The Starcatchers Series by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson

I had fun reading the four books in this series and can't wait to see what the other book The Bridge to Neverland has to offer.  This series is a fun take on the story Peter Pan and how he came to be  and where he is from.  I think this is a fun series and very easy to read for anyone.

In book one we are introduced to Peter and the Starcatchers.  Starcatchers are a secret organization that finds and prevents the Others from finding Starstuff, magical and deadly dust.  Peter and some other orphans find themselves on the same boat at a shipment of stolen starstuff and find themselves helping a young Starcatcher Molly, keep the starstuff away from pirate Captian Stache (later to become Captain Hook).  During this adventure Peter comes in contact with a significant amount of starstuff and finds that he can fly and will never age.

In book two Peter and the orphans along with the Indian tribe, Mullusk, and Captain Hook are on their island and find out that a very dark, evil person is on the island trying to find the hidden starstuff.  When they realize this starstuff is not on the island they head to London to find Molly and her father.  Peter along with Tink head to London to save Molly and her family.  Their main goal is to help Molly's father, with the help of a friend, George, to return the starstuff before this horrible creature can steal it.

Book three finds Molly and her father heading back to Neverland to warn Peter that Lord Ohmbra, the evil monster, is coming to take him because his father was a Watcher.  A Watcher is the special person on earth who can determine where starstuff falls.  Peter has this ability too and is taken from the island with the orphan boys and sent to Rundoon.  Here Peter is forced to find the starstuff than has fallen to earth in order to help Lord Ohmbra use the starstuff to destroy the universe.  While preventing this from happening the starstuff falls on a ship that George and the orphan boys have taken and find the ship flying through the air back to Neverland.  The original four orphans head back to London with Molly and her father while a new set of orphans that came with them from Rundoon stay on Neverland.

23 years later we find ourselves on Neverland.  The starstuff fell into the water and therefore has allowed everyone on the island to never grow old.  Molly and George are married and have three chidren.  Can you guess what their names are?  Strange men have arrived at the island searching for the hidden starstuff and in London Lord Ohmbra has returned and taken some of the previous orphan boys and Molly and George in order to find a secret stach of starstuff.  Wendy heads to Neverland to ask Peter to help her save her family.  Peter and Tink find themselves once again in London confronting old enemies as well as new ones.

Cut by Patricia McCormick

Callie is a young teenager who cuts herself to escape her loneliness and pain.  She finds herself at Sea Pines, a treatment facility.  She refuses to talk to anyone feeling even more out of place among the drug addicts, anemics, and obese patients in her group.  She finds herself even more upset when another girl arrives who cuts herself as well but is very open about it.  No one in Callie's group even know that she cuts herself.  We follow her as she goes from her individual therapy session to group sessions and sits there thinking about things around her and watching how the other girls cope with their disorders as well as watching one young woman who continues to throw up and throw away her food.  It is written with her thoughts and what she assumes others are thinking.

This is an incredibly easy read and I finished it in one evening.  Blake got this for one of his students that likes to read stories about people with problems that seem worse than her own.  In my opinion this young lady can relate to these other teens in the books and hopefully she finds some solace and inspiration to continue with life and eventually become a better person.  She definately is one of Blake's harder students to cope with, but Blake is one of the few adults that can get her to do her work and try hard.  I think this is a good book for people to read especially teens since many, even if they do not have a disorder, can relate to feelings of hopelessness and loneliness at times.  This can even give kids who are struggling with something a little hope and push to overcome what they are struggling with.

Sleeping Love by Sara Curran-Ross

I downloaded this book a long time ago when it was a free kindle book thinking it might me a Cinderella type book.  Well, definately is not a Cinderella fairy tale type book, but it was still a decent book.  I can't say that I will ever read it again, but it was a different romance book than most that I have read.

Sabrina Michaels is a historian that lost her memory 7 years ago and finds herself at the wealthy Raoul Valoire's mansion under the pretense that she is doing research on one of his famous relatives.  She soon finds out that Raoul claims that he is her husband and will not let her leave until she regains her memory.  Sabrina fights against this not knowing whether to trust him or not since she was beaten badly and raped when she lost her memory.  Raoul invites all the suspects for a weekend in order to determine who was responsible for Sabrina's dissappearance.  She must find the courage to confront her memories and decide whether to trust Raoul as her husband or go back to her life in London. 

While the overall story was decent, I was a little disappointed with the ending and how many people Sara decided to have involved in the conspiracy.  I think there were just a few too many people and a slightly unrealistic ending.  I would not suggest spending money to buy this kindle book, but if it is free again go for it.

Watched Series by Cindy Hogan

Christy is a 15 year old with incredible intellect and a photographic memory.  She wins a contest to go to New York with a youth political group in hopes of changing her life since she is bullied at her school.  She had no clue that this trip will definately change her life as she and her group witness a murder from a terrorist group.  She and her friends are followed and one girl is even kidnapped.  They get in contact with the FBI and with their help the first book "Watched" ends with all of the kids returning home believing they are safe.

In the second book "Protected" Christy and a friend are kidnapped and are luckily rescued by the FBI and put into witness protection.  Christy has a chance to become a popular cheerleader as she begins her new life as Melissa.  She is trained and continues training in self-defense in order to protect herself if any of the terrorist groups find her.  She has become the main target of power and whichever group kills her becomes the leading terrorist group.  When Melissa is found she must once again change her idendity and become a gothic, biker girl.

The third book takes Christy or Ari at this time and all of her political field trip group to Europe to a spy school as the the terrorists are finally captured.  Christy and many of her friends find themselves being trained for various spy positions.  Ari finds that she has the ability to become a great spy and even ends up on an important FBI mission to prove her abilities.  She has a choice to continue with spy training or to finally go back home.  You will have to read to see what her future is.

It may sound like a dumb series to read, but I really enjoyed reading them.  The first book is free on Kindle right now and the second two are only $3.99.  The only thing that bugged me with the series is that it is painfully obvious the author has LDS ties and she doesn't outright say that Christy is LDS but she isn't Catholic or Protestant.  She mentions Christy's strict parents with no dating until 16, no drinking, smoking, tatoos, piercings, and she mentions multiple times things her youth leaders taught her.  Yes, it is good that Christy must try to keep her values while also going through the witness protection and missions, but it detracted from the story by inserting these paragraphs of inner turmoil and religious conflicts.  You don't need to put such a strong religious perspective in it to make it a good book.  Otherwise, it was fun and I enjoyed reading something other than classic literature or fantasy.

A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans

Blake found this book in a shed when his brother moved into his new place a couple years ago.  I didn't notice it on the shelf until a couple weeks ago and decided to try it out since I was having a hard time getting though A Casual Vacancy.  I really enjoyed this book and want to get the rest for Christmas now.  I know there are at least three books in the series.  I will have to look up more information to see if there are more books to come.

This is not a young adult fantasy, but a nice adult fantasy without the language or sex that seems to accompany so many adult books.  Blake gives me a hard time for reading young adult literature and not adult or classic literature more.  Honestly, most adult literature I have a hard time reading now because I find myself focusing on the language and sexual content and not being able to just read and enjoy the book.  Classic literature is often hard and slow to read.  I read for enjoyment,  not to increase my vocabulary and intelect.  I apologize if this does not seem like a good enough reason to read, but for me it is good enough and does not need to make me think or increase my intelect.

Our main character is Konowa Swift Dragon, a former commander of the Iron Elves who were disbanded when Konowa murdered an evil Viceroy without permission from the Queen.  He was then exiled in the forest, which he hates since he is a tainted elf touched by the Dark Shadow Monarch and can not bond with an Oak like other regular elves.  He finds himself called back to command the Iron Elves under the command of the Prince however, the Iron Elves no longer include elves, but regular men and one dwarf.  They are in search of "The Star" so that the Shadow Monarch does not get it for Her power.  Unfortunately, they also learn that the Prince wants the Star and all other magical relics for a museum of education.  They fight extinct monsters and find that the Iron Elves are now cursed and when they die they become Shades forced to continue fighting with the Iron Elves.  Book 1 ends with a terrific battle and the Star is kept safe from the Shadow Monarch, however, they find that the Shadow Monarch did not necessarily want the Star but wanted the Iron Elves for herself.  Konowa must now fight his dark power along with the entire batallion in order to keep themselves from falling into Her hands.

The Beyonders by Brandon Mull

Who hasn't heard of Brandon Mull, author of the great series Fablehaven?  He has another book called The Candy Shop War which is a fun little book, but nothing compared to Fablehaven.  He even has a children's book .  All of which we have.  The Beyonders series is a fun series.  I have really enjoyed reading the first two books and now can't wait to get the third to see how the story is completed.

Jason Walker is like any normal eigth grader and focused on becoming a great baseball player until one day he hears music coming from a hippo at the zoo he works at and finds himself falling into the hippo's pool and being swallowed by this hippo and transported to another world.  In hopes to find his way home, he finds himself in a tower searching their books to find a portal back home.  Unfortunately for him, he reads a book that leads him on an unexpected journey to find "the word" to destroy the evil wizard ruling Lyrian.  The first book takes him on his journey to find all the syllables to this magical word and along the way he meets up with another girl from his world and together they search.

In the second book, Jason must find his way back to Lyrian after being sent back to his time at the end of the first book.  He has to find a way to let his friends know the word does not work.  He and his entourage find themselves making a journey to the oracle in order to find out what the future holds for them and whether they have a chance to destroy Maldor.  They encounter living dead creatures, torivors, and many other crazy things along their journey just to find out they must split into two groups and go on another adventure to a greater oracle.

I have enjoyed these two books and left out a lot of fun little details so as not to give away too many things.  For a young adult book I think they are worth reading and introducing to your library.  The characters and monsters are all believable and not too out there.  Some stories just have too many crazy creatures that are hard to imagine since they author spent too much time trying to make them original.  Brandon Mull used creatures we are all familiar with if you read a lot of young adult fantasy, yet they still have believable little twists that others have not used before which I like.  Book 3 comes out March 13, 1013 so we will have to be patient for a little while to finish the series.

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

I actually read this book when it first came out and really liked it.  I did't do a review on it since I started this blog a while after reading it.  I got a third of the way through A Tale of Two Cities and just couldn' concentrate on it enough with all the distractions around the house.  So I will pick it up here and there on nights that I'm not grading/filing papers or taking care of kids/dogs.  I have been wanting to reread The Host for a while and finally decided to to pick it up.  It is an incredibly quick read and I actually skimmed through a lot of it since I've read it before.  I really like this book.  It was creative and makes you sympathize with Wanda, the Host race, and humans.

Wanda is part of the Host race, or aliens for Earth, that are worm-like creatures that take control of the host body and become that person.  On other planets they take over plants or other creatures as well.  They tend to take over things that seem to not be able to control themselves and cause more harm than good.  They take over in order to better utilize the host's abilities and have a more positive affect on the environment.  Humans are seen as too harmful and wasteful so these aliens start to take over.  We are introduced to the story when almost all humans have been occupied and there are just a few rogue humans left.  Wanda is put into one of the rogue humans that were captured in hopes that she can find the rest of the human group.  Unfortunately for Wanda, her human soul does not disappear and talks to her in her mind.  She finds herself in love with Melanie's boyfriend and her younger brother that she follows Melanie's instructions to find Melanie's uncle's hideout.

You can imagine the reception Wanda gets when they arrive at the hidden human camp.  It takes a lot of convincing to get them to believe the Melanie is still alive inside her.  Wanda has to get used to being around humans and vice a versa.  There are a lot of hard feelings to overcome and hurt feelings since everyone has had someone taken from them.  I'll let you read the book to see how it ends and what kind of agreement it made to make everyone happy.

1984 by George Orwell

In the end I really enjoyed this book.  I did not particularly care for Orwell's Animal Farm and honestly 1984 is just a human form of Animal Farm in a way.  It is still frustrating that the book ends with no future and the main character finally falls into stupidity and not being able to care or have his own free thoughts.  Orwell really makes you think about the different classes in society and how people can be so easily manipulated.  He decieves you during the book believing Winston is strong and will join the 'rebellion' and fight for a better life.  He really does try and wants to, but in the end he is decieved and tortured to the point that he betrays and loses all his feeling, self-worth,  and character.  He becomes just like every else.

It is sad to see that it could be very possible for society to be taken over and molded in any way the government wants.  They are fed information that the people just readily believe and are forced to live in such a way that they do not have time to think or feel.  They just believe all the lies that are given to them believing it is the truth and they are happy and living better than ever before.  The key to power is keeping everyone working hard and living poorly.  The poor never get better and the middle class always works to overtake the rich while the rich try to stay in power.  They soon become lax and the middle class combines with the lower class to overthrow the upper class.  The middle class then becomes the upper class and the poor never move up.  It is such an interesting thing to think about and realize there is a lot of truth to Orwell's writing.  Not quite to the extent that he portrays, but on a smaller level today.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

This summer has been crazy and I found I had very little time or energy to read. By the end of the day I just wanted to sit down and do absolutely nothing which sadly meant turning on the tv to watch the History Channel and Connan. Yep, not the greatest use of my time so I finally decided it was time to start working out again and reading. To get back in the mood I decided I needed to read something with a little more literary value since Blake has really been pushing that instead of the young adult and romance books. He is actually very against the clean romance books I've read. So I looked through his shelves of what he deems good literature and chose something I had never read, was a short story, and something I felt I should probably be familiar with since it is a book you hear many people talk about. Sadly, I have never read Animal Farm. There are many classic books out there that I feel I should read since they seem to be basic books everyone else read in high school yet somehow I missed all of them. Wuthering Heights, Great Expectations, just to name a few. I honestly do not look forward to reading these since it takes time and is something I have to really concentrate on and think about. I have not yet moved past reading simple, easy-going books for ones that require some thought. Blake only enjoys reading when he feels he is learning something from it and finding himself evaluating himself and society. I wish I was to that point, but I find when I read these books I get irritated with the injustice going on. I have really found that I do not like anything (movies or books) that cause me to be scared or irritated. I read books and watch movies to relax, feel good, and laugh. So onto Animal Farm. It is a very easy read and a short story. It is about animals taking over their farm and driving away the humans. The pigs take over and at first life is much better for all of them, but like many societies, there is that one person that desires to be in complete control and get a lot while doing nothing. This happens when Nepolean, one of the pigs, drives away the other main pig that seemed to work towards the greater good for everyone and keeping to their 7 Commandments. Nepolean makes the other animals work harder with less food while the pigs live in the farm house and in the end start walking on two legs and wearing clothes. It is interesting that the last page the other animals realize that there is no longer any difference between the pigs or humans. So Geroge Orwell wrote this book to show how revolutions in the beginning are for a just cause, but in the end they can become worse than what they had before. I hit to the Soviet Union and other governments that were supporting the Soviets during WWII. I really felt that it was portraying the ignorance and lack of education that the common citizen has which causes governments to become corrupt and take away your rights. Most of the animals just went along with whatever the pigs said because they did not understand, could not read/write, and would not take the time to really learn. The pigs where able to play on each species weaknesses to keep control of the whole farm, making it impossible for anyone to question or even think about another revolution. Even today, I would say a majority of the public has no idea what is going on with the government and have no desire to educate themselves and become involved. They just expect others to do that for them and keep their lives going good. I am one of those that does not keep myself informed or vote in county elections. This could be very damaging since things could be passed that are not in my best interest, but I, along with many others, do not get involved or seem to care. Our ignorance and lack of education in the end could cause us to loose our basic rights if someone like Nepolean where to ever get in control.

Janitors by Tyler Whitesides

Blake picked up this book a long time ago and suggested that I read it at some point.  Well, honestly a year later I finally decided to read it since it seemed really short and easy to read.  Something I could finish before we leave for a couple of days.  Well, it was short and easy to read and kind of fun to read.  I did not have high hopes for it since the back cover talks about how mothers and other people who clean a lot will appreciate this book.  That does not really get me interested, however, I am glad I read it.  It is not a series I am 'needing' to go out and get, but I would eventually like to get the rest of the series.  It is a fun book that is definately geared more for elementary/early middle school age.  Well, our main characters are in 6th grade.

Spencer finds himself being bullied by Dez and one day ends up with an Algebra equation written across his face in permanent marker.  In hopes to get it off he finds this soap in the bathroom, however, once he washes his face with it he starts to see magical creatures around the school and no one else can see them.   He teams up with gullible Daisy and has her wash her face with the soap so she can help him.  The BEM, a government janitor section, shows up and has Spencer help them to retrieve a magical hammer and nail from the wizard that has set up his domain in the school.  Unfortunately Spencer finds out later that the BEM are the bad guys and the janitors of the school are in fact the good guys.

The janitors use their magical "glop' powers to kill these creatures that suck up brain waves from children.  The three creatures suck up brain waves from children making the children dumb.  Some make the kids fall asleep while others distract them.  Each creature has it's own territory it prefers.  Like Grime prefers bathrooms and drinking fountains that build up slimy residue.  It really grosses you out and makes you want to never go in a public area.  See, when kids get older they use less brain waves because they tend to be less eager to learn, that is why the creatures like elementary schools and all the janitors in the country are meant to keep the schools clear of them.

I will warn you that this book is not necessarily the most entertaining thing you will read, but it is just a fun book that puts a twist on schools and janitors.  Most of the story seems almost believable by the way Whitesides incorporates the magical creatures, kids, and janitors in the story.  It really brings you back to Elementary school and how annoying some kids can be.

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

This is the fifth book of The Mortal Instruments series.  I was very disappointed when I found out Clare was continueing this series instead of just ending it at book three.  I am one that believes most series should never go past three books.  You tend to forget the previous books and lose interest by the time the last book comes out, but you must read it since you read the others.  Well, the fourth book left me believing this, however, this book made me glad she continued with the series.  I found it very enjoyable to read especially since it was not incredibly sappy and "all about Jace with his shirt off" as Blake would say.

Sabastian still has a link with Jace and therefore has control over him.  The two of them disappear in the fourth book and so everyone is out looking for him.  Clary, Alec, Magnus, Isabelle, and Simon go out on their own to find Jace and save him from Sabastian.  Unfortunately, they find out the bond between them affects the other.  When one gets hurt the other does.  So, they can't kill Sabastian without killing Jace.  Clary goes off with Jace and Sabastian while Simon and the others try to find a weapon that will kill Sabastian, but not Jace.

I liked that during the book I began to second guess the true intent of Sabastian and wonder if he really is not that bad of a guy and really cares about Jace and especially Clary.  I liked that Clare was able to do this.  I also enjoyed, although sad, that Alec struggles with trying to keep Magnus close to him to the point that Magnus leaves.  They have a cute relationship and you hate to see them separate.  It will be interesting to see what happens to Alec in the next book since it leaves you hanging as to whether or not he will get killed by Maureen, the vampire that Simon formed.

I will admit that reading this book so close to The Infernal Devices gets me a little confused with trying to keep the stories straight.  I also do not know how much I enjoy reading about Will in The Mortal Instruments.  Clare mentions him a couple times and talks a lot about Parabatoi.  It makes me wonder if she gets stuck on an idea for one book and ends up incorporating it into the other.  I felt like I was reading the same book twice because of the similarities.  Yes, they are both about Shadowhunters so there will be similarities, but maybe she should have waited to come out with The Infernal Devices until all of The Mortal Instruments were out.

I think this is a fun series to read, especially girls who are not very interested in reading.  My husband was talking in his English class about how he tried to read the first book, but could not get past reading about Jace with his shirt off all the time.  Well, shortly after that discussion a young lady in his class, who had never enjoyed reading before, came up to him and said she loved the book and was getting the rest of the series.  Her parents even came to Blake and could not believe she was actually reading.  So, I guess what I am trying to say, if you are not much of a reader, one book may not work for you but I guarantee there is something out there you would enjoy so keep picking up books until you find a genre you enjoy.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

 This is the second book of The Infernal Devices series set approximately 100 years before Jace and Clary.  I have enjoyed these books, although I may have to go back to the first book and reread it since I do not remember much of Tessa's beginning story so I was lost at some points not remembering the first book.  As many second books, this one did not seem to ever get incredibly suspenseful or anything.  You just read along with very little emotional change, but it is very important to set us up for the third book and what Mortmain might try to do.

We still do not know who exactly Tessa is or where she came from, but her involvement in this book is needed.  She uses her power to transform in order to try to find out where Mortmain is.  She, along with the others in the Institute have two weeks to find Mortmain or lose the Institute to the Lightwood family.

We do find out why Will is negative and honestly just crazy.  He believes he has had a curse placed on him where all who love him will die.  It is not until the end of the book that he and Magnus Bane are able to summon the demon who put the curse on him.  He finds out at this point that the demon never put the curse on him, but just killed his sister.  Unfortunately for Will, by the time he finds this out, he is so excited to love Tessa, but Jem has proposed to Tessa and she has agreed to marry her.  I can honestly say that one part of me believes Cassandra will somehow make it work out for Will and Tessa to be together, but is she going to kill Jem to do so or find another girl for Jem.  I find it hard to believe she will actually keep Tessa and Jem together unless she kills Will.  I guess we will just have to wait and find out.

Mortmain is never found, but we find out he has drugged werewolves and killed them in order to build a clockwork army.  He has blackmailed the Lightwood father to help in his cause and Tessa's brother is involved as well, however, Tessa is involed with his death when he tries to kill all of them at the Institute. And little Jessamine surprises us by being a spy and marrying Tessa's brother.  She ends up in the Silent City prison to think about how she was decieved and used.  Quite a sad ending for her.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

The Scarlet Pimpernel.  Blake and I read this at the same time and we enjoyed it.  It is not anything spectacular or entertaining, but a classic book.  Baroness Emmuska Orczy is a very talented woman.  She is best known for her Scarlet Pimpernel series, but she also had some paintings accepted by the Royal Academy in London.  It was not until I finished reading this book and went to start this review that I learned there are ten books all based off of The Scarlet Pimpernel.  This is the most famous of her writings.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is set in Paris, 1972 when the citizens of France were beheading all royalists and their families.  The Scarlet Pimpernel is our unknown hero who helps to smuggle out the rich to safety in England.  Agent Chauvelin sets out to find and kill the Scarlet Pimpernel and seeks out the help of Lady Blakeney.  She is a born frenchman but married Lord Blakeney, an englishman.  She does not agree with the way things are going in France and her brother has become involved with the Scarlet Pimpernel.  In order to keep him alive, she is blackmailed by Chaevelin to help determine who the Scarlet Pimpernel is.

Lady Blakeney does not have much of a relationship with her husband since she carelessly was involved with getting a royal family killed in France.  Her husband does not trust her and therefore can not forgive her for what she has done.  It is not until later that Lady Blakeney comes to the realization that her husband is actually the Scarlet Pimpernel.  This knowledge is not really hidden from you since you suspect this towards the beginning of the book.  Well, at this time the Scarlet Pimpernel is heading to France to rescue her brother and others in need of rescuing not knowing that Lady Blakeney has given Chauvelin the information he needed to figure out who our Scarlet Pimpernel is.

We follow Lady Blakeney the rest of the story as she flews to France to warn her husband, but ironically enough, she never speaks to him until the end of the book.  She actually does very little other than hiding the entire time and watching from a distance.  At some point she is caught by Chauvelin and could have easily been ransomed or held captive in order to lure the Scarlet Pimpernel to turn himself in.  Luckily for them, the Scarlet Pimpernel is crafty and able to escape and get everyone safely to England while renewing his love with Lady Blakeney.

Like I said, an enjoyable book, but nothing too fancy or crazy romantic.  Just an enjoyable read that focuses on loyalty, trust, and honesty.  I do wish to read some of the other books based off of The Scarlet Pimpernel to see how Baroness Orczy continues her story.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Review by Lauryn Heaton

Blake picked this book up while he was shopping thinking it may be interesting to read since the movie came out and we have heard many good things about it.  Still have not seen the movie, but at some point I would like to see how it compares to the book.  I honestly have nothing bad to say about this book.  It was very enjoyable to read and stirred emotions.  You laugh, you ache, and get upset.  I think it really got to me being a mother and having lived in Mississippi for 5 years as well.  I can see it really appealing to women since this book follows three women during the 1960's.  

Aibileen is one of our main female characters.  She is a black maid in her 50's and living all alone.  Her son was killed 2 years ago when the book starts.  She works for a white family who tries to fit in with the very well-to-do but do not have the money to really fit in.  The mother is so concerned about spending time with her friends and making the house and herself look presentable that she does not take care of her daughter.  In fact, she pretty much dislikes her daughter since she is not considered pretty enough.  Now her daughter it 2 years old and just wants her mother.  Aibileen pretty much is her mother and teaches her everything.  

Minny is another black maid who has an attitude and speaks her mind more than she should.  She gets fired from jobs a lot and is currently taking care of an older woman.  She has 5 children and a husband that drinks and beats her.  Hilly is a very well-to-do white female who is the head of the women's league and is the older woman's daughter.  Hilly insists on putting her mother in a rest home and accusses Minny of stealing and fires her.  She then prevents anyone from hiring Minny.  Minny ends up with Miss. Celia, a white-trash girl that marries into money.  Celia is also shunned from society for not growing up 'right' and stealing Hilly's man.  

Skeeter is a 23 year old white female who has recently graduated from college and is trying to get an editor job.  Unfortunately, no one will hire her because she is a female and she finally gets a job writing a cleaning article each week.  Sadly, Skeeter does not know anything about cleaning and so she starts talking to Aibileen in order to answer cleaning questions.  Skeeter later on decides to write a book written from interviews of black maids.  It takes a very long time to convince others to join in, but after Hilly gets her maid sent to jail for 4 years and prevents the maid's sons from going to college, Skeeter ends up with 13 maids offering their stories of working for white people.  

Things blow up when the book is finally published and the people of Jackson find out that the book is written about them.  Hilly at first tries to find out who the stories are about and who wrote it since the book is anonymous and has different names.  She gets many maids fired, but there are some that refuse to fire their maids since the book is eye-opening for them and some have a great relationship with them.  When Hilly finishes the book she is inclined to try to convince the people of Jackson that this book is not about them since she has one very embarrassing and disgusting story about her in it.  This does not stop her from trying to ruin each maids life and Skeeters.  

A wonderful book that looks into the life of blacks and women during the 60's.  It will make you look at yourself as a mother and friend.  You will also look to see if you really have a true friendship with those around you or are you just trying to put on a good appearance and be someone you are not.  

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Entry by Blake Heaton (Lauryn's husband)

This was a fantastic novel.  It takes place during World War II.  But don't be fooled, it is not the conventional war novel.  Rather the setting of the novel is at a male boarding school called Devon in New Hampshire.  The story is told by a boy named Gene Forrester, and largely circles around his friend Phineas, or better known as Finny.  

The book begins with Gene returning to Devon.  While walking through the campus he recalls the summer of 1942, when he was 16 years old.  The book then takes on the form of a flashback.  Gene was an intellectual student who did well in his studies.  His roommate was Finny, who excelled at any type of sport.  Thourghout the summer Finny continually stretches the rules, but manages to avoid any type of punishment due to his abundant charisma.  Finny continually drags Gene with him, even when Gene doesn't feel like going.  They form a secret club called the Secret Suicide Society, and meet every night.  The club meets by the river, and every night they jump off a tree limb that protrudes over the river.  

Gene constantly struggles with his friendship with Finny.  The novel plays with jealousy, envy, and all the other emotions that lie just below the surface of true friendship.  One day, Gene has a conversation with Finny that makes him believe that the reason Finny continually drags him around is so that he will fail in his studies.  Gene believes that Finny is resentful of his good grades.  This realization emboldens Gene, and he redoubles his study habits.  He still continues to attend the club meetings, but makes a point to get good grades and work hard.  

Finny is incorrigible in his manner.  He continues to invent new games and stretch the rules.  Towards the end of the summer, on the night before a big test, Finny once again drags Gene out of their dorm to the tree.  Finny then comes up with idea that they both should jump off the limb at the same time while holding hands, thus cementing their friendship.  Once in the tree, all the bitter feelings that Gene has towards Finny rise to the surface and take hold of Gene physically.  Gene bounces the tree limb, and Finny falls breaking his leg.  

Gene struggles with the guilt of what he has done, and tries to confess to Finny on several occasions.  But Finny refuses to believe that Gene would have done such a thing.  Phineas appears to be in some sort of deep denial.  A few months after the fall semester begins, Phineas returns to school.  The two are roommates once again.  

The novel then explores the reality of the war to these teenage boys.  Finally a boy by the name of Leper enlists.  He then goes AWOL and returns a disillusioned young man who has lost all of his prep-school innocence.  Finny continues to be himself, but cannot overcome his limp.  The doctors say that he will never again be the athlete that he was.  Perhaps because of guilt Gene puts off enlisting, and opts instead to stay at school with Finny.

Towards the end of the book another boy by the name of Brinker Hadley decides to call Gene out into the open and put to rest all the suspicions that were circling Finny's injury.  In the dead of night they hold an inquisition.  It is during this inquisition that Finny remembers exactly what happened.  He runs from the room, and trips down the stairs, breaking his leg again.  

Gene waits until the doctors leave and then confronts Finny through the window.  He apologizes and sees the emotional suffering that he has caused etched on Finny's face.  The next day he is requested to take some of Phineas's things to the infirmiry.  Gene does so and once again confronts his friend.  Finny seems to lapse once again into a type of denial, asking if Gene had really had intentions to hurt him, or if it was just something that came over him.  Gene says that he didn't have intentions to hurt him, and Finny appears to try and convince himself that this is true.  Later that day Gene returns to see Finny, but the doctor tells him that he has died.  He claims some marrow escaped the bone while he attempted to set it, and made its way to Phineas's heart.

The book concludes with the army moving into Devon, and Gene and Brinker explaining what branches of the service they have opted to join.  

This was a great book.  It dealt heavily on the themes of friendship and trust.  I could analyze the characters of Phineas and Gene for hours.  I also liked how it portrayed the war.  It offered a new perspective of how the kids of that era grew up.  The war was a part of them, it helped define who they were as human beings.  Gene is a very complex character (as is Finny).  Throughout the book the reader knows Gene's darkest secret, and yet it feels like Gene is always holding something back, as though he is afraid to show true affection and love towards anyone, including Finny.  I loved this book, and I hope that all can read it.  While it won't keep your attention with fast-paced action, it will broaden your understanding of human nature with its deep-seeded philisophical anthropologic portrayals of the human character.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Entry by Blake Heaton (Lauryn's husband)

Best book ever!  I'm not kidding.  This book completely blew my mind.  The Preface alone is amazing.  The novel takes place in 19th century England.  It opens with an artist named Basil Hallward.  He is painting a portrait of a young man named Dorian Gray.  As he completes the portrait, Basil's friend Lord Henry calls.  Dorian Gray is at once enraptured by Lord Henry (also called Harry).  Lord Henry plays the part of the advocate.  He never really takes a stance on one item or another, he merely throws out new perspectives.  His dialogue is rich in aphorisms, and paradoxes.  

The story moves from focusing on Basil, to focusing on Lord Henry, and then on to Dorian himself.  Basil wanted to keep Dorian from knowing Lord Henry because he was afraid that he would corrupt Dorian.  When Basil finishes the portrait he gives it to Dorian as a gift.  Dorian begins to spend more and more time with Lord Henry, until Basil is all but forgotten.  Then one night Dorian attends a run down operahouse and is introduced to Sibyl.  Sibyl is an aspiring actress.  She embodies all that is beautiful to Dorian, and so he asks her to marry him.  Then one day Dorian invites Lord Henry and Basil to attend one of Sibyl's plays.  When they do they find her acting abismal.  Dorian immediately loses interest in her and after the play tells her that their engagement is off.  He leaves.  This is his first loss of innocence.  When he returns home he glances at the portrait that Basil painted and detects a change.  He struggles with his emotions throughout the night, and finally decides to go back to Sibyl and try to make things work, only to find out that Sibyl had killed herself after he had left the previous night.  

Dorian views the suicide as a beautiful but selfish act.  Lord Henry does his best to keep Dorian's name out of the scandal.  This is easily accomplished because he never actually told her his name and was known by her as Prince Charming.  Before Sibyl's death her brother vowed revenge on any that hurt her.  Then he went to sea.  

Years begin to pass and Dorian falls deeper and deeper into corruption.  Only he never changes.  He retains his youthful, innocent appearance.  Yet while he retains one persona, his portrait reveals another.  He hides the portrait away in an old study where no one is allowed entry.  There the portrait grows ever more grotesque as continues to wash himself of all innocence.  He feels invincible in his own way.  He ceases to care about others' opinions, and does as he desires.  He sneaks away to places that are shunned by men of his social standing.  

Then one day Basil, who is headed out of town for six months to tour Europe with his art, appears at Dorian's doorstep and asks him for the portrait.  Dorian, angry at Basil, takes him up to show him the portrait.  Basil is astonished, and begs Dorian to confess and change.  Dorian is overcome with anger (he blames his insatiable life on Basil because of the portrait he painted) and kills Basil.  Dorian leaves the body and calls upon his acquaintance Alan Campbell to come and dispose of the body.  Campbell does so grudgingly (there seems to be some sort of animosity between the two, and Dorian seems to have some sort of blackmail on Campbell).  

Later that evening after a dinner party Dorian goes to the docks.  There he meets James, Sibyl's brother.  James confronts Dorian, and Dorian denies ever knowing Sibyl, using his "youth" as proof.  James allows Dorian to go free, and later finds out that Dorian had lied to him.  James begins to stalk Dorian.  Later at a hunting party, James is accidentally shot and killed.  Dorian feels immense relief.  

A few months later Dorian finds himself once again with Lord Henry.  They discuss life, and afterward Dorian returns to his home.  Once there he confronts the now-hated portrait.  He grabs a knife and, bent on destroying the thing that he most hates, stabs the portrait.  The next morning his servants find an old, grotesque looking man lying dead (having been stabbed) in front of a young, innocent portrait of Dorian Gray.

I loved this novel!  The philosophy therein is not for the weak of heart.  I do not believe that I have ever had to think so much when reading a book.  There are multiple thematic layers that are interlaced all throughout the novel.  Dorian himself seems to lose all joy in life because he is free to do as he will.  This ultimate freedom becomes his prison, and he is forever searching for happiness.  To read the novel is to look deep within a man's soul, and watch the struggle when one is no longer held accountable for one's sins.  I could honestly talk about this book for hours.  This is the best book I have read to date, and I look forward to reading a book that can top it.  Oscar Wilde was truly a literary genius.  READ IT!

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Entry by Blake Heaton (Lauryn's husband)

The Crucible is by far one of the best works I have ever had the privelege to read.  It takes place in Salem Massachusetts at the height of the Purtian era.  It is written as a play, which makes it that much more amazing.  

It begins in the home of Reverend Parris, whose daughter, Betty, appears to be very sick.  In truth, the Reverend had caught Betty and her friends dancing naked in the woods the day before.  It turns out that the other girls who participated in the dancing are also ill.  The town quickly assumes that the disease is unnatural, and possibly supernatural.  Parris sends for Reverend Hale, a man who has been recognized as a professional in the exorcist art.  

Meanwhile the reader is introduced to a few other characters including Giles Corey, and Rebecca Nurse.  Rebecca is an elderly woman who is known for her righteous devotion to the church.  Abigail, one of Betty's friends, warns the other girls not to tell about how they were casting spells in the woods.  

Abigail had been living with a man named John Proctor.  They had an affair, after which, Proctor kicked her out.  Abigail became resentful thinking that she should be married to John Proctor.  She had been casting spells in the woods with her friends in an attempt to kill Proctor's wife when Betty fainted.  When she and her friends are confronted by Reverend Hales for the truth, their story quickly aggravates to consume others who had no part in it.  

Proctor tells Abigail that she must stop, but she refuses.  Abigail and her friends continue with their lie, until people start to be thrown into jail.  Townspeople begin to use the excuse of witchcraft to condemn their neighbors, and satsify personal grievances (a fellow named Putnam does this as well as Abigail and her friends).  Proctor finally becomes fed up with the whole thing, and believing that he can dispell all counts of witchcraft with his confession, tells of his relations with Abigail.  The town authorities question his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, to try and confirm his confession, but to no avail.  

John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Elizabeth (John's wife who is pregnant) are all imprisoned for witchcraft.  They are scheduled to be hanged.  They are told that they may have their freedom if they just confess to the charge of witchcraft. They all refuse.  In what seems a moment of weakness, John Proctor signs the confession, but immediately after rips it up.  The play ends with John Proctor being taken to be hanged.

I have not done this play justice.  It deals with many themes such as vengeance, truth, love, infatuation, honor, and responsibility.  I loved every second of it.  I find it amazing that Miller was able to write such a work in the form of a play.  Everyone needs to read this play.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Entry by Blake Heaton (Lauryn's husband)

This novel is one that everyone should read.  It is by far one of my favorites.  It is about a woman named Hester Prynne who commits adultry, and refuses to confess her paramour.  The novel takes place in Puritan New England.  It begins with Hester being publicly humilated and berated for her offense.  She has already had the baby, and is now facing judgment.  She is asked repeatedly by local officials to name the child's father, but she refuses.  The officials decide that her punishment will be to wear a scarlet letter A on her clothing for the rest of her life.  Hester accepts the mandate, and stands with her sins exposed in on the city scaffolding for all the world to see her shame.  It is while she stands there that she notices a man aloof from the crowd that stands with an Indian.

The man is Roger Chillingworth, her husband.  The townspeople accept Chllingworth as a doctor, due to his knowledge in herbs and learned nature.  It is under this pretense that Chillingworth gains access to Hester's cell.  They talk, and he has her form a pact with him to never reveal that he is (was) her husband. Chillingworth inquires after the name of the father, but Hester refuses to tell.  He then tells her that he will not rest until he discovers, and reveals the truth.

The book then follows Hester and her daughter, Pearl, and their various difficulties.  Hester is shunned by the society, but rather than invoke self-pity, she strives to make things right by helping others.  Pearl is strong-willed and spirited.  Townspeople talk of her and begin to wonder if Pearl is in actuality a demon spawned from the sin of her mother.  Hester pleads to the authorities to allow her to keep Pearl and is granted her wish.

All the while the young minister Arthur Dimmesdale is slowly ailing.  Eventually Chillingworth (who is now accepted full-heartedly as a doctor) moves in with Dimmesdale.  He begins to suspect that Reverend Dimmesdale's malady is not of a physical nature, even though it seems to affecting him corporeally.  Then one night Dimmesdale, overcome with shame and guilt, goes to the scaffolding and stands there.  As he stands in the darkness Hester and Pearl pass.  He calls them to him, and invites them to join him on the scaffolding.  Chillingworth sees all this play out, and confirms his suspicions that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father.

Hester decides that she has commited a bigger sin, and made a pact with the devil (Chillingworth).  She concludes to tell Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband.  She does so in the woods one night, and they devise a plan to help take them away from America.  Chillingworth discovers their plan and books passage on the same ship.  The following day Reverend Dimmesdale delivers a compelling address, and then climbs the scaffolding in the town.  There he calls to Hester and Pearl to join him.  Chillingworth tries to stop him, knowing that by baring his sin Dimmesdale will no longer be under his power.  Dimmesdale persists and ascends the scaffold with Hester and Pearl.  He then admits his guilt and bares his breast.  There on his chest is a scarlet A.  The novel is ambiguous about whether the A was an illusion, a scar, a self-inflicted wound, or a divine symbol of guilt.  Then Dimmesdale dies.

The novel then wraps up with Hester and Pearl leaving town.  Later Hester returns, still with the A embroidered on her dress.  It is implied that Pearl married a wealthy man, and had a child of her own.

The novel explores many themes including that of evil versus righteousness, and repentence.  Hester who was once considered evil, becomes a sort of saint, while Chillingworth embodies the devil.  Reverend Dimmesdale struggles with repentence, and questions are raised as to whether or not he had paid for his sin more due to his abstinence.  He struggles with what is right and what is wrong.  Chillingworth becomes a type of vigilante.  He begins with the desire to expose someone else's sin until it consumes his life and his persona.  He takes it upon himself to make Dimmesdale miserable.  His joy is Dimmesdale's misery.  The novel exposes the fine line between righteousness and evil, and how it may easily be crossed.

This is a wonderful book, and definately one of my favorites.  If you enjoy works such as The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and The Crucible, then you will love The Scarlet Letter.

Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot

Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot was surprisingly good.  I really enjoyed reading this historical romance novel.  It was not too mushy or cheesy which was very nice.  I also like that it was a little longer than most kindle books that you can download for free.  Yes, this book right now is free on the kindle.  It is part of a trilogy, but is the type of book that can be read by itself without you needing to read the other books.  It ends without leaving any loose ends.  I like being able to read a few books without having to read the entire set.

Sarah has traveled from Philedelpia to San Antonio as a mail-order bride.  She has a 2-year-old sister who she must take care of as well since both her parents died in Philedelphia.  She arrives in San Antonio to be greeted by her future brother-in-law Clay, who informs her that her betrothed, Austin, has been murdured.  Clay offers to pay for her return, but she refuses and starts working at a store and later starts a school in order to provide for her and her sister.

Clay is determined to find his brother's killer, but is having no luck.  No one knows who could have killed him.  There is also someone who keeps stealing and breaking fences in the area and a young french man is being framed for these occurances.  Later in the book someone starts to try and hurt Sarah as well.  Together, Clay and Sarah work to overcome their own grudges and forgive others for hurting them in order to move on and fall in love with eachother.  This book ties in a lot of spiritual moments as well about trusting in God and that there is a reason for everything that is done.  We must forgive all and trust in the Lord.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

I have started alternately between reading the same literary book that my husband reads with books that I want to reat and that interest me.  I'm not saying that good literature is boring or uninteresting, it just doesn't pop out to me like other books that have little literary value such as the McClure books.  This is one book that my husband wanted to have read for his English class.

I very much enjoyed this short book.  It is a very easy, quick read and gives you a nice insight into the puritan beliefs and witch trials that happened in the past.  It is set during the early days of America in Connecticut when England was still trying to take control of the citizens and tax them for the land that they were originally given for free.  Kit grew up in Barbados, but must come to America to her only living relatives when her grandfather dies.  When she arrives she is immediately targeted as being different and possibly a witch.  Kit hates her life and must adjust to the completely different life in America.  She is used to having slaves and never having to work.  Now she much work hard and can never wear her fancy cloths and must attend church because of her relatives Puritan beliefs.

She finds a friend in an old lady who lives by Blackbird Pond, but is thought to be a witch because she is a Quaker.  Speare adds a nice balance in the book by having suitors court Kit, but she also keeps the interest of a young sailor involved since he is friends with the witch of Blackbird Pond.  I must admit this book drove me crazy with the Puritan beliefs and thoughts on how things should be done and I was really worried that this would end up much like The Crucible, but it did not.  A good read for all.

The Chimney Sweep Charm by Marcia Lynn McClure

Yes, another Marcia Lynn McClure book.  I promise this will be the last for a long time.  I actually really enjoyed this short novella.  It has so much potential to be a great book if Marcia will take time to add to it. I'm sure she eventually will since she seems to write short stories and years later make it into an actual book.  This is a good book to read over Christmas since it takes place over christmas time and talks about hot chocolate, christmas movies, and snuggling with your honey.  I think this novella appealed to me a bit more than the last couple books I've read of hers because it is set in our time period and focus's on things that are important.  Things such as military service and veterans, friends, love, and enjoying the time you have.  Don't let things pass you by because of fear or even price.

Baylee is the young lady in our story who loves handbells and is a handbell player for the Dickens Village.  She has always wanted a charm bracelet and very carefully chooses her sterling silver charms based on whether it really means something to her or not.  If it is a charm that she will always cherish, she will splurge and buy it only because it is something that will always be important to her.  Justice is our handsome guy of the story who served in the military, but was honorably discharged after being seriously injured.  He now works for the FBI and they are stationed at the Dickens Village to catch a Jack the Ripper copycat killer.  He doesn't waste time asking Baylee out since he knows what it is like to possibly lose your life.  They are not too mushy like some books and it is a realistic story.  My only complaint is that the story just skimmed the service and never got into any real depth.  Like I said, my hope is Marcia will one day really take this book to the next level and make it great.

A Literary Paris by Jamie Cox Robertson

I got this book for free through GoodReads.com.  They have a lot of giveaways that you can enter your name for so every couple of days I check out the first page and see if there are potentially any books that might be interesting to read.  So far I have won this book and one other after only being a member for a month.  Not bad.  I decided to enter for this book since I took a class in college that took a couple weeks to study the culture of France, mainly the difference between Paris and the rest of the country.  It was quite interesting and even though I think it would be fun to travel to Europe, I just don't want to do the actual traveling.  I want to get there and see everything, just not spend the money and time to do it.  Traveling just isn't that much fun for me.  Restless legs, little sleep, poor eating... yeah, not really for me.  So this book seemed like a fun way to read stories about Paris and get some personal insight into it and the places you might see.  Then, if I ever make it there, it would be fun to compare what other authors have said and get an opinion myself.  So, "A Literary Paris: Hemingway, Colette, Sedaris, and Others on the Uncommon Lure of the City of Light."  As the title says, there are a lot of exerpts from many famous authors on Paris.  I have not read the entire book yet since I just read an exerpt here and there, but I have enjoyed reading parts of writings from these authors that go into detail about the feel and look of certain cafe's and streets.  You get a feel for day and well and night life.  Jamie Cox Robertson even mentions in her preface that she like many other 'artists' feel a pull to go to Paris to open their creative minds and write, paint, perform, these amazingly inspired masterpieces.  It does not always work that way, but you get a glimpse into why so many feel the lure of this city.

The Haunting of Autumn Lake by Marcia Lynn McClure

I don't know if I have read too many of Marcia Lynn McClure's books or if this just did not live up to expectations.  Autumn is the daughter of Ransom Lake.  This sequeal to "The Visions of Ransom Lake" had potential but never really had a good climax or even a romance story.  Autumn's romance with the cowboy that shows up in her life didn't really build, it just happened quickly with no fun incidents like her mother had.  Autumn has her father's looks, but supposedly her mother's attitude.  You can tell Marcia tried to go more into depth with details and branch out a little with her writing.  I am proud of her for doing that and expanding her writing capabilities, I just wish it hadn't taken away from the story.  She also used the villian's son to be the one to molest Autumn.  Why not just bring in another villian instead of trying to pretty much rewrite "The Visions of Ransom Lake."  I like how she kept Ransom a major character in the story and even still had his intuitions.  Overall, a little bit of a dissapointment.

Land Keep (Farworld) by J. Scott Savage

I must say it took me a long time to finally get the courage to read the second book in the Farworld series, and am I glad I did.  I really was not a huge fan of the first book, Water Keep.  It just did not catch my attention and seemed so far fetched in Savage's descriptions of all the creatures.  Land Keep proved to capture my attention and was very enjoyable to read.  It had a lot of suspense and action and really put a twist on things in the last chapter.  I am excited to continue this series now.  

Marcus and Kyja found Water Keep in the first book and have a water elemental traveling with them.  They are now searching for Land Keep in order to get a land elemental to join their quest to open a portal between Earth and Farworld so they can both go back to their respective worlds.  Their quest brings them to a city where Keepers suck magic from you and give it to those in power.  Marcus and Kyja escape only to find themselves captured in a swamp and held captive by creatures that will kill you if you try to leave. This just happens to be the entrance to Land Keep, however, they find out that it has been 3,000 years since any land elementals have been in Farworld and so the entrance and land has been corrupted by the Dark Circle.  Marcus and Kyja, in order to find the land elementals, must pass a series of tests in order to find the land elementals.  Once they finally complete these tests, a pair of land elementals join their quest.  

Unfortunately, they must make a detour back to Terra ne Steric in order to save the city from the Keepers that have overtaken it.  Marcus must pass his biggest challenge yet or possibly destroy the world thinking he is cleansing it.  Kyja saves him from making this terrible mistake and the Keepers are destroyed and the Dark Circle is held back for a time.  Best of all, in pretty much the last sentence of the book we find out that the Water and Land Elementals are working with the Dark Circle and Marcus and Kyja are still going to find the last two elemental groups to help them.  Makes you wonder why the elementals are helping the Dark Circle and what will happen in the future books.

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

I finally got around to reading the last book in the Inheritance Cycle.  It turned out good and I am glad to have finally been able to finish this series.  It seems like it took a very long time for Paolini to get this book out.  I am glad for the most part how things played out and where everyone ends up.  Thank you Paolini for not making everyone's ending a 'happily ever after' story.

Spoiler:

So if you have not read the book yet, then DO NOT READ FURTHER.  I usually try to steer clear of giving out too much information about a book, but in order to really state my feelings on this book I will have to say some things that may ruin the surprises and twists in this book.  So to start off with.  Why or why did Paolini have to make Arya a dragon rider.  Seriously.  She already becomes queen, why not make someone else the dragon rider.  I was happy to see Murtagh and Thorn live, it puts a little twist on things having Murtagh and Nasuada have feelings for one another, but it does seem fitting.  I love the twist of finding hidden dragan hearts and eggs.  It seems like a very logical thing for the riders to have done and especially to have everyone erase their memories of it in order to keep everything safe.  It was a very well thought out part of the story.  Lastly, I am glad to see that every race now has the ability to have a dragon rider.  This also seems fitting and a good way to unite all the races.  I am glad to see that Paolini was also smart enough to put in that not everyone would be happy to have Nasuada as queen and therefore even after the main battle, they are still fighting with one another and bands of rebels.  Mainly, my main complaint is making Arya a dragon rider.  Even the final battle was slightly anti-climatic and I think he could have spent a bit more time with the final fight between Galbatorix, Murtagh, and Eragon.  It would have even been interesting to actually hear from Thorn and Galbatorix's dragon a bit to see relationships between other dragon riders.  It sort of seemed like Paolini was done with the book and just skimmed over it.  He spends more time on other non-important details, but the actual climax of the book was lacking just a bit.  I am a little more critical of this book than others just because it is a great story (even though it has many similarities to Lord of the Rings).  I just expect perfection from a good story.

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

 This is the second book in "The Heroes of Olympus" series which continues to follow Percy Jackson and introduce new demigods to save the world from Gaea.  I must admit I was slightly disappointed with the feel of this book.  Yes, we are introduced to two new demigods, Frank and Hazel.  Frank's life is dependent on a piece of wood and Hazel is brought back to life by Nico for a second chance at life as a daughter of Pluto (Hades).  So Percy shares the light with these two and I felt like his character just did not fit him like in "The Olympians" series.  He seems a little too grown up now and less of a main character.  I still enjoyed the book and can see that this book sets up for all seven characters to meet again in the third book.  I am hoping the third book will bring some good humor and interesting stories since we have Greeks and Romans being forced to work together and even better, we have the two heros of each camp finally meeting, Percy and Jason.

One thing I would like to mention is that I like having the Greek and Roman terms and way of life being compared side by side.  If you are like me, you tend to mix up the Roman and Greek gods, not realizing they are the same person, just a different time period.  You see the good of each time period as well as their weaknesses.  The Greeks tend to embrace technology while the Romans keep the old ways of life, but they also have a safe civilization for older demigods to live, while the Greeks do not have this or at least we have not been introduced to it yet.

GoodReads

I didn't have much time to read over the Christmas Season, however, I was introduced to a wonderful book site.  goodreads.  It took me a bit of time to set of my account since there were so many books that I wan't to add to my list, but it was worth the time.  This site allows you to add books you have read and rate them on a 5-star rating.  You can also put together lists of books you want to read as well as post reviews on books you have read for others to see.  It shows what the average rating is for each book and also refers books to you that you might be interested in reading based on your lists.  If you like free giveaways, there are tons of books you can enter to win.  Check it out by clicking on the goodreads link.