Looking to Further Your Education?

Now that you're an avid reader, maybe your thinking its time you went back to school for another degree (maybe in literature) or you are just looking to broaden your horizons. Founded in 1993, Capella University is an accredited* online university that offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, and psychology, and bachelor’s degree programs in business and information technology. Within those areas, Capella offers 76 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 16 certificate specializations. Get a business degree online, or any kind of degree and start learning today.

Time to Start Thinking About the Holidays

After buying your favorite reader the latest bestseller they've been wanting, maybe you feel like you still need something else. Great Christmas Gifts & Gift Baskets can be found at the link. Why not choose a unique basket and tuck in a little amazon.com gift certificate as well. Choose from many themes or create something just for them. Each and every gourmet Christmas basket is filled with the finest products offered in the gourmet industry. If you have a certain design in mind, they will offer custom wrapping for each holiday gift baskets to fit any holiday or theme. It won't be long before the holidays are hear and we start seeing the jolly old elf everywhere (did you know that you can get a really neat version of "A Visit From St. Nicholas" or more commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas" in really cool pop-up form by Robert Samuda? That is an amazingly great read!)

East: Edith Pattou

"East" by Edith Pattou is a sweeping romance and engaging fairy tale based on the older story "East of the Sun, West of the Moon." Nymah Rose is a wandering spirit, something that has always worried her mother, who believes that children inherit the qualities of the direction in which they were born. Most of her life, Nymah Rose believed she was born to the East, but her personality was of one born to the North. Rose's family is falling apart. Her sister is deathly ill and the family is about to lose their home.

One day, a huge white bear appears on their door step, and tells Rose's family that if she were to leave and come live with him, that her sister would recover and their family would again find fortune. Rose's adventurous spirit almost cannot resist. Even though her family doesn't approve, though they need her to go, she does indeed leave with the bear and travel magically to his castle.

The story is reminiscent of "Beauty and the Beast", and in fact is probably one of its many variants that's been told over the years in different cultures. Rose and the Bear's story is a moving one. The book is beautifully written and the characters all grow nicely. I would definitely recommend this book as a great read, though some of the story may be unsuitable for younger readers (though it is unlikely that anyone under the age of 12 would attempt this 400 pager).


Books BookTeens Reading

"In the Garden" Trilogy: Nora Roberts

The "In the Garden" trilogy was a really good set by Nora Roberts. As with most of her books (especially if you've read pretty much all of them like I have) the pairings are easy to spot, but of course, the fun is in getting there. The first book, "Blue Dahlia" is about Stella Rothchild who suddenly finds herself a widow with two young boys to care for. She packs up and moves to back to Tennessee, where she takes a job managing a nursery called In the Garden. The shops owner, Roz, and older woman with a couple of handsome grown sons, invites Stella and her boys to live with her until they get on their feet. Harper House, however is rumored to be haunted...but this rumor is true. As Stella begins to find her place and start a new life (one that will include having to figure out how to deal with Roz's son Logan) they realize that there is a deep mystery revolving around the Harper House ghost. The story good, and the three lead females, Stella, Roz and Hayley (a distant cousin who comes to Roz after being spurned by the rest of the family) are each a joy to read and watch grow. I'd definitely recommend the trilogy as a great read.

Books BookTeens Reading

For Baltimore Area Readers

Is your current place too noisy? Looking for a quiet place to read? Search for a new piece of Baltimore Real Estate at the link. Check out Briarcliff Apartments, which feature virtually soundproof walls, and tons of space. They also have an Olympic size pool and newly refinished tennis courts (in case you want to take a break from your books and get some exercise).

Flowers

After reading Nora Robert's "In the Garden" trilogy (review coming soon), I went a little garden crazy. All the talk of flowers had me wanting flowers everywhere and wanting to learn how to best maximize the space I have for planting (which, because of the shade we have is not much). Because I don't get a lot of sunlight, some of the plants I put in for cut flowers haven't produced as well as I would have liked. So, I find myself buying them every couple of weeks. You can get great fresh flowers right over the internet, and even learn how to make the bouquet in the picture. Get all of your favorites, including gerbera daisies, roses, daisies and more.
Books BookTeens Reading

Need More Money For Books?

Take a look at your current bills and see which ones you might be able to reduce. Do you really need all those cable channels (how can you watch so much TV when there are so many great books out there to be read)? Another place is your car insurance. Many of us qualify for different discounts (good driving records, airbags, anti-lock brakes, etc) but most companies won't tell you unless you ask. It's a good idea to compare car insurance companies and make sure you aren't spending more than you need to. Follow the link for quotes from different companies and see if switching might get you a little extra cash for books. You can have your quote in just a few minutes, and in some states, proof of insurance in as little as 15.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

The Artemis Fowl books are definitely a great read for ages 8 and up. Artemis is a child genius at age 12, and a criminal mastermind. His father is missing, his mother is losing her mind, and his only friend is Butler, his bodyguard. Artemis schemes to steal gold from the fairies (that's right...fairies) and what ensues is a tongue-in-cheek fantasy that's lots of fun. Artemis can be slightly evil, but in the end, he always makes the right choice (though usually because he feels it will somehow benefit him in the future).

The Artemis Fowl series is definitely a great read and I'd recommend them all. Later books get a little more serious, and may not be quite as suitable for younger readers, but it is fun to see the growth in Artemis's character.

Books BookTeens ReadingArtemis Fowl

Everworld Series: K.A. Applegate

The premise of the story is not so much unique: 5 teens get trapped in an alternate dimension, full of magic and must struggle to get home. But the stories are. Everworld is a world of high magic, created when the ancient Gods of this world (think ancient Greece, Egypt, and the Norse Gods) decided to pool their powers and create Everworld. Each set of Gods has his own turf, often connected in ways that they could not be in the real world. The characters are intriguing and interesting, and each book is told from one of their points of view. David, the reluctant leader, April the wannabe actress, Jalil the scientist and Christopher the sometimes not-so-funny class clown. The outsider is Senna, who is April's half-sister and the reason they are all trapped in Everworld. She is a witch, one whose powers are growing, and presumably the way home (she is pulled into Everworld by the Norse God Loki who intends to use her to open up portals between our world and theirs...one of her unique powers). Senna senses this and uses her magic to insure that David, April, Jalil and Christopher are pulled along with her. There are 12 books in the series (I've read through 10) and most of them aren't in print any longer (though B & N just released a new version that has books 1 & 2 together). They are easily found used though. I'd definitely recommend them for reading, though they are intended for teens (there are some racial slurs and swearing). The Everworld series is definitely a great read.

Books BookTeens Reading Everworld K.A. Applegate

Need a Gift for a New Baby?

Books are a great gift for newborns, especially ones with sharp contrasts (babies ar often fascinated by black and white because they don't see color very well as newborns). Looking for some great personalized baby gifts? Follow the link for a great selection of photo albums, nursery organizers and other cute goodies. You don't have to be like Britney Spears and spend $5000 to get great gifts at great prices.

Go on Vacation With Your New Book

For your next vacation, picture yourself taking in the sights from a hot air balloon or wine tasting in California’s wine country (pick up a copy of Wine Tasting for Dummies...just in case). Get away from the bustle of everyday and take a TrendWest vacation to one of these great destinations. View vacation packages by destination: Angel’s Camp California, Lake Tahoe, Reno Packages, San Francisco Vacations, Seaside Oregon, or California Wine Country. Follow the link to check out great California Vacation Packages with great savings.

Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts

Nora Robert's latest trilogy begins with "Morrigan's Cross." It is different from her usual trilogies which, for the most part I would classify as magical realism (with the except of the "Born In" series). Morrigan's Cross deals with high magic, alternate worlds, vampires, sorcerers, witches and goddesses (Morrigan). It begins in the 12th century when sorcerer Hoyt attempts to destroy Lilith, the powerful vampire who has just turned his twin brother Cian. He fails, though manages to wound Lilith and his brother before collapsing. He is visited by the goddess Morrigan who tells him he will gather a circle of six that will help him defeat Lilith. But, the first he must get to help him is his brother, 1000 years in the future.

Morrigan sends Hoyt into the present day where he reunites with his brother and begins to gather the six around him that must join forces. The characters are intriguing and do have depth (Cian, while a vampire, isn't truly evil but has a heck of a temper). But one of my favorites is Becca, the "demon-hunter" who comes from a long line of "demon-hunters" and possesses special skills and healing abilities (a definite throwback to Buffy, everyone's favorite vampire-slayer who even gets a mention). "Morrigan's Cross" is a fun read, and unlike her other novels, we won't have to wait long for the final books. Book two, "Dance of the Gods" is due out Oct. 3rd, and "Valley of Silence", Oct. 31st.

Books BookNora Roberts Morrigan's Cross Romance vampires