Friday, December 11, 2015

Room




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wasn't real impressed with this book. Can't put my finger on it. I think it was the kid, Jack. I think it was the way he spoke. Being that he was the narrator of this story. Jack was only 5 years old and he used vocabulary that you usually don't hear from a child. Granted he was in the room with his mother and she taught him the way she saw. The thing with the breast feeding was annoying. I get it, the connection of mother and son. It was just too much.
I wish I seen the mother actually prepare Jack that someday they will get out. No wonder he thought everyone lived in the tv.

I'm guessing his grandfather really didn't have much of a part in any life. I think what really annoys me is the repetitive actions that that all the characters had. To see at the end it was left flat

I'm glad I finished the book. It feels complete when a story is read to the end.
I'm hoping that Emma Donoghue's other books are better. I will look forward to reading them.

I give Room 3 



Put a Pin on the Map





Sunday, September 27, 2015

To Kill A Mockingbird







I know I saw the movie and remember reading the book a very long time ago. Re reading this book again on this 50th anniversary led me to think more about what was in To Kill A Mockingbird stood out to me.
First I recognized that the story was told by Jean Louise (Scout) as a child. But as I read on I realized some of the 50 cent words written made me think was she older telling this story? Or was Scout that advanced because of the care of reading that her father gave her? Remembering Scout was upset because her teacher would not let her go forward in her reading. Telling her that Atticus should not be teaching her. “Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
Myself I taught my kids to appreciate that they can read. But until they realized it themselves that their dreams and books are connected. That's when it turned around for them.

Always heard the quote “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Re reading I feel what was said says it all. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” Connects the actions with Tom Roberson, Bob Ewell, and of course Boo Radley. "Hey Boo"

I feel that the lesson in this story was innocent enough. And there was hope that people would take something away from this. The movie version leaves a lot out of course but these characters of Scout& Jem Finch, Atticus and his sister Alexender Finch, Dill, Bob Ewell and sister Mayella, Calpurnia, and of course Arthur (Boo) Radley will always stay with me.

Even though today there is always strive for non judgement and peace. It will always be a struggle.
Always recommend to read this story

I give To Kill A Mockingbird 5





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad




Put a Pin on the Map
View my Guestmap
Free Guestmaps by Bravenet.com




Friday, June 19, 2015

Gracelin O'Malley

As I was reading this book I couldn't put my finger on it. The actions of the characters Bram, and Grace with each other made me think that I read something like this before. Than I thought Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and Withering Heights by Emily Bronte. Grace married Bram who was controlling, distant just down right mean. A twisted soul. In this case Bram was a pig of an Englishman. Just as Rebecca, and Cathy of Withering Heights were strong in some way. Grace like the name sake  Grace O'Malley Pirate Queen of Ireland, was strong. Stuck up for herself, kind to others, helping as much as she could with the sickness that had spread on Ireland, her country.

I thought the story was well written. But it was long winded. Some things weren't necessary to write on. It was self explanatory. Which made it for me a very long story. Me reading the story never changed my perception of the famine in 1845. I did know that Ireland's people did have trouble with their potato crops. If the author was writing the truth about some actually growing other vegetables, than I didn't know of that.But fever,being sick in that time for me was well known.
Grace was bought in marriage just as the daughters were made to live and work on farms, etc and send back money to the family. And sons were kept to work on their own land. It's just the way of life back than.

Toward the end Grace has lost almost everyone in her life. Her babies,grandmother,two husbands. One of which Morgan who loved her all her life but was short lived. I think what prepared her to survive was the will to live. The will to be with her family brother,father, grandmother,her child Mary Kate that lived, also her son that was surviving to live himself. A product of Morgan and Grace's love for each other. And deep down Morgan, I think Grace survived because she thought of the good Ireland would be after the fighting and sickness was gone.
I think the spirits of some people are resilient is because their purpose in life didn't happen yet. Their dreams is to make that happen. Live for their family to make it better. But spirits are also defeated too. I believe they feel broken. They feel there is no opportunity for them to get a head. And feel unloved. There is no purpose.

Grace had to leave her son behind with her father until both get stronger. As she headed to the New World I think it was a good idea this way she can get set up and have some kind of home for them all when they come. It would really take a lot for me if the situation was turned around. I know I couldn't do it. Something extra special would have to be put on the table for me to change my mind to leave my child.
Faith had to do with alot of Grace's character as well as her Granny,brother and Morgan. Her brother Sean and Morgan had faith indeed to fight against the enemy without a army.

This story doesn't affect me too much on my views of the current struggles of Northern Ireland. First what Sean and Morgan were fighting for in the Young Irelanders is true in some ways of today. Change laws that give no power over own destinies. Today some Irelanders do want to stay under the English flag. And that rubs others the wrong way. My relatives live in Northern Ireland and say there are people coming over to seek shelter and employment because their country isn't going to well. There will always be animosity toward the politics One will never find peace. The wheel will just turn. And they will have to make the best out of it of what they have.

I give Gracelin O'Malley 4 


Put a Pin on the Map


Just because it was a long story

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Love, Rosie



I like this story. Pretty simple,quirky, and fun. I never read a story that was mainly emails and letters. Oh yeah IM's too when you don't think others can read your messages because you forgot it's not private on a school computer. Was surprised that it worked out as smooth as it did.
Not very often does a relationship bud from being friends for so long. Amusing to see Rosie and Alex as friends when they were young. I especially like how they had each other's back through falling down drunk on a filthy pub floor, calling their teacher Ms. Big Nose Smelly Breath Casey, marriages,births, and deaths. Isn't ironic that Rosie found a friend just like her in Ruby?
I'm glad to see it was written that Katie and her father had a decent relationship later on. You read too many times the later happens. Also glad to see Katie have a better relationship with her mom. Life is to short indeed.
As James Joyce says "Mistakes are the portals of discovery"
Of course there are hardships but it's good to see that Rosie did work towards her ideal job. On a side note being that I am Ireland bound. I would definitely stay at Rosie's B&B.
As children we never see our parents as aging. As Rosie found out with her own mother it's hard to comprehend. And to feel so overwhelmed when you are the caretaker you just want a break.
Can relate with Rosie feeling like other people are coming and going but she stands still. A bit lonesome indeed.
It took fifty years, Rosie did find her Mr. Right in Alex at the best of her life.

Too bad I didn't get to see the movie,but the book was excellent

I give Love, Rosie 5----> 



Put a Pin on the Map

Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Claus Legend of the Fat Man



I didn't realize this book was a YA book. I thought the story was intresting for all. The book was pretty good. Almost anyone/everything you can think of about Christmas and the North Pole, was covered.

Story started out like hitting the ground running. But towards the middle it pretty much stalled. It wasn't until the end it picked up once again.
It was very nice to find out about Jack and Claus. And how Santa Claus was created in Nicholas. Rudolf was given a storyline of strength and knowledge. He was one of the reindeer that was looked upon that he knew what he was doing. Far cry from the stories/songs you hear of him . I like to see the underdog come out well.

It was a treat to read a story that actually had a story in it especially for Christmas. There was fact intertwine with fiction. Such as the elven people. An ancient people that were left from the Ice Age. There were Nordic people an ancient Indians, Eskimos, their stature could be mirrored by our beloved elves.
The author made these people full of magic. But the magic that can only be of the elements.

I thought the way the author wrote the character Claus was a bit weird. And Jack, he was crazier than I thought. What a twist to find out who Jack and Claus's mother was. And how easy it was for the elven's to accept the idea of "Christmas". And all the rest of the ideas that came from their leader.

 I am putting the other two books on my wishlist. I would like to complete the stories of Jack and Frosty.

I give Claus: The legend of the fat man 5


Put a Pin on the Map