The Creation of Eve

 While stocking books the other day, one fell off the shelf and hit my foot. This is not anything new. It happens all the time. I bend to pick up the book, which has landed, opened. I scan down the page and the sentence that catches my eye is "Only Michelangelo has the key." I flip the book over and see that the book's title is The Creation of Eve by Lynn Cullen. I read the description of the book. I had never heard of the author before but decided I would take a chance on it. There is nothing more that I love more than Italy and Michelangelo, so I began reading.

 The book starts out in Italy in 1559. A 27 year old woman named Sofonisba Anguissola, Sofi for short, is studying art from Michelangelo. This is a rare priveldge due to the fact that women in that time did not paint. Most could not even read. She signs her work "Sofonisba Anguissola, Virgo (the Virgin). Her work is noticed by some and her adventure begins.

 The story follows Sophi, via her notebooks, from Italy to Spain. King Felipe II of Spain sends for her to be the painting instructor to the very young Queen Elisabeth . She is also the Queen's lady in waiting and confidant.

 I will not give the storyline away, but Sophi's story is amazing! From love found, lost and found again to tiny decisions that change events in a huge way, this book is a must read. Many of the characters in this book were real people, which adds to the allure of this story.

The way Ms. Cullen writes is a joy to read. Everything flows very nicely and there is not a lot of filler added. The Creation of Eve takes you back in time and makes you wish you were there, in the background watching this story unfold.

A New Adventure

I work in a bookstore. I am an avid reader. Isn't it odd that it took another person saying "you should have your own blog and review the books that you read" for me to even think about the idea? I thought, pondered and thought some more and here I am. 

A little background info:

I am an almost 43 mother of 2, grandmother of 3 (with one on the way), who has been married for almost 25 years. I live in rural Mississippi. My interests are varied. I paint, make jewelry, crochet and sew a bit. I can weld, do basic carpentry, sand down and paint a vehicle and have even helped rebuild a diesel motor. My husband and I have been farming forever. Needless to say, we aren't rolling in money. 

The one constant thing that I have done my whole life is read. I can not not read. I tried, on my 40 mile drive home from work last night, to think of a day in my life that I haven't read. Couldn't do it. Is just a have to thing. An addiction? Probably. A good addiction? Definitely! Reading has gotten me through some really hard times. Good ones too but it is odd. I seem to remember exactly what I was reading when "so and so" happened. 

Enough of me for now. My aim with this blog is to review each book that I read. I will be as honest as possible and cut no slack. If it bad, I will say so. I will also, from time to time, talk about books that I have read in the past that are my favorites. One of the huge perks of working in a bookstore are ARC (advanced reading copy) books. Those I will read, write out my thoughts on plain, ordinary paper and save until the book is released. 

Here are a few answers to questions that are most asked to me: 

 

Paper vs e-reader: I do both. I read way more books in paper form. I do love the ease of an e-reader though. Also, some authors don't have their books listed in paper form, so reading them via e-reader is a must. There are also some GREAT podcast books out there. 

Genres: I will read almost anything as long as it isn't a sappy love story. Anything that can be made into a Lifetime movie? Nope, I probably haven't nor ever will read.  

Favorite Authors: Anne Rice, Stephen King, Laurell K. Hamilton, Karen Marie Moning, J.R. Ward, Octavia Butler, Kim Harrison, James Rollins, Jeffery Deaver, Greg Iles, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Gail Carriger, George R.R. Martin, Kate Douglas, Cassie Ryan, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, Brent Weeks, Margaret George... Those are off the top of my head. Really to many to list.

Book or movie: Book 99.9% of the time. Before I see a movie that is based on a book, I will read the book. I know that the movie can't be 100% true to the book, but some come really close. 

Am going to close for now. Is time for me to go and curl up in my comfy chair and read a bit before sleep.