Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

I enjoyed this book as much as the first.  I did have a problem though.  I lost it after reading the first little bit and I couldn't find it.  When I did find it again...it didn't take me long to finish it at all.  I really enjoyed the adventure.  I like the new Tyson character and am really excited to read the next volume to hear about some characters that were a surprise for me.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

I couldn't help but giggle when I read this book.  It is such an enjoyable read.  I picked this book up not really intending to read it right away.  My neighbor had given it to us for Christmas....THANK YOU NEIGHBOR!  I picked it up to see how hard it would be and ended up stuck to it.  I enjoyed it thoroughly!   This is a super fun story about some mean, not well cared for, troublemaking kids.  These kids are bullies.  It's interesting how they come to be in the Christmas Pageant at church.  It totally made me think about the Saviors birth and it also made me wonder and feel compassion for children that struggle.  I finished feeling uplifted after reading it.  I really LOVE this book.

The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere

This book would be great to have around if you know you are going to present the nativity story.  You could hold it in your hand as the narrarator and have the exact words of the scripture without scrambling to find where at in the scriptures the birth of Christ is mentioned in.

The first part was basically the scriptures about the nativity.  The second part is the story with some musings on what could have happened in the story.  The author read this originally at a Relief Society dinner. 

It does make you think.  It is an incredibly quick read.  It helped me remember some of my own personal experience of the birth process.  It was a good reminder that the nativity scene was real and not the sanitary picture that usually comes to our mind. 
This book went along with the First Presidency Christmas devotional this year.  I had many of the same thoughts through the book as I did when I listened to the devotional.  Here is a link:  2010 First Presidency Christmas Devotional

This year the 2010 First Presidency Christmas Devotional Spoke to my heart and soul.  As I listened I felt that I am often the Grinch.  I worry, worry, worry at Christmas time.  I found all the messages of the devotional to tell me what I needed to hear.

At our Stake Conference, Elder Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy said something to the effect: "Some want to keep the Savior as a baby--powerless.  But He is NOT--he has power, he is real."  I have thought so much of his words long after we left stake conference. 

Both messages related well to this book.  This book brings me back to what Christmas is about.  It is a great way to make yourself think more of what it really could have been like in the manger.  I think it is a quick, thoughtful read.

Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan




The Lightning Thief

  This book is as good as everyone has said.  I really enjoyed reading it.   I was trying to finish it before I watched the movie.  Yay, I can now watch the movie.

Percy Jackson is the main character in the book.  Percy is a boy that trouble seems to follow.  There are reasons trouble follows him and this book is all about those reasons.

There are many Mythology legends that are talked about and many Percy finds are not just legends.  Quite the adventuresome book!

The Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix

All of these books are the continuing story from "Among the Hidden."  It is the series called "The Shadow Children" series.  "Among the Impostors" (Book 2)  is about Luke (Lee) as he is among other third children with his ID.

 "Among the Betrayed"  (Book 3) is Nina's story after she is betrayed.

"Among the Barons" (Book 4) is about Luke (Lee) again.  It's what happens when he lives with his baron family.

"Among the Brave"(Book 5)  is Trey's story.  He has to find courage within.

"Among the Enemy" (Book 6) is Matthias' story.  It is his adventure working behind enemy lines.

"Among the Free" (Book 7) is back to Luke (Lee).  They are free but ARE THEY?  New conflicts arise.

So this series about the Shadow Children and the "Hunger Games" series makes me think of a Dystopia society.  That is a good word and it describes this kind of book.  (Thanks Ryan for the word).

Why do I like this kind of book?  I will tell you...I love to see the strength in people from deep down when they get in desperate situations.  When it seems all is lost they reach deep down inside themselves for their inner strength and come up with a solution.  They are heroes even though they aren't seeking to be heroes.  They are seeking for right and for Human rights.  They also have to rely on a higher power.  It's great to see God intervene in their lives.  God can do miracles and these Dystopia societies are an environment where the hand of the Lord can be seen.  

This book makes me ponder what I would do if I were in this type of society.  Would I allow my "animal" instincts to take over.  Would I care more to be fed or any of my needs above what I do for those around me and for my society?  I can't help but hope I'd be of strong character and have a prayer deep inside that if that ever did happen that I'd think of others instead of myself. 

I LOVED these books.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

I am intrigued already and I'd say that I HAVE to read more because it is the first in about a 7 or 8 book series.  Wow.  I find this book thought provoking and full of questions.  It asks the big questions.

This is a story about a boy named Luke.  Luke is the third child in a world where the law is that no one can have more than two.  He has to hide and remain hidden.  It certainly makes me wonder what it would be like if I had to stay inside always to not be seen.  The pages seeemed to go so fast for me.  I was held quickly and lastingly...and I'm still thinking about it.

Jacob's Blood by Brad Mangum

I finished this book before the weekend but I haven't taken the time to write and it is almost another weekend, so I thought it was high time.

This is a very good book.   This book takes place after the Civil War in the South.  It is about a boy who is told that his father is bad blood because he fought with the Yankees even though he lives in the South.  This is a book about learning heritage and what the boy does after learning what his Dad's blood is all about.

I found myself carried away in another time and place and I enjoyed experiencing an era in history through books.  I realize it is fiction but it was fun to get caught up in another world.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

After reading the first books I gathered all my strength to read this one.  I had tried to read all three real quick.  I had finished Catching Fire the same day I finished Hunger Games.  I picked up Mockingjay and it wasn't going the way I had planned so I put it down for a week.  I picked it up today and read the book in a day.

I like this series and even though it didn't go where I wanted it to go, it was a great story one that provokes thought of death, war, life coping skills and love.

This is the third and final book in the Hunger Games.  We are still following Katniss through trying and surprising adventures.

I highly recommend this series.

Hunger Games & Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I went away for Labor day to Island Park to a cabin.  I had these visions of reading Hunger Games and Catching fire.   Well, I can't read in the car, it makes me sick.   The only time I could read is after we reached our destination.  Reading was harder than I thought with my kids and their cousins running too an fro and with our agenda of things we wanted to do and to talk with family.  It took me many days to get about 3/4 of the way through Hunger Games.  I'd have to stop at night and then I'd sit and think of the story and not sleep and not able to read.  Well, I got home yesterday and read the rest of Hunger Games and ALL of Catching Fire.  Wow!  I am really into these books and I plan to start "Mockingjay" today.  Mostly I am starting because I can't get the story out of my head and I can't seem to focus on anything else!!!  I need to get on with my life!

Hunger Games is a book about a girl named Katniss Everdeen, I remember her name because her childhood friend calls her Catnip.  Katniss lives in a district that mines coal.  Their are other districts that do other things but all are highly controlled by the Capital.  The Capital is what took over the ruins of North America.  Their Nation is the nation of Panem.  To keep the districts in line they have a boy and girl from each district go to a televised event called the "Hunger Games."  In this deadly game, only one will live through until the end.  The goal is to be the last one living.   It is kill or be killed.  This is a very intriguing story and one that doesn't lose my interest throughout.  I must admit after "The Hunger Game" ends I felt urgent about reading "Catching Fire" to find out more of the story.   But after "Catching Fire,"  I feel I am catching my breath a little better.   I don't know why that is so because from the ending  can tell there is much action ahead.  In fact, I think I'll go read it!

I recommend these books but also recommend putting aside enough time to read them....they are all encompassing, thought promoting books.

They Called Themselves the K.K.K. (The Birth of an American Terrorist Group) by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

I have been looking forward to this book for a long time.  Susan Campbell Bartoletti came to BYU's Symposium on Books for Young Readers.  She had talked of this book back then in July of 2009.  It took FOREVER to come out!!  I have read other books by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and I have loved them. 

This book didn't disappoint!  My son was wondering why was reading why I was reading about the K.K.K.  But, after mentioning what little I'd learned at that point (I wasn't too far into the book at that point.)  he is now on the waiting list to read it after his dad.  I like to buy her books because they are so filled with information.  I learned so much from her about this.  My eyes were opened and enlightened.  I feel she is fair in her information to all sides of the table.  I am glad to have read this book and can't wait to see what she'll write about next.

It's well worth your time!  Well worth the read!!!

Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

This is a good adventure.  I enjoyed reading this book.  Two negatives:  the language isn't always the best and there are parts I felt like "closing my eyes" on.

I really like the things brought up by this story.  It makes one really wonder what the afterlife is like.

This book is about two brothers and one isn't necessarily living.  It is also about a girl that becomes part of the mix.  I do recommend this book and really enjoyed reading it. 

Mrs. Mike by Benedict & Nancy Freedman

I have my friend Brittney to thank for lending this book to me.  Her copy looks like the biggest image in this blog.  I was happy to see it is still available and you can find it to buy.  Also, our library has group copies for book groups and such.  Who would've knew?  And I'd never even heard of it. 

This is a beautiful story based on the real life of Katherine Mary Flannigan.  Katherine goes to Canada to help with her pleurisy.  I had to look that word up.  Here is the definition given:

"inflammation of the pleura that is typically characterized by sudden onset, painful and difficult respiration, and exudation of fluid or fibrinous material into the pleural cavity"

While Katherine is there she meets Mike.  This is book is about what follows.  It is romantic and serious.  I saw a review that said that this story isn't flashy but it stays with you a long time.  I'd have to agree with that.  It touches and inspires.  It is a beautiful book.

312 pages

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson

Well, it wasn't my favorite, too much swearing for me.  I can see the benefit in this book though.  I just don't think I'll ever read it again.  It wasn't to my liking.  I can see how a teen would like the book though and perhaps learn a lesson through it.

I didn't know the purpose for a long time until perhaps the end.  The girl did learned a valuable lesson, though I am not sure wading through the "other" stuff was worth it to me but it might be worth it to someone else though.

The girl's name is Ashley Hannigan.  The Math teacher took off with the prom money and even if she isn't interested in prom she helps her friend to pull off a prom with limited resources.

The Princess and the Snowbird by Mette Ivie Harrison

I knew a little better about what to expect with this book.  I am getting used to Mette's writing and because of that I think I really enjoyed this book.  Mette Ivie Harrison is a really good writer and when she describes things I can imaginie it really well without her going into too much description.  I also find myself completely entranced in the book.  I really get swept away and it becomes my world as I read her books.

This is about the daughter of the bear and the hournd.  The daughter has a task to do and we follow her and get to know her and find out if she acheives what her task is.  This book has romance and adventure.  It's a good book.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

This story happens in Ayortha.  It is a story about a girl named Aza with a sister named Areida.  It doesn't talk much of Areida (the friend of Ella in the book "Ella)  It is mostly about Aza.  Aza is not pretty. She knows it.  This is a fun adventure she has and how she finds happiness, love, and adventure.  This book also follows a familiar fairy tale.  I liked this book.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

I love the movie called "Ella Enchanted" a lot.  I also like this book too.  But I think they are both unique works and the movie does not follow the book.  It is like a separate work.  The main idea of someone having to be obedient is one of the few things similar but, not much else otherwise.  They are both good but not really the same story.  Ella is given a gift at birth...an awful gift.  She must be obedient.  See how she does deals with it and see how it is similar to a fairytale we all know.  This book is so fun to read.

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

This is a continuing story from Princess of the Midnight Ball.  This is a story about Poppy after the Princess of the Midnight Ball.  It sounds a bit like another fairy tale we all know.

Poppy is sent to a neighboring kingdom to promote peace.  She is in a new community.  There is a strange green light that happens on occasion here and she is cautious because of her background.  She is in a new adventure involving magic.  I enjoyed this book.  It was a fast, fun read.

Becoming Kate by Dixie Owens

Great Read!  I really like the cover of the book but, the inside is just as fun as the outside.

I thought this was fun, light reading and I wasn't able to figure out what was going to happen in the story next.  There was great intrigue in this book.

Liz has a great life, wonderful husband and two children.  She is happy.  Then she gets in a car accident and wakes up in the body of little girl named, Kate.  She is the first successful brain transplant.  This book is about her new life and how she deals with the situation life has dealt her.

I couldn't put the book down.  Definitely worth reading!  Made me wonder when Dixie Owens will have another book.  I guess this book is her debut.

The Miraculous Journal of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo & illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

This is a story about a bunny made of china who lives with a little girl named Abilene.  He is pretty content with life until he gets lost.  There is a great message in this book.  It is a cute, fun story.  I didn't think a story about a bunny would interest me too much but, I really enjoyed this story.

Chalk by Bill Thomson

This children's picture book has NO words but, it is quickly becoming one of my very favorite picture books.  It was recommended at the http://ce.byu.edu/cw/bfyr/  that I went to on Thursday and Friday of this week.  One of the sessions is a bunch of librarians recommending books.  This one was recommended by one of them.  She said that as she read it by just turning the pages because there are no words, the children would say, "Read it again."  It is a beautiful and fun book.  I thought of it long after I finished looking at it.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

I must admit when I first started this book I was a bit worried.  It seemed a bit harsh and I got worried that I would not be old enough to read it.  See Article About Being Old Enough.  I was happily pleased that this book has great merit and I do like it. 

Even though I was worried, I know now that very way she started the book will attract those who need this book the most.  Laurie Halse Anderson is a great author and weaves the story brilliantly.

This book is a story about a girl who doesn't say much to anyone.  It is what she is thinking as she says nothing at all.

I really enjoyed what this book does and can do for teens.

The Widower's Wife by Prudence Bice

The Widower's Wife is a fun, light read.  I think it is well done.  I enjoyed just sitting and reading for fun.  I had a hard time pulling myself away from this book.

Jillian Grey is going to become a mail order bride to Dalton McCullough.  They have been corresponding through mail.  They have both arranged an agreement that she would take care of his children and become his wife but both have an understanding there would be no romance.  When Jillian & Dalton finally meet they both discover it may be hard to keep that promise.

You'd think this book would be just a simple story but, the author tells beautifully how they manage.  I was intrigued by this story and think you will be too.  I recommend it.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

I have succumbed! My son Hunter has been trying to get me to read Fablehaven.  I finished 2 days ago finally.  What a JOY!  I really like Fablehaven.  The stories are really fun.  There are fun parts in the story.  Yet, I am very impressed with the overall lessons taught in the book.  I especially like the questions in the back of the book.  It helped me realize what great lessons were taught.  That is impressive.

This is a book about a place called Fablehaven.  Fablehaven is tended by the grandparents of Kendra and Seth.  It is fun to sit charmed through the book as it helps learn what kind of place Fablehaven is.  Seth is the sly, mischievous adventurer and Kendra is the more thoughtful type adventurer.  Fablehaven is a place for all kinds of adventurers. 

I really enjoyed reading this book.  I am looking forward to book two.

Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

This book is a quick, light and fun read.  It is a mystery about a girl named Stacie Cox.  She is on a BYU-Idaho choir tour in Brtish Columbia.  She spots a girl from Rexburg that was reported missing.  This book is about what she does after that.  She lets Matt Brennan help her in her adventure.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

I really enjoyed Inkheart.  Meggie is a little girl who LOVES books and so does her father. They both read a lot but her dad never reads out loud to her.  Mo’s job is repairing books and he has taught a deep respect of books to his daughter Meggie. Life as Meggie knows it changes as a mysterious acquaintance arrives at their home and gives a warning about someone named Capricorn. Meggie has never heard that name before.

This book is so full of adventure! The author is really good at building her characters. At first, I thought it ran a bit slow because she was building her character. I think she is wise though because I felt like I knew and could relate with her characters and feel she build a strong foundation for her story. It was great to get lost in the story. Once I got into the story, I couldn’t put it down.

Calamity Jack by Shannon & Dean Hale, Nathan Hale

This book is like one big beautiful comic and I don’t even usually like comic books. It’s technical name is called a graphic novel. The story here is fun. It is also a bit of continuation of “Rapunzel’s Revenge.” It also tells about Jack’s life before he met Rapunzel. The book is basically Jack and the Beanstalk with a twist. I thought this was such a fun book and the illustrations are wonderful. It was easy to just sit and read such a fun tale.

For some fun little paper dolls about the book: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books_rap.html and also on Dean Hale’s site for newer ones for this book about Jack: http://spacestationnathan.blogspot.com/ look in the right column under Activities for Calamity Jane Paper Dolls.

The Monster in Me by Mette Ivie Harrison

I loved this book. I enjoyed the description of running and I don’t even like to run. Natalie is such a great character. She often says things that are not what she is feeling inside just like the rest of us. Natalie is put with loving foster parents with two children. Natalie is not quite sure what to hope before since she has only known her mother and the ups and downs that comes with a drug addicted mother. This book is wonderfully written. I really enjoyed reading it.

Pingo by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman

Chad has an imaginary friend named Pingo. He has so much fun with Pingo, but then tries to say goodbye to Pingo but Pingo won’t leave him. This is such a fun book. I loved the beautiful pictures and the storyline was great.

The Princess and the Bear by Mette Ivie Harrison

This book is a lot like the Princess and the Hound. I really am surprised Mette is not a guy. The details of Hunting and killing and the unmagic are very clear in my mind and sometimes a bit shocking to me.

Mette knows how to write. She is a great writer. I've never read books like hers before. They to me are in a category of their own. I do like her books but I find myself pausing for a while when asked to describe them. I think her background really helps these books to be well written. Mette is a unique author but a good unique. I really think I like her writing.

54 Books

54 books this year that I've read. That's good for me. I haven't read that many books in one year for many, many years. I think this blog does help me read more. I think it is because I have to report it.

Next year I am going to try to read 55! YAY!!!