The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel By: Baroness Orczy

This book hit the ground running, it actually took me by surprise. I had to make sure I wasn't starting in the middle of the chapter. But once I got oriented I really got into this book. I cant believe I had never even heard of this classic book before. It was amazing. It always had me thinking and "on my toes" Such a great read. If you love classic books this one is for you!

During the French Revolution a daring young British noblemen with a few of his comrades dare to defy the rebellion by sneaking into France to smuggle out French nobles and aristocrats out of the country and to Great Britain. Calling himself the scarlet pimpernel after a flower he communicates with his comrades using the red flower as his signature. The french rebellion want his head and will do anything to get it. Spies are sent to England to discover who he; one of these spies thinks he has discovered the identity of this elusive creature. Blackmailing a notable English woman who was a former french actress. He tries to unlock the mystery, only to realize by trying to blackmail this woman he has sealed his own fate.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief  By: Markus Zusak

I went into this book with a faint idea of what it was about. I find it best to read books that way, no spoilers or already watched movies to go off of. This was our book club book for September. This book had me from the very beginning when the narrator was introduced as Death. He talked a little about himself but mostly wanted to relate the story of a young girl named Liesel Meminger. Liesel was brought to a family in Munich Germany during the beginning years of World War II. Herfather not around and their family so poor that there was no food, shelter or way for her mother to properly care for her and her brother. She decided to give them up so they could have a better life. Her brother however never made it to Munich. That was the beginning of Liesel Meminger's career as a book thief.

I find I am a little mixed about this book. I really enjoyed listening to it and getting a different perspective of WWII; from the German civilians perspective. I fell in love with the characters; Liesel, Papa, Mama, Rudy, Max and more. Even though Death (being the narrator) often told of the outcome or the future of some of these characters. It still came as a shock or an ah-ha moment when it occurred. Which is funny when you technically already knew that outcome. 

The Last Olympian

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian By: Rick Riordan

This was such a great book. Rick Riordan did an excellent job wrapping up all the loose ends but left a little something in case he wanted to do another series. I always have a hard time coming to a series end and hate saying goodbye to all these characters. But he did wrote it so well that it didn't leave me wondering and thinking "wait that's it". Again another book full of twists and turns and surprises. I really loved reading this book.

A horrible monster in unleashed, one that will help Kronos full regenerate and become his full Titan self again. With the gods fighting the monster in the west, mount Olympus is defenseless and could easily fall to Kronos's army. Percy Jackson cant let that happen. He rally's all the forces he can and heads into Manhattan to try and save Mt Olympus, which seems rather hopeless.

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden By: Frances Hodgson Burnett

This months book club book is the secret garden. I loved this movie as a child and have hard this on my "Classics To Read" list for a long time. I am glad I finally got to read it. This took me back to my childhood and my love for the movie. The book was different from the movie, but not by much and...as usually happens better than the movie. I had so much fun reading this. I really hope this is one that I can one day share with my daughter.

"When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle's great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. The mansion has nearly one hundred rooms, and her uncle keeps himself locked up. And at night, she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors.

The gardens surrounding the large property are Mary's only escape. Then, Mary discovers a secret garden, surrounded by walls and locked with a missing key. With the help of two unexpected companions, Mary discovers a way in—and becomes determined to bring the garden back to life." Review from Amazon

The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz

The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz By: Denis Avey

This is a true story about British soldier Denis Avey who fought in the deserts around Egypt during WW2. He was captured as a POW and was able to find a few times to escape his captors, only to be caught again. Eventually he was sent to a POW camp right by Auschwitz called E715. Him and his fellow POW's were sent to work on a factory with the Jewish prisoners from Auschwitz. The POW's tried to help the prisoners whenever they could without either of them getting into trouble. Denis made friends with two of these Jewish prisoners one called Hans and another called Ernst. Denis Avey talks about his remarkable and very disturbing time as a POW. He talks about the terrors he had seen and how he felt he was able to survive. Through Hans, Denis was able to plan a truly terrifying ordeal for the two to switch places so that Hans could have a "break" from prisoner life; and so Denis could see what it was like inside Auscwitz.

I really enjoy reading about WW2 especially the personal experiences from the survivors of all areas of the war. World War Two has always fascinated me since I was first told about it in 8th grade. From my first time reading The Diary of Anne Frank and being told about the holocaust and WW2. I have been enraptured ever since. If you are like me and enjoy stories from WW2, then this is a definite must read.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Jonathan Livingston Seagull By: Richard Bach

This was our book for book club this month it was a really short read but WOW. It was so good. I could relate to it in so many ways, religious and spiritual, emotionally. I could see a great moral about dedication, hard work, believing in yourself, friendship and love. This was a really fantastic read, and I really want my kids to read this when they get older.

Battle of the Labyrinth

Percy Jackson and the Olympians-The Battle of the Labyrinth.   By: Rick Riordan

Percy's story continues with yet another adventure, more new friends and the return of old friends as well. I have really enjoyed this series and I'm a little sad I only have a book left.

The war between the Titan Kronos and the Greek Gods gets ever closer as Percy and his friends try to find out what their former friend Luke is up to and how close Kronos is getting to becoming whole again. With the help of a mortal AnnaBeth and Percy need to find the architect Dedalius to enlist his help. While Grover and Tyson get ever closer to finding the long lost god Pan.