Stormlight Archive

So it has been awhile...but I have been reading.  I finished up the Uglies, Pretties, Specials...series by Scott Westerfeld and that was...ok.  Enough about that.

I finally made the plunge and dove into reading The Starlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.  It begins with The Way of Kings.  Let me say that if you are at all into the genre of Fantasy Literature, you probably should make this series a must read.  The most intimidating thing about the series is the length.  Each book is over 1000 pages and there are going to be 10 books in all (I think).  Book #4 was just released this fall.  Right now, as in this morning, I finished read book #2 - Words of Radiance.  Quite simply, it was incredible.

I love the series.  I am going to begin reading book #3 - Oathbringer - later today.  

As always, Keep reading, friends.

Little Brother

 I just finished reading the book, Little Brother by Cory Doctorow.  It was far far far away from what I normally like to read.  The basic premise is that there is another attack on US soil (9/11)- this time on the Golden Gate Bridge.  In the aftermath the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) takes over and does some...well interesting things regarding freedoms of U.S. citizens.  The main character of the book stand up to the DHS by creating the Xnet (free from DHS spying).  Wow, my head hurts a bit.  The book is intense and has lots and lots of info about hacking, the internet, and video games.  I finished it.  It did have a solid ending.  I am looking forward to my next read in a different genre.

Keep reading, friends.

The Rangers Apprentice

 Forgot to mention that I read the series...just a quick 11 books :)  They are fun, entertaining and full of adventure.  The basic story is that Will is taken on as Halt's (the Ranger) Apprentice.  Halt teaches Will and of course the young boy manages to teach the old man a few things too.  the have epic adventures throughout the series.  Super easy to read, super fun.  I am now reading book one to my son.

Keep Reading Friends!

Personal Effects - E. M. Kokie

 I just finished reading this very powerful book and I recommend it to any who are looking for a very honest, gut wrenching picture of what life is like for so many who have had the loss of a family member who was serving this country overseas.  The book is real.  The book is honest.  The book is not always easy to read.  The book shares the true pain of a brother's loss and a father who does not know how to deal with the loss of much of his life.  There is also quite a twist to the story that is beautiful.  Enjoy an incredible but hard read.

Keep Reading, friends

COVID Reading

 Hey all,

So I have done so so so much reading over this COVID summer.  Some of my favorites have been a trilogy by Brandon Sanderson: Steelheart, Firefight, Calamity.  If you are looking for an incredibly action packed adventure thriller start reading!!  One of the other major series I read this summer was The Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan.  It is 11 or 12 books but they read really fast and are super fun.  Not a hard read at all - In fact I have begun rereading them to my 7 year old son :)

Enjoy reading friends!!

Blessings

Update

So I had one of those reading experiences that I've only had a few times...I got 3/4 of the way through a book and decided that I was just finished.  It was while I was reading Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier.  I really enjoyed the beginning of the story and then for me, it just kinda stalled. 

Cassandra Clare has a series called: The Mortal Instruments.  I have begun reading it at the request of a few students.  Book one is titled City of Bones.  I finished it within a week and am currently on page 237 of book two: City of Ashes.  It is a page turner that is for sure.  The basic plot line is good versus evil...go figure...but it delves into the world of demons and downworlders (werewolf's and vampires) as well as the world of shadow hunters (the good guys) who try and keep the world safe.  The series is stretching me a bit and I look forward to seeing where Clare takes us the readers.

Keep reading friends!!

Interesting Read...

I finished up Crap Kingdom last night...it was an interesting read.  I will say that it kept my attention all the way through, but I was confused as well.  Love the idea and plot setup, and I think I liked how it ended...I did really like the epilogue and have to say that I am hoping there are more books to this adventure as I would be really interested in where it is that Pierson takes the series.  If you are looking for a very unlikely adventure/hero story...Dive in, friends.

Enjoy and keep reading.  I just picked up Born Confused, by Tanuja Desai Hidier.  Looking forward to starting it today.

Crap Kingdom

The librarians at my school asked me to read the book, Crap Kingdom by DC Pierson.  I picked it up this morning and read the first 4 chapters.  It is about a sophomore boy who has always wanted to be a "hero."  Well, one day it happens and he is taken off to another world...except that the world he is taken to as the "chosen one" is pretty terrible.  I look forward to seeing where this one goes.  As the weather stays cold and snowy, find a good book and enjoy the peace and rest of reading.

Inspired

Excited to host a small book club tonight with my good friend, Sam Sportel.  For our professional development goal his year the two of us decided to read Rachel Held Evans' book, Inspired and to host a book club to chat about it.  The book itself is really, and I mean really well written.  I love her multiple styles of writing and really appreciate many of her thoughts about reading this thing we call the BIBLE.  Pick it up and give it a read.  And.....bring a highlighter as there will be many sections that you will want to remember.  Keep reading, friends.

Too Long...

So sorry for not posting for so long.  My bad. Here are the books that I have finished up over the last 2 months.

1) House - by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker

In all honesty it was so very hard for me to read this book.  I get what these two authors are doing but it was far too scary for my personal taste.  The story is Christian Horror and was just too much for me. I finished it after wanting to put it down many times and I guess I am glad I did.  If you are into being freaked out and like symbolism (a lot) dive in and have fun!

2) The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Incredible topic and widely publicized book.  I liked it but it was not a major page turner for me.  After hearing Bryan speak in chapel, I wanted to read the book.  Glad I did.  Lots of incredible information about farming in Africa and creativity of a young boy.


Next on my list is Inspired by Rachel Held Evans.  I am really looking forward to reading this book.  With a friend of mine, I am hosting a book discussion on this book in January.  Time to get started.

Friends, not every book is a home run...but your next one might be.  Keep reading!

Reflections

Finished up Medicine Walk Sunday morning as I sat by he fire drinking my morning coffee.  Did lots of thinking about the novel as it relates to my own relationship with my father.  Good novels often have the ability to make us reflect deeply.  I encourage you to step outside your "normal" reading preferences and read some things that a challenge for you.  My wife encouraged me to do so with this book.  it was a very good experience and the book trend out to be one that I will not forget any time soon.  Blessings friends, and as always, keep reading.

Medicine Walk

A good friend of mine gave me a book when he retired from teaching. Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese is a powerful story about a boy (16 years old) who is summoned by his father (who he does not really know) to come and take him up into the mountains of norther Canada to die.  Sounds pretty upbeat, huh?  I am 110 pages in and have to say that the book is incredibly well-written and very deeply beautiful (and hard).  My own father passed away two years ago yesterday.  I visited his grave with my own two boys and we talked about our memories of "gramps."  As I read this book, I can't help be think about how I can best honor those people in my life who are older and wiser than me.  If I slow down and actually take the time to listen, perhaps I will be able to gain some of the vast depths of wisdom that they have to offer.  Deep read.  Good read.  Keep reading, friends.

Rick Riordan

Many moons ago I read the Percy Jackson series and like most everyone else...LOVED THEM.  I went on to read the Hero's of Olympus series and now have picked up the Trials of Apollo.  Book #4 just came out in late September.  My friend got me a copy and I read The Tyrants Tomb in a couple days.  It was super fun.  I loved the series and am eager for the 5th and final book to come out in the fall of 2020.  Guess till then I just have to, like everyone else, wait. Keep reading, friends.

Talon

What a fun series I just read.  The Talon Series by Julie Kagawa was such a fun read.  It is five books that are easy to read, packed with adventure, and proposes a world that is fascinating to think about.  Without giving too much away...the story is about dragons.  Dragons that live among humans posing as humans themselves.  It is about an organization that makes it their mission to seek out, hunt, and destroy all dragons.  Over the course of the five books: Talon, Rogue, Soldier, Legion, and Inferno, Kagawa creates unbelievable plot twists and really fun, creative characters.  If you are looking for a fun easy to read adventure story...check out Talon.

Lockwood and Company

All I can say is that I absolutely LOVED this series.  Finished up book five this weekend and it was marvelous.  Friends, dive into the series. It is really well written and is a super fun and creative read.  ENJOY.  I picked up a new series (to me) called Talon, by Julie Kagawa.  I will let you know how it goes.  Keep reading, friends

Terrible

That is what I have been - terrible at posting....

So here goes.  I tried to read lots this summer and did pretty well.

My favorite thing that I read was the Lockwood and Company series by Jonathan Stroud.  They are in the library and if you like Sherlock Holmes I believe that you will enjoy the 5 books in this series.

I have also read a number of other books this summer including:

Legacy - 15 lessons in Leadership,  by James Kerr
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni
The Butterfly Effect, by Andy Andrews

Currently, I am back to Stroud and am reading the Bartimaeus Trilogy.  I really enjoy his writing style and am just finishing up book #2.  Looking forward to seeing how he wraps up the trilogy.

Enjoy and keep reading, friends.

Lots of books...

I certainly have read lots of them...but have failed in my efforts to write/review them.  Here is a list of the books that I've read lately.  Feel free to read them; they are excellent.

1) The Gatekeepers series (5 books) by Anthony Horrowitz
2) Shelter by (I forget)
3) Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
4) Delicate Monsters by (I forget)

Dive in and keep reading friends,

Blessings,

Too Long

Sorry that it has been so long since my last update.  I have been reading...lots.  I kind of got on a Brandon Mull kick and read basically everything he has written.  I ready the "Beyonders" trilogy and then dove into the five books of his "Five Kingdoms."  I you enjoy fantasy and new worlds that are both unique and fascinating, dive into Brandon Mull.  He is a gifted writer (geared mostly towards middle/early high school readers).  I have taken a break from fantasy (my favorite) and have read "Night" (memoir), but Elie Wiesel and have now picked up "Wildman" by j.c. geiger.  I will let you know where this book takes me.  Blessings, friends.

The Beyonders

Excited to begin an new trilogy!  The Beyonders is a series written by Brandon Mull (author of Fablehaven).  I really enjoy his writing style and look forward to reading this trilogy as I have heard really good things about it.  Last night I sat down and was able to read the first 57 pages of book #1 and have to say that I am intrigued.  It seems a bit middle schoolish....but I am not much more mature than that anyway.  Jason, our main character, ends up in a new world (think Narnia like) and has found himself seeking after the "key word" that can defeat the evils emperor.  All he really wants to do is return home to take care of his dog, but he cannot deny his quest and role to be the HERO.  I look forward to seeing where Mull takes me.  Keep reading friends!!

Prodigy

So I am REALLY enjoying this series (Legend) by Marie Lu.  I had to stop yesterday 40 pages from the end of book two...bummer.  I will finish it up tonight and begin reading book three, Champion as soon as I can.  If you are looking for a book series that is high action and easy to read, dive into this one.  I am so very intrigued to see where Miss Lu is going to take me in the final book.  Right now I have no idea who are the "good guys" and who are the "bad guys"- I guess that is a sign of some really good writing (or really bad writing)....Stay tuned.  And as always...Keep reading friends!!