I decided to read The Host by Stephanie Meyer. It was loaned to me by my sister-in-law. I chose it because I would like to get it back to her quickly, and also so that we can talk about it. We both enjoyed Stephanie Meyer's young adult series (Twilight) immensely. My sister-in-law purchased this book as soon as it came out so that she could read it right away. She said she finished it in two days. We will see if I can get it done as quickly!
Happy Reading!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
I have been reading the Harry Potter books since just before Christmas. One of my closest friends, and a member of my book club, turned me on to them. I had never been interested in reading them before. Fantasy/sci-fi has never really been my genre. But my friend told me how much she loved Harry and how much she mourned the last book. She was in such a funk after that I was truly worried that she might never get her love of reading back. So because they came so highly recommended I dove in. I have enjoyed each one immensely, and am currently reading the first one to my almost 9 year old son. He is also enjoying it.
I just completed number six in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I enjoyed it as I have all of the other books in the series. Action, adventure, mystery, suspense, romance and of course the fantasy of the magical world. But, as I was reading it, I thought that this one was predictable. I thought that I had it figured out and was getting slightly disappointed because of that. I thought that I knew the identity of the "Half-Blood Prince". But I was wrong and quite surprised at the ending of the book. I was surprised at the identity that is revealed and I was also surprised by the big event near the end of the book. Without giving anything away, who is involved and what happens was quite a shock to me. I didn't think that Rowling would go there. So, it turned out that this book was not predictable at all.
I would recommend the series. The books are so much better than the movies. So, if you enjoyed the movie versions, please take the time to read the books. There is so much more to them than what is shown in the movies. Harry Potter is a hero worth your time. The books fill many interests not just that of sci-fi or fantasy. Each book has left me anxious to start the next one. But I don't want to finish the series too quickly. I enjoy Harry's company and that of all of his friends. So I am not sure if I will start on Book Seven tonight, or if I will read something else first.
My friend did recover her love for reading, by finding another series and wonderfully intriguing hero. The "Twilight" series by Stephanie Meyer, which she also turned me on to and I read in between a few of the Harry Potter books.
Happy Reading!
I just completed number six in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I enjoyed it as I have all of the other books in the series. Action, adventure, mystery, suspense, romance and of course the fantasy of the magical world. But, as I was reading it, I thought that this one was predictable. I thought that I had it figured out and was getting slightly disappointed because of that. I thought that I knew the identity of the "Half-Blood Prince". But I was wrong and quite surprised at the ending of the book. I was surprised at the identity that is revealed and I was also surprised by the big event near the end of the book. Without giving anything away, who is involved and what happens was quite a shock to me. I didn't think that Rowling would go there. So, it turned out that this book was not predictable at all.
I would recommend the series. The books are so much better than the movies. So, if you enjoyed the movie versions, please take the time to read the books. There is so much more to them than what is shown in the movies. Harry Potter is a hero worth your time. The books fill many interests not just that of sci-fi or fantasy. Each book has left me anxious to start the next one. But I don't want to finish the series too quickly. I enjoy Harry's company and that of all of his friends. So I am not sure if I will start on Book Seven tonight, or if I will read something else first.
My friend did recover her love for reading, by finding another series and wonderfully intriguing hero. The "Twilight" series by Stephanie Meyer, which she also turned me on to and I read in between a few of the Harry Potter books.
Happy Reading!
Friday, May 23, 2008
The Kite Runner
Most recently, my book club read The Kite Runner. It wasn't my turn to pick and I was a little skeptical at first. I was interested because of the hype surrounding the book, but I was actually more interested in reading the author's other book, A Thousand Splendid Suns. I wasn't sure if The Kite Runner was going to be a book I enjoyed reading. Boy was I surprised.
It is one of the best books I have read. The story is gripping, disturbing, haunting, and suspenseful. There were times when the book made me sick or so emotional that I would sob. There were several times that I had to put it down and walk away. But five minutes later I was right back to it because I had to see what was going to happen and how this latest turn was going to play out. I enjoy any book that makes me feel emotion. If a book can make me smile, laugh, cry or get angry, then I think the author has done his or her job.
I ended up disliking the narrator. He was a selfish coward. But at the same time I could feel sympathy for him because of his family situation and relationships. Without giving anything away in the story, it is hands down one of the best tales of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, forgiveness and heartbreak. And of how one man tries to redeem himself after a lifetime of guilt.
My girlfriends and I got together earlier this week to discuss the book. We had mixed opinions as to whether or not we liked it, but all of us agreed that the book was gripping and that made it easy to finish. We all read it quickly. It is not a "happy" book, which is what led us to our mixed reviews. There were not many moments in this book where you had the opportunity to smile.
We all saw the book as a valuable piece of literature. We watched the movie after discussing the book. It was not as good as the book, but movies rarely are. We felt that it left out or altered too many important elements. If you haven't read the book, we doubt you will gain much from the movie.
I would highly recommend this book. For those who wouldn't be interested because of the location of the story or fear of it being slightly political in nature, I can tell you that the story is about so much more than where it takes place, and the political side of the story is very benign. It is a tale that won't soon be forgotten. I know it will stay with me for a long time.
It is one of the best books I have read. The story is gripping, disturbing, haunting, and suspenseful. There were times when the book made me sick or so emotional that I would sob. There were several times that I had to put it down and walk away. But five minutes later I was right back to it because I had to see what was going to happen and how this latest turn was going to play out. I enjoy any book that makes me feel emotion. If a book can make me smile, laugh, cry or get angry, then I think the author has done his or her job.
I ended up disliking the narrator. He was a selfish coward. But at the same time I could feel sympathy for him because of his family situation and relationships. Without giving anything away in the story, it is hands down one of the best tales of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, forgiveness and heartbreak. And of how one man tries to redeem himself after a lifetime of guilt.
My girlfriends and I got together earlier this week to discuss the book. We had mixed opinions as to whether or not we liked it, but all of us agreed that the book was gripping and that made it easy to finish. We all read it quickly. It is not a "happy" book, which is what led us to our mixed reviews. There were not many moments in this book where you had the opportunity to smile.
We all saw the book as a valuable piece of literature. We watched the movie after discussing the book. It was not as good as the book, but movies rarely are. We felt that it left out or altered too many important elements. If you haven't read the book, we doubt you will gain much from the movie.
I would highly recommend this book. For those who wouldn't be interested because of the location of the story or fear of it being slightly political in nature, I can tell you that the story is about so much more than where it takes place, and the political side of the story is very benign. It is a tale that won't soon be forgotten. I know it will stay with me for a long time.
My Love of Reading
I decided that I wanted a place to journal what I have been reading. I hope that this blog can be used as a place for people to get suggestions for a good read.
I love books. I love everything about books. I love to just look at them and touch them. I know it sounds weird, but I am passionate about books. I am a busy mom, so I don't get as much time to read as I want. When I do have time, reading is what I choose to do. I read almost anything.
In addition to reading on my own for pleasure, I belong to a book club (made up of my three best friends). These three other wonderful, intelligent women and I started a "book club" over ten years ago. We were meeting on a regular basis for coffee and dinner in a local bookstore. What started as a whim became one of the most enjoyable parts of my life. Because we all love reading and wanted to share that passion with each other, we decided to each buy a copy of a book and read it together. Our first book was The History of Danish Dreams. We each take turns choosing a book, we all buy it, read it and get together to discuss it. We have read books of all types from the silly and frivolous (Flaming Iguanas) to the serious and thought provoking (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn). We have read somewhere around 40 books now, for better or worse, and had a wonderful time doing it. We marked our ten year anniversary this January and I can see us celebrating many more anniversaries. For anyone out there who knows someone else who loves to read, I suggest that you start a book club. Having someone else to discuss a book with, as you are reading it, is so enjoyable. I believe it makes the experience of reading the book more enriching, as well.
When I read a book, I will post my thoughts about that book on this blog. I hope that those that come across this blog will gain something from it.
Happy Reading!
I love books. I love everything about books. I love to just look at them and touch them. I know it sounds weird, but I am passionate about books. I am a busy mom, so I don't get as much time to read as I want. When I do have time, reading is what I choose to do. I read almost anything.
In addition to reading on my own for pleasure, I belong to a book club (made up of my three best friends). These three other wonderful, intelligent women and I started a "book club" over ten years ago. We were meeting on a regular basis for coffee and dinner in a local bookstore. What started as a whim became one of the most enjoyable parts of my life. Because we all love reading and wanted to share that passion with each other, we decided to each buy a copy of a book and read it together. Our first book was The History of Danish Dreams. We each take turns choosing a book, we all buy it, read it and get together to discuss it. We have read books of all types from the silly and frivolous (Flaming Iguanas) to the serious and thought provoking (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn). We have read somewhere around 40 books now, for better or worse, and had a wonderful time doing it. We marked our ten year anniversary this January and I can see us celebrating many more anniversaries. For anyone out there who knows someone else who loves to read, I suggest that you start a book club. Having someone else to discuss a book with, as you are reading it, is so enjoyable. I believe it makes the experience of reading the book more enriching, as well.
When I read a book, I will post my thoughts about that book on this blog. I hope that those that come across this blog will gain something from it.
Happy Reading!
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