Hannah's Hope by Karen Kingsbury, part of the Red Gloves series, is a nice story but very predictable and not very believable about a girl whose mother was traveling a lot and not home who married an ambassador to Sweden and the girl thought he was her father but later found out he wasn't, but that her real father was in the army over at war in Iraq. Prayed for her parents to be home for Christmas and mother came home to clear up all the media mess about their family that the girl created by going on a public search for her biological father and he got sent home early once he was rescued from being held prisoner.
This is a quick read but it contained some good suggestions in the back on ways to encourage servicemen.
(Karen's review 11/07)
Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Journey to Reading For Pleasure (Blog Hop)
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To get your children reading, make sure they can see. I say this because when I was in first grade learning to read, I had a very difficult time. My teacher kept a group of us who were not getting it after school for some additional help and she discovered my problem was that I just could not see the board. Once she moved me to the front of the room and I got eyeglasses, I picked it up much quicker.
Naturally any mother who loves to read also tries to encourage her children to read too. My mother was an avid reader and I remember her reading four or five thick books in just a week. She took us to the library as kids in an effort to get us interested in books too, but it didn't really work. I would rather go outside and play than sit around and read. I did the required reading for school, some of which I just skimmed through and that was it.
In school, whenever I had to do a book report, I would just choose the book by width. Seriously, if it was a fat book, it would not be one I picked. Consequently, I missed out on some really good books. I first learned that a bigger novel is generally better than those little skinny books when I read Jane Eyre for a book report on my mother's recommendation.
In high school I was put into an advanced English class which I really did not want to be in. To me, it seemed a waste of my time to have to do more homework including 12 book reports when I could get an easy "A" in the regular English class with less homework and only three book reports. Now, for someone who does not like to read, guess which class I chose. I got out of that advanced English class as fast as I could!
Even in college, I read very little of the textbooks. Mostly, I just took good notes in class, then typed them up and studied from that. I maintained good enough grades that way to keep my scholarship for all four years. I only actually read the books for courses I was interested in.
It wasn't until I was married that I started to enjoy reading for pleasure. My husband was a reader ever since elementary school. It's funny though, he didn't go to college. I think if he had gone, he would have learned more than I did. He used to buy books but once we were married, I took him to the library and showed him how he could actually go online and order popular books that he wanted to read and they would send him an email when they came in. When he read a book he thought I would too, suggested I read it. I don't recall what the first book I read was that he recommended.
Mostly I still read when I'm bored, like while I ride the bus to and from work, or while waiting at a doctor's office, or during a lunch hour. I seldom read at home unless I have a book that really is gripping and I can't wait to see what happens next or if I'm in a hurry to finish a book.
We invite you to post about your journey to becoming an avid reader with a link back here and link up. Copy the badge if you like.
Related post: Mary the Kay the Blog shares tricks she uses to teach her kids to read.
Check out Mrs4444 Saturday Samplings for more good posts.
Friday, July 23, 2010
"False Convictions" by Tim Green
Whew, I'm glad I'm dne with this one! False Convictions by Tim Green is one of the dumbest books I ever read. I thought it would be good because it was about the Freedom Project but in this case the guy that was set free after 20 years was actually guilty after all. This book just dragged along for me.
The book was confusing to me and I had a hard time following what was going on. Graham is a very wealthy man who is a well-known philanthropist who turns out to be a big crook who is on the board of The Freedom Project. He was out to discredit a judge who refused to be "bought." I was kind of lost throughout the book and really only liked the reporter, Jake, and the attorney, Casey. It was very complicated with mafia connections tossed in.
Once Dwayne, the guilty guy, was freed and Casey realized that she helped free a guilty man who killed again, because Graham set her up by managing to switch the DNA that would have proved he was guilty, she tried to correct the wrong.
The book ends with a big chase which made no sense at all. If you read this, I'd really be interested to see what you thought of it.
I stuck it out but I should have quit after the first few chapters. I did not like it at all and do not recommend this one. There are so many better books to read!
Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?
The book was confusing to me and I had a hard time following what was going on. Graham is a very wealthy man who is a well-known philanthropist who turns out to be a big crook who is on the board of The Freedom Project. He was out to discredit a judge who refused to be "bought." I was kind of lost throughout the book and really only liked the reporter, Jake, and the attorney, Casey. It was very complicated with mafia connections tossed in.
Once Dwayne, the guilty guy, was freed and Casey realized that she helped free a guilty man who killed again, because Graham set her up by managing to switch the DNA that would have proved he was guilty, she tried to correct the wrong.
The book ends with a big chase which made no sense at all. If you read this, I'd really be interested to see what you thought of it.
I stuck it out but I should have quit after the first few chapters. I did not like it at all and do not recommend this one. There are so many better books to read!
Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?
Making The Rounds With Oscar
A collection of Heartbreaking Stories: Making Rounds With Oscar by David Dosa is not really about Oscar. It is more about the patients Dr. Dosa attends to at a Hospice center. The stories are mostly heartbreaking about loved ones trying to do the best they can for their loved one that is dying and Oscar is always with them at the end. The part about Oscar is the best part of the book in my opinion. I’ve now read back-to-back books about death and am ready to find a more cheery subject!
Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it? Did you participate in our two poles yet on our sidebar?
Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it? Did you participate in our two poles yet on our sidebar?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
"The Endearment" by LaVyrle Spencer
The Endearment by LaVyrle Spencer is another of my all-time favorite romance novels. I loved this book and think I'm even going to read it again! This one is about a mail order bride, Anna, for a Swede in Minnesota, Karl. These two people are very different so things start out very rocky. It is a sweet, tender love story full of humor and some touching moments. It gave me insight into how hard life in Minnesota was back in pioneer days and the characters were very believable and sell developed. This is a must read if you like love stories with some humor.
(Karen's review)
The Endearment by Lavyrle Spencer is a love story about Anna and Karl. Anna is a mail order bride for Karl. The problem is Anna is not who Karl believes her to be. The fun of this story is watching how Anna and Karl go about trying to find a middle ground, not to mention, James, Anna’s brother who she brings along with her. I would call this a woman’s book, but as a 57-yr.-old man, I must admit I enjoyed it.
(Gerard's review)
Blog Hop Coming July 24: Write a post about how you got to like reading and became an avid reader tomorrow then link up to mine. We'll have my first blog hop! I promise to read each one who links up.
Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?
(Karen's review)
The Endearment by Lavyrle Spencer is a love story about Anna and Karl. Anna is a mail order bride for Karl. The problem is Anna is not who Karl believes her to be. The fun of this story is watching how Anna and Karl go about trying to find a middle ground, not to mention, James, Anna’s brother who she brings along with her. I would call this a woman’s book, but as a 57-yr.-old man, I must admit I enjoyed it.
(Gerard's review)
Blog Hop Coming July 24: Write a post about how you got to like reading and became an avid reader tomorrow then link up to mine. We'll have my first blog hop! I promise to read each one who links up.
Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?
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