My Personal Library

I love to read. And since reading is one of my most-enjoyed pasttimes, I have to share with you some of my favorite books and writers.

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• The Woman in the Wall by Patrice Kindl
  • "Anna is more than shy. She is nearly invisible. At seven, terrified of school, Anna retreats within the walls of her family's enormous house, and builds a world of passageways and hidden rooms. As the years go by, people forget she ever existed. Then a mysterious note is thrust through a crack in the wall, and Anna must decide whether or not to come out of hiding."
• Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
  • "Quiet Halley and popular Scarlett have been friends for years. They balance each other perfectly--until the beginning of their junior year. Then, Scarlett's boyfriend is killed in a motorcycle accident; soon after, she learns that she is carrying his baby. For the first time, Scarlett really needs Halley. Their friendship may bend under the weight, but it'll never break--because a true friendship is a promise you keep forever."
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • "Pride And Prejudice, the story of Mrs. Bennet's attempts to marry off her five daughters is one of the best-loved and most enduring classics in English literature. Excitement fizzes through the Bennet household at Longbourn in Hertfordshire when young, eligible Mr. Charles Bingley rents the fine house nearby. He may have sisters, but he also has male friends, and one of these -- the haughty, and even wealthier, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy -- irks the vivacious Elizabeth Bennet, the second of the Bennet girls...The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and Darcy is a splendid rendition of civilized sparring...Jane Austen's radiantly caustic wit and keen observation sparkle."
• Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon
  • "Three beautiful young women are suspected of committing a series of brutal murders. The police make an arrest that leads to one of the most bizarre murder trials of the century. Based on actual events, Sheldon's novel races from London to Rome, from Quebec to San Francisco, with a climax that will leave readers stunned."
  • This was actually my first Sheldon book, and I must admit, even though it wasn't the greatest piece of literature I've read, it does its job. I honestly couldn't put it down until I was done. The story kept me at the edge of my seat. I wouldn't mind reading another Sheldon book. Any recommendations? ^^

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Yes, I too have fallen prey (happily) to the phenomenon that is Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling, you are the best! Since I love fantasy novels to begin with, I read this series and couldn't stop. I finished Book 4 not long after I got it (I read a lot on the plane ^^) and it was really really good! My favorite so far, actually. My second favorite's probably Book 2. I love the labyrinth part in The Goblet of Fire, since I love labyrinths. I wish I had a house with one in the backyard. Anyways, decide if you too want to become a Harry Potter fan by checking them out at Amazon.com here (you can order book 4 for 40% off the regular price): Harry Potter Books.

• Hedwig's Guide to Harry Potter's Magical World
• A Harry Potter Fan Site!

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She is a fantastic fantasy writer. I love her Song of the Lioness Quartet (Alanna: The First Adventure, In the Hand of the Goddess, The Woman Who Rides Like a Man, Lioness Rampant). Alanna is a wonderfully drawn character, as well as all the other characters in the books, like George. I read this quartet at least twice a year! In fact, I just finished rereading it again yesterday. The first book in her new quartet that's taking place in Tortall (First Test: Protector of the Small) is pretty good, though nothing will probably ever measure up to the Lioness Quartet in my mind. The next book, Page, just came out recently in hardcover, but being the poor person I am, I'll be waiting until it comes out in paperback. ^^; Check out her books at Amazon.com: Tamora Pierce Books.

• ~*~House Azik~*~
• The Steelsings Tamora Pierce Page
• The Realm of Tortall
• Briar's Portals
• The Magic of Tamora Pierce

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Well, I'm no longer an initiate into the L.J. Smith world...I am now a member of it. I love the type of book that mixes a bit of everything - reality, magic, romance, action and adventure, suspense...and L.J. Smith's books have all that and more. This is a truly wonderful author. Her character development (even if she does tend to have the same types-forbidden love interest, pure innocent loving girl, female protagonist w/forbidden love interest...) and storylines completely draw me into the book each time I read it. I've read her Secret Circle trilogy (which is amazing, btw), the Forbidden Game trilogy, and introduced myself to the Night World with the book Witchlight. I couldn't even put it down! It was extremely good, leaving me thirsting (no pun intended ~_~) for more of the Night World series. Spellbinder, also of the Night World series, is even better, and extremely hard to find cheap since it's out of print! I finally found it at Half.com, which is a pretty cool website. I just read The Chosen, which was pretty good since I like that whole v-people slayer theme (see Buffy's Chamber). If you have any suggestions about which ones are good, please e-mail me! Or, if you're new to L.J. Smith's books, check them out here: L.J. Smith Books

• L.J. Smith World
• The Dark Vision: An L.J. Smith Site
• Julian's House of Shadows
• Forgotten Night World Realms

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John White is a lesser known novelist than, say, J.K. Rowling, but I love his Archives of Anthropos series. I know of 5 books in that series (The Iron Sceptre, Tower of Geburah, The Sword Bearer, Gaal the Conqueror, Quest for the King), and I've read all but the last. And I love them. If you like C.S. Lewis, you'll probably like White's books as well. They have a Christian undertone to them, but it's the stories themselves that are so captivating...definitely worth reading!

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