I am on a children series roll this summer! Paul and I actually redboxed this movie and then I learned it was a book. So, of course, I had to read it. Book one is The Lightening Thief. It's about a boy, Percy Jackson, who finds out at the age of 12 that he is the son of one of the greek gods. Once he realizes he is a demigod, his smell to mythical monsters increases, so he is whisked away to Camp halfblood (a summer camp for demigods, where they learn how to fight). It is at the camp that he learns who his father is (the greek god) and that Percy is being blamed for stealing Zeus's original lightening bolt (the source of his power...or something like that). He goes with some friends on a quest to find the bolt before a war breaks out between the gods, which in turn affects the world.
I love these books! I love greek mythology and so it's a great way to learn the stories, plus it's just a fun read. You could stop at the first book, but you'll get hooked and will end up reading all of them. I'm pretty sure I make these books sound super lame, but they really are good and easy reads! You won't be disappointed!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Watership Down
I SOOO did not want to read this book. It was just me being stubborn. Plus I had heard that this was a boy book...kind of like Catcher in the Rye (which I read and wasn't too fond of). But, I got a huge pile of classics and since Drew was so insistent that I read Watership Down, I thought: What the heck!
It's about bunnies. Rabbits. That was another drawback for me. Two bunnies leave their warren (bunny community) because one of them had a feeling the warren is going to be destroyed. They take some other bunnies with them. All these bunnies are male so far. The adventure out and finally find the perfect place to start their new warren. However, they soon realize that if they don't get some lady folk in there soon, they're not gonna last very long. So they find another (bigger) warren kind of close to them and they go and ask for some female bunnies. However, this warren basically has an insane leader. Half the book is them dealing with this other warren, called the Efrafa.
I liked the book, actually. I was a more boyish book because it's all male for most of the book and there's some violence, but it was a good, interesting book. Definitely recommend reading it! Especially since it's considered a classic!
It's about bunnies. Rabbits. That was another drawback for me. Two bunnies leave their warren (bunny community) because one of them had a feeling the warren is going to be destroyed. They take some other bunnies with them. All these bunnies are male so far. The adventure out and finally find the perfect place to start their new warren. However, they soon realize that if they don't get some lady folk in there soon, they're not gonna last very long. So they find another (bigger) warren kind of close to them and they go and ask for some female bunnies. However, this warren basically has an insane leader. Half the book is them dealing with this other warren, called the Efrafa.
I liked the book, actually. I was a more boyish book because it's all male for most of the book and there's some violence, but it was a good, interesting book. Definitely recommend reading it! Especially since it's considered a classic!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Watch out! It's a long list!
Syren- book 5 of septimus heap story
Who knew this book existed? I didn't until I saw it in the library. The story continues. Everyone ends up on an island (it all makes sense when you read it) where an evil plot to take over the castle is afoot. Septimus and friends must overcome all odds and overthrough the plans. Can they do it? Read to find out!
Amelia Peabody Series (there are too many books to review separately) by Elizabeth Peters
The first book is titled Crocodile in the Sandbank.
These books are about a no-nonsense Englishwoman named Amelia Peabody. She is an archeologist that goes back and forth between England and Egypt (although most of the books are in Egypt) with her family. As they are excavating she seems to find trouble along the way that she can't help but solve (the books are mysteries...can you tell).
The books are really funny once you get into them. I've read quite a few and have liked all of them. Elizabeth Peters is kind of long winded sometimes, but I didn't notice it until a had already read a few of the books. The characters are all so absurd...or strong personalities it makes it very funny.
Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
I LOVE this book. I thought of it this summer and just had to read it. It's about a girl, Kit, that was born and raised in Barbados, who comes over to live with her puritan aunt and uncle in Connecticut. It's all about how she is trying to fit in and yet how odd she thinks everything is. She meets a Quaker widow who lives in a meadow and becomes friends. Some unfortunate events happen in which Kit is accused of being a Witch. It's a great read! If you haven't read it, or it's been a long time, pick it up and read it again, you won't be disappointed.
Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare
When I can't think of a book I want to read, I look for books by an author I've liked. This was one of those books.
Miriam and her sister's family are forced from their home by Indians. They are unsure if they are going to be killed, sold as slaves, or who knows what else. The story is about their unbelievable story (based on a true story written by Miriam's sister Susanna). They live in an indian village, then sold into slavery in Montreal (this is during the French and Indian War, so the English and French are not on good terms), the family is ripped apart, some are still in the indian village and others in different places in Montreal. It is all told in Miriam's point of view. It was a very good read. Don't worry there is romance in it. It really is a great book. I loved it!
Who knew this book existed? I didn't until I saw it in the library. The story continues. Everyone ends up on an island (it all makes sense when you read it) where an evil plot to take over the castle is afoot. Septimus and friends must overcome all odds and overthrough the plans. Can they do it? Read to find out!
Amelia Peabody Series (there are too many books to review separately) by Elizabeth Peters
The first book is titled Crocodile in the Sandbank.
These books are about a no-nonsense Englishwoman named Amelia Peabody. She is an archeologist that goes back and forth between England and Egypt (although most of the books are in Egypt) with her family. As they are excavating she seems to find trouble along the way that she can't help but solve (the books are mysteries...can you tell).
The books are really funny once you get into them. I've read quite a few and have liked all of them. Elizabeth Peters is kind of long winded sometimes, but I didn't notice it until a had already read a few of the books. The characters are all so absurd...or strong personalities it makes it very funny.
Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
I LOVE this book. I thought of it this summer and just had to read it. It's about a girl, Kit, that was born and raised in Barbados, who comes over to live with her puritan aunt and uncle in Connecticut. It's all about how she is trying to fit in and yet how odd she thinks everything is. She meets a Quaker widow who lives in a meadow and becomes friends. Some unfortunate events happen in which Kit is accused of being a Witch. It's a great read! If you haven't read it, or it's been a long time, pick it up and read it again, you won't be disappointed.
Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare
When I can't think of a book I want to read, I look for books by an author I've liked. This was one of those books.
Miriam and her sister's family are forced from their home by Indians. They are unsure if they are going to be killed, sold as slaves, or who knows what else. The story is about their unbelievable story (based on a true story written by Miriam's sister Susanna). They live in an indian village, then sold into slavery in Montreal (this is during the French and Indian War, so the English and French are not on good terms), the family is ripped apart, some are still in the indian village and others in different places in Montreal. It is all told in Miriam's point of view. It was a very good read. Don't worry there is romance in it. It really is a great book. I loved it!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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!
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!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
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.
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.
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