Monday 28 May 2018

Jorie and the magic stones

Jorie and the Magic Stones
Author: A H Richardson
ISBN:  9780692358924


Hi Everyone

I have just had the pleasure of reading this fantastic little novel!  Thank you to A. H. Richardson for allowing me a copy to read and review; I love a good children's novel and this one has left me with a smile on my face.

I will definitely be reading the next books in this series!

Normally it is the characters that draw me into a book, but in this case it has to be the worlds.  More often than not there are worlds within worlds in a good fantasy read, but this really interested me because the world the kids entered was under water.  But, not in the water.  Interesting thought.  This is what first got my attention. 

Then there was the dragons.  I am always sucked in by dragons.  I can't help it, I actually find them adorable.  In this book the dragons change.  It kept me on my toes.  

Of course there has to be at least one character which gets on my nerves and in this book it was the irritating professor.  He was so nosey and annoying.  Fantastic writing and character building.

I found the story evolved very quickly near the end but this was good because I often find that my students get bored of reading if things don't move along in the plot.  What I also liked was that the kids can leave reading at the end of this novel if they wish, or pick up the next one.  It becomes their choice as there was no definite cliff hanger at the end of the book.  I for one will have to see where their adventures from here take them though.

Overall a great little read that I would highly recommend to your young readers.


Description: 

When Marjorie went to live with her frosty maiden aunt, she couldn't imagine the adventures she would have with dragons - good and bad - and all the strange creatures that live in a mysterious land beneath the Tarn. The spunky 9-year-old redhead forges an unlikely friendship with an insecure young boy named Rufus who lives with his crusty grandfather next door. When Jorie - for that is what she prefers to be called - finds a dusty ancient book about dragons, she learns four strange words that will send the two of them into a mysterious land beneath the Tarn, riddled with enchantment and danger. Hungry for adventure, the children take the plunge, quite literally, and find themselves in the magic land of Cabrynthius. Upon meeting the good dragon, the Great Grootmonya, Jorie and Rufus are given a quest to find the three Stones of Maalog - stones of enormous power - and return them to their rightful place in Cabrynthius. Their mission is neither easy nor safe, and is peppered with perils in the form of the evil black half-dragon who rules the shadowy side of the land. They have to deal with a wicked and greedy professor, the tragic daughter of the bad dragon, caves of fire, rocky mountainous climbs, and a deadly poisonous butterfly. Jorie must rely on her wits and courage to win the day? Can she do this? Can she find all three Stones? Can she save Rufus when disaster befalls him? Can she emerge victorious? She and Rufus have some hair-raising challenges, in which they learn valuable lessons about loyalty, bravery, and friendship.

This was available from: AmazonBook depository and Fishpond


Happy reading



Friday 4 May 2018

The art of fully living

The Art of  Fully Living
Author: Tal Gur
ISBN: 9781549929618


Hi Everyone,

I was offered a copy of this book to read while I was in the midst of ahuge challenge to read some of my own books, and reading my last review which was beyond a crazy read.  But, I couldn't say no for two reasons.  First I am a crazy book person who loves to have my next read sitting beside my bed ready to be opened!  Second...

'1 man, 10 years, 100 life goals' 

Particularly the 100 life goals, how many people have 100 of the things?  And to only have 10 years to achieve them.  Now that is a mission in itself.  So I had to read what went on in this mans mind.

I enjoyed every page.  There were so many principles in this book which I live by, that I enjoyed reading about his tactics, adventures, mistakes (if you could call them that) and pickups.  I loved his beginnings and know he isn't finished even as I close the final page.  I can't say I live by every principle, because I don't, but I can say that many of the things he touches on are very good and worth reading about.

Some will read this book as a self help book; some will read as an adventure; some will read and take on their own journey; and some will put the book down half way through and carry on with their lives unchanged.  I like this about the concept of 'fully living' because we all have our own 'FULL'  

What is your 'FULL'?

I for one, like to achieve things.  I set the most stupid goals, but look back and think I have done so many little things with my life... so far... still more stupid ideas to come for me yet.  What are your latest goals?  Do you have 100?  I don't, but I keep finding just one more.  If you want to read about one mans journey, over 10 years, through his first 100, then this is the book to pick up.  I am sure this is just the start of his life goals.  I am interested to see where the next 10 years takes him.


Description:

"10 years to live, that's how far I look into the future."
My friend stood by an open window, looking out toward the water from his Melbourne apartment where three of us had gathered a few days after my birthday.
It was a beautiful starry night and the fragrance of a new beginning was in the air. We were all in a similar position: we had recently entered our 30's, and we had just received our permanent residency in Australia. Naturally, the conversation turned to the question of life goals—where do we go from here?
My friend continued: "My father died in his early 40's, so I am going to set my life goals based on the fact that I also may not be here after that age."
Salty ocean air swirled around us as his words sunk in. The idea of our mortality confronted us, filled the room. But instead of weighing me down, it had the effect of clarification. It was a much-needed epiphany, a refreshing perspective for three young men who had already lived three decades of life, but still felt the need for something grandiose, something important, something that would make us feel fully lived.
The concept immediately sparked something inside of me—how would I live my life if I only had 10 years left? I would certainly not waste any time. I would not delay my goals until retirement. My bucket list wouldn't stretch on until I was 80; things would have to get done right away.
Creating a list of hefty goals for the short-term, not the long-term, seemed a little like playing a trick on yourself, but really, there was nothing sneaky about this approach to goal-setting. It suddenly just made a lot of sense.
That night, we wrote down some of our life goals and shared them with each other.
As I drove home under starry skies, there was an energy surging through me. I felt filled up with life at the idea of how I was going to approach this huge crossroads in my life. I thought, "Yes, this is the perspective I want to adopt. This is how I want to live my life."
Creating bucket lists and New Year's resolutions had never been my thing. Tonight, for the first time, I felt the power of making those lists.
Back in my apartment, I rushed to write down more goals that buzzed through my mind. The list grew rapidly until I reached 100 life goals for the next decade of my life. Ten years, 100 goals—the numbers felt right.
Little did I know that this night and this list would change the course of my life...
This was available from Amazon
Happy reading