Fantasy Challenge

I also did the Fantasy challenge in 2010. I do love fantasy and I thought what a perfect challenge for me. :D Here is my book Count for this challenge.

1-Twilight

2-The Halloween Tree

3-The Tale of Despereaux

4-Fablehaven 5 Keys to the Demon Prison

5-The Tiara Club Princess Georgia

6-The Prophecy of the Stones

7-The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

8-The Tales of Beedle the Bard

9-The Hobbit

10- The Lord of the Rings-The Fellowship of the Ring

11-The Lord of the Rings-The Two Towers

12- The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King

13- Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo

100 Book Challenge

So this year I took on the 100 Book Challenge and being a slow reader and a part time student. This was definitely a challenge for me. But it helped me in a lot of ways too. I have noticed an increase in my reading skills and a fluctuation in what I read... which I find rather nice considering all I usually read is Fantasy. It was nice to break from that mold and explore new kinds of books. Although I did continue with my beloved fantasy books it is nice to know that I can enjoy other books non fantasy related. :) So I know I didn't get to 100 or my personal goal of 50 I still did A LOT better than what i though I was going to. So I am extremely proud of myself. :)

Here is my list...

1- Christmas of the Cherry Snow

2- Wait till Helen comes

3- Miserable Mill

4- The Enoch Letters

5- What We Wish We'd Known When We Were Newlyweds.

6-Laced

7- Twilight

8- Little Women

9- Austenland

10-The Homecoming

11-The Halloween Tree

12- Wuthering Heights

13- The Tale of Despereaux

14- Fahrenheit 451

15- Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

16- The Undaunted

17- Johnny Tremain

18- The Second Summer of the Sisterhood

19-Fablehaven 5- Keys to the Demon Prison

20-The Tiara Club: Princess Georgia

21- The Crucible

22- The Prophecy of the Stones

23- The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

24- The Narrows

25- Island of the Blue Dolphins

26- The Raging Sea

27- You Are Special

28-What I Wish I's Known When I Was Single

29- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

30- The Tales of Beedle the Bard

31-Hazardous Duty

32-The Hobbit

33-The Lord of the Rings-The Fellowship of the Ring

34-The Lord of The Rings-The Two Towers

35-Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?

36- The Lord of the Rings-The Return of the King

37- Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood.

38- Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood

39- Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo

40- The Polar Express

41- Bethlehem's Star

42- The Giving Chest

43- I Believe in Santa Claus

I Believe in Santa Claus

I Believe in Santa Claus By: Diane G. Adamson:

YES WE DO!!!!!

My husband and I both really love this book, it is another Christmas tradition in our home. This book is a beautiful reminder of the wonderful symbols of Christmas that remind us of the Savior including Santa Claus himself

The Giving Chest

The Giving Chest By: Dan Farr and Dick Van Dyke

I know I post this book with a few others every Christmas but I really love this story about giving and the change that comes over you when you give of yourself to help someone else. This is one of those Christmas books I bought because it was at discount. I think I got it for $2 or $3. But it has been one that we have thoroughly enjoyed having with our Christmas book collection it helps you to remember, feel and enjoy the magic of the Christmas season.

Bethlehem's Star

Bethlehem's Star By: Bevan Olsen

This is a super short but super cute story. It the Christmas story through the eyes of the Star of Bethlehem. This cute little story is a wonderful Christmas book to add to your collection and a great way to spread the Christmas Spirit and the story of the Christ Child. A great story for any child to read or to be read to.

My husband and I both enjoyed it very much, and I loved how the author put the twist by having the star tell the story.

Polar Express

The Polar Express By: Chris Van Allsburg,

Well it's that time of year again. When you start pulling out the Christmas books and immerse yourself in the Spirit of Christmas. The Polar Express is a great way to start off the season. This classic book helps remind us that even though we're adults we can still feel of the love and spirit of Christmas and believe in Santa Claus. The Polar Express is about a boy that is not quite sure if he believes and receives a ride on the polar express to visit the North Pole and be given the first gift of Christmas by Santa Claus himself. This is a great classic that should be in everyone's Christmas book collection.

Leven Thumps

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo By: Obert Skye

So this is one of the books that I have seen everywhere, knew of people who have read it but heard little about it. So while I was at the Library picking up the last of the Traveling pants series I saw it again and I figured I was going to need another book to after I finish this other series so why not. In all reality though I thought I was going to have to give it back to the library before I even had a chance to listen to it. That wasnt the case. I had a little over a week till it was due back and I figured it was only 8 discs long and if I didnt like it I could take it back and not be heartbroken about it. So I went into this book not knowing anything about it and what to expect. Sometimes I think that's the best way to go into a book...sometimes. I really enjoyed this book. It is a fanstay but it has an unusual concept that I havent come across yet.

“Two teens, a small, furry "sycophant," and a talking toothpick try to prevent evil forces from destroying two worlds in this lighthearted fantasy. "Foo" is the world from which all dreams come, and the villainous Sabine wants to find the gateway from there into our world. This would destroy both worlds, so the reluctant title hero and his magical companions try to prevent it. The complicated plot unwinds through a playful narrative that tries, often unsuccessfully, to mix humor and suspense. There are some funny moments, but many attempts at comedy seem forced or distracting. An urgent race to Germany includes some clever plot twists, as when Leven's friend Winter uses her ice-creating power to turn an ocean into a road, but their quest never becomes truly exciting. When it turns out that the ominous "Shadows" under Sabine's command can be dismissed by a simple hand clap, it's mildly amusing, but detracts from the sense of true danger that makes an involving adventure. Leven's self-doubts and changes of heart are almost tedious, and there's little chemistry between him and Winter. Adult characters are mean, dull, and unattractive, which results in some Dahl-like humor, but soon gets repetitive. Despite some solid humor and an occasionally intriguing plot, there's not enough cohesion or consistency here to make this a rewarding fantasy.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR”

For any who enjoy a good fantasy book I would highly recommend this book. I found the beginning to drag just a tad so give it awhile before you give up on it.