Austenland by Shannon Hale

7 Stars

"When her great-aunt bequeaths her a trip to a role-playing resort called Austenland, Jane must discover whether playing dress-up in Regency clothes can cure her of her [Mr. Darcy] obsession and help her find real love, once and for all." (Synopsis taken from the Superfast Reader.)

This was a GREAT book for anyone who loves chick lit. It's clean, it's funny, the heroine is quirky and likable, and it's a quick, fun read. There are a couple of "awkward" moments that some might not enjoy (*ahem, Ashley* ;D ), but it was still pretty recommend-able. The best part about it, to me, is that Hale actually manages to keep you on your toes about how it's all going to end. Ultimate moral of the story: Hale writes better youth-oriented books, BUT I'll continue seeking her out.

Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography by Daniel Handler

6 Stars

"Lemony Snicket here becomes the subject of a fictional autobiography, with an introduction from a fictionalized version of Daniel Handler. Snicket is a harried, troubled writer and researcher falsely accused of felonies and continuously hunted by the police and his enemies. As a child, he was kidnapped and inducted as a "neophyte" into V.F.D. where he was trained in rhetoric and sent on seemingly pointless missions while all connections to his former life were severed." This autobiography gives the reader insight into all of Snicket's notes on the Baudelaire orphans, as well as collections of photographs, and resources concerning the ever-elusive V.F.D. (Taken partially from Wikipedia.)

This book is ridiculously amusing (a phrase which here means both humorous and very silly). If you haven't read any of The Series of Unfortunate Events, you may have to prepare yourself before reading this. But, it won't make any more sense if you do. This biography does give one opportunity to wonder if maybe the whole series wasn't thought up along the ride, after all, though...frightening and perplexing thought. I could readily recommend this to anyone who enjoys Snicket's bizarre humor.

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

6 Stars (-1 for VERY mild language, and suggestive material)

"Mormon housewife Becky Jack is seven months pregnant with her fourth child when she meets celebrity heartthrob Felix Callahan. A few hours, one elevator ride, and one alcohol-free dinner later something has happened, though nothing has happened...It isn't sexual. It isn't even quite love. But soon Felix shows up in Salt Lake City to visit and before they know what's hit them, Felix and Becky are best friends... Becky's loving and devoted husband, Mike, is mostly unconcerned. Her children roll their eyes. Her large extended family and neighbors gossip endlessly. But Felix and Becky have something special, something unusual, something that seems...completely impossible to sustain." (Taken from the inside cover.)

This was one of the strangest books I've ever read because it's interesting, it talks about some things that are deeply important, it made me laugh out loud, and it made me cry at the tender moments--and I still could not tell you if I really ENJOYED it. Madeleine L'Engle indicated (in "A Circle of Quiet") that art should teach us some things about ourselves and our world and help us to better understand. If that is the true test, then I could say that reading this book WAS beneficial. On the other hand, there were several places where the writing was less than stellar (not up to Hale's usual par), and also lots of moments that were downright uncomfortable to read. Her characters feel very real (perhaps that explains some of the situational discomfort), and I can relate to a lot of their experiences and apparent emotional reactions to those experiences. But it's still not a book I'd recommend to just anyone.

Letters from the Corrugated Castle by Joan W Blos

4 Stars

"The year is 1850, and orphaned Eldora with her "Aunt" and "Uncle" have exchanged their quiet lives in New Bedford Massachusetts, for new ones in San Francisco,, the rapidly growing city that is the heart of the California Gold Rush. Shortly after their arrival, they receive a letter from an unknown woman who believes she is Eldora's mother, and is eager to meet her long-lost daughter. As Eldora deals with her conflicting feelings about this news, she must also adjust to the challenges--and dangers--of living in a brash and growing city."

Though this book had great potential for interest (how many of us might wonder about a child's perspective of that unique and bizarre moment in history?), I feel it ultimately fell flat. Told through letters from several of the characters back and forth, it just wasn't very intriguing. There are inconsistencies in the timing of events, the characters don't ring true, and all the mystery is handled in a way that sucks all the interest out. The same author has apparently received a Newberry for one of her other books (along the same lines--historical fiction, written through "letters"), but after the bore this one presented, I have to say, it would take a pretty high recommendation to get me to bother with it.

Meaning of Stars. Again.

Because I DO keep going back to read this, I decided to repost Anthony's take on what the stars mean... :D Take it away, Anthony:


Before I get started with the book reviewing, I'd like to address a problem I tend to have at times such as this- numerical rating. If you are anything like me, tying yourself down to a number rating can be hard. One begins to wonder, “What, exactly, is the difference between a 2 and a 3? Or a 7 and an 8? What if I give a 5 star book a 6 star rating? How can I accurately assign the right number to all these books? AHHHHHHHH!” So, in the interest of my own sanity, I'd like to articulate what I feel each number really means in terms of merit. When I review a book, I'll try to be as consistent to this scale as I can, and anyone else who wants to use it can too. If you don't like it or want to do your own thing, go ahead and use whatever works for you.

1 star- There is nothing to redeem this book. Poor characters, a poor plot, a poor topic, and poor descriptions all combine into a single monstrous piece of writing that makes you wonder whether life has any meaning. Reading even small portions of this book makes you want to weep, and then die.

2 stars- Overall, this book was terrible. Embarrassing. Painful. However, there was a little something that saved it from oblivion. Perhaps it was funny scene, or a surprising plot twist. Whatever it was, you were grateful for it, because it provided relief from the tedious trudge that was the rest of this book.

3 stars- Something about this book was done right. Because of that, the book could have been enjoyable. Unfortunately, the wrong outweighed the right overall. Had you been an editor, you'd have sent it back to the author and encouraged them to keep working on it.

4 stars- Nothing about this book is really that bad. Unfortunately, nothing about the book is really that good either. You were a little frustrated sometimes, and other times you were mildly amused. You will likely forget this book soon after reading, for nothing much stood out.

5 stars- This book had potential. It really did. But it fizzled and simmered when it should have blazed. There were good bits that could have been great bits. You don't regret reading the book, but you wouldn't really recommend it either.

6 stars- A good book. Not a great one, but a good one. There might have been a problem or two, but they didn't break the book. It made you smile, or it made you think. You probably won't read it again, but it was worth one read.

7 stars- A fine book indeed. A good idea that was well written. Any problems that it had were small or insignificant. You'd likely recommend this book to anyone who seemed interested.

8 stars- A solid book, with no real weakness. There was even a time or two that it really glowed. You could see yourself reading this book again in a few years. You even find yourself loyal to the author, eager to read other things that they have written.

9 stars- This book made you laugh, cry, and everything in between. It was nearly impossible to put the book down, and every twist and turn kept you begging for more. Upon finishing, you felt a little sad, because a great and enjoyable journey was complete. You'd heartily recommend this book to just about anyone.

10 stars- It was everything a 9 was, plus a little more. You know that you'll read this book again and again, and you'll enjoy it every time. You feel the book represents creativity, ingenuity, and the English language in a way few people or things can. You weep for those who haven't yet read this book.

There you have it. Two more points, for those of you who haven't fallen asleep.

1. Regarding nonfiction, I would like to give a separate rating for “Experts” and “Newcomers” whenever it seems applicable. Sometimes a book can only be good if you know something about the topic, and a newcomer would only be frustrated by. Other times a book can be enjoyed by anyone. I'd like my ratings to reflect that.

2. I would also like to establish a scale of -1, -2, -3, or unreadable for profane or otherwise explicit content. Sometimes an interesting book is frustratingly peppered with offensive language or some other problem. Such things can effect readability, based on the reader's preferences.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

9 Stars

"When Lady Saren refuses to marry a man she fears, she and her maid, Dashti, are locked in a tower with just a tiny flap open to the outside world. As food runs low and the weather changes from broiling hot to unbearably cold, it is all Dashti can do to make them comfortable in their dark prison. Not long after their confinement begins, Saren's suitors arrive--one welcome, the other less so--and she orders Dashti to speak to them. Impersonating Lady Saren is a crime punishable by death, but Dashti will have to play the role many times if she is to save them both from the tower and the dangers outside. As she takes control of their desperate situation, Dashti begins to understand her own astonishing talents and believe that even a low-born maid can find true love." (Taken from the back cover.)

Shannon Hale has definitely joined the ranks of authors whose works I will always seek out. And this book is among her best. Her heroines are likable; they are sometimes confident (without being brassy or obnoxious) and sometimes shy-violets (without being self-deprecating) and sometimes unsure of who they are and who they want to be (without being WHINY). I also appreciate the thought that goes into her settings. This book is set in a medieval pseudo-Mongolia. A world that is very unlike most other young adult fiction, but that still draws you in and makes you WANT to know more about it. I liked this enough that I will probably reread it soon (tempted to pick it up again tonight, just to see if I missed anything!), and manages to leave you guessing about how she will resolve all of the threads she's weaving.

The Well-Worn Interior by Robin Forster and Tim Whittaker

First off, I just have to say--HOORAY, that other people have written! :D Thanks, guys. And, on to it...



7 Stars (-2 for Beginners)

This is a non-fiction read, that at first glance may look like a "how-to" for the Shabby Chic. I was very pleased to find that this wasn't what the book is at ALL. It is actually a very lovely look at past (think 1600s-1800s) home decor fashions and what these have deteriorated into. And, more importantly, why we should relish that decay rather than being so swift with the scrapers and paintbrushes. It was really a charming book. And it inspired me to find out more about my own (1940s circa) home and restore some of its roots a little. I gave it a minus 2 for the "beginner", because if you are not interested in home decor, or decrepit old buildings, it would probably be a pretty uninteresting read. And since all of the pictures are of grand old houses in various states of disrepair, their brand of beauty is not for all (though I LOVED many of them).

The Book of Arthur: Lost Tales from the Round Table by: John Matthews

8 stars

I should first apologize for not posting in a while. I have four or five books that I need to review, but lately I have had no interest in blogging. Fear not, I am now repenting of my sin and will hopefully get the reviews up in the next couple of days.

This book is a collection of original tales about King Arthur and the Round Table that have fallen by the wayside. There are 28 stories total. They are translated into modern prose, and are easy to understand. They certainly aren't for children, but any adult who likes Arthurian legend will love this book.

I love stories about King Arthur and Camelot, and these were no exception. I had only heard of a few of the stories in this book, so almost all of it was new to me. I absolutely loved a few of them, and didn't really dislike any. I will say that some of the stories were a bit strange, and it was obvious that a medieval audience would understand them better than I do. Some of the stories have humorous medieval morals. For instance, in one story the hero of the story concludes that all women are evil, and therefore no righteous knight would ever trust them. Things like this made me laugh a little.

At any rate, I can recommend this to anyone with the same taste as I. The Orem Public Library has a copy of it for anyone who is interested