Mique Reads

  I will be participating in the Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2022- hosted by  Karen @Books and Chocolate I ended up abandoning the challenge last year due to an onslaught of difficulties, including spending 12 days on a ventilator because of Covid, 5 weeks in the hospital, also because of Covid, and my Dad passing away due to Covid complications. 2021 was one of the roughest years of my life, and I'm not pressuring myself to complete this challenge, but I'd like to try, and I just enjoy participating. Here are my tentative choices for this year's categories: 1. A 19th century classic.  Any book first published from 1800 to 1899- Dracula by Bram Stoker 2. A 20th century classic.  Any book first published from 1900 to 1972. All books must have been published at least 50 years ago; the only exceptions are books which were written by 1972 and posthumously published.- The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge 3. A classic by a woman author. - Gunnar's Daughter by

I will again be participating in the Back to the Classics Reading Challenge hosted by Karen at Books and Chocolate in 2021. The options are as follows: Tier 1- complete 6 categories Tier 2- complete 9 categories Tier 3- complete 12 categories My goal is to complete all 12 categories. Here are this year's categories and my tentative reading plan: A 19th century classic : any book first published from 1800 to 1899 - Dracula by Bram Stoker A 20th century classic : any book first published from 1900 to 1971. All books must have been published at least 50 years ago; the only exceptions are books which were written  by 1971 and posthumously published. - The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge A classic by a woman author . - The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton A classic in translation , meaning any book first published in a language that is not your primary language. You may read it in translation or in its original language, if you prefer. - Paradisio by Dante Alighieri A classic by

 This year I completed SIX categories (Tier ONE) for Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2020. I have earned ONE ENTRY. I always try to go for all 12, but I still haven't succeeded in that. I'm ok with that, though. I'm dealing with a lot, and I just really enjoy the process, and being a part of the challenge. Here are the categories I have completed: 20th Century Classic:  Under the Sea Wind by Rachel Carson Classic by a Woman Author:  The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson Classic with a Place in the Title:  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith Classic with Nature in the Title:  The Edge of the Sea by Rachel Carson Genre Classic:  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Classic Adaptation:  Pied Piper by Nevil Shute My contact information is mique3483 [at] gmail [dot] com

Format: Ebook Category: Classic with nature in the title Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2020 ( Karen's Books and Chocolate ) To look into such a pool is to behold a dark forest, it’s foliage like the leaves of palm trees, the heavy stalks of the kelps also curiously like the trunks of palms.  This 3rd installment in Carson's "sea trilogy"  covers three types of shores: rocky, sand, and coral. These are all covered on the Atlantic Coastline. While this book is lyrical like her others, I found that it was a little too detailed at times, and read more like a textbook than the other two books. Overall, I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous books in the trilogy, but I think it's still worth reading. 

Format: Ebook Category: Classic Adaptation (Film-1942/1990) Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2020 ( Karen's Books and Chocolate ) You can call a sunset by a filthy name, but you do not spoil its beauty, monsieur.      This book will give you be faith in humanity. A 70 year old Brit, named Howard, is enjoying a fishing trip in France. This is during WWII, before France is occupied. He makes friends with a family there, and the parents ask him to take their two children back to safety in England, because they are needed in Geneva. Howard agrees, but on the way, France becomes invaded by nazis, and he has to be clever to smuggle the children out. Along the way, he picks up many more children, and his path becomes more difficult. I won't spoil what else happens, but this book will give you faith in humanity. I haven't seen the movies, but there was an adaptation in 1942 and another in 1990. I'm interested in watching them, though, as I adored this little book with gre

Format: ebook Category: Genre Classic (Horror) Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2020 ( Karen's Books and Chocolate ) Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.      So I've just been so overwhelmed and ill, so my lastest reviews just aren't going to be as set as detailed. I never got around to reading Frankenstein before now, despite it's popularity, and boy was I wowed! I'm just even more blown away when I think about the fact that it was written by a pregnant runaway teenager. It's really so different from the popular depictions of Frankenstein, and it has really deep themes. This is now one of my favorites, and I know I'll read it again. 

Format: Ebook Category: Classic with a Place in the Title- Back to the Classics 2020 ( Books and Chocolate )  "Who wants to die? Everything struggles to live. Look at that tree growing up there out of that grating. It gets no sun, and water only when it rains. It's growing out of sour earth. And it's strong because its hard struggle to live is making it strong."      There is a lot of hype surrounding this book, and I just don't get it. I mean, I get why this has a place as a classic, being as it is a slice of historical realism. It is semi-autobiographical, about an impoverished Irish-German family living in Brooklyn during the early 1900s. I just couldn't get into it. The pace was too slow. It was like it was in real time. There were several pages dedicated to shopping at candy stores, butchers, etc. Every mundane detail about purchasing a pickle was laid out. My eyes started glazing over. There are also a lot of things that just don't m

Format: ebook Categories: Classic by a Woman Author--Back to the Classics 2020 ( Books and Chocolate )  Three Books by the Same Author (#2)-#mmdchallenge 2020 ( Modern Mrs. Darcy )  "There is no drop of water in the ocean, not even in the deepest parts of the abyss, that does not know and respond to the mysterious forces that create the tide."  In this 2nd book of her "sea trilogy", Carson, with her lyrical prose, reveals the power, beauty, and complexity of the ocean and it's history. She does get a bit too technical at times. I started skimming at the parts where she droned on about pressure per cubic foot, etc. But really most of the book is very accessible to the the average reader, and even though it contains some outdated/inaccurate information, this book is still worth reading. Carson has an amazing ability to see the big ecological picture, how everything connects in the ocean, and how dependent we are on it. I particularly enjoyed the ch

Format: ebook Categories: 20th Century Classic- Back to the Classics 2020 ( Books and Chocolate ) Three Books by the Same Author (#1) - #mmdchallenge 2020 ( Modern Mrs. Darcy ) "Yet so quietly did he approach that the sound of his wings, if sound there were, was lost in the whisper song of the water turning over the shells on the wet sand."       Wow! Reading this was like watching Planet Earth, Blue Planet, or pretty much anything narrated by David Attenborough. Carson has a way with words. That's for sure. I appreciate her lyrical style. This book covers the Atlantic Coast of North America, mainly by following the lives of a sanderling, a mackerel, and an eel. I admit that as much as I love animals and the ocean, I thought I was going to be bored during the mackerel section. I was so wrong. It turned out to be one of my favorite sections of the book! This is a book I know I'm going to re-visit

Format: ebook Category:  a book outside of your (genre) comfort zone. #mmdchallenge 2020  ( Modern Mrs Darcy )      This is a graphic novel, which is definitely not my go to genre. In fact, I don't think I've ever read a graphic novel. Comic strips? Yes, but not a graphic novel. I'm not even really sure why. It's just never been on my radar. I did enjoy this one. To me, it's sort of got a Ray Bradbury vibe mixed in with a bit of "It's a Wonderful Life". It's spooky, haunting, and heartwarming. There are parts that are confusing, but there is a reason for that. I can't really say why because it will give away too much. All I can say is that, ultimately, this is a story about family. 

  I will again be participating in the Modern Mrs Darcy Reading Challenge, hosted by  Modern Mrs Darcy  My tentative choice for each category is listed in Red.  Note: This is one of my favorite challenges. I have participated in the past with various success. I wasn't able to finish every category last year, but I just love participating.  1. A book published the decade you were born- Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman (1985) 2. A debut novel- The Other Alcott by Elise Hooper 3. A book recommended by a source you trust- The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan   4. A book by a local author- The Siren by Kiera Cass (Myrtle Beach, SC)  5. A book outside of your (genre) comfort zone- The Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire (Graphic Novel)  6. A book in Translation- Antigone by Sophoceles (Greek)  7. A book nominated for an award in 2020- Granted by John David Anderson (2019/2020 SC Children's Book Award Nominee)  8. A re-read- Little Women by Louisa May Al

I will again be participating in the Back to the Classics Reading Challenge hosted by   Karen @Books and Chocolate . My tentative choice for each category is listed in Red. Note: I always try to go for all twelve categories, but I've never succeeded. I'm OK with that, though. I just really love participating. In 2019 I completed Tier 1: Six Categories. We'll see how it goes this year. THE CATEGORIES:  1. 19th Century Classic. Any classic book originally published between 1800 and 1899. The Lifted Veil by George Eliot 2. 20th Century Classic. Any classic book originally published between 1900 and 1970. All books in this category must have been published at least 50 years ago. The only exceptions are books that were published posthumously but were written at least 50 years ago. The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson 3. Classic by a Woman Author. The Edge of the Sea by Rachel Carson 4. Classic in Translation. Any classic originally written in a novel other

This year I was intending on reading 12 categories for the Back to the Classics 2019 Reading Challenge, hosted by Karen at  Books and Chocolate , but I ended up doing 6 instead because, well, life with chronic illness happens, and I need to be flexible. I've earned ONE ENTRY. Here are the links to my reviews for each category. Classic by a Woman Author- The Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter #1) by Sigrid Undset Classic in Translation- The Wife (Kristin Lavransdatter #2) by Sigrid Undset Classic Tragic Novel- The Cross (Kristin Lavransdatter #3) by Sigrid Undset 19th Century Classic- The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald Classic from the Americas- My Ántonia by Willa Cather Classic from Africa, Asia, or Oceania- The Silver Brumby by Elyne Mitchell My contact info is mique3483 [at] gmail [dot] com

Format: Paperback Category: A book you chose for the cover ( Modern Mrs. Darcy) "Walking the stacks in a library, dragging your fingers across the spines -- it's hard not to feel the presence of sleeping spirits."   The cover of this book caught my eye with it's simple design and colors, the word, "bookstore", and...Bonus! It glows in the dark! I had high hopes for this one, but it was kind of a letdown. It has all the right ingredients for a great story, but I found the writing to be sub par, and the characters weren't engaging me. The plot was entertaining, and it did have a few humourous and witty moments.  CAWPILE Rating: C- 2 A- 3 W- 3 P- 5 I- 6 L- 4 E- 4 Avg= 3.9= ⭐⭐

    One-eye, Two-eyes, and Three-eyes is a strange Cinderella story right out of the twilight zone. Two-eyes is the protagonist. She is named this because she has two eyes. Her sisters (not step sisters), One-eye and Three-eyes, have one eye and three eyes, respectively. The story doesn't say how many eyes their mother has, but she and Two-eye's sisters form clique against Two-eyes. They think she isn't "special" because she has two eyes like normal people. Key parallels to Cinderella: Abuse/Enslavement- Two-eyes is a slave in her own household, but her situation is even worse than Cinderella because rather than being abused by a stepmother and stepsisters, she is abused by her own mother and sisters. They force her to wear rags and they only feed her their scraps. Fairy Godmother- Two-eyes is weeping over this one day and a wise woman helps her by giving her the words to cause her goat to magically lay a table with food out for her, and then to make the

    Donkey Cabbages is an intriguing,  sometimes bizarre, coming of age story. It features two young characters, who are mirror images of each other, the huntsman and the witch's daughter. They are both sheltered in opposite ways. The huntsman, who lives with his parents, and knows only kindness, is inexperienced. He trusts everyone. The witch's daughter, who lives in a remote castle in the forest also lacks experience with the world outside her home. She has been shown only cruelty by her abusive mother.       The story starts with the huntsman, who comes across an ugly old crone, who begs from him. He is generous to her, and so she gives him a gift in the form of a set of strange instructions. 1) Shoot into the midst of a flock of birds that are carrying a magical cloak, which will take him anywhere he wishes. 2) Take the cloak. 3) One bird will be dead from the shot. Swallow it's heart whole, and a gold piece will appear under his pillow each morning. The Young