Book Reviews
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David Copperfield: Intro
The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery. This is the original title of Charles Dickens’ eighth novel, published in serial form in the year 1850. Now sold as a 700-page book, it was originally released in 19 monthly one-shilling installments. This makes for a delightfully long story…
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A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
I was looking for a lighthearted read to end the year of 2017. Perfectly suited for the job, A Study in Charlotte turned out to be a clever and captivating spinoff of Sherlock Holmes. Parallels to the classic mystery books give it a sense of familiarity–“I’ve read this before!”–while the new setting made it refreshing.…
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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Merry Christmas! I hope you’ve had a blessed day! Every year at around this time, I read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It is my favorite book, because Scrooge’s experiences with the Ghosts of Christmas make me reflect on my own life. The link between his story and our lives might be difficult to admit.…
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Every couple of years, I find myself in the mood once more to read the Harry Potter series. The story never gets old; it’s earned itself a special place in my heart. I think people are still drawn to these books because they feel like home. When thousands of people gather to read a story,…
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The Belly of Paris by Emile Zola
The Belly of Paris is a unique, fast-paced novel about justice, revolution, and hunger. It is the third book in a 20-part series titled Les Rougon-Macqyart. The series examines two branches of a family: the respectable (legitimate) side, and the disreputable (illegitimate.) The third installment follows Florent Quenu, a French convict who escaped exile in…
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Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust
Occasionally we find books so beautifully written that it seems the style, not the plot, keeps us turning pages. Though translated from its original French, Swann’s Way did not lose its beauty in the process: every sentence reads like a verse from an old, nostalgic poem. As an example: Meanwhile the scenery of his dream-stage…
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Book Review: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
I have spent two weeks with my nose in this book. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a thousand pages long, but its spell extends beyond the pages. Its charm is bolder than its eye-catching cover; this book provides complete immersion in a story I wished would last longer. It tells of the movement to…
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Book Review: Wendy Darling – Stars by Colleen Oakes
I am fascinated by retellings of classic novels! Some stories are so beloved that they capture imaginations for years, never losing their magic. Often these retellings can be shallow and unoriginal, but Wendy Darling: Stars did not disappoint. It’s the story of Peter Pan told from Wendy’s point of view, and though it’s been a…
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Book Review: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
The Faerie Ring follows the story of a pickpocket named Tiki. She lives with several other homeless children in Victorian London; together they make a family, looking out for each other when things get rough. When the youngest child, Clara, falls ill with consumption, they find themselves facing a huge hospital bill. It’s more than they…
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Book Review: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Much has been said about Me Before You. While some people loved it, others disliked the premise enough to boycott the book. I tried reading with a neutral mind, but that didn’t save me from the heartbreaking conclusion. It felt like a punch to the gut, even though the whole time I suspected how the story would end.…
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Book Review: Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer
What if there was a character who wanted to escape the pages of his book? How far would he go to live among readers? Between the Lines tells the story of Prince Oliver, who wants to do just that. He’s lived in a book for as long as he can remember, and doesn’t see magic…
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Book Review: The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson
The Bookseller follows a woman named Kitty who lives in Denver, where she runs a bookstore with her best friend, Frieda. In 1962 it’s not usual for her to be unmarried at the age of thirty-eight, but she tells herself she’s content. Having gone through a failed courtship and several dates that led nowhere, she’s…
Mariella Hunt & the Tearoom 