The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year

The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year BY Audible

This was a fun little Christmas gift that audible gave to all its members. They had all their narrators share memories of past Christmas's from the own lives. It was a lot of fun listening to all the different traditions and memories that the different narrators have that  helps them to get into the Christmas spirit and make this holiday so special for them.

The Christmas Hirelings

The Christmas Hirelings By; Mary Elizabeth Braddon

This was a book that I got last Christmas and I just had no real interest in reading it last year. Well this year after I had finished the 3rd DragonWatch I wanted a Christmas type book and remembered I had this book. I am so sad I did not read this last year. It is such a good book! Its a book set in old England and is about a widower father who allows his friend to "hire" and bring in 3 children to his country mansion for Christmas. In hopes of bringing the joy and sounds of Christmas back into the long ago silenced mansion. What conspires next is both heart warming, devastating, and nothing less than a Christmas miracle.

DragonWatch Book 3

DragonWatch Master of the Phantom Isle By: Brandon Mull

First off I would like to say I had NO idea that this was released a couple months ago. When I started this series I thought it was a complete series. NOPE! Now I have to wait 1 whole year for the new book to come out. AHHHH!
Well if you couldn't tell by my little rant I really loved this book and I am thoroughly enjoying this whole series, but I am sad that I have to wait a full year to find out what happens next. I'm sure it will be well worth the wait.

The adventures of Kendra and Seth continue as the dragon war wages on. Now parted, Kendra has an aching desire to find the unicorn Bracken and her kidnapped brother Seth. Meanwhile Seth has been taken to the Under Realm and with his identity and memories erased he has no clue if he is in the midst of friend or foe.

Dragon Watch Book 2

Dragon Watch: Wrath of the Dragon King BY: Brandon Mull

As the situation with the dragons become more and more tense Kendra and Seth are put to the ultimate test as caretakers. With an unexpected invitation to a yearly feast with the leaders of all the various magical tribes at Wymroost. Seth and Kendra's worst fears are realized when the dragon king declares open war. With new allies and new enemy's as well as the appearance of the elusive dark unicorn things go from bad to worse and once again Seth and Kendra are fighting to stay alive whilst trying to protect the world from the devastation that free'd dragons cold unleash.

I REALLY enjoy Brandon Mull's books, they have never disappointed and this series continues to be a page turner for me. Especially when I wasn't keeping close tabs on how close I was getting to the end of the book. Then suddenly it was over and I was fumbling for book 3 to keep the story going. This has been such a fun series so far and I am excited to see how it concludes.

Dragonwatch Book 1

Dragon Watch By: Brandon Mull

After reading mostly historical non fiction, I found I wanted something lighter. I thought about going back to something I had already read, but decided I needed something new. Brandon Mull's books have never disappointed and I noticed this series. I loved the fablehaven series so thought it would be fun to continue the main characters Seth and Kendra into their next adventure. They faced some pretty fierce adventures while in fablehaven. but their adventures at the dragon sanctuary of wymroost are filled with more danger and higher stakes than they have ever experienced before.

Hell's Angels the True Story of the 303rd Bomb Group in World War ll

Hell's Angels: The True Story of the 303rd Bomb Group in World War ll By: Jay Stout

I love learning about history ESPECIALLY World War ll. I don't know why it has always fascinated me. This book did not disappoint. I really enjoyed learning about the men who made up the various bomb groups, particularly the 303rd. I learned so much about the war through the eyes of these soldiers. It was fascinating read and very educational. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history and learning more about the second world war.

The Origins of World War ll

The Origins of World War ll By: Keith Eubank

I found this book at my  universities library and used it for a paper. I really enjoyed this book and found it very fascinating. I have focused so much of my studies of world war 2 on the actual war in progress. I really enjoyed learning about the origins from the end of world war 1 to the start of the second world war. I highly recommend this book to any history buff.

The Girls of Atomic City

The Girls of Atomic City By: Denise Kiernan

This book was AMAZING!!!! The author followed the story of a handful of people from the city of Oak Ridge Tennessee that during world war 2 technically didn't "exist" to the outside world. Everyone had a job to do and they all knew only one thing. Their job would help bring an end to the war. They didnt know the full extent of their jobs or why they needed to do it. But having a good job, a place to live and helping to end the war was a dream come true for these women. They're struggles, joys and more in this wonderful book of secrets, dreams and a bright hope for the future.

Harry Potter Book 7

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows  By: JK Rowling

This is one of my favorites in the series. It frustrates me, has me on the edge of my seat (so to speak) and makes me cry. EVERY TIME!!!
I also see new things too whenever I read not just this book but this series. SO GOOD! Always a fun read to go back to and I always have that "now what do I do" after I finish it.

Harry Potter Book 6

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince  By: JK Rowling

This sets up everything to come to the emblazing non-stop story for the next book.

Harry Potter Book 5

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix By: J.K. Rowling

Another great read. I tend to have a little harder time with this one though because it seems like Harry is so mad throughout the whole book. I can understand why he is so mad, but I always become uneasy when he starts yelling at those closest to him that are trying to help him, like Ron and Hermoine. Then of course there is also.....HER. Dolores Umbridge (Nope, I wont even give her the respect of the title professor. 😋). However as much as this character drives me crazy. I do feel that Rowling is a genius for creating her however. In part because in life everything isnt always clear cut black and white, good and bad or good vs evil. There are people out there who are mean, nasty, racist, etc. simply for the fact of they want to be or that's just who they are. So Dolores Umbridge is the perfect character to exhibit that there can be people in the world that stand for neither good or bad, but simply look out for themselves and do what they want.


"Dark times have come to Hogwarts. After the Dementors' attack on his cousin Dudley, Harry Potter knows that Voldemort will stop at nothing to find him. There are many who deny the Dark Lord's return, but Harry is not alone: a secret order gathers at Grimmauld Place to fight against the dark forces. Harry must allow Professor Snape to teach him how to protect himself from Voldemort's savage assaults on his mind. But they are growing stronger by the day and Harry is running out of time...." Amazon

Harry Potter Book 4

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire By: J.K. Rowling

There are so many little details that I had forgotten about in this book. It was really fun to rediscover them again. It's also funny to speculate on the what if's and what could have been's. As always this is a delightful series that I always enjoy reading and re-reading many many MANY times. :p

Harry Potter Book 3

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban By: J.K. Rowling

I love getting lost in this series. Every time I read this I am whisked away to the wizarding world and Hogwarts. I love the nostalgia of this series and being sucked in and feeling apart of these characters life. 

Harry Potter Book 2

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets By: J.K. Rowling

Same as before with the Sorcerers Stone post. I've read this series many many times and I am currently reading them as a way of escape from the stresses of work, school.

Harry Potter Book 1

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone By: J.K. Rowling

I have read this book multiple upon multiple times like any true Potter fan 😁. My school load is pretty heavy this semester so this has been a good way to unwind, relax and enjoy reading a book I don't have to memorize facts and dates. :)
As always the story of Harry Potter takes me away to the wizarding world where I can lose myself and forget about the cares of my life and live inside Harry's life for awhile.  Truly excellent writing and an excellent book/series.

On a personal note, I really like the new covers, I think I will always be a fan of the original covers. But these new ones are quite beautiful as well.

North and South

North and South By: Elizabeth Gaskell

This was this past months book club read and I was completely shocked. It started out fairly familiar and kind of cozy. But then it turn a sharp turn  and it was almost non-stop shock after shock that kept me reading and reading to find out what would happen next. By the time I was done with the book I was a bit stunned; it felt like I had just ran a mind marathon. I had to go and re-read a few times to get my bearings. Overall a FANTASTIC read. I love Pride and Prejudice but this may take the cake...maybe. :D There is one thing I found quite frustrating and that is *****SPOILER ALERT****
that Margret and Mr. Thornton dont get together till literally the end of the book!!! ARGH REALLY!?! oh well it was a super good read and one that I can definitely see myself going to back to again.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by: Lewis Carroll

This has been on my list of classics I've wanted to read for awhile. Growing up with this story in adaptations of movie and TV shows. It was fun to see the interpretations that I grew up with verses the actual book. Surprisingly it wasn't as complicated to follow either. I've heard people say that they were confused through the whole thing and couldn't put any logic into what they were reading. Which is quite hilarious to me now because it seems like that was the whole point. In wonderland there is absolutely no logic to be had, everything is just Topsy turvey. :)
I really enjoyed this book and I hope I can get my kids to read it one day.

2018 Reading Challenge

For last years reading challenge  the goal was to read 5 books. I thought this was going to be a bit hard to achieve since I was going to be in school. But at the start of the year I was able to join a book club. granted I wasnt sure how well I would do in the book club because again I wasnt sure what the reading was going to be like for my classes. However I am very proud to report that not only did I meet my 5 books read challenge but I exceeded it by 11 books. I think I was the most surprised by this, but at the same time I am very excited about meeting this goal. I am continuing my schooling so my goal for 2019 is going to remain light, but I am hoping to reach this years goal. Here's a list of the books I read in 2018:

• Christmas Eve 1914
• My Master's Touch
• A Christmas Carol
• Death Comes to Pemberley
• The Scarlet Pimpernel
• The Book Thief
• The Last Olympian
• The Secret Garden
• The Man Who Broke into Auschwitz
• Jonathan Livingston Seagull
• The Battle of the Labyrinth
• The Titans Curse
• Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
• Sea of Monsters
• The Lightning Thief
• Chasing the Prophecy