REVIEW: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon

The Shadow of the Wind
Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Translated by Lucia Graves
eBook (borrowed from library)

Goodreads synopsis: Barcelona, 1945: A city slowly heals in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, and Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer’s son who mourns the loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julián Carax. But when he sets out to find the author’s other works, he makes a shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s books in existence. Soon Daniel’s seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets–an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love.

I’m not sure why it has taken me so long to write this review. Anyway, now that it’s been a while since I read this, my review isn’t going to be as thorough.

I can’t remember where I heard about this book, but it had been sitting on my Goodreads to read queue since last February (as in, 2012). I wasn’t sure what to expect by the time I got around to reading it, to be honest, but historical fiction that involves books? well, get me a copy!

I had to take some time to process this after reading it – there was a lot of detail and it was such a robust story. So many characters, so emotional… It reminded me somewhat of the Count of Monte Cristo, actually; revenge, heartbreak, murder.

The idea of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books is amazing – I would love to visit a place like that. So many books and authors that people have forgotten – what a treasure trove! The mysteries that surround the novel Daniel chooses to protect from this Cemetery are complex, heart-breaking, scary and sad. So many lives are intertwined! If it wasn’t for Daniel’s persistence in searching for more of Carax’s books, the mysteries would never have been uncovered. Some ghosts may never have been laid to rest – and others may never have been resurrected.

One of the most astonishing things for this novel was the beautiful translation. It was so well done, I would never have known it was a translation if I hadn’t seen that!  It was a very enjoyable read. I definitely recommend it.

ArmchairBEA 2013 – FAIL

I had every intention of participating in ArmchairBEA this year.  I signed up, I was checking in on updates (the schedule, the prizes, the Twitter party schedules)… I even drafted the introduction post and was waiting until they had the link-up active so I could add mine. But I’ve been so busy at work that the last thing I want to do when I get home is sit on a computer. So, I ended up not participating at all.  The event ended today (June 2), but by Friday I finally gave up. I thought I could catch up and join in, but by then I felt like I missed too much.

Oh well — there’s always next year!

 

(link is to the agenda for the event, and all of the posting topics are to the left on their website)

Monthly Wrap Up: May 2013

Number of books read: 5.5
Favorite book read in May: The Maze Runner, James Dashner
this one just made it into May – I finished it on May 30. I say .5 in my completed books because one of them was a really short (few chapters, really) story, based on characters from a series I read by Debora Geary.  It took a little less than a half hour, so it’s not a “full book”, if you know what I mean. (But Goodreads counts it as one)

*Number of 5 star ratings given: None

Reading challenge progress (% complete)
What’s In a Name 6: 100%
Historical Fiction: 60%
2013 Reading Goal: 44% (according to Goodreads, I’m 3 books ahead of schedule!…and I seem to be 1-2 books ahead most of the time…side note: last year, I don’t think I was even on track, never mind ahead!)

Number of reading challenges completed: 1
Finally posted the wrap-up post for the What’s In a Name? Challenge.

Number of sewing projects completed: 0
womp womp.  I haven’t done anything since I finished my dress.  However, I did buy a book of bag patterns and I bought all the materials last weekend to make one, so I’ll get into that soon enough.  Also, I’m joining a pajama party sew-a-long (hosted by Karen at Did You Make That?) and will be working on that in early June – it’s scheduled to begin June 3. (I could definitely produce more than 0-2 items per month if I had the extra money to spend on fabrics and notions!)

*(a new category I decided to add!)

With My Reading Buddy – May 2013

My second year as a Power Lunch mentor came to a close last week. The program has a new name “Read to a Child” (instead of Everybody WINS!)

Anyway, my buddy and I were able to finish all 4 Zac Power books before the year ended, so that was good!

Last week there was a year-end celebration at the school where all the students who participated got a certificate of completion (and the 4th graders got a “graduation” certificate, since that’s the highest grade that participates).

My buddy and I will have one more year left together before he “graduates”. He gave me a card that says “Thanks for reading me the Zac Power books.”  He’s too cute.

I ended up getting him the first 2 Goosebumps books. Not the read-your-own-adventure ones like I got him last year, but the regular books. I remembered I had a bag of books from when I was younger still at my parents house so one weekend I went over there and went through it and found a few books my buddy might like. They were all in good condition, so I thought it would be a great idea to pass them on – why should they sit in a bag where no one reads them, you know? He was happy to get the 2 books and I think he’ll actually read them over the summer!

So, school’s out! (for me at least)

What’s In A Name Reading Challenge – Wrap Up

So I’m finally getting around to doing my challenge wrap up post…you would think I would have done this right away since I’ve already read the books and don’t need to form a book review!

Anyway, I’m proud of myself for finishing the challenge (back in April!). Since blogging, this is the first challenge I’ve been able to complete, and by the looks of things, I think I’m on track to complete the other ones, too. Hooray!

It’s interesting to have to choose books based on title. I have 600+ books in my To Read queue on Goodreads, but isn’t it amazing that I didn’t have books on it to fit all of the categories? (I had to search around for one that had “party” in it — and that was the one that I couldn’t finish!-The Pox Party)

I may not have read some of these books until later in the year or even next year, but because their titles fit this challenge, I got to them sooner (A Discovery of Witches has been on my to read list for at least over 2 years – I remember my mom had it before I moved out and that was just over 2 years ago!). AND my favorite book read so far this year came from this challenge (The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society).

All in all, it was a good one, and I intend to keep participating as long as they keep having them

(image links to the challenge home page)

REVIEW: Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes & The Last Little Blue Envelope, by Maureen Johnson

Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes
Maureen Johnson
eBook (borrowed from library)

My synopsis: Book 1: It’s the summer before Ginny’s senior year of high school when she receives a mysterious letter from her nomadic Aunt Peg with a list of instructions and a packet of other letters that need to be read in order.  Aunt Peg always thought have a free lifestyle was a good thing and something Ginny should experience. The oddest part about it all?  Aunt Peg died months before Ginny received the first letter. So, with her letters and instructions, Ginny sets out to Europe for a summer of discovery and mystery.

This was an interesting, light read – nothing to write home about though (no pun intended).  Though it did make me wish someone had sent me a series of letters that sent me around Europe on a trip I’d never forget. I know I wouldn’t get into the same situations Ginny did (the chances of me traveling around with complete strangers isn’t likely – especially like the crazy family she ends up rooming with for almost a week).  But I love the idea of only being able to know a bit at a time and having to read the next clue to find out what comes next. The aunt really knew how to find the local places and really got into the different cultures and she certainly found/met some quirky places and people.

The Last Little Blue Envelope
Maureen Johnson
eBook (borrowed from library)

My synopsis: Book 2: Due to unforeseen circumstances in book 1, Ginny never gets to read the last letter.  But the following summer she receives an email from someone in England who found the last letter. So, off Ginny goes to England to retrieve her last letter from Aunt Peg and get some closure.  Once again, Ginny is involved another one of Aunt Peg’s crazy adventures.  But will her friends from last time be around and will they help her?

The guy that contacts Ginny about the last letter basically forces her to let him join in on the last task set by Aunt Peg: in exchange for the original letter, he gets half the money that will come from this last adventure.  But if Ginny doesn’t agree, she’ll never see the letter. It turns out that this letter has another task (broken into 3 parts) for Ginny to complete. Ginny’s love interest from book 1 is back but not quite who Ginny thought he was.  A strange journey ensues with Ginny, her love interest, his possible girlfriend, and the guy who found the letter traveling in a tiny cramped car.

So these books weren’t amazing by any means, but they were enjoyable reads for the most part.  Ginny could be a little annoying.  She kind of hints at the fact that her parents are pretty boring and basically, they don’t seem like the kind of parents who would let their 17-year-old daughter just up and go to Europe on her own.  Stranger things have happened, I suppose. Some of it seemed kind of far-fetched, but again, not looking for high literature here, just an enjoyable read.  I would classify it as a beach read or even something to read when flying…just something to pass the time.

REVIEW: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches
Deborah Harkness
Hardcover edition (borrowed from my mom)

Goodreads synopsis: Deep in the stacks of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

I’ve read mixed reviews on this, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I finally borrowed this from my mom.  I’m pretty sure I once took it from her when she first got it, but then I never got around to it, so I gave it back.  I didn’t really know anything about it, actually – no idea who the main characters would be (male/female), what time period it would take place in, or where.  So I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was a woman a few years older than me in present-day England (for the most part).

The characters were decent, and I liked them, including Diana’s aunts’ house – it was very fun and interesting with all its rooms, magical things and ghosts. The one thing that I felt was slightly off was the fact that Matthew kept saying that vampires are so dangerous and that Diana shouldn’t romanticize them, but I felt like they were still kind of romanticized anyway.  The whole love story was predictable, but it is what it is.

I thought the science/DNA aspect of the story was interesting – not many of these books try to give scientific explanation for why witches/vampires/daemons exist, but it seems the characters are trying to figure it out.  And I guess when you’re 1500 years old, what else have you got but time to study this stuff?

I thought the book was longer than it needed to be, especially for the first book in a trilogy. I’m sure there were some things that could have been cut (all the time in the library, eating, some of the time spent at Matthew’s house with his mother, etc.).  But I’m really just looking at the book as entertainment and not trying to dissect it.

I just got the second book from my mom a week or two ago, so I’ll get around to it.  I want to know what’s going on with Ashmole 782, the alchemical manuscript mentioned in the synopsis above.

Monthly Wrap Up: April 2013

Number of books read: 7
Favorite book of the month: The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruis Zafon

Reading challenge progress (% complete)
Personal TBR: CANCELLED
What’s In a Name 6: 100%
Historical Fiction: 60%
2013 Reading Goal: 36%

Number of reading challenges completed: 1
I FINISHED A READING CHALLENGE!!!!! Wooooo!! I still need to post my last book review as well as a wrap-up post, but I’ll get to it – I’m just amazed I finished one.

Number of sewing projects completed: 1
Favorite sewing project of the month: I completed my first dress!  I wish there were a few things different (stuff I did, nothing to do with the pattern), but I’m still happy and proud of what I accomplished.  That post will be up eventually… just need to take some pictures

With My Reading Buddy – April 2013

 

This month was better for meeting with my reading buddy – we only had one week off: his school vacation week.  Which happened to be the same week of the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  Thankfully, all of our schools were on vacation that week, so that was one less worry for people (think about it: schools would have had to go into lock-down – scaring both the children and their parents – or they would have had to evacuate which could have caused more panic, too).

Anyway, we’re almost done with Zac Power #3, probably have about 10 or so pages left to read.  A. seems to really enjoy the books, which is good, since I think these are much more appropriate than the scary books (I think you all know how I feel about those by now, yes?).  The program coordinator found book #4, so I think we’ll have enough time to finish that to wrap up the year together.

We only have 3 weeks left and then an end-of-year celebration, so I’ll only see him 4 more times until next fall when the program starts again.  I need to figure out what book to get him as the end-of-year gift… any suggestions?

REVIEW: Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot

Pants on Fire
Meg Cabot
eBook Edition

Goodreads synopsis: Katie Ellison is not a liar.  But she can’t exactly tell the truth, either–not when she’s juggling two boyfriends, secretly hating the high school football team everyone else worships, and trying to have the best summer ever. At least Katie has it all under control (sort of). Her biggest secret, what really happened the night Tommy Sullivan is a freak was spray-painted on the junior high gymnasium wall, is safe. That is, until Tommy comes back to town. Katie is sure he’s going to ruin all her plans, and she’ll do anything to hang on to her perfect existence. Even if it means telling more lies. Even if, now that Tommy’s around, she’s actually–truthfully–having the time of her life.

Honestly, I chose this book pretty much based on the title.  One of the categories for the What’s in a Name Challenge required a title to have “fire” or the equivalent (such as flames, smoke, etc.).   I scoured Goodreads searching these terms and this seemed to be an OK one (most of the books with those words in the title tended to have covers that looked like romance novels that I’m just not into).  I also recognized the author’s name, but couldn’t remember if I had read anything by her.

Anyway, this wasn’t very good.  The main character was annoying.  She’s supposed to be at the top of her class, yet the writing isn’t all that sophisticated (using “like” a lot, and saying stuff such as “so my mom was all like…” rather than “and my mom said”).

We don’t find out until way late in the book what was written about Tommy on the junior high gym, but the synopsis tells us right away.  The book had this build up to what it actually said and who wrote it, but when they synopsis gives away what it says, why is there such a build up?  I thought the whole situation was pretty extreme.  I didn’t care about any of the characters.   The only good part about the story was the speech Katie made at the end, which would be in line with the character Tommy knows and loves, but not with the one we read about throughout the book.

I just did a search on Goodreads for Meg Cabot and I know why her name is familiar: she wrote The Princess Diaries.  I thought the Disney move was cute, and marked the book to read a while back.  I’ll give that one a chance, but if it’s anything like this, I’ll probably give up early on.  And if this is an indication of how the rest of her work is, I’m all set.

You know, I hate giving bad reviews, especially if I see others have enjoyed the book.  If I happen to see a number of good reviews, I try to think back and see if there is anything I did enjoy about it and try to soften my review, but that usually doesn’t happen.

I’ve been reading some reviews on Goodreads and still feel the same way: nothing for me to soften my review (in fact, I’ve seen some pretty scathing stuff!) and I agree with the few 1 & 2 star reviews I’ve read, but I’m dumbfounded when I see that some people gave this 4 or 5 stars!  I just don’t see the quality in it to give more than 2 (and I think that’s being generous).  SEMI-SPOILER: There was one review that made a really good point: how is it that Tommy was run out of town for exposing a lie, yet the main character goes around with lie after lie and all her cheating?  No type of punishment for Katie at all.

REVIEW: The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain
Garth Stein
Kindle edition (borrowed from library)

Goodreads Synopsis: Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man. A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life…as only a dog could tell it.

I cut down the Goodreads synopsis because it was really long, but you can click on the book image to be taken to the Goodreads page and read the whole synopsis.

First: I love the dog’s name! This was an enjoyable read.  My manager told me about it a while back and I added it to my to-read list, but never got around to it.  When I was visiting my cousin about a month ago, I saw she had a copy and she said it was really good, so I borrowed it.  I was not disappointed in it.  However, I was surprised at the subject matter the “tough stuff” that was at the center of the novel.  I was expecting a lighter read similar to A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron (which is one of my favorite books).

At times, I felt Enzo was too philosophical and not very dog-like, but some of his observations were pretty funny.  And some observations were funny because they were true (his description when owners have to pick up their dog’s poop, for example).

Admission time: After reading the first chapter and knowing Enzo was on his way out, I went to the end of the book to read the last chapter (before I was emotionally invested in the characters), thinking that one of two things would happen when I really got to the end: 1. I could skip it ’cause I already read it, or 2. I wouldn’t be emotional because I already read it.   Of course I did read it when I got to the end and of course I did tear up over it!  So that was a big fail for me. Ha!  (by the way, I’ve never done that before!)

It took me a little while to get into it, I must admit, but once I got settled with it, it was good.  I think I was comparing it to A Dog’s Purpose too much and once I let that go, I could enjoy it more.  There were lots of comparisons between life and racing (obviously!), which didn’t really mean anything for me since I’m not interested in racing but I understood the comparisons/parallels so it worked.

Monthly Wrap Up: March 2013

Number of books read: 6
Favorite book of the month: The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein
(I decided I’m not going to track portions of books like I did in February; I’ll only add books that are completed during the month)
Reviews for The Art of Racing in the Rain and Pants on Fire will be posted within the next week or so.

Reading challenge progress (% complete)
Personal TBR: 27%
What’s In a Name 6: 83%
Historical Fiction:  50%
2013 Reading Goal: 25%

Number of reading challenges completed: 0
So close, though!  Only one more book left for the What’s In a Name Challenge!

Number of sewing projects completed: 1
Favorite sewing project of the month: N/A
But I did a lot of work on the dress!  I’m hoping it’ll be completed by the end of April.

With my Reading Buddy – March 2013

You may have noticed that this post was missing in February.  That’s because we barely met at all that month.  We met once, then he was out sick, then he was out for school vacation, then I had to cancel the following week.  Since I really didn’t have anything to talk about, I skipped the post.

Anywho, we really finally did finish that scary story book (now I can say Huzzah!).

We decided to read the first book in the Zac Power series: a 12-year-old spy (and his family are all spies too).  They’re cute books and A seemed to like them so we talked with the program director who was able to locate books 2 & 3 in the series so we started book 2 last week.  We only have about 7 or 8 sessions left in the school year so I’m thinking we could probably stretch these two books out for the rest of our time together.  I’m glad he was interested in something other than scary stories.  I just felt like the scary stories books  weren’t really age appropriate.

REVIEW: Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers

Mary Poppins
P. L. Travers
Kindle edition (borrowed from library)

Most people should know the story of Mary Poppins (whether from this book or the Disney movie version).  You know, the magical Nanny who takes care of some kids in England?  They have some silly adventures and have ridiculous parents?

Anyway, let me start by saying Disney’s Mary Poppins is my favorite non-animated Disney movie.  I love the music and Mary Poppins and the funny things she does.  Having said that, I was surprised that the book and movie were so very different.  Of course,  I expected differences (the movies are never the exact same!), but I was not prepared for the significant differences such as: Jane and Michael having twin siblings, the different adventures within the book and most importantly, Mary Poppins herself.

Quite frankly, I didn’t think she was a very likable character at all, and Julie Andrews’ Mary Poppins is so endearing and everyone loves her (“It’s a jolly holiday with Mary”… right?).  She was very vain and not very nice at all in the book.  I tried very hard to rid myself of the Disney version of the character and after a short time, it was easy enough to do considering the different personalities of these two women with the same name.  But I had a hard time trying not to compare certain scenes and wondering when a beloved scene from the movie would appear in the story only to never find it.

In the movie, the kids and parents (or at least the father), all learn a lesson and have a better relationship and Mary Poppins really does care for the children; in the book, I didn’t get that feeling at all on either of these points.

I’m glad I read this just to see the inspiration for the movie, but I’ll stick with Julie Andrews, thanks!  I don’t plan to read any of the other books in the series.

WWW Wednesday (21)

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.  Click the image to be taken to MizB’s WWW post for today.  To play along, answer the following three questions and share a link to your post in the comments on her page. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to leave your WWW right in the comments.

What are you currently reading?
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.  I was able to get the Thursday Next book back, so I put this one on hold. Now I’ll pick it back up.

What did you recently finish reading?
First Among Sequels (Thursday Next #5), Jasper Fforde.

What do you think you’ll read next?
I’m not sure yet.