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.