What's on the Bookshelf?

Prairie Storms

2011-08-10T11:02:00.000-05:00

My neighbor, Darcy Pattison, is a brilliant author and teacher.

She is just releasing a new children's book

called...

Prairie Storms

Great book for teaching children about prairie life and lots of fun to read!

Behind..

2011-05-04T11:50:00.002-05:00

I am so behind on posting! I've read a zillion books since my last post so I'm going to get busy today or tomorrow and should have posts for awhile! Sorry!
Please let me know if you've read something great lately. I need suggestions...

On Magic Glass

2011-04-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

I really like Maria V. Snyder's imagination...

She can create a world and make you believe you are there, that you are friends with the characters and know the families and countryside...

The Glass Series continues where the Poison series leaves off

with some of the same characters

Opal Cowan, the sister of the glass blower in the Poison series, is the main character in this series.
She is also a glass-blower who has magical abilities.

In the first book she is called to aid the Stormdancers, a magical people who calm storms, when their glass orbs are sabotaged.

Storm Glass

In the second, she has become a pawn of the governments, with her special talents being held hostage. She has to choose her path and find truth.

Sea Glass

In the last book, Spy Glass, Opal is without her magic, and has to reinvent herself and her place in society.

Spy Glass

Very compelling characters.

Fun reads!

Some sexy stuff and violence so probably for 9th grade up.

Wicked Lovely?

2011-04-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Aislinn has seen fairies, like her grandmother before her, her entire life.

There are rules about this (if you want to avoid the fairies' wrath)

Don't stare or let them see you looking
Don't talk to them
Don't attract their attention

This is blown as Keenan, the fairy Summer king, basically starts stalking Ash to see if she might be his queen...
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was silly in parts, but kept my attention. I might end up reading the next one...

Madapples and Madness

2011-04-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

Madapple, by Christina Meldrum was somewhat of a surprise to me.

I guess I was expecting a light, middle school type novel.

It was not that.

Aslaugh, is a 16 year old who is being raised by her very strange, controlling mother who claims that she was born of a virgin birth.

She is kept away from everyone and they even forage for food on their property.

Her mother's sudden demise makes Aslaugh a suspect and she must try to find out the truth about her mother's past and her own family.

Although it is very well written and thoughtful, this book was very difficult for me to read because of some of the content (rape, drugs, incest.)

I loved the author's knowledge of medicinal and edible herbs and thoughtful religious discussions.

I would recommend it for high school ages up.

2011-04-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, Book 1)

I really don't get the hype over these books...

I love a good supernatural story,

but this

to me was not one of them.

The characters were shallow and full of themselves (like many of us as teenagers I guess)

and the story just didn't have enough substance to keep it afloat.

I have been told the story gets better the more of them you read...

Not sure if I'll get to the next one, maybe I will to see if I was wrong.

On Literary Fest Fun

2011-04-22T15:32:00.000-05:00

The Arkansas Literary Festival was held this month...

The line-up for speakers and authors was really impressive, and there were many I wanted to see...

but I only got to see the grand finale-
David Sedaris.

He was funny,

sad,

and very entertaining

Speaking about the bittersweetness of life and squirrels.
I think almost everyone I knew was at his talk.

Our book club choice had been The Pioneer Woman's "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: A Love Story" and I had really wanted to hear her talk but it just didn't happen.
Luckily, another member of our club went to see her and said she was such a sweet person and
very down to earth. She was able to fill us in at our meeting which was fun.

Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman

I managed to accidently read another book from a featured Little Rock author,
Kevin Brockmeier...
the Illumination.

This novel was reminiscent of Blindness by Jose Saramago in that the world changes overnight...
in this instance pain is suddenly transformed into light.
Pain is there for all to see, tumors, back pain, headaches...

I love short stories and this had a compilation of stories all surrounding the "Illumination."
A very poetic look at the world through several different sets of eyes.

I'm planning ahead so I can see more of the festival next year!

Hanging Around?

2011-04-04T11:34:00.000-05:00

The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch

This was an interesting book.

Bavaria in the mid 1600's...

A child is found in the river, dead with a mark that could be a "witches symbol."

The midwife who the children are always visiting is the main suspect...

More children disappear and trouble abounds for the village.

I didn't get really into it until about a third of the way because I had trouble keeping up with all the characters. Pretty predictable but scary. A good sociological study of what happens when people go on a witch hunt. Neighbors turning on friends. It takes a strong person to stand up to the craziness, and this is the wonderful character of Jakob, the Hangman.

I didn't know how low hangmen were on the social strata then. They were required to be the jailer, torture people for confessions, mortician, and hangman yet are basically the untouchable because they do deal with death. Hangman's children marry other hangmen's children. Our hangman is also the town healer on the side and an ex-military man who did many things he'd like to forget. His daughter is a feisty girl who, unfortunately is in love with the town physician's son.

I can't imagine living back in the 1600's.

Doctors know basically NOTHING. Healers who do know something about herbs and healing are looked upon with suspicion and often thought to be in league with dark demons.

Insane times.

Very interesting characters!

Little Commune on the Prairie

2011-03-08T20:34:00.000-06:00

I had never even heard of the Hutterite religion until this book.

It was very interesting. The idea of communal living is very enticing (especially after reading this!)

Where else do women get a two year helper when they have a baby, do you never have to cook unless it's your designated job?

This is the author's family story. Her parents were devout Hutterites. They break with their community when the author is a child and the story of the struggle on leaving the community is as interesting as the story of the Hutterite society.

I did become a bit confused with some of the language and family relationships (and then realized that there was a guide at the end of the book...)

A sweet story about family and community.

Red Necklaces and Guillotines

2011-03-07T08:40:00.000-06:00

French Revolution and Puppets?

Magical Marionettes,

guillotines,

gypsies,

evil dudes who want to marry the pretty young thing for the money...

and somehow Sally Gardner pulls it off in The Red Necklace.

This is a very well-written novel that is action packed.
*It's a little scary in parts, (probably okay for 6th grade up but equally entertaining for adults) with the abduction, murder, revolution, heads rolling etc.

Zombie Love

2011-03-04T06:00:00.003-06:00

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

OK.
So I did it. I read the book I said I wouldn't read.
And it was ok. Just OK mind you. I'm not a horror movie fan (or scary book fan for that matter.)
Hollowland was the only book I'd not read by Amanda Hocking (so far) so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Your typical apocalyptic zombie story (like those crazy movie my brother always loves) we have a world infected with a deadly virus that turns people into flesh-eating monsters. Also we have those who have to run and hide from the zombies. Remy, our teenage heroine, is searching for her little brother Max, who was taken by the military to an unknown "safe" location. She teams up with a rock-star, a few other normal citizens, and some end-of-days cult members on her quest.
Love and Sacrifice (and lots of gore.)
Everything you want and expect from a zombie story, I guess!

Beautiful?

2011-03-03T06:00:00.002-06:00

The Caster Chronicles Series is a dark, (southern gothic) teenage series-

this time from a boy's point of view.

"There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
At least, that’s what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
There was a curse. There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave."

In Beautiful Creatures, Ethan thinks his life (and small town) could not be any more dull. He's lived in the same town with the same people and same friends forever. Nothing ever changes, or so he thinks. Under the seemingly "normal" exterior the town holds many secrets.
When a new girl moves into the scary old Duchannes mansion, Ethan's eyes are opened to a new (scary) world.

Beautiful Darkness picks up right where the first book leaves off. Ethan and Lena's love is tested as the darkness (and a hot guy on a motorcycle) threatens to tear them apart.

A scary, fun, series with some twists. The next book is due out this fall with a fourth book following fall 2012!

Study this Series

2011-03-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

Yelena, a young girl sentenced to death for murder is given the chance to live,

and in the palace no less...

The catch?

She must be the food taster for the Commander of Ixia whose last food taster was

not

successful.

Faced with a rebellion and certain death if she leaves the commander's palace, Yelena is torn and tossed by the fates.

The story continues in Magic Study.

Here we find our heroine finding out her identity and her potential as a magician. Her search for her lost family takes her on a perilous journey. There are some wonderful characters in this novel.

In the last book of the triology, Fire Study, Yelena is struggling with her enormous powers. Her internal struggles continue as she also works to avoid a revolution and find a murderer. Conflicts abound in this one.

Maria V. Snyder is a wonderful story-teller. I thought her writing style was intelligent, yet fun and easy to read. A great combination of fantasy, science-fiction, and romance. These stories remind me a lot of The Black Magician Trilogy books (but steamier.)

I look forward to reading more of Snyder's work!

Enchanted Hot Chocolate

2011-03-01T13:33:00.002-06:00

This was an "enchanting" novel...
The authors use an interesting format...
They actually wrote letters to each other using an identities of cousins Cecilia and Kate, girls from an alternate reality (Victorian England with a magical twist.) Think Charlotte Bronte or Jane Austen meets Harry Potter... At first, the format was confusing to me, but by four or five letters I got into it and really did enjoy it.

An intelligent story with smart female characters,

AND

it has three of my favorite things in it

English period romance,

Magical/Sci-Fi,

and especially hot chocolate!

Patricia C. Wrede, one of the authors has a new book out called The Thirteenth Child which looks to be another interesting read.

More Werewolf Fun

2011-02-05T06:00:00.004-06:00

Werewolf books are definitely hot now.

Andrea Cremer has hit the highpoint in the genre.

Nightshade is probably one of the best werewolf books I've read.

Calla is a tough, beautiful almost 18 year old. She attends high school with her friends at an elite prep-school which is not what it seems. An alpha female, she is destined to marry Ren, the alpha of a rival pack on her birthday. But on a chance meeting with a hiker her world is changed forever. Questions arise as to the purpose of her people, the truth behind everything she's been taught is challenged.

This book has much more "meat" to it than your usual mushy werewolf book.

I can't wait for the next installment Wolfsbane, due out July 26th, 2011.

A third, Bloodrose, will be released Fall 2012.

*Pretty graphic as far as violence and steamy for younger teens, I'd say this is for 9th grade and up.

On Princess Power

2011-02-04T15:36:00.001-06:00

From the author of Academy 7, Anne Osterlund, comes Aurelia.
The first in a new series about a spunky princess from the make-believe kingdom of Tyralt,
the story opens with a ball, a coming-out party for her younger (beautifully perfect) sister.
Aurelia's life is threatened without her knowing it- her food taster has died...
An old school friend, Robert becomes involved as a secret bodyguard but guarding the princess proves to be no easy matter. Tyralt's beloved princess won't stay put long and is always sneaking out of the castle in disguises.
Smart, sexy, and rebellious Aurelia doesn't want to sell her body and soul, but reign as a true queen.
Evil stepmother, distant father, gorgeous racehorses, and gorgeous men, spunky leading lady- what else could we ask for in a good princess book?

*This book is a little steamy, but nothing too hot for younger teens.

The book leaves us hanging, and I can't wait to find out what happens next to the princess and her "bodyguard"in Exile due out April 28, 2011.

Wolf Brother

2011-01-31T09:23:00.000-06:00

Ancient North America... circa 4000 BC

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #1: Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

Twelve year old Torak is alone.
His father, the only other human he's ever known, has been viciously killed by a demon bear. In his final moments he makes the boy swear to find the Mountain of the World Spirit, or die trying.
Torak not only has to fulfill his destiny, but like Mowgli must learn to live with people again. A wonderful story about courage, destiny, friendship, and magic.

This is a wonderful story. Because of some scary moments I'd say this book is great for kids in upper elementary on. I really enjoyed it and will probably check out the next one in the series!

Freaky Circus

2011-01-31T09:08:00.000-06:00

I'd seen the movie, and therefore didn't really want to read this book.

But, my neighbor's Japanese exchange student told me that it was her FAVORITE book of all time. "Oh, so much better than Twilight."
How could I not want to read and see what the fuss was about?

It was definately not Twilight.
No romance, no handsome vampires (or werewolves.) Just some selfish jerky teenage boys who want magic spiders, to be made vampires...
And a bunch of freaky freaks.

Darren Shan tells his tale of how he came to be a vampire's assistant. Two boys find tickets to a magical circus/freak show and sneak out. Darren's horror-obsessed friend realizes that one of the performers is really an ancient vampire. What transpires is a fast paced twist-of-fate.

Not for the faint-hearted, but probably okay for kids ages 11+ who like the scary stuff but have graduated beyond Goosebumps books. I think the movie was a compilation of the first two books. Looking back I think they really did a good job following to the book.

It was a fast, fun read. I have to admit even though it's not my thing I really did enjoy Darren Shan's writing style. Think this is the answer to those who want the scary vampire books without all the mushy stuff.

On String Theory and Fairy Tales

2011-01-28T08:32:00.000-06:00

I sometimes like to read a fiction and no-fiction book simultaneously just to mix it up. It was funny because I started a book on string theory called The Elegant Universe, and then got The Lost Gate, a book I'd been waiting on from Orson Scott Card. You wouldn't think it but they really compliment each other!

Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game, Lost Boys) is one of my absolute favorite authors. He has such a fantastic imagination it makes anything he writes so much fun to read. The Lost Gate was no exception. Who else could take almost every myth and tale the world has known and explain them in a scientific yet magical way that makes sense?

The sons and daughters of the North clan all have some sort of magical powers, except for Danny. With no apparent magic in him his family treats him as an outcast, a servant, a dog. He is always fearful that someone will tire of him and kill him.
When mean cousins push him to the brink, he discovers that maybe he does have some magic in him. But what he discovers only makes things worse and life becomes even more complicated for Danny North.
Alternate worlds, myths that are actually realities, physics and fairy tales combine.

I must admit, I found myself getting lost at times in this novel, but it did come together in the end to make a delightful read. Not a book for kids, with adulterous relationships, murder, and just some scary stuff. I want to know more about what happens to Danny, Wad, and the others. Not sure if he's planning a sequel but I'd like it.

Academy 7

2011-01-24T09:51:00.001-06:00

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

I have to start by saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover."
In this case the cover is very Harlequin romancey, and the book is NOT.
Much more of a sci-fi thriller with some romance thrown in (although nothing major and suitable for even younger teens-not too mushy for the guys.)
Aerin is a young girl who has been through more tortures in her young life to mention. Saved from her decrepit space-ship at the last possible moment, she finds a world she didn't even know existed. Equality? Fairness? Freedom?
Enrolled in the prestigious Academy 7, a starting point for future leaders, she soon finds out there is so much she doesn't know. She excels in her studies, being the top of the class in all but debate where Dane, the son of a powerful Alliance leader, talks circles around her. After time they form a relationship, Aerin's first friendship. Full of space ships, beautiful imagery, and high tech escapades.
I am anxious for the next book so I can find out what happens next to these interesting characters.

Little Templars

2011-01-23T06:00:00.001-06:00

I have a bit of an obsession with anything that has to do with the Knights Templar, or Arthurian legend. I saw this book at the library and it caught my eye, so thought I'd try it.

The Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail by Michael Spradlin

They year is 1191 A.D. A young orphan boy named Tristan is being raised by a group of kind monks. He is taken into squire-hood (is that the word?) by a kind Templar knight on his way to the Holy Land to fight in the Crusades. Tristan fights with the Templars for several years. On the siege of a city he is entrusted with Christianity's most holy relic, the holy grail. Tristan must get the grail to England. On the way he meets up with some characters (loosely taken from other historic/legendary characters) and adventure awaits. This is the first in a series so I have to read the next one now!

Very fun read. It's appropriate for most-this first one I'd read to my kids. The only bad part is the battle scenes which aren't too awful (not anything like what they would have been.)

On the Apocolypse (and Rice Krispie Treats?)

2011-01-22T06:00:00.001-06:00

This author cracks - me - up!

Mercury Falls by Robert Kroese

My husband thinks I'm officially nuts now (if he didn't already) because I found myself laughing out loud and then having to explain what was funny.
Like...
"Well, there is this angel and he wants to make Rice Krispie Treats with Peeps!"
"You see, this demon just brought this dude back to life and then whacked him on the head with a shovel. No, it was funny, guess you just had to read it or something."
"Lucifer came to the door in his bathrobe!"
"Oh my, the antichrist is a dork."

Talk about getting crazy looks from those I love.

But it is hilarious.
We have:
Christine, an aspiring writer who (for some reason) finds herself only getting assignments about end of the world cults

Mercury, a free-wheeling, fun loving angel who hasn't decided what side he's on (or we don't figure it out for awhile anyway.)
Gamaliel and Izbazel, two crazy fallen angels that make me think of Rosencrantz and Gilderstern...

A fun read. Philosophical and Profound, yet making fun of everything (which I love.) Just downloading another one of his books The Force is Middling In This One: And Other Ruminations from the Outskirts of the Empire (See what I mean!)
You gotta love a smart guy who doesn't take himself too seriously.

Letters from a vampire...

2011-01-21T06:00:00.002-06:00

Yeah, yeah, I know... Another vampire book.

And this one titled after a song by one of my favorite bands when I was a teen (long, long, ago.)

The Cure (and yes, I had this poster on my wall many years ago.)

This one is a novella to accompany the My Blood Approves series by Amanda Hocking. Hocking is my new heroine. A self-published novelist who is very prolific. She's put out quite a few books and I've read almost all of them so far. (My favorite is the Trylle Trilogy.) Nothing serious or life changing. Just fun to read (which is what we all need sometimes!) Can't bring myself to read the zombie love story she wrote yet... (not a zombie fan, can you believe it?)

In this novella we have letters from Peter (my favorite hunk in the My Blood Approves stories) to his first true love, Elise. A sad story that makes you realize why he acts the way he does in the other novels. Still, I wish Alice had been smart enough to choose Peter. He makes Edward look like a dork.

Hush up...

2011-01-20T06:00:00.001-06:00

Okay, so I read Hush, Hush to see what everyone was talking about.

(Plus Amazon kept telling me how much I'd love it, and I'll admit, I think it has a pretty cool cover.)

We have Nora Grey, a teenage school girl who's father has been murdered. She is not into dating yet, until the mysterious new boy Patch enters the scene. He's dark and mysterious and quite annoying. Nora is torn with her new feelings and the strange things that start to happen once Patch arrives.

Along your usual "teenager falls for other-worldly creature" novel lines we have a team of good and bad guys. Here it's fallen angels, and angels. Secrets abound. A little dark and depressing, your typical adolescent angst.

I liked it enough to read the next one, Crescendo, though (even if the cover wasn't as cool.)

Crescendo starts where Hush, Hush leaves off. Nora is in a new relationship with Patch, but he is being a bit of jerk and she can't figure out why. Her obsession over her her father's death starts to take hold and she finds out many secrets that take her into some precarious situations. I liked that in this book she shows a lot more spunk.

On a mission...

2011-01-19T12:55:00.000-06:00

The Ambassador's Mission was the first in the Traitor Spy Trilogy by Trudi Canavan.

It picks up where the Black Magician Trilogy leaves off... several years later with Sonea's son as the main character. (Here is my post on that series, just in case!) I really like Canavan's writing style, but all of these books tend to be pretty dark. This one I felt was interesting because the main character is not very polished which tends to lead to an interesting story in my opinion. I am interested in reading the next to see what happens!

Coming in 2011!!

2011-01-06T08:27:00.002-06:00

I wanted to make a list of books I'm waiting on in 2011...

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (coming July 2011)
Riptide (Dark Life #2) by Kat Falls
Passion (Book 3 in Fallen Series) by Lauren Kate (July 2011)
Son of Neptune (Book 2 in The Heroes of Olympus series) by Rick Riordan (fall 2011)
Kane Chronicles Book 2 by Rick Riordan (May 2011)
City of Fallen Angels (Book 4 in Mortal Instruments series) by Cassandra Clare (April 2011)
Clockwork Prince (Book 2 in Infernal Devices) by Cassandra Clare (August 2011)
Eona (Eon #2) by Alison Goodman
Ascend by Amanda Hocking (January 15th, 2011)

Okay, stopping there or I could go on awhile...

and yes, most (okay all) of these are classified as YA or Children's Sci Fi or Fiction. Maybe I'll come up with an adult list soon, but maybe not! :)

Down in the Dark (Life)

2010-12-27T14:34:00.000-06:00

It's not often I enjoy a book this much. In Dark Life, Kat Falls really gets the ocean, the beauty and awe of nature. This futuristic "what will happen to life after global warming hits us full force" novel finds land so precious that people go undersea to farm and find a new life. The main character is a young boy who was born under the ocean on his family's farm on the sea floor. His special gifts he keeps hidden until a strange new "Topsider" girl comes looking for her brother. Outlaws, pioneers, bandits, dolphins, giant squid, houses shaped like jellyfish, all combine to make a fantastic tale. Even though this is a book mainly for tween to teens I can't wait for the next installment Rip Tide, due out May 2011!

Fallen (Angels)

2010-12-21T11:33:00.000-06:00

In my quest for the perfect YA books I've discovered another series by Lauren Kate.
The first book, Fallen, introduces our heroine, Lucinda Price. Luce is a troubled girl who sees dark shadows and shapes who sometimes do horrible things. This explains why she's now enrolled, by court order, at Swords & Cross, a reform school. As awful as it is, Luce finally finds truths that have haunted her and friends that can accept her as she is. And even more she is torn between a steamy bad boy and an angelic-hottie who keeps her at a distance.

Angels and Demons teenie-bopper style.
The battle between good and evil begins.

*So far the books are not too awful for older teen girls. Drinking at parties, kisses on cheeks, and some violent scenes. So far the heroine has made fairly good choices (maybe a couple that are questionable but she learns from them.) I am enjoying Kate's writing style- fun and fast reads. Cool cover art also!

I say "Trolls", You Say "Trylles?"

2010-12-04T21:00:00.002-06:00

Again I'm into the realm of fantasy...

Trylle Trilogy (Books 1 and 2)

Wendy is a girl who had her mother try to stab her with the knife that was meant to cut her sixth birthday cake because she says she is a monster. Her brother is the only thing that saves her. Talk about a hard beginning...
Fast forward eleven years or so and Wendy finds out that maybe her mom was right... MAYBE she isn't human after all...
Maybe she is a Troll Princess.

Changelings, Trolls, and (hot) bodyguards, oh my.

I am fascinated by the Indie book publishing thing (that I didn't know existed until this series.) These books are only available in e-formats I believe except for a limited few. The author self-publishes and you download on your Kindle or Nook, etc. I LOVE this idea. Now, I don't love the whole "no editor" thing. There are very obvious type-o's and grammatical errors that an editor (probably) would have caught. Now, that being said...

I really enjoyed the beginnings of this series and can't wait for the next one to come out!

Coming in January 2011!

Dairy Queen Salvation?

2010-12-04T05:00:00.001-06:00

I bought this book because I liked the title and it didn't let me down.
Read this:
"My daddy always said that if the good Lord can take the time to care for something as small as a baby sparrow nesting in a tree, then surely he could take the time to listen to a little girl in Ringgold, Georgia. So every night before I went to bed I got down on my knees and begged the Lord to find me a way out of this town. And every morning, I woke up in the same old place."

Meet Catherine Grace Cline. Her mama died when she was a little girl, leaving her 2nd generation preacher father to raise her and her sister alone. All she dreams of is escaping the confines of their small town. When the baby sparrow finally flies she finds that things aren't always as they seem. I don't want to give any more of it away!

Wonderful story, great story of a small southern town...

Homegrown tomatoes, gospel music, porch swings, and who doesn't love a good Dilly Bar?

ROOM...

2010-12-03T10:00:00.001-06:00

Okay, I didn't know what this book was about when I started reading. It's our book club pick for January so I thought I'd get ahead...

Jack and his mom live in Room. Door slides open for them sometimes and he comes in. There is TV, and Stove, and Bed and... well you get the picture. It is very similar to the real news story from a few years ago.
I don't normally like scary books that are in the realm of reality. This one was, but I must admit I did like it. This haunting tale stays with you. Happy ending? Maybe...

Super-kids

2010-12-02T20:32:00.000-06:00

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester

I adored this book!

My daughter actually read it first and recommended it (usually it's the other way around.)

Are your kids feeling "different?"

Have them read the story of Piper McCloud. A little farm girl with normal, church-going parents. Oh, and she can FLY! Her parents are shocked and try to keep Piper from showing her abilities by homeschooling her and keeping her away from other kids in general. A picnic changes everything and she is taken away to a "special school" where she can be with other "special kids." Needless to say the plot thickens and Piper soon finds herself in a heap of trouble. Wonderful imagery and language. This story is now one of my new middle school favorites with a great message for kids to "just be themselves." I would caution a bit because there are some scary scenes with animals being tortured that were a bit disturbing (less than a Harry Potter book though.) I would probably suggest it for grades 5+, maybe younger if your child can handle it.

Grey, Gray, whatever

2010-11-20T12:46:00.000-06:00

I have seen so much hype about these books so thought I had to read the first in the series.

Not sure what I missed but I didn't get what the fuss was all about.
Imagine a typical cheap detective novel. Add some vampires, witches, and ghosties and there you have it. I don't think I'll continue on the Greywalking road...

The Mortal Instruments

2010-11-12T08:36:00.000-06:00

The Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare

What are they about?

Well, there is this group of people called "Shadowhunters" who without our ever knowing it are saving the world from demons every day. They were given this power by an archangel in the beginning of mankind it seems. With special tools they can draw a sort of tattoo on themselves to make them more powerful, strong...

The main character, Clary, is a girl who has no idea of her shadow-hunting family's past.   She unknowingly stumbles into their world when at a nightclub (Pandemonium Club) that is also frequented by many supernaturals. It all gets crazy from there.

Jace, the cool yet tortured teen shadowhunter...
Simon, the best friend/ boy-next door...
tattoos, rock music and leather outfits.

What is a girl to do?

Okay, THIS is why I screen my daughter's reading list...

The Mortal Instruments series is so popular, sort of the new "Twilight" thing it seems.   They are recommended for 9th grade and up, and I would say I probably agree (maybe even older depending on the kid.)

My reasons?
(Let's see...incestuous thoughts between supposed siblings, seduction, demons everywhere, angels and fairies being tortured... in other words pretty graphic stuff for those not able to handle it.) They make the Twilight books look really tame.

All that being said I still really enjoyed reading the first three books in this series.   I thought the characters were very interesting and believe me there was never a dull moment. I am anxiously awaiting the next books!

Like Clockwork

2010-11-12T07:57:00.000-06:00

I love this cover!

Tessa is a sixteen year old orphan who is going to London to search for her missing older brother. On her arrival she is promptly kidnapped by a nefarious secret club called "The Pandemonium Club" because of some secret powers even she didn't know she possessed. Tessa soon finds there are demons, vampires, warlocks and more (oh my!)

Of course she is rescued by "The Institute" a group of Shadowhunters, sworn to kill demons. A love triangle (sort of) ensues where she is torn for feelings between two steamy teens, Will and James.

I'd seen so much hype on this book that I felt like I had to read it.
I must admit I did enjoy it... But this is a very scary book (at least to me) with people being murdered for body parts, monsters everywhere, and horrible clockwork robot people trying to kill everyone while their masters take over the world. In other words- I would NOT recommend this for young teens or tweens. Probably at least 9th grade and up would be okay. (I'm not letting my 13 yr old read it yet...)

Now, for myself I can't wait for the next one to come out! :)

*I read all of Cassandra Clare's other books after reading this one (sort of out of order I found out because this is the prequel series to the Mortal Instrument series) and really enjoyed this book the most. I am a sucker for a good series. I think you get hooked on learning more about characters you really like, don't you?

The Lost Hero

2010-10-26T14:16:00.000-05:00

We are major Rick Riordan fans in our house. We have been eagerly anticipating this next series, The Heroes of Olympus. This series still includes our favorite characters (Percy, Annabeth, Chiron, and more) but with a new twist.
The Lost Hero did not fail to entertain. I adore the new characters. Leo, son of Hephaestus, is a fun and quirky addition to Camp Half-Blood. Like his dad he can fix anything. He makes toys and robots out of things he finds on lying around. Who can't love that?
His buddy Piper (daughter of Aphrodite) is wonderful. A nice girl who doesn't dwell on her looks (despite her mom) and can still kick some monster-booty.
Jason, another friend, is a super-hero who has lost his memory. The three demi-gods have to search for Hera who has been abducted.
I love how Riordan can make learning fun. This series not only includes Greek mythology but now Roman lore as well.
Why the "Lost Hero" title? Well my friends, it seems that our old pal Percy Jackson has disappeared!
Jason learns his role in the whole shebang to come. A great start to a new series. Can't wait for the next book!

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall...

2010-10-19T22:29:00.001-05:00

To begin let me say I adore Cornelia Funke's imagination. I wish I spoke German so I could read in the native language, but the translations seem to be good enough for me. In September her new series based on Grimm's fairy tales came out. I finished Reckless this weekend on my trip away.

It starts with a dad leaving his wife and two children alone.

Where he went, nobody knows...

His study is as he left it, dusty but otherwise untouched. A beautiful antique mirror adorns the wall.

When the eldest son, angered and rebellious discovers what lies behind the mirror he too disappears.

A world behind the glass-

Witches,

Gnomes,

Unicorns,

Dwarves and Dragons,
A brother turning to jade.

What if all the fairy tales were true?

Ranier Strecker and Cornelia Funke reading from Reckless (image from her fan website)

*Her stage adaptation of Reckless is coming to Germany!

Jacky's Back!

2010-10-05T09:08:00.000-05:00

Over my kids' Fall Break we went to Gulf Shores, Alabama and hung out on the beach. I took the iPad with the coveted- only on a Kindle- not on paper yet- "The Wake of the Lorelei Lee: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, On Her Way To Botany Bay". (Long enough for ya?) This is the eighth book in the Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer.

The things that were bothering me the most in the book as far as unbelievable-ness goes (I know, that's not a word) were explained in the back of the book by the author as being historically accurate. Quite cool.

What is it about Jacky? Mostly incredibly unbelievable, I still want more of her. She's spunky, courageous, daring, nutty, sexy, and fun. Who else could wear a bathing suit, or smuggle a stolen diving bell, or remain a virgin in ships full of sailors and pirates?

In this book we find Jacky a prisoner on a ship bound for Australia. (Not a nice thing.) She's put in contact with many of her old acquaintances, some nice some not. She also meets some new "friends" such as the crazy Chinese pirate queen... (ahem.) I thought for sure she and Jaimy would tie the knot in this book, but it looks like there are more adventures to come. Stormy seas ahead, Jacky!

Fudge is a Favorite

2010-09-23T20:36:00.000-05:00

I hadn't read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing since.... maybe fourth grade? I remember loving it but that was it. Well, this month at the Scholastic Book Fair I got my oldest son the trilogy. I realized that the Percy Jackson series was freaking out my youngest (whom I thought wasn't paying attention at bedtime) and so we started reading TOAFGN together. I think we all cracked up every night. So much fun!

Who can not like these quotes:
"But he looks like he has fangs!"
"Eat it or wear it!"
"I named him Turtle, to remind me."

We started Superfudge and enjoying it just as much!
Judy Blume knows kids and parents.

The Novice

2010-09-23T19:53:00.000-05:00

I just finished the second in The Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan.
In this book we find Sonea studying hard to be a magician. Most of the book revolves around the bullying that she faces at the hands of some "uppercrust" magicians who feel like she doesn't belong. Also, the revelation of the secret she knows about the High Lord, Akkarin, brings great changes to her life and her relationships with those she loves.

I enjoyed this book, but feel like it jumped around so much from character to character it was sometimes confusing. A quick read. I will read the next book though because I want to see what happens next!

Hush Little Baby (Mockingjay)

2010-09-19T12:30:00.001-05:00

I have had Mockingjay for a week, but after reading a few pages realized I couldn't remember what happened in the last book, so I went and reread the last few chapters of Catching Fire. Last night I was able to consume the book. It didn't disappoint me. These books are in that obsession area where you think about them constantly if you aren't reading them and will for a week or longer after you finish. It's not that I think it was the greatest work of literature, just a book that cuts you to the quick. The author can make you feel the pain of the characters, see the horrible things they do and still feel empathy for them. Amazing if you think about it. I don't want to spoil the story for anyone so I won't say more. I know I've been critical of this trilogy for being targeted at middle schoolers. I'm still not sure if I agree on that one unless they read the entire triology. But, this last book does finally make the point the author wanted to get across in the first two books (but never really did)- that war is hell. My hunger is finally satisfied. Great job, Suzanne Collins!

Pomegranate Soup or Yum!

2010-08-30T10:57:00.000-05:00

Our book club pick this month was Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran.
This is a lovely tale of three parent-less young sisters who leave Iran during the revolution.
This book centers on their arrival in Ireland, where they set up a wonderful restaurant. The ladies exotic looks and wonderful smells from the restaurant cause a commotion in the small village. Great flashbacks on their former lives in Iran give us a glimpse of what they went through. Mehran developed some wonderful characters and makes me want to visit their lovely (albeit non-existent) restaurant and chat over tea. I love how she throws a recipe at the end of every chapter.
Makes me hungry!

Image from Habeas Brulee

My Fairy Fae

2010-08-25T20:31:00.001-05:00

I have always had a thing for fairies, gnomes and other mystical creatures.

My favorite book as a kid
(Thank You, Aunt Kathy!)

As a kid I read all I could on Irish, English and Norse Mythology. (Yes, I was a little different.) I'd make little chairs and tables out of moss and sticks hoping to catch a glimpse of a fairy. I would make my family wave to a whirlwind, just in case. Must be my Irish or English blood shining through.

Arthur Rackham's "Faeries Sing"

Maggie Stiefvater has done it again with:

Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception

and the sequel,

Ballad:A Gathering of Faerie.

The first novel introduces Dierdre, a sixteen year old musical prodigy (harp) who excels at traditional Irish harp music. She has a best buddy, James, who is also a musical genius (bagpiper.) Dierdre falls for the mysterious Luke, who it ends up is a hitman for the fairy queen. (The plot thickens...)

In the second novel Dierdre and Luke have gone to a special music conservatory. It ends up that this is no ordinary college, with some of the other students and teachers possessing some of the special gifts of fairy sight that they do. Nuala, a mysterious lone fairy of death is introduced. I won't tell you more- just read them. And as an added bonus- on her website the author has music that goes along with the novel (some of which she wrote herself!) Very cool.

*These books aren't as steamy as the Wolves of Mercy Falls books so probably okay for younger teens and older tweens. There was some kissing and some scary bits, but nothing horrible.

Hoping she makes it a trilogy!

Guild of Magicians

2010-08-23T09:37:00.000-05:00

The Magician's Guild by Trudi Canavan was an fast, interesting read.

This novel has another strong heroine (my thing lately.) Sonea, a girl from the slums of Imardin (a kingdom with one king and magicians that do his bidding) meets up with her old street gang on the way to find an apartment for her aunt and uncle. (These kids really reminded me of Fagin's gang in Oliver Twist.) She gets caught in an altercation and discovers that she has magical powers that she didn't know she possessed. The adventure begins here as she must go into hiding with thieves and vagabonds. Sonea soon discovers that she must find help learning how to control her powers or she will destroy everything she holds dear.

One of those YA books that walks the line between adult and teen fiction it really wasn't as dark as some of the kids' fiction I've read lately. There were some scary moments, and a boy does die in the beginning. That being said I don't think it was as disturbing as some of the Harry Potter novels. Nowhere near the caliber of the Pellinor series, but fun nonetheless.

Diving Deep

2010-08-23T09:20:00.000-05:00

The Deep didn't disappoint.
Once again our heroine, Sapphire, returns to Ingo. This time she's inadvertently saving the world! She, Conor, and Faro, must meet the Kraken in the Deep to see why he's decided to come out of hiding. Will they be sacrificial lambs or saviors? I just adore the way that Dunmore creates characters that are so real. Sapphy and Conor, struggling with their father's abandonment and mother's new boyfriend (plus being half Mer...) Faro, struggling with his mixed blood also, trying to fit in... All about learning to be themselves despite hardships.
Emily and I both are hooked on this series and now can't wait to read the next book The Crossing of Ingo. I'm hoping the library has a copy so I don't have to share the iPad!

Tide Knot

2010-08-13T00:03:00.000-05:00

I love the sea. I grew up next to it and when I moved to this land-locked place when I got married I thought I would die from missing the ocean so much. (Still think so sometimes.)
The Tide Knot, the second book in the Ingo series is wonderful.
Full of the draw of the sea and land. The pull between them like the pull of the tides on young Sapphire, a girl with half Mer (mermaid) blood.
Sapphire and Conor have moved to a new town with their mom and her boyfriend. Still searching for their father, they find that Ingo needs them for a special purpose. They also find truth. Read it to find out more...

Maybe I'm Mer, Ingo is calling me.

Linger-ing on an iPad

2010-08-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

OK. So we did it.
My hubby has been pushing me to get a Kindle, or Nook, or something for awhile, telling me how un-environmentally friendly my reading habit is. (Although 99% of my books come from the library...) Think he just wanted this...

Yep, we got an iPad!

He's trying to tell me it was for my reading, but think he just wanted me to quit yelling at him for playing games on his iPhone at night.

Anyway,

I have to admit I love it. I didn't think I would. I'm a bibliophile and love the smell of a stinky old book. But this means I don't have to juggle booklights under the covers. I don't like the Apple Reader application very much. Books seem expensive and they don't have a huge selection that I could see. We linked into the Kindle app and realized it is AWESOME! I read Linger, the second in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series the first night he got it. I've already downloaded The Tide Knot and started on it. Something to be said for impatience.

Linger was great too. It was darker than the first, dealing with characters infused with self-loathing and other various mental issues, and some rock stars thrown in. The love story gets more complicated than Shiver, with Graces' parents finally getting involved in her life (sort of.) I was surprised at the ending, but remember there is one more book, so guess she had to let us linger (ha! Makes me think of that Cranberries' song...)

I'm Shiver-ing Now

2010-08-05T11:38:00.000-05:00

Are you a Twilight fan? If so, you probably will love Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater. This is the first in a trilogy (The Wolves of Mercy Falls.) The second book Linger is available, and the third Forever comes out in July 2011.

Yes, it's a sappy love story about a girl and a werewolf.

That being said, I rather enjoyed it. Grace, our heroine, is mauled by wolves (werewolves) when she is a child. From then on a strange, beautiful wolf with yellow eyes watches over her from the woods behind her house. Fast forward six years and Grace is now 17. She meets Sam, a beautiful boy with eyes just like her wolf's quite by accident when hunters invade her forest. Grace's parents are basically not "present" and quickly Grace and Sam become inseparable. He visits her bedroom secretly at night (like Edward in Twilight.) First there is just some heavy "petting" (ha!)

But parents be wary, werewolves aren't quite the gentlemen that vampires are I guess and let's just say that the chastity thing is not quite the lesson here as in the aforementioned vampire series.

As an adult I'm on to the next book...

On Tigers & Lightning

2010-08-05T11:20:00.000-05:00

Tigers, and Angels, and Lightning, OH MY!
Jon Berkeley has an amazing imagination (yeah, maybe a little demented but fun.)
The Lightning Key, the third in The Wednesday Tales series was a fun read.
I have enjoyed this dark series, about a young boy, Miles who in previous books was orphaned, on the streets, in a circus, befriended a tiger, and adopted an angel for a sister (yes a real angel.) This one wasn't quite as scary, which I liked. Probably for the 9+ crowd. Many crazy things have happened in Miles' short life, and believe me many more happen in this book. I especially loved the characters in this book more than in previous ones. Little, the song angel who fell to earth for Miles, is sweet and strong. Baltinglass of Arabe, the eccentric old adventurer is a hoot. The angels stalking Miles for his soul are even interesting. And, not to spoil anything, but there is a happy ending finally for sweet Miles.

Under the Sea

2010-07-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

Wow. I was blown away by Ingo by Helen Dunmore.
What a lovely book!
Although she writes for kids, she doesn't patronize, resulting in a story that is very deep and beautifully written.

Sapphire and her brother Conor live by the sea. Their father goes missing at sea one day and they just can't believe that he is dead. They soon find out that their cove is magical, that strange creatures lurk beneath the waves and can take them down into the depths of the ocean also.
Sapphire has to deal with her desires to stay in Ingo (the world beneath the air) and returning to those she loves.

As someone who lost their dad as a child, I loved the way the author dealt with the feelings that the children had to go through with the loss of their dad and their mother's dating. Dunmore's love of the sea is so obvious it makes you feel as though you are submerged also.
I can't wait to read the next in this series!

Question On Comments

2010-07-10T22:13:00.000-05:00

I have my Blog set to accept comments as long as they are moderated. I have a little quote and everything, yet there is nothing showing up on the posts! I have double checked all settings and can't see anything wrong. The only thing I can think of is that I modified the HTML awhile back to allow some extras. Does anyone have any ideas on why it's not working? If you do please leave me a note on my facebook page or on my main blog. I hate not hearing what everyone thinks!

Invasive Procedures

2010-07-01T21:42:00.000-05:00

I adore Orson Scott Card. I think that he's one of the most imaginative authors of our time. Invasive Procedures, a joint effort by him and Aaron Johnston was exciting. I don't usually like thrillers, but this definitely was. In this story a geneticist goes a bit bonkers and creates a religion of sorts with him, of course, as the fearless leader. He has the ability to change a person's DNA to make them stronger, healthier, and cure genetic diseases by injecting them with a virus designed just for them. Exciting and scary! A good summer read.

Singing

2010-06-22T10:07:00.000-05:00

Another end of the series depression sets in...

The Singing was all I thought it would be. A truly lyrical novel. This one is scary, but not as dark as the last one. Alison Croggon is an amazing author. These novels have the taste of the Lord of the Rings series, but in an easier to read flavor. The characters are rich and developed. My only problem with this last book was the relationship between Cadvan and Maerad. I don't know why I didn't want them romantically linked. I think it was because I saw Cadvan in my mind as Maerad's father figure. She was 15 or so when he found her and began to teach her. He was like what like 30? I know, in these books bards live extra long lives, but she was a bard too. I just didn't see that connection between them. But, you know everyone loves a happy ending, and this definitely was that! I can't wait to see what else Croggon comes up with. I love an author with a good imagination!

Lady of the Lake

2010-06-20T21:14:00.000-05:00

I happen to be entranced with all things Arthur. I've read more books on King Arthur, Merlin, etc. to make anyone yawn I think. But I do love those stories (and all fiction revolving around those stories!)
That is why Damosel: In Which the Lady of the Lake Renders a Frank and Often Startling Account of her Wondrous Life and Times was such a fun read.

Yes, it's a teeny-bopper book again. Remember I have young kids and seldom wander into the world of adult literature (simply because I don't trust them alone in the kid's section of the library while I'm in the adult section.) I adore any story of the Lady of the Lake, and this was a really fun one, told from her perspective. Stephanie Spinner has a great imagination and I will definitely pick up more of her works (she has one on Atalanta and one on Hermes which look fun- you know I'm on a mythology kick now too.)

Eclipse Novella

2010-06-20T16:45:00.000-05:00

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner:An Eclipse Novella is a new novella in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I stumbled upon it at Barnes and Noble and had to get it (of course.) It was a fast read, and although interesting I wouldn't say it was as fun a read as any of the Twilight series books. I did like the thought process that Meyer goes through to explore her characters, and wanted more of some of them (Diego, Fred.) Bree Tanner, a newborn vampire who is just briefly introduced in Eclipse, is the main character in this book (of course.) Her newborn character is interesting, and the tale from her perspective is a sad but enjoyable one. A quick summer read.

The Various

2010-06-13T11:47:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read a book that you weren't sure you liked while reading, but then couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards? The Various, by Steve Augarde was one of those books for me. It took me a month to read it because I had several other books taking precedence, but once I gave it my undivided attention I did enjoy it.

The main character is a girl who's mother is a professional violinist. She goes to spend time with her uncle on his farm while her mother is on tour. She loves the farm and the woods and soon finds that there are ancient, mystical creatures inhabiting the old woods on the farm. She finds a magical tiny flying horse who's been injured and cares for him. It's not all fairy dust and laughter though, there are many of the Various (all the mystical creatures) who don't approve of her presence and some who even try to kill her. A tale of the strength of family, finding the beauty around us, the mystery of our earth, the frailty of parents, and the power of a little girl. I keep thinking about it now. It's the first in the Touchstone Trilogy, and I'll probably read the rest now.

The Last Olympian? (I hope not!)

2010-06-09T21:03:00.000-05:00

This can't be the end!

I zoomed through The Last Olympian, the last in the Percy Jackson series (so far.) My daughter was mad because I got it at the library and started in on it before she could! (She's deep in it at the moment, hasn't moved since she started reading it this afternoon...) I did really like it. Our favorite characters are back in the battle- this time to save Olympus (which of course is on top of the Empire State Building in NYC.) I don't want to give too much away, but let's say it does have a fairly happy ending and it leaves you wanting more of Camp Half Blood's adventures!
By the way...
Out of all the books in the series my daughter and I agree that we liked The Sea of Monsters the best.

Into The Wild

2010-06-05T18:43:00.000-05:00

I finished Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. It was a choice of two books for book club this month. Some didn't want to read this one so they chose Sense and Sensibility, which I'll read also (think I have before but it's been awhile...)
OK. I didn't really want to read this either. First off you know it's going to end badly if you know anything of the true story. This boy graduates from college, decides to give away all his worldly possessions and travel to Alaska to see if he can survive. Needless to say that he was found in a bus on a trail in the wilderness- dead. So as you can see not my usual fare.
I think it was slightly more interesting than I thought it would be. Slightly. The kid was obviously unbalanced in some way. I think he probably had severe OCD with scrupulosity, because he obsessed so much about morals and such. He would have been much better off if he'd joined a monastery or something along those lines to find what he was seeking. And, as you may know with most chemical imbalances diet is everything and here you have a guy who's starving himself on purpose, which would make him more unbalanced. Really strange. He was a smart kid (well, book smart) but did some really stupid things like leave his fishing pole and gun behind, burn his money, go into the Alaskan wilderness with bad boots and clothes and virtually no food. As someone interviewed in the book says "He obviously wasn't a Boy Scout because he sure wasn't prepared."
What was strange was how many people he connected with on his travels. They really felt drawn to him and yet he shunned most everyone in the end.
A tale of growing up gone wrong.

Lost in the Labyrinth

2010-06-03T16:41:00.000-05:00

In this, the 4th Percy Jackson book, The Battle of the Labyrinth, we find our hero still battling scary monsters with his buds Annabeth, Tyson, and Grover. In teen spirit Percy has girl troubles, complete with demon cheerleaders. Grover now has a lovely tree spirit for a girlfriend (very cute,) and is on his search for the truth of Pan's disappearance.
The Titans and Kronos are getting stronger, trying to gain control of the famous Labyrinth. I thought this was not as good as the last book in the series, (probably because it was a little darker) but still quite good. My 13 yr old says she's having trouble getting through it because she thinks it drags along. I still can't wait for the next one and wish I'd bought it when I got the rest!

The Titan's Curse

2010-05-28T10:52:00.000-05:00

Another Percy Jackson book down! I tell you I really think Rick Riordan's writing gets better with each book- they are so action packed and fun to read. Like the Harry Potter series they do get progressively creepier, so not sure where I'll stop reading with my 8 yr old. Maybe with this one, he gets scared fairly easily and this was pretty creepy (albeit not too gruesome.)

Our heroes dive into the Labyrinth, in search of Daedalus. Many monsters, titans, etc. are found along the way. Percy's crush on Annabeth is explored a little more and a couple of new pretty girls are introduced as the teenage angst starts up full-swing. Luke is back, though not exactly as he was before (I can't tell you more or I'd spoil it.) Grover finally grows up with his dream of seeking Pan finally realized.

Another home run from Riordan. Can't wait to start on the next book!

Monsters from the Sea!

2010-05-18T09:05:00.000-05:00

Another book I read this weekend was the second in the Percy Jackson series- The Sea of Monsters.
True to his heroic form, Percy takes us on another whirlwind, crazy quest. Some of our favorite half-blood buddies are brought back- Annabeth, Grover, Chiron, and even Luke have their moments in the sun. This time we are taken deep in the Sea of Monsters (which, by the way, is located in the Bermuda Triangle in case you didn't know) to find the golden fleece of Jason's fame. Percy finds new friends and even a some family along the way (but I won't tell you more in case I'd spoil your fun!)
This is probably the next on our nightly read-alouds for the kids since we finished the first book last night.

Riddles

2010-05-18T08:54:00.000-05:00

I was sick this weekend with strep throat (yuck) and finished two and a half books I think.
The first was the second in the Pellinor series The Riddle.

The Riddle is a deeper, darker story from the first novel. It delves into Maerad's feelings about being a bard, her quest for her true identity, and more (that I don't want to spoil for you.) Her character really develops in this novel. I do say I really love Alison Croggon's characters and stories. I can't wait to go to the library tomorrow to get the third in the series!

The Long Black Veil

2010-05-14T09:45:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine, with her sister, have written a very interesting novel that I want to see published! She is a phenomenal person and fantastic writer. Here is a description...

The Long Black Veil

Jeannine DeLine and Bobbi L'Huillier

A drifter, a gangster, an interracial affair, and a little girl coming of age reveal the darker side of Camelot in the summer of 1963.

A drifter who has spent the last decade running from commitments, southerner Jamie Delacroix finds himself stranded in a small Northern town where an African-American musician, Calvin Lewis, comes to Jamie’s aid. Calvin introduces him to Harry Novotny, a small-time gangster with a respectable business front; Harry’s bitter wife, Eve, who retains a friendship with Calvin since childhood; and Jane, the Novotnys’ bright, lonely 12-year-old.

As he wrestles with his past and his future, Jamie is grateful for the unlikely friendships he forms with Jane and Calvin—until he stumbles upon the black man’s illicit love affair with Eve. As racial tensions in the town build toward an explosion, Jamie's discovery threatens to destroy Jane's family and costs Calvin his life.

Please help her get the book noticed!
What you can do:

Join the Authonomy site & create a reader profile for yourself so that you can actually back the book for on the site. You don't have to do any more than that, but if you're interested in finding new books to read, the site has a lot of good writers.
Go to : http://www.authonomy.com/ and click on the "Register" button. The process is virtually painless! Thanks for helping!

Into Edil-Amarandh

2010-05-13T09:07:00.000-05:00

I started reading a new series by an Australian author, Alison Croggon, per recommendation of one of our local librarians (who has similar reading likes.) The first book in the series The Naming is wonderful. The imagination and time that the author spent creating the entire world of Edil-Amarandh is absolutely astounding. She has songs, fables, languages, maps, histories, and more. Beyond that her characters have depth that makes you want more.

Maerad, our heroine, is a 17 (or so) year old girl who has been raised in slavery. The conditions she is kept under in the village she lives in are horrific. One day, when milking the cows, she discovers a man hiding in the hay. Their meeting brings new changes to Maerad's world- a world of magic, excitement, finding the truth of her past, and discovering her hidden inner power.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first book and already have the second one on my nightstand!

For You Foodies!

2010-05-06T08:05:00.000-05:00

The Food of A Younger Land, by Mark Kurlansky, was interesting. It's one of those books that I don't really feel like reading cover-to-cover, but end up skimming some chapters and reading others (usually not in order.) He comments and adds history to a previously unpublished WPA writer's project from 1940, which studied the food and eating habits of America before we turned into a generic nation. Wonderful writers like Eudora Welty, Zora Neale Hurston, and others contributed to the original sections.
Along the lines of Fast Food Nation (the book not the movie.) I found it very enlightening, but more so to a foodie like me than Fast Food Nation was. I LOVE how the recipes for many regional dishes are in there. As a child of the 70's and 80's I was already one from the generic nation of food I think. How much has changed in so short a time.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

2010-05-03T16:22:00.000-05:00

I have been reading in the middle school section again...

And what a lovely read!

The Evolution of Calupurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly was a great story about life as a young girl in Texas at the turn of the century (1900 that is.) Calpurnia is a budding scientist, thanks to her grandpa Tate, who takes her out on his collecting exbiditions. The only daughter in a family of many sons, Calpurnia would rather be out swimming in the creek or catching bugs than sitting tatting or knitting socks for her brothers. (Much to her mother's dismay!) A delightful story about the relationship between Callie and her grandpa.

Enchanting!

2010-04-22T09:41:00.000-05:00

Lev Grossman's The Magicians was fantastic!

The main character, Quentin, is a genius who is unhappy with his lot in life. As a high school senior he feels constantly the outsider and not at ease anywhere. When he finds himself walking from a city park into a magical college to take an entrance exam his world is turned upside down. It emphasizes those feelings of self-discovery and right & wrong that all of us go through. (Note that this is NOT a kid's book!)
Think Harry Potter in college or spring break goes to Narnia and you have it. Dark in places but still fun enough to keep you reading. The end was totally unexpected which I really like in a good read.

Dragon Training

2010-04-21T18:18:00.000-05:00

We went to see How to Train Your Dragon at the movies. Great movie by the way!
So, of course we had to read the first book named (can you guess?) How to Train your Dragon! Although NOTHING like the movie (different story altogether really) it did have the same main idea- that you can be whatever you want to be in life if you try. Cute, easy story. We will read the next in the series.

Lightning Strikes!

2010-04-15T14:48:00.000-05:00

I really enjoyed The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. I'd seen the movie, and my middle kiddo (7 yrs old) had read it in school. The movie didn't do the book justice (as usual) but was a great, fun flick in and of itself. I think I enjoyed the movie more because I hadn't read the book, and the book was different enough so that the movie didn't spoil the book!

This is a great rendition of Greek mythology from a modern point of view. In these books the main characters are children of mortals and Greek gods, putting the kids in the middle of many ancient rivalries and often in harm's way. Now, the adulterous gods did bring up a specific conversation I didn't want to have with my son yet- but one that I could handle. (He had read it in school so it was brought up before I read the book, and thus made me read the book...)
Fun read!

The Benedict Blues

2010-04-06T22:44:00.000-05:00

We have finished the last installment in The Mysterious Benedict Society,
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma.

I think we all enjoyed it- but it didn't move as fast as the previous two books did.   To quote one of my kiddos- "It was good, but not as exciting or didn't have as much fast action."
The ending was very sweet, and not what I expected.
Again, the vocabulary was wonderful. I love it when the kids ask what a good word means.   I know that they are listening that way.
Again, now we are at the end of a lovely series. Always gives me the blues...

It's been fun reading a book by a local author.    Maybe we need to try and do that more often to support our wonderful Arkansas writers!
I think we might check out some of the Arkansas Literary Festival events this week!

Scary Cats

2010-04-02T22:35:00.000-05:00

I just finished The Alchemist's Cat by Robin Jarvis. This is a prequel to The Dark Portal series which I'd heard a lot of people talking about. This was a VERY spooky book! It's for middle school kids, but it gave me chills. Another book set in Cheapside, London (like my faves the Jacky Faber books.) In this one we have a newly orphaned boy, Will Godwin, following his desire to see a long-lost uncle in London. He is swiftly captured by a very creepy alchemist and made to work and live as "his dog." Will discovers a family of cats whom he convinces the alchemist, Dr. Spittle, to take in.
The cats (Imelza, Leech, Dab, and Jupiter) are much smarter than the humans think. Things get crazy and interesting from then on.
I haven't read any of his other books yet, but looking at them it seems like they are about the secret world of animals and conflicts arising from one of the creepy cats mentioned above.
(But scary!) If your middle schooler likes creepy books they will love this.

Emmy & The Incredible Shrinking Rat

2010-03-29T10:23:00.000-05:00

My Emily read Emmy & The Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell over Spring Break and passed it over to me telling me I had to read it.
It was a fun read.
A little scary for younger ones, which my 13 yr old pointed out.
Emmy, the main character, has a horrible nanny who she can't figure out. Emmy's parents travel constantly and never seem to care to be around. She has almost no friends, except for the class pet- Ratson (a rat.) He talks to her when no one else does (even though he's not very nice sometimes.)
Emmy finds great adventures with Ratson and Joe, a boy from her class, after he is bitten by Ratson.
A secret world of rodents awaits!

Snipers in Sarajevo

2010-03-29T10:16:00.000-05:00

I finished The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway before our Spring Break trip. It was hard for me to read, simply because the content was deep and war is scary.

I loved the character of the Cellist, even though we don't really know anything about him aside from the fact that he was in the symphony- that he decides to play a symphony he composes for the war, one day for each victim of a specific massacre that occurred. The city is under siege, so snipers are everywhere and mortars are falling around him. His character is based on a real person, Vedran Smailovic, (who doesn't like the novel and is suing the author, FYI.)
The story rotates between four characters which I thought was interesting.
The descriptions of just crossing the street without dying, of going to get water for your family are heartbreaking. I can't imagine the horrors.
Mainly this book is about keeping your humanity in the face of war. And how it is very hard to do.

Until September?

2010-03-15T08:08:00.000-05:00

Another "end-of-the-series" (for now) depression...

Just finished Rapture of the Deep in the "Bloody Jack" series.
In this, the 7th installment in the exciting life of Jacky Faber, A.K.A. "Bloody Jack," La Belle Jeune Fille sans Merci, Little Mary, etc., we find our tiny heroine ready to wed her childhood sweetheart, Jaimy, at last.
Alas, it is not to be.
Poor Jacky and Jaimy will have to wait, because King George calls for them yet again. This time they are sent across the seas to the Caribbean to hunt for treasure. The dashing Lord Richard Allen makes an appearance again to save Jacky, and even befriends Jaimy.
I did enjoy this book, although maybe not as much as some of the others. Jacky didn't seem as on top of things as she usually is (hey, but she is only 16.) I couldn't get the image of the amorous pirate, Flaco Jimenez, to not look like Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. Not that that image is bad mind you (not at all...) but Jacky is supposed to be barely sixteen, and Depp is well, more my age. It drove me crazy.

Jemimah, Jacky's new cook & advisor, tells many Brer Rabbit stories that are supposed to link in with Jacky's crazy life. I got it in the end, but not sure it worked in some places.

Also, I think this was the first time I could tell a man was writing the book, not sure why.
Jacky is such a powerful young woman and a good role model for young girls. I can't imagine being female in her era.
All in all, it's a fun read and I loved the way it ended.
Now I will have to wait until September 13, 2010 to live the next Jacky adventure!

Here Comes the Calvary! (And dancing girls?)

2010-03-13T10:08:00.000-06:00

My Bonny Light Horseman is the sixth installment in the "Bloody Jack Faber" series by L.A. Meyer.
In this book we find the lovable Jacky sailing the seas as an honest shipping company captain. (Her own Faber Shipping company.) Of course things can't stay pleasant and she's taken by the British, then French Navy and then forced into the British Intelligence as a spy! (What they've been trying to do for, what- three books now?)
She is installed in Paris as a dancing girl to get information from Napoleon's men, and then finds herself once again incognito as a "boy" in the French army! Not as much singing and dancing takes place (they are at war you know.)
Napoleon himself makes an appearance and the Legion of Honor medal is given to someone...
Many of Jacky's past crushes make another appearance (Randall, Joseph, Jaimy) and a new one also falls for the famous pirate.
I can't seem to like Jaimy as much as I did despite his circling the globe for Jacky. He's a bit foofy for me for some reason. I do however find Joseph Jarrod VERY interesting and secretly wish she'd choose him instead...
Now on to the next book!

Down the Mississippi

2010-03-09T20:26:00.000-06:00

Mississippi Jack, the 5th book in the "Bloody Jack Faber" books was interesting.
Jacky escapes the slave ship, with her finishing school classmates, to be apprehended by the British Navy (yet again.) And Jaimy at the end of the gangplank in Boston too! Poor Jacky, she never catches a break. She manages to escape once again with much aid by her trusted friends, and sets off in the New World towards the Allegheny River. On her trip downriver to New Orleans she picks up many new friends (and meets many old enemies) as well as a riverboat or two (or three.)
Lots of adventures and Jaimy gets to tell more of his story in this book as he follows her around America trying to catch her. Poor Jaimy. (Well, not really if you read the story!) Not sure if I like that boy.
Now to find the next one... (wow, I am addicted.)

Shrinking??

2010-03-08T20:55:00.000-06:00

I just finished The Dark Ground, by Gillian Cross.
I'm not sure what I think about it. I really didn't enjoy the writing style, but not sure why.
The story is interesting, but confusing. The main character, Robert, looks in the bathroom mirror on
the airplane he's traveling on with his family and sees a small boy in his eye. He touches the boy in the mirror and he is suddenly a tiny little guy, smaller than a beetle, in a forest near his home. Huh?
The giant sparrows try to kill him, food is scarce and hard to get. He finds a little colony of other kids who were shrunken and becomes a powerful part of their society. I am not sure I get it, and I like strange.
I might read the next book in the trilogy to see if it sheds light on the story.
Has anyone else read these?

Pirate Fun

2010-03-04T14:22:00.000-06:00

Okay, I admit it. I'm obsessive. I get hooked on a good author and read everything they write, then go onto the next. So, I just finished the third L.A. Meyer book in the Jacky Faber series- Under the Jolly Roger.

I just love the way he writes! Most male authors don't capture what it is to be a woman (in this case a teenage girl) but I think he really gets it. This book had Jacky meet back up with her Jaimy, and become a privateer!
Great read.

Blue Tattoos

2010-02-27T11:05:00.001-06:00

I am so enamored with the "Bloody Jack/ Jacky Faber" series by L.A. Meyer right now. They are as addictive as Twilight, but a bit more intellectual. Historical fiction written for probably 9th grade up (because of violence and sexuality about like the level of Twilight) they are quick reads and very entertaining.
The second book in the series, The Curse of the Blue Tattoo, tells us of Jacky's plight after she is put off the Dolphin in Boston. Enrolled in an elite girl's finishing school she is quite out of place for a London beggar lass from Cheapside and has to learn how to cope in a world of women (which can fight much dirtier than any men can.)

She learns quite a bit and once again the author leaves us wanting more, more, and more! I put this one down and was mad at myself for not checking out at least two at a time from the library. I'm so glad there are eight in the series so I won't have to be left yearning for more for at least a month! :)

Poppy

2010-02-24T11:49:00.000-06:00

We have been having a rat problem in our old house this winter (I have Wildlife guys here right now trying to figure it all out)
So it's fitting that I have been reading books about rats and mice I suppose...
First the Underland books, and now

Last night I read "Poppy and Rye" the second in the Poppy/Dimwood series. They are so cute, and even though they are easy reads they have good learning opportunities on friendship, playing by the rules, being a rebel, being yourself, love...
I haven't read any to the kids yet, but I will!

The New Policeman

2010-02-23T07:55:00.000-06:00

The New Policeman by Kate Thompson was a great read!
I love reading about Irish folktales and fairies. My grandma would make references sometimes to old tales- her grandparents had come from Ireland to Canada.
This was a lovely tale of a boy from a wonderfully musical family who is discovering his identity and place in the world. He is a talented fiddle player and part of a long line of traditional Irish musicians, but trying to fit in at school and "be cool."
In this lovely story he discovers where his musical talent comes from...
I won't say more or I'll give it away.
Fantastic vocabulary! I honestly had a few problems because of the differences in Irish vs American English and had to think about a few of the phrases. She does have a glossary in the back for some of the traditional words, especially the music references, which did help. I think my middle school daughter will love this one.
Great read and I look forward to reading more of Kate Thompson's books soon!

I recommend...

2010-02-21T22:23:00.001-06:00

Do you have a favorite book to recommend? Something great you couldn't put down?
I need to add to my library list, so please let me know!
If this works I'll try and do a Mr Linky thing next time around...

Bloody Jack! (Or the cabin girl?)

2010-02-20T20:15:00.000-06:00

One of our childrens' librarians recommended this book to me as a read-aloud for the kids.
I usually (almost always) pre-read what I'll read to the kids or let them read, so I got on it last night.
It was an exciting read and I finished it (well, by 2am.)
I really enjoyed the language and the descriptions of life in the late 1700's early 1800's in London.
but very glad I read it first.
Definitely not appropriate for a 7 yr old and probably not for my 12 yr old.
For example the Jacky has to have the reason behind her "strange bleeding illness" explained to her by a prostitute. Of course, all the other boys think "he" is a worldly guy for daring to enter the house and he gets quite the reputation. Also hard to explain subjects like attempted rape, and lots of dead bodies due to the fact that they hunt pirates...
The main character, Mary (aka Jacky Faber or Bloody Jack) is orphaned at about age 7 or 8. Her family all dies from the plague and she is literally tossed onto the streets, her clothes stolen, and she joins a gang in one day.
A life-changing event occurs when she is somewhere around 11 or 12, and she takes on the role of a boy to escape some hardships. She even talks her way onto a Royal Navy warship and is taken on as a ship's boy. There she finds her love of the sea (and of a certain someone.)
Fun read for ages 15 up, I think.
There are eight other books and I'm going to get the next one on Monday! Fun read, maties!

The Blood of Flowers

2010-01-31T12:18:00.000-06:00

The Blood of Flowers was amazing!
My mom gave it to me to see if I thought it would be a good bookclub choice and I gave it two thumbs up! :)
It's set in ancient Iran, in the late 1500's. A young girl 15, and her mother go to live in a large city after the girl's father passes away. The girl is a rug maker, and the uncle with whom they go to live is a master rug maker for the Shah. His horrible wife is constantly picking at them and treating them like servants. She even talks the mother into selling the girl's virginity.

Poverty - Riches -Colors - Textures
Are woven in this novel as beautifully as a rug.

Cotton Comes to Harlem

2010-01-28T14:04:00.000-06:00

Cotton Comes to Harlem was sited as being "one of the foremost American detective novels."
I normally don't pick detective novels (well, I did read Nancy Drew and Ms Marple books as a kid) but this was our book club choice for February.
I did think the imagery was wonderful. You could picture yourself in Harlem during prohibition which is full of all kinds of images. The language was a little rough, but it was mainly con artists and criminals as main characters (besides the two detectives.) I realized after I read it that the author, Chester Himes, had actually been in jail during this time so the language and details are probably pretty true-to-life.
The story revolves around a few con-artist schemes. The main one being the "Back-To-Africa" movement run by an ex-con/preacher who is selling land and ship passage to Africa. The money he's collected is stolen at a rally and then the hunt is on to find it. Two great police detectives, a scary white southern Colonel, and the Back-to-Africa gang are all on the hunt. I won't tell you much more, but the Cotton does come into play. The ending is wonderful so don't read that first!

Resurrection

2010-01-01T22:01:00.000-06:00

Resurrection by Tucker Malarky was fantastic! My sister in law gave it to me for Christmas and I devoured it. I love learning about religions and especially the gnostic gospels ("lost" sections of the Bible.) This book mixed facts and fiction in a wonderfully fun way.

Set after WWII, the main character, a nurse from London, is mentally coming down from the ravages of war when she is thrust into Egypt by her father's death. Her father was an archeologist and had found some of the gnostic gospels.

War, the Nile, Egyptian scenery...

Fun for all!

Rats

2009-12-17T08:46:00.000-06:00

She did it again.

I have a new favorite author I think. Suzanne Collins keeps you hanging, and interested, which is great for a night-reading insomniac such as myself.

After being disappointed that the next Hunger Games book doesn't come out until Sept. 2010, I started on her Gregor series. I read the first and now on the second.

These books are much more in the middle school age range (compared to the Hunger series which I would be way too intense for my 7th grader.) Fun, slightly scary, full of giant rats, cockroaches, and bats (all of whom can talk.) Great for boys or nature-happy kids like mine.

Gregor is such a real, likeable 11 yr old boy who has much put upon him when his dad disappears. He cares for his sisters and grandmother when his mom is at work, even changing diapers and doing laundry.

Laundry-

which leads him to the Underland... a modern day rabbit hole.

Think these will be our next read-alouds.

Illuminating

2009-12-17T08:13:00.000-06:00

I adore illuminations. I was a strange kid I imagine. I loved calligraphy, needlepoint, history...

I had some great calligraphy pens and wanted so badly to learn how to do illuminated manuscripts. (Told you I was strange.)

Anyway, that said, I loved People of the Book. It's about (can you guess?) an illuminated book!

Actually the Sarajevo haggadah which is a real book, with a real history. The author, Geraldine Brooks, was a foreign reporter for the Wall Street Journal during the Bosnian war. She became enamored with the story of the haggadah and created her own version of the story with People of the Book.

Page from the Sarajevo Haggadah

Although I thought it dragged in a few places, in general the story (or stories) keep you moving.

The way the author takes you through time via the book is amazing.

Well worth your time!

Still Hungry!

2009-12-07T08:54:00.000-06:00

I devoured the Hunger Games and Catching Fire in three days. I wanted to drag it out but just couldn't! I passed The Hunger Games to my hubby (who doesn't usually read anything but management theory or computer language books) and he read it in two days! It's just one of those fast, addicting reads that keeps you wanting more.

Catching Fire was much better than the Hunger Games in my opinion, unusual for a second book. It gave more depth to the characters. Again, not for the faint-hearted. It is a young adult book but graphic and violent (although maybe not as much as the first.) Think gladiators (as that is pretty much what it is.)

I know don't know how I'll make it until September when the next one comes out... Have to find a new series to get hooked on. Any suggestions?

The Hunger begins

2009-12-05T13:31:00.000-06:00

Okay, I broke down and bought The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I started reading The Hunger Games and finished it in one night. Now I'm absorbed in Catching Fire but trying to slow it down a bit because I know that the next book doesn't come out until NEXT SEPTEMBER!

These books are not at all what I expected. Okay, I didn't expect anything except that everyone was going on about how fantastic they were. I had no idea what they were about. Wow.

They are another post-apocalyptic type book for young adults. (Think Ember series, Ender series, The Giver, etc.) The intensity got me. Very violent (and I don't like that normally.) But I can't stop reading. I am really glad I read them before giving them to my 12 yr old (who now will have to wait a year or two.)

The characters are so wonderful, the drama, the political, social and environmental (sort of) discussions to follow will be great! I don't want to give anything else away.

Portofino (or We All Have Nutty Families)

2009-11-09T09:12:00.000-06:00

Portofino, by Frank Schaeffer, was a great little read. Fast, witty, and entertaining, with some intrinsic values. I loved Calvin, the main character. It follows his yearly family vacations to Portofino, Italy from his 9th to 13th years (I could be slightly off there, but hey.)

Calvin is from an evangelical Presbyterian family.

(Here I must confess I was completely ignorant. My parents were both Presbyterian and I was totally unaware of this branch of the faith.)

It was interesting to see how he perceived his family- as all pre-teens and teens do- as being a bit embarrassing and strange. (And his was pretty strange!)

Wonderful characters abound.

His father's explosive moods completely determined what kind of day the entire family would have. Really quite scary to me, but normal to the characters in the book.

Great choice, Laura!

Giving Memories and 7th Grade

2009-10-30T08:17:00.000-05:00

I have been reading voraciously. I think I've read at least 6 books this week so far. I only read at night after everyone is in bed so no wonder I feel so tired and my eyes hurt!

This week:
All the Twilight books
Syren
The Giver
Started on One again
and The Tiger's Egg

My oldest is reading The Giver in her 7th grade English class and she wanted me to read it.
I had no idea what the book was about, just that everyone said it was wonderful.

It was.

If you haven't read it-
it is the story of a "utopian" future where people have no worries, but with it they have lost more than they could imagine. Think "Logan's Run."
The main character is a young boy who is coming of age. He's been chosen for the most important job in their society- the keeper of all the memories of humanity.

I didn't expect a story this strong for 12 yr old kids, but then remembered the books we read in 7th grade:

A Day No Pigs Would Die

The Red Pony

What is it with gut wrenching stories and 7th grade?

Vampires for Halloween

2009-10-26T19:28:00.001-05:00

What is it with vampires?

I am re-reading the Twilight books. I didn't mean to. I just wanted to re-read New Moon because of the upcoming movie release, BUT...
They are so durn addictive.
Yes, they are cheesy, teenage-angst filled stories.
But they are so addictive!
I am up to Breaking Dawn again now and hoping I don't have the let-down I did the first time I read them.

My 12 yr old daughter has not read them yet. I didn't want her to read them last year. I told her when she turned 12 she could read the first one (only) if she wanted to, but she said she didn't want to. When I asked her why she said:
"Mom, the girls in my class are SO into them. That's all they talk about. I don't want to be addicted to anything."
What a smart girl I have.

Finished

2009-10-20T10:44:00.001-05:00

I just finished Eragon. I was so impressed with his writing style and ability. All this and high school too? Wow! Speaks loads for homeschooling. (Maybe I should pull mine out of school again...)

Also finished The Mysterious Benedict Society, and we're started in on #2 The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey. The kids and I are loving this series. Great vocabulary!

I love it when we all learn a new word!

I know I've finished a few more this week but not sure what...
Started New Moon (again) in honor of the upcoming movie release. Forgot how steeped in teenage angst that one was.

Made From Scratch

2009-10-08T09:04:00.000-05:00

Going to try a new bookclub- this one online at Crunchy Chicken.
The selection for the month is
Made From Scratch by Jenna Woginrich,
who actually will participate in the discussion!
I'm excited to read it, and make the yummy bread that
The Farmer's Daughter had a pic of on her blog.
YUM!

Come Closer...

2009-10-07T08:49:00.000-05:00

Come Closer, by Sara Gran, was a fun, quick, thriller. I actually was able to read it on the flight back home from Orlando. I was secretly glad I was reading it on the plane and not alone in bed, at night, at home! It was a tad bit scary. Not as scary as I was expecting, but still creepy. Sort of along the Anne Rice, Mayfair Witches series.

The main character, Amanda, is a wimpy sort who is not quite yet come into her own as a woman. She is possessed by a scary demon from ancient Kaballah fame, who turns her into a psychopath. I won't give you more details in case you care to read. Good Halloween pick, Lori!

Ellen "Foster"

2009-09-09T09:08:00.000-05:00

I just finished this month's Book Club pick-
Ellen Foster.
I liked it, but oh it was depressing. The poor kid!

It makes me think of a conversation I had with a foster mom while waiting in the doctor's office one day. She must have been about 74 or so, and had a baby in a carrier and two mentally-challenged kids with her, probably 4 and 7. She was telling me about the kids she'd fostered in her life, a total of 18. She said that most go through without being adopted, usually because the parents won't release their rights, or because they are just too "old" by the time they get to foster care. She had adopted one girl who was now in her 20's. It is just so sad that these kids don't get a "real" family of their own. In "Ellen" I saw how that foster family can become the "real" family in a child's life. All it takes is one person that's willing to give a hug and an "I love you."

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2009-08-12T10:43:00.000-05:00

We are reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for book club this month (mom's choice!) I LOVED it! Romance, food, struggles, all the good stuff!

It is about WWII, the German invasion of the British Isles, written as a series of letters. Very informative (although I don't think it's a true story.) It gave me a picture of what life might have been like for these amazing characters at the time. Can you imagine living in London and seeing your neighbor's home bombed to nothing? These people all have two connections that bind them together in friendship forever - books, and a little girl.

Read it!

The Original Super-nanny

2009-07-30T17:16:00.000-05:00

The kids and I are reading The Collected tales of Nurse Matilda. This is the book that is the basis for the lovely movie, Nanny McPhee. We've finished the first tale, and working on the second.
A great read! Makes the kids think twice about being naughty (or could give them some good ideas for trouble!)

On Mice and Motorcycles

2009-07-23T09:42:00.000-05:00

Max and I have been into the "Mouse and the Motorcycle" series. We started out of order with Runaway Ralph, and moved on to the first book The Mouse and the Motorcycle. We looked for Ralph S. Mouse on our last trip to the Argenta Branch of the North Little Rock library, but they didn't have a copy. I need to check the main branch!

As a kid I loved Beverly Cleary's work, and found that as a grown-up I still do! Easy, fun, reads!