I don't usually review non-fiction books here, but this one was particularly interesting to me. She tells the story of the dog, Rin Tin Tin - where he was found and his rise to movie stardom in the silent picture days. I remember the TV show, but that is quite different from the original movies, and I found the whole story fascinating. I highly recommend to lovers of animals and biographies.
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This is a ghost story, so that can be an instant turn-off for some (including me), but I saw revues on it that said it was really good, so I tried it. It was not a disappointment at all. It held my interest and, as it happens with books i enjoy, I couldn't put it down by the time I was half way through. It's humorous, exciting and very believable. Highly recommend, even if you don't like "ghost" stories.
This is the third part of the 1920s based trilogy about flappers. I have enjoyed all of them, and if you like historical fiction, I think you will like this. It picks up the story of 3 girls who started out as friends, flappers, and how they go their separate ways. In this one, there is a lot of mobster spying going on and they run across each other again. Larkin spends time describing their clothing styles, make-up and their surroundings, which is fun if you enjoy learning details of different eras.
I really enjoyed this book for different reasons. James is a mystery writer, and I love mysteries. Also, she is an expert at stepping into Jane Austin's world and picking up where Austin's story left off, in this case Pride and Prejudice. It is a gentle, despite the murder aspect, but attention grabbing tale. I was very ill during my reading, so I couldn't really read for a couple weeks, and that about killed me.I couldn'to get back into it. Finally I did and truly loved it.
Wow! What a great book. I have never read any of Shusterman's work before, but I thought I'd better since he is coming here to talk to our students. This book had my attention from page one. (That isn't usually the case). The premise of the story revolves around the practice of "unwinding" teenagers under the age of 18. Unwinding is removing every piece of them and transplanting on or in others. The story follows 3 "Unwinds" who escape by running away, and what they experience. Really interesting discussions about life, souls, etc. Great for book clubs.
I really enjoy Alex Flinn's books, and this one didn't disappoint. Anyone who read Beastly will recognize the witch, Kendra, who tries to help people find happiness, by teaching them the way to be happy in the world. This time she is helping Emma, who starts out as a 13 year-old, with a step-father she adores and discovers he has a 13 year-old daughter of his own, When her mother dies, she comes to live with them. Emma has mixed feelings about this, but really wants a "sister," so she is very excited. BUT - life is not that easy as Emma finds out, and Kendra steps in to help her. As usual, fairy tales redone are the basis of the plot (guess which one this is) as well as some history this time. Lots of fun - I really enjoyed this book.
This is a very gritty, exciting story. High School Junior, Penelope, who is rather OCD, stumbles on the murder of a young woman in a rather seedy area of Cleveland. She is compelled to find the murderer and has a lot of very scary incidents along the way. The language is a bit rough in many places, but the world she enters is rough and it fits. A real nail biter.
This book is why I love historical fiction and the power that it has. The story is about a young girl living in Lithuania at the beginning of Word War II. She is suddenly taken from her home with her mother and brother, thrown on a crowded train, headed to who knows where. The experiences of these poor people really causes serious self-reflection and enormous gratitude. It would really be difficult not to empathize with their experiences. Everyone should read this book.
This was a good, historical fiction, mystery. It took place during the reign of King Henry the 8th and involves the plight of those of the Catholic faith at that time. A devout young girl leaves her priory to offer support for her beloved cousin, who is about to be burned as an enemy of the realm. Because of her attempt to comfort her, she is thrown into the tower. She encounters a rather ruthless Bishop, who bargains for her and her father's lives, by having her find the ancient Athelstan crown which is believed to be hidden in her priory. She then finds herself entwined in finding the crown, a murder, and a lot more mysteries. The plot is very involved, but the struggle of those suffering for their faith is moving.
Well, the plot really thickened in this, the second of the new "Flapper" series. From the very start, she (Larkin) had us. This time the main characters all end up in New York. Their lives are not as carefree and glamorous as they would have liked, but they do a lot of growing up, which I always enjoy seeing happen. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for the third one Diva.
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