Books, books

I've been reading a bit over the last few months. These are the books I've finished. Now I'm reading the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Have y'all read it yet?

This book was recommended to me and, all-in-all, I liked it. Nothing too earth shattering, but it was an interesting take on the "grass is greener" concept. Tessa King, an attorney in London, starts the book by returning from a five week vacation in India. Due to a mental breakdown of her boss, being stalked and harassed, she needed to get away. She's back and ready to be a part of her rather large group of friends and godchildren.

Tessa's godchildren -- Caspar, Cora and twins, Bobby and Tommy -- are different ages of different parents (all of whom are her friends). Each set of friends is married; Tessa is the only single person. She's not sure what she wants to do or how to live but she wants to have children and a life. There is a LOT of angst, self-doubt, anger, bad feelings and drama in this book -- some self-generated, some thrust upon Tessa.

One would think that once you get to a certain age, you would stop behaving badly. Not so in real life, not so in this book. At times I think Tessa is a good person who means well and tries very hard to be a good friend and godmother, but there are times when she is so self-consumed that she cannot see past what she wants.

It's chick lit, if you are wanting to read chick lit book. The big bow at the end kind of bugged me, as it does with most chick lit, but that's the genre. (3 stars)


This book is an invented journal written by Marie Antoinette, the queen of France who was sent to the guillotine during the French Revolution in 1793. The book starts out with her childhood as Austrian Archduchess Maria Antonia -- her royal family, the death of her sister and her ultimate betrothal to Louis XVI. Once Marie Antoinette arrives in France and is crowned queen, you see through her eyes the daily bombardment of rules, luxury and excess. Louis is simple, unwilling to make decisions, and weak. She becomes fond of Louis, becoming his friend and confidant throughout their marriage. Marie Antoinette also an affair and falls in love with Swedish nobleman Axel Fersen.

Various events and happenings, fictional and real, are woven together to give a glimpse at what Marie Antoinette's life could have been like. She had four children, only two survived. She was unilaterally hated by the French people for her excess and lavish lifestyle. She was made a scapegoat for a way of life, and was ultimately executed for being who she was.

The book was interesting, well paced and generally on track. Too many outlandish tales could have lead this book astray, but Carolly Erickson managed to keep the tall tales to a minimum. The book is definitely sympathetic to Marie Antoinette. She was not the villain she was made out to be by the peasantry of France. She was a victim of circumstance – she was condemned because she was born to royalty. She was neither a saint nor evil.

I enjoyed this book. It made me want to learn more about her as a person, though the fictionalized areas of the book were frustrating at times. (3 stars)


Katniss Everdeen is a citizen of District 12 in the land of Panem. Panem is what is left of the US after the multiple revolutions. The Capitol runs the country with 12 districts to control and supply it. In order to keep the districts in line, they have an annual event called the Hunger Games.

Each district must choose a 2 children, ages 12-18 -- one boy, one girl -- to participate in this battle to the death. Normally the children are selected at random but Katniss volunteers when her 12 year old sister is chosen. This story is about Katniss and what she endures to try and survive the Games.

This books if fascinating. Suzanne Collins can write characters and plot extremely well. The story is fast paced, well coordinated and quite engrossing. It's hard to put down. (4 stars)


Jane Green needs to find a new genre. While I enjoy a good chick lit book every now and then, this one is just like all her other books. I know they sell well but it is getting old. Green is a good writer with great character development but when she writes the same vapid, perfectionist character each time...done.

I've read three of her other books. Jemima J was the first -- I read it at least ten years ago when I less cynical. It was good, I'd give it 3.5 stars. Then I read Mr. Maybe and Babyville. Same books, different names. Bleh. 2 stars each.

This book is about cancer and families and figuring it all out. Sorry but I wasn't impressed. (2 stars)