May and June reads

I decided to do this thing called pick up whatever new or interesting books were out on the main floor library shelves.  Note to self: Never do that again.  I've decided that life is busy enough not to waste time reading lame books...which unfortunately I did.  Fortunately, I was clever enough to stop the madness and not complete some of the books.  Does anyone really want to read a book that people give one or two stars to.  No, they do not.  I love to read.  I love to read books that are well written.  Seriously, I am paying more attention now. If the book gets 4 or 5 stars...I will try to get my hands on it.  If it gets a 3...I am going to have to think about it.  2 or 1...Why?  So with that idea in mind I am giving you my yes list of late and my don't even think about it list.

YES

1. Heaven is here by Stephanie Nielson  I know I mentioned it before but it really is such a good read so read it.
2. Bringing up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman.  I loved this book.  It compares child rearing in America to child rearing in France.  Super interesting.  Well written.  It had me laughing about how "American " I am.  Great food for thought on parenting.
3. Falling to heaven by James Ferrell.   This book will take you awhile. Phew.  I feel a little exhausted thinking back on reading this.  It is great.  It is deep.  The book is about your progression throught the Atonement of the Savior.
4. Janitors by Tyler Whitesides.  This was one of our read alouds.  The boys loved it and are excited for #2 to come out in Sept.  There are creatures in the school that feed on childrens brain waves making them unable to learn, feel sleepy or forgetful during class.  The janitors have special mops and brooms to rid the school of the creatures.  Super fun read.
5. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer.   I really enjoyed this book.  It is about a book a 12 year old genius who uses his brilliance to mastermind evil plots which he then carries out.  He has enemies in the business world and is about to make enemies in the fairy underground world.  It was so captivating I just read these on my own instead of with the boys like originally planned.  I finished #1 and 2 and am starting #3.  Plus the author is coming for a visit and I am planning on getting tickets to the event.
6. Beyonders #2 by Brandon Mull.  This is definitely for the older elementary school. Jason finds himself in the land beyond and cannot return until his adventure is complete. It has crazy creatures, great magic, good friendships, and of course an adventure to defeat Maldor.  Trev and I finished this one and will have to wait until next spring to find out what happens to all the characters.
7. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan.  This is the read aloud we are finishing right now.  My voice usually goes out way before they want me to stop.  This book is about a brother and a sister whose bloodline is from the Pharoahs.  Since the royal blood comes from both parents they could be quite a threat to those who want to rule now.  Unfortunately, their mother has passed away and when that occurred the children were seperated.  Their father didn't take the opportunity to tell them anything about their heritage so when he disappears they don't understand all the strange happenings that begin to occur.  Super fun fantasy.  I just hope my voice comes back. This is book one of the Kane Chronicles.

No

1. Defending Jacob by William Landay  The plot itself is interesting and draws you in.  It about the DA investigating a murder at the local school and after weeks of interviews they have no leads.  The very next week however the prime suspect is the District Attorneys son.  A super dark book with lots of language and that is what draws you away.  Hope the son didn't do it...wouldn't know...didn't finish it.
2. Wake up in Dixie by Haywood Smith.   Affair, brain tumor, changed man, changed marriage, weird family, and tons of language. Why?
3. It's all about the bike by Robert Penn.   If you are super into biking this might be your book.  Bikes Through the Ages could be another title.  This book is nonfiction and has lots of information.  They discuss what bikes are made of, the different frame designs, seats, manufacturers, etc.  For me (I really tried) it was like being on a stationary bike with no music and nothing to look at and that's why I never succeeded in being fit from riding a bike at the gym.  The book was kind of boring.
4. The End of Normal by Stephanie Madoff Mack.  This book covers how they met, their wedding, their success, the scandal of Bernie, the loss of friends, assets, relationships, and finally Mark took his own life.  This is tragic story.  There is language towards the last of the book which I took into account since it was nonfiction other than the other books with way too much language.  I never got into the story when it was all over the news.  With all the other books to read, maybe you could find another.
5. The particular sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender.  WOW.  The particular wackiness of a book that should not be opened.  The plot seems interesting enough...a girl can taste the emotions of the person who made the food.  Yup, reading the back synopsis is the best part. DO NOT READ THIS.  I don't recall language becasue I was too upset about how messed up the story is.

See what happens when you just pick up random books.  Ugh, horrible mess.  I am just giving my opinion so that no one has to endure the same pain.  Remember I started off with the positive so just pick one of those titles and then let me know what other great books are out there.

Oh yeah, to those who know our family has been watching different church movies, let me give you my opinion on those also.

• Scout Camp  Funny for someone like Trevor.  It is about a bunch of boys who go to camp(obvious from title) There are lots of little lessons of friendship, loyalty, and honesty.
• Forever Strong   Movie for the older children.  Trevor and Tyler really like this one.  Pretty good conversation will happen naturally after the movie about peer pressure, drinking, driving, consequences, modesty, and not giving up.
• Liken the Scriptures   This is like a musical scripture telling.  It is not horrible and yet it isn't that good either.  Maybe like a church straight to video type of movie.
• Scripture Bugs  Little bugs and a boy tell scripture stories.  Tyler enjoyed it and Trey really liked it.
• Family Home Evening with John Bytheway.   Excellent!  Really great lessons and good things to talk about.  I believe there are about 15 short videos according to topics for FHE.  Trevor,Tyler, Eric and I really enjoyed it. 

Well there you have it...too many of my opinions.

April ideas

I was thinking with all the books that came my way from the library I would let you know what I think in preparation for Mother's Day!

• By Small and Simple Things  BYU womens conference talks.  These are always filled with all the goodness you would experience at womens conference.
• Mothers of Faith by Gary Toyn  This is a fascinating and enormous book (300+ pages) about well know individuals who each write a tribute to/about their mothers.  I enjoyed reading about Mrs, Romney, Jimmer's mom, Sister Hinkley, Kyle Whittinghams mother,Harry Reids mom, and on and on.
• Christ's Gifts to Women by Heather Moore and Angela Eschler This is a beautiful book.  Beautiful art, beautiful script, and a beautiful message.  I loved that the messages of Christs gifts of mercy, experience, wholeness, nurturing, and seeing are accompanied by art.
• Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson.  If you are a super fan of her blog then you probably already own this.  If not, borrow from a friend or get it from the library.  I LOVED it!
• Doing what we came to do, living a life of love by Ardeth Kapp.  This is the only one I have not read yet.  However, I feel confident in this book being a good one.  I love her as a person and have enjoyed her other messages.

Just in case you needed an idea other than flowers, jewelry, photographs, etc.  Happy Spring!

March Reads

Pioneer Women cookbook.  Love it.  In fact, it has three of my favorite recipes from her blog.  Eric loves the creamy tomato sauce over pasta.  I love the burritos and the chicken enchiladas.  We always order the chips and salsa and grilled corn quac at Chili's and she has a recipe for that too.  We are fans of her cooking show and have tried many of the recipes only to finish the meal smiling.  WOW.  Eric just did the steak with peppercorn sauce, salad, bread, and her onion strings for dinner last night.  I could live happily making the recipes from her blog, but the book is awesome.


Darkfall by Janice Hardy.   I really enjoyed the conclusion of this series.  I reread Blue Fire#2 so I could get in my mind all the characters again. I don't really want to write about this last book because if you haven't read the first one, Shifter, then you should.  Plus, now you know that the series is finished and you won't have to wait for the true ending like I did.  Great read. Enjoy.

Beyonders #2 by Brandon Mull.  When you buy two books for your boys and you don't have one for yourself it gets a little tricky.  I asked Tyler if I could borrow his soon and he said yes.

Skinny Chicks eat Real Food by Christine Avanti.  For me, it was reading about a girl and her clients who don't eat anything I do. If I was going to make changes to my eating habits this book would be one I would take another look at.  I like many of the ideas, but the reality is I am trying to get one of my children to just take a bite of chicken.  I am not too worried what part of the country it came from or what it was fed or if it is organic or if it just says it is on the label.  I would be happy if he would take just one bite. I like the menu included for breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas.

Happy Reading!

February Reads

I am not going to make a list of what I read this time.  Some of my friends tease me about going to the library...so I thought I would tell you what I have checked out right now

Anne of Green Gables movie, Anne of Avonlea movie, Batman movie, Artemis Fowl, Cutie Pies, The Darcys and the Bingleys, The Power of Nice, A Jane Austen Education, Deceptively Delicious (it totally works), Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Sunset.  See I don't even have that many things checked out.  

I will finish these books up and be ready for Darkfall #3, Beyonders #2, and Pioneer Woman's new cookbook.  Happy Reading!

This month I was actually a bit under the weather so I didn't get to read very much.
I started Artemis Fowl and was enjoying it when I had to return it.  Cutie Pies is a book I would buy.  The pies turn out perfect.  The crust forms well and is flaky and holds all the goodness that each recipe suggests.  The power of nice I have read several times...obviously I like it because my intention was to read it again.  It is written by two business women about how companies can thrive by being nice and then it has homework assignments after each chapter.  I remember that I really liked that part. 
Deceptively Delicious I have mentioned before too but since we hid veggies in the burgers with such success I decided to look at what other recipes might work. I didn't get to any Jane Austen book-a-likes but did watch Mansfield Park.  I loved the line "I love you like a man loves a woman, like a hero loves his heroine."  Sunset is written by Michael Wilcox.  I have liked each of his books.  His wife passed away and while she was sick he kept a journal.  This book is not written in journal form at all.  It describes the road (the road he is still on) of suffering, loss, hope, and faith.  I found it to be written so well that it causes you to feel grief, sadness, and loss over a person who is a stranger.  You feel the reality of the Gospel also but you feel sad for such a love to be separated for a time.

January Reads

The only thing worth mentioning this month is Inheritance by Christopher Paolini.

This is the last installment of the Eragon books.  I have enjoyed these all along and when I went to put it on hold at the library I was #72 on the list.  Of course the libray had purchased over 25 copies so it wouldn't take too long.  I checked a little later and I was #22.  Yea.  I checked again and it wasn't listed anymore.  I went in and they said it had been on hold for me but that I hadn't come in to pick it up.  Seriously?  They said they could put it back on hold for me.  I would be #248.

Anywhoooooo

Kara, my sweet sister-in-law, heard the tragic tale and mailed her copy to me.  Happy New Year to me!!  Is she great or what?  I will answer my own silly question.  She is so great.

Who reads all the books in a series except the last one? If you liked the others in the series go ahead and read the last one.  You will enjoy it.

December Reads

Everyone has their favorite Christmas reads and here are the three that were my favorite this season.


The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke. This book has long been a favorite of mine.  It has been out of print for what seems like forever. I check it out every year from the library UNTIL THIS YEAR.  I was beside myself when I saw that they had brought it back.  Yippee!  The story is similiar to A Christmas Carol. The story is about a man who does not truly give of himself  though he does give quite a bit of money away.  He falls asleep only to dream that he has passed away.  An angel invites him along the path to see the mansion that has been prepared for him.  Others join him and the angel on this walk.  It begins with large, grand mansions and the angel invites individuals to go and see the mansion that has been prepared for them.  The man and the angel continue to walk until there are no more mansions.  He finds himself in a large field looking at a hut.  He exclaims, Surely this is not the mansion for me?  Are you interested in reading it...the best part is when the man and the angel begin their discussion about true living and giving and that the Master remembers all the good that we do...Just go buy it.

Secret Santa by Anne Osborn Poelman. I love this book also.  It was and is out of print.  As you can imagine I check it out at the library during the Christmas season.  It is about a family trying to survive during the Depression years.  It is a work of fiction, however, the story is similiar to real events from her husbands life.  It feels personal. I cried.  The father in the story must stand in long lines to wait for an opportunity to work for the day.  He does this day after day.  His health is declining.  The son is very bright, has a great job, and has the opportunity to get a scholarship.  The daughter is compared to the brother and she cannot compete.  She is concerned about how to fit in and the boundaries that surround a family that doesn't have much money.  As Christmas nears, what will they do for food?  What they do for presents?  In the last chapter the family sits around and recalls their favorite Christmas memories and this particular Christmas is the one that they all mention.  It really is such a sweet story.

I am half sick of Shadows (#4Flavia books) by Alan Bradley.  Most people know that I am a super fan of these mystery books.  Hilarious.  Of course I enjoyed it.  Their home is being used by a film crew during the Christmas season.  There is a murder and Flavia must solve it.  Flavia is eleven by the way, wants to catch Santa, loves her chemistry sets, dislikes her sisters, and reading about her made my own Christmas season better.  It has all the wit plus some extra you have come to expect from Mr Bradley. I heart Flavia murder mysteries.

November Reads

I capture the castle by Dodie Smith  Everyone talked about this book for so long that I finally picked it up.  It is well written and so fun to read.  Their father wrote a novel and made a significant amount of money.  He then bought a beautiful castle.  Cassandra, his daughter, would like to also become an author.  She starts by writing in her journal the happenings at their castle.  I love all the drama of the romances, the not so romantic encounters, and the dream of romance.  I wish some of the romance could have worked out (I am not alone in this by the way) (Thanks for backing me up Andrea)

The Blue castle by L M Montgomery  I loved this book.  I wish I had a daughter to share this book with. Valancy has this drab room, with a drab life, with drab relatives that put her down.  She goes to the Doctor and receives the diagnosis that she has a year to live.  She instantly changes.  I love the part where she is at the family dinner and the uncle tells a joke and she blatantly stops him to remind him that they have each heard the joke many times and that it isn't even that funny.  I only mention that one happening since it is so wonderful (and the least dramatic) and just the beginning of what she ends up doing with her last year to live.