The Hobbit

This is another one that I read years and years ago but re-read recently during a long break from school.  It was like the whole Lord of the Ring series for me.  It is not my venue of choice, but it was not too terrible.  I loved the descriptions and the pictures I could imagine of the lush rolling landscape and all the hobbits going about life.  I don't really have a lot to say about this one because it is not my favorite book in my library.  But if you like fantasy this is a good one for probably 5th grade and up. 

Pride and Predjudice by Jane Austen

I liked this one pretty much.  Got a little tedious but it may have just been me.  I am not sure if I really liked all the characters but that is to be expected I guess.  It was kind of funny how Elizabeth did not see Darcy's interest in her.  I cannot imagine being that blind but oh well.  All in all it was a pretty good read.  I don't know that it was the most astounding book I have ever read.  It made me chuckle a bit but did not stir any real deep emotions. 
I know, I know.  I am some sort of evil person for not just absolutely falling all over myself over Jane Austen and her books.  Hmmmmm....it was okay but I have a serious dislike for weak women who MUST rely on men for their happiness and survival.  I know that was the way of things for so many years and truthfully, I do know some women who still believe that but it makes me crazy.  I just cannot stand putting so much time into a book where the woman fawns and whines and carries on over a man who treats her like she is an empty-headed bumpkin.
This particular book did have a few moments in it that gave me a giggle or two.  So all in all, it was worth the read.
[book:Pride and Prejudice|1885]

Lord of the Rings (Entire Series)

I read most of these as I was growing up but have revisited them over the years as part of a goal to re-read them all again.  I enjoyed them as much as I was able, but the movies were better in my opinion because they were much less time consuming.  I liked the story okay but it did get tedious.  This series of books is way outside my normal venue of what I choose to read.  I do not usually read about elves and hobbitts and warlocks etc.  The books require a lot of attention to detail and you have to keep the characters sorted out in your head or you will start to confuse them.  I would say that these would be a good series for someone around 6th grade and up, IF they are a serious reader.  I guess you could do the shortened down, abridged versions and they would be easier to handle. 

Now having said all that--- If you are a serious fantasy reader- you will thoroughly enjoy this series.  It is a sweeping epic story and full of fun characters.  You can picture the Elves and the Warlocks and all the rest in this ENORMOUS battle for control of the world.  Good read but very time consuming.

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

I picked this up and it sounded like something I might enjoy. The storyline intrigued me and I am looking forward to the read.
Okay, I am on page 40.  I don't know what to make of this book so far.  It is like trying to read something that was written while someone was on Morphine.  I know that the 1st chapter is being told from a mentally handicapped person's perspective but it is very disjointed and a bit hard to stay with.  The story is somewhat interesting, what I can make out.
I was wrong!  It is not interesting.  It is a confusing, boring, annoying book.  Nothing was settled or finished. I am sure that is what makes it a "great, must read book".  As far as writing goes, it was well written.  Faulkner can write...duh!  But I did not care for the whole story and the way it unfolded.
Sigh...well maybe it was okay. After all, I could not just put it down.  I did feel compelled to finish it and I am not entirely sorry I finished it.  I just wish it had had a little more closure.
[book:The Sound and the Fury|10975]

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Had to read this my Senior year and really enjoyed it then.  Have been able to re-read it recently at work and still love it.  I understand it so much more now that I am older and have children and work with children every day.  This is another one that I passed on to my own daughters to read and hope they enjoy it as well.
The story is set on an island where a group of boys find themselves marooned.  Almost immediately the boys divide into two separate groups.  Ralph is the emergent leader of one group and requests the boys cooperation in working together to maintain camp and a signal fire.  But the second group, "the hunters" are forming on the outskirts of the group, led by Jack.  They are hostile and determined to find food.  From there the book leads you through the de-evolution of the boys in everything from their social behavior to their actual appearance.  The "hunters" paint their bodies with animal blood and regress to a primitive state.  The other boys either join the pack of hunters through fear or torture and eventually they kill one of the boys in a rageful fit.   Through it all, Ralph tries to maintain his humanity and leadership of the group.  But finally he is forced to run for his life as he is chased by the rest of the group.  Just when you think he is not going to make it, they are rescued.  There are several other things that happen with regards to "a beast" on the island, the hunt for the wild pig, and the death of another member of the group who represents the "adult" in the situation and tries to hold the boys together despite the lack of respect that he tries to command.
Great story of how civilization would/could deteriorate if there were no governing forces at all and people had to rely on themselves 100%.  Scary to think about.
[book:Lord of the Flies|7624]

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

This book struck a chord with me.  I can see why it was such a shocking book when it was written.  At that time, no one would ever dream of talking about a woman in the upper crust of society not being happy with her husband and children and actually leaving them behind because she loved another man. I enjoyed the fact that it did not all turn out happy and good for everyone too.  That is how life is most of the time,I think, and it was refreshing to read it that way.  I could sympathize with Edna in her feeling of not belonging to herself and being pulled in 100 different directions by her children and husband and friends. And I admired the way she decided to stop living her life for everyone else and start living it for herself. All in all, a very enjoyable, slightly old fashioned, romantic book with an interesting twist.

[book:The Awakening|58345]

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

I enjoyed this one quite a bit.  It was a little tedious in some places but I thought it was pretty good.  I enjoyed Catherine and how she started out as a tom boy who wanted nothing to do with anything feminine and girly.  Then over time she started to take an interest in "girl" things.  She reminded me a bit of Anne of Green Gables, with her romantic ideas and dramatizing everything.  Like when Catherine went to Northanger Abbey and was exploring.  Everything held a secret in her mind and she had such an imagination.  I enjoyed that.  I have read lots of reviews where people said she seemed dimwitted or stupid.  I did not get that.  I saw a vivacious young lady with a VERY active imagination and while she was impressionable, she was far from dumb.
[book:Northanger Abbey|50398]