Zoey and Sassafras: Grumplets and Pests; Book 7

Zoey and Sassafras: Grumplets and Pests---Book 7 by Asia Citro; illustrations by Marion Lindsay  96 pages

The latest Zoey and Sassafras (and I hope not the last) story brings back most of the characters that we have seen in the previous six books. 

The story opens with Zoey and her cat, Sassafras, “desperately hoping we’ll hear our barn doorbell.”  That doorbell isn’t a regular doorbell!  It means that a magical creature need help, and Zoey and Sassafras love to use science to help their old and new friends.

Bugs have invaded Zoey’s mom’s kale garden. They are everywhere and there are so many of them that Zoey fears they will never be able to get rid of them. Their old friend, Pip, is hanging out near the garden, but he’s rather grumpy today. He isn’t much help, but Zoey’s mom helps figure out what kinds of pests have moved in.

As Zoey and Sassafras make their way through the woods, encountering all their old friends---the merhourses, Gorp and friends, Tiny and friends--- everyone is grumpy. Zoey realizes that  something else is happening in the forest. Using her scientific background, and help from Pip, she discovers that Grumplets are behind the bad moods. And together they make a plan to banish the grumpiness.

Another fun story for the team of Citro and Lindsay that makes science fun for kids!  “Zoey and Sassafras: Grumplets and Pests---Book 7” receives  5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Cartier's Hope

Cartier's Hope  by M.J.Rose  336 pages

M. J. Rose has written twenty previous novels, and this one may be her best one yet. This time she takes us back to 1910 -1911 New York and the Gilded Age. She writes about the Suffrage Movement, pay equality, treatment equality, betrayal, undercover journalism and the world’s most famous, and most cursed, diamond, the Hope Diamond. Plus a little romance is thrown in for good measure.

Although the Hope Diamond now resides in National Gem and Mineral Collection at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D. C., it was originally housed at New York’s Cartier Jewelry Story in New York. I’ve seen in on display, and it is stunning. I can’t imagine wearing it, much less owning it. Last time I checked the gem was valued at $350 million.

But I digress. While this novel revolves around the Hope, it is a story of one a courageous young women, Vera Garland, who turns her nose up at the high society into which she was born, much to her mother’s chagrin. She wants to make a difference in the world, and she has dedicated her life to trying to right some of the worlds’ wrongs by becoming a journalist.

Writing under the pen name of Vee Swann, Vera has disguised her natural beauty and taken an apartment in the less-than-wealthy area, not all that far from where her family currently resides. Vera/Vee is taking a break. While writing a story, she became attached to one of the people she was writing about and it ended tragically.  She is also reeling from the recent deaths of her beloved Uncle Percy, her mother’s brother, and her adored father, the only person who truly understood her and encouraged her to follow her dreams.

Holed up in her late father’s penthouse high above the store he founded, Vera/Vee is nursing her wounds. In the library, she discovers her father’s deepest secret. I can’t say much more, but Vera believes her father to have been blackmailed.  She plans to get her revenge by using the one thing all of New York is talking about: the Hope Diamond.

The only complaint I have about this intriguing and captivating novel is that, sometimes, when author Rose was providing backstory on the diamond, it was a little much. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Therefore,  “Cartier’s Hope” receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Lady Clementine

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict 336 pages

Fans of Melanie Benjamin’s “The Aviator’s Wife” and Paula McClain’s “A Paris Wife” are going to love Marie Benedict’s latest novel, “Lady Clementine.”

Clementine is the wife of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. One of the many things I learned about is that the pronunciation of her name rhymes with “Josephine.”

When Clemmie and Winston first meet, it is love at first sight. She becomes his “Cat” and he her “Pug,” and they refer to their children as their “kittens.” It is a sweet love story set among the backdrop of two world wars and countless other strifes. They marry in 1908.

Readers will get to know a Winston Churchill as we have never known him before: sensitive, insecure, a neglected child that lurks below the surface, a man who depends on his wife in so many ways, especially politics. In the political arena, Clemmie often reminded me of Mary Todd Lincoln. It was heartbreaking to read. Clemmie shares those same traits and experiences. He suffered from fatherly neglect and an overprotective mother; she from motherly neglect and and absent father. And if the rumors were true, the father she barely saw wasn’t her father at all. But when they are with each other, they find they can be their true selves.

Winston admires Clemmie for her assertiveness, her willingness to speak her mind and to learn about the politics he so greatly enjoys. The novel is written in first person from Clementine’s point of view, but Winston is rarelu out of the picture. it is truly a novel about the woman behind the man.

We watch Clemmie struggle with her alcoholic and promiscous mother, with her own motherhood as she lacks maternal instincts, with the ups and downs of her most unusual marriage, the death of a child, Winston’s adoration of his mother, her need to prove herself worthy in everything she does, and the feelings of failure that haunt her.

A remarkable story of a remarkable woman that history, or at least American-told history, has chosen to virtually forget. That’s a shame. Therefore,  “Lady Clementine” receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Imperfect Women

Imperfect Women by Araminta Hall   334 pages   I read a galley - due out June 2020

How can I resist a story that begins with a quote from Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood? Considering I've read that book 10+ times, I figured that was a good sign for this book.

Even close friends have secrets. That's what Eleanor and Mary are learning since the death of their best friend, Nancy. From the outside, Nancy's life looked like it was prefect. However, the investigation into her death is revealing some dark secrets and it's clear now that maybe Mary and Eleanor didn't know Nancy as well as they thought. And maybe they don't know each other, or themselves, very well either.

This is an immersive, gripping psychological suspense story but it's also an exploration into friendship, guilt, and the decisions that friends can make that alter their relationships forever. At the heart of the story, of course, is the mystery of who killed Nancy. With alternating viewpoints, the author uses sharp insights (and sometimes, biting humor) to explore the complex friendship between these three women. The steady pace, combined with interesting (and not always likeable, but compelling) characters, makes for a fantastic read.

For LibraryReads: Even close friends have secrets. That's what Eleanor and Mary are learning since the death of their best friend, Nancy. From the outside, Nancy's life looked like it was prefect. However, the investigation into her death is revealing some dark secrets and it's clear now that maybe Mary and Eleanor didn't know Nancy as well as they thought. And maybe they don't know each other, or themselves, very well either.

Good for readers who like Liane Moriarty and Fiona Barton. Also for readers who enjoy The Robber Bride and/or Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood.

Painted Glories

Painted Glories: The Brancacci Chapel in Renaissance Florence by Nicholas A Eckstein, 208 pages

The frescoes painted by Masolino and Masaccio in the Brancacci chapel of Florence's Santa Maria del Carmine have been drawing admirers since they were painted in the early fifteenth century, although, as Nicholas Eckstein relates, their intended influence was not merely aesthetic, but simultaneously devotional, memorial, and didactic, shaped in both their conception and reception by a continually changing social and religious context.  Most notably, Eckstein contends, the chapel was transformed after Florence's defeat of a Milanese army in 1440, a victory that was attributed to the intercession of Sts Peter and Paul and the Florentine Carmelite Bl Andrea Corsini.

Little documentation of the creation of the Brancacci chapel has survived down to the present, leaving a number of intriguing mysteries which Eckstein attempts to solve with a combination of careful deduction and informed speculation.  The result is a vibrant portrait of Florence in the midst of the Renaissance.  If there is a major flaw to the book, it is that the focus sometimes seems lost, so that the art begins to disappear behind the history.

The Lying Room

The Lying Room by Nicci French   417 pages

Neve was just having a mid-life fling, a small indiscretion that should have been a secret. However, when Neve pays a a visit to her lover, Saul, she finds him dead in his apartment. And not just dead, but brutally murdered.  After scrubbing all traces of her existence from the apartment, Neve thinks her life can return to normal . . . but did she forget something in the apartment?  Once the investigation into Saul's murder starts, it's clear that Neve's network of lies is about to unravel. It's also clear that as she tells more lies, that something dangerous is at play and it could have been that it was supposed to be her that was murdered, not Saul.

This psychological thriller starts with the discovery of a murder, and the pace is steady throughout the story. Neve is a great example of a realistic character who gets into something with not much intention, but then finds herself caught up in lie after lie.  The whole time that Neve is trying to stay one step ahead of the investigation, it becomes clear that things are become more and more complicated. Her troubled daughter, Mabel, is clearly involved in something with Saul -- did she kill him?  Did Neve's husband find out about the affair?  There are some interesting twists and turns here that keep the story interesting until the very end.

SLPL team December totals

Happy New Year!   In December:

5 people 

read 42 books

for a total of 22859 pages!!

Shirley J. had a grand total of 20 books, but Regina C. outdid her on pages, logging a whopping 11,898 pages for the entire Wheel of Time series!

Onwards to a new year!

Heartbreak of a Hustler's Wife

Heartbreak of a Hustler's Wife by Nikki Turner    224 pages

Des a pastor, whaaaaaaat?    Yeah, you have got to read this book in the Hustler's Wife series.   Yes,  Des becomes a pastor preaching from the pulpit!   When Des sees how high on the hog pastors are living tax free he thinks that is a better, safe racket than pumping drugs into the neighborhood and sets up his own churnch.    Yarni as first lady of the church prays desperately and daily that God moves on Des' heart to truly become a preacher and teacher of the gospels.   Des is a wonderful preacher and he truly touches the hearts of his congregation who hang on his every word.   Yarnie wants so much Des to be touched by God so that his heart and soul belong to the Lord so much so that every word, every prayer, every teaching he shares is sent straight to him from God's heavenly presence.   Then somebody robs the church and the congregation prompting Des to promise to reimburse everyone who lost something during the stick up while contemplating his retaliation on the offender or offenders,    Nothing is ever easy and the street never forgets nor forgives no matter how far back, how long ago nor how far you have come since then.   You can be in a crowd and still become a victim.   Be careful the toes you step on today they could be attached to the lunatic waiting in the shadows one day.    Great book.    I love this series.   I like Yarnie.    I don't always like all the things Yarnie does, but, dang, she sure knows how to keep on keeping on.    I highly recommend this series.    Excellent story line.   Situations, language and explicit talk about everything, sorry kiddies, again I have to say this one is for adults but as soon as you grow up read it. (Wink, wink!)

Forever a Hustler's Wife

Forever A Hustler's Wife by Nikki Turner    288 pages

The sequel to a Hustler's Wife.  Another total thrill ride from Nikki Turner.   After all that happened in the first book Des is accused of killing his attorney.   Not that he didn't kill somebody, just not his attorney.    The police have him on circumstantial evidence but a crooked cop and a crack head conspire to stack the deck against Des and things are not looking good.      It helps to have an attorney for a wife and between Yarnie and the team she brings together all hell is literally about to break lose and Yarnie is about to find out how far away from the truth a little trust can take you.   A real surprise ending with divine intervention.    Another great book from Nikki Turner.   Another recommendation for adult readers, sorry kids!  Nikki Turner weaves another tale of murder, malice, greed, and how the street can twist it all together and the stories come out with tortured souls needing God's redemption.  Just keep the dollar signs out your eyes, pastor!   Great story.   Great series.

A Hustler's Wife

A Hustler's Wife by Nikki Turner     304 pages

An ongoing series featuring the character Yarnie, who is 15 years old and living in Richmond, Virginia which plays so much a part of the story with locations, businesses, streets, roads, etc. that Richmond is pretty much a character too.    Yarnie has had an upper class upbringing but oh those bad young men are so tantalizingly attractive, now aren't they.    Through a phone prank played by her best friend one night on the telephone while sleeping over at Yarnie's they end up talking to Des a drug dealers' name and number Yarnie's friend called out of the blue from a book of telephone numbers she stole from her brother.  Pranking him telling him she got his number from her brother because Yarnie had seen him and wanted to get to know him.   Yarnie is madly shaking her head, "Don't tell him that!   I don't know him!  I've never seen him!"   One thing leads to another and Yarnie ends up talking on the phone to Des.    He is impressed by her poise, class and confidence.  He makes it his business to see what this young lady looks like.   They do finally meet and Des is blown away by her charm and good looks.    She is nothing like any of the street hoochies he has been messing with.  Long story short, Des falls head over heels for her and she admits to him that she is only 15, he on the other hand is 7 years older than her.    Her life up till now has been pretty tame, she even calls her mother, Mommie.   This sweet young thing is about to find out what life with a street hustler is all about, and she is in for it all ride or die.     How Des finesses her mother to let him date her baby and how life changes for Yarnie after is certainly worth the read.    Nikki Turner knows how to keep her readers interested and on the edge of their seats.   Excellent story.   I highly recommend it to young adults on up - while the subject matter, the language and the descriptions are likely things mature teens know of - I still want to protect their thoughts and recommend this for adults on up. 

I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't): Making the Journey From "What Will People Think?" To "I Am Enough"

I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't):  Making the Journey From "What Will People Think?" to "I Am Enough" by Brene Brown      336 pages

All women and honestly all men should check this read out.    Brene Brown did a study on how women shame themselves and go through life constantly nit picking about every little imperfection they detect within themselves and blow it out of proportion to the point they don't feel they stack up to what is expected of them, belittling themselves inside while pasting a smile on their faces for the world to see.    With interviews of several of the women in the study and several conversations on just how the world can force unrealistic ideals on women that men in the same categories do not have to share.  Weight, gray hair, aging, career goals, perfect homemaker, perfect mom, perfect career.   Between role distinctions, media hype, peet pressure and even family expectations - ladies - what we don't put on ourselves as mega goals - the world puts upon us and we feel shame when we don't meet the expectations of everyone.   I call, "Who Says?"   "Who Says we have to do all that?"   Be happy in who you are because you are you and a most valued and talented individual.   Naysayers be damned.     And that is pretty much the message of this book brought out in the best possible ways, Brene Brown presents the womens condition and offers insight and strength for the struggle.  Excellent book.  Sistas unite.   We are wonderful as we are.   Women you will see yourself over and over throughout this book.   Men, really read and grasp what is being shared here and be the difference in the lives of all the women in your life.   Great book I highly recommend it to one and all as soon as you are old enough to understand what is being said here.   This book will make men better men through understanding and it will empower the women who read it.

And In the Vienna Woods

And In the Vienna Woods Trees Remain by Elisabeth Asbrink   464 pages

As y’all know, I don’t read nonfiction that much. I do, but it has to really caprture my attention.  And this one, by author of the internationally bestselling “1947” did. 

It’s the story of Otto Ullman, a thirteen-year-old Jewish boy who is sent form Austria to Sweden at the eruption of World War II. Alone. His story is fascinating. One of the things that enticed me was the back blurb mention that Otto becomes BFFs with Ingvar Kamprad, who grows up to become the founder of IKEA.

I believe that this is an important book for scholars of the period and those seeking this type of knowledge. There is lots of information on Sweden’s, Austria’s, and even Switzerland’s positions during the War. However, it is too much information for nonscholars like me. I was ready to abandon the book by page 75, but instead I just read the parts about Otto and how he esacaped the Nazis and his life in Sweden. He was part of Kindertransport-like event to save the children of Austria.

I was disappointed that Ingvar Kamprad didn’t show up until near the end. And in my opinion, I didn’t much see the relationship. I did learn how the name IKEA came about: he added his initials to the village’s name. Ingvar Kamprad Elmtardy Agunnaryd (IKEA).

“And in the Vienna Woods Trees Remain” seems to be thoroughly researched, and as I wrote earlier, I believe it is an important book for those studying this perios. Therefore,  “And in the Vienna Woods Trees Remain” receives  2 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Women: The National Geographic Image Collection

Women: The National Geographic Image Collection   509 pages

Not just a stunning book of photography, but essays on women's history, this fantastic book pulls from 130 years of National Geographic photography to showcase the past, present and future of women. Organized around themes, each chapter focuses on topic like "Grit" and "Joy" and includes commentary for notables such as Melinda Gates, Roxane Gay, and more.

I had anticipated this would be a great coffee table book of photography, but hadn't realized there would be so many fascinating essays and commentary. Having the chapters done by theme, sometimes surprisingly, makes the photographs resonate even more strongly.  Definitely a wonderful book if you're interested in women's history (or absolutely stunning photography).

The Secret Commonwealth

The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman  633 pages

This is the second volume of Pullman's The Book of Dust, and honestly, if you have not read the first book, don't read this one --- it will make more sense if you're familiar with the first story.  Or at least familiar with the world Pullman has created.

In this story, Lyra Silvertongue (a/k/a Lyra Belacqua) is 20 years old and an undergraduate at St. Sophia's College. However, all is not smooth with her life, as her daemon, Pantalaimon, has witnessed a brutal murder. Lyra and Pan aren't getting along, a fact which is worsened when Pan reveals that the dying man entrusted Pan with a secret.  Lyra is also learning more about Malcolm Polstead's role in bringing her to Jordan College and as a result, is now traveling across Europe to find a desert said to hold the truth of Dust.

Okay, I admit it: I didn't love this story.  There are a lot of heartbreaking moments in this book between Lyra and Pan and frankly, she's a jerk through much of the book. Which is frustrating. And, the story gets dry at times, so even though she is on a quest, there were times when I felt the story just dragged. Combined with her unlikable character at this point in the story, it made for a less enjoyable read than I had been expecting.  I am hoping things redeem themselves in the next book. 

Full Throttle: Stories

Full Throttle: Stories by Joe Hill  480 pages

"In this masterful collection of short fiction, Joe Hill dissects timeless human struggles in thirteen relentless tales of supernatural suspense, including "In The Tall Grass," one of two stories co-written with Stephen King and the basis for the terrifying feature film from Netflix.

A little door that opens to a world of fairy tale wonders becomes the blood-drenched stomping ground for a gang of hunters in "Faun." A grief-stricken librarian climbs behind the wheel of an antique Bookmobile to deliver fresh reads to the dead in "Late Returns." In "By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain," soon to be an episode on Shudder TV's Creepshow, two young friends stumble on the corpse of a plesiosaur at the water's edge, a discovery that forces them to confront the inescapable truth of their own mortality . . . and other horrors that lurk in the water's shivery depths. And tension shimmers in the sweltering heat of the Nevada desert as a faceless trucker finds himself caught in a sinister dance with a tribe of motorcycle outlaws in "Throttle," co-written with Stephen King.

Replete with shocking chillers, including two previously unpublished stories written expressly for this volume ("Mums" and "Late Returns") and another appearing in print for the first time ("Dark Carousel"), Full Throttle is a darkly imagined odyssey through the complexities of the human psyche. Hypnotic and disquieting, it mines our tormented secrets, hidden vulnerabilities, and basest fears, and demonstrates this exceptional talent at his very best."

I used the summary from the publisher here, because that's easier than trying to summarize 13 different stories.  As usual, I enjoyed some of the stories more than others --- and I quibble with something in "Late Returns," but that was my favorite story of the bunch. "Faun" is also really good -- quite creepy and you feel like you get a good ending. I like Hill's writing and find that his stories get better the longer he writes; I didn't really like Horns or Heart-Shaped Box, but by the time he gets to The Fireman, he's golden.

Joe Hill is Stephen King's son (if you didn't already know that) and some of his writing definitely has that King feel to it.  It's especially nice to see two stories here that they co-wrote.

Curious Toys: A Novel

Curious Toys: A Novel by Elizabeth Hand  373 pages

14 years old and in disguise as a boy, Pin lives with  her fortune-teller mother on the edge of Chicago's Riverview Amusement Park.  During the sweltering summer of 1915, she witnesses a man and a young girl enter the Hell Gate ride but only the man emerge. While she questions if she really saw this, she sees another observer, outsider Henry Darger, who seems to witness the same occurrence. Initially wary of each other, they work together to try to catch what is quickly becoming obvious is a very twisted killer.

Historically detailed and rich with interesting characters, this novel gives you several points of view. By realistically portraying both the characters and the setting, and keeping you off kilter with one of the points of view, this is a great thriller/adventure/whodunit. You get the very real sense of danger that runs through the story, and Pin is a very compelling character.  As a student of Chicago history, I really enjoyed the setting of this book and it was fun to look up some of the photographs of Riverview Park, as well.  This is a great story if you are interested in a different side of Chicago's history, but also if you enjoy strong-willed and brave female protagonists.

Grass

Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim   471 pages

This adult graphic novel tells the true story of a Korean "comfort woman" and documents how the atrocity of war devastated women's lives.  Telling the life story of a girl names Lee Ok-sun who was forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, this book unflinchingly gives the compelling and horrifying details of what she went through, as well as other "comfort women."  Using an art style that is detailed, and heavy on black ink brushwork, the author/artist brings her interviews with Ok-sun into compelling detail. 

I had read a review of this book and was interested in the topic, and was curious about the treatment that a graphic novel would give to this first-person narrative. It's a very good book, although the topic is quite serious and at times, I had to close the book and just think and reflect a bit -- because it was sometimes tough to get through.  Definitely an interesting book for students of World War II history who are not familiar with this particular bit of history, or what these women went through.

The Queens of Animation

The Queens of Animation: The Untold Story of the Women Who Transformed the World of Disney and Made Cinematic History by Nathalia Holt 379 pages

This is a great companion book to the book about the Women  of Ink & Paint at Disney, which was published a few years ago. The author goes into great detail of the story of the women of Disney Studios who had a hand in shaping the iconic films the studio created. These influential women had to fight stereotypes, and try to persevere in an industry ruthlessly dominated by men, and whose names were almost never in any of the films' credits.  Showing how these women infiltrated the boys' club of Disney, into the story and animation departments, is very eye-opening and an integral part of film history.

The author takes the reader through the early days of Disney, before Snow White was created, up to modern times, all the while keeping the thread of the influence these women have had throughout the history of the company.  Definitely a fascinating read if you are interested in Disney history, but also if you like to discover more about women's history that has been untold (until now).

The Huntress

The Huntress by Kate Quinn    530 pages

This historical fiction story focuses on a team of people searching for a woman who is a Nazi war criminal, who is hiding somewhere in America. Going back and forth in time, the story has some unforgettable characters.  Nina has always dreamed of flying and when she gets the chance to join the legendary Soviet night bomber regiment, she doesn't mind that the life is hard and dangerous. However, when she is stranded behind enemy lines, Nina becomes the prey of the lethal woman known as The Huntress.

In the present, British war correspondent Ian is working with another man to try to find The Huntress, who has apparently gone to ground somewhere in America. In Boston, 17 year-old Jordan is interested in going to college and becoming a photographer, although her father has other ideas. When he brings home a beautiful new fiancee, Jordan is thrilled --- but there's something a little off about this woman.

And, as you probably suspect, the new fiancee is likely the Nazi war criminal . . . or is she?  This is a novel of cat-and mouse, which includes real life details of people during World War II, making it an immersive, exciting story.  Definitely a great book for fans of historical fiction, especially stories about unusual and brave women.

Wheel of Time series

The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan   11,898 pages

I recognize that I have neglected to post this series as the books were read over the past few months; however, I contend that this is not a series as much as it is a single story that simply took volumes of books to tell. I am not a fan of this genre, so I challenged myself to read The Wheel of Time series, epic fantasy novels written by Robert Jordan. The various books were published from 1990 to 2013, prolonged by the author’s death in 2007; given detailed notes for the final book that the author was in the midst of writing, fellow fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson completed the story that was so voluminous that it was told in three separate volumes. The series is noted for its length (check out the page count!), its well-developed magic system, the extremely large numbers of subplots, the intricate detail of its imaginary, and the extremely large number of characters (different accounts state between 1800 to 2800 named characters in the series!).

The publisher sums up the nearly four and a half million words as follows:

Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time is a story that takes place both in our past and our future. In his fantasy world, the Dark One, the embodiment of pure evil, is breaking free from his prison. The overall plot is about a man who learns that he is the reincarnation of the world’s messiah and is once again destined to save the world from the Dark One—but possibly destroy it in the process. This saga is not only his story, but the story of an entire world’s struggle to deal with war and change, destruction and hope.

At its core, The Wheel of Time is about the struggle between good and evil, and the way that that battle exists not only on a grand scale, but in the hearts of the ordinary people fighting it. The story has many traditional European-style fantasy elements and themes combined with some strong Eastern themes such as reincarnation and the cyclic nature of time weaved in to make it more unique. Add to that a richly populated fantasy world, with creatures, many original races (human and otherwise), expansive lore, epic battles, unrelenting magic, and deeply memorable characters, and it’s hard to imagine an epic tale that can come even close. The Wheel of Time has all the makings of the next big fantasy TV series…which is coming to the small screen in 2020. I am glad I read it but will admit that the phenomenal detail distracted on more than one occasion, which I attribute to reading the entire series at once. If I had read each book as it was released, I don’t think that level of detail would have been so tedious. If you love long, epic fantasy series in which you get heavily invested in the characters and their world, read this series!  The Wheel of Time is very detailed and draws you in—if you enjoy the first book, you will have to keep reading.  If you don’t enjoy long books in which there are a lot of detailed imagery or the characters are not constantly battling, don’t read this series; with so many books and so many characters, you may get lost or bored along the way.

The Eye of the World

                          782 pages

The Great Hunt

                                   681 pages

The Dragon Reborn

                            675 pages

The Shadow Rising

                             981 pages

The Fires of Heaven

                           963 pages

Lord of Chaos

                                     987 pages

A Crown of Swords

                             856 pages

The Path of Daggers

                           672 pages

Winter’s Heart

                                    766 pages

Crossroads of Twilight

                        822 pages

Knife of Dreams

                                  837 pages

The Gathering Storm

                          766 pages

Towers of Midnight

                             864 pages

A Memory of Light

                              912 pages

                                                       11,898

“The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legends fade to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. […] There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.”

Posted by:   Regina C.   (submitted to Jen 12/28/19)