Northanger Abbey [A Book Review]

It is the Jane Austen buddy bosom novel, a tale which makes you feel juvenile and carefree. Northanger Abbey is a friendly story that makes you feel warm and adventurous. The note  guiding in the beginning  is indicative of the influence of the  reading choice of ‘the day’  on the author’s characterization of Catherine, the lead lady of the story.  Additionally, the preview of the “Advertisement by the authoress, to Northanger Abbey’  says

“And that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes,”

shows how the publisher is aware that the passage of time has an effect on the reader’s perception of a book concerning its social content. It is interesting to note that at the time Jane Austen penned  Northanger Abbey in 1788-89, Gothic Literature was the popular  reading choice of the day.

There is a school of thought that men only read more sophisticated books however Jane Austen thrashed this belief in Mr. Tilney.  Mr. Tilney is fond of reading and  abreast with the Literacy world ‘sticking’  up for historians. I believe this works out excellently for the story because Jane Austen created an intellectually stimulating hero. Mr. Tilney ‘ nice’ mouth is a result of a mixture of his natural charm and reading. A quality which allowed him to relate to Catherine with such ease, creating a beautiful atmosphere for our heroine to grow fondly of her hero.

A  review written so very long ago and left to nest in The Draft

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Sinful Cinderella (Dark Fairy Tale Queen #1) by Anita Valle [A Book Review]

Sinful Cinderella by Anita Valle

I absolutely LOVE a Cinderella trope because it is the best fairytale (very subjective) and the summary for Sinful Cinderella read like a good twist. A realistic spin is captivating since I always ponder on Cinderella’s family not recognizing her when she is all dolled and she not rebelling- not even a tiny bit.

Strawberry Fields by Katie Flynn [A Book Review]

Strawberry Fields by Katie Flynn

I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author took her time to tell this story. Normally, I would stubbornly quarrel when two persons were in the same vicinity and bypass each other unawares but I am not sure if it is my mood or the author’s technique but I felt all the circling around the bush has its special purpose.

Apology by Plato [A Book Review]

Apology by Plato

For the first time I am able to lean back, understand and enjoy a Socrates
dialogue. Although it is concerning his judgment to death, it does not read as a
sad anthem but rather a piercing, honest, mouthy and a bit nonchalant piece.

To Hair and Back: My Journey Toward Self-love One Strand at a Time by Rhonda Eason [A Book Review]

To Hair and Back My Journey Toward Self-love One Strand at a Time by Rhonda Eason

I had so much fun reading about Rhonda’s hair journey. Her childhood was certainly drama filled- I felt more inclined to her mom (of all her family members) and I am happy at the end of her adult life, the author gave some hints on how her mom fares. I am happy that Rhonda found an internal peace in her adult life as I too seeks that beautiful calm.

Web of Deceit by Renee Pawlish [#MarchMysteryMadness]

Apparently Dewey is the superhero detective who rarely ever gets hurt even when he puts himself in the most dangerous situation to acquire clues. Another point of amusement for me is when Mr. Detective goes around asking the most blatant questions with no shielding descriptions and I am here thinking “Is he not worried that someone will come after him when he sniffs around in the most obvious manner?”

Celebrating 8 Women In History & Historical Fiction

Happy International Women’s Day! I share with you the eight (8) novels of History and the Historical Fiction Genre, which speaks on the role of women in contributing to their home community and/or the wider community.
1. Eva Gore Booth, The Other Sister: The Remarkable Sybling of Constance Markievicz by llpix.com (Illustrator), Cindy Davi
A short explanation of the role of women in the Easter Rising in Ireland. Whilst Constance physical presence is known concerning the events of the Easter Rising in Ireland perhaps little is spoken of her other sister Eva whose contribution is still similar. Eva is noted as part of the movement for women suffrage in Ireland as well as heretical recording of historical events. Her encouragement to not only her sister but fighting men is recommendable. These pages also gives more insight into the Land Acts of 1881, negative and positive of the role of land owners.

2. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Ann Jacobs
Another confirmation of the cruelties of slavery and the nonchalant attitude of most Northerners to such inhumane treatment. This memoir also highlights few good souls of the North who risked their reputation and family to help out fugitive enslaved. This account offers an insight into the life of a coloured enslaved whose family were thrust mainly into house slavery. It is extremely moving and conjures mind boggling questions.

The Mystery of Smugglers Cove [A Review]/ #MarchMysteryMadness

This is the sort of stuff my childhood self would go crazy after! The first read of 2018, which finally left me eager to read more that I did not like how soon the mystery was over. Imagine three siblings and a newly made friend out exploring caves and a manor over the summer and the knick and knacks they would run into whilst discovering secrets. I love how supportive the sibling are of each other inspite of the teasing and the confidence that they portray. The twist and turns were captivating although my adult self frown at some profound habits.

(SPOILER BELOW)

Forgettable Books

Top 5 Wednesday

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Hello book people another Top 5 Wednesday is here with:

January 17th: Forgettable Books
–Whether you loved or hated them at the time, these are books that you just don’t really remember…

Now the question is how would I figure out my forgettable books if I do not remember anything at all? Ding, ding- Goodreads.

Let us dive into it:

1.Never a Bride by Amelia Grey [Historical Romance]

According to Goodreads I  said ” I liked it. An easy and engaging read. It is historical in context but some applicable today that the storyline is endearing. “ However, even after reading the synopsis on the site, I still cannot recall the major or minor details. If it is a book I apparently really liked why can’t I recall ever mere details?      

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Top 5 Books of 2017/ Top 5 Wednesday

Hello Wed- nes- day! For Top 5 Wednesday we dive into a summary of the good good:

December 20th: Top 5 Books of 2017
— I know most people have a longer list than this, or post theirs at different times (like I’ll be waiting until January for example) but if you want to make a list of your absolute faves of the year, now is the time!

I am okay with posting all the books which left me touched, excited and deeply impacted around this time because I am not rushing to read more than the two books that I am currently digging. So far, I see nothing in these two books, which will crawl their way to my Top 2017 Books. Even if I read further than the two books it is okay  that they do not appear on this list, I will simply create a separate post.

Let us dive into it:
P.S I will share part of my reviews

1.When God Says “Wait”: Navigating Life’s Detours and Delays Without Losing Your Faith, Your Friends, or Your Mind by Elizabeth Laing Thompson

I hated and loved this book!

The concept of the novel stood out for me because at that time I needed to understand something more about the noise in my head. I felt the author gave the plan of the novel in the beginning with a thesis statement- “This book is about the journey of waiting, the space between answers, and the decisions we make while we live there. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started.” Oh the English Literature student in me jumped for joy because I had an idea of what was in store. However, little did I know that the author sure break down every inch of the waiting aspect and questioning the doubts and that is when the hate part comes. I felt exposed but yet not judged; all the emotions that I tucked away whilst waiting for the silver lining was right there on the screen. The author words were inspirational and her outlook left me thinking “darn, she read my mind.”