14. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Children's Books, Fiction, Joyce, Mystery · Tags:

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn , read by Joyce on 04/18/2013

Just before summer begins, 13-year-old Ali finds an odd photograph in the attic. She knows the two children in it are her mother, Claire, and her aunt Dulcie. But who’s the third person, the one who’s been torn out of the picture?

Ali figures she’ll find out while she’s vacationing in Maine with Dulcie and her four-year-old daughter, Emma, in the house where Ali’s mother’s family used to spend summers. All hopes for relaxation are quashed shortly after their arrival, though, when the girls meet Sissy, a kid who’s mean and spiteful and a bad influence on Emma.

Strangest of all, Sissy keeps talking about a girl named Teresa who drowned under mysterious circumstances back when Claire and Dulcie were kids, and whose body was never found. At first Ali thinks Sissy’s just trying to scare her with a ghost story, but soon she discovers the real reason why Sissy is so angry. . . . Mary Downing Hahn is at her chilling best in this new supernatural tale that’s certain to send shivers down her readers’ spines.

14. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Joyce, Teen Books · Tags:

Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby, read by Joyce on 04/11/2013

Lost in a River of Grass is in the tradition of survival stories like Hatchet or On My Side of the Mountain, where the young protagonist finds herself as she struggles to survive in an unforgiving wilderness. In this case, the setting is the Everglades, and Sarah, the 13-year-old narrator, sneaks away from an overnight school field trip for what was supposed to be a quick airboat ride with Andy, a boy who lives in the preserve. Naturally, disaster strikes and they’re forced to walk out of the Everglades (they’ve got a knife, a small amount of Gatorade and some suspicious Spam). The author also skillfully layers in a story about overcoming prejudice. Sarah is black and Andy is the son of a Confederate-flag waving self-described redneck.

14. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Children's Books, Fiction, Joyce, Mystery

Following the Mystery Man by Mary Downing Hahn, read by Joyce on 04/04/2013

He was busy reading the drugstore bulletin board when Madigan first saw him. He sure was good looking! His hair was dark and he had a full beard with a mustache that curled up on the ends and hid his mouth, just as his silver sunglasses hid his eyes. Then he walked right up to the soda fountain where Madigan and her friend Angie were sipping cherry Cokes, and asked for directions to Madigan’s house! Now the handsome “mystery man” is renting a room in her very own home — and Madigan is about to take some dangerous risks to find who he is.

14. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Angie, Children's Books, Fantasy, Fiction

Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George, read by Angie on 05/14/2013

Wednesdays in the Tower picks up after the events of Tuesdays at the Castle. Celie finds an egg in a new tower of the castle, which when it hatches turns out to be a griffin. Rufus, the griffin, imprints on Celie and the Castle obviously only wants Celie to take care of it. While Celie is trying to raise a griffin and find out everything she can about the history of griffins in Castle Glower, the Castle is busy making changes. Instead of just changing on Tuesdays and because of the needs of the inhabitants, the Castle starts bringing in more and more new rooms. A prickly wizard is also poking around the Castle and seems to know more than what he should.

I love this series, but if there is one thing I can’t stand it is a cliffhanger. And this book ends on a doozy! I literally exclaimed (insert appropriate words here!) out loud when I realized I had reached the end of the book and there was no resolution. You have a love a castle that has a mind of its own and is magical. I really enjoyed the fact that we learn more about the Castle’s history and what brought it to Sleyne. I thoroughly enjoy this series and would recommend it to anyone.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com.

14. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Fiction, Jessica, Romance

Playing Patience by Tabatha Vargo , read by Jessica on 05/14/2013

Sometimes all you need is Patience. Life’s been hard for Zeke. Being a punching bag for his alcoholic father has turned him into stone. Not even the dodgy trailer park he lives in can scare him. Fighting is his release and sex, drugs, and his guitar bring him peace, but deep down Zeke isn’t quite as hard as he makes himself out to be. When he meets Patience, she finds all his broken pieces and puts him back together, but she’s a ray of light in his shadowed life and the last thing he wants to do is bring her into his dark world. Playing careless is easy, playing the bad guy can be fun, but playing Patience is impossible, especially when she can see right through him. Zeke isn’t the only one who’s broken, and for the first time, in a long time, Patience feels alive. Her black and white world gets a shot of color when she meets Zeke. He’s unlike anyone she’s ever met with his tattoos, piercings, and blunt honesty. She wants nothing more than to let go and ride the wild side with him, but some wounds never heal and the broken pieces of Patience aren’t so easy to find.

 

14. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Fiction, Jessica, Romance

Claim Me by J. Kenner, read by Jessica on 05/13/2013

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes the second novel in the erotic, fast-paced trilogy that started with Release Me. This sexy, emotionally charged romance continues the story of Damien Stark, the powerful multimillionaire who’s never had to take “no” for an answer, and Nikki Fairchild, the Southern belle who only says “yes” on her own terms.

For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real.
 
Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match.

I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both.

But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close . . . or shatter us completely.

14. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Children's Books, Janet · Tags:

A Gathering of Days, A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-32 by Joan W. Blos, read by Janet Bowles on 05/13/2013

A Gathering of Days    This is a very interesting diary by a thirteen year old girl (Catherine Hall), living on a farm in New Hampshire during the 1830′s.  Her mother died of fever so she is taking care of her younger sister, Mary Martha, and her father, Charles.  She goes to the little one-room school in the winter and has one friend, Cassie, who doesn’t live too far away to visit.  There is an uprising of black slaves in the south, so when she lost her school book one day and it had a message in it when returned a few days later, she guessed who had taken it.  Being winter, the message asked for food and something to keep the person warm.  She took one of her mother’s old quilts, wrapped it around some food, and left it in the woods so her dad wouldn’t see it.  It did dissapear.  Her father remarried and it took awhile to get used to her new mother and brother, but all worked out well.  The difference in life style and communities then, compared to now is quite unique.

11. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Informational Book, Kristy, NonFiction, Self Help

The Normal Bar by Chrisanna Northrup, read by Kristy on 03/14/2013

The Normal Bar is an insightful book that gives readers the chance to peek into the relationships of thousands of couples in America and across the globe. the normal barCombining statistics and participant comments, this book presents the reader with what is “normal” in relationships today. Highly recommended.

10. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Janet, Literary Fiction · Tags:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, read by Janet Bowles on 05/06/2013

This is a delightful story of a boy who escaped the killer who murdered his parents when he was just a toddler.  He managed to crawl up the hill from his parents’ home to a graveyard.  The spirits there felt sorry for him and took him in, sheltering him from the killer, who was convinced to leave and forget his reasons for being there.   One couple took over as his parents, providing a snug home for him in the forsaken funeral chapel and a half-way person brought him food and clothing and watched over him when he was big enough to leave the graveyard.  Several of the spirits (who appeared real to Bod) taught him math, reading, and understand others.  Not knowing his name, they named him Nobody and called him “Bod”.  He also learned how to fade into invisibility, go through walls, and see in the dark.  Eventually he began to mature and the killer returned for him.  By this time Bod was very aware of how to use his powers.  I had no ideas before this story how helpful the graveyard souls could be!

10. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Angie, Fiction, Science Fiction, Teen Books · Tags:

Variant by Robison Wells , read by Angie on 05/10/2013

Benson is excited to be escaping foster care and joining the Maxfield Academy. But when he gets there his excitement quickly disappears. He is dropped off at the doors after traveling through two fences to get to the school. Immediately he is warned not to trust some of the students and he finds out why when he has his orientation. Turns out there are no teachers, groundkeepers, cafeteria workers, administrators or really any adults at the school. It is run by three gangs, who joined together because of some serious violence in the past. The Society runs the admin, medical and security portion of the school; Havoc takes care of food service and grounds; Variant are the janitors. Of course Benson joins the Variant group. He is determined to escape this strange school even if everyone else seems content to follow the rules and keep their heads down. Because of course if you break the rules you get detention which apparently means death. Benson keeps pushing and one night he finds out one of the schools big secrets which changes everything. Now he must force the others to realize what is going on and try to get out of there.

The premise of this book is really interesting. Very much a Lord of the Flies mentality. Unfortunately the execution is a little sloppy and filled with holes. Benson isn’t the most likable character in the world. I like that he kept questioning the system, but he continued to do it at the expense of others. He had really no regard for those around him or for the history of the school. He had been there a day and was already trying to escape and within a couple of weeks he is starting a gang war. I really wish the author would have spent a little more time filling in the holes of this story. The entire school system just screamed questions with no answers. And then you had the big mystery/plot twist….What!??!? There was no explanation for that and the ending was horrible. It basically forces you to read the next book in the hopes that it will answer your questions. I literally was left trying to figure out what just happened, which is not a good thing when you have just finished the book. Even with all the problems, this book was fun in parts and a very fast read.

09. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Angie, Children's Books, Fantasy, Fiction

Cold Cereal by Adam Rex , read by Angie on 05/07/2013

Scottish Play Doe (Scott) moves to the town of Goodco with his mom. He meets Erno and Emily who’s foster father Mr. Wilson also works for Goodco. Erno and Emily are given tests by Mr. Wilson that they think of as fun games, but in reality are tests for Goodco. Goodco is an evil cereal company who does tests on children, steals magic from mythical creatures, and wants to rule the world. Scott starts seeing the mythical creatures around him after Mick, a clericaun/leprechaun, tries to steal his backpack. Mr. Wilson disappears and Erno, Emily and Scott go on the run from Goodco with Biggs (Erno and Emily’s nanny and a bigfoot). They have to figure out what Goodco is up to and survive.

I loved Adam Rex’s The True Meaning of Smekday. I thought it was hilarious and genius. So I was a little disappointed in Cold Cereal. It was interesting and funny, but it was a little disjointed and strange. I really enjoyed the kids and their story. I didn’t even mind all the mythical creatures like Mick and Harvey, but Goodco was a little much for me. It was kind of funny how unnatural their cereals were (Burlap Krisps anyone) and the fact that they used magic to make everything. I think it lost me when the secret society came into play and then Merlin and the Lady of the Lake arrived. At that point it went from over the top to completely ridiculous.

09. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Kira, Romance · Tags:

The witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare., read by Kira on 05/08/2013

WitchBlackbird8 witchblvpwitch-of-blackbird-pondA delightful tale – Kit travels to Puritan New England from Barbedos, after her grandfather dies.  She must learn to adjust to new strict norms, but befriends an older Quaker woman (believed to be a witch) who lives out by Blackbird Pond.

I wish the book had more of an epilogue, I’m tempted to write one myself.

Wordle-The-Witch-of-Blackbird-Pond Dolphin map

08. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Humor, NonFiction, Pamela

meet me at emotional baggage claim by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella, read by Pamela on 06/05/2013

indexA great book for those mothers and daughters who share everything.  Lisa Scottoline and daughter Francesca Serritella collaborate for a humorous look at their mother-daughter relationship as they lay out the chick wit their readers have become so accustomed to.  They broach subjects and areas of their lives that many of us only think about sharing.  No embarrassment from these two.  Mother Mary makes appearances, as well as the dogs and cats. It’s a funny read.  You’ll enjoy it.

07. May 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Angie, Children's Books, Fiction · Tags: ,

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, Patricia Castelao (Illustrations), read by Angie on 05/06/2013

The One and Only Ivan, Mighty Silverback is the main attraction at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, conveniently located off I-95. He has lived at the mall in his “domain” for many, many years. He is content with his life with Stella, the old elephant, Bob, the stray dog that sleeps on his tummy, and George and Julia, who clean the mall. Their keeper Mack is not content however. The mall is losing money and no one is coming to visit anymore. So Mack gets Ruby, a baby elephant, to attract more attention. Stella and Ruby are not content in their cage and soon Stella dies. Ivan makes a promise to her that he will save Ruby, but how is a gorilla supposed to do that?

I usually don’t like books written from an animal’s perspective, but there was something about Ivan that really worked. His voice seemed so much his own and not a person speaking for a gorilla. I loved everything about Ivan, especially his relationships with the others. I really enjoyed how Ivan thought about the problem of Ruby and came up with a solution all on his own. Very inventive! This is one of the few Newberrys in recent years that I have really and truly loved. It was definitely worthy of the medal.

06. May 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Children's Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Tracy · Tags:

The Borrowers by Mary Norton, Beth Krush (Illustrations), Joe Krush (Illustrations), read by Tracy on 05/03/2013

I don’t remember if I ever read this award winning children’s book but it does explain a few things about the disappearance of items in your home. How many times have you misplaced something and found it in a completely different spot? Have you walked down your hallway and felt a warm spot? Does your elderly aunt talk to herself? You may have a family of Borrowers in your house. They are harmless and are in danger of being seen by “a human bean”. Arrietty is the young daughter of the Clock family, they live under the clock, and she is seen by a young boy. He is a nice bean but the adults in the house are not. Arrietty wants to live outdoors where she can run and enjoy the flowers. She may get her wish.

06. May 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Fiction, Thriller/Suspense, Tracy

61 Hours by Lee Child, read by Tracy on 05/05/2013

Every time I read a Jack Reacher book I can’t wait to start another one. This one is no exception. In this book the town of Bolton South Dakota has the advantage of a new prison which brings jobs and money to the area. On visiting day the hotels and cafes are busy. Unfortunately it is used in a plan to steal a lot of meth stored in an abandoned underground storage unit built by the Air Force during the Cold War. Jack hitched a ride on a tour bus that breaks down near Bolton. So he is right in the thick of it with winter weather below zero. It’s another page turner.

06. May 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Fiction, Mystery, Tracy

Black Diamond by Martin Walker, read by Tracy on 04/30/2013

I’ve never eaten any truffles, probably couldn’t afford to, so this book was interesting since the main subject is truffles. The main character, Bruno chief of Police, finds a friend murdered who is a truffle cultivator and seller. Bruno asks: “Do you see truffles as a motive for murder?” Apparently they are worth a lot of money to French restaurants. Bruno is again looking out for his fellow villagers when the local mill closes and leaves workers jobless just before Christmas. Could this be another motive?

06. May 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Fiction, Jessica, Romance

Devoured by Emily Snow, read by Jessica on 05/06/2013

Sienna Jensen had no plans to return home when she graduated college last spring—after all, her dreams lie in California. But when she discovers her grandmother’s Nashville home has been foreclosed, and the new owner has started the eviction process, Sienna has no other choice but go back to Music City. And she comes face to face with the flawed, gorgeous man she never thought she’d see again. The man who now holds the deed to her grandma’s estate. When millionaire rock star Lucas Wolfe finds the outspoken redhead glaring at him from across a courtroom, he’s both infuriated and intrigued. He still can’t get the night Sienna almost spent with him out of his mind, and the chemistry between them is as undeniable as it was two years ago. He craves Sienna more than ever. And just like everything Lucas hungers for, he’s determined to have her. Now, Lucas will do whatever it takes to lure Sienna into his bed, even if that means making a deal with her: ten days with him, playing by his rules, and he’ll hand over the deed to her grandmother’s home. Though she agrees to the arrangement, Sienna is conflicted. Because of her duty to her family. Because of promises she’s made to herself and a past that still haunts her. And as Lucas’s game of seduction continues, and Sienna is introduced to his dark, erotic world and even darker background, she realizes that at any moment, she could be devoured.

It is amazing how much Ben Franklin did in his long life. I am not sure there is any part of life that he did not explore and conquer. He was an inventor, a scientist, a statesman, a diplomat, an educator, an author and so much more. Many of the things we use in every day life can be attributed to Franklin. Many of the institutions and concepts we rely on were first suggested by Franklin. If there is any man who is responsible for our way of life it might be Franklin. He is an amazing historical figure. This biography does a great job of breaking his life down into its most important eras. I loved all the information and the sidebars the author provided not just about Franklin, but life during his time period.

This book was a Sibert Honor Book and an Orbis Pictus Honor Book in 2013.

06. May 2013 · Comments Off · Categories: Angie, Children's Books, History, NonFiction · Tags:

Those Rebels, John and Tom by Barbara Kerley, Edwin Fotheringham (Illustrator), read by Angie on 05/06/2013

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our founding fathers. They could not have been more different yet they believed in the same thing…an independent America. Together they helped this country become free and were both presidents. They even died on the same day. I think their story is an interesting one and this book does a great job of illustrating the time period and their friendship. The illustrations are wonderful and very child friendly. The entire book read like a Saturday morning special…School House Rocks maybe. 2013 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children honor book.