Christine's Book Corner

The Basketball Diaries  is a memoir by Jim Carroll written in diary form to show us what it was like growing up in New York City during the late 1960's.  Living with sex and drugs as an everyday occurrence, we learn the struggles of Jim Carroll and how it affected his life. A memoir could be written as a narrative, but in The Basketball Diaries , Carroll wrote it as the book suggests, a diary.  I think this was a great way to write this book because it really brought the reader into his life.  It was in depth and I felt that you were really brought into his life.  You felt his struggles with drugs and sex and how tough it was for him living in New York.  I think if it was written as a regular book, it would've lost that affect.   Where Carroll lived is where I live now and I found that all the more exciting.  Granted it's in the past, five decades ago to be exact, I found out facts I didn't know about my neighborhood.  I even had to look up some of the plac

In The Cross and the Dragon  by Kim Rendfeld, Alda is caught in the middle of a difficult decision.  Her brother is in talks with having her marry Ganelon, who is rough and shows abuse towards Alda and they aren't even married yet.  At the same time, Alda is attracted to Hruodland and the feeling is mutual.  The two plan to marry, no matter what happens.  After much convincing, Alda finally gets her brother to agree that she could marry Hruodland.  Soon into their marriage, Hruodland is sent away to fight in the army as they invade Hispania.  This troubles Alda as she worries if she'll ever see her husband again once he leaves.  With Ganelon still wanting revenge for Alda choosing Hruodland over him, will she ever be safe from his harm?  Will Alda and Hruodland live the life of a couple so in love with each other?  Will war break them up?   My Review: Normally, I love books that are written about this time period.  And when I saw this book, I knew it was one that I h