Sorry!

 Hi everyone. I know that I have been lost... for a very long while. I won't make up excuses, true as they may be, about why I haven't posted. But I am back and more organized and also I bought many new books that I can't wait to share with you all! Be ready for many posts from me. To be honest I'm surprised that I still have followers, so thank you guys for sticking with me. Be on the lookout for a new post tomorrow! Again, thank you all for your patience.

- Laura

I Created a Twitter!

 Hi again guys, I created a twitter so you can all follow my recent book finds, what i'm reading, and when I will be posting new reviews and such. What i'm most excited about is getting comments from you guys and being able to chat more. What attracted me to make a twitter account was that it just seems more accessible for answering questions and interacting with my followers. My twitter account name is LauraMonroe95. I will be constantly posting on there so follow if you would like! 

The Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind

 First off I want you all to know that this could possibly be the best series ever written. I have been reading these books for about 3 or 4 years (it has been a slow and steady process). Terry Goodkind is an amazing author with a power in prose. I recommend this series to readers who love fantasy, amazing characters, and heart wrenching adventures. So without further ado, here is my review:

 As you can see from the image it's an 11 book series, 12 if you count the prequel which is Debt of Bones (all the books are in order on the image). The first book came out in 1994. Most of the books are also on average about 700+ pages. I know that's a lot but honestly you become so engrossed in them that the pages don't matter. 

 This series is about Richard Cypher, a woods guide living in a small village. He lives a simple but content life, until one day he sees a woman being chased by a band of men. Unable to just ignore the situation he chases after them and fights them off with her help. After that instance his life was changed forever. Secrets of his past were revealed and his perception of everything that he thought he knew was shattered. The books detail his fight to find the truth in the lies and to save people from themselves or from others. 

 I don't want to say more about it because saying anything more would give away all of the amazing surprises that lay ahead. What I will say is that you will undoubtedly fall in love with the characters as much for their flaws as for their strengths. They are so well developed that the reader can actually connect with them. I personally have developed a crush on Richard. 

 The story plot gets so complex and you get a feeling that a very tight knit ball is unraveling more and more and more with every book. Gookind has managed to make a seemingly normal world spin into utter chaos. He also manages to put the hero as well as other characters in impossible situations and you are just so captivated and utterly amazed on how they get out of them. 

 What I really love about the series is that it has everything: love, suspense, action, fantasy, magic, reality, and shows the power of the human spirit. Also, you know how people say that Twilight or Romeo and Juliet have a really good love story? Yeah, no. There is no greater love story (in my eyes) than that of Richard and Kahlan (if you read the series you will understand). So that's something for the readers who love a good romance tale as well. 

 I have all but declared my undying love for this series in this review, but it deserves it. I love it! I hope that this has been just vague enough to get anyone interested in reading the series. If not and you still would like to know more about it please leave a comment and I will respond. 

P.S.- Thank you all for being patient with me for my postings, I will try to post more often.

P.P.S.- If any of you have read any of the books in this series please tell me what you think about it/them.

Other Books by Terry Goodkind

- The Omen Machine

- The Law of Nines

"Wizard's First Rule: People are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want it to be true; or they're afraid it's true." 

The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore

  Ever have one of those days, or weeks, or months when everything seems to be going wrong? When you feel like the world is against you and you can't do anything about it? Well then you're a perfect candidate for The Heroine's Bookshelf. This feel-good book was written by Erin Blakemore, a writer that is able to find inspiration in almost all of the major women writers of the 19th century.

  Her book has scenarios from major books such as The Color Purple, Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, and many more. The book is separated into sections: Self, Faith, Dignity, Happiness, Family Ties, Indulgence, ect. Each section has a different author, book, and heroine. Blakemore applies a time in her life when she might have been in a rut, or simply an emotion, and correlates it to the heroine and her problem. She is encouraged by certain aspects of the heroine and is left heartened by the experience ad the heroine's attitude.

  The book encompasses a brave attitude towards the hardships that one may face in life. In more than one case I found myself relating to the heroine's troubles... well, maybe just the general aspect of it because I don't have the pressures of marrying like Elizabeth Bennet or have had a morbid life like Jane Eyre. But the general feeling of things like being pressured by family or going through difficult situations, that I can connect with as i'm sure many can and will.  

  At the end of each section Blakemore has a little part called Read This Book in which she writes of times when it would be good to read the book. For example:" Read this book when your mom complains you'll never give her grandchildren." and in addition she adds another small section which she writes that particular heroine's literary sisters, meaning other heroine's that can be coupled with that particular one.

  So the book not only makes you feel better but it also gives you book recommendations (yes please!). Now in regards to Blakemore's writing, I would describe it funny and flowing. She certainly knows what she's writing about and she can make everything fit together so perfectly. I caught myself many times smiling as I was reading. Books that can make your emotions evident on your face are worth reading don't you think? Overall I give this book a 5, it kept me interested and I read a different chapter everyday. It made me feel happy. Great book and great author. If anyone has read it post a comment and tell me what you think of it. For those who are planning to read it let me know what you think as well. 

Other Works by Erin Blakemore

- For now this is the only book by Blakemore, but according to her page she's working on another book.

The Purpose, the Explanation, and the Book

  In this day and age it's difficult to find time to do an activity that is out of ones daily routine. That includes reading. But if you're an avid book lover such as myself all you have to do is brace yourself and make the time. I know it's difficult to do but that's why I'm here. I'm here to help those who don't have the time, those who need to rekindle their passion for books, and those who just want to find some really interesting books to read.
  Hello, my name is Laura and I've been in every kind of reading stump I can think of: not enough time, too tired, and simply disinterested. I hated being in those ruts because I grew up with books. My mom read to me and made every single family member that walked into our house read to me as well. Books are a very important part of my life and being deprived of them leaves me with an empty feeling. So I MAKE the time to read because I don't believe in work without reward. Mine just so happens to be reading.
  I have a lot of ideas mapped out for this blog and if you follow me we can come up with even more ideas. This is something you should know, I love receiving book suggestions. I don't stick to one author or one genre because to me the purpose of books is to open your mind to all of the possibilities. What's life without variety? I also try to go to my local bookstore and library at least once a month with a list of books that I want to read. It's never a dull moment when I go into a book frenzy.
 So join me and learn to love reading again. I'm very excited to do my first review and recommendation. And who knows? Maybe you'll be inspired to start your own blog as well. I hope you do because There is a sundry of books that need to be shared with everyone. So send me suggestions of any author and any genre. My promise is to read them and read them all. So without further ado, welcome to my blog!

P.S. - Here are some recommendations to start you off.

Laura's Recommendations

• The Sparrow  by Mary Doria Russell
• We the Living by Ayn Rand (one of my favorite books EVER)
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
• A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
• The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

P.P.S.- I would love to hear feedback on these books if anyone has or will read them.