Disappointment in October

I've been putting off writing my book blog for this past month (obviously:) because I don't have a lot of good things to say about the books that I read. You know how every once in a while you choose a book that just isn't any good? It's not well-written, it's not compelling, you have a hard time getting through it? That is what my October was like. Better things have been read in November, never fear. However, I did find a couple of good ones, and even the "do not recommend" titles might make you veer away and save you some time. Enjoy. The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker.

This is the first in the series of books which inspired the Princess and the Frog Disney movie which I really enjoyed. These books are very popular at the library, so I decided to try one out. It was tough going. I love children's fiction, I've never made a secret of that, I love story and I enjoy fantasy, especially when written for a child, but this is not on my list of series to finish. See the movie, it was better, if nothing like the book. While there is a lot of great writing for children, there is also a lot of marginal writing for them, or so it seems.

The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate.

This was one of the books I really enjoyed in October. I've always enjoyed reading about food in fiction. Perhaps it's because I've always enjoyed writing about food and showing how important it is to life and connection. Either way, that is what this book plays with and I enjoyed it. It is what most books with strong female protagonists are these days, mostly about getting life together with a hint of romance, and, in this case, Italian cooking. It was a light repast and I found it lovely, if steamy in places, as books about food tend to be.

Underdogs by Markus Zusak.

I waited in breathless anticipation for this book. I'd read I am the Messenger earlier this year and still haven't stopped thinking about it. I've recommended it to countless people, including everyone who reads my blog (this means you) and I've purchased the other very well regarded book by the same author The Book Thief which waits on my reading list for a free moment. I know that Markus is able to write a tight and well-crafted book. This trilogy is comprised of the first three books that he wrote, all about the same brothers. Personally, I found it disappointing, aimless and proof that good writers are the same as the rest of us, they are not always brilliant. I would skip this one, unless you really must see for yourself. If I've missed something, please let me know.

The Bippolo Seed and other lost stories by Dr. Seuss. 

This book was a delight. I read the entire thing aloud to myself while alone. You have to read Dr. Seuss aloud. I have since pushed it into the hands of several people at the library. It is not to be missed. These gems have been lost for years because they were published in magazines and forgotten. Now, at last, they have been gathered and published for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares.

This book was perhaps the most disappointing of the month (though there were several that didn't even make it to this post). I think that this is because of what I went through to read this book. This is a "ten years later" book. I am a sucker for these things. I love the idea of checking up on characters I've known and loved and seeing what is going on in their lives after time has passed. In this case, I should have known better. I never really liked the characters in the first place and I had to read all of the books in order to understand this one. Unless you liked the series, you will not like this book. This should have been obvious to me, perhaps, but it was not. I will never get back the time I spent reading these five books, but perhaps I can save you from the same fate.

So here's to good books, for you and for me. Be sure to share what you're reading with me, the good and the bad. Thanks for reading.