I apologize for sharing another sequel without sharing the first books. I have a few series that I love to read and sadly I am in the middle of them all.
This series is so fun for anyone to read. Ridley Pearson has woven a tale about Disneyworld that makes me wish I didn't live on the other side of the US (I am in Washington which I believe is the furthest state from Florida in the continental US).
Kingdom Keepers follow 5 middle school kids who have been selected to be part of a new Disneyworld program as holographic guides to the park. After getting all the recordings and programming done, the kids think they are done only to find that at night they become their holographic counterparts. They have a mission to save Disneyworld from the evil Overtakers which are Disney characters that come to life at night. It's fun to read about all the different characters and experience the parks in a new way.
I have never had the privilege of visiting Disneyworld but I feel like I know the parks because of these books. There is action, adventure and a little confusing romance as the kids learn about themselves and their tasks.
They are encouraged by Wayne who tries to make them into leaders (in this book Wayne is missing and they have to find him). The five are joined by two runaways who have special gifts - one can dream about the future.
I, almost, hope they turn these into movies (almost because I enjoy the books so much I would prefer everyone read them than settle for a quick fix movie) because I think Disney needs a little more suspense. I found the mysteries to be well thought out. There's a lot to discover in these books from riddles to human nature.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Books of 2010
I had planned to write this the first week of January but, alas, time flew by and I didn't. My goal each year is to read 100 books. 2010 was the least successful year I have had since I began. This year I read just over 60 books. Still not too bad.
Some of the books I loved this year were:
Buddha in your Backpack by Franz Metcalf - this is a teen book about finding answers to life's questions through Buddhism. It's not meant for conversion but a different sort of guidance.
Sister's Grimm by Michael Buckley - this series is so fun. The books follow two orphaned sister's who discover they are the descendants of the Brother's Grimm and all their stories are true (and still alive).
The Passage by Justin Cronin - this was an amazing book. The story is a strange journey in a world were vampires rule the night and the lights are about to go out.
Whales on Stilts by MT Anderson - cute story that throws in so many jokes that I laughed from beginning to end. Most of the jokes are probably better understood by adults than children, only because they pertain to radio shows and the 50's.
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall - these juvenile books have a very classic feel to them and are fantastic.
I think that's a good list of books not included in this blog. It's been a wonderful year of reading and I have enjoyed most of what I read. 2011 is already underway with lots of wonderful books and I can't wait to share them all.
Some of the books I loved this year were:
Buddha in your Backpack by Franz Metcalf - this is a teen book about finding answers to life's questions through Buddhism. It's not meant for conversion but a different sort of guidance.
Sister's Grimm by Michael Buckley - this series is so fun. The books follow two orphaned sister's who discover they are the descendants of the Brother's Grimm and all their stories are true (and still alive).
The Passage by Justin Cronin - this was an amazing book. The story is a strange journey in a world were vampires rule the night and the lights are about to go out.
Whales on Stilts by MT Anderson - cute story that throws in so many jokes that I laughed from beginning to end. Most of the jokes are probably better understood by adults than children, only because they pertain to radio shows and the 50's.
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall - these juvenile books have a very classic feel to them and are fantastic.
I think that's a good list of books not included in this blog. It's been a wonderful year of reading and I have enjoyed most of what I read. 2011 is already underway with lots of wonderful books and I can't wait to share them all.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
After watching the newest re-make of the movie (with Jim Carrey) I found myself wanting to read the story. I found it on www.literature.org, a free site for classic books (those no longer copywrited). I recommend the site as it has such a great selection of classics.
The story was amazingly short. I had envisioned the book being deeply detailed but it was quite reader friendly. I am not going to bore any one with the plot details since most everyone should know what the plot is. However, I was amazed at the imagary and simplicity of the story. There was so much story in so few words. To be honest, reading the book actually made little parts of each movie make sense.
I was surprised to discover that Scrooge's morning reaction to the Spirit's doing it all in one night did make sense. Originally, Scrooge was told that the Spirit's would be coming over the course of three nights. It may be mentioned in the movies but what isn't is the distortion of time. When Scrooge finally falls asleep it's after 2 am. When he awakes after the first Spirit he remarks that he thinks he slept well into the day since it's about 12. He's confused and unsure of the time. The second Spirit takes him on a journey that he remarks feels like weeks but he is sure that the Spirit has changed time so he has no idea how long he's been gone.
The other thing that I was sad to see not in the movies is that Scrooge really starts to feel bad right away. His life was so hard that it made him mean and greedy but when he's at his school looking over the young version of himself he thinks back to a young man he cursed at in the day and feels bad. He even mentions Bob Cratchet before he sees his Christmas. That sort of feeling didn't convey in the movies. Most of them kept Scrooge hardhearted until towards the end.
Such a great story and I see why Dickens is considered a great writer.
The story was amazingly short. I had envisioned the book being deeply detailed but it was quite reader friendly. I am not going to bore any one with the plot details since most everyone should know what the plot is. However, I was amazed at the imagary and simplicity of the story. There was so much story in so few words. To be honest, reading the book actually made little parts of each movie make sense.
I was surprised to discover that Scrooge's morning reaction to the Spirit's doing it all in one night did make sense. Originally, Scrooge was told that the Spirit's would be coming over the course of three nights. It may be mentioned in the movies but what isn't is the distortion of time. When Scrooge finally falls asleep it's after 2 am. When he awakes after the first Spirit he remarks that he thinks he slept well into the day since it's about 12. He's confused and unsure of the time. The second Spirit takes him on a journey that he remarks feels like weeks but he is sure that the Spirit has changed time so he has no idea how long he's been gone.
The other thing that I was sad to see not in the movies is that Scrooge really starts to feel bad right away. His life was so hard that it made him mean and greedy but when he's at his school looking over the young version of himself he thinks back to a young man he cursed at in the day and feels bad. He even mentions Bob Cratchet before he sees his Christmas. That sort of feeling didn't convey in the movies. Most of them kept Scrooge hardhearted until towards the end.
Such a great story and I see why Dickens is considered a great writer.
Tao Girls Rule by CJ Golden
I, originally, review CJ's first book Tao of the Defiant Woman on budgetartists.com http://budgetartists.com/node/134
I was excited to get the opportunity to review this "sequel" on the same site but things change I didn't get the chance. I finally pinned myself down to finish reading this book and share my thoughts about it.
I loved Tao of the Defiant Woman because it was the sort of woman I wanted to be. Tao Girls Rule is a book that just comes too late in my life. I would have loved to have had a copy in my teens, which is the point of this book. Tao Girls Rule is for young woman who are finding their footing in this world. It's designed to help them feel better about them selves and make choices that will lead to lingering happiness not momentary happiness.
I think what's really great about this book is that it encourages girls supporting girls. CJ Golden runs workshops and invites the girls to participate on her website. I'm sure that in this day and age of technology there is a way for these lost girls to find each other and connect through the book. (I just don't know how). I, almost, wish I had my own teenage girl to pass the book on to.
Now I think it's time for CJ to find someone to do the teenage boy equivilent.
Take the time to check out her books - you will not be sorry.
I was excited to get the opportunity to review this "sequel" on the same site but things change I didn't get the chance. I finally pinned myself down to finish reading this book and share my thoughts about it.
I loved Tao of the Defiant Woman because it was the sort of woman I wanted to be. Tao Girls Rule is a book that just comes too late in my life. I would have loved to have had a copy in my teens, which is the point of this book. Tao Girls Rule is for young woman who are finding their footing in this world. It's designed to help them feel better about them selves and make choices that will lead to lingering happiness not momentary happiness.
I think what's really great about this book is that it encourages girls supporting girls. CJ Golden runs workshops and invites the girls to participate on her website. I'm sure that in this day and age of technology there is a way for these lost girls to find each other and connect through the book. (I just don't know how). I, almost, wish I had my own teenage girl to pass the book on to.
Now I think it's time for CJ to find someone to do the teenage boy equivilent.
Take the time to check out her books - you will not be sorry.
The Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke
Supposedly this was the next book in the series but something has gone wrong. This book was a little confusing for me since a character that has been killed off a few books ago is introduced in this book. I don't know if it's a publishing error or what but I pre-ordered this book so I don't know.
The book is really cute as are all Joanne Fluke's books. They follow everyone's favorite baker Hannah Swenson who discovers another dead body. Well, in her defense Norman really found the body - she was just in the room.
This is a Christmas tale with the murder victim being the swindling Christmas Tree lot owner.
There's a little sub-plot with Norman's mom who is suddenly canceling all her get togethers with everyone.
It's all good and the recipes are great. I tried the Squash soup and the Minnesota Plum Pudding at Thanksgiving (I am so behind in blogging). They were fantastic.
The book is really cute as are all Joanne Fluke's books. They follow everyone's favorite baker Hannah Swenson who discovers another dead body. Well, in her defense Norman really found the body - she was just in the room.
This is a Christmas tale with the murder victim being the swindling Christmas Tree lot owner.
There's a little sub-plot with Norman's mom who is suddenly canceling all her get togethers with everyone.
It's all good and the recipes are great. I tried the Squash soup and the Minnesota Plum Pudding at Thanksgiving (I am so behind in blogging). They were fantastic.
Hold Me Closer, Necromance by Lish McBride
This book was great. It was funny and suspenseful. As a first book, Lish McBride sure hit the ground running.
The book follows Sam whose life is just fine. He didn't make it through college but he has a job at the local burger place and is spending his time just coasting until he comes up with a better plan. Well, it didn't work out that way. He's discovered by Douglas, the biggest baddest necromancer in Seattle. Douglas knows that Sam is not who he thinks he is. Sam is a necromancer too. What happens next is unbelievable. Sams friend is murdered and her head is brought back to life. He is attacked by a rogue werewolf and then put in a cage with the local packs heir to the throne. If that isn't enough, a young "ghost" comes to help him sort it all out while he's trying to uncover his talent and his past.
The story would have worked without all the supernaturalness but what it adds is a level of ridiculous and flavor that makes the Twilight books fall way flat.
I look forward to Lish's next book and I secretly hope it involves the next chapter of Sam's life.
The book follows Sam whose life is just fine. He didn't make it through college but he has a job at the local burger place and is spending his time just coasting until he comes up with a better plan. Well, it didn't work out that way. He's discovered by Douglas, the biggest baddest necromancer in Seattle. Douglas knows that Sam is not who he thinks he is. Sam is a necromancer too. What happens next is unbelievable. Sams friend is murdered and her head is brought back to life. He is attacked by a rogue werewolf and then put in a cage with the local packs heir to the throne. If that isn't enough, a young "ghost" comes to help him sort it all out while he's trying to uncover his talent and his past.
The story would have worked without all the supernaturalness but what it adds is a level of ridiculous and flavor that makes the Twilight books fall way flat.
I look forward to Lish's next book and I secretly hope it involves the next chapter of Sam's life.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Bloody Horowitz by Anthony Horowitz
This was an absolute delight to read. Anthony Horowitz delights the reader with 14 tales of horror. The first story is written as an introduction. I was a little puzzled by that particular tale because it was difficult to determine if it was a real introduction or not. By the end, I was certain that this was just a taste of what was in store. Most of the stories had twists I did not expect (some I was able to figure out as I read them). I think most readers will find this book enjoyable. The tales are twisted and frightening just enough. They are slightly more graphic than most children's tales but not so graphic that it needs a warning label.
There are some really interesting concepts in the stories, such as an ebay site where you can sell your children to the highest bidder. The stories could lead to some really interesting discussions.
My goal is to get my son to read the story about the horrible 14 year old who got exactly what he wanted (and his aunt and uncle did too). Like all good tales, there are some morals to these stories. Others, however, are just devilish fun.
There are some really interesting concepts in the stories, such as an ebay site where you can sell your children to the highest bidder. The stories could lead to some really interesting discussions.
My goal is to get my son to read the story about the horrible 14 year old who got exactly what he wanted (and his aunt and uncle did too). Like all good tales, there are some morals to these stories. Others, however, are just devilish fun.
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