Top Ten Tuesday 10

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's topic is the Top Ten "X" Genre Books.  We get to fill in the "X" with whatever we wish!  Typically, I read a lot of dystopian books, so I feel like most of my lists have been based around that.  As it is a night that my husband is on-call (gotta love being married to a medical resident), I have the time to be creative and post about another one of my favorite (but as of late neglected) genres:  historical fiction.

Top Ten Historical Fiction Books (Not all YA, so proceed carefully!)

1.  A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly:

Donnelly is definitely one of my favorite YA authors.  This book, about a murder at a ritzy upstate New York resort in 1906, is based around the same story that inspired the famous novel An American Tragedy.  Highly recommended for teens and adults alike!

2.  Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden:

I've re-read this book so many times, I've lost count.  Every time, it makes me cry, laugh, and throw the book in frustration.  That's the mark of a good book!  Set in 1930s Japan, it immerses the reader in a time period and country seamlessly.

3.  Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

This is one of those ridiculously talked-about and hyped books that completely merits all of the positive buzz.  The 1930s circus backdrop is a great historical trip!

4.  The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory:

Despite this book's prodigious length, I think I read it over the course of two days at the beach - it is that good.  The world of Tudor England is so full of drama, scandal, and intrigue it is completely engrossing.  Warning:  SO NOT for teen readers!  Verrrrrry mature.  But for adult readers, I heartily recommend any of Gregory's novels.

5.  Fever 1793  by Laurie Halse Anderson:

Anderson is one of the magic teen authors who can turn any topic into literary gold.  Fever 1793 is no different.  A coming-of-age tale set during the Yellow Fever outbreak in Philadelphia, I found this book both quick and relatable.

6.  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

Perhaps it's a cheat to include a book that was not historical fiction at the time it was written, but seriously, who can argue with this classic.  Though I hesitate to put the "curse of Colleen" on it by admitting how much I love it (thus rendering it unpalatable to my juniors), this book is so beautifully written.  Plus, who doesn't love the excessive wealth of the roaring '20s?

7.  Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell:

This book appears on too many of my lists, but that's because it's just one of my favorites.  The Civil War was an absolutely devastating time for all involved, but at the same time, makes a great backdrop for one of the best love stories ever.

8.  Atonement by Ian McEwan:

Definitely love both the movie and the book.  WWII England comes to life in this absolutely gut-wrenching novel that I cannot recommend enough.

9.  Elephant Run by Roland Smith:

This novel has been one of my go-tos for reluctant readers, especially boys.  Set on an elephant plantation in Burma during WWII, students get to experience adventure and a side of history they rarely see.

10.  The Help by Kathryn Stockett:

Sadly, in an effort to meet people in my new hometown, I went on a social outing to see this movie before I read the book.  However, I will say that even as someone who broke the cardinal rule of readers (always book before movie!), this book is worth the read even if you have seen the movie.  The South comes to life in a completely real way.

Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.
 
PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.
 
Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.
 
Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.


This book has been one that's sat on my bookshelves FOREVER, collecting dust.  I bought it to add to my classroom library, but wanted to preview it first before handing it out to students.  Very glad that I took the time to read it!  It's one that might be tough to sell to students, so having some talking points about it will be helpful.


The characters in this book were fantastically created.  Andi, the protagonist, absolutely broke my heart.  Sadly, I think her extreme guilt and depression over what happened to her brother resonate with teen readers, as so many of them carry burdens they shouldn't.  My heart went out to Andi, which helped excuse some of her oblivious moments or bad behavior.  The other important characters, though many in number, were also created deftly.  I found myself taking a personal interest in them, which is a must when trying to hook readers!


For me personally, the plot was exciting and engaging, but a bit convoluted, especially the portions that are narrated through Alexandrine's diary.  She mixes the timeline up a bit in those, and since the reader is already being transported back in time, it can get a bit confusing.  There were also just A LOT of diary entries - perhaps more than were necessary.  Though I was curious to find out about the Revolution and Alex's story, I was much more interested in Andi's journeys in Paris.  The ending, however, was absolutely WONDERFUL and worth pushing through some of the other overly "twisty" parts to reach.


Andi's narration draws readers in, but for this reason I offer a bit of caution.  She's a very messed up girl.  For some of my little tenderhearts, she might even be too messed up.  I can think of some, however, who have admitted to liking dark books, and for them, Andi is a perfect narrator.  Even in the midst of a serious personal crisis, she does have a fantastic sense of humor, which I appreciated.


One other caveat to this book when it comes to recommendations.  It references music throughout the entire narrative.  Personally, I enjoyed the references, as Andi's thesis (and iPod playlist) is based largely off the work of my favorite band - Radiohead (*dreamy sigh*).  While I'm not sure I'd deem a knowledge of their work and other indie bands (as well as some classics, Led Zeppelin most notably) a necessity to reading the book, it did enhance my enjoyment because I knew to what songs she was referring.  For picky readers, this might be a stumbling block.  Or, as I am going to look at it, a fun conversation starter!  I made a list of a few of the songs that are mentioned several times, and I plan to hand that to kiddos who borrow the book.  They can look the songs up on Youtube and enjoy if they want!  I'm all about spreading the Radiohead... errr, not sure you can call it cheer, but you know what I mean.


So, overall, I would say this book is one that I enjoyed reading, but not one I plan to hand out to just anyone.  It will take a mature reader to follow the plot and comprehend Andi's character.  To some of my more capricious readers, though, I think this book is well-researched and could spark some authentic curiosity.






Any other historical fiction recommendations?  I love the genre, but I have a hard time digging up new titles!

Review: Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould

Publication Date: March 13, 2012

Image and summary courtesy of Goodreads.com:

Venice, 1585.

When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo. Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems like the answer to Laura's prayers. The day after she joins their ranks, Vincenzo is publicly humiliated and conveniently exiled. Soon, however, Laura begins to suspect that her sister's death was not a tragic accident but a cold-blooded murder—one that might involve the Segreta and the women she has come to trust.

I was extremely excited when this book arrived in my inbox. I absolutely adore historical fiction, and anything with a mysterious and romantic twist is sure to pique my interest. Though this book wasn't terrible, I just felt underwhelmed. A fun read for sure, but not one that I will feel compelled to re-read.

I will say that I absolutely adored the protagonist, Laura. Her voice was sweet and inexperienced, but she didn't seem irritatingly naive (despite having spent the majority of her teen years in a convent). When she was agonizing over her impending marriage to Vincenzo, I felt her pain and repulsion. However, I felt that her character, and perhaps those of her father and nurse Faustina, were really the only ones who were truly developed. So, when we are supposed to believe she has fallen in with the Segreta and trusts them with her life, it was a little tough to swallow. Or when she falls in love with the mysterious Venetian painter - very bad case of the Titanics (throwing it all away on a very brief romance) there. These characters didn't feel very real to me, so I guess I wasn't as invested in Laura's interactions with them.

The plot, rather than the characterization, was what drove the novel. Again, though, I felt that it was a little underdeveloped. It was a great story arc, with lots of exciting moments, but those moments were far too short and over too quickly. The mysteries of the painter's identity, her sister's murder, and the true motives of the Segreta are such intriguing topics, yet didn't seem to get the proper time. I would have loved to see the story go on longer, just to develop it more. Plus, the setting had such potential to be breathtaking; the narration lacked a lot of description, though, so the potential wasn't reached.

A strong positive of this narrative was the writing style. I liked that even though it was historical fiction, and the setting is something with which many of us aren't necessarily familiar, the easy voice made it very approachable. Moreover, the covers on these books (all of them - I couldn't figure out which will be the final...) are gorgeous! It was certainly the reason I selected it to read, and I feel that it could intrigue potential readers in the same way. That and the high-interest synopsis could be enough to excite readers.

So, overall, I would recommend this to some of my fans of historical fiction. I don't think the story was strong enough to sell the genre to those who claim to not enjoy it, but for those who want a fast read in a familiar genre, this might just be the thing.