I'd seen The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson in bookstores for awhile now. I suppose it was highly profiled because there was a film made of it, and because the third book in the trilogy was being released. I was interested in it, but didn't really know much about it, so I never gave it a try.
A couple of weeks ago, I was lent a copy of it from a friend's mom.
OH MY GOD.
WHAT A GOOD BOOK!
I just finished reading it, right now, and am ITCHING to go buy the sequel. It's a story that takes place in Sweden, and features quite a large cast of characters that at first makes it just a touch confusing until you get to the point where the real plot starts to come into play. Others have said that they found the book dull at first and tough to get into, however I didn't think the same and enjoyed it right from the beginning.
The main characters are instantly likeable. Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who has been sued for libel and found guilty, is hired by a wealthy man (Henrik Vanger) to solve the mystery of his missing niece -- who disappeared forty years ago, in a case that went unsolved but that was suspected to be a murder. Blomkvist gets wrapped up in the case, which he doesn't expect to solve, and intrigue and suspense carries on from there.
There are twists and turns as you dive deeper into the history of the Vanger family, and into Blomkvist's quest to clear his name following the libel conviction. He teams up with Lisbeth Salander, a young woman with a troubled past and expert investigative skills, who is a character that I think we'll learn even more about in the sequels to this book.
If you haven't read it yet, and you like some mystery and suspense, I highly recommend The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
I'm not sure how the movie is, but I might watch it just to compare it to the book.
----
Edited: Okay, upon some research, I think I understand the movie thing a little more. Looks like there were Swedish movies made about all three books in this series; but in 2011, a Hollywood version is coming out. I really didn't know much about this series before being loaned this book two weeks ago, haha... but I knew some movie was already on TMN. Must be the Swedish version! I'll give it a try.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Way Overdue Reading Update
I've neglected my reading blog for far too long... partially because, I've been neglecting reading. In September, I had a huge change in my personal life (which, if you read my main blog, you already have heard way too much about, I'm sure), and it really threw me off. The only thing I read after that was a quick re-read of the first Twilight book (I needed something absolutely mindless, and in a way, comforting in its familiarity and easy-readability), and then I took a bit of a break from reading novels. I was also very busy with teaching my new grade one class, and with taking an online course, which has just ended.
I have read 10 books since my last blog post in July though... yes, I made it to 39 books this year. I'm just finishing up book 40. I don't think I would have been able to make it to 100, regardless of what happened in September, but I probably would have made it past 50 had I been my usual self, which would have been pretty cool.
As it is, I scrapped my ENTIRE "101 things to do in 1001 Days" because way too much of it involved the relationship-that-is-no-more, so I scrapped the "read 100 books" goal too. Next year I'll maybe try a new reading goal, 100 books was TOO MUCH. haha.
Anyway, here's what I've read since July, just in list-form, with no reviews:
30) An Ideal Wife by Gemma Townley
31) Second Prize by Chris Manby
32) Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
33) How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Lauren Barantz-Logsted
34) Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
35) It's About Your Husband by Lauren Lipton
36) Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews
37) English as a Second Language by Megan Crane
38) Mini-Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
39) read-read of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I'm going to document how many books I've read up until New Years Eve... but honestly, what I went through in September really changed things for me. However, no more neglecting this blog, that's for sure!
I have read 10 books since my last blog post in July though... yes, I made it to 39 books this year. I'm just finishing up book 40. I don't think I would have been able to make it to 100, regardless of what happened in September, but I probably would have made it past 50 had I been my usual self, which would have been pretty cool.
As it is, I scrapped my ENTIRE "101 things to do in 1001 Days" because way too much of it involved the relationship-that-is-no-more, so I scrapped the "read 100 books" goal too. Next year I'll maybe try a new reading goal, 100 books was TOO MUCH. haha.
Anyway, here's what I've read since July, just in list-form, with no reviews:
30) An Ideal Wife by Gemma Townley
31) Second Prize by Chris Manby
32) Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
33) How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Lauren Barantz-Logsted
34) Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
35) It's About Your Husband by Lauren Lipton
36) Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews
37) English as a Second Language by Megan Crane
38) Mini-Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
39) read-read of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I'm going to document how many books I've read up until New Years Eve... but honestly, what I went through in September really changed things for me. However, no more neglecting this blog, that's for sure!
Monday, July 12, 2010
26, 27, 28, 29) Four Completely Different Books -- just read this.
Haven't been updating lately, but have done a little reading. Not nearly enough for the challenge I've set for myself, but considering I read about 7 books over the March Break this year I'm hoping I can catch up over these two summer months off from work (well, off from teaching -- I have a nannying job, but I'll still have plenty of time for reading in between my nannying hours). Anyway, here are some of the books I read but didn't blog about!
26) Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
This is the fourth book in Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians YA series. I love this series, A LOT, and really enjoyed reading this installment. Percy and his friends find themselves on a new quest -- into the Labyrinth, to stop Luke from raising Kronos and taking over Camp Halfblood, and eventually Olympus. It's got lots of adventure and fun, and it really sets things up for the conclusion of the series (or, what I'm fairly certain is the conclusion -- book five, The Last Olympian, which Scooter and I haven't bought to read yet). If you haven't given these books a try, but you like books such as Harry Potter, I'd definitely read them.
27) Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse #9) by Charlaine Harris
I am so cheap and refuse to buy these books hardcover, so I only just now finally read the ninth Sookie Stackhouse novel; number ten is already on bookshelves but it's still hardcover itself so I'll be waiting until next spring for that one too. Book 9 was another great Sookie story, and I'm in love with these characters. I also watch the television series, "True Blood" (which is probably what helps me be able to wait to read the new books in soft-cover, it sort of bridges the gap by having a TV Sookie in my life).
28) Angels by Marian Keyes
I am a huge fan of Keyes' Walsh family. I've read these books completely out of order, but have read three of the four books that each feature a different Walsh sister (I read Rachel's Holiday first, then read Is Anybody Out There? which is Anna's story, and then read Angels, which about Maggie Walsh and comes before either of the other two I read -- the only one I haven't read yet is Watermelon, which is Claire's story and is actually the FIRST of the Walsh sister's books). The good thing is? It doesn't really matter TOO much if you read them out of order, as I've found. I'm eagerly waiting for Helen, the youngest of the Walsh sisters, to have a book featured about her soon too (since I'm sure it's inevitable). My favourite of these books is Anna's story (Is Anybody Out There?), but any of them so far have been great.
29) Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA by Ellen Meister
I picked this up off of the 80%-off shelf at Chapters (a frequent place for my book-buying, since $4.99 is a sweet price for a novel). It was actually not bad, a good beside-the-pool read. The characters are all going through some relationship issues, and there are some affairs/potential affairs/weird moments, but it wasn't a bad story and it had nice pacing. The characters were likeable enough -- if a little sex-obsessed at times.
Alrighty, 29 down and ... oh.. hmm.. you know, only 71 books left to read this year. HA. HA HA HA. /crying on the inside.
26) Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
This is the fourth book in Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians YA series. I love this series, A LOT, and really enjoyed reading this installment. Percy and his friends find themselves on a new quest -- into the Labyrinth, to stop Luke from raising Kronos and taking over Camp Halfblood, and eventually Olympus. It's got lots of adventure and fun, and it really sets things up for the conclusion of the series (or, what I'm fairly certain is the conclusion -- book five, The Last Olympian, which Scooter and I haven't bought to read yet). If you haven't given these books a try, but you like books such as Harry Potter, I'd definitely read them.
27) Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse #9) by Charlaine Harris
I am so cheap and refuse to buy these books hardcover, so I only just now finally read the ninth Sookie Stackhouse novel; number ten is already on bookshelves but it's still hardcover itself so I'll be waiting until next spring for that one too. Book 9 was another great Sookie story, and I'm in love with these characters. I also watch the television series, "True Blood" (which is probably what helps me be able to wait to read the new books in soft-cover, it sort of bridges the gap by having a TV Sookie in my life).
28) Angels by Marian Keyes
I am a huge fan of Keyes' Walsh family. I've read these books completely out of order, but have read three of the four books that each feature a different Walsh sister (I read Rachel's Holiday first, then read Is Anybody Out There? which is Anna's story, and then read Angels, which about Maggie Walsh and comes before either of the other two I read -- the only one I haven't read yet is Watermelon, which is Claire's story and is actually the FIRST of the Walsh sister's books). The good thing is? It doesn't really matter TOO much if you read them out of order, as I've found. I'm eagerly waiting for Helen, the youngest of the Walsh sisters, to have a book featured about her soon too (since I'm sure it's inevitable). My favourite of these books is Anna's story (Is Anybody Out There?), but any of them so far have been great.
29) Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA by Ellen Meister
I picked this up off of the 80%-off shelf at Chapters (a frequent place for my book-buying, since $4.99 is a sweet price for a novel). It was actually not bad, a good beside-the-pool read. The characters are all going through some relationship issues, and there are some affairs/potential affairs/weird moments, but it wasn't a bad story and it had nice pacing. The characters were likeable enough -- if a little sex-obsessed at times.
Alrighty, 29 down and ... oh.. hmm.. you know, only 71 books left to read this year. HA. HA HA HA. /crying on the inside.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
25) A Hollywood Ending by Robyn Sisman
I've picked up a bunch of chick-lit books on sale at Chapters recently, in an effort to read some light stuff by my pool and speed up my "number of books read" as much as I can... haha. The first one I tried was called A Hollywood Ending, by author Robyn Sisman.
This story is about Paige Carson, famous movie star, who is dissatisfied with how things are going in Hollywood and with how she's beginning to be viewed as a bratty star. She takes off to London to perform Shakespeare on stage in order to combat her reputation and remember the reason she became an actress in the first place.
Oh, but before you get to that you have page after page of not-so-great-but-also-not-that-exciting things happen to Paige back in Los Angeles.
When the book switches to England, we somethings get the story from the perspective of Ed, Paige's landlord who is trying very hard to be unimpressed with "The Paige Carson" living upstairs -- he thinks she's a snobby Hollywood type, so he sets out to have nothing to do with her.
Things happen, there's a romance, there's a 'misunderstanding that nearly wrecks the whole romance', then next thing you know the book is done.
This wasn't the worst random chick-lit I've ever read. I liked the characters well enough. I did find the ending to be a little short with some stuff left up in the air (such as how her performance in As You Like It actually goes, and whether or not she is well-received again back in L.A.). I felt like the beginning of the book before Paige gets to England dragged on a bit, and my favourite parts of the book were when Ed and Paige were getting to know each other a little and realizing they were wrongly judging one another's behaviours -- but that was only a few scenes, I could have had a little more of that to keep up the romance side of the story.
It wasn't bad, it wasn't fabulous, but it certainly was just the right type of light, lounge-by-the-pool reading that I was searching for.
25 down, 75 to go!
This story is about Paige Carson, famous movie star, who is dissatisfied with how things are going in Hollywood and with how she's beginning to be viewed as a bratty star. She takes off to London to perform Shakespeare on stage in order to combat her reputation and remember the reason she became an actress in the first place.
Oh, but before you get to that you have page after page of not-so-great-but-also-not-that-exciting things happen to Paige back in Los Angeles.
When the book switches to England, we somethings get the story from the perspective of Ed, Paige's landlord who is trying very hard to be unimpressed with "The Paige Carson" living upstairs -- he thinks she's a snobby Hollywood type, so he sets out to have nothing to do with her.
Things happen, there's a romance, there's a 'misunderstanding that nearly wrecks the whole romance', then next thing you know the book is done.
This wasn't the worst random chick-lit I've ever read. I liked the characters well enough. I did find the ending to be a little short with some stuff left up in the air (such as how her performance in As You Like It actually goes, and whether or not she is well-received again back in L.A.). I felt like the beginning of the book before Paige gets to England dragged on a bit, and my favourite parts of the book were when Ed and Paige were getting to know each other a little and realizing they were wrongly judging one another's behaviours -- but that was only a few scenes, I could have had a little more of that to keep up the romance side of the story.
It wasn't bad, it wasn't fabulous, but it certainly was just the right type of light, lounge-by-the-pool reading that I was searching for.
25 down, 75 to go!
Monday, May 24, 2010
21-24) The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith
I have been really enjoying the new TV series "The Vampire Diaries". I knew that the show was based on Young Adult novels of the same name written by LJ Smith, but I hadn't read the books yet. I decided to give them a try, and borrowed the first two novels (which were combined into one volume) from Martin's sister. The first two stories are The Awakening and The Struggle, the second two are The Fury and Dark Reunion.
These books are dramatically different that the TV series. The TV series is also a hundred times better. There are extra characters in the books who aren't on the show, and there are characters on the show who aren't in the books. The first couple of books are sort of boring, and I didn't really understand the motivation behind some of the actions of the characters -- it was too forced with no explanations. The second two stories, once the characters were more established and there was some action, were much better.
At the bookstore the other day I noticed there are more books in this series, which I think were written a little later than these original four stories, and I do feel like I would like to read them too. However, I'm really glad the TV series is what it is -- the characters are much better explained, I love the backstory they provide, and the characters they've added who are not a part of the books are really layered and interesting.
These books are pretty similar to the Twilight books, which were written many years later than these ones, but the Twilight books are actually a much better read.
At least I knocked four books out of the park in a fairly short time span!
24 read, 76 to go! I know I'm way behind where I should be, but have faith...
These books are dramatically different that the TV series. The TV series is also a hundred times better. There are extra characters in the books who aren't on the show, and there are characters on the show who aren't in the books. The first couple of books are sort of boring, and I didn't really understand the motivation behind some of the actions of the characters -- it was too forced with no explanations. The second two stories, once the characters were more established and there was some action, were much better.
At the bookstore the other day I noticed there are more books in this series, which I think were written a little later than these original four stories, and I do feel like I would like to read them too. However, I'm really glad the TV series is what it is -- the characters are much better explained, I love the backstory they provide, and the characters they've added who are not a part of the books are really layered and interesting.
These books are pretty similar to the Twilight books, which were written many years later than these ones, but the Twilight books are actually a much better read.
At least I knocked four books out of the park in a fairly short time span!
24 read, 76 to go! I know I'm way behind where I should be, but have faith...
20) Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
I teach the first grade and I wanted to read them a novel, as time-filler and to get them used to the idea of not always having pictures to look at in the books they read. I chose the classic story Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. I'm counting this as one of my 100 novels read this year, since I did read it in its entirety and if I didn't count things like this I'd surely never get through this challenge! haha.
It's the classic story of Wilbur the pig, who is rescued by Fern and then raised in Zuckerman's barn. He befriends a spider named Charlotte, who uses her miraculous web-spinning powers to write words in her web to encourage Mr. Zuckerman to view Wilbur as "some pig!" in order to save Wilbur from being turned into bacon. The kids loved the story, and after we finished we watched the 2006 live-action film version of the book starring Dakota Fanning. It was also well-received.
A very classic children's tale, and book 20 in my quest to read 100 books in 2010.
It's the classic story of Wilbur the pig, who is rescued by Fern and then raised in Zuckerman's barn. He befriends a spider named Charlotte, who uses her miraculous web-spinning powers to write words in her web to encourage Mr. Zuckerman to view Wilbur as "some pig!" in order to save Wilbur from being turned into bacon. The kids loved the story, and after we finished we watched the 2006 live-action film version of the book starring Dakota Fanning. It was also well-received.
A very classic children's tale, and book 20 in my quest to read 100 books in 2010.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
19) Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
A few weeks ago I finally finished catching up on all of the Stephanie Plum novels released so far by Janet Evanovich! Plum Spooky, one of those "between-the-numbers" novels was the last one I had to read. I enjoyed it much better than all of the other between-the-numbers books, but my favourite stories in this series are mostly just the regular numbered Stephanie Plum mysteries. Book 16 comes out this year, so I'll take it out from the library as soon as I can. I plan on staying caught up with each new release, and I'm certainly very glad Janet is continuing to write more stories in this series. I love these characters A LOT.
I'm still reading, just slowly! Ugh!
19 down, 81 to go!
I'm still reading, just slowly! Ugh!
19 down, 81 to go!
Monday, April 5, 2010
18) The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
I'm still enjoying the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. I've just finished Book #3, The Titan's Curse. This one was a really great adventure, I liked it better than Book #2 (Sea of Monsters). I know I'm slightly older than the target audience for this series, but I really enjoy the storyline and I highly recommend it. I just liken it to adults enjoying the Harry Potter series when it first came out -- it really is a good story for all ages. Scooter just finished reading Book #4, so I'll soon read that one as well.
18 down, 82 to go!
18 down, 82 to go!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
17) Thanks For The Memories by Cecelia Ahern
I've read a couple of Cecelia Ahern novels now, and I'm finding I quite enjoy her writing. Thanks for the Memories is about two main characters - Irish Joyce and American Justin. Justin, somewhat against his own will, donates blood during a blood drive at an Irish University where he has been guest lecturing. Joyce, after a terrible accident, receives a blood transfusion.
Along with that, Joyce receives a batch of memories that are not her own.
Joyce and Justin have a strange connection, and randomly see each other at times in the book, not understanding what role they really play in each other's lives. The pacing of the story is good, and Joyce's elderly father adds a nice touch of family and humour to the tale.
If you've enjoyed Cecelia's writing as I have, having additionally read PS, I Love You and Where Rainbows End (alternate title: Love, Rosie), I definitely recommend you read Thanks for the Memories.
17 down! 83 to go!
Along with that, Joyce receives a batch of memories that are not her own.
Joyce and Justin have a strange connection, and randomly see each other at times in the book, not understanding what role they really play in each other's lives. The pacing of the story is good, and Joyce's elderly father adds a nice touch of family and humour to the tale.
If you've enjoyed Cecelia's writing as I have, having additionally read PS, I Love You and Where Rainbows End (alternate title: Love, Rosie), I definitely recommend you read Thanks for the Memories.
17 down! 83 to go!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
16) Finger-Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
I skipped over one of the "between the numbers" books because they didn't have it at my library at the time, but other than that one book, I'm completely caught up on my Stephanie Plum stories! Fortunately the sixteenth book comes out this summer! I love these novels and I'm so glad I read them, and I'll miss spending so much time with Stephanie Plum and her crazy friends and family.
Finger-Lickin' Fifteen was a great story, like all the others. I can't get enough of this series, seriously!
16 down, 84 to go!
Finger-Lickin' Fifteen was a great story, like all the others. I can't get enough of this series, seriously!
16 down, 84 to go!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
15) Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
Another Stephanie Plum, I'm nearly caught up on the series. I finished Fearless Fourteen last weekend, but didn't have the time to write it up yet. It was really good, I liked this story a lot and it made me laugh out loud.
Katherine Hiegl is apparently signed on to play Stephanie Plum in the first feature film of these books (so, a film version of the first book "One for the Money"). Not sure how I feel about it, but she's already dyed her hair brown to try to win over fans -- her showing a bit of dedication to the role made me feel a little better about her being cast. I'm just not sure she's who I was picturing as Stephanie.
15 down! 85 to go!
Katherine Hiegl is apparently signed on to play Stephanie Plum in the first feature film of these books (so, a film version of the first book "One for the Money"). Not sure how I feel about it, but she's already dyed her hair brown to try to win over fans -- her showing a bit of dedication to the role made me feel a little better about her being cast. I'm just not sure she's who I was picturing as Stephanie.
15 down! 85 to go!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
14) The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
I'm a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, and The Last Song did not disappoint. I was, I will admit, hesitant when it came to starting this one, but once I finally opened it up I read it in a day. I couldn't even get to sleep last night until I turned the final page.
Why was I hesitant? Well. I've been seeing the trailers for the film version, and unfortunately the image of Miley Cyrus as the main character, Ronnie, threw me off. I'm just not a big fan of Miley. Nicholas Sparks actually wrote the screenplay for the film before he wrote this novel, specifically for Miley Cyrus to be in the film. It was just not doing it for me.
Once I got over that though, as I just said - I could. not. put. this. novel. down.
Some people say that Nicholas Sparks is "predictable" -- but I bet those people don't actually read Nicholas Sparks. Sure, he has a bit of a formula with his stories (yes, they will take place in North Carolina, and there will be some sort of love story), but I find that each of his novels has a uniqueness to it as well that makes me love them all for various reasons. His characters are individuals, they aren't cookie-cutter characters. You also never know if his story will have a "and they lived happily ever after" or end in utter tragedy.
I love his writing.
Read The Last Song, especially if you're already a Nicholas Sparks fan. Don't let Miley deter you. ;-)
(Also, I will so see the movie, regardless of Miley. I love Greg Kinnear and I do think the film version will be great).
14 down, 86 to go!
Why was I hesitant? Well. I've been seeing the trailers for the film version, and unfortunately the image of Miley Cyrus as the main character, Ronnie, threw me off. I'm just not a big fan of Miley. Nicholas Sparks actually wrote the screenplay for the film before he wrote this novel, specifically for Miley Cyrus to be in the film. It was just not doing it for me.
Once I got over that though, as I just said - I could. not. put. this. novel. down.
Some people say that Nicholas Sparks is "predictable" -- but I bet those people don't actually read Nicholas Sparks. Sure, he has a bit of a formula with his stories (yes, they will take place in North Carolina, and there will be some sort of love story), but I find that each of his novels has a uniqueness to it as well that makes me love them all for various reasons. His characters are individuals, they aren't cookie-cutter characters. You also never know if his story will have a "and they lived happily ever after" or end in utter tragedy.
I love his writing.
Read The Last Song, especially if you're already a Nicholas Sparks fan. Don't let Miley deter you. ;-)
(Also, I will so see the movie, regardless of Miley. I love Greg Kinnear and I do think the film version will be great).
14 down, 86 to go!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
13) Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
*giggle* *snort* *hardy-har-har*
Sorry, excuse me, I'm just having a little laugh over the fact that my 13th book of 2010 was one called Plum Lucky. I didn't connect those two things before writing my post title. *giggles again*
Oh! AND, I'm adding it to my blog ON St. Patrick's Day, and it's a St. Patrick's Day related novel!
Ahem.
So! 13 down! This was another Stephanie Plum "between-the-numbers" novel, and it was probably my favourite of the between-the-numbers that I've read so far. It had less of the silly supernatural to it, and more of an interesting case. I'm heading off to the library today to pick up the next three books in the series, which should completely catch me up until new Stephanie Plum books are written by the ever-so-great Janet Evanovich (and I do think 16 is coming out this year, very soon, in fact!).
13 down, 87 to go! This "March Break" thing has been great for my reading challenge... I'm going to keep pushing myself this week, see how far I can get! It is only Wednesday after all!
Sorry, excuse me, I'm just having a little laugh over the fact that my 13th book of 2010 was one called Plum Lucky. I didn't connect those two things before writing my post title. *giggles again*
Oh! AND, I'm adding it to my blog ON St. Patrick's Day, and it's a St. Patrick's Day related novel!
Ahem.
So! 13 down! This was another Stephanie Plum "between-the-numbers" novel, and it was probably my favourite of the between-the-numbers that I've read so far. It had less of the silly supernatural to it, and more of an interesting case. I'm heading off to the library today to pick up the next three books in the series, which should completely catch me up until new Stephanie Plum books are written by the ever-so-great Janet Evanovich (and I do think 16 is coming out this year, very soon, in fact!).
13 down, 87 to go! This "March Break" thing has been great for my reading challenge... I'm going to keep pushing myself this week, see how far I can get! It is only Wednesday after all!
12) The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
The Tale of Despereaux is a children's novel, for ages 7-12, but I read it because I'm planning on reading a novel to my grade one class starting after March Break, and this was the novel they voted for.
However, I've decided I'm going to have to overrule their votes, and choose something else.
This story is just a little too "doom and gloom" for grade one kids. It's the story of a little mouse, the only one to survive his litter, to a family who doesn't really believe he'll live long anyway. He can read, and he falls in love with a story of a knight and a princess -- only to later come across Princess Pea who lives in the castle he calls home. He falls in love with Princess Pea, but is banished to the dungeon so the rats can kill him because he broke the number one mouse rule -- do not be seen by the humans.
It continues on gloomily from there. There's a creepy jailer in the dungeon who helps Despereaux, but there are some other characters who are pretty evil -- the rat, Roscuro, and the little girl Miggery Sow with the "cauliflower ears" she developed from years of abuse.
Yeah. So not something I'm going to read to my going-on-seven-years-old students. I thought it was going to be a fun little adventure novel -- nope. It is the winner of the John Newberry Medal for American Literature for Children, but it's just not something I want to read to my class.
I think instead we'll read Charlotte's Web, it has its sad moments but it's a little more appropriate for this grade.
12 down, 88 to go!
However, I've decided I'm going to have to overrule their votes, and choose something else.
This story is just a little too "doom and gloom" for grade one kids. It's the story of a little mouse, the only one to survive his litter, to a family who doesn't really believe he'll live long anyway. He can read, and he falls in love with a story of a knight and a princess -- only to later come across Princess Pea who lives in the castle he calls home. He falls in love with Princess Pea, but is banished to the dungeon so the rats can kill him because he broke the number one mouse rule -- do not be seen by the humans.
It continues on gloomily from there. There's a creepy jailer in the dungeon who helps Despereaux, but there are some other characters who are pretty evil -- the rat, Roscuro, and the little girl Miggery Sow with the "cauliflower ears" she developed from years of abuse.
Yeah. So not something I'm going to read to my going-on-seven-years-old students. I thought it was going to be a fun little adventure novel -- nope. It is the winner of the John Newberry Medal for American Literature for Children, but it's just not something I want to read to my class.
I think instead we'll read Charlotte's Web, it has its sad moments but it's a little more appropriate for this grade.
12 down, 88 to go!
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Classics: Which Ones Are Actually Good Reads?
I've made myself a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days, and as a part of that list I decided that I'd like to read 5 'classic' novels. Novels like Pride & Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre etc. The only thing is -- I'm not sure which classic novels I should try! I'm worried that they'll be very tedious and dull and that I'll take ages to get through them.
So tell me! Which "classic" novels do you actually enjoy? Which ones should I read?
Thanks for any suggestions offered!
So tell me! Which "classic" novels do you actually enjoy? Which ones should I read?
Thanks for any suggestions offered!
11) Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
Oh, Stephanie Plum. I will be so sad when I catch up completely and don't have any new adventures of yours to read. Fortunately, Janet Evanovich is still actively writing this series.
Lean Mean Thirteen -- more Stephanie Plum, Bounty Hunter awesomeness. Read this series if you don't already. It. Is. Candy.
11 down, 89 to go!
Lean Mean Thirteen -- more Stephanie Plum, Bounty Hunter awesomeness. Read this series if you don't already. It. Is. Candy.
11 down, 89 to go!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
10) Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich
I'm still on my Stephanie Plum kick. I've just finished Plum Lovin', which is one of the "Between-the-Numbers" novels, and follows book 12. The Between-the-Numbers books are very short little stories that all seem to be about a particular holiday (the first one was a Christmas story, this one was at Valentine's Day). They seem to follow the theme of a strange guy named Diesel showing up, needing Stephanie's help on a case -- hilarity and trouble ensues.
I don't like them quite as much as the regular Stephanie Plum mysteries (which are all the 'numbered' titles -- "One for the Money", "Two for the Dough", "Three to Get Deadly", etc etc up to "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" so far). They have a supernatural element to them which I think is supposed to be jokey, but it sort of takes away from the fact that the Stephanie Plum books aren't usually quite so silly as to have any supernatural elements. So, I don't know. That part sort of bothers me, but if you just take them for some mindless entertainment and a little extra time with Stephanie Plum, then they're okay.
10 books in 2010 so far! This is my 'March Break' from school, I'm hoping to be a reading machine, otherwise I'll never make it to 100 in a year! 90 more to go!
I don't like them quite as much as the regular Stephanie Plum mysteries (which are all the 'numbered' titles -- "One for the Money", "Two for the Dough", "Three to Get Deadly", etc etc up to "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" so far). They have a supernatural element to them which I think is supposed to be jokey, but it sort of takes away from the fact that the Stephanie Plum books aren't usually quite so silly as to have any supernatural elements. So, I don't know. That part sort of bothers me, but if you just take them for some mindless entertainment and a little extra time with Stephanie Plum, then they're okay.
10 books in 2010 so far! This is my 'March Break' from school, I'm hoping to be a reading machine, otherwise I'll never make it to 100 in a year! 90 more to go!
9) The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Having enjoyed the young adult novel, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, I've decided to continue to read the series. My 11-year-old brother is reading the books first, then he passes them to me. It's quite an enjoyable series -- I think anyone who likes Harry Potter or similar would enjoy these stories. They're also full of Greek Mythology references, which I enjoy because I love Greek Mythology.
The film version of The Lightning Thief was also pretty good. I took Scooter to see it last week. It was different than the book -- an example being that Percy and Annabeth were clearly high school aged teenagers in the movie, but in the book they`re only in the sixth grade -- but it had enough details to keep the story on track enough that it didn`t feel overly changed. Sure, there were missing characters and a few different locations of some of the events, but mostly it was pretty good. I`d continue to see the films if they continue to make them.
This second story in the series, The Sea of Monsters, finds Percy and Annabeth on another perilous adventure -- this time to the Sea of Monsters to face a Cyclops and attempt to rescue Grover and obtain the Golden Fleece. It`s a good little adventure. I liked the first book just a bit more than this one, but this one has a great twist ending that should make book three pretty interesting.
It`s a good series, definitely check it out if you were a Harry Potter fan or sometimes like reading some of the novels that are written for the younger crowd, but are still entertaining for adults. If you have a kids in your family, ages 10 or so and up, I definitely recommend these books.
9 down, 91 to go!
The film version of The Lightning Thief was also pretty good. I took Scooter to see it last week. It was different than the book -- an example being that Percy and Annabeth were clearly high school aged teenagers in the movie, but in the book they`re only in the sixth grade -- but it had enough details to keep the story on track enough that it didn`t feel overly changed. Sure, there were missing characters and a few different locations of some of the events, but mostly it was pretty good. I`d continue to see the films if they continue to make them.
This second story in the series, The Sea of Monsters, finds Percy and Annabeth on another perilous adventure -- this time to the Sea of Monsters to face a Cyclops and attempt to rescue Grover and obtain the Golden Fleece. It`s a good little adventure. I liked the first book just a bit more than this one, but this one has a great twist ending that should make book three pretty interesting.
It`s a good series, definitely check it out if you were a Harry Potter fan or sometimes like reading some of the novels that are written for the younger crowd, but are still entertaining for adults. If you have a kids in your family, ages 10 or so and up, I definitely recommend these books.
9 down, 91 to go!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
8) Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Oh hai -- that's right, I'm back already! I actually finished this book between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon -- like I just said, these books are like candy.
I think "Twelve Sharp" is one of my favourites in the entire series. It had a great storyline, and just enough of the love triangle (which is a love triangle I actually really enjoy and don't find 'frustrating' like in other novels).
Again: read these novels! They are laugh-out-loud funny, and so quick to read!
8 down, 92 to go!
I think "Twelve Sharp" is one of my favourites in the entire series. It had a great storyline, and just enough of the love triangle (which is a love triangle I actually really enjoy and don't find 'frustrating' like in other novels).
Again: read these novels! They are laugh-out-loud funny, and so quick to read!
8 down, 92 to go!
7) Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
Book Seven of "The Insane Reading Goal of 2010" was my next book to read in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, "Eleven on Top". I am loving these novels. I practically read each one in one sitting -- and I'm determined to catch up to book 15, the most current book in the series, over the next few weeks. You'll notice the next few books on my list may all include Stephanie Plum, the unlikely awesome bounty hunter.
Since I'm quite far in the series, I don't want to write a synopsis lest I give you spoilers! All I can say is: read these books! They're like candy, so fun and so funny!
7 down, 93 to go!
Since I'm quite far in the series, I don't want to write a synopsis lest I give you spoilers! All I can say is: read these books! They're like candy, so fun and so funny!
7 down, 93 to go!
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