Percy Jackson

I posted before about liking to read books that my kids are reading, and this is one of them. I volunteered to lead a book club at the junior high, hoping to get my foot in the door before Brooke makes it there next year. Percy Jackson was a book that Brooke was interested in reading, as were my book club kids. I have to admit that it was a fun book, quick and easy, and who doesn't like Greek Mythology? If you're 12 you're going to love it. What does that say about me and my mental age?

Nicholas Sparks

I ran out of reading material this weekend. I have read almost every book in the house, and the babysitter club books hiding under Brooke's bed just weren't sounding so interesting.

So I broke down.

I can see you now, doing the slow motion "Nooooo" scream at the computer screen. The scream that we all do when seeing the heroine of the movies walk down the dark hallway with only a rolled up newspaper as defense. Alas, like the heroine, I took that long dark walk.

I don't know if you've ever read Nicholas Sparks, but if you haven't- start the book with every expectation that in his world there are no happy endings. He believes in people finding their soul mate, an amazing person that they have been looking for their entire lives, and then he kills them off and leaves the person at the end of the book alone....again.

"The Gaurdian" and "The Notebook" were based on his books. All movies I will never see.

So here I sit, feeling sad that the world has so many people with such huge losses in their life. And I have now lost 6 hours of my life. And I have had my good cry for the month.

Fablehaven Series

I have realized something about my reading "likes" and "dislikes". I like books that are easy to read, quick to get through, and capture my interest from the start. I don't like books that have broad social agenda's, or that are slow to start- or slow to keep up. I don't have a lot of free time these days to read, and yet it is my favorite escape. Last, I like to read books that my kids are reading...just checking up on them, and it makes for great conversations with my kids.

All that being said, anyone reading this will have to take my book recommendations as they are!

I have been told by several people that the Fable Haven series was really good (since Alisha is probably the only one reading this, and she's one of those people, this post is moot). But in case anyone else out there is looking for a set of books that are fun, easy reads- the imagination behind these captured my 12 year old side and kept me reading for several days!

The Author...Torey Hayden

I have read quite a few of Torey Hayden's books, and every one touches my heart- makes me angry at life and amazed at children's ability to over come circumstances beyond their control. The books can be graphic in their description of the abuse the children have suffered, but it's not in a crude way- more clinical to help you understand them. Torey is the reason I wanted to go into special ed- the reason I will someday go back to school and get my master's in special ed/ emotionally disturbed children. I don't know if these books are anything that any of you would like, but I enjoy the way Torey writes.

Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister

I don't know if anyone ever checks this site, but I thought I would add a note about a book I just finished. I have heard from lots of you about great books you have also read, but I always forget what they are called, so maybe you could post them here?

Either way, I just finished a fun book called Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister. It takes the Cinderella and retells it from the step sister view. It is a fun twist on a common story, and I really enjoyed it. Not my normal read, but something I think you guys would enjoy!

LOVE YOU!

ITS TIME FOR A NEW BOOK!!

So I know that some of you have already read this series but I want to know what you think about it. I just finished the book the other day and I thought it was FABULOUS!! They didn't have the other two available at my library so I have been DYING waiting for them to arrive from another library. So here is this months challenge. If you haven't read it do it. If you have I want input and if you have read uglies but haven't read Pretties, read it and comment on it. I really do love this idea of an online book club so let's do it!!

October Book of the Month - Austenland by Shannon Hale

I thought we would start the book club off with a fun, easy read. I am a romantic at heart who LOVES Pride and Prejudice. This book pokes fun, in an awesome way, at all of us girls who love Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy.

Please feel free to comment anytime you want to talk about where you are in the book or anything else. I have also made you all administrators of the blog so that you can post when your book of the month comes. Hopefully we can have a good conversation each month and read a lot of good books!

I was hoping to put a book out at the first of each month, and by the last week of the month start to really talk about it. I understand you all have busy lives, so if you don't finish in time don't worry! Just contribute your thoughts on what you were able to read, or if you hate the book, do not hesitate to say so! We all have different tastes, so if you can't get through a book, no worries! Happens all the time! Well, I guess that's it. I hope you enjoy Austenland!