Book Worm Carnival

The bookworms Carnival second edition is done. Click here for some great reads.

Eclipse

Eclipse
Stephanie Meyer
3 1/2 stars
by Debbi

I cannot tell you what I think of this book without spoiling it; that being said, if you have not started it, finished it, or want to sometime read this book in the near future – then stop reading now.

This is what I thought:
I agree with Kathy that there are a lot of irritating parts in this book. Since I am a Jacob fan, Edwards behavior was very irritating and made me love Jacob that much more. Bella was a big push over in this book. She needed to do what she wanted and let Edward deal with it. Everyone is so worried about making everyone else happy. I was surprised that it took so long for the pack and the Cullens to finally figure out there were both on the same side. I really enjoyed the conversation that Edward and Jacob had the night in the tent.

One thing I especially loved about this book is we got to know the history of some more of the Cullens – Jasper and Rosalie. Their stories were fascinating to me and I’m so glad that they were included. I secretly hope that Rosalie will have more influence over Bella in the forth book.

As far as the Jacob versus Edward issue, of course I am truly sad that she picked Edward, but I still am hanging on to hope that Jacob will be back in the fourth book. Bella hasn’t become a vampire yet – which I’m sure will not happen (if it ever does) until the end of the final book of this series. So there is still way more time for Jacob to make a good run for his money. At least she knows she loves him now. Some say that Jacob is too immature for Bella. Well, Bella herself is only 18 and Jacob is younger than her. I think teenagers are allowed to be immature. Edward can seem much too old to me at times. Marriage at her age? That is pretty young - but that does bring me to another point I wanted to make:

I must insert here that I am very impressed with Stephanie Meyer’s ability to write such an intriguing love story and keep it clean. There are parts that are so intense but the characters keep their morals. So many other young adult authors do not do this. One kiss between Jacob and Bella took up four pages – four amazingly morally clean pages!!!

I did not like the epilogue. I don’t like reading in Jacob Blacks perspective, I am used to Bella. I had a sick feeling that Jacob was going to imprint with Leah and then I would have to throw the book across the room and never look back at the series. I’m glad that didn’t happen.

I guess I will have to wait and see how the fourth book turns out. I don’t think I’ll hold my breath for Jacob, but I am still hoping that there is a tiny chance. I think it would be so sad for Bella to leave behind her family and friends. She saw a future with Jacob and I think she, in the end, might miss that. I know deep down that she will always end up with Edward. That is how these stories always go. But give me a break here,

At least a girl can hope.

Eclipse

Stephanie Meyer

3 stars

By Kathy

Ok, well I didn't hate this book. I read this one lickety-split. It was engrossing and enjoyable for the most part, but a few things bother me about it, and the more I think about it, the more irritating they become.

What is with the creepy guy behavior, and Bella's lack of a backbone? I was really frustrated with Edward's whole "I will not let you visit Jacob" deal. It was not chivalrous, it was borderline abusive. People in a healthy relationship do not try to control the other person. I really wish that Bella would have stood up to him a bit more and say something like "I will not allow you to treat me this way." Instead, after she gets so angry about that "kidnapping" by Alice, she forgives Edward after some making-out. Ugh! Of course there is also Jacob's "I will kill myself in battle unless you kiss me." Again, not a sign of a healthy relationship. And Bella goes right ahead and allows Jacob's manipulation to happen. I think Bella's behavior is especially troubling considering the teenage audience of this book. I don't want them to think that this obsessive and manipulative behavior equals true love.

The other thing that bothered me is Bella's whole "I cannot live without Edward" attitude. I think this has been building in me since the first book, but I really just want to shake her and say , "Buck Up! Yes you can!" I know she had a hard time in book 2, but that was only 6 months, and I believe she was getting better towards the end, and would continue to improve. And I admit that I would be more inclined to Bella's way of thinking when I was her age, but now it just seems immature and melodramatic. People, even young people, lose spouses everyday, but they continue on, and find happiness, maybe even love again. Is the idea suppose to be that Bella loves Edward more than anyone else loves their spouse? That they have some super true romance that everyone else doesn't have? Because if so, that idea is pretty insulting. And again, I wouldn't want the teenage audience going around thinking "I cannot live without (insert boyfriends name here)!" If my daughter were old enough to read this book, I would definitely want to discuss this idea with her.

So that is my frustration with Eclipse. I still find it an intriguing idea, and I will definitely read the next book, if only with the hope that Bella can grow up a bit and stand up for herself.

Harry Potter #7, Another Opinion

J.K. Rowling
4 stars

So I (Kathy) finished Harry Potter last night for the second time. After reading it in two days the first time, I decided that I needed to read it a little slower so I could take it all in a little better. Overall, I'm very impressed and happy with how it all turned out. Here are some of the things I particularly liked:

• Ron and Hermione. I've been a big shipper of those two for the last 4 books, so I was glad they finally got together.
• Mrs. Weasly taking out Bellatrix; awesome display of mom power.
• Neville showing his bravery and leadership, and his grandmother being so proud of him.
• Percy returning to the Weasly family.
• Everyone, from old girlfriends, to old quidditch teammates showing up at the end for the battle of Hogwarts. I liked "seeing" everyone one more time, and thought it was a fitting tribute to Harry.
• The whole battle of Hogwarts. I loved how this was done, and was glad to see so many people and other creatures stand up to Voldemort.
• The intricate plotting by J.K. Rowling. I cannot imagine having something so big as this series so well planned out from the very beginning.
• The Epilogue. I liked knowing that Voldemort was really dead, and that Harry had the happy family that he had not had before. But what's with the names for their kids? Albus? Hugo? Poor kids.

Of course, I only gave it 4 stars, so there were a few things I didn't like about it:

• Killing Fred; I figured one of the Weaslys wouldn't make it, but killing Fred made me so sad for George. They had such a close bond. In one of her "What Happens After Harry Potter" interviews, J.K. Rowling said that George never really got over the loss of his brother. Why couldn't she have killed Charlie instead?
• All the different wands changing hands so many times. Even in my second time through, I had to reread parts to see where all the different wands came from and how they got there. I think it could have been simplified a little bit.
• All the different side trips that Harry, Ron, and Hermione take. It seems like they take one trip from which they barely escape, and then another, and another, and another. It seems like she could have taken one out, like the trip to the Ministry of Magic. I think the only point was to show how horrible the Ministry had become. Umbridge having one of the horcruxes was kind of far-fetched I think.

All in all, a really good ending to the series. It was great fun to read, and I'll be anxious to see what J.K. Rowling does next.

Book Worm Carnival

I am trying out a new thing called the Book Worm Carnival. Reading is My Super Power is hosting it this month and it will feature books that cool you down during these dog days of summer. The deadline is the 10th. I am super excited to see how it all turns out!

Eclipse

I can hardly wait for Eclipse to come out tomorrow! I am so hooked on Stephanie Meyer books. Twilight was recommended by an old roommate who admitted she too was leary of vampire books. But after picking it up, she couldn't put it down. I owe a lot of great reading hours to my great friend now!

I've had such a hard time getting over Harry being over, so this will be a great way to take my mind off him and submerge myself into another good book. It's so hot and muggy outside that at this point nothing can come close to cranking on the AC and curling up on the couch with Edward and Bella! Meyer's descriptions of his cool composition always gives me the chills, but their romance - that heats things up, right? (OK, that was super cheesy!!)

The looming question is will Bella become a vampire? Most everyone that I recommend this book too loves Edward and can't wait for this to happen. I know people aren't happy with me for this, but I on the other hand have a huge fascination with Jacob. Meyers promises that Bella will have to make some important decisions about this in the third book. I hope that she chooses Jacob, but deep down I believe that she will ultimately have to choose Edward.

I hate to be a spoil sport, but I don't think that Bella will become a vampire in this book either. Meyers is releasing a fourth book this spring. What would that book entail if Bella and Edward were together forever? Maybe she will be keeping Jacob around...a girl can only hope!

Meet Kathy!

My sister is an avid reader. She knew how to read before kindergarten - and came home crying one day when a boy in her class told her that she couldn't! She is now going to be a contributor to My Reading Spot.

I hope all the readers out there enjoy her comments. She was an English major at BYU and always has the best ideas about books and literature. She has recommended numerous books to me that I have enjoyed!

The Wee Free Men

Terry Pratchett
4 stars

This book is a fantasy book, and one of the few books that has made me laugh out loud. The main character is a 9 year old girl Tiffany Aching, who has to rescue her younger brother from a wicked Fairy Queen. The Wee Free Men of the title are small blue pixie like men who help her out. They are rather bad-mannered: drinking, swearing in their pixie language, and always looking for a fight. They are also rather endearing. Tiffany herself is a smart and resourceful girl, who isn't into boys or fashion or verly concerned with her looks. She makes a great protagonist.

I recomended this book to a daughter of a friend who is 13 and a smart, take charge kind of girl, and she really liked it. There are two follow up books to this one, A Hat Full of Sky and Wintersmith. They are also very good. Terry Pratchet is one of my husbands favorite authors. And this is my favorite of his books that I've read.

Harry Potter

I can't seem to get Harry Potter off my brain. I could re-read the 7th book. I just might have too. I have tried to read other books since I finished Harry last week and it is just so tough.

I just started Inkheart today. I got it from a friend of mine during the book swap and I've been so excited to read it, but now I'm just thinking of Harry.

I told my husband the night I finished it I felt a little like I did back in 2002. We lived in SLC during the winter Olympics and it was such a rush to be in the middle of the hype, but after they were over, well it was over. I know Harry Potter is not the same as the Olympics, but really I do feel so sad that they are over. Does anyone else feel the same way?

I suppose for now I will give Inkheart a few more days.

Magazines

I admit I have a problem. I love magazines. I love reading them. I love collecting them. I have a hard time throwing them away. I don't want to think about how many I would subscribe to if I had unlimited money and no library access.

If I had to narrow it down to a top 5 today, my favorites would be:
LDS Living
Creating Keepsakes
Simple Scrapbooks
Real Simple
Parents

I'm glad I don't have to narrow it to 5. I read way more than these. What are your favorites?