Little Brother

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Summary: After the Bay Bridge is blown up by terrorists, high school student and computer hacker Marcus is taken by Department of Homeland Security, questioned, and eventually released into a world he no longer recognizes.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. It was a great story about freedom, terrorism, security, and loyalty. It is science fiction meets computer information and technology, as Marcus uses his immense computer knowledge to bring down the DHS. It is fast paced and exciting, and most of the computer jargon is explained well (although some of it still is over my head). I would have given it a higher rating, except for a little too much sexual content for my liking. This would make a great book club discussion book.

The Disreputable History

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Frankie Landau Banks returns to begin her sophomore year of high school at Alabaster, an exclusive private school in New England, and instantly catches the eye of senior Matthew Livingston, popular boy and member of the secret society The Order of the Basset Hounds.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Comments: I loved this book. Frankie isn't satisfied with being one of the popular crowd when she starts dating Matthew, but instead longs to be a part of his secret society, one that dates back to the early 1950's. She is clever, resourceful and daring as she figures out a way to use the society to carry out elaborate pranks. It would make a great discussion book for the classroom or a book club, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something fun to read.

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Summary: Fifteen-year-old D.J. Schwenk, the only girl in a family of football stars, spends her summer working on the family farm, training the rival high school's quarterback for the upcoming season.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: I picked this book off the Young Adult shelves at the library knowing absolutely nothing about it, and, judging from the cover, it easily could have been a trashy teen romance. Fortunately for me, it wasn't. I instantly related to the main character, a girl who isn't
"girlie" at all. She is strong and a hard worker, and has had to shoulder most of the responsibility for the family farm in Wisconson with her brothers off playing football and her dad injured. Although she realizes how valuable she is to her family's well-being, she resents having to do so much alone. Until a family friend, the football coach at a rival high school, sends Brian Nelson, his quarterback in need of refining, to help the family out.

D.J. also loves football, which is obviously something I relate to. When she decided to try out for the high school team (it is only seven on seven after all), I couldn't help but remember how that had been my plan too, once upon a time.

I know this book isn't for everyone, but I loved it, and am excited to get my hands on the sequel. I'm anxious to find out what happens next.

Homebody

Homebody by Orson Scott Card

Summary: Don Lark, a lonely man who is trying to escape the pain of losing his ex-wife and daughter in a car accident, buys an old home in North Carolina with the intention of renovating it, but is unprepared for the hold the home has over its former inhabitants, both living and dead.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: I love Orson Scott Card. He is one of my all-time favorite authors. I love his characters, who are always real people with flaws, but always identifiable. He combines fantasy with reality in such a way that it is believable, and this book is no exception. The story is eerie without being disturbing (Lost Boys was disturbing to me), and exciting without a whole lot of action. This book isn't at the very top of my list of OSC books, but I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

The Empress Tomb

Kiki Strike: The Empress' Tomb by Kirsten Miller

Summary: In the sequel to the book where we first met Kiki Strike, Ananka Fishbein and the rest of the Irregulars use their knowledge of the Shadow City, a series of rooms and tunnels far beneath New York City, to bring a well-known criminal to justice.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: The first Kiki Strike book was so fresh and innovative, and so my hopes were not terribly high for this sequel. But it was a great story, and I found myself enjoying it just as much as the first. I love the characters, the story, the adventure...this was a great book!

Sister Grimm

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

Summary: Two sisters, whose parents disappeared a year earlier, are sent to live with a grandmother they have never met, and discover that she is a detective in a world they thought only existed in books.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: I checked this book out a couple years ago but never got around to reading it. When I saw it again, I decided I should try it again. I loved the story, with the fairy tale world colliding with the world we know, and it was full of adventure.

Message in a Bottle

Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

Summary: Teresa, a columnist from Boston, finds a love letter sealed in a bottle on the beach, and tracks down the widower who wrote it and falls in love with him.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Comments: I had seen the movie, and knew the story ended tragically, but I was in the mood for something sad, so I checked the book out. It is a typical Sparks romance, and fun if you're in the right mood, but it wasn't one of my favorite books of his.

Fablehaven

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Summary: Kendra and Seth spend a week with their grandfather at his mysterious home in Connecticut, only to learn that he is the keeper of a mystical preserve called Fablehaven, where evil is creeping in from the edges.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Comments: I had heard a lot about this book and so I was expecting it to be a great story. It was. Completely unpredictable and full of adventure, I can see why is appeals to so many children. I would love to read this to my kids when they get a little bit older, as I know they will enjoy it, too. Definitely recommend!

Elsewhere

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Summary: 15-year old Liz is hit by a car and killed, and finds herself in Elsewhere, a place where the aging process is reversed and everyone is getting younger, until they are sent back to earth again as babies.

Rating: 4 out 5

Comments: I started this book a year or two ago but I can't remember why I didn't finish it (I hadn't gotten very far). It is an amazing book, and so original. Even if you have a pretty good idea of what life after death will be like, this book will have you examining what you really believe. Liz is upset because not only will she never turn 16 and get her driver's license, she also will never grow up and fall in love. But she discovers that Elsewhere is much like earth, and that by leaving, she will miss out on her second "life." I would recommend it to anyone. It is a young adult book, but I think readers of all ages will enjoy it.

The Teacher's Funeral

The Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts by Richard Peck (juvenile fiction)

Summary: Russell Culver, a fifteen year old boy growing up in the midwest at the turn of the century, has his world turned upside down when his recently deceased teacher is replaced by his older sister.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: Peck is best known for his Newberry honor book, A Long Way from Chicago, and Newberry winner, A Year Down Yonder. I loved both of those books, and this book didn't disappoint. I think it is a lot harder to find a book that a 10-year boy would like than a book a 10-year old girl would like, and this book definitely would appeal to the boys and girls alike. The main character, Russell, wants nothing to do with school, but dreams of taking off to the Dakotas and farming there. His experiences are hilarious and the supporting characters (Flopears and Little Britches, among others) are intriguing and fun. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading Peck's books to my own children when they are a little older.

Book of a Thousand Days

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

Summary: The story of Dashti, maid and "mucker (one who helps to heal through song) to Lady Saren, who survives banishment to a tower, to find that she is the only one who can save the people from evil Lord Khaser.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Comments: Of course anything I read after Breaking Dawn was going to be a little hard to get into. But this was a good book. Not my favorite Shannon Hale (that would be Austenland), but I did enjoy it. Hale always writes such believable female lead characters, and this book was no exception. Lady Saren was annoying (although I think she was supposed to be), which really seves to prove just how strong Dashti is. And although she isn't beautiful on the outside, it doesn't really matter. The boy falls for her anyway. That's always fun.

This book is loosely based on a fairy tale, but seemed original and refreshing to me. I am just not a huge fan of fantasy/fairy tales, which is why I didn't LOVE this book, but it was a fun read.

On a personal note, I love how Shannon Hale has been standing up for Stephenie Meyer, and defending author's in general. I think I can appreciate her books so much more when I understand her motivation for writing them.

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Summary: The fourth book in the Twilight series follows the story of a family of vampires, a pack of werewolves, and the human girl who loves them both.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: Many things to comment about. I didn't read this book right when it came out, because I wasn't sure I was ready for the story to be over, and I'm glad I waited. Try as I might to avoid hearing anything about it, that was impossible. I kept hearing how a lot of people didn't like it and so I really wasn't expecting much. I had heard that there was too much sex, that it ended too happily, and it wasn't consistent with the other books. I didn't have a problem with any of those things (but I might have had I been expecting more of the book). Here are my thoughts, and they are many:

1. I am so glad Bella became a vampire. I know we all wanted that from the beginning (although some of us may have changed our minds in books 2 and 3), but I always felt like she was destined to become a vampire. Remember in Twilight how she could smell blood? That was my first clue that she was really supposed to end up a vampire, and I think she and Edward were always meant to be together. It's a romance that has no equal, because of what they were both willing to give up for the other.

2. I am so glad we got the middle of the book from Jacob's point of view. I think Meyer did an amazing job creating two distinct storytelling voices, and I really empathized with Jacob during his narration. I'm so glad I had that, because later on, after he imprints on Bella's baby, he gets kind of annoying (as seen through Bella's eyes), and I'm glad I had already felt so strongly before him earlier in the book.

3. From the beginning, the sex was going to be an issue. When we learned early on that Edward was capable of it, it was going to be a problem. And I am relieved because it could've been much worse. Like I said, I am coming from the perspective of expecting it to be too much, so I was pleasantly surprised. Mostly because of the context. Remember on the honeymoon when Edward is waiting for her in the ocean? Bella starts panicking, thinking she can't really do it, and makes the comment that she doesn't know how anything less than the love and commitment they share would make it impossible. That, to me, was the balance between LDS author with values and author of book that had to have a little sex. It HAD to, because of the baby, and I thought it was done very tastefully. Later on, when Bella was a vampire, the passion got a little old and I could've done without it, but I wasn't offended. I think that compared to most young adult books out there right now, this was very tame.

4. I wasn't expecting motherhood, and I loved that aspect of it. I felt like in the other books, Bella was a little hard to love, and I think that was intentional. She was a human teenager, and her mood swings and selfishness should've been expected. But as soon as she got pregnant, I really fell in love with her. She would do anything for her baby, and that bond was so strong. I loved it. And I loved Bella as a vampire. The part that really stands out to me is from the chapter "Shiny," where we learn that Bella has finally found something she was good at--being a vampire. She was an ordinary human, but she was an extraordinary vampire with more gifts than we could've imagined. I am so glad she found something that made her feel like she could shine.

5. I agree with some reviews that I have read, that it was a little too easy for Bella as a newborn vampire. But I was willing to overlook that, because we really didn't have time to get through the newborn phase. The book would've been 1500 pages long! I am willing to explain it away as Bella's destiny was always to become a vampire, she was prepared for it, she already loved the people she was going to be around, and she was a mother so she had a lot more reason to be strong. That's enough for me.

6. I really wish there would've been a fight at the end. So much buildup, and you start feeling like they can win, and then it's over. A little disappointing, but I'm glad none of the characters I loved had to die. That would've been sad.

7. It was Happily Ever After. And I'm totally okay with that. There was so much sadness for everyone, that I think they deserved a little happiness.

8. I didn't see Jacob imprinting on Renessmee (I agree--dorky name) coming. In fact, I wasn't sure exactly what had happened until Edward started acting funny about why Jacob was still there. But I think it was a nice, neat way to see to everyone's happiness. It made sense of why Bella and Jacob just couldn't let each other go--it was all part of the plan. I just wonder if it was part of Meyer's plan from the beginning, or if she was scrambling to give Jacob a happy ending too...I didn't have a problem with the imprinting, either, like some people did. It was explained that the relationships are not inappropriate, but the wolf just has a unique desire to see the girl happy, and will see to that happiness. It wasn't my favorite part, but I'm willing to accept it.

9. Some people have mentioned inconsistencies with the characters, such as the time Jacob reveals himself to Charlie, which we know the wolves were never supposed to do. This didn't bother me, either, but showed just how strong his devotion to Renessmee was, and he couldn't let her leave. Also, at this point Jacob had become the Alpha male and wasn't obligated to follow Sam's orders anymore. Maybe it was okay for him to decide to do that.

10. I felt so much love for my kids while I was reading this, and I wasn't expecting that. I know Renessmee was an unsual child ( to say the least), but I could relate to how delighted Bella was to have her. We really are so lucky to be moms, and not to suffer as much as Bella did to bring them into the world.

11. I know she left it open (somewhat) for more books, spin-offs, etc., but I think this is it. Remember in the book when she said saying good-bye was final, like writing THE END at the end of a manuscript? Did you notice THE END at the end of the book? I think it's the end.

Overall, this book wasn't as good as Twilight. How could it be? But it was my second favorite book in the series and I wasn't disappointed at all. Comments?

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

Summary: The timeless story of Cinderella is retold by Iris, the "ugly stepsister," set in Holland during the artistic renaissance that gave us Rembrandt.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Comments: Started out slow, I nearly gave up at page 150. I read that it picked up, so I kept going. The rest of the book was definitely better and I enjoyed it. There were a few bright spots in a mostly dark story, but the concept was so original that I made my way through it.

East of Eden

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Summary: The story follows the Trask and Hamilton families as they try (sometimes unsuccessfully) to thrive in Salinas, California

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. My reasons for reading it were twofold. Jeff encouraged me to read Grapes of Wrath after he listened to it on his marathon drive to Utah from Florida. I checked it out, but opted to read this one, as it had slightly higher ratings (from women in particular). I also wanted to read something a little more "educational" before I start reading Breaking Dawn, because I know it's going to be hard to start something like this after finishing it.

There are two sets of brothers in the book that can easily be compared with Cain and Abel from the bible, which was really interesting, but what I enjoyed the most was the opportunity the book provided for introspection. What kind of person am I, and how much is genetic and how much is chosen? Very interesting. I would love to read this with a book club and I know the discussion would be awesome. It's long, but it's worth it.

Millicent Min

Millicent Min: Girl Genius by Lisa Yee (juvenile fiction, ages 9-12)

Summary: 11-year old Millicent, a genius who just finished her junior year of high school, is forced by her parents to have a "normal" summer by playing on a volleyball team and tutoring her mortal enemy, Stanford Wong.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: I thought this was book was very funny. I personally don't know any child geniuses, but I would imagine them to be a lot like Millie. She is so smart and intimidates her peers. Plus, her social skills are seriously lacking, as she has never had a real friend before. I don't know well kids will be able to relate to her (I wish my kids could start reading these books and give me their opinions), but I think they would enjoy reading it.

Bringing Down the House

Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich (non-fiction)

Summary: The basis for the movie 21, this is the story of six students who perfected a system of card counting and used it to win millions of dollars playing blackjack.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Comments:After seeing the movie, I was really interested in reading the story of what really happened. And while this book is labeled non-fiction, apparently it belongs with the novels, as a good deal of the events in the book never occurred. I enjoyed reading it (although I really wish it were all true), but had to mark it down a little more because of the frequency of a certain word that begins with "f."

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World by E.L. Kongisburg (juvenile fiction)

Summary: Smart, cultured Amadeo Kaplan moves to Florida hoping to make a big discovery that will change the world, and sees an opportunity when his next door neighbor is liquidating her personal belongings in preparation for her move to a retirement home.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Comments: I loved a lot of things about this book. I loved the art history lesson, the Holocaust lesson, and the way the two stories collide to create an exciting ending. I didn't feel the book was written for children, though, and thought some of the material too old for 10-12 year olds (not to mention confusing). I love Konigsburg, though, and am willing to overlook some minor faults in order to really enjoy this book.

The Last Summer (of You and Me)

The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares

Summary: Sisters Alice (21) and Riley (24) spend the summer at their beach house where they are reunited with long-time "summer friend" Paul (also 24), who has a unique relationship with each girl.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Comments: Brashares is the author the the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books. I loved the relationships the girls in those books had, and really connected with them. In this book, the sisters are supposed to have an unbreakable bond, which explains the actions of the younger one half-way through the book. But I didn't feel that relationship until much later in the book, so it didn't really ring true for me. The romance between Paul and Alice was just okay. I didn't love his character enough to really get excited about it. And while I loved Riley, and the way she was portrayed, her character wasn't consistent enough for me to be totally on her side. I'm sure if you haven't read the book this review is very confusing. Sorry about that. But since no one really reads this anyway, it doesn't matter.

To sum up, this book was okay. I expected more. I may have to reread the Sisterhood again...

Prince Caspian

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Summary: One year after leaving Narnia, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy find themselves back, and hundreds of years have passed and they must join together with the few true Narnians who are left to ensure that Caspian becomes King of Narnia.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Comments: Not as good as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Not a lot of action until the end of the book. I would probably recommend it to 8-10 year olds, as the writing is very simple and straight forward. Still entertaining. Now I need to see the movie.

The Jane Austen Book Club

The Jane Austen Book Club by Joy Fowler

Summary: Five women (and one man!) come together to read the complete works of Jane Austen and discuss them at their monthly book club meetings.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Comments: I wanted to love this book. I love the concept. I really enjoyed the characters and liked getting to know them in the book. But a few things kept me from loving it--bad language and some other uncomfortable moments lowered it for me.

3 Novels of Fitzwilliam Darcy

#1: An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan

#2: Duty and Desire

#3: These Three Remain

Summary: Aidan gives us a look into the mind of Mr. Darcy, as he meets, humiliates, and falls in love with Elizabeth Bennett in the parallel novels to Pride and Prejudice.

Rating: #1- 4 out of 5
#2- 2 out of 5
#3- 3 out of 5

Comments: It probably goes without saying that I love Pride and Prejudice. It is one of my favorite books of all time. I love Darcy and Elizabeth, and so I was excited to read these three books. The first was really good. The second was boring. The third was just okay. Overall, too much needless info that really didn't interest me.

Persuasion

Persuasion by Jane Austen.

Summary: The last of Austen's novels, written as she was deathly ill, is the story of Anne Elliot and her second chance at love with Captain Wentworth.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: It's not Pride and Prejudice. But nothing could be P&P. So, when not taken as a comparision, I really enjoyed this book. The story resolves rather quickly, and I could've used a lot more, but I liked it.

The Tipping Point

The Tipping Point: How Little Things can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell (non-fiction)

Summary: Gladwell explores how ideas are transmitted, and how some ideas become widespread epidemics as he illustrates the "tipping point."

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: This was a very interesting read and not too difficult to understand. Definitely worth reading and a good break from all the fiction I have been reading lately.

Austenland

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Summary: Jane Hayes, a thirty-something woman who has never found her Mr. Darcy, embarks upon a journey to rid herself of her Austen inspired fantasies forever by taking a three week vacation where she lives the life of an Austen character, complete with actors whose job it is to make her feel like Elizabeth Bennett.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Comments: I loved this book. That should come as no surprise, as I have always been a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice. I love Shannon Hale, as she is the perfect example of writing stories adults will love without the language and the sex. So refreshing. I am sad it's over and will probably have a hard time starting something new.

Love Walked In

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

Summary: Cornelia, a thirty-something woman who is obsessed with finding a man like Cary Grant, has her life changed when she meets Martin and his estranged daughter, Claire.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: This was a real quick read, told from the point of view of two girls, Cornelia and Claire. I really enjoyed it. I loved Cornelia's wit and constant movie references. Claire, a girl who is struggling with her mother's erratic behavior, is loveable and believeable. Some language, not enough to offend me.

Outlander

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Summary: Claire, a married nurse visiting Scotland in the year 1945, is mysteriously transported to the year 1743, where she meets Jamie Fraser, a Scottish warrior who has a price on his head and is being hunted by the English army.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Comments: I was really enjoying this book, and found myself thinking in a Scottish accent. I really wanted to like it, but then the sex started. As a disclaimer, the two are married, and so the fact that there is sex isn't that big of a deal. BUT there's a lot. And it gets fairly graphic. So I didn't finish reading it. So I probably wouldn't recommend it.

Isaac's Storm

Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson. Nonfiction.

Summary: Isaac Cline, who believed he knew all there was to know about weather, is one of many who witness the most deadly hurricane in our history in 1900 in Galveston, TX.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Comments: This was a really well-written book about something we know little about. Weather forecasting was in its infancy in 1900, and Cline and those he worked with believed with conviction that Galveston would be able to withstand any hurricane. The tragedy that followed (the deaths of 6,000 people and the destruction of the entire city) was not only unpredictable, but entirely unthinkable.

It's not an easy read, but not really a hard read either. You just have to be in the mood for something nonfiction. I enjoyed it very much.

The Female Brain

The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine. Nonfiction

Summary: A neuropsychiatrist shares the years of research she has done on women's brains, and what exactly make us different from men.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

Comments: We are reading this for our book club this month, which is why I picked it up. I found it very interesting and I learned a lot about what we have long expected--that men and women think differently. Anything about the brain is going to be very scientific and include a lot of lingo that the common person isn't used to, but for the most part, I didn't feel that this was too far over my head. In other words, there was enough to keep my attention, even when I wasn't exactly sure what she was talking about. The chapters about "the brain below the belt" and "the mommy brain" were especially interesting.

One thing that bothered me a little about this book was she seemed to condone, or at least explain away, bad behavior, especially in teenage girls. I had to remind myself that she is a scientist and explaining why women act the way they do was what she was trying to do. I did feel that she was excusing bad behavior in a way, though, and blaming a lot on the menstual cycle. Oh, and it's quite obvious that she isn't against women pleasuring themselves.

It's worth reading--it looks a lot longer than it is (really only about 160 pages of actual reading), and I think it probably will help me be more compassionate toward my daughters in the future. But I am still going to hold them to higher standards, knowing that we have been counseled to "put off the natural man" and not just use that as an excuse that "that's who I am."

Girl's Guide

Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Banks

Summary: Told in memoir style, Girls Guide is the story of a woman's quest for love and how she, ultimately, finds it.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Comments: I had heard a lot about this bestseller and really expected to like it. It was just okay. I must not appreciate a "real love story," and felt no real satisfaction in her choice of men. And then there was the language thing again...I don't understand why authors feel they have to include so many f-bombs. Again, maybe I am not comfortable with the world as it really is (I'd prefer to believe it's the way I see it).

Kite Runner

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

Summary: Amir, the son of a wealthy Afghan man, witnesses a horrendous act committed against his childhood friend and spends the next two decades trying to forget what he saw.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Comments: I had heard a lot about this book and wasn't sure I was going to be able to handle it. That is why I put off reading it for so long. But I am glad that I did. I am also glad I went into it knowing that some things would be hard for me to read. I think having that background made it easier to handle. While I liked the story and the message of this book a lot better than Splendid Suns, you don't get the same feel for the changes Afghanistan underwent as a country.

For this book alone, I thought that the message of forgiveness and redemption were so powerful that they overshadowed all the hate and brutality. This would be a great book club book (with the right book club), as there are so many things I would love to discuss about it. Just as long as you can stomach a little violence...

Thunderstruck

Thunderstruck by Erik Larson. Nonfiction



Summary: The true story of Marconi, inventor of the wireless telegraph, and a murderer by the name of Crippen, and the way their lives intersect in 1910.



Rating: 4 out of 5



Comments: Jeff and I listened to this book on cd on our drive to NC. It was very entertaining, and told like a story instead of boring facts. Larson also wrote Devil in the White City, which I loved, and this book didn't disappoint. I'm sure anyone who was alive in 1910 would've heard the story of the manhunt for the doctor, although it was all new to us. It deals with a murder, and while there are some things that made us both say, "sick," it wasn't any worse than an episode of Forensic Files. I would recommend it, and if you haven't read Devil in the White City, I would definitely recommend that one.

Love Stargirl

Love Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. Juvenile fiction, sequel to Stargirl.

Summary: Stargirl, a sixteen-year old girl who named herself, begins a new life in Pennsylvania, changing the lives of everyone she comes in contact with, just as she did in Arizona.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Comments: I love Stargirl. The first book is one of my favorite juvenile books of all time. She is such a unique character, quirky yet supremely caring. She doesn't care what anyone thinks of her, but embraces what makes her different. Unlike the first book, when she tries to change who she is to please someone else, in the sequel she is true to her individuality, and enhances the lives of people young and old. I loved this book, not quite as much as the first, but nearly as much so. The book is in journal form, a letter to the boy she left behind in Arizona. It took me a little while to get into the different method of storytelling, but I found myself feeling empty when it was over. If you liked Stargirl, you'll like this sequel. And if you haven't read either, but love a good juvenile book, DEFINITELY check it out!

My Sister's Keeper

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Summary: Thirteen year-old Anna, who has spent her entire life donating parts of her body to her older sister who has leukemia, files a law suit against her parents asking for medical emancipation when her sister needs a kidney transplant.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Comments: I really wanted to like this book, as there was so much to like. The story moves extremely quickly, as you are immediately drawn in. You discover early on that Kate Fitzgerald was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia at two years old and that Anna was "genetically engineered" to be able to donate to her sister. She is the perfect match to donate plateletes, bone marrow, and eventally, a kidney. In fact, that was the reason she was brought into the world. She was never asked for her consent, but it was assumed by her parents (her mother in particular), that she would be willing to do whatever it took to keep her older sister alive.

There are so many topics for discussion; controversy over Anna's existence to begin with, moral and ethical responsibility to our children, playing favorites with one and how it affects the others... It would make a great book club book EXCEPT for one thing: the language is really terrible and unnecessary (isn't it always the case with language?). If somehow the offensive language could be removed, I would give it a 4, because it was very thought-provoking, tearing at your heart without being depressing. I can't really recommend it, but it any of you have read it (or aren't bothered by 15+ F-bombs), I would love to hear what you have to say, especially about the ending.

Elijah of Buxton

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis. Juvenile fiction (ages 9-12). Newberry Honor winner 2008.

Summary: Elijah, the first free-born child in Buxton, a settlement of freed slaves in Canada, is learning things about life and trying to find a way to make the lessons stick.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Comments: I loved this book. As a teacher, I instantly began planning how this book could be used in the classroom. It would be a great part of a slavery unit, and an awesome read aloud (provided the teacher could pull off the dialect). But I think kids will pick it up and read it on their own and still love it. It's an amazing blend of story telling and history, dealing with slavery without being depressing.

Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (author of The Kite Runner)

Summary: Set in Afghanistan over the course of three decades, Mariam and Laila, the wives of a man named Rasheed, struggle to find their place in an ever changing and volatile country.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Comments: While the story is so well-written and intriguing it's hard to put down, this book is in no way a "quick read." The book clap calls the book "heart-wrenching," and I couldn't think of a better word to describe it. We have heard so many things about the oppression of Afghan women, especially after the Taliban took over, yet I haven't ever completely identified with what it must have been like for them. The story is a beautiful blend of love, hate, domination and friendship and I would recommend reading it, as long as you are prepared for some heartache. I came away feeling so grateful to live in this country and to enjoy basic things like being able to walk down the street with my children that we normally might take for granted.

Feathers

Feathers by Jaqueline Woodson. Juvenile fiction (middle grades). Newberry Honor book this year. Eleven-year-old Frannie discovers how hope is like feathers (like the Emily Dickensen poem says) when a new boy, nicknamed Jesus Boy for his white skin and long hair, shows up in her class.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review: Jaqueline Woodson has been recognized for her thought-provoking novels aimed at middle grades. In my opinion, there are not enough good books whose main characters are black. Woodson does a great job of writing about a way of life that is very foreign to me, yet creating characters who I connect with and care about. I was particularly impressed with the way she dealt with religion and hope, and the way Frannie experiences each. It was very refreshing and I think it would be a great classroom book, providing many opportunities for discussion. I enjoyed it, as I have other books she has written and believe that the novel deserved being mentioned as a Newberry Honor book this year.

Post One

One of my goals last year was to write short reviews for all the books that I read. I got behind, and the task was too overwhelming. Now I doubt I can remember all the books that I read, much less what I thought of them. I decided to start a blog dedicated solely to book reviews, and I am going to do better this time around.

Here's how: I am going to use the SIAS method. That is, Summarize in a Sentence. You won't find a detailed description of a book here, but I will do my best to give a basic idea of what each book is about, in one sentence. I'll rate the book on scale of one to five (don't expect any fives, though, because I doubt you'll ever see one). Then, I'll add any comments about the book, like whether or not it gave me nightmares, if I recommend it, etc.

That's it. Feel free to read if you want. I won't be offended if you don't give a "rat's behind" (shout out to Matt Foley, motivational speaker, there), and don't ever visit here again.

So, here's book #1...

Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer. Non-fiction. Chris McCandless, a college graduate, decides to leave society behind, living off the land across the United States, in preparation for his greatest journey yet--into the wilds of Alaska.

rating: 2 1/2 out 5

comments: I didn't feel like there was enough story to write a whole book. It was interesting in parts, but I had many unanswered questions when I was finished reading. Probably would've been better in a collection of short stories.


The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Fiction. Famed author, and notorious fibber, Vida Winter is dying, and summons amateur biographer Margaret Lea to share the story of her past, which involves ghosts, twins, and tragedy.

rating: 4 out 5

comments: I had to pause occasionally to "come up for air" when reading this book. It was incredibly well-written, intriguing, and I found myself gasping near its conclusion. Highly recommended.


Midwives by Christ Bohjalian. Fiction. Sibyl Danforth, ex-hippie and lay midwife, is charged with involuntary manslaughter after performing a c-section on a mother she believed to be dead.

rating: 4 out of 5

comments: How did I miss this book when it came out a few years ago? I had to read it in several sittings because it was just so intense. It has stayed with me for days since I finished it, and I find myself breathing sighs of relief that the story isn't true. The author did a wonderful job of creating a linear story, despite the numerous details given along the way. The last two pages will leave you feeling chilled. One of the best books I've read in a long, long time. Don't read if giving birth is in your near future!