A Christmas Carol

By Solana Cortez

I know, I am late in getting this out.  I have been finishing up my Christmas gifts and getting them all wrapped.  I didn't have time to sit down and read, much less write a review.  Now, the gifts are all wrapped and under the tree, and the cards are sent.  All I have left is making a cheesecake for Christmas dessert.

I sincerely hope everyone has finished their shopping and are taking these last few days to relax and enjoy the remainder of this holiday season.

The book I have chosen for your reading pleasure is another classic.  One that we've all seen on TV in some form or another.  I feel this story embraces the holiday spirit in the way it is meant to be embraced.  The story I am talking about is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Since everyone has seen some form of this story on TV, or has seen the latest version in the theatre (I, myself, have not had the chance yet), the basic plot is very familiar.

Summary:

Ebenezer Scrooge is a wealthy old man.  He's stingy and a penny pincher.  He's cold hearted and harbours no compassion for others.  Scrooge employs a single clerk, Bob Cratchit, and pays him a meagerly wage.

On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by his dead partner, Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge of the condition of his soul.  Marley also warns Scrooge that he will be haunted by three spirits.  These spirits will take Scrooge on a journey through his past, present, and future.  This journey hopefully will end in Scrooge's redemption.

Highlights:

The Writing. 

The writing itself is amazing.  Charles Dickens weaves a wonderful tale.  He puts just enough detail to get the imagination running.

Fred Visits Scrooge.

Fred comes to call upon Scrooge at his office.  Fred is a kind, light hearted character.  He didn't inherit any of his uncle's miserlyness.  And Fred is the only person who does not cower before Scrooge, as is evident is this scene.  The reader can't help but smile at Fred's witty remarks.

Belle's Family.

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to see Belle.  Every movie has shown the breakup scene between Scrooge and Belle, but it's left at that.  Belle leaves the movie forever and isn't mentioned again.  Dickens does not do this however.  He shows the reader exactly what happens to Belle.  This is a powerful scene.  Scrooge see the life Belle has made for herself.  A life full of joy and contentment.  A life full of love, surrounded by children.  A life Scrooge could have shared with her.  This realization hits Scrooge so hard, he attacks the Ghost of Christmas Past.  And it's the glimpse into Belle's life that opens Scrooge up for a real transformation.

Ghost of Christmas Present.

This is my favorite spirit.  The Ghost of Christmas Present is so jovial.  It makes the reader want to spread a little Christmas Joy himself.

Bob Cratchit's Family.

The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to see how his clerk lives.  Scrooge sees Tiny Tim for the first time and feels genuine compassion for the child.

Tiny Tim's Death.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come takes Scrooge to see Tiny Tim's family mourning over the child's death.  This is a huge contrast to the unfeeling or happy way people are towards the unknown man's passing.

Recommendations:

This is a great story for anyone over the age of 10 years old to read on his own.  I wouldn't recommend this book for younger readers merely because the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a bit creepy.  It's a great book for the family to read together.  And the story itself is not very long (only 114 pages).

Rating:

This story is timeless.  The theme never gets old.  And in the rush of the Christmas season, A Christmas Carol
is a great reminder of what's truly important.

A Christmas Carol rates a MUST READ AGAIN.

Until next time, happy reading.

And a very Merry Christmas.

Or as Tiny Tim would say, "God Bless Us, Every One!"

Books Make Great Gifts

By Solana Cortez

Christmas is around the corner and people are out getting gifts for everyone on their lists. Children have written and rewritten their letters to Santa asking for the latest toys or coolest clothes. The ladies are hoping for that pretty necklace that they see in the jewelry store window or a ring from that special someone. And the guys are hoping for some power tools or that large screen T.V. Everywhere you go, the sound of Christmas music is permeating through the air.

If you are like me (which I suspect, since you are reading this blog), then reading is one of your passions and you want to be able to spread that passion around this Christmas. So I have sat down and compiled a list of books that would make great gifts this season.

1. Where The Wild Things Are.

I know this book has been made into a movie. Why not give your child (and some adults) the book. The reading is quite simple. Only one or two lines per page. And the illustrations are great. It's one of those books that is timeless. And no matter what your kids say, they will never truly outgrow it.

2. Cloudy With a Chance Of Meatballs.

Another book that has been made into a movie. I found it quite fun to read when I was growing up. I actually found myself wishing that meals would fall from the sky each day.

3. Anything Doctor Suess.

Youngsters never tire of the rhymes. The words are easy to follow for beginning readers. And they give the young at heart a smile. You can pair these books with a video and some popcorn for an extra treat.

4. Chronicles of Narnia.

This is a timeless series. Young and old alike will enjoy it.

5. Redwall Series.

What's more fun than reading about battles between animals. And the banquets. The detail is great. These books are great for children starting at age 10 to read on their own. Also great for parents to read to their younger childern. The books can be read in almost any order.  Just remember to include a snack since these books will make you hungry.

6. Little House In The Big Woods Series.

Another classic series. Great set of first novels for children. Easy to read, but doesn't skimp on detail. Not just a series for girls. Laura is pretty much a tomboy. And Farmer Boy is about her husband growing up on a farm.

7. City of The Beasts, Kingdom of The Golden Dragon, and Forest of The Pygmies.

 

 

This series of books are by Isabel Allende. Can usually be found in the junior section of the bookstore. Very hard to put down. They would be great for the Fantasy reader in your life. While they are considered young adult type of books, adults will more than enjoy them and they can be read to younger children (if their attention spans can handle it).

8. Ender's Game.

For the Science Fiction reader. It's a great read. Not too difficult, but is not a dumbed down book by any means.

9. Earth Sea Series.

For the Fantasy reader. Great detail. These books transports the reader to another world where magic exists and rules must be followed to keep it balanced.

10. Pride and Prejudice.

Great classic for females on your list. Even some guys I know have enjoyed it.

11. The Odyssey.

Another classic. Hard to put down. Angry gods, seductive gods, monsters, a man beating the odds to return to his family no matter the cost. A great story that's timeless for a reason.

12. Edgar Allan Poe Collection.

For the dark and deary reader on your list. This collection contains both his short stories and his poems. I believe every reader should have a dose of Poe within his lifetime.

Of course this is only a short list of the great books out there to give as gifts. I had to narrow things down just to these ten. If I had listed every book that would make a great gift, no one would one to read this post.

Hopefully this list inspires you to give the gift of reading this Christmas.

Until next time. Happy Reading.

The Lost World

 By Solana Cortez


Since I did a review on Jurassic Park, I thought it would only be fitting to do a review on The Lost World. Now I'm not talking about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Lost World, rather Michael Crichton's book of the same title. And if you have seen the movie then you really don't know what the book is about. The movie plot and the book plot deviate quite a bit to a point where the story lines can't be adequately compared.

Summary

Jurassic Park ends with the island being distroyed. What isn't known is that there is a second island where all the dinosaurs were born before being brought to the park island. And that is where the adventure is. Like the first book there are hungry dinosaurs running around. The story takes place six years after the Jurassic Park incident. INGEN no longer exists, and those involved with Jurassic Park have been well compensated to avoid any publicity on the event.

Ian Malcolm is back after spending a long time recooperating from the injury he incurred while on a trip to Costa Rica. He now works at the Santa Fe Institute giving seminars. It is there, Malcolm finds himself unwilling recruited for a trip back to Costa Rica to look for dinosaurs.

The story turns into a rescue mission when an over zealous scientist rushes off to the island (Site B) to get the proof he needs. Malcolm and a team (predetermined by the scientist) go off to find him. On the island they uncover more of INGEN's dirty secrets.

Highlights

There is less mathematics and science involved and more action for those who found the first book overwhelming.

Sarah Harding is a kick butt type of female. She's intelligent and definitely doesn't play the damsel in distress. In one scene Harding is hiding under a car with a guy who had tried to kill her. She gives the guy a good shove making him tyranosaur fodder.

If you are into philisophical or indepth thinking, there are good portions of it throughout the book.

Recommendations

I would recommend this book to people ages teen through adult. There is violence throughout (dinosaurs eating people can be considered violent), so keep that in mind. This is a good book for those who want something entertaining to read and for those who want something thought provoking. Some of the words and ideas presented are college level, but it does not hinder the experience. If anything it encourages more research into ideas.

While I personally prefer the first book, The Lost World ranks among my top books for pleasure.

Rating

The Lost World rates A MUST READ

Until next time.  Happy Reading.

The Pit and the Pendulum

 By Solana Cortez


 In honour of Halloween I was planning on treating you with a review of Frankenstein . Unfortunately, my copy has gone missing.

So instead I have decided to treat you with a little Edgar Allan Poe. Specifically, The Pit and the Pendulum. I know it's a short story, but short stories need love too. 

 

 

Summary:

The narrator has been convicted of a crime. What crime, the reader is never told. The story goes on to tell how the narrator manages to escape his punishment (shear luck, shear genius, and shear luck again). Each time he manages to avoid death, it comes at him again in a new form.

Highlights:

The detail is great. Poe engages all your senses. The reader can feel the slime on the prison walls, and smell the rotting fungus.

Recommendations:

Definitely mature junior high and beyond level. Not a story I'd read to a five year old unless I wanted to explain to his parents why he's having nightmares about demon eyes.

It's great for reading around a camp fire, or a Halloween read. I'm not telling you that these are the only times this sort of story is to be read. If you are in the mood for some dark reading that engages your senses then this is a good pick. I personally enjoy Edgar Allan Poe on a dreary day with some candle light to get into the mood.

Rating:

This is a classic, so you will probably be forced to read it for some class in your future. However, if you have managed to get through school without reading The Pit and the Pendulum you have been deprived of a very good read. If your children have not read this by the time they are through high school, you should question the quality of education they are receiving.

And to top it off, it is a few pages long. That means you can read it while in the doctor's waiting room, riding the bus, etc... So no excuses.

This story rates a MUST READ.

Until next time.  Happy Reading.  And Happy Halloween! 

Tattered Cover Bookstore, LoDo Denver CO

 By Solana Cortez

During a visit to Colorado, it was recommended that I visit the Tattered Cover Bookstore in the Lower Downtown area of Denver. Being a book lover, I just could not pass up an opportunity to check out a bookstore.

Entering this place took my breath away. It's perfect. The atmosphere is so inviting, you almost expect a grandmother to show up and offer you a plate of cookies with a glass of milk. The bookshelves are a dark stained wood, which reminds me of someone's private library than a bookstore. There are chairs placed throughout the store. They do not all match, they aren't even the same type, but they all offer the same thing. A comfortable place to sit down and peruse through a good book.

There's even a cafe like area where you can order coffee, tea, cocoa, and something to munch on. Great for someone who can spend an entire day in a place like this. And who wouldn't want to? The lighting is just enough to look at the books, but not so bright that you feel like you are in some large chain store.

That's just the first floor.

Towards the back is a staircase. Of course I had to go check out what treasures were available on the next floor, so up I went. I went up one flight of stairs which has this section of flooring that is about the size of my bedroom. There are shelves lining the walls with recommended reading material. I went through them just to see what genre was most popular for the area. They have a broad selection of recommendations. There's the classical writers and the newer ones. They got an A+ from me for that.

On the second floor, there are (you guessed it) more books. Same inviting atmosphere as downstairs, but a little more private. There are actual little offshoots into rooms that you can sit down in and read quietly.

This place is not without its humor. In the psychology section I found a couch like the ones seen on TV that the patient sits on while lamenting over how horrible his childhood was. I couldn't help but laugh.

The only thing lacking is a fireplace with a crackling fire to read by. That's probably to keep the clientele from taking up permanent residence there.

So if you happen to be in the LoDo area of Denver go check out the Tatter Cover Bookstore. It will definitely be worth your time.

Till next time. Happy Reading.

Jurassic Park

 By Solana Cortez

The first time I read this book, I was 12 years old. My first Michael Crichton novel and I've been hooked ever since. If you've seen the movie, you know the basic plot. Man clones dinos, dinos get loose, dinos try eating man, man escapes island. While the movie is great, the book is so much better.

Summary

Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler are sent to an island under the impression that they are consultants for a biological preserve. What they end up going to is an island full of living breathing dinosaurs. After the initial shock and excitement over seeing these giants up close, reality soon sets in. Besides the fact that some unknown lizards are appearing on the mainland, someone gets greedy and shuts off the power on the island. Unfortunately, he doesn't consider the fact that when power is shut off so are all the barriers that keep the dinos in check. So a seemingly quiet visit to a preserve turns into dino eating mayham. When power and order is seemingly restored the scientists have the added task of going and accounting for the "unauthorized" breeding that's going on in the island.

Highlights

The science and mathematics involved were simple enough to keep the reader entertained, and enough to spark the curiosity for the subjects for enthusiasts.  While it is the early 90s, so it can't be said that the science is sound, but Crichton's descriptions make the process seem so real.

The scene where Grant and the children are floating down the river on a raft. Grant is explaining to Tim about frog DNA. Basically it's a beautiful scene. They're floating through a preserve, with dinosaurs scattered about. And to top it off Tim is getting attention from one of his idols in a father like manner which he is unable to get from his own dad at home. It's almost a peaceful atomosphere.

Being in the Velocoraptor nest. The reader practically holds his breath during this scene. They are smack dab in the middle of the nest counting how many have hatched. And to top it off, the adults are there. The scene is amazing, being surrounded by all these dinosaur eggs, but then the added danger of the adults makes the reader cringe.

Hammond getting his just rewards. I can't say much more than that without giving away the end, but I found it quite ironic.

Recommendations

I would not recommend letting a 12 year read this book since it does contain some mature material. It did seal my fate of going into genetics. The novel is detailed when it comes to college level math and science. Also there's a lot of mention of "entrails" being pulled out.

I'd say this novel is great for age 15 and beyond. And if you're a dinosaur fan this book needs to be in your collection.

Rating

My first copy is so tattered and worn from reading that I actually had to invest in a hardcover copy. There are details that you miss the first time around, and the story line itself never gets old. I even used this novel to write an essay for my college English class (received an A). So this book, Jurassic Park
rates a MUST READ AGAIN.

Until next time.  Happy Reading.

Introduction

 By Solana Cortez

First, I thought I'd start with the basics.  This is a blog about books.  Basically it's a book review.  Not something that can be used to write a book report or an essay.  So if that's what you are looking for, you are at the wrong place.  I will give a brief summary of the books I read (and I will try not to put in any spoilers).  This summary will include my reaction to the book, whether or not I'd read it again, what age it would be appropriate for and why.

I will be including new releases, books that are popular thanks to the media, some not so well known books and of course the classics.  This is to 1) encourage discussion between readers 2) prevent buyers remorse (buying a book that you just could not get into) 3) encourage the use of your local library 4) let some of the lesser known but good books receive some love, and above all else 5) encourage a love for reading.

I do encourage requests for a review (within reason).  If I don't have a review up for a book that you would like to know about, please comment.  If it's something I have available, I will gladly write a review.

Posts will be titled by book.  This is too make searching for titles easier.  So instead of titling the post "The Greatest Book I Have Ever Read," I will title it "Jurassic Park."  Posts involving books in a series will have the series title.  I will post individuals reviews about each books in that single post.

Most books I review are for pleasure reading.  Every once in a while I might review a book outside that category (DIY, beginners books...), but those reviews will consist of how easy the instructions were to follow and if I actually accomplished "rewiring my house in one weekend".

These are my hopes for this blog.  I am open to suggestions to make it more user friendly, on book reviews, or just plain friendly discussion.

Till next time.  Happy Reading.