Books... or the lives I lead outside of this life....

when i read books i often feel like i am in them, especially if they are well written. when i'm half way through them i can look back at how it started almost like i was there, i can see how the characters around me have grown, expanded and progressed. when i finish the book i feel a sense of loss, because i realize that it was not real (but what is real?), that i am not going out with Goddard, or will never own Darkling, but it seems like it was real while i was reading it. i can sometimes remember books i have read in the past, and it is not like a memory of a book it's like a memory of something that happened to me, that i experienced. it is kind of wierd and hard to explain, but this is why i love to read so much. it is a way to get out of a reality that sometimes sucks and experience another world.

so, for those of you who, like me, love to lose themselves in another world here are some books i have experienced over the past year which you also may like:

1. Darkling by K.M. Peyton; i just finished this book today so it is still fresh in my memory. it is a horse story and a love story, full of emotion.

2. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares; i could very much relate to this book, i have not seen most of my friends for a month or more and the people i see every day.... i don't get on so well with.

3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling; i won't say too much because i might spoil it for some one who hasn't read it, and i don't want to die. you probably won't be disappointed, it was very good, but it may reduce you to tears.

4. The Blue Roan Child by Jamieson Findlay; this was probably the BEST horse story i have EVER read (and i've read a lot of them). it was very unique, creative and well written, i think any lover of fantasy and adventure would like this book.

5. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer; a very creative Sci-Fi about a clone boy discovering some terrible secrets about the world he lives in and his fate. it really brings up some interesting thoughts about where technology is going and has a very good ending.

6. The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson; this is a wonderful story about an orphan girl who dreams of finding her mother-a grand lady- and it finally happens. but she finds that the life of an aristocrat is not what she thought it would be. it also involves a very hott farm boy who takes care of a georgious horse.

7. The Great Tree of Avalon; Child of the Dark Prophecy by TA Barron; i was very upset when it ended! it was soooo good! fortunately there is another one coming out soon.

8. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke; i already wrote about this one a while ago... it was really good though

9. The Wind on Fire Trilogy by William Nicholson; if you liked the His Dark Materials Trilogy (the Golden Compass, the Subtle Knife and the Silver Spyglass) you will love these. they are funny and thoughtful and the characters grow in a wonderful way.

10. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley; a wonderful story about a red-headed heroine who longs to fight dragons.

11. Birth of the Firebringer, Dark Moon and The Son of Summer Stars by Meredith Ann Pierce; a fantasy about unicorns, and not those awful unicorns that are attracted by virgins and killed for their horns. in fact there are only humans in the second book.

12.Wolf Tower, Wolf Star, Wolf Queen and Wolf Wings by Tanith Lee; the diary of a girl who thought there was more than what lay inside the walls of the garden which was governed by constand ceremony and tradition. she was right, and she also got the adventure and the man she has dreamed of.

13. Wolf Moon by Charles De Lint; the sad story of a Werewolf who is constantly hunted and all he wants is a home and friends. you will have a completely different sense of Werewolves than you get from most books and movies (save Harry Potter).

Enjoy your trip!