32. Ever by Gail Carson Levine- (**) Eh... I didn't really like this one. I had a hard time relating to the characters. The entire world felt very foreign. The author creates a world and neglects to explain it to us, the characters names were all too close to being the same, so that by the end of the book I wasn't sure who everyone was. On top of that, the narration is in the 1st person but it switches every chapter between two main characters. Make sense? I was confused too. It's a book about a girl names Kezi who falls in love Olus, the god of wind and loneliness. (I never understood what being the god of loneliness had to do with anything...he never does anything for any lonely people.) Of course, there's a lot more to the story, and Kezi's life is in danger and both Kezi and Olus must face their deepest fears and overcome to save her life. That part was semi-original. So, the narration switches every chapter between Kezi telling the story and Olus telling the story. It got... confusing to say the least.
33. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle -(****) 1962 Newberry Award Winner. Much better than the last Newberry book I read. This is one of those books I never thought I'd read because it's Science Fiction. I'm sort of anti-science fiction. Not because I think there's anything really wrong with it. It's just not really my cup of tea. In spite of that, I do nurture a little love for it. I know it's strange. Don't ask me to explain. I'll just say that science fiction is not normally (read almost never) what I reach for. Anyway, I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. It's a classic good vs. evil plot. The good is clearly defined. (points!) The bad is just the sort of bad you love to hate. It almost has a Narnian feel to it. Almost. The author has been compared several times to C.S. Lewis. :) In fact the more I think about this book, the more I like it. I think it's going on my shelf.
34. The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian- (*****) Yes, I know. I'm not a wife. Therefore, I can't really put the suggestions in this book to the test. But, I'm always up for learning and hearing someone's perspective on growing in the Lord. This book was suggested to me, so I happily dove in. It's full of lots of practical suggestions which I appreciate. I'd be interested in hearing an opinion on the book from someone who was able to put it into practice.
35. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli - (****) Another Newberry Award Winner from 1949. This is a great story about obstacles and ingenuity. It's about a boy named Robin who has a mysterious illness (we're never told what it actually is) that cripples him. Robin has to learn so many lessons that I'm sure I didn't catch them all in just one time reading through this book. Ingenuity, Contentment, Bravery, the list goes on. It can all be summed up in one quote from the book, which I absolutely LOVED. When faced with a challenge and Robin doubts his ability he is told "Anyone can NOT do it." The converse of course, is that it takes someone special to rise to the challenge and be a person that CAN do it. I love this. Reminds me of the message of Do Hard Things which I also love.
36. Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie- (****) Um... I'm still not sure who did it. I'm kidding! Sort of... It WAS a bit confusing in the end. But, good. Very good.
37. Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti- (****) Very good. Most people prefer the first book Peretti wrote (This Present Darkness), but I actually like this one a lot better. The conflict seems more real and serious somehow.
38. The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman- (***) 1987 Newberry Award winner. I remember reading this book as a child and being totally struck by it. Reading it again, it's not as exciting as I remembered. It's a classic conflict, rich boy, beggar boy, etc. Easily and very predictably resolved. But, the entire of concept of a "whipping boy" gets me just as much now as it did then. Basically rich, titled families would have a boy who's only job was to be whipped in place of the spoiled son. So,- the son plays a prank or disobeys, the whipping boy gets punished. What is the point? Well... as far as I can see, it's just so that the parents will have someone to take their frustration and anger out on? Injustice to the extreme.
39. The Westing Game- (*****) 1979 Newberry. Kind of amazing. Funny, interesting, attention grabbing and educational. And a mystery! And we all know I love mysteries... :)
40. A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle -(**) Sequel to A Wrinkle in Time. Frankly... I was disappointed. The whole book felt like the same thing happening over and over and over again. And I didn't really get the point the author was trying to make.
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4 comments:
Fun list! I always love it when you post your monthly book lists. :)
What is your opinion of Shannon Hale's Bayern books *for kids*? I read the middle two recently, and while I enjoyed them as a 22 year old, I thought some of the sexual content was a little too much for a young girl- particularly in River of Secrets. I also worried that the feminist attitudes and behavior of Enna made her the kind of heroine/role model I would NOT want to give my own children (should the Lord bless me someday). But they were loaned to me by a good friend that I really appreciate and trust and who has let all of her girls (ages 9-15) read them, so I thought I'd ask for a third opinion... What did you think when you read them?
Well, I certainly wouldn't give them to a nine year old. Probably not to anyone younger than 12/13 and even then depending on the child's maturity level. All of my sisters are older than 18 (other than the 4 year old) so I guess I've never thought about how young I would recommend a girl read them... it's a good question.
I'm just a lurker, but I read your review of The Power of a Praying Wife and I would say that while we are single, it is the best time to be praying for our husbands and their preparation to be suitable husbands for us. I particularly pray/declare Psalm 112 and Romans 12:9-21 over my future husband often. The practice has not only increased my love for him, but has transformed my own character over the years. It is true you will not be able to see the effect of your prayers immediately, but I believe it's greatly important to pray for him and I can't see why you could not alter the prayers in the book to suit your own situation if you so desire. Then some day perhaps you will see the fruit of your prayers as you share stories with one another. :) May God bless him wherever he is!
I love your book posts. :) I'm glad you liked the Westing Game, it's one of my new favorite kids' novels...
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