Happy Halloween, yall!! How are things where you are? I tell you what, I feel a little guilty because I've been reading about the 'Frankenstorm' that has hit the East Coast while we are enjoying such beautiful fall weather here. (Reading that more than 8 million are without power and it is sunny and about 60 degress here - little windy, but that makes it feel nice and fallish.) Anyway, we are thinking of all those affected by the storm and praying for a quick recovery. It's only fun to eat cold ravioli out of the can once or twice.
Well, as always, I have been keeping my nose in a book. But having a very hard time finding something GOOD to read. Any suggestions from fellow readers out there? I will read anything. Classics, old, new, it doesn't matter to me. I've been seriously wandering from my normal genres and not making very good picks. Please leave me suggestions in the comments if you think of anything!!
In the last month, I read Hope's Boy by Andrew Bridge (published in February 2008). This is a true story about a boy (Andrew) born to a single mom. While Hope is not a normal mom and shows signs of mental health issues, she and Andrew seem to share a very strong, loving bond. Well. When Andrew turns 7, Hope is institutionalized and with no one to take him, he is place in the foster care system, where he stays for the next 11 years. Andrew ends up with a family that was in it for the check (which, I'm afraid, happens to too many of our foster children) and turned to his teachers and academics for survival. In the end, Andrew goes to college and becomes a lawyer and dedicates his life to children living in the 'system'.
Meh.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? This should have been an inspirational, uplifting book. But honestly, it was just 'meh' to me. It didn't inspire, it didn't make me cry, I didn't think about it once it was done. I don't know. It was fine and easy to read, but not one of those books that grabs you by the throat. And I think it could have been. Eh. 2/5.
So here's the problem. In looking through the bestsellers for something to read, I picked this. 'The Ugly Duchess' by Eloisa James.
...
I don't read thes kinds of books. Honest.
...
Or, I didn't used to. ERMAHGERD!! This book was SO good! I have now read every single one of her books (obsessive, much?), including, 'The Duke Is Mine', 'When Beauty Tamed the Beast', 'A Kiss at Midnight'...
I know what you are thinking.
Most every book has the same premise - smart, spunk heroine and a charming, worldly duke. I can't help it. I loved them. Each and every one of them. I WILL tell you that I enjoyed the Essex Sisters stories very much. There are four books in the series (each about one of four orphaned sisters): 'Much Ado About You' which tells the story of Tess, the oldest sister - then 'Kiss Me Annabel' - then 'The Taming of the Duke' - and last, 'Pleasure for Pleasure.'
In all seriousness, I enjoyed these books and would recommend them for a nice, easy, feelgood read. ALL OF THEM 5/5, but I may no longer be rational as I find myself looking for my lady's maid to help me into my corset in the morning!
Alrighty, then. In an effort to get back on track, I read 'The Academie' by Amy Joy. In response to escalating violence by teenagers/young people (think Columbine), all persons under the age of 23 have to go to a live-in boarding school - the Academie - which is run by the government. Students are not allowed to take personal items, are issued uniforms for school and sleep and are generally not allowed to see their families. They live at the Academie 24/7. Allie is the protagonist. She was just starting college when she was called back to the Academie. Despite working hard and having friends, the Academie is a dismal, militaristic place and Allie gets depressed. **Spoiler Alert** Stop reading here if you think you might want to read this book because I'm about to ruin it for you. Allie and her friends start noticing unusual things happening and in the end, discover that the Academie is nothing more than a sophisticated computer program. All of the kids are actually in a medically induced coma, with this computer program simulating a life for them. At the end of the story, a group of rebels tries to help the kids out of the program because the government has just announced that they will be keeping everyone until they turn 30, rather than 23. Pretty good. BUT, it is a series...so stay tuned. 3.5/5. (What is with all these series? STAHP. Please. Just. STAHP.)
Next, I'm going to read 'The Rook by Daniel O'Malley. We'll see how this one turns out! It is about a secret agency of spies that track supernatural activity in England (Think Harry Potter-style). The reviews pretty much unanimously call it interesting and humorous. We'll see - I'll definitely let you know!!
Hope everyone has a great Halloween!! Don't eat too much candy!
Or Little Debbie Fall Cakes. (Ha. Little Debbie FAT cakes.) ERMAHGERD, I lurve them them SO much.
They are completely addictive. Do NOT start. Don't even try them. Or before you know it, you will be in the bed surrounded by a wad of empty wrappers. I mean, seriously. What can you do EXCEPT go to bed when you've eaten that many fatcakes? Trust me, I speak from experience.
Happy Days!! Bye for now!
