By Suzanne Collins
The third of the trilogy. My least favorite of the three, but a great conclusion! Very intriguing to fit all the pieces together. Once again, a MUST READ!!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Book # 13 & 14: The Hunger Games & Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins
WARNING: If you begin this book, you won't put it down until you have read at least the first TWO books of the trilogy. Especially The Hunger Games has that non-stop suspense that makes you neglect every household and bodily need. Forget food--you join the tributes as you also starve because you can't put the book down to go get nourishment. Luckily, each of these can be finished in a day, so as long as you don't read all three directly in a row you can recoup in between.
A must read though! Thrilling! Loved it! Can't wait to start book three!
WARNING: If you begin this book, you won't put it down until you have read at least the first TWO books of the trilogy. Especially The Hunger Games has that non-stop suspense that makes you neglect every household and bodily need. Forget food--you join the tributes as you also starve because you can't put the book down to go get nourishment. Luckily, each of these can be finished in a day, so as long as you don't read all three directly in a row you can recoup in between.
A must read though! Thrilling! Loved it! Can't wait to start book three!
Book # 12: My Antonia
by Willa Cather
Not a bad read. A tad predictable and anticlimatic. A good one to discuss at a book club, etc, as I can totally see having to read it in high school English. The story of a boy who loves a girl, even through her downfall and salvation. A typical theme, but well written.
Not a bad read. A tad predictable and anticlimatic. A good one to discuss at a book club, etc, as I can totally see having to read it in high school English. The story of a boy who loves a girl, even through her downfall and salvation. A typical theme, but well written.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Book # 11: Cranford
by Elizabeth Gaskell
My ibook app on my iphone is revolutionizing my reading. I received a Nook for Christmas, but kindly returned it as I didn't really want to spend that much money on something I could technically access on my iphone. That was the motivator though to have me download some reading apps. All of the Elizabeth Gaskell books are free on these apps, so expect more of them and the other classics.
This book was frankly boring! It's written in first person by someone decribing the town of Cranford and it's inhabitants and their lives. It is readable, but not something you can't put down. This is good with three kids as I'm in no way neglecting them or my household duties to finish it, but this created a feeling of wasting my time (which is limited) by reading something not so worth reading.
My ibook app on my iphone is revolutionizing my reading. I received a Nook for Christmas, but kindly returned it as I didn't really want to spend that much money on something I could technically access on my iphone. That was the motivator though to have me download some reading apps. All of the Elizabeth Gaskell books are free on these apps, so expect more of them and the other classics.
This book was frankly boring! It's written in first person by someone decribing the town of Cranford and it's inhabitants and their lives. It is readable, but not something you can't put down. This is good with three kids as I'm in no way neglecting them or my household duties to finish it, but this created a feeling of wasting my time (which is limited) by reading something not so worth reading.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Book # 10: North and South
by Elizabeth Gaskell
I decided to try her other books since I enjoyed Wives and Daughters. This book was okay. It took me until the end to figure out what it was missing, and then it hit me. In this book and in Wives and Daughters the female protagonists spend the largest part of their story without the man that they fall in love with. They think about the man, and the man might think about them, but largely their stories play out separately. North and South was hugely that way. They banter in the beginning; he declares his love, then they separate until the last two chapters of the book. While Pride and Prejudice had a similar hate to love relationship, the main characters were forced to interact. This interaction is what I enjoy, thus this book was only okay. Just as they were on speaking terms again, the book ends.
I decided to try her other books since I enjoyed Wives and Daughters. This book was okay. It took me until the end to figure out what it was missing, and then it hit me. In this book and in Wives and Daughters the female protagonists spend the largest part of their story without the man that they fall in love with. They think about the man, and the man might think about them, but largely their stories play out separately. North and South was hugely that way. They banter in the beginning; he declares his love, then they separate until the last two chapters of the book. While Pride and Prejudice had a similar hate to love relationship, the main characters were forced to interact. This interaction is what I enjoy, thus this book was only okay. Just as they were on speaking terms again, the book ends.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Book # 9: Treating Epilepsy Naturally
by Patricia A. Murphy
I skipped a chapter or two because they weren't relevant to my son's condition. Overall, it was an okay book to supplement my knowledge of other options when treating epilepsy. Not a book I would stress for someone to read who will only read one or two books about epilepsy. The author took a very different perspective from others I have read, which was nice to get another view. It was definitely an overview of treatments, as nothing was gone over with a lot of detail. And frankly, I'm in that detail stage, so it was not the most useful to me at the time. I could definitely see an adult struggling with epilepsy benefiting from reading this book as it gives things they would be more readily able to control.
I skipped a chapter or two because they weren't relevant to my son's condition. Overall, it was an okay book to supplement my knowledge of other options when treating epilepsy. Not a book I would stress for someone to read who will only read one or two books about epilepsy. The author took a very different perspective from others I have read, which was nice to get another view. It was definitely an overview of treatments, as nothing was gone over with a lot of detail. And frankly, I'm in that detail stage, so it was not the most useful to me at the time. I could definitely see an adult struggling with epilepsy benefiting from reading this book as it gives things they would be more readily able to control.
Book # 8: Wives and Daughters
by Elizabeth Gaskell
If you like Jane Austen, then pick up this book. While it is unfinished (the author passed away before completing it), you can see where the story is going. My copy had an article at the end describing what the author had told others she was planning to write. It is very well written, and has a similar feel to the lesser read books by Jane Austen. It is no "Pride and Prejudice" as only Darcy and Elizabeth can duel it out with words, but the characters are intriguing and worth discussion. There is a movie version on Netflix (instant) as well, and I actually watched the movie before reading the book. Obviously the movie has an ending, so if you can't imagine the book's ending, you could always watch the movie afterwards.
And might I say that this book has hooked me on reading again. I want to read again, and have been leaving the TV off to do so. :)
If you like Jane Austen, then pick up this book. While it is unfinished (the author passed away before completing it), you can see where the story is going. My copy had an article at the end describing what the author had told others she was planning to write. It is very well written, and has a similar feel to the lesser read books by Jane Austen. It is no "Pride and Prejudice" as only Darcy and Elizabeth can duel it out with words, but the characters are intriguing and worth discussion. There is a movie version on Netflix (instant) as well, and I actually watched the movie before reading the book. Obviously the movie has an ending, so if you can't imagine the book's ending, you could always watch the movie afterwards.
And might I say that this book has hooked me on reading again. I want to read again, and have been leaving the TV off to do so. :)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Book # 7: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
I found this at TJ Maxx, and had been curious to read it since I first heard of it. I have an Elementary Education degree and have always enjoyed reading children's books. This one was okay. Definitely something I can see the boys in the class enjoying. The cartoons added nicely to the read. Not one I would choose for all the kids, and not one I would read aloud. But something I'd keep on the shelves in the classroom, and pick out for the boys in the class that were struggling with a desire to read.
I found this at TJ Maxx, and had been curious to read it since I first heard of it. I have an Elementary Education degree and have always enjoyed reading children's books. This one was okay. Definitely something I can see the boys in the class enjoying. The cartoons added nicely to the read. Not one I would choose for all the kids, and not one I would read aloud. But something I'd keep on the shelves in the classroom, and pick out for the boys in the class that were struggling with a desire to read.
Book # 6: Ketogenic Diets
Treatments for Epilepsy and Other Disorders
by Eric H. Kossoff and others
Once again I'm stuck reading medical books to try to better understand my son and where we may end up. We've tried multiple drugs, but as of two weeks ago nothing was working. We are currently in a seizure free stretch, so I am hoping we might be done with all of this, but who knows. If seizures do start up again, then we will be going with the ketogenic diet as there are no real medicine options left. So expect a number of ketogenic diet books to be on here in the next month or so.
by Eric H. Kossoff and others
Once again I'm stuck reading medical books to try to better understand my son and where we may end up. We've tried multiple drugs, but as of two weeks ago nothing was working. We are currently in a seizure free stretch, so I am hoping we might be done with all of this, but who knows. If seizures do start up again, then we will be going with the ketogenic diet as there are no real medicine options left. So expect a number of ketogenic diet books to be on here in the next month or so.
Book # 5: The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
So I took a break from Bible reading when we went to the beach in June. I've been in a rut lately with reading in generally, and I thought switching topics might help. I've had a number of people recommend this book, and with the movie coming out in the fall, I thought I had better read it soon.
Overall, it was a good book. It kept my interest, and I was really intrigued in the topic. To be honest, I kind of wanted to read the actual book that Skeeter, one of the main characters, published instead. The ending also left me hanging a tad too much. I know it gave clues as to where they would end up, but a follow up chapter would have been nice. But I would recommend it.
So I took a break from Bible reading when we went to the beach in June. I've been in a rut lately with reading in generally, and I thought switching topics might help. I've had a number of people recommend this book, and with the movie coming out in the fall, I thought I had better read it soon.
Overall, it was a good book. It kept my interest, and I was really intrigued in the topic. To be honest, I kind of wanted to read the actual book that Skeeter, one of the main characters, published instead. The ending also left me hanging a tad too much. I know it gave clues as to where they would end up, but a follow up chapter would have been nice. But I would recommend it.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Bible update
Just for the record: I am reading the Orthodox Study Bible. It is actually longer than the Protestant or Catholic versions. I just started reading 1st Maccabee (page 600). I would highly recommend getting a copy as the book Tobit was amazing! It was a direct reference and comparison to Christ. It has left me puzzled as to why it is not included in all Bibles. The book of Judith was also intriguing, so I'd recommend that one as well.
Book # 4: Infantile Spasms
Diagnosis, Management, Prognosis
By James D. Frost Jr. and Richard A. Hrachovy
So the diagnosis of epilepsy for my son moved to infantile spasms about a month ago. As a reader my instinct was to purchase this $80 book for amazon and read it cover to cover as quick as possible. It's a textbook, thus the price. It was readable especially after having read the other epilepsy books. I will say that it is the ONLY recent book I've found online that talks anywhere indepth about infantile spasms. If your child is diagnosed, I highly recommend it. I know the neurologist seems shocked when he saw I had read it, but why wouldn't you want to know everything about the disorder your child has?
And I will say this: our son is doing way better after starting treatment. I will keep you posted on that.
By James D. Frost Jr. and Richard A. Hrachovy
So the diagnosis of epilepsy for my son moved to infantile spasms about a month ago. As a reader my instinct was to purchase this $80 book for amazon and read it cover to cover as quick as possible. It's a textbook, thus the price. It was readable especially after having read the other epilepsy books. I will say that it is the ONLY recent book I've found online that talks anywhere indepth about infantile spasms. If your child is diagnosed, I highly recommend it. I know the neurologist seems shocked when he saw I had read it, but why wouldn't you want to know everything about the disorder your child has?
And I will say this: our son is doing way better after starting treatment. I will keep you posted on that.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Book # 3: Epilepsy
by Simon Shorvon
From the Oxford Neurology Library
Absolutely amazing book! This book was written as a pocket reference for clinician who treat patients with epilepsy. It was more technical than the previous book I read about epilepsy, but it was amazing. It had all the information well organized, so I could find it quickly. It provided facts and avoided the emotional fluff of the book I've read designed for patients and families. If I ever have a need for another medical book, I will seek out this book series. I had to occasionally look up a word, but no more than in hard classical literature. Definitely would recommend it for anyone dealing with epilepsy.
From the Oxford Neurology Library
Absolutely amazing book! This book was written as a pocket reference for clinician who treat patients with epilepsy. It was more technical than the previous book I read about epilepsy, but it was amazing. It had all the information well organized, so I could find it quickly. It provided facts and avoided the emotional fluff of the book I've read designed for patients and families. If I ever have a need for another medical book, I will seek out this book series. I had to occasionally look up a word, but no more than in hard classical literature. Definitely would recommend it for anyone dealing with epilepsy.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Book # 2: Epilepsy: Patient and Family Guide
by M.D. Orrin Devinsky
I know I said that I would read The Bible straight through first, and I am (almost through Numbers), but our seven month old son was recently diagnosed with Epilepsy, so my Bible reading was put on hold for some needed information.
I ordered four books on Amazon.com that were recommended (one that wasn't) by our neurologists office. This one was the most recently published, so I started here. It had a lot of general information, which is just what I needed at this point. I hope to read in more depth about brain function, epilepsy primarily in newborns, and specific types of seizures, so I will certainly be seeking more detailed books. For a crash course though, this was a good read and very informative. I'd recommend it to anyone faced with a new onset of epilepsy in their family.
I know I said that I would read The Bible straight through first, and I am (almost through Numbers), but our seven month old son was recently diagnosed with Epilepsy, so my Bible reading was put on hold for some needed information.
I ordered four books on Amazon.com that were recommended (one that wasn't) by our neurologists office. This one was the most recently published, so I started here. It had a lot of general information, which is just what I needed at this point. I hope to read in more depth about brain function, epilepsy primarily in newborns, and specific types of seizures, so I will certainly be seeking more detailed books. For a crash course though, this was a good read and very informative. I'd recommend it to anyone faced with a new onset of epilepsy in their family.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Slowly, but surely...
I just finished Exodus today, so I'm alive and still reading. Definitely not a fast read like some of the other books I'd typically pick, but I'm learning a lot. It's interesting to read this from a mother's perspective as most of these Old Testament books I read previously while in high school or college. It is also interesting looking at it from an Orthodox Christian perspective, and I'm loving their edition of the study Bible.
That's it for now. Still alive... Still reading... It could be awhile...
That's it for now. Still alive... Still reading... It could be awhile...
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Book # 1: Nicholas Nickelby
by Charles Dickens
I have long memories of reading David Copperfield over the summer preparing for freshman year of high school honors English, and painstakingly writing a paragraph response after every chapter. Needless to say, I have this dread of Dickens.
Well, did I miss out! Dickens actually has a sense of humor in a subdued sort of way. I really enjoyed reading this, even if it was a little predictable, but hey, even Pride and Prejudice is predictable. I will definitely check out some of his other books in the future, especially as I can access them for free on my Googlebooks app for my iPhone. Makes reading in bed when the hubby is asleep a whole lot easier than messing with a book light!
So now it is on to my resolution of the year--the Bible. I'll keep you posted as I'm going from front cover to back cover just like a novel, and if I didn't give you updates, you'd never hear from me.
I have long memories of reading David Copperfield over the summer preparing for freshman year of high school honors English, and painstakingly writing a paragraph response after every chapter. Needless to say, I have this dread of Dickens.
Well, did I miss out! Dickens actually has a sense of humor in a subdued sort of way. I really enjoyed reading this, even if it was a little predictable, but hey, even Pride and Prejudice is predictable. I will definitely check out some of his other books in the future, especially as I can access them for free on my Googlebooks app for my iPhone. Makes reading in bed when the hubby is asleep a whole lot easier than messing with a book light!
So now it is on to my resolution of the year--the Bible. I'll keep you posted as I'm going from front cover to back cover just like a novel, and if I didn't give you updates, you'd never hear from me.
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