tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24528490149033197662024-03-06T03:35:32.328-05:00Reading on the Bright SideBook reviews, recommendations, musings, and maybe a little discussion.Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-77811912573321469752014-10-12T23:24:00.000-04:002014-10-12T23:24:37.951-04:00SJ's favorite book so farWell, I did say it would be while between updates. SJ (my daughter's nick name) is an active little girl. We're coming up on her first birthday and she rarely slows down for reading right now. However tonight she cuddled up next to me and we read 6 little Sesame Street board books before she was off again. This got me to thinking about the books we've shared this year and my impressions of her reading interests.<br />
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Yes, I realize she's not even a year old yet, but it's still easy to see which books she prefers over others. For example, her least favorite book so far has been <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Forever-Robert-Munsch-ebook/dp/B009XHAM8G/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413169747&sr=1-1&keywords=i%27ll+love+you+forever"><i>I'll Love You Forever</i></a> by Robert Munsch and Shelia McGraw. She won't let me finish it. By the time I reach the boy's teenage years she tries to close the book. <br />
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She's fascinated by her <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tabbed-Board-Books-First-Talking/dp/0756634318/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413169983&sr=1-1&keywords=9780756634315">First Words: Let's Get Talking</a> book, though there's no real story there to follow. I think she just likes all the colorful pictures and different tabs that are so fun to gnaw on.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Rabbit-Touch-Beatrix-Potter/dp/0723255784">Peter Rabbit Touch and Feel</a> book she got for Easter didn't last very long. Though she liked the textures found throughout the book, it wasn't sturdy enough to stand up to her curiosity. <br />
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But the one that she comes back to time and time again is a silly little book that I love reading with her as she giggles through a good portion of it. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Five-Little-Monkeys-Jumping-Story/dp/0547896913/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413170404&sr=1-1&keywords=9780547896915"><i>Five Little Monkeys jumping on the bed</i></a> by Eileen Christelow is SJ's go-to book. When she's ready for a story that's the one that gets pulled out of the pile. Naturally, I'll be getting other books out of the Five Little Monkeys series for her.<br />
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With her birthday coming up, I have a list of books I'm considering picking up to share with her. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Very-Hungry-Caterpillar-Eric-Carle/dp/0399226907/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413170548&sr=1-1&keywords=the+very+hungry+caterpillar">The Very Hungry Caterpillar</a> by Eric Carle will be our next purchase and hopefully another favorite.Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-34156475843948124422014-01-01T08:28:00.000-05:002014-01-01T08:28:33.621-05:002014 - RebootI didn't intentionally stop keeping up with this blog, but switching jobs made it infinitely more difficult to make it a priority. Two months ago I had a daughter and one of the things I started thinking about was how to insure she loves reading as much as I do. One way I'm going to try and do this is making sure books are prevalent in her life. We've already started this - her book collection is small, but my goodness will it grow. <br />
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I'm also taking this opportunity to read some of the classic children's books I never quite got around to when I was growing up. For Christmas she received the classic picture books <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goodnight-moon-board-margaret-wise-brown/1105127857?ean=9780694003617">Goodnight Moon</a> Margaret Wise Brown & <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guess-how-much-i-love-you-lap-size-board-book-sam-mcbratney/1115292755?ean=9780763670061">Guess How Much I Love You</a> by Sam McBratney as well as the chapter books <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/barnes-noble-leatherbound-classics-the-story-of-king-arthur-and-his-knights-howard-pyle/1106658831?ean=9781435142060">The Story of King Arthur & His Knights </a>by Howard Pyle and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/anne-of-green-gables-lucy-maud-montgomery/1116649144?ean=9781435142107">Anne of Green Gables</a> by L.M. Montgomery. I'm looking forward to sharing these books with Hiccup (our online nickname for her) but we're starting our reading journey with The Chronicles of Narnia. I'm trying to get into the habit of reading a chapter a night with her - and while I realize she's not able to follow the story right now, she's hearing the language and it's designated Momma/Daughter time right before bed. Hopefully she'll enjoy it as much as I already do.<br />
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So my plan for this blog is going to alter a bit and become more of a record of the books my daughter and I share. I can't promise frequent updates, as one 15-16 page chapter a day won't get us through books very quickly. But I will put up a review of each book we read together, even if it's a small sort of thing.<br />
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Be well and have a wonderful 2014.Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-7455651711214387352010-05-22T10:22:00.000-04:002010-05-22T10:22:19.528-04:00Dead In The Family<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7091488-dead-in-the-family" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, #10)" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51B7%2BbDZmTL._SX106_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7091488-dead-in-the-family">Dead in the Family</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17061.Charlaine_Harris">Charlaine Harris</a><br/><br/><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/103579495">2 of 5 stars</a><br />
Usually I jump right into a Sookie Stackhouse book and I don't stop until I reach the end. I'm completely satisfied and can't wait to crack open the next one. Sadly, I didn't feel that way with this one. For one thing the way the book began with the very short, choppy chapters I couldn't get into the flow until around page 92 or so. Once I hit page 100 I was off and running. The build up of tension went on throughout the book as it always does but the resolution felt too quick and left me feeling a bit disappointed. <br />
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I enjoyed the growth we saw in Jason's character and I hope that remains. Sookie's internal examination of her own character and how cold she's grown towards certain things was very well done. With so many different characters it's impossible to give everyone a lot of time on the page but there's never enough Sam to suit me. I think he's probably my favorite character in the series outside Sookie herself. Here's hoping the next book is a bit more enjoyable for me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2121230-aislynn">View all my reviews >></a>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-76462470004145235992009-12-14T12:16:00.003-05:002009-12-14T12:21:29.636-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416960597?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416960597&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eaYHZWIfvNHauAK639dKAjlwWO_NBp7fxr1pRMe56yIHWVW2ToVm0_z6lzhAuz_FHHj6-SdIhVwXoEOtGwL8z2xK3l0qo2zdCoY6RfUCsGO7pqjbTsr-pgxSfTVelXhfYY8GRASqyTCb/s200/livingdead.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415143075143890130" border="0" /></a><br />I apologize for taking so long to post this review! I managed to miss the fact that though I reviewed it on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/">Good Reads</a> I never got around to it over here.<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416960597?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416960597&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2"><br />Living Dead Girl</a> by Elizabeth Scott is told from the point of a 15 year old girl who was abducted and abused since she was ten years old. Her captor, Ray, has molded her into his twisted version of the perfect girl. When the book begins all she's waiting for is the day she gets too old to fill Ray's fantasy so he'll kill her. That desperation remains throughout the book though we do get to see the barest hint of hope towards the end. The book's ending is not what you expect to see but perhaps the only ending that matches the tone of the book.<br /><br />Goodness this was a hard read. Not the language, but the content. Like I said when I started the book, this wasn't the story I expected to read. It is powerful, it is chilling, and honestly? It's a bit harsh for my tastes when it comes to YA. I think it's an excellently crafted book, but when I was a teen I would not have gotten any enjoyment out of this story. I can't see myself recommending this to anyone under the age of 18.Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-1087712206004485552009-09-11T09:35:00.002-04:002009-09-11T09:41:20.251-04:00Reading UpdateI haven't posted a review in over a month. For that I apologize. I have been reading, but the books have been pretty fluffy. I will get reviews up for two "cozy" mysteries I read in August soon. Currently I'm reading a YA novel that is a very hard read. When I saw the title "Living Dead Girl" I was sure it would be some type of light humor about a teen goth - that's what I get for not reading the book jacket. This is YA Realistic Fiction - gritty and emotional without being sappy in any way shape or form. I'll post a full review when I finish it. But as I usually only get time to read during my lunch break I've drug my heels on this one. Every page makes me lose my appetite so it's usually left sitting on my desk while I find a writer's magazine or a book on MS Vista to flip through instead.<br /><br />But since I have to turn it back in to the library next week I'll finish it up and post my review by Thursday. Have a great weekend!Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-37104224578415924812009-08-05T16:57:00.000-04:002009-08-05T16:58:30.602-04:00American Gods<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/983100.American_Gods" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="American Gods" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417QGN93XKL._SX106_.jpg" border="0" /></a> Two reviews in one day, I'm on a roll!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/983100.American_Gods">American Gods</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1221698.Neil_Gaiman">Neil Gaiman</a><br /><br /><br />My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49665383">3 of 5 stars</a><br />I started reading this the first time about four years ago and I never finished it. But, since it is a source of inspiration for Scion, the tabletop game I absolutely adore I decided to give it a second chance. Not the mention I happen to think Neil Gaiman is a brilliant author, so I figured my first time around with American Gods was just not the best time for the book. <br /><br />I was right, because this time the story grabbed me and I really enjoyed it. Shadow is a character that is incredibly illusive. He doesn't give away much of what he feels or thinks and is, in general, a good guy that made some mistakes along the way. He more than makes up for them once Mr. Wednesday hires him. The story unfolds slowly and builds to an intriguing climax before it gives an ending that satisfied me. <br /><br />What I think I enjoyed the most however was the game of trying to decide who all the characters represented. I'm pretty sure I got all of them, but of course there's no answer key to tell me if I'm right or wrong. Now I just have to find the novella Shadow is featured in as well, I'd like to know what happened to him.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2121230-aislynn">View all my reviews >></a>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-64401480412977535772009-08-05T16:44:00.001-04:002009-08-05T16:44:58.403-04:00Bad Moon Rising<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6058042.Bad_Moon_Rising" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Bad Moon Rising (Dark-Hunter, #26)" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lHkJxGlCL._SX106_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6058042.Bad_Moon_Rising">Bad Moon Rising</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4430.Sherrilyn_Kenyon">Sherrilyn Kenyon</a><br/><br/><br />My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66329731">3 of 5 stars</a><br />I've been anticipating this book for ages now. See, I love the Dark-Hunters but the Were-Hunters really really intrigue me. I think Vane may be my favorite of all the characters in these books. But this book isn't about Vane, it's about his brother Fang and his star crossed love Aimee Peltier, the only daughter of Mama Lo and Papa Bear, the owners of Sanctuary. The Peltiers are a fantastic family full of great characters. Frankly I hope we get to see a book for Dev and Kyle as well sometime.<br /><br />Fang is an interesting character but I didn't connect with him the way I expected to. Aimee is marvelous, you just can't help but like her and want to see her happy. Getting to see Savitar in action was great, and meeting the Hellchaser Thorn added a new character I want to know more about. Given this was a Were-Hunter novel instead of a Dark-Hunter novel it made sense that we saw very little of Acheron but I missed his presence anyway. <br /><br />What I enjoyed in this book was Fang and Aimee's devotion to each other and their loyalty to their families. That worked really well for me and fit the characters as we've come to know them through other books. The one thing I didn't like was the lack of time line for the book. I found myself getting confused in some areas trying to determine which timeframe different portions of the book took place. <br /><br />No matter what the Dark-Hunter series continues to entertain and inspire, I'm just disappointed that I have to wait a while for another book to come out. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2121230-aislynn">View all my reviews >></a>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-61473417008330899632009-07-02T17:36:00.002-04:002009-07-02T17:37:43.681-04:00GracelingIt's been a while since I added a new review. Sorry about that!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3236307.Graceling" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Graceling" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xYPjLFCTL._SX106_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3236307.Graceling">Graceling</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1373880.Kristin_Cashore">Kristin Cashore</a><br/><br/><br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53230491"><h3>My review</h3></a><br /> rating: 4 of 5 stars<br/>I really enjoyed this book. The main characters' exploration of their graces was fascinating. I enjoyed the romance in the story but I also liked the fact the romance didn't overshadow the plot of the story as well. The direction the romance took really surprised me simply because of the book's genre. In YA urban fantasy I'm not surprised by the exploration of a physical romance but in a more traditional fantasy it was a bit unexpected. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.<br /> <br/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2121230-aislynn">View all my reviews.</a>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-19272772209417605162009-05-16T15:46:00.001-04:002009-05-16T15:48:10.228-04:00Graveyard Book<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2213661.The_Graveyard_Book" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Graveyard Book" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mo4YSDB-L._SX106_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2213661.The_Graveyard_Book">The Graveyard Book</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1221698.Neil_Gaiman">Neil Gaiman</a><br/><br/><br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/50081364"><h3>My review</h3></a><br /> rating: 4 of 5 stars<br/>This was good book. I know, simple sentence, but it's true. It was an enjoyable story, with a very engaging plot. I didn't learn anything by reading it other than a reaffirmation that Neil Gaiman is a wonderful storyteller than can keep me entertained for hours.<br /> <br/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2121230-aislynn">View all my reviews.</a>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-4722912835716320012009-04-14T09:21:00.002-04:002009-04-14T09:23:18.051-04:00Sweet Love<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2181981.Sweet_Love?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Sweet Love" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41UgiUBkYaL._SL160_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2181981.Sweet_Love?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">Sweet Love</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26791.Sarah_Strohmeyer">Sarah Strohmeyer</a><br/><br/><br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51792436?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a><br /> rating: 3 of 5 stars<br/>I started reading Sarah Strohmeyer's books after discovering the Lipstick Chronicles she and several other sassy authors contribute to. In the time I actively read that blog Strohmeyer wrote about this book a lot and I was looking forward to reading it. Finally picked it up last week and I have to say I enjoyed it. The recipes discussed sound incredibly good, but that's just the proverbial icing on the cake. The real heart of the story is Julie's relationship with her mother and her childhood crush Michael. <br /><br/><br /><br/>Michael seems too good to be true and their relationship blossomed fairly quickly on the page. But Julie and her mother's relationship seemed incredibly real to me. The only thing that really disappointed me was the lack of exploration in the relationship between Julie and her father. There was so much resentment built up on Julie's side, I really would've liked to see her father's side of things or even for him to have a few more lines - something that would give me the chance to see if their relationship would be salvageable after the story was over.<br /><br/><br /><br/>Would I recommend this book? Sure! It's not just a light fluffy read, there's moments that inspire strong emotion, but it also brings a smile to your face or even makes the reader laugh out loud in a few places.<br /><br/><br /><br/><br /> <br/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2121230-aislynn?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-57958549015420858932009-03-26T09:10:00.004-04:002009-03-26T09:40:03.510-04:00Dream Hunter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312938810?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312938810&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe76cN7-HEK3nSQPnnnd7jrikMrR3G0ZjwzFImVCxPJKmdAdPFw6uoHpXZKfW9TeGm5mxC8FIpqr50tW31WL-g0jZRdgrvMJ0JoTFA8KEK4OOUHfAfju9WbennlJ0gLfP9lfIFtz5A5nb/s200/dream-hunter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317485504258665298" border="0" /></a><br />I just finished reading the Dark-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon and I have to say I absolutely love it. I've become a huge fan of her work since stumbling into this series. Most of the series I read in order, but my first foray was Dream-Chaser, the second of the Dream-Hunter sub-series. It just worked out that my last book would be out of that sub-series as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312938810?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312938810&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Dream Hunter</a> is about the renegade dream god Arikos. As one of the Oneroi, Arikos feels no emotion except what's reflected off the humans he observes in dreams. He's fascinated by one human in particular, Meagara "Geary" Kafeiri. Arikos comes to Earth with the intention of spending just a little bit of time with her and their story is a fascinating adventure. Arik as a character took a bit of time to warm up to but I liked Geary immediately. This book also contains readers' first introduction to Tory Kafeiri who we later see in the book <a href="http://brightsidereading.blogspot.com/2008/12/acheron.html">Acheron</a>.<br /><br />It's enjoyable but the hero in this doesn't immediately connect with me in particular. It's an interesting read and even though this wasn't my favorite book in the Dark-Hunter series, I wouldn't miss it.Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-76166747143505115152009-01-12T14:11:00.004-05:002009-02-02T16:20:53.150-05:00Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPCka3JWls87Ge4mNLWujczQwXH-otgAAw0TH-pjEsY5UXxWW0dBoAQQxyRHzQ9zg3sFgVngK9wnCpJARI6gysVuMrF5uEhNCkVIawNv-WI7a56CfHLxKWD0SDWHTMQAbVnNa1AgM8e88/s1600-h/part-time-sorceress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPCka3JWls87Ge4mNLWujczQwXH-otgAAw0TH-pjEsY5UXxWW0dBoAQQxyRHzQ9zg3sFgVngK9wnCpJARI6gysVuMrF5uEhNCkVIawNv-WI7a56CfHLxKWD0SDWHTMQAbVnNa1AgM8e88/s200/part-time-sorceress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298310917676739874" border="0" /></a><br />I'm excited to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Part-time-Sorceress-Dungeons-Dragons/dp/0786947268">Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress</a> by Shelly Mazzanoble. I first came across this book last year and immediately ordered a copy for my library. Since we put it on the shelf it's regularly checked out and that confirms something I already knew. Girl Gamers are a mystery and people want to know more.<br /><br />The author has a great conversational style, she makes it easy to understand the basic concepts of Dungeons & Dragons and table top games in general. I laughed several times while reading this book. It made me think back to my early experiences with D&D and wish I could get a game started up once more. Considering it's been a few years since I played D&D that's a big boost in the books favor. There were only two things I didn't care for with this book. <br /><br />Number 1: The only accent color is a bright, almost obnoxious pink.<br />Number 2: Ms. Mazzanoble does a great job at debunking the gamer stereotype, but she plays up and comes across as delighting in the girl stereotype that women think of nothing more than shopping, hair, beauty, ect. As a female gamer that bugged me a bit, but this book is geared more towards women who are drug into the game by their significant others so maybe that stereotype fits the "target audience" better. <br /><br />Overall it's a great book, one that is a fun read whether you're just getting into D&D and table-top gaming in general, or you're a veteran gamer and just want a bit of nostalgia.Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-32300226945456612202009-01-07T10:52:00.002-05:002009-01-07T10:54:23.137-05:00Yule: Celebration of Light & Warmth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMzP3MqCK24CKEDW-OkFPp1b2Or_x_wiXUfTO-ACzxYRmAhCilI9pDV6k1_O4Oo0J905Ek_uU7fv_jVNqNmHQRy8MG2Nj0OYzc1A-kBuS8iggK3M17tA0ZduLX56VgyvP3e3j5GcdnfOT/s1600-h/Yule.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMzP3MqCK24CKEDW-OkFPp1b2Or_x_wiXUfTO-ACzxYRmAhCilI9pDV6k1_O4Oo0J905Ek_uU7fv_jVNqNmHQRy8MG2Nj0OYzc1A-kBuS8iggK3M17tA0ZduLX56VgyvP3e3j5GcdnfOT/s200/Yule.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288580431145095794" /></a>This is a short review because I already knew this was a good book. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yule-Celebration-Warmth-Dorothy-Morrison/dp/1567184960">Yule: The Celebration of Light & Warmth</a> is part of Llewellyn publishers Sabbats and Esabats product line. I've read other books in out of this line and enjoyed them. Yule provides some of the history of the holiday, the similarities between Yule and Christmas, and some great recipes. The rituals are laid out nicely with explantions for many - though not every step.<br /><br />It's easy to read and entertaining. A great way to help get into the seasonal spirit!<br /><br />This is the last review for the book-a-month challenge - even though some of the reviews were posted late (like this one) I still managed to finish. It's been enjoyable trying to choose books that fit the monthly themes.Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-46305345942182217442008-12-19T11:22:00.002-05:002008-12-19T11:24:09.584-05:00Acheron<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTITSCJJpvMmzFmVI9wdNEBaaGpqWa5_gKWHFCPVn1R57REunVi5PH2THZwKIvg7z1Qsf2b0RH1xnWbKFrcXEmHvyNfjMluctQTnX9Z613xUaljj_Rl3ZyZwEr2GigJju6audz74CQaCp/s1600-h/ascheroncover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTITSCJJpvMmzFmVI9wdNEBaaGpqWa5_gKWHFCPVn1R57REunVi5PH2THZwKIvg7z1Qsf2b0RH1xnWbKFrcXEmHvyNfjMluctQTnX9Z613xUaljj_Rl3ZyZwEr2GigJju6audz74CQaCp/s200/ascheroncover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281537557336646610" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://us.macmillan.com/smp.aspx%E2%80%9D">St. Martin’s Press</a> did an excellent job marketing Sherrilyn Kenyon’s book <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://us.macmillan.com/acheron%E2%80%9D">Acheron</a>. Their marketing campaign for “The Year of Acheron” caught my attention and I was curious. So I signed up for the updates. I read the short story “Fear the Dark” and was completely lost. A friend of mine had the first four books in the Dark-Hunter series and promised to mail them to me since we didn’t have them at the library. But I was impatient to start reading so I tackled <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://brightsidereading.blogspot.com/2008/11/ive-heard-about-dark-hunter-series-for.html%E2%80%9D">Dream Chaser</a>. Acheron intrigued me in that book so I snatched up his book as soon as I saw it on the New Releases shelf at work.<br /><br />I found the first part to be very well written and engaging. Rissa was a sweet character, one I liked immediately. I was fascinated by Acheron’s interactions with Artemis, especially the early ones when he had nothing but hope for his future with her. Seeing his friendship with Savitar, the birth of the Dark-Hunters...I really came into the series at the wrong place, but I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway.<br /><br />When the timeframe shifted to today the story really picked up speed. I loved meeting the various characters like Talon and Sunshine – characters that became favorites when I finally read their story. Soteria is a fun heroine. Like all of Kenyon’s female leads, she isn’t perfect and that makes her very likeable. She’s still a strong character but without that perfection you can easily identify with her.<br /><br />Acheron is the end of the first part of the Dark-Hunter series according to the author. It’s an interesting read, thoroughly engaging, longtime fans get to see familiar characters once more and each one is a welcome treat. For me, it’s been fun to read from the beginning of the series and meet the characters I first glimpsed in Acheron’s book. <br /><br />Something I found interesting about the character of Acheron is how due to his experiences in his human life he never expects anything from people. Nothing good at least. So when the people he’s given so much to come back to help him he’s stunned. Humbled in a way. It was a lovely scene, one I look forward to going back and rereading soon. It worked out nicely that I got to read this book in November when the Book-A-Month challenge theme was Giving. Acheron gives of himself everyday and he’s rewarded for it in the most wondrous ways. I couldn’t help but enjoy that.<br /><br />If you’re a fan of vampires, mythology, or paranormal romance I think you’d enjoy the Dark-Hunter series, especially this book. It can be read on its own, but it is much more satisfying as part of the overall series.Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-89474358509872866292008-11-05T12:05:00.007-05:002008-12-19T10:27:33.396-05:00Dream Chaser<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC98dV6JIDAeTWYBQGgyWfVVNet4xTQ-332894rGPFBCLaDJ_hNDnxoe-FO8rdyxQMIadJ-GXUJme4sQChPli-RniZcC3xv5c9QIcFD3aW7EkMyTTtZtUzB36UlwteoGIAowAPMa1rMz8U/s1600-h/dreamchasesm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265226393229859458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC98dV6JIDAeTWYBQGgyWfVVNet4xTQ-332894rGPFBCLaDJ_hNDnxoe-FO8rdyxQMIadJ-GXUJme4sQChPli-RniZcC3xv5c9QIcFD3aW7EkMyTTtZtUzB36UlwteoGIAowAPMa1rMz8U/s200/dreamchasesm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I've heard about the Dark-Hunter series for a while now, but dispite my enjoyment of paranormal romance, I've never picked up one of the books. A few weeks ago I needed something to read while on my lunch break and came across Dream Chaser. This was a great read! I was a bit lost on the Dark-Hunters and exactly what the mythos for the series was since this book is in the middle of the series, but it was still enjoyable. The heroine was likeable and the supporting characters interesting. The hero was compelling. His quest for vengence and his determination to remain solitary both made complete sense and I really enjoyed the way the heroine got through his walls and made him warm up while still retaining his cold demeanor. The interaction between the hero and the supporting character, a mouthy ghost permenantly stuck in 1988 was excellent. It was a lot of fun reading this and getting more information about the Dream-Hunters.</div><div> </div><div>As my first foray into the series it hooked me enough to want more. I was confused because I didn't know all the back story, but that confusion did not detract from the main story at all.</div><div> </div><div>Up next, Acheron!</div>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-9267215943503941462008-11-05T11:50:00.004-05:002008-11-06T17:27:10.660-05:00Haunted Halls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW50DTzU6ztTmM9STNbGoJOHL5JWiH9m5kgDiyK4S2jLQ3wWYtEXyHzKsetOzqFhM2sxmFcLpNSkPOuV3oN2LJ3f3EfNlf8LkqGR_PZey1gycLiYr0GR9kIX1q4MdCT0Lq7mSVSerAjd1V/s1600-h/hauntedhalls.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265218625866787250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW50DTzU6ztTmM9STNbGoJOHL5JWiH9m5kgDiyK4S2jLQ3wWYtEXyHzKsetOzqFhM2sxmFcLpNSkPOuV3oN2LJ3f3EfNlf8LkqGR_PZey1gycLiYr0GR9kIX1q4MdCT0Lq7mSVSerAjd1V/s200/hauntedhalls.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>October’s Book-A-Month theme was Hauntings. Given the type of books I go for I knew I would be all over this theme and have plenty to work with so I decided to try a Non-Fiction book on hauntings. Something I’ve always been fascinated by are the ghost stories you find on college campuses so when I found the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Halls-Ghostlore-American-Campuses/dp/1578069955">Haunted Halls: Ghostlore of American College Campuses</a>, I expected some great ghost stories and a bit of information on the history of the stories.<br /><br />Sadly that’s not what I got. What I got was a Sociological dissertation on the way ghost stories are used to deliver moral lessons in the American heartland. I was disappointed by the clinical tone of the book and the lack of representation for the Southern States. Colleges I know have a reputation for ghostly encounters weren’t mentioned at all. There are Southern universities and colleges mentioned, but very few. I did learn some interesting things about the ghosts from New England and the Northern Mid-West, but on the whole, I was bored by the book. Luckily, this wasn’t the only book I read during the month of October. More coming on my newest interest, the Dark-Hunter series.</div>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-82771891549192260602008-09-15T14:30:00.006-04:002008-09-15T14:43:07.813-04:00Ink Exchange<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ink-Exchange-Melissa-Marr/dp/006121468X"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246319856884272434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTitHpQlbthibBzoxZCxd_sQK7-nt2GIfrApa1uxZ-rdu0pd6OH70dHMmqmU9K2dZddx1eWUKCkiB6ED16DuOVvW-bzDhRXiV_PPetzDwNWujsM8FfjI7Bge1MmHueD3mnCIbEHW_UPQDp/s200/InkExchange.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ink-Exchange-Melissa-Marr/dp/006121468X">Ink Exchange</a> picks up a few months after <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Lovely-Melissa-Marr/dp/0061214671/ref=bxgy_cc_b_text_b">Wicked Lovely</a>. The new peace between the Summer and Winter Courts has brought a stability to faerie society that doesn’t sit too well with the Dark court. Dark Fae thrive on violence and emotion but it’s no longer easy to feed off their fellow Fae. The Ink Exchange is the solution Irial, the king of the Dark Court uses to save his subjects from death. It isn’t perfect and he’s aware of that, but the only other choice is all out war with the three other faerie courts. The only thing is he didn’t expect to actually care for the human that receives his mark. Nor did he expect how much she would change under his influence.<br /><br />Melissa Marr pulls the reader into an incredible tale of politics, fantasy, friendship and even a bit of romance. The characters get additional depth that really rounds them out and shows their flaws as well as their strengths. YA Urban Fantasy at it’s best.</div>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-5445861984446444692008-08-26T09:09:00.004-04:002008-08-26T09:12:43.208-04:00Wicked Lovely<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Lovely-Melissa-Marr/dp/0061214655/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219756223&sr=8-2"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8u_3dzBDeO0YA55G__zdndXlYViS56WV9IHHtFkm5NnO6Lk1olSmCN-oL1B7Km1W4HSeLr484SOqWQjx7H7F4gujsVdmuBelQEFE30yLIH7I2iNlpjPpB2LMw_pAQFMTUkXHDKli6_8A/s200/wickedlovely.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238812973572741154" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">In the city of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Huntsdale</st1:place></st1:city>, Aislinn prefers the inner city, the land of iron and steel that keeps her interactions with the Faeries to a minimum.<span style=""> </span>Aislinn possesses the gift – or perhaps the curse to see the Fae. Her grandmother has brought her up to follow three rules. Rule #1 – Don’t attract the attention of the Fae, Rule #2 – Don’t speak to invisible faeries, and Rule #3 – Don’t stare at invisible faeries.<span style=""> </span>Without doing anything at all however Aislinn’s broken Rule #1. Not only did she attract their attention, she attracted the attention of the Summer King, Keenan.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Keenan searches for his Summer Queen, a mortal woman destined to become Fae and rule at his side.<span style=""> </span>Due to the machinations of his mother, the Winter Queen this is a daunting task that puts each young woman he approaches at risk.<span style=""> </span>In order to rule by his side the women must take up the Winter Queen’s staff. If she is not the one destined to be queen she becomes the Winter Girl. Her touch is cold, her world is covered in frost.<span style=""> </span>Aislinn doesn’t want anything to do with the Fae, but once Keenan sets his sights on her there’s nothing she can do to lose their attention.<o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I wasn’t sure I would like this book – but I loved it.<span style=""> </span>Melissa Marr has an engaging writing style, one that’s very easy to read. No character is a caricature or a stereotype.<span style=""> </span>You immediately get a sense of Aislinn’s personality as well as Keenan’s.<span style=""> </span>There are surprises throughout the book, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect by the end.<span style=""> </span>It was a pleasant surprise and a well thought out world.<span style=""> </span>I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ink-Exchange-Melissa-Marr/dp/006121468X/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219756223&sr=8-3">Ink Exchange</a>.</p>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-49864148919991123532008-08-04T10:53:00.001-04:002008-08-04T11:29:48.519-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8cGA9-7Skv4f4XN2z8pNEJm2SlhRe9dfJtq_gvSaiTOye4kZ12ZJ6HBEtuOGogFmUjiItPjdbYzeXCJwY3HR0dkc82EdQrWbLJaQzVKjpMl4RQ49doeKi-PIFVbiw4Zxb906ATqe4fBO/s1600-h/Breaking_Dawn_cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8cGA9-7Skv4f4XN2z8pNEJm2SlhRe9dfJtq_gvSaiTOye4kZ12ZJ6HBEtuOGogFmUjiItPjdbYzeXCJwY3HR0dkc82EdQrWbLJaQzVKjpMl4RQ49doeKi-PIFVbiw4Zxb906ATqe4fBO/s200/Breaking_Dawn_cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230684939882824978" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">Like many other Twilight fans I was at the bookstore at Friday night in order to pick up my copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Dawn-Twilight-Saga-Book/dp/031606792X/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217861013&sr=8-2">Breaking Dawn</a>, the fourth book in the Twilight saga, as soon as it was available.<span style=""> </span>I didn’t read it as fast as the other books but I’m still left stunned by the story.<span style=""> </span>Going into this book I was looking for three things…ok, four. #1 – Bella and Edward get married.<span style=""> </span>#2 – Bella is changed into a vampire.<span style=""> </span>#3 – The Volturi confront the Cullens over Bella’s change.<span style=""> </span>And #4 – Jacob gets a happy ending.<span style=""> </span>I thought if I got all those things, or even 3 of<span style=""> </span>the 4 I would be happy.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m not happy.<span style=""> </span>Parts of the book at very good – there’s some great character moments for the Wolves. Some very sweet parts between Bella and Edward.<span style=""> </span>Bella’s joy at certain happenings in the book is wonderful.<span style=""> </span>But over all – the book is not the story I wanted to see.<span style=""> </span>It doesn’t fit the rest of the series.<span style=""> </span>It doesn’t fit Stephenie Meyer’s world as she’s presented it before this.<o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Before <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Dawn-Twilight-Saga-Book/dp/031606792X/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217861013&sr=8-2">Breaking Dawn</a>, the message that love requires sacrifice, compromise, and a lot of work for a wonderful emotional reward came through loud and clear.<span style=""> </span>In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Dawn-Twilight-Saga-Book/dp/031606792X/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217861013&sr=8-2">Breaking Dawn</a> that message is chucked right out the window.<span style=""> </span>It’s hard to write a review of this book without spoilers – but I’m trying my best.<span style=""> </span>The message of the series is lost in this book because of the central plot point that comes so far out of left field my brain couldn’t wrap around it even after a few hours of sleep.<span style=""> </span>I will have to reread this book in order to full absorb the story, but upon my first reading I can not say I was truly satisfied with the ending.<span style=""> </span>It has some very good scenes and some excellent character moments but as the conclusion of Bella & Edward’s story it doesn’t stand up to my expectations.</p>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-23879532904462959612008-08-04T10:41:00.002-04:002008-08-04T10:45:30.621-04:00The Host by Stephenie Meyer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Host-Novel-Stephenie-Meyer/dp/0316068047/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217861013&sr=8-1"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4GjYx0iyONTrrkMIr5iPApLZQKx7fk3L3DFA_g9gVIlCJEo1EuW-iAMrs9b0whhDbHMPaLOFr9UfNhnxYD-WlYR7C9NIlXUMQdzzuePxzbVinTntFlt_P-PIC1Bpo_FTp7x5SO7vW62A/s200/thehost.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230673081207378386" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal">I started out the month of July with a goal to read 1984 for the <a href="http://bamchallenge.wordpress.com/">Book-A-Month challenge</a>.<span style=""> </span>I managed to get through the first chapter then put it down.<span style=""> </span>The whole concept of Big Brother was a bit much for me.<span style=""> </span>I will finish the book but not for the challenge.<span style=""> </span>Instead I decided to indulge in a book about Alien Invasion and how the humans of Earth deal with it.<span style=""> </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Independence</st1:city></st1:place> was the theme for July so I thought Stephenie Meyer’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Host-Novel-Stephenie-Meyer/dp/0316068047/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217861013&sr=8-1">The Host</a> fit the bill.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Host-Novel-Stephenie-Meyer/dp/0316068047/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217861013&sr=8-1">The Host</a> is an interesting story that’s an interesting take on the classic Body Snatchers theme.<span style=""> </span>In the Host parasitic aliens have infiltrated Earth civilization and quietly taken over.<span style=""> </span>The aliens are known as Souls – luminous jellyfish sort of looking creatures that are surgically implanted in the host body through a small incision at the base of the neck.<span style=""> </span>The Soul then wraps around the brainstem and its tentacles attach to various parts of the brain and spinal column.<span style=""> </span>When a Soul wakes up from this procedure they are in complete control of the host body – the host mind is completely silent and repressed so the Soul is in sole control of her host body.<span style=""> </span>Except in Wanderer’s case, her host is still present and refuses to completely give up on her body.<span style=""> </span>Their tale is fascinating and provides the few free humans left in the world some hope that the extinction of the human race as free-willed beings is not as certain as they once thought. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This book certainly qualifies as Science Fiction, but there’s enough realism that it’s very easy to believe it and get lost in the story.<span style=""> </span>I enjoyed the characters, they felt very real to me and it was interesting reading the story from the point of view of a Soul while still getting the Human point of view through Melanie, the ever present host personality.<span style=""> </span>Meyer left the ending open enough to support a sequel but it isn’t a requirement. The story is whole on its own, but if a sequel does come out I’ll be interested in reading it.</p>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-62819559797997780752008-07-07T10:18:00.004-04:002008-07-07T10:23:59.082-04:00The Well Read Witch<p class="MsoNormal">Happy belated Independence Day, <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Well-Read-Witch-Essential-Magickal-Library/dp/1564145301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215440501&sr=8-1"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxZpvihCbtCxgipE-chKub8Z4EOSzPuJgxzMjH8ceO51xv6Pcl8pWsB9OwmgLYMBq9snNrmur-f7q3Y7VONccwRhyphenhyphenesaqDhgdh3IsGXlxbMCsAbRbpzNWxs3vkvWqaej74LN_PwGNuXpx/s200/well-read-witch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220277026819074370" border="0" /></a><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m a few days late with my <a href="http://bamchallenge.wordpress.com/">Book-A-Month challenge</a> entry for June.<span style=""> </span>This month’s theme was knowledge – what book doesn’t provide you with some kind of knowledge either by giving facts like in non-fiction or through insight into the human condition like fiction?<span style=""> </span>I read four novels this past month, though three of these were repeats and then one non-fiction book.<span style=""> </span>I don’t read much non-fiction, at least not all the way through. I find it just doesn’t hold my attention.<span style=""> </span>However, in June I picked up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Well-Read-Witch-Essential-Magickal-Library/dp/1564145301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215440501&sr=8-1">The Well Read Witch</a>, a bibliography of essential books for pagans in general.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The conversational style made this an easy read.<span style=""> </span>The author Carl McColman shares his choices for the most important books in the field of pagan spirituality as well as gives a very short overview of what paganism is in general.<span style=""> </span>His list flows from suggestions for beginners and the curious to advanced topics and community involvement.<span style=""> </span>McColman advises anyone interested in pagan spirituality, specifically the Wiccan religion to find a mentor, someone who can show and instruct you in the rituals and traditions of your path; but he’s quick to point out that books are excellent places to start your journey and provide insight along the way.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Well-Read-Witch-Essential-Magickal-Library/dp/1564145301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215440501&sr=8-1">The Well Read Witch</a> is a good book, easy to follow, easy to skip around and skim the titles & annotations, and an excellent guide to building up a pagan book collection either for personal use or for libraries.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>July's theme for the <a href="http://bamchallenge.wordpress.com/">Book-A-Month Challenge</a> is Independence. I'm finally going to tackle George Orwell's 1984 and hopefully Lois Lowery's The Giver as well. Reviews will be up once I'm finished with the books!Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-53134742530203817902008-06-11T10:16:00.006-04:002008-06-11T10:27:51.097-04:00Twilight Saga<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-Book-1/dp/0316015849/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213194006&sr=8-1"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9__xPpPAeMg8ulUcckVp4TOhEcnJ6VqpvOSDjQUh8SbFC0SX1tIof_UaIdE0JcgA7xtnNaE6T2X2iW9TggccPgkdhrUm3xpnh3LL8tOn6W9iPrROa2EJeF2x4j6QEoAvdBOBnT7EjVFnL/s200/twilightbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210628484340974258" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I am horribly horribly behind when it comes to jumping on this particular bandwagon.<span style=""> </span>Back in the fall I read about the biggest YA publishing Phenomenon since Harry Potter, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-Book-1/dp/0316015849/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213194006&sr=8-1">Twilight</a>.<span style=""> </span>I checked out the book and due to time constraints I didn’t give it a chance.<span style=""> </span>I read the first half of the first chapter then returned the book and figured it just wasn’t for me.<span style=""> </span>Well since then I’ve worked with the kids here at the library more and more.<span style=""> </span>Many of them have raved about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-Book-1/dp/0316015849/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213194006&sr=8-1">Twilight</a> and how good a book it was, so I decided to give it another try. I put in a request for the book and now, three months later, I got it.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And devoured it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What I didn’t get into the first time around utterly grabbed me the second time.<span style=""> </span>I was entranced by Edward and Bella’s story, followed the comparisons author Stephenie Meyer makes with Romeo & Juliet and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Wuthering</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Heights</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>I was charmed by the supporting characters like Alice & Emmet, fell for Jacob and wanted to soothe his pain.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Moon-Twilight-Saga-Book/dp/0316160199/ref=pd_sim_b_img_1"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3AU3UdfzhyphenhyphenPy_5cYBvrlKgg0IGLMt1hJAX36xQ24TsZD7EJ-5vIAZJFb9fswGKZeNjt3toDyt_ISAodJG-FIxoX8o0OgvcG2zCESeXSm0ABPnf9zy7-Q9uPyNzgB90Vm1Cw1rD4OAn4L/s200/newmoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210629027037238098" border="0" /></a>Yeah I didn’t read just <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-Book-1/dp/0316015849/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213194006&sr=8-1">Twilight</a> but its sequels <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Moon-Twilight-Saga-Book/dp/0316160199/ref=pd_sim_b_img_1">New Moon</a> & <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eclipse-Twilight-Saga-Book-3/dp/0316160202/ref=pd_sim_b_img_1">Eclipse</a> as well.<span style=""> </span>I’ve done almost nothing this past weekend except read these books. I was hooked.<span style=""> </span>I enjoyed watching Bella and Edward grow as characters.<span style=""> </span>I really enjoyed that as Bella was not a character I could get into originally.<span style=""> </span>She came across in that first chapter as a fairly flat character, not much personality and though responsible and mature in many ways she wasn’t special for me.<span style=""> </span>Bella had to grow on me.<span style=""> </span>Edward’s initial reaction to her is what got me interested. What was there about this bland character that upset him so much? What else was there about her? I had to find out and because of that, I had to read.<span style=""> </span>In reading I learned that while Bella didn’t know herself as well as she thought she did, she was an interesting character.<span style=""> </span>Always taking care of others, never taking time for herself – she never really learned who she was. <span style=""> </span>It took all three books but by the end, she did know herself – not as well as she will by the end of the fourth book, but the character definitely grew somewhat.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Eclipse-Twilight-Saga-Book-3/dp/0316160202/ref=pd_sim_b_img_1"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFK3ppaQCjc5ifcQtajGQOTAcc74kh3yrDSxf66zvECrNgeF1wsVFpNSAbtlHw99LMvk_zREbyKng-k86XGjMMld-mhGd3eGMP2rrD3GelV8uOtiT7-lPSCRoWaEX3QRQWtlNJRkd5geZ/s200/eclipse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210629129953790866" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Edward is a fantastic character – one that isn’t explored well enough for me because I always wanted to know what was going on in his mind, but the story is told from Bella’s point of view, we can’t know Edward’s mind.<span style=""> </span>Still, seen through Bella’s eyes he is larger than life and utterly amazing.<span style=""> </span>She does recognize some of his flaws, but they don’t detract from what she sees as his perfection.<span style=""> </span>I have to admit, as much as I’m looking forward to the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, I’m anticipating Midnight Sun, Edward’s version of Twilight even more.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So yes, read this series, give Bella & Edward’s story a chance and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.<span style=""> </span>Just stay through the first chapter and you could very well be hooked.</p>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-35244475152467962012008-06-02T12:13:00.007-04:002008-06-05T19:18:11.943-04:00Only 1 in May?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOZQT_hatyZoJU_-0HdZ-n5lC35ymvDAA9bJ8ySch5KjiaBZHlS2tNStyzGQ52Fh8gHc2jcaFEmj9NKoWM6k89hQdghLICAiNEsn2roAC4DS-c-rkXJnxmButJOL8iLv6GOtOazlGeubY/s1600-h/fdtw.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207319703562691522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOZQT_hatyZoJU_-0HdZ-n5lC35ymvDAA9bJ8ySch5KjiaBZHlS2tNStyzGQ52Fh8gHc2jcaFEmj9NKoWM6k89hQdghLICAiNEsn2roAC4DS-c-rkXJnxmButJOL8iLv6GOtOazlGeubY/s200/fdtw.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I'm kind of ashamed. I only finished one book in May. I know, for many people this is absolutely nothing to be ashamed about, but I'm a bit prideful about how quickly I can read books. May was a busy month with several different things going on both at work and in my personal life (vacations...you gotta love them). I started 2 different books and I'm still reading both of them, but then I got the call that the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sookie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Stackhouse</span> book was on hold at the library for me.</div><br /><br /><div>All other books were forgotten until I finished that one.<br /></div><br /><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Worse-Southern-Vampire-Mysteries/dp/0441015891">From Dead to Worse</a> is the eighth book in the Southern Vampire series and it is an enjoyable romp, but a bit light on mystery (was solved by about page 150 if I remember correctly) which is surprising since <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Charlaine</span> Harris is fantastic at writing thought out enjoyable and not too easy to guess mysteries. At least I'm not too good at solving the mystery before <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sookie</span>. Even still, this was a fun book. Ms. Harris gave us some great moments between characters and made me laugh out loud a few times too. I enjoyed seeing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sookie</span> deal with the consequences of various actions, one thing she doesn't shy away from even if she wants to is taking responsibility for what she's done. I also really liked the fact that she made it clear exactly what she wanted out of a relationship. </p><br /><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sookie</span> had a lot of character development, in fact many of the characters did and I was glad to see it. The banter between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Sookie</span> and Eric was fun, but I've always had a soft spot for that character since the first book in the series I read was <a href="http://brightsidereading.blogspot.com/2007/06/dead-to-world.html">Dead to the World</a>. The action in the book was almost over the top - at this point <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Sookie</span> is involved in more fights and conflicts than one woman ought to be. But then when you consider that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sookie</span> is also a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">telepath</span> involved with both vampire & werewolf/shifter <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">communities</span> I think it's easy to see why she's caught in the middle so often.</p><p>From Dead to Worse is a great Summer read. Light enough to breeze through, but engaging enough that you don't want to put it down until you're done.</p><p>Now that June is here I'm still switching back and forth between the other two books I started in May - reviews will come once I've finished them. And I'm set to check out two YA books - the very popular Twilight & a new one called Beastly. On top of that I've got Don't Know Much About U.S. History for the Book-A-Month challenge. A challenge I totally failed in May since the theme was Mothers and I didn't read a book devoted to moms. Lots to read and only a little time. I'd best get to it.</p>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-86583174199223855752008-05-07T11:17:00.009-04:002008-06-05T19:20:31.845-04:003 Books in April<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cducI2P0kMfn_1v4KdPJWXO5FUH6amAaP5MP53zBgE6dEDmeKjRDUXNYcwmRZ9mtjpiCgyc8zy3k93SmG_eKviYbSD_Kocdi5WHuY-HlMPVwZxcm2013TxmK_NVZ4uAeE7c9Vv_Mqg06/s1600-h/truebeauty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197661234557461938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cducI2P0kMfn_1v4KdPJWXO5FUH6amAaP5MP53zBgE6dEDmeKjRDUXNYcwmRZ9mtjpiCgyc8zy3k93SmG_eKviYbSD_Kocdi5WHuY-HlMPVwZxcm2013TxmK_NVZ4uAeE7c9Vv_Mqg06/s200/truebeauty.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>In April I made an attempt to read <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/True-Beauty-Daniel-Paisner/dp/0399523839/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210174630&sr=1-2">True Beauty</a></em> by the plus-size model <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Emme</span>. The book came out in the 90s so it could be considered outdated, but the conversational style was good. I didn't finish the book, something I'm doing all too often lately. Even my tried and true - go to books aren't really holding my attention these days. <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/True-Beauty-Daniel-Paisner/dp/0399523839/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210174630&sr=1-2">True Beauty</a></em> was no different. I got about half way through it and still didn't feel like I'd learned anything new. The message basically said you can't lose weight and get healthy until you're comfortable with yourself and love the skin you're in no matter what size you are.</div><br /><div>I do believe you have to love yourself and be comfortable with yourself in order to be truly beautiful, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Emme</span> didn't give me any real suggestions on how to go about coming to terms with your weight, your body, and realigning your body image to something more positive than negative. So that was a bit of a disappointment.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uFQrbq3ZHABH3ExeGfbnjs0SMAVPiFdjgEJHpSpeUvtXck54W3wO-zs_ndxExmKyf74LTI9ZFnSnkQxy1CBLu6LvL5rNgLpdPC0AWJ1-hbTu9uS1siT8NConO5mNvKGLSuwZO74HnS_s/s1600-h/darkpossession.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197665469395215810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="169" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uFQrbq3ZHABH3ExeGfbnjs0SMAVPiFdjgEJHpSpeUvtXck54W3wO-zs_ndxExmKyf74LTI9ZFnSnkQxy1CBLu6LvL5rNgLpdPC0AWJ1-hbTu9uS1siT8NConO5mNvKGLSuwZO74HnS_s/s200/darkpossession.jpg" width="122" border="0" /></a><br /><p>In addition to <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/True-Beauty-Daniel-Paisner/dp/0399523839/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210174630&sr=1-2">True Beauty</a></em>, I also picked up <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Possession-Carpathians-Book-15/dp/0425217094/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210174865&sr=1-1">Dark Possession</a></em> & <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Prince-Carpathians-Book/dp/0843955287/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210174915&sr=1-1">Dark Prince</a></em>, both by Christine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Feehan</span>. I actually finished both of these novels and enjoyed them even though I read them out of order.</p><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Possession-Carpathians-Book-15/dp/0425217094/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210174865&sr=1-1"><em>Dark Possession</em></a> is the latest in Christine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Feehan's</span> Carpathian series. In this one Carpathian hunter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Manolito</span> sets his sites on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MaryAnn</span>, a therapist from Seattle that his sister in law hired to help a young woman in her family. During their rocky courtship <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Manolito</span> struggles against his own dark nature as well as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">curiosities</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MaryAnn's</span>. She is a great heroine, one with flaws and personality quirks that make her much more three dimensional than many romance heroines. Erotic and suspenseful, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">thoroughly</span> recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good vampire novel with a twist.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOoHKuH3HB2oAxzdA_QgYYKOqxIFRHRRMZ0kWgZlA1DW9wu3TTTqGE3hcchyphenhyphenTyR7R6gnLzYrKtgpT2hFqmLJAmW67I-ZODyRHwdbxVPRnBYcl7iT_7f6gQRansUpgAp2gilrpQdEX23kc/s1600-h/darkprince.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197666027740964306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px" height="159" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOoHKuH3HB2oAxzdA_QgYYKOqxIFRHRRMZ0kWgZlA1DW9wu3TTTqGE3hcchyphenhyphenTyR7R6gnLzYrKtgpT2hFqmLJAmW67I-ZODyRHwdbxVPRnBYcl7iT_7f6gQRansUpgAp2gilrpQdEX23kc/s200/darkprince.jpg" width="135" border="0" /></a>It was because of the twist I tracked down <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Prince-Carpathians-Book/dp/0843955287/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210174915&sr=1-1"><em>Dark Prince</em></a>, which is the first of the Carpathian books. Much of the book is devoted to setting up the Carpathian society, how the Carpathians differ from the vampires of legend, and the long term conflict between the Carpathians and the human vampire hunters that want to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">eradicate</span> them. I didn't enjoy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Prince-Carpathians-Book/dp/0843955287/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210174915&sr=1-1"><em>Dark Prince</em></a> as much as <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Possession-Carpathians-Book-15/dp/0425217094/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210174865&sr=1-1">Dark Possession</a></em>, though it was a fun read. While Mikhail the leader of the Carpathians is an interesting character and his flaws are touched on and given enough screen time to make him into more than just a cardboard hero, I didn't get the same sense of Raven, the heroine. She was a bit flat to me - good and kind, virginal, filled with innocence despite the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">horrors</span> she's witnessed while helping the police on different cases. A little too perfect for my tastes. I was much more interested in the scenes between Mikhail and the other Carpathians, their personalities were fascinating and I enjoyed the banter and report they shared. I've bought the second book in the series, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0843956534/christinfeeha-20">Dark Desire</a></em>, but haven't had the opportunity to read it yet. Looking forward to it though.</p>Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452849014903319766.post-34989513618165074352008-03-19T11:44:00.005-04:002008-04-03T13:17:12.315-04:00Friday Night Knitting Club<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZgVJnzZsUwyYgWuglmA7InvF3LT6xhsghhR-nwSFMQzQJGEej279DIlg5k3tqpc03doDV3ScXtmpt7QAkLB99F_SeoeIKKiMzt2HHWJJRZsFr9mBb7PLgJXZyIvxyadgHkGRv9N1oudt/s1600-h/fnkc.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179481070443493746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZgVJnzZsUwyYgWuglmA7InvF3LT6xhsghhR-nwSFMQzQJGEej279DIlg5k3tqpc03doDV3ScXtmpt7QAkLB99F_SeoeIKKiMzt2HHWJJRZsFr9mBb7PLgJXZyIvxyadgHkGRv9N1oudt/s200/fnkc.jpg" border="0" /></a>For the March edition of the <a href="http://bamchallenge.wordpress.com/">Book-A-Month Challenge</a> I chose <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Friday-Night-Knitting-Club/dp/0425219097/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207242537&sr=8-1">Friday Night Knitting Club</a>. The March theme was craft and as we all know knitting is not only a handi-craft but an art, I thought this would be the perfect book. I went into it expecting to thoroughly enjoy it. After all it sounded like an interesting book about women's relationships & friendships brought together through a shared hobby. My kind of read.<br /><br />Imagine my surprise when I found that it comes across as a lot of disjointed "woe is me" "he broke my heart" "i didn't follow my dream" passages that also throws out knitting terms without explaining what they are. There's a lot of talk about the love of knitting and how old-fashioned as it may be, it's still something special. I understand having a passion for a hobby and getting wrapped up in sharing that passion with others that you sometimes forget to explain things to the folks that are just learning. I have no idea what Casting On is even after seeing the term mentioned in the book more then ten times in the first few chapters. Other terms such as types of stitches, wools, and patterns were thrown into the story but never explained even though some of the characters were supposed to be beginners just like some readers. Some may feel that it wasn't necessary to explain the hobby which is only the plot device for bringing people together, but I have to disagree. When a hobby is used in this type of story I want to feel the passion for the hobby that the characters have and part of that is telling me exactly what their language means. Translating the terms into concepts I can understand.<br /><br />The main character of Georgia starts off as a strong woman with a successful shop and a wonderful daughter, but she quickly becomes tiresome. She isolates herself from her customers and often comes across like she's a martyr to Single-Motherhood. She comes across to me as cynical, unable to trust anyone but her mentor Anita and after the first three chapters I found that I really didn't care about her any more. None of the characters truly really came alive for me, though Anita came close - yet there was something about her that was almost too saintly.<br /><br />I got through the first 125 pages and put the book down, instead turning to other books that the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Austen-Book-Club/dp/B000VYTRM2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207242630&sr=8-5">Jane Austen Book Club</a> by Karen Joy Fowler. Due to moving I haven't finished that one, I was laughing and enjoying the read though I'm having a hard time identifying the narrator so far. Other books that pulled my attention were the classic graphic novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Gauntlet-Marvel-Comics-Starlin/dp/0785123490/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207242762&sr=8-1">Infinity Gauntlet</a> & Christine Feehan's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Possession-Carpathians-Book-15/dp/0425217094/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207242784&sr=8-1">Dark Possession</a>. This is the first of Ms. Feehan's books I've read and so far I'm thoroughly enjoying it so I'll be hunting for more from her. <br /><br />The April theme for the <a href="http://bamchallenge.wordpress.com/">Book-A-Month Challenge</a> is Beauty. Not sure what book I'm going to read for that one yet, though first of next month be looking for my review. Happy Reading!Aislynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14797500105405547862noreply@blogger.com0