Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson (Young adult fiction)
Summary: An unlikely trio of girls become friends as they spend time working on a peach farm in Georgia, teaching one another about loyalty, friendship and love.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Comments: Similar to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series in a lot of ways, which I also loved. I can't think of many books that show the evolution of friendship as well as this book portrays it. The girls are not instantly friends, but instead it takes a series of events over an extended period of time for them to realize how much they need one another. It made me long to reconnect with old friends, tapping memories of my own childhood/young adulthood that I hadn't thought about in a long time. A little bit of sexual content that I didn't love, but understood why it was included.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Evil Genius
Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks
Summary: Cadel Piggott, who has spent his whole life in foster care, learns the truth about his imprisoned father, who has developed an institute of evil, with the purpose of educating promising individuals in the art of world domination.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Comments: I have been meaning to read this book for quite some time, and finally got around to it. I was a bit disappointed, as I expected the story to be better than it actually was. It is billed as being a "page turner," yet I seemed to go days without even thinking of picking it up to read. Parts of it were wonderfully written and really drew me in, but there were far too many things that didn't add up for me. I felt that some parts of the story were worth developing, but Jinks breezed over them to include more action scenes. Also, most of the secondary characters are introduced at the same time and I had a hard time keeping everyone straight. It's just alright, and actually a bit of a disappointment.
Summary: Cadel Piggott, who has spent his whole life in foster care, learns the truth about his imprisoned father, who has developed an institute of evil, with the purpose of educating promising individuals in the art of world domination.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Comments: I have been meaning to read this book for quite some time, and finally got around to it. I was a bit disappointed, as I expected the story to be better than it actually was. It is billed as being a "page turner," yet I seemed to go days without even thinking of picking it up to read. Parts of it were wonderfully written and really drew me in, but there were far too many things that didn't add up for me. I felt that some parts of the story were worth developing, but Jinks breezed over them to include more action scenes. Also, most of the secondary characters are introduced at the same time and I had a hard time keeping everyone straight. It's just alright, and actually a bit of a disappointment.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Boyfriend League
The Boyfriend League by Rachel Hawthorne
Summary: Dani, a teenage girl and baseball enthusiast, and her best friend, Bird, convince their parents to host a college baseball play for the summer, hoping to get in good with the team and find a boyfriend.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Comments: I found this book on the list of most popular books checked out by teens at the Springville library and went in with no knowledge of what it was about. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a good, clean summer romance, and I can definitely see why teenage girls enjoy Hawthorne's books. I loved that it was centered around a baseball team, which I could really relate to, and read the whole thing in a day. Definitely something fun to give me a break from some of the depressing things I have read lately. It's the kind of story I write.
Summary: Dani, a teenage girl and baseball enthusiast, and her best friend, Bird, convince their parents to host a college baseball play for the summer, hoping to get in good with the team and find a boyfriend.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Comments: I found this book on the list of most popular books checked out by teens at the Springville library and went in with no knowledge of what it was about. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a good, clean summer romance, and I can definitely see why teenage girls enjoy Hawthorne's books. I loved that it was centered around a baseball team, which I could really relate to, and read the whole thing in a day. Definitely something fun to give me a break from some of the depressing things I have read lately. It's the kind of story I write.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Summary: The Nolan family is struggling to get by in the early 1900's in Brooklyn, New York, and are go to great lengths to make ends meet, making sure the children stay in school to receive their education.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Comments: One of the best books I have read in a very long time, and I imagine this one will stay with me for many years to come. The story is of an amazing (and timeless) family who I instantly connected with, especially Francie, the main character. It was sad and heart wrenching without being depressing. I know now that although I may have felt differently as a child, I truly don't know what it is like to have to go without. I will never know poverty the way it is described in the book and I will always have opportunities that most characters in the book would never dream possible. I feel so blessed for the life I have and grateful for those who have risen above their difficult circumstances to become successful.
Summary: The Nolan family is struggling to get by in the early 1900's in Brooklyn, New York, and are go to great lengths to make ends meet, making sure the children stay in school to receive their education.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Comments: One of the best books I have read in a very long time, and I imagine this one will stay with me for many years to come. The story is of an amazing (and timeless) family who I instantly connected with, especially Francie, the main character. It was sad and heart wrenching without being depressing. I know now that although I may have felt differently as a child, I truly don't know what it is like to have to go without. I will never know poverty the way it is described in the book and I will always have opportunities that most characters in the book would never dream possible. I feel so blessed for the life I have and grateful for those who have risen above their difficult circumstances to become successful.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Prize Winner of Defiance
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How my Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan.
Summary: The true story of Evelyn Ryan, mother of ten, wife of one alcoholic husband, who was forced to use her wit and talents as a writer to win hundreds of contests just to make ends meet.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Comments: What an amazing story this is! It is so unbelievable, you will find yourself doubting whether or not it could possibly be true. The fact that it was written by her daughter, though, is enough evidence that all these events truly happened. I loved this book. I loved this woman who is a marvel to anyone who has ever raised children and worried about money at all. How did she do it? Read it. You will undoubtedly feel like your life is easy in comparison.
Summary: The true story of Evelyn Ryan, mother of ten, wife of one alcoholic husband, who was forced to use her wit and talents as a writer to win hundreds of contests just to make ends meet.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Comments: What an amazing story this is! It is so unbelievable, you will find yourself doubting whether or not it could possibly be true. The fact that it was written by her daughter, though, is enough evidence that all these events truly happened. I loved this book. I loved this woman who is a marvel to anyone who has ever raised children and worried about money at all. How did she do it? Read it. You will undoubtedly feel like your life is easy in comparison.
Fight Game
Fight Game by Kate Wild
Summary: After another run in with the law for fighting yet again, Freedom Smith is given the opportunity to vindicate himself if he will work undercover to bring down an illegal fight that has been going on for hundreds of years.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Comments: I picked this book up because it was a young adult nominee for a Beehive award. I enjoyed it, but found that I had to force myself to finish it, as I kept getting distracted by other things. The author is British and I didn't always understand all the lingo, which may have added to my indifference. It probably appeals more to teenage boys, who are more into fighting than I am, but for me it was just okay.
Summary: After another run in with the law for fighting yet again, Freedom Smith is given the opportunity to vindicate himself if he will work undercover to bring down an illegal fight that has been going on for hundreds of years.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Comments: I picked this book up because it was a young adult nominee for a Beehive award. I enjoyed it, but found that I had to force myself to finish it, as I kept getting distracted by other things. The author is British and I didn't always understand all the lingo, which may have added to my indifference. It probably appeals more to teenage boys, who are more into fighting than I am, but for me it was just okay.
The Tale of Despereaux
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Summary: The story of a Despereaux, an extraordinary mouse, Roscuro, a rat who craves the light, and Miggory Sow, a dim-witted girl who wants nothing more than to be princess.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Comments: This is one of my very favorite books. I read it a few years ago, and recently reread it for book club. The story is so simple--taking place in a castle where mice and rats usually stay hidden. Despereaux is banished to the dungeon because he is not like other mice. He loves to read and has fallen in love with the princess. Roscuro is plotting against the princess, broken hearted after being blamed for the queen's death. And Miggory Sow just wants to be loved, and thinks being a princess will make her happy. The stories of these three unusual characters collide, creating a story full of meaning. The themes of forgiveness, choosing light over darkness, and love are all present, meaning the book can be read, and loved, on many levels. I love this book! Read it!
Summary: The story of a Despereaux, an extraordinary mouse, Roscuro, a rat who craves the light, and Miggory Sow, a dim-witted girl who wants nothing more than to be princess.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Comments: This is one of my very favorite books. I read it a few years ago, and recently reread it for book club. The story is so simple--taking place in a castle where mice and rats usually stay hidden. Despereaux is banished to the dungeon because he is not like other mice. He loves to read and has fallen in love with the princess. Roscuro is plotting against the princess, broken hearted after being blamed for the queen's death. And Miggory Sow just wants to be loved, and thinks being a princess will make her happy. The stories of these three unusual characters collide, creating a story full of meaning. The themes of forgiveness, choosing light over darkness, and love are all present, meaning the book can be read, and loved, on many levels. I love this book! Read it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
