Review: The Secret of Big A by Ofra Peled

The Secret of Big A by Ofra Peled
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I read children’s books I do it with my own children in mind. Now granted, they were kids 40 years ago, so things might be different now. But with that in mind as I read this I found myself a little bored. I know. That is a surprise as this stars reading and beaches. That should have won me over, but I couldn’t see my kids liking it or wanting to read it over and over. There seems to be a lot of positive feedback on this book so it’s just me, I guess. I hope everyone else loves it.

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Review: Acorna’s Quest by Anne McCaffrey

Acorna’s Quest by Anne McCaffrey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It has been a couple months since I finished reading this book. I must admit to not remembering much about it at all. I’m currently reading the next book in the series and so I’m confusing the storylines.

As much as I loved Anne McCaffrey’s dragon books, the Unicorn Girl series is less about the Unicorn Girl than it is about people who want to use or abuse said star of the books. As much as I love space travel books, this was more about bad guys and good guys who happen to know the girl while in space or on other planets. So sad.

I was fortunate enough about a decade ago to buy first editions of the hardbacks of a lot of McCaffrey books. But now that I have the time, my eyes have a hard time with printed tomes. I bought this Kindle version to aid in my reading. I wish there had been an Audible version as it might have helped.

Just to encourage those stuck in this book, the next in the series does give you a bit more time with the Unicorn people. I hope I haven’t discouraged readers of this series. Keep on and find the good parts and hang on. We need fantasy/sci-fi to escape the noise of our every day lives stuck on Earth.

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Review: Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As I just wrote on the Kindle version on GoodReads, I found the text-to-speech didn’t work for me. I had an Audible credit sitting there when my friend recommended this book so I pick this up. The Kindle and the Audible didn’t synch up so I gave up trying to read while listening and just listened.

The story didn’t grab me as much as the narrator’s voice and her ability to characterize the whole story. It took me a longer time than books usually take but I felt I needed to soak Nadia May’s storytelling in. She was fantastic. I could see the story as if I were watching it in a movie. It might make a fun movie.

Since this was the Victorian British Isles, the history of women shows. It shows how far we’ve come and yet how far we need to go until there would be real equality. Even the title represents the ownership of fathers and husbands. Yet it is a good example that young women today should read and take their time to soak in why many modern women are still not happy with our positions in life.

Still, just as a story it is fun. Often I would get bored with it and then Nadia May’s voice and excitement would pull me back in. I’m glad I read it. Give it a try.

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Review: The Moon Sisters by Therese Walsh

The Moon Sisters by Therese Walsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finished this ages ago. Mid-summer, I think. I still remember liking it. Though I have no sisters, I felt I could relate to both of the sisters’ points of view. As the oldest of three siblings, I had to be the responsible one taking care of the younger brothers, who were often caused their share of problems. On the other hand, I felt like the other sister in that music notes, words on paper, even how I hear words seem to be colored or animated or textured in some way that I know isn’t how normal people see/hear things. I’ve never been diagnosed as it never was a problem. It just added layers to my understanding of the world. So I quickly identified with both sisters.

It was fun that the more disabled of the sisters starts the adventure for both of them. It is unnerving for the reader to think that the one considered blind leads the way to hop the train.

For me, as I ‘read’ using text-to-speech, it was hard to know whose view I was seeing. I soon learned to take the time and read the chapter titles as that helped. After I got to know each of the characters, I didn’t need the reference so much. The characters were well developed.

The way the trip brings to mind the siblings history gave meat to what could have been just a joy-ride.

I don’t want to give any spoilers so I will just say, this is a fun book that I think many should read and enjoy.

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Catching Up Pre-NaNo

Just a peek into my last few months,

In the next few posts, I will try to share all the books I’ve read and the things I’ve made over the summer until the current  WIP. Since my son moved in and we now have a truck we go shopping a lot which takes days if not weeks to recover from. The ride over the hills is rough no matter what vehicle you use, it seems.

Most recently we took a trip to Reno to visit friends and family. It was due to a family member who was to go into surgery. But that didn’t happen. Instead, it became more visit for fun than support. The truck is supposed to be a club cab but only if you are very miniature people–or luggage. So only two of us get to ride at a time. Good thing there is a good CD player.  But the trip wore us out anyways.

I have been adding to my collection by more oldies and goodies. First of all, they are cheaper by far, but also because I want these just in case my memory goes away. Music will bring me back. At least that’s my theory. New ones include John Denver, The Supremes, Michael Jackson (Thriller, the main call to my soul, still gives me chills and creeps me out!) I know there are others but I am too tired to get up and find my CD carrier and confirm. And, I have a million reviews to write and knitting to share so… That’s all you get for now.

Oh, I’ve been binging the usuals as the living room TV doesn’t get real TV and I try to be in the LR to knit. This moment nearing the end of season six of Game of Thrones (Battle of the Bastards.) I watch everything, the commentary is after the actual and then deleteds and other features. I’m thorough. Walking Dead is next and I’m on the next to last season. I do watch the current seasons, so I do know that this is Rick’s last show this next Sunday. I’m curious to see what happens next. I love long series shows. My son is making me watch Breaking Bad soon. Not sure how I will feel as I don’t see a reason to glorify drug dealers no matter what their circumstances–others have had similar and worse situations and didn’t go there.

Okay, so this is all the set up I would normally put in my book reviews but Amazon wants purer reviews than I like to write to keep myself informed when I read them in the future. I think what is going on in my life bleeds into my reading experience. If life is uncomfortable I get bored or angry with certain kinds of books. If it is exciting I get bored with books easily, too. So … Get ready!

Accounting for Precious Time

Where have I been since mid-August? Here it is mid-October. Basically, I’ve been MIA for two months.

I was enjoying Summer. Barefeet. Shorts. Warmth. Less pain. Knitting and reading continued. Writing and sharing didn’t. Sorry. I’ll talk more about all this later.

This is my first Stream of Consciousness Saturday for ages and I must go with the flow.

There is a reason that I hate shutting my curtains at the end of the day. Even though family members comment that everyone can see in and isn’t it creepy. Here is what I see right out my window.

It’s hard to decide whether the Season 6 disk 2 episode one, the lack of light, or that beautiful sunset needs my attention most. Course as I’m writing it has already happened. The light is on, the curtains pulled and watching Meg attempting to leave to find Glenn to tell him she’s pregnant as the whole community of Alexandria falls.

Yes, summer was full of binges. Game of Thrones, again, This is Us, Orange is the New Black, Wentworth, and so much more!

All the time knitting. Needle knitting and loom knitting. I have two going on three bags full of toys and hats to give to Hat Huggers. I think I took a picture of everything so far so I will share with you soon.

My husband’s shoulder (broken nearly a couple years ago January) was causing trouble so many trips (an hour and a half each way) to the doctor’s and ER. Seems it is nerve damage. But all these trips take it right out of me. It would be okay, but the road up and over the hills is so rough that neither of us could handle it without painkillers. And for days we find we have no energy. By the way, even my (40 something) son has these issues with that trip. We did a shopping day on Wednesday and find, even today, there is no energy and we are still hurting. If only they could get those roads smoother it might make that all more bearable.

Oh… NaNo. How many of you are planning to do this? I want to. I usually do it. SO I figured if I got busy writing here I might be ready for 1,667 words daily in a couple weeks. YIKES! A couple weeks!

SoCS is brought to us by Linda G. Hill. Thanks for so many fun ways to jump (back) into blogging, Linda!