his wife Nefret have become parents. Amelia, enjoying her role of fond (yet firm) grandmother, hopes that for once, this will be a quiet year with Ramses no longer undertaking perilous missions for British intelligence and no old enemies on their trail.
Amelia is sadly mistaken. Past dangers cast shadows across the seemingly peaceful present, and a new adversary - unlike any Amelia has ever encountered - will chart a course that puts her beloved family directly in the path of destruction.
In A Sentence: Yet another decent novel from one of my favorite series, but I’m looking forward to the end.
My Thoughts: I confess that while I really love this series, I’ve reached the point where I’m getting tired of the books. The last 3 or 4 novels are really not Elizabeth Peter’s best works. The story, while a little different from the first few, is a bit more tedious than the previous ones. Either it’s because I’ve been reading the stories back-to-back, or it’s because the book isn’t as amazing as her earlier works.
Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this book. Like all the other stories, this mystery had elements of excitement, humor, and show more intrigue. There is a bit of a plot twist that I hadn’t anticipated when I first read this novel several years ago, and the action is fairly fast-paced, but after having read over a dozen books before this one, all with the action, humor, and mystery, I’m exhausted and I’m ready to move on. But I’m determined to finish the series, and there are only 3 books left, one of which I haven’t read yet. So moving on and moving forward! On to the next Amelia Peabody adventure! show less

The Fault In Our Stars, by John Green
★★★★★ (and a ♥ contender)

Synopsis: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.
In A Sentence: An absolute heart-wrencher of story, tissues must be purchased before reading this novel
A Dollar’s Worth of My Thoughts: so I kept seeing rave reviews posted everywhere, and some of my book groups have made this the book of the month, so I figured “oh what the heck, let’s read yet another popular book and see what happens”. So I read it….
….And then the tears came. Oh my God, I can’t remember if a book ever made me cry quite this hard. I finished the last sentence and I start sobbing hysterically and blubbering at my cat who’s sitting there watching me and wondering why I sound so weird.
Man, this book was such a tear-jerker. There are many ways that a writer can be a talented writer, and one of those ways is a certain ability to manipulate the emotions of their audience using only words. And John Green is a very…talented…writer. I mean, terminal cancer is already a heartbreaking topic, but while an inexperienced writer will only make you think, ”ah, well, that’s kinda sad”, an excellent writer will make you think “WHY GOD! WHY?!!!!!!!”
The show more whole thing was very well done, in my opinion; plot, premise, everything. I know some people thought some things seemed a little too convenient (Amsterdam), but I didn’t think so. I thought it worked great. The love story is also rather sweet; it’s certainly acceptable to adults who are prone to nausea and vomiting when reading sappy YA romances. The characters are extremely loveable and relatable, every single one of them (yes, even Peter Van Houten, in a really weird asshole kind of way). And finally, the storyline, along with the writing, was really well done; I’ve never had to experience watching a loved one go through cancer, but after reading this book, I felt like I just did.
Overall, this was an excellent read, for teenagers and adults alike. If you haven’t read it yet, then you definitely should. Just make sure you have a box of tissues on hand. Side effects of reading this novel include: weeping, runny nose, sniffling, and uncontrollable sobbing into the shoulder of your bemused spouse. show less

Vicious, by V.E. Schwab
★ ★ ★

Synopsis: (from the book flap) Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing hidden possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could actually gain extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis inevitably moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.
Ten years later, Victor is breaking out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person he can find—aside from his own sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, spurred onward by the memory of betrayal and desperate longings, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?
V.E. Schwab’s Vicious is a riveting investigation on the nature of loyalty, the possibility of redemption, and an exploration of our darkest, most thrilling selves.
In A Sentence: A respectable, dark novel, but not 5-star material
My Thoughts: If you’re an empathic reader, this is not the book for you. What made it so difficult for me to get into was the fact that I didn’t like any of the characters. show more Both the protagonist and antagonist are sociopaths; there are no good guys here, just some people hell bent on killing each other. You can’t help but root for Victor, however, kind of like when you root for Walter White in Breaking Bad.
The plot was pretty well done, I thought. The book jumps back and forth in time quite a bit, which is a little jarring at first, but after a while you get used to it, and you begin to appreciate how it weaves the story together. The story is also pretty predictable, but it was still a good plot, filled with little twists and turns, ending with a decent climax and a reasonable conclusion.
Overall, this was an okay read, but I personally don’t feel like it’s 5-star material. It’s decent, but not remarkable. If you like dark novels, then you’ll probably enjoy this one. show less

★★★ and 1/2, rounding up to 4

In A Sentence: The most confusing book of the entire series, but still a fun read
My Thoughts: I have to say, first off, that the dialogue in this book is hilarious. 6-year-old Ramses is a little genius and so much fun to read about. Emerson and Amelia have the craziest marital relationship ever and their conversations make me chuckle. This family makes for an interesting trio, plus cat. The whole story is a bunch of fun, full of humor and adventure, with master criminals and crazy zealots. I'd say crazy, random fun sums up this story nicely.
I need to add one more adjective, however. Confusing! The mystery goes in a bunch of different directions, with too many suspects to keep track of, and with Amelia flipping back and forth between one theory and the next. I guess the ending straightens everything out all right, but until then, you are left in a rather bemused state of mind.
Don't get me wrong, however. This is a fun read, just not the best in the series. It does set the stage for the next book in the series, so I wouldn't recommend skipping it, although it's not the end of the world if you choose to!

My Name Is Rapunzel, by K.C. Hilton
★, rounding up to 1.5….maybe

Synopsis: (what made it intriguing) My tale has been told again and again, and I’ve heard each one. Except for my hair, I barely recognize the pitiful renditions. Muddled versions, crafted to entertain laughing children…but the children wouldn’t have laughed if they’d known the real story. It wasn't their fault. They didn't know the truth. Nobody did. My name is Rapunzel. I will tell you my story. I will tell you the truth.
(what it is really) Rapunzel gets cursed with eternal youth by the witch who wants her hair for a youth potion (oh, btw, the witch turns out to be her grandmother). Apparently Rapunzel’s maternal side of the family is gifted with long life and beauty, and it’s in Rapunzel’s hair, which she can’t cut off (huh?). The witch also curses Rapunzel’s fiancé Henry, turning him into a dragon, but Rapunzel thinks he’s dead, and the dragon is the witch’s pet or something.
When her parents die of old age, she moves into her father’s inherited castle with the witch (that part doesn’t make sense, I know), and they live there together for 200 years, with the dragon/Henry preventing them from leaving (oh, and Henry can sometimes turn back into a human, but if he sees Rapunzel’s face he turns back into the dragon. Why it takes him 250 years to tell her who he really is, I don’t know).
Oh, and there’s a love triangle in the last 50 pages. There’s some newspaper reporter show more guy who didn’t believe Rapunzel’s story at first, but then fell in love with her. It all climaxes in the last 15 pages with the witch getting shot and killed by an old guy who has been taking the long-life potion given to his family by the witch (apparently she was in love with his father? Huh?). the reporter guy gets the dying witch to take the curse off Henry and Rapunzel and he gets turned into a dragon instead, which, coincidentally, is what he always wanted. Everyone lives happily ever after. Yeah. ‘K.
In A Sentence: An interesting story idea, really, really poor execution
My Thoughts: I read this for an online book group I joined; it was the first book they were going to read this month, and was curious about the book. I mean the synopsis sounds like an interesting YA novel, right? Not!
I was really intrigued by the story concept; seriously, what a great idea! But the execution of the story was horrible! There were huge plot holes, an absurd amount of contradictions and geographical inaccuracies (the author’s clearly American, and the setting is supposed to be in Europe), a vague, sometimes rushed plot, poor grammar, awful use of language (18th century maidens do not say “okay”, okay?), and, I kid you not, the author copied and pasted whole chapters when the story was coming around full circle. I couldn’t stop cringing when I read this! This was a book that could have been so much better had the author spent more time re-reading and revising her work. She could have fleshed out the details a bit more, fixed some inaccuracies and mistakes, made sure there was some nice flow, etc. But no, she didn’t.
Apparently this author self-published her book, and apparently this is not her first book. While I admire authors who have the courage to self-publish their works, I am suspicious of the quality of those works, because that could mean that the book didn’t hold up under the scrutiny of a recognized book publisher. I wish this author pursued some publishers before publishing it herself; even if they wouldn’t accept it, they would have given her plenty of reasons why, and she could have used that criticism to go back and revise her story. The story would have done so much better under the scrutiny of a critical editor, not the author’s friends.
So why did I bother finishing this book? Because despite the poor execution, I still wanted to know what happened next. I’ll give the author that much; she does keep you chained to the book.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this read (surprise, surprise). It had so much potential, and it just fell way short of the mark.
And now my rant is done. My apologies to those who liked this book, but clearly our tastes are different. show less

Driving Sideways, by Jess Riley
★★★ and a 1/2 (rounding up to 4)

Synopsis: Leigh Fielding wants a life. Seriously. Having spent the past five years on dialysis, she has one simple wish: to make it to her thirtieth birthday. Now, thanks to the generosity of the late Larry Resnick and his transplanted kidney, it looks like her wish may come true.
With her newfound vitality (and Larry's kidney) in tow, Leigh hits the road for an excursion that will carry her from Wisconsin to California, with a few stops in between: Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, the Rockies, Las Vegas--and a memorable visit to thank Larry's family for this second chance.
Yet Leigh's itinerary takes a sudden detour when she picks up seventeen-year-old hitchhiker Denise, a runaway with a bunch of stories and a couple of secrets. Add to the mix a long-lost mother, a loaded gun, an RV full of swingers, and Hall and Oates' Greatest Hits, and Driving Sideways becomes a hilarious and original journey of friendship, hope, and discovery.
In A Sentence: A fun and comfortably quirky novel.
My Thoughts: This was a decent read, really. I liked Leigh's quirkiness and felt that I could relate to her in many ways. That's always a plus, to be able to relate to the main character. The other characters were enjoyable as well: Wes, Jillian, Denise, they were all fun to read about. I also really liked how the plot went in unexpected twists and turns while at the same time traveling it's fairly predictable main route.
The plot show more had many fun moments. Some were pleasant to read about, some were hilarious, and some were downright outrageous. It had it's eye-opening moments as well, where things don't go as planned and subsequently change Leigh's outlook on life. Overall, this whole book was an interesting read.
There are some slight downsides to this novel, however. The writing is good, but not great, and sometimes it seems a little jerky. There were a couple times where I wondered where the author was going with the story, but in retrospect, the plot's pace made sense.
Overall, this is certainly a good story that goes in surprising, and sometimes amusing directions. I would say it's a light, but not too light, read. I had fun with it and I think generally, most readers would too. show less

Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline
★★★★ and a ½

Synopsis: At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, Ready Player One is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut-part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera.
It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.
Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS—a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.
And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune—and remarkable power—to whoever can unlock them.
For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday’s riddles are based in the pop culture he loved—that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday’s icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughe’s oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.
And then Wade stumbles upon show more the first puzzle.
Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt—among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life—and love—in the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.
In A Sentence: Such a fun read!
My Thoughts: I had been seeing stellar reviews for this novel all over Shelfari and Goodreads. After seeing yet another 4 star rating for the umpteenth time, I decided to give it a go.
The book took only two days to finish. I didn’t even have time to post that I was reading this book! I zipped right through it and enjoyed every page. It’s one of those books where it’s just good fun; it’s not particularly deep or thought-provoking. It’s just plain, enjoyable, futuristic action-adventure.
I think what makes this such an enjoyable read is that a lot of the futuristic technology that is in this novel is very believable. While reading this, I kept trying to picture what everything would be like 30 years from now, and I seriously think that OASIS is a plausible bit of futuristic technology. It combines a whole lot of things that we already have: social networking, online interactive simulations and games, even online education. Modern computer graphics is getting better each and every day, and social networking is now a way of life (look at where I’m posting this review!). So, yeah, I can picture it. The loss of fossil fuel is also very plausible, although I think by 2044 we’ll be much more reliant on alternatives forms of energy.
I loved the 80s references as well, even though I didn’t understand two thirds of them. I was born in 1988, so I can’t say I lived through it. I got some of the movie references since both my husband and my dad introduced me to many films from that decade. I also got a few of the song and video game references, although I have never been a gamer; my parents never approved of having video games in the house, and I’m not good at them anyway. This is one of those rare instances where I hope they make a movie out of this book, just so I could have a better visual of all the 80s stuff Ernest Cline was talking about.
So what else did I like? Well, I did enjoy the plot and the characters. The plot was driven and the characters, while not totally deep, were the kind of 2-D characters that you see in 80s action films: motivated by a single goal, driven by revenge. Overall, it’s light and meant for fun.
One thing that I wish Cline could have done was write some sort of epilogue. The story ended rather abruptly, in my opinion, and I would have loved to have seen what happened to everyone afterwards. But then again, the ending fits the 80s theme that ran throughout the novel: a lot of 80s action/sci-fi films ended right when the protagonist won, without any sort of follow-up.
Overall, I really had fun with story. I’m trying to pressure my husband into reading it too, since I think he would really enjoy it. Like I said, I hope they make a movie out of it. This seems to be one of those novels that would be very visually appealing. If you haven’t read it yet, I would strongly recommend that you read it soon, particularly if you like futuristic novels, or if you’re a huge fan of the 80s, or if you just like action novels in general. Enjoy! show less

The Golem And The Jinni, by Helene Wecker
★★★★★

Synopsis:Helene Wecker's dazzling debut novel tells the story of two supernatural creatures who appear mysteriously in 1899 New York. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life by a strange man who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic. When her master dies at sea on the voyage from Poland, she is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York Harbor. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian Desert. Trapped in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard centuries ago, he is released accidentally by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop.
Struggling to make their way in this strange new place, the Golem and the Jinni try to fit in with their neighbors while masking their true natures. Surrounding them is a community of immigrants: the coffeehouse owner Maryam Faddoul, a pillar of wisdom and support for her Syrian neighbors; the solitary ice cream maker Saleh, a damaged man cursed by tragedy; the kind and caring Rabbi Meyer and his beleaguered nephew, Michael, whose Sheltering House receives newly arrived Jewish men; the adventurous young socialite Sophia Winston; and the enigmatic Joseph Schall, a dangerous man driven by ferocious ambition and esoteric wisdom.
Meeting by chance, the two creatures become unlikely friends whose tenuous attachment challenges their opposing natures, until the night a terrifying incident drives them back into their separate worlds. But a powerful menace will show more soon bring the Golem and the Jinni together again, threatening their existence and forcing them to make a fateful choice.
In A Sentence: A good story, well worth the read!
What I Enjoyed: I loved the storyline! It was beautiful and creative. I loved the use of creatures from two separate religions, and I loved the details revolving around these two separate cultures. I have no idea if the facts were accurate or not, but they seemed to be and I enjoyed it.
The plot was also good. It was a love story without the eroticism that you frequently see. It was a story with mystery and intrigue where the puzzle pieces fit together smoothly and without any unanswered questions.
What Wasn't So Great: I admit the pace seemed a little slow at times. It was a necessary pace, though. I don't see how the author could have done this any differently
Overall: This was a wonderful story! I really enjoyed it and I want to read it again! I suspect that I'll enjoy the story better the second time around too. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes historical fiction, love stories, and/or fantasy and magical realism.
Note On The Audio: The audio was fairly decent. The author seemed to be going at a pretty leisurely pace, though, which made it a little difficult to listen to. I kept on getting bored, and stopping the audiobook so I could do something else. I think it was more of the narrator's fault than it was the author's fault. show less

The Curse Of The Pharaohs, by Elizabeth Peters
★★★★★ and a ♥

Synopsis: Victorian gentlewoman Amelia Peabody Emerson does not relish the joys of home and hearth. For while she and her husband, the renowned archaeologist Radcliffe Emerson, dutifully go about raising their young son, Ramses, Amelia dreams only of the dust and detritus of ancient civilizations. Providentially, a damsel in distress--coupled with a promising archeological site--demands their immediate presence in Egypt. The damsel is Lady Baskerville, and the site is a tomb in Luxor recently discovered by Sir Henry Baskerville, who promptly died under bizarre circumstances. Amelia and Radcliffe arrive to find the camp in disarray, terrified workers, an eccentric group of guests...and a persistent rumor of a ghost on the grounds. Now the indomitable Amelia must battle evil forces determined to stand between her and her beloved antiquities--and make her foray into the truth a most deadly affair...
In A Sentence: an excellent and even comical reread!
My Thoughts: Due to a lack of availability of audiobooks I intended to read, I've reverted back to some old favorites of mine. I first read this back when I was in middle school (I think), and I loved it! I still love it, in fact. This book combines mystery, adventure, history, and even a little romance in a dashing and humorous way. You can't help but fall in love with Radcliffe Emerson and his antics, as well as with Amelia with her British eccentricities. show more They make such an odd and hilarious couple that you want to keep reading about them over and over again.
I thought the detective/mystery aspect of the novel was more developed than it's predecessor. Plus, Emerson and Amelia working as team is more fun to read about than their antagonistic courtship. In addition, you get a introduction to their son Ramses, whose antics are so much fun to read about.
Overall, this series is a lot of fun, and it gets better with each book you read. I think the series starts to deteriorate towards the end, but the first 7 books or so are really enjoyable. I will definitely keep going with this series on audiobook, as I continue on my epic quest of apartment spring cleaning and reorganizing. show less

Lord Of The Silent, by Elizabeth Peters
★★★★ and a ♥ for the whole series

Synopsis: For archaeologist Amelia Peabody and her family, the allure of Egypt remains as powerful as ever, even in this tense time of World War. But nowhere in this desert land is safe -- especially for Amelia's son Ramses and Nefret. Treachery and peril are pursuing the two young adventurers across the length and breadth of this strange, exotic world. And the grim discovery of a recent corpse in a tomb where it does not belong is pulling Amelia deeper into a furious desert storm of intrigue, corruption, kidnapping, and murder -- and toward dark revelations that threaten to awaken the past...and alter the family's destiny
In A Sentence: a good installment in the Amelia Peabody series, possibly one of the top ten
My Thoughts: I have finally finished the series! Yay!
I admit I had read this earlier when I was working through this series, but I accidently downloaded the abridged version on Audible. Abridged fiction books for adults are the most ridiculous things ever, and the one I listened to was not only really confusing, but the editor cut out all the best parts! What the heck?! There was enough of the plot that I recognized from the last time I read the book, so I didn’t catch the deception until I was nearing the end; I just thought that the book wasn’t as good as I remembered and the rest of the book just didn’t download properly. Suffice it to say that I found myself in a really show more frustrating scenario: either finished the abridged atrocity and move on through the series, or start over with a full version. I didn’t want to start all the way over again, so I decided I would finish the abridged one and re-read the full version once I had finished the entire series.
Now that I have read the full version, I like the book so much better. The typical Amelia Peabody humor is there, as well as a plot with good flow. The storyline in this one was a bit more straightforward than other ones, without several confusing twists and turns, which I prefer since that allows the humor and character development to shine a bit more. Plus, this book showed the result of something that had been ongoing in previous novels, which makes me happy (I’m not going to spoil anything for you!)
So now that I’m done with the whole series, how do I feel? Disappointed yet relieved. I wish the final books were better and went along the lines of this novel, but I really did enjoy the whole series. Amelia Peabody is funny and adventurous, and I love the equality you see in these stories. The Egyptians might work for Emerson, but they are treated fairly and equally without fail. Abdullah was given the highest respect by the Emersons, his grandson David Todros ended up marrying Englishwoman, and Selim and Daoud are frequently involved in the adventures; they even join the Emersons at English-based events and celebrations. We’re talking about a time period where Egyptians were looked down upon by the occupying English; they were viewed as unintelligent and backwards, so it’s refreshing to see a group of archaeologists consider Abdullah’s family as part of their own family.
And it’s not just equality between two types of people and two types of religion, it’s equality for women as well. The female protagonists in these novels are strong and independent, and they insist on entering into professions that are dominated by men. I am such a feminist, so stories that promote equality and equal opportunities constantly find their way onto my favorites list.
This is a great series for lovers of mystery and historical fiction. It also has a bit of romance as well, but it’s definitely more about the love story and not about the act of making love (those scenes are edited out: you know it happened, and that it was good, but the rest is left to your imagination). I will always love these books, and I can guarantee that I’ll read them again a few years down the road, but for now I’m glad that the series is done. I’m ready to move on. So long Amelia Peabody! Until we meet again! show less

The Unicorn Chronicles Book I: Into The Land Of The Unicorns, by Bruce Coville
★★★★ ½ and a ♥

Synopsis: As each chime sounds, Cara climbs faster up the steep bell tower. Eleven! She must be on the roof when the next bell tolls. Twelve! With a deep breath, and only half believing she will survive, Cara jumps off the church roof and into Luster, land of the unicorns.
In Luster, Cara meets many wonderful creatures, but the most magnificent of all is Lightfoot, a rebellious young unicorn. Cara’s band of friends comes to include a hairy creature named the Dimblethum and the monkey-like Squijim. Together, they set out to reach the Unicorn Queen before the mysterious man who is following them does—to prevent the destruction of all unicorns forever.
In A Sentence: A childhood favorite of mine, and still a lovely story for little girls.
My Thoughts: A long time ago, back before Harry Potter came into my life, I was a huge fan of unicorns. They were my favorite mythical animal, so much of a favorite that I still have my collection of everything unicorn: unicorn toys, a stuffed unicorn doll that I carried everywhere, small unicorn figurines and statues, and so much more. So when I was perusing through the fantasy section of the local library and saw this book with a picture of a unicorn on the cover, I simply had to pick it up and read it.
I think I read this book about a dozen times, I loved it so much! A girl about my age ending up in a fantasy world where unicorns show more live, how cool was that?!
Years later, I began to regret not purchasing my own copy, and lately, for whatever reason, I began to think about the story again and wanting to read it at least once more. So I went to my local library, and, once again, sought the book out.
The book is much smaller than I remembered (only 160 pages), but it was still very sweet and enjoyable. It is one of those stories that make children wish unicorns were real, and adults nostalgic about their childhood years. The story is adorably creative, and full of action. It’s sad and it’s lovely. It’s about good and evil and choosing sides. It’s basically a cute girl’s story. Clearly, little girls would love this book, but I think moms would like it too. Highly recommended. show less

Afterwards, by Rosamund Lupton
★★★★ 1/2

Synopsis: There is a fire and they are in There. They are in there . . . Black smoke stains a summer blue sky. A school is on fire. And one mother, Grace, sees the smoke and runs. She knows her teenage daughter Jenny is inside. She runs into the burning building to rescue her. Afterwards, Grace must find the identity of the arsonist and protect her family from the person who's still intent on destroying them. Afterwards, she must fight the limits of her physical strength and discover the limitlessness of love.
In A Sentence: A very good and unique mystery
What I Really Had Fun With: First off, I really thought that the narration was interesting. It was told in first and second person. The main character, Grace, was recounting the story to her husband, referring to him in the second person. It was my first time reading a story that did this type of narration, and I found it gave the novel a little something extra, something unique from other novels.
Secondly, I thought it was interesting that Grace was actually in a coma the entire time the mystery is being solved, a ghost who tries to put the pieces together while her friends and family go on with the investigation. It worked really well, as it allowed the reader to follow different characters as they went through their investigations.
Finally, it was a good mystery. It was written well, making you feel for the various characters without having your heart wrenched in two. The plot show more worked well, with a good pace and no disappointments. You end the novel feeling good overall about the turnout. Very nice.
My One Issue: The only issue I can think of is at the end, when the culprit did one final bad thing, but it doesn't seem to have any actual negative affect on anyone. Admittedly I was in a hurry when I was reading this part (it was in between my private lessons), so maybe I missed the importance, but that little part seemed unnecessary. Otherwise, I can't think of anything important.
In A Nutshell: I really enjoyed this book. I'm not ready to declare it a favorite yet, but only because I want to see if it survives the scrutiny of a second reading. It is definitely worth a look. Strongly recommended! show less