The Reading Promise

The Reading Promise, by Alice Ozma, was given to me by my father. You can be pretty much any age to enjoy it, and it is one of the sweetest books about a father-daughter bond that I have ever read. It is an autobiography of the author's childhood.
When Alice's mother left, her father raised her and her older sister. As an elementary school librarian, he loved to read to Alice before bed every night. When she was in fourth grade though, he became worried that she would eventually want him to stop reading aloud to her. Making a promise to read together for 100 consecutive nights and succeeding, they decided to keep 'the streak' alive as long as they could. They managed to do so until the time she entered college 8 years later. The story tells the story of Alice growing up and the adventures and books she shared with her father. It is also an excellent example of the improtance of reading. I think it is a must-read.

A World Away

I read A World Away, a realistic fiction novel by Nancy Grossman, several months ago, while on vacation, but  never got around to writing about it. The story is written from the perspective of sixteen year-old Eliza Miller. As an Amish girl, Eliza has never experienced life outside her community. When she gets an opportunity to baby-sit for a family living in the Chicago suburbs for the summer, she can't wait to try out new things. She meets Josh, a boy who shares his love of music with her. As the summer winds on though, Eliza finds that she misses her life within her simple and pious community, but she also is in love with Josh. She must choose between the new world she's discovered and Josh or the life she has back home. Either choice, she knows, will mean making a sacrifice.
I recommend this book for teens 14 and up, because there are a few scenes in the book that might not be appropriate for younger teens.

Anne Frank

Everyone, I am certain, has heard of Anne Frank, if not read her diary. I found out that you can see her other writings, too. In  Anne Frank's Tales from the Secret Annex, numerous short stories by her have been compiled. Some of these are her diary entries, rewritten as short stories. Yet others are reminiscences from before she went into hiding. There are also several essays, fables, and short stories. This culminates with the beginnings of a novel that she was writing. I found that she wrote fiction incredibly. Her fables and essays represent many lessons and morals that people need to have.  She expresses her thoughts and feelings very well on paper, as skill I doubt I will ever master. As a young aspiring writer and a book lover, I wish I could write even half as well as Anne Frank.I couldn't stop reading.

Code Name Verity

For fans of historical fiction, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein is hands down one of the best books in that genre that I have ever read. Set during World War II, the story revolves around two best friends, the Scottish Julie (Verity), a flight officer and spy, and Maddie, a British ATA pilot. Maddie accidentally ends up charged with bringing Julie into occupied France for her first mission. Unfortunately, the plane is shot down and Maddie makes Julie parachute out of the plane while she attempts to land. Julie is captured by the Gestapo and forced to write everything she knows about the British war effort. The book follows her writing about how she came to know Maddie and how she ended up becoming a spy. In the meantime, no one knows what happened to Maddie. And Julie doesn't know whether her writing will be enough to save her.
This novel is very moving and sad. I feel as if it does not just speak of the troubles of war, but of the ultimate bond of friendship. I highly recommend this book to anyone over fourteen. I also recommend the companion novel, Rose Under Fire, when it comes out. It follows the story of another female ATA pilot who is captured while flying back to her base in England from Paris. It is set chronologically after Code Name verity. I have been able to read an advance copy of the novel, and it is every bit as excellent as Code Name Verity.

Summer Reading 2013: Beneath the Surface

For those of you who are into summer reading at your public library, this year's theme is "Beneath the Surface". I have added a list of recommended books based off that theme that I found at my library below, edited down to what I have read. I included personal comments on each. I will most likely do some more extensive posts on some of these titles throughout the summer. I hope that those who read this will find at least one enjoyable title to read this summer. Happy reading! (Note: * symbolize that I will write a more extensive blog entry on specific titles. But these, despite lack of comments now, are excellent reads.)

Anya's Ghost by Vita Bosco- I read this for Battle of the Books a few years ago. It is a graphic novel. I didn't really like it, but that was mainly because I found it to be a little scary. Then again, I don't usually read ghost stories.
The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanigan-This is a good fantasy story, with messages about family. It was a little hard to follow at first, but I enjoyed it.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare- I have already posted a blog entry on this.
*Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
*Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
*The Diviners by Libba Bray
*The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
*Graceling by Kristin Cashore
*Grave Mercy by Robin LeFevers
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald- I read this for a previous Battle of the Books. It wasn't my favorite book, but if you're looking for classics, don't pass it by.
Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl- This book was definitely a romantic comedy. I enjoyed reading it.
Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick- This tale of lovers across the age, was a bit dark at times, but really drove in the theme of undying love.
Paper Towns by John Green-Again, I read this for Battle of the Books. I thought it was a very interesting novel, but I thought that there were a few bizarre twists in it.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater- I read the first book in this series and found it to be a good fantasy story. I must admit that I found the romance in it a little predictable.
*Seraphina by Rachel Hariman
Ship breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi- Another former Book Battle title, Ship Breaker is a futuristic story. It is adventurous, with interesting characters and a fast-paced story line.

I think this list has some enticing books on it. Happy reading!

Throne of Glass

                 If you like high fantasy, you will probably like Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Set in a kingdom ruled by a tyrannical, warlike king, where magic has gone from the world, the story’s heroine is an assassin. Celaena Sardothien is a girl with a troubled past and an explosive temper, who hates the cruel king above all others. Captured and imprisoned, she is given the opportunity to free herself through a contest. If she beats other assassins, thieves, and criminals to become the King’s Champion, she wins her freedom. Losing means being sent back to prison- and almost certain death.  Her troubles don’t end at that: someone is brutally killing other contenders one by one, and that person is using something dark and evil to do it. Also, she is torn between love for the gruff Captain of the Guard, and the Crown Prince, a member of a family she detests.  As events unfold, Celaena begins to realize that the contest may not only be determining her freedom, but the fate of her entire world. 

                The second book in this new series, Crown of Midnight, is due to come out on August 27th, 2013. I have been able to read an advance copy of this novel, and I think it is an excellent continuation of the series. It has several new twists and turns, and the ending is incredible.

                I would recommend this series for teens fourteen and older, because there are several violent or gory moments. I don’t believe that this should discourage anyone though, because I think that it is an excellent, well-written story. I would give both books a ten out of ten. I definitely recommend these books, and can add that it has become my favorite series.  

Encouraging Reading

If you enjoy reading, it is always fun to recommend books and encourage others to embrace literature. Reading is both a way to learn new words and facts, expand your imagination, and see things from another point of view. It always surprises me when I hear someone say, "Yeah, well, I don't really like reading." In my mind reading is something everyone should appreciate. You don't have to be fast or read all the time, but you should all immerse yourselves in a book you like once in a while.

Besides just telling people about the books you've read and making recommendations, there are other things that will encourage others to look into literature. One of the main points I'd like to stress is that support of your local library is key. Help out and participate in the events that they run. The public library I use has great programs and is very open to new ideas. I'm sure its the case in other libraries too. If you see something about a program people you know might be interested in, speak up! It is more than likely that they are happy to learn of a new activity related to their interests. Besides just being a great place to learn about more books, library events are an enjoyable way to discover something new, create, make new friends, get new ideas, or simply enjoy an evening. I can personally say that the people I've met at the library usually share a few things in common with me, but the differences in their personalities always bring whatever topic we're covering into a new and unique light. A library is an ideal setting for creativity to flourish, and it is one of my favorite places to be.