The Sea of Monsters – Rick Riordan – 279 pages

Running Total – 4318 pages

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson, 490 pages.

The worst  best school year ever by Barbra Robinson 120 pages

Running Total 835 pages

Hi everyone! I’m finally getting around to posting on here …First

week’s books:

(Helen Bradley Mysteries) “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” by Patricia H.

Rushford (355 pages).

-I basically borrowed this from the library ’cause it was “Christian

fiction”…it’s from the early-mid 90’s, so that’s sort of when

“Christian fiction” was new, if I’m not mistaken. It was an “okay” read

–forgettable, 1 hour cop/criminal show plot…basically she’s

investigating mysterious “going-ons” at this nursing/care home facility

and it touches upon moral issues such as assisted , experimental

drug testing, etc. but it never felt…it felt like it went “in depth”

or anything…it only scratched the surface? Anyway, if you’ve read Mrs.

Rushford’s “Jennie McGrady Mysteries” (I’ve only read a couple) and

liked them, you’d probably be interested in this book, ’cause it follows

her grandmother, Helen continues some plot lines from that teen series,

and Jennie herself makes an appearance in a supporting character role.

“The Secrets of Star Trek: Insurrection” by Terry J. Erdman (188 pages)

–Actually, I haven’t seen the “Star Trek: Insurrection: movie (it came

out in the 90’s), but it was interesting to see what goes on “behind the

scenes” with cinematography. I was also glad that they didn’t give away

what happens in the movie!

“Rose in Bloom” by Louisa May Alcott (326 pages)

–In my opinion, this book should be made into a movie instead of

“Little Women” for the hundredth time, *rolls eyes* LOL -just kidding

(sort of). “Rose in Bloom” is SO GOOD!

Highly recommended -I actually like it more than “Little Women”

because…I was interested in these characters more. I loved the plot

and…they don’t make ’em like they used to.

Situations the main character (18-year-old heiress, Rose Campbell)

faces: Wanting to have fun at parties, getting fashionable clothes,

reading or wanting to read books that content-wise isn’t probably the

best choice to read, fitting in, etc. –it’s so cool, funny,

amazing…that I face the same situations that a in the 1800s did.

It felt vaguely familiar…relevant. I also admired the way Rose is

portrayed: she speaks her mind, she’s independent, but still has this

gentle, ladylike quality about her…I can’t find that in a lot of

“modern es” if you know what I mean -she’s still a lady. This book

is actually sequel to “Eight Cousins” (also called “Aunt Hill”) – but I

originally read it before I read “Eight Cousins” and like that I didn’t

read “Eight Cousins” first…it may be a bit confusing and first, not

knowing all the characters, but as I said, you can read it out of order.

Here’s an excerpt from a summary on the back of my copy of “Rose in

Bloom:” “Rose Campbell returns to the ‘Aunt Hill’ after two years of

traveling around the world. Suddenly, she is surrounded by male

admirers, all expecting her to marry them. But before she marries

anyone, Rose is determined to establish herself as an independent young

woman. Besides, she suspects that some of her friends like her more for

her money than for herself. How can Rose tell who her real friends are?

Is there anyone she can count on?”

“Roar! A Christian Family Guide to the Chronicles of Narnia” by Heather

& David Kopp (447 pages),

— Since I am a total “Narniac,” when I saw this book on sale on CBD, I

had to pick it up. It’s a pretty neat guide with lots of activities,

discussion questions, book guides, etc. Recommended for any Narnia fan

and their family to enjoy together.

…and this week’s books

“Mary Ingalls on Her Own” by Elizabeth Kimmel Willard (180 pages)

–One of the first book series I remember reading at eight or nine years

old was “The Little House” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Over time,

I’ve read almost all of the “Little House” books in the state library

system -Martha, Charlotte, Caroline, Laura, and Rose. But apparently a

couple of years ago, three books were written (to celebrate the

anniversary of the “Little House” series?)

One was about the “lost years” between “On the Banks of Plum Creek” and

“By the Shores of Silver Lake” during this time, the Ingalls s’ only

brother was born (who died when only 9 months old) which isn’t

mentioned in the original books. One was about and from Nellie Olsen’s

point of view (ew, LOL –just kidding), and this one is about Mary

Ingalls while at the College she is sent to as mentioned in “Little Town

by the Prairie” (or was it “These Happy Golden Years”)? Of course, it’s

a fictionalized account, but it’s a good addition to the “Little House”

series. The book jacket while describing Mrs. Willard, said something

like, “she is a life-long Little House fan” so…I could tell that she

made an effort to keep an accurate characterization of the characters as

originally used by Mrs. Wilder.

“The Outcast of Redwall” by Brian Jacques (369 pages).

–One of the many books by Brian Jacques in his “Redwall” series. This

one of the only books in his series that I had just read once or

so…but “The Outcast of Redwall” has one of the most unique plots this

series has ever  had…

“Rakkety Tam” by Brian Jacques (368 pages).

— This is one of my favorite “Redwall” books and the first to feature a

main character with a “Scottish” accent.

Note: To the person who was concerned about the “religion” that the

Redwall Abbey creature seem to follow. As far as I know, it’s “made up”

–as to Mr. Jacques personal religion. I have no idea…I do recognize

(as you did) that there are some Christian or Catholic aspects to some

portions of the books, but I recall reading an article or interview with

the author who said that he doesn’t intend any religious aspects to his

Redwall books, preferring them to just be stories to be enjoyed and

read. Of course, being of the WWII – 1950’s generation, as I believe Mr.

Jacques is..during that time, many people were raised as “Christians”

— the Bible was commonly accepted, etc. so if anything, he probably

would have grown up with knowledge of Christianity and Catholicism. His

familiarity/knowledge of the Bible is more seen in his book “Castaways

of the Flying Dutchman.”

…that comes out to a total of 2,233 pages so far.

Thanks to the “Incredibooks staff” for putting this summer reading

program together! (Also, much thanks to Funshine for typing out all

of this from my MS doc!)

Two-Minute Mysteries by Donald J. Sobol  160  pages

Running Total 995 Pages

The Titan’s Curse – Rick Riordan – 312 pages

The Battle of the Labyrinth – Rick Riordan – 361 pages

Starclimber – Kenneth Oppel – 390 pages

Running Total – 5381 pages