A story about a boy and his horse that is emotionally touching. Ken is a "disappointment" in his father's eyes but his mother sees below the surface. A story about a boy and his horse that is emotionally touching. Ken is a "disappointment" in his father's eyes but his mother sees below the surface. When Ken is offered any yearling his choice, once again, disappoints his father. The unfolding of the story is wonderful. This is a beautiful story for children and adults alike. ...more
Of Sea and Song is a retelling of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen and it is one of the best retellings I've read to date. It was suspensOf Sea and Song is a retelling of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen and it is one of the best retellings I've read to date. It was suspenseful and the romance aspect did not take over the story... I don't read romances for a reason. The ending I believe sets up the next book but I wasn't sure what it was referring to so I must have missed something from book one or two. That said, I very likely will go back and read (or listen to) the first two books, I enjoyed this one that much....more
I've read this story before and wasn't crazy about it, this reading was a bit better... I'm not sure why. In the story, she desires to have an immortaI've read this story before and wasn't crazy about it, this reading was a bit better... I'm not sure why. In the story, she desires to have an immortal soul, which mermaids do not have, it's an interesting motivation and that didn't jump out at me before. ...more
I'm not at all sure why this book is rated so low (3.18 ⭐at the time I read it). This book is generally regarded as the first "Gothic" novel. Some of I'm not at all sure why this book is rated so low (3.18 ⭐at the time I read it). This book is generally regarded as the first "Gothic" novel. Some of the language is archaic, which is normal for a book written in the 17th century but the story was good and the characters were pretty well developed. There was suspense, mystery, and a bit of humor too. I thoroughly enjoyed it. ...more
I think the title of this book should be "Welcome to the Wild and Wacky Island of Dr. Moreau." After researching this book for a group read I came to I think the title of this book should be "Welcome to the Wild and Wacky Island of Dr. Moreau." After researching this book for a group read I came to understand there was an increasing opposition to animal vivisection in England. I can see where this book might have been the result of that influence. Unfortunately, the "science" aspect of it does not hold up for example the female Beast women giving birth to malformed offspring and the animals "changing" back to preoperation form, those kinds of things take away from the story for me. ...more
I read this selection as it won the Cozy Poll in a group. Fair warning, it is not a cozy, I should have put more stock in the warning.
Admittedly I rolI read this selection as it won the Cozy Poll in a group. Fair warning, it is not a cozy, I should have put more stock in the warning.
Admittedly I rolled my eyes when I realized this was a young adult mystery, I don't usually read those. The regular teenage angst is just not something that I enjoy and this book toed the line with the teenage drama.
All that said, I became more and more absorbed in the book as I read it. I was a good thriller/suspense book. I always like to guess who the bad guy is, I eliminated the (to me) obvious characters and narrowed it down to three. The bad guy was one of those three.
This was a quick, even for me, read and I enjoyed the thriller/suspense aspect. The surrounding regular teenage drama took away from the plot for me which is why I only rated it a 3....more
While I this was a cute story, reading it as an adult. I do think it could teach young children that getting up and down after being put to bed is okaWhile I this was a cute story, reading it as an adult. I do think it could teach young children that getting up and down after being put to bed is okay. I raised a child who exhibited this kind of behavior and has she read this book, I'm sure there would have been all kinds of borrowed from the book reasons she should be up....more
I was not crazy about this book... the main character made up fantastical tales about why she did not like school. I know this is not something I woulI was not crazy about this book... the main character made up fantastical tales about why she did not like school. I know this is not something I would/did encourage with my kids when they were little. Imagination is one thing, telling tales is another. In the end, we find the main character sitting and sobbing when she realized she was finished with school. Apparently, she did like school....more
What a lovely way to teach children about hard work being rewarded. While we don't necessarily live this way anymore the lesson of patience (no immediWhat a lovely way to teach children about hard work being rewarded. While we don't necessarily live this way anymore the lesson of patience (no immediate gratification) is absolutely still pertinent today. ...more
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