The Book Beat

"Pies and Prejudice," by Heather Vogel Frederick

 

Hi everyone, itʼs Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Hereʼs my review on, “Pies and Prejudice,” by Heather Vogel Frederick.
In this modern, semi-adaptation of Jane Austenʼs romantic classic, “Pride and Prejudice,” four best friends--Emma, Jess, Megan, and Cassidy (and their friend/enemy, Becca)--are almost torn apart when their lives take drastic changes. Book-smart Emma and her family moves to England, and while there, Emma becomes enemies with Annabelle, a spoiled queen bee. Animal-loving Jess, while pondering her future, must make huge sacrifices to determine what she wants to do with her life. Clothing- obsessed Meganʼs new and popular fashion blog results in her boyfriend breaking up with her and the school punishing her, and tomboy Cassidy learns that first impressions arenʼt always accurate when a seemingly moody boy becomes Cassidyʼs possible love- interest. Can the girls survive their own inner turmoil while managing a bakery/ business, Pies and Prejudice, that is meant to bring miserable Emma home?
I loved this book! It was adorable, hilarious, romantic, and definitely a page-turner! However, I felt like the romantic complications of the book werenʼt well thought out or resolved. For Emma, I felt like it should have taken longer for Emmaʼs boyfriend, Stewart, to kiss her in the beginning and forgive her in the ending for an misunderstanding in their relationship. There just wasnʼt enough development in their relationship. The same goes for Jess, whose love-interest in the book, Darcy (Emmaʼs older brother), barely took an interest in her until the end of the book, when the two begin to date. With Megan, there werenʼt any real conversations between her and her boyfriend until he began to take an interest in her. Until then, the relationship seemed one-sided, with very little development. Finally, Cassidy and her sort-of boyfriend, Tristan, do interact a lot throughout the book, but the author hardly explains their conversations, other than the fact that they usually end in arguments. Also, there is no real transition from the moment when Cassidy hates Tristan to the moment when she begins to like him.
I understand that romance is not the main focus of the book, but since every character ends up with someone, I would hope that the author would put a little more effort into establishing the romantic relationships. Other than that, I loved this book, and would love to read more of Frederickʼs work!
Thanks for watching, “TheBookBeat.org,” and tune in next week for my review on Emily Bronteʼs dark, romantic classic, “Wuthering Heights.”

“Jane Eyre,” by Charlotte Bronte

 

Hi everyone, itʼs Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Hereʼs my review on, “Jane Eyre,” by Charlotte Bronte.
In this timeless classic, readers are introduced to Jane Eyre, an orphan child growing up in the home of her tyrannical aunt, Mrs. Reed. Jane has outbursts of anger that are mistaken for deceit, and is looked down upon by Mrs. Reed and her children. Eventually, Jane is sent away to a strict institution, Lowood, where she is taught to be a cool, composed young lady. Jane becomes a teacher at Lowood, but soon flees the school and arrives at enigmatic Thornfield Hall, serving as the governess of a young French child. Jane soon meets the owner of Thornfield, Mr. Rochester, when she saves him from a moment of peril. Mr. Rochester, a sarcastic, brooding man, who also treats those he loves with the utmost care and respect, and has a certain charm in his dark features. Jane and Mr. Rochester engage in a passionate relationship, and somewhat complete each other. He stirs up forgotten passion deep within her; she offers him comfort when he cringes with the memories of his sins. But when a secret from Mr. Rochesterʼs past separates the pair, they both must endure excruciating pain and battle their inner turmoil to find each other again, and achieve their happily ever after.
This was one of the best books Iʼve ever read! “Jane Eyre,” focuses on one single human being and everyone she loves, and takes a journey through her life. Jane suffers and delights from experiences that we go through every day; we can all relate to her, one way or another. “Jane Eyre,” portrays one of the strongest romances of all time; showing the emotions of two people who have suffered all through life, met their soulmate, and cannot bear to be separated from them. Charlotte Bronteʼs remarkable understanding of human nature; her ability to so eloquently describe two sides to one story; is probably what made “Jane Eyre” an instant success when it was first published.
An interesting observation I made in the book was finding similar traits in two men who seem like complete opposites: Mr. Rochester and St. John Rivers, Janeʼs cousin. Mr. Rochester is open with his passion; St. John is quiet and reserved, yet fierce. When Rochester falls in love, he embraces the emotion; St. John believes love to be an unnecessary emotion and ignores his emotions when falling in love with a rich, educated woman, Rosamond Oliver. However, St. John and Rochester are both tortured souls, despite their different views, and shy away from comfort when it is offered to them (although Rochester eventually accepts it).
From this observation alone, one can see why “Jane Eyre” was critically acclaimed at its publication in 1847. I am eager to read more of Charlotte Bronteʼs work, in addition to novels written by the other Bronte sisters!
Thanks for watching, “TheBookBeat.org,” and tune in next week for my review on, “Pies and Prejudice,” by Heather Vogel Frederick.

“The Glass Castle,” by Jeannette Walls

 

Hey everyone, itʼs Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Hereʼs my review on, “The Glass Castle,” by Jeannette Walls.
In this stunning memoir, Jeannette Walls seems like a normal girl. She has siblings, parents, friends, and pets. The one thing she doesnʼt have? A home. Through her life, Jeannette was accustomed to moving from place to place constantly, living on the run, and having to be more responsible than her own parents. Her father was imaginative and inspiring when sober, but also gambled and drank. Jeannetteʼs mother was a creative, beautiful spirit, but was also selfish and didnʼt know how to be a mother. Through life, Jeannette and her siblings learned to take care of one another, survive disasters, indulge their parents, and fend for themselves. When Jeannette finished the eleventh grade, she fled for New York, only for her family to follow her footsteps. But while in New York, Jeannetteʼs parents teach her something: that traumatic experiences, at the end of the day, make you stronger, and to never be ashamed of who you are.
I loved this book! It was heart-wrenching, devastating, happy, and each page had me craving more! Readers really feel sympathy for Jeannette Walls, and want her to succeed in life. “The Glass Castle,” also prompts readers to take a look at their own lives, and to be thankful for all they have. However, even though the book is supposed to be about Jeannette struggling while growing up and eventually discovering what she really wants from life, I would have preferred if Walls had gone into more depth with her relationship with her siblings, particularly Maureen (Jeannetteʼs little sister). Maureen is hardly mentioned in the book, and although Walls states that Maureen mostly spent her time with neighbors, Walls also mentions that she wants to protect her little sister, and Iʼm sure that Walls and her siblings had more interactions with Maureen than those stated in the book. Also, I found the book to be poorly paced. Walls would go into depth describing the scenarios of her houses and hometowns, and although that is a good thing, Jeannette barely describes her college experience (which Iʼm sure was rememberable), and her love life. Jeannette manages to slip in that she was married (twice, might I add) in the book, but her marriages seem random, as she barely describes each of her husbands. If I were Walls, I would have mentioned my marriages earlier on, and added information about my current husband in each chapter post marriage. Also, although Iʼm sure it wasnʼt this way at the scenario, Jeannetteʼs divorce from her first husband, Eric, seems very sudden. Walls describes Eric as being “not the right man for her.” If this was so, then Jeannette should have given readers hints that her marriage wasnʼt working out earlier on. I also think that Jeannette should have included a chapter where she meets her second husband, John. Iʼm sure that was a memorable day. However, although “The Glass Castle,” had flaws, I did love the book, and I am eager to read Wallsʼ next book, “Half Broke Horses.”
Thanks for watching, “TheBookBeat.org,” and tune in next week for my review on the timeless classic, “Jane Eyre,” by Charlotte Bronte.

Beautiful Darkness, by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

 

Hey everyone, it’s Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Here’s my review on, “Beautiful Darkness,” by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

Ever since her Uncle Macon’s death on her sixteenth birthday, Lena has never been the same. She rejects Ethan’s comfort, and is afraid to get close to him, fearing that she is becoming a Dark Caster. When Lena eventually breaks up with Ethan, her ex-boyfriend, with the help of his new friends, uncovers more Caster secrets and discovers a lost romance, one that could explain Lena’s actions. Ethan continues to have more visions of the past, and hears prophecies about the future, while Lena, in anticipation of her seventeenth birthday (when she feels she will go dark), runs off with her villainous cousin Ridley, and new boyfriend John. When Ethan discovers that Lena was captured by her murderous mother (Sarafine) shortly after her departure, it’s up to Ethan and his friends to rescue Lena before the Seventeenth moon rises.

I loved this book! It was exciting, thrilling, humorous, and romantic! I felt that if anything, the authors could have included more tension between Lena and Ethan, more about Ethan and Lena’s pasts, and it seemed unrealistic to me that Lena would suddenly forgive Ridley for all she did. Also, I would have appreciated it if the authors included more about the history of Casters and Incubuses coexisting together, and explored Ethan’s friends more. In the book, it seemed like Ethan’s friends, Link and Liv, didn’t really have much character, save for the fact that Link was loyal to Ethan, a bit girl-crazy, and had a good sense of humor, while Liv was intelligent, self-smart, and desirable. Although most of those are good qualities, I think what was missing were the characters’ flaws. Although Link was shown to be a bit clueless, and scared when it came to battle, what about Liv? What were her flaws? Also, the authors could have gone into depth with Liv and Links’ pasts. I also felt the authors could have toned down the romance a bit. In the book, any female character that was Ethan’s age had some sort of romantic interest towards Ethan or link. Lena and Liv were both romantically interested in Ethan, Lena had a romantic relationship with him, and Liv almost kissed Ethan in the book. The only thing that stopped the kiss was when Ethan pulled away because he felt like he was betraying Lena. Ridley, the only other female character that was Ethan’s age in the book, continuously tried to seduce Link in the book (them having dated for a brief time in the first book), and from Ethan’s perspective, the two had romantic tension throughout the book. Finally, I felt that the authors shouldn’t have explained almost everything to the readers in the book. The authors should have left some things a secret, or showed the readers the answers through a sequence of events.

Thanks for watching, “TheBookBeat.org,” and tune in next week for my review on, “The Glass Castle,” by Jeannette Walls.

#43 -- “Mockingjay,” by Suzanne Collins

 

Hey everyone, itʼs Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Hereʼs my review on, “Mockingjay,” by Suzanne Collins.
After being rescued from the eerie and complex Quarter Quell Hunger Games, Katniss arrives in District 13, which was thought to be nonexistent. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol, and is thought to be a traitor in District 13. Panem is in chaos. The twelve districts are rebelling against the Capitol, and Katniss is the spark that started the fire of war. Katniss has agreed to be the leader of the rebels, in exchange for Peetaʼs name to be cleared...and that Katniss will receive the privilege of personally killing President Snow, the tyrannical leader of the Capitol. However, being the leader of a rebellion is harder than Katniss imagined it to be; physically and emotionally. Katniss will have to question those she loves, escape death multiple times, and sacrifice a part of herself to save Panem from destruction. Will the rebels overthrow the Capitol and restore peace to Panem? Or will the fire that Katniss started consume her and everyone she holds dear?
I adored this book! It was suspenseful, romantic, heart-wrenching, devastating, and sweet! I loved the ending, and the last sentence of the book had me thinking for hours. Although I love angst in a novel, I felt that Collins could have made the book a little less of a tear-jerker for people who donʼt like sad endings. I also would have preferred more insight on Presidents Snow and Coin, and more information about the struggles of the citizens in the twelve districts. Also, were all the citizens in the Capitol as weak and naive as they appeared, or were there more traitors than just those mentioned in the book? Finally, I think Collins would have benefited from more insight into Katnissʼ family and Galeʼs inner turmoil. Overall though, I thought this was an outstanding novel, and I would love to read more of Collinsʼ books!
Thanks for watching, TheBookBeat.org, and tune in next week for my review on the sequel to “Beautiful Creatures,” (from one of my past reviews), “Beautiful Darkness,” by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

“Catching Fire,” by Suzanne Collins

 

Hey everyone, itʼs Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Hereʼs my review on, “Catching Fire,” by Suzanne Collins.

In the sequel to “The Hunger Games,” Katniss isnʼt really enjoying her new life as one of District 12ʼs Hunger Games Victors, and finds life drab and awkward, especially since Katniss revealed to Peeta how she doesnʼt feel for him what he feels for her. However, Katnissʼ life takes an unexpected turn when rumors spread of a rebellion against the Capitol starting. With a rebellion to consider, and with hints that District 13, thought to be nonexistent, might still be thriving, Katniss finds herself over her head with new information to take in, and a hatred for the Capitolʼs ruler, President Snow, begins to spread throughout all of Katniss. Thereʼs also the fact that Snow threatens to kill everyone Katniss holds dear unless she prevents a major rebellion from starting--and agrees to go back into the Hunger Games.
I loved this book! It was exciting, heart-wrenching, romantic, suspenseful, devastating, and the cliff-hanger at the end of the book had me craving more! I did prefer the first novel more, however, and I felt that the author could have taken more time with the ending. The author also shouldnʼt have explained so much to the reader in such a short number of pages, and I personally felt like the ending was rushed and unclear. I loved the book though, and canʼt wait to get started on the final book in the series!

Thanks for watching “TheBookBeat.org,” and tune in next week for my review on the final book in The Hunger Games trilogy, “Mockingjay,” by Suzanne Collins.

“The Lost Hero,” by Rick Riordan

 

Hey everyone, it’s Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Here’s my review on, “The Lost Hero,” by Rick Riordan.

 

Jason has amnesia.  He can’t remember anything about himself, or who he is.  Jason’s girlfriend, Piper, and best friend, Leo, try to fill him in as best as they can, but to no real avail.  Does this have anything to do with the fact that Jason keeps receiving pieces of his memories in dreams, that Piper is getting threats from a mythological monster who claims he holds her father captive in her dreams, or that Leo keeps seeing haunting figures from his past?  The three don’t know the answers to these questions, but when they are taken to a place called Camp Half Blood-where each and every camper is the child of a greek god-thrown on a quest with dangerous foes from stories thought to be made up, and face death more times then they can count--they are going to find some answers, good and bad.

 

I loved this book!  It was exciting, funny, romantic, adventurous, and very accurate to greek and roman mythology.  I especially loved all the twists in the book-such as the one at the end of the story-and all the romance and battles.  I was pleasantly surprised when Rick Riordan found a way to slightly change the structure of his books, as shown in, “The Lost Hero,” and enjoyed all the irony and jokes in the book.  Although I did like the twists in the book, I felt that some of Rick Riordan’s twists were too obvious, and I felt that Rick Riordan could have gone into more character development with Jason and Piper, as I felt that they both kind of had good things going for them.  I definitely thought that Leo was the most realistic character in the story, because he had the most flaws, a truly tragic past, and was the silliest character in the book.  Overall though, I did enjoy this book, and cannot wait for the sequel to the book!

 

Thanks for watching “TheBookBeat.org,” and tune in next week for my review on the sequel to Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind, “Haveli,” by Suzanne Fisher Staples.

 

#41: Shabanu-Daughter of the Wind -- by Suzanne Fisher Staples

 

Hey everyone, it’s Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Here’s my review on, “Shabanu-Daughter of the Wind,” by Suzanne Fisher Staples.

 

The book takes place in the desert of Cholistan-in Pakistan-in the 1970s-1980s.  The book tells the story of a free spirited Muslim girl named Shabanu growing up in a poor family.  Shabanu is free spirited, intelligent, a bit argumentative, and questions her culture in society.  Although intelligence is viewed as a good thing in America, it is considered dangerous in Cholistan.  In Shabanu’s culture and country, women are expected to do nothing more than get married and bear sons.  Also, women in Shabanu’s culture and country should be submissive to men and are put into an arraigned marriage at the ages 12-13.  Married couples are only allowed to get divorced if the husband decides it (not the wife) in Shabanu’s culture and country, and although men are allowed to take on more than one wife, women can have only one husband.

 

Throughout the book, Shabanu experiences many joys-such as when her father takes her to a fair in Sibi-and many pains, such as when her pet camel is sold to pay for her older sister’s wedding.  However, when a cruel man murders her older sister’s fiance, Shabanu must make sacrifices for her family, and give up her own happiness so her family can have a happier life.  Can Shabanu give up everything she loves, or will she follow her own heart?

 

I loved this book!  It was sad, heartbreaking, and from page one I couldn’t stop reading this book.  I loved all the plot twists, and how it wasn’t a, “Typical girl has to choose whether to obey the rules or listen to her heart,” book.  I especially liked the advice Sharma-a character in the story-gives Shabanu in the end of the book, “The secret is keeping your innermost beauty, the secrets of your soul, locked in your heart, so that he must always reach out to you for it.”  I loved how this quote can mean many things.  I also adored the cliff hanger in the end of the book, leaving unsatisfied readers-such as myself-hungry for a sequel!

 

Thanks for watching, “TheBookBeat.org,” and tune in next week for my review on, “The Lost Hero,” by Rick Riordan.

 

The View from Saturday, by E.L Konigsburg

 

Hey everyone, it’s Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Here’s my review on, The View from Saturday,” by E.L Konigsburg.

The book takes place in Epiphany, New York, and explores the emotions of a group of sixth graders who eventually find themselves friends, and competing together in the Academic Bowl.  Bold Noah, outspoken Nadia, shy Ethan, and strange Julian all seem to fit together, and they become friends, naming themselves, “The Souls.”  When their paraplegic teacher, Mrs. Olinski, chooses them as one of the sixth grade teams for the Academic Bowl, others are baffled.  The four students aren’t as smart as the honor roll students, and Mrs. Olinski didn’t even hold an academic contest to choose her team.  In fact, Mrs. Olinski herself doesn’t really know why she chose her team.  Slowly, however, as “The Souls” endure more adventures, and slowly work their way up to becoming the only sixth grade team, the school team, and the district team, Mrs. Olinski discovers something: She didn’t choose “The Souls.  “The Souls” chose her.

I loved this book!  It was sweet, interesting, sad, and funny.  The author successfully made the reader feel sympathy for the “heroes” of the book, and resentment towards the “villains” of the story.  Although I did like the writing style of the book, I felt that the author didn’t spend enough time with the Academic Bowl, and frankly, she could have made it much more exciting.  I also thought that the book was too short, and that the ending was predictable and cliche.  I also thought that the author could have gone more in depth with her main characters, but overall, I felt that this was a good book.  

Thanks for watching, “The Book Beat.org,” and tune in next week for my review on, “Shabanu-Daughter of the Wind,” by Suzanne Fisher Staples.

“The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck

 

 

Hey everyone, it’s Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Here’s my review on, 

 “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck.

 

The story takes place in ancient China when the last emperor reigned, and covers the life of the farmer Wang Lung and his faithful wife O-lan.  From their marriage day, to when O-lan bears Wang Lung his first child, to when Wang Lung buys land and deeply bonds with it, to when the couple has to move to the south because of famine in their village, and to Wang Lung suddenly having a rapid increase in wealth, this couple has truly been through everything, good and bad.  Eventually, Wang Lung discovers that some things are more important than others, but that even the smallest things can break the biggest bonds.

 

I loved this book!  It was sad, touching, and heartwarming.  I literally felt like I was a character in the book.  I found myself deeply bonding-in a way-with O-lan, and my heart aching for her when she was troubled.  I also found myself angry with Wang Lung and his uncle, feeling pity for Pear Blossom (a servant) when she is about to be married off to an awful man, and I found myself angry at a character in the book named Lotus when she insults Wang Lung’s daughter.

 

Thanks for watching, “The Book Beat.org,” and tune in next week for my review on, “The View from Saturday,” by E.L Konigsburg. 

 

#38 -- What Janie Found, by Caroline B. Cooney

 

Hey everyone, it’s Alex, and this is, TheBookBeat.org. Here’s my review on, What Janie Found, by Caroline B. Cooney.

It is the middle of summer, and Janie has finally found peace in life.  She has been conversing with her ex-boyfriend, Reeve Shields, and her families are still getting along.  In fact, her brother, Brian, is staying with the Johnsons for the summer, having nothing better to do.  Life seems perfect again.  Until now. 

When Janie’s father suffers a horrific stroke, her whole world falls apart.  Her mother is a wreck, and Janie’s friends don’t have time for her anymore.     When Janie is in her father’s study one day, sorting out his bills, she comes across a file that could drag both her families back into the kidnapping, find Hannah, and destroy them all.  How will Janie cope with this newfound knowledge?  Will anyone else discover the file?  Will Janie seek out Hannah?

This was a mediocre book.  The book was unnecessary, and the plot was weak.  I felt that overall, in the series, the first two books were the best, and the last two really weren’t needed.  I felt that Caroline B. Cooney wrote the last two books either to make money, or because she didn’t have any ideas for other books and decided to play it safe by sticking with the “Janie” series.  I also didn’t understand why Janie suddenly has a change of heart in the end of the book and forgives Reeve.  This was by far the weakest book in the series, and I was truly disappointed.

Thanks for watching, TheBookBeat.org.  I know a while ago I said I was going to review a book called, “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck, and then didn’t, but I had a change of heart and that is the book I’ll be reviewing next week.  Thanks again!