The Blue Castle

The Blue Castle
By L.M. Montgomery
0553280511

Awesome story! I think this was my favorite so far, although statements like that can never include Anne, she's just on her own level. But I loved Doss- oops, Valancy! She was well-written and an absolute wonderful person to spend some time with. Maybe because she's closer to my age than the other books I've read of Ms. Montgomery, I like her more. I saw the ending coming from almost the beginning, but that didn't make the journey less enjoyable! Didn't see one twist about Barney coming, but I did guess the other.
10/10

"Unsinkable": The Full Story

"Unsinkable": The Full Story
By Daniel Allen Butler
081171814X

Opening line of the introduction: "It has been said that 'Titanic' is the third most widely recognized word in the world, following 'God' and 'Coca-Cola.'" Love that line! Book is full of details and interesting stories yet not bogged down by details. I had never heard so much about the "mystery" ship, it was good to get an in-depth look on that. Definitely interesting book, even if you're only midly interested in Titanic. (Insert the obvious ruining the ending/boat sinks line here, I have no desire to make that joke right now!)
10/10

Chronicles of Avonlea

Chronicles of Avonlea By L. M. Montgomery

Very good! It's always a bit strange to see Anne Shirley's name in there but a good strange. Well written of course but also sweet. I found myself tearing up a few times, such great characters and situations!
9/10

Moll Flanders

Moll Flanders
By Daniel Defoe
1402557558 (book on CD)

What an interesting life! She was a very amusing character, as were most of the people she came into contact with. I was very amused when she would talk about her husbands, since she couldn't just say "husband" or even qualify them with "live" and "dead" since she had so many living! So she had to say "Lancashire husband" or "brother husband" and the other one, she barely talked about him so I can't remember what she called him. I half expected to discover that Defoe had written an account of the governess or the Lancashire husbands life. Those might have been interesting, but they don't exist of course!
9/10

For Your Eyes Only

For Your Eyes Only: Behind the Scenes of the James Bond Films
By David Giammarco
1550224999

Great overview of the whole Bond phenomenon, from Ian Flemming to Die Another Day. The author had great access, a good sense of humor and respect for the films. My one complaint: No Moneypenny! She's my favorite character, but the actresses who've played her weren't interviewed and she wasn't mentioned except one line where they mention her office. Disappointing!
Edit 2/14/08: I have heard from Mr. Giammarco, who tells me that Moneypenny is mentioned in his book! I will have to reread the book, I will post an updated review once I do. I can't believe I missed that, I adore her!
9/10

Emily's Quest

Emily's Quest
By L.M. Montgomery

Cute. The ending was a foregone conclusion, but the journey there was funny and interesting. Nothing earthshattering, but a pleasant read.
8/10

Emily Climbs

Emily Climbs
By L.M. Montgomery
0553233718

Cute book. I kept waiting for the Diamond Ring thing, was glad when that finally appeared (I know, it's the small things!). Not as good as the first one in the series and nowhere near as good as Anne of Green Gables (few things are, I think!), but still. Good characters, funny situations. I love that an urban legend has sprung from this book (Not My Dog on Snopes.com).
8/10

My Sister's Keeper

My Sister's Keeper
By Jodi Picoult
0743453529

Had to skip a bit at the beginning, anything medical with kids freaks me out and makes me nauseous (oh yeah, it's fun to watch House, MD when it's about a kid, takes me 3 days!!). But after that, it was amazing. I had heard it had a shocking ending, though, so I was actually expecting what happened, probably 50 pages before it did. I loved Campbell's flip answers to people asking him about things that were none of their business, that was my favorite part.
9/10

Emily of New Moon

Emily of New Moon
By L.M. Montgomery

Cute. I'm not as excited about this main character as others of Ms. Montgomery's, but I have two more books to read so she may grow on me!
8/10

The Golden Road

The Golden Road By L.M. Montgomery

I love these books, so wonderfully written. But I cried so much reading this one, isn't that sad? I know, it's a kids book. I don't remember crying so much when I read this one years ago, though! It's so sad to say good-bye to these characters, since I don't think she wrote any more about them! So we never find out what happens, although I suppose there are hints enough. I hope they got together again, if only in Ms. Montgomery's mind. And not for a funeral either. *sniff, sniff*
10/10

Museum

Museum: Behind the Scenes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
By Danny Danziger
9780670038619

Good. Liked some of the stories, interesting to hear about the people who make the Met what it is, from the florist to the security people to the trustees.
8/10

A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns
By Khaled Hosseini
9781594489501

Fast-paced, sucks you in. I couldn't stop reading this once I started. The women's stories were heart-breaking and yet showed in the end how powerful the women could be. Not sure if I liked the ending, was glad for it but I'm still not sure it totally fit.
9/10