by Charles Dickens

This is, so far, my favorite of Dickens' novels. (Save perhaps for A Christmas Carol, which is short and sweet.) I'm guessing you're wondering what the two cities are. What do you think? 
I'll give you two hints: British lawyers and the French Revolution.
Forgive me, but I have generally found Mr. Dickens' books to be rather slow in plot and not always capable of holding my interest. (Although it is too a possibility that I possess the attention span of highly caffeinated chipmunk). Neither do I regard most of Dickens' characters as the brightest bulbs on the string.
Not so with this book.
This isn't to say that the plot moves along with a tenth the speed of, say, a James Patterson novel, but for Dickens I really can't complain. It's highly interesting, too, no classic orphan-boy theme here. The cast of characters includes a bunch of British lawyers, a prisoner and his daughter, some French aristocracy, and a whole lot of irritated Frenchmen and women. On the whole, they provide a more intriguing and entertaining plot than you could generally trust any number of British lawyers to do. 
As the story opens, one of the lawyers accompanies a young lady to France to rescue her father from delirium, following his release from a long imprisonment. Here, the stage is already being set for a good revolution, as the aristocrats treat the commoners like dirt and the peasants mutter ominously amongst themselves. The young lady, Miss Manette, effectively calls her father back to life. Later, living in London, the two make the acquaintance of the handsome Charles Darnay, who does his best to put his mysterious past behind him. They also meet the talented but miserable, directionless Sydney Carton, who has a curious connection to Darnay. And with this cast of characters (did I mention the British lawyers?) Dickens leads us from peaceful London into war-torn, bloody Paris, and hopefully out again.
As well providing an excellent storyline, this book captures very well the savage passions surrounding the French Revolution. Someday, I hope that someone will explain to me why those people were so proud of their revolution. It seems to me that they made a terrible mess of it, and unfortunately I mean that in a literal sense. Nevertheless, I liked this book a lot. Read it. 

for: adults and teens
Content rating: I'm gonna say 4/5. Plenty of violence pertaining to the revolution, but I don't recall anything else objectionable.
My enjoyment: 4/5

by Carolyn Meyer

This book is an enjoyable children's historical fiction novel about Queen Elizabeth Tudor. I mean the original one, daughter of Henry VIII and sister to Bloody Mary. 
It's an observant and, I presume, historically accurate account of Elizabeth's relationships with her family and her life during the reign of her brother Edward and sister Mary. It's reasonably well-written, though simply told, from Elizabeth's point of view. I did not, however, appreciate all of the insights into the lady's mind, as most of them consisted of either "Someday, I will be queen" or the equally melodramatic "I shall never marry". While I realize that it's necessary to make certain assumptions when writing a historical fiction novel, I think we can afford to make them a little less repetitive. It's pretty annoying, I think, when an author goes on and on about a single little point. I mean, I recognize that repetition is important for unifying a work of art or writing. I respect that. I really do. But I think that at some point you have to step back and realize, hey, I've made this point clear enough even for the most dim-witted of readers to comprehend. Otherwise, you just bore readers into closing the book or hitting the Escape button to Escape your endless blog post. Face it, we all have to respect our readers' time. Mutual respect is important between an author and her readers. And that's why most of us can't stand it when someone goes on and on about something, and we're like, "Ok, I think I get the point already!"
Anyway. What was I saying? Oh yes. Something about Elizabeth Tudor. This book is a fun way to learn about one of the more fascinating people in history, and about life and the royal court in 16th century England. Those at court were  masters of intrigue, which is probably why most of them got their heads chopped off at some point. That our friend Elizabeth survived is reason enough to congratulate her. This is, as I said, a children's book, and is neither sufficiently in-depth, historically speaking, nor involved enough to satisfy an adult or older teenager.
Carolyn Meyer has written several other books in this vein, which include similar novels about Anne Boleyn, Mary Tudor, and queen Catherine.

for: children and younger teens
Content rating: 4.5/5  Unsurprisingly, there are a few mentions of love affairs. And lots of people die.  Nothing particularly graphic.
My enjoyment: 3.5/5  I enjoyed it more when I first read this book as a younger teen. I guess my tastes have matured some. More detail! More history! 

by Cornelia Funke

So I think that we need to talk about these books separately. Because they occupy separate places in my heart.
Yes, tragically, this is one of those book series that starts off beautifully and after the first book just kind of drags on and on like so many pages of tax returns. Even in Inkheart, the story tends to go around in circles a bit.
If you do plan to read the whole series, however, just read my review of the first book since I can't promise that there are no spoilers in the next two.

Inkheart is the first book of the, uhh, the Inkheart series. The main character, Meggie, lives alone with her father Mo, a bookbinder. The bibliophilic little family of two gets along quite well together, but one dark and stormy night they receive a surprise visitor with ominous news. The messenger, an old acquaintance of Mo's named Dustfinger, brings troubling news of danger that sends Meggie and her father down the road in a rush to stay with Meggie's great-aunt Eleanor. Eleanor is an imposing woman who prefers to be left alone with her books. Even there, however, peril finds them in the form of another old acquaintance named Capricorn, who kidnaps Mo for a strange power that Meggie never dreamed her father possessed...and that may hold the answer to the disappearance of her mother.

Most of Inkspell is set, funnily enough, inside a book...I mean inside a book inside a book. (If you want to know how that happens, you'll just have to read Inkheart won't you?) So the characters of the book, plus a few transplanted from our world, are all running around with their own agendas here and it's pretty much pandemonium. Here's one story that's been adapted from it's humble origins. It's up to Meggie and the author Fenoglio to rewrite their tale and save the fantasy world from a variety of villains that Fenoglio probably regrets ever writing--a task that may require some outside help, including an ominous new role for Meggie's father.

Inkdeath begins and ends in confusion, which is probably why it has the distinction of being one of the only books I've ever read that I don't remember that well. It wasn't too bad, however, I was annoyed that Meggie's role is minimal as the story goes on. All responsibility for saving the world is basically transferred to Mo, in his new role as the world's one remaining hero: the Bluejay. Things he has to save his friends and the world from: 
-an annoying substitute author, who dethroned the old one
-a dictator named the Adderhead and his buddy Piper
                                                        -Death, who is slightly ticked off

As I said, I loved the first book. After that it gets too complicated and leaves you with the feeling of falling with agonizing slowness down the rabbit hole like Alice and not knowing where you're going to end up. Very likely I would enjoy the rest of the series more during a second reading though, now that I kind of know what's going on.  
In any case, I love the beautiful writing, the interesting and imaginative characters, and the whole idea of a story within a story. 

for: older children and teens
Content rating: Geez. It's been a while. I think there were just a few swear words and stuff. Definitely nothing real bad. I'd say 4/5
My enjoyment: Inkheart: 4.5/5
                      Inkspell: 3/5
                      Inkdeath: 2/5

by Brandon Mull

Okay. I've been informed recently that my book reviews are too boring. Not opinionated enough, the fan(s) say! Bring on the controversy, the fan(s) say! There's nothing more fun than a good argument over a book!
Well, since the fan(s) are clamoring for controversy, I'll do my very best. Some of you, I'm sure, are wondering about the choice of Fablehaven to debut my new, fighting spirit. Please don't get me wrong. Fablehaven is quite an excellent book series. I chose it for this purpose because A) I didn't feel like reviewing Twilight, B) there are a few things that have always bothered me about Fablehaven, and C) someone once dared to suggest to me that it was better than Harry Potter!
I will not allow anyone to besmirch the name of Harry Potter. But if you have a challenge, bring it forward. I would be absolutely ecstatic to find more fantasies that I could enjoy as much.
Again, Fablehaven is a great series, and before I do anything else I will tell you why. It's a children's fantasy series, with some original characters and ideas, and quite well written in a friendly style. It's just dang fun to read. As the series begins, two siblings named Kendra and Seth are delivered to grandparents that they have never met to spend the summer with. Though unenthusiastic at first, Kendra and Seth find their grandparents amiable and their home, a protected preserve whimsically called Fablehaven, as interesting, one might even say as enchanting, a place as two kids could wish to spend a summer. They soon discover, however, that not all is as it seems. The borders of the preserve are sealed not only to protect its inhabitants from the world, but to protect the world from the creatures living inside...
After a magical battle with a demon, etc, etc, Kendra and Seth learn that there are many more such preserves hidden around the world, some with hidden magical objects whose power may soon be needed to stop the unleashing of the greatest threat the world has ever seen. But there are enemies, even amongst the most devoted caretakers of the magical world...
Yes, overall an excellent storyline. A few small things that do bug me: 1) Kendra is too perfect and somewhat wimpy. The adventurous Seth takes a lot of the risks and most of the blame. 2) As the series progresses, the kids gain more and more superpowers. At some point you have to ask, okay, how could you not win??

for: children and teens
Content rating: 5/5 Absolutely clean
My enjoyment: 4.5/5  Very entertaining. A good addition to all the little adventures going on in my head.

by Roald Dahl

The two-part biography of childrens author Roald Dahl's life. (Sometimes found as two separate books, sometimes in one). This autobiography is one of the most entertaining autobiographies you will ever read because 1) it's written by Roald Dahl and 2) it's about Roald Dahl. Does that seem redundant? 
Anyway, the fascinating story of Dahl's life includes: growing up in the horrible, old-fashioned kind of English boarding school, playing various practical jokes, living in East Africa, and flying for the RAF in WWII. 
This is a highly entertaining book that explains some of Dahl's inspirations for his children's books as well. It's written in Dahl's distinctive, enthusiastic style. Perhaps my favorite thing about this book is that it inspires me not to be boring when I grow up. So why don't you read it too? It could make the whole world better.

For: Adults, teens, children
Content rating: 4/5 I don't recall anything inappropriate in this book. There is some violence incidental to Dahl's military career in WWII, and also at his boarding school where beatings seem to have been not only allowed but encouraged. Some people may find it offensive that he called his African valet his "boy" in a matter-of-fact way.
My enjoyment: 5/5

by Gail Carson Levine

This is my favorite of Levine's books. It is nothing like the movie--far better than the movie, in fact.
Ella Enchanted is about a girl born in the magical kingdom of Kyrria who is--surprise!--enchanted at birth with a curse of obedience. The giver is the misfit fairy Lucinda, who sees absolutely nothing wrong with turning someone into a squirrel now and then. Ella grows up under the careful protection of her mother and Mandy, the cook. Then one day her mother dies of illness and Ella is left to the tender loving care of her dishonest merchant father. Still struggling under her curse, (and unable to refuse any direct order, however thoughtlessly given), Ella makes the acquaintance of the poetically named Prince Charmont, who becomes her dear friend and pen pal, and the horrible Dame Olga, Hattie, and Olive, who become her stepmother and stepsisters, respectively. Ella endures years in their company, strengthens her friendship with the prince, and ultimately forges the strength of character that she will need to break her curse and live happily ever after.
The writing is excellent and the character development well done. I love this book because Ella is such an intelligent and imaginative character. It's fun to read, and so original that you will forget it's based off a fairy tale.

for: kids, teens, adults...anyone with extraordinarily good taste in fantasy...
Content rating: 5/5 very clean
My enjoyment: 5/5 for the reasons above mentioned

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

I know what you're thinking. Creepy post-apocalyptic book...hmm...your English teacher probably made you read that. Well. Yes. Nevertheless, it was a pretty good book. Classically cynical, really. The story of a nameless father and son traversing a ruined America, with the vague goal of reaching the coast. On the way, they must forage for food and other supplies and avoid other humans--because humans mean a variety of dangers, few of which bear thinking about. It's a grim, gray, and ash-covered portrait of the future, to be sure. McCarthy's writing is excellent; sometimes fragmented but the words melt together like poetry. (Dang it, I sound like an English teacher). Overall the book is slow, but the action parts are well-written and haunting. It gives you a lot to think about. 

For: adults and older teens
Content rating: 3/5  There's some pretty graphic violence and cannibalism.
My enjoyment: 3/5

by J.K.Rowling

Yes. Just look at them. Beautiful, aren't they?
Now, I know that just about everyone in the world who intends to read Harry Potter already has, and that the rest of the world resents the hype. Nevertheless, I will take a moment here to congratulate J.K.Rowling. Sometimes things are popular for a reason.
This is my favorite book series in the world. That makes me terribly unique, I know. Harry Potter is original, creative, and provides an entire elaborate world to get into. But I like it best of all for the writing style. Rowling's writing is humorous and captures the teenage mindset very well, as I ought to know. 

On the off chance you don't know the storyline: orphaned Harry Potter, raised by his uncharitable and unmagical aunt and uncle, learns on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. And not just any wizard: he somehow defeated the greatest Dark wizard of all time, Lord Voldemort, at the tender age of one, after his parents were murdered by Voldemort. Harry heads off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he meets his best friends Ron and Hermione and the school's respected headmaster Albus Dumbledore. But even Dumbledore's protection may not be enough when Lord Voldemort, barely alive, makes repeated attempts to return, wreak revenge on Harry, and conquer the Wizarding world. 

For: teens and adults
Genre: Fantasy
Content rating: 4/5 Some violence, a few swear words, and dark magic. If the latter bothers you a lot...don't read the books. Naturally, the series gets darker in later books as Harry gets older and Voldemort gains power.
My enjoyment rating: 5/5

by Barbara Kingsolver

So maybe I should've debated long and hard about what book to review first. I didn't. Funnily enough, this isn't even representative of most of my reading choices. Maybe it's time to change that, because The Poisonwood Bible is a wonderful book. 
The story takes place largely in the Congo, starting in 1959, and covers a span of about 30 years. It tells the story of a missionary family: Georgia housewife Orleanna Price and her four girls Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May, led by their fiercely obsessive preacher father, who leave their small town of Bethlehem, Georgia for the perilous beauty and hardship of the Congolese jungle. There the unyielding Nathan Price strives to bring a village full of poor Africans unto God's light, but at some cost to his family. With alternate undertones of adventure and regret, the five women take it in turns to tell their story of blunders and tragedy. For me, the five different narrative voices made the book compelling because it developed all the main characters--and their very different personalities--extremely well. Though the main focus of the book is the story of the Price family, the fascinating history of the Congo is also neatly incorporated. Against a backdrop of jungle isolation and, further out, political unrest, the Prices come to understand their African neighbors, cope with family tragedy, and reshape lives that can never be the same.

For: adults and teens
Genre: historical fiction
Content rating: 4/5  Mention is made of some sexual affairs but not explicitly in any way. There is also occasional profanity.
My enjoyment: 5/5