Furthermore

Title: Furthermore

Author: Tahereh Mafi 

Rating: Top shelf

Furthermore follows 12 year old Alice Queensmeadow as she travels through magical lands attempting to bring her beloved father home from the magical and dangerous land of Furthermore. With her travel companion Oliver (who has magical powers of persuasion and deceit) will she be able to succeed? With many surprises along the journey this becomes a magical tale about friendship and adventure that is great for many ages!

This story reminds me of twisted and revamped Alice and Wonderland because of its twisty turns and adventures! Mafi made a very interesting and engaging plot that was impossible to put down!! 

This book is also special because it has nothing inappropriate for a younger audience and it includes some very positive messages! 

I think this was a great book and I suggest everyone go and get a copy now!! If you are interested in more of Mafi's books make sure to check out the Shatter Me series!!! It is one of my all time favorites and I will be rereading them and posting about them in the new year!!

Happy Reading and a Happy New year!!!!!!

The Outsiders

Title: The Outsiders

Author: SE Hinton 

Rating: TOP SHELF!!!!!!!!!

My signed copy: 

The Outsiders is a novel about rival gangs (the Greasers and the Socs) and their members. It is told by 14 year old Greaser, Ponyboy Curtis. Ponyboy lives with his two brothers Sodapop and Darry. His brothers and the gang are the only family and support he has. Throughout the book he has plenty of adventures and rumbles before finding his true identity.

This is another novel that I believe everyone should read at some point in their lifetime. Most kids read this novel in the 8th grade, but that was not a standard for my class. I'm a little later reading it than normal. However, I loved it!!!!!! 

An interesting part to this book is the author and her story. This is a book told from a boy's perspective but written by a female. Because SE Hinton was a girl publishers wouldn't read her book. It was only when she signed it as SE Hinton that publishers bought it. 

Everyone needs to go and pick up a copy right now!!!!! It is worth it!!!!! 

I hope you all love it as much as I do! Happy reading!!!

Do not read the next part of you have not read the book yet!

This is your last chance to turn back!

It was so sad when Jonny and Dally died!!!!!!! They were a few of my favorite characters and I hated to see them go!! 

I loved how this book was really focused on being genuine and "Staying Gold". I think that is such an important message for everyone these days!!! 

What did you think of The Outsiders? Please leave thoughts and opinions on my comments!!

A Christmas Carol

Title: A Christmas Carol

Author: Charles Dickens

Rating: Middle Shelf

This is the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the night he was visited by 3 ghosts. These three ghosts help him re-evaluate his life throughout the night. 

I really enjoyed this book. I have seen movie interpretations so it is nice to read the original. I gave it a middle shelf rating because I was so familiar with the storyline so there were no literary suprises. I think I'm going to make it a Christmas tradition every year! How many of my fabulous followers have read this book or have this tradition? 

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! I also hope Santa brings you lots of good books to read!!

Pride and Prejudice

Title: Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Rating: Top Shelf

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a classic love story. I think everyone (even guys) should read it at some point in their lifetime!!! It truly lives up to all of it's praise.  The picture attached shows my very loved copy of the book as well as my new Jane Austen Socks I got for Christmas!!

This story is about the Bennet sisters on their search for love, happiness, and marriage. That is all I'm going to say because I don't want to ruin it for anyone! Throughout the novel they meet and interact with many detailed characters with strong personalities. Jane Austen magically created these characters and brought them to life with her vivid imagery!!

I will warn it is not an easy read! It took me a long time to get through it but it was worth every second!!! 

I hope you go over and find a copy at the book store or the library!! Happy Reading!!

If you have read the book I have a few things to discuss down below....

If you haven't read it this is your lasts chance to turn back before I start with the spoilers!!!

This isn't as deep on a conversation but i just wanted to express that I LOVE ELIZABETH AND DARCY!!!!!! I spent the whole book waiting and waiting and then I got to volume 3 and I read it in one sitting because it got so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Part of me wishes there would have been a sequel about the wedding and children!!! However, I was left satisfied with just the one book with the perfect ending!!  I also loved Jane and Bingley!!! They were also adorable together!

Who were your favorite characters? Please leave your responses in the comments! 

Of Mice and Men

Title: Of Mice and Men

Author: John Steinbeck 

Rating: Middle Shelf

This novella is a short story about two friends over 4 days. George and Lennie dream of a better life. They want the American dream for themselves even though they have a major roadblock in their way. 

Throughout the novella they meet and interact with other characters with big dreams like Crooks, Curley, and Candy. 

Of Mice and Men is a very deep book for such few pages. Steinbeck does not waste a single page of the book though!

This book is really one of a kind because of the way it censors the characters to portray the viewpoints of the time period. 

I read this book in my English class because it was a requirement. I think I would enjoy this more if I read it for fun without doing such a large analysis of it.