His Dark Materials (The Golden Compass Series)

I thought I would begin with the book, or series rather, that I am currently reading. We're all familiar with the Golden Compass because it is now a movie, but this is actually the first book of a three part series by British author Philip Pullman.
The series is an interesting exploration of the power of the Church. In the series, the Church is used to describe anyone affiliated with the worship of a higher deity, but it seems to bear the most resemblance to the Christian, specifically Catholic, religious structure, teachings, and beliefs.
The heroine is a young girl- great for any readers who felt a little excluded from Harry Potter's triumphs. There is also a boy companion who joins her in the second book, so everyone can feel like a hero.
These books deliver great doses of suspense, adventure, fear, and imaginative detail. The action takes place in several different worlds, and the language and imagery are exquisite and inspiring. The books are a great escape from the reality of your life (in which, I'm sure, you don't have witches and talking bears as friendly companions) but also thought provoking reads that will stick with you after you have finished the last book. The "religious discussion" is never ending, and a fresh perspective is always welcome.

You will enjoy these books if you enjoyed: The Harry Potter series, The Chronicles of Narnia

You should read this book: During the week before bed. There's nothing good on TV right now, and it will be a nice throwback to the fantasy stories you used to hear before bed time.

The official website: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/pullman/

The trilogy from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Materials-Trilogy-Golden-Compass-Spyglass/dp/0440238609

Purpose of this Blog

To those who love to read- welcome! I started this blog because I often find myself stumped in bookstores and libraries. I need to read something, but I can't tell what book would suit me best. I always read the little blurbs, but they often leave me just as unattached as before. I've picked out books based on the author, the appeal of the title, even the front cover, (although we've all been warned it's the thing by which we should never judge a book).
The best way to choose books is based on a knowledge of their content. This often comes from recommendations from friends or book reviews. Sometimes, you are more in the mood for a certain type of book, however. I hope this blog can be a guide for readers who want to read it all.

P.S. If you also write book reviews, please let me know and I will include links to your blog!