The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

Well, I finally finished them all! I read the last pages of "The Last Battle" this morning. Although I can see all the Christian references in the story, I was disappointed that there wasn't a bigger ending. This is my least favorite of the Narnia Chronicles. There is deception and treachery and King Tirian & company are LOSING! Yes, I see the similarities to reality - but I don't read a fantasy to be reminded of reality. And, in the end, they are all dead! Peter, Lucy, Edmund, Eustace and Jill and the Pevensies' parents are all dead! Yes, they are together in a beautiful place - Heaven, or the new Narnia - but they will never get back to England again. And, what about Susan? Just because she chose to grow up and forget about the stories of Narnia, she is separated from her family forever? I don't know. It just seemed as though King Tirian, Eustace and Jill and the others were going around in circles, then they went through the stable door, died and ended up in Heaven. The sun went out in Narnia, it got covered in water and ice and High King Peter closed the door on it. If the ending of the story, as beautifully described as it was, was meant to make me feel peaceful, it didn't. I believe in Jesus and I know that we will all be together with Him and our loved ones someday, but I guess I thought the theological hands were laid rather heavily on this book. Suffice it to say I didn't like it. It just didn't seem a worthy ending to a great series of books. Just my opinion.

3 Willows by Ann Brashares

3 Willows is the story of three girls who are about to attend the same high school where the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants took place. The "Sisters" are mentioned, but they don't have a major role in this story. Jo, Polly and Ama met in third grade and by the end of the 8th grade, they think they are starting to drift apart. They each have different experiences this summer: Ama gets a grant to go to a wilderness adventure camp (much to her chagrin), Jo is spending her summer at the beach with her mother who is having a trail separation from her dad, and Polly discovers her grandmother, who she has never met, was once a model so she tries to make herself over into one, too. The adventures the girls have are very believable. As you read, you get very involved in their lives and the book flies by. Some reviewers say the book is for grades 6 - 10, but I really enjoyed it.

The Shack by Wm. Paul Young

This book presented a very different vision of the Holy Trinity. The personifications made each of them easier to imagine having a relationship with...the reason they appeared that way to Mack. The story held my interest through the different "workshops" Mack experienced. Also, wondering how the issue of Missy's death would be handled kept me reading as well. I still enjoy my Church family and the services we share there, but I understand what they were trying to get across with the importance of relationships, especially with God. I would recommend this selection. It makes you think.

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

Even though the Narnia Reading Challenge at Reading to Know is over, I'm completing the Chronicles of Narnia collection. I finished "The Silver Chair" today. I didn't like it as much as "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," but I did like it. I especially liked the last part of the book after they released the Prince from his enchantment. Oops! I guess that's a spoiler if you haven't read the book. I didn't like when they had to crawl around in Underland...I don't think I was supposed to like it, it was creepy. Anyway, I'm so happy to have finished another of the Narnia books! I don't know why I never read them when I was young - and yes, they were published then - I'm not that old. I see they are filming Dawn Treader and it looks exciting. Just seeing the pictures makes me feel that I'm in those other worlds. Can't wait for the movie! I've put "The Last Battle" on my TBR list. I have to read a couple of other books first, but I'll get to it soon.

Have a great day!

Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught

This novel by Judith McNaught is classic romance. It has strong characters and lots of plot twists. Elizabeth Cameron is a strong, smart young woman trying to avoid being "matched" by her uncle who is also her guardian. She runs her home, Havenhurst, efficiently and is known for her bargaining with merchants. Unfortunately, she has had to pay off debts incurred by her deceased father and her missing brother. To do this, she has sold off valuable artifacts and furnishings from her home. She meets Ian Thornton, a wealthy but untitled man, at a friend's country weekend party. They have a romantic episode, but misunderstandings ensue, rumors are spread, and they are separated. Ian leaves to attend to his many business ventures, but Elizabeth is treated badly. Of course, she deals with it, but all her offers for marriage are withdrawn. After a year, her uncle wants to get her married for financial reasons and sends letters to all the men who were interested in her previously. Only 3 return invitations for Elizabeth to come visit to see if they will suit. Ian is one of those men; however his invitation was sent by mistake. Elizabeth convinces the first two men they won't suit, but then she gets "stuck" at Ian's cottage in Scotland. One thing leads to another, but I don't want to ruin the reading for you. Suffice it to say that there is a lot of emotion and romance. The supporting characters are great, too. I really liked this book and didn't want to put it down. It was very entertaining.

The Graphic Works!

My daughter is amazing! She fixed my award so that it works. Isn't it cute?

It made my day! Hope yours was good, too.

The Heartfelt Award

Hey! I won the Heartfelt Award! I went over to http://summertravelandread.blogspot.com/ to pick up the award and I saw my blog listed, but I didn't know what to do after that. I've never received an award before!

Anyway, I have to go to a conference tomorrow that lasts all week so I won't be able to blog. I hope Tea isn't offended. I'll check in when I get back to see if I can figure out what to do to pick up my award and what I have to do then.

Thanks!

Two New Challenges!

I've signed up for two new challenges: The Well-Rounded Challenge to get some books read on my existing challenges. The object is to read one book for each of 5 of your challenges. The dates of the challenge are August 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 - the last 5 months of the year; one book a month - no sweat! You can sign up here .

The other challenge is The Harry Potter Challenge! I just went to see the newest Harry Potter movie, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", last week and I'm watching "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" right now on TV! They are in the maze and Harry is helping Cedric (of course we all know that Cedric doesn't really die...he becomes a vampire named Edward!). The challenge runs from August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010. You have to read or listen to all 7 books. I've been saying I'll read them for a long time...now is the time. YOU can sign up for this challenge here .


I have to go read!

Win one of Three Books in July on Royal Reviews!

Go to Royal Reviews to enter their July competition! Leave a post here indicating which book or books you would like to win. Don't forget to leave your e-mail address in the post. Get an extra entry by blogging about the contest on your own blog!

The Last Summer by Ann Brashares is a love story not only between a young man and a young woman, but between three friends and two sisters. Alice loved Paul for as long as she could remember. Alice's sister, Riley, was Paul's best friend. It made for an uncomfortable situation when Paul discovered he loved Alice, too. They hid their love from Riley, but of course, she found out. Then, Riley found out something else, but to tell you would spoil the book.

Paul's summer house was right beside Alice & Riley's on Fire Island. They grew up "in each other's pockets" so to speak. Paul walked into their house when they were cooking dinner, for breakfast, etc. They had a secret shortcut between their houses, they had a past together. They spent every summer on Fire Island, but lived elsewhere during the off-season. Paul and Alice were in their early twenties when they finally succombed to their attraction to each other. Riley was always the active one, the daring one, the leader of their adventures. They didn't want to mess up their friendships with each other by telling her about their love affair. But she knew...

At first, I didn't think I was going to like this book, but as usual, halfway through I got attached to it. It stirs up emotions in you and they are much heavier than an ordinary romance novel. The writing is done really well, too. You can feel the sand and hear the sea gulls and the ocean. I love the ocean. I read a review of the book before I read it that wasn't very good and it clouded my opinion. I totally disagree now. I think the book is well-written and worth reading. It isn't just a beach read - it gives you the feel of the beach, though.