I am going to point out my top 10 books of 2017. I will link them to the pages I reviewed them so if you are interested in learning what they are about, you can check that out.
Here we go -in no particular order
Breathe To Read
Sunday, December 31, 2017
2017 in Review
Well - I didn't make my challenge of 75 books this year. I came close and read 67. Moving does in fact impact my ability to get reading done. Lesson learned.
I am going to point out my top 10 books of 2017. I will link them to the pages I reviewed them so if you are interested in learning what they are about, you can check that out.
Here we go -in no particular order
I am going to point out my top 10 books of 2017. I will link them to the pages I reviewed them so if you are interested in learning what they are about, you can check that out.
Here we go -in no particular order
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
2017 Challenge - Book #67 - A Storm of Swords
Finally finished Game of Thrones book 3 - A Storm of Swords. It was 1100 pages, so it took awhile.
I love these books. George R.R. Martin is an incredible writer.
Category - none! Wanted to read it
This is the continuing saga where the 5 contenders of power have become 4. Joffrey - of house Lannister - is the king of King's Landing and sits on the Iron Throne. He is a boy of 13, but is vicious and mean. He was engaged to Sansa Stark to unite the north and the south, but after Eddard Stark is considered a traitor and is killed, the engagement is broken off. Joffrey becomes engaged to Margery of house Tyrell from High Garden. Lord Stannis has been defeated. King Robb of Winterfell and house Stark holds the north and is winning all his battles. Daenerys of house Targareyn is making her way across the continent with her three dragons.
In the mist of the battles, another rages beyond the wall. Jon Snow and the Black have found the king beyond the wall, the wildings, and the Others. The Others are the living dead who seem to be unstoppable. King Robb and Catelyn must attend a wedding at the Freys to make amends when Robb marries someone other than who he is told to. Arya is trying to make her way back home, but she continues to be captured. Jaime Lannister is being taken back to King's Landing in exchange for the safe return of Sansa to Winterfell.
Who will be left standing?
I loved this book. It was action packed. Death everywhere. Two more kings will fall. Alliances are forged. John Snow is no longer just the Bastard of Winterfell, but the head commander of the Wall. Even though it was 1100 pages, there were days I would read over 100 because the sequence was just too good to stop.
If you love the TV series, you will love the books even more.
Stars: 5
I love these books. George R.R. Martin is an incredible writer.
Category - none! Wanted to read it
This is the continuing saga where the 5 contenders of power have become 4. Joffrey - of house Lannister - is the king of King's Landing and sits on the Iron Throne. He is a boy of 13, but is vicious and mean. He was engaged to Sansa Stark to unite the north and the south, but after Eddard Stark is considered a traitor and is killed, the engagement is broken off. Joffrey becomes engaged to Margery of house Tyrell from High Garden. Lord Stannis has been defeated. King Robb of Winterfell and house Stark holds the north and is winning all his battles. Daenerys of house Targareyn is making her way across the continent with her three dragons.
In the mist of the battles, another rages beyond the wall. Jon Snow and the Black have found the king beyond the wall, the wildings, and the Others. The Others are the living dead who seem to be unstoppable. King Robb and Catelyn must attend a wedding at the Freys to make amends when Robb marries someone other than who he is told to. Arya is trying to make her way back home, but she continues to be captured. Jaime Lannister is being taken back to King's Landing in exchange for the safe return of Sansa to Winterfell.
Who will be left standing?
I loved this book. It was action packed. Death everywhere. Two more kings will fall. Alliances are forged. John Snow is no longer just the Bastard of Winterfell, but the head commander of the Wall. Even though it was 1100 pages, there were days I would read over 100 because the sequence was just too good to stop.
If you love the TV series, you will love the books even more.
Stars: 5
Saturday, December 2, 2017
2017 Challenge - Book #66 - Diary of Anne Frank
Today's book: Diary of Anne Frank
Category: I read it to my kids so it counts
This is the story of a Jewish girl who hid in an Annex in Amsterdam during WWII. She and her family went into hiding. She was 13 at the time she started the diary and went into hiding. For two years, her family and several others, kid in a small Annex until they were betrayed. The diary is almost a daily account of Anne's life in the Annex and her feelings about all the people that are there with her.
This, of course, is a classic. I haven't read it since I was in the 8th grade. I still find it amazing that it is required reading among middle schools in the US, and - of course - here with us here in Switzerland. The kids have been really into the story, and asking a lot of questions. And our plan will be to take them to Amsterdam in the spring to see the Anne Frank house. It is great that we can take a story from a book and show them in real life.
If for some reason, you have never read this book - or it has been a long time since you have - pick it up. I think it is good to be reminded - especially in today's climate - what can happen when power falls into the wrong hands.
Stars: 5
Category: I read it to my kids so it counts
This is the story of a Jewish girl who hid in an Annex in Amsterdam during WWII. She and her family went into hiding. She was 13 at the time she started the diary and went into hiding. For two years, her family and several others, kid in a small Annex until they were betrayed. The diary is almost a daily account of Anne's life in the Annex and her feelings about all the people that are there with her.
This, of course, is a classic. I haven't read it since I was in the 8th grade. I still find it amazing that it is required reading among middle schools in the US, and - of course - here with us here in Switzerland. The kids have been really into the story, and asking a lot of questions. And our plan will be to take them to Amsterdam in the spring to see the Anne Frank house. It is great that we can take a story from a book and show them in real life.
If for some reason, you have never read this book - or it has been a long time since you have - pick it up. I think it is good to be reminded - especially in today's climate - what can happen when power falls into the wrong hands.
Stars: 5
Thursday, November 30, 2017
2017 Challenge - Book #65 - Artemis
Today's review is for: Artemis
Category: New book by Andy Weir (who wrote the Martian. Which was a great book)
This is the story of a girl named Jazz who leaves in the Lunar town of Artemis on the moon. She has lived there since she was 6 years old with her father. She is brilliant but a slacker. She lives in near poverty because she refuses to get a steady job. Right now she moves contraband and does odd jobs for money. She has become friends with a Billionare who wants her to sabotage a Lunar business so that he can take over. It is risky and dangerous, but she wants the money, so she agrees to do it.
The heist starts her down a path that uncovers a conspiracy that has been in the works on Artemis. It puts her life, and the lives of people she loves, in danger. She gets in way over her head, but with the help of her friends she helps to bring down a cartel that could have ruined her existence on the moon forever.
This was a good book. Andy Weir, no doubt, is a great writer. The book is smart, and funny. It isn't a hard read, and it kept me entertained until the end. I didn't want to put it down.
If you read the Martian, read this book. If you didn't read the Martian, read that AND this book.
Stars: 5
Category: New book by Andy Weir (who wrote the Martian. Which was a great book)
This is the story of a girl named Jazz who leaves in the Lunar town of Artemis on the moon. She has lived there since she was 6 years old with her father. She is brilliant but a slacker. She lives in near poverty because she refuses to get a steady job. Right now she moves contraband and does odd jobs for money. She has become friends with a Billionare who wants her to sabotage a Lunar business so that he can take over. It is risky and dangerous, but she wants the money, so she agrees to do it.
The heist starts her down a path that uncovers a conspiracy that has been in the works on Artemis. It puts her life, and the lives of people she loves, in danger. She gets in way over her head, but with the help of her friends she helps to bring down a cartel that could have ruined her existence on the moon forever.
This was a good book. Andy Weir, no doubt, is a great writer. The book is smart, and funny. It isn't a hard read, and it kept me entertained until the end. I didn't want to put it down.
If you read the Martian, read this book. If you didn't read the Martian, read that AND this book.
Stars: 5
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
2017 Challenge - Book #64 - The Book Thief
Another book off list - I am a maniac!
Today's review is for: The Book Thief
No category except it was on my list to read last year and I didn't get to it.
This is the story of Liesel Meminger who is living in Munich Germany in 1939. Her mother took she and her brother on a train to a foster family to keep them safe during the war. Her brother got sick and died on the journey, so Liesel is all alone when she shows up. Her foster father is kind and generous, and her foster mother is hard and stubborn. Each night, Liesel wakes with nightmares and her dad comes in to comfort her. Eventually she shows him a book that she stole when they buried her brother called "The Grave Diggers Handbook". This starts Liesels love of books and her father starts to teach her to read.
Over the course of her years with her foster family she steals several more books, is invited to the Mayors house to read whenever she wants, watches bombs fall on her city, and helps her parents hide a Jew. In a time when all books were being burned by Hitler and the Nazis, Leisel was trying her best to save them.
I loved this book. LOVED it. Probably one of the best reads I have read this year. It was well written, and had a great message. I have read a lot of WWII books, and this was among the best.
Don't miss it.
Stars: 5
Today's review is for: The Book Thief
No category except it was on my list to read last year and I didn't get to it.
This is the story of Liesel Meminger who is living in Munich Germany in 1939. Her mother took she and her brother on a train to a foster family to keep them safe during the war. Her brother got sick and died on the journey, so Liesel is all alone when she shows up. Her foster father is kind and generous, and her foster mother is hard and stubborn. Each night, Liesel wakes with nightmares and her dad comes in to comfort her. Eventually she shows him a book that she stole when they buried her brother called "The Grave Diggers Handbook". This starts Liesels love of books and her father starts to teach her to read.
Over the course of her years with her foster family she steals several more books, is invited to the Mayors house to read whenever she wants, watches bombs fall on her city, and helps her parents hide a Jew. In a time when all books were being burned by Hitler and the Nazis, Leisel was trying her best to save them.
I loved this book. LOVED it. Probably one of the best reads I have read this year. It was well written, and had a great message. I have read a lot of WWII books, and this was among the best.
Don't miss it.
Stars: 5
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
2017 Challenge - Book #63 - Norse Mythology
Okay -time for me to go rogue. I am going off script for the rest of the year because 1) I do not have easy access to many of the books I had on my list now that I am in Switzerland and don't really want to buy them and 2) because I want to.
The books that are left on my challenge are not possible at this point in the year. And frankly - I don't know how much I REALLY wanted to read them - they were just fitting snuggly into some of the categories I chose. But this move has taught me one thing - I cannot get many English speaking books in a German speaking country, so I am going to have to improvise.
And here we are.
Todays' review is for: Norse Mythology
No category. Unless you call it :my son had this book on his shelf and it looked interesting.
This is a collection of short stories true to Norse pantheon. The stories center around Thor, Loki, and Odin. The stories are about forming the world, creation of Yggdrasil, how Odin lost an eye, the god's treasures, Loki's children, Thor and the giants, Balder's death, Ragnarok, The author puts his own twists on the old myths, but stays true to the stories.
This was a pretty good book. It is a good book for the 11-17 age range, and if your child is a fan of Thor, then it is definitely a good choice. Thor is definitely the comic relief of these stories. They are silly, over the top, and enjoyable.
I say try it out!
Stars: 4
The books that are left on my challenge are not possible at this point in the year. And frankly - I don't know how much I REALLY wanted to read them - they were just fitting snuggly into some of the categories I chose. But this move has taught me one thing - I cannot get many English speaking books in a German speaking country, so I am going to have to improvise.
And here we are.
Todays' review is for: Norse Mythology
No category. Unless you call it :my son had this book on his shelf and it looked interesting.
This is a collection of short stories true to Norse pantheon. The stories center around Thor, Loki, and Odin. The stories are about forming the world, creation of Yggdrasil, how Odin lost an eye, the god's treasures, Loki's children, Thor and the giants, Balder's death, Ragnarok, The author puts his own twists on the old myths, but stays true to the stories.
This was a pretty good book. It is a good book for the 11-17 age range, and if your child is a fan of Thor, then it is definitely a good choice. Thor is definitely the comic relief of these stories. They are silly, over the top, and enjoyable.
I say try it out!
Stars: 4
Sunday, November 19, 2017
2017 Challenge - Book #62 - Three Wishes
Today's review is for: Three Wishes
It was under the category: A Book You Borrowed from Someone
This is the story of a set of triplets named Cat, Lynn and Gemma. The 33 year old women all live close to each other, but their lives could not be more different. Gemma - who has never been in a relationship longer than 6 months - thinks she might have found "the one". Lynn - who has a young daughter and a step daughter - is trying to balance a full career and being a mom and a good wife. And Cat - who desperately wants to have a baby - just found out her husband is sleeping with someone else and wants a divorce. They are the product of divorced parents who have never quite gotten along. Their mom was only 17 when she found out she was having triplets, and the marriage didn't last long after that. The girls grew up splitting their time between two parents whom they never felt close to, and always relied on each other for comfort.
This was a sweet book. IT was an easy read, and fun. Liane Moriarty is a great author and I have enjoyed many of her books over the last couple of years. The characters were likeable and well developed. It does have a recurring theme from her other books (divorce, cheating spouses, infertility), but that didn't make it less enjoyable.
If you are looking for a Chick-Lit book, this is a good one.
Stars: 4
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