Slander

Slander
By Ann Coulter
1400046610

Not as funny as her others but definitely good. Of coure, this won't make a difference in how the media covers things. Hey, I saw the election coverage, I saw the liberal bias. But Ms. Coulter is unfortunately not going to be able to turn the tide! At least she's trying, and is being semi-amusing while doing so.
7/10

The Cloisters

The Cloisters
By Peter Barnet and Nancy Wu
0300111428

Got this one from the library, may have to buy it! A different way to do a museum guide, this book is laid out chronologically instead of following the floor plan of the Cloisters (for those who don't know, a museum of medieval art in NYC that I adore). I like the change, it makes you see things in a different way.
9/10

Anne Frank Remembered

Anne Frank Remembered
By Miep Gies
0671662341

I think the only complaint I have about this book is that it's too short. But any longer and we're making a woman dwell on a horrible time in her life and our history. Maybe she doesn't want to anymore, who knows?
9/10

High Crimes and Misdemeanors

High Crimes and Misdemeanors
By Ann Coulter
0895263602

Not likely to convince anyone who isn't already convinced. Still, well researched, well thought-out and compelling.
7/10

The Cloisters

The Cloisters
087099050

Very good, very informative. I love medieval art and the Cloisters (would live there if they would let me!), so I guess I'm prejudiced when it comes to books about my favorite museum.
9/10

The Painted Page

The Painted Page
379131851

Another book for my thesis paper, nothing really to report for this one that would interest anyone but me! (and hopefully my advisor!)
8/10

Answers to Tough Questions

Answers to Tough Questions
By Josh McDowell and Don Stewart
084230021X

The answers here are too short, some even I can think of objections and argments for- and I believe in everything that these two are defending! Could have been a little more thought out and indepth, I think.
7/10

Everyone Worth Knowing

Everyone Worth Knowing
By Lauren Weisberger
1419327151 (book on CD)

Awesome book. Well written and gripping, you really cared about these characters and how the story would end. The secondary characters were great too, always a big plus with any book!
9/10

In Search of Historical Jesus

In Search of Historical Jesus
By Lee Roddy and Charles E. Sellier, Jr.
0553135880

Decent book, but too much emphasis on the Shroud of Turin. I'm not that into the Shroud, I know some people are so this book would be great for them!
7/10

When Madaleine Was Young

When Madaleine Was Young
By Jane Hamilton
1428113770 (book on CD)

What an absolutely original idea for a book! Very interesting premise. I definitely liked these characters, they were so different and interesting.
8/10

Godless: The Church of Liberalism

Godless: The Church of Liberalism
By Ann Coulter
1400054206

So-so. Not as good as the one I read last summer, which seemed more thought out and humourous. Still, she has good points and it was an interesting read.
8/10

Brazen Virtue

Brazen Virtue
By Nora Roberts
0553272837

Interesting plot, intriguing. Didn't really understand the couple, they didn't really click.
7/10

Italian Renaissance Illuminations

Italian Renaissance Illuminations
By JJG Alexander
807608645

Another book for my thesis!
8/10

The Horse Whisperer

The Horse Whisperer
By Nicholas Evans

Ick. So many things I disliked about this ending, but the biggest was the ending! And somehow I ended up with two copies of this book, how unlucky is that?
6/10

The Christmas Thief

The Christmas Thief By Mary and Carol Higgins Clark
0743271556

Cute, quick read. Perfect for Christmas time, obviously!
8/10

The Mystery of Atlantis

The Mystery of Atlantis
By Charles Berlitz
0843400282150

Good, probably was better when it was written! He talks in circles, sometimes, but that could be because he's writing about Atlantis, which is not provable at this point.
7/10

Daily Life in Medieval Times

Daily Life in Medieval Times
By Frances and Joseph Gies
0760759138

3 books in one:
Life in a Medieval Castle, which I give a 8/10
Life in a Medieval City, which gets a 8/10
And Life in a Medieval Village, which I give a 7/10.

Altogether, I guess it gets a 8/10

Going Home

Going Home
By Nora Roberts
0373285035

Three novels in one book:
Unfinished Business 8/10
Island of Flowers 9/10
Mind Over Matter 7/10

Altogether: 8/10

A History of the Middle Ages

A History of the Middle Ages
By Joseph Dahmus
0760700362

Great overview and depth, at the same time. No pictures, annoying when he describes things like Gothic churches. Maps were good to put things in perspective.
8/10

The Prince and the Pauper

The Prince and the Pauper
By Mark Twain
0451521935

Everyone knows this story, but that doesn't mean it's not worth reading. Anything Mark Twain writes is worth reading. I loved the descriptions of court and of the streets of London. And I loved the characters, not just the title ones but all the secondary characters also. I love the idea of sitting down in front of the king and how important that idea becomes!
9/10

Slaughterhouse Five

Slaughterhouse Five
By Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

One of the classics/banned books that everyone should read. I've read it before, but you always see something new in these books, depending on where you are in your life and where your country is.
9/10

Digital Fortress

Digital Fortress
By Dan Brown
0312263120

Good, fast paced book. Nothing thrilling or spectacular, but a fun read, like most of Brown's books.
8/10

Princess Sultana’s Circle

Princess Sultana’s Circle
By Jean Sasson
0967673712

Sultana is more and more outspoken as the books go on. I think because she only hits on the times where she… lectured isn’t the right word but it’s close, lectured her husband and other family members about women’s rights. Otherwise, she led her life. Not an ordinary life, based on the $380,000 she spent in one store in one afternoon, but still a somewhat normal life. I think she comes across a bit preachy at times, but that’s okay because of the importance of her message. One thing bothered me, she really needed to slap that brother of hers, I wanted to fly over there and slap the moron many times while I was reading this. (Yes, I realize she couldn't, still I really wanted her to.)
7/10

Myths and Folklore

Myths and Folklore
By Henry I. Christ
0877207836

This is actually a textbook for students. I'm not sure how I ended up with it, but I read it anyway! It's a good overview of the subject.
9/10

April Shadows

April Shadows By VC Andrews
0743493869

Good. Again, not too creepy but the storylines are always interesting and the characters are, as usual, very good.
7/10

Princess Sultana’s Daughters

Princess Sultana’s Daughters
By Jean Sasson
038547444X

The first of this series of three books, Princess was an amazing book. I’m thrilled that I can finally read the 2nd (and 3rd) volumes. This is a brave, brave woman, especially when she reveals in the beginning of this book that her family has figured out who she is. The stories she tells are heartbreaking and yet infinitely important to be told. It is wonderful to hear a woman’s perspective of this region, hearing of the restraints that even her great wealth can’t shield her from. Some of the stories, many of the stories, are hard to read. The horrors that these women have to face is unimaginable to me. These books definitely open my eyes to things that, honestly, I’d rather not know about. But it is so important for everyone to know about these things, otherwise things will never be changed.
8/10

Girl in the Shadows

Girl in the Shadows
By VC Andrews
0743493877

Good. Unfortunately, none of these books are now up to the first books creepiness. Since the whole 'ghost-writer'/the real VC Andrews is dead-thing, they haven't been nearly as thought-provoking and (yes) creepy!
7/10

What I Know Now

What I Know Now: Simple Lessons Learned the Hard Way
By Sarah Ferguson
0743246128

Cute. She's pretty funny and very open.
8/10

The Legend of Bagger Vance

The Legend of Bagger Vance
By Steven Pressfield
0380817446

Powerful. Most definitely not about golf! I loved the images, I loved the way the story was told. But it ended too abruptly and seemed to be too laid out. Vance coming back in the end was too convenient, although I suppose he was supposed to be some sort of god. I’m not up on whichever religion this book was based on, but I loved reading about the excitement for young Hardy as he watched the match and was picked to be on the inside of almost everything. That enthusiasm and pure innocence was enough to gloss over the philosophical babble.
7/10

Mary Magdalen: Myth and Metaphor

Mary Magdalen: Myth and Metaphor
By Susan Haskins
156852496X

Interesting. Not too ground breaking or intriguing. But a decent book that tries to set right some long-standing untruths.
7/10

The House in Amalfi

The House in Amalfi By Elizabeth Adler
031293646X

What a likeable main character! The story is good, as are the little funny stories within the main story. Very nice read, nothing earthshattering but that's okay!
8/10

Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451
By Ray Bradbury
0345342968

Well, the book gets a 10/10. Brilliantly done. The extra parts- 9/10. It messed up the book! Example- The fire chief having books in his house? That defeats the purpose of having Guy plant the book in his house and call in the tip! Why were the extras even included?
10/10

Seven for a Secret

Seven for a Secret
By Victoria Holt
0449221776

Definitely some twists and turns here that no one could have seen coming! You knew that certain people were going to be involved in horrible events, but you didn't know to what extent and you didn't know other people who would be involved. And the secrets that you never see coming, those are great! I like not figuring out the end of a book 50 pages into it, it's refreshing.
9/10

George and Laura

George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage
By Christopher Anderson
0066213703

Nice to read about a 'celebrity' marriage (or a sort of celebrity marriage) where the main characters get along and genuinely like and love each other. I love them constantly telling people that their spouse is the strong one, it's so adorable in a way and so powerful in another. I think I would like these two if I ever had the chance to meet them in real life (not that I will, but hypothetically you know!)
8/10

Nighttime is My Time

Nighttime is My Time
By Mary Higgins Clark
074320607X

So many times, I was sure I knew who the killer was! I actually enjoyed the guessing and the putting together of "facts" more than I enjoyed finally finding out who really did it! Great characters all around and a fun set-up, the class reunion thing.
8/10

The Bonesetters Daughter

The Bonesetters Daughter
By Amy Tan
0804114986

If it doesn't give too much away, I love the twists in this book. But my favorite is how the "senile" old woman is telling the truth all along!
9/10

Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn
By Barbara Leaming
0517592843

This may be the definitive biography of Kate and her family. It starts back a few generations and goes through their history before she even makes her first appearance. I liked hearing about what her parents and grandparents were like, as well as her extended family, since it shaped her so much. Family was so important to her. Her relationship with Spencer Tracy is still somewhat of a mystery to me, but I think it always will be so I don’t hold that against this book!
9/10

At Home in Mitford

At Home in Mitford
By Jan Karon
014025448X

Cute. A bit weird, but that’s okay. Cute town, cute people, cute situations. But still very odd. I think I’ll have to read another of her books, just to see what that one is like.
8/10

Word

Word
By Mykel Mitchell
0451214064

Well-written. Entertaining and yet informative. I like the style of writing he has, in-your-face with no apologies. I love reading about other people’s lives and especially how they came to God, so this was a great read for me! And the author seems like a genuinely nice guy. Flawed, of course, and makes no excuses for his flaws. Both of which give him high marks with me. Perfection is unattainable in this world and slightly boring anyway (again, in this world!). I would rather read how someone survived the fire and came out the other side a better person.
9/10

The Medici Ring

The Medici Ring
By Nicole St. John
0394493427

Predictable to a point. Yet still surprising at times! I liked the characters, and I loved the big surprise about the poem at the end that I did not see coming at all!! Well written, nice comfortable read.
8/10

The Source

The Source
By James A. Micheneu

Started off very well, I really enjoyed the first part. Didn’t agree with some of it, but I did enjoy it. The last of the book though, I’m not sure where exactly it started to go downhill but it did! If I had read this book a few years ago, I may have decided to be an archeologist… at least for a few weeks! First 2/3 of the book or so: 9/10, the ending 1/3: 5/10. So the average, I suppose, would be: 7/10

The True Darcy Spirit

The True Darcy Spirit
By Elizabeth Aston
0743274903

Okay, still good but not as good as the first two. This plot seemed much more outlandish than anything in the first two books. But there are still hints of the character traits that I love in Jane Austen’s novels, so: 7/10

The Exploits and Adventures of Miss Althea Darcy

The Exploits and Adventures of Miss Althea Darcy
By Elizabeth Aston
1419346903

Not as good as the first sequel to Price and Prejudice, but still wonderful. The plotlines are starting to get a bit outrageous, but then I suppose Pride and Prejudice had some contrived situations as well. As does life, you never know what strange places you’ll end up in. I still love the characters and am glad we get to learn more about Althea, since the first sequel left so much unfinished business with her.
8/10

Mr. Darcy’s Daughters

Mr. Darcy’s Daughters
By Elizabeth Aston
0743243978

It’s a shame that we never see Darcy and Elizabeth, but then it’s good as well. No matter how good a sequel is, it might get something wrong and then the whole thing collapses. The wrong word in a beloved characters mouth and the whole thing falls apart. I love Pride and Prejudice (as mentioned in other reviews, of course). This is another great sequel to that book.
9/10

Bogart

Bogart
By A.M. Sperber and Eric Lax
0688161057

Wow. I love Cary Grant, I love Katharine Hepburn enough to tolerate Spencer Tracy, and now I am in love with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Now, this happened before I read this book. But this book was there with perfect timing for me. I loved how long this book was, it meant it could cover many things in minute details. I love that it shows the good and the bad of everyone involved. This is not a fan book, this is not a tell-all tabloid trash book, this is almost a scholarly book, rich in details. For anyone who wants to know what Hollywood was like in the (dare I say it?) Good Old Days, this book is great. Details and more details. I love hearing about, say, the songs that were sung on the plane on the way to DC to appear at a hearing. Wonderful details.
9/10

Twanged

Twanged
By Carol Higgins Clark
0446605360

Not as predictable as I thought it would be! Great characters, a good time was had by all. Definitely a different plot, I really liked the fluffy novel this was.
7/10

Sassy Cinderella and the Valient Vigilante

Sassy Cinderella and the Valient Vigilante
By Sharon Dunn
082542495X

Cute, fairy predictable but enough surprises to make it worthwhile. I am glad I didn’t know this was a Christian romance novel until after I picked it up and started reading, that was a nice surprise! The character was slightly quirky, but only enough to be believable and funny, not enough to be annoying. And her characters are entertaining, even the minor ones. I was pleasantly surprised at the ending, though, in regards to her job situation. Very nicely done!
8/10

Jane Austen: A Life

Jane Austen: A Life
By David Nokes
0374113262

Wonderful look at the author’s life. I personally knew next to nothing about Jane Austen’s life. Her books, of course, I could read all day. But her life, I was clueless. This book lays her life completely out, as open as it seems it will ever be. It is a shame that some parts of her life will be forever mysterious, because of some burning of letters after she died. But on the other hand, it does give her life that little bit of mystery that every great author seems to need!
9/10

More Letters from Pemberley

More Letters from Pemberley: 1814-1819
By Jane Dawkins
0595283721

Not quite as perfect as the first. I loved Lizzy having to go through more heartbreak (because she is a fake character but I still like to see her grow as a person!) Her life was not perfect, butterflies and roses and all that. I’m glad, glad that Ms. Dawkins has given Lizzy the room she needed to grow. That said, the one part that I didn’t like: I didn’t like Lizzy talking about an author she’s reading, Jane Austen. That completely took me out of the story and was a horrible intrusion. Luckily, it happened near the beginning of the book so there was time to save it. But it was still a jarring and unnecessary inclusion. It is obvious Jane Dawkins is a huge fan of Austens, as evidenced by these books. But this was too much of a wink to readers that, to me, brought the book down a notch.
9/10

The X-Files: Fight the Future

The X-Files: Fight the Future
By Chris Carter
0061059323

Decent adaptation of the movie. Better than the other X-Files novels I’ve read. But I really read this hoping the mysteries of the movie would be solved. You know, since in a book you can spend more time on things than in a movie. But noooo!! I still don’t know how Mulder and Scully escaped from the frozen wasteland they were in with only a SnowCat with almost no gas in it. Bah! Seriously, it was good in some small details, filling things in. But the big questions will never get an answer, I suppose (like everything else on the X-Files TV show!)
8/10

Medieval Costume in England and France

Medieval Costume in England and France
By Mary G. Houston
0486290603

Picked it up to use for my thesis and ended up just reading the whole thing in two days. Very detailed look at the costumes of the Middle Ages in parts of Europe. Gorgeous outfits, from when people really knew how to dress! I liked that the figures were on the same page or at most one page away from where it was being discussed. The 8 plates on the front and back inside covers are a great span of how dress changed in the years that the book covers.
9/10

Letters from Pemberley

Letters from Pemberley: The First Year
By Jane Dawkins
1893337006

Brilliant! I adore Pride and Prejudice, may have to reread it this summer. And this is a near-perfect sequel to it. Only “near” because it’s a new author. I would have loved to read Jane’s responses, because her story was nearly as interesting as Lizzy’s. And Mr. Darcy’s letters, since he’s an amazing character. But I can’t bear to give this wonderful book any less than: 10/10

Great American Folklore

Great American Folklore
By Kemp P. Battle
0385185553

Many of the stories were hysterical! I ended up marking them to type them out onto the computer, so I can save them. Some I couldn’t read, though, because of the “real speaking voice” that was used. I don’t know what else to call it! But it’s so hard to read that I was skipping whole stories because they were unintelligible. Some of the stories I had heard before, being American folklore and all. Some were brand new, and some put new twists on old stories I had heard.
8/10

Quotable Cats

Quotable Cats
By Running Press
0762401524

Short book, short response: Cute, cats are a great subject, love quite a few of the quotes!
8/10

What’s Right With America

What’s Right With America
By Dwight Bohmbach
0553257110

In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit that I didn’t finish this book. I read to about page 150, then got bored and put it down. I guess a lot of the data is out of date, so maybe that turned me off. It was also very boring, just facts and more facts. Then I started to skip around, figuring I would just read the topics that interested me (there weren’t many, or at least the titles of the chapters didn’t jump out at me enough!). I finally put the book down after the chapter about women being ready to run for President. The author begins by talking about suffrage, then talks about the anti-suffrage movement. Spends a bit of time calling a woman names for not agreeing with women’s suffrage. There were women (and maybe there still are) who didn’t think women should have the vote. They formed societies to try to block women’s suffrage amendments from being passed. Okay, history has decided they were wrong, that women should have the vote. Personally, I believe they are wrong. But there is no need to call them names for their opinion! In a perfect world, maybe they wouldn’t need to vote, maybe their husbands/fathers/brothers would look out for their well-being as well as their own. In a perfect world, no one would need to vote, politicians would just instinctively do the right thing! I was disgusted by the author calling these women all kinds of names just for having the audacity to have an opinion and try to work change in their world. We should all be as politically active as those brave women were. The book, for that, gets 5/10

Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment
By Fyodor Dostoevsky

Moving depiction of a man driven to insanity. But I’m not sure what was going on. Was I supposed to feel sorry for him? Understand what he was going through? Sympathize with him? Because all I felt was “what a waste of intellect.” The main character, I mean, not me. He could have done so much, but instead he walked around in a fog, not knowing what was going on most of the time. His poor family and friends went out of their way to help him- with money, a job, support, medical care. And all he did was wander the streets, being… what? Too smart for everyone around him to understand? His attitude was ridiculous, in my opinion. I almost wished for him to kill himself so at least Sonia wouldn’t be tied to him for the rest of her life. The last two paragraphs seem to redeem him but it’s too little, too late. I’m not even sure if he was really changed at the end or this was another moment of clarity that he would soon talk himself out of.
7/10

Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I
By Jacob Abbott

Originally published in 1877. Much better biography than the last one I read about Elizabeth! Very informative and clearly written. Apparently, it was written for people much younger than me as a textbook! Oops! Doesn’t mean I didn’t like the book. It was a very interesting read, I like how clear it made events. I liked that it didn’t gloss over Elizabeth’s faults. Everyone has faults, glad this book acknowledged that. But also glad it was up front about her good qualities, since to keep power she must have had some.
8/10

The Constant Princess

The Constant Princess
By Philippa Gregory
1419364731 (book on CD)

Powerful. Apparently not historically accurate in certain regards, like the father-in-law being a lecherous old man. But still intriguing and moving. There are more famous wives of Henry VIII, and his daughter overshadowed any woman before her, but there is still quite a bit of interest in this first queen of his. What a life she must have led, getting to the throne and keeping it for so many years. This book takes a definite stand on the question of whether she was lying about her first marriage being consummated, but I believe the jury will be out on that one for years to come. This book paints her as quite conniving, but for the “right reasons” I suppose. She is an extremely interesting character, in real life and in this book. I really liked it: 9/10

Across the Miles

Across the Miles
By L.M. Montgomery
0553571036

I love this author!! Anne of Green Gables is a wonderful series. Story Girl is great too. But this collection is so adorable. A group of stories, all about letters being written, misled, mistaken, and all other ways a letter can change a life. Her short stories are just as charming and beautiful as her long stories.
10/10

The India Fan

The India Fan
By Victoria Holt

I love going on trips with Victoria Holt. She always knows what she’s talking about with these old places that she sends her characters to. This time, of course, it is India. During the 1800’s, since this is Victoria Holt. I enjoyed learning more about India, since I don’t know much about the country. And learning more about the peacock feathers, since I didn’t know the symbolism behind them, even though I love them. Her characters are always wonderful (where can I find men like these? They’re in short supply these days!). And, though it may be gruesome, everyone gets what they deserve in the end. I love the twists she throws in the end, especially this one.
9/10

Star Dreams

Star Dreams
By June Flaum Singer

Crazy story! I knew that with the first couple pages, but it just got more and more bizarre as the book went on. Amusing, at times. Insane, at times. Not a book I’ll be reading again. Not a bad book, I enjoyed reading of the sisters exploits (well, most of them!).
7/10

The Hundred Secret Senses

The Hundred Secret Senses
By Amy Tan
080411109X

Amy Tan is a great author with an amazing history to pull from. I liked the intertwining of the two stories, the modern and the old, that finally combine into one. I knew they had to be connected, but I was still shocked. Maybe I shouldn’t have been, maybe it was incredibly obvious! Still… I was surprised. I didn’t like the ending, however. I don’t like not knowing what happens to the characters. And I definitely (not surprisingly) don’t like the state of the narrators relationship with her ex/husband at the end.
7/10

The Day They Came to Arrest the Book

The Day They Came to Arrest the Book
By Nat Hentoff
0440918146

Unbelievably preachy. Interesting topic, don’t get me wrong. But pretty condescending. I guess this book was supposed to be for younger readers, but I think books should stand up no matter what age you read them at, if they’re to be considered good learning books. I’d heard of this book before I bought it, but we didn’t read it at my school. Now I’m glad we read things like Catch-22 instead!
7/10

Bleachers

Bleachers
By John Grisham
0385511612

Incredibly moving. I know nothing about football (and don’t care to), so I glossed over the play-by-plays that sometimes cropped up. Despite that, this was an amazing book to read. My only complaint is how short it was, I wish I had known more about all these characters.
9/10

Lawless

Lawless
By Nora Roberts
0373835922

I love Nora Roberts, her books are just so much fun to read! Her characters are almost always amusing and witty and entertaining. And this one is an historical novel! Perfect! I almost thought she had watched some Dr. Quinn while writing this, but it was written before that TV show came out, so I guess not!
9/10

10 Sure Signs a Movie Character is Doomed

10 Sure Signs a Movie Character is Doomed & other surprising movie lists
By Richard Roeper
078688830X

Funny! Some of the lists are laugh out loud funny. I like this guys sense of humor. And I love the bizarre lists that sometimes crop up! Like the list of movies in which some famous actor cries like a little baby. The list of bad movies made by the cast of Friends. All kinds of odd stuff!
8/10

1,003 Great Things About Teachers

1,003 Great Things About Teachers
1567315070

Cute book. Just a list of “things” but still very cute.
7/10

The Virgin’s Lover

The Virgin’s Lover
By Philippa Gregory
1419327607

Who is this woman??? This is Queen Elizabeth? I certainly hope not, spoiled little brat that she is here. She and Richard have zero chemistry, but he seems to have the biggest hold on her despite that. She’s an absolute moron in many ways. Let’s see… don’t sleep with a married man. Especially if you’re the Queen of freaking ENGLAND. And if you’re trying to get someone else to marry you for political reasons. (Hint: your future husband wants a virgin, not an adulterer.) Elizabeth is a whiny, selfish, stupid girl. She’s nothing like the Elizabeth I’ve been taught about, the strong woman who kept her kingdom together despite being “only” a woman. I’m not sure how historically accurate this is, I hope not at all.
5/10

Die Another Day

Die Another Day
By Raymond Benson
042518963

Great movie! I love James Bond, so I had to read this book. Nicely filled in a lot of little plot sections that couldn’t be covered in the movie. Time restraints are a pain, aren’t they? (Lord of the Rings, anyone?) So I liked this book for filling in the back story and some other little things. My favorite character is Miss Moneypenny, who isn’t really in this book at all. A shame, since she was in the other three Pierce/Bond films quite a bit. Maybe next time, Moneypenny!
8/10

There and Back Again

There and Back Again: An Actor’s Tale
By Sean Astin
0312331460

Wow! Great book! Sean Astin is an amusing guy. Full of self-doubt at times, which he should get over because he’s awesome! I’m glad he played Sam the way he did in Lord of the Rings. It made sense that way, not all hobbits were crazy, bouncing guys! I loved Merry and Pippin, but I like that there was also a “sane” one in the bunch. I think he knows he did the right thing and is using the book as a form of therapy. I loved hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of getting the tattoos, of the parades to celebrate the release of the movie, of the dinners shared by the cast. Sean has a great voice, very amusing to read and almost like a conversation. I can’t remember the last time I’ve given this, but here it is: 10/10

Decked

Decked
By Carol Higgins Clark
0446364703

Good first book for the series that I’ve already read a few of! It would have made more sense to read them in order, I suppose. Ah, well, it’s way too late for that! I love England and I would love to go on a cruise someday soon, so this was a great story in those respects! I didn’t see the plot twists coming, but they made total sense at the end. Very good, fluffy book: 8/10

The Hemingway Book Club of Kosovo

The Hemingway Book Club of Kosovo
By Paula Huntley
1585422118

It’s sad that “Kosovo” comes up in my spell-check as wrong. It suggests “Kazoo” as the first choice. And doesn’t offer “Kosova” as an alternate spelling. Ah, well, the Western World is always a bit behind, huh? This book was amazing! I actually started reading it the same time I was reading Zlata’s Diary and it was a great juxtaposition to read them both. The people in the story, those who are just trying to rebuild their homes, are amazingly courageous. They’re also, in some ways, naive. It’s an interesting look at them, fighting against stereotypes and yet having them ingrained in their own minds.
9/10

Suddenly Southern

Suddenly Southern
By Maureen Duffin-Ward
0743254953

This was an okay book, although the acknowledgements at the end of it are funnier than a lot of the rest of the book! I’m not exactly the target audience for this book, having no desire to move South. But it was vaguely amusing sometimes… 6/10

The Changling

The Changling
By Philippa Carr

Wow! So much better than the last one I read by Victoria Holt writing as Philippa Carr. I almost didn’t read this because of my bad experience with the other book. But this was well-written, had an intriguing story and plot twist, and had believable characters. Everything made sense at the end, every little tiny detail was there for a reason in the rest of the book. A drape flutters on page 100 and it’s explained on page 250, that sort of thing! Great storytelling, even though it’s sort of a fluff book: 9/10.

Zlata’s Diary

Zlata’s Diary
By Zlata Filipovic
0140242058

Unbelievable the amount of suffering this little girl had to go through. She was luckier than most in that country, she managed to get out and not lose a parent. But the things she had to go through are unimaginable. One of the most profound things she says is when she’s talking about the politicians and she calls them “kids.” She knows how childish and ridiculous they all are, how they’re selfish and only looking out for themselves. And meanwhile, she sees children around her everywhere helping their parents and acting so mature. It’s an interesting comparison and it’s a shame she had to live through the horrors of war to make the discovery that maturity has nothing to do with age.
9/10

Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul

Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul
By Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
0757300189

Moving stories, as usual! I like these collections, they’re pretty fast reads and easy to put down since they’re short stories.
8/10

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency
By Douglas Adams
0671625829

Douglas Adams is hysterical. I would read anything he wrote, I love Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy so much! This was not quite as good, but not much is! I liked the characters, they were amusing as always. The shock at the end was definitely worth the read! I couldn’t figure out how everything would tie together, so that was a nice surprise for me! Very funny, dry humor which is great. My favorite part is still the couch though, that’s just plain wonderful.
9/10

Wild Women in the White House

Wild Women in the White House
By Autumn Stephens
1567316301

Cute! I had hoped for a more in-depth look. Instead, this book is a series of short segments about each woman profiled. Ideally, this book would have touched on stories about each woman, instead of giving an extremely short biography of each one. But that’s just me, what I was expecting. The cover has the subtitle: The Formidable Females Behind the Throne, On the Phone, and (Sometimes) Under the Bed. So I thought this would be stories of those incidences and others. Still, it was a good book, and if I was inclined to know more about any story I could certainly find other books that would go into more detail.
7/10

A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul

A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul
By Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
1558743790

I’ve read most of these in the emails I’m sent from Chicken Soup. Good stories, of course and mostly good writing! This is one of those series where there isn’t much to say. I recommend going out and buying a few, they’re good reads. But otherwise, I have nothing to say about them!
7/10

The House of a Thousand Lanterns

The House of a Thousand Lanterns
By Victoria Holt
0385008171

Hong Kong, a new place! I’m so used to Australia at this point, I seem to have read so many Victoria Holt’s books that wind up in Australia. There were a few things I didn’t like about this book. One was her relationship with her husband, uneasy and secret-keeping as it was. She thought him capable of murder, but really he was just lying to her. Ummm… That doesn’t make any sense. Oh, as long as he was only lying and keeping things from her, he’s a good husband? And her relationship with her “marriage of convenience” husband. She could never see past his wheelchair to think he may have been the right one for her? She was so blinded by the playboy to even consider the “cripple” right in front of her. After he dies, she realizes how much he meant to her. By then it’s too late, but she uses his death to stall for time anyway, invoking her one year rule. I think she’s an idiot who didn’t see the great guy staring her in the face. Sitting across from her at dinner every night. Giving her son a name and a place to live, love and acceptance. Instead, she pines for what she can’t have. I hope I’m not that stupid if I ever fall in love, not noticing deep flaws like lying and conniving!
7/10

Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays
By Debbie Macomber
0778322394

Two books in one again… The Forgetful Bride: Cute. The little kids part in the beginning was adorable, like the movie Sweet Home Alabama. And Joe is hysterical! I saw the thing with the boss coming a mile away, but that’s okay. I didn’t mind the clueless heroine, even when I was silently begging her to talk to her friend. 8/10; When Christmas Comes: If we could have gotten rid of the daughter, this would have been a much better book. Dang she’s obnoxious! And rude, and annoying too. I spent most of the book wondering how a good person like Emily could have raised such a spoiled brat and it never added up. She’s never redeemed, especially with her busting into the Professors apartment without asking the guy who answers the door where her mom is! Why anyone would fly across the country to spend Christmas with this brat is beyond me.
8/10

Echoes

Echoes
By Danielle Steel
03853364349

Amazing story. The first half of the story was beautiful and moving. The second half was well-told and confusing. We never finds out what happens to the mother. She’s not important anymore, apparently, even though the first half of the book is her story. In a way, to a certain extent, the whole book is her story. Instead we move onto the daughter. Great name, very pretty. But no idea where she’s coming from! First she’s a nun, then she has to leave the convent but is faithful to her vows. But then she meets a guy, gets distracted, even sleeps with the guy! Once he’s out of the picture, she realizes she really does want to go back to the convent, she really is a nun, etc. Until another guy comes along! Then she changes her mind. Wow, great nun, swayed by the first man to catch her eye. And the second too! It wasn’t believable how she flipped back and forth. And her sleeping with the guy was too much of a shock. These things went against everything we had been told about her character up to that point and even things we were told after! I’m all for shocking the reader, but it can’t come out of left field like that. First half: 9/10, second half: 6/10... So I’ll go with: 8/10

The Judas Kiss

The Judas Kiss
By Victoria Holt

What is this??? I’m going to spoil the book. One of Victoria Holt’s funny, heroic, impressive characters has sex outside of marriage? What is the world coming to! And with a guy whose last name she doesn’t even know (or real name, although she doesn’t know that). And not just once. And this even after she finds out he’s engaged to her friend! I’m disappointed, I’ve always liked that Victoria Holt’s heroines were better than that, they had a higher morality and decency than the crappy novels that are churned out today. It was Victoria Holt, though, so it was well-written and entertaining. And I learned new things, as always, with her journeys though different countries. This time was Germany, I believe. (Yeah, I was a little preoccupied with the sex thing, outrageous!) Taking out that stuff would have raised this score: 6/10

Gertrude and Claudius

Gertrude and Claudius
By John Updike
0375409084

Rewriting Shakespeare. Hmmm, that’s a tricky business. Hamlet as a spoiled, obnoxious prince is a new take on it. I guess there are two sides to every story, so why not the adulterous couple’s side? Well, because they’re just not very likable! Even here, where I suppose we’re supposed to think theirs is a big love story. I just don’t buy it, I don’t feel sorry for them. They’re pathetic in some ways and delusional in others. A new spin on Shakespeare means a high standard to live up to. In my opinion, this falls far short. Rewriting Shakespeare is daunting, however, so: 6/10

Caesar and Cleopatra

Caesar and Cleopatra
By Bernard Shaw
014045036x

Wow, interesting. I love Cleopatra, as my review from a few months ago already went into. This is an interesting view of her, as a spoiled but bright child. Very quick read, Shaw packs a lot of information into a condensed space. I don’t particularly like reading play, I’d much rather see them performed. But this was okay, I guess because of the small cast and because they’re such familiar characters. I liked most of Shaw’s takes on history’s stories of Cleopatra. His take on the rolled-up rug is particularly clever!
9/10

Winner Takes All

Winner Takes All
By Nora Roberts
0373218923

Fluff! 2 stories: Rules of the Game- Baseball fluff. As always, this is Nora Roberts so it’s good fluff. Well-written even though I could care less about baseball. (I don’t care! I’m still an American no matter what you say about me!) 8/10; The Name of the Game- Another good story. This one set around a game show. I like game shows not much more than I like baseball. But that’s okay, because the characters are the important thing and they’re wonderful. Amusing, a fun read.
8/10

Unauthorized Guide to The X-Files

Unauthorized Guide to The X-Files
By Hal Schuster
0761508457

Anything to do with X-Files is interesting to me, of course. Because this is unauthorized, there is no new information here. It is compiled very well, with some strange chapters that seem like filler. For example, shows that may have influenced X-Files. Interesting, I suppose, but not to me. I don’t need a synopsis of every show that Chris Carter may have seen, especially since I know he has only ever mentioned one show as being an influence on him. But, good writing, no spelling errors that I picked up on!
7/10.

Lakeside Cottage

Lakeside Cottage
By Susan Wiggs
0778321908

Fluff. I hadn’t read a fluffy book in a few weeks, I needed something to read during my breaks at work. You know, those books where it doesn’t matter that I don’t it pick up some days or at all on the weekends. And can pick back up on Monday and not have missed anything. I like when formulaic stories have a twist. Like this one. Guy with a past meets woman. She has no idea who he is, they fall in love/lust/whatever. She discovers secret and is upset but all works out in the end. But the twist… his secret is a good one! He’s a hero, as we find out in the first few pages. And he’s not keeping the secret alone, there is someone who finds out. Makes for an interesting dynamic. Anyway, good book, well-written. Still fluff, but the good kind!
7/10

Leap of Faith

Leap of Faith
By Queen Noor
0786867175

Amazing woman, amazing life. I’m torn on one thing. As far as I can tell, her husband could do no wrong. She never has anything bad to say about him, his politics, his actions, nothing. On one hand, that’s crazy and I find her a bit delusional because no one is perfect. But then there’s the other hand. It’s refreshing to hear about a couple who support each other no matter what. She has nothing bad to say about her husband and that’s a nice change from normal life. So I go back and forth on that. Otherwise, this is an interesting story of a definite Unexpected Life, as the subtitle says. An average girl from America becomes Queen of a nation in the Middle East. Most Americans can’t even tell you where the Middle East is! She learns the language, changes her name, becomes completely immersed in her adopted country. Part memoir, part political commentary, all interesting.
8/10

The 500 Best Urban Legends Ever

The 500 Best Urban Legends Ever
By Yorick Brown and Mike Flynn
0743445392

I could have just gone to Snopes.com and read all these same stories! Cute stories and commentary, nothing spectacular. It’s possibly not the best urban legends, but it is the most well-known ones!
7/10

Hearst Castle: San Simeon

Hearst Castle: San Simeon
By Thomas R. Aidala
0517460823

The real star of this book is it’s photographer: Curtis Bruce. The colors are amazing and the scenes are so well-done. I could just stare at the pictures in this book for hours! I liked learning the history for one of our most recognizable used-to-be-private homes. I loved that there were more pictures than text. I can’t stand reading books that describe works of art but never show them, drives me crazy!
9/10

A Death in White Bear Lake

A Death in White Bear Lake
By Barry Siegel

Deeply and unbelievably disturbing. Another condensed book, this one about a murder/death of a small boy. The evidence for who may have killed him is nearly overwhelming. It’s astonishing what people can get away with. This is a horrifying look at how things went wrong, every step of the way. Gripping, I could barely manage to put it down!
9/10

What I Saw at the Revolution

What I Saw at the Revolution
By Peggy Noonan

Condensed. Good book. But then I’m a sucker for anything to do with the White House. And a behind-the-scenes look at a Republican Presidency! How fun. I especially like that this was written from the viewpoint of a speech writer. I think they have one of the most interesting jobs at the White House. Taking the ideas of the President and crafting them into a coherent message despite all the other people who want to weigh in and make “slight” changes to the message! I can see how the job would burn someone out quickly, though, with all the politics involved within the White House. Impressive book.
8/10

Bond on Set

Bond on Set
By Greg Williams
0752264990

Wow! These pictures are amazing! This book shows what went on behind-the-scenes on the movie set of Die Another Day. And the photographer apparently had access to everything, if these shots are any indication. The colors are amazing, the black and white photographs are even more so. I also loved the information provided, the little stories that we would otherwise never hear. Pierce Brosnan’s brush with danger, for example, in the story of him getting hurt on set. All in all, a must for Bond fans!
10/10

God’s Design for Christian Dating

God’s Design for Christian Dating
By Greg Laurie
0890813736

Quick read, about 100 pages. Very clearly sets out how dating should be. Obviously, there was no dating in the time the Bible was written, so the author has to rely on his own common sense to apply scripture to dating. And he does it very well! Most of the stuff is common sense, in my opinion. But I guess for some people, the things in this book aren’t common sense. Well, good advice and well written.
9/10

Special Agent Scully: The Gillian Anderson Files

Special Agent Scully: The Gillian Anderson Files
By Malcolm But
0859652548 (17)

Hmmm… on page 75, he misspells Teri Hatcher as Terry. Big mistake as she’s another of my favorite actresses! Maybe I’ll take a point off for that! Otherwise, this is a very informative book about Gillian Anderson. Basically all of the information for this book is widely available but the author puts it together into a fascinating read. For fans of Gillian, this is the perfect book. Very nice.
8/10

Treasures of Tutankhamun

Treasures of Tutankhamun
By I.E.S. Edwards
0345256840795

Awesome pictures. An interesting and well-researched look at one of the greatest finds in history. The photography is wonderful, well lit and close-ups where appropriate. The details on the shots are very helpful. I like that the description makes a point of explaining the significance of the figures but the explained the same things over and over. I think this isn’t really a book to read all the way through, it’s more of a catalog where you only look at what is helpful to you at that moment.
9/10

Small Victories

Small Victories
By Samuel G. Freeman

Condensed again. And very good! A story of an inner city school and a great teacher who struggles against all odds to teach her students. I like these stories, it’s nice to know inner city schools have a bright spot. The characters (real, for the most part, just with different names apparently) are at times touching and amusing. I’m a sucker for stories about students. Especially ones overcoming the odds. And teachers who help them.
9/10

God’s Debris

God’s Debris
By Scott Adams

Ummm…. That was actually pretty stupid. Basically, Adams took a bunch of philosophies, mashed them together, stretched them back out, then threw them away and made up some stuff. Not sure what his ultimate goal was, but I ended up learning that he’s crazy and pretty full of himself. Because of the effort involved in writing a book, I can’t bear to give any book lower than a: 3/10

The Rich Part of Life

The Rich Part of Life
By Jim Kokoris

Another condensed story. And adorable! Told through the eyes of a young boy, it’s how his family changes when they win the lottery. An interesting perspective that plays out very well. The father’s brother is funny, showing up to “help” with the money. People seem to crawl out of the woodwork to have their touch with greatness. The few comments about the tabloids are very funny and really struck me. But definitely the most interesting part is the viewpoint of the young boy. Many times, the reader knows more than he does. Reading between the lines is the only way to read this story, but it’s worth it.
8/10