15 of My Favorite Books, in No Particular Order

Because there aren't enough years to write reviews and read as much as I do, I thought I'd leave a list here of my favorite books-chime in if you've read them and maybe one day I'll get around to doing real reviews:

"What Dreams May Come" by Richard Matheson- because the ending soooooo beautiful and heartbreaking (different from the movie, though the movie does a great job visualizing heaven) and reminds me that I need to say thank you more often to those I love

"Bridge Across Forever" by Richard Bach- because it's about true love, and its metaphysical and cool

"Beauty" by Robin McKinley because I LOVE the "Beauty and the Beast" theme

"His Dark Materials" by Phillip Pullman- because I really want my own daemon

"Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum- this needs no reason, it's all about those magic slippers

"Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll - "beware the jabberwock, my son"

"The Looking Glass Wars" by Frank Beddor and "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire, because they dared to reimagine classics and rock while doing it

"The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger because, again, it's true love at its best and the ending still makes me cry just thinking about it. Yep, there I go...'Niagara falls, Frankie Angel.'-"Scrooged"

"The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks, for pretty much the same reason as above

"The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold, because again, a beautiful remarkable ending

"Elsewhere" by Gabrielle Zevin, because she imagines a beautiful afterlife

"Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer, because teenage angst was never so yummy- or were vampires for that matter (except for "Angel" of course)

"Lightning" by Dean Kootnz, because "Destiny struggles to reassert the pattern that was meant to be, and sometimes, it fails."

"East" by Edith Pattou, because it gave me a new version of the "Beauty and the Beast" story that I wasn't familiar with ("East of the Sun, West of the Moon")


So, there's 15 great books. I'd have to sit in front of my shelves to remember the other great reads, but there's more lists to come. Chime in if you've read them, and I also offer up a challenge- find me an awesome book that I haven't read. I don't have any prizes to offer up, but you'll feel awesome for sharing your favorite.








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Books Book Teens Reading

Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want

First, I have to complain that I was unable to find this book locally- I don't know why. These books rock. I've had no problem finding previous books, but book three- no where to be found.

I think that "Eyes" is easily the best in the series so far. Thinking it was the last book, I was surprised (book 4?), happy (yay book 4!) and sad (crap, how long til book 4 comes out?) that the end of the book wasn't really the end, but almost a new beginning.

In "Eyes", the book starts off right where book 2 ended- so if you happen not to remember exactly how book 2 ended because you've read more than 100 books since then, I encourage you to read the last couple of chapters, just to refresh your memory. Otherwise, you might find yourself a little lost at first. As the action bounces between Leven, Winter and Geth, Sabine/Dennis and Tim, there's a lot going on. Winter and Geth are constantly in peril, Geth discovers he's shrinking and Winter, of course, is without her gifts. Leven is on his way to the Want, whom he discovers is rather crazy. And, it appears that the Want has a plan of his own, much different than anyone else knows about. And it has to do with Leven, and it isn't good (or is it??)

If you liked "Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo", and "The Whispered Secret" you'll love book three. It's definitely a great read. I can't wait for book 4 (no release date as of yet, but guessing probably next fall).




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Books Book Teens Reading

"Alexander" by Tanya Yvonne

New Author Spotlight!

"Alexander" is the story of 5-year-old Alexander who has just lost his mother and has been taken in by his Aunt Brina. Not only is Alexander trying to cope with this sudden change, but he finds himself haunted by strange dreams of unearthly creatures and a burgeoning awareness/sixth sense of the world around him. It's a quick interesting novella (deemed by the author as an "appetizer" of the story to come). Part of the story takes place on the planet Gaia, where self-proclaimed "higher beings" are monitoring Alexander and his aunt with growing interest, for Alexander is not as human as he appears and there are some on planet Gaia feel he should no longer exist.

"Alexander" is a good read. It's not without some clumsiness in its transitions, but that's something easily fixed with a little editing. I wouldn't have minded a longer novel, but I'll certainly be on the look out for further stories about Alexander and his aunt, and how they could possibly change the course of human existence and evolution. To get your own copy, or to learn more about the author, you can visit www.tanyayvonne.com or buy a copy at amazon.com.

Buy this book shop at our Amazon.com Great Reads" bookstore.


Books Book Teens Reading