Monday, March 23, 2009

It's Monday, 3/23! What Are You Reading?

Best laid plans...

I ended up reading very different books last week than I'd planned on. You know how different kinds of books can fit different moods? Well, by Tuesday morning last week, I realized I was very sick (as were my two sons). Suddenly, the very good memoir I'd started on Sunday, The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood by Helene Cooper, just wasn't quite right for how I felt. When I don't feel well, I like to read something engaging but not too difficult or thought-provoking, something fast-paced and gripping that will suck me in and help me forget about how terrible I feel and all the stuff I should be doing. Adventure/fantasy books written for kids and teens are perfect for days like that.

So, I set down my memoir and picked up a new prequel just recently released from one of our family's favorite series, Pendragon by DJ McHale. Here's what I ended up reading:
  • Pendragon Before the War: Book One of the Travelers, created by DJ McHale and written by Carla Jablonski - the first of three prequels just published for the popular series. That reminded me of how much I enjoyed the original series, so I picked up where I'd left off with...
  • Pendragon Book Six: The Rivers of Zadaa by DJ McHale. I finished that book this morning - it was just as good as the first 5 in the series - and took another look at my memoir, but I was still not feeling well and so immersed in the world of Pendragon that I picked up the next book in the series...
  • Pendragon Book 7: The Quillan Games by DJ McHale
So, not a lot of variety in my reading last week but a whole lot of fun and great escapism! This week, I'll be posting a review of the Pendragon books on my Great Books for Kids and Teens blog, as well as a review of the new prequel.

What are YOU reading this week?

2 comments:

  1. Wow, I can't keep up with you. I need some audio books again, because I've been in the kitchen trying to keep up with our special dietary needs.

    I finished reading What I Saw and How I Lied. I'm still putzing through Public Enemies. And I just put me nose into Andrew Clements' Things Not Seen, per your recommendation. I may not get to sleep very early tonight. ;)

    We haven't read any of the Pendragon books, but my kids enjoy fantasy. My son, especially, likes newly created worlds and so loves the new series Monster Blood Tatoo and it's latest sequel Lamplighter. Have you reviewed any Pendragon?

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  2. Hi, Sherry -

    Yes, audio books are great, aren't they? I used to only listen to audio books on car trips, but I recently started listening to them in the kitchen while I'm cooking or eating my lunch. I think some books are even better in audio format.

    I just posted my review of the Pendragon series at my kids' book blog: www.greatbooksforkidsandteens.com

    From what you've said, I think your son would love the series! My older son is also a huge fan of fantasy books. Has your son read the Gregor the Overlander books? Another fabulous series our whole family loved - the review is on my kids' book blog. Just click on the category Fantasy or Adventure in the list of labels along the right side of the blog to find those reviews, plus more. There's also a label for Great Audio Books.

    Hope you enjoy Things Not Seen - let me know what you think!

    Sue

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