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Jessi

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    Jessi's Reading List - 2011

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Letters to his Children - Theodore Roosevelt (5/5)

    Looking back over the course of the year I have to say this was quite simply one of my favorites to read. It might not come as a big surprise, but there we have it.

    Of all the books that were published about him, if there could only be one, this was the one TR wanted this book published. Spanning from 1898 – 1918, these letters reveal TR as a father. In his many letters to his children, Theodore Roosevelt was always quick to give out advice and comfort (and on occasion, ‘preach’) and slow to judge it seemed. When his letters were not full of said advice (over school, career choices etc.), TR wrote to his absent child about their other siblings or what he had been doing, whether that be presidential business or a hunting trip. TR was, famously, never shy over his affection for his children (as some Edwardian fathers were), and in his letters to his children when they were parted, TR confessed more than once that he was ‘homesick’ for them.

    This book was so tender and heartwarming and will stay with me for a long time (and will no doubt be re-read many times!).

    To be read on a cold night, under a blanket with hot chocolate.

    Jessi's Reading List - 2011

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Vanity Fair – William Makepeace Thackeray (4/5)

    I do not think I have ever taken so much time to read a book as I did this one, having started it when it was the book of the ‘month on this forum.’ I stopped and started a lot and found it initially hard to get into. But in the end, I loved it. It was a lot of fun to read. Rebecca’s’ exploits were at times fun to read and at other times I was disgusted with her - I swung between having immense pity and then being really annoyed at Amelia. This really is the novel without a hero. In the end, I did love Rawdon though. I think it is through his character that we get to see Thackeray develop a character. The two leading ladies are much the same as they were at the end of the book as they were at the beginning whereas Rawdon absolutely was not.

    I will definitely be re-reading this one (at some point).

    Jessi's Reading List - 2011

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    I am so behind that I am going to start working backwards here guys so you can get something out of my reviews rather than me scratching my brains about a story I read so long ago I am struggling to remember what I thought about it.

    My Early Life by Winston Churchill – 5/5

    I read this for university, being that Churchill is my main focus this year and the subject of my dissertation and I loved it. I think Churchill is a very easy man to be fascinated by. Thought of course always assassinated with WWII, quite rightly, he had a long and varied career before, and My Early Life tells the story of his formative years. Spanning from his unhappy childhood, where he longed to be closer to his two distant parents (even by Victorian stands, Lord and Lady Randolph were distant to be the point of neglect) to his adventures in the Boer war, Churchill reveals something of life in the glided era for a boy who had to work hard, despite being born into the privilege world of the aristocracy.

    Churchill, as I am learning at the moment, was a flawed man who was nevertheless extremely talented – writing being one of those talents. This was a surprisingly easy and quite a light read and I would recommend it.

    Your Book Activity Today ~ Thread 16

    in General Book Discussions

    Posted

    @ Jessi - Thats awesome that you liked it in the end. My memory is not what it used to be would have given up because I would have forgot the plot and would have had to re-read it. Haha.

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    I did have to re-read a few bits! I think I read more than 1 at a time because I think that is the fastest way to a smaller to be read pile. Of course, the real way is to stop buying books - but I don't seem to be able to do that!

     

    Frankie - I do feel really mean sometimes!!! I know what you mean about feeling bad!

    Jessi's Reading List - 2011

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Debs at war – Anne De Courcy (4/5)

    I really enjoyed this book. Being 20 myself when I read it, I was the same age as the girls who joint up for the war effort. Even though they were 20 70 years before me.

    The story this book told is of about 10 uppers class girls who in different ways joint up either as a nurse, a land girl or at Betchley Park amongst others. These upper class girls stepped out of there social circle for the first time in their life – and grew up fast. It was a very interesting look at these young women during the WWII, especially how it changed them.

     

    Anastasia by Carolyn Meyer (3/5)

    This was a lot like ‘Victoria’. For any youngsters wanting to learn about Imperial Russia, this would be a wonderful place to start.

    Jessi's Reading List - 2011

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Boys Don't Cry - Malorie Blackman (4.5/5)

    I thoroughly enjoyed this very moving book. Malorie Blackman Noughts and Crosses was wonderful and this followed in the same vein. It touched on very topic issues and was very hard to put down – I LOVED it. Though there were some quite sad moments, I just remember how powerful I found this novel.

    Jessi's Reading List - 2011

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    No Place Like Home – Pen Farthing (5/5) – see last year’s list for review!

     

     

    Wolf By The Ears - Ann Rinaldi (3.5/5)

     

    This was my first Rindali and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a thought provoking read as anything which surrounds slavery is always bound to be. The book tells the story of Harriet Hemmings, the daughter of Sally Hemmings and probably Thomas Jefferson and the choice she has to make; to go and ‘pass’ into white society or to stay with her parents and remain a slave. While the book is easy enough to read, the tale and the questions it raises will stick with you for a long time after.

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