History Week

History

This week we each read a history book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

American History - fiction or non-fiction historical book set in North America
European History - fiction or non-fiction historical book set in Europe
World History - fiction or non-fiction historical book set outside of North America and Europe
Alternate History - books from the alternate history genre

Books Selected:

Zach (European History - Non-fiction)

The Spartans: The World of the Warrior-heroes of Ancient Greece by Paul Anthony Cartledge

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book because it explained the daily life of the Spartans, their values, and a look into the history behind their culture and some of the major battles.  My favorite section was about the Persian Wars.  If you love history, especially military or political history, or reading about ancient cultures, you will like this book.

Michelle (American History - Non-fiction)

Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot by Bill O'Reilly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More like 2 1/2 stars. I didn't enjoy it as much as Killing Lincoln, but it was pretty good. A bit sensationalized in places and very much about the Kennedy administration rather than a focus on the assassination and aftermath. O'Reilly makes a lot of assumptions and embellishes situations--how could he possibly know the content of private conversations or the inner thoughts of the players involved? Pick it up if you want a quick read about Kennedy, his philandering ways, his brother Bobby, and a bit about his daily life in the White House.

Maddie (American History - Non-fiction)

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

This book directly follows "Little House in the Big Woods." The Ingalls family is leaving their home in Wisconsin for the West.

Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life

Callings by Gregg Levoy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Meh. Expected a more engaging, thoughtful read of inspiration and ideas. I don't know that I was in the right headspace to appreciate the content of this book. I will potentially give it another read if I feel like I get to a point of transition in my life, but there wasn't anything there that spoke to my soul.

View all my reviews

Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot

Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot by Bill O'Reilly
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

More like 2 1/2 stars. I didn't enjoy it as much as Killing Lincoln, but it was pretty good. A bit sensationalized in places and very much about the Kennedy administration rather than a focus on the assassination and aftermath. O'Reilly makes a lot of assumptions and embellishes situations--how could he possibly know the content of private conversations or the inner thoughts of the players involved? Pick it up if you want a quick read about Kennedy, his philandering ways, his brother Bobby, and a bit about his daily life in the White House.

View all my reviews

Literature Week

Literature

This week we each read a literature book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

American Novel - literature genre set in North American or by a North American author.

European Novel - literature genre set in Europe or by a European author.

World Novel - literature genre set outside of North America and Europe or by an author from outside of North America or Europe.

Poetry - book or collection of poems from any country, including anthologies of poetry.

Books Selected:

Zach (American Novel)

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
My rating: 3 1/2 of 5 stars

Robin Hood and his merry band of men rob from the rich, give to the poor, and celebrate with great feasts.  Each story tells the tale of how each person joined Robin Hood's adventures.  They laugh a lot, and the ending will surprise you.  If you like disguises, competitions, male bonding, and merriment, this is the book for you.

Michelle (American Novel)

The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a collection of short stories that run the spectrum of emotions for me, but this review is about "The Lottery". I have read this 3 different times in my life, and knowing the ending doesn't make it any easier to read. This story is about tradition, and what can happen when people blindly follow what has been done in the past without stopping to question why we do the things we do. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I feel this story is an absolute "must read" for everyone. It will spark deep discussion, and it will change your perspective.

I need to go cry in a corner now and be depressed for the remainder of the day. Well played, Ms. Jackson, well played. This story left an imprint on my psyche and I will be thinking about it for days.

Maddie (American Novel)

White Fang by Jack London
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

White Fang is about a wolf-dog who lives Yukon with his mother, father, and four siblings.  During a time of famine, his family dies and he lives alone with his mother.  They soon run into some Eskimos who take them in.  He slowly adjusts to life with humans, then his mother is sold and taken away from him.  He becomes a sled dog and is sold to a cruel owner and forced into a terrible, violent life.  White Fang is rescued by a loving owner who only wants the best for him, but White Fang no longer trusts.

Will White Fang ever learn to trust again?  Will he ever be free?  Faced with challenges, and life-threatening tasks, White Fang is an enriching tale that will keep you glued to your seat.

The Lottery and Other Stories

The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a collection of short stories that run the spectrum of emotions for me, but this review is about "The Lottery". I have read this 3 different times in my life, and knowing the ending doesn't make it any easier to read. This story is about tradition, and what can happen when people blindly follow what has been done in the past without stopping to question why we do the things we do. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I feel this story is an absolute "must read" for everyone. It will spark deep discussion, and it will change your perspective.

I need to go cry in a corner now and be depressed for the remainder of the day. Well played, Ms. Jackson, well played. This story left an imprint on my psyche and I will be thinking about it for days.

View all my reviews

First Lord's Fury

First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Epic conclusion to Tavi's journey from boy to man, politics and intrigue, and Alera's quest for victory in the face of the enemy.

I felt this book was the weakest in the series, although I still very much enjoyed it. I was so invested in these characters over the course of the previous 5 books, and there was so much focus on the Vord that we did not get much time with the characters who had made this such a remarkable series. Still definitely worth the read, but the narrative would have been better served if Butcher had split this 550 page novel into a seventh book, allowing more time to understand each character's perspective to the world of Alera at war with this new enemy. I did appreciate the epilogue, and am very glad he left them in a good place, with resolution and hope for the future.

Just read it and immerse yourself into the world of Alera. 3 1/2 stars.


View all my reviews

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It had the right mix of biographical stories, science facts, and moral questions to consider. Although non-fiction, it reads like a novel and was very engaging. Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer in the 1950s. At the time of her death, the doctors at Johns Hopkins took samples of her cells and were able to successfully grow and study them in the laboratory. Her cells have been vital in medical research throughout the years, and are still growing in labs today.

I found myself thinking about the Lacks family and medical research throughout the day as I was reading the book. I felt Rebecca Skloot did weave herself and her quest to research the Lacks family a bit much into the narrative, but her perspective added insights into the family and how they felt about Johns Hopkins, reporters, and the what happened to Henrietta's cells.

This would be a great book for a book club discussion, with the potential for rich dialogue regarding the potential moral repercussions and long-term advantages to medical research in general and specifically around cell research. Highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Science Week

Banner by Maddie

Science 

This week we each read a science book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

Earth Science - fiction or non-fiction book about natural disasters, climate change, or located primarily in the ocean or underground.

Life Science - fiction or non-fictin book about plants or animals.

Applied Science - fiction or non-fiction book about a medical condition, disease, epidemic, or science breakthrough or where the main character is a medical professional or scientist.

Science Fiction - science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, or dystopian genres and magical worlds.

Books Selected:

Zach (Science Fiction: Dystopian)

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  A dystopian novel where certain people suddenly develop super powers, which they use for evil.  These people are called Epics.  Some members of society (most of them) do not develop powers, and they are held at the mercy of the Epics.

Michelle (Applied Science: Medicine)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It had the right mix of biographical stories, science facts, and moral questions to consider. Although non-fiction, it reads like a novel and was very engaging. Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer in the 1950s. At the time of her death, the doctors at Johns Hopkins took samples of her cells and were able to successfully grow and study them in the laboratory. Her cells have been vital in medical research throughout the years, and are still growing in labs today.

I found myself thinking about the Lacks family and medical research throughout the day as I was reading the book. I felt Rebecca Skloot did weave herself and her quest to research the Lacks family a bit much into the narrative, but her perspective added insights into the family and how they felt about Johns Hopkins, reporters, and the what happened to Henrietta's cells.

This would be a great book for a book club discussion, with the potential for rich dialogue regarding the potential moral repercussions and long-term advantages to medical research in general and specifically around cell research. Highly recommended.

Maddie (Science Fiction: Dystopian)

Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Earth, ruined by pollution, is a now dystopian society run almost entirely by robots.  Most people are unemployed, and are confined to cities to fight for survival.  Hiding from the thought police and overrun by gangs, a group of teens with diverse traits are invited to an exclusive, mysterious game.  A test of strength and teamwork, they must collect clues to gain the ultimate prize.

An absolutely excellent tale, with a twist ending of the ultimate prize.  I really enjoyed the character development, and wished there was a sequel.

A Year by the Sea

A Year by the Sea by Joan Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Year by the Sea chronicles Joan Anderson's life after she chooses to take a break from her marriage. Her children grown and on their own, her husband was offered a job in a new location. She chooses to move to their beach house instead of following him, reflecting on her feelings of repression and lack of appreciation on the years of marriage and motherhood. She takes time to find herself, her inner courage, and comes out the other side more confident and content.

Anyone who has been in a long-term marriage will be able to appreciate this book. Although her journey is different from mine (a beach house, really, Joan?), I could relate to her feelings and the experiences she gave herself during this year alone. It made me celebrate my relationship with my husband a little more and reminded me that regardless of our strong partnership, that I should always take time for myself.



View all my reviews

Summer Book Club: Reading University

Logo designed by Maddie

We are starting our annual summer book club this week.  The kids and I have had a summer book club every summer since 2010.  We choose a new genre each week and everyone selects a book within that genre to read and discuss. This year we have added a twist: Reading University.  Each week we will share out our books and our reviews in the selected subject, and by the time school starts again we will have earned our degrees.  I'll be updating the blog as we go.  Hope you find some good new reading suggestions from our choices!