2008 Page Total

This year I read 11,285 pages!

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, 485 pages

"'ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES?'

When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. With their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?

WELCOME TO THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY."

(Back Cover)

This book was very entertaining! It reminded me of Roald Dahl's books. The four children each have their own unique strengths and personalities when they first meet and they must learn to tolerate and combine those to work together on their secret mission. Without spoiling any of the story (hopefully) this is an adventure, but on a deeper level I thought it had a lot of wonderful messages about children, believing in yourself and others, the sense of belonging, the media, and most of all about friendship. The characters were delightful. There is some laugh-out loud humor, some mysteries to figure out (mostly in the form of riddles and poems) and a lot of suspense...and there just so happens to be a sequel!

8 O'Clock Club Book: Good Grief...Third Grade by Colleen O'shaug Mckenna, 152 pages

The kids enjoyed this 8 O'Clock Club selection about a girl named Marsha who's vowed to be good in third grade and not get into trouble but Roger Friday makes that very difficult. It was short and somewhat predictable as Marsha and Roger wind up becoming friends but a cute story. (Plus Jenna cheated and read it at school!)

The Indwelling by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 389 pages

"The members of the Tribulation Force face their most dangerous challenges. Some are murder suspects; others test the precarious line between subversion and being revealed.

It's the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation. A renowned man is dead, and the world mourns. In heaven, the battle for the ages continues to rage until it spills to earth and hell breaks loose." -Back Cover

I'm not sure these last few books are as well-written and character-driven as the first ones but the series is still entertaining and there's enough suspense with favorite characters to keep me interested. I think I'll be reading different books in between these since there are so many other books I'm anxious to read though!

10,000 Page Goal

I have now read over 10,000 pages this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Assassins by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 413 pages

"In the most explosive episode yet in the continuing drama of those left behind, the Tribulation Force hurtles toward the four murders foretold in prophecy. Antichrist himself is prophesied to suffer a lethal head wound.

As a supernatural horde of 200 million demonic horsemen slays a third of the remaining population, the Tribulation Force prepares for a future as fugitives. Yet another Force member dies, and others join as crises draw them around the globe." -Back Cover

My list of books I want to read when I'm done with this series is getting longer and longer! Must. Finish.

Apollyon by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 399 pages

"The world holds its breath as the Tribulation Force ventures to Jerusalem for the great Meeting of the Witnesses, where tens of thousands defy the Antichrist to sit under the ministry of their pastor-teacher, Tsion Ben-Judah. Meanwhile, Rayford Steele finally discovers the shocking truth about his wife, Amanda, but becomes an international fugitive. The fifth Trumpet Judgment - a plague of scorpion-like locusts led by Apollyon, chief demon of the abyss - is so horrifying that men try to kill themselves but are not allowed to die." -Back Cover

5 down, only 7 more to go... Just when I think I can sneak in another book on my to-read list the next book comes in the mail. Oh well. I'm committed to reading the entire series.

The locusts were a little far-fetched for me and I have a feeling that the other Trumpet Judgments will be as well but this book was as action-packed as books 2 and 3. I'm just glad it didn't leave me hanging at the end. Now I can wait patiently for book 6 to get here.

Soul Harvest by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 424 pages

"Rayford Steele and Buck Williams have survived the wrath of the Lamb, a global earthquake in the twenty-first month of the Tribulation. As the world hurtles toward the Trumpet Judgments and the great soul harvest prophesied in the Scripture, Rayford and Buck begin searching for their loved ones from different corners of the world. Soul Harvest takes you from Iraq to America, from six miles in the air to underground shelters, from desert sand to the bottom of the Tigris River, from hope to devastation and back again - all in a search for truth and life." -Back Cover

Book 3 in this series ended right after the earthquake with the reader left wondering what had happened to Chloe and Amanda. This book kept you wondering still until almost halfway through for one character and clear until the end for the other and as a result it was hard for me to put down. This book included hail, fire and blood falling from the sky, a great meteor that landed in the ocean killing 1/3 of the fish, a meteor that poisoned the water, and 1/3 of the trees and grass being scorched. I'm not into that aspect of the books. I am still wrapped up in the characters though and am beginning to feel like I'm being held hostage by this series! I want Nicolae to get what he deserves and I have to find out how it ends for the Tribulation Force and yet there are so many other books I want to read...and I still have 7 left to go!

Nicolae by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 413 pages

"First they were Left Behind.

Then they formed the Tribulation Force.

Now they must face Nicolae.

In Nicolae, the most explosive of the three books thus far, the seven-year tribulation is nearing the end of its first quarter, when prophecy says that 'the wrath of the Lamb' will be poured out upon the earth. Rayford Steele becomes the ears of the tribulation saints at the highest levels of the Carpathia regime. Meanwhile, Buck Williams attempts a dramatic all-night rescue run from Israel through the Sinai that will hold you breathless until the end." -Back Cover

This was by far the best book of the series so far. I couldn't put it down this weekend and even got in trouble with my husband for sneaking in a few pages wherever I could throughout the day! Friends have asked me if I'm actually going to read all 12 books. At first I wasn't sure since there is a movie of these books out there (although the movies of books are never as good as the books themselves) but now I'm convinced that I'll wind up reading all 12, especially when they're available on Amazon for as little as $4.00. I'm invested in finding out what happens to the main characters and this book left you hanging in a big way at the end concerning some of those characters. I'm kicking myself that I didn't order the 4th book at the same time I ordered this one. Now I'll have to wait a week or so but at least I'll get some laundry done and the Halloween decorations put away!

Whether or not you believe all the revelations stuff in this book it is a good, clean story and you really do find yourself caring about the main characters and rooting for them when the odds are definitely against them.

Tribulation Force by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 449 pages

"In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear. Those left behind face war, famine, plagues, and natural disasters so devastating that only one in four people will survive. Odds are even worse for enemies of the Antichrist and his new world order.

Rayford Steele, Buck Williams, Bruce Barnes, and Chloe Steele band together to form the Tribulation Force. Their task is clear, and their goal is nothing less than to stand and fight the enemies of God during the seven most chaotic years the planet will ever see." -Back Cover

This is the second book in the Left Behind series. When I was reading the reviews for this book everyone said it was the least exciting book in the series. I thought it was pretty good although towards the end of it the story jumps ahead 18 months all of sudden. Nicholae Carpathia is such an evil man but in such a subtle way and now that Rayford and Buck are working for him I'm sure the next books will be even more interesting. Something happened in this book that I wasn't expecting so it will be fun to see how that changes the story. This series is an intriguing story of good versus evil.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, 410 pages

"'Take heed to yourself for the Devil is unchained!' the King of France warns his treacherous co-conspirator, Prince John of England. The 'Devil' is none other than Richard the Lion-Hearted, headed home from the Third Crusade to reclaim his throne. Amid the heat of a tournament, King Richard comes to the aid of another Crusader who has returned in disguise. Wilfred of Ivanhoe also seeks to recover a lost heritage - and the hand of Lady Rowena, 'a rose of loveliness, and a jewel of wealth; the fairest among a thousand.'

Sir Walter Scott's historical romance was published in 1819 and has reigned supreme ever since as the epitome of chivalric novels. Set at the close of the 12th century, if unfolds in a kingdom torn asunder by the hatred between Saxons and Normans. Cedric the Saxon, a powerful lord attempting to restore the Saxon nobility, disinherits Ivanhoe because of his son's fealty to the Norman king. Prince John, assisted by the scheming knights of the Templar Order, clings to the crown by having his brother imprisoned. The dispossessed heroes, Ivanhoe and King Richard, face an uphill battle against firmly entrenched adversaries. The success of their fight rests upon the support of an unlikely crew of outsiders: Rebecca, a Jew accused of sorcery for her skill in the healing arts; Gurth, a swineherd slave; Wamba, a wise fool; and England's most famous outlaw, the legendary Robin Hood." -Back Cover

When I was a teenager I watched either a mini-series or movie of Ivanhoe and have loved it ever since, but I don't think that I've ever read the book so I decided to rectify that. I loved the book just as much. The description from the back cover pretty much covered everything. Ivanhoe is full of great adventure, knights, romance, wit and chivalry. Who doesn't love Robin Hood and Friar Tuck?! It took me a little longer to get through than other books because of the old language that it's written in but it's well worth it!

Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, 468 pages

"In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear. Vehicles, suddenly unmanned, careen out of control. People are terror stricken as loved ones vanish before their eyes. In the midst of the global chaos, airline captain Rayford Steele must search for his family, for answers, for truth. As devastating as the disappearances have been, the darkest days may lie ahead." -Back Cover

My mom recommended this book, the first in a 12-book series. This book is a fictional account of what happens at the end of the world according to things found in the book of Revelations. I belong to a different religion than Mr. LaHaye and have my own beliefs of what will happen at the end of the world but I enjoyed this story. I have always been a sucker for tales of good versus evil. I'm drawn to the bravery, courage, and underdoggedness (is that a word?!) of those who fight against evil.

In Left Behind the disappearance of millions of people around the globe is the Rapture, when Christ takes His people up to heaven before the end of the world. The major characters in this book who are left behind, Rayford Steele, his daughter Chloe, journalist Cameron ("Buck") Williams and minister Bruce Barnes have all had loved ones disappear. Each winds up going on his/her own spiritual journey/conversion to understand what's happened and why they were left behind. Bruce Barnes, himself not truly converted until after the Rapture, warns them of what will come, that an Antichrist will rise up who will be a great deceiver and that a 7-year period of destruction and war is coming. This book ends with these characters discovering who the Antichrist is and banding together as the "Tribulation Force" to fight him, hence the title of book 2 - "Tribulation Force." The last few pages are pretty intense.

Of course I will wind up reading this whole series because once you start to care about characters in a book you have to find out what happens to them! Now the question is, do I try to fit in one of the other books sitting on my nightstand waiting to be read while I'm waiting for book 2 to come in the mail or do I wait?! Ah, the reading dilemmas...

The Innocent by Harlan Coben, 503 pages

"One night, Matt Hunter innocently tried to break up a fight - and ended up a killer. Now, nine years later, he's an ex-con who takes nothing for granted. His wife, Olivia, is pregnant, and the two of them are closing on their dream house. But all it will take is one shocking, inexplicable call from Olivia's cell phone to shatter Matt's life a second time..." -Back Cover

I liked this Harlan Coben novel even better than No Second Chance. I love the fact that Harlan Coben assumes that his readers are intelligent and gives you a lot of interesting characters, twists, and turns to keep track of. This book, like his others, keeps you guessing and reveals things clear up until the very last pages.

One of the things I really liked about this book is the fact that life is complicated. I think we can all attest to that! Matt & Olivia Hunter have a great relationship. They love each other in spite of everything that happens to them. Revenge is a motivating factor in this book and I like how the author used it. He shows that revenge is often unpredictable and can get out of control. It's hard to really write about what I enjoyed most about this book without giving things away and I try not to do that! But, if you enjoy a good mystery with interesting, every-day characters than Harlan Coben is the author for you. I'm sure I'll be borrowing another one from my friend in the future!

8 O'Clock Club Book - Nasty, Stinky Sneakers by Eve Bunting, 105 pages

"Colin has spent weeks perfecting his sneaker odor for the Stinkiest Sneakers in the World contest. If he wins, he'll get three brand-new pairs of Slam Dunkers sneakers: one for himself, one for his little sister, Amy, and one for his best pal, Webster. But now, after weeks of working toward stinky perfection - not washing his feet, wearing no socks, jogging to get his feet juicy, and even sleeping with his sneakers on - the nasty, stinky sneakers are missing!" -Back Cover

My girls and I read this at our "8 O'Clock Club." (The girls & I gather in a bedroom and read a few chapters of a book each night. My mom always called it the 8 O'Clock Club and the name's stuck around.) We all really enjoyed this book. It was funny, had just the right amount of gross, and they couldn't wait to find out what happened each night. We'd definitely recommend it!

The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall, 470 pages

"Davinsky Labor Camp, Siberia, 1933: They've worked her like a slave - and almost starved her to death. Only two things in this wretched place keep Sofia alive: the prospect of one day walking free again, and the stories told by her friend Anna of a charmed childhood in Petrograd filled with parties and pearls - and of her fervent young love for a passionate revolutionary, Vasily.

After a perilous escape, Sofia endures months of hardship, with the echo of her footsteps her only companion. But, clinging to a promise she made to Anna, she sets out to track down Vasily. In a remote village, where she's nursed to health by a Gypsy family, she finds more than refuge - she also finds Mikhail Pashin, who, she is certain, is Vasily in disguise. She cannot stop herself from falling in love with him - but be belongs to Anna.

After coming this far, Sofia is tantalizingly close to freedom, family - even a future. All that stands in her way is the secret past that could endanger everything she has come to hold dear..." -Back Cover

I really, really liked this book but there has to be a "but" attached to my review of it which I'll get to in a minute. First, the things I loved. This is a beautiful story of friendship and loyalty. Sofia and Anna save each other in a place where most people have given in to darkness and despair. The things they do and sacrifice for each other are unbelievable. I loved Sofia's fiery spirit and Anna's gentleness. While they are in the labor camp together you are reminded of just how strong the human spirit and will to live can be.

This is also a great love story and not just Anna and Vasily's - but I won't give anything else away! The characters' lives and pasts entertwine in unexpected and interesting ways. Everyone in this book at some point has to make difficult choices and put at risk the things they love most to fight for what they believe in. The descriptions of life in Stalin's Russia are both heartbreaking and infuriating at the same time.

Now for the "but" - This book was a bookstore discovery so I hadn't read any reviews or heard anything about it other than what was on the back cover. There is language in this book and a lot of it is the F word. I struggle with books that have language but a beautiful story because even though I skip over the swear words I know that I am justifying. I am much too forgiving when it comes to books. There is also a "bedroom scene" on pages 350-351. It's just such a shame because without these I would recommend this book without reservation.

All Moms Go to Heaven by Dean Hughes, 95 pages

"Some might wonder whether a man really knows much about motherhood. But I can talk with a certain degree of authority. After all, I was once a mother myself."

"In All Moms Go to Heaven, well-known Latter-day Saint writer Dean Hughes describes the summer he spent taking care of the kids while his wife, Kathy, worked on her master's degree. After a few weeks of drying tears (sometimes his own), changing diapers, and watching Sesame Street, Dean came to understand what mothers really do and why they're so important. In this thoughtful and often hilarious book, you'll find plenty to ponder and to laugh about." -Back Cover

I loved this book! It was very thoughtful and very hilarious. I laughed out loud and I cried. Sometimes moms need a little boost and reminder that what we're doing really is important and this book provided that. The author shares the lessons he's learned about motherhood, his wife, his daughters, and his own mother in a way that will make you want to read this book again and again...then pass it along to your husband!

No Second Chance by Harlan Coben, 338 pages

"When the first bullet hit my chest, I thought of my daughter...
Marc Seidman awakens to find himself in an ICU, hooked up to an IV, his head swathed in bandages. Twelve days earlier, he'd had an enviable life as a succesful surgeon, living in a peaceful suburban neighborhood with his beautiful wife and a baby he adored. Now he lies in a hospital bed, shot by an unseen assailant. His wife has been killed, his six-month old daughter, Tara, has vanished. But, just when his world seems forever shattered, something arrives to give Marc new hope; a ransom note. 'We are watching. If you contact the authorities, you will never see your daughter again. There will be no second chance.' The note is chilling, but Marc sees only one thing - he has the chance to save his daughter. He can't talk to the police or the FBI. He doesn't know whom he can trust. And now the authorities are closing in on a new suspect: Marc himself." -Jacket

A friend told me about this author and lent me this book. It was full of twists and turns, suspense and intrigue clear up until the very last page. I had a hard time putting it down. It reminded me of a John Grisham book. I'd definitely read another book by Harlan Coben.

(There was some language.)

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, Take 2

Yes, I've read it again already. No, I'm not ashamed of that fact because I liked it even more the second time. Two days after the book came out I went on Amazon to see what kind of reviews it had gotten. It was at 3 stars with over 1,500 comments. I read through a bunch of the 1-star reviews and have to say that I think those readers were probably a little too hasty in their review of the book and were reacting harshly to certain directions the book wound up taking. Perhaps they should read it again and see if they feel as strongly the second time. Here are my complaints with some of their complaints:

(**SPOILER ALERT**)

"Bella didn't have to sacrifice anything. She got everything."
Bella might not have had to sacrifice anything in the end but she was willing to and I think that's the most important part. She knew what she was going to have to give up and she was prepared to do that so who can fault her when things work out better than she'd expected?

"The pregnancy."
The pregnancy came out of nowhere which is why I think so many people were upset. I love that Bella got to be a mom and wound up not missing out on any human experience before becoming a vampire, not to mention how great for Edward!

"Too 'happily ever after'."
What's wrong with happily ever after? In the world we live in I think it's okay that every now and then a story ends happily ever after. I don't think it gives girls the wrong idea about the world or makes them less able to deal with the real world when a story ends that way. I would not have enjoyed Cinderella's story nearly as much if she had danced with the handsome prince and then gone right back to scrubbing floors for the rest of her life!

"Stephenie Meyer had the opportunity to send a powerful message with this book and she didn't."
I beg to differ. I think Stephenie Meyer did send a powerful message in this book, maybe even more than one but her message(s) perhaps went against the grain somewhat. Having said that, I feel bad for any young girl who relies on a book about vampires for her most meaningful life lessons. That's putting a little too much pressure on Stephenie Meyer I think. I don't know about you but I got my "powerful messages" from my parents and from my religion.

"Bella's so different in this book. It's like it was written by somebody else."
Bella is different in this book. She's more mature. She's more focused. Anyone who's been pregnant and had a baby can tell you how that changes you and how you would do anything for your son or daughter.

"How did the name 'Renesmee' ever get past the editors?"
Hmmm...seems to me that there are plenty of crazy names out there that aren't even combinations of family names!

"Jacob imprinting on Bella's baby is just wrong."
This was the one part of the book that I thought was a little too convenient but in the end I was glad that Jacob got his happily ever after too. I loved the twist this book took with Jacob and Edward's relationship.

I do have to give one criticism and this is it: I thought Bella getting fake I.D.s for Jacob and Renesmee so that they could make a run for it was a little out there. I know that Alice couldn't see clearly but I didn't really think that this part flowed with the rest of the story.

My parting thought: I am glad that so many people can feel so passionate about a book and that the Twilight saga has so many people reading. I felt the same way when Harry Potter came out. I think that some fans of these books are way too young. They are, after all, for young adults which to me implies 17 and up. I would never let my almost-9-year old daughter read these books even though she tells me over and over that she's a "very young adult" and I am shocked that girls her age are reading them. There are elements and themes in these books that require a certain maturity which young readers just don't have.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, 754 pages

I have waited for this book for a year so of course I had to read it in one day and will not be very critical of it. After all, you can find fault with any book or series, especially one that's written mostly for young adults. The wait has been a lot of fun. Talking about what might happen with sisters and friends has been a lot of fun. The night of August 1st was like Christmas Eve when you don't know what Santa Claus is going to bring...okay, maybe not that exciting, but close. For me, the Twilight saga is like chocolate...a guilty pleasure. It's not that these are the best books or that there's anything profound in them but I have loved the story and the characters and am glad to see the story come to an end in a way that makes me feel like everything is the way it should be. I was a little weirded out in the middle of this book but by the end I thought it turned out well and now I can't wait to go back and read it again to see what details I missed in my day-long read-a-thon! I might dare say that this is one of my favorite love stories of all time. Make fun of me all you want.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 240 pages

"The country doctor had come to 221B Baker Street, the famous lodgings of Sherlock Holmes, with an eerie tale - the legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles, the devil-beast that haunted the lonely moors around the Baskervilles' ancestral home. The tale warned the descendants of that ancient family never to venture out on the moor 'in those dark hours when the powers of evil are exalted.' But one of the most recent Baskervilles, Sir Charles, was now dead - and the footprints of a giant hound had been found near his body. Would the new heir of the Baskervilles meet the same dreadful fate? Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend, Dr. Watson, are faced with their most terrifying case in this wonderful classic of masterful detection and bone-chilling suspense." (Back Cover)

I read this book back in junior high or high school. I remember liking it then and I like it still. I found I could even remember what was going to happen next in some parts even though it's been years! It's a quick, fun read and who doesn't love Sherlock Holmes?!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, 521 pages

"Orphaned Jane Eyre grows up in the home of her heartless aunt, where she endures loneliness and cruelty, and at a charity school with a harsh regime. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane's natural independence and spirit - which prove necessary when she takes a position as governess at Thornfield Hall. But when she finds love with her sardonic employer, Rochester, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice. Should she stay with him and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions, even if it means leaving the man she loves? A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre (1847) dazzled and shocked readers with its passionate depiction of a woman's search for equality and freedom." -Back Cover

I feel like I shouldn't even critique this literary classic so I will just say that I am a sucker for any love story. I admired Jane's spirit and her strength. I loved her school friend Helen Burns and her teacher Miss Temple. I admired Jane's integrity. I cheated, however, when she left Thornfield Hall, because I wanted to see if she and Rochester would wind up together in the end and so I read the last few chapters. Hey, I cheated in the 7th Harry Potter as well and I will most likely cheat with Breaking Dawn this weekend! I liked the fact that Jane & Rochester were drawn together for reasons other than good looks and that their love was real and true.

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan, 346 pages

"The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio introduces Evelyn Ryan, an enterprising woman who kept poverty at bay with wit, poetry, and perfect prose during the 'contest era' of the 1950s and 1960s. Standing up to the church, her alcoholic husband, and antiquated ideas about women, Evelyn turned every financial challenge into an opportunity for innovation, all the while raising her six sons and four daughters with the belief that miracles are an everyday ocurrence. The inspiration for a major motion picture, Evelyn Ryan's story is told by her daughter Terry with an infectious joy that shows how a winning spirit and sense of humor can triumph over adversity every time." -Back Cover

I think that pretty much sums it up! Evelyn's spirit and tenacity are inspiring and her contest entries are skilled and amusing. You can tell that her children adored her. Terry Ryan is a great writer. I loved all the copies of the contests she put in as well as several fun pictures. One of my favorite lines is when her mother says, "I'm not fat for my height. I'm short for my weight." Talk about a good sense of humor! I love the relationships the family has with the pets, especially Barney the bird and Charley the chicken. The relationships Evelyn and the kids have with their alcoholic father are complex and I disliked him immensely until the very end when he somewhat redeemed himself in a way that brought tears to my eyes. I'd definitely recommend this book!

The Giver by Lois Lowry, 179 pages

"Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back." -Back Cover

This book is short and yet very moving. Jonas lives in a community where there is Sameness. Marriages are arranged. Each couple can apply for two children, a boy and a girl who are given to them at a Naming Ceremony when the child is one. There are rules that govern the Community such as apologies must be given and then immediately accepted. Those who break the rules are Released or sent to Elsewhere. Every morning dreams must be discussed and at night feelings talked about although they've no idea what feelings really are. When a child turns 12 they are assigned a career based on careful observation by the Elders and when they are grown their parents go to live with the Childless Adults and they don't see each other anymore.

Jonas is selected to be The Receiver, a very rare and honored thing. As he is given memories he learns about and experiences color, snow, sunshine, joy and eventually pain and realizes that all those things make life beautiful and meaningful, yet he has no one to share them with because he cannot talk about his training with anyone other than The Giver and the people in the Community wouldn't understand anyway. He begins to see that while the way the Community lives is comfortable and safe, it is not really living. One of the most touching parts for me was when Jonas asks his parents if they love him and they have no idea what the word love is or means.

I went out on my deck last night and saw the most amazing firefly display and couldn't help but be grateful that we don't live in a world of Sameness. We experience life to its fullest with all of its changes, all of its colors and seasons. We appreciate the good because we can experience the bad.

A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander, 306 pages

"London's social season is in full swing, and the Victorian aristocracy can't stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antionette. But he's not the only topic of wagging tongues. Drawing rooms, boudoirs, and ballrooms are abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been making off with precious items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen. Light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is found murdered, and the mysterious thief develops a twisted obsession with Emily. But the strong-minded and fiercely independent Emily will not be shaken. It will take all of her considerable wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, even as a brewing scandal threatens both her reputation and her romance with her late husband's best friend, the dashing Colin Hargreaves." -Jacket Cover

This is the second book in the Lady Emily Ashton series. I enjoyed it as much as the first. It's a light read - I read it in a day being stuck home with sick kids. There are a few mysteries to solve in this book and it's always fun to see how Emily goes about it. Emily and Colin's romance is fun and witty but not over-bearing or corny...after all, I HATE cheesy romance novels (the ones that might have Fabio on the cover!). People have criticized the social aspects of these books because apparently they're a little far-fetched as far as Emily's independence and what she gets away with socially but having never researched the period extensively I find her independent spirit refreshing and am not bothered by it. I think were you to really analyze this book you would probably find some flaws in the story line but I'm not going to analyze. I'm just going to enjoy. After reading reviews of A Fatal Waltz (the third book) it doesn't seem to be as good as the first two but you know I'm going to have to read it anyway!

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, 493 pages

"A profoundly moving novel, an honest and true one. It cuts right to the heart of life...If you miss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn you will deny yourself a rich experience...It is a poignant and deeply understanding story of childhood and family relationships. The Nolans lived in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn from 1902 until 1919...Their daughter, Francie, and their son, Neely, knew more than their fair share of the privations and sufferings that are the lot of a great city's poor. Primarily this is Francie's book. She is a superb feat of characterization, an imaginative, alert, resourceful child. And Francie's growing up and beginnings of wisdom are the substance of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." -New York Times (back cover)

My favorite character was Katie Nolan, Francie's mother. On pg. 97 it says this of Katie: "Katie had the same hardships as Johnny and she was nineteen, two years younger. It might be said that she, too, was doomed. Her life, too was over before it began. But there the similarity ended. Johnny knew he was doomed and accepted it. Katie wouldn't accept it. She started a new life where her old one left off. She exchanged her tenderness for capability. She gave up her dreams and took over hard realities in their place. Katie had a fierce desire for survival which made her a fighter. Johnny had a hankering after immortality which made him a useless dreamer. And that was the great difference between these who loved each other so well."

The author said this once in a magazine: "To live, to struggle, to be in love with life - in love with all life holds, joyful or sorrowful - is fulfillment. The fullness of life is open to all of us." I think that sums up the characters in her book. They made the most of what they had and lived every moment. Not much happens in this book and yet everything happens in this book. It's a book about life and the joys and sorrows of growing up and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

(There is some language.)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, 550 pages

"It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel Meminger's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Grave Digger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.
But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up and closed down." -Back Cover

Markus Zusak is an amazingly gifted writer. What he does with words in this book is absolutely incredible. His descriptions are beautiful and haunting. This book is narrated by Death who, for the most part, is unbiased in his feelings yet also sympathetic, and who is burnt out and worn out from his work. I loved that the story's told from his perspective. It added a whole new element. Death uses colors with the most amazing imagery. The power of words plays such an important role in this book both for good and for bad. Here's a paragraph that touched me in particular:

"On June 23, 1942, there was a group of French Jews in a German prison, on Polish soil. The first person I took was close to the door, his mind racing, then reduced to panting, then slowing down, slowing down...
Please believe me when I tell you that I picked up each soul that day as if it were newly born. I even kissed a few weary, poisoned cheeks. I listened to their last gasping cries. Their vanishing words. I watched their love visions and freed them from their fear.
I took them all away, and if ever there was a time I needed distraction, this was it. In complete desolation, I looked at the world above. I watched the sky as it turned from silver to gray to the color of rain. Even the clouds were trying to get away.
Sometimes I imagined how everything looked above those clouds, knowing without question that the sun was blond, and the endless atmosphere was a giant blue eye." pg. 350

This book is why I love reading so much!

And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander, 310 pages

I stumbled across this book at Target and was hooked by the back cover. "Emily agreed to wed Philip, the Viscount Ashton, primarily to escape her overbearing mother. Philip's death while on safari soon after their wedding left Emily feeling little grief, for she barely knew the dashing stranger. But her discovery of his journals nearly two years later reveals a far different man than she imagined - a gentleman scholar and antiquities collector who apparently loved his new wife deeply. Emily's desire to learn more of her late husband leads her through the quiet corners of the British Museum and into a dangerous mystery involving rare stolen artifacts. To complicate matters, she's juggling two very prominent and wealthy suitors, one of whose intentions may go beyond matrimony into darker realms..."

This book was delightful! It was reminiscent of The Scarlet Pimpernel (one of my all-time favorites) with its romance, intrigue and suspense. It takes place in the late 1800's in London and Paris mostly. Emily is a wonderful character, full of spunk and independence. There's nothing objectionable in this book. It's just good clean fun. I couldn't put it down and read it in a day - and I'll probably read it again while I wait for my next book to come in the mail so I can absorb all the details. The best part is that when I looked it up on Amazon I found that there are two sequels! Can't wait to get my hands on them. LOVED it!! (More like 4 1/2 stars!)

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, 172 pages

I have read this book before but it has been several years and I'm sure I didn't appreciate it enough at the time. C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors. I feel like this book is one of those where you should read only one of Screwtape's letters (a chapter) each day so you can ponder and think about it before going on to the next one - not rush through the whole book in 3 days like I did to get it done for a book club deadline! There is a lot of insight in this book and I would dare say that all of us can find a chapter (or more) in it that gives us a little wakeup call. It is heavy reading as it ought to be since it's all about temptation and leading souls to hell. C.S. Lewis has an incredible vocabulary. I will revisit it in the future when I can really take in each sentence and chapter. You should have a fun and uplifting book in mind to read after finishing this one. I can see why it's not any longer!

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel, 275 pages

This book was delightful, insightful, entertaining and humorous. I laughed out loud in several places and my husband, who doesn't have much time for books, eventually requested I read out loud so he could hear what was so funny. My favorite paragraph would probably have to be this one: "I figure heaven will be a scratch-and-sniff sort of place, and one of my first requests will be the Driftwood in its prime, while it was filled with our life. And later I will ask for the smell of my dad's truck, which was a combination of basic truck (nearly universal), plus his cologne (Old Spice), unfiltered Lucky Strikes, and when I was very lucky, unleaded gasoline. If I could have gotten my nose close enough I would have inhaled leaded gasoline until I was retarded." That still makes me laugh out loud, probably because I used to love the smell of gasoline too and maybe it made me retarded! I also loved the last chapter about Santa and the piano.

I didn't find this book to be one I couldn't put down which is probably why it took me awhile to finish it - well, that and the fact that I now can't read without my glasses. Dumb left eye! There's nothing more frustrating than one good eye and one bad and I guess I was protesting. Still, it's a fun book about "growing up small in Mooreland, Indiana." It's like Junie B. Jones for adults.

8 O'Clock Club Book - Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

"Hi! I'm Homer Price. I live in Centerburg. Somehow the funniest things are always happening here. And somehow I'm always in the middle of them. There was the time, f'r instance, that my pet skunk Aroma smelled out those four bank robbers. Maybe you've heard about the day I helped Uncle Ulysses with his automatic doughnut machine - and the confounded thing wouldn't turn off. And wasn't that Super-Duper comic book business a big surprise to...Say, why am I telling you all this here? I'll see you inside."

This was a cute collection of little stories from the life of Homer Price. It had great illustrations. It was written in the 40's so it had some slang and references to that time which we didn't always get but it was fun and the girls enjoyed it. I think I might have liked living in the 40's except I would greatly miss my cellphone, the internet, color TV, online shopping, my jeans and capris...

Unlimited Access: An FBI Agent Inside the Clinton White House by Gary Aldrich, 288 pages

Let me begin by saying that I am not a Hillary fan-to put it nicely. I've already decided that if by some bribe, I mean way, she wins the election I'm moving to Canada. This book was shocking and yet not shocking. Gary Aldrich worked for the FBI for 30 years and worked in the White House during the George Bush administration and then just long enough to retire during the Clinton administration. He talks about what the Clintons did to the White House, its staff and the presidency in general. I was not suprised to read that Hillary ran most of the show. Let's just say that if even 1/4 of the things in this book are true, let alone all of them, then it will truly be a sad day if we put those same people back in the White House. (I would really tell you what I think about Hillary but I try to be a classy kind of gal.)

The Road by Cormac McCarthy, 287 pages

The Road is a story of a boy and his father traveling the roads after a disaster. What has happened is never said but I got the impression it was something like a nuclear bomb. As they travel they try to maintain their dignity and humanity even as they are starving and sick. The end confused me a little bit - it was a little too philosophical for my simple mind - but I enjoyed the rest! There are a few disturbing things in this book but I thought they showed just how desperate people become in that situation. I can't wait to see Viggo Mortensen in the movie!

Wicked by Gregory Maguire, 560 pages

I love the musical version of Wicked and although I had been told that the book was different and darker I wasn't quite prepared for how different or how dark it is. I couldn't get passed the coarse and crass sex descriptions to enjoy this much. Elphaba was an interesting character who struggled over definitions of evil and was misunderstood but I think I'll stick with the musical.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer, 368 pages

Jon Krakauer is a journalist who was climbing Mt. Everest during a year where a sudden storm took the lives of several climbers. Since reading this I have seen many of those climbers interviewed on the Discovery Channel. Climbers who attempt to climb Everest are a breed of their own and this book was a good analysis of what motivates some people to try. There is a lot of language in this book - climber's language I guess.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen, 368 pages

An inspirational story of one man who has built over 50 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan because of a promise he made after getting lost while trying to climb K2 and being taken in by a local village. Greg Mortensen is persistent and fearless in a part of the world where terrorists are bred. He believes that education is the strongest way to prevent terrorism.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, 336 pages

A young girl runs away from home and winds up living with 3 African American women who raise bees, help her discover more about her mother and ultimately teach her about life. This was an enjoyable book. I wanted to visit the ladies' house because they seemed full of life and energy.

The Pirate Coast: Thomas Jefferson, the First Marines and the Secret Mission of 1805 by Richard Zacks, 464 pages

This book started out very suspenseful and then got a little slow in the middle. Sailors from the USS Philadelphia are taken captive by the Barbary pirates and held for ransom. Thomas Jefferson sends William Eaton on a secret mission across the Sahara desert to try to attack and defeat the pirates. I learned a lot about William Eaton's zeal and patriotism and would like to read more about him.

Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus, 312 pages

Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with micro-lending and the battle against world poverty. He started a bank in India that gives smalls loans to people to help them start their own small businesses and get out of debt to the lenders. It was amazing what a small amount of money these people needed to become self-sufficient. I learned a lot from this book about how it is possible to eliminate poverty.

The Hospital by the River: A Story of Hope by Dr. Catherine Hamlin

This story will break your heart and show you the difference one person can make at the same time. The Hamlins started the first fistula hospital in Ethiopia where they help women regain their dignity and place in society. This book will make you glad that you can have babies in a hospital with skilled nurses and doctors. The Hamlins are amazing people who have dedicated their lives to the service of those who need them most. Be sure to have Kleenex handy!

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

I hadn't read this book since I was much younger and it was fun to read it again. It's the story of a boy who discovers he's one of the "Old Ones" - someone who can alter time and who is meant to reunite the Signs that will defeat the Dark Ones - kind of your classic good vs. evil story. I'm going to read the rest of the series in the future.

Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community and War by Nathaniel Philbrick

This was a very interesting book about the Pilgrims and the subsequent settlers in America. I learned a lot of new things about their faith, their voyage, their relationship with the Indians and their descendants. It was a little hard keeping track of everyone but that's history for you!

Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza

This is one of the most inspirational stories I've ever read. The author tells of her 91 days spent in a tiny bathroom during the Rwandan Holocaust in 1994. In that bathroom she discovered God and then ultimately how to forgive those who murdered almost her entire family. I appreciated the fact that she wrote that while she was praying to God she also felt the power of Satan and through her agency chose to follow God. I consider this a must-read.

The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

This trilogy (soon to have a 4th in August) was pure entertainment. Written by an LDS author there is nothing objectionable just plenty of romance, suspense and action - oh, and vampires and werewolves. I read the series twice and I can't wait for Breaking Dawn.

The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen

For a first novel this is a good one. It is the story of an isolated town in the early part of the century that imposes a quarantine on itself to try to prevent the outbreak of disease. The townspeople face social and moral dilemmas along the way and I found myself asking "What would I have done in that situation?" It was a page-turner, hard to put down. There is a little language.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This book was heavy in some places as it is a story about Afghanistan and war. There are some scenes in this book that are heartbreaking and dark. But, it is also a book about guilt and redemption and doing the right thing. There are characters that you will root for and characters that you will despise.

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

This book follows several fictional characters through the evacuation of Paris and the occupation of it in 1940 and 1941. Before the auther was done writing she was sent to Auschwitz where she died. The story was published decades later. I enjoyed the different shades of gray in the characters in this book. They are complex and interesting.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the story of a reclusive author who has finally agreed to reveal the true story about herself to a young biographer. What unfolds is a wonderful tale eloquently written and hard to put down.

It Takes a Mother to Raise a Village by Colleen Down

This book is all about the importance of mothers - written by a mother. It is a humorous and poignant look at how mothers can save children, the family, and even our country. It left me feeling empowered, inspired, and encouraged in my role of mom.