Lady DragonKeeper
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“Prom and Prejudice” by Elizabeth Eulberg – 231pp.
–A cute retelling of the classic “Pride and Prejudice” in a modern day prep-school. I don’t usually read too much secular YA fic, but after reading a friend’s review assuring that it was “clean”, I gave it a shot. I sort of wish some of the characters were more fleshed out, but I tend to like longer books anyway.
“Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Allies” by Christie Golden – 300pp.*
–I started this one before the read-a-thon, but wasn’t able to get it back from the library to finish it until last month.
“Sketchy Behavior” (Advanced Reader Copy) by Erynn Mangum – 224pp.
–A great YA novel about a 16-year-old girl who discovers she has a talent for art and unknowingly uses it to sketch a wanted criminal. When the police use her drawing to apprehend a man who matches the description, her life is turned upside down. I think Erynn Mangum really captured her protagonist’s teenage point of view and though the storyline is unusual, the writing makes it pretty believable.
“Pavement Chalk Artist” by Julian Beever – 110pp.
–If your library has this one, check it out! You may have seen Julian Beever’s 3D chalk art featured on tv or your newspaper, but this book describes the process behind these short-lived sidewalk art.
“Ransome’s Quest” by Kaye Dacus – 320pp.
–A very satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. I’d highly recommend these books, BUT don’t take it from me: You can download and read “Ransome’s Honor” for free (Kindle, Nook, and other formats available). Hurry, ’cause it ends August 15th! Links can be found at: kayedacus.com
“To Win Her Heart” by Karen Witemeyer – 347pp.
–I read this one in four hours … Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite authors. I was wondering how there’d be a librarian in the 1800’s but it is all explained.
Teens and up.“Maid to Match” by Deeanne Gist – 368pp.
–The first book I’ve read by this author. The unique premise of following servants’ lives in the famous Biltmore (sp?) Estate was neat … I’d definitely check out more books by Mrs. Gist.
16 and up for the romantic storyline …
“Twinkie Chan’s Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies” – 80pp.
–Kooky cute, this book is filled with *mostly* scarf patterns inspired by food. My favorite is the amigurumi radish scarf, but there are kleenex box holders, fingerless gloves, and other accessories all patterned after food.
“Knitted Wild Animals” by Sarah Keen – 128pp.
–This book shows you how to knit many different animals: lions, tigers, bears (panda, koala), moose, giraffes, elephants, etc. There is some shaping involved, so it’s probably best for intermediate level knitters, but if a beginner want to learn some new skills, a stuffed animal might be good to learn on, since you don’t have to worry too much about fit and sizing since it isn’t a garment.
“Surrender the Dawn” by MaryLu Tyndall – 320pp.
–Another satisfying ending to another trilogy. This one set during the War of 1812. 16 and up.
“Here Burns My Candle” by Liz Curtis Higgs – 300pp.*
–Sort of slow at the beginning, but it picks up around the middle. I’ll look out for the sequel of this Ruth and Naomi retelling in a Scottish Highland setting. Ages 16 and up.
Running Total: 8,539pp.
* = started before the read-a-thon began
The Courteous Cad (Catherine Palmer) 384
–This one was alright … not as good as the second book in this series, but maybe I’ve been reading too much Regency books. Ages 16 and up.
Take-Along Knitting (the Editors of North Light Books) 144
Knitting in the Details (Louisa Harding) 135
Ransome’s Crossing (Kaye Dacus) 332
–Book 2 of the “Ransome Trilogy.” If you love historicals, give Kaye Dacus’s books a try and check out her website for a “behind the scenes” look: clothing, British naval life, the characters, locations, and more.
Running total: 5811
Quote:The Rogue Crew may not be the last Redwall book, actually. Brian Jacques said in many interviews that he was several books ahead of releases, so there may be some others still to come. Oh wow, really? Thanks for letting us know. I really hope that’s the case …
Wow, my siblings got 3rd, 10th, and 23rd place. Good job you three! I’m quite content with 12th place . . . actually a bit surprised (pleasantly surprised). I had gotten a job during the summer, so I didn’t get to read as much as I was planning to . . . Good work everyone and congratulations to the winners! Again, thank you Incredibooks staff for all the effort you put into organizing this contest. I enjoyed participating!
One last book to add!
Previous page count: 8,321
“Nancy Drew and Her Sister Sleuths: Essays on the Fiction of Girl Detectives” Edited by Michael G. Cornelius and Melanie E. Gregg (208 pg.)
Total page count for my first Read-a-thon: 8,529
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Yes, I’m still here . . . life got super busy, and now school has begun again and I realized that I haven’t posted here since June!!! Therefore, I have a bit of a list to go through . . . so I’m not going to write reviews like I did earlier. I also lost the paper I was using to keep track of what I’ve read, so hopefully this is all of them –even so, I’m sure I’m not going to win anything because I’m no where near the 10k mark, but it’s okay, ’cause it was fun to “add up” the pages I’ve read this summer –a lot more than I thought I did.
Read approximately in June:
“Paid in Blood” by Mel Odom (432 pg.) –Since I like watching the “NCIS” television show, this book shelved as “Christian fiction” caught my eye as it follows an NCIS team on a case that takes them from America to Asia in a cross country race against time –not bad, as far as I can remember, but I’d say high school and up age wise, just in case.
“Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Backlash” by Aaron Allston (328 pg.) The fourth book in the “Fate of the Jedi” series, it takes place 40 years after the “Star Wars: A New Hope” movie. Reading the previous books in the series is a must. In fact, I’d recommend reading the previous series “Legacy of the Force” before reading this one, and in general, I’d suggest these series for teens and up.
“Eric Carle’s Dragons Dragons and Other Creatures that Never Were” (69 pg.)
“Eric Carle’s Animals Animals” (87 pg.) –These two Eric Carle books were read aloud to a couple of my younger siblings –yes, they’re middle school aged, but they were working on a project, so I read to them while they worked ’cause I was bored, LOL. These books weren’t your typical Eric Carle books, as his illustrations of animals and other creatures were beautifully matched with poetry or quotes referencing the animal depicted.
“The Bellmaker” by Brian Jacques (Audiobook, but my paperback book says 397 pg.)
Approximately read in July:
“Star Trek: Deep Space 9 Companion” by Terry J. Erdmann with Paula M. Block (725 pg.) –Yes, I read all the way through this book! It contained interviews, 2-3 page summaries per episode (with EVERY episode in DS9’s seven series run covered), overviews of each season, and a behind the scenes look at one of the most under-appreciated Star Trek series.
DS9 my 2nd or 3rd favorite Star Trek series, so I loved reading about it. Recommended for Star Trek fans or those who want to know more about the DS9 series.“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Edited by Dean Wesley Smith with John J. Ordover & Paula M. Block (371 pg.)
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds II” Edited by Dean Wesley Smith with John J. Ordover & Paula M. Block (341 pg.) –These two books are short story anthologies written by fans. I loved the fact that they had a contest for Star Trek fans to submit stories -the stories varied from “Original Series” characters, “Next Generation” time period, “DS9” and “Voyager” characters. As an even bigger Star Wars fan, I wish Lucasfilm publishing would consider this route for some anthologies in the Star Wars universe. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for this series of books at used book sales.
“Battlestar Galatica” by Glen A. Larson and Robert Thurston (244 pg.) –It’s always funny to see how scenes change or are deleted, things added or removed when comparing the film or tv version to it’s novelization. This one was written to coincide with the original “Battlestar Galatica” series in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s.
“Eye of the Oracle” by Bryan Davis (609 pg.) –The first book in the “Oracles of Fire” series and the prequel to his bestselling “Dragons in our Midst” series. This book introduces some of my most favorite Bryan Davis characters.
Approximately read this month (August):“The Sable Quean” by Brian Jacques (368 pg.) I’ve been reading “Redwall” books regularly for . . . wow, 7+ years.
This book was a bit different as a Salamandastron hare was the main hero of the story . . . it was also nice seeing Mr. Jacques bring back a location not seen in recent Redwall books (don’t want to spoil it) but I must say that I still like “The Long Patrol” and Tammo (the main hare character there) rather than Buckler in this story (not that he was a bad chap, he was utterly fine, wot?) “Churched: One Kid’s Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess” by Matthew Paul Turner (336 pg.)
“Hear No Evil: My Story of Innocence, Music, and the Holy Ghost” by Matthew Paul Turner (231 pg.) –I won these two books in a contest, if not, I probably never would have read them as these aren’t the type of books I would seek out if you gave me a bookstore gift card or something. Anyway, I’m not sure about Mr. Turner’s theology and such, but I would agree with some of the points he makes. He recounts growing up in what I would call a super legalistic church and I think the stories he tells is a good reminder about how easy it can be for Christians or a church to fall into legalism. I don’t agree with all of what he says (like in the last chapter of “Churched”) but if you like the summary of the book (see amazon.com or christianbook.com), you might be interested in reading it. Though it was kind of interesting, for me personally, it was a “one-time read” sort of books and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you liked the summaries. Oh, and these are definitely high school and up books . . .
“Robert’s Rules Simplified” Arthur T. Lewis & Henry M. Robert (72 pg.) –Short read, but very informative and useful at the iGovern camp I went to this summer!
“Timescape” by Robert Liparulo (304 pg.) –The fourth book from the “Dreamhouse Kings” series continues the suspense, action and mystery of the previous books. Reading books 1, 2, and 3 are a must before reading “Timescape.” Christian morals and lessons can be seen in this series, but not really preachy or anything. Almost a sci-fi/fantasy sort of thing with time travel, portals and such . . . I’m more of a “medievel fantasy world” fan, but so far, I find this series a clean, enjoyable read.
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds III” Edited by Dean Wesley Smith with John J. Ordover & Paula M. Block (305 pg.)
“Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones Novelization” by R.A. Salvatore (353 pg)
“The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid” by Rick Riordan (515 pg.) –Enjoyable read. I still am partial and attached to his “Olympians” characters more, but Carter and Sadie Kane sound like two siblings that I might want to read more of in the future. The thing with magic and such is a bit more prominent with Egyptian mythology as compared to Greek mythology and his “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” series, but other than that . . . not bad for a “secular series” . . . granted I am a teenage girl and most of the books aimed at teen girls today are . . . not always appropriate, so I look to the books shelved in “juvenile fiction” at the library instead of the YA section.
So all of that adds up to 8,321 pages total! I may be able to post one more time, depending if I can finish the books I’m reading. Thanks Incredibooks for all your hard work putting this contest together!
Hi everyone! I’m finally getting around to posting on here
…Firstweek’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 allof this from my MS doc!)
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