My Charity Challenge

This week I am running a Charity marathon to raise money for Empower. Geoff & Lynice Wigney are the Pioneers of this organisation and are good friends of mine. One hundred percent of your donated money will be used for Empower International projects. Your donation will help secure the future for people vulnerable to injustices caused by poverty.  I had the opportunity to travel to Thailand with their family.I was fortunate to be able to have the privilege to go to a girls orphanage, where I met a girl that our family's sponsors.

have a look at their website to see what a great organisation this is. www.empower.org.au

I support this organisation and plan to raise $100

Courtney's trip to Thailand with the Wigneys

Thanks again,

Courtney

The Amazing story of Adolphus Tips

Author: Michael Morpurgo

This book is set in the year of 1943, Lily Tregenza lives on a farm in the peaceful, scenic village of Slapton, her life is scarcely touched by the war. Until one day, Lily, her family and the other villagers are told they have seven weeks to move out of their houses- lock, stock and barrel.

soon the whole area is out of bounds as the allied forces prepare to invade France. But Tips, Lily's adored cat, has other ideas.... and returns to the forbidden area. Frantic to find her, Lily makes friends with two young American soldiers, who promise to help. But will she ever see her cat again? Lily decides to cross the wire into the danger zine to look fro Tips herself....

This incredible tale of a deserted village, 

a lifelong friendship,

and one very adventurous cat is a ....

great book and I am positive that you will enjoy it from start to finish.

My Review

I loved every page of this book! It was very exciting and was a great story about Lily's life,sad,happy & lovely story of a girl with a love for her Cat.

Luckily cats have 9 lives,if they didn't Tips would have died by now!

I rate this book 9 out of 10 ( Sensational).

I can't wait for you to read this book!! trust me YOU'll Love it!

If you want to see the other book review I have done by the same author check this review out!! The book is called An Elephant in the Garden, I also did a mini review on that Post about Shadow(a dog in Afganistan)...

An elephant in the garden

Thanks everyone,As I said last time I will be reviewing even more of Michael Morpurgo's books, They really are great books.

See you all soon, enjoy your reading as the holidays are nearly over.

Courtney, the Queen of reading

#4Trixie Belden and the Mysterious Visitor

Author:Julie Campbell

Pages:236

Genre: Mystery

In Trixie Belden and the mysterious Visitor a new Character called Diana Lynch also known as 'Di' was introduced into their secret club 'Bob-Whites Of The Glen' (B.W.G) Unfortunately their Club is not so secret anymore,Thanks to the Beldens little brother Bobby! Diana's Father recently made a heap of money. Although you would think the family would be happy they weren't Especially Diana. Soon after they made all this money a stranger turned up on there door and claimed to be her mothers long lost brother , Both Diana and her father didn't like this stranger and were longing to get rid of him, Along with the pesky butler of theirs!

Is This 'Brother' really related or is he a Impostor???

My Review

I rate this book 10 out of 10.YOU HAVE TO READ IT!!!

I have to say that I really REALLY REALLY enjoy reading the Trixie Belden Series!!!I know it might seem like I rate all books highly, But I actually really Have enjoyed most books that I have read in my LIFE. I tell you if you want a reliable book read an old book, I seem to really love old books just as much as new books. I think that most old books may be good, Some new ones are good too!!If you havn't read any of the trixie Belden books check out my Older post of #3 that reviews the first 3 books of this series,
http://courtneysworldofbooks./trixie-belden-and-gatehouse-mystery

Spread The Word

If you have read a really good old book or series, post on a comment about it and tell me and all the readers about this Awesome Book/Series. Also make sure you readers check out the comments by other readers and write what you think too!

Buy It

Hey, If you are interested in buying the 

1#Trixie belden and the Secret Of the Mansion or 

2#Trixie belden and the red trailer Mystery

You can purchase it from me.I have 1 copy of 1# and 2 of the 2#.

Send me an email about it...or for more Details.

Thanks again Everyone, I hope you will continue to read and enjoy my blog.

Let me know if there's any suggestions of what I could do to improve my blog.

If you have read any good books you can recommend them to me and all the readers or even write your own review of them, You could also review some of the books I have reviewed.

My Side of the Mountain

Author: Jean Craighead George

Pages: 177

 My Side of the Mountain is about a teenage boy called Sam Gribley who runs away from his home in the city of New York, to live by himself in the Catskill Mountains. He was terribly unhappy living in New York, so he was relieved he had gotten out of that chaotic City. He left with only a penknife, a ball of cord, forty dollars and some flint and steel, yet he gained a lot on his journey, including Frightful, his pet Falcon which he has Trained, and lots of other friends of the animal sort and also a fellow human being.He intended to survive on his own.With his Knowledge and the help of his few new friends he maneges to make it through the long, exciting but lonely journey. Sam learns about courage, danger and Independence during his year in the wilderness, a year that changes his life forever.                  

My Review

                     I rate My side of the mountain 9 out of 10

It was a Fantastic book telling a well planned storyline that tested Sam's Strength, Endurance and mainly his Independence, But boy did he cope well!Although this was a Fiction book it seemed as if it really did happen! You readers will learn the ways of the forest and gather a lot of useful knowledge that will help you in some way or the other, Even if its only useful when you go camping in a bush or forest.I know that you will love this amazing book and will enjoy it every bit as much as I did.Amazingly enough this book was first published in the 1960's! My side of the mountain also won a Newberry honour award thanks to the authors Tremendous work in the book industry.

The Four Sequels to This book

 2#On the Far Side of the Mountain,

  3#Frightful's Mountain, 

 

4#Frightful's Daughter,

  

5#Frightful's Daughter meets the Baron Weasel

Thanks so much....

I'll see you all next time

,Courtney

Hello readers,

I would just like to let you know that I am going to post my weekly book review on Wednesdays! Sometimes I may write an extra book review but if you go on my blog on a Wednesday you will defiantly see a new post.It's just that in this life I am very busy ...... And I know that most of you readers out there across the globe are too.

Things that I do/Like to do

1. Ironing, I do a lot of ironing because I run an Ironing business.It's pretty time consuming....

2.Homework, Since I go to school I have homework.Don't we all, Student or adult we all have work!

3.Piano, I play the piano, so I have to practise most days. Practise makes perfect, they always say.

4.I play Golf, I practise some afternoons each week and every Saturday morning I have a lesson.

5.Read I have to read to have enough books to write about on this blog.Good for the brain

6.I also like to draw, sometimes I like to do a bit of drawing and I also do painting.'Very relaxing'
7.I have to check this Blog out everyday or so and I also have to write the Blogs!!!
 + more

Well I Guess I better be going now, I know you will understand that life is very busy.

Catch you later,

Courtney

An Elephant in the garden

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Pages: 233

An elephant in the garden is a great book about an elderly lady who tells her life story about how she escapes the 2nd world war in Dresden with an elephant, her mother and brother. Along their journey they endure many hardships. They are homeless, on the run to escape the dreadful war, Starving most of the time (Except when her new 'brother' Steals some food from Abandoned property's).Will the war ever end? Will her dreams ever come true? Read this amazing book to find out.

My Review 

I rate this book 7 out of 10(Really Good).An Elephant in the garden was a really hard book to review because it is a book about a nurse and her son Karl, who befriend a lady called Lizzy(short for Elizabeth), who just moved into the nursing home where Karl's Mum works and how Lizzy told them both the story of her life from start to finish. Karl believed Lizzy straight away but it took his mum a little bit longer to believe in the elderly Lady's words. 

 Another Book by Michael Morpurgo

Shadow was a great book about a boy named Aman, He is a boy from Afghanistan Escaping the horror of the afghan war. When a western dog shows up outside the cave where Aman and his mother live, Aman is initially held back as it is not normal for people to have dogs as pets in his part of the world. But when Aman and his mother finally decide to make a bid for freedom, the dog Aman has named Shadow will not leave their side. Soon it becomes clear… the destinies of the boy and dog are linked, and always will be…

Recently I had a browse at my Library, And found out that they had allot of Michael Morpurgo books! I borrowed 3 of his books An elephant in the Garden, War Horse and The amazing story of Adolphus Tips. There are heaps more of his books I am going to borrow so you will be hearing allot more about Michael Morpurgo SOON...

Thank You so much readers,I would like to know what you think...Post a comment,Tick a box or send me an email or even spread the word to your Friends.You can also follow me if you have a Gmail or Goggle+ account.

Thanks again readers,See you again soon

Courtney

Marshmallow Skye

 Author: Cathy Cassidy

 Pages:278

Age Group:10+

Marshmallow Skye is the second book in the chocolate box girls series and is told by Skye. Skye is twins with a sister called summer and often gets intimidated and thinks she is a shadow of her sister. Skye's Mum and step dad happen to stumble upon a suitcase full of vintage clothes. Skye loves history and collects vintage clothes,But what is so different about these clothes that makes her sister try to force her not to wear them????

Her life used to be normal, Well that was before her imagination  took over. But since her sister is always in the spotlight who wouldn't stick to the shadows! 

           My Review! 

I rate this book 8 out of 10! (8= Awesome)

I Couldn't decide if this book would be rated 7 or 8 so I had to think about it for a while and... eventually I choose 8!Marshmallow Skye was a really great book! It was full of daydreams of the past from a girl who wishes she lived in another century.It was interesting because you didn't really know what was going to happen next. so I just had to read it all day until I was finished!

Cathy Cassidy is one of my top 10 authors.Here's some info about some other books she has written.

Cathy Cassidy

Cathy Cassidy is a great author who writes in a sort of realistic, Easy to read style.When you read her books you seem to be able to read it really quickly because you are so engrossed in the book that the time flies by.I have read all 10 of her books, and they have all been Great!
Here's a short

Scarlett

Scarlett is a girl who's name spells trouble. She has been to basically every school in her area and got expelled from them all!Her Mum is sick of her made up promises! Her last option is to get sent off to live with her dad in Ireland.Her mothers last words were 'Behave or else'! Will the wild child Scarlett ever settle down?            

                      Ginger Snaps

 The days are Gone when Ginger was an outsider, always on the borders of friendship. She's replaced puppy fat and pigtails for make-up and hair straighteners and certainly hasn’t looked back – until now. Ginger and Shannon are best friends, but when they make friends with lonely Emily, everything changes. Are Ginger and Shannon splitting apart or can they stay best friends forever?

                        Driftwood

Hannah and Joey have been best friends forever – just the two of them. But …When Joey's new foster brother, Paul, turns up, everything changes. First Joey falls for Hannah's brother, Kit. Then Paul complicates things – with a few kittens, a chocolate bar and a stripy pink bicycle. Hannah's world is spinning upside down. Can you rescue a friendship when it's drowning? Can you save a friend in trouble even if they don't want to be saved?

      Cherry Crush,1#Chocolate box girls

Cherry Costello's life is about to change forever. She and her Dad are moving to Somerset where a new mum and a bunch of brand-new sisters await. On Cherry's first day there she meets gorgeous Shay Fletcher. But Shay already has a girlfriend, Cherry's new stepsister, Honey.  Cherry knows her friendship with Shay is dangerous – it could destroy everything.  But that doesn't mean she's going to stay away from him . . .

I recommend all Cathy Cassidy's books I have listed and also her other books Dizzy,Indigo Blue,Sundae Girl, Lucky Star & Angle Cake. They are all terrific books!

Enjoy Your reading,

Courtney

New Book Rating System

I have now got a proper Book rating system here are the results.

Now I am going to rate my books from 1-10 

1. Definitely don’t read
2. Read if you’re crazy
3. If you want to read a boring book!!
4. OK,but could be a lot better
5. Average
6. Good!
7. Really Good!
8. AWESOME!
9. SENSATIONAL!!
10. YOU HAVE TO READ IT!!!

          See you soon, 

             Courtney

Karen Wood

Hi everyone!

I haven't told you before but one of my few Favourite authors is Karen Wood.She is a great Author and I recommend all of her books to you!I have brought the first three books in the series. Diamond spirit,Moonstone promise & opal dreaming.They were all my favourite books!!!!

I rate them all 10 out of 10(10=YOU HAVE TO READ THEM!!)

For Christmas I got a gift voucher to a bookstore and I brought Marshmallow Skye(Cathy Cassidy),The quicksand Pony (Allison Lester)& My side of the mountain(Jean George) but made sure there was enough money left to buy the next two books in the series. Golden stranger & Brumby Mountain.

I can't wait until the 4th & 5th books come out I have been waiting a whole year!!But it'll be worth it!!Karen has a really amazing way of writing, I know that you will DEFIANTLY love reading her books! WARNING If you read this series you are bound to read them all because they are totally AWESOME!!!

Thanks again,

♥Your reader guide, Courtney ♥

#3Trixie Belden and the Gatehouse mystery

Author: Julie Campbell 
Genre:Mystery,Fiction but seems realistic

Trixie Belden is my favourite character in the Trixie Belden series. She is a Thirteen-year-old girl who is described as being short with a sturdy build, she has short sandy,blond ringlets and round blue eyes. She has a tendency to jump to conclusions, but her hunches often prove to be correct.One of Trixie's chores is to look after six-year-old Bobby, She loves her little brother, but she often loses patience with the mischievous child. Trixie has an amazing instinct for people and can accurately judge them before she gets to know them.Her best friend is Honey Wheeler. She and Honey plan to one day open their own business The Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency.

             My review

I really enjoyed reading all the Trixie Belden books so far. the Author writes in a way that makes it feel like it is really happening and has you sitting on the edge of your seat.These books are suitable for ages 12+ because they could be a little bit confusing for younger kids.Even though these books are quite old they are my favourite series so....
I rate them 10 out of 10!!!.

Here is what the 1st three books are about.

(I didn't give away the actual mystery's in the story's.)

1. Trixie Belden and the secret of the Mansion is about how Trixie becomes friends with a girl that moves in to the house next to her farm. Honey and Trixie become good friends and solve many exciting mystery's together.
2. Trixie Belden and the red trailer Mystery is about how Trixie Belden and Honey go camping to find a  friend that ran away  in the mystery before this one, and happen to come across a gang of trailer thieves.
3. Trixie Belden and the Gatehouse Mystery is about how the two girls stumble across a diamond when they are exploring the old gatehouse on Honeys property. They get sucked in to the mystery and get delayed many times. Will they manage to solve the Mystery or not? 

Check out the review of #4 Book,

 http://courtneysworldofbooks/trixie-belden-and-mysterious-visitor

These books may be hard to find because they aren't published much any more. There are actually 39 books in the series. Here are some tips to where you may be able to find them.

1. Look in op shops around your town or area,You should go to op shops every week or two and search around in the book section to find the Trixie Belden books. I think you could ask the shop to notify you if any of the books you wanted came in.
2. You could also go to garage sales, markets, car boot markets etc. All of the options listed would  probable sell the books for a reasonable price and be on most weekends of the year.
3. If you are to busy to look around op shops regularly you can go on to eBay and search Trixie Belden books and there should be a wide variety of the books to choose from, but the only disadvantage of doing that is that they are allot more expensive than op shops.They will range from prices of about $5-$15 possibly more or less than that price because you have to include postage + Price so I am estimating that it would cost at least $10 altogether, if not even more.
4. Some Library's may still have the Trixie Belden books but most won't. It depends on whether your library still keeps old books.But if they do you could borrow them if you are a library member or they may even have them for sale.

I hope you will be able to find them and will enjoy reading them as much as I have

♥ Thanks again, Courtney ♥

☺cya soon ☺

 Ps.Make sure you don't pinch my Trixie Belden books from the op shops!!!!lol   

The Quicksand Pony

 Author: Allison Lester

This book is a great book about the lives of three people.   
Biddy, a young girl who simply adores her horse Bella, She dreams of going on the cattle muster with her parents...But will that dream ever come true? 
Joycie,is a young lady who runs(rows) away to the other side of the bay and hides in a secret place she found when she was a kid. She has always missed her dad and brother.Will she ever get to see them again?

Joe, Is Joycies son who grew up in the Australian Bush.He had never known anyone other than Joycie.Would he ever meet anyone else?What would he do without her?                  My Review

The quicksand Pony is a great book that is full of  twist and turns of exiting events.It is a mystery, Adventure themed book that has horses and strangely enough a pet dingo in it too!!even if you don't like horse's like I do, I highly recommend this book to you all!

I rate this Book 9 out of 10

Next post I will be reviewing 3#Trixie Belden and the Gatehouse Mystery.

Introduction

Hi everybody!!!

On my blog I will give you a review of all the books I read, Good or Bad. Since I read quite a few books each week there will hopefully be a new post every time you look. I Absolutely Love animals so you will find that a fair few of the books that I read will have animals in them! I think that I love to read about animals(Mainly dogs and horses) since I don't have one myself!!Soon I am going to go down and see a neighbour of mine that has horses and lots of Shetland pony's and ask if I can help out and also try to learn to ride(Since I'm not allowed to have a dog until I leave home helping out with the horses should make the time I have to wait bearable and it will also be great fun!!).I have recently read the first two books of the Trixie Belden Series and now I'm hooked on Mystery books! Anyway .....Back to the Subject!!!

Each month or so I will give you a review of my favourite series/Books and Authors.And will rate the books according to my preference.As you know all the reviews I do are based on my own reading experience and may not be as good as I say they are, or they could be even BETTER! It depends on your own preference and interests. But I must tell you that basically every book I have read I have enjoyed thoroughly minus mm... about -3 But I have had such good luck because I choose the books I read very carefully. The best thing to do if you want read a good book every time is to...

1.Don't judge the book by its cover, Lets say the cover looked really babyish, weird, Boring Etc. It doesn't matter because that's not actually the writing on the pages that's just the cover which is usually illustrated by someone else not the Author.

2. Read the blurb and if your not sure by that read the first page or two.

3.If you have read other books by the same author and they were good then the book your looking at is probably good to!

4.Enjoy reading the book under a cool shady tree (don't want to get sun burnt! do you?ha ha)

The next post will be about a book called the Quicksand Pony which is written by Alison Lester. Its a really good book so far!

I should be updating my blog posts every few days so hopefully I'll see you again very soon!

Courtney the readerholic