July Reads
Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling 7/1/2012
Excellent - Young Adult
During Harry's 3rd year at Hogwarts, a dangerous murderer escapes from the wizard prison called Azkaban and is reportedly searching for a way to kill Harry.
I blew through the rest of the Harry Potter books this month, devouring them one after another. I watched the movies after each one. Can't believe that for 5-10 years I resolutely thought I wouldn't like them. I am going to read them again very soon.
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle 7/5/2012
Excellent - Inspirational
How could a loving God send people to hell? Will people have a chance after they die to believe in Jesus and go to heaven? With a humble respect for God's Word, Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle address the deepest questions you have about eternal destiny. They've asked the same questions. Like you, sometimes they just don't want to believe in hell. But as they write, "We cannot afford to be wrong on this issue."
Downloaded 3 Francis Chan books free for the Kindle (limited offer, I believe) and started with this one. Very good. Highly recommended. (Summary from Chan's website.)
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens 7/12/2012
Good - Classic
An anonymous benefactor gives poor Pip the chance to better his lot in life.
I had such a hard time getting through Great Expectations, not because it was a bad book, just not quite the right time for me to read it.
Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling 7/13/2012
Excellent - Young Adult
Harry Potter competes in the TriWizard Tournament.
See above.
Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling 7/17/2012
Excellent - Young Adult
The Ministry of Magic refuses to acknowledge the fact that Voldemort is back and sends Dolores Umbridge to "supervise" at Hogwarts as the High Inquisitor, while the 5th year students prepare for their OWL exams.
See above.
Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling 7/21/2012
Excellent - Young Adult
In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry finds a potions textbook filled with annotations from "the Half-Blood Prince" and works closely with Dumbledore uncovering Voldemort's past.
See above.
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling 7/22/2012
Excellent - Young Adult
In the last book of the series, Harry, Ron and Hermione seek out the horcruxes in an attempt to defeat Voldemort, who eventually besieges Hogwarts.
See above. And then go read them all.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan 7/22/2012
Excellent - Inspirational
Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts — it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.
Wow, this was a motivating book! Read it! (Summary from Chan's website.)
Henry V (with SmartPass commentary) by William Shakespeare 7/28/2012
Excellent - Classic, Audiobook
Henry V invades France.
I have never read any of Shakespeare's history plays, until now. I didn't expect humor and romance! Loved it! Of course, the fact that Tom Hiddleston is playing Henry in an upcoming PBS presentation doesn't hurt at all. I did watch the Branagh version as well. Oh, and I listened to it on audio with a commentary interspersed throughout which made a huge difference in understanding it.
Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 7/31/2012
Good - Young Adult
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.
OK, I "borrowed" that summary from amazon since I am too lazy to write one myself. My friend recommended this book because she wanted to discuss it. I'd heard about it in a book review magazine; the creepy pictures are what makes it so memorable. The story is creative and compelling. Read it in a day and a half while camping.
Excellent - Young Adult
During Harry's 3rd year at Hogwarts, a dangerous murderer escapes from the wizard prison called Azkaban and is reportedly searching for a way to kill Harry.
I blew through the rest of the Harry Potter books this month, devouring them one after another. I watched the movies after each one. Can't believe that for 5-10 years I resolutely thought I wouldn't like them. I am going to read them again very soon.
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle 7/5/2012
Excellent - Inspirational
How could a loving God send people to hell? Will people have a chance after they die to believe in Jesus and go to heaven? With a humble respect for God's Word, Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle address the deepest questions you have about eternal destiny. They've asked the same questions. Like you, sometimes they just don't want to believe in hell. But as they write, "We cannot afford to be wrong on this issue."Downloaded 3 Francis Chan books free for the Kindle (limited offer, I believe) and started with this one. Very good. Highly recommended. (Summary from Chan's website.)
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens 7/12/2012
Good - Classic
An anonymous benefactor gives poor Pip the chance to better his lot in life.
I had such a hard time getting through Great Expectations, not because it was a bad book, just not quite the right time for me to read it.
Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling 7/13/2012
Excellent - Young Adult
Harry Potter competes in the TriWizard Tournament.
See above.
Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling 7/17/2012
Excellent - Young Adult
The Ministry of Magic refuses to acknowledge the fact that Voldemort is back and sends Dolores Umbridge to "supervise" at Hogwarts as the High Inquisitor, while the 5th year students prepare for their OWL exams.
See above.
Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling 7/21/2012
Excellent - Young Adult
In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry finds a potions textbook filled with annotations from "the Half-Blood Prince" and works closely with Dumbledore uncovering Voldemort's past.
See above.
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling 7/22/2012 Excellent - Young Adult
In the last book of the series, Harry, Ron and Hermione seek out the horcruxes in an attempt to defeat Voldemort, who eventually besieges Hogwarts.
See above. And then go read them all.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan 7/22/2012
Excellent - Inspirational
Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts — it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.
Wow, this was a motivating book! Read it! (Summary from Chan's website.)
Henry V (with SmartPass commentary) by William Shakespeare 7/28/2012 Excellent - Classic, Audiobook
Henry V invades France.
I have never read any of Shakespeare's history plays, until now. I didn't expect humor and romance! Loved it! Of course, the fact that Tom Hiddleston is playing Henry in an upcoming PBS presentation doesn't hurt at all. I did watch the Branagh version as well. Oh, and I listened to it on audio with a commentary interspersed throughout which made a huge difference in understanding it.
Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 7/31/2012
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.OK, I "borrowed" that summary from amazon since I am too lazy to write one myself. My friend recommended this book because she wanted to discuss it. I'd heard about it in a book review magazine; the creepy pictures are what makes it so memorable. The story is creative and compelling. Read it in a day and a half while camping.
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