Book Review: Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare

The action is set in Sicily, where Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, has recently defeated his half-brother, the bastard Don John, in a military engagement. Apparently reconciled, they return to the capital, Messina, as guests of the Governor, Leonato. There Count Claudio, a young nobleman serving in Don Pedro's army, falls in love with Hero, Leonato's daughter, whom Don Pedro woos on his behalf. The play's central plot shows how Don John maliciously deceives Claudio into believing that Hero has taken a lover on the eve of her marriage, causing Claudio to repudiate her publicly, at the altar.

My Thoughts...

This book is about two pairs of lovers.

One is the handsome soldier Claudio a beautiful girl Hero's love story. They fall in love with eachother so quickly and decided to marry eachother immediately. Everyone in the town was very happy that they will wed except one person. Don John, he'd plan to make some trouble with them...

The pair of lovers used to argue and didn't like eachother. But one day, heir friends had a secret plan with them...

The book is very interesting because of the funny dialogues. But I have my own opinions about this book. I think the characters are not serious enough about love and marriage. For example, Claudio fell in love with Hero and just met her once and they decided to marry! I can't imagine! They hadn't known eachother yet! I don't agree about this way to marry. But my small doubts can't hide Shakespeare's big success in this book. It's still a really good comedy to read!  

-Corrine

Book Review: the Shunning by Beverly Lewis

The best-selling story of Katie Lapp, who longs for things forbidden to a young Amish woman. But an unexpected discovery reveals her true past. Heritage of Lancaster County book 1.

My Thoughts...

This was my first Amish book, starting off with the popular author, Beverly Lewis. Although this starter in a trilogy was enjoyable and at times, beautiful, the text felt fake at times. It was just too predictable for me, I knew almost all of the things by the middle of the book by simply guessing...and I was right! After correctly guessing, the text was long and included many unnecessary details with very plain writing. Now, there are probably many avid readers who like simpler writing but I was wanting more descriptions and longer sentences! Some of the action so the Amish actually surprised me though. I did not know that they were that hard and they enforced many strict rules that I would have never thought would be a part of their living. The plot just did not have any huge twists and was too predictable the whole way through. The main character was simply too rebellious when she was curious, and she kept bothering her mother to the point where I wanted to slam the book down and say to her "just leave the problem alone!" She was clearly not suppose to inquire, it was for her own good. This book was okay, not good or great...I might be reading some of her books in the future If they are different plot wise but for now I might move on and come back. This book is the first one in a trilogy series with two movies released.

-ShewolfLia17

Book Review: Brian's Winter by Gary Polsen

He would have to find some way to protect himself, some weapon. The fire worked well when it was burning, but it had burned down. His hatchet and knife would have done nothing more than make the bear really angry -- something he did not like to think about -- and his bow was good only for smaller game. He had nver tried to shoot anything bigger than a foolbird or rabbit with it and doubted that the bow wouuld push the arrow deep enough to do anything but -- again -- make the bear really made. 
He bundled in his bag that night, the end of the two weeks of warm weather. He kept putting wood on the fire, half afraid the bear would come back. All the while he tried to think of a solution.
But in reality, the bear was not his primary adversary. Nor was the wolf, nor any animal. Brian had become his own worst enemy because in all the business of hunting, fishing and surviving he had forgotten the primary rule: Always, "always" pay attention to what was happening. Everything in nature means something and he had missed the warnings that summer was ending, had in many ways already ended, and what was coming would be the most dangerous thing he had faced since the plane crashed.

My Thoughts...

It's about a boy who survived himself in the wild after an experience with an airplane. In this situation, he must face the dangerous nature and winter himself. It's a big challenge for him! In this time he grows up and gets more mature. Finally, he gets rescued. 

The boring is a little boring because the whole book just describes the boy's daily life. But it still has a very meaningful message; the relationship between human and Mother Nature. After reading it, you have a new attitude about how to treat nature. It's worth a read! 

-Corrine