Tag Archives: Books

PBD Disorder: Do You Suffer From It?

Hello everyone! Today I am going to share with you on a virtually unknown, yet quite serious disorder: Post Book Depression Disorder. While I may have made up the name, this is still a very real problem. It is caused when an avid reader finishes a fantastic book. Christmas has been over for almost a week now, which means I’m pretty much finished with the books I received for Christmas, and therefore PBD is starting to kick in. This is a disorder I have suffered from many times in the past, and am very familiar with, but how do you know if you have it? Here are some of the symptoms:

 

1. A deep feeling of melancholy that settles in during the last chapter

2. Daydreaming about a sequel

3. Frantically surfing through the books on the online library or Kindle store

4. The desperate urge to go to the library no matter what you are doing

5. Missing fictional characters as if they were your best friend

6. The desire to scream, “Nooooooooooooooooo, it’s over!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

If you have ever experienced any of these symptoms then you know you’ve got Post Book Depression Disorder. Unfortunately, there is no real cure for it, except to find another good book to read. Although at some point that book must come to an end as well. Isn’t it horrid that every book must have a finish? “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” ~C.S. Lewis

~Ally

 

 

 

Christmas Book Review!

Day 6!

“Somehow, in the weakness of a baby born in a lowly stable, the power of the almighty had come to earth. It was a mystery that would occupy my mind on many nights as I nursed God’s Son and kissed his tiny face.” That was quote from one of my favorite Christmas books, “A Bethlehem Christmas” by Charles Swindoll. I read this book every year, and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good Christmas story to curl up with! The book tells the story of Jesus’s birth and the events that led up to the monumental moment when Christ entered the world as a human. “A Bethlehem Christmas” is divided into three parts, and is told from three different perspectives. The first part is the Christmas story told from Mary’s perspective. She tells us of the fear and joy she felt when the angel announced that she was going to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah. She describes her wonder at holding the savior of the world in her arms. The second part is the story told from Joseph’s viewpoint. His horror at discovering Mary’s pregnancy; his internal battle between justice and mercy. His joy over the angels visit, and his deep, unrelenting faith in God’s plan for mankind. The third part is Gabriel telling the story. This is perhaps the most interesting part of the story, as he describes his conversation with God, and his confusion over God’s unexpected plan. He marvels over God’s love and grace for a sinful world. This book is a wonderful book to read out loud as a family! It is clear the author gave the story careful thought. It is very biblically based, and while there are few added details, it does not change the Bible at all. It brings Jesus’s birth alive for the reader, and makes you feel as if you are there watching the events play out. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a relaxing, but meaningful book! ~Ally

 

Book Review!

The book I want to share with you today is “Beware, Princess Elizabeth!” by Carolyn Meyer. Although this is not a book I would ever put into my top ten favorites, it is a book I have thoroughly enjoyed for years. It is a wonderful read for lovers of historical fiction, and if you haven’t caught it yet, I love history! The book is all about Princess Elizabeth’s teenage years. The daughter of Henry VIII and the sister of Bloody Mary, Elizabeth is nothing like a typical teenage girl, her mother was beheaded by her father when she was a baby, her father ignores her, and her jealous sisters is trying to murder her! Elizabeth’s life has gone from bad to worse. When she was younger her father would treat her depending on his mood, sometimes with love and other times with bitter disgust. When her father dies her only brother, young Edward, becomes king of England, Elizabeth realizes her chances of ever becoming queen are very slim. She does not live the life of a typical fairy-tale princess, but still she is at least safe. However, when Edward dies young, and Mary becomes Queen, Elizabeth knows her life has just become much more dangerous. Mary has hated Elizabeth since childbirth, because King Henry divorced Mary’s mother to marry Anne Boleyn, who was Elizabeth’s mother. Mary locks Elizabeth in a tower, and sends spies to check on Elizabeth. Still, Elizabeth knows Mary won’t stop there, and fears for her life. Will she ever make her mark on the world and become queen? Will Mary ever learn to love her little sister? Find out in this exciting book! “Beware, Princess Elizabeth!” is the second book in a series, but can easily be read alone. It is a fast paced enthralling tale, which I read in one day. I would give the book 4 stars, and recommend it to anyone over the age of ten. ~Ally

Book Review!

 

I love the Penderwick books by Jeanne Birdsall! They are such fun stories! The books tell the story of the four Penderwick sisters, Rosalind, Skye, Jane, Batty, and their dog Hound. Rosalind is a mature, sensible teenager, that is, until she develops a crush on an older boy. Skye is the tomboy in the family, and is anything but mature and sensible. Jane always has her head in the clouds, and is constantly dreaming about Sabrina Star, the heroin of Jane’s books.  Batty is a sweet little girl, who’s constant companion is Hound and her butterfly wings. Hound is a large, stupid dog.

In the first book, The Penderwicks, the family goes on vacation to Arundel. Arundel is a beautiful manor, and they are staying in the guest cottage on the expansive grounds. There they meet Jeffery, the son of the snobby owner of Arundel, Mrs. Tifton. Jeffery is a kindhearted boy in need of a friend, and is a born musician. The girls quickly befriend Jeffery, and he in turn helps them in their antics. Which include saving Batty from a bull, helping Rosalind recover from heartbreak, and finding ways to display their hate for Dexter, Mrs. Tifton’s boyfriend.  It’s going to be one crazy summer!

In the second book, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street, Mr. Penderwick, who has been a widower since shortly after Batty’s birth, must fulfill a promise to start dating once again. The girls, of course, are not happy with this arrangement, and devise the Save Daddy Plan. The plan is foolproof, there is no possible way it could fail, or is there? When there father seems to be dating someone seriously, the girls begin to wonder if there plan will work, or will their father be forced into a marriage, that neither him or the girls desire? When a new neighbor lady moves in, perhaps it’s time for a new Save Daddy Plan. The second book is even better than the first, and continues the Penderwick sister’s tricks, including setting their father up with a weird teacher, taking the battery our their father’s car, and hunting down the bug man. Will their father end up happily single, or will he forced into a second marriage he never wanted?

The third book, The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, happens while the three youngest Penderwick sisters are on vacation in Maine. Although I love them all, I would have to say the third is my favorite. Rosalind goes on vacation with a friend, leaving Skye OAP, Oldest Available Penderwick. Their father is in Europe, and not their to help Skye. The only help Skye has is Aunt Claire and Jeffery, who has joined the sisters for another adventure. To make matters worse Aunt Claire, their father’s sister, promptly sprains her leg when they arrive in Maine. Now it’s up to Skye, and Skye alone, to make sure Batty doesn’t blow up, just like Rosalind’s instructions said. Will she be able to do it? Jane is currently working on her newest Sabrina Star novel, in which Sabrina Star falls in love, this leads to Jane’s love survey. Batty is just trying to survive Skye’s constant overprotectiveness and smothering.  Hound is being a dog, as always. Jeffery is trying to keep Skye from going insane, as well improving his musical skills with the help of their neighbor, Alec. Alec is trying to keep an eye on the kids, while taking care of Aunt Claire. Will anyone survive a few weeks at Point Mouette?

These books are great for kids of all ages, and will quickly become a family favorite! Everyone will love reading about the Penderwick sisters antics! I would give the series 5 stars!~ Ally

 

 “Cut the rope and toss the ballast! I’m taking you away from this terrible place!”
                                                             Jane Penderwick, Sabrina Starr Rescues a Boy

 

 

 

 

Book Review!

Today we have decided to share with you one of our favorite books entitled A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine. It is about a twelve-year-old girl named Elodie, who sails to a  land called Two Castles to become an apprentice to a mansioner. There she meets a lovable ogre who goes by the title of Count Jonty Um, the mysterious Mastress Meenore or “It”, a king who has very bad table manners, and his daughter a giddy princess. Once Elodie arrives at Two Castles she quickly learns that you have to pay to be an apprentice. Now broke and starving, she must find a way to survive in this new land. That’s when she meets Mastress Meenore, It offers her the position of Dragon’s assistant. Elodie is suddenly thrust into the adventure of a lifetime, when she is hired out to Count Jonty Um to discover who is trying to murder the Ogre. There are multiple suspects involved, perhaps it is the dashing Master Thiel, the fat old king, Master Dess the animal physician, or Goodwife Celeste. Or maybe even the dragon Itself. Each has a reason for wanting the count dead, but who did it? This book is an exciting mystery, that takes place in Medieval times. It is appropriate for all ages, and is a timeless classic. We would give it 5 stars. ~Savy and Ally

Book Review!

The book you are about to read a review of is A Peep Behind the Scenes by O.F. Walton. The main character in this story is Rosalie, a twelve year old girl. Other children envy Rosalie. Rosalie is pretty. Rosalie never has to go to school. Rosalie never has to sit still in church. Rosalie works for a circus. Rosalie gets to perform on stage. Rosalie gets a nice dress. Oh, if only those children knew! On the outside Rosalie appears to have a wonderful life, but in reality Rosalie is miserable. If children knew that Rosalie’s mother is dying, or that her father is a drunk, then would they envy Rosalie? How about if they knew that night after night performs no matter how she feels? Or that Rosalie has no real home or friends? Or worst of all that Rosalie has no hope? If they could truly take a peep behind the scenes, would they envy her then? As horrible has Rosalie life sounds, it all changes when a man comes to her caravan and gives her a picture the Good Shepard, Jesus, holding a lamb. Not only does he gives her the picture, but he also tells her the story of the Good Shepard’s sacrifice for his flock. Suddenly Rosalie’s has real meaning, and she finally has the desire to live, and not just survive. Oh, her circumstances don’t change, her Mother does die, her father still drinks, and she is still stuck with the circus. But now Rosalie has hope and a friend and savior. How does Rosalie’s story end? Does she finally get the home she’s dreamed of? Find out by reading A Peep Behind the Scenes by O.F. Walton! I would give this book 4 1/2 stars, it is enthralling and clean. This book has been one of my personal favorites since I was little, and it tells a remarkable story of hope, faith, and love. The love God has for his children. I would recommend this to book to anyone, young or old! ~Ally