Travels with Charley

Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck

The year is 1960. The company, famed author John Steinbeck (of Grapes of Wrath) and his old French poodle Charley. The goal? Travel across the United States, not just for the scenery but to truly know America and her people.

Steinbeck's trip starts in Maine; heads cross-country through Chicago, Montana, and California; travels back East through Texas; then finally leads him home again to Long Island. He travels as an old outdoorsman -- hoping to throw off any recognition of his face from dust jackets, thereby getting a more accurate picture of life in America.

Along the way, Steinbeck (and Charley) come across many interesting characters, and he recorded several of their conversations.  I was especially intrigued by these glimpses of a younger America... the feelings about war and submarines, the clash of racism in the South, the tasteless suppers and predictable breakfasts at roadside diners, the newness of rest areas and mobile homes.
 
I love a good travelogue, especially when I know the country it describes, and this book certainly did not disappoint. The historical aspect of viewing the people of America, as well as the countryside, added a delightful and mentally-stimulating twist.

I would highly recommend it!

The Writer* Rating: Top Shelf

*NOTE: This Review comes from The Writer - click through the link to see what kind of books and genres she likes to read and review. Reviews from individual contributors do not equal a thumbs up or shelf rating from The Bookworm.

The Forgotten Garden

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Nell was only a small child when she mysteriously disembarked a boat in Australia, completely alone. But it wasn't until she was a young adult that her adoptive parents told her that her past was mostly unknown. Upon Nell's death, her granddaughter, Cassandra, is compelled to unearth the complete story of who her grandmother was, how she arrived in Australia, and what brought her there.

Cassandra travels to England to attempt to uncover the truth, and finds much more than she bargained for. As pieces fall into place and more of the puzzle comes into view for Cassandra, she finds that things are not always clean and neat, and that sometimes the choices we make for those we love are the ones that can hurt us the most in the end.

I found The Forgotten Garden an easy book to get lost in, although I don't think I'm completely sold on Morton's writing style. Along the way, there are a couple story lines that seem to be left hanging, or were never developed enough for me. But overall I found the story compelling and interesting as each new twist and turn was woven into the mystery surrounding Nell's past. The Forgotten Garden would be a great book to add to a summer-by-the-pool reading list.

The Mom* Rating: Middle Shelf

*NOTE: This Review comes from The Mom - click through the link to see what kind of books and genres she likes to read and review. Reviews from individual contributors do not equal a thumbs up or shelf rating from The Bookworm.

Jane Eyre

JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte

I can’t even begin to describe this book! I have loved it from the first time I read it – and every time I read it, I discover another reason to love it.  

As a teenager, I loved Jane’s independent spirit, her sharp wit and her desire to not be ruled by another; as a newly engaged twenty-something, I loved the love story – how authentic and real Jane and Rochester’s love was.  

Now (slightly) older, I love the Christian elements that I had never noticed (or appreciated) before.  As a teacher, I love the quality of writing, the freshness of the language and dialogue, the imagery and the many and varied themes.  

To watch any movie version, you’ll only learn of the doomed romance between Jane and the mysterious Mr. Rochester, and the surprising skeleton in his closet that hinders their marriage.  But the story is much more than just a love story. It is the story of a young girls’ struggle for equality and independence  – first with her relatives, then with her true love, and finally, realizing the struggle in herself.  

One of the first books with feminist ideals (equality for women!); it’s chick-lit at its earliest and at its best.

The Teacher* Rating: Top Shelf

*NOTE: This Review comes from The Teacher - click through the link to see what kind of books and genres she likes to read and review. Reviews from individual contributors do not equal a thumbs up or shelf rating from The Bookworm.

Farewell to the East End

Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth 

I'm not sure how to go about recommending this book. I enjoyed it, I laughed my way through it, I gasped my way through it. It was a brilliant tale of the life in the East End of London, nicely tying up the loose ends of the lives of midwives and nuns. 

However, despite my enjoyment of Farewell to the East End - specifically the historical aspects of it, this is not a book that I could hand my friends and family and and say, "Read it! You'll love it!" 

It's graphic, it's sexual, it's horrifying. It's real life in a fallen, sinful world. I read it in two days - it sucked me in, as the previous two books did. Yet I hesitated to recommend it, or even review it, because it's also a book that discusses stories involving "surgical rape" in police stations (terrifying), backstreet abortions (horrifically brutal), a ships "woman" (can't imagine), and a man who married twin sisters (bigamy and polygamy). 

From a solely historical perspective, this book enthralled me. I learned a lot about the working class of the East End and the Cockney people of Poplar. I gained a new perspective on life in England during WWII and in the post-war world. Without meaning to, Worth does an excellent job of portraying what life was like in a society that failed to understand or accept the redeeming Grace of Christ. 

Disclaimer: If you choose to read it, do so with the understanding that, like sections of The Midwife, it contains chapters that are sexually graphic.

Bookworm Rating: Bottom Shelf

The Greatest Knight

The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick

William Marshal was one of the greatest knights who ever lived. Yet he's relatively unknown, except perhaps to scholars of medieval England.

Marshal swore his loyalty to five different rulers: King Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, King Henry III, King Richard, and King John. In a time that was fraught with war and betrayal, Marshal served faithfully and wisely. He won the respect even of his enemies, by his consistency and discernment. Together with his wife, Isobel de Clare, he guides England behind the scenes, perhaps more than any other person in history.

These two books tell Marshal's story, beginning with his time as a penniless tournament knight in 1167, and ending with his death in 1219. They are rather long - about 550 pages each - but well worth the time it takes to read them both.

The author, Elizabeth Chadwick, does a phenomenal job of turning well-researched facts into an engrossing story. Although labeled as "fiction," they contain a plethora of historical information, and are rather educational as well as entertaining.

The Greatest Knight (book 1) and The Scarlet Lion (book 2) are a must-read for any fan of historical fiction, or student of history, and anyone interested in the culture of royalty in medieval England.

The Writer* Rating: Bottom Shelf

*NOTE: This Review comes from The Writer - click through the link to see what kind of books and genres she likes to read and review. Reviews from individual contributors do not equal a thumbs up or shelf rating from The Bookworm.

Outlander

Outlander: A Novel by Diana Gabaldon

Claire, an English nurse, is in Scotland on a second honeymoon with her husband Frank. While out exploring alone, Claire is hurled back in time by passing through a group of ancient stones, and discovers herself in 1740’s Scotland. Captured by a clan of Highlanders, she must get back to the stones, but she soon becomes dependent upon the clan when trying to stay away from Frank’s evil ancestor, a captain in the English army. 

Through her healing skills as a nurse, the Scots grow fond of her, especially a young man named Jamie. In the 1700’s, she’ll experience more of life and love than she’s ever known.

Outlander is the first book in a series, which I was a little hesitant to start because there are 7 large books, with another one on the way. Although it was a bit slow at first (it took about 200 pages before I really got into it), and the Scottish dialect takes some getting used to, I am so glad I read this book! The plot itself is intriguing with loops and turns throughout. 

My favorite themes are present here: time travel, history, romance, and mystery. As a pharmacist, I was fascinated with Claire’s use of natural and herbal medicinal uses throughout the book. I was also left wondering: as she becomes accustomed to life in the past, does she make it back to the future? 

NOTE: Mild language and sexual content

The Pharmacist* Rating: Middle Shelf

*NOTE: This Review comes from The Pharmacist - click through the link to see what kind of books and genres she likes to read and review. Reviews from individual contributors do not equal a thumbs up or shelf rating from The Bookworm.

Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell

Lone Survivor is a gripping true life tale about a Navy SEAL operation gone terribly wrong.  Luttrell is the only survivor of the SEAL Team 10 from Operation Redwing, a clandestine operation to kill a Taliban leader. 

Luttrell tells his story of how he survived and evaded capture by the Taliban forces, as well as the heroism of the men he fought with.  Unapologetically and fiercely patriotic, Luttrell’s story is inspiring.  Owing his survival and eventual rescue to an Afghan tribe and their code of honor, the story is riveting. His story includes the rigors of Seal Team training, as well as what was going on in his hometown in Texas while he was presumed dead by all but his identical twin brother.  

A heart pumping, high octane, testosterone filled book, this is one that any male in my family would love, but with enough sweetness and sincerity that women will also enjoy.  I felt like I really knew the men who fought and died, and I cried with Luttrell for OUR loss – the death of these unsung, previously unknown, American heroes.  

Lone Survivor has been made into a Hollywood film starring Mark Wahlberg, to be released in November 2013.

The Teacher* Rating: Middle Shelf

*NOTE: This Review comes from The Teacher - click through the link to see what kind of books and genres she likes to read and review. Reviews from individual contributors do not equal a thumbs up or shelf rating from The Bookworm.