Another Classic Checked off my list: My Review of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

    

                              

Another Classic Checked off my list: My Review of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Any of my friends can tell you that I am a Janeite. Absolutely in love with just about all things Austen. So a few weeks ago, I joined one of my fellow Book lovers and soul sister Charlotte; in reading Northanger Abbey. This was my first time reading the novel and I was excited because I had read that it was Austen's take on a gothic novel (though it ends up being a parody). Many of which were written and wildly popular in her lifetime. So I went into it expecting something very different from what I read. I was a bit disappointed at first. But - Jane never really ever disappoints. She gives you characters you can grow to love and cherish. Which was very much the case with Catherine Morland; the heroine of the novel. I found Catherine to be very relatable; then though she was a bit childish and naive at first.  Frankly, she reminded me a lot of myself in my late teens and early twenties. Catherine is a young woman who very much wants to forge her own path; she seems to want an adventure but also wants to be content with life as well. She is very different from some of the other characters written by Austen that I love. Unlike Lizzie Bennett, she not at all strong willed; she does not openly express her opinions - not even among close friends. She is also, not as dizzy, or nutty as Marianne. But definitely not as sensible as  Elinor. There is a perfect imperfection in Miss. Morland's character that I could not help but love. One of the things I love the most about this book was her slow and evolving friendship with Henry Tilney. When Henry first comes upon the scene (talking of women, letter writing, and bad grammar) I really found him annoying. But, like most of Austen's male characters he grows on you (like a fungus lol). Tilney is harmless and a bit odd. Which actually is what I loved the most about him. He seems almost from the start to be a good match for Catherine. 

Another thing that I loved about this book was the friendship between Catherine and Isabella Thorpe. Yes, Isabella is annoying, rude, and extremely selfish. But, she is a good example of what some "friends" can truly be in our lives. They can often use us for their own gains and shower is in a lot of fake affection. I know I have experienced it and honestly I believe most women may have experienced this as well. The only characters I could not stand in this book were Isabella's brother, John. As well as, Mrs. Allen. I did not like Allen because she did not seem all that interested in anything really going on with Catherine - she seemed okay with allowing Catherine to go about with the Thorpe's and their schemes without a thought of what impact it could have on Catherine. Especially since some things women and men did just NOT do together during that era because they could be seen as improper. I did not care for John Thorpe because he was a liar - and almost ruined Catherine's happiness with Tilney by selling the general a lie that Catherine is wealthy; when in fact she is not. Not to mention her tries to force her into an "understanding" by starting the rumor that the two are a couple. Which could not be further from the truth. Thank goodness for that. The book ends with everyone ending up right where they need to be...though Catherine's brother is heartbroken because of Isabella's behavior.

What I found odd at this book was the way in which Austen wrote it; the POV was a little odd. The work was also a bit more on the sarcastic side; though this is probably because the book is a  parody. I did find the book a little harder to read than most of her novels, and I got bored with it in places. I do not regret taking the time to read it however. I gave the book 4/5 stars on goodreads.

Quotes I loved:

"That no young lady can by justified in falling in love before the gentleman's love is declared, it must be very improper that a young lady should dream of a gentleman before the gentleman has first dreamt of her"

"Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love"

 

    

Little kids are creepy; even more so when they bite: The Bookbabe Reviews The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey

    

                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                            

                               

I will continue to maintain the opinion that little kids are creepy and when they bite they are even creepier. In the Girl with all the Gifts, author M.R. Carey places us on a small military base that seems almost normal. Except about a dozen or so kids are being kept in locked in cells. Supposedly these children are "infected" and their placement on the base is a way for the government to study (and sometimes) experiment on them. The kids are simply thought of and called "hungries". It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that the author is writing about Zombies;  though these Zombies are bit more intelligent and highly functioning. They are definitely not of The Walking Dead variety. Instead of being infected by a bite these zombies have been infected with a fungus called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. The "hungries" can pass the disease on via a bite but that is now how most of humanity got infected. I think that this alone is what made this book so interesting. It was a new way of explaining the way a zombie outbreak could occur.  

The main character in the book is a little girl named Melanie. Nothing of Melanie's past is ever really revealed in the book; we never get a straight answer on where she comes from, where she got sick or how she ended up on the base. All we know is every morning soldiers come into her cell, strap her down to a chair and wheel her into a classroom. The classroom is ran by a young woman named Helen Justineau. Justineau seems to like the job she has interacting with the "students", she tries to teach them, tries to show them as much affection as she can. Even though she is very much aware of how dangerous they really are. A point that is driven hoemto her by Sgt. Parks, who upon catching her stroking on of the children's hair decides to demonstrate to her how lax behavior can get you killed. He proceeds to wipe off his e-blocker; which masks his scent from the children. As soon as he does, the animalistic nature of the child he is closest to comes out. The child tries to bite him. Of course, Justineau gets the message, she tries harder to stay professional with the children. While all this seems innocent enough Justineau and Melaine notices one or two children have gone missing from the classroom and from their cells. These kids are taken to the office of bases head scientist, Caroline Caldwell. Caldwell is not just running labs and conducting tests but is killing the children and dissecting them. She is trying to find a way to not only cure the "hungries" but is also trying to find a way to save the rest of humanity. She thinks the answer could lie with Melanie; so she attempts to take her. This is actually the moment all hell breaks lose. The base is attacked by un-infected humans and "hungries"; Caldwell, Sgt. Parks, Melanie, Justineau and Private Gallagher barely make it off the base alive. They decide to take their chances and ride back to the main city, the beacon. They believe the city will be a safe haven and Caldwell believes that she will finally be able to get a hold of Melanie and study her without Justineau there to stop her. 

However, the city is not what it was when they left. No one seems to be alive, no one is one the streets, and in fact the fungus that started the whole damn mess seems to have planted itself firmly in Beacon.

What I loved about this book was its simplicity, non complicated story line and the authors fluid writing style. M.R. Carey weaved a tale that was down right believable and he gave you characters that while flawed are relatable and seem real. The thing I loved best about the book was seeing these events through the eyes of Melanie. Watching her come to terms with what she is but also see her decide to embrace what it means to be human. The one thing I would really like to know is that happens later with Melanie and Justineau. Carey left the story very open and I would love to see what the world looks like 20 years after The Girl with all the Gifts has ended. Maybe, I should tweet him that question. I gave this book 5/5 stars in goodreads. 

Quotes I loved:

"If you keep me here, you have to put up with the minor inconveniences like me having a conscience"

"You carved up two children, Caroline. And you did it without anesthetic"

"The truth is the truth, the only prize worth having. If you deny it, you're only showing that you're unworthy of it"

"In an age of rust, she comes up stainless steel"

"She's as big as four-fifths of five-eighths of fuck all, but she takes no bullshit from anyone"

"No amount of expertly choreographed PR could prevail, in the end, against Armageddon. It strolled over the barricades and took its pleasure"

 

Book Ban Broken.....

So on Mother's Day of this year I decided to enter into a book buying hiatus...I even allowed my friends to give me crap about it. And what do you know - I made it exactly three months with no purchases. I was supposed to make it four....whoops! The past few weeks have been really trying; and the best way to make myself feel better is to do a little book browsing. So after a pretty crappy week I decided to take a trip to the discount warehouse near by (I dragged my roommate along). The first book I picked up was Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton. I spotted it at the same shop a few weeks ago; and because I was on a book buying ban I decided not to buy it. But I broke it....lol. The other book was Before Amen by. Max Lucado; which was a book that I read and reviewed a few months ago. I can not wait to read Hard Choices in a few weeks; as I volunteer for the Hillary camp in my state. 

Pottermore.....

Anyone that knows me well knows I am a huge Harry Potter fan. What's hilarious is that for years I have thought I was a Hufflepuff. And the first version of Pottermore actually sorted me into that house. However, last summer while in California I was sorted into Slytherin (by the sorting hat, while visiting Warner Brothers Studios). Tonight, I decided to log into Pottermore to be sorted into Ilvermony (the American Wizarding school)....however I had to register and decided to be re-sorted and have my wand chosen! Well, I am a Slytherin! Who knew! 

Also..I now rock an Ash Wood Wand!

Ash

The ash wand cleaves to its one true master and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner, because it will lose power and skill. This tendency is extreme if the core is of unicorn. Old superstitions regarding wands rarely bear close examination, but I find that the old rhyme regarding rowan, chestnut, ash and hazel wands (rowan gossips, chestnut drones, ash is stubborn, hazel moans) contains a small nugget of truth. Those witches and wizards best suited to ash wands are not, in my experience, lightly swayed from their beliefs or purposes. However, the brash or over-confident witch or wizard, who often insists on trying wands of this prestigious wood, will be disappointed by its effects. The ideal owner may be stubborn, and will certainly be courageous, but never crass or arrogant.

And Check out the common room!

To fall in love with Night itself....The Bookbabe Reviews: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas has stolen my heart with this book. I usually wait until the next day to write my reflections (review) of most of books; but, I just couldn't with this one. A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMF) has everything we fanasty YA nerds want. Great world buliding, fabulous writing, bad ass characters and maybe just a little bit of a romance. She delivered all that in more with the pages of this book. 

In ACOMF, Maas takes us back to the Spring Court and back into the relationship that has been developing between Tamlin and Feyre. They have just returned to the Spring court after their almost life ending experiences Under the Mountain. One would think with all the hardships, torture, and death they witnessed Under the Mountain that they would have a closer bond. But, they don't and Tamlin is not being the guy we meant in A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTR); he is withdrawn, on edge and seems content to allow Feyre to waste away. He ignores her unhappiness and the changes in her. He is selfish, and only thinks of himself and putting on show of strength and force to his people. 

The only relief Feyre seems to get from him is her trips to The Night Court; which were forced upon her by its High Lord Rhysand. At the Night Court she is free to do what she likes. Rhysand comes off with his usual arrogant bravado but you can sense something deeper there. Especially any time Feyre mentions Tamlin; Rhys just seems to bristle at simple mention of the High Lord. It would take the wedding ceremony and Tamlin locking Feyre in the Spring Court Manor home for Rhys to really step in. 

Once he rescues her, basically frees her, he allows her as much time as she came to become what she was before she went Under The Mountain. Rhys is giving Feyre something Tamlin can't....freedom! It's no surprise that during all this her feelings towards both Tamlin and Rhys shift. 

She begins to see Tamlin as very self serving, uncaring, maybe even a little emotionally abusive and possessive. Rhys is Tamlin's complete opposite - he is kind, patient, caring and attentive. Even though he has it in her head and has been told by others at the Spring Court that he can not be trusted; that he is dangerous. Against her better judgement she makes a decision to cut Tamlin off completely, and stay on in the Nighy Court so that she can learn to use her powers and learn to fight. Something that Tamlin had no interest in letting her do at all. 

Slowly Feyre begins to feel something for Rhys that was never there with Tamlin....Rhys also does not reveal until the book is almost at an end that he and Ferye are mates. And that he has known for sometime. He attempted to separate himself from her but...he could not so he made up ways to see her and to misdirect the attentions of that witch from Under The Mountain away from Ferye. During all of this Ferye and Rhys and his court are trying to stop am invasion of a long hated and very dangerous King. They almost have it under control when several betrayals come to light; and at the worse possible time. It's in these betrayals that the majority of the plot twists happen. The most surprising one of all coming right at the end. 

Maas wrote this book so well, waving in just the right amount of mystery to make you want to speed read to the ending. I think ACOMF has replaced The Girl with all the gifts as my favorite book read so far in 2016. 

I gave it 5/5 stars on Goodreads.com

Favorite Quotes:

"There are different kinds of darkness, there is a darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the darkness that is restful. There is the darkness of the lovers, the darkness of assassins. It becomes with the bearer wishes it to be, needs it to be. It is not wholly bad or good."

"No one was my master – but I might be the master of everything, if I wished. If I dared."

"He luck to you up because he knew – the bastard knew what a treasure you are. That you were worth more than land or gold or jewels. He knew, and wanted to keep you all to himself. (Rhys)"

"He did - does love me" (Ferye)

"The issue isn't whether he loved you, it's how much. Too much. Love can be a poison." (Rhys)

"To the stars who listen – and the dreams that are answered."

"Truth is deadly. Chances freedom. Truth can break and mend and and bind."

Currently Reading....and Books Read last month!

First up what I am currently reading! 

I am Currently Reading several books; one book is for chumps! I am finishing up Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen), A Court of Mist and Fury (Sarah J. Maas). I have started Welcome to Night Vale by (J. Fink/J.Cranor) and The Vampire Lestat (Anne Rice). 

What I read last month....

Because of really bad seasonal allergies and being sick I did not get through my usual four books last month. But I did get to enjoy Michael Connelly's Fifth Witness and The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey. I was excited to have finally gotten to each. I will be posting the review for both really soon. 

Oh...Hermonie's...Black! Yes...and it's amazing!

Look at these beautiful people! The Weasley Family....Ron, Hermonie and Rose!

Did your mom make that sweater Ron!

The Brave, Intelligent, well read, Hermonie! 

Hello there Rose! 

I am so happy to see that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will have a diverse and talented cast. I am most excited to see a Hermonie that looks like me! And I am sure more Black and Brown Potrer fans will feel the same. However, over the past few months (since Hermonie's

Casting was announced) there has been a bit of a back lash about it. Mainly because the character has always been thought of as White. Which, may not be the case. Hermonie at one point in the series is described as being "very brown", with bushy hair and large teeth. Hermonie could easily have been biracial. As a fan of the books I don't care if she is played by a Causasian, Asian, Latino or Black woman - as long as Hermonie is a part of the story I am happy. Hermonie is a heroine for all girls, an example that being witty, bookish and intelligent equals being a bad ass! It's sad that I feel the need to comment on something so trivial. The world has a enough going on that something as small as a characters race in a play should be even be something to fight over. So to all those that are hating on the casting really needs to expand your minds and be happy that there is any new In the Potterhead universe for us to experience! So I raise my wand in support of Noma Dumezweni....our beautiful Hermonie!