#6: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Again, another journey to Hogwarts with my friends Harry, Ron, and Hermoine.  Those kids are beginning to grow up!  This time I journeyed with Harry as he goes into the Chamber of Secrets and meets Tom Riddle.  OF course, the romance between Harry and Ginny begins to spark a bit also!

J.K. Rowling certainly created a wondrous world, one that I am enjoying even more on my second read of this series as part of the Harry Potter Re-Read Challenge here.

I continue to marvel at the power of the imagination and wonder if I would enjoy such an imagination, for I would think that that such a world as Rowling created must have dominated much of her think time, her sleep time, and obviously her writing time.

As I write this, we are watching the movie, and I keep saying that did or did not happen in the novel.  So good!  Please enjoy this series with me!

#5: The Outlander

This read of The Outlander in my second read of this novel.  I began The Outlander Series a few years ago and am re-reading for the Outlander Book Challenge.

In this first novel in the series, the reader meets Claire and Jamie (and various other characters), when Claire travels two hundred years back in time and meets (and marries) Jamie.  Historically set during 1743 in Scotland, the novel takes the reader on an informative journey (yes, I learned a lot about this time period).

These novels are long (or in  Gabaldon's word..."fat").  The Outlander is 626 pages; thus, due to my own real life and other constraints, this one took me a while to read.  Plus, the action is intense.  Claire and Jamie hardly escape one conflict, until, literally, on the next page another extreme adventure begins.  Intense!

Another reason to read (or re-read) this series is the scheduled release of book eight for next year.  Please consider reading author Diana Gabaldon's thoughts on the release of Written in My Own Heart's Blood.  I agree with her...her books are worth the money!

All my "big" girl friends (this is not a young adult series!) love, love, love this series (with the exception of one).  If you like romance, historical fiction, time travel...did I mention romance...then you will enjoy this series.

Fortunately, for me, I have the next six novels in this series waiting on me...:)

#4: 10th Anniversary

Love James Patterson's Women's Murder Club...purchased the tenth novel entitled 10th Anniversary in this series Friday afternoon and had completed this read by mid-Saturday morning.

I enjoyed spending time with the four ladies who are the heroines of these adventures, as they once again came to the rescue and ensured that the guilty were brought to justice.  Patterson's books are good for when you need a quick read, an escape for a few hours.

If you, too, enjoy this series, 11th Hour goes on sale in May!

#3: The Fallen 1

This novel I bought some time ago to give away at a book club.  When little interest developed, I became the permanent owner of this young adult novel.  Or is it a young adult novel?

Thomas E. Sniegoski introduces the reader to a world of fallen angels...some good, some bad...all seeking a world that each cannot quite obtain.

The so-close biblical references bothered me some.  As a matter of fact, this novel took me a very long time to read.  I could only read a few pages at a time, and then I was ready to put it down.   I have never had quite such an experience with a a novel.  Not sure if that was a good thing or not.  Not sure if my religious side was concerned or bothered...or simply intrigued.  Need to ponder on this some more.

The novel introduces us to Aaron who is learning that he was born to be an angel...literally.  Aaron struggles with this much-unwanted angelic being he seems destined to become, a role through which he will save the world.

This novel is the first of four in the series.  Will I continue to read the series?  Maybe.

Interested in the movie version of this novel?  Check here.

2: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Enjoyed this one more than I did the first time I read the Harry Potter series.  I had forgotten so many of the details...or maybe I did not even notice all of them during my first reading of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  And I noticed several hints of future stories to be read!

Harry and his friends, they are all just so young!  Mere babes!  I do appreciate the diversity of their characters:  Harry, the homeless; Ron, the red-head, and Hermione, the brain. All, individuals...yet all a team.

I am re-reading this series for the Harry Potter Re-Read Book Challenge, something I have wanted to do for some time.

Now, to re-watch the movie...such a good day for this.  No school today (MLK).  Plenty of time to watch as I prepare my husband's 50th birthday day dinner...:)

UPDATE!  Tuesday, January 17

Last night, we re-watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  That was such an interesting experience...to have just completed the novel and then watch the movie.   I noted some deletions but was impressed with the amount of detail and scenes included within the movie.

Again, Harry, Ron, Hermione...just babies!  So cute...and brave!

1: Eat, Pray, Love

So good!  My first read of 2012 was Elizabeth Gilbert's nonfiction reflection in Eat, Pray, Love on her journey to develop a more meaningful relationship with God.  Again, this is one of those books that I has sat on my bookshelf waiting on me...and waiting, for I had read the book before I can watch the movie, right?

Why did I wait so long?  God.  He knew this book would speak to me, right now, at this particular time in my life when I, too, am working on my relationship with God in a more intense manner than ever before in my life.

I absolutely love Gilbert's voice, her writing style.  She took me there, to Italy, India, and then Indonesia, teaching me so much about all three countries and so much else, about relationships, culture, religions, and, ultimately, about myself.

The human-factor is probably what I appreciated the most, though, about this book.  Elizabeth Gilbert is a woman, who is quick to point out, what to her, are flaws and one who is just as quick to rejoice in her achievements, whether they are personal, emotional, or spiritual.

Five Stars.  That's what this book receives from me.  Please read this one, for there is absolutely no way the movie can even come close to all the content contained within this great read.  Just to confirm that theory, though, I can now watch the movie!  Yay, me!

Reading...Yes, I Am!

I have begun the year reading...several books at one time!  Here's an update:

1. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert:  Again, I have had this book for some time and will not watch the movie by the same name...have to read the book first!  Right?  WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?  Love, love this book!  Much more to say about this novel in the upcoming review!
2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone:  I am re-reading this novel for a Harry Potter Re-Read book challenge (one book a month) and because I really like this series, and it is just time to re-read this adventure with Harry.  He is just so young in this novel!  That boy grew up through that series!
3. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson:  This will be my first read on an e-reader (also for a challenge, of course!) on my daughter's Ipad.  Maybe this format will grow on me!  I also chose this one because a student asked me to read this novel, for he was impressed by the meanings within the layers of the book.  Good enough reason for me!
4. Deeper Reading by Kelly Gallagher:  A professional read, from this book, I have already gleaned several nuggets for use in the classroom. 
5. Bible in a Year:  So far, so good!  I am actually ahead of schedule in my reading of the Bible in chronological order.

For some reason, I feel like I am behind on my reading, for it's already January 9, and I have not completed one book yet!

Next read...need to re-read The Outlander to begin a re-read challenge for this series.

What are you reading good?