Boneshaker

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was my first time reading steampunk, and I really liked it. I loved the world and the characters Priest created, although I do wish the characterization had been a bit more in depth from the get go. I can understand that having to focus so much on creating the world might have prevented more in depth characterization, otherwise the book would have been a lot longer. I found myself assuming things in the beginning concerning the two main characters' personalities and their relationship. In the very end though, there was more character development, so that made me happy, but like I said I wish it could have been dispersed through the whole book, not just placed in the end. My favorite character, though, was Lucy, who wasn't even a main character. And I wish we could have known what happened to Swakhammer! Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to checking out Priest's other books.



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The Choice

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This was the first Nicholas Sparks book I've ever read. A friend recommended it to me. Perhaps I started with the wrong book, or perhaps this just isn't my genre. This was just an okay read for me. The first half did not hold my interest, it took me longer than it should have to read. It started to pick up somewhat, yet I was still indifferent as to what happened to the characters, and, really, I hated feeling that way. Overall, I wasn't too impressed. Then again, I think this style of writing and type of book just isn't my thing.

My short review on goodreads.  =)

Little House in the Big Woods

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


"I read this out loud to my 5 year old. She enjoyed it, and at times couldn't believe how the characters lived. It read like a collection of short stories instead of one main story, which I didn't care for too much (I personally love a very defined plot in a book.) But it was perfect for my daughter. However, I absolutely loved the very last chapter. I definitely will be revisiting this book with her later when we actually study this time period."

That was my short review on Goodreads.  I just learned I could easily post my review here!  Pretty nifty.  Another thing I wanted to mention about this book is that a lot of my friends have told me they didn't get past chapter 1 in this book with their kids due to the "gruesome" descriptions of the father slaughtering and cleaning the animals that they ate.   I personally decided not to shelter my daughter from this.  I don't understand why we disconnect our kids from their "food."

We discussed how in the time this story took place, they had to eat what was available to them.  We talked about how they didn't have stores with vegetables year round like we do now.  And the reason I loved the very last chapter, "The Deer in the Wood," was because it showed that even though they had to eat animals to survive, there was still an appreciation for them.  In that chapter, the father (while hunting) didn't shoot a single animal because he was awestruck at their beauty and serenity in the woods.  I loved it.

Overall, Miss Dainty really enjoyed this book.  It helped that each chapter was it's own short story.  It was perfect for bedtime reading.  I can't wait to really study this time period of our country with her.

Matched

Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This was just an ok read for me. I went into it with high expectations due to some glowing blogger reviews, but I was disappointed. I love dystopia, but this just didn't do it for me. The characters and setting seemed flat, and I just couldn't envision the world very well. The ending picked up for me a tad, but my opinion was already set. I don't know if I'll read the next one or not.

My review from Goodreads.