50 Books 2013: Update [7]

I’ve caught up a little bit this month! I’ve finished a few books that had been on the go for a couple of months and found some new ones that I really enjoyed, and flew through!

Book 16
Bringing up Bebe – Pamela Druckerman
This is a parenting book, told through the story of one American woman’s journey to raise her children in Paris. It compares American and French parenting styles, largely coming down in favour of the French way. It was interesting to read her views on American parenting as much as those on the French – and I was initially irked to find her include the UK in her comments about the ‘failings’ of US parenting, but will admit that in some, she had a point. Over all, it didn’t contain any earth shattering secrets to why French children are apparently far better behaved, calmer, don’t snack and ‘do their nights’ much sooner than their American counterparts. The basic principles of the ‘pause’ and of consistency, authority and explanation, are all fairly common sense in my view/experience, and I have read similar theories and recommendations in other books. The story of her life in Paris adds an interesting dimension to the book though. My 7yo had a slightly different view on the book…

Books 17 and 18
Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night – Veronica Rossi
Loved these books! More YA dystopian adventures, I think that will be a theme for my reading this year! Aria lives in the Pods, spending her time in the realms – virtual reality worlds designed to save those living in the Pods from going crazy in their confined existence, she is a Dweller. Perry lives on the outside, in a world ravaged by Aether storms, he is an Outsider, a savage. Predictably, events conspire to throw these two together and initial distrust and dislike develop into something more. Together they must save both Dwellers and Outsiders from the increasingly severe Aether storms. The search begins for the Still Blue – does it exist, and if it does, how can they reach it? I can’t wait for the third book to be released (Into the Still Blue) to find out!

Books 19 and 20
The Magic Thief and The Magic Thief: Lost – Sarah Prineas
I realised that I was actually enjoying my 7yo’s current books, and in fact when he raced ahead of me, I just had to catch up! In the vein of Harry Potter, these books follow the adventures of Conn, a gutterboy thief turned Wizards apprentice. Aimed at 10-12 year olds, my 7yo has loved them both, and I have to admit I quite enjoyed them too. We are now reading the third book Magic Thief: Found. It has been lovely to find a series that we have enjoyed reading together, sometimes with me reading aloud, and sometimes with us both reading in bed, and catching up on our thoughts of the story together the next morning! At last, I think he’s ready for Harry Potter – can’t wait to start reading them with him :)

I am linking up again with Julie over at Mama OWL for her 50 books challenge July round-up, hosted this month by Sarah over at Ups Downs Smiles and Frowns.