Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star

This is the 2nd book in the Fablehaven world.
I found it more enjoyable than the first one. I really enjoyed the characters interplay and growth.

The plot twists were mostly a surprise and I did not see them coming.

This book carries on the story of the characters from the first book just a year later. A new summer and new threats and adventures for the magic that is Fablehaven.

The writing style of Mr. Mull is better here, I think he grew with his characters.
The comic relief provided by a tennis court was nicely placed and well done.

If you have read the first then continue with this, if not read the first one then move here.
I look forward to reading the other 3 books set in this world.

Living the Writer's Life

This was a bit different than the usual book on writing. It did not go into detail on creating characters or plot.
It did talk about writers and how very few are successful yet more and more try every year.
Written from a Doctor of  coun­sel­ing psychology point of view was interesting.
I really enjoyed the one liner thoughts from many professionals in the business.

A very honest look at a very competitive and  life
A good read for people wondering if they really want to try writing then wondering why they keep on writing even when there is no hope of success.

Escape from the Carnivale: A Never Land Book

This is a very short book written by the authors right after the first Peter Pan novel.

This is written for a much younger reader (so the authors say)

But I did not find that too much of a bother.

The plot and the wording was aimed toward younger kids but the story was still fun.

Peter i s off the island doing something so this story is about others on the island. This lost some of the magic but still a good story.

If you have not read Peter and the starcatchers then this will confuse you alittle.

There are more in this series that I will read when I have a bit of time to escape and don't want to be bothered by alot of thought process.

Jacob T. Marley

This one started out a bit on the dull side. I was not too thrilled in the first few chapters, but then, it changed. Maybe my spirit changed or my attitude changed, I am not sure. All I know is that by the end I wished it would not and I found a small tear in my eye and a pledge to do better with my life within my heart.

That is high praise for such a small book. But I stand behind it.

The character of Marley has not drawn a lot of attention over the years but the author does a great job of showing us how he became Marley and more important how he influenced Scrooge to become Scrooge.

The first part of the story deals with Marley and his start in life. While it was enjoyable enough the real joy of the book came when he met Scrooge and then grew as Marley's  part in the story we all know so well with the spirits was played out.

The author was able to add this without taking away from the magic of Dickens original writing and it was here I found myself lost in the book. (That has not happened for quite awhile with me and it was a welcome feeling).

The end of the book, where the author talks about Scrooge in later life was treated with respect to the original writer. I appreciate that intent. This too touched my heart and made me want to do better in my dealings with my fellow man.

I highly recommend this to anyone at any time of the year.

Commitment

This was a quick fast and very enjoyable read. Written in the early 80's I believe, it still has material that is important today.

The stories and thoughts were engaging and some with humor.

I really enjoyed the section on how important it is to read good books that are outside of the religious area.

Elder Featherstone has a simple, easy style in speaking and writing. This lended well to the ease with which to read this.

I recommend this book to all.



Kingdom Keeper II Disney at Dawn

This is the 2nd book written for young adults/ Jr high kids I think.

It follows a group of kids who are battling the villains of Disney World to stop them from taking over the parks.

Being a Disney fan this alone was reason to pick up book 1. Since it was a good fun read I went to book 2 and enjoyed it more than book 1.

This time they are spending most of their battle and time in the animal kingdom. The behind the scenes information on how the park runs is worth the read itself. (In my mind at least)

The action was faster and more detailed. The solution not as simple as the first book.

I still think the author could write a bit more grown up. If Harry Potter proved one thing it is that kids can handle deep writing if done well.

While I don;t think this is trying to be another Harry Potter I do see the following happening, if only from the Disney freaks like me.

I would suggest this if you are a Disney fan or if you want a good clean fun quick read. Remember it is written for the younger set but it is still enjoyable if you don't mind that type of book.

6 Events: the Restoration Model for Sloving Problems

This is written by Stephen R Covey. Like all of Covey's books, if you have read one you kind of know what to expect in the others. This is no different. Where it was different was in that he walks you through the idea that you can approach solving your problems the same way God in restoring the Church. A very creative approach and it works.
There are 6 stages you need to go through in order to solve your problem. Covey walks you through them with his stories and examples, most you know if you have read his other stuff but some new ones popped up and were great.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to Covey fans and others who need to look at something a bit different for tackling your troubles

The Autobiography of Stana Claus

Ok, I really wanted to like this one...but I can't stand it.
It is written as the story of Santa being told to a reporter.
How and where did Santa come from, what is the secret to his magic, who are his helpers...well the first 3rd tof the book sounded like a wiki pedia page then we hit full blown into the magic that makes Santa not age and all who hang out with him have the same blessings..yeah right!!!! (By the way it doesn't really explain the magic, act of God I guess)
Without giving away too much Santa runs into a lot of Histories famous people, almost like a Bill and Ted's adventure or the Forest Gump of History...this wore thin very fast for me.

Over all this did not help my Christmas Spirit,(I know it's March but had hoped)
I do not think I can recommend it for anyone.

Death of Kings

This is the 6th book in the King Alferd saga.
King Alfred is dying and then dies and England is in chaos.
This sersis has one of my favorite characters. From the book jacket
"For the Viking-raised but Saxon-born warrior, Uhtred, whose life seems to shadow the making of England, this presents him with difficult choices."
#4 in this group was a bore, #5 brought my interest back to the story and this book restores my full excitement for Uhtred and what happens to him.
Written in the first person the author shows how to do this point of view. We know Uhtred lives since the story is told from his recollections but the author leaves everything else unknown and that is the magic of his story.
A must read if you like the earlier books, if you have not read any of the adventures of Uhtred then start with Book one. If you gave up on 4 then pick this one up and you will not miss any important points since part of the style is to review earlier events through out the story.

The Belivieng Heart

This is a book made up of 4 essays on faith and applying it in our lives.
Nothing earth shattering but I enjoy the examples that the author used.
I really enjoyed the last section where he compared our own spiritual journey to the movement of the Church from New York to Kirkland to Navuoo. That was new and I am still thinking on it several days after finishing the book.
What better recommends can you have than the reader still thinks on the words written days after finishing it.
For anyone wanting to strengthen their faith.

Peter and the Starcatchers

This was a really fun read!!! Basically set as a pre story to Peter Pan book, (well more likely the Disney Movie version). It tells the tale of how Peter became Peter Pan and Neverland created. It has familiar characters (Hook, Smee) It also gives the origin of the mermaids, Peters flying and even Pixe dust.
I really enjoyed this and will read the others in the set.
This is geared to Young Adult even Children but I found it fun. I look forward to sharing it with my 4 year old when she gets a bit older.
The writing style tried to mimic Mr. Barrie's at times and for me it worked.
Highly recommended for any one. I listened to this on Cd and loved it. It is read by Jim Dale so it took me about 1/2 a disc to get over how the characters sounded so much like Harry Potter but that was quickly swept away with he movement of the story.

InkHeart

It has been along time since I have been able to be lost in a book. It felt good.
I have heard some say that this book is for those that love to read and love books. I get that, in fact I can relate to the love the characters have.
This book is basically about a man that can read characters and items out of stories to be in our world and what happens when the most evil villain comes out and the mans wife is sucked into the book.
This was wonderful time spent.
Not really fantasy per say but a tale of fantasy.
Much better than the movie but most books are.
I will be moving on the the other 2 books in due time and hope to enjoy them as well.
This is highly recommended to anyone and a extra push for those that love the feel of a book and the smell of the pages.

One Second After

I picked this up on a whim based on the back cover description.
Set in a small town it follows what happens to the town after someone (never find out who exactly) set off 3 EMP bombs across the USA.
The bombs basically fries all the electrical items in our everyday lives.
No power, no cars (except really old ones) no medical, no radio or communication with anyone.
I was greatly is appointed. The phrase "Show don't tell" that I hear in every writing workshop or book on writing I have ever read seems to have been lost on this author.
The book seemed to be one meeting after another reporting on deaths, fights, rumors. Even the deaths of some main people happened "off screen"
The main character is a ex-soldier (of course). I found him to be a punk.
He spent most the book thinking on 3 things, His daugther who has diabetes and will die without insulin, how physicaly attracted he is to a stranded woman from the freeway and how great his next smoke will be. His smoking seems to make everything better for him.

I cannot reccommend this to anyone....

Why?: Powerful Answers and Practical Reasons for Living LDS Standards

This book is aimed at the 12-18 year olds of the Church.
But I still found it enjoyable. Bro Hiltons style is so open and he relates well with the youth.
No great deep doctrine contained inside but I still recommend it, especially if you deal with the youth in any way.

Glenn Beck's Common Sense

I enjoy Glenn Beck. I have met him and his wife and they are nice people.
I do not always agree with him and this book shows that to me.
While agree in most with his outrage against Government spending I failed to see the direct connection with Thomas Paines original outrage in 1776. But I may have missed it since I admit I did not pay enough attention in school.
This is a good book that lets you know the mind of Mr. Beck and those that follow him almost religiously.
I agree with 90% of his outrage and did enjoy this book.
I recommend it unless listening to even 2 minutes of Beck drives you crazy cause this book is truly Glenn Beck at what he does best, causing you to ask questions.

The Bishop's Bride: The Honeymoon's Over

I read the first book and thought it was cute. This book, tries too hard to be cute.
I found the plot lines unbelievable. A new Bishop with a new wife and not only does he have to staff a new ward (only about 1 page in the book) but he is overwhelmed with non- members, murder from the first book, a family crisis that can only be solve by using Family History library. Not to mention people on the run from the mob.
It was a bit much.
I was also bothered by the authors apparent lack of basic understanding on simple LDS items. The first few pages had a blessing given that didn't follow proper form, as well as she made several reference's to small items in our culture that were wrong. That bothered me.
I also did not like the fact that the lead female character kept bemoaning the fact that she was not at all like the first wife...that got just plain irritating,  but maybe I am coming from a man's point of view.

Over all a cute read and if you want to escape and laugh at things (some not intended by the author but are funny anyway) give it a go.

Mirkwood: A novel about JRR Tolkien

I had really high hopes for this book. I love Lord of the Rings and the think Tolkien a master.
The PR blurb says this is a novel about Tolkien and his world being real.
Well I found this story very boring. It was disjointed and in need of some editing that even I could pick up on.
I really got confused with where the author was trying to take us.
I heard the Tolkien Estate wanted to ban this self published work...well I think that will just drive people to want to read it and then be disappointed.
I can not recommend this to anyone