Wishes

Penned By: Jude Deveraux

This is one of my all time favorite novels! If you are not a romance novel reader and want to take a chance - do it on this one. This fun novel has some surprising twists and combines historical romance, modern day, and fairytales. It's an action packed and entertaining read that will have you laughing out loud. Nellie Grayson and Jace Montgomery have endured many woe's in their lives and have maintained kind and giving hearts just the same. They deserve to find love and happiness - they deserve each other. However, having two hard-headed individuals fall in love is difficult, no matter how soft-hearted they are.

Quote: "It's called the Kitchen because it's like women's life on earth. When you die you think you're going to heaven, just as you think, when you get married, that you're going to have heaven on earth. Instead, in both cases, you get sent to the Kitchen."

Genus: Lovey Dovey

Era: Older is Better

Difficulty: 2

Determination: Must Read

Series: Yes - the books work as companions and not necessarily sequential order

Formats: Print & Ebook

Film: No

Your type of tale? Try these: Bridge Over Time by Brenda Hiatt, The Heir by Catherine Coulter, Betrayed by Arnette Lamb

Cool Stuff:   Publisher's Official Page      Fan Video      Chandler, CO - Ghost Town

Gregor the Overlander

Penned By: Suzanne Collins



Suzanne Collin's Website



Underneath the teeming city of New York exists a world of massive proportions. Gregor and his younger sister Boots are about to discover the existence of this world and meet the many people and creatures that live there. Following the fantastical discovery will come a grand adventure and the threat to never return home. A choice between love and security will have to be made. Forced to live beyond his years, Gregor will prove that loyalty and hope are worth fighting for.

Quote: "Fly you high."

Genus: Fantastical Worlds

Era: Everyone

Difficulty: 2

Determination: Must read

Series: Yes, 1st of 5

 

Film: No

Your type of tale? Try these: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

Cool Stuff: Scholastic's Underland Chronicles Website      Fan Trailer       Official Underland Chronicles Trailer

The Color Purple

Penned By: Alice Walker

Banned: From day one that this book was published, unsurprisingly it has been challenged. It honestly and unapologetically describes controversial issues such as homosexuality, rape, and racism. Since the argument can be made that these are valid issues to consider in literature and discussion, among other things, people have protested against the book for offensive language, sexual explicitness, violence, man's relationship to God, and it's description of African (the continent) history.
Sources:
Banned Book Awareness: The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Banned and/or Challenged Books from the Radcliffe Publishing Course
The Color Purple and Its Controversy

The Color Purple is a tale of enduring love, faith, and spirit. In a series of letters the tale of two sisters separated as teenagers is told. The women lead very different lives, one as a much abused housewife and the other a missionary in Africa. Celie, the main character is the "housewife", and so much more. The novel delves into the darker depths of Africa and African-American history, more so it delves into the dark depths of the human psyche and the secrets we keep. This novel is excellent for teaching anyone that has endured hardship and wrongdoing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Quote: "And not being tied to what God looks like, frees us."

Genus: Literary Minded

Era: Older is Better

Difficulty:  3

Determination: Must read

Series: No

Film: Yes

Your type of tale? Try these: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg, and Songs in Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris

Cool Stuff: Official Website      The Musical        A Fanpage

Other Books for Banned Book Week 2011:
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (Philosopher's) Stone

Photographs by: Amber Murray

Penned By: J.K. Rowling

There is nothing I could possibly say about this book (or series) that has not already been said. So this blog is for you who have not read this book yet... Why not? It is an easy read and fun to boot. Admittedly, J.K. Rowling is not a literary writer extraordinaire and hence, the reason she is so popular. Let me also disabuse you of the notion that Rowling is a poor writer, really, she is quite good. So, why not? Perhaps you are of the misguided and often religious belief that these books are evil. If so, I pity you. You must never read any fantasy or sci-fi and your imagination is quite limited. The life you lead must be horribly mundane and you are missing an astronomical amount of literature that our world thrives upon. So, why not? If you have made it this far you can not possibly use the excuse that you are not a reader. However, if you insist, get the audio version. For you, there is now only one answer left to my "why not?" And that is "why should I?" This book is the start of a revolution. It has shaped our global culture in a way that will resound for centuries. Are you honestly going to let a mere 300 pages keep you from taking part? So, why not?

View from the top of the Flight of the Hippogriff
 roller coaster in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Quote: "The truth...It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. However, I shall answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to, in which case I beg you'll forgive me. I shall not, of course, lie."

Genus: Fantastical Worlds

Era: Everyone

Difficulty: 2

Determination: Must read

Series: Yes  

Film: Yes

Your type of tale? Try these: The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper, The Alchemyst by Michael Scott, The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

Hogsmeade store fronts in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Ready to buy it?

The Open Boat

  Photograph by: Amber Murray   (c)

Penned By: Stephen Crane

The height of Stephen Crane's phenomenal description ability is reached in this short story. Rich descriptions are equally met with plot, dialogue, characterization, and self-discovery. This is a tale beautifully composed and should be required reading simply as an example of how wonderful the English language can be. The story itself is enthralling and the reader will be on the edge of their seat wondering what is going to happen to the men in the boat. It will cause you to question your view of the world and open you to new paths of empathy. With even the smallest imagination, the reader will find themselves in the Open Boat, hoping and praying for solid ground.

Quote:
"If I am going to be drowned--if I am going to be drowned--if I am going
to be drowned, why, in the name of the seven mad gods who rule the sea,
was I allowed to come thus far and contemplate sand and trees?"

Genus: Literary Minded

Era: Older is Better

Difficulty: 4

Determination: Must Read

Series: No - short story

Film: No

Read The Open Boat here!

Your type of tale? Try these: East of Eden by John Steinbeck, The Innocents Abroad or The New Pilgrims' Progress by Mark Twain, and The Storm by Kate Chopin

The Hunger Games

Photo by: Amber Murray

Penned By: Suzanne Collins
                 
Series: 1st book of 3 part series

This book gets into your soul. The reader doesn't merely empathize with the characters, they become one. I like to tell people that this book is "The Roman Coliseum meets Survivor." It often seems a composite of other moral tales, however, it is unique in it's telling and characters. The fact is there are many, many things that can be said about it. It is a fast read, not just because of it's easy style but because it's impossible to put down. Suzanne Collins describes a future so believable it will haunt your dreams. Her characters are so human that they enthrall as much as frustrate. Follow Katniss, as she sacrifices herself for her sister and fights a horrific game of survival, sacrifice, and love. Her compassion captures a nation, her will to survive changes the game, and her contentiousness will light a fire.


Quote: "That I'm more than a piece in their games."

Genus: Realistic Future

Era: Everyone (I suggest parents read it before their children.)

Difficulty: 2

Determination: Must Read

Film: The film rights have been purchased, the screen play written, and some casting done. With that said there is no firm release dates. I have high hopes for the movie of this fantastic series because Suzanne Collins primary career is as a screenwriter and she has been a close collaborator thus far.

Your type of tale? Try these: The Host by Stephenie Meyer, The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin.

Ready to buy it?