Book Reviews (2013)
Books, Poems, or anything in-between, this is a list of everything we have read in the last year and how we have felt
about our reading. This can be religious, funny, or otherwise anything that has words on paper! These also do not have to be writing in this year, only things we have picked up for the first time during this year!
about our reading. This can be religious, funny, or otherwise anything that has words on paper! These also do not have to be writing in this year, only things we have picked up for the first time during this year!
11/22/63
I don't know how I feel about this book! While I was reading it I thought it was fantastic but the ending has left me a little sad- I had wished for a happier ending. The premise of the book was really neat- a man travels back in time to save JFK from being assassinated but more importantly he goes back to save a friend from a tragic childhood experience. While waiting for the fateful day of 11/22/63 he creates a life in the 60's (with the wonderful milkshakes and swing dancing) and falls in love with a woman. Very intriguing story and lovable characters, overall a book that you won't want to put down until you are finished. However, the ending could have been improved in my opinion. I wouldn't be surprised if they make this book into a movie!
Final Grade: 4 out of 5 stars
Final Grade: 4 out of 5 stars
Austenland
I had heard of this book before I picked it up at work to read. The author is Mormon and she actually teamed up with Stephenie Meyer (author of Twilight and also a Mormon) to turn the book into a movie! Overall this is a great, quick read. It is written very well- loved the witty lines that made me laugh out loud! This book follows Jane, a woman who is obsessed with Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Her real life romances suffer due to her love for this fictional character, so her great aunt tries to help by sending her on an Austen themed trip so she can work out her issues. Anyone who is a fan of Jane Austen novels will love this book and won't be able to put it down until it is finished!
Final Grade: 4 out of 5 stars
Final Grade: 4 out of 5 stars
Inferno
I picked up this book at work to read when the evenings got slow... Written by Dan Brown (who also wrote The DaVinci Code), it follow Professor Langdon on another adventure. Overall I thought this book was pretty good- it included the same art history feel as his other books which makes me think it will be a better movie if they ever make it into one. I was constantly going to the computer to look up the paintings, buildings and so forth that he was describing in the book...would be better if it was right in front of you as the story was progressing! A little more sci-fi than his other books, Dan Brown throws in a couple good plot twists that got me! A good read for a rainy day but will not go down as one of my favourites.
Final Grade: 3 out of 5 stars
Final Grade: 3 out of 5 stars
The Kingdom and the Crown: Fishers of Men
Fishers of Men: This book series (The Kingdom and the Crown) is written by the same author who wrote my favourite series- Work and the Glory. This book, Fishers of Men, is the first in the triology which follows several characters as they learn about and meet Jesus in Israel. When I first started reading I was a little overwhelmed with the Jewish names, culture and religious views. However, I was able to get past that because the author makes the characters so loveable! The story line is pretty interesting- loved reading about how people reacted to the miracles Jesus performed. Still not as good as the Work and the Glory, but a decent read that is pretty unique!
Come Unto Me: The second book in the series, carries the story line forward quite a bit and leaves an exciting ending that makes you want to start book three right away! I felt this book had the least to do with Jesus' ministry and focused more on character development.
Behold the Man: The last book in the series definitely focused on Jesus the most of all the trilogy. We get to experience his last days on earth with him from welcoming him into Jerusalem as the Messiah, being in the garden of Gethsemane, to his arrest and trial and eventual crucifixion. Then we experience the joy with his apostles and followers when he is resurrected! It must have been very difficult for the author to write- I felt like some of the emotion was missing as he tried to get all of the facts right. We will never really know what it was like to be there but the author gives it a good shot!
Final Grade: 3 out of 5 stars
Come Unto Me: The second book in the series, carries the story line forward quite a bit and leaves an exciting ending that makes you want to start book three right away! I felt this book had the least to do with Jesus' ministry and focused more on character development.
Behold the Man: The last book in the series definitely focused on Jesus the most of all the trilogy. We get to experience his last days on earth with him from welcoming him into Jerusalem as the Messiah, being in the garden of Gethsemane, to his arrest and trial and eventual crucifixion. Then we experience the joy with his apostles and followers when he is resurrected! It must have been very difficult for the author to write- I felt like some of the emotion was missing as he tried to get all of the facts right. We will never really know what it was like to be there but the author gives it a good shot!
Final Grade: 3 out of 5 stars
matched trilogy
I got this book for Christmas (2012) and starting reading right away (I love books as gifts, I find it hard to pick out a book to read so I love suggestions!) I would put this in the same young adult genre as Twilight and Hunger Games, however it more closely resembles Hunger Games because of the dystopian futuristic government-controlled setting. Fans of either book series should give this one a try. The idea behind Matched was great (government choosing who you can marry, Cassia, the protagonist fighting against it...) and the love story between Cassia and Ky was very intriguing (I loved the poetry in it!). However I found the next two books to be not as good and was a little disappointed with the ending. However, its one of those series that if you read the first book you have to finish the series! Movies are in production, so I would recommend to read it before they come out!
Final Grade: 3 out of 5 stars (for whole series), 4 out of 5 stars (for Matched)
Final Grade: 3 out of 5 stars (for whole series), 4 out of 5 stars (for Matched)
The Hobbit
I remember how my grade 6 teacher read this book to us after lunch! He would do different voices and sing the songs... it was great! I wanted to re-read it before the movies came out. This is still a classic book that everyone should read! I am not a huge huge fan of dwarves, elves and the like but I can handle this book! (Probably wouldn't be able to make it through The Lord of the Rings series...) I love Bilbo Baggins and how he faces his fears :) Very creative and great storytelling!
Final Grade: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Final Grade: 3.75 out of 5 stars
inheritance cycle: eragon
Micah bought this series for me for Christmas (2011). I became interested in Eragon after I read that the author was a 15 year old homeschooled boy when he wrote the first book who ended up self-publishing the book! I would say this book is definitely more for kids than young adults although I still enjoyed reading them. However, I could not tell that a teenager had written the books; I had to look up a couple of words in the dictionary to find out what they meant! A magical world is created with some good characters and even a new language. I found that perhaps young boys would like this series more than girls; I found that it was missing a great love story to keep me going (that sounds stereotypical but I can say that because I'm a girl, hehehe). I would recommend this book to boys who like Harry Potter, this may be a new series you would enjoy! (Note: a movie was made based off of these books which I have not seen. I am told the movie is horrible so do not see it if you have not read the books, and if you have seen the movie then maybe give the books a try.)
Final Grade: 3 out of 5 stars
Final Grade: 3 out of 5 stars
The Chronicles of Narnia
I did not read this series as a kid so I thought it was time to give it a try. To be honest it was not my favourite. I found the writing style to be very dry- I'm surprised kids can make it through one book! I love Aslan and how he symbolizes Jesus, but I found the story telling not that great. I am thankful for the people who could see past that and were able to put the story in movie form. That worked a little better for my brain! Hahaha
Final Grade: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Final Grade: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Game Of Thrones
This book series was definitely not one of my favourites! The story is pretty unique but it is drawn out so long over time that it never wraps up! There are so many characters that it is hard to keep them straight. The worst part is *spoiler alert* the author kills every main character off so don't get attached to anyone! There also is some graphic sex and language in the books that make it a little awkward to read (if you have seen the show you know what I'm talking about). Wouldn't recommend it although the idea of the story is pretty neat.
Final Grade: 2 out of 5 stars
Final Grade: 2 out of 5 stars
the girl with the dragon tattoo
Micah also gave me this series for Christmas (2011)! This is a great series if you like mystery and detective work. Very original characters and plot! The first book was my favourite; the mystery was fantastic with a great twist ending. The other books were alright in terms of mystery; I did like how the characters were explored more in the following books. Warning: there is some explicit sexual content in the books.
Final Grade: 3.5 out of 5 stars (for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
Final Grade: 3.5 out of 5 stars (for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)