The Lightening Theif Update

It's hard for me not to compare things (especially book series) to Harry Potter.  I'll admit that I'm a "Pot-Head" in that respect.  So when I first started Percy Jackson, I'll admit that I was skeptical because so much of it just screamed "imitation".  And while there were somethings that were vaguely similar to Harrys' story, there were many other aspects of it that were very original. 
I won't ruin it for those that haven't read the book and plan on doing so.  I will say however, that I love Percy's moxy.  Is it okay for a boy to have moxy?  Eh, anywho, whatever it is Percy has, I love it. He's such a fun character and I love how he's kinda dysfunctional. 
I'm not much of a book critic (unless the subject is Harry Potter) so I'll just leave my recommendation to read Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  I for one am anxious to move onto book 2, but I have another book to read until I can start that.   Which leads me into the next portion of this post....
Sabriel.  I started this book last spring and I still have yet to finish it.  I've been putting it off and putting it off saying that it's easier to read stuff on my phone than it is in an actual book.  Well if Percy Jackson taught me anything, it's that I MISS reading actual books.  I'm making it one of my goals to read one book a month, be it fictional or church related.  Which, thinking about it I should make that two books, one fictional AND one church related.  But....baby steps Rikki.  So, Sabriel it is for now.  The concept for this book is so intriguing I don't know how I was able to put it down. 
OH! And for those of you who like crafty stuff, look what I made!

Ain't it cute?  My friend Gabi just had a baby boy this morning and this is my contribution to his 'welcome to earth'. 
So...yeah. I don't know what else to say except for "Remember who you are and what you stand for".  ^_^