The Long Way To a New Land

The Long Way to a New Land (I Can Read Book 3) by Joan Sandin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There are pros and cons to this easy reader. The cons are that it does not appeal to pre-readers at all. The pictures are few and not very detailed. The subject matter is also above the head of your average pre-schooler. But if you have a beginner reader that is trying to learn more about early emigrants to the United States for a report or something, this is a great book. It is full of facts about Swedish emigrants in story form, making the information easy for a child to absorb.

Legacy of the Drow

Legacy of the Drow: Collector's Edition by R.A. Salvatore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, I enjoyed these books. Not the most intellectual, but for a fantasy lover that is looking for a fun but easy read, these are good. The fourth book ends without wrapping up all the loose ends, to entice you to his next series I'm sure, but wraps up enough to not leave the reader unsatisfied.

The characters of these books are basically well developed D&D characters, which is what the Forgotten Realm books are all based on. They have the traits that are expected and, yet, Salvatore finds interesting ways to tweak the basic D&D molds just a little, to make the characters different and interesting. But because they are based on a specific mold, the characters tend to not have too much depth (thus adding to the book’s fun read, but not too thought provoking status).

I would say that Salvatore has two main strengths in the books I have read so far. His playing of the characters off of one another is wonderful, often making me laugh out loud while reading. The camaraderie of the companions seems real and sincere, not forced. His other strength is in his detail of battle scenes, especially fights involving the main character, Drizzt. You feel like you’re in the action, without him adding so many details that they weigh down and slow the action.

Atlas Shrugged

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a hard book to rate. There were parts that I really enjoyed and parts that I hated. Parts that I wholly agreed with and parts that I vehemently disagreed with. It was definitely the most difficult book I have ever read. I decided on four stars because even the parts that I didn’t necessarily enjoy or agree with were still excellently written when one thinks of terms of what was her point. But when one thinks of terms of literary excellence and things like character development, there was a bit lacking. My dissatisfaction more came from the fact that I have never really enjoyed being lectured when I already agree with the point being made (and there is a sixty page monologue that is a lecture towards the end of this).

Atlas Shrugged is fairly pertinent to today’s political atmosphere and a good read for that reason alone. True, it shows things in extreme, but that is often the best way to make a point in fiction. It is very obvious that Rand was an atheist at the time she wrote this – and there was where most of my disagreement with her was rooted. I don’t agree with her viewpoints on pride, sexual morality or those that believe in God. On a non-religious note, I didn’t agree with her portrayal of farmers. I firmly believe that if this country were to fall apart, the farmers that own their land would be one of the few groups not to starve. They might learn to live w/out certain luxuries, but I don’t think being unable to sell their crop would cause them to starve. Most farmers I know are very practical and would use their land to grow food for their family if things got this bad.

But I whole heartedly agree with Rand’s viewpoints on capitalism vs. socialism. Those that think socialism is the way to go will hate this book. But as I’m a capitalist, I agreed with and enjoyed reading much of it. She cuts right to the heart of what socialism is and does to societies – and some people just hate to hear the truth.

The Icewind Dale Trilogy

The Icewind Dale Trilogy Collector's Edition (A Forgotten Realms(r) Omnibus) by R.A. Salvatore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This trilogy introduces the five main characters that the reader will follow throughout most of RA Salvatore’s works. Drizzt Do’Urden – the mostly shunned drow elf ranger that lives on the surface and tries to live down the well deserved evil reputation of his race. His companion, Gwenhyvar, a magnificent giant panther magically brought to him in times of need. The surly, old dwarf Bruenor Battlehammer that loves his friends dearly. Cattie-Brie Battlehammer, the beautiful dwarf raised human girl that is the adopted daughter of Bruenor. Wulfgar, the mammothly huge barbarian that is taken under Bruenor’s wings and trained by Drizzt. And finally, the lovable rascal halfling, Regis Rumblebelly. The characters are well developed and fun enough with fast paced plot lines to keep the reader engaged but at the same time easy enough to understand that the reader knows they can put the book down for a few days and come back later without losing important details.

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison

Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven) by Brandon Mull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Picked up from the library yesterday and started today (4/14).

This was the fifth and final book of the Fablehaven series. A great read even though it's a fairly easy and quick read. Brandon Mull brings a new world within our own to life vividly without any of the trash that is common to fantasy and sci fi nowadays. I would have absolutely no problem with my ten year old daughter reading these. His descriptions are interesting and easy to picture in the mind's eye. My favorite thing besides the family friendly aspect of these is the imagination behind them. The whole idea of preserves for fairy creatures is fantastic, and something I've never heard anything like before.

The reason this recieved four stars instead of five is because the end seemed rushed. I could tell Mull was trying to tie up all his loose ends, give all his characters a happy ending and do it in one final book without making the book too long. I think it would have served the series more justice to have included more details and made this last book into two.

I look forward to reading future novels by Mr. Mull and hope he continues in the vein of totally new and family friendly.

Love Comes Softly

Love Comes Softly (Love Comes Softly Series, Book 1) by Janette Oke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this in a single afternoon and evening - while still taking care of kids and chores. So obviously a very easy read. But I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Could I predict a lot of the story and know how it was going to basically end? Of course. Romances tend to be like that. The enjoyment of a romance novel comes from the different paths taken from point A to point B.

Love Comes Softly is a very gentle book that takes you from a very painful point in the main characters lives, through the process of healing from the heartbreak of tragedy and finally to the point where they have the ability to love again. I particularly enjoyed Oke's telling of such a basic story because of her use of faith in God throughout the book without making it felt forced. The story is not preachy, it feels completely natural and in place when the characters pray and read scriptures.

I also enjoyed the clean, wholesomeness of the book. Too many romances are just trashy smut. This book has none of that, but leaves no doubt of the feelings the characters develop one for another. I'd have no problem letting my 9-year-old read this if she so desired.

Photographs & Phantoms

Photographs & Phantoms (Gaslight Chronicles) by Cindy Spencer Pape
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Seriously, what is it with books and movies these days being overrun by sex!? The book industry needs a rating system, because I'm getting awfully tired of starting a book, getting into and then getting surprised by a bedroom scene! This book would be rated R, possible NC-17, so definitely not for this lady to read. The scene is about half way through the book. I'd enjoyed the dialogue up until that point, but had to put it down because it wasn't a small section that could be easily skipped. Too bad, I'd've liked to finish the story and find out what caused the shadows. I suspect it's Peterson, but I'll never know. Oh well - onto better things! This is why I normally stay in the YA section! Good grief.

Never Ever After

Never Ever After: Three Short Stories by Ruth Nestvold
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I don't really know what to say about this small collection of short stories. Truthfully, I probably never would have read them if I hadn't gotten them for free on my Kindle. Were they astounding short stories that filled my mind with wonder at what happened later, like Asimov and McCaffrey short stories have done for me before. No, not really. But they were well told stories that didn't leave me griping at the open endedness of them. They formed clear pictures in my mind and were a very quick read (took me less than an hour). And I enjoyed the use of Irish folklore (something I've always found beautiful). But they didn't inspire me with a desire to know more. Also, there is the lack of morality of the characters. Really, is it so hard to write a story where people aren't sleeping around outside of marriage or betraying their lawfully wed spouses?

Punk Farm on Tour

Punk Farm on Tour by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, this book was not what I expected and certainly caught my children and I off guard. But in a totally good way. I picked the book up at the library because it looked like a change of pace from our normal reads and had fun artwork. As we settled down to read it tonight, the first few pages my 4-year-old was looking at me bewildered. She just didn't get it. But once we got to the song and she realized what they were singing, she loved and it and sang along with me. Definitely some clichés and some references that went over my kids heads, but over all they enjoyed it.

Kindle Version: Punk Farm on Tour

So You're Thinking About Homeschooling

So You're Thinking About Homeschooling: Second Edition: Fifteen Families Show How You Can Do It (Focus on the Family) by Lisa Whelchel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yay, I finished my first book about homeschooling! And I think Heavenly Father was blessing me in my first choice.

This book is great for a person considering homeschooling that has no background in it. She takes seventeen short, easy to read chapters to indroduce the reader to fifteen different ways of homeschooling. Obviously, these are not the only ways, but it is a great introduction to what is available.

The books chapters are very relaxing to read, almost like having a conversation (she intentionally designed it this way) to give you an idea of what different homeschool families could be like, after interviewing hundreds of real families.

My favorite thing? At the end of the book, there is an appendix that is 21 pages of contact information for different learning styles, homeschool associations, supply sources, etc. I can't wait to dig through these websites tonight!

PS - I didn't even realize the author was Blair from Facts of Life until I was already reading the book, despite her picture being on the front cover. LOL!

Kindle Edition: So You're Thinking About Homeschooling: Second Edition: Fifteen Families Show How You Can Do It (Focus on the Family)