Hate to do it but I am moving this to Word Press.

I am moving this blog to webpress because I am out of picassa folders.

So go to:  MY wordpress blog

 to find all these posts.

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

This book reminded me that Christopher Paolini's books have many pages.  Not only that but, the writing is small so it takes a while for me to read them.  But, that is not necessarily a bad thing.  I enjoyed the wonderful hours it took to read this big book.  (about 100 pages longer than Brisingr--his last book in the series.)

This is the conclusion to the series (called the Inheritance Cycle Series).

There is a lot of fighting in the book.  I love how the book has so many twists and turns.  Things don't always work out the way I imagined but, it's great that they work out even better than I thought they would.

It was great to hear of Saphira and Eragon's adventures.  Many of the same characters as the other books.  There are many that I love!  It was a good conclusion and many loose ends get resolved. 

I loved the pronunciation helps at the end.  Huge help!

It was definitely worth the many hours it took to read this book.  I recommend this series.  These books are so fun!

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Okay, so this book is just downright romantic!  I loved reading this romance.  It was clean and filled with high morale and made me want to work on my home relationships.

Marianne has lost her mother.  Her father seems to have taken off after her mom's death.  Her twin sister is away for the summer in Town.  Marianne prefers the country.  Marianne is heading to Edenbrooke to be with her sister as her sister tries to get the eldest son to ask her marry him.  Her sister gets everything she wants. 

Marianne is so excited to go.  Not only because it is in the country but to get away from her Grandmother's critical yet concerned view.

Even her trip to Edenbrooke is eventful.   There are many twists and turns that I was really quite surprised about.

If you love clean romance, you will love this book.  I enjoyed every moment and couldn't put it down.

It was great!

Here are some characters: 

Marianne--main character

Philip--man Marianne meets

Betsy—Marianne’s maid

Marianne’s Grandmother—wealthy, cranky Grandmother

Aunt Amelia—Marianne’s Aunt.  Lives with Marianne’s Grandmother

James—the coachman

Mr. Whittles—guy who is crazy about her and writes poems and who is very slobbery

Mr. Kellet (cousin, a bit of a player)

Highwayman

Lady Caroline—wealthy mother who Cecily is going to stay and attempt to court the oldest son who has the inheritance

Wyndhams—Lady Caroline’s family (the children's names in order Charles, Philip, William

Rachel—Married to William

Louisa—Lady Caroline’s daughter who becomes buddy, buddy with Cecilly

Charles—Philip’s brother

Cecily—Marianne’s sister

Mrs. Fairhurst—old bitty who tries to discourage Marianne

Miss Grace—sweet daughter of Mrs. Fairhurst

Mr. & Mrs. Clumpett—also visiting the Wyndhams

Meg—the horse

Mr. Beaufort—a young man who likes Marianne.  ( a suitor)

Buying Books

The Survivors by Dan Willis

I've had this book for 4 years now and I really wish I would have picked it up sooner. It's great! I haven't read the series but it was great that I could pick this book up and not be lost. I was able to follow the story easily. I loved the religious parts to it. I loved the characters. They were each unique and I grew quite attached to them and their distinct personalities.


This is an amazing story that gets off to a great start right away. The story was moving so fast at the beginning I thought to myself what more can they do. Yet, so much happened in the story after that. I was rooting for this group of survivors and groaned every time they wouldn't listen to Bradock. Their trip would have been much easier had they just listened to him more often! He was a great leader and it helped me think about what a leader is and how hard it is to be a leader with so much responsibility.

I totally recommend this book....if you can find it!  

Here are some characters to help me to remember the story a little:

Takes place in Ironroot (A dwarf city made underground)
Bradok Axeblade--Main Character, dwarf
Sapphire--Bradok's Mother
Mirshawn Axeblade--Bradok's father who passed away (leaving his seat on the council to his son Bradox)
Much Hollowblade--friend on the council
Mayor Arbuckle-- the mayor
Rose Steelspar--a red haired hill dwarf woman, Ends up being a huge part of the story.
Argus Deephammer--called repentance to the council
Reorx--A god
Jon Bladehook--on the council.  Cross him and you'll be sorry.  Huge influence in the council and not necessarily a good influence.
Silas Weatherstone--builds a boat...sort of like Noah's ark but, underground and everyone thinks he is crazy.
Chisul--Headstrong, impulsive son of Silas.
Kellik--helps build ship, good guy
Tal--a trained doctor, from Rose's village, a hill dwarf
Disir--huge, insects attracted to sound
Perin--Human living with the Dwarfs as an apprentice
Erus--gives Bradok a polished brass device
Lyra--pregnant dwarf
Teal--small child. adored by even the hardest of hearts.
Rhizomorph--mushroom people, give off golden clouds of spores.  They try to make others like them by infecting them.

Daergar--long ago separated their clan from normal society in favor of living in the deep places of Krynn.  They were evil, untrustworthy, and hated their higher dwelling cousins.
Omer--Daergar, ex-convict, hates Wizards.  A wizard kidnapped him when he was a baby. The wizard experimented on poor Ormer.  Killed twelve armed dwarves in a tavern brawl with his bare hands.  Not quite right in the head.  EXTREMELY strong and yet acts like a child.  Later in story, he likes Teal and protects.  Corin--(full name, Corinthar Darklight) Daergar, ex-convict, he swindled a corrupt politician out of a million steel.  It was revenge for the politician bankrupting his father..
Thurl Surepath----Daergar, He was the house assassin for  a wealthy family.  When they fell on hard times, they sold himn out to save their own lives.
Hurlic Sweetwater--he killed his wife when he caught her having an affair.  (He also killed her entire family.)
Xurces Firebrand--Daergar, ex-convict, Most notorious sex fiend in the history of Darkhold City.  It is said he has fathered over one hundred children.  (Was castrated by the guards at the prison)
Jeni--Daergar, ex-convict, can't bear to have crimes repeated.  Covers her ears.  Her husband beat her and tortured her mercilessly, She went mad and killed her children.  Thinks it was just a dream.

Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

I admit.  I did not read much of this book.  I was so excited because I was one of the first at my library to get the book and I was looking forward to a great book.

I read the first chapter and it wasn't too bad but there were questionable parts.  I started the second chapter and can you say, "Sex."  I thought I can't do it if this is what the rest of the book is like so I got on Amazon and checked out the reviews and sure enough it is FULL of Sex.

I would not recommend this book.  It is not my style.  I am disappointed.  I really wanted her Adult book to be good.  I suppose when they called it an Adult book I did have my trepidations and that is why I didn't purchase it and got it from the library first.  I am so glad I don't own this book.

How I wish she would have cleaned things up!  I am much to young for this book.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I love, love, love this series.  This series is a favorite for me.

This is a contiunuation of the book Divergent.  This sequel is every bit as good as the first book.  I couldn't keep my hands off the book.  I was going to read it slowly but I couldn't keep away from it long enough to do so.  I just LOVE this series.  I liked the Hunger Games series but I must say that this is just as good if not better.  I love the way it is written.  The characters are well written and I am very attached to them.



Tris has just had a tramatic experience in the last book of seeing many die.  In this continuation she finds that the Erudite faction is up to no good.  She had to figure out what that is and use her resources to do something about it.  She is physically, emotionally, and socially tested in everyway in this book.  I LOVE it!!!! 

I had to remember a few things before I picked up this book.



This book is about a Dystopian Society.  In this society there are 5 Different Factions:

1. Candor (the Honest)
2. Abnegation (the Selfless)
3. Dauntless (the Brave)
4. Amity (the Peaceful)
5. Erudite (the Intelligent)

I also had to remember some of the characters that I had forgotten since reading Divergent:  (if you haven't finished Divergent, I would recommend not reading the character descriptions because there could be spoilers for you but I think it will help me when I read the next book in the series to review these names.)

1.  Beatrice Prior (later shortens her name to Tris)
2.  Will (part of the Dauntless faction--she has a lot of guilt concerning him which is in residual of the last book.  They were very close in the last book)
3.  Tobias--you think that I'd remember him!  It starts out talking about him and I couldn't remember if he was the brother or what.  Tobias is the guy Beatrice was trained by.  He has another name that most know him by and that name is FOUR. 
4.  Caleb--her brother that had to choose which faction to go to at the same time she did in the last book.
5.  Marcus--Tobias' father.
6.  Peter--part of the dauntless.  Tris and Peter do not get along.
7.  Johanna Reyes, representative of Amity.
8.  Edith Prior--Tris' mom.
9.  Evelyn--Tobias' mom (factionless society leader)
10.  Tori--tattoo artist.
11.  Christina--Tris' great friend from Dauntless
12.  Lynn--another Dauntless
13.  Shauna--Dauntless.
14.  Hector--Dauntless.
15.  Uriah--Dauntless. (I like this character a lot.  Light hearted amidst much going on).
16.  Jeanine--Erudite Leader

This is a thick book but it goes quickly.  I would love to read both of these books again and I am anxious for the next in the series)

The Princess and the Horse by Mette Ivie Harrison

This is only currently available as an eBook.  I enjoyed reading it this way.

The story is about Fierce.  Fierce is a hound and runs in a pack that doesn't really accept her very well.  Her mom has abandoned her to become human and she has hard feelings toward humans.  She is quite alone but stays with her pack because that is all she has known.  Then she meets the Princess with her wild magic.  Her life changes from that point on.

The thing I love about he The Princess and the Horse is that once again there are wonderful characters and a great tale with twists and turns.  I love this princess.  She is spunky and full of wild magic.  I love Fierce too.  The characters seem so real to me and I enjoy looking into their hearts and knowing more about them. 

Great enjoyable story that I will read again I am sure.

Potevka's Gifts by Mike Ramsdell

I read this thinking this book was going to be a continuation of  "A Train to Potevka"  but almost immediately in reading the book he mentions that it is not.  He does say that a continuation will come out called, "Russia: Rags and Riches--Spies and Lies."  He will put that out after the movie of  "A Traini to Potevka" comes out. 

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the short stories in this book.  His stories were great.  I learned much from reading them and was intrigued by them. 

He also had a question answering section.  That was enlightening.  For example, did you know that Potevka is not a real place.  He is not allowed to identify the place with a safe house because that would be breaking security.  He says he named it after the character in one of his favorite musicals, "Fiddler on the Roof." 

There are many questions answered and funny stories shared.  I was very grateful to have read this book.

Beyond the Blackboard by Stacey Bess

"Beyond the Blackboard" is full of stories from teaching at the "School With No Name."  This is a school offered to homeless children in Salt Lake City, UT.  The author gives touching story after touching story of teaching, homelessness, love, family, poverty, and sometimes even miracles.  This book helps get a glimpse of this aspect of society that no one really wants to think about or talk about because it requires a look at the reality of real troubles in society.  It's a book that will probably come to one's mind even after the book is closed.

Uneasy Fortunes by Mandi Ellsworth

Pete has had a rough life.  He shows up at the Betteridge Ranch ready to work.  He is a hard worker but doesn’t say much. 

June has also had a rough life.  When Pete shows up she thinks of him as just another hired hand.  She is hard to get to know because her defenses are up and keeps to herself. 

Pete starts to quietly do things for June which seems to make her upset. 

This book has so much in it to captivate one’s attention.  There are so many parts to the story, so many twists in plot. 

I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was really fun.  There were parts that I found a tear escaping my eye without even realizing it at first.  This is one of those books I will probably read more than once. 

Shannon Hale

I met Shannon Hale again yesterday.  She is one of the most lovely people ever.  She is also a very kind lady and also a very "with it" lady.

YAY for her new book, "Princess Academy:  Palace of Stone."  Life is good!

Deadly Treasure by Jillayne Clements

There was a lot of substance to this book.  It had a great love story and I really grew to like the character of Lexi.  Lexi lives in Park City, Utah.  She works at the Tanger Outlets.  She just broke up with Ron when he cheats on her.  Then for the summer she is thrown into a situation where her Grandfather is killled over a map to the Lost Rhoades Mines.  The killer doesn't find the map but, now she seems to be in danger.  She is also thrown into a situation of two brothers, one is her best friend and one has been someone she tried to get his attention when she was younger.  Suddenly her thoughts are not of Ron but of the new challenges and situations she is working through.

I picked this book especially because of the Lost Rhoades Mine.  I have heard of this mine and know someone who writes about them and so that part intrigued me to buy it.  I loved hearing familiar names of Park City, Springville, BYU, UVU, Utah State, Heber, Orem and Salt Lake City.  These are all places that are familiar to me and it was fun to read them in a book.

I loved the twists and turns of this book.  There were constantly new creative situations that Lexi was in.  I was impressed with this book.  It wasn't the same ole love story.  It had punch and mystery.  I am glad I finally picked it up after having it for more than two years.

Hole in my life by Jack Gantos

This is an autobiography.  It is a story about a young man who makes some big mistakes.  In fact, right off it shows a picture of a mug shot of Jack.  This is a book about how he ended up in prison and he also tells what happens after that.

I guess you could say my eyes were open.  This book has some tough experiences in it that were hard for me to read.

After reading this book I really begun to ponder about consequences.  Sometimes we don't even fully realize how bad consequences can be as we are living our lives.  One experience can impact the rest of our life.

This would be a good book especially for someone who may not be making the best choices in their lives to perhaps see how bad things can get from one choice. 

The Trouble with May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm

This book is Young Adult Fiction but I am not sure if it is Historical Fiction or not. Some of the stories and things that happen in the book are from Jennifer Holm’s great grandfather. There is a little bit of history in it but, mostly it is a great spellbinding story.

This is the sequel to “Our Only May Amelia.” This book doesn’t lose any of the flow of the previous book. Just like “Our Only May Amelia” the author doesn’t distinguish conversation from any other part of the book. There are no quotes. It makes one really have to think about if it is conversation or just one of May Amelia’s thoughts but, I think it is one of the things that makes this book unique.

This book has the same wonderful characters as the last book, plus a few more. It is a book that still infuriates a bit when things unjustly happen to May Amelia. Yet, the book has warmth and love too. It’s all about living in a family where things don’t always go as expected. It’s where injustices happen. It’s where love abounds. I was impressed with this book and liked it every bit as much as the first one.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

“The False Prince” is a story about Sage. Sage is an orphan boy who is quite defiant. He gets into a lot of trouble. In fact, it is as he is stealing some meat that he is nabbed by Conner along with 3 other boys. Conner presents a plan to the 4 boys. Sage isn’t very cooperative with the plan. He causes problems for Conner but Conner keeps him involved in his plan mostly because he doesn’t give Sage or the others any other option. This is no minor plan. Conner wants to present one of them as the long lost son of the king.

Even though Sage is a bit of a rebel rouser, I couldn’t help but thoroughly enjoy his character. I loved all of the characters of this story. I felt a part of their life as I read.

I had just finished a book before this one and so I picked this book up just to read a little to see what it was about because I was going to read it next. Next thing I knew I had been up all night and I finished it. This book is great from page 1.

One thing I like about it is that even though it is the first book of a trilogy (the Ascendance trilogy) it had a really satisfying ending. I don’t often see that in trilogies. I could see where this book was going but I also feel that many loose ends were covered. It was great.

I highly recommend this book.

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

This book won the Newbury Metal.  A girl known as brat or beetle or anything else cruel is in a dung pile staying warm for the night when a midwife finds her and takes her home.  This girl renames herself Alyce and becomes the Midwife’s apprentice.  It is hard for me to imagine someone getting so little love and ending up in her circumstances.  I like this story because it is a story of determination and of learning and one of figuring out individual worth.  The book deserves its Newbury Metal.  It is a very high quality book.  It was hard to put the book down.

Alternate covers:

15 Books in a Month

I was trying to SPRINT and all through July I have read 15 books.  WHEW!!!  I have enjoyed many and I'm not sure if I will slow down...I think I'd better.  Before July, I had only read 5 books this year.  My "to read" book pile was getting really big.  It is still big but I put a big dent in it.  Here is what remains after my reading spree. (And that is just part of it.)  Ugggghhhh! 

Ballad of Lucy Whipple, the by Karen Cushman

California isn’t happy to be going to California. She’d rather be in Massachusetts with her Grams. Her mom has taken her to California with her brother and sister. She tells everyone that her name isn’t California anymore she wants to be called Lucy because she doesn’t want any part of California even though it was a dream of her mother and late father’s. Lucy does what she can to try to earn money to go back home. Not everything happens according to her plans.

This is a good book. It is Historical fiction based on the California Gold Rush. It’s hard to believe it is historical fiction because it is easy to get lost in the story. I liked and enjoyed this book. It made me want to be content with wherever and whoever I am.

Alternative covers:

Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Catherine is quite the interesting girl. She would be the typical everyday girl in this period in England (1290). She lives in a manor. It is a small manor but she helps her mother to tend to sicknesses and embroiders a lot. She is not too happy with her lot in life. She is especially not excited to be told she has to marry who her father choses for her. This is a story of her defiance and her dreams of her own life.

I like this book. I thought it was most unique. Some parts could be a little crude such as talking about relieving one’s bladder and body parts but I think it helped to understand the crudeness of this period of time. This is not a lady like girl. The book is also written like a diary which is a fun way to get the idea across.

I learned much about this period of time especially about how their homes worked in regards to the king. I love how the author adds notes at the end. I didn’t realize what a Historical Fiction kind of person I am. This book is right along those lines.

Alternate covers:

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

This is a story about a girl named Matilda. Matilda has an interesting background. She was raised by Father Leufredus in a very religious manor. She didn’t worry about food or clothing. She only had to worry about learning Latin, French, Writing and Religion. Her life is about to change as she is on her way to the Bonesetter’s to be a help to Peg. Peg doesn’t quite fit into Matilda’s background and she has to learn a new way of life. She seems to always be longing to be back with Father Leufredus.



This is a story about book learning versus real life. It is about real people versus theory.

There is a greater theme though and I’ve had a hard time putting a finger on what it is but I think it has something to do with listening to oneself and how we feel as opposed to something we may have learned from others or instead of believing what others sometimes erroneously believe even if many join in that belief.


I found the notes at the end of the book very valuable. The Author gave some more information about bone setting and medicine. It is interesting, some of the theories about medicine. I am glad we’ve come a long way since then.

I think this is one of the great books.

Alternate cover:

Rodzina by Karen Cushman

I enjoyed learning a bit while I read this fun little novel. It talks of orphans being transported to the West by trains from the overly orphaned populated Chicago. The interesting part is that this really happened in America. It helped me to think about what it would be like to be one of those orphans.


This book is about a 12 year old girl named Rodzina. Rodzina is a big girl for her age. She doesn’t describe herself as pretty either. She has been well taken care of as she’s grown up but suddenly she finds herself without family when her mother passes away. She’d like to stay in Chicago but the orphanage doesn’t give her an option. This is her adventure with the train of orphans headed West.

I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more of Cushman’s books. I like the way she writes. This book helped me want to treat people better. It makes me want to think about how the children around me are treated and to remember that they are people too. It made me ponder a different day and relate it to my own. I’d definitely recommend this book.

Alternate covers:

Winning Mr. Wrong by Marie Higgins

Cute, romantic, funny little story. This book is a really fun read. It was the kind of feel good reading that I often crave. It was a story about a girl named Charley. In High School, Charley had a crush on a boy from her High School.  His name is Max.  She is surprised to find out that he is now employed at the same place she is.  She reads an article on the internet about “10 Ways to Win Your Man.” She decides to try the ideas on Max. She has quite a bit of help from a neighbor who ends up being a big part of the story.

I loved every part of the book but, there were some parts of the book that I really smiled because the story is really fun.

I recommend this book for anyone wanting to read a “get away from life” book. It is a great book to read to get totally involved in a good story. I liked this book.

A Coming Evil by Vivian Vande Velde

I love, love, loved this book. It is s a story of a girl named Lisette whose parents send her away to her aunt’s in the country so that she is away from Paris and the bombings. When her father drops her off, both she and her father find out that it is not just the Aunt and her cousin that live there. Her Aunt is hiding some Jewish children in her home. This is a time when harboring Jews could lead to death or imprisonment. The Germans’ are trying to eliminate the inferior races.

In the story, there is even mention of a ghost in the story. I was a little trepid to read this book thinking it would be the bad kind of scary. I found it a very cool story of two periods of time: Hitler’s time and a time of knights, kings, priests, and nobles. I learned much from this story and found it to be a very moving story. I’d recommend this to everyone. This was a very great story.

Hoarders, the by Jean Stringam

Amazing kids...just AMAZING!!!

This is a book about two boys, Cheyenne and Joaquin Walker.  Joaquin sounds like Walking when you say it and so his name is Walking Walker.  I thought that was a pretty fun name.  There's a lot about this book that I really, really liked.  These two boys are very worried that they will not have any food in the future.  So they start saving food in their backpacks and hiding the backpacks.  One week their mom will shop and the next week there will be no food in the house.  Their Aunt Amy helps them with advice and feeding them when she is around but that isn't nearly enough.  The book has twists and turns that I just loved.  It ends in a place that I did not foresee.  I love it when a book can surprise me like that.

One of my favorite things is about two characters in the book that were twins.  Their family called them all sorts of things like: Ketchup & Mustard, Salt & Pepper, Ham & Cheese, Stars & Stripes, Bread & Butter etc.  Each time they were referred to they had a different name.  I liked that and wondered what they would be called next.  That just made the story so fun.

I would highly recommend this quick, fun, well written book.  It is an amazing book!

Carnival Girl by Sonja Herbert

The author of this book had a rough childhood. She lived in a carnival growing up and she traveled from town to town in Germany. Her mother was part Jewish and had escaped the Nazi’s by joining the circus and then later her mother and father (who owned a carnival) married.

Sonja tells many stories. Some stories make me sad and a bit disturbed but the over-all story is of survival and getting through tough times. It is a memoir and sometimes real life isn’t so glamorous. To me this was an eye opener of how hard someone’s life can be. I had a lot of sympathy for her and I am glad she is doing well now.

Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park

Maggie (or Maggie-0 like Joe DiMaggio because her parents love baseball) loves to listen to baseball games on the radio. Sometimes she goes down to the firehouse to listen. One time she goes down to the firehouse and watches Jim keeping track of the score on paper. She is intrigued and learns how. She becomes very good at keeping score. Then Jim gets called to the Korean War. She learns to keep track of the war on paper.

This story has twist and turns. It is hard to stop reading because I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. I like this story because I learned about baseball while reading and I learned about the Korean War while reading. It also brought back memories of keeping score as a kid myself which I forgot all about. This is a touching story and it makes me a better person for reading it.  It even had some insights into prayer and hope.

First Boy by Gary Schmidt

This is a good solid book.   This book has strong messages of strong values, of hard work and of things that truly matter.  This is a story about a boy named Cooper.  Cooper has some challenges in his life.  Homework, Cross Country running, and getting chores done are all things he struggles with.  But then, suddenly his grandfather passes away and he has to worry about everything by himself.  It has mystery that starts with dark, black Sudans that are hanging suspiciously around the town.  Find out who is in the vehicles and how this amazing boy figures out how to get by without his grandfather.  I enjoyed this book that wasn’t afraid to talk about religion either.  It is a refreshing book.  I liked it a lot.

A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine

I feel like I’ve just returned from an adventure after reading this book.  Elodie is from a little town called Lahnt.  That is where her family lives but she is venturing off to hopefully get an Apprenticeship in the town of Two Castles.  Right off she gets bad news.  It appears that they have done away with free Apprenticeships.  It is too late to turn back so she sets out anyway.  She is hoping for a lot of good luck but finds everything seems to be the opposite of good luck.  She doesn’t know who to trust but makes unexpected friends in places she hadn’t dreamed of. This was a book full of adventure.  There are castles, ogres, dragons, magical animals, kings, princesses, dogs, lions, an ox, poison, acting and plenty of adventures await her. 

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

Okay, so, this is part of the story of twilight.  I went in reading and knowing that it is a tragedy because I have read the Twilight series.  It was good to get her story.  I was rooting for her even though I knew the ending. 

I like this story because it helped me understand her and what she had been through.  It was easy to dismiss this character.  I didn’t know her background.  That is what I did first when I read about her in the twilight series.  I wasn’t worried about whether or not her life ended.  I didn’t know her.  It was good to get to know her and feel with her. 

 I am glad to have read this book and think it is worth the read.  It helps one in real life by realizing that following someone with a blind faith isn’t always wise.  Sometimes feelings help us to know that we need to not follow that person on blind faith.  We need to trust our feelings.  That is a good lesson for me.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling

This book by JK Rowling is really fun.  I enjoyed these stories.  This book was written to help JK Rowling’s Charity with money.  There are 5 stories.  The stories are the magic version of what we would call “Fairy Tales” or “Fables.”  These are what the magic communities in Harry Potter’s world would be read to for bedtime stories though some could be quite shocking for little ones to be read to at bedtime.  My favorite part of the book is the actual stories.  They have some fun bonuses though.  Dumbledore (the character) gives insight and commentary on each one.  That is fun to read.  Also, the author JK Rowling gives footnotes.  Hermione (the character) is to have translated the stories.  I really thought the stories were fun and believable.  It was quick, light reading that went best when I was using my imagination.

Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon

What if the story of Cinderella has been wrong all this time?  What if all this time no one has gotten the details right?  The author writes this as being the real Cinderella story.  This is a story about a very happy family which consists of:  a dad, a mom and 4 little girls (Katrina, Cinder, Ella, and Beatrice).  Then something in the story happens that breaks up their happy family.  There is a change.  Soon things are not happy.  Cinder finds herself in a position to try to save her family and she’ll also have to save the entire kingdom from a very dark and evil prince.  That’s a heavy burden for anyone to bear but, Cinder will find she can do much to help.  I really liked this book.  It wasn’t the typical happily ever after book and yet it had a very satisfying ending.  It was a book that really makes you think about real life troubles and of family.  It was very hard to put down.

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

This book was a bit unexpected.  Who would’ve thought of a castle that is alive and that can add rooms or switch around hallways?  That is exactly what this book did.  It was a fun adventure.  I grew to like Celie.  She is one of the princesses at the castle.  The castle likes her a lot and she finds the castle a big help when the castle and kingdom are threatened.   I enjoyed using my imagination and thinking of what it would be like to be in a castle that if it liked you suddenly your room was soft and luxurious.  Or if the castle didn’t like you it would seem to get smaller and cramped and military like.  It was so cool to cheer for the royal family that lived in the castle and hope they came out of it alright.  Jessica Day George makes a story feel real even though there is magic and things that are not typical in real life.  It seemed that it could happen.  I had fun with this book.

Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

I have a confession to start with.  I prefer the young adult books Shannon Hale writes compared to her Adult Fiction.  But, I like her Adult Fiction.  It is much better than most Adult Fiction.  But her young adult books are in my top favorite.  So, in comparison her adult fiction books are just not my top favorite.  So, while I enjoy her adult fiction, it just isn't as much of a favorite as her young adult books.

Confession over.

This book is about a lady named Charlotte Kinder.  Charlotte is a woman who has two children, a good business, and an ex-husband.  She loves her children and is accidentally successful at her business.  Her business started out as a hobby.  Now she has plenty of money.

Now that she is divorced, she gets set up on dates a lot.  To get away from it all she decides to go on a vacation.  Upon looking into things, she is told about a 2 week vacation place where they dress in fancy clothes, eat authentic "Austen" food and pretend to be in the days of Jane Austen's novels.  She decides to try it out.

She finds things hard to determine what is real and what is  part of the game.  Especially when she thinks she felt a dead body while playing games in the mansion.  This has a fun story to it.  I was intrigued with the mystery to it.  I'd definitely recommend this book as a fun getaway book.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

This book was fun to read as I waited in line to see the Hunger Games at 3:15 am.  I had great seats to see the movie and the book kept me awake and totally thinking about the same type of society as The Hunger Games.  It is about a Dystopian Society just like the Hunger Games.

This society (a Dystopian Chicago) in this book is divided into 5 factions (it talks about this inside the cover.)

1. Candor (the honest)
2. Abnegation (the selfless)
3. Dauntless (the brave)
4. Amity (the peaceful)
5. Erudite (the intelligent)

Each year, all the sixteen year olds have to pick a faction.  They can either stay in their current faction or they can choose to change to another one.


Beatrice Prior is the main character and she has grown up in the Abnegation faction and the people around her are selfless.  She loves her family but has a big decision to make.


I really loved this book and noticed the next book in the series is going to be coming out in May.  I can't wait.  It is such a great book.  I couldn't put it down it was so wonderful.  It is intriguing and there is a little love thrown in there.  I am glad for a son who told me about this great read.

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

I really enjoyed this book.  I loved her last book "The Amaranth Enchantment" and so I happily picked up this book.  I wasn't disappointed.   I couldn't put this book down.  It was about everything I love in a book.

Evie is interested in healing.  She helps with birthing babies and is intrigued by medicine and helping people get better.

She is from a small cozy villge.  Much happens in this story when a King comes to visit their village.

This book has adventure, snakes, Princesses, kings, castles, and of course, romance.   It really is a great book.  I really enjoyed reading it!  BRAVO!