January Books Read

1. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (****) -The third installment in Megan Whalen Turner's Attolia series. It may be my favorite so far. Plot twists as usual, even though by the time you get to the third book you totally expect them. Still, with Megan Whalen Turner you're never sure WHAT exactly will happen. I liked that she centered most of the story around a new character and that we see so much of what happens through his eyes. It makes the other characters even more mysterious even though we've read all about them in the The Thief and The Queen of Attolia. The stories take place in a fictional place and time period, so they definitely fall into the "Fantasy" catorgory. Also, some language, which I don't care for.




2. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor- (****) Huge fantasy warning. If you don't like fantasy, you won't like this book. BUT. Extremely well written. The book is about Alyss in Wonderland. Except, Wonderland is real. And Alyss really belongs there. Some violence, because Alyss must battle her evil Aunt Redd for the throne. I love this book. I want to live in Wonderland.



3. The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall- (*****) yes. five stars. This is the sequel to The Penderwicks which I read last year. I was delighted to discover that there was a sequel. The story follows four sisters, who are absolutely delightful. I wish I had read this book when I was 12. It doesn't matter, though, because I love it now, too! Highly recommended for anyone. The only gripe I have is: Do we HAVE to have romance for 12 year olds???



4. The Bue Sword by Robin McKinley- (***) Award winning book and it's easy to see why. Very well written and exciting. BUT, definitely of the fantasy genre, which isn't my favorite genre. I can only take so much fantasy and having already read The Looking Glass Wars this month I had already reached my fantasy intake limit. It's just that I can only take so much fantasy before it starts to irritate me. I prefer reading about things that could actually happen, I guess. :)


5. Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie- (***) Not my favorite Christie. I figured this mystery out before Hercule Poirot told us the answer, and I prefer to be surprised. It just makes the reading more enjoyable. However, as all Christie's books are, this one is funny and intriguing.


6. Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie- (*****) Maybe the best Christie I've ever read. Totally thrilling. Plot twists, espionage, politics, corrupt scientists. Everything. Definitely recommended. mild swearing.



7. Gone in a Heartbeat, Our Daughters Died, Our Faith Endures by David and Marie Works- (*****) Excellent. Must Read. REVIEWED HERE




8. The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne duPrau- (*****) This is the fourth and final Book of Ember and it wraps the series up quite nicely. I really loved it. The People of Sparks was a bit dissapointing to me, I liked it, but the thrill and magic from the first book wasn't there. The Diamond of Darkhold was very reminiscent of the feel of City of Ember and had much of the same excitement and mystery of it. Very satisfying ending. Recommended for anyone. (After, of course, you have read the other books of the series, although, I admit, I skipped book three The Prophet of Yonwood.)




9. The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye- (*****) Absolutely DELIGHTFUL. A must read for any girl. Seriously. So sweet. Highly recommended. Boys could read it too. Wouldn't hurt them. :)



10. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis- (*****) Have I mentioned that I LOVE NARNIA? I have? *sheepish grin* Ok, well, I do. And I think Dawn Treader may be one of my favorites.



11. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis- (*****) So, obviously, I'm on a Narnia kick. If you haven't read The Chroncicles of Narnia yet... read them already!!!!! I love this one. Love Sasha. Love Bree. Love Hwin. Love Aravis. Love it.



12. Vienna Prelude by Bodie Thoene- (*****) The Thoene's books are some of the best historical fiction on the market. I love them. I definitely recommend these to anyone who is interested in history. Not recommended for very young readers, because of violence.


13. Robin Hood by????? - (***) This is an old, old book that I got I think at a used bookstore or something... Anyway, pretty good. I love anything Robin Hood, so it was fun. :)



14. The Secret at Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene- (***) Pretty good as Nancy Drew's go. :) I wonder why they don't write books like this anymore?? Nancy and her friends are always model citizens... good examples for young people.