The Lady of the Rivers By Philippa Gregory

Title: The Lady of The Rivers
Author: Philippa Gregory
Series: Book 3
Website : www.philippagregory.com
ISBN: 978-4165-6370-9

Plot Summary:

Descended from Melusina, the river goddess, Jacquetta has always had the gift of second sight. As a child visiting her uncle, she meets his prisoner, Joan of Arc, and recognizes her own power in the young woman accused of witchcraft. They share the mystery of the tarot card of the “wheel of fortune” before Joan is taken to a horrific death at the hands of the English rulers of France. Jacquetta understands the danger for a woman who dares to dream.

Synopsis:

I was browsing the books in Target the other day and this book caught my eye. The cover was beautifully created and the description sounded so powerful and intriguing, I knew I had to read it.

I have not read anything on Jacquetta before this book, so I was free to read unencumbered, wondering what she was like and what liberties the author took upon writing this story.

I found one of the most enthralling parts of the book to be at the beginning, when Jacquetta was young and keeping company with Joan of Arc. I am not sure if this is historically accurate, but at any rate I just could not put the book down. I also adored the love between Jacquetta and Richard. Their love for each other was romantic and beautiful. I love how she searches for Richard after each battle and how they embrace as if they are new lovers. I caught myself sighing after these scenes. Their love will definitely leave you sighing for more.

The story itself seemed to revolve around events surrounding Jacquetta, instead of the lady herself. This is attributed to the fact that she had a total of 14 children and was in confinement throughout parts of the book.

A sweeping story of passion, power and legend, The Lady of the Rivers is a compelling book that left me with a connection that I won’t soon forget.

The Lady of the Rivers is intriguing enough for me to re-visit and will be waiting for me on my bookshelf.

About the Author:

Philippa Gregory is a past student of Sussex university, and a PhD and Alumna of the Year 2009 of Edinburgh university.Her love for history and commitment to historical accuracy are the hallmarks of her writing. She also reviews for the Washington Post, the LA Times, and for UK newspapers, and is a regular broadcaster on television, radio, and webcasts from this website, Philippa Gregory.com.

Happy Reading,Isabella Rose

Anne Frank: Diary of A Young Girl

Title: Anne Frank: Diary of A Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank
ISBN# 9780553296983

Back Cover Description:

Discovered in the attic in which she spent the last years of her life, Anne Frank's remarkable diary has since become a world classic -- a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit.
In 1942, with Nazis occupying Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the "Secret Annex" of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death.
In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, her account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and frailty and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise was tragically cut short.

Syponsis:
Anne Frank writes candidly in her diary about the daily struggles she faces while hiding in the close quarters of the secret annex. She pens her fears, her hopes and dreams. Anne confides in her diary about being misunderstood, the conflicts with her family and of young love. Anne is a sensitive girl, yet mature for her age. She faces the uncertainty of death each day, which in turn has strengthened her resolve.

The Verdict:
A beloved classic in the hearts of many people, Anne's insightful and colorful journal is a beautiful memorial to her. For those of us who meet Ane through her diary, we feel a personal loss as she was taken from us in the Holocaust.

About the Author:
Anne Frank was 13 when she went into hiding and only 15 when she was arrested and shipped to Auschwitz, along with everyone else in the secret annex. At Auschwitz, the group was seperated and shipped to different camps. The only survivor was Anne's father, who was liberated about a month after his children's death..

Quotes from Anne Frank:
"I don't want to live in vain like most people. I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death"! (April 5, 1944)

"We have many reasons to hope for great happiness, but . . . we have to earn it. And that's something you can't achieve by taking the easy way out. Earning happiness means doing good and working, not speculating and being lazy. Laziness may look inviting, but only work gives you true satisfaction". (July 6, 1944)

Happy Reading,
Isabella Rose

What do You Do With Books You Don't Want?

 My friends and I were going through our bookcases and pulling out books we no longer wanted. We came up with this fab idea to float these books. We each took a book we wanted to read from each other, signed our names and the date inside the book. After we read the book, it will be passed on to someone else who will do the same.
It's a simple and fun way to make extra room on your bookshelves.

The Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn

Title: The Gifted Ones
Author: Lisa Vaughn
ISBN#: 978-1456506230
Pages: 282
Genre: Memoir
Buy Her Book Here

Back Cover:
Have you ever been so in love that your daily breath depended upon one another?
Have you ever been pushed to unfathomable limits just to defend your beliefs?
Have you ever been made to feel like the underbelly of society?
Have you ever been thirteen?
Well I have, and this is my story.

Lisa was raised to be a proper catholic girl within the confines of a small Indiana town. Lisa had a secret to keep, a secret she wanted to shout to the world, but she knew the consequences were not worth the risk. Everyday Lisa wrote of her feelings, of her love, in the pages of her diary, where she thought they would be safe. Until one day Lisa’s mother discovered her diary and her world crashed down around her.

Excerpt:
Slowly she moved down the bridge of my nose, her lips touching me in small even increments. A lifetime seemed to have passed before I felt her lips touch mine. A dizziness swept over me as my world fell even more silent.

Overview:

At 13, Lisa had fallen in love with her best friend, Selina. The story spans their six year relationship, a tumultuous era filled with betrayals, drugs, alcohol, jealousy and freedom.

My Thoughts:
Lisa's story is tender and heartwarming. I went through many emotions reading this book, I laughed, cried and I even felt my cheeks flush. It was as if Lisa were whispering secrets in my ear, her words are so personal, so honest.

Lisa has a creative writing style. She knows how to weave a beautiful story, her words flowing like honey off the pages, whisking you deeper into her life. Lisa's book has some gut wrenching moments, but her story is intriguing, beautiful and innocent.

Even if you can't identify with Lisa's story, there is something special everyone can take from her book. The Gifted Ones is a beautiful memoir filled with love, hope and acceptance.

Buy Her Book Here

Special Thanks:
I would like to personally thank Lisa Vaughn for sending me a copy of her book.

Newsworthy:
Lisa is working on her second memoir, Beautiful Freak.

If you have reviewd this book, feel free to leave your link in the comments below.
Isabella