@Pev: Hurrah for a fixed computer! 🙂
I don't observe Jewish holidays (apart from the period of time in which I was in Israel), so no, I won't be doing Chanuukah with you. 😉

Awwww 🙁 okay

I personally don't celebrate Hanukah, though I still think it's a great holiday. 🙂 I had a Messianic Jew explain that Hanukah and Christmas are pretty closely related since they're both about God giving His people light, in Hanukah it's the light of the candlesticks and in Christmas it's Jesus who's the Light of the world.

And I know it's important for you, Pev, so I made you a forum set if you'd like it. I'll be making myself my annual Christmas one soon and it'll be nice to see some diversity on the forum.

That's a nice set, Tooky! Also cool that you got a Messianic Jew's perspective on Chanuukah and Christmas! 😀

Aww thanks a lot Tooky! 😀 That's awesome!

That s curious though. I am a Jewish christian (as opposed to a messianic Jew, I have no Jewish roots) but I have kinda been arguing against the opinions that promote both christmas and hanukkah. They are nothing alike as far as I can tell, but there are things about hanukkah that we can remember Christ by just as much as people do christmas.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against anyone who celebrates christmas. I just like to point out certain things. Like the fact that we were given multiple major feasts a year that all have prophecy of Christ and that we can celebrate in memory of his time on earth. Yet, nonetheless, for the sake of tradition people remain celebrating a holiday that was made christian by the pope a long time ago, but previously had nothing to do with Christ. 😛

SO what else is up with you all?
I remember Ela Enchanted was a bog thing here not too long ago, and I wasn't gonna read it. But last month I did, and I do not regret it. It was a very good book.

*shrugs* There will always be differences of opinion. I've got no issues with observing Jewish holidays as long as Jesus is the center; just didn't grow up that way or come to the conclusion that the feasts commanded to Israel are likewise commanded of Christians.

I'm a little surprised you read Ella Enchanted (it being geared toward girls and all), but yes, it's an enjoyable story! If you feel like reading more of the same, I recommend Fairest by the same author.

Hm
There some thought there.

Nah thanks XD Ella Enchanted was odd but good. I am more into other stuff at the moment.
I am reading the Michael Vey series

My family did celebrate Hanukkah once. I'm not sure we got it right, though. My mom had found a menorah and decided we should celebrate Hanukkah because the President was celebrating too. I remember lighting the candles on multiple nights and singing, but I don't think we did anything else that is traditionally associated.
At one point I went to a non-denominational church and they did observe Passover a couple of times by making a traditional Passover meal. I missed it both times, though, the first time they ran out of plates and the second I was helping in the toddler nursery.

I've celebrated Passover but never Hanukkah yet.

Oh, I just finished Levine's latest book "The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre". It was quite good. I've read all of her fairy tale books, they're kinda my thing.

I've been on two grad school tours and I have my top university picked out, but I'll find out in February which ones I get accepted too. I can't remember if I've mentioned this in the chat thread or not, but I'm in the process of applying to school to become a librarian. It took awhile to figure it out, but I know that it's the general direction that my life needs to be taking.

Oh, that's cool, Tooky! Keep us posted on that!
I started reading Lost Kingdom of Bamarre some years ago, but the idea of seeing right through a spectre's mouth freaked me out so much at the time, I stopped reading. Probably more than fine with it now, haha.

Meanwhile, I've slowly been going through the Focus on the Family Narnias since I've been spending abnormal amounts of time in the kitchen lately and the Narnia CDs are great for getting through the process. 😉

I'm in the process of applying to school to become a librarian. It took awhile to figure it out, but I know that it's the general direction that my life needs to be taking.

I AM SOOOOOO JEALOUS ish. 😀 That is the best thing ever, Tooky!

I read Eragon. It was really really well done. The regular bit of dragon magic and stuff, but clean as any fairytale style book. Maybe a swear or two here or there.

I am gonna start the book Here There be Dragons. Anyone read this? It's the first of a series, I can't remember the name of. Two people have almost yelled at me to read it and so I shall. 😀 But do any of you like it?

I read it a awhile ago. I remember the first two being rather fun, but the last two got weird with some strange afterlife stuff (Though given what I know about Charles Williams RL now it somehow seems less weird in hindsight. Actually, maybe I should give the series another browse now that I've read one of William's books, he's quite different from Tolkien and Lewis. Given your latest reading I wouldn't recommend him yet, he's really deeply philosophical.). I'd recommend giving it a try, but don't feel like you have to keep going in the series if it's not your thing.

Oh, Ariel, I think you're thinking of the Two Princesses of Bamarre, that one's been out for awhile, Lost Kingdom of Bamarre came out early this year, it's a prequel and doesn't require you to have read Two Princesses...which is good because I really,really liked Lost Kingdom, but Two Princesses is low on my list of Gail Carson Levine books. Though I might read it again now that I have the "historical background".

Okay
That is good to know, thanks. Considering it was my twin who recommended it.... im not worried 🙂 She thinks identically to me so often.

Hassss anyone here actually SEEN much of the Wingfeather stuff yet? I want to know your opinions on the comparison of the books to the cartoon. I have only seen the trailer, but yet I find it interesting. I don't think they follow the books as well as I would have liked (from spoilers I have gotten) but Im not sure.
Weirder yet, the cartoon being made by the author of the books.... it's still cannonical if it doesn't follow the books? XD

Hai peopleses. 🙂 So I was wondering if anyone else has read The Door Within series? I know my borthers (Chess and Pev) have. 😛 Idk, just asking. Personally I LOVE them and think they're amazing. 🙂