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.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I know others will see my rating and be quite disgusted. But I read all the Thomas Hardy books in my twenties, and I think I got this romantic type of male-dominated society books out of my system. The writing is musical, presenting a nice break in plain talk and low vocabulary flow.
I wonder if I had a more modern, popular reader, if I would have loved it more? I just didn’t enjoy Victoria McGee’s interpretation much. /
Back in the day, and we don’t have to go back as far as Jane Austin’s time, how about the era of Billie Jean King? Getting a wealthy man was the main goal for a female. Even when I read the Thomas Hardy books, I still thought that way. It was taught to me by my church, family, and society, but now, having lived 73 years, I think all of that was a waste. Women should have spent as much time growing our minds and independent abilities as menfolk.
Still, reading historical novels reminds us of a time gone by. Different thoughts, fashions, and inventions prevailed. Mostly, this book makes me thankful we live now.
Acorna’s World by Anne McCaffrey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I can’t believe it! I finally finished reading an actual hardback book. Of course, it’s Anne McCaffrey. I started it on February 13, 2020, and finished two days ago. I have tracking issues and find paper books hard to follow. I have always had this problem, but since my 60s, it has been far harder. I’m thankful to be alive when we have Kindle Text-to-Speech or Audible. And anyone who knows me, I am addicted to reading. I was the girl who had to check out 10 (the limit) books every time I went to the library. And the library and bookstores are still my favorite places. But if I take it slow, I can get through a book.
This is book 4 of the Acorna series. I love most of the characters. RK the cat is the best. I am most disappointed that the series dedicated to the Unicorn Girl seems to be far less of her than everyone else. I would love more about Granddam. But maybe as the series continues, I will find more of what I want from the Unicorn people.
I have been fortunate to have most of Anne McCaffrey’s books in the first edition. This one was not, and neither are the next couple. But I will buy the hardbacks to keep reading “real” books. Meanwhile, I did pick up the Kindle version from Libby. With a trip coming up, I have to save my pennies. But next month, I will buy hardback #5.
By the way, I think Anne McCaffrey’s writing doesn’t age. It is so current, no matter what is going on here. Try them!
The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Okay, the truth is I am only 50% finished. And that was pushing it for a couple of nights.
No. Just no. I am not in the mood for little character discoveries. I am a deep-series person. Not getting to know my imaginary people any better than a pass on the street is not something I can handle.
Please don’t get me wrong. I am not saying YOU won’t like it. You may very well love it. Check out the reviews. They are so varied. It’s just not for me.
I must admit to loving the voices of Tess Gunty (Author and narrator), Scott Brick (Narrator), Suzanne Toren (Narrator), and others. But it was not enough for me. I need more story in my books than what they offered.
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 League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
About halfway into this book, I thought of what I wanted to say about this book. It is:
Improperly provocative done properly. Another I thought of since:ย Wickedly Proper
Witches, pirates, tea parties, and subtle romance keep this story going. So funny, I nearly spit my tea, yet subtle enough not to wake my husband with my guffaws.
Elizabeth Knowelden (Narrator) gave the proper voice to read this fun book.
I think I liked this one far more than India Holton’s first book, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. The witches versus pirates made my day!
If you are looking for a fun diversion from everyday torture, this book might do the job. I was lucky to find this audio version on Libby.
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.
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.
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Stephen King (Author, Narrator), Seth Numrich (Narrator), made this a story I didn’t want to end. It was difficult to put it down, even at four o’clock in the morning!
Just to let you know, I don’t like scary. Not books or shows. Sure, I like my Walking Dead, but the scary isn’t the zombies; it is other humans who think they know what everyone should want.
The other thing I don’t like is one more rewritten fairy tale. Ugh! But this isn’t. The fairy tale references are more a way for the reader to relate to what is going on for the main character, Charlie Reade. More than 40% of the book is about getting to know this young teen. You grow to love him and feel for him.
Please read the blurb here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6…
By the way, I was lucky to pick this up from Libby Audio. The narrator is so fabulous at all his voices, and I never felt he was demeaning to the characters he played, even though a few characters were horrible beings.
This wasn’t scary. Let me say that again. It is a little thrilling as you watch the adventure unfold, but not in a horror film way.
I hope you get the chance to read this or give it a listen (preferred). Enjoy!
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
There are many reviews of this book. It seems you either love it or hate it. I think I am near to the love it stage. After reading some really serious books recently, this book was fun. I’m 73. I lived through all of this that seems not to have disappeared at all. In fact, the feministic things that seemed to have happened in this book haven’t happened; any more than a dog with an excellent vocabulary hasn’t occurred. However, I do believe the dog part more than the female advancement that fictionally occurred here.
Outside of the near murder of a rapist by pencil near the beginning, most of this book is aimed at the hope that things can change, even though the 50s and 60s didn’t advance most of us.
The best part of this book was the voice of Miranda Raisom, the narrator. She kept the book lively and showed the humor within it.
The interview with the author, Bonnie Garmus, and Pandora Sykes at the book’s end was also interesting.
Rather than taking it to heart, I suggest this as a beach or summer read.
I am so grateful for the library system that helps us all read more, even when funds are less. I listened to the Libby audiobook.
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%)
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