This is a fun book that encourages imagination and not letting the big kids get you down. I like that the main character is a girl, and that her toy a...moreThis is a fun book that encourages imagination and not letting the big kids get you down. I like that the main character is a girl, and that her toy animals all have distinct personalities. It is about being yourself and using the items you have around you to have a good time. (less)
This is a nice introduction to a fairy world where fairies have to go to school to learn how to fly. As the title indicates, this is exactly the prima...moreThis is a nice introduction to a fairy world where fairies have to go to school to learn how to fly. As the title indicates, this is exactly the primary focus of this first book in the Glitterwings Academy universe. It is a nice tale about friendship and learning to persevere and finding your own way to knowledge. The interactions with teachers, parents and other fairies is nicely portrayed. Fun, light read.(less)
I've always liked Steve Martin as an actor. I had actually forgotten much of his comedy stuff that I'd seen growing up, but reading about it here remi...moreI've always liked Steve Martin as an actor. I had actually forgotten much of his comedy stuff that I'd seen growing up, but reading about it here reminded me - in fact, a few times I thought, "Oh! That was Steve Martin in that sketch."
This book is touching and a genuine look back at Steve Martin's comedy career. He doesn't go too sentimental, he doesn't try to cram a joke into every line. He's honest and sincere about what happened to him, and it seems like he's trying to put the pieces together, for himself and for the reader.
I can imagine that any wannabe comics would find his accounts of getting to where he did enlightening about the random chance and hard work that it takes to be a success.
I'm trying to focus this month on reading books from my own shelves rather than the library since I have quite a lot that I've never read. I picked th...moreI'm trying to focus this month on reading books from my own shelves rather than the library since I have quite a lot that I've never read. I picked this up for a quick read, but didn't realise I hadn't read this one either! I must have bought it (used) and put it on the shelf... unbelievable!
For yet another kids book about England during WWII, this Streatfeild is an interesting read. Six children living in a lane have to deal with events that unfold and get them much more involved in the war effort than they ever would imagine. Of course each of them has useful skills that help them in their adventure.
It was a quick, enjoyable read, and more different than When the Sirens Wailed than I would have thought it might have been. Streatfeild is still one of my favourite all time children's writers.(less)
Ah Streatfeild. This book is an excellent example of why she is best at children's fiction. While this one is intended for adults and deals with more...moreAh Streatfeild. This book is an excellent example of why she is best at children's fiction. While this one is intended for adults and deals with more mature issues, she still tends to concentrate on the childhoods and write in a nicely simple way, suitably tying up all the loose ends in a satisfactory way.
This book has a bit of head hopping between some of the major family members, and I understand the need for it to get us some of the backstory for each of our characters, but the heart of the story is really about the family visit and it takes a bit of time to get there. The archetypal Steatfeild characters are here, but watered down in this format. I enjoyed this book, but it is not one of her finest, and I wouldn't necessarily suggest it for any but the most devoted Streatfeild completists. (less)
It had been quite a while since I read this, and I pulled it out as something quick to read outloud. While it didn't hold up as well as I would have i...moreIt had been quite a while since I read this, and I pulled it out as something quick to read outloud. While it didn't hold up as well as I would have imagined it would, it was still enjoyable and suspenseful. Re-reading it again after all this time, I wanted to learn more about Little John's home world and get a sense of the characters of the family that took him in. (less)
Finished Jan 08... Still love the humour and exquisite ironies in this book!
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Re-reading the classic which I have probably read about 8 times sinc...moreFinished Jan 08... Still love the humour and exquisite ironies in this book!
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Re-reading the classic which I have probably read about 8 times since it was assigned in high school. I love to pick it up again and again, since I can't just read snippets - I have to read the whole thing every time... in fact I'm so obsessed with it, I actually own two copies in case something happens to one of them. One of my all-time favourites, exquisitely existential!(less)
These four novellas lend an insight into the mores of the upper crust of New York society of the mid-19th century. I thought it was interesting how mo...moreThese four novellas lend an insight into the mores of the upper crust of New York society of the mid-19th century. I thought it was interesting how modern some of the situations and plot felt, even though some of the customs were obviously of another age. It seems some of the societal pressures of marriage and morality could still exist in modern New York society, especially that of the richer classes, which are always a bit more conservative.
I did enjoy some of the stories more than others. 'The Spark' was the weakest of the four, since it seemed to always be on the edge of saying something but never getting there. The other three felt more accessible. False Dawn, the first story, was so exquisitely sad and didn't go where I first expected it to, which was a nice surprise. The Old Maid was strongly written and set up the two main characters very well. I understand why Wharton used the younger narrator to frame the story of New Year's Day, but it felt much more like a contrivance. The first two stories of the book did not have a character narrating (although one pops up at the end of False Dawn he does not intrude at all before that), which seems to be the reason they were stronger. The narrator in New Year's Day was the troubling bit of the story. Wharton had to write him in with convolutions of the story, which served to lose the emotional kernel of the story in the mix.
Altogether, I enjoyed these novellas and the glimpses into old New York, and I am now interested in reading Wharton's longer works.(less)
So far I've only tried a couple of the recipes in this book, but I have a number of more that I want to make. The instructions are clear and well writ...moreSo far I've only tried a couple of the recipes in this book, but I have a number of more that I want to make. The instructions are clear and well written, and the list of ingredients is usefully pulled out to the side of each page, making it easier to look through and see if you have everything available. The 'Glazed Breakfast Buns' were delicious and although I think they're too sweet for breakfast, they work nicely at other times with a nice cup of tea. My 'Raspberry Crumb Squares' didn't work out as well, but I didn't follow the instructions exactly, so I blame myself. The result was delicious anyway, and I hope it will work out better when I follow what's written. Just made the 'Orange Vanilla Chip Cookies' last night with white chocolate chunks instead of vanilla chips (never heard of these, and definitely can't get them in the UK) - really really yummy, and faintly remind me of Creamsicles as the text says. It's unfortunate that a lot of their cookie and bars seems to require chips in various flavours, as they are really difficult, if nigh on impossible, to get here. I guess I'll have to stock up when I'm next in the States on: vanilla chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, white choc chips and of course chocolate chips.(less)
I don't know how he does it, but every time Philip Reeve crafts a most enjoyable, rollicking adventure. This is the third in the Larklight series, and...moreI don't know how he does it, but every time Philip Reeve crafts a most enjoyable, rollicking adventure. This is the third in the Larklight series, and I'm still loving the Victorian spacesteampunk tales. Here we get even more Art and Myrtle squabbling, Jack Havoc and his crews of misfits, terrible danger and threats to the Queen and the great British empire. The Mumby family finding themselves in the thick of an interdimensional plot against our solar system is the best way to ensure a splendid story that grips, terrorises, and gives you the giggles. In a word: Huzzah!!(less)
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