It is my understanding that these books have been made into a TV series. My grandmother told me about the show and the books. She loves the style of clothing and the flare of the show. After reading these books I wouldn't mind seeing the show.
This book is actually 3 stories in 1. My grandmother and I like a lot of the same books so I decided to give it a shot.
Phryne Fisher certainly has her own style and so much gumption. The time frame in which these books are set in makes her lifestyle and characteristics all the better. The books are set in Australia in the 1920's. She is a PI with a keen eye and is witty and vivacious.
Backed by her trusty maid, Dot, taxi drivers and friends, Bert and Cec, and the Butlers (her butler and cook), she has been able to stop a cocaine ring, recover a kidnapped child, and solve a mysterious murder on a train. She loves fashion, speed, and the daring life.
There are many Phryne Fisher books. I just read the first 3. I can see myself going back to her world. The books are entertaining and a quick read. For now, I'll explore a few other worlds.
Happy reading!
Judi
Friday, March 10, 2017
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
This book first came across my radar when I was at Jury Duty. One of my fellow jurors was reading the book. While we were on break she would go directly to the book. Naturally, this intrigued me and I asked her opinion. She said it was a book she didn't expect and hated to put down. I forgot about the book until I came across it again at the store with a friend. We were discussing what I had been told about the book. As a result, I received the book as a gift for Christmas.
When I finally got around to reading the book I really enjoyed it. It was a sad story but the viewpoint was engrossing. The story surrounds a Chinese-American family of 5. The different stressors each member of the family experiences is looked at. The roles of each individual based on expectations and interpretations were presented. Each member's desires and actions scrutinized. All the while, no other member of the family seems aware of the other. Emotions are heightened when one of the children drowns.
What was so engrossing about this story is the real world applications. How so many children feel the pressures of their familiar expectations and how they deal with it. How you can misjudge someone. How a cascade of emotions and actions can start with one single motion that ripples outward and influencing all within your circle...and even those who are on the edges of your life.
This is another one of those books that I suggest every teenager reads. Perhaps life will not feel so overwhelming or unfair once another perspective is taken into consideration.
Happy reading!
Judi
When I finally got around to reading the book I really enjoyed it. It was a sad story but the viewpoint was engrossing. The story surrounds a Chinese-American family of 5. The different stressors each member of the family experiences is looked at. The roles of each individual based on expectations and interpretations were presented. Each member's desires and actions scrutinized. All the while, no other member of the family seems aware of the other. Emotions are heightened when one of the children drowns.
What was so engrossing about this story is the real world applications. How so many children feel the pressures of their familiar expectations and how they deal with it. How you can misjudge someone. How a cascade of emotions and actions can start with one single motion that ripples outward and influencing all within your circle...and even those who are on the edges of your life.
This is another one of those books that I suggest every teenager reads. Perhaps life will not feel so overwhelming or unfair once another perspective is taken into consideration.
Happy reading!
Judi
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
This is the type of book I recommend to every person, especially women. The story is based on the story of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob. Her story is mentioned in the Book of Genesis. It is told from Dinah's point of view.
The time frame in which this story is set during a time when God is still not completely accepted by all. The differences between Dinah's Mother's deities and her Father's God leave a lasting impression on Dinah and her life. The differences in religion and lifestyle between those in Egypt and those in the countryside are explored.
Women have a different roles and are treated differently depending on the area in which they reside. The red tent is the retreat for women during their menses cycle. All women seek solace in the red tent during this time and are doted upon by those who have not yet reached that age of maturity or have lived past their moon cycle.
We follow Dinah throughout her life. She is a child when we are first introduced to her. The rituals that follow a young woman throughout her life-childhood to puberty, first love, marriage, child birth, loss, servitude, and finding love again. The unfortunate part is that Dinah suffers a lot in her lifetime. Every time it seems that things are starting to look up for Dinah, tragedy strikes.
The story also centers around Dinah's knack for midwifery and the name she creates for herself. Being a nurse I know the processes we take during child birth. It's amazing to see the differences described. Some of the practices noted in the book make a lot of sense and are still practiced today.
Dinah stays true to herself and lives life the best that she can. The book paints an interesting picture of another time. It was turned into a mini-series on TV, as well. I look forward to seeing it.
Happy reading!
Judi
The time frame in which this story is set during a time when God is still not completely accepted by all. The differences between Dinah's Mother's deities and her Father's God leave a lasting impression on Dinah and her life. The differences in religion and lifestyle between those in Egypt and those in the countryside are explored.
Women have a different roles and are treated differently depending on the area in which they reside. The red tent is the retreat for women during their menses cycle. All women seek solace in the red tent during this time and are doted upon by those who have not yet reached that age of maturity or have lived past their moon cycle.
We follow Dinah throughout her life. She is a child when we are first introduced to her. The rituals that follow a young woman throughout her life-childhood to puberty, first love, marriage, child birth, loss, servitude, and finding love again. The unfortunate part is that Dinah suffers a lot in her lifetime. Every time it seems that things are starting to look up for Dinah, tragedy strikes.
The story also centers around Dinah's knack for midwifery and the name she creates for herself. Being a nurse I know the processes we take during child birth. It's amazing to see the differences described. Some of the practices noted in the book make a lot of sense and are still practiced today.
Dinah stays true to herself and lives life the best that she can. The book paints an interesting picture of another time. It was turned into a mini-series on TV, as well. I look forward to seeing it.
Happy reading!
Judi
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, & Jack Thorne
I'm about 6 books behind...shameful.
I am a fan of the Harry Potter story and have read all of the books. So when I heard about the Cursed Child there was no way I wasn't going to delve into it.
The story is based around Harry's son who is the "odd boy;" much like his father. Everyone knows the story of this father and his heroics. Between that and teenage angst life seems pretty miserable for Albus Potter. Additionally, Albus' best friend is none other than the son of Draco Malfoy, Scorpius. Both boys are bullied, Albus because he doesn't seem to live up to his Father's hype and Scorpius because he's supposedly the son of Lord Voldemort. Basically you have the same sort of plot twists...speculation, intrigue, and evil disguised as a friend.
It was a little strange reading a play, however, interesting to see the emotional intent behind the author. It also helped answer some of the questions everyone was left with when it came to life after Hogwarts for Harry and his friends. One of the nice pieces of the book was the reality of the fictitious world. By this I mean, everything was not just hunky-dory for Harry and his friends. Adult issues leaked into their life. Harry and his friends had a whole different set of issues to work through.
The book was nothing like its predecessors. It is very much a play. For the Harry Potter fans it's a good read. For those who wonder what type of a person/father Mr. Potter turned into, this is an interesting tale.
Enjoy!
Judi
I am a fan of the Harry Potter story and have read all of the books. So when I heard about the Cursed Child there was no way I wasn't going to delve into it.
The story is based around Harry's son who is the "odd boy;" much like his father. Everyone knows the story of this father and his heroics. Between that and teenage angst life seems pretty miserable for Albus Potter. Additionally, Albus' best friend is none other than the son of Draco Malfoy, Scorpius. Both boys are bullied, Albus because he doesn't seem to live up to his Father's hype and Scorpius because he's supposedly the son of Lord Voldemort. Basically you have the same sort of plot twists...speculation, intrigue, and evil disguised as a friend.
It was a little strange reading a play, however, interesting to see the emotional intent behind the author. It also helped answer some of the questions everyone was left with when it came to life after Hogwarts for Harry and his friends. One of the nice pieces of the book was the reality of the fictitious world. By this I mean, everything was not just hunky-dory for Harry and his friends. Adult issues leaked into their life. Harry and his friends had a whole different set of issues to work through.
The book was nothing like its predecessors. It is very much a play. For the Harry Potter fans it's a good read. For those who wonder what type of a person/father Mr. Potter turned into, this is an interesting tale.
Enjoy!
Judi
Monday, December 12, 2016
See Me by Nicholas Sparks
I have been a big fan of Nicholas Sparks for a long time. It goes without saying that I would read this book as well. See me is a bit different than his other books. There is a lot of mystery in this book, with a bit of a thriller twist. I felt Safe Haven was sort of leaning toward this style of writing, but it still heavily relied on the intimacy of the main characters.
We can all agree that Nicholas Sparks has a way with romantic notions. What I like so much about this book is that the romance is more on the level of truly getting to know the other person and accepting who they are. I like that the two main characters come from they types of families that are at opposite ends of the spectrum and still find a common ground.
Then you have the suspense portion of the book. Maria is a lawyer who going through some work related issues, including the return of someone from her past. Colin has some temper issues that have caused him to come into contact with the police. His character flaws have caused many to disbelieve him and the intentions of his actions. Only those who are closest to him seem to truly understand the weight of his actions.
I also like that a younger woman, Maria's sister, seems so insightful, yet people tend to just brush her off as a young college student. I like the empowerment of women in the book. Yet somehow he still maintains that a man can be there as a safety net in the form of a partnership.
There is a lot going on in the book and the character building is extensive. In the end though, you still end up with the warm fuzzies that a Sparks book generally leaves you with.
Happy reading!
Judi
We can all agree that Nicholas Sparks has a way with romantic notions. What I like so much about this book is that the romance is more on the level of truly getting to know the other person and accepting who they are. I like that the two main characters come from they types of families that are at opposite ends of the spectrum and still find a common ground.
Then you have the suspense portion of the book. Maria is a lawyer who going through some work related issues, including the return of someone from her past. Colin has some temper issues that have caused him to come into contact with the police. His character flaws have caused many to disbelieve him and the intentions of his actions. Only those who are closest to him seem to truly understand the weight of his actions.
I also like that a younger woman, Maria's sister, seems so insightful, yet people tend to just brush her off as a young college student. I like the empowerment of women in the book. Yet somehow he still maintains that a man can be there as a safety net in the form of a partnership.
There is a lot going on in the book and the character building is extensive. In the end though, you still end up with the warm fuzzies that a Sparks book generally leaves you with.
Happy reading!
Judi
Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
Hollow City is book number 2 of the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. At the end of the last book Miss Peregrine had been kidnapped and the children set out to rescue her. Their success was short lived when they realize that their beloved headmistress is injured and stuck in bird form, as an Ymbryne's other talent is shape shifting into a bird. The problem is that without Miss Peregrine to reset the time loop every evening their home will cease to exist.
They set out to find other time loops and see if they can find another Ymbryne who might be able to help Miss Peregrine. Along the way they are being hunted by the wights and hollowgasts. They have lost the map of the time loops but take a page out of Jacob's book by listening to their bedtime stories, a copy of which they happened to have, and used that to find their way. Along the way they encounter other peculiar children; some who are alone and others who never left their non-peculiar families. These other characters provide another viewpoint with regard to the life of a peculiar.
They make their way to another Ymbryne who is able to turn Miss Peregrine back to herself. However, Miss Peregrine is not who she seemed. This curve ball has yet again changed the course of the children's journey and results in their capture.
This book, once again, uses a collection of old photographs to drive the story. The tangle of plot points weave you in and out of a very creative story. Again, this book leaves you questioning what will happen next.
Happy reading!
Judi
They set out to find other time loops and see if they can find another Ymbryne who might be able to help Miss Peregrine. Along the way they are being hunted by the wights and hollowgasts. They have lost the map of the time loops but take a page out of Jacob's book by listening to their bedtime stories, a copy of which they happened to have, and used that to find their way. Along the way they encounter other peculiar children; some who are alone and others who never left their non-peculiar families. These other characters provide another viewpoint with regard to the life of a peculiar.
They make their way to another Ymbryne who is able to turn Miss Peregrine back to herself. However, Miss Peregrine is not who she seemed. This curve ball has yet again changed the course of the children's journey and results in their capture.
This book, once again, uses a collection of old photographs to drive the story. The tangle of plot points weave you in and out of a very creative story. Again, this book leaves you questioning what will happen next.
Happy reading!
Judi
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
This book is aimed at a younger crowd due to the fantastic nature of the story. However, the tone of the book is more geared toward an older audience. The story is laid out slowly and meticulously. It establishes a solid foundation for the story line. Then starts to build so quickly that you can't really put the book down.
The world that Riggs has built is constructed around these old photographs that have some anomalies...and truth be told some of the anomalies are down right creepy. The imagination one has to posses to take such photographs and create a story where you can include the photographs in the story is simply amazing. They are not set in the same time and place so the story can unfold a little unusually; albeit in an entertaining fashion.
The premise of the book is that not everyone is born the same. Some have peculiarities. However, true to societal form, those who are different are not always appreciated for their differences. The solution to such treatment were homes for the peculiar. These homes were run by a headmistress known as an Ymbryne. These women are the protectors of the peculiar and create time loops by manipulating time alone. Those that hunt the peculiars are called wights and they feed the peculiars to a humanoid creature known as the hollowgasts. The hollowgasts were created by a mission for immortality gone awry. Now they want to try again...
The book follows Jacob who grew up listening to fanciful stories from his grandfather. As he grew older he truly believed his grandfather was nothing more than a great storyteller who used his stories as a coping mechanism to survive a less than ideal childhood. Little did he know that the stories his grandfather told him were stories of his life. Jacob and his grandfather share a talent that can help save the children under the Ymbryne, Miss Peregrine's, care.
It's an interesting book and ends with you wanting more. If you enjoy a little of the fantastic, I'd recommend this book.
Enjoy!
Judi
The world that Riggs has built is constructed around these old photographs that have some anomalies...and truth be told some of the anomalies are down right creepy. The imagination one has to posses to take such photographs and create a story where you can include the photographs in the story is simply amazing. They are not set in the same time and place so the story can unfold a little unusually; albeit in an entertaining fashion.
The premise of the book is that not everyone is born the same. Some have peculiarities. However, true to societal form, those who are different are not always appreciated for their differences. The solution to such treatment were homes for the peculiar. These homes were run by a headmistress known as an Ymbryne. These women are the protectors of the peculiar and create time loops by manipulating time alone. Those that hunt the peculiars are called wights and they feed the peculiars to a humanoid creature known as the hollowgasts. The hollowgasts were created by a mission for immortality gone awry. Now they want to try again...
The book follows Jacob who grew up listening to fanciful stories from his grandfather. As he grew older he truly believed his grandfather was nothing more than a great storyteller who used his stories as a coping mechanism to survive a less than ideal childhood. Little did he know that the stories his grandfather told him were stories of his life. Jacob and his grandfather share a talent that can help save the children under the Ymbryne, Miss Peregrine's, care.
It's an interesting book and ends with you wanting more. If you enjoy a little of the fantastic, I'd recommend this book.
Enjoy!
Judi
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