Read
The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens (audiobook / library)
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
My friend Tisha compared this story to an episode of Three’s Company, with its misunderstandings and well intentioned lying. I have to agree, except there are fewer laughs in The Cricket on the Hearth (I laughed exactly once, when Dickens described Caleb’s house as a pimple). This is just sugary sweet sentimentality. Yuck.
12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep (audiobook / library)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The mystery is decent enough, but the romance is super sappy.
How Fear Departed the Long Gallery: A Ghost Story for Christmas by E.F. Benson (physical / library)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This little taste of Benson’s writing has made me excited to started Mapp & Lucia! Deliciously creepy, witty, and touching!
Agatha Raisin and the Witches’ Tree by M.C. Beaton (audiobook / library)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Oh, Agatha! All of the stale characters are here, getting into mischief, arguing, miscommunicating, etc. Alison Larkin’s voice is *much* better suited to this book than it is the Jane Austen!
The Theft of the Royal Ruby: A Short Story by Agatha Christie (ebook / library / re-read)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A traditional Christmas read for me – I love Poirot so much, it doesn’t matter that I know the solution by heart!
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (audiobook / library / re-read / with kids)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am extremely nervous to discuss this one at book club. I’ve heard lots of rumbling among the other mothers that this is too dark, depressing, violent, etc. It *is* all of those things, as are *many* of the best children’s stories. I believe that this story teaches empathy, forgiveness, and courage.
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne (audiobook / library)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I can’t find the edition I actually read – it was a digital audiobook from my local library. It was read by George Newbern, and he was wonderful! I definitely preferred this to 20,000 Leagues (which I read in high school and thought was unbearably dull). My son seems to have enjoyed it immensely (he actually read this B&N classics edition).
Challenges
GOODREADS
294 of 260
AGATHA CHRISTIE READ ALONGS
None
#shakeit2017
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CLASSICS CHALLENGE
The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
BACKLIST READER CHALLENGE 2017
None
POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE 2017
None
A BIBLIOPHILE'S STYLE 