Okay, so I admit it. I am a sucker for regency romance novels. Give me stories where there are country estates, horses, potential highwaymen, and all kinds of secrets, and I am hooked. I will be reading it in the night until the birds start singing and I realize I really need to go to sleep for at least a few hours before I start my day.
Drops of Gold is just such a novel. After her father dies, Marion takes on the identity of Mary Wood in order to work as a governess. She is all that is cheery and spunky, but finds that the Meadows, where she is staying, has some peculiar secrets. And you can bet your life that those secrets have to do with the master of the house, the hardened and tormented Mr. Layton Jonquil.
This book flips back and forth between the two main characters' perspectives, which I loved. It is such a delight to get inside both of their heads. You understand everything on a much deeper level, and this was done remarkably well. The characters were also likable, and while the plot was somewhat predictable, I had a blast reading this book.
I would caution any potential readers who are fans of Jane Eyre, though. The story line in Drops of Gold is very similar to Charlotte Bronte's novel, only written for a more modern audience. There were also moments when the book felt a little redundant. But it was fun! And I am all about having fun, so indulge yourselves everyone, and slip into the Jane Austen time period! Why not, eh?
Appropriate for ages 16+
I first saw this book at the library. It was standing by itself, just beckoning me to open it's cover, and voila! "Be amazed," it said, "because I am written entirely in free verse!"
"No," I replied. "You must be mistaken. No one really writes in free verse these days unless you're a reincarnation of Walt Whitman. And no matter how admirable it may be that you're a nineteenth century poet back from the dead, there's no way you would get published."
Luckily, though, my snarky comments and I were both wrong! This book may be one of poetry but it's very readable and doesn't require a degree in literature to understand what's within the pages.
Three Rivers Rising is written from the perspective of many characters. Thus, as a reader, you get to see both sides of the story as wealthy sixteen-year-old Celestia and hired boy Peter fall in love with each other. You get a glance into the intrigue of high social class and all its snobbery in Pennsylvania in the late nineteenth century. Then there are the thoughts and dreams of minor characters that bleed through the pages, and you, dear reader, are privy to them all.
Based on the true event of the Johnstown Flood in May of 1889, I was truly impressed by this story, not only because the words flowed like water, but because each character followed an arc and had their own unique voice. Plus, it was about an event I had never even heard of before, so I came away more educated than when I began! Give this book a chance, everyone. Plunge in, and just see where the current takes you.
Appropriate for ages 15+
Reynie Muldoon, Sticky Washington, Kate Weatherall, and Constance Contraire don't fit in with the world. Whether they are orphaned, bullied by their peers, or mistreated by adults, all four are forced to rely on their wits, genius, and (in some cases) their buckets. But when the evil mastermind Mr. Curtain plans to take over the world by an invention of mass brainwashing, the children's talents will be challenged as never before.
This book was truly delightful. I'd been wanting to read it for ages when my nephew received it as an "un-birthday" present from his grandma. Thus, somehow my nephew's gift mysteriously disappeared from his house until further notice, and voila! You now have a book review. So you see, stealing books from unsuspecting children has its benefits. ;)
What impressed me the most in this novel was how each character followed their own arc of progression. Though Reynie is considered to be the "leader" among his fellow comrades, each character changes and plays an integral role throughout the book. I thought this was masterfully done.
I also loved how the book's main characters were balanced between boys and girls who were both quirky and memorable. Reynie's integrity and ability to solve impossible puzzles is unmatched, and Sticky's photographic memory is unparalleled. Pair that with Kate's superhuman skills like climbing elevator shafts and Constance's crankiness, and this is a crew not to be taken lightly, my friends.
There were also enjoyable moments from an adult's standpoint. Trenton Lee Stewart does a clever job of playing with words that had me chuckling at the stupidity of the grown-ups in the novel and cheering on the kids. That being said, the novel is long (400+ pages) and might be challenging for younger readers. However, I would definitely recommend it since the book is never too frightening and is 100% clean. Reading it aloud or along with a child, though, might be a good option for some.
Appropriate for ages 10+
The final book in the trilogy by NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author Jennifer Nielsen!! Yes!! Notice how I can't just use one exclamation mark and would enlist multiple others if only there was enough room? I adored this book, reading it with a headlamp in my hand (yes, I know how contradictory that sounds) on a road trip into the wee hours of the morning. The suspense was so great that I literally squealed aloud in anticipation at one point and my alarmed sister asked me what was wrong.
And then I sighed with happiness upon reading the conclusion and was just SO happy. I didn't know how the main character Jaron was going to get out of the mess he was in this time and I can tell you I was more than pleasantly surprised. I was thrilled!
War has come to Carthya on many fronts: some nations have turned their backs on their former good relations, while other countries are cruelly lustful for power. There's no hope that King Jaron and his friends can possibly win when the odds are so decidedly against them. But they will try anyway. Thus, there are rescue attempts, imprisonments, and a princess on the run. There is death and the hope for something beyond this life. There is loyalty found only in love and friendship. And there is a whole lot of wit. I LOVE wit, especially in a young man who has every reason to be angry or give up, but chooses to live and be happy instead. Not only is it such a powerful message for readers of all ages, but it makes a story about war more meaningful. I often dread war stories. I feel like authors will use battles to make a story lengthy and dramatic and I am pushing to get through the novel. There was none of that here, though. Everything had a purpose. There is so much at stake for the characters, so much to live for, even when everything is falling apart around them.
And the ending! Did I mention the ending? There is so much to talk about, so much to love. So much to read! So, off you go! To the bookstores and libraries, everyone!
Appropriate for ages 14+
"I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday." This first line hooked me. Granted, I generally don't read books unless the first line (or at least the first page) hooks me. But it is not just the writing that I enjoyed about this book--as good as it is, I would say that the writing comes secondary to Malala herself. What a beautiful, inspiring, and powerful young woman she is.
If you haven't heard her story yet, Malala Yousafzai is a sixteen-year-old Pakistani who, against all odds, has become a proponent for education, particularly for girls and women. For some people in her country, this is unacceptable. But Malala speaks out, and her family, especially her father, is her constant support and stays by her side. One day, however, because she fights for education, a member of the Taliban shoots Malala in the face.
And yet she has lived to tell the tale.
This book wasn't a page turner for me, but I think that helped me to know Malala better. What an interesting perspective she has! The Middle East is something I feel like most Westerners no little about--at least I know this is the case for me. To hear about it from a young person, someone who loved Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and enjoyed speaking in debates at school makes the history of Islam and her country relatable. While the history of these things has many facets and can be perplexing to an outsider, after finishing this autobiography, I not only knew more, but I came out a better person. And what is reading for, if not that?
Appropriate for ages 16+
The Mindful Writer. Doesn't it just sound therapeutic? This is a way to start out the new year, people, whether or not you consider yourself to be a writer (but especially if you do).
I read this book for a creative writing class last semester. STOP! Come back! Just because I read it for school does not mean it put me to sleep. Quite the opposite. In fact, I consider this to be my bible for writing. Here's why:
To begin with, it approaches everything a writer needs to consider, such as why we write, what stops us from writing, and where inspiration comes from.
But it involves more than that. This book helps you learn how to live. Now, don't misunderstand me, here. You have been living for a considerable amount of time, you say as you read these words, and why would you need a book to tell you how to continue on with your existence? You have been doing just fine. And I'm sure you have. But this book is all about the moment. Live in the moment. Observe. Write it down. See what you can create. And it does this without feeling like you are going through a yoga session and without feeling like you are reading a textbook.
This book is a gem. I loved it. No, I LOVED it. Notice the use of capitalization. I loved how Dinty W. Moore approached the subject, with you, as the reader (or fellow writer) as his equal. Take a step into his mind and see what you come out with, what words of wisdom you can snatch from these pages that will shine through the creases of your fingers, just waiting to be molded in your palm in a way that only you know how.
Now, take a step back. Admire the brilliance of those words.
Don't they take your breath away?
Appropriate for ages 16+
It is November. The skies are burdened with clouds and you have just kindled a fire in the fireplace while your bloodhound stretches out his paws to warm them, and there is only one natural thing in the world to do.
Read Blackmoore.
Even if it is not November and the skies are sunny, and the air conditioning is causing your hair to stand on end, and you have never owned and never will own a pet...
Read Blackmoore.
And then cry because you have to wait a wretchedly long time to read Julianne Donaldson's next novel.
Kate Worthington will never marry, but has her sights set on India and the escape from her life it offers her instead. Her mother, however, has other plans. Before Kate will be allowed to travel to India, she must receive and reject three marriage proposals. Off to Blackmoore, if Kate can only acquire the help of her friend Henry Delafield, she should be well on her way to freedom.
This book reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre. The symbolism of birds and cages are prevalent, the scenery is that of the moors, and the house is spooky, but that doesn't mean it wasn't original to our heroine Kate. I also loved the depth of the characters in this novel. Their relationships were realistic and had substance to them, and there were chillingly beautiful moments in the story where I simply had to pause to breathe.
Be warned, though: Kate's a stubborn character. And since she's stubborn, everything might not wrap up quite so tidily as you would expect. But I adored this novel, and only lamented that I had to wait sometimes days at a time before I had the chance to pick it up again.
Appropriate for ages 18+
