Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
J.K. Rowling
This is the screenplay version of the book. I really enjoyed this story, even though it was a quite a dark tale. I have not seen the movie yet, but hope to. The magical aspects of this brought to mind the wonderful times reading the Harry Potter books. I don't know whether Rowling intends to take these characters forward, but the story left you wanting to know more about them.
The Phantom Tollbooth
Norton Juster
This is a classic, or so I've read. I did enjoy this book with its very clever wordplay, but I found that a few pages went a long way. Took me a fair amount of time to finish, but I'm glad I did.
Mr. Dixon Disappears
Ian Sansom
Loved, loved, loved this second book in the Mobile Library series. This was laugh out loud funny! The quirky characters of rural Northern Ireland interact with the common sense librarian who runs the local bookmobile. What fun!
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
I've been hoping to read more of the classics, and started with a beautiful antique edition of Alice in Wonderland. I had recently purchased the book Heartless (a new release), and thought I better read the original before reading a story based on the original. I'm sure you all know the story, but it was a pleasure to actually read it.
The Misremembered Man
Christina McKenna
A good, not great, story. I got this as a "kindle deal of the day," so I didn't have a lot invested in it. I probably would continue with this author if her other books were also "deals." The story takes place in Ireland and centers on a very lonely man looking for companionship and an equally lonely woman looking for something more in her life, too. Interspersed with their present day story is the talk of the man's upbringing in an orphanage where the conditions and treatment of the children were horrendous.
To Kill A Mockingbird
Harper Lee
Not sure how I missed out reading this in high school and college, but I did! Obviously this is a classic, and it certainly felt that way as I was reading it. What a wonderful story and a wonderful group of characters. With a few exceptions, I loved them all! As I got near the end, here was a wonderful coincidence.
"Aunt Alexandra was hooking a rug and not watching us, but she was listening. She sat in her chair with her workbasket beside it,
her rug spread across her lap. Why ladies hooked woolen rugs on boiling nights never became clear to me."
The Stockholm Octavo
Karen Engelmann
I didn't love this book, but it was good. There were parts that dragged, and I almost gave up on it, but saw it through to the end, and I was glad I did. Interesting bits of history around the time of the French Revolution were mixed into the story which took place in Sweden and centered on the "octavo." The octavo centers on a group of eight cards representing eight people who can help you achieve your vision. Worth a read, and the cover art is so beautiful.
Did You Ever Have a Family
Bill Clegg
Tragedy strikes the night before a wedding. The story, told in many voices and therefore different perspectives, reveals just what a family is and can be. I loved this book. It was an easy read, with likable characters whose stories were heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Definitely recommend.
No comments:
Post a Comment