Review: Married by Morning

Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction, Romance
Pages: 264 pages (reader)



Excerpt:

As far as the rest of the Hathaways were concerned, Catherine Marks was practically a member of the family.

Leo, for his part, couldn't abide the woman.  She aired her opinions at will and dared to give orders to him.  On the rare occasions when Leo tried to be friendly, she snapped at him or turned away in scorn.  When he stated a perfectly rational opinion, he could hardly finish a sentence before Marks had listed all the reasons why he was wrong.

Faced with the immutable fact of her dislike, Leo couldn't help but respond in kind.  All during the past year he had tried to convince himself that it didn't matter if she despised him.  There were many women in London who were infinitely more beautiful, engaging, and appealing than Catherine Marks.

If only she didn't fascinate him so.

My Rating:

Teacher Reflection: Vladimir Lenin Reminds Me of the Book Animal Farm

I was browsing online and saw a headline that Russians voted to bury Vladimir Lenin 87 years after his death.  Now most people would probably find this fascinating (or be totally grossed out), but I became rather nostalgic because Vladimir Lenin reminds me of our (Ms. Storti and I) Animal Farm unit.

Most people read Animal Farm in school and most teachers have the book in their curriculum and it is mandatory to read.  However, I really really dislike the book for teaching purposes.  I taught ninth grade and the kids really really didn't get it.  They loved the history lesson and somehow felt as if they were getting a break from class.  But did they really learn anything?  And are these types of books still so relevant that they are required in the curriculum.  Is the lesson that good?  I don't think so.

Reflection: What Type of Reader Are You?

So I finished another of the Hathaway Series (expect a review soon) and I started to thinking... I'm a really really moody reader.  The books I choose, really depend on what type of mood I am in AND whether I enjoy a book depends on what I am looking for at the time.

For example...

List: Hathaway Series (Lisa Kleypas) in Order

I wanted to provide a list of the Hathaway series in order.  I know most people are great at figuring these things out for themselves, but for some reason I just didn't pay attention like I should have.  So for people who are like me.  Busy, lazy, easily confused, distracted, everything in-between, or none of the above.. here's a list IN ORDER for your convenience.

Hathaway Series by Lisa Kleypas:

1. Mine Till Midnight
2. Seduce Me at Sunrise
3. Tempt Me at Twilight
4. Married by Morning
5. Love in the Afternoon

I probably won't finish the series (we'll see).  I really hate going out of order.  It's like cheating and reading the back of the book--which I do all the time.  Does anyone have ideas of what to do when you accidentally read a book in a series out of order?  Do you suck it up and keep reading?  Or do you just give up?

Review: Tempt Me at Twilight

Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Historical Romance, Romance,
Pages: 384 pages (paperback)

From back cover:

HE WAS EVERYTHING SHE'D SWORN TO AVOID — Poppy Hathaway loves her unconventional family, though she longs for normalcy.  Then fate leads to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life.  When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal -- only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust.

AND SHE WAS EVERYTHING HE NEEDED...

Harry was willing to do anything to win Poppy -- except to open his heart.  All his life, he has held the world at arm's length -- but the sharp, beguiling Poppy demands to be his wife in every way that matters.  Still, as desire grows between them, an enemy lurks in the shadows.  Now if Harry wants to keep Poppy by his side, he must forge a true union of body and soul, once and for all.

My Rating:

My Review...

Review: Love in the Afternoon

Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Historical Romance, Romance
Pages: 352 pages (paperback)

Excerpt:

Captain Christopher Phelan
1st Battalion Rifle Brigade
Cape Mapan
Crimea

June 1855

Dearest Christopher,
I can't write to you again.
I'm not who you think I am.

I didn't mean to send love letters, but that is what they became.  On their way to you, my words turned into heartbeats on the page.

Come back, please come home and find me.
--[unsigned]

My Rating:

My Review...

Review: The Penelopiad

 

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 196

From the Back Cover:

For Penelope, Odysseus's wife, running a kingdom while her husband is away fighting in the Trojan War is no simple matter.  Already distressed that he had been lured away because of the shocking behavior of her beautiful cousin Helen, Penelope must also raise her wayward son, face scandalous rumors, and keep more than one hundred lustful, greedy, and bloodthirsty suitors at bay.

Margaret Atwood gives voice to Penelope, one of antiquity's most infamous heroines, so that she can tell her story at last and set the record straight once and for all.

My Rating:

My Review...

List: Novels with a WWII Setting

I LOVE historical fiction. When I read historical fiction I typically read books from a paticular category all at one time. Thus, I don't usually mix time periods. When I read English Lit. I read a bunch at one time. When I read WWII novels, I read a bunch. I've found that it can be difficult to find books this way. Here is a list of books/novels that are written in a WWII setting. Reviews are to come. If you know of more, please post.

In no particular order... Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky (Read) Fire in the Blood by Irene Nemirovsky (Read) Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris (Review) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Ann Burrows (Review) The Book Thief by Markus Zusek (Review) The Postmistress by Sarah Blake (Review) Sala's Gift by Ann Kirschner (Review) A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons (Review) Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay (Review) The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies (Review) The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff (Review) The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff (Read) My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young (Review) Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum  (Review) The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons (Review) The Bungalow by Sarah Jio (Review) Next to Love by Ellen Feldman (Review) More Than Words Can Say by Roberty Barclay (Review) The Linen Queen by Patricia Falvey (Review) Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (Review)

Reflection: E-Readers vs. Old-Fashioned Books

Everywhere you turn, people are comparing and questioning which e-reader technology gadget is the best and which to buy.  However, the bigger question (or perhaps I'm just late) is whether to get a technological reader at all.  I have a Sony ereader and I have had it for a little over a year.  I was surprised to find that I adjusted rather quickly.  Many of the things I thought would be a problem or difficult to adjust to was was not really a problem.  But I also felt some unexpected losses.

Pluses:

1. Convenience.  No back breaking bags for the airport.
2. Sheer #'s.  I can have 20 books in my purse appropriate for any mood.
3. Ease of obtaining new books.  No matter which gadget you choose you can buy a book at 2 am.  Just finished a Sookie Stackhouse novel before expected?  Next book in 30 Seconds.  Let's Go!!
4. Nifty accessories.  Leopard cover.  'Nuff said.
5. Privacy.  Love how people don't know what I am reading and thus can't judge me.
6. Savvy points.  Hey, it always looks good to be technologically savvy.  I've always been a nerd, but now I look like a cool nerd.

Welcome!!!

I'm super excited to kick off the start of my book blog.  Please join me in my reckless exploration of all thinks books related.