Chronicles of Narnia

I first began reading the Chronicles of Narnia and was so interested in the first book to this tale, The Magician's Nephew. If you've seen the movie, this first books tells you the very start of the Wardrobe that transports the children to Narnia. I loved it! I saw the movie before ever even attempting to read the books. So this was welcome knowledge as to the very beginning. After making my way through the first book, I ventured onto the second, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. This was so easy to read because of my previous encounter with the movie. I think it would be an easy read even if you've never seen the movie because it is just a wonderful tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. (If you've not read these two books, I highly recommend it).

Next, I moved onto the third book in this tale, The Horse and His Boy. This is where I've run into difficulty. This story is so far-fetched to me that I have not been able to follow it. I'm so confused about practically every aspect of this story. I've attempted to read it multiple times and I still really don't know what this third book is about. Because of this struggle, halfway through the third book in this tale is all I've managed. While I loved the first two, I just can't get into this one. I've been thinking about just skipping it and moving onto the fourth book, The Silver Chair. I haven't even started this one (because I never read books out of order) and maybe just skipping ahead - this ONE time - would help me to make some kind of connection. I don't think lack of interest in one book, should make someone forget about the rest of the series. Who knows, maybe I'll find something out down the road in these books that makes me more interested in The Horse and His Boy.

A Bend in the Road

Another favorite of mine written by Nicholas Sparks is A Bend in the Road. This is a book that anybody and everybody will enjoy - even my 22 year old brother loves it! It's got a fantastic blend of mystery and a very unlikely love twist. While it begins with a hint of tragedy, this book will make you smile and laugh just as much as you cry with the characters. As always, Sparks has a way of making you feel like you're right there in the story and personally know the characters. This is one that I keep right in close range so I can just grab it whenever and enjoy. Even once you know how the story turns out you'll want to keep replaying this tale.

Nicholas Sparks usually writes about a love story that takes an awful twist. The difference in each book is whether or not the characters can get past that twist. In A Bend in the Road, this twist is something you will never see coming, I guarantee it. It will leave you heartbroken and hoping for a happy ending that seems impossible. As always, I hope you'll give this book a look at and read the first few chapters. It's really easy to read and even easier to fall in love with.

The Notebook

My favorite author of all time is Nicholas Sparks. The first book I ever read by him was The Notebook. This is a never-ending love story that will fill your eyes with tears, and your heart with love. It draws you in in the beginning, making you guess who the story is really about. After a few twists and turns, and a few heart-stopping sad moments, the ending is sure to please. If you've ever seen the movie, you'll have a surprise at the end of the book. They're different endings. This book is set in the time of war, and right before it. One summer a couple of kids find love, and what happens when that summer is over and they must go back to their normal lives? Can their love last miles, hurdles, and most of all - time? Can they find each other after so long apart and will it be the same? All of these questions and more are answered in this wonderful book. And I must say, I love this book immensely. This was one of the firsts in my collection of books and right now, I've loaned it to somebody and it was like giving away my child (or how I think that would feel if I had any children). I take very good care of my books and in my quest to share these amazing reads with the people I care about, I can't get around letting them borrow it.

Anyway, I must caution the squeamish and modest on this book - it does have a couple love scenes. But it's about a love story and the power of love! There's bound to be a few dramatic love scenes.
My fellow bookworms - I hope you give this one a chance if you haven't already. Nicholas Sparks is an amazing writer and with that kind of skill - who wouldn't love this book?

The Hunger Games

A popular series that got turned into a movie recently is The Hunger Games trilogy. I first got into these books from seeing the previews for the movie. I waited to see the movie until I had read the first book, and I am so glad I did! The book was so intriguing and before I could even go see the movie, I had the second one started. I've now read these books cover to cover multiple times. The first two, in my opinion, are better than the last, but this could just be that I don't ever want a series to end. The first one draws you in, the second book, Catching Fire, answers some questions, and the third, Mockingjay, is definitely an ending. They compliment each other well and provide you with a fantasy, post-apocalyptic, and heroic story of a couple of young adults. Suzanne Collins wrote these books extremely well, but in the third book the ending leads you to believe she just wanted to end it. I am completely fascinated with these books, except for that final ending. I won't spoil this read for you all, however I will tell you, it's a trilogy for the bookshelf. It's one you'll want to read forever and find it difficult to put down. Even as I'm writing this, The Hunger Games is on my Kindle begging me to read it. So, if you haven't yet, read The Hunger Games. It'll leave you speechless and awestruck at the same time - the perfect combination for a fantastic book.

One reason I've heard people saying they won't read these books or watch the movies is because of the children fighting for their lives against one another. It's a book where children fight to the death, and the last one alive gets to be fed the rest of their lives and live comfortably. While it seems like nothing to us, in the world of these children, this is something only a few people receive - food and comfort. What I say to this reasoning is that this is fantasy, it is not real. Many don't give it a chance because of this part of the books - but they go so far beyond that aspect. So, if you're one of those people who find it hard to start reading a book that has some violence involving kids/young adults - take a look at it. Read the first few chapters and get the basis of the storyline. Then, keeping in mind that it's fiction, if you cannot get past the violence, give it another chance. Point is - read it. It's a great story, great ideas, and great writing that makes it a must-read. I really enjoy these books, and I hope you guys will too.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

After Harry Potter (well, between the release of the books), I searched for another series that might compare. While it's not in the same genre, A Series of Unfortunate Events written by Lemony Snicket is another great read for young adults. There are thirteen books total (I think this amusing due to the fact that thirteen is usually an unlucky number for most and seems quite unfortunate). These books hook you in the beginning by cautioning you past the first page, making you want to know what really makes this such an unfortunate tale. The unfortunate events are centered around the three Baudelaire children. After the tragic, yet seemingly suspicious, deaths of their parents, these three children go through it all, passed from one awful "relative" to another and trying to make their home somewhere unfamiliar to them. Snicket keeps the writing for young adults and while many scenes in the various books could be gruesome or graphic, he tells it lightly while emphasizing a significant point in their story. I won't ruin the books for you all and give away the ending, however I can honestly say that whether an adult or a young adult, these books are sure to keep the imagination going and provide an easy - yet satisfying - read. I recommend them for all, and am happy to say they are part of my ever-growing library, where they will stay and be continuously investigated - over and over.

The Beginning

To start this off I'll give you a little background information. I'm 20 years old and have loved reading ever since I can remember. It's a love of mine that I incorporate into my life very often. I collect books and they are scattered all over my house. I can happily say that I've read each and every one of them (most multiple times) as well as many in my local library. Recently, I bought a Kindle and while it's very convenient to have any book I want at my fingertips, it's just not the same. Reading is something I'm passionate about and while some may think of it as work or boring, I could talk about certain books for hours.

For the first entry about reading and books of course Harry Potter is in need of some credit. This came out when I was about nine, I think. Harry Potter is really the series that got me into reading. It's a great series for young adults and children building imagination. When reading, you feel like Harry, Hermione, and Ron are your friends and you live in their world for a little while. When they laugh, you laugh. It's a great engaging series that answers all of your questions and leaves you wanting it to go on forever. The series came out with it's last book when I was about 17 and so I can say with gratefulness that I grew up with these characters. While most young teens were reading Judy Blume, I was in a fantasy world made of wizards and witches, Quidditch and house points. Now that I'm older, I can say very truthfully that I'm thankful for this series of books. It got me to read and to explore different places in the world, whether real or fiction. This is just one of the many series and single books that I hope to share with you my ideas about and why I think they're either amazing and a must-read or whether maybe you should pass them up on your bookshelf.