37. Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House on the Prairie. 331 pages. 4.15.09.
Yes, Little House on the Prairie is very obviously a YA novel, but I'm calling it a classic. Really, I think it qualifies.
I have had a box set of the Little House books since I was a child, although I don't know that I ever got through the house series. Lately my son has been stealing Little House on the Prairie off the shelf, so I took it as a sign that I should revisit the books. The second book in the series, LHotP is just as charming as I remembered it. I couldn't help but shake my head and laugh at some of the cultural difference (for example, the emphasis placed on the fact that children are not allowed to speak at the dinner table), and was delighted by the care Wilder takes to explain basic construction, chores (etc) to an audience she knew might not be familiar with how settlers lived their lives. I will definitely have to add the series to the list of books I want to read to my children - I'm sure one day they will find these simple little stories as endearing as I do.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
35. Kenyon, Sherrilyn. Night Embrace. 416 pages. 4.12.09.
36. Kenyon, Sherrilyn. Dance with the Devil. 368 pages. 4.14.09.
Dance with the Devil is my favorite of Kenyon's "Dark-Hunter" series so far. A large part of the novel is dedicated to character development, and the characters themselves are much more complex than previous novels. It was very interesting to watch Zarek develop as a character, making the (albeit, inevitable) conclusion very satisfying.
36. Kenyon, Sherrilyn. Dance with the Devil. 368 pages. 4.14.09.
Dance with the Devil is my favorite of Kenyon's "Dark-Hunter" series so far. A large part of the novel is dedicated to character development, and the characters themselves are much more complex than previous novels. It was very interesting to watch Zarek develop as a character, making the (albeit, inevitable) conclusion very satisfying.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Oh, the romances!
34. Kenyon, Sherrilyn. Night Pleasures. 336 pages. 4.6.09.
The "quality" of the Kindle version is extremely poor, and certainly not worth the $8 they charge. Punctuation and words are missing, lines are printed at irregular intervals, and sometimes they're so smashed together you can't make out what belongs on what line. I am really disappointed, and I hope these errors are related to this series and not others.
While still entertaining, I didn't find Night Pleasures to be nearly as engaging as the first Dark-Hunter book. The characters are more 2-dimensional, the plot is a bit static and underdeveloped, and there is just a feeling of "less" all around.
I find the reviews calling this a vampire novel rather amusing. While Kenyon calls a certain group of characters vampires, that is where the genre ends. It is an inconsequential detail in the novel, and you could replace the word "vampire" with any other supernatural class and it would not change the plot at all. So for readers looking for an actual vampire novel, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
32. Kenyon, Sherrilyn. Fantasy Lover. 352 pages. 4.4.09.
This novel is about what you'd expect, given the title, but it is also surprisingly endearing. Romance novel meets a host of psychological complexes with a few Greek gods mixed in for good measure, Fantasy Lover proves very entertaining for occult/mythology enthusiasts looking for a more traditional romance novel.
The Kindle version is in desperate need of a good grammatical editor!
33. Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. 99 pages. 4.5.09.
Shakespeare's Othello is a captivating examination of jealousy, human inconsistency, gender relations, marriage, and so much more. Critical of nearly all of his characters - and leaving very few completely blameless - Shakespeare's depiction of human nature is far darker than the actions of his play. Othello will provide audiences with a twisted pleasure that is sure to leave a long-lasting impression. A masterpiece.
This novel is about what you'd expect, given the title, but it is also surprisingly endearing. Romance novel meets a host of psychological complexes with a few Greek gods mixed in for good measure, Fantasy Lover proves very entertaining for occult/mythology enthusiasts looking for a more traditional romance novel.
The Kindle version is in desperate need of a good grammatical editor!
33. Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. 99 pages. 4.5.09.
Shakespeare's Othello is a captivating examination of jealousy, human inconsistency, gender relations, marriage, and so much more. Critical of nearly all of his characters - and leaving very few completely blameless - Shakespeare's depiction of human nature is far darker than the actions of his play. Othello will provide audiences with a twisted pleasure that is sure to leave a long-lasting impression. A masterpiece.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
30. Lockwood, Cara. Wuthering High. 272 pages. 3.28.09.
31. Arthur, Keri. Dangerous Games. 384 pages. 4.2.09.
The Riley Jensen books are usually something I turn to when I have absolutely nothing else to read. However, Dangerous Games turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. After book 3 (which was almost too ridiculous for words), I had extremely low expectations for book 4, and wasn't even sure I could make it through. However, Arthur really came through. The storyline itself was much more meaty, which made the novel more interesting and satisfying to follow. I felt like Arthur found a nice balance between plot and "romance," and Dangerous Games really held my interest until the end.
31. Arthur, Keri. Dangerous Games. 384 pages. 4.2.09.
The Riley Jensen books are usually something I turn to when I have absolutely nothing else to read. However, Dangerous Games turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. After book 3 (which was almost too ridiculous for words), I had extremely low expectations for book 4, and wasn't even sure I could make it through. However, Arthur really came through. The storyline itself was much more meaty, which made the novel more interesting and satisfying to follow. I felt like Arthur found a nice balance between plot and "romance," and Dangerous Games really held my interest until the end.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
29. Vern, Jules. Journey to the Centre of the Earth. 291 pages. 3.24.09. *
Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth was nothing like I expected. I have never read any Verne before, but I thought I was familiar with some of the basic ideas of the novel. However, this "popular" knowledge was largely erroneous, and the book turned out to be more academically interesting than entertaining in a common sense.
I expected Journey to the Centre of the Earth to be a more traditional adventure story, similar in tone and style to Treasure Island. Instead, the novel reads more like a 19th-century scientific travel narrative, focusing on internal struggles and academic achievements over physical catastrophes and encounters. The details I expected - those concerned with prehistoric life existing in the center of the earth - are only briefly described towards the end of the novel. In the space of a couple chapters Verne discusses these phenomena, before returning to the description of the journey at hand. As the title itself suggests, I found that the novel is actually concerned with the journey, as opposed to what may be discovered at its end.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to read this novel to my son as his latest bedtime story. Many of the locations, names, and scientific terms threw me for a loop, and I found myself mumbling more than once. Luckily, my son is only one and didn't know the difference.
Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth was nothing like I expected. I have never read any Verne before, but I thought I was familiar with some of the basic ideas of the novel. However, this "popular" knowledge was largely erroneous, and the book turned out to be more academically interesting than entertaining in a common sense.
I expected Journey to the Centre of the Earth to be a more traditional adventure story, similar in tone and style to Treasure Island. Instead, the novel reads more like a 19th-century scientific travel narrative, focusing on internal struggles and academic achievements over physical catastrophes and encounters. The details I expected - those concerned with prehistoric life existing in the center of the earth - are only briefly described towards the end of the novel. In the space of a couple chapters Verne discusses these phenomena, before returning to the description of the journey at hand. As the title itself suggests, I found that the novel is actually concerned with the journey, as opposed to what may be discovered at its end.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to read this novel to my son as his latest bedtime story. Many of the locations, names, and scientific terms threw me for a loop, and I found myself mumbling more than once. Luckily, my son is only one and didn't know the difference.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
28. Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan. The Hound of the Baskervilles. 243 pages. 3.22.09.
The Hound of the Baskervilles was my first expedition into the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, and I greatly enjoyed the experience. As I have no means of comparison, I am not sure whether the style of the novel is consistent or singular in terms of Sherlock Holmes novels and stories, but I was delighted by the narration provided by Dr. Watson. As a narrator, he was faithful and consistent, and Doyle skillfully manipulates the character to both gain the reader's confidence and sense of security, while keeping many important facts close to his chest. Holmes, on the other hand, was detestable. From his very first introduction I felt repulsed by the character. For that reason, I am glad that the narrator was Watson and not the infamous detective himself. In the end, he played a relatively minor role, and the novel itself is very enjoyable.
The Hound of the Baskervilles was my first expedition into the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, and I greatly enjoyed the experience. As I have no means of comparison, I am not sure whether the style of the novel is consistent or singular in terms of Sherlock Holmes novels and stories, but I was delighted by the narration provided by Dr. Watson. As a narrator, he was faithful and consistent, and Doyle skillfully manipulates the character to both gain the reader's confidence and sense of security, while keeping many important facts close to his chest. Holmes, on the other hand, was detestable. From his very first introduction I felt repulsed by the character. For that reason, I am glad that the narrator was Watson and not the infamous detective himself. In the end, he played a relatively minor role, and the novel itself is very enjoyable.
Monday, March 16, 2009
27. Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Hunted. 323 pages. 3.16.09.
I have very low standards when it comes to judging popular fiction - especially popular fiction intended for teenagers. I have always viewed the genre as a rather simple form of entertainment and try to judge it as such. Likewise, when I read young adult fiction I always keep in mind that I am actually seven to ten years beyond the intended audience. That being said, the most recent novel in the "House of Night" series is atrocious. The quality of the writing - which was not great to begin with - seemed to deteriorate as the series proceeded, and the latest installment supports this observation. Mrs. and Miss Cast seem to have very little faith in their readers, and as such write far below the typical expectations of the genre. Despite her reported intelligence (and other positive qualities), Zoey Redbird is written like a thirteen-year-old as opposed to the seventeen-year-old she is supposed to be. The text itself moves awkwardly between standard fiction and the amateur scrawling of an overly romantic and naive preteen, and the first twenty pages or so of the novel are completely useless. The language itself, which is intended to create a sense of familiarity for young readers, is already dated and out of touch, and it won't be long before it will completely fail to connect readers to the characters. While the conclusion is more satisfying than previous novels, Hunted does little more than illustrate the weaknesses obvious in previous novels, and will do little to recommend any further additions.
I have very low standards when it comes to judging popular fiction - especially popular fiction intended for teenagers. I have always viewed the genre as a rather simple form of entertainment and try to judge it as such. Likewise, when I read young adult fiction I always keep in mind that I am actually seven to ten years beyond the intended audience. That being said, the most recent novel in the "House of Night" series is atrocious. The quality of the writing - which was not great to begin with - seemed to deteriorate as the series proceeded, and the latest installment supports this observation. Mrs. and Miss Cast seem to have very little faith in their readers, and as such write far below the typical expectations of the genre. Despite her reported intelligence (and other positive qualities), Zoey Redbird is written like a thirteen-year-old as opposed to the seventeen-year-old she is supposed to be. The text itself moves awkwardly between standard fiction and the amateur scrawling of an overly romantic and naive preteen, and the first twenty pages or so of the novel are completely useless. The language itself, which is intended to create a sense of familiarity for young readers, is already dated and out of touch, and it won't be long before it will completely fail to connect readers to the characters. While the conclusion is more satisfying than previous novels, Hunted does little more than illustrate the weaknesses obvious in previous novels, and will do little to recommend any further additions.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
26. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. 189 pages. 3.12.09.
Last night I turned to an old favorite, and another "school" classic - F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. This short but poignant novel paints a beautiful but macabre portrait of a period dripping in character, scandal, and self-involvement. Entirely unforgiving, Fitzgerald is faithful to his ideas and opinions, and shows no fear in humanizing his subjects. This is a novel that I am sure I will return to again and again.
Last night I turned to an old favorite, and another "school" classic - F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. This short but poignant novel paints a beautiful but macabre portrait of a period dripping in character, scandal, and self-involvement. Entirely unforgiving, Fitzgerald is faithful to his ideas and opinions, and shows no fear in humanizing his subjects. This is a novel that I am sure I will return to again and again.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
24. Harrison, Kim. White Witch, Black Curse. 504 pages. 3.2.09.
Not as entertaining as her previous novels.
25. Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. 284 pages. 3.10.09.
As part of my reading list this year I have decided to return to some of the classics I read in grade school, and To Kill a Mockingbird was at the top of my list. At this point I'm not quite sure how I feel about the novel - I neither liked it, nor disliked it. The choice of narrator was brilliant on Lee's part, and I greatly appreciated seeing such poignant events through the eyes of children. Lee's writing style itself gives much to be admired, and is a wonderful example of a marriage between creativity and craftsmanship. However, the novel has left me with a feeling of melancholy that is keeping me from joyous praise.
My husband (who has never read the novel) insists that if we ever have a daughter he wants to name her Harper Lee. While the novel itself gave me no reason to reject the idea (as I originally thought it would), I still don't think I can agree. I recognize Lee's rightful place as a literary great, but didn't appreciate the novel enough to spend my life with her namesake.
Not as entertaining as her previous novels.
25. Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. 284 pages. 3.10.09.
As part of my reading list this year I have decided to return to some of the classics I read in grade school, and To Kill a Mockingbird was at the top of my list. At this point I'm not quite sure how I feel about the novel - I neither liked it, nor disliked it. The choice of narrator was brilliant on Lee's part, and I greatly appreciated seeing such poignant events through the eyes of children. Lee's writing style itself gives much to be admired, and is a wonderful example of a marriage between creativity and craftsmanship. However, the novel has left me with a feeling of melancholy that is keeping me from joyous praise.
My husband (who has never read the novel) insists that if we ever have a daughter he wants to name her Harper Lee. While the novel itself gave me no reason to reject the idea (as I originally thought it would), I still don't think I can agree. I recognize Lee's rightful place as a literary great, but didn't appreciate the novel enough to spend my life with her namesake.
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