Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a slow start, and despite the pretty cover, I was hesitant to continue reading it after scanning through some reviews. I decided to push through, and I am so glad I did!

As I said before...SLOW beginning. The setting was different than your normal YA novel, and other than a magic horse, I didn't really see any hint of the fantasy genre. I could see the romantic setup coming from a mile away, but I didn't mind it. The characters were likeable, and the world-building is strong.

If you like a character that toes the line of being a villain, this book is definitely for you. Hamilton does a great job depicting her protagonists, but an even better job making one of her "bad" guys relatable.

Overall, I thought this was an enjoyable read. Just be prepared to sift through a few chapters before being hooked.

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The Bird and The Sword by Amy Harmon

The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am not sure I can adequately describe this book. It was magical, everything a YA fantasy novel should be. No wimpy heroines, actual relationships, and no cliche characters. EVERY person in this book mattered. Any more of a review might do this novel a disservice, and it will take away from whatever your thoughts are going into this. The Kindle version is well worth the $3.99, and I promise you will be like me, ordering the hardcover within minutes of finishing.

GO READ THIS BOOK!

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Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hmmmm......

I liked this book, but I didn't LOVE this book. There were parts of the story that just seemed off, in my opinion.

1) Where did they find Evanjalin? I know it was some sort of cloister of a goddess, but I guess it bothered me that Finnikin was SO against her coming along, and Sir Topher let it happen anyway, despite him usually following along with Finnikin's opinions.

2)Evanjalin didn't really annoy me, as I have read many others say, but she unnerved me. Her complete and total calm in the face of everything was unsettling. I wanted her to freak out just a bit.

3)Why is Froi even important in this story? He doesn't add ANYTHING, other than he tries to rape someone and they all end up loving him, because, "aw shucks, he's just an exile." WHAT?!? Did that not perturb anyone else? I imagine he will play a larger role in the second books, especially since it's named after him, but I just seriously didn't see the point of his character at all.

Despite those little nitpicky things above, I really did enjoy the story, and the majority of the characters. It's not an overused plot, and Marchetta keeps things interesting enough to make me wonder about picking up that second installment. I felt like maybe it was a tad too long (could have been wrapped up MUCH sooner), but there was a grieving process happening in Lumatere that I guess the author wanted the reader to feel a part of.



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The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was not prepared to love the first book in this series, The Thief, as much as I did, so it was surprising that I could enjoy the second book even more.

Gen is just as likable in this second installment, if not maybe a little more so, especially after he has to come to terms with a loss. I think Attolia has much more depth than we imagined, as does Eddis, and I was tickled to see other characters return, even if just briefly.

Gen is human in this story. He grieves in the same way that you or might might, and he takes a long time to recover. We are given a glimpse into his relationship with his father as well. It's obvious that despite the nature of Gen's job for the queen, he is well loved by those who surround him.

Turner continues to provide stories within the story in TQOA. Much like our own fables and parables, each little tale about a god or goddess is a lesson for not only the characters, but for us, the readers. Another bonus: these are quick reads. Authors often get lost in their own stories, and I feel like the last few books I have read have been quite repetitive. Turner doesn't just give us a story, she hides meaning within each sentence, and this is done succinctly, so that I am never lost or bored.

If you are looking for something that has depth, but don't want to be bogged down, pick up this series. You won't regret it!

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The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I actually bought it last year for my 5th grade classroom, and then never picked it up again, until I read a review by Emily May. The story was quite engaging, and you can't help but like Eugenides.

I enjoyed most everything about this book. The folktales were excellent additions, sort of a story within a story, and while the author states that she didn't base her gods/goddesses on Greek and Roman mythology, there are several similarities. I came to respect the magus during my reading, and I was very glad that Gen could count him as a friend at the end of the book.

What didn't I like? Well, let's just say there's a bit of a twist at the end, and while I may have seen it coming, I didn't realize I wouldn't get to "watch" it happen.

Bottom line: read this book!

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Sunday Post

I have read numerous books on the effect of reading to your children. One of my favorites, Jim Trelease's "The Read-Aloud Handbook," lays out the facts plainly. Kids who are read to as children, become pre-teen readers, who turn into young adult readers, who turn into college grads and successful adults. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule, but the truth is clear: reading is better for everyone. I am constantly asking my friends to read books that I pick up, and most of the time, they agree with my picks. However, the majority of my friends don't enjoy reading. They've grown out of it, or were required to do it too many times in school, and it left a bad taste in their mouth. When did we lose the idea that reading is a pleasure? You don't see many teachers reading for fun anymore. We are trying to find read-alouds that have the most AR points, or teach a CCRS concept, or use the assigned vocabulary words. Who did this to us? Why have we forgotten the value of the most fundamental skill we can teach? Teachers, parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, I challenge you, when you set aside the allotted amount of time for your youngsters to read, pick up a book yourself. That small act will inspire numerous questions: "What are you reading?" "Where did you buy that book?" "What's that about?" "How long until you finish?" and on and on and on.

Looking for something good to read that is school appropriate? Ones you can tell the kids you read and answer questions without having to censor? (You would be surprised how many 7th graders told me their favorite book was 50 Shades of Gray. I cringe.) Here is a list of some of my tried-and-true favorites, books that even the most non-readery of my friends would tell you to pick up.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Hands down, this is the best love story in publication. This book weaves a Biblical story into a more modern period, and the result is flawless. Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors because she writes truth. Some Christian authors are cheesy, but Rivers's books confront tough topics, and they delve into difficult situations. Although the book is long, you won't have trouble staying focused. This is a must-read for people of all faiths.




Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
My grandfather is a WWII veteran, and I have always reading books set in this era. Author Tatiana de Rosnay switches between two viewpoints throughout the book: Sarah, whose family is rounded up during the little-known 1942 arrests of Jewish families in France; and Julia, a journalist researching this event. It's hard looking back at the past, especially those that hurt, but Rosnay wrote this book to make us think. If you are a fan of historical novels, this one should be on your list!

Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston
Laugh-out-loud funny. There's no other way to describe it. The book is the first of three, and while all are good reads, this one is my favorite. I love Jay, his outlook on life, descriptions of people, and sense of humor. This book is a great read for both men and women, and it's maybe a bit of a love story, but mostly it's good, clean, fun.

Ketchup is a Vegetable by Robin O'Bryant
I don't generally like non-fiction, but these small glimpses into the life of another mama and her kids were perfect. It's nice to know that you aren't the only one wondering if "you're doing it right," or if you are the only one scrambling to keep it all together. The author writes about her struggles with depression, but also the shenanigans of her girls and husband. It's not a cookie-cutter family, and neither is mine. I loved that I could pick it up and read a few pages if I needed a laugh, but not worry about losing momentum if I only had time to finish a chapter or two. Be sure to add this one to your list!



Want to know what I am reading right now or what I have recently finished? Check out my Goodreads shelf or my Pinterest board "Holly's 2016 Reads."

(None of the images used are my own. If you click on the book title, it will take you to the source for the image.)

Our Favorites

My twins LOVE to read. We go through multiple books a day, and they have some standards that we turn to frequently when nothing else seems to fit the mood.

Little Blue Truck

There are several things about this story that we love. Author Alice Schertle has chosen rhymes that easy for mom and dad to read, and easy for young ones to remember. My two know exactly which words belong on which page. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the characters lend themselves to voice changes from the reader. When the dump truck comes along, we all read in tone that I assume a dump truck would have were he able to talk. There is also a little lesson for young and old alike: help can come from the most unlikely sources. More than anything else, this book is just plain fun.


Knuffle Bunny


When I was a little girl, I had a stuffed animal that I prized above any other toy. I slept with it through college, and when I got married, it sat on my shelf in my closet, waiting for another little set of arms to wrap it up. For that reason, this book is a favorite of mine. I can understand Trixie's horror when she discovers Knuffle Bunny is gone, and I also know the desperation of the parents who are trying to find her. My own two like the story line, but they love the illustrations the most. The mix of real photographs and drawings, coupled with the frustrated looks of all the characters, are sure to bring a smile to everyone's face. Knuffle Bunny, by Mo Willems, is a Caldecott Honor book.

A Visitor for Bear

In A Visitor for Bear, author Bonny Becker tells the sweet story of Bear and Mouse, two creatures seemingly at odds with each other. One of the reasons this book is a favorite is because of Bear. My kids have their "grouchy" moments, and Bear is definitely having his fair share in this story. In addition, this is another great book for changing your voice to suit the character. We laugh and giggle at Bear's deep grumble and Mouse's squeaky sound. The illustrations are another plus. Overall, I think the lure of this book is that even preschoolers can relate to the loneliness that Bear feels, and they also understand the effort Mouse puts forth to gain attention. This book is a Wanda Gag Read Aloud Honor Book.