Summer Reading Thing 2009

LDS Publisher is hosting a Summer Reading Thing. Since I do so much reading in the summer I decided to take part. The rules are simple. You make a list of books to read during the summer - as many or as few as you want. They have to be by LDS authors. You also have to post at least one review on your blog. The rest of the rules can be found here.

This list is just the beginning. I'm sure I'll add to it as the summer progresses.

1. Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston
2. Lemon Tart by Josi Kilpack
3. The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum
4. The Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner
5. The Golden Verses by Barbara Miller
6. Recovering Charles by Jason F. Wright
7. Eyes of a Stranger by Rachel Ann Nunes
8. Princess at the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

Summer Book Trek Wrap-up

It has been a busy summer of reading. My list grew as I became involved in blog tours and read reviews on other blogs. As always, I enjoy a reading challenge and found myself reading a variety of genres and styles. It's a good thing I read quickly as my reading list is always growing. Here are some questions from LDS Publisher about the book trek.

1. How many fiction books by LDS authors did you read?
-Fifteen

2. Did you read more than you would have read if you hadn't participated in this book trek?
-No

3. Did the reviews posted by other participants influence which titles you read? How?
-Yes. I love getting suggestions from other readers.

4. Did the Whitney awards influence which titles you read? How?
-No. I had already read all the Whitney nominees.

5. Did the many, many virtual blog tours that happened this summer influence which titles you read? How?
-The virtual blog tour influenced me because I was involved in many of them and ended up reading books I might not have picked up otherwise.

6. Did you finish all the books you had planned to read? If not, why?
-No. I didn't get to the Red Dragon Codex because I am waiting for my youngest daughter to read it and she isn't quite as fast as I am.

7. Did you discover any new authors whom you now love?
-Yes. I'm really looking forward to more by Janet Jensen and Stephanie Black.

8. Did you nominate any of the books you read for Whitney awards?
-Yes.

9. Would you be interested in another LDS themed reading challenge either this winter, or next summer?
-I love any reading challenge.

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

What would it be like to have magical candy? Nate and his friends find out in this fun book. Nate moves to town and is befriended by Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon. As the school year begins, the four friends begin working for Mrs. White at the new candy store in town. But she has more in mind for them than an after school job. Soon she is sending them on missions, armed with magic candy. But Mrs. White isn't the only magician in town and soon the kids are drawn into an adventure far more dangerous than they could have imagined.

I enjoyed reading this book as did my teenage son. It was full of action and surprising turns in the plot that kept me guessing what might happen next. My only complaint was with the characters. There were many times were I felt jolted out of the story when the kids would say something that didn't seem to fit. They were written as ten-year-old kids in grade five. Often, their conversation didn't seem to fit their age. The vocabulary they used and some of the things they talked about seemed to fit a teenager more than a child. Other than that, I really liked the book. This is one of my books from the Summer Book Trek.

Summer Reading Thing Recap

I had a great time reading this summer and reading other people's book reviews. I'm looking forward to starting the next one.

1. How many total books did you read? Were you surprised by that number? I read a total of 10 ½ from my list but I also read a bunch of others not on my list, and to be honest, I didn’t keep track of the others. I was surprised at how hard it was to stick with a pre-made list because I tend to read whatever strikes my fancy at the moment.
2. How do you feel about what you read? I enjoyed everything, even though a few took me longer than I thought they would to get through.
3. Which was your favorite book, and why? I don’t think I had a favorite. I liked them all for different reasons.
4. Which was your least favorite, and why? I think I would have to say The Life of Pi. In the end I enjoyed the book, but I found it the first part of the book very hard to get into.
5. What about your stretch book? Did you find that you enjoyed it after all? Are you planning to read more of that genre/author? The stretch book for me was No One Can Take Your Place. It was a great book and I learned lots from it, but I do have a hard time getting into non-fiction. Of course I will read more like this, but probably not very often.
6. Did you discover a new author that you're excited about?
   Michelle Paige Holmes (Counting Stars) I enjoyed this book so much I have been recommending it to everyone. I can’t wait for her next one.
7. What did you learn about yourself through this reading experience? Was this fun? Do you want to continue (if so, sign up for Katrina's Fall Into Reading challenge.) I already know that I am addicted to books, but this taught me that I am not very good at deciding in advance what I want to read. I read as the mood strikes me. I also learned that I really should read more non-fiction. This was a fun way to encourage myself to try some different things and to really think about what the book was about as I wrote reviews. I will continue this type of reading challenge.

No One Can Take Your Place by Sheri Dew

"The Lord knows who we are, where we are, what our mission is, and what we need in order to accomplish that mission. Not only has He known us for a long, long time, He has loved us for a long, long time. We are here now because we are supposed to be here now. No one else can have the influence or do the good that we were prepared and foreordained to have and do. No one else can fulfill our individual missions." - Sheri Dew

This is another of my Summer Reading Thing books. It took me awhile to get through this one because I don't often enjoy reading non-fiction and have a hard time staying interested. Sheri Dew wrote a beautiful book that reminds us who we are and what we are here to do. In the first section she reminds us where we came from and who we are. In the second, she tells us of some of our responsibilities such as making right choices and living with integrity. In the third section, she talks about how we have a responsibility to be leaders. By far my favorite chapter was the last one. "No one can do what you were sent here to do," she reminds us.

I would say this book pushed me a bit because I really had to work to get through it. But it was worth the read and I will definitely make the time to read more of her books.

The Preacher's Daughter by Beverly Lewis

"The Preacher's Daughter begins a remarkable journey of heartache and homespun delight--a series readers will find impossible to forget. Paradise, Pennsylvania, is likened to a little slice of heaven on earth...but for Annie Zook--the preacher's eldest daughter--it seems like a dead-end street. She is expected to join the Amish church, but at 20 she is "still deciding." Because of the strict rules that guide the Plain community, she must continually squelch her artistic passion, although it has become her solace. In her signature style, with character depth and unexpected plot twists, beloved novelist Beverly Lewis once again opens the door to the world of the Amish." (From - http://www.christianbook.com/)

The principle the book really emphasizes for me is the power of free agency and consequences. It makes me grateful to have the opportunity to choose my own path in life. In the book Annie is given the opportunity to choose her own path, but each choice means she must give up something dear to her-her art or her family. She cannot have both.I love reading novels about the Amish community and this was no exception. I find Beverly Lewis's writing style engaging. She develops her characters well and you begin to feel like you know them. Reading about the way the Amish people approach life and family is interesting and helps me to look at my own religious community with more appreciation. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series to find out what happens to Annie.Another book I would recommend written my Beverly Lewis is Just Like Mama. This is a children's picture book that I found utterly charming. It is a beautiful story to read to your children.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I finally finished this book for the Summer Reading Thing. I have avoided reading it for a long time, but decided that this was the year. In the last two months, I have read the book and watched two movie versions. After reading Pride and Prejudice, I can understand why it has stood the test of time. It addresses human nature and the way we treat people. These are issues that never seem to change

I found it interesting to read about the social expectations of the time and how the Bennetts just didn't quite measure up. Again, I looked around me today and wondered how often people are judged according to what they wear, or where they live? Even though it was written almost 200 years ago, many of the problems and attitudes that Elizabeth Bennett faces are still prevalent today. How often do we judge others in error, only to find they become dear to us when we truly understand them?

What I loved about this story was the universal theme. I think in another 200 years, readers will still relate to the story and still be telling their own modern versions. I am looking forward to reading more Jane Austen - as soon as I finish the rest of my summer reading list.

Summer Reading Thing Udpate

I haven't posted any book reviews for quite awhile. Not because I am not reading, but because I am reading three different books from my list and they are all slowing me down. The first one I started is the Sheri Dew book, No One Can Take Your Place. It is a wonderful book and I have come across a few passages that provided me with light bulb moments. I'll tell you about those moments when I do review the book. Even though it is a great book, it isn't a page turner, and it is really easy to put it down and forget that I am working my way through it. This is usually my Sunday afternoon read.

The second book slowing me down is The Princes of Ireland, by Edward Rutherford. I have read several of his books and I love his writing. But I knew when I started that this one would be a challenge to finish. It is over 700 pages long, and kind of meanders through history. I am almost halfway through, but the sheer size makes this one a daunting task.

The last book slowing me down is Pride and Prejudice. I have never read any Jane Austin before because I hate being told by people that I have to read it because I am going to love it. It makes me feel like my opinion is pre-formed for me. So I resisted for years. (Yes, I can be a little stubborn.) I finally decided to catch up with the rest of the world and pick it up. Again, loving it, but the style of writing slows me down a bit, and it isn't a fast-paced page turner.

So I am determined to finish the books on my list and review them all, even if I have to pull out the speed reading skills and do an all-nighter or two. It would probably help if I would stay away from the library and only read the books on my list. (That isn't likely to happen.) So that is the update. I have eight books left on my list and within the next month I will write eight reviews. (Gotta set those goals for myself.) But I am thinking I will have to start Jeff Savage's House of Secrets before I finish the others. I hear it is a real page turner.

The Vacation by Polly Horvath

I picked up this book in the library a few weeks ago because I just don't know when to stop. I have a whole list of Summer Reading Thing titles and this one isn't on it. But when I go to the library, I can't seem to help coming out with more books than any sane person can read in three weeks. Anyway, I was scanning through the books in the adult fiction and I found this one shelved in the wrong place since it is labelled "juvenile". It turned out to be a pleasant mistake for me.

The story is narrated from a twelve year old boy's point-of-view. He is surrounded by a crazy cast of characters: from his mother who wants to be a missionary and contemplates joining the Mormons because she knows they have missionaries, to his two quarreling aunts, Mag and Pigg. When his mother and father leave for Africa, the aunts step in to babysit and the adventure begins. They decide to take a summer vacation and Henry is dragged along as they drive all over the United States.

I thought this book was delightful. The characters are well crafted and they are funny without being obvious about it. Polly Horvath has written a book for young adults that even us old adults can enjoy. I will definitely be looking up more books by this Newbery Honor author. And now, back to my real reading list...

The First Year by Crystal Liechty

This is a story about Beth. She and her friends are all newly married but they find out quickly that married life isn't as easy as it looks. And when an old boyfriend shows up, things get even more confusing. Beth must learn to stop making a joke of everything and look inside herself for the answers.

I think that many newlyweds can relate to the things that Beth experiences during her first year of marriage. I found familiar people in the characters of the book. No one was perfect, but everyone was doing the best they knew how. And in the end they kept trying and that was the most important part.

Crystal Liechty had a fresh, almost irreverent style, and she infused the book with humor that kept me smiling. I will be interested to see what her next book brings.

HP 7 Book Review

I finally wrested the final Harry Potter book from my son. He was very kind and didn't give away any of the plot and I have been careful no to read spoilers anywhere else. Since everyone has probably already read the book or read other summaries elsewhere, I won't go into that. I enjoyed this book because I loved to see everything finally tied up. I thought JKR did a great job of character development throughout the series and everyone acted the way I expected them to act, which made the ending work for me. I also loved the way she developed place. I could picture every scene and that also made the book come alive.

Being a forgetful reader, I feel like I need to go back to the first book and start again so everything will really make sense. I am amazed at the amount of detail she managed to keep straight in the seven books. The amount of planning must have been enormous. It will be interesting to look back over the other books and note how all the facts lead to the end. I look forward to see what else she comes up with now that this series is done. But really, how do you top that kind of success?

I Heard that Song Before - Mary Higgins Clark

I was excited to put this book on my Summer Reading Thing list. Mary Higgins Clark has always been one of my favorite authors.

The story centers around Kay Lansing who grew up in Englewood. She was the daughter of a landscaper who has now married the master of the house. The only thing that threatens their new-found happiness is murder. Two murders occurred that left her husband a person of interest. Now new evidence has come to light that puts her husband in jail and leaves Kay alone in the Carrington mansion. While trying to solve a twenty year old murder and a four year old murder, Kay finds herself in danger as she wonders who around her she can trust and who around her she should fear.

As always, Clark kept me guessing until the very end who is guilty. I love her stories and all the intricacies she weaves into them. I had a little trouble at first following who was speaking as the point of view changes from first to third person from chapter to chapter, but the story was riveting enough that I soon stopped noticing that. This was a fun read that is hard to put down once you pick it up.

Life of Pi - Yann Martel

I finally finished reading another book from my Summer Reading Thing list. Life of Pi by Yann Martel is a story about a 16-year old boy from India who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. The boy, Pi, tells his story of survival. As a young boy in India, Pi becomes interested in different religions and explores each one without deciding on any one in particular, but a combination of three. When he is a teenager his family decides to make the move to Canada to escape the political turmoil of India. As they sail across the ocean, the ship runs into trouble and sinks. Pi then tells how he ends up in a life boat with only a 450 pound Bengal Tiger as a companion. We watch Pi as he deals with despair and wanting to give up, and then his determination to survive.

When I started the book, I found it a little bit slow. The writing was quite poetic and beautiful to read but I found myself wanting something to happen. As the book progressed I started to enjoy it and when the shipwreck happened, I was hooked and couldn't wait to reach the end to find out how he gets off his life raft. I would definitely recommend this book. Life of Pi is the winner of "The Man Booker Prize."

Counting Stars by Michele Paige Holmes

Even though I am part way through several books on my Summer Reading Thing list, I wasn' t in the mood for any of them this afternoon and picked up the new book Counting Stars by Michele Paige Holmes. I finished it this evening and have to say that I loved it.

The story is about Jane, who is coming up on her 30th birthday and is still single. When she turns to the personal ads to find a date it ends up changing her life in ways she never expected. She meets Paul and his premature twins and agrees to become part of their lives. But don't think this is a happy ever after, formula romance. The story takes twists and turns that kept me flipping pages until I reached the end. Right until the last few pages, I couldn't predict who she would end up with. The book had a few cheesy parts as most romances do, but the last quarter of the book held me riveted, and I even had to go find the kleenex.

The worst part was the teaser for her next book at the very end. I want to read it now and it hasn't been published yet. But I will be first in line when it hits the shelves. Michele Holmes did a great job on her first novel and I hope there are many more to follow.

Sheep's_Clothing by Josi S. Kilpack

Sheep's_Clothing was one of my Summer Reading Thing choices. I read this book over the weekend and loved the story. It is great to read an LDS book about current topics. We are on the computer a lot in our house, so the subject of internet predators felt quite relevant for our family. It was interesting to me how the predator was portayed and how he worked his way into the life and mind of Jess. The point of view of the teenagers felt real. I can remember thinking and feeling similar things about friends and family when I was Jess's age.

I did find the first few chapters a little confusing as it switched point of view so often. But I soon got used to the writing style and enjoyed the book. It did seem that the problem was resolved too quickly and not enough attention paid to her experience being kidnapped. I think the point of the book was the danger of the internet for our children, and that was well addressed. And of course I loved that the book ended near Waterton Park because it is so close to home.I will recommend this book to others because I found it an enjoyable read.

The Summer Reading Thing

Karlene is hosting a Summer Reading thing that sounds like lots of fun. Click on the logo if you want more information or if you want to sign up. I read all summer anyway, but it will be fun to check out what everyone else is reading and maybe discover a few new favourites. (I confess right now that I have never read Pride and Prejudice) I tried to pick a variety of books for my list and went to the LDS bookstore yesterday to pick up Sheep's_Clothing by Josi Kilpack. I am excited to start this one, but I have to put it aside as motivation to finish the book I am already reading. Here is the list...

1 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows - J.K. Rowling

2 – Counting Stars - Muchelle Paige Holmes

3 – Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austin

4 – The Life of Pi - Yann Martel

5 – Sheep's_Clothing - Josi Kilpack

6 – I Heard that Song Before - Mary Higgins Clark

7 – No One Can Take Your Place - Sheri Dew

8 – House of Secrets - Jeffrey Savage

9 – New Moon - Stephanie Meyer

10 – The First Year - Crystal Liechty

11 – What the Dead Know - Laura Lippman

12 – The Princes of Ireland - Edward Rutherford

13 – The Preacher’s Daughter - Beverly Lewis

14 – Kissing Frogs - Sharlene Hawkes

(Books in purple are the ones I have finished)