My April reads
May. 4th, 2014 10:59 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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christianreaderGeorge Eliot - Romola 3/5
Oh dear, what a chore it was to get through this book. It actually took me over a month to read this classic about a time of political unrest in Renaissance Florence and an intelligent young woman (Romola) married to a very unworthy man.
I do normally like Eliot's work, but this one was just sooo dry. Whole chapters of political and historical discussions and a small amount of plot and characters for such a big novel. I do think I also liked it less because it took place in a country and during a time in history I'm less interested in. I mean, Felix Holt was also rather heavy on the political front, but because it took part in 19th century Brittain, I was naturally more easily interested. But that one also had better characters, in my opinion!
Hester Browne - The vintage girl 4/5
Evie Nicholson works in an antique shop, but gets the chance of a lifetime when she's asked to value the family heirlooms in a Scottish castle. And when she meets the gruff, but handsome heir to the castle ánd gets invited to the yearly ball, she believes all her dreams are about to come true!
A sweet and funny chick flick set in a lovely Scottish settings. Throw in snow, dance lessons, a clumsy heroine and heirlooms with a story to tell and you've got a great relaxing read.
Rachel Hore - The gathering storm 3,5/5
After her father's passing, Lucy Cardwell has been reading through his papers and discovers he was looking for an uncle she never knew he had. She visits the town he grew up in and meets with an old woman who new her grandmother and has a fascinating story to tell about growing up in 1930's Cornwall.
I've read and enjoyed many of Rachel Hore's books, but felt this one was below par. Like all of her books, the story moves between the past and the present but in here the past played a much bigger part. This meant the present day story of Lucy felt rushed and underdeveloped. I also found the 1930's story just a tad boring and maybe unbelievable? Still, especially the last 1/3 of the novel was really exciting and told about very interesting historical happenings.
Linda Yellin - What Nora knew 3/5
Recently divorced Molly Halberg is assigned to write a piece about modern day romance in the style of Nora Ephron (producer of romcoms such as You've got mail and Sleepless in Seattle). But Molly has become a cynic when it comes to romance and she messes up her piece big time.
This one was a bit messy and I didn't really like the main character Molly. I also didn't buy the main romance, it wasn't developed enough in my opinion. But the insight into modern day romance and dating practices were interesting and the writing was quite funny.
Diane Moody - Tea with Emma 2,5/5
Two friends want to start a Jane Austen style tearoom in Austin, Texas. One of the girls has a character quite like Emma Woodhouse, which brings her into trouble with those around her.
I downloaded this free novella some time ago. The story idea is really great in my opinion, but it had some of the faults you see in many novellas: underdeveloped characters, insta-love etc. I also thought the faith part (this is a Christian novella) was a bit heavy handed. Lastly, there was a weird (fictional?) introduction part about how the author had decided to write this book.
Jennifer Worth - Call the Midwife 4/5
One of the trilogy of books the great BBC series of the same name is based on. Jennifer Worth describes her experiences as a young midwife in the slums of London during the '50s.
I love the series Call the Midwife, so really wanted to read the books it was based on. I recognized many of the stories from the series, but they were described in more detail in the book. Also in quite intimate details, when it came to bodily functions I found. I don't mind that personally, but it might not be for everyone. You don't get to know the other midwives, Jenny's colleagues as well in this book as in the series, which was a pity. But Jennifer's writing voice is very good and this is just an allround intriguing topic.
Marissa Meyer - Cress 5/5
A great third part in the Lunar chronicles by Marissa Meyer. We properly meet Cress in this book, the Rapunzel-like character and I loved her! She was so funny and sweet, but also stronger than everyone thought. I also loved the way the main story moved on in this book and the character development of Cinder. There was excitement, romance, friendship and great world building, this is just a wonderful series!
Books read in April: 7
Books read in 2014: 23
Oh dear, what a chore it was to get through this book. It actually took me over a month to read this classic about a time of political unrest in Renaissance Florence and an intelligent young woman (Romola) married to a very unworthy man.
I do normally like Eliot's work, but this one was just sooo dry. Whole chapters of political and historical discussions and a small amount of plot and characters for such a big novel. I do think I also liked it less because it took place in a country and during a time in history I'm less interested in. I mean, Felix Holt was also rather heavy on the political front, but because it took part in 19th century Brittain, I was naturally more easily interested. But that one also had better characters, in my opinion!
Hester Browne - The vintage girl 4/5
Evie Nicholson works in an antique shop, but gets the chance of a lifetime when she's asked to value the family heirlooms in a Scottish castle. And when she meets the gruff, but handsome heir to the castle ánd gets invited to the yearly ball, she believes all her dreams are about to come true!
A sweet and funny chick flick set in a lovely Scottish settings. Throw in snow, dance lessons, a clumsy heroine and heirlooms with a story to tell and you've got a great relaxing read.
Rachel Hore - The gathering storm 3,5/5
After her father's passing, Lucy Cardwell has been reading through his papers and discovers he was looking for an uncle she never knew he had. She visits the town he grew up in and meets with an old woman who new her grandmother and has a fascinating story to tell about growing up in 1930's Cornwall.
I've read and enjoyed many of Rachel Hore's books, but felt this one was below par. Like all of her books, the story moves between the past and the present but in here the past played a much bigger part. This meant the present day story of Lucy felt rushed and underdeveloped. I also found the 1930's story just a tad boring and maybe unbelievable? Still, especially the last 1/3 of the novel was really exciting and told about very interesting historical happenings.
Linda Yellin - What Nora knew 3/5
Recently divorced Molly Halberg is assigned to write a piece about modern day romance in the style of Nora Ephron (producer of romcoms such as You've got mail and Sleepless in Seattle). But Molly has become a cynic when it comes to romance and she messes up her piece big time.
This one was a bit messy and I didn't really like the main character Molly. I also didn't buy the main romance, it wasn't developed enough in my opinion. But the insight into modern day romance and dating practices were interesting and the writing was quite funny.
Diane Moody - Tea with Emma 2,5/5
Two friends want to start a Jane Austen style tearoom in Austin, Texas. One of the girls has a character quite like Emma Woodhouse, which brings her into trouble with those around her.
I downloaded this free novella some time ago. The story idea is really great in my opinion, but it had some of the faults you see in many novellas: underdeveloped characters, insta-love etc. I also thought the faith part (this is a Christian novella) was a bit heavy handed. Lastly, there was a weird (fictional?) introduction part about how the author had decided to write this book.
Jennifer Worth - Call the Midwife 4/5
One of the trilogy of books the great BBC series of the same name is based on. Jennifer Worth describes her experiences as a young midwife in the slums of London during the '50s.
I love the series Call the Midwife, so really wanted to read the books it was based on. I recognized many of the stories from the series, but they were described in more detail in the book. Also in quite intimate details, when it came to bodily functions I found. I don't mind that personally, but it might not be for everyone. You don't get to know the other midwives, Jenny's colleagues as well in this book as in the series, which was a pity. But Jennifer's writing voice is very good and this is just an allround intriguing topic.
Marissa Meyer - Cress 5/5
A great third part in the Lunar chronicles by Marissa Meyer. We properly meet Cress in this book, the Rapunzel-like character and I loved her! She was so funny and sweet, but also stronger than everyone thought. I also loved the way the main story moved on in this book and the character development of Cinder. There was excitement, romance, friendship and great world building, this is just a wonderful series!
Books read in April: 7
Books read in 2014: 23
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Date: 2014-05-04 10:27 pm (UTC)The Vintage Girl sounds adorable! I will add it to my list!
I've heard good things about the Call the Midwife books but never had the guts to read them myself.
I'm so, so glad you enjoyed Cress after such a long wait!!!
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Date: 2014-05-05 09:12 pm (UTC)Hmm, the wait for Cress was quite long, but the wait for Winter will be even longer....
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Date: 2014-05-06 01:39 am (UTC)Ugh, the wait is going to be impossible!!! I don't know how we're going to survive!!