Reading

I love to read. I always have, since I was a little kid. I remember going to the library and literally filling my arms with The Babysitter's Club, Sweet Valley Twins, and Nancy Drew books. Every night before bed my sister and I had half an hour to read before lights out, and even now I can't fall asleep without a little time to read before bed. So, I am always on the hunt for a new book to read. I am so happy when other people blog about books they've read so that I can have something new to read...so I thought I would try it out!

My current favorite book is most definitely The Help, by Kathryn Stockett.

The Help is a story set in the 1960's told by three different women who decide to write a book from the perspective of "the Help." It is so popular right now and I'm sure half of you have already read it, but I just have to tell you if you haven't yet, do!! It is so worth it. I actually thought it sounded kind of boring when I read the back of the book and heard about it. It's not. It is so engaging and the characters have so much depth and basically I just loved it. I couldn't put it down, but at the same time didn't want it to end so I would try to make myself go slowly. It is really touching, and has a lot of great messages in it. The movie is good, but the book is better. So check it out!

On a different note in a completely different genre, a series that I somewhat recently finished is the Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan.

These books are great light, fun reads. Basically, in the book Greek gods really do exist, and Percy Jackson finds out that he is a demigod, or hero. He is whisked away to camp half-blood, where he meets many friends and has many adventures. When I started reading the very first book in the series, I thought it seemed like it was written for a younger audience (which it is, but in a Harry Potter type way that can still be enjoyed by an older crowd as well), but I do think it got a little more mature as the series progressed, a lot like I think Harry Potter did. If you like Harry Potter, or Fablehaven, Percy Jackson is a must.

Rick Riordan also came out with a spin-off series called The Heroes of Olympus.

He has one book out for this series so far, and the second comes out in October. The first one was super good, and is worth reading once you have finished the Percy Jackson books. He also has another series about the Egyptian Gods, called the Kane Chronicles, which I didn't like much.

A good one that I re-read this summer is Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card.

Willie read this book to his nephews while we were in Colorado (an edited by Willie version since it does have some strong language and potentially scary material for kids), and I sat in a few times and remembered how good it was. It is set sometime in the future when aliens (the "buggers) have already attacked two times. They recruit young genius kids to come to battle school in preparation for the anticipated third invasion. Ender, a six year old boy, is chosen and goes to battle school. It's really good...read it!

And finally, I am currently reading The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom.

It is about a lady in Holland during World War II whose family helped aid and hide Jewish people. They were arrested, and sent to prison and I think a concentration camp (I'm not quite there yet). Throughout it all their family members remain really strong in their faith and have such courage and a good outlook on their situation and the people around them, even those who wrong them. It is really good so far, and so interesting and inspiring, particularly because it is a true story. It's a little different style because it is basically someone telling their story, but I've enjoyed it so far.

Anyway, I could go on and on but those are some of the most recent books I have read and liked. What about you?