Oh My Goodness Gracious!

This is just ridiculous! Well, in case you're wondering, over the last few months I've dealt with the end of dance year stress/trauma(i.e. receiving and handing out costumes, pictures, rehearsal, recital), quit my job, adjusted to being a stay-at-home mommy(sort of), went on a week long vacation, recovered from said vacation, practically lived in my sewing room for about 2 weeks, and read a whole bunch of books. Whew!

I'm still adjusting to all of this time on my hands. I tend to spend hours each day in my favorite chair reading anything and everything I can get my hands on. If my children find me then we read their books. I spend a lot of time in my chair and I love it.

While I was on vacation I stopped in a little shop and picked up this

I have been using it, I promise. In fact, since I bought it in July I've entered 10 books in here. I'm happy to share the first with you today.

Title: Graceling
Author: Kristin Cashore
Date Started: 7/14/2011
Date Finished: 7/17/2011
Type of Book: Fantasy

My interest in this book: This book was recommended to me by a good friend.

Plot: Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight--she's a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king's thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po's friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace--or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.(From cover)

Favorite Characters: Katsa, Po, Princess Bitterblue, Ashen, and Po's mother

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: I loved this book. I had a really hard time putting it down. The character development was great. To watch Katsa go from an assasin who is trying to be good to a woman trying to protect the people she cares about is really intriguing. I also enjoyed the love story between Po and Katsa. I don't agree with their life choices at the end of the book, but I can't force my ideals on others, so I'll just have to deal with it.

There is a sequel to this book called Fire. I started it but I couldn't finish it. Leck is way to creepy for me. I couldn't handle his twisted nature. I've never been a big fan of truly scary characters. They give me nightmares.

Happy reading!