Book Review: Gone With the Wind by Maragret Mitchell

Gone with the Wind is a novel written by Margaret Mitchell, 1st published in 1936. The story is set in Atlanta Georgia during the American Civil War & Reconstruction era. It depicts the experiences of Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled daughter of a well-to-do plantation owner, who must use every means at her disposal to come out of the poverty she finds herself in after Sherman's March to the Sea. A historical novel, the story is a Bildungsroman or coming-of-age story, with the title taken from a poem written by Ernest Dowson. Gone with the Wind was popular with American readers from the onset & was the top American fiction bestseller in the year it was published & in 1937. As of 2014, a Harris poll found it to be the 2nd favorite book by American readers, just behind the Bible. More than 30 million copies have been printed worldwide. 

My Thoughts...

I hope this paragraph is not as long as the book itself! Many readers refuse to read this novel because of the length (yes, it is 960 pages) or reading about two careless characters who put on such an emotional show. But for the avid readers who push through the lengthy descriptions, the novel turns into a masterpiece and in the end, finishes the painting perfectly. The main character is not a likable person at all, which is hard for an author to do. Scarlett was quite the character, but a character that you will remember for years. Most people will say that the novel is just a soap opera and too feminine for the men. It is a story of not only two lovers, but a tale of war and the folks of Georgia and surrounding areas just trying to survive. It is a tale of so much more than this giant book seems.

Scarlett O'Hara was a character who had her own opinions and goals. Underneath her prissiness, Scarlett had stamina and unknown strength and persistence. She did the things that any reader would yell at her for. Yet, there is a love hate relationship that every reader has for this character. At times, one would sympathize with her or agree with her seldom positive choices. Readers grow attached to Scarlett unlike any other character. Vivien Leigh potrays Scarlett perfectly in the movie and portrays the personality flawlessly. Rhett Butler seems to go hand in hand with Clark Gable. Like Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable in the movie portrays Rhett, and is very much alike this fictional character. Every movie fan knows the most memorable movie line in cinema history that Clark Gable announces in the last scene, and the book is just as memorable. Rhett Butler was the perfect, adventurous, devil like charaacter who comes into Scarlett's life and is not afraid to break the laws. He was one of my favourite characters who had knowledge but mixed it with his opinions, which wer edge finally more risky than society's. Rhett's and Scarlett's relationship makes the reader wonder where it would go and why their relationship was not always stable. Their relationship is probably the most iconic love story next to Romeo and Juliet's. 

The movie adaptation closely resembles the book with a few exceptions and shows readers a deeper picture of some scenes with very memorable actors and actresses. One of the most read classics of all time, Gone With the Wind is definatly a book every reader needs to put on their list!

-ShewolfLia17

Book Review: Endless Night by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie's genius for detective fiction is unparalleled. Her worldwide popularity is phenomenal, her characters engaging, her plots spellbinding. No one knows the human heart or the dark passions that can stop it better than Agatha Christie. She is truly the one and only Queen of Crime.

Endless Night

Michael Rogers dreams of a rich, beautiful wife and a perfectly designed house. He finds the woman, and they build the house. Then sudden death strikes.

My Thoughts...

This is the first mystery novel that I have read and it is something that was quite different that what I normally read. Since I have never read any other Agatha Christie books before, I do not know if they are the same as this one. Endless Night was not really a mystery, and, rather, became a study on the thoughts of humans. Michael Rigers gave me a funny feeling throughout the book and acted very strangely in a subtle manner. But I always got an impression that this narrator was not reliable because of his options, especially at the end. The couple were realistic and had plenty of depth to them, but they could still gave a reader a queer feeling that you could not trust a single person in the story. Many times I would get a feeling that this might be all a dream or some trick of some sort that the narrator, Rogers, would plan. 

Overall, the story did not impress me in the end with a ending that you would feel tricked, although the clues added up with additional foreshadowings. Maybe this book is different than Agatha Christie's others such as Miss Marple, but this one seems more of an absurd plot.

-ShewolfLia17

Book Review: City of Fire by Tracy L. Higley

Pleasure-seeking Romans find the seaside town of Pompeii the perfect gateway. But when the rich patrician Cato escapes Rome, intent on a life of leisure, he is unprepared for the hostility he encounters. In the same place, but at the opposite end of society, Ariella has disguised herself as a young boy to be sold into a gladiator troupe. Survival is her only ambition.

But evil creeps through the streets of Pompeii, and neither Ariella's secret nor Cato's evasion is immune to it. Political corruption, religious persecution, and family peril threaten to destroy them, even before an ominous mountain in the distance spews its fire.

As Vesuvius churns with deadly intent, Cato and Ariella must bridge their differences to save the lives of those they love--before the fiery ash buries Pompeii, leaving the city lost to the world.

My Thoughts...

What a story about courage, faith, and of course, love! The plot starts right from the first page, describing the Israelites fleeing from the invading Romans, emotions seeping from the very pages. Loss, triumph, doubt, and terror are the strong emotions that the reader experiences in the first few chapters. Following a strong willed and likable character on her journey, readers get a sense of what it was like in Pompeii during that time of sin and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Even though the antagonist was clearly identified and was showed as a tyrant who believed in a polytheistic religion, it was still thrilling as the evil character revealed yet another level of his powers over the citizens and those whom he had targeted. 

At times, one would question if there would be any inappropriate scenes because of the vocabulary used. But if any true history fanatic knew anything about Pompeii, it would have been about the evil sins the citizens committed, careless people who did whatever they pleased. The main character, Ariella, was quite the gladiator. She had extreme levels of courage and both physical and mental stamina. She did not seem at all immature like many protagonists many readers encounter, but instead, is very mature for her age. I love how she has trouble trusting anyone, let alone a Roman politician because of the many problems plaguing the characters one after another. This book is not a light read with a spark of casual events but rather a dramatic take of learning to trust after negative experiences and leaning on God instead of holding your ground. The book was well written overall and the character development that takes place is phenomenal. Ariella goes through many good changes throughout the novel which is always fun to look at at the end. Overall, one of the best books I have recently read with a beautiful plot that takes each reader on a winding journey to read about faith and courage like they have never before.       

-ShewolfLia17  

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Winning will make you famous. 

Losing means certain death.

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature. 

My Thoughts...

There is a tv show called Hunger Games in Panem. There are twelve districts in Panem. There must be one male tribute and one female tribute from each district to join the Hunger Games. On,y one of them can be the victor which means only that person can be alive.

Katie's replaces her sister's place and join the Hunger Game as the female tribute from district twelve. Katniss is such a brave, smart and obstinate girl. She never gives in to her fate. She resists evil in Panem all the time.

So in the first book of the Hunger Games, we can see Katniss's change. We can see how she becomes stronger and stronger under the evil environment. 


-chocolate 

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