Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


ARC Reading Challenge 2010

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on November 29, 2009
Posted in 2010 Challenges  | 45 Comments

January 2 – December 30, 2010
Last year we had a great turn out for this challenge and I have request to run it again for 2010.  Since so many challenges start on January 1st and end on December 31st, I decided to change the date a little bit this year.  However, if you post a review for January 1st, you are welcome to use it for this challenge. 

I use the term “ARC” loosely,any book a publisher or author gives you with the expectation that you review it, counts for this challenge.

Please note that there are some changes, so please read the rules! 
Here are the rules:
1. To sign up, leave a direct link to your blog post about this challenge that includes your list from rule #2, using Mr. Linky below.  Please leave a comment as well.
2. List all of the ARC’s that you have to read right now. Then throughout the year, you must continue updating that list as you receive more ARC’s. (This is important). You should also strike out the ones that you finish.
3. The Levels
Level Bronze: .a. All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARC’s must read all of the ARC’s we have. Note, that if you have 11 ARC’s and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to catagory a.

b. All of us who have or will have more than 12 ARC’s must read and review 12.

Level Silver: Read 24 ARC’s

Level Gold: Read 25 or more ARC’s

4. You don’t have to make a list of which ARC’s you plan to read, but you can if you want.

If you choose a lower level, you can always change it to a higher level if you like.  However, you cannot go from a higher level back down to a lower level.

5. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and Audio-books are allowed as long as they are ARC’s.
6. Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don’t have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
7. Please subscribe to my blog, as I will be doing a monthly post with MR LinkyPlease add your reviews for each month in MR Linky in the monthly post.  For your Name, please use this format Name: (Your Name, Book Title and Author’s Name) for example: (Teddy, Obsessive Reading by Helen Reader).  Please be sure to use the direct link to your review, not just to your blog.  Then please leave a comment.
8. Enjoy!

Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on November 26, 2009
Posted in ClassicsEdith WhartonHistorical Fiction  | 21 Comments

 

I scoured my already read list trying decide which book to choose for the letter “A” and it was tough going for awhile.  I thought of a couple a books and then thought, “darn, they are memoirs.  Historical, yes but not fiction.  Then I came up with two great contenders.  Then thought, I reviewed those just last year.  I know they would be acceptable but I was hoping to come up with something better and better, I did!
I read The Age of Innocence back in 2006, before I started my blog and before I started reviewing all the book I have read.  I did keep track of the books I read, with a spiral notebook and pen.  I included the Title, author, my rating, and a few scribbled thoughts.
I think The Age of Innocence deserves more from me.. so here it is.
I saw the movie when it first came out years ago.  I really loved it but didn’t think to read it.  Then a friend recommended the book to me.  She couldn’t believe I hadn’t read it.  She said, “you love the classics but you have never read The Age of Innocence?”  She was almost outraged.  LOL!  So I got a copy and read it.
Since it has been awhile since I read it, I am going to use the description on the back of the book for those of you who haven’t read it:

Into the narrow social world of New York in the 1870s comes Countess Ellen Olenska, surrounded by shocked whispers about her failed marriage to a rich Polish Count. A woman who leaves her husband can never be accepted in polite society. Newland Archer is engaged to young May Welland, but the beautiful and mysterious Countess needs his help. He becomes her friend and defender, but friendship with an unhappy, lonely woman is a dangerous path for a young man to follow – especially a young man who is soon to be married.

My thoughts:
I totally got lost in this sumptuous book.  I had no idea I was reading, as I became a character in the story.  It felt like I was witnessing first hand.  This book is a feast of words,  with biting humour and institutionalized hypocrisy of the upper-class late 19th century New York.  This is a must read for all historical fiction and classics lovers.

4.5/5


Also reviewed by:

Book-a-rama

Did I miss your review?  Please leave me your link in the comments. 


This post is also for Woman on Wednesdays (WOW).  Want to know about other excellent female authors or do you have any to share?  Go to West of Mars’ Rocks ‘n Reads every Wednesday and look for Susan’s WOW post.

Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Fox on the Ice by Tomson Highway

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on November 23, 2009
Posted in Children's BooksTomson Highway  | 4 Comments

 
In the last of the Caribous Song trilogy, we find Joe and Cody ice fishing with their mama and papa. They had a nice picnic with the fish that they caught earlier. After eat their fill and cleaning up, Joe and Mama get into the dog sled for a nap while Papa and Cody fish. Papa and Cody were setting up the fish net when all of a sudden the sled dogs woke up. They smelled a stranger, a fox. They barked and growled and took off with Mama and Joe still in the sled.
Mama dug is her heals into the snow to try to slow the sled down but Joe thought it was fun. Want to know the outcome? Read the book.
I really enjoyed the entire trilogy but especially the adventure in the Fox On the Ice. Tomson Highway really knows how to weave a great story that both kids and parents can enjoy together. Brian Deines was the illustrator for the series and made the characters come to life on the page. Highly recommended!
Also reviewed by:
Books and Quilts

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!

Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.