Pillars of the Earth and World Without an End by Ken Follett

Very interesting book. Well researched Medieval history is intwined within the story line of four young children who grow and travel from Kingsbridge, England. Caris and Methin, two of the central characters are inspirational and change the lives of everyone in Kingsbridge, despite the challenges they face from Ralph, Philemon, Godwyn and the onset of the black plague. (Caris helps to abate the effects of the plague in Kingsbridge.) Well worth reading.

My rating: 4.2 out of 5

The prequel to World Without End is the Pillars of the Earth. I enjoyed this book, and the characters Tom, Alina, and Jack really stood out to me. While the violence and licentiousness of the feudal lifestyle was less than appealing, overall this book and its historical setting in the middle ages is inquisitively extraordinary.

My rating: 4.3 out of 5

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

One of the best books I have ever read. Tolstoy explains and retells an envisioned life of the Russian nobility that stood in the post-Napoleon War era in Russia. The character of Anna Karenina is a compelling account of feminism that is still trying to gain independence in the current society of Russia today. Although, Tolstoy may seem to drag out and beat a few of his philosophies to death in a few of his other books; Anna Karenina is very well written, poignant, and one of the best books I have ever read. Maybe this is because the author Tolstoy was such an inspiring and compelling person. I would love to write a third person narrative, but historically founded book that includes Tolstoy.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

Brilliant book. I really enjoyed reading this book. Well researched, and very interesting. I particularly like the way Ackerman intertwines the Nazi's obsession with genetically "pure" animals, botany and "recreating" extinct species and how this affected Poland during Holocaustic times. This is the first book I read, being part of a formal book club, and loved it. I love history, and when I found this book in the European History section at Barnes and Noble, I knew I had got off to a good start before reading this book. The only critique I am adding is that I would have liked to have learned a deeper amount of information about Antonina Zabinski and her family. I look forward to reading more books by Diana Ackerman in the future.

My Rating 4.2 or 4.3 out of 5.

Love in the Time of Cholera

This book was mediocre! The main protagonist, Florintino Ariza's "love", is not love, but rather obsession with the character Fermina Daza. I finished this book to simply complete it. I like history, and it was interesting to learn more about Latin American political history. I read a book critique's review that stated, if Wordsworth tried to publish his works during the present time, without a doubt it would be turned down. Similarly, if Garcia Marquez tried to publish this book now, it would not be so well received! I read One Hundred Years of Solitude earlier this year and am rating it on an alike level.

With this less than positive review, I admit that I do owe some appreciate towards Gabriel Garcia Marquez because this book is one of the reasons why I am starting this blog. I recommended this book when I was only a 1/4 of the way into it and still optimistic that it would improve. Thank you Garcia Marquez, for helping me be more well-read and learning to carefully read a book in its entirety before recommending it.

My rating: 2.8 out of 5.

Starting This Book Blog

The thought of starting a book blog has been marinating in my mind for weeks, actually months. There are so many books that I have read and want to read. There are also subpar books that I have recommended. In attempt to better analyze, recommend and keep track of what I observe and how I interpret different themes, characters, and ideas in the books I encounter, I am starting this book blog. First, I plan on quickly reviewing and listing some of my favorite books that I have read lately. Then, I plan on making a book list of the multitude of books I am interested in reading in the future. Finally, I plan on starting to review the books I am currently reading. Here is to the start of a my book blog. Hopefully it is helpful to all of you readers, and quite possibly I may be brave enough as I get farther along in progress to send an e-mail of to one of"those people" whom review blogs and work with publishers.