Acorna’s Triumph by Anne McCaffrey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a continuation of the last book, including lots of time travel to make and solve problems. I admit to being quite distracted as traveling to my daughter and son-in-love’s wedding took a lot of my time and energy. Still, it was fun, what I remember, and kept me in the story despite myself and packing suitcases.
This series was interesting. I have more Anne McCaffrey books to read and can’t wait to get started on my next one.
Acorna’s Search by Anne McCaffrey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I found many of Anne McCaffrey’s books in the first edition a while back. And at a reasonable price. I bought them up. Now, I am on a mission to read them all. Unfortunately, my reading skills have worsened as my tracking on paper books keeps me slow. And in the case of this book, I didn’t have the hardback. Libby had the Kindle version, so I grabbed it up. With Kindle, I can employ the Text-to-Speech. So I was able to read it quickly. The last book, a hardback, took me a year or so. This took me four days!
It was fun to ‘read’ this, the best of the Unicorn Girl books so far. Not only did we not have the Khleevi, but we had a lot more of RK (Road Kill), the cat. He is so much fun! There is more of Acorna, the original unicorn girl, and more of some side characters I wanted to learn more about.
The best part of this book is how the characters get into a situation that involves time travel on their planet. What a great way to get to know the history of the unicorn people.
I found myself holding my breath in moments of tension and fear for the characters. As much as I was a fan of the Dragon books, I am now becoming a fan of the Unicorn Girl series. I’ve already grabbed up and started reading the next Kindle version from Libby.
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I admit I wasn’t as in love with this one as Karen Cushman’s Midwife’s Apprentice. But maybe it is how that period was compared to how the main character portrayed her life. But had she not, the story would have been boring. And less educational. There was far more feminine leeway in what Catherine or Birdy did daily.
Still, as a read-aloud or read-along with middle-grade students, a teacher or parent could develop a considerable lesson plan incorporating everything from hygiene to the Crusades. In fact, as an adult, it was fascinating to learn all the crafts needed for survival that we engage in as hobbies now.
This was written diary form so that you could live the day-by-day of a young woman about to be married off. The abuses are blatant. The dangers of that time for newborns through older people are a given. That anyone lived through all this shows the human endurance of history.
So even though not as well-loved as a story, this is certainly worth the read and discussions that could develop.
I was able to read this on Libby. I will try to look up more of Karen Cushman’s work.
The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I wish books didn’t need tags like ‘middle grade’ or ‘young adult’ as this book had so much depth for all ages. Maybe somewhere, we could say, middle grades could read this. Young adults can relate. But I think this would make a great read-aloud to share. A teacher or parent could do the reading. There are a lot of conversation starters built in that people should enjoy.
For someone who entertained the occupation of midwifery, this called me as much as the show, ‘Call the Midwife.’ The miracle of birth and mothering are passions of mine.
This was a Libby Kindle that I was able to use text-to-speech. I think I would have loved a narrator, but the TTS did a great job all the way through. Can anyone tell me why TTS can’t say ‘finger’ but rather says ‘finJay’? That was the only word I had to take a moment to understand. But that was okay. Your brain adjusts to small inconsistencies like that.
Apparently, there are discussion booklets and book group helps. I would love to have been a part of one of those.
I am now a fan of Karen Cushman and can’t wait to read more of her books. I hope you like her, too.
Dragon Mage Academy The Complete Series: Books 1-7 Box Set by Cordelia Castel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I wanted to like this. I did trudge through as there were threads of plot I wanted to see to the end. But I had the series on Kindle with text-to-speech on speed level 3. It almost sounded like the chipmunks were reading it, but I could follow the storyline and stay with it. I had pushed it aside, but I ran out of stuff to read for a moment, and there it was, so I tried again.
The characters were unrelatable. And I don’t know about you, but as much as I loved seeing books of girls defeating the male-dominated societies by pretending to be boys, I prefer stories of females making it in equalitarian societies. All things being equal, I love the dragons in this story. They are intelligent and bond with humans to get things done.
Go read the reviews. They are quite mixed. You may love this book. You may hate it. At least you’ll have a decent read for a few nights.
The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
From my stationary bike, I felt a part of this story. It inspired me to hope that maybe I would find my way to getting a real bicycle that would work out here in the dirt road backcountry I find myself a part of.
This seems a gentle beach story at first. But soon, a person can see there are many subjects brought up from the character’s point of view. A person needs to see all the layers of the story involved. Some may not agree with the views presented, but grab what you may and enjoy what you can. Mostly enjoy this young woman’s life and journey as she finds her way to adulthood.
I was lucky to be able to read this Kindle edition through NetGalley. Thank you.
My Alien Life by J. Martain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I don’t know how I heard of this book. It’s been sitting in my currently-reading list on GoodReads for quite a while. I think I loved the title. But it wasn’t what I thought. I finished my last read and was still awake, so I started this. Before I knew it, this book was gone. Oh! Oops! I didn’t realize it was just a novella or short story.
Something about this story reminded me of Where the Crawdads Sing. But I guess it was because of being raised a little differently than the norm.
I liked it because it made me think of my grandmothers and wish I had spent more time with them. But other than that, it was too short. I wanted to know what happened next. But that seems to be a standard complaint of mine. All books and stories are too short!
Anyway, this is it if you’re looking for something short and sweet.
A Witch in Wolf Wood: The Complete Series Books 1-5 by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a refreshingly fun read. First, it is only $.99 for the whole book bundle. I listened to text-to-speech. If you need to see what pulled me to read it:
Bookish introvert Morgen Keller never thought she would have a midlife crisis. That was before her husband divorced her, her boss let her go, and her grandmother died.
Forty wasn’t supposed to look like this.
When Morgen inherits Grandma’s old farmhouse in the small town of Bellrock, Washington, it could be a chance for a fresh start.
There are just a few problems…
A fearsome werewolf has claimed the property for himself, Grandma didn’t die of natural causes, and, oh, she was a witch.
Embroiled in a mystery, and heir to powers she knew nothing about, Morgen must turn to the only person who might be able to help: the werewolf who threatened to rip her throat out for trespassing.
This isn’t the fresh start on life that Morgen had in mind.
~~~
Lindsay Buroker has become a new favorite author. She doesn’t take herself too seriously. There were times in the book when she made the main character laugh at the author. I laughed out loud and woke my husband. Sorry.
I’d love to meet up with the characters later. I’d love to watch how the story unfolds after the end.
Meanwhile, I have picked up a couple of other book deals by the author to read in the future. I can hardly wait.
Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a difficult read. I didn’t initially relate to any of the characters, except for not fitting in. I think everyone has had the occasion where they find themselves in a group they don’t feel is for them. Efe finds herself there most of her life.
At one point, I did find myself paying closer attention. I think it was when the couple found themselves expecting a baby. Yes, I was raised during the 50s and 60s. Women were to be barefoot, pregnant, and happy about it. Well, throwing up and being tired all the time didn’t fit with how I was supposed to feel. Cultural expectations and my own clashed as women’s lib was showing that we had choices. Too late for me. I was already entirely indoctrinated.
Still, after the babies were born, I found they taught me all I needed. They knew how to do the baby parts, and I learned the mama parts. I know for a fact that I was fortunate. Being a mom isn’t built into our genes. No more than being a dad comes with the part he played in the baby-making. And they have had their share of expectations. Now smush those ideas and realities into play, and every marriage and parenting situation brings challenges no one expected.
Efe and Sam come into parenting the same way, full of expectations and realities that don’t fit the stories they were supposed to believe. I can see how poor Efe and other pregnant women can feel the way they do. There can be no normal with mental and emotional issues in the mix. Each person has to learn their way. Here is an excellent story to show how understanding your partner, even when you don’t show what love is. Efe does her best out of love. Sam does his best out of love. Yet, the story doesn’t go according to expectations. I feel like I want to give everyone a hug and move on. No amount of talking can help the emotional issues at hand.
By the way, as indifferent as I felt at the beginning of the book, I suggest having the Kleenex handy. I was in shock and had difficulty sleeping after the story ended.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I think others will like this book. I think I might have liked an audio version rather than the Kindle text-to-speech. Maybe it was just I wasn’t into it. I put the speed faster to finish the book.
It had a good storyline. Which is why I feel it was just me not being in the mood for it right now. I do love the cover, so beautiful. As was the concept. So just take it as a me thing. It was a Kindle Libby, so it was free. Try it; you might love it!
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 100 books for the 2013 Reading Challenge! 115 of 100 (115%)
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 225 books for the 2012 Reading Challenge! 225 of 225 (100%)
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 200 books for the 2011 Reading Challenge! 204 of 200 (102%)
“Log your journey to success.” “Where goals turn into progress.”
The Depth Behind The Ordinary
Books, games, music, and life — filtered through the mind of a writer, drummer, and philosopher who thinks too deeply about all of it. If it moves something in your chest, I'm interested.
"Words & Wonders - Where thoughts meet art
Justice, Channeling,Spiritual,Astrology,Truth- Seeker.
Education, Information, Motivation
Exploring Portuguese Culture, Azorean Heritage, and Luso-Canadian Identity Through Writing
Inheritance. Narcissism. Turf. Welcome to the family.
Finding the extra in the ordinary
A Blog About Food and Travels
I upload photos & videos Golu lodhi village pairakhedi
Travel,Tourism, Life style "Now in hundreds of languages for you."
twisted yarns, unraveled
The Introvert's Roadmap to Self Discovery and Growth
Darswords 
You must be logged in to post a comment.