What I'm reading this week

I am currently reading Sister Red by Jackson Pearce.
My second book this week will be The Taker by Alma Katsu

Happy reading to everyone!

Two Book Reviews: The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin and Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
by Michelle Hodkin
YA , 14 & up
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pub. Date September 27, 2011
Pages: 452
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥









Summary:
Mara Dyer wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there.  She finds out, she was in an accident with three other of her friends. She was the only one to survive and somehow she was not injured.  While Mara is trying to cope with what happened, she finds herself thinking it was not an accident.  Through events that she remembers and weird things happening around her, she learns more about herself and she hopes that she is not losing her mind.  Along the way she falls in love. She thought she would never fall in love.


Review:
From the very beginning, I was instantly taken into Mara's world. I did not want to put this book down.        It has mystery, suspense and romance. There were a lot of surprises along they way.  Michelle Hodkin did a wonderful job creating her characters and the world that Mara Dyer lives in. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. The second book comes out in the fall 2012.

                                                                                                                                                                  

Halo
by Alexandra Ardonetto
YA, 14 & up
Publisher: Square Fish
Pub. Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 484
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥







Summary:
  Bethany, Gabriel, and Ivy are three angels sent on a mission to help out the people who live in Venus Cove.Signs of darkness has made a strong presence in this small town.  Ivy is the healer, Gabriel is the warrior, and Bethany is the youngest who is able to feel the complex human emotions.  Being in love, with a boy named Xavier, is the most difficult emotion she tries to understand.


Review:
It's a really good book and a nice change of pace.  In this story the angels are mostly full of hope and not doom.  It's Good v.s. Evil, Angels v.s. Demons.  I like how Alexandra Ardonetto has her readers see the story play out through Bethany's point of view.  I liked being able to experience the confusion and the excitement Bethany feels being human. She learns more about how humans interact with each other. She then has a new experience, being in love.

Students Share Saturday

Comments made by awesome children! They were very excited to be asked about the books they are reading.

Autumn & Reagan (4th grade) are reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Both loving the series.

Maddie (5th grade) Rules by Cynthia Lord
"It's really good, good ending, funny and sad."

Jonathan (5th grade) Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini
"Good books, it's like Harry Potter. It has magic in it. It's a good all around story. Some parts are sad, some parts are happy. Best books I have ever read."

Julia (1st grade)  Judy B., First Grader by Barbara Park
"It's funny about many things."

Lolli (4th grade) Lizzie at Last by Claudia Mills
"It's an Awesome book. It's a cool but weird mystery book."

Laramie (4th grade) Oogy : The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin
"It is cool. It is about a fighting dog that got rescued by a loving family. It's sad with funny parts."

Faith (4th grade) Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
"It's a really good book. It's kinda funny."

Funny Friday! TGIF

I saw this and thought "That is so how I feel, but I'd rather be with my books then work 10 hours today :)"

My Plan for My Blog!!

I am trying to learn how to manage my time so I can keep up with my blog. I started this blog for myself, as a hobby. I love to read and I want to share that with others. So here are my ideas for featured posts for every day of the week. This is a work in progress ☺

Thursday Thoughts – My random thoughts (whatever is on my mind that day)

Funny Friday – Random funny stuff I find.  It may be quotes, pictures videos etc. It will be short and sweet.

Students Share Saturday – Books that the kids are reading during the week & Short comments from the student about the book.

Super Sunday Reviews –  My day to write reviews of books I have read that week.

Mellow Monday –Day to relax and post what I am currently reading.

Tuesday's Terrific Author – I will feature an Author on the first Tuesday of the month.

 Hunter's Wonderful Wednesday– This will be my day to brag about my Wonderful grandson Hunter. Example: what he is reading this week or maybe some funny moments. On the first Wednesday of the month I will post Hunters Top Book Picks. Hunter is currently 2 and loves books.

Not done.....

I am still working on creating my blog I hope to finish this weekend....... and post my next review......

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die. 

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. 

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.( Goodreads)

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. I do like how Maggie Stiefvater gives the main characters a turn to tell the story through their eyes. Puck and Sean are strong people. They both know what they want and need in their life. These main characters compliment each other and can stand on their own. Puck and Sean meet each other because they share a passion and love for their horses and their Island, Thisby, they call home. Puck loves her horse Dove. Sean loves his horse Corr, a water horse known as a Capall Uisce, which are dangerous and thirst for blood. Her older brother gives her news that causes her to react by deciding to ride Dove in The Scorpio Races. Because of her decision to race, she meets Sean and finds herself drawn to him.

Darke (Septimus Heap #6)

I had fun and enjoyed reading the Septimus Heap series. Angie Sage did a wonderful job creating the characters and the world they live in. I have recommended these books to my middle school age kids at work. This is a series I have added to my list of books they should check out. This is a book series that can be enjoyed by all ages. And I just learned there will be a book #7 FYRE.  YAY!!!!
To learn more about her series. http://www.septimusheap.com/manuscriptorium/

Happy New Year!!!

Another year of reading many wonderful stories!!! A big thanks to all the authors for taking us on many journeys! I hope everyone has a great New Year and an amazing 2012!