books romance novels: Authors books elinor lipman fiction good books inn at lake divine jennifer cruisie jewish fiction nancy gideon romance novels tell me lies warrior for one night
by Blabby
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some good books
I have been absent far too long. I’ve been a little worn out with the internet and it’s fathomless black hole tendencies on my time. So I’ve been steering clear. But I had to share the latest book I just finished: The Inn at Lake Divine by Elinor Lipman, my new favorite author. There’s a good synopsis on her website, so I’ll spare you that, and just say that I laughed out loud and I shed a few tears. I loved the heroine’s voice, wit and irony. I loved the hero (even if he doesn’t show up until half way through the book, maybe because of it), I loved the premise, and I especially loved the first chapter. Basically, I loved the whole thing. Lipman wrote a funny essay about the book here.
I also just read Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Cruisie and Warrior for One Night by Nancy Gideon. Both were great and quickly read, but not touching and real the way Lipman’s book was.
I think all this reading is another reason I haven’t been blogging. So, sorry about that.
books Deathly Hallows Harry Potter suspense YA: Authors J.K. Rowling
by Blabby
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Books #39 - #45, The Epic of Harry Potter (spoiler!)
Well, I’ve finished all seven books (reread 1-5, first time reading of 6 and 7). I was especially sad when I finished #6 because I knew I only had one more to go, and I couldn’t imagine leaving that world. I feel like I’ve lost quite a few friends who I will miss dearly. These really are phenomenal books…
Here are my views of book seven, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. First, I’ll say that I was satisfied with the ending. I would have liked to hear what happened to everyone (Hagrid, George and Luna were absent from the last few pages), and I thought the whole “Harry has to die for Voldemort to die but not if Harry kills him, etc.” went on and on and got a little confusing. Did Harry survive because he had the Hallows? I’m still not sure I get it. Otherwise, I loved every bit of it.
I cried like a baby when Dudley showed a little kindness to Harry, and when Dumbledore died. I was relieved that the spiders didn’t eat Hagrid. I was also relieved that Snape wasn’t actually a bastard and Dumbledore was right to trust him all along.
Now I’m just looking forward to all the movies being out on DVD so I can watch them one after the other. Even though they’re not as good. I think I’ll reread the books every few years, too. I was amazed that it was like I was reading them all for the first time again. I knew certain major plot points, but I had forgotten how well written the dialog and the harrowing situations were written.
And how cool would it be to have an invisibility cloak or a wand? Thank you, Ms. Rowling! I’m sorry that the adventure is over.
books Deathly Hallows Harry Potter suspense YA: Authors J.K. Rowling
by Blabby
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I Heart Harry
At any given time, I have 10 or so library books languishing on my bedside table. This week, it’s a mix of polymer clay how-to books, a couple of Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series, and the new Paulo Cohelo. So far, I only have eyes for Harry Potter. For the last two Harry Potter releases, I’ve preordered them from Amazon, and received my spanking new copy with the rest of America - but without the lines and wizard hats. I started Year 6 the day I received it, but couldn’t remember half of the characters from Year 5. I decided then that I would wait for Deathly Hallows to come out, and then I’d start from the beginning. So this week, Deathly Hallows arrived. I immediately picked up my copy of The Sorceror’s Stone, and haven’t been able to put it down.
It’s officially the second book I’ve ever read twice. The only other one is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett - which is my all time favorite book of the universe.
As I was getting my hair cut today, reading about Hagrid and the baby dragon, there was a 14-or-so year old boy reading Deathly Hallows. When I was on the quilt run, I saw several husbands waiting out their wives with crisp new copies of the finale.
Whatever people think about J.K. Rowling and Harry, they can’t deny that it’s created a resurgence of reading in children (and 30-year old stay at home moms!) unseen since the advent of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boy, or even Oprah’s book club. If you’ve never given it a chance, nows the time to pick up the first year - Harry’s trials and adventures appeal to all ages, all cultures. The stories are a marvel of imagination.
And even though wizardry and magic is a central theme - the books are really about good vs. evil, not unlike The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (or Narnia). So don’t shy away because of it’s perceived evil - that’s shortsighted, and you’ll be missing out on wonderful stories.
~End Lecture~
Book #38 - The Thirteenth Tale
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Wow! Best book I’ve read in a long time. A little bit Jane Eyre, a little bit Flowers in the Attic, and maybe a little The Sixth Sense- excellent writing, wonderful stories. Unlike my normal book choices, there was no romance here. I kept waiting for it, but I didn’t miss it.
This is a story of a solitary book seller who is asked to write a biography for a reclusive author. As the story of the book seller and the author unfold, you really don’t know what’s going to happen next, or how it will all come together. I genuinely didn’t figure it out.
I really related to the book seller. Here’s an example:
“I never read without making sure I am in a secure position. I have been like this ever since the age of seven when, sitting on a high wall and reading The Water Babies, I was so seduced by the descriptions of underwater life that I unconsciously relaxed my muscles. Instead of being held buoyant by the water that so vividly surrounded me in my mind, I plummeted to the ground and knocked myself out. I can still feel the scar under my fringe now. Reading can be dangerous.”
I once got in a car accident because I was reading in a traffic jam. Reading can be dangerous. So sit in a secure position when you read this one, it’s wonderful!
[rating:5]
books family romance novels: Authors Barbara Delinsky family drama grace metalious looking for peyton place mercury poisioning peyton place
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Book #37 - Looking for Peyton Place
Looking for Peyton Place by Barbara Delinsky. First of all, this book made me want to read Peyton Place, so I promptly added it to my library request list. Second - I’ve read lots of books where the writer was kind of conversing with the reader, but this was the first one that I’ve really noticed. There’s a lot of “You’re probably thinking…” and such phrases. It was a little disconcerting. Other than that, I whizzed right through it. Great characters, more than one good story line. I wish I had already read Peyton Place because it seems that this book offers some insight to the author, Grace Metalious. But the heroine, Annie Barnes, is great all on her own. I like that she is honest and steady and sticks to her word. I also like the effort she puts into her relationships with her sisters - it was a little inspiring. I really should try harder with my own sister.
Maybe later.
Anyway, highly recommended. This is my second Barbara Delinsky read, and I really like her. And in case you’re wondering, it’s not all steamy gossip and romance like the name might imply. There’s also a good Erin Brockovich-esqe storyline that’s excellent. [rating:4]
books coming of age YA: Authors family drama Just Listen sarah dessen
by Blabby
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Book #32 Just Listen
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. Thanks for all of you that recommended this one! Loved it. Great coming of age story - I especially loved the sisters and Owen. But my favorite part was all the references to other Dessen books. It made me want to go back and reread them. But I won’t. Too many other books to read.
About this book though - it deals with a lot of teen issues: eating disorders, sexual assault, regular angst, anger management, etc. I loved Owen’s little anger management-isms…they’ve proven quite helpful in my much-older-than-teen life.
Another great YA read. Highly recommended.
[rating:5]
