Kiwimellon

Fireball, I know what you mean about the first two books being more like a prologue to the series. Whenever I reread the series (which is at least once a year) I find it hard to get through the first two. I'm always tempted to just skip them and get to the good stuff! Anyway, here is my list, though I find it a bit hard to place Deathly Hallows right now. I feel like I should reread it before I make judgement. 1. Order of the Pheonix 2. Prisoner of Azkaban 3. Deathly Hallows 4. Goblet of Fire 5. Half Blood Prince 6. Philosopher's Stone (Or as I know it, Socerer's Stone) 7. Chamber of Secrets I hate putting them in order though. It makes it look like some I didn't like much but the truth is that they are all pretty much neck to neck!

I did indeed chose an easy read. I read Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. I had read this one way back in the 6th grade and with the movie coming out soon, I wanted to read it again. The book is very good. I'm now just worried about the movie ruining the story!

I've just been so busy lately with the start of Spring classes but I finally finished The Fellowship of the Ring. It was a reread and while I planned on reading the whole trilogy, I think I will instead settle for a easy read for my next book!

I finished Eragon a few days ago. It was actually a reread. I wanted to refresh my memory of the story before I went to read the second of the trilogy, Eldest.

I really look forward to reading A Prayer for Owen Meany. I was fortunate enough to go to a reading with John Irving over the summer and he read a part from that book. He had the whole audience in hysterics!!

My TBR List: Watership Down - Richard Adams There and Back Again, An Actor's Tale - Sean Astin Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen Ender's Shadow - Orson Scott Card Artemis Fowl - Eoin Colfer Our Mutual Friend - Charles Dickens Inkheart - Cornelia Funke Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden Sarah - Marek Halter The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini The Cider House Rules - John Irving A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving Conrad's Fate - Diana Wynne Jones The Homeward Bounders - Diana Wynne Jones Power of Three - Diana Wynne Jones The Stand - Stephen King The Two Princesses of Bamarre - Gail Carson Levine The Nanny Diaries - Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus Nebraska Legacy - Diann Mills The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger 1984 - George Orwell Eldest - Christopher Paolini Holes - Louis Sachar The Reader - Bernhard Schlink, Carol Brown Janeway The House Next Door - Anne Rivers Siddons The Amulet of Samarkand - Jonathon Stroud The Joy Luck Club - Amy Tan Saving a Fish from Drowning - Amy Tan The Two Towers - J.R.R. Tolkien The Return of the King - J.R.R. Tolkien

Currently Reading Eldest - Christopher Paolini January Eragon - Christopher Paolini The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson The Magicians of Caprona - Diana Wynne Jones Fire and Hemlock - Diana Wynne Jones

I have most of the Harry Potter books on cassette. I love listening to them while driving. Also while baking. It's nice for times when I am too busy to read much. Plus, Jim Dale who read them is excellent! I want to try listening to more books-on-tape in the future.

The Weasley's live at The Burrow. Well, at least that is what I think it is. The Potters lived at Godric Hollow, maybe that is what you are thinking of?

Finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I think that this book is now ranked up with the top books that I have read this year. The book takes place in 19th century China and is about a special relationship between two women. The story is so sweet but completely heart breaking at the same time. What I really liked about the book is that I learned a lot from it about that time period in China. I love when I can read a book at be educated as well as being entertained. I would definitely recommend this book and give it a perfect 10/10!

The next book I will read is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I have a great interest in the Chinese culture so I'm thinking that I should enjoy this book. It should be a nice break from my current fantasy genre streak!

My latest read was Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones. It's the sequel to a book that I've read previously this year, Howl's Moving Castle. I greatly enjoyed the first book and this sequel did not disappoint. The story was just as funny as the first and filled with many twists and surprises. Defiantly a great read!!

At an interview in NY, JK confirmed 100% that Dumbledore is indeed dead. But, I think that he might still make some sort of appearance or presense. Maybe something like how Obi-Wan appeared to Luke. Or, maybe even just in a letter or something that he left before for Harry. One of those, If you are reading this than I am probably dead, type of deals. (Am I pushing it here ) One thing that I think will happen is that Snape will die. I honestly can not see how he will live throughout the last book, regardless of which side he really is one. Makes me sad to think about though...

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Castle in the Air. I've just started to read my copy of that book yesterday. Diana Wynne Jones is really a wonderful author. I've only just discovered her during the summer and have managed to read a few of her books so far. Have you read any of the Chrestomanci books? I enjoyed the ones of the Chrestomanci series that I have read so far. What's great about DWJ is that even though her books are meant for children and young adults, I can still enjoy them just as much as the target age group. Her writing is so imaginative and original. She's such an excellent writer!

I managed to find some free time during my short holiday break to read The Giver by Lois Lowry. I had read this book years ago when I was in the 7th and remembered how wonderful of a story it was. I think that it was even better reading it for the second time. This book is destined to become a classic!

I've recently found out that they are making Coraline into an animated film. I gotta say, I am curious to see how it will turn out. As I was reading the story, I kept thinking that it would make a great Tim Burton film (he's not going to be the director though). I finally finished The Lovely Bones. I actually had a free day yesterday and gave myself a headache because I read so much. The Lovely Bones is quite a sad story! I had to fight tears for most of it. It's a nice story though.

How is Castle in the Air so far? I read Howl's Moving Castle are really enjoyed it. I just recently got a copy of Castle in the Air but had to put it on hold for a bit to read other stuff. I heard that the main characters from Howl's Moving Castle aren't really in Castle in the Air. Is that true?

Finished Coraline! It is such a wonderful book. The book is meant for children and young adults but I was still able to enjoy it greatly. And the story is so creepy! It's defiantly one of the darkest and most original children's book that I've read in a long time. 10/10

I've been so busy lately that I've barely had time to come to this site! Well, I accidently left my copy of The Lovely Bones at a friends house and I won't be able to get it back for a few days so I picked up a quick read to keep me happy until then. Coraline by Neil Gaiman When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous. But there's another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go. Coraline will have to fight with all her wits and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life.

I've decided on my next read; The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. This one my sister recommended to me over a year ago but I've only just recently got my hands on a copy (gotta love bookmooch!).

I finally finished Time of the Ghost. Just like the other Diana Wynne Jones books that I have read in the past, I found the plot to be completely original and unpredictable. Once I got through a bit of a slow start the story completely captured my attention. I enjoyed getting to know the four main characters who are four young sisters who have neglectful parents and therefore get into a lot of mischeif. The story has a lot of supernatural elements making it a great read for the Halloween season.

It's nice to see that I am not the only person who couldn't stand this book. It's one of the few books that I've stopped reading before I reach the end. Maybe if I give it another try now that I'm a bit older I might appreciate it more. But, I doubt I will ever again want to pick that book up.

My next read is The Time of the Ghost by Diana Wynne Jones. Sounds appropriate with Halloween coming up:) The ghost turns up one summer day, alone in a world she once knew, among people who were once her family. She knows she is one of four sisters, but which one? She can be sure of only one thing - that there's been an accident. As she struggles to find her identity, she becomes aware of a malevolent force stirring around her. Something terrible is about to happen. One of the sisters will die - unless the ghost can use the future to reshape the past. But how can she warn them, when they don't even know she exists?

I never heard this one. I might check it out. Even though I am 22 I love to read Children's lit. It's just so fun!

I use a bookmark. I can not stand it when I start with a brand new book and it doesn't look brand new when I finish. Just the thought of bending down the corner of a page makes me feel a bit sick! I could probably be considered a bit obsessive compulsive about books. My little sister borrows my books a lot and she always seems to do something to them. Whether it's getting food on the cover or breaking the spine. And I just cringe when I see her lay a book down spread open. It's silly of me but I just can't help it!