New Moon - 4th Time

New Moon

Stephenie Meyer

5 Stars

This is my favorite book out of the whole series. I know, for most people this is their least favorite and I can see why, but if you don't already know what team I'm on, I just love Jacob Black.

I know all the arguments, he is immature, he is goofy, but I think he is fun, warm and tries so hard to please Bella and I really just love cheering for the underdog. I've read the whole series, I know who wins in the end. But I still love him, plus he he sounds just so cute to me. If I were casting the movie - I am still set on this is the person I could cast... click on the picture for the story....

I am looking forward to the movie later this month. No, unfortunately I am not going to be standing in line at midnight..instead I get to leave my kiddos and go on a residency retreat with my husband that weekend! However, I am opting for the good company of going with one of my sisters a week later. I can't wait, the trailers look promising.

Twilight - 4th Time

Twilight

Stephenie Meyer

5 Stars

I'm re-reading the Twilight series in preparation for the release of the New Moon movie. I am so excited. This is the fourth time I've read Twilight and it never loses it's spark. I love reading into it more and more each time.

Parts I loved this time around:

page 14 when Bella arrives at school for her first day she thinks to herself before getting out of the truck, "I stuck everything in my bag, slung the straps over my shoulder, and sucked in a huge breath. I can do this, I lied to myself feebly. No one was going to bite me."

Page 232 and 233 when Edward is talking to Bella about twilight for the first time. Bella says to him, "I like the night, without the dark, we'd never see the stars."

Page 307 when Edward and Bella are discussing why a vampire would resist humans in the first place he says to her, "Just because we've been...dealt a certain hand..it doesn't mean that we can't choose to rise above...to conquer the boundaries of a destiny that none of us wanted..."

I had to laugh at certain parts of the book now that the movie has come out. I wasn't a huge fan of the movie, it was good but certainly not as good as the book. Jasper cracked me up and now I have a hard time taking him seriously in the book. The spoilers are great fun - this one had me laughing out loud when I got to the part in the book where Edward and Bella are in the meadow. Click HERE for the link. The end gets a little weird, but there are parts that are so funny!

Postscript From Pemberley

Less than a month till Postscripts From Pemberley by Rebecca Ann Collins comes out - it's release date is December 1st! I was sent an advance copy of this book and I love it. Mr. Darcy's grandson, Darcy Gardiner is one of the main characters and the new characters introduced are perfect. I can't wait to share more on this story in December!

Forest Born

Forest Born
Shannon Hale
5 Stars



I think I might have mentioned a time or two in the past couple years how much I love Shannon Hale. In case I haven't, I love her books. I could hug them. Please don't think I am strange.



Forest Born is the fourth book in the Bayren series. Rin, the main character in this book is the youngest sister to Razo (River Secrets). After spending her whole life in the forest with her family she feels something is wrong or "bad" about herself so she leaves with Razo for the city - where she finds herself joining the "fire sisters" on a new adventure.



I think out of all the special powers and main characters that Shannon Hale has created that Rin is one of my favorites. I was drawn to the idea of her abilities and all of us at one point or another in our life really need to dig deep and find out who we really are and what we are about. I am glad that Rin was able to find true self in this book and through her journey.



I know both boys and girls that love these books and while their target audience is for young adult or even pre-teen I think anyone of any age can enjoy the stories, adventures and lessons that Hale shares with us.



I think if I could pick an author I would want to be for a day, it would be Shannon Hale.

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary, Fablehaven Book 4

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary, Fablehaven Book 4

Brandon Mull

5 Stars

With each book getting better and better book four has put me over the top, I am in love with these series. I was hanging on till the very last sentence in this book.

So many twists and turns - first Kendra, oh Kendra, I've grown to really love her. She has a Hermione Granger feel about her. Seth has grown up a lot in this book and I am anxious to see what more he can become in the next book, he has so much potential and he is just starting to realize it.

I don't really want to write a lot of spoilers, which leaves me with not much to write there are that many twists and turns. I should just say it again that I loved this book. As I was reading the last page and got to the last sentence I closed the book and said "OHHHH NO!" out loud. (Then my husband gave me a funny look.)

I recommend this series to anyone, I even think my little kindergartner would enjoy it if I read it out loud to him. It's got just enough "umph" to it, but not so much it gives nightmares. Perfect!

Catching Fire

Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins
5 Stars




After winning the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta return to District 12, but much to her dismay she still finds herself the center of attention. After a shocking and scary visit from the President, she joins Peeta on the tour of the Districts and then learns that they will be part of the 75th anniversary games.



I couldn't wait for this book to come out. I had the day marked on my calendar when I could go get it! (Yes, my review is very, very behind, I read this book in September and now it is November) I enjoyed this book just as much as the first in the series. It was fast paced and page turning. Writing this review makes me want to get both the Hunger Games and Catching Fire out and re-read them! I thought a lot of the action would take place during the tour of the districts, but once that was over so fast I was left wondering what would turn the book would take. It took me by surprise that Katniss found herself in the games again.



I finished this book and still didn't want to put it down. I compare these books to the Uglies series, but I enjoy these so much more. My only hope is that the third book doesn't turn in that direction. I cannot wait until the third book to see how things turn out for Katniss, Peeta and all her family.



I am so glad I was introduced to this series, I am in love with Suzanne Collins and her creativity

In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms

In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
5 Stars



I saw this on a friends blog, who also heard about it from a friend and so it goes. I had to check it out. I put it on hold at the library and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I was not disappointed.



This book was so inspirational to me. I might have to look for a copy of this book at my half-price book store or for a used one because I would love to have it around in my own library for future reference on those "bad days."



I never really planned son going back to work after having my first baby, but that first year was a big adjustment to me. Sometimes I just wanted to go back to work and get a paycheck and hear people tell me what a great job I was doing, but deep down I knew I was in the right place, at home.



Fast forward a few years. I now have 3 kids and watch part time another one. Sometimes I wonder if anyone knows that I did in fact graduate college and have a career at one point. Sometimes I get so lost in the day to day grind that I wonder if the little ones care that I stay with them. My husband is a first year medical resident right now so there are weeks that my job is pretty comparable to a single parent job. But I really wouldn't have it any other way.



I was actually sitting on the couch reading this book one night while my husband was working late, I paused and I looked up to see my kitchen - and a sink full of dishes and no dinner waiting for him. I was motivated by Dr. Laura to get up and finish my job, even though I was tired. I know my husband appreciated that dinner when he got home. The house was clean and things were good.



Bringing it back to the book - I loved it and recommend it hands down. It motivates me each time I think of it or passages I read from it to be a better wife and mother.