Review: These Happy Golden Years

These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strap in, folks. This might be a long one, since it's my favorite book in the series.

We begin our story once again in the cold winter of the Dakota Territories. Laura has received her teaching certificate and begins teaching school to keep Mary in college. She dreads teaching, she doesn't want to leave home, but she pulls herself up by her bootstraps and puts on a brave face. The school is 12 long, cold miles from home. She's staying with the school board president's family, run by his awful wife who hates it out West. It's a long two months in the freezing cold, and the only way she stays sane is because of the wonderful Almanzo Wilder. He drives out there, regardless of the weather, and brings her home to her family. Every. Single. Weekend. Through blizzards and awkward conversations. Almanzo must have really loved her, because she is ridiculous sometimes and tells him she won't ride with him after she is back home. What? Girl, you are crazy. But he's the best, and continues to make sure she gets home safely. I have a real thing for strapping young farm boys who are good with horses and very kind and brave. Almanzo is my jam.

And then she is home, and she conveniently forgets that she wasn't going to go around with him anymore. Apparently strapping young farm boys are her jam, too. Laura, no judgment. He's rad. And he apparently gets you, big time. Secret Christmas gifts, buggy rides, and appears to be a strong partner in crime. You get to drive the horses and race across the prairie together. You break wild horses and go to singing school together. And at the end, a sweet proposal and a kiss, leading to a quick marriage. Well, I say quick, but he courted her for three patient years, so nothing quick about that, folks. I mean, she was eighteen when they got hitched. And he builds her a kick-ass pantry so you know he loves her.

I'm 99% sure my husband is Almanzo Wilder reincarnated, and this book directly shaped the kind of man I am find attractive. 5 stars. Love this series!

View all my reviews

Review: Little Town on the Prairie

Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The town of DeSmet survived the long, hard winter, and spring has arrived. Laura gets her first job, as a seamstress, in town, and starts earning money to send Mary to the college for the blind in Iowa. She's a dedicate gal, for sure. This money is enough to send Mary off in the fall. I have no idea what it cost back then, but I'm sure it was a bit out of Pa's reach. Very nice that they figured out a way to send her. Say what you will, the Ingalls family is from hearty stock and they find a way to get it all done.

And romance is in the air! Laura is a grown up now, all of fifteen years old, and Almanzo squires her home from church. She's a bit clueless to his affections, but she walks home with him anyway. And at the end of it all, Laura gets her teaching certificate and her first school. 3.5 stars because I'm a sucker for a G-rated romance.

View all my reviews

Review: The Long Winter

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you know me at all, you know how much I hate being cold. Winter is the worst! This book is my worst nightmare. Snow. Way below zero temps. Freezing winds. No food. I like to think I am a hearty pioneer gal, but in my heart I know I love food and sunshine way too much. But, much like Laura, I would survive, because I'm strong like a bull.

A comically stereotypical Indian, straight from central casting, walks into the store in town and warns the white people that a big heap long winter is coming. He's basically ignored by everyone but Pa and the Wilder Boys, because they are smarter than everyone else. Plus handsome and talented and funny. But I digress. The winter comes, the trains stop, and the whole town is on the brink of death. Literally. Luckily for the entire town of DeSmet, Almanzo and Cap have more bravery than sense, and they go on a foolhardy mission to save the town.

I love this one. 4 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: By the Shores of Silver Lake

By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On the road again with the Ingalls family and we say goodbye to Plum Creek. Sadly, this time without my boy Jack. We are headed to the wilds of the Dakota Territories, friends. On a train! To claim a homestead and settle down, no matter how much Pa and Laura want to go to Oregon.

Pa heads to Dakota to work the railroad and be the payroll clerk, then Ma and the girls head out to meet them. The railroad men are filled with rough talk and violence, but Laura is fascinated with them as you would expect. Pa proves himself to be smart and brave, as usual, and then the railroad moves on to leave the Ingalls family alone in the Big Slough. After a cozy winter in the surveyor's house (what luck!) they stake a claim to their 40 acres and move into the claim shanty to win their bet with the government. Three stars, and onto the Long Winter! BRRR.

View all my reviews

Review: On the Banks of Plum Creek

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pa Ingalls, you are a starry-eyed optimist. Always looking on the bright side. Grasshoppers destroy your wheat? No problem. Holes worn through your boots? No problem. Deadly blizzards nearly kill you? Still no problem.

How Caroline Ingalls kept from choking this man to death is beyond me. And she moved AGAIN when she didn't want to. Also, a baby pops up out of nowhere with barely a mention. However, this is one of my favorite books in the series because I fell in love with the idea of living in a dugout. In fact, I would go move into one right now. That's right, I'm a prairie gal. Sue me. I was sad when they moved into the real house. Plus, this book kills me because of everyone in this series, I love Jack the most.

To this day, I am terrified of a grasshopper plague and have thought through what I would do. Burn them. Burn them with fire. Thanks, Laura. 4 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Little House on the Prairie

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We have now left the Big Woods of Wisconsin and are in Indian Territory - gasp! Funny to see the opinions of the early 1930s. We go West, poor Jack has a scare, and we build a log cabin. Totally jealous. I think I would have made a fantastic pioneer man. Not a woman, because I would not want to do my laundry in a bucket, nor make corn mush all day, every day. But I would hang with Mr. Edwards and live off the land.

Once again, 3 stars. I like them progressively better as Laura ages.

Side note...Carrie is like a ghost child. She is mentioned so seldom I am surprised when her name is brought up. Poor Carrie!

View all my reviews

Review: Little House in the Big Woods

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love to go back and re-read this series every few years. I love traveling West with Laura and her family. Her Pa reminds me of how I might have been back then, always itching to go to a new place with fewer people.

Worth it for nostalgia alone. 3 stars, as always.

View all my reviews

Review: The Unbreakable Spell

The Unbreakable Spell by Barbara Cartland

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Exactly what you'd expect from Dame Barbara. This heroine was slightly smarter than the others, though. I'll give her points for brains and bravery, bringing this from one star to two.

A predictable plot line, as always. Arranged marriage, an orphaned beauty, cruelly mistreated but with a heart of gold. This one has the added fun of a weird sixth sense thread that was quickly dropped and insta-love. Barbara, your plots were ridiculous but apparently so am I for continuing to read them.

Tune in next time, where I will be reviewing Dame Barbara on audio. Can't wait to hear how bad it turns out!



View all my reviews

Review: Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not my favorite Christie, but still an interesting story. I thought I had puzzled it out a couple of times, but she gave the classic twists and turns you expect so I was partially correct, but way off base on the other parts.

Bobby Jones stumbles upon a gravely injured man who utters a cryptic question as his last words: "Why didn't they ask Evans?" And we are off to the races. Bobby and his childhood friend, Lady Francis, investigate and cook up the most ridiculous plans, putting themselves in danger literally the entire book. But it's all good in the end, and I quite enjoyed the wrap-up.

Not her best, but even a mediocre Christie is better than most others. Enjoy!

View all my reviews

Review: Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am unsure how to feel about this book. Maybe not the best book as an entry to Vonnegut? I needed to read a book published the year I was born, and here we are.

Funny at times, bizarre most of the time, I felt I wasn't in on the jokes during certain parts. But interesting, for sure. I am going to give it 3 stars because it made me laugh.

I might re-read it some day. Maybe after another Vonnegut.

View all my reviews

Review: The Secret of Chimneys

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great mystery from my girl Agatha. This one introduces us to Superintendent Battle, a level-headed bloke who isn't easily fooled. I like him quite a bit. You know who else I like? Anthony Cade, good-hearted free-spirit, traveling the globe and helping out damsels in distress. He's great.

You get some great Christie twists in this one. She really was the best. Sit back and enjoy the ride, because she will fool you at every turn, and you get a satisfying ending, as usual. 4 stars

View all my reviews

Review: Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

What a miserable collection of terrible people. Just simply the worst. Rarely am I so glad to get to the end of a book. I need at least one redeemable character, so I slogged on until the end, to be left wanting.

Glad to cross this classic off my list and move on to happier things! Well written but not enjoyable. 2 stars for longevity. No stars awarded for entertainment value.

View all my reviews

Review: Frankenstein: Or The Modern Prometheus

Frankenstein: Or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wanted to love it, but I just liked it. Maybe it was the audio, but I think it would be three stars either way.

I'm sure you know the basic story, because duh, it's a classic. Victor Frankenstein cobbles together a creature from body parts, and brings it to life with what I assume was electricity (the book was a bit vague here, so use your imagination). The monster just wants to be loved and accepted, like everyone. But he isn't, and he is fueled by anger and seeks revenge on Victor. The story winds from Geneva to the Arctic Circle, and runs the gamut of emotions. I personally think Victor brought all of this on himself, and made so many ridiculous missteps that he reaped what he sowed.

A classic everyone should read at some point. Three stars.

View all my reviews

Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables #1)

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I just loved this book! Excuse me while I pack my stuff to live on Prince Edward Island.

The characters, the setting--it was great. Anne is whimsical, and eccentric, and lovable. She's a whirlwind of ideas, and drama, and fun. Matthew and Marilla are the balance she needs, and she is the balance they need. It's funny, and sad, and just a true delight. Now I'm caught up in Avonlea and will be headed back to visit in the next book of the series.





View all my reviews

The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Reading my way through the classics and thought I would dive into my first Hemingway. I can't say I was disappointed.

We journey to Cuba to fish with Santiago, the old man of said title, and go with him out to the sea. Santiago has had a bit of a dry spell, not catching anything for 84 days. 84 days! What is this poor old man living on? Well, nothing but the kindness of Manolin, his sometimes apprentice. Determined to turn his luck, Santiago heads far out to search for a big catch.

Part man vs.nature, part reflections from an old man on a long life, this final book by Hemingway has many layers. I liked it. 3 stars.



View all my reviews

Fascination in France

114. Fascination in France by Barbara Cartland

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Oh Barbara---your stilting---prose makes--my head--hurt.

Silly, fast read about two young ladies who are sent to a rich man's house, one to be married off in the interest of a business partnership. The other sent to chaperone her cousin. Expect a classic Cartland switch-a-roo with the Duc falling for the other one unexpectedly. Yes, there will be perils for our young heroine. She will be in danger, but will pluckily save the day and everyone will live happily ever after. But if you weren't looking for a HEA, you wouldn't have read a Barbara Cartland romance.

Plus for the book being short, and the main characters not horrible in the end. Minus for the dumb cousin who was annoying and nothing but a plot device.



View all my reviews

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Hercule Poirot #4)

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Oh, Agatha, you sly minx. Once again, Poirot solves the case before I have even narrowed down the suspects.

Really well done in a classic Christie style. Poirot is now retired and growing "the vegetable marrows" without success. He gets pulled into the case--not exactly reluctantly, as it is Poirot--but realizing the quiet village life is not for him. The case takes twists and turns, and you may find yourself switching your prime suspect by the minute. When you hear the clues you missed along they way, you will just shake your head and say, "Agatha, you sly minx. You've done it again." A unique mystery and one of my favorites. I would rank this one up with "And Then There Were None". 4 stars.



View all my reviews

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet [New Folger edition] by William Shakespeare

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I haven't read this since high school. I remember enjoying it, but found I enjoyed it a bit more this time. The first blush of young infatuation. Love at first sight. Family feuds. And death. The play that spawned a thousand movies and has set an unrealistic, strangely morbid bar for teens everywhere. I would blame Leonardo DiCaprio but I know this obsession was there long before our pal Leo caused millions of ladies to swoon. The family conflicts are so outdated in this day and age, but the insanity of pubescent hormones are alive and well even now. Read it, debate it, perform it--it's a classic for a reason.



View all my reviews

The Saint and the Sinner

The Saint and the Sinner by Barbara Cartland

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Typical Barbara Cartland, with overly drawn dramatic characters and ultra-tame romance. I loved reading these when I was 12 or 13. Many hours were spent pouring over my mom's copies, but I don't remember reading this one.

Poor Pandora is a complete Mary Sue. A wide-eyed orphan with so much family loyalty it is pouring out her young, innocent ears. Enter the dashing bad-boy cousin, the Earl. He has a chip on his shoulder about his family inheritance as deep as the ocean. Poor little rich boy! Pandora drops into his lap and shows him the error of his ways, and they live happily ever after.

Barbara almost made me snap with the weird phrasing and dialogue for Pandora. She - kept talking - like this. Was she - slow - in the - head? Did she - have a terrible - stutter? Unsure what the deal was, but I nearly threw the book down in frustrating a few times. At least it was a quick read.



View all my reviews

Little Women

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Ah, Little Women. I did not quite realize it when I read you many years ago, but I am the Jo of my family. Tomboyish, hot-tempered, geeky. Unladylike, swearing, opinionated. Clumsy--I would be the one to burn my dress, spill things on me, and not be asked to dance. I love books more than socializing. And I have three wonderful sisters.

This book is a charming return to my childhood, and I had the treat of viewing it through the lens of life experiences this time around. I didn't understand Jo's romantic choices when I was young, but I completely understand now. I would have done the same thing. I won't spoil you if you haven't read it already, but if you have, which Marsh sister are you?



View all my reviews