Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

SYNOPSIS:  "Mary" writes about time she has spent with her friends in Cranford, a town full of spinsters.  It is a story of daily comings and goings amongst people in a small town.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This wasn't my favorite book for a few reasons.  First of all, characters die just about as soon as you get to know them.  Secondly, some of the events were a little dull and monotonous, which would be hard for a reluctant reader to get through.  Finally, the main character, who is narrating the story, is practically invisible.  She doesn't really describe herself, or her own life.  However, the story is a charming portrait of the past, and is humorously and honestly told.  I would recommend it for an older reader, based on difficulty, but it would be appropriate for anyone based on content.

RATING:  G or PG

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult or Adult

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Anne of Green Gables, Wives and Daughters, Eight Cousins 

Fallen by Lauren Kate

SYNOPSIS:  Luce finds herself in a reform school after a boy mysteriously burns to death while she is alone with him.  She is drawn to two different boys at the school, and tries to discover their histories, realizing along the way that they are not ordinary boys.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This is another Twilight-type book that found its way into my digital check-out cart.  Although the writing was better than some other similar types of books I've read, I still felt it was a little moody and dramatic for me.  Aside from a lot of kissing, and some violence, the content wasn't too shocking, though.  I would recommend it for older readers who enjoy dark and dramatic books.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and some Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  2 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Twilight, City of Bones, Kane Chronicles

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Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

SYNOPSIS:  Grace finds herself drawn to the wolves that live in the woods by her house, even after a severe attack by them.  One wolf, especially, draws her to him, and she discovers that he is a werewolf, who transforms into a boy she quickly falls in love with.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  It's the same old story:  supernatural boy falls in love with ordinary girl, followed by several chapters of teen angst and lust.  Honestly, I checked this out of the digital library as an audiobook, thinking it looked interesting, but it ended up being more of a bad copycat of Twilight.  Also, it had some violence in it, and some strong sensuality.  I wouldn't recommend it, since I spent half the book rolling my eyes, and the other half cringing back from the content.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Strong Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

STARS:  1

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Twilight, Fallen

The Selection by Kiera Cass

SYNOPSIS:  At her family's request, America puts her name into the Selection, a group of girls from which the Prince will choose a bride.  Although she is already in love with someone else, she feels she will never be chosen, and enters to make her mother happy.  When her boyfriend breaks off their relationship, and she is chosen among the group, she decides to be completely honest with the prince from the start, and quickly becomes his friend.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was futuristic without being violent, and the main character in it chose to be honest, even when it put her in danger to do so.  Personally, I think there are too many books that make dishonestly look like the right choice.  In this book, the main character is honest, and it works in her favor.  However, there are other situations in which she is not completely forthcoming, so she's not completely faultless.  Also, the other characters' reactions don't seem totally realistic to me.  All in all, I would recommend the book.  However, there is some sensuality and sexual reference in the book, as well as some mild language, so I would recommend it for older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Mild Sensuality and Sexual Reference

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Matched, Princess Academy, Divergent

SYNOPSIS:  Maxon has narrowed down the Selection to the Elite six.  While he decides which girl to choose as his wife, America must choose whether to give her heart to Maxon or Aspen.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  As the book progressed, I increasingly found myself losing patience with America.  She is impulsive, rash, dramatic and emotional.  She doesn't seem to have much sense, yet everyone seems to love her.  Also, the second book in the series was less light-hearted and more dramatic, with increased violence.  I felt a little let down after the first of the series.

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Sensuality

STARS:  3

SYNOPSIS:  Now that there are only four girls left in the Selection, with America on shaky ground, she realizes she will have to decide whether she wants to stay, and fight for what she wants.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I lost even more patience with America and her little temper tantrums with book 3 of the series.  In addition, there was quite a bit more violence in the last of the trilogy, with over-the-top sensuality, as well.  I was disappointed with this book.  I think I'd recommend ending after book 1.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Sensuality and Sexual References

STARS:  2

The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore

SYNOPSIS:  The third book in the I Am Number Four series picks up where the last left off, as Four and Nine try to save Sam, and Six, with Marina and Ten's help, tries to locate the missing Garde members.  

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  If you like the series, this book will fulfill your expectations and leave you counting down for the next installment.  However, as with the other two, there is strong violence, so I would only recommend the book to older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Language

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Maximum Ride, Gone, I Am Number Four

Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos

SYNOPSIS:  Chloe signs on for what she thinks is a game show based on Jane Austen knowledge, only to discover that it is actually a reality dating show.  As she tries to make her way through the show toward the substantial prize, she discovers all is not as it seems.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I am only including this book in an effort to be thorough, because I would definitely not recommend it.  I checked it out from the e-library, and found it lacking.  The heroine is shallow, the storyline is unbelievable, and the ending is rushed and unsatisfactory.  There was also quite a bit of sensuality in it, which I don't appreciate.  Basically, this is one of those books which uses Jane Austen's fan base to promote a story that has no chance of fulfilling its expectations.

RATING:  PG13 for Strong Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Adults

STARS:  1

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Fancy Pants, A Posse of Princesses