Summer Break Reading Challenge #4

http://summerbreakreadingchallenge.blogspot.com/

Scavenger Hunt:

1. A blog that is new to you that focuses on the same type of literature you do (ex: I read YA so the blog would need to focus on YA). Well, I am not much for going and looking at random blogs. I looked through Kidlitospher(http://www.kidlitosphere.org/bloggers/) and there are a lot of great blogs out there. I will have to check them out further. Plus my blog with Karin http://www.edifyingandedgy.com/ is on there which is pretty darn cool. Also my blog http://gravesok.wordpress.com/ (my only vice) is on there.  So anyway, check it out.

2. A book that is new to you that another blogger reviewed. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare(http://www.karinsbooknook.com/2010/06/28/clockwork-angel-by-cassandra-clare-review/)

3. A book set in Africa (in your preferred age category, if possible). I like all age categories. So this is one of my favorite "grown-up" authors.

4. A book about a human/animal bond (in your preferred age category, if possible). My favorite is Because of WinnDix ie by Kate DiCamillo

5. A book trailer for a book you want to read. Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter(I have it ordered!)http://allycarter.abeedoo.com/blog/trailer

6. A book with a color in the title (in your preferred age category, if possible). Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

7. A blog that is new to you that is dedicated to a certain genre (ex: only books about vampires, only historical fiction, only urban fantasy, etc.)A christian book blog(http://christianbooklounge.com/ )

8. A book blog maintained by a librarian.http://www.thebookjacket.com/

9. A book blog maintained by a teacher.http://www.edifyingandedgy.com/

10. The title of an upcoming book by an author you like (provide details - title, release date, synopsis).

Only The Good Spy Young by Ally Carter. It came out June 29th, but I haven't gotten it in the mail yet. I can't wait to read it. Here is Amazon's synopsis:When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when Cammie faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.

Now the danger follows her everywhere, and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide.  When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent, Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart.

 In this fourth installment of the New York Times best-selling series, the Gallagher Girls must hack, spy, steal, and lie their way to the truth.as they go searching for answers, recognizing that the key to Cammie’s future may lie deep in the past.

June 30, 2010

I went to see Eclipse today! I thought it was great. Now I think I am going to have to go back and read the books again. But I am in the middle of a book and I have grandbabies coming to visit so there won't be much reading going on. But I seriously think that my Agatha Christie book that I intended to read next is going to have to be put on hold for a bit!

Goal-June 2010

Well I set a goal to get through the top shelf of my bookshelf. I don't know how I did because I have had to go through my shelf to return some overdue books. Sooooo, I am starting fresh. Here is what my shelf looks like now:

I am beginning to think that the stack will never end! I got rid of a bunch of books that have to be returned and brought home from vacation a stack of books that I want to read! I am a junkie!!!!

The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

Of course if you have read Eclipse you know what happens to Bree. This is her story leading up to her fateful demise.

I found that at the end of this book I truly wished that there had been a different outcome for Bree. She was a likeable character that made me feel sorry for what I knew was coming.

Stephenie Meyer has such a talent for writing. I think I would read anything written by her. My greatest hope though is that she will finish Edward's story, Midnight Sun, soon. Please!

The Blind Side by Michael Lewis

I have to say that in this case I liked the movie better than the book. The book was way more descriptive about the game of football. It seemed the story was less about Michael and more about the ins and outs of football. For me kind of snoozy.

Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine

Clare, Eve , Michael and  Shane all get passes to leave Morganville. They are looking forward  to getting out of Morganville. Only problem is that Oliver has to go with them. This puts a damper on their roadtrip. On their way to Dallas they take a detour and the excitement starts. As always one mishap after another happens.

This wasn't my favorite Morganville book, but I enjoyed it.

Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee

Maybelline(named after her mother's favorite mascara) and her mother Chessy live in an apartment above her mother's charm school. They live in Florida. Chessy has been married 6 times and is getting ready to marry husband number 7. Mabelline(Maybe for short), has a style all her own. She has done the beauty pageant circuit and was a big disappointment to her mother.

Maybe's best friends are Hollywood(Daniel) and Ted. Hollywood has aspirations of going to college in California to study film. He always has a camera in front of him and always seems to be filming Maybe. Ted is adopted and his parents are always wanting him to be in touch with his Thai culture.

Hollywood is accepted into a college in California. When something happens at home that causes Maybe to want to leave the 3 friends decide on a road trip to California. At first they are all staying in Hollywood's dorm room but when his roommate arrives Maybe and Ted must find other options. They end up sleeping in student lounges for a while. Ted finds a job next which then leaves Maybe on her own. Maybe is searching for her biological father. Concerned for her well-being Ted looks up one of her ex step-fathers and drops her off at his house.

From there Maybe's life takes on different twists and turns. She ends up working in a taco truck with Jessica. She finds that she actually enjoys it. Hollywood wins a Documentary contest and Ted is working for an older actress. Maybe finds her real dad but is he all that she hopes for him to be?

I really liked this story. It's a story of friendship, self-discovery, family and love.

The Holy Bible

I don't believe God's Holy Word needs a rating. I try to read through the Bible in a year, but it usually takes me a bit longer. One thing I know for sure is that a person must know the author before he/she will ever be able to understand His words. If you don't know the author then the Bible is just another good classic. But if you have a personal relationship with Him then His Word speaks to you like no other book can. The more I read the more I learn about my Savior Jesus Christ.

Goal-May edition

So this is the progress I made for May. Only 9 books read. But my top shelf is becoming empty. Plus as I go I am weeding out books that I no longer have any interest in. Here is a picture of this month's progress:

Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Princess Ben's(short for Benevolence) parents are killed by assassins. Her aunt(the queen) takes it upon herself to groom the princess to become the next queen. Ben goes from being loved and cherished by her parents to being put in a tower and punished by her aunt.

While trying to find a way out of her tower the Princess finds a hidden portal leading to another part of the castle. At the very top of the castle is a room full of magic. Princess Ben soon learns how to create earth, wind, fire and water. She also learns how to fly a broom!

With war fast approaching she overhears her aunt plotting to marry her off to the enemy that supposedly killed her parents. She wants none of it. When she meets the prospective groom she does everything in her power to make him not like her. She succeeds. The only problem is that he soon starts playing a very romantic role in her dreams.

While running away she is mistaken as a boy and led right into the enemy camp. She must find a way back to her aunt so that she can alert the castle that the enemy has found a way to make a surprise attack on their castle and land.

Princess Ben is a delightful fairytale. Full of adventure, magic, dragons, prince and princesses and of course the "happily ever after" which is always my favorite part!