Book Review: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle

A re-read for me..... I enjoyed it as much or more than I did before!  I love the characters... I love the story and I'm ready to watch the movie :-)

Book Review: A Clash of Kings by George R R Martin

A Clash of Kings by George R R Martin

I know its a wonderful series on television - and I really enjoy the language and engaging characters.  BUT BUT BUT... . it's a bit too gruesome for me.  My greatest complaint with the first book was that it was a bit gruesome and all my favorite characters were killed off.  Not so many main character deaths in this one but just as horrific.  Officially after the second book - not my cup of tea.    That said - the writing is wonderful and I may be back when I'm ready for a mega-long read.

Book Review: A Separate Peace by John Knowles

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

A thought-provoking story about boys on the brink of manhood... with war looming over them.  Friendship, rivalry, school times.. not with college being the next step - but enlistment.  I can't say I enjoyed it.... the tale was entertaining but slogged in parts and was cliche in others... but it is haunting and will stick with me for a bit.

Book Review: Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks

Short stories are hard for me.... either I can't get into them and they are over before I figure out what is going on (so I don't like them) or I DO get into them and am disappointed when they end (so I don't like them).  So you get the drift - I don't really like short stories....  but.. it's Tom Hanks so I had to give it a go.  And - I'm impressed!  These are the rare stories that fall into the latter category - I was engaged with the characters AND the stories.... They are all different... with a common thread... I enjoyed the different literary formats (play, news article, prose).  I still am not fond of short stories - but I have to admit that this is a good collection!

Book Review: 1984 by George Orwell

1984 by George Orwell

Encouraged by the great PBS read, I decided to re-read this classic. I remember it scaring me in 9th grade and that has been about a bazillion years ago. I can honestly say it scared me even more today. The correlation between thought and dissent..... and the insistence on government leaders - a ruling class in a classless society - being of one unquestioning mindset.... Definitely a cautionary tale as relevant today as it was when it was first published. An important book to read if not an enjoyable one. This is a classic!