Traveling Through Books

Title: Far from the Madding Crowd Author: Thomas Hardy Genre: Victorian Classic- Pastoral Read in: Trade Paperback (Movie Edition) Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group My feelings are varied on this novel. There were moments I was enthralled. There were moments when I was bored. And there were moments I was angry. I generally enjoy Hardy's work because it differs from most Victorian classics as his books are generally set in the country, with every-day working characters, instead of the elite high society of England. Most of my mixed feelings arise from the characters. I loved Gabriel Oak. He is steady, complex, and overall a good person. The main female of the novel, Bathesheba Everdene, I can't stand. She made me so angry. I tried, very hard, repeatedly, to like her; I never managed to succeed. My biggest problem with her is that she could have been the perfect embodiment of the reality of female strength in an era that greatly needed more of that in liter...

Books 42 and 43: "The Mirror of Her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" by Stephen R. Donaldson Verdict: READ NOW "The Mirror of Her Dreams" and "A Man  Rides Through" by Stephen R. Donaldson are the two books that comprise the fantasy series Mordant's Need. These books were unlike any fantasy I have read and immediately jumped into my favorite fantasy books. In these books, magic is carried out through the use of mirrors. You create an image in a curved or flat glass and then anything in that image can be translated from or to that image. This land is called Mordant. Mordant, however, is in need of a hero. Enter Terisa Morgan, a modern day girl of our world. An apprentice imager mistakenly finds her and brings her back to Mordant believing her to be an Arch Imager- the most talented with mirrors. She, being from our world, is then thrown into a political struggle full of intrigue and political powers that she knows nothing about...

Book 40: "Awakened" by Kristin and P.C. Cast Verdict: Don't Read Since I have thoroughly covered the House of Night series before, I will keep this review very short.  The latest installment of the House of Night series has simply taken all the series old problems and made them worse. The grammar was so awful, I could barely understand some sentences. The dialogue was awkward and un-natural. The plot is going nowhere. I will not be reading any more of this series.  Book 41: "Dracula" by Bram Stoker Verdict: Must Read Classic I can't believe that I did not read this book sooner. It is definitely now one of my favorite classics. "Dracula" is the second Victorian novel that I have read that is written in a Gothic style. Printed for the first time on May 26, 1897, the book is written in and epistolary format. Epistolary is the use of letters, journals, and newspaper clippings to tell a story. The epistolary format works ...

Book 36: "Secrets of a Shoe Addict" by Beth Harrison Verdict: Fun, non-thinking read- definitely geared towards the female gender I was given this book by a co-worker, who, upon reading the title immediately thought of me. However, Beth Harrison's " Secrets of a Shoe Addict" really has nothing to do with shoe addiction except for the descriptions of some pretty fabulous shoes.  This book is about a group of women who form a "Shoe Addicts" group as a cover name for their burgeoning business of being phone sex operators. They form this business because they are in need of fast cash for a variety of reasons. As the book progress these four acquaintances become friends.   This book does not have a deeper level- it really was a fast fun read. The women are likable and there are definitely some funny moments. If you're looking for a good by-the-pool or on the airplane book, this is it. Books 37, 38, and 39: The Immortals Seri...

Books 32 and 33: "Outlander" and "Dragonfly in Amber" by Diana Gabaldon Verdict: Definitely Read, especially if you're female.   I first learned of "Outlander" while working at Borders Books and Music. My coworkers strongly suggested I read it. Not wanting to get bogged down with such an extensive read, I started recommending the book to customers, but did not read it until after leaving Borders. At my mother's insistence, one of the many I recommended the book to, I finally have read this book. I'm so glad that I did. This book has everything the heart desires: romance, adventure, folklore/history, magic, and, of course, a handsome Scottsman.   I have, so far, read the first two of Gabaldon's ongoing series. "Outlander" is book one. The story is set just after WWII. You meet Claire, who is vacationing in the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank, hoping to rekindle and enjoy each other's company after ye...

Title: The Dark of Twiligh Author: Kate Danley Publishier: CreateSpace Publishing Read In: Kindle eBook Genre: YA Fantasy Though I finished this book a few days ago, I just can't seem to get a handle on how I feel about it. I rated it 3 stars on most the sites I participate in, but I really wish that 2.5 was an option. I really, really want to like this book. And I don't dislike it. I enjoyed reading it. However it has some issues that I simply can't get past. The first is that the development of characters and relationships between characters doesn't really happen. Things are just thrown at the reader, out of the blue. A few examples: - The main character goes from a novice/ okay warrior to one of the best, basically overnight. - Two love interests are introduced- both go from being friends/comrades to suddenly being head-over-heels in love with the protagonist with absolutely no prior indication. - Supporting characters who play a major role are flat a...

Title: Chased by Fire (Cloud Warrior Saga #1) Author: DK Holmberg Publisher: ASH Publishing Read in: Kindle Ebook Genre: YA Fantasy I like the concept of this book. I like the world that it is set in and the way that magic (called shaping or sensing) is closely tied with nature. I like the culture of the world, so far. I like the characters. But the story, while it is entertaining and draws the reader in, is predictable and your standard YA book. In other words, a teen full of angst who feels inadequate finds himself thrust into an adventure full of responsibility and with an exceptional gift he didn't know he had. Falls in love with mysterious girl who lives on the outside of his known world/community. Has a gruff, experienced, wise mentor guiding him through said adventure and teaching him along the way. There is, as of yet, no love triangle; so that is refreshing. The only thing I really did not like about the book is that the main character is kind of an idiot. H...