Priceless Reads

I spent most of this afternoon reviewing the last 8 books that I've read.  In my other blog, Priceless Reads, I've been keeping a review list/ account of the books I read.  I started it last year when I learned about Advanced Readers Copies and how publishing companies are always looking for book reviewers to promote their books.  Since we've moved to Dominica I haven't been able to participate, but last year I received 2 different books as ARC's.  What happens is you promise to review their book (in any light) and post it to 2 different online sites like Amazon or Barnes and Noble and they give you the book for free!  The site I've been doing it through, LibraryThing,  uses an honor and check system.. they send you the book and then you send them the links when you are done.  You have several months to do it, but can't receive another book until the review links are verified.  Want to check out my other site?

I have the last 3 books here on the island if anyone is interested in borrowing one before I get around to doing a Book-Swapping Night.  Mennonite in a Little Black Dress seriously made my week last week!

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home by Rhoda Janzen

There were several points in this book where I started laughing out loud.  Rhoda Janzen tells her story with a great blend of honesty and word play.  At one point, I was almost in tears from laughing so hard while sitting alone on my couch.  Although I had to fight through some “academia” related paragraphs, there were so many other moments of pure enjoyment that this book earns a top recommendation from me. 

The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran

More or less a sequel to Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen is another wonderful piece of historical fiction about the Queens of Egypt.  This time told as a first person account from the aspiring Queen, the main character is well developed and easy to identify with.  The story is filled with jealousy, trickery, politics, and love. 

Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

A great recommendation from my mom, Nefertiti is a wonderful piece of historical women’s fiction.  I love books about women in history, and this one hit the nail on the head.  Told from the point of view of Nefertiti’s sister, Mudnodjmet, the story of the famous Egyptian queen is revealed from start to finish.  It satisfied my love for strong women and also my enjoyment of stories that are told from start to finish.  And what’s even better is that Moran has written several books about the Queens of Egypt, so if you like this one there are more to read! 

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

This novel was my first introduction to The Tudors, and it had me hooked from the start.  I thought it was brilliant to tell the story of Anne Boleyn through her sister.  I remembered that feeling of sisterly competition, and appreciated the honesty from the main character, Mary.  I read most of the book on a 36 hour flight itinerary, and couldn’t have chosen a better time because I had the luxury of reading for hours on end.  I now realize that this book is actually #2 out of 6, and I intend to start reading the others.