The Spiderwick Chronicles  

Posted by Amanda


Freddie Highmore
Rated: PG
Arthur Spiderwick has figured out that there is another realm of creatures living amonst us, but are invisible to us (unless they allow us to see them). He has all the secrets chronicled in a book. But there are some bad creatures who want to have control over the world and he discovers what he must do: protect the book. The book much never leave the circle. Fast forward many years and descendants of Arthur's come to live in the abandoned house and soon discover the hidden creatures. Can they protect the book? Can they get the answers needed? Can they keep the Ogre from getting ahold of the book?
Full of cool special effects and a good story line, this movie offers some intensity while some fun parts too. Clayton didn't like it...he was too scared. But the rest of us really enjoyed it!

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Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull  

Posted by Amanda


Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Shia LeBouf
Rated: PG-13
Another installment of the famous Indian Jones. Well, it's obvious he's old now and they don't hide it...they actually make fun of it a bit! Many things come back to you as you watch this new movie...things from the other 3. You're sitting there watching and all of a sudden you think, "Oh, I wonder if they'll show... " and they do! It's really a creative twist on bringing all three movies together for one final hurrah, while at the same time having a whole new plot to mix in.
The crystal skull is said to have special powers over the brain...and the one who can gain that power can have power over the world. Can Indy help find his friend and break the powers that the crystal skull has over him? Full of action but also full of many things that leave you saying, "Okay, that's really soooo not possible!" or "There's no way anyone can really do that!"...so you know all along that it's all just make believe. It's not one of those movies that makes you think how cool the special effects are or lead you to feel like the person who just got whacked really got whacked! It's very blatantly obvious that it's a movie!
We were a bit disappointed in the language. The other Indiana movies didn't have quite as much language and it was mild when it was there. From out of nowhere, LeBouf shouts "BS!" which is really uncalled for...both in real life and in the script. There was no reason for it to be there. I just thought since so much of the movie was obviously goofy, they could have left out the language and really made it a family movie.

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The Bee Movie  

Posted by Amanda



The Bee Movie
Jerry Seinfeld, Matthew Broderick, Renee Zellweger
Rated: PG

What an awesome and funny movie!!! We laughed all the way through this movie...

Barry (Seinfeld) is 'graduating' and is getting his first job. Only in the process, he does something that is against Bee Law: he talks to a human! They form a friendship and he discovers that humans are using honey to make money!! He sets out to put a stop to this injustice and in the end puts all the bees out of work. Can he fix what he messed up??

Full of hilarious 'bug' things, an insight is offered into what life might be like for bees. You have to listen carefully to some of the comments and quips made in order to really catch what they are saying, but when you do it's funny.

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The Lake House  

Posted by Amanda


The Lake House
with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves
A good movie with a PG rating, but very slow!
Kate leaves the Lake House and puts a letter in the mailbox for the next renter. Alex retrieves the letter and reads it, but gets confused by her statements. Writes her back basically telling her she's daft. Kate then informs him it is 2006 and gives her address...which in his time (2004) hasn't even been built yet. They continue their correspondence and even 'take a walk' together through Chicago. The end of the movie offers a twist that makes the movie worth the wait! Do they end up together? OF COURSE! It's a movie after all!

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Eragon  

Posted by Amanda


Eragon
Rated PG
My rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Here is the blurb on the movie from Plugged-In Online:
Based on Christopher Paolini's huge bestseller, begun when he was just 15 years old, the film version of Eragon tells a familiar fantasy story. The title character is a 17-year-old boy raised by his uncle in the small town of Carvahall in the kingdom of Alagaesia. When he stumbles upon a remarkable blue stone that turns out to be a dragon's egg—and its winged occupant suddenly hatches right in front of him—Eragon quickly realizes he and she (Saphira) share a telepathic connection.
Eragon seeks answers from a local storyteller and soon-to-be mentor named Brom. But before he can get very many of them, the two humans and their dragon pal must run for their lives when Galbatorix, the evil and wrongful king of the land, sends powerful and maggot-faced Ra'zacs to kill the newly discovered dragon rider.
On their journey to join forces with the Varden, one of the last remaining groups still resisting the king from its hidden mountain fortress, Brom trains Eragon in the history of the dragon riders, sword fighting, and the magical words of incantation from the ancient language of the elves. Then Eragon takes a detour to rescue Arya, a beautiful elf connected to him through his dreams and held captive by an evil sorcerer, or "shade," named Durza, a servant of Galbatorix. Before it's all over, there's a massive, underground battle between the Varden and the king's army of Urgals—and a final face-off between Eragon and Durza.
*****
I watched this with the boys last night and was actually finding myself enjoying the movie! :) I was pleasantly surprised with the features and Saphira (the dragon) is really cute! (I know, I know...such a girly thing to say!) The boys espeically liked it and I figure it is one we will purchase in years to come. I don't remember any language that was offensive, although the content may be too much for some kids. We figure since the boys have watched (and loved) all the Star Wars movies, Eragon can't be too much worse for them! LOL

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Happy Feet  

Posted by Amanda

Happy Feet
Starring: Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, and Elijah Wood
Amazon.com

After reading all of the reviews I could find, both good and bad, we finally had a chance to watch Happy Feet. We had originally said we wouldn't let the boys watch it at all, but then decided they could watch it after us, and only if we thought it was okay. I had heard so many negatives about the movie from Plugged In Online and really didn't want my boys watching that. They see these things on cartoon movies and think it's okay and that it's 'cute'. That is what the movie people WANT us to believe...they are trying to trick our children, and I will not let them trick mine. Plus, I had heard so many friends and relatives say how cute the movie was and encouraged me to let my children watch it. I didn't want to be bullied, though, and stood my ground. Many people thought I was being a prude in not allowing my children to watch it. Oh well.

We finally decided that we would watch it with the boys so that we could immediately address anything that came up. Well, let me just tell you: it was one of the stupidest movies I have ever seen. The dancing was cool, yes. But the music was TOO MUCH...sexual inuendos and sexual songs included. But there were just too many songs for our liking, and frankly for our boys' liking. C fell asleep half way through it. That's how bored he was! LOL

It teaches a good moral about acceptance and being nice to those who are different from us, but the "aliens are taking all our fish" got on my nerves after a while. I got sorta sick of the agenda that was being forced on us.

What I was really suprised about was that B was able to pick out the bad stuff for himself. He kept asking, "Is that bad?" "Oh, they shouldn't say that!" Or, "That wasn't nice." I was proud that he knew the difference.

All in all, it wasn't a BAD movie...just not one we want in our house. It was dumb and we don't want to subject ourselves to it again. If the boys watch it at someone's house, I have no problems with it. We just won't be watching it at ours anymore.

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The Break Up  

Posted by Amanda

The Break-Up
Starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn

This movie was rated PG-13, and I personally would have rated it R, simply for use of language. Vaughn's character had a horrible potty mouth and used profanity constantly where it was not needed. (But let's face it...when is profanity really needed?) The story was wonderful and truly funny at times, but it made me mad at the end....no true love, romantic ending here! Only break-up and moving on. How unromantic! LOL I know they have to make movies in Hollywood where the story doesn't come out nicely, but the majority of us in life see enough sadness and heartache that we want the movie to have a happily-ever-after ending.

I like Jennifer Aniston, but I wouldn't watch this movie again.

Rating: 2 1/2 stars out of 5

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The Illusionist  

Posted by Amanda

The Illusionist
starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biel

WOW! This was an awesome movie. And not one I would probably have picked for myself to watch! (A good friend brought movies over.) It started out a bit slow and took a while to get going. And although we did figure out the ending before we actually got to the end, it was still a fascinating story. And the good guys win in the end, which makes it even better! LOL

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Lady in the Water  

Posted by Amanda

The Lady in the Water

This movie if SOOOO stupid! We really thought when watching it that it would be a sort of spooky/thriller type of movie and we actually laughed through most of it! There were parts that made us jump simply because it startled us, but for the most part, we predicted what was going to happen. And the little wolf/dog creature? Reminded me of the wolf creature from The Neverending Story when I was a kid...they even had some of the same type of scenes, with the creature having red eyes and breathing on a pane of glass. Dumb!

Very poor score: Waste of money, 1/2 star out of 5

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Freefall  

Posted by Amanda


by Kristen Heitzman
ISBN: 978-0764228292
She feels herself falling and then feels herself trying to grab anything to pull out of the water. Disoriented and confused, she knows instinctively she must follow the water and she might find help. After showing up at someones doorstep and collapsing with exhaustion, she wakes and realizes she has no memory of what's happened and even who she is. Her new host, Monica, names her Jade. Monica then calls her investigator brother to help with this confused one.
Cameron, or Kai as Monica calls him, comes over to protest his sister, but finds himself protecting Jade instead. Not believing her story, he continues to question her and help her go back to the area where she fell in the hopes that her memory will return. As they discover that there is someone out there hurt and waiting for her, Cameron finds out she's really Gentry Fox: movie star.
While the press hounds them about the condition of the man she left behind, the tabloids do everything possible to destroy him and her. But what caused Gentry to go over the falls? Was she pushed? And who would want her dead?
Heitzmann's writings always draw me in from the onset and keep me till the very last page! I love reading the mystery and romance involved in almost all her stories. An easy (and intense!) read.

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Abide With Me  

Posted by Amanda


Three sisters (Andrea, Madge, and Jenny) gather for special occasion's to eat breakfast together. But these occasion's are just birthdays and anniversaries. They are for the birthday of a loved one's death, or the loved one's anniversary. They get together and share 'laughing' memories of that person along with that person's favorite treat from the local bakery.
Andrea has just found out her bladder cancer is back and she doesn't want to tell her sisters. Cancer is what has taken so many of their family, including one of their sisters. Jenny is working as a nurse at the hospital so her husband can stay home and fulfill his dream of writing a novel, while watching and caring for their girls. Madge is the one who has it all together...she's in every volunteer organization and is always seen flitting about the town. Until one day when her husband shows up on a stormy afternoon with a little girl in his arms. Who is this child and what does it mean for them?
Follow these sisters as they deal with the many blows that come to us in life: love, heartache, sadness, fear, anger, grace and forgiveness. Parr has done it again...another great novel!

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False Fortune  

Posted by Amanda


ISBN: 978-1-59058-363-0
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
Before she can blink, Hannah Dain of Dain and Daughters Law Firm finds herself maneuvering down an embankment to help the woman stuck in the car that just flew over the cliff and into the lake below. Fighting memories, fear and soreness, Hannah helps the woman out and hears three words before paramedics take her to the hospital: “….should have died.” Haunted by this, she then finds herself being named lead counsel for the plaintiff in a case being handled by her sister. But this case was to be quickly settled…Hannah was only supposed to close the deal. What has she gotten herself into this time? Quickly Hannah realizes nothing is safe: her apartment, her life, her family. Through the determination of a new sister, Hannah follows the evidence and discovers more about herself than she ever realized was there.
False Fortune is number 4 in the Pinnacle Peak Mystery series, and Twist Phelan does a great job of continuing the story. These stories must be read in order, however, because if they are not, there are definite pieces missing leaving the reader to feel as if the story is incomplete. Phelan’s descriptions of the land and the Indian reservation were absolutely on target and she definitely leaves room at the end for another book in this series.

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The White Cascade  

Posted by Amanda


The White Cascade
by Gary Krist
ISBN: 978-0805077056
Long before cell phones, before airplanes, before cars were the common mode of transportation, even before Titanic, there was the great avalanche of 1910 in Wellington, WA. Gary Krist takes the reader on an incredible journey of the facts leading up to the avalanche: the weather involved, the men who made the decisions, and the passengers on the train. Each area is crucial to the ending of this tragic event in our American history. Krist is able to tell the story truthfully while being able to make it read like a storybook. The characters come to life on the page and the struggles and feelings they all dealt with are felt by the reader.
The weather had a great deal to do with the deaths of nearly 100 people that day, but certainly responsibility also falls on the superintendent of the Wellington area, James O’Neil. Although all court decisions deemed him free of any wrong-doing, it becomes very clear that O’Neil ignored the passengers on the train that was hovering over a 1,000 foot drop. Granted he was working to clear the tracks and never rested for days at a time, but he failed to meet the basic need of his charges: reassurance. However, it was very clear by the end of the lawsuits that the railroad had learned its lesson about building track on or around mountains. They found new ways to rebuild the track with less risk to passengers, and also built structures as a means for shelter for the trains during snow season.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It’s not one that I would typically pick up and read but I’m glad I had the opportunity to learn about this point in history. Gary Krist pulled me in and held my attention the entire time. I especially enjoyed reading his personal notes from his research, which are included at the end of The White Cascade. Kudos to Gary Krist on a job well done!

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Remembered  

Posted by Amanda



Remembered
by Tamera Alexander
ISBN: 978-0764201103
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
Veronique Girard, a Paris native, has just buried her mother and now finds herself being out of a job and shipped to America. Scared, frustrated, and emotional, Veronique nevertheless goes on her way without argument or complaint. Her mother’s last request was for Veronique to go and search for her father, who had left them many years before. His last known address came from Willow Springs, Colorado and that was where Veronique was going to start her search. She didn’t expect to meet up with someone as handsome and equally frustrating as Jack Brennan. We remember Jack from his experience being a trail guide in Rekindled, and now Jack is back guiding Veronique through the many mining towns surrounding Willow Springs in search of her father. Along the way, we’re reacquainted with many members of Willow Springs whom we’ve known before: Reverend Carlson and his family, Miss Maudie, and of course, Larson and Kathryn Jennings. But will Veronique find her father? Is he still alive? What memories will be dredged up in her mind and also in Jack’s?
Tamera Alexander had me a bit skeptical at the start of this book. By starting in Paris and showing us immediately a character that we’ve never seen and who is so far removed from the other people in her previous books. However, she very quickly ties everything in and creates and wonderful story of love, memories, and passion. Many times we’re shown the natural passions of a man and woman and how they keep those impulses in check so as to honor one another and honor God. Remembered is an absolutely wonderful continuation of the Fountain Creek Chronicles.

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Facets  

Posted by Amanda


Facets
by Barbara Delinsky
ISBN: 978-0446580274
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
The St. George mining company is based on people. Helping them. Knowing them. Providing for them. Until the day that John St. George, son of founder Eugene St. George, takes over the company after Eugene’s death. His sister Pamela is now under his control, as he has legal guardianship of her, and she will have no say in any part of the company until she’s 25. Pamela has secretly been meeting with friend, Cutter Reid, who has helped her through many situations regarding John and also helped her become a woman in the truest sense of the word. What will John do when he finds out?
Journalist Hillary Cox is a longtime friend of the family, but also a longtime lover of John’s. When she finds out he’s engaged to be married, she’s furious and is determined to write a book about him that will expose who he really is. But Hillary finds out much more than she’s bargained for…many people have been hurt at the hand of John St. George. And he thinks he is invincible…untouchable. Who is going to prove him wrong? Hillary, with her book? Or Pamela and Cutter with their patience and scheming? And can Hillary deny John (and herself) the physical closeness they find when they are together?
Barbara Delinsky is a wonderful author who truly shows her talents in this novel from early in her career. John St. George as the villain does enough to make even the most ornery person dislike him and want to do him bodily harm! Filled with great passion and many sensual scenes, Facets is a book that will draw you in and make you keep reading to find out what will happen next. A true page-turner!

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Million Dollar Dilemma  

Posted by Amanda


Million Dollar Dilemma
by Judy Baer
ISBN: 978-0373785483
What would you do if you suddenly found yourself with several million dollars? Would you spend it? Would you give it back? This is exactly the position Cassia has found herself in...and she has no idea what to do. Her neighbor, Adam Cavanaugh, who is a jounalist for human rights, befriends her and finds in Cassia a reprieve from his most recent assignment...the death of children in Burundi. He starts out writing about Cassia in hopes of using his proceeds to help the children, but doesn't feel right doing it behind her back--regardless of the reason. He also doesn't expect to fall in love with Cassia in the process.
Cassia, on the other hand is working on her own feelings: about the money, about the men in her life, about evertyhing. What should she do with any of it? She keeps trying to give it to God, but keeps taking it back away from Him! Then she finds out the truth about Adam and she just gets even more confused.
Suddenly it all comes into focus and Cassia realizes what she must do: with the money and with the men!

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A Time to Dance  

Posted by Amanda


A Time to Dance
ISBN: 978-1595541871
Abby and John Reynolds have decided to divorce and end their twenty-plus-year marriage. But just as they are getting ready to break the news to their children, their oldest daughter, Nicole, shares the news that she's getting married. After finding out this exciting news, Abby and John decide to wait until after the wedding to tell the kids, but that means 6 more months of arguing and fighting.
Abby thinks it's all John's fault, and anyone who has been married knows that NO fight is all one persons' fault. It takes two to argue. But John has tried to talk to Abby and explain things to her and she just won't listen, so he blames her. Will they ever figure out a way to talk it out? Will they ever find A Time to Dance again?

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Revealed  

Posted by Amanda


Revealed (Fountain Creek Chronicles, Book 2)
by Tamera Alexander
ISBN 978-0764201097
Amazon.com
Tamera Alexander
Annabelle McCutchens - formerly Annabelle Grayson, who worked in a brothel - is on her way with her new husband to Idaho territory, where a new farm awaits them. But Jonathan becomes ill a short way into the journey, and dies on the prairie. Annie returns home to receive help from Pastor Carlson in order to complete her trip. Little did she know, Jonathan's estranged brother, Matthew Taylor, would be the one to apply for the job. Matthew believe Annabelle hasn't truly changed and feels she's responsible for his brother's death. But over the course of their journey, he sees Annie for what she truly is: a loving and caring person with a good heart and someone who didn't choose her former way of life. By the time they reach Idaho, Matthew and Annabelle grow to love and depend on each other. But it has only happened after their true hearts have been Revealed.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was a great second to the first of Tamera's, Rekindled. She has beautifully wrapped the characters from the other book into this one, while at the same time allowing each book to stand on its own. Alexander is well on her way to having a great career writing Christian fiction...these books are wonderful. I can't wait to get to read the third in the set (due out next month....) Remembered.

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Something That Lasts  

Posted by Amanda


Something That Lasts
James David Jordan
ISBN 159145428X
Amazon.com
James David Jordan
After Reverend David Parst is accused of infidelity, the man who accused him kills himself outside the church building. David's son, Jack, and wife Sarah, leave him and David is left to deal with the repercussions of his actions. Sarah remains calm and peaceful through it all, but jack gets bitter and can't bring himself to forgive his father. Years later, it's Jacks wife that helps bridge the gap that has spanned 3 generations to create Something That Lasts in the family.
An okay book.....

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This Heavy Silence  

Posted by Amanda


This Heavy Silence
by Nicole Mazzarella
ISBN 1557254257
Amazon.com
Nicole Mazzarella
As a reclusive farmer, Dottie can't figure out why Zela (her oldest and dearest friend) has left Mattie in her care. Dottie is not motherly. Dottie is not friendly. Dottie is not open. Yet for some reason, Zela thought she was the right person. After Mattie comes of age, she leaves the farm declaring she doesn't want to become like Dottie. Slowly Dottie admits her wrongs and does what is best for Mattie - and what Zela would have wanted all along.
I really did NOT enjoy this book. :( It ended VERY abruptly and left many loose ends....and was somewhat hard to follow in the process. Not recommended.....

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Levi's Will  

Posted by Amanda


Levi's Will
W. Dale Cramer
Bethany House Publishers
ISBN 0764229958
Amazon.com
Dale Cramer
Will McGruder has been called home for his father's funeral. So with Riley - Will's oldest son - he returns home. But while they are there, the memories come flooding back...
After his sins have been exposed and he's been banned from his Amish church and family, Will Mullet runs away and changes his name to Will McGruder. Will joins the military and goes to fight overseas in order to serve his country, but memories from his past continue to follow him. Will marries and has children, and when he reaches the date when he can no longer be charged with fraud, he tells his wife of his true past. She then demands that he give up his military service. As their children grow, so does the distance between Will and Helen. Slowly, Will comes to terms with his past and receives forgiveness from his father and family. But most importantly Will reconciles with God and learns to let go of the pain and bitterness he's held onto for all these years.
A great read!!

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Sanctuary  

Posted by Amanda


Sanctuary
by Beverly and David Lewis
ISBN 0764225103
Amazon.com
Beverly Lewis
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
She has the perfect life: a beautiful house on the water, a loving husband, and her painting. And after spending years looking over her shoulder, Mellie thinks she’s finally safe. But then that perfect world is shattered when she’s out with a friend and spots “that face,” Mellie knows she has to run. Leaving her house and husband behind, Mellie finds herself in Amish country—at the home of Lela Deninger, a single, Amish woman with a room to rent. Mellie’s husband is truly lost without her and can’t figure out why she left. With the help of a close friend, he discovers that he is closer to the answer than he realizes. As Mellie waits with Lela for a phone call that will tell her what to do, she finds herself connecting with God in a way she never thought possible. Then when she finds out a depressing truth about her husband, Mellie realizes her true Sanctuary is in the Lord.
I truly enjoyed this book and read it with ease. Lewis has a wonderful way of drawing the reader in and holding their attention!
The author was born in the heart of Amish country—Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She didn’t start writing about that area until her children were in middle school,with her first book published in 1993.
New York Times bestseller Beverly Lewis is a very prolific writer. Once again she has taken her enthusiastic fans deep into the world of the Amish. Her adult fiction includes: Annie’s People series, Abram’s Daughters series, The Heritage of Lancaster County series The Postcard/The Crossroad series plus her youth fiction, The Cul-de-Sac Kids series, Girls Only (GO!) series, ages 8-13 and Holly’s Heart series and Summerhill Secrets series ages 11-14.
Armchair Interviews says: Beverly Lewis does it again.

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Norah's Ark  

Posted by Amanda


Norah's Ark
by Judy Baer
ISBN 978-0373785667
I absolutely loved this book by Judy Baer. Norah has a special love for animals and humans alike...especially those in need of her assitance. So she has her own business, Norah's Ark, a petshop where she arranges the adoption of animals of all kinds. Working on a quiet street that leads to a lake, Norah loves her quiet neighborhood. Having friends is only a part of the charm offered by this quiet street. She also has wonderful places to shop.
Bentley, Norah's skittish dog, loves his human and intuitively knows her needs. But Officer Nick doesn't like Bentley so much...but Norah likes Nick. So what will Bentley do? How can he help his human get connected with this skittish cop?
A wonderful book on love, forgiveness, misunderstandings, and grace. Another great novel by Baer!

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When the Bluebonnets Come  

Posted by Amanda

When the Bluebonnets Come
by John Dwyer
ISBN: 978-0976822417
Amazon.com

Reviewed for Armchair Interviews

Katie Shanahan loves her daddy, Ethan. Ethan is the pastor of one of the many churches in Cotton Patch, Texas and is fighting the coming of a 'family entertainment complex'...also known as a gambling and horse-racing complex. Churches are burned and people are hurt. Money seems to be driving force.Katie shows us the way events occurred from her point of view as an 8-year-old child. Sometimes her knowledge is firsthand, sometimes it is what she figures happened. But the end result is the same: her daddy isn't happy with the situation, the town, or the people, and he struggles to find peace through it all. Katie sees how all men fail and fall and make mistakes, and how the same men can make restitution for those mistakes. God is there for all of them and offers grace to repentant hearts. Ethan Shanahan included.

Hearts are softened by the one man who stood up to the rich men--and for what was right. Ethan never wavered, but was gentle in his argument against the new complex. Finally everyone involved sees the light and has a change of heart. In the end, Katie is still living on the family farm with her children, riding horses and showing them the bluebonnets of Texas.

I struggled with this book for several reasons. I find it hard to believe the view of a child seeing or knowing so many conversations. There was so much assumption on her part about what took place that it makes the truth of the story almost unbelievable. Also, it was hard to have a male author writing from the perspective of a little girl. However, the story itself was great.

One of the best things emphasized through the book was that Katie was homeschooled, which is just not seen in many fiction books these days. My favorite line in the book is something Katie said, "When I make it to the upper sanctuary, one of the first things I'm gonna ask God is why He only let me figure out so many things later when I could've used them earlier."

Armchair Interviews says: It is very clear that the point Dwyer makes here is to learn from life's lesson and accept God's grace.

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Courage the Monkey  

Posted by Amanda

Courage the Monkey
by Mark Jordan
ISBN: 978-0971701373
Amazon.com
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews

On the very tip of a mountain lives Jonathan the spider monkey. As Jonathan eagerly awaits his special birthday (special because he will get to climb his first tree), he becomes very afraid when he sees how big his tree will be. All the monkeys made fun of him because he was the first monkey to ever be afraid of climbing a tree. Jonathan had a wonderful brother, David, who kept encouraging him, telling him he could do it. But still Jonathan was afraid. He began to seclude himself and not play with friends. He told himself that one day, he would climb a tree.That one day came sooner than he wanted. While resting in the grass one day, Jonathan heard a cry for help. It was David. He had fallen and landed on a ledge of the mountain. Jonathan wanted to help his brother, but was scared. After mustering all of his strength, Jonathan was able to climb a nearby tree and save his brother! All the other spider monkey's cheered as they saw this. Soon after they renamed Jonathan "Courage" because of the courage he showed that day.I loved this book! After reading it to my two boys, we discussed what courage was and how we can encourage each other to do things we're afraid of doing. They told me I had to keep this book forever so they could read it again and again!Mark Jordan has done a wonderful job capturing with words and pictures a character trait that many parents want instilled in their children.

Armchair Interviews says: What a great message for children.

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The Dark Room  

Posted by Amanda

The Dark Room
by Minette Walters
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0-307-27709-1

Review for Armchair Interviews

Jinx Kingsley wakes up in a strange room only to be told that she’s been in a head-on collision (with a concrete pole, no less) and is now in a hospital. Apparently, they say, she tried to commit suicide. But Jinx doesn’t believe this. She doesn’t remember anything, but simply can’t make herself believe that she is the type to kill herself. Even though her best friend and her fiancé just ran off together is no reason to off herself. She was happy about it! Wasn’t she??But then the police come to question her and she finds out that her two friends are now dead…and the police suspect her or someone in her family. How can Jinx clear her name when she can’t remember anything? All she knows is this sense of panic and fear. Who could have done this? Who would want to set her up? Can she figure it out before it’s too late? Dr. Alan Protheroe is at the clinic with Jinx and works to help her regain her memory. But in the process, an attempt is made on his life as well and he realizes just how serious this situation is. Can he protect Jinx? He knows she didn’t do it, but can he figure out who did? There has to be more to this than meets the eye.

Minette Walters does a great job of twisting the tale to keep the reader from figuring out the real killer.

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Little Earthquakes  

Posted by Amanda

Little Earthquakes
by Jennifer Weiner
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-1-4165-2863-0

Jennifer Weiner has done it again with another great novel! Four women are bonded together by their pregnancies and birthing experiences, and continue their friendship during the hard months after. Ayinde deals with a cheating husband while Kelly's husband lost his job and refuses to get another one. Becky has a mother-in-law that just won't quit and a husband who won't stand up to his mother. Through all of this, there is Lia. A woman from Hollywood who follows Becky around, Lia eventually learns to deal with the death of her 10-week old son, Caleb. Can these women be true friends? Can they get through their problems? Follow them all as they discover their own indivual crises that present themselves as Little Earthquakes.

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@ Home for the Holidays  

Posted by Amanda

@ Home for the Holidays
by Meredith Efken
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0-373-78570-4

Rosalyn finally gets her due in this second installment of an email-based book. Dulcie, Zelia, Jocelyn, Rosalyn, and Veronica all deal with family, husbands, the holidays, and much more. Their connection is an email group called SAHM I Am. A few of the ladies have a subgroup called Green Eggs and Ham where they go to vent about Rosalyn. But Rosalyn's life isn't all she makes it out to be...her house isn't always perfect and her children need therapy. What's so wrong with admitting the truth? Well, with Veronica's (her sister) help, she does. She is able to humble herself and ask for prayers.

A wonderful and easy read by Efken! :)

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When Madeline Was Young  

Posted by Amanda


When Madeline Was Young

When Madeline Was Young
by Jane Hamilton
Published by Anchor Books

You grow up, you get married to the woman of your dreams. But then all of a sudden she has a bicycle wreck that leaves her living life with a 6-year-old mentality. What do you do? Do you stay married? What happens to your wife? We find in this touching story that the decision of one man was to take care of his wife as she was his own child. He raised her with his children (from a second marriage) and loved her nonstop.

Mac is this man’s son who grew up thinking that Madeline was his sister. Mac took Madeline to the park, to the ice cream parlor, and defended her against bullies who called her dumb or tried to take advantage of her. Somewhere along the way, Mac learned the truth about Madeline, but still continued to love her like a sister. Mac takes us through his journey as he remembers it when he gets the call that his cousin’s son has been killed in action. Mac tries to decide whether or not to go to the funeral and in doing so, relives his years growing up with Madeline.

Somewhere along the way, I lost the point of the story being Madeline–and it became more about Mac and who he was. Madeline was mentioned occasionally, but mainly as a background character. With the title being about her, I thought the book would have centered more around her rehab, therapies and life after the accident.

Jane Hamilton has a gift in writing that makes it easy to read. While this story is a beautiful one, it was a bit confusing from chapter to chapter. I never knew what decade was being discussed. The story seemed to bounce all over the place with flashbacks that came without warning. It also seems very odd to me when a female writer writes from the male perspective and vice versa.

I think this book could have been better as a finished product if it would have had a little more organization to the story line. The story was there, it just needed some redirection.

Armchair Interview says: A story of extreme caretaking that most would or could never do.

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The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook  

Posted by Amanda



The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook
by Steve Doocy
ISBN 9780060854058



Steve Doocy is a co-anchor for Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends, which I have seen a few times. However, Mom and Dad gave us this book last Christmas and I just got around to reading it. Now, I can't believe I waited so long! Filled with humor, wit, and fabulous insights, this book is a great read for those who have been married a while. I don't know if it would have been as humorous for me if I'd have read it after we just got married...I think I would have blown alot of it off and ignored the advice that comes from it. However, after being married for 10 years, I found myself nodding my head in agreement with much of what he said, and laughing at parts where I could see us doing or saying those things! It's so real!!

Here are a couple of quotes from the book that I found particularly amusing or insightful:

Mrs. Happy's Advice (on dining out with children)

When dining out, keep in mind the waiter's tip is based not on the service, but on the pile of food under your table. If your child threw 25% of his entree on the floor, the tip is 25%. If 50% is on the floor, the tip is 50%. If the floor has received 75% of the food, the tip is 15%, because you'll never be allowed back, so why bother sucking up to the waiter?

(HOW TRUE!!!)

Mr. Happy's final thoughts...

Real life is a mosaic made up of ten gazillion little bits. Each day another piece gets glue on the wall. It's so subtle, so tiny, you don't really see the fullness of the life you've lived until you stop for an archaeological family flashback. ....Many people are so busy that they never take time to pause and look at the arc of their lives. ...My fear is that if somebody never looks back, they'll never see the good stuff. ....Up close, daily life is a blur, but there's an unusual clariy when you look in the rearview mirror.

I hope that you find this book and read through it. Perhaps you will gain some perspective on your own marriage that will help you through the hard days. It was really nice to know that we're not the only weird ones on the block and that other marriages get just as wonky at times as ours does! Enjoy!

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