Recently Read

I recently read a book called the 29 Days of Giving. It was heart warming and inspiring. An easy read.

I'm currently in the frame of mind to write more than read. I have so many words in my head that need to be written down!

A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle

Synopsis: About a girl named Vicky who is visiting Seven Bay Island with her family to be with her dying grandfather. Vicky is faced with many heartbreaking challenges including the death of a family friend, the attempted suicide of her ex-boyfriend and her slowly dying grandfather. She also has three main romantic interests that she has to handle with while working on a dolphin-human communications project at a local marine biology research center.

Review: I remember loving it when I read it years back, but as I read it again I was disappointed by the lack of character strength and motivation. Most all of the characters let me down in one way or another and I found Vicky to be a very confused little girl. I did see some growth, but not enough to satisfy me. All in all, I would rate this book as okay-at least for me. Once again, years back I held this book in the highest regard.

Final Act

Synopsis: About a young woman who is hired as a tutor at a very wealthy home which used to host a famous movie star before they died in a mysterious fire years back. While there she is haunted by what at first seems a ghost, but the longer she stays the more she learns of the true secrets that have been viciously kept away from the world.

Review: I liked this book, but I thought it unoriginal. The whole thing screamed Jane Eyre, and I found that it was very much like Jane Eyre the more I read. I did like the main character though. She was a simply girl with understandable emotions and I felt like I was able to connect with her rather easily. I did also like the description; not too much, yet just enough.

Once a Princess by Sherwood Smith

Synopsis: About a modern day young woman who is swept away in a reluctant adventure into a magical world. Her father, the king of this magical kingdom, is having trouble keeping his kingdom in line, and when two mysterious men show up on her doorstep, she knows something has gone terribly wrong. As she enters into the world of her early childhood she is faced with difficult choices, including romantic decisions. Who can she trust in this strange world?

Review: I didn't like it very much. Mostly because I did not like the main character. I don't like her kick-butt attitude and I thought she was even bratty. It's one thing to be obstinate and stubborn, but she was down right rude and if it was meant as humor I didn't like it. I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I did however like the story, it was fun and very imaginative.

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

Review:

Synopsis:

(Not finished reading)

Heaven by Angela Johnson

Synopsis:

Review:

(Not finished reading)

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Synopsis: About a young teenager who is raped and her mental recovery process as she learns how to cope and make a life for herself. During this book she struggles to find her identity while at the same time attempts to cope with the horrific issue on her own. This book is the story of a girl who learns to open up and to speak.

Review: I loved this book. I thought it was extremely well written and I felt like I really knew Mel as a person by the end of the book. The author has a gift of knowing how to draw you into their mind and keep you there. Not only was it well written, but it was very funny! I laughed out loud many times while reading this book, I think the humor helped show that there really is a lighter and happier side to life despite the bad.