Second Chances

Some of you may have noticed that yesterday I shared a post someone had written about how they felt that the books they'd read and hated actually had a huge impact on them as a reader. This is the sort of person that can't stop reading a book even if they find it lacking.

I'm not that sort of person...usually.

There are multiple books that I describe thus, "Oh, yeah! I started that book once! Never did finish it..." That's not the majority of the books I pick up, but it happens. There are various reasons why that scenario takes place, not just because it was less than enjoyable, but that's the aspect we're going to focus on. In most cases when I'm not thrilled with a booked if I don't stop reading it it's because a) it's for a class assignment or b) a friend suggested it or let me borrow it and I don't have the heart to tell them I don't quite love it as much as they do.

But here's the thing--sometimes books need second chances. I'm not saying ALL books need second chances. Your reading instincts will let you know when you really should maybe look elsewhere for your reading fulfillment instead of retrying that one book you tried to read that one time. Our tastes change over time. Also, there are some books that we might not have been ready for the first time we were introduced to them.

There are two books in particular of which I feel very differently about now than I did when I first read them (in a good way, not a "how did I ever enjoy this" way). I'm pretty sure I've even mentioned them before in previous posts. They are The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I often say they are two of my favorite books, but it wasn't always that way.

In both cases I had to read the books for school. I was in middle school when I first read them, and I thought they were awful! And it wasn't even the older style of language or writing that bothered me. There were certain aspects of the story or the storytelling itself that drove me nuts. The major complaints I remember having were Tolkien's multiple allusions to things that would happen in the future and Darcy's uncanny, yet convenient, way of showing up ALL THE TIME! The funny thing is that those things don't bug me at all now. In fact, I actually love that particular detail of The Hobbit. 

Another funny thing about this scenario is that the whole reason I gave them a second chance was because they were once again assigned to me as school assignments. And on the second reading, I loved them! (Actually, it took me a third reading of The Hobbit to realize how much I loved it. Apparently I had multiple Tolkien fans for teachers.)

The point is this:

Maybe you gave up on a certain book too soon.

Maybe you weren't in the right place to enjoy a potential favorite book.

Or maybe you'll still hate it no matter how many times you read it...

So, have any of you had similar experiences? Are there books you'd like to give a second chance? Or are you like Mr. Darcy in that "[your] good opinion once lost is lost forever?"

The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre

Title: The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre

Rating: 4/5

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Pages: 385

Genre: Children’s Fantasy

Synopsis:

Peregrine has always strived to make her parents proud by being the best Lakti she can be. She trains hard, is one of the fastest runners around, and is full of bravery—the complete opposite of the Bamarre servants in the castle who everyone knows are weak and cowardly. But there’s only one problem with all of her efforts—Peregrine isn’t a Lakti but a Bamarre. With this new knowledge, Peregrine has a difficult choice to make—she can keep it all a secret and let things continue as normal, or she can complete a daunting task given to her by the fairy Halina to free her people from oppression.

My Reaction:

If you’ve ever read and enjoyed any other of Gail Carson’s Levine’s books, you’ll enjoy this one as well. If you haven’t read anything by Gail Carson Levine, you should!

On the back cover, the book is described as “a compelling and thought-provoking fantasy,” and I think I have to agree with that statement. It’s thought provoking in that it deals a lot with prejudice and overcoming certain mindsets. I kept thinking as I read this story that this is such a good book for some of the things you can see in the world right now.

Peregrine is an amazing heroine. She’s strong, bold, speaks her mind, can get herself out of tricky situations, but it takes a major eye opening moment—the revelation that she’s actually a Bamarre and not a Lakti—for her to recognize her own prejudice and the prejudices of others. What gives this story a bit of a heart-wrenching element is that she also has to come face to face with the mindsets and prejudices of her own parents, both adopted and biological. The stark contrast between her adoptive father’s reactions versus her adoptive mother’s reactions are fascinating in that we can see two possible outcomes from people with similar backgrounds and beliefs. Through her parents we can see two sides of the coin—the ill effects of prejudice versus the benefits of overcoming prejudice.

The other thing that is so great about Peregrine is that even she has her weaknesses to overcome. She gains wisdom through her experiences and can then be hugely influential in aiding an oppressed people.

Reader’s Guidance:

There are elements of war and oppression in this story. There are a couple of deaths mentioned, mostly by way of stabbing. There’s some slapping of inferiors that happens. There’s also one scene where a man is flogged.

Similar Books:

The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Next Book:

One book I’ve been meaning to read for awhile now is Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I know some people who are a fan of the TV miniseries from the 80’s. I’ve never seen it myself, but it’s gotten me interested in the story itself. I know there’s quite a few books in the series, but for now we’ll just worry about book one.

Happy reading!

Jane Eyre

Guess who finally finished reading Jane Eyre? That’s right! I did! Before you get to reading this post, riddle me this. I know some of you absolutely adore Jane Eyre. What is it that you love most about the story? Feel free to leave a comment :)

Title: Jane Eyre

Rating: 3/5

Author: Charlotte Bronte

Genre: Classic/Gothic/Romance

Synopsis:

Jane Eyre is an orphan left in the unwilling care of her aunt. Anxious to be rid of a burden, her aunt sends Jane off to school with the intention of never seeing her again. After 8 years there, 6 as a student and 2 as a teacher, she’s ready for a new adventure and becomes a governess to a young French girl at Thornfield Hall. For once in her life, Jane truly feels like she has a home, but even an estate like Thornfield can be filled with dark and dangerous secrets.

My Reaction:

Jane Eyre is listed amongst the classics, and as such, some of you out there may be a bit wary of it. One of the things that can be tricky about classics is a sort of language barrier. For instance, I was confused briefly when Jane Eyre used the term “fagging” or “fagged” which means “to work hard” or “to tire by strenuous activity.” (Thanks, Webster). The style and old vernacular of the classics make it difficult for some people to get into.

I didn’t feel like that was a huge issue with Jane Eyre. It wasn’t difficult to follow or understand. Even those few words that threw me briefly for a loop could be deciphered based on context or the dictionary function on the kindle. The style of the book is almost like reading a diary or sitting down with a friend who just happens to tell you their life story. Jane addresses us, “dear reader,” which establishes a bit of a connection between us and the protagonist.

I will admit, I did space out a couple of times when she was describing scenery or someone’s features. Sometimes lengthy descriptions can be annoying and detract from the story, but even though I spaced out briefly in some of those segments, I still didn’t see it as a major issue because, as I said, it was like reading a diary or like listening to a friend’s adventures where I would want a description of the scenery since I had never seen it before myself.

Perhaps I should mention that there are phrases in French strewn throughout the book with no obvious explanation as to their meaning. Just warning you in case that will bother you, but it doesn’t take away from the main points of the book.

On initial completion of the book, I wasn’t exactly sure how I would rate it. It didn’t necessarily wow me, but it definitely doesn’t fit on a list of classics NOT worth reading. As I’ve collected my thoughts, it’s safe to say that Jane Eyre is a well crafted story with a couple of good plot twists and a great ending. In fact, the ending was my favorite part of the whole thing (not because the story was finally over…).

Let’s see if I can explain why I liked how everything wrapped up without spoiling things for you. Jane Eyre is a gothic romance (see side note below). I went into the book knowing this and not much else. In fact, I wasn’t sure what little information I knew was about Jane Eyre and which one was Wuthering Heights. Anyway, the moment her love interest appeared, I knew even before she did that he was going to be the love interest. One thing bothered me though—I couldn’t understand why she would love him. Tolerate him, sure, but love him? There wasn’t much about his character that made him seem all that loveable. Then again, Mr. Darcy wasn’t all that loveable in the beginning of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was he?

Jane’s love definitely has his faults, but it all seemed redeemed by the way things ended. I really don’t want to give too much away, but the trial of love and how that trial is overcome is what makes the wrapping up of the book so great. Also, I would have been really mad if Jane had made another decision despite her better judgment which I will not reveal. Basically, you’ve got to read the book yourself! And if you still aren’t keen on reading a classic, there are multiple movie renditions you could try.

Even now, I’m having a little difficulty deciding the score I want to give it. For now, I’m giving it a 3/5 because I did like the story and think it has merit, but at this moment I can’t say it’s one of my favorites. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea, so I think it may be one of those times that if I read it again I would enjoy it even more and thus bump up the score.

Side note: The whole time I was reading this book, all I could think about is how Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey was a satire of such gothic works as this, which were apparently quite popular at the time.

Reader’s Guidance:

There is a moment where a man is attacked, stabbed, and bitten on the arm. Jane enters the room after the fact and helps apply pressure and such until a doctor can arrive.

Similar Books:

Any of the other books written by the Bronte sisters, or perhaps Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

Next Book:

I recently was gifted a Barnes and Noble gift card (Thank you for supporting my book addiction). One of the books on display was one I’ve been interested in reading for awhile--The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine. You may recall another book a talked about awhile back called The Two Princesses of Bamarre. This story takes place in the same universe, and I’m looking forward to reading it!

Snickerdoodles

I am a self-proclaimed snickerdoodle snob. That is of utmost importance to this story. My husband knows of my snobbery. When he asked me to bake cookies on Friday, I assumed he’d want chocolate chip cookies as that has been our go to. He surprised me by requesting snickerdoodles. Here’s the thing, I may be a snickerdoodle snob, but I had never actually made them until that day.

I started out with a sense of dread. Being the snickerdoodle snob that I am, how could I possible pull off my very own snickerdoodle and be proud of it? I told Corey of my concerns and he proclaimed, “How can you not like your own cookies? That’s like not liking your own child!”

With those sentiments, I set to work. I knew of a recipe that I’d eaten and enjoyed, so I used that to guide me on my baking journey. And let me tell you, that’s got to be my favorite snickerdoodle recipe! I’ve now learned after making these cookies and my previous attempts at chocolate chip cookies in my oven versus my mother-in-laws oven that my oven likes to make my cookies flat. Apparently I’m still getting used to my oven, and after some research, it’s possible that it’s actually a little too hot for my poor cookies. Nevertheless, with some experimentation, I did get some that weren’t so flat, and even the flat ones had the taste and texture I look for in a snickerdoodle cookie.

The reason why I’m a snickerdoodle snob is that too often I get a hard, crunchy cookie. I don’t want a snap or a biscuit when I eat a snickerdoodle—I want a soft cookie with the perfect blend of cinnamon and sugar. So I think I did pretty good for my first try, and even though my oven flattened my cookies, I think the recipe I used is a pretty darn good snickerdoodle recipe!

The recipe itself comes from Six Sisters’ Stuff, and was inspired by the snickerdoodles at Disneyland. So hope on over there, and do yourself a favor by making the best snickerdoodles ever.

Click here for the recipe.

Is anyone else a self-proclaimed cookie snob of some sort? Do you have a go to snickerdoodle recipe that you would say is the best ever?

Also, I’m totally a wedding cake snob. Just throwing that out there. This weekend was my anniversary (the very first!), so we pulled out a bit of our wedding cake we’ve been saving in the freezer for that precise moment, and it was still so good! Wedding cake should be delicious as well as beautiful.

And with that, I’ll bid you adieu until next time!

Classics Worth Reading

I've got classics on the brain this morning, most likely because I'm in the process of reading one. (Although, if I'm honest I haven't gotten very far. Such is life at times, especially when someone introduces you to The Great British Baking Show....) I began to wonder how many classics I've read, how many of those I've actually thoroughly enjoyed, and what makes a book a classic anyway.

I know there are some people out there that wholeheartedly devour classics and probably don't understand people that don't enjoy them as much as they do. And I should say that that is wonderful! There are all sorts of readers and the classics are classics for a reason, right? I know others where classics just wouldn't be for them at all, and that's also completely fine. I think I fit somewhere in the middle of the scale. There are some classics I find brilliant and some I would have been okay with never reading, not necessarily because of poor writing but I think most of it boils down to a style thing. Or an I-can't-stand-your-character thing (Here's looking at you Madame Bovary). Even the greatest of stories can be ruined if it's not your style.

I may get in trouble for this, but even if you can't manage to make it through one of these books that has stood the test of time, there are some pretty decent movie representations of many of them. (Confession: I thoroughly enjoy the movie adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn starring a young Elijah Wood much more than I enjoyed reading the book. Go watch it!)

For further thoughts on what makes classics the classics and to know that I'm not the only English major/reading enthusiast that hasn't read many classics, check out this post on the Scholastic blog. There are some good points on there as to why we may be hesitant to read some of the classics.

Here's the moment you've all been waiting for! The number of classic books is quite extensive, but here are just a few that I think are worth your time should you get up the courage to read a classic. (Yes, I do think that reading some classics takes courage and perhaps a very good attention span.)

Okay, just kidding, one more side note. I'm looking at lists of classics to refresh my memory and feeling a little ashamed at how few I've read, not to mention how many I only know because of movies or episodes of Wishbone. Now, on to the list for reals!

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
For some reason I feel like I'll get some eye rolls for this one. Maybe not... Anyway, it may be interesting to note that the first time I read this one I actually didn't like it at all. I felt that Darcy turning up everywhere was too coincidental. However, I was only around 13 when I read it the first time. I didn't read it again until I was around 20, and that time I absolutely loved it. I could appreciate the story and style so much better by that point. The other thing to take from this is that sometimes we aren't quite ready for a book. This is now one of my favorite stories.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I finally read this one around the same time I had that second reading of Pride and Prejudice. An interesting note is that this is one of those books that has ended up on the list of the most frequently challenged books.The movie adaptation has also become a classic in the world of film. One of the things I love about this book is just a look at everyday life through the eyes of children. I enjoy the writing style. Not only that, but of course the difficult situation of Atticus Finch is compelling and thought provoking.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Ironically, this is another one that has been challenged. I've read this one a couple of times, written papers on it, even watched the movie. It's a classic dystopian novel where books are illegal. I've enjoyed it each time I've read it, and it's worth a read. In fact, I need to give this one another read. It's been awhile.



Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Specifically, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I don't know that I've ever thought of these stories as being a classic, but I found it on one of the random lists of classics I looked at. So there! Plus, I thought it would be good to include this on the list because this is a classic that even those who are anti-classics can read and enjoy.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Okay, so I didn't actually see this one on any of the lists, but I figure someone will agree with me that Tolkien deserves to be among the classics. This is another book that took me a couple of reads before I could appreciate it for what it is. I first read in in middle school for an assignment and I thought it was awful. The funny thing is that some of the things that annoyed me on that first reading are now things that I really enjoy about it now. I guess tastes change over time, right? Tolkien isn't always the easiest to read, but The Hobbit is a good introduction to his style. It's not quite as difficult to read and enjoy. It's a great fantasy that fits right in with the hero's journey. Dwarves, elves, a dragon that would eventually be voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch--what's not to love?

So there you have it. That's a short list of classics you can choose from. There were more I considered putting on the list, but I didn't want to make it too long for you. So don't worry. There are other classics worth reading. If you want to see another list of classics you should read and why, check out this one from Abe Books.

What classics do you think are the most worth reading? Or perhaps more fun would be to share which classics you think don't necessarily need to be read ever. I can think of a couple...

Until next time!

Crenshaw

Title: Crenshaw

Rating: 5/5

Author: Katherine Applegate

Pages: 245

Genre: Children’s

Synopsis:

Jackson is all about the facts. There’s always a logical explanation for everything. He’s been told that he has an old soul, whatever that means, but of one thing he is absolutely sure—he’s much too old to have an imaginary friend.

Crenshaw is a cat, a rather large one at that, who loves doing cartwheels and handstands and taking bubble baths. He’s also Jackson’s imaginary friend. But why would an imaginary friend that has been gone for years suddenly show up now? Jackson doesn’t have time for that, especially not when his family has fallen on hard times and they might have to live in their minivan…again.

My Reaction:

You may remember that the last book I read by Katherine Applegate was The One and Only Ivan, a brilliant book that should be on your list of books to read before you die if it isn’t already. This book is another winner! If I absolutely had to choose a favorite between the two, I’d probably go with Ivan, but this was a sweet story that gave a little perspective of both the parent and the child in a situation where money is tight and homelessness is a very real possibility. I don’t think I’ve read another book quite like this one.

I enjoyed Crenshaw himself. I wish I would have come up with such a cool imaginary friend at some point in my life. Besides his coolness factor, the real thing that makes Crenshaw resonate with readers is that he represents that need for a friend and he fulfills that in a wise and unique way, being that he’s a cat and all. I was particularly touched by the idea that Crenshaw’s purpose was to fill that friend role as long as he was needed. Like Mary Poppins or Nanny McPhee, he would stay until his work was done. And then, he would be available should a need arise again. It causes me to reflect on the people in my life who have been a strength to me when I’ve needed it. Some are still there. Some are not just because we tend to lose connections as life goes on, but they are no less meaningful to me. Crenshaw may be imaginary, but he represents the very real advice, love, and comfort I’ve received from various sources throughout my life. Not only that, but he teaches the importance of being honest with yourself. Even Jackson finds that some facts are very hard to face.

Reader’s Guidance:

Nothing as far as I’m concerned.

Similar Books:

If you like this, I reckon anything by Kate DiCamillo will suit your fancy.

Next Book:

 I have a confession to make. First of all, I studied English in college (That's not the confession. I'm leading up to it.) As such an educated person, you would think that there would be some books I must have read. I must know and love all the classics, right? (FYI, I don't think it's necessary to love all classics... I think some are lame. Shh, don't tell anyone.) While I've had a fair dosing of the classics and other books that frequent the lists of must read books, some of them I've somehow managed to not read even after all this time. Heck, there are some books that pretty much every person in my generation had to read in elementary school but I didn't. What's up with that? (Here's looking at you Hatchet and/or Brian's Winter which I still have never read.) 

So here's the confession: I haven't read a single book by one of the Bronte sisters. 

For awhile now I've thought that was a crime and I need to fix that. I mean, I've actually been to their home, walked on the moors, maybe wandered through a graveyard, and yet, I haven't read a single word they wrote. It's time I change that.

Next up is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I was told that this was the one I absolutely had to read, so it seems like a good place to start. 

Raymie Nightingale

Title: Raymie Nightingale

Rating: 4/5

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Pages: 263

Genre: Children’s

Synopsis:

Raymie has a plan. All she has to do is win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition. If she does that, her picture will get in the paper, and if her picture gets in the paper her father will be so proud that he’ll come rushing back home to her instead of staying with the dental hygienist he ran off with. But before she can do that, she must learn how to twirl a baton.

At her lessons, she meets Louisiana and Beverly who have their own plans for the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition. This could be much more complicated than Raymie thought.

My Reaction:

Kate DiCamillo has done it again! Seriously, I don’t need to write reviews for her books. Just go read them all. It was interesting to read this one in contrast to Flora and Ulysses: The illuminated Adventures since they both deal with similar family drama (divorce vs dad ran away with the dental hygienist), but both situations are dealt with differently and have a bit of a different outcome.

Something I enjoy about DiCamillo’s stories it that the characters are each uniquely themselves. You could describe them individually as if they were people you actually knew. The differences of these three girls don’t stop them from coming together and having adventures. In fact, it’s those very differences (and I suppose some found similarities) that get the adventure ball rolling in the first place.

It’s a simple yet thoughtful story that explores dreams, heartaches, and how things don’t always happen according to plan (which isn’t always a bad thing).

I thought Raymie’s thoughts were sometimes a little repetitive (which, let’s be honest, is probably how most of our minds work a good part of the time), but all in all, this was an enjoyable book and well worth the read.

Reader’s Guidance:

Nothing to fear as far as I’m concerned. There is an instance where someone passes away from natural causes, and a moment in a nursing home where a woman is crying out and it frightens the girls.

Similar Books:

I just discovered that there is a sequel book all about Louisiana! It's called Louisiana's Way Home, and it came out in October of last year. That one is probably worth a read also!

Next Book:

Next on our list is Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. You may remember her as the author of The One and Only Ivan, which I absolutely loved! I'm hoping this book will be just as great!