April Book List

46.  Party Shoes by Noel Streatfeild- (*****) Very sweet.  It took me a couple of chapters to get into this book, but once I did, WHAT a ride!  The story makes me very nostalgic of my growing up years when my sisters and I used to put on plays.  It couldn't be a little production.  Oh no.  It must be huge.  It must be colossal.  We must out-do ourselves everytime.  We must impress.  Necessity is the mother of invention.  Ingenuity is key.  Noel Streatfeild is fast turning into one of my favorite children's authors.  I'm sad that so many of her books are out of print. 

47.  'Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis- (*****)  I really liked this book.  It was very interesting and gripping.  Of course, it's a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche, so, it's fantastical and mythical.  Like I say, I really liked it and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys a heavier read.  This isn't a light fluffy read.  I have to say that I didn't totally understand some of the it.  It's very deep, and I think it's one of those books that needs to be re-read a few times (or more) before you can really understand all of the aspects of the story.  Conversations with friends and reading some reviews makes me realize that other people feel the same way regarding this book.  It's definitely thought provoking, that's for sure!  I did some deep thinking and soul searching at several points throughout the story.  I'm definitely not ready to do a deep-scale review on it, or engage in debate regarding the spiritual aspects, though.  I'll have to read it a few more times, first.  :)

48.  The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick- (*****)  Awesome.  You need to check this book out.  It's ground-breaking in style and format.  Almost as many pages of pictures as pages of words.  Captivating and genius.  I love that I learned things about early film-making and people I never knew existed.  The story is fiction, but it incorporates the works of real people, and I love that.  It won the Caldecott Medal in 2008. 

49.  Dead on Arrival by Carolyn Keene- (***)  Yep.  Nancy Drew.  No wisecracks, please.  :)

50.  The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket -(*****)  More of the loveable Baudelaire siblings.

51.  Lord Peter Views the Body by Dorothy Sayers- (*****) I really don't read enough Dorothy Sayers.  I love her mysteries.  This was a collection of short stories about (obviously) Lord Peter.  I think I have a crush on Lord Peter :D

52.  Dear Enemy by Jean Webster- (*****)  The absolutely adorable sequel to the absolutely adorable book Daddy Long Les which I read last month.  I don't think I was real descriptive of the writing style of Daddy Long Legs but I will now.  It basically a series of letters written from Judy (who is an orphan, just out of the orphanage and attending college) to her anonymous sponsor who she nicknames "Daddy Long Legs" on account of having once glimpsed his shadow and finding that his legs seemed unusually long.  In the sequel Judy's friend Sallie has become the new Superintendent of the John Grier Home for orphans (Judy's former and despised home) Judy and Sallie have ambitious plans for reforming the institution.  I loved this book even more than it's prequel.  The 113 orphans had my sympathy and attention of course, as soon as they were mentioned.  Who wouldn't love to be mother to 113 children? 

53.  The Magic Summer by Noel Streatfeild- (*****)  I am becoming a huge Noel Streatfeild fan.  I love her books.  I love the way she portrays families and sibling relations, I love her storylines and characters.  So fun and sweet and inspiring. 

54.  The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket- (*****)

55.  Whose Body? by Dorothy Sayers- (*****)  Like I said.  I love Lord Peter. 

56.  Clouds of Witness by Dorothy Sayers- (****)  I should maybe mention that there is some mild swearing and a couple of other objectionable things.  Other than that, I liked this one.  Not as good as the last but I'm gobbling up Dorothy Sayers right now. I must slow down. :)