A Handful More

Time for a few more reviews.

Brain Rules for Baby: John Medina


I totally loved this book. Ryan got it for us on the iPod and we took turns passing it back and forth. I know there are a million books out there on how to raise a healthy/happy child, but I really enjoyed this. I am not sure what made Ryan pick it, but it's a winner. I felt like everything the author said was spot on. It just made sense. I didn't find myself bracing for certain topics or arguing with him. The only thing I would have liked better is if I had the book in hand! Granted, I think listening to it might have helped me get through it faster since it is a self-help type book instead of a story, but it was one of those where I found myself thinking, "That is awesome! I need to remember that." And then moments later, there was another "Ah ha" moment and I forgot the first one. For that reason, I think I would have liked to have the book in hand with a highlighter. Ryan and I both felt that way. So I think he just ordered it so we can go through it again. I highly recommend it. 10 out of 10.

The Gray Wolf Throne: Cinda Williams Chima


This is the third book in The Seven Realms series that I was so impatient to get my hands on. When I put myself on the wait list I think I was number 8 at the Orem library and 17 at Provo. I was still number 4 on the wait list at Orem when I got the email from Provo saying I could come pick it up. That's what happens when one library has 3 times the inventory the other one does! Anyway, it was totally worth the wait. I have really enjoyed this series and highly recommend it. I am still frustrated that I have to wait - just like everyone else - for the conclusion. But I have loved it. There were some really interesting developments in this one. The characters are amazing and the plot is certainly thickening - as it should. I am really curious to see how it ends and honestly, with the end of this one, I was left thinking, '"I don't have a clue! Would he? Who was it? What's the motivation? Good guy or bad guy?" All the questions you hope your reader is asking to keep them hooked. So I am loving it. If you haven't started it yet, what are you waiting for? 10 out of 10.

Enchanted, Inc: Shanna Swendson

This was another Orem Library Staff picks find. I was looking for something light to fill the time and this seemed like a good fit. It was cute, and a little cheesy, but creative in it's own right. It followed the typical outline of magic does exist in real life, but the thing that I felt made it unique is it's every day approach. Instead of magic existing around non-magic people in the way that Harry Potter is portrayed, the magic here is so every day. The magical businesses and jobs that exist are just like every day jobs and businesses. Kind of hard to explain. I liked the fact that magic - though magic - is kind of ordinary in it's own way. However, that same thing made this book pretty simplistic. The big dilemma was solved in such an ordinary and simple way that I felt it was way too easy. It set it up to be big and dangerous, but in the end, it wasn't at all. It was still a fun and light read, but not my favorite. 6 out of 10.

And lastly...

Warbreaker: Brandon Sanderson


My friend recommended this author to me. She was reading a different book of his and she was really enjoying it, so I thought I would check it out. The thing that threw me off - as my friend as well - is that his books are listed as "SciFi." When I think of SciFi, I think spaceships, aliens, StarWars, that sort of thing. But this book had none of that. I have been looking up the definition of Science Fiction and I am trying to understand how this book fits that... It seems more Fantasy to me. Anyway... I loved it. I felt that the ideas in this book are the most truly unique I have seen in a long time. The characters were great. The plot was interesting. And the fantasy/SciFi elements (call them what you will) were very compelling. Unique. Fascinating. Basic idea is that two neighboring kingdoms are on the brink of war. One kingdom sends their daughter to marry the king of the other country in hopes that this will bring peace, or at least delay war. However, the kingdom she is sent to marry into involves Gods and all sorts of varying levels of heightened "life" if you will. Again, difficult to explain without going into great detail or giving things away. I simply just recommend picking it up and reading it for yourself. :) 9 out of 10. I would give it a 10, but I hold a tiny bit of reserve just because there were some parts that were a little slow, and I would have liked to have spent more time with some characters than others. But that's personal preference.

That's it for now. :)