What I'm Reading Right Now
Waiting to be Read
Just Finished
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier My brother told me about this book. I didn't read it at the time. Then I saw the movie and decided that the book might be worth reading. It really was. As good as the movie was with its cinematic poetry and fleshing out of the action, the book is that much better. The story mainly concerns two characters, Inman and Ada Monroe toward the end of the Civil War. Inman, a Confederate soldier has been severely wounded and is recovering in the hospital when he decides that he's had enough of the war and wishes to go home and declare himself to Ada Monroe, the daughter of a preacher in his hometown on Cold Mountain. He runs away from the hospital and begins a harrowing journey back to his home and his beloved. Ada, who has been waiting for Inman since the start of the war has her own troubles. She's been raised as a gentlewoman and has no idea how to survive in the war-torn south. And then a neighbor sends her Ruby, an independent young woman who can teach her. As usual, when a book is turned into a movie, many characters and incidents are left out - I'm sure by necessity - Inman's journey is much more complicated and horrific than is portryed in the movie; Ada's progression from a southern belle to a woman of character is a joy to read. I highly recommend this book. |
Recent Reviews |
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Mirror by Gregory Maguire Bianca De Nevada, a beautiful little girl, who lives with her father finds her life radically changed when Cesare Borgia and his sister, Lucrezia come to visit. Vincente De Nevada, a Spanish widower is sent on a mission, leaving young Bianca in the care of the cook and priest of the home, and under the wardship of Lucrezia. When Cesare turns his eyes toward Bianca, Lucrezia orders a local hunter to take Bianca to the woods and return with her heart carved from her chest. Of course, we all know that the hunter did not murder the child, but instead released her in the woods, to be found by seven dwarves. And here the relationship between the story told by Disney and the story told by Maguire end. This is a dark and surreal fairy story using the Borgias and some historical fiction to bolster the story. I enjoyed the story, but had many unanswered questions about Bianca's survival with the dwarves, Vincente's survival on his mission and the return of both to their homes. Lucrezia's and Cesare's demises are expected and rather grotesque. But aside from all that, I recommend this book. |
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Daughters: The Stuart Princesses Who Stole Their Father's Crown by
Maureen Waller This is a history book that reads like historical fiction! I really enjoyed this author's writing. The book starts with Charles II's reign and takes the reader through the monarchies of James, William and Mary and Anne. This book is full of details, and yet the details enhance rather than get in the way of the story. Glimpsing into the lives of these kings and queens we meet their friends and enemies, some of which are both friends and enemies. Reading the correspondence between Mary and Anne, and especially Anne and Sarah Churchill is fascinating, although a bit trying due to word spelling and usage of the 17th and 18th centuries. There are two sections of illustrations in the book, very high quality which allows the reader to put a face to the names, which I really appreciated. The various revolutions, civil unrest and disease-ridden England come alive in this book as we follow this unfortunate family. |
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Treasury of Royal Scandals by Michael Farquhar Oh the titillation! Actually, this is a great, gossipy book. The writing is modern with a few quotations in it. It's almost as if Mr. Farquhar is standing on the other side of the fence and telling all about these royals! The chapters are quite short and the writing is succinct. But what wonderful retellings of these scandals. I was particularly interested in the tales of the Popes and antipopes, as I have never really studied them. Murders, sex, scandals! This is a wonderful little book, if you are interested in this type of thing! |
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Little
House (9 Books, Boxed Set) by Laura Ingalls Wilder I've always loved the Little House books! I first started reading them when I was about 8, and have revisited them regularly ever since. The books follow Laura and her family, father, Charles, mother, Caroline and sisters Mary, Carrie and Grace from the 1800's Wisconsin through Laura's marriage to Almanzo Wilder. The wonderful thing about these books is that it gives a marvelous depiction of life as a pioneer through the eyes of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The most exciting book of the series, I think, is the Little House on the Prairie, the most adventurous of the books. If you are purchasing the books for a child, you needn't worry about anything inappropriate - the books are definitely child friendly. And if you are purchasing them, as I did, to replace a beloved set of books, it is well worth reading and re-reading this series. Wilder's way of writing allows you to place yourself in the stories and follow the family from Wisconsin, through Kansas, Minnesota and, well, you get what I'm saying here. This is a priceless treasury of books! Get them for yourself or a child. It's well worth it! |
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