Summer Reading Challenge - All Done

I started out with grand expectations with this challenge. I had a long list of read alouds to do with my boys. Um, I didn't complete a one & ended up removing them. That's one goal I have for the fall.

My non-fiction list had only one book crossed off & I readily admit I was already half-way through that one. I have a VERY hard time reading non-fiction. I'm not sure why. I have a shelf of books sitting here that I bought a few years ago to read & I still haven't opened them. ::sigh::

However, my fiction list went very well & I even read eight extra books I didn't have on my list. I love to read. I read a lot. I sometimes feel guilty over the amount of reading I do. I read when I sit down to eat. I read at bedtime. I read during the day - especially if it's a really good book! I have always been a reader.

In fact, I still remember a time when I was out of high school & even college (I think). I was working at a home health agency as a receptionist/billing coder. We shared the lunch room with the rest of the building we had space in. One day a girl I knew from high school walked in. I didn't even know she worked in the building. I was sitting there eating my lunch & reading a book - of course. I was by myself. She said hello & commented on how I always seemed to have a book to read. I just love a good story to read. I suppose it's my way of escaping from life for a little bit & traveling the globe.

Book Reviews: More Yada Yada

I am SO loving this series of books. They get me thinking. They are quick reads - almost too quick! LOL This week I finished up books 2 & 3 in the series. The library system only has two of book 4 & one is missing & one isn't due back until the end of the month! Wahh! Although, this is probably a good thing. My house was starting to suffer from lack of care due to my reading time. I just ordered book 4 from eBay. :-) I got a good price & found someone who was actually charging reasonable shipping! And thanks to Linda, books 5 & 6 will be heading my way soon. Thanks, Linda!!!

I find the books thought provoking. A lot of my thoughts & habits are very similar to Jodi's. It's concerning when I stop to think about it. I'm finding things I need to work on. Lots of things. Not all of them are new - they are things I've been trying to work on for a long time. However, the books are getting me moving.

These are thoroughly enjoyable & I highly, highly recommend them!

Book Reviews: Lots!

It's going to appear like I have done nothing but read for the last few days. Trust me, this is not the case! :-)

I started out reading the third in the series of Brother Cadfael - the monk/detective.

It was called Monk's Hood & I did enjoy it. It was similar to the others in that a mystery occurs & Brother Cadfael is the only one who sees the truth of the matter & goes about solving the crime. While I can say I enjoyed the books so far, I don't think I'll read any more. I find it hard to get through them & it always takes me about a week - these are tiny books! I tried but I'm moving on at this point. I would recommend them as it's neat way to read & get a glimpse in to medieval England.

When I finished this book, I didn't have anything else from my list laying around. While I had the third Yada Yada Prayer Group book at my disposal, the second still had not arrived from the library nor the third book from the Francine Rivers series I'm reading.

I ended up reading The Discoverer of Insulin: Dr. Frederick G. Banting by I. E. Levine. As anyone who has read my blog knows, I am a type 1 diabetic. I picked up this book through Chris's Read it Again list. It is a biography geared towards children so it was very easy reading. I think it took me about a day and a half.

I really liked it! I am so very thankful that a way to manage this disease was discovered. Before this it was a death sentence. In fact, Dr. Banting lost one of his closest childhood friends to this disease at the age of 14. When children developed it, they died quickly. Adults were sometimes able to stave off the end by going on a starvation diet. One little boy wrote to thank Dr. Banting for finding insulin & told him of living on only 300 calories a day. It's just so hard to imagine this.

I found it extremely easy to read as well as very eye-opening. I'm going to give it to my niece to read - she developed Type 1 diabetes just about two years ago now. She's now 16. I'm hoping it will help her keep a handle on it. I know it opened my eyes to many things - especially to the fact that I need to be thankful for this time & the ability to keep my disease in check.

I still didn't have another book from my list to read. So I went looking at my bookshelves to see what I already owned. This one caught my eye (no pun intended)....

I wasn't sure how it would read, but it was VERY easy. I loved the humor in it & spent most of last night laughing out loud in bed and thoroughly annoying my hubby! I don't think he appreciated all the bits I read him, but trust me, they are funny! I'm not sure she made the point she wanted to in this book, but I did enjoy it & found myself agreeing with many points she made. It was a very quick read. I started it yesterday afternoon & finished it this morning.

And then today my new Yada Yada Prayer Group book arrived as well as the last Mark of the Lion book from Francine Rivers! I'm all set for the next few weeks.

Book Review: An Echo in the Darkness

This is the second in The Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers. I think I actually liked this one better than the first book, A Voice in the Wind. I can't really point to why that may be, but perhaps the first just focused too much on how selfish the Roman characters were. In this book they finally come to that realization but I won't say more as I don't want to give anything away to anyone who has never read them. I plan to read the next book as well, As Sure As the Dawn, which continues the saga of one of the characters we haven't heard from since the first book.

I am throughly enjoying the reading challenge & I am trying out some books I haven't read before, not just rereading old favorites. My non-fiction pile is still giving me fits. Off to try to get through some of those now as well.

Book Review: The Yada Yada Prayer Group

Okay, I am completely hooked on this series!!! I have seen it mentioned time after time on line by friends so I decided to add it to my Summer Reading Challenge list. I'm so happy I did! I was hooked within the first chapter. It's written by Neta Jackson. She has a wonderful way with words. I felt like I was sitting down with a friend while she was telling me a story. It was engaging & uplifting all at the same time. I truly enjoy Christian fiction that makes me think about my walk with the Lord. While this book may seem like fluff, it certainly made me take a hard look at how I was living my life. I identified maybe a bit too much with the lead character. I highly, highly recommend this series. I can't wait to get the next few to start on!

Book Review: A Breath of Snow and Ashes

Let me preface this by saying this is the sixth book in a series that I have read many times & absolutely love. It's the second time I've read this particular book so I've read the others at least five times. I always start the series over in order to read the newest book.

I was introduced to the first book, Outlander, years ago by my mother-in-law & my hubby's aunt. They loved it & so I borrowed the first book to read. I was instantly hooked. The best part - I read it just before visiting England!

The basis premise:
The main female character, Claire, is in 1940's Scotland just at the end of WWII. She is on a second honeymoon with her husband. They married shortly before the war broke out & spent much of it apart while they both did their respective roles. She was a combat nurse. While in Scotland she innocently walks through a stone circle (think Stonehenge) & is sucked back in time to the 1700's - 1743 specifically. The main male character is Jamie - a Scottish clansman from that time period. Due to immediate circumstances, they end up married & eventually fall in love.

Yes, there is a definite love story woven in to the story line. I would also warn that there is some awful things that occur at the end of the first book to Jamie. There are also some characters with some definite moral issues. However, the historical details that Diana Gabaldon puts in to her books are just amazing and one of the major reasons I read the books. My grandfather (whom I never knew) immigrated to Newfoundland from Scotland. I love all things Celtic as a result - is it in my blood? Who knows.

My husband has actually read the first 3-4 books in the series & if we had ever had a girl in the last two pregnancies - she would have ended up as Klaire Elizabeth & yes, the Klaire would have been due to these books. Sad isn't it?

The order of the books - in case anyone is interested -

• Outlander
• Dragonfly in Amber
• Voyager
• Drums of Autumn
• The Fiery Cross
• A Breath of Snow & Ashes

In case you are interested in reading more about the author of the series, Diana Gabaldon, and the books themselves. Click here to go to the "official" home page.

Book Review: Say Goodbye by Turansky & Miller

I'm going to preface this review with this...I have a REALLY hard time reading non-fiction books. Sometimes I wonder what's wrong with me. LOL

I started this book way back in October. I first heard about in an on-line book club I was a part of then. It's been on my list on the right side of my blog since as "currently being read." I'm not THAT slow a reader, but I did start & stop it quite often.

I finally made a push this morning to finish it so I can cross it off my Summer Challenge list. Got to love a challenge to get through books.

I have to say that I did like this book. I like the concept presented, it's not something I've normally seen set out so well in a parenting book.

Turansky & Miller share that honor is the most important thing a parent can teach their child. Respect follows. They share many stories of families who teach their children in the manner they share in their book. The one I chuckled over the most was near the end. It was about a school counselor who called & was suggesting the daughter in the family needed counseling. When questioned why, he simply said he wasn't sure, but she was just too respectful to adults in the school & fellow students so she MUST be up to something. Quite a sad commentary on our society I think.

Overall I did like it. There looks to be some great activities in the back that you can do as a family to help increase your children's awareness of honoring each other & their family members, friends, & people in general. They have a lot of good concepts - including "The Wise Appeal" in where children are taught how to negotiate chores & such - but in a way that does not involve foot stomping, whining, or complaining - got to love that title.

I'm actually thinking of going back through the first part again to read the ways they suggest in teaching your child honor. I would definitely give this a "must read" rating.

Book Review: One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters

So I ventured to read the second book in the Brother Cadfael series. I have to say that I liked this one much better than the first. Here is a brief summary I found on the 'Net:

"In the summer of 1138, fighting engulfs Shrewsbury as King Stephen battles the Empress Maud for the throne of England. When Shrewsbury Castle falls, and its 94 defenders are hanged as traitors, Brother Cadfael is called upon to administer last rites to the dead. But his careful count reveals 95 corpses, and once again the sleuthing monk is on the trail of a murderer this time aided by a lovely young fugitive. "

I was able to finish this one faster & enjoyed it much more. Ellis Peter is great at misdirection. I spent 90% of the book thinking the criminal was one character only to find out near the end that it was someone else all together. I'm actually looking forward to reading the next one.

Book Review: A Morbid Taste of Bones

This book series was highly recommended to me by my good friend, Deb (Following the Narrow Path). This isn't my normal reading although I do like mysteries. It took me a bit to get started. Even though it's a rather small paperback that I would normally finish in only 2-3 days, I had trouble getting in to it. I'm not sure if it was the language which is definitely richer than most modern day equivalents of the genre. It was a nice change & challenge for me.

The basic plot is set around a group of Benedictine monks in the 1137 who are going to nearby Wales to bring back the relics of a saint. While in the village in Wales a local & prominent villager is murdered & many think it is the work of the saint. Brother Cadfael, a monk who came to the vows late in life & led a very colored life previously, is the one who solves the mystery.

The more I read, the more I enjoyed. I never did figure out the final "who-done-it" until the very end although the clues were there. I wasn't sure I was going to read book #2 (I requested the first three books through PBS) but I finally decided to give it a try. I have the first three listed on my summer reading challenge so I plan to at least try those.

My favorite quote from the book occurs near the very end of the book & I wanted to share it here. Brother Cadfael is speaking, "I do believe I begin to grasp the nature of miracles! For would it be a miracle, if there was any reason for it? Miracles have nothing to do with reason. Miracles contradict reason, they strike clean across mere human deserts, and deliver and save where they will. If they made sense, they would not be miracles."

I think that sums up life rather well.

Book Review: Maine

Okay, I will admit to borrowing this book to read simply because of the name. It's set in a nearby town which upped its appeal for me. It's set in Maine just after the Civil War. It's a Christian romance novel with three shorter stories inside with the same characters reappearing. A different main character for each story.

I've read books like this before. Montana is one that comes quickly to mind. I thought I'd enjoy it. I didn't. I'm not really sure why I even finished it. A few things just REALLY bugged me about how this author wrote. It may not be an issue for people who don't live in Maine but it certainly was for me.

The first issue I had - within the first ten pages - was the "accent" she gave the characters. Now granted, they are suppose to be rural folks set back in the 1800's, but I'm almost positive Maine STILL didn't sound like they came from the deep south even then. I know we certainly do not now. I asked hubby to read some random dialogue & then tell me where the book was set - he guessed "somewhere down south." That bugged me. Oh & it was hit or miss at times as well. Sometimes it was there & sometimes it wasn't. There also wasn't a single "Ayuh" in there anywhere & yes, I say it - although half the time I don't realize it. ::grin::

The other minor issue I had that just irked was how the author would say things like, "Yes, my cousin who lives in Portland, Maine" or "Let's go visit to Augusta, Maine." Okay, you know the title says it all doesn't it? The book is set in Maine, do we have to keep saying the state after the town??? Annoying.

As for the story line. I admitted before I like nice easy reads. This one was just a lot of the same old thing over & over again. Boy likes girl. Girl is spoiled rotten & young. Girl misunderstands something boy does. Girl gets mad at boy & breaks off engagement/love interest. Boy wallows in self-pity. Girl gets a talking to & some scripture told to her. Girl & boy make up & all ends "happily ever after." I generally LIKE that sort of story line - for the most part, but all the female characters (except the very young girl in the first story) were just so bad I wanted to slap them!

I felt the story was just thrown together & published under the title Maine in order to go along with all the other similar state books on the market for this publisher. I gave it a 2 in my book rating which says "If you have nothing better to read - doable. " I'm just really happy I didn't buy this one.

Book Review: A Voice in The Wind by Francine Rivers

This is the first book I read for the Summer Reading Challenge that De'Etta is holding over at her blog. (Choosing Joy) I've read it before & really enjoyed it. On reading it again, I liked it even more.

I tend to read books for enjoyment that are light & fluffy. You know, the ones that have an enjoyable storyline - even totally engrossing - but you don't have to think too hard to enjoy. I read to escape - I always have. I like to read things that don't require my brain to do more than see the pictures in my mind as I read the words. I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about. This is most likely the reason my non-fiction list will take me a LONG time to get through. ::big grin::

However, A Voice in the Wind does something more for me. It did it the first time I read & the second time. I enjoy the storyline - a lot. Hadassah is a young Jewish girl who gets caught up in the destruction of Jerusalem by Romans back in the early time of Christianity. Jesus has come & been crucified. As a child her father was raised from the dead by Jesus. The Christian faith is still new. Then Romans come & conquer. Her entire family dies & she is left alone in the world - a world where she is now a slave. Yet, her faith is strong & continues to grow. She serves her new family/mistress wholeheartedly. Not because she has to (although she does) but simply because she is doing it all for God. Her life doesn't remain wonderful - or maybe not in the way she first thought or hoped or I, as a reader, would have anticipated.

I won't give away the ending, but it is a fantastic book to read to see how those early Christians suffered for their new faith. It makes me realize that the faith I live is so small compared to those early Christians who had to meet in secret & didn't even have a Bible (I have four of my own plus the ones my hubby & children have). It amazes me & makes me yearn for a closer relationship with my Lord. It also portrays the depravity of Roman very well & I saw many parallels with our current state of affairs in the world. I'm eagerly waiting for the next book to arrive from the library.

Summer Reading Challenge

My on-line friend, De'Etta, is hosting a Summer Reading Challenge over at her blog. It's a fun way to get some of those books read that I have had stacked up forever & to participate in a fun challenge as well. While I love to read & I do every day, it's fun to share lists & to see what others like to read. Click here for the official rules: Choosing Joy

And without further ado, here is my list. When I am reading a book. I will be marking it in red. After I'm done I will strike it out.

Fiction:

1. A Morbid Taste of Bones by Ellis Peters Review
2. One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters Review
3. Monk's Hood by Ellis Peters Review
4. The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson Review
5. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson
6. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Real by Neta Jackson
7. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Tough by Neta Jackson
8. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Caught by Neta Jackson
9. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Rolling by Neta Jackson
10. A Breath of Snow & Ashes by Diana Gabaldon Review
11. The Ezekiel Option by Joel Rosenberg
12. A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers Review
13. An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers Review
14. As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers
15. Maine by Carol Mason Parker Review

Non-Fiction:

1. Breaking Free by Beth Moore
2. The Book of Ezekiel - Bible
3. The Psalms & Proverbs - Bible
4. Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining & Bad Attitudes...in you & your kids! by Scott Turansky and Joanne MillerReview
5. To Train Up a Child by Michael & Debbie Pearl
6. Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp

Extra Credit

1. The Discoverer of Insulin: Dr. Frederick G. Banting by I. E. Levine Review
2. I Can See Myself in His Eyeballs by Chonda Pierce Review
3. 1st to Die by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
6. 2nd Chance by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
7. 3rd Degree by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
8. Ruth: A Novel by Lois T. Henderson