Falling Angels

The book I read was called, "Falling Angels" by Tracy Chevalier. This is the same author who wrote "The Girl with the Pearl Earring," if you have read that.

The book is set in the early 1900's in London. It tells the story of two well to do families and how they cope with the turn of the century and how times are changing. The plot is centered around the daughters of the two families, Lavinia Waterhouse and Maude Coleman. The Coleman's are very modern and the mother Kitty is a forward thinking woman. The Waterhouses are a more traditional sort of family. The two girls become best friends, even though they are totally opposite people. The book goes through an 8 year period and we watch how the girls mature, and how their mothers influence their lives, even when they are distance like Kitty is.

The climax of the book is when Kitty Coleman has an affair and get pregnant. Then she has an abortion-not described in detail thankfully. We watch as she turns inward away from her family and then outward away her family as she joins in the suffrage movement. Her poor choice in neglecting her family eventually leads to prison and then death as she is trampled by a spooked horse in a suffrage parade. 

This is a short summary, but the book was really involved. It was an interesting read to see how families cope with deceit and change and the influence mothers can be on their children for good and bad. Maude's mother wasn't very doting, but Maude turned out to be a wonderful young woman. Lavinia's mother gave her everything she wanted and she turned out to be quite a brat really.  I liked how the book was written in different perspectives so you could kind of get each person's view on the situation. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.  

Book of Choice

From now until Jan 1st, lets all share a book of choice. Read any book you want and tell us about it. Post anytime or email me and I will post it for you.
I can't wait to hear about your book!

The Time Traveler's Wife: Reviewed

The time has come to tell all about the "Time Traveler's Wife". What did you think? I don't have time to write a lot so if someone else would like to write a response, that would be great!

I enjoyed the story very much. I thought it was unique and definitely drew me in. I could have done without the F-word and detailed sex scenes, but overall I liked the book.

I really liked Clare. I don't know what it was, but she seemed like a good person. I loved how she described her baby. The detailed descriptions made me think the author must be a mother. The things that she went through were heart-wrenching and I think she handled everything pretty gracefully. I was a little confused during the last miscarriage. I read a review that was saying something about time traveling fetuses and now I think I missed something. Anyone understand that?

I was intrigued by the thought of time travel. It would be amazing to be able to go back in time and revisit things, but I would hate it if I couldn't change anything. Plus the parts about being naked, losing feet, getting shot, etc. those are all downsides :). I can't wait to see the movie that is coming out next year!

The Time Traveler's Wife... and Beyond

I have this book now (finally) but I haven't read it. I'm not sure if any one else has read it either (knock knock, is anyone there?). I've decided to extend this until Thanksgiving.

After Thanksgiving I think we should all read a book of choice and tell about it. If anyone wants to become a blog author, email me at jenmlowryATgmailDotcom. Or if you don't want to do that, but still have a book you would like to share, email me your info and I will post it for you. Then starting January 1st, we will start a new book, which I will reveal sometime in December. Happy Reading.

New Book...Sorry So Late!

For this months book, lets read

The Time Travelers Wife By Audrey Niffenegger.

I don't much about this book other than it has amazing reviews, so read it and tell us what you think!

Eat, Pray, Love

Anyone read this book? I did, amazingly. It is the only book I have read in months. I thought it was pretty good. It was inspiring although I don't necessarily agree with her on all points.
I thought it was sad that she had to go through a terrible divorce (by her choice) just to find herself.
The part I liked the most was when she was in Italy. She made me want to go there and eat my heart out.
The part in the Ashram was a little slow for me, I found myself wanting to skip through some of it (but I didn't). I did think it was interesting how so many religions really actually believe the same things, they just call it something different.
I couldn't believe how her friend wouldn't buy a house. It really was unbelievable that she could want more money! She should have been grateful for the money that she had already received. I guess that is the nature of a third world country though. Very sad.
The way she described the beaches in Indonesia made me want to go there as well. I even went online to look at pictures. Looks like a beautiful place.

Sorry this is short and scattered, I didn't have time to write an in depth review.

What did you think?

My Antonia

I haven't finished reading this so I will have to comment about it later. What about you? What did you think?

I've decided for next months book will be "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have heard many great things about this book and it seems like a quick read (which is always good when you have kids running around).