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vhenderson93's reviews
512 reviews
1984 by George Orwell
4.0
I needed a happy ending. If I had read this book at any other year, during any other point in America's history I wouldn't have felt so deeply about this book and the need for some form hope for the future. I don't want to spoil the outcome. I won't say if I was encouraged or crushed when I closed this book for the last time. However I will say that 1984 is here. Censorship is alive and well. Big Brother is not just some fictional idea. I could go on but if you're awake then you understand what I'm saying.
If this was my personal copy I would have highlighted, circled and underlined so many quotes.
Do I recommend this? Not for young audiences. There were more adult situations than I usually tolerate but believe it or not, to some degree it added to the whole message of the book.
If this was my personal copy I would have highlighted, circled and underlined so many quotes.
Do I recommend this? Not for young audiences. There were more adult situations than I usually tolerate but believe it or not, to some degree it added to the whole message of the book.
Wrath of the Dragon King by Brandon Mull
5.0
After reading the first book in the new Dragonwatch series, I couldn't wait to read the second book. I was not disappointed at all!
The stakes are dangerously high in this book and things seem to go from bad to worse with each passing chapter. My absolute favorite part was that Kendra and Seth actully had to venture outside DURING a festival night! I know that's probably evil of me to enjoy that, but I find the festival nights very intriguing. There were so many plot twists that it kept me on the edge of my seat.
And that ending!!! Oh man! If you haven't read any of Brandon Mull's books, you're really missing out!
The stakes are dangerously high in this book and things seem to go from bad to worse with each passing chapter. My absolute favorite part was that Kendra and Seth actully had to venture outside DURING a festival night! I know that's probably evil of me to enjoy that, but I find the festival nights very intriguing. There were so many plot twists that it kept me on the edge of my seat.
And that ending!!! Oh man! If you haven't read any of Brandon Mull's books, you're really missing out!
Portside Peril by Hope Callaghan
4.0
After devouring the first book in the series, I was eager to start the second one. Normally I decide how well I really liked a book by how quickly I finish it. A book that I can't put down means it has my full attention and interest. While I enjoyed this book very much, I was able to put it away for a few days without really missing it.
The plot was good and the mystery had me guessing up to the end who the murderer was. I do wish that it would have taken Cat longer to befriend Millie. I think that would have added to the drama. And let me just say, I'm not much of a dog person...
If you enjoy cozy mysteries and adventures out at sea, don't pass up this series!
The plot was good and the mystery had me guessing up to the end who the murderer was. I do wish that it would have taken Cat longer to befriend Millie. I think that would have added to the drama. And let me just say, I'm not much of a dog person...
If you enjoy cozy mysteries and adventures out at sea, don't pass up this series!
Little Boy Lost by Eric Hobbs
3.0
After downloading the sample on Kindle, I knew I had to read the rest of it! It was an exciting and quick read. I did notice some of it went fast and it was difficult to grasp what was happening and I had to read it a few times to make sense of it. I loved the ending and am intrigued to check out the second book of the series.
The Meltdown by Jeff Kinney
3.0
These books never get old and I don't think the author will ever run out of material for the series.
Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne
4.0
This was such an intense and exciting read. I enjoyed following along on the perilous journey deep beneath the crust of the Earth. I often found myself wondering if the trip is actually possible and if others have tried it.
As for the characters, I really felt for Henry when he had to deal with his determined and stubborn uncle. Even in the bleakest times, he kept going, never wavering. He said numerous times, "While there is life there is hope." Let me say, if I had to take the journey, I would want to travel with Hans. He was a constant help and never once questioned the sanity of his employers. The writing was, at some times, over my head with all the science and geography stuff. I thought the ending was perfect.
All in all, a must read if you enjoy the classics.
As for the characters, I really felt for Henry when he had to deal with his determined and stubborn uncle. Even in the bleakest times, he kept going, never wavering. He said numerous times, "While there is life there is hope." Let me say, if I had to take the journey, I would want to travel with Hans. He was a constant help and never once questioned the sanity of his employers. The writing was, at some times, over my head with all the science and geography stuff. I thought the ending was perfect.
All in all, a must read if you enjoy the classics.
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
4.0
I wish I had read the book before watching the movie. Both were amazingly good but I think I would have appreciated the book more if I didn't start it already knowing how it ended. My only complaint was the language.
The characters were phenomenal and well crafted, even the villains. My favorite character was Victor. You just can't take a detective, who keeps pet tortoises and has an obsession with his collection of fake beards, seriously. His personality was kind, gentle and understanding- just what the motely crew of youths needed.
Loved the descriptions of Venice, the magic and mystery. Truly makes me want to visit the city someday and see the winged lions for myself.
The characters were phenomenal and well crafted, even the villains. My favorite character was Victor. You just can't take a detective, who keeps pet tortoises and has an obsession with his collection of fake beards, seriously. His personality was kind, gentle and understanding- just what the motely crew of youths needed.
Loved the descriptions of Venice, the magic and mystery. Truly makes me want to visit the city someday and see the winged lions for myself.
Pineapple Girl by Betty Neels
2.0
Talk about conceited! Over-confident! Arrogant!
Just so this isn't a complete negative review, I'll list the good things.
1) His nickname for her, Pineapple girl, was sweet
2) I really liked Mrs. Pringle's character
3) Dramatic rescue from the roof of the boy's school was exciting
4) The mom wasn't a jerk and did end up with a nice guy
This was a decent read until Liske decided to be a complete jerk and corner Eloise, leaving Eloise no chance but to defend herself which led to "mr. perfect" calling Eloise out for being "cruel" and "less than sensible" Dude, what was Eloise SUPPOSED to do??? Endure a lot of nastiness and wait for prince charming to reenter and come to her rescue? Eloise didn't say anything that wasn't true. Once again the arrogant doctor doesn't even give the heroine a chance to give her side of the story. He just automatically decided that she's in the wrong. And why does the number one trait of the girl always have to be SENSIBLE?? Yeah, I get he doesn't want some flighty, fru-fru, thing but why must she always be so sensible?
And why is it in these books that the guy can be a stalker and know every bit of the girl's personal life but if the girl dares ask about the old/current girlfriend (which she has every right to ask the measly question considering he just completely uprooted her life and job without much notice so she could return to Holland to help Mr. Pringle) then she just crossed the line and deserves nothing more than short, snippy, cold remarks. Jerk.
(Hang in there, I haven't even covered the biggest offense yet.)
And after all this...after breaking her heart and making her feel like her best and only choice to live a happy, non-Timon life was to take up a job at a boy's school way out in the middle of nowhere, he finds her, rescues her from the ledge of the roof, and goes to see the headmaster. Turns out he NOT only found a replacement for her (I hate when they make the girl give up her job that she might very well love) but brought along a marriage license AND the parson. After kissing her and saying "I've come to marry you" he says, I've got the license and the parson. We're to be married at 1. Dude! For a moment let's skip over the fact that he didn't give a chance to say NO and look at the facts...
in less than an hour he expects her to be able to get ready for the BIGGEST day of her life. No beautiful wedding dress. No flowers, cake, or MOM for that matter. Then he has the gull to say... and we're eating lunch at such and such a place afterwards. Good grief, why don't you just save her the trouble and schedule the rest of her life for her.
And of course she goes along with it because she's head-over-heels for him. Just like they always do. I swear these books are really getting on my nerves. If my mom didn't love these and we weren't reading them together, this would undoubtedly be the last one I ever pick up. However we have 2 more to go.
Just so this isn't a complete negative review, I'll list the good things.
1) His nickname for her, Pineapple girl, was sweet
2) I really liked Mrs. Pringle's character
3) Dramatic rescue from the roof of the boy's school was exciting
4) The mom wasn't a jerk and did end up with a nice guy
This was a decent read until Liske decided to be a complete jerk and corner Eloise, leaving Eloise no chance but to defend herself which led to "mr. perfect" calling Eloise out for being "cruel" and "less than sensible" Dude, what was Eloise SUPPOSED to do??? Endure a lot of nastiness and wait for prince charming to reenter and come to her rescue? Eloise didn't say anything that wasn't true. Once again the arrogant doctor doesn't even give the heroine a chance to give her side of the story. He just automatically decided that she's in the wrong. And why does the number one trait of the girl always have to be SENSIBLE?? Yeah, I get he doesn't want some flighty, fru-fru, thing but why must she always be so sensible?
And why is it in these books that the guy can be a stalker and know every bit of the girl's personal life but if the girl dares ask about the old/current girlfriend (which she has every right to ask the measly question considering he just completely uprooted her life and job without much notice so she could return to Holland to help Mr. Pringle) then she just crossed the line and deserves nothing more than short, snippy, cold remarks. Jerk.
(Hang in there, I haven't even covered the biggest offense yet.)
And after all this...after breaking her heart and making her feel like her best and only choice to live a happy, non-Timon life was to take up a job at a boy's school way out in the middle of nowhere, he finds her, rescues her from the ledge of the roof, and goes to see the headmaster. Turns out he NOT only found a replacement for her (I hate when they make the girl give up her job that she might very well love) but brought along a marriage license AND the parson. After kissing her and saying "I've come to marry you" he says, I've got the license and the parson. We're to be married at 1. Dude! For a moment let's skip over the fact that he didn't give a chance to say NO and look at the facts...
in less than an hour he expects her to be able to get ready for the BIGGEST day of her life. No beautiful wedding dress. No flowers, cake, or MOM for that matter. Then he has the gull to say... and we're eating lunch at such and such a place afterwards. Good grief, why don't you just save her the trouble and schedule the rest of her life for her.
And of course she goes along with it because she's head-over-heels for him. Just like they always do. I swear these books are really getting on my nerves. If my mom didn't love these and we weren't reading them together, this would undoubtedly be the last one I ever pick up. However we have 2 more to go.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
5.0
I went into this book excited, yet apprehensive. This was my second try, the first attempt lasted maybe three pages because I couldn't get into it. After recently re-watching the classic Disney cartoon I was even more determined to finally read this and I can honestly say I'm very glad that I stuck with it.
I loved every bit of this lighthearted, humorous and whimsical tale. From Toad's daring prison break, to Mole's and Rat's endearing and loyal friendship. There were a lot of sweet parts, like when Mole discovered his long-forgotten home. Loved the descriptions, even if there were a bit wordy at times but I think that's part of the book's charm.
Comparing this to the cartoon, the weasels had a much smaller part, Mole was less humble and often acted rashly, and there was no talking horse. In the book, Mole and Rat became fast friends and I'd say about half the book centers around these two companions and their adventures. I was surprised that after Toad's arrest, neither Mole nor Rat really mentioned him or thought about him.
As for Toad, he really made the book entertaining. There were times where I laughed out loud or just had to close the book and sigh deeply because Toad's pride was at it again. Umm... why is it that no one was concerned about Toad going BACK to jail to finish his sentence? It's like after making it home and reclaiming Toad Hall, everything's fine and dandy?
Highly recommend giving this one a try. It's a fun read and I enjoyed escaping into it as a break from reality.
I loved every bit of this lighthearted, humorous and whimsical tale. From Toad's daring prison break, to Mole's and Rat's endearing and loyal friendship. There were a lot of sweet parts, like when Mole discovered his long-forgotten home. Loved the descriptions, even if there were a bit wordy at times but I think that's part of the book's charm.
Comparing this to the cartoon, the weasels had a much smaller part, Mole was less humble and often acted rashly, and there was no talking horse. In the book, Mole and Rat became fast friends and I'd say about half the book centers around these two companions and their adventures. I was surprised that after Toad's arrest, neither Mole nor Rat really mentioned him or thought about him.
As for Toad, he really made the book entertaining. There were times where I laughed out loud or just had to close the book and sigh deeply because Toad's pride was at it again. Umm... why is it that no one was concerned about Toad going BACK to jail to finish his sentence? It's like after making it home and reclaiming Toad Hall, everything's fine and dandy?
Highly recommend giving this one a try. It's a fun read and I enjoyed escaping into it as a break from reality.
Marrying Mary by Betty Neels
3.0
I've decided I have a love-hate relationship with these books. I do sincerely enjoy the beginning. I like the characters (for the most part) I like meeting them for the first time and getting an idea of the setup. What I detest is that way the Doctor/Professor doesn't give the girl a chance to say no when asked to marry. He just assumes that they will and that's that. I'm reminded of Gaston every time...
Anyway, even though this is only my second Betty Neels books, this one is my favorite thus far. I loved Polly (the chatter box little sister) and the evil girlfriend was a great add to the plot. I did not like the ending. It was way to abrupt and it seemed cut off.
Anyway, even though this is only my second Betty Neels books, this one is my favorite thus far. I loved Polly (the chatter box little sister) and the evil girlfriend was a great add to the plot. I did not like the ending. It was way to abrupt and it seemed cut off.