Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I can't believe I waited so long to read this book. I want to continue the series for sure! Once again, Card creates a world and characters that are complex and real; even though they're science fiction.

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To Read or Not to Read?

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


There's no indecisiveness in this Hamlet; she knows exactly what she wants to be: normal, unnoticed, average. But it's hard when her parents are prominent Shakespearean professors who LIVE the part in their daily lives (they don't even use contractions!) and her little sister, Desdemona, is a genius (seriously - already taking college level courses). Hamlet maintains a sense of normalcy at school, but then 8th grade comes, her sister is attending her school and to make matters worse, her PARENTS are helping with a Shakespeare unit! What could be worse? I enjoyed the Shakespeare quotes and references. Other than that, its your basic YA Chick Book. It was a fun read.

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Hebrews 13:2

Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
~ t. renee :)
7~14~2010

A repaint (I hope that counts).
Much much better the second time.
I'm reading a book about color theory
and learning how to mix my own neutrals.
I'm proud of the color scheme here.
Plus, having less tubes of paint
saves time searching for the right color
and money buying different colors
and space storing all those tubes of paint!

Something So

"Something So"
t. renee :)
7~15~2010

Inspired by "Beautiful, Beautiful"
performed by ~Francesca Battistelli

I'm going to make this over larger
and (maybe) experiment with ribbon
where the lyrics are.
I'd like to do the whole song.;
it's powerful.
It is songs like this that make me wish
I could sing.
Instead God gave me this talent;
I hope my praise is worthy.

Lyrics here.
Listen here.
Watch here.
(Can't wait to add a Purchase here link! )

My Hero...

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I love Anne Shirley so much I want to BE her. I know that sounds gushy and immature, but it's true. She has such a passionate spirit and a sense of adventure that I admire. She's not afraid to speak her mind. I know I talk as much as she does at least! She has a fierce sense of loyalty to her loved ones. Once you are her friend, you are her friend forever. She is willing to take advice from those wiser than she. She is willing to work hard for success. I can emulate her in these ways, even if I can't have red hair and freckles. *grin*

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The Warrior Heir

A wizard born, a warrior made.

I enjoyed the blend of magic, myth, and modern.
Heart surgeons really are wizards;
warriors compete on the soccer field;
sword fighting with your high school crush
is just like dancing (to the death?!).

I'd say it's a fun fantasy book with plenty of action,
and probably some lessons about equality and loyalty mixed in.
Plenty of magic and mayhem and romance too!

Rating: 3 Berries = I liked it!

Catching Fire

May the odds be ever in your favor!

If you only read one book this year, it should be The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. If you read two, then you should read Catching Fire. It's an excellent follow up; it doesn't disappoint in the action of the Arena, nor in the ideas of politics in this new America. Quite a cliffhanger ending that makes the wait until August 24th for Mockingjay very, very long. Which of course should be the 3rd book you read this year (if you only read three).

Book Review: The Other Side of the Island

How far would you go to conform?

Do you always believe what your textbooks and teachers say?

What if you were called a liar for contradicting them?

Would you turn your back on your only friend?

None of the other girls has a best friend who is a boy.
Especially a boy who is an "orphan."

Would you change your name?

Everyone born the same year as you has a name that starts with the same letter.
Honor starts with "H" but it's not pronounced. She STANDS OUT.

Would you ignore your brother at school?

Nobody you know even has a "brother" or "sister."
In fact, these words are profanities.

These are just some of the questions Honor must answer when she and her family relocate to Island 365 in the Tranquil Sea during the Eighteenth Glorious Year of Enclosure.

Rating: 3 Berries = I liked it.



But you don't have to take my word for it.
Check out 3 Evil Cousins: Book reviews 4 and by Teens.
Or Asking the Wrong Questions (an adult point of view) Caution: spoiler alert!

Eat, Pray, Love, Update

If I was to record a year in my life, I'm sure it wouldn't be nearly as interesting as this.
It helps that Liz travels to Italy, India and Indonesia; lives in an Ashram and meditates; has transcendent experiences with pasta and meditation and love. I don't always agree with what she says, but I enjoy the way she says it. More exactly, I enjoy how Richard from Texas says things....just.like.they.are!

I learned:
* Don't go searching frantically for contentment; it's not running away from me. In fact, if Isit still long enough, I just might find I have plenty with which to content myself.
*My personality was created by God for a purpose. I don't need to change my personality to serve him.
*People usually find what they search for, but it might be a good idea to know what it is before I travel to the other side of the globe. It might help if I'm honest with myself when it comes to what/whom I'm searching for.
*God isn't hiding in Italy, India, or Indonesia; we can find him in our own neighborhoods simply by doing something self-less for someone else. There are plenty of impoverished people right here in the USA.
*Don't judge; I'm inadequate, immature, selfish, indulgent, dishonest, greedy and unloveable too.
*If I think I know it all, I'm the same as this author, I'm wrong. Everyone who is on a spiritual journey is at a different place. I might be ahead of some, but I'm behind others. I can learn from those ahead of me and those behind me. I need to be patient with those who are searching, as God and my parents are patient with me. Learning takes time.
*People are selfish, self-centered, dishonest, indulgent, judgmental, impatient, conceited, greedy, immature and unlovable; love them anyway.
*[Jesus] is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [him]. John 14:6