Maxine Reads

Review: Gigi's Hugest Announcement

2011-11-01T19:18:00.001-05:00

Gigi's Hugest Announcement

genre: DVD

The Royal Tea Party finds Gigi with a dilemma. She has important news to share with her best friend, Frances, but how best to make such a grand announcement? This slice-of-life peek into the life of God’s little princess reinforces the vital message that each child is royally important to God.

In The Pink Ballerina, Gigi and Frances take their first dance lesson. With reluctant practice and awkward help from Tiara (her new dog) and Lord Fluffy (her not-so-cooperative cat), Gigi struggles to dance perfectly to make God proud of her. But she unexpectedly learns that God is most proud when we show love to others.

My review: Gigi is a little girl who thinks she is a princess. I like that rather than being any old princess, she chooses to be God's princess. Her messages are simple but positive. We all belong to God. We each have our own special talents.
This video was cute. I think it is just O.K., but my 2 year old daughter loves Gigi and asks to see this video almost every day. Even my sons enjoy it, though they will never admit that! I'm glad there are videos like this for my children to watch. I will by another Gigi video for my daughter if she ever requests it. I think girls can use all the positive messages they can get.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.*

Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas

2010-07-30T21:51:00.000-05:00

Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas
published: 2010
pages: 292
genre: historical fiction

From the Flap:
On a spring afternoon in 1920, Swandyke- a small town near Colorado's Tenmile Range- is changed forever. Just moments after four o'clock, a large split of snow separates from Jubilee Mountain high above the tiny hamlet and hurtles down the rocky slope, enveloping everything in its path.
Meet the residents whose lives this tragedy touches: Lucy and Dolly Patch, two sisters long estranged by a shocking betrayal. Joe Cobb, Swandyke's only black resident, whose love for his daughter forces him to flee Alabama. Then there's Grace Foote, who hides secrets and scandal that belie her genteel facade. And Minder Evans, a Civil War veteran who considers cowardice his greatest sin. Finally, there's Essie Snowball, born Esther Schanble to conservative Jewish parents but how now works as a prostitute and hides her child's parentage from the world.
Fate, chance, and perhaps divine providence all collide in the everyday lives of these people. And ultimately, no one is without sin, no one's soul is whiter than snow, and no one is without the need for forgiveness.
A quintessential American voice and a writer of exquisite historical detail, Sandra Dallas illuminates the resilience of the human spirit in her newest novel.

My review:

I was pulled into this book from the beginning. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. The first chapter relates how the avalanche may have started, and that nine children walking home from school were buried in it. The chapter ends with this line: "Four of the children survived."

I didn't know at first if I liked this chapter ending. I thought it was giving away too much too soon. Where is the suspense if one already knows how many children made it? Turns out, this was an absolutely brilliant move on the author's part. After the first chapter, the avalanche of the present was left behind and the stories of their parents' pasts were told. As I became intimately acquainted with each parent- sharing in their triumphs and heartaches and understanding why they needed their child, my heart ached and I found myself hoping it would be their child who lived. The problem was, I already knew that some of these parents had lost a child- or children.

This book was sad, troubling, haunting, beautiful and incredibly real. Emotions ran high yet one didn't get lost in them. It was easy to relate in many ways with the characters, or at least to understand them. The theme of dealing with past sins and forgiveness is universal. It was incredibly well written and in spite of its somberness, very engrossing. I do recommend this book.

*I was given a free copy of this book to review. All opinions stated are entirely my own.*

The Facts of the Matter: The Count of Monte Cristo Revealed

2010-05-01T09:54:00.002-05:00

One of my all time favorite books is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. It is definitely a swash-buckling adventure full of exciting twists and fantastic turns. It's themes of revenge, mercy, forgiveness and justice reveal themselves to the reader in an emotional and exciting way. Dumas, like many writers of his time period, knew how to use a story to alert people to social injustices going on around them. He knew how to tell a story, and this was a particularly good story.

Edmond Dantes, a young man of 19 who has an incredibly charmed life despite his poverty, has just been made Captain of the Pharaon and is getting ready to marry his true love, the beautiful Mercedes. However, two jealous acquaintances and an ambitious magistrate manage to tear Edmond away from his happy prospects on his very wedding day. Accused of being a traitor, Edmond is thrown into prison at the Chateau D'If. While there he meets an Italian priest who befriends and educates the formerly illiterate young Dantes. The Abbe Faria tells Edmund of a great treasure hidden on the small island of Monte Cristo and they plan to retrieve it once they've escaped.

The Abbe dies before their plans can be completed, so Edmond escapes alone (with a little help from the dead Faria), and after some adventure finally makes it to Monte Cristo to claim the treasure bequeathed to him by the Abbe. Once he has possession of the treasure, his sole motive is revenge on those who falsely imprisoned him for 14 years and tore him away from his love, Mercedes. Using his wealth and various disguises, the plot thickens...

This story was originally published in a French paper in 18 parts from August 1844 to January 1846. I wonder if people waited for the next installment of Monte Cristo the way people today waited for the next Harry Potter or Twilight Saga book. Did people camp out outside the printers to get the first copy of the paper? Did they discuss it amongst themselves, everyone with some idea of what was going to happen next? Did they know the facts? Or did they think it just another great story revealing the major flaws in the French justice system?

The island of Monte Cristo

About twenty years before he wrote the novel, Dumas was hunting on one of the Tuscan Islands, or Seven Sisters as they are sometimes called (since there are seven of them). A companion pointed out the island of Montecristo to him off in the distance. Dumas was so enchanted by the name that he vowed to someday write a book with "Monte Cristo" in the title.

In 1838 a book of true stories taken from Paris police files was published. One of the files was about a young shoemaker named Pierre Picaud. On the verge of his wedding in 1807 to a wealthy orphan, a few jealous friends pulled a cruel prank on him. They wrote a letter to the commissar accusing Pierre of being an English spy against Napoleon. He was thrown into a fortress prison where he languished for 7 years. While there he met a dying Italian priest who told him where to find a buried treasure. When he finally was released, Pierre found the treasure and used it along with various disguises to wreak his revenge on those who had ruined his life. Dumas got his hands on this story and the rest is history.

Mark Twain said, "Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't." I've read my Signet Classics paperback copy almost to pieces, but I've always skipped the introduction. When I picked it up for a reread a couple of months ago I decided it was time to read the introduction written by Robert Wilson. I was floored. Never once had it occurred to me that this story could in any way be factual. Of course all the details were Dumas' own, but that even the plot could have happened? It just didn't seem plausible. So I dug. Not too deep, but I searched around looking for something to refute it, to say that Dumas made this exaggerated claim to make the story seem even more exciting. Nothing. While there wasn't much to find, all the sources said the same thing. It happened.
Will this change your perspective the next time you read the book or see one of the movies?

Thanks to the Classics Circuit for letting me host today's stop in the "Paris in the Spring: Alexandre Dumas" tour. Be sure to click the link to read more about Dumas and his many writings.

Teaser Tuesday- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2010-04-19T21:10:00.001-05:00

MizB over at Should be Reading is hosting this weekly bookish meme.

What to do? Grab the book you are currently reading. Open to a random page and choose 2 "teaser" sentences. Just make sure they aren't spoiler sentences! Then of course share the title and author so others can get the book to read too.

"I don't believe that after reading such a fine writer as Emily Bronte, I will be happy to read again Miss Amanda Gillyflower's Ill-Used by Candlelight. Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad books."

-from p. 53 of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Paris in the Spring: Alexandre Dumas on Tour

2010-04-19T05:00:00.002-05:00

The Classics Circuit is hosting Paris in the Spring: Alexandre Dumas on Tour starting today!

Click on the link above to see the tour schedule.

Be sure to look for my post on "The Origins of The Count of Monte Cristo" on May 1st!

Review: North by Northanger by Carrie Bebris

2010-04-18T22:52:00.000-05:00

North by Northanger (or, The Shades of Pemberly) by Carrie Bebris
published: 2006
pages:
genre: mystery

From the back cover:
After the intrigues and excitements of their time in the city, the Darcys are more than prepared for a bit of peace and quiet at Pemberley. This is time that they can spend together as Elizabeth settles into her pregnancy. However, such serene solitude is not meant to be. First a letter from Lady Anne Fitzwilliam Darcy, long deceased, is discovered. The contents are both mysterious and prescient for Mrs. Darcy. Then a summons to Northanger Abbey involves the young couple in intrigues that threaten not just the Darcy legacy and good name, but Mr. Darcy’s freedom as well.
…and to make matter even worse and more uncomfortable for the expectant mother, Darcy's overbearing aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, arrives on the scene to further bedevil Elizabeth.
Add to this rumors of treasure and past scandals, and it becomes obvious that peacefulness is not at home in Pemberley, but secrets and spirits of the past are, and their revelations can have a most a chilling effect on both the Darcys and their family to come.

My review:
I really enjoyed this book! I think this is the first mystery novel I've read that didn't include a young amateur sleuth named Nancy or Trixie. I came across this book while chasing my 18 month old daughter around the library as we waited for her older brother to finish storytime. She stopped to jump on a beanbag and I decided to check out the shelves in this previously unvisited portion of the library- MYSTERY. Of course the first book I laid eyes on was this one. It was fate. What better people to reintroduce me to the mystery genre than a few my favorites- the Darcys! The hangups I usually have about Jane Austen fan fiction weren't present for this one- the characters pretty much stayed in character (and there is more I'd love to say about that, except then it would give too much away) and they spoke like they should. I had a lot of fun reading this book and for any Jane Austen fan I'd definitely RECOMMEND.

The Time for Neglecting My Blog is Over...

2010-04-18T22:16:00.000-05:00

Wow! So I thought I'd be away a week or so while we moved and got settled into the new place, but that week ended up turning into several weeks! With all the unpacking, spring cleaning, finishing up the tax season, and some absolutely divine weather I haven't really been on the computer much.
I'm hoping to get back into regular blogging this week.
Although I haven't been blogging, I have been reading. I read some good ones, some that were just so-so, and some very good books which I can't wait to recommend! A lot of my reading has been done outdoors or a near a window as I watch my kiddos play. It's so great that they can finally spend their days outside! A lot more quality school work is getting done too. The promise of an outside recess has really been motivating my oldest son to get down to business.
I grounded myself from the library this April (except for Runner's World magazines) so that I can work on my large TBR pile here at home. In February and March I was guilty of finding so many great books at the library which had to be read by the due date that I ignored the books on my shelf. I think the poor things were feeling neglected. I also got a little tired of reading. I actually didn't feel like reading anything for a few days. That all changed yesterday after I picked up The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Wow! I can't wait to talk about this one. I can't believe I let it sit unread on my shelf for so long!
I hope everyone is enjoying this Spring!

Winner!!!

2010-04-05T10:35:00.000-05:00

The winner of Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson is...

Kate the Book Buff!!!

Congrats Kate!

Review: Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson

2010-03-30T22:58:00.000-05:00

Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson
published: March 16, 2010
pages: 216
genre: Women's fiction

From the back cover:
This debut novel follows the unusual road two loners take toward home. Can real love close the distance?
Driving home from work on a summer afternoon, Melba Burns witnesses a nightmare accident. The wreck ends her pursuit of success at any cost—Melba parks her car, quits her job and stops driving. She retreats into her beloved old farmhouse, yearning for a simpler peace.
But peace and Melbaʼs new roommate, JoLee Garry, have never met. A shallow, self-absorbed stunner, JoLee magnetizes messes and trouble. She brings boyfriends, booze and a tag-along son with her—a series of unexpected guests who transform Melbaʼs solo life into something different, daring and richer.
This fast-paced, contemporary novel moves between Portland, Oregon and Atomic City, Idaho, the absolute center of nowhere. Guest House explores the grace that comes from daring to intervene in a strangerʼs suffering. It will appeal to readers who have forgotten the power that comes from living simply, and to
anyone in their middle years whose life has been hijacked by love.
“This being human is a guest house,” Rumi says, “Every morning a new arrival…” Arrivals come and go in Melba Burnʼs life: JoLee Gary who canʼt shake her addictions, her husband Gene Garry, who wonʼt give up on love, and Matt, their unwanted son, who will stop at nothing until he has found his own way home.

My review:

This book was very well written. The characters were well rounded and their motives were always very clear, which I liked. I always wonder why people are the way they are, and though I didn't particularly like the characters in this story, I was able to understand them. The bad language throughout the book really bothered me and the descriptions of JoLee's actions sometimes were too much for me, but I knew why she and the other characters talked and acted like they did, and on a certain level I could empathize with them and their struggles. It was a very bittersweet story, with each character dealing with their own struggles and either consciously or unconsciously supporting each other in their own imperfect ways. I personally didn't care for the story, but fans of women's fiction and especially stories about relationships and the way they change us will enjoy this one.

Enter the giveaway which is open until April 2nd for US and Canada residents, and you could win your own copy of Guest House!

*I was given a free copy of this book to review. All opinions stated are entirely my own.*

Book Blogger Hop!

2010-03-26T09:26:00.000-05:00

It's Friday again! Time for the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.

This is a fun way to find new-to-you book blogs and lots of new books to add to those TBR lists!

If you stop by from the hop, leave a comment and let me know!

Also, the giveaway for Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson is still going on. Enter for a chance to win!

The sun is shining and it's supposed to be in the high 50's today. I think this calls for some time outdoors! Have a happy Friday everyone.

Review: Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter

2010-03-25T20:46:00.003-05:00

Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter
published: 2007
pages: 336
genre: chick-lit
From the back cover:
Dreams come true in this hilarious, feel-good fairy tale about life, love, and dating literature’s most eligible bachelor!
After a string of disastrous dates, Emily Albright decides she’s had it with modern-day love and would much rather curl up with Pride and Prejudice and spend her time with Mr. Darcy, the dashing, honorable, and passionate hero of Jane Austen’s classic. So when her best friend suggests a wild week of margaritas and men in Mexico with the girls, Emily abruptly flees to England on a guided tour of Jane Austen country instead. Far from inspiring romance, the company aboard the bus consists of a gaggle of little old ladies and one single man, Spike Hargreaves, a foul-tempered journalist writing an article on why the fictional Mr. Darcy has earned the title of Man Most Women Would Love to Date.
The last thing Emily expects to find on her excursion is a broodingly handsome man striding across a field, his damp shirt clinging to his chest. But that’s exactly what happens when she comes face-to-face with none other than Mr. Darcy himself. Suddenly, every woman’s fantasy becomes one woman’s reality. . . .

My review:

Eh. This could have been good, but it wasn't. The main character, Emily, was not likeable at all. She was vulgar and rude and often drunk or high, yet somehow she manages to win the admiration of Mr. Darcy? Seriously? It was also very predictable. This book does not manage to stand out from the myriad of other Jane Austen spin-offs and sequels out there. That being said, a few parts did make me laugh out loud, and I liked how Emily learned that even though they may be old, the senior citizens who traveled with her are the same as her- aging physically doesn't mean they age mentally. It was a fun diversion, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.

Review: Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

2010-03-25T20:25:00.000-05:00

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
published: 2009
pages: 288
genre: historical fiction

From the back cover:

"Those old cows knew trouble was coming before we did." So begins the story of Lily Casey Smith, in Jeannette Walls's magnificent, true-life novel based on her no-nonsense, resourceful, hard working, and spectacularly compelling grandmother. By age six, Lily was helping her father break horses. At fifteen, she left home to teach in a frontier town — riding five hundred miles on her pony, all alone, to get to her job. She learned to drive a car ("I loved cars even more than I loved horses. They didn't need to be fed if they weren't working, and they didn't leave big piles of manure all over the place") and fly a plane, and, with her husband, ran a vast ranch in Arizona. She raised two children, one of whom is Jeannette's memorable mother, Rosemary Smith Walls, unforgettably portrayed in The Glass Castle.

Lily survived tornadoes, droughts, floods, the Great Depression, and the most heartbreaking personal tragedy. She bristled at prejudice of all kinds — against women, Native Americans, and anyone else who didn't fit the mold. Half Broke Horses is Laura Ingalls Wilder for adults, as riveting and dramatic as Isak Dinesen's Out of Africa or Beryl Markham's West with the Night. It will transfix readers everywhere.

My review:

Wow! This book was amazing! Jeannette Walls is a master storyteller. She definitely has a gift. I don't even know how to say all the the things I want to say about this book. I've been working on this review for weeks and nothing I think of to say seems good enough. So I will only say that it is really, really good and I super highly recommend it!

It's Friday!

2010-03-19T13:33:00.000-05:00

It's Friday! That means it's time for the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books! It's a great way to find new book blogs and lots and lots of new books to add to those TBR piles!

Also, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my middle child. He turns 4 today! I am one proud mama! He says his favorite book is St. George and the Dragon retold by Margaret Hodges and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. The illustrations are so beautiful. This book is really a pleasure to read to him.

Finally, don't forget to check out my giveaway and enter for a chance to win a copy of Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson. It just came out on Tuesday, so you could be one of the first to read it! Here's a link to her blog. She's a great writer.

Shelf Share Thursday

2010-03-18T13:13:00.000-05:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Holly at Bippity Boppity Book. Each week she will post a letter of the alphabet and choose three books from her shelf whose titles start with that letter. Post your three books on your blog, then leave the link on her blog!

This week's letter is ... D

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Based on the author’s own tumultuous journey from boy to man, this epic traces young David’s progress from his mother’s sheltering arms to the miseries of boarding-school and sweatshop and the rewards of friendship, romance, and self-discovery in his vocation as a writer. A cherished favorite with generations of readers (starting with Dickens himself), this novel combines a compelling narrative with a memorable cast, from the brutal Mr. Murdstone to the exuberantly optimistic Mr. Micawber.

Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende

An orphan raised in Valparaiso, Chile, by a Victorian spinster and her rigid brother, young, vivacious Eliza Somers follows her lover to California during the Gold Rush of 1849. She enters a rough-and-tumble world whose newly arrived inhabitants are driven mad by gold fever. With the help of her good friend and svior, the Chinese doctor Tao Chi'en, Eliza moves freely in a society of single men and prostitutes, creating an unconventional but independent life for herself. The young Chilean's search for her elusive lover gradually turns into another kind of journey, and by the time she finally hears news of him, Eliza must decide who her true love really is.

The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl

Boston, 1865. A series of murders, all of them inspired by scenes in Dante’s Inferno. Only an elite group of America’s first Dante scholars—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, James Russell Lowell, and J. T. Fields—can solve the mystery. With the police baffled, more lives endangered, and Dante’s literary future at stake, the Dante Club must shed its sheltered literary existence and find the killer.

Giveaway: Guest House

2010-03-18T08:02:00.001-05:00

Guest House

a novel by Barbara K Richardson

This debut novel follows the unusual road two loners take toward home. Can real love close the distance?

Driving home from work on a summer afternoon, Melba Burns witnesses a nightmare accident. The wreck ends her pursuit of success at any cost—Melba parks her car, quits her job and stops driving. She retreats into her beloved old farmhouse, yearning for a simpler peace.
But peace and Melbaʼs new roommate, JoLee Garry, have never met. A shallow, self-absorbed stunner, JoLee magnetizes messes and trouble. She brings boyfriends, booze and a tag-along son with her—a series of unexpected guests who transform Melbaʼs solo life into something different, daring and richer.
This fast-paced, contemporary novel moves between Portland, Oregon and Atomic City, Idaho, the absolute center of nowhere. Guest House explores the grace that comes from daring to intervene in a strangerʼs suffering. It will appeal to readers who have forgotten the power that comes from living simply, and to anyone in their middle years whose life has been hijacked by love.

“This being human is a guest house,” Rumi says, “Every morning a new arrival…” Arrivals come and go in Melba Burnʼs life: JoLee Gary who canʼt shake her addictions, her husband Gene Garry, who wonʼt give up on love, and Matt, their unwanted son, who will stop at nothing until he has found his own way home.

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents until Friday, April 2nd.

There are three (3) ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment. Be sure to include an email address so I can contact you!

2. Become (or already be) a follower of this blog.

3. Post about this giveaway on your blog or add it to your sidebar.

Please post each entry in a seperate comment. I will use random.org to pick the winner. Good luck, and look for a review coming soon!

Teaser Tuesday- Half Broke Horses

2010-03-16T06:50:00.001-05:00

MizB over at Should be Reading is hosting this one.

What to do? Grab the book you are currently reading. Open to a random page and choose 2 "teaser" sentences. Just make sure they aren't spoiler sentences! Then of course share the title and author so others can get the book to read too.

"That night I lay awake thinking about Mr. Lee's hooch, and a plan occured to me. I could bring in extra money by selling bootleg booze out the back door."

From Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls, p. 121.

Prosaic Pondering: Books that Haunt You

2010-03-15T07:30:00.005-05:00

I haven't had as much time to read this month as I did in previous months. However, I've had a lot of time to think about things as I've gone about my daily tasks, and one of things I have thought about is the books I have read.

Specifically, I was thinking about Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons.

Sweetwater Creek has been haunting me. I said in my review that I hadn't quite decided my opinion on it, and I still haven't, but it sure has made me think! I must admit, I like a book that makes me think.

I homeschool my children, and it's time to start thinking about and planning the next school year. I have mostly been following The Well Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. It's an excellent book that guides the reader through a classical, literature based education. As I thought about what we would do next year, my mind turned to Emily, the main character from Sweetwater Creek. Her beloved older brother died by suicide before the story began, but he figured in as an important character since she thought of him often and talked to him in her head. He was a literature and poetry lover, and before he died he shared his books with her. He would read to her and encourage her reading. It was quite substantial stuff, especially for her young age, but their conversations about what they read, as well as her thoughful nature, helped her to comprehend the material.

Emily was not brought up. Her mother left at an early age and her father was around but not really present. She wasn't actively taught morals or given much guidance. Hers wasn't a religious family- there were no Sunday services to learn from or Bible to read. Her moral compass, so to speak, was the literature she had learned to love from her brother. Often she found herself in situations that dredged up memories of a certain book or poem she had read with her brother, then apply what she had learned from that to her current situation. In one scene, Lulu is regaling the family with stories after dinner, and Emily thinks that Lulu reminds her of Scheherazade from The Thousand and One Nights. Remembering that the Arabian queen had been storytelling for her very life, she determines to find out why Lulu's life seemed to depend on entertaining this family who would have loved her anyway.

There were so many other aspects to this story that struck me as well and I'm still not done thinking about them. What book have you read that has continued to be in your thoughts afterward? What about it was gnawing at you and why? Did you write a blog post about it? Leave a link to the post or just tell me what you think in the comment section.

Giveaway: Pieces of Sky

2010-03-13T09:05:00.000-06:00

Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner sounds like an interesting book! If you'd like to, check out the great guest post she wrote over at Hist-Fic Chick and enter to win a copy of her book.

Book Blogger Hop

2010-03-12T07:53:00.000-06:00

Crazy for Books is hosting a book blogger hop. What a great way to discover other book blogs! Head on over and check it out!

Cute Book Gift Idea!

2010-03-11T17:15:00.000-06:00

I just got an invitation in the mail for my cousin's baby shower, and it asked that instead of card, we bring a picture book that Mama can read to Baby. The message which would have been in the card can be written inside the front cover. Is that not the cutest idea ever?! I can't wait until I have someone to throw a baby shower for so I can do that!

What other cute book giving ideas have you seen around? I'd love to hear about them!

February in Review

2010-02-26T14:00:00.003-06:00

For being the shortest month of the year, February sure felt like the longest. I think it's all the snow. My area has set a record of the most consecutive days with snow on the ground. It's been here since December 8th! Since it is so cold and seems to snow every few days, I don't think it's going away soon. My children, who adore playing in the snow, are even counting the days until Spring and snow melting. I am sure we will be practically living outside when the weather finally changes.

This month, I have been reading a little of Scott Hahn's A Father Who Keeps His Promises every day. It's a wonderful overview of Salvation History in the Bible. I've been participating in a Bible study with women from my parish which covers this same topic (The Bible Timeline) and someone recommended this book. It's amazing what I've been learning from stepping back to see the whole picture. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about salvation history and the Bible as a whole. I'm also still reading Notorious Royal Marriages by Leslie Carroll.

Since February is the month of love, it seems fitting that once I got over my Star Trek kick I got on a romance kick. I was very excited to try Georgette Heyer from reading so many glowing reviews on other blogs. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into the books. I found that I prefer cowboys. ;-)

Corked by Kathryn Borel, which I won from Suzanne at Chick with Books, just arrived in the mail this week. I'm excited to get started. I think I may have to purchase a bottle of wine to drink while I read this. And chocolate. I must have chocolate with my wine.

Enough talk. Here's what I read in February:
1. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
2. Star Trek Voyager: Unworthy by Kirsten Beyer
3. Stargazer: Enigma by Michael Jan Friedman
4. Star Trek Voyager: Pathways by Jeri Taylor
5. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
6. This is Your Brain in Love by Earl Henslin
7. The Bargain Bride by Barbara Metzger
8. A Bride for a Bit by Cathy Marie Hake, JoAnn A. Grote, Janell Burnham Schneider and Pamela Kaye Tracy
9. Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons
10. The Pioneers by Jack Cavanaugh

Here is what is on the list for March, so far:
1. Corked by Kathryn Bordel
2. Notorious Royal Marriages by Leslie Carroll
3. The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir
4. Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

What was your favorite book read in February? Which book are you most looking forward to reading in March?

Review: Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons

2010-02-26T12:58:00.000-06:00

Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons
published: 2005
pages: 368
genre: Women's Fiction

From the back cover:

At twelve, Emily Parmenter knows alone all too well. Left mostly to herself after her beautiful young mother disappeared and her beloved older brother died, Emily is keenly aware of yearning and loss. Rather than be consumed by sadness, she has built a life around the faded plantation where her remote father and hunting-obsessed brothers raise the legendary Lowcountry Boykin hunting spaniels. It is a meager, narrow, masculine world, but to Emily it has magic: the storied deep-sea dolphins who come regularly to play in Sweetwater Creek; her extraordinary bond with the beautiful dogs she trains; her almost mystic communion with her own spaniel, Elvis; the dreaming old Lowcountry itself. Emily hides from the dreaded world here. It is enough.

And then comes Lulu Foxworth, troubled daughter of a truly grand plantation, who has run away from her hectic Charleston debutante season to spend a healing summer with the quiet marshes and river, and the life-giving dogs. Where Emily's father sees their guest as an entrée to a society he thought forever out of reach, Emily is at once threatened and mystified. Lulu has a powerful enchantment of her own, and this, along with the dark, crippling secret she brings with her, will inevitably blow Emily's magical water world apart and let the real one in—but at a terrible price.

My review:

This book was so rich and deep that it was almost intoxicating. I experienced culture shock whenever I put the book down and realized that I was in the cold, snowy midwest rather than the warm, sultry and inviting lowcountry of South Carolina. Excellent writing.
This is a coming of age story. Emily is 11 years old, just about to turn 12, when the story begins. She's already carrying more burdens than any child that age should have to- a mother who left her, an adored older brother who commited suicide, and an emotionally absent father.
When Lulu Foxworth first enters her life, Emily is wary- she can tell that something isn't right with this girl. Soon even she falls under the spell Lulu has put the rest of the family in. Emily thinks she has found a friend in Lulu, someone to talk to, someone who understands her and can teach her about being a woman. She doesn't realize that the older and much more worldly Lulu is slowly chipping away at her innocence. Only the housekeeper, Cleta, sees that Emily should kept away from Lulu and her lack of morals, but no one will heed her warning.
Emliy is a very thoughtful and resilient child, but I still felt very sorrowful for her. No child should have to carry the burdens that Emily does. The mother in me wanted to protect her, as her parents should have done. It was a bittersweet book. I still haven't decided my definitive opinion on it, but if you are one who likes these types of stories, you will like this one. RECOMMEND.

Wow! Look at these!

2010-02-25T17:32:00.002-06:00

Holly at Bippity Boppity Book left me this wonderful award! I am so flattered! It's always so nice to know that others enjoy my blog.

Thanks so much Holly!

This award came to me from Krystal's Kitsch.

I love the graphic. It's beautiful. Thank you Krystal. This really made my day!

Finally, this award is from Amelia at Imagination in Focus. Thanks Amelia! Someday I am going to show my kids this- they'll see that "cool" and "mom" can live together in the same sentence!

Review: This is Your Brain in Love by Dr. Earl Henslin

2010-02-18T21:10:00.000-06:00

This is Your Brain in Love by Earl Henslin

published: 2009
pages: 212
genre: spiritual growth & Christian thought

Did you know that if you a saw a scan of a brain in love and of a brain on cocaine, they'd look virtually identical? Or that a brain in a break-up looks eerily similar to a brain going through withdrawal? Dr. Henslin's very interesting book explores how love affects one's brain and how one's brain affects how one loves.
Using observations from years of his therapy sessions and brain research conducted with the help of Dr. Amen, he came up with five categories of lovers and explained which part of the brain is affected in each, that causes their particular behaviors. Book lists are also included in each chapter for further reading on that chapter's subject.
I think this book will be very helpful for couples who want to better understand each other and their relationship. I like that Dr. Henslin made this book so understandable and enjoyable. The human brain is often an intimidating subject, but this was not an intimidating read at all. I was also grateful for the recommended reading lists so I can learn more. RECOMMEND.
*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.*

Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

2010-02-18T20:41:00.002-06:00

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
published: April 2009
pages: 319
genre: YA

From the back cover:

So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton — and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she’s soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers — and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield. Can Elizabeth vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you’d actually want to read.

My review:

I've seen this book around but I ignored it for a long time. I'm not really into zombies or martial arts. However, I finally picked it up and read the back cover while browsing at Borders, and the synopsis made me laugh. Specifically, the last line (see above) made me laugh. It made me think of my husband, brothers, father- all the men in my life who have had to endure my love (and my sisters' and mother's) of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I wonder if any of them thought, "Zombies and ninjas would make this much better," while sitting through yet another version of the movie.
Many parts made me chuckle, such as Mr. Bennett calling out, "Girls, pentagram of death!" when zombies invaded the Meryton assembly. All the Bennett girls took position, then proceeded to vanquish the zombies with daggers that had been hidden in their ankles (because it's not ladylike to bring a sword to a ball). My Darcy not only admires Elizabeth's fine eyes, but her "muscular yet feminine" arms as well, and Lady Catherine is the top zombie killer in the country with her own personal team of ninjas.
My expectations for this book were not very high, and so I was not disappointed. The killing, blood and vomit were a little excessive for my tastes, and Mr. Grahame-Smith was not always consistent with characters and plot devices. I totally understand what he was trying to do with this story, but I think it came a tad short, even of my lowered expectations. I would recommend this book to someone who likes zombies, brains, blood, vomit and martial arts or who wants some light hearted yet gory fun at Jane Austen's expense. Defintely borrow it or check it out from the library. Don't buy it- it isn't one worth rereading.

For those who have read it, what did you think? What do you think Jane Austen would think?

How Sweet!

2010-02-15T11:33:00.000-06:00

Look at this cute award I received from Dana at Rantings of a Bookworm Couch Potato! Thanks Dana!

The rules for this Bliss (Happy 101) Award are that I must list 10 things that make me happy, then pass it along to 10 other bloggers.

1. Being Wendy to my 3-year-old's Peter Pan (which involves lots of story telling.)
2. Dates with my husband.
3. Chocolate.
4. Dancing to the Wiggles with abandon (with my kids, of course).
5. Reading.
6. Hiking.
7. Watching snow MELT (hint, hint snow...)
8. The nice, clean, hopeful feeling I get after Confession.
9. Bubble baths.
10. Spending time with family and friends.

These are the bloggers I am happy to send this award along to because something about their blogs always makes me smile.

1. Confessions and Ramblings of a Muse in the Fog
2. Holly at Bippity Boppity Book
3. RAnn at This That and the Other Thing
4. Alyce at At Home with Books
5. Susan at All the Pretty Pages
6. Rebecca at Lost in Books
7. Amy at Passages to the Past
8. Kristin at BookNAround
9. Amelia at Imagination in Focus
10. Teresa at Shelf Love

It's Monday! What are you Reading?

2010-02-09T19:08:00.000-06:00

This meme is hosted by One Person's Journey Through A World of Books. (Yes, I know it isn't Monday, but I did not have internet access yesterday thanks to my very sweet but curious 17 month old daughter.)

Books I finished last week:

Star Trek Voyager: Unworthy by Kirsten Beyer (I'm not planning to review this one, but it was very good if you happen to be a Voyager fan.)

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

Last week I reviewed:

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Books I still need to write a review for:

This is Your Brain in Love by Dr. Earl Henslin

Books I am reading this week:

Sweetwater Creek by Anne River Siddons

Stargazer: Enigma by Michael Jan Friedman

Notorious Royal Marriages by Leslie Carroll (which I won from Passages to the Past- yeah!)

The King's Daughter by Barbara Kyle

I like to switch back and forth between books, so I usually have several going at once. I am hoping to finish the first three on my list this week. Happy reading.

Review: The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

2010-02-06T16:17:00.000-06:00

Published: 2007
Pages: 120
Genre: Novella

Synopsis:

When her corgis stray into a mobile library parked near Buckingham Palace, the Queen feels duty-bound to borrow a book. Discovering the joy of reading widely (from J. R. Ackerley, Jean Genet, and Ivy Compton-Burnett to the classics) and intelligently, she finds that her view of the world changes dramatically. Abetted in her newfound obsession by Norman, a young man from the royal kitchens, the Queen comes to question the prescribed order of the world and loses patience with the routines of her role as monarch. Her new passion for reading initially alarms the palace staff and soon leads to surprising and very funny consequences for the country at large.

My Review:

This was definitely different from the books I usually read. Not in a negative way at all. I guess I'd say it was less "escapist" than my usual reading choices, but I didn't dislike it for that. It was well written and some of the passages from when the Queen is interacting with her staff made me laugh. The ending was a surprise as well and made me smile as I closed the book. RECOMMEND

Review: Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

2010-02-06T15:59:00.001-06:00

Published: 2009
Pages: 448
Genre: Fiction, Chick Lit

Synopsis:

Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they?

When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie—a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance—mysteriously appears, she has one request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years, because Sadie cannot rest without it.

Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie’s necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different “twenties” girls learn some surprising truths from and about each other. Written with all the irrepressible charm and humor that have made Sophie Kinsella’s books beloved by millions, Twenties Girl is also a deeply moving testament to the transcendent bonds of friendship and family.

My Review:

This book was great! I am not a big fan of Ms. Kinsella's Shopaholic books, but I really enjoyed her others, especially Can You Keep a Secret? and Undomestic Goddess. I was a little afraid this one wouldn't live to up the others because of the ghost, but I must say, she really pulled it off. It is not your typical ghost story at all.
Sadie (the ghost) was a great character and I really enjoyed watching her and Lara's friendship grow as the story progressed. Some things in the story were a little over the top, even for a "ghost" story, but it was so fun to read that overlooking those moments was quite easy. If you are looking for a funny, light read I definitely HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book.

January in Review

2010-01-31T18:52:00.006-06:00

   Early on in January I made the mistake of mentioning to my husband that we were going to have a slow relaxing month. It was, at first. Halfway into it, however, we discovered that we were taking a vacation to Florida... in 5 days! That was when I discovered that I had to cancel basketball practice and 4-H homeschool science for my 5 year old, story time for my 3 year old, and Bible study and prayer group for me. I found out we have a lot going on in our lives... including chasing a 1 year old around who never stops going!
   Well, I managed to plan and pack on time, and of course we got by just fine without all the things I forgot. We had 7 wonderful, sunny days in Florida and were all able to forget the snow and ice back home. I even managed to fit some reading in between visits to Disney World, Old St. Augustine, friends and family, and the swimming pool.
   It's been hard getting back into the swing of things after all that fun. I went to the library and got a new supply of books for February. I've been putting in some extra hours at work since hubby is still on vacation from his job, and I've been slowly easing my 1st grader back into his homeschool schedule.

Here is an overview of what I have read this month (January):

Taliesin by Stephen R. Lawhead (fantasy)
The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith (historical fiction)
In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen R. Lawhead (fantasy)*
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella (chick-lit)*
This is Your Brain in Love by Dr. Earl Henslin (non-fiction)*

(* review coming soon)

Here is my list for February so far, in no particular order:

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
Stargazer: Enigma by Michael Ian Friedman
Star Trek Voyager: Unworthy by Kirsten Beyer
The King's Daughter by Barbara Kyle
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Here's to happy reading in February!

Teaser Tuesday- January 19

2010-01-19T10:54:00.004-06:00

I have seen my family looking at me, gobsmacked, on a number of occasions in my time. But nothing has ever provoked a reaction like this.

from page 32 of Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Review: The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith

2010-01-16T15:23:00.000-06:00

The Kings Grace by Anne Easter Smith
Published March 2009
608 pages

From the back cover:

All that history knows of Grace Plantagenet is that she was an illegitimate daughter of Edward IV and one of two attendants aboard the funeral barge of his widowed queen. Thus, she was half sister of the famous young princes, who -- when this story begins in 1485 -- had been housed in the Tower by their uncle, Richard III, and are presumed dead.
But in the 1490s, a young man appears at the courts of Europe claiming to be Richard, duke of York, the younger of the boys, and seeking to claim his rightful throne from England's first Tudor king, Henry VII. But is this man who he says he is? Or is he Perkin Warbeck, a puppet of Margaret of York, duchess of Burgundy, who is determined to regain the crown for her York family? Grace Plantagenet finds herself in the midst of one of English history's greatest mysteries. If she can discover the fate of the princes and the true identity of Perkin Warbeck, perhaps she will find her own place in her family.

My review:

This story started out well. I enjoyed following Grace as she accustomed herself to the ways of society and tried to find her place among her half sisters and cousins. She loved to solve puzzles and mysteries, and nothing peaked her interest more than the story of the princes in the tower. Her two half brothers were imprisoned by King Richard after King Edward IV died. It was rumored that they had been killed, but no one close to King Richard believed he would have done that to his beloved brother's children. Grace became determined to solve the mystery of their disappearance, and that determination is what drove her (and obsessed her) throughout the rest of the novel.
The story of Perkin Warbeck, the pretender who claimed to be the younger of the princes from the tower, was also told throughout the tale. I was quite far into the book before the reason for young Pierrequin's story became apparent. The author had succeeded in raising my sympathy for him by that point, and also made me wonder, was he really Richard, the prince of the tower?
Anne Easter Smith has a gift for description. Everything was described so well, I could easily picture myself there in England with the characters. I thought her writing overall was good, but the story seemed patched together. She switched back and forth between the past and present in a way which really confused me at times, and I found myself rereading many parts just determine what was going on.
Also, the story really started to drag on and on. I enjoyed reading about Grace's everyday life, but her obsession really started to get on my nerves after a while and I just wanted to slap her. I've been going back on forth on this one: many things about Grace annoyed me, but they also annoyed those close to her in the novel. She was real, with strengths and weaknesses like anyone else. So she was a very well written character, but after awhile I had trouble looking past her faults and moving on with the story. Another reader might understand and empathize with her, but I couldn't.
Finally, the last half of the story was just filled with sex. I love a good romance, and I am glad Grace and her husband had a good relationship, but sheesh! I do not want to witness their private times together. That really doesn't appeal to me. As I read into the last quarter of the book, the scenes became more and more frequent. It's hard to skip that much of book without just getting tired of it and setting it down.
The idea for this story was great, but honestly, I think it was too long. There was a point where I stopped enjoying it and started wondering if it would ever end. I've read plenty of long books, but this one was unable to keep my attention the whole way through. I finished from a sense of duty and felt relief once I did.
I did enjoy the author's note at the end, with a brief synopsis of the time period she was writing about and some research she did. I am going to find some non-fiction books about this time period, because she really did make me want to learn more. Overall, I'll give this book a rating of: O.K.

Review: Taliesin by Stephen R. Lawhead

2010-01-10T19:17:00.007-06:00

Taliesin is the first book in Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle.

From the back cover:

It was a time of legend, when the last shadows of the mighty Roman conqueror faded from the captured Isle of Britain. While across a vast sea, bloody war shattered a peace that had flourished for two thousand years in the doomed kingdom of Atlantis.
Taliesin is the remarkable adventure of Charis, the Atlantean princess who escaped the terrible devastation of her homeland, and of the fabled seer and druid prince Taliesin, singer at the dawn of the age. It is the story of an incomparable love that joined two worlds amid the fires of chaos, and spawned the miracles of Merlin...and Arthur the king.

I must admit that I have owned this book for years and have read it so many times that my copy is starting to fall apart. I love it! It's such a fun read. The story of Arthur is one that has fascinated me since I was a child, so finding a prequel to Arthur was so exciting!

This version starts many, many years before Arthur is born and tells of the fall of Atlantis and Britain's slip into the dark time that caused the need for Arthur. It is also the birth story of the wizard Merlin. I love the way Lawhead entwines the stories of the opulent island of Atlantis and Princess Charis with the more severe island of Britain and the bard prince Taliesin.

My only problem with the story was the character of Morgian. She seemed very underdeveloped and because of it her role in the story was rather forced. She has no motive for being evil at this point and it really hurts her. It feels like the author just threw her in at the last minute. I actually haven't read the rest of the series, so I am hoping her character becomes more rounded as the story continues. We'll see.

Overall, this book is definitely worth the read. It catches one's attention right away and keeps it all the way through. The characters and events are believable and the story is well told and well developed. Highly Recommend.

Historical Fiction

2010-01-08T10:01:00.003-06:00

My list of historical fiction read in 2010.

1. The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith
2. Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
3.

Fantasy Reading Challenge

2010-01-08T09:54:00.000-06:00

Fantasy books read in 2010.
This is for the Fantasy Reading Challenge hosted by Royal Reviews. I am aiming for 3, but we'll see if I read more!

1. Taliesin by Stephen R. Lawhead
2. In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen R. Lawhead (current read)
3.

Teaser Tuesdays

2010-01-05T19:20:00.001-06:00

This is the kind of meme I like! MizB over at Should be Reading is hosting this one.
What to do? Grab the book you are currently reading. Open to a random page and choose 2 "teaser" sentences. Just make sure they aren't spoiler sentences! Then of course share the title and author so others can get the book to read too.

"How long he had lain watching the dancing lights and listening to the crystalline song of the bells he did not know. Maybe hours. Maybe days. Maybe forever."

-pp 118 from In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen R. Lawhead

Reading Challenges: Updated

2010-01-05T14:06:00.000-06:00

I've seen so many great reading challenges on various blogs! I'll list them here. Who knows if I'll succeed in completing them, but it'll be fun trying!

J. Kaye's Book Blog is hosting the 2010 Support Your Library Challenge. Since I get almost all the books I read from the library, that one should be easy! If I make it to 100 books, then that means I'll also finish the 100+ Challenge, also hosted by J. Kaye. This challenge is The One. I really want to make it to 100 books!

The two books that I am reading right now (Stephen R. Lawhead's Taliesin and In the Hall of the Dragon King- reviews coming soon) are both fantasy and the first in a series- which means I can enter the corresponding challenges over at Royal Reviews. I think for both of those challenges I'll shoot for curious which requires reading 3 books for each category. I loved fantasy when I was a teenager. Let's see if I still do!

Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres. The challenge I am most definitely looking forward to this year is the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge that is being hosted over at Royal Reviews. While I'd love to hit the "Obsessed" level of 20 books, I think more realistically I can handle being "Addicted" at 12. I am going to start with The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith.

Finally, I introduce the Decades 2010 Reading Challenge. In this challenge, readers choose at least 10 books published in 10 consecutive decades. I'll probably read books published in the 1800s. One can never get enough of 19th century classics. I've always wanted to read a gothic novel, such as those mentioned in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. Sir Walter Scott is an author I've been meaning to read for years now. I'll have to finally read him this year.

I've seen so many other challenges that look great- it's hard not to enter them all. I have listed all the challenges I've come across on my sidebar. If anyone knows of any others, I'll be happy if you'll point me in their direction. Happy Reading in 2010!

10 Free Books!

2009-12-31T13:29:00.000-06:00

There is a Grand Opening Giveaway going on over at All the Pretty Pages. It's also a new book blog and I am really enjoying it. Reading about books and others' experiences and opinions on them is almost (but not quite) as fun as reading books themselves. So pop on over to enter the giveaway, but also check out Susan's others posts. You'll enjoy them!

Short Introduction

2009-12-31T13:21:00.000-06:00

In the old days, I would read several books (without pictures) per week. Aaah, the good old days! Now, with 3 children 5 and under, including a baby who won't nap I'm lucky to read 2 a month! For me, reading is as necessary as eating. Even if I must stay up all night to do it I will get my daily reading in!
I also love to ponder what I've read and talk about it. Since my 5 year old doesn't care much about how Jane Eyre's concept of God changes as her life does or why chick lit is such a great stress reliever, this is my vehicle for getting it all out. I may even include children's books- I do read plenty of those every day! I'm still figuring it all out. I am always open to suggestions!

Win a Book!

2009-12-31T12:48:00.000-06:00

I always a like a well written memoir, and Corked sounds like a great one. Click the link to visit Chick with Books before 11:59 EST on Feb 1st for a chance to win a copy!