The Help

THis is one of my new favorite's. THanks Mindee for the reccomendation. This book is historical fiction, it takes place in the 1960 in Jacksonville, Mississippi. This story follows some white families and their black maids during the time of civil rights. The characters are amazing. I laughed and cried, multiple times. This is one I think I will buy because I would read it twice, and I usually never read a book twice. Because there are so many new ones to read. So I highly recommend it.

Nevermore

This is one of the most interesting plots I have read in a while. I can not tell you anything in this book without really giving it a way. There are no vampires, werewolves, or fallen angles though, but I still would group it with those kind books. If you like Edger Allen Poe you will love this book! It is also the first in new series. However, it ends well. While it leaves an opening for a new book there is some closure to this story. It is pretty clean, a little swearing but mostly just a lot of confusion until the last 6 chapters. Let me know if you figure it out before the end.

Unraveled

This is the month of sequels, as this is the sequel to Intertwined. In this novel he is in wait to become the vampire king. While trying to free his friends from a death curse. The author is so creative she has vampires, werewolves, witches, psychopaths, you name it, in this book! Her characters are incredible. I am not sure I liked this story as well as I did the first book, but since it is also not the end of the series the best may be yet to come.

Torment

This is the second novel in the Fallen series. I think I actually liked it better than the first book because I knew a little more of what was going on. The author really likes to keep you in the dark. In this one she goes to a new school for half-angels. There she learns some of their powers and hers. She also learns that she is a key player in determining the fate of the demons and angels. However, this book also leaves you hanging, and I have no idea when # 3 comes out. But I do like this series.

Crescendo

This is the second book to the novel "Hush Hush". It is also not the end of the series so you may want to wait till they all come out. I liked this book, but it reminded me of the second novel in Twilight! Lots of breaking up and fighting. Then getting back together again. This however has some great twists to the plot that I was not expecting. The end of the book totally leaves you hanging though. You think it is all going to actually end but the author switches it on the last page. So you may want to wait till # 3 comes out next year before you read it.

A Touch of Sage

Well if your up for fluffy romance this is right up your alley! So I am not usually big on romance novels, but every now and then I throw one in just to change it up a bit. This book is an old fashioned romance, kind of little house on the prairie style, but with some cowboy romance! I laughed, and cried, and I liked it a lot! Most of her books the heroines drive me nuts! They are spineless fluffy heads! But this one isn't so bad. So if you need a good fluffy book this one is great!

The Reckoning

This is the last book in the darkent powers series. It is only a trilogy and they are all out. This was by far the best book of the series, lots of action, a little romance, and super creepy. I highly recommended it. In this book they resolve most of the conflict with the characters. However they do not end the genetic testing laboratory.She is writing a new book called "the Gathering" it comes out 2011. Same world, same people genetic testing supernatural, but in another city. It looks good I am excited.

The Awakening

This is the 2nd book in the darkest powers series. It really starts to get into the meat of the story. It is the adventure of 4 run away teens with supernatural powers. They have been genetically altered to be more powerful. This series has a lot of action, a little love, and a little creepy. I think it is one of my new favorites.

The Summoning

So I just finished this book, and I really liked it! It is a "Sixth Sense" kind of book. She sees dead people! But it isn't a recap of the movie, the author throws in werewolves, witches, and sorcery to the mix. It is a little creepy, but over 13 years old should be able to handle it. No swearing, no sex, good clean scary. The first book lacks a little on the plot side though. It is a trilogy and the author pretty much sets up the rest of the books in the first book. So I suggest having access to book 2 and 3 because it stops in the middle of the story. Unfortunately I didn't take my own advice and only have book 2. So I am also awaiting the ending of this series.

The thirteenth tale

So I am not sure what to say about this one. It is very different. It is very captivating, I could't put it down. But it is on the disturbing side. It is about a girl who was asked to write the biography of a famous writer, who seems to have no past. However, once her past unfolds it is a mystery until the very end. The book is fairly clean, as far as language goes. The plot however is disturbing, incest implied throughout. The author though is an amazing writer! Even the boring parts suck you in with her explicit writing. Definitely one of the best written books I have read in a long time. Disturbing, but I think I liked it. Anyone else read this?

Seven Miracles that Saved America

Ok you history buffs are going to love this one. It is such a good book, everyone should know this information about our country and forefathers. It truly tells of the great miracle our country is. A great gift idea! It is a little on the dry side, it is history after all. The author did try to spice it up a little, but even so. I still suggest reading it. I think I would have liked to listen to it on tape more.

Size 12 isn't fat

Well this is what I would call a comical mystery. It was OK! There are defiantly some funny parts in it, but I think that the author is a little crass. The plot is pretty basic. The main character used to be famous, but now is working in a dorm at a college to save money for school. When she helps to solve a murder that happens at the dorm. And she like to eat (which is the funny part). But the author gets a little overboard with being size 12 in my opinion. There is a sequel "Size 14 isn't fat either". I actually only read half and then when it was the same plot and nothing really new I moved on. So not a must read, there are better books out there.

The Giver

This book probably everyone has read in high school. It is such a classic, if you have not read it you really should. It is about a different world where the people are completely controlled by their government. But one boy is given the job to know the truth. It is such a good story a must read.
So even if you have read this book you may have missed the rest of the series

Gathering blue takes place in the same world, but in a more barbaric part. People are very poor uneducated, and completely wild. Such a contrast. In this series you would never know it is related to the giver until you get to book three.

The final book is the messenger. It ties both stories together in a world that tries to meet in the middle. It is such a good story. None are as good as the first, but if it left you with wanting more and wondering what happened. Book three helps that a little. I highly recommend it. It is also very appropriate for 12 and up. I own all three!

Pretend you don't see her

So I found this book and was so excited because I hadn't read it. I thought I had read all of hers. I love Mary Higgins Clark. She is such a clean write for a mystery book. o swearing, great plot. The book is about the witness protection program. The main character tries to find out about the murder before he finds her. If you like mystery you need to read Mary Higgins Clark books!

Fallen

This book is about fallen angles, however you don't know that really till the last chapter. Let me explain, a girl goes to this school for delinquents and tries to fit in and make a place for herself. This is the plot of 90% of the book. Then in the last few chapters everything and everyone changes! I was highly confused, it felt like whiplash. Then it just ends, there is a sequel which either just came out, or will be out soon. But I felt like I read 300 pages, just to be told, "well forget that and now we will start another plot". Weird book not my favorite, maybe the sequel will make it better?

The curious case of the dog in the nighttime

This book is very interesting to anyone that has any interest in Autism. This is a fictional story but the main character is Autistic, and he is the one telling the story. He thinks so "out of the box", it is so interesting. It really gives you a different view of autism. I liked it for that fact alone. The story however is not my favorite, a little dull, kind of weird, but still interesting. This book does have some language issues in it. Not appropriate for young adult reading.

The lost Symbol

I am a fan of Dan Brown, so I was sure to read his new release. It was interesting. It has lots of information in it about the Nations capital. I want to go back to DC now just to take his tour. So much of our Nations Capital is symbolic. It also has a lot of information on the Free Masons. His research is fascinating. Now on the other side it has a ton of killing in it. Sometimes I wonder if he sits around thinking of the most terrifying way to die. The mystery is ok, a little to much slaughter for me, but the history is really well done.

Ugglies/Pretties/ Specials

This is one of my Favorite series! I know I have already suggested it to many of you. It is ok for readers I think 13 and up! Nothing really graphic or bad language sticks in my mind. It is about a futuristic world where the government alters everyone at the age of 15 to act and look a certain way. This series is about a small group that rebels. It is really good. But do not read the Extra's! It has nothing to do with the plot of the other three and it is stupid! But the other three are a must read!

Guernsey potato peel pie Society

Love this book!! It takes place shortly after world war two. Europe in shambles. The main character is a writer and starts corresponding with a character that lives in Guernsey (little Island) in Europe. She ends up going there researching a woman that once lived there. The story is all written in letters. Which makes the first 30 pages difficult because you have no idea who is who. They are all talking about things you have no idea about. Don't stop reading it though. Keep going! The characters are amazing. The history of Guernsey is fascinating! I want to go to Guernsey!

Evermore

This has got to be one of the strangest series I have ever read. It is also not over yet. I read the first three books. Book 1 Evermore I really liked. A girl falls for an amazing guy, who ends up being able to live forever. He loves her so he makes her immortal as well. Using their mind they can make anything appear. So where does it go from there....well down hill. She turns out to be a flaky main character makes tones of obvious mistakes. Then what really turned me off of this series was in book 3 her life is ruined because she is cursed and can't have sex with the main character. Really they are 15! Why is that their main trial~ So I quit that series even though there is suppose to be 6 of them!

House of Night

This is another Vampire series. That your high schoolers may be reading. First of in book one is a very inappropriate part. After that the story is pretty good. I read up to I think book 5. She had good characters, good story. But don't bother past book 4 then it just gets down right stupid and it is like she is trying to drag the story out for eternity. Book 4 even ended well, I am not sure why she kept going. So not a terrible series but not my favorite either.

North and South

So I have never been a big classical literature person. Our book club had us read this last year so I decided I could try it. I loved it! I am not saying it is an easy read, the language is a little difficult to adjust to, but it is great. It is the story of a girl during the industrial revolution of England. The Characterization is amazing. The story also keeps a quick pace. You can even download it for free online and listen to it a chapter at a time! I will link that in a comment later.

The Last Lecture

Well if you are looking for an inspirational book. This is it! I loved it. It is the last lecture this professor rights before he dies of cancer. Leaving a young family of four. Yes it sounds horrible, ball your eyes out, kind of book. And there were parts I sobbed. But as a whole the story is very uplifting encouraging people to fulfill their goals, and how to do it. What would you leave your kids with if you were about to die?? This was perfect. Everyone needs to read it.

Moon Called

I love this Author. After I read Twilight I was in the mood for Vampires. As you will see from my entire section called "Vampires". This series helped to satisfy that. Not only do you have the vampires, but it takes a turn and focuses on the werwolves. The main character is perfect. She is a strong female that isn't to wishy washy. This book is also the beginning of the series which will have 6 books (I think.) But the good thing about this series is that each book will stand alone as a story. It is not a kids novel but it is pretty clean for an adult fiction. I really liked it!

Fire

This is the second book in the Graceling series, but it is a prequel to Graceling. So same kingdom just a different area. Deals with a girl who is a monster because of her abilities. This author is extremely creative. I liked it, not quite as good of story as Graceling, a little on the violent side for young adult but not a bad book by any means.

Graceling

This book is in some ways one of my favorites, but it is not without it's down points. First the plot is interesting, a girl with the power of killing (kind of). Her fight for a better life than death. The characters are amazing, the story is great! The part that bugs me is her relationship with the male character. Pretty much she won't ever marry him, so she will be his friend with benefits. The also put in a page worth of a sex scene, not explicit but this is a children's novel!! Not appropriate!

River Secerts

While I loved the first two in this series I could have passed on this one. Just not very action packed. It seems like the characters from the first two books were hardly mentioned, and just when the book seems like it may take of and get exciting it ends. So if you are dieing for more it is an OK book, but if you are short on time find something else.

Enna Burning

This book is the second in the Goose Girl Series. And I have to say I loved it! Not quite as much as The Goose Girl, but still a surprisingly good sequel. The main character is from The Goose Girls, who comes into her own power of fire. If you have read goose girl this is a must read!

The Goose Girl

This is a classic children's fairy tale. Disney should really pick this up as their next princess in my opinion. While I love this book it does have it's slow part. Press on it just gets better and better. I totally recommend this one, and it is good from age 8 and up. Just wait Disney will find it some day

Percy Jackson

This series is a favorite. I bought them all because I would let my children read them. They are not quite as good as Harry Potter, but I still enjoyed them. I think they would be a great read for 6/7th graders studying mythology. I finally understood who some of the gods and goddesses were after reading this. My one reservation is all the affairs the gods have. I don't think I would want to explain that to my kids. All in all they were a great series..stupid movie.. great books!

The Gargoyle

Well another book I did not finish for content issues. I got about 20 pages in and it turns out he is a pornstar. No thanks! The sad thing is if he would have changed the background to you know a farmer or something it would have been an amazing book. The author was very talented. I am just not into porn-star books.

Uprising

This book I read a while ago but I have to include it because it is one of my favorites. This one is historical fiction. It is about the fire at the Triangle West shirt company in New York City. This fire took the lives of 146 immigrants because of poor working conditions. This story is given from three different points of view.
It is very well written, and very educational.Highly recommended!

Beautiful Creatures

This book is in the young adult category. It is about a girl with a curse, and boy that is drawn to her. They together find that the past links them. I liked it a lot. Some people say that there was not enough romance. I personally appreciate that part of the book. It is pretty clean, with a mystery, and not a series. I own it as well.

Sarah's Key

I have read a lot of holocaust books. But this one I think is by far the most heartbreaking and disturbing. It is about the French roundup of Jews in 1942. They eventually are all sent to the death camps in Auschwitz. The story centers around a little girl whose family is being round up and she hides her little brother in a cupboard hoping to come back and save him. What they don't say is that this round up of Jews was mainly women and children that were taken, then separated, and all killed.
The true story is absolutely horrible, but the author also makes the fictional story horrible. This book still haunts my dreams.

Gone

This series is in the young adult fiction area,,even though I would never let my young adult child read it. This story is a modern version of "Lord of the Flies". Everyone over the age of 14 disappears. Then a shield blocks these children left into a small section of the earth. The children have to fight for survival. The plot sounded very interesting to me. I sometimes really like Sci-Fi but....this series I could not finish. I did read all of "Gone" and over half of "Hunger". But the violence in this book finally got to me. I just could not get past the evil of such little children. SO I have to give it a thumb's down, and don't let your kids read it. It is just too graphic, not uplifting.

Maid to Match

This is a favorite! It is a love story that takes place in the early 20th century at Biltmore Manor. The love story of a maid that works in the manor. This book was so well researched. The history in it is so well told. You learn so much about the livelihood of the servants during that time period. As all of Deanne Gist books are. I have read them all and love them all!! A must read especially if you enjoy historical fiction.

Princess of Glass

This book I thought was darling. A little on the slower side, but a really cute take on the classic story of Cinderella. This one is appropriate for 9 year old and up. It is the second book to "Princess of the Midnight ball." Which does not necessarily have to be read first. The author is very descriptive, and very creative.

The Mockingjay

So the third and final chapter of "The Mockingjay" has finally arrived. I have this series which says a lot, considering I rarely read a book twice. I really like the first two books. A little on the dark side, lots of murder...but still very thought provoking. The final book I really enjoyed the first two stanzas of the book. I could not put it down. Then I read the last stanza of the book. It was so depressing! I got done with the book feeling the need for Prozac. It ended the story I will give it that. But could we at least leave with a little hope? Anywhere?

The Passage

Well to start off my blog I am post a book I did not finish. I heard this was a great story. I couldn't tell you because in the first 150 page I encountered 20+ F-words, rape, murder, child abuse, spouse abuse, child neglect,and so on and so forth. So I quit. Sorry if you loved this story. I truly wish I could have got to the main story because it sounded really good. :(