Book Review: Plum Pudding Murder

Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Last February, when I started working at Barnes & Noble "Cream Puff Murder" (Hannah Swensen Mystery, Book 11) had just been released and we had it everywhere in the store. The cover was so pretty that I kept meaning to read it, but never took the plunge. Then, we got in the newest addition to the series and I had to pick it up. The series just looked like a nice fun entry into the mystery genre. I mean, really, even if the story itself hadn't been that great, you at least got all the fun recipes that the book is loaded with. Win, win, right?

I'm really glad that I picked up Plum Pudding Murder and I'm planning on getting the other books in the series soon. The bite-sized chapters make these easy to read books perfect to pick-up and breeze through while I'm on break at work or if I just have a few minutes here and there. Some of the lines that the characters use seem corny at times and slightly unrealistic for any actual person to use, but they really seem to fit Joanne Fluke's writing style so they don't feel too out of place.

All in all, I really enjoyed this as a nice break from some of the more serious reading that I've been doing lately and will be recommending the series to anyone who loves baking, coffee, and needs a quick break from time to time.

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Book Review: Dracula

Dracula by Bram Stoker


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I'm kind of sad that it took me so long to read this classic. I really enjoyed it and I loved how it was written in the form of diaries and journals from the different characters. This made it so that you really got to know the characters personally without being told straight-out. This also provided several views of some of the same occurrences, but through different eyes so you could pick out facts that the first narrator may have missed.I really loved this book and have been urging everyone that I know to read it. ^_^

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Book Review: Knitting the Threads of Time

Knitting the Threads of Time: Casting Back to the Heart of Our Craft by Nora Murphy


My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I actually just had to call it quits on this book. I couldn't stand reading it anymore because of the author's voice and personal views that are constantly re-hashed over and over throughout.

Nora Murphy did her homework on the history of textiles, but the way that she twines actual history with how she perceives the craft of knitting drove me crazy. Apparently, we have very different interpretations of the craft and the world around us and I just couldn't stand to pick up the book after the chapter about how much she enjoys and respects her period. Sorry, but I just don't get enjoyment out of reading about how she can link her monthly cycle to knitting and it's history. No thank you.

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Book Review: The Last Song

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I actually really enjoyed this book which is something that I can't say about Sparks' other books that I've read. The unique method that is used to narrate the story kept things interesting and easily gave you a look into each character's mind. Immediately after finishing this book I thought of three different people who would love it so I'll probably be snatching up a few copies to give as Christmas gifts this year.

The story is very touching and easy to read, without being at all mushy (which is a huge plus in my book). I highly recommend this to anyone who has, is, or knows a teenager going through that rough time when it seems so important to rebel in order to establish your place in the world and create your own voice. This is a wonderful book about growing up and how what is and isn't said and done affects people other than just yourself.

I love it!! ^_^

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Book Review

Tale of Two Cities, A by Charles Dickens


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love the classics, they've been around this long for a good reason. A Tale of Two Cities is one that you hear of your whole life, but it's never discussed in great detail. Even the movies and shows that play off of the title rarely follow the actual vein that this book is written in.

At times, Dickens is hard to follow because of his long, flowery introductions of characters or scenes. Once you get to who or what he's talking about, it's much easier to follow the plot and imagine what he's just described, though. I highly recommend that everyone should read this book for no other reason than to see what things were like for both the upper and lower classes during the French Revolution. Books like this are wonderful history lessons and really bring the time periods to life.

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