Harry Potter, Christopher Walken, Michael Oher and Jackie Kennedy

To try and make up for my lack of reading and posts in July,

I fail, I know, I'm sorry,

I'm currently reading FIVE books!

1. Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

2. The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
*Facebook Monthly Reading Group Book for August!*

3. Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation by Ellen Fitzpatrick

4.The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

5. A to Z, Christopher Walken: The Man, The Movies, The Legend by Robert Schnakenberg

"Book your Trip"

I found this in the September Issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray and just had to share!!
*Note: I'm copying the article as written in issue*

Bring classic children's books to life with a family get-away!


Read Charlotte's Web by E.B.White

Live it @ Liberty Hill Farm Inn in Rochester, VT

Guest Stay in farmhouse rooms on a dairy farm. Kids will love searching the henhouse for eggs, bottle-feeding the calves[just like Fern did with Wilbur] and swimming in the White River. Included are hearty breakfast and dinners using farm-raised produce, with all the fresh milk you can drink!
www.libertyhillfarm.com





Read Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Live it @ De Smet, SD!
The Ingalls family, as chronicled in the Little House books, migrated across the upper Midwest, stopping over several states. Many towns claim a connection, but the family settled in De Smet, SD, home to two artifact-filled Ingalls homes and the school Laura attended with her nemesis, Nellie. Also, a summer pageant reenacts family life on the prairie. Date are July 8-10,15-17,22-24, 2o11.
liwms.com





Read any or all of the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

See it!

If you are feeling flush, fly to England, where Lynott Tours offers a six-day self guided tour of sites that inspired the books. lynotttours.com

Can't afford transatlantic trip?

Stay local and visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.
Shop for wands and send postcards via owl.

Wish you were here, Muggles! universalorlando.com



Read Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

See it!
The story of a wild pony-turned-child's pet was based on the horse roundups that still happen on Assateague and Chincoteague islands off the coasts of Virgina and Maryland. On Pony Penning day
(July 27,2011), wild horses are herded across the saltwater channel to auction on Chincoteague, and thousands of people come to watch. If you can't make it on the big day, don't fear. Head offshore to Assateague Island National Seashore to witness the animals grazing in the wild anytime. nps.gov/asis

Water for Elephants

The story, Water for Elephants (by Sara Gruen) is told as a series of memories by Jacob Jankowski, a ninety-three year-old man who lives in a nursing home.

He tells his tale as a 23 year old, almost college grad, whose life is turned upside down by the tragic death of his parents.

With his life all planned the tragic death of his parents sent Jacob on downward sprial that lands him in the employ of , The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth,a traveling circus.

Based on somewhat true events, this historical fiction, tells of the day to day life for those who lived and worked on a traveling train circus in the 1930s. There are handful of unforgettable characters that make this novel really work.

I mean really, how can you have a traveling circus without the world's fattest woman, a tyrannical ring master, a beautiful showgirl and a temperamental yet lovable elephants?

One thing I really loved about this book was that at the beginning of each chapter (save a few) there were pictures from the real traveling circuses of the 1930's. Makes me want to go out and do some research on them. Pretty interesting subject, I think.

There is a movie coming out at some point, hopefully the screenwriters won't totally screw it up. You can go here to find the full list of cast and crew, Which includes Robert Pattinson, Resse Witherspoon and Christoper Waltz.

I really enjoyed this book and will probably read it again one day. It was a fairly quick and easy read. However, if you are the modest type, I should warn you..... there are some fairly sexual themes throughout the story.

You've been warned!!!

All in All, I thought it was fantastic!

5 stars!!

Finally Finished....BONE

I finally finished the Bone Series by Jeff Smith!!! The last took novels in the Series, Treasure Hunters and the Crown of Thorns, were just as wonderful and awesome as the others!

I was so excited to finally finish, I couldn't put them down!!!

It was simple, it was perfect!

If you haven't read my other post about this graphic novel series, let me catch you up.....

Once upon a time in a far distant land there were 3 bone cousins. They were run out of Boneville because of one of the cousin's greed.

They got lost, very lost. Then separated ! They really weren't having any luck. Until.....
They meet Grandma Ben and Thorn. After that there was no going back and OH! how the adventures began.

"What kind of adventures?" you may ask....

I'm not telling, you gotta go read.

I promise you'll love it!!! And if you don't, well then I can't really help you.

You are un-help-able!

No, but seriously go read these graphic novels. They are easy to read, fast reads, classic good vs. evil dilemma, funny, cute and charming.

Just do it! Now!

5 stars don't lie!

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

I finally found the time to read the Eclipse Novella The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer.

All I can say is I'm so glad that I opted to read the free version rather than buy a copy. You can still read the free version here until July 5.

But unless you are super bored, I wouldn't recommend it. It was dry and plot-less. I got about half way and I didn't understand why I was reading it.

What's the point of reading the story of someone who was dead before the story starts. And I don't mean dead as in undead. If you have already read Eclipse you know she dies. What was the point?

Why did Stephenie Meyer see the need to write this story but refuse to finish Midnight Sun despite the urging of her fans?

Needless to say I didn't like this story, if you wanna know more about it you can read my first post about it here.

1 of 5 stars :(

Long time no see......

Have you missed me?

I know I've been slightly absent lately but don't worry I'm still reading!

I currently finishing The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck and the Bone Series by Jeff Smith.

I have two more books in the Bone series. Then I will review them all!

I know, I know you can't wait to read all about it, but you are just gonna have to contain your excitement!

FB Monthly Reading Group

Last night I decided that I wanted to join a book club. They don't have one here, not one I can find anyway.

So I went to facebook and created one. Anyone ( with FB account ) is free to join. I will pick a book each month, members are encouraged to suggested one, and post discussion questions about book. I will also continue to blog about what is read and try to link the two pages together.

For now you can go here to join or just check it out.

The Book we are reading during June is The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.