AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

TITLE: Lover Avenged
SERIES: Book #7 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
AUTHOR: J.R. Ward 

NARRATOR: Jim Frangione

PUBLISHER: Penguin Audio
DATE OF PUBLICATION: May 14, 2009
FORMAT: Unabridged Audio MP3, 23 hours and 6 minutes
GENRE: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1101053041

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

Now, as the vampire warriors defend their race against their slayers, one male's loyalty to the Brotherhood will be tested--and his dangerous mixed blood revealed...

Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood-even though his sister is married to a member, for he harbors a deadly secret that could make him a huge liability in their war against the lessers. As plots within and outside of the Brotherhood threaten to reveal the truth about Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world, Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him-and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

MY REVIEW:

This book was a little bit different than all the rest because it is mainly about someone who is NOT a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I was always intrigued by Rehvenge’s character, and I enjoyed learning more about the Sympath colony. However, I could have done without the details of his sexual escapades with his HALF-SISTER. Ewwww! I realize that it wasn’t Rehv’s fault and that he was being blackmailed, but I didn’t like reading this part of the book, solely because he was related to the Princess. Too incestuous for me.

As with Zsadist and Vishous, Ward has a way for making us fall in love with these bad boys! Rehv is a hooker with a heart of gold (as well as pimp and drug lord), and only Ward could make us feel the way we do about Rehv. There is a reason why he does what he does, and he doesn’t do it for selfish reasons. I love the protector role that Rehv takes with his sister, Bella. As Rehv’s past unfolds, we see what a man of character he is and what lengths he has gone to in order to protect Bella and his mother. The scene towards the end with Rehv singing a lullaby to Nalla had me in tears!

I enjoyed learning more about the two shadows, Trez and iAm. They are absolutely committed to Rehvenge, and I like that. I hope we get to learn more about them!

Rehv falls for Ehlena, who is a nurse at Havers’ clinic. I loved everything about Ehlena, and it was not a surprise that she melted Rehv’s sympath side. I loved her “fall from grace” from the Glymera, which showed us how resilient and tough her character is. The intimate scenes between Rehv and Ehlena were totally hot! I am sure my face was flushed while I was listening, especially during their steamy phone sex during which Ehlena found a new use for her stockings! Ward has created another brilliant pairing in Rehv & Ehlena. I love them together!

I loved that Ward drew in a lot of the other members of the BDB into this book. There are so many sub-plots going on! Even Mary and Doc Jane resurface!

I enjoyed revisiting the relationship between Wrath and Beth, and I find that I like Wrath more now than I did in Dark Lover. His battle with himself over the loss of his sight was heart-breaking, and I loved seeing that vulnerability in him. Wrath’s relationship with Payne is interesting, and I can’t wait to see where that goes!

I loved delving further into John Matthew’s relationship with Xhex, but I hate how John Matthew changes during this book. I wish that Ward hadn’t turned him into such a cold-hearted bastard! I know he is hurting, but sheesh! He is taking it out on the whole world! I am glad that Tohr is finally getting his act together, even though it is "too little, too late" for John Matthew.

We learn more about Xhex and her ex-lover, Murhder, who was a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Her shell, too, is chipping away and underneath all that tough exterior is a woman who is struggling to keep a lid on her emotions.

And let’s not forget Lash…he is turning into quite the antagonist! He is the villain that you love to hate.

Ward masterfully ties all the sub-plots together into a superb ending! And what a cliff-hanger!! I could hardly wait to start on the next one.

I love Ward’s sarcastic humour, and I was laughing out loud on a number of occasions throughout the book.

            Wrath to Butch: “Put on your big-girl pants and deal.”

And the touching moments:

Wrath’s thoughts: “But every once in a while, from out of the blue, someone reaches the quiet place where you spend your private time and changes the way you see yourself. If you’re lucky it’s your mate…and the transformation reminds you once again that you are absolutely, positively with the right person: because what they say doesn’t touch you because of who they are to you, but because of the content of their message.”

Ahhhhhhhh, just melts the heart, doesn't it?

Jim Frangione, how do you do it? I want his job. I want to narrate steamy novels, LOL! I have said it before and I’ll say it again: Frangione *IS* the BDB! There can never be another narrator for this series! His smooth, sultry voice during those intimate scenes is the icing on the cake!

This the first instance in the series where I have noticed some technical issues with the recording. There are some long pauses, and I can hear at other points where there was noise in the background when Frangione was cued in. It also sounded like Frangione was shouting the chapter numbers, and I jumped nearly out of my skin each time. It seemed like the volume on the chapter headings was louder than the rest of the narration. Either that or his voice was more commanding. I also prefer when the chapter number is preceded by the word "Chapter". I believe that this is also the first time in this series where Frangione simply says "One" instead of "Chapter One." I much prefer the latter.

MY RATING: 4.5 stars! Highly recommended, and I know I’ll read it again!

This book qualifies as:
#63 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge
#33 for my 2011 Audio Book Challenge

#33 for my 2011 "Whisper Stories in My Ear" Challenge

#25 for my What an Animal Reading Challenge IV 

#15 for my Vampire Challenge 2011
#9 for my Paranormal Romance Challenge 2011
#7 for my Black Dagger Brotherhood Reading Challenge

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Mayday

TITLE: Mayday
AUTHOR: Nelson DeMille and Thomas Block

NARRATOR: Scott Brick
PUBLISHER: Hachette Audio
DATE OF PUBLICATION: July 19, 2011

FORMAT: Unabridged - 11 Audio CDs, 13 hours and 15 minutes
GENRE: Thriller, Suspense
ISBN: 978-1611138375

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

Twelve miles above the Pacific Ocean, a missile strikes a jumbo passenger jet. The flight crew is crippled or dead. Now, defying both nature and man, three survivors must achieve the impossible. Land the plane. From master storyteller Nelson DeMille and master pilot Thomas Block comes Mayday, the classic bestseller that packs a supersonic shock at every turn of the page....the most terrifyingly realistic air disaster thriller ever. Like a growing tidal wave, the escaping air was gathering momentum. A teenaged girl in aisle 18, seat D, near the port-side aisle, her seat dislocated by the original impact, suddenly found herself gripping her seat track on the floor, her overturned seat still strapped to her body. The seatbelt failed and the seat shot down the aisle. She lost her grip and was dragged after it. Her eyes were filled with horror as she dug her nails into the carpet, as the racing air pulled her toward the yawning hole that led outside. Her cries were unheard by even those passengers who sat barely inches away from her struggle. The noise of the escaping air was so loud that it was no longer decipherable as sound, but seemed instead a solid thing pounding at the people in their seats...

 
MY REVIEW:

 I received this audiobook for review from Hachette Audio. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.

This is my first DeMille novel, and it won't be my last! This heart-pounding thriller will have you gripping the edge of your seat!

I had no idea that this book was actually originally written in the 1970s. In order to update aviation procedures and technology, it was updated and re-released in the 1990s.

A commercial airliner (Trans-United Airlines' Stratton 797) is accidentally struck by a missile launched by the Navy during a secret (illegal) testing operation. Instead of hitting a drone target, the missile blows through one side of the passenger jet and out the other. Some passengers are immediately swept away out the holes of the jet and others are injured in the immediate aftermath but what happens next is what is most frightening: The complete depressurization of the cabin at an altitude of 60,000 feet has left the majority of passengers and crew brain-damaged except for the few that were in pressure-stable areas.

The hero of Mayday, passenger John Berry, is a salesman and "weekend" pilot that has only flown small planes. He is the only person aboard that is capable of attempting to land the plane. Assisted by Flight Attendant Sharon Crandall, the two must defy the odds in order to survive aboard Flight #52.

**SPOILER WARNING 

John Berry's only hope to land the Stratton is to have an expert pilot give him explicit landing instructions. John and Sharon manage to contact the airline's headquarters in San Francisco by data-link, which is a computer-messaging system. The vice-president of the company, Edward Johnson, and the company's insurance agent, Wayne Metz, intercept the SOS messages and concoct a plan to derail the Stratton's return to San Francisco, knowing that the payout to the families of nearly 300 brain-damaged individuals will put the company into financial ruin. They want to see the Stratton crash into the ocean, killing all survivors.

The Navy's Commander Sloan, wanting to hide the evidence of their illegal test operation, wants F-18 Pilot Peter Matos to sink the Stratton with the second missile which the Commander wants launched directly into the cockpit.

Not only does John Berry have to contend with government conspiracies, the brain-damaged passengers are "waking-up" due to the drop in altitude and their behaviour is becoming increasingly more violent.

Faults notwithstanding, you cannot help but root for John Berry. At every turn, obstacles are thrown his way but he keeps a clear head for the most part and perseveres. DeMille has created a flawed hero, but that is what makes him so likeable. Berry isn't perfect, which makes him easy to relate to.

But that's not the best part...where DeMille really shines is in his antagonists: Edward Johnson, Wayne Metz, and Commander Sloan are truly despicable. I can't recall when I last read a book containing antagonists who were more loathsome and vile. They are truly contemptible with total disregard for human life. Bravo, DeMille! I loved to hate these villains!

This is also my first experience with Scott Brick as narrator. I thought Brick did a fabulous job, and the urgency in his voice had my shoulders tensed. Brick softened his voice for the female voices, and his reading made it easy to distinguish between characters.

Fans of airline disasters and conspiracy theories will love this novel! If you have high blood pressure, listening to this audiobook is probably not a good idea because the action is pulse-pounding! Likewise, you wouldn't want to listen to this book while you are flying or if you plan to fly at any point in the near future or if you already have a fear of flying!

In the beginning of the audiobook, I had a little difficulty focusing on the extremely detailed aviation lingo. I think my eyes glazed over a bit, and that's the only reason why I'm not giving this 5/5 stars.

MY RATING: 4.5 stars!! I loved it!! Thank you, Hachette Audio!

This book qualifies as:
#50 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge
#29 for my 2011 Audio Book Challenge
#29 for my 2011 "Whisper Stories in My Ear" Challenge

BOOK REVIEW: Lord of the Vampires

TITLE: Lord of the Vampires
SERIES: Royal House of Shadows, Book 1 AUTHOR: Gena Showalter

PUBLISHER: Harlequin Nocturne
DATE OF PUBLICATION: August 30, 2011 FORMAT: E-ARC, 281 pages GENRE: Paranormal Romance ISBN: 978-0373618668

SYNOPSIS FROM NETGALLEY:

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four
royal heirs…and time is running out…
Nicolai the Vampire was renowned for his virility, but in a twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” had become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remained was a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who could help him.

In her dreams, a wanton vampire called to Jane Parker, drawing her to his dark sexuality and his magical realm.

But for a human, all was not a fairy tale in Delfina. Jane was the key to Nicolai’s memory…but exploiting her meant dooming the only mortal he craved.

MY REVIEW:

I received this e-ARC from Netgalley.

Jane Parker, a 27 year-old woman, returns home from her jog to find a mysterious box on her porch. Inside is a leather-bound book with a note attached that reads, "I need you, Jane." Jane falls asleep after reading the book, and she awakens in Delfina - a magical realm with no time or age which has differing kingdoms and is outside the notice of humans.

In this alternate universe, everyone thinks that Jane is Princess Odette "returned from the grave." Odette had been stabbed and drained by her new vampire slave, Nicolai, and then thrown over the cliffs and was presumed dead. When Nicolai summoned Jane, he projected Odette's image onto her so that everyone would think that she was Odette.
Jane was a scientist who studied the manipulation of macroscopic energy, like the molecular transfer of an object from one place to another. Is this the reason why Nicolai had summoned her?
Jane, as Odette, must help Nikolai return to Elden so that he can kill the Blood Sorcerer who slayed his parents, King Aelfric and Queen Alvina, and find his siblings: Dayn, Breena, and Micah.

This is my first Harlequin Nocturne book, and also my first reading of Showalter's work. I am now a fan of both! I thought the story was unique, and I loved the idea of travelling to another realm.

I love that Jane is a strong, smart heroine and that she had overcome so much, not just in her ordinary life before Nicolai but also all that she had to endure while in Delfina. Nicolai is a hot and sexy vampire. I thought their pairing was magical, and Showalter certainly has a way with words -- the intimate scenes between Jane and Nicolai are positively sizzling!
Each book in the series is written by a different author, and I hope that I will enjoy the next book in the series -- Lords of Rage by Jill Monroe (Princess Breena's story) -- as much as I did this one. I am hooked on the series, and I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

MY RATING: 4.5 stars!

This book qualifies as:

#46 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

#19 for my What an Animal Reading Challenge IV 

#11 for my Vampire Challenge 2011

#10 for my 1st In A Series Challenge 2011
#6 for my Paranormal Romance Challenge 2011
#2 for my 2011 E-book Reading Challenge

BOOK REVIEW: The Very Old Man

TITLE: The Very Old Man
AUTHOR: Jenny Milchman

PUBLISHER: Istoria Books
DATE OF PUBLICATION: April 11, 2011
FORMAT: E-book (PDF), 20 pages
GENRE: Short Stories, Mystery
ASIN: B004W8D0H6

SYNOPSIS FROM AMAZON:

A chance encounter in a grocery store spooks a young mother. When small accidents begin to happen around her young child, she wonders if the old man who'd given her daughter a quarter is to blame.

MY REVIEW:

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book, "The Very Old Man", is sold in Kindle format together with another short story which I did not review.

This is a very spooky bedtime story!

Denise, the protagonist, is the mother of a nine-month old girl named Bethany. She is a little over-protective of her daughter and, in this case, she might have good reason!

Strange things begin to happen following the encounter with the old man: The baby has a few accidents and unexplained things occur in Bethany's nursery. Do these strange occurrences have anything to do with the coin the old man gave to Bethany? Is it cursed? Or is it Denise's own paranoia?

Milchman is an engaging storyteller! She did not tie everything up into a neat little package for the reader. Rather, she leaves the reader to ponder over the story to try to figure it out!

There is no gore or anything of that nature, so it does not quite fit the horror genre - yet it is more than a mystery. The book is more subtle than horror, reminiscent of a good ghost story.

With it being a short story, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed it as much as I did! I did not expect to be drawn in so much and so fast in such a short time. My only complaint was that it wasn't longer! I think Milchman could weave a fabulous full-length tale! I would love to read more from her!

Be warned: Any mom who reads this book will shudder a little!

MY RATING: 4.5 stars!

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Lover Revealed

TITLE: Lover Revealed
SERIES: Book #4 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
AUTHOR: J.R. Ward

NARRATOR: Jim Frangione
PUBLISHER: Recorded Books
DATE OF PUBLICATION: September 24, 2009 (first published March 6, 2007)
FORMAT: Unabridged - 16 hours, 19 minutes
GENRE: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1436187121

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world - to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. And if he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers. But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.

MY REVIEW:

Ward has done it again! Another fantastic novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

I really enjoy the character of Butch, and I love his unlikely friendship with Vishous.

Butch O'Neal is an ex-cop, who is the only human (aside from Rhage's Shellen, Mary) that has been allowed to hang out with the Brotherhood. He lives with Vishous (aka "V"), the technologically-savvy and smartest member of the Brotherhood who has the power to see the future. Vishous has revealed in earlier novels that he has had a vision about Butch, and this is why he has befriended him.

If the Black Dagger Brotherhood series was ever turned into a movie, Ward has mentioned that David Boreanaz (formerly of Angel fame, and now known as Special Agent Sealey Booth on crime drama, Bones) is the actor she would choose to play the role of Butch:


I loved Boreanaz as Angel!

Alright, back to the book! It is hard to talk about what happens in this book without spoilers, so I'm going to have to put the warning:

**SPOILER ALERT!

There were a lot of "firsts" in this book that make it memorable: Marissa's first sexual encounter, Butch's first love (Marissa), the first time we see how a human is turned into a vampire, and the process by which a warrior is inducted into the Brotherhood. We also learned about Butch's lineage and the Omega's plans for him, which was something that I did not see coming. It was also nice to see the Scribe Virgin mellow out a little bit, as we see in her interactions with Butch: “You know, human, if you learned some manners, you would fare well with me."

I did get a little frustrated with Butch's and Marissa's constant miscommunication! It started to get tiresome. My favourite quote from Butch to Marissa is:

“Darkness will never take me…because I have you. Light of my life, Marissa. That’s what you are.”

Although this book features Butch prominently, we also learn a lot about Vishous, and I can't wait to learn more about "V"! This scene takes place during Butch's transformation:

“V?" Butch said. "Don't leave, okay?" "Never." V brushed Butch's hair back with a gesture so tender it was out of place coming from a male.”

Ward also writes:

“As Butch held his palm up in despair, Vishous whipped off his glove and grabbed on good and hard. V's energy, that beautiful, white light, poured down Butch's arm and ripped through him in a blast, cleansing, renewing. United by their clasped hands, they became again the two halves, the light and the dark. The Destroyer and the Savior. A whole.”

I can't wait to learn more about The Destroyer Prophecy and how it affects both Butch and V!

As always, Jim Frangione was fantastic!

MY RATING: 4.5 stars!!

This book qualifies as:
#41 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge
#26 for my 2011 Audio Book Challenge
#26 for my 2011 "Whisper Stories in My Ear" Challenge
#17 for my What an Animal Reading Challenge IV 
#9 for my Vampire Challenge 2011
#8 for my 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge (Item #86)
#4 for my Black Dagger Brotherhood Reading Challenge
#4 for my Paranormal Romance Challenge 2011

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Lover Awakened

TITLE: Lover Awakened
SERIES: Book #3 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
AUTHOR: J.R. Ward

NARRATOR: Jim Frangione
PUBLISHER: Recorded Books
DATE OF PUBLICATION: August 18, 2009 (first published 2006)
FORMAT: Unabridged - 13 CDs - 15 hours, 13 minutes
GENRE: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1436187121

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Of these, Zsadist is the most terrifying member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful aristocrat from the evil Lessening Society.

Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for one another begins to overtake them both, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now, Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past, and find a future with her…

MY REVIEW:

Another steamy one from Ward!

I enjoyed this one ever-so-slightly less than its predecessor, Lover Eternal, although I still enjoyed it immensely.

Zsadist, twin of Phury, is the most feared member of the Brotherhood. He is scarred, angry, and not to be trusted. In the words of Phury: "My twin's not broken. He's ruined."

Even though he is a little too old for the role, I could not help but picture the ultimate movie villain, Danny Trejo, as Zsadist:


He was a little younger here:


Alright, back to the book!

This book is a little darker simply because Zsadist's past is a tortured, painful one. He is a former blood slave who was used and abused in every possible way. Bella, whose bloodlines come from the aristocracy, finds herself inexplicably drawn to Zsadist. Although he, too, feels a connection, his self-loathing causes him to push her away.

The one word that I would use to describe Zsadist is "misunderstood." The years that he spent as a blood slave totally messed him up, and he just can't relate to any one or any thing in a normal fashion. The way that he thought of himself as dirty, unclean, and contaminated just broke my heart! What you see on the surface is so different from what we find beneath.

There is a lot of heartache in this one. Not just with Zsadist and Bella, but something happens which affects the entire Brotherhood. Don't worry, I won't spoil it!

Although at times it made me want to scream, I appreciated Ward's slow transition of Zsadist. With his painful past, it makes sense that his transformation would be the hardest.

Not typically a man of many words, Zsadist's actions spoke volumes about his character: His need to visit Bella's house to feel close to her, how he stood up for John, the way he tenderly and gently took care of Bella after her rescue. He is truly thoughtful and selfless.

I enjoyed the back-story of how Zsadist wound up as a blood slave and what made him the way that he is, and also learning more about Phury. And Phury's sacrifice at the end...what he did for Zsadist...it was gut-wrenching! Have that Kleenex box handy!

Once again, Ward has wooed me with her beautiful prose. Some of the most beautiful things I have ever heard came out of Zsadist's mouth. To Bella, he says: “I was dead until you found me, though I breathed. I was sightless, though I could see. And then you came…and I was awakened.”

I love Ward's strong female leads. Zsadist wanted to shelter and protect Bella because of her bloodline, but she proved in the end that she is as tough as nails -- as much as any of the Brothers. She is very well-matched to Zsadist in spite of their polar upbringings.

Ward develops her characters so beautifully that you cannot help but fall in love with them all by the end of each book!

I am chomping at the bit to see what happens in the next installment of the Black Dagger Brotherhood!

As always, Jim Frangione did a superb job with the narration. I would be disappointed if it was any other narrator at this point. Frangione *is* the BDB!

MY RATING: 4.5 stars!!

This book qualifies as:
#39 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge
#25 for my 2011 Audio Book Challenge
#25 for my 2011 "Whisper Stories in My Ear" Challenge
#15 for my What an Animal Reading Challenge IV 
#8 for my Vampire Challenge 2011
#7 for my 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge (Item #60)
#3 for my Black Dagger Brotherhood Reading Challenge
#3 for my Paranormal Romance Challenge 2011

BOOK REVIEW: Kildee House

TITLE: Kildee House
AUTHOR: Rutherford Montgomery

ILLUSTRATOR: Barbara Cooney
PUBLISHER: Walker Books for Young Readers
DATE OF PUBLICATION: September 1, 1993 (first published 1971)
FORMAT: Paperback, 224 pages
GENRE: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 978-0802773883

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

Newbery Honor Book, 1950 An early naturalist and philosopher escapes civilization by building his house among the giant redwoods.

MY REVIEW:

I read this book aloud with my daughters. It is a 1950 Newbery Honor Book.

Upon his retirement, Jerome Kildee builds a house under a giant redwood tree in the wilderness surrounded by 100 acres of woods and hillside. Although his intention was to remain reclusive, he opens both his home and his heart to his woodland friends which include raccoons, skunks, mice, rats, and even a deer. His home is between two feuding neighbours: the Eppys and the Cabots. When Jerome befriends Emma Lou Eppy it piques the curiosity of Donald Roger Cabot and both children often come to visit him. As the animals multiply and take over Jerome's little house, Emma Lou and Donald Roger work together to find a solution. Doing so, repairs the rift between the feuding families.

We loved this book! My children love animals, so we really enjoyed reading how Jerome lived his life with raccoons in his wood stove and skunks under his bed!

I have often daydreamed about what life would be like to live in the wilderness away from technology and surrounded by nature. I would think it would be a peaceful existence - a simpler time. As long as I had books to read, I could live without television and the internet!

This is a wonderful book to enjoy with your children!

MY RATING: 4.5 stars!

This book qualifies as:
#35 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

BOOK REVIEW: Ramona the Pest

TITLE: Ramona the Pest
SERIES: Book #2 in the Ramona Quimby series
AUTHOR: Beverly Cleary
PUBLISHER: Yearling
DATE OF PUBLICATION: January 15, 1982 (first published 1968)
FORMAT: Paperback, 192 pages
GENRE: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 978-0440472094

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

This is the second title in the hugely popular series about Ramona Quimby. Ramona doesn't think she's a pest - she knows that she isn't a pest on purpose. So how in the world does Ramona get in trouble? Why does Davy run away whenever Ramona comes near him? And how does she manage to disrupt the whole kindergarten class during their rest time? Beverly Cleary is one of America's most popular authors and has won many prestigious awards, including the American Library Association's Laura Ingalls Wilder Award.

MY REVIEW:

I read this book aloud to my daughters.

We loved it! Who doesn't love Ramona? I loved reading this series when I was a kid, and I am enjoying reading it again with my girls. We are making great memories snuggling on the couch and laughing together!!

We will be continuing on in the series!

MY RATING: 4.5 stars!

This book qualifies as:
#27 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge
#3 for my 2nd Challenge 2011

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Memoirs of a Geisha

TITLE: Memoirs of a Geisha
AUTHOR: Arthur Golden
NARRATOR: Bernadette Dunne
PUBLISHER: Random House Audio
DATE OF PUBLICATION: November 8, 2005 (first published 1997)
FORMAT: Unabridged CDs - 18 hours, 9 minutes
GENRE: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-0739321676

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 

According to Arthur Golden's absorbing first novel, the word "geisha" does not mean "prostitute," as Westerners ignorantly assume--it means "artisan" or "artist." To capture the geisha experience in the art of fiction, Golden trained as long and hard as any geisha who must master the arts of music, dance, clever conversation, crafty battle with rival beauties, and cunning seduction of wealthy patrons. After earning degrees in Japanese art and history from Harvard and Columbia--and an M.A. in English--he met a man in Tokyo who was the illegitimate offspring of a renowned businessman and a geisha. This meeting inspired Golden to spend 10 years researching every detail of geisha culture, chiefly relying on the geisha Mineko Iwasaki, who spent years charming the very rich and famous. 

The result is a novel with the broad social canvas (and love of coincidence) of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen's intense attention to the nuances of erotic maneuvering. Readers experience the entire life of a geisha, from her origins as an orphaned fishing-village girl in 1929 to her triumphant auction of her mizuage (virginity) for a record price as a teenager to her reminiscent old age as the distinguished mistress of the powerful patron of her dreams. We discover that a geisha is more analogous to a Western "trophy wife" than to a prostitute--and, as in Austen, flat-out prostitution and early death is a woman's alternative to the repressive, arcane system of courtship. In simple, elegant prose, Golden puts us right in the tearoom with the geisha; we are there as she gracefully fights for her life in a social situation where careers are made or destroyed by a witticism, a too-revealing (or not revealing enough) glimpse of flesh under the kimono, or a vicious rumor spread by a rival "as cruel as a spider." 

Golden's web is finely woven, but his book has a serious flaw: the geisha's true romance rings hollow--the love of her life is a symbol, not a character. Her villainous geisha nemesis is sharply drawn, but she would be more so if we got a deeper peek into the cause of her motiveless malignity--the plight all geisha share. Still, Golden has won the triple crown of fiction: he has created a plausible female protagonist in a vivid, now-vanished world, and he gloriously captures Japanese culture by expressing his thoughts in authentic Eastern metaphors.

MY REVIEW:

This book by Arthur Golden has been on my "To Be Read" list for a long time! I thought the narrator, Bernadette Dunne, did a beautiful job. I think I enjoyed this book much more hearing it than reading it, as I could hear the names and words spoken in the way that they were meant to be. I have always been fascinated with other cultures, so this book was a real treat.

The book is about a young girl, Sayuri, who is sold into slavery to a geisha house in Gion, Japan. As she gets older, she must learn the geisha ways and traditions of the geisha, including: the tea ceremony, how to wear the kimono, the elaborate hair and make-up, the dancing.

The writing was beautiful, and I was totally captivated by this story.

My rating: 4.5 stars!!

#1 on my 1001 Books To Read Before You Die Reading Challenge