A Great and Terrible Beauty
by Libba BrayYoung Adult FictionFinished on 10/12/07Rating: 2/5 (Below Average)R.I.P. II Challenge #3Publisher's Blurb:Gemma Doyle isn't like other girls. Girls with impeccable manners, who speak when spoken to, who remember their station, and who will lie back and think of England when it's required of them.No, sixteen-year-old Gemma is an island unto herself, sent to the Spence Academy in London after tragedy strikes her family in India. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma finds a chilly reception. But she's not completely alone... she's been followed by a mysterious young man, who warns her to close her mind against the visions.For it's at Spence that Gemma's power to attract the supernatural unfolds; there she becomes entangled with the school's most powerful girls and discovers her mother's connection to a shadowy group called the Order. It's there that her destiny waits... if only she can believe in it.A Great and Terrible Beauty is a curl-up-under-the-covers kind of book... a vast canvas of rustling skirts and dancing shadows and things that go bump in the night. It's a vividly drawn portrait of the Victorian age, when girls were groomed for lives as rich men's wives... and the story of a girl who saw another way.Sigh. It's happened again. Another hyped-up novel that failed to entertain. Perhaps I'm just not suited for these modern-day Gothic novels. Or, maybe it's the teenage angst that turns me off. Whatever the reason, I'm sorry to say it was quite a struggle to get into the book and I almost quit on several occasions. However, I stuck with it since I'd heard positive remarks from fellow bloggers. Heather, Jenclair and Kailana all loved the novel and wrote glowing reviews, which I encourage you to read if you're the least bit interested in this book.It's very difficult to write a review for a book I disliked so much. In a nutshell, I didn't care for Gemma's sardonic wit and thought her voice sounded contrived throughout the entire novel. The overuse of metaphors was also irritating. I didn't care for any of the characters and thought the plot far too predictable. The following passage leapt from the page, jarring me from what little interest I had going and made me think, would someone in 1895 truly say this?Felicity stops. "Oh, honestly, this is the worst attempt at a gothic novel I've ever read. All we're missing are creaking castle floors and a heroine in danger of losing her virtue."I do think, however, that this might make for an entertaining movie. I found myself picturing Johnny Depp as Kartika and wouldn't mind seeing that come to be. Looks like the rights have been bought, so we may just see this come to theaters near us (or Netflix, in my case) in a few years.If anyone would like to give this book a try, I'd be more than happy to pass it on. Leave a comment and I'll draw names next weekend.
Naked in Death by J. D. RobbMysteryFinished on 10/3/07Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
The year is 2058. It's the age of flying cars, tele-links, communicators, security discs and LC's (Licensed Companions). Coffee and steak are pretty much a rarity, and only the very wealthy can afford to bury their loved ones. Guns have been outlawed for several decades, yet killers still kill and cops still eat donuts. Welcome to Eve Dallas' world.I've never read any of Nora Roberts' romances, nor have I been interested in her mysteries (written under the pen name "J. D. Robb"). However, several weeks ago I had the pleasure of chatting about books with one of our regular customers. Next to seeing all the new titles come into the store, talking about my favorite books to customers and co-workers is the highlight of my job. I get so much enjoyment (and a sense of satisfaction) when a customer really listens to what I have to say about a particular book or author and enthusiastically adds a half dozen to his or her shopping basket. Of course, this is a two-way street when encountering another avid reader. And, I try to be open-minded when a customer suggests a favorite to me! So after hand-selling copies of The Sparrow, These Is My Words, Summer in Tuscany, Shutter Island, Melancholy Baby, Monkeewrench, Dead Run, Live Bait AND Snowblind to one customer, I had to put aside my skepticism and give Naked in Death a try. I'm happy to say I wasn't a bit sorry! I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and cast of characters, but seriously folks, this is not really a mystery, but a romance disguised as a futuristic who-dun-it. There's quite a bit of heavy-duty passion (a bit reminiscent of Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli). But that didn't put me off and I plan to eventually read more in this series. Looks like I have quite a back-list to work through as there are at least two dozen in the series. Roberts/Robb is quite the busy bee! Between her and John Sandford, I could read nothing but mysteries for the rest of the year and never run out of material!
Not a bad month! The majority of books were very, very good. I thought I read more than I did, but I guess not. Too busy watching House, M.D. - Season Three thanks to Netflix. Click on the titles to read my reviews.On Rue Tatin: Living and Cooking in a French Town by Susan Hermann Loomis (4.5/5)
One True Thing by Anna Quindlen (4.5/5)
Consuming Passions: A Food-Obsessed Life by Michael Lee West (2/5)
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (4.5/5)
Brother Odd by Dean Koontz (2/5)
Favorite of the Month: Boy, that's a tough one! I think I'd have to say Heart-Shaped Box, but One True Thing and On Rue Tatin are very close!Books Read 5
DNF 0
Male Authors 2
Female Authors 3New-To-Me Authors 3
Across the Borders 0
Fiction 3
Nonfiction 2Classic 0
Poetry 0
Young Adult 0
Sci-Fi 0
Fantasy 0
Horror 2
Humor 0
Travel 1
Culinary 2
Mystery/Thriller 0Series 1
Re-read 0
Challenge 5
Mine 3
Library 2
ARC 0
Gift 0
Keeper 3
Of all the wonders of nature,
Mom and Bill's gorgeous backyard!
I can't think of a lovelier spot to sit and read!
If you tell a joke in the forest,
It is not so much for its beauty
My dream home!
