Be Careful What You Read...

In honor of the third season premiere of Once Upon A Time arriving on September 28, my book-mood-o-meter (it helps me decide what book I'm going to read next) led me to reading Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Now, for those oncer fans out there; you would understand why I read this particular book. With the mixture of fairy tales, villains, and the expecting the unexpected, I'd say it's the perfect time to read this series (now that I have read the first, I have to read the rest).

Be careful what you read...

Imagine if you could read anything you can imagine out of your favorite novel. What would you want to come to life? What wouldn't you want to come face-to-face to? The characters you could finally meet, but what if all this talent would come with a price? 

This is how Mo and Meggie live their lives, when Mo has the ability to read characters and other magical creatures into the real world. Only with this power, comes a very big price to pay. One night, Mo decides to read aloud, Inkheart, to his wife Teresa and daughter Meggie. But unlike any of the other books he has read in the past, this one brings out a man who is feared by everyone; but loses the love of his life. Throughout the story, Mo and Meggie go on an adventure to defeat the villainous Capricorn and to find a way for their family to finally be reunited. 

This charming and classical story gives you everything from fairy tales to a monster you can only imagine. Cornelia Funke's creation is worth visiting from time to time. 

The Strong Bond Of A Mother And Daughter

A mother and daughter's love is tested to the moon and back in this beautifully poignant tale. 

This novel begins in a magnificent villa in lovely Bay of Naples, Italy. The year is 1905, and little Lucia, along with her mother, go about their days as servants to the gentle Countess. With the irate count, some days are hard to get through, but the Countess never fails to help them out of any situation they get trapped into. Unfortunately, one day no one not even the Countess, were able to avoid this most horrible even. There only lies one simple solution: sneak out of Italy and start a new life in America. 

With the help of an old friend, they are able to leave and begin a new leaf, as well as a new life. With her mother working, Lucia finds a passion in school, and all of the amazing places and things to learn. Soon, her mother finds her calling as a singer in a vaudeville circuit as the Naples Nightingale, and Lucia finds herself with a accomplishing something only eight out of one hundred children do before the age of eighteen. With the occasional visits to see her mother perform, and the promise of college in sight, Lucia couldn't see how her life could not go in any direction than this. Sadly, Lucia's mother, Theresa, becomes ill, and this calls for Lucia to drop everything and come home. With the caring for her mother, and the ongoing strikes, Lucia patience, and the love for Theresa is strongly tested. 

Swimming In The Moon, written by Pamela Schoenewaldt, covered many different themes. Themes such as, immigration, mental-illness, the worker's rights and their strikes, self-discovery, and most important of all, the endless love between a mother and her daughter. When I read this, I was instantly reminded of the relationship I had with my mother. Before she passed away, we were all we had for each other. When the other was sick we would take care of each other. We didn't have much, but there was one thing we did have that couldn't be bought with money or any riches in the world: our love for each other. And when I lost her at the age of seven, a huge piece of my heart left with her. So knowing the relationship in this story, I was able to relate quite well with the mother and daughter in this novel. I understand the pain and agony Lucia felt knowing that she was losing a part of her mother when the illness overcame Teresa. This novel as taught me that love should never be taken for granted EVER, but instead be used to it's most fullest potential and worth. 

A Sound As Haunting And Sweet As The Tears Of An Angel

Have you ever stopped what you were doing, and wondered what your families history was and what it meant for you?

       In the novel, The Keeper Of Secrets, author Julie Thomas takes you on a journey through many point of views which all lead to one very valuable treasure: a rare 1742 Guarneri del Gesu violin. This story begins during the Holocaust, in 1935, with a young boy named Simon Horowitz and his passion for music, especially the Guarneri that is taken away. Thomas creatively travels back and forth through time, from the tortuous days of the Holocaust; to the present day of Chicago with grandson Daniel Horowitz.
        They say that it's all in the genes! Well Simon's gift for playing the violin was most definitely passed down to fourteen-year-old Daniel, who can play a violin with as much talent as one who has been playing far longer than him. With a little violin put into his hands at a young age, his gift was discovered soon after; and his life became far from normal. From going to a private music school, to winning a national competition; one would think he was happy with his life.
        He wasn't.
        More than anything, Daniel would love to just put away the violin forever and play baseball. Will his family be able to convince Daniel to play again? Will the Horowitz family finally be reunited with what was rightfully theirs all along?
        This story is perfect for both young adults and adults alike. If you love reading about history, then this is perfect for you. While enjoying a good novel, you learn so much about the things the people had to go through during those years in the Holocaust. Beautifully composed, The Keeper Of Secrets, will remind you of the preciousness of family, life, and finding the power to conquer through all your darkest despair.
 

The Keeper Of Secrets

Big Girl Panties

I'm Back Dearies!!

Sorry everyone! I have been away for so long, but do not my pretties! For I am back with a new book review for you to enjoy! Recently I had just finished reading the novel Big Girl Panties, by Stephanie Evanovich.

 Stephanie Evanovich never fails to bring life to her characters. With this witty and charming novel, you will not want to put it down until the last page. This romantic comedy kept me entertained all the way through the end, and left me wanting more. The protagonist portrayed exactly what a woman should feel about herself. She doesn't need to be model-like thin for in order for a man to like her, but she should be liked for who she is. The message that I received from reading Big Girl Panties was completely inspiring; don't be ashamed of who you are in comparison to others, but be proud of the one-of-a-kind you are creating yourself to be.