My Book Collection

This book was a Christmas present from my sister, and I read it within a 24 hour time-span. Besides the obvious money management for those who are struggling (like myself), it contains essential information on affairs regarding your death. If you think a Last Will and Testament will take care of your loved ones when you are gone, think again. What you will learn in this book will shock you! I'm so glad that my sister loves me enough to give me this book. Thanks Kathy!

This was one of my all-time favorite books when I was growing up! Following the adventures of orphan Anne Shirley as she tried to fit in to Marilla Cuthburt's life entertained me to no end! Click on the book or title to find out more. Order it for a girl you know (or Toys for Tots), the price can't be beat!!!!!

PLOT SPOILERS! DON'T READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW CERTAIN THINGS AHEAD OF TIME! Just know that I DO NOT recommend it for elementary school-aged children.

This book has gotten a lot of hype as the "Next Harry Potter. It's not. It's not even comparable. That's kind of like saying that The Lord of the Rings is just like The Chronicles of Narnia. If you've read any of those two series, you realize that the only comparison that can be made is that they are both in mythical lands. Same with Artemis Fowl and Harry potter.

Artemis Fowl is a great book. A fun read. But it is a bit violent, which is why I put a PG-13 rating on it, so to speak. First of all, Artemis is the bad guy. And a kid at that! And he has a bodyguard (read, "henchman". There is kidnapping, a couple of shows of violence between Butler (above-mentioned henchman) and groups of creatures (humans and elves) and a rather bloody showdown. It contains way too much information on different types of guns for me to let my 9-yr-old read it.

But, as an adult, I loved it! And I realized as I was about to write this review that I returned the book to the library before I cracked the code on the cover and which runs across the bottom of each page! If you're the kind of persons that enjoys easy-reading fantasy, this is a great book to take to the beach.

"I love Harry Potter!" That's what my eight-year old tells me. And he's not alone. When I worked at Zany Brainy, kids would walk straight to the Harry Potter display and sit down and start reading. They love these books!

I was reluctant to let Jacob read any before I discovered for myself if the magic represented in the books was the "bad" kind or the "good" kind; it's the good kind! In much the same way as The Fellowship of the Ring, Harry is on a adventure (through life), and magic is an incidental. I have flat out refused to let Jacob read any Goosebumps, for obvious reasons, but Harry Potter is aok.

While you're at Amazon.com, pick up the first three books as well: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! (Besides, it will make the car ride to the beach a lot quieter!)

I swear it's just a coicidence that I chose this book for the the same month "Survivor 2" is back on!

Yet again, I choose a children's book as my highlighted selection. But not just any children's book; a Newbery Honor book! From my previous paragraph, you may infer, correctly, that this is a survival oriented book. 13-year-old Brian is stranded alone in the Canadian wilderness after the prop-engine plane in which he is traveling to see his father crashes and the pilot is killed. All of the gear sinks with the plane in a lake, and all he is left with is his , you guessed it, hatchet. He is eventually rescued, but only after he spends 54 days (from fall to winter!) completely alone! I'm sure none of the adults in the game of Survivor could do what Brian does in this book (like start a fire without winning it from Jeff Probst in a challenge!) This is mostly geared to boys ages 9-12, but I don't see any reason why adults wouldn't love it.

Spring and Summer are remodeling time! Before you make anu further decisions, BUY THIS BOOK!<
For a while, I used to clean houses. Since I had read this book before I ever started that job, I was amazed at the decisions people made while remodeling. They bought (in my opinion) the silliest colors and materials, which proved to be virtually un-cleanable! Since you are in the process of remodiling, I'm sure that you won't be able to afford hiring someone else to clean your purchases for a while, so you owe it to yourself to

This is the book I just finished reading. It is the lastest edition in the famous Redwall fantasy series. Marlfoxes have come to Mossflower woods, and have stolen the tapestry of Martin the Warrior from Redwall Abbey! In times of need, it is said that the real Martin will come to the aid of Redwall in times of great need; will he come this time? Whom will he choose to recover Redwall's greatest treasure? Written in true Brian Jacques fashion (boy! can that man describe food!) this book welcomes you inside and invites you to stay awhile.
For those of you, like me, who enjoy reading a series in order they were written in, here is the complete list in the order that they were published: Redwall (1987), Mossflower (1988), Mattimeo (1990), Mariel of Redwall (1992), Martin the Warrior (1994), Salamandastron (1994), The Bellmaker (1995), Outcast of Redwall (1996), The Great Redwall Feast (1996), The Long Patrol (1998), and Marlfox (1998). Enjoy!

Now that your kids have finished reading the newest Harry Potter book, you want them to keep reading instead of picking up that N64 controller, right? Then this book is the best follow-up choice!

Bastian Balthazar Bux starts reading this book, and then realizes he is actually reading about himself. The book takes him on a journey to Fantastica, which is being destroyed by Nothing. If you saw the movie, you'll discover that the movie ends about halfway through the book! (The movie was horrible, by the way; too s-l-o-w.) You should read the other reviews on the Amazon.com site, written by children closer to your own children's ages!

The Stand by Stephen King.
Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon.
And Pierced by a Sword by Bud MacFarlane, Jr.
Impressive company? Judge for yourself!

The Princess Bride is one of the greatest movies ever made, so how can the book possibly be better? Three words: Zoo of Death! If for no other reason to learn of Inigo Montoya's and Fezzick's adventure there as they try to rescue the only-mostly-dead Man in Black, read this book! Get it as a Christmas present to yourself!

Come on! Who doesn't love Calvin and Hobbes? Jacob and I have borrowed several of these collections from the library. At the time of this writing, Amazon.com has this book for only $8.76 (and free shipping for Mother's Day!) Monsier Watterson has even inspired Jacob to write and illustrate his own comic strips, which are really quite good, in my opinion! Everyone should know a child as precocious as Calvin.

They saved all our lives with 3x5's!!!
If you suffer from CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome), then you need to get this book! These women have been in our shoes - when we can find them! They provide a simple way for us to get our homes, and our lives, in order. GET THIS BOOK! You won't regret it!

I haven't received this book yet, although I have read a few of Mel's articles in Organic Gardening magazine. I was really intrigued that I can get two or three times the yield out of my veggie garden in the same amount of space! Although I have a large year (1/4 acre lot), most of it is in the shade so I can't grow anything. This book has an average rating of 5 stars on Amazon.com.