The Five Orange Pips - By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

 

Hello Bookworms!,

            As you know I am reading through the Sherlock Holmes stories. Since my last post, I have read several more stories and I am ready to continue reviewing starting with The Five Orange Pips from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Summary

            Two generations of men in John Openshaw’s family have been killed. Each time, the man of the house has received an envelope with five orange pips in them. Both men have died by “accidents” that they never saw coming Now John Openshaw received an envelope with five orange pips. There is one request the sender has, but John knows it cannot be fulfilled. Can Sherlock Holmes help Mr. Openshaw find a way to stop the murderers before Openshaw’s number is up?

Review

          Okay, I love it when a mystery story is so well written that it keeps me guessing without adding so many twists and turns that it’s too confusing for a trained spy to follow. I got that with The Five Orange Pips. From the first, I had no clue how this was going to be resolved. As the story went on, rather than having more ideas of how this could work out, every time I thought I had a handle on it, something changed and it kept me guessing! The end came as a total shock to me and I loved it because it was out of the ordinary (that is my favorite thing about the Sherlock Holmes stories, they’re so out of the ordinary!)!! I really recommend that you read this one!

 

These are the books I'm Using:

 

Buy a copy Here

 

Buy a Copy Here

 

Until Next Time,

                     Lizzie <3

 

 

Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare

Hello Bookworms,

          I know I'm a little late on this one, but last summer I decided to read one of Shakespeare’s plays. Rather than reading some of the more obvious choices, like Romeo and Juliet or Julius Ceaser, I chose Titus Andronicus.

 

Summary:

          Shortly after a war, Tamora, Queen of the Goths is subjected to heartache as her son is murdered despite her plea for mercy. The heartbroken Tamora is now on a revenge mission. Titus Andronicus’s daughter, Lavinia, was to be the new queen but another lover has carried her off leaving the position to Tamora and giving Tamora the perfect stage to exact her revenge against Titus Andronicus for the death of her son.

          Titus Andronicus is forced to suffer heartache after heartache as he loses sons, his son in law is murdered, and his daughter is attacked and mutilated at the hands of Tamora’s surviving sons.

          With all the bad blood between the members of this play, revenge is being plotted all around and people will get hurt.

 

Review:

          Okay, I chose this play for particular personal reasons, but in general, I would not recommend this play to anyone. The content of the play is so gruesome and depressing that I don’t think it is a good read for the general public and ESPECIALLY not for young people. In truth, the play’s namesake, Titus Andronicus, was one of the most annoying characters in the whole play refusing to be a good role model for his surviving family members. Instead he chooses to continue to spiral down deeper into his depression and to attempt to drag anyone he can down into depression with him. The best character to me was Titus’s brother, Marcus Andronicus, who seems to be a voice of reason throughout the play, and the only character who ends the play with a shred of the innocence he had at the beginning. Frankly, I don’t recommend Titus Andronicus to anyone. If you just want to be familiar with Shakespeare’s and some of his works, look to his other plays like Julius Ceaser, the Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest, or The Merchant of Venice (mostly for the Quality of Mercy Speech).

       However, I do still plan to read more of Shakespeare's works. There are some I've read in the past that I have enjoyed, so I'm not going to mark this one play against the famous playwright. Rarely does one like every book that a single author publishes. To continue my readings of Shakespeare, I was happy to add this lovely collection of all of Shakespeare's plays. (For those of you trying to save a little money, I managed to score this copy on sale for about $8)

 

 

 

 Buy William Shakespeare: Complete Plays HERE!

Until Next Time,

                 Lizzie <3

The Confident Woman Devotional by Joyce Meyer!

 

 

Hello bookworms!,

        I usually do this sooner in the year, around January. However, it is better late than never. If you are still looking for a devotional book to use for this year, or you're already thinking about what to use next year, why not consider The Confident Woman Devotional by Joyce Meyer! Here's Why:

 

Summary

        Are you struggling with confidence in any area of your life? Have you been searching for answers  or need a little pick-me-up to help you get through the day? Then the Confident Woman devotional is for you! If there is an area in your life that you struggle with having confidence take just five to ten minutes each morning to read the scripture, explanation, and prayer provided by renowned evangelist Joyce Meyer. Apply the principles and lessons to your life and watch your fears, guilt, and low-self esteem melt away and be replaced with a confidence that will bring more peace  and joy to every area of your life!

Review

        This is the second devotional that I have read by Joyce Meyer and they have both enriched my daily life and relationship with God. It helps my day to go better when I focus on the word first thing in the morning, and this devotional provided me a wonderful, easy way to do it. Not to mention that it helped me change my negative thought patterns to develop more confidence in my life that allowed my anxiety level to drop. The scripture and study each day helped me understand the Word of God and how it applies to my life and my confidence issues. The prayers with each one provided examples about how to pray over my issues. I hope that if you are struggling with your confidence that you will give this devotional a try. I think it will really be a help to you.

 

 

Buy The Confident Woman Devotional Here!

 

Until next time,

        Lizzie <3

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

Hello Bookworms,

            I cannot what to tell you about today’s book! I loved it for so many reasons and I can definitely understand why it became a New York Times Bestseller and has gotten rave reviews from everywhere including the New York Times Book Review, the New York Post, Los Angeles Times, the Dallas Morning News, even Edward award-winning creator of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Rupert Holmes, just to name a few. It’s The Sherlockian by Graham Moore!!

Summary

January 2010

            Harold isn’t what you’d call an adventurer. He has a normal job, an apartment in California, four friends that he has lunch with once a month, and the one event he looks forward to every year. The big Sherlockian convention in New York! But this year the convention is even more special: Harold, at 29 years of age, is to be the youngest member inducted in to the Baker Street Irregulars since Alex Cale (the greatest Sherlockian alive). A great honor indeed. Soon, something is going to happen that will shatter the monotony of Harold’s life.

October 1900

            Arthur Conan Doyle is doing his best to put “The Great Detective” behind him. “If I had not killed him, he certainly would have killed me” Arthur complains to his friends. Seven years since he threw Holmes off the Reichenbach Falls, people are still mentioning him. But at least at Arthur’s new home in Hindhead, it’s starting to slow down…that is, until now…until this visit to his mailbox to look at the day’s post…what happens next will change Arthur Conan Doyle in ways he never expected.

What do these two events have to do with one another? Find out in The Sherlockian by Graham Moore!

Review

            I’ve been really excited to read The Sherlockian since I read a description of it in Daedelus. Now that I’ve read it: I’m so glad that I did! Here’s why:

            First, there is Harold. Harold is the kind of character with whom we all identify. The person who does enjoy their life, is proud of their accomplishments, and definitely would not mind a break  from the “same old, same old”. Then, he gets the opportunity that all true Sherlockians have dreamed of: a chance to use Holmes’s methods in real life. Following his story from zero to unlikely hero is really a joy.

            Second, the way that Graham Moore writes Arthur Conan Doyle and his friends as a character in his book is truly brilliant. You can really tell that Moore did his research when developing Arthur’s personality for the purposes of The Sherlockian. The writing made me feel like if I had known Arthur Conan Doyle in life that might have been his real personality. That was fun to think about as I read the book.

            Third, the Sherlockian details. Oh my goodness! All the real elements from the Sherlockian world that Graham Moore included were amazing! The Baker Street Journal, the conventions, the societies, London, the museums, The Reichenbach falls, Undershaw as it was in the past and the present, and so much more! Even Jeremy Brett gets a proper mention! I couldn’t help grinning from ear to ear like a complete dork while reading!

            Fourth, the plot twists! Holy cow! While some twists I may have seen coming, others took me completely by surprise! But I love that! I enjoy not being able to predict the entire course of the book even when I’m more than halfway through.

            Fifth, were the beginnings of each chapter. Graham Moore uses quotes from the original Sherlock Holmes canon, Arthur Conan Doyle’s other writings and speeches, friends like Bram Stoker (author of Dracula) etc. to foreshadow at the beginning of each chapter. That was a really fun detail.

There are only a couple of drawbacks with The Sherlockian. First, there is the issue of spoilers. If you are reading through the Sherlock Holmes Canon or some of Agatha Christie’s work (particularly The Murder of Roger Ackroyd) be warned that certain stories will have major details or endings ruined. However, I can’t blame the author because it is necessary to the story and many people that will read this book will have already read most of those mysteries. Second, this book has some very strong language as well as some brutality (only seen after the fact not during). Also, there was a lot that revolved around prostitutes (no sex scenes just their trade and people’s attitude about them) and their side of town, so while this is a great book, it’s definitely not for the children.

            The Sherlockian was a pleasure to read! I definitely recommend this book to adults. If you’re a fan on murder mysteries, history, Arthur Conan Doyle, and especially Sherlock Holmes, you really want to read this book! You’re going to love it!

 

Buy The Sherlockian Here

Until Next Time,

          Lizzie <3

The Book of Epoch by Michael Reiss, Walter Timoshenko, & Darryl Kravitz

Hello Bookworms,

            Today I have a new book review for you. This book is from the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre. Let’s take a look at The Book of Epoch.

Summary

            For Mac, life has been pretty difficult. His father died when he was young and his mother is in a coma. Fortunately, he has his Grandma Jen to live with and his friends Benny and Chip. Then there’s Ally. The gorgeous girl he gets to admire at school every day. Unfortunately, every night, Mac has horrible nightmares about a creature called the Morphanon. What Mac is about to realize is that his dreams are much more than dreams, and Mac is chosen to do something about them.

Review

            This book started off great. It was a sweet story about a boy whose life hasn’t been what he hoped who soon starts an adventure that is more amazing than anything he has ever played in the video games that he and his friend Benny enjoy.  But soon, I found that the enjoyment I had for the story was replaced by confusion and frustration. The confusion was brought on by the fact that the longer you read, the more twisted the story becomes. If you aren’t paying close attention, sometimes you’ll get lost. It wasn’t helped by the fact that while some stories start you off with a sort of introduction into what kind of world you’re dealing with, this one sort of drops you in the middle of the futuristic storyline to fend for yourself.

            Another source of confusion was the disclaimer vs. the story. At the beginning of the book, you’ll find a disclaimer saying (in essence) that anything bearing resemblance to people, places, or other stories is purely coincidental. However, as you read, you will find that much of the story’s places, people, and even parts of the plot are taken from literally everywhere. While the parodies of McDonald’s, Stephen Hawking, etc. were cute, the sections of the story taken from (as best as I can tell) the Bible, Mythology, the Harry Potter Series (including the presence of a large chamber and a giant serpent, an invisibility cloak, a boy dealing with the absence of his parents and becoming “the chosen one” etc.) and other famous books and literature greatly distracted from the overall story and lowered the quality of the story for me.

            A huge source of frustration for me was the sections taken from the Bible and twisted. I’m never a fan of taking the Bible and pretending it’s all a myth. That, again, lowered the quality of the story for me.

            Finally, there is the issue of a couple of the illustrations in the book. There was a mythical female character that had her own illustrations in the book. Since the book is aimed at young people, the illustration was way too mature (i.e. she was in a dress that was much closer to lingerie than clothing. Not a drawing I’d be thrilled to catch an elementary or middle school boy staring at in his book).

            I have no doubt that the authors know great work when they see it. They also know how to tell a story. I also see a lot of evidence of creativity. I would like to see an entirely original story to see what the authors can do. However, I do not recommend The Book of Epoch.

 

The Red-Headed League by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Hello Bookworms!,

            During the semesters at college it is hard to be able to read a book on top of all the work, studying, interning, and textbook reading, so to keep me reading during the semester, I have been taking time every so often to read one of short stories from the Sherlock Holmes canon. A few weeks ago, I posted my thoughts on A Scandal in Bohemia. This time I will be examining The Red-Headed League.

Summary:

            A new organization is brewing in London. The red-headed league. The league has a job opening. Only red-heads need apply and only a red-head with the right shade of red hair will be selected. Miraculously, Mr. Jabez Wilson, was perfect for the job. Then, just as soon as it started, the job and the league are dissolved. Something is amiss. Can Sherlock Holmes figure it out and find the culprit? Find out in The Red-Headed League by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

original illustration by Sidney Paget

 

Review:

            The Red-Headed league was an interesting tale. In typical Sherlock Holmes style, it seems that it will be impossible to solve the mystery and then suddenly Sherlock has it and will weave an intricate trap to catch the culprit red-handed! One of my favorite parts of the story though is the intimate look we get into Sherlock Holmes and his love for music. Holmes takes a little time during the story to listen to the music being played at St. James Hall. I find Dr. Watson’s description of watching his friend “wrapped in the most perfect happiness, gently waving his long thin fingers in time to the music, while his gentle smiling face and his languid dreamy eyes were as unlike those of Sherlock Holmes the sleuth hound” is a beautiful and rare glimpse into Sherlock Holmes the man and is likely my favorite part in the whole story. I do recommend this story though for anyone interested in the original Sherlock Holmes works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

 

**This is the book I am using to read the Sherlock Holmes stories. I like the layout of the book, the only drawback is that it is not a complete version of the original Sherlock Holmes works some of the short stories were not included. However, it does include the whole novel “The Hounds of Baskervilles” and the short stories are published in the same fashion as they originally were in The Strand with all the illustrations by Sidney Paget. At just $10 I recommend it to anyone who wants to become acquainted with the original Sherlock Holmes works for the first time like myself.

You can buy the book here

Until next time,
               Lizzie <3

International Book Giving Day!!

 

Hello Bookworms!!!

        As we all know, February the 14^th is Valentine’s Day and its coming up fast. People are out buying flowers, candies, cards, jewelry, etc. for their loved ones to commemorate the day. But there is another holiday that deserves some attention on February 14^th.

        It is not Valentine’s Day all over the world, however, it is INTERNATIONAL BOOK GIVING DAY!!!!

What is International Book Giving Day?

        International Book Giving Day is a day dedicated to putting books in the hands of children all over the world. We know that reading improves a child’s vocabulary, imagination, reading/writing/and speaking skills, as well as improving their memory allowing them to retain more information and helping them do better in school. The aim of IBGD is to get people to help children by giving them books to read. The best part is it’s super simple to do!! You don’t have to take a lot of time or even a lot of money!

How do I participate?

        All you have to do is find a way to put a book in the hands of a child. There are infinite ways that you can do that but here are a few examples that might help get your creative juices flowing:

Give a book to your children or grandchildren

Give a book to the neighbor-kids (with their parents permission of course)

Buy some books for the local school/daycare/after-school program

Leave a book in the children’s area of the doctor’s office (may need to ask the office staff for permission first but I don’t think they’ll mind as long as you’ve asked.)

Donate your child’s old books that they don’t like anymore (that are in good condition) to any charity that sends books to children whose families/communities cannot afford them.

        *Usually the charities can be found by looking online or asking your local community offices like the school social worker or office staff (usually the lower grades like primary and elementary will be more aware because more charities target young children), city hall, etc.

Want more information?

There are several ways to get information and updates in regards to International Book Giving Day.

First, I recommend their website for all you need to know about this movement and to sign your name to the list of people from all over the world who are going to give books (signing the list does not obligate you to do anything, or sign you up for any fees, you may choose to be shown as anonymous. The organizers would just like to know how many people and from what countries will books be given.)

Second, I recommend following the organizers on Twitter @bookgivingday. You will see all sorts of stories, facts, print outs and more from the book giving day organizers. You can find them by searching their name or find their tweets by searching the hashtag #giveabook.

I personally am planning to participate by giving books to the children in my class as a part of their take home gift bags during their Valentine’s Day party. I hope you will participate too. Books can bring joy and so many mental benefits to our kids. If kids can learn to enjoy reading they have a resource that they can use for life as well as a form of entertainment that will never run out. But all of the benefits start with the child having a book in their hands. You can help start the whole process, give a book on the 14^th. J

Until Next Time,

        Lizzie <3