Girl with a Pearl Earring

Girl with a Pearl Earring
by Tracy Chevalier

I sat in my car for an hour listening to the final stages of this novel. I just wanted to know what would happen to the protagonist. (I think that's the right word for the main character.)

This unabridged version kept wandering into my mind in the night. If it was a movie it would be hard to define it. Drama? Suspense? Certainly not a thriller or a family movie. I guess it's easier to just say historical fiction. But that seems to vague.

Throughout the narration, I kept thinking that this girl was very introspective and had high meta-cognitive skills. But she wasn't the smartest girl. She was clever--but sometimes she should have seen it coming when she just didn't.

She was also artistic. I kept waiting for her to get her hands on a paintbrush. I kept wanting her to go to art school. But I guess girls didn't do much of that in those days.

I wonder when this was written and if the author wanted you to want that for the girl.

Anyways: Good book. Too long. Recommended for college aged or for married due to sexual content, innuendos, and implications.

The Girl With a Pearl Earring

The Girl With a Pearl Earring

I'm listening to this book on tape during my travels. It's interesting so far. My friend, Corbi has read it.

Angels Watching Over Me

Angels Watching Over Me
by Michael Phillips

I just finished this easy novel by Michael Phillips about a 15 year old white girl and a 16 year old black girl who become friends just after the Civil War.

I don't want to give away the story, but I will say that I would recommend this book to Christian teenage girls. It includes a lot of history about this period of time without being overwhelming.

It is also the first in a series of books. I think the series is called Shenandoah sisters, but I'm not sure. I'm already into the second book. These are quick easy reads. Enjoy!

Shauna

The Sign of the Beaver

The Sign of the Beaver
by Elizabeth George Speare

I read this children's novel in one sitting as I needed to know it for a class I was teaching. I liked it. It was the story of a pioneer boy left alone to guard the homestead while his father returned east to collect the family.

The boy met up with some Native American's who befriended him. Did the father ever return to see his son and his new home again? You'll have to read it yourself to find out.

The Red Tent

The Red Tent
by Anita Diamant

I laid in bed this morning finishing this book. I makes sense to me that I read this book in bits and pieces as I woke up or went to sleep as this book is about a woman's personal time and woman's issues in general.

The interesting part of this book for me is that it is based on Biblical events. I know the story of Jacob and his sons fairly well from my childhood. So, I kept waiting for the next big event to happen. But big events to men in the story were not as important to the woment, and vice versa.

This book had sex, violence, and unusual culture practiced regarding birthing, periods, and idols. At least they were unusual to me. But I do like learning about other culture. I just put this paragraph out there as a warning to children or very conservative readers. This might not be the book for you.

I'm listing this book on bookmooch...http://www.bookmooch.com/m/detail/0312195516

The Red Tent

The Red Tent
by Anita Diamant

I'm reading this book about the story of Dinah. Here is the Amazon.com review on the book:

The red tent is the place where women gathered during their cycles of birthing, menses, and even illness. Like the conversations and mysteries held within this feminine tent, this sweeping piece of fiction offers an insider's look at the daily life of a biblical sorority of mothers and wives and their one and only daughter, Dinah. Told in the voice of Jacob's daughter Dinah (who only received a glimpse of recognition in the Book of Genesis), we are privy to the fascinating feminine characters who bled within the red tent. In a confiding and poetic voice, Dinah whispers stories of her four mothers, Rachel, Leah, Zilpah, and Bilhah--all wives to Jacob, and each one embodying unique feminine traits. As she reveals these sensual and emotionally charged stories we learn of birthing miracles, slaves, artisans, household gods, and sisterhood secrets. Eventually Dinah delves into her own saga of betrayals, grief, and a call to midwifery.

The Virgin Lover

Now I am working on the sequal,

The Virgin Lover
by Philippa Gregory.

I haven't had the same time to spend with this book and it hasn't captured me in the same way the last one did.

Note on 2-23-08: Still in the TBR pile

The Queen's Fool

The Queen's Fool
by Philippa Gregory

I finished this book the same day. It was a great ride.

The Queen's Fool

The Queen's Fool

by Philippa Gregory

I'm about halfway through this book about a young Jewish teenager surviving in the 1550s. She dresses as a boy to escape the inquisition in Spain. Then she keeps the clothes as a way to maintain her independance in London.

She catches the eye of some important Lords and ends up working as a "fool" for the court. She has the gift of "sight" but does not alway see the obvious things in front of her.

I started this book today and have not put it down until page 277. I am looking forward to how it turns out.