http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/825564 en-US Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:10:01 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 13460462 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:10:01 -0700
author: Shannon Hale
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 07/21/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 15230115 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:09:28 -0700
author: Lisa Thiesing
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.60
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 07/21/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 27197840 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:09:06 -0700
author: Shannon Hale
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/21/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 26497796 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:55:54 -0700
author: Harper Lee
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.37
book published: 1960
rating: 5
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/14/08
shelves:
review:
this author has amazing storytelling abilites....not to mention her incredible literary skills. Fantastic book.
]]> 19005097 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:12:26 -0700
author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.29
book published: 2002
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 07/06/08
shelves: tried-to-read
review:

]]> 24465793 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:51:03 -0700 ]]>
author: Brandon Mull
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.54
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/06/08
shelves:
review:
Best one in the series so far, if you ask me. :)

]]> 24465787 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:11:56 -0700
author: Brandon Mull
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/24/08
shelves:
review:
All around a good, fun book
]]> 13460376 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:41:26 -0700
author: Shannon Hale
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/19/08
shelves:
review:
A fun, light read. One I would read to my girls if we could ever finish the Harry Potter series. :)
]]> 24767011 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:16:37 -0700
author: Dan Brown
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24767006 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:16:33 -0700
author: Jane Austen
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.32
book published: 1813
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24766982 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:16:16 -0700
author: Dan Brown
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24713507 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:20:15 -0700
author: Viktor E. Frankl
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.41
book published: 1946
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24713478 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:20:04 -0700
author: Elie Wiesel
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.32
book published: 1958
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465671 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:14:08 -0700
author: David Gemmell
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2001
rating: 2
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:
Gemmell may be a great storyteller, but there are parts of the story that I didn't care for. Way too many pages that I had to skip over due to sexual content. Let's just say, "Too much information!!!!"
]]> 24712716 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:11:55 -0700
author: J.R.R. Tolkien
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.23
book published: 1954
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24712713 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:11:54 -0700
author: J.R.R. Tolkien
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2002
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24712712 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:11:53 -0700
author: J.R.R. Tolkien
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24712700 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:11:48 -0700
author: Orson Scott Card
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.15
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24712698 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:11:47 -0700
author: Orson Scott Card
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.62
book published: 1991
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24712683 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:11:34 -0700
author: Orson Scott Card
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1986
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24712676 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:11:30 -0700
author: Orson Scott Card
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.42
book published: 1985
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465841 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:01:07 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.33
book published: 1987
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/14/08
shelves:
review:
A prequel/sequel to Hero and the Crown. Love this one too, though not as much as the other.
]]> 24465838 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:02 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.23
book published: 1987
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/14/08
shelves:
review:
Still one of my favorite books of all time. I have read it many times and will probably read it many more.
]]> 24465846 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:58:04 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2004
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:
Not a book I would recommend to others. Too much R-rated stuff. It got to the point where I felt as if I were skipping whole chapters. There are so many good books in the world...don't bother with this one.
]]> 24465878 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:54:08 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.55
book published: 1995
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465876 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:54:02 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465868 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:53:51 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.73
book published: 1989
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465864 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:53:32 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.69
book published: 1993
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465861 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:53:25 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.64
book published: 1998
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465855 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:53:14 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2001
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465834 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:52:32 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465821 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:51:52 -0700
author: Robin McKinley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.10
book published: 2007
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24465678 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:46:59 -0700
author: Scott Westerfeld
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 23634830 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:45:34 -0700
author: Jodi Picoult
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/13/08
shelves:
review:
It was okay. Kind of long and a bit predictable. Plus, the end totally left you hanging. I don't like it when I finish a book, yet receive no closure! It makes me crazy...
]]> 22558598 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:16:48 -0700
author: Stephenie Meyer
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/03/08
shelves:
review:
This is a pretty good book. It is like Meyer's other books in that you are sucked in and tend to neglect things like housework, sleep, etc in order to keep reading. But it lack in some areas and the romantic/lovey scenes and comments drive me nuts.
]]> 21697620 Mon, 19 May 2008 11:20:33 -0700
author: Prentice hall
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.61
book published: 1991
rating: 2
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/19/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13501967 Tue, 06 May 2008 08:19:23 -0700
author: Lloyd C. Douglas
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.29
book published: 1942
rating: 2
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/06/08
shelves: tried-to-read
review:
I must confess that this wasn't the book for me. A little too slow and LONG!!!! I really struggled to get into it....
]]> 19692187 Tue, 06 May 2008 08:17:13 -0700
author: Kay Lynn Mangum
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 05/06/08
shelves:
review:
Definitely a teen novel in the style of Jack Weyland. An interesting story that causes you to look at some aspects of your own life and relationships and wonder what you would do differentely if you only had a limited time left to live. Carpe diem!
]]> 18035398 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:14:40 -0700
This book helped me gain a greater appreciation for the role I play in the lives of my children and in the Lords plan. It also helped me know that it is pretty darn cool that, "Yes! I am a mother!"]]>
author: Jane Clayson Johnson
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/20/08
shelves:
review:
I couldn't have read this book at a better time. I don't know how many times I have encountered the curious stares and questions of, "so you're just a mom?"

This book helped me gain a greater appreciation for the role I play in the lives of my children and in the Lords plan. It also helped me know that it is pretty darn cool that, "Yes! I am a mother!"
]]> 20216464 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:22:46 -0700
author: Jerry Spinelli
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.49
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/15/08
shelves:
review:
I read this book because I like other works by Spinelli. It was pretty good. Definetely not a Stargirl, but good. I like the fact that Spinelli addresses difficult topics that are facing today's youth. This one wasn't as prevelant, but certainly it is a problem one may encounter in life.
]]> 20067643 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:11:20 -0700
author: Gail Carson Levine
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.22
book published: 1997
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/13/08
shelves:
review:
Upon the endless prompting of my daughter, I am now reading this book. Brinley is pretty excited that she recommended a book to me. :)
]]> 17422506 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:09:43 -0700
author: Brandon Mull
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/13/08
shelves:
review:
Although written for a young audience (2-7th gradesih I would guess) I actually thought this book was pretty good. A very original idea that is well executed. It is well written and moves along at a good pace. I think any kid would love it, especially if they have good imaginations. :)
]]> 13629035 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:13:45 -0700
author: Bram Stoker
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.91
book published: 1897
rating: 5
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/09/08
shelves:
review:
This book kept me captivated from beginning to end. I loved the dark, eerie feel of the subject matter. I don't want to say much and give it away, but obviously this book is about vampires. It is so well written and freaky! I would totally recommend this book to anyone!
]]> 17016880 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:10:53 -0700
Due to this, I chose not to finish the book. Perhaps I will give it a try another time....]]>
author: James Bradley
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2004
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/09/08
shelves: tried-to-read
review:
I like history books...especially the WW2 era. But this one was a bit graphic for me. I know that horrible things go on in this world, but it is very difficult for me to read about them. I don't believe that I am in denial or anything, it just really affects me emotionally to read, in such detail, about the way some human beings can treat other human beings.

Due to this, I chose not to finish the book. Perhaps I will give it a try another time....
]]> 19311307 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:33:59 -0700
I can see how Krakauer would have been frustrated when access to historical documents and interviews with prominent LDS leaders weren't granted to him. In order to tell all sides of a story, you must be able to research all sides. I think in the past 5-10 years, the LDS church has been more forthcoming and open with their history and archives, thanks largely to the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. So perhaps if Krakauer were to have written this book now, he would not encounter these same road blocks.
Some people may feel that if some aspects of the churches history were to be exposed to the general membership of the church, it would cause members to lose faith. This may be true of some. But I believe that those who truly have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel, the prophet Joseph Smith, and especially of the Lord Jesus Christ; these people would not sway from their beliefs.

Being a devout member of the LDS (Mormon) faith, I was a bit disturbed to see how the defining line between the FLDS and LDS churches was often blurred and crossed. These religions are completely separate in all but their initial history. Polygamy is not currently being practiced by any member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is in good standing. If a member were practicing polygamy, they would be excommunicated.

That said, I also did not appreciate the tone with which Krakauer referred to Joseph Smith. I have great respect and admiration for this leader of my church. He was a good man who did the things that God and Jesus Christ asked him to do. I'm sure it wasn't always easy, but he did it anyway.

There are things in the history of the Mormon church that have and still occasionally do disturb me. For instance: polygamy, the priesthood being withheld from black men, the Mountain Meadows massacre, etc. But I also know that I do not understand everything and will be able to gain a complete understanding when I leave this earth.

Most of all, I know that I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ did restore His church here upon the earth through Joseph Smith. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. I also know that if I have Faith, that intense faith that is required for people to do extraordinary and even seemingly ordinary things, I will one day stand before my Lord Jesus Christ, sure in the knowledge of my place as a daughter of God. ]]>
author: Jon Krakauer
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2007
rating: 1
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/02/08
shelves: tried-to-read
review:
Hmmm...where do I start? First of all, I didn't finish reading this book. It was intriguing in the beginning to learn about the Fundamentalist Mormons and the interestingly odd things they believe and practice. It was also interesting to contemplate the power of faith. Faith in something or someone, regardless of what or whom they are, can make people do unbelievable things. This is true.

I can see how Krakauer would have been frustrated when access to historical documents and interviews with prominent LDS leaders weren't granted to him. In order to tell all sides of a story, you must be able to research all sides. I think in the past 5-10 years, the LDS church has been more forthcoming and open with their history and archives, thanks largely to the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. So perhaps if Krakauer were to have written this book now, he would not encounter these same road blocks.
Some people may feel that if some aspects of the churches history were to be exposed to the general membership of the church, it would cause members to lose faith. This may be true of some. But I believe that those who truly have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel, the prophet Joseph Smith, and especially of the Lord Jesus Christ; these people would not sway from their beliefs.

Being a devout member of the LDS (Mormon) faith, I was a bit disturbed to see how the defining line between the FLDS and LDS churches was often blurred and crossed. These religions are completely separate in all but their initial history. Polygamy is not currently being practiced by any member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is in good standing. If a member were practicing polygamy, they would be excommunicated.

That said, I also did not appreciate the tone with which Krakauer referred to Joseph Smith. I have great respect and admiration for this leader of my church. He was a good man who did the things that God and Jesus Christ asked him to do. I'm sure it wasn't always easy, but he did it anyway.

There are things in the history of the Mormon church that have and still occasionally do disturb me. For instance: polygamy, the priesthood being withheld from black men, the Mountain Meadows massacre, etc. But I also know that I do not understand everything and will be able to gain a complete understanding when I leave this earth.

Most of all, I know that I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ did restore His church here upon the earth through Joseph Smith. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. I also know that if I have Faith, that intense faith that is required for people to do extraordinary and even seemingly ordinary things, I will one day stand before my Lord Jesus Christ, sure in the knowledge of my place as a daughter of God.
]]> 13381432 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:40:30 -0700 I enjoyed this book immensely. Gaskill has amazing literary skills. She is able to tell the story and develop her characters without losing you in the classical, sometimes wordy and overly complicated descriptiveness of books from a similar era. Don't get me wrong, I love the works of Jane Austin. But sometimes I find myself coming to the end of a paragraph and not knowing exactly what it was that I just read! North and South is full of characters whom you feel like you know and are pulling for. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I must say, I liked it better than Wuthering Heights (sorry Evelyn) and Pride and Prejudice.
]]>
author: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.29
book published: 1982
rating: 5
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/23/08
shelves:
review:
For Christmas, my sister Evelyn gave me this book. Her exact words about it were, "This book is so awesome! Its like Pride and Prejudice on steroids!" I didn't know what this meant, but it certainly inspired me to put this book on my "to-read soon" list. So here is what I thought:
I enjoyed this book immensely. Gaskill has amazing literary skills. She is able to tell the story and develop her characters without losing you in the classical, sometimes wordy and overly complicated descriptiveness of books from a similar era. Don't get me wrong, I love the works of Jane Austin. But sometimes I find myself coming to the end of a paragraph and not knowing exactly what it was that I just read! North and South is full of characters whom you feel like you know and are pulling for. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I must say, I liked it better than Wuthering Heights (sorry Evelyn) and Pride and Prejudice.

]]> 16485220 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:39:33 -0700
author: William Goldman
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.34
book published: 1973
rating: 3
read at: 02/08
date added: 03/21/08
shelves:
review:
This book was almost exactly like the movie, even down to the dialogue between the characters. There were a few additional scenes that weren't in the movie, but all in all, you might as well just see the movie.
]]> 13381469 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:42:54 -0800
author: Chaim Potok
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.28
book published: 1972
rating: 5
read at: 02/08
date added: 03/05/08
shelves:
review:
I finished this book a week or so ago and haven't stopped thinking about it. I have even dreamed about painting! The author creates such vivid, emotional descriptions of the main characters experienced painting. It makes you want to go out, buy some art supplies, and start painting. Too bad it requires lots of talent to become a great painter! Not to mention a little obsession and a lot of sacrifice. I am still stunned a bit at the lengths the main character went to appease the forces that controlled him. I don't know if I would be that devoted if I had such a gift...
]]> 15672147 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 07:26:02 -0800
author: Jeannette Walls
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/19/08
shelves:
review:
Throughout society there seems to be a plague of coddled, babied children who whine and complain that the world is out to get them and are unable to cope with life. But the children who are left to their own means and learn to survive on their own often come out ahead through shear determination and a will to live. This book is about some of these children. It is very inspiring. When you read this book, its hard to believe that there are actually people like this in the world. Crazy parents who do crazy things that affect their children.
]]> 13380844 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:38:54 -0800
author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/17/08
shelves:
review:
This second book in the trilogy is even better than the first. It is fast paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. Great book for all you fantasy lovers!!
]]> 15229836 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:40:42 -0800
author: Gerald N. Lund
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.26
book published: 1990
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 02/12/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13380786 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:29:12 -0800
author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 01/08
date added: 02/05/08
shelves:
review:
A good read if you like fantasy. There is just the right mix of mystery, intrigue, and suspense with a touch of romance. This author is skilled at creating unique characters and worlds.
]]> 14064461 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:05:26 -0800
author: Jerry Spinelli
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at: 01/06
date added: 01/30/08
shelves:
review:
I believe every parent or parent-to-be of a adolescent girl should read this book. It offers insight to the struggles that a girl goes through in that all-important and difficult time of her life. It is a short, easy read and can be done in a few days if you are busy. I will probably read this book multiple time, due to the fact that I have three girls who will soon be going through this phase of life. :(
]]> 13629354 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:40:36 -0800
author: Cormac McCarthy
name: Cheryl
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 04/07
date added: 01/26/08
shelves:
review:
To be honest, I really didn't like this book. It went on and on and was depressing. It was an interesting idea. The author's writing style is also pretty cool. But overall, it left me wanting in the end.
]]> 13628037 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:30:10 -0800
author: Kim Edwards
name: Cheryl
average rating: 3.39
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 03/07
date added: 01/26/08
shelves:
review:
This book opens you eyes to the devastating consequences that can come from harboring secrets and living a lie. Yet it also portrays the amazing power of love and compassion.
]]> 13563877 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:18:44 -0800