Monthly Archives: June 2012

Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, From A Game of Thrones to A Dance with Dragons by James Lowder, Ed.

American Literature

Synopsis: A collection of essays about A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. Review: As a huge ASOIAF fanatic, I couldn’t wait to read Beyond the Wall, even though it doesn’t totally make sense to release a book of criticism on an unfinished series. But like many fans, my appetite for all things Westeros will take whatever it can get. I liked the diversity of essays in the book. My personal favorite was one on post-traumatic stress disorder as a condition affecting…

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Mindset for Moms by Jamie C. Martin

American Literature

Synopsis: A collection of bite-sized ideas for moms to stay calm and care for their families and themselves. Review: I picked up Mindset for Moms because Jamie C. Martin is a contributor to Tsh Oxenreider‘s Simple Mom family of blogs. I’ve heard her on the Simple Mom podcast and I really like her ideas and philosophy of life. This book had some nice ideas that stayed pretty basic, and sometimes that’s just want you need to change your perspective. This is a book I’ll definitely…

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Eerie by Jordan Crouch and Blake Crouch

American Literature

Synopsis: A cop and his prostitute sister find themselves trapped a a malevolent force that won’t let them leave her brownstone. Review: Eerie scared the absolute crap out of me! At one point I was too scared to even get out of bed to use the bathroom. The claustrophobic atmosphere was a big part of the power of this story–I really felt trapped in that house right along with Paige and Grant. I can’t say I was fully satisfied by the outcome of the story,…

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Don’t Look Back by Karin Fossum (Inspector Sejer)

Norwegian Literature

Synopsis: When a popular teenage girl is found dead by a mountain lake, the innocence of an idyllic town is shattered. Review: While I enjoyed Don’t Look Back, I wasn’t hooked on the series. The mystery is very well-plotted and kept me guessing to the end, but the psychological complexity wasn’t there the way I wanted it to be. And the reveal at the end had some elements that felt forced and overly dramatic. However, I loved the Norwegian setting and the mention of Sigrid…

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For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macauley

American Literature

Synopsis: A classic text on homeschooling using Charlotte Mason’s methods. Review: For The Children’s Sake was a very inspiring read for me, as I’m homeschooling my girls and very drawn to Charlotte Mason’s work. That should come as no surprise, since the Charlotte Mason method is all about learning from living books. Susan Schaeffer Macauley is the daughter of the famous Christian leader Francis Schaeffer, founder of the L’Abri institute in Switzerland, so I feel like I can really trust her point of view. I…

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Goodbye, Mr. Chips by James Hilton

British Literature 2 Comments

Synopsis: An aging schoolteacher reflects on half a century at a boys’ school in England, starting in the 19th Century and spanning past WWI. Review: I had heard of Goodbye, Mr. Chips but had never read it before, and I’m so sorry I waited so long! The book is just lovely, a gem where every word counts. I was moved beyond compare. It was described as “sentimental,” and I suppose it is, but not in the negative connotation of the word. It’s poignant and reflective…

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