Dinosaurs Love Underpants

I've been in a bit of a reading slump.  The last few books I've read haven't been worth sharing.  So instead, I am going to share a favorite picture book with you, Dinosaurs Love Underpants.  It is an adorable book.  I love the illustrations, the rhythm, and the humor.  It is what you could consider an alternate theory on how and why the dinosaurs died out.  It all started when the cavemen grew embarrassed about being naked and made themselves some underwear.  When the dinosaurs saw their new attire, they immediately wanted them too.  The problem was, once they procured them from the cavemen, they started fighting over them with each other.  Thus began the "Mighty Underpants War."  When the dust settled, the dinosaurs had all killed each other off, leaving the cavemen to carry on the tradition of the undergarments.  We are reminded at the end of the book to remember that underwear saved mankind so we should treat them with care.  I just think this book is wonderful.  The pictures are vibrant and descriptive.  The story engaging and entertaining.  I think it is a brilliant telling of how the dinosaurs faded into extinction.  I believe it.  After all, the perfect pair of underwear is worth fighting for.  Happy reading!

The Kissing Hand

The Kissing Hand is one of my favorite books to recommend for kids who are scared to go to school for the first time.  For some kids, Kindergarten is scary.  It is not the easiest transition to make.  This book is all about coping with being away from your mother and learning to thrive in school.  Chester Raccoon doesn't want to leave his mother and go to school.  He is terrified of taking that step.  His mother tells him a secret that will help him get through the day.  She kisses his palm and tells him that whenever he is feeling sad or lonely, all he has to do is place his kissed palm to his cheek and remember that his mother loves him and is always with him.  This book is also good for mothers who are anxious about sending off their children to school for the first time.  I know that for some, the fear and anxiety resides solely with the parents, while the excitement and anticipation is solely with the kids.  Just before Chester leaves for school, he kisses his mother's palm and reminds her that he loves her and will always be with her.  I just love this book.  The kissing hand idea works for any new situation they may scare us or our children.  It is a wonderful way to remind each other of our love and support.  It is okay to be afraid of things, but we shouldn't let that fear stop us from trying new things.  Every great adventure has to start somewhere.  Happy reading!

What Do You Do With an Idea?

I stumbled upon this picture book the other day and was blown away.  It is amazing.  Everybody needs to read this.  The message is applicable to all ages, not just children.  What a great idea for a story.  It follows a child (I don't remember if it is a boy or girl, it isn't important) who has an idea, but has no clue what to do with it.  He tries to ignore it, but the idea just won't go away.  It follows him where ever he goes.  Other people tell him the idea is too big/crazy/unpractical, etc.  All the responses people often have to our ideas.  After awhile the child decides to nurture the idea and run with it.  Soon the idea has grown into something amazing.  The child learns that with what began as a tiny inkling, he was able to change the world.  All it took was believing in himself.  It is really such a great and inspiring book.  If we only believed in half of the ideas that cross our minds, just imagine what we could do.  We too could change the world.  The illustrations are adorable as well.  This is a book that not only should everybody read, they should own it.  The book is great for inspiring all ages.  It can help build confidence and inspire us to dream.  Find a copy of this book today, and let it start you on a new path.  Happy reading!

Book Lover's Day

Tomorrow, August 9th, is Book Lovers Day.  It is meant to be celebrated by settling down with a good book and enjoying the simple act of reading.  It is the perfect day to share books with friends and family.  I'm going to take this opportunity to share some of my all time favorite books with you.

Let's start with kids books.  Where the Sidewalk Ends is my kind of poetry through and through.  It's simple, humorous and is easy to read.  Shel Silverstein is just brilliant.  The Secret Garden is a children's classic that everyone should read, especially girls.  I have read it probably six times and loved it every time.  Matilda is another book I have enjoyed over and over.  What a wonderful little girl she is.  Roald Dahl's dark and twisted humor always entertains.  Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is such a fun and fantastic adventure.  I can't wait to read it with my daughter.  I'll wrap up this portion with two series I adore.  First, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a perfect blend of action, adventure, mythology and friendship.  It is very entertaining and should not be missed.  Finally, Harry Potter.  It is a series that forever changed the book industry and has turned millions of people into readers.

The next group of books I want to discuss are in the Young Adult genre (arguably my favorite genre).  I guess I am one of those stunted adults that just can't get enough of it.  I've selected just two to talk about.  The Book Thief is a beautifully written, life changing story about the love of books and the power they have to transform lives.  It truly is a magnificent story that everyone should read.  The Truth About Forever is my guilty pleasure teen book of choice.  It is filled with wonderful characters.  It is about friendship, learning to live again after tragedy and finding love when you least expect it.  I just love that book.

On to adult books.  My favorite is The Power of One.  It is just such an awesome and inspiring story about overcoming limitations.  It exemplifies how one person truly can make a difference and perhaps even change the world.  To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those books that touches your heart and changes your life.  It captures childhood and the human experience better than most books can ever hope to.  These is my Words introduces a character like no other.  She is not soon forgotten.  Sarah will get under your skin and leave you wanting more.  Gone With the Wind is a love story for the times.  I fell in love with Rhett Butler and wanted to strangle Scarlett O'hara for not seeing how great he is until it is too late.  Another great love story, retold more than any other one (perhaps besides Romeo and Juliet) is Pride and Prejudice.  It may be cliche, but I still love it.  Mr. Darcy is wonderful.  Last but not least, Atlas Shrugged.  Ayn Rand is one of my very favorite authors.  Her fiction is not for everyone, but I wish there was more of it.  I really enjoy books that make you think and expand your outlook, and her books truly do that.

I challenge everyone to take some time tomorrow to sit down and read, not because you have to, but because you want to.  Read alone or together as a family.  Just enjoy a good book because you can.  Take it one step further and share your favorite books with your friends and family.  Sharing books and the love of reading is one of the best gifts you can give others.  At least that is what I think.  Happy Book Lover's Day and Happy reading!

Miss Rumphius

I have loved Miss Rumphius since I was a child.  It won the National Book Award in 1983.  It always makes me think of heading up the mountains in Wyoming, where lupines cover the roadside.  My personal connection to the flowers is really what connected me to this book.  The story follows the life of Alice Rumphius, whose greatest dream was to travel the world and leave her mark.  She took with her the seeds of her favorite flower, spreading them everywhere she went.  The following year, fields of lupine sprang up everyone she had been.  It became her legacy.  The illustrations are simply beautiful, full of color and life.  Whenever I see a field of lupine, I imagine her walking that ground, spreading her seeds.  This is a book not to be missed.  As I travel up into the Wyoming mountains this week, I can't help but think of this book and desire to share its beauty with the world.  Happy reading!

The Kingkiller Chronicles

The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss is a series that everybody should read.  I have never heard anybody tell me they didn't like these books, even when they aren't really fantasy fans.  This has often been considered the Harry Potter for adults.  Not so much because it is like the world of Harry Potter, but because it has such mass appeal.  However, the main character does spend a lot of time at school training to be a wizard.  It is more scientific/alchemical in ways then waving a wand though, and the school definitely has more of a university like academic setting/feeling than magical.  There are other parallels, but I will let you discover those on your own.

The characters are so well written that you can find yourself and your friends on the pages.  The story sucks you right in.  You'll never want it to end.  Fortunately, each book is over 700 pages long.  Unfortunately, it is only a trilogy and book three has no publication date yet.  So far both books have come out in the Spring.  If we're lucky maybe book three will hit stores in the Spring of 2016.  Here's hoping!  Plenty of people have grumbled about how much time passes between books.  The author has replied along the lines of, "Would you rather I do it right, or do it quick?"  Of course us fans want it both ways, but after the superb quality of each book I am willing to wait for a quality third.  In the meantime,  I've listened to both on audio and loved them just as much as the written versions.  They are done very well.

These books are packed with masterful storytelling, action, adventure, suspense, danger, wit, humor and much more.  If I remember correctly, the entire trilogy takes place over the course of three days.  Each book consists of one day of storytelling.  It begins with Chronicler arriving at the Waystone Inn, looking to see if the rumors are true.  The legendary Kvothe is said to be there and he wants to write his story.  After considerable cajoling, the innkeeper, Kote, agrees to tell his story.  The majority of the stories take place in the past, with interludes in the present day inn.  We, like Chronicler, get to be the audience.  It is a great story to behold.  I dare you not to get carried away.  I can't wait to find out how the story ends.  If you haven't discovered this series yet, today is the day.  These are books that you simply cannot miss out on.  Everyone needs to read these.  Patrick Rothfuss truly has a rare gift.  Happy reading!

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is one of my all-time favorite children's authors.  His twisted sense of humor and uncanny ability to capture the dark side of people has provided hours of entertainment for me.  He has always been more than successful at captivating me with his characters, both good and bad.  He created unique individuals that aren't soon forgotten.  I only wish he was still alive to create the magnificent adventures of my childhood for generations to come.  He is one of those authors whose work will never go out of print.  When I was young I would listen to James and the Giant Peach over and over again.  That was one of my favorite books.  I longed for the adventure of traveling over the sea in a giant peach.  Matilda speaks to my love of books.  The BFG is another fun adventure, filled with unlikely friendship.  The Twits sees the worlds worst adults get what's coming to them.  All kids can appreciate that.  Esio Trot is such an adorable love story.  These five are my favorite of his books, but I like all of them.  I read the Witches after I had seen the movie a million times and found that I liked the movie version slightly better.  In my opinion Roald Dahl should be a part of every child's library.  I know some parents don't like the dark side of each book, or the consistently horrible adults portrayed in the stories.  I think that all kids will encounter horrible adults at some point, and these books can perhaps help empower them a little.  Regardless of your beliefs on the matter, his books have the power to spark the imagination.  I think that ability is priceless in children's literature.  I have listened to a handful of his books on audio and all of them are fabulous.  If you have a short road trip ahead, these books make a wonderful accompaniment to any drive.  Listen to them with your kids.  Read the books together as well.  They are wonderful.  Happy reading!

The Fault in Our Stars

After months of The Fault in Our Stars being on the bestseller lists, I figured I should see what all the fuss was about.  That was over a year ago, and it is still on the bestseller lists.  If you have yet to read it, I recommend seeing for yourself what the big deal is.  There are plenty of people who have read it and still wondered about all the stink, but I was not one of them.  I absolutely loved this book.  It is one of those stories that keeps you thinking about it long after it is over.  I don't know if I would have had the same reaction if I had read it.  You see, I listened to the audio version, and it was phenomenal.  The voice actor did such a wonderful job of portraying the characters.  I've been saving this book for June, which is audio month.

As far as audio books go, the reader definitely holds a lot of power as far as making a book wonderful or forever ruining it for the world.  I have listened to plenty of books that I may have liked a lot better if I had read them myself instead.  Sometimes it is simply the readers voice that bothers me.  Other times it is their inability to do proper accents when appropriate.  Whatever the reason, I have definitely come to appreciate the true talent that voice acting involves.  Narrating an audio book is a lot more than merely reading it--Listen to Harry Potter and tell me anyone can do it.  I dare you.  I have listened to books that I love and been unable to even finish the audio version, forever grateful I read it first so as not to miss out on it.  There are also plenty of audio books that I probably liked better than if I had read them myself.  I have yet to read this book, for fear I will not like it as much, although I did purchase it with the intention of someday reading it.

I rarely give five star reviews on Goodreads, but this is one of those titles that made the cut.  Like I said, the reader had me so absorbed in the story I hated to see it end.  You'll definitely need a box of tissues on hand.  All the main characters are cancer patients.  When Hazel's mother makes her go to a cancer support group, she makes friends that will forever change her life, short as it may be.  She knows she is terminal, but when she meets Augustus she truly begins to live.  It is a story about love, friendship, loyalty, dreams and living your life to the fullest.  If you have not yet read it, I highly recommend giving it a try.  Better yet, listen to the audio version.  The movie comes out on Friday, and I can't wait to see it.  I hope I won't be disappointed.  Since the previews make me cry, I may have to wait until it comes out on video so I can blubber in the privacy of my own home.  Although, I will hardly be the only one reaching for a tissue.  It is not a feel good book, but it will definitely make you feel.  Happy reading/listening!

Den of Shadows

I discovered this series a couple years after starting my bookstore job.  A friend recommended it to me, and I fell in love with this author.  The Den of Shadows quartet was the first vampire series I ever really liked.  The books are not very long.  Originally they were published individually and are still available as such, but you can also get them in one volume.  The author wrote (and published) these first four books in her teens, then went on to write another non-vampire series.  She came back to this series years later and added five more books.  In my opinion, the original four are better than the rest.  She creates this world with vampires and various bloodlines of witches.  Some of the witches are healers, others are vampire hunters.  This series doesn't really have to be read in order because each book is about different characters.  They are all set in the same world and have a little cross-over, but you wouldn't be all that lost if you read them out of order.

The first book, In the Forests of the Night, is the story of a vampire, Risika.  It is basically the author's way of setting up her vampire world.  We hear Risika's story, spanning 300 years, and learn all about the vampire world.  It is my least favorite of the four books.  I actually read it after reading the others.  I understood one of the characters from the second book a little better, but it is the only one of the four I have never reread.

The second book, Demon in My View, is the story of a high school girl, Jessica, who has anonymously published a vampire book.  When a guy shows up at school, heavily resembling her main character, Jessica starts to question what's real and what is fiction.  Her ideas and inspiration for her novel came from dreams, but perhaps her dreams were more than that.  She is living on the edge of a very dangerous world, and she has gained the attention of very dangerous creatures.

The third book, Shattered Mirror, is about Sarah Vida, a descendant of the most famous vampire hunter of all time.  Despite her best efforts, she seems to continuously be drawn to her classmate, Christopher.  The problem is, he is a vampire.  He has sworn off human blood and is determined to live a normal life, but as a trained vampire hunter she has trouble reconciling her changing views of vampires.  Perhaps they are not all bad.  Enter Nikolas, a vampire from Christopher's past that will change everything for both of them.

The fourth book, Midnight Predator, follows the story of Turquoise Draka, a member in a guild of vampire hunters.  She is a bounty hunter.  When an unknown client hires her to kill an ancient vampire in charge of a the infamous Midnight, a compound where vampires rule and the humans are slaves.  She must enter their world and pose as a servant in order to carry out her mission.  What she encounters on the inside is way more than she expected and perhaps more than she can handle.

I know that these books may not appeal to as wide an audience as some of the titles I suggest, but if you are at all interested in vampires, witches or shapeshifters, I recommend giving these books a chance.  The characters are very interesting.  The best ones are the evil, sadistic creatures.  Although I really like all her characters, she definitely is able to capture the whole dark prince aspect of the vampires.  The female protagonists are all strong and can pretty much take care of themselves.  They definitely are not easy prey.  Since these books are short, I have reread them a handful of times over the years.  I always find them an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.  Happy reading!

The Kids of the Polk Street School

When I was a kid, I was not a huge fan of reading.  There were many other things I would have rather done with my time.  I don't think it was really until high school that I began to develop a passion for books.  However, there are books I remember loving as a child.  Most of them were read to me by my mother.  She would read to us on road trips or gather us around to read a chapter or two a night.  While I enjoyed a good story--who doesn't--it took a long time for me to seek them out to read myself.  While I don't remember being fond of reading, I do remember one series that I absolutely adored.  The Kids of the Polk Street School was the first series that sparked my love of reading.  I remember anxiously awaiting the release of the next volume (I think there are 16, although I'm not sure I have read all of them).  The author also wrote four mystery stories, as companions to the main series.  I believe they have been reprinted and added to another series now (Polka Dot Private Eye).  These are the only books I ever remember going to the store and buying.  We always had lots of books, so obviously there were other trips to the bookstore, but for whatever reason these are the only ones I can recall going for.  I just loved them.  I commandeered them from my mother's house a handful of years ago, because I just had to have them.  They have been reprinted since my childhood, but I prefer the original artwork.  I may have to buy some, since a few either went missing in my youth, or I never owned all of them to begin with.  Either way they are keepers.  Unfortunately, they are old enough you won't be able to find them on the shelves of your local bookstore.  They can, however, be ordered.  Also, your library should have them if you are interested in checking them out.  When my daughter gets older, I fully plan on reading them to her and hope she loves them as much as I did.  If you have any reluctant readers in your family, don't give up hope.  There is a book or series out there that will spark their interest.  The rest is history.  Happy reading!

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall is one of my favorite books from childhood.  I listened to it on tape numerous times, as well as read it.  I was trying to think of a good book to recommend for Mother's Day, and this one came to mind.  It is not a traditional story of motherhood.  Sarah answers an advertisement in the paper to come to Kansas as a wife and mother for Jacob and his children, Anna and Caleb.  It has become too difficult to run his farm and raise his children, so he sends away for a woman to help him out.  Caleb is desperate for a mother, he has never known one.  His mother died having him.  Anna is a little more skeptical of the newcomer.  Sarah has a tough time adjusting to life in Kansas.  She is from a beautiful town on the coast of Maine.  It takes some time and definitely a little trouble, but they start to become a family.  In the end, Sarah agrees to stay and marry Jacob.  This book embraces the role of a mother and the importance she plays in the life of children.  I enjoy watching Sarah learn to love Anna and Caleb and them her in return.  Every child needs a mother.  This book is an excellent example of that.  As far as length, this book is less than 75 pages, but it is not lacking in anyway.  It won the Newbery Medal in 1986 and has long since been considered a classic in children's literature.  I think it is one that every child should read, either by her/himself, or together as a family.  It is just wonderful.  The characters are ones that have stuck with me throughout my life.  Give it a try.  Don't forget to tell your mothers how wonderful they are too.  Happy reading!

Gluten Free on a Shoestring Bakes Bread

I was first turned on to this book when I stumbled upon a post of one of her recipes on my favorite food/cooking blog (Mel's Kitchen Cafe).  From there I decided to check out Nicole Hunn's cookbooks and blog.  I am so glad I found her.  Ever since my husband was diagnose with Celiac, life has not been easy for him.  Bread is one of his favorite things.  I have tried a lot of different recipes for sandwich bread, pizza crust, etc. and none of them were very good until I tried her recipes.  Now I am not a master chef, so some of the recipes didn't turn out the first time (you are not required to be a master chef for her recipes), but I have been able to find success.  Being able to eat pizza that doesn't have a cardboard tasting crust has been amazing.  I love being able to make bread that actually tastes good.  I can't wait to try out more of her recipes.  She has a lot in this book that I haven't been brave enough for yet, but I love being able to add breads back into my husbands diet.  He is probably a lot happier than I am about this discovery.  If you have to eat gluten-free, or just choose to, I highly recommend checking these cookbooks out.  This has been my number one favorite book discovery in months, which saying something with how much I read.  The first three chapters are strictly informational.  They are dedicated to flour blends, equipment, what to expect with GF bread, and shaping the dough.  My only major complaint is that she uses specific ingredients/brands that I have only been able to find online.  The cost is about normal, but the shipping fees are exorbitant.  For example, for $32 worth of product, it costs $20 to ship.  When I already have to pay more for gluten free products, I really don't want to have to pay to have them delivered to me.  I have just gone without those those brands and used the closest ingredients I can find.  So far it has worked out fine, but I haven't made a lot of different recipes yet.  She has a whole chapter dedicated to sour dough recipes I am eager to try.  Sour dough is the number one thing my husband misses, so he is also excited for that opportunity again.  If you are looking for some good gluten free breads, or just for some education on gluten free baking, definitely give this cookbook a try.  I also recommend her first two cookbooks.  Happy reading (and cooking)!

Percy Jackson

Today I want to talk about one of my absolute favorite series for kids (actually it is two series, but one is a sequel of sorts).  After Harry Potter, Percy Jackson is the second must read kid's series, in my opinion.  I think every kid, and adult alike, should read these books.  They are just awesome.  The first five books (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) follow young Percy as he learns the truth of who he really is and embraces his destiny.  He is a demigod, son of one of the Olympic gods .  The monsters and gods from Greek Mythology are real and he is a key figure in their world, whether he wants to be or not.  In each book he finds himself on some seemingly impossible quest, relying on friends, guts and ingenuity to survive.  The five books are tied together by a prophesy that says when one of the demigods turns 16, he or she will either save or destroy Olympus.  The Titan lord Kronos is the big bad in this series.  As he gains power and starts to break free from his prison in Tartarus, Percy and the other demigods must do whatever they can to stop his army.  Obviously a lot of adventures take place over the course of the series.  They happen over the span of five years, culminating in the dreaded birthday and ensuing battle.  My favorite thing about these books is getting to know the modern day aspects of the gods.  They are quite entertaining.  The characters, not just the gods, but the demigods and other mythical creature, are all extremely fun and very likable.  Percy Jackson is a great hero, full of flaws but loyal to the end.  I can't say enough about this series.  If you haven't read it yet, start it immediately.  The second series, Heroes of Olympus, is still in progress.  It has mostly new characters, sons and daughters of the Roman aspects of the gods.  There are a handful of characters from the Greek side, including Percy, that are also in the series.  The trouble is, the Greek and Roman sides of the gods have always been at war with each other.  The two sides must learn to fight together if they are going to stop the Earth Mother, Gaea, from rising.  So far I am enjoying this series almost as much as the first.  They are well written and full of adventure.  I've always preferred Greek Mythology to Roman, so that is why the first series is a little better, in my opinion.  Still, I am loving this sequel series.  I can't wait until October when book five comes out.  Seriously, if you haven't read this series yet, pick up a copy of The Lightning Thief TODAY and get started.  I promise you won't be sorry.  Happy reading!

Flipped

Flipped is one of the first Young Adult books I ever read.  It is classified as that, but in reality it is probably more for middle grade kids.  The main two characters are in eighth grade, but it is a love story at the core, even if it takes place on the playground.  It is also the first book I can remember reading that has alternating chapters( narration switch), something I have come to love in books.  I guess I just enjoy getting to hear different perspectives on the events in a story.  It is not always successful, but Wendelin Van Draanen nailed it in this book.  Unlike most books with alternating chapters, this one mostly retells the exact same events from both perspectives.  It is hilarious.  Our two narrators are Bryce and Julianne.  The two meet in second grade when Bryce's family moves in next door to Julianne's.  She is instantly in love with him, and he of course can't stand her.  Bryce does things to try to dissuade her, like get a girlfriend he doesn't even really like.  Julianne, in turn, feels it is her duty to save him from said girlfriend.  At the heart of it, the two don't actually really know each other at all.  They are locked in a game of cat and mouse.  As they get older and get to know each other a little better, Julianne realizes she doesn't really like who Bryce turns out to be under the surface.  Bryce, on the other hand, starts to think Julianne is quite fabulous.  It is now up to him to prove to her that he is worth liking after all.  This book is just so cute and funny.  I think this author has a talent for mixing humor with real emotion.  She writes funny books that have a depth to them as well.  While this book is a love story, it also touches on family loyalty, friendship, standing up for what you believe and not being afraid to be yourself.  I have read it a handful of times and enjoy it immensely with each reread.  If you haven't given it a try yet, I highly recommend it.  It will bring you plenty of laughs as you see these two neighbors interpret simple events in vastly different ways.  Enjoy and happy reading!

April is Poetry Month

I'm not much for poetry.  I prefer to read without having to look for the deeper meaning.  Not that there isn't a deeper meaning in other genres, I just don't tend to seek out poetry books.  Kid's poetry, on the hand, is all sorts of fun.  My favorite will probably always be Where the Sidewalk Ends.  When I was kid (if I'm being honest, as an adult too) I listened to the audio version a gazillion times.  There is nothing like having Shel Silverstein read a handful of his poems to you.  Hearing them exactly as he intended them to be is unbelievable.  It is just amazing.  Outside of his great work, there are a handful of compilations that I just love.  Compilations are my favorite because you get a good mix of lots of popular poets, and you get their best poems all in one book.  The Random House Book of Poetry for Children has been my go to collection since I was a child.  Caroline Kennedy put together two collections of poetry that I also love (A Family of Poems and Poems to Learn by Heart).  For me the best part of her collections is the illustrations.  Jon Muth is one of my favorite illustrators.  His watercolors are breathtaking.  Having those images accompany familiar poems is pretty unbeatable.  Julie Andrews has two collections I really like as well (Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies and Treasury for All Seasons).  Like I said earlier, collections are my favorite because you get a good compilation of the best poems out there.  The variety is the best part.  If you are looking for some good poems to read this month in celebration of Poetry Month, I recommend giving one of these books a try.  Happy reading!

Tuesday Talk: Hawksong

Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is one of my very favorite teen books.  I have read it at least six times and love it every time.  It is not very long, which I why I have reread it so many times.  However, it is not lacking for its length.  I think it is very well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat, so to speak.  Danica Shardae is heir to the avian throne.  Her people have been at war with the serpiente for generations.  Zane Cobriana is heir to the serpiente throne and has seen enough of his family die.  He is willing to do anything to stop the war.  When he proposes a union between the two, Danica is equally desperate to find peace.  The only problem is she doesn't know if she can trust Zane.  He is very much like his second form, that of a cobra.  He could strike at anytime.  The story is told from Danica's point of view.  Throughout the entire story you are right there with her, always wondering if Zane can be trusted, if he will lose his infamous temper and strike or if he is sincere and perhaps falling in love with her.  The entire story is steeped with danger at every turn.  The peace between the two kingdoms is always hanging on a thread.  Neither side ready to believe or accept it.  Plus, there are those that are plotting against them and not everyone will survive.  This book is just so great.  Even though I know how it will end, I always get caught up in the suspense.  Maybe I am just silly, but I think it is fabulous.  In fact, I think I will reread it this week.  I think everyone should read it.  Be warned, it is the first book in a series, but the rest of the series is not nearly as good.  By book three, it has jumped into the future and has a whole new set of main characters.  Book two is told from Zane's point of view, but he is not nearly as interesting when you actually know what he's thinking and what he will do.  The mysterious element is gone and that is at least half of his appeal, to me anyway.  The series is still good, but only this first book is great.  In fact, there is one book I didn't like at all.  Just remember, it is Hawksong that I am recommending, not the Keisha'ra series.  Happy reading!

Tuesday Talk: The Power of One

The Power of One is my all-time favorite book.  I have read it multiple times and listened to it on audio.  It is fantastic.  I chose to talk about it today is celebration of Black History Month.  Now the main character is not actually black, but the book takes place in apartheid South Africa.  Also, some of the people Peekay loves the most and are the most influential in his life are black.  He lives in both worlds, which causes him lots of grief in his childhood.  This book is just fabulous.  It is a great example of how one person, no matter his size, can change the world.  he doesn't let fear and hatred get him down.  He makes friends in the most unlikely of places and dares to dream of things bigger than what appears to be in his reach.  My copy of this book has multiple passages underlined.  There are just so many wonderful, deep, perhaps even life-changing excerpts I love to revisit.  I'm glad I first came across this book when I was in college and in the underlining and margin writing state of mind.  I don't think I could bring myself to "defile" a book like that today.  Of course, if I hadn't done it, it would take forever to find my favorite passages.  Here are a few:

 "...in each of us there burns a flame of independence that must never be allowed to go out.  That as long as it exists within us we cannot be destroyed." (p.20)

"Sometimes the slightest things change the directions of our lives, the merest breath of a circumstance, a random moment that connects like a meteorite striking the earth.  Lives have swiveled and changed direction on the strength of a change remark." (p.60)

"First with the head and then with the heart."--this is the theme Peekay revisits as he attempts to become the welterweight champion of the world.

"The power of one is above all things the power to believe in yourself..." (p.423)

There are a lot more memorable lines I could quote, but I think everyone should read this book and find their own favorites!!  This book did take me a few tries to get into.  I read the first chapter or two multiple times before I ever made it further.  I'm saying this not because it is a difficult book to read, but because it took a few more chapters to hook me in than other books have.  That said, please don't give up on this book until you have given it a fair shot.  I promise you won't regret it.  It is an amazing story that everyone should read.  It may even change your life.  Happy reading!