The Great Gatsby ★★½ by F. Scott Fitzgerald

November 15 - November 18

I had heard so much hype about how great this book was,  and to be honest I was thoroughly disappointed.
I don't have a good track record with Classic literature and this one wasn't any better IMHO.
The characters were too 2 dimensional ad the story really didn't go anywhere.  I figured out what was going to happen long before the end and the ending was to say the least, anti-climatic.

Paradise Lost by John Milton

September 9 - October 22
 I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting myself into, but this telling of the creation and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise was entertaining even though the writing was a bit different from what I am used to.

I found it amusing that according to Milton  Sin and Death were the offspring of Satan and that Chaos' consort is Night with Confusion and Discord along for the ride. The manner of using words as names for creatures was very inventive. Rarely, do I like Classics this old, but this one worked for me.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn ★★★ by Betty Smith

This is the story of a young girl growing up at he beginning of the 20th century in poverty circumstances caused by her father's alcoholism as well as her parent's lack of education.   Francie is told that she needs a good education by the adult members of her family and she strives toward success but is hampered by teachers who are unsupportive of the "poor" kids.

Many aspects of the differences between the early 20th century and current day are obvious .  I read this book for my book club and though few of us were enthusiastic about the book, it did garner a great a discussion.


DATE READ: May 16 - May 18
NO. OF PAGES: 528
Type of Book e-book
SOURCE: Nook

Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

First, I never realized that there were separate adventures for Alice and I was startled to find that one of them included Humpty Dumpty.  This was a fun few hours reliving a story from childhood.

★★½

GENRE: Classic
CHARACTERS: Alice, Tweedledum, Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty
Series/ Progress: Alice's Adventures 2/2
DATE READ: October 12 - October 12
NO. OF PAGES: 126
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI
SOURCE: Overdrive, Library

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Okay, I admit it, I'd read Alice.  But to my defense there really wasn't anything new that I had seen in cartoons and films.  A cute little story but maybe a bit violent for kids?

★★★

GENRE: Classics
CHARACTERS: Alice, White Rabbit, Mad hatter, Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts
Series/ Progress: Alice's Adventures 1/2
DATE READ: October 2 - October 4
NO. OF PAGES: 126
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI 
SOURCE: Nook

Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum

While visiting Glinda, Dorothy and Ozma find in the all-knowing book that in a remote area of Oz the Skeezers and Flatheads are at odds and that a war may break out.  Ozma and Dorothy venture to the Flatheads first trying to prevent warfare but are captured and held prisoners until Ozma's magic helps them escape.  Fearing that they need to visit the Skeezers to prevent the war, Dorothy and Ozma are trapped in an underwater bubble when the Flathead Super Dictator uses unauthorized magic and turns the Queen of the Skeezers into a swan.  Fortunately, Glinda and the Wizard arrive and effect the release of all the Skeezers along with Dorothy and Ozma.  

This is the last of the original Oz series and I feel that it was one of the best.  Several authors have continued the tales but Frank Baum wrote no more.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my adventures in the Land of Oz and hope that future generations will visit as well.

★★★★

GENRE: Childrens
CHARACTERS: Ozma, Dorothy, Glinda, Skeezers, Flatheads
Series/ Progress: Wizard of OZ 15/15
DATE READ: September 9 - September 9
NO. OF PAGES: 78
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

Magic of Oz by L. Frank Baum

In this next to last Oz book we are introduced to a new area of OZ where the Hyups live.  There Kiki Aru steals a magical word which causes instant transformations and runs away to see the world. He encounters Ruggedo, the deposed Nome King, who persuades  Kiki to work with him to revenge himself on Ozma and take over OZ.  In the meantime, Dorothy and Trot, along with their friends, are endeavoring to find something special for Ozma's birthday.  

The adventures of all climax in the Emerald City at Ozma's birthday party.  A cute tale.

★★★

GENRE: Classics
CHARACTERS: Kiki Aru, Ruggedo, Gugu, Dorothy, Wizard, Glass Cat, Trot
Series/ Progress: Land of Oz 14/15
DATE READ: August 7 - August 9
NO. OF PAGES: 77
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Lost Princess of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Suddenly, Ozma is missing! And not only is Ozma no where to be found, but the Wizard's bag of magical items, Ozma's magic picture, and Glenda's Book of Records and  enchanted objects are gone too.

The inhabitants of the Emerald City divide into search parties and head out to all areas of the land of Oz. 

Dorothy and her companions head into the land of the Winkies, discover that they are looking for an angry wizard, Ugu the Shoemaker.  The adventures are worthy of Oz!

★★★

GENRE: Classic
CHARACTERS: Dorothy, Scraps, Wizard, Glenda, Ozma, Frogman, Ugu the shoemaker
Series/ Progress: Oz 11/15
DATE READ: May 15 - May 17
NO. OF PAGES: 96
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Rinkitink in Oz by L. Frank Baum

The island of Pinagree is a peaceful, happy place which produces a huge number of beautiful pearls.  The King of Pinagree has special pearls that he can use to protect this kingdom but when attacked by  Regos and Coregos he is unable to reach the special pearls and he, the queen, and all the inhabitants are taken away to slavery.

But wait, Prince Inga and visiting King Rinkitink escape discovery.  Prince Inga retrieves the special pearls and heads off to rescue his parents and the people of his kingdom.

 ★★★

GENRE: Classic
CHARACTERS: Prince Inga of Pinagree, King Rinkitink, Bilbil the goat, Zella  
Series/ Progress: Oz  10/15
DATE READ: May 11 - May 11
NO. OF PAGES: 100
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook stockpile

Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen

I knew that Hans Christian Andersen wrote a great number of fairy tales and the basic stories of some of them,  but I was delightful to sit down and actually read them.  Some I'd never heard about and I enjoyed those too. 

 ★★★

GENRE: short stories
CHARACTERS: Little Mermaid, Emperor, Thumbelina
DATE READ: March 1 - March 19
NO. OF PAGES: 615
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Tik-Tok of Oz by L Frank Baum

Queen Ann Soforth of Oogaboo has decided that things are just a bit too boring at home so she drafts an army and heads out to conquer all of Oz.  She meets up wih Shaggy Man, makes friends with Betsy Bobbin from Oklahoma and Princess Ozga of the Rose people. Tiktok is solicited into Queen Ann's army.  They are all sent to the other side of the world by the Nome King,  but the rulers there send them back on the tail of Quox the dragon.   The ending brings all the characters home peacefully.

 ★★★

GENRE: Classics
CHARACTERS: Ann Soforth, Shaggy Man, Princess Ozga, Quox the Dragon, Nome King
Series/ Progress: Wizard of Oz/9
DATE READ: January 11 - January 13
NO. OF PAGES: 101
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

Arabian Nights

This book was a group read for the entire year.  I finished a few weeks early.

I can honestly say that I have read [The Arabian Nights].  I'm sure that at the time of publication the stories were fascinating, however, in this day and age when many of the individual tales have been adapted to the silver screen, the stories have lost their luster.  Some I had never heard before, others far too many times.

 ★★★

GENRE: Historical Fiction
SUBJECT: morality tales
Setting: Baghdad, Middle East
CHARACTERS: Scheherazade, Sinbad, Ali Baba
DATE READ: January 15 - November 13
NO. OF PAGES: 765
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

The story of a young woman who is filled with romantic dreams and discontent over the how her life has transpired.

I didn't care for the story or the characters.  It may have been about the period that it was written in.

★★½

GENRE: Classic
SUBJECT: romanticism, discontent
Setting: France
CHARACTERS: Emma Bovary, Charles Bovary
DATE READ: October 21 - October 29
NO. OF PAGES: 576
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI,
SOURCE: my shelves

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein is not the monster's name but it is what causes most people to picture the monster.  Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, who works at creating new life but when he is successful, he tries to abandon his creation.  The story tells of Victor's discomfort with the monster and the monster's anger at Victor.

It didn't really do it for me.

 ★★★

GENRE: Fiction
SUBJECT: creation of life
Setting: Europe
CHARACTERS: Victor Frankenstein, Monster, Robert Walton
DATE READ: October 19 - October 20
NO. OF PAGES: 319
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI, LILIES
SOURCE: Library

Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

 ★★½

GENRE: Classics
SUBJECT: traveling discussions, morality
Setting: Medieval England
CHARACTERS: Knight, Miller, Reeve, Cook, Friar, Nun's Priest
DATE READ: April 15 - June 8
NO. OF PAGES: 912
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , 
SOURCE: ebook stockpile

PLOT:....................................................................3.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.......................................2.50
TOPICS: ...............................................................2.00
STYLE:..................................................................2.50
ORIGINALITY:.......................................................2.50
ADDICTIVENESS:..............................................2.00
OWNERSHIP:......................................................2.00
Threshold Quality.................................................2.00
Average..............................................................................................2.31

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories told by pilgrims in Medieval England who are going to  pray at Canterbury Cathedral.  Chaucer uses characters from all aspects of the society - knights,  merchants, tradesmen, religious - allowing the human nature to be revealed where the 7 Deadly Sins (pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, lust) are counterbalanced by virtues (humility, contentment, patience, fortitude, mercy, moderation, chastity).

The tales at times were a bit boring while others were funny and a bit lewd.   There were love stories, morality tales, fables, and satires.  The characters each seem to have a quality that added something to their story.

Sometime I may try to find a translation in Modern English and see if I enjoy the stories more.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

 ★★★½

GENRE: Mystery
SUBJECT: second marriage, acceptance
Setting: Manderley, Monte Carlo
CHARACTERS: Mrs DeWINTER II, Maxim DeWinter, Rebecca DeWinter, Mrs Danvers, Jack Favell, Jasper the Dog
DATE READ: May 19 - May 28
NO. OF PAGES: 428
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:   Yes, Nook, Overdrive

PLOT:......................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:.........3.00
TOPICS:..................................4.00
STYLE:....................................4.00
ORIGINALITY:.........................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:................3.00
OWNERSHIP:........................3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:.......3.00
Average........................................................3.50

A young American woman serving as a companion to an elderly lady is in Monte Carlo when she meets Maxim DeWinter.  Sharing her off time with Mr. DeWinter, she develops feelings and when her employer decides to leave, our young lady goes to Max to say goodbye.  He proposes, she accepts and together they head to his home at Manderlay.  Here the young bride is confronted with all sorts of oddities related to the first Mrs. DeWinter.

The story that evolves is spellbinding.  A Classic I could truly embrace.

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

 ★★¼

GENRE: Fiction, CLASSIC
SUBJECT: individualism, architecture, competition
Setting: NY City, CT
CHARACTERS: Howard Roark, Peter Keating, Gail Wynand, Ellsworth Tooley, Dominique Francon
DATE READ: April 9 - April 20
NO. OF PAGES: 741
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?: Yes, my shelves

PLOT:...........................................2.50
CHARACTERIZATION:..............2.50
TOPICS:.......................................2.50
STYLE:.........................................2.00
ORIGINALITY:..............................2.50
ADDICTIVENESS:.....................2.00
OWNERSHIP:.............................2.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:............2.00
Average....................................................2.25

My book club chose this book because 4 of the 8 members thought it was the greatest book they had ever read. I had to use both the hardback, audio version, and cliff notes to get through it.  

The story was pretty standard - poor boy stands on his principles and watches others advance beyond him because they are willing to give in.  Pretty boring as far as I'm concerned.

The secondary story of the romances involved rivaled a current day soap opera.  Howard rapes Dominique who falls for him, but she marries Peter who divorces her because Gail (male) wants her and will give Peter a commission for Dominique who is still sleeping with Howard.

The characters were very 1 dimensional with each having a specific trait to their credit.

Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain

   
   
★★★

GENRE:    Classic
SUBJECT:    time travel
Setting:    England
CHARACTERS:    The Boss, Arthur, Lancelot, Clarence
DATE READ:    February 28 - March 12
NO. OF PAGES:    336, 12 hours
Off the Shelf (pre-2013)? Source?:      Yes, AUDIO STOCKPILE
   
PLOT:..............................................................4.00
CHARACTERIZATION:...................................2.00
TOPICS:..........................................................3.00
STYLE:............................................................3.00
ORIGINALITY:.................................................4.00
ADDICTIVENESS:...........................................2.50
OWNERSHIP:..................................................3.00
THRESHOLD QUALITY:..................................3.00
Average..................................................................................3.06
   
Mark Twain was  considered a humorist during his lifetime and this book definitely shows his talent in that area.  As the reader progresses through the adventure of Hank also known as "The Boss"  we see items from the "future" being incorporated into the 6th century environment - knight's armor used as advertising billboards, newspaper (when most residents couldn't read), schools and factories.
   
Slavery was a blatant issue throughout with both the Boss and Arthur ending the Slave market at one time.  But the amusing details that Twain adds - Child's Name being HelloCentral, cycling knights instead of riding horses, pipe smoking seeming to be a dragon, actions that are impossible to do in armor - all has the reader laughing and smiling throughout. 
   
I'm usually not a big fan of Classics, but this one was fun!

Dracula by Bram Stoker

  ★★★½

GENRE: Classic
SUBJECT: vampires
SETTING: Transylvania, Romania  London, England
CHARACTERS: Count Dracula, Jonathan Harker, Mina Harker, Van Helsing, John Seward, Quincey Morris, Arthur Holmwood
DATE READ: October 17 - October 25
NO. OF PAGES: 448
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?:   Yes, Nook stockpile
CATEGORY: Lunch

PLOT: 4
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 4
STYLE: 3
ORIGINALITY: 4
ADDICTIVENESS: 4
OWNERSHIP: 4
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 2
Average 3.5


I have a hard time with classics, I don't like books with vampires, so why then did I enjoy the 1897 classic novel about the vampire to top all vampires, Count Dracula? I won't go into the plot, I'm sure that there are many descriptions that are far better than I could write, but I will try to explain my feelings about this book.

First, I have to say that I've never watched the movie so I had no idea of the tale that would be related, so I was enveloped into the story at the very beginning, travelling through what is described as a beautiful land but with residents that are frightened of something, but no idea what.

The story was captivating, how this group came together to defeat this evil creature and save the lives of women and children that were threatened. However, the characters were, IMO, a little two dimensional and the style was a little difficult to follow in a few areas, but overall, I liked the story being told in their diaries and letters.  At the time of the original publication, I would imagine that Victorian England was scandalized by the behavior of Dracula and his victims, because even though there may have been discussions of folklore related to vampires, I doubt there were few books telling the tales.

So for me this classic was a winner. But don't think that I will be searching or reading more vampire literature, I think I've had my fill.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

★★½

Genre: Classic

Setting: England

Series: no

Dates Read: February 7 - February 13

Number of pages: 592

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, NOOK

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Foreign Languages, Extra Curricular Activities

There have been so many reviews I won't both with a recap of the plot and story but will just say that the story really seemed to drag for me. Maybe because at the time of the writing, Dickens was paid per page or word or chapter (can't remember) but more he wrote the more money he got. In today's world I'm sure that this book would have been edited down greatly. After loving Dumas' Count, I'm disappointed with Pip.