The Harry Potter Project

Last night, I finally got around to watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One on DVD.  Don't worry...I did see it on the big screen, but haven't gotten around to watching the DVD I purchased a couple of weeks ago.

I decided that I really needed to re-read the series before the movie finale comes out on July 15.   And perhaps have a HECK of a movie-a-thon! 

So here goes nothing.  I'm setting aside my long "to-read" list for Harry Potter.  I won't be disappointed...it's been much too long and I'm excited to return to Hogwarts!
 

  I just REALLY hope I can finish in time! 

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Genny is a 17 year old girl, living a normal life.  Sure, she has an eccentric aunt...one who came and went as she pleased and lived life freely without worrying about obligations.  However, she always had room for Genny.

One day Aunt Peg disappeared...with no word.  Until one day her family received a phone call telling them she died.  Not too long after, Genny received a package of envelopes directing her to travel to Europe following several rules including no electronics, bring only what you can fit in a backpack, no money and no guidebooks.  She is instructed to open each envelope only after she has finished the task directed in the letter she holds.   She is taking a step of faith, and leaping out of her comfort zone.

Through her travels, Genny meets a variety of interesting people and travels all over Europe while discovering a lot about her deceased aunt.   Oh, and there some adventures along the way! 

What I Thought: 
This book has been on my "to-read" list for quite a while, and I'm so glad I finally got around to it!  I loved Genny's story and found myself wishing I was more adventurous and could just take off backpacking around Europe.  Of course, Genny wasn't the personality to that either...she had to be pushed to do so. 

This book did reignite my desire to go to Greece.  Hubs and I have always wanted to visit there, we need to start saving now!

Johnson crafted a wonderful story full of adventure, some romance, and even a little mystery!  I anxiously wanted to know what each letter would say and where Genny would end up next. 

This was the first book I read using the Kindle app.  I'm not quite ready to jump from purely paper books to e-books, but when this book was released as a free download by Kindle, I jumped at the opportunity to download and read it.  It was very nice to always have a book on my iPhone and I read at just about every free chance I got.  I'm not completely sold on reading on my phone though...it's convenient and cool but I did miss holding the actual book in my hand.  Not gonna lie!

(I might feel different with an actual Kindle, Nook or iPad though.  I'm just not quite ready to jump just yet.  Well, I do want an iPad.  I'm ready to get one of those...my wallet just isn't though!) 

Great book, highly recommended!

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson.

Reviewed from a personal copy.

The sequel, The Last Little Blue Envelope comes out today!  (April 26, 2011.)  I'm excited to see what happens to Genny!

Regret Free Parenting:Raise Good Kids and Know You're Doing it Right by Catherine Hickem

Catherine Hickem is a licensed psychotherapist and founder of the organization Intentional Moms, and most importantly a mother of two!  In this book she encourages mothers to be intentional.  She writes about purpose, about being intentional, about raising kids who are emotionally intelligent, about how to survive those bumpy teenage years!

Each chapter focuses on a different area, but through it all Hickem is encouraging and offers biblical wisdom with practical insight and tips on how to become a regret-free parent. 

What I Thought
I'm not a mother, but wanted to read this book for preparation of when that day comes!   This book is absolutely chock-full of great nuggets of wisdom and lots of things to ponder.

I appreciated all of her thoughts and biblical backing.   She never promises that being a parent is easy...just the opposite in fact!  Hickem provides many examples from her life, both as a parent and examples from some of her clients.  She points out successes, and scenarios that could have been handled differently.  However, in those situations she provides insight on how to resolve the issue. 

I found a lot of things that I could use in the classroom as a teacher! 

Definitely a great book for parents who want to do a great job raising their children...of any age!

Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Regret Free Parenting:Raise Good Kids and Know You're Doing it Right by Catherine Hickem.

Reviewed from a copy provided by the Thomas Nelson Publisher Book Review Bloggers program. (I'll be stashing this book away for future reference!)