Mirkwood Reflections

Hamlet SmartPass Plus Audio Education Study Guide to Hamlet (Dramatised, Commentary Options) (Unabridged) by  ‎ William Shakespeare, Simon Potter - 7/24/2014 Excellent - Classic - Audio  7 hr 42 min The multi award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. This is a full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. Universally accepted as Shakespeare's finest play, we peel back the layers of Hamlet to discover how and why it deserves such a place of honour in world literature. I adore Hamlet. These SmartPass audios are wonderful for understanding the finer points and cultural references in the plays.  How to Travel the World for FREE by Michael Wigge - 7/25/2014 Good - Non-fiction - 152 pages - Print One Man, 150 Days, Eleven Countries, No Money! Michael Wigge traveled from Germany to Antartica starting with no money at all. Very interesting account ...

Treason at Lisson Grove by Anne Perry - 7/8/2011  Good - Fiction Pitt is away in France and Charlotte goes to Ireland to clear his superior's name. I was glad to see a new Thomas Pitt novel by Anne Perry and enjoyed it a lot! State of Wonder by Ann Patchett - 7/12/2011 Good - Fiction Dr. Marina Singh travels to the Amazon jungle to search for clue to a colleague's death. I love Ann Patchett's writing. It makes me think. But now I KNOW I never want to go to the Amazon rain forest. :-) True Grit by Charles Portis - 7/18/2011  Good - Fiction 14yo Mattie Ross decides to avenge her father's murder. Our August book club selection is traditionally a contemporary novel and True Grit was this year's choice. It was very compelling.  32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching by Phillip Done - 7/23/2011  Excellent - Memoir Short essays describing timeless truths of a teacher's life and of childhood I started this book months ago ...

Have not been doing well with updates here. Here are my summer reads. The comments in italics are my thoughts as of today, so some of the less memorable books won't be very detailed. Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon - 6/10/2010 Excellent - Historical Fiction Re-read (AUDIOBOOK) My second time reading the latest book in the Outlander series. Loved it more listening to it. But you? You must start at the beginning. Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas - 6/17/2010 Good - Historical Fiction Poignant tale of children caught in an avalance in a 1920's mining town Very touching story with an interesting presentation. Each story is told independently and then woven together at the end. Loved it, though it was sad. The Burning Wire by Jeffrey Deaver - 6/22/2010 Good - Thriller Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs combat a perp killing people with electricity. Better than the last Deaver I read which seemed to be slightly soapbox-oriented. Read It and Eat by Sarah Gardner - 6/29/2010 Excelle...

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich 07/06/09 Good - Fiction Rangeman is being sabotaged and Lula witnessed a murder and is being chased by inept hit men. This eagerly awaited installment in the very fu nny Stephanie Plum series took me all of one day to zip through. Hilarious as usual, I could have done with a little more RANGER, but all-in-all, a very satisfying Evanovich. When do es Sixteen come out? Oh yeah, JUNE. 2010. Sigh. Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange 07/07/09 Good - Romance Pride and Prejudice retold from Darcy's perspective, in diary format. I love love love Amanda Grange's Austen hero diaries and this one is no exception. She thinks of much to add to enhance the story but doesn't compromise Austen's characters or plot. Absolutely CANNOT WAIT for Tilney's diary! Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 07/15/09 Good - Classic Victor Frankenstein creates a monster and deals with the consequences. I didn't especially want to read this, but Rolli...

Six books for July - not an impressive number. Did you do better than me? Cockatiels for Dummies by Diane Grindol - 07/06/08 Good - Non-fiction A guide to selecting and caring for a pet cockatiel Needed some more information on cockatiels and I adore the " for Dummies" series. Eat This, Not That! by David Zinczenko - 07/08/08 Good - Non-fiction Thousands of simple food swaps that can save you 10, 20, 30 pounds – or more Wow! This book is enthralling. Lovely color photos of foods draw you in and the information is excellent. Comparisons between food choices help the reader understand how to choose better foods that still taste good. Sections on fast food, chain restaurants, eating on holidays, and grocery shopping provide a well-rounded guide. Pick this one up! You won't be sorry! Journey by Angela Elwell Hunt - 07/08/08 Good - Inspirational The third volume in this series of the life of Joseph in Ancient Egypt – this one focuses on his sons Manassah and Ephraim. This on...