Okay, one reason I haven't been blogging as much lately is because life with the kids has been crazy. But also... Books. I put a bunch on hold at the library and am catching up on all my favorite authors! Here are some current favorites:
ONE
Brandon Mull (an awesome author if you haven't read him - check out the Fablehaven series, please!!!) finished his Beyonders
trilogy and, not surprisingly, it was awesome! It's only $10.99 for the whole trilogy on Kindle right now, which is a pretty sweet deal. It kind of reminds me of Harry Potter meets Eragon, if that description means anything to you. Really fabulous fantasy series for young adults and adults like me who like to read young adult fiction...
trilogy and, not surprisingly, it was awesome! It's only $10.99 for the whole trilogy on Kindle right now, which is a pretty sweet deal. It kind of reminds me of Harry Potter meets Eragon, if that description means anything to you. Really fabulous fantasy series for young adults and adults like me who like to read young adult fiction...
TWO
Orson Scott Card is one of my all-time favorite authors. Not every book of his hits it out of the ball park, but most of them do.
The Gate Thief
is the second in his MitherMages series, and I'm about halfway through and loving it! It's not as wholesome as Brandon Mull, there's definitely some mild language and raunchy teenage humor. But the plot is so original and I just can't read his books fast enough! You can bet I'm racing through this post so I can get back to reading The Gate Thief!
is the second in his MitherMages series, and I'm about halfway through and loving it! It's not as wholesome as Brandon Mull, there's definitely some mild language and raunchy teenage humor. But the plot is so original and I just can't read his books fast enough! You can bet I'm racing through this post so I can get back to reading The Gate Thief!
THREE
Lucy Cousins has always been a huge favorite amongst the kids, especially her Maisy books. I love this one because the flaps are super-durable - we bought it used and it's still going strong with only one flap taped!
Maisy's Big Flap Book
doesn't seem to be sold new anymore, but it's definitely worth a try for babies and toddlers alike - they're not the flaps like you see in the Spot books, it's a completely separate overlay with the flaps cut out, which is a lot sturdier than the glued on flaps in some books.
doesn't seem to be sold new anymore, but it's definitely worth a try for babies and toddlers alike - they're not the flaps like you see in the Spot books, it's a completely separate overlay with the flaps cut out, which is a lot sturdier than the glued on flaps in some books.
FOUR
Veering away from what we're reading, I've been using one kitchen tool a TON lately, for homemade applesauce, tomato sauce (I like mine totally pureed), and pureeing lots of tasty fall soups in the pot:
My Cuisinart Immersion Blender
is AMAZING and I wish I had a reason to buy it in one of the beautiful beautiful colors it comes in! Ours is just the original stainless steel, since we got it as a wedding present way back when. But it's one of the most useful kitchen gadgets we have, since I can puree to my heart's content without getting the blender or food processor dirty when I already have a pot dirty! Seriously, if you don't have one of these and you love to cook, add it to your Christmas list! It's usually around $30 or $35 so it definitely won't break the bank.
is AMAZING and I wish I had a reason to buy it in one of the beautiful beautiful colors it comes in! Ours is just the original stainless steel, since we got it as a wedding present way back when. But it's one of the most useful kitchen gadgets we have, since I can puree to my heart's content without getting the blender or food processor dirty when I already have a pot dirty! Seriously, if you don't have one of these and you love to cook, add it to your Christmas list! It's usually around $30 or $35 so it definitely won't break the bank.
FIVE
Mary Claire is just hilarious lately - I keep trying to get her to say hello or hi and all she'll do is say, "Buh bah!" and wave her hands and then laaaaaugh uproariously!
Yup, you wish you had one of her!
Doubling my link-up pleasure this week with thrifter extraordinaire Jenny at Mama Needs Coffee (guest-hosting for Hallie) and Jessica at Housewifespice - check out what everyone else is reading and loving!
How did you know that Anna's latest obsession is books with flaps?! I need to look for that Maisy one ASAP before I owe the library any money for returning flap-less books! Also, I just got my Cuisinart immersion blender out for the first time this week. Not sure why I let 3 wedding anniversaries pass before opening up that gift - it's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI DO need an immersion blender when we move someday. And thank you for sharing about the flap book. Spot is one of two we own, and neither survived Logan, so...Ive been hesitant! Thanks for the rec.
ReplyDeletePS - I PROMISE I haven't forgotten to stick the book in the mail! I'll sneak away this weekend sans kids and stop in at the post office!
DeleteOn #1, it isn't Harry Potter meets Eragon in an Eragon-y way in which you miss the memo that it's not a trilogy anymore and don't figure it out until about twenty pages from the end of book three when you say to yourself, "this isn't really resolving is it?" then forgive the author since he's a precious little homeschooler and wait patiently for the real final book to come out only to be so disappointed with the ending that you dump the whole set in the goodwill bin after not even the used book store wanted to buy them from you it it? Not that anything like that ever happened to me ;)
ReplyDeleteHa! It STILL wasn't a conclusive ending to the final book, which made me think, "Maybe he'll write another???" But I don't think he will and you're right, it makes me MAD!
DeleteI just finished Ender's Game and I feel like I need a discussion group or something to help me process my thoughts about it, so heavy. I have also read his book Rebekah, have you ever read his women of the bible series?
ReplyDeleteI need your soup recipes. We just got that immersion blender in May and have never used it!
ReplyDeleteI think I need an immersion blender now too!! I have been making soups more and more and it would really come in handy! Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteSoooo useful! And great for milkshakes in a tall glass, too :)
DeleteCause I need more milkshakes!!! :)
DeleteI would be lost in my kitchen without my immersion blender. Love it for whipping up smoothies, too! Thanks for the spotlight on the books - I'm always looking for some good reads!
ReplyDeleteI've used it for milkshakes but not smoothies - I always have to whip up ginormous batches of smoothies in the blender because EVERYONE wants one!
DeleteI'm so glad you're an Orson Scott Card fan! I lovvvvve his stuff. Ender's Game is just wonderful. I loved The Lost Gate but haven't had a chance to pick up The Gate Thief yet. I also read Seventh Son and I've been meaning to start Red Prophet (both in Tales of Alvin Maker series) but haven't yet. Ok I'm going to step back off the nerd-pedestal now but I'm glad I'm not the only Card lover out there. (Oh and I read a few of the Ender's Game sequels but didn't love them as much.)
ReplyDelete