Tuesday, December 6, 2016
What should I read next?
The holiday break is approaching quickly, and it is time to find some great books to read. I love this time of year when the "Best Books of 2016" lists begin to be published. I often find books on the lists that I haven't read yet, and this year is not exception. I have been in a little slump lately, and haven't found a book to review that I have really loved. So I thought I would share a couple sites that offer lists of the "best" with some great looking suggestions. I am going to read Tales of the Peculiar over the break (written by the same author as the Miss Peregrine books) and The Girl From Everywhere (Thanks for the great suggestion Miss Busk!) I will review those for you after the break, but in the meantime, check out these great lists and happy reading!
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Wolf Hollow
Summary
Growing up in the shadows cast by two world wars, Annabelle has lived a mostly quiet, steady life in her small Pennsylvania town. Until the day new student Betty Glengarry walks into her class. Betty quickly reveals herself to be cruel and manipulative, and while her bullying seems isolated at first, things quickly escalate, and reclusive World War I veteran Toby becomes a target of her attacks. While others have always seen Toby’s strangeness, Annabelle knows only kindness. She will soon need to find the courage to stand as a lone voice of justice as tensions mount.
Brilliantly crafted, Wolf Hollow is a haunting tale of America at a crossroads and a time when one girl’s resilience, strength, and compassion help to illuminate the darkest corners of our history.
“The honesty of Wolf Hollow will just about shred your heart, but Annabelle’s courage and compassion will restore it to you, fuller than before. This book matters.” —Sara Pennypacker, New York Times bestselling author of Pax“An evocative setting, memorable characters, a searing story: Wolf Hollow has stayed with me long after I closed the book. It has the feel of an instant classic." —Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author
Brilliantly crafted, Wolf Hollow is a haunting tale of America at a crossroads and a time when one girl’s resilience, strength, and compassion help to illuminate the darkest corners of our history.
“The honesty of Wolf Hollow will just about shred your heart, but Annabelle’s courage and compassion will restore it to you, fuller than before. This book matters.” —Sara Pennypacker, New York Times bestselling author of Pax“An evocative setting, memorable characters, a searing story: Wolf Hollow has stayed with me long after I closed the book. It has the feel of an instant classic." —Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author
Monday, September 26, 2016
Welcome Back to school and the Wizarding World
Welcome back to school everyone. I hope that you all had a great summer, and that you have settled into the school year. I read lots of great books this summer, and can't wait to share some of them with you! Lets start with the return of our favorite wizard...
It has been 9 years since J.K. Rowling published a Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in the Harry Potter series. I have told many of you before that I LOVED all of the books, except I wasn't very happy with the epilogue written at the end of the Deathly Hallows. I didn't think it was necessary, the book should have ended after the Battle of Hogwarts...however, she did write it, and what was there was hugely unsatisfying. It answered some questions we had about our favorite characters, but left WAY too many questions unanswered. I just found the whole chapter disappointing. I was stunned when I heard that they were making a new play, to be performed at the Palace theater in London, that was being billed at the 8th story in the HP series. STUNNED. Then I was shocked when they announced that the script to the play was going to made available in print so that fans could enjoy the story even if they didn't get to see it performed live. SHOCKED.
I decided last September that I had to see the play if I could. I was able to get two tickets to see it in August. Then I was chosen as the recepient of the Faculty Enrichment grant, which provided the funds for this adventure in London. I made the decision not to read the script before I went to see the play live. I didn't want to have any expectations. This was a great decision, because none of the surprises were spoiled. Then I read the script when we got back from London. So here are my thoughts and impressions. No spoilers. I am on board with #KeepTheSecrets
1. If you are a fan of HP then you will love finding out what has become of your favorite characters, and disappointed that some of them never appear in the story at all.
2. Reading the script is not the same as seeing it live. It is hard to really get into the "story" when you are simply reading the dialog of the script.
3. Some parts of the story/play feel rushed, and some parts drag on for too long. You will see what I mean when you read it.
4. Time turners are both awesome and horrible. Terrible things happen to wizards who mess with time.
5. The magic is still there.
Enjoy, and take the time to read the script.
It has been 9 years since J.K. Rowling published a Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in the Harry Potter series. I have told many of you before that I LOVED all of the books, except I wasn't very happy with the epilogue written at the end of the Deathly Hallows. I didn't think it was necessary, the book should have ended after the Battle of Hogwarts...however, she did write it, and what was there was hugely unsatisfying. It answered some questions we had about our favorite characters, but left WAY too many questions unanswered. I just found the whole chapter disappointing. I was stunned when I heard that they were making a new play, to be performed at the Palace theater in London, that was being billed at the 8th story in the HP series. STUNNED. Then I was shocked when they announced that the script to the play was going to made available in print so that fans could enjoy the story even if they didn't get to see it performed live. SHOCKED.
I decided last September that I had to see the play if I could. I was able to get two tickets to see it in August. Then I was chosen as the recepient of the Faculty Enrichment grant, which provided the funds for this adventure in London. I made the decision not to read the script before I went to see the play live. I didn't want to have any expectations. This was a great decision, because none of the surprises were spoiled. Then I read the script when we got back from London. So here are my thoughts and impressions. No spoilers. I am on board with #KeepTheSecrets
1. If you are a fan of HP then you will love finding out what has become of your favorite characters, and disappointed that some of them never appear in the story at all.
2. Reading the script is not the same as seeing it live. It is hard to really get into the "story" when you are simply reading the dialog of the script.
3. Some parts of the story/play feel rushed, and some parts drag on for too long. You will see what I mean when you read it.
4. Time turners are both awesome and horrible. Terrible things happen to wizards who mess with time.
5. The magic is still there.
Enjoy, and take the time to read the script.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)