The Septimus Heap series

This series started out as a quick grab of the first at the library. I had never heard of it, but I read the back and it sounded cute, so I picked it up. Little did I know that I would get hooked and continue to read the other book in this series. They are fun. At first, I was just counting all the ways it was like Harry Potter (and falling short), but then I got over it and ended up really enjoying the books. So, my advice, go into reading them knowing their are similarities with harry Potter and it is not as good, but put it behind you and keep reading!

Magyk- Book 1

This book is about a family (the Heap's) that have lost their seventh son, but that same night adopt a little girl. 10 years later they find out who the little girl is and what really happened to their youngest son. An evil wizard, who everyone thought was dead, has returned and is trying to kill the "Heap" girl and take over the castle. The story is about their discoveries as they are "running" from this man.

Flyte- Book 2

This book is about Septimus (he know is the apprentice of the ExtraOrdinary Wizard) as he tries to save Jenna (the adopted Heap sister) from the apprentice of the evil wizard in the first book. Once again the evil wizard is trying to take over the castle.

Physik- book 3
An old evil queen is "unleashed" from a painting and tries to become queen once again. Septimus is dragged back into time and jenna and some brothers and friends go back to try and save him. 2 are unable to get out of the past, but the others make it out and stop the evil queen (who's time they had gone back to when she was actually the queen and discover her evil secrets).

Queste- book 4

Jenna and Septimus are determined to get the other 2 out of the past and are set back when an old evil ghost is determined to have septimus die through a required quest. Septimus is tricked into it, but tries to ignore it by going with Jenna and others to find the House where all times merge to get the 2 back into the right time.

Ok, I know this isn't the best review and it probably SEEMS dumb, but I couldn't say too much or else I'd give away the books. They really are good.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Wow. I had no idea what this book was about and based on the front cover and what I kind of thought most of Picoult's books were about, I was taken by surprised. It's not some cheesy romance novel.

In the small town of Sterling, New Hampshire, Peter Houghton has been picked on all his life. He just can't fit in. His best friend Josie keeps him grounded until she leaves him for the popular crowd. He commits a violent crime in high school and turns their worlds upside down.

This book made me really think about how I was raising Luke. Am I doing everything right? Will I believe him when he comes home and tells me about his day at school? Will I be perceptive enough to know something is wrong? Even if we think we're doing everything right, what if we're not? I'm so grateful for the Gospel and to know that if you teach your kid righteously, they'll have the resources to turn to later.

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

This is the sequel to Something Borrowed.

So, in the last book, we hear things from Rachel's perspective, but in this book we hear from Darcy, the crazy best friend. Darcy learns that maybe being as shallow as she has been isn't what will bring her happiness. And she's in for a MAJOR life change.

I really enjoyed these books. Easy reads, but not just fluff. I recommend them!

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

CUTE CUTE CUTE! I loved it!

Rachel is a New York attorney and has a crazy best friend, Darcy. Darcy is always getting the better end of the deal in life. Darcy is currently engaged to Dex, who is basically perfect. But are Darcy and Dex really the perfect couple they seem to be? Maybe not so much...

I thought this book was super cute and I want to read the next book, Something Blue. The end of the book actually doesn't completely resolve itself, so I kinda HAVE to read the next one.

Okay, two books I tried to read recently and did NOT like.
- The Devil's Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis: This book was all witchcrafty and I didn't feel comfortable reading it. Which is why I stopped reading it early. Don't even pick it up.
- Consider Lily by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt: There is only one word I can use for this book: OBNOXIOUS. Seriously, this book is poorly written and SO annoying to read. I bought it from my library for .25 and I still don't want to finish it. It's just that bad.

In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner

Let me just say, I think this book would have more meaning to me if I had a sister. With that said, I will now critique it:

It had too much sexuality. I almost put the book down for good at one point. But I kept reading and it turned out to be a decent novel. The story is about two sisters, Maggie and Rose. Rose is successful in her career and smart, while Maggie is pretty and successful with men. Maggie makes some dumb decisions and the two sisters end up not talking for a while. There's also another character in the story who makes things interesting; her name is Ella (but I don't want to ruin it for you!).

Bec, since you have sisters, you may want to read this book and it'll make you grateful for your sisters and make you want to call them. But just be forewarned that in the first half, Maggie's kinda skanky. Uncomfortably so. But I do like Jennifer Weiner's way of writing, so I thought it was a well-written book.

P.S. While I looked for this picture, I found out that this book was made into a movie! It has Cameron Diaz and that girl from Emma (Emma's friend) Toni Collette. Anyway, it's rated PG13, maybe I'll go get it!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

LOVED IT! READ IT! YOU'LL GET HOOKED!

Warning: this is book 1 of a series and you will want to read the next one as soon as you finish the first (I'm dying to know what happens, as I have to wait for the second book to become available in the library)

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

This book is a 'research' book that looks into different situations (obviously unusual and extra-ordinary situations) and shows why those situations are extraordinary. It talks about Bill Gates and how he became successful, why famous hockey players are mostly born between Jan- Mar., what lead to Korean Airline crashes and how they turned it around. It was such a cool book. I highly recommend it. It's really not a research book, but he does present information or data, but please don't be deterred. It's not like a textbook at all, it's really good.