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

Christmas Eve 1914

Christmas Eve 1914 By: Charles Olivier

This was a Christmas gift from audible, its a dramatization so it took awhile to get used to but once I did it was a wonderful story to listen to. It was from a surviving officers point of view, who is writing a letter to the mother of a fallen comrade. I really enjoyed listening to it.

My Masters Touch

My Master's Touch  By: Lynda M. Nelson

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!! Seriously I love reading this book every Christmas season and I cry at the end ever time without fail. SERIOUSLY LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!
It's the story of Meshak a little burro that was born the same night as Jesus. He tells the story of growing up with Jesus and traveling with him. Meshak tells of the Saviors ministering time here on the earth through his eyes. It's such a sweet and innocent perspective. This is the book I chose for our book club this month and I am really looking forward to talking about it and seeing what everyone thought. 

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol By: Charles Dickens

I have always been intimidated by this book, like I am with most of Charles Dickens books. I'm not exactly sure why. I am use to reading classics and old English, from Jane Austen, Mary Shelly, and even Shakespeare. But for some reason Charles Dickens books always make me pause before I read them. However I am glad I did. I am definitely familiar with this story through the countless movies that have been made. However reading it was different and interesting. It seemed to me that Charles Dickens was so excited about this book and getting his message across. At least that's what I felt while I was reading it. I did thoroughly enjoy this book and I can see it becoming a tradition every Christmas season to re-read it.

Death Comes to Pemberley

Death Comes to Pemberley By: P.D. James

This book started out a little harsh for me. Being a fan of Jane Austin and loving Pride and Prejudice. I felt that this story started out turning Elizabeth into a villain. Upon reading more I realized that it was just doing a back story of the book Pride and Prejudice but from an outsiders perspective. Once I understood that it made continuing a little easier. I loved being able to re-visit Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, along with Jane and Mr Bingley. This book had my attention almost from the very start, it moved really well and had me believing I knew what the outcome would be and merely kept reading to see how the Darcy's would handle it. Then a twist was thrown in that made my head spin and made it so I didn't want to put the book down. Such an fun and adventurous story. I really enjoy it.