Week 4: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Hello again! This week I read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.  This was my second time reading it, and let me just say how weird that was for me! To start with I read it roughly eight years ago, while I was in high school.  I did not really enjoy the story then because I really did not recognize the humor.  In my biased opinion the characters in Northanger Abbey are just not as developed compared to Austen's other books.  However, without comparing it to Austen's other works I found it entertaining and a great quick read.  

This time reading it I noticed more of the author's humor and wit.  I discovered how satirical the book really is and just how increasingly ridiculous the plot becomes.  Austen seems to be making fun of the numerous Gothic romances that were being written at that time, and made this book into a farce of that specific genre.  I really did not connect with the main character Catherine and found her to be an ordinary character with nothing really remarkable about her.  Yet, I suppose that is how the book is supposed to be written, with a character that is completely normal.  Though the characters in the book are at times obnoxious, the plot is amusing and well written.  I did like how exaggerated things are a times, and how the characters all seem a little quirky.

In my own opinion this book is interesting and charming. An easy read that is overall meant to be fun and lighthearted.  I am glad I reread it and actually understood the humor, instead of the first time where I just sat the annoyed at the characters!

Week 3: A Bitter Truth by Charles Todd

So this week I read a book that is the third of a series, however you can read it as a stand alone.  The book is part of the Bess Crawford Mystery Series. The series is written by Charles Todd and possibly his mother... I don't know for sure. The books are easy reads and very enjoyable.  I am usually not a huge mystery fan so the fact that I like these are unusual!

Bess Crawford is the main character in the books.  She is a nurse serving in France during World War I.  The book itself is awesome because it keeps the read entertained and has a good plot line.  Bess is an amazing nurse that has compassion, duty, and energy as her main attributes which make for a very developed character.  She is truthful and fun but is not scared to stand her ground.  It is also historically accurate for the most part, which is important for me as a reader.  

The book is about Bess returning to England while on leave during Christmas time.  She stumbles across a woman that desperately needs shelter and ends up getting wrapped up in the affairs of the women.  As events unravel she becomes a suspect in a murder and is put under house arrest.  Bess then goes through the rest of the book attempting to figure out who the murderer is, and why it occurred in the first place.  It is an amazing book to curl up on the couch and read with a cup of tea!!! 

Last few comments... The other books in the series are very good as well.  The first and fifth I especially enjoyed!  I believe there are seven books in the series and I still have not read half of them!  So with that being said expect a few more of these over the course of the year!  There are a few short stories that are also part of the series which I would also suggest.  All in all I could not recommend a mystery series that I like better than this one! 

P.S. I just figured out how to do pictures!! Yay!!!!!

Week 2:Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Not going to lie, but Treasure Island is one of my all time favorite books! I love the story and all the swashbucklingness! (Yes, I made that word up!) It is one of my favorites probably because the first time I read this story I was on a train going across the country.  I was on a mini and far less dangerous sort of adventure! So when I read this book at home, in my chair, with my tea, I did not know quite what to expect, or if it would be as thrilling!

I reread this book because I did not really remember all the little details and wanted to decided if it truly had a place in my top five! I think it still does because for me it is one of those books that bring you to a distant place far away. Yet you may be able to find an island like it somewhere in the world! The adventure is really what makes you want to read the book.  Jim Hawkins is always up to something, and makes risky but brilliant decisions! The whole book is full of rouges, that you somehow get a soft spot for, and wish they may become good.  It makes you realize what greed and fear can do to a person.

One last thought... if you have ever wanted to be a pirate then this book will give you a great look at just what you need to do to become one! All you need to do are three easy steps: first learn "Yo Ho HO and a Bottle of Rum," then get a pirate map, and lastly find a ship! Good luck with your pirating!

Week 1: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This week the book I read is called The Book Thief,  by Markus Zusak. I really enjoyed this book because of its beautiful writing style, plot, and details.  The writing style was quite hard for me to understand at first but once I got the hang of it I loved it!!! Mr. Zusak wrote the book marvelously!

The story itself is sad but beautiful.  I really enjoyed how invested you become in the characters but are never surprised by the outcome.  He tells you everything about the end midway through the book! This oddly enough does not take away any of the suspense.  In fact you are almost more in suspense because you want to find out why the events all happen. I also enjoyed that the narrator is Death, it is such an interesting view point to write/read from!

I would highly suggest this book to anyone looking for an amazing story!

Starting the Challenge

Hello! To begin I would like to say I have no idea how to write a blog or how to even start one... So this beginning part may be a little awkward.  But I have been told often enough that I am slightly awkward, so that is nothing new!  :) Also I would like to say good luck to those that may read this and I am so sorry for my atrocious spelling and sentence structure! I never was a good writer and was not an English Major in college. With all that being said I shall start this blog with a small introduction.

Starting on January 1st, I decided to read a book a week for the whole year.  I did the same challenge last year and was successful, but didn't actually write a list of the books... much to my dismay now!  So this year I have decided to write my list on here and hopefully be able to remember the books that I read.  I will surely be biased about some of the books I read and apologize for that, but hey it happens to the best of us! As for this weeks book, I am half way through The Book Thief and will write a blog about it sometime in the next few days! Until next time!!!