Indefinitely

I am indefinitely finished with blogging. The announcement comes at a crossroads for me and my family which makes me realize I am not able to be honest in this forum at this time.

Book Reviews

I'm going to begin a star rating system for each book:

1 star--I could barely get through this book

2 stars--I got through it but not well. And/or it is forgettable

3 stars--It was entertaining, not life changing in any way.

4 stars--It is good. Or, it may be excellent but a hard read for me for an assortment of reasons (which will be explained)

5 stars--It is one of the best books I have ever read

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This is a really good book. It is an easy read with an interesting moral/twist. Even though my life, growing up, was much different than Miranda's I can really relate to her and the way she thinks about the world and the way she learns life lessons. I highly recommend this book. 4 out of 5 stars.

The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

I was reminded of the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" while reading this book in that the characters are ironically linked and are also on the same academic bowl team. This book is quite deep and even though I claim to be a thinker the deeper meaning sometimes evaded me. Since this is a juvenile book I think such themes will be completely lost on children and most adults. From what I gathered the deeper themes are: kindness, finding meaning in one's journey, and forming meaningful relationships. 3 out of 5 stars.

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo

I may be the only one on earth who did not care for this book. It was stupid. 2 out of 5 stars (but it is not forgettable in that that is how much I did not care for this book).

Sarah's Quilt by Nancy E. Turner

This is the sequel to "These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine" which is one of my favorite books of all time. Of course, Sarah's Quilt paled in comparison BUT the book accomplished something important--it mourned Jack. If you don't know what I'm talking about it is because you haven't read the first book. I love Sarah as a protagonist so much that Sarah's Quilt is a pretty easy read as a result. Unfortunately this book finds her at a cross section of life when she is responsible for many things and so her spunky personality doesn't come through in this book as much as the first. That is what is missing from the sequel. 3 out of 5 stars. I will be reading the last in the series eventually: "Star Garden".

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi

A 14th century historical fiction account of feudal England. I kept imaging this book would make a good movie while I was reading it. The protagonist, Crispin, is a young adolescent who meets a very wise traveling companion, Bear, on a journey for "freedom" and "safety". Bear is the star of the show and this book is worth reading for his life insights/one liners. I recommend this book to pre-pubescent boys most. 3 out of 5 stars. This book is the first in a series.

I am reading "March" by Geraldine Brooks next. Leave me a comment if there is a book you suggest/would like me to read and review. Disclaimer: I commit to reading nothing but welcome any suggestions (e.g. I refuse to read Tolstoy)