For some reason, this book did not exactly appeal to me, despite it being an "ideal" book in a style I thoroughly enjoy to read. In fact, it took me four months to read this book, and it isn't like it's a long book or anything; it's only 199 pages long. To top it all off, whenever I did remember to read it (that's right, I had to remind myself to read, something I never do) I really liked it. The story was original, the characters realistic, the location interesting, the style enjoyable. But I just wouldn't read it. Not voluntarily, you see- as I said above, I actually enjoyed it- but my subconscious apparently just did not feel like it. Which was honestly so weird. And shameful.
I'm not sure my review makes a lot of sense up to this point, and I'm really unsure as to how to write this, because I'm not quite certain if it was the book that put me off or it was just some crazy thing my mind did, but as always I'll try my hardest to be fair and also honest at the same time. The blurb for this book is quite short, so I don't really want to give away any spoilers, but the long and short of it is that this is the story of a young English professor working in a boy's seminary in Brussels who falls in love with a young teacher in the neighboring ladies' pensionnat. However, the pensionnat's headmistress, Mlle Zoraïde Reuter, is quite intent on breaking their relationship, just because, you know, some people delight in ruining other people's lives. It was an enjoyable read, whenever I got around to reading it, so I am inclined to say it was probably my fault and not the book's, because, funnily enough, its similar to my favourite book (Pride and Prejudice: click here to read my review on it). If you enjoy classics, try giving it a go! It was actually a good book, even if for some reason I struggled to find the willpower to read it.
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So, new post! I've been putting it off for a long time, but now I've finally gotten round to posting, I´ve written one that will hopefully make up for these pasts weeks when I haven't been active.
On a quick note before we start, I´d just like to say that the main reason I didn't feel like posting was that I knew I had to review this book, but I actually found it so hard to explain I kind of just left it on my To Do list and tried to ignore it. So I apologize if my feelings aren't exactly completely clear, but the books I like best are usually the hardest to review... Pride and Prejudice. Ironically, that title kept on putting me off, it sounded so grown up, but once I read it it immediately became my favourite book. It matches the plot so perfectly too, that one would think the plot was actually derived from the title, instead of it being the other way around. I loved the way this book is written; the manner in which Jane Austen presents the story to her audience, as well as her style of writing, is absolutely wonderful and a pleasure to read. At first, the formality of it can be a bit daunting, and I can relate to that, but once you get used to it, it doesn't bother you as much as you'd think. Also, the plot in itself is fantastic. Obviously, the plot is one of the main elements of a story, so if the plot is rubbish, then however well the author has written the story will not affect the fact that its a boring read. But I honestly have no complaints about this story, as it was nice and calm but still interesting and empathetic, which to me is a key point for success. Its neither fast-paced or slow and dragging, but a nice, in between point. I am currently studying Shakespeare in English class, and my teacher said something last lesson about his work which I thought I would incorporate into the review, because it can be applied to Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" too. She mentioned that the reason people still read Shakespeare was because his work was relatable, and the situations he presented in his plays were "universal truths", by which she meant that, whatever time in the history of human beings, these situations are still happening and can be applied to our current day life. Yes, the setting and manner changes slightly, but the principle is still the same as back in the 16th century, or the 18th, or even two thousand years ago. Thinking about it, that's probably the reason classics become classics, because if the story is completely irrelevant then it would almost surely not be passed on from generation to generation. Similarly to Shakespeare's plays, the situation in this story is quite relatable, or at least for me. I don't want to spoil it, but the situation where you refuse an offer and then you wish you hadn't is, I'm sure, quite common, even amongst us younger folks. The ending is nice and happy, and both unexpected and expected, a feeling I found was totally hilarious when I realized the fact I was experiencing two opposite feelings simultaneously. In a sense you expect it, but the situation in the book leads you to believe that it just can't be. This may sound a bit stuffy to teenagers inclined to read modern stuff and usually avoid classics, and I do understand that if classics aren't your style, then they're just not your style, but I find that those books are usually the ones who teach us valuable lessons in life- though I'm not saying modern books don't teach us things- but a lot of people tend to ignore them, and I think they're usually mistaken, because if a book is still famous many decades and even centuries ( in some cases ) after it was originally written then it must be either very important or very educational or very enjoyable. That doesn't not necessarily mean everyone will find them useful and interesting, but it does rather make them must-reads, whether they sound exciting or not. And really, this book is actually one of the best ones, because even though it may be quite formal at points the story is interesting and actually very funny in its own way. So, I was just trying to say here that, seriously, its a classic, but it's not that bad at all, so dint get too put off by that. Because it's REALLY REALLY good, and is currently my favourite book EVER, which, considering I read a lot of books (even more than are posted on this blog, so go figure) is incredibly high praise for a book to be given. So be brave, and just give it a go. If you like it? Well, that's brilliant. If you don't? Better luck next time, then. You have nothing to lose, so go ahead. Open the book. You might be surprised by what you find. The five Bennet sisters' placid and tranquil life is suddenly interrupted by the arrival in town of a rich young man, Mr Bingley, who has recently purchased an estate not far from their home. When the ladies learn he is single, they all begin vying for his attention, but his interest is soon caught up with the eldest Bennet sister, Jane. Meanwhile, his friend, the proud, arrogant and haughty Mr Darcy, who on his first day shunned everyone in town, starts to fall for the second of the sisters, Elizabeth. However, a young officer named Wickham appears at Meryton and confides to Elizabeth that Mr Darcy has always hated him and shares with her some tales of the injustice her has suffered because of him. Angered on his behalf, Elizabeth's contempt for Mr Darcy increases as she attempts to uncover the truth about him. But then she receives a startling proposal from none other than Darcy himself... Okay, so most of you probably know I am a very naughty girl sometimes and I read on my kindle late at night ;). So I haven't read a new book in AAGEES because I didn't know what to read -but I got a few recommendations today from some friends so I'm going to start reading like crazy guys- so at night, I reread most of the 100 and something (or maybe even 200- I can't remember anymore and I honestly am not going to count them; it would take forever!), and one of the series I read was this one. I remember I used to be obsessed with this series about a year ago, and I read almost every book in it I could find- I never finished it, it's quite old so I couldn't find the last books in it- and I loved it, especially because it was old fashioned and I LOVE old fashioned stories where girls wear pinafores and travel on old-fashioned trains and carry their belongings in trunks and... well, I just love those things so much. Thinking back, I think that was one of my favourite things about this series of books.
Whilst I was rereading this, I realised that the main character is a VERY goody-goody kind of girl. She's not unlikable, but I don't usually like reading stories where good and bad is very clearly accentuated and you can either be a saint or the devil's child in human form. Thank goodness for Uncle Jabez, her grumpy old uncle with not as hard a heart as it seems, and her sweet and rather comical Aunt Alvirah, who is just such a funny old character with a big and generous heart. Really, it surprised me that I stuck with it for so long, because it's not my kind of book at all and at the same time, it's exactly the kind of book I would have read a year ago. When her parents die, Ruth is sent to live with her miserly great-uncle Jabez Potter in the Red Mill. From then on, she softens up her uncle's hard heart, befriends the Cameron twins, helps the lame girl in town, Mercy Curtis, and altogether makes a new, happy life at her new home. Okay, I think if tell you I actually read this in June you will probably realise the state of decline my blog's been in, so I'm just going to get straight into the review to avoid this embarrassing situation of neglect. I've got to say I really, really really loved this book. I only read it because we were going on a school trip and I needed something to read during the journey, so my parents told me to read this, and I'm so glad I did. I found it a very interesting and educational (yes, I know some people think educational books are boring, but bear with me and hear me out) and it is just a must read, because not only the topic is presented in an easy to understand and entertaining way so it's ideal for teens, but also the lesson in this story is vital for the human race, because these mistakes are being made all the time all over the world. Maybe, if everyone read educational books once in a while, the world might be a better place to live in. If everyone knew about the mistakes made in the past, those mistakes wouldn't be made again in the future. Maybe, if people had read this, some conflicts around the world now might not be happening at all. So I really think you should, if you think you can manage it (I'd say 12+ because of the maturity required to fully understand the story) , read this book, and maybe, when you're older, this book might influence you to make a decision that might mean a lot to the future, whether it's your own future or someone else's. At Animal Farm, the animals have grown tired of working under the farmers hand and have revolted successfully against him. They live now all together in a new community, with new rules they all agree on and a democracy. However, although apparently all animals are equal, some are "more equal than others" and trouble starts brewing in the democracy established by the animals... All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others George OrwellSo, why am I reviewing two books at the same time? Okay, so maybe I was feeling rather lazy. But that's not the whole point. The point is, they are very similar indeed. I refuse to write the same review twice. I think I can summarise everything I want to write into one. So here goes: One of the things is that, if you are extremely sharp, the title is the same (if you change the names). ________ of ____________ ___________. Another thing, they are both about a girl sent to live with other people (in Rebecca's case, her two old aunts; in Anne's case, two old -yes, I highlighted old on purpose, to show the coincidence- farmers. They are also a bit like Pollyanna (there's a link to my post of that book at the bottom, right underneath the cover images). I can even make a coincidence triangle, if you like. Here it is. http://popplet.com/app/#/3020859 (sorry, I can't include an image, so I attached a link instead) As you can see, very similar. But that doesn't mean that they aren't very good books. In fact, they are amazing classics, and I love them. I fell in love with Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm less than a year ago, and I loved her impulsive and happy manner. It's been a while since I read Anne of Green Gables, I think I was eight at the time, and I can't recall all the details, but I loved this book so much, I am so glad I listened to my mum (who recommended it to me) for once, because I am not as perfect as Anne, Rebecca or Pollyanna, and I don't always listen to my parents (I mean, I do of course, mostly, but...) Anyway, as you can probably tell, I love classics, so I loved these books. Enjoy!
Link to Pollyanna:
http://bookblog205.weebly.com/book-blog/pollyanna I cried. A lot.
This book was BEAUTIFUL. It was really sad, but there was something in it that made me love it, even if I cried buckets when I was reading it (literally, buckets. I filled up 2 big ones with my tears : ) ). I loved the monster, and the way his stories just seemed to end the way you least expected them to. And then I loved the end... and the beginning... and the middle... and the whole book... It was just fantastic. And I think everyone 12+ should read this book, not just teenagers. but adults too. There are just no age limits on this book. I also think this is a very important book, possibly the most important I have ever reviewed on this blog, and possibly the most important book I have ever read. This book has a clear message, and it is beautiful. I really think every 12+ child and every adult should read this, even if they think they won't like it, because it is important to read and understand this book. And, you never know, it might end up as your favourite book. 12:07. When monsters come. Conor's been expecting the monster from his nightmare, the one with all the wind and screaming... But this monster is different, ancient, wild. It makes a deal with Conor. Four stories. Three of them, the monster will tell him. But the fourth is Conor's turn. And it must be the hardest story ever. It has to be the truth. This was such a beautiful book, and yet so sad! Every time I read it , I cried even more. I could just feel what Jesse felt, and it just went right to my heart. I was left without words when I finished it... I still cannot write a decent review for this book, I loved it so much... I would recommend it to 11+, maybe 10+.
Jesse Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, new girl Leslie boldly crosses to the boys' side of the playground and outruns them. Jesse and Leslie are soon inseparable, playing together in the forest in a magical world named Terabithia... Ok, so you've probably already heard of this series, Enid Blyton is really famous, but if you haven't, here is a post about it. Personally, I love Enid Blyton, and I have read most of her books, so I can assure that in my opinion she is a great author. The Famous Five is probably her most well-known series, and the books are so funny, interesting and imaginative that I'm not surprised I love them so much. She is probably one of my favourite authors and her books are really entertaining! They are rather short (for me, at least), but if you are about 9+ and like reading, then these are great books for you!! Classic but full of adventure, these books were great fun to read, and I think you should give them a go!
The Famous Five are 4 children: Julian, Dick, George (short for Georgina) and Anne. And of course, their dog Timothy!! During the holidays, when everything seems calm and peaceful, an adventure turns up and they're off!! When I first read this book I was probably 7, 8 or 9 years old and I simply loved it. Since then, I have read it m any times, and recently I've watched the movie. I love the story, with its sweet characters. I especially love the way in which Sara stands up to Miss Minchin, it leaves Miss Minchin speechless! Sara is so brave, and Becky and Ermingarde so compassionate and kind, and Lottie so innocently sweet. Lottie is such a young little girl, but whilst other younger children would probably soon forget about Sara, Lottie is so sweet and charming and doesn't forget her "mama", even when sara lives in a small, cold and damp attic. It also quite surprised me that Miss Minchin did not realise her treatment concerning Sara is wrong, although I guess if she thinks she is right then she can't think she's wrong at the same time. I liked Miss Amelia too(even though she is rather a coward, I must say). In general I think this book was fantastic!
Sara Crewe, daughter to Captain Ralph Crewe, is sent away from her home in India to a boarding school in England, Miss Minchin's Seminary for Young Ladies. It seems Sara's father has invested a great sum of money into some diamond mines, but those mines are nothing but fiction. Sara's father cannot bear the terrible news. And Sara's world is turned upside down... This is my favourite book. Not only the story is beautifully written, but Scout tells us her story so vividly I felt like I lived it myself. It was sad, sometimes, yet it gave me a feeling of understanding so deep I didn't realise what it was until a few minutes after finishing this book. I loved it. The story, the characters... Scout was easy to love, Jem too, Atticus... This book captivated my whole soul. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Scout lives in Maycomb, Alabama, with her brother Jem and her father Atticus, a lawyer. Atticus is appointed to be Tom Robinson's lawyer, a colored man accused with rape. And then there is Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbour with a strange past... |
AuthorCarolina (or Carol for short), a girl who adores to read. A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The person who never reads lives only one. Categories
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