Everlasting

Everlasting by Angie Frazier
Scholastic Press, 2010
329 pages
YA; Historical
3.5/5 stars

Source: Bought

Summary: Camille is engaged to a fine upstanding man but all she wants is to be at sea with her father.  On what will be their last journey, secrets and a storm destroy everything Camille knows.  All that remains is Oscar, steady, dependable Oscar who is definitely not her fiance but who may just be the answer.

Some spoilers!

Thoughts: A much delayed review from the readathon which means it will be short as I can't remember much. I didn't think the historical setting (1855 San Francisco) was utilized enough except to highlight Camille's status as a bargaining chip to maintain her family's prosperity and to impose a certain set of expectations on her.

I appreciated that there was a strong father/daughter relationship because a lot of YA parents suck.  Although it turns out that her father has done some bad stuff too.

Then there is a "curse" unleashed by saying a name; this is the paranormal aspect that completely blindsided me.  It seemed unnecessary-why couldn't it have been just a normal treasure?  I definitely wanted less of that.

Oddly I preferred her fiance Randall to Oscar.  Oscar didn't seem to be that great of a guy although he was the one she had sparks with.  Randall seemed a nice enough guy, unless I'm forgetting that he had some deep dark secret.

Overall: Lovely historical fiction, marred by paranormal aspects.

Cover: I love the cover-probably one of my favorites from this year!  The colors, the font, the picture, I love it all!

Bleak House, Chapters 33-38

Hosted by Amanda at the Zen Leaf, who just moved to Wordpress!

Some dreary chapters this week.

Chapter 33: The aftermath of Krook's death.  It turns out that Grandmother Smallweed was his sister.  Mr Guppy visits Lady Dedlock and tells her that papers are gone; Mr Tulkinghorn is creepy.

Chapter 34: Mr George's debt is going to be called in and the nice Bagnets will be ruined.  Except that Mr George will provide the handwriting sample to Mr Tulkinghorn in order to protect the Bagnets.

Chapter 35: Sickening how Esther goes on and on about Ada.  Richard is a jerk to Mr Jarndyce.  Miss Flite comes to visit Esther.  Mr Woodcourt (a doctor) has won acclaim abroad, which causes Esther to ponder what if he had loved her as she had hoped.

Chapter 36: Esther and Charley go to stay at Boythorn's house in order to help their health.  While there Esther meets with Lady Dedlock who confesses she is her mother but begs her to say nothing in order to protect Sir Leicester.  Esther talks more about how her beauty is ruined and no man could look past it (why does she assume all men are so shallow? Just because Dickens was)

Chapter 37: Richard comes back and he now thinks Mr Skimpole is a jolly good chap which I think shows you very plainly how awful he's become.  He is pretty much obsessed with the case and has employed a Mr Vholes for assistance.

Chapter 38: Esther goes to London under the pretense of visiting Caddy, who is quite happy in her new married life.  They visit Mr Guppy in a (rather funny) scene where he wants her to promise that he is under no obligation to her due to his earlier proposals.  It seems as if he is as shallow as Esther thinks men are.

Christian Book Club: Havah

 

Hosted by Joy at Edgy Inspirational Romance.

This month we read Havah by Tosca Lee (I will be posting a review later in October) and we're discussing some of the questions provided by the author about the book.  We can answer a few or all.

A brief summary: basically a look at Eve's life, from her creation to her death.

1. Before the Fall, how free was Havah to do as she pleased? After the Fall, how did Havah's freedoms become more limited?   Originally Havah was pretty much able to do whatever she wanted (except for eat of the fruit of one tree).  She seemed to have a pretty idyllic lifestyle.  After the Fall, she and Adam had a lot more responsibilities: they had to find food and shelter, protect themselves from predators and bugs, and raise their children.

3. How does Adam view his children? How does that differ from Havah? Why?    Havah seemed to feel that Adam valued the children (especially Kayin) less than she did.  She mentions several times that Adam should have praised them more and that he should protect them more from dangers.  Havah places great faith in the idea that Kayin will be able to bring them back to the Garden and consequently loves him the most (although she seems careful to try not to express this preference).

6. Why did God seem so distant from Havah?    As a Christian, the simple straightforward answer is that only through Christ the Son can we know God the Father.  But well Christ hadn't come yet so I guess that doesn't work.  So seriously I'm  not sure.

7. Why was Kayin's sacrifice not accepted by God? Did that mean Kayin was likewise rejected?    I think his sacrifice wasn't accepted because he went with the wrong attitude.  Hevel went in a posture of subjection and wanting to serve God while Kayin went for his parents and believing that he was the one and seeking approval.  Earlier, it is shown how Hevel gives freely while Kayin gives in a more quid pro quo fashion. But I don't believe God rejected Kayin; the sacrifice and the person can be separated.

10. Did Havah ever make it back to to the Garden?  I hope this makes sense: I don't think she returned to the Garden, the place that she knew in her youth, but she ended in a place like the Garden due to the presence of God.

Did you read Havah?  What did you think?

Britney on Glee!

So as you can see from the title, I'm super excited about Britney Spears being on Glee and having some of her songs being covered.  In order to celebrate, I'm sharing a video that I just discovered basically now.  It's for "Circus" which is not being covered but I really like some of the faces Britney makes; she really looks like she's having fun and is happy.  I've also really been liking "Toxic," which is being covered and "If You Seek Amy, " which is not being covered for obvious reasons.  In the latter case, it's largely because of those rose shoes.  I know I'm super late to the party of adoring those shoes but man, they're great!

And one last video, my favorite of early Britney, the under-appreciated "(You Drive Me) Crazy":

The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Fawcett Crest, 1985
395 pages
Dystopian; Feminist; Classic
4/5 stars

Source: Library

Summary: Offred is a Handmaid in a dystopian nation formed out of the US.  As a Handmaid, her sole preoccupation is to become pregnant by the Commander; any child produced will then go to the Commander and his wife.  In this society, people are sharply divided in to different ranks, with little interaction.  Offred can remember some of the time before when she had a husband and a child but those memories are fading.

Thoughts: I had tried to read this once before but failed due to my workload and I think it also had something to do with the writing.  It's written in stream of consciousness style which works with the story but is not at all my preference.  It is also less plot driven and more about Offred thinking about her past, what the future might hold, and how she feels without her doing anything.  Not that she could do anything in the very hierarchical and patriarchal society in which she lives.  I think I just found it too depressing and terrifying.

Overall: I can see why this is such an acclaimed story and it is well-written but it's not quite my taste.

Cover: I find the cover very striking.  Long before I read this, I noticed it and thought it looked really weird.

Has anyone seen the movie? It seems like a hard book to adapt.

Read as part of my FITG challenge.

A Case for Love

A Case for Love by Kaye Dacus
Barbour, 2010
317 pages
Inspirational; Romance; Contemporary
Third in Brides of Bonneterre Trilogy
4.5/5 stars

My reviews of Stand-In Groom and Menu For Romance.

Source: Netgalley

Summary: Forbes Guidry has been the bachelor of the year three times in a row and he's sick of it.  Although he's dated before, those women called him a control freak.  So for now he's alone.  Alaine Delacroix is a host of a television show who wants to move up to anchor.  When they become entangled in a case that pits her family against his, sparks fly!

Thoughts: Now that's more like it!  This was a fantastic book with a strong hero and heroine.  Forbes, while definitely a control freak, really does care about his family and I would say he's the best hero of the trilogy.  Funnily enough, his favorite book is Bleak House because he is interested in the law case.  His one flaw seems to be a lack of appreciation for old movies because I can see how his controlling natures stems from being the oldest child and how it reflects his deep love for his family.

Alaine is a television show host who was introduced in the second book.  After seeing Meredith's (Forbes' sister and heroine of Menu for Romance) happiness, she even more longs for a romantic relationship.  But she is conflicted because the possible love interest Forbes is connected to the family that is bent on destroying a set of small businesses including the one that provides her family's livelihood.  She is also grappling with appearances and the inner self, which she is able to settle.

As their relationship deepened, they both come to important conclusions about their careers that I think will lead them to great happiness.  They had a lot in common and they seemed to make each other laugh.  They also have strong relationships with their families and develop a good rapport with the other's family.  As always, they have relationships with God and the prayers they pray were very consoling to me.

Two problems were I felt that a. their attractiveness was emphasized too much and b. the ending was wrapped up too quickly. Of course, I don't want to read about a law case that drags on for decades so it's probably for the best!  I liked all the descriptions of food in this book even though as a very picky eater, I can't imagine eating any of it (for example I hate seafood).

Overall: The best of the trilogy and a satisfying conclusion to the Brides of Bonneterre trilogy!

Cover: While I have mentioned that I don't like the cut off heads, I really like this guy's suit and the blue on the cover.

Contest Craze #1

Princess Bookie is hosting her Contest Craze and the first challenge is to list our top 5 most wanted books for 2011; this is kind of hard for me because I don't really follow release dates but I have found 5 that I'm super excited about!

[Links go to goodreads page]

1. Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott: all of Scott's books are automatic reads for me and this is apparently due May 2011.  I don't know anything about it other than that it's part of the Contemps Challenge but it's my number 1 pick.

2. Wither by Lauren DeStefano: Has one of the most gorgeous covers I've ever seen and that's my main reason for wanting to read it. Yes, I judge books by their covers! (Due March 2011)

3. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore: The third book in the Seven Kingdoms series; I loved Graceling and mostly liked Fire so I have high hopes for this.  This focuses on Bitterblue, a character in Graceling. (Due April 2011)

4. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater: The third book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy.  After the cliffhanger in Linger, I'm dying for this (and rooting for a lavender cover as the color that would look best with the other two books). (Due July 2011)

5. Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready: The second book in the Shade series; I thought it had an interesting mythology and I can't wait to see how she expands the universe. (Due May 2011)

So I have to stop now but there are so many appealing sounding books coming.  I realized that most of my picks are in series but I'm also looking forward to discovering new series/authors!  If you didn't know about these books, I hope you keep them on your radar and check them out when they arrive.