Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is easily one of my favorite authors! I just finished reading Goose Girl, after having read Princess Academy and A Book of a Thousand Days (both of which I LOVED!). I was up until 2am last night reading (as late nights are my only time to read when I'm not deliriously tired, or when I am deliriously tired... but the book is TOO GOOD to put down...as was the case with this book).

Hale's books are fun, meaningful, uplifting, inspiring, adventurous, romantic, wholesome. They are the kind of books you WANT your children to read! I already want to read it again.

I just discovered she has a new book out called Rapunzel's Revenge. I'm looking forward to another good read.

My new FAVORITE BOOK

Nancy Moore gave this book--The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane--to our family for Christmas. We read a chapter or two every night until we got about 2/3 done, and then couldn't put it down! Not only could we not put it down, but I could NOT stop crying the entire last 1/3. It is so difficult to read a book aloud (to a boy) while you are crying!

This book is amazing, and my new FAVORITE BOOK! The story of a rabbit who learns to hope and love. It hit so close to home for me. I absolutely loved it. Everyone should read it, and read it again to their children/ grandchildren.

Thanks Nancy!

The Wizard of Oz

Each morning, I read out loud to my boys. Yesterday, we started the Wizard of Oz. Last evening and early this morning Justin stole the book and finished reading it. This is usually the routine...I start the book, Justin can't wait for me to finish it, and does so himself (very quickly). We FLY through books this way.

Needless to say, Max and I have enjoyed the beginnings of several wonderful books.

Tonight we watched the first half of the movie. Justin has already almost finished reading the book for the 2nd time. How will I ever keep up with him???

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

I stayed up till 2am crying my eyeballs out as I finished the book, Les Miserables. I've been reading this book for 3 months now and it has had a strong impact on me! I think I will try and read the first section about the Bishop every year. He is my hero. I feel more gratitude for life and have a greater desire to BE the kind of person Jean Valjean inspires you to be, ... more like Jesus Christ.

I also absolutely adored the little gumin, Garavoche, who is also my hero. I want to reread the book just to adore his character again.

Who can go through life without reading this book?????

The Mourning Dove

Kris Horton, my kindred spirit and DEAR DEAR friend gave me this book for Christmas, The Mourning Dove. I just finished reading it this week. It's BEAUTIFUL! The author I can only assume is LDS, and teaches in a simple yet beautiful story the reality and power of the atonement of the Savior in our personal lives. The message has inspired in me a new desire to REMEMBER HIM and to HONOR HIM everyday and in every way. I want to read it with Justin.

Shannon Hale's new book

GayAnn DeMordaunt bought this book for me when she found out that our Sister's week was based on Shannon Hale's previous book, Princess Academy, hoping I could read it and recommend it to my sisters before they left. Well, I just finished this book last week, and I LOVED it! Book of a Thousand Days is definitely in my list of top 10 books. It is an AWESOME love story that teaches the beauty and importance of being TRUE to yourself, to others, and to your word. Her writing is so poetic, so creative...and captivating. I highly recommend it. I am continually thinking about the message it so powerfully instills.

Thank you GayAnn!!!!!

Here's to all my Herbert's!

I have finally finished reading the Novel, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. What a fabulous book- I loved it! In fact, I find myself thinking about the characters all the time. Many believe this novel to have a message of the destructive nature of wealth, the tragedy of betrayal, or the cankering effects of seeking revenge. While this may be so, I found these themes minute in comparison to the message of the beauty and elevating effects of friendship, loyalty and love. Specifically Pip is fortunate to have several meaningful relationships, one of whom is his dear friend Herbert. Herbert has no incentive to befriend Pip, but sincerely cares for him and is loyal to him from beginning to end, when Pip is at his best as well as his worst. Herbert has significant influence on Pip, and I believe is a big reason for Pip's happiness and success.

I've spent a lot of time reflecting on the many HERBERTs I've been blessed with in my life. I am fortunate enough to have family who are especially dear friends, and friends who are as though they were family! I know much of the happiness and success I experience is directly related to my dear dear "friends" who have loved me at my worst and best, from the beginning to the end. How blessed I've been and how grateful I am.

In Grandma's Attic

In Grandma's Attic
by Arleta Richardson

This is the book Justin and I are reading together right now. It is absolutely adorable! We often re-read the chapters and laugh and laugh. Then we laugh again when we tell Geoff about it at dinner time. I highly recommend it.