Recommended Reading

and Book Reviews

This review was written on November 9, 2005

 

The Rating System

 

5 Stars = The Best of the Best

4 Stars = A Great Read

3 Stars = Highly Recommended

2 Stars = Mediocre

1 Star = Not Recommended

½ Star = Don’t Waste Your Time or Money

0 Stars = Pretentious Drivel (you are fool if you even open this book)

 

Recommended Books

 

The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling

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1.     Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone - qqqqq

2.     Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - qqqq

3.     Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - qqqqq

4.     Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - qqqqq

5.     Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - qqqq

6.     Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - qqqqq

 

Each of these books was a delight to read and even more fun to listen to on tape or CD. I found the stories captivating and engaging, and the books very well written and fun and easy to read.  The first book was what got me hooked.  I loved it and have re-read it at least 5 times.  Book two was good, I did enjoy reading it.  Book three was one of the best.  The characters were endearing and I was surprised many times while reading it.  The character of Lupin and Black are great.  Book four was the most exciting to read, I could not put it down.  The end left me aching for the next book unlike the previous three.  Book five was somewhat different.  Harry is obviously growing up. I thought the character of Professor Dolores Umbridge was brilliant.  Finally, book six was one of the most exciting books I’ve ever read.  I was, however, so effected by the book, I literally became depressed after reading it.  It was tremendous. I would recommend these books to anyone, despite all the negative press this series has received from very conservative Christians and others.


 

The Jean M. Auel Series

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1.     The Clan of the Cave Bear - qqqq

2.     The Valley of Horses - qqq

3.     The Mammoth Hunters - qqqq

4.     The Plains of Passage - qq

5.     The Shelters of Stone - qq

 

The first book of the series was great.  We are introduced to the character Ayla, who is a prehistoric cave dweller, who is taken in by the Clan, a race of people who are lower on the evolutionary chain.  Her life with the Clan is one of self-discovery and intrigue. Book two starts as two stories happening simultaneously, but become one story in the end.  It is clever and we are introduced to Jondalar who, although he is handsome, is not the ideal man, but he seems perfect for her.  The third book was my favorite because it is a nice story which very entertaining.  The author wrote four books before she stopped writing for over 20 years.  The two main problems with the series are the long drawn out sexual encounters between Alya and two men, and the fact that not only is Alya superwoman, she also invents everything from the sewing needle to the Heimlich maneuver. Also anyone who crosses her pays in the end.  All in all, I did enjoy reading the books, but the first three are by far the best.

 


 

The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

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I read this book because everyone I knew was reading it and discussing it,

and I did not want to be left out.  I found it to be very good and enjoyable read. 

I was surprised several times and I was very entertained. 

 


 

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

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This book was recommended to me because I taught Scripture.  It is the story of Jacob from the Book of Genesis told from the view point of one of his daughters.  It was thought provoking and interesting.  My sister summed it best when she said: “I’m glad I wasn’t a sheep back then”.  I enjoy hearing the same story from different points of view or different characters.  I recommend this book.

 


 

 

Other Recommendations

 

A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck qqq

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck qq2

Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens by Jane Dunn  qqqq2

Holes by Louis Sachar qqq2

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell qqqq

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquirel qqq2

The Holy Road by Michael Blake  qqq

The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England by Antonia Fraser  qqqq2

The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman qq2

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen qq2

Warlock by Wilbur Smith qqq

 

 

 


 

Books I ‘m Currently Reading

I’ll Let you know….

 

Who Wrote the Book of Love by Lee Siegel

Queen Isabella by Alison Weir

High Rhulain, A Tale from Redwall by Brian Jacques

 

 

Books I would NOT Recommended

 

 

Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian

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Way too technical and detailed.

 


 Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

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This book, unlike the DaVinci Code, was so far fetched and unbelievable that I thought it was a total waste of my time.  The ending is really awful and made me hate this book even more.

 


Wicked by Gregory Maguire

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I’m sorry but the wicked witch as a college student and militant animal right activist was just a bit too much for me.

 


A Separate Peace by John Knowles

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One word……Boring!

 


 

She Who Remembers by Linda Lay Shuler

No Stars

 

She didn’t remember a thing! I wish I had forgotten to read it! Don’t waste your time, this book sucked!

 

 

 

This ends my review for now.  I will add more later. 

If you agree or disagree and would like to have a discussion, send me an e-mail.

 

gdault@fenwickfriars.com

 

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