More Mythology!

Yes, I am hooked into another series! I can't believe it, but I have just been sucked into this set of books so far that I can't even think of not finishing the whole set. Again, I am reading another fantasy book, but this time the fantasy world deals with the Olympians or Greek gods. If you enjoy mythology or if you enjoy trying to get a grasp on Greek myths, you are in for a real treat...if not, steer clear!

The Sea of Monsters is similar to The Lightning Thief in that Percy is on another quest, but it is the quest that is different. In the last book, he was on a quest to retrieve Zeus' lightning bolt from the "lightning thief", to save his camp and to save the world. In this book, Percy has to travel to the "Sea of Monsters" to again save his camp, to save his best friend and to save the world as we know it. Like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson is the hero that returns to the fantasy land repeatedly to save the day. It is an incredibly adventurous story told over and over again where the hero takes his journey to save the world. A story we never get tired of reading. Let me know what you think.

This is how I see it...

Wicked, Lovely or Wicked Lovely?

I read this book this summer. I was looking for some poolside reading material, so I asked one of my favorite experts, Valerie, the owner of Blue Willow Bookstore. She told me that this was a "must read". I had just finished Eclipse from the Twilight series and the seventh book from the Harry Potter series. It was not going to be easy to find a book that impressed me.

This book did not blow my doors, knock my socks off or whatever else you want to say to describe an incredible book. I am still not sure if it is because of my high expectations or what? After thinking about this book for awhile, I am realizing that it was really much better than the credit I gave it.

This is another fantasy book. If you were looking for something different, I am sorry to disappoint you. I have obviously been stuck in a particular genre lately. If you like this genre, I think you will enjoy it. If not, pass on this particular book. It is way more fantastic than Twilight or Harry Potter. The world of fantasy in this book is a bit difficult to grasp at first. The unrealistic part of the book is about fairies. These are not the fairies that you have read about in fairy tales. Some of these fairies are just down right mean! (Hence the title...Wicked Lovely) As you are reading this book, you really do not like the fairies, but like the main character you are drawn to them, curious about them. It all ends well, so I admit that I enjoyed the book. Another ending and I would have said otherwise. If this at all intrigues you, try it. Let me know what you think.

This is how I see it...

Is Mythology Making a Comeback?

I was surprised to find that the topic of one of the most popular books to be checked out in the library at sbms, The Lightning Thief, was mythology! When I realized what this book was about, I put it on the top of the list of books to read this year. I am disappointed that it is not on the reading list for this year because I really think that it would make a nice addition to our mythology unit.

If you really liked the Harry Potter series or the Chronicles of Narnia, this may be the book series for you. It has the same type of plot line, the hero's journey, but I would have to say this book has a more trendy vocabulary and moves quite quickly. In comparison, the other books are slow paced. It also helps to understand some of the mythology that we learned last year in sixth grade. If you have forgotten all of that, this could be a fun way for you to "brush up" on your mythology facts.

I started reading this book a few weeks ago and I just can't put it down! The only reason it was not finished in record time is that I promised my youngest daughter that we would read it together. We both LOVE it! So if you are looking for a novel to read, go buy or check out The Lightning Thief. You won't be sorry!

This is how I see it...

Believe It or Not!

Believe it or not, I finally finished Breaking Dawn! Unusually, this novel is divided into three distinct sections. Each section of this book switches the view point in which the story is told. The first and third sections are told by Bella Swan, who told the stories in Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. The second section switches the point of view to her best friend, Jacob Black.

This was a very long novel that had trouble holding my attention for the first section, but my desire to find out what happens grew with each section; however, I really wasn't "hooked" until half-way through the third section. This is a long time to wait to really "get into" any book. Because of my obession with the first three books, I was determined to force myself to trudge through to the bitter end of this final book of the series and it eventually paid off.

I really thought this book was a complete let down from Meyer's other books, but in the end I felt that she finally redeemed herself. I heard there was a huge uproar about the ending of the book, but I am really not sure what that was all about. In my opinion, Meyer brought the plot of this story full circle back to the beginning. Without this ending, I really don't think the rest of the book would have made sense.

Though I really didn't see where she was going with some of the controversial parts of this book and quite frankly didn't really agree or like them; I really don't think she could have sufficiently ended this series without these awkward turn of events. I would not have made the same choices in the plot of the story, but I have to admit that the novel works itself out in the end. If you have been following Bella and Edward's story all along, I do not think that the ending will disappoint. This is how I see it, but in the end what I really want to know is....

This is how I see it...

Lovely Bones...Lovely, Lovely Not?

This summer, the first book I read was Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. I never really would have picked up this New York Times Bestseller, except that Stephenie Meyer, author of Twilight, mentioned it was one of her favorite books. Since I enjoyed the Twilight series so much, I figured that I would like the book that she liked. I was not disappointed.

This book is not your typical run of the mill young adult novel. I will warn you that this book is not for everyone. There are parts of it that are disturbing and gruesome, but her perspective of writing this book is so unique it is intriguing. This is one of those books that you just can't put down. It is told from the point of view of a dead victim that is already in heaven. Don't worry, that is not a spoiler. The reader knows this from the very beginning. The entire novel you are destined to read on to solve the mystery of her murder, while you watch the results it has on her family and friends. I will not tell more, so I won't ruin this must read for you mystery buffs. The ending is not one that I anticipated, but I liked the book all the same. This read is an experience. I give it two thumbs up. If you have read this book, let me know what you think.

This is how I see it...

Breaking Dawn, breaking news?

I know all of you know how much I love the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I have not made that a secret. I think I have read excerpts from the book Twilight to every class that I taught last year. Most of you are quite aware that I have been waiting and waiting for the last book in the series to finally come out August 2nd! Matter of fact, just like I did with the HP series, I waited in line at midnight at Blue Willow Bookstore to be one of the first to get a copy of Breaking Dawn.

I started reading the book the day after it came out. I have to say, it was not what I expected. I have read "Bella's Story", but I would have to say I am having difficulty making it through "Jacob's Story". I will be the first one to admit that I have never been a big fan of Jacob Black, but that really isn't the issue with me and this book. I am tired of Bella's contrary attitude and Jacob's whining and fussing about the "blood suckers". I say, "Jacob, just get over it already and move on!" As for Bella, how do you get the "perfect guy"and still find a way to be unhappy and contradictory? I just don't get it and I'm tired of reading about it.

Unlike Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse which I read in 3 days each. I'm still not finished with this book. As I mentioned, I got it on August 2nd and I am still trudging through it. After all of the hoopla about this book, I want to know one thing. What do you think?

This is how I see it...