tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31390336792384955102024-02-18T22:38:41.622-08:00Mommy Reads Books Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-6974270445822294582022-04-13T17:13:00.003-07:002022-04-13T17:13:30.489-07:00The Younger Wife - Sally Hepworth<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693338-the-younger-wife" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Younger Wife" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1630583980l/57693338._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693338-the-younger-wife">The Younger Wife</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8123141.Sally_Hepworth">Sally Hepworth</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4631269336">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Dr. Stephen Aston is getting remarried, and to a woman younger than his adult daughters. But then something happens. <br />This is a book of secrets and dysfunctional family. And I was here for it.<br /><br />The book switches perspectives at the chapter breaks. I didn't mind this. It was interesting to see each character's thoughts. While I didn't think it was incredibly suspensful, I liked the plot and pacing. And I loved to dislike several of the characters.<br /><br />Content: I can't give any without giving away some of the plot. Just know that if you are a sensitive reader, this might not be the book for you.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-69711175373031693452022-03-07T12:43:00.005-08:002022-03-07T12:43:47.130-08:00After the Romanovs - Helen Rappaport<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693415-after-the-romanovs" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="After the Romanovs: Russian Exiles in Paris from the Belle Époque Through Revolution and War" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1621774912l/57693415._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693415-after-the-romanovs">After the Romanovs: Russian Exiles in Paris from the Belle Époque Through Revolution and War</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146124.Helen_Rappaport">Helen Rappaport</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4570194054">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This book was a bit more cerebral (lots of footnotes) than I expected. It was definitely well-researched based on the notes and such for the last 30%. I ended up like it and learning some though.<br />It begins before "after the Romanovs"...at least to my understanding of Russian history. In fact, about half the book is about before Tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered. I truly had no idea about Paris being a second home to Russian emigres for decades upon decades. The book focuses on the royals, the wealthy, and the artists who fled Russia at various times in the early 19th century and made a new life (or not) in France.<br />I feel like it could have been better organized and still needed some editing, but I read an ARC. I imagine those things will be fixed by the time the book releases. <br />This book was definitely readable for a scholarly work, though; and I think would be of interest to many who want to learn more about Russian history...particulary of the exiles. <br /><br /><br />Thanks to NetGalley annd the publisher for my complimentary copy; all opinions are my own.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-49516057728949997472022-02-15T08:58:00.005-08:002022-02-15T08:58:47.807-08:00A Stranger's Game - Colleen Coble<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57468098-a-stranger-s-game" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="A Stranger's Game" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1619544352l/57468098._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57468098-a-stranger-s-game">A Stranger's Game</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/33227.Colleen_Coble">Colleen Coble</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4421257783">1 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Let me preface this by saying I love Christian fiction books. They are some of my favorites I've read through the years. I've even liked some of Colleen Coble's books. However, I have not found many to love in recent years. Especially by established authors. I feel like they are either 1) trying to push out books so quickly they lack a compelling, cohesive story line and/or a good editing process or 2) they feel like they have enough of a loyal following that they don't need to put out quality writing. Just my opinion. And this book is no exception.<br /><br />I had read such great reviews on A Stranger's Game that I even moved it to the top of my TBR. From the start, I was baffled by how it's received an average of 4.14 starts on Goodreads. So I kept reading, thinking it surely had to get better. It didn't. At least not for me. <br /><br />In A Stranger's Game, Torie Bergstrom is a hotel heiress who decides she needs to research her friend's death. So she goes undercover at the hotel her aunt manages and her father and she own to figure it all out. <br /><br />Wait! What? Your telling me NO ONE on that island or at that hotel recognizes her through 300+ pages of this book. When she's the owner's daughter...on the board...in national newspapers. Oh, and spent summers/grew up (it was never clear which) on the island and in the hotel until she was 10. Apparently not. The only one who recognizes her is a guy who works in politics in DC.<br /><br />So many plot lines. Definitely an instance of trying to do too much and none of it well. We're left floating on the war games/sub stealing plot. The Torie's mom's death plot is just like "meh...I pushed her; it was an accident." <br /><br />So many loose threads. Who killed Bella? What business did the guy who "masterminded" this plan (or was it his mom's plan) have that failed that caused him to develop this elaborate plan to take out everyone in the Federal Reserve? It just...none of it made practical sense.<br /><br />And, whoo. Don't get me started on Torie and Joe interfering with all the evidence all the time and the investigation. Shouldn't they be in jail too? There's no way a self-respecting police force would let that happen. And let's just talk about Joe. Really? How does he know how to do all the things in security and the military. He's a marine biologist who works 20 hours a month in security at the hotel??!?!<br /><br />Why would the guy booby trap the tree house and lie in wait to abduct Torie and Hailey? How could he know they'd be there? Climb it? Not to mention the minor thing where Torie just climbed the tree the first time but uses the step boards the second. <br /><br />Just so much about the entire book doesn't make sense. I could go on and on with holes and contradictions that should have been caught in editing.<br /><br />I hate to say it, but I'm starting to give up on Christian fiction by well-rated authors. I've read fewer and fewer over the years and become more and more disappointed.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-81739699441287603532022-02-14T09:16:00.002-08:002022-02-14T09:16:13.014-08:00The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale - Art Spiegelman<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60226142-the-complete-maus" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1643313675l/60226142._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60226142-the-complete-maus">The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5117.Art_Spiegelman">Art Spiegelman</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4530719299">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Art Spiegelman tells the story of his father during the Holocaust. This book does tackle tough topics. And there is nudity (not of the mice and also definitely not in a sexual way). But I would let my kids read it when they're older (6 & 8 now...so clearly not appropriate). I would like to talk about it with them as they do. And that's where the importance of parenting (not just blindly banning books) is important. <br />It is so critical we read and know the stories of others.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-54907574604445809672022-01-25T08:50:00.004-08:002022-01-25T08:50:57.575-08:00This Wish - Nicholas Sparks<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56625098-the-wish" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Wish" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614769180l/56625098._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56625098-the-wish">The Wish</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2345.Nicholas_Sparks">Nicholas Sparks</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4150195138">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This book tackles many sensitive topics in a tender and understanding way. Was it predictable? Sure. Did I mind? No.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-89220413028092853062022-01-13T06:09:00.004-08:002022-01-13T06:09:58.666-08:00Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44597.Wide_Sargasso_Sea" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Wide Sargasso Sea" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327870846l/44597._SY160_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44597.Wide_Sargasso_Sea">Wide Sargasso Sea</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25022.Jean_Rhys">Jean Rhys</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/381029950">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This isn't really a true retelling, but I wasn't sure what else to label it. It's the background story of "Bertha" from Jane Eyre. And I was interested in reading it and was disappointed to not really enjoy it.<br />I think part of the issue was the writing style and the fact I was confused through a good part of it (although reading SparkNotes definitely helped). I felt compassion for Antionette but also for Rochester, and those things conflicted. <br />I'm glad I read it. I'm also glad it was short. I will be donating my copy to the library as I don't plan to reread it.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-38370063314283158022022-01-13T06:08:00.004-08:002022-01-13T06:08:25.745-08:00Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10210.Jane_Eyre" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Jane Eyre" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557343311l/10210._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10210.Jane_Eyre">Jane Eyre</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1036615.Charlotte_Bront_">Charlotte Brontë</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/276118192">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Okay, first of all I just have to say that I think I've spent my whole reading life confusing the Bronte sisters and their tales. I knew the plot of Jane Eyre before reading it. But I always ascribed said plot to Wuthering Heights thinking I had read the latter (and own it) but not the former. But upon reading this book, I've found that I was wrong. And now I find myself trying to sort out if I've ever even read Wuthering Heights. I really enjoyed this story. I appreciated Jane's character and her depth of integrity. I did not like any of her male cousins and am glad the book ended happily. Jane is a very spiritual, do the right thing girl. Temptation is there to lash out, to give in to her passions, etc. But at Lowood she learned to control those emotions and to act rationally and rightly. A part of me wondered if she lost a bit of herself in doing that, but in reflection I really don't think so. She became a truer version of herself. I think that Jane Eyre can give us all a deeper spiritual message and truth: I care for myself. I will respect myself. I will keep the laws given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad as I am now. Laws and principles are not for times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? <br />I pray I can remember well remember her words the next time I face temptation. And to plant my foot in what I know to be true and right and good.<br /><br />January 2022<br />Reread (partially by audiobook) and liked it even more. Bumped it from 3 to 4 stars.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-9501738862745524342021-10-19T09:44:00.002-07:002021-10-19T09:44:32.090-07:00Dear Santa - Debbie Macomber<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56937407-dear-santa" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Dear Santa" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633454246l/56937407._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56937407-dear-santa">Dear Santa</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11349.Debbie_Macomber">Debbie Macomber</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4229740996">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I've long wanted to read a Debbie Macomber book. This might not have been a great choice for my first. Or perhaps I'm just not the right reader for her books. <br /><br />In Dear Santa, Lindy returns home for the holidays after a rough year on both a personal and a career front. After reviewing letters she wrote to Santa as a child, she decides to write another letter to Santa this year. Will this this new letter be answered in the same ways her childhood letters were?<br /><br />I think that I just wasn't in the mood for the sacchrine sweetness of this book. So I think my rating and review are probably more a refleciton of me at the time and not necessarily the book. However, the book itself had issues with inconsistencies and a lot of redundant information (sometimes even the exact phrasing). The pacing of the story overall was off - weird time jumps and other parts that dragged. Hopefully some of these things were taken care of in a final edit (I was reading an advanced review copy). <br /><br />I wanted to like Lindy, and maybe I did. She just wasn't as fully developed as I would have liked. None of the characters were, but I at least hoped to have a more complete main character. The romance part was okay. Quick but understandable. <br /><br />Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-32002903570388634462021-10-19T09:30:00.001-07:002021-10-19T09:30:03.514-07:00Always, in December - Emily Stone<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57003920-always-in-december" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Always, in December" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633451960l/57003920._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57003920-always-in-december">Always, in December</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21887652.Emily_Stone">Emily Stone</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4229739073">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Oh, I so wanted to love this book.<br /><br />Josie is not a fan of December. However, a chance run-in with a stranger (Max), makes the first holiday season of the book a little more bearable. Could there be more?<br /><br />I know this was marketed as a Christmas book. I don't think it was very Christmassy aside from the first part is set in December as well as the last part.<br /><br />I *loved* the first part of this book. I liked the characters, their interactions, the deeper aspects of the story. Unfortunately, the book doesn't continue in this same vein, or even the same tone. Part 2 shifts to Max's perspective. It is much less engaging and more sweary. The book went downhill from there for me, including the ending. There were moments of sparkle but not enough to sustain the rest of the plot, dialogue, and character devolvement for me. I think my hopes were just too high after part 1.<br /><br />Content: language, closed door romance<br /><br />Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-70608835484385018822021-08-15T13:37:00.002-07:002021-08-15T13:37:16.708-07:00Maiden Voyages: Magnificent Ocean Liners and the Women Who Traveled and Worked Aboard Them<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54860342-maiden-voyages" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Maiden Voyages: Magnificent Ocean Liners and the Women Who Traveled and Worked Aboard Them" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1621844588l/54860342._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54860342-maiden-voyages">Maiden Voyages: Magnificent Ocean Liners and the Women Who Traveled and Worked Aboard Them</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12987558.Si_n_Evans">Siân Evans</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4112957773">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This book was promoted as being an "engaging and anticdotal" history of woment who traveled or worked on the Ocean Liners so popular during the early 1900s. <br />There were certainly spots of that, and they were wonderful. I enjoyed reading the vignettes of both the wealthy and the working class. But this was not the majority of the book. So much of the book was history and tangent and nothing to do with ships, travel, or woment at work or play. That was disappointing.<br />Also, there were many redundancies in the text as well as some organizational issues.<br /><br />I appreciate the review copy from NetGalley and the publisher. Clearly, my review is my own thoughts. I just wish the book would have more stories and life aboard the liners and less of all the other stuff.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-18221473727229376402021-04-20T09:10:00.000-07:002021-04-20T09:10:01.492-07:00Book of Lost Friends - Lisa Wingate<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53025903-the-book-of-lost-friends" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Book of Lost Friends" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580790967l/53025903._SX98_SY160_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53025903-the-book-of-lost-friends">The Book of Lost Friends</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/178832.Lisa_Wingate">Lisa Wingate</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3150299845">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Lisa Wingate has a gift for finding things in US history that aren't well-known (even though they should be) and couching those events in a compelling story. In the case of The Book of Lost Friends, Wingate shares the true story of advertisements placed by former slaves in a Methodist newspaper in the hopes of reconnecting with lost or sold, stolen or run away family members. The narrative moves between post-Civil War times and 1987. I found the stories both disturbing and fascinating. All of the families torn apart, lives forever changed by greed and the awfulness of owning others. And then the more modern story that ties us all together.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-84410388253089850262021-04-16T05:56:00.002-07:002021-04-16T05:56:44.930-07:00The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House - Kate Andersen Brower<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22693222-the-residence" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406045992l/22693222._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22693222-the-residence">The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8378127.Kate_Andersen_Brower">Kate Andersen Brower</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2932141454">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I read Upstairs at the White House by JB West earlier this year. This was a nice companion read to carry work in the White House into the 21st century. Definitely a different perspective in the writing, a bit more gossipy (which I don't mind), and interesting.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-1362080619939746702021-04-16T05:49:00.001-07:002021-04-16T05:49:22.992-07:00Finally You - Debbie Macomber<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53442021-finally-you" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Finally You" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1602564444l/53442021._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53442021-finally-you">Finally You</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11349.Debbie_Macomber">Debbie Macomber</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3940326756">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
So this is a two novella collection. The first one was decent. I enjoyed it. However, the second one...I wouldn't even give one star to. Nothing in it made sense. There were so many poor word choices. In no reality does it take three days to drive from Seattle to anywhere in Montana...especially when you're driving from morning to at least mid-afternoon. Every single character was a self-centered brat. The two main characters didn't have anything like a true relationship - just attraction fueled passion. Their interactions and "relationship" was both destructive and toxic right to the end. Hated it.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-88397707464872641512021-04-07T13:54:00.006-07:002021-04-07T13:54:57.325-07:00A Woman of Intelligence - Karin Tanabe<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54860377-a-woman-of-intelligence" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="A Woman of Intelligence" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1601340118l/54860377._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54860377-a-woman-of-intelligence">A Woman of Intelligence</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6459679.Karin_Tanabe">Karin Tanabe</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3682194889">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Katharina Edgeworth went from a single life in the 1950s working at the UN to the life of a NYC housewife and mother. She's struggling until a new opportunity enters her life. <br /><br />This book was definitely not un-put-downable. I put it down a lot to read other things, explaining why it took my so long to read the ARC I received (thanks, NetGalley & the publisher...all thoughts on this book are my own.).<br /><br />There were just a lot of things that didn't make sense. Katharina seemed incredibly unstable and so a huge risk for the work she was being asked to take on. And then the focus of the book wasn't even that work (which could have been interesting) but more manufactured drama. The timeline was jumpy, which was just more evidence the book could use a good edit. Also, the character relationships on all levels were awkward. Especially an attempted romantic interest that was supremely awkward and never very clear. <br /><br />Really, giving this book two stars that it was okay is probably stretching it a bit.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-73277338167566943232021-01-04T14:33:00.004-08:002021-01-04T14:33:49.802-08:00Jane Austen Society - Natalie Jenner<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43557477-the-jane-austen-society" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Jane Austen Society" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568730506l/43557477._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43557477-the-jane-austen-society">The Jane Austen Society</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18786953.Natalie_Jenner">Natalie Jenner</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3090444550">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I did NOT enjoy this book for the first third of it. It kept hopping from character to character giving seemingly random information about their pasts and current lives. 30% into reading. No society formed. And I'm ready to shelve as abandoned. <br />But I'm glad I stuck with it. The book is probably more 3.5 stars for me. Things like regular mentions of how mean Mr. Knight is and how nosy/gossipy the nurse was annoyed me. But the characters, once they coalesced, became really enjoyable. There was some good introspection and growth.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-71014735534983580512020-12-28T16:21:00.001-08:002020-12-28T16:21:12.714-08:00The American Heiress - Daisy Goodwin<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9999107-the-american-heiress" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The American Heiress" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1307342832l/9999107._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9999107-the-american-heiress">The American Heiress</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/148847.Daisy_Goodwin">Daisy Goodwin</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1760506802">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I've read other Daisy Goodwin books and enjoyed them. So I wasn't surprised that I didn't enjoy this one when I learned it was her first. She's definitely improved.<br /><br />Random things about the book annoyed me. For example, in my copy on the top of each right hand page where the title would normally be it said "My Last Duchess." Was that a working title? It didn't seem to make sense with the rest of the story. Who knows. Also, the main character, Cora, develops some sort of major nearsighted issues mid-book. Although nothing happens to bring it on so suddenly. Her nearsightedness just pops up and then is mentioned several more times through the remainder of the book.<br /><br />I wanted to love the book, and parts of it I did find really interesting. But overall the characters were pretty flat and the ending wrapped up too quickly and cleanly for all the build up.
Read her other books but perhaps skip this debut novel.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-83651758742452180562020-10-15T13:58:00.007-07:002020-10-15T13:58:50.871-07:00Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Life & Work - Victoria Ortiz<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40796189-dissenter-on-the-bench" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and Work" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1547955219l/40796189._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40796189-dissenter-on-the-bench">Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and Work</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1865942.Victoria_Ortiz">Victoria Ortiz</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3586580616">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This wasn't a book so much about her dissents. It was more a biography of her life with her life experiences (sometimes loosely) linked to some of the cases she sat for (some that she was a dissenter but others not).<br />The organization was wonky to me in this book and parts were redundant. That makes me lean more towards 2 stars. But I did enjoy learning more about her and her path to the Supreme Court.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-85358667189638463722020-08-25T16:55:00.007-07:002020-08-25T16:55:59.411-07:00Kind of a Big Deal - Shannon Hale<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50884610-kind-of-a-big-deal" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Kind of a Big Deal" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587351954l/50884610._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50884610-kind-of-a-big-deal">Kind of a Big Deal</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49177.Shannon_Hale">Shannon Hale</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3418856435">1 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a review copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.<br /><br />Typically, I am a Shannon Hale fan. So when I saw she had a new book, I was excited to get my hands on it. I was disappointed.<br /><br />This book was wonky. Really just...odd.<br /><br />Josie Pie peaked in high school. She was the "It" girl - popular, star of all the shows, etc. But when she dropped out of high school to pursue a career on Broadway, reality sets in. It is not a reality she likes. Then she learns she can escape into (literally, INTO) books. Will this bring the success and adoration she craves?<br /><br />I don't know that I can say anything about this book other than it was odd. Josie jumps in and out of different genres and story lines interspersed with flashbacks of high school and Broadway as well as current day interactions with the girl she nannies and others. There's this whole thing with the Muses. It was just weird. <br /><br />I love books about books. This premise appealed to me. I think the book just failed in carrying it out. It was all over the place. Josie was whiny and depressed. Lots of making out and talk of making out. It was like so much of her character revolved around that. Family dynamics that were over the top. An extra weird conclusion.<br /><br />I was not a fan.<br /><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-19816113139557629782020-08-25T14:16:00.000-07:002020-08-25T14:16:07.649-07:00Short Thoughts on Recent Reads 8.25.2020<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50794839-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570633247l/50794839._SX98_SY160_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50794839-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes">The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/153394.Suzanne_Collins">Suzanne Collins</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3499138261">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I finished this a few days ago and am still trying to decide how I feel about it. It was interesting to see how Snow became who he was in the Hunger Games trilogy. However, so much of it was so dark. There were times I had to put the book down and walk away because it just left me yucky feeling. <br />I have waffled between 1 and 2 stars on this.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28433387-christy" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Christy" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451764625l/28433387._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28433387-christy">Christy</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11237.Catherine_Marshall">Catherine Marshall</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3481781993">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I first read this book in middle school, and I remember loving it. I felt the same rereading it in high school and college. This time around, I did still like it. However, it didn't have the same spark and inspiration I recall. Probably has more to do with me as the reader than the book itself.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37570546-maybe-you-should-talk-to-someone" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1547189796l/37570546._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37570546-maybe-you-should-talk-to-someone">Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/201386.Lori_Gottlieb">Lori Gottlieb</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2892182851">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I did not anticipate enjoying this book as much as I did. <br />Lori Gottlieb sheds light into her therapy practice as well as her interactions with her own therapist. It was funny. It was heart warming. It was sad. It was challenging. <br />I read a copy from my library but plan to buy one for my shelf. It was good, even, for introspection; and I anticipate rereading it in the future.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42046112-recursion" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Recursion" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1543687940l/42046112._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42046112-recursion">Recursion</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/442240.Blake_Crouch">Blake Crouch</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2968460884">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I will admit that I was super confused for the first half of this book. Then the science-y ideas all started coming together and making sense. I ended up enjoying this more than his book Black Matter.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-20410897516572488852020-07-18T12:47:00.000-07:002020-07-18T12:47:17.938-07:00Short Thoughts on Recent Reads<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11925514-code-name-verity" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Code Name Verity" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388161911l/11925514._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11925514-code-name-verity">Code Name Verity</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52320.Elizabeth_Wein">Elizabeth Wein</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/593333215">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I spent the first half of the book thinking perhaps I was missing things that were important to the story overall. I think that hampered my desire to read it. However, once I realized I wasn't and pieces started coming together, I liked the story. Definitely stick with it if you feel it's going slower or more convoluted than you like.<br />I did like the "voice" of the characters. And I definitely want to learn more about female pilots in WWII.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44792512-love-lettering" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Love Lettering" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558904735l/44792512._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44792512-love-lettering">Love Lettering</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17039266.Kate_Clayborn">Kate Clayborn</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3336279563">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I thoroughly enjoyed Meg as a character. Her interactions. Her development. <br />I liked learning more about the hand-lettering world. Not in my skill set, but I wish it was. So it was fun to read about, including the signs around New York.<br />This was an easy to read book that was engaging and with some depth.<br /><br />Content: sexy stuff...I was skipping pages more than once; some language
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40097951-the-silent-patient" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Silent Patient" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582759969l/40097951._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40097951-the-silent-patient">The Silent Patient</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17621440.Alex_Michaelides">Alex Michaelides</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2866484297">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
When it comes to writing style and character development, this book was really just a 1.5 or 2 stars for me. The suspense element(s) that I couldn't predict earn it the bonus star, bumping it up to three.<br />It was a great book for book club discussions. And if you like thrillers or suspense, you might want to give it a try. It is getting all the buzz still and is slated to become a movie.<br /><br />Content: violence
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-53699601802264579022020-05-25T08:51:00.000-07:002020-05-25T08:51:32.520-07:00Short Thoughts on Recent Reads<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25489134-the-bear-and-the-nightingale" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470731420l/25489134._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25489134-the-bear-and-the-nightingale">The Bear and the Nightingale</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13922215.Katherine_Arden">Katherine Arden</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2293520634">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Probably 3.5<br /><br />This story in the vein of a Russian folktale really held my interest. Taking place in the cold Russian wilderness, young Vasilisa thrives despite her mother dying at her birth. Her older siblings dote on her, and she loves the woods and creatures surrounding and in her home. Things start to unravel when her father remarries and devolves further when another stranger comes to their village. Fairytale character like Frost and guardians are rampant throughout. <br /><br />I enjoyed this book and will read the next one. I will say, for me, it was helpful to not know what the translation for some of the Russian creature names were as I tend to get a bit squeamish with some paranormal things. But since I didn't know until after, no harm.<br /><br />As with much Russian literature, the many derivations of the name for the same person takes some getting used to.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31752357-king-of-the-friend-zone" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="King of the Friend Zone (Power of the Matchmaker)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1472616083l/31752357._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31752357-king-of-the-friend-zone">King of the Friend Zone</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1182413.Sheralyn_Pratt">Sheralyn Pratt</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3330751418">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Esme and Hunter have been friends pretty much since in utero. They have grown up alongside each other and share so much of their lives. So Hunter is thrown when Esme turns up engaged to a man no one has met yet. <br /><br />This is the second book of this series I've read during this time of COVID19 quarantine. And they are perfect. Light. Clean. Fun. Engaging.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40832169-a-curse-so-dark-and-lonely" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="A Curse So Dark and Lonely" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532714435l/40832169._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40832169-a-curse-so-dark-and-lonely">A Curse So Dark and Lonely</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4629194.Brigid_Kemmerer">Brigid Kemmerer</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3084683302">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This is probably one of the best retellings of Beauty and the Beast I've read. It is new and fresh. <br /><br />Harper is magically transported from her home in DC to some other world and into the enchanted castle of Prince Rhen. Rhen is everything you would suppose a prince to be - arrogant, in charge, bossy - but harbors a secret. Harper is no damsel in distress though. She can take care of herself and doesn't mind going toe-to-toe with a prince when the situation calls for it. Add in a royal guard and an evil enchantress. Toss in some witty dialogue and some depth and character growth. <br /><br />It's a great book. I can't wait to read the second in the series.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-71010161213293345772020-05-25T08:19:00.000-07:002020-05-25T08:19:05.011-07:00The First Actress - CW Gortner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52301693-the-first-actress" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The First Actress" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1573733776l/52301693._SX98_SY160_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52301693-the-first-actress">The First Actress</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/169656.C_W_Gortner">C.W. Gortner</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3330754002">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
First off, thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.<br /><br />Sarah Bernhardt is considered the world's first modern actress. This is the story of her tumultuous rise to fame.<br /><br />I had never heard of Sarah Bernhardt before coming across this book on NetGalley. However, I have read other books by Gortner and enjoyed both the story and the historical knowledge. This book was no different.<br /><br />Gortner writes in such a way that I really got a feel for who Sarah was and her complexities. She endured a lot, both in her childhood and her career aspirations. There were several characters/people I really didn't like at all as a result of his story telling. And I imagine they were that way in real life as well.<br /><br />Anyone who likes historical fiction, even if they aren't necessarily theater fans, would probably like this book.<br /><br />Heads-Up: There are some open door scenes.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-1807430875516688222020-05-22T08:56:00.002-07:002020-05-22T08:56:37.840-07:00Pay Attention, Carter Jones - Gary D. Schmidt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37952587-pay-attention-carter-jones" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Pay Attention, Carter Jones" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545146242l/37952587._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37952587-pay-attention-carter-jones">Pay Attention, Carter Jones</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/96375.Gary_D_Schmidt">Gary D. Schmidt</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3344914675">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
The Jones home is a bit crazy most days. That is, until The Butler shows up to take charge. But he has more lessons to teach than anyone expects.<br />I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining to read yet still tackled some pretty big issues. Definitely a great addition to any upper elementary or middle school bookshelf.<br />I, however, still have no understanding of cricket despite the information given at the start of each chapter. :)
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-89891953281369214582020-05-18T14:48:00.000-07:002020-05-18T14:48:37.395-07:00Short Thoughts on Recent Reads<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60931.Kindred" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Kindred" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1339423248l/60931._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60931.Kindred">Kindred</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29535.Octavia_E_Butler">Octavia E. Butler</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2279452947">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I really liked this book. More than I anticipated. Probably because I felt the time travel was more fantasy than hard core sci-fi.<br />My book club all really enjoyed it, and it lent itself to a lot of discussion and pondering.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22693235-the-conservative-heart" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Conservative Heart: How To Build A Fairer, Happier, And More Prosperous America" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438649358l/22693235._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22693235-the-conservative-heart">The Conservative Heart: How To Build A Fairer, Happier, And More Prosperous America</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/31734.Arthur_C_Brooks">Arthur C. Brooks</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3310807652">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
So I would consider myself more conservative than liberal in most cases until it comes to social justice issues. This author was recommended to me by a family member who mentioned he was the keynote speaker at this year's National Prayer Breakfast. This book was the only one by him that my library had, so I read it. I agree with much of what he says. I don't know that I agree with his stance on the Tea Party being the salvation of the Republican party - I could be wrong with my interpretation of his writing, but that's what I walked away with on his Tea Party mentions. However, I think there are good takeaways for both political parties on how to more effectively communicate and way to truly help the poor in our communities.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30297153-all-you-can-ever-know" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="All You Can Ever Know" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519748414l/30297153._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30297153-all-you-can-ever-know">All You Can Ever Know</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15285653.Nicole_Chung">Nicole Chung</a><br/>
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I waffle about the fairness of rating memoirs. I've found I don't love them as they tend to leave so many questions unanswered, they are generally not linear, and focus solely on what the author wants to share and not on what the reader may want answered. This one is no exception.<br />However, it did raise many questions and points to ponder regarding interracial adoption and let to some interesting discussion when my book club met.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139033679238495510.post-3955666994424627602020-05-11T12:56:00.002-07:002020-05-11T12:56:57.268-07:00Beezus & Ramona - Beverly Cleary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45303873-beezus-and-ramona" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Beezus and Ramona" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556226617l/45303873._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45303873-beezus-and-ramona">Beezus and Ramona</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/403.Beverly_Cleary">Beverly Cleary</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3291604886">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I read this book aloud with my kids (6 and 4yo). They loved it. My 6-year-old son - who can be somewhat ambivalent to read alouds unless they're pictures books - loved it. We typically do chapter books at lunch and picture books at bed. He consistently brought me this book to read at night too. <br />We learned a lot of good vocabulary. I don't remember Ramona being such a brat (with little discipline) when I read the books as a child myself, but it provided a lot of good discussion.
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