Don't Close Your Eyes by Betsy Brannon Green copyright 2003
First, I chose this author due to many friends and acquaintances convincing me that I would enjoy them. I did, but with qualifications. This murder mystery has some really great plot twists and intelligent likeable characters. The suspense was well moderated and it certainly fits within "modern prude" guidelines. Second, it isn't much over 200 pages. With my timeframe these days, that is a plus.
My only problem with the whole thing, and yes, I guess I am a snob, is the LDS angle. I generally have a problem with LDS fiction simply because the references to religion seem contrived and arbitrary. The storyline itself generally doesn't depend upon them. I guess I wonder why Mormon fiction authors seem so determined to make the readers feel warm and fuzzy over (usually) one of the main characters joining the church and falling in love with another main character of same religious preferences. Isn't that handy how in stories life ends up so conveniently wrapped up in a nice religiously moral way? Drives me nuts. Anyway, if that sort of thing doesn't annoy you, and you enjoy a mystery with a very tame love angle you'll read this book with pleasure.
Friday, March 13, 2009
An apology
I need to apologize for my ignoring this blog for so long. Sadly, I have had very limited amounts of recreational reading time since the first of the year. What time I have had I have spent reading The Charlie Bone series of books with my son. They are a lot of fun, and I recommend them to fantasy lover young and old.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Midnight Comes for Charlie Bone
Midnight Comes for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo copyright 2002
For those who enjoyed the magical/suspense adventures of Harry Potter, this might just be a series you can escape into to get those same feelings of excitement. I just finished reading this first book in the Charlie Bone series with my nine year old son. He loved it! We were recommended this book by my 11 year old son who is now working on the fourth book in the series. Now the fact that both of my older boys enjoy this book makes it awesome. The first is an avid reader and the second a reluctant one. The protagonist, Charlie Bone, is 10 or 11 (I can't remember which). He discovers he has a special power to the great delight of his father's family, and to his own consternation. The story revolves around the battle of good and evil, but intriguingly the battle lines are drawn within families, and the reader often questions whether a character is truly good or bad. First impression don't always let us know the truth, as Charlie has to discover. The themes of loyalty, friendship, doing what is right, sacrificing for others and bravery in the face of danger are all present. Overall, a delightful read. It is children's fiction, but I think reader's of all ages can enjoy this one. I look forward to reading Book Two!
For those who enjoyed the magical/suspense adventures of Harry Potter, this might just be a series you can escape into to get those same feelings of excitement. I just finished reading this first book in the Charlie Bone series with my nine year old son. He loved it! We were recommended this book by my 11 year old son who is now working on the fourth book in the series. Now the fact that both of my older boys enjoy this book makes it awesome. The first is an avid reader and the second a reluctant one. The protagonist, Charlie Bone, is 10 or 11 (I can't remember which). He discovers he has a special power to the great delight of his father's family, and to his own consternation. The story revolves around the battle of good and evil, but intriguingly the battle lines are drawn within families, and the reader often questions whether a character is truly good or bad. First impression don't always let us know the truth, as Charlie has to discover. The themes of loyalty, friendship, doing what is right, sacrificing for others and bravery in the face of danger are all present. Overall, a delightful read. It is children's fiction, but I think reader's of all ages can enjoy this one. I look forward to reading Book Two!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Camilla
Camilla: A Biography of Camilla Eyring Kimball by Caroline Eyring Miner and Edward Kimball copyright 1980
This book was in a stack of a few that I inherited from my grandmother a number of years ago. I read it back in 2005 and really enjoyed it. I love biographies anyway, but I'd always heard what lovely, talented, intelligent woman Camilla Kimbal was and was interested to learn for myself of her goodness.
A lot about Camilla surprised me. She was a very resourceful, gracious woman. I found her early history of living in the Mexican LDS colonies and her family's "sneaking out" of the country fascinating. She devoted herself to her family always. I know many may find this way of thinking old-fashioned, but she truly was always concerned about her family first. She was the ultimate frugal homemaker making the most of everything she had. Certainly lived by the "waste not, want not" principle.
I think that I had hoped she would be a "superwoman" kind of gal, but really, she was just as human and normal as the rest of us. In fact the last sentence of the cover blurb sums it up very well. "The woman who emerges is shy but warm, bighly intelligent, refreshingly candid, deeply faithful, independent to a fault, unswervingly loyal, and reassuringly human."
This book might be out of print, but I'm sure that Utah local libraries will have a copy in their collections. Worth the read.
This book was in a stack of a few that I inherited from my grandmother a number of years ago. I read it back in 2005 and really enjoyed it. I love biographies anyway, but I'd always heard what lovely, talented, intelligent woman Camilla Kimbal was and was interested to learn for myself of her goodness.
A lot about Camilla surprised me. She was a very resourceful, gracious woman. I found her early history of living in the Mexican LDS colonies and her family's "sneaking out" of the country fascinating. She devoted herself to her family always. I know many may find this way of thinking old-fashioned, but she truly was always concerned about her family first. She was the ultimate frugal homemaker making the most of everything she had. Certainly lived by the "waste not, want not" principle.
I think that I had hoped she would be a "superwoman" kind of gal, but really, she was just as human and normal as the rest of us. In fact the last sentence of the cover blurb sums it up very well. "The woman who emerges is shy but warm, bighly intelligent, refreshingly candid, deeply faithful, independent to a fault, unswervingly loyal, and reassuringly human."
This book might be out of print, but I'm sure that Utah local libraries will have a copy in their collections. Worth the read.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens copyright 1843
For the past 15 years, on Christmas Day we listen to an audio presentation of A Christmas Carol while traveling to Grandma's for dinner. It has become a favorite part of my celebration. Last year, I finally broke down and bought an illustrated copy of the book for my library. It is lovely! The story itself charms and delights everyone in the family.
My favorite part of the story is when the ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge visit the poor family of Bob Cratchit. The whole scene is one of glorious happiness and joy despite what some might describe as being poor. The family loves one another and the time of ease the day affords. My favorite quote from this scene:
"There was nothing of high mark in this. They were not a handsome family; their shoes were far from being water-proof; their clothes were scanty; and Peter might have known, and very likely did, the inside of a pawnbroker's. But they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time . . ." That is what I wish Christmas Day would be like for everyone.
For the past 15 years, on Christmas Day we listen to an audio presentation of A Christmas Carol while traveling to Grandma's for dinner. It has become a favorite part of my celebration. Last year, I finally broke down and bought an illustrated copy of the book for my library. It is lovely! The story itself charms and delights everyone in the family.
My favorite part of the story is when the ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge visit the poor family of Bob Cratchit. The whole scene is one of glorious happiness and joy despite what some might describe as being poor. The family loves one another and the time of ease the day affords. My favorite quote from this scene:
"There was nothing of high mark in this. They were not a handsome family; their shoes were far from being water-proof; their clothes were scanty; and Peter might have known, and very likely did, the inside of a pawnbroker's. But they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time . . ." That is what I wish Christmas Day would be like for everyone.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Crispin: The Cross of Lead
Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi copyright 2002 Newberry Award winner
I read this book a month or so ago. I found it at the Scholastic book fair at my children's school. Although labeled a "children's" book, I enjoyed it. There is a lot of good to be said about a quick read. The setting is medieval England countryside. The story begins with a thirteen year old boy burying his mother in a pauper's grave with only the town priest in attendance. The boy doesn't even know he has a name other than "Asta's son" which is what people have always called him. He is the lowest of the low on the social rungs of the little country town social ladder. One might think that he would just fade away for lack of a way to support himself, but rather than shrink into nothingness, the boy becomes the object of intrigue and must run away. Before he does, the priest tells him his name and tries to help him, but the priest is killed for his trouble.
The story moves along at a brisk pace with Crispin running for his life, finding a friend and protector and finally learning why he is in trouble in the first place. Although the storyline would like be more developed if it were a book written for an adult audience, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I think there is a sequel, but I haven't located it yet.
I read this book a month or so ago. I found it at the Scholastic book fair at my children's school. Although labeled a "children's" book, I enjoyed it. There is a lot of good to be said about a quick read. The setting is medieval England countryside. The story begins with a thirteen year old boy burying his mother in a pauper's grave with only the town priest in attendance. The boy doesn't even know he has a name other than "Asta's son" which is what people have always called him. He is the lowest of the low on the social rungs of the little country town social ladder. One might think that he would just fade away for lack of a way to support himself, but rather than shrink into nothingness, the boy becomes the object of intrigue and must run away. Before he does, the priest tells him his name and tries to help him, but the priest is killed for his trouble.
The story moves along at a brisk pace with Crispin running for his life, finding a friend and protector and finally learning why he is in trouble in the first place. Although the storyline would like be more developed if it were a book written for an adult audience, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I think there is a sequel, but I haven't located it yet.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Jayhawk and Return to Red Castle
Jayhawk and Return to Red Castle by Dorothy M. Keddington copyrights 1978 and 1981
I originally read these fun, clean adventure/romance novels as a teenager. I found some copies at a used bookstore recently for a buck a piece-- yup, they're part of my collection. Seeing as it had been twenty years since I last read them, I decided to see if they were any good beyond my teenage experience. I discovered them to be pleasant, quick reads--even if they were a bit heavy on the romance side. I think that those gals who loved the Twilight series would likely enjoy these. They are every bit as exciting, but without all the weird vampire stuff. (Honestly, I think I like these better than Twilight.) I don't recommend them for young teens. These are for at least dating age girls.
Another bonus, in my view, is that the author, while LDS, doesn't give her characters any particular religion. They are just characters that you don't have to hold up to the LDS standard. The characters are good people, and I like that part, but I just like reading adventure for its own sake without having to filter everything through an LDS viewpoint.
These books are available at local libraries, maybe still at Deseret Book?, and check out the Deseret Industries book section.
I originally read these fun, clean adventure/romance novels as a teenager. I found some copies at a used bookstore recently for a buck a piece-- yup, they're part of my collection. Seeing as it had been twenty years since I last read them, I decided to see if they were any good beyond my teenage experience. I discovered them to be pleasant, quick reads--even if they were a bit heavy on the romance side. I think that those gals who loved the Twilight series would likely enjoy these. They are every bit as exciting, but without all the weird vampire stuff. (Honestly, I think I like these better than Twilight.) I don't recommend them for young teens. These are for at least dating age girls.
Another bonus, in my view, is that the author, while LDS, doesn't give her characters any particular religion. They are just characters that you don't have to hold up to the LDS standard. The characters are good people, and I like that part, but I just like reading adventure for its own sake without having to filter everything through an LDS viewpoint.
These books are available at local libraries, maybe still at Deseret Book?, and check out the Deseret Industries book section.
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