BOOK REVIEW: The Mitford Series

The Mitford Series: by Jan Karon

This has been one of my all time favorite reads.  A few ladies in Morgantown recommended the series and I fell in love with them.  If I remember right it took a little while for the story to get going.  But once you learned about all the people you just fell in love with them and just really enjoyed reading about their lives.  Nothing fancy here, just a feel good series.  I loved them.

Amazon Review of the first book: "It's easy to feel at home in Mitford, North Carolina. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are friendly. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that's sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy about ordinary people and their ordinary lives."

BOOK REVIEW: Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

This book has interesting facets. I didn't LOVE it. There wasn't anything objectionable in it. It is set up for a sequel, and when I got to the end and realized that I was disappointed--I would have been happy with it just being wrapped up. Not a bad read, but there are definitely better reads out there.

BOOK REVIEW: Lorien Legacies

Lorien Legacies series (by Pttacus Lore)

I really enjoy this series. I have read the three main and there are more coming. It is about a small group of members of an alien race hiding on Earth until they can be strong enough to go back and fight for their planet again. This is one of my favorites I have read this year.

BOOK REVIEW: Graceling

Graceling (by Kristin Cashore)

This is a series--the first is Graceling.

This book is a young adult fantasy book. The premise is original and quite interesting. It is set in a mid-evil type of a world where some people are born with certain graces--extra power to do things well. Some can read minds, some can use swords well, some are strong, some are good with animals, etc.

I do not, however, recommend this book. It alludes to adult themes and the characters have standards that are definitely not my own. I won't write out what it is because it can give things away, but if you want more details, you can ask me. It is a small very part of the book, which is too bad because the idea of the book is a good one.

BOOK REVIEW: Hunger Games Series

The Hunger Games Series (by Suzanne Collins): .

The Hunger Games

Catching Fire

Mockingjay

My review: Loved it! I won't summarize it since most people know the basic storyline. There is violence (obviously) but I don't remember it being graphic or descriptive. A lot of people are killed though. I don't remember any other questionable content like language or adult themes

BOOK REVIEW: The Matt Cruse

The Matt Cruze Series (by Kenneth Oppel): 

Airborn

Skybreaker

Starclimber

My review: I really enjoyed this series as well. It is young adult, fantasy and a lot of fun. There was some violence and suspense but I don't remember any notable graphic content, language, or adult themes.

Here is the Amazon description. Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the Aurora, a huge airship that sails hundreds of feet above the ocean, ferrying wealthy passengers from city to city. It is the life Matt's always wanted; convinced he's lighter than air, he imagines himself as buoyant as the hydrium gas that powers his ship. One night he meets a dying balloonist who speaks of beautiful creatures drifting through the skies. It is only after Matt meets the balloonist's granddaughter that he realizes that the man's ravings may, in fact, have been true, and that the creatures are completely real and utterly mysterious.

In a swashbuckling adventure reminiscent of Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson, Kenneth Oppel, author of the best-selling Silverwing trilogy, creates an imagined world in which the air is populated by transcontinental voyagers, pirates, and beings never before dreamed of by the humans who sail the skies.

BOOK REVIEW: The Giver Series

The Giver Series (by Lois Lowry):

The Giver

Messenger

Gathering Blue

Son

My review: Great Series! Great Message and it will make you think. I just really enjoyed it. Each of the books are a pretty fast read as well. I would totally recommend this to anyone. I can't think of any bad content at all. 

I don't want to give away the details but the series starts by following a boy, Jonas, that lives in a community where everything is perfectly orderly and controlled and all your decisions are made for you including what your life's work will be. Everything seems perfect until it all changes, at least for Jonas.