DANGER!

I have been reading. I know, it's really dangerous. I can feel my brain getting bigger I think. ;) So first of all I have wanted to blog this off my sleeve for awhile so bare with the story.

Michael reads ALL THE TIME. He constantly has a book at his bed side, at times, two or three. Currently, he admitted tonight that he's reading two at the same time! Sheesh!

Well anyway, I was never a 'reader' growing up and didn't know why till I started reading for fun a few years ago. I enjoy reading and have always been a 'good' reader as far as I know but in elementary school, when they group you into reading levels. I thought it went by alphabet or just split you up by chance but it turns out I was placed in the group "Never Give Up" for a reason/on purpose?! Looking back the name "Never Give Up" definitely means something to me (and hurts) but as a kid, you have NO IDEA - how cruel that I didn't know I had a problem. Luckily I was oblivious. In Jr. High, I was humiliated by being taken out of my reading class (class had started and I had to leave as everyone watched, none of us knowing why I had to leave... never to return) to go to a little storage sized room to do Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) with maybe one other student for the rest of the year. This is when I was told by the 'teacher' (if that's what she was) I had a challenge with "Reading Comprehension". The first time ever that someone told me I had any problems and what it was. This was instrumental in weakening my reading, math etc confidence throughout H.S. My parents never said anything to me if they knew, my counselors never took me aside to explain anything about it so it festered that I wasn't a good reader. When reading book assignments came, I gave up before I began, going right to cliff notes and only skimming them (though chose to read To Kill a Mockingbird in English and loved it). In math, any word problems were like hieroglyphics to me and I ended up in "Comprehensive Math" (ironic?) before long (balancing check books with a Coach/Teacher who could care less). So even though I had my 'diagnosis' (in Jr. High, and never to hear a thing about it again) of Comprehension challenges, I had interpreted it as "reading challenged" even though, like I said, I read clearly and even quickly. I read the King James Version of the Bible for goodness sakes... AND understand it. Anyway, finally I watched an interview with a 'new author' named J.K. Rowling (heard of her?? he he he) and her series sounded great! I was really looking forward to it, for the first time. A couple months before the first movie opened, I started reading her stories and finished all 4 that were out before the premier. I was hooked on reading and getting lost in a story, using my imagination as I did as a kid when I daydreamed for hours. Since then, I haven't read as many books as I should or want to but in the last 6 months, I've gone reading CRAZY. I recently finished the 9 book Historical novel series called "The Work and the Glory" (of which there are also 3 or 4 movies, I'm now going to watch hopefully soon). Then, while cleaning up and packing up my brother Isaac's room, as he left for a two year proselyting mission, I found some of his H.S. required reading (including his margin notes. lol), so next, since it was tiny... I read "Of Mice and Men". Last, I just finished "To Kill a Mockingbird" for the 2nd time and LOVED it! I just want to keep reading the story. As for my next adventure, I am about to read the 5th book of the FABLEHAVEN series coming out in March. Not unlike the Harry Potter series in imagination, there are many things I like better about it. First of all when I first saw the book advertised, I kept seeing the Authors name "Brandon Mull" and thinking... I know someone with that name from home (California). I started searching all over online for his picture and SCORE, it WAS him! ;) Now, I won't pretend we are bffs, we barely knew each other but he unknowingly effected my life for good when I was 19 and at an impasse in my young adulthood. At the time, it had nothing to do with writing, it was his singing! He and my friend Larry Bagby were sitting in front of me at church and sang "The Spirit of God" together in harmony and it's just what I needed to move on to bigger and better things. So, needless to say, I HAD to read his book and was HOOKED immediately. So, besides this, I need more books. I am a sucker for Historical fiction a little bit and believe I may brave some Jane Austin business. :) I don't like romance novels at all but don't mind a love story so suggest away. Ok, on to talking about the specific books. My opinions:

The Steed Family lives and loves in the 1830's-1850's at the time of Joseph Smith and the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The fictional family is constantly intertwined with the real leaders and real stories of the Church as they were persecuted and driven from town to town, state to state in pursuit of peacefully being allowed to practice their religion and be faithful to the commandments and prophet/s. It was very informative to me on my churches history and I felt driven to be stronger myself. I also left with a peace and understanding of why their persecutors were so cruel. I highly recommend this series that the author has done EXTENSIVE research on the times in the United States in general and of course, Church history. ****

I was curious about this novel as I never read it (even the cliff notes that I can remember). It was short so I said, 'what can it hurt'. I had a VERY hard time reading it. First of all, I don't like cussing at all. I have a very low tolerance for it and it's every where immediately at the beginning and throughout. With that said, I understand, it was 'necessary' to depict the characters lot in life but, I got really distracted and judgmental every time they used the language. Second, I cannot relate to the mindset of the 'leader' of the 2 main char. and it was hard to be in his head though I tried so I could 'broaden my mind'. As the story progressed, it got worse as new story was introduced only to end cruelly. I felt like this book was pointless and would never want my own child to have to read it. -*

It had been so long since I had read this story but was drawn to it again when I saw it on Isaac's shelf. In H.S. all my older siblings had been assigned it to read so I was expecting it. When it wasn't, I volunteered to read it! Not only was it the first novel I ever read, I knew there was a movie but waited to watch it till I read the book! Yay me! :0) Anyway, I love that the book it told from this little tomboy girls perspective and everything that made her character 'her'. There is a constant sadness but around every corner is youthful bliss and optimism. I think Harper Lee did a great job (apparently more important 'critics' than me agree), describing the plight of race and 'class' and region of the times. What a hard time to live though they would see our time and be appalled. ;/ ****

I LOVE THIS SERIES!! The 5th (and final I believe) book in the series comes out the end of March and I can't wait! (Liz, I know you can't wait too so you can borrow it after I read it. lol he he he). Ok, why I really love the series: It's family oriented, teaches morals (remember those? well, read the book to be reminded there are 'consequences, pain and joy in life), allows you to use your imagination (like H.P.) - something some 'groups' likes to suppress in my opinion. The story is FUN and uplifting though it has parts that can make you worry and sweat a bit. I think you will all like it and I'd like to support my friend. Better yet, it is planned to be made into a movie!! whoo hoo. Who doesn't like a book turned movie!? ;) ****


Thank you for your patience in my blog post. After all, it IS my blog and my opinion but it's not my usual post. Hope you still got something out of it cause deep down, I really want to please you too. ;) he he he. xoxo