The Hobbit

After a long break from blogging I'm back and trying to do a few more.... perhaps a short clips will help. I recently had the chance to finish The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. This is one that has been on my mental "to read" list for a while.

Let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story of Bilbo is a very different adventure than Lord of the Rings. Bilbo is a very creative hobbit who ends up helping himself and his friends on their adventure. He runs into trouble and ends up saving the day several times. Bilbo's travels through Middle Earth give you a little picture of different areas and people. You meet the eagles, encounter Gollum, and a dragon in his lair. This was a fun quick read and I plan to move onto the LOTR trilogy soon. Also, I am pleased to announce that The Hobbit is being made into a movie in 2012. Can't wait!

Ender's Game

 If you know me very well, you are aware that I like to read a little fantasy/sci-fi. I enjoy reading stories about imaginary worlds - and I ESPECIALLY enjoy it if it is a young adult/youth adventure. Now that I am married, moved, starting to get settled, and working a new job, I am able to get back into the flow of reading - or listening - to books. I am working a temporary position at a warehouse doing data entry. It is clearly not an exciting job - but there are a couple of great parts. #1 I get to wear jeans. #2 I get to listen to audiobooks and podcasts all day long. Woo hoo!

One of the most recent audiobooks I have downloaded is Ender's Game. This was a great read. The premise of the book is that the world is 50+ years past defeating an alien invasion. Tensions are high and the international confederation is trying to prepare for another offense. In order to defeat the enemy they are looking for just the right soldiers and they must be trained. They search for the most intelligent and capable children and send them off to battle school.

This is the story of Ender. He leaves for military school at age 6 and is destined to become one of the world's greatest commanders. A great read. Orson Scott Card is an author I am really loving these days.

All Quiet on the Western Front

 This is one of those books that I have intended to read for a long time. It tells the story of a young German soldier who is in the trenches of World War I. This book is a must read for anyone with a desire to understand the war. I have learned about the battles and some of the horrors of the Great War in my history classes. Reading this book is taking a front row seat into the mind and experience of someone who was there. The author's perspective of the young German solider is a statement about why men fought and how they came to feel that war was nothing but a horror that people in power orchestrated. It is also a message about the strong bond between soldiers. I was very moved by this book and I highly recommend it!

My favorite quote:

...these voices, they are more than motherliness and more than fear; they are the strongest, most comforting thing there is anywhere: they are the voices of my comrades. 

Happy Wednesday

Hello! For the two people who may occasionally check out this blog of mine.. hi. I have been back in full swing in the substituting business and having a good but busy week. Phil is done with tax season so I've been able to hang out with my boyfriend for a change too! Yay. Between being in elementary and special ed classrooms, and spending time with the world's best guy, and tutoring... I have barely had time to read a few pages - let alone blog. :) However I am itching for some down time to read, write and catch up on a few tv  shows. More to come soon!

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bronte. Penguin Classics. 576 pages.

This classic has been on my "to read" list for a LONG time. Most everyone knows the basic idea.... Jane Eyre is a pitiful orphan. Her late uncle's terrible wife treats her as a despised servant and sends her to a girl's orphanage. She grows up a solitary and somewhat tragic figure until one day she takes a position as governess at Thornfield. Enter Mr. Rochester. With Rochester and the comfort of Thornfield Jane begins to develop her first positive relationships and falls in love for the first time. Alas there is secret trouble at Thornfield and Jane must face a few demons before she is able to realize dreams and go on with her life. This Gothic classic is full of strong emotions, rich characters and brings you to a world that is not soon forgotten.

I LOVED Jane Eyre. I was surprised to discover this because I had previously been discouraged with the story because it is depressing in points. I enjoyed the emotion of this book. It actually made me despair and laugh and be anxious in turn. The resolution of the story was very fitting and I left this book satisfied with the journey. Jane Eyre has a different appeal than Pride and Prejudice. It is more intense and dramatic. I especially loved the character of Mr. Rochester. I finished my reading of this story by watching the newer BBC version of the book. It was great and I have added a link above.

Wednesday's Challenge Update!

It is 12 x 12 challenge time. I am working on my goal of reading 7 books by 7 different authors by the end of April. Here is what I have read so far:

• The Host: A Novel by Stephanie Meyer (see my review)
• The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield (see my review)
• Incarceron (Incarceron, Book 1) by Catherine Fisher (see my review)
• Jane Eyre - Literary Touchstone Classic by Charlotte Bronte
• The Iron King (Harlequin Teen) by Julie Kagawa

As you can see I am on a roll with these books. I am back to substitute teaching as of today so I don't know if I'll be able to read as much in May - but for now I am moving happily along with my pile from the library. I am determined not to borrow any more until I have made a large dent in this pile. 

Today I got a new book in the mail (compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishing) to review. It looks fabulous and I can't wait to get to it. It is called Never Let you Go. It is a suspense/thriller by a Christian author and recommended by Ted Dekker. I will be posting about it soon! 

Incarceron

Incarceron. Catherine Fisher. 2007. Hodder Children's Books. 464 pages.

Incarceron is a mysterious prison that is hidden from the outside world. In ages past it was sealed and since then no one has gone in or out. The prisoners of Incarceron have a dismal existence and are forced to live in primitive groups in order to survive. The prison is always adapting and appears to be almost alive. There are rumors in the outside world about its location, purpose and state, but the prison has been forgotten by time and is under the control of the warden. One of the prisoners, Finn, has no memories of his past.  He has visions of images that leave him to believe that he came from outside the prison.

This story takes place in a kingdom that is bound by law to live in a past era. Their advanced technology is used to preserve a perfect state of medieval life. This life includes a ruthless queen, a wayward prince, and a court full of secrets. In just a matter of days Claudia is being forced to marry the prince and become a pawn in the hands of her father, the warden of Incarceron. The warden is a harsh man who is feared by all and who has been planning Claudia's life and future since childhood. With Claudia's last few days of freedom she determines to locate the prison and discover what it is that her father is hiding. She finds a strange key that allows her to communicate with Finn in the prison. Claudia and Finn set out on a race against time to escape from Incarceron and uncover secrets that will free them and the kingdom.

I really enjoyed this book. It was futuristic, but in the past at the same time. The characters were really interesting. I liked Finn's tortured life and his unknown past that kept pushing him to escape. He was a hero who didn't quite know what he was supposed to do. I also enjoyed Claudia's character as she tried to maneuver through the burdens of court and dealing with her father. Claudia is strong and smart and capable and is trying to make one last effort at freedom before she much join the court. Everyone in this world lives with  secrets and though they are all masquerading as medieval nobles, their technology allows for more intrigue and danger. This was a good fantasy read and I am definitely looking forward to the sequel!