Review: Shadows of the Workhouse

Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Oh my. Parts of this were a little dull, but overall, some parts of it spoke to me so easily that it moved me to tears. Especially Jenny's friendship with Joe. I remember working with patients suffering from dementia and alzheimers, and the relationships you build can be so strong. Especially when you see them day in and day out and they never have a visit from family. You fill that void. You listen to their stories, their history. Those last chapters just hit home to me personally.

During this book, I started thinking, "how is this 'shadows of the workhouse'?" "There's hardly enough workhouse story being told." But then it comes around full circle and ties up the story completely with how the workhouses really did cast their shadow over so many people's lives, and society, as they were recycled into asylums, hospitals, then apartments.

Overall, I really did enjoy this book. More than the first one, and for completely different reasons. This book just moved me, as the first one entertained me. Sister Julienne told Jenny "When you are young, you go where you wish, but when you are old, others will take you where you do not wish to go." I can say that is absolutely correct. As much as it is sad to think about.

Jennifer Worth has her own way of weaving her story, and it may not appeal to some, but I found it natural and easy to follow. I especially like how she wrapped up the end of the story by showing how one aspect of her time at Nonnatus House (or outside of it rather) showed the process of how, in the end, the workhouse kept it's long shadows over so many of the people that attempted to avoid it many years before.




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Review: Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals

Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals by Temple Grandin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



When I picked up this book from the library, it has this image of a dog on the cover, and it looks like your run-of-the-mill animal book. I have to say that I was pleasantly impressed with Temple Grandin's information in this book. I picked it up because it was recommended by a user on backyardchickens.com in regards to animal behavior. Normally books like this have the same old this, that, and the other. This one does not. She brought to mind many evidence-based behavior explanations and information that I actually was engaged with this book. It's just a rare delight to come across a behavior book that sheds new light, and shows how obsolete older (what we have always known as to be true) theories of how animals think and why they respond and behave as they do. I'm interested in reading her other book now.



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Review: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars







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Review: X Saves the World: How Generation X Got the Shaft but Can Still Keep Everything from Sucking

X Saves the World: How Generation X Got the Shaft but Can Still Keep Everything from Sucking by Jeff Gordinier

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book started off being funny and relate-able in the first chapter. That chapter could not stop talking about Nirvana so it's not too secret to me why I enjoyed it so much. You know when you're reading something or talking with someone and it's like everything they say, you have that in common? That wonderful feeling of belonging? That is how this started off. It's like a book-end of goodness with this book. The first and last chapter were my favorite. It got lost in the middle of the book into something I can only describe as an episode of Seinfield. It was a book about absolutely nothing. But not as funny. More like a WTF moment. Then the last chapter arrived and it was getting good again until it dropped off the cliff towards the end.

Overall, not too bad of a read. It really gets lost lost in the middle and the author seems like he's rambling off words about things that have no cohesive bond to the subject or what he started off about. It was a fast read, I read it in one evening so there's not a lot of time investment to check it out.



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Review: French Girl Knits Accessories: Modern Designs for a Beautiful Life

French Girl Knits Accessories: Modern Designs for a Beautiful Life by Kristeen Griffin-Grimes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I really adore this book. I got it from the library but plan on buying a copy. Not only are the patterns lovely, the book itself is enjoyable to flip through, thinking about what to knit and how it might look, and planning out a project. The author writes beautiful little stories about each pattern and how she came upon the inspiration, which I loved reading. She makes me feel happy, comfortable, and inspired with each page. Definitely will add to my permanent collection. It also makes me feel like planning a quick trip to France, no doubt about that.



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Review: Folk Hats

Folk Hats by Vicki Square

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I love folk everything. But not this... For me, the patterns were far too cheesy and just far flung. They missed the mark of whimsical and jumped off the clip of ridiculous. They are the type of things that are cool in their original manner, but not in knit. It just ruins the history of them and looks like something your crazy Aunt Betty might make you. It could only be worse, if they had been translated into crochet, which would pour on the cheese sauce a great deal more.



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Review: THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY: The Complete Screenplays with Storyboards

THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY: The Complete Screenplays with Storyboards by Christopher Nolan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Review posted at: www.goodreads.com, www.theowlreview.blogspot.com, www.netgalley.com, www.amazon.com

I'm amazed. Honestly, I never would have described myself as a "true fan" of Batman stories. I know The Dark Knight is a bit of different take on it. It's darker, it's grittier, it's, well, more interesting. I was not let down with this book here at all. This is actually the screenplays for the movies, with a little bit of the storyboards at the end of each. Totally unique read.

I was drawn into the story at once. It's a very quick read since it's a screenplay it doesn't take long to get through it. The screenplay aspect was a little distracting with scene direction and character labeling, but it didn't slow me down much.

Bruce Wayne is a fascinating character, and these movies are very well-written. There is action to make it interesting, but the dialogue is really great. That overtone of the darkness in these stories isn't depressing, but it makes it pressing instead. Pressing you to flip the page and absorb what he is going through. The forward-moving tone of the stories makes it something you don't want to put down. I really enjoyed these screenplays, and loved the concept of being able to read through them. If you've seen the movies, you can see them playing out in your head as you read through.

Well-written, and fast-paced to the end, I loved these stories.



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