Short Stories by O. Henry

SYNOPSIS:  A collection of short stories, the most famous of which is The Gift of the Magi.  In The Gift of the Magi, Della and Jim each give their most prized possession up in order to buy the other a Christmas gift, which turns out to be an accessory for the prized possession given up.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  These short stories are not well-known, I think mostly because they are short stories instead of novels.  However, I loved these books as a teenager, because of the surprise endings and lovable characters.  I would recommend them to any teen looking for something to read in small helpings.

RATING:  G or PG

AUDIENCE:  Anyone

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Great Expectations, The Road to Yesterday

Austenland Series by Shannon Hale

SYNOPSIS:  Jane Hayes inherits a trip to Austenland, a resort geared toward middle-aged women who would like to endulge their Jane Austen fantasies, complete with love interests.

In the sequel, Midnight in Austenland, Charlotte Kinder is a divorcee looking to immerse herself in another time and place after reading a Jane Austen book.  She finds Austenland needs her as much as she needs it.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  These books are written for adults, and will most likely primarily interest young adults and adults.  I am a Shannon Hale fan, and found these books humorous and enjoyable, although not really thought-provoking.

RATING:  PG, with some sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Northanger Abbey, Twilight

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

SYNOPSIS:  Wanderer is an alien who takes control of a host body on earth once known as Melanie Stryder.  Although the hosts' consciousness usually ceases to exist with the insertion of the new "soul" as they call themselves, Melanie is still aware, and fighting with Wanderer at every point.  Eventually, Wanderer finds herself sympathetic to Melanie, and tries to help her and her loved ones get their lives back.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I liked this book more than the Twilight series, oddly enough.  I think the writing is better, and I found the dual main characters in this book a lot more likable than the Bella of Twilight.  However, it wouldn't be a Stephenie Meyer book without some sensuality in it, so I would recommend this for older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Violence

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult and Adult

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Hunger Games, Divergent, Matched

The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce

SYNOPSIS:  Veralidaine Sarrasri, an orphan, is discovered by a horse trader because of her ability to work with and manage horses.  Throughout the series, she discovers she has wild magic, which allows her to communicate with animals, and even become one herself.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I think I discovered these books after reading another of Tamora Pierce's books that I liked.  I'm not normally drawn to fantasy, but I did enjoy this series.  As a disclaimer, I would say that not all books written by Tamora Pierce are right for young audiences, but I think this series would be fun for teenaged readers who like fantasy.

RATING:  PG, possibly PG13 for violence

AUDIENCE:  Teens, Young Adults

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Howl's Moving Castle, Percy Jackson

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

SYNOPSIS:  Margaret Hale returns to her parents after her wealthy cousin and companion is married.  She is happy to return home, but is devastated when her father uproots them and moves to Milton, an industrial town, because he feels he can no longer support the leaders of the church, which is his occupation.  They are thrust into near poverty, and find themselves in a town with different ideals.  Work is valued over education, and wealth is considered more powerful than birthright.  Industry is valued over religion.  Margaret finds herself at odds with a powerful mill owner, John Thornton.  However, as the story progresses, she finds herself drawn to him, as well.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  After Wives and Daughters, I think I expected something different from this novel and was somewhat disappointed.  However, it's a good account of the time period, and is a dramatic, although dark story.

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Young adult and Adult

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

SYNOPSIS:  Molly Gibson lives alone with her father, until he decides to remarry a widow, Clare Kirkpatrick.  Molly is a strong-willed, yet kind girl, and strives to get along with her stepmother, although they are at odds right from the start.  When Molly's stepsister Cynthia is brought into the picture, Molly finds her to be a friend and confidante until Cynthia becomes engaged to Molly's friend Roger Hamley, whom Molly idolizes.  Afterward, there are several misunderstandings and revelations, leaving Molly reeling in their wake.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone, both for its story, and its lovable characters.  However, I listened to the audiobook, which may have been easier to understand than the printed form, so I might suggest it to older readers, if only based on reading difficulty.

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  5

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  An Old Fashioned Girl, Pride and Prejudice

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

SYNOPSIS:  Mr. Lockwood learns the strange and dramatic story of Wuthering Heights, a house owned by Mr. Heathcliff.  In it, Mr. Heathcliff falls in love with Catherine Earnshaw, although he is thwarted in his love.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I'll honestly say that I did not like this book.  It was dark, dramatic, and sad.  Nothing I like in a book.  However, if you are drawn to ghost stories and tragic tales, this book might suit you better than it did me.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and adult subject matter

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult and Adult

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Jane Eyre, North and South

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

SYNOPSIS:  Jane Eyre spends most of her life being unwanted and unloved.  She is taken on as a governess for a young French girl.  She is caught up into the mystery of Mr. Rochester, the master of the house, and all the strange things happening at Thornfield Hall.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Many people confuse this book with books written by Jane Austen, but they are quite different.  Jane Eyre is dark and brooding, with a strong moral theme to it.  It has little of the quiet, everyday humor evident in an Austen book.  For this reason, most readers have a strong preference for one at the expense of the other.  However, I think this book is a good and educational read in addition to Austen.  I would even say that I think every young woman should read it at some point.  However, it is darker, and I would reserve it for older readers.

RATING:  PG, with scary sequences and issues of morality

AUDIENCE:  Teens, Young Adults, and Adults

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Persuasion, North and South

The Complete Works of Jane Austen

I am trying to save time by posting all of Jane Austen's books in one place.  I have read most of them, however, so I will try to give a short synopsis of each.

RATING FOR ALL:  PG for reading level mostly

BOOKS LIKE THESE:  Wives and Daughters, Anne of Green Gables, An Old Fashioned Girl

Pride and Prejudice

SYNOPSIS:  Elizabeth Bennett is one of five unmarried girls in her family.  Her mom is obsessed with making them a good match, although her family is not wealthy.  Elizabeth, however, is determined to marry for love, or not at all.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was my favorite book in high school, and I think it still is.  It's romantic without being physical, and is about a girl who stands up for herself despite what everyone else thinks.  What more could you want in a book?  As for Jane Austen as an author, she is witty and descriptive.  My favorite thing about her books is the way she describes people, pointing out their flaws without actually seeming to do so.  I have a feeling she would be a lot of fun to gossip with.

AUDIENCE:  Teens, Young Adults, Adults

STARS:  5

Sense and Sensibility:

SYNOPSIS:  Elinor Dashwood and her sister Marianne move to a cottage in the country after their father dies, and his son and heir moves into their old home.  They have opposite dispositions, Elinor possessing all the sense, and Marianne all the sensibility (a.k.a. emotion).  Over the course of their struggles, they are thrown into the company of some eligible bachelors.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I liked this book almost as much as Pride and Prejudice.  It is dramatic and romantic.  It also points out the need for balance and moderation.

AUDIENCE:  Teens, Young Adults, Adults

STARS:  4 1/2

Emma

SYNOPSIS:  Emma Woodhouse thinks she has all she will ever need.  She is well off, she has a doting father, as well as many friends and acquaintances who adore her.  However, learns over the course of many matchmaking misadventures that she doesn't actually know everything about everything.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This is a fun story, especially for teens and young adults.  The heroine is a real girl making real mistakes, which is very relatable in a young woman.

STARS:  4 1/2

Persuasion

SYNOPSIS:  Anne Elliot is brought into the company of Frederick Wentworth, whom she still loves.  They had planned to be married in their youth, but Anne allowed herself to be persuaded against it, and has regretted it ever since.  Frederick, who is still bitter over their separation, has made a good life for himself in the navy, and is openly looking for a wife.  Through the course of the novel, they try to discover if their love is ever meant to be.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This is another wonderful book by Jane Austen, but has an older heroine, who has more mature problems.  I would recommend this for young adults.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults, Adults

STARS:  4

Northanger Abbey

SYNOPSIS:  Catherine Morland is a teenager who loves to read Gothic Novels.  She goes to Bath with some neighbors, and meets friends and gentlemen while there.  Over the course of the novel, she learns that life is not like a book, and everything is not as sinister as it appears.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This is a little-known but worthwhile Austen novel, and one that perfectly captures the drama of being a young woman.  I would recommend this book, even more than the others, to a teen, because I think they will find themselves sympathizing with Catherine, and discovering that she is amazingly similar to girls today.

AUDIENCE:  Pre-teens, Teens

STARS:  4

Mansfield Park

SYNOPSIS:  Fanny Price comes to live with her wealthy cousins, after her aunts decide to take her on out of charity.  Although she gradually comes to love one cousin in particular, and does her best to serve them in what little ways she can.  Gradually, they realize how much they depend on her.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I think this is the least popular Austen book, and it was my least favorite as well.  I don't know if it is because it lacks the strong plot and drama of the other books, or if it is simply that today we can't get past the fact that Fanny's primary love interest is her first cousin.  However, it is still a good story, and is remarkably similar to An Old Fashioned Girl, which is one of my favorites.

AUDIENCE:  Teens, Young Adults

STARS 3 1/2