Hello my friends, thanks for stopping by SGL. I read a variety of genres this month …. okay okay, I guess most of them are sort of fantasy-esque… whoops. Well, that’s what happens when you’re a mood reader, eh?
While covering different genres, I do not read anything that has blatant sexual content. I will tell you if there is any sort of such (typically very mild and delicately put) in them and if I don’t think they’d be appropriate for young/teenage readers.
The Mad Girls of New York by Maya Rodale- Feeling fearless and unstoppable, young reporter Nellie Bly is in New York City in 1877 with ambitions beyond the ladies’ page. But the editors on Newspaper Row think women are too emotional and fragile for the job. So when she’s challenged by the editor of the New York World to go undercover, she accepts. It doesn’t matter that she’s mad to accept it; she’d be mad to refuse. She’s to go undercover as a patient at Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum for Women.
~I’ve long been interested in Nellie Bly (she’s even mentioned in my own novel, Amelia) so when I received this novel as a gift (thanks mom and dad!), I was excited. It’s a fictional telling of the very stunt that put Nellie Bly on her path. I enjoyed this story so much, the research that was done, the well developed characters, the twists in the plot. There were a couple things that I wasn’t crazy about, slipped in but…I honestly can’t remember what they were. (hides face in shame). I do think that there were a couple of curse words. Definitely recommend – but not for younger readers.
The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia #7) by C.S. Lewis- Age-old treacheries come again during the last days of Narnia. Hope seems lost as the battle lines are drawn and old friends are called once again to Narnia during this conclusion of the series.
~I never remember much about this book when I start it. It’s enjoyable overall and the poetry throughout is simply lovely. Poor Puzzle, is all I’ll say. It’s not one of my favorites even though it was good. There are a lot of complaints of racism being rampant in this story and while I didn’t like some of the descriptions, I don’t think ‘racism’ was the intent. This is a darker tale for sure- dealing with end-of-world scenarios and death. Lewis showed loyalty and devotion quite aptly and what treachery can lead to.
New Spring (The Wheel of Time #0) by Robert Jordan – Al’Lan Mandragoran, exiled king of Malkier is the finest swordsman of his generation. His city of Canluun sits close to the Blight- the place where it’s said that those who serve the Dark One reside- and when he arrives home after years of fighting, all is in chaos. But it’s there in Canluun that he meets young Aes Sedia, Moraine. She’s on a desperate quest to prove or disprove a prophecy- that the dragon reborn has been born.
~Having read all of the Wheel of Time series, I was glad to get into this prequel. We get to see Moraine become an Aes Sedai and her friendship with Siuan. We also see a slightly-less encumbered Lan. However, the first half (?) was really quite slow. And the …wait, if you’ve not read the series and want to, skip to the next book review, there will be spoilers…. where we see Lan and Moraine bond as Aes Sedai and warder was less than I was hoping for. All in all, I’m actually undecided if I’ll ever read this book and if it’s worth keeping on my (overflowing) shelves. The parts I did enjoy was the time that Moraine was seeking the child said to be the dragon reborn and when her and Lan were interacting. I’m putting aside the ‘carneira’ plot line that felt rather gross, and the ‘pillow friends’ that was much more subtle/ignor-able in the main series. If I did star-ratings, this would probably get a 2.
Caligo (Nightingale Trilogy #4) by J.J. Fischer – Cassius Vera is searching for a fresh start. But the ache in his chest, the memories in his head and the truth-telling gift are all things he can’t leave behind. Zaire Delmar, werebeast, is also running – from accusations of murder and heartbreak – and the last person she expects to meet on the ship she’s stowing away on, is Cass. He’s an alter, and offers his help, despite the fact that she’s half beast and can more than adequately take care of herself. But circumstances leave them with no choice but to rely on each other – will they be able to forget the betrayals of the past and trust each other?
~This is a sequel to The Nightingale Trilogy Review, but it can be read as a stand-alone. Although, honestly, why anyone wouldn’t want to immerse themselves in Fischer’s world as much, and as long, as possible, I don’t understand. I liked getting to see both Cass and Zaire after the events of the aforementioned trilogy. These characters were so much a part of that story that it was really lovely to get to see where they were at and where they… end up. Both of their personal developments were SO good and so many truths woven in that got me thinking! I love how Fischer weaves faith into the story so naturally.
Han Solo at Stars End (Star Wars: the Hans Solo Adventures #1) by Brian Daley- The Millennium Falcon is ordered to be brought in for inspection – but since Han Solo knows better to trust anyone, especially in regards to his spaceship – he does what he does best, slips out of the tight spot with barely an inch to spare. But when the galaxy’s best illegal ship rebuilder (the one they need to help with the required overhaul) disappears, Han and Chewie must find him. Their search leads them to some ruthless enemies and a desolate asteroid.
~First published 1979. This was one of a stack of original* Star Wars books that I giddily claimed at a thrift store. It was incredibly fun to read about Han Solo and Chewbacca on an adventure, where Solo’s priorities are his ship, Chewie, and making money. And not dying. I liked Blue Max and Bollux, two droids who join his crew for this job – and the villians! ah. Classic. This is a short, fast, fun read and I fully intend on reading it again. And reading more of Daley’s S.W. books.
*I do not know, officially, if this book or the others are technically considered original/canon Star Wars books. They seem like they would be to me, what with the publication date, so I’m going with it. Don’t yell at me if I’m wrong. I don’t need to cry today =)
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both our Hearts and our Minds by Jen Wilkin- this study is about making sure that when you study the Bible, you’re not solely focused on your emotions but instead on feeding your mind first.
~I did this study with my sister-in-law and I appreciated Wilkin’s points of making sure that you’re coming to the Word with the right approach. She also shares study techniques to be intentional and mindful about what you’re reading. Recommend if you’re wanting a refresher on how important Bible Study is
Currently Reading:
Lust for Life by Irving Stone
The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook to Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson (audiobook)
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (audiobook)
Han Solo and the Lost Legacy by Brian Daley
Upcoming Possibles:
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
The Last Hero: a biography of Gary Cooper by Larry Swindell
Ten Days in a Madhouse & Other Stories by Nellie Bly
What are you reading? Let me know!
~Laura
the start of a good life 
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