http://www.amazon.com/Beekeepers-Apprentice-Laurie-R-King/dp/0553571656
Cleanliness:
Another perfectly clean read- not so much as a kiss in here. Worst there is are people incorrectly assuming that Sherlock has a more than friends relationship with Mary.
Summary:When quick-witted Mary Russell literally walks into a retired Sherlock Holmes she has no idea the lasting friendship and the adventures that will come due to this chance encounter.
What I Really Liked:I like the characters Sherlock & Mary and I like the friendship that forms between them. I also enjoyed reading how they used clues to solve the mysteries that were presented before them.What I Disliked:There were a two parts in the book that I didn't love. The first was a part where it goes into detail about the "5 senses" of where they are at but does not describe a single case they had while there. I would have rather they described a couple cases. The second part is where they fake separation in order to have an edge against their attacker but in the end the whole fake fight seemed pointless and was rather boring to read about to boot.
Also, some of the mysteries seemed like they were a bit too easy to solve-- maybe that's just because 2 clever people make something hard seem easy!?
Reading Worth:This book is good for someone who likes to read mysteries but doesn't like them to be too complex and feels satisfaction as clues are put together and mysteries are solved.
http://www.amazon.com/Daddy-Long-Legs-Wiseman-Project-Classics-ebook/dp/B003GIRG0A/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326428259&sr=1-4
Cleanliness:
Absurdly clean- unless you consider formal dances, hikes up a mountain and having tea together scandalous...
Summary:
Jerusha Abbott lives an orphanage until a rich benefactor agrees to support her in furthering her education. He will pay her college tuition and a monthly allowance under one condition: She must write a letter to him monthly informing him of her progress in her studies. However, she has never met him, is given a false name to address the letters to (Mr. Smith) and is told he will never reply to her letters. You would think that writing a 1-sided letter might be difficult and a bit boring to read but you might be surprised.
What I Really Liked:
I liked that it was a feel good sort of book. Jerusha began with nothing and ended with everything: an education, a job, love and much happiness. It also had a twist at the end that might or might not surprise you depending on your abilities to predict.
What I Disliked:
I understand that in the time period it was written women didn't have the rights they do now so I understand the need for a girl power message. However, I am not a huge girl power kind of person- I am completely ok with getting married and letting a man completely support me- SO with that said there were some times when the girl power was a little much for me. But only a few times because most of the time the girl power was right on target. After all, women do deserve to get an education and they do deserve the right to vote.
Reading Worth:
Read this if you are in the mood for a light, happy read.
http://www.amazon.com/Guernsey-Literary-Potato-Peel-Society/dp/0385341008/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326422586&sr=1-1
Cleanliness:
Perfectly clean.
Summary:
A book comprised of letters that are mostly from, though some are to, an author named Juliet Ashton. She discovers the quirky people of Guernsey island and through her letters to them she learns more about how their Literary Society helped them through the hardships of being under German Occupation.
What I Really Liked:
Everything but I'll just pick my top 3 favorite things. 1) I loved the characters. They were quirky, likeable, courageous, good people. 2) I loved the history tie-in. It was interesting to see WWII from a different viewpoint (not the typical American or German viewpoint) 3) The sweet love story that develops in the end.
What I Disliked:
Finding out that a certain character is a homosexual. I felt deceived because I really saw him as a potential love interest and it just seemed like an easy way to get him out of the picture.
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Reading Worth:
So worth reading. It's not a labor intensive read and it will leave you feeling happy. Yes their are sad parts because it is after all mostly about the German Occupation on Guernsey Island but I promise, it leaves you on such a high not that you can't help but smile.
http://www.amazon.com/Housekeeper-Professor-Yoko-Ogawa/dp/0312427808
Cleanliness:
This book is completely clean. No yucky stuff to be found.
Summary:
A housekeeper works for an elderly man who, after a car accident, only has 80 minutes of short term memory. This man used to be a math professor and still continues to harbor a love for numbers that he shares with his new housekeeper and her son, Root.
What I Really Liked:
Overall the book has a very positive feeling. It really focused on the beauty of friendship, even when that friend can't remember you. It also shows how numbers can affect emotions. The calming effect they had for the professor, and the joy they began to bring to the housekeeper.
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What I Disliked:
I had a hard time believing that the professor wouldn't freak out every time his 80 minute memory rebooted and here was this lady (the housekeeper) in his house that he didn't know or when his memory rebooted and he was in some strange location surrounded by strangers.
Reading Worth:
An easy read that leaves you looking at numbers a little differently. I could easily see this one being a read-aloud in older classrooms. It helps connect literature to math.
http://www.amazon.com/Punishment-Bantam-Classics-Fyodor-Dostoevsky/dp/0553211757
Cleanliness:
This is a classic so the "bad" stuff is not detailed and I didn't find it offensive. So what's the bad stuff? There is a murder that occurs but it doesn't describe it in gory detail. There is also a women who is a prostitute but this is merely a detail of her. The author never writes about her in the act.
Summary:
A poor, man who lives in Russia commits a crime and then suffers from the moral dilemma of what he's done.
What I Really Liked:
The author does well at putting you into the main character's mind. You see all the colors of his emotion and all his mental struggles.
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What I Disliked:
It's a long, almost dizzying read. As I said, the author puts you in the main character's mind and you almost begin to feel that you are just as loopy as him as you read it.
Reading Worth:
If you are in the mood for a long, classic that will leave you thinking then this is the book for you. It requires commitment in order to finish, and it will leave you much to analyze and dwell on when you're done. Definitely not a light read.
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Charles-Dickens/dp/1456407872/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321500678&sr=1-1
Cleanliness:
This book is as clean as a whistle (where does that expression come from?). Gotta love the classics!
Summary:
I'm pretty sure you already know what this classic is about but for the sake of blogging consistency, here it goes... Ebeneezer Scrooge is one grouchy, old man. He doesn't have a friend in the world because he doesn't seem to have a nice, giving bone in his body. And worst of all, he hates Christmas. But after three unexpected guests visit his home one night his attitude towards life, people, and Christmas changes for the better.
What I Really Liked:
It has an ending that really warms your heart and it will really get you into the Christmas Spirit.
What I Disliked:
It feels wrong to dis a classic but it went a little too fast for me. He quickly becomes repentant for his bad attitude and is easily accepted and loved when he changes his ways. I imagine that is because it is a morale tale meant for the younger population but I wouldn't mind a redo of the story for the adults. One with a more challenging path of forgiveness and change.
Reading Worth:This is an easy, delightful read that is best read at the beginning of the Holiday Season. It will easily get you into the Christmas Spirit.
http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Peregrines-Home-Peculiar-Children/dp/1594744769
Cleanliness:
This book contains some cursing & some making out. You may not appreciate these things for your youth but I didn't find it too much of an annoyance as a Christian adult.
Summary:
Jacob's grandfather has always told him strange tales and shown him strange pictures of children at an island orphanage. These children had peculiar gifts. As Jacob has grown older, he has believed these stories to be nothing but tall tales and lies that his grandfather has spun to make his life seem more interesting. Doctored photos, exaggerated details, no truth to them. But when things in Jacob's own life take a turn downward he finds himself needing to know if there is some truth in these stories after all.
What I Really Liked:
I liked the eerie photographs that this book contained. I liked the mystery behind the children, finding out whether they do or do not exist.
What I Disliked:
I felt like the characters were lacking. I never grew partial to any of them and I didn't agree with their actions or always find their actions believable. I also felt the story plot didn't always work/make sense.
Reading Worth:
I honestly didn't enjoy the book. At first I thought it was creepy and had worth but I really didn't like the way it all played out. It was a good idea but in the end I just found it lacking. I personally wouldn't recommend it to others.
