Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

I read this book because Christina would not leave me alone, and made me read it. Don't get me wrong, I want to read everything ever written by Kristin Hannah, but I didn't feel like I would really enjoy this book.

Well, I was kind of right. I was half way through the book, and I couldn't wait to get it over with. I still wasn't hooked. And just when I was about to chuck it out the window, it started to reel me in.

This is by no means a love story. It's about two sisters who had a mother who never showed any emotion towards them. The only time she would talk to them without being cold, was when she would tell them a fairy tale, one she never finished. But in his death bed, their dad made them promise to make their mom tell them the story.

From the very beginning I knew that this wasn't an ordinary fairy tale, and I caught on pretty quick. I just couldn't forgive what this lady's coldness had done to her daughters. I must say that I really liked the end. The fairy tale turned out to be very sad, and the ending just perfect. It really had a crazy twist that I had no idea was coming.

Overall, I do not regret reading this book at all. I'd give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Have you read it before? What do you think? Let us know.

-Mimi

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Winter Garden was yet another Kristin Hannah great. I am such a fan of stories within stories, especially stores talking about a certain period in history, and that is exactly what Winter Garden is.

First, I need to tell you NOT to give up on the book. I was scared Mimi was going to stop reading it because she hated the beginning so much, so I promise you that it will pick up and you will not be able to put it down.

This is a story of loss, and most importantly love. Nina and Meredith are two sisters who grow up with a bitch of a mother and a pretty awesome dad, but they loose their father and have to figure out how to live with only their mother around. Anya, their mom, is a horrible excuse of a mother. She never talks to them or shows them affection, all she does is sit outside in her winter garden. As the story goes on, we learn why Anya is the way she is and Nina and Meredith learned about a time they never new existed.

Once you are done reading the book, you will feel bad for Anya and her past, but you probably won't forgive her for being such a bitch. If you are like Mimi, you probably won't like Nina and Meredith throughout the book because they do a bad job keeping their own relationships intact. I didn't so much hate them, I just wanted to smack some sense into them at some points in the book.

All in all, this is a GREAT book that any woman will LOVE! Remember, the beginning is kind of slow and you will get mad at Anya, but I promise it will get better.

Have you read Winter Garden? What did you think?

PS: This would be A GREAT movie because it not only has a love story, but some action as well!

-Christina

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

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This book was absolutely AMAZING! I know I probably have, and will say that a lot about other books in this blog, but this one was hard to put down. It's one of the most suspenseful books I have ever read, and it brings out a lot of emotions.

I felt really bad for Mary. She was so kind, and had no choice than to become the King's mistress, and deal with the horrors her sister Ann made her go through, but she stayed strong. Meanwhile, Ann was the nastiest bitch I have ever read about in a book. She didn't care at all for her sister Mary, and used her like an old rag doll. Just thinking about it makes me mad. You can't begin to image how evil Ann was until you read this book.

There were other characters here and there that you will love, hate, or will just annoy you, but no one will bring out the emotions like Ann. You're going to want to punch the book while you're reading. The things she does are appalling! I won't ruin anything for you, but I will tell you that on a scale from Bitch to Mega Bitch, she gets a "Ultra Mega Super Bitch."

I saw the movie, and I will say it was good. And trust me, I'm usually hard on movies of my favorite books, but I will tell you that the Ann in the movie isn't even half the bitch Ann was in the book. I recommend both the movie and the book, but especially the book. It's definitely a GREAT read.

-Mimi

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This was my second time reading The Other Boleyn Girl. I bitched at Mimi for months telling her I did not want to read it again, but I am sure glad I did! The first time I read it way too fast and kept confusing it with the movie. This time, I read it nice and slow and enjoyed it much more.

First of all, if you liked the movie, you will LOVE the book. It is really really big, but super good and scandalous! It is based very roughly on the life of Henry VIII and wife of a few years, Anne Boleyn. (mother of the great Queen Elizabeth)

Basically the king sleeps around with Anne and her sister Mary and just about every other girl around him. I really REALLY hate him. He is gross, annoying, and cocky just because he is the king he can get whatever or whomever he wants.

Anne is a total bitch consumed with the idea of wealth and power. Because of that, she gets beheaded, which she 100% deserves. Her sister Mary on the other hand (the narrator of the book) is forced into the life consumed by power. At a very young age she is made to sleep with the King and be his lover. Her whole life is based on what her family makes her do, it really sucks and I feel bad for her.

This is a time where men are the rulers of the women, and I am so glad I was not alive then. I would have been the first one to be hung! The book really upsets me because of the lives the women have. They literally eat, sleep, and dress to make the men happy.. how horrible! My favorite part of the book is when Mary finally realizes she should stop listening to her family and do what she wants to do! Luckily, she has a good life with her husband and children.

This book is NOT for younger people.. there are a few graphic parts that are mot meant for them. Like I said, if you like scandal, you will love this book!

Have you seen the movie or read the book? What did you think?

-Christina

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