Reader Profiles

Thought I would introduce my family and give a little of our background and how we came to love reading so much:

Doug: Age 39. Wasn't a big reader growing up. He remembers really liking "Maniac Magee" as a kid (Classic--totally holds up and worth a read.) but really took off when he got into Louis L'Amour in 9th grade. (Followed by Clive Cussler books later.) He was introduced to fantasy when he worked on a construction crew one summer in college and the guy driving the truck listened to Robert Jordan books on the way to job sites. This eventually led him to Brandon Sanderson.

Favorite Genre: Fantasy

Favorite Author: Brandon Sanderson

Favorite Book: The Way of Kings

Currently Reading: Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson

Emily: Age 39. I was a slow reader in first grade. My teacher, Miss Damjanovich, taught all five of my siblings and told my mom I was behind where they were. Mom started taking me to the library every week and letting me get as many books as I wanted. I was also allowed to buy multiple books from the Scholastic "Book Order" each month. My dad chipped in and told me he'd pay me a penny a page to read. So every night, I climbed into my mom's bed and she read to me. When my reading improved, I read to her. By the end of the year, I was reading above grade level. I have loved reading ever since!!! As a kid I loved mysteries: Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, etc. I still love a good mystery if I can find a good clean series. The only fantasy book I liked as a kid was "The Hobbit" and the only sci-fi book I liked was "Ender's Game." That has changed since discovering Brandon Sanderson. (He's very popular in our family.)

Favorite Genre(s): 1st, Mysteries. 2nd, Classics. 3rd, Fantasy

Favorite Author(s): Jane Austen, Dickens, Agatha Christie, PD James, and Brandon Sanderson

Favorite Book(s): Pride and Prejudice, David Copperfield, Jane Eyre, To Kill a Mockingbird

Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets out loud to Gray and "Spy School" because Gabe recommended it and also "Wrath of the Storm" to finish up a series.
Listening to: "War and Peace" and also "The Art of Reading" on Audible in the car. (Depends on what I'm in the mood for. )

Max: Age 15. Despite being the most hyper active tiny child on the planet, Max could always sit still and hyper focus when being read to as a baby. He learned to read early, and proved again that he could hyper focus when reading on his own. He learned to read in kindergarten. Took over reading Harry Potter from me at the end of first grade and then read the rest of the series on his own. Read the entire Book of Mormon between ages 7 and 8. Crazy fast reader. Can always be found with a novel. Always. Even if he's packing a 500 page tome on a crazy long Scout hike.

Favorite Genre: Fantasy

Favorite Author: Brandon Sanderson

Favorite Book: The Way of Kings

Currently Reading: Wereworld series by Curtis Jobling

Sam: Age 12. Sam also learned to read fairly early and relatively easily. He also got impatient with how slowly I was reading Harry Potter out loud and took over reading on book 2. Sam is a more methodical reader and he's never in too big a hurry to finish a series. He loves fantasy, but he also love love loves anything super hero related. You know those big Super Hero books at Costco that tell you every bit of history about, say, Batman? Well, Sam reads those ginormous things cover to cover and can tell you anything and everything you need to know about all Super Heroes and Super Villains. Need to know Batman's mother's name? Ask Sam.

Favorite Genre: Fantasy and Super Hero Anthologies

Favorite Author: Cressida Cowell

Favorite Book: "How to Train Your Dragon" series

Currently Reading: "Ripper" by Stefan Petrucha

Gabe: Age 9. Gabe did not learn to read in Kindergarten. He didn't even really learn to read in first grade. Second grade he was still struggling and was way below grade level. Beginning of third? Below grade level. In the mean time, I had started reading Harry Potter out loud to him in first grade just like I did for the other boys. Then I read the second book. And the third. And the fourth. I kept asking if he was ready to read it on his own. Nope! Perfectly happy for me to keep going. In third grade I was reading the fifth book to him. And then we got the illustrated copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone at Costco. Gabe had gotten in to simple illustrated books like "Jedi Academy" and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid".  All of a sudden, he was reading the illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, then he was finishing the fifth book, and then the sixth, and seventh and then "The Cursed Child". He hasn't slowed down since.

Favorite Genre: Fantasy

Favorite Author: JK Rowling

Favorite Book: All of the Harry Potter books

Currently Reading: "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" series.

Gray: Age 6. Gray is in first grade aaaaand...is way behind.  We're on the second Harry Potter book together, but he is no where near taking over. I'm hoping he'll take off like his brothers, but it'll be in his own sweet time. For all I know, he'll never be a great reader. Maybe he'll stay chronically behind grade level. But one way or another, we'll get him to love books. Even if I have to read out loud to him every night until high school graduation. ;)

Favorite Genre: Fantasy

Favorite Author: JK Rowling

Favorite Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Currently Reading: Mom is reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets out loud. Also loves reading the "Step Into Reading" books. (Easy leveled readers) Especially the Super Hero ones.

Linc: Age 3. Can count to 11. Recognizes the number three by sight and knows zero letters. But DOES know a few spells from hearing so much Harry Potter...

Favorite Genre: Board books

Favorite Author: n/a

Favorite Book: n/a

Currently Reading: Super Hero ABC's and 123's

See anything you've read? Love any of these? Hate any of these? Let's hear what you think in the comments!
Happy Reading!!

There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.

–Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

For Your 1st or 2nd or 3rd Grader Who Doesn't Love Reading

When Gabe didn't take off in reading in first grade like his brothers, I was really worried about him. I was reading Harry Potter furiously to him and hoping he'd take over reading it like M and S did. But what I wasn't taking into consideration is, that for a struggling reader, Harry Potter is way too hard.  It's a GREAT read aloud, but NOT great for a struggling reader.

At some point I realized that while a great plot can take you really far, PICTURES are what really appeal to struggling readers. I mean, it should be obvious--babies and kids love pictures books. Kids learn to read with picture books. So for a struggling reader, a graphic novel or comic book, which incorporates pictures, will help them keep reading even if some of the words are tough.

I remember a loooooooong time ago reading a book called "The Read Aloud Handbook" --required reading for most English majors. I remember it said something to the effect of "Even if your kid is reading something you deem to be crap --like a comic book, at least they are reading." (That was poorly paraphrased, but you get the idea.)

Luckily, while I was reading Harry Potter to Gabe, we were also finding books for him at the library.

Because all our boys love Star Wars, the first time we came across the "Star Wars Jedi Academy" book by Jeffrey Brown, we snatched it up and took it home. 

While some of the pages are incredibly simple and comic book-y,

other pages are tightly packed with mostly text.

Since the reader is sucked into the comic book pages, they want to continue following the story even when they get to the rare page with no picture.

For the first time ever, I witnessed Gabe voluntarily pick up a book and not want to put it down. Only problem, there weren't very many of them. (4 or 5 at last check.)

That's where Diary of a Wimpy Kid comes in. There are lots of these books. They are funny. (Even if they have potty humor) and they are packed with silly illustrations. Once we caught on to the fact that Gabe liked books with more frequent illustrations, we gave him some of the Wimpy kid books and he was off.

Now, I haven't read these books. Maybe I would be horrified if I did. But they get kids reading--and I can guarantee--they don't read these forever. They will move on!

Also, I don't know if they appeal equally to girls or if there is a more female-centric equivalent. But I do know, there are a lot of these types of books out there. If you're looking for something to encourage a struggling reader, start with PICTURES and HUMOR! Your local librarian is a great place to start for specific titles.

One last thing. I read the first FIVE Harry Potter books out loud to Gabe over a few years. He tried to read the first one on his own while we were reading #5 but couldn't get far.
Then we gave him the Illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for Christmas. It had just come out and is an amazing and beautiful book illustrated by Jim Kay. He cruised right though it, and kept right on reading the non-illustrated versions and finished the whole series. Highly, highly recommend these beautiful books. Sadly, only the first two in the series have been released so we just have to wait patiently for one to be released each year. Check Costco around Christmas time for a great deal. (Although I did notice that the first one is a pretty good deal on Amazon right now.)

Hope you've found something helpful in this post. If you like it, please share it!
And let me know if you have any recommendations of these types of books.

Happy Reading!!

"Allow children to choose the books they wish to read to themselves, even if they don’t meet your high standards.” --Jim Trelease, The Read-Aloud Handbook 

"Children’s books, even good picture books, are much richer than ordinary home or classroom conversation.” --Jim Trelease, The Read-Aloud Handbook

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him." --Maya Angelou 



 P.S. The links attached to book titles used above are mostly "Amazon Affiliate Links". They give me a tiny percentage of the purchase price if you use my link to buy a book. However, if you go to Amazon on your own, it won't hurt my feelings! ;) We usually like to check things out at the library before we decide to buy.

My Kid Read Harry Potter...What Next?

A few weeks ago, I got an e-mail asking what I would recommend for a kid who has read Harry Potter and also Percy Jackson. I actually get this question a lot because we do a lot of reading around here.

Made me think it might be fun to start a blog and talk about what we're reading, and also maybe get some recommendations from YOU! After all, most everything we read was recommended by someone...usually a friend, teacher, or the local librarian! The e-mail and my response are below:

(FYI, Gabe is in 4th grade.)
P.S. Don't forget to read the "P.S.'s" at the end.

****************************************************************

Hi Emily,

My final total for Gabe's minutes was 2528. If that is incorrect please get back to me ASAP.  

What is he into reading lately? I'm always looking for more interesting and challenging age appropriate books for Izzy to read.  My usually very non-competitive child feels slightly competitive with Gabe on AR* point total. Izzy has read all the Harry Potters, Percy Jacksons and just discovered the Land of Stories series which she loves.

Thanks,

K_________

(*AR stands for Accelerated Reader. The kids take a computerized test on the books they're read and accumulate points. Gabe LOVES taking AR tests and takes great pride in being at the top of his class in AR points.)

Dear K,

Haha, yes, he has really taken off in reading this year and has loved doing AR! I have no idea about his total, but he's been keeping pretty good track. He read all the Harry Potter books and Percy Jackson, but he also read the Warriors Books by Erin Hunter this year. (They are about cats and have no appeal to me so we got them at the library and don't own them. But he liked them!) After "Warriors" he started "The Guardians of Ga'Hoole" series by Kathryn Lasky which is about owls. He's been loving them. There are about 16 in that series. (My older son Sam loved them in 4th or 5th grade.)

He also enjoyed The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede, (a series of 4), Jedi Academy series (sorta like a junior graphic novel--he LOVES these...), Diary of a Wimpy Kid books (We own a few and get some at the library), and I think he read some of the How to Train Your Dragon books, but that could have been big brother.

My boys have all been big fantasy fans.

Two other series my older boys loved at this age were The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff, 

and Charlie Bone (recommended by a librarian to read if you liked Harry Potter...) 

Three authors the whole family really likes are Jennifer Nielsen (The Ascendance Trilogy was my favorite),  Brandon Mull (Fablehaven!), and Brandon Sanderson (The "Alcatraz" series. Most Brandon Sanderson books are geared for teens and up but Alcatraz is really funny and fun for younger kids.).

And, lastly, since you have a daughter, *I* really loved Shannon Hale's "Goose Girl" series and "Princess Academy". (I bribed my oldest to read Princess Academy and Goose Girls and he loved them but couldn't admit it. ;)

As you can tell, we are big readers and I could go on all day, but I'll leave you with those. Let me know if you need any more ideas!

Also, you can check them out on Amazon and there is usually a recommended grade level or reading range. In case you are wondering if they are too old or too young for her. I'll read just about anything if it's good, so I have read many of the above and can recommend them personally. 

Good luck!

:)

Emily W

*******************************************************************

So, have any of you read the series I mentioned above? 

Thoughts?

Any similar you would add to this list?

Happy Reading--

P.S.

If you are ever wondering if a book or series is at your child's reading level, a good place to start is Amazon. Usually there will be some information in the "Product Details" that will give an age or grade level range. Obviously, these are subjective and kids are all at different sensitivity levels, but it's usually a good place to start. You can also just google the book title and look at the info released by the author or publisher.

A second hint is the age of the protagonist--which can usually be determined by a quick glance at the cover or book description. A 12 year old main character means the book will generally appeal to 12 year olds. However, as we've seen with Harry Potter, some books transcend being pigeon-holed.

It's also important to remember that while the first Harry Potter book was scary, but relatively mild, the seventh Harry Potter book was pretty intense and dealt with some seriously deep themes. (Though the recommended age range doesn't change...) When in doubt, read it first! Sounds like a chore, but a lot of these books are surprisingly well-written and entertaining.

Example info from Amazon:

Harry Potter Series

Age 9-12

Grade 4-7

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Age 10-14

Grade 3-7 (This doesn't even make sense, but whatever. I would say 4th grade and up.)

P.P.S. The links used above are "Amazon Affiliate Links". They give me a tiny percentage of the purchase price if you use one to buy a book. However, if you go to Amazon on your own, it wont hurt my feelings! ;)

P.P.P.S. Most of these books we own and have on our shelves (with the exception of the Warrior series, and some Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.) HOWEVER, we always started out by buying the first book in the series, or even more commonly, getting it from the library. Usually it is after two or more of us have read a series and loved it that we go back and buy the complete boxed set from Costco or Amazon. We love having favorite books on our shelves to share with anyone searching for a good read!!

P.P.P.P.S. If you liked this post, please share it or pin it!! :)

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Why Gender Matters by Leonard Sax -- Age 21 + ;)

(This post was originally posted on one of my other blogs but I moved it over here and just kept the date the same.)

A few weeks ago I listened to "Your Friend, Your Kid" on the "Think with Krys Boyd" podcast. It was an interview with the family physician and Phd, Dr. Leonard Sax. I enjoyed it so much I asked Doug to get me the book they were discussing: "The Collapse of Parenting". Unfortunately, the library doesn't have it yet, so he brought home "Why Gender Matters".

As the mother of five boys, I found this book incredibly fascinating and have been discussing it with every person I've talked to all week.

Now, I already KNEW, that boys and girls were different. Here's how I knew: I have a bunch of boys, whereas I am a girl. Not only am I a girl, but I have sisters, a mother, lots of female friends, and lots of female friends with female daughters. And we hang out. A lot.  So I'm not clueless about girls just because I don't have female children, okay?!?! ;)

Watching boys and girls interact makes it obvious incredibly quickly that they are DIFFERENT and they do things DIFFERENTLY.  The question, for many years has been, are they different by nature or through nurture?

When Max (my oldest) was a baby, I read a book making the case that boys were aggressive and violent because their parents and society make them that way. If we want sensitive, empathetic boys, it said, and courageous assertive girls, we must raise our kids in an androgynous environment. I decided to follow the advice in the book. I determined that in MY home, we would NOT give our son weapons of any kind EVER! (You are laughing really hard right now if you've been in my house and have tripped over our arsenal of lightsabers, swords, nun-chucks, and Nerf guns.)  I also followed the instructions in the book to be sure to give my son sympathy when he got hurt (instead of expecting him to "buck up")

In other words, I followed the directions and waited for Maxwell to manifest himself as a gentleman and a scholar, strong and courageous, but also empathetic and sweet and nurturing. Imagine my surprise when my toddler son started sword fighting with the vacuum wand and making toy guns with Duplos. Imagine my dismay when the baby doll I gave him (in preparation for his baby brother to be born) was held around the ankles and smacked in to any hard, noisy surface Max could find. (Did I mention we didn't let him watch tv in our home until he was over 2.5 years? Did I mention the friends he played with were almost all girls?)

Eventually, I realized that it was not my fault he had no patience for art projects or crafts. Eventually I figured out that he was not going to act/play/or fight like his female friends. That he wanted to play with cars and trucks and swords and save the day and not color pretty pictures.

Luckily, I finally figured out that nature, and gender, matter.

In his book, Dr. Sax dispels myths about gender differences by citing study after study (after study) that confirm differences in female and male brains. He strongly emphasizes that--for example--while you can teach both genders complex math equations, a boy and a girl will learn better if taught using different approaches. Because they are different. And their brains are different.

Conclusion: I thought it was a great read, with some great food for thought and definitely recommend it. One caveat though; The chapter about sex has a very graphic example of teens engaging in o*** sex. I think he includes that particular story to shock parents into realizing teen sex habits are different than they believe. But if I had it to do over again, I would have skipped that part. ;)

P.S. I have since read "The Collapse of Parenting" and give it two thumbs up, five stars, and an unequivocal recommendation!!! No caveat necessary!! READ IT!!!

Montmorency by Eleanor Updale -- Age 12/13+

(Originally posted on my other blog and moved over here for convenience.)

Back in 2012, Max got a recommendation from our librarian to check out a book called "Montmorency" by Eleanor Updale.  It was the first in a series and he read it and loved it.  

Max loved it so much he convinced Doug to read it, Doug loved it and told me to read it.  
We were all hooked.  
We subsequently checked out the next three books in the series only to discover Book 4, "Montmorency's Revenge" ended in a major cliff-hanger, and (horror!) there was no fifth book.  In desperation, I wrote this e-mail:

Hello Ms. Updale!

My husband, 10-year-old son and I recently discovered and read your Montmorency series.  We're big fans and after the cliff-hanger at the end of book four, went straight to the Internet to find out when book 5 will be published.  Please tell me there will be a book 5?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?  You can't leave Montmorency...(edited to prevent spoilers)!  How about a short story?  A novella?  A single chapter?  A blog post?  We'll take anything we can get!!!

Sincerely,

Emily Warner and Maxwell 

Amazingly, SHE WROTE BACK and let me know she was having problems with the publisher but was working on getting book five out!

A few weeks ago, we heard from her again--this time with exciting news!!

Well, at last it’s out.  The fifth Montmorency book, Montmorency Returns is now available to buy as an ebook or as a paperback, but only from Amazon.  The good news is that the paperback has better paper and better print than any of the previous editions, and all the previous books are available in a similar format, so it is possible to buy the whole series in a matching edition.

Thank you so much for your patience.  The delay in publication has been as annoying for me as it was for you, and I do hope that your love of Montmorency has not gone off the boil in the meantime.

You can buy the ebook here,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Montmorency-Returns-Eleanor-Updale-ebook/dp/B00I3CT0QW

And the paperback here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Montmorency-Returns-5-Eleanor-Updale/dp/1494220873/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

I’d be really grateful if you could spread the word about the new book.  You can find out more about it on my website www.eleanorupdale.com

Very best wishes,

Eleanor Updale

I love that there are authors out there who take the time to connect with their fans! I went straight to Amazon and am now the proud owner of the complete series in a matching set. I love matching sets!  

If you're looking for a fun adventure set in England, this is the series for you.  Although Max read these when he was 10, I would probably recommend them for 12+.  But you can read them first and be the judge of whether you want your (younger) kids to read them.  I remember them being very clean, but it's been a few years.

I will confess that as the books went on, I was less and less enamored of them. And I really didn't love how Book 5 ended. But once you start, you want to know how the series ends!! If I were a better writer, I'd write a "fan fiction" version of book 5 and end it the way I wanted. But...that's not going to happen. Anyway, read them and let me know what you think!!

Here's a description from the author's website:

Montmorency is set between 1875 and 1880. This is the story of a small-time crook whose life is transformed after an accident that nearly kills him. An ambitious doctor (Robert Farcett) takes on the task of rebuilding his body, and shows him off at meetings of a scientific society. At those meetings, Montmorency learns about the new underground network of sewers under London. In prison, he plans a new life, stealing things all over London, and getting away through the smelly underground passageways. When he is released, he takes on two identities: Scarper in the Dark underground world, and Montmorency in high society. The book is all about his struggle to prevent each of his identities spoiling everything for the other.

HAPPY READING!!!

Book Review: A Few Classics -- Books for Parents

(This post was originally published at ActeGratuit.blogspot.com. I moved it over here for convenience but left the original date the same.)

My neighbor Lisa and I started a "Classics" Book Club.  (She wanted a book club, I wanted "classics" so as to avoid the typical trashy modern book club selections.  I could write a whole post about modern books I've hated and am still mad I read, but I'll spare you.)

Anyway, I want to list a few of the books we've read so far, plus a few I've read on my own.  Here goes:  (Book club ones get *)

"Bleak House" by Charles Dickens:  While still living in Japan, my sister J-Bird sent me The BBC mini-series version of "Bleak House" on DVD.  Doug and I both got really into it and it made me want to read the book.  Which I loved.  I was glad, however, that I watched the mini-series first because it made it much easier to keep track of all the characters.

"The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins
I love mysteries, I love nineteenth century British literature.  Loved it. LOVED IT!!

*"East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Steinbeck became one of my favorite authors in High School.  (Loved "Winter of Our Discontent".)  But I hadn't read anything of his for a long time.  Super glad Lisa picked "East of Eden".  I loved everything about it.  I don't know why, but Steinbeck is about the only author who can wax poetic and philosophical about landscapes and cityscapes and not bore me.  Although under critical observation the book isn't perfect, I still loved it!
(P.S.  I've never read "Grapes of Wrath" and I did NOT like "Of Mice and Men" Though I should give it another try as an adult.)

*"The Importance of Being Earnest" and "An Ideal Husband" by Oscar Wilde
These are both plays, both short, and both hilarious.  Plus they have great BBC movies to go with them.  Highly recommend.
(Read "The Picture of Dorian Gray" a few years back.  It's also pretty good if you're into exploring the moral implications of Hedonism. )

*"Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo
Here's the deal.  Doug and I saw the play years ago while still living in SLC and liked it.  When the movie came out, we saw it and loved it. After seeing the movie, I read the book and...mostly liked it.  But I didn't LOVE it!
Here's why:  Holy crap Hugo, can we just stick to the plot and forget the super-boring historical asides that go on for pages and pages and pages and don't advance the storyline at all?!?!?!?!?

Honestly, the details about the Paris sewer systems and how sewage should be pumped back into the city to fertilize the crops---were just way too much for me.  Same with the description of the Battle of Waterloo.  And many other long-winded descriptions of Parisian social ills.  TOO MUCH DIGRESSION!  (And coming from me, that's saying something.)

My un-researched theory is that the point of the book was to advance those theories and philosophies to the Parisians--with the story of Jean Valjean being secondary to make the boring stuff go down easier.  Any thoughts from those who've read it?  Am I way off?  Why else would he muck up a perfectly good story line with sewage details?!?

Here was my one other disappointment.  Marius has got to be the most lame, over-rated, self-indulgent wuss in the whole history of literature.  Seriously dude!  Get a job!  Grow up!  Talk to your Grandpa!  Sorry.  I know that's not a popular opinion, but he really bugged me.  If you've ever seen the movie, just stick with that version of him--he's a little more manly.  Oh, and if you haven't read the book and are planning to?  Find a good abridged version!!!

"Vanity Fair" by William Makepeace Thackeray.  I really liked this one.  It isn't the best book ever written but the plot definitely kept me turning pages and I read it pretty fast.  It had sort of an annoying character, but she (finally!) pulled it together in the end.   Looking forward to watching the mini-series.

"A Room with a View" by E.M. Forster.  I watched the 80's film version of this (with Helena Bonham Carter) in high school and loved it but just got around to reading the book.  Turns out, they're very similar.  The dialog in the movie is taken from the book almost word for word. (And it's a short book so they fit most of it in!)  So actually, reading the book didn't add too much like it usually does when you read the book second.
But I still really liked it and I just forced Doug to watch the movie with me so I could see it again.  He did NOT approve of the nudie skinny-dipping pond scene though I tried my hardest to make him see it in a humorous light.   He also thought the movie was very boring and started checking sport scores on the Internet about 20 minutes in.  I thought the movie did have some rather awkward 80's moments, but still feel it holds up for the most part after all these years.  (The movie is unrated so I can't be blamed for watching the (BRIEF) r-rated content.  Or at least, I couldn't be blamed the FIRST time I watched it.  Book is G-rated, btw.)

(P.S.  I read "A Passage to India" by Forster a few years ago and found it pretty darn boring.  Like Les Mis, I think it was meant to be a commentary on a current social problem.  In this case; Anglo-Indian relations.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the story line just didn't do it for me.)

So, any thoughts for me?  Agree?  Disagree?  Have you read any classics lately that you highly recommend?!?

Author Intro: Brandon Sanderson

(This post was written and published on my other blog and copied and pasted here later.)
So the other night Doug arranged to take me on a surprise date. 
He got a babysitter and everything.

It was a Wednesday night.

I was sure he was taking me dancing or to a dance class.

I'd used various deductive reasoning techniques to come up with this theory and I was very sure of myself.

I told at least two people we were going dancing.

I put on a swingy dress and my new red heels.

I applied full make-up AND even a tiny bit of perfume.

We got in the car and Doug said, "We are NOT going dancing!"
I said "Yes we are!  ...Aren't we?"
No.  We weren't.

We went into San Diego to "The Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore" for a book signing by
Brandon Sanderson.

And it was AWE.SOME.

Even better than dancing!  The rest of this post will now be addressed to someone else:

Dear Brandon Sanderson,
First, I'd like to start by saying, I'm sorry we walked in to your reading late.  If I had known we were NOT going to a Swing dance class but instead going to hang out with a bunch of fantasy readers, I would have held off on the make-up and heels and we would have been on time.  My bad.  (But also Doug's bad for not telling me sooner.)

However, how AWESOME was it that there were two empty seats for us on the front row?  (Totally awesome.)  I could NOT believe my luck!  And hearing you read Legion was really cool.

Anyway, mostly just wanted to let you know it was a great night.  My husband and I are huge fans!  (And so are our boys because they've been listening to the Audible version of Alcatraz and the Evil Librarian.  So stinkin' funny!)
Also, I'd like to tell you a little about myself:  I am an avid reader.  I have been since first grade when I got hooked on Boxcar Children.  I'm pretty much always reading at least one novel.  At the moment, I'm reading three different books.  (One in the bathroom, one in the car, one by my bed...you get the idea.)  My point is, I read a lot.
And here's the thing:  I think you are HANDS DOWN one of the (if not THE) BEST AUTHOR(s) I've ever read.
Your intelligence is astounding.  Your imagination is awe-inspiring.  Your worlds are incredibly cohesive and believable and awesome and deeply-developed-without-being-overwhelming and awesome...

But of most importance to me, your books have something I learned about in college:  they have Artistic Unity.  In your words, (heard on a pod cast Doug found--if I'm remembering correctly...) "no unkept promises".  (or was it unanswered?)  Anyway...

Every tiny detail in your books is in your books for a reason.  When I finished the Mistborn series, I was sad that it was over, but HAPPY because you had answered all my questions and resolved every introduced issue.  What a freakin' awesome series!

{I'm SO glad you've chosen to continue it in a different time period.  I would be reading my signed copy of The Alloy of Law right now if it weren't for those other three books and the fact that Doug got to it first.}

(An aside:  Once I read "The Historian" and it sucked.  Not because it was about vampires.  Because it lacked cohesion and left MANY questions unanswered.  I'm still bitter I wasted so much time on that book! Just like stupid Lost!!!  I'm still mad at you and your lack of ARTISTIC UNITY Lost!)

Anyway again, just wanted to let you know I'm a big fan.

Come back to Mysterious Galaxy again soon!! We need a better picture!!

Sincerely,
Emily W.

P.S.  My baby's middle name is Brandon.  Not after you, but still...!

P.P.S.  This is my first fan letter.  Did I come on too strong?  Sound too stalker-like?  Sorry.  I swear I'm normal(ish).

POST EDIT:  My blog posts are automatically e-mailed to my mom so her comments come to my e-mail in-box.  This was her response to this post:

Dear Emily,  Great fan letter!  I'll have you know that I borrowed and read (my brother) Brandons  copies of Mistborn!  They were OK.  What shall I try next that's not so far out into ugly and violent cretins?  I didn't like all the good guys expiring.

(Not ALL the good guys expire...!!)

But I love you and Brandon, and I trust your judgement normally.

Love, Mom xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

I had to laugh.  Clearly, Epic Fantasy is NOT for everyone!  :)  Always good to have differing opinions!  

(I told her to try Gail Tsukiyama--an author I read and liked in Japan.)