Archive of Finished Books for 2005
(151 books total)

Pope Joan by Donna Cross [BookCrossing] Whether or not Pope Joan actually existed (and I'd like to think that she did), this fictionalized account of her "life" was absolutely wonderful. Like the previous book I just finished (Slammerkin), I would have liked to see a happier ending, but after the choices that Joan had made, could she have ended any differently? [1/2/05]

Hiss and Tell: True Stories from the Files of a Cat Shrink by Pam Johnson-Bennett [BookRay] I had the best experience while reading this book - a purring cat curled up in my lap. I laughed at some of these stories, cried at others (especially the one about Angel). The book also reinforced for me how important it is to have interactive play sessions with your cat each day. [1/5/05]

Stonehenge Decoded by Gerald S. Hawkins [BookCrossing] To be quite honest, at first I expected this book to be "trash," to be merely entertaining but not contain any other useful information. I was set to rebuke whatever Hawkins claimed. To my surprise, I found a well-written scientific book that contained some very convincing ideas. Yes, the book is now 40 years old and technology has advanced (it was rather amusing to read what he wrote about computers and hopes for the future), but I think we'd come up with these same findings today. [1/7/05]

Rusalka by C.J. Cherryh [BookCrossing] A good book but not outstanding. Sometimes the story seemed to drag a bit and I had a hard time relating to the characters. But I did really like that it was based off Russian folklore because I haven't read many other fantasy books that have done so. [1/9/05]

The Anglo-Saxon Age: A Very Short Introduction by John Blair This very short introduction may have been a little too short. But I did learn quite a bit - I'll just have to supplement it with other reading. [1/9/05]

Ancestors of Avalon by Diana L. Paxson (Marion Zimmer Bradley) I always knew that the Atlantis book was part of the Avalon books - and this book links the two. Although not an extremely remarkable story, I enjoyed reading it. I liked seeing how things from later books were worked out and also how history was placed into the book (such as the building of Stonehenge). [1/13/05]

Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix [BookCrossing] Is happily ever after really happy? For Ella (Cinderella), once reality sets in and she finds out what is expected of her as a princess and gets to know Prince Charming, she realizes that maybe she has not chosen a life that will satisfy her. I really enjoyed this book because the story was well told and characters well written but also because Ella doesn't need a fairy godmother to help her change her life. [1/16/05]

Piers Plowman (translation of the B-Text) by William Langland (trans. A.V.C. Schmidt) This was my first time reading Piers Plowman. I'm going to have to read it again (and again) because this first time through it was hard enough just figuring out what was going on - I didn't get much below a surface reading [1/23/05]

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler [BookRay] A good book though not a great one. Although there was much talk of Austen, I could have done with more of it. And I'm sure that the characters' stories in many ways were parallel to Austen's novels, but I just didn't have the time to really think about it enough to really make those connections. [1/24/05]

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce [BookCrossing] It's nice to get back to the world of Tortall. Although there is a battle in this book, reading it is a peaceful experience. Perhaps too much goes well for it to be realistic (though thinking back now, there is a price someone pays in the battle), but sometimes its nice to escape from reality for a while with something that lifts you up and makes you happier. [1/29/05]

Pearl by "the Pearl-Poet" What a lovely, descriptive poem. It's easy to get lost in the sheer beauty of the language. I have read it in a modernized version a while back and loved it then, but it was nothing compared to reading it in its own language, which although difficult was definitely worth it. [1/30/05]

The Right to Write by Julia Cameron So much of the information in this book seems so simple and obvious and yet it is so easy to forget it. I am glad that books like this exist. Why does writing have to be some lofty goal that is hard to reach? Why can't I just be a writer? This book shows how easy it is to do so and how everyone can be a writer. Cameron speaks mostly from her own experience but also uses other people she knows as examples. Along with that, each chapter ends with a writing exercise. I've begun doing one of the major exercies - Morning Pages - and have done so each day for a little over a week. I wake up now each morning looking forward to the time I spend on the page. I think this little bit is already helping me as a writer. [2/3/05]

Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce [BookCrossing] As Daine learns more about herself and her wild magic, she has to deal with a situation that could cost the lives of many people and even more animals. Some bits seem a little too easy or convenient but most of the story is well told. I enjoyed seeing Daine's interaction with many different types of animals. [2/4/05]

Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce [BookCrossing] Once again, things wrapped up almost a little too neatly. The bad were sufficiently punished and the good triumphed without any major losses. But I didn't expect anything else, so it was nice to have a safe and comfortable, relaxing read. [2/8/05]

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger [BookRay] I stayed up until 2 am finishing this book. I really didn't mean to, but I literally couldn't put it down. And I sobbed and sobbed at the end. I got so attached to these characters and their relationship. I struggled with them throughout their lives. And I hoped and hoped that they would be able to find a way to change what had already happened, but of course they couldn't. So it was even more heart-wrenching to see that they were powerless to stop it. I really wasn't expecting to enjoy this book this much, so it was a very pleasant surprise. [2/12/05]

Realms of the Gods by Tamora Pierce [BookCrossing] A nice wrap-up to this quartet. And finally, the relationship that I was waiting for developed (names left out to contain spoilers). I wonder if there will be more information about them in the next Tortall series; I shall have to find out (fortunately, I have those books sitting on my TBR shelf). There was a little more sacrifice in this book compared to the rest, but still it did all seem to turn out a little too well in the end - but I was in the mood for a happy ending, so all is well. [2/18/05]

Concepts of Chivalry in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Wendy Clein This is a book that I wish I had written. In it, I see so many of my own ideas about SGGK, especially as pertains to a reader's response of the text. So in a way, I am happy to have read this book because it confirms the ideas that I have had. But I also did not like reading it because I now wonder how I should make my own ideas mine in many have already been examined in this book? [2/26/05]

Alliterative Morte Arthure I can definitely say that this is not going to ever be one of my favorite Arthurian texts. Too much battle description and really not much else at all going on. The dream of Arthur on Fortune's wheel is really the only thing, in my opinion, that really is important in this text. [3/2/05]

The Frog Prince by Stephen Mitchell [BookRing] This was an okay book. Yes, it did add details to the original story, but I'm not entirely sure that anything but details was added. And I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and too easy. Of course, we know how the story ends, but it's just over too quickly, especially after the long set-up. [3/3/05]

Sovereign Fantasies: Arthurian Romance and the Making of Britain by Patricia Ingham I read this for a book report for my Middle English class. I don't know if I would have chosen to read it otherwise because it places Arthurian texts very much in a political context, which is not something that I am as interested in. But it does make me look at the tales in a new light, in some ways deepening my understanding and appreciation of the texts. [3/6/05]

The Craft of Revision by Donald M. Murray I plan to use this book with my composition students. It has a lot of good information in it without too much of a "textbook" feel to it. I think that this book along with the Julia Cameron book (see above) will be a good combination for my class. [3/14/05]

Julian of Norwich: Mystic and Theologian by Grace M. Jantzen I'm reading Julian's Shewings and having a bit of difficulty with how to read it and also really understanding it, so I thought that I'd read this book first to help give me a background for the actual text. I think it was worthwhile, but I'll know for sure as I read more of Julian. [3/15/05]

The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine [BookCrossing] A good book to provide a pleasant distraction from studying. Yes, it was a bit predictable but that's really what I wanted right now. One criticism - why is it when women go on quests, especially ones who are learning to be strong, they are not allowed to fulfill their quest on their own? Why must they always receive help from various male characters? [3/24/05]

Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide by Lois Tyson Happily, this book actually lives up to its name. Though I am still far from being conversant in theory, I now feel that I have a basic understanding of what is going on and I'm ready to explore more on my own. Also very helpful was how each chapter concluded with a reading of The Great Gatsby from that theoretical perspective. It really helped to show how theory can be used in so many ways to produce varied readings on the text. I am so happy that I found this book! [3/25/05]

My Gender Workbook by Kate Bornstein I read this book hoping to find it helpful for the gender-based composition class I plan to teach in the Fall. It does have some good things to say, but I fear that the presentation may scare away some of the students. I'll have to see how the class reacts to other ideas first before I decide whether or not to bring in this book. There are a couple of exercises that I found useful and plan to use. [3/26/05]

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco [BookCrossing] Although this book contained a lot of church history that at times was hard to follow, I enjoyed reading it and trying to solve the mystery along with William and Adso. I was also happy to be able to practice my Latin. I was too lazy to look up unknown words in the dictionary, but I usually could figure out the basic meanings and sometimes I even had a complete translation. Very exciting! But the end of the book was hard to read, seeing all those manuscripts burning, mourning what was lost, even though it was a fictional fire. [3/27/05]

The Shewings of Julian of Norwich I found this text very difficult to get through - I had to read it only a little bit at a time or I would start feeling antsy and frustrated. And I read the first half twice to help me better understand it. I think I'll stick to Arthurian romances. [3/28/05]

Bored of the Rings by Harvard Lampoon Staff [BookCrossing] There was much to laugh at in this book. Although there were many really wacky things that happened, the parody was never completely disrespectful of the original text. And there were loads of other allusions throughout. But about two-thirds of the way through, the book lost some of its gusto. The jokes were starting to wear a little thin and I was happy to see it brought to a quick conclusion; even so, I really did enjoy most of it. [3/31/05]

Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore [BookCrossing] Although not as laugh-out-loud funny as Lamb, this was a very enjoyable book. I really liked the characters. I wasn't too surprised by the way it ended, but it was a satisfying end - though I would have liked to see even more. [4/1/05]

The Book of Margery Kempe At first, I rather enjoyed this book - Margery Kempe is quite kooky. But reading more and more, Margery just became annoying, especially with all her weeping. Is it any wonder that no one wanted to travel with her? Or that she was arrested so often? Did she really think her activities would win people to God? Or am I just guilty of being another one of her persecutors? [4/5/05]

Queen's Own Fool by Jane Yolen [BookCrossing] I really didn't mean to read through this book so quickly, but it was hard to put it down once I got started - so many tense situations. I don't know how much was fact and how much fiction. Did Nicola herself really exist? I'll have to do a little bit of research to find out. [4/5/05]

Women and Men edited by Josephine Koster Tarvers I read this collection of essays hoping to find some useful to share with my class. A few seem like potentials, but many are just a bit out of date (most of the essays are from the 1970s and 1980s). So I will continue my search for class readings. [4/10/05]

As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl by John Colapinto I found this book absolutely fascinating and very hard to put down. New ideas about gender are swirling around in my head. I want very much to share this book with my students next semester - I think it would bring forth a lot of potential discussion. [4/12/05] Update: Doing a google search, curious to find out where David is now, I was very saddened to read that he took his own life last year (May 4, 2004). His brother Brian had taken his own life two years prior to that. Another gut-wrenching addition to this already gut-wrenching story.

Cat Vs. Cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More Than One Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett [BookCrossing] Since I'll be introducing Guenevere to Sam and Merlin next month I had hoped that this book would provide some helpful advice. And it did. It made me very much aware of the importance of having a sanctuary room. And I realized that a problem that Sam and Merlin are having right now might be because Sam does not allow Merlin to have his own space. So we need to find a way to provide that space for Merlin. [4/13/05]

First Test by Tamora Pierce [BookCrossing] Once again I'm happy to be back in Tortall. A bit disappointed that Alanna doesn't get a more active role, but this is Kel's book after all. And it was a bit lacking in suspense (about whether or not Kel would get to return for a second year) since there are three books that come after this one. But the book was a quick read and a pleasant distraction from studies. [4/14/05]

Page by Tamora Pierce [BookCrossing] This was a whirlwind of a book - in many cases, I thought that it just rushed too fast. Fitting three years of a page's training in one book must have been difficult, but I wish some parts had been given more time to develop. Even so, it's still a very enjoyable book. [4/15/05]

Squire by Tamora Pierce [BookCrossing] Although this book also covers several years, I found it to be a lot more detailed (for the most part) than the previous one, which is good. I was a bit disappointed at first that Kel and Neal didn't get together. Kel does end up with Cleon, which I wasn't completely crazy about - if not Neal, I'd prefer her to be with Dom. But there's one more book, so we'll see what happens. Some problems as usual - yes, Kel has a difficult time, but some difficulties seem to resolve themselves almost a little too quickly. But that didn't take away too much from my enjoyment of the book and I can't wait to read the next one. [4/19/05]

The Rose and the Beast by Francesca Lia Block [BookRing] I should stop reading these retellings of fairy tales - I'm never satisfied by them, especially the ones that try to modernize the story. I just really don't enjoy reading about people with such empty lives. And there's the problem - where is the depth of character? Yes, original fairy tales come with flat, stock characters, but that doesn't mean that the retellings also have to do so. And I feel for the most part that's what we get here. I did find "Beast" to be a fairly good story, though. [4/20/05]

Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce [BookCrossing] Although, not surprisingly, things do wind up okoay in the end, there's a lot of really horrible stuff that happens before we get there - much more than in any of the other Pierce books that I have read (the explanation in the acknowledgments might be part of it). I'm glad that I still have a couple more Tortall books to look forward to. This is definitely a world I am eager to return to. [4/23/05]

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis [BookCrossing] Excellent book! I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I did get a little lost in some of the time travel explanations, but I didn't worry too much about it. I am a little upset to have had the ending of The Moonstone revealed as I had not yet read it, but otherwise it was fun trying to figure out the many allusions. I was fairly sure who Mr. C was, but not always confident about my guess, so it was only a slight surprise. But I loved the characters, especially Ned and Verity, and that is what often makes a good book for me. [4/26/05]

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory [BookRing] The ending is of course not a surprise as far as what happens to Anne, but I haven't read too much about this time period, so I didn't even know that Mary Boleyn existed. The author does an amazing job of combining history with fiction and really bringing the characters to life. A very satisfying book. [4/30/05]

Spike and Dru by Christopher Golden [BookCrossing] I know that Spike and Dru are evil and vicious, but some of the descriptions of the deaths were a little too graphic for me. Also, on the TV show, I like Spike and Dru. I did not like them in this book. And I got tired of being introduced to characters, fairly fleshed out characters, only to see them die. Plus a major even in the end is not consistent with the TV series (Spike has only killed two slayers - a Chinese girl during the Boxer Rebellion and Principal Wood's mother - here he kills another). So I was actually quite disappointed in this book. [5/1/05]

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray [BookCrossing] This was an excellent book! (And I'm very excited that a sequel is to come out later this year.) The characters were well-developed, and it was suspenseful and eerie. [5/2/05]

Finding Serenity : Anti-Heroes, Lost Shepherds and Space Hookers in Joss Whedon's Firefly I love Firefly and so I greatly enjoyed reading this book. Although there were a couple of essays I didn't really care for (what was the purpose of the one comparing Firefly to The Tick?), I liked seeing FIrefly from so many different points of view. One of my favorite essays was about how the music adds to the show. It makes me want to watch it all again right now so I can hear the music for myself. I also loved the essays about the relationship between Wash and Zoe and also about how freedom is used on the show and what it means for each character. I can't wait for the movie! [5/3/05]

Hard Day's Night by Katie McAlister [BookCrossing] I picked up this book because it looked like fun and because it takes place at a Ren Faire. The book was indeed fun to read, but I wasn't expecting all of the really intense sex scenes. I don't know if Walker and Pepper really loved each other or just each other's bodies. Are love and great sex the exact same thing? [5/16/05]

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin [BookCrossing] I feel that this book was spoiled by my having seen the movie and thus knowing from the beginning of th ebook what was going on. What would it have been like if I had read the book knowing nothing about the movie? I think then it would have been a fascinating and chilling book. So I found myself comparing book to movie as I was reading. I knew the movie ending was different, but I didn't realize how much. I think I actually prefer the movie ending or at least something a little more close to it. [5/17/05]

The Spiral Staircase by Karen Armstrong [BookCrossing] After reading (and enjoying) Through the Narrow Gate, I wondered how Karen had adjusted to life outside the convent, so I was very eager to read this book. It has definitely not been an easy journey (and is not finished), but it sounds like she has made a place for herself, even if it is not quite what she was expecting. And I want to read her other books now (not that I didn't before) because she talks about religion in a way that completely makes sense. [5/20/05]

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks [BookCrossing] I'm really not sure what to make of this book. The main character was a very disturbed individual and quite a few bits sickened me, but something compelled me to keep reading. Was I expecting the ending? Not at all. And what does the book say about gender? Why did Frank behave the way he did? And what about Eric? Did he know about Frank? What is this book saying? Are we all trapped inside a wasp factory or do we just think we are? [5/24/05]

The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay [BookCrossing] I don't have much to say about this book beyond that I enjoyed it. [5/27/05]

The Wandering Fire by Guy Gavriel Kay [BookCrossing] Like the first book, I really enjoyed this one. I especially like that King Arthur became a part of the story. [5/29/05]

The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay [BookCrossing] The interweaving of myth and new story is very well done. Not everything turned out exactly as I may have wished, but most of the ending was satisfactory (except that I don't think the potential love interest between Kim and Dave at the end worked out completely - there really was not much to point toward it before). All in all, it was a good fantasy trilogy that I enjoyed reading. [6/4/05]

Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur by Jane Yolen [BookCrossing] Although I figured out less than halfway through who Gawen was, this was an enjoyable book for the most part. There were some parts that could have been developed a bit more, though. For example, the ending felt a little rushed and not entirely convincing. [6/5/05]

Silver's Edge by Anne Kelleher [BookCrossing] "To be continued" - that's how this book ends. I didn't know that when I started it. Fortunately, it looks like the sequel was just released so I'll have to see if I can find it tomorrow. Although the events and characters are sometimes flat and cliche, I really want to find out what happens. [6/12/05]

Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore [BookCrossing] I liked Lamb and Bloodsucking Fiends the most, but this one was a fun ride! [6/17/05]

Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett [BookCrossing] I know only a little about the historical Anna and have read an excerpt from her Alexiad. This book was a nice fictional take on her life that I enjoyed reading. [6/19/05]

A Door into Ocean by Joan Slonczewski [BookRay] This is what I love about sf/fantasy: the unlimited possibilities in worldbuilding compared to stories that are more "realistic." And yet at the same time, stories like this book can tell us so many things about ourselves and the world around us. What would our own world be like if we weren't "sick" - if we didn't practice death-hastening? Could a world like Shora ever truly exist? Do we have any Spinels among us? Or are we more like Nisi? Like Realgar? The book itself was a little difficult to get into at first and some of the events in the end happened a little too quickly, but overall this was a very good read. [6/26/05]

All-American Girl by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] After the last book, I really wanted a light read, and that's just what I got with this book. Yes, it was very predictable, but that's what I wanted and I had fun reading it. [6/26/05]

Magic Steps by Tamora Pierce [BookCrossing] I missed Briar, Tris, and Daja in this book. I know the circle can't always be together, but it felt strange not to have them with Sandry. But Sandry did wonderfully on her own, and I can catch up with the others in the remaining books. [7/1/05]

Song of Stone by Iain Banks [BookCrossing] I don't know what to make of this book. In some senses it felt very flat and in others it seemed to have a depth of meaning that I couldn't completely unearth. I also had a hard time getting over the use of second person to refer to Morgan. I can see stylistically how it was used and how it developed Abel's character, but it was a bit jarring. [7/3/05]

The Wizard's Dilemma by Diane Duane [BookCrossing] The first few books in this series are extremely fun and more on the light side. In the previous book Nita and Kit were really starting to mature. In this book, matters are much more series, darker, and closer to home. The book has more substance and is the better for it. [7/3/05]

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling Beginning my reread in prepartion for the release of the sixth book with what is still my favorite. I love the newness and wonder as Harry begins to explore the wizarding world. [7/8/05]

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling This one has always been my least favorite of the books - though that is not to say that I don't like it! However, this read through felt a little different - better - perhaps it is the excitement of the new book coming. [7/10/05]

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling Reading these books just makes me so happy. I hope I never tire of reading them. [7/10/05]

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling There are so many moments to love in this book - Ron and Hermione's argument after the Yule ball, the mix of hexes Malfoy and co get at the end, Fred and George's jokes, and much more. But there's also a much darker side to the book as well. Voldemort has returned and not everyone will remain unscathed. I got choked up a few times. [7/13/05]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling I'm so glad that I reread this one before the sixth book. I read it so quickly last time that I think I missed some of the details. I actually had forgotten quite a few of the things that happened. And Harry's anger didn't bother me as much this time around. [7/15/05]

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling I can't believe it. I was afraid it would happen but I still can't believe it. Dumbledore is dead. Gone. They can still talk to his portrait though, right? And he was wrong to trust Snape. I can't believe Snape killed him. Part of me hopes Snape has not turned traitor to the Order but was instead acting on Dumbledore's orders, but I don't really think that's true. But there are happy moments for couples. Harry and Ginny. I only hope they can be together in the end. Ron and Hermione. And Lupin and Tonks! Please let the 7th book end happily. [7/16/05]

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi [BookCrossing] I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book. I took my time with it and read slowly. And I learned a lot. New thoughts about books I was already familiar with. But mostly I learned what it was like for a woman who lived in Iran. And I couldn't help thinking of The Handmaid's Tale. I've always regarded that book as fiction - scary but fiction. Now I am not so sure. Could I imagine myself living like that? Why do we take our freedom for granted? [7/16/05]

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney [BookCrossing] I've seen the movie based on this book and the sequel. The book was a fast read but well-written. And it leaves off on a cliffhanger, so I'm glad that I have the next book. [7/17/05]

Whatever Happened to Janie? by Caroline B. Cooney [BookCrossing] Janie tries to adjust to being Jennie. I found the feelings of the characters to be very realistic, and I liked seeing the different points of view. [7/18/05]

The Voice on the Radio by Caroline B. Cooney [BookCrossing] I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the other two but I can't exactly put my finger on why. [7/19/05]

What Janie Found by Caroline B. Cooney [BookCrossing] I was a bit disappointed in this one. There's a lot of build up and then the resolution is much different than what I had expected. I really wanted to know what happened to Hannah. [7/20/05]

What the Best College Teachers Do by Ken Bain Although this book did not provide a lot of practical suggestions (admitedly not the aim of the book), it did leave me with a lot of thoughts to consider. I'm already thinking of ways to change the class I'll be teaching in the fall. [7/22/05]

Very Far Away from Anywhere Else by Ursula K. LeGuin [BookCrossing] In many ways this was a classic coming of age story. But within these few pages, very mature questions about life are asked by Owen and Natalie and there's really quite a lot to think about. [7/22/05]

Confessions of a Teen Sleuth by Chelsea Cain [BookCrossing] When I was younger, I loved Nancy Drew books and also enjoyed many other mystery series (The Hardy Boys and Trixie Belden especially). This book was a fun look at the "real" Nancy Drew, including what happened to her as she got older. I loved all of the allusions to the books - and not only Nancy Drews - so many others as well! [7/24/05]

Girls' Night In by Jennifer Weiner, Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, et al [BookCrossing] The stories in this collection were usually about either finiding love or finding out that the person the protagonist was with wasn't The One. Boy am I glad I'm not single! I liked most of the stories, but I think the Meg Cabot one was my favorite. And I really liked the Sarah Mlynowski story. And the Louise Bagshawe one had a great twist. I wasn't quite as keen on four of the last five (Anna Maxted, Adele Lang, Jennifer Weiner, Jenny Colgan) but the very last story (Chris Manby) was good so it helped to make up for all the not-so-great stories at the end. [7/27/05]

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd By itself, this book is probably not one I'd pick up based solely on the description. In fact, the reason I picked it up was for the author. And she did not let me down. There's something so lyrical about the words she uses, the ways she puts them together. And like the diving woman paintings, she really goes down deep into the characters and is able to make their seemingly unique situation more universal. [7/28/05]

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn [BookCrossing] Although a clever book and interesting to see how well writing gets along when certain letters can no longer be used, I didn't particularly enjoy the rather flat story. And I found it simply annoying when the remaining letters could be used to sound out words no longer useable. I had to read that section out loud in order to figure out what was being written. [7/26/05]

Tales of the Slayer, Volume 1 by Christie Golden, Nancy Holder, et al [BookCrossing] I really liked each and every story in this book, especially the way the Slayers were entwined into history. [7/31/05]

Wrapt in Crystal by Sharon Shinn [BookCrossing] I will definitely continue reading more of Shinn's books. This science fiction murder mystery was really engrossing (although a little slow to start) and the ending really kept me on the edge of my seat, my eyes hurrying across the page. [8/2/05]

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison [BookCrossing] Light, fluffy fun! Not really much else to say about it. [8/3/05]

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer [BookCrossing] Fantastic book - edge-of-the-seat action - great characteres - excellent world-building (although it's a world that I wouldn't want to live in). [8/5/05]

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson [BookCrossing] Very well-written historical fiction. Poor Mattie had to grow up so fast, but I think her life is going to be better in the long run for it. I learned quite a bit about some American history that I didn't know much about (there's also a nice section in the end that discusses some of the historical aspects of the story). [8/7/05]

A School for Sorcery by E. Rose Sabin [BookCrossing] At first I was afraid that this book might be too similar to Harry Potter, but that fear was quickly lost. It's definitely its own book and a very good book at that! Tria is a wonderful character and I enjoyed going on her adventure even though it was very difficult for her. I did think that the end (her second year) went a little too quickly - yes, I know that it wasn't as important as the first year, but there were still some things I would have liked to know a bit more about. [8/8/05]

The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World by Marti Olsen Laney [BookCrossing] I wish I had discovered this book years ago. I've always struggled against my introvert nature, feeling that something indeed is wrong with me and this book really helps to explain that there's nothing wrong - I'm just made differently from 75% of the population and it's okay. I especially liked the chapter on the brain differences between introverts and extroverts. I do feel a lot better about myself than I used to so many of the suggestions in the book really aren't completely necessary for me, but I am going to monitor my energy levels a bit more so that I won't be taken by surprise and be completely exhausted and miss an outing that I had been looking forward to (which happened earlier this year). I wish more people (extroverts) would read this book or others like it so they'd understand us introverts and why we are different and what our strengths are. [8/9/05]

England As You Like It by Susan Allen Toth [BookCrossing] I knew that I shouldn't read this book because it would make my desire to return to England much greater than it already was. And I was definitely right. But with this book, I think planning my next trip to England (whenever it may be) is going to be a much richer experience. The book is a combination travel guide and memoir of travels. Next time I will try out the thumbprint method of travel, somewhere in Cornwall I think. I'd love to take one of the trips described in this book! [8/12/05]

On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison [BookCrossing] The crazy things Georgia gets herself into - although these situations weren't quite as crazy as in the first book. The title is a bit misleading as Georgia spends the middle of the book not being a girlfriend, but it was still a very fun book. [8/15/05]

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer [BookCrossing] I've heard a lot about the Artemis Fowl books but didn't really know what they were about. So I found it very intriguing that we get the story from the point of view of the traditional "bad" side; the hero is a criminal mastermind (even though he is only 12 years old). And so I found myself rooting for both sides, hoping that they'd both win in some way. Good storytelling and exciting as well. [8/18/05]

Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas by Louise Rennison [BookCrossing] Dave comes back in this book and in the end (or really I'm guessing in the next book), Georgia must decide between the Sex God and Dave. I actually hope she chooses Dave. She's much more natural and herself around him and they seem to fit together better. But I'll have to grab the next book and find out what happens! [8/20/05]

Dancing in My Nuddy Pants by Louise Rennsion [BookCrossing] Another fun adventure from Georgia. There's not really a lot of depth in these books but they are great fun to read! [8/20/05]

Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares [BookCrossing] I really enjoy reading about these four characters. Their lives are full of so many different emotions, and I feel like I'm on a roller coaster while I'm reading the book. I do wish I remembered a bit more of what had happened in the second book, but I do remember that one ended on a slightly down note. This one seemed much more upbeat with good things to come in the future (and already) for the girls. I wonder if there will be any more books. [8/21/05]

Non Campus Mentis by Anders Henriksson This book was absolutely hilarious. There were moments that I couldn't stop laughing for quite some time. I can't believe some of the things that students wrote on their essays/tests. It's really amazing but also I could understand some of it. For example, if you don't know what a bishopric is, it makes sense to break it down into something you do know - bishop brick. But I still had a great time reading this book. [8/23/05]

Away Laughing on a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison [BookCrossing] I don't really know why Jas puts up with Georgia; she's not really that great of a friend all the time, but she does have her moments. And I can't help laughing at the crazy things she does. My favorite laugh in this book was when she put extra glue on her boy entrancers (fake eyelashes) and her eyes got stuck closed while she was talking to Masimo. The conga line was just fantastic! (You'll have to read it to understand) [8/25/05]

The Wife of Martin Guerre by Janet Lewis [BookCrossing] Although short, this book was a powerful story, no less because it was based off a true account. As the housekeeper says, it would have been better had Bertrande remained deceived. The ending was a bit heart wrenching. [8/27/05]

Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb I stayed up late finishing this book. It took me a little while to get into it (it may have been because I didn't have a lot of time to read so couldn't give it a lot of attention at first), but I was hooked by the middle and obviously couldn't put it down near the end. One thing I especially liked was that the ending wasn't too much of a cliffhanger (it's the first book in a trilogy), so although I'm looking forward to the next book (whenever it might come out), I'm not at the edge of my seat waiting. [8/30/05]

The White Mercedes by Philip Pullman [BookCrossing] A well-written story that kept me captivated, even though it seemed almost far-fetched at times. The very first sentence of the book lets you know how it's going to end, so it's not a huge surprise, but instead what happens is you race through the ending hoping against hope that the first sentence was wrong and that everything will turn out okay at the end. [8/31/05]

Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer [BookCrossing] This book felt a little slow at the start and I was thinking that I liked this first book better. But midway through, it really picked up and the end had me excited and reading quickly. [9/2/05]

Derik's Bane by MaryJanice Davidson [BookCrossing] It was nice to relax a bit with a fluffy book. This book was a bit silly at times, but it was actually fairly well plotted and had a lot of laughable moments. [9/3/05]

Mediator #1: Shadowland by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] Overall I really liked this book a lot and I'm glad that it is a series because I want to know more about Suze and Jesse and everything else. Some parts of the book bother me though, one being Suze's character. I guess it's really the wearing of the designer clothes that doesn't quite do it for me. It just doesn't seem to go with her character, but maybe it's just me. [9/4/05]

Mediator #2: Ninth Key by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] At times, this book got a little strange (and that's saying something for a book about someone who sees and speaks to ghosts!) and I really wonder how on earth no one else figures out what is going on with Suze. There's a lot of stuff that is really hard to cover up. I wonder if she ever tells anyone in future books. [9/6/05]

The Mediator #3: Reunion by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] It's so unfair that Jesse is a ghost. Is he the One that the psychic saw for Suze? In many ways I hope he is, but I also hope in some ways that he isn't since it obviously won't be easy for Suze. And what's this about Father Dom and a ghost girl when he was younger. I hope we'll get back to that. At least Suze was able to share her mediator status with someone else. [9/7/05]

The Mediator #4: Darkest Hour by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] These books are really getting intense. I knew Jesse would be back because I had read the back cover of the next book, but I really was afraid for a while that he truly was gone forever. I'm definitely getting more into the whole romance aspect of the stories than the ghost part. [9/8/05]

The Mediator #5: Haunted by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] I should have been working on school stuff, but I couldn't. I had to continue reading this book. I said that the fourth one was intense, but this one was even more so. The next book (which I went out and bought today) is the very last one. I really hope it ends happily. Please give me a happily ever after ending! [9/9/05]

The Mediator #6: Twilight by Meg Cabot I got my happily ever after ending. The intensity held up throughout the entire book, and I cried quite a few times. Everything was worth it in the end. [9/9/05]

Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny [BookCrossing] My first foray into Amber, and I'm pretty sure that I liked it. Some of the fighting sequences, although exciting, aren't completely what I'm interested in. But I did really like how it began with Corwin not remembering exactly who he was or anything about Amber. Since it is a first-person story, that means the audience learns about Amber along with Corwin, a great narrative technique. But do I really like Corwin? Do I really want him to rule Amber? That I'm not sure about yet. [9/12/05]

Christy Series #1: The Bridge To Cutter Gap by Catherine Marshall, C. Archer [BookCrossing] I really enjoyed the TV series when it was aired and read the book it was based on and absolutely loved it. I thought I'd try out this series to see what "new" adventures are added to the books. It's been a while since I've read the actual book so I can't remember how much was from the book and how much may have been added. Although I'll always like the original book better, it's nice to read these short companion books as well. [9/14/05]

The Princess Test by Gail Carson Levine [BookCrossing] This was a short, straightforward retelling of The Princess and the Pea, but I really liked it. It put a smile on my face. [9/14/05]

Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer [BookCrossing] In an uncharacteristic move, Artemis Fowl makes a mistake, which sets up the events of this book. Has Artemis met his match in John Spiro or will be be able to get back what was stolen and at the same time keep the fairy realm from being detected? Well, Artemis is a genius. But the plan has a lot of variables and any little deviation could cause it all to fail, which makes for a very exciting ride. And in the end, Artemis has to submit to a mind wipe - but he has a plan to bring back his memories. What will happen in the next book? [9/17/05]

The Guns of Avalon by Roger Zelazny [BookCrossing] I liked this book but it wasn't extremely exciting, which is strange because it really should have been. I think that all of the set-up throughout the book really just led to a rather anti-climatic ending (except for one event that was a surprise). But I shall forge ahead with the Amber books and see what happens next. [9/23/05]

A Wizard Alone by Diane Duane [BookCrossing] It felt good to get back to this series. I was worried at first because Nita and Kit weren't working together and I hate seeing them apart - alone - but that was really what this book was about - helping Nita (and Kit also) to realize that they do need to work together and that they can't shut out life because of grief or other such reasons. [9/25/05]

You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister [BookCrossing] Fun book! I laughed a lot. Jim is a fantastic character! And there were some really steamy scenes in here. Whew! [9/28/05]

Ready or Not by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] I really enjoyed All-American Girl, so I was happy to be able to continue reading about Sam. This is another great book, funny but also with a character that not just complete surface fluff, which makes the book better than some of the other teen books I've read. I wonder if there are going to be any more books about Sam. I really hope so. [9/30/05]

Sign of the Unicorn by Roger Zelazny [BookCrossing] This one was a lot better than the previous Amber book. Lots of action and lots of questions answered, although new questions are of course added. And the book ends on one such question. It'll be very interesting to find out what happens next. [10/3/05]

The Element of Fire by Martha Wells [BookCrossing] Although this was a good book, I never really felt that I got into it. I felt that I was on the surface looking in and not really actually in the story itself - that I was looking at it from a distance. [10/9/05]

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood I finished this book for, I believe, the third time. I just love it. It is such a rich book. Each page has sentences and phrases to linger over and ponder. I found myself doing that quite a lot this time through, which really added to the experience of reading the book. [10/12/05]

The Corset Diaries by Katie MacAlister [BookCrossing] I really liked this one a lot. It was wild and crazy. My only complaint is that I'd like to hear more. Did the show go over well when it was aired? What happened to the other people on the show? [10/16/05]

England for All Seasons by Susan Allen Toth [BookCrossing] I wish I had read this book before we went to London last year; there were a lot of good suggestions for what to do in London in this book as well as the usual descriptions of experiences in other parts of the country. [10/17/05]

Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] I love the style of these books, told through emails and journal entires. It's definitely a very fluffy book, but good for a needed relaxing break. [10/19/05]

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon [BookCrossing] At first I was unsure about tackling this book because it is so long (and so are the books that come after it!) but I decided to give it a try because I've heard so many good things about it. I am very glad that I did! It didn't take that long to read because I couldn't put it down. There were so many things that I wish had not happened in the book (how much battering can one body take??), but the relationship between Claire and Jamie is just breathtaking to watch. [10/23/05]

Teen Idol by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] One thing I love about Meg Cabot is that she ends her books in the way that you most likely want them to end. So it's not necessarily the suspense that is good but that you get a solid satisfying story. And there are some days when you just really need that. I loved Jen, especially that she read sf novels (even though I'm more of a fantasy person myself). [10/24/05]

Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire [BookRing] I really really wanted to like this book, but I don't think that I can say that I did - but I didn't hate it either. Like Liir himself, the book just seems to sit there for a really long time and not go anywhere. (Perhaps I should give Maguire applause for matching the tone of the book to the personality of the character.) It did pick up a little toward the end, and while the ending itself was okay, it didn't completely satisfy me. [10/28/05]

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray [BookCrossing] I've been looking forward to reading this one for a while now, and it did not disappoint. Although I figured out one of the big things about halfway through the book, there were lots of twists and turns and surprises. And it looks like it's set up for another book to follow but I'm not sure if there will be or not. I hope so! [10/29/05]

Dragon's Kin by Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey So happy to be back in Pern. And this book was really neat because I got to learn a lot more about watchwhers. And they are pretty darn cool! This book was co-written by Anne McCaffrey and her son Todd and I'm wondering how they did it. Some parts of the book seemed a little uneven and in the beginning few chapters there was some repetition that didn't seem necessary. But the book smoothed out as it went and I really liked how it ended. [11/3/05]

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison [BookCrossing] I'm so glad that I listened to people who recommended this book because I really enjoyed it a lot! The world that Harrison created felt so solid and real (though not a world I think I'd want to live in as a human) and I really like all of the characters. And thank goodness there are more books because so many questions were left unanswered. What is Ivy's plan? What did she wish for? Who exactly is Nick? I could go on and on but I don't want to give too much away. [11/5/05]

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] Another fun read from Meg Cabot, told through various emails. And like the rest, it ends happily, just as I wanted it to, and I feel happier for reading it. A little cheese, a lot of fluff, but a nice break from everything else going on in my life. [11/6/05]

A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin I've been waiting for this book for 5 years. A long wait, but such a good book. I did rather miss reading about Jon and Tyrion but I understand Martin's reasons for splitting this part of the story into two books. And surprisingly, I found myself growing perhaps not to like Cersei but to understand her a lot better; I was surprised that I found myself upset when she was imprisoned, even though it was not done unjustly. At least there won't be as long of a wait for the second part of this story - but how long of a wait before the continuation? What happened to Brienne? Will Jaime go to rescue Cersei? So many questions. [11/11/05]

Cecile: Gates of Gold, France 1711 by Mary Casanova [BookRing] I really enjoyed this book a lot. It was very well told and I liked Cecile very much. [11/11/05]

1-800-Where-R-You: When Lightning Strikes by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] I found this book to be pretty intense and really well written. Cabot was able to get into Jess's character really well (which is important in a first person narrative, of course). And it seems like things are wrapped up neatly in the end - until you read the memo. I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series. [11/11/05]

1-800-Where-R-You: Code Name Cassandra by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] After reading the first book, I couldn't wait to pick up this second one to continue the adventures and see if Jess can keep the Feds away from her. And this book did not disappoint. It was just as exciting as the last and also had some very touching moments (Douglas's phone call, Jess and Shane in the caves before, well, I won't give it away). [11/13/05]

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson [BookCrossing] This was a really fun book (I know I've been saying that a lot about various books). Light and fluffy but I like how it's not the "traditional" vampire story. Betsy is delightful to watch. But I have to wonder - are designer shoes really all that wonderful? Do they not hurt your feet as much as cheaper shoes? Even the heels? Are they really worth the extra money? [11/14/05]

1-800-Where-R-You: Safe House by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] Another pretty intense book, though I have to admit that I figured out the plot on this one pretty quickly. But I like the characters and Cabot does such a good job telling the story, that I didn't really mind very much. [11/15/05]

1-800-Where-R-You: Sanctuary by Meg Cabot [BookCrossing] This one got a little crazy. I liked the smaller story arcs, but the main part of the story seemed unbelievable to me. I still very much like the characters and will definitely read the fifth book when it comes out in a year or so, but I felt a little let down by some of the events in this one. [11/16/05]

Sabriel by Garth Nix [BookCrossing] A good, solid fantasy read. There are some things about the world that I'm not completely clear about that I thought could have been explained a little better, but over all the world-building was well done and also fairly unique. [11/18/05]

Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson [BookCrossing] I really like Betsy. And Sinclair. Especially together. I'm glad there are more books. [11/19/05]

Fire Me Up by Katie MacAlister [BookCrossing] Wow! Drake is hot (and quite literally since he's a dragon), but he can be a real jerk sometimes. Jim is just as great as he was in the first book. Aisling herself is still fun and I was happy that she finally gave in and admitted that she was in love with Drake. But then...the ending...I was not at all happy with it. Yes, I know more books are forthcoming, but I do wish this one could have ended differently. Hopefully all will be resolved in future books. [11/19/05]

Wizard's Holiday by Diane Duane [BookCrossing] It seemed like Nita and Kit were going to actually get a vacation. And they did for a few days, but of course, a wizard never truly gets a holiday. For both Nita and Kit and, separately, Nita's sister Dairine have to tackle some pretty major situations during this book. Dairine's didn't feel quite as big as it probably should have while they were actually doing the magic, but the preparations were pretty big. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. [11/23/05]

The Good, The Bad, and the Undead by Kim Harrison [BookCrossing] Wow, this was an intense book! I'm not sure that I completely followed everything that happened (some parts of it almost demanded for it to be read fast due to the intensity and so I may have accidentally missed some things) and there is so much that is left unresolved. Thank goodness there is another book out already! [11/30/05]

We Thought You Would Be Prettier by Laurie Notaro [BookCrossing] If I were to put a title on this book, it would be We Though You Would Be Funnier. Most of the time I found Notaro to be more annoying than funny. I also felt that there were some parts that may have been funny to her or to those who experienced them with her, but didn't transfer well to someone who was not actually a part of things. I did really like the chapter on her and her husband hiding their book purchases from each other and the one about eBay was mostly funny. Of course, those are the two things that I have some experiences of my own. So maybe my analysis of it being funny if you've been in that situation - or a similar one - really is true. At least it was for me. [12/8/05]

Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison Oh my gosh. I can't believe that I have to wait until next summer to find out what happens next. These books just keep getting better and better. I'm not always entirely happy with how things go (I'd like to see Nick come back), but the book keeps me on the edge of my seat. [12/9/05]

Teaching Literature by Elaine Showalter Some parts of this book were more helpful than others, but I think I have a lot of new ideas to try in future semesters, especially with regard to teaching poetry. [12/10/05]

Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers by Louise Rennison [BookCrossing] Did I detect some signs of slight maturing in Georgia near the end of the book? Perhaps there is some hope for her after all. I do hope that she realizes that she and Dave the Laugh belong together. I wonder how many more books there will be about here. This one left us on a bit of a cliffhanger about Masimo. [12/13/05]

A Small Sound of the Trumpet: Women in Medieval Life by Margaret Labarge [BookCrossing] This book contains a wealth of information in its pages. [12/14/05]

Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks [BookCrossing] What am I to make of this book? I'm truly not sure what I should think. I halfway expected the twist at the end and yet there appeared to be no resolution. Perhaps if I read over it again (it is told in disjointed fragments not necessarily in chronological order), I might be able to put the pieces together. But for now, it is a rather confusing book. [12/16/05]

Blow Me Down by Katie MacAlister [BookCrossing] Well, shiver me timbers! Such a fun book and a little different twist with the VR world. It's definitely the pirate life for me! [12/19/05]

They Went Whistling by Barbara Holland [BookCrossing] The author of this book has a very lively writing style, which works very well with the subject of the book. There were a few things that caused some disapointment to me (such as Amelia Earhart), but overall it was a good book. I do, however, think that the author missed out in the Seekers section by not including Margery Kempe. [12/21/05]

Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer [BookCrossing] I couldn't put this book down. Another great Artemis Fowl adventure - in fact, probably the best one yet. Even more intense than any of the others, there was also more loss than any of the others, but in the end perhaps both Artemis and Holly have gained something that they never would have had they never met and worked together. [12/22/05]

Serenity by Keith R.A. DeCandido I had hoped, in reading this, to get a lot more information than even what was in the movie, but there really wasn't much, just a few details here and there and different bits from the different POVs of the characters. But it was still Serenity and I love it. So many great parts, and sad parts, but the best is the end when Mal is explaining to River about the first rule of flying - love. The ship Serenity is not just an object for the characters to get from one place to another. Serenity is another character, and over the course of the television show, the movie, and the book, I grew to care about her just as much as I did her crew. [12/23/05]

A Girl's Guide to Vampires by Katie MacAlister [BookCrossing] I'm really enjoying these paranormal romances. Who would have thunk it? Nothing super special about this one except for it being a fun romp. [12/25/05]

Tithe by Holly Black [BookCrossing] Sometimes with urban fantasy it is hard for the magic to feel like it works combined with the real world. That was not at all a problem with this book. The world-building was so complete that I had no doubts about it all working and being "real." And although I didn't like Kaye very much at the beginning, she definitely grew on me and I liked her a lot by the end. [12/26/05]

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli [BookCrossing] This was a really nice children's book - a little too nice in some aspects because everything seems to work out a little too well, but it was well-told, with likeable characters and great detail. And I loved all the pictures. [12/29/05]

A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf [BookCrossing] I don't really know how much of the sense of the writing I actually paid attention to because I got lost in the words. Woolf's style is so lyrical and the words just flow right off the page, that I found myself in awe of them so often. A very beautiful book. [12/31/05]

Archive for 2001 Archive for 2002 Archive for 2003 Archive for 2004 Archive for 2006 Archive for 2007 Archive for 2008

Home | Wedding
Quotes | Journey | Links | Kittens
Current Read | Books
Credits | Updates

updated: 6/14/10