What to Read After Twilight

(click on the image to enlarge)

I've been on a month long vacation and will return home next week - and hopefully have some good reviews to post; including my Edward vs. Jacob list - I re-read the series last week.

In the mean time I found this pamphlet at the local library today...does anyone else go to libraries on vacation? It just must be something I do - but when you are in a place for 5 weeks, what else is there to check out?

I think this had some really good suggestions - they are mostly Young Adult. I've read about 12 on the list - not including the entire Harry Potter series. I can't wait to check out some more!

The Host

The Host

Stephenie Meyer

3 1/2 Stars

I am a little disappointed with this book. I am not sure what I expected but this book was not it. I am not going to spoil everything, but I cannot guarantee that this is spoiler free.

One - it took me a long time to get into the story and plot. About 300 pages to be exact. I don't like turning a book down and not finishing it so I just kept telling myself to give it another 100 pages. The plot really picks up for the second half but I really struggled during the first part.

Two - Characters and development. I had a hard time falling in love with Jared. I know Melanie was in love with Jared before the book began, but Wanderer wasn't and before I knew it and before many memories, she was in love with him. I felt no connect to Jared and then wham, she was in love with him. Seemed a little fast for me. Then we met Jared - and he was so mean to her. I really had a hard time with this as well.

Three - The book really seemed similar to the Uglies series to me. I kept thinking Uglies over and over. I don't know if anyone else that has read that series and this book feels the same, but that is how it felt to me. Uglies was an interesting read, but not my favorite.

Four - I did love Ian, he was so gentle and kind and came around a lot faster at the beginning then the others. I was so sad for him near the end I wanted to cry. I was so mad at Jared and Melanie for taking over. It took only a few pages later and I was happy again for Ian.

Five - The ending, a little strange. I was predicting this from the beginning what would happen and it was just a matter of time until they all figured it out. It is the only way that everyone could have been happy. A little strange, a little unnerving, but again, the only way we all got a happy ending. (I actually thought it would be Kyle's girl, but I was happy with that ending as well.)

So there you have it- I would recommend reading it, just know that it's slow to begin with. It's not my favorite Stephenie Meyer book, but it's a good book.

The Women of Pemberley

The Women of Pemberley
Rebecca Ann Collins
4 Stars

I really loved the first book in this series, Pemberley Chronicles. I thought it was well written and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second book in the series. And while I did enjoy this book, I felt it wasn’t as good as the first. I had a really hard time keeping track of the characters, who they were, how they were related, the development of what they liked. I really almost drew myself a family tree half way through the book so I could keep track. (There actually is a list in the back of the book, but I need a tree, not a list.)

Besides the fact that I had a hard time keeping track of the cousins, friends and children, I did enjoy the book for the most part. I did get a little bored with all the political and historical content that the author included. I know this was an important part of time and a big part of their lives, but I would get a history book if I wanted to learn more about this.

I did love how each chapter was about a different “women of pemberley.” I preferred this to just normal chapters. I also thought some of the outcomes were a bit predictable. I rushed through the second half of the book because a book I was excited about reading had just been released. Maybe with more time I could have fallen more in love with the book.

I would totally recommend this book though. I thought it was cute, not as good as the first but a good, clean book and I’m glad I read it.

Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park

Jane Austen

4 Stars

Short and sweet summary - after starting and abandoning Mansfield Park in February I was finally able to pick it back up and finish it. It is by far not my favorite Jane Austen novel and I have to admit I prefer the movie to the book – which is rare.

I recommend it, but it is a slower moving novel.

Girls who like reading

I have a new site that has just started. Girls Who Like Reading will be more a place that a few of us can discuss books. There are a few contributors on the list, but if you are interested please let me know. I want to keep the contributor number small so we can have a nice small "book clubish" feel. Hopefully it will be a fun site for ideas from some really fun girls that I know.

I am still updating this blog as well, it's my personal journal of the books that I read.

The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl
Philippa Gregory
3 Stars

I know lots of people rave about this movie and the book, but personally I have to say, I was disappointed. I finished this book and had to sit on it a few days before writing my opinion on it down and I think that it boils down to this – it was a little too racy for my taste. The book I read previous to The Other Boleyn Girl is a great sequel series to Pride and Prejudice that is written in a voice very true to Jane Austen. I jumped from sophisticated, respectful, romantic hand-holding scenes to King Henry the VIII, who graphically gets any woman he wants, any way he wants, married, young or old.

The Other Boleyn Girl is the story of Mary Boleyn, sister to Anne Boleyn, who is Henry VIII’s second wife out of 6. Married at 12, Mary finds herself falling in love with the King of England who has caught her eye. Her family uses her to gain positions and power until she is asked to let her sister take over her role. The plot thickens with pregnancies, miscarriages, children, deaths, marriages, and relationships are added to the book.

One thing that I did find interesting about this book was how sad it made me feel for women during the 1500’s in England. It was a complex time period for religion, government, families. I felt so sad for Mary and the things that she was ordered to do by parents and her families – ones that should have loved and cared for her and her well being. I felt sorry for both the children born to the King and the mothers in the story. They weren’t able to be with their children and when Anne had her daughter I wanted so badly for someone to love her, but no one did.

I disliked Anne more than I disliked Henry VIII. She was smart, manipulative and power hungry. Sisterhood meant nothing to her and she would do anything for any cost to get what she wanted.

I do think that Philippa Gregory took a part of history and made it into an interesting story. It was a page turner and very hard to put down. You can read about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn by clicking here. I would only recommend this book with an err of caution – it has very graphic racy scenes. I think for myself I’ll stick closer to Jane Austen books when I’m looking for English historical fiction.

Suspense and Sensibility

Suspense and Sensibility

Carrie Bebris

3 1/2 stars

Short, cute and a little predictable. That is what I would say about this whole story if I had to describe it in a few short words.

Bebris has published 3 Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery books and while I read them out of order, I have now read all three. Some of the plots seem a little far-fetched but they are mystery's and I suppose you can make anything go when you are writing a mystery.

I would recommend them if any one is looking for a weekend book. I've picked up all three of mine at the library and totally think they are worth picking up if you can borrow them or get them cheap on Amazon. I am not sure if I could re-read them, not that I think they were bad books, they were cute and were super clean (one of the main reasons I don't re-read) but I know the end - plus the ends are somewhat predictable in the first place.

In a nut-shell Suspense and Sensibility's plot has to do with Kitty and her soon to be husband. The Darcy's help her figure it out.

The Pemberley Chronicles

The Pemberley Chronicles
4 ½ stars
Rebecca Ann Collins

Preface: Wow. I started this book immediately after finishing re-reading the Harry Potter series and while I loved this book in the end, it took a day or two for me to get with the pace of things and not expect anyone to pull a wand from their pocket and stun someone. Can you imagine that? Mr. Darcy with a wand. Funny, but true.

If you love Pride and Prejudice and love Jane Austen novels you will not be disappointed with The Pemberley Chronicles. I think that this is one of the only novels I have read that really stayed true to Austen’s style and voice.

The first half of the book was really slow moving for me but had very good character development. I enjoyed seeing some of the extended Bennett family and friends develop. Part two of the story had much more of interesting story lines to follow and moved much faster for me. It was during part two of this story that I fell in love with this story and decided I really needed to find The Women of Pemberley, the second book of the series.

There was a lot of political history in this book. Some parts were very interesting, while at other times I found myself skimming through those passages.

I recommend this book to anyone and know I will find myself re-reading it over again. I literally laughed out loud at parts and cried over passages as well.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J.K. Rowling
5 stars

NOTE: This review will contain spoilers. If by chance you are the few that haven't read the series yet, you can read my spoiler free review by clicking HERE. I must add though, if you haven't read Harry Potter you are totally missing so much by just watching the movies - read them, they are really worth the time!

Spoiler:

This book is awesome. I could read and reread so many times and I don't think I would tire of it. I know some people were very disappointed with the ending and the prologue, but I wasn't sad at all with how they all grew up. Of course Harry had to marry Ginny after book six. It seems like there were also big discussions about how Ron wasn't good enough for Hermione, but I don't think that at all. I think Ron and Hermione remind me of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in a way. I also heard a lot of talk about how Harry should have become Minster of Magic, I don't agree, I am sure he had enough fame for a lifetime.

I know it sounds crazy, but I want to cry for Snape each time I read the part where he dies. I have to re-read it just to make sure he really is dead and I am so sad for him after reading all he has done and seeing his memories. He really did love Lilly and loved Harry too.

Neville is such a stud killing the snake in the ending fight scene. I think it's great that he used the coins to call everyone back and he was the one that found a way back into the school. Way to go Neville! I love it and of course it only makes sense that he becomes a professor at Hogwarts in the end.

Draco, Draco, Draco. I am so glad that Harry feels sorry for him in the end and ends up saving his life a few times during that final fight. What a poor family, I really just feel bad for them. However, one redeeming thing was done by them - it was Draco's mother that lied to Voldemort in the forest and told him that Harry really was dead.

I think one of the saddest parts of the entire book, and most people will agree is when Fred dies. Poor George. I loved these two.

I think the whole King's Cross chapter is a little "strange" (I lack for a better word), but according to the plot that Rowlings weaved, it had to happen that way. It was interesting, I'm not sure what else to say about it.

Book seven is amazing and each time I finish it I have to take a week off reading before I start anything else, or else every character in my new book I imagine with wands and magic powers. I cry each time I read it and I always have the desire to close the book after reading and then open it back up and start all over. I believe that is what makes great literature. I think J.K. Rowling really succeeded.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
J.K. Rowling
5 stars

When I first read this book I seriously was left with way more questions than answers. I was thoroughly confused and couldn’t wait for the seventh book to come out. I read it and re-read it a few times. Now that I’ve been able to finish the entire series, I really enjoyed this book. It’s no wonder that it took Rowlings so many years to create this complex world of Harry Potter and weave and design the story just so. It amazes me each time I read it.

I think the biggest question when you read this book is about Snape – is he good or bad? I still have such a hard time liking him a lot, even knowing the ending. I do feel sad for him. This story also is the first time I really start to feel sad for the Malfoy family, I was so sad for Draco and so happy at the same time that in the end he really didn’t have it in him to be such a bad person.

I also enjoy this book because of the romance involved in it between Harry and Ginny. Finally! Ginny waited so long to get Harry attention and I really think they are the perfect couple.

The ending of this book always makes me cry...and my husband always makes fun of me for it, but I don’t care. I cry at the end when Harry leaves Ginny. I also cry because I love Dumbledore so much. I love that he lets Harry grow and figure out problems on his own. I love his wisdom and lectures from previous books. I have to admit I am rather sad and disappointed with what Rowling had to say about Dumbledore after all the books were released. I saw nothing that pointed to this and love the stories without that worldly addition.