christianreader | My June reads

Anthony Trollope - The Way We Live Now 3,5/5
A classic about the rise and fall of the great financier Mr. Melmotte in 1870s London and all those who are influenced by him.

It took me aaaages to get through this one, more than 2 months to be precise. I couldn't read very fast because I found it rather boring, the talk about money and politics. And also, there were very few characters I found sympathetic or I could identify with. Though I must say, Trollope writes good, realistic female characters for a 19th century writer.

Kiera Cass - The selection 4/5
First part of a YA series set in a world with a caste system where the wife of the crown prince Maxon is chosen in a 'reality tv-show' setting. America Singer is chosen to be one of 30 girls to meet the prince though her heart actually lies with her neighbour Aspen, but he is of a lower caste then her.

I heard so much about this series all over the 'blogosphere' and finally these books are in my library! It's a cute read with a great heroine and sweet romance. Though I did think the world-building was not very strong, but maybe this will be better in the next parts.

Clare Clark - We that are left 3/5
The big manor house of Ellinghurst, family home of the Melville's, faces changes during and after WWI as the heir of the family dies in the trenches and the Melville daughters, Phyllis and Jessica, craft a life for themselves away from home.

This was a very dreary and sad novel, maybe the novel with the least spark of hope that I've read in a long while. It had some important things to say about the fall of the landed gentry after WWI and the emancipation of women and the writing was quite beautiful, but over it all hung such a gloom that I couldn't really enjoy it.

Andi Teran - Ana of California 4/5
In this modern retelling of Anne of Green Gables, Ana Cortez is an orphan of Mexican descent who is running out of chances. When her caseworker offers her an internship on a farm, Ana grabs it with both hands. But her life in the small town of Hadley at the farm of brother and sister Emmet and Abbie Garber will be much more than just and internship.

I really liked this retelling which was way more gritty, but still had all the warmth and hope of the original. Set in a quaint rural town in Northern California, this is a touching story about finding a place to belong.

I'm hosting a giveaway for this novel here. It's running until Tuesday, so if you're interested go and enter!

Books read in June: 4
Books read in 2015: 24