2011 Finished Books

Here is my reading list for 2011! I like to keep a list going in drafts for the blog so that I can keep track of what I read throughout the year. I love looking back on what I have read. It's like reliving memories made with dear friends.

I read 42 books by 23 authors in 2011. Last year, I read 51 books. I read a little less this year but what I did read I really enjoyed. Some old, some new. I only read a few books that were flops. Usually, when I start reading a book and realize it's going to be a flop I put it down and don't finish it..I don't include those in this list. There were a few that I held out on and read the whole thing in hopes that it would turn out well..they didn't. 

I think my favorite re-read of 2011 were the Emily books by L. M. Montgomery. I read them when I was younger but decided to read them again. I loved them so much. 

Favorite new (to me) book was Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens. We love the movie and I finally got time to read the book. It did not disappoint. Mr. Dickens is brilliant as always.

As last year, I will put an * by the books I have read once (or five times) before. I will attempt to rate them from 0-10. 

0 = hated and 10 = loved

I will also attempt to give each book one word to describe my feeling toward it. I may give it two or three words...and I can do that because it's my blog. So there. :)

*Little Women by Louisa May Alcott- Favorite. 10
The Winter Rescue by Paul Hutchens- Cute. 6

 

*Plum Pie by P.G. Wodehouse- Funny. 10
*Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder- Pa. (The whole series gets a rating of 10)
*Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder- Love Pa.  

*Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder- Manny.
*On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder- I really love Pa.
*On the shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder- Laura too.

 

*The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder- Cold.
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks-  Meh. 4
*Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder- Beautiful.
The Lost Campers by Paul Hutchens- Fun. 6
*These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder- Manly and Laura.
*The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder- Disappointing (I wanted more detail and it just skims   through their lives. *cry* Still loved it though!)
The Painted Veil by M. Somerset Maugham- Ick. 1 (one of the flops unfortunately. I liked a few of the characters but not enough to redeem the story so I give it a 1)

 

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss- Adventure. 8
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa- Touching. 9

 

*Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke- Lovely. (this is my favorite series by Ms. Oke, I give the whole series a rating of 9)
*Loves Long Journey by Janette Oke
Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter- Sweet. 9

 

*Love Follows the Heart by Janette Oke
*Loves Abiding Joy by Janette Oke
The Story Girl by L. M. Montgomery- Beautiful, beautiful and funny too. 10

 

Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens- Mr. Pinch! 10
The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald- Entertaining. 7
Meet Me In St. Louis by Sally Benson- Silly, sweet and funny. 10

 

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- Curious. 8
The Patch of Blue by Grace Livingston Hill- Sweet. 8
*Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery- Lucy. Maud. Montgomery. Need I say more?  10

 

*Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt- Endearing. 9
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry- Crack up.  8
Big Money by P. G. Wodehouse- Hilarity. 10
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell- Dark. 7
A Daughters Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick- Beautiful. Sad.  10
Rosanna of the Amish by Joseph Yoder- Interesting. 7
Sam the Sudden by P.G. Wodehouse- Belly Laugh. 10

 

*My Man Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse- Oh Jeeves.... 10
Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy- Comical and lovely. 10
Beauty by Robin McKinley- Romantic. 9

 

*Emily Climbs- Enchanting. 10
*Emily's Quest- Exquisite. 10

What did you read? What was your favorite in 2011? Least favorite?

♥Genevieve

Books Jane Read in 2010

Here is a list of books I read this year. The total count is 50 books! I beat last years list by 2 books. Ha ha! :) Childrens books seem to be the theme of this years list. There are around 15 books that would be considered children's fiction. For 2011 I'm continuing the trend of reading kids books with Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. I forgot how great they are. :)

I kept better track of the books I read this year by keeping a post in drafts on this blog. Last year, I just had to remember what I read and it was too difficult.

So, here is the list for your reading pleasure (wink!). I will put an (*) by each title that I have read before. I will also but a little rating or comment on some of the books so that I can remind myself if I liked it or not. Rating is 0-10. 0=hated it and 10=loved it.

2010 Finished book list

The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lilian Jackson Braun Hmm..not really my favorite. A little boring in fact. 4

*The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien My sis Marg read this to me and my younger sister. 10 of course!

*Little Women by Louisa May Alcott My annual read! You all know what I think about this one. 15 ;)


Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella Really dumb. I do not reccomend. I'll give it a 3 because there were a few laugh out loud parts.

*Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery I love this story even more now that I'm older. 10

Akin to Anne by L. M. Montgomery Great collection of short stories in Ms. Montgomery's beautiful style. 9

The Blue Castle by L. M. MontgomeryThis one was lovely too although I felt it was quite different from her other writings. A very imaginitive and touching story. 7

*Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery The last book in her Anne series. Love this story about Anne's daughter. I loved seeing the time (World War I) through her young eyes and seeing her mature from a slightly spoiled teenager to a mature and loving young woman. 10

Summer Lightening by P. G. Wodehouse P. G. Wodehouse is ALWAYS a good read. :) 9

Robin Hood by Howard Pyle This is the first Robin Hood book I've read. Loved it. 9

Freddy the Politician by Walter R. Brooks hilarious! 9

*A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter I tried to read this when I was younger but I didn't get it. I LOVED it this time. I love Ms. Stratton-Porter's writing. I'm looking forward to reading more of hers. 10

Cranford and Other Stories by Elizabeth Gaskell Got this book from Lizzie. Full of short stories that are very diverse and imaginative. 9

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley I borrowed this book on CD from the library. Strangely, I hadn't read this one before. I would love to read the other books in this series sometime. 9

*Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse Again, you cannot go wrong with Mr. Wodehouse! 10

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster Very imaginative and fun. 7

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith Not absolutely sure what I think about this one. I loved the first part of it but as the story went on I seemed to like it less and less. Maybe I will read it again someday and decide. For now, I will give it a 5

Heidi by Johanna Spyri No wondering about this one. Loved it with all my heart. 10


The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson
Jeeves in the Morning by P.G. Wodehouse This was a great adventure story with a sweet bit of romance in it. In the style of Robin Hood. 7

A Court of Inquiry by Grace Smith Richmond A lovely turn of the century story about friendship. 8

Freckles by Gene Stratton Porter I love this book. 10

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit Strange but good read. 6
*And Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott Hadn't read this one for quite awhile. It's such a lovely story! 10

* Right Ho, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse *laughing* 10


Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace Hard to believe I know, but this was the first time I've ever read these. I LOVED them. All of the Maud Hart Lovelace books get a 10. :)


Betsy-Tacy and Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace


Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill by Maud Hart Lovelace


The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo Cute story! 8


Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Maud Hart Lovelace


Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy in Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy Was a Junior by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy and Joe by Maud Hart Lovelace

The Chronicles of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery I love her short stories. And these are great because they are about people you already know through the Anne series. Anne herself shows up in a few. :) 9

The Further Chronicles of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery 9
Betsy and the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace

*Jeeves and the Tie that Binds by P. G. Wodehouse Jeeves. Need I say More? 10

Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent Memoirs of a Midwife. So interesting and a good read. 9

Robin Hood by Louis Rhead Fun to read different versions. 7

The World of Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse Yes, sir, I would rate it a ten. That rating best illustrates the tasteful humour contained in the tome.


*Captain's Courageous by Rudyard Kipling Another example of enjoying the book more now that I'm older. 9

Carney's House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace One of my favorite Lovelace books. So enjoyable. 10

Winona's Pony Cart by Maud Hart Lovelace Winona is a hilarious and loveable little girl. :) 10

The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel I first watched the Hallmark film of the same name (really good as well!) then found the book. I really loved it. 9

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Horribly despressing. I do not reccomend this book. 0

The Swamp Robber by Paul Hutchens First book in the Suger Creek Gang series. Sweet and funny. 8

Jennifer by Zoa Sherburne Bought this one for the cover but decided to read it anyway. Kinda sweet. 4

Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace I loved this one as well. In fact, I think I will give it an 11

The Killer Bear by Paul Hutchens Another book in the Sugar Creek Gang series. Fun! It would be great for boys from 8-13. Full of adventure and excitement but with a Christian theme throughout. Written from the perspective of a 10 or 11 year old boy. Cute. :) 8

Hope you all are having a lovely winter and that you are finding ample time to read. I encourage you to keep a list of the books you read throughout the year! It's so interesting to go back over the year and remember what you were doing and how you were feeling when you read that particular book. It's also nice to be able to remember that you have read a certain book and if you liked it or not.

Happy Reading my friends!

♥Jane

A Bad Beginning

Just to let you know, I just finished the first book in the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. It is called The Bad Beginning. The Bad Beginning is a great beginning! :) Cannot wait to read more. I love the movie with Jim Carey in it.

On to The Reptile Room!

I also started Bleak House! Yay! I love it already. This is actually my first Charles Dickens novel. I have read The Christmas Carol and it is lovely but Bleak House is the first long novel of his I have ever read. So excited! I love the way he writes. He describes things so well with so much detail without the story getting bogged down and lost. The story moves along quite nicely. In my opionion anyway. :) I must say though, that I have always loved long descriptive books.

I will let you know how I get on.
What you are you all reading at the moment?
Have a lovely day.
Jane

This is for you Titmoss.... :)

I just finished reading To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee. I LOVED it. It's a sometimes sad, sometimes scary, sometimes shocking, sometimes funny and always heartfelt book about the men and women, white and black living in a small town in Alabama in the 1930's. It deals with prejudice, government, education and family.... all (and here's the best part) from the eyes of a 6 year-old girl named Jean-Louis (she prefers Scout though, OK?). It covers about 2 years of her and her 11 year-old brothers (Jem) lives. A very moving and lovely book.

It was made into a movie in 1962 starring Gregory Peck as Scout and Jem's father, Atticus. As Gregory Peck is one of my favorite actors (Roman Holiday *happy sigh*) I will try to rent it soon and let you all know how I liked it.


Have any of you read the book or seen the movie? If so, did you like it?

Keep reading.... :)
Genevieve

The Old Man and the Sea

I just listened to this book on cassette and I loved it. It was so well done! It was read by Frank Muller. Has anyone read this book? It's a short novel; it only took about 3 hours to listen to.

After reading it I really want to see the movie again. I'm not sure if I've seen the whole thing or not. I only remember certain parts of it. There's the one with Spencer Tracy and then there was another one made in 1990 with Anthony Quinn. Has anyone seen either of these movies?


Next on my list of books I want to read: For Whom the Bell Tolls, also by Hemmingway


Love, Jane

Just keep reading, reading, reading.....

I have been very negligent in my attentions to this blog and I hope to rectify the situation presently!

Even though I haven't been posting, I have been reading! Lots and lots! Let's see, since I last wrote I have finished Little Women. I love that book more and more each time I read it. :)Other books I have started and finished since then:
The Fisherman's Lady and The Marquis' Secret. Both by George MacDonald. So very good! These books are edited by Michael Phillips so that they are easier to read (and find!). If you have never read any of MacDonald's books I highly recommend these. Beautiful sweeping stories set in Scotland in the early 19th century.


Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
Lando by Louis L'Amour
and Mojave Crossing by Louis L'Amour (I guess I was on a western kick! Gotta have some good westerns!)


Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (for the second time)
We watched the old BBC version of it the other day and it made me want to read the book again. I LOVE this book. It is my favorite Austen book. Ah! Read it! I KNOW you'll love it! :)


I'm also listening to Mansfield Park by Jane Austen on audio cassette. I drive a lot for my job so I'm in the car a lot. My truck only has a tape deck so I've been getting books on tape from the library. This version is read by Margaret O'Brien. I am very impressed with her reading style. Lovely!

I am also listening to a book on CD called The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. Very exciting!
Please share what you have been reading lately!
Have a lovely day!
Jane

Little Women

I just wanted to let you know that I am still here reading away at my new copy of Little Women that I got for Christmas! Oh, I love it so much. I love the ribbon bookmark and the feel of the pages is delicious. You know how some paper is just soothing to look at and to touch? Well, the pages in this book are silky smooth and have a perfect thickness. :) Thanks "Marmee" for giving it to me!


I am currently reading the part of the book that makes me cry. And I will most likely cry through every chapter until the end. Why do I like this book? Why would I like something that makes me cry for 11 chapters straight? Because it is so real. I think that Mrs. Alcott perfectly describes the feelings that all the girls go through. It is constantly reminding me of...well, me. :) Each girl has something about her that I understand, either because they are like me, my mom or one of my sisters. Of course, it's not all sad. But so touching and beautiful.

Is anyone else reading this book right now? What part are you at? What is your favorite part so far?

I hope that all of you are having a lovely January.
~Jane

New Book

Hey all! I absolutely LOVE North and South. *sigh* It is so good. Those of you who love the movie or other Mrs. Gaskell novels will adore it. To quote Kathleen Kelly, "Read it. I KNOW you'll love it." (Lizzie, we need to watch that movie!!).

But that is not what I was going to blog about. I will post about that soon. I just wanted to show you a new book I got. It is so lovely! It is called Artful Storybook by Terry Taylor.


It's a book on making your own story books. It has a few instructions on some basic bookmaking but is mostly made up of pictures of actual artsy storybooks that different artists have made and how they made them. Very interesting! And I love that it has such different styles mixed in. One was made by a knitter/quilter and she made a fabric book. Others took old books and decorated the pages or illustrated a well known fairy tale. Like this book illustrating Hansel and Gretel. A tale that has always seemed to me kind of creepy, but I love the photos and style the artist used to tell the story.
Just wanted to share it with you. If you are interested in writing, stories, fairy tales or any kind of art I would encourage you to check it out at your local library. :)

Eight Cousins

Well hello there! I'm Jane. Nice to meet you! I hope that you will enjoy this little book blog we have created. We will update it as often as we can with reviews and thought on the books we love or don't love. We hope that you will feel free to comment and let us know what you think of these books!

I found this wonderful old book (above) at a used book store recently for $1. Yay! When I go into used book stores I look for Louisa May Alcott books first. I would like to have a collection of them. So far I have Little Women (given to me by my very great friend, Lizzie. Thank yoooou!), Little Men, Jo's Boys and Eight Cousins. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for more.

Eight Cousins...one of my favorite books written by Louisa May Alcott. This cozy little read is about a little girl named Rose who has recently lost both her parents and goes to live with her extended family on "The Aunt Hill" where she meets her eight cousins who happen to be all boys. As you can imagine it is full of funny antics and mischief that can only be thought up by little boys, great capers and scrapes and boatings that make you wish you had grown up at the Aunt Hill. Oh, let's not forget the aunts! They are as funny as the cousins. Each one different but strangely similar (reminds me of me and my sisters....). Aunt Plenty is the Homemaking hero. She's happiest when she's feeding a brood..reminds me of my older sister. :) Aunt Jessie who has four of the boys and loves every ounce of her rowdy boys and the strange things they bring home for her to see. Aunt Peace is peaceful, in spite of her romantic disappointment early in her life, and a wonderful seamstress. She encourages everyone with her peaceful and patient ways. Then there's Dolly, a hilarious little girl who tries to tag along with the big boys. There are many more equally entertaining characters but I will let you get to know them for yourself. So, pick it up and read it. You will not be disappointed. :)