Just Jane
William Lavender
Jane is a Lady born to an English Earl. With the passing of her father, she is now orphaned and sails to be with her uncle in America. Weeks after she arrives, war breaks out and she finds herself caught between the life she knew and the life she is discovering. Her uncle claims to his death of his devotion to the crown, whereas her cousin and family are very much in favor of the infant country. This story takes place for the duration of the entire war, and I kind of felt like it took that long to read, even though it was more like 4 days. The writing is not bad, but not good. I often thought while reading this, that a story about an immensely passionate time of our country's history should evoke more emotion. I felt it was flat and unemotional. I found it mostly a love story that fails to conjure feelings in the reader, while being an historical fiction that I'm not sure was entirely accurate. I'm not an historian, but there were many things that left me wondering their truth.
18 June 2010
17 June 2010
Housekeeping vs. The Dirt
Nick Hornby
What a delight of a book! I have to admit that I am not particularly a fan of the column-turned-book approach. It usually doesn't come across properly because you lose something in the translation from a specific audience to a general one. However, it works when the author is as talented as this man. I also have to admit that I have not read any of his other works like High Fidelity, About a Boy, or Fever Pitch, which I am told are exceptional. So, as a way of getting into his work I just chose one that was currently available at the library; this one. After reading, I have to say, I just don't think you can go wrong with any of his writing. If he can translate from column to book, then the rest must be just as good. This particular book is from his column in the Believer in which he chooses to write about reading. Each month he gives a list of the books he has bought, the books he has read, and then a story about the month. The title of this book is taken from two titles that he reads in the course of the columns, however it has deeper meaning I think. This book is about reading for the joy of reading. Does it really matter what you are reading so long as you enjoy it and take something away from the experience? His stance, and I have always agreed, is "No!" Read. Read for fun and enjoyment; read for betterment of your mind and your soul. Don't read because someone else says you have to or because you feel guilty or because you need to impress. There is keeping house; reading to keep yourself as you want, and then there is the dirt; the reading we do because we feel we have to. You don't have to at all. But, you should because you want to and you should read whatever you want because it fulfills you in some way.
Read for you.
Nick Hornby
What a delight of a book! I have to admit that I am not particularly a fan of the column-turned-book approach. It usually doesn't come across properly because you lose something in the translation from a specific audience to a general one. However, it works when the author is as talented as this man. I also have to admit that I have not read any of his other works like High Fidelity, About a Boy, or Fever Pitch, which I am told are exceptional. So, as a way of getting into his work I just chose one that was currently available at the library; this one. After reading, I have to say, I just don't think you can go wrong with any of his writing. If he can translate from column to book, then the rest must be just as good. This particular book is from his column in the Believer in which he chooses to write about reading. Each month he gives a list of the books he has bought, the books he has read, and then a story about the month. The title of this book is taken from two titles that he reads in the course of the columns, however it has deeper meaning I think. This book is about reading for the joy of reading. Does it really matter what you are reading so long as you enjoy it and take something away from the experience? His stance, and I have always agreed, is "No!" Read. Read for fun and enjoyment; read for betterment of your mind and your soul. Don't read because someone else says you have to or because you feel guilty or because you need to impress. There is keeping house; reading to keep yourself as you want, and then there is the dirt; the reading we do because we feel we have to. You don't have to at all. But, you should because you want to and you should read whatever you want because it fulfills you in some way.
Read for you.
16 June 2010
The Word Snoop
Ursula Dubosarsky
This was a disappointing result of what was a clever and interesting idea. The book is formatted as private intelligence letters to the reader. At the end of each chapter there is a "crack the code" that relates to the chapter just finished. The premise is fun and engaging, however the delivery is less than fulfilling. There were many places where the author uses a dictionary-like description of a concept or term and then the example she gives does not follow the rule. For example: Using palindromes as the theme, words that are spelled the same forward and backward, she wrote for her example: TAHT YAS OT YPPAH YREV M'I. Not in fact a palindrome. On another occasion; Using lipogram, "more or less the opposite of [a pangram]. Instead of including every letter, you deliberately leave out a particular letter." and used the example, "For many days following, all boys and girls who had brought lollipops for lunch got a gold star." A lipogram of the letter 'e'. All words, but none including the letter 'e'. However, in the code at the end of the chapter, she uses this: "REAE AN ASTARLY COES" which she claims to be a lipogram of the letter 'd'. (DREADED AND DASTARDLY CODES.) It is not in fact a lipogram based on her own description. There were many other blatant errors throughout the book which is sad to see in what is portrayed to be an informative piece, especially finding out that she has a PhD in English Literature. As for the style of writing, I did enjoy it. She has a very easy fluidity to her sentences that would appeal to the most basic of readers. You don't need to be scholarly to read this book, it is meant to be fun and entertaining. Unfortunately, you don't get as much out of it because much of the information is false. Learning that 2+1=5 may be fun in the right setting, but it is still wrong.
Ursula Dubosarsky
This was a disappointing result of what was a clever and interesting idea. The book is formatted as private intelligence letters to the reader. At the end of each chapter there is a "crack the code" that relates to the chapter just finished. The premise is fun and engaging, however the delivery is less than fulfilling. There were many places where the author uses a dictionary-like description of a concept or term and then the example she gives does not follow the rule. For example: Using palindromes as the theme, words that are spelled the same forward and backward, she wrote for her example: TAHT YAS OT YPPAH YREV M'I. Not in fact a palindrome. On another occasion; Using lipogram, "more or less the opposite of [a pangram]. Instead of including every letter, you deliberately leave out a particular letter." and used the example, "For many days following, all boys and girls who had brought lollipops for lunch got a gold star." A lipogram of the letter 'e'. All words, but none including the letter 'e'. However, in the code at the end of the chapter, she uses this: "REAE AN ASTARLY COES" which she claims to be a lipogram of the letter 'd'. (DREADED AND DASTARDLY CODES.) It is not in fact a lipogram based on her own description. There were many other blatant errors throughout the book which is sad to see in what is portrayed to be an informative piece, especially finding out that she has a PhD in English Literature. As for the style of writing, I did enjoy it. She has a very easy fluidity to her sentences that would appeal to the most basic of readers. You don't need to be scholarly to read this book, it is meant to be fun and entertaining. Unfortunately, you don't get as much out of it because much of the information is false. Learning that 2+1=5 may be fun in the right setting, but it is still wrong.
14 June 2010
Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came
MC Beaton
I have always been a stickler for editing. Specifically, I mean editing of spelling and the like. This is probably the worst so far. Many places she even wrote the wrong name and mixed up characters. There were many spelling and punctuation errors. Editing aside, this was a great plot. James and Charles gone leave openings for new faces, and there is one new face in particular. Agatha's jump-to-conclusions and petty manner cause her trouble as usual. I was glad to see a slightly different side to Mrs. Bloxby, who normally gets at most a sideways glance. This time around she is given more personality, and one that is a great contrast to Agatha's.
MC Beaton
I have always been a stickler for editing. Specifically, I mean editing of spelling and the like. This is probably the worst so far. Many places she even wrote the wrong name and mixed up characters. There were many spelling and punctuation errors. Editing aside, this was a great plot. James and Charles gone leave openings for new faces, and there is one new face in particular. Agatha's jump-to-conclusions and petty manner cause her trouble as usual. I was glad to see a slightly different side to Mrs. Bloxby, who normally gets at most a sideways glance. This time around she is given more personality, and one that is a great contrast to Agatha's.
13 June 2010
Agatha Raisin and the Love From Hell
MC Beaton
What an exit for James! I really knew the marriage was never going to work, but there was always hope. As I've said in the past though, I believe Charles to be the better match. As for the mystery side of this tale, I have to say it was probably my favorite thus far. I really didn't see the twist of suspects this time. I can see an upturn in the quality of plot and characters lately and can say I'm pleased of the change. This book hearkens back to the first few Agatha Raisin stories. Another energized romp through the English Cotswolds.
MC Beaton
What an exit for James! I really knew the marriage was never going to work, but there was always hope. As I've said in the past though, I believe Charles to be the better match. As for the mystery side of this tale, I have to say it was probably my favorite thus far. I really didn't see the twist of suspects this time. I can see an upturn in the quality of plot and characters lately and can say I'm pleased of the change. This book hearkens back to the first few Agatha Raisin stories. Another energized romp through the English Cotswolds.
07 June 2010
Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam
MC Beaton
As you know, this is one in a series of many books about Ms. Agatha Raisin. I really enjoyed this one. I have enjoyed the others, but was slightly worried about the direction the characters were taking. This time Agatha is more on her game again, much like the earlier books. She is away from home again following the advice of a gypsy and Sir Charles follows. As for the love interests, I was very much for James (several books ago) but I am finding that I may be leaning more toward Charles. He's flippant and lazy, but their personalities just seem to mesh better. As I began reading this volume, I noticed a huge (in my book) discrepancy in story line, however, it it resolved near the end. I may not have been thrilled with the last few installments of this series, but this one is back in the game.
MC Beaton
As you know, this is one in a series of many books about Ms. Agatha Raisin. I really enjoyed this one. I have enjoyed the others, but was slightly worried about the direction the characters were taking. This time Agatha is more on her game again, much like the earlier books. She is away from home again following the advice of a gypsy and Sir Charles follows. As for the love interests, I was very much for James (several books ago) but I am finding that I may be leaning more toward Charles. He's flippant and lazy, but their personalities just seem to mesh better. As I began reading this volume, I noticed a huge (in my book) discrepancy in story line, however, it it resolved near the end. I may not have been thrilled with the last few installments of this series, but this one is back in the game.
06 June 2010
Groucho: The Life and Times of Julius Henry Marx
Stefan Kanfer
Always in love with the Marx Brothers' movies, I ventured into literature to delve into the man behind the mustache. I won't even try to summarize the 400 page plus volume, but I will comment here on the writing itself. I find myself unsure of what exactly to say. The narrative pendulums between well written and informative to passing glances of what I would think to be important events. Some areas of life are covered in a matter of fact style that gives mostly a time line; others are filled out with the author's thoughts and feelings about the event. There are others areas of the text that seem to be too covered and drawn out. In fact, I really felt uncomfortable about the lengthy end; poor Groucho was on his deathbed for two chapters. I did find myself better acquainted with Groucho, and the rest of the family. More than a look at a chronology of dates, you get a fleshed out version of the person. I was born two years after the legend passed away, but I can now say that I can understand the person and the team. All that said, I would recommend this book, but just warn you that it is a long read.
Stefan Kanfer
Always in love with the Marx Brothers' movies, I ventured into literature to delve into the man behind the mustache. I won't even try to summarize the 400 page plus volume, but I will comment here on the writing itself. I find myself unsure of what exactly to say. The narrative pendulums between well written and informative to passing glances of what I would think to be important events. Some areas of life are covered in a matter of fact style that gives mostly a time line; others are filled out with the author's thoughts and feelings about the event. There are others areas of the text that seem to be too covered and drawn out. In fact, I really felt uncomfortable about the lengthy end; poor Groucho was on his deathbed for two chapters. I did find myself better acquainted with Groucho, and the rest of the family. More than a look at a chronology of dates, you get a fleshed out version of the person. I was born two years after the legend passed away, but I can now say that I can understand the person and the team. All that said, I would recommend this book, but just warn you that it is a long read.
04 June 2010
Me and Mr. Darcy
Alexandra Potter
A 29 year old woman has given up looking for the perfect man; Mr. Darcy of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Her last few dates have failed to show any men with even one of the wonderful traits of the fictional character. When finding herself faced going to Mexico or being alone for New Years Eve; she is suddenly given a third option. She chooses to attend a week long tour of Jane Austen's England. When she arrives, she finds she is accompanied by all older women and a not-so-pleasant male reporter from The Daily Times. While on her tour she meets the real Mr. Darcy, though she herself understands the craziness of such an encounter. Leapfrogging between the present and the past, she finds herself falling for this Mr. Darcy. Through her encounters with Mr. Darcy, she finds that maybe the perfect man is more real than she thought. She also finds friendship in unexpected places. This is a sweet, romantic tale of finding 'Mr. Right.' Although a little like Kate and Leopold and slightly obvious in end, I would still recommend this story as a warm, lighthearted romance.
Alexandra Potter
A 29 year old woman has given up looking for the perfect man; Mr. Darcy of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Her last few dates have failed to show any men with even one of the wonderful traits of the fictional character. When finding herself faced going to Mexico or being alone for New Years Eve; she is suddenly given a third option. She chooses to attend a week long tour of Jane Austen's England. When she arrives, she finds she is accompanied by all older women and a not-so-pleasant male reporter from The Daily Times. While on her tour she meets the real Mr. Darcy, though she herself understands the craziness of such an encounter. Leapfrogging between the present and the past, she finds herself falling for this Mr. Darcy. Through her encounters with Mr. Darcy, she finds that maybe the perfect man is more real than she thought. She also finds friendship in unexpected places. This is a sweet, romantic tale of finding 'Mr. Right.' Although a little like Kate and Leopold and slightly obvious in end, I would still recommend this story as a warm, lighthearted romance.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)