Kingdom Come by Jenkins & LaHaye

The final, final book to the Left Behind series. I am beginning this one today and am looking forward to reading the author's perspective on Christ's return to the new earth.

The Left Behind series of books has helped me garner a better understanding of the book of Revelations.

I can't wait to finish this one. Plus, I hope this is the final book, unless the authors feel it necessary to continue the story for a million years.

Interesting Reads?

Anyone reading anything interesting that could be shared? I just completed 2 works by LuAnne Rice (Crazy in Love, Secret Hour). Of the two, Secret Hour was the better one. Both, however, were read within 3 days and now I am waiting for some great suggestions.

Now, suggest away!

Ines of My Soul

This adult book is of the romance genre. Do not believe for one moment, though, of a paperbook Harlequin romance. This novel reads more like a historical journal with some romance thrown in to pull women into reading it.

The main character is Ines, a Spanish woman who leaves Spain to seek her husband (a cheating, abusive man) who has hightailed it to the "New World"-South America. Once in So. America, Ines learns that her husband is dead and decides to follow a warrior (Pedro Valdiva) as he conquers Chile.

While the plot is of a strong woman who is sharing her life's journey is interesting, the story is dry and I, personally, forced myself to finish it. I also skipped many paragraphs which do not effect the storyline at all. Sort of like a soap opera where one can stop watching for a year and can still catch up with the plot.

I would not recommend this book because of the dryness of the presentation. The topic was interesting, but the presentation was a bore.

What did you think?

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Written from the viewpoint of the Grim Reaper, the story is about a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany. At first, I thought: "great, another Ann Frank story". I was pleasantly surprised. The heroine, Liesell Memminger, in the story is a German girl who is living in a foster home. She has lost her brother to illness and her mother has placed her in foster care. Her father was Catholic, which gives the reader an idea as to why the mother gave her to child services.

The story was awesome since it is written by Death. The ending, though, needed some work. It seems that Mr. Zusak's publisher gave him a page limit so he quickly ended the story. Either that or Mr. Zusak is considering another book written by Death. Either way, the story's climax was well worth the read and a surprise, which I can't say that for all authors.

If you have an opinion about this book or any other, post it! I can't wait to read your postings!

Welcome to Read and Rave

As an English teacher in the public schools, I have the opportunity to read many genres throughout the schoolyear on many levels (grade4-high school) and I read numerous books (adult) during the summer.

This blog is for readers of all ages to rave, or rant, about books read. I hope to expand my reading by learning from you and your insights.

I hope to discuss books that I have read and learn about new books to read and books to avoid.

So, let's begin to Read and Rave!