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?

When Times Are Tough

When Times Are Tough: 5 Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything
John Bytheway
5 stars

This book was originally sent to my husband for Father's Day from my parents. It's been on my lists since then and I finally had a chance to pick it up for the past few days. It's a fast read and very inspirational. I could have spent one day reading it - or a week. I actually might re-read it now with a notebook in hand, taking notes.

Not only is John Bytheway such a great story teller and motivational writer, but he keeps doctrine interesting to read.

The book is comprised of 5 chapters, each a part of one's life and each chapter has 5 scriptures that will help you through that part of your life.

1. Five scriptures that will get you through almost anything
2. Five scriptures that will strengthen you marriage
3. Five scriptures that will improve your family relationships
4. Five scriptures that will strengthen your faith
5. Five scriptures that will motivate you to action

One suggestion from the book that I can't wait to start is to create a Hope Page. This is a page of all your favorite quotes, scriptures, hymns or whatnot that give you hope. After you create this store it someplace that can be easily accessed and read it often. It is such an easy suggestion and such a good idea.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
JK Rowling
5 Stars

Where do I begin!!?? I have been skeptical on how this series would end. Could JK Rowling make it as good as the series. Could this last book live up to all the hype?

I am not going to write a spoiler, but I'll just say it did live up to everything that I expected it too. I laughed at parts, I couldn't put it down at parts, and at parts I would have cried (if my husband would not have made fun of me for the rest of my life!). Did some of the characters have predicable outcomes? Yes, but let's remember that is this a children's series.

As I finished it last night I couldn't go to sleep. I laid in bed so excited for the characters. I usually experience a let down after finishing such a good series, but with Harry Potter I was so excited I wanted to start all over and read them again!

To those of you readers of this blog out there that haven't read these books, or only watch the movies, I beg you to read the books. They will give you SO much more satisfaction! (Besides you will get to know the outcome 2 years in advance!)

I give the entire HP series 5 stars. It was worth the time I spent reading and I will be re-reading them over and over to my kids and throughout my life.

Harry Potter

So I cannot believe that I'm taking time out of my kids nap to post about this book - but I am. I am so excited to be reading the last book of Harry Potter. I am so sad that it will be over. Half of me wants to skim read as fast as I can so I can know what happens. The other half of me wants to read as slow as possible and drag the book on and on so it never ends.

I tend to get attached to characters in book. Just like many avid readers the characters become real to me. I start to think of them as real people and I actually spend time thinking and worrying for them and their scenarios they must face. Of course I know Harry Potter, Ron and Hermonie aren't real, but for an hour and half each afternoon and each night after 8pm they become real to me as I read.

I am about 200 pages into the book. I am not going to spoil anything and I hope that no one else does the same. All I will say is that as I get to the ending pages of a chapter and tell myself I will fall asleep after I finish it, JK Rowlings finds a way to not let that happen. I have a very hard time putting this book down. But I'm a mother and a wife, so at times I must, and then the battle rages on inside me - finish it fast, or take my time.


I think for now I will take my time and savor each page of my friendship with HP.

Rebel Angels

Rebel Angels
Libba Bray
5 Stars

This book is the sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty. I admit, it took me a few weeks to read this book - but only because of visitors and a vacation, because each time I sat down to read it I had such a hard time putting it down. I actually enjoyed this one much more than the first one.

If you loved the Twilight series, and Harry Potter then give this author a try. It's got other worlds, magic and romance too. Gemma's character is so fun to watch develop and grow.

I still can't get over how witty Libba Bray is. I love it. I wish I were that smart and witty - but if I were that fun I would probably have a couple novels written and not have just a book blog about them!