en-US Tue, 25 Mar 2014 07:18:15 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 24580
Take a lighthearted, nostalgic trip to a simpler time, seen through the eyes of a very special boy named Tom Sawyer. It is a dreamlike summertime world of hooky and adventure, pranks and punishment, villains and first love, filled with memorable characters. Adults and young readers alike continue to enjoy this delightful classic of the promise and dreams of youth from one of America’s most beloved authors.

ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

He has no mother, his father is a brutal drunkard, and he sleeps in a barrel. He’s Huck Finn—liar, sometime thief, and rebel against respectability. But when Huck meets a runaway slave named Jim, his life changes forever. On their exciting flight down the Mississippi aboard a raft, the boy nobody wanted matures into a young man of courage and conviction. As Ernest Hemingway said of this glorious novel, “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.�
--back cover]]> 520 Mark Twain 0451528646 Ashley 5 4.10 1884
author: Mark Twain
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1884
rating: 5
read at: 2009/10/08
date added: 2014/03/25
shelves: young-adult-literature, read-in-2009, classics
review:
So even though this edition of Tom Sawyer has both Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, this time I only read Tom Sawyer. This is my first time reading Tom Sawyer since I was pretty young, and when I read it then it was a simplified version with lots of pictures. I love this story though and it took me back to when I used to read it when I was younger. Mark Twain is such an amazing writer and he does such a great job and giving his readers classic and real life characters, ones you will never forget. I love Tom and Huck and their adventures together. I love how this story unfolds. I love how Twain lets us see inside Tom's head and we always seem to know exactly what he is thinking and why, even if it only really makes sense to Tom himself. These boys have such great imaginations! And they are also so superstitious! This book was constantly making me smile. I think this book is perfect for young adult readers. Especially boys, Twain does a great job to relating to the wild and free life each and every boy desires to live.
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But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world—and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally's choice will change her world forever....]]> 425 Scott Westerfeld 0689865384 Ashley 3 3.85 2005
author: Scott Westerfeld
name: Ashley
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 2009/06/28
date added: 2010/12/31
shelves: young-adult-literature, read-in-2009, futuristic-fiction, dystopian-fiction
review:

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Peter and the Secret of Rundoon is a wild desert adventure - with flying camels, magic carpets, and evil shadows - that literally zooms toward an unforgettable and unimaginable climax. Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have teamed together once again to pen a story with unrelenting action and adventure that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.]]> 482 Dave Barry 0786837888 Ashley 4 4.17 2007
author: Dave Barry
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 2009/06/21
date added: 2010/12/31
shelves: young-adult-literature, read-in-2009, fantasy
review:

]]> 9531 New York Times bestseller Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter leaves the relative safety of Mollusk Island - along with his trusted companion, Tinker Bell - for the dark and dangerous streets of London. On a difficult journey across the sea, he and Tink discover the mysterious and deadly Lord Ombra, who is intent on recovering the missing starstuff - celestial dust that contains unimagined powers. In London, Peter attempts to track down the indomitable Molly, hoping that together they can combat Ombra's determined forces. But London is not Mollusk Island; Peter is not the boy he used to be; and Lord Ombra - the Shadow Master - is unlike anything Peter, or the world, has ever seen.

Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have done it again - written a compulsively readable, magical, impossible-to-put-down tale that will delight readers of all ages.]]> 557 Dave Barry 078683787X Ashley 4 4.17 2006
author: Dave Barry
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 2009/05/31
date added: 2010/12/31
shelves: young-adult-literature, read-in-2009, fantasy
review:

]]> 34262 Peter Pan. Peter and the Starcatchers is brimming with richly developed characters, from the scary but somehow familiar Black Stache and ferocious Mister Grin to the sweet but sophisticated Molly and fearless Peter. Page after page of riveting adventures take readers of all ages on a voyage from a filthy, crime-ridden port in old England across the turbulent sea. Aboard the Neverland is a trunk that hold the “greatest treasure on earth� —but is it gold, jewels, or something far more mysterious and dangerous?

Roiling waves and raging storms; skullduggery and pirate treachery provide the backdrop for battles at sea. Bone-crushing breakers eventually land our characters on Mollusk Island—where the action really heats up.

This impossible-to-put-down tale leads readers on an unforgettable journey—fraught with danger yet filled with mystical and magical moments.]]> 452 Dave Barry 078684907X Ashley 4 4.05 2004
author: Dave Barry
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2009/05/23
date added: 2010/12/31
shelves: young-adult-literature, read-in-2009, fantasy
review:

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19 CDs. 17 hrs 30 mins.]]> 1728 J.R.R. Tolkien 0345538374 Ashley 5 4.61 1954
author: J.R.R. Tolkien
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.61
book published: 1954
rating: 5
read at: 2009/12/15
date added: 2009/12/15
shelves: young-adult-literature, most-favorite, read-in-2009, fantasy
review:
Oh my goodness I loved reading these books! I have always loved the movies and had never really had the desire to read the books until I was assigned to read The Hobbit in one of my English classes. And I fell in love with The Hobbit! Out of this series my very favorites are The Hobbit and The Return of the King. I especially loved the very ending of The Return of the King when the hobbits return to the Shire. These books are magical for me. This is the type of book that I could and will read over and over throughout my life and still fall in love with them again each time.
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The Love Dare, as featured in the popular new movie Fireproof (from the makers of Facing the Giants), is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, The Love Dare is a journey you need to take. It’s time to learn the keys to finding true intimacy and developing a dynamic marriage. Take the dare!]]> 227 Alex Kendrick Ashley 3 4.05 2008
author: Alex Kendrick
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 2009/12/13
date added: 2009/12/13
shelves: marriage, self-development, read-in-2009, inspirational
review:
For the most part I really enjoyed this book. Especially throughout the first half of the book- I felt like I was learning a lot about myself and my relationship with my husband and just what I needed to do to be a better wife and show more and better love to him. The second half of the book I stopped enjoying as much. I am not sure how to explain why this change came about, but I felt that overall the first half of the book was more beneficial for me. The book covers a lot a good ground in regards to marriage and I believe any married couple to read this book would probably benefit from it. I'm glad I read this book, it helped me to realize just how amazing love is if it is centered around God's everlasting love for us.
]]> 966435 A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens. It was first published by Chapman & Hall on 19 December 1843. It tells the story of a bitter old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation resulting from a supernatural visit by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come.

The novella met with instant success and critical acclaim. The book was written and published in early Victorian era Britain, a period when there was strong nostalgia for old Christmas traditions together with the introduction of new customs, such as Christmas trees and greeting cards. Dickens' sources for the tale appear to be many and varied, but are, principally, the humiliating experiences of his childhood, his sympathy for the poor, and various Christmas stories and fairy tales.]]> 118 Charles Dickens 0823404862 Ashley 4 4.27 1843
author: Charles Dickens
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.27
book published: 1843
rating: 4
read at: 2009/12/13
date added: 2009/12/13
shelves: christmas, read-in-2009, inspirational
review:
What a magical book. And honestly I can't believe that this is my first time reading it. I really didn't know what to expect when I first started, except to compare it to all the many movies that they have made based around this classic Christmas story. And I was surprised just how well some of the movies that I have seen match almost perfectly with the story that is told on paper- even down to exact wording throughout many parts. I got teary eyes reading this book many times. I love the moral of this story- we all know it- mankind is our business and we should be helping others and spreading Christmas cheer all the year long. I'm glad I finally got a chance to sit down and read this book.
]]> 1263553 302 Thomas S. Monson 0877475113 Ashley 5 4.39
author: Thomas S. Monson
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.39
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2009/12/03
date added: 2009/12/03
shelves: church-doctrine, read-in-2009, inspirational
review:
This book is amazing. As I am reading the different talks given by President Thomas S. Monson (before he was the prophet) I can hear his voice saying the things he has written to me. This book is inspirational. I have been keeping notes in a special notebook that I have for spiritual things and as I look at my notes and try to pick a favorite of all the discourses that are given in this book I am at a loss. I cannot pick just one favorite. I have enjoyed reading this book for many reasons; it has lifted me up spiritually, I have used some of the gospel principles in this book on my new blog risetoit-lifeisanoccasion.blogspot.com, and I feel I have come closer to our dear prophet and leader of our church President Thomas S. Monson.
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Fifteen-year-old Aya Fuse is no exception. But Aya’s face rank is so low, she’s a total nobody. An extra. Her only chance at stardom is to kick a wild and unexpected story.

Then she stumbles upon a big secret. Aya knows she is on the cusp of celebrity. But the information she is about to disclose will change both her fate…and that of the brave new world]]> 417 Scott Westerfeld 1416951172 Ashley 3 3.60 2006
author: Scott Westerfeld
name: Ashley
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 2009/10/21
date added: 2009/10/21
shelves: young-adult-literature, read-in-2009, futuristic-fiction, dystopian-fiction
review:
For the longest time I wondered, what happened to Tally? She really doesn't play much of a part in this book at all, which kind of surprised me. This book was by far my least favorite of Westerfeld's series. Although I liked Aya and getting to know her, I was sad not to know more about Tally, and when Tally did come back into the picture she kinda annoyed me. My feelings that I had at the end of Specials came back and Tally, for me, turned into this girl that thinks it is her "special" job to watch over the whole world. The inhumans or "extras" that come up in this book are a little vague for me. Were they once just normal people? I think that is what Westerfeld is alluding to... Frizz is my very favorite character in this book. He reminded me a lot of Zane, and I really liked Zane and was very sad when he died. The one thing that I appreciated in this book about Tally was when she pointed out to Frizz the importance of being brave enough to tell the truth on his own instead of with radical honesty. Truth-slanting and radical honesty were for sure my very favorite themes in this book.
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And now she's been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.

The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.

Still, it's easy to tune that out -- until Tally's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she's programmed to complete. Either way, Tally's world will never be the same.]]> 384 Scott Westerfeld 0689865406 Ashley 3 3.76 2006
author: Scott Westerfeld
name: Ashley
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 2009/10/18
date added: 2009/10/18
shelves: young-adult-literature, read-in-2009, futuristic-fiction, dystopian-fiction
review:
Well, from the very beginning of this book I was not at all sure what to think. The idea that Tally is not only a special but also the fact that she is a cutter just had such a weird effect for me. Especially the cutting thing, I think it is so gross and slightly inappropriate for young adults to be reading. Tally changes a lot as a special and it is so sad to me how much the change effects her feelings for Zane. As the book progressed I started to like to more, and like the other books in the series I always felt a pull to keep reading so I could find out what was going to happen. Zane dying killed me! I really liked them a lot as a couple, and I feel that Zane had a pretty good grip on things. (Perhaps that is why he was the best to die out of all of them? Cause he was the most ready?) The end of this book is horrible. What is up with that letter that Tally writes to everyone?! I think it is a really lame ending. It kinda makes me feel like Westerfeld didn't know quite how to end things? Does Tally really think that all of the sudden that she is strong enough and ready to face the world? And is she only choosing to be with David because Zane is dead? I did like this book, but it also kind of freaked me out. Westerfeld has definitely created a world worth analyzing and exploring. This book leaves me thinking and brings up within me many questions about society, humanity, humankind, and freedom.
]]> 24768 Gorgeous. Popular. Perfect.

Perfectly wrong.

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.]]> 370 Scott Westerfeld 0689865392 Ashley 4 3.84 2005
author: Scott Westerfeld
name: Ashley
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2009/10/13
date added: 2009/10/13
shelves: young-adult-literature, read-in-2009, futuristic-fiction, dystopian-fiction
review:
Besides the fact that this book is insanely easy to read, Scott Westerfeld keeps me WANTING to read because there always seems to be something new happening. I really like the ideas behind this book. Although this book is for young adult readers I kinda doubt most teenagers would notice all the issues that arise in this book centered on society and humanity without the help of a class or teacher. In my senior thesis class for English we studied Frankenstein in literature and film and this series by Westerfeld was compared as a "Frankenstein" type story for the young adult audience. In many ways I think this is true and really would love to delve in deeper into that comparison. So all in all, although this book can be pretty silly at times and somewhat predictable I really enjoy finding out where and what Tally will be doing next. The love connections in this story also intrigue me. At the end of Uglies I was for sure rooting for Tally to make it back to David, now I really want Tally to be with Zane. (And at the end of this story I really wonder what will become of Zane now that he is sick and is being handed over to Special Circumstances and Tally is, most likely, being turned into a Special!) Oh, and what's up with David's mom? All the sudden she seems like such an unfeeling jerk in this book when Tally meets up with her again. Is she just being protective of David? And if so why is she so willing to leave Zane behind when he didn't ever do anything wrong. In the last book Maddy seemed like a really nice and genuine person who cared about the good of humanity and everyone that wanted to be a part of a better society. Weird. Anyways, I just bought Specials and I am ready to see what will happen next.
]]> 567795 Falling in love is easy. Staying in love—that's the challenge. How can you keep your relationship fresh and growing amid the demands, conflicts, and just plain boredom of everyday life?

In the #1 New York Times international bestseller The 5 Love Languages, you'll discover the secret that has transformed millions of relationships worldwide. Whether your relationship is flourishing or failing, Dr. Gary Chapman's proven approach to showing and receiving love will help you experience deeper and richer levels of intimacy with your partner—starting today.

The 5 Love Languages is as practical as it is insightful. Updated to reflect the complexities of relationships today, this new edition reveals intrinsic truths and applies relevant, actionable wisdom in ways that work.]]> 204 Gary Chapman 1881273156 Ashley 5 4.21 1990
author: Gary Chapman
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.21
book published: 1990
rating: 5
read at: 2009/09/30
date added: 2009/09/30
shelves: marriage, read-in-2009, inspirational
review:
Throughout the years I have heard about this book over and over again and how great it is. I've always wanted to read it, but I didn't for a long time because there was always something else that I wanted to read more and I thought I knew enough about the book that reading it really wouldn't change anything. Boy was I wrong! This is such an amazing book that points out so many important aspects that are part of a loving marriage relationship. I honestly feel that now that I have read this book that I can and will apply its concepts for my own marriage. This book has taught me the importance of being more selfless. It has taught me that even though I feel love in one way that Justin doesn't necessarily feel love in that same way. In fact we have found out that we don't have the same love language at all. My love language is physical touch, and Justin's is words of affirmation. I really feel that if we can both work on reaching out in these ways towards each other that our marriage will be stronger, we will be happier and our love tanks will be full.
]]> 15014
When stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong, you have three choices: Avoid a crucial conversation and suffer the consequences; handle the conversation badly and suffer the consequences; or read Crucial Conversations and discover how to communicate best when it matters most. Crucial Conversations gives you the tools you need to step up to life's most difficult and important conversations, say what's on your mind, and achieve the positive resolutions you want. You'll learn how to:

Prepare for high-impact situations with a six-minute mastery technique
Make it safe to talk about almost anything
Be persuasive, not abrasive
Keep listening when others blow up or clam up
Turn crucial conversations into the action and results you want]]> 240 Kerry Patterson 0071401946 Ashley 4 4.04 2002
author: Kerry Patterson
name: Ashley
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at: 2009/09/20
date added: 2009/09/20
shelves: self-development, read-in-2009
review:
This is really quite a good book. I usually am not really into self help books but this book points out some really good aspects of how to have better conversations, even in the hardest of conversations, or the most "crucial." I feel that I have been able to learn a lot from this book, but I also realize that it is going to take a lot more than reading this book one time for me to be able to put all of its good advice into play in my own life.
]]> 923935 Where had it come from? Whose money was it? Was I to spend it? Save it? Pass it on to someone more needy? Above all else, why was I chosen? Certainly there were others, countless others, more needy than me...

Her reporter's intuition insisted that a remarkable story was on the verge of the front page.

Newspaper reporter Hope Jensen uncovers the remarkable secret behind the "Christmas Jars", glass jars filled with coins and bills anonymously left for people in need. But along the way, Hope discovers much more than the origin of the jars. When some unexpected news sets off a chain reaction of kindness, Hope's greatest Christmas Eve wish comes true.]]> 122 Jason F. Wright 1590384814 Ashley 4
I read this book in one day. And no it isn't the greatest piece of literature that I've ever read. In fact there where many times that as a was reading I thought the way the story was written was quite poor. But the story itself. The mystery of the CJ and its affect on so many people amazed me. And I don't know how (cause we hardly ever use cash to pay for things) but, I would really like it if my husband and I started our own Christmas Jar and thanks to my book group in assigning this book in September we now have enough time to try to save a substantial amount. Way more than we could have ever saved if I would have waited to read this book until Christmastime. ]]> 3.97 2005
author: Jason F. Wright
name: Ashley
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2009/09/15
date added: 2009/09/15
shelves: christmas, read-in-2009, inspirational
review:
When I first borrowed this book from the library I felt kinda silly to be checking out a Christmas book and I even told the ladies that were standing nearest to me that I didn't understand why my ward book group would pick a Christmas book in September! And I was quite surprised by their reply. They said, "Maybe its good to read it now, it will give you some good ideas that will take time to work on." I smiled and said "Maybe," not at all believing that that could ever be the case.

I read this book in one day. And no it isn't the greatest piece of literature that I've ever read. In fact there where many times that as a was reading I thought the way the story was written was quite poor. But the story itself. The mystery of the CJ and its affect on so many people amazed me. And I don't know how (cause we hardly ever use cash to pay for things) but, I would really like it if my husband and I started our own Christmas Jar and thanks to my book group in assigning this book in September we now have enough time to try to save a substantial amount. Way more than we could have ever saved if I would have waited to read this book until Christmastime.
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