Hello friends!
As you can probably tell by my no-postage on the blog-eth, school has begun so I have been in a whirlwind of syllabi, new professors and getting my body back to working out (which, after a holiday, is not an easy task. Especially if you, like me, tend to be lazy :) But I have been up to so much good stuff, besides class, that I thought I should tell you about it. So I'll start with a few things that have made 2012 start off plentifully good.
1. New books.
Since January 1, I have read three books that I must tell you all about. The only one I won't include in this list is Wuthering Heights, which I am slowly making my way through. That's sort of a book I put down, and come back to. But I will finish! :) Okay so let's see..let's start with Peter.
Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier
I absolutely adored this book. Think Hugo (Peter is an orphan, who has a knack for thievery), Narnia (there are plenty of talking animals) and The Magician's Elephant (for the way it pulls at your heart). Peter is a blind orphan, who lives only by stealing. He is the best thief that ever lived. He reminds me so much of Hugo except Hugo wasn't as good at stealing :) The story is a fantastic book if you need a little adventure at the moment. I absolutey adored it.
Here is the actual summary:
Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is the utterly beguiling tale of a ten-year-old blind orphan who has been schooled in a life of thievery. One fateful afternoon, he steals a box from a mysterious traveling haberdasher—a box that contains three pairs of magical eyes. When he tries the first pair, he is instantly transported to a hidden island where he is presented with a special quest: to travel to the dangerous Vanished Kingdom and rescue a people in need. Along with his loyal sidekick—a knight who has been turned into an unfortunate combination of horse and cat—and the magic eyes, he embarks on an unforgettable, swashbuckling adventure to discover his true destiny. --peternimble.com
Next up, The Apothecary.
The Apothecary by Maile Meloy.
I had picked this book up several times in B&N but always ended up putting it back. So I was stoked when I saw it in my library a few weeks ago. It's set in London, narrated by a girl who is oh so teen, but now in an annoying way. The story combines Communism, an apothecary, a boy, a girl, a magic book, bad men, Russians, war, and missing people into a story that keeps on building. Definitely an easy, fun read.The illustrations and cover are probably my favorite part of this book.
Summary: "It's 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Here, fourteen-year-old Janie meets a mysterious apothecary and his son, Benjamin Burrows - a fascinating boy who's not afraid to stand up to authority and dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin's father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the apothecary's sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia, in order to find him, all while keeping it out of the hands of their enemies - Russian spies in possession of nuclear weapons. Discovering and testing potions they never believed could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous race to save the apothecary and prevent impending disaster."
Onwards to...
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
This book I bought on Friday, started reading Saturday and finished Sunday. It was that good. Probably the best YA book I have read in a good while. It's beautifully creepy, and one of the only books that actually gave me chills at the creepy parts. Set in a place called Near, next to rolling hills and a beautiful moor, a secret is kept by the wind. A stranger has appeared and something bad is happening to the children of Near. It's a perfect winter read, and I am obsessed with it. :) I'm sad I finished it already. Will definitely be on the lookout for V. Schwab's next book.
"The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
There are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy."
Gorgeous, right?!?!
2. Downton Abbey.
Only one thing to say, if you aren't watching it, do so. It will rock your world.
3. I am currently reading Mark Batterson's "The Circle Maker" and peeps let me tell you, it is good. If you ever struggle with prayer and faith, or praying bold prayers (who doesn't?) this book is for you. I am on Chapter 4 and will probably re-read this book several times this year. Amazing writing. I've always been a M.B fan so it's hard not to love everything he writes. But this book is particularly very good. :) Go get it.
4. They are putting in an Anthropologie in OKC! Um, hello?!?!? My sis, myself, and our beaus are going this weekend to scour the masses. I am on the hunt for one of these gorgeous mugs. I have the big white monogram one, but they are so dainty and pretty.
5. One last thing. I am excited for this.
I just love her hair!! And that accent is wicked. :) It's coming out the month I get married, so that makes it all the better!
What's got you on the right foot for 2012? I'd love more book suggestions!
