Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins
Type: Fiction
First Published: 2009
Pages: 391
Week: 14

This is the second book of the trilogy of the Hunger Games. Another page turner. In this book the next Hunger Games is the third Quarter Quell which is celebrated every 25 years and something special is done at the games. The special thing for these games is that they brought back all the old victors from the other games. Katniss and Peeta were two of them. But there is a twist that the Districts have for The Capitol.
A more intense book, but not as exciting because of the novelty of the first book. Still a thriller. I can't wait to read the next one.

Darkness Visible

Author: William StyronType: Non-Fiction
First Published: 1990
Pages: 84
Week: 6(13)

First published in Vanity Fair, this book is about the author's descent into depression and his recovery. Although I was not impressed with the work, I do believe it to be an important piece as Styron has brought to light the damaging affects of depression. It is a deadly condition and not something that everyone can work their way out of. The list of famous artists and writers that have died from this condition is impressive. The book is a vehicle of making one want to know more about depression.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Alfred A. Knopf
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 1964
Pages: 162
Week: 6(13)

This is the classic story that has been turned into a couple of films where 5 children and their parents get a trip of a lifetime to a mysterious factory that produces the world's greatest chocolate. The chocolatier is as mysterious, Willy Wonka.
Each child on their adventure tells a bit about human nature.
This is one of the greatest books ever for children. The author has also written James and the Giant Peach. A great storyteller.

The Knight at Dawn

Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
Type: Children's
First Published: 1993
Pages: 66
Week: 6(13)

This is the second book of a series where a young boy and his sister find a magical tree house filled with magical books. Whenever they open the book to a place and say they want to go there, they appear in that time. This adventure takes the two to the time of the knights.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one. The only beef I have is that the author seems to make the older brother to be a wimp of sorts and the little sister the true adventurer.

Declaration of Independence

Author: Thomas JeffersonType: Important Document
First Published: 1776
Pages: 2
Week: 6(13)

An expression of a nation through one man about getting away from a tyrant. The document says they have had enough and why; many reasons why.  I read this and think where our nation is today and think someone should read this as a campaign speech. Our nation is become a tyrant among itself.
A document that should be read at least once a year.

Oh, Bother! Someone Won't Share!

Author: Betty Birney
Illustrator: Nancy Stevenson
Type: Children's
First Published: 1996
Pages: 23
Week: 13

This is a Winie-the-Pooh story in which Rabbit has grown a garden; the best garden he has ever grown. The problem that we see in the story is Rabbit's unwillingness to share any of his vegetables with his friends. A great freeze comes and Rabbit in endanger of loosing a good portion of his crop. No fear for his friends come along and either help him pick or save his vegetables. Rabbit learns his lesson and in return shares some of his vegetables with his friends.
The story is good in teaching a child about sharing, but also about how we will sometimes need the help of others.

A Haunting in Williamsburg

Author: Lou Kassem
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 1990
Pages: 104
Week: 13

This is the story of a girl of 13, Jayne, who has to go visit her aunt in Williamsburg for the summer. Her parents are teachers and have a special conference they have to attend overseas. While there, she encounters a ghost who wants her help in finding out what happened to her brother and a man she loved during the Revolutionary War. With research and a young man she meets, Peter, she has a memorable summer.
The book was a good story. The ghost part of the story was very little compared to her friendship with the boy Peter. Through both Peter and the ghost, Saly, Jane learns a lot about her self and her parents.

The Hunger Games

Author:Suzanne Collins
Type: Adult Fiction
First Published: 2008
Pages: 374
Week: 13

The book is a futuristic story of how a country rose from the ashes of the continent North America called Panem. Natural disasters swallowed up much of the land. A brutal war for what little sustenance remained. The result was Panem, as having Capitol ringed by 13 districts which brought peace and prosperity to its people. Then came the Dark Days, the uprising against the Capitol. Twelve were defeated while the thirteenth was obliterated. The Treaty of Treason gave them the new laws of peace so that the Dark Days were never were repeated. Thus, were born the Hunger Games.
One girl and one boy ages twelve to eighteen are chosen every year from every district to fight to the death where only one makes it out alive. The book is the story of the 74th Hunger Games.
A hit movie this year made this a choice to read. A definite page turner. An awesome book. This is the first book of a trilogy by the author. I cannot wait to read the other two.

Books Into Film: The Moon is Down

Author: Robin H. Smiley
Type: Magazine article
First Published: April, 2012
Pages: 3
Week: 13

This is an article about the reason behind the writing of John Steinbeck's story, "The Moon is Down." Steinbeck is my favorite author and to find out the reason for a story that doesn't stem from the author's personal need to tell a personal story but one for country fascinated me. The article also tells about the book turning into the movie and why the movie wasn't a mainstay in the movie lover's collection.
I enjoyed the article and was amazed at the information. This article is a must for any Steinbeck fans.

Runaway Ralph

Author: Beverly Cleary
Illustrator: Louis Darling
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 1970
Pages: 175
Week: 7(12)

The book is about a mouse and his motorcycle and the freedom to ride his motorcycle. Ralph, the main character, lives at a hotel Inn where at night he rides his motorcycle, given to him by a young boy, with his crash helmet made from half a ping pong ball. His parents give him grief over riding at night saying its dangerous and make him give the younger mice a ride. Tired of it all, he runs away to a kids camp, a mile away.
The book is about his adventures away and about his struggle to get back to his family.
I had a mixed review on this book. It starts out slow, yet his misadventures are really good. But yet again the book ends weird.
This is a book that if you find it fine and if you don't have it fine.

A College Graduate Arrives in the Real World

Author: Brandon Daynorowicz (Funny Times Newspaper)
Type: Newspaper article
First Published: October, 2008
Pages: 1
Week: 12

An article that tells you in a humorous way that college does not prepare you for the real world. One of the examples is that "C" work in school is a passing grade while "C" work in the real world will get you fired. He also writes about how your peers are not drug dealers in the real world and will get offended if you ask them for some weed. A very humorous article which is lined with much truth.

Dinosaurs Before Dark

Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
Type: Children's
First Published: 1992
Pages: 68 pages
Week: 12

The first book in a series of children's books. The main characters are Jack, the big brother, and Annie, the little sister. Both go into a tree house high in the sky and find that it is filled with books. They open a book about dinosaurs and wish they were there. Boom! They were there. After many adventures, they climb back into the tree house and find a book about their house and are back safe at home. There are other books that send them into many other places. This is just the first book of the series.
I really liked this book and will enjoy reading this along with the other's in the series to my grandchildren.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Author: Mitch Albom
Type: Adult Fiction
First Published: 2003
Pages: 196
Week: Week 12

A book that starts when someone dies. Eddie, the main character, dies saving a little girl. He meets five people in heaven that change the way he looked at some people close to him in his life and also changes how he looked at his own life.
I didn't think that I connected with the book, but I did cry when Eddie met is wife in heaven and helped me make a decision about what to do in having an operation. So the book must be good.

The Tower Treasure (The Hardy Boys # 1)

Author: Franklin W. Dixon
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 1927
Pages: 180
Week: 12

This is the first book in the Hardy Boys series. This is the story of two brothers who are only a year a part and in high school that are the sons of a small town detective. They enjoy sleuthing and also enjoy pleasing their dad. This was their first case.
This book established them as bona fide sleuths and also gave them some money to invest in some detective equipment.
I enjoyed the book. The characters were developed well and the story was spell binding.

Barkis

Author: Clare Turlay Newberry
Type: Children's
First Published: 1938
Pages: 30
Week: 7(11)

This is a cute story of a young boy who gets a puppy for his birthday from his uncle. The puppy becomes a sore spot between the boy who received the puppy and his sister who wanted to share the puppy with him. The next day, as the boy was looking for the little puppy's play ball, the puppy went outside. The sister was kinda mad at the brother and so did nothing at first until she realized the puppy was in trouble. The sister ends up saving the puppy and the brother ends up sharing the puppy.
A good bedtime story.
Recommended.

I Have A Dream

Author: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Type: Speech
First Published: 1963
Pages: 3
Week: 7(11)

A great and powerful speech from a man chosen by God to bring out and try to destroy the oppression that white society was wielding on blacks. But MLK, Jr also called upon blacks not to drink from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
A must read for all.
In fact, every MLK, Jr holiday this should be read.

One of my favorite line(there are so many):
"There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges."

Because of Winn-Dixe

Author: Kate DiCamillio
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 2000
Pages: 182
Week: 8(11)

A book about a young girl who finds a dog and how the dog changed her life. Opal, the young girl, was new to the community and had not any friends. But because of the dog, she was able to meet many interesting people who became her friends.
A very god book and one that is very interesting to read. Kate develops the characters very well and puts them within a lovable story.
Highly, highly recommended.

In a Far Country

Author: Jack London
Type: Short Story
First Published: 1899
Pages: 14
Week: 11

A short story about two men who go on a gold expedition that had no business being out there. Both men were accustomed to a different kind of life, but thought they would throw in and enjoy a piece of the exciting, adventurous life. A fatal mistake.
Jack London comes from an era where description is definitely an art form. The story begins with a little prologue of an opinion he has about people changing lifestyles when they shouldn't. Then he backs up his opinion with a story. Jack London is king of the Northwest and Alaskan tales.

Joshua

Author: Joseph F. Girzone
Type: Christian Fiction
First Published: 1983
Pages: 301
Week: 11

A book about what would happen if Jesus came and made a visit today and the reaction people would have.
Joshua comes to a small town called Auburn and makes a huge impression because of the way he lives, the way he treats others, and especially, his views. He visits all the churches and synagogues and never establishes membership at any. His views are so truthful, yet disturbing that they get him a trip to the Vatican to meet with a group of cardinals and even, the Pope himself.
The book is wonderful because the reaction of the different people are so accurate. The ones that felt threatened most by Joshua, were the ones who had authority. A modern day Pharisee story. The ones that came closest yo Joshua were the ones who had the right hearts. That goes to show you that love sees with the heart.
A highly recommended read.

Antarctica: Escape from Disaster

Author: Peter Lerangis
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 2000
Pages: 239
Week: 11

A book about the uncharted expedition of Captain Elias Barth as told through the journals of Andrew Winslow, a stowaway on the expedition. The book begins with the expedition going wrong and becoming worse. All the crew were thought dead at different times through many adventures, yet only a few died. Although they eventually were saved, no one from the one who saved them to the one who funded the expedition ever acknowledged the existence of the trip. Only by the journals of Andrew Winslow did anyone ever know of it.
The book is a scholastic book. I found the book confusing because of all the people the reader had to know without any description by the author. The author did provide a chart at the beginning, but as a reader, I find this a cold way of introducing characters.

How A Seed Grows

Author: Helene J. Jordan
Illustrator: Loretta Krupinski
Type: Children's
First Published: 1960
Pages: 32
Week: 11

A very well thought-out book on teaching of the seed. First, the author starts with a definition and then with what the seed turns in to. The book concludes with a very east to do experiment.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it for reading time and as good family time.

Homer Price

Author: Robert McCloskey
Illustrator: Robert McCloskey
Type: Juvenile
First Published: 1943
Pages: 149
Week: 10

Homer Price is a book about a young boy who lives in a small town and some special incidents that happen. I believe if you read the book and did not know the title, you would not think Homer is the main character. The town and its people are really the main characters. The time of the action in the book is probably in the 40's.
I enjoyed the book and believe that the author developed the characters well for a young reader's book. By the end of the book, I was attached to everyone. I will miss all the characters that Robert created.

One Thousand Gifts

Author: Ann Voskamp
Type: Christian Adult Inspirational
First Published: 2010
Pages: 227
Week: 10

The book is about the author's solving of the problem she has that she is a Christian but does not feel like one. She takes a suggestion from a friend of how to solve that problem. The friend tells her to write down 1000 things that she's thankful for from God. Through this journey of writing the 1000 things she's thankful for she deepens her relationship with God. Her encharisteo-thanksgiving- builds her trust in God. The book goes beyond the list of 1000 and into different situations.
I had a hard time reading this book because of the author's style. Her style is erratic. There were only a coup;e of times where I connected with her: the chapter where one of her son is mad at another and how she dealt with that and the time they went to a mission place.
A very slow read. I believe to the average reader this book would be very frustrating.

The Magic Finger

Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Type: Children's
First Published: 1966
Pages: 63
Week: 10

This is an anti-hunting book hidden in a children's story. What kind of makes me laugh, though is when the girl gets mad at someone, she gives them the finger, the magic finger. I have been know to do that myself when I got mad.
Her neighbors, two kids about her age and their father were hunting. When they killed some, she yelled at them. She got mad, saw red, and they received the finger. What happens next is pretty hilarious. But anyway, in the end, they do not hunt anymore.
Reading as an adult, you notice an author's agenda. As a kid, I think I might enjoy it, but still be a little confused while I eat my McDonald's hamburger.

Forget - Remember

Author: Edith Dederick Erskine
Type: Poem
First Published 1954 in poetry book called "From Sea to Sky"
Pages: 95 words
Week: 10

A poem of how forgetting and remembering affect our lives; both can be good and both can be hard. My favorite line is, " Forgetting and remembering, heavenly choirs
                         Are echoes while the future's organ rolls."

The poet truly brought out how these two can affect our lives and in what ways. Even though a short poem, I truly enjoyed its content.
One to remember.

The Bet

Author: Anton Chekhov
Type: Short Story
First Published: 1889
Pages: 4
Week: 9 (placed in 8)

The Bet was used as an illustration in one of my seminary professor's lessons. I looked up the short story and read it. It has become my favorite short story of which I read frequently.
The story is set in late 1800's. A young banker is having a party with some of his acquaintances, when a discussion arises about capital punishment. The host believes it would be better to put one out of their misery instead of giving one a life sentence. A young lawyer disagrees and a bet pursues. If the lawyer can stay locked up without any outside contact for 15 years, the banker will give him 2 million dollars.
The story is about what happens.
I highly recommend the story.

Little Pear

Author: Eleanor F. Lattimore
Illustrator: Same
Type: Children's Book
First Published: 1931
Pages: 106
Week: 9 (overload to week 8)

The book is the misadventures of a small five year old boy named Little Pear. He lived with a very understanding mother and two sisters. He father was very nice as well.
The book took me a little to warm up to, but I did. I believe the book would be a book that a child would enjoy hearing. I believe the child you would read the book to would have many questions. In that sense, the book would be very good.
Of course, the Lattimore's are famous authors and an interesting story lies behind them. I believe Eleanor grew up in China and thus, the reason behind the book.

Hemi:a Mule

Author: Barbara Brenner
Illustrator: J. Winslow Higginbottom
Type: Juvinile
First Published: 1973
Pages: 121
Week: 9

This is a story about a mule named Hemionus which means Jackass in Greek. This is not only a tender story, but also an informative one.
The story is about a mule who is born to good parents on a nice farm. During the time on the farm, he befriends a young man named Melville. They became friends. Melville leaves and tells Hemi that once he goes to college and gets his degree and his own place he will come back to get him. After Melville leaves, Hemi also leaves because he is chosen to be the Army football mascot. Once that Hemi realizes he doesn't want to be a mascot, even how wonderful he is taken of, he wants to get back to Melville. The story is about Hemi trying to get back to his friend.
What is also wonderful about this story is that the author also teaches you a little about mules.
A good book.

The True Book of Indians

Author: Teri Martini
Illustrator: Charles Heston
Type: Children's
First Published: 1954
Pages: 47
Week: 9

The book begins with a very short history that the Indians came via Northwest Passage. From there, the author describes the different kinds of Indians from area. The author went from Northwest to Southwest to West to South and ending in the Northeast. The book would describe each area Indian's diet, clothing, hunting ways, housing, and any other interesting fact.
Although this may be long for a children's book, I believe that it would capture a child's imagination if the adult reading the book would: 1) ad lib some and 2) allow the listening child to read a little.
What I found interesting from an adult standpoint is the author said the Indians were in OUR land. I believe history has a different story.
A good book for teaching.

Everyone Needs A Sam

Author: John A. Winters
Type: Adult Non-Fiction
First Published:
Pages:129
Week: 9(Overload to week 7)

Everybody Needs A Sam is a book about those people in your life who help you with no other agenda than helping you. These Sams don't lead you to do something but give you advice in whatever the situation may be. The situation may be about a job, a relationship, life, or just a particular moment in life. Why the author uses the name Sam has its foundation in the book Lord of the Rings. Sam is the one who protects Frodo. Sam didn't do things for him because he knew the ultimate choice is his. That's what out Sams do. Sam's help us to think about what we are doing.
The author talks about what Sams are and what they aren't, how to recognize them, and how to get them.
This subject is one that can be said in a couple of paragraphs. I am not sure a whole book was necessary to dedicate to this.
Although a short book, not worth reading.

Shadows Still Remain

Author: Peter de Jonge
Type: Adult Non-fiction
First Published: 2009
Pages: 275
Week: 9(overload count as week 8)

The story is about a female cop who searches for the killer of a young female escort. The story about the young escort girl is as fascinating as the murder itself. In the end, the killer is unexpected. But once you know why the killer murdered the girl you will understand. But the killer is no angel either.
The book is definitely a page turner and very enjoyable. The author developed all the characters well and the story flowed well. I would recommend this book.

The Gettysburg Address

Author: Abraham Lincoln
Type: Speech
When Given: November 19, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
# of words: 272
Week: 9

This speech was given in the afternoon as a dedication to a cemetery. The speech is amazing because it strikes to the soul of truth about what we should think about those who give their lives for their country in the name of freedom. But what also is in Mr. Lincoln's speech is our responsibility of continuing that fight.

The Legend of the Kingdom: The Dragon Oracle

Author: Brandon Dorsey
Type: Adult Christian Science Fiction
First Published: 2001(Self-Published)
Pages: 290
Week Read: 9

Review
This book was written by a college student who had the book self-published. He obviously did not have anyone edit the book as there are at least one mistake per page, mostly grammatical. But getting over that, I want to review the book based on its storyline merit
The purpose of writing this book as is most Christian writers, is to tell about Jesus and His saving power. This book is no different.
The setting is medieval times. Castles and dragons.
The book is split up into two stories; one of a prince who kills his father because a voice inside tells him to and a small girl.
The prince and his friend and the small girl team up to defeat the bad guy, the dragon.
Although not original, the story was not bad. The small girl's character is the most exciting one.
Excuse the shortness of the review, as I no longer possess the book and cannot remember the character's names.