Monthly Book List: November

The monthly book lists will make it easier to browse the books read in a certain month, rather than needing to view each weekly post. If you are interested in seeing a picture of the front cover and my general assessment of any specific book listed below, go to that week's original post.

All books read in November:

Week 1 (November 1-4):
The Accidental Lawman by Jill Marie Landis (360 pgs)
Out of the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst (260 pgs)
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (390 pgs)
To Know Her by Name by Lori Wick (432 pgs)
Ice by Sarah Beth Durst (308 pgs)

Week 2 (November 5-11):
A Texas Sky by Lori Wick (472 pgs large print)
Say To This Mountain by Bodie Thoene (447 pgs)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Fisher (374 pgs)
Welcome to Camden Falls by Anne M. Martin (174 pgs)
The Divine Comedy Part 1: Hell by Dante Alighieri (346 pgs)
Spirit Walker by Michelle Paver (360 pgs)

Week 3 (November 12-18):
Lost in Las Vegas by Melody Carlson (197 pgs)
New York Debut by Melody Carlson (203 pgs)
Snow White and Rose Red by Patricia C. Wrede (288 pgs)
Soul Eater by Michelle Paver (352 pgs)

Week 4 (November 19-25):
The Spring of Candy Apples by Debbie Viguie (208 pgs)
Summer Moon by Jill Marie Landis (388 pgs)
Outcast by Michelle Paver (319 pgs)
Winds of Promise by Bodie Thoene (324 pgs)

Week 5 (November 26-30):
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr (224 pgs)
Doomraga's Revenge by T. A. Barron (238 pgs)

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21 books total =) 6664 pages total!

Go here: http://www.librarything.com/profile/I_recommend to view more about these books.

Weekly Book List: November 19-25 and November 26-December 2

The Spring of Candy Apples
Written by: Debbie Viguie
Published by:  Zondervan
Date Published: February 2009
Number of Pages: 208, Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Christian Chick-Lit
Summary: It's spring and Candace is busy working at the Zone's Candy Counter while struggling to make decisions about her future. She's been accepted to two different colleges, but family and friends are pressuring her to stay local. Her coworkers, however, are urging her to follow her God-given dreams no matter how far away they take her. 
Book 4 of the Sweet Seasons Novels. 
Review: I was so happy with the way this series ended! A wonderful closure to such fun stories! I hope Debbie Viguie continues to write Christian Chick-Lit, she does a terrific job!
Rating: 5 stars
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Summer Moon 
Written by: Jill Marie Landis
Published by: Ballantine Books
Date Published: July 2001
Number of Pages: 388, Hardcover
Genre: Adult Fiction,
Summary: Jill Marie Landis brings us a compelling tale of Texas ranch life following the Civil War -- a time when the full moons of summer often heralded brutal Comanche raids that devastated families. Born the daughter of a dockside harlot in a tiny village in Maine, and raised by nuns there in a school for girls, teacher Kate Whittington had few romantic dreams. Answering an advertisement for a mail-order bride was a miraculous chance to gain the home and family she longed for. The wonderful letters she exchanged with her prospective husband in Texas convinced her to risk everything for this one chance at happiness. The proxy marriage went off beautifully, and her new home was even more magnificent than she'd been told. Unfortunately, her husband was more surprised than delighted by his new bride. In fact, Reed Benton Jr. was absolutely furious to learn that his dying father had orchestrated a long-distance courtship on his behalf -- and forged his marriage documents as well. The proud Texas Ranger has just inherited a ranch he doesn't want and a bride he doesn't know. And to top it all off, his young son, Daniel, whom he'd long believed dead, has just been found living among the Comanche -- and Reed's lovely and loving not-quite bride may be the only one who can reach the boy, who is desperate to return to the only life he knows.

Review: This book was a huge frustration to me. I really enjoyed Jill Marie Landis's other books, The Accidental Lawman and  Homecoming, but this book was awful. Full of explicit premarital situations and rough language. Not recommended.
Rating: ZERO stars
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Outcast 
Written by: Michelle Paver
Published by: Harper Collins
Date Published: 2007, republished 2008 and 2009
Number of Pages: 319, Paperback
Genre: Juvenile Fiction,
Summary: The dreadful secret that Torak carries with him at the close of SOUL EATER is revealed and he is cast out from the clans. It's his fourteenth summer. He's alone, cut off even from Wolf and Renn. Hunted and on the run he takes refuge in unknown territory - the haunted reedbeds of Lake Axehead, where he is menaced by the Hidden People. Other threats lurk nearby and his battle with the Soul-Eaters is far from over ...As he fights for his life Torak uncovers a deception too awful to contemplate, one that shakes him to the core and shatters his world.
Book 4 of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. 

Review: I've been a little hesitant about this series because books 2 and 3 were pretty creepy. But for some reason I've continued to read the next books in the series and I think they're getting better as I go. I enjoyed the twists in this book and look forward to learning what happens next.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
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Winds of Promise
Written by: Bodie Thoene
Published by: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Date Published: 1999
Number of Pages:  324, Paperback
Genre: Adult Fiction,
Summary: It's a journey full of danger, excitement--and surprises. Eighteen thousand miles between New York and California. The threat of pursuit, the perils of yellow fever, the problems of taking on unexpected passengers, and the rigors of rounding the Horn are only the beginning. For brave, impulsive Rafer Maddox, this trip will introduce him to a boy and to a woman who will change his life forever--and bring his own soul closer to the will of the Almighty. Winds of Promise brings a colorful cast of characters and an unforgettable era alive in rich and historically accurate detail.

Review: This book didn't hold my attention. The story moved too quickly without enough information about the individual characters and concluded too quickly. If you're really into ships and sailing, it might interest you but I didn't enjoy it. Some slightly gory murders occur and there is an attempted assault on a woman although nothing happens.
Rating: 1 1/2 stars
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Once Was Lost
Written by: Sara Zarr
Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Date Published: OCTOBER 2009
Number of Pages:  224, Hardcover
Genre: Young Adult Fiction,
Summary: Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.
In her third novel, acclaimed author Sara Zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believed---about God, about your family, about yourself---is transformed.

Review: It's been interesting to find random Christian teen novels scattered throughout the library. I usually don't read books like this but I thought the cover was pretty and that it might interest me. It took me a little longer to read than most books (I was really busy) but I think it was good for me to take this one slower as it's a more serious story. I enjoyed it.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
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Merlin's Dragon
Written by: T. A. Barron
Published by: Philomel
Date Published: SEPTEMBER 2009
Number of Pages: 238, Hardcover
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Summary: Basil becomes Merlin's partner as they battle the mysterious shadows that threaten the new Avalon.

A dark magic has been spreading across Avalon. Initially, the events seemed unrelated: a war in Fireroot between the dwarves and the fire dragons, blight in Stoneroot, and disputes throughout the realms. But as Merlin and Basil scour the realms, they begin to realize that looming behind the growing chaos is a single dark threat - an enemy that they've never encountered. One that must be stopped before all of Avalon is lost.
In this jaw-dropping sequel to the mega-hit Merlin's Dragon, T. A. Barron sends Merlin, Rhia, and Basil, the greatest dragon ever, on a mission across Avalon to root out this new enemy. But sacrifices will be made, relationships will be tested, and precious lives will be lost.
Book 2 of the Merlin's Dragons Series

Review: T. A. Barron has always been a favorite of mine. Actually, when I was younger, I wrote to him and got his autograph. So I was excited when I realized his next book had come out. I think this book is just as enjoyable as the others but since I'm older now it's not as thrilling as I recall the others to be. A good addition to the 3rd Merlin series by T. A. Barron.  
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
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Go here: http://www.librarything.com/profile/I_recommend to view more about these books.