July 2006
Magical Melons, by Carol Ryrie Brink
The sequel to Caddie Woodlawn, but I think it was more individual stories rather than one long story with a continuous plot. Not bad, but not as good as the original. Of course, when are sequels ever as good as the originals?
Eats, Shoots & Leaves, by Lynne Truss
A goofy look at proper punctuation. It was mostly entertaining, although it got a little dry toward the end. Still, it's fun to read about bad punctuation that completely changes the intended meaning. Or maybe I'm just a nerd like that.
Man in Black, by Johnny Cash
After seeing Walk the Line, I wanted to read about what his life was really like. As usual, a lot of events were taken out of order to make the movie, but I think the gist of it was accurate. He struggled with drugs and eventually was able to defeat the addiction with June Carter's help. This book focuses more on his Christian beliefs than the movie does, and includes lyrics from several gospel songs he wrote.
August 2006
The English Patient, by Michael Ondaatje
This book is about a million times better than the movie. It all makes so much more sense. A girl stays in a ruined mansion to care for a war patient who cannot move or really do much of anything. Other people end up staying there too, and stuff happens. Unfortunately, the finer details of the plot have escaped me at the moment, but I remember being impressed that it was a pretty good book.
Plain Truth, by Jodi Picoult
A dead newborn is found in an Amish barn, and an Amish teenager is found to have given birth to the baby, but denies killing it. The family very reluctantly hires a non-Amish relative who is a lawyer to defend the girl. The book is about the story of the girl, the pregnancy, and the murder, but more than that, it is about the Amish and the non-Amish learning to get along and learn to work together.
Amsterdam, by Ian McEwan
Okay, now this book was weird. Two friends promise each other that if they become a menace to society, the other will put him out of his misery (a hotel in Amsterdam offers assisted suicide/assisted murder). Then they get in a bitter fight about something, and each thinks the other has become that menace to society and should be put down. Odd.
Picture Perfect, by Jodi Picoult
A Hollywood star and his wife seem to have the picture perfect life. Then she wakes up one day in a cemetary, not remembering who she is or why she wandered there. Her husband brings her home, and she slowly recalls bits and pieces of their life and finally figures out what happened to make her leave.
September 2006
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Two boys grow up together in Afghanistan. One is the son of a rich widower. The other is the son of their servant. The rich son and his father eventually run away to America during one of the many wars and live somewhat happily ever after...until he learns that the servant's son has been killed and left a young son after him. The rich son returns to Afghanistan to find a place for the boy to live, only to find that the Taliban has changed the country and that his task is much different and more difficult than he anticipated. That was a crappy description of a very good book.
And Both Were Young, by Madeleine L'Engle
A girl in an all-girls boarding school and a boy who lives nearby meet and fall in love. Unexpectedly, the school allows her to see the boy in order to help heal his emotional wounds. A simple, but good, story.
October 2006
The Arm of the Starfish, by Madeleine L'Engle
Meg from A Wrinkle in Time is all grown up and married to Calvin O'Keefe with a large family of their own, and they live on an island off Portugal, where Dr O'Keefe does classified experiments with marine animals. A student named Adam comes to the island to intern for the summer, and gets mixed up with a girl who, unknown to Adam, is trying to steal Dr O'Keefe's research.
Dragons in the Water, by Madeleine L'Engle
Two of the O'Keefe children and their father are on board a freighter going to Venezuela from the US. One of their fellow passengers is taking a valuable family portrait to Venezuela to give to the government. Then the passenger is murdered...whodunit?
November 2006
Moneyball, by Michael Lewis
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's about baseball, which I love, and specifically the Oakland Athletics, which is my husband's favorite team. Billy Beane (general manager of the A's) has a theory that baseball players need to get on base a lot, and that is much more important than how many home runs they hit, their batting average, whether they look like a typical baseball player, and all the other things that his scouts consider important. The book discusses his theories and the reasons behind them, uses specific examples with specific players, and talks about how he builds a successful team using a method all the other GMs think is crazy.
The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas, by Madeleine L'Engle
A children's book about a girl who is counting down the days until she is in the Christmas pageant, but worried that her mother will not be able to see her due to the impending birth of a sibling.
Magic Street, by Orson Scott Card
A young boy is found in a park and raised by a woman who had no children of her own. As he grows up, he discovers that he sometimes dreams about his neighbors being in danger as it is happening - unreal dangers, like becoming a fish and swimming in a waterbed. Unfortunately, this makes him a bit of an outcast. He eventually learns why these things happen and why he dreams about them, and must get the neighborhood together to fight the evil thing that causes it.
The End, by Lemony Snicket
A satisfying, although not neatly wrapped up, end to the series. He continues with the moral of the story being that everything does not end perfectly, but it's still possible to live happily ever after.
December 2006
Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
After wanting to read this book for years, I was somewhat disappointed. It tells the Arthur story from his sister Morgain's point of view. It's okay, but not that great.
Runny Babbit, by Shel Silverstein
A simple book of verses about Runny Babbit and his adventures.
The Broker, by John Grisham
A powerful broker is in prison when the president pardons him in the middle of the night. Many people and nations want him dead, so he is taken to Europe as part of the witness protection program. He eventually hates it and sneaks back to the US and to his family. Not too bad of a book...out of the usual John Grisham realm of lawyer stories.
Saturday, by Ian McEwan
One adventurous day in the life of a certain man. He is a doctor, his beloved daughter is coming home from college that day, and he accidentally makes an enemy who breaks in on his family dinner to hold the daughter hostage. It's a lot of activity for one day. Much less odd than Amsterdam, although it has it's quirks.
The Beatrice Letters, by Lemony Snicket
A random collection of letters between Beatrice and Lemony Snicket. Mildly entertaining, but also not as cohesive as I would like.
Hey, we're on the right year now! Yay!
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Jan - June 2006
January 2006
Grail, by Stephen Lawhead
The fifth book in his King Arthur series, and the followup to Pendragon. This book was all right, but the first three books are far better than the last two.
The Endless Knot, by Stephen Lawhead
The end of the trilogy started with The Paradise Wars. Good book.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith
I loved this book. It's about a girl who grows up in Brooklyn, and she's poor, and she reads a lot to escape the crappy reality she lives in. It's wonderful.
A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
This is one of those books that I forget about for years at a time, then re-read and wonder why I don't own it so I can read it over and over and over and over again. So now I do own it, and have started collecting a lot of her other books. Yay for good books!
February 2006
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, by Douglas Adams
Life, the Universe, and Everything, by Douglas Adams
Hitchhiker's Guide is great goofy sci-fi. There are actually five books in this "trilogy", and I own all five, and someday I will get around to reading all five. The problem is that I have to start at the beginning every time, and by the time I get through three or four, I'm spent. It's goofy and non-sensical and fun, but there's only so much a mind can take. Someday, I'll read the fifth book. I think I've read the fourth one once. The quality declines as the series goes on, but I really enjoy the first one.
March 2006
Circle of Grace, by Penelope Stokes
In that slightly cheesy Christian fiction way, this was a really good book. It's about four very different girls who live together in college, then go their separate ways. They keep in touch by circulating a journal around, although they haven't seen each other in quite a few years. Then one of them learns that she is dying, and she gets the other three to visit her without really telling her why. All four of them have been keeping big secrets from the others, and they finally come clean and become better friends for it.
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
I love this book. And it appears I feel the need to read it every 24 months.
April 2006
Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden
I never saw the movie - still haven't - but I really enjoyed the book. It's about a geisha in Japan, and how she becomes a geisha and all the misery and secrets behind what appears to be a very glamorous lifestyle. It was highly entertaining.
A Wind in the Door, by Madeleine L'Engle
A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeleine L'Engle
Many Water, by Madeleine L'Engle
More adventures from the characters in A Wrinkle in Time. All excellent books, although the first will always be my favorite.
True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi
I love this book, too, and re-read it periodically. It's about a girl whose parents send her on a ship to America to meet them. The captain of the ship is evil, and the sailors are all there to get revenge on him. Charlotte is the only passenger (which is not quite what her parents planned), and she gets in the middle of things. It's great.
May 2006
The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith
Tears of the Giraffe, by Alexander McCall Smith
An African woman opens a detective agency and solves a couple local mysteries. Fun reading.
The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks
I never saw this movie either - why watch the movies when you can read the books? - but I read the book all in one sitting. Fortunately, my husband went to bed well before I finished, because I cried through about the last fifty pages. It was so sad. Not too bad of a book for a sappy romance, except that it was way too sad.
An Unfinished Life, by Mark Spragg
This was a One Book Arizona selection a couple years ago (you know, where they try to get everyone in the state to read the same book at the same time - I've seen it in other states, too). It was pretty good - about a woman who finally leaves abusive boyfriend #500 and takes her daughter back to her father's ranch in the middle of nowhere. The woman and her father haven't spoken in years and years, so they finally have to learn to forgive each other, and she has to learn to find a boyfriend who isn't abusive, and her daughter has to learn what it's like to grow up not scared.
The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown
Fun, I enjoyed playing along with all the clues that Da Vinci left for them to solve the mystery. Just remember that it's fiction, people, and don't get so worked up about it.
Perfect Match, by Jodi Picoult
An attorney discovers that her child has been molested, kills the priest that she believes molested him, and hangs out in jail for a while as it is discovered that everything isn't really as it seems. A good read (although I prefer books that don't involve child molestation, but that could just be me).
Girl Meets God, by Lauren Winner
The author is raised Jewish, becomes an Orthodox Jew in college, then converts to Christianity after college. She does a ton of reading about the religions and their history and beliefs and everything else she can find before, during, and after each religious step. It's pretty informative.
June 2006
Sadly, this month ceased to exist in my reading life. I blame it on the fact that I was taking a summer accounting class and moving. *sigh*
Grail, by Stephen Lawhead
The fifth book in his King Arthur series, and the followup to Pendragon. This book was all right, but the first three books are far better than the last two.
The Endless Knot, by Stephen Lawhead
The end of the trilogy started with The Paradise Wars. Good book.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith
I loved this book. It's about a girl who grows up in Brooklyn, and she's poor, and she reads a lot to escape the crappy reality she lives in. It's wonderful.
A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
This is one of those books that I forget about for years at a time, then re-read and wonder why I don't own it so I can read it over and over and over and over again. So now I do own it, and have started collecting a lot of her other books. Yay for good books!
February 2006
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, by Douglas Adams
Life, the Universe, and Everything, by Douglas Adams
Hitchhiker's Guide is great goofy sci-fi. There are actually five books in this "trilogy", and I own all five, and someday I will get around to reading all five. The problem is that I have to start at the beginning every time, and by the time I get through three or four, I'm spent. It's goofy and non-sensical and fun, but there's only so much a mind can take. Someday, I'll read the fifth book. I think I've read the fourth one once. The quality declines as the series goes on, but I really enjoy the first one.
March 2006
Circle of Grace, by Penelope Stokes
In that slightly cheesy Christian fiction way, this was a really good book. It's about four very different girls who live together in college, then go their separate ways. They keep in touch by circulating a journal around, although they haven't seen each other in quite a few years. Then one of them learns that she is dying, and she gets the other three to visit her without really telling her why. All four of them have been keeping big secrets from the others, and they finally come clean and become better friends for it.
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
I love this book. And it appears I feel the need to read it every 24 months.
April 2006
Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden
I never saw the movie - still haven't - but I really enjoyed the book. It's about a geisha in Japan, and how she becomes a geisha and all the misery and secrets behind what appears to be a very glamorous lifestyle. It was highly entertaining.
A Wind in the Door, by Madeleine L'Engle
A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeleine L'Engle
Many Water, by Madeleine L'Engle
More adventures from the characters in A Wrinkle in Time. All excellent books, although the first will always be my favorite.
True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi
I love this book, too, and re-read it periodically. It's about a girl whose parents send her on a ship to America to meet them. The captain of the ship is evil, and the sailors are all there to get revenge on him. Charlotte is the only passenger (which is not quite what her parents planned), and she gets in the middle of things. It's great.
May 2006
The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith
Tears of the Giraffe, by Alexander McCall Smith
An African woman opens a detective agency and solves a couple local mysteries. Fun reading.
The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks
I never saw this movie either - why watch the movies when you can read the books? - but I read the book all in one sitting. Fortunately, my husband went to bed well before I finished, because I cried through about the last fifty pages. It was so sad. Not too bad of a book for a sappy romance, except that it was way too sad.
An Unfinished Life, by Mark Spragg
This was a One Book Arizona selection a couple years ago (you know, where they try to get everyone in the state to read the same book at the same time - I've seen it in other states, too). It was pretty good - about a woman who finally leaves abusive boyfriend #500 and takes her daughter back to her father's ranch in the middle of nowhere. The woman and her father haven't spoken in years and years, so they finally have to learn to forgive each other, and she has to learn to find a boyfriend who isn't abusive, and her daughter has to learn what it's like to grow up not scared.
The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown
Fun, I enjoyed playing along with all the clues that Da Vinci left for them to solve the mystery. Just remember that it's fiction, people, and don't get so worked up about it.
Perfect Match, by Jodi Picoult
An attorney discovers that her child has been molested, kills the priest that she believes molested him, and hangs out in jail for a while as it is discovered that everything isn't really as it seems. A good read (although I prefer books that don't involve child molestation, but that could just be me).
Girl Meets God, by Lauren Winner
The author is raised Jewish, becomes an Orthodox Jew in college, then converts to Christianity after college. She does a ton of reading about the religions and their history and beliefs and everything else she can find before, during, and after each religious step. It's pretty informative.
June 2006
Sadly, this month ceased to exist in my reading life. I blame it on the fact that I was taking a summer accounting class and moving. *sigh*
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Oct - Dec 2005
October 2005
Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo
A sweet story about a lonely girl in a new town, who befriends a dog she finds in the grocery store. The dog helps her become closer to her father, as well as get to know people she never would have talked to otherwise.
The Edible Woman, by Margaret Atwood
It's just like the title - some crazy woman turns into food. Or at least she thinks so. Someone was on crack when they wrote this book (or it's some deep metaphor for blah blah blah...).
Double Play, by Robert B Parker
Two not very good books in a row here. It's supposed to be a Jackie Robinson-type story, of the first black player in baseball (I think, although I've blocked most of this book out and don't like it enough to double-check the details on Amazon) and the stress and all the security around him, and that sort of thing. Except I didn't really like this book at all.
The Outsiders, by SE Hinton
A classic, about boys growing up in a gang, although they don't really mean to be your typical gang members.
Hawkes Harbor, by SE Hinton
Okay, sometimes I go on these author kicks. This one is a scary little mystery novel. Very different from The Outsiders, and good.
I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith
I wanted to like this book, and for the most part I did, but it just wasn't as great as I was hoping for. Two young girls and their parent grow up poor, rich neighbors move in, the girls get married off - it's one of those stories. It's good, I just felt like it could have been even better somehow.
Anne of Green Gables, by LM Montgomery
I love this book. Anne is an unwanted orphan who eventually wins the hearts of everyone in Avonlea. If you haven't read this book, you're really missing out.
Rumble Fish, by SE Hinton
Another book about a boy who is in a gang of sorts, but has to grow up.
The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver
A slightly random book about a young woman who decides to move across the country. On the way, a Native American woman gives her a small child, and, not knowing what else to do, she keeps the girl and ends up in Tucson, Arizona, raising a child and trying to figure out what to do with her life. Any book that features a place called "Jesus Loves You Used Tires" can't be bad.
The Penultimate Peril, by Lemony Snicket
Book twelve, which is good, because I'm starting to wonder how many bad things he can think up.
November 2005
The Shipping News, by Annie Proulx
This book annoyed me. All the sentences were short and choppy and not complete, and it drove me nuts.
Pendragon, by Stephen Lawhead
The fourth book in his series about King Arthur. Not as good as the first three (Taliesin, Merlin, and Arthur), but not a bad book by any means.
Black, by Ted Dekker
A very odd beginning to a trilogy about a mad who lives in two worlds - the now and the long ago. I haven't gotten around to reading the other two (White and Red), but I'm sure they are equally odd.
December 2005
The Bronze Bow, by Elizabeth George Speare
The story of a young man who must decide whether to follow this strange new prophet Jesus or to be against him. A good book that needs a few sequels just so I can keep reading.
Apparently Christmas really ate into my reading time. Two years down, one and a half to go!
Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo
A sweet story about a lonely girl in a new town, who befriends a dog she finds in the grocery store. The dog helps her become closer to her father, as well as get to know people she never would have talked to otherwise.
The Edible Woman, by Margaret Atwood
It's just like the title - some crazy woman turns into food. Or at least she thinks so. Someone was on crack when they wrote this book (or it's some deep metaphor for blah blah blah...).
Double Play, by Robert B Parker
Two not very good books in a row here. It's supposed to be a Jackie Robinson-type story, of the first black player in baseball (I think, although I've blocked most of this book out and don't like it enough to double-check the details on Amazon) and the stress and all the security around him, and that sort of thing. Except I didn't really like this book at all.
The Outsiders, by SE Hinton
A classic, about boys growing up in a gang, although they don't really mean to be your typical gang members.
Hawkes Harbor, by SE Hinton
Okay, sometimes I go on these author kicks. This one is a scary little mystery novel. Very different from The Outsiders, and good.
I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith
I wanted to like this book, and for the most part I did, but it just wasn't as great as I was hoping for. Two young girls and their parent grow up poor, rich neighbors move in, the girls get married off - it's one of those stories. It's good, I just felt like it could have been even better somehow.
Anne of Green Gables, by LM Montgomery
I love this book. Anne is an unwanted orphan who eventually wins the hearts of everyone in Avonlea. If you haven't read this book, you're really missing out.
Rumble Fish, by SE Hinton
Another book about a boy who is in a gang of sorts, but has to grow up.
The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver
A slightly random book about a young woman who decides to move across the country. On the way, a Native American woman gives her a small child, and, not knowing what else to do, she keeps the girl and ends up in Tucson, Arizona, raising a child and trying to figure out what to do with her life. Any book that features a place called "Jesus Loves You Used Tires" can't be bad.
The Penultimate Peril, by Lemony Snicket
Book twelve, which is good, because I'm starting to wonder how many bad things he can think up.
November 2005
The Shipping News, by Annie Proulx
This book annoyed me. All the sentences were short and choppy and not complete, and it drove me nuts.
Pendragon, by Stephen Lawhead
The fourth book in his series about King Arthur. Not as good as the first three (Taliesin, Merlin, and Arthur), but not a bad book by any means.
Black, by Ted Dekker
A very odd beginning to a trilogy about a mad who lives in two worlds - the now and the long ago. I haven't gotten around to reading the other two (White and Red), but I'm sure they are equally odd.
December 2005
The Bronze Bow, by Elizabeth George Speare
The story of a young man who must decide whether to follow this strange new prophet Jesus or to be against him. A good book that needs a few sequels just so I can keep reading.
Apparently Christmas really ate into my reading time. Two years down, one and a half to go!
Monday, May 28, 2007
April - Sept 2005
April 2005
Child Queen, by Nancy McKenzie
One of my favorite King Arthur stories. This tells the legend from Guinevere's point of view, starting with her childhood and ending not long after her marriage to a total stranger who happened to be the High King of Britain. There is also a sequel, High Queen, which details the peaceful years in Britain, and Guinevere's inability to produce an heir to the throne.
84 Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff
A book about people who like books. A woman and a bookseller strike up a friendship through letters as they talk about various books. It's short and sweet.
The Reptile Room, by Lemony Snicket
Book two, where the orphans go to live with Uncle Monty and his snakes.
The Wide Window, by Lemony Snicket
Book three, as they move to an aunt's house overlooking a lake full of leeches.
The Miserable Mill, by Lemony Snicket
Book four, when the older orphans are forced to work in a mill, where they are paid a piece of chewing gum each day.
May 2005
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon
A strange book about two friends who create a very popular comic book, and how that changes their lives. I don't remember a whole lot about it, except that I thought it was weird.
The Austere Academy, by Lemony Snicket
Book five, in a boarding school with an awful violinist as the prinicipal.
The Ersatz Elevator, by Lemony Snicket
Book six, the orphans live with some relatives way up in a penthouse. The female relative's main concern in life is what is "in" right now. At the beginning of the book, orphans are "in", so they agree to take care of them.
The Vile Village, by Lemony Snicket
Book seven, the orphans move to a village with the initials VFD, in hopes that it will give them a clue to the mystery behind their parents' death.
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
A boy, his family, and some animals from the zoo all board a ship bound for Canada. The ship sinks and only the boy and a couple of the zoo animals make it onto a life raft. The boy must develop survival skills to keep himself and the animals alive while they float across the Pacific Ocean. Did I mention that one of the animals is a hungry tiger? I liked all of this book except the end, which may or may not be a cop-out.
Stiff, by Mary Roach
A book about corpses, which is fun to read during lunch breaks. It's an entertaining study of what happens to the body after death, including the physical changes, the possibility of the soul, and where bodies go that have been donated to science. It was recommended by a friend who was a lab assistant in anatomy & physiology - her job including preparing the bodies for lab use. Despite the slightly odd subject matter, it's a good book, and not really disgusting at all.
Girls in Pants, by Ann Brashares
The third summer of the sisterhood of the traveling pants. Lena, Carmen, Bridget, and Tibby have graduated from high school and this is their last summer before going separate ways to college. Bridget returns to soccer camp as a coach, Lena gets a job to escape her unhappy Greek grandmother, Carmen gets a job caring for Lena's unhappy Greek grandmother, and Tibby is in denial and in love with Brian.
June 2005
Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson
A wacky - and surprisingly thick - book about secret codes in World War II and the people who broke them, and what they did with the information, and lots of other strange stuff.
Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt
An odd little fairy tale about a boy with eternal youth.
The Hostile Hospital, by Lemony Snicket
Book eight, the orphans are forced to work in the dusty basement of the hospital, where they find some old hospital records that might offer some clues.
The Carniverous Carnival, by Lemony Snicket
Book nine, the orphans join a traveling circus full of "freaks".
Hard Laughter, by Anne Lamott
A book about family, and how they come together in hard times. The main character is a young woman who discovers that her father is dying. Between caring for him, helping her brothers face reality, and carrying on with the rest of her life, she learns that there is always something to laugh about.
The Slippery Slope, by Lemony Snicket
Book ten, the orphans nearly die.
The Grim Grotto, by Lemony Snicket
Book eleven, the orphans hang out in a submarine-ish thing.
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver
A family goes off the the jungles because their father is a minister and wants to reach out to the people of the jungle. The rest of the family isn't so enthusiastic about it, and the native people aren't so enthusiastic about it, and you can guess that it doesn't go too well. A pretty interesting book.
The True Story of Hansel & Gretel, by Louise Murphy
Okay, I don't remember anything about this book, which probably means I didn't like it much. Amazon tells me it's about two Jewish children who are dropped off in a forest by their father and evil stepmother during World War II. I don't think it was really that bad of a book.
Traveling Mercies, by Anne Lamott
An autobiographical book, the author explores a variety religions as she grows up, and each one has an effect on her life and the next step in her quest for faith.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by JK Rowling
Time to reread the series so far before book six comes out.
Me & Emma, by Elizabeth Flock
Two young girls have a rough life, with an unstable stepfather and a beaten-down mother. Fortunately, Emma is there to protect her sister and keep all the bad things from happening to her. At least that's what you think happens. This was a really good book, I think.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by JK Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by JK Rowling
Hey, these are quick reads, okay?
July 2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by JK Rowling
I think this is my favorite so far. I'll let you know after I reread them all this summer before #7 comes out.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by JK Rowling
Another Fine Myth, by Robert Asprin
Ah, the Myth series. These are about fifth-grade level books for people who like puns and other wordplay, as you can tell from the titles. They are about Skeeve, a wizard-in-training whose master dies. With the reluctant help of a demon named Aahz, who has lost his powers and needs Skeeve's, he travels the universe. The two eventually become friends of a sort, and have all kinds of entertaining adventures.
Myth Conceptions, by Robert Asprin
Book two
Hit or Myth, by Robert Asprin
Book four - I got a little out of order by accident. Fortunately, it doesn't matter too much.
Myth Directions, by Robert Asprin
Book three
Myth-ion Improbable, by Robert Asprin
Book three and a half - it was written much later to explain some events that transpired between books three and four.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, by JK Rowling
At last! The new Harry Potter!
Myth-ing Persons, by Robert Asprin
Little Myth Marker, by Robert Asprin
MYTH Inc Link, by Robert Asprin
Myth-nomers and Im-pervections, by Robert Asprin
Books five through nine.
Magic Kingdom for Sale, by Terry Brooks
A man ends up in a kingdom with no king, with the goal of becoming the king in one year, or else. I could never really get into this book, and the ending especially annoyed me. I never should have left the Myth series...
Sweet Myth-tery of Life, by Robert Asprin
Something MYTH Inc, by Robert Asprin
Myth Alliances, by Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye
Books ten through twelve.
Three nights in August, by Buzz Bissinger
An inside look at a weekend series against the Chicago Cubs, focusing mostly on St Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. I really enjoyed this book. Of course, I enjoy most books about baseball, but that's irrelevant.
August 2005
The Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander
The Black Cauldron, by Lloyd Alexander
The Castle of Llyr, by Lloyd Alexander
The first three books of a great series about Taran, who begins as an assistant pig-keeper and moves up in life.
Myth-taken Identity, by Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye
The most recent myth book, at the time. I haven't checked since to see if there are more.
Taran Wanderer, by Lloyd Alexander
The High King, by Lloyd Alexander
The last two books of the series. Did I mention that these are great books?
Chicken Soup for the Working Women's Soul, by Jack Canfield, etc
My mom buys me these books sometimes, and I enjoy reading them from time to time.
September 2005
The Paradise War, by Stephen Lawhead
A couple grad students in England accidentally find a port to a world several hundred years before. One becomes selfish and wants only what is best for him in this new world. One wants to save his friend and get back to their world without doing any damage. Of course, that doesn't happen, so he tries to make the best of it. A little odd, but I really enjoyed this series.
The Silver Hand, by Stephen Lawhead
The second book in the trilogy started with The Paradise War.
Soulmate, by Deepak Chopra
Boy meets girl, girl is unavailable, boy loves girl, boy finally gets girl, girl dies. The usual.
Travels, by Michael Crichton
A collections of short stories about various trips Michael Crichton has been on, climbing mountains, camping in jungles, and all sorts of other exotic stuff. Fascinating.
Child Queen, by Nancy McKenzie
One of my favorite King Arthur stories. This tells the legend from Guinevere's point of view, starting with her childhood and ending not long after her marriage to a total stranger who happened to be the High King of Britain. There is also a sequel, High Queen, which details the peaceful years in Britain, and Guinevere's inability to produce an heir to the throne.
84 Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff
A book about people who like books. A woman and a bookseller strike up a friendship through letters as they talk about various books. It's short and sweet.
The Reptile Room, by Lemony Snicket
Book two, where the orphans go to live with Uncle Monty and his snakes.
The Wide Window, by Lemony Snicket
Book three, as they move to an aunt's house overlooking a lake full of leeches.
The Miserable Mill, by Lemony Snicket
Book four, when the older orphans are forced to work in a mill, where they are paid a piece of chewing gum each day.
May 2005
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon
A strange book about two friends who create a very popular comic book, and how that changes their lives. I don't remember a whole lot about it, except that I thought it was weird.
The Austere Academy, by Lemony Snicket
Book five, in a boarding school with an awful violinist as the prinicipal.
The Ersatz Elevator, by Lemony Snicket
Book six, the orphans live with some relatives way up in a penthouse. The female relative's main concern in life is what is "in" right now. At the beginning of the book, orphans are "in", so they agree to take care of them.
The Vile Village, by Lemony Snicket
Book seven, the orphans move to a village with the initials VFD, in hopes that it will give them a clue to the mystery behind their parents' death.
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
A boy, his family, and some animals from the zoo all board a ship bound for Canada. The ship sinks and only the boy and a couple of the zoo animals make it onto a life raft. The boy must develop survival skills to keep himself and the animals alive while they float across the Pacific Ocean. Did I mention that one of the animals is a hungry tiger? I liked all of this book except the end, which may or may not be a cop-out.
Stiff, by Mary Roach
A book about corpses, which is fun to read during lunch breaks. It's an entertaining study of what happens to the body after death, including the physical changes, the possibility of the soul, and where bodies go that have been donated to science. It was recommended by a friend who was a lab assistant in anatomy & physiology - her job including preparing the bodies for lab use. Despite the slightly odd subject matter, it's a good book, and not really disgusting at all.
Girls in Pants, by Ann Brashares
The third summer of the sisterhood of the traveling pants. Lena, Carmen, Bridget, and Tibby have graduated from high school and this is their last summer before going separate ways to college. Bridget returns to soccer camp as a coach, Lena gets a job to escape her unhappy Greek grandmother, Carmen gets a job caring for Lena's unhappy Greek grandmother, and Tibby is in denial and in love with Brian.
June 2005
Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson
A wacky - and surprisingly thick - book about secret codes in World War II and the people who broke them, and what they did with the information, and lots of other strange stuff.
Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt
An odd little fairy tale about a boy with eternal youth.
The Hostile Hospital, by Lemony Snicket
Book eight, the orphans are forced to work in the dusty basement of the hospital, where they find some old hospital records that might offer some clues.
The Carniverous Carnival, by Lemony Snicket
Book nine, the orphans join a traveling circus full of "freaks".
Hard Laughter, by Anne Lamott
A book about family, and how they come together in hard times. The main character is a young woman who discovers that her father is dying. Between caring for him, helping her brothers face reality, and carrying on with the rest of her life, she learns that there is always something to laugh about.
The Slippery Slope, by Lemony Snicket
Book ten, the orphans nearly die.
The Grim Grotto, by Lemony Snicket
Book eleven, the orphans hang out in a submarine-ish thing.
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver
A family goes off the the jungles because their father is a minister and wants to reach out to the people of the jungle. The rest of the family isn't so enthusiastic about it, and the native people aren't so enthusiastic about it, and you can guess that it doesn't go too well. A pretty interesting book.
The True Story of Hansel & Gretel, by Louise Murphy
Okay, I don't remember anything about this book, which probably means I didn't like it much. Amazon tells me it's about two Jewish children who are dropped off in a forest by their father and evil stepmother during World War II. I don't think it was really that bad of a book.
Traveling Mercies, by Anne Lamott
An autobiographical book, the author explores a variety religions as she grows up, and each one has an effect on her life and the next step in her quest for faith.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by JK Rowling
Time to reread the series so far before book six comes out.
Me & Emma, by Elizabeth Flock
Two young girls have a rough life, with an unstable stepfather and a beaten-down mother. Fortunately, Emma is there to protect her sister and keep all the bad things from happening to her. At least that's what you think happens. This was a really good book, I think.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by JK Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by JK Rowling
Hey, these are quick reads, okay?
July 2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by JK Rowling
I think this is my favorite so far. I'll let you know after I reread them all this summer before #7 comes out.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by JK Rowling
Another Fine Myth, by Robert Asprin
Ah, the Myth series. These are about fifth-grade level books for people who like puns and other wordplay, as you can tell from the titles. They are about Skeeve, a wizard-in-training whose master dies. With the reluctant help of a demon named Aahz, who has lost his powers and needs Skeeve's, he travels the universe. The two eventually become friends of a sort, and have all kinds of entertaining adventures.
Myth Conceptions, by Robert Asprin
Book two
Hit or Myth, by Robert Asprin
Book four - I got a little out of order by accident. Fortunately, it doesn't matter too much.
Myth Directions, by Robert Asprin
Book three
Myth-ion Improbable, by Robert Asprin
Book three and a half - it was written much later to explain some events that transpired between books three and four.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, by JK Rowling
At last! The new Harry Potter!
Myth-ing Persons, by Robert Asprin
Little Myth Marker, by Robert Asprin
MYTH Inc Link, by Robert Asprin
Myth-nomers and Im-pervections, by Robert Asprin
Books five through nine.
Magic Kingdom for Sale, by Terry Brooks
A man ends up in a kingdom with no king, with the goal of becoming the king in one year, or else. I could never really get into this book, and the ending especially annoyed me. I never should have left the Myth series...
Sweet Myth-tery of Life, by Robert Asprin
Something MYTH Inc, by Robert Asprin
Myth Alliances, by Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye
Books ten through twelve.
Three nights in August, by Buzz Bissinger
An inside look at a weekend series against the Chicago Cubs, focusing mostly on St Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. I really enjoyed this book. Of course, I enjoy most books about baseball, but that's irrelevant.
August 2005
The Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander
The Black Cauldron, by Lloyd Alexander
The Castle of Llyr, by Lloyd Alexander
The first three books of a great series about Taran, who begins as an assistant pig-keeper and moves up in life.
Myth-taken Identity, by Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye
The most recent myth book, at the time. I haven't checked since to see if there are more.
Taran Wanderer, by Lloyd Alexander
The High King, by Lloyd Alexander
The last two books of the series. Did I mention that these are great books?
Chicken Soup for the Working Women's Soul, by Jack Canfield, etc
My mom buys me these books sometimes, and I enjoy reading them from time to time.
September 2005
The Paradise War, by Stephen Lawhead
A couple grad students in England accidentally find a port to a world several hundred years before. One becomes selfish and wants only what is best for him in this new world. One wants to save his friend and get back to their world without doing any damage. Of course, that doesn't happen, so he tries to make the best of it. A little odd, but I really enjoyed this series.
The Silver Hand, by Stephen Lawhead
The second book in the trilogy started with The Paradise War.
Soulmate, by Deepak Chopra
Boy meets girl, girl is unavailable, boy loves girl, boy finally gets girl, girl dies. The usual.
Travels, by Michael Crichton
A collections of short stories about various trips Michael Crichton has been on, climbing mountains, camping in jungles, and all sorts of other exotic stuff. Fascinating.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Jan - March 2005
Well, now that another semester of "Who Wants to be a CPA?" is out of the way, and I have a life again, I'm back.
January 2005
Seventh Son, by Orson Scott Card
The first in a series about Alvin, the seventh son of a seventh son, back in colonial America. If you would read my description of The Crystal City (June 2004), you would already know what this series is about.
Maniac McGee, by Jerry Spinelli
A book about a misfit kid, which is what Jerry Spinelli does (and does well). He is an orphan, performs some unusual athletic feats at school, runs away from his aunt and uncle and lives with a friend and her family, and tries to dissipate the racial tension in his town. You know, the normal stuff everyone does as a teenager.
Red Prophet, by Orson Scott Card
Prentice Alvin, by Orson Scott Card
Books two and three of the series starting with Seventh Son, as Alvin grows up and learns to use his talents. He also learns that a lot of other people don't like his talents.
Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander
I was quite sad to see that Lloyd Alexander died this week. This is the first of five books that start with Taran, an assistant pig-keeper for a magician, who feels there is more to life than watching the pigs. He's right, but you only get a hint of that in this book.
Alvin Journeyman, by Orson Scott Card
Book four of the Seventh Son series.
February 2005
All Things Bright and Beautiful, by James Herriot
Hey, this is a good book, okay? Nothing wrong with reading the same books over and over again...
A Bad Beginning, by Lemony Snicket
I thought I would read the first one, to see if the whole series was worth my time. It was. If you need me to tell you what this book is about, get out of your cave and go to the library.
Crash, by Jerry Spinelli
A boy named Crash spends much of his childhood tormenting a neighbor kid. Then he slowly becomes friends with the neighbor, although they have very different lives.
Xenocide, by Orson Scott Card
Another book in the Ender's Game series, a followup to Speaker for the Dead. Ender lives on a planet that has humans and odd little animals that most of the humans refer to as "piggies". Also living on the planet is a virus which is fatal to humans and essential to piggies. The rulers of the universe are afraid of the virus spreading, so they decide to destroy the entire planet. Ender has become friends with a being inside the universe-wide super-computer, and she causes the ships sent to destroy the planet to disappear. Naturally, this causes a bit of an uproar.
Children of the Mind, by Orson Scott Card
A continuation of the story in Xenocide.
Summerland, by Michael Chabon
The worst player from a small town Little League team is called upon to save the magical creatures who keep Summerland summery. It combines baseball and a goofy fantasy world - what's not to like?
March 2005
A Life Worth Living, by Mimi & Liz Deeths
After Mimi learns she has cancer, she keeps living life to the fullest for ten more years. This book is a collection of letters, journal entries, and stories from friends about how she never gave up and was an encouragement to those around her, even while struggling through her bad days of cancer and treatment. Her daughter, Liz, put it all together into a book after Mimi died. It's good, you should read it.
The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis
The first book about Peter, Susan, Edward, and Lucy and their discovery of and adventures in Narnia.
Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink
Caddie is a bit of a tomboy, and prefers getting dirty with her two older brothers over being prim and proper like her little sister. She has a lot of fun and gets in a lot of trouble.
You Are Special, by Max Lucado
Punchinello lives in a city where people who do good things get star stickers, and people who do bad things get dot stickers. No matter how hard he tries, he is always covered in dot stickers, which makes him very unhappy. Then one day he meets the carpenter who made all the people, and the carpenter explains that Punchinello is special no matter what the others think.
The Crystal City, by Orson Scott Card
Book six (and the end) of the Alvin series. I accidentally skipped book five (Heartfire), but that's okay. In this one, Alvin finally builds the city he has been dreaming about for years, where everyone uses their special talents for the good of the entire community.
January 2005
Seventh Son, by Orson Scott Card
The first in a series about Alvin, the seventh son of a seventh son, back in colonial America. If you would read my description of The Crystal City (June 2004), you would already know what this series is about.
Maniac McGee, by Jerry Spinelli
A book about a misfit kid, which is what Jerry Spinelli does (and does well). He is an orphan, performs some unusual athletic feats at school, runs away from his aunt and uncle and lives with a friend and her family, and tries to dissipate the racial tension in his town. You know, the normal stuff everyone does as a teenager.
Red Prophet, by Orson Scott Card
Prentice Alvin, by Orson Scott Card
Books two and three of the series starting with Seventh Son, as Alvin grows up and learns to use his talents. He also learns that a lot of other people don't like his talents.
Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander
I was quite sad to see that Lloyd Alexander died this week. This is the first of five books that start with Taran, an assistant pig-keeper for a magician, who feels there is more to life than watching the pigs. He's right, but you only get a hint of that in this book.
Alvin Journeyman, by Orson Scott Card
Book four of the Seventh Son series.
February 2005
All Things Bright and Beautiful, by James Herriot
Hey, this is a good book, okay? Nothing wrong with reading the same books over and over again...
A Bad Beginning, by Lemony Snicket
I thought I would read the first one, to see if the whole series was worth my time. It was. If you need me to tell you what this book is about, get out of your cave and go to the library.
Crash, by Jerry Spinelli
A boy named Crash spends much of his childhood tormenting a neighbor kid. Then he slowly becomes friends with the neighbor, although they have very different lives.
Xenocide, by Orson Scott Card
Another book in the Ender's Game series, a followup to Speaker for the Dead. Ender lives on a planet that has humans and odd little animals that most of the humans refer to as "piggies". Also living on the planet is a virus which is fatal to humans and essential to piggies. The rulers of the universe are afraid of the virus spreading, so they decide to destroy the entire planet. Ender has become friends with a being inside the universe-wide super-computer, and she causes the ships sent to destroy the planet to disappear. Naturally, this causes a bit of an uproar.
Children of the Mind, by Orson Scott Card
A continuation of the story in Xenocide.
Summerland, by Michael Chabon
The worst player from a small town Little League team is called upon to save the magical creatures who keep Summerland summery. It combines baseball and a goofy fantasy world - what's not to like?
March 2005
A Life Worth Living, by Mimi & Liz Deeths
After Mimi learns she has cancer, she keeps living life to the fullest for ten more years. This book is a collection of letters, journal entries, and stories from friends about how she never gave up and was an encouragement to those around her, even while struggling through her bad days of cancer and treatment. Her daughter, Liz, put it all together into a book after Mimi died. It's good, you should read it.
The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis
The first book about Peter, Susan, Edward, and Lucy and their discovery of and adventures in Narnia.
Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink
Caddie is a bit of a tomboy, and prefers getting dirty with her two older brothers over being prim and proper like her little sister. She has a lot of fun and gets in a lot of trouble.
You Are Special, by Max Lucado
Punchinello lives in a city where people who do good things get star stickers, and people who do bad things get dot stickers. No matter how hard he tries, he is always covered in dot stickers, which makes him very unhappy. Then one day he meets the carpenter who made all the people, and the carpenter explains that Punchinello is special no matter what the others think.
The Crystal City, by Orson Scott Card
Book six (and the end) of the Alvin series. I accidentally skipped book five (Heartfire), but that's okay. In this one, Alvin finally builds the city he has been dreaming about for years, where everyone uses their special talents for the good of the entire community.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Sept - Dec 2004
My New Year's resolution is to get this all caught up. So, let's get cracking...
September 2004:
Blue Bottle Club, by Penelope Stokes
This book came recommended by the token reader of this blog. It's a slightly cheesy (that's a compliment - it could have been so much worse!) Christian fiction book about four girls who grow up together, then go their separate ways. Many many years later, one of them hunts down the rest and they compare lives. That's a really generic synopsis because it's been a while and I don't know if I remember all the details correctly, and I don't want to screw them up because Liz might call me on it. It's pretty good, and probably better than I am making it sound here.
The Land of Oz, by L Frank Baum
Book 2 in the Oz series.
Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
One of my all time favorite books. Ender is a little kid who is sent off to battle school with all the other smart kids to learn how to fight so he can save the world from the buggers when they attack. It's well-written, captures the behavior of 7 to 15 year-olds (good and bad), and includes fun battle "games" with no gravity, which always sounds fun to me. This is a wonderful book. Even if you think you don't like science fiction, you should read this book. I re-read it every couple years just to remind myself how great it is.
October 2004:
Ender's Shadow, by Orson Scott Card
I'd like to take this moment to state that I love almost everything I have ever read by Orson Scott Card. I think I already said that. Anyways, this is another book about Ender and his little friends from battle school. It takes place after Ender's Game, back on Earth after the bugger attack, and focuses on one of his battle school-mates.
The Secret School, by Avi
This is a fairly short, middle-school level book about some kids in a one-room schoolhouse. Their teacher has to leave to take care of a sick relative, so one of the older students decides that they will secretly continue to have school, with her as the teacher, so she can finish and go on to high school the next year. Not one of Avi's best books, but not bad at all.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, by Ann Brashares
Four teenage girls have known each other since birth. They are now in high school and facing the first ever summer where they will not all be together. In a thrift shop, one of them finds a pair of jeans that magically fits all four girls perfectly. They form the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and make a pact that they will rotate the jeans around and keep in touch over the summer. The four head their separate ways and have separate adventures, and the pants always show up just when they need them the most, as a tangible reminder of the other three girls who love them and will always be there for them.
The Escape from Home, by Avi
A book about a poor family who is trying to catch a ship to America to make a better life.
Searching for Shona, by Margaret J Anderson
I remembered reading this book when I was in grade school, and it took me this long to find it again. Sadly, it wasn't as good as I remembered, but it wasn't bad. Two girls switch identities as they are being shipped off to a safe place from WWII London. They live several years under the wrong identities, and are much happier where they ended up than where they were supposed to go. They promised to meet and switch back after the war was over, but neither wants to.
Songmaster, by Orson Scott Card
This one is unrelated to all of this other books, and it's about a young boy who has a magical gift of song. Not too bad.
Blink, by Ted Dekker
This book was recommended by a friend's IM away message. It's about a girl who escapes the Middle East and an arranged marriage to the United States. She meets a supersmart college student, and they drive all over the place trying to evade her husband-to-be and his minions who come after her. It's interesting, and reminds the reader why our country is theoretically fighting for more rights and freedoms in the Middle East.
Ozma of Oz, by L Frank Baum
Book 3 of the Oz series. This was my favorite when I was little.
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, by L Frank Baum
That's "in" Oz, not "of" Oz. Book 4 of the Oz series.
Shadow of the Hegemon, by Orson Scott Card
Another sequel of sorts to Ender's Game. Ender's older brother Peter becomes the Hegemon, who is the world leader after the bugger wars are over.
Beyond the Western Sea, by Avi
The sequel to The Escape from Home.
Christy, by Catherine Marshall
A classic story of a young girl who goes into the mountains to teach, the hardships she endures, the friends she makes, and the love she finds. Anyone who has ever thought about teaching loves this book.
The Lost Years of Merlin, by TA Barron
The first in a 5 book series about Merlin's childhood and how he became the famous wizard who helped King Arthur bring peace to Britain. A unique perspective on the Arthurian legend, and very good. I wish there were more of these books.
Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli
A sad story about a girl who doesn't fit in. She tries to fit in to please a boy, but she loses a part of herself. Then the boy loses her, and he is sad. Conforming is not all it's cracked up to be. Excellent book.
The Seven Songs of Merlin, by TA Barron
Book 2
That was a lot of books for one month! I promise, I really do work full time and have a life.
November 2004:
The Last Page, by Brian Palmer
A great book by a college friend, about two people who meet and must overcome their inablility to trust others. Especially fun because it is set in the town where we went to college.
The Literary Detective, by Chris DeVore
Another book by a college friend, although this one was harder for me to read because it is more abstract. It does involve baseball, though, which is always good.
The Fires of Merlin, by TA Barron
Book 3
Julie, by Catherine Marshall
A girl and her family move to Pennsylvania and she grows up and life isn't easy. Not the classic that Christy is, but a good book nonetheless.
Second Summer of the Sisterhood, by Ann Brashares
More adventures of the traveling pants!
Wings of Merlin, by TA Barron
Mirror of Merlin, by TA Barron
Books 4 and 5, which sadly ends the series.
Speaker for the Dead, by Orson Scott Card
Oddly, this book came up in conversation with my boss several months ago. Ender is all grown up, and travels about the planets speaking about people who have died. Instead of the usual platitudes one hears at a funeral, he speaks truth, which is usually more than the listeners want to hear. He speaks fairly and honestly, with the intent of showing all sides of a person, not just the side that everyone saw. It's great.
Shadow Puppets, by Orson Scott Card
Another story about the people back on Earth after the bugger wars.
December 2004:
Monkey Sonatas, by Orson Scott Card
A book of short stories. A bit more science-fictiony than I like, but that could just be me.
Folk of the Fringe, by Orson Scott Card
A group of Mormons heads west to seek the promised land after nuclear weapons destroy the eastern US. Actually a group of connected short stories.
Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom
Let me sum it up for you: Enjoy life. Enjoy the people around you. It's all going to end someday.
The Pelican Brief, by John Grisham
A young, and of course pretty, law student stumbles across something that puts her in danger, she flees, using disguises and nearly getting killed, and somehow survives. I liked this book.
The Thornbirds, by Colleen McCollough
This is supposed to be a really great book. It includes a priest who breaks his vow of celibacy multiple times with the same woman, who seems to sleep with anyone who will hold still long enough. There's some other story in there too, but that's what I remember.
Call of the Wild, by Jack London
Uh, there is a dog involved. I forget the details.
White Fang, by Jack London
Another dog story, about a misfit who is forced to learn to get along with other dogs so they can all survive.
One year down, two to go!
September 2004:
Blue Bottle Club, by Penelope Stokes
This book came recommended by the token reader of this blog. It's a slightly cheesy (that's a compliment - it could have been so much worse!) Christian fiction book about four girls who grow up together, then go their separate ways. Many many years later, one of them hunts down the rest and they compare lives. That's a really generic synopsis because it's been a while and I don't know if I remember all the details correctly, and I don't want to screw them up because Liz might call me on it. It's pretty good, and probably better than I am making it sound here.
The Land of Oz, by L Frank Baum
Book 2 in the Oz series.
Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
One of my all time favorite books. Ender is a little kid who is sent off to battle school with all the other smart kids to learn how to fight so he can save the world from the buggers when they attack. It's well-written, captures the behavior of 7 to 15 year-olds (good and bad), and includes fun battle "games" with no gravity, which always sounds fun to me. This is a wonderful book. Even if you think you don't like science fiction, you should read this book. I re-read it every couple years just to remind myself how great it is.
October 2004:
Ender's Shadow, by Orson Scott Card
I'd like to take this moment to state that I love almost everything I have ever read by Orson Scott Card. I think I already said that. Anyways, this is another book about Ender and his little friends from battle school. It takes place after Ender's Game, back on Earth after the bugger attack, and focuses on one of his battle school-mates.
The Secret School, by Avi
This is a fairly short, middle-school level book about some kids in a one-room schoolhouse. Their teacher has to leave to take care of a sick relative, so one of the older students decides that they will secretly continue to have school, with her as the teacher, so she can finish and go on to high school the next year. Not one of Avi's best books, but not bad at all.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, by Ann Brashares
Four teenage girls have known each other since birth. They are now in high school and facing the first ever summer where they will not all be together. In a thrift shop, one of them finds a pair of jeans that magically fits all four girls perfectly. They form the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and make a pact that they will rotate the jeans around and keep in touch over the summer. The four head their separate ways and have separate adventures, and the pants always show up just when they need them the most, as a tangible reminder of the other three girls who love them and will always be there for them.
The Escape from Home, by Avi
A book about a poor family who is trying to catch a ship to America to make a better life.
Searching for Shona, by Margaret J Anderson
I remembered reading this book when I was in grade school, and it took me this long to find it again. Sadly, it wasn't as good as I remembered, but it wasn't bad. Two girls switch identities as they are being shipped off to a safe place from WWII London. They live several years under the wrong identities, and are much happier where they ended up than where they were supposed to go. They promised to meet and switch back after the war was over, but neither wants to.
Songmaster, by Orson Scott Card
This one is unrelated to all of this other books, and it's about a young boy who has a magical gift of song. Not too bad.
Blink, by Ted Dekker
This book was recommended by a friend's IM away message. It's about a girl who escapes the Middle East and an arranged marriage to the United States. She meets a supersmart college student, and they drive all over the place trying to evade her husband-to-be and his minions who come after her. It's interesting, and reminds the reader why our country is theoretically fighting for more rights and freedoms in the Middle East.
Ozma of Oz, by L Frank Baum
Book 3 of the Oz series. This was my favorite when I was little.
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, by L Frank Baum
That's "in" Oz, not "of" Oz. Book 4 of the Oz series.
Shadow of the Hegemon, by Orson Scott Card
Another sequel of sorts to Ender's Game. Ender's older brother Peter becomes the Hegemon, who is the world leader after the bugger wars are over.
Beyond the Western Sea, by Avi
The sequel to The Escape from Home.
Christy, by Catherine Marshall
A classic story of a young girl who goes into the mountains to teach, the hardships she endures, the friends she makes, and the love she finds. Anyone who has ever thought about teaching loves this book.
The Lost Years of Merlin, by TA Barron
The first in a 5 book series about Merlin's childhood and how he became the famous wizard who helped King Arthur bring peace to Britain. A unique perspective on the Arthurian legend, and very good. I wish there were more of these books.
Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli
A sad story about a girl who doesn't fit in. She tries to fit in to please a boy, but she loses a part of herself. Then the boy loses her, and he is sad. Conforming is not all it's cracked up to be. Excellent book.
The Seven Songs of Merlin, by TA Barron
Book 2
That was a lot of books for one month! I promise, I really do work full time and have a life.
November 2004:
The Last Page, by Brian Palmer
A great book by a college friend, about two people who meet and must overcome their inablility to trust others. Especially fun because it is set in the town where we went to college.
The Literary Detective, by Chris DeVore
Another book by a college friend, although this one was harder for me to read because it is more abstract. It does involve baseball, though, which is always good.
The Fires of Merlin, by TA Barron
Book 3
Julie, by Catherine Marshall
A girl and her family move to Pennsylvania and she grows up and life isn't easy. Not the classic that Christy is, but a good book nonetheless.
Second Summer of the Sisterhood, by Ann Brashares
More adventures of the traveling pants!
Wings of Merlin, by TA Barron
Mirror of Merlin, by TA Barron
Books 4 and 5, which sadly ends the series.
Speaker for the Dead, by Orson Scott Card
Oddly, this book came up in conversation with my boss several months ago. Ender is all grown up, and travels about the planets speaking about people who have died. Instead of the usual platitudes one hears at a funeral, he speaks truth, which is usually more than the listeners want to hear. He speaks fairly and honestly, with the intent of showing all sides of a person, not just the side that everyone saw. It's great.
Shadow Puppets, by Orson Scott Card
Another story about the people back on Earth after the bugger wars.
December 2004:
Monkey Sonatas, by Orson Scott Card
A book of short stories. A bit more science-fictiony than I like, but that could just be me.
Folk of the Fringe, by Orson Scott Card
A group of Mormons heads west to seek the promised land after nuclear weapons destroy the eastern US. Actually a group of connected short stories.
Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom
Let me sum it up for you: Enjoy life. Enjoy the people around you. It's all going to end someday.
The Pelican Brief, by John Grisham
A young, and of course pretty, law student stumbles across something that puts her in danger, she flees, using disguises and nearly getting killed, and somehow survives. I liked this book.
The Thornbirds, by Colleen McCollough
This is supposed to be a really great book. It includes a priest who breaks his vow of celibacy multiple times with the same woman, who seems to sleep with anyone who will hold still long enough. There's some other story in there too, but that's what I remember.
Call of the Wild, by Jack London
Uh, there is a dog involved. I forget the details.
White Fang, by Jack London
Another dog story, about a misfit who is forced to learn to get along with other dogs so they can all survive.
One year down, two to go!