Decent reads, lately
I've read three half way decent books lately, for what its worth.
The Ice House by Minette Waters. I read this one based on a recommendation of another book by the same author from marymont. This one is a better than average murder mystery. Better than average character development, not truly cozy, which is my "too tired for anything else" genre. Thanks neighbor.
The first book in the Artemis Fowl series. This is a young adult series. In some ways the characters are stereotypes, except when they aren't. I am actively waiting for DS's friend to loan me the rest of the series, but he is re-reading them, so I must patient. I am looking forward to seeing what the characters "grow " into.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jaquelline Kelly. Another YA book. Set in Texas at the turn of the century. It pairs a young lady coming into the "expectations" of adulthood, for her generation, with her naturalist grandfather who is old enough to be "beyond the pale" and get away with it. I liked this one for many reasons. I like the spunky heroine who is trying to figure out what she wants to be, whether or not being unconventional is worth the price, or even possible. I love the grandfather who seems to be merely pottering around, exploring the world now that he is free from his adult responsibilities, until we find out what is really driving him. I love the relationship that grows up between the two. I love the way the vast gulf between the generations is portrayed, I think the gulf was bigger in a time when a good many people did not live to know their grandchildren. And, I loved the cover art.
And a disappointment. The Magicina's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo. When I read this author I often have the impression that she is intentionally adopting a tone that lets the reader know that *she* knows that she is telling hte reader a story. Like in The Tale of Despereaux. But in this story I found it pronounced enough to be intrusive. Although I do like the element of wonder and its role in the happy ending.
The Ice House by Minette Waters. I read this one based on a recommendation of another book by the same author from marymont. This one is a better than average murder mystery. Better than average character development, not truly cozy, which is my "too tired for anything else" genre. Thanks neighbor.
The first book in the Artemis Fowl series. This is a young adult series. In some ways the characters are stereotypes, except when they aren't. I am actively waiting for DS's friend to loan me the rest of the series, but he is re-reading them, so I must patient. I am looking forward to seeing what the characters "grow " into.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jaquelline Kelly. Another YA book. Set in Texas at the turn of the century. It pairs a young lady coming into the "expectations" of adulthood, for her generation, with her naturalist grandfather who is old enough to be "beyond the pale" and get away with it. I liked this one for many reasons. I like the spunky heroine who is trying to figure out what she wants to be, whether or not being unconventional is worth the price, or even possible. I love the grandfather who seems to be merely pottering around, exploring the world now that he is free from his adult responsibilities, until we find out what is really driving him. I love the relationship that grows up between the two. I love the way the vast gulf between the generations is portrayed, I think the gulf was bigger in a time when a good many people did not live to know their grandchildren. And, I loved the cover art.
And a disappointment. The Magicina's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo. When I read this author I often have the impression that she is intentionally adopting a tone that lets the reader know that *she* knows that she is telling hte reader a story. Like in The Tale of Despereaux. But in this story I found it pronounced enough to be intrusive. Although I do like the element of wonder and its role in the happy ending.