Anyways I remember not looking forward to the new year and I remember loathing the idea of my birthday only being 5 months away. I wasn’t happy about turning 20 and my life still being at a standstill, you could say. Nothing has changed really, but I want to be more positive. You could say that turning 21 in 5 months could only make me happy because I can finally drink!!!! While I’m excited about that I’m also strongly convinced this year has things in store just waiting for me snatch them up.
Goals for the New Year:
- Read between 150 and 200 books. The majority of which I hope come from my own shelves. I tend to buy, buy, buy like crazy, check out even more books from the library, and only read the ones I get from the library. If my tagging on LibraryThing is correct I have well over 350 books to be read. YIKES!
- Finish and Enter 21 projects for the quilt show I participate in every August. My grandmother thinks this is too tall of an order for me, but why ever so do you ask? I inherited….yes you guessed it the procrastination gene from my mother and my grandmother. I like, no I choose, to wait a month sometimes less before the event to finish the projects. Not this year I’m starting tomorrow, actually that sounds like a good idea. At least 2 of the quilts are basically finished!
- Get down to business about opening a bookstore. This has long been a deep desire for as well as my sister. The more I swap books online at PaperBackSwap the more I realize this goal is attainable. I’m praying the Lord will show me how I can do this. I need to know where I can get inventory from, large quantities of used books. Eventually I’d liked to branch out to selling new books too, but at first I want to focus on used books.
- Try harder to write more. I really want to finish a book. There is just too much self doubt evolved. I wish I had a good friend that was a writer that could read my stuff and tell me ‘you stink’ or ‘this is good keep going’. Alas I don’t and I’m just going to try to work on writing. Write from the heart and not be worried about what others will think of it….until later when it becomes important.
- Journal more.
- A better relationship with the Lord. More than ever my relationship with the Lord has really been slack. The year has had its ups and downs. I back think to all of the blessings the Lord has gave me and think shame on me for not striving for a better relationship with Christ. However, I also shouldn’t only want a better relationship with Him just because of His blessings. I need to be in His word everyday, praying, and worshiping Him because I’m told to do so in His word, its obedience. I want to read my Bible more and truly seek the Lord’s wisdom.
The Sinner’s Tale by Will Davenport (4 stars)
I love books that weave the past with the present. This novel is no different. The author did a great job of slowly drawing me in by starting in the 1300s with a knight. I was eager to know more about this righteous knight who thought himself so lowly and sinful. The book also made me more curious about Catholics and their beliefs. It had just enough mystery to it, to keep me picking it back up. I also want to know more about the time period now.
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura (2 stars)
Before reading this book I had never read a book with ghosts as the main characters. I was intrigued by the author’s view of life, for some people, after death. Her style of writing was very poetic and it is obvious she has a love for literature and poetry. The story progressed well and was cause for curiosity. I thought it out of place for a young adult book to have such vividly described sex scenes. Usually I base a books worth on whether I feel right about placing it on my shelf someday for my children to read. I would never want them to read this for the pure and simple fact that I don't think it age appropriate, nor content anyone should be filling their minds with. Also it has to be said, I didn't like the portrayal of Christians in the book. It is not because I am a Christian that I say this, but because I don't like it in books or movies when people deem it right to make their audience feel that all Christians are that way. We all are hypocrites at one time or another, myself not excluded. I can understand writing about a Christian who is fake, but portraying us all as perfect little robots who never do anything wrong, don't tolerate sin ever, and pretend to lead a life of righteousness is wrong in my opinion. Sin is wrong, we are to hate the sin, but love the sinner, not to ostracize and create an outcast of ourselves.
I was happy with the ending, in that it gave you hope for the future. I will be interested to see what the author's future stories have in store.
Green Rider by Kristen Britain (4 stars)
Karigan, a young woman, finds herself kicked out of school and running away to get home. Little did she know that running away would bring her so much adventure. It starts with her meeting a dying messenger bound to deliver a message to the king, whose lasts words employ Karigan to take the message to the king. Along the way she meets up with strange creatures, people who speak of magic, traitors, and the mysterious ‘Gray One’.
I purchased this book a while ago based on the recommendation from a friend who knows my taste in books well. When I started reading, I will admit I was a bit put off by the slowness of the story and a lack of any sort of love interest for the main character. Once I told myself to get over no love intrigue in the book and to enjoy the story, that’s exactly what happened. I enjoyed the book! The author’s attention to a fantasy world was done very well and to its history. Many scenes I thought were reminiscent of Lord of the Rings, only with her own style. Karigan, the main character, was convincing as a young woman unsure of where life will lead her. The many trials she faced and the courage she showed in persevering made the story even more enjoyable. At times the story got a bit too predictable; however, in a way it helped to keep me reading more to see if all my predication were correct. There was a very slit hint at a developing love interest toward the end (so don’t give up on it completely). I look forward to the author’s sequel. I’m sure it will be even better.
I’m very excited that the publishers have decided to bring out another of Eva Ibbotson’s old books. Magic Flutes was originally published in 1982 and is now very hard to find. I’ve found copies before, but they are upwards of $25.00 or more. The book comes out May 2009 and the American title is The Reluctant Heiress. Please someone tell me why American copies of British author’s books have different titles???
Summary for The Reluctant Heiress (found on Amazon.com)
Being an heiress in 1920s
Why I’m waiting? Eva Ibbotson has been one of my favorite authors ever since I read The Secret of Platform 13 years ago. Many of her stories take place in
Allegiance by Cayla Kluver
If you want to read a prologue to her new book coming out 2009, head on over to Cayla Kluver's blog. She hasn’t come out with the release date, but I’m sure it will be soon.
