Mockingjay

A nice end to the Hunger Games series. 

"The best yet, a beautifully orchestrated and intelligent novel that succeeds on every level."

- Publishers Weekly

Worth the read. 

Catching Fire

Book Two of the Hunger Games Trilogy,
Catching Fire did not disappoint. 

A quick, fun read.
Rebellion.
Teen indecisiveness.
Not heavy.
Not deep.

You may as well read it.  There will be a movie soon. 

Jane Eyre {Try #2}

I decided to give Jane Eyre another try.  

This time it was a success.  

Jane Eyre takes a little while to get exciting (trust me, I tried two times).  Once I got into it, I really enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down.  

Jane Eyre is classic for a reason:

1. Language

2.  Slow moving

3. Still good

All in all, worth the read.

Book Reviews

Fall semester postponed my summer readings a bit, 

but over Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks I was able to do a little catch up. 

Reviews to follow. 

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
I began this book at the end of the summer.
Tried again to read it while home over the break.
Still haven't finished it.

In my readings,
I've finally left Lowood School.
So maybe things will pick up.

I'm sure it is a phenomenal book.
One of the classics.
And I hear the new movie is wonderful.
My goal was to finish the book before seeing the movie.
BUT now I might have to watch the movie,
just to get motivation to finish the book....

The Hunger Games

Okay 

I gave in. 

But only because I actually had 

TIME to read over the break. 

I read the Hunger Games. 

I won't say I'm obsessed now, 

but I'm definitely hooked. 

I read it in a day. 

Went to the library the next morning to check out the next book....

THERE WERE NONE. 

So I haven't been able to finish the series. 

Sad day. 

The Hunger Games: 

easy reading,

exciting and adventurous,

a plot I'd never seen before,

you won't want to put it down. 

I recommend. 

Digital Fortress

I read a few books over the break.  

One of which was Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. 

My major being what it is, 

patterns and writing code intrigue me.  

This book is about code breaking; 

hence, 

my love.

Dan Brown books always start the same way:

An intelligent man and woman have/develop a romantic relationship

while uncovering a mystery that will save the world.  

You would think Dan the man would run out of ideas to change up the plot. 

But no. 

There were some definite unexpected twists. 

I recommend it. 

Especially if you understand computer jargon :)

Sean Griswold's Head

SO CUTE.
A little more mature than the P4H series
I love how I can hear Lindsey's voice in it :)
Let me just say, my Young Women's leaders are the BEST
check out Lindsay's bio HERE and book reviews HERE!

the Royal Treatment

Sister Leavitt, you did it again :)

an adorable tween book.

And the ending is wonderful. 

Water for Elephants

I liked it.
There are some parts that were a little unnecessarily risqué, but overall very entertaining.  One of those books you finish in a day; easy to read and keeps you wanting more.

"A highly enjoyable, well-researched, somewhat romantic read that brings to life the era of the traveling circus and small town America during the Depression. "
- Book Browse

Enders Game

This will be a short review.

 

it was good. 

especially if you are into the sci-fi thing. 

and the author, Orson Scott Card, is LDS. 

"Ender's Game is one of the great ones, a novel of extraordinary power that is among the very best the genre has ever produced. Written at a stage in Orson Scott Card's career when it seemed as if he could genuinely do no wrong, Ender's Game takes a familiar theme from war fiction — war as seen through the eyes of a child — and re-frames it by making the child the war's central figure. It is a tale defined by a sense of both tragic inevitability and cold irony. It is not merely about the loss of innocence, as so many stories are with children at their center. It is about innocence systematically deceived and purposefully destroyed in the fanatical pursuit of a misguided higher ideal." 

- Thomas M. Wagner

Deception Point

Deception Point, yet another Dan Brown book I am in love with.  I had been warned that after just a few of his books, I would become bored with the same plot line and twists.  I was very pleased to find this untrue.

Deception point, like Brown's other books, is action packed, intellectually stimulating, and romantic all at the same time.  As hard as I tried to predict every twist this book presented, I was still shocked by some.  Things I never imagined occurred, and characters I had paid close attention to came flying out of nowhere having switched sides.  It kept me on my toes until the very end.  Definitely a book to read.

"A master of smart thrills."  - People

A rocket fast thriller ... an outstanding read."  - Vince Flynn, NYT bestselling author of Consent to Kill

Quote

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I know, 

I know.

I just now read the 6th book.

It has been sitting on my shelf, unopened, since it came out.

But I haven't had sufficient time to dedicate.

Until now : )

Thankfully, I hadn't seen the movie either; so the book was a total surprise!

Comments:  Good, SO good.

It's Harry Potter, 

what more can I say?

Study time

I have once again abandoned my summer reading list.  Time to get ahead and begin studying for fall semester :)

The Kite Runner

Bravo to Hosseini, a truly remarkable book. I can't possibly put to words the power this book has, so I have left it to the critics; their words are more descriptively perfect than my own.

"This is one of those unforgettable stories that stays with you for years.  All the great themes of literature and of life are the fabric of this extraordinary novel:love, honor, guilt, fear, redemption." -Isabel Allende

"Powerful...Haunting." -The New York Times Book Review

"A powerful book...no frills, no nonsense, just hard, spare prose...an intimate account of family and friendship, betrayal and salvation that requires no atlas or translation to engage and enlighten us. Parts of The Kite Runner are raw and excruciating to read, yet the book in its entirety is lovingly written." -The Washington Post Book World 

"A moving portrait of modern Afghanistan" -Entertainment Weekly

"Riveting...Unforgettable." -Newsday

"Moving and Unexpected." -The Denver Post

"Extraordinary." -People

A must read. 

The DaVinci Code

I realized I have neglected my summer reading list for the majority of the summer.  Now that work is beginning to die down, I have time once again to read some books off my list.

The DaVinci Code was yet another great novel by Dan Brown.  Considering my religious views, parts of this novel were a bit difficult to read and I understand many of its negative reviews. Going into reading The DaVinci Code, I knew that it was a questionable novel with some very sacrilegious views and opinions. So, I made it a point to keep my mind open and to take this novel as fiction not fact, as some readers may do. 

All details about the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei are correct and factual. All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in the novel are accurate.  However, the religious views and ties to the overall plot of the novel are merely opinions.  They are not factual, they are fiction.

Keeping this in mind as I read, I really enjoyed the novel. As with all Dan Brown books, The DaVinci Code is fast paced and very intellectual. Reading this book is like taking a dive into an ocean full of art and religious history.

"Read this book and be enlightened" -The Washington Post Book World

 "Far more than the average thriller. Intellectually satisfying.... page-turning suspense." -Houston Chronicle

"A thundering, tantalizing, extremely smart fun ride. Brown doesn't slow down his tremedously porwerful narrative engine despite transmitting several doctorates' worth of fascinating history...The DaVinci Code is brain candy of the highest quality" -Chicago Tribune 

Definitely a book to read, just be sure to keep in mind what  is fact and what is fiction.

The Book of Mormon

there is a new book on my summer reading list

the difference with this book

however

is I will never stop reading it

: )

Angels and Demons

I recently finished another book on my summer reading list.  Angels and Demons by Dan Brown is a phenomenal book.  I cannot adequately describe how pleased I was with this book; so, I will leave it to the pro's to review it...

"A breathless, real-time adventure....Exciting, fast-paced, with an unusually high IQ" -The San Francisco Chronicle

"Among the best books we have ever read. Angels & Demons is part thriller, part mystery, and all action. A highly entertaining, page-turning thriller." -BookBrowse.com

"Crammed with Vatican intrigue and hi-tech drama. Packing the novel with sinister figures worthy of a Medici, Brown sets an explosive pace through a Michelin-perfect Rome. Brown's tale is laced with twists and shocks that keep the reader wired right up to the last revelation."-Publishers Weekly 

It is sufficient to say that Dan Brown may very well be one of my new favorite authors. 

Princess For Hire

Book number 2 has been completed :)  Princess For Hire is a tween book for girls with a theme of finding confidence in yourself. Disney has actually picked up the book and it will be turned into a MOVIE!  This book is of special importance to me because it was written by one of my Young Womens leaders!  I would babisit for her adorable girls all the time before leaving for school. You should definitely pick up this book, and look for the next one expected to come out a year from now :) Sister Leavitt told me they wanted her final draft in today to go to publishing!