Junie B. Jones Is Not A Crook

I've been trying to read a few easy novels with my five year old son for the past little while. So I picked up some of the children's books I had growing up that I thought he would actually sit down and listen to. Junie B. is the one he picked out of my small-ish collection.

Junie B is a kindergartener who is just figuring out the world. Figuring out school, friends, the do's and don'ts of the world. This is book number 9 in the series, my son picked from random. In this story, Junie B. loses her  new, fluffy, black gloves that her grandpa gives her. She discovers there is a lost and found, but it's not there. Obviously upset that someone took her fancy gloves, she thinks they are all crooks. But then she finds a fancy pen under the drinking fountain, she believes "finders keepers, losers weepers is the rule" so she keeps it. Then comes the moral dilemma of a five year old.

It's alright. Good-ish for children who are starting to read. The morals to the stories are good and hopefully my son will realize that it's not good to take things that aren't yours. (I wish some people would choose that road more often then they do... *grumble grumble* my ring I lost *grumble grumble.

Junie B. is also a hoot. I think she is fun and she definitely has her own personality that often drive the adults around her nuts, just like many of children in general. That is very much authentic and fun.

My only real problem with it though is something that my own mother pointed out to me and why she doesn't care for the books--though she got them for me and helped me read them because they were some of the only things I'd read. My problem is that Junie doesn't speak grammatically correct. I have a five year old, I get that it is more authentic or real to the character to have her speak oddly at points, but there are other characters that don't speak so strangely. If we are trying to teach the children who are reading these books to speak well, shouldn't the main character speak more clearly? Yes. Even reading aloud myself, there were sometimes I'd have to catch myself because Junie B wasn't making grammatical sense. Teaching children to read and the societal constructs of what to expect I think is more important at this age than this particular growing curve that she has.

The Book of Mormon

I would feel very ungrateful if I didn't write a review about the book I just finished.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Book of Mormon is a "keystone of our religion" (Ezra Taft Benson). Many people will see the LDS/Mormon missionaries giving out free books and trying to discuss our beliefs with all those whom they see. We want to share the Gospel, the "good news," and this book is one of the best ways to share the Truth.

In the last few General Conferences that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holds twice a year, we have been urged to reread the The Book of Mormon. I took up that challenge after the October General Conference this year and challenged myself to finish it before the end of the year. Well, today is the 31st of December and I finished it. It has lead to great discoveries about myself and the world in which we all live.

There will be many who will say that The Book of Mormon is false but I know it to be true. I know it.

The Book of Mormon, for those who are unaware, is the story of a few families (one in particular) that traveled from Jerusalem to the Americas six hundred years before Christ. It tells of their family feuds which leads to wars and later the destruction of one of the sides of the family. But more importantly it tells of Jesus Christ's visit to the people after he died in Jerusalem, how he healed and blessed the people who had gathered at the temple after the great destruction that had occurred with his passing. It is, as it says, "another testament of Jesus Christ." And it is truth.

Through this challenge to myself, I have grown in appreciation for Mormon, the man who compiled 1000 years of Nephite history to make this book. I am a lover of history and to know that I have that in common with a Prophet of the Lord brings me joy. He put so much time and effort into compiling this for us, today, so then we can be prepared for what is to come in the future. He had a great heart which was full of great joy and sorrow as he watched his people decay  and let anger and hatred fill their hearts. While he isn't the only great prophet in The Book of Mormon, he is one of my favorites.

If you like reading about wars and secret societies, read this book.

If you like reading about families, read this book.

If you seeking Truth (with a capital T), read this book.

If you want peace, read this book.

If you want to be prepared for the travesties that are to come, read this book.

Don't get stuck in 2 Nephi. Persevere and actually try to understand what Nephi is quoting (from Isaiah). Read of Captain Moroni and the battles he fought. Read of Abinadi and the brother of Jared and their faith in Christ. Read of Alma and Amulek and their devastating trials with the people of Ammonihah. There are so many stories that are relevant to today and the world we live in.  Read this book.

I know that this is Truth; I testify that it is. Pay particular attention to Moroni 10: 3-4 when you get to the end and follow his counsel there. You will not regret it.

Pawn of Prophecy

Pawn of Prophecy is the first book of the "Belgariad." The first time I read this was about ten years ago at the recommendation of my brother. It was my kickoff into fantasy which I am so very grateful for.

Garion is a boy who lives on a Faldar's farm with his Aunt. It starts out a bit slow, farm life, finding girls attractive, nearly dying while rafting on a lake, normal adventure-y things that one would do when you're too young to be working in the field. They will occasionally have visitors: the storyteller, merchant that are suspicious, and that strange rider that always seems to be lurking though no one else can see him. Aunt Pol and the storyteller seem to have a background, though it's a friendly one. Garion overhears conversation of something vastly important being stolen, then he is suddenly ousted from the life he knew into one of utter confusion. Joining up with his Aunt, the storyteller, the blacksmith from the farm who has eyes for Aunt Pol, a rat faced man, and a man as big as a bear, they find themselves in search of something while at the same time running from those who pursue them. Garion is finding himself way over his head in things he doesn't understand.

This book is very near and dear to my heart. While it might not be the best piece of literature out there, I love the characters and the cultures it creates and develops. David Eddings takes a lot of time for the cultures and peoples he creates and it shows through his writing. It is a "hero's journey" where we watch the development of Garion and his companions while they are seeking something vitaly important--though the quest seems to be not quite on par with the characters. Having read the series before, it gets better as the series goes on (similar to Tamora Pierces' books or really any debut novel).

The part of the book that I enjoy the most is and will always be the characters. They might be considered cliche now, but that is only because David Edding's was one of the first to modernly do it.  Silk is the thief among thieves. The first of the greats in my opinion. While not technically a thief, more like a spy, he is amazingly sly. He is my favorite. But the rest of the characters are just as fantastic.

I will warn all that this was written in the early 80's, and so the style is different from what we are used to today. They travel a lot in this series. They can travel leagues (whatever that actually means) and weeks will pass with the words "weeks passed." Which saves us from boring "and they traveled and traveled and traveled" expositions. But it portrays a sense of idleness, like not much is going on. It also seems like there are parts that are easily skimmable. Not that you should, but it is possible.

All in all, everyone should read these. They are a classic like Tolkien. Read them!

Words of Radiance

Words of Radiance is the second book in Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive. This is my second readthrough of it and found I enjoyed it even more.

"Now that Kaladin is working for Dalinar, Dalinar and Adolin are safe, Shallan has become Jasnah's ward, they've found out that the Almighty is dead as has been for quite a while, and so many other things, here is where they finally all get together. The book cover says: "Six years ago, the Assassin in while killed the Alethi king, and now his prime target is Highprince Dalinar. Kaladin is in command of the royal bodyguards, a controversial post for his low status, and must protect the king and Dalinar, while secretly mastering remarkable new powers linked to his honorspren, Syl. Shallan bears the burden of preventing the return of the Voidbringers and the civilization-ending Desolation that follows. The Shattered Plains holds the answer, where the Parshendi are convinced by their war leader to risk everything on a desperate gamble with the very supernatural forces they once fled." (Blurb from goodreads.com) It is a much better way to sum up than I could without giving too much away. 

Ah, I enjoy this series so much. This book and Way of Kings, are books I go back to all the time in my head. The scenes and images are so lush and vibrant that they have stuck with me and made me want to read certain passages when I'm in the midst of reading other things. They creep up into my thoughts saying, "This is a great part. Let's play it over again. We should probably read the book again. Yes, it's big, but it's fantastic." The writing is beautiful, as always, where it is so easy to get sucked in and forget that you are reading a story instead of living it. 

I love the characters in here. All of them. Kaladin and Shallan progress so much throughout both of these books. Shallan is given her flash backs in this story and her background is so sad. Not only is her family secretly in dire straits because of the broken fabrial, but we learn it is also because of the tyranny which their father reigned over them. We learn far more about her brothers and their dealings than I expected we would. Shallan also grows very much in a way I didn't expect her to do making her appear very different from in the first book. I've heard reviews that they didn't like Shallan's character development and that Sanderson wrote her so than she is nothing like her self in the first book. I see their point, but I disagree. Which she is very much different and there is a definite point of shift I can see the logical trial of her actions. It isn't out of character so much as expanding a new ability we didn't know she had. As a Lightweaver, she is able to make illusions after she has drawn them. Which means she can change things around her as well as herself. She takes on different disguises throughout the story and impersonates others. Our shy little Shallan starts to take more control of herself and her surroundings and changes them as she needs. But then she still has the ability to be herself. Through these different people she becomes she finds herself a little more. She sees herself in many of the characters she portrays. Which this journey I don't believe is complete (there are still three more books in this particular series), she has found probably a first destination on her journey on truly facing the things of her past that honestly haunt her. 

Pattern, whom we are introduced to as Shallan's spren, is cool. I like him for his childish curiosity and trying to understand that things that are around him. He is very much like Syl though he is more calculative and loves Lies while Sly is a bit more flighty. (Pun intended.) I've seen costume portraying what Pattern would look like (such as here ) which are really phenomenal. 

I really enjoyed the progression of Adolin throughout the book too. While he's not making giant leaps and bounds, it was fun to see more of him and I can't wait for Oathbringer to really see how he gets out of his mess that he made at the very end of the book. When I read it the first time, I didn't like it at all. That fact that he did what he did made me very angry, but through this re-read I am more understanding to what he did. (I also started reading Oathbringer a little and have found that he is concerned about what he did and when if finally comes out, because of course it will, people will be angry but they will also be understanding.) 

There will be one part that makes every reader kring (you'll know it when you get to it) because of what Kaladin does in the moment. After a glorious fight defending Adolin, he does something very stupid to get back at Amaram and it backfires drastically. It was stupid and you will have to get over it. Sorry. But I think that shows Sanderson as a good writer. He knows and we, as the reader knows, that what he is about to do is stupid but he is willing to let his characters be stupid when they are blinded by one thing or another. We all do that because we are human and Kaladin does that because he is human too. 

All of the characters are amazing in their own right. Sabriel is one of my favorites and Lift is downright hysterical with her "awesomeness." Lift has her own short story, because she is so well loved and fantastic will be one of your favorites because of how funny she is. Her poor spren. 

The plot and flow of the story was different than Way of Kings because Dalinar gives us a count down. There are only sixty-something days until something bad happens. How do they prepare? How can they go about saving humanity? Can they even stop it? How do they get the princes to follow him before this Everstorm comes?  

As the characters start really meeting up with one another, connections are made and which means things move forward and they take steps back at points. One of my favorite chapters/scenes/developments was when Shallan and Kaladin are dropped into one of the chasms and they are forced to work together to find a way out. But of course nothing can go easily and awesomeness ensues. 

In the end, I love it all, even the kringy parts. It was well written and beautiful. I am going to step away from Roshar for a bit because this was such a big endeavor and will be reading something a bit more light before I try to tackle Oathbringer though it will be forthcoming. I hope you enjoy this book. 

Jackaby

Jackaby by William Ritter is a crossroads between Supernatural, Sherlock Homes, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Jackaby is a supernatural detective, in 1892, with as many things in his home as Newt Scamander has in his suitcase. Odd ball, scatterbrained man that he is, he has a good heart and is willing to help people.

But the story is written through the eyes Abigail Rook, a newly arrived girl to the Americas who ran away from home to start her own adventures--though they have gone awry. Eager to not starve in the America's Abigail looks for a new job and finds an advertisement for an assistant of some sort. When she goes there she is instantly dragged into a murder mystery with crazy things happening. Abigail is introduced to Banshees, ghosts, and a duck who used to be human, amongst others.

Over all it is a small book, that would have been a quick read if I wasn't distracted by other things at home, and when I got to actually sit down and read it I found I really enjoyed it. I am already going to give my copy to a friend who was very excited about the mixture of three different types of stories put together.

The "beasts" we are introduced to are ones that are fairly well known, banshees, ghosts, fairies,  etc. but Jackaby gives us explanations as to why they are the way they are. Like he'd talked to a bunch of them and got their stories, which he probably had.

I like the characters because they were fun.  I could almost put every single person as a movie personality though. Such as Officer Cane reminded me of Officer Buzz McNab from Psych, so much so that McNab was who I was picturing in my mind when Officer Cane was in a scene. This could be good or bad depending on the reader's preferences.  I was able to pick a personality to most of the major characters except Abigail. While she had her likes and virtues, she didn't really have any vices or things that rounded her out as a character. She took everything in stride and believed it all so quickly, a tad unbelievable.  That was a bit disappointing. Though I was engaged enough to want to read the next few in the series which I will be doing at a future date.

Perfect Scoundrels

Perfect Scoundrels is the last in the Heist Society novels by Ally Carter and can I say that this is the perfect ending for the series. I would wish with a large portion of my heart that she would do a sequel series to this, because it was just amazing.

It starts off with Hale ditching Kat and the rest of her crew while on a heist with no explanation. Slightly irked at her boyfriend, Kat finds out that Hale's great-grandmother passed away and in her will gave everything to him. This boy of 15 (?) has now inherited his family's entire billion company. Overwhelmed by the death of his only relative whom he actually liked and liked him back as well as this new responsibility, Hale becomes distant from Kat and the rest of her family.

Then suddenly Marcus, the ever present and always watching manservant to Hale, gives Kat a job. The will that gave Hale the entire fortune is a fake. So Kat and the rest of her crew have to find the real one and the person behind it. There are sinister things hidden in all the Hale's closets and we soon find out many of them.

This book was fantastic. As I said, a perfect ending to the series. In the previous books we were given bits and pieces of Kat's whole family, and there are a lot of them. It is her biggest heist yet and needs everyone in on it. It was fun to go back and visit the London and the same museum they stole from in the first book along with other small heists throughout the story to get to the ending with the biggest con of them all.

Her characters have been consistent throughout the whole of the series, which is really good considering I've read a few where characters personalities change from chapter to chapter. While consistent, they do grow as the stories have progressed. Their are real arguments and debates on whether Kat and Hale will stay boyfriend/girlfriend. They show emotion and at one point almost had me in tears. I love the way they banter back and forth, giving amazing names to different styles of heists that they could use to accomplish their end game. They all have their own different personalities which keep the book alive.

I do wish there was more setting. I'm a sucker for a good bit of imagined setting or fun descriptions about the places they are in. But what it lacked for in setting, it made up for in a fantastic heist story that constantly had me turning pages. It lit up my very grey week with its humor and characters while still keeping it within the realm of reality.

It also weighs heavy on family. The importance of family and sticking together. Also that sometimes the best families are the ones you don't share blood with, though other times blood relations are just as amazing too.

I'd recommend this series to anyone who is looking for an upbeat, fun book.

City of a Thousand Dolls

City of a Thousand Dolls got kind of boring for me. I couldn't stand reading it for too long even after 100 pages.

Nisha is a girl who is part of no caste, from unknown ancestry, and was left at the doors of the City of a Thousand Dolls--a place where women go to prepare for their husbands or future careers (I think careers, I know they want to get married off though). She is the eyes and ears of the Matron of the City so she sees and hears everything that happens. But then, on the week leading to the Redeeming (where the girls get selected by their prospective spouses), girls start dying. First an accident then poisoning.

Even though people are dying, I didn't care. I'm sure there are girls who would really enjoy this, but I didn't. There seemed to be little for me to want to grasp and care about.

There is a romance that has kindled, but I don't think it'll pan out like Nisha wants it too--boy thinking of family name more than her (though I could be wrong). It didn't seem to be going anywhere, or if it does it shouldn't have. The romance is very paper thin with lots of makeout sessions hidden from sight. Something you would expect a newly junior high school student to be fantasizing over. Almost 1D, not even 2D.

There were talking cats too, which I know can be a turn off for some people. Like she has no friends, except maybe one, and the cats that follow her around. And the only reason they talk is because she needs to have dialog with someone. But she isn't trusted by anyone or she doesn't trust anyone enough to have meaningful conversations except the cats who can't talk to anyone else. Why can she do this? ... Reasons. That's why.

I will give Ms. Foster points on an interesting setting. The City and surrounding culture was interesting. All the different factions that exist in the City where girls worked to become an expert in specific things. That was cool, but not exactly interesting enough to keep me engaged. I started it well over a week ago, and barely got 75 pages in, still didn't care, and started skimming.

I'd probably disregard this book and find something else.