springdellgirl

Book Reviews


Here are a couple of books that I have read. Both were interesting. I would recommend both of these books but be warned that The River of Doubt is a little drier and may appeal more to the historian or naturalist.

This book was recommended to me by my sister, Stacey. She read it with her book club about a year ago. I have had this book waiting but I have needed to be in the right mood to read it. About 2 weeks ago I dove in. I am still not sure I was in the right mood for this non-fiction, historical account of Theodore Roosevelt and his trip down the River of Doubt; an uncharted tributary of the Amazon in 1913.

From Goodreads:

"At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait, The River of Doubt is the true story of Theodore Roosevelt’s harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth."

I can't say I loved this book but I can't say that I didn't like it either. This account of Roosevelt's exploration of the River of Doubt in the Brazilian rain forest was, at times, thoroughly fascinating and, at other times, extremely slow-moving and tedious. I enjoyed learning more about our rather colorful 26th President of the United States. The book has inspired me to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt and several of the other of his company who made this inspiring journey.

Let's face it. Roosevelt is fascinating. I loved *watching* him in each new situation and/or obstacle  and wondering how he would handle it. He always displayed great leadership qualities and strength of character. I especially loved learning about his relationship with his son, Kermit, and their father-son dynamic. What I loved most in Miller's book was also the problem with the book. I, unfortunately, found the back story...relationships, personal and family history, politics etc...much more interesting than the actual story of the exploration of this tributary in the South American rain forest and the brutal conditions faced by their party.

All in all, I am glad that I read this book and learned more about this part of the world and the individuals involved in this formidable adventure but I HATED all the tangents that the author went off on describing all the floral, fauna, and ecology in minute detail. That slowed down the book and made parts of it much less interesting and appealing. But if you would like a glimpse of Theodore Roosevelt: the explorer, naturalist, leader and father you will enjoy this book. There is no doubting the Roosevelt charisma. Plus, I do feel smarter for reading it.

My Rating: Okay...at times great.

This book was recommended to me by a member of my book club. I have to admit that I had a hard time believing that this book was written by the same author as Ender's Game. That little fact continued to pop into my mind all throughout reading this book. How in the world is this the same author?

I really enjoyed this book especially as I am currently reading the Old Testament. This story, while not adhering completely to the Biblical account, did make the people, places, and time come alive for me.

From Goodreads:

"Sarai was a child of ten years, wise for her age but not yet a woman, when she first met Abram. He appeared before her in her father's house, filthy from the desert, tired and thirsty. But as the dirt of travel was washed from his body, the sight of him filled her heart. And when Abram promises Sarai to return in ten years to take her for his wife, her fate was sealed.

Abram kept his promise, and Sarai kept hers they were wed, and so joined the royal house of Ur with the high priesthood of the Hebrews. So began a lifetime of great joy together, and greater peril: and with the blessing of their God, a great nation would be built around the core of their love."

I really liked the book. It reminded me a lot of The Red Tent which I also enjoyed. What I particularly enjoyed was learning more about that time period and what life might have been like for a woman living then. Orson Scott Card is still not one of my favorite authors...but this is the first book in a series and I look forward to reading the other two books.

My Rating: Good

This series was also recommended to me by my sister, Stacey. I didn't love the first book in the series, The Golden Compass, but I liked this one, the 2nd in the series, much more.

From Goodreads:

"Here is the highly anticipated second installment of Philip Pullman's epic fantasy trilogy, begun with the critically acclaimed The Golden Compass. Lyra and Will, her new found friend, tumble separately into the strange tropical otherworld of Cittàgazze, "the city of magpies," where adults are curiously absent and children run wild. Here their lives become inextricably entwined when Lyra's alethiometer gives her a simple command: find Will's father. Their search is plagued with obstacles--some familiar and some horribly new and unfathomable--but it eventually brings them closer to Will's father and to the Subtle Knife, a deadly, magical, ancient tool that cuts windows between worlds. Through it all, Will and Lyra find themselves hurtling toward the center of a fierce battle against a force so awesome that leagues of mortals, witches, beasts, and spirits from every world are uniting in fear and anger against it."

I think I liked this book better because we already kind of understand this Universe and the inhabitants. It was much more engaging. We could get on with the story and the characters were better developed. I particularly enjoyed the addition of the character of Will. He added interest and depth to the story.

In this 2nd installment, the storyline is building, worlds are colliding, and characters are deepening. So while I still don't think these are children's books and I still think they are over-rated...I will probably read the 3rd one just to see how it all turns out in the end.

My Rating: Okay. This one was better than the first.