HALLELUJAH!!

I'VE FINISHED IT!!!

Okay, if you're just tuning in you might be a tad confused.  I started reading a book (which was on hold at the library which meant waiting weeks to get it) a while back titled Parade's End.  When I first got it, I was unaware of how difficult of a read it would be owing to writing style, dialect, and story line.  Also, the fact that it was four books in one volume (total of 906 pages with minuscule type) didn't help matters.  So I only finished the first book when it was due back at the library...where it was on hold.  Therefore, I had to wait over a month to get the book back and pick up where I left off.  BUT I'M FINISHED!!

The review: I must say that this might be one of the most difficult works I've read.  I can't decide if it's Ford's writing style or his dialogue that I found most perplexing.  I would say that if you're wanting to give this one a whirl make sure that you're prepared and that you stock up on patience.  The story was a riveting one which was the impetus for continuing all the way to the end (and I'm no quitter!).  The ending, however, fell short.  I feel like it ended too suddenly (which is saying something when it's 906 pages).  I don't feel satisfied.  I like having an ending where all the loose ends are tied up neatly.  Not entirely sure I got that with this one.

In the interim when I was waiting on the book to be in my possession again I started reading Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling (have I mentioned this already?).  Another book with a LOT of plot and a TON of characters.  I'll have to figure out where I left off with that one so that I can finish it and write it up for you guys.  The past two months have been busy but I'm hopeful after the holidays to pick up the pace.

Hope you are all doing well and READING!

I'm back!

I must first apologize for the lengthy intermission between this post and the last.  There's been a lot of confusion over exactly which book I'm reading right now because Parade's End came in, I read the first of the three books, and then it had to be returned because it was on hold.  Because of all of that hullabaloo, I started reading The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells.  H.G. Wells is an acquired taste in my opinion. I read War of the Worlds about 5 years ago and was entirely unimpressed.  I read The Time Machine in 2008 and LOVED it.  So what did I think of The Island of Dr. Moreau?  Well, I liked it for the most part.  It was well-written and definitely kept my attention throughout the entire narrative.  I would caution anyone with a weak stomach or who has a softness for animals (like myself).  It's not light reading to be sure but it is fascinating the way this particular writer's mind works.  If you like science fiction novels, then you're likely to enjoy this one.

Speaking of sci-fi novels, I picked up an out-of-print book at a bookshop a couple of weeks ago and decided I wanted to give it a whirl while I was waiting out my book on hold.  The Day the World Ended by Sax Rohmer is about 3 men (a Frenchman, an Englishman, and an American which sounds like a bad joke) who arrive in Germany trying to solve three mysteries that turn out to be one and the same.  There is a plot to destroy the earth and they are given a choice if they would rather die with the masses or be spared with the few.  I was a little disappointed at its rather anti-climactic ending but it moved along fairly well and the characters were for the most part very likable.  Again, I'd recommend this one to any hardcore sci-fi book lover.

Of course, because I have serious compulsion issues when it comes to books I grabbed two more books from the library.  I've decided (just now incidentally) that I'm going to start From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne first because I'm in a classics kind of mood. I haven't the foggiest notion what the main plot of the story is other than it discusses space travel (and was mentioned in Back to the Future III).  I promise to be more prompt with my response this time!!

Please let me know how I'm doing and if there is anything you'd like to see more of genre-wise.  Keep those pages turning!!

This is most definitely an adult book!

Word to the wise, if you're looking for a book to read aloud to the kids at night then Water for Elephants is NOT the book for you.  However, if you're looking for a book that will take you into the world of circuses when they were in their heyday then this IS the book for you.  Oh and there's romance (with racy bits which is partly why it's not suitable for the youngsters).  And drama (a trainload of it).  This book was highly recommended to me by two of my classmates from my YA Lit class and I must say they did not lead me astray.  Well-written, engaging, and just plain fun to read, Sara Gruen had me on the edge of my seat the whole way.  I've always been fascinated by the culture of circuses and this has just fueled that fire even more.

Of course, now that I've finished this book I remembered that I was 3/4 of the way through A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking and I owe it to science to finish it up.  Sooooo that's what I'm going to do while I wait on my library hold for Parade's End by Ford Madox Ford (now that is a fun name).  I'll let you guys know the verdict just as soon as I can!!