What I've Read Lately #14

Here's what I've read lately. The Net Galley books are not included as those are reviewed separately.

 

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone/ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J. K. Rowling

5*

After a failed attempt to read this classic a few years ago, I finally read it! It was great, and I plan to read the whole series. Maybe the secret was to read it in English, not a translation.

2. Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson

5*

It was sweet and sad. It's written in a simple way, but it pushed all the buttons that remind you of childhood, innocence and imagination. I can see why it's a classic children't story and why people cry reading it.

3. Tales of the Peculiar - Ransom Riggs

4*

Having read the first three books in the series, I knew the whole world created by Ransom Riggs is... well, peculiar. But this collection of short stories was at times grotesque, macabre, other-worldly and fun to explore! I enjoyed this one a lot, and it quenches one's curiosity about the world of the peculiar children and the people who are part of that world. The collection is presented as edited by a peculiar man who took on this task of gathering some stories that are part of the culture of the peculiar. The idea is fantastic! It made me curious about the rest of the series.

4. Lemonade War - Jacqueline Davies

3*

Fun and quick read, sometimes funny. All the "economic lessons" briefly presented at the beginning of each chapter were helpful and nicely integrated to fit the story. Great idea to present big things in an accessible way. Useful not just for kids!

5. Lemonade Crime - Jacqueline Davies

3*

The second in the series, this follows the same two kids and their friends on their adventures. A fun read, following the same pattern as the first one in the series. It reminded me of the good parts of childhood back in the day when kids spent time outside and parents weren't helicoptering over their kids. 

6. Send Down the Rain - Charles Martin

4*

It's dramatic, just like any C. Martin novel; you either like it or not, there's no in-between. People feel a lot of feelings in this novel, and they sure cry a lot.

The plot is intriguing to follow, although not always unpredictable - I sort of guessed some of the twists, but I tried not to ruin the joy of reading by trying to guess too in detail the story. I liked the ending, and I sure hope this was based on actual events, because it seems a bit too good to be true.
I am always up for a little family drama, and this one delivered - two brothers going different ways, but not by their choice. It was also refreshing to see the love story [does C. Martin have a novel where there's no love story? Me thinks not.] between two characters that are in their 60s.
All in all, I liked this one, and I sure plan on reading more from C. Martin.