It's not about reading to impress anyone else. It's about reading for the sheer enjoyment of it all...
I found this very disappointing and really struggled to keep going for all 47 pages. For a short story, it was long-winded and overstuffed with huge descriptiveness but very little actual action. And not in the least bit scary. I'm probably the only person in the whole wide world who didn't like this one. I appreciate that it's a classic, I respect the vocabulary and writing style of Washington Irving... but I give this one a thumb's down. Blah.
How much did I love this story!! My favorite of the series so far. The writing is superb, the storyline engaging, and Flavia and household are always fun to spend time with. When I listen on Audible (on my work commute) Jayne Entwistle brings it all to life perfectly - she is an absolute delight to listen to.
It's true, and I hate to say that I didn't like it, because I am a Dickens fan through and through. But this was a tough one for me, probably because I never connected with any of the characters enough to really care about them. Miss Pross was my favorite -- she actually DID something worth rooting for. Sydney's final act (of love I guess) hit me as rather selfish, his thoughts of never being forgotten for his sacrifice. He does have a couple of the greatest lines in all of literature, I'll give him that. Also, the French revolution has never held my interest, so the violence was way too much in my opinion. The best part of the story is in the last 3 chapters.
Another fun read is this book #5 in the Flavia de Luce series. Don't want to spoil anything, but when you reach the final page... let's just say I'm glad book #6 was on my shelf ready to open!
I have become such a huge fan of this author, ever since his A Man Called Ove. This one is a "novella", and is, I think, 77 pages long. Quick read. But it's powerful and will stay with me forever.
Get this book, read it, and keep it handy to re-read, especially if you're taking a trip into a National Park or anywhere there's wildlife. This quick read is packed with invaluable tips -- sounds simple and told with humor, but definitely could save your life if ever in one of these situations. Also, it's a reminder not to be stupid in the wild. Great illustrations, too!
This is my author friend Carolyn Jourdan's companion book to her "Radiologists At Work: Saving Lives With the Lights Off". I want to get it read and give her a review! Hope to have it finished by tonight.
This story kept me riveted the whole way. And unlike another of Kristin Hannah's books - (I won't name it because I'm sure it's a favorite of many) that I read and liked right until the last chapter because it seemed rushed, forced, and too tidy, - this book had a very satisfactory ending for me. I learned some things, as well, about WWII that I don't think we tend to remember and that we should never forget. Wow, I'm rambling... sorry. I just finished this so it's all very fresh in my head and heart, and I would recommend it highly as perhaps this author's best book yet.
So... my eldest son tells me he's on the last page of his homework assignment tonight... he's reading The Birds by Daphne du Maurier! Since she is the best suspense writer of all time, in my opinion, I tell him to please hand over the book when he's done so I can finally read this tale. And that is exactly how I spent the last hour. Thank you goes out to his English teacher for exposing these students to what truly great story-writing looks like.
I think I'd have to say this might be my favorite book of the series so far. And that is saying a lot, because time spent with Miss Flavia de Luce is always fun!
This book was chosen by a member of my local book club because it was recommended to her and one that she had always wanted to read. I was not even familiar with the title, although I have certainly heard of the author. For me the story doesn't really pick up steam until about the half-way point, and then I had a hard time putting it down until I finished. Loved it! So fun to discover classics like this!