Mique Reads

Format: Paperback  Category: A book you've been meaning to read- #mmdchallenge ( Modern Mrs Darcy) "St. Thérèse didn't die of tuberculosis. No, she suffered from tuberculosis, but she died of love."      This is hands down one of the best books on the spiritual life I've ever read. I cannot recommend it highly enough! It's really helped me to grow spiritually, and given me a deeper understanding of The Little Way and Divine Mercy. It's broken down into small sections, which include a reflection and a short prayer for each day. The 3rd week was the most interesting and helpful to me. This is a book that I know I will revisit again and again.

http://shonnaslayton.com/grimm-read-2019-challenge/ I found this week's stories more enjoyable than last week's, probably because last week the tales were so similar to each other. There is a lot more variety among this week's selections, but one thing they all bear in common is the employment of disguises. "Allerleirauh" (All-Kinds-of-Fur)- This tale is very similar to "Donkeyskin" by Charles Perrault, which also has some similarities to "Cinderella". This story may have been inspired by Saint Dymphna, who's father became insane with lust for her, and ordered her to marry him. She refused, and was beheaded. She also happens to be the patroness of the insane, runaways, and princesses. In this story, the princess uses disguise as a means of survival. She stalls off her father for a time, by demanding three dresses to be made, resembling the sun, moon, and stars, and a cloak of fur made with a piece of every kind of animal. When this

Format: Paperback Categories: Classic from Africa, Asia, or Oceania (includes Australia)- Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2019 ( Books and Chocolate) A book about a topic that fascinates you- #mmdchallenge 2019 (Modern Mrs. Darcy) "But it was from that day on that a legend began to grow up about the cream brumby, cunning as a fox. Stockmen talked of him round their summer campfires, or sung songs about him as they rode around a restless mob of cattle at night, and the cattle told the brumbies, so that they too knew, all over the mountains, the tales of the wild cream brumby." Most books that I've come across about Australia are set in the Outback, but The Silver Brumby is set in the snowy mountains of southern Australia. When I was a teenager, The Silver Brumby was one of my favorite movies. I watched it over and over again. I had never read the book, but I was happy to discover that it was first published in 1958, so I could read it for this catego

h ttp://shonnaslayton.com/grimm-read-2019-challenge/ The Queen Bee, The Three Feathers, and The Golden Goose are very similar to each other. They all have three brothers who go on quests, and the youngest brother in each story is named either Simpleton or Dummling because he's basically considered the village idiot. Despite this, he wins out because he is kind and/or because his older brothers underestimate him. The Little Peasant is about a poor peasant, who lives in a town full of rich peasants (oxymoron?). He betters his situation through his cleverness and trickery. This story doesn't seem to have much in common with the others, but each of this week's stories stories do contain examples of how comparing oneself to others leads one to become discontent and/or complacent. The rich peasants in The Little Peasant become indignant because the little peasant has become richer than them. The rich peasants lived contentedly until they started comparing their riches to

Format: eBook Categories: Classic from the Americas (includes the Caribbean)- Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2019 ( Books and Choclate) A book published before you were born- #mmdchallenge 2019 ( Modern Mrs Darcy) "As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea. The red of the grass made all the great prairie the colour of winestains, or of certain seaweeds when they are first washed up. And there was so much motion in it; the whole country seemed, somehow, to be running." This book is about the pioneer experience in Nebraska, particularly that of Eastern European immigrants, and is also the coming of age story of Jim Burden (narrator), and Ántonia. While the book is told from Jim's point of view, I felt more connected to Ántonia. Jim and Ántonia are friends from the moment they meet, and as the seasons and the landscape of Nebraska prairie change, so do Jim and Ántonia. They eventually take very different paths, b

https://www.jmstengl.com/books I received a free ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. I was excited to read about "mean girl" Gillian, but what I didn't realize until I started reading is that Gillian's story is based on King Thrushbeard. Retelling King Thrushbeard is risky, but Stengl excells at this sweet reimagining of a rather cringeworthy tale. She handles it with plenty of class, magic, humor, character growth, and romance.

http://shonnaslayton.com/grimm-read-2019-challenge/  This week I'm going to focus on "The Dog and the Sparrow". "Frederick and Catherine" is just another version of "Clever Elsie". The other tales, "The Golden Bird" and "The Two Brothers" are more complex than "The Dog and the Sparrow", yet this simple tale hit me in a way the others didn't. The reason for this is that animal cruelty is all too real, and I've personally witnessed it. Years ago, our neighbor's dog was poisoned by someone, and-- just like in this story--our own dog was deliberately hit by a young man in a car. This happened on Easter 2008. Thank God that he was only scratched a bit! The vet was surprised at this, considering how fast and hard he was hit. Our dog gets a bit of sciatica from that injury off and on, but is otherwise in great health! But I digress. Bosco chilling on his favorite blanket with his ears flipped up. He's a sw

                                                         http://shonnaslayton.com/grimm-read-2019-challenge/ This week's stories include some of the more popular tales, the most famous being Little Snow White. Here are some of the main differences from the Disney Version. Magical Origins- Snow White was born because of her mother's wish. Not just any wish, but a wish sealed in blood. It's snowing outside, her mother is sewing next to a window framed in ebony, and she accidentally pricks her finger (like Briar-Rose), and three drops of blood fall on the snow. She thinks the blood looks so pretty on the snow, and wishes for a child white as snow, red as blood, and black as ebony wood. Age- Snow White is only seven years old in this version. Seven is considered the perfect number. The Huntsman- Beauty and innocence play a huge role in both versions, but unlike the Disney version, Grimm's version has the huntsman letting Snow White go, not because of compassion,

I received a free ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. This is a cute series, and this latest installment is my favorite so far. It's really more of a reimagining than a retelling, and the writing is more complex than the first two in the series. I think it's geared more towards middle graders and teens, but it can be enjoyed by adults as well.

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. I love all of Brittany Fichter's books, but this is probably my favorite one so far! This is a big deal because usually the second book in a trilogy is not my favorite, usually due to pacing. This story has good pacing, a fascinating setting, compelling characters, and plenty of intrigue. I seriously can't wait until the next book!

I received a free ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. I loved this original fairytale! I quickly became invested in the characters, especially Katy, and her journey. It's a unique story, and I loved the setting as well. This book is long, but it doesn't feel long. I read it in less than a week. Sometimes, long books can have parts that just seem to drag, or not add to the story, but this book doesn't drag at all. I really can't wait for the next book in the series!

I received a free ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. A cute twist on the Goose Girl. It's kind of like Goose Girl in reverse because the Princess tricks the Maid. I enjoyed it. I think Falada was my favorite part of the book. Mortimer is terrible, but hilarious! I kind of wish it was a bit longer, but I just happen to prefer novels to novellas. The story is well done.

I received a free ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. Jack and the Beanstalk has never been one of my favorites as far as fairy tales go, so I wasn't sure how much I would like this. It turns out that I really liked this retelling. It's a very interesting take on the story, and it's humorous too! I laughed a lot. Mortimer is so terrible! He's a hoot! I think he should get his own book, and I am excited to read the rest of the Entwined Tales!

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. I wasn't sure if I would like this one that much, only because many novellas leave me unsatisfied. Often they are too rushed. This, however, did not feel rushed. This is a refreshingly unique retelling of the Frog Prince. I loved the setting, and the story was compelling. The Frog Prince has never been one of my favorite fairy tales, but this retelling made it thoroughly enjoyable!

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. I just love Brittany Fichter's fairy tale retellings. They make me feel all gooey-chocolate-chip-cookie inside. This is one of my favorites. This is a very unique take on Cinderella, and well worth reading. It only took me a few days to read. I didn't want to put it down.

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting a review.  Like the other books in this series, Girl in the Red Hood is a very creative retelling of a classic fairy tale. It's not my favorite book in the series, but that is just my personal preference. It is still enjoyable, very well-written, and worth the read.

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. I really enjoyed this trilogy. All three books are very creative takes on the the original fairytales. The characters are dynamic and well-developed. I especially loved that the second and third books are based on fairytales that have not been been retold nearly as often as beauty and the beast. These are definitely worth the read! I'm sure I will read them again.

I love Lisa See's writing. It's beautiful (sometimes terrifying) and well-researched. This book is especially good when read with it's prequel, Shanghai Girls. (I received a free ARC of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway)

I received a free ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review. This stunning conclusion to the Autumn Fairy trilogy is both emotional and action-packed! Katy and Peter face their biggest challenges yet, both from within and without. The drama is organic. I laughed and cried, but I didn't feel like the author was contriving to make me cry. The world-building is fantastic! The denouement is very satisfying. I'd love for Christopher to have his own trilogy!