Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin

I am a picky reader. By this I mean, I may love a genre, but certain types of books in that genre do not appeal to me. I love a good fantasy novel. My favorite fantasy novels are generally urban fantasies and my least favorite is the very in depth, intricate fantasy (for an example, I have never been able to finish The Silmarillion by Tolkien). So when I picked up Magic Lost, Trouble Found, I wasn't sure where it would fall on the spectrum. Three days later, after putting it down only for necessary reasons (i.e. work, sleep & kids), I can tell you that it's a keeper. Magic Lost, Trouble found is a very well written, fast paced fantasy novel that will definitely remain on my "to read again" shelf. I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.

The main character, Raine, is a witty, kick butt sorceress of mediocre talent. I love the whole cast of characters in this book and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. Raine finds herself as the very unwilling keeper of a beacon that will lead her to a very dangerous artifact. I don't want to give too much away for those of you who might read this book. If you like fantasy and humor, I highly recommend Magic Lost, Trouble Found. Now I'm off to find the second book......

Magic Lost, Trouble Found
Lisa Shearin
A

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

First, let me say that I am not a big fan of murder mysteries. In fact, the only ones I do read are the ones by Rita Mae Brown with Sneaky Pie Brown and JD Robb. So, in truth, I wasn't prepared to enjoy this book much but I figured that it wasn't actually a challenge if I didn't read anything that challenged me. Not so amazingly, I did enjoy the book. Hercule Poirot is a neat, amusing little character. He reminds me of the character, Sidney Wang (played by Peter Sellers) in Murder By Death. The book was well written and very easy to read. I loved how Christie kept me guessing until the very end. I admit, as is my habit, I had already predicted several suspects. Then, as the book would go on, I'd change my mind. Again and again. I don't want to give any spoilers so I won't say much more, but I will concede to all of those murder mystery lovers out there....Agatha Christie was very skilled at her chosen genre. I may even check out a few more of her books in the future.

Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie
B

Simply Divine by Wendy Holden

Here was another quick read (I wonder if this says anything about my attention span?) that was light, funny and relatively predictable. I am a big fan of chick lit, primarily because I don't have to think while reading it and it almost always has a happy ending. This book did not disappoint on either front.

Poor Jane has a typical chick lit existence with her rather useless (and then nonexistent) boyfriend, her dead-end job, her concern over her weight and her crummy flat. The icing on the rotten cake is when she gets saddled as a sort of a ghost writer for Britain's newest, brashest and most obnoxious socialite, Champagne D'Vyne. The story follows Jane as her life goes through its various ups and downs. A lot of the book isn't very realistic (i.e. Jane getting dumped via phone by her live-in boyfriend and it's barely a blip on her radar), but this is chick lit and who expects realism from that?


This is a cute, popcorn fluffy type read that would be perfect on the sort of day where you've forgotten your purse at home, spilled coffee on yourself, accidentally hung up on a customer and then gotten a speeding ticket on your way home.



Simply Divine
Wendy Holden
B-

Seal Island by Kate Brallier

First, I will start by admitting that I am already on my third book for the Fall into Reading challenge. I just wasn't sure how the reviews were done so I wanted to wait until I saw one on someone else's page. :) Yes, this means that I read WAY too much. I know, it's an addiction. To be fair though, the first three have been very easy reads. That being said, on to the review....

This was an extremely quick read that didn't require much, if any, thought at all. The writing style itself was extremely repetitive. I stopped counting how many times the author used the word lugubrious after I hit eight. Brallier definitely went overboard on the adjectives. Beyond the writing, the plot itself was fairly predictable. The big "surprise" was obvious to me within the first few chapters and I already knew "whodunit" well before I reached the end. All in all, I wouldn't recommend this book and it's not likely to encourage me to search out any of the author's other works.

Seal Island
Kate Brallier
D

Thursday Thirteen #6

13 Movies I loved as a kid

1. Dunderklumpen
2. Murder by Death
3. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
4. Return to Oz
5. ET (now I can't stand the movie!)
6. The Explorers (bought this movie as an adult and cannot remember for the life of me why I liked it in the first place!)
7. The Pirate Movie
8. The Hobbit
9. McClintock
10. Ghostbusters
11. Jungle Book
12. Cinderella
13. The Goonies

Word-Filled Wednesday #4

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but

Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Weekly Wrap-Up

WEEKLY WRAP-UP

09/15/08-09/21/08

Weather: Lots of warm, but not too warm, and sunny weather

Sunday sermon: This was the final sermon in the Getting Political series and it was war and its biblical perspective. Pastor Wayne did a great job as usual and he gave me a lot to think about in terms of the upcoming election.

Life lessons: That friends are the family that I get to choose and that they can lift me up if I just let them.

Favorite meal(s): Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls

Treasured moments: Saturday afternoon with my kids, Small Group on Sunday night, going over my son's first graded quizzes. He got an A- on his spelling test! A B+ and a B- on his math quizzes and an A on his geography!

Talked with: My parents, my small group members

Things I read: The bible, Frankenstein, Change of Heart

Things we watched: Fringe, Bucket List, Waitress, Gangs of New York and Igor

Places we went: Dance, swim, church, small group, the movies, shopping

Blessings: I've been blessed with good friends and a wonderful family

Challenges: Letting go and leaving God in charge of ALL of my life

Family happenings: Ani's dance class, Aidan's swim lessons, an outing to the movies to see Igor, Small Group