Category: Book Review

Book Challenges, Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading, Reading Challenges

Review: A Beautiful Blue Death (Charles Lenox Mysteries #1) by Charles Finch

by The Lit Bitch9 Comments on Review: A Beautiful Blue Death (Charles Lenox Mysteries #1) by Charles Finch

In between books I picked up the first book in the Charles Lenox Mysteries, A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch. I read this book as part of the Historic Fiction Reading Challenge hosted by Historical Tapestry.

The HF Reading Challenge required one thing….the book must by set in a historic setting so that means any genre (mystery, sci-fi, YA, fantasy….anything.

I don’t really know too much about the series but the books sounded like they would be right up my alley. I saw the series listed on Goodreads and they had favorable reviews from readers. The are more or less a remake of the Sherlock Holmes Mysteries and since I have read many of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries I thought these would be a modern twist on an old classic.

The series follows protagonist Charles Lenox who is a wealthy gentleman who resides in the posh/exclusive London address of Mayfair. He is what most readers refer to as the ‘armchair explorer/detective’. Because he is independently wealthy he has lots of time on his hands…and he has a very analytical mind and pays attention to details. He has a great ability to deduce little things which no one else seems to make heads or tails of (like Holmes in that way at least). Continue reading “Review: A Beautiful Blue Death (Charles Lenox Mysteries #1) by Charles Finch” →

Book Challenges, Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading, Reading Challenges

Review: Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami (Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge)

by The Lit Bitch4 Comments on Review: Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami (Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge)

I just finished reading Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami as part of the Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge hosted by Murakamichallenge.blogspot.com.

I will admit, I knew absolutely nothing about this author and I am NOT a huge fan of Asian literature except for the more popular/mainstream Asian fiction books like Memoirs of a Geisha and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

When I saw this reading challenge I decided to join because the author sounded intriguing and from what I read, his books sounded like something that would be right up my alley. I am a huge film/literary noir, hardboiled, and avant-garde fan and from what I read about Haruki Murakami (HM), his books have many of these themes. HM’s books focus on surreal, mystical, post modern ideals of loneliness and isolation.

When I decided to join the challenge I went with the list of options–reading one book by HM as I was not sure what to expect and I’ll be honest I have to be in a ‘mood’ to read some of the darker, heavier books and most of HM’s books seemed heavy.

I choose Sputnik Sweetheart for the challenge because it sounded like I could relate to the main character the most out of all his other books. While the story WAS far from light, it was very beautiful–the language was very lyrical and poetic which helped relieve some of the heavy content. The story follows protagonist Sumire, a young aspiring writer who falls in love with her older friend Miu. Though much of the book is based on this love story, it is more about self discovery, isolation, and loneliness. Continue reading “Review: Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami (Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge)” →

Book Challenges, Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading Challenges

Review: Emma by Jane Austen

by The Lit Bitch7 Comments on Review: Emma by Jane Austen

I finally find myself at the end of another book and at my computer long enough to compose a post. I just finished Emma by Jane Austen last night as part of the Victorian Literature Reading Challenge hosted by Subtle Melodrama.

As the challenge outlines, the books must have been written during the Victorian era (1837-1901) or contain Victorian era thoughts/values which Austen does….though Austen wrote more in the Georgian era/ Regency era (1811-1817) her concepts and ideals were generally Victorian so I was happy I could include some of her novels as part of the challenge.

Of course I have read Emma before, once in high school and once as part of a Jane Austen literature class to fulfill my British Literature BA in college. One of the things I love about the ‘classics’ is you get something new out of them every time you read them and of course Emma is no different so I chose to read it again as part of the challenge. Some of you might not know but Emma is actually the basis for the modern day film, Clueless which became a ‘cult classic’ file in the late 1990’s. Though Austen might be considered ‘old fashion’ or ‘boring’ to some her stories are truly timeless and relevant even in the more recent culture. Continue reading “Review: Emma by Jane Austen” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace

What is better than getting presents on your birthday….getting unexpected gifts on your birthday :).

I had seen the book Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace listed as a free advanced copy giveaway on the Goodreads website.

There were many others I could have entered but I was immediately drawn to this one. Without reading the description I knew I would instantly fall in love with the book as I simply love the subject of the book (Impressionist art) without question, one of my favorites being Van Vogh himself.

I was thrilled to get the email that I had won the book on my birthday!

I started the book Friday night and finished it Saturday night, needless to say it was an engrossing tale!

Regardless of the reviews and expectations that I had seen about the book, nothing could prepare me for how this book draws you in and you instantly become part of the energy while reading the tale. I became drawn to the book, sucked in if you will, by the romanticism and the overall tragedy of the characters and story…..so tragic but so familiar in many ways.

I have been a Van Gogh fan for years. Though there are other Impressionist painters that I like better than Van Gogh (Manet, Degas, Monet, and Renior are a couple of my favs)–there is no one like Van Gogh. No one can match how he views people…he really gets into your mind and the result is rather unsettling.

I will thrilled that the book was able to really grasp the essence of these paintings and show the reader how troubled the artist was. It was rich and colorful….ironically like a painting. The story is written from the perspective of  Dr Paul Gachet, Van Vogh’s personal physician in the months before his death. Continue reading “Review: Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Reading

Review: The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

I had seen the book The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart at bookstores and was intrigued by both the title and the book cover, so simple by catching nevertheless.

The summary sounded interesting and above all, it sounded funny–finally light reading! At long last I finally picked up the book, welcoming the change in literary matter.

I did not read this book for any challenge, I simply just needed a break and to read something random, new, and relaxing and I was not disappointed. Not many books really make me laugh out loud but there were many parts of this book where I found myself in hear hysterics…especially at the beginning.

I had read mixed reviews about the book and was a little hesitant to start it, fearing it would not meet expectations but it was truly entertaining. One of the things I liked best about the book was the absurd characters and plot…..not to mention the voice/tone of the novel–very dry, witty, and intelligent humor….characteristically British!  Continue reading “Review: The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart” →