The Reivers

The Reivers
By William Faulkner
0679741925
I really really liked this book! Despite the back cover calling this a “comic masterpiece,” it actually was funny. (My view is: back covers of books lie.) So that was a pleasant surprise. The main character was so funny, alternating between tough-guy and “I want my mommy” and the rest of the characters were likable and amusing as well. There were a few things I would have liked spelled out more for me, such as- did Ned give that other horse something? He gave Lightning sardines, I think, but did he do something to the other horse? At one point it seemed that he did, but then the book never specifically said that he did, so I guess that was just my impression. The women in the story were amusing. My favorite parts were when they asked the main character if he had promised his mother not to do certain things, such as gambling. And he would tell them no, he didn’t need to promise his mother that. She just knew he wouldn’t do them. Very good look into his sheltered life and his mother’s trust in the bad things in life not touching her son.
9/10

Middlemarch

Middlemarch
By George Eliot
0192817604

Interesting book. I liked it, then I didn’t, then I did. I almost stopped reading a bunch of times, but then decided to stick with it until the end. I ended up liking it on the whole, but with no desire to ever read it again. It was a little odd jumping from character to character the first time. I had just gotten to know a group and suddenly, Eliot jumped to a totally new cast! I don’t think I ever really got used to it, but I accepted it and it wasn’t as jarring after awhile. Most of the characters were likeable, and they were all flawed. I can see why this book is considered a classic and it’s author one of “the” authors of the world.
8/10

Daughter of Lazarus

Daughter of Lazarus
By Albert A. Bell, Jr.
0870292153 (21)

Wow, this girl has more lives than a cat! Every time you think she’s in a no-win, no chances situation, she gets out of it! Seriously, good book. Well written and interesting look at life during this time. I expected it to stress Christianity a little more, maybe because it was Christmas while I was reading this, but it barely touched on it. That’s ok, it was a good book as it was and didn’t need any more… surprisingly. The main character was flawed, which was nice. The schemes, like the baby-switch, were interesting and nicely done. The danger seemed real enough to make me nervous during this and other schemes, which kept my attention.
8/10

Composition on the Net 2001

Composition on the Net 2001
By H. Eric Branscomb
0205330738 (16)

I’m sure this book was relevant when it came out. At this point, I knew basically everything in the book (what I didn’t know, doesn’t matter to my life). Doing searches, building websites, checking sources, it’s all here in easy to follow format. Since I’m feeling generous and this book did come out so long ago, I’ll be nice:
5/10

Mysterious

Mysterious
By Nora Roberts
0373218125

Another fluff book, that seems to be the theme so far this month. This was actually 3 books in one collection. This Magic Moment was cute, about an illusionist. Search for Love took place in France, very nice! And The Right Path was set in Greece. So all around, fun people and places to read about! As always, Nora Roberts’ characters are fun, there are a few lines that might even make you laugh out loud. Cute books.
8/10

Babysitters Club Super Mystery #2: Babysitters Beware

Babysitters Club Super Mystery #2: Babysitters Beware

Yes, I read this. I have been trying for years to collect the whole series, I have about half! So anytime I see one at a garage sale or whatever, I grab it. And it’s a compulsion: if I buy a book, I have to read it! I really hope my future daughter likes Babysitter Club books or I’ve been wasting a lot of time finding them all!
7/10

The Gazebo

The Gazebo
By Emily Grayson
0688167535

Love story, designed to be a tear-jerker, I think. I didn’t cry, but then I’ve never been in love so maybe that has something to do with it. Well-written, moving, interesting. It’s strange to think about how life might throw something so strange at you that you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering “what if?” I can’t believe that there was no way for them to be together, though. And just a few days before they’re going to get married, the telegram arrives? Why not the morning of the wedding, a bit more dramatic? I’d love to dismiss the book as a cliché, but I can’t. It was powerful in it’s own quiet way, moving. I can’t believe that in that day and age, they wouldn’t have gotten married earlier however. That part confused me, although it made sense in the middle when she was called back to the US. Guess if they had been married, he would have had a greater hold on her? Maybe he shouldn’t have kept putting her off when she asked, he ended up losing her over his desire to find a place to settle down before getting married. I think they were both a bit selfish in the beginning, and it came back to bite them. But I still feel bad for them, much as I shake my head at them in confusion.
8/10