Recently Read Good books

[Erudite]

5D started a thread about the best book you EVER read, but I think we all come across books that we really like but wouldn't classify among the BEST we ever read. I just finished one that I thoroughly enjoyed so I wanted to share it.

It's an LDS book, but would be inspirational to anyone, I think. It's called When Faith Endures by The Van Nyguen ("The" is pronouned Tay) and somebody Hughes. Brother Tay was the Branch President in Saigon when it fell in 1975. It talks about how hard he worked to try and evacuate about 300 saints and their families before the Communists came. Because the communists would target anyone with American connections (American church, American missionaries, American servicemen in the branch), his family was top of the list to get out should there be an opportunity. They got out, but because he was Branch President he was at the bottom of the list trying to help everyone in the branch get out. Only about half did. He ended up spending 2.5 years in a "reeducation" camp, before finally being freed and being able to escape to America. The book talks about the incredible faith he hung onto through all of that. It's a quick read, but a great faith builder. We complain too much with our lot in life, I think, but also, we need to know that our Heavenly Father listens to our worries and complaints and will intervene even in the small things. That's one of the messages I got from the book. I highly recommend it!!

Share a good book that you come across, even if it's not the BEST book you ever read.

[5ft Diva]

Ooh, this sounds like a good one. I'll have to start making a list in my planner of books I want to look up when I'm at the library. Thanks for the suggestion.

[bookworm]

here are three titles of books that have changed my financial life for the better- I really, really believe the information in them is inspired and I was led to them for a purpose.

The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman

The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me by Richard Paul Evans

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker

I realize I probably wasn't ready to learn from them when I was 20, but I think everyone should read these books before they get married... that's just my opinion... I'm so grateful I have them now!!

The best places to find books are: D.I., Amazon.com and Half.ebay.com

Happy reading!!

[bookworm]

Other books- my son and I have been reading the "Charlie Bone" series- they are by Jenny Nimmo and are really good books (the series is called "Children of the Red King)

my other son and I have been reading The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness- book one is "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver- these are excellent!

I've been reading a lot of youth fiction lately with the boys, and we've found some real winners. Other excellent books in youth fiction: "Artemis Fowl", "Crispin", "The Young Merlin Trilogy", "The Lightning Thief" (ds #2's favorite), "The Ear, The Eye and The Arm" there are others, too, but the titles escape me...

[natickgirl]

BW--I've heard good things about the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. Have your sons read any of them?

I just finished reading an oldie but a goody: The Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck. Very interesting.

[bookworm]

LOL- my nephew loaned us the first Ga'Hoole book about 8 months ago and none of us have read it. I tried to return it to him on Saturday, but he forgot to take it with him! I get a second chance, and on your recommendation, I'm going to start it and see what it's like!

[bookworm]

Oh my gosh did I just read the best book!!! I had previously read the first 3 books in the series "The Great and Terrible" by LDS author Chris Stewart, and my sis loaned me #4 finally- I read it in like 3 hours, it was so so so good. I cried from the first chapter to the last... I TOTALLY recommend these books. I own #s 2 and 3, but haven't gotten 1 or 4 yet... my book $$ hasn't been flowing in as fast as out lately Anyway, pick them up! The library has 1 copy of #1, called "The Brothers" and multiple copies of #s 2 and 3, but they don't have #4 yet, even though I requested they get it back when it came out months and months ago... silly small town library.

[natickgirl]

Sounds good. I'll have to see if the libraries around here have any of Chris Stewart's books. (Doubtful....they have about ZERO books by LDS authors here, except for that vampire series--Twilight...is that what it is called?)

[bookworm]

Well, if they don't, you can get them on Amazon or half.com., but they are a little pricey... that's why I still only have 2 of them- one appeared at DI and the other I got for my bday! I hope you find them, NG, I think you'd love them.

[Stargazer]

I know it's been awhile since this subject was discussed but I just finished a book that I enjoyed quite a bit. It is called "A Long Fatal Love Chase" by Louisa May Alcott. It wasn't published while she was alive because it was too scandalous. I saw it at the Tooele Library and picked it up because I love Little Women.

[Erudite]

I talked my 9yodd into getting a book I'd loved at that age and read it again while it was here. Beauty by Robin McKinley. It was really wonderful for me as an adult too, but she declared it one of the best books she's EVER read (which probably under 100...but good to see her as a reader). I've always meant to read McKinley's other books, but have never gotten to them. Anyway, I recommend this book for you and your kids.

Oh, I forgot to tell you what it's about. It's a retelling of the beauty and beast story. It has all the little details filled in a wonderful way.

[Erudite]

For those who like Sci Fi....I am going through Asimov right now. I finished the Robot novels and I'm on the final Foundation novel. They're GREAT! Asimov wrote during the 50s and 60s when adding sex and violence and yucky language was not done. (The final novel, written in the 80s, was not quite so lucky...) Anyway, they call Asimov the father of Sci Fi and I can see why. His books, even though they were written so long ago, are still futuristic and give you the most interesting look at how and why we choose to live the way we do. Good stuff!

[missypoohsticks]

Yes, NG the series by Stephenie Meyer is called the Twilight series, and it's a good series if you don't mind a little corny teenage romance. I liked the series. I'm anxiously awaiting "Breaking Dawn", the 4th book in the series.

[Stargazer]

Hey Missypoohsticks, how do you prefer to shorten that big ol' name? Anyway, my dh1 would really like to read the twilight books. I know that they are very popular. Would you find them suitable for a 12 year old?

[missypoohsticks]

LOL! You can just do MPS....
Anyway, I would read them first before you let her read them. Keeping in mind that it is written by an LDS author and there is no actual sexual content, there are some somewhat "suggestive" parts. Most of the people that I know that have read this series are either adults or in HS.

[trishcook]

My 11 year old niece's have both read the Twilight Series and really enjoyed them, they are both counting down the days for Breaking Dawn and for the movie to come out in the fall. I also really enjoyed the series, it was a bit "High Schoolish", but the characters are in high school and so it was to be expected. The imagination of this writer was impressive and I think your DD would probably enjoy them..although I would agree with MPS that you should either read them before her, or read them at the same time so you can properly answer any questions she might have from the books.