Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants- By Ann Brashares:


I have heard a lot of things about this book and about the movie too, So I thought I'd give it a try. I loved all the different stories of the 4 best friends that make up the sisterhood. It was really easy to get lost in this book and to feel the same things that each of the characters feel as they struggle through a summer away from each other and go through some life changing and growth experiences. One thing that I didn't like about the book...One thing I feel is a growing problem in this country is the increase of underage drinking as well as how casually the younger generations today see and use profanity and sex and the 4 girls in this book didn't seem the exception. Although I do have to say that sexuality wasn't as big in this book but there was quite a bit of drinking and a lot of profanity that I feel wouldn't be a good example on some more impressionable young readers.

Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451, By Ray Bradbury:

"There must be something in books, things we can't imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don't stay for nothing." - Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451, Part 1

This book was required reading in my English class in High School, back then I didn't much care for the book...but I think it was because I was reading from a literal view. When I read books in High School I read for the story, so if a book had a double meaning I usually didn't pick up on it...occasionally I would but generally I just thought it was a good story or bad one. Well 10 years later I have noticed a huge change in the way i read books now, I search for more than just the story. So after more than 10 years I decided to pick up this book again (even though in high school I swore I'd never read it again.) I cant believe the message that this book has in it and even more than that but how much I can see our world now in this book. The cockiness and arrogance of people to think they don't need to think they just need to be and if they just need to be then why do something like read. Also the greediness for power in the government in this book. While I was googling the image of this book I found something interesting that explains this book really well...

Now I am NOT saying that this is what this country is like today. I just found this interesting from the books point of view. In the story Guy Montag, the fireman who burns book for a living to gain a curiosity for what he burns and then become a fugitive. He meets a group of men scholars, old college teachers, even an old reverend who are on the constant run. They have a small portable TV where they show Montag that even those the cops, news helicopter and even a robotic dog lost his trail when he jumped in the river they couldn't leave their viewers thinking there was a criminal still roaming free. So they pick some innocent guy who was walking down the street to be their new "montag" their new fugitive to capture for the sake of face. The second time I have read this book it really hit me and I could understand why so many others liked this story so much.

"I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough, it'll make sense."- Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451, Part 2

The Tale of Despereaux

The Tale of Despereaux, By: Kate DiCamillo:
Believe it or not I had never heard of this book till the movie came out back in 2008, then I heard that it was a book and thought of how fun it would be to read it. Well I finally got the chance and I loved it. This is such a cute story about this brave little mouse named Despereaux and the love that he has for a human princess named Pea. It also tells the story about an unfortunate girl named Miggery Sow and a rat named Roscuro. At first the book keeps each story separate till they all come together very nicely. A great book about bravery,love, forgiveness and keeping your dreams alive.

Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights, By: Emily Bronte:
This is one of those books that I have heard a lot about and it's a classic. This is one of those stories that most readers know about...except me. This I confess is my first time reading wuthering heights. It took me awhile to figure out my feelings about this read and I think I've come to a conclusion. Wuthering heights was a depressing, sad and frustrating story but I think I liked it. I don't think it's going to be one of those stories that I'll want to read once a year. But I did enjoy it, I couldn't believe that a story like that could actually end well, so I was quite pleased it did. I couldn't believe how it seemed like everything around heathcliff was so dark and dreary and basically anyone who somehow had a connection with heathcliff had their life ruined. Most of the things that happened could have been prevented...if the people would have just listened to Mrs. Dean.

The Halloween Tree

The Halloween Tree, By Ray Bradbury:
I enjoyed this story a lot, it has a great morale to it and you learn a lot about the first Halloween all over the world at different times based off the costumes of 8 little boys who besides learning about Halloween from a Mr. Moundshroud but also are searching for their friend Pipkin who was stolen away. They found him through all the years and at the different times but somehow he slips through their hands till the very end. Not only do these little boys learn about Halloween, but they also learn about sacrifice and the power of brotherly love.

The Homecoming

The Homecoming, By: Ray Bradbury:
Ray Bradbury is one of my husbands favorite authors and he pick up a couple of Bradbury's books when we were at the library. This is one of them. He was telling me about it and I became interested. Bradburys writing style is definitely an interesting one. If my husband hadn't told me about the book it would have taken me a while before I realized that the book was a bout a Halloween party. It's definitely an interesting book.

Austenland

Austenland By Shannon Hale:

I think I found my newest favorite book, this story is about Jane, a successful graphic designer who has a secret...she's has a secret obsession with Jane Austen books and movies...especially Pride and Prejudice. When her great aunt and her mother come to visit and her aunt discovers this secret and that Jane is looking for her own Mr. Darcy she sends her on an all expense paid 3 week vacation to Austenland. No cell phones, mp3 players or electronics of any kind and 18th century regency dress, talk and manners...just like in the time of Jane Austen. Jane saw this as her last hurrah before she swore off men completely. But what she found at Austenland stuck in 18th century England was more than she bargained for. I highly recommend this book for any Jane Austen fan, it has a wonderful mix of 18th century England mixed with modern times.

Little Women

Little Women- By: Louisa May Alcott:
This is one of those stories that has been one of my favorites ever since I was little. Although I have never read the book till now, I had heard the story and the movie was one of my favorites. I did read the abridged version while I worked at the Monticello Library but never finished it cause I moved up to Salt Lake. So I was excited to find the unabridged version in the library up here in Ogden.reading this version was a little more satisfying then the movie and the abridges version of the book. I finally understand now why Jo refused Laurie's proposal and how Laurie later fell in love with Amy. I loved how it went into such detail about all the girls different lives and the life of their neighbor and friend Mr. Laurence and his grandson Laurie. I also found it fun to know what happened to their lives after they each were married and starting new lives and new families. I do admit that at time I needed to take a break from the story and noticed that when I spoke or wrote that it was in that same old English style. :p I love the characters and can find a little of myself in each one of them and I love how this book brings you in like you are apart of the march family and are suffering and triumphing through everything with them. This is a classic book that I would hope I could share with my daughter(s) some day.