Larklight: A Book Review

Title: Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space AKA: The Revenge of the White Spiders! or To Saturn's Rings and Back!

Author: Philip Reeve

Genre: Steampunk :D

Reading Level: 9 and up

Summary: Arthur (Art) Mumby and his irritating sister Myrtle live with their father in a huge and rambling house called Larklight…that just happens to be traveling through outer space. When a visitor called Mr. Webster arrives for a visit, it is far from an innocent social call. Before long Art and Myrtle are off on an adventure to the furthest reaches of space, where they will do battle with evil forces in order to save each other—and the known universe.

My Review: This reminded me a bit of a light hearted episode of Doctor Who. Which coming from me is a huge compliment. Probably the reason it reminds me of Doctor Who is because they're both British...is that a legitimate reason? Do all British sci-fi books/movies/tv shows have a similar feel? I'm not sure. But I did enjoy this book. It was very zany, and very fun. I wouldn't actually say any of the characters we're memorable, because most of them I did not care for. I liked Art well enough and his narration throughout the story was very humorous. His sister Myrtle got on my nerves and I wouldn't have minded seeing her chucked out of an aether ship. But the real gem would have to be the story because I thought it was fantastic. I loved their travel's through space, and learning about all the different creatures, and how they worked their aether ships. Mr. Reeve's creates some really interesting alien life forms, one of my favorites being the changeling tree's.
Since this book is set in the mid 1800 it's very funny how Mr. Reeve's captures the thinking of that time period. There was an undertone of prejudice coming from some of the characters toward alien life forms and way of life, and British empires need to civilize the creatures they considered savage. Those part's struck a cord in my brain, I've noticed in a good majority of modern historical fiction I've read the main characters are always so forward thinking and without prejudice, and it always felt a bit false, even though I know not everyone was prejudice back then. Also, what's with spiders? Why must they always be evil?!! I personally love spiders. Anyway it was a fun ride, and I really think Hollywood should consider this in their future line up of books into movies.
Content: Bleeped out bad words. That was somewhat humorous.
Rating: 4 star's out of 5
Recommend: For young steampunk and sci-fi fans, and anyone who likes British humor.

WWW Wednesdays (June 9)

WWW Wednesdays are hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?


My answers:

What are you currently reading? I'm reading "Wives and Daughter" by Elizabeth Gaskell and for light reading "Larklight" by Philip Reeve.

What did you recently finish reading? "The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells.

What do you think you’ll read next? I would like to read "Daniel Deronda" by George Eliot and "Half Moon Investigations" by Eoin Colfer

1st in a Serie's Challenge

I have entered into a new challenge. This one just intrigued me so much plus I love the button for it!! It is hosted by Alaine over at Royal Reviews. If you are interested in joining click on the link, or the button which also has the link.

As so many of us love reading our series this one gives you the chance to include them in your challenges. As with all our other challenges there are various levels from the Curious to the Obsessed. If you start out at the Curious level and find yourself on the Addicted level then just change you post accordingly.

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious– Read 3 novels that are first in a series.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 novels that are first in a series. (I will start with this.)

-- Addicted – Read 12 novels that are first in a series.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 novels that are first in a series.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

" 'Mr. Gibson, I daresay you'll be surprised, I'm sure I am at-at what I want to say; but I think it's the part of an honorable man, as you said yourself, sir, a year or two ago, to-to speak to the father first, and as you, sir, stand in the place of a father to Miss Kirkpatrick, I should like to express my feelings, my hopes, or perhaps I should say wishes, in short-'
'Miss Kirkpatrick?' said Mr. Gibson, a good deal surprised."
--Wives and Daughter by Elizabeth Gaskell

The Time Machine: A Book Review

Title: The Time Machine

Author: H.G. Wells

Genre: Science Fiction

Reading Level: 12 and up

Summary: A man, referred to only as the Time Traveler, tell's the incredible story about his journey into the future to the year 802,701, where he meet's the childlike future human's Eloi and the fearsome Morlock's who steal his time machine trapping him in their strange world.

My Review: After all that's been going on in this present day world (oil spill's to name one)I'm not sure I picked such a great time to read this novel. It just left me feeling terribly depressed about the future. Not that it wasn't significant, it definitely was. H.G. Wells is a great writer and story teller. The dystopian world of the Eloi and Morlock's, is very chilling to read about. The outcome of humanity make's you think about where we're headed in life. It was good, but the tone of the novel was too dark for me to love it. Especially the end. I was also scared by the 1960 movie, and I've never seen the 2002 remake but I'm sure it would scare me too.
Content: disturbing subjects and violence
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Recommend: For dystopian and science fiction fans

Book Blogger Hop June 4-7, 2010

Yeah for the Book blogger hop!!!! I'm glad to be joining in it again after a two week hiatus, because it was my birthday and I was terribly busy and didn't have time to post. Anyway the book blogger hop is a great meme hosted by Crazy-For-Books where book bloggers can find other book bloggers and support them, and have a lot of fun finding new blog's about books. So join in on all the fun and put up your link at Crazy-For-Books.

TopTenPicks: Female Characters You Admire

Top Ten Picks is a meme hosted by Random Ramblings where she post's just about that -- her top 10 picks! Every week, there will be a different and specific topic given. You can then choose 10 of your picks from that given category, create the list, and post them up on your blog!
For this week, the topic is on: Female Characters You Admire. It can be for any reason at all.
I saw this meme over at her blog and really wanted to join in. I only got around to it today. >_<

1. Anne ShirleyLet me just put it this way: I don't think I'd like to live in a world where L.M. Montgomery never wrote about that ever dramatic but always lovable red-head. I think this is where I first got my obsession's with red hair from. I've loved this series ever since I was a little girl, because I could relate to Anne Shirley. My mom always said I was a lot like her. No book series can calm me and make me feel more at home then this one can, and it's all because I like so many girl's have found a kindred spirit in Anne.

2. Elizabeth Bennet
Again who doesn't admire Elizabeth Bennet. Elegent, charming, witty, strong willed, and one who can eventually be owned up to their mistakes. I've always admired Elizabeth Bennet, I've always wanted to be like her, but truthfully I think the only way I am like her is that I also can't embroider cushions, or play the pianoforte well. -_-;

3. Sophie Hatter

The reason I admire Sophie Hatter is because she is thrown into a lot of strange situation's against her will. But she never let's it get the better of her. She keep's moving forward even after being turned into a little old women and find's her inner strength along the way. Also she's the only one who can get the better of drama king Howl and that's pretty impressive in and of itself. I encourage anyone who has seen the movie and never read the book to read it, and vice-versa because I love them both.

4. Nancy Drew

Ah, Nancy Drew. Timeless, intrepid, Nancy Drew. I always wanted to be Nancy Drew. Running around, solving mysteries, having adventures, yes, that is the life I crave. Nancy is great because she is another strong female who never gives up. She uses her clever mind to outwit the bad guys, and learns new thing's along the way that will eventually help her solve a future mystery. Nancy Drew has changed a bit over the years (truthfully if you can believe it she was much more feistier in the original 1920 novels then she is today.) but she still appeals to girls with a sense of adventure.

5. Tabitha Ruth "Turtle" Wexler Okay so one of the main reason I like this character is because we share the 1st same name. Also because she kick's people who make her mad and I've sometimes felt like doing that to people who make me mad as well. I never have because well, I'm not sure I could live with the guilt afterward of hurting someone physically, and number two because I'd have gotten in trouble. -_-; Okay so maybe that isn't a terribly admirable quality. But actually the real reason I admire Turtle is because she always say's what's on her mind, she is not afraid of anyone or anything, she will stop at nothing to get what she want's and she's terribly clever. She understands the stock market and I think anyone who can do that is terribly clever.

6. Ananka Fishbein

This is another one of my ultimate favorite character's of all time. I really clicked with Ananka. She love's books, she is witty and adventurous, yet she had an underlying insecurity that she struggle's with. She meet's Kiki Strike, and Kiki help's her discover just what she is made out of. Ananka is also the child of two parents who believe a house should be covered from wall to wall with books. Kiki Strike is one of my favorite books and Ananka is one of the greatest narrators I have had the pleasure of reading.

7. Mary Lennox
Well, there are plenty of reason's to admire Mary Lennox. Here is a girl who was spoiled and unloved, who's parent's died, and who was then sent to live with an aloof uncle. Mary could have turned into quite a horrible person. But that's the wonderful thing about her. She didn't. She changed, she grew, from an unpleasant skinny child into a loving young lady who made a garden and the people around her grow in beauty and love. I didn't read this novel when I was young. But I loved it just the same. I feel anyone can learn from the amazing journey that is Mary Lennox's story.

8. Irene AdlerShe beat Sherlock Holme's at his own game. Need there be any other reason to admire her. ~_^ P.S. I haven't seen the movie version, I have only read the short story with her. But this was the only picture I could find.

9. Luna Lovegood
Luna is possibly one of the best characters to come out of Harry Potter, along with Neville but this is a girl questionnaire. I admire Luna because she is terribly true to herself. She does not try to impress people by being someone she's not. She has faced adversary and come out on top. She is an incurable optimist. She is trusting, and trustworthy. I have always liked Luna from the 1st moment she appeared in HP number 5. There's just something about her.

10. Jo March
Oh my gosh my last one. Well I wanted to make it a good one and I can't think of a better way than with Jo March. She is another female I'd like to be like. She is again strong willed, and loves her family most of all, and she want's to be a writer. She is definitely flawed, and doesn't like change, but learns a lot about herself and the people around her through it all. Haha when I started this meme I was afraid I couldn't finish it, but now I realize there were a lot of character's I admired and these 10 are definitely my favorite and have always been (for the most part) since I was little.

Again, if you would like to join in, all you have to do is:

1. Do a post, listing all your answers. You do not have to include pictures, descriptions, or explanations, but if you would like to do so, feel free! Then go over to Random Ramblings and post your post link in her Mr. Linky!!!