The Return of Raechel the Reviewer

I recently sent in a DNA sample to be part of a genome project.  I will learn how much Neanderthal, Denisovan and other ancient people groups are in my ancestry.  Who knows?  Perhaps there will be some Viking genes!  My friend Raechel shares my interest in history and reading, and occasionally writes a book review for me.  I’m always delighted to receive one of Raechel’s reviews.

Raechel read God's Daughter By Heather Day Gilbert.

 “As soon as I received this book and opened its beginning pages, I knew I was going to love it. First of all, you should know, I’ve always loved the history involving Vikings. I find it so interesting. 

God’s Daughter is super well-written. It captivates you. I really liked how uniquely it was written, truly.

I loved Gudrid. Her character was very relatable for me right now. I love a character that you can understand what she is going through. Towards the end when she just felt tired from all the death (sorry for that spoiler!), I identified; I grieved. Because I understand her feelings of being so weary.

God always has me read books at the perfect time, and I think this was one of those. I’ve been tired and worn lately. There has been a lot going on. That allowed me to relate to Gudrid and reading this book has allowed me to also ‘grieve’ in my own way. When I finished it, I felt this deeper sadness in me, and I thought it was due to the book, but, I think more accurately, it is that the book just let all that surface in me.

Now, I don’t want you to think this is the most depressing book – because it is not! It is a very good book, and one I’ll keep close. Yes, it’s evident about the struggles involved, but that is partly what makes it such a good read. It’s a real book, not just a ‘fluffy’ one.

And there are happy parts in the book – I smiled many times during my time reading.
“God’s Daughter” is an excellent book. It’s enlightening to the time period, and teaches you more without you even realizing it.  It’s a rich book. The ages I would encourage to read this book would be from at least 16 years old and upward, only for some minor scenes of the pagan rituals and minor marriage references. Nothing huge at all, as it was all carefully written.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am eager for more in the series!  I would definitely recommend this book.”

I (Jan) have the last word: God’s Daughter is the first book in the “Vikings of the New World Saga,” published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.  The book is not available in Pioneerland Library System because libraries normally don’t purchase self-published books.  We often accept books that are donated by local authors who self-publish. Libraries usually have a policy that requires purchase of reviewed books. In fact, at one time we sent in order cards that included the location of the reviews we read. Now librarians face a dilemma, as more and more authors are publishing books through self- publishing services, often going immediately to digital format.   Since these books are usually not reviewed, librarians often are unaware of them or the books may not be up to the standards of traditionally published books.  A good editor is an author’s best friend.

God’s Daughter can be purchased at amazon.com in paperback or Kindle format, or at barnesandnoble.com, in paperback or Nook format, an example of how book publishing has changed and is continuing to evolve. Thanks, Raechel, for bringing this book to our attention.

The Annual Book Bag Review

 By Jan Pease

How I spent my vacation, or a peek in the Pease family book bags. We enjoyed our week away, but as always, the time passed too quickly. I spent hours reading, napping, walking and even did a tiny bit of writing. When I look out over the expanse of Lake Superior, I feel a sense of far-sightedness, somehow seeing more clearly than at home. The Lake rewarded us with its constantly changing moods, gray and still one minute, blue waves with white foam crashing on the rocky beach the next.

I always bring a mystery or thriller along for vacation. This year I read “Red Mist,” by Patricia Cornwell. This, the 19th Scarpetta novel, reminds me of some of her early books, written in the first person. I enjoyed the book. A long-running series tends to become a little tedious, but I think Cornwell is back on track.

I usually bring along a nonfiction book, because I tend to read fiction but think I should read more nonfiction. This year’s book is “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” Written by Susan Cain, this book celebrates the quiet ones. Since I’m a person who needs a lot of down time, this book resonates with me.

Another nonfiction find is “A Jane Austen Devotional,” by Steffany Woolsey, and Jane Austen. This devotional book pairs excerpts from the Austen novels with scripture and a short devotional thought by Steffany Woolsey. I enjoy reading Steffany’s thoughts on favorite passages from my favorite novels. Her choice of Scripture is always appropriate

Because of my enjoyment of all things Austen, I tried “Shades of Milk and Honey,” by Mary Robinette Kowal. Amazon.com called this book “a quasi-Regency fantasy debut.” Ms. Kowal blends characters that would fit quite well in “Pride and Prejudice” or “Persuasion,” with a light touch of magic called “glamour.” It could be Jane Austen with magic, but somehow it isn’t. But it was a great quick vacation read. If I could work “glamour,” I’d find something more interesting to do with it other than hiding bad teeth or making wall murals.

Another, more successful blending of wit reminiscent of Miss Austen with the paranormal, is “Soulless,” the first book in the “The Parasol Protectorate” quintet, by Gail Carriger. Amazon.com says that “Soulless” is “is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.” I’m not a fan of paranormal fiction, but this blend of steampunk, the paranormal and Victorian London is a lot of fun. I plan to continue on with the next four books even though vacation is done.



The other series I’m reading is George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire.” We watched the dvds based on the series, HBO’s “A Game of Thrones” each night before going to bed, which made for some interesting dreams. I’m reading the newest book, “A Dance with Dragons” as slowly as I can, to savor the experience. Mr. Martin is working on the next book in the series, but it won’t be published for some time. I plan to re-read the series to get a better understanding of the complicated plot and characters and will enjoy every word

Dave is reading Brandon Sanderson, the author chosen to finish Robert Jordan’s monumental series “The Wheel of Time.” Dave read the first two books in the “Mistborn” series, “Mistborn,” and “The Well of Ascension.” (He already read and enjoyed the George R.R. Martin books.) He also continued to read his Bible, as he reads it in its entirety every year. I admire his discipline. Some years I get stuck in Leviticus or the minor prophets and don’t make it farther. It’s hard to admit such frailty, but there it is.

Finally, I should admit that I really didn’t bring a book bag. All of my books fit on my e-reader, with room to spare. Technology really is amazing. See you at the library!

Calling All Book Reviewers!

By Jan Pease

Guest book reviewers Nick, Jennah and Natalie have made my job so much easier this week. I love to receive book reviews, and hope that more readers will turn in their thoughts before the end of August.

Nick, who is 11, almost 12, read “Ghost Detectors book 2: I’m Gonna Get You!” He says this book deserves five stars because “ the author puts humor, mystery, and adventure together in one book.” The “Ghost Detectors” is a series by Dotti Enderle. Copies are available in Litchfield, and they look like a great fit for someone about Nick’s age.

Natalie, age 12, read “Small Persons With Wings,” by Ellen Booraem. She says that the book deserves five stars. In Natalie’s words, “You would think that a 12-year-old would not like a book about “small persons with wings” (fairies), but this book turned out to be a treasure. The “fairy parts” are very good and as realistic as fairies can be; the fairies had normal emotions and even cliques. This book also deeply explores the feelings of a typical 13-year-old girl through the main character, Mellie Turpin. I feel like I can relate to her feelings. The next time I’m asked for a book suggestion for a family read aloud, I’m going to recommend “Small Persons with Wings.”

Jennah, age 13, reviewed two more books. The first, “The Dangerous Days of Daniel X,” by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, deserves five stars because “the book is full of adventure, mystery, some unique magic, and a sarcastic wit. James Patterson has again created a series, with help, full of all those traits that will capture any reader’s attention.

Jennah also read “Heart to Heart,” by Lurlene McDaniel. Jennah says the book deserves five stars, because “the book is very inspirational and tells about things that happen that most people couldn’t even begin to describe. It tells of friends, severed by death, but reunited partially through the girl who got a heart.” Lurlene McDaniel writes about teens and their families who are facing some kind of tragedy. In “Heart to Heart,” she tackles the issue of heart transplants, hinting at the concept of cellular memory. Does some part of the donor live on in the recipient of a heart? Interesting question.

Finally, the High School Book Club, which will meet at 3 p.m. on August 28, is reading “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, “ by Ransom Riggs, a book that has generated a lot of interest. It was chosen by amazon.com as one of the best books of 2011. The book is filled with strange vintage photographs from various collections, so I expected a creepy horror story. Instead, it’s a combination of fantasy and adventure that I really enjoyed. I hope the high school readers like it as much as I did. The only drawback is that I read it on my Nook, so the pictures and hand written letters were hard to decipher.

Read a book and tell someone about it. You’ll be glad you did. See you at the library!

What's Next?

By Jan Pease

I can’t believe how quickly time has passed. We are in the final two weeks of library programs as we finish this month.  

 Please add Thursday, August 23^rd, 3:00 p.m.  to your calendars.  Fantastic magician Robert Halbrook will present “Professor Marvel’s Dream Machines.” He says of this program, “GREAT BOOKS can inspire GREAT DREAMS!  Great dreams are the seeds for incredible inventions.  Professor Marvel’s Dream Machines – an All NEW show for the 2012 Summer Reading Program - will take your kids on a whirl wind journey through his world of always magical, often whacky, but very cool inventions; inventions born of DREAMS.”

Speaking of great books, four readers have shared book reviews with me this month.  Here, in their own words, are their reviews.

Logan, age 10, read “Marines,” by Jack Montana.  Logan says the book deserves four stars, “because it has lots of information about Marines which is great for reports”.  

Josiah, age 11, read two books about sharks.  Sharks, by Rhoda Blumberg, is an older book.  Josiah says it deserves three stars, and read it “because I like sharks and I want to learn more about sharks.”  He also read “Sharks,” by Gary Lopez.  He gave the book four stars, “because I like sharks and I’m going to Florida in August.”

Corbin, age 12, read “Class Clown,” by Johanna Hurwitz.  He gave the book four stars.  His review: “The Class Clown is about Lucas Cott, who needs to learn that there is a time and place for every thing, even for telling jokes, something I need to learn.”

Raechel, age 16, read “Harvest of Rubies,” by  Tessa Alshar.  She gave the book five stars.  Her thoughts on the book: “This is Tessa Alfshar’s second Biblical fiction novel (first being “Pearl in the Sand”) and in this book she goes through the importance and value of our worth in the Lord, our Father.  It’s not what we do that makes us worthy, but who we are in Him.  The main character, Sarah, is easy to relate to, as she goes through struggles and doubts that we all face at some point in our lives.   The allegory, as I suppose you could call it, of the Gardener and the grape vines was powerful, true, and just wonderful.  I highly recommend this book, and am so thankful God led me to read it when I did! 5 stars most definitely.  Ages recommended: 15+”

I get excited every time a young person hands me a book review.  These are readers and thinkers who offer a glimpse of their unique perspectives and personalities.  Enjoy the rest of July, and come visit us at the library, where it’s always comfy and cool. See you at the library!

  

 

Kati, Emma and Janet Review YA Books

By Jan Pease

Inviting teens to be guest book- reviewers is part of the teen program, “Own the Night” this year at Litchfield library. It is so interesting to read what these avid young readers have to say about “their” books.


Kati, age 13, has already turned in three book reviews. She read “Withering Tights,” by Louise Rennison. Rennison is an English author who writes hilarious books that are very, well, British. She says “she lives in Brighton, the San Francisco of England (apart from the sun, Americans, the Golden Gate Bridge, and earthquakes.)” In “Withering Tights,” Tallulah, a young cousin of regular character Georgia Nicholson, attends a summer drama camp. Kati says, “It was very good and it tells about someone trying to find who she really is.” Katie gave “Withering Tights” five stars.

Kati also read “Kiss of Life,” by Daniel Waters. “Kiss of Life” is part of Waters’ “Generation Dead” series, part of the paranormal romance phenomena in young adult titles. Kati says, “It’s an amazing book that will make you to not put it down; it’s full of suspense.” She gave it five stars.

Kati’s third book was “The Teashop Girls,” by Laura Schaefer. Ms. Schaefer visited Litchfield and talked about her book and tea parties in 2010. Kati gave the book three and a half stars, and said, “I feel that way because it was good but I wanted it to be longer to make the ending better.”

Emma, age 13, read “They Never Came Back,” by Caroline B. Cooney, who is famous for writing suspense novels for young people. “They Never Came Back” centers on a young woman with a new identity living with a foster family because her wealthy parents have left the country after being accused of embezzlement. Emma gave the book four stars because “I thought that it was a very good book. The reason for 4 stars is that there are a few spots in the book that get confusing.” School Library Journal agrees with Emma, stating in a review by Jennifer Barnes (not our librarian in Grove City) “Cooney's adaptation of a complex fraud story for this age group is interesting if one can look beyond some weaknesses.”

Janet, age 12, read “My Side of the Mountain,” by Jean Craighead George. This is a classic story of adventure and survival, as a young boy lives on his own in the Catskill Mountains. Janet gave the book five stars and says, “The writing is excellent and shows instead of just telling. You get pulled in by the story of a boy running away from home and stay for the ride. A book for all ages. After you finish the book you’ll have a strong urge to go camping.”

Book reviews aren’t like a book report. They can describe what you feel about a book, and whether you would recommend the book to someone else. If you’re 12 – 18, pick up a book review form and express yourself. See you at the library!

Raechel says.........

By Jan Pease

I’m introducing a guest book reviewer, 15 year old Raechel Kelly, who graciously agreed to produce three “teen book reviews” as part of “You Are Here” the summer reading program for teenagers.   Raechel is a delightful young person who happens to be an avid reader.    

One of her selections is the book, “Pearl in the Sand,” by Tessa Afshar.  Raechel says, “This book was an amazing retelling of Rahab, from the Bible, and her story of faith.  As reading it, I found that it really enchanted the Old Testament.  The book is fiction, and so cleverly written.  Ms. Afshar did a beautiful job with this Bible account, and I was blessed to read it.” 

I would add this bit of information from Amazon.com.  “Pearl in the Sand” was published in 2010 by Moody Press, and is available at Litchfield Library.  Tessa Afshar was born in a Muslim family in Iran and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She survived English boarding school for girls before moving to the United States permanently. Tessa holds an MDIV from Yale University where she served as co-Chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last twelve years in full and part-time Christian work and currently serves as the leader of Women’s and Prayer ministries at a church in New England.

Another book chosen by Raechel is “Dug Down Deep,” by Joshua Harris. Raechel says, “I highly recommend this book to everyone.  This is a non-fiction read that uncovers a lot of truth, and shows the lies we unknowingly believe.  No matter where you are in this life, you will surely learn something from this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and have learned a lot from it.”

Me, again, adding a little more to Raechel’s thoughts.  “Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters” was published in 2010 by Multnomah Books.  It is available at Amazon.com and by interlibrary loan through Mnlink.  Joshua Harris writes about matters of faith for young adults and is best known for his books about relationships and dating.        

Raechel’s final selection was an entire series of books, “The Knights of Arrethtrae” by Chuck Black.  Rachel says, “I couldn’t pick just one of the six books to review, so I decided I’d do the whole series.  These books were so great in many ways.  They’re filled with excitement, bravery, courage and most importantly, faith in the Lord.  The books are individual stories of knights and ladies as they go through with their training and missions.  These books blessed me hugely, and encouraged me.”

I would add that this is a series of books published in recent years by Multnomah.  They are available at amazon.com and by interlibrary loan through Mnlink.  Chuck Black, according to amazon.com, spent eight years in the Air Force traveling the world as an F-16 fighter pilot and a communications engineer. Today, Chuck is the author of seven novels and a product-design engineer. He has invented or co-invented eleven patented construction products now being sold internationally.   He lives with his family in North Dakota.

Thanks, Raechel, for enthusiastically taking on this challenge.   We’re looking for other teen book reviewers, so please speak to a staff member at the library if you’re interested.   See you at the library!