Hawksmaid

Last night I finished reading 'Hawksmaid' by Kathryn Lasky. It is the story of Maid Marian and Robin Hood,  but it begins BEFORE they were Maid Marian and Robin Hood, and were just a couple of kids that happened to be best friends. The story is definitely fantasy, but is based on true historical events. The characters are seeing the awful things that Prince John is doing to his subject while his  brother King Richard is fighting in a war in France. Many people are suffering from his tyranny so this band of kids decides to do something about it. They start out small, but eventually are doing greater things and are constantly having people join their band of 'Merry Men'. This was a very entertaining story to read, but there were some parts that kind of caught me off guard with how fantastical they were, not gonna lie. However, I would read it again which means it was worth reading.

Cinder and Ella

Last night I finished reading the book 'Cinder and Ella' by Melissa Lemon. I am not going to pretend like it is amazing writing or that I overly enjoyed this book. However, it is a good story with loveable characters and a fun read. I didn't really get "in" to it like I do on other books. You know, like when you literally can not put a book down so you read while you pee. But it definitely was entertaining, and while it is not a book that is a must have on my shelf, I would probably read this again. And if you are a huge Cinderella fan, than you will definitely like this book.

'Cinder and Ella' is about two sisters who also have an older sister who is a spoiled, and a younger sister who is a brat, and their sepparate (and sometimes together) journeys of finding their own happiness after so much darkness has entered their lives after their father goes missing.

Oh, and on a sidenote, the author lives in Kaysville, Ut where I grew up! Neat huh?

Firelight Series

This last week I just finished the 'Firelight' series by Sophie Jordan. There are three books in the series: 'Firelight', 'Vanish', and 'Hidden'. The series is about a girl who is a descendant of dragons and is forced to leave her colony of draki (that is what descendants of dragons are called) after she is spotted by some hunters,  to try to live a "normal" life among humans. Not gonna lie, the first book has some similarities to 'Twilight', but I promise you that Jordan is a much better writer than Meyer and is definitely not as cheesy. I pretty much gobbled up this series reading all three books in a total of two days. These books are filled with adventure, mystery, romance, and loyalty. I would highly reccommend this series.

Disappointments

As many of you know, I am the biggest Harry Potter nerd ever. So when I found out that J.K. Rowling was writing a new book I almost fell over dead with excitement. Last night I started reading it and I only made it through 20 pages before I deemed it as a lost cause. Within those 20 pages not only had I read the F word a dozen times, read about some very crude things, but I was soooo bored! Something that has never happend to me while reading J.K. Rowling. I was beyond disappointed. So my advice is don't wast your time. This book has only received three stars on Amazon and most of the reviews are bad. I had such high expectations, but I feel like the girl off of '27 Dresses' when she says, "I feel like I just found out that my favorite love song was written about a sandwhich."

My next disappointment, though much less of a disappointment than Rowling, was the second book of "Leven Thumps". I had read the first book, and although sometimes reading it felt like a chore, for the most part I enjoyed it. However, I started the second book in the series and didn't get very far. There was no build to the climax, the action just kind of hits you in the face from the very beginning, and I felt a little whiplashed. I also gave that up as a lost cause. However, I am not condeming it like I am Rowling's book. Some readers may enjoy this style of writing very much, it just was not my cup of tea.

The Princess Academy

In case you don't know this about me, I am a HUGE fan of Shannon Hale! I absolutely love her style of writing. I have always been a big fan of "The Princess Academy", so when I came to work one day and saw that there was a second book I was beyond ecstatic! I hurried and re-read "The Princess Academy" so  that I would be ready for when I was next on the hold list for "Princess Academy: Palace of Stone".  When I finally got it I took it home and the next day I  read before work, during my lunch break, and stayed up until three in the morning to finish it. I was not planning on reading it in one day, but there was a point in the book where I was seriously wondering how this could ever have a happy ending. I just had to find out what happened. I love books like that. The one's that are absolutely not predictable, but keep you guessing until the very end. Shannon Hale definitely did not disapoint on this sequel. I enjoyed every single minute of reading this, so much in fact, I am pretty sure I need to get onto Amazon and buy myself my own copy.

I Cannot Live Without Books

The Forgotten Garden

A fellow librarian reccommended "The Forgotten  Garden" by Kate Morton to me and said that she was one of her very favorite authors. I had never heard of this book or this author, but I was very happy for the reccommendation because I ended up loving this book. "The Forgotten Garden" is about a four year old girl who gets abandoned on a ship bound to Australia from England. The girl is found by the man who runs the wharf in Australia and he takes her home and adopts her when there is no one else to claim her. When the girl is 21 the man tells the daughter the truth about her past. The novel is about her journey to discover the mystery of why she was abandoned when she was so young and is trying to find out who her birth parents are. The story jumps from each generation's view point which at first kind of gave me whiplash, but once you get used to the style of writing it is practically impossible to put the book down. Kate Morton is a very talented author and I think I will have to read more of her novels.

The Bridge to Terabithia

I know it's been forever since I have been on here but life has been crazy busy this last month and finding time to read has kind of been a struggle. Fortunately for me though I have recently aquired a job as a librarian, so I am surrounded by books all day, everyday. I am finding it extremely difficult to not take a few home at least every week (okay okay, sometimes it's everyday). My latest read was 'A Bridge to Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson. This book is about two lonely children who are sick of being bullied at school and decide to create a magical world for themeselves where they are king and queen. Through this magical world they learn to be brave and discover the true meaning of friendship. It is a wonderful story of imagination, family, friendship, and coming of age. I read it in about six hours (ish) so it is a pretty quick read.

After I read the book I just had to watch the movie to see if it did it any justice- and it did! I loved the movie and would highly recommend it (after you have read the book of course). You can watch the trailer for it below. And yes, it includes the hearthrob from The Hunger Games (he is such a cutie!).

http://youtu.be/3SvqEIKP4t8

The Maze Runner

A couple of weeks ago I finished 'The Maze Runner' series by James Dashner. The reason it has taken me so long to write this recommendation post is because I debated whether or not to recommend it. I actually couldn't figure out if I like the series or not. Although it kept me up nights with its page turning excitement, each time I finished a book the haunting question of "did I like that?" loomed over me. This question thus far has proven unanswerable, something that is quite baffling to me. It is with this struggle that I have decided to recommend it. If a book can cause me to puzzle over it for such a long time, actually make me stop and think about it and its complexities, than it must be worthy of reading. I would be lying if I didn't say that the book was almost scarring to me. Yes, it has it's entertainment factor, but the fear that this might actually happen to our world some day hovers over me leaving a lasting impression. So my friends, I would definitely recommend this book so that you can judge for yourselves.

“Such a display of death - how could it be considered a victory?” 
-James Dashner-

Desiderata

Desiderata 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920