Current Reading List:
I am reading The Long War, this is the second part of the Long Earth series from Terry Pratchett.
I just finished Guards, Guards by Terry Pratchett and A Home At Trail's End by Melody Carlson.
Of course, the Pratchett book was wonderful. This is probably the 4th time I have read it.
The Carlson book was a cutesy romance about the Oregon Trail. Not much substance, but it was a nice little potato chip book that kept me interested. All in all, I would like to read the rest of the story, but I would survive without it.
Nothing much to report.
Signing off!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
This Week
Another week, another ignoring of the blog.
So here's an update:
A parody of multiple Shakespeare plays, this tales brings you back into Lancre (part of the Discworld) as we follow the witches coven of Mistress Weatherwax, Gytha Ogg, and Magrat Garlick. I love these three ladies, and this might be my favorite of their series. It is the second book in their series that is included in the larger Discworld series; their titles include: Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies, Maskerade, and Carpe Jugulum. They also appear in my favorite part of the Discworld series-- Tiffany Aching!
For those who don't know (and should!), Discworld is a parody of our world but with way more magic and much less give-a-damn. The world is flat (like a disc) and rides on the backs of four elephants which are carried through space by a giant turtle named Great A'Tuin. I love this series since I discovered it at the behest of a coworker, and I now own most of them and re-read them a few times a year.
This book is a sweet juvenile book about a couple that finds a boy sleeping on the porch of their farm home and decides to take him in until they can find his parents. While this book was well-written, the chapters were too short and the ending was unimpressive. Yes, I know I am not the target audience for this book, but kids are not stupid and should not be given "simple" story lines.
Another group of short Amish stories. They were longer and had better endings than the last, but nothing to really write about. All pretty much female based stories of young girls that find their love without electricity.
So here's an update:
What I've Read this Week!
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
A parody of multiple Shakespeare plays, this tales brings you back into Lancre (part of the Discworld) as we follow the witches coven of Mistress Weatherwax, Gytha Ogg, and Magrat Garlick. I love these three ladies, and this might be my favorite of their series. It is the second book in their series that is included in the larger Discworld series; their titles include: Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies, Maskerade, and Carpe Jugulum. They also appear in my favorite part of the Discworld series-- Tiffany Aching!For those who don't know (and should!), Discworld is a parody of our world but with way more magic and much less give-a-damn. The world is flat (like a disc) and rides on the backs of four elephants which are carried through space by a giant turtle named Great A'Tuin. I love this series since I discovered it at the behest of a coworker, and I now own most of them and re-read them a few times a year.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I read this one a few years ago (after the craze, but before the movie). I really did like the movie a lot. They did a good job of representing the feel of the book, but they missed out on some of my favorite lines, so I still say the book is better.The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech
This book is a sweet juvenile book about a couple that finds a boy sleeping on the porch of their farm home and decides to take him in until they can find his parents. While this book was well-written, the chapters were too short and the ending was unimpressive. Yes, I know I am not the target audience for this book, but kids are not stupid and should not be given "simple" story lines.
An Amish Christmas by Beth Wiseman
Another group of short Amish stories. They were longer and had better endings than the last, but nothing to really write about. All pretty much female based stories of young girls that find their love without electricity.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Amish Romance Short Story
While they were well written and did a great job of walking me hand-in-hand with the characters and their trials of love, I found myself groaning at the end of each story instead of sighing in relief. Instead of being fulfilled and believing that the story was complete, I was left thinking that they had tied the bow at the end a little too quickly.
On a positive note, the stories were all about one small Amish community and did a great job of tying the separate tales together. However, this was probably helped by the fact that I inadvertently read the tales in order (which doesn't happen often).
Now to find more books to read... Hmmm...
Maybe I will see if the library purchased more Terry Pratchett eBooks. A trip to Discworld anyone?
Playlist: Despicable Me
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Kathryn Cushman
After hearing that the library's Reader's Services Department had purchased more Amish romance eBooks, I had a good time searching them out to download. One of them was Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman which I had already read, but luckily there were more in the series.
The Tomorrow's Promise series focuses on Christian-inspired tales of personal spiritual evolution through releasing some of your perceived control. I have only read two of the books in the series now, Almost Amish and Another Dawn, but I am looking forward to reading the others in the series.
While I do not identify as a Christian, I do admire the sense of ease that is expressed through Christian romances. While most romances manage to tie everything up in a little bow that leaves you closing a book with a sigh of contentment, Christian romances usually promote the belief that we are not alone in this world and that by naming your desires and requesting help from a source outside of yourself, you can be healed.
The first book that I read, Almost Amish, revolves around an unhappy mother that is tired by all of the whirlwind activities that revolve around her two children and husband. Feeling held down by the afterschool activities and expectations of perfection that her peer group instills in her, she takes up an offer to live an Amish lifestyle for a reality TV show to help her sister, a trying-to-succeed TV cook. After many ups and downs, her family discovers their true roots and learns what is really important to their family.
The book I just finished, Another Dawn, revolves around a single mother who must return to her hometown to help care for her father after a knee replacement. Bringing her 4-year-old son, this granola-loving, heath-conscience mother is quickly reminded of her lard-laden youth and the pain of familiar rejection she has always felt. To make an uncomfortable situation worse, her un-immunized son develops the measles which quickly spreads throughout the already unwelcoming community. This tales brings her full circle as she realizes how that running from her problems, and her family, is not the ways she wants to live. One of the most poignent moments is when she realizes she wants to grow up to be just like her son. Her admiration of his giving spirit and love truly changes her heart.
Yep, I'm a sucker for a heartwarming story. Especially if there are children involved.
Enough for now. I am off to continue reading my next Amish romance, An Amish Kitchen by Beth Wiseman.
While I do not identify as a Christian, I do admire the sense of ease that is expressed through Christian romances. While most romances manage to tie everything up in a little bow that leaves you closing a book with a sigh of contentment, Christian romances usually promote the belief that we are not alone in this world and that by naming your desires and requesting help from a source outside of yourself, you can be healed.
The first book that I read, Almost Amish, revolves around an unhappy mother that is tired by all of the whirlwind activities that revolve around her two children and husband. Feeling held down by the afterschool activities and expectations of perfection that her peer group instills in her, she takes up an offer to live an Amish lifestyle for a reality TV show to help her sister, a trying-to-succeed TV cook. After many ups and downs, her family discovers their true roots and learns what is really important to their family.
The book I just finished, Another Dawn, revolves around a single mother who must return to her hometown to help care for her father after a knee replacement. Bringing her 4-year-old son, this granola-loving, heath-conscience mother is quickly reminded of her lard-laden youth and the pain of familiar rejection she has always felt. To make an uncomfortable situation worse, her un-immunized son develops the measles which quickly spreads throughout the already unwelcoming community. This tales brings her full circle as she realizes how that running from her problems, and her family, is not the ways she wants to live. One of the most poignent moments is when she realizes she wants to grow up to be just like her son. Her admiration of his giving spirit and love truly changes her heart.
Yep, I'm a sucker for a heartwarming story. Especially if there are children involved.
Enough for now. I am off to continue reading my next Amish romance, An Amish Kitchen by Beth Wiseman.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Full of "vampires," Dark-Hunters, and battles of the heart, these stories are based on Greek and Roman myths (among others) and keep you intrigued and pining for the next novel in the series.
I own most of these novels and have started re-reading many of them again.
Dark-Hunter Series
- Fantasy Lover
- Night Pleasures
- Night Embrace
- Dance with the Devil
- Kiss of the Night
- Night Play - 2nd favorite
- Seize the Night
- Sins of the Night
- Unleash the Night -probably my favorite
- Dark Side of the Moon
- The Dream-Hunter
- Devil May Cry
- Upon the Midnight Clear - meh
- Dream Chaser
- Acheron - pretty much two different books
- One Silent Night - the tale from the bad guy's side
- Dream Warrior - don't think I have read this one...
- Bad Moon Rising
- No Mercy - just read recently - i <3 dev="" li="">
- Retribution - just re-read today
- The Guardian - don't think I have read this one
- Time Untime - have not read this one!!!
- Styxx - bought it before I read it - quite a good one - read it twice in three days
- Son of No One - Doesn't come out until next year!!!
Overall, I really like the series. After reading and re-reading most of the multiple times, I have caught a few errors in consistency (my editorial key word), but these do not detract from the awesomeness that these books create in my mind. I love the writing style that draws you in with the expressive descriptions and the heart-felt sarcastic love. While many of the relationships are roughly reality-based the tidy bow they get tied up in at the end really puts this into the romance category.
And... now I have added a new "book" review to this long ignored blog. Here's hoping I can keep it up. (but not likely!)
Current playlist:
Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus
Jar of Hearts - Glee
Wide Awake - Glee
If You Want to Be Happy - Jimmy Soul
Me and Charlie Talking - Miranda Lambert
Stalker
While stalking myself to prep for the Reddit Secret Santa, I discovered a few things about myself.
- I am a cyber-lurker. I like reading more than posting, so apparently I have quite a few things that are started but not finished.
- I talk about my kids a lot.
- A whole lot.
- I really need to post more books on this blog.
Here's hoping!
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