10:17 The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The last book by Laura in the Little House series, the manuscript of which was found in her possessions after she passed by her daughter Rose and was not printed until Rose's passing.  Similar in style but you can see the detail goes down to more bare bones as it progresses.  The first thing that strikes you is what a run of bad luck that family had after all the problems her Pa had had getting proved up on a homestead and then the first four years for her and Manly were filled with bad weather and the ruination of their crops time and time again, the loss of their son when he was only a few weeks old, and the loss of their home when it burned down shortly afterward.  But what really comes through louder, is their indomitable spirit, their tenacity to make it work, their love for each other and their daughter, their willingness to keep working hard even when it hadn't paid off yet.  That was the pioneer spirit and it was truly remarkable to read.

Page count: 134p/5,631p ytd

110:16 Zombie Chasers: Sludgement Day by John Kloepfer

The 3rd book in the Zombie Chasers series.  This book is rated for 8-12yr olds and I think they may have been very generous in that assessment.  It's predictable, stupid, disgusting, and uses super small words.  My almost 6yr old is ready to start reading them as they definitely appeal to him and the vocabulary is simple enough that he won't need much help.  The downside, I'll have to listen to them.

If you have a child in the marketed age range that is looking for total fluff and is just starting to get into reading and you are trying to encourage that, they are fine.  Otherwise, run the other direction.  I've only read them because my 10yr old was a very reluctant reader and these finally helped him turn that around and I'm being supportive but honestly, I can feel my IQ dropping by several points every time I turn the page.

Page count: 214p/5,497p

110:15 The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien

My review from 2009 which still stands: 


Wow, you know you don't read something for years after reading it as a teenager and it's amazing how something that was good becomes out of this world fantastic. It's not like I can say anything about this that hasn't already been said to death but this book deserves it all and more. But it makes it all the more amazing to be sharing it with my son. To see his enjoyment of it, to share his thoughts after reading it, to see what it is inspiring within him. That is truly without measure.


Page count: 447p/5,283p ytd

110:14 After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn

A definite departure from her well known Kitty Norville series.   Celia West is the daughter of Captain Olympus and Spark, superheros of Commerce City.  Unfortunately, the only superpower she seems to have inherited is the that of a super captive as every criminal in town wants to kidnap her to use against her parents.  Now she has set off on her own and turned her back on her parents in an effort to forge her own life but unfortunately, there's a new criminal in town and he's not ready to forget who she is.  Forced to confront more of her past than she ever imagined, what exactly will she find out once all the dust settles?

Gripping and fast-paced.  A little over the top on expose from time to time but not so long winded as to get in the way of the story.

Page count: 342p/4,836p ytd

110:13 Shadows in Flight by Orson Scott Card

The latest installment in the Ender's Shadow series and a direct sequel to Shadow of the Giant.  Bean and his genius children have been travelling at lightspeed for the last 5yrs and he has now grown so large that he spends his time in bed with a low gravity to keep the strain on his heart as low as possible.  The children are 6, they are brilliant in genetics, engineering, and tactics but in many ways are still just children without any experience to draw upon and now Bean's time is drawing near and he is looking forward to what kind of life they have once he's gone.

I admit to being disappointed with the last couple of books from Mr. Card but not this one.  Good story, nice character development, interesting twists.

Page count: 237p/4,494p ytd

110:12 Side Jobs by Jim Butcher

A collection of short stories set in the Dresden universe, most are written in the usual style from Harry's point of view but the last one is written from Karrin's point of view after Harry's disappearance.  Several of the stories are simply reprints from previous anthologies.  Fun stories but I think my favorite was Day Off where Harry actually tries to take a day off.  Maybe it's just because it reminds me so much of my own life.

I wanted to like the last story more but I didn't feel like Karrin's voice was different enough from Harry's.  It was my biggest let-down from the whole book.  A good story but I just didn't feel the author did as good a job speaking for her.

Page count: 418p/4,257p ytd

110:11 Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstein

The newest Shel Silverstein book.  Everything you've come to expect and love from Shel with his wacky humor, zany illustrations, and creative prose.

Page count: 194p/3,839p