Tales From The Perilous Realm

Tales from the perilous realm By: J.R.R Tolkien

I really love Tolkien and haven't read anything of his that I haven't enjoyed. This is 4 different tales of different people, times and places. I was especially excited to see that the adventures of Tom Bombadil was one of the tales. Tom Bombadil is one of my favorite characters in the Lord of the Rings books. I did find Leaf of Niggle to be a little confusing. But I really enjoyed all of these tales. 

Amazon says:The book is the perfect opportunity for fans of Middle-earth to enjoy some of Tolkien’s often overlooked yet most creative storytelling. With dragons and sand sorcerers, sea monsters and hobbits, knights and dwarves, this collection contains all the classic elements for Tolkien buffs of all ages

Audio vs. Paper/Ebook

So I have heard and been told that when you listen to an audio book you cant count that as "reading" the book. Since you are technically not reading it. I have heard audio books compared to movies, saying that its like listening to a movie with no picture. I am a VERY slow reader, seriously; it took me 3 years to read pride and prejudice. Anyway I find that I don't have a lot of time to actually sit down and crack open a book. My little toddler usually doesn't allow it. When I do get the opportunity its usually... well, midnight and by that time if I do read I only limit myself to about 30 min, so I can be good alert mommy in the morning, not zombie mom. I find audio books as a great way to read (if I can call it that) all these books that I want while I do things like clean the house and wash the dishes. Also these Classics that I want to read I find it sometimes difficult. That's why it took me 3 years to get through Pride and Prejudice. Its not that the book isn't good  I LOVED the book. It's just that you can get so lost in the language that I feel it starts to wear me down. My mind starts to wander and I sometimes read a whole paragraph and wonder what I just read. Being able to listen to classics like these on audio, it gives me a chance to focus and stay focused so I always know whats going on with the story. I have "read" some really great classics this way. Dracula, Frankenstein, Tom Sawyer, Wuthering Heights, (audio was the only way I was getting through that one.) Hans Christen Anderson's collection of Fairy tales , etc. I have also been able to "read" genres that I would have ever thought before. I guess my point is that not only is audio books convenient for myself, but they have opened up some many more options that I never would have picked up in actual book form to read and I wouldn't have been able to enjoy as many classics as I have if I wasn't able to listen to the audio book. Now I want to make a point in saying that when I choose an audio book, especially if its a classic; I always make sure its the unabridged version so I don't miss a thing. This is my argument against why I believe that whether its audio, ebook or paper book, when you "read" it no matter in what form you have read it. But as always I would like to know peoples opinions on the matter and see what you think on this topic. So the floor is now yours, keep it clean and tasteful. No bullying or paragraphs of cursing. Please respect everyone and their opinion(s). Thank you. 

Innocence

Innocence By: Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is one of those authors that I have avoided for a long time. It seemed like he produced a lot of books way to fast and it made me wonder how good the books really were. This book was this months book for a book club that I am in. The book intrigued me when I started it but about half way through I started having a hard time with the language, one of the characters and the disturbing images that this book brought with it. If it wasn't for a few of the lose ends that needed to be tied up I might have either stopped reading or at least put the book down for awhile. But at the end it was all tied in very nicely and I understood more about the nature of those things that disturbed me. So in the end the book was ok. Would I read it again? No. Will I read another Dean Koontz? Possibly.

Here's the description by Amazon.com:

He lives in solitude beneath the city, an exile from society, which will destroy him if he is ever seen.
 
She dwells in seclusion, a fugitive from enemies who will do her harm if she is ever found.
 
But the bond between them runs deeper than the tragedies that have scarred their lives. Something more than chance—and nothing less than destiny—has brought them together in a world whose hour of reckoning is fast approaching.

The Host

The Host By: Stephenie Meyer

This book took me a REALLY long time to finish. I started it and I just couldn't get into it, I set it side for a long time. Everyone I talked to said that the part I was at is boring but I was about to get to where the book really takes off. I had not just one of two but quite a few people tell me this. I decided to pick it up and try it again. They were right it did pick up, but not to the point where I couldn't put it down like before. In fact this was just a read every now and then while I was really reading another book. So once again it eventually got put down. Finally I needed to decide if I wanted to leave forever and not finish it, or if I wanted to try and just push through it to finish it. I have a really hard time not finishing a book for some reason, so I decided I needed to focus on this book and just finish it. The end was a little better than I though, but my problem is that this book just really seemed to drag. There was a lot of just everyday life that could have been taken out to shorten this book. 59 chapters plus an epilogue plus a continued and a bonus chapter were a bit much. Granted those last few extra chapters where kinda nice, but because of the 59 plus chapters before it wasn't like the normal satisfaction I usually feel after I've read a book, it was more like a finally its over feeling. Overall I did enjoy most of the story but I really dont think I am ever going to pick up this book again.

Happy New Year

I didn't get close to my goal last year to read 25 books, I was only able to get through 11...well unless you count textbooks which I didn't. :p It's bad enough that I am a slow reader but when you throw school in the mix it makes it REALLY hard to find the time to read.

Due to money issues I might not be able to re-start school till the fall. So I think I might be able to hit my resolution this year. I made a 2015 Resolution with Goodreads  to read 20 books this year. I would like to also add an additional new year resolution.

We recently moved, while I was unpacking I realized how many books that I hadn't read yet. Both on my shelf and on my audio account. So of the 20 books that I want to read for the new year, I want 10 of those to be books that are either on my shelf already, or on my audio account that I haven't read/listened to yet.

So there it is, now what would a resolution be without a reward for completing it? This is something new that I want to try, but I hope that it will help urge me to read more, watch less TV and complete this resolution. So my reward for reading 20 books this year is a steak and lobster dinner and dessert at the Rib and Chop house. There is it. I hope everyone has a happy 2015 and good luck on all your resolutions.

Beyonders: Chasing the Prophecy

Beyonders: Chasing the Prophecy

I really enjoyed this series. The first book was good but I kept comparing it to his previous book series. But the end of the first book left me wanting to start the second and so on. There were so many twists and turns in this book to keep you wanting to know what would happen next. If you like fantasy I would check out this series.

Amazon's Review:
"Jason and Rachel were not born in Lyrian. They did not grow up in Lyrian. But after all of the battles and losses, the triumphs and adventures, and most of all, the friendships forged in this fantastical world, Lyrian has become home to them in a way they never could have imagined.

And so, armed now with the prophecy of a dying oracle, they have gone on their separate quests—each surrounded by brave and powerful allies—knowing that the chance for success is slim. But Jason and Rachel are ready at last to become the heroes Lyrian needs, no matter the cost."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows BY: J.K. Rowling

This isn't the first time I have read this series, but it's always fun to revisit it. Re-reading books is like visiting old friends and takes you back to memories of where you were in your life when you first read it. This is definitely one of these series that I will always go back to to re-read.

"A New York Times Bestseller -- Book 7 in the Harry Potter series. The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series. The heart of Book 7 is a hero's mission -- not just in Harry's quest for the Horcruxes, but in his journey from boy to man -- and Harry faces more danger than that found in all six books combined, from the direct threat of the Death Eaters and you-know-who, to the subtle perils of losing faith in himself. What will be the outcome of the final battle between Voldemort and Harry? No Canadian Rights for the Harry Potter Series. HARRY POTTER and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter publishing rights -- J. K. Rowling."