Percy Jackson and the Olympians

I chose not to read this series of book. I have a wonderful friend who is always telling me about books and stories that I might enjoy and branch out into different styles. 

She told me about Percy Jackson and how awesome these 5 books are. 

I caved. During one of my trips to the library with my son, I checked out a copy of the first book. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Theif. I was instantly transported into the story of a young boy discovering his true past. How he then uses this lineage to become a hero among heroes. 

After I read the last page it took me 5 min to get back in the car and drive to the library only to find out that there is a waiting list for the rest of the books. 

Then my bestie came to visit and brought me the rest of the series. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters, PJ and the Titan's Curse, PJ and the Battle of the Labyrinth, PJ and the Last Olympians. I finished them quite quickly. 

Rick Riordan did a great job in knowing his audience. He wrote these for the young reader and yet can grasp the interest of adults. 

I am always intrigued by Greek mythology. These books bring to light the ancient myths and update them into modern "gods" and how they can hide in our time. 

I recommend these books to those who love to pretend there is something behind the skin. That there are hidden powers behind everything. 

Oh if only I could see behind the "mist".

It took me about 4 days total to read them all but I had a house full of people during this time so I would read whenever there was downtime.

Living Dead in Dallas

Hello my name is Charisse and I like Charlaine Harris books. 

Yes they are not the best written books. Yes they are vampire trashy novels.

I have sunk deep into the storyline and I love them. I had finished reading all of the published books up to this date by Laurell K Hamilton and was on the market for some more vampire or fairy books that I could get into. My sister told me to read them awhile ago when she heard I was a LKH fan and figured that I would also love Charlaine Harris books. 

I read the first one a few months ago and was caught up in the story. A little over two weeks ago I started and finished "Living Dead in Dallas" in a matter of 2 days. (it is hard to find time to read with a 4 year old around, I like to totally submerge myself in the story so doing that with a 4 year old begging for attention every few min is kinda hard to do. 

Anyway. It is hard to explain this book without looking to explain the other book. The first book really just introduces you to the main characters and gets the reader to fully understand the method of explaining how vampires and wereanimals are functioning in Louisiana. Sookie is a telepath, Bill is a vampire, and Sam is a wereanimal.. Sookie is plunged into the nighttime world and the issues of having a vampire boyfriend.

This second book is really getting to know Sookie and her abilities to read minds and how the vampire leader can use them. She is sent with Bill to Dallas to discover why vampires tend to go missing. She discovers a "cult" of sort that is out to distory all vampires. They are pretty much following the guidelines the KKK used, but now uses them to hunt and rid the world of vampires. The Fellowship (the cult) kidnapped a high ranking vampire and is going to publicly burn him at sunrise. Sookie meets some werewolves, discovers a spy in the vampire ranks, and makes friends with some high level vampires insuring her own safety in their ranks. 

I am now currently looking for the 3rd book at used book stores so I can start the next in the series. I love this series. I love the fact that Charlaine Harris keeps a lot of the old myths about vampires and wereanimals alive. Sun does burn them, they can't enter the house without permission, crosses, garlic, and silver are all bad to them. She brings in other mythical creatures. Thank you Charlaine Harris for keeping the myths.

I recommend these only to those who enjoy vampires, myths, wereanimals, mysteries and sex all rolled into these storylines. 

The Love Season

Running a household and entertaining my 4 year old makes finding reading time hard. However, my mother took G-Man for a piano lesson and for some playtime which freed up some time for myself. I had earned a free soup from Panera (part of their club thingy) so I went there to indulge myself in yummy food and a book I had in my purse. (yes I always have a book or my kindle with me) I ordered the broccoli and cheese soup, a iced tea, and a cinnamon roll. Found my little corner of the restaurant and settled in for a good read.

I have become a huge fan of Elin Hilderbrand after reading Barefoot years ago. I love her style and her ability to create this world in my mind. All of the books I have read from her take place in the same area. That makes it easier to picture the areas written about. Even though I lived in MA for 7 years I never made it to Nantucket. I feel like I have been there due to the description found in these books.

I sat in my booth and read the Love season by Elin Hilderbrand in 2ish hours. When I had found this book at the thrift store I could tell it was a well loved book already. The pages were dogeared, the pages soft from many times turned.

In this story you jump between two different people an older woman, Marguerite, hiding on Nantucket and a nineteen year old girl, Renata, who happens to be Marguerite's Goddaughter. Their connection, Marguerite's best friend who was also the mother of Renata. The mother/best friend, Candace, had died years before and the woman and the daughter were torn apart at that time. Now both ladies are on the island, both craving for reconnection and answers.

The story plays out in one day. The godmother, getting ready for a visit from Renata. The godmother a world known chef cooks for the first time for someone else in 14 years. While getting the supplies from the store and cooking she relives the past. Constructing the history of Candace and a friendship long gone.

Renata's day is filled with questions on if she has made the right choice in getting married. She is confronted with the knowledge that she is just arm candy to this wealthy family. She is questioning her morality. She has to decide if 19 is the right age to make lifelong choices. She is faced with tragedy, loyalty, and family history in this one day.

For me this book was well written and I fell in love with another story by Elin Hilderbrand. I was moved to tears a few times and laughed out loud and startled a few people near my booth. I was able to finish it in one sitting. I love being able to do that. Staying in a storyline without returning to reality makes a deeper connection to the book I feel.

I am going to keep this book. It is back on my bookshelf waiting to be reread.

I Read

Reading is an escape.
Reading is nutrition.
Reading is education.
Reading is comfort.

I love to read. I love to float away from reality and enter a world that is not my own. I love to learn new things found on paper. I love to live out a life as a spy, a doctor or a wizard.

I never remember accurately the feelings, the emotions or even what point in my life that I read a certain book. I hope this blog will help with that.

These are my personal feelings or thoughts on a book. I have a certain taste in books and it is unique only to me. You can agree or disagree.