October, 2013

"Elizabeth of York:  A Tudor Queen and Her World" by Alison Weir         

Elizabeth of York, King Henry VIII's mother, lived during a very dangerous time for those of royal blood.  When her father died, her uncle Richard, seized power and Elizabeth's family was forced into sanctuary.  Her two brothers, "the princes in the tower" disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leading most to believe that Richard had them killed.  Declared a bastard by her uncle, Elizabeth dreamed of the exiled Henry Tudor, rescuing her and restoring her to the throne.         

I have to admit that I only made it about halfway through this book.  I grew tired of the author's constant analysis of letters and poems.  It became repetitive and seemed to go on forever.  At times I wished the author had just shown us the poem/letter and let us analyzed it ourselves.  Since I did not finish this book, I find it hard to recommend for others or give it a good rating.

"Boat Girl:  A Memoir of Youth, Love & Fiberglass" by Melanie Neale         

Melanie and her family lived aboard a sailing boat throughout the 80's and 90's.  Their unorthodox lifestyle introduced Melanie and her sister to a variety of people, cultures and experiences.  Determined to raise their girls away from the evils of society, the two children were home schooled.  Their childhoods were filled with fun-in-the-sun, snorkeling, fishing and living on the ocean.   As an adult, Melanie purchased her own boat and pursued a degree in creative writing.         

I have mixed feelings about this book.  Her childhood was fascinating.  However, the book showed very little dialogue or interaction with her parents and sister.  I felt that she was leaving a lot of the story out.  I thought the lack of bearings and constant drinking/partying of her adult hood was just said.  I would have liked to have read more about her marriage and adaptation to "normal" life, but this was just dealt with in the epilogue.  Overall, a good read, but it needed something more.

"Escape From Berlin" by Irene N. Watts         

This is an omnibus containing three stories "Goodbye Marianne" "Remember Me" and "Finding Sophie."    The first two stories are about Marianne, a young Jewish girl from Berlin.  Her father is in hiding and her mother sent her through the kindertransport to England.  The third story is told from Sophie's point of view, a young girl who Marianne took care of during the kindertransport.         

I found it very jolting when the author switched from Marianne's story to Sophie's.  Marianne's was written in third person, Sophie's first.  This was also quite a difficult switch to make after the book was about 2/3's done.   Overall, a good book, but not one I would pick up and read again.

"Under the Wide and Starry Sky" by Nancy Horan         

After leaving her cheating husband and moving her three children to Europe, Fanny falls in with an artistic group.  She meets Robert Louis Stevenson and they quickly fall in love.  Sickly, Louis spends most of their relationship in bed, suffering from a lung condition.  During their marriage he writes Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  The family moves around quite a bit and end up in the South Seas.         

Overall, this was a very slow moving book.  It was boring at times and seemed to drag on and on.  I kept reading because I was interested in Louis writing process and how he came up with the ideas for his famous story.  I don't see myself rereading this book or recommending it to others.

"Little Joe" by Michael E. Glasscock, III         

When Little Joe's parents are killed in a car accident, he moves in with his grandparents on the farm.  Set during the 1940's, the book dealt with issues of racism, city vs. country life and World War II.         

I have mixed feelings about this book.  I didn't really like Little Joe, but I found his friends to be fascinating.  There was very little continuity throughout the book.  For example, grandpa was electrocuted and a big beam fell on his chest, the next chapter, not a word was mentioned.  When sugar was hit in the leg with blanks, in the next chapter, it was if it never happened.  I also had a hard time deciding who the audience for the book was.  It seemed a bit juvenile and I don't think it will appeal to teenagers or young adults. 

"Confessions of Marie Antoinette" by Juliet Grey         

The third book in a series, this book covers the later part of Marie Antoinette's life.  I enjoyed the first fifty or so pages, but found myself growing bored with the story.  I didn't quite understand the purpose of the Louison snippets and don't think they really added to the story.  Overall, a bust. 

"Guests on Earth" by Lee Smith         

This is a bit of a historical fiction, focusing on the Highland (mental) Hospital in North Carolina.  Evalina Toussaint, an orphaned child, is sent to live at the orphanage at the age of 13.  There, she meets an interesting cast of characters, included Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. 

     I thought this book provided an look at an normally ignored, yet interesting slice of life.  I felt that the characters were very realistic and were not the stereotypical mental patient.  I didn't particularly like the onslaught of one sided letters that the author used to progress the story in the middle of the book.  At times it moved a bit slowly, but well worth trudging through the slow parts.  Overall, a good read.

"One Great Year" by Veitch & DeFazio         

When the land of Atitala transcends from a golden age into a dark age, select individuals are chosen to be emissaries to the future.  This individuals will be reincarnated throughout the ages with the purposes of spreading light and unity through the world.  When Marcus and Theron are chosen, they are overjoyed to be traveling into the next life together.  However, before they are sent, Marcus uncovers a dark plot.  At the center of the plot is Helghul, a childhood enemy.         

I thought that some of the reincarnations were fascinating.  Others tended to be a bit boring. I became annoyed with Marcus' constant search for Theron, at times it seemed less like a love story and more a story about obsession and the inability to move forward.  I also thought the book was a bit predictable at times, there wasn't a lot of mystery.  If you are into spiritualism you will probably highly enjoy this book.  For me, it was only alright.

"I Am Currency" by Whitney Grady         

In the future, after technology has been destroyed by a meteor, the government keeps all books locked away.  Nevel, a young boy with a photographic memory, is hunted down by a classmate looking for answers.         

I thought that the premise of the book was interesting however it was poorly executed.  The characters seemed to be badly designed caricatures of people, completely unreal.  The author doesn't tell us enough about this world, at least not enough to maintain interest.  Overall, a bust.

"A Death-Struck Year" by Makiia Lucier         

When the Spanish influenza strikes, Cleo risks her life to join the Red Cross and help plague victims.  While her brother/guardian is away, she leaves boarding school and strikes out on her own.         

I thought this was a well written and engaging book.  I found myself reading the book in one sitting.  The characters were very realistic and the setting just heartbreaking.  I would love to read a sequel and find out what happens to the characters.  Overall, highly recommended.

"The Truth About You" by Susan Lewis         

Lainey has devoted her life to her husband and family.  While managing her husband writing career, taking care of a hormone filled teenage daughter, a resentful step-stone and a father with Alzheimer's, Lainey is close to her breaking point.  When she discovers that her husband has another family, she begins to fall apart.  Determined to find the truth about her mother and biological father, she takes off to Italy.         

I really don't know what to say about this book.  It was extremely slow moving and fairly predictable.  I was about halfway through the book, tired of the marital and children problems and still waiting for something to happen.  I trudged through, completely baffled by the family's choices and the multiple, yet boring, plot lines. 

"The Naturals" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes         

When 17 year old Cassie is recruited by the FBI she is completely shocked.  A reader, she is a natural profiler and is wanted for a classified program that uses teenagers to solve cold cases.         

This was a very interesting book.  It was a fast read and left me wanting more.  I thought the characters were interesting and dynamic.  Overall, terrific.  I can't wait to read the sequel.