The Other Queen

The Other Queen
By Philippa Gregory
16 hours (book on CD)

All the characters are kind of annoying. Mary is constantly swearing revenge, I stopped believing her about a quarter of the way through. All constantly talk about people and situations the same way- "verb" like "some odd thing". "Hissed like a snake" or "dropped between them like an executors blade", got very repetitive. Headings on sections are so rushed, like the actor is speaking a run-on sentence. Didn't like how the storyline starts right in the middle, not enough flash-backs so I felt like I was in the dark half the time. Guess I should have read a history book on this particular woman before reading this fiction book!
8/10

Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife

Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife
By Linda Berdoll
1402202733 465p

Quite a lot of action for one book, even such a long one. I wasn't too upset over the sex, as some Pride and Prejudice devotees are. But I almost laughed at all the euphemisms she uses for some things. It got quite ridiculous! Was good to see some old characters. Glad Lizzy and Darcy have such a respectful but passionate marriage.
8/10

Chicken Soup for the Girlfriend's Soul

Chicken Soup for the Girlfriend's Soul
By Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
0757301541 272p

9/10

Times and Seasons

Times and Seasons
By Beverly LaHaye and Terri Blackstock
0310233194 371p

I know someone just like Jerry, too bad he hasn't had a change like Jerry. Didn't like Tory at the beginning. Still wondering what's going on with Syliva at the end. But I probably won't read the next book in this series unless it lands in my lap like this one did.
8/10

Lonely Planet Signspotting

Lonely Planet Signspotting
By Doug Lansky
1741044898

Too short! Some very funny signs.
8/10

Great Irish Humor

Great Irish Humor
By Peter Haining
0760700397 333p

A few amusing stories, some stupid ones. Was expecting something different or better, I suppose.
7/10

The White Queen

The White Queen
By Philippa Gregory
15 hours (book on CD)

Liked her better than the Red Queen!
9/10

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
By Howard Pyle
395p (via PlanetEBook.com)

Nothing substantial of Marion, unfortunately. And a sad death, hadn't ever heard that death for Robin before.
9/10

Chicken Soup for the Soul of America

Chicken Soup for the Soul of America
By jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
0757300065 315p

Aftermath of September 11, 2001, so at times moving, hearbreaking, sad, triumphant.
9/10

Born on a Blue Day

Born on a Blue Day
By Daniel Tammet
9781416535072 226p

Interesting- he didn't like to be touched as a child, but couldn't understand why it was uncomfortable for others if he touched them. Speaks to his statement about not having empathy, he can't fathom what other people may be feeling, and I guess that holds true even if it's the same thing he's feeling. Don't really understand the family situation: both his parents stayed home, neither worked, and they had 9 kids on public assistance? His father had a job when he was born, but then by the time the 5th child was born, both parents stayed home. That's horrible.

Ok, the book. Well written, very interesting glimpse into both his mind and his life. I hope the scientists are learning something useful from him for other autistic people and maybe even for the rest of humankind.
8/10

The Shipping News

The Shipping News
By Annie Proulx
0743225406 364p

It seems like a whole lot of nothing happens. But beautifully written nothing.
8/10

The Game of Their Lives

The Game of Their Lives
By Geoffrey Douglas
0805038752 145p

Very good! Though you don't quite get the sense that any of them think that was the 'game of their life'. For history, of course it was! But for their lives, it was an amusing adventure. I liked the way the book was structured. I think between this, the movie "Miracle Match", and the articles about Gaetjens, you'd have a great overview of the whole story.
10/10

The Memoirs of Cleopatra

The Memoirs of Cleopatra
By Margaret George
9870312187453 963p

825 pages in before I found out I had read this before (5 years ago, so I had forgotten most of it). Moving, beautiful.
9/10

Dead Aid

Dead Aid
By Dambisa Moyo
9780374139568 154p

Lots of numbers thrown out, as expected. Luckily, she didn't spend too much time on the numbers, instead explaining what those numbers meant for a person's life. Very interesting, definitely changing where my charity dollars are going.
9/10