Emma by Jane Austen

I tried to read this book about 8 years ago, just as I was finishing up my last semester of college, and I couldn't get through it. I think my brain was fried and couldn't handle any kind of intellectual literature. Now that I've been a mom for almost 4 years, my brain is still fried, but in a different way. At this stage in my life, reading some Jane Austen was like drinking a cool glass of water on a dry, hot day. I reveled in the language and enjoyed immersing myself in the English gentry of the early 1800's.

Emma is a delightful story. I've always loved the movie and was delighted to find the the book very closely follows the 1996 Gwyneth Paltrow adaptation. It is a story of a young woman who successfully set up her governess with a man in town and becomes determined to play matchmaker for those around her, particularly her friend Harriet. Unfortunately, she's not very good at what she does and continually misreads the people and situations in which she finds herself, resulting in some comedic blunders.

If you enjoy Jane Austen and other similar authors and have not yet read Emma, do yourself a favor and read it! It is wonderful. It takes a little patience; I definitely had to skim some parts (aka, any time Miss Bates started talking), but I am so happy I finally read this one. It's been on my mental to-read list for years.

4.5 out of 5

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Let me start by saying how much I adore this movie!! I've made my husband watch it with me once or twice and it was fun to watch him squirm in the girly parts. I love it in all it's cheesy glory.

Now, moving on to the book, which is a completely different beast. Ella Enchanted in it's literary form is far more serious than it's movie counterpart. It still has lighthearted, silly moments, but Ella's struggles are more severe. She is under a fairy curse that makes her obedient to whatever anyone tells her to do. Her spiteful stepsister discovers this weakness and exploits it, making Ella do things like give up her deceased mother's necklace and end her relationship with her best friend. Ella eventually gets herself out of those situations by running away from the boarding school she attends with her stepsisters. She heads off in search of the fairy who gave her this "gift;" on her journey she gets captured by ogres, runs into long-time friend Prince Char, and with his help, manages to avoid becoming dinner. Ella in the book is far more empowered and strong than her movie self. She solves her own problems and makes hard choices. The final conflict in the movie where Ella is battling internally trying to defy an order to kill Char doesn't happen. Instead, a less dramatic scene occurs where Ella has the same internal struggle that leads to her breaking the curse, but it is over whether or not she will marry Prince Char. Not quite as exciting as how the movie does it, but the same ending is accomplished: Ella and the prince live happily ever after.

I very much enjoyed this book. More serious than the movie, but still a lot of fun. Though, I think I might like the movie better. You can't get better than cheesy, all-cast musical numbers. Dancing ogres? Yes, please!

4 out of 5 stars

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Another book chosen by my book club, Esperanza Rising is set in the 1920's and 30's, post-Revolutionary Mexico and the Great Depression in California. After 13-year-old Esperanza's wealthy father is killed and her home burns down in a mysterious fire, she and her mother must flee Mexico to escape a dangerous and powerful uncle. They go to California with a few friends and get jobs as farm workers. Many workers feel that their conditions are unlivable and strike for better wages. Esperanza and her family, and many others, are too frightened to strike because they don't want to lose their jobs to the people coming from Oklahoma who will work for less. During this period of many transitions, Esperanza must forget about the life of luxury she would have had before her father's death, and learn how to work hard and take care of her family.

This was an interesting story for me. I grew up in California and there is still today lots of bias and prejudice toward the Mexican community. I enjoyed reading about Esperanza's experience and really getting in to her side of the story. I also really liked how the chapters were all divided by the seasons and the produce they were harvesting at the time. It was fun to brush up on some Spanish words that I haven't heard since high school. Anyway, good read!

4 out of 5 stars

Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee

This was a beautiful story! Emily is a 33-year old editor for a New York book publishing company and is married to Sandy Portman, a rich and stubbornly proud business man. One snowy night, on his way to meet with and tell his wife he wants a divorce, Sandy is hit and killed by a car. An angel, whom he refers to as "Old Man" throughout the story, comes and gives him a second chance to make things right with his wife. Now living in the form of a scruffy little dog named Einstein, Sandy has to overcome his pride, admit his faults, and focus his energies on saving the most important person in his life: Emily.

Shortly after Sandy's death, Emily learns that she is soon to be evicted from her Manhattan apartment by Sandy's mother. She is losing focus at work and has generally gone to pieces in every aspect of her life. She finds comfort in her dog Einstein, who seems to know her on an uncanny level.

The story is told from both Sandy's and Emily's perspective. As we uncover secrets Sandy kept from his wife, he becomes a highly despicable character. I have no sympathy for his disdain of living as a dog because of how terribly he treated Emily, who is as admirable as Sandy is despicable. I loved learning about Emily's job in publishing. I have recently decided I might someday enjoy being a book editor and have been researching what steps I would need to take now to make this a reality in upcoming years, so it was fun to read about her experience. Overall it was just a beautiful story. Very well written with believable characters and struggles. I would definitely recommend this one! 

4.5 out of 5 stars

Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

I've started going to a book club. It's about time, considering my life-long love of good books. Talking to people about my favorite reads is always so satisfying. Last month we read this interesting book, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. It's about a techie guy who got laid off in Silicon Valley and gets a job in a dusty old bookstore with very few customers. He works the night shift and probably should have expected strange things to happen since what normal bookstore is open 24 hours? He puts his tech skills to use and documents his customers, who they are, what they are like, and most importantly, what they leave with, all using a fancy algorithm on his computer. He notices a pattern and begins to uncover hints of a secret society that seems to be full of eccentric bookworms seeking the secret to eternal life.

This was a cool story that explored the rift between new technology and digital books versus old print. I wasn't sure how to predict what was going to happen as I was reading because it was all a little strange, but in a good way. I've always thought it would be fun to work in a library or a used bookstore, just to be surrounded by books all the time. Books have magic and I can feel it more potently in the company of dusty volumes. This story definitely made me wish I had a part-time used bookstore gig.

Overall, fun story. Kinda different; a good mix of mystery, friendship, and commentary on technology. Also, the cover glows in the dark, which was somewhat alarming the first time I had it next to my bed at night, but also very cool. Definitely would recommend!

4 out of 5 stars

The Beyonders series by Brandon Mull

Jason and Rachel, middle-school-aged strangers from Washington and Colorado, find themselves in a mysterious new world, Lyrian. They learn that they have been summoned as heroes with the potential to save Lyrian, which has nearly been conquered by ruthless Emperor Maldor. Feeling under-qualified and far from anyone's hero, Jason and Rachel embark on a perilous quest that could either lead to their own destruction or save the world.

I very much enjoyed this adventure. I love Brandon Mull's Fablehaven books; Beyonders is similar in the fantasy and magic but written for a slightly more mature audience, which I liked. Throughout the series I was somewhat skeptical of how Jason, a completely average 13-year old kid, could save Lyrian; it seemed a little far-fetched. However, by the end, I was won over and actually inspired by how a normal, even unremarkable, person can effect change for the better. It doesn't take a powerful person to have a positive impact on the world around them. This should be a lesson for everyone to not sit idly through life; take a stand and change your world for the better! Anywho, I'll get off my soapbox, but I liked how Mull's characters were relatable, everyday people who have the courage to do what's right. Really the only negative I have with these books is about the pace of the story, which seemed to drag at times. Overall, fun, adventurous stories that both kids and adults will enjoy!

4 out of 5 stars

The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

If you've read the Percy Jackson series and enjoyed it, you'll definitely like The Heroes of Olympus. This series picks up not too far after the Percy Jackson series ends; the gods are at war with their two selves, their Greek against their Roman aspects. We are introduced to an entirely new Roman camp of demigods that has been kept secret from the Greek Camp Half-Blood, due to the Greeks' and Romans' inability to get along. The ancient Gaea, aka Mother Earth, is awakening and seeks to control the world. In order to heal the gods and thwart Gaea's rise to power, the Greek and Roman demigods must learn to work together.

Lots of action, humor, and fascinating mythology. I really enjoyed these books and loved the characters. I've always liked Greek mythology and I love how these books help teach old stories to a new generation of readers in such a fun way. I've seen that Rick Riordan has also written a series that goes into Egyptian mythology, which I know hardly anything about but think would be absolutely fascinating to read. They're called the Kane Chronicles, if anyone wants to go look them up. Overall I can definitely recommend this fun series!!

4.5 out of 5 stars