The Sunday Salon

I calculated hat I need to read at least 16 books a month to make my 200 a year goal. So far I have read 10 so that leaves 6 books for this week.

Last week I read four books

Jack with a Twist- An ARC book

On Writing by Stephen King

Perfect on Paper-this was also part of a blog stop tour

Winnie the Pooh on Problem Solving-This had been sitting in my MT TBR pile for a long time.

At the moment I am Tackling another book from MT TBR.

 

 

 

Soul Mates: Honoring the Mysteries of Love and Relationship: Thomas Moore: Books ISBN: 0060169281 ISBN-13: 9780060169282

This was picked up during one of my self help book phase. So far it seems to be good.

I also go another ARC book in the mail yesterday.

Politics In Compassion: The Future Of American Politics: Jack Schauer: Books ISBN: 1432729098 ISBN-13: 9781432729097

I need to catch up on reviews so check back this week for more.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief ISBN: 0375842209 ISBN-13: 9780375842207

I was surprised that this is actually considered a YA book. From the length to the subject matter it seemed like it was more.. adult..I think.

The story is a girl who is placed with foster parents in Nazi Germany. At first she did not go to school much so when she was placed she could not really read. As time goes on she gets the power of words and then she starts stealing books. The symbolism being that Hitler waged a war with words so she fights back with her own. She steals a book from a bonfire of un Nazi like books and proceeds to use it to learn to read. Later when she progresses to stealing from the Mayor’s wife, it is not stealing as the woman permits her to take the books but the symbolism is still there.

The story is different from other Nazi era books as it is told in the story of a German girl who is forced to go to Hitler’s Youth meetings and participate in other Nazi like activities. It is good as it gives the reader perspective on what is was like to be a germen youth during that time. From not having enough to eat, to having to conform to a standard set of behaviors we get a glimpse into a world that still remains unthinkable.

 

Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox

The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, Book 6) ISBN: 1423108361 ISBN-13: 9781423108368

Artemis is back with another adventure. In The Time Paradox, Artemis goes back in time to bring back a lemur to save his dying mother. As this is an Artemis Fowl book nothing is as it seems. What was supposed to be a straightforward trip back in time instead turns into a thrilling adventure.

I love the way the author weaves the storyline through many twist and turns. Just when you thought that Artemis has been outsmarted, another layer of the story drops and you find that he really does live up to his brilliance.

If you like fantasy you will like Artemis Fowl. After reading a bunch of his books in order I am beginning to see that each book builds up on the last, so that if you start in the middle of the series it becomes more difficult to follow the storyline. A book could stand on its own but is not meant to.

Review: Eternity Code

The Eternity Code (Artemis Fowl, Book 3) ISBN: 0786856289 ISBN-13: 9780786856282

 

I read an Artemis Fowl book before and enjoyed it but could never find them in my library. Then I decided to read some Young Adult books to see if I liked it and what did I find? A whole shelf of Artemis books!

Eternity Code is about an object that Artemis created that is sort of like a mini super computer. He is attempting to let a business man “borrow”

it when the man instead steals it. Since it is hooked into a fairy computer they must get it back before the fairy world is discovered.

This books combines a two of my favorite things. Fantasy and sci-fi. I have not read enough YA books to really compare but it has a solid foundation in the other two genres.

I especially liked the fact that it was hard to guess where the book was going. It had neat plot twist that kept the reader guessing as to what would come next.

What are some of your favorite YA Books?

 

A Firm Place to Stand

A Firm Place To Stand: Finding Meaning in a Life with Bipolar Disorder ISBN: 1897373457 ISBN-13: 9781897373453

I have been looking for a book such as this for a while. As readers of my blog knows I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder recently and am still recovering.

Part memoir and part on how to deal with bipolar with a Christian perspective this book is a great read. The author Marja Bergan, herself has bipolar and is active in the mental health activist community. She provides an honest look into how bipolar affects people with it and their loved ones and how to cope. She draws on her long and rich experience from the 60’s to the present time to discover ways that a person can lead a long and rich and fulfilling life.

She also shows the bad side of the illness in a way that readers don’t lose hope,but rather see how it is possible to live a close to normal life.

This book also the story of how she found God and how that has helped her deal. I loved the way she entwined her faith and her recovery.

I feel this book has an important message. I agree that there is still a stigma attached to having bipolar and this book is a good way to get the word out about what it truly means to live with this illness.

Sunday Salon

 

It has been gloomy here all week

The perfect excuse to stay in and read and play world of warcraft.

This week I read

A Firm Place to Stand- this is an arc book that is also now one of my favorites this year.

Bite- a vampire anthology book.

The Harlequin- Another Laurell K Hamilton book.

(Reviews will be up shortly.

In the interest of expanding my reading I went to the library and got some YA books. I see a lot of bloggers read them and like them so we shall see how well I do.

Booking through Thursday

Mariel suggested this week’s questions: Are you a spine breaker? Or a dog-earer? Do you expect to keep your books in pristine condition even after you have read them? Does watching other readers bend the cover all the way round make you flinch or squeal in pain?

Books have a rough life with me. I usually bend books, dog ear them and get food on the pages. The funny thing is I am careful with library books or books that I borrow but with books I own I am not.

What is your favorite book to read while sick?

As I sit here bemoaning the fact that I caught another virus I find that when I am sick, I go to comfort reading. I know some people think that re reading  something beats the whole purpose. Normally I am inclined to agree but I think “comfort books” makes you feel better as you are able to pick what you like best. Today It is the book

The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life

which also happens to be one of my favorite books this year.

What are your favorite comfort books?

Review: Confidant Woman

I first read Joyce Myer when I read her book, Look Good, Feel Great! I picked that up when I was at a family members house after seeing a horrible number on the scale. I liked her book so when I came across two more I picked them up.

Let me be the first to say that I have not read a lot of “Christian” Books So I am not sure how she stacks up against other authors of this genre I only know that I liked the three books I have read so far from her.

The Confidante Woman has to be my favorite so far. In it she tells how to be confidant according to biblical principals. I actually found it to be a refreshing change of pace from what I hear here, the the heart of the bible belt. I always hear woman are supposed to stay home and blah blah blah but she advocates living up to what your gift from God is.

If your gift is to be a homemaker then do it. If it is in business than do that. The point is to do what you do best with God’s help and blessing and be confidant. To help illustrate her point she fills up the book with woman who have stepped out and done all sorts of things.

She also talks about how to do away with fear. Most people are afraid of succeeding or failing. She talks about what we can do to alleviate this fear. One thing I liked best about this is she gave the names of some of histories most successful inventors and yet they failed many times.

She says it all without sounding preachy. I have read some books by Christian authors that make me want to throw the book against the wall. Joyce Myers comes across as a gentle loving person who genuinely wants to help people.

Review: Cornbread Nation 1

In continuing to expand my repertoire I picked up Cornbread Nation after seeing a review for it. My main complaint is that being from the south myself reading all of this made my me hungry. Which is not conductive to my weight watchers routine. I started dreaming about full fat cornbread deep fried chicken, green beans with pork fat drippings and more. The writing was superb so I kept on. Telling myself that a book couldn’t make me hungry. Boy, was I wrong! After I was finished I couldn’t get the visions of a real southern meal out of my head. So I threw my diet out the window and succumbed.

If this is any indication of food writing I may have to limit myself. I am weak in that regard.

Other than making me hungry I really did enjoy this book. It captured the crux of southern food so perfectly I could practically taste the food. Or maybe it was just me.