Book Blurb: Only Time Will Tell

Before I start this blurb, let me say that I won this book through Goodreads First Reads. Free books, it's awesome. I don't want to tell you all about it, because then there will be more people entering the contests and making it hard for me to win them, but I have to tell you because it's in the rules. So without further rambling...

Title: Only Time Will Tell


Author: Jeffrey Archer


Genre: Historical Fiction


Synopsis: This book follows Harry Clifton through his childhood into his early adult years in England during the 30s.


Stars: 5/5


Lauren's Review: The title is awful, however it's pretty accurate. There are a lot of mysteries surrounding young Harry (how his father died, who his father may actually be), through the chapters Archer slowly and skillfully reveals the truth.

The writing was simple and straight forward; it's the plot and characters that draw you in. I finished the book in only a few sittings, the last one keeping me up until 1 in the morning because I had to find out what happened to Harry.

My only criticism would be the strange way the author keeps changing the point of view. I enjoyed having different sections focusing on different characters, but I don't think the first person point of view chapters really added anything to the story and at first they only confused me.

Overall, an enjoyable quick read and I'm excited for the next in the series.

Book Blurb: The Sweet Relief of Missing Children

Title: The Sweet Relief of Missing Children


Author: Sarah Braunstein


Genre: Fiction


Synopsis: The story jumps between several different characters and their inter-related life experiences, with one constant story line that regards a missing girl named Lenora.


Stars: 2/5


Lauren's Review: This was my book club book last month, and I'm starting to think I'm cursed when it comes to picking a book club book. I always pick stinkers, and this was no exception.

The book has a lot of good qualities, for one the writing style is straight forward and blunt, therefore easy to read (which is what my book club needed after our previous book). And the stories are interesting and often leave you wanting more.

The real problem of this book is just that it seems to go nowhere. The characters' stories start to intertwine and it becomes a hassle to keep up with who's who. Instead of the masterful 'bring-it-all-together' ending that this book seemed to hint at with its structure and twists, it just kinda falls flat. I felt as if the author got tired, or couldn't think of a good way to end it.

What's more, the stories that started out as 'interesting and dark' end up more 'dark and depressing.' In the end I just felt disappointed and sad, the book was just a real downer. Guess I should have seen that coming with the title.

You know what they say

You can never judge a book by it's cover...


...but I'll never read this.

Sherlock

Not a book review here, since I'm still knee deep in three books (and going nowhere fast). Last night, when I wasn't reading (again) I jumped on Netflix and watched some new shows. One of them was Sherlock, BBC's modern adaptation of Sherlock Holmes.


Martin Freeman, who is always awesome, plays John Watson...and while he's not quite as handsome as Jude Law, he's just as like-able as the good doctor. And once you get over the fact Benedict Cumberbatch has no eyebrows, he's pretty darn good too.

I don't want to compare it too much to the recent Sherlock Holmes movies, it's quite different because it's set in modern day Britain with modern day crimes. And Cumberbatch's Holmes is more like the book Holmes in that he is incredible perceptive (and annoying).

If you have Netflix, check it out. It's available for instant streaming and one episode is all you'll need to be hooked!

Book Blurb: A Game of Thrones

Title: A Game of Thrones


Author: George R. R. Martin


Genre: Fantasy


Synopsis: Fantasy at its finest. Any short synopsis will not do it justice.


Stars: 5/5


Lauren's Review: This book was everything I wanted it to be, and then some. I cannot get it out of my head. If you are a fantasy buff, this is an absolute MUST READ! If you're on the edge about fantasy ("I liked Harry Potter, but I'm not a total nerd") this book is STILL a must read! It combines the bests of all my favorite books, like King Arthur, LOTR, and Pillars of the Earth, into one awesome, epic tale.

The thing about this book that is the most amazing is the scope and detail. It's so intertwined and complex, and yet still totally enthralling. Description and dialogue are perfectly combined, and cliffhangers are randomly thrown in to make this 800 some page book a total page-turner.

Another beautiful thing is that it's not completely black and white. Fantasy has a tendency to have 'bad guys' and 'good guys,' and while this book isn't totally innocent of that, it has enough gray area that you feel connected to all the characters (at least the main ones).

I cannot recommend this book enough, please please please read it! Just be warned that you will be completely sucked in and may not have a social life until you finish it...and perhaps the 4 sequels.

Side Note: If you're not aware, this book has also been made into an HBO mini-series. I haven't seen it yet, but I hear fabulous things. I plan on checking it out soon!

Book Blurb: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Title: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan


Author: Lisa See


Genre: Historical Fiction


Synopsis: Two young girls are matched to be laotong, life long friends. But as they grow up they must deal with the realities of life in 19th Century China and their friendship struggles.


Stars: 3/5


Lauren's Review: I wanted to like this book much more than I did, but the problem was I had read The Good Earth by Pearl Buck not that long ago. After reading Buck's account of China, anything else just feels kinda fake. Also she used a few expressions that just jumped out at me as out of context, for example at one point the narrator is climbing a mountain and says that she was "beyond tired." This book is definitely an interesting read and study in female friendship, but if you're looking for a more realistic picture of rural life in China before the cultural revolution, go for The Good Earth.

There is a movie version out in select theaters now, I have yet to see it but I enjoyed the book enough I probably will.

Book Blurb: The Mermaid Chair

Title: The Mermaid Chair


Author: Sue Monk Kidd (who also wrote The Secret Life of Bees)


Genre: Romantic Fiction


Synopsis: A married middle aged woman goes home to take care of her depressed mother and has a mid-life crisis.


Stars: 0/5


Lauren's Review: Do not read this book. It sucks.

Why does it suck? Because the plot is boring and the main character is selfish. I understand that women are complex, emotional beings. But I also understand that when you have a nice husband who works full time so that you can pretend to be an artist in your cushy Victorian mansion, you really don't have that much to whine about. But Jessie whines and whines for a full novel. All the while ignoring the fact that her mother is DANGEROUSLY depressed and hurting herself. She is a terrible person. And I don't enjoy books about terrible people, unless they're interesting. And this one isn't.

That's why it sucks.

I hear The Secret Life of Bees is good, but I doubt I'll ever read it.