Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just re-listened to the book for about the 100th time. Still doesn't get old! I love the later books in the series even more, but this is pretty great! And Jim Dale is a genius as far as reading aloud goes. There just isn't a better reader out there!

12/9/18 - Another fun re-read! I can't wait until I get to the later books again!

11/29/19 - This re-read was particularly fun because I read it with my sons! Only one was really old enough to understand it, but I've looked forward to reading them aloud with my boys for years. It was great! I can't wait to read more with them later (although I may wait a few years before I read the next one with them).

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Review: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2020

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2020 by Bob Sehlinger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is great for planning a Disney trip! It is massive, but makes a big difference on the actual trip.

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Review: Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile - 57 B.C.

Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile - 57 B.C. by Kristiana Gregory
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm listening to these to see if they still hold up (I loved them when I was younger). I thought it was pretty decent. There were a few phrases the author used all the time that really annoyed me (i.e. "In my heart. . ." - I think it was every few sentences), but other than that, it was a pretty enjoyable story! It definitely renewed my interest in Cleopatra and I'd like to read more about her.

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Review: Chains

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well-written and thought-provoking. I didn't realize that Laurie Halse Anderson wrote historical fiction! I was looking for something to teach a 9th grade English class that tied in with what they were learning about in social studies and this was one idea. I don't know if this is the one we'll go with, but it was very good. Good characters, interesting setting, and compelling storyline. I'm curious about what will happen in future books because this definitely left some loose ends!

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Review: Cherry

Cherry by Mary Karr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars, but rounded up because she is a very good writer. I was just somewhat upset by her experiences though and so I had a hard time enjoying it. I may post a longer review shortly, but my husband is waiting for me to watch something so I have to go. :)

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Review: The Testaments

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars at least. I may up my rating because I flew through it and I did really love it. The only thing keeping me from giving it the full 5 stars is the fact that the first one had SUCH a brilliant ending and this one just wasn't quite the same (probably because it was definitive). It was still great though. Truly, I couldn't put it down.

This story follows Aunt Lydia, Nicole/Jade, and Agnes (Nicole and Agnes being the two daughters of June from the first novel - Is that a spoiler? To me it seemed obvious from the beginning, but let me know if I should hide that). I am currently about halfway through the second season of the show (I really have to gear myself up to watching it and it takes me a while to get through) and maybe it portrays some of this, but I was quite surprised by a number of things. I was especially surprised by Aunt Lydia in the book.

Margaret Atwood once again proves herself to be a highly skilled author. I can't believe I've still never read anything else by her. I definitely have to because I love her compelling writing style!

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Review: The Kingmaker's Daughter

The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars - I liked this one! It wasn't amazing or anything, but it renewed my interest in this time period. I wanted to find out what happened, and I kept looking up what happened to the real Anne Neville and her family. I think it is one of the better Philippa Gregory books I've read in a while.

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