Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

On the acknowledgements page at the end of the book it says: "This story is based on the fairytale "Maid Maleen" as recorded by the Grimm brothers, though I took many liberties with the original in my quest to find Dashti's story."

This is a story about Dashti. Dashti is a mucker. She has a talent of singing and with that song she can heal. When she sings to a mistress to ease her aches, the mistress decides to train Dashti to be a maid for Lady Saren. So, Dashti learns to read, write, and care for her. It takes many months to just train.

So after her training, and barely becoming Lady Saren's maid, she goes to a very busy house and meets Lady Saran. Lady Saran right away makes her pledge to serve her.

Next, She finds out Lady Saren's father is going to lock her up into a tower for seven years because she would not marry the man her father had decided on for her. Lady Saren had another man in mind.

Dashti finds her self having to take care of Lady Saren in a cemented tower and writes it all in a book day by day. I couldn't help but want to keep reading this book. They have many adventures and I really liked discovering them for myself and I think you will too!

Loved this book, and I'd love to read it again.

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon & Dean Hale

Shannon & Dean Hale (are married)

Illustrated by Nathan Hale (not related)

This is a graphic novel. It is a fun adventure with Rapunzel in Western Style. It's fun how Rapunzel uses her braids like a rope and lasso just like the Wild West.

Rapunzel is living with Mother Gothel. At first Rapunzel doesn't know that Mother Gothel isn't her real mother. She decides to take a view over the gigantic wall and notices that life is much different than her little world.

The pictures here are great. It is fun to just to look at the pictures alone. The story is intriguing and they just get into one adventure after another. I couldn't stop reading.

My sons age 14 and 11 both read this fun book and really enjoyed it too.

If you have a reluctant reader--this would be a great book.

I look forward to the continuation called Calamity Jack.

Austenland by Shannon Hale

If you think I am on a Shannon Hale kick, you are ABSOLUTELY right!

First, I have a caution with this book. I would not want my 16 year old son to read this book. There are some details between boy and girl that I don’t want him to dwell on. I think that this book is for an older audience than that. I would classify this as an adult book as most others do also. She handles situations very respectful, well, and tactful.

I couldn't put the book down, which probably doesn't surprise you with a book from Shannon Hale. Most of her books I would read more than once though, and this one I probably will just read once, but who knows.

Jane loves "Pride and Prejudice" especially on DVD with Colin Firth. It is the secret that she feels guilty about. She hides her DVDs because of that guilt.

Her great aunt, Carolyn comes to visit. She notices the hidden DVDs and when she passes away she leaves Jane a vacation to Austenland. In Austenland, they recreate the time period of Jane Austen's books. They dress like, talk like and act like this time period.

Jane decides to do it go there and has quite the adventure.

I really enjoyed this story. I do recommend this book and getting caught away in a fun bit of romance and men. I think there are many things about it to get caught up in too.

Happy reading to yah!