Book Review- Though Waters Roar

Just finished book 13 for the year, this time it was Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin. This book is historical fiction taking place in both the time period of the Civil War through Women winning the right to vote. The main character finds herself in jail, and then begins to recount stories of her Grandma Bebe and the trials and events that took place in her life. You instantly get wrapped up into the story of the Grandma when suddenly it switches back to the Granddaughter's time period, then just when you are absorbed into what is happening with her it switches back again. This back and forth storytelling captivates your attention and keeps you interested in both characters and the lives they are living.
I would recommend this story and plan on reading other books by Lynn Austin in the future. For more on Lynn Austins books go to.


http://www.lynnaustin.org/ME2/Sites/Default.asp

Book Review- Never Far From Home

To be Amish or not to be Amish, that really was the question. Falling in love sometimes leaves you with the desire to follow your heart even if it means forsaking everything else you've ever been taught. For Emma Miller the choice she was facing was difficult. An Englisher would never become Amish for you, but could she forsake what she had known, the family that loved her and the world that she was used to for him?
The book Never Far From Home by Mary Ellis leaves you in a world of wondering what if, could it work, what will happen? It winds the family characters together helping you to see what life is like in both worlds and wondering which world will win out.
It is an easy read, and very enjoyable. Of course you may end up walking around say jah instead of yes, but it is definitely worth that risk. This book and the previous selection A Widows Hope get 2 thumbs up!

Count since the start of 2010, by goal to reach 12 novels by 2011 has been reached! Now to see if I can double that.

Book Review of A Widow's Hope

Just finished reading A Widow's Hope by Mary Ellis last evening. It was a wonderful story. The characters were developed in a way that you felt like you honestly knew them and could feel there lives unfolding around you. The story involved several people, but the main characters Hannah and Seth and two people that find themselves living alone after they have lost their spouses. They have their share of difficulties and find themselves wondering if they are destined to be alone. The Amish traditions, and lifestyle are also a large part of the story. How the families work together through joyous and tragic times teaches a valuable lesson that we really should be paying attention to in our lives today.
I would definitely recommend this book. I'm about to pick up the second story in the Miller Series entitled Never Far From Home. The continuation of the first book. This time the story revolves around Emma, Hannah's niece.

Crossing the Atlantic

Flat Stanley having visited Washington DC has still been thinking about politics. He loved seeing the museums while in the DC area, so he decided that perhaps he should experience the Nation that many of our original settlers came from. Here is the email we received when he arrived on the other side of the Atlantic.

Dear Katelyn,

Flat Stanley here,

I've made it to England via the Royal Mail! After a brief stop at Buckingham Palace to visit the queen, where I received my new palace guard outfit, I took the Royal Mail Express and I reached my final destination, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Stead. While there, I visited Mow Cop, which is the remains of an old castle that was built in 1754! I've also been to the Tunstall town square, and had the opportunity to taste the local dish, Oatcakes!

Mr. and Mrs. Stead are very active and took me to the gym to work out. Even though I'm flat, it's important to stay healthy and fit.

My visit here is coming to an end soon and I'll be on my way back to see you. Until then, take care!

Love,

Flat Stanley

Slacking on Book Reviews

Since my last book review post I've done quite a bit of reading.

First, I finished Night Fall the final book in the Vampire Diaries. It was interesting. It did not turn out how I expected, which is unusual as I am typically pretty good at picking the way a book will end about half way through. It was a decent book. Although, perhaps it is because I read it first, I still prefer the Twilight Series. Both books are very similar, but the Twilight series seems a bit more believable at times, if that is possible for such a fantasy type series.

Next I read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series. http://www.percyjacksonbooks.com/
This book series by Rick Riordan was wonderful. I started the series as my fourth grade son was reading it at school and I wanted to see what it was like. It was light hearted, adventurous and engaging. It was easier to read and understand then the Harry Potter series and definitely geared towards a younger generation. Each book builds the foundation for the next book so it would be best to read them in order. That order being Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief, Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, Battle of the Labyrinth and finally the Last Olympian. My favorite of the series was the final book. Which in all honesty has left me wanting there to be another book added to the series.

The only problem with the series is the recent movie that has come out. While it is wonderful movie on it's own, full of adventure and amazing computer graphics it has only 3 things in common with the book. First, the main character is Percy Jackson, second he is the son of Poseidon and finally he has to retrieve the Lightening Bolt. That is where the movie and the book stop being the same. I took my 4th grader to see the movie and he was so excited because he had read the book series based on a 6th grade boy. Hollywood of course had to make the movie based on a High School boy. Again, it is not that the movie is bad, we really enjoyed it. But it did make my son no longer interested in reading the books because it changed the way he visualized the characters. Thanks Hollywood!

The best advice is read all the books, enjoy them all and then see the Movie OR see the movie and think of it as just another film and not based on any book.

I believe my goal of 1 book a month is up to 10 books read so far in 2010, and I've just begun a new book called Widow's Hope by Mary Ellis. It is book one of the Miller Family series. I'm only on chapter 3, but already really enjoying the characters and especially the times where the characters speak in the actual language used by many Amish people. Come back soon to find out what I really think about the book.

Aspiring Politician or Tourist?

Flat Stanley dreamed of taking political office while he was visiting Iowa. He thought maybe he could change the world, so he headed to Washington D.C. where he was able to stay with friends Sean and Colette Burgess and their family in Maryland. Sean let him go into DC with him on the Metro. It was fascinating to figure out all the stops on the map and he even found time to read a book while riding into the Nation's Capital.
Once he arrived in D.C. though, he discovered that not only do the politicians gather here, but there are many museums.
In lieu of going into political office he decided to take the opportunity to check out the museums. He visited several in the Smithsonian area. He also got to see the Washington Monument.
Maybe someday he'll consider political office again, but for now he's headed back to the Burgess' home for a home cooked meal. Sean is a wonderful cook, so Flat Stanley is not sure he will ever leave!

Thank you Burgess Family for letting Flat Stanley come to visit! Wonder where he will show up next???

Injured Flat Stanley Considers Public Office

Flat Stanley is off enjoying quite a trip. Unfortunately, his last location started off with quite a bit of commotion. He was happily playing with two of the most amazing 5 year olds in the world in Johnston, Iowa (just outside of Des Moines). They were all laughing and having a good time, when he forgot to use his safety rules and let go of the swing.
He had take a ride in an ambulance and visit the Emergency room. Once he got to the hospital he rode in a wheel chair. Lucky for him the boys father is a Doctor and was able to take care of him. He and one of the nurses checked on Flat, and then had 2 other nurses check out his heart. Once he passed all the examinations he was allowed to return home.
The next day Flat Stanley visited with Keith and Luke's Aunt Susan at the Iowa Capitol. He was lucky enough to sit in the chair in the front of the Senate House and the House of Representatives. He is even considering running for public office someday. (It might be safer then playing on the swings!) He ended his day with a ride on a Green Tractor and lunch at the Machine Shed. No trip to Iowa would be complete with out doing that!Thank you Dr Fisher, Mrs. Fisher and Keith and Luke for letting Flat Stanley visit! He's glad he got experience so many neat things in Iowa!