Girl with a Pearl Earring

Several years ago, before I had kids and too many distractions I used to go to art galleries and sit and make up stories about the paintings. Or, I would find them online and make up stories for them. Yes I always wanted to be a writer but I am too self-conscious to share my stories.

That is what Tracy Chevalier did, only so much more eloquently. She is well-educated and researched the history of Vermeer and his paintings for this book. According to Wikipedia, Tracy Chevalier had a poster of this painting hanging in her room for 16 years before writing the book. She credits the ambiguous look on the girl's face as her inspiration for this book.

She puts so much personality and heart into Griet, the girl in the painting, that you feel you know her. You also seem to understand why Vermeer would paint her. This book is a beautiful look at the life of a painter and his subjects. While it is fictional, you feel as if this is the story behind the painting. It is a wonderful read, and I definitely recommend it.

My friend who told me about this book has turned me on to a whole new author, because I need more books to read!

The Boy Who Dared

What I love about being part of a book club is reading books I would not normally pick up. This is one of them.

The Boy Who Dared is a World War II story so, it is sad, and hard to read. I struggle with anxiety and depression so I often choose to stick to happy books. When I am reading a book I know is going to be sad, I try to read it all in one day so that I don't drag the sadness on.

This is Historical Fiction and is based on a true story about an LDS boy who did what he could to fight against Hitler in Germany during World War II.

I felt the writing was a little disjointed, much like this review, but the story is well worth the read. It definitely shows the hardships the Germans faced during that time. To speak out meant certain death and the bravery shown by those that did was amazing.

This book is a Young Adult book, so it is also the perfect read for Jr High/High school age.

I definitely recommend this. It is good to learn about the past and understand what others survived.

The Princess Diaries

I have a hard time reviewing books that are in series. I am not sure exactly how to review the first book without alluding to, or talking about the other books in the series. Well, I'll do my best.

The is the first book in a series of 14 books. A few are mini books that take place in between the major books. I have read 13. I am still waiting to get the last one from the library.

Now, I am going to write for a minute with the idea that most of my readers have seen the movie. I am a big believer in reading the book before the movie. Ironically, my wonderful Husband believes it seeing the movie first. But then, he feels about movies the way I feel about books. I also believe that most books are better than the movie. Lets face it, you can't get everything great about a book into the movie.

Now, this is one of my exceptions. I actually prefer the movie, and I will tell you why. First, the Grandmother. Now, who among us would not love to suddenly find out that we have a Grandmother we didn't know, and for her to be the wonderful, talented, beautiful, Julie Andrews. She is what each of us would picture as a queen. In the book, the Grandmother is not so great. She is a chain smoking, drinking, coarse, fashion obsessed woman. Her character is probably more realistic, but come on, when I read my silly young adult books I am obviously not looking for realism.

The Father is alive in the books as well. Now this is less realistic to me. She has a Father that she has known growing up, but she didn't know he was a Prince? Really? She seems a little dense.

Now, the movie aside, the books are enjoyable. They are not what I would consider great literature, but for a fun, easy read, they are fine. The author definitely has a sense of humor. In one of the later books, and forgive me, I can't remember which one, she mentions the movies. She talks about Mia watching a movie about her life and how the movie got everything wrong.

These book are obviously geared toward the tween/teen crowd. I feel they are appropriate for that age group. There is some talk about losing your virginity, but the girl does not, and its not the focus of the book.

Now, as a fun aside, I will list a few more books where the movie was better. The Horse Whisperer. Book - dumbest ending ever!! Movie - Robert Redford. (Need I say more). New Moon. The book spends way to much time with Bella whining. The movie brilliantly condenses it to just a few min. I will add more as I remember.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Or, know to librarians Worldwide, That Guernsey book.

I loved loved loved loved this book. It will go on my list as one of my all time favorites. It was amazing. I want to live in Guernsey.

I love listening to books on tape. I listen in my car as I drive my kids to school, I listen in my house as I do my housework. Its my way of never being away from a book.

I am very selective about what I listen to vs what I read. My kids are always around so I don't want to listen to anything that might have things I don't want my kids to hear, not that they pay much attention. This book is the perfect book to listen to. Not only is it clean, the readers are great. The main character Juliette is adorable. I want to be British. How great would it be to speak in a beautiful accent.

In the beginning this book can be a little confusing. It is written as a series of letters, and takes place immediately after World War II. But, bare with it because before long you will fall in love with the people. It is also a great book for book lovers. They spend a good portion of the book talking about books. That is my favorite subject of all, besides my children, so what's not to love about a book that talks about books! I definitely want to go read the books they talk about now!

This book has great heart and leaves you feeling like there is love in the World. You must must must read this book! I can't possibly say enough things about it! I am in love!

My favorite quote from this book - "That's what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you to another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It's geometrically progressive - all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment."

A note about the author. Mary Ann Shaffer passed away in Feb. 2008 before she was able to finish this book. Her niece, Annie Barrows, finished the book for her. Its amazing how seamlessly she was able to complete it. Annie Barrows writes Children's books.

Akimbo and the Elephants reviewed by Lij

I have been MIA lately and I'm sorry about that. With school ending and summer starting we are struggling to get into a schedule. Its rough with 4 kids 7 and under. So, my reading has declined.

In an effort to get my kids to read more I have started going to the library once a week. My 7 yr old loves to read, and reads very quickly. Right now, though he seems to be stuck in a rut. He only wants to read the Magic Treehouse books, which are great books, but he's read them all. So, I made him pick out another book. I admit I chose this book for him because Alexander McCall Smith is one of my favorite authors and I was pleased to see he writes Children's Books as well.

This post is brought to you by a guest poster. My son, we'll call him Lij. The following is in his words.

Akimbo and the Elephants is where Akimbo always wanted to go with his Dad to work. His Dad is a hunter who kills elephants for their tusks. Then, finally he gets to go to work with his Dad. Then he asks his Dad why he kills elephants. To find out read this book!

I like it not that much but I still like it. I liked learning about Africa. Other kids should read this book.

Lij

The Time Traveler's Wife

I am a little late on a book review. Its been a stressful week. So stressful in fact it took me a week and a half to finish the last Fabelhaven. Shocking!

I thought I would switch things up a bit and do a review of a book I didn't love. Well, saying that makes it sound better when in fact I hate this book. Yup, I said it. First of all I don't go for sappy love stories. Its just not my thing. I prefer slightly more realistic grown up love stories. Don't get me wrong, I love a good cheesy chick lit or chick flick, but this one just didn't work for me.

First of all, I found the hero, Henry, unlikable. I struggle rooting for a character that I just don't care for. I found him brash, gross, and mean. It definitely made it hard to care what happened to him.

Then there is Claire, the heroine. She is far more attractive and kind so I spent a lot of time wondering what she was doing with a creep.

Without giving too much away, and if you've seen the previews of the movie this shouldn't surprise you, I found the idea of a grown man visiting a little girl creepy. While nothing creepy happens it just screams of grooming. Almost like she had no choice in the matter.

This book has too many graphic scenes for my comfort, so if you are not comfortable with that this is definitely one to avoid. I gave it an R rating for that reason.

At any rate, I didn't find this book worth my time. I would love to hear from others who liked it, because it is wildly popular. Feel free to comment! Also, notice those nifty little buttons under my posts? I would love people to rate the books as well. I am always curious about what other think.

Crocodile on the Sandbank

I have this irrational fear, and yes its weird. Every time I near the end of a series I start to panic as I read the books faster and faster. I think, what if I read every book in the World and there is nothing left to read. I would feel so, well, empty! After-all I rarely leave my house without a book in my purse and my MP3 Player is always playing a book on tape. I confessed this to my husband last night, you know, the one who thinks my reading is a bad habit. He laughed and said maybe I would run out of good books to read but there would be plenty of trash. Well, I have barely scraped the surface, so, no worries, right!

If that sad day were to come to pass, I would always have Amelia Peabody. Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters is the first book in her Amelia Peabody series. This series has 19 books, I have read 18 of them, and loved them all. #19 came out just a few weeks ago, I can't wait to read it!

Elizabeth Peters has her PHD in Egyptology from the Univ of Chicago. This series of books surrounds a family of archeologists starting in 1884. Her main characters are fictional but so much in the book is factual. In fact, Howard Carter makes an appearance in several of the later books. For those who don't know, he is the archeologist who discovered King Tut's tomb. Her mix of fact and fiction is very enlightening. It has fueled my Egypt obsession!

Her characters are so original and engaging. I feel like I know them, that I am part of their family. I am halfway through the series for the 2nd time and I still love every second of it. This is a must read! I know that 19 books is such a daunting undertaking, however, each book stands on its own. You won't need to read them all to get the entire story, but you will want to!

These books are very clean, but rated PG for occasional early English cursing, and some light violence.

Fablehaven

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

I absolutely love this book series. It is very fun. I love fantasy and science fiction more than most people, but I have found that this series is fun even for those that are not big fans of fantasy.

This is a young adult/children's book, after all the main character is a 13 year old girl. It is set in modern times, in a modern world, just a world of secret fairies. The story is gripping and holds your attention from the beginning, getting better with each new book released. The children grown and expand on their knowledge of the secret world allowing us to venture into the unknown. I highly recommend these books, you won't be disappointed!

There are currently 5 books, which if I remember right, the 5th book is the end. Book #5 Keys to the Demon Prison was released on March 23, 2010. I haven't had a chance to read #5, the waiting list for this popular book is in the 100's at my library. No, I don't often pay for books, but I may be making an exception this time!

I am going to start a rating system for books I review so that any content that may be objectionable will be known before you start! I rate this book a G. Perfect for your children!

My favorites

Here is to answer your unasked question.

My list of all time favorites!

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Pride and Prejudice (yes I know, its typical, but you can't argue with perfection!)

Gone with the Wind

The entire Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. It has single handedly fed my obsession with Egypt. I am half way through my second time reading the the 19 book series.

Here are my more recent book obsessions

Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras

Hunger Games

The Book Thief

Sorry, Twilight and its sequels do not make it anywhere on my lists. But, yes I have read them. I had to know what the buzz was.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! I love to read. Yes that is obvious. I read about a book a week. The current series I am working on has books with around 1000 pages, so they take me about a week and a half. My wonderful husband calls it my bad habit.

I want to share my love of books and reading with the World, so here I am. I am planning on updating weekly with reviews. (We all know about best laid plans) but I will do my best! I am also going to add a few more authors to make this even more fun! I hope you enjoy!