Recent Reads

This has been a strange book month. Some were really good, some were ok, and others were disappointing.



I loved this book, perfect for capturing the Spirit of Christmas.



Next on the list is Inkheart. I actually really liked it although it started off kind of slow and I was confused about what was going on. About a quarter through the book it got exciting and the rest was good. It was kind of Harry Potter/Fablehaven-ish. I found it on the "clean" list at the Provo Library. There were a couple swear words though. Apparently it's a trilogy, I did not know that... as well as a movie.

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Third, Fine Old High Priests. This is one we're reading for our neighborhood Book Group. I wasn't that thrilled about it at first, but it worked itself out and it was quite a good book with a good message about friendship and religion.



Fourth, Map of the World, from Oprah's Book Club. It was so intense I couldn't sleep at night after reading it and I had nightmares about the story line. The book was extremely well written and exciting, but it's one of those books where I wanted to re-write the ending. I had been so invested in the book I felt let down at the end. The (bad) language in it is terrible as well, be warned. I don't know, I think if I had the chance to unread this book I would. Haunting...

Recent Reads

I have a dirty little secret. I love to read. ALOT. I stay up way too late reading mostly because I get sucked in and can't quit until I fall asleep or finish the book. Sometimes the hubby has to remind me that the stories are "not real" because I get so involved like they're really happening! These are some of the fun books I've read this month.
Dairy Queen, a cute little book, and something different to read.
My sister in law Kim recommended this book and I read it in a day (I did have the flu and couldn't move without hugging the toilet bowl, so I had a good excuse, ok). It was really good and gave me some good ideas for food storage and preparedness!
Rashi is a Jewish scholar and I enjoyed learning more about him and his family. The Jewish religion is so fascinating with all of their rituals and their hardships in world history. This is a series of 3 books, but beware of the "romance" factor of these books, it's pretty graphic.
I loved this book. It was witty and fun with a surprise ending. Do I like Cinderella's step-sisters now? I think maybe I do.
Haunting and distressing, but a good read because of it! I can't stop thinking about the love triangle in it, it's driving me nuts! I loved this book and it's sequel "Catching Fire"

We read Freakonomics for Book Group and had a very lively discussion on it. It's basically a spin on traditional statistics and interesting comparisons on society that you wouldn't naturally think of. I liked the chapter on Parenting the best, but the whole book was interesting, but I wasn't crazy about some bad language and the writers style.

I have also read a book on stress relief and how to run a small business, but I didn't think you'd be as interested in those :).

Hunger Games

Whew! I'm addicted to this book. Very exciting. I can't wait until I get the 2nd book at the library. Only 74 people need to read it first :).

Wednesday Wars

I thoroughly enjoyed my latest read, Wednesday Wars. It was a pleasant book for a change!

The Alchemist

I just finished The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It was.... I'm not sure... interesting and thought provoking, with an unexpected ending. I think it would be a good one for book group and the discussion that insues.

Candy Shop War

I really enjoyed this book by Brandon Mull, it was sure a page turner! I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

Addiction

I am kind of embarrased by my newest addiction, since it seems more like something an 8 year old boy would like... I'm hooked on the Fablehaven series!

A Thosand Splendid Suns

I stayed up until the wee hours of the night finishing this incredible book. I'm still sitting with my mouth open in awe about it! It's different than anything I've read before and I loved the inside look into modern Afghanistan. Before I read it, I didn't think I would like the book, but I really did. I was hooked from the first couple chapters.

I am amazed how a male author can describe females so well. There is some bad language and adult content in this book, so beware.

Meeting Amazing Grace

I just finished reading this book from my neighborhood book group. It's mostly about relationships with in-laws and is indirectly about our relationships with everyone from our spouse to our parents to our children. It is written from a religious perspective. I have to say, at first I thought it was mighty superficial, but found as I read on, the message of the book is quite profound. It's like a non-fiction written in fiction style with stories from real people. Gary Lundberg is a family therapist and Joy is a song writer with Janice Kapp Perry. They are a fun couple, but sometimes you have to turn on the "sicky sweet" filter, but that's ok.

The Thief

Loved this first book of a 3 part series by Megan Whalen Turner. Loved the surprise ending. Can't wait to read the next one, thanks Adrienne for the tip!

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

A friend just loaned me this short true story. It is about a young school girl and how the A-Bomb that was dropped on Japan during WWII affected her and her family. It was very touching and took me outside of my tiny "box" of awareness. I guess I never thought about how much that impacted Japan, but of course it did. I guess my thoughts have always been about Pearl Harbor, but the world was deeply affected by the war and it took it's tole everywhere.

Gathering Blue

I really enjoyed Lois Lowry's Youth series about a Utopian society: The Giver, Gathering Blue, and The Messenger. I am a sucker for series and for youth fiction. I read them out of order, but they were all very good! I just finished Gathering Blue and really liked crippled Kira's quest to find blue thread in a city where there was none and in the process she found out what she was made of.

I just finished this book written about a well known fairytale and Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast. I loved it! It was something different to read, and very clean which is a welcome change. I loved the character development and imagery. The only thing lacking a little was the ending.... too bad you can't have it all!

Rapunzel's Revenge

I just finished Shannon Hale's Book, "Rapunzel's Revenge". I'm a big Hale fan... This one was written in comic book style. I don't think I have ever had the urge to read a comic book, but I actually liked the book ok. It was my least favorite of all of her books, however was something interesting and unique to read. I read the whole book in about 2 hours. It was nice to read an "adult" book that has pictures, the illustrations were very well done. I think this book would be a great gift for a teen girl.

Quoteable Quote

I was reading a short book my Mother in Law gave me for Mother's Day. It's called Women of Light by Jack R. Christianson. There are lots of great quotes and stories in it. I would recommend reading it as it's only about 25 pages. The following is an amazing quote in the book:

"I don't want to drive up the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, with my hair expertly coiled, and with long perfectly manicured nails. I want to drive up to the pearly gates in a station wagon {or minivan!} that has Boy Scout equipment in the back seat. I want there to be grass stains on my shoes from mowing Mrs. Schneck's lawn. I want there to be a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want there to be dirt under my fingernails from helping 4-Hers plant a garden. I want there to be children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want God to know that I was really here and that I really lived."

I write this as I forewent putting on makeup and doing my hair so I could talk to a friend before going on a lunch date with Steve and my children have black dirt under their fingernails. There's something to be said for putting others' needs before our own. It just feels good!

Another Hale Favorite

My neighbor just loaned me the last Bayern book by Shannon Hale called, River Secrets. Another page turner! I can't wait for the last book to come out about Razo's sister. Does anyone know when it comes out? I haven't read, Rapunzel's Ravenge written by Hale and her husband yet, but I would like to. It's on my request list at the library. Has anyone else read it? What did you think?

AustenLand

I know reviews have been less than kind with this book. But, I am a huge Shannon Hale fan and have read all of her books. I actually liked this one and thought it was interesting. However, I found it to be quite unrealistic compared to her other books (funny that I can say that about fantasy books starring teens with special powers) and felt like it was slightly disjointed. It still was a fun read. I was actually pulling for the gardener!

Multiple Blessings

So when I go to Seattle, I am usually without a car and in my Mom's apartment most of the day. There's generally nothing on TV. When we're there, we watch TLC. On TLC, they have Jon & Kate Plus 8 marathons and they are really addicting. It's a reality show about a couple who has twins and sextuplets (6 babies- AT THE SAME TIME!). It's just their every day life and they are very real people, they don't pretend to be something they're not. Try taking 8 kids under 4 out on an excursion! Mine is a relaxing day on the beach compared to them.

Anyway, my mom gave me their book for Christmas. I just finished it. I didn't have very high expectations, but I really loved this book! It's set before the TV show, so it gives a background on it. Kate is a really good writer and a very devout Christian with strong faith. How did she have time to write a book?

The amazing thing to me is how many volunteers helped around the clock with these babies for more than a year. They are probably still helping, I don't know. Also, Jon lost his job several times around when they were born. Can you imagine?! They had a 3 bedroom house. All the babies were in ONE room.

Aren't you just a little curious what a belly looks like with 6 babies in it? I was.




If you are a mom, you will love this book. It will make you thankful for what you have. Even if you are not a mom, it's still interesting and touching. It's at the library. Check it out!

Indian in the Cupboard

I'm reviewing the book next month for our neighborhood Book Group, so I've been trying to find something that everyone would like. It's been really hard! I remember reading this book when I was a kid, and really liked it. I just read it again and it was ok, I think Megan will like it. I would like to see the movie though.

Tale of Despereaux

I just finished a book that I really loved! It was a quick read, I read it in a few hours. I have not seen the movie (which I heard wasn't very good), but the book, WOWIE! It was amazing and a fairytale worth reading.