Review: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

ISBN #: 978-0-452-29672-5 (se)
Page Count: 312
Copyright: 2009

About the Author:

(Taken from author's website)

"I was born in 1962 and grew up in Washington, DC. I have a BA in English from Oberlin College, Ohio, and an MA in creative writing from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England. I have lived in London for over 20 years, and am married, with one son. I was a reference book editor for several years before turning to writing full-time. My second novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring, won the Barnes and Noble Discover Award. It has sold almost 4 million copies worldwide and was made into a film starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson."
To view more about the author and Remarkable Creatures, you can visit the author's site here.

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

From the moment she's struck by lightning as a baby, it is clear Mary Anning is different.  Though poor and uneducated, she learns on the windswept, fossil-strewn beaches of the English coast that she has a unique gift: "the eye" to spot fossils no one else can see.  When she uncovers an unusual fossilized skeleton in the cliffs near her home, she sets the religious community on edge, the townspeople to gossip - and the scientific world alight with both admiration and controversy.  Prickly Elizabeth Philpot, a middle-class spinster and also a fossil hunter, becomes Mary Anning's unlikely champion and friend, and together they forge a path to some of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century.

My Review:

I received this book from FSB Media in exchange for an honest review.

The book is told in first-person, but by two different people which I found unique and enjoyable.  The two people, Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot, take turns telling the story one chapter after another.  I liked this because you don't get tired of only seeing one person's view of what's happening ... which can sometimes be narrow, depending on the character.

Despite their differences in age and status, they shared a unique common bond which forged them into friends.  I applauded Elizabeth for being Mary's champion and for becoming a confident independent woman, which wasn't easy in the 1800s.  I found myself cheering for Mary when she finally spoke her mind and stopped letting people take advantage of her.  I would have enjoyed befriending both Mary and Elizabeth had I been there.

The book itself was an intermediate read.  When I say that, I mean that, although there are only ten chapters and the font is easily readable, the chapters themselves can be a little lengthy for easy reading.  However, there are breaks within the chapters that one can pause at if they chose to.

Overall, the book was a definitely interesting and somewhat thought-provoking.  And while it was thought-provoking while reading it, I don't know that I'll think about it after this review.  I don't want to discourage others from reading this novel, because I think it would be worth their time.  It's just not something that I will read again anytime soon as once was sufficient for now.

Review: A Rush of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann

ISBN #: 978-0-7642-0845-4 (se)
Page Count: 382
Copyright: 2003 (Original); 2010 (This version)

About the Author:

(Taken from back cover)

Kristen Heitzmann is the bestselling author of seventeen novels, including Freefall, The Edge of Recall, and the Christy Award winner Secrets.  Kristen and her family live in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies.

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Though her panic is real, Noelle St. Claire is uncertain what danger she is fleeing.  Fragmented images and slivers of memory have driven her to abandon her wealthy, sheltered life in New York for the hope of a haven - remote and safe.

Noelle's arrival at the Rocky Mountain horse ranch owned by Rick Spencer and his brother Morgan causes more than a little stir.  Beautiful, vulnerable, yet strangely secretive, Noelle is an enigma the two contrasting brothers seek to unlock.  But as their attentions breach the wall she hides behind, the past becomes a menacing threat from which Noelle can no longer hide.

My Review:

I received a paperback copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.  If you would like to review books for Bethany House Publishers, you can click here to sign up.

I really enjoyed reading this novel.  The characters were well thought out, the storyline kept me guessing until almost the very end and there was just enough romantic elements to make it believable without being sappy.

One of the main characters, Noelle, was a New York socialite.  Because of her sheltered life, she can come across as being slightly uppity, but not overly so.  She is incredibly naive when it comes to the real world.  Then, due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, she ends up in Colorado where her eyes are opened, she opens herself up to her past and finds true love.

I really enjoyed the contrast of the two brothers, Morgan and Rick.  Morgan, with his devil-may-care attitude, is fun-loving and tends not to take anything too seriously.  He has money, but is so down-to-earth you would never even know it.  Rick, who is the serious one of the two, takes his responsibilities seriously.  He likes to have fun, but not by bar-hopping as Morgan is want to do.

Both brothers are drawn to Noelle, but for entirely different reasons.  For awhile, I thought I knew who Noelle was going to choose, but then the author flipped it up a little and had me guessing.  The way the love triangle plays out, though, is feasible and believable.  It was nice to see Rick lose some of his pious nature as well.

Overall, this book was a thoroughly enjoyable read.  It is not mainly a love story, but there is love in it.  I would say that this book is mainly about a young woman who has had traumatic experiences and ends up finding herself in a place that is in complete contrast with everything she knows.  She matures emotionally and mentally and is finally able to create her own persona.  By doing that, she has finally come to accept who she is, can now begin to work through what has happened to her and is stronger because of it.

Review: The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb by R. L. Stine

ISBN #: 0-590-45369-6 (se)
Page Count: 132
Copyright: 1993

Summary:

(Taken from back of book)

Gabe just got lost - in a pyramid.  One minute, his crazy cousin Sari was right ahead of him in the pyramid tunnel.  The next minute, she'd disappeared.

But Gabe isn't alone.  Someone else is in the pyramid, too.

Someone.  Or some thing.

Gabe doesn't believe in the curse of the mummy's tomb.  But that doesn't mean the curse isn't real.

Does it?

My Review:

This is the 5th book in the original Goosebumps series, which is #94 on the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000 - 2009.  The series was banned/challenged because of people complaining it was too scary for the targeted age group to read.

After reading this book, I would have to disagree with the complaints.  Yes, the book has a sense of mystery and suspense, but it is in no way scary.  Even though there is a kidnapping, curse and attempted murder in this book ... it is still not too scary for pre-teens to read.

I actually enjoyed this story, even though I did find it a little predictable.  Although, I am sure I found it predictable because of all the scary books I've read over the course of my life. =)

Happy Reading!

Review: Then Sings My Soul Special Edition by Robert J. Morgan

ISBN #: 978-0-7852-3182-0 (se)
Page Count: 310
Copyright: Portions of this book were originally copyrighted in 2003, 2004 and 2005

About the Author:

(Taken from inside back flap)

Robert J. Morgan, pastor of the Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, is the author of best-selling Then Sings My Soul (volumes 1 and 2), Come Let Us Adore Him, From This Verse, On This Day in Christian History, Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes, and The Red Sea Rules.  He conducts Bible conferences, parenting and marriage retreats, and leadership seminars across the country.

Rob is available for speaking engagements and may be contacted through his Web site.

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Is there a festive season of the year that is complete without one of your favorite hymns?  Not only do hymns connect you to great memories, but they also reveal the faith of those who lived throughout history.  As Robert Morgan explored the stories behind some of the best-loved hymns, he found fascinating accounts of tribulations, triumphs, struggles, and hope - ordinary people who connected with God in amazing ways, sharing their experiences through song.

Discover the inspiration behind your favorite hymns.  Find new favorites as you relate to the people whose walk of faith led them to write these classic songs of praise.  Share these stories with your family, friends, and church, and find more depth and meaning as you worship God through song.

My Review:

Growing up in a Pentecostal church, I've always loved hearing the old hymns sung.  So, when I saw that this book was available on the BookSneeze website for review, I took the opportunity to read it.  BookSneeze gladly sent it to me in exchange for my timely review.

I loved reading how many of these songs came to be.  Many of the stories were truly inspiring.  To think that some songs came about because of tragedy, love of a King, love of a child or from someone's own personal experience was often heartwarming.

I love the fact that not all the page edges were straight cut.  Some had a torn uneven look that was a welcome pleasant change.

As a fledgling pianist, I also love the fact that every song whose story was portrayed also had sheet music available within the book.  So, not only was I able to read this book, but I was able to play the songs within it as well!  I was in Heaven! =)

Overall, this book is a multi-tasker.  You are able to learn how your favorite hymns came to be while being able to play those hymns on a piano at the same time.  It was a lovely experience through time and music.

Review: Bending Toward the Sun by Leslie Gilbert-Lurie

ISBN #: 978-0-06-177672-4 (Softcover)
Page Count: 357
Copyright: 2010 (Softcover by Harper Perennial); 2009 (Hardcover by HarperCollins)

About the Author:

(Taken from inside book)

A writer, lawyer, and former executive at NBC, Leslie Gilbert-Lurie is a member and former president of the Los Angeles County Board of Education and a teacher of Holocaust studies.  A founding board member and past president of the nonprofit Alliance for Children's Rights, she has worked at a major Los Angeles law firm, served as a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals law clerk, and is a member of the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations, including the Los Angeles Music Center.  Leslie is a recipient of the American Jewish Congress's Tzedek Award for Outstanding Commitment to Civil Rights, Civil Liberties, and Justice, and the Alliance for Children's Rights Child Advocate of the Year Award.  She is also an honoree of the organization Facing History and Ourselves for her work as an author, educator, and child advocate.  She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband, two children, and stepson.

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

A miraculous lesson in courage and recovery, Bending Toward the Sun tells the story of a unique family bond forged in the wake of brutal terror.

Rita Lurie was five years old when she was forced to flee her home in Poland to hide from the Nazis in a cramped, dark attic with fourteen members of her family.  Young Rita watched her younger brother and her mother die before her eyes.  But the tragedy of the Holocaust was only the beginning of Rita's story.

Decades later, Rita's daughter Leslie began probing the traumatic events of her mother's childhood to discover how Rita's pain has affected not only Leslie's life and outlook but that of her own daughter, Mikaela, as well.  The result is Bending Toward the Sun, a collaboration between mother and daughter that brings together the stories of three generations of a family to understand the legacy that unites, inspires, and haunts them all.

To view Leslie's website concerning this book, click here.

My Review:

I received this book from FSB Media in exchange for my review.

I normally try to steer clear of historical recounts, but when I read the summary for Bending Toward the Sun on the FSB Media website, it intrigued me.  To actually read about what occurred to an actual survivor of a terrible historical event and how it affected her future generations was something I couldn't pass up ... and I'm glad I didn't.

We've all heard of the story of Anne Frank when we were in school.  While terrifying, her story has lost its affect on me.  This book has restored my awe of the horrific events of the Holocaust.  To live through a time where a leader as powerfully evil as Hitler is beyond my imagination.  Although anything is possible and something like that COULD happen again ... it's hard to picture it actually taking place.

Reading the accounts of three generations of women who are either directly or inadvertently affected by the Holocaust has been enlightening.  Even though Leslie and her daughter, Mikaela, were not alive during the time of the Holocaust, they have been genetically disposed to the fear with which Rita now lives her life.  I began to wonder ... "How many generations is it going to take until an offspring is born in their family without a fear of life?"

Yes, bad things happen to good people.  Yes, there are evil people who will use others' differences for their own personal selfish gain.  While I understand the fear Rita has acquired concerning living, I don't understand how a person could let that fear control them every day.  My not understanding undoubtedly lies in the fact that I've not lived through a horrific event parallel to the Holocaust.  Or, in the fact that my immediate family has never lived through such an event.

In essence, this book has opened my eyes and given me a deeper look into and a deeper understanding of the Holocaust victims.  It has also reaffirmed my belief that we should never judge a person by how they look on the outside.  We should treat EVERYONE, no matter the race, color or religion, with respect because we never know what they've been through or what they're currently going through.  In the immortal words of John Lennon, "Give Peace a Chance."