Milk and Cookies: Comfort Reading

Radio Silence

2012-02-07T09:07:00.003-07:00

Argh! I have been reading and have some reviews coming down the pipeline, but...
We just bought ipads for our library and all myc thoughts are consumed with those.
They are for staff check out and we are trying to figure out the logistics of that.
Also, I had a girls weekend last weekend and did no blogging.
I know you all understand.

For some reason I have been into mysteries so I have reviews for The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers and The Night She Disappeared by April Henry up soon!

Have a great Tuesday!

Dystopian-ed Out (The Non-Dystopian Week)

2012-02-01T12:23:00.001-07:00

I am reading a dystopian book right now. It's actually pretty good, but the world that has been created is so horrible that I don't even know why people are fighting to save it. Because you have to feel hope when you are reading a dystopian.

I feel like I am being cheated a bit by this genre. There are so many of them that have been published and that are being published that I am having a hard time remembering the wonder of those first ones that I liked: the ones by Lois Lowry (the Giver), and John Christopher (the Tripods series). Even The Hunger Games which really ignited this genre for today's readers.

And it's okay. There are a lot of readers out there still looking for good dystopians, and I will get back to reading dystopians, I know I will. But for now, I want something anti-dystopian. So I am going to have non-dystopian week. February 20-24 I am going to focus on light books about the here and now that offer hope and fun.

I already have a bunch in mind, but what about you? What books do you think are anti-dystopian? And would you like to participate?

Tween Tuesday: Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur

2012-01-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

5 fresh from the oven, warm and melty cookies dipped in cold milk.

Cover Love: It's intriguing, but I don't think it's particularly eye-catching.

Why I Wanted to Read This: I loved LaFleur's book Love, Aubrey and liked the synopsis for this one. Here it is from GoodReads:

Elise and Franklin have always been best friends. Elise has always lived in the big house with her loving Uncle and Aunt, because Elise's parents died when she was too young to remember them. There's always been a barn behind the house with eight locked doors on the second floor.
When Elise and Franklin start middle school, things feel all wrong. Bullying. Not fitting in. Franklin suddenly seems babyish. Then, soon after her 12th birthday, Elise receives a mysterious key left for her by her father. A key that unlocks one of the eight doors upstairs in the barn.

I Kept Reading Because:I couldn't put it down. AT ALL.

Romance?: No.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

This book was so emotional! I think I needed a good cry, and I was a bit PMSed, but I spent a few chapters silently crying as I read. Once Elise got to start opening the doors to the rooms her dad left her I couldn't stop. I kept thinking about being her dad knowing that he was dying and that he wouldn't be able to help Elise grow up (I am tearing up now!). I mean, what would you do it that was you?!

This book also talks to readers on so many levels: grown up readers as parents, and young readers who will identify with Elise and her problems at school.

Again we have the issue of best friends who are a boy and a girl who separate in middle school. In this case it was Elise's fault. Watching her realize this and seeing her grow from it was gratifying.

Elise was so conflicted. So unsure of how she should be acting at school, unsure of her place in her house, you just wanted to reach in and hug her! And her aunt and uncle were so cool and so loving. When I read the letter her dad wrote her about her uncle I sobbed, ugh. I sobbed.

But it was all so well written that even though I cried, I didn't want to stop reading. It was good crying! And it made me hug my boys and tell each of them how special they are to me.

To Sum Up: This is a book parents should read and young girls should read. It is a true coming of age, finding out how special you are type of book!

Book bought for my library.

Tween Tuesday is hosted by Sarah of GreenBeanTeenQueen. Thanks Sarah!!

Review: Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby

2012-01-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

4 ice cream sandwiches (trying to think of a cold cookie...)

Cover Love: It is eye catching but the whole book I felt it was misleading. This makes it look magical and really adventurous. By the end, though I felt it was just fine! Plus that can be any character and the cover screams boy book even though the main character is a girl. Bonus!

Why I Wanted to Read This:

After seeing everyone get copies at BEA last year it was on my radar. Then it was nominated for an Edgar award, so I knew I had to read it. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her brother the crown prince, their older sister, and an army of restless warriors, anxiously awaits news of her father's victory at battle. But as winter stretches on, and the unending ice refuses to break, terrible acts of treachery soon make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst. A malevolent air begins to seep through the fortress walls, and a smothering claustrophobia slowly turns these prisoners of winter against one another.
Those charged with protecting the king's children are all suspect, and the siblings must choose their allies wisely. But who can be trusted so far from their father's watchful eye? Can Solveig and her siblings survive the long winter months and expose the traitor before he succeeds in destroying a kingdom?

I Kept Reading Because: I was caught up in the story!

Romance?: A little, but not for Solveig.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

First of I didn't think I would like this near as much because it is set on foreign soil, not always my favorite setting. However, this one is set in the past which helped. I also didn't think I would like the "bottle" aspect, a small group of characters in an isolated, trapped setting. But I found I really liked this! I didn't want anyone else intruding.

If I was reviewing like Forever Young Adult, I would give them two bonuses: Game of Thrones and Thor. As I was reading I kept thinking if Game of Thrones, with the weather, the isolation, the traitor and the myths/religion. The religion and myths were all about Thor and Odin which is a selling point I know I will be able to use to get many readers interested in picking it up!

There was plenty of action, but more intrigue and tension. The author does a great job of amping that up. When the traitor starts causing problems, everyone is suspect. And things just go from bad to worse. This is when Solveig begins to realize the power of words and that she too has a gift.

There are twists! I love a book that takes you a new direction. I kind of suspected the main traitor, but there was more to that story that I didn't see coming.

The first part loved along okay. But it was really setting up for the last third, which I could not put down! I read really late to finish and was very satisfied.

To Sum Up: A great middle grade read with lots of tension and mystery and mythology. Will be an easy book to get many of my students interested in reading!

Book bought for my school library.

Review: Shelter by Harlan Coben

2012-01-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

5 hard to stop eating oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies.

Cover Love: It's ok. Definitely holds a hint of mystery.

Why I Wanted to Read This:

I read the first chapter online and I like the idea of an adult mystery writer writing for YA. Some of them turn out really good. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools.

A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey's train-wreck of a life is finally improving - until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury - and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

I Kept Reading Because: I actually couldn't stop reading!

Romance?: No, but some potential for one.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

First off, I loved Mickey. Great teenage, male character. Slightly super hero-ish, very good-hearted and smart. He is just plain made of awesome. If I was in high school I would want him to be my boyfriend for sure.

I loved how he collected himself some misfits for his crew--Ema was great, can't wait until she finally opens up to Mickey (in fact, maybe a future book will have to do with all her secrets); and Spoon was so smart and earnest. Rachel even came into her own, love a pretty girl who is tough and willing to step outside her world to help others.

The best thing about reading a book written by a well known adult mystery author is that he knows how to pace a mystery. There were nuggets and string to follow in each chapter, enough to keep me interested in reading and wanting to see how all this was going to come together!

I haven't read any of Harlan Coben adult books, but I really want to start some to read about Myron, Mickey's uncle. Many layers to that man I believe.

I wish that there would have been a showdown between Mickey and Myron, because I know there has got to be more to that story. Mickey has only ever heard his parents' side of the falling out, I want him (and me) to hear Myron's side.

And there was a mention of an incident years before involving Myron and Mickey's parents, I want to know more about that!

To Sum Up: Fast paced, well written, great mystery and characters. Plenty of loose ends for a few more books. Great series for middle schoolers through high school!

Book bought for my school library.

Books into Movies: Stardust

2012-01-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

Normally when I hear about a movie that was a book I make sure that I read the book first. However, I didn't realize that Stardust was a book before I saw the movie. I LOVED the movie. It seriously is one of my favorite of all times.

So, after I saw and loved the movie I decided to read the book and see how it compared. It was great as well. I actually listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Neil Gaiman, who is fantastic, of course.

This was one time where I am glad I saw the movie first because I think I wouldn't have liked it quite as much as I do. But, because I saw them backwards, I was able to like them both a bunch. I wonder what other movie/book combos this would have worked with.

I think that if I had seen Twilight first, I would have wanted to read the book to see how much better is actually was than the movie. Any other ones you can think of?

If you have never seen Stardust, take a look or read the book, both are great!

Tween Tuesday: Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

2012-01-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

3 peanut butter cookies.

Cover Love: I like the composition and the colors, but I don't like the illustration of Theodore.

Why I Wanted to Read This:

I am always on the lookout for middle grade mysteries for my library, plus it's John Grisham. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

A perfect murder
A faceless witness
A lone courtroom champion knows the whole truth . . . and he's only thirteen years old
Meet Theodore Boone
In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he's only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he's one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk—and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom.
But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much—maybe too much—he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth.
The stakes are high, but Theo won't stop until justice is served.
Brimming with the intrigue and suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal thriller, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer will keep readers guessing and pages turning.

I Kept Reading Because: I wanted to see how it all worked out.

Romance?: No

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I liked Theodore. He wasn't a super popular kid but he was well liked and sought out by his classmates. It was great to read about a middle grade boy who knows exactly what he wants to do and is taking active steps towards accomplishing that goal. In this way, he is a good role model for young readers.

I liked how much law was talked about. For a reader interested in mysteries and one who might watch some of the law shows on TV this book would be a great read. It was not outlandish, all of the story took place within the law.

I wish there was more action like an adult John Grisham novel, but since this was really rooted in reality, that was probably a wise choice by the author. However, maybe as the series ramps up that will come. This did end with a few loose ends and things can come back to haunt Theodore later.

To Sum Up: I already bought this for my library and have had several kids read it already. This is a book I feel comfortable recommending to all ages.

Book bought for my personal library.

Review: Tighter by Adele Griffin

2012-01-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

3.5 snickerdoodles.

Cover Love:

Yes, this is a cool cover. IT fits the tone of the book too.

Why I Wanted to Read This: I read a few blogs that had this as one of their best of 2011. It made me want to read it! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

When 17-year-old Jamie arrives on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly to work as a summer au pair, she is stunned to learn of the horror that precedes her. Seeking the truth surrounding a young couple's tragic deaths, Jamie discovers that she herself looks shockingly like the dead girl—and that she has a disturbing ability to sense the two ghosts. Why is Jamie's connection to the couple so intense? What really happened last summer at Little Bly? As the secrets of the house wrap tighter and tighter around her, Jamie must navigate the increasingly blurred divide between the worlds of the living and the dead.

I Kept Reading Because: I was as caught up in the mystery as Jamie was.

Romance?: The start of one.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

I didn't love Jamie when I met her, but I appreciated that she was trying to get her life back in shape.

There was so much weird with Jamie's job that I don't even know where to start. But Jamie did a good job stepping in and working with Isa, who was as weird as everything else.

I had heard there was similarities to Choker, which had me kind of expecting what was going to happen. But there were a few other things that I didn't expect, which made it much more interesting to me.

Sebastian was such a good guy. I was glad Jamie met someone who treated her right.

The setting of Little Bly was interesting. There seemed to be a mix of summer and town folk, instead of the usual us-against-them vibe that most resort island have. It would have been really interesting to have this book set there in the winter, with it's ghosts.

Jamie didn't grow and change a lot during the book, but I did like her the more I got to know her. She did have an epiphany though and I felt she had a lot of hope for her future at the end.

To Sum Up: Spooky and interesting read. I will but a copy for my library because I know several girls who would be interested in this story.

Sent to me by Random House. Thanks!

I Am a Reader

2012-01-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

There is another HUGE debate brewing between authors and agents and bloggers. If I am understanding everything correctly it started with this review of Tempest by Julie Cross on GoodReads. The whole skerfuffle has snowballed and I guess a lot of it went to twitter. I haven't read enough of it to know what it's all about but I read some comments on this site. I guess what dismays me the most is someone comments (maybe an agent or maybe an author) was that bloggers who review books are bitter unpublished writers.

What happened to people just being readers. Everyone has an opinion, good or bad. I don't think you should be mean spirited, but I also don't think you should hide your opinions! I am not a writer, nor do I aspire to be. But I LOVE books. I LOVE them!! And I have my opinions. And as a librarian I am constantly, evey day, asked to share them.

I am also aware that just because I don't like a book doesn't mean someone else won't. There have been several books in recent years I haven't liked nearly as much as other bloggers, but that's ok. For most of the books I read and purchase I am not the target audience. One of the most popular series in my library is the Vampire Kisses series. I read the first one and didn't love it. However, if a young reader wants more vampires, I always recommend them.

I know everyone is overreacting. When authors criticize a reviewer/blogger for being too personal and then turn around and make personal attacks at the reviewer/blogger it doesn't help the cause any.

There does need to be respect, but people can also state their opinions! And not every blogger is a bitter, unpublished writer! Some just want to truly share their love of reading and books!

Just my little voice chiming in...

Tween Tuesday: The Flint Heart by Katherine & John Paterson

2012-01-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

3 yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Cover Love:

Yes! The illustrations in this book are wonderful. The cover is very eye catching.

Why I Wanted to Read This:

Because Katherine Paterson is the author of course! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

An ambitious Stone Age man demands a talisman that will harden his heart, allowing him to take control of his tribe. Against his better judgment, the tribe's magic man creates the Flint Heart, but the cruelty of it causes the destruction of the tribe. Thousands of years later, the talisman reemerges to corrupt a kindly farmer, an innocent fairy creature, and a familial badger. Can Charles and his sister Unity, who have consulted with fairies such as the mysterious Zagabog, wisest creature in the universe, find a way to rescue humans, fairies, and animals alike from the dark influence of the Flint Heart? This humorous, hearty, utterly delightful fairy tale is the sort for an entire family to savor together or an adventurous youngster to devour.

I Kept Reading Because: It was a quick, easy read with great illustrations!

Romance?: Nope.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
As I stated above, I loved the illustrations! They were colorful and beautiful and fit the tones of the book.

I also liked that this was printed like a picture book, on heavier, glossy paper. It made the whole reading experience seem more special somehow.

I bought a copy for my library though, because the reading level is low and the story is easy to follow. I loved how every time Charles got the flint heart and threw it away, we knew to expect from whomever (or whatever) found it.

I loved the world of Fairy that Charles visited. It was not a nasty, evil fairy world, but a caring and interested one. So different from the fairies we find in YA books! The characters also were wacky and humorous and fun.

I just really liked how the character interacted with one another They were all from different worlds, but they worked together to get rid of the flint heart.

To Sum Up:

A great, long "picture" book that many a young middle grade reader will enjoy. Good stuff!

Book from my library.

Review: Swim the Fly by Don Calame

2012-01-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

4 great peanut butter cookies.

Cover Love:

Yes. It is simple, there is a girl in a bikini and the font is kind of wonky. It would be a book a middle school/YA or reader would not mind carrying around.

Why I Wanted to Read This:

I had heard this was a super funny book and it is a YA book with a teenage boy as the main character. I knew I had to read it! Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Fifteen-year-old Matt Gratton and his two best friends, Coop and Sean, always set themselves a summertime goal. This year's? To see a real-live naked girl for the first time — quite a challenge, given that none of the guys has the nerve to even ask a girl out on a date. But catching a girl in the buff starts to look easy compared to Matt's other summertime aspiration: to swim the 100-yard butterfly (the hardest stroke known to God or man) as a way to impress Kelly West, the sizzling new star of the swim team. In the spirit of Hollywood’s blockbuster comedies, screenwriter-turned-YA-novelist Don Calame unleashes a true ode to the adolescent male: characters who are side-splittingly funny, sometimes crude, yet always full of heart.

I Kept Reading Because:

I was happy to be part of Matt's life for awhile and wanted to see how his summer turned out.

Romance?: Yes.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

I Liked Matt and his friends. The author did a great job getting into the heads of these awkward teenage boys.

There wasn't this big shift for Matt, like he worked so hard and got muscles and turned out super good looking. He did work hard to "swim the fly" but there was never one big coming of age moment. This was just like a slice of life book. I liked that. He did learn to accept himself and learned things about himself, but it was more like he just became more himself, not someone new.

The lengths these three go to to see a naked girl are hysterical. So funny and every time they come up with a new plan the reader just shakes their head because you know it's not going to work out for them!

And the little traditions and games Matt and his friends played together were so typical of boys. I had an older brother who did the same kind of things with his friends. This author really knows his stuff when it comes to teenage boys!

I was glad with who Matt started his relationship with. I pretty much expected that to happen.

To Sum Up: A well written book about REAL teenage boys. A great, funny read!

Book checked out from my public library.

There is a sequel called Beat The Band that I am going to have to read soon!

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

2012-01-13T07:30:00.001-07:00

4 fudgy brownies.

Cover Love:
I like this cover a lot because it matches Unearthly. I don't know that it matches the book very well though.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I really liked Unearthly (the first book in this series). It is probably my favorite of the current crop of angel books. So, I was really looking forward to this sequel! Here is the synopsis from GoodReads:

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

I Kept Reading Because:
I was hooked!

Romance?: Of course!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
There was so much to enjoy! This sequel added a lot to the angel mythology that I loved. And it gave us a lot of questions to hopefully will be answered in the next book in the series.

I loved the twist with Clara's dad, LOVED that.

I liked the Angel Club and how all of them (Clara, Christian, Jeffrey and Angela) worked on their powers.

I thought the storyline with Clara's mom was just right and tied up the secrets she was keeping from Clara really well.

I got a little tired of Clara second guessing everything, but probably no more tired than Clara herself. I also felt the book moved through the year too fast. There were were some big jumps in time and you'd think with all that was going on there wouldn't be such jumps where nothing happened.

But here's my one complaint about this book (this loose end got tied up a bit at the end, but I think it will come back in the next book):

Like most current YA books this one has a love triangle. And like most of them both of the boys are very likeable--good, good, guys. Unlike most of them, I cannot get a clear read on who Clara is going to end up with. I have the one I am rooting for (Christian) and that makes me kind of not like Tucker. Actually, it's not Tucker I don't like, it's Clara spending most of the book talking herself into loving him. It's to the point that if she does ever end up with Christian, I don't think she will be able to be happy because she will be so clouded by how much she thinks she should be with Tucker. And Tucker is a really good guy-you don't want to see him so hurt!

I also don't like how nobody seems to be doing anything to save Jeffery! The are just leaving him out there doing whatever bad things he is doing. Clara needs to speak up about the things she's discovered about him! I think it's setting up whatever will happen to him in the next book, but it is frustrating to me!

To Sum Up: This was a great sequel and middle (?) book. It set up a lot of things for the next one and answered a lot of big questions for us. Great read!

eGalley received from NetGalley and HarperCollins. Thanks!

Well, That's Interesting

2012-01-12T08:42:00.002-07:00

I don't know lots about blogger templates.

Sometimes I get a wild hair and decide to upgrade mine a bit, then I will hunt down tutorials and make changes.

One change a while ago was to add "blockquotes" around my book synopsis-es. It was surprisingly easy to do.

Today I logged on and noticed that the same blockquotes are around all my comments. It looks pretty cool, I just wasn't the one to do it.

Wonder who did!

I would love to spring for a custom template, and maybe soon will. I want to just be able to use different fonts!

What do you like about your template?

Food From Fiction: Comfort Food

2012-01-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Over break I read Tighter by Adele Griffin, which was a great read and I will be reviewing on Friday. There was one part where Jamie makes a "comfort food" meal for her young charge, Isa. It got me thinking about my favorite comfort food meal.

While there are quick comfort foods that I enjoy (cinnamon toast) my ultimate comfort food meal is cornbread and chili.

The problem is that it takes awhile to make this comfort food meal, it is rarely readily available when I need comfort. But, oh, oh, oh, when I make it I am immediately comforted by eating it.

It is also my oldest son's comfort meal (that and a gross concoction we make called Chinese sundae that is not remotely Chinese).

Here's what I do to make this meal the ultimate in comfort food:
*crumble up a piece of cornbread (mostly marie callendar's because that's the mix Costco always sells)
*pour chili over the top of that
*sprinkle cheese on the chili and a big dollop of sour cream
*mix around and savor!
YUM!

What is your ultimate comfort food/meal?

Tween Tuesday: The Humming Room by Ellen Potter

2012-01-10T07:30:00.004-07:00

4 excellent oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies.

Cover Love: Yes. This cover works really well. The people, the colors, the fonts. All of it! Love the cover!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I love Ellen Potter. There isn't a book of hers that I haven't enjoyed so I was super excited to read this one! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.

As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.

Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room--a garden with a tragic secret.

Inspired by The Secret Garden, this tale full of unusual characters and mysterious secrets is a story that only Ellen Potter could write.

I Kept Reading Because:
It was a great read!

Romance?: No

What I Liked (& Didn't):
The thing about re-workings of previous novels is that you know what to expect. All the elements are there and you just keep reading until they come out.

I loved Roo and the setting was fantastic. An old children's hospital on an island could lend itself to very creepy situations, but Ms. Potter stayed away from cliques. She stuck true to the story of The Secret Garden.

While Roo was the character we got to know the most, her observation skills let us learn a lot about the other characters. Phillip in particular.

I don't get why Ms. Valentine disliked Roo so much. She wasn't unruly or out of control--she really just kept to herself. But maybe if you can't get to know someone in some way, you distrust them.

Great ending! I like a story that ends with hope and no cliffhanger!

To Sum Up: A well written adaption of The Secret Garden. Ellen Potter is an excellent writing! Check this one out. I will be buying it for my library.

Books sent from Feiwel & Friends. Thanks!

Review: Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2012-01-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

4 chewy oatmeal creme filled sandwiches.

Cover Love:
Yes. At first I wasn't sure, but now that I have read the book I really "get" the cover.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I saw a review comparing it to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and that sealed the deal for me! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

I Kept Reading Because: It was super good! This was the book I was in the middle of when I dropped my Nook into the water. I had to wait two weeks to find out how it ended!

Romance?: Yes. Kind of.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I adored all three of the main female characters. The mean girl who is still a bitch but wants to help out in her own bitchy way, Bethany, and the misfit who knows way more than people want to believe, Skyler. Both excellent members of this gang. In fact, I liked them a kit more than Kali, but not much. I also loved Kali.

And yes, there were some Buffy elements. But I loved that in this book world, people know about the supernatural creatures. They are considered endangered species, though, so Kali has to hide her fighting abilities. But when she gets to fight, she is amazing!

I was a bit confused by then ending. I get that Kali is a supernatural creature and liked whatever she had going on with Zev, but I wasn't sure whether this was an alternative world to ours or another dimension or if there were aliens or what. That part got kind of confusing to me. I should probably go back to read it again and maybe it would be clearer the second time.

I am hoping this continues on because I could really get back into this world. There were a lot of unanswered questions!

To Sum Up: Great female characters and the start of a romance, plus a lot of fighting and supernatural creatures make this one a must read! And, it's clean enough so I am buying it for my library.

eGalley from Egmont USA and NetGalley--Thanks!!

My 2012 Challenge & Most Anticipated Books of 2012

2012-01-06T07:30:00.003-07:00

Many of you know I am a middle school librarian. The BEST thing about that is that I basically have a whole library at my disposal. And, to pat myself on the back, we have an awesome collection. And my TBR pile is huge! So, my goal for 2012 is to not request any ARCs. This includes NetGalley (but probably not Galley Grab, if that ever shows up again). Even if I get an email from someone offering to send me an ARC! This is hard because it is so cool to get ARCs.

If I get offered a spot on a blog tour of a book I really want to read I will accept that, though.

I just want to feel a little more caught up and don't like to feel I am letting my wonderful publishing contacts down when I don't get a book read for them! And I will still send links to my reviews, even for older books.

I can buy books and if an ARC gets sent to me, of course I will keep it, but I am not going to seek out ARCs. However, I have a few books on my MOST ANTICIPATED list. I might have to fudge on these ones:

Quick Fix by Jack D. Ferraiolo: This is the sequel to The Big Splash, one of my favorite middle grade books ever. Before I made my no ARC rule I did request this one and have been told that one with my name on it is going to be set aside when they are ready! Cannot wait.

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake: I adored Anna Dressed in Blood and cannot wait to read more about Cas and Anna!

Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins: The third book in the Hex Hall series, one of my favorite series in recent years!

Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Maberry: It should come as no surprise that this is my most anticipated book of 2012. Dust & Decay ended with so many directions this story could take! I am so excited to read more about Benny & Nix & Lilah & Chong (Although there is one character I will miss desperately!). (There wasn't a cover for this one yet!).

What are your most anticipated reads of 2012?

Review: Unraveling Isobel by Eileen

2012-01-05T07:30:00.001-07:00

4 chocolate whoopie pies!

Cover Love: It's okay. I like how the colors work together however, it is a little busy for my tastes and doesn't really convey the feeling of the story.

I Wanted to Read This Because: I was sent this book from Simon & Schuster and had seen good buzz online. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.
But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

I Kept Reading Because: I wanted it known that Isobel was not crazy!

Romance?: Yes! Oolala!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I liked Isobel and Nathaniel. I did not like Isobel's mom (she was so dense) nor Nathaniel's father. Actually, I really liked Nathaniel-super hot!

It was pretty clear early on who the villain was and what probably happened to Nathaniel's mom and sister. I was glad the author didn't give us a huge twist. It was just intriguing to see how the killer was exposed.

I liked the chemistry between Isobel and Nathaniel. It was good chemistry.

I wish we had gotten to meet Isobel's dad. That was an element I felt was missing from the story.

There were a lot of different elements at work here--ghosts, romance, gothic mansion, mystery--it all added up to a quick, scary, fun read!

To Sum Up: I will be adding this to my library collection because I know I will be able to talk a lot of readers into this one! Especially those that like a mystery with romance.

Book received from Simon & Schuster.

Middle Grade Mysteries

2012-01-04T07:30:00.004-07:00

I love mystery series! And so do the readers in my library. It can be hard to find good mystery series for younger readers but here are some good ones I have read over the last few years:

Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison: These are fun books with a great main character. When I was in an elementary library I had this whole series, but haven't bought them yet for my middle school library. Gilda is a great character!

Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer: I have enjoyed all of the Enola Holmes books. Nancy Springer does a great job creating Victorian London and Enola, the much younger sister of Sherlock is a great main character. These have been popular since the new Sherlock Holmes movie!

The Brixton Brothers by Mac Barnett: I love, love, love these books! Students enjoy them as well, but the humor of these books and the winks towards The Hardy Boys might be lost on some kids. I just think they are so clever though!

The Echo Falls mysteries by Peter Abrahams: Mr. Abrahams is one of my favorite adult authors. The first one in this series is called Down the Rabbit Hole and I just love his main character, Ingrid. (If you like these, read The Tutor which was and adult book he wrote but the main character is very similar to Ingrid).

Dead Is... by Marlene Perez: This series is just perfect for readers who want something a little older than middle grade mysteries. There is romance and a lot of supernatural creatures for girls to enjoy!

These are just a few of the mystery series I know that students have enjoyed over the last few years. There are also tons of stand alone mysteries that are also awesome.

I know that I have missed quite a few so what are some of your favorite middle grade mystery series?

Also, here is another great mystery list for middle grade readers!

Tween Tuesday: Pie by Sarah Weeks

2012-01-03T07:30:00.002-07:00

4 slices of warm apple pie with ice cream.

Cover Love:
Yes! I love how clean it is and the fonts. Very appealing.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
Mostly the cover attracted me and I read some positive reviews when it first came out. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

When Alice's Aunt Polly passes away, she takes with her the secret to her world-famous pie-crust recipe. Or does she? In her will, Polly leaves the recipe to her extraordinarily surly cat Lardo . . . and then leaves Lardo in the care of Alice.
Suddenly Alice is thrust into the center of a piestorm, with everyone in town trying to be the next pie-contest winner ... including Alice's mother and some of Alice's friends. The whole community is going pie-crazy . . . and it's up to Alice to discover the ingredients that really matter. Like family. And friendship. And enjoying what you do.

I Kept Reading Because: It was such a sweet story with a good mystery.

Romance?: Not really.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I adored Alice. She was such a great main character. And the author wrote her heartbreak over losing her beloved aunt so true and raw. I teared up along with Alice.

I didn't like Alice's mom at all! What an odious woman. You just hoped for an epiphany for her so that she would change how she was acting! It made Alice's pain at losing her aunt that much stronger!

I liked how the author introduced Charlie and had him jump into the mystery with Alice.

I loved the epilogue! I adore when an author gives us a glimpse of the future and Ms. Weeks outdid herself by giving us a forty year jump into Alice's future! It was a great ending to the story.

The descriptions of the pies were mouth watering! And I loved the addition of the recipes and the handwritten reminders from Aunt Polly on each recipe.

To Sum Up: A great cozy read for those middle grade readers who are not at all ready for young adult books!

Book from my library.

Tween Tuesday was created and is hosted by Sarah, the GreenBeanTeenQueen. Thanks Sarah!

Review: My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

2012-01-02T07:30:00.002-07:00

4 yummy snickerdoodles.

Cover Love: Yes! It is clean and appealing.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I loved Jessica's book The Karma Club and the synopsis for this one sounded so intriguing! Here it is from GoodReads:

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

I Kept Reading Because: I wanted some redemption for Brooklyn. She was so bratty in the beginning and middle that I wanted to see her become a better person!

Romance?: Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
Like I said, Brooklyn was so bratty I almost stopped reading it. I couldn't stand her for a good chunk of the story. However, I do know a few 15 year olds that are that bratty and that I do feel like slapping sometimes, so I had to commend that author for writing such a true to life teenage girl!

You really wanted to see Brooklyn have some growth and the path she was on was pretty clear. It was a bit of a standard coming of age story, but having her create a blog to help her make decisions added a new twist!

I liked both of the boys that Brooklyn was involved with, but really found myself rooting for "Heimlich" (Brian). He really was the only choice for Brook if she was going to grow by the end.

The idea for this book was so intriguing! To post a choice and have people vote on it--what an idea. But then again, you could always blame your readers if a decision blew up in your face. However, Brooklyn's readers seemed pretty saavy and made some smart decisions for her, which was what she wanted int he first place.

Jessica Brody's writing is easy to read and the story flowed along at a good pace. I didn't find any lags in the story!

To Sum Up: Good, standard coming of age story. I bought it for my library and will recommend it for several of my students!

Book from my library collection.

Milk & Cookies Author of the Year: Jonathan Maberry

2011-12-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

This is the first year I have decided to bestow my own "Author of the Year" award. I picked Jonathan Maberry as my favorite author of the year.

First of all, he is an amazing writer. I loved Rot & Ruin and Dust & Decay (the first two books in his Benny Imura zombie apocalypse series) so completely and try to get everyone I know to read them. He also published several ebook short stories that I loved (Like Part of the Family). Flesh & Bone, the third book in the Benny Imura series is one of my most anticipated books of 2012!

Secondly, he is an such an active, generous author online. He is active on Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads and his own blog, Jonathan Maberry's Big Scary Blog. He responds to almost every tweet and email and posting. He contacted me on GoodReads when he saw I was reading Dust & Decay and we messaged back & forth a few times (as much as I could type through my tears...). He has made himself so accessible to his fans and his enthusiasm for writing, reading and books is totally catching. I am not sure I would ever not like a book he wrote just because he is such a giving author!

So, his amazing talents partenered with his enthusiasm and generosity towards his fans has earned Jonathan Maberry Milk & Cookies first Author of the Year award!

Congratulations Jonathan and thank you so much for creating a world with zombies that young adult readers (and not so young, young adult readers) can LOVE!

Five Cookie Reads of 2011

2011-12-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to have thirteen five cookies reviews this year. That's some good reading. I had a bunch of four cookie reviews and a few three cookies, but I don't think I had any two cookies! What a wonderful year of reading. Here are my 13 five cookie books (links take you to my review of the book):
I adored Entwined by Heather Dixon a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. This is probably my favorite cover of 2011, for sure my favorite cover of my favorite books!

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsay Leavitt was a quick, fun read. A contemporary romance that I loved!

As I read the third Penderwicks book I wasn't sure I would end up loving it nearly as much as the others. No fear! The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall was just as wonderful as it's predecessors.

I adored The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo and was super excited about this superhero book he wrote, Sidekicks. It was every bit as good as his first book. Lots of humor!

I have heard for years about how funny Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen is, so I decided to read it this past summer. Better late than never! It was super funny!

I am so glad that the sequel to Hex Hall, Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins, was as good, if not better than the first in the series. Can't wait for book #3!

I discovered Jenny Han's summer series right before the third book, We'll Always Have Summer, was published. I loved this series! Every one of the books made me cry. (Here's my review for The Summer I Turned Pretty).

I recently read Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. I quickly fell in love with the characters and the themes in the book. Really good stuff!

For sure the scariest book I read this year was Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. I cannot wait for book #2!

The Wizard of Dark Street by Shawn Thomas Odyssey was another fun middle grade read. Fun book I read this summer. Great new character in Oona Crate.

Oh Jonathan Maberry, you never fail to amaze me. Dust & Decay was such a powerful book. I cried & cried. I cannot wait to get back into Benny's world with book #3!

I loved Anne Ursu's Breadcrumbs. What a well written book! Pick up this modern day fairy soon!

What were your favorite reads of 2011?

In Which I Catch Up

2011-12-22T07:30:00.001-07:00

I finally got my replacement Nook.

Just in time to buy 6 books from the HarperTeen Epic Reads .99 sale.

And in time to buy some of the books that Candlewick put on sale. They have a newsletter that is emailed out that always has ebooks for sale. I love it. I have wanted to read Swim the Fly for quite awhile. Now I am going to buy it, but I probably won't get to it right away. At least I will have it!

But mostly, in time to finish Every Other Day by Jennifer Barnes. I LOVED this book! Can't wait to review it.

I just want to hit my GoodReads goal so I can get my badge. That's all I want for Christmas. I am 5 books away...

Also, I love the new software update. The first version of Nook Color had a super crappy PDF reader. And as you know, NetGalley books are all PDFs. Their new PDF reader is awesome!!

So, sigh of relief, got my new Nook and I can relax. For a minute. Then I need to start baking!!

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

2011-12-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

5 oh so yummy & warm chocolate chip cookies.

Cover Love:
Yes. I love both the models used.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
Everyone raved about Anna and the French Kiss so my interest was piqued when this one came out. I also loved the synopsis. Here it is from GoodReads:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

I Kept Reading Because:
I couldn't put it down!

Romance?: Yes!!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I adored both Lola and Cricket. What fun characters. I also loved Lola's parents. I am so glad that her parents were present and involved in her life. That's something that is rare in YA literature.

I know that for those who read Anna and the French Kiss (which I am going to do over Christmas break) it was fun to see Anna and St. Clair. I haven't met them yet, but I sure liked them in this book.

Here's my favorite thing: Lola had a boyfriend (Max) that she was convinced she was in love with. So much so that she lost her virginity to him. The book mentions this and touches upon sex a few more times. But, Lola had a hard time giving up on Max because of that connection and the physical intimacy they shared. Even when it was clear that he was kind of a jerk she had a hard time letting go. This is the kind of relationship that teenage girls need to read about because sex does complicate and I know several of my friends who stayed in relationships longer than they should have because they thought they had to once they had sex. I know some middle school parents wouldn't like a book that talked about sex being in their child's hand, but it is just mentioned and done so well that I would recommend it for many a young girl!

I was sad that Lola's jerky boyfriend was named Max after the Max in Where The Wild Things Are because my son is Max named after that (and Max from the TV series Roswell, LOVE him!).

I loved the setting of San Francisco. Stephanie Perkins did a great job of making it practically another character in the book. Wonderful!

To Sum Up: Contemprary romances are about my favorite kinds of books so I am delighted to find a new voice in this genre. Can't wait for more from Ms. Perkins!

Book bought for my school library.

My Son: Library Aide

2011-12-15T13:08:00.003-07:00

The very best thing about where I work is that my oldest son goes to the school there. He is an 8th grader and is not at all embarrassed by the fact that I am also at his school. He wanted to be a library aide so we let him be for this trimester.

This is my son who is a very reluctant reader. And reluctant is the right word for him.

Anyway, the other night we were talking authors for some reason and he started rattling off authors left and right. He is such a good shelver and I thought, maybe there is some hope for him after all.

THEN, the PE teacher from yesterday's post came up to bring me back my copy of The Hunger Games and as we are chatting, my darling son announces from across the library that "he doesn't like reading."

Dagger to my heart.

The Power of 'The Hunger Games'

2011-12-14T10:16:00.003-07:00

We have a younger PE teacher here at my school that is super into being fit (he's also a photographer). He organizes staff games after school so that we can stay active. He is pretty fun. However, last spring I wasn't participating in the staff games due to the fact that I have other kids to pick up and it was floor hockey, which I just didn't want to play.

So we made a deal, I would play in the staff games if he would read books I recommended. But then he started coaching track and the staff games fell by the wayside. But this fall he told me he was still waiting for his book. So I gave him The Hunger Games. I don't know his tastes well enough but I figures that was a safe bet.

I got a facebook message from him during Thanksgiving break that said, "You have ruined me. I sure hope you have the second book ready for me Monday, I haven't read a book this fast since The Firm!"

I brought him the next two and he whipped through them as equally fast!

He said I set the bar too high now and he expects the next book I bring him to be just as good!

That's my book story for this week!

Tween Tuesday: A Million Miles from Boston by Karen Day

2011-12-13T10:12:00.002-07:00

4 rich & buttery shortbread cookies.

Cover Love: Not really. I don't think it is very eye catching.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I saw this being compared to The Penderwicks on some blog once. That made me want to pick it up. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

School's out! That means Lucy is off to her favorite place: Pierson Point, Maine, where she spends summers with her family. And as she tries to forget her worries about starting middle school and about Dad's new girlfriend, Lucy can't get there soon enough. Pierson Point is where she feels most like herself, and where memories of her mother, who died when Lucy was six, are strong and sacred.
But this summer, nothing is the same. Ian, a boy from home in Boston, comes to Pierson Point with his family. Ian is loud, popular, and mean. He and Lucy can't stand each other. To top it off, Dad wants his girlfriend to become a bigger part of Lucy's life.
Karen Day's engaging novel shows that people aren't always what they seem, and that friendship can be found in the most unusual places.

I Kept Reading Because: It was quick and I liked the characters.

Romance?: None.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I loved the setting. The tight knit group of summer people made me wish for something like this in my life!

The characters were very realistic. Lucy was a bundle of conflicts: sometimes she was confident and sometimes she was uncertain; sometimes made, sometimes happy. She was like most middle school girls I know. And Ian was so similar. He was two people one around Lucy at the ocean and one around his friends. That sounds like a lot of 11 year old boys I know!

I like these kind of stories, the ones that are just a slice of life. There is not a huge conflict or climax, just events that lead to an understanding from the main character. Whether its something they learn about themselves or a truth about their lives, it just comes through in the context of the story. There is no clean up or huge thing, it just is. Kind of like real life.

I was very glad when Lucy made friends with Ian's mom. It was good that she had someone to tell her a real life story about losing a parent.

This is a definitely a place I would visit again!

To Sum Up: Such a sweet summer time tale with very realistic middle school characters. I will be buying a copy for my library!

Book sent from Random House. Thanks!

Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

2011-12-12T09:30:00.003-07:00

4 yummy 7-layer bars.

Cover Love:
Yes. I like that you can not clearly see the main characters but they are there. And that it looks like a page of computer code. So cool!

Why I Wanted to Read This: The synopsis! What an intriguing idea. Here it is from Good Reads:

It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.
By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present.

I Kept Reading Because:
It was so interesting! I just couldn't stop.

Romance?: Yes. Some, but it was not the main focus of the story.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I loved all of the characters. Emma did get on my nerves a bit with her obsession about the future, but I think I would be equally obsessed so I have to cut her some slack. But I really liked Josh and their friends.

The whole time "travel" aspect was so interesting. I have so many thoughts about it. If I was a senior in high school and saw pictures of myself as I am today I just might wonder if I am happy or not. But it takes so many years to get where you are today and so many experiences. It all builds to who you become.

I love that Josh pointed out to Emma that she is only seeing tiny glimpses of her future. She shouldn't jump to conclusions about her future happiness by those small things. It was one of the things that annoyed me about her.

It was interesting how quickly small things they did changed their future. The ripples were big.

And if you found out something about your friend and her future, what would you do to try and change that?

To Sum Up: Such a good story about internet usage and futures and romance. Super good stuff!

Book from my personal library.

My Week...

2011-12-09T05:52:00.003-07:00

I had five posts planned this week. Normally I get them all written on the weekend, but due to decorating my house last weekend I didn't get any of it done!

Then something major happened to me...

While I was in the middle of reading Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, which is awesome. I was reading it on my Nook, in the bathtub. Yes. The bathtub.

And I dropped it. My Nook. Into the water.

The Nook was destroyed, I was destroyed. Luckily, this was the second Nook I bought and I did buy the Protection Plan so now I sit and wait patiently for the doorbell to ring and a deliveryman to be waiting there with my new Nook in hand!

So, word of advice, buy the protection plan!!

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

2011-12-05T08:33:00.004-07:00

3 oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies.

Cover Love: Yes. I do love it and the guy looks just the kind I would go for!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I loved the Mortal Instruments series. This prequel looked like one I would really enjoy. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

I Kept Reading Because:
One of the students from my school read it recently and raved about it, clamoring for the sequel, so, I wanted to get this finished before the second one, Clockwork Prince, came out. Also, Venessa from S&S sent it to me and I wanted to finish it in good faith for her!

Romance?: The start of one, or two.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

This was a book of quarters. The first quarter was very intense and had a lot of action. The second one was kind of slow moving and that didn't really pick up till the middle of the third quarter. Then it stayed intense until the end. I had a hard time getting past the slow part!

There were a few times I didn't really like Tessa and by the end, I really didn't like Will. I am really hoping that the second one gives us more answers as to why Will is how he is, because I do not find myself rooting for him!

There were a few really well written twists that I didn't see coming. I always like that.

I was glad to see some strong changes in Tessa and I hope she continues to embrace her power and grow with it. I really liked her power!

I would like to see a few of the other characters fleshed out more. Some back stories for them anyway.

To Sum Up:
I didn't feel this was as a strong as The Mortal Instruments books, however, it was a good start to the series. I am sure the second one will be a much more engrossing read!

Book sent from S&S. (I also bought a copy for my library!)

Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

2011-12-02T07:30:00.004-07:00

4 yummy oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies.

Cover Love:
It's okay. It's very pretty and all, but it's a little too fashion model for me.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I really like Kimberly Derting's writing and was excited by the synopsis of this one. Here it is from GoodReads:

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

I Kept Reading Because: I was caught up in the story early on and couldn't stop reading!

Romance?: Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
Ok, here's how I feel about the recent run on dystopian novels. Sometime sI feel like the author is trying too hard. As I started reading this one, I wasn't sure I could get on board with the language separation, but, I quickly got over that. For one thing, this doesn't actually have to be a dystopian. It could just be an alternate country, or reality, or planet. Good stuff!

I adored Max. Just loved him all kinds of ways. And Xander. Loved him also.

I liked Charlie and her family. I didn't even really guess the twist that came with them. It was very well done.

Queen Sabara was super evil. What a good, crazy villain. In the next book I would like to meet some of the other queens that rules the surrounding countries.

I liked Charlie and Angelina's "powers". Especially Charlies. What a hard thing to keep hidden in a world like that!

To Sum Up: Good read that I will be buying for my library. I know several young readers who will love this one! I look forward to the next book in the series.

Book received from Simon & Schuster's Galley Grab.

Book I Am Thankful For: The Penderwicks

2011-11-30T07:30:00.001-07:00

Ah, The Penderwicks. If you have read my blog for any length of time you know that my love for the Penderwicks has been well documented. Here's why:

These books gave me faith in middle grade literature again. I read the first one before I had really started blogging or exclusively reading MG/YA books like I do now. I read the first one and was transported back to my childhood when reading was innocent still.

Now, when I say this understand that I am not against the edginess of YA/MG books at all. I love some of the darker ones a lot. But, sometimes you want innocence and light and feel good and there are hardly any books that make me feel better than the Penderwicks books.

And, when I have a young female reader who is looking for something to read I hand her one of these and she comes back for the next one and the next. My goal is to get these in as many hands as possible!

If you haven't read them, please do. You will not be sorry!!

Tween Tuesday: The Agony of Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

2011-11-29T07:40:00.004-07:00

4 chocolate chip cookies with bittersweet chocolate chips.

Cover Love: This is not the edition I read, however, I love this cover!

Why I Wanted to Read This: This has been on my list since I heard about it being challenged so often. I had to see what all the fuss was about!

I Kept Reading Because: It was a super quick read and I couldn't sleep.

Romance?: Yes, a smidge.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I know that things do not get me up in arms like they do for other people, but I really didn't see the big deal about this book. Look, if you think you are the best person for you to teach your daughter about puberty, perfect, I hope you do.

However, this book was written about a little girl who does not have a mother. She doesn't have anyone to teach her about puberty. And A LOT of little girls out there are in the same situation. This book lightly touches on some things that have to do with puberty. It is not a manual! Let this book stay on the shelf for those little girls who are not lucky enough to have the support at home!

I adored Alice and totally felt for her. I remember this time of life when you are almost afraid to move for fear that you will embarrass yourself in some way. Ms. Naylor has done such a good job of creating a true to life young girl. One that is attracted to the beauty of a young teacher, but learns to adore her frumpy, older teacher instead. One that learns small life lessons along the way and is able to reflect on them to better herself.

This book ended on a good note and could have been a stand alone book, but I am so glad that I get to continue on with Alice's journey! I already grabbed the second one off my shelf!

To Sum Up: A great middle grade book for those young girls who are having a hard time navigating the waters of puberty and growing up!

**OMGosh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has written so many books! She is amazing!**

Tween Tuesday is hosted by Sarah, the GreenBeanTeenQueen. Thanks Sarah!

Review: This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

2011-11-28T07:30:00.001-07:00

3.5 yummy peanut butter blossoms.

Cover Love:
I do love this cover, it's mysterious and it fits the tone of the book. Also, you just know that young Victor is a heartthrob even though you can't see him.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I love Kenneth Oppel's Airborn series. So, I want to read more and more of his books. This is his newest and I couldn't wait to get it read. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real.

They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only piques Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. With their friend Elizabeth, Henry and Victor immediately set out to find assistance from a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.

Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrad's life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another.

I Kept Reading Because:
To be honest I almost stopped. But, I kept seeing really good reviews by people (and other authors) that I respect so I decided to give it one more try. I was very glad I did.

Romance?: A little.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I started this book at a bad time of my life this fall. Issues were causing me to not be able to focus on any books I started. I picked this up and put it down several times during the last two months, but just didn't stay with it. About a week ago I decided to finish it before I allowed myself to start anything else. And I whipped through it.

Mr. Oppel has a knack for creating male characters that are very crush worthy. While Victor in now way reaches the levels of adoration I have for Matt Cruse from the Airborn books, he has found a place in my heart. Despite being a hot headed jerk most of the time. Maybe it is his passion that I love, or the fact that he would do almost anything for Konrad, but by the end of the book I was looking forward to the next book in Victor's saga. There was just something about him!

There was a lot of action in the book. Enough to keep reluctant male readers interested.

I really liked how we got a glimpse of modern medicine with the doctor who was sure he could find out what was wrong with Konrad by studying his blood. So we have that science basis and then we have Victor's obsession with alchemy (which is a mixture of science and magic--I always thought it was just turning lead into gold, but it really is so much more).

I am looking forward to book #2-Such Wicked Intent (the cover was just revealed last week!).

To Sum Up: Lots of action and a compelling main character make this a good read!

Book requested and received from Simon & Schuster. Thanks!

Books I Am Thankful For: Ramona the Pest

2011-11-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

I have discussed my love for all thing Beverly Cleary many times before. (check out the pilgrimage my sons and I took in Portland one year). But, I just want to again stress how much I loved her books when I was growing up! So many things went into making me a reader, and these books had a huge part in it. These were the first books I remember being excited about a new one coming out. And I loved how the books kept up with the times.

I was also a little sister and was called a pest many a times by my older sister. Another reason I connected so strongly with these books.

Ramona the Pest was my favorite.

What are your Beverly Cleary memories?

Tween Tuesday: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

2011-11-22T07:30:00.003-07:00

5 warm, chewy and chocolatey chocolate chip cookies dunked in cold milk.

Cover Love:
Yes, it is darling, shows the main characters and has an element of fun to it.

Why I Wanted to Read This Book:
Fairy tales and Jessica Day George, yes please! Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:
Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic.

I Kept Reading Because:
I was hooked from the start. I adored these characters and the setting. It was impossible to stop reading!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
With this book, Jessica Day George has become one of my favorite authors. Her fairy tales are excellent, I loved the Dragon Slippers series and this book is just out and out fun.

I loved all the main characters, Celie, Lilah and Rolf. I adored Rolf and wanted to be Celie!

There are some very odious characters in this book too. Great villains to really despise.

The castle as a character in the book was also awesome. It's not often that a building is such a prominent character, but in the book it really works.

The plot is plausible and the action moves right along. It is a quick read that is super fun!

This is a book that makes me wish people would take middle books more seriously. I plan to buy a couple copies for my library and I know I will have them checked out all the time!

To Sum Up: If you want a book that will make you smile as you read and give you warm fuzzies when you are done, pick this one up!

Book requested and received from Bloomsbury. Thanks Kate!

Tween Tuesday is a meme hosted by Sarah, the GreenBeanTeenQueen. Thanks Sarah!

Review: Home for the Holidays by Heather Vogel Fredrick

2011-11-21T07:30:00.002-07:00

4 comforting peanut butter cookies.

Cover Love: Yes. I like the switch up from the previous covers to presents instead of books piled up. But I like the continuity of the same idea on the cover.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
This is a new installment of a series I adore! Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

This Christmas season, join the girls of the mother-daughter book club for a variety of holiday-themed adventures! Becca, Megan, Emma, Cassidy and Jess have plenty of reading material to bring on their trips, too, because the book club is tackling the Betsy-Tacy series before their next meeting on New Year’s Eve.
But unfortunately, nothing goes quite as planned for any of the girls. On a Christmas cruise with their families, Megan and Becca fight over the dashing son of the ship's captain. Cassidy and her family fly back to California to visit Cassidy's sister Courtney... but when the West Coast causes homesickness for their former life in Laguna Beach, the family begins to question what state they should call home. And a disastrous sledding accident causes both Emma and Jess to completely change their holiday plans. Between squabbles, injuries, and blizzards, everything seems to be going wrong. Will the girls be able to find their holiday spirit in time for Christmas?

I Kept Reading Because: I always love to see how the girls solve their problems and come back together at the end.

Romance?: Yes, here and there. Some old ones, some new ones starting...

What I Liked (& Didn't):
This is pure comfort reading. We have been with this girls since they were seventh graders. It's so fun to see them growing up and becoming young women.

This is the same formula, each chapter is told from a different girls point of view. It's great to see how much the girls have grown and changed, but it was also good to see them struggling with their insecurities. This is what makes them real and honest for young female readers. They are relate-able characters!

They do seem to make the same mistakes and mis-understandings that have happened in other books, and that bothers me a bit. Emma should have more faith in Jess. They all should take time to talk to each other instead of give each other the silent treatment. However, most teenage girls let it fester rather than talk so this also rings true to how girls really are.

All in all, things get wrapped up nicely, just like I wanted, with a pretty bow. I like books that end this way!

To Sum Up: Pure comfort reading! Another fun installment in a great series.

Books I Am Thankful For: Dystopians

2011-11-17T07:30:00.001-07:00

If Twilight brings them to YA books, The Hunger Games keeps them there. (case in point, the secretary in our school whipped through The Hunger Games trilogy and then demanded more books. I gave her the Chaos Walking trilogy because it is in a similar vein. She loved that one as well. Now she's onto Graceling and I have a list going for her next reads. Made of awesome I say!)

The first dystopian book I remember reading and really enjoying was The Giver by Lois Lowry. I might have read one before that, but this is the one that sticks out in my mind. This was way back before there was even a term for these books. After The Giver I discovered John Christopher who wrote the Tripods series (I wrote about those books here)--simply awesome books.

A few years ago I discovered the Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Among the hidden, Among the Imposters, etc...) another excellent dystopian series that is perfect for middle schoolers.

Thanks to The Hunger Games, this genre has flooded the market. Some of them are excellent, some of them are OK. But it is always fun to imagine a future world.

And people read them, they love to. I am prepping a dystopian book talk for 8th graders and can't even find most of the books I wanted to talk about on my shelves because they are alwasy checked out!

So, keep them coming!

Books I Am Thankful For: Twilight Series

2011-11-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed Twilight. These were books I raced through and loved. I was a fan of vampires long before Twilight (my favorite always being Stefan Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries when I read those too long ago--for the record, I don't like bad Stefan). They were great reading and escapism.

But here's why I am really thankful for these books--they brought many, many people back to reading YA and they amped up the quality of YA books (and the amount that were published).

I have so many friends willing to try more YA books because of their love for Twilight. We can all thank Stephenie Meyer for that!

Tween Tuesday: The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell

2011-11-15T07:30:00.003-07:00

3 soft & spicy snickerdoodles.

Cover Love: I do adore this cover. It's part of the reason I wanted to read it.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I love the cover and the buzz I had heard about this story. Plus I love re-worked fairy tales. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Twelve princesses suffer from a puzzling (if silly) curse, and anyone who ends it will win a reward. Reveka, a sharp-witted and irreverent apprentice herbalist, wants that reward. But her investigations lead to deeper mysteries and a daunting choice—will she break the curse at the peril of her own soul?

I Kept Reading Because: I wanted to see how all this tied up!

Romance?: A little start.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
One thing that kind of bothered me was Reveka's age. I felt she was a little too young for what she did to break the curse. That was brought up by someone in the book, but I had a hard time getting over it.

Besides being a re-working of the Twelve Dancing Princesses it is also kind of a re-working of Beauty & the Beast. I liked that part of the story better than the first part.

I guess that biggest issue I had with this book was that I didn't really like many of the characters. None of the princesses really seemed like they were worth saving.

I also didn't feel like that the "curse" ever got fully explained.

I liked the demon that was in charge of the curse, there is more to that story and I want to know what it is!

I also really liked Reveka and how she grew in the book. If there is a sequel I will be reading it. I think this story will get much deeper and better.

To Sum Up: Decent retelling of a couple fairy tales. A good set up for a sequel!

Book requested and received from HarperCollins! Thanks!

Tween Tuesday is hosted by Sarah, the GreenBeanTeenQueen. Thanks Sarah!

Eleven Things I Love About Books & Blogging

2011-11-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Happy 11-11-11 and Happy Veteran's Day! Let me first say thanks to my big brother for serving in the Army (currently). He is my hero!

1. Community. I love sharing my love of books with others, kids I teach, people online and the random people at bookstores and those I see reading books I love.

2. Excitement. This week Inheritance came out. I had a huge waiting list at school so I bought four copies. I spent the day cataloging them and getting them ready to check out. I went out and handed the books out to the first four kids on the list and it was so much fun seeing their faces. I felt awesome.

3. Opinions. The blogging community is one area where it seems that people agree to disagree. I have never seen anyone get mad at another bloggers review whose review was not as enthusiastic as theirs. I feel there is a politeness!

4. Escaping to Another World. Why do I love reading. Escape, fantasy, romance, adventure, heartbreak, on and on. I love it all!

5. When You Can't Put It Down. As annoying as it is to my family, I love it when I am in so into a book that reading is all I want to do.

6. Crushes! I love starting a new book with the possibility of falling in love with a male protagonist (or villain) or gaining a new BFF in a female main (or secondary) character. Although all others will continue to pale in comparison to Tom Imura for now!

7. Surprise Books! Sometimes you can go a few weeks without anything--no review requests, no contacts from publicists, no new ARCs. (And you've also made a deal with yourself to not request any more ARCs till you've caught up a bit). Then a day comes along where you can get all of those! And it is always fun to get a surprise book in the mail. (I got Shatter Me this week and was so excited.)

8. People in Publishing are Cool! Since starting all this blogging (& becoming a librarian) I have made several contacts in the publishing and they are super nice and so accommodating. This is a world that I thougth was always so far out of my reach, but it's not! It is accessible.

9. The Next Big Thing. Don't you get quite a rush when you pick up a new book. This one might just be your new favorite!! And sometimes, it is.

10. Bubble Baths & Exercise. Okay, I don't exercise as much as I should, but I do take baths. Both places are an excuse for me to get away from my kids and read for a bit. Especially bubble baths--that is sometimes my favorite place to read.

11. It Makes Me Feel Smart. Since becoming a more avid blogger, blog reader and librarian I have become a student of books. I know a lot about books, series, authors and and upcoming books. So, when kids come to me for book help I can almost always match a kid to a book or I know when the next one in a series is coming out or where one is located in my library. I love being this "well read."

Well, there's my 11 things. What about you?!

Books I Am Thankful For: Harry Potter

2011-11-09T08:05:00.002-07:00

As I grew up I never fully got away from reading YA and MG types books, they just weren't what I read most of. I remember reading LJ Smith in college and going to the book store to see if the next one was out (The Secret Circle--loved!), but I had also moved on to mostly adult books.

Then came Harry Potter. As most everyone can attest to this book brought people back to reading. For me it brought me back to reading MG and YA books.

I got the first Harry Potter a little bit after I had my first child. Perfect timing. I had a boy and knew I was going to raise him to love reading (he doesn't) and I truly felt this was the gateway book (it still is).

I read the first two lickety split right before the third one came out. These books were not quite the phenom back then that they became. But here's what I remember: I was still a tutor in a school at that time. I worked a lot with in a sixth grade classroom. One kid saw me reading #3 and begged for him to borrow it when I was done. His mom wasn't going to buy it for him and he was on the hold list at the public library. When I finished and loaned it to him he was so grateful and we had made such a connection.

That's what books are all about.

That's what Harry did for people, connected them.

Tween Tuesday: Nerd Girls: The Rise of the Dorkasuarus by Alan Lawrence Sitomer

2011-11-08T07:30:00.007-07:00

3.5 sugar cookies with thick pink frosting.

Cover Love: Yes. I think this is a very eye catching cover.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
It looked like a good fit for my library. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Maureen, a thirteen-year-old self-proclaimed dork-a-saurus, is totally addicted to cupcakes and hot dogs and thinks that her body looks like a baked potato. Allergy-plagued Alice can’t touch a mango without breaking out in a rash, and if she eats wheat, her vision goes blurry. Klutzy to the extreme, Barbara is a beanpole who often embarrasses herself in front of the whole school. These outcasts don't have much in common—other than the fact that they are often targets of the ThreePees: the Pretty, Popular, Perfect girls who rule the school.
But one day Maureen discovers that the ThreePees are planning to sit next to Allergy Alice in the cafeteria and eat peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches on whole wheat toast with mango marmalade for lunch. And Maureen decides that it's time to topple the eight-grade social regime. She joins forces with Alice and Barbara and the Nerd Girls enter the school talent show, determined to take the crown from the ThreePees. Will their routine be enough to de-throne the popular crowd? Or will their plan backfire and shake their hold on the bottom rung of the social ladder?

I Kept Reading Because: I liked Maureen and wanted to see her find some happiness.

Romance?: Not really.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I liked all three characters. The were very different and diverse and each had their own unique voice. I was glad to see the growth in Maureen and Alice's back story was a big twist for me.

Here's what didn't ring true for me (but it was good for the book). Most girls as nasty as the ThreePees are transparent for teachers. The fact that they got away with everyone because adults thought they were perfect just isn't normal. Teachers and administrators really do see through kids who are so two faced.

The growth that Maureen went through was encouraging to see. She open herself up to a lot of new additions in her life and took a step towards being successful.

I think my favorite was Barbara and her family. She cracked me up most of the days!

To Sum Up: This was an easy book to get into with girls you were really rooting for!

Tween Tuesday is hosted by the amazing Sarah at GreenBeanTeenQueen! Check her out.

Book from Disney (brought to my attention through NetGalley and bought for my library).

Review: Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

2011-11-07T07:30:00.001-07:00

3 pretty good double chocolate chip cookies.

Cover Love: Not really. I don't feel it really captures the tone of the book.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
The synopsis sounded interesting. Here it is from Good Reads:

Perry Stormaire is a normal high school senior– he is busy applying to college and rehearsing with his band –until he agrees to go to the prom with the Lithuanian exchange student who is staying with his family. It turns out that Gobi Zaksauskas is not the mousy teenager that she seems but rather an attractive, confident trained assassin. Instead of going to the prom, Perry finds himself on a wild ride through the streets of New York City as Gobi commandeers the Jaguar his father lent him for the prom in order to take out her targets. Perry learns a lot about himself – and ends up with some amazing material for his college application essays.

I Kept Reading Because:
It was fast paced and got me interested from the get-go.

Romance?: A hint of one.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I was glad that the story got moving right away. There wasn't a lot of explaining or back story, we pretty much just jumped right into the action.

I liked Perry and I liked Gobi. I just couldn't nail the tone down really well. When we heard Perry's voice setting the story up it seemed kind of goofy and I thought it would be a pretty humorous book. There was a lot of humor, but also a lot of violence and dark themes. This didn't turn me off, and it did read a little like a good action movie with humor sprinkled through out.

I liked the reason they gave for what Gobi was doing. It was very plausible and her revenge actually didn't seem that over the top.

To Sum Up: A lot of action make this a pretty fast read. Will be enjoyed by many kids!

Book requested and received from NetGalley and Disney. Thanks!

Books I Am Thankful For: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

2011-11-04T07:30:00.003-06:00

I have previously written about my love for this book here. This one is just a gem above all gems. My favorite book of all time. I am not even sure when I first read this, but it was probably a read aloud by my fourth grade teacher (she read us all the great ones: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH; Where the Red Fern Grows (which had us all bawling) and The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles). I have read it so many times since then that I can't even count.

If there was ever a book that I am grateful exists, it is this one!

Book I Am Thankful For: Nancy Drew

2011-11-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

This November I am going to periodically post about books I am thankful for--those books that have shaped me into the reader I am today. Today I am talking about Nancy Drew books.

I would have to say that these are the books that made me into a reader. In second grade a girl named Paula and I read through every Nancy Drew in the library at our school, then had to move onto the public library. I just LOVED them.

In fact, I don't remember reading anything else in second grade, just Nancy Drew. I followed Nancy for years! I read the old ones, the contemporary ones, the ones with the young Nancy, all of them! I have such a fondness for Nancy. I was sad when I only had boys and didn't get to share my love of Nancy with them.

These are truly books I am thankful for because they made me a reader, and I have never stopped yet!

Things I Miss E-Books vs. Print

2011-11-02T07:30:00.001-06:00

I do not exclusively read ebooks, I have too many print books at my disposal at my library to be exclusive. But I do read a lot of books from NetGalley & Galley Grab on my Nook. Here's some thoughts on them:

*I miss being able to flip through a book before I buy. Downloading samples are not the same thing.

*I miss reading the back of the book. Sometimes I download from from NetGalley and then I forget what the book is about. I miss being able to read the back as a refresher (although Houghton Mifflin ebooks put the copy of the back right after the cover so it is quick to look at!).

*I miss being able to flip back to something that I need to re-read to clarify something that happen later. I don't always know what will be important later so I bookmarks really don't help!

*Covers!! Most NetGalley books have the covers, but not all. And the cover looks great when I download, but then I forget what it looked like before I read. I miss that.

How is your ereading experience? What do you miss?

Tween Tuesday: Finally by Wendy Mass

2011-11-01T07:30:00.002-06:00

4 adorable sugar cookies with pink frosting.

Cover Love:
Yes. Colorful and eye catching! I like books that don't show the face of the main character because that allows you to put someone in there from your own imagination.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I really liked the first book in Wendy's "birthday" series, 11 Birthdays. She has released two more: Finally and 13 Gifts. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

You can pierce your ears when you're twelve. You can go to the mall with your friends when you're twelve. You can babysit little Timmy next door when you're twelve. You can get a cell phone when you're twelve. Hey, you can even ride in the front passenger-side seat when you're twelve.
When you're twelve, when you're twelve, when you're twelve . . .
My name is Rory Swenson, and I've been waiting to turn twelve my whole life. In exactly 18 hours, 36 minutes, and 52 seconds, it will finally happen.
My life will officially begin.

Romance?: Nope.

I Kept Reading Because:
I wanted to get to that "A-ha" moment with Rory.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
Wendy Mass does a great job writing for middle school girls. Her characters are so relate-able! I think that Rory is pretty typical of a sixth grade girl. She believe that turning 12 will make her grown up. Of course it doesn't, and to see her realize that things will come as she is ready for them instead of because she is 12 is a fun journey!

Rory is just so sweet. She has got a great heart and I enjoyed being in her world.

I loved seeing Leo and Amanda from 11 Birthdays. I loved their story in that book so it was nice to see them a year later.

Leo and Amanda's story definitely had a mystical element to it. Rory's didn't but it was so nice to see her learn about herself and growing up in the book.

I also liked how Wendy tied up Rory's friendship with her best friend Annabelle. During the whole book I wondered why they were friends and could see them growing apart. In the end, though, Annabelle is the one to sum up their friendship in a neat way.

To Sum Up: I can see many, many of my middle school girls enjoying and relating to this book! Can't wait to booktalk it.

Book bought for my school library.

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

2011-10-31T07:30:00.002-06:00

3 pretty good oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Cover Love:
Yes! It is a beautiful, eye catching cover.

Why I Wanted To Read This:
I loved Laini Taylor's Lips Touch Three Times, especially the third story in that book, so I was super excited to read this one! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

I Kept Reading Because:
It was engrossing and hard to put down. I wanted to find out Karou's backstory!

Romance?: Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
Okay, this is one of those books I am going to have a hard time reviewing because I just didn't love it. But, I am not sure why. In fact, I took a few weeks off from doing this review so that I could reflect.

I guess I just didn't really buy into the alternate world that Laini created. I liked Karou and I liked Akiva and I loved their romance. I just didn't really like the whole angels vs. demons world.

It was masterfully written though, Ms. Taylor writes so beautifully. The story played out slowly, but not so slowly that it was boring. The pace was perfect and the final reveal happened at just the right time.

To Sum Up: I would never not recommend this book, there were too many beautiful thing about it. But, I am not sure I will move along in the series. I will buy it for my library.

Book sent from Little Brown. Thanks!

(I acknowledge that these kid of reviews are the worst because it is not specific about the things that bothered me. But, I gush better than criticize so these kinds are hard for me to write too!)

Scary Books into Movies: Misery

2011-10-27T07:30:00.002-06:00

Perfect, perfect, perfect! Scary book, totally creepy movie. One thing I have realized while writing these posts is how amazing and important the actors are, especially for scary movies. But for an actor in a horror movie to win an Oscar I think is pretty rare. Kathy Bates did it in this movie.

They made one big change from the book tot he movie that I really enjoyed. In the book she cut off one of his feet. In the movie she "hobbled" him. It was so much more effective. My feet hurt for weeks after watching that!

A movie with only two people in it shouldn't be this creepy but, it was and it was awesome!

Scary Books into Movies: Rosemary's Baby

2011-10-26T07:30:00.002-06:00

I went through an Ira Levin phase in late high school and it was all because of this movie. For some reason movies where there are occults and satanism are the kinds that scare me the most. This one didn't disappoint.

I never felt that the book was that overly scary, but Mia Farrow in the movie was just awesome as an unsure new mother. She wasn't sure if the things she was seeing were real or just her going crazy. I loved it!

It was creepy but wouldn't have been nearly as tense without her acting.

Scary Books into Movies: Silence of the Lambs

2011-10-25T07:30:00.002-06:00

Oh, a super good one! I love Thomas Harris' books. Especially this one. So when this movie came out I was super excited to see it. I went to it in college and was just blown away. The best part of this movie was that the intense, scary stuff came from the superb acting of Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. They won oscars for this movie and it was very well deserved!

I think my favorite part of this movie, one that added so much to the creepiness of the movie were the sets. The insane asylum, the museum, the garage with the car, the small town, the cell that Lecter is kept in towards the end. I get shivers just thinking about it.

This is one movie that really matches up to the book in tone and tension. Great, scary stuff!

Scary Books Into Movies: Christine

2011-10-24T08:00:00.002-06:00

This week before Halloween I am going to go over some of the scariest books that have been turned into equally movies (or at least scary to me). The idea for this came to me the other night when I happened to catch the last half of Christine on AMC.

I cannot remember how old I was when I first saw this but given that it came out in 1983 I can guess that I was young. When I was young (and still now) you have to know that I do not like scary movies. I don't mind scary books but once I see it on the screen it becomes something altogether different. I read this book before seeing the movie, I do know that. My older brother was a Stephen King nut, so I often read the books after he did.

Onto the movie. I just loved this movie. First of all, this movie starred John Stockwell, who I loved as a young girl (he was Billy Hazard in North & South a few years later, and I loved him in that too). He was Dennis, the "good" guy of the story. He is probably the reason I will stop and watch this movie whenever I see it on TV.
Secondly, John Carpenter directed this and his use of music is so amazing in this movie. I still get chills when I hear that song that plays when Christine is running down one of the bullies who was bothering Arnie.

My first favorite part is when Arnie discovers Christine all messed up. He walks to the front of her and says, "show me." Christine then shows him how she fixes herself.

My second favorite part is the ending scene between Christine, Dennis and Lee in the garage. Christine is just going to town trying to kill Lee and you think how awful that car is, then it shows Arnie sitting in the car looking as creepy as ever.

Overall, this is my kind of scary movie. It is scary, but not so bad that it gave me nightmares.

Book Themes that Turn You Off

2011-10-20T08:30:00.000-06:00

This week I read a book that I liked pretty well. It was by and author I really like and at first I was pretty excited to read it.

When I got my copy, though, I had a hard time starting the book--no matter how many 5 star reviews I read. I couldn't figure out why I had a hard time with it.

I finally started reading it and I realized why I was having trouble getting started.

I don't love books set on foreign soil.

I can't figure out why, but when I can't relate to a place in a book I have a hard time reading it.

However, give me a book set in a boarding school and I am all over it!

Review: Ashes by Ilsa Bick

2011-10-17T09:30:00.004-06:00

4 chewy snickerdoodles.

Cover Love: No. I do not like this cover much at all. Mostly because the model looks so creepy.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I had this one from NetGalley but wasn't sure if I wanted another dystopian. My friend Shannon raved about it though, so I decided to give it a try. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Alex has run away and is hiking through the wilderness with her dead parents' ashes, about to say goodbye to the life she no longer wants to live. But then the world suddenly changes. An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky zapping every electronic device and killing the vast majority of adults. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who has changed... Everyone still alive has turned - some for the better (those who acquired a superhuman sense) while others for the worse (those who acquired a taste for human flesh). Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the zombies that are on the hunt, Alex meets up with Tom - an Army veteran who escaped one war only to find something worse at home - and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse. This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to find food, shelter, while fighting off the 'Changed' and those desperate to stay alive. A tense and involving adventure with shocks and sudden plot twists that will keep teen and adult readers gripped.

I Kept Reading Because: It caught and held my attention.

Romance?: Kind of.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I loved, loved, loved that this book started with the "event". Most dystopians take place long after the big change has happened to our world. This one shows the direct aftermath of the event. So I would call it an "apocalyptic" book. It was very interesting to see how people change with an event like this.

Tom! I loved Tom. Another book with a character named Tom that I fell in love with.

I thought it was very interesting how the author isolated Alex, Tom and Ellie for awhile in the book timeline. So by the time they rejoin society things had really changed. So not only do they have to learn how to live in this new world, they have to find a place in one of the new societies.

There are so many little things introduced that can go in so many different directions with plot and characters. Watching a world get rebuilt in a story is very fascinating.

What a cliffhanger of an ending! And I still have hope...

To Sum Up: A great introduction to a new dystopian/apocalyptic world! I already bought it for my library and can't wait to booktalk it for my readers!

ebook from NetGalley and Egmont USA. Thanks!

I Blame My iPhone (and my Nook)

2011-10-12T10:20:00.000-06:00

I was reading at a blistering pace this summer.

Then there was a dead stop. I am not kidding, full stop. (I have discussed previously that my back is hurt and my son's whole illness that is causing me to have a lack of focus).

There have been a few books I finished, but for the last month I just haven't been able to finish anything.

For awhile I was five books ahead on my GoodReads goal widget. Now I am two books behind.

I can almost pinpoint the moment, though. I bought an iPhone. I LOVE it.

And at night I tend to play games on that (and my Nook Color) rather than read. Also, new TV started so that is always a problem.

I think I need to charge my phone and Nook in the bathroom rather than my nightstand so that I can't just roll over and grab it whenever I want.

Oh well. The books aren't going anywhere. Neither am I!

What pulls your focus away from your reading?

Tween Tuesday: A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler

2011-10-11T07:30:00.001-06:00

4 old fashioned oatmeal cookies.

Cover Love: Yes because I love the look of Autumn on the book. The colored leaves blowing in the wind! It makes me want to read it for sure.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
The cover drew me in first. Then I noticed the author, who I have liked in the past. And the synopsis really intrigued me. Here it is from GoodReads:

It all changed in the elevator. When Jenni Green stepped into its compartment and pushed the button, her mother was pregnant and her best friend Autumn seemed secure and happy. When she stepped out, everything in her world changed. A year had passed; the baby had been born, and something had happened to Autumn's family. Jenni must confront a question for which nothing in her twelve years has prepared her: How can she alter the past to fix the present? A novel you can't predict and won't forget.

I Kept Reading Because: I wanted to see Jenni fix everything!

Romance?: Nope!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
Jenni and Autumn's friendship is one of those that I doubt would stay together longer than middle school. However good friends they are, I think they would be bound to grow apart anyway--because they are so different. But, after what Jenni goes through the friendship just might stick into adulthood.

Once Jenni figures out what keeps making her jump ahead in time, I was yelling at her to go back in time to stop all that happens. Instead she keeps moving forward to get a look of the next year, then the next. And things were not getting better!

But it does ask the question, would you want to look into the future? (sidenote; I was reading this in the car driving to another appointment for my son who was recently diagnonsed with crohns disease and I told my mom that I wish I could just peek and see him as a senior in high school after all this has settled (hopefully)).

I didn't love Autumn at the beginning, but the changes she went through were well written. You really felt for her.

To Sum Up: This was a well written time travel story with a satisfying ending. Good stuff for middle schoolers!

eGalley received from NetGalley and Candlewick. Thanks!

Review: Variant by Robison Wells

2011-10-10T07:30:00.002-06:00

4 peanut butter blossoms.

Cover Love:
Yes. It is ominous looking and not in focus. And it fits the book perfectly!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I got this one from NetGalley and really just started it on kind of a whim. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.
He was wrong.
Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.
Where breaking the rules equals death.
But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.

I Kept Reading Because:
It was impossible to put down!

Romance?: Yes! Which is the catalyst for a lot of action.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
First of all, let me shake Mr. Wells hand. He does not pussy foot around. Benson is thrown right into what is going on in the school from about page 5. I love that. No build up, just BAM. It certainly hooked me!

This is a hard took to review because I do not want to give away anything that would spoil it for you. It is best to read all the twists on your own.

It feels like there are a lot of "bonuses" to this book, things that kept me interested or reminded me of other things I have read or seen. First of all, Lord of the Flies is certainly an influence for this book. And it is acknowledged in the book. Also, it takes place at a boarding school, which I always love. And there is a nod to another kind of creepy adult book written by Ira Levin, but you can search that out yourself because I don't want to give anything away!

I really liked Benson and was very impressed with his detecting skills. When he finally discovers what is really going on with the school he has a secret that he can't really say because no one would believe him. So the way he goes about revealing it is awesome.

The twists in this book come hard and fast and the ending is a huge cliffhanger. It makes me wish that all the books in the series are out and I was just discovering it, because I would be reading the second one right now if that was the case! I can't wait to find out more about who is actually running the school and it's ultimate purpose.

And without giving anything away, I have to say I am still suspicious of Becky and now worried about Benson as well!

To Sum Up: A trippy, twisty read (but one that didn't make me feel like showering ala The Marbury Lens--so much better than that) that older middle graders and young adults would love. I am getting a copy for my library for sure!

Book from NetGalley. Thanks HarperTeen!

Autumn Picture Book Review: The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg

2011-10-07T07:30:00.004-06:00

I love picture books.
When I started having kids I decided that I wanted an autumn/Halloween picture book for everyday in October. I am still reading these out loud to my sons every night before bed (they are now 11 and 13). They still love hearing the books and I love, love, love that they still let me read to them (they actually are the ones to remind me each night). So, for the months of October and November I am going to spotlight some of my favorites!

The top of my list if The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg.

Not only is this one of my favorite Autumn books it is one of my all time favorite picture books.

The story is of Farmer Bailey who hits a man with his car. The man is dressed in strange leather clothing and looks very much a "hermit." He can't remember who he is and he doesn't talk, so Farmer Bailey brings him home. The stranger quickly becomes part of the family, helping out around the farm and playing with the daughter. But he can't escape the feeling that something is missing. One thing that really bothers him is how all the trees to the north are red and orange but all the trees around the farm and to the south are green. One day he pulls a leaf off the tree and blows on it, it changes color.

I just adore this book. The page where he blows on the leaf is my absolute favorite. It gives me goosebumps every time I read it. There is also a page where he watches the geese flying south and seems almost hypnotized by them. I totally feel that way when geese fly overhead. I love it when they are close enough to my house so that I can hear the air moving around their wings.

And the pictures are unparalleled. Chris Van Allsburg is amazing. So real but yet, so whimsical. The colors are just a bit muted, but still outstanding. I drool over them.

If you have never seen this picture book, find a way to rectify that. This is the perfect time of year to read The Stranger with a child in your life!

Quick Draw: Schoolhouse Materials

2011-10-06T07:30:00.000-06:00

Chalkboard or White Board?

I have to say chalkboard. I still love the smell of chalk dust! As much as I love white board (especially the new interactive whiteboards) I still love chalk!

Food From Fiction: Chicken Salad from Variant by Robison Wells

2011-10-05T07:30:00.002-06:00

This is an awesome book. Twisty and weird and very suspenseful. Not the kind of book you'd normally find some food inspiration from, but I did!! (I couldn't put it down and will be reviewing it Friday--good book!)

They actually talk about food quite a bit and it all sounded good. But at one point Benson (the main character) had a sack lunch that included chicken salad. I am assuming it was a chicken salad sandwich--and that made me think of the chicken salad sandwiches I make. Which are awesome. And I am going to make them tomorrow for my lunch!

Here's what I do:

*one can chicken (I use the Costco size)
*mayo
*blue cheese
*cashews
*green onions, chopped
*croissants (the big ones from Costco)

Mix the first five ingredients together until it looks and tastes like you might like. Because I like blue cheese and cashews I use a lot of those. (I also run the chicken through my mini food processor so it is not in chunks).

Spread it onto a croissant. (I think it is best on a croissant, but it is also really good on bread--and it is good without the green onions as well).

Enjoy!

Author Interview: Patrick Ness

2011-10-04T07:30:00.001-06:00

I am so delighted to be a part of this blog tour. I feel very unworthy (did you see some of the other blogs participating? Check out my sidebar.)(and Educating Alice's post last week was amazing. Read it here.). But, the real reason that I felt unworthy is because I got to deal with Patrick Ness.

PATRICK. NESS.

His Chaos Walking trilogy is one of my all time favorites. I am a huge fangirl. But, he is totally generous and nice and so amazing about dealing with bloggers. I am even a bigger fan now.

Here's my interview:

Is there a book you remember reading that made you think that writing is something you'd like to do?
Not one in particular, I don't think. But I do remember reading a lot of books while really young and disagreeing with how the story went and wondering why I wasn't satisfied. A story was set in stone, after all, wasn't it? If the author said that's how it was, then that was how it was, right? At some point, I made that vital leap where I thought, you know, if I wrote this, I'd do it this way instead. I wonder if a lot of writers do that? Start thinking, hmm, if I could just do this my way...

Is there a book that you wish you'd have thought of first, or that you wish you'd written?
Oh, that's a slippery slope; all it does is make you think about what you didn't do, instead of what you did, and I think writers have enough sabotage going through their brains without despairing over what they hadn't written. Having said that, the last line of Toni Morrison's Sula, which is the description of a grief that builds throughout the book, is a line so good, I'd have given my left arm to have come up with it. As it is, I'm just glad that it exists in the world.

If you had an idea and outline for a book and for some reason couldn't finish it, which author would you want to finish it for you?
I didn't really have an outline for A Monster Calls and that's kind of the thing that made it okay for me to write. I could take Siobhan's idea and grow it naturally into its final shape (just like she would have done had she been able to finish it; though, inevitably, hers would have been a very different final shape and it's truly a shame we'll never see it). I think if you get to outline stage, the book is already written to a certain degree and may not be allowed to play and grow and change, like any story must do to live. So if I'd left behind just an idea, the ideal situation would be having a whole bunch of different people have a look at it, and see where their imaginations took them in all those different directions. That'd probably be the best result of all, and probably the most interesting to read.

What did you think when you saw the cover?
Jim's illustrations are amazing, just unbelievably good. And I'd never really seen anything like them in this kind of book. In a world where you've got people (some with a strange and irritating glee) proclaiming the death of the printed book, it felt kind of like, "No, this is actually what the printed book can do, look at this cover, look at the feeling of the pages, look at the whole physical experience." I don't have a problem with ebooks, but they're a valuable addition to reading physical books, not a replacement of them.

Since you are an American living in England have you adopted an English accent? I find myself doing that sometimes when I watch too much BBCAmerica.
I can't hear it, but other people swear they can. It's unavoidable. At least it's real, not like that weird mid-Atlantic thing Madonna sometimes does. What's up with that?

Are you working on anything new?
I am, but it's secret secret. All first drafts need to grow in complete privacy. But I'm working. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks so much Patrick! Best of luck to you with A Monster Calls and all your future endeavors. I will be along for the ride!

Review: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

2011-10-03T07:30:00.003-06:00

4 sweet & chewy seven layer bars.

Cover Love: I love this cover! It is a bit spooky, but it has such a feeling of isolation about it. That isolation is exactly what Conor is feeling through most of this book.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
It's Patrick Ness. That should be enough for anyone. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting – he’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It’s ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth. From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd – whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself – Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined.

I Kept Reading Because: It was so real and so hard to put down.

Romance?: No

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I had a hard time starting this book. It is a book about death and when I got my copy it was around the same time my son was being diagnosed with Crohns disease. This is not a life threatening disease, but a sick child is never fun. So I didn't pick this book up for a long time. Then when I did, I couldn't put it down.

It was so real.

Conor was so well written, just a shell of a boy. We (as grown ups) expect so much of children who are going through massive changes, but we really don't give them the tools the need to deal with them. Conor found his tool to get through it. He was challenged and pushed by his monster. It was like his own little therapy.

I was so disappointed at the way the grown ups in Conor's world handled him, even his mom! Again, they expected him to handle things but they did not ever talk to him about how. And his dad made me so mad. Have some compassion!!

The strongest reaction in me, though, came from putting myself in Conor's moms' place. As the mother of two boys I never would want to leave them. I am not surprised that she continued to act like she would be fine because the reality was too awful to bear. She was Conor's whole world and he was hers. It is making me tear up just typing this! The fear and the anticipation is so strong for both Conor and his mom. It was hard for both of them to move on because neither of them were ready to.

Conor's anxiety was so well written. It was a tangible thing that I could feel as I read. Patrick Ness is amazing with words.

To Sum Up: This is a fantastic read and one that is for all ages. The middle school readers I have will be able to read and understand this as well as adults. Great book!

Book received from Tracy at Candlewick. Thanks Tracy!

Come back tomorrow for my interview with Patrick Ness!

How Long Do You Give a Book?

2011-09-30T07:30:00.001-06:00

Okay, here are some questions for you.

*How long (either time wise or # of pages) do you give to try a book before you stop reading it?
I normally have a 100 page rule, but I find that I have five books on my currently reading list that I am into more than 100 pages. I just can't seem to give them up and here's why. They are all either ARCs sent to me by publishers or egalleys from NetGalley. I feel super bad for giving up on them!
And I don't dislike any of these books. My life is in sort of upheaval right now (it's fall, busiest time of year, my back is in turmoil, my son is having issues with his Crohns, and a lot of new and great TV is starting up). So, I can't focus on any book and I am so tired in the evening that I get no reading done.

*Do you ever feel like you can't stop because it was an ARC you were sent (either as a surprise or by request)?
One of the books I am currently reading I practically begged one of my contacts for. I just feel like I am letting her down if I don't finish it. The others I don't feel as badly about, but I still feel bad.

Let me know what how to cut some of these books loose so I can move on to some of the awesome ones I got in my fall order for my library!

Roald Dahl is My Hero

2011-09-29T07:30:00.001-06:00

This month is Roald Dahl month. There are two children's book authors that sit high atop pedestals in my life. Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl. All. Time. Favorites. Here are some Roald Dahl facts about my life for you all:

*Favorite book of all time: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (followed closely by James and the Giant Peach).

*One year for Christmas when we were dating my husband gave me a gift certificate (pre-gift card era) to a B.Dalton bookstore (they don't even exsist anymore) with the promise that he would drive me there, drop me off and let me shop as long as I liked. (This may sounds awful, but he whined and complained terribly whenever we went to bookstores together, so it truly was a gift. And at the time my little town did not have a decent bookstore so to go to one in the city and have all the time I needed was pretty awesome) I bought hardback copies of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. The versions before the Quentin Blake illustrations, which were the ones I wanted.

*The new audio versions of James and Charlie are amazing. They are done by Jeremy Irons (James) and Eric Idle (Charlie). Perfection!

*While I adore both versions of the movie the first one holds the most special place because it contained the song Pure Imagination. (& I have to say it, Gene Wilder is a better Willie Wonka than Johnny Depp)

What are your Roald Dahl memories?

Banned Books Week

2011-09-27T14:22:00.002-06:00

This Monday I had a good talk with a few 8th grade classes about banned (challenged) books. It was an awesome talk. With the first period they were hesitant to talk about what might cause a book to be challenged but by the fourth class they were offering all kinds of suggestions. My favorite was the girl who said, "provocative text." Half the class raised their hands to ask what provocative meant.

It was fun to show them a book that had been challenged and to ask them what might have been the issue with the book. They were so surprised at some of the books on the challenged list.

One girl (a student I had when I taught kindergarten whom I thought would never really be a serious student) stated that books might be banned because it makes you question authority. I added that it's not necessarily authority but question your values or a way you were raised. This is what a lot of parents/groups fear when they actively seek to ban a book.

This same week I have a friend whose daughter is reading at a high lexile level. And she has to read books at that level for school (like a lower level will make her a worse reader or something. I hate reading levels. It drives me nuts when teachers get too focused on them!). She told her mom that the book they found has a lot of bad words in it. Her mom asked me if I thought that was a problem. I said, no. Just because she's reading it doesn't mean she will say it!

I understand people feeling their child is not ready for a certain book, I am one of those people. But, that person is probably still open minded enough to tel their child to just give it a few years.

In the 8th grade class was working with, they all said that if someone told them they couldn't read something the first thing they wanted to do was read it.

It was a great discussion! There are some really smart kids out there!

(I just keep waiting for my vice principal to come in with a complaint form a parent who says that her child told her that "the librarian said we could read whatever we wanted." Hopefully that won't happen!)

How is your Banned Book week going?

Tween Tuesday: Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

2011-09-27T07:30:00.000-06:00

5 delicious peanut butter cookies with peanut better frosting.

Cover Love:
Yes! I think this is just an amazing cover. The colors, the wolves, Hazel looking back over her shoulder. It just says so much!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
The buzz! Plus I have an amazing contact at Walden who is super excited about this book. Her enthusiasm carried over onto me. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. They had been best friends since they were six, spending hot Minneapolis summers and cold Minneapolis winters together, dreaming of Hogwarts and Oz, superheroes and baseball. Now that they were eleven, it was weird for a boy and a girl to be best friends. But they couldn't help it - Hazel and Jack fit, in that way you only read about in books. And they didn't fit anywhere else.

And then, one day, it was over. Jack just stopped talking to Hazel. And while her mom tried to tell her that this sometimes happens to boys and girls at this age, Hazel had read enough stories to know that it's never that simple. And it turns out, she was right. Jack's heart had been frozen, and he was taken into the woods by a woman dressed in white to live in a palace made of ice. Now, it's up to Hazel to venture into the woods after him. Hazel finds, however, that these woods are nothing like what she's read about, and the Jack that Hazel went in to save isn't the same Jack that will emerge. Or even the same Hazel.

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

I Kept Reading Because:
It was just so well written. You could just feel the care that the author put into this story.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

Hazel. The author was so gentle with how she wrote Hazel (not with the things that happened to her). I got the feeling that this character was very personal to the author.

I love all the "nods" the author gave to the books that inspired the elements of Breadcrumbs: A Wrinkle in Time, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, When You Reach Me, (I even thought of Stardust when I read the marketplace scene). It was awesome when the white witch gave her own nod to Narnia when she asked Jack if he wanted some Turkish delight.

Each chapter is mostly about Hazel. But every now and again we get a chapter about another character. These are well written and add a lot of intrigue to the story.

What a coming of age story! Hazel is going through so many changes: new school, life without her dad, making a new friend, enduring the tough time at school. For her to stand up and decide that she was going to save Jack is a major milestone for her. And she just goes without looking back!

There are two parts to this book: the first, setting up Hazel and Jack's world. There was not a lot of magic going on in Hazel's life. She loves books and daydreaming and play acting with Jck, but that's as far as it went. The second was the world in the woods which is wholly magical. It is amazing how well it works together!

Hazel's mother drove me nuts. I get that she was ready for her daughter to grow up, but to not have any understanding about what Hazel was going through, and to try and force another friendship on her just made me feel so mad! (Although, the other friendship was perfect for Hazel).

To Sum Up: I can't wait to get a copy of this for my library and to booktalk it to my students! I know plenty of reader who will love this fairy tale.

Book requested and received from Kellie and WaldenPond Press.

Review: Past Perfect by Leila Sales

2011-09-26T07:30:00.001-06:00

4 yummy frosted maple cookies.

Cover Love:
While I don't think it has anything to do with the book, I really enjoy the cover!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I actually read this during the summer when I was really into contemporary teen romances. This just fit in with the rest. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.
Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….

I Kept Reading Because: Leila Sales is super easy to read and I enjoyed the story.

Romance?: Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I loved the setting! I loved the historical village and I enjoyed how they had the war between the Civil War re-enactors and the colonial village. I loved how each group felt their era of history was superior to the other. Very clever.

I was glad that Dan was not this totally perfect guy. He had quirks, but he was worth Chelsea's time.

I thought that author did a great job writing a person having trouble with a break up. The insecurities Chelsea felt were so true to life! It really isn't easy moving on after the person you thought you loved breaks your heart!

Ezra was kind of a butthead and I liked that when Chelsea truly looked back on her relationship there were a lot of cracks that she tried glossing over.

Whether or not Chelsea and Dan are meant to be I was glad she was able to move on!

To Sum Up:
Good portrayal of moving on after a break up. Well written teen romance with a good romance.

My Week in Books

2011-09-23T10:10:00.003-06:00

Something like this should be all I need to say:
I mean, a new Shel Silverstein poetry book?! I didn't think it would happen (due to his untimely, so sad death). But it is out and I am thrilled with it. I ran to Costco and bought three copies for my library and one for myself. Shel Silverstein poetry books are still highly circulated in all the libraries I have worked in--even middle school! And as if that wasn't thrilling enough...

My first order of books for my library came in this week. It is a kick-ass order. So many good books!
This is just one side of my order.

However, here's my question. I ordered The House of Night Series because I have so many kids that were wanting to read it. One person expressed concern over the appropriateness for middle school readers. I haven't read them so tell me. Are they ok for middle school?

It's All About FOCUS!

2011-09-21T07:30:00.000-06:00

As regular readers know, I had an interesting summer (with my son being diagnosed with Crohns then going back and forth to our doctor--four hours away--and trying to get it all under control).

Then we had guests over the summer (that was really fun, but busy), then school started.

Then, over the past week I had a flare up from a bulged disc in my back. It was so bad and intense that I had to miss two days of school and lay in bed. It is still bad, but nothing like it was on Saturday when I couldn't even drive.

During all that time I felt like I lost my focus for this blog, and even reading. I find myself with SIX books that I have started and haven't finished. These are books I am liking, I just haven't had the focus to finish any of them. I also haven't spent time reading other blogs or updating my upcoming books list (which I use for ordering for my library). I have been dull.

Today I feel so much better that my whole outlook has flipped.

I am getting my focus back! And I will get some of those books finished, soon, I swear.

That's all I have to say!

Have a good day all!

(Oh, and my first order of books for the fall came in and it is like Christmas. All those new shiny book, I can barely stand it!! Greatest job EVER!)

Pre-Tween Tuesday: Clementine and the Family Meeting by Sara Pennypacker

2011-09-20T07:30:00.003-06:00

4 super darling pink frosted cookies!

Cover Love:
Marla Frazee is one of my favorite illustrators. I adore her work! So, yes, I love the cover (and I love the colors, orange is one of my favorites too).

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I adore Clementine! I was excited to read this new installment in her series. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Clementine's having a nervous breakdown. The FAMILY MEETING! sign is up in her house, and she just knows she's in trouble for something. Has she been too mean to her little brother? Too sloppy? Eating too much junk food? Try as she might to find out what's on the agenda, her parents won't reveal anything before the meeting. As far as Clementine is concerned, the agenda should be something like: "We're getting a gorilla." But no, it's something entirely different. "We're talking about a new baby," says her father. "A brother or sister for you two. What do you think about that?" NO THANKS! is what Clementine thinks. After all, four is the perfect number for a family. There are four sides to a table, not five. Will Clementine learn to make room for one more?

I Kept Reading Because: It's Clementine and she is adorable!.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I love that Clementine did some growing in this book. She and her brother kind of forged a new friendship in preperation for the new baby that will be coming into the family. It was nice for her (& us) to see her brother as a little older person.

I liked how Margaret has changed, but I do hope Clementine gets a new friend in a future book, one more like her.

Every time I read this I think of one little friend in my life. She reminds me of Clementine in certain ways. Like, she always wears knit hats and her relationship with her father. I adore her relationship with her father.

I just adore this whole little family! These books always give me a boost of joy.

To Sum Up: If you want to read something that will just make you smile pick up a Clementine book!

Ebook from NetGalley and Disney. Thanks!

Review: Ditched by Robin Mellom

2011-09-19T07:30:00.002-06:00

3 iced ginger cookies.

Cover Love:
Yes. This cover gives me a good image of Justina in my head and since the dress is such a major part of the story it was good to have a visual of that.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I have a love of light, fun contemporary romances. This fit the bill! Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.
Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.
Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.
Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.
And then ditched her.
Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly how she ended up dateless. A three-legged Chihuahua was involved. Along with a demolition derby-ready Cadillac. And there was that incident at the tattoo parlor. Plus the flying leap from Brian Sontag's moving car...
But to get the whole story, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. And discover if losing out at prom can ultimately lead to true love.

I Kept Reading Because:
It was fun reading Justina's recount of the night. Easy and enjoyable to read!

Romance?: Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
Justina's description of Ian made me totally fall in love with him. He seems like exactly the guy I would've wanted for my high school boyfriend.

I haven't been to prom in way to many years. In my time, everyone dyed their shoes to match their dress. It was fun to read what proms are like nowadays.

My one issue with this book was Justina. She was a bundle of contradictions. I couldn't get a grasp on her true personality. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders and much is made of her organization skills early on in the book. But she jumps to every bad conclusion with anything dealing with Ian. She never gives him a chance to explain and she runs away all the time. It bothers me that she had so little trust and faith in Ian, especially after telling us all the great things he did for her.

Even though Justina seemed a little off, the people she encountered during the night gave her good advice, she just failed to act on it. I especially liked Fritz' advice, go to the source.

I loved the Stoner Mikes and Bliss and Serenity.

I loved that Justina ended up spilling her story to two grown women, each with their own perspective and advice. Mostly though, they just listened to Justina's tale.

To Sum Up: Even though I didn't love Justina, she also didn't drive me nuts. This was a fun book to read!

Ebook from NetGalley and Disney! Thanks!

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

2011-09-09T07:30:00.001-06:00

5 wonderful peanut butter cookies coated with chocolate.

Cover Love: YES!! How creepy is this cover? And I love the colors.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I am sure the author hates to get this, but the synopsis reminded me of my favorite TV show, Supernatural. How could I not want to read this?! Here's it is from Good Reads:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

I Kept Reading Because: The first night I was reading before bed and I got to the part when Cas first encounters Anna. It is a chilling scene. At the same time a breeze in my house blew my bedroom door shut. It was the perfect touch. I pretty much read non-stop after that!

Romance?: Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
Ghost stories are hard to write. In fact, scary books are hard to write. I normally don't get scared from books. This was a well written scary book because it scared the beejeezus out of me! The setting was so well described I could see myself there. Anna and the other ghosts were so creepy and Cas' interactions with them always had tension and suspense to them. It got my heart racing!

Cas was self assured and confident, a great main character. I couldn't help myself but I kept picturing a young Dean Winchester as Cas while I was reading. When we meet Cas he is totally focused. He know what he has to do and goes about it methodically. Anna throws him for a huge loop. Cas becomes less sure of himself and does a lot of growing through the course of his dealings with Anna. He also lets people into his circle of friends. Adding friends to his life and work make him an even better Cas by the book's end.

I liked Cas' mom a lot. She supports Cas and his work even though it was what took her husband away from her. I was also glad the author explained that Cas' dad left them with enough money so that Cas could continue his father's work and they wouldn't have to worry. I am not sure that he would have wanted Cas to follow in his footsteps, however.

Anna 's story was so heartbreaking!

This is a ghost story and it is scary, but there were so many more emotions throughout the book. Ultimately it is a great coming of age story!

To Sum Up: Probably too scary and mature for my library, but one that I am so happy to have read! Pick it up sometime in October when it is closer to Halloween for extra chills!

Book won from TorTeen (I wanted to win this so much I entered every contest I could find. It finally worked!).

Tween Tuesday: Wait Till Helen Comes

2011-09-06T07:30:00.002-06:00

3 soft & spicy snickerdoodles.

Cover Love: I really like this cover, but it's not the cover of my edition. I had the older cover which I am sure was scary for a kid's book when it first came out.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
This is one of those books that people remember as the scariest book they read when they were young. Since I hadn't read it I decided to fix that this summer. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Beware of Helen...
Heather is such a whiny little brat. Always getting Michael and me into trouble. But since our mother married her father, we're stuck with her...our "poor stepsister" who lost her real mother in a mysterious fire.
But now something terrible has happened. Heather has found a new friend, out in the graveyard behind our home -- a girl named Helen who died with her family in a mysterious fire over a hundred years ago. Now her ghost returns to lure children into the pond...to drown! I don't want to believe in ghosts, but I've followed Heather into the graveyard and watch her talk to Helen. And I'm terrified. Not for myself, but for Heather...

I Kept Reading Because: I was enjoying the story and was on a trip. I needed something to listen to!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I did not love the narrator of the audio version I listened to. She was a bit grown up for this story. However, she had good emotion in her voice which gave the scary parts an extra punch.

Good stories do make you feel emotions and the strongest emotion I felt was irritation! Molly's mother and step-father were such annoying parents. I realize that Molly's isolation was key to the story, but every time there was a scene where the parents took Heather's side and punished Molly I would get irritated. Plus, they uproot all their kids to an abandoned church in the middle of nowhere, then ignore them so they can work on their "art," then get mad when any of them act up.

I was also so annoyed with Heather, what a little brat. This was really good for the story because she needed to be a lonely little girl to allow for Helen to get in her head.

I did like Molly. She finally pulled herself up and decided to save Heather on her own. Just made her a stronger main character!

The setting was great, though. The church they lived in, the graveyard, the woods around the house and Helen's burned out house. Great setting and description of these areas. It added a great dimension to the book.

I didn't find the book super scary, but I can see how a younger reader really would.

To Sum Up: I will be handing this book to my younger readers this fall when they ask for scary stories (which they always do)! And now that I have read it I will be able to booktalk it much better!

Audiobook checked out from the public library in my town.

Review: Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

2011-09-05T07:30:00.001-06:00

5 great soft and chewy snickerdoodles.

Cover Love:
It's eye catching, but no, I don't love it. I would have liked to see Lissa's face more.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
The synopsis just intrigued me. Here it is from Amazon:

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention.

Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

I Kept Reading Because:
The story and Lissa caught my attention right away. I read it one day, it was hard to put down.

Romance?: Yes! I love Cash.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
To be honest, I almost stopped reading after the first page. I didn't want to read a book about high school kids having sex. Or girls using sex as a power play with a group of boys. But I gave it more of a chance and found I really liked Lissa. And the author put a few nuggets out there that I wanted to follow.

I am married to a soccer coach and raising two soccer players, so I have loved that the good guy was a soccer player!

There were so many good scenes in this book between the girls: I loved when they finally opened up and talked about what they thought was expected of girls and women in regards to sex. I also really liked all the times that double standards between boys and girls were pointed out. There were just some things said in this book that I would love to have heard when I was a teenager and I think girls today would find them very beneficial.

Did I mention that I loved Cash. I also loved that Lissa was finally able to see herself as beautiful and worthy!

To Sum Up:
Super enjoyable read that I would recommend for older teens. Sadly, I feel the language and sex talk makes it a bit old for my library. This is a powerful novel!

ARC requested and received from publisher.

Review: The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

2011-09-02T07:30:00.001-06:00

4 fudgy brownies!

Cover Love:
Yes. It is cute and sets the tone for the book.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I read and enjoyed Prom & Prejudice by this same author. I looked this one up and saw a lot of positive reviews so I wanted to check it out! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Love is all you need...or is it? Penny's about to find out in this wonderful debut.
Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows - no more. It's a personal choice...and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born; The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways...which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like..

I Kept Reading Because:
I wanted to see Penny and Ryan end up together!

Romance?: Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I liked Penny a lot. She had real reason to swear off boys and was pretty certain she could handle not dating anyone. But, I didn't like that she left no room for compromise for herself.

The other girls were well written. There was one to represent all types of the girls you meet in high school. The best part was the support they showed one another through non-dating, and then finally dating again. Just learning to accept themselves with and without boys is a great message for all teenage girls!

I am glad the author gave them some nice boys as well. There were some asses, but also some boys who supported the girls finding themselves. I think this was a pretty true portrayal of high school.

To Sum Up: An empowering read for teenage girls! Quick and easy to read.

Book from my school library.

Swearing: MG/YA

2011-09-01T07:30:00.001-06:00

What are your feelings about swearing in MG and YA books?

This goes back to the inappropriateness in books for a middle school library post I wrote. There are times I am reading a book and I don't even notice the swearing. Then there are times when I notice the swearing, like it is too forced.

After being in a middle school I know that kids swear. And swear. When my son was in the hospital I rented him Call of Duty Black Ops. I wouldn't normally because it is a pretty mature game, but he had to lay in bed hooked up to an IV for three days straight--I pretty much gave him whatever he wanted. I was commenting on the swearing and he said, "Mom, I hear worse than this everyday in school." So, I know that for kids it is an everyday thing. But, what do parents think? I also know my own son choses not to swear, not matter how much he hears it. (He is only 13, he might start up someday, but I hope not).

If your son or daughter brought a book home from their middle school library with lots of swearing in it, would it sit well with you?

Audiobook Review: Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

2011-08-31T07:46:00.006-06:00

5 chocolate chip cookies!

Audiobook Review:
First of all you have to understand my deep adoration for Rot & Ruin. I read and reviewed it last fall on my blog, which you can read here. In a nutshell, it was probably my favorite book in 2010.

As often happens when I really love a book I wanted to share it with my family. Alas, I don't have a family of readers at my disposal. One way I get around this is with the use of audiobooks. We take at least one long driving trip a year, mostly because my husband's family lives 10 hours away, so I always plan for an audiobook on that trip. This summer, I planned for us to listen to Rot & Ruin.

What a well done audiobook! The narrator, Brian Hutchison, was one I hadn't heard before. He has a real down-home, folksy type voice. It fits the tone of this book perfectly. Because the voice is more grown up than Benny's would be, I kind of imagined him as Tom. Because I LOVE Tom.

Even though Brian's voice was smooth, and accessible, I felt there could have been more emotion during certain scenes. However, I was going by how I read the book when my brain was sometimes screaming the words. I asked my son how he enjoyed the audiobook and he said he loved it and that Rot & Ruin is one of his favorite books now.

You know what that means...he will be more willing to read Dust & Decay!! Another successful audiobook adventure!

Review: The Power of Six by Pittaucs Lore

2011-08-29T07:30:00.002-06:00

4 very double chocolate chip cookies.

Cover Love:
Yes. This is very eye catching and it goes along with the story. I like how it is different from I Am Number Four but similar enough to signify a series.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I loved I Am Number Four. It was a quick, action packed read so I was very excited for the sequel!
Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

And I'm ready to fight.

I Kept Reading Because:
Seven's story was very interesting and I was glad that we still got to see Six, Four and Sam. Kept me interested!

Romance?: a few hints at one or two.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
Answers! We finally get some answers. One of my problems with I Am Number Four is that it was not really explained why the Mogadorains were after the Garde. There was finally an answer! And one I understood and thought was great!

I adored Six, was glad that she, John and Sam were big parts of this story.

I loved Seven. Her story was super interesting. This isn't a spoiler since it comes up early in the book, but I thought it was a great twist that her Cepan had given up her purpose for life in the convent. It just added a little tension in the story.

There were a few twists along the way. Good ones. And some good progress made in the action against the Mogadorians. We do meet one more number later on, he is a boy and he is AWESOME. I loved him almost more than Six. But he was only in it a bit at the end, kind of like Six at the end of I Am Number Four.

The action towards the end of the book was fast and intense. I could barely put the book down once I got there! All through the book there were well written fight scenes where we got to see them all using their legacies. And all of them have different legacies and all of them are cool.

This does not fall into the middle book syndrome (not sure how many books will be in the series, but I could see it ending after one more). It was a great story!

To Sum Up: A great follow-up to I Am Number Four. Leaves me very excited for the next book!

Book received from HarperTeen. Thanks so much Michael!

The Power of a Series

2011-08-24T07:30:00.001-06:00

Last year one of the most circulated books in my library was I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. It was big in the fall when I booktalked it to everyone. Then again in late winter when the movie came out. I fully expect it's sequel The Power of Six to be equally as popular. I have already bought a couple copies for my library and I will have them ready for check out on the first day of school.

Other goodies that are available to build anticipation are a digital novella I Am Number Four: The Lost Files: Six's Legacy that you buy for your Kindle or Nook. And a website that peeks intot he mind of Sara with some of her journal entries.

These tools are the best for librarians and for booktalking. I will have students clamoring for this book!

(This book came out yesterday; come back tomorrow to see my review!)

Tween Tuesday: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

2011-08-23T07:30:00.000-06:00

4 crispy & spicy snickerdoodles!

Cover Love:
Yes. I love the colors, the lightsaber and the adorable yoda!

Why I Wanted To Read This:
The whole idea intrigued me! And I kept seeing reviews that said tween boys needed to read this book. I have a few so I wanted to see if I thought they would like it. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

In this funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class and of the greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages, Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. If that weren’t strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and prescient. Origami Yoda predicts the date of a pop quiz, guesses who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and saves a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment with some well-timed advice. Dwight’s classmate Tommy wonders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so clueless. With contributions from his puzzled classmates, he assembles the case file that forms this novel.

I Kept Reading Because:
The author gave us a nugget in the beginning that I had to follow!

Romance?: A little tween one!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I felt Dwight was so well written. I know several boys like this and while they are so annoying, they also just crave attention and friendship. The Dwight I know is tolerated by most kids, but not all of them. If he had a Yoda, it would sure help him out!

I was glad that we never got a definitive yes or no as to whether or not Yoda was real. We got a lot of good information and drew out own conclusions, just like Tommy in the book.

I loved the problems Yoda helped each of the kids with, so typical middle school!

All of the middle school kids were very well written. This is an author still firmly in touch with his tween roots!

As always with Amulet books, the design was wonderful. It was like reading through a messy boy's notebook. I loved the little illustrations sprinkled throughout. All of these little touches made the book easier to read and seem less like I was reading a book. This is what makes it attractive to that illusive group of reluctant readers!

To Sum Up: Touching and humorous. I will be booktalking this all year! Great for middle grade readers--boys and girls.

Book from my school library.

Review: Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski

2011-08-22T07:30:00.000-06:00

3.5 chewy peanut butter cookies.

Cover Love:
I love this cover, but I read the hardcover version with a different cover that I did not love.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
The synopsis to this one sounded so interesting! Here it is from GoodReads:

Devi's life isn't turning out at all like she wanted. She wasted the past three years going out with Bryan—cute, adorable, break-your-heart Bryan. Devi let her friendships fade, blew off studying, didn't join any clubs . . . and now that Bryan has broken up with her, she has nothing left.

Not even her stupid cell phone—she dropped it in the mall fountain. Now it only calls one number . . . hers. At age fourteen, three years ago!

Once Devi gets over the shock—and convinces her younger self that she isn't some wacko—she realizes that she's been given an awesome gift. She can tell herself all the right things to do . . . because she's already done all the wrong ones! Who better to take advice from than your future self?

Except . . .what if getting what you think you want changes everything?

Fans of Sarah Mlynowski's Magic in Manhattan series will love this hilarious new novel with a high-concept premise .

I Kept Reading Because:
I wanted to see how this was resolved.

Romance?:
Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
This was a great story and a great idea--call yourself back in time and make changes in your life. My biggest problem was the senior Dezi. I just didn't love her. I think that the author actually wrote her that way on purpose so that she could change as a character. And she did, she made some great changes, but there was so much I disliked about her before then!

I liked the younger Dezi so much better. It was interesting to see the contrast between the one who'd made the mistakes (or what she thought were mistakes) and the one before she made the mistakes.

I do think that this would be a great book for a young teen girl to read. To show her what can happen when you give your life over to a boyfriend. To show you that you can have friends and you can have a boyfriend, it doesn't have to be one or the other!

To Sum Up: An enjoyable read with an interesting "lesson" for young teens. I will be getting this one for my library!

Book checked out from public library.

Blogging Break

2011-08-16T14:19:00.001-06:00

Hey all! It's the end of summer and the start of school. I need a quick blogging break! I hope you are all doing well and I will see you again next Monday with some new reviews and features. Have a great week everyone!

Review: Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry

2011-08-15T07:30:00.002-06:00

5 amazing warm & gooey chocolate chip cookies dipped in cold milk.

Cover Love:
Yes, a little bit disturbing but definitely eye catching.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
Because Rot & Ruin was one of the best books I read in 2010. This is the next in the series. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Six months have passed since the terrifying battle with Charlie Pink-eye and the Motor City Hammer in the zombie-infested mountains of the Rot & Ruin. It’s also six months since Benny Imura and Nix Riley saw something in the air that changed their lives. Now, after months of rigorous training with Benny’s zombie-hunter brother Tom, Benny and Nix are ready to leave their home forever and search for a better future. Lilah the Lost Girl and Benny’s best friend Lou Chong are going with them.
Sounds easy. Sounds wonderful. Except that everything that can go wrong does. Before they can even leave there is a shocking zombie attack in town. But as soon as they step into the Rot & Ruin they are pursued by the living dead, wild animals, insane murderers and the horrors of Gameland –where teenagers are forced to fight for their lives in the zombie pits. Worst of all…could the evil Charlie Pink-eye still be alive?
In the great Rot & Ruin everything wants to kill you. Everything…and not everyone in Benny’s small band of travelers will make it out alive.

I Kept Reading Because:
Actually, I don't think I stopped once I started. These books are hard to put down!

Romance?: Yes, as much as there can be in the Rot & Ruin.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
A good book really makes you feel. And this one really, really made me feel. So many emotions! The first one made me feel, too, but this one, ugh. Ripped my heart out, put it back in then ripped it out again.

I love the nicknames of the bounty hunters in the Rot & Ruin. I especially loved Dr. Skillz and J-Dog.

I think that Jonathan Maberry must have paid attention to all the reviewers and bloggers that fell in love with Tom Imura because he was so heroic and so awesome. I fell in love with him all over again!

There are so many bad guys and so many evil people. And many people that weren't flat out bad, but weren't super good either. The villains are not the zoms!

This book left us with even more unanswered questions than the first one. You could call the first book a coming of age story for Benny, but I felt this one was more so. He really had to step up in so many ways to start his own Benny Imura legend. There are so many ways that this story can go.

It's funny to say that I love this world Jonathan Maberry created. It's not so much the world, but the people I love. Nix, Lilah, Benny, Chong, TOM, the other hunters we met along the way. I so look forward to the next book in this series!

To Sum Up: Rot & Ruin was one book I talked up to so many kids in my school. Yes it is a violent world Benny lives in, but I still felt the book was fine for a middle school library. I have several readers anxious for this one when we get back to school in the fall.

A word about Jonathan Maberry: he is an amazing presence online. While I was reading this he commented to me on GoodReads and we went back and forth a few times. He also commented on my review of Rot & Ruin. And he often interacts with fans on facebook and twitter. It just makes him more amazing and cool in my mind! I am a fan for life (and will be reading his Joe Ledger series soon, I swear).

Book requested and received from Venessa at Simon & Schuster! Thanks so much Venessa!

Middle School Inappropriateness?

2011-08-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

Here's something I wonder: What makes a book inappropriate for middle school readers?

Too much sex? Too much swearing? Lots of violence?

I adore this age group because I get to read, buy and booktalk books for young sixth graders who still love MG books. And I get to read, buy and booktalk books for older eighth graders who are ready for YA stuff. For me this is a dream job, I get to read all that I love!

But what makes a book too YA for a middle school library? I tend to think too much sex does. Swearing is kind of iffy for me. A few words are ok, but too many? I am just not sure.

And violence. I tend to not be bothered by violence in books because I truly have a problem picturing too much in my mind. But, is Rot & Ruin or The Hunger Games too violent for middle school readers? I tend to think not.

What about you? If you are a middle school reader, what is too much for you? If you are a parent or teacher, what is too much for you?

Picture Book Love: I Had a Favorite Dress

2011-08-10T07:30:00.005-06:00

I was so excited when I got a copy of this book! Julia Denos has become one of my favorite illustrators. I adore her style so much--it is both whimsical and nostalgic. And it is just perfect for this book!

In this book a girl has a favorite dress that she wears on Mondays. When the dress gets to small and she gets very sad until her mom comes to the rescue and remakes the dress into a shirt. The story continues as the dress gets smaller and smaller. It is just a joyful story!

The design of this book is excellent (as all Amulet books are). The words dance the pages along with the illustrations. There is a cadence to the text as well. This would be an outstanding read aloud--fun for the reader and listener.

All in all this was an excellent picture book and a super fun read!

Book received from Laura at Amulet. Thanks so much Laura!

Tween Tuesday: The Nine Pound Hammer by John Claude Bemis

2011-08-09T07:30:00.001-06:00

4 oatmeal cookie sandwiches with marshmallow frosting.

Cover Love:
Yes. It has a slightly ominous feel to it. I like the font and the colors. It works well together!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
These caught my attention when I was ordering for my library last spring. The sysnopsis intrigued me and I thought they would be books that I could get some of "those" readers interested in. Here is the synopsis from Good Reads:

What if John Henry had a son?

Twelve-year-old Ray is haunted by the strangest memories of his father, whom Ray swears could speak to animals. Now an orphan, Ray jumps from a train going through the American South and falls in with a medicine show train and its stable of sideshow performers. The performers turn out to be heroes, defenders of the wild, including the son of John Henry. They are hiding the last of the mythical Swamp Sirens from an ancient evil known as the Gog. Why the Gog wants the Siren, they can’t be sure, but they know it has something to do with rebuilding a monstrous machine that John Henry gave his life destroying years before, a machine that will allow the Gog to control the will of men and spread darkness throughout the world.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
There is a quote from a Booklist review that is on the back of The White City that sums up this book better than I ever could: "A steampunk collision of heroes, mermaids, pirates and good old-fashioned Americana." Isn't that intriguing, don't you want to run out and read it just by that statement?

I love the time period, the late 1800's just before the turn of the century.

I just love how the author blends American folklore with history and brings it all to life again. Reading this made me curious to re-read the tall tales I enjoyed when I was younger. It is just such a creative and original idea for a book.

The setting is so vivid as well. Ray goes from being on an orphan train, to a medicine/sideshow train, to a river pirate ship. It was so well written it was easy to picture.

I also loved the characters. They were written very distinctly, with strong personalities. I loved all the different abilities they each had as well.

To Sum Up: This is such an interesting idea for a book series. I think that getting readers caught up with this world would be pretty easy.

*Have you checked out the Smack Dab in the Middle blog? A group of middle grade authors have put it together. The author of The Nine Pound Hammer, John Claude Bemis, has written a couple of excellent posts: how he landed an agent and why he writes middle grade fiction. Both of them are great reads! I also won a contest he ran and got an autographed copy of The Nine Pound Hammer and a bunch of other goodies including a lodestone. He is one of my favorites now for sure!

Book bought for middle school library.

Review: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

2011-08-08T07:30:00.002-06:00

4 good & chewy oatmeal cookies with frosting.

Cover Love: Yes. I love the wood that totally looks like ocean weathered wood and the beach glass heart. I don't love the font though.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
Because it made the news for being removed from a school somewhere. So, of course, I had to see what the fuss was about. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.

I Kept Reading Because: It was so well written. It explored the themes of first love and death so wonderfully. Hard to put down!

Romance?: Yes. A sweet, loving summer boy for Anna.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
First off, here's where I wish this was written a little more grown up, and it's only because I am a mom. The author touched slightly on the impact Matt's death had on his parents. I wish that had been explored more, or at least Jayne and Anna's relationship. I know that if my son died, and left behind someone who loved him as much as Anna did, I would want to spend time with that girl talking to her about loving my son. It would be necessary for me. The author gave us a glimpse of this, but it wasn't explored as much as I thought it would be. And that's ok, because it was a book about Anna, not Jayne. I am just older now, and have sons so that side interests me more.

When Frankie finally talked to Anna about Matt, I was glad for the memories she gave Anna. They were important and I was glad to see a bit of Matt's side of his relationship with Anna.

I was so glad Anna found someone like Sam. Even the sex (the major issue that was had with this book) was well written and seemed true to life. I don't like that Anna felt like she had to lose her virginity, but when she finally did, it was sweet and loving and it was special. It wasn't just a random hook-up.

The grief everyone felt was so real. I just cannot imagine ever moving forward after losing a child, or a much loved older brother. But, you have to. And this view of a family moving forward was very well done.

To Sum Up: I might not put this in a middle school library, but I would recommend it for my more mature readers. The sex was not gratuitous or gross. It was fine. This was a very moving novel that made me tear up more than once!

Book checked out from local library.

Winners: Dust & Decay ARCs. ENJOY!

2011-08-05T07:30:00.001-06:00

I drew names today for the Dust & Decay ARC giveaway. This is one awesome book--every bit as action packed and emotional and amazing as Rot & Ruin. Venessa from Simon & Schuster was so wonderful in giving my 10 copies to giveaway. She has the winners names and addresses and will be sending them out soon!
Here are the winners:

Meredith from Florida
Small Review from New York
Jared from Michigan
Alana from Utah
Melissa from Texas
Jill from Minnesota
Jennifer from Utah
Bob from New Jersey
Frank from New Jersey
and
Zac from Virginia

Congrats and thanks for entering. I know you will enjoy this book!

The Book That Changed Your Life

2011-08-03T07:30:00.000-06:00

I know that some of you have books that changed the way you read. Like Harry Potter or Twilight made you realize that even though you were an adult, you could still read and love MG and YA fiction.

But, I am talking about the book someone tells you that you have to read because it will change your life. I can think of a few in the past years I have been told that about: The Shack and Three Cups of Tea come right into my mind.

I haven't read either of those.

Here's why, I don't really want my life to be changed. I like it the way it is.

So what about you? Is there a book that truly changed your life? Or is there a book you avoid because you don't want to change your life?

Tween Tuesday: The Shadows by Jacqueline West

2011-08-02T07:30:00.001-06:00

4 Double Stuffed ELFudge cookies.

Cover Love:
Yes, I love how we get a glimpse of the house as Olive goes through the painting into a new world.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
The cover attracted me. I bought it last summer but just got around to reading it when I was hanging out at a cabin on the lake a few weeks ago. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Old Ms. McMartin is definitely dead. Now her crumbling Victorian mansion lies vacant. When eleven-year-old Olive and her dippy mathematician parents move in, she knows there's something odd about the place—not least the walls covered in strange antique paintings. But when Olive finds a pair of old spectacles in a dusty drawer, she discovers the most peculiar thing yet: She can travel inside these paintings to a world that's strangely quiet . . . and eerily like her own Yet Elsewhere harbors dark secrets—and Morton, an undersized boy with an outsize temper.
As she and Morton form an uneasy alliance, Olive finds herself ensnared in a plan darker and more dangerous than she could have imagined, confronting a power that wants to be rid of her by any means necessary. It's up to Olive to save the house from the dark shadows, before the lights go out for good.

I Kept Reading Because:
This was an interesting and scary story!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Olive. It didn’t take long to get into the meat of her mystery. She uses her curiosity to follow her instincts. But, she also uses her parents logical approach to problems to give new things a try.

I loved the setting of this old house and all the antiques and knickknacks that Olive finds. I look forward to her exploring the house and finding out more of its secrets.

I hope that Olive is able to solve Morton’s problem. There is a lot of loose ends she can tie up in other stories.

I loved the cats that help Olive on her quest.

I loved that she is able to solve her problems on her own. She is clever and by being imaginative she is able to look past the logic and believe the wondrous things that are happening to her.

To Sum Up: I am excited to read more about Olive’s world. She is a great new heroine and there are a lot of possibilities for her story.

Book from my personal library.

Review: Always a Witch by Carolyn McCullough

2011-08-01T07:00:00.004-06:00

4 yummy oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies!

Cover Love: I think the cover is really pretty but doesn't fit the book or the character of Tasmin at all.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I loved the first book Once a Witch so I was super excited to read this one! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights.

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

I Kept Reading Because: I enjoyed the story and the characters so much.

Romance?: Yes! But not as much as the first. Tasmin and Gabriel are firmly a couple and I love them.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
This was the first book I read on my ereader. To be honest I totally missed the feel of a book, but that was outweighed by my excitement at having the book so far in advance of it's release!

At first I had a hard time getting into the time travel. This one mostly took place in the past. Once I got to know the new characters I was able to cruise through the story.

I liked the conflict but was a little lost on how the Domani worked. I just didn't remember a lot of the details from the first.

I loved seeing Tasmin use her talent.

The ending made me cry and I am always surprised when that happens. But, I like it when an author can write such with so much emotion that if affects me also!

I really hated Rowena (Tasmin's sister). I don't remember hating her as much in the first book, but she just really bugged me!

What I Would Like to See Happen:
If there is another book in this series I would like for Tasmin to be able to get back what she loses in this book. I also want more interaction between her and Gabriel.

To Sum Up: A great second book in a good series. Well written, a lot of action and goo characters!

Book requested and received through NetGalley. Thanks Houghton Mifflin Harcourt!

Food From Fiction: UPDATE

2011-07-29T07:30:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I waxed poetic about Fried Fruit Pies that were brought to my mind from a book called Sixteenth Summer.

I commented on how much I missed McDonalds Fried Apple Pies. So sad that they are gone.

Well, I have some interesting news...Pizza Hut has mini fried apple pies that are coated in cinnamon and sugar. They are SUPER GOOD! Not quite as good as McDonalds, but since I cannot find anywhere near me that has any fried fruit pies, these will have to do!

Just wanted to pass that along!

Dust & Decay ARC Giveaway

2011-07-28T07:30:00.001-06:00

I have been given TEN ARCs of Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry to giveaway on my blog. This giveaway will be over August 3 and is open to US residents only. This is an awesome book. Rot & Ruin, the first in this series was my favorite book of 2010. If you'd like to enter to win a copy of Dust & Decay fill out this form!

More Dark Street...

2011-07-27T07:30:00.000-06:00

Shawn Thomas Odyssey, the author of The Wizard of Dark Street, has been having a great time creating videos for the release of his book. They are so much fun to watch. He is a very talented guy! He is a composer, so here are two songs he did for the book.

This one is a short rap he made:

This one is a longer song that is totally fun:

And here he is reading the prologue to the book:

And my very favorite part of The Wizard of Dark Street website: the character illustrations. They are AWESOME! I enjoyed them before I read the book, but love them even more now that I know who everyone is! Go check them out, then go get a copy of the book--you won't be sorry!

Tween Tuesday: The Wizard of Dark Street by Shawn Thomas Odyssey

2011-07-26T07:30:00.003-06:00

5 oh so good 7 layer bars.

Cover Love: Yes! I love this cover—the colors, the pictures, the darkness signifying something ominous. It works well.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
Great buzz and the cover really attracted my attention. Here’s the synopsis from Good Reads:

Oona Crate was born to be the Wizard's apprentice, but she has another destiny in mind.

Despite possessing the rare gift of Natural Magic, Oona wants to be a detective. Eager for a case, she is determined to prove that logic can be just as powerful as wizardry. But when someone attacks her uncle--the Wizard of Dark Street--Oona is forced to delve even deeper into the world of magic.

Full of odd characters, evil henchmen, and a street where nothing is normal, The Wizard of Dark Street will have you guessing until the very end.

I Kept Reading Because: The author gave us enough “crumbs” that I had to keep reading to see where it all went!

What I Liked (& Didn’t):
Oona was awesome. She was like a younger, olden time Scully. She has magic at her fingertips, but preferred facts and science to solve mysteries. However, in a place like Dark Street magic is going to be involved in some manner.

The world of Dark Street! There are so many different stories that the author can tell about Dark Street: more Fearie lore, more Red Martin, more about the witches, more about the Glass Gates. There are just all sorts of directions and mysteries for Oona to solve.

Oona seems wise above her years, but the author does give us a reason for this. And although she is doesn't use her magic, in fact, doesn't like magic, we are also given a heartbreaking reason for this (although, I would bet there is way more to that story than Oona knows).

All of the history that we are given about Dark Street is so interesting. I do hope some of the future novels lets us explore more behind the Glass Gates. And it is all a little whimsical, with the crooked houses and the cover illustrations, and madcap, with the never burn out candles and some of the characters. But it all works together perfectly!

The twists to this mystery were excellent! This was one I had a hard time solving. It was intricate, but in the end easy to follow.

To Sum Up: This is a fascinating world that Shawn Thomas Odyssey has created. I cannot wait to visit again and hang out with Oona some more! I think we are going to see some interesting things happen and I want to be along for the ride!

Book requested and received from publisher. Thanks Mary!

Review: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

2011-07-25T07:30:00.002-06:00

3.5 double stuffed Oreos.

Cover Love: It's okay, the letters definitely are eye catching. My son read them and thought that it sounded like a mean book.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
This book had a lot of buzz when it came out last summer. I just finally got around to reading it. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.
But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

I Kept Reading Because: Although I didn't relate to Bianca, I really wanted something good to happen to her!

Romance?: Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I really started out not liking Bianca. She was so negative about everything, and so unwilling to change. I got the feeling that she truly felt she was better than a lot of people because she was so cynical. However, she did acknowledge that she was negative. I am glad for that because lots of time really negative people don't realize they are so negative.

Also, Bianca loved Jessica and her positive attitude, so there was something redemptive about her.

You do get some good background on why Bianca is so negative (especially with boys) and pretty unhappy (her family life). I am glad that author gave us Bianca's reasons, it made her more likeable.

I like these kinds of stories where there is a redemption for a main character. She didn't end this story hugely changed, but she did end the story feeling like she could change. I liked that touch.

To Sum Up: A good story for teens. I think many girls could relate to Bianca and find a kinship with her!

Book checked out from public library.

Lake Reading

2011-07-22T07:30:00.001-06:00

We've been so lucky to have some friends with a cabin that they don't use--they offered it to us to use for a bit. So for the last four days we've been hanging out at the lake. It's been awesome. My boys are kept busy swimming and catching crawdads and I get to relax and READ! (my husband is off on a fishing trip which is another reason we didn't want to be in our hot house in town).
So far since we've been here I have finished three books:
But I Love Him (another contemporary one that I blasted right through!)
The Wizard of Dark Street (awesome, review is set for next week)
and
The Books of Elsewhere: the Shadows

I just started The Nine Pound Hammer by John Claude Bemis. He is part of a group of middle grade authors tho have started a blog called Smack Dab in the Middle. You have to read his post on how he landed an agent. It's great!

Mini vacations are the best for reading because that's my first choice of entertainment!

Genres You Loathe

2011-07-21T07:30:00.001-06:00

Last week I wrote about how fast I seem to read contemporary YA romance type books.

Then I read Elizabeth Bird's post about genres you just don't like. I am like her in that I just can't get into animal books. At all.

I try them, I do. And there have been some I like (Rabbit Hill, Charlotte's Web). But for the most part I don't even bother.

So tell, me is there a genre you just don't like reading?

Or is there an animal book you are sure I would love?

Tell me what you think!

(I did also used to dislike mystery series, but have learned to really enjoy them!)