Book List

The Spin Cycle is back! Actually, it's been back a few weeks. It's just taken me a while to get back on board. Fortunately, this week's topic coincides with a post I've been meaning to do anyway. I want to share with you some of the books I've read in the last few months and what I thought of them:

Golden Acorn - This children's fantasy novel is offered as a free Kindle book. It was published after winning a writing award in England last year. I can see why it won. I enjoyed it so much, I downloaded the sequel, Glasruhen Gate (available in Kindle format for a dollar) before I had even finished the first book. The storyline is original and the writing is enjoyable. It relies heavily on ideas from Celtic Mysticism (I know that will bother some people.) Since it's written for children it's clean, but it's not condescending. This is going to be a series with more books to come. I am looking forward to the next one.

The Lens and the Looker - I also downloaded this one because the Kindle version was free (not anymore) and the sequel (The Bronze and the Brimstone) was on sale. This is going to be a trilogy, with the third book still to come. I thought this was supposed to be children's science fiction, but there were things in the second book that I wouldn't want to read to my children. I also found the second book slow most of the way through, then the story suddenly progressed all too quickly (and was depressing). The first book was alright, but the two stories don't really stand alone, so I wouldn't recommend this one.

Septimus Heap, Book 1 - This was another free download children's fantasy book. I enjoyed the storyline, and it was a fun read, but the writing wasn't so stellar that I'll be buying any more from this series. Unless my children get hooked on it some day, which I wouldn't mind.

Little White Bird - This is a classic by the creator of Peter Pan. In fact, this is the story Peter first appeared in, so I thought it must be a children's book. It turns out this novel was aimed at adults. Barrie has a bizarre and sarcastic sense of humor (at least, I think it's supposed to be humor) that takes some getting used to. I liked it, and I liked the way he wove the story, though that was also a little confusing. If you want something written on an adult level (perfectly clean) that is different and you don't mind making fun of yourself, I'd recommend giving this one a try. If you want the "real" (later, and written for kids) story of Peter, get Peter and Wendy. (Note: The free Kindle version of Little White Bird does skip a little at a couple of parts, which is annoying. But it is free.)

The Great Gatsby - This was from my list of classics I wanted to read. The writing was beautiful. I didn't care much for the story, though, especially the ending. It was depressing. I don't like depressing endings. It's a good book, just not my taste. The story is set in New York in the 1920's and is meant to illustrate a particular lifestyle (prosperous, big city) from that era. If you've ever wondered what the "Roaring 20's" were all about, this is probably a good example (though I prefer the more upbeat and innocent Thoroughly Modern Millie).

Call of the Wild - Another one from the classic list. I didn't know until I started reading it that this book is written from the perspective of a dog. I liked that, but the story quickly turned repetitive and depressing. It picked up about two-thirds of the way through, and I had a hard time putting it down, wondering what the fate of the hero would be. I would call this a guy's book. I had trouble relating to it.

Jane Eyre - Also from the classics list. Awesome book. If you like Jane Austen, you should like this, although the flavor is a little different. There are mysteries to keep you wondering all through the book and realistic romance that will leave you guessing at how things will turn out.

Shoeless Joe - This is the book that Field of Dreams was based on. The writing is really good. The baseball fanaticism comes out even crazier than in the movie. I couldn't help but wonder if the author wasn't making a very subtle mockery of religion. Also: not appropriate for children. If you don't mind mind those last two points, it's a good book.

Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling - This is one of the few books for my Kindle that I actually paid more than a few dollars for, because I really wanted to read it. I think reactions will vary from person to person, but I can almost guarantee you will be surprised by what Gatto has to say. I thought he backed up his points well, but I am aware that could be because my thinking was already geared in that direction. One former teacher told me she thought it was dead on. I can see other teachers being offended by it. I think it's worth reading to form your own opinion.

Beeper and I have finished a couple of books together recently too:

The Secret Garden - I was surprised at just how much Beeper really loved this book. I think it was the mystery that hooked him. He couldn't wait for Mary to find that garden. After that there was the suspense of keeping the secret and who would share the secret that kept it interesting.

Beezus and Ramona - His reaction to this one surprised me too. I thought it might be too old or too girl-centric for him, but he loved it and was always begging for more. We need to check out some more Ramona books for him.

Right now we're reading The Wind in the Willows together. I think I am enjoying it a lot more than he is, but Mr. Toad will be getting his motor car soon, and I hope that will catch his interest.

(I apologize for being a little random about whether I linked to the paperback or Kindle version of each book. I didn't want to favor one format over the other.)