Spin Results and Review

 I am only two days late in finishing and three late in posting my progress on the Classics Spin results that ended on May 15th. It has been quite a few spins since I was able to finish a book. My book for this spin was The Railway Children by E. Nesbit. So what are my thoughts for this book? It was ok wasn't the best book but wasn't horrible either. This is of course a child's book and I can see how it would be appealing to children who loved trains or a little adventure. Basically, the story entails about a few siblings who for unknown reasons to them, are made to leave London with their mother and move to the country. It is then about the people they met and a few adventures, which as an adult become rather predicable, but to a child might not be. Even though later on you find out why they moved and how come the father was no longer involved in their lives, one issue isn't quite resolved for sure, they give you a hint who you assume is correct later on but never say for sure. I give it a 3 out of 5, perhaps if I was younger it would have been given a higher rating. The next book I will be reading for the Classics Club is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta Review....

 

 

I received this book for free by Tyndale House Publishers for an honest review. The main character is Julia and the setting is in the early 1800's in England. After the suicide of her mother, Julia is trying to determine the best financial options to her.  Of course during this time period, the only real option was marriage. She tries to elicit help in choosing a husband, and various people have different views on who the husband should be or not be. Old friends, pacts, schemes all try to play a part in her decision. With all of this, you get the feeling that Julia is aware that something is amiss, but has no idea what it is. In some instances, this led to the detriment of her situation, which was not the original intent of those "trying" to help her. Throughout the whole book in various different situations, I was trying to determine what was really "behind the scenes". From start to finish this book, keeps you on your toes with the various mysteries and agendas of the characters. I don't want to give too much away, so I know my review is a little vague. This book is one that you want to read in just one setting. This is the first book in a series. I rank it 5 out of 5. Here is more information on the book. My only complaint is later on with so many characters, they would change from using a persons last name to first name, and then I was trying to remember who had that first name.

Light Between Oceans Review...

This past month for a book club I belong too, we read Light Between Oceans. Everyone enjoyed the book, and it does bring out a variety of emotions. It is the first book by M.L. Stedman and hopefully not the last. Tom who happens to be a lightkeeper along with his wife live by themselves, except for the few times a year that supplies or sent to them. One day a small boat with a deceased man and baby appear. In reading this book it reminds us that all of the decisions we make, not only change our own lives, but several others as well. That is all I am going to say, as I don't want to give away spoilers. I ranked this a 5 out of 5, and the other people in the book club either ranked it a 4 or 4.5. Everyone enjoyed it, even if we didn't agree with some characters decisions. I am counting this book towards my fourth review for the Outdo Yourself Challenge.

 

 

The next book that I will be reading, that has been chosen for this book club

Classics Club Group Check In #2

This is the second group check in so far, and the first for this year of 2013. I feel that I have been able to read more this year, hopefully I will be able to continue this. I have read four books so far, since joining the club in Aug. 2012:

1. Pat of Silverbush by L.M. Montgomery - Finished 10/8/2012
2.The Children by Edith Wharton - Finished Nov. 2012
3. The Cossacks and the Raid by Leo Tolstoy - Finished Dec. 2012
4. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott - Finished Jan. 2013

Currently I am reading Oliver Twist and really enjoying it. I only have about 80 pages or so far to go, I am determined to read the rest of it over the weekend. In the past, I had tried to read Great Expectations but was never a fan and couldn't finish. Since I have various other works of Dickens on my classics club list, it is a good thing that I am enjoying Oliver Twist. My original goal of each book on my classic club list is to also watch any movies based on  the books. I have yet to watch Ivanhoe but hope to do so soon so then I can watch Oliver (my husband is a fan of both the book and film). I will end up doing reviews on the films to try to compare them to the books. Once I am done with Oliver Twist the next book will be A Little Princess, never read the book but watched the film growing up. If you enjoy reading books and finding new ones, I highly recommend joining the classics club!