Okay...So One More Children's Book

With Easter around the corner, I thought I would celebrate holiday with a fun and festive children's book. Over the weekend, I read a fun story that I don't quite remember it as I did when I was a child. The Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter is a classic little story that is fun to read with children. I only wish the ending was a little more elaborate, however this may be due to aging and losing that sense of adventure that we had as young lads. It ends with Peter Rabbit sipping soup and going to sleep while his sisters ate a nice meal. What a bummer! 

Prepare for a Long One

With every great story, may come a very "wordy" way of writing it. In so many words, Of Human Bondage, written by W. Somerset Maugham, explains a not so difficult explanation of how we as individuals grow and learn from life. Also being set in the late 1800's this novel is not for the quick and easy read, however the message that it does give out is one in which people should take note of.


Somerset fills us in on this young orphan, Phillip, who goes through the hardships of being a child in a difficult upbringing with his strict aunt and uncle. He then hits the young teenage, rebellious years and from there into adulthood where things cannot be taught to him. He must learn them for himself. What really gets me is the idea that he is so bound and determined to get to the future and make something of himself that he doesn't take time to notice all of the wonderful things he is experiencing in the present. He is able to travel to Germany, London, Paris, and so many more however he is always in search for a life that is better. I can't help but wonder, do we all do this at some point or other?

A New One

So, I hate to say this, however I feel that as an avid reader I must. I came across an opportunity to go to the bookstore, which I haven't been able to for about a month, and look at all the new books that I hadn't read yet. I purchase one and then have the choice to spend the weekend studying for a big test in a business class or to read...needless to say I chose the second option.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was amazing! I had heard about this trilogy but passed it off as another teen escape type of story and didn't read much into it. Now, the weekend has past, I haven't studied at all, and I have to patiently wait to get back to the bookstore for the second and third books.

This story explains a world that is in the near future (how far off from now is questionable). There are twelve districts where every year a young boy and girl are selected at random from each district to fight to the death. The story follows a young girl who volunteers herself so as to save her younger sister. This is a pretty addicting book to read!

Pride and Prejudice

For the most part, I love all novels. No matter what the topic, they are always fun to read. (Especially after a long year of classes and studies.) It's always nice to curl up in a blanket and escape for a little bit. More and more people are turning to the television which in my opinion is a lot of noise sometimes. Don't get me wrong I love a good movie with popcorn every now and then. However, after a long day, the last thing I want to do is to hear a bunch of chaos.

This novel, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen is a classic novel that has been one of my favorites. (Don't watch the movie and call it good.) This is a must read. It is a great love story filled with frustration, romance, and annoying characters that you grow to love and relate to. It was the first novel that I found myself getting so angry with the characters and wanting to scream at them for being to stubborn. Enjoy it!

New Half!

For the second group of books that I will read or have read, I would like to go into some literary fiction novels and open the subject up to read comments and suggestions from other bloggers. Let me know what you all think! In a class that I have taken, I learned that there is a difference in novels of literary value and escape reading. Novels of literary value include stories that a reader can take even the smallest bit of knowledge from. It gives one that insight to something that they got from the reading. Escape reading on the other hand is a collected group of reading material in which the reader doesn't get a feel of the characters and that there is little effort put into reading the piece. It is an easy read and one more to "escape" from everyday living. Wish me luck on my novel quest!

Fun Book for the Month of Love!!

"ooh la la! Valentine's Day is tomorrow."

This is such a fun collection of books! The character, Nancy, who is extreme and over-the-top loves to dress up and be exquisite (that's a fancy name for nice). In this story, Fancy Nancy goes through the excitement of preparing for Valentine's Day.

Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart is a fun children's book that also teaches young children new words. To me these books are great. This little girl isn't affraid to dress up and have a blast with life. It reminds us all to still be young at heart and to remember the fun times of childhood.

Authors, Jane O'Conner and Robin Preiss Glasser have created a fun series of books based of this character, Fancy Nancy and the things she does to make things much more fancy and grand.

Lessons Learned in Life

While I was in Wyoming this past weekend I came across a book that still teaches me a lesson over and over again. The Giving Tree, written by Shel Silverstein, provides the helping hand that I feel all parents try to bestow upon their children. This poor tree wants nothing more than to be happy as long as the boy is happy. It provides, branches to climb, shade to protect him, apples to feed him and more. As the boy grows, the tree provides. Much like a parent may provide for their children.

This story shows the lessons learned in life by showing that one must give and receive to make it in life. It should also give us a sense to be thankful as well. I loved this book as a child. (Even though I still get teary-eyed for that poor lonesome tree.)

"And the tree was happy."