Holly's Blog – July 2008 Archive (14)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Run, don't walk and read this book, if you haven't already. An absolutely amazing book that ends the story and ties up loose ends. Harry, Ron and Hermione leave Hogwarts their 7th year and go on a quest for the remaining horcruxes. Along the way there are the inevitable adventures and coming of age experiences.

I found some of the camping scenes to drag a little. I know they were "on the run" and trying to find the horcruxes, but there was too… Continue

Added by Holly on July 29, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

The Darcys Give A Ball: A Gentle Joke, Jane Austen Style

A charming little book. The subtitle is, "A gentle joke, Jane Austen style" and it is very much a delightful read.

The Darcy's second son, Henry, returns home from college and mentions that he is in love with Eliza Collins, the youngest daughter of Charlotte and Mr. Collins. Upon hearing this and discussing the issue, Elizabeth and Jane decide to plan a ball at Pemberley. The pretense of the ball is to celebrate their daughter Juliet's 18th… Continue

Added by Holly on July 27, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Terrific, amazing. Need I say more? I love the opening scene with the Muggle Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic. It's terrific and really brings a new perspective to the story: the magic world does affect the muggle world, even if the muggles aren't aware of it. We also get a new glimpse of Severus Snape, as he promises Narcissa Malfoy that he will protect her son Draco. He even makes the Unbreakable Vow. Has he really repented and turned spy,… Continue

Added by Holly on July 25, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Delightfully entertaining. The book opens with a bored, 15-year old Harry. He's full of normal teenage angst that is compounded by the fact that he's feeling abandoned by the wizarding world. He managed to finish the Triwizard Tournament, only to watch Cedric die at the hands of Wormtail and then find himself face to face with Lord Voldemort. As soon as school ended, he was sent back to the Dursley's with no significant contact from Ron and Hermione.… Continue

Added by Holly on July 20, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

A Light to My Path

The third book in the Refiner's Fire series by Lynn Austin. Each book tells the story of the Civil War from a different viewpoint. This book is told through the eyes of Anna and Grady, house slaves on a plantation in South Carolina. Anna was born into slavery and knows nothing else. She doesn't understand that she is a person in her own right and not a possession. She has always followed orders and obeyed her spoiled, selfish mistress. Grady was born… Continue

Added by Holly on July 18, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Fire By Night

Book 2 in the Refiner's Fire series by Lynn Austin. It is not a sequel to the first book, Candle in the Darkness. Rather, it goes back to the beginning and tells the story of the Civil War from the viewpoint of two different Northern young women. One of whom, Julia, is related to Caroline of Candle in the Darkness. Julia is the spoiled socialite daughter of a wealthy Northern family. She sets her sights on Nathaniel Greene, a preacher and strong… Continue

Added by Holly on July 17, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Candle in the Darkness

Amazing. Probably one of the best books I've read in quite awhile. It's the first of a 3-part series and I plan on reading them all.

Set in Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War, the story follows Caroline Fletcher, the privileged daughter of a wealthy slave owner. As Caroline grows up, she realizes that her views of slavery differ from many others, including her father. Her slaves are people, human beings with lives and feelings. They are her… Continue

Added by Holly on July 16, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Hidden Places

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Lynn Austin is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

Set during the depression, after WW1, Eliza is a young widow living with her children and father-in-law. After his death, she struggles to run the family orchards on her own. A stranger appears on her doorstep, injured and looking for work. As Eliza nurses Gabe back to health, he integrates himself into her family and heart, but secrets threaten to destroy… Continue

Added by Holly on July 15, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I think this is the funnest Harry Potter book. Even with the tragic end to the Triwizard Tournament, and the difficulties Harry faces, this is the most entertaining of the series.

Fred and George Weasley are terrific. I wish the early scene of Dudley and the Ton-Tongue Toffee had been included in the film, because it's absolutely hysterical.

In the Goblet of Fire we have the Quidditch World Cup, Death-Eaters, the Triwizard Tournament,… Continue

Added by Holly on July 14, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Friday Night Knitting Club

I have mixed feelings. I liked it: I didn't love it. I enjoyed it: I was disappointed.

Georgia Walker is a single mother, raising her pre-teen daughter and supporting herself through her knitting/yard store. Lost and lonely customers begin gathering each Friday night to knit, and through that, come together as friends. Predictably, each one finds herself by the end of the book.

Set in New York City, the "F" word is sprinkled… Continue

Added by Holly on July 11, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

A Dance to Remember

Stupid book. I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting (at night, when I really should have been sleeping).

Wade was introduced in Dancing in the Light and this book continues his story as he deals with the struggles his new wife has with depression. I found myself skimming some pages, as there is a lot of talking and explaining about depression and symptoms, treatments, etc. There's a lot of crying too. This novel was very… Continue

Added by Holly on July 11, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Then She Found Me

An interesting, even compelling story. In a nutshell, April was born in 1952 to a 17-year old mother and adopted by German immigrants. She is smart and educated, but has a nice, quiet life. She has never desired to know her birth parents. However, at the age of 36, after her adoptive parents have died, her eccentric birth mother arrives, ready to be the perfect mother.

April is a Latin teacher and her birth mother, Bernice, is the host of a local… Continue

Added by Holly on July 4, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Bringing Elizabeth Home

This was written a year and a half after Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping. Her parents, Ed & Lois write about the experience of losing their child to a stranger. You really get a taste of each perspective. The book does not share Elizabeth's experience in any great detail. Her parents felt that if and when the time comes, that is her story to tell.

The story details what they went through with the police, detectives, FBI and media. They are… Continue

Added by Holly on July 2, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

In some ways, this is the book where nothing much happens. However, we do learn quite a bit of history.

The Dursley's are as annoying as ever, but the best scene ever happens when Harry blows up Aunt Marge. This was portrayed, brilliantly, in the film.

We meet Sirius Black, who is Harry's godfather, and who was James' best friend. We learn more about how and why Harry's parents died and who betrayed them to Lord Voldemort. We also meet… Continue

Added by Holly on July 1, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments