Letters From Father Christmas

 

Letters From Father Christmas  By: JRR Tolkien

This is one of the cutest books I have read. It complies letters that were written to Tolkien's kids from Father Christmas, his friend Polar Bear and an elf. They also have drawings that Father Christmas drew to the kids of all the exciting adventures that he has had throughout the year. I can see this becoming a yearly read this time of year.

The Christmas Hirelings

 

The Christmas Hirelings  BY: Mary Elizabeth Braddon

This is such a cute short book. I really enjoy reading this around Christmas time. In this old England tale a widowed man who is enjoying the company of his niece and old friend around Christmas time. When the old friend proposes that in order to bring some fun into this lonely mans life that they may hire some children for Christmas to come and enjoy the holiday with them. The widowed man agrees only because his much beloved niece says it would make her so happy. But the widowed old man get more than just a joyous Christmas time out of the arrangement.

Dragonwatch

 

Dragonwatch Champion of the Titan Games  By: Brandon Mull

This book was just released October of this year and I really wanted to stretch it out as far as I could. I figured this was going to be easy since I had 4 different textbooks that I was going to be reading for my classes. I was doing really well till close to the end of the book. I stayed up till 2AM and "accidentally" finished the book. This has been such a fun series. I really enjoyed Fablehaven and this is 10x better. I dont know if its simply because of how much the characters have grown and evolved or because Brandon Mulls writing skills have grown and evolved or a mix of both. Course I have enjoyed most of the books I have read from him. He's a really great writer. I am having to impatiently wait for the next book to come out. Hopefully it will only be a year. I haven't felt like this from a series since Harry Potter. I'm sending Brandon Mull good vibes and energy to help him finish the next book. :p

Sense and Sensibility

 

Sense and Sensibility  By: Jane Austen

I have been a fan of Jane Austen for awhile and I have really enjoyed the 1995 film of this book with Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant. So the book has been on my list for awhile to read. I am delighted to say that it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the story and the more detail that I was able to learn regarding the various characters personalities. For instance Willoughby is so much more in depth in the book then he is portrayed on film. I have learned long ago not to compare the book to the movie and vice versa. But I think the 1995 film did a pretty good job at taking all the fundamental elements of this book and putting it on screen; also adding a little extra to certain characters such as the younger sister Margaret. Overall I can add yet another Jane Austen book to my "like" list and maybe even come back to it again someday and re-read it.

The Great Gatsby

 

 The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

This book was nothing what I thought it was going to be. I was under the impression that this was a book about a corrupt mobster or other powerful man in the 20's. So I was shocked to find that in a way it is a tragic love story between a few different parties and couples. Not a romantic tragedy like Romeo and Juliet, but a plain sad tragic story.

The Call of the Wild

 

The Call of the Wild  By: Jack London

This has been on my list of classics to read and it did not disappoint. I started this book at the beginning of a shift and was able to finish it. I really loved this story which started out so sad but turned into something great.

This is just a testament to me of the loyalty of dogs to their owners that treat them well. Even though Buck had joined his wolf brothers. He would always go back to where Thornton was killed and mourned over the loss of his wonderfully kind master. I could see that some would think this would be such a sad ending. But I actually see it as something different. I see it as a dog who have overcome the odds finally found the love of a good master and human. When he lost that, instead of taking the chance of getting back in with bad and cruel humans. He answered the call of freedom that he had longed for.

Twilight

 

Twilight By: Stephenie Meyer

This is one of my go to book whenever I just need an escape and something light. Times in my life right now have been really rocky and I just felt like I needed a light "hearted" easy read. Basically just a fun not to long story to listen too. This is the only series where I feel like I can read one of the books and be fine without rushing into the next book. Believe me it wasn't that way when I first started reading this series. 

To Draw Closer To God

 To Draw Closer to God  By: Henry B Eyring

This book is AMAZING! I felt the spirit so strong whilst reading this book and I learned so much. I love being able to read the words of the prophets and apostles. Especially our living prophet and apostles. 

I am always amazed at how the Lord can speak directly to me through these talks that happened years ago, most either before I was born or when I was just a little girl.

The Lightening Thief

 

The Lightening Thief By: Rick Riordan 

I have been reading a lot of textbooks and serious books. So I decided to listen to something a little more light and fun while I drive and sometimes at work.

This was a good choice. I really enjoy this series and one night at work I re-watched the movie and it made me want to re-read this book. I know that a lot of people where really disappointed with the execution of the film. But I didn't mind; course after the 3rd Harry Potter movie I had learned not to judge a movie by the book.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz By: L. Frank Baum

This is another Classic that has been on my list to read. The funny thing about all these classic books is they have been on my list for so long because I have always been afraid to read them. Thinking that they would be hard to understand or take to long to read. But I have enjoyed them a lot. As far as the length and understanding the only one so far that I seem to have trouble with has been the Count of Monte Cristo. Length on that was understandable and understanding the language was mostly because of all the french names and language.

Anyway I really enjoyed this book. Growing up I LOVED the iconic movie that everyone knows with Judy Garland. I actually wore out our VHS tape watching it; and like most kids I was scared of the flying monkeys. I actually enjoyed the book, parts of the book I actually enjoyed more than the movie. One of those parts was the flying monkeys and actually being able to hear their backstory. This is a wonderful read and I am so excited to try and introduce this to my little girl.

Through the Looking Glass

Through the Looking Glass  By: Lewis Carroll

Ever since finishing Alice in Wonderland I was excited to read this. I found this to be a little easier to follow than Alice in Wonderland. It was also fun because every new situation that Alice comes face to face with brings on such wonderful new characters and such an imaginative adventure. It brought back a lot of memories for me; watching the various adaptions of this and Alice in Wonderland as a child. I can definitely see why both children and adults alike can enjoy this story. It was also a quick read with only a little over 200 pages. 

The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo  BY: Alexandre Dumas

I have been wanting to read this book for awhile. It has been sitting on my list of "Classics to Read" for a few years now. My husband (who is not really a reader) loves this book; and pointed out to me that in the time and hours it took me to read all 7 Harry Potter books, I could have read this. 52 hours of listening later. (I cant actually read a paper book, between kids, graveyard shifts and school. So listening to them is my best option.) I am dumb struck. What an AMAZING book!!! At times I had to go back a re-read (listen) to a certain part again because it didn't make sense. But I find that with classics and the old world language that often occurs for me.

If you love classics then this is a MUST read!

Time Jumpers

Five Kingdoms Time Jumpers By: Brandon Mull

Just like a lot of series the last book in the series wraps everything up and is one of the best books of the series. This book did NOT disappoint. Time Jumpers was an action packed edge of your seat thrill ride. I enjoyed this book and this series so very much. I believe this will be a return series that I'll listen to again.

Death Weavers

Five Kingdoms: Death Weavers By: Brandon Mull

This book had me on the edge of mt seat the whole time. Cole Randoloh and all his friends seemed to have everything working against them from the start. It seemed like all their situations kept going from bad to worse through out this whole book. But at the same time some really remarkable things happen to all the characters as well. As a fan of Brandon Mull's writing, I have enjoyed most his works from "Fablehaven", "Dragonwatch", and the "Beyonders" series. So I received a big surprise and bonus when a couple characters from the Beyonders series showed up in this book. Including one of my favorite characters. I was so happy; it was like being reunited with a long lost friend. I am so excited to continue on to the next and final book to see what finally happens to Cole, Mira, Jayce, Joe, and more.

Upside-Down Magic

Upside-Down Magic

This was a cute little book that I read with my daughter. Its a bout a girl Nory that comes from a magical family. Her magic though doesnt work like it should. She's suppose to be able to change into an animal and keep her senses as a human. But every time she practices turning into a kitten it always goes wrong. So he father sends her to live with her aunt and to go to a public magic school. This school has a special program for kids with UDM--UPSIDE-DOWN MAGIC.

I enjoyed reading this with my daughter, she did lose interest and it took us awhile to finish it. But overall it was a super cute story.

Crystal Keepers

Five Kingdoms The Crystal Keepers By Brandon Mull

I have really enjoyed this series so far. Cole Randolf is still searching for his friends that were taken from Arizona to this new world. He is also trying to help his new friends which includes princess Miracle to find her sisters and regain her powers.  I am excited to continue this series.

Five Kingdoms-Rogue Knight

Five Kingdoms-Rogue Knight By: Brandon Mull

The series continues with a lot more adventure's to be had, friends to be made, and new dangers in store. Cole and his friends head to the region of Elloweer to find Mira's sister Honor. They get more than what they bargained for when Cole learns the location of his best friend Dalton, acquiring a new friend and then having a run in with the Rogue Knight. This book has many twists and turns and jaw dropping moments. I am so excited to continue this series and find out what happens next to Cole and his friends.

Five Kingdoms-Sky Raiders

Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders, By Brandon Mull

I really enjoy Brandon Mull's writing style and books. He has such a wild and amazing imagination. This book was another that did not disappoint. 

"Cole Randolph was just trying to have a fun time with his friends on Halloween (and maybe get to know Jenna Hunt a little better). But when a spooky haunted house turns out to be a portal to something much creepier, Cole finds himself on an adventure on a whole different level.

After Cole sees his friends whisked away to some mysterious place underneath the haunted house, he dives in after them - and ends up in The Outskirts.

The Outskirts are made up of five kingdoms that lie between wakefulness and dreaming, reality and imagination, life and death. It's an in-between place. Some people are born there. Some find their way there from our world, or from other worlds.

And once you come to the Outskirts, it's very hard to leave.

With the magic of the Outskirts starting to unravel, it's up to Cole and an unusual girl named Mira to rescue his friends, set things right in the Outskirts, and hopefully find his way back home...before his existence is forgotten."

Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies By Isaac Marion

Watching the movie actually got me interested in this book. I was curious how different the book is vs the movie.  I have an irrational fear of zombies so it sat on my shelf for awhile. I recently felt like its something I could handle. The overall story was rather interesting and I am actually happy that I waited so long. I was trying to remember the movie and couldn't so I stopped trying and just focused on the book. However this book has a huge flaw or downside for me. There are WAY to many F words. I found it hard to believe that these zombies couldn't talk well or even remember their name but could remember and and speak the word with no problems. I also found out that this is actually book 1 of a series. But I cant sit through another book that has that many F words.

Dead Mountain

Dead Mountain The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident BY: Donnie Eichar.

This book was AMAZING. I have been fascinated with this mystery since I had learned about it several years ago. So naturally when I found this book  I bought it immediately and was excited to read it. It did not disappoint.  The author tells of when he first learned about this mystery and how it fascinated him to the point of connecting with people surrounding this mystery. Friends and family members of the 9 hikers who mysteriously died during a mountaineering expedition in 1959, as well as the only surviving member of this fated group. I honestly was not sure  if this book was going to help answer some of my questions about this mystery; let alone the giant question that has loomed and plagued people since. "What really happened to those hikers and why/how did they die. " Not only did I have all my questions answered. But I felt that he was able help draw the picture. I feel like I have gotten to know these hikers through this author.