Anne at Modern Mrs. Darcy hosts a monthly link-up for sharing casual, tweet-sized book reviews. Here's what I've *finally* gotten through this month after a dry, weary season without my beloved books!
:: Agnes Sligh TurnbullSweet, quaint, lovely. Preacher and his family with typical small town ups and downs and typical small town drama spread among a delightful cast of turn-of-the-20th-century characters. Just what the doctor ordered to get me back into a book!
:: Carlos Ruiz ZafonI have a love/hate relationship with Zafon: I stayed up all night to finish his first in one sitting but was underwhelmed by the next one. This was beautifully crafted, but some of the problem spots (jumping narrator/POV when it's not possible and the words "ashes" and "shadows" on every stinking page...) pulled me from the story, but I couldn't resist a good take on The Count of Monte Cristo. #worthit, despite the flaws.
:: Eve O. SchaubFun, informative, thought-provoking without being real preachy. Rethinking some habits, even if I'm not ready to purge sugar entirely from our house (Professor might not be as accommodating as Mr. Schaub). I hope to hear more from Schaub, about sugar or anything else.
:: Lois LowryClassic. Good as the first reading eons ago. Probably better. Excited about the movie release, but this re-read confirmed what I already know: #thebookwasbetter
A year without sugar sounds a little overwhelming in it's challenge. But I imagine that the author felt so much better emotionally and physically. If only I had that much self-control.
ReplyDeleteHmm...I wrote a reply and now it disappeared into cyberspace...weird.
DeleteAnyway, they did find a way around it: dextrose, which doesn't react in the body the same way as fructose, so they made dextrose brownies, etc. It felt like cheating to me, but hey, I couldn't do what they were attempting anyway. They also had a planned, monthly dessert as a family. Interestingly, though, by September, the dessert made her teeth hurt with its sweetness and left her with a migraine. Interesting read, but yeah, I couldn't do it either!
I agree with Laura, a year without sugar sounds overwhelming, especially when it comes to socializing and sharing meals at other people's homes! And I've felt the same way about Zafon; I was underwhelmed by The Angel's Game and haven't tried his latest. Sounds like it was worth it. . . I'll have to first read the Count of Monte Cristo, though. :)
ReplyDeleteDo read Count of Monte Cristo, even if you never get to Zafon!
DeleteGlad I wasn't the only one who felt "meh" about The Angel's Game. I guess Prisoner of Heaven was the fourth book, not the third. The Rose of Fire is book three, and since it's free to download for Kindle, I'm going to give it a go.
The Gown of Glory sounds good. I like small town preacher stories.
ReplyDeleteI didn't *love* the preacher himself, but those stories always have such rich supporting characters that it's still worth the read.
DeleteThe Gown of Glory sounds good and I'd love to read the Giver before the movie comes out. Not that we ever go to see movies so I probably have a while before it comes to Redbox...
ReplyDeleteWe might spring for an Amazon rental if it's $5 or less (mostly because Redbox=grocery store=snacks=waaaaaaaaay more money spent than the Amazon rental!). Waiting for the rental release also gives you more time to finish the book (though it's a very, very quick read; I think I read it over two days). ;)
DeleteI just re-read The Giver too, and I agree it is still awesome!
ReplyDeleteYay for classics! :D
Deletecarlos ruis zafon...i read one of his books, and all i can remember is the word "shadow" in the title, and how fascinating/creepy/surrealistic it was. maybe i should give him another try :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Like I said, I read Shadow of the Wind overnight...I never did write the extra credit report for my high school Spanish class, but my very strict Senora went easy on me in class when I handed her the book the next day.
DeletePrisoner of Heaven was quite good; Angel's Game I didn't care for. I haven't read Rose of Fire yet, so I can't vouch for it, but it's probably worth trying!
I may have to check out the Sugar book. I gave up sugar for a month in January (as a recovery time from Christmas more than any kind of statement or long term change) my main takeaway was learning how much sugar pops up in just about everything.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good read. Kudos on your sugar fast; I'm terribly interested in the idea but terribly bad at avoiding the stuff! Although I have also noticed how much it's in things that don't need it, so while I can't stay away from candy, I can easily switch from ketchup to mustard. Baby steps!
DeleteI love the Count of Monte Cristo, so I probably couldn't resist a good take on it either! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a little darker in places than Count of Monte Cristo, but still very good.
DeleteI'm a huge sci-fi/fantasy fan but I am embarrassed to say I haven't read The Giver! It's on the hold list at the library and I can't wait to dive in.
ReplyDeleteI think we've all got holes in our reading of what we "should have read"...but I'm really glad that you're going to read The Giver! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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