Andrea's Challenge

Ok so my prospect of this was that we were suppose to post a topic about it, if it was just suppose to be a comment I am sorry. 

A. The books I have read this year. Ok there is too many so I am going to make a list of the ones I remember.... 

1. The Lovely Bones

2. The Angel Series.... 6 of them

3. On the Street Where You Live

4. Remember Me

5. Two Little Girls in Blue

6. A Walk to Remember

7. The Notebook

8. 5 People You Meet in Heaven

9. Cover Up

10. Blind Side

11. To Love and To Promise

12. Forever and Always

13. Winter Fire and the sequel forgot the title

14. Twilight 

15. Alot of Anita Stansfield books... 6 I think 

16. The Trial

17. The Secret Journal of Brett Colten

18. The Clique Series

To many more to list! I think that I read about 50 or more! 

B.  The best book that I read in my whole life is, The Secret Diary of Brett Colten. I have it and would be glad to lend it to you... it's an LDS book. It's about a girl and her brother died from lukemia when she was two and when she is 16 she finds his diary. It is about how she finds the church, deals with popularity, brother and sister bond, high school, reality, "dumb jocks." I am proud to say that I have NEVER cried at a book, until this one. I will read it again and again. I am going to try to read it once a month... it's too good to put down! 

C. I'm Going to Read: 

More Racheal Anne Nunes books. I am in LOVE with her. 

And yes, I am going to try to read Harry Potter. I have tried to read them again and again but never got into them. 

D. Best Books I have ever read in my life: 

1. The Lovely Bones

2. The secret Diary of Brett Colten

3. the Angel Series

4. Any book by Rachel Anne Nunes... seriously any of them

5. Any Mary Higgins Clark... any of them also

So there you have it, my challenge complete. Feel free to reply at anytime :) .

Book I am DYING to read: Chasing Yesterday by Rachel Anne Nunes

Lynsey's List

okay i know i've been the biggest slacker and i'm SORRY to all of my book club buddies! hopefully when i am settled in arizona by my good friend ANDREA i can get back to reading! so here are a couple of things.

1) books i've read this year:

this is sad but true. i've only read
the twilight series
the host
the book of mormon

my reviews are....i love them all!

2) some of my all time favs, or ones i would read again & again:

-beach music (rated R for language, FYI & there apparently is a naughty couple of pages but i read my sister's copy & she ripped it out! so i am still innocent :)
-the princess bride
-beauty
-ender's game
-the kite runner
-the hiding place
-my sister's keeper
-the street lawyer
-the da vinci code (even amid all the hype, i really loved that the book made me think about historical aspects of jesus & his followers)
to kill a mockingbird (glad you reminded me of that one, andrea!)

i'm sure there are a million others but i can't think of them right now.

one if have been dying to read:
a thousand splendid suns

now everyone else GET GOING on this!! if i can do it, so can YOU!!!

love, lynsey

Favorites

I didn't want to have to bring this cheesy poster back. Believe me, it pains me to have to do this but desperate times call for desperate measures. Don't make me do this again!!!


Something has felt strange lately. I feel like the Book Club, my sweet little Book Club Child, hasn't been feeling too well. It's just been sluggish lately and for me, a woman who gets a drug like high every time she goes to the library, that is sad. So....in an effort to liven things up around here I am making demands. OK, maybe demands was too strong. Not demands more like a request, OK more like a plea to all you out there in the blogosphere....especially you book club members!! I want lists and LOTS of them. I want lists of:
a. The best books you've read in the last year
b. The best books you've read in your life( I know it will be hard but you can do it) c. Your "I'm gonna read this book someday" list
d. Your all time favorite book

...and this could go on and on. Just pick one of the ideas above or make up your own list idea and post about it. We'd love to know what you love!

And if your not a Book Club member you can do one of the following:
1. Post your list in the comments
2. Become a Book Club member...come on folks this is the best option. Just leave your email address in the comments and I will add you
3. Or you can email me your list at prestonandandrea@gmail.com and I will post it for you.

Now I have a little incentive to get you going... a prize!!! Andrea's Bookclub's First Official Giveaway. Everyone who graces us with a list (before the end of July) will be entered in a drawing( your name on a slip of paper in my husbands ball cap) and the winner will receive any book of your choice. At the bottom of your post tell us the book you're dying for and it just may be yours!

Change of Heart

If you have previously read any books by Jodi Picoult you will definitely like this one. This book deals with choices, forgiveness and salvation as Shay Bourne, a wandering carpenter, tries to right a wrong committed in the murder of Elizabeth and her policeman step-father.
"Change of Heart" is told through the eyes of four people, June Nealon, mother of Elizabeth and Claire who is desperate need of a new heart, Maggie Bloom, an ACLU lawyer who is trying to help Shay get what he wants; Lucius, a fellow inmate also serving time for murder; and Father Michael, Shay's spiritual advisor and one of the jurors at his sentencing.

If you are someone who is prone to tears when you read this is a definite keep the tissues close by. It gives one a chance to reflect, what if I had to make a choice of letting my child live with the heart of the the man who killed her sister or letting her die. Could my love for my child be enough to forgive the heinous crime committed against my family?

I'm just glad I don't have to make this choice. I enjoyed the book, even better than I did "My sister's keeper" and I think you will also.

Escape

The dramatic first-person account of life inside an ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect (FLDS), and one woman’s courageous flight to freedom with her eight children.

I must be honest as state that I didn't really read but listened to this. I get through a lot of books while I clean house. I must also be honest and state, I didn't get a lot of work done. This book was too captivating.

At age 18, Caroline Blackmore became the fourth wife of Merril Jessop, man 32 years older than her. Over the next 15 years, her every move was dictated by her husbands whim, where she lived, where she worked, how she spent her money. A world similar to a prison camp where the guards are the other jealous wives and children. She becomes the mother of eight children, one of who is handicapped, which was considered a punishment for not being totally subservient to her husband. Merril Jessop goes on to take more wives, in hopes of finding the ideal wife and to secure his place in Heaven. In 2003, she is able to sneak her children out of the house and to SLC. The final pages deal with her triumphs as she adjust to a new life. Caroline should be admired for her strength in fighting to gain her and her children's freedom, overcoming unbelievable odds.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I LOVE this book. I love it so much that every time I read it I'm changed. I leave the book heartbroken that it's over, wishing I could just spend one more day in the "tired old town" of Maycomb, Alabama...one more day with Scout and Jem, one more day with Boo Radley and Dill, and definitely one more day with Atticus.
Atticus is the parent I want to become, the father we all wish we had and the lawyer we need more of. This book is a classic and I feel inadequate in trying to review it. It's a beautiful book that teaches us volumes on prejudice, love, courage, and family.

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophia Kinsella

From the back cover...

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it -- not any of it.
USA Today-- Hilarious...hijinks worthy of classic I Love Lucy episodes.

Several people I know have recommended this series, so I finally decided to try it. I actually really enjoyed it. It was hilarious- laugh out loud funny. The main character is so hilarious and likable. Anyone who has had even a slight shopping problem needs to read it.

Disclaimer: I give this book a pg-13 rating. It is clean except for, unfortunately, a sprinkling of really bad swear words. I think the british like the 'f' word a little too much. So if you can ignore the handful of swear words, it is a good read.

Candle In The Darkness ~ Lynn Austin

Candle in the Darkness takes place during the Civil War area about a young girl named Caroline who was born into a very wealthy southern family . Even though she always had a good relationship w/ her parents, Her true family and best friends were the servants, the plantation slaves. When Caroline’s mother passes away her father sends her to live w/ her mothers sister and family up north. When her father finally sees fit for her to return home, Caroline is grown up and determined to make people in the south see that slavery is wrong BUT on returning home and into southern society, Caroline meets the dashing Charles. Caroline and Charles really have a sweet love story but they disagree on one thing, slavery. He and his family were not for the abuse and hatred treatment towards slaves But simply saw them as people who helped keep the family business and plantation running. When the war breaks out Charles and Caroline must part before any future for them could take place. Caroline is left alone and must face some extremely difficult times and decisions about keeping her beloved slaves enslaved and the love she has for Charles alive.

Over all being from the south, I found this 1} A nice little history lesson 2} A sweet & strong love story and 3} a little tense. I will give this book a middle rating of 3 ½ simply because I would have loved more moments w/ Charles--I’m a sappy for a love story. I really liked going to a time in our history I’ve never read about and seeing the contrast and questions that arrive from both sides. Which side really was for the better? Can Caroline & Charles find middle ground and begin a life after everything is over and has come out? If you want a sweet enduring love story w/ a history lesson on the side this is one to consider. It's not a fall in love w/ book but really a sweet/tense read.

................................

Now with that said I am a southern girl born and raised in Tennessee. I’ve lived in the same place my whole life and though a lot of people consider Tennessee residence to be pure country-ish, I however am not. True city gal through & through. I come from your typical Mormon family w/ LOTS of cousins so I always say I’ve never known what it’s like to be lonely. My girlfriends would describe me as little miss proper. Always having to match. The simple Basics on me would be the girlie girl ones. Shoes, Purses, Make Up, decorating, Martha Stewart, organizing, shopping etc The deeper ones would be the “die freely” love for my nephew or the intense way I love having long conversations w/ people. Looking at the world with a love for ordinary days or the magic in the days that you want to relive.
I lost my mother in May of last year from a very unexpected event. Through that I’d like to think I’m coming full circle w/ myself and seeing and understanding Heavenly Fathers plan through adult eyes. Moving long and ALWAYS being thankful for the ones you love and the stories in your life to pass by w/ a twinkle and charm that will make you live to keep moving.
I’m always listening to music in my kitchen and I ALWAYS loose my glasses! Right now I’m 22 yrs. Old and yes…I’ll say it, I’m single. Am I bitter---to lie or not to lie--Ok I’ll be honest maybe 35 % bitter LOL But truth be told in this part of the world in the LDS church you don’t have the pick of the litter. So therefore I don’t settle for non-members and find myself on more Friday night dates at home w/ a book or a movie then most. Current obsessions would include 1} A love story about vampire who brought sexy back in 1901--Need I say more? And 2} Jon & Kate plus Eight--Just LOVE that show. 3} The color mandarin orange for the summer in everything and finally 4} a certain Boy I’ve been in love w/ since I was 15 whose coming home for the summer in which he NEEDS to wake up and see his future wife has been right here all along--Any advice On this one I’ll gladly take LOL

2 Random Facts On me-I always have to have my wallet & makeup bag match whatever purse I’m carrying and also I have the most embarrassing story EVER. When friends or groups start retelling their most embarrassing moments, mine always wins hands down. ALWAYS

2 Facts about my hometown- First, my hometown is the Original place where country music was born. And it’s not Nashville. I won’t tell you my hometown but if you ever find yourself wondering “Hummm…I wonder where Country music first started???” My hometown will come up. And two this to me is just lame cause I’m not into it but just in case you have a brother or friend into NASCAR chances are they’ve been to my town because we have the 2nd largest race track in the States.


2 Favorite areas to Read- Historical and Poetry. Reading coming from my mom who would read to me when I was three yrs/ old 8 to 10 books a night and always thought I had an old soul. Always loving anything with time periods. Poetry coming from my aunt who would recite poems to me growing up. Hands down top 2 MOST loved would be St. Crispin’s Day Speech from Shakespeare’s King Henry the 5th
And Edgar Allen Poes Annabelle Lee.

So there you have it, the scoop on me. I am currently reading another historical I’ll be posting and a Biography book I’m reading. Hope everyone is enjoying there summer!

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

Technically it is 'historical fiction' because the author makes up what the character's say, but I thought I would read it for the historical challenge this month since it was recommended to me. It is by the author who wrote the bestseller "The other Boylen Girl". This book is the story about Princess Catilina of Spain who is sent to England to marry the English prince and become the queen of England. She is such a strong Heroine! I have never read about anyone so strong and faithful and sure of herself. The author switches between telling the story from third person to the princess's own account, which is kind of neat. It makes you realize how good we have it now. Warning: The ending is sad so I can't give this book 5 stars or anything. But, unfortunately, real life is sad so that is the way it goes. I definitely will read others by Philippa Gregory too.

Now enough about the book because I know you have all been dying to know about me! I am married to brad pitt and we have a litter of children and live in a mansion on the beach. But what you probably don't know about me is that I grew up in a suburb of San Diego. I went to BYU and graduated with a degree in education. Met my husband there and was married. I taught first grade for two years while my husband finished up school (it took him longer because he's not as smart as me and he won't ever read this so I can put that). Then we moved to arizona and popped out a couple of kids. Now I read to stay sane while I stay at home with them.

Two Random facts about me are that I absolutely love football more then most guys and TiVo every game and watch it. I also met my husband when we crashed into each other while playing a game of tag. My favorite things include chocolate, a good book, the Office, and scrapbooking. My favorite books are fictions especially those involving vampires or wizards. A random fact about where I grew up is that the band Blink 182 went to my high school. Now a fun piece of trivia about Blink 182: I grew up in Rancho Bernardo, or RB is what we called it and that is what the 182 stands for. R is the 18 letter in the alphabet and B is the second letter. In high school they were 'blink RB' but that was stupid when they went big, so it became blink 182.

That is all there is to know about me. You can send any question/fan mail to my manager and publicist Andrea Golding.

To Love and to Promise

Synopsis: When Brionney Fields marries a handsome, charming Derek Roathe, she feels like her life is a Mormon fairy tale come true. And when baby Savannah comes along, she's sure of it. Then, with a horrifying discovery, the dream is shattered and her fairytale begins to unravel. Trying to pick up the bits and pieces of her life, she wonders if she'll ever be able to take a chance at love again.

The answer finally comes, but is Brionney ready for it? Can she set aside a world of pain for the hope of true love? She's heard all the promises before, but they've been empty and tainted by lies. Why should she believe them now?

In this compelling and emotional story of love, betrayal, and soul-wrenching challenges, best-selling author Rachel Ann Nunes creates memorable characters and dramatic moments that will live in the reader's mind and heart long after the book is closed. Join Brionney as she leans that the road to true love and happiness is never easy . . . but in the end it's worth every prayer, every tear, and every leap of faith along the way.

My View: I have loved EVERY ONE OF HER BOOKS!! She is amazing. With this book it is cuch and amazing storyline and the plot will keep you guessing at every moment. She writes romance novels, mormon ones that are good not like the wierd ones that you can get at albertsons, that are compelling. She also writes the well known kids picture book Daughter of a King. I strongly recommend this book. It has made it's way to my favorite list.

JUNE Challenge

Hey Everyone! I have been so absent on the last two challenges BUT I hope to be forgiven for that. May was such a stressful & busy month for me. My best friend is getting married in less then 25 days and so between work, church, nephew, and ENDLESS wedding plans--I’ve simply had no time for new reading. How sad is that! Anyway I sent a quick message to Andrea to take on the June challenge, so here it is.

Since I have been absent on the last two challenges, I am giving you two choices. You can decide which one you would rather do or you can do both.

Choice number 1 is an Autobiography! In stead of just calling myself just plain old nosy, I’d like to think I’m really good people person. Always finding out the facts & details. So I thought what better way then to learn something new about someone you don’t know, then to read their autobiography. There's SO many out there, in all different directions. I’m so excited to see who everyone picks.

Choice number 2 is anything pertaining to the Historical section. I have always LOVED time periods! They just fascinate me. Again this could go in so many different directions, so don’t limit your self to just one time area or culture or even category.

BUT WAIT….I have a twist for you all! What ever you decide to pick, you must do this. After you’ve read your book and come to review it on the book club…You must tell us a Little bit about yourself. Don’t think of this as a tag---this is NO tagging---This is only if you do choices 1 or 2. But, nobody really knows who I am since I randomly found this book club and I don’t know any of you. And Since the first choice is an autobiography, you could submit your own small autobiography along with your book review.

That way we all can get to know the book w/ the book reader.

Give us alittle write up on your self. Like if you had your own real autobiography, What would you want people to know? Also list Two Random facts about yourself. Two facts about the hometown you grew up in or consider yourself a native. Two Favorite things and two favorite book areas you enjoy to read the most.

I'm so excited to see what you all pick and to get to know everyone a litte bit! So consider yourself challenged and let's BEGIN!

New to the book club

First since I am new to the book club let me do a brief introduction. I am a high school library aide. I read a lot, but a lot of what I read is what the kids at school read or should read. It is important that I can make recommendations. Most of the books that everyone posted I have either read or am familiar with because the students read them. I must admit that although I read and enjoyed "Twilight" I did not become an avid fan. I got part way through "New Moon" and realized I didn't have time for it. I know enough about it to participate in the discussions about it at school. Just for the record it was our most read/reserved series this last year at school. I enjoy reading a lot of historical fiction, such as "These is my words" "Hattie Blue Sky" and others along that line. A few others that I have recently read that were enjoyable were, "The boy in the striped pajamas", written on a middle/junior high level but deals with more adult asubject, the holocaust. As my sister wrote good but a bit disturbing. "Al Capone does my shirts" Having visited Alcatraz I was familiar with most of the descriptions of the place, but the more fascinating part was the relationship Moose had with his autistic sister. "A long way gone, memoirs of a boy soldier" enlightening, informative, the story of a young man in Sierra Leone, Africa who after the destruction of his home town and death of his family is forced to become a boy soldier. What he experience is almost unbelievable. I am much more appreciative of where I live and freedoms I have. "The pilot's wife" an Oprah book club book. Although a bit predictable it was enjoyable to read. How well do you really know your husband? "Hattie Blue Sky" a young woman's adventures as a homesteader in Montana. Sorry this posting is so long but I have a lot to catch up on

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel

Haven Kimmel's memoir was like going home. It unlocked my 8 year old mind and took me back to the years where your biggest concern was your cat's missing tail, your best friends older brother, and who can cross the monkey bars fastest. If you love To Kill A Mockingbird then you will love this book too.

From Publishers Weekly
It's a clich‚ to say that a good memoir reads like a well-crafted work of fiction, but Kimmel's smooth, impeccably humorous prose evokes her childhood as vividly as any novel. Born in 1965, she grew up in Mooreland, Ind., a place that by some "mysterious and powerful mathematical principle" perpetually retains a population of 300, a place where there's no point learning the street names because it's just as easy to say, "We live at the four-way stop sign." Hers is less a formal autobiography than a collection of vignettes comprising the things a small child would remember: sick birds, a new bike, reading comics at the drugstore, the mean old lady down the street. The truths of childhood are rendered in lush yet simple prose; here's Zippy describing a friend who hates wearing girls' clothes: "Julie in a dress was like the rest of us in quicksand." Over and over, we encounter pearls of third-grade wisdom revealed in a child's assured voice: "There are a finite number of times one can safely climb the same tree in a single day"; or, regarding Jesus, "Everyone around me was flat-out in love with him, and who wouldn't be? He was good with animals, he loved his mother, and he wasn't afraid of blind people."

Uglies Trilogy
Uglies, Pretties, and Specials
by: Scott Westerfeld

I wanted to read this trilogy when we had our sci-fi month but the library didn't have them in at the time. They are in the YA section, so it still fits for this month. I just finished with the 2nd book and I can't wait to go check out the final book.
It's about a world far in the future where when you turn 16, you have an operation where you turn pretty. Tally can't wait to turn pretty, when she no longer has to be known as ugly and when she finally gets to move to where all the other pretties live. But then she meets Shay who introduces her to a life where being pretty maybe isn't all it's cracked up to be. I couldn't put the books down and I can't wait until I see how it ends! I highly recommend these books, go check them out!

So in honor of May's CHALLENGE I read the first book in
The Bartimaeus Trilogy
titled

THE AMULET OF SAMARKAND.

I enjoyed the book and LOVED Bartimaeus. He is hilarious and left me laughing out loud. I am such a fan of YA books and love this months challenge. I am off to the library to get the rest of this trilogy.

PS. On a side not this book is being made into a movie which should be really fun!

Come check out our Stephenie Meyer Book Signing !

The Host
by Stephenie Meyer

Last fall I fell in love with Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series. It was after that love affair, while surfing her website that I was introduced to The Host. Her website posted the first chapter of her new book and I read it and knew I wouldn't like this book. She may be able to trick me into liking vampires BUT there was NO way I would fall in love with aliens. Nope. I was pretty sure that not even Stephanie Meyer could make me go that far.
Well I am happy to admit I was wrong. I do love aliens, Soul's in Meyers world. I love their kindness and love for peace. I found myself rooting for the enemy. Meyer is not only creative but a GIFTED storyteller who creates characters you can help but love.

The Host

So I read all day and into last night and I finished the host and...it was FANTASTIC! I really, really liked it! It was unlike any books I have read. The story narrator/heroine is kind of the bad guy (she's a body snatching alien). But she is also a really great character so you find yourself rooting for her and against her at the same time. I just kept thinking, what in the world is going to happen? and that made it a real page turner. Some really good romance and serious suspense. So so so good. A must read!

The Case Against My Brother

by: Libby Sternberg

How cool that Amanda picked the young adult books as our May challenge. I just finished this book and it was good. I was a little skeptical about reading it at first, the title didn't jump out at me but I really enjoyed it! It's a historical novel as well as a good mystery! It is the story of two brothers who are orphaned and sent to live with their uncle in Oregon. The story's told through Carl, a 14 year old boy who idolizes his older brother Adam. Since their mother died, Adam has always promised Carl that he will take care of him. Then Adam is accused of a jewelry theft and Carl sets out to clear his brothers name..insistent on his innocence. In his search he learns first hand about bigotry and the hateful nature of people. He learns to trust himself and his instincts as he realizes that his brother isn't as perfect as he always thought. In the end, Carl has to grow up and learn to accept people the way they are...a realization that tests his faith and trust in his older brother, who maybe isn't who he thought.

May Challenge!

When I was in college, I took two classes of Children's literature. In the course of those classes, we had to read tons of young adult novels. I thought, “This is so lame! I already read all these books when I was in high school! What am I paying all this tuition for?!” But I was shocked to find that most of them were ten times better when I read them as an adult. And thanks to J.K. Rowling, it is no longer taboo for adults to shamelessly read Young Adult Fiction. So I am making this months challenge to read something from the Young Adult section that you haven't read in recent years (meaning you can't re-read Twilight or Harry Potter). I made a list of good books that are my favorites from the genre, but there are tons out there..

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Crispin by Avi
Holes by Louis Sachar (if you have not read this book, you MUST before you die)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brasharesby

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred Taylor

This challenge might also be related to the fact that my birthday is next week and I am officially feeling OLD and I want to remember time when I was young.

These Is My Words
By Nancy E. Turner

Read it. Loved it. Read it. Loved it. Read it. Loved it. Read it.

Sarah is one of my new favorite female heroines. I loved this book and plan on owning it...it's one that you would read over and over again.
Thanks Katie for the recommendation...LOVED IT!

The Ender Series

We've been discussing Orson Scott Card this month so much that I thought I would just do a full review on the truly amazing Ender Series. You've all had great things to say about the first one, "Ender's Game". It's an excellent intro. to this genre because it is such an easy read - likeable and interesting characters, fast-paced, unique plot and just enough "real life" mixed in with the sci-fi to keep everyone feeling grounded. I'm so glad so many have given it a go and enjoyed it.

The next book in the series is called "Speaker For the Dead", named such because a grown-up Ender has written a book about The Buggers (the alien species he battles in the first book) so that people will understand more about them. This "speaking for the dead" has become his career and he travels to many planets to learn about the lives of famous dead people and speak their history for them. He ends up on a newly colonized planet that is co-habitating with another species called "piggies". The colony is facing some serious challenges and Ender gets wrapped up in it all and ends up staying there.

This is an incredibly deep and fascinating book. What I love about Card is that he uses the genre of sci-fi as a mirror, reflecting the image of humanity in a whole new light. There may be spaceships and aliens in his books, but if you dig a little deeper you find that these are really stories about the many facets of the human soul. This particular novel deals alot with prejudice and how easy it is to hate that which we don't understand. Yet how deeply gratifying it is to find beauty in that which we learn to understand. It's an excellent book with well-rounded characters and a really cool twist at the end.

That being said, it has a very slow start. It's tough to get over the fact that Ender is all grown up and he has a weird relationship with the Hive Queen of the Buggers that takes some getting used to. Of the four in the series, I found this one to be more difficult, but very rewarding.

The next book in the series is "Xenocide". The inhabitants of the planet where Ender now lives have discovered a strange virus that is so contagious and so deadly they have been quarantined to the planet and now face possible destruction by other worlds. Meanwhile, on a planet far, far away (hee hee) a young girl has discovered she is one of the chosen "Godspoken" - near-genius intellect but plagued by voices in her head that torment her into doing strange things as payment for her brilliance. She and Ender (along with characters from book 2 and a reappearance by Valentine (yay!)) will come together to try to stop the eminent xenocide.

This books takes a fascinating look at the different philosophies mankind has for problem solving. It explores the dangers of making assumptions about others, the necessity of openmindedness as we continually struggle for peace (both inner and global), and teaches us to use compassion instead of logic when facing life's most difficult problems.

I loved this book unabashedly. It is so beautifully written and brought together - passionate, hopeful, and tragic all at the same time.

The last book in the series is "Children of the Mind" and kids, this one gets pretty "out there". I ate it up because I totally love "social commentary sci-fi" and the philosophy here is nothing short of brilliant. But it's hard to even give a synopsis of this story because it's so complex and deep. The first time I finished this book I felt completely overwhelmed by the magnamity of what I had just learned and experienced. In short, this book blew me away.

But be warned: the science fiction elements here get brutally hard-core, utilizing issues like Aritificial Intelligence and faster-than-light speed travel to pose mind-bending questions about religion and the purpose of mankind. It's intense.

So there you have it. I hope this sci-fi-challenge has introduced you to some new authors, new concepts and new philosophies. Now that you've gotten your toes in, I suggest you give this Ender series a go and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Enchantment

I read Ender's Game and really enjoyed it, so I thought I would give another one of Orson Scott Card's books a chance. And I loved it! I actually liked it better than Ender's Game (gasp!). I must say that this man has many sides. He goes from fighting space aliens to fairy tale land. We are talking a sleeping princess, and evil witch, magic spells- the whole nine yards. No sc-fi at all, but a good love story with a modern day twist. I had a hard time putting it down!

Ender's Game
by Orson Scott Card

I want to THANK Lauren for the AWESOME challenge this month. This Sci-Fi thing has been great. I read ENDER"S GAME and I LOVED IT. Really I am surprised because I didn't think I would...but I did. One of the best books I've read in a while. It's one of those books that made my over active imagination go in over drive...thinking about spaceships late into the night. He's a WRITER. I want to get inside that mind of his for a day. Thanks again Lauren for the GREAT, GREAT, GREAT challenge!

The "Must Read" List

For the last 6 months I have been working on reading all the books in Stephenie Meyer's MUST READ LIST...you can check out the list here.
So far I've loved everyone of the books I've read on her list...she has good taste in books as well as vampires.

A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty
by Libba Bray

This book was not Great or Terrible...more like Ok and Bad or - Nice and Disappointing, how about - Average and Mediocre or, Small and Silly. OK I am getting carried away, I feel bad, guilt is choking me, Libba if you are reading this, which I am sure you're not but if I was an author and I was reading this I would be highly offended and so on the off chance that you are reading this I'm sorry. It really wasn't Terrible...it just wasn't Great either. It had a lot of promise...some intriguing ideas and a good love story in the making but it just didn't fit. The characters never seemed to be consistent. One minute they were evil and rude to one another the next they were bonding over whiskey in a cave. I felt like there wasn't any payoff in the end. We didn't get to meet the villain, didn't get anywhere in our love story, and no clarity on what the book was trying to say. Sorry but not a recommendation. Skip this and read good ol' Harry Potter if you want some real magic!

The Road

Okay, here is my 1st science fiction book I have EVER read, but I have to say that I really liked this book. It was a book about the innocence and simplicity of a little boy who loves and trusts his father unconditionally. A simple but profound love they share in the most horrible of circumstances. The father in the story has no reason to believe that their situation will get any better, yet makes his son believe that every tomorrow can be better if you have hope. The end broke my heart and it is a book that I will think of often, as I think about the beautiful relationship between a father and his son.

Synopsis:
A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, “each the other’s world entire,” are sustained by love.
Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.

Start Late Finish Rich

Start Late, Finish Rich
By David Bach

Once again another audio book for my driving distraction and once again a book I enjoyed. He's great at breaking it down in common language for those of us that don't have our Master's in Finance and helps you to view your money in a whole new way... Preston and I are rolling in cash now... well, maybe we are 5 dollars richer!

French Women Don't Get Fat

French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano

I like to listen to audio books while I am driving...which I find myself doing so much more of now that I am driving Preston to and from work so often. When I was checking out a new set of audio books last time I was at the library the kids had hit the end of their 6min attention spans and so I had to get some books and FAST! This book was thrown in my bag in the last instant, I am not one for diets...I really don't believe in them. I have always preferred to just eat better foods and exercise - a book or person telling me what to eat just isn't my style - but this book I actually really enjoyed! It's all about enjoying food, savoring the textures and flavors, and enjoying indulgences - THAT"S MY KIND OF BOOK!


Book Info:
Her book, French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure, in which she recommends bread, Champagne, chocolate and romance as key ingredients to a balanced diet and lifestyle, captured the imagination of an overweight world tired of yo-yo diets and became a runaway best seller around the globe in 2005. In less than six months, well over 1 million copies of the book were printed, and sales drove it to the top of the best seller charts in many countries, including the USA. A cultural phenomenon that inspired cartoons in the New Yorker and a host of imitations, it has been translated into 37 languages, and continues to be read widely. She followed up this book in fall 2006 with French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes and Pleasure, devoted to l’art de vivre (the art of living). French Women Don’t Get Fat enabled readers to enjoy a healthier relationship with food while French Women for All Seasons enables readers to enjoy a healthier relationship with life. In both, through her personal stories and illustrations, she espouses living life to the fullest by embracing quality, sensitivity, seasonality and pleasure while maintaining a healthy equilibrium.

Get your Twilight fix!

Okay, twilight fans, here is a little sneak peak of the movie that is on MTV. Personally, I was quite pleased with it. I actually think I might like it! Watching them in action made it easier to picture them in it. Here is the link:

http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1585325&vid=224215

And they cast JACOB BLACK! His name is Taylor Lautner. He is a great 15 year old-pre werewolf jacob. Now if they can just get him to look 25 by the next movie, they will be on to something. There is an entire cast list on http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight_movie.html