Describe your new book: This book is the story of my life — the ups, the downs, and the music. If someone were to write your biography, what...
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Financially-strapped novelist Georgina Jackson reluctantly signs a contract to complete recently discovered manuscript Love and Friendship, penned by none other than Jane Austen. Unfortunately, this manuscript consists of a paltry single chapter. Even more unfortunately, Gina specializes in writing heavily researched, "dark" historical novels-- for example novels about women who live in poverty and are forced into lives of prostitution. Not "light" works. Decidedly NOT Austen. Elizabeth Aston deftly (and humorously) portrays Gina in the throes of a major and potentially catastrophic case of writers' block. I haven't read Aston's Darcy series (yet), but found Aston's Writing Jane Austen to be a fun, humorous, light read, and actually rate this 4 1/2. :-)
I found I couldn't put the book down once I started... 11-year old Kimberley Chang immigrates with her mother to the United States from Hong Kong in hope of a better life. They find themselves working in an illegal sweatshop to pay back the debts for bringing them to the U.S. Kim is determined to earn a better life for both herself and her mother despite the debts... Apparently the novel is drawn, in part, from the author's childhood-- Kwok immigrated from Hong Kong to Brooklyn as a child, and her family worked in a sweatshop. There is some drug use and sex in the novel, but it is dealt with in a mature, unsensationalized manner. Recommended reading for high school and up.
Despite her upbringing-- a disapproving, distant mother who admitted Jane "had been a mistake," a loving though ineffective father, an abusive brother, and a self-absorbed, spoiled sister, Jane Moore is strong, practical and independent. Or perhaps it is because of her upbringing. After Jane's parents die in an accident, she is no longer able to afford college and drops out to earn a living. She accepts a position as nanny to the daughter of rock legend Nico Rathburn, and against her better judgement, soon finds herself attracted to her magnetic, brooding, and significantly older employer. This updated version of Jane Eyre makes for an enjoyable read and will make many readers eager to read (or re-read) Bronte's original. Recommended for Young Adults as well as adults. *FYI-- not a totally "innocent" read-- there is some sex in the book.
I enjoy a wide variety of books, but must admit a weakness for humorous, "light" mysteries. Bo Tully, sheriff of Blight County, Idaho, comes from a long line of sheriffs, and is an avid practitioner of "The Blight Way" of sheriffing-- morally and legally suspect investigative methods, but extremely efficient. He's good looking (at least in his own opinion), and a real ladies' man-- though for some reason the ladies don't stick around! He also keeps a poisonous "pet" in his office, and gives his cantankerous father an "in" on a fresh murder case as a 75th birthday gift. Small-town cop, quirky characters, big time fun!
Thoughtfully crafted graphic biography of Anne Frank and her family, skillfully bringing to life Anne's diary, life in the Secret Annex, the fates of all of the occupants of The Annex, historical background about some of the causes of World War II and Hitler's rise to power, as well as the policies enacted against Jews and other "undesireables" in Europe. In my humble opinion, even better than Maus!
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Cathy from Olympia, Washington has commented on (140) products.
Writing Jane Austen by Elizabeth Aston
Cathy from Olympia, Washington, May 17, 2011
Financially-strapped novelist Georgina Jackson reluctantly signs a contract to complete recently discovered manuscript Love and Friendship, penned by none other than Jane Austen. Unfortunately, this manuscript consists of a paltry single chapter. Even more unfortunately, Gina specializes in writing heavily researched, "dark" historical novels-- for example novels about women who live in poverty and are forced into lives of prostitution. Not "light" works. Decidedly NOT Austen. Elizabeth Aston deftly (and humorously) portrays Gina in the throes of a major and potentially catastrophic case of writers' block. I haven't read Aston's Darcy series (yet), but found Aston's Writing Jane Austen to be a fun, humorous, light read, and actually rate this 4 1/2. :-)Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
Cathy from Olympia, Washington, February 19, 2011
I found I couldn't put the book down once I started... 11-year old Kimberley Chang immigrates with her mother to the United States from Hong Kong in hope of a better life. They find themselves working in an illegal sweatshop to pay back the debts for bringing them to the U.S. Kim is determined to earn a better life for both herself and her mother despite the debts... Apparently the novel is drawn, in part, from the author's childhood-- Kwok immigrated from Hong Kong to Brooklyn as a child, and her family worked in a sweatshop. There is some drug use and sex in the novel, but it is dealt with in a mature, unsensationalized manner. Recommended reading for high school and up.Jane by April Lindner
Cathy from Olympia, Washington, December 18, 2010
Despite her upbringing-- a disapproving, distant mother who admitted Jane "had been a mistake," a loving though ineffective father, an abusive brother, and a self-absorbed, spoiled sister, Jane Moore is strong, practical and independent. Or perhaps it is because of her upbringing. After Jane's parents die in an accident, she is no longer able to afford college and drops out to earn a living. She accepts a position as nanny to the daughter of rock legend Nico Rathburn, and against her better judgement, soon finds herself attracted to her magnetic, brooding, and significantly older employer. This updated version of Jane Eyre makes for an enjoyable read and will make many readers eager to read (or re-read) Bronte's original. Recommended for Young Adults as well as adults. *FYI-- not a totally "innocent" read-- there is some sex in the book.The Blight Way: A Sheriff Bo Tully Mystery by Patrick F Mcmanus
Cathy from Olympia, Washington, November 28, 2010
I enjoy a wide variety of books, but must admit a weakness for humorous, "light" mysteries. Bo Tully, sheriff of Blight County, Idaho, comes from a long line of sheriffs, and is an avid practitioner of "The Blight Way" of sheriffing-- morally and legally suspect investigative methods, but extremely efficient. He's good looking (at least in his own opinion), and a real ladies' man-- though for some reason the ladies don't stick around! He also keeps a poisonous "pet" in his office, and gives his cantankerous father an "in" on a fresh murder case as a 75th birthday gift. Small-town cop, quirky characters, big time fun!Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography by Sid Jacobson
Cathy from Olympia, Washington, November 28, 2010
Thoughtfully crafted graphic biography of Anne Frank and her family, skillfully bringing to life Anne's diary, life in the Secret Annex, the fates of all of the occupants of The Annex, historical background about some of the causes of World War II and Hitler's rise to power, as well as the policies enacted against Jews and other "undesireables" in Europe. In my humble opinion, even better than Maus!(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
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