Something Blue
I enjoyed the first book so much that I decided to read the sequel. I enjoyed this book just as much, if not more, than the first.
This second book is told from the perspective of the best friend from book number one. There is a couple of overlapping chapters giving her take on some crucial scenes that were played out in the first plot line and then the story moved to another continent (literally) and branched out from the previous book's conclusion.
I think that it takes a lot of talent to take the antagonist and make her the protagonist (especially with this character set) however, this was done quite convincingly. Plus, I really enjoyed the multiple points of view on shared scenes.
I think that I liked this one enough to go off and find the third book. :)
Something Borrowed
This was a fast and easy read...think along the lines of something to take to the beach or poolside...
I really found this story to be entertaining it is about a woman who finds herself in love with her best friend's fiance. It was greatly intriguing and quite a page turning (mostly because I was constantly fearful of the "getting caught" scenario).
Giffin did a wonderful job making her characters believable, flaws and all.
This book also gave pause to some interesting theories about control in relationships, the bond of friendship, competition vs. success, and the need for a secret.
I found it well written and a good escape from my non-dramatic relational life. ;)
Girl With a Pearl Earring
This is a very interesting look at the life of Vermeer, his family, and his household staff. It is told from the perspective of one of his wife's maids.
I was interested to see how the story unfolded, however, this book didn't have a very quick "hook." Once the story gained momentum it was an easy read.
If you enjoy a twist on the stereotypical historical fiction then this book will be worth your time.
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
We just finished reading this book together in my 5th Grade class. This is the 4th time that I have read it and I can honestly say that I enjoy it more each time.
I greatly admire Nat's ability to "sail by ash breeze" as he would say, never giving up and continuously persevering no matter what the circumstances. There is certainly a lot to be said about the depth of character that it takes to refuse to allow the life situations and personal tragedy that each of us must face to dictate the life that we live. Nat is an excellent example of accomplishing what those around him considered to be impossible.
I can recommend this book without any qualifiers...because if it is good enough to read in my particular school setting...then anyone on planet Earth can read it without any fear or trepidation. :)
The Time Traveler's Wife
This book was loaned to me by a
friend who has
impeccable taste in all things that I love, from books, to music, to movies, to concerts, and on and on and on.
This book is the "change-my-life" kind of good. I started recommending this book to people as soon as I started reading it. I didn't need to finish it to
know that it was going to be good through the end and that it was going to be a worthy expenditure of time.
I started to consider the dependability of chronological time and the possibility of that not being a factor. I even found myself buying into the idea so much that I started to consider how I could help people like Henry, how I could make the travels easier for him. The best part, is how this book forces you to consider fate and destiny as entities not to be trifled with. Do we do what we do because we want to? Or because we are meant to? Is there any way to undue the past? Or to change the future? And while the theory of time travel may sound entertaining...at what expense is such a venture made? And who has true freedom those that travel or those that don't? I am going to be thinking about this book for a while. I recommend that you do the same.
All that being said...if you are offended by language, sex, or alcohol use...then this is not the book for you. I, however, am happily
rarely offended and I loved the whole thing! (So don't worry, Lauren, I didn't "edit" your copy with a black
Sharpie marker as I have done to some of my books ;) )
