tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690171818372733620.post908411914435132164..comments2023-04-07T02:57:54.732-07:00Comments on Sweet Songs: A Little Summer ReadingGeorgiannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812645530261841610noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690171818372733620.post-82485758865547513472012-07-24T15:04:22.397-07:002012-07-24T15:04:22.397-07:00Georgie,
I love your book reviews and am especiall...Georgie,<br />I love your book reviews and am especially grateful for your suggestions after a long summer of unrewarding reads -- or shall I say, potentially great books with disappointing conclusions! <br /><br />Let's see... I started out with The Book Thief, a novel that my sophomores were assigned for summer reading. In short, for a story with an inventive approach and some great subplots, it was just waaaay too long. There were so many places that the author could have brought it to a stellar conclusion, but instead he just added another chapter. Undaunted (well, maybe slightly daunted), I followed with another YA novel, The Hunger Games. I loved the story but felt slightly miffed to be forced into a sequel. But yes, I am going to read it... <br /><br />Next, I read Unbroken, so far my favorite book of the summer. I started it a couple of years ago but couldn't get past the details of Louie Z's track and field career, but Nancy was reading it and wanted to discuss it with me, so I picked it back up and plunged in. What an awesome story!<br /><br />Enthused, I next read Lisa See's Shanghai Girls. I'd read two other of her novels last summer and loved the detailed depictions of women's struggles, especially foot binding, so I knew I'd love SG. And I did love it, except for the ending! I was literally shocked to turn to the last page and discover that the end came so abruptly and left so many questions unanswered. Shocked, that is, until I discovered that See penned a sequel! Drat!<br /><br />I spent a week or so downloading free trials on Joe's Ipad before finally deciding on my next two reads: I just finished Wide Open by Larry Bjornson - a lovely little novel about the conflict between cattle drivers and settlers in Abilene, Kansas. Told from the perspective of a fifteen-year-old boy, it has the wit and charm of Huckleberry Finn with the wisdom of Lonesome Dove. A great read, except for the ending -- too quick, too easy! <br /><br />I have one more novel on my bedside, but I'm afraid it is an uninspired choice. I can't even recall the title right now. I think I will leave it to ferment and turn to one of those you've suggested. <br /><br />Nothing makes a girl happier than an evening visit (and respite from the Texas heat) than an evening venture to Barnes and Noble!<br /><br />Thanks again for your suggestions,<br />Laura<br /><br />ps - Little Bee is fantastic. A little gruesome, but really worth reading!LauraAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07030444478673444985noreply@blogger.com