Friday, April 16, 2010
After a long absence . . .
I haven't abandoned my reading during 2010. But life has been busy lately and I've been in a reading rut since December. Hopefully as the weather gets nicer and the kids and I will be outside and at the park more often, I will be able to get a few books read.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sex with the Queen
Finished reading Eleanor Herman's second book "Sex with the Queen". This was just as enjoyable as the first book and a bit more structured. In this book Herman not only described some of the dangers and reasons why a Queen may take a lover (or several), but she also gave a brief biographical look at some of the Queens (and Princesses) who took lovers and what that decision did to their lives and the country they ruled.
I really liked how Herman refused to gloss over some of the more lurid details of these women's and men's lives. Some liberties were taken in regards to how these ladies may have felt, but I think Herman made good assumptions based on primary sources and letters from the Queens themselves.
Only one part of the book made me feel uncomfortable and that was the chapter on Princess Diana. Even though she had been dead for several years before the book was published I still felt it was too soon to be airing her "dirty laundry" so to speak. While some of Diana's affairs were well known about (James Hewitt), some are based on speculation and unproven evidence. Herman also lends credence to statements that Diana was unstable. Too many people have cashed in on the royal family and Diana in particular which makes it hard to believe anything that's printed about them.
The chapter on Princess Diana aside, I really enjoyed reading about these romantic and sometimes deviant Queens. If you are interested in reading "Sex with the Queen" by Eleanor Herman, you can find it at your local library or at Barnes and Noble.
I really liked how Herman refused to gloss over some of the more lurid details of these women's and men's lives. Some liberties were taken in regards to how these ladies may have felt, but I think Herman made good assumptions based on primary sources and letters from the Queens themselves.
Only one part of the book made me feel uncomfortable and that was the chapter on Princess Diana. Even though she had been dead for several years before the book was published I still felt it was too soon to be airing her "dirty laundry" so to speak. While some of Diana's affairs were well known about (James Hewitt), some are based on speculation and unproven evidence. Herman also lends credence to statements that Diana was unstable. Too many people have cashed in on the royal family and Diana in particular which makes it hard to believe anything that's printed about them.
The chapter on Princess Diana aside, I really enjoyed reading about these romantic and sometimes deviant Queens. If you are interested in reading "Sex with the Queen" by Eleanor Herman, you can find it at your local library or at Barnes and Noble.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Continuing Saga of Darren Shan . . .
This week I read "The Vampire's Assistant" the second book in the "Cirque du Freak" series written by Darren Shan. In this installment we get to learn more about half-vampire Darren Shan and his guardian Larten Crepsley. Mr. Crepsley decides to return with Darren to Cirque du Freak, he feels guilty about forcing Darren into the life of a vampire at such a young age and wants to make it up to him by allowing him the opportunity to make friends other "different" boys.
I definitely felt there was more depth to this installment compared to the first book. In this book we see Darren struggle between his humanity and his vampire urges as he tries to abstain from drinking human blood. We also see him begin to understand Mr. Crepsley is not a monster or evil, but trying to do the right thing with the cards he was dealt. Like the first book, I do think both could have been combined into one book, but at least the ending in this installment seemed more solid and not hanging in midair like the first book.
I really enjoyed reading "The Vampire's Assistant" and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the Darren Shan Saga. If you are interested in reading "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" by Darren Shan, you can find it at your local library or at Barnes and Noble.
I definitely felt there was more depth to this installment compared to the first book. In this book we see Darren struggle between his humanity and his vampire urges as he tries to abstain from drinking human blood. We also see him begin to understand Mr. Crepsley is not a monster or evil, but trying to do the right thing with the cards he was dealt. Like the first book, I do think both could have been combined into one book, but at least the ending in this installment seemed more solid and not hanging in midair like the first book.
I really enjoyed reading "The Vampire's Assistant" and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the Darren Shan Saga. If you are interested in reading "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" by Darren Shan, you can find it at your local library or at Barnes and Noble.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Something different . . .
This week I went out of my comfort zone and read a bestselling fiction novel. Crazy? I know, I surprised myself too. I read "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger. The story is an unconventional, yet conventional love story between two soul mates. Henry DeTamble is a time traveler, but not by choice, he suffers from a condition called Chrono-Impairment that hurls him forwards and backwards through time during moments of stress. Throughout it all he meets his soul mate in a meadow one day during his travels, Henry is in his 30s and Clare is 6. Clare knows Henry her entire life without really knowing him, and Henry doesn't know about Clare until they bump into each other in the library where Henry works when she is an adult.
I really did like this novel. The story was fresh and new and I really did like some aspects of the characters. What was really likeable about this story was the fierce devotion and loyalty Henry and Clare have for each other.
What I didn't like about the novel was some of the language used. I understand sex is involved in the story, but some of the terms she uses aren't the terms that a loving couple would use with each other. I also thought that the author incorporated too many sex scenes, it almost felt like the only way Henry and Clare could express their love for each other was through sex. It got a bit distracting and felt like wasted space in which the author could have given us more insight into Henry and Clare's relationship.
I really did enjoy this book, it's a great book from a first time author and I hope Niffenegger gets better with time. If you are interested in reading "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger, you can find it at your local library or at Barnes and Noble.
I really did like this novel. The story was fresh and new and I really did like some aspects of the characters. What was really likeable about this story was the fierce devotion and loyalty Henry and Clare have for each other.
What I didn't like about the novel was some of the language used. I understand sex is involved in the story, but some of the terms she uses aren't the terms that a loving couple would use with each other. I also thought that the author incorporated too many sex scenes, it almost felt like the only way Henry and Clare could express their love for each other was through sex. It got a bit distracting and felt like wasted space in which the author could have given us more insight into Henry and Clare's relationship.
I really did enjoy this book, it's a great book from a first time author and I hope Niffenegger gets better with time. If you are interested in reading "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger, you can find it at your local library or at Barnes and Noble.
More Farquhar . . .
I just finished reading another fabulous book by Michael Farquhar, "Treasury of Great American Scandals". Have I mentioned how much I love Farquhar's books? This one was no exception! In this book Farquhar has the reader take a look at some of the most scandalous moments in American history from the Founding Fathers to Richard Nixon. Unlike most of his books this one is not divided up by person, but by type of scandal, ranging from family feuds to pompous generals. Each chapter reveals the all too human characterstics of our leaders that are left out of the history books.
If you are interested in reading "Treasury of Great American Scandals" by Michael Farquhar you can find it at your local library or at Barnes and Noble.
If you are interested in reading "Treasury of Great American Scandals" by Michael Farquhar you can find it at your local library or at Barnes and Noble.
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