Flyte by Angie Sage

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the second book of the Septimus Heap series, and I found it as enjoyable as the first book, Magyk.

I enjoy these books for Sage creates a believable fantasy world with believable characters. She tells a story with just enough suspense to keep the story moving without creating fear and worry for a child. This book has a nasty older brother Simon, and a mother and teacher who do not believe Simon can be as nasty as Septimus tells them he is. Septimus has to rely on another brother and friends to help him set things right.

Parents can read this with younger children. Middle readers can enjoy it by themselves.



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Reader's Digest Scenic Wonders of America by Reader's Digest Association

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is still a good reference book for the scenic wonders of America, and that is why it gets 5 stars even if this edition is 30 years old.

The book describes 50 regions in the United States with excellent text and beautiful pictures. A feature of this book I like is "Within a Day's Drive". After approximately 8 pages about the scenic wonder, there is a map and nutshell descriptions of many other scenic areas that may be paid attractions, state parks, or federal lands. Museums in the area are often listed. At the end of the book are campground listings. This book gives you enough information for the reader to do internet searches to continue vacation planning.

I will continue to keep this book for reference and armchair travel.


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From Dictatorship to Democracy by Gene Sharp

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had trouble with the download of this book showing up in my first edition Nook. A call to customer service helped me put it on my Nook for PC so that I could read what I purchased. They said it was a formatting problem. The problem must be fixed, for several days later after I updated my library again, the book appeared on my Nook.

I watched a documentary on Current TV about the work of Gene Sharp, and I wanted to read this book of his because it seemed to have influence the news of April Arab uprisings in 2011. He suggests the best stategy to go from dictatorship to democracy is the removal of power from the dictatorship through nonviolent resistance and political defiance. Armed conflict often destoys the infrastructure that the people will need. There has to be a grand strategy so that a democratic government is ready to make its transition so that another dictatorship does not come to power during the struggle.

I recommend this book to all for it reminds us that we must continue to participate in our own democratic institutions in our local, state and federal levels to keep them open and strong due to the participation of many. I recommend this book to students of history.


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The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was introduced to this book and author by BN.com's Free Fridays. This ebook is no longer free. I enjoyed the book enough that I will look for others this author wrote.

It is a well-researched historical fiction, and I know this for pharmacy was my former career. The author uses her knowledge to create a setting and to move the story along the plot line. I did not feel she imposed any amazing fact upon her reader that was not necessary. This book may be shelved in a Christian fiction category, and yet it does not preach to the reader. This book is an entertaining romance set around 1810-1815 England.

I recommend this book to readers of romance, historical fiction or Christian fiction as an entertaining selection.

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Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When I requested this book from the library, my ebook request was 60th in line and the hardback request was 355th in line. Evanovich has the readers who eagerly anticipate the releases of her Stephanie Plum mysteries.

The book continues to entertain the fans of the series because we readers want to know what funerals Grandma has been going to and what outfits Lulu is wearing. It is not the best of the series and it is not the worst.

Your friends are going to ask if you have read it yet, so you might as well read it.





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Wilderness Empire by Allan W. Eckert

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I rate this book with 5 stars for the work that Eckert has done in writing his series, "The Winning of America." He takes historical facts and builds a narrative so that I may understand the people and their choices that explains the French, the English and the Indians from July 23, 1715-July 11, 1774. In addition to the narrative, Eckert provides his Principal Sources, Chapter Notes, List of Indian Characters, and an Index.

The main character is the Irishman William Johnson who came to America for a job as the agent of his uncle and who was adopted into the Mohawk tribe as a full member and a member of the Iroquois League. The setting is the land west of the Hudson River and along the Great Lakes. These lands will become what we know as New York, western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

I rate this book V for Violence for Eckert describes what happens to captives taken during raids and battles. He describes the battle injuries which maimed and killed officers and chiefs. It can also have a U rating for Unhealthy for there were many fevers and dysentery. It is not a book to be read while you eat your lunch.

This is an excellent book for adult students of history.


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You Can Do It!: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls by Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I looked for this book for I watched an interview with a sister of the author on Veria TV. The two sisters saw this book through publishing after the death of the author on United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001.

I liked the idea of using this book as a catalog of 59 merit badges as a starting point to accomplish something new with a mentor and enough small steps in order to feel as if you had a good introduction to a new activity. Even in those areas in which I already earned a merit badge, this book provided some new information. I learned new ways to remove a stuck wine label from its bottle. There are some new website resources to checkout. If you don't find a badge for a area that resonates with you, you can Make-Your-Own in six steps:

• 1. Envision it.
• 2.Write down the payoffs.
• 3.Find your mentor.
• 4.Interview your mentor.
• 5.Do your homework, and research your badge.
• 6.Plan your steps to create your badge.

Now Do It.

I recommend this book for women who are looking for a new area of adventure or for a way to prove their accomplishments with a tangible merit badge.



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