book reviews

October 21, 2020

A while back I promised to come and review the books I’ve been reading for book club. So let’s do it!

When I write a review on a movie or book, I don’t like to to give much of anything away about the plot. That’s because when I go into a book or movie I like to go in fresh, not knowing too much about it. If I can help it, I’ll try not to read the cover “synposis” or see too many trailers or a movie. Sometimes they give too much away! So – just a heads up – these reviews, like the movie review I’ve done in the past, will be my feelings about the book, the general premise of the story, and not much more!
In November my book club read “Austenland” by Shannon Hale. It was MY pick and I hosted book club at my house that month.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I’d recommend it to ANYONE. ESPECIALLY to anyone who has watch the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice. It’s a pretty short and easy read and its a ton of fun. I enjoyed the whole thing and will definitely be reading it again. It reads like a great movie that you’d pop in to watch over and over. I LOVED the main character Jane. She was flawed, funny, relatable, and real.

The book is about this 32 year old girl, Jane, who is given a very expensive trip (from her late rich aunt) to Pembrook Park, a British resort where guests live like the characters in Austen novels. It was that premise alone that made me pick up the book. My digi-scrap friend, Kathleen, was the one who recommended this book to me on her GoodReads.com page! And I’m so glad she did. I REALLY loved it. It’s such a clean, fun book. Probably G or PG rated. If you like Pride & Prejudice, or anything Jane Austen you should READ THIS BOOK!

In January we read “A Great & Terrible Beauty” by Libba Bray.

This is the first book in a trilogy, and I am definitely interested in reading the next two after reading this one. This book is set in the Victorian England. I liked this blurb from Amazon to describe the story:

“A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy–jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual novel”.

The ‘other world fantasy’ as they put it is so interesting in this book. DEFINITELY a little scary, mysterious and interesting. I was very creeped out reading this book, but in a good way!! Once I got about half-way into the book, it became a REAL page turner and I could hardly put it down.

The characters were all so well developed. I liked how Gemma, the main character, was so complex. You think you know what she’s going to do or say, but then she’ll totally surprise you. I really loved the setting of the book! I felt like I had stepped into a real Victorian finishing school. A very fun read that I think you’ll enjoy.
I’d say this book is probably rated PG-13. I wouldn’t let my teenage daughter read it! But I’d recommend it to my own girlfriends.

Hope you found my short and sweet book reviews interesting & maybe even found a couple books to add to your reading list! Have a great day!

10 thoughts on “book reviews”

  1. Hilarie

    Oh, that first one sounds like a must-read for me! I should go add it to my Kindle wish list! Thanks for the recommendation!

  2. Katie

    You should do these more often. We always liked the same kind of books.. and I need to read more. HEHE I miss that Popular Literature class in high school we had with Laurel where we could just read all day.

  3. Stacy

    I LOVED Austerland as well – such a good read. It has been a year since I read it maybe I should grab it again.

    Thanks for the recommendtaion on the second one – may have to give it a go!

  4. Laura Schmitt

    Just put them on hold at the library! Thanks Britt 🙂
    I NEVER tire of Jane Austin, so I am excited to read AustenLand

  5. Paige

    Seriously you are amazing…books, beautiful scrapbook pages, designing, I want to be like you when I grow up….

  7. Yzerbear

    Glad to hear you liked "Austenland." I know Melinda has it, but I don't think has read it. I might have to go borrow it from her. The second book sounds interesting. Might have to put it on my list to read. I agree with Katie. You should do more reviews!

  9. Courtney (aka cnscraps)

    yeah I agree…definitely do these more often. it will give me ideas of what I should pick up next. i'm STILL reading kingdom keepers with my daughter…we've had it for a year. but once we finally finish that i want to get back into reading books for myself. my friend sent me the first twilight book. so i prbly should start there 🙂

  10. Kathleen

    I'm SO glad you liked it. A few people I know have said they didn't really care for it and I couldn't BELIEVE them. How could you not love Austenland?!?!?!? I'm going to go check out the Beauty one….it sounds good! Did I tell you that if you liked Mrs. Mike that you'll like The King's Daughter? And have you read These is My Words? That one was AMAZING.

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