Changling

I like Philippa Gregory, even though most of her books are so similar in style and material I can only handle about one every 2 years. When I saw that she had a YA novel out, I was intrigued and hoped it would be suitable for my 10 year old.

It was a good book and I enjoyed reading it. However, there was the following which I'm not ready for my 10 year old to read about:

1. Almost rape scene. But not graphic. 
2. Goose shit and damned. 
3. Graphic autopsy scene. 
4. Some inappropriate sexual innuendos. 

While I love a good book about a girl-guy relationship, I'd prefer her read more friendship based attraction and not so blatantly sexual.

So, if you like YA, this is a good book, but more for an adult or older kid.

The girl on the train

This is a good thriller with intricate relationships. The plot and twists while not fully expected, aren't NOT expected either. Which means it's not the best twists and turns. It's a great beach read, but just a middle of the road book. Nothing special and nothing to remember. But, a fun easy read.

Into Thin Air

Into Thin Air is a great book. It's a memoir about a tragedy on Everest in the late 1990s. I would highly recommend the book to any adult, male or female. It's compelling and interesting.

The Accidental Empress

Finally an adult book! With adult themes! And adult language! After all my YA reading, it's wonderful to read a book meant for adults. However, that's also my caveat. I think maybe my expectations of good literature have lessened with all the YA I'm reading.

It's so much easier to be entertained by a fun and easy story than to read good writing. Complex characters. Stellar thematic material.

This book I though was interesting. What I love about historical fiction is the education aspect of it. I know nothing of Austria/Hungarian royalty, so it was lovely learning about it in an entertaining way.

That being said, I need to put on my critical literature glasses instead of just my "was it a fun read" glasses.

When I compare The Accidental Empress to something such as The Other Boleyn Girl, I have to be disappointed. The characters were flat. The story predictable (yes, I know it's historical fiction but if you don't know the story, it still should be unpredictable). The writing was just fine. Historical fiction should transport the reader to the time and place and this one just didn't. I still felt just like a reader and not a participator.

Overall, a 7 out of 10. Good enough to read, captivating story, even as it dragged on. Have low expectations and you'll love it.

Book of a Thousand Days

Okay. So I know I'm on my "trying out YA novels to make sure it's appropriate" kick. Well, Morgan read this one first and told me I should read it. And she was correct. What a great little YA book! This is a Brothers Grimm lesser known story retold. It's about Lady Saren and her ladies maid who are both shut in a tower for 7 years because Lady Saren would not consent to marry a cruel man.

While this book is a great one for mature 10 year olds (it has some violence), it's also a beach read book if you like YA books. It's more like a YA-Juvenile book. A little cheesy at times, but overall a good book.

The Rosie Effect

I absolutely loved The Rosie Project. The Rosie Effect is just as good. Rosie and Don are doing great as a married couple, until the news of pregnancy throws a wrench in Don's highly organized life.

These characters are absolutely adorable. Quirky and lovable and maddening. There are multiple side stories going on at the same time as the questioning of Rosie and Don's marriage survival, which gives the book depth.

Graeme Simsion gets into Don's head in a remarkable way and I love the story line and characters. I highly recommend book of the Rosie books to anyone who wants a smart, interesting, debatable beach read.

Split Second

This is the sequel to Pivot Point. Which I thought was a great book, just not quite appropriate for my 10 year old. I'm still on my "reading through the YA section for appropriate modern fiction" thing.

Split Second is all about Addie's best friend, Laila leaving the compound to help Addie with some troubling stuff happening outside the abilities community. Unfortunately, it's one of those books where if you didn't read Pivot Point, this one won't make much sense. Even more unfortunately, is that it's appropriate for my 10 year old. 

I felt like literary speaking, this book was more of a stretch and a little more forced that Pivot Point. I loved the characters less and while I somewhat cared about them, I didn't fully care. So, it was not as good of a book as the first. That being said, if you want a really quick and easy beach read that's clean, this is a good book for you.