AuburnChick's Adventures

Oh, my love of reading has definitely kicked in this year, despite the enormous volumes of work that I wake up to each day.

Last week, I finished reading TWO books!

The first one I read was Don’t Blink by James Patterson…

A friend had loaned me several books, so when I saw this one on the pile, I quickly put down the one I was in the middle of reading and began this one instead.  I love anything written by him, but I’ve gotta admit that this one was not my favorite.  Though it moved quickly, and it didn’t take me long to finish it, I found the characters somewhat superficial.  It was as if Patterson didn’t want to allow his characters to delve too deeply into conversations (or rather to share those conversations with the reader).  He skimped on describing a lot of events, running rough-shod over scenes.

I’m used to the blood and gore of his vicious criminals.  I’m used to heroes (and heroines) who are deep in the throes of emotional turmoil.

Still, it made for somewhat light reading, if you like mobster kinds of books.

After finishing Don’t Blink, I picked up my other book…The Lady of the Rivers…by Phillipa Gregory.  It’s the third in her series The Cousins’ War, and it follows The White Queen and The Red Queen.

This book goes back in time and tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville’s (aka the “white” queen) mother.

If you like British/royal history, you’ll LOVE this series.  This book did not disappoint, although some of the political intrigue and backstabbing had me losing my way.  Hey, don’t fault me.  I loathed my English History class in college because I had a retarded professor (sorry, but he could have done better facilitating the class…just sayin’).

Anyhoo…I loved reading about Jacquetta’s devotion to her husband…how she left her lofty social position to marry the man the loved…even paying financially for this faux pas.  Her faithful service to her country and queen were admirable, as was her love and longing for her children while she was away at court.

I think what I enjoyed the most about this book was reading the notes that the author included at the end of the book.  She spoke of wanting to research women’s roles in British history…how historians have glossed over these particular women and the impact they had on history.

If you’re looking for a good read, I highly suggest this book, in particular, but the series as a whole.

Oh, and I have to share a funny.

I took all three books to school, along with the new book that I began reading (I read during my students’ silent, independent reading time).  One of my students said, “Mrs. AuburnChick, you finished ANOTHER book?  You read a book every weekend!!

That’s what I do, folks…model good reading habits to my students who struggle.

It’s a win-win for everyone!

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: books, Don't Blink, reading, The Cousin's War, The Lady of the Rivers |