Reading Journal February 2011 part 2

This is pretty funny. After I posted the last reading journal I went way back and checked some of my older posts. Ha ha, I already mentioned once I had read Kings of Clonmel by John Flanagan. Oh well, I got a little more detailed this time.

At any rate, I remembered one other book I read awhile back, and thought I could add books for the remainder of February.

Saphyre Snow by Marcia Lynn McClure - I only gave this 2 of 5 stars. It was just o.k. for me. It is basically a retelling of Snow White with an added love story. Saphyre Snow is the princess whose step-grandmother tries to kill her. She runs for her life, but ends up in an abandoned fortress of some sort. There she discovers a band of misfit men. They let her stay and keep her safe while trying to figure out what her step grandmother is up to. They suspect the evil queen has a hand in the mysterious deaths of Saphyre's grandfather and mother and the illness of her father. Of course it is inevitable that Saphyre falls in love with one of the men, and he is the surliest one of them all.

Sabotaged (The Missing Book #3) by Margaret Peterson Haddix - This may contain spoilers from previous books. Jonah and Katherine are going back in time with Andrea, another of the missing children from history. Her true identity is Virginia Dare, the first baby born in the New England colony of Roanoke. When they arrive in the 17th century there is no trace of anyone, and they lost the elucidator (the only contact they had with the future and JB). The only thing they have to go on is a couple of tracer natives and Katherine's vague recall of what she learned in history class. They soon realize that they are following the instructions of a man called Second who they believe is trying to sabotage their mission.

I didn't enjoy this installment quite as much as I enjoyed the first two, but things got a little more exciting at the end. At the most it left me wondering what is going to happen in the next book. Which means eventually I will continue on with the series. I gave this book 3 of 5 stars.

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous - This book is about a teenage girl circa 1970's. It is basically her diary; she talks about feelings of loneliness, weight issues, family troubles and being inadequate. During the story she goes to a party of a popular girl and finds out it was a drug party after she drinks a coke laced with LSD and goes on her first trip. This is the beginning of her life with drugs. This is an eye opening book that I believe can be a good talking point between teens and parents about drugs. I gave this book 5 of 5 stars.

Jane by April Lindner - This is a modern day retelling of Jane Eyre. Jane Moore becomes a nanny working for the famous rock star Nico Rathburn. A romance ensues with the suggestion of a mysterious past. Well, if you have read Jane Eyre then you pretty much know what happens after that. I thought this retelling was pretty straightforward. I liked it because it was like revisiting an old friend who'd had a makeover, but nothing to drastic. I also like this book because there are a million retellings of Pride and Prejudice, and this is the first I have ever encountered with Jane Eyre. I gave it 4 of 5 stars.

Reading Journal February 2011

I just thought I would jot down some books I have read recently before I forget them altogether. My mind is like a sieve.

In no particular order:
Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles #2) by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia - Lena's sixteenth moon has passed and she wasn't chosen by light or dark. It appears she is in charge of her choosing on her seventeenth moon. However the events of her 16th birthday leave her lost and grieving from her Uncle Macon's death and things with Ethan are getting too complicated. Ethan feels like he is losing her as Lena spends more time with her cousin, Ridley, who is a dark caster, and an incubus named John Breed. Ethan fears Lena is going to choose to be a dark caster, but believes he can save her from that path.

Found (The Missing #1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix - Jonah was adopted and the information regarding his adoption has always been closed. Now he is getting disturbing messages in the mail, and he finds out his friend, Chip, is also adopted and receiving the same messages. They finally get some clues as to where they came from, but the FBI is keeping it very hush hush. Something is very mysterious about it, and all they have are a list of 36 names of adopted kids their same age that all live in the surrounding area. Jonah, Chip, and Katherine (Jonah's sister) are about to go on a wild adventure that involves finding out the mystery of their adoption.

Sent (The Missing #2) by Margaret Peterson Haddix (I am detecting a theme here - books by authors named Margaret??) - *SPOILERS from Found.* Chip and Alex are brothers from the fifteenth century. Their real identities are King Edward V of England and Richard Duke of York respectively. Jonah and Katherine went back with them in time to try to fix the ripple and return Chip and Alex back to the 21st century without dying in history. The problem is every time they do something that didn't happen in the past it rewrites history. Not to mention Chip and Alex are becoming too much like their original personalities and just might stay in the 1400s. Things are definitely getting complicated.

Matched by Ally Condie - Loved, Loved, Loved. I believe this was the last book I read of 2010. It's about a girl named Cassia who lives in a utopian like society. The society does everything for the greatest good of the people. This includes matching each person with their perfect mate. At her matching ceremony she is matched with her best friend Xander and can't believe her luck. That is until she opens the computer file of her match and sees another face on the screen. His name is Ky and she knows him as well. The society tells her it was a glitch and to just forget about Ky, but she can't help but wonder if Ky is her true match. This book is amazing! I want the next book so bad.

Blind Side by Clair M. Poulson - Noletta Fahr is hiking in the mountains when she stumbles across a murder. She gets a glimpse of the perpetrator, but gets shot when she tries to escape and loses her sight. Several years later she is again a victim when someone breaks into her house and steals her seeing eye dog; she suspects it may be related to the murder case, and that her life is in danger once again.

The Kings of Clonmel (Ranger's Apprentice #8) by John Flanagan - Halt, Will and Horace take a visit to Halt's brother, who just happens to be the King of Clonmel. The King is a little lazy, which is why he allows a false religion to lay waste to his kingdom. These bandits raid farms and towns, then send in their prophet to drive away the bandits. In reality they are the same group using fear to dupe people out of their money. Halt confronts the prophet, Tennyson, and causes a stir among the royal family and it's subjects.

Halt's Peril (Ranger's Apprentice #9) by John Flanagan - Halt and company are still chasing Tennyson and his disciples as they head to another gullible village. Halt wants to stop them before they reach Araluen. Unfortunately the prophet's bodyguards are lethal assassins and hit Halt with an unknown poison. It is up to Will and Horace to save Halt and defeat the false prophet once and for all.

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare  - Tessa goes to England to find her brother, only he isn't where he said he'd be. Instead some women that call themselves the Dark Sisters convince her to go with them, but keep her captive inside their creepy home. They teach her a power she never knew she had and now she wonders what kind of creature she really is. That is when Will and Jem, a couple of Shadowhunters, save her and take her back to the London Institute while they figure out who the Magister is and what he wants with Tessa and her ability. The Magister is the leader of The Pandemonium Club. It's a Downworlder club that brings in Mundanes and is related to some mysterious deaths. Tessa's brother, Nathaniel, disappeared and was last seen as a visitor to The Pandemonium Club. Oh good golly miss molly! I need the next book ASAP! So awesome, and the first book I read of 2011. Though I really miss Clary and Jace, it is fun to see some new characters as well as some old ones. Hello Magnus! Wahoo, my greatest wish will be realized, another Mortal Instruments book coming soon - City of Fallen Angels book 4. City of Lost Souls is book five, and City of Heavenly Fire is book 6. We also get to look forward to the sequels to Clockwork Angel - Clockwork Prince book 2, and Clockwork Princess book 3. Yeah! So many book to read one day.

Since my mind was otherwise occupied for the past couple of months, I haven't done a Reading Journal since September 2010. Shoot, now how will I replace those missing months? I am hoping I didn't forget a book, but honestly I didn't do much reading the latter part of the year. If I truly forgot a book that I have read, it must have not left a lasting impression.

Reading Journal - September 2010

It was a slim month. I read a total of 3 books and 1 graphic novel. They are as follows.

It Sucked and Then I Cried by Heather B. Armstrong

• Heather is the blogger of Dooce.com. This book is the story of her pregnancy, birth, and getting over postpartum depression. It was pretty humorous, and I think anyone who has ever been pregnant can relate to this book. It does have a bit of language and some parts that are...how do I say this..brutally honest about anything to do with body parts and bodily functions.  Those are some of the funniest parts I think, but just not stuff you would normally talk about with anyone but your bff. I think it is a worthy read.

Scout, Atticus, and Boo: A Celebration of 50 Yrs of To Kill a Mockingbird by Mary McDonagh Murphy

• This is a collection of interviews and thoughts on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

• I thought I would read this for the 50th anniversary. I did read it in high school, but honestly didn't remember much from that reading. I rather liked it, and of course my favorite character was Scout. If you don't know anything about To Kill a Mockingbird, here is the description from Goodreads.

Lawyer Atticus Finch defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic, Puliter Prize-winning novella, a black man charged with the rape of a white woman. Through the eyes of Atticus's children, Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unanswering honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s.

Calamity Jack by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, Illustrated by Nathan Hale

• This was a nice sequel to Rapunzel's Revenge. It shows about Jack's troublesome past in the city and how he ends up in the west. See what happens to Jack's city when he returns to help his mother.

Reading Journal - August 2010

The exciting books I read in August 2010 are as follows:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. This book was, in a word, EPIC! There is a lot of debate about the ending to The Hunger Games trilogy. I think overall I was o.k. with the way things ended up. That's not to say I didn't have my problems with it, but the events were believable. Let's just face it, this trilogy is about war, and war is ugly. To read all about people's thoughts on Mockingjay, visit the Mockingjay discussion post over at Maw Books. P.S. That post includes spoilers, so only visit if you have read the book.

The Kings of Clonmel by John Flanagan. This is Ranger's Apprentice book #8. I just never get tired of these Ranger's Apprentice books. They are always action packed, and those Ranger's are pretty inventive. It's amazing the pickles they can get themselves out of. I am already on the waiting list for Halt's Peril, Ranger's Apprentice #9.

A Crimson Frost by Marcia Lynn McClure. This is a sweet little romance about a Princess and the King's first knight who have to go into hiding while their kingdom is at war. I rather liked it, but it is no secret that McClure is one of my favorite romance authors.

Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely #4) by Melissa Marr. I liked this one. I didn't know if I would like it as much as books 1 and 3, because the story focuses on the characters of the Dark Court and the High Court. My favorite court has always been Summer court. I was happily surprised to find that I enjoyed this one. I really like Ani's character, and was surprised by the outcome.

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder. I loved Snyder's Study and Glass trilogies. I knew Inside Out was going to be more dystopian in nature, so I wasn't sure if I would like it. To my surprise I didn't like it, I loved it. I honestly couldn't put this book down. It is about a girl named Trella who is a scrub (meaning she lives in the lower levels). The scrub's main purpose in life is to clean and provide for the Uppers. Trella is small, so her job is to clean the pipes. She is also known as Queen of the Pipes, because she has spent so much time exploring them. It is probably for this reason she ends up starting a rebellion. If you haven't read this book, then go get it right now...seriously run, don't walk.

Re-read: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I thought I would refresh my memory in preparation for Mockingjay.

I think that is all. As always, my memory fails me. I think that is a pretty healthy list for a month's reading (at least for me) so I don't believe I've left anything out. When I wasn't reading I was catching up on last season's Glee. I can't wait for Season 2. Any Glee fans out there?

July 2010 Reading Journal

Just a few books that I can remember reading in July:

• Gone by Michael Grant - This is what happens when everyone over the age of 15 disappears. This book was long. I thought it would have a definitive ending, but apparently it is part of a 6 book series. I am debating on continuing on. It was definitely action packed. A bit like Lord of the Flies, if you ask me.
• Spells by Aprilynne Pike (Wings book #2) - This was a great second in the series. It will be a long wait for the third. Thankfully there are always good books to fill the void.
• Erak's Ransom by John Flanagan (Ranger's Apprentice #7) - This is a backtrack from books 5 and 6. It tells the events leading up to Will earning his silver oakleaf. Let's just say that I could really empathize the time spent in the sweltering heat and sand when I went camping at Lake Powell a week after reading this book. I got my minivan stuck in the sand. It was a nightmare.
• The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff (um, I didn't finish this, the language was horrible) - This book actually had two separate stories. One was, I gathered, a murder mystery involving a polygamist family. The other was a story of Brigham Young's 19th wife, Ann Eliza Young. I didn't read the murder mystery story past the first chapter, because the language was so filthy I couldn't stand it. I thought the Ann Eliza stuff was interesting, so I read all those bits. Then I figured out at the end, that those parts were fiction as well (however, based on historical people and events). Sadly, I kind of wished I hadn't wasted my time on that one.
•  The Dark Divine by Bree Despain - This was a pretty intriguing book. It has some paranormal, a little romance, and a lot of mystery. The ending was pretty surprising too. All in all, I thought it was great. I will be waiting for the second book.

Summer heat and sun

Endless day, forever play

School will soon begin

Getting Lazy and a Reading Journal

I keep having a battle with myself. I wonder if I really can magage to keep up this blog, because its so obvious that I haven't been. The other side of me says, "Don't stop the blog, it's part of your identity!" I just don't have much time for it I guess. I am going to keep trying, but I'm not making promises of consistency.

So here is a list of books I have read lately, as far as my memory serves.

• Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr - Very excellent read, as far as I am concerned.
• Wings by Aprilynne Pike - Love it! I need the second one.
• Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes - I think this was a middle grade. I really enjoyed it.
• Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern - This one spoke well to my nerd side. It had a bit of language though, and some sexual content.
• The Fragrance of Her Name by Marcia Lynn McClure - Southern mystery meets romance. I liked it, but I think it was drawn out a little too long.
• Sudden Storms by Marcia Lynn McClure - Another romance. Short, sweet, and relaxing read.
• Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr - I know I mentioned I was reading this in my last post, but I thought I'd include it in the finished list. I liked it alright, but it felt more like a side story than anything. It was a good introduction to the Dark Fey.

So that's it I believe. I hope I remembered them all. If you can believe it, I still haven't finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Hmm, only one month left on the Harry Potter reading challenge, and I still have most of the series to read. I think I 'm going to fail. I hang my head in shame.

Reading Journal - April 2010

Bran Hambric The Farfield Curse by Kaleb Nation

• Gnomes and Mages are not allowed in the city of Dunce.  This is the city that Bran lives in. He doesn't quite know where he is from. He just showed up magically inside a bank vault at the age of six, and nobody knows how he got there. All he has to identify him is a strip of paper with his name and birth date. For 8 years he has lived with the Wilomas family, because Sewey Wilomas was the one who found him. Now at age 14, a strange creature has attacked him at his home, mysterious black vans are following him around, and he thinks he used magic at the city celebration picnic. Could Bran be a mage? If he is, what will that mean for his future? Somehow Bran thinks all these things are linked back to his mother. What Bran doesn't realize is that he is the key to a curse. He is the only one who can finish the work his mother started, and a powerful dark Mage needs him. The only question remaining is will Bran help him, or not?
• I really enjoyed this book. It took me a little while to get into it. It wasn't until about chapter 10 when things really started getting interesting for me. I suppose any first book in a series is like that. You have to get to know the characters and such before you get to the meat. I will say that once I started getting closer to the end the book just kept getting more exciting. I can't wait for the second book to come out. I can't really think of much I didn't like about this book. It was all pretty good to me. My favorite character was Polland, who is a gnome. Sorry I didn't give much information on them, but I guess you'll just have to read this book to find out. *wink*

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

• If you haven't read this book yet or have been living under a rock - go read this book now.
• This is the second time I have read it, and let me tell you, it was still just as enthralling. I am not kidding when I say I stayed up all night to finish this. That is pretty crazy for a re-read.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

• I listened to this on Playaway. I liked it, because the narration was done by Full Cast Audio, meaning every character had their own voice. 
• This is a fantasy book about seven kingdoms. In the Midlands is a character named Katsa who is also known as the lady killer. She is a Graceling, which means she was born different than most people. She has a special ability, and hers is for killing. In Katsa's kingdom, all the Gracelings are given up to the King for his use. Her job is to carry out punishments for King Randa. Katsa hates her Grace, because she must use it against her will. As she learns to control her Grace and starts to rebel against her King, she meets Prince Po, a Graceling from a different kingdom. His Grace also gives him great fighting ability, but there seems to be something more to Po. Katsa and Po go on an adventure to hunt down a man with a dangerous and powerful Grace - one that is a threat to all Seven Kingdoms.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

• I loved, loved, loved this book. I couldn't decide on 4 or 5 stars. I finally decided 4 stars, because even though I loved it, I was kind of mad at the characters at the same time. Hm, I can't make sense of that, but maybe I'll change my mind after the next book, Ink Exchange.
• Aislinn can see faeries. She has always been able to see them. She has some very strict rules regarding them. She can't let them know she can see them. She can't run from them. She can't react when they touch her. She must never talk to them. In short, she must avoid them at all cost. Usually this is pretty easy for Aislinn, since she hates faeries. She sees what they do to humans. They are mean and cruel. One of the ways she protects herself is to spend time with her friend Seth. He lives in a train car, and the fey can't be around iron - it would kill them. Suddenly a royal faery named Keenan has taken a sudden interest in Aislinn, and none of her rules are keeping him away. Keenan is the Summer King, and he is convinced Aislinn is the girl who is to become his Queen. She is the one to break a spell that keeps him from his full power, and keeps him at the mercy of his mother, the Winter Queen. Now Aislinn is trying everything in her power to keep him away, because she is afraid of losing her freedom and her life to the will of the faeries. The only problem is, once a faery decides to steal a mortal, there is no stopping them.

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

•  I listened to this on Playaway. It was recorded by Brilliance Audio. The narrator was pretty good on this one. 
• Chains takes place at the beginning of the Revolutionary war. Isabel is a thirteen year old slave who is hoping for freedom when her old master dies, but somehow the paperwork is buried. She and her 5 year old sister, Ruth, are sold to cruel slaveholders that side with the Loyalists. They move to New York from Rhode Island, and Isabel meets a boy named Curzon who is a slave of a Patriot. Curzon asks Isabel to spy on her masters the Locktons. She does so only with the understanding that her services could reward her with freedom.
• This is a very powerful book. Sometimes it is hard to think that any Americans in those times wouldn't want freedom from England, but I guess there will always be supporters to both sides of an issue. The Loyalist cruelty to the Patriot prisoners was astounding.
• Isabel was a really strong character. I admired her strength in enduring all that she had to, and in taking care of her sister who suffered from epilepsy. Isabel was faced with many difficult challenges, and made equally hard decisions. It's amazing for one so young.
• If you haven't read this book I fully suggest you do.

Reading Journal - March 2010

The Time of Aspen Falls by Marcia Lynn McClure

• This is a contemporary romance. Aspen Falls finds the perfect old fashioned guy, but is having a hard time getting up the nerve to talk to him. Through a series of events they end up dating, and everything is perfect until his ex shows up with a kid. Whoa, Nellie! What is going to happen here?

The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum

• The book very much reminded me of Twilight. It was o.k. though. I think I will read the sequel eventually. 
• Abby has the perfect boyfriend. He is the boy next door that she has known all her life - literally, they share the same birthday. Recently she is drawn to the new foreign exchange student, Dante. He is very strange though, and time seems to slow down every time Abby is around him. Thinks just get weirder and weirder, ever since the popular band Zero Hour came to town and started performing for the students. Everyone is acting like they're on an emotional roller coaster. Abby's life is turning out very different than she had originally planned.

Hang a Thousand Trees With Ribbons by Ann Rinaldi

• This is a historical fiction about Phyllis Wheatley. She was a slave who became America's first published black poet. None of her poems are actually in the novel, but after having read it I am interested in reading some of them.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

• I read this yet again, because I was getting excited for the New Moon DVD release (which happened since I read this book).
• I finally decided this is my favorite book of the series. The tent scene is going to rock in the movie - or it had better.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

• Well, I read Eclipse, so I thought I may as well finish out the series again.
• Don't get me wrong, I loved seeing Bella as a vampire, but this book was such an epic let-down. I so wanted to see the Volturi get their immortal butts handed to them. It should have happened.
• I noticed something I hadn't picked up on before. There is a part before Alice and Jasper leave where Alice is trying to read the future. Basically she is trying to see if any other vampires will help them. At one point she says she couldn't see anything, and I always thought it meant that Jacob was interfering with her visions. I got the real AHA moment when I realized she couldn't see anything because there was possibly another half-human/vampire somewhere in the Amazon where she is searching for visions. That is the point she and Jasper take off and don't show up again until they have found Nahuel, who is the other half-human/vampire. I can't believe it took me a third reading to pick up on that.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

• Yippee! I got this book for Christmas and I just got around to reading it.
• This book takes place in South Carolina and revolves around the world of Civil War history, an ancient war between two worlds, magic, and modern day prejudices. Now if you just can't see how all that works together, then you just have to read the book. 
• This book was really fun. I liked how all the Casters had different powers, almost like X-Men or something.
• Amma was one of my favorite characters. She is this little old lady that you just don't mess with. Actually, I didn't really get a sense for how tall or small she was, but her personality was huge. You just know you don't cross her.
• Main characters are Lena Duchannes and Ethan Wate.
• Did that ending leave way for a sequel methinks?? I'm hoping yes.

Currently Reading: Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse by Kaleb Nation. Remember way back in October when I went to his book signing? Well, now I am finally reading the book. It sure took me long enough.

Question Time: If there were an epic battle in Breaking Dawn, which Cullen members do you think would have been destroyed? I think Rosalie, Esme, and Carlisle would have died (so to speak). Alice would be safe, because her power will help her. Bella will be an easy target, but I think Edward will focus on protecting her. Emmett would be on the offensive but too strong to destroy, and Jasper's experience on the battlefield would save him.

Reading Journal - February 2010

Books read in February. Once again, I have managed to forget them already. How does this happen?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

• Figured out that all Jo's descriptions of ghosts involve the word silvery. I guess my unicorn blood theory is out. 
• Most of Harry's problems could be solved by just opening up and talking to Dumbledore.
• "Follow the spiders" has got to be Hagrid's worst advice in the entire series. 

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

• I don't quite know how to describe my feelings on this one. I liked it, but trying to explain why is harder. It was a little bit mysterious, and suspenseful at times.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

• This book is amazing. It made me cry, and the ending...wow, it totally took me by surprise.
• I watched the movie too, but the point of view changes didn't work in the movie like it did in the book. I think it was a bit confusing for those who hadn't read the book. Plus the ending was different, and I liked the book ending better. The movie was still good though.

The Highwayman of Tanglewood by Marcia Lynn McClure

• I loved this book. This is one of my all time favorites by McClure. It is hard to compete with Shackles of Honor and The Visions of Ransom Lake. I guess it is officially in my top 3 though.

I think that is it. Wow, four books, that isn't much. Oh well, I guess it is pretty good. Here's to remembering all the books I will read in March.

Hello I'ts Me - Reading Journal December '09 & January '10

You're all probably wondering, "Where in the Heck (yes I said Heck) did Haiku Amy go?" Well, I'm here to tell ya. I sat around my house, mostly being lazy, not doing much of anything. That includes reading.

So I am ashamed that I forgot about my reading journals. So here is a catch up Reading Journal.
December
To the best of my recollection I read:

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

• Here is a quick synopsis of the book. It was dreadfully boring. The main character, whose name I have already forgotten, didn't have much of a spine to begin with. Then she got herself into trouble more often than not by imagining some pretty outlandish things about some of the other characters. She turned out to be a terrible judge of character, but in the end things turned out pretty well for her anyway. The End.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling.

• This was a re-read for the Harry Potter Challenge over on Galleysmith. I am starting this challenge a little late. I am supposed to have read all the Potter books by July. Anyway, here are my thoughts about Sorcerer's Stone. I didn't write down page numbers so I can't give you a specific quote. 
• I found it interesting that Harry mentions that it felt like Snape somehow knew Harry wasn't telling the truth about something like Snape could read Harry's mind. I found this bit of info interesting as we know Snape is a gifted Legilimens (is that how you spell it?). Snape has the ability to invade people's thoughts to know if they are telling the truth. It is kind of funny that we get this hint about Snape even before we know he has this ability. Also Harry reiterates this clue in the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.  
• The second thought I had about this book involves the Bloody Baron (Slytherin's House Ghost). It describes the Bloody Baron as being covered in silver blood. The books never clue the reader into how the Bloody Baron died or what the blood is. So I was wondering if the blood was silver because he is a ghost and he just naturally looks translucent or silvery, or is the blood silver because it is actully unicorn blood! I don't know the answer to this question. I could just be going off on a limb here. Perhaps J.K. Rowling has answered this very question, but as I have not done any internet research to verify my suspicions, I'll just have to wonder.

January
I read a few more books in January. I'll try to remember all of them.

Crossfire by Traci Hunter Abramson.

• The CIA and Navy SEALS team up to take down a drug trafficer and a terrorist. An old love interest is rekindled.

Altered State by Gregg Luke.

• A drug company is doing unauthorized testing on a group of students at USU. The drug focuses on total mind control, but the experiment is becoming more and more deadly as it goes along. A professor at the University is working hard to figure out the group trances that are resulting in student injury on campus, and one mystery suicide may be linked.

Dusty Britches by Marcia Lynn McClure.

• Angelina Hunter must learn to trust again when the cowboy she fell in love with at 14 comes back to work for her father as a ranch hand.

Heavenly Surrender by Marcia Lynn McClure.

• Brevin McClean marries a mail order bride in order to have someone to help out around his farm. He never planned on being attracted to her.

Dead Wrong by Clair Poulson.

• Kaitlyn Glenn is disowned by her family when she joins the LDS church. She becomes a barrel racer and is leading a successful career on her own, but can't shake an abusive ex-boyfriend. She must run for her life as he pursues her with intent to marry her or kill her. It gets even harder to evade him when he hires a private investigator to track her down. He isn't the only one trying to find her though. Her step-brother is determined to have her trust fund left to her by her father.

That's it for now. Hopefully I'll get back to the internet more often in the future.