Lifted Up By Angels

Lurlene McDaniel is one of my favorite authors for making you feel connected to a character. The story of 17 year old Ethan (an Amish boy) and 16 year old Leah (an "English" girl) is very touching and realistic. Ethan is participating (finally) in his right of experimentation of all things modern (called Rumspringa). His father is very unhappy that part of his movement from the Amish traditions involves dating Leah. Leah struggles with the stark differences between her modern world of cars, music, movies and fast food and Ethan's traditional Amish farm life. Yet, she is strongly drawn to his world because of the peace it offers and the honest love the family shares. Naturally, tragedy strikes. Will Leah and Ethan be able to bear it? Will Ethan's family?

Prom Dress

This story was a bit predictable, but included enough twists that it kept my attention. The author, Lael Littke writes in a similar style to R.L. Stine, but not as graphic. I am glad that a few folks in class decided to read it based on comments I made. Let me know what you thought of it.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Due to the fact that the next Potter movie, HP and the Order of the Phoenix, is about to come out this summer, I decided to reread the Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix. It is amazing how much detail you can put out of your mind once a movie comes out. If you have read these books and it's been awhile, read them again. There are theories posted on the HP official website discussing the idea that Harry and Hermonie could actually be brother and sister...at first I was sure that wouldn't be a possibility, but as I read the support and examples, I started to think JK Rowling just might do something like that...heck, look what Snape does in Order of the Phoenix! Can't wait to see the movie and to read book 7 Deathly Gallows!

Star Wars The Truce at Bakura

Ok, I chose this title because I don't read much science fiction and thought it would be a good place to start since I grew up on the original Star Wars trilogy movies. Let's just say that it was difficult to visualize at first the lengthy descriptions of aliens, fighter planes and other worlds. However, drawing on my experiences from the movies I used to watch, I eventually caught up in my mind with what the words on the page were saying. It turned out to be a great story, more of an adventure than science fiction I'd say (other lifeforms and traveling at light speed not withstanding). I ended up liking the book!