The Enchantress by Michael Scott

I started the Nicholas Flamel series when it first came out in 2007.  Each year anticipating the newest book.  I have adored the series, the good vs. evil, the twists and the turns.  The final book in the series left me hanging from start to finish.  I was not at all anticipating the outcome.  I can see how Scott is going to develop a new series about the Earthlords.  I was shocked at the end of the book and the final outcome. I never imagined the end would be as it was.

I don't want to be a spoiler about the series, so I can't say much except READ IT!  Scott is a fantastic writer and his storyline is very clear and action packed.  I can't stress enough how good it is.  I recommend starting on book one and reading straight through to the last book.  It will stick in your mind that way.  There are a lot of characters to remember and waiting between books made me forget some of them.  I probably should have started book one and read straight through before I read book 6, but, time was not on my side to do this.  Maybe when I reread the series.  Yes, this is one of those that you reread.

The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan

In case you haven't guessed, Rick Riordan is one of my favorite chidren's authors.  I was introduced a few years ago to Percy Jackson and after I read that I haven't been able to stop reading any of his material.  I love his ability to tell a mythological story and throw in so much action and adventure.  He was able to do it again with his final book in the Kane Chronicles The Serpent's Shadow.

I have always been a fan of the Egyptian myths and the historical significance of the race.  I found that this love for Egyptian history and mystery led me to really enjoy the entire series by Riordan.  I was sad to see the end of the series. 

All of Riordan's books have children as the main heroes.  I love that.  I think it helps kids realize that they don't have to be adults to accomplish great things.  So many children can learn from the example set by Riordan.  I think his themes and stories can apply to real life scenarios.  Kids in the books are combating evil Gods and Goddesses.  Kids in real life are being exposed to so many negative things with environment, politics, war, etc.  There can be a lot said if kids see the work done by Sadie and Carter Kane and in turn try to do something on their own.

The book was wonderful.  I loved getting to see old characters again, I was glad to see the plot thicken and then the outcome be perfect.  I don't want to give spoilers, so I won't go into details.  I just want to recommend that you read the book, or the series if you haven't done so.  It was a really good collection.

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

I finally finished it...  I decided to continue my horror story summer by reading The Woman in Black.  I thought it would be a good mysterious, suspenseful book but it really was full of a lot of unnecessary drivel.  It took over 100 pages to get to the point and only 50 pages to see the final outcome.  I think the author spent way too much time sharing information about the whereabouts, the marshes and less about the nitty gritty of the story.   The ending arrived to quickly for me.  I would have loved to see a few more serious incidents take place on the island, maybe something creepier than sounds and seeing the woman.

I appreciate the beginning of the book, the starting chapter where our main character Arthur Kipps freaks out and decides to write a horrific ghost story in which he lived.  And then, poof, too much talk and not a lot of action, at least at the midpoint.  I love the sound effects on the island.  The clanky sound in the bedroom and seeing that actual woman in black.  Hill's description of the the Woman is eerie.  Thinking of how she looks gives me chills. The outcome of the book horrified me.  I was heartbroken, and in all accounts I should be.

When I read a good horror story, I am pulled in and creeped out from the start.  I still get chills when I read books by Steven King, this did not give me constant chills.  Don't get me wrong, it was a decent book, but I don't think I would keep it to read again.  It will be one of my books to resell to the local Indie.

Woods Runner- Gary Paulsen

Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen

I have never read one of Gary Paulsen's books (aside from Lawn Boy but that can't compare to most of his titles) and I got Woods Runner bogo at the book fair this spring.  It was short so I decided to try it.  And it was one my son, a HUGE Paulsen fan hadn't read yet, so perfect combo.

Well, to make a long story short- this book was excellent and I think Paulsen has a new fan.  I love the connections he makes throughout the whole book to historical facts.  The action is superb.  I really liked his characterization and his reference to facts.

The story is gripping from beginning to end.  I was pleased with Samuel's character and how mature he is.  

I recommend it to you.  It reads fast but has a lot of good action and a good story.  It makes me think I need to read all of the books Paulsen wrote about Brian.

Hong on the Range- Oh it's real

I was wondering to all of my colleagues out there.  Should I read this book for a review? I came across it as I was weeding the library a few months back.  The cover caught my eye, then I read the dust jacket.  I was a little intrigued.  I may have to read the book just for the heck of it.

A little bit of information about the details of the photos:  We found a large collection of old library signs from the 1960s... simple things like Reading for Pleasure and The library will be closed for Thanksgiving.  We kept the funny ones.  Maybe I should post them here from time to time to make people laugh.   Anyway, I decided to make a small collage with the signs to make the picture even better.

Just wait until I talk about Glen and the book Touch of the Clown.  That one's a classic.

Sorry for Inactivty

I decided to do a combo blog, book talks as well as tech talks.  I think the tech part has gotten the better of me. I am finding that is much more my cup of tea today, especially since I have been getting my brain back in lesson planning mode as I look for tools to use in my class.

I have finished several books of late.  I will write a quick review of each but they will be super short and sweet.  I may even schedule the posts.  And, as always, the books I read are older.  I don't get ARC very often, if I do I visit netgalley.  Some reviews are not permitted to publish until a month before the book comes out.  (Just wait, I read Ashen Winter and will review that one, but not until September 13.)

Have a super day.  I will continue working on some commentaries about books.  Maybe even have my some help me with some.

Summer Reads

Well, it has been three weeks since vacation began and I am doing my best to read several books a week.  I doubt I hit my goal of three a week, but I plan to try.  I have read several different genre and I am finding the suspenseful, thriller is a quick read for me.  With that in mind, I am going to use the first post on my blog to talk about some of the books I have read this summer and what I thought of them.

1. Fifty shades of Grey by EL James.
I didn't really see all of thy hype about this book.  I have read some other books that were far better written and had a better storyline.  I am going to finish the series because I am curious about how it ends up, but I think my preference in genre is fantasy, vampires and magic and not hardcore erotica.

2. Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
My son recommended this to me, in fact, we read it together.  I liked the quick ease of the story.  Hahn's style is predicable but I suppose for a fifth grader, it is good.


3. The Lost Hero: Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
I love Percy Jackson so this series is also a hit for me.  I really got into the concept.  The new characters are likeable and I like how the references to the first series are also there.  I can't wait for the next book in a few months.

4.  The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn
I finished this last night.  It was quite a quick read for me.  I loved the characters and I really like how Hahn leads the main human character to the deceased. The ending and the forgiveness made me tear up a little.  I felt the books was a similar plot to deep and dark and dangerous, however.

Book Review: The Throne of Fire

The Kane Chronicles: The Throne of Fire

by Rick Riordan

For those of you new to the series by Rick Riordan, take some time to check it out.  This is the second book in the series based on Egyptian Gods and Goddesses told in a way only Rick Riordan can do.  His storytelling and plot lines lead us, as readers to a realm few will ever be able to visit.    Brother and sister Carter and Sadie Kane learned in book one several reasons why their parents split them apart, moved them around the world and ultimately died/disappeared for them.  In this installment, the two head out on a journey to assist in the rise of Ra, the Sun God and prevent the rise of Apophis.   The siblings meet some characters along the way, but the characters are truly likeable.   Bes is a fantastic character and becomes truly liked by the books end.  The connections to Egyptology, Gods and Goddess and history are impeccable.  Kids can read this book and still learn about history.  The characters have headed on an amazing journey to stop Apophis and their quest is one that I could read again.   A few tips before you read the book, definitely read book one, The Red Pyramid first.  It will help you know the characters and their reasoning for being who they are and doing what they do.  It is also a good idea to note that the book is written in a different fashion than Percy Jackson.  There is a lot of monologue by the characters as each chapter is a depiction of an event that took place.  Riordan is very gifted in his use of history to write a book.