To Kill A Mockingbird Read Along

 

I am joining Adam's read along of To Kill A Mockingbird over at roofbeamreader.com. Like him I had tried reading this book before when I was younger in Junior High, but couldn't get into and didn't get very far. I never understood why Scout called her dad Atticus, as I never knew anyone who called their parent by their first name. Fast forward more than 10 years later, and since then I have seen the movie. I really enjoyed it and it is one of my husband's favorites. That was a couple of years ago in watching the movie, but never did go back to try to read the book. Now, I am hoping that I will enjoy rereading this book.

Ivanhoe Review....

I have never read anything by Sir Walter Scott before.  I vaguely knew  a little bit about this classic book, that it took place during the 12th century in England. During this time the ruler was Prince John (while his brother King Richard was away), of course if this reminds anyone of then Robin Hood (how can it not with the saying the name of Prince John?), combine all of that with a few damsels and Knights is the main setting of the tale. Ivanhoe has just returned from fighting in the Crusades and wants to marry his beloved, Rowena. There is opposition to this and even to who Ivanhoe represents for other people. This book is rampant with the distrust of several groups against each other and even within them; saxons, normans, knights or common people, templars, holy orders, christians, muslims, jews, unbelievers, etc. It brings to mind of the injustices, superstition, and corruption done in history, especially during this lawless time in the medieval era. It was a wonderul read, and I can only say that I am disappointed in not knowing more detail of what happened afterwards to a few characters. I rate this a 4.5 out of 5. The first 100+ is mostly about the history and setting of this story, which some may feel drags on or is boring. I actually enjoyed this part, but I am a huge fan of reading history. After this the characters are talked more of and we are then introduced to more as well, the issue with that is it is harder to remember who was who. The version I had consisted of thee's and thou's among other type of old English language, so just be prepared for that (maybe there are versions without it?).

The version I had also had an index which helped. This is my fourth book review for the classics club and the first for outdo yourself reading challenge as well as my first review for historical fiction reading challenge.  The next book up to read is Oliver Twist.

Next book on the List...

of the classic book challenge is The Children by Edith Wharton. I started it today and I am enjoying it. As I am just getting into the various characters that are being introduced it is a little hard to remember who is who. In case you do not know anything about the book, it is about a man named Martin Boyne who is in his 40's and on a ocean voyage when he mets the Wheater children (who are a mix of siblings and step siblings). That is as far that I have gotten so at around 25 pages.

Check In for The Classics Club

Well, I haven't gotten very far as I would have liked too. I am still on my first book, Pat of Silverbush by LM Montgomery. It wasn't until around page 100 that I felt the book became interesting. I am not even halfway through and hope to be able to read more soon. I am really excited to start reading some of my other books, but if I do this I fear I will not finish them all. Since joining this club, I have looked into other books that I think might be good, which has led me to buy a lot more books. I don't plan on reading them though until after I have reached my goal for this challenge (around 67 books or so).