Much Ado About Nothing: William Shakespeare

This play by the Bard, himself, has to be one of my favorites. I read this for my Shakespeare class and LOVED it. Beatrice with her whip-like tongue and Benedick with his sarcasm and biting attitude had to be my FAVORITE pairing by this famed playwright. One does, however, have to keep the time period in mind when reading this; as it makes ALL of the difference in appreciating the personalities and situations. I laughed aloud too many times to count. Dogberry deserves particular attention in order to see all of his aspects. Shakespeare put particular thought into him and he needs to be seen as such. As usual, the language was amazing. The imagery was beautiful. And the characters were awesome. I loved this work by Shakespeare and I recommend this one as a MUST READ.

Also, we watched the version by Kenneth Branagh in class and it TOTALLY made the play come to life. The directing was fantastic and the acting was outstanding (except for Kieanu Reeves...though that's another story entirely...). There were plenty of other bigger names in there that make it interesting even for those who are not Shakespeare-savvy. I absolutely loved this film adaptation and would gladly watch it over and over again!

Beyond the Horizon: Connie Mason

"Red and white, Indian and settler, male and female, they came together in a fierce clash of wills as the wagons trains rolled ever westward, following the dream of a new life...

"As the sheltered daughter of the once prosperous Branigan family; beautiful Shannon was ill-prepared for the rigors of the Oregon Trail, but she was still less prepared for half-breed scout Swift Blade. His dark eyes seemed to pierce her very soul, stripping away layers of civilization and baring her hidden longing to his savage gaze. His bronzed arms were forbidden to her, his searing kisses just a tantalizing fantasy; but as the countless miles passed beneath the wagon wheels, taking them to the heart of Indian territory, Shannon sensed that this untamed land would give her new strength and freedom to love the one man who could fulfill her wild desire."

Anyone who has read some of my other blog posts knows that I love Connie Mason. Though this book took me a while to get through, I really ended up enjoying it. Blade was a good, tortured character who was haunted by things he could not change, no matter how hard he tried. However, sometimes, Shannon fell a little flat. I loved her attitude in some parts, but she occasionally stumbled into the role of "thick-headed female lead". That didn't deter me from the plot, however. I'm not usually one for "Western" novels, but this one was good. It flowed well and kept me interested. It was a bit long...though I ended up liking it. As usual, I will keep on reading Mason's wonderful works!

***I had a feeling that there was more to the story of Shannon's family, but wasn't sure until I read the note from Connie Mason at the end of the book. Apparently, this book was some sort of a continuation of a book written by another author--Robin Lee Hatcher--titled "Promised Sunrise". It's the story of Shannon's older brother, Tucker. I really wish I had read that book first (that there had been some sort of note on her site or something), but oh well...I'll just have to go out and get that one now. I'll let you know how it is!***

Knight Swam: Katya Lezin

"In middle school, at least the one Drew attends, smart is not cool. In fact, smart is about as uncool as you can get. SCRABBLE Club is the one refuge in his socially ostracizing day and ends up spelling out his salvation and redemption. SCRABBLE also provides a shared outlit for Lily and her autistic brother, Jeremy. Competing together in the National School SCRABBLE Championship, these two bright, out-of-the-box students learn as much about themselves as they do words like mbaqanga and ouabain."

My aunt gave me this book while I was visiting her this past week. It was written by one of her friends and she wanted me to read it before I met her so we would have something to talk about (I am trying to get my own book published and my aunt thought Katya might be able to give me some pointers. It also only seemed logical that I know what she wrote so I didn't look like I was trying to get something from her). This book is so not what I usually read, but it was actually a very good, quick read. It did not take me long at all. However, I found that I loved the characters and truly enjoyed the plot. I think it's actually something that many children of the middle school age should read. It has relevant issues and fun little twists that kept me reading.

(Sorry that I don't have a picture of the cover. I actually wasn't able to find one!)

Talk to the Snail--Ten Commandments for Understanding the French: Stephen Clarke

"DON'T GO TO FRANCE WITHOUT READING THIS BOOK!

"Have you ever walked into a half-empty Parisian restaurant, only to be told that it's 'complet'? Attempted to say 'merci beaucoup' and accidentally complimented someone's physique? Been over-looked at the boulangerie due to your adherence to the bizarre foreign custom of waiting in line?

"Well, you're not alone. Internationally best-selling author Stephen Clarke has been there too, and he is here to help. In Talk to the Snail, Clarke distills the fruits of years spent in the French trenches into a handy (and hilarious) book of comentary and advice. Read this book, and find out how to get good service from the grumpiest waitor; be exquisitely polite and brutally rude at the same time; and employ the language of l'amour and le sexe. Clarke also illuminates some of the reasons the French get under our skins: How they work only thirty-five hours a week and yet still go on strike? Why are they so convinced of their own superiority? And what's this myth about French women not getting fat?

"Packed with useful phrases, candid tips, and deft intercultural analysis, Talk to the Snail is a must-have guide to getting what you want from the French."

I picked up this book at work for something to do when it was really slow. Little did I know that I would have to put it down many times because I was laughing too loudly in a library. It was HILARIOUS!!! I loved the wit and character that this book contained. The "commandments" themselves are only a hint at the laughter to come:

1) Thou Shalt Be Wrong (if you are not French): Why every Frenchman is 'Monsieur Right'
2) Thou Shalt Not Work: Why long weekends are good for the French economy
3) Thou Shalt Eat: Just because it smells of pig's droppings doesn't mean it'll taste like them
4) Thou Shalt Be Ill: Getting the best out of the French national drug habit
5) Thou Shalt Speak French: Fun ways to mispronounce words and offend people
6) Thou Shalt Not Sing (in tune, anyway): A French artiste says: 'Pretentious, moi?'
7) Thou Shalt Not Know: Don't mention the war, nuclear power, tax or structural surveys
8) Thou Shalt Not Love Thy Neighbor: Oui, I am smoking into your dinner, et alors?
9) Thou Shalt Not Be Served: Garcon? Waiter? Bonjour? Oh, forget it
10) Thou Shalt Be Polite (and simultaneously rude): Bonjour, Madame, vous etes une idiote
11) Thou Shalt Say 'I Love You': The perils of French-style amour

I have to say that number seven is one of my favorites, but all of the ten (though there are really 11...go figure...) commandments were awesome.

I REALLY recommend this book for anyone who likes to travel, plans to go to France, or is just looking for a REALLY good laugh!

:D

The Lovely Bones: Alice Sebold

" "My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973." So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her--her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. Out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, The Lovely Bones succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy."

Well...right off the bat, any of you who has seen any of my other blog posts knows that this is so not the typical book that I read and review. First off, this is a teen novel. Second, it's one of those book-turned-film type deals (though The Time Traveler's Wife doesn't count...I read the book before the movie came out). I'm actually reading this book because a friend and I decided to begin reading the same books so we could go out to lunch once a month and have little discussion-thingys.

I haven't seen the film that was made from this book, but I know for a fact that there are some huge differences. Obviously, the plot really had to be simplified because there was just so much information and passage of time in the novel that they couldn't possibly fit it all in the movie. Not to mention, (and I don't want to give too much away) is that I have a feeling that the ending is slightly different because not many would be satisfied by the finish of the novel. It's not quite "neat" enough.

I devoured the first part of this book. I couldn't get enough. However, this was not the case when I got about three-quarters of the way through. Everything got so routine (for lack of a better word). I enjoyed the plot (and I'm not sure if that actually makes me a bad person) and the writing was enjoyable.

***Slight spoiler.

I was more than a little disappointed at the fact that Harvey is taken care of in a way that echoes a Gray's Anatomy episode I saw. Call me sick, but I wanted him to suffer...greatly...like in a way that is way too graphic on to write on here...

***Spoiler over.

Anyway, this book was good, if the ending wasn't quite as satisfying as I wanted it to be (though I guess it made it more realistic). I recommend this book, but maybe for a slightly older teen. I was surprised at the sexual tones this contained. However, don't let this sway you from this book. I still liked it a good deal.

Frankenstein: Mary Shelley

Well...the title should just about say it all. This book was on my list of "to reads" and it just so happened that we were required to complete it for my Fiction course this semester in college. Though I was not allowed to read this for pure enjoyment, I think the structure helped me finish it in a timely manner. This book isn't exactly light reading because of its language and drama.

Frankenstein is very much so a "Romantic Hero" from the era in which Shelley wrote her famous tale. He's SO dramatic and melencholy that it can sometimes be overwhelming. Most of the male characters seemed to be pulled from the same stock (uneducated men who find some form of knowledge and fall apart because of it). I wrote an essay on such a topic... That was a little annoying, but the interesting quotes from works like Milton's Paradise Lost made up for that a little.

The writing style of this work (where it goes from letters to Frankenstien's view, to the monster's view, back to Frankenstein, and then the letters once more) is an interesting one. I think it's varied style made the piece more interesting.

One thing that I want people to know is that the BOOK IS NOT THE SAME AS ANY OF THE FRANKENSTEIN MOVIES YOU'VE SEEN! Don't come to this book with a bunch of preconceived notions because then you will be sorrily disappointed. Fair warning...

I will not say that this book was one of my favorites, but I am glad that I read it. If you gain nothing else, at least you can say that you read a classic work that heavily impacted an era.

Duke of Sin (Duke Trilogy, Book One): Adele Ashworth

"He is called the "DUKE OF SIN..."

"...a notorious rogue and recluse whose reputation in as black as the Cornish night. They speak of his conquests, his past, and his mysteries in breathless whispers. And now lovely and desperate Vivian Real-Lamont has no choice but to enter William Raleigh's lair.

"Vivian prayed that the scandal that drove her from London would neved be revealed--but now she will be exposed to the world...unless William can protect her. She has heard the rumors about the infamous Duke of Sin, yet she is unprepared for the man's raw, sensuous power...or for the tratorous response of her own body. Surrender, however, could prove most dangerous indeed--for both of them. For while the duke is intrigued by the guarded, intoxicating lady who has invaded his solitude--and fully intends to discern her every secret through sweet, unhurried seduction--it is his own heart that will be imperiled when passion takes them further than he ever intended."

This was the first book by Adele Ashworth that I've read and it was different. To be honest, I could tell that this was one of her earlier books... Not to be mean, but there was just something that was off with the writing style. Some of the sentences were way, way too long. Though the plot was fun and interesting and I loved the bit of Shakespeare involved, this was just not one of my favorite works. I really appreciate all of the work that so obviously went into this book. However, there was this one part in particular that bothered me a bit. Not to give too much away, but it's where Will was meeting with his friends at a crucial point in the plot. I was SO lost! I must have gotten turned around somehow because something just didn't make sense while I was reading it. Granted, it was all explained later, but it just wasn't very much fun to read. I actually went and checked to see if I was missing a page or two!

Oh, that and the fact that Vivian and Will call one another by their first names. I totally understand what the author was trying to do with this--creating the whole atmosphere of intimacy--but it was not very natural. Titled couples in this period would very rarely use their first names in any situation and the fact that Will nearly immediately insists that she call him "Will" was a little off. At the least, he would have given her permission to call him "Trent" instead of "Your Grace" or some other similar address for a Duke.

Overall, I really enjoyed the plot and story of this book, but the writing was not all there for me. The characters were good, but fell slightly flat sometimes. I will probably end up reading the next two books in this trilogy, but not right away.