I finished reading "The House at Riverton" by Kate Morton last night. I must say I really enjoyed it, which was a nice surprise because her other book did not catch me. It is the story of a family in England prior to and during WWI, but told from the perspective of their maid who is now a 98 year old woman. bShe is being approached for information for a film being made of a suicide that happened at the family home and marked the end of their "dynast".
I found in this book, unlike The Forgotten Garden, I was hooked almost right from the start. She manages to weave a story that is compelling and intriguing, leaving little clues about secrets and mysteries that will be revealed, but not giving everything away easily. I liked the way she interposed the present with memories of the past, and having the main character a servant in the house gave lots of opportunities for things to be observed but still not understood. Her characters are well developed and believable and she portrays the confusion and despair of the war years beautifully without making you depressed.
I will say that I did find at one point nearing the end the story dragged a little. It was only once and then it picked right up again, but I wondered if the book couldn't have been tightened up a little bit. I guess I was eager to know what had really happened but it wasn't getting there fast enough for me. But then I'm impatient. Ha ha. A good read. I would recommend this to everyone who likes a good suspense romance historical novel.
22 February 2011
14 February 2011
I've been reading...
I've been reading, but I was wondering the same thing as you. I need some new ideas! I tried that book by Kate Morton, but it didn't grab me. I just finished a book by Barbara Erskine that combines mystery with the supernatural. Don't roll your eyes yet. I almost did and I would have missed a book I really enjoyed! She uses the idea that you could connect with the past through spirits and they help solve mysteries and protect you etc. Even though it sounds a bit creepy, it really wasn't. It was more of a romance-suspense. Sorry, can't remember the title, but I do have another one out and I'll tell you if it's any good.
I have also been reading Boy Smarts. It was written by a man from Surrey who has worked in the public education system for 30 years and what he has learned from research and teaching/mentoring boys. I have really enjoyed figuring out how my boys think and feel, because it's way different than me! If you have a boy (pretty much all of you), this book is for you. There is also another that I have on hold at the library. I will post the author's name once I find it. I think it's Barry Macdonald.
Oh, and I lately have been reading more of Simon Brett's Feathering Mysteries. They're a really light who-dunnit with funny characters. A quick, no brainer.
And a little while ago I picked up a couple of Shannon Hale books that I hadn't yet read from her Book of Bayern - River Secrets and... darn, can't remember the name of the last one. They were good, but if you haven't yet read Princess Academy or The Goose Girl, start with those. Her writing is so lyrical and she weaves a whole new world without making it intense like in heavy duty fantasies. They're like reading and extended fairy tale, in fact many of them are just that. The Goose Girl is a fairy tale from some easter European country.
Hmmm....let me think what else I have picked up at the library lately. Not much. Dan re-read Harry Potter 6&7 and he said he enjoyed it way more this time. We've been reading these with Madi and Clay at night and they are on number 4. Clay has sort of lost interest, but Madi's going strong!
I wonder if anyone can remember the name of a book we used to check out from the school libaray about seven chinese brothers, one of whom swallowed the sea? I wish I could find it again. We found something similar, but it's just not the same. Dan and I both remember it as kids.
So, now tell me what you've found! I have another Kate Morton book on reserve and I'm going to see if I can enjoy this one. I read a review of her latest that actually sound intriguing, but the library doesn't have it yet.
I have also been reading Boy Smarts. It was written by a man from Surrey who has worked in the public education system for 30 years and what he has learned from research and teaching/mentoring boys. I have really enjoyed figuring out how my boys think and feel, because it's way different than me! If you have a boy (pretty much all of you), this book is for you. There is also another that I have on hold at the library. I will post the author's name once I find it. I think it's Barry Macdonald.
Oh, and I lately have been reading more of Simon Brett's Feathering Mysteries. They're a really light who-dunnit with funny characters. A quick, no brainer.
And a little while ago I picked up a couple of Shannon Hale books that I hadn't yet read from her Book of Bayern - River Secrets and... darn, can't remember the name of the last one. They were good, but if you haven't yet read Princess Academy or The Goose Girl, start with those. Her writing is so lyrical and she weaves a whole new world without making it intense like in heavy duty fantasies. They're like reading and extended fairy tale, in fact many of them are just that. The Goose Girl is a fairy tale from some easter European country.
Hmmm....let me think what else I have picked up at the library lately. Not much. Dan re-read Harry Potter 6&7 and he said he enjoyed it way more this time. We've been reading these with Madi and Clay at night and they are on number 4. Clay has sort of lost interest, but Madi's going strong!
I wonder if anyone can remember the name of a book we used to check out from the school libaray about seven chinese brothers, one of whom swallowed the sea? I wish I could find it again. We found something similar, but it's just not the same. Dan and I both remember it as kids.
So, now tell me what you've found! I have another Kate Morton book on reserve and I'm going to see if I can enjoy this one. I read a review of her latest that actually sound intriguing, but the library doesn't have it yet.
Is No One Reading Anymore?
What is going on? Have we all let the chance to read slip through our fingers? I know I have. It seems like I have been super busy or maybe just really tired by the end of the day. I have read "The Mini Shopaholic" since Christmas (yes, it took me nearly 2 months) and I enjoyed it. I have read the whole Shopaholic series, so Trevor got me this final one to add to my collection. I am now starting the "Little house on the Prairie" series. I have never read these before, which my sister in law couldn't believe, so she lent me her copies. I am halfway through the first book, and am enjoying learning about how people used to live.
Emily
Emily
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)