As I have reported to you, I am in the mood for something light, and so I have chosen the book Spindle's End by Robin Mckinley.I enjoy many of Robin Mckinley's books because at least some of them, in my opinion, can be light but not too fluffy or overly simple. Even in her flufflier ones I enjoy her writing style! I have read this book before, which is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but I am going to read it again since I am great at forgetting things and I have not come across another light well-written book that I can get my hands on.
It is difficult to choose a book for everyone! If you would rather not read this book, my alternate books are
A Joyful Mother of Children by Linda Eyre
and Are My Children Going to Make It?: Real Help for Teaching the Gospel in the Home by R. Wayne and Leslee S. Boss.
I have been reading and enjoying both of these books and would love to hear your comments about any of them. Happy Reading!
Lindsay
10 comments:
Horray Lindsay,
I want to read all three books, I really really do but I have been finding very little time to read lately - imagine. I am still working on Omnivor's Dilemma and The Red and the Black and Ellis Kackley and the Scarlet Pimpernel. Phew. So many things to read and I feel behind! But I am delighted with the selection you made, Spindle's End and will start looking for it right away. I also like Robin McKennley (sp?). You are so prompt! That you for these titles!
Needing to Read,
ShaLisa
Oh, and I love the change of scenery. Thank you for the beautiful background and the music (Me). Loving every minute of it.
Enjoying the bookclub tremendously,
ShaLisa
You know what. I have read a Joyful Mother of Children at your request, Lindsay. A while ago. The thing I remember the most was her talk of organizing the house so that it functions better and she even included pictures of her laundry room solution - was this this book or am I confusing it with another? I remember thinking I would love the kind of space and opportunity to do that but we can't all have it just so (time and money). I do remember liking the book a lot. I obviously need to reread because I can't remember the great things. I did give it a four star :)
Oh! Who put on Impossible Dream? Was that you Amy? I LOVE that song. It is one of my lifelong favorites - since childhood! I make Chad sing it to me every once in while. How did you find it? My Man of LaMoncha CD got scratched and I miss the song so very much. I need to replace it somehow but I will wait until I have replaced one of my many broken CD players. Thank you for putting on that song.
Dreaming the Impossible Dream,
ShaLisa
ShaLisa I am glad that you are able to get Spindle's End! I had to take mine back and now I can't get it! :) Oops. I hope someone else has something to say about it. Sorry! I will keep trying. I remember when you read A Joyful Mother of Children Shalisa, around the first time I did. It does talk about organizing in one spot, but it is not a central part. There are lots of good things, but nothing new I suppose in this book that I love!
I have still not gotten The Message Erin, but wanted to share with you all another review of this book from a website I like in case you are interested: http://homespunlight.blogspot.com/2009/07/message-by-lance-richardson-and-burning.html
Happy reading!
Lindsay
My husband said Spindle's End has gone to my head. Last night I dreamed that I had a baby girl, the boy was still in the oven, so I let Ellie take care of her and nurse her for me. Ellie is my dog! The dream was spurred on I think because Ellie is nursable, as she had two puppies today, and we guessed she was going too. Crazy! ;)
My review of the Spindles End goes as follows:
I do like Fairy Tales, I do, I do. I like happy endings; clean, short, and sweet love stories; strong friendships; heros; and, of course, magic. I liked that Rosie talked to animals, I liked Aunt and Kat cleverness and caring behaviors, I liked Narl and a sudden and unexpected friendship with Peony, and I liked the gargoyle spindle's end from Barder. The woodwold sounded so magical, probably because it was and Lindsay, I see now how the book went to your head and you had a dream such as you did.
I love the syntax and although that is a tremendous strength of McKinley, I still found myself wanting to hurry up the story somehow. There was very little dialogue which is a strength, yes, because you get descriptive writing entirely even as people are communicating, yet, dialogue makes for quicker reads. I did like the little dialogue because sometimes great characters are ruined by their simple speech. There is much to appreciate in this book, truly.
I did want the climax, the battle between Pernicia and Rosie, to be more...something. I wanted good to conquer evil in some clever and awe-inspiring way. I almost like the obvious and predictable ending of Narl saving his sleeping princess in distress with a kiss or something. Why, again, didn't he fall asleep like everyone else and why was he able to wake her and no one else? I must have missed that somehow. And then the pursuing battle was somewhat disappointing - a mad race for Fast but to what saving purpose? I suppose to simply get her out of harms way (which she worked hard to get to). The magic seemed to be to appear whenever absolutely necessary but without a lot of pattern or reason. Maybe that is a good thing.
I was glad Rosie stayed behind and didn't turn Princess on us, however, the sacrifice of her parents and brothers I could not be glad for. That detail, which should be huge, seemed to be unmentionable as compared with her relationship with the animals. I do like Aunt and Kat and see that she would want to live on as she had her whole life thus far.
The coming together wasn't quite as complete as I would have liked - the fairy gifts coming to realization, Pernicia's defeat including the Ferrel's involvement, Sigil and the spider, why Igor left he room each time Rosie entered after being awakened, and smith fairy's capabilities.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read. Perhaps the holes I noticed are simply due to the many interruptions I had reading the book (children, husband, and household responsibilities) as well as because of how long it took me to finish the book (for the same reasons listed above).
I am anxious to hear what everybody else thought - I see that this can be a fun book to discuss because of all the turns the book takes. I could say more but it might not be interesting to anyone. If you have read the book, do share!
Ready for Stargirl,
ShaLisa
ShaLisa,
I agreed with everything you said about Spindle's End although I could never have said it like you did. I think this must be why I didn't remember the ending --it wasn't strong. I did enjoy (mostly)the way the magic had a personality in the book, and the great language when she used it. However, I think it is the last time I will read it despite unanswered questions. It was a nice escape. :)
I can't find the email you sent with your stargirl description --if someone wants to fill it in for me , that would be great. It is a cute book as I remember it a few years ago! A great choice to give the whole school Leslie! Sounds like you were in a great school. I hope you are liking your new job!
Still stuck as gingerbird via gmail (!),
Lindsay
I had good intentions of putting this review up right at the beginning of the month so that I could still remember all I wanted to say. But as always, life got in the way. So here’s my “what I can remember” review.
I did like the book. I remember getting caught up in the world that she created. I did write this quote down (but I can’t tell you where in the book it was, but it was about Peony and Rosie).
"When they finished laughing they were on their way to being not just friends, but the dearest of friends, the sort of friends whose lives are shaped by the friendship."
The quote really stuck with me. Perhaps because I have had those sort of friends. Those who have shaped my life for the better. And I think that’s what I will always remember about this book. Thanks Lindsay for choosing it.
I read a Joyful mother of children a few months ago and in August attended an Education Week Seminar by Linda Eyre, I was inspired to be more deliberate in my mothering. I thought the book was a great practical resource for mammas in the trenches.
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