Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Rating: 5.0

What it's about:
Widely regarded as the father of modern science fiction, Jules Verne wrote more than seventy books and created hundreds of memorable characters. His most popular novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, is not only a brilliant piece ofscientific prophecy, but also a thrilling story with superb, subtle characterizations.

The year is 1866 and the Pacific Ocean is being terrorized by a deadly sea monster. The U.S. government dispatches marine-life specialist Pierre Aronnax to investigate aboard the warship Abraham Lincoln. When the ship is sunk by the mysterious creature, he and two other survivors discover that the monster is in fact a marvelous submarine—the Nautilus—commanded by the brilliant but bitter Captain Nemo. Nemo refuses to let his guests return to land, but instead taking them on a series of fantastic adventures in which they encounter underwater forests, giant clams, monster storms, huge squid, treacherous polar ice and—most spectacular of all—the magnificent lost city of Atlantis! -taken from Barnes&Noble.com

My thoughts:
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is a wonderful adventure story with great characters. Captain Nemo takes his crew and three passengers on quite an exciting ride! Some of the descriptions of the underwater life they encounter go on and on but I didn't mind. The only complaint I have is that the mystery surrounding Captain Nemo was never revealed. This was my first venture into reading Jules Verne. Now I can't wait to dig into another of his exciting novels.

Pacific Vortex by Clive Cussler

Rating: 5.0

What it's about:
Dirk Pitt's first, most terrific adventure! Dirk Pitt, death-defying adventurer and deep-sea expert, is out to the ultimate test as he plunges into the perilous waters of the Pacific Vortex—a fog-shrouded sea zone where dozens of ships have vanished without a trace. The latest victim is the awesome supersub Starbuck, America's deep-diving nuclear arsenal. Its loss poses an unthinkable threat to national defense. Pitt's job is to find it, salvage it, before the sea explodes. In a furious race against time, Pitt's mission swirls him into a battle with underwater assassins-and traps him in the arms of Summer Moran, the most stunningly exotic and dangerous woman ever to enter Pitt's life. As the countdown heads toward disaster, Clive Cussler plummets his hero onto an ancient sunken island-the astonishing setting for the explosive climax of Pacific Vortex! -taken from Barnes&Noble.com

My thoughts:
This is the first in the Dirk Pitt adventure series and my first Clive Cussler book. It was so exciting! Pacific Vortex is full of adventure, action and mystery. It's just what I was in the mood for! Cussler did a wonderful job at creating some great characters that I totally fell in love with. I can't wait to see what adventures Dirk Pitt has in store for him next.

Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery

Rating: 5.0

What it's about:
Anne's children were almost grown up, except for pretty, high-spirited Rilla. No one could resist her bright hazel eyes and dazzling smile. Rilla, almost fifteen, can't think any further ahead than going to her very first dance at the Four Winds lighthouse and getting her first kiss from handsome Kenneth Ford. But undreamed-of challenges await the irrepressible Rilla when the world of Ingleside becomes endangered by a far-off war. Her brothers go off to fight, and Rilla brings home an orphaned newborn in a soup tureen. She is swept into a drama that tests her courage and leaves her changed forever. -taken from Barnes&Noble.com

My thoughts:
Rilla of Ingleside is the dramatic conclusion of the Anne of Green Gables series. It takes place during World War I and we see how the war affects the Blythe family in sometimes tragic ways. This book was very emotional at times and brought me near to tears on a couple of occasions. Rilla of Ingleside is a great ending to a great series, one I'll be sure to enjoy again sometime in the future.

The China Study by T. Colin Campbell

Rating: 5.0

What it's about:

This exhaustive presentation of the findings from the China Study conclusively demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Referred to as the "Grand Prix of epidemiology" by The New York Times, this study examines more than 350 variables of health and nutrition with surveys from 6,500 adults in 65 counties, representing 2,500 counties across rural China and Taiwan. While revealing that proper nutrition can have a dramatic effect on reducing and reversing these ailments as well as obesity, this text calls into question the practices of many of the current dietary programs, such as the Atkins diet, that enjoy widespread popularity in the West. The impact of the politics of nutrition and the efforts of special interest groups on the creation and dissemination of public information on nutrition are also discussed.

[This] elaborate study of rural Chinese gives big points to the health value of their plant-based diets. -taken from Barnes&Noble.com

My thoughts:

The China Study is a significant and impelling look at animal-based diets compared to plant-based diets. T. Colin Campbell, PhD covers a lot of nutritional information, backed by research, and how it effects our bodies and disease. This book is an inspiration to those of us who want all the accurate information we can get to keep ourselves healthy and disease free.

Jemima J by Jane Green

Rating: 3.0

What it's about:
Jemima Jones is overweight. About one hundred pounds overweight. Treated like a maid by her thin and social-climbing roommates, and lorded over by the beautiful Geraldine (less talented but better paid) at the Kilburn Herald, Jemima finds that her only consolation is food. Add to this her passion for her charming, sexy, and unobtainable colleague Ben, and Jemima knows her life is in need of a serious change. When she meets Brad, an eligible California hunk, over the Internet, she has the perfect opportunity to reinvent herself–as JJ, the slim, beautiful, gym-obsessed glamour girl. But when her long-distance Romeo demands that they meet, she must conquer her food addiction to become the bone-thin model of her e-mails–no small feat.
With a fast-paced plot that never quits and a surprise ending no reader will see coming, Jemima J is the chronicle of one woman's quest to become the woman she's always wanted to be, learning along the way a host of lessons about attraction, addiction, the meaning of true love, and, ultimately, who she really is. -taken from Barnes&Noble.com

My thoughts:
Jemima J is a modern day fairy tale complete with happy ending. Jemima Jones is a fun character who in the course of the book learns a lot about herself and love. I found Jemima J to be a decent diversion but overall it was just too unbelievable and unrealistic to be truly enjoyable.

The King in the Window by Adam Gopnik

Rating: 2.5

What it's about:
Oliver Parker, a twelve-year-old American boy living in Paris, is lonelier than he has ever been. Intimidated by his French school and its prickly teachers, made melancholy by the long, gray winter, and feeling distant from his workaholic father - a journalist who spends more and more time staring at his computer screen - Oliver longs for some friends, and maybe even a little adventure.

One freezing January night, his wishes are granted. After dinner, Oliver puts on the gold paper crown that came with his Epiphany cake. He looks at himself in the window and instead of his own reflection, he sees an amazing vision - a boy hovering in front of him, dressed in a traditional French doublet. Clues left behind by this mysterious boy lead Oliver to the Palace of Versailles, where he is swept into the court of the Window Wraiths, spirits who inhabit glass and water, and who have claimed Oliver as their ultimate ruler: the King in the Window.

Oliver must quickly gain enough wisdom to lead the Wraiths in a decisive battle against evil and prove himself a true king. Fortunately, he has the help of an unlikely band of new friends: the imperious Mrs. Pearson; his skateboarding American pal, Charlie; and the enigmatic and exceptional girl downstairs, Neige.

From the great hall of mirrors at Versailles to the stained-glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle, from the secret quarries hidden beneath Paris to a twilight battle on the Eiffel Tower, Adam Gopnik's novel is a funny, exhilarating romp through France and an unforgettable adventure for readers of all ages. -taken from back of book

My thoughts:
I picked up this book at a secondhand store and was captivated by the shiny gold cover. After reading the blurb I decided to buy it and give it a read. I was disappointed. It's not a bad story, it's just not something I could lose myself in. I quickly got bored with this book and it seemed to take forever to finish. I can't quite put my finger on exactly what I didn't like about The King in the Window, whether it was the writing or mabye just bad timing, but this is one book of mine that may find itself back at the secondhand store.

Ani's Raw Food Kitchen by Ani Phyo

Rating: 5.0

What it's about:
This is the ultimate gourmet, living foods “uncookbook” for busy people.
You don’t have to sacrifice taste or style to reap the benefits of raw foods. These delectable, easy recipes emphasize fresh, animal-free ingredients and how to include more organics into your daily diet. Chef Ani offers delicious raw, animal-free versions of: breakfast scrambles, pancakes, chowders, bisques, and other soups, cheezes, mylks, lasagna, burgers, cobblers, pies, and cakes, and more.
Included are recipes for dishes such as Stuffed Anaheim Chili with Mole Sauce, Ginger Almond Nori Roll, Coconut Kreme Pie with Carob Fudge on Brownie Crust, Mediterranean Dolmas, and Chicken-Friendly Spanish Scramble.
Make your own kitchen more living-foods friendly with Chef Ani’s tips on Essential tools, Key ingredients, Stocking your pantry, and How-to kitchen skills. -taken from Barnes&Noble.com

My thoughts:
This is a great "uncook book" for raw food beginners. The vast majority of the recipes don't require a food dehydrator. This made me happy because I don't have one of those yet. If you have a food processor and a blender then you'll be able to make most of these delicious recipes. Also, sprinkled throughout the book are little tidbits on green living. This is a fun book with easy recipes that I can't wait to try!