\\Dreaming Endlessly\\

Books

Here are the books I've read lately. I decided to begin writing short little reviews of them. I love to read, as you may very well notice. ^_^

Of course, the type of books I like may be different from the type you like. I enjoy, especially, books taking place in other countries, books about royal families, and most of all, fantasy.

Harry Potter books

Goes without saying. :P

Inkheart by Cornilia Funke

This is a German book translated into English (I don't speak German :P). It's a fantasy novel about a girl whose father can read characters out of books. I loved this story! The girl is definitely not your stereotypical 12-year-old, which I really happened to enjoy. ^^ All in all, this is a really sweet story as well. It doesn't have a complete ending because it's part of a trilogy. The next two books are Inkblood and Inkdeath, which will be coming out sometime (and I will be reading as soon as they come out). ^_^

The Thief Lord by Cornilia Funke

This is also a German book, by the other of Inkheart. Really, I think I never would've thought of reading this one, had it not been for that. The story about orphan kids didn't really interest me much, but there is much more to this story. Like Inkheart, it's sentimental, and it does become a fantasy novel eventually. About halfway into the book... which is a little odd. Really, the fantasy aspect of it is only a part of the story, but is very fascinating. They find out about a secret island and a carousel that can supposedly turn you into a kid again. A creative ending, as well, and like in anime, don't expect a total explanation. But I wouldn't want to spoil it!

The Great Railroad Race: The Diary of Libby West by Kristiana Gregory

For school, I had to do a review of a short book, and chose this one. It's the story of a girl who is going West during the building of the railroad. You see many of the harsh realities of the time-- like a kid that dies from a penny on the train track being shot up at him when the train come through! EEK! Also, this girl manages to see the famous people of the time and place, such as Brigham Young's daughters, a future president, etc. ;) As I said in my review, the character development is lacking, but still, this story accomplishes its task.

Postcards From France by Megan McNeill Libby

My only gripe with this book is that it's too short! It's the story of a girl who embarks on a year long journey as an exchange student in France. She hits many challenges along the way, and eventually has much success. This is a really inspiring story, especially if you're trying to learn a foreign language. ^_^

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck

A girl goes to live with her grandmother for a year in a small town in Illinois. As you can imagine, there are many funny stories that come out of this-- especially since the grandmother isn't really your stereotypical grandmother....

Fair Weather by Richard Peck

This one is by the same author as "A Year Down Yonder", and in fact, I liked it even better. It's about a girl from a small town going to the World's Fair in Chicago. This one too has much quirkiness, and hilarity.

The Inner Game of Music by Berry Green and W. Tim Gallwey

Okay, it's not a novel really. :P But it is a VERY valuable book if you're learning to play an instrument. Actually, it's just plain interesting. Topics such as overcoming the boundaries and reaching your full potential... very inspiring!

Lady of Ch'kwo by Lawrence Yep

The diary of a Hisen girl in 700's China. There are a lot of deaths, and this is no prissy princess story (really, I found it weird that it was even in the Scholastic Royal Diaries series, because it's not really for young kids...). But, it's really a great story. It is about war, however there is MUCH more to it, and the wording is beautiful and flows like poetry.

Jahanara: Princess of Princesses by Kathryn Lasky

This was a quick read-- about 150 pages, and I read it in two days. I haven't read much (or anything, really) about the Indian (as in India..) princess Jahanara, and found this book fascinating. It does rather lack a central plot, though. It's not my favorite book, but I enjoyed it. I liked the parts about the culture of India, such as the purity screens that she had to look through.

Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars by Sheri Holman

This is the story of the Korean princess, Sondok. Her mother didn't have a son, so she was to rule-- in a time when many people were against having a female leader! I liked how this story had a strong female character. She had an interest in astronomy, and I liked reading about why she loved it so much. The way she described the stars and everything was so beautiful.

Victoria: May Blossom of Britannia by Anna Kirwan

I really always like the books in the "Royal Diaries" series. They're quick reads, engaging stories, strong female characters, and in a wonderful format, too. "Victoria" is definitely less action-packed than the others, however, I liked it just as much. This one is definitely more suited to younger readers, as it is not as intense at all. (Though the book series is really for 9-12 year olds, some of the books do get pretty intense.) It is however, a nice, calm look at what life was like for Victoria, and what life was like in 1800's England. And you've got to like the English phrasing, for it is quite charming. ^_^ It was perfect for me to read over the time that I was stuck at home resting while getting over a cold.