The Help

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:10:14 +0000

I had no idea how long it has taken for civil rights to reach Mississippi. This book put history into perspective for me. While reading about the characters, you’d learn that Martin Luther King, Jr. just gave his “I have a dream” speech, or that a man walked on the moon. You’d hear about Vietnam, and then I would think, “Wow, black people weren’t even getting minimum wage in Mississippi yet. So much for progress.” I’ve only lived in a couple of places and I have not experienced the South first hand. This book gave me a good taste of what it must have been like and how hard some people had to work to get it to progress as much as it has. I recommend this book.

The Lightning Thief and The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson Series)

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:05:21 +0000

So, I’ve started yet another series. You’d think I’d learn my lesson. This series is great for me right now, though, because it’s interesting and fun, but I can put it down. I’m trying to get my 9 year old to read it, but he isn’t interested so far. I told him that he couldn’t go to see the movie that will be coming out shortly unless he reads the book first. We’ll see what happens there. This series is fun because you get to polish up on your Greek history. It’s fun to remember what I learned all those years ago, and to brush up on the things I don’t remember. I like Percy. I think he’s a good kid and a good kid for my kids to read about. He’s got a bit of an attitude, but nothing over the top. His friends are interesting. His female sidekick is strong and smart. I like it.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:59:00 +0000

I carpool with a neighbor. The little girl who rides with us LOVES this book (bright 4th grader). I had read the other two in the series and hadn’t gotten around to this one yet. But, because the neighbor girl was so enthusiastic, I had to read it and talk with her about it. My favorite in this series is still the first one, but I did like this one better than the second. The children are together and solving problems together with their special powers. My favorite character by far is Kate and her special red bucket. I love her!

Superfreakonomics

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:52:41 +0000

This is the first book that I downloaded with my new membership with audible.com. I enjoyed it. It gave me alot of interesting things to think about and talk about. I did have a little trouble, in that I had planned to listen to it in my car, and it is NOT appropriate for little ears. Although interesting, the information about prostitutes was not for my children. It is a great economics book for the layman. It is not bigger or better than the last one (Freakonomics), but just more of the same. If you liked the first, you’ll probably like this one. If you haven’t read either, you probably should.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

admin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:33:09 +0000

I read this one for book club a while ago. I didn’t really like it. The story seemed to really drag on and the ending wasn’t very exciting or anything. It is very educational, however. If you are interested in a day in the life of a slave labor camp, this one is for you. It is also well written, just not my style.

Right Click

admin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:29:09 +0000

I really enjoyed Right Click. It is LDS fiction. It is about a young woman who has a broken heart. Her sister convinces her to use an online dating service to find Mr. Right. When she finally figures herself out, she is ready to meet someone special. It is a light, funny and thoroughly enjoyable book.As a disclaimer, I must admit that I know the author. She is fantastic! However, I would tell you if I didn’t like the book despite knowing her. I almost didn’t read it for fear that I wouldn’t like the book and then have to tell everyone. I was so happy to find that it is a great book.

Mortal Instruments Series

admin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:18:08 +0000

I really enjoyed reading this series. It reminded me of Twilight. I’m not sure which one I like better. I would probably say Twilight, but I think that only because I read it first. I would highly recommend this to someone who liked Twilight.

Book Review of Flu

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:33:19 +0000

This book came to me highly recommended. I think it would be a great book for you doctors and nurses out there, or other science buffs. I am not one of those. I was a bit weighed down by the subject matter and kept wishing it was over. I finally just stopped - which I never do! It is an account of the research done on the 1918 flu. I had no idea there was a 1918 flu, so it was all new to me. If you are interested in how doctors figure out what is making us sick and then how they decide what to do about it, you will like this book. I, however, am glad to be through with it.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes

admin — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:56:45 +0000

I finally did it. I finished the sixth book in the Outlanders series. It took some serious work to push myself through. I really enjoy this series, the characters are fantastic! But, my word, at a thousand pages each it gets tiresome. I was feeling relieved and looking forward to that feeling of anticipation that comes while you’re waiting for the next book in the series, when I found out that the book 7 comes out in less that 40 days! That’s just too soon for me. But, you know I’ll read it!One thing I have to say about Diana Gabaldon is that her facts are incredible. I just cannot fathom knowing as many details as she does and figuring out how to make them fit in the books. It’s crazy. I had to keep telling myself that when I was reading page after page of mind numbing detail, waiting for the action to start.Bottom line, I really love these books, just don’t read them back to back to back…

A Northern Light

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:04:07 +0000

I’m not quite sure how to rate this book. It’s absolutely fantastic writing. My favorite line in the story was, “She is tiny. In the same way that a stick of dynamite is tiny.” Isn’t that perfect - unexpected, very descriptive, and short!?! Unfortunately, this book just felt sad around the edges, and I really don’t like sad books.

This story takes place in 1906 in a resort town. The historical part of the story is based on a young woman who dies and was probably murdered. The rest of the story (by far most of it) is a work of fiction. The characters are very real and well rounded. The ending is realistic. The only complaint I have is that I felt sad while reading it and felt discouraged, with understanding, at the end. If you don’t mind that, you’ll enjoy the book. The language is fantastic!