The History Book Club discussion

Autumn Brady, here is your new thread for 2012.

Our Format:

JANUARY

1. Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: March 2008
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review or a Few Words about book: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

Note: I will delete required format post once you get started.

I wasn't expecting this until January! You are good Bentley. Thanks so much. Can't wait to get started!

No problem; there was a lot of clean up to be done on these threads and corrections on changed format. Trying to get these all cleaned up and set up now before the holidays.

JANUARY

1. Paolo Bacigalupi
Finish Date: January 2nd, 2012
Genre: YA Dystopian Fiction
Rating: A ( On a YA or Adult's grading scale. This book is that good.)

Review: National Book Award Finalist. You can tell. Bacigalupi is a skillful and talented writer of YA. I don't hand out a firm A often.
Nailer is a poverty stricken abused 15 year old, trying to maintain goodness in a world that has tried to beat it out of him. He scavenges old ships for parts to earn a living; a dangerous job for one so young. After a hurricane he finds a beautiful girl and her ship stranded on the beach. Nailer has lived a thousand lifetimes before this moment. He is a worn likeable person but is he a hero? Will he decide to risk his life and save her from his hoodlum dad and the other killers that lurk in his world?
This story sucked me in with its adventure and variety of characters. The writing is extraordinary. You can taste the salt from the ocean, feel the cuts carved in skin from scrap metal, carry the burden of too much family dysfunction, and feel the satisfaction of loyal friendships. Recommended to those that like YA and/or Dystopian novels. There are many books in this genre, but this happens to be a good one.

Great start Autumn.

Help! :) How do I bold January using Html? I must be misplacing the code--how do I stop it from bolding all text? Thank you :), I'm not html savvy.

Autumn......click on the (some html is ok) link on the top right of the comment box and all codes are given there.

Bentley wrote: "Great start Autumn."

Thanks Bentley! :) I wanted my first book to be something in History but that's not how it worked out.

Gee I see nothing wrong with your post. It did not bold everything from what I can see.

But when bolding - make sure before the first letter of the word you want to bold make sure to place < then b and then >

and then after the last letter of the word or phrase you want bolded you do another set of brackets with a slash before the b - first < then / and then b and then the last >

I have to do the above because then everything would be bolded that I placed in brackets and it would not show you the symbols. Also click on above the comment box the words some html is ok and you should see the sample html used.

Thank you for the advice! I wasn't sure about the ending so I took it off. Thanks so much. Yay, it worked. :)

Oh no, now it is all bolded. Put back whatever you did before because it was right then. (smile)

I can see the problem there should be a < before the slash / which comes before the last b not after it and then the closing >

Like I said in the previous post, I saw nothing wrong - now after my advice (smile) it is all bolded and after the month shows some html code (incorrect) which will never show if added properly.

Jill wrote: "Autumn......click on the (some html is ok) link on the top right of the comment box and all codes are given there."

Thanks Jill :)! I had been trying to google everything. That shall make everything much easier for me!

Bentley wrote: "Oh no, now it is all bolded. Put back whatever you did before because it was right then. (smile)"

haha :) Took a couple tries- I didn't follow the directions well first couple tries :). I had / and - all over the place! On my end, January is just bolded now. Thank you Bentley and Jill for your kindness and help with it.

Glad things are sorted; it looks good now.

2. Katherine Govier
Finish Date: January 4th, 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fictional Autobiography
Rating: B+

Review: A well written and well researched fictional autobiography of great Japanese artist Hokusai's (Most famous painting "The Great Wave") daughter and apprentice Oei. Not much is known about Oei though it is known she had great artistic talents like her father. This explored Oei's interesting character, complex relationships as a unique woman and the regulations enforced to avoid self expression in nineteenth century Edo, Japan. I loved the lyrical writing style because it seemed fitting for a story about an artist. I felt that at times the story paused too long in Oei's leisure and travels, taking the focus away from her unique character and political state for artists (especially a female artist), but overall found this book quite an achievement. There were speculations about Oei's life pertaining to her published art and circumstances in her death that were interesting. It is a passionate novel. The facts/research given in the afterword are also fascinating.

*Note: I won this novel on firstreads and am happy that I had the chance to read it. Recommended to all especially those interested in nineteenth-century Japanese art.

3. Neal Shusterman
Finish Date: January 12th, 2012
Genre: YA Science Fiction/Fantasy
Rating: B+ (YA scale)

Review: Brewster aka Bruiser is voted mostly likely to be given the death penalty by his class, but there are reasons he is so stand offish with his classmates that have nothing to do with violence. He is superhuman in an unusual way and his compassion is what makes it dangerous for him to socialize with the other kids. I read this because I had heard it had more of an adult element but I think it is appropriately called young adult/teen. There are times the writing is sophisticated and other times (with certain characters) it missed the mark. I liked the characters though and will recommend this to my son.

4. Ann Aguirre
Finish Date: January 13, 2012
Genre: YA Dystopian Fiction
Rating: B- (YA grading scale)

Review: My son received this book for Christmas, read it, and then handed it over to me. He gives it an A-. I think most will like this book and I am not sure my grade is fair. I felt the dystopian world too primitive. I grew frustrated that some of the characters took so long to catch on to concepts that they needed to save their hides; their naivety seemed over dramatized at some points. It's about a girl and boy, Deuce and Fade, they have amazing survival/fighting skills that help them outwit and conquer manipulators, gang leaders, and monsters. They attempt to look for a better more peaceful way of life outside the darkness.

Autumn, you are off to a great start! On the last one don't forget to add the number. It took me awhile to get the format down too, just a small omission but you'll want to correct it to keep track.

Thanks Alisa :). I missed that I done that, so thank you :). Have edited it :).

Thanks. You are doing great. :-)

You are on a roll, Autumn!!!!!

Thanks Jill. :) Sharing my son's YA books has helped move me along. :)

5. Paul Chambers (sorry no author photo)
Date Finished: January 15, 2012
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction
Rating: A/ A-

Review: Jumbo, the African Elephant, was Barnum and Bailey's Circus' greatest attraction and super star. Poor Jumbo, though loved by so many children/people he lived rather a tragic life. As an animal lover this was hard for me to read but Chambers does a beautiful job at remaining fair to everyone involved. This covers Jumbo's whole life, his capture as a calf, stays with zoos such as the London Zoo, time with the circus and then his death. There are a lot of historical facts described besides Jumbo's life like about zoo practices, business, shipping of wildlife, and elephant hunters (which again was hard for me to read). He gives a great voice to Jumbo (elephants are very sensitive wonderful animals) and am glad for it. Some interesting side notes that do not give away story: The slang word "Jumbo" originated from Jumbo the elephant and his enormous size. So the next time I order a jumbo fry I will think of him. Also Jumbo was the inspiration for:
Walt Disney Company.

6. Sherman Alexie
Date Finished: January 30, 2012
Genre: Short Story Collection/ General Fiction
Rating: A overall/ A- (some stories I loved more than others)

Review: Nine short stories about the lives of nine Native Americans and their families. My favourite story was "The Life and Time of Estelle Walks Above". I read many passages out loud to my husband. We had a good laugh about how many similarities I had with the mother, Estelle. The son tells of his relationship through the years with his mother and also his feelings about being Native American. I also loved the short story "What You Pawn I Will Redeem". It's about a homeless alcoholic man named Jackson Jackson that attempts to get his grandmother's stolen regalia back from a pawn shop. It's a beautiful story especially the end. The stories sometimes have sardonic humour (which I love personally), but I think that they are also touching and heartfelt. The author is witty and insightful. I saw/heard him lecture once. I hope he makes his way back to my home town so I can see him again. This almost made a solid A grade. I love all the short stories but didn't love them all equally so I gave it an A-.

Autumn, some interesting books and a good job with the citations.

Thank you Bentley! Took me a couple of tries but I think I am finally getting the hang of it. :)

February

7. John Steinbeck
Date Finished: February 4, 2012
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction/ Memoir
Rating: A-

Review: John Steinbeck with his Standard Poodle Charley embark on a trip across America. Loved Steinbeck's witty and insightful observations about people and places. He's one of my favourites, or possibly my favourite author. I love the way he describes life. He kept things in a little when it came to his own opinions about things --I wish this book let readers get to know him a little better but it is a great snapshot of another time.

Don't forget the author's link, Autumn....otherwise, looking good!

Jill wrote: "Don't forget the author's link, Autumn....otherwise, looking good!"

You guys are quick :). My mouse stuck--my husband has a projector up for super bowl and it is odd working this way haha. I fixed it and made some additions to the review. Thank you Jill :)

Thank you Autumn..............and enjoy the Super Bowl!!!!

You are off to a great start Autumn.

Thank you :)

8. Betty Smith
Date Finished: February 16, 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A-

Review: "When there is a will, there is a way", an old English proverb sums up the story content of this book. 1912-1917 Brooklyn is the setting. The story of the formative years of an intelligent girl named Francie Nolan and about the lives of her endearing family members. The story is very touching and brings one back to childhood. It also speaks volumes about the way the different classes lived during this time. This is a quotable story, it made me laugh and tear up. I loved the family's bond and their determined spirits. I wish it were more conclusive about her life as an adult. I'd give the story a B+ and the characters an A, making the rating an A-. I also loved the analogy of the tree and people.

I have wanted to read this for a long time. Thank you for the review.

D wrote: "I have wanted to read this for a long time. Thank you for the review."

You are welcome! I wanted to read it a long while before I finally did. I am glad I did--have no reservations about recommending it to anyone. :)

It had some interesting historical tid bits...setting was World War I time, people were debating women voting, bar owners were scared of prohibition. So there is meat to this book, but these facts are given amongst the story of a wonderful family.

March

9. by Paul Chambers(sorry no author photo)
Date Finished: March 5, 2012
Genre: Natural History/ Historical Non-Fiction
Rating: B

Review: Interesting and readable historical account of the Giant Tortoise. Book covered debate over the Giant Tortoise's origin, their historical encounters with people, their uses throughout history and their near extinction (as well as extinction of a few types of tortoise). I really liked the details of the tortoise and Charles Darwin as well as the tortoise encounters with other scientists/zoologists. Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin is also mentioned. Contained some military history as well as whaling history also. Really enjoyed this book! Knocked it a few grades due to its sometimes (but not often) dry repetitious nature but if you love animals as much as I do this is still a treat and will capture your attention.

I am surprised but I liked his book below better (even though Tortoises are one of my favourites)

by Paul Chambers (sorry no author photo)

Giant tortoises, sounds quite interesting! One of those obscure things you might not otherwise think about.

In your citations you do not need to include the 'no photo' icon, but many folks add (no photo) following the author hyperlink for clarification. It looks a little cleaner, but what you did above is fine. Like this:

by Paul Chambers (no photo)

Alisa wrote: "Giant tortoises, sounds quite interesting! One of those obscure things you might not otherwise think about.

In your citations you do not need to include the 'no photo' icon, but many folks ad..."

Thanks Alisa :), it was interesting. I agree...it does look cleaner so I have taken the picture of no author off. :)

That book interests me, Autumn but I'm not sure why....something different, I guess and being an animal lover too, I might have to look for it.

Jill wrote: "That book interests me, Autumn but I'm not sure why....something different, I guess and being an animal lover too, I might have to look for it."

It was good. I learned some things about Charles Darwin I never knew--that was fascinating to me--mainly because I thought of him as a person that always knew what he was doing, like he was never just starting out once---I forget that historically people that had breakthroughs have to figure things out on their own just like everyone else.
Also the Victorian age is so interesting to me by way of zoology. It was all so new to them.
Good book. It caught my attention because I love the gentle slow lumbering Giant Tortoises--but I got much more out of reading it.
In some parts he backtracks and inserts things he has already mentioned which bugged me but all in all it was good.

Paul Chambers

10. by Nancy McKenzie (Sorry no author photo.)
Date Finished: March 7, 2012
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Rating: C+

Review: Arthurian Legend from Guinevere's point of view. Hooked on this legend from the BBC's TV show Merlin. Wizards are not even my thing so the whole fact that I love that show and now am reading books on the subject is odd ha ha. This book did not fill the void of the show. Arthur is awesome ( maybe a little too good to be true) in this book and so is Merlin (when Merlin is around), Morgaeuse was truly evil (in an interesting way) but Lancelot and Guinevere did not have the complexity of character I had hoped. A little too long of a novel for what is contained.

11. Charles Dickens
Date Finished: March 19,2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A for writing/B+ (just on my own personal taste)

Review: Takes place during French Revolution. One of the best beginnings and endings I have ever read. I love his characterizations, and descriptions of time and place. However, I learned that I am one that can't deal with suspense- looking through my favourites I realized that the books on my favourite list get to the point right away, or at least you have a feeling of the point--what I am trying to say is there is little mystery surrounding them. In the middle, I became reluctant with this read because Dickens does seem to thrive on building suspense and mystery here which made me want to skip ahead :) ( I am just not patient.) Towards the end I couldn't put it down. I loved all the hidden metaphors throughout and and also the theme of redemption.

12. Sherman Alexie
Finished: March 25th 2012
Genre: General Fiction/Sci/Fi/Historical Fiction
Rating: A-

Review: A fifteen year old Native American boy named Zits is in foster care. He has had a rough road, mostly the memories he has to live with. During one experience he realizes he can transport into different people and different times. This story is very touching- sometimes hard to read--but it is also a page turner. Some people said the ending is too clean but I loved it. I think what I liked most about this novel is the historical characters and times this young kid visits. It made for an interesting read.

April

13. Michael Harvey
Date Finished: April 1st 2012
Genre: Detective Fiction
Rating: B+

Review: An Irish cop turned private detective Michael Kelly is hired by cop and friend Gibbons to resolve the rape and almost murder of Elaine Remington. Evidence has mysteriously vanished among files and it is a cold case no one knows about. This is a good solid readable first novel. There were some pieces I wished had gone a little deeper like the mob piece but all in all it is a good read. I think this might be the first novel I have ever read in this genre.

14. Juliet Gael
Date Finished: April 29th 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+

Review: This is not a romance despite the title and synopsis. It's a book about author Charlotte Brontë. It covers her relationships with her siblings, her relationships with the men in her life, her books, and her travels. There is much truth here. What makes it fiction are the liberations taken with her thoughts. A well written book that made me shed some tears a couple of times (when it came to her and her sisters).

Sorry goodreads is acting up not sure why the books and author are tiered like--have tried a couple of times and it turns out the same way and I am doing nothing different than I usually do.

Autumn, it is goodreads and not your fault. They have made the author's photos larger too. May be contributing to their problem.

Bentley wrote: "Autumn, it is goodreads and not your fault. They have made the author's photos larger too. May be contributing to their problem."

Thank you Bentley! I feel much better that it wasn't something I was doing. The photos make sense. Anyway, thanks again. :)

At least we can see the author's faces and I think they look cool.

Bentley wrote: "At least we can see the author's faces and I think they look cool."

True! They catch the eye and it does look cool-- that is a positive perspective and spin on it. :)

Bentley wrote: "At least we can see the author's faces and I think they look cool."

Just a note: It is also better when sending book recs to people--the book picture is easier to see.