Recent Read: Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier

Oh, I love this book! My husband was so skeptical because we have the red fabric cover that makes it look like a racy romance novel, but after the first chapter he couldn't help but admit that du Maurier's writing is amazing--brilliant and vivid. I like the cover I've posted here because the first line of the novel just thrills me: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again." I know this is the second gothic romantic suspense novel I've put my husband through in the last month, but I figured the Halloween season was a good time to read Rebecca again, and we both loved it! Brian was a little depressed when he found out it wasn't a happy book, but once the truth in the plot came out he wouldn't let us stop reading. This is a book I don't think I'll ever tire of!

Recent Read: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

I think it's because I was raised on The Secret of Nimh, Cinderella, and Redwall, but I love mice stories! When I saw the movie poster for Despereaux I was so excited because Despereaux's animated character was so cute! I decided to read the book after I saw the movie.

As usual, the movie and the book differ a lot. Now that I read the book, I'm disappointed about what the movie changed. I think that most of the movie changes didn't really add to the story, but such is life in Hollywood!

The reading level for this book says ages 7-12. That is quite a spread, but about right. The book reads more like a story book, but the pictures are in your head instead of on the page. The chapters are short and pretty episodic, which is really great for middle-grade readers. DiCamillo brings out a lot of real-life themes through this cute story--love, hate, revenge, ambition, uniqueness, perserverance, and forgiveness--which explains why she got a medal for this!

As a children's book, The Tale of Despereaux, is cute, sweet, fun, and quick. I felt like it was a little below even my general reading level taste for children's novels, but I still really enjoyed it

Jane Eyre: My Forever Favorite

Every time I read this book it is just as amazing as the first time. I love Bronte's deep plot that takes you so many place and so many directions. I love that the characters overcome a great hardship and become better for it and there is still a happy ending. I love that Jane is the perfect heroine. I love Bronte's deep belief in true and enduring love.

Poll Results: What Type of Tolkien Fan Are You?

Most readers are Lord of the Rings movie fans!

Children of Hurin, by J.R.R. Tolkien

Oh, Tolkien. We almost have the same initials, but sometimes I just don't understand you. My husband and I loved reading The Lord of the Rings aloud it took a really long time (months actually), but reading aloud made me appreciate Tolkien's descriptions, imagery, and length a lot more.

I was excited to read this book just to get more Tolkien, but I wish it didn't sound like the chronicles of history in the Bible! I love the Bible, but long history just wasn't what I was looking for in a novel. We stuck it out to the end though. After the lengthy background, the pace picked up a bit, but the book never lost the history feel.

I can't help but thinking that Tolkien spent over twelve years writing and revising The Lord of the Rings for a reason. I wonder if this book, compiled by Christopher Tolkien, is missing Tolkien's arduous revision process?

The good news was that Children of Hurin was super short compared to The Lord of the Rings. I was never very engaged with the characters as Turin is just grumpy the whole time, but he did pull out a pretty cool plot twist, even if it was kind of weird.

Overall, the thing about Tolkien is at least one every chapter he says something really amazing about human nature. Those are the gems that keep me reading on for more!

Poll Results: What Dickens Books Have You Read?

Here are the Dickens' novel rankings, from most read to least read:

1. A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Great Expectations

2. Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, Hard Times

3. Nicholas Nickleby, Our Mutual Friend, The Old Curiosity Shop

4. Bleak House

Our Mutual Friend, by Charles Dickens

Yes, I am on a Dickens' roll!

This book has been amazing! Reading it has been one of the best things I've ever done, even though 916 pages is a significant literary investment. It is the very best of everything Dickens--love, adventure, creepy characters, and the most amazing and intense plot I've ever read. The surprise ending totally got me, and I couldn't believe that the whole story was about a different character than the one I originally picked as the main character. I want to read it over again so I can recognize Dickens' absolute mastery in plot, deception, perspective, and story.

One thing I can't stop thinking about is how grateful I am that I wasn't alive when Dickens was writing this book. Waiting for the next serial would have killed me in so many places in this book. I would have been camping out at the dock waiting for the next installment for weeks.

I'm going to be raving about this book forever!