UP

Yep, we finally went to go see it. It all starts out with a montage about a boy (Carl) and a girl (Ellie) and their life together. When the main story starts Carl is old and disillusioned and alone, Ellie having already died. When he is forced to leave the home he loves to go to a retirement home, he decides to instead use is skills with balloons to attach his house to hundreds of balloons to go to the one place he and Ellie wanted to go to but never managed to reach – Paradise Falls in South America. Inadvertently, however, Carl manages to bring along the boy scoutish kid Russel, who is determined to do a good deed for Carl to earn his last merit badge. Lets just say that what they find when they arrive isn’t exactly what they were expecting.

Mom, Dad, and Grandpa liked this movie but didn’t at the same time. They felt it was a little too realistic and hit a little too close for home. Erin, Sean, and I however loved it, so take that for what it’s worth. As always, it is up to Pixar’s usual high standards.

Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystalia

This is the third and latest of the Alcatraz books by Brandon Sanderson. We’ve survived the library controlled Hushlands. We’ve escaped the haunted Library of Alexandria. Now we have Alcatraz’s greatest challenge: going home to the Free Kingdoms. Sadly, all is not well there. The vehicle they are traveling in blows up upon approach. The high king is thinking of handing over a part of the Free Kingdoms to the librarians to try and buy peace for a little longer. The are establishing an embassy in the capital of the free kingdoms – what could they be up to now? All this and Alcatraz has to deal with a new culture and being superstar famous. We get Alcatraz’s snarky comments, philosophy, and plenty of high jinks as Alcatraz must once again foil the sinister plots of the evil librarians! If you liked the first two, you’ll enjoy this one as well. Quick! How many Harry Potter references can you spot in the book?

Rockin Robin

Since Erin was kind enough to take these pictures, I thought I would share! Isn’t he cute?

Runelords: The Sum of All Men

Also known just as Runelords, this is the first book in the Runelords series by David Farland, also known as David Wolverton. Runelords has the most interesting magic that I’ve read since Brandon Sanderson. Through magic, people can give up their sight, strength, wit. Those who receive such endowments are known as Runelords, based on the magic mark they receive. They then have super-human abilities which they are supposed to use to protect their people, especially those who gave up an ability to them known as dedicates. If a Runelord is killed, the extra abilities go back to the people they originated with, but if a dedicate is killed, the ability is lost and the Runelord is diminished. Young Prince Gaborn left his land to ask the fair Princess Iome’s hand in marriage. However, when assassins strike at Iome’s father, Gaborn and Iome have much bigger things to worry about, for Raj Ahten the wolf lord is on the move, and the Earth groans in need . . .

Wow. I absolutely loved this book, and there’s plenty of series left to read! Highly recommended if you like epic fantasy

The Thirteenth Reality

The Thirteenth Reality series by James Dashner starts with The Journal of Curious Letters. Atticus Higginbottom otherwise known as Tick is one smart kid. This causes problems at school (though not with his grades), but at least his family life is warm and fuzzy. However, he is so smart that he is rather board. Then he gets a letter saying that twelve clues will follow. If Tick can figure it out in time, he will help save the world. As Tick slowly starts piecing the clues together strange things start happening . . .

Quite a fun read! Okay, okay, so maybe I relate to Tick a little too much, though I’ve never been much into science . . .

Water Keep

Water Keep is the first book in the Far World series by J. Scott Savage.

Marcus is a boy living on Earth in a home for boys, being an orphan. Worse, one leg and one arm are cripple leaving him in a wheelchair much of the time. However, he has the unusual ability to disappear from people . . .

Kyja lives in Far World, a magical world where everyone has magic . . . but herself. Unable to participate in some of the most basic activities of her world, Kyja feels apart from everyone.

The Dark Circle is moving to take over Farworld and these two children are this world’s only hope . . . and to save Farworld, they must some how enlist the aid of the four elements . . .

Very well done. Now I have to get my hands on book 2 which just came out . . .

Forest Born

Forest Born by Shannon Hale is the latest book about Bayern and it features Razzo’s youngest sister, Rin. Rin has loved the forest and her family all her life. In fact, the trees seem to speak to Rin. However, the forest becomes hostile. Feeling restless and uncertain, when Razzo offers to let Rin come back with him to the castle to serve Queen Anidori Rin jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, more is going on in and around Bayern than first meets the eyes and to meet it Rin must come to terms with who and what she is in order to save Izi, Enna, and Dasha and Bayern itself.

Very nice! Highly recommended:)

Here are my older Shannon Hale posts. Read only if you want to or haven’t read them yet.

Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale is very interesting. Yes, Rapunzel has rediculously long hair, yes she ends up in a tower for a time. But she is no damsel in distress. She is determined to solve her own problems, though Jack’s occasional help is welcome. Yeah, he is no prince charming either. But that is actually okay since they are in the wild west. Lasso hair anyone? The art is very intersting and distinctive as well. A great book for girls who want heroines who actually do something.

Before I get into my second review, I should preface it. Last Saturday, my youngest sister and I made it to the release party and signing for Shannon Hale’s latest work: Book of a Thousand Days. It was amazing. So many people there to celebrate this new book. We were just about the last ones to get through the line. It was fun to see some of Shannon’s family there as well. And Shannon herself was as pretty and fun as I had imagined. We had a great time! Anyone who has yet to go to a book signing should do it once in their life just for the experience.

So, naturally while at the bookstore the event was being held I had to get a copy of Book of a Thousand Days. The title comes from the idea that you can’t really know a person until you have lived with them for a thousand days. The story is based on the fairy tale Maid Maleen, recorded by the Brothers Grim. When Lady Saren refuses to marry the man her father has chosen, he locks her in a tower along with her maid, Dashti. He refuses to let them leave for seven years, until Lady Saren has learned proper obedience. It is Dashti’s responsibility to keep them alive during this time. And this is just the beginning. The story is told from Dashti’s point of view, and the setting and culture are based on Mongolia. Once again, Shannon has written a very engaging story that captures the imagination. An enjoyable read for older children, teens and even adults. At least this adult girl loved it.

Finally, one of my favorite authors, Shannon Hale, has a new book out: Austinland. For those already familiar with her work and looking for more of the same, you will be disappointed. For those who enjoy Jane Austin and comedy, you will probably enjoy it. Austinland begins with Jane, a young woman spoiled forever to romance by Colon Firth’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy on the miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice. Knowing this, her great aunt leaves Jane a ticket to an Austin dreamland, where everyone pretends they are living in Jane Austin’s time for three weeks. Jane goes in the hope that she will finally kick the Austin habit for good!

Digging Up the Past and Inheritance

A friend recommended two Mormon romances.

Digging up the Past by Kerry Blair and Christine Woolf is interesting. There is a murder at an archeological site on the Hopi reservation. FBI agent Meredith McKay is sent to investigate. The head of the dig, Jayce Macdermott, is the prime suspect and is also an old flame of Merideth’s. Merideth can’t believe Jayce did it, but who else had the opportunity and motive? The archeological angle is interesting, as is the mystery.

In Inheritance by Tom Roulstone has a good premise. Saladin’s ring has been found and Ken Sanderson his mother, who fled from a hateful marriage to the last known owner of the ring, has as good a right as any to the ring. He goes to England to participate in the ongoing trials and he meets Karen Gage and immediately falls in love. Unfortunately, Karen also has a claim to the ring. Will the ring divide the two forever? Unfortunately, very predictable. Stick with Pride & Prejudice.

Howard W. Hunter

I just finished reading a biography of this remarkable man. He could have given President Hinkley a run for his money on being tireless and traveling everywhere. He was interested in everything and studied about every place he visited and had a particular interest in the Holy Land and in Mesmo America. He also was a key person in getting the Polynesian Cultural Center off the ground and making the BYU Jerusalem Center a reality. During his later years he refused to let physical limitations stop him. After falling in the middle of a talk in General Conference, he went right on like nothing happened and he once stood down a terrorist during a BYU devotional. But I’ll bet you didn’t know that he was part of a band that was hired to provide music during a cruise to the Orient. Or that the highest church position he held before he was an apostle was Stake President. Still, he was well prepared since he was heavily involved in stake matters during a time of huge church growth in California and was involved in major fund raising projects, including for the Los Angeles temple. All in all, a fascinating life and an interesting read.

Inkheart

Cornelia Funke is a German author who is also published in English. Perhaps she is best known for her series starting with Inkheart. Meggie’s dad Mo has a secret but when he gets kidnapped for owning a book and Meggie gets captured as well for going after him, it all comes out. Mo has the ability to read things to life out of books. Unfortunately, he read out an evil villain named Capercorn. Capricorn wants Mo’s copy of the book he came out of, Inkheart, but he also wants Mo to read out the most awful monster ever. Can Meggie, Mo, and their friends outwit Capricorn?