Nga Pukapuka o Pepuere
Books
Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa - Mical Ostow
Unraveling - Michelle Baldini & Lynn Biederman
The Book of Luke - Jenny O'Connell
The Fright of the Iguana - Linda O. Johnston
The Bishop at Sea - Andrew M Greeley
The finishing school - Muriel Spark
A marathon of her own: the diary of Sophia Krikonis, Melbourne 1956 - Irini Savvides
The Heart of Valor - Tanya Huff
The independence of Miss Mary Bennet - Colleen McCullough
Sarah - Marek Halter
Dream Land - Lily Hyde
Pretty Monsters - Kelly Link
The walls of Cartagena - Julia Durango
The midnight train home - Erika Tamar
Sir Katherine - Anne Brooksbank
Against the tide - Irini Savvides
Wenny has wings - Janet Lee Carey
The landing - John Ibbitson
Camilla - Madeleine L'Engle
Legally Blonde - Amanda Brown
Valor's Trial - Tanya Huff
Balancing Act - Donna King
Into the Wildewood - Gillian Summers
Tallulah Falls - Christine Fletcher
Ever - Gail Carson Levine
Specials - Scott Westerfield
Young Joan - Barbara Dana
Rereads - Not very many this month, surprisingly.
Camilla - Madeleine L'Engle
Legally Blonde - Amanda Brown
Thoughts
Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa - Mical Ostow
I enjoyed this a lot - I expected it to be a bit more fluffy than it turned out to be, and I loved that she began to understand a bit more of the culture she'd never really thought about.
Unraveling - Michelle Baldini & Lynn Biederman
I wasn't sure how much I'd like this, but I found it a satisfying read. I did, however, feel for her parents, from time to time!
The Book of Luke - Jenny O'Connell
I found some of this completely obvious - and asking for trouble. The storyline covered a neat idea, but I thought it was a tad one-sided. It would have been interesting to hear it from both angles.
The Fright of the Iguana - Linda O. Johnston
This was kind of bizarre, I found, and I wonder how a lot of the backstory played out.
The Bishop at Sea - Andrew M Greeley
I found that parts of this went over my head, but for the most part I enjoyed it. I've read a little bit of Greeley in the past, and enjoy him. Definitely an author I'll pick up again.
The finishing school - Muriel Spark
A rather bizarre story that wasn't at all what I expected it to be. Some interesting moments, and a lot of jealousy going on. But, in the end, did the boy get published?
A marathon of her own: the diary of Sophia Krikonis, Melbourne 1956 - Irini Savvides
I really enjoyed this - I like all oof Savvides' work, and this was no different. I did wish, however, that she got to run for the games. Maybe she will, some day.
The Heart of Valor - Tanya Huff
How can so much go wrong in such a short time? I felt sure, at the beginning, that something was sure to go wrong, especially when Torin was glad she wouldn't leave with marines in her vest. Uh, sorry, not going to happen. But the way they figured it all out - interesting.
The independence of Miss Mary Bennet - Colleen McCullough
The beginning parts of this irritated me a lot - I didn't enjoy the beginnings of the characterisations. But, around halfway through, I found that the characters became more like who I expected them to be. I was very pleased with the way Mary was portrayed - I'd always wanted to like her more than Pride & Prejudice let me.
Sarah - Marek Halter
The story of Sarah is so full of so many things, and some of it I don't like very much. There were parts of this telling of it that made me a tad uncomfortable. And parts that made my heart ache.
Dream Land - Lily Hyde
I didn't know much of anything about the Tatars or the Crimea, and I found their struggle to make a life in the land they used to own to be full of strength and sorrow. I enjoyed the story, and the history and the heartache.
Pretty Monsters - Kelly Link
The worst thing about short stories can be that, when you finish, you wish they would continue. Why? Because, when it's a novel you want to continue, you've had so much more already! I loved the twists in these, and wished several of the stories would continue on... but of course, they couldn't.
The walls of Cartagena - Julia Durango
I really enjoyed this - a lot more than I expected to, I think. I liked the voice of the boy who spoke so many languages, and sometimes didn't think quite as well as he ought. Why does so much of history have to be so cruel?
The midnight train home - Erika Tamar
History is so full of sadness, so full of unfortunates and those who take advantage. And yet, within that, sometimes history has it's happy stories, its pleasant outcomes. I was glad that this character seized her chance of happiness, and didn't have it go awry.
Sir Katherine - Anne Brooksbank
Katherine's brother is buried under her name, for her safety. She is knighted for a deed she doesn't feel deserves it, and cannot tell a lie while wearing a protective armour. And yet, all wins out in the end. Fun and heartwarming.
Against the tide - Irini Savvides
Because I so love Savvides' stories, I picked it up without a second thought. I was surprised when I opened it too find that it was entirely written in poetry, but once I started reading it, I loved it. I loved how she put so many different voices and characters into the poems - and I found the book read so much easier than some other stories in poems I've read.
Wenny has wings - Janet Lee Carey
I loved the words written to Wenny, though I found it very sad. A beautiful sad story.
The landing - John Ibbitson
I loved this. I have to admit I picked it up because the idea of a landing and a violin together made me feel that there had to be a great story in it. I was right. Haunting, in parts, beautiful, in parts. I only wish it contained more happiness
Camilla - Madeleine L'Engle
I like Camilla. I like L'Engle. I love how the words go together, and how the characters truly feel and live and breathe and think. It is refreshing, somehow.
Legally Blonde - Amanda Brown
I felt like a piece of harmless fluff, where a girl gets everything she sets out for, though not quite what she expects it to be in the end. Despite it's being fluff, I enjoy it.
Valor's Trial - Tanya Huff
I enjoyed this one - though not quite so much as some of the others. I can't help but wonder if they save everyone - and how the war pans out.
Balancing Act - Donna King
This was a very quick short read, but interesting even as a bit juvenile in parts. I enjoyed it.
Into the Wildewood - Gillian Summers
I'm not quite sure where the Faire Folk Trilogy is going, but most of the time I enjoy the way it is going there. I'll be interested in seeing how it concludes.
Tallulah Falls - Christine Fletcher
I loved Tallulah, though I found that she was a little short sighted from time to time. She didn't appreciate what she had, and she fell on her feet rather well - but it worked out in the end. I hope she makes something of her life.
Ever - Gail Carson Levine
I enjoy Levine's stories, and have done so ever since I first read Ella Enchanted. The stories are gorgeous.
Specials - Scott Westerfield
Following in the storyline of Uglies and Pretties, Specials had it's fair share of twists and turns and intrigue and bizarre operations and forgetfulness. I'm enjoying the tale so far. Where will he take me next?
Young Joan - Barbara Dana
I bought this book a number of years ago, and had never gotten around to reading it. Some parts of it were very interesting, other parts I got irritated with the writing of it.
Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa - Mical Ostow
Unraveling - Michelle Baldini & Lynn Biederman
The Book of Luke - Jenny O'Connell
The Fright of the Iguana - Linda O. Johnston
The Bishop at Sea - Andrew M Greeley
The finishing school - Muriel Spark
A marathon of her own: the diary of Sophia Krikonis, Melbourne 1956 - Irini Savvides
The Heart of Valor - Tanya Huff
The independence of Miss Mary Bennet - Colleen McCullough
Sarah - Marek Halter
Dream Land - Lily Hyde
Pretty Monsters - Kelly Link
The walls of Cartagena - Julia Durango
The midnight train home - Erika Tamar
Sir Katherine - Anne Brooksbank
Against the tide - Irini Savvides
Wenny has wings - Janet Lee Carey
The landing - John Ibbitson
Camilla - Madeleine L'Engle
Legally Blonde - Amanda Brown
Valor's Trial - Tanya Huff
Balancing Act - Donna King
Into the Wildewood - Gillian Summers
Tallulah Falls - Christine Fletcher
Ever - Gail Carson Levine
Specials - Scott Westerfield
Young Joan - Barbara Dana
Rereads - Not very many this month, surprisingly.
Camilla - Madeleine L'Engle
Legally Blonde - Amanda Brown
Thoughts
Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa - Mical Ostow
I enjoyed this a lot - I expected it to be a bit more fluffy than it turned out to be, and I loved that she began to understand a bit more of the culture she'd never really thought about.
Unraveling - Michelle Baldini & Lynn Biederman
I wasn't sure how much I'd like this, but I found it a satisfying read. I did, however, feel for her parents, from time to time!
The Book of Luke - Jenny O'Connell
I found some of this completely obvious - and asking for trouble. The storyline covered a neat idea, but I thought it was a tad one-sided. It would have been interesting to hear it from both angles.
The Fright of the Iguana - Linda O. Johnston
This was kind of bizarre, I found, and I wonder how a lot of the backstory played out.
The Bishop at Sea - Andrew M Greeley
I found that parts of this went over my head, but for the most part I enjoyed it. I've read a little bit of Greeley in the past, and enjoy him. Definitely an author I'll pick up again.
The finishing school - Muriel Spark
A rather bizarre story that wasn't at all what I expected it to be. Some interesting moments, and a lot of jealousy going on. But, in the end, did the boy get published?
A marathon of her own: the diary of Sophia Krikonis, Melbourne 1956 - Irini Savvides
I really enjoyed this - I like all oof Savvides' work, and this was no different. I did wish, however, that she got to run for the games. Maybe she will, some day.
The Heart of Valor - Tanya Huff
How can so much go wrong in such a short time? I felt sure, at the beginning, that something was sure to go wrong, especially when Torin was glad she wouldn't leave with marines in her vest. Uh, sorry, not going to happen. But the way they figured it all out - interesting.
The independence of Miss Mary Bennet - Colleen McCullough
The beginning parts of this irritated me a lot - I didn't enjoy the beginnings of the characterisations. But, around halfway through, I found that the characters became more like who I expected them to be. I was very pleased with the way Mary was portrayed - I'd always wanted to like her more than Pride & Prejudice let me.
Sarah - Marek Halter
The story of Sarah is so full of so many things, and some of it I don't like very much. There were parts of this telling of it that made me a tad uncomfortable. And parts that made my heart ache.
Dream Land - Lily Hyde
I didn't know much of anything about the Tatars or the Crimea, and I found their struggle to make a life in the land they used to own to be full of strength and sorrow. I enjoyed the story, and the history and the heartache.
Pretty Monsters - Kelly Link
The worst thing about short stories can be that, when you finish, you wish they would continue. Why? Because, when it's a novel you want to continue, you've had so much more already! I loved the twists in these, and wished several of the stories would continue on... but of course, they couldn't.
The walls of Cartagena - Julia Durango
I really enjoyed this - a lot more than I expected to, I think. I liked the voice of the boy who spoke so many languages, and sometimes didn't think quite as well as he ought. Why does so much of history have to be so cruel?
The midnight train home - Erika Tamar
History is so full of sadness, so full of unfortunates and those who take advantage. And yet, within that, sometimes history has it's happy stories, its pleasant outcomes. I was glad that this character seized her chance of happiness, and didn't have it go awry.
Sir Katherine - Anne Brooksbank
Katherine's brother is buried under her name, for her safety. She is knighted for a deed she doesn't feel deserves it, and cannot tell a lie while wearing a protective armour. And yet, all wins out in the end. Fun and heartwarming.
Against the tide - Irini Savvides
Because I so love Savvides' stories, I picked it up without a second thought. I was surprised when I opened it too find that it was entirely written in poetry, but once I started reading it, I loved it. I loved how she put so many different voices and characters into the poems - and I found the book read so much easier than some other stories in poems I've read.
Wenny has wings - Janet Lee Carey
I loved the words written to Wenny, though I found it very sad. A beautiful sad story.
The landing - John Ibbitson
I loved this. I have to admit I picked it up because the idea of a landing and a violin together made me feel that there had to be a great story in it. I was right. Haunting, in parts, beautiful, in parts. I only wish it contained more happiness
Camilla - Madeleine L'Engle
I like Camilla. I like L'Engle. I love how the words go together, and how the characters truly feel and live and breathe and think. It is refreshing, somehow.
Legally Blonde - Amanda Brown
I felt like a piece of harmless fluff, where a girl gets everything she sets out for, though not quite what she expects it to be in the end. Despite it's being fluff, I enjoy it.
Valor's Trial - Tanya Huff
I enjoyed this one - though not quite so much as some of the others. I can't help but wonder if they save everyone - and how the war pans out.
Balancing Act - Donna King
This was a very quick short read, but interesting even as a bit juvenile in parts. I enjoyed it.
Into the Wildewood - Gillian Summers
I'm not quite sure where the Faire Folk Trilogy is going, but most of the time I enjoy the way it is going there. I'll be interested in seeing how it concludes.
Tallulah Falls - Christine Fletcher
I loved Tallulah, though I found that she was a little short sighted from time to time. She didn't appreciate what she had, and she fell on her feet rather well - but it worked out in the end. I hope she makes something of her life.
Ever - Gail Carson Levine
I enjoy Levine's stories, and have done so ever since I first read Ella Enchanted. The stories are gorgeous.
Specials - Scott Westerfield
Following in the storyline of Uglies and Pretties, Specials had it's fair share of twists and turns and intrigue and bizarre operations and forgetfulness. I'm enjoying the tale so far. Where will he take me next?
Young Joan - Barbara Dana
I bought this book a number of years ago, and had never gotten around to reading it. Some parts of it were very interesting, other parts I got irritated with the writing of it.