Cute Read

I have finished another book... actually two but the other one was a total flop and not even worth the time reviewing... But this one was really cute. Its Holes by Louis Sachar. It was a young read which was what I needed lately as my little monster is not sleeping... again. But I will admit that I got really into it and had a really hard time putting it down.
  Its a tale about a boy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up in a work camp as punishment for a crime he didnt commit. There every boy has to big a 5foot hole everyday. They say its to help build character but really there is more to that story...
  The novel weaves in some fun tales about the past history of the place and the reader soon notices that connection the history plays to certain young men at the camp.
  Now most of the connections should be fairly obvious...especially to someone like me who figures things out 95% of the time... but the end chapter helped make a few connections for me that I missed. Im blaming the lack of sleep on my poor foreshadow catching. The connections I missed didnt ruin the story at all. It was a really fun, cute tale to begin with then when it was all laid out in black in white it was even cuter.
  Yeah I hear you out there in cyber space "Cute...how can a book about deliquints be cute?" But really read this and you will see what I mean... its CUTE.
  This is a book I bought and as I added it to my teen/young adult shelves of my book cases I realized I need to expand to shelf three (which is currenlty housing my 3 yr olds toys... so we are hunting for a new home for either the books or the toys) I LOVE BOOKS.
  Holes was made into a movie and i have it on hold at the library. Once I venture over there Ill tell you how the movie stacks up to the book.
  All and all I think its a worthwhile, quick easy read.

What am I reading now??? The Red Badge of Courage!

A Nice Read

My friends had started to realize that I have an obession with WWII. One of my good friends, Claire, is a reader (YAY) and she let me borrow a book I had never heard of to read. It is called the Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society by Mary Ann shaffer and Annie Barrows. It was a nice relaxing read.
  This book is just a collection of letters (all fictional). It is set in post World War two London and in a small town names Guernsey on the Channel Islands. The Main character Juliet is an author trying to figure out what to write her next book about when she receives a letter from a man in Guernesy looking for a book. (its a fun story as to why he is asking her... but Ill leave that for the book to share with you!) Anyways... the Channel Islands had been occupied by the Germans during the war and  Juliet soon realizes that she wants to gather all the stories she can about what they people there went through during the Occupation. While looking for a story Juliet finds everything that has been missing in her life... its a sweet story.
  Reading a story written as letters is really interesting to me. I found I had to keep reminding myself that these were not real people. It was nice because you got so much of the story but also a really personal feel through out the book. I also found it really relaxing. See I am a reading who CAN NOT stop in the middle of a chapter. But I do most of my reading at night once the kidlets are in bed... which often means Im exhausted and I will admit that at times I rush through a chapter so I can go to sleep. But since this novel was all letters it was nice because a long letter was 2 or 3 pages long. so I could read a few letters and then if I was starting to head bob (at no fault of the book) then I could finish the letter and go to sleep.
  Reading this novel has made me wish for a pen pal!
  Thanks claire for such a sweet read!

Reall? Thats it???

A few days ago a finished another book....it was painful... it left me thinking "Wow did I really just waste the last few nights on this?" Good thing it was a short book! Here is how I had come across this book. Friday night TV sucks (besides CSI NY) then I saw this preview for a show called Haven. I will admit it didnt look great, but it looked decent enough for me to give it a go. So here is my review of Haven... BAD BAD BAD. The acting reminds me of a junior high play and the writing is not much better. The lines they come up with are so rediculous that even an oscar winner could not pull them off! And then there is the story lines. Beyond Hokey! I mean I am all for a little far fetchedness (yeah I like that word) but there are still limits! There is one long runnign story line; an FBI agent comes to investigate a murder in the little town of Haven, Maine and then discovers that someone who might of been her mother (whom she never knew) may have been there. So she stays to investigate that.  But there are also all these little show to show story lines that are all super natural. It appears that everyone in Haven has some crazy super power like controling the weather or dreaming things into reality. Yep its a winner. Despite all the awfulness I was still sucked in by the "is that her mom?" Story line and Im sure the fact that there is nothing else on then helps too! Anyways... I heard it was based on the book Colorado Kid by Stephen King. So I thought I'd save myself alot of misery and just read the book to find out how it all ends.
Smart Idea right???? WRONG... I read the book. I am still left wondering How it even relates! The book is really short so it was a fast read (luckily) The book is about 3 journalist from a small town in Maine (so far the only connection between show and book I could find) the 2 elderly journalist are telling their intern journalist the mystery of the Colorado Kid (the mention the colorado kid in the show but its only in passing as the headline in the newspaper) Anyways.. they are sharing this story about a man who is found dead on the beach and for 18 months they have no idea who he is, how he got there, or why is his there. Finally they find out he is from Colorado (hence the Colorado Kid) and that he left behind a wife and son. They never find out why he was in Maine or anything. and thats the end of the book... yep I know. Im not the kind of reader who needs everything wrapped up in a nice little package at the end of a book, but at least leave me feeling like ive traveled somewhere different then when I started. 
  This was disappointing for two main reasons. 1)I love King's work. LOVE HIM. He is sort of my guilty little secret because his lanugage is awful in most of his books, but I think his novels are genius. They all have weak endings but the rest of it is great! 2) I am still stuck watching this horrid show because I have no answers! ARGH! Maybe its time to turn to google and see what I can find out there!

Another Great Read!

This past weekend I did alot of reading since everyone was under the weather. I finished a book called I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. Zusak is also the author of the Book Theif that I reviewed a little while ago. I am the Messenger is winner of the Michael L Printz award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature from the American Library Association.
  I will admit at the beginning of this book I was not sure I was going to be able to get into it. At times the Language is not great. Im not sure if its a cultural difference (like I know alot of the swearing in the Harry Potter books is because its not really considered bad in England) This is an Australian book. But since the words used are harsher then the ones in the Harry potter books I think its just bad language. Its funny because it seems like it came in spurts... lots of bad words and then nothing for a while. As always Id much prefer if that sort of thing was not included at all.
  But this was still a wonderful book. I loved it! I will probably buy it. Its about this young man named Ed. He is 19, driving a cab, playing cards with his friends, and basically going no where. This is is life and will be his life until he dies. Then one day he stops a bank robbery with out even really trying. After his 15 minutes of fame he is back to his normal go no where life when he starts getting Aces in the mail with weird messages on then... like addresses, or names or movies. He takes on this call to improve the lives of others, somewhat reluctantly at first, but once he gets going he feels a new purpose to life and slowly comes to realize that the messages he spreads are not so much for the people he delivers them too but for himself. By the end of the book you would barely recognize Ed if you had not taken this incredible journey with him.
   There is one quote that has stuck with him in this book. It's near the end of the book. He is recalling the dismall state of his dad's funeral the year before and comes to realize that his life is/was headed in the same direction. no one had anything to say at his dads funeral and Ed concludes; "I want words at my funeral. But I guess that means you need life in your life." That is my firm belief. We all have been given a gift in this life. Time. Time is such a double edged sword... what will you do with it. Will you spend it being unkind or creditcal, or even worse will you squander it away doing nothing. or will you rise to the occassion and make the most of the time you have been given. I am trying everyday to make the most of the time I have been gifted with.
  That was another thing I loved about this book. Rarely were the messages Ed delivered world changing. At first you were life to think... "Really thats it" but as it evolved you came to realize just how much a simple act can change a persons life. In all the instances the simple acts Ed did for them changed their lives. And by seeing that change in other and realizing his potential they changed Eds life as well.
  im still thinking about the ending. It was a totaly surprise to me... and Ill admit Im still slightly confused. But it wasnt until I started to think about it that I got confused.... maybe Im over thinking. I dont want to give away too many details because I dont want to spoil the ending for you. But Maybe I was so caught up in the story that at the time the details of the ending didnt matter... but once I removed myself I bit I still have questions. But then again I think thats the mark of a good book as well; to leave one thinking and talking about it after you have closed the cover.
  Well Done Markus Zusak. Well done!

Big Red Tequila

ok...so here is the story... I had been hearing great things about this book called Mission Road by Rick Riordan. I didnt know he had written adult books before he did Percy Jackson. So I was very intrigued to read Mission Road since I loved percy Jackson. So I got it from the Library, only to find out its book five in a sequence... (not a series, you can read books in a sequence as stand alone books, but there is a main character in all of them that is the same) so since Im slightly OCD I have to read them in order. So then I googled the main characte Tres Navarre and returned Mission Road and then got Big Red Tequila. I was on the wait list forever so I was so excited to finally get it... that soon passed...
  This book SUCKED. The language wasnt great, but I will admit I have read books with worse lanuage. But still it was a pain to have poor Language. But even beyond that the story just dragged. Nothing happened. It was supposed to be some big mystery and by the end of the book the killer was revealed, but I am still left here going... WHY DID IT TAKE ALMOST 400 PAGES???
  Tres, the main character is just weird and whiney... and DUMB... I have no idea how he was able to do what he did. He got police records that were supposed to be confidential. He has guns pointed at him all the time and was always able to use his stupidity to get away.

  I doubt ill be reading the rest of these books.... who knows maybe one day Ill get desperate and try again... But I say DONT WASTE YOUR TIME!

The Last Olympian

Ok... so I finished this book about a week ago.. but Ive been way to busy with other things to blog about it... but I thought I have to do it before I forget too much about it!
  I have finally finished the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. Book 5 did not dissappoint. I thought it was am almost perfect way to end the series. Loose ends were tied up and it even set up his next series... im not sure what the series name will be but the first book is the Lost hero and its about the next generation of Half bloods... but back on track here... Percy...
  yes I will complain that it was too much fighting. Right from the get go it was war war war... but really considering the last 4 books have all be building up to this ultimate titans vs Olympians war I guess it was too be expected. Considering all the war I was surprised that not many of the key characters died... Im not sure how I feel about that. Im glad because I like the characters and wouldnt wish them dead... but how realistic is it that all the main people survived a war like that... (yes I did just question the realistic-ness of a war between ancient greek mythology figures)
   But the ending was good. It left me happy and even ended how I wanted (which doesnt always happen!) Im looking forward to getting the new series from the library. I was tempted to just buy it when I say I was 204 on the wait list...but as  whole I fine Riordan hit and miss... I love percy Jackson, but hated the first book in the Kane Chronicals (and I love Egypt) and now Ive even started one of his adult books and am having a hard time convincing myself to finish it... so I think Ill hold out and wait though the list and read it then... just in case!
  My final verdict... read the Percy Jackson series. Its a very easy, no brain read. Which I need as a mother of two crazy boys who only gets to read once they are in bed at 9 and i can barely keep my eyes open myself. But its fun because Im really into mythology and it was a neat treat to see a modern spin on it. (thats why I also LOVE the nicholas Flammel series by Micheal Scott) All and all... book 3 was my favorite!

Book Thief

I recently finished the Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It was a pretty decent read. It is a book set in Nazi Germany. (yes Im on a bit of a holocaust kick lately) Its about a young girl who steals books. It describes her life, her foster parents, her everyday adventures, the stress of hiding a Jew, etc etc etc. It took me a few chapters to get used to the writing style. The narrator is death, who is full of interesting tibits.
  What did I like most about this book??? Hmmmm... I dont want to minimize what happened to the Jewish people by any means. It was horrific and disgraceful. But I enjoyed reading this book because it reminded me that not all Germans agreed with Hitler. It was almost refreshing to see how some Germans were victims of the Nazis as well. They were put on little rations and if you werent a memeber of the Nazi party you were an outcast and it was next to impossible to find work. Some were brave enough to help the Jews as best as they could. I would like to think that I would be numbered among those standing up to Hitler and his inhuman treatment of people, but as a mother I can honestly say that if joining the Nazi party meant I could feed my children then I would probably join... even if I hated the very thought of it. These people had familes too and Hitler put them in a horrid situation; Support my insanity or your family suffers and dies.
  Germans also suffered because we bombed them. In the book it describes several bombings. People huddled together in basements praying for survival and when they emerged all the found was ruined homes and death. Innocent people died because we, the Good Guys, bombed them. I dont think that could have been avoided because Germany was in the grips of Hitler and his mind boggling cruelty, but it just reenforced my belief that War is digusting and filled with victims. There is so much grey in war... who are the winners, who are the losers? I think we all lose.
  Markus Zusak was able to hold my attention to the end of the book, despite the tragic nature of the book. His writing style has also grabbed my attention and I have requested another one of his books from the library to see if all his books bare this same style or if he reserved it for the Book Thief. Im excited to read I am the Messenger!

Battle of the Labyrinth

I finished this book a little while ago but have had so many other things to blog about that I thought Id save it for a while... now that Im almost done my next book I figured I should review this one before I do the next one.
  Battle of the Labyrinth is book 4 in the Percy Jackson series. I didnt enjoy it as much as the third book... but it was still good. This was all about growth of the main characters and alot of set up for what is sure to be an action back 5th and final book. This book is really all over the place at the same time... there is romance, betrayal, battles, death, new friends and new foes, and even the return of a former 'bad' guy (he was just misunderstood... and I am still sad for poor little Nico)
  When book 3 ended I was chomping at the bit to get into book 4. However at the end of book 4 I was ready to take a break from Percy Jackson. Its hard to say if that was because I didnt enjoy it as much as book 3, or if I was just needing something new. I am looking forward to Book 5!
  I really did enjoy the mythology introduced in this book. I loved the Calypso story. One thing that this books really thrill me with is the mixture of mythology and modern day. Makes me want to go and research Greek mythology to see what all the stories really are and how all the Gods and demigods fit together... maybe I can make that a project for this year!

 

The Titan's Curse

As you can tell I love to read. I took advantage of the help I had over the holidays and got caught up on my reading. I am on cloud 9... For those out there who are sick of my book reviews dont worry... I have a craft project planned this weekend... as long as nothing crazy happens... fingers crossed.
   I have come to realize that if I read a series back to back for the first time I read them I often get bitter by the end of them and am totally sick of the characters. Making me think that the last few books arent very good. With that in mind I decided I ws going to space out my reading of the Percy Jackson series. That has been more difficult then I planned it to be. Yes I did just finish book two and now I have finished book 3... But give me credit I did read Boy in the Striped Pajamas in between them. I just cant stay away from Percy Jackson. Rick Riordon just ends his books on such cliffhangers that I HAVE to keep reading the series.
  Book Three was GREAT! We are introduced to more of the God's of Olympus and even have to bid a farewell to one of the characters I have grown to love... although I wouldnt be surprised if they pop up in later books too. I have to give Rick Riodon credit though... for a male author he really hase alot of fierce girl power in this book. I loved it.
  In Titan's Curse we meet Artimes and her Hunters (which are all female) and they go an a special quest in search of a monster that turns out to be a quest to save the world. Percy and Annabeth and Thalia help out too of course. Kronos is getting more and more closer to rising and he and Luke are having more and more success if recruiting monsters, half bloods and even some gods to their army. We even get to see a mortal with a special gift for seeing through the Mist. She seems to only have a bit role in this book but she was made to be more then just a passer by which makes me wonder if she shows up again in later books.
  The ending was AWESOME! I had planned on reading one or two books before moving onto book 4 But I dove right into book 4.... and now I am pages away from its ending....
  Remember book one didnt grab me all that much... but books 2-4 have been awesome! So even if you dont get hooked by book one try book 2... I bet you will end up reading all 5!

The Scorch Trials

WOW! Thats all I can say about this book... WOW! James Dashner really out did himself with this one. I loved it... no love isnt even a strong enough word. I was hooked right from the beginning. It only took me a few days to get through it. I was livid with the ending but only because it was such an amazing cliff hanger and the third book isnt out yet so now Im left wondering. AWESOME
  This is the sequel to The Maze Runner, which I blog about a little while ago. It was so good! In this one we find Thomas and Theresa seperated and sent on a new trial so see who will survive, group A (the Gladers from the maze Runner) or Group B (a group of girls who have lived the same thing as the boys in group A but they are all girls.) They have to cross a section of the earth known as the Scorch as it was completely fried by a sun flare and considered uninhabitable and make it to a safe haven. The Scorch is also where the people infected with the disease knowns as the Flare are sent to die. Supposedly the Maze and now the Scorch trials are all part of a bigger plan to help WICKED and Humanity find a cure for the Flare. I am still trying to sort that out.
  This book is filled to overflowing with betrayal and mistrust. It left me with so many questions that my head spins and I am DYING for book three! I am so entralled I dream about this! Who do I believe? Who will survive? Will the Flare be cured?? and above all.....IS WICKED GOOD?

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Yes I did just start this book the other day... it only took me 2 days to read. I was just captivated. I am always so enthralled by Holocaust tales. I think it was one of the most horrific events in the history of the world and I always get so drawn into it. I think its because I dont understand it. I dont like when I dont understand it. See I love criminology and understanding the way criminals think. While I dont agree with it I have always been able to mostly understand how serial murders, and arsonist, etc can twist reality and think what they are doing is ok. so Its not the fact that Hitler was a complete whack job that gets me... what gets me is how he was able to convince so many other people that his logic was right when it was so obviously crazy! So I think thats why I get sucked in... Im trying to understand the horrible nightmare.
  Anyways... I read the Boy with the Striped Pajamas. It was so good. Really sad as All books on this matter are, but really well done. There has been some critisim about how believable it is for a 9 yr old boy (bruno the main character) to be the son of a powerful Nazi commander and not be aware of what is really going on or even what a jew is. I think I can see it... Bruno is a little immature to begin with and I think its nice to see that even in nazi Germany kids were still kids.
  There has also been some remarks about how at auschwitz there were no children Brunos age for him to find and befriend and how the fence was electric (not like in the story) To which I say... 1) there has been some documentation of children there...they may not have been kept there as long as in this story but they were at one point there. 2) its a fictional story. All respect was shown for this awful event but its still just a story. so the author took some liberties to make his story his. 
   It was a beautiful story of innocence and friendship and in the long run karma...

Sea of Monsters

Last night I finished reading Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan. (It's the second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series) I really enjoyed it. I actually enjoyed it more then the first book even. Its a very easy read, not requiring a lot of brain power, which is exactly what I need during this hectic time of year. where I found the first book (the lightning theif) dragging this one was pretty fast passed and grabbed my attention and wouldnt let it go.
  Bare in mind that its for younger readers, so yes the story line is a little young but sometimes that can be fun too. One nice thing about reading books meant for a younger audience is there is now major gore (yes there is fighting in the book but no blood splashing or squirting from an enemy) and there is no sex (Percy gets all embarrassed when he even thinks that annabeth looks pretty) and there is no cursing (ok Annabeth says oh my gods a few times... but the reall big swears containing 4 letters are not there!)
  Its a book I read and am now looking forward to reading with my boys when they are older. There are 3 more books in the series but I have decided to read a book or two before hitting up book 3 (I dont want percy Jackson overload!) So I have moved onto reading "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" I started it this morning and am already almost 100 pages in. So you can imagine its a good one. Thank goodness its holidays and I dont feel super guilty for turning on cartoons or the Wii so Jaxon can play while i read... the guilt is still there but I can justify it since its the first day of holidays!

The Diamond of Darkhold

I have had a few rough nights this past week... My children dont sleep. I was up most of the night on Saturday, then again on Sunday with my little monster owen. (we watched food network) but then last night I was up from 2-530 with Jaxon. (we watched Super Why) So this will be a lame post as I am trying very hard to keep my eyes open!
  I just finished the book Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrua. It is the 4th book in the city of Ember series. In case you havent heard of this series Ill sum up. There is a city underground, but no one knows its underground. The world above ground as all but been destroyed, but now this underground city is failing so its inhabitants venture out to find a better life and then they face different struggles. It's a series that I say in appropriate for the 9-12 age range. I really enjoyed the First book City of Ember. It really held my interest. The second book, the people of Sparks was even ok. However the 3rd book, the prophet of Yonwood, was forgetable... really I dont remember what it was about! and then there is the Diamond of darkhold. It must be better then the third but not by much. yes I get that they were written for a younger audience. But these even seemed to naive for the age group. I found it hard to believe at times that a grown up wrote the book as it seemed like the words were those of a child. (you might be thinking like that about me right now... but Im sleep deprived!) the General story line; Lina and Doon head back to Ember in hopes of helping the people in Sparks, is sweet, but weak. I was glad it was a short book so it didnt take up too much of my time. I really think this should have been a one book series!
Oh well...Im a firm believer that there are really few books out there that are a total waste. Reading is never a bad thing!

On to bigger and better things... I am currently reading Sea of Monsters, the second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Im 4 chapters in and totally hooked... What is Tyson???

Mockingjay

  I FINALLY got around to reading Mockingjay, the third and final installment of the Hunger game series. I had put it off for a few reasons. First I had tons of other books that I had to read before i needed to return them to the library. and Second I hadnt heard many good reviews about it. But I must say I was pleasently surprised. It was my no means my favorite of the three (that would be the second one Catching Fire) But I liked it alot better then I had the first book.
  yes there was alot of violence... they are at war after all. But I loved the book. I couldnt put it down. I was up most of the night reading and then Id have to tear it from my hands to convince myself to sleep before the boys woke up. It was so good.
  Maybe I loved it so much because it all turned out how I wanted things too.. ok there were a few deaths I wasnt expecting and while I see the shock value and how the play into the story, there was at least two people who ended up on the dead list that I would have liked to see alive at the end.  But Katniss made a couple moves that surprised me, in a good way. And She even picks that right guy to end up with... I wont say who in case you havent read the series yet.
  I think I need to buy the series and read them all back to back... good times!

Lots of time to read

Sorry for the lack of posts lately... the other night I must have caught a 24 hour thing because I woke up middle of the night... sick sick sick! I wont lie to you... it was horrible... probably the sickest Ive been in a long long time. But Im feeling better now... still not 100% but almost.
  Since I was so sick I really didnt do much of anything, but I got alot of time to read. As I was reading I finished Clockwork Angel but Cassandra Clare. She is the Author of the Mortal Instruments trilogy. This one "Clockwork Angel" is the first book in a new series, the Infernal Instruments, which is a prequel to the other trilogy. This wasnt the worst book in the world, in fact the story line was really quite good, it was just bogged down by alot of extra info.
  There was alot of info about the Shadowhunter world. which to me wasa little useless as I have read the other trilogy and it was all the same info that was in there. I guess that would have been useful information to someone who hasnt read that series but I think most people will have read the City of... books first. But it wasnt just the Shadowhunter info that was excessive. At times I found Clare to be overly descriptuve. She went into great detail about the house and its scances and its stairs and the lighting.. and to be honest most times I was like "I DONT CARE get to the good stuff"
   But there was alot good in the book too. Having read the orginal trilogy there was alot of similar family names mentioned in Clockwork angel. Like Lightwood, Herondale, etc. so it was pretty fun to see the ancestors stories. Also there was mysteries to be solved the whole way through. Some mysteries (like Jem's sickness) were solved before the novel ended, but some (like the mystery surrounding Tessa) were left to fill another book. There was plenty of action and it kept my interest well into many a late night. Also there was one major MAJOR twist that shocked me. Now I dont like to brag, but Im normally pretty good at figuring things out and the majority of the time I find myself saying "I KNEW IT" as opposed to "NO WAY" but this book pulled the rug out from under me.
  I am glad I took it out from the library because its one I am not convenced I need in my permant home library but its a fun good read. Warlocks, vampires, and shadowhunters... makes for a great novel.

I am Number 4

This was an AMAZING book. I literally spent all hours of the night reading it. I would tell myself that I would only read one more chapter and then 2 hours later be forcing myself to put the book down. I had been a long time since a book grabbed me like that.
  So here is the gist... There was a planet called Lorien. It was invaded and basically destroyed but another group of aliens called...(some long word that I cant spell starting with a M) but before all the Loriens were wiped out a group of 9 kids (plus their 9 protectors) were shipped off to Earth to grow and train until they could come back and reclaim Lorien. They look, sound, act like humans. But they have unreal super powers. The 9 aliens do not know who each other are because there is a spell on them. They were all given a number and they can only be killed in the numerical order. So they know there are others out there they just dont know who they are. Anyways... those nasty M aliens come to Earth in search of these kids. I am Number 4 is about one of those aliens and his adventures while trying to be a normal High school kid and an alien destined to save his home planet. AWESOME!
  There is always a down side... I have yet to find a perfect book.. although many have come close. So the main character is a High School boy.. which inevitably leads to high School romance. Im not a Romance fan so at times i found this less then charming but at least it was just a back burner story line. It really didnt interfere too much with the rest of the story.
  There are two totally awesome bonuses with this book... First they are making it a movie set to be released in 2011... two It the start of a new series... the Lorein Legacies. I can not wait for the next book! Now on that note Im off to google and find out when it will be released!
  THIS IS A MUST READ

The Maze Runner

Ive been reading alot of so so books lately and havent been too impressed by one for a while. It seems like the truly good books are few and far between. But I just finished one that I love; The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Its a Teen read which I have been pulled to lately. I only get to read right before bed and by that time Im totally exhausted so I need something low key and easy or else I wont be able to follow it. I dont know how I came across this book but I am sure glad that I did.
  It's about a group of boys that are brought to this Glade surrounded by a Maze that no one can solve. They have developed their own society over the past 2 years and all that is tossed out the window when a girl is delivered to them. I love how the society works and it seemed really how a society of kids would be. Its considerable less violet and more compassionate then the one in the Lord of the Flies (which is one of my favorites) but I like to think that there is more goodness in people then we often give them credit for. The Gladers are hard working, rule obeying young men trying to survive.
   They are tormented by Greivers, repulsive creatures who sting will kill you if you do not get the anti serum fast enough. that fear traps them in the Glade at night and is a constent threat.
  the two main characters are thomas and Theresa. thomas was the newest boy brought to the Glade adn then Theresa showed up the following day and it all went nuts. I wont say much about that relationship because I dont want to ruin the book for you. But I am intrigued to read the rest of the series to see how that relationship develops.
  They only problem was that the ending was skeptical to me. sorry to be so vague but I dont want to ruin it I want you to read it. But as it was happening I was screaming "Dont believe it! You are smarter then this!" I was surprised no one was smart enough to figure it out.... for a split second I thought I might be wrong (which would have led to a whole different rant) but reading the back of book two I have learned that I am right.
  Yes... book too The Maze runner is the first book in a series.. i did not know this as I read it, but I was thrilled to learn that. The second book is called The Scorch Trials.
  I am split on how I feel about series... part of me misses the days when a book was strong enough to stand on its own (To Kill a Mockingbird, tuck Everlasting, the screwtape letters) but I do love how the characters have more time to develop. I get attached to my characters and I like seeing what they are up to in more then one book. (Harry Potter and my favorite series the Immortal life of Nicholas Flamel)
   READ THE MAZE RUNNER

Inkspell

I DID IT! I finally finished Inkspell! I have been reading this book for almost a year! Let me explain though; it didnt take me that long because its a bad book or really long. Here is the story; I started the book shortly after having my second baby (Owen) there was my first mistake, what new mother of two has time to read?!?! I certainly didnt. Then I started requesting books from the Library and once one came in I had to stop Inkspell and read the Library book before I had to return it (since I couldnt renew it since there was a hold list!) But books just kept on coming in! So Inkspell kept on being put on hold. BUT ITS DONE NOW!

This is the second book in the Inkworld trilogy. It was great! Its a really easy read, hence it was nice for me since I could take long breaks from it and come back and not have to reread, I could just pick up where I left off. If any of you have read the first book, Inkheart, or seen the movie starring Brendan fraiser, this book picks up where that one leaves off. Meggie, Mo, Resa, Farid and Dustfinger and thrust back into Inkworld and have to fight to survive. I enjoyed this book more then the first book and I enjoyed the first book more than the movie.    It was nice to finally see Inkworld, since in the first book the characters all come to this world. I found it be a magical place. Your typical fairytale land if you will. Inkspell left me eager to read the next/final book Inkdeath. (but that will have to wait since I have more library books, plus the Necromancer and Mockingjay all patiently waiting on my shelf for me!)

Another Post for you today

Bonus! You get two posts today. Arent you just so excited?!?!? I thought Id do a quick book review for you today too, in case the recipe I posted didnt excited you enough.
  Recently I have been reading alot of teen books. But I thought It was about time for me to read a grown up book again. I read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. It was Fantastic. At first I thought it would be confusing because it bounces between three different times (the late 1800s-early 1900s, 1975ish and modern day.) But it was always clear as to which time you were in. There was one big mystery to solve; Who is Nell? but there was also several little mysteries to solve along the way too. In fact it was those little mysteries that held my interest most.
   It was really well written too. The Characters were well developed. I loved the Spunk that Eliza had. The scenery was so well described that I was actually enticed to  and longed to be there.
  There was a bit of a love story for Cassandra which I could have done with out but it was a minor side note most of the time so I survived it.
  Eliza, Nell and Cassandra all accompany you on a journey to self discovery. Do you think if you found out that your parents werent really your parents that it would change who you are... or thought you are?? That was the underlying question in this book. My thoughts??? It wouldnt change me at all. Maybe its because my sister is adopted, but I know that she is who she is because she is this family and that we are her family. In my eyes its who raised you and was there through out your life that makes family, not what DNA you have.
  All and all I think its a great book and people should read it!.

A delayed Book Review

Ok... so I finished this book like a month ago... but I forgot to review it... and since I have had a crazy couple of days with Birthday BBQs I thought Id do it now...
  Fablehave book 5, Keys to the Demon Prison, was a really good book! After being disappointed with book 4 I was surprised at how well book 5 redeemed the series. I really enjoyed it. There were a fwe surprises and suspense. The only thing I didnt like was the love story part. I am trying to be vague because I dont want to ruin it for anyone, but Kendra gets involved with someone and I just thought that entire line of the story was not needed. It didnt ruin the book for me it was just sorta like the parsley on your plate at a restuarant... pretty but completely useless and not needed.
  It was a great way to end the series. I am always sad when a series ends because I want to know what continues to happen. I get involved in the characters lives. But this was a good ending, it left enough for you to imagine and wonder what happens next but ties up enough that you are left in total darkness wishing for a 6th book.
  All and all if you havent read this book go and start at book one. its a great series. And since its a youth book its one I can read quickly admist the distractions that is motherhood. I have added these books to my "To buy" list. They are really great!