Book Review: Fine Old High Priests

Another book review...  I promise I do have some crafty stuff to post also, but I thought I'd post this book review first since I have another one coming soon!  lol

Meanwhile, if you are looking for crafty inspiration make sure you follow me on Tumblr or Facebook for daily inspiration!

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The June book for our book club was Fine Old High Priests by Donald S. Smurthwaite.  Can I just tell you that I LOVED this book?!?  As I finished the book, the first word that came to my mind was "Beautiful!" 

It is so uplifting and it made me want to be a better person.  I absolutely loved it and it will be on my "To Buy" list!  I've been told that there are two others in the series also and I can't wait to read them also!


Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi 

Book Review: Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

The book club book for this month was Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale.  Although this wasn't one of my favorite books ever, it was definitely a page-turner and a very good book.

Shannon Hale is SUCH a great story teller and this was a great and captivating story! I couldn't put it down and the ending was terrific!  What I love about Shannon Hale is that she writes these awesome stories that I can't help but sharing with my children.  I will read the books and the kids are excited to tell me the story to them! 



Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks (NEW on list: 3/7/10)
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi (NEW on list: 3/710)

Book Review:A Train to Potevka

I just realized that I am WAY behind on my book reviews!  So over the next few days, I'll get caught up!


In March, we read A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell for book club.  I enjoyed this book and it was a very quick read. 

Although it is a "novel", it is based on the author's own experiences in Russia and it was amazing to think of him going through what he did and the inner strength he had to survive!

I think my favorite part in the book was when it describes him walking in the snow (and you can imagine how FREEZING it was) and how he collapes from exhaustion.  Then he hears the wolves and forces himself to get to safety.  AMAZING!  Definitely an inspiring story!!!



Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks (NEW on list: 3/7/10)
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi (NEW on list: 3/710)

Book Review: The Goose Girl

Can I just say that I LOVED the book The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale?

I borrowed this book from a friend almost two years ago and JUST got around to FINALLY reading it! I wish I would of done it years ago!

I liked it so much that I had to tell my kids the story line as I read it because I knew they would LOVE it too since it was about princesses and bad guys! And they even had me read it to them towards the end!

I can't wait to read the next one in the series!!!




Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale


• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund


• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey


• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew


• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox


• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew


• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey


• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie


• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland


• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III


• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick


• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck


• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon


• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen


• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows


• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns


• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt


• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell


• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale


• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite


• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson


• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals


• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick


• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny


• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund


• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart


• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult


• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner


• Forest Born - Shannon Hale


• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield


• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield


• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks


• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks (NEW on list: 3/7/10)


• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi (NEW on list: 3/710)

Book Review: The Wednesday Wars

I finished reading The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it, although it wasn't until the last couple chapters that it really grabbed me.

The chapters were long - which for me is hard because I always look ahead to see how long the chapter is and if it's too long to read in the amount of time I have, I will wait to start it - and this makes me take longer to read it... I know, kind of ridiculous, but I do like shorter chapters in my books! lol

I have never been one to understand Shakespeare and enjoyed reading of a boy who learns to read and enjoy and UNDERSTAND it!

As I said, it didn't really grab me until the last couple chapters (meaning I had a hard time putting it down) but the last chapters were awesome and I LOVED the ending!

And although we haven't met for book club yet, I've heard others LOVED the book and it definitely sounds like a favorite for many of them!

Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks (NEW on list: 3/7/10)
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi (NEW on list: 3/710)

Book Review: God Wants A Powerful People

I was a little slow reading God Wants a Powerful People by Sheri Dew because I enjoyed reading a chapter - or even part of a chapter - and pondering it for a while... I have a whole notebook of notes on this book!

I REALLY enjoyed this book and there were SO many things in it that touched my heart. I have been going through some family issues this past few weeks and truly believe that I was suppose to read THIS book at THIS exact time because the subjects in the book were SO relevant to me in my life at this time.

It is an amazing book and has inspired me to be a better person!


Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

Book Review: Gracie, A Love Story

I just finished reading the book "Gracie, A Love Story" by George Burns.

I think it was a fun book to read and very enjoyable, although it wasn't a favorite of mine. I did LOVE reading how much George Burns loved and admired his wife and how he attributes all his success to her.

I also enjoyed the humor in the book and a couple of times was laughing out loud and had to tell my husband the jokes...

I am definitely going to recommend this book to my Grandmother because I think she would really enjoy it since she grew up with Gracie and George, but for me... I think I was too young to fully enjoy all this book has to offer.


Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon (added 2/4)
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen (added 2/4)
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell (added 2/4)

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

I blasted through The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in 3 days so I would be able to go to Book Club...

I won't post the story because you can read it here (and as I mentioned before, I HATE book reports! lol)

I really enjoyed this book although it was hard for me to get started into it. I remember thinking that I probably wouldn't of finished it in the beginning except for book club, but by Part 2 of the book I was hooked! And the ending is fabulous!

I've always loved WWII books and stories, and I loved how this book gave a different perspective on the topic...

It was a great book to start with for my FIRST time at book club and I can't wait for future months!


Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

Read a good book lately?

One of my New Years Resolutions is to read more... at LEAST 2 books a month...

So I started compiling a list of books to read - I have a TON of books that are sitting on my bookshelf that I have never read, as well as some that I've been wanting to read... and then I decided to join the church book club, so that will keep me busy as well...

Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

I'm hoping to write book reviews (mainly for myself since my memory is AWFUL) but then again... I failed Literature in 7th grade with a 23% because I HATED to write book reports... so we'll see how that goes! lol