Odd and the Frost Giants
Odd and the Frost Giants is based on a Norse folktale. After Odd's father died on a voyage and Odd broke his leg, his mother remarried. Odd does not like his new family very much and one night sneaks off to his father's old woodcutting shed. At the shed, Odd meets three animals- a fox, a bear, and a hawk who are actually Norse Gods. The Gods were thrown out of their land by a Frost Giant and along with Odd's help, are able to return and throw the Frost Giant out. While the story is well written, it does not have the creepy eerie quality of some of Gaiman's other works and is not as interesting. However, it would be a great introduction to Norse mythology for younger readers.
Rated 3 bookmarks
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Pillars of Earth by Ken Follett
The Pillars of Earth by Ken Follett
Pillars of Earth is a massive, sweeping work (896 pages). Despite its length, Follett manages to keep the reader captivated with an interesting cast of characters and a quickly paced story. Pillars of Earth tells the story of the construction of Kingsbridge Cathedral in the Middle Ages and the stories of those that worked on the Cathedral. The plot, while sometimes predictable, does have many twists and turns that will surprise most readers. At the end, you are left wanting to know more of what happens to the characters. Overall an excellent read, but be prepared for a massive work.
4 bookmarks
Pillars of Earth is a massive, sweeping work (896 pages). Despite its length, Follett manages to keep the reader captivated with an interesting cast of characters and a quickly paced story. Pillars of Earth tells the story of the construction of Kingsbridge Cathedral in the Middle Ages and the stories of those that worked on the Cathedral. The plot, while sometimes predictable, does have many twists and turns that will surprise most readers. At the end, you are left wanting to know more of what happens to the characters. Overall an excellent read, but be prepared for a massive work.
4 bookmarks
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
For those of you who have never read a book by Neil Gaiman, he writes creepy stories. The Graveyard Book is an excellent example of Gaiman at the top of his craft. The Graveyard tells the story of Nobody "Bod" Owens, a boy who is adopted by the residents of the graveyard after the murder of his family when he was two years old. Bod is brought up by the residents of the graveyard, and while he comes to love the graveyard and its many eclectic residents, he longs to join the world of the living and to know who is family was. Through the captivating tale, Bod learns about his family and why they were murdered. An excellent choice for young readers. Children will love Gaiman's creepy, but straight forward style.
5 bookmarks
For those of you who have never read a book by Neil Gaiman, he writes creepy stories. The Graveyard Book is an excellent example of Gaiman at the top of his craft. The Graveyard tells the story of Nobody "Bod" Owens, a boy who is adopted by the residents of the graveyard after the murder of his family when he was two years old. Bod is brought up by the residents of the graveyard, and while he comes to love the graveyard and its many eclectic residents, he longs to join the world of the living and to know who is family was. Through the captivating tale, Bod learns about his family and why they were murdered. An excellent choice for young readers. Children will love Gaiman's creepy, but straight forward style.
5 bookmarks
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned From Judy Blume
Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume edited by Jennifer O'Connell
What girl hasn't ready a Judy Blume book and thought, "That is me?". In Everthing I Needed to Know, O'Connell has gathered together essays from a variety of women telling about how their life has intersected with Judy Blume's work. The essays provide powerful insights into how Judy Blume's work has stuck with its readers through the years and its continuing impact on girls. It will bring back memories for girls of when they were pre-teens and early teens and enjoyed Judy's work.
3 1/2 bookmarks
What girl hasn't ready a Judy Blume book and thought, "That is me?". In Everthing I Needed to Know, O'Connell has gathered together essays from a variety of women telling about how their life has intersected with Judy Blume's work. The essays provide powerful insights into how Judy Blume's work has stuck with its readers through the years and its continuing impact on girls. It will bring back memories for girls of when they were pre-teens and early teens and enjoyed Judy's work.
3 1/2 bookmarks
A Lesson Before Dying
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
Typically, Oprah and I have very different taste in books. A Lesson Before Dying is one of the rare times that she and I agree. Set in the late 1940's, A Lesson Before Dying tells the story of Grant Wiggins, a young black teacher, and Jefferson, a young black man who witness a murder. During Jefferson's trial, he is compared to a hog, a notion to which he latches on and Grant and Jefferson's family work hard to dispel so that Jefferson can die with dignity. While the book does touch on civil rights, it is more concerned with the transformation of Jefferson from a "hog" to a person and the transformation of Grant, who is dissatisfied with his life in Bayonne, Louisiana. This is a powerful, moving book. Fans of The Help will be able to draw some similarities.
4 bookmarks
Typically, Oprah and I have very different taste in books. A Lesson Before Dying is one of the rare times that she and I agree. Set in the late 1940's, A Lesson Before Dying tells the story of Grant Wiggins, a young black teacher, and Jefferson, a young black man who witness a murder. During Jefferson's trial, he is compared to a hog, a notion to which he latches on and Grant and Jefferson's family work hard to dispel so that Jefferson can die with dignity. While the book does touch on civil rights, it is more concerned with the transformation of Jefferson from a "hog" to a person and the transformation of Grant, who is dissatisfied with his life in Bayonne, Louisiana. This is a powerful, moving book. Fans of The Help will be able to draw some similarities.
4 bookmarks
The Drowning Tree
First book to be reviewed is The Drowning Tree by Carol Goodman
The Drowning Tree tells the story of Juno McKay as she searches to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of her friend, Christine. Throughout the novel, Goodman weaves together the present, the recent past of Juno's life, and the distant past of her college's founder. As Juno tries to discover the circumstances behind Christine's death, she explores not only her past, but delves into Christine's research and comes upon some startling information. Fans of Tracy Chevalier will love how Goodman is able to weave into The Drowning Tree the story of a (fictional) painting by the same name and the story of a stained glass window. The Drowning Tree makes an excellent choice for light reading and will be enjoyed by many mystery fans.
4 1/2 bookmarks
The Drowning Tree tells the story of Juno McKay as she searches to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of her friend, Christine. Throughout the novel, Goodman weaves together the present, the recent past of Juno's life, and the distant past of her college's founder. As Juno tries to discover the circumstances behind Christine's death, she explores not only her past, but delves into Christine's research and comes upon some startling information. Fans of Tracy Chevalier will love how Goodman is able to weave into The Drowning Tree the story of a (fictional) painting by the same name and the story of a stained glass window. The Drowning Tree makes an excellent choice for light reading and will be enjoyed by many mystery fans.
4 1/2 bookmarks
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