classic book review

Classic Book Review: A Study in Scarlet

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The First Adventure of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

The First Adventure of Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Scarlet
by Arthur Conan Doyle, Vincent Mallié (Artist),Mike Kennedy (Editor)

5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Watson is searching London for affordable rooms and his old colleague mentions that Sherlock Holmes is looking for rooms too. They are introduced and decide to become roommates at 221B Baker Street. Watson quickly discovers that Holmes is eccentric in many ways, and they are soon hot on the trail of a murder mystery. Holmes has a unique way of tracking down clues, and Watson is eager to help.

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Book Review: Little Town on the Prairie

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Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little Town on the Prairie (Little House, #7)
by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

This book has always been one of my favorites of the Little House series, because it focuses a lot on Laura’s schooling. I’m a teacher, so stories about school are very near to my heart. Laura is studying to be a teacher, so that she can make some money to help her sister Mary stay in college.

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Book Review: Kenilworth

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Kenilworth by Walter Scott

Kenilworth
by Walter Scott

4 out of 5 stars

Robert Dudley, the Earl of Lancashire, has a secret marriage with Amy Robsart. He is keeping it hidden from Queen Elizabeth I, hoping to win favor at court and perhaps a crown of his own. His lies are supported by his evil servant, Varney, who schemes on his behalf. Together they keep Amy locked up at Cumnor Place, hiding her from the world. The noble Tressilian discovers their plots and tries to assist Amy, but she loves her husband and won’t move against him. At court, Walter Raleigh gains the favor of the Queen, and famously lays down his cloak over the mud for her. Tressilian tries to present a case against the Earl of Lancashire at court, but his plans are foiled by the scheming Varney.

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Book Review: Bachelor’s Bounty

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Bachelor's Bounty by Grace S. Richmond

Bachelor’s Bounty
by Grace S. Richmond

5 out of 5 stars

Scott is under doctor’s orders to spend a quiet summer in the country, away from all the drunken parties of the city that are ruining his health. Scott sees a picturesque little house in a small town and decides to buy it. His next-door neighbors are an invalid gentleman and his intelligent daughter, Barbara. They strike up a casual friendship, and talk about books and philosophy and religion. But then Caroline, an old flame from his society days, shows up with her little six-year-old son. Caroline insists that Scott must care for the boy (since Scott is his godfather) while Caroline travels abroad seeking out her romantic interest. Scott’s peaceful country life is thrown into turmoil, especially because he worries what the neighbors might think – especially one particularly lovely neighbor.

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Book Review: The Ninth Earl

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The Ninth Earl by Jeffery Farnol

The Ninth Earl
by Jeffery Farnol

3 out of 5 stars

In the 1790s, George is a lawyer who is tasked with assisting Jasper Shrig to investigate a murder which took places decades ago. Jasper has many agents in the area, listening to old tales of the Earl and the scandal of years ago that may have led to his death. George is entirely confused about the mystery, but he meets a young lady, Clyte, and the two begin a vexatious flirtation. At first they annoy and tease each other, but gradually their irritation turns to love.

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Book Review: Short Stories from Robert Louis Stevenson

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The Rajah's Diamond by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Rajah’s Diamond
by Robert Louis Stevenson

4 out of 5 stars

A British General receives a large diamond for services performed for a Rajah during a foreign war. The diamond tempts everyone who comes into contact with it, ruining their lives. The general, his wife, her secretary, a clergyman, a landlord, a bank clerk, and finally a prince all own the diamond for a short time. Their destinies are intertwined; their lives forever changed.

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Classic Book Review: The Woman in White

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The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

The Woman in White
by Wilkie Collins

5 out of 5 stars

Walter Hartright is an art teacher who is hired to give drawing lessons to two sisters at a grand estate. He falls in love with one of them, Laura, but knows that he is too poor and lowly to be considered as a suitor. She is already engaged to Sir Percival, and so Walter tries to hide his love for her. However, a mysterious woman dressed all in white warns them against Sir Percival, claiming that he is a villain. Walter follows the clues to discover the identity of the woman in white and find out what terrible secret she is hiding.

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Classic Review: Tale of Two Cities

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A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens

5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Manette is released from the Bastille after years of unlawful incarceration. He is restored to health by his daughter, Lucie, and they live happily in England. Lucie is courted by a young man calling himself Charles Darnay to hide to his noble family name. When the French Revolution takes hold of Paris, Charles Darnay returns to help an old servant who is in trouble, and he is embroiled in the violence of the revolution. Lucie and Dr. Manette travel from London to Paris, but the tides of the revolution are stronger than they imagine.

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Penguin Clothbound Classics: Jane Austen Complete Boxed Set

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I received the Penguin Clothbound Classics Jane Austen boxed set for free from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. I’m so grateful to Penguin for sending me these beautiful editions!

Not only are the covers absolutely gorgeous, the box itself is beautiful too! I love that each book has a ribbon bookmark attached. Each book has a scholarly introduction, a timeline of Jane Austen’s life, and lengthy notes at the end explaining aspects of Regency history like money, class, marriage, titles, and everyday life.

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Book Review: Five Little Peppers Midway

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Five Little Peppers Midway by Margaret Sidney

Five Little Peppers Midway
by Margaret Sidney

4 out of 5 stars

The five Pepper siblings have a lovely life living with Mr. King in his mansion. They are all studying hard, but Polly studies harder than anyone, practicing her music so she can be a music teacher someday. When Mr. King’s cranky relation Mrs. Chatterton comes to stay, she makes trouble for the whole family. She is rude to Polly, treating her like a servant. She complains that Mr. King’s grandchildren will learn dirty habits from the Pepper boys. Finally, she convinces little Phronsie to run errands for her, resulting in a disaster that affects the whole family.

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