Friday, October 15, 2010

books 2010 #32 - 37

Mockingjay (Hunger Games, #3)Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've been vacillating between 3 and 4 stars on this one. I was excited to read it, and it definitely held my interest, but I didn't like it as much as the first two in the series. It's darker, which is no surprise for a dystopian, world at war scenario.

I really do like Katniss. She feels real to me – reluctant and scared at times, yet passionate and gritty enough to do what needs to be done. Peeta's character had more depth here, but it seemed like Gale's had less, which was disappointing. The plot was unpredictable, so bonus points on that front. Overall, pretty enjoyable, but I don't know that it's appropriate for the younger YA set.


Making Children's Clothes: 25 Stylish Step-by-step Sewing Projects for 0-5 YearsMaking Children's Clothes: 25 Stylish Step-by-step Sewing Projects for 0-5 Years by Emma Hardy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Love it! So many cute projects, most of which I would like to try. Eva flipped through it with me and said, "I want that!" on almost every page. Looks totally doable, too, even for this novice seamstress.



Here be Dragons (Welsh Princes, #1)Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was completely sucked in to this long, historical novel about 13th century Wales and England. This is all that I love about historical fiction. It was complex, smart, and informative. The characterizations were very well done, full and real. And, as usual, I found myself feeling surprised by how little human interactions have changed over the centuries.

Best of all, it was epic, which I find highly enjoyable.


Love and Other Impossible PursuitsLove and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Here's the thing: maybe I just am not a fan of Ayelet Waldman. This looked and sounded intriguing, but I ended up not liking the main character much, and that was a problem for me. She just seemed so selfish. I get that she was flawed, human, yada yada yada. But when you break up a marriage, there are plenty of consequences, most of them complicated and unpleasant. I reiterate: I cannot stand it when I feel like a book is trying to make me root for infidelity. This is probably one I should have not bothered to finish.



River Jordan: A NovelRiver Jordan: A Novel by Augusta Trobaugh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a pleasant, easy, quick read. I enjoyed the characters and their voices. I think I would have liked it better if I hadn't been comparing it to Trobaugh's Swan Place, which I ultimately liked more.



The Little StrangerThe Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After talking about this book at book club, I liked it better. I'm inching towards 4 stars now.

It definitely held my attention, I liked that it sent my mind in all different directions, but if anything I found myself wishing it were a little creepier. And revealing, if subtly, the identity of the little stranger in the very last paragraph seemed somewhat abrupt in this 500-page book.


View all my reviews

5 comments:

Diana said...

ooh that sewing book looks cute. too bad Kira is too old now. Maybe I'll have to check it out for gifts :)

Diana said...

PS I love your header!

Jill said...

I felt the same way about Mockingjay, but would give maybe 3.5 because 3 doesn't seem like quite enough.

Here Be Dragons was my pool book for a long time last summer.

It's hard to read a book when you don't like the main character or if it's trying to make you root for infidelity.

patsy said...

I am so impressed with your ability to read books - with all the other many things you do. I just don't prioritize time for reading these days. Especially since I took a break from my book club....
darn.
Hooray for reading-

Rebekah said...

I'm holding off on Mocking Jay, I just don't want the series to end. One of the things that I really appreciated about the author was that there weren't any stereotypical 'everyone gets saved' moments that are rampant in YA Lit. The story is sad, but it's realistic.

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