#33 -- "The Grimm Legacy" by Polly Shulman

"Elizabeth has just started working as a page at the New York Circulating Material Repository - a lending library of objects, contemporary and historical, common and obscure. And secret, too - for in the repository's basement lies the Grimm Collection, a room of magical items straight from the Grimm Brother's fairy tales. But the magic mirrors and seven-league boots and other items are starting to disappear. And before she knows it, she and her fellow pages - handsome Marc, perfect Anjali, and brooding Aaron - are suddenly caught up in an exciting, and dangerous, magical adventure." 

http://www.amazon.com/Grimm-Legacy-Polly-Shulman/dp/0142419044

#32 -- "The House I Loved" by Tatiana De Rosnay

"Paris, France: 1860s. Hundreds of houses are being razed, whole neighborhoods reduced to ashes. By order of Emperor Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann has set into motion a series of large-scale renovations that will permanently alter the face of old Paris, molding it into a “modern city.” The reforms will erase generations of history—and in the midst of the tumult, one woman will take a stand.

 Rose Bazelet is determined to fight against the destruction of her family home until the very end.  As others flee, she stakes her claim in the basement of the old house on rue Childebert, ignoring the sounds of change that come closer and closer each day. Attempting to overcome the loneliness of her daily life, she begins to write letters to Armand, her beloved late husband. And as she delves into the ritual of remembering, Rose is forced to come to terms with a secret that has been buried deep in her heart for thirty years."

http://www.amazon.com/The-House-Loved-Tatiana-Rosnay/dp/1250012880

I chose to read this book because my brother was called to serve a LDS Mission in Lyon, France and I thought this book would be fun to read and I can somewhat relate.  This book is sad and full of memories of this lady and her obstacles and joys she had in her life.  I would recommend this book.

#31 -- "Tres Leches Cupcakes" by Josi Kilpack

 "For Sadie Hoffmiller, going undercover as an informant for the Bureau of Land Management on an archeological site in Santa Fe, New Mexico, seems like the perfect way to stay safe and busy while a threat against her life remains unresolved. Sadie’s days are spent digging up artifacts in the middle of nowhere while also digging up information on her fellow “dirt geeks.” With the help of her baking prowess—no one can resist those amazing dulce de leche bars—and Pete’s cousin, Caro, who takes to the detective work wholeheartedly, Sadie is finding herself again.

But the bright Southwestern sunshine only serves to illuminate the danger that lurks in the shadows. When recent burials are found on an ancient site, Sadie finds herself in the middle of an unexpected—and unwanted—investigation. The more she digs for the truth, the more secrets she uncovers—secrets that people would kill to keep hidden.

Before Sadie knows it, she’s arrested for starting a bar fight (which was totally not her fault), her new friend is missing, and she’s worn out her welcome in Santa Fe in more ways than one. A trip to the annual hot air balloon fiesta in Albuquerque is supposed to give her a break, but before long, she learns that when you’re dealing with the black market antiquity trade, you’re not really safe anywhere you go."

http://www.josiskilpack.com/book-eight-tres-leches-cupcakes

This is the 8th book in this series by Josi S. Kilpack.  Earlier this year I read another book by her and loved that one as well.   This book did not fail at all but exceeded my expectations.  I know that with each new book in the series that they just keep getting better.  This is a series that both my Mother and I read and we are able to discuss what we thought about it and which recipes in the book we want to try.  I can't wait until the next one entitled, Baked Alaska comes out in the Spring.

#30 -- "Meet Rebecca" by Jacqueline Greene

Rebecca Rubin longs to be the center of attention, but it's not easy in a family of five children! When mysterious cousin Max, the actor, tells her the secret to pleasing an audience, Rebecca can hardly wait to try it out. Then she learns that her young cousin Ana and her family are in danger--they must escape Russia and come to America. Rebecca decides to raise money for their passage by putting on a show right in her New York City neighborhood-until her disapproving grandmother steps in. Unexpectedly, Rebecca finds another way to earn money. But she knows that for her plan to work, she'll have to keep it a secret.

http://www.amazon.com/Meet-Rebecca-American-Girls-Collection/dp/1593695209/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353178912&sr=1-1&keywords=meet+rebecca+american+girl

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved reading the  American Girl adventures.  My Mom and I used to read them together on my parents bed.  When I saw that they had a new girl, Rebecca, come out I wanted to read the series to keep up on all of them.  It was a very quick read, since it is geared for Elementary aged girls, but I know that if I ever have a little girl I will do what my Mother did with me and read these with her.

#29 -- "In Honor" by Jessi Kirby

"Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

     Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?"

http://www.amazon.com/Honor-Jessi-Kirby/dp/1442416971

I picked this treasure up at our library because I knew it would be a quick and fun read. I read the description of the book and I was already hooked.  It was very good and well written and I would recommend it for a good read, probably around 14 +.

#28 -- "What To Expect Before You're Expecting" by Heidi Murkoff

"Announcing the prequel. From Heidi Murkoff, author of America's bestselling pregnancy and parenting books, comes the must-have guide every expectant couple needs before they even conceive—the first step in What to Expect: What to Expect Before You're Expecting.

An estimated 11 million couples in the U.S. are currently trying to conceive, and medical groups now recommend that all hopeful parents plan for baby-making at least three months before they begin trying. And who better to guide wanna-be moms and dads step-by-step through the preconception (and conception) process than Heidi Murkoff?

It's all here. Everything couples need to know before sperm and egg meet up. Packed with the same kind of reassuring, empathetic, and practical information and advice and tips that readers have come to expect from What to Expect, only sooner. Which baby-friendly foods to order up (say yes to yams) and which fertility-busters to avoid (see you later, saturated fat); lifestyle adjustments that you'll want to make (cut back on cocktails and caffeine) and those you can probably skip (that switch to boxers). How to pinpoint ovulation, time lovemaking, keep on-demand sex sexy, and separate conception fact (it takes the average couple up to 12 months to make a baby) from myth (position matters). Plus, when to seek help and the latest on fertility treatments—from Clomid and IVF to surrogacy and more. Complete with a fill-in fertility journal to keep track of the babymaking adventure and special tips throughout for hopeful dads. Next step?What to Expect When You’re Expecting, of course"

http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-Before-Youre-Expecting/dp/0761152768

I know that one day I will be a mother and when that happens for my Husband and I, I want to be ready.  I checked out this book from our library to use as a book to read before bed and my Husband and I could learn together and discuss our thoughts and feelings.  We both enjoyed this book and feel like we understand a little more and when I become an expectant mother I hope that I will be ready.....

#27 -- "Sister" by Rosamund Lupton

"Nothing can break the bond between sisters ...When Beatrice gets a frantic call in the middle of Sunday lunch to say that her younger sister, Tess, is missing, she boards the first flight home to London. But as she learns about the circumstances surrounding her sister's disappearance, she is stunned to discover how little she actually knows of her sister's life - and unprepared for the terrifying truths she must now face. The police, Beatrice's fiance and even their mother accept they have lost Tess but Beatrice refuses to give up on her. So she embarks on a dangerous journey to discover the truth, no matter the cost."

http://www.amazon.com/Sister-Rosamund-Lupton/dp/0749942010

I found this book thrilling and it kept me guessing until the ending.  I liked the writing style but the thing I would have changed it how many f-words were dropped during the course of the book.   My Mom and I read this book around the same time and didn't even realize it until after we had both finished it and were discussing our latest readings.

#26 -- "A Heart Most Worthy" by Siri Mitchell

  "The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times. Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client. Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?"

http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Most-Worthy-Siri-Mitchell/dp/B005HKLBH4

This book took me a little longer to get through because I did borrow it from our local library and had to return it before I could finish it.  I had to wait a couple of weeks to get a new copy in but it was totally worth the wait. I loved this book and I could totally visualize myself being each of the different characters.

#25 -- "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" by Stephanie Meyer

"The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is a companion novella to the Twilight series by author Stephenie Meyer. It tells the story of a newborn vampire, Bree Tanner, who is featured in the third book of the series, Eclipse. The book is written from the viewpoint of Bree, as opposed to the rest of the series which is predominantly narrated by character Bella Swan. Meyer let director David Slade, screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, and a few of the actors read a draft of the story during production of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Short_Second_Life_of_Bree_Tanner

#24 -- "A Breath of Eyre" by Eve Marie Mont

Get lost in a good book. Literally.

"Emma Townsend has always believed in stories—the ones she reads voraciously, and the ones she creates in her head. Perhaps it's because she feels like an outsider at her exclusive prep school, or because her stepmother doesn't come close to filling the void left by her mother's death. And her only romantic prospect—apart from a crush on her English teacher—is Gray Newman, a long-time friend who just adds to Emma's confusion. But escape soon arrives in an old leather-bound copy of Jane Eyre…

Reading of Jane's isolation sparks a deep sense of kinship. Then fate takes things a leap further when a lightning storm catapults Emma right into Jane's body and her nineteenth-century world. As governess at Thornfield, Emma has a sense of belonging she's never known—and an attraction to the brooding Mr. Rochester. Now, moving between her two realities and uncovering secrets in both, Emma must decide whether her destiny lies in the pages of Jane's story, or in the unwritten chapters of her own..."

I really enjoyed this book and I am excited to read the next two books that this author has written. I really enjoyed the concept of the book.

#23 -- The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman

"In the third trimester of her pregnancy, Baltimore private investigator Tess Monaghan is under doctor's orders to remain immobile. Bored and restless, reduced to watching the world go by outside her window, she takes small comfort in the mundane events she observes . . . like the young woman in a green raincoat who walks her dog at the same time every day. Then one day the dog is running free and its owner is nowhere to be seen. Certain that something is terribly wrong, and incapable of leaving well enough alone, Tess is determined to get to the bottom of the dog walker's abrupt disappearance, even if she must do so from her own bedroom. But her inquisitiveness is about to fling open a dangerous Pandora's box of past crimes and troubling deaths . . . and she's not only putting her own life in jeopardy but also her unborn child's."   http://www.amazon.com/The-Girl-Green-Raincoat-LP/dp/0061938564

I picked this book to read because for one I enjoy reading mysteries and it was a short, quick read.  At times I got a little turned around but it was a good book overall.  I liked the story line and the pacing of the book.

#22 -- To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn by Sandra Byrd

"To Die For, is the story of Meg Wyatt, pledged forever as the best friend to Anne Boleyn since their childhoods on neighboring manors in Kent. When Anne’s star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne’s favor rises and falls, so does Meg’s. And though she’s pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love—and her own life—because of it. 

Meg's childhood flirtation with a boy on a neighboring estate turns to true love early on. When he is called to follow the Lord and be a priest she turns her back on both the man and his God. Slowly, though, both woo her back through the heady times of the English reformation. In the midst of it, Meg finds her place in history, her own calling to the Lord that she must follow, too, with consequences of her own. Each character in the book is tested to figure out what love really means, and what, in this life, is worth dying for.

Though much of Meg’s story is fictionalized, it is drawn from known facts. The Wyatt family and the Boleyn family were neighbors and friends, and perhaps even distant cousins. Meg’s brother, Thomas Wyatt, wooed Anne Boleyn and ultimately came very close to the axe blade for it. Two Wyatt sisters attended Anne at her death, and at her death, she gave one of them her jeweled prayer book—Meg."     http://www.amazon.com/To-Die-For-Novel-Boleyn/dp/1439183112

I have always loved historical fiction and this was no exception.  For some reason I have taken interest in that time period and the Tudor Family.  I thought this was a fun read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction as well.

#21 -- Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

"In 1904 Texas Ranger Luke Palmer arrives in Brenham, Texas, with one goal--to capture the gang of outlaws led by Frank Comer. Undercover as a telephone repairman, he uses his days on the range to search, not realizing there's another pair of eyes watching him. 
Georgie Gail, switchboard operator and birder, heads out on a birding expedition, but instead of sighting a painted bunting, her opera glasses capture her telephone man, armed and far away from telephone lines. Palmer is forced to take this alluring troublemaker into his confidence and unwittingly puts her in harm's way. The closer he comes to the gang, the further she works her way into his heart--and into trouble. Soon it's more than just love that's on the line."  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10329439-love-on-the-line

I really enjoyed this book and while it was a little predictable at times it was still thrilling and a fun romance read.  I definitely would be interested in reading other books by this author. 

#20 -- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19063.The_Book_Thief

I really liked this book.  At first I was confused when I started the book because I didn't know where it was headed.  But as the pieces started to fall into place I really got into it and enjoyed it even more.  By the time I was finished I could hardly believe I was done....I guess I was just expecting a little more.

#19 -- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here—one of whom was his own grandfather— were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.  A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

http://www.wellreadwife.com/2011/06/09/book-review-miss-peregrines-home-for-peculiar-children-by-ransom-riggs/

I absolutely loved this book and it kept me wondering and I couldn't put it down.  The only bad thing is now that I have to wait for book 2 to come out!!

#18 -- Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

I had been waiting a long time to read this book.  This is the first book that I put on my nook and completed.  It went everywhere with me and I couldn't put it down.  This book was so incredible and I could hardly believe all that I was reading.  Below is a little summary:

Four friends, One sisterhood, Ten years later, the story continues
On the cusp of turning thirty, Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget are now living separate lives, out on their own. Yet despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness. Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/17701/sisterhood-everlasting-sisterhood-of-the-traveling-pants-by-ann-brashares

#17 -- The Donut Book by Sally Levitt Steinberg

The Atkins Diet? Phooey! The South Beach Diet? Feh! What Americans really want to eat is something deep-fried and sugar-packed . . . hence our undying love affair with the beloved donut.

And if anybody knows donuts, it's Sally Levitt Steinberg, America's Donut Princess. As a member of America's royal donut dynasty (her grandfather, Adolph Levitt, invented the donut-making machine), she knows more about this sweet indulgence than anyone else. The Donut Book is the product of Sally's personal charm and life-long, in-depth donut scholarship. 

She covers high points in donut history: the arrival of the first donuts in America with the Dutch settlers in the 17th century, and the donut in World War I, when it became the favorite nosh of the boys in the trenches. She celebrates donut-loving celebrities, from Admiral Byrd to Bill Clinton, as well as some of the most gifted donut bakers on the planet. She visits the campus of Dunkin' Donuts University and reveals the secret that makes Krispy Kreme donuts irresistible. And she identifies the most popular donut in America (glazed) and the runner-up (chocolate).

Then there are the recipes: 29 mouth-watering, soul-satisfying ways to achieve the ultimate sugar rush, from New Orleans beignets to Portuguese malasadas, from Boston crèmes to Alain Ducasse's upscale Donut. And for donut lovers who are willing to hit the road to find their favorite confection, the book comes with an illustrated Donut Lover's Guide to bakeries that serve up the lightest, fluffiest, best dressed, and tastiest donuts.


http://www.amazon.com/Donut-Book-Sally-Levitt-Steinberg/dp/1580175481

I thought this was a cute little book. I now wish I had a deep fryer so I could try some of these tasty sounding recipes.  I certainly learned a few new things about how doughnuts came about and how popular they are.

#16 -- Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life & Reign of Lady Jane Grey

In NINE DAYS A QUEEN, author Ann Rinaldi brings to life the fascinating story of Lady Jane Grey. In the opening of the novel Lady Jane Grey is a young girl of nine who is living with her parents, the Duke and Duchess Suffolk. Jane had two younger sisters, Catherine and Mary. Later that same year, in 1546, Jane is sent to court to live with Queen Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII. She is to learn important social skills that govern life at the Royal Court.

Jane's parents were very cruel and mistreated her. This is why she is pleased when Thomas Seymour, Catherine Parr's second husband, invites Jane to live with them. Her father agrees to the arrangement and Jane spends several happy years living in their home. When Catherine becomes ill after giving birth and dies, Jane's life changes for the worse.

Jane is treated as a pawn in her parents' quest for power. She is betrothed to Guildford Dudley even though she does not like him. Jane's parents, along with Guildford's parents, have formed a plan to ensure that Jane will become Queen of England. They succeed with their plan and Jane serves as Queen for nine days before being overthrown. The second half of the novel is filled with exciting twists and turns. Even though Lady Jane Grey only lives to the age of sixteen, her life is filled with more drama and excitement than most people will ever experience.

History will come to life for readers of NINE DAYS A QUEEN. Lady Jane Grey led a life filled with privilege and emotional pain. Her heartbreaking life story will stay with the reader long after he or she puts the book down.

http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/nine-days-a-queen-the-short-life-and-reign-of-lady-jane-grey

#15 -- Jeannie Out of the Bottle by Barbara Eden

     I saw this book at the library and since I love I Dream  of Jeannie I thought this would be an interesting read.  Her biography was so amazing that I couldn't put it down.  I learned about her childhood and how she got into show business.  I read about some of the experiences she had with producers and fellow co-stars.   I learned so much about the exciting parts in her life as well as the harder parts.

     Here is a description of the book, "Over the past four decades, the landmark NBC hit television series I Dream of Jeannie has delighted generations of audiences and inspired untold numbers of teenage crushes on its beautiful blond star, Barbara Eden. Part pristine Hollywood princess and part classic bombshell, with innocence, strength, and comedic talent to spare, Barbara finally lets Jeannie out of her bottle to tell her whole story.
 
     Jeannie Out of the Bottle takes us behind the scenes of I Dream of Jeannie as well as Barbara’s dozens of other stage, movie, television, and live concert performances. We follow her from the hungry years when she was a struggling studio contract player at 20th Century Fox through difficult weeks trying to survive as a chorus girl at Ciro’s Sunset Strip supper club, from a stint as Johnny Carson’s sidekick on live TV to tangling on-screen and off with some of Hollywood’s most desirable leading men, including Elvis Presley, Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, and Warren Beatty. From the ups and downs of her relationship with her Jeannie co-star Larry Hagman to a touching meeting with an exquisite and vulnerable Marilyn Monroe at the twilight of her career, readers join Barbara on a thrilling journey through her five decades in Hollywood.
 
     But Barbara’s story is also an intimate and honest memoir of personal tragedy: a stillborn child with her first husband, Michael Ansara; a verbally abusive, drug-addicted second husband; the loss of her beloved mother; and the accidental heroin-induced death of her adult son, just months before his wedding. With candor and poignancy, Barbara reflects on the challenges she has faced, as well as the joys she has experienced and how she has maintained her humor, optimism, and inimitable Jeannie magic throughout the roller-coaster ride of a truly memorable life. 
 
     Illustrated with sixteen pages of photographs, including candid family pictures and rare publicity stills, Jeannie Out of the Bottle is a must-have for every fan, old and new."

http://www.amazon.com/Jeannie-Out-Bottle-Barbara-Eden/dp/0307886948

I would totally recommend this book to any fan of hers.

#14 -- Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin

This book was out of my normal reading selections.  I had heard about this book before but had never read it.  I saw it at the library and snatched it up and was determined to read it.  At first I got into it and then it became a little more difficult, but I kept reading page after page reading about all his experiences.

Here is a description about the book, "In the Deep South of the 1950s, journalist John Howard Griffin decided to cross the color line.  Using medication that darkened his skin to deep brown, he exchanged his privileged life as a Southern white man for the disenfranchised world of an unemployed black man.  His audacious, still chillingly relevant eyewitness history is a work about race and humanity-that in this new millennium still has something important to say to every American."
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Like-John-Howard-Griffin/dp/0451208641

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a smart read and learn a little bit about the history and the south.

#13 -- The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

     This book was indeed a bit mysterious.  What caught my eye besides the cover was the back of the book.  Here is a quick description of the book:

"Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children-two boys and two girls-succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. But what they'll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies. So, if you're gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help."
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/83369.The_Mysterious_Benedict_Society.
     It is a bit of a lengthier book and took me a little while to get through, and it did tread on at times.  Sometimes it was so thrilling I couldn't put it down, while other times I felt like it was a bit predictable.

#12 -- The Voyage of the Continental by Katherine Kirkpatrick

After three years at a Lowell, MA mill, 16 year old Emeline McCullough can no longer stand the grueling work.  In 1865, an orphan has few choices.  So when Asa Mercer announces his plan to resettle Civil War orphans and widows in the new Settlement of Seattle, WA Emeline is one of them.

Being one of the Mercer Girls is not exactly what Emeline expected.  Not only is the journey all the way around the tip of South America far more perilous than Emeline imagined, but someone is trying to murder her closest companion.  Despite all this, the voyage of the Continental proves to be the adventure of a lifetime, filled with mystery, excitement, friendship, romance and untold beauty.

I admit that this book was a bit more difficult to get into.  It seemed like it just dragged on and that I could predict what would happen next.  Even though it only took me a few days to get through it, it started out slow.  This would be a good book for a younger reader and someone who enjoys historical fiction.

#11 -- The Wedding Letters by Jason Wright

From New York Times bestselling author of The Wednesday Letters comes the completion of one family's journey to survive their past and forge their own future. With no more secrets . . .

When Noah Cooper bumps into Rachel, it's love at first sight, at least for Noah. Rachel isn't so sure. But Noah's charm pays off, and he introduces his bride-to-be to a special Cooper family tradition &mdash the wedding letters. Family and friends of the happy couple are invited to send letters of advice on love, life, and happiness.

However, when a dark secret from Rachel's past surfaces, will Noah and his parents, Malcolm and Rain, be able to help save the wedding from disaster? And what about the scrapbook of wedding letters that have already been gathered? Could a single letter really provide the answer that will bring Rachel back?

Set against the backdrop of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, The Wedding Letters will remind you that sometimes, no matter the secrets of years past, two hearts can still be one. And by the final page, you might just want to create your own book of wedding letters for someone you love.  http://deseretbook.com/Wedding-Letters-Jason-F-Wright/i/5057488

     I was so excited to read this second book in the series.  This one started out a bit slow, but it just keep progressing and I felt like I had know these characters for years.  I was able to read it quickly and it had a few surprises that I didn't see coming.  As I was reading I would try to tell my husband about the story so I could talk to him about it.  At first, he wasn't all that interested, but with all the reading I'm doing I think he is realizing how important it is to me.   

     I would totally recommend both the Wednesday Letters and the Wedding Letters to anyone looking for a good read.  The series is inspiring and I now view life a bit differently because of some of the letters in these books.

#10 -- Fever by Lauren DeStephano

Before giving my review of this novel (Fever) I feel like I should add a description to the first book in The Chemical Garden Series

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive.

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8525590-wither

In the sequel the story continues from where it left off and it is just as thrilling as the first book.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ring mistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

I am excited to see what the third one holds so I can conclude this series and see what happens to Rhine.

Here are little videos to give you a little more feeling for the books.

#9 -- Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

This was the final book I read for guided reading during my student teaching. I had read other Pippi stories but never this one. I had heard about Pippi from my mother and I even had a collection of stories about her.

Pippi is a nine year old who is very unconventional, assertive and even has superhuman strength, being able to lift her house one-handed without difficulty. In this book she has many adventures with adults like police officers and burglars, she also goes on a picnic, tries out school and even to the circus. Pippi is a very unusual girl, but that doesn't stop her. She, like Peter Pan doesn't ever want to grow up.

This is an interesting read for sure and she is quite the little character.

#8 -- Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack

"A tropical paradise seems like the ideal place for amateur detective Sadie Hofmiller to relax and unwind from the panic attacks that have begun to control her life. But when Sadie accepts the offer to stay at a friend’s condo on the island of K’auai, her perfect vacation turns into a nightmare. On a snorkeling trip with the Blue Muumuus, a community group of adventurous older women, Sadie finds herself entangled, quite literally, with the dead body of Noelani Pouha, a local drug addict. The police are convinced they know exactly what happened to Noelani. Reeling from the shock of her own near-drowning, Sadie has no interest in looking for any other possible answers until

Noelani’s son appears on her doorstep, presenting her with a reason to gather her inner strength, rally her investigative powers, and use what she’s learned from her past cases to try and find closure . . . for both of them"

This was the description for this book and it is the 7th book in this series by this author. I have loved each and every one of them so far. One fantastic aspect is the recipes that are included in the books. I have tried several and they are definite keepers. This one was just the same. It had a little bit of a different feel than the other novels but I just wanted to keep on reading and never put it down. I finished this book in under a week.

Another thing I liked about this series is that my mother also reads them and it gives us something to talk about and we can relate to each other. I can't wait until the next one comes out!!

All the books in the series are listed in the order of which they came out: Lemon Tart, English Trifle, Devil's Food Cake, Key Lime Pie, Blackberry Crumble, Pumpkin Roll, Banana Split.....and the next one is Tres Leches Cupcakes

#7 -- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

This was another book that I had for student teaching. I had never heard of this book but my cooperating teacher suggested that I use for this group of students. It was an interesting read and it was a pretty quick one at that.

Here is a brief summary of the book:

The prologue is a letter from Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, "To my lawyer, Saxonberg", accompanied by a drawing of her writing at her office desk. It is the cover letter for the 158-page narrative, which provides background for changes to her last will and testament."

Eleven-year-old Claudia Kincaid decides to run away from home comfortably, because she thinks her parents do not appreciate her and she doesn't like discomfort. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City with nine-year-old brother Jamie as companion partly because he has saved all his money.er, "To my lawyer, Saxonberg", accompanied by a drawing of her writing at her office desk. It is the cover letter for the 158-page narrative, which provides background for changes to her last will and testament.

While at the museum they set up a routine of hiding in the bathroom at closing time from staff on circuit to see that all the patrons have departed; blending with school groups on tour, to learn more about the museum exhibits; bathing in the fountain, whose "wishing coins" provide income and sleeping in an antique bed.

A new exhibit draws sensational crowds and fascinates the children: the marble statue of an angel, sculptor unknown but suspected to be Michelangelo. It was purchased at auction from Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a collector who recently closed her showcase Manhattan residence. They research it on site and at the a library, and give their findings to the museum staff anonymously.

After learning they have been naive, the children spend the last of their money on travel to Mrs. Frankweiler's home in Connecticut. She recognizes them as runaways but sets them briefly to the task of researching the angel in her long bank of file cabinets. Despite the idiosyncratic organization of her files, they do discover the angel's secret. In exchange for a full account of their adventure, she will leave the crucial file to them in her will, and send them home in her Rolls-Royce. It's a deal.

Claudia learns her deep motive for persisting in the crazy search: she wanted a secret of her own to treasure and keep. Mrs. Frankweiler may get "grandchildren" who delight her. Her lawyer gets a luncheon date at the Met, to revise her will, surely not for the first time.

I would recommend this book for children who like adventure and a bit of mystery.

#6 -- Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

This book is a total classic. I read this book for the first time because I used it as a guided reading book during my student teaching. When I first introduced the book to the students they all thought it would be boring because of the movie that they had all seen. So I knew that I had to go a bit deeper into the meaning of the book. This idea worked and my students really seemed to get into it and wanted to read ahead.

I had gotten my own copy of "Charlotte's Web" when I was nine years old from my Aunt Mildred but had never read it. But now that I had the real opportunity to read it I wish I had read it before. I loved being able to read this book and follow along with this adventure and read about the friendship between Fern and Wilbur and then Wilbur and Charlotte.

I know that I will keep this book in my collection and will use to read it to my future children and hopefully they will love it just as much as I did.

#5 -- The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion

So I admit that I am a Twilight fan and I found this book at the library and just wanted to read it. This is the official book that goes through the movie and talks about how they did certain special effects, make-up, and filming locations. It was an interesting book to read and I found it fun as a bedtime read. It was a quick read and I even shared some of it with my husband.

I would definitely recommend this book to any other Twilight fans and the next time you watch the movie you will see things differently.

#4 -- Wish by Alexandra Bullen

This book was a pretty quick read and I didn't want to put it down. I probably finished in in less than a week. It is a teen read but still fun and light.

Here is a quick summary of what it was about:

After the shocking death of Olivia Larsen’s twin sister Violet, Olivia’s parents uproot their family clear across the country to California to start over. Olivia is dreading going to a new school without her beautiful and confident sister to keep her company.Olivia trudges through her first few days at school, merely going through the motions. When her mom announces that the entire family is going to a cocktail party at her new office, Olivia is dreading the event. She finds a dress in one of Violet’s boxes hidden in an empty room in the new house, and heads out to find a tailor to fix the slightly damaged dress. Olivia happens on a tailor shop right down the street from her house, where she meets Posey, a slightly odd young woman who takes the dress and tells Olivia that she’ll drop it off at her house the following morning. When Olivia finds the dress that Posey left on her doorstep, she is shocked to find that it’s a completely different dress than the one she dropped off- completely different, but also completely beautiful. In a time crunch, Olivia puts on the dress. On the way home from a night out, Olivia sits in the back of a cab, sad and lonely, and wishes for her sister. She sees a tiny butterfly fly off of her dress and thinks she must be crazy. The following morning when she wakes up, her sister is sitting in her bedroom. As a ghost, but still present. With her sister around, Olivia meets some new friends and puts her way out there and learns some important lessons.

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