Book Review: Eight Cousins

Eight Cousins

written by Louisa May Alcott

286 pages

 

 

 

A charming, darling book... just as any of Louisa May Alcott's works.

The story centers on a young girl named Rose and she is an orphan. (Don't we all love reading orphan stories?) She is sent to live on the Aunt-hill---that is, a place where her aunts live in houses all clustered together, on a hill. It certainly is a wonderful place. Rose has 7 cousins to play with---all of them are loud, merry, rambunctious boys. There is Archie, Charlie, Mac, Steve, Geordie, Will, and Jamie. Although it seems like a lot of characters to keep up with, you'll know each boy's own habits & personality by the end of the book. Rose immediately joins in their adventurous schemes---whether her aunts approve or not.

Her main care-taker is Uncle Alec, a man who reminds Rose immensely of her own father. He's a on a mission to get rid of all the aunts' advice about Rose taking daily medicines, and wearing those silly, fancy clothes. Because of Uncle Alec, and his well wishes for Rose, her life takes a turn... You'll have to read this lovely story to find out how it all happens.

I truly enjoyed "Eight Cousins"---it's a classic piece of writing. It certainly has that timeless appeal of vintage literary treasure. I did read the actual book, but if anyone is interested in listening to the audio instead, you can find a free download here >> LibriVox.org

Recommended for all ages (10 & up). I loved every bit of "Eight Cousins" and look on with full expectancy for the sequel, "Rose in Bloom".

I'm participating in the Monthly Book Reviews Challenge. Please stop by Hannah's Hangout for more info, and to see all the other great book reviews for this month!

50 Book Reading Challenge

The Reading Maid has started a book challenge, and I wanted to spread the word about it. The challenge is to read 50 books in the year of 2010. You can count fiction, non fiction, & books of the Bible.

So, I thought that I would post what I've read so far.

Total books of the Bible I've read this year: 16 books.
Other books so far this year: 17 books.

That puts me at 33 books already!
It shouldn't be too hard to reach the goal of 50.


How many books have you read this year?

If you want to see more about the 50 Book Reading Challenge than please drop a comment at The Reading Maid's blog to join in the fun.

Book Review: Far North

Far North

written by Will Hobbs

240 pages

my recommendation for ages 12-14+

 

 

Gabe Rogers is a boy from the south -- Texas, to be exact. A sequence of tough incidents lead him to the Northwest Territories of Canada. He thinks he will be stuck at the boarding school and lead a lonely life with no friends. Even when he meets his new roommate, Raymond, things don't get much better for Gabe. Little do these two boys know, but they will soon be out in the frozen wilderness together, striving and depending solely on each other for their very lives.

The boys are accompanied in their frigid adventure by Raymond's great-uncle Johnny Raven, who is an elder of the native Dene tribe. Gabe and Raymond learn many things about living in the fierce outdoors from this wise man. Not only does Johnny Raven pass on his knowledge of hunting and living in frigid temperatures, he also passes on old Dene stories and beliefs, that thrive in the young boys' hearts and minds. A modern day story, connecting the new generation to the old.

Together, this trio must outlast the wild winter ahead of them. The future looks pretty bleak though. How can they continue to exist for months, trapped in an environment of possible 50-below temperatures?

My Personal Thoughts: A sense of intrigue, full of adventure, and a plot that keeps twisting. Everything you could ask for in a great book. This is the first that I've read by the author Will Hobbs -- and I'm impressed. His knowledgeable descriptions make the story come alive.

Some Wonderful Awards

Over the past several weeks, I've received some neat blog awards. Today I've collected them all together and thought I would display them on my blog... here they are:



from Blessed Mama & Book Princess & Hannah



from Animal Central



from Hannah



from Wendy



from both Hannie96 & Hannah



from Book Princess



from Wendy



from Hannah


Thanks so much to all of you who gave them to me!!
You're so sweet to think of me and do that.

Favorite Finds

These are some neat website/blog posts that I came across this past week & wanted to share these links on my blog. Hope you enjoy!

The Invisible Hope Chest - Wonderful blog post from Breezy

8 reasons to use longhand writing in your first draft. - Really great writing tips!

Read the Printed Word - Grab their button if you pledge to always read the printed word (i.e. newspapers, books, etc) I have their button in my sidebar!

Words to think about

"So long as we love, we serve; so long as we are loved by others, I would say that we are indispensable; and no man is useless while he has a friend."

- Robert Louis Stevenson
{Scottish author, 1850-1894}