End of 2017 Book Reviews

This article includes groupings of some random unconnected books and two series that I have on my shelf. Actually, this month is probably the last regular month of posting in 2017. Subscribe if you want to see the schedules of November and December. I actually do not schedule what I will write about; I only plan each individual article two weeks in advance. Anyways, enough about blogging.


Books Read

     



     

The Summary



America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

THE NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY BESTSELLER

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson's eldest daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph--a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.

From her earliest days, Patsy Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson's oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate, protector, and constant companion in the wake of her mother's death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France.

It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen-year-old Patsy learns about her father's troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love--with her father's protégé William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions whether she can choose a life as William's wife and still be a devoted daughter.
Her choice will follow her in the years to come, to Virginia farmland, Monticello, and even the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to protect her father's reputation, in the process defining not just his political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass

In the town of Spring Haven, four children have been selected to compete in the national candymaking contest of a lifetime. Who will make a candy more delicious than the Oozing Crunchorama or the Neon Yellow Lightning Chew?

Logan, the candymaker's son, who can detect the color of chocolate by feel alone? Miles, the boy allergic to rowboats and the color pink? Daisy, the cheerful girl who can lift a fifty-pound lump of taffy as if it were a feather? Philip, the suit-and-tie-wearing boy who's always scribbling in a secret notebook?

This sweet, charming, and cleverly crafted story, told from each contestant's perspective, is filled with mystery, friendship, and juicy revelations.

The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass

The highly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel The Candymakers by beloved author Wendy Mass.

 

It has been a few months since the nationwide New Candy Contest, and Logan, Miles, Philip, and Daisy have returned to their regular lives. But when the winning candy bar comes down the conveyor belt at the Life is Sweet candy factory, Logan realizes something's very wrong....

 

When the Candymaker announces that they will be going on tour to introduce the new candy bar, the four friends see this as an opportunity to make things right. But with a fifty-year-old secret revealed and stakes higher for each of them than they ever imagined, they will have to trust one another--and themselves--in order to face what lies ahead.

In this action-packed sequel to the bestselling novel The Candymakers, prepare to embark on a journey full of hidden treasures, secret worlds, and candy.

 

LOTS and LOTS of candy.

A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie by Kathryn Harkup

Fourteen novels. Fourteen poisons. Just because it's fiction doesn't mean it's all made-up . . .
Agatha Christie reveled in the use of poison to kill off unfortunate victims in her books; indeed, she employed it more than any other murder method, with the poison itself often being a central part of the novel. Her choice of deadly substances was far from random--the characteristics of each often provide vital clues to the discovery of the murderer. With gunshots or stabbings the cause of death is obvious, but this is not the case with poisons. How is it that some compounds prove so deadly, and in such tiny amounts?

Christie's extensive chemical knowledge provides the backdrop for A is for Arsenic, in which Kathryn Harkup investigates the poisons used by the murderer in fourteen classic Agatha Christie mysteries. It looks at why certain chemicals kill, how they interact with the body, the cases that may have inspired Christie, and the feasibility of obtaining, administering and detecting these poisons, both at the time the novel was written and today. A is for Arsenic is a celebration of the use of science by the undisputed Queen of Crime.




Things I Liked

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

Overall, this is an interesting historical fiction novel and reads like an autobiography too.

The Candymakers and The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass

These two books are in a series. This series contains strong friendships, mystery, secret missions, and loads upon loads of candy and chocolate. This descriptive book will definitely make you crave candy and loyal friends to share the candy with.

A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie by Kathryn Harkup

This book is a guide to fourteen different poisons that Agatha Christie used to kill off victims in her novels. Because Agatha Christie only used real and logical methods in her novels (she worked as a pharmacist in WWI), this book was possible. Kathryn Harkup is a British chemist who gives the reader an in-depth look into each poison. Harkup explains the chemical and physical properties, its history (discovery and uses), how and why the chemical is a poison, how the chemical kills someone and how much of the chemical is needed to kill someone, and how Agatha Christie used the poison in her novel. In the back of the book are pictures of the chemical structures of the poisons and a chart telling how Agatha Christie killed her victims in each of her novels. The author doesn't spoil anything without giving a warning ahead of time.

Billy Had a System and Billy's Clubhouse by Marion Holland

These two books recount the various tales of Billy Kidwell and his friend, Fats Martin. Written in the 1950s, these books show a different time when kids actually played outside with their friends. Actually, I'd rather see kids get into mischief than sit in front of their electronic devices. All of the outdoor play, social learning, and friendships would be a thousand times better for them.


Things I Disliked

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

This book contains one or two inappropriate scenes; they are very brief but still inappropriate. There are also scandals revolving around Thomas Jefferson's affair with Sally Hemings as well as an affair between Patsy Jefferson's (the main character) sister-in-law and the husband of her other sister-in-law. There is a rumor of an abortion through poison. The book condones lying and affairs because the book never shows the actual consequences of sin.

Also the book is listed as a biography when even the authors conceded that they made up a lot of the events by their portrayal of characters or twisting events. You can read the five lies that they got away with here.


Rating

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie: NR (Not Recommended)
The Candymakers by Wendy Mass: R (Recommend)
The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass: R (Recommend)
A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie: R (Recommend)
Billy Had a System by Marion Holland: R (Recommend)
Billy's Clubhouse by Marion Holland: R (Recommend)

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Those were the book reviews for today. Come back next week, and I will tell you about my vacation to Texas!