Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

May 1

#7: Magic Hour (Kristen Hannah)

by kennithfreeman

Book 7 of the year was definitely a lucky read for me! Magic Hour was one of the best contemporary novels I have read in a very long time. Kristen Hannah weaved together a powerful story filled with emotion, humor, and thought-provoking scenes. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to experience a great story that is written very well.

Magic Hour centers around the mysterious arrival of a young girl in a sleepy lumber community in Washington state. The girl — who we will call “Alice” — appears in a large tree in the city park after having attempted to steal food. She is dirty and is not accompanied by an adult. Actually, she is holding a wolf while perched in the treetop. Alice’s only method of communication is through a series of howls and growls.

The local police chief, Ellie, has no idea how to best help this child. She calls in her estranged sister, Julia, who is a world-renown psychiatrist specializing in children who have suffered trauma and abuse. Julia is facing her own troubles though; one of her patients went on a rampage at school, killing herself and several of her classmates. Julia’s reputation and career is ruined.

Magic Hour traces Julia’s treatment of Alice as well as Ellie’s search for the truth. With each twist, Hannah’s prose will grab your heart-strings as Julia and Ellie fall in love with this helpless child. You will laugh in the most unexpected places. I assure you, tears will fall as you learn of the suffering Alice has experienced and watch as events spiral beyond the control of Ellie, Julia, and Alice.

My only complaint about Magic Hour is that it ended far too soon. I have fallen in love with Alice and want to know the rest of her story. That’s a complaint I’m willing to deal with at the end of such a lovely book.

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Mar 11

#5: The Mozart Conspiracy (Scott Mariani)

by kennithfreeman

 

It should come as no surprise that I would actually pick up this novel. How could I resist? The composer’s name in the title combined with the quote at the top of the book cover — “James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code.” — had me hooked from the beginning. The Mozart Conspiracy was not everything it was cracked up to be, but it was still a nice distraction during a long week.

Ben Hope is a retired British Special Air Service officer who has been contacted by his former flame, Leigh Llewellyn. Leigh is a renowned opera singer who is quietly investigating the mysterious death of her brother, Oliver, while completing his research on the death of Mozart. The Llewellyn family has long been intrigued by the composer due to their father’s obsession with The Mozart Letter he obtained before his death. The letter suggests that members of the Order of Ra — a mysterious group charged with the destruction of the 18th century Masons — were responsible for Mozart’s death.  Oliver stumbles upon a secret ritual ceremony by what seems to be the continuation of the Order of Ra. The members of the group are willing to kill anyone who knows — or might know — about their existence. Leigh and Ben are now chased all over Europe as they attempt to expose the murderous group’s secrets while making sure they don’t die in the process.

 

fiction thriller

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Feb 29

#4: Don’t Go (Lisa Scottoline)

by kennithfreeman

I just finished this novel last night and was so sad to see it end. Don’t Go was such a compelling story from a gifted writer that I have come to enjoy very much.

Dr. Mike Scanlon was serving as an Army doctor in Afghanistan when the unthinkable happened — his young wife was found dead in the kitchen floor of their home from self-inflicted wounds while her young daughter was on an outing with her aunt. While dealing with the tragedy, things go from bad to worse for Mike. His medical practice is failing. He must endure pressure from commanding officers who want to see him re-enlist. His young daughter does not recognize the father that left when she was an infant.

Filled with heartbreak, frustration, betrayal, and intense emotion, Don’t Go is a beautiful examination of the struggles faced by vets returning home. Mike’s war wounds — both the physical and mental ones — impact his ability to find work once he returns home. The strain placed on the family is central to the novel and will keep the reader turning the pages to discover how this nightmare is going to resolve.

If you haven’t already discovered Lisa Scottoline’s works, Don’t Go would be a great starting place. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

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Feb 6

#2: 2nd Chance (James Patterson)

by kennithfreeman

I’m continuing to work my way through the Women’s Murder Club series and thoroughly enjoying the easy reading. The central characters return, facing personal danger as they search for a serial killer. This time, events spiral as the murders begin with the death of an 11-year-old black girl exiting a church choir rehearsal. What first appears to be a series of hate crimes quickly turn much darker.

This installment also features the return of Lindsey’s long lost father. At times touching, this personal narrative becomes painful to watch. I’m not sure if I want to see Dad return in future episodes or not. I suppose I’ll just have to see what Mr. Patterson has in mind for his readers.

My only complaint about the book involves the ending. I’ll be careful not to include spoilers. When the suspect is finally apprehended, Lindsey dramatically realizes he is the wrong guy. In a head-spinning series of events, the hunt leads back to a minor character briefly appearing earlier in the story. Personally, I felt a little cheated, as though the author was simply looking for a way to stretch things out for another 50 pages.

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Jan 3

#1: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (J.K. Rowling)

by kennithfreeman

To begin my reading in the new year, I completed the fifth volume of the Harry Potter saga. In this 5th year at Hogwarts, Harry learns much about his past and destiny while struggling with his own demons as well as the Dark Lord and the infuriating High Inquisitor of the school. Of all the books I have read thus far, Phoenix has been my least favorite. I do recognize its importance to the story as a whole, however.

I found The Order of the Phoenix to get off to a very slow start. Truthfully, if I had not been so invested in the series, I probably would not have completed the book. (I tend to quit reading books that have not grabbed my attention within the first 75 pages or so.) Additionally, I found myself longing for Dumbledore's influence on the story. I love the adventures of the children and have enjoyed watching them grow up, but their stories make a much more profound statement when they are enjoying the interaction of all the faculty. My reading was often distracted as I kept wondering why the Headmaster was not commenting on the situation.

As the novel began to reach its climax, I became enthralled with Harry's story again and just couldn't put it down. The quality of the writing of the final scenes restored my confidence in Rowling and has me looking forward to the 6th year of our heroes' studies at the Wizarding Academy.

fiction Series teen

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Nov 8

#22: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

by kennithfreeman

The fourth year tale of our boy hero, Harry Potter, is significantly longer than the novels that have preceded it and takes on a decidedly darker tone. As Harry, Ron, and Hermione grow on the pages of the novel, the reader is treated to more mature discussions of relevant topics raised by the plot. The Goblet of Fire centers around an international competition that Harry has been entered in against his wishes. With each passing task, Harry discovers the importance of honor and honesty in his pursuit for victory. Additionally, the novel addresses topics of racism, deception, and death in a manner that is appropriate for the young reader.

What I found most intriguing in this year at Hogwarts’ was the return of Voldemort. It is interesting to see how the horrific memories of past events have faded in the minds of many of the HP world while others valiantly strive to keep Voldemort from regaining power. As the novel comes to its conclusion, a clear line is drawn between those who choose to ignore the changing scenario and those who are preparing for battle against the forces of evil. It is very clear how Christian overtones and themes can be applied to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Quite simply, the novel speaks powerfully of the necessity of man to choose either good or evil.

Without a doubt, Rowling has prepared the reader for a powerfully charged read as we approach year 5 with Harry and the gang. I’m already looking forward to diving in!

fiction Series teen

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Sep 1

#21: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

by kennithfreeman

I wanted to keep things light at the beginning of the semester, so I returned to the world of Harry Potter for the third installment in the series. Although I found the book a little slow in the beginning, HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban quickly turned out to be my favorite of the novels I have read thus far. I especially liked the themes of self-empowerment and overcoming darkness with light that pervaded the book. As the reader discovered more about the death of James Potter, we learned a little about making rash judgments right along with Harry. Perhaps the most powerful lessons were taught about assumptions through the stories of the hippogriff and Black. Both were thought to be extremely dangerous, killing machines. In the end, the truth about both the magical creature and the feared wizard came to light.

There are so many other things that could be discussed…..the battle between the Patronus and the dementors……prisons that must be escaped (both literally and figuratively)……as well as ideas of discernment and true friendship. I am certain that I will return to this book again and examine the themes more closely now that I know where the story is heading. Prisoner of Azkaban has definitely made an impact on my reading life….and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining read.

fiction Series teen

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Aug 17

#20: Go Set a Watchman (Harper Lee)

by kennithfreeman

Anyone who has ever asked me to name my favorite book has gotten the same answer since the summer before leaving for Pepperdine. That’s when I fell in love with To Kill a Mockingbird. I always lamented the fact that Harper Lee had only written one book. My passion for the classic novel was passed on to Jacquelyn when we shared the book many years later. Imagine our excitement when the announcement was made that a new novel by Harper Lee would be released. Go Set a Watchman was an immediate choice for the Reading with Jacqs project.

I had mixed emotions while reading Go Set a Watchman. Perhaps I was being influenced by the plethora of reviews that have appeared in the media. Perhaps I was saddened to witness beloved characters grappling with issues of racism and prejudice that didn’t conform to my expectations based on my initial encounter with them in To Kill a Mockingbird. By the time I finished Watchman, my views had changed — and for that, I am very thankful. Many have proclaimed that the aged Atticus Finch is a racist. I am not so certain about that. Instead, I see a man who is struggling to deal with changes occurring around him as he tries to balance his personal beliefs with the supposed reality he currently sees. He is a man torn.

Jean Louise is a woman of deep conviction. She is certain of her beliefs and feels things deeply. Her passion is at times explosive. Her personal struggle is one that pits the acceptance of Northern society against the traditions and heritage of her Southern roots. Scout is a woman desperately trying to hold on to her innocent memories of childhood while coming to terms with the imperfections of those she has idolized since her earliest days.

Go Set a Watchman is not Harper Lee’s best writing; that title will forever be reserved for Mockingbird. While the current novel lacks her earlier polish, powerful passages still find their way into the text and root deep into our souls. I intentionally did not mark passages in my first reading of Watchman; I wanted to allow Lee’s story to consume me without analyzing the material. However, a few sentences struck me with their beauty and power. Here is one of my favorites:

“Prejudice, a dirty word, and faith, a clean one, have something in common: they both begin where reason ends.” (Go Set a Watchman, p. 270)

Go Set a Watchman is not without fault. It needed an editor’s hand to polish it to its full potential. Despite its problems, this novel is truly a diamond in the rough that will be treasured for years to come.

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Aug 15

#19: Tomahawk (David Poyer)

by kennithfreeman

I have been slothful about writing my review for the latest book on My Library Shelf. I suppose I could chalk my delay in writing to the fact that I actually read the novel while on vacation at the end of July. As soon as I returned to Arkansas, my attention shifted entirely to the move to the Texas Panhandle. Those would be valid excuses to most; the only problem is that they are not true. The truth is that I simply didn’t know what I was going to say about the book.

Tomahawk was a thriller set against a naval background. It had moments of excitement that kept my attention. Mostly, I was plowing through lots of military jargon and situations that bored me. This was one of the few books that I’ve encountered in My Library Shelf project that I finished only because it was on the list. There were really very few redeeming qualities in this reader’s opinion. To be honest, it took me a few weeks to fully recover from this horrible reading experience. Thankfully, I’m now settling into Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee and enjoying my reading life once again.

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Jul 15

#18: Jude the Obscure (Thomas Hardy)

by kennithfreeman

I just finished the June selection of the Reading with Jacqs project and thoroughly enjoyed this 1895 classic. I have picked up novels by Thomas Hardy several times to read, but never finished one. Ironically, it seems that all of those failed attempts were associated with the packing involved with a major move. Now that I have finished Jude the Obscure, I am certain that I will be coming back for more of Hardy’s eloquent prose.

Jude Fawley is the orphaned son of a poor English family. Since there is no money for a formal education, Jude educates himself through intense reading of classic and religious texts. He plans to attend college in Christminster (Hardy’s version of Oxford). Plans change when the young Jude is enticed by the beautiful Arabella. The two are quickly married, but the union is filled with turmoil. Arabella ultimately leaves Jude to live with her parents in Australia. Abandoned and alone, Jude follows his dreams and moves to Christminster where he encounters his cousin, Sue, who is fascinated by the pagan treasures of antiquity and a future profession as a teacher. Jude and Sue develop feelings for each other, but Sue chooses to marry another in order to finance her education. Jude’s life is forever intertwined with his feelings for these two women and his beliefs related to faith, morality, and the value of education. Hardy’s novel treats the reader to an experience filled with tragedy, passion, and regret that will not soon be forgotten.

Jude the Obscure can be enjoyed merely for the story it tells. However, a careful reading reveals Hardy’s commentary on the role of education — both formal and experiential — in the life of the individual while exploring the changing face of religious belief in English society. Filled with Christian and pagan imagery, Jude the Obscure presents contrasting views of morality in a succinct manner that allows the audience to carefully compare and consider the opposing lines of thought. In his exploration of marriage, Hardy is just as thorough. The author considers the union as a religious sacrament as well as a business arrangement. The influence of public opinion in the private affairs of a man and woman are at the center of the novel and questions about the nature of love, forgiveness, and parenthood are raised throughout. Jude the Obscure is not a novel that a reader will consume quickly; however, it is a treasure that will hold a revered place on my bookshelf for many years to come.

The August selection for the Reading with Jacqs project is Harper Lee’s much anticipated Go Set a Watchman. I have a few more books from My Library Shelf project sitting on my nightstand to fill the rest of the month. I anticipate reading the new story of Atticus Finch as my first book in my Texas residence. (Just didn’t want you to think that I had lost my mind and was ignoring this exciting new work that was just released this week!)

classic fiction Reading with Jacqs

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