While I wait to find Chris's camera with Fiona's pictures on it I wanted to share with you a few reviews of books I have read lately. I've been trying to figure out where I will leave my reviews and how I can have them in my "i heart libros" link. So reviews here, and short synopsis there. Got it? Cool.
My next book is The Count of Monte Cristo. It's 47 hours. It took Chris 3 weeks to listen to it and he loved it!
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (5 out of 5)
This was the book club pick for my ward. I had seen pictures of it before but knew nothing more about it. So I downloaded it and started listening and was immeadiately drawn into this weird, mysterious, eerie tale. I can't tell if it's a chick book but I loved it. The characters were interesting and the way the author described everything was... interesting. I was talking with a neighbor about it and she felt the same way as me. You can't put your finger on why it's interesting, or how it draws you in but it's good. It's like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights where it's dark and cold but yet so beautiful. I know this doesn't tell you anything but that I loved it and I was sad when it was over.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Matched by Ally Condie (3 out of 5)
Think Hunger Games meets The Giver. A perfect society that is having a little difficulty with it's "outer provinces" and a few mischievous characters. I liked this book, I probably would have given it a higher score if it was original at all. But the writing is good and entertaining. The heroine isn't annoying, or whiny like a lot of contemporary young adult novels are. Cassia is matched to her BFF Xander but falls for another boy, Ky. I'm excited for the sequel in November. If Hunger Games is over why can't I enjoy another series just like it?
_____________________________________________________________________________
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (4 out of 5)
I watched this masterpiece theatre in October and thought it was pretty cool. I never wanted to read it because it's Bella's favorite book in Twilight and we all know how much I loathe those books. When a good friend started reading it I told myself I was being immature and decided to listen to it. I'm so glad I did.
1- I want to visit the Moors someday. They sound hauntingly amazing.
2. Heathcliff is one crazy dude.
3. Narrators with English accents just make the story better. the end.
In all seriousness, I will never love a book as much as Jane Eyre. Emily has a much darker style. I like Jane Eyre because she put her characters through a bunch of crap but made it all better in the end. With Emily I thought her characters were never going to catch a break. And then when they do she ends it really quickly. I loved the perspective she told it from. A random renter/neighbor who meets Heathcliff and sees Cathy's ghost and then the housekeeper tells him the whole story behind it all. If you are into reading classics and like Jane Eyre I know you'll love Wuthering Heights.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Bossy Pants by Tina Fey (1 million stars out of 5)
Ok, this review is a little bias because I love her. I love everything she does (except the last couple episodes of 30 Rock and hr hosting SNL. DISAPPOINTING!) But this book is HILARIOUS. HILARIOUS!!!!!! Especially if you are a chick. It's 5 hours long and I listened to it in 3 days cause I wanted to savor it. I was laughing out loud every 5 minutes. It's a real book too but if you can listen to it, PLEASE DO. She's so funny. Sure Tina is pro-gay marriage, and really
kinda super feminist. But it's empowering. The funniest parts are when she tells about getting her first period, her replys to people on chat forums, and her life lessons from improv. I love that she calls blonds "yellow hair". I love hearing the stories about SNL and 30 Rock. What's not so good? The last chapter when she goes on and on about if she should have another kid. (which she is I guess!)
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One woman survived the holocaust by Edith Hahn Beer (5 out of 5)
Coming Soon!.....
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (4 out of 5)
I have an audible account and before our long move home I downloaded a bunch of books, this was one of them. I didn't get around to listening to it till February but I'm so glad I started it cause I really loved it. I loved listening to it. There are 3 narrators who tell the story, each taking a turn from their perspective but never repeating the same part of the story. I am fascinated by the south and how it still hasn't completely recovered from the early American years and the relationship/conflict between black and whites.
This particular story takes place in the early sixties, in Mississippi when the hot topic was civil rights. What I found fascinating is how these white, stay at home moms let black woman basically raise their children and clean their homes but treated them terribly and didn't even see black people as equals.
I loved the book, and probably would have given it 5 stars but when it was over I thought, "that's it?!" I couldn't figure out why I wasn't satisfied. Then it hit me. The whole book she talks about how huge the consequences could be if the characters got caught and then at the end it's a sweet happy ending. Not that I'm demented and want bad things to happen to people I just think the story could have been a lot more powerful if the consequences were grander. I know it's hard for authors to kill off their characters but I think the ones who do (The Book Thief by Markus Zusak) make the story more powerful, and memorable.
To keep from giving away anything I'm going to leave my review there. If you have read it I will tell you what I would have done as the author so shoot me an email or something.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger (1 out of 5)
Just when you thought I would give every book I ever read 4 or 5 stars let me introduce the biggest waste of time. Last Night at Chateau Marmont is a beach read. No substance. Not even entertaining. It's the same author as The Devil Wears Prada and I loved the book and movie. I kept thinking it would get better. And then I was like "aw, I'll just finish it!" I got the first chapter for free with my audible account and thought this will be fun! A fun read. No, it wasn't. Not a single character was interesting or note worthy.
