Book Challenges
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Review: Maisie Dobbs (Maisie Dobbs #1) by Jacqueline Winspear
War changes everything. In 1910, the world is a different place. England is still at peace, the aristocracy rules Britain’s social scene, and the life of Maisie Dobbs changes forever. At thirteen, young Maisie goes to work as a maid in the London household of Lady Rowan Compton, a wealthy suffragette and philanthropist. Though she is poor, Maisie is rich in intelligence. One night, Lady Rowan finds Maisie reading in her library and not just reading but teaching herself Latin and philosophy. Recognizing that Maisie has an aptitude to do something useful with her life, Lady Rowan begins sponsoring private tutoring under her friend Dr. Maurice Blanche. Before she knows it, Maisie is…
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Review: A Stranger in Mayfair (Charles Lenox Mysteries #4) by Charles Finch
Charles Lenox’s is the quintessential armchair detective. Being a highborn well funded gentleman has it’s perks and one of them is being allowed eccentricities. For Lenox, his ‘eccentricity’ is….wait for it….a J-O-B! Being a detective is something most of Lenox’s friends frown upon, he frequently finds himself on the source of a good many jokes and though he is well liked, his profession isn’t deemed proper by his social circle. This fact is beginning to wear on Lenox though, after all he is an Oxford chappie and well liked in London society and with his older brother holding a seat in Parliament….Lenox longs to be truly respected. In the last…
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Review: Pierre and Luce by Romain Rolland (a short story)
On the war torn streets of Paris 1918, two lovers meet by chance on a subway. Pierre is a modern day ‘Hamlet’….depressed, hopeless, and disillusioned by the world in which he lives–in his reality, he is an 18 year old middle class boy who has just received his conscription papers. But when he sees Luce on the subway, she is his ray of hope–a promise of a better life than the one destine to be his future. But does she see him? Does she know? Does she feel it too? Why would a girl so full of hope and life look twice at him? Before he can make his introduction,…
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Review: Timeless (Parasol Protectorate #5) by Gail Carriger
Agent Blue Bonnet here with a transmittal from the Parasol Protectorate secret society: Timeless by Gail Carriger is finally out! I discovered this series last year while I was participating in the Steampunk Reading Challenge over at Bookish Ardour. I absolutely loved Soulless (Book #1) and it has been an interesting series to watch evolve overall. Timeless is Book #5 in the series–which seems to be the last installment I am sad to say. The first four books take place in rapid secession but this book is set two years after Book #4. Alexia Tarabotti AKA Lady Maccon, is settling into her new life–as best she can considering she is married…
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Review: The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott
Do you find yourself wasting countless hours a day, day dreaming of the Edwardian era? Do you suddenly find yourself longing for a corset, button up boots, and an ostrich plum hat? You my friend are in good company and clearly suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawals. If like me, you are looking for literary tale to satisfy your need…then look no further than Kate Alcott’s novel, The Dressmaker. The Dressmaker is a Cinderella-ish tale reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada set against the backdrop of the Titanic disaster. Tess Collins spontaneously quits her job with the hope of gaining last minute employment on the Titanic the day it is to set sail.…
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Review: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon, Fiona Carnarvon
Don’t we all wish we could wave our magic wands and become the Crawley family living the high life at Downton Abbey? For Lady Almina Carnarvon that dream was a reality. With Downton Abbey sweeping the telly waves, fans are salivating at the mouth for more Downton–I know I am! This book was extremely appealing to me for the obvious–a promise of more Downton! When the publisher sent me a copy for review, I was over the moon–checking my mailbox daily in eager anticipation! I am always a little iffy about non-fiction and biography books because they can often become rather dry and scholarly for my taste…that’s all well and…
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Discussion #2: Outlander Reading Challenge 2012
The second discussion post for the Outlander Reading Challenge is up! As noted, I will be posting monthly meme’s/discussions for both reading challenges I am hosting, Outlander and Game of Thrones. These are meant purely for fun and by no means required to participate in the challenges. I will post five questions for you all to mull over and I will answer one of the questions myself to start off the discussion. I also invite you to post your favorite quote or passage from the book as well. Remember to link your responses or reviews back to your blog using the Mr Linky on the corresponding Monthly Meme page or you can simply leave your…
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Discussion #2: Game of Thrones Reading Challenge 2012
Here is the second monthly meme/discussions for the Game of Thrones Reading Challenge. This month’s discussion is on A Song of Ice and Fire #2, A Clash of Kings. As usual, I will post five questions for you all to mull over and I will answer one of the questions myself to start off the discussion. I also invite you to post your favorite quote or passage from the book. These are meant purely for fun and by no means required to participate in the challenges. Make sure you link your responses or reviews back to your blog using the Mr Linky on the corresponding Game of Thrones Monthly Meme page or you can…
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Review: A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2) by George R.R. Martin
War is coming. All over the Seven Kingdoms, chaos reigns! With King Robert dead and the Lannister family on the brink of scandal…the fate of the Iron Throne is in question–four different self professed ‘kings’ proclaim their imperial rule over the Seven Kingdoms threatening to divide the realm. Brother against brother–house against house–alliances made and broken–war changes everything. A Clash of Kings is the second in George R.R. Martin’s epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. I think this is the longest and most complex books I have ever read (1,009 pages). Though it is long, the story itself is rich and the prose lyrical–this series definitely reads like…
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The Lit Bitch has entered the 2012 Downton Abbey Reading Challenge (A Project Downton Post)
Challenge #6 has been entered! I know I said no more reading challenges but this one was a must do, especially with my work on Project Downton, I could not pass up the opportunity to find more great books for my list! Here are the challenge details, the Downton Abbey Reading Challenge 2012 is being hosted by Reading Extensively who is quickly becoming one of my fav book bloggers . As I have noted in my other reading challenge posts, I have a special page/section devoted to my entries which will have lists of books I plan on reading. As per usual I’ll post my reviews throughout the year and add the buttons on my sidebars.…