I think John Adams might be stalking me. . .

I just finished reading David McCullough's biography and now Adams is showing up all over the place! OK, maybe just NPR and PBS, but it's still pretty cool. I love it when I'm studying or reading something, and references pop up in unexpected places. McCullough's book had been in my to-read stack for a while before I finally picked it up a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't that I didn't want to read it, more that I wanted to devote the time and brain power needed to really enjoy it. And enjoy it, I did!

Adams was really a fascinating guy. I'm not saying he was perfect, but who is? What I love about him, if his ability to recognize his own flaws and failings and his doggedness in defending what he beleived to be right. He knew independence was right for America and was instrumental in achieving it. Although he was often accused of pride (even by himself), he asked Jefferson to right the Declaration of Independence. He also nominated George Washington to lead the Continental Army. Maybe you knew that, but I did not.

Though his friendship with Jefferson turned to enmity during the heights of their political careers, the two men overcome this later in life to become frequent correspondents. This speaks highly of Adams's ability to forgive.

Adams probably wasn't the best father to his children considering he spent nearly all of their formative years at Congress or in Europe. Speaking of which, Abigail Adams must have been the most amazing person ever! Adams was lucky to have her, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that she was one of the main reasons for his success.

In the end, Adams feared that history would forget him and his contributions. This book really brings Adams back into the public eye and deservedly so. He sacrificed much to build our nation and deserves our respect.

David McCullough is a wonderful storyteller with an accessible writing style. Read it! And while you're at it, read 1776, too!

A word about the HBO miniseries: It's awesome! While not always factually accurate, it is true to the spirit of Adams's life and McCullough's book.

The Red Necklace

Recently, I read Sally Gardner's The Red Necklace, an historical novel, set during the French Revolution. This is the story of Yann Margoza, who begins the story as part of a magic act involving a very animated marionette. From the beginning, the reader knows that Yann has some kind of supernatural ability. Yann has spent his entire life with Tetu, his caretaker who happens to be a dwarf and also possesses supernatural abilities. The reader is quickly introduced to the villain of the piece, Count Kalliovski, a mysterious and manipulative man. The action takes of right from the beginning. I won't tell you what happens because I'm not that kind of girl, but you'll get an inkling of Kalliovski's evilness right from the beginning. Of course, there is also a girl, Sido, who is beautiful and innocent. Her father, the Marquis de Villeduval is neglegent at best and abusive at worst. Sido has potential, but she doesn't get much development over the course of the story. She's your basic beautiful, shy, trusting girl. I'm hoping for more in the next book. Count Kalliovski is working his evil schemes on Yann and Sido as the French Revolution unfolds.

The best thing about this book is its intensity. It grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go. You get the French Revolution, magic, romance, a dwarf, a truly heinous villain, false imprisonment, and a truly creepy scene involving the "sisters macabre." There are Dickensian elements in the story, as well. For example, Yann is taken in by wealthy and good people who shape him into a better man.

The book also explores issues of trust, control, family, and, perhaps most pertinent to the current economy, the evils of debt and the power of creditors.

I would recommend this book for male and female readers. It does contain violence and some pure creepiness, so use your best judgement.

Her is a link to Gardner's website in case you're interested.

Hello Friends

I'm a middle school teacher, future librarian, and avid reader. My friends and students always ask me for book recommendations, and my sister has been trying to convince me to start a blog for years. Well, I've decided to try this out. One of my goals is to help people with finding something new to read, but I also relish talking about a good book once I've finished it, and that can be a problem if no one else has read it! This will give me an opportunity to talk to. . .anyone. . .no one. . .someone about what I read.

Don't worry. I will be telling you what to read on a regular basis since I do suffer from BBSD (Bossy Big Sister Disorder) and the only relief is in commanding people to do things. :)