Happy New Years Eve

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I came across this book because someone I knew read it, rated it, and recommended it to me on Goodreads.com (No I do not get sponsored by them by any-means, I just use their site...a lot...) I clicked on it to see what the book was about and decided that yes I too in fact wanted to read this book. So on to my "want to read" list it went.

I hope you think this book sounds as interesting as I did! And let me know what you think when you check it out!


"Under the streets of London there's a place most people could never even dream of. A city of monsters and saints, murderers and angels, knights in armour and pale girls in black velvet. This is the city of the people who have fallen between the cracks.

Richard Mayhew, a young businessman, is going to find out more than enough about this other London. A single act of kindness catapults him out of his workday existence and into a world that is at once eerily familiar and utterly bizarre. And a strange destiny awaits him down here, beneath his native city: Neverwhere."
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14497.Neverwhere

Happy Reading!!

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

If you recall this past summer I wrote about an Audio book called The Diviners that I fell into on our road trip to Michigan to visit family. Little did I know, and yes this happens more often than not to me, that the book I was beginning was the start of a series. I am still unsure how long this series will go, what I do know is that in August 2014 this book, the second in the Diviners series, will be released and I am actually a little excited. I enjoy this series...(so far being 1 book in and all) because it is set in the roaring 20's, such a fun, romantic, and classy era. (That I believe I maybe should have been born in, that or the 50's.) 

The description of the book brought to you by goodreads.com is as follows;"After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O'Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. Now that the world knows of her ability to "read" objects, and therefore, read the past, she has become a media darling, earning the title, "America's Sweetheart Seer." But not everyone is so accepting of the Diviners' abilities...

Meanwhile, mysterious deaths have been turning up in the city, victims of an unknown sleeping sickness. Can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld and catch a killer?"

If you read The Diviners this synopsis makes a little sense...if you didn't it probably sounds ridiculous. But I assure you I think it may be worth it.

Happy Reading!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

                                                        (http://www.sheinspires.com.au/christmas-books-reading-list)

Merry Christmas!! May you have a blessed and love filled Christmas!!

The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick

I am really enjoying doing the research for book to share with you, So much so my want to read list on Goodreads.com is getting very, very, VERY long.

While looking up books a few weeks ago this one came up on my recommended reading list, And I thought it sounded interesting so I choose to share this with you.

"What kind of woman becomes the wife of two kings, and the mother of two more?

Saxon England, 1002. Not only is Æthelred a failure as King, but his young bride, Emma of Normandy, soon discovers he is even worse as a husband. When the Danish Vikings, led by Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, cause a maelstrom of chaos, Emma, as Queen, must take control if the Kingdom-and her crown-are to be salvaged. Smarter than history remembers, and stronger than the foreign invaders who threaten England's shores, Emma risks everything on a gamble that could either fulfill her ambitions and dreams or destroy her completely.

Emma, the Queen of Saxon England, comes to life through the exquisite writing of Helen Hollick, who shows in this epic tale how one of the most compelling and vivid heroines in English history stood tall through a turbulent fifty-year reign of proud determination, tragic despair, and triumph over treachery."

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7717338-the-forever-queen

What do you think? Did this entice you?

Happy Reading!

IGNITE ME!!!!!!!!!

Anyone else waiting on their tippy toes for this release in February? I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I HATE having to wait to see what happens to a character...and I am finding myself liking Warner a lot more than Adam...which is weird. But I believe Warner is a better fit, possibly. 

You can disagree with me, that is fine (I had a lot of people that I knew care for Jacob rather than Edward in Twilight...not my fault I was right. ;)) Anyways, I am more curious to see how the final story will play out and praying it is not a huge disappointment.

According to Goodreads.com this is the synopsis as of right now...

"Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong."

Such a SHORT synopsis for such an anticipated book. Not cool right!? So I went to Tahereh Mafi's website (http://www.taherehbooks.com/#!ignite-me) and got the SAME description. Again very uncool. But I guess that what makes us waiting on the edge of our seats until February. What are you going to do with your time?

Happy Rea...Waiting!

The Sisters Grimm By Michael Buckley

My good friend Amanda sent me this book recommendation on Goodreads.com and I asked her to write a little review of this book since she enjoyed it to share with all of you!

"From one generation to the next fairy-tale stories have been passed down. Through the retellings, the stories have undergone some changes, but we all know the essence of how the tales go. We have a lot of twists on the classic tales in books, television shows, and movies lately. Sometimes telling the story from a difference character’s perspective, other times putting those fairy-tale characters in modern times. One of the recent twists on these tales is “The Sisters Grimm” series by Michael Buckley and illustrated by Peter Ferguson. The series features two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm. Their parents disappeared out of the blue one day, leaving the two girls to bounce between an orphanage and a series of horrible foster families. After nearly a year and a half, Granny Relda, a woman claiming to be the girls’ grandmother who they believed was dead, moves the girls from New York City to Ferryport Landing to live with her. Granny Relda claims that not only are the girls descendants of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm who collected and published many of the well-known fairy-tales, but that her neighbors are the fairy-tale characters they (and other authors) wrote about. It is the Grimm legacy to investigate any unusual crimes and keep an eye on the mischief-making fairy-tale folk, also known as Everafters. In a nutshell, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm were the next in a long line of “fairy-tale detectives.” These stories are told from eleven-year-old Sabrina Grimm’s perspective. Sabrina has become the protector of her younger sister, and takes it upon herself to be the voice of reason in a situation she doubts is the truth. This means that Sabrina is argumentative and hard to deal with at first, which is understandable given what she is dealing with. The first book, “The Fairy-Tale Detectives,” largely sets up the plot for future books, but the first case does have a surprising twist. There is a playful sense of humor, including inside jokes for those who are familiar with the fairy-tale characters. The target audience for the series is ages 7-13 years-old, but they make fun, quick reads for adults too, especially those of us who enjoy fairy-tales. They are part mystery, part fantasy, and part adventure."

You can check the book out for yourself here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176327.The_Fairy_Tale_Detectives?ac=1

What do you think? I know I will be placing this book on my never ending hold list at the Library, will you?

Happy Reading!

O'Little Town by Don Reid

Since it is the Season of Christmas (my favorite season of all) I have bene researching some Christmas books for all of you to check out...and I came across this one that sounded quite interesting.

...However I am unable to find it at my local library, which I find very odd! But anyways the synopsis of this book according to (you guessed it) Goodreads.com is as follows;

"Christmas, 1958: Elvis is on the radio, Ike is in the White House, the Lord is in his holy temple . but there is no peace in Mt. Jefferson.

In a small town where everybody seems to know everybody, there are still a few secrets. Three families find they are connected in ways they never suspected: an angry teen, a dying man, a lonely wife, a daughter in trouble . just ordinary people, muddling their way through ordinary challenges. Illness. Marriage. Bad decisions. Friendship. Faith. Forgiveness."

What do you think? Interesting enough to capture your attention? I pray you have better luck at finding it than I did at your Library. I was able to find this book by the same author that takes place in the same small town...

And though it is not truly Christmas orientated I still feel it has the potential to be a good read. Follow THIS LINK to check it out for yourself.

Happy Reading (and searching)!!

Letters from Father Christmas

Our last and final book selection discussion for this past month.

What did you all think about this book? It was not exactly what I thought it was going be, I was thinking Lord of the Rings...but with Christmas. But I loved seeing the creativity Tolkien was with his children. It is so sweet to see all the of the photos and letters that he took the time to write his Children.

I enjoyed the rhymes, the pictures, and the attention to details of each characters hand-writing. 

It was kind of him to help reassure his daughter during the war I thought through Father Christmas, it is something we do not forget, but doesn't always stand out when reading authors from the era.

What did you think about this book? I enjoyed it, but it was harder to read for me than the other 2. But I did enjoy the creativity that he showed. Just a reminder that he was a father as well as a author. And he clearly loved his children,

What was your experience reading this book?

I do not know if I could have kept it up that long...what about you?

Would you have introduced the other characters? The Polar Bear? The Elf?

Happy Discussing! 

The Christmas Bus

CAUTION THIS POST WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!

Now let's have a chat about the second choice of books that we had this month. 

I actually read this book in 1 day. It is a nice, short, easy read. Which again with the schedule I have been carrying on with and with the dystopian books I have been entertaining, this was another breath of fresh air.

I was surprised at how religious this book got, I did not mind though I wonder what some of you thought about that turn of events?

What did you think of the little town called Christmas? Did this book make you feel, as it did me, that you were reading a Hallmark movie instead of actually watching one? I loved the predictableness (is that a word? My computer does not seem to think so...if not I here by do declare that for this day, and any days here on forth I feel the need to use it, it is in fact a real word) of this book in a way, because sometimes I like to feel like Sherlock Holmes for a change, instead of John Watson. 

What did you think of the Hippie couple (aka Joseph and Mary?) Did you think they would have a baby boy on Christmas? I did. That is where my Sherlockness (I KNOW that is not a word but I like the way it sounded) ended. But I liked their spirit and I was surprised to find out their young age!

Anyone else see a coming together of Leslie and Peter? I saw that one from the moment they started decorating cookies...though it never officially happened I believe the author wanted you to know it would.

And what about dear Myrtle? Or not so dear if you would prefer...was she a Christmas Angel wrapped up in a sassy little old lady? I would like to think so. I think she played her role beautifully and made an exceptional, yet predictable exit. Though I did not see it to be her that took the Angel...I really did not know who did that, so much for my inner Sherlock Holmes.

What did you like and dislike about this little treasure? Like I stated I read it in one sitting (during a much needed nap-time by a sick little toddler) I enjoyed the typical warmheartedness of the Christmas story. The happy ending all tied up with a Christmas bow. Sometimes it is just nice to read a book that makes you want to grab a cuppa and watch a Christmas movie on Hallmark, or sing Christmas carols. It is always nice to reflect and see what all the characters learned during the events of the story, and what you as the reader can learn. I learned again to just be who I want to be, and treat others with the kindness that God would offer. Which is always hard, especially when I am driving (Just ask my dad who listens to my mouth sometimes when I am talking to him while driving)

What did you learn from this book?

Happy Discussing! 

The Christmas Wedding

CAUTION THIS WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS!

Okay so let's start this discussion, those of you that read this book what did you think?

How did you feel about the believe-ability factor or 3 men proposing to 1 woman? And about them all being gentlemen with her not telling them who she choose until the wedding day?

What about Gaby's relationship with her children? Did it make you pray that you have that kind of relationship with your children? I know it did me! I pray my sweet toddler wants to talk with me the way those fictional children wanted to speak with her. And that he respects me the way they respected her.

How did you feel about her children's lives?

Claire and Hank? Do you think it is feasible that Gus would have turned around so quickly? I mean I know the episode with his father was an eye opening experience, but enough to make him automatically side with his mother?

Emily and Dr. Perfect? I was relieved that they had a solid marriage, and she was immune to the adultery that was beckoning at her door.

Lizzie and Mike? Their relationship was also a refresher. Sad but that is real life and I appreciated it.

Seth and Annie? I loved the over the top fun couple. What was your reaction to them teaming in and making the single wedding into a double? 

How did you feel about the family dynamic? Crazy Christmas carols and all they made me smile, and feel warmth. And that is what a Christmas story is all about in my mind.

What are your thoughts on Gaby's husband decision Marty? I honestly assumed it was Tom. Because it is kind of odd  my my mind that you are marrying your deceased husbands brother. But I assume the relationship made sense and he would understand her sorrow in the passing of Peter. But still, a little odd.

Overall I did enjoy this book. It was an easy read and made you feel warm and fuzzy, and after all the dystopian young adult books I have read lately this was a nice refresher. 

Now enough about me, what did you think?

Happy Discussing! 

Not so patiently waiting....

As you all know our Next book starting in January is The Book Thief by Mark Zusak, and if you are like me and prefer to borrow the books before you buy them as a precaution on the off chance you may not particularly care for the book then you are also on a extremely long waiting list. I just looked up on my Nook (by Barnes and Noble) the price of actually purchasing the book....and it was on sale for $5!! Get it while it is Hot folks! The paperback seemed to also be on sale for $8! So if you were having issues like me this is probably the best route to take.

Here is the link to the Barnes and Noble website. The book that is on sale is the non-movie related cover (which I personally prefer anyways) SO I wanted to be sure you all had the link to the book I was speaking of; http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book-thief-markus-zusak/1100189892?ean=9780375842207

Happy Reading Bookworms!

Holy Cow where did the time go?

Ever had the moment where you look at the calendar and have to do a double take because you could have sworn it was earlier in the year than this? Well that has been happening to me a lot lately. Hence the lack of postings, but whether I like it or not it is December! And now we have a month to talk about the Christmas books we read and are still reading. And to wait on the edge of our seats to start the Book Thief. I am extremely excited for that book! I promise to do my best not to let life get me too busy to write a few notes on here for you during this holiday season. 

I am looking froward to hearing how you felt about these books! 

Happy Reading!

Deadline extended...

So we are clearly past our posted deadline for our Christmas stories. I am choosing to let the deadline be next Saturday (December 7th) and then we will have the entire month of December all the way up to January 5th to discuss this book while we eagerly await The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak which we will begin on the 5th. I hope that sounds like a good plan to everyone!! Because I know it does for me since I need to get on the ball and finish the books!!

Happy Reading!

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett

I found this book at the dollar store...Now there is the start of a blog post I NEVER thought I would say. We went there this past weekend to look for cheap Christmas bulbs for a craft I plan to do and decorations for the outside. And as I was walking around to see what this store had to offer I found that this particular store had a book section! And not just books no one really wanted to read, but books I wanted to read and since it was at the EVERYTHING'S a dollar store, the books were cheap enough for me to buy without even knowing if I will like it or not. Because if I think the book is terrible, I am only out $1. I think I can handle that.

I believe by the title you may have figured out why I picked up this particular book. But after reading the synopsis you will know why I decided this book was worth the whopping $1 price tag.

"In the tradition of 'The Orchid Thief', a compelling narrative set within the strange and genteel world of rare-book collecting: the true story of an infamous book thief, his victims, and the man determined to catch him.

Rare-book theft is even more widespread than fine-art theft. Most thieves, of course, steal for profit. John Charles Gilkey steals purely for the love of books. In an attempt to understand him better, journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett plunged herself into the world of book lust and discovered just how dangerous it can be.

Gilkey is an obsessed, unrepentant book thief who has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of rare books from book fairs, stores, and libraries around the country. Ken Sanders is the self-appointed "bibliodick" (book dealer with a penchant for detective work) driven to catch him. 

Bartlett befriended both outlandish characters and found herself caught in the middle of efforts to recover hidden treasure. With a mixture of suspense, insight, and humor, she has woven this entertaining cat-and-mouse chase into a narrative that not only reveals exactly how Gilkey pulled off his dirtiest crimes, where he stashed the loot, and how Sanders ultimately caught him but also explores the romance of books, the lure to collect them, and the temptation to steal them. 
Immersing the reader in a rich, wide world of literary obsession, Bartlett looks at the history of book passion, collection, and theft through the ages, to examine the craving that makes some people willing to stop at nothing to possess the books they love." 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6251543-the-man-who-loved-books-too-much?from_search=true

Happy Reading!

Happy Thanksgiving from The Tangled Web Book Club. May your day be filled with love and blessings! 

A Duty to the Dead Review

If you remember I wrote about this book a few months back because I had come across another book in this series and it sounded interesting, and though I am TRYING to steer clear of series this one is different. It has a Sherlock feel when it comes to mysteries (I said feel, not completely as compelling but close). Its not the same plot line throughout all the books like a lot of series tend to be. This is the same characters just different mysteries to solve. I believe I can handle that.

I love that this story is placed during WWI, that era is one I enjoy reading about (Maybe that steamed from reading the Chronicles of Narnia...) I enjoy the manners that existed back then, I wish that would happen again in our world honestly...

The main character is Bess (Elizabeth) Crawford, and she is a nurse in her Majesties Army on a hospital ship, she meets Arthur Graham who entrusts her with a message to deliver to his brother Jonathan in the event of his inevitable demise. Bess honors this request and travels to Arthur's hometown and delivers the news to his brother, Jonathan seems not to take this message too seriously and this concerns Bess. This leads her to start digging into the Grahams past, and finding out a secret no one meant for her, or anyone else for that matter, to know. She then has to decide what is important to her and how to bring justice when there seems no possible way.

I strongly recommend that you pick up this book, it is a nice refresher to every day life and a quick and interesting read. A good weekend book (which is how long it took me to finish this one) So head over to your local Library or log on to their website and check it out. And don't forget to let me know what you thought.

Happy Reading!

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

My dear friend Renee has shared this book with me, I have not read it yet but it is on my hold list at the Library and I am eagerly awaiting its arrival. She has promised that this book will change my life, and when someone whom I hold dear to my heart tells me this, I listen.

I try not to talk about religion too much on this blog because I know it is a touchy subject with some people. But as most of you know it is a part of me. My faith is strong and I do not mind sharing it, I am far from perfect but I know I am saved my God's grace. That being said I also respect the feelings of you who do not share my faith, but I wanted to share this book despite the controversy this has the potential to be.

Here is what Goodreads.com has to say about this soon to be life changing book;

"California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.

Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father's heart in everything, Michael obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel's every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.

But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband's pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does ... the One who will never let her go."

What do you think? Are you ready for a change in perspective? Will you read this book?

Happy Reading!

Next up on my reading list...

As you all know we just finished up reading The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston and while I was adding that to my hold list at my local Library (Which I am sure the Librarians are starting to hate me because I have a request list that is never ending...) I saw that this was another book by Brackston and it sounded equally as intriguing.

Now I will be the first to say that I was not a fan of The Witch's Daughter honestly. I enjoyed parts of the story, I just feel there were a lot of un-explainables and I am not a fan of un-explainables in books. And by un-explainables I really mean things that just didn't add up or that could have been explained with better deatil. Though that is all personal preference. I know some of you truly enjoyed the book and all for different reasons, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that the book did not live up to my expectations, but that did not detour me from reading more of Brackston's books. I am praying this one lives up to my expectations. The story line sounds extremely intriguing so fingers crossed.

Here is what Goodreads.com has to say about The Winter Witch

"In her small Welsh town, there is no one quite like Morgana. She has never spoken, and her silence as well as the magic she can't quite control make her a mystery. Concerned for her safety, her mother quickly arranges a marriage with Cai Bevan, the widower from the far hills who knows nothing of the rumours that swirl around her. After their wedding, Morgana is heartbroken at leaving, but she soon falls in love with Cai’s farm and the rugged mountains that surround it, while slowly Cai himself begins to win her heart. It’s not long, however, before her strangeness begins to be remarked upon in her new village. A dark force is at work there—a person who will stop at nothing to turn the townspeople against Morgana, even at the expense of those closest to her. Forced to defend her home, her love, and herself from all comers, Morgana must learn to harness her power, or she will lose everything..."

Goodreads also makes a point to say that if you are a fan of Discovery of Witches than this is the book for you...so again this makes me think I will enjoy this book immensely because I am a HUGE fan of The Discover of Witches.

Happy Reading!

Going against the Series...

As many of you know I have been trying to get away from reading a series, I feel like most are not worth my time and effort to finish because they drag out happenings that could be written well in 1 book (2 max).
 I follow the blog http://bookrevels.wordpress.com/ , and on her blog Ellie wrote about 25 Standalone books to read after series burnout and I made a mental jump for joy! Because here is a girl who understands my pain!! So take a moment and head on over to Book Revels and see what you think about her list. I think there are some amazing options on there to add to my never ending reading list.

Happy Reading!

A discussion about The Witch's Daughter

Fellow bookworm Rachel and I were emailing back and forth about the Witch's Daughter and I wanted to take some time and share our discussion with you to see if this can generate some more feedback. This one had a lot of you talking and I love it! So I don't want to cut it short because as much as I love reading books, I love talking about them almost as much.

Rachel: 

• I was far more interested in the history of Bess than the present. I didn't really care about Tegan, and I honestly was thinking she might be Gideon...hoping that it wouldn't be so simple. I thought the end was very anticlimatic and almost seemed like a set up for a sequel, which I HATE!! I would have rather read about the battle between Bess and Gideon than have it laid out by a vapid teen. I was not a fan of her the entire book. The real story was more about Bess's history, so I was pretty disappointed in the way it ended.
  
  Myself: 
• I agree I was far more interested in Bess's history. And I agree I thought Tegan was Gideon as well at first. And I did not like her story line. I felt it mundane and I was not a fan of her recapping the fight scene...and I expected the fight scene to be a little more climatic...I was very disappointed. I currently have the Winter Witch by her as well so we will see how this story line goes....
  
  (SIDE BAR: Look for a post this week about the Winter Witch)
  
  Rachel:

  • Is that a sequel?
    
    Myself:

    • No it's a totally different story line. Sounds more interesting honestly. I actually was not a fan of how dark she took this story. I don't mind with craft I was just uncomfortable with how crafty she took it.
      
      Rachel:

      • I thought it would go darker. It seems like past the initial talk of imps, there wasn't much else. She could have had Gideon using demons or something. For as evil as she wanted us to think he was, he didn't do much more than stalk...apart from the ripper stuff. The ripper and bian didn't seem like the same warlock, so I had a hard time with understanding how threatening he was supposed to be.
        
        Myself:Yeah it seemed stupid for him to stalk her for that long. Okay he loved her but not really he just was infatuated with her power and she was probably the first woman he ever let close so he was emotional connected to her...but to just stalk her when he was bored was kind of ridiculous. And if he was so powerful I think he could have just found her easily
        
        Rachel:
        • The Gideon/Bess relationship could have been developed more. I still don't know if she was actually interested in him or seduced by magic. I think the latter. His past is a complete mystery as well. I didn't get how he found her or how long it took or how long he waited. I'd rather have more of his story than the Tegan stuff.
          
          Myself:
          I agree.
          
          What do you all think? Care to share your thoughts?

Hiatus?

Please excuse the posting hiatus I seem to have taken. Real life has caught up with me as my work season is winding down. I am planning a blogging session this weekend so get ready for some new posts!!! 

November Book Selections...

Well I know it is early to be celebrating Christmas, but since I am giving you all next month off because of the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season I wanted to be sure we celebrated a little Christmas Cheer together. So here are the three options choices for books to read. 

(We opted to all read a different book because as far as I could tell everyone wanted to read a different one and I wanted to be sure we all celebrated and read a book we would all enjoy.) 

The synopsis from Goodreads.com is as follows...

"Every December an envelope bearing a stamp from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R. Tolkien’s children. Inside would be a letter in a strange, spidery handwriting and a beautiful colored drawing or some sketches. 

The letters were from Father Christmas.

They told wonderful tales of life at the North Pole: how the reindeer got loose and scattered presents everywhere; how the accident-prone North Polar Bear climbed the North Pole and fell through the roof of Father Christmas’s house; how he broke the Moon into four pieces and made the Man in it fall into the back garden; how there were wars with the troublesome horde of goblins who lived in the caves beneath the house.

Sometimes the Polar Bear would scrawl a note, and sometimes Ilbereth the Elf would write in his elegant flowing script, adding yet more life and humor to the stories."


The Christmas Bus is the second option for a book this November. According to Goodreads.com the synopsis is:
"The people of Christmas Valley always celebrate Christmas to the fullest extent. The mayor plays Santa, every business is holiday themed, and there's a nativity for the kids each Christmas Eve. This town knows Christmas. But this year nothing goes according to plan. Shepherd's Inn is full of strangers, Mad Myrtle is causing problems, and a young couple with a baby due any minute rolls in to the middle of town in their Partridge Family-style bus. It's hardly the holiday Christmas Valley wanted--but it may be just what they need. This charming novella is sure to become a new Christmas tradition for readers who love a great holiday story."









Our Final option for this month is The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson and again thank you to good ol' Goodreads.com the synopsis is:
"The tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, and the packages are wrapped, but the biggest celebration this Christmas is Gaby Summerhill's wedding. Since her husband died three years ago, Gaby's four children have drifted apart, each consumed by the turbulence of their own lives. They haven't celebrated Christmas together since their father's death, but when Gaby announces that she's getting married--and that the groom will remain a secret until the wedding day--she may finally be able to bring them home for the holidays. 

But the wedding isn't Gaby's only surprise--she has one more gift for her children, and it could change all their lives forever." 

Happy Halloween!

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

By the time you have the privilege of reading this, I will have read this book a few weeks ago. But that does not change my adoration for this book.

I went on the hold list at the Library for this book over 3 months ago. It seemed as though this book would never be in my hands. And once it was I was afraid to read it for I knew a lot of people have loved this book and have shared that the book saddened them at the end. But though it did sadden me, it was worth the 3 month wait to read it. And it is one I will be owning in the near future for I feel it will be great to read again.

 If you have not already figured this out, I enjoyed this book from the very first page. Green is an amazing writer and I enjoyed the dialog between the characters, and I love the way he paints a picture without having to completely describe the scene in full detail. You understand with the words he uses and the picture becomes so vivid in your mind you feel as though you are living the story right along with the characters. And we all know how lovely it is when a book comes along where that happens.

This book is a tad depressing. I will not deny you, future reader, that. But it is worth every tear and heart ache. I will not go into any specific details on the happening of this book. What you can know, without any spoilers, is that this story is about Hazel a 16 year old girl who has terminal cancer. She is just going through the motions of living until the universe gives her Augustus Winters and her whole life changes and it seems her life is being rewritten for the better. This story will have you laughing and crying and is worth every page. I pray you pick it up.

Happy Reading!

Side note: I could have sworn I wrote a post about this book in previous months, but apparently that is not the case. So If you have not read this book, and have not heard about it the actual synopsis of this book is here;
 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11870085-the-fault-in-our-stars?from_search=true

Deadline and Next Book(s)

Tomorrow is the deadline to finish up those last few pages for The Witches Daughter!! 

Also if you go to the library page on the blog you will notice there are more than 1 book listed for this next month. I want to do a vote and see who wants to read which one. So comment on here or on the Library page to stake a claim for the book you would prefer. If we have an even amount of votes then I am thinking we will all read the desired book and then tell one another why we did or did not enjoy the book and what it was about. What are your thoughts on that? 

Interesting!

 I came across this link and I HAD to share it with you all. It is a list of the most famous books in each state that are about the state (Twilight is clearly the most famous state of Washington Based book) What do you think? How many have you read? Have you read the one affiliated with your state?

Most Famous Book set in every State

Just a little bit...

So apparently I am unable to read my own calendar properly because according to our book club calender we should be finished reading the Witches Daughter...and I know some of you are not quite finished yet. But how about this, lets extend the deadline until Thursday (Halloween) and then we can have the weekend to discuss it before we start our next book. 
(Which we will be voting on in a few days)

Time is up!

Put down that book bookworms! Time is up. What did you think? Head on over to the Book of the Month page and tell me your thoughts on this wonderful book!!

Happy Discussing!
   (see what I did there ;))

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Did you read The Host by Stephenie Meyer? I did and I was not a huge fan to be honest. I did not even see the movie because I was afraid it would make me like the story line. Well let me take that back, I enjoyed the idea of the book, just not the actual book itself. That happens a lot to me I am finding. Same thing happened with The Sookie Stackhouse Series (aka True Blood) And it is possible that it may happen with this book as well. But I wanted to share it because it is a little different from the typical Dystopian Y.A. novels I tend to read and share with you.

I want to check this book out because it sounds fascinating and the story line appeals to me, but I will be honest there are quite a few books that are on my reading list before I will have the opportunity to conquer this one. But here is the synopsis. 

Happy Reading!

                                                                           "I should not exist. But I do.

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything."  
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11043618-what-s-left-of-me?from_search=true

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

Every once and a while I enjoy picking up and reading a good romance and giving it my time for a while. It always sets me in a good place when I read about wonderful events and fantastical events that surround beautiful characters. 

Upon reading the synopsis of this book I knew this was that special kind of book that begs to be read. Check it out and then head out to claim this story to read it for yourself!

Happy Reading!



"Whatever time we have," he said, "it will be time enough.'

Eva Ward returns to the only place she truly belongs, the old house on the Cornish coast, seeking happiness in memories of childhood summers. There she finds mysterious voices and hidden pathways that sweep her not only into the past, but also into the arms of a man who is not of her time.

But Eva must confront her own ghosts, as well as those of long ago. As she begins to question her place in the present, she comes to realize that she too must decide where she really belongs."

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9792287-the-rose-garden

BookNote

The Quest by Nelson DeMille

Another story line that grabbed me by the first paragraph and demanded my attention! This book is about the famed legend of the location of the holy grail. I still love watching all of the History Channels documentaries on this subject, along with the ark of the covenant. So I am sure it is obvious why this book spoke to me.

Do you like these kinds of story lines as much as I do? Here is the description of the book, hope it intrigues you enough to check it out!

Happy Reading!


                                                                             http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17693783-the-quest


"A sweeping adventure that's equal parts thriller and love story, Nelson DeMille's newest novel takes the reader from the war torn jungles of Ethiopia to the magical city of Rome.

While the Ethiopian Civil War rages, a Catholic priest languishes in prison. Forty years have passed since he last saw daylight. His crime? Claiming to know the true location of Christ's cup from the Last Supper. Then the miraculous happens - a mortar strikes the prison and he is free! 

Old, frail, and injured, he escapes to the jungle, where he encounters two Western journalists and a beautiful freelance photographer taking refuge from the carnage. As they tend to his wounds, he relates his incredible story. 

Motivated by the sensational tale and their desire to find the location of the holiest of relics, the trio agrees to search for the Grail. 

Thus begins an impossible quest that will pit them against murderous tribes, deadly assassins, fanatical monks, and the passions of their own hearts."

Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware

The sound of this book sounds so enticing that I had to share it with you. I enjoy a good romance, especially when it falls in such a romantic time period. Let me know what you think!

Happy Reading!


http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7198883-island-of-the-swans

"In this resplendent love story a dazzling era comes vividly to life as one woman's passionate struggle to follow her heart takes her from the opulent cotillions of Edinburgh to the London court of half-mad King George III . . . from a famed salon teeming with politicians and poets to a picturesque castle on the secluded, lush Island of the Swans. . . .
Best friends in childhood, Jane Maxwell and Thomas Fraser wreaked havoc on the cobbled streets of Edinburgh with their juvenile pranks. But years later, when Jane blossoms into a beautiful woman, her feelings for Thomas push beyond the borders of friendship, and he becomes the only man she wants. When Thomas is reportedly killed in the American colonies, the handsome, charismatic Alexander, Duke of Gordon, appeals to a devastated Jane. Believing Thomas is gone forever, Jane hesitantly responds to the Duke, whose passion ignites her blood, even as she rebels at his fierce desire to claim her.
But Thomas Fraser is not dead, and when he returns to find his beloved Jane betrothed to another, he refuses to accept the heartbreaking turn of events. Soon Jane's marriage is swept into a turbulent dance of tender wooing and clashing wills--as Alex seeks truly to make her his, and his alone."

Blue Bells of Scotland by Laura Vosika

If you know me, you know I am pretty proud of my Celtic heritage...however minuscule it may be...I love the romance and the beauty that Ireland and Scotland hold. And the wonderful fairy tales that encompass the heritage of the Celts. When I stumbled across this book it peaked my interest because of the setting, I wont lie to you, but kept my interest with the story line. I cannot say for sure if this book will be worth the read, but I do know I enjoy the description of the plot. 


"Shawn has a skyrocketing musical career, fans, fame, money, his beautiful girlfriend Amy, and all the women he wants. Everything changes: Amy has enough and leaves him stranded in a Scottish castle tower overnight. He wakes up in medieval Scotland. Mistaken for the castle's future laird, he is forced to make a dangerous cross-country trek with a beautiful woman wielding a knife, pursued by English soldiers and a Scottish traitor, to raise men for the critical battle at Bannockburn.

Niall Campbell, Shawn's opposite in everything except looks, is no more happy to find himself caught in Shawn's life, pursued by women, the target of an angry girlfriend, expected to play a sell-out concert, and hearing the account of his own death and Scotland's annihilation at Bannockburn. He vows to figure out what went wrong at the battle, and find a way back to change it."http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6810566-blue-bells-of-scotland

Classic switch-a-roo going on in this story line, but it is always an interesting adventure when someone come from the past to the future, as well as the other way around. It had the tendency to get me thinking, what would I do in that situation? And what do I expect someone from the past to do if they came to 2013? 

I pray this has peaked your interest!

Happy Reading!

The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry

When it comes to historical fiction, reading about the Knights of Templar and all the legends that go along with them is something that always seems to take a hold of my interest and not let go until I have finished the story. I believe that is why I was first taken by the author Dan Brown, something that is part of Americas history, and stems from back in England and is surrounded by such mystery appeals to the inner-Sherlock Holmes in me. When I cam across this book I knew I had to share it with all of you, one for the fact that it sounds very interesting and completely up my book aisle, and two so I remember to order it from the Library or through my nook at barnesandnoble.com. 

Here is the discription from www.goodreads.com

"The ancient order of the Knights Templar possessed untold wealth and absolute power over kings and popes . . . until the Inquisition, when they were wiped from the face of the earth, their hidden riches lost. But now two forces vying for the treasure have learned that it is not at all what they thought it was-and its true nature could change the modern world. 
Cotton Malone, one-time top operative for the U.S. Justice Department, is enjoying his quiet new life as an antiquarian book dealer in Copenhagen when an unexpected call to action reawakens his hair-trigger instincts-and plunges him back into the cloak-and-dagger world he thought he'd left behind. 
It begins with a violent robbery attempt on Cotton's former supervisor, Stephanie Nelle, who's far from home on a mission that has nothing to do with national security. Armed with vital clues to a series of centuries-old puzzles scattered across Europe, she means to crack a mystery that has tantalized scholars and fortune-hunters through the ages by finding the legendary cache of wealth and forbidden knowledge thought to have been lost forever when the order of the Knights Templar was exterminated in the fourteenth century. But she's not alone. Competing for the historic prize-and desperate for the crucial information Stephanie possesses-is Raymond de Roquefort, a shadowy zealot with an army of assassins at his command. 
Welcome or not, Cotton seeks to even the odds in the perilous race. But the more he learns about the ancient conspiracy surrounding the Knights Templar, the more he realizes that even more than lives are at stake. At the end of a lethal game of conquest, rife with intrigue, treachery, and craven lust for power, lies a shattering discovery that could rock the civilized world-and, in the wrong hands, bring it to its knees. 'From the Hardcover edition."

Happy Reading!

What do you want to read?

My goal is to be well rounded when it comes to what I read and what I share with you. I do realize that is not always the case. With that being said, what kinds of books do you like to read? What kinds of books would you like me to share with you? Do you like the direction I am currently going? Would you prefer more diverse course of reviews? Are you finding books you want to read via what I post on here or am I talking to myself? 

Basically I want to be sure I am keeping your interests, so let me know what is and is not working for you! I would like to hear it!

Happy Reading!

Children of the Knight by Michael J. Bowler

While searching for books to share with you I found this one as a sponsored link on good ol' Goodreads.com. As I have shared with you before I enjoy a good historical fiction store. And this one deals with the infamous Camelot and King Arthur. I found the story line to be quite interesting, and if well written it will be worth the read I think.

 This is a Y.A. book, but I think we can all agree that sometimes it is a good get away to read something that transports you away from your Adult mind and into a place where your cares were not as great and your life was less complicated.

 Here is the synopsis from http://www.goodreads.com

"According to legend, King Arthur is supposed to return when Britain needs him most. So why does a man claiming to be the once and future king suddenly appear in Los Angeles?

This charismatic young Arthur creates a new Camelot within the City of Angels to lead a crusade of unwanted kids against an adult society that discards and ignores them. Under his banner of equality, every needy child is welcome, regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, or gang affiliation.

With the help of his amazing First Knight, homeless fourteen-year-old Lance, Arthur transforms this ragtag band of rejected children and teens into a well-trained army—the Children of the Knight. Through his intervention, they win the hearts and minds of the populace at large, and gain a truer understanding of themselves and their worth to society. But seeking more rights for kids pits Arthur and the children squarely against the rich, the influential, and the self-satisfied politicians who want nothing more than to maintain the status quo.

Can right truly overcome might? Arthur’s hopeful young knights are about to find out, and the City of Angels will never be the same."

Happy Reading!!