YCReads

Philomena Wellesley Clegg loves to speak her mind on two topics men and bonnets. On the former she has yet to meet a man she is willing to marry, until Indigo comes along. He causes her to question her very strong opionions on men and bonnets. Is he the man that will finally get her to marry? This laugh out loud funny book is a cross between Bridget Jone’s Diary and Pride and Prejudice and will have you contemplating your own fashion issues.

Bethany - Rock Hill                                        ISBN  9780061229831

I just finished Incantation by Alice Hoffman.  This is a Young Adult book but it has a very meaningful and powerful message.  Estrella deMadrigal is a sixteen year old girl who’s life is changed by the Spanish Inquisition in 1500.  She’s lived a carefree life with her mother, grandmother and grandfather.  Her best friend Catalina is just two weeks younger than she is and the girls could be mistaken as twins.  Rave (Estrella), and Crow (Catalina) had their lives planned so that they would never be separated.  All of that changes when other families in the town are accused of being Marranos, false Christians.  These families are accused of being Jews in secret.  Everything changes for Estrella when she realizes that she and her family are actually Jewish, in hiding.

Everyone is familiar with the story of Anne Frank and the story of Estrella is just as moving.  Even though it is a work of fiction, it’s not hard to imagine that families during the Spanish Inquisition also lived in fear of discovery.  Where Anne Frank actually hid from discovery, Estrella and others had to hide in plain sight.  I would recommend this book to any teen not just because of the story is similar to that of Anne Frank and more modern day Jews.  The story also shows how prejudice can change a person and how one simple accusation can ruin not just one life but several.

Jennifer S. - York                                   ISBN  9780316010191

I first heard about The Book Thief one morning last spring (2006) on Good Morning, America. Charlie Gibson, my all-time favorite newsman, had read the book and was interviewing the author, Markus Zusak. Apparently, Charlie had been captivated by the book and couldn’t say enough good things about it. So, I decided that if the book was good enough for Charlie, it was good enough for me. That same day I went online and purchased a copy from Amazon.

In an effort not to “reinvent the wheel,” I’m going to include the synopsis of the book written by School Library Journal which can be found on Amazon.com: 

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 9 Up–Zusak has created a work that deserves the attention of sophisticated teen and adult readers. Death himself narrates the World War II-era story of Liesel Meminger from the time she is taken, at age nine, to live in Molching, Germany, with a foster family in a working-class neighborhood of tough kids, acid-tongued mothers, and loving fathers who earn their living by the work of their hands. The child arrives having just stolen her first book–although she has not yet learned how to read–and her foster father uses it, The Gravediggers Handbook, to lull her to sleep when she’s roused by regular nightmares about her younger brothers death. Across the ensuing years of the late 1930s and into the 1940s, Liesel collects more stolen books as well as a peculiar set of friends: the boy Rudy, the Jewish refugee Max, the mayor’s reclusive wife (who has a whole library from which she allows Liesel to steal), and especially her foster parents. Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward. Death is not a sentimental storyteller, but he does attend to an array of satisfying details, giving Liesel’s story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves. An extraordinary narrative.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.  www.amazon.com

I must admit that I wasn’t immediately taken with the book. The prose seemed a bit flowery and the subject matter was intense, but I was determined to persevere for Charlie’s sake. I just knew he couldn’t have steered me wrong. Then, at some point–though I’m not sure exactly when–I found myself engrossed in the story. I know it sounds cliche, but once I got into it, I could not put the book down. I wanted to know what was going to happen to these people. And, I say “people” not “characters” because I started thinking of this as a story about real, flesh-and-blood people during the Holocaust. It was almost as if I was reading a memoir and not a work of fiction. I cared about them, I cared about their stories, and I even started caring about Death. By the end of the book, I was emotionally drained and sobbing. Not crying. Sobbing.

To be honest, I don’t feel that I can adequately explain why I was so touched by this story. But I was truly touched. Maybe it was because I realized this story could very easily have been true–a little girl losing her family during a war and her attempts to survive and make sense of a world that had gone mad. Even though Liesel Meminger and the other characters were fictional, many aspects of their stories were not. Unfortunately, today we know the truth of World War II, Hitler’s regime, and the horror and human cost of the Holocaust. The Book Thief expertly mirrored this time in history when people were trying to survive in an upside-down world. It was not hard to imagine that these were real people enduring atrocities that no one should ever have to endure. How could I not be moved by the images the story evokes knowing what I know about that era?

And, the prose that at first seemed flowery and over-the-top gradually began to make sense not only as a literary technique but also as an integral part of the story. Zusak, through his word choice and literary style, tried to demonstrate what a powerful effect words can have on people. Liesel was able to calm her neighbors by reading to them while they were seeking refuge from air raids. Through his speeches, Hitler was able to convince the masses to turn on their Jewish friends and neighbors and to commit genocide. Through his words, Zusak made me care about his story and feel emotionally bound to his characters. Zusak showed that words can change lives–both for good and for evil. Words wield immense power.

This book was marketed for young adults, but I think quite a few children in that age bracket (12+ years old) would miss many of the subtle nuances of the book and find it difficult to read the entire novel. Even as an adult, I had to reread passages to get the full impact of what the author was saying. However,even though it was not easy reading, it was excellent and profound reading. I often forget what I’ve read as soon as I finish a book, but The Book Thief has stuck with me for over a year. Some of the details are hazy, but I cannot forget the emotional impact the story had on me. I have recommended it to at least ten people and have even gone so far as to buy copies for friends because I think it is truly worth reading. If you go to Amazon.com, you will see that over 150 people have written reviews of this book and the vast majority give it 5 out of 5 stars. So, I’m not alone in thinking this is a book worth checking out.

**The book contains profanity.

Ruth - Rock Hill                                                          ISBN    0375831002

Sir Edward collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests.  Believing that Edward’s death was due to his physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggests it was murder.  As she begins to realize the truth, she and Brisbane join forces to investigate Edward’s death.  As Julia probes servants, relatives, and a variety of peers, she discovers disturbing information about her deceptive, obsessed, deceased husband. Following a trail of clues, they learn of Edward’s intriguing secrets as they press on to discover the killer’s identity.  Julia and Brisbane also discover and battle with passionate feelings between them that border on the dark side.

A mystery set in upper-class Victorian England, Deanna Raybourn’s debut has gotten very fine reviews.  Her writing is very fresh and intelligent with interesting, but never tedious, historical detailing.  The plot takes some very intriguing twists, and the surprise ending is quite clever.  This book has no waiting list, and was just sitting innocently on the new book shelf.  As several patrons tried it, they commented at check-in about how wonderful the book was and recommended that I read it.  I’m so glad I took their advice.  It was a delight!

Jennifer L. - York                                                                           ISBN    0778324109

I stumbled onto a new romance author while looking for a quick read.  In Mary Balogh’s Bedwyn family series, each book tells the story of one of the Bedwyn silblings.  All fiercely independent and dynamic, they find love and happiness in their own unique way.  Their oldest brother, the Duke of Bewcastle, rules the family with an iron fist, but also with a protective love.  He doesn’t always agree with his brothers and sisters in their choice of mate, but he stands by them all.  Although there is nothing new here as far as storyline or happy endings, something about Balogh’s writing style and characters make these a “can’t put down” read.

A Summer to Remember - prequel

Slightly Married - Book 1

Stlightly Wicked - Book 2

Slightly Scandalous - Book 3

Slightly Tempted - Book 4

Slightly Sinful - Book 5

Slightly Dangerous - Book 6

Laura W - Fort Mill

An intriguing historical novel with plenty of blood, sex and human interest.  I picked this book up one snowy weekend in New Hampshire and didn’t do anything else until I finished it.  The Aztec society portrayed here was more than just their bloody rituals.  Jennings allows you to step back in time and experience everyday life with them.  His characters are interesting, endearing and shocking to say the least.  I laughed, cried, blushed and cringed at what was taking place in the story.  Jennings weaves together such a tale that you feel so present in the moment.  I read this novel at least fifteen years ago and it is still with me today.

Ellen - Fort Mill

What an exciting read! I loved this tale about the travels and adventures of Marco Polo. The story begins on the back streets of medieval Venice. A journey along the Silk Road eventually leads to the court of the great Khan Kubilai and the ancient word of China. I’m not big on history, but this book made me want to buff up on not only the history, but the geography of this time period. I kept checking the map on the the front cover to see where Marco would end up next. When I told my good friend Beth about it, she was so intrigued that she immediately requested a copy for her husband, who loves this type of read. Caution…some parts are X-rated…exploration of a variety of sexual practices, Oriental torture, and other sensual and bizarre topics and situations. I understand that author Gary Jennings’ Aztec novels are just as good. I can’t wait!

Jennifer L. - York                                                 ISBN 0689114036