October Reads

I have not read too much this month.

Top 3


Graceling by Kirstin Cashore It is about this girl who has been given a grace. A grace is a special power and typically no two individuals share exactly the same grace (although some are similiar) They are recognized by the color of their eyes...on being one color and the other distinctly different. Of course with any special power there is the option to choose how to use it or be used for it. Katsa has the grace of killing. She lives in a land controlled by 7 different kingdoms. She rescues someone who has been kidnapped and meets someone who also has a unique grace. They form a team to fight against a ruler who has kept his grace a secret. I loved it.



The Wedding Letters by Jason F. Wright. Although I have not read all of his novels the ones I have read I enjoyed. The wedding letters are just that...letters from friends and family compiled into an album for someones wedding. The letters are wonderful. The characters are likable. The story is simple. The message of hope, love, forgiveness, and work that is often required in a marriage is beautifully written.



The Teachings of President Monson. The book is arranged by topic. Under each topic are quotes from different talks he has given over time and in many different countries. It is wonderful and inspiring. This one you can have on hand if you needed to give a lesson or talk. The life of President Monson however reads like a novel. If you haven't read that pick it up immediately.



For the little people, I think the Mercy Watson series is hilarious and Tyler and I have loved reading them. Because of Mr Terupt is a novel recommended to me by Trevor. He kept wanting to talk about it and asking me if I had started it. I started and finished while he was at school. Awesome!

Happy Reading.

September Reads

1. The Entitlement Trap by Richard Eyre I love the Eyre parenting books. If you do also, you will notice many similiar stories and ideas. The first half is about the financial strategies to get your children feeling ownership and then get paid for work well done. The second half is about having ownership for your education, talents, choioces, as well as money management and service. Great book.
2. Comfort Food by Cooking Light Still looking at the recipes
3. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett I would have recommended this book to everyone that I know because the characters are so well developed and the plot itself is amazing. The story begins by introducing to a girl who does pharmaceutical research. Her colleage goes to the amazon jungle to see how the research there is progressing. She receives a letter that he is dead and has been buried. She is sad, the wife is in shock, the children are devastated, and they don't know anything about the research. She then is asked to go by the company and by the wife. She begins taking the necessary meds and getting shots and find herself in the jungle. It is so well written that I had the urge to swat away mosquitos and look out for snakes. Unfortunately the last two pages ruined it for me. If it had been a movie I would have left the theatre mad. So I say to you find a book that is great from beginning to end. Oh yeah, and then recommend it to me.
4. Yoga Didn't even start.
5. Zumba by Beto Perez I love Zumba so I thought it was fascinating how he got started. Lots of hard work, odd jobs, separation from family, talent, and some good luck got Zumba on th radar. I am glad since it is the type of exercise I enjoy.
6. Food fights, winning the war with humor and ketchup Didn't start this one either.
7. Farm Chicks in the Kitchen I first learned about Serena from the magazine where women cook. She also is a writer for Country Living. This book is compiled by her and her friend who also writes for Country Living. I liked the recipes and the ideas for gift giving and decorating.
8. The Hourglass Door#1 by Lisa Mangum This is a fun read about time travel. It begins with a new kid in class named Dante. Abby befriends him and due to the unique circumstances he confides in her that he is not from her time. There are those that can help him and those that are working to destroy him. Great adventure. I moved right on to #2
9. The Golden Spiral#2 by Lisa Mangum The story continues and Abby must construct/reconstruct part of the time travel device. Her friends are drawn into the story. Also, someone has gone to her past and is changing part of her history. The last book of the trilogy is out and I am #49 on the waiting list at the library.

Happy Reading!

August Reads

August was another good reading month


Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley Bella is raised by peasants. She is happy there and loves her family. Her best friend is the prince. Even as they grow up their friendship remains. Becuase of this friendship combined with her adventurous spirit she finds herself caught between staying quiet or putting herself in danger. Yes, she is off to save the day and it is dangerous. Fun read.


Homeless Bird This story is about a girl in an arranged marriage. She is told that he has a cold so she in unable to meet him until the wedding when she realizes that he is very sick. His family wanted money so lied about his age and his health. He dies near the beginning of the book leaving her with a family that doesn't want her. This is a wonderful story of talent, work, kindness, and it has a wonderful depth to it. I loved it.


Eldest #2 by Christopher Paolini If you can recall #1 Eragon discovers an egg. It hatches a dragon. G (for short) is the bad guy and he wants all dragons destroyed or controlled by him. He sends the Ra'zac to destroy Eragon, but he escapes...part of his family does not. By the time you have entered #2 you have met Urgals, dwarves, elves, storytellers, magicians, the Forsworn, and know that Eragon and his dragon Saphira must be trained so that they can destroy G. Basically, if you can describe in detail the Lord of the Rings movies you could describe this book. As for me, there are so many intertwined storylines and characters that you just will have to read it for yourself. AND you should. This series is excellent. Don't try to figure it our by watching the first movie either which I heard was horrible...just be a reader. By the way, if you enjoyed Middle Earth I think you will find this story fascinating.


Brisinger #3 by Christopher Paolini I don't even dare say anything about the book in case you are thinking of starting the series. It is kind of like if someone told you what happened in Harry Potter 6 when you were just finishing 5. Horrible friend. I don't want to be that so just read Eragon, then Eldest, then Brisinger, and then go shopping at the beginning of November (Nov 8) to pick up the last book of the series Inheritance. I can't wait. Get started soon.


The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B Dunkle Where was this book when I was little and shared a room with my sister. Oh the fun (and later nightmares) we would have had. I loved this book. The story begins with two orphan sisters that are sent to live on an estate with a guardian and two older aunts. The two homes back up to a forest. A spooky forest of course where the goblins live. The goblin king visits the girls and tells one his plan to come and take her for his wife. She resists. Who wouldn't. The writing is so clever and the story so engaging. I was happily surprised and gobbled up the next two.
Close Kin #2 Clare B Dunkle

In the coils of the Snake #3 by Clare B Dunkle

I love when you have a good reading month. Happy Reading!

July Reads

I had such fun with the suggestions from the librarian that I tried it again.


Run by Ann Patchett This is a story about a family. The couple is able to have one child but desires to have more. They adopt two African American boys that are also brothers. Later the father is the mayor of Boston. The story takes place after the mother has died and the boys are now in college. They attend a political event with their father and when they are seperating to go to their cars a car swerves out of nowhere and is headed straight for one of the boys. Another woman sees this potential disaster and steps in front of the car. She is severely injured and is taken to the ER. Her daughter also witnesses this act. What unfolds for the rest of the book is quite the adventure.


Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George This is a story about girl named Creel. Her family is to poor to take care of her so they send her off to a rumored dragons lair in hopes that a knight will save her. The rumor turns out to be true but the dragon doesn't want to fight a knight for her. Plus, the dragon is not sure a knight will come. The dragon and girl become friends. He grants her a gift and she picks an unusual pair of shoes. (thus the title) And so the story begins.
Dragon Flight #2
Dragon Spear#3 These books are found in the children's section of the library and are quick fun read. I enjoyed them


Fortune's Folly by Deva Fagan This story is about a girl who doesn't believe in fortune tellers. After unfortunate happenings in her own family she is trained to tell fortunes/lies. She is quite talented because she is such a storyteller. She tells the prince his fortune and then is forced to accompany him on his grand adventure to make sure the fortune comes true. Fun read.



Happy Reading!

June reads

Even though June has been crazy with baseball and summer stuff I got a little window of time and I have been reading. Meaning I read two books on Sunday and another on Monday. Reading is relaxing so when I had a little down time this past weekend that is what I did. I went to the library last week to turn in something and went up to the libarians and said just tell me something to read. Awesome suggestions and away I went.


Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt. Keturah wanders into the forest and becomes lost. After 3 days Lord Death comes to visit and take her. She tells him a tale of which he is fascinated by but she does not tell him the ending. Lord Death demands an ending. She bargains with him and he gives her one day to find her true love which will complete her tale. It is written well and cleverly told as a true storyteller would.


Shifter by Janice Hardy. This is a story about individuals who can heal. Some can heal outright. One must take the pain herself and can choose to transfer it to another. The story begins with two sisters. One who can heal and one who can/must shift the pain. The one sister is taken in by the school to train her and the other is left on the street. Lots of fun drama. I read this one and #2 called Blue Fire and am excited for #3 to come out. The boys are enjoying this one too.


Family ties by L Tom Perry. A nice read. It is a compilation of four of his most requested talks on fatherhood, marriage, and family. It is a small book, a quick read, and nicely compiled.


Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen. I suggested this to my book club since I really enjoyed this book. I got to enjoy again. It is a story of a boy and girl who meet as second graders and follows their friendship into junior high. It flips back and forth from her perspective to his perspective on the same happenings in their lives. Love the dinner part. Love the idea about the tree. The sharing eggs part breaks my heart. I guess I don't need to go on and on. Read it. So fun. I can't wait to see the movie since I have heard so many great things about it. Redbox here I come.


The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I know I am coming late to this party but I finally read it after hearing so much about it. It is great just like everyone said. Basically everyone speaks a love language meaning the way that a person interprets and receives love best. For some it is receiving gifts, or quality time, or words of affirmation. For others physical touch or acts of service. It really is quite fascnating.


The five love languages for children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. Same idea. Children feel most loved when their parents express love in a certain way, but parents should be expressing love in all the languages to show their children there are many ways to express love. I really liked the examples they gave of family relationships. I already know the love languages of two of my boys because it is what they ask for the most. I still gave the little quiz and that in and of itself was fun. I recommend this as a good read also.
Happy Reading!

May Reads

I have just not been able to read and that is saying something...I don't if it is saying something good or bad. I just have been busy doing other things.

• 5 Spiritual Solutions in Parenting by the Eyres. This is a great book filled with lots of ideas for having a family that feels really connected. I was excited to read this in preparation for the summer and goals we can set to have fun together.
• Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. You know all about this book. It is the one where she hides healthy food in the things your children are eating already. I just chose a couple things to try. I checked it out before but found that my good intentions never came to be. I am trying again. I actually liked this one better than her second book.
• Perennial Combinations by C Colston Burrell. This book is amazing. It basically showcases what flowers go together due to color, shade, sun, soil, and the zone you live in. Hundreds of pages of gorgeous combinations. Love to just flip through the pages. The back yard is ready and waiting. I am excited to experiment with flowers again. We'll see if we get to it this summer or not.

Happy Reading!

April Reads

Here are the books I was able to read:

1. God So Loved The World by Eric Huntsman. This book describes the last week of the Savior's life. I really enjoyed it. The scriptures and added insight are touching. The photos of the Holy Land are wonderful. The song suggestions are beautiful. It really captures how we can celebrate Easter with a greater spirit.
2. I'll Walk Alone by May Higgins Clark. Loved it. Of course. When you are a fan you just are. The identity theft and kidnapping theme was clever. I couldn't wait to see who was behind it and I had to wait because I wasn't clever enough to figure it out from her clues along the way. Perfect Spring Break read.

Hope you got to read more than I did this month.




Happy reading!

March Reads

This was a busy reading month.

• Hotel on the corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. Read it now. Loved this story. I enjoyed the historical setting. I loved all the relationships (both the bitter and the sweet) I can picture the story like a movie because it is so well written. This book is about Japanese American young man who falls for a girl whose background makes it unacceptable to his father. His heart is already attached to her and so his relationship with her improves and the relationship he has with his father disinegrates. Let me say that the sweetness of the book far outweighs the bitter.
• Beyonders by Brandon Mull. A great fantasy about a boy who while working at the zoo falls into the hippo tank only to discover this was a portal to a land called Lyrian. I really enjoyed it and my boys loved it. The magical land is filled with creatures, a blind king, fighting, and survival.
• Tons of gardening books. Basically I am going to try herbs in pots and need an ornamental tree for the corner of my yard so I checked out plenty of books relating to that. When it actually stops snowing then I will just simply head over the nursery. Can't wait!
• A Mother's Mite by Deanna Flynn Okay this book is so sweet. Similiar to the widow's mite in concept. What does the widow offer...all that she has. What do mother's offer their children...perhaps small offerings. The offerings over time are recognized as treasures. I couldn't post about reading it until my mother opened it for her birthday. It has these wonderful stories and at the end of each chapter tells the offering. Examples: offering of patience, zeal, understanding, etc.
• Our Best Bites by Sara Wells and Kate Jones Well. I bought it didn't I? It is full of simple delicious recipes. You can't go wrong here. We have had there bacon wrapped teriyaki chicken, rosemary pork loin roast, breakfast casserole, Brazilian lemonade, mint brownies, etc. It is like having your friends submit their recipes for a cookbook. Actually glad I have good friends who share recipes too. Great cookbook!
• The worldwide cookbook secret recipes by Deanna Buxton This cookbook looks good also. It has those kind of recipes that people say that can't hand out...well, now they are out there. I was loving the other cookbook so much I haven't tried any recipes yet. Get back to you on this one.

Happy Reading!

February Reads

I didn't get to read as much this month with everything going on YET what I did get to read I will recommend.

I read

• Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) I spent a good part on 2 days reading what she had posted on her blog about it from back in the day. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of how she met her husband. Love the drama. Love her decision making process meaning when you are in love you decide to be with that person no matter what. It is a fun read. Pick it up. It will make you smile.
• A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley. Hello, it's Flavia solving a murder again and playing tricks on her sisters. I liked this one better than #2 because she discovers something beautiful of her mother's. Also, the murder in this one brings more intersting and fun characters to the story. Another fun read.
• I made several attempts on the Autobiography of Mark Twain. I like the idea that he wanted it published 100 yrs after his death. His writing style is not chronological. He writes whatever comes to mind. This creates interest due to the subject he is thinking about or a memory of the past. I am fascinated by that idea. However, the research team has to put their five cents in there about every other page letting us know who discovered it, the time frame of writing, and etc. You have to get through so much of that to get to his real writing that I found it incredibly difficult to become interested in reading much more than the 63 pages I did. This doesn't count as a read because believe me I wasn't into even 1/16. Good luck to ya.
• Although not a book, I absolutely loved Truman Madsen's DVD collection titled The Eternal Christ. He teaches some deep and beautiful doctrine of the Savior. The background to his teaching is from different locations in Israel. Stunning cinematography. It is a visual feast as well as spiritual. My favorite part I learned from listening to Ann Madsen talk about how her husband accomplished this teaching series. He had no script just chose the locations and went there with the ideas in his mind. The very last part is him bearing his testimony. This is after he had returned home and was told that he had incurable cancer. Just watch his face and his emotion during the last frame. Get this for your family. I am going to. WOW!!

Happy Reading!

January Reads

1. An obvious great read: To the Rescue: biography of Thomas S Monson by Heidi S Swinton.

I think I have another 100+ pages to go, but this biography is extraordinary. I LOVE the chapters on Germany. Just fascinating due to the history aspect and inspiring due to his love for the people there. He has such a giving spirit and has rescued so many.

    2.  My recommended read (other than the biography above); The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.

I could start reading it again today. Brilliantly crafted plot. The story is about a little girl who is left on a boat with the message to "Wait here, I will be right back." No one returns for her and the boat sails away. A family finds her and takes her in as their own daughter. The family tells her the truth as she is 18 and engaged. The father feels that she should know the truth. She then knows that she does not belong to them, but what is her name, where is she from, and who are her parents. What she and her granddaughter then go on to discover is worth the 500 pages of reading. Thank you to Andrea for this incredible suggestion.

     3.  If you have extra time in your life: Before My Heart Stops by Paul Cardall

I am thrilled that you know he gets the heart transplant before you begin reading because that makes the story more readable. It is awful to be waiting with him as he becomes sicker and is hospitalized. It is written in journal form taken from the original posts on his blog. I really like his music and am thrilled with this true miracle story.

My please don't read choice of the month: Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans.

Um, I am trying to think of what words to describe this book...none are revealing themselves to me except "wacky." Lady down on her luck, cheating husband dies from cancer, daughter has celiac, mysterious guy from future comes along, reverse back to now and happy ending. The only problem is I was so unhappy for so many pages that I must say "Please don't read this."



There you have it. Pick up To the Rescue or The Forgotten Garden. Happy Reading!

Happy New Year

Well, here are some of my thoughts on recent books

1. In the Dark Street Shineth by David G McCullough This is a great Christmas read, but the message is timeless. Great book!
2. Secret Santa by Ann Osborn Poelman I absolutely love this book. It is set during the Depression and describes a family low on finances and the wonderful miracles that occur because of the love within their family.
3. Santa's Secret by Christy Hardman and Phil Porter. Okay, funny story. I went into a book store looking for book mentioned #2 only to find out it is out of print. An employee in the store overheard me and said that she could get it for me since she lived right by the author. What a miracle. So we exchange information and I get signed books of Santa's Secret. It was like a bonus to discover a new book to love while looking for something else. This story is about a man (Phil Porter) who plays Santa during the holidays for stores and family gatherings and parties. He tells what little children ask for like a bed or that their mom will stop hitting them. He then descibes what he does next acting like the real Santa. He tells of his secret service to others and the love he receives in return. Yup, you guessed it...get a tissue.
4. Seventeen Second Miracle by Jason F Wright This story begins with a tragedy and unfolds into the richness of others lives because of the tragedy. WOW. This would be an awesome book club book because there is certainly much to discuss. Can't say anymore...Read it!

Books I didn't like

1. Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Anne Kidd Taylor. I like a book that has drama and real sadness like Sarah's Key when the girl rushes through the door to find her brother(sobbing). This is more like a weird comic strip where the cloud comes in but never rains just lingers there. Am I allowed to describe a book by using the word melancholy? A mom and her daughter take a trip together and the chapters flip from mom to daughter and from present time to earlier memories. Yuck. If I was at book club I would simply say this isn't my type of story.
2. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella I got this one because she is such a popular author for her Shopaholic series. The story reads like an ABC Family movie (which really aren't made for families) which means it begins with an interesting plot. However, the dialogue isn't great and has unnecessary language which just drags the interesting plot down. No thanks.

Cookbooks

1. Lion House Christmas It has some wonderful ideas for the holidays. Too bad I had a day getting over food poisoning (no not my own cooking) and a week getting over a cold so I just read about cooking but not actually doing it. Not true, I did get up and try to make chicken for dinner only to overcook it. Horrible. Don't do that.
2. Worldwide Ward Chritmas cookbook. I wanted to make the Montana Morning breakfast for Eric from the book but didn't even do that. Good recipes from all around the world.
3. Nigella Express by Nigella Lawson This is a great book about how to bring wonderful meals to the table in less time. It is divided into really clever chapters depending on type of cuisine. She is quite a gourmet is some chapters which I skimmed over. I am excited to try some of her recipes now that I am on the mend.
4. One Big Table by Molly O'Neill This book is awesome. I saw her on Martha. She was talking with friends and someone made the comment that Americans don't cook anymore they just go out. She was suprised by this and set out to prove the comment false. She traveled the United Stated and found cooks everywhere. This book is HUGE. It has 600 recipes and is about 800+ pages FILLED with recipes, vintage American photos, and tons of personal stories. Fascinating. The detail is the recipes combined with the story is incredible. She compiled a cookbook masterpiece.

Okay now just some favs from last year

1. The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond. If you have not discovered all the wonderful things about this gal...do so immediately! Love her writing, her humor, her adoration for her husband and children, and of course her cooking. She has another book coming in Feb and if she comes to Salt Lake I am going to meet her.
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Just in case you weren't in on this book at the beginning of its craze...no worries, join the party now. What a great read!
3. Martha Stewart cupcakes. I had to write that one. I used it all year. I made a lot of cupcakes and also gave many cupcakes away.
4. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. Absolutely enjoyed myself in this novel. It is about an 11 year old girl named Flavia who loves chemistry, dislikes her sisters, names her bike Gladys, is well read, and also solves a murder all the while entertaining you with splendid language. I read the next one also. Loved it. The third is on its way and I am so excited. He is writing a book a year. Keep it up. I love Flavia.

There you have it: some recent reads, some likes, dislikes, and some favorites. Happy Reading!