Megan and Pat end up playing adoptive parents to baby Timmy when his young mother takes off unexpectedly. During this time, they fall hard for each other. The holiday spirit brings them and their families together. A cute romance book.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thanksgiving (4/5)
Thanksgiving (4/5)
Megan and Pat end up playing adoptive parents to baby Timmy when his young mother takes off unexpectedly. During this time, they fall hard for each other. The holiday spirit brings them and their families together. A cute romance book.
Megan and Pat end up playing adoptive parents to baby Timmy when his young mother takes off unexpectedly. During this time, they fall hard for each other. The holiday spirit brings them and their families together. A cute romance book.
My Father's Son (YA) (5/5)
My Father's Son (YA) (5/5)
Kevin's father is arrested for being a serial killer. Kevin has a hard time believing that his father is capable of such horrible things. Kevin becomes angry at his father and at the way his life is affected by this turn of events. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book--it is a good read.
Kevin's father is arrested for being a serial killer. Kevin has a hard time believing that his father is capable of such horrible things. Kevin becomes angry at his father and at the way his life is affected by this turn of events. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book--it is a good read.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Fancy White Trash (YA) (5/5)
Fancy White Trash (YA) (5/5)
Abby doesn't want to be like her mother or sisters. They end up in horrible relationships and get pregnant by the wrong men. So she sets up rules for her finding of Mr. Right and her next door neighbor, Jackson, does not fit them. Jackson's younger brother Cody is Abby's best friend but he has his own issues to deal with--namely he is gay and trying to figure out how to come out to his family and people at school. Great realistic fiction.
Abby doesn't want to be like her mother or sisters. They end up in horrible relationships and get pregnant by the wrong men. So she sets up rules for her finding of Mr. Right and her next door neighbor, Jackson, does not fit them. Jackson's younger brother Cody is Abby's best friend but he has his own issues to deal with--namely he is gay and trying to figure out how to come out to his family and people at school. Great realistic fiction.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Dead is a State of Mind (YA) (5/5)
Dead is a State of Mind (YA) (5/5)
2nd book in a cute paranormal series. Daisy is a budding psychic. It is prom time and her boyfriend Ryan hasn't yet asked her to the prom. A new student, Duke, is saying he is a fortune teller and seems to be a little too interested in Daisy. Then one of her teachers is murdered and she tries to figure out who did it. A good, quick read.
2nd book in a cute paranormal series. Daisy is a budding psychic. It is prom time and her boyfriend Ryan hasn't yet asked her to the prom. A new student, Duke, is saying he is a fortune teller and seems to be a little too interested in Daisy. Then one of her teachers is murdered and she tries to figure out who did it. A good, quick read.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
My Best Friend's Girl (4.5/5)
My Best Friend's Girl (4.5/5)
Kamryn's best friend, Adele, sleeps with her fiance, Nate. Kamryn cuts them both out of her life. Years later, Adele asks her to raise her daughter, from that union, after she dies of cancer. A good read.
Kamryn's best friend, Adele, sleeps with her fiance, Nate. Kamryn cuts them both out of her life. Years later, Adele asks her to raise her daughter, from that union, after she dies of cancer. A good read.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Uncommon Reader (4/5)
The Uncommon Reader (4/5)
The Queen of England becomes a reader--and it has some effect on the people around her! I enjoyed this novella--a quick read about a book lover for book lovers.
Playing with Matches (YA) (4.5/5)
Playing with Matches (YA) (4.5/5)
Leon begins a friendship with Melody, a girl who was horribly burnt as a youngster. Leon learns that there is more to people than what is on the outside. Good realistic fiction.
Leon begins a friendship with Melody, a girl who was horribly burnt as a youngster. Leon learns that there is more to people than what is on the outside. Good realistic fiction.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Not My Daughter (5/5)
Not My Daughter (5/5)
A pregnancy pact among high school girls is a scary thing to think about and this book makes you think about it. Lily, Mary Kate and Jess become pregnant at roughly the same time because they want babies. They don't plan on including the fathers or really think things through at all. Lily's mother is hit the hardest because she is the Principal of the high school and was a single mother at 17 herself. A gripping read.
A pregnancy pact among high school girls is a scary thing to think about and this book makes you think about it. Lily, Mary Kate and Jess become pregnant at roughly the same time because they want babies. They don't plan on including the fathers or really think things through at all. Lily's mother is hit the hardest because she is the Principal of the high school and was a single mother at 17 herself. A gripping read.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Every Dog Has a Gift (4/5)
Every Dog Has a Gift (4/5)
Short stories about therapy dogs, dogs in reading programs for children, dogs who work with disabled people and dogs who work with abused people. This is a great read for dog lovers. Heartfelt stories about how a dog can really make a difference in someone's life. I won an advanced copy of this book in a giveaway, and I'm glad that I did.
Short stories about therapy dogs, dogs in reading programs for children, dogs who work with disabled people and dogs who work with abused people. This is a great read for dog lovers. Heartfelt stories about how a dog can really make a difference in someone's life. I won an advanced copy of this book in a giveaway, and I'm glad that I did.
Shelf Discovery (4/5)
Shelf Discovery (4/5)
I love to read books about books :-) This book looks back on the mainstay of the reading diet when I was a teenager--Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Lois Duncan. It was nice to revisit some of the books I remember reading and loving. I didn't know all of the books discussed in this one but that was ok. I liked her writing style when discussing the books.
I love to read books about books :-) This book looks back on the mainstay of the reading diet when I was a teenager--Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Lois Duncan. It was nice to revisit some of the books I remember reading and loving. I didn't know all of the books discussed in this one but that was ok. I liked her writing style when discussing the books.
Dead is the New Black (YA) (5/5)
Dead is the New Black (YA) (5/5)
First in a series. Daisy is the normal child in a family of psychics. She and her friend/boyfriend Ryan are trying to figure out who the vampire is that is sucking out the souls of cheerleaders. Good action. I enjoyed it--a quick read. I will read #2 and #3.
First in a series. Daisy is the normal child in a family of psychics. She and her friend/boyfriend Ryan are trying to figure out who the vampire is that is sucking out the souls of cheerleaders. Good action. I enjoyed it--a quick read. I will read #2 and #3.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Supertest (4/5)
Supertest (4/5)
We are a recently authorized IB (International Baccalaureate) school and I, as Coordinator, and my Principal are offering this book as a book study for faculty in a few weeks. It was actually pretty good--not too textbooky but very informative. I especially liked the chapters that discussed the implementation of the IB program at an actual HS.
We are a recently authorized IB (International Baccalaureate) school and I, as Coordinator, and my Principal are offering this book as a book study for faculty in a few weeks. It was actually pretty good--not too textbooky but very informative. I especially liked the chapters that discussed the implementation of the IB program at an actual HS.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Undead and Unreturnable (4.5/5)
Undead and Unreturnable (4.5/5)
This is book #4 in the Betsy, Vampire Queen series. Betsy reminds me of a undead Stephanie Plum. These books have a lot of humor in them. Quick reads. I enjoy this series.
City of Bones (YA) (5/5)
City of Bones (YA) (5/5)
This is the first in the Mortal Instruments series. Clary realizes that there is a paranormal world that she never knew about. She meets teenage demon killers, finds out her mother was a Shadowhunter and her mother's best friend is a werewolf. Her mother is kidnapped by evil Valentine and Clary tries to rescue her. Good action, good characters and I was hooked. A chunkster at almost 500 pages, this book flew by and I will read the rest of the series.
This is the first in the Mortal Instruments series. Clary realizes that there is a paranormal world that she never knew about. She meets teenage demon killers, finds out her mother was a Shadowhunter and her mother's best friend is a werewolf. Her mother is kidnapped by evil Valentine and Clary tries to rescue her. Good action, good characters and I was hooked. A chunkster at almost 500 pages, this book flew by and I will read the rest of the series.
The Girl Next Door (4.5/5)
The Girl Next Door (4.5/5)
I loved Noble's other books (The Reading Group, Alphabet Weekends) that I've read and this book was no exception. Eve and Ed move to NYC from England and Eve feels unsettled. Their apartment building is full of characters and this book details the lives of the apartment dwellers for a year. There is the gay couple; Jackson, the rich party boy who gives it up for Emily, the runner. There is Charlotte, the girl that everyone overlooks and Madison, the girl who is hard to miss. This book details their ups and downs, their loves and losses and draws readers in to care about them. I loved it.
This book was sent to me by Simon and Schuster to review.
I loved Noble's other books (The Reading Group, Alphabet Weekends) that I've read and this book was no exception. Eve and Ed move to NYC from England and Eve feels unsettled. Their apartment building is full of characters and this book details the lives of the apartment dwellers for a year. There is the gay couple; Jackson, the rich party boy who gives it up for Emily, the runner. There is Charlotte, the girl that everyone overlooks and Madison, the girl who is hard to miss. This book details their ups and downs, their loves and losses and draws readers in to care about them. I loved it.
This book was sent to me by Simon and Schuster to review.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Shiver (YA) (5/5)
Shiver (YA) (5/5)
Sam, a teenage werewolf, is in love with human girl Grace. Told in chapters alternating their points of view, Sam and Grace work to find a way to keep Sam human so they can be together. I loved this book and cannot wait for the sequel, Linger, to come out in July.
Sam, a teenage werewolf, is in love with human girl Grace. Told in chapters alternating their points of view, Sam and Grace work to find a way to keep Sam human so they can be together. I loved this book and cannot wait for the sequel, Linger, to come out in July.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
To Hell in a Handbasket (4.5/5)
To Hell in a Handbasket (4.5/5)
This is the 2nd book in this mystery series but I did fine without reading #1 (though now I want to!) Claire, her husband Roger and her daughter Judy are on a ski trip. A friend of Judy's gets killed and Claire decides to try to solve the murder before Judy gets hurt. Good twists and turns. I enjoyed this book.
This is the 2nd book in this mystery series but I did fine without reading #1 (though now I want to!) Claire, her husband Roger and her daughter Judy are on a ski trip. A friend of Judy's gets killed and Claire decides to try to solve the murder before Judy gets hurt. Good twists and turns. I enjoyed this book.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Unspoken (YA) (4/5)
The Unspoken (YA) (4/5)
Allison and her four friends are the only survivors of a cult that took the lives of their parents and all of its members. They were told by Jacob, the cult leader, that in five years their greatest fear will kill them. Harold is the first to die and the others head back to their hometown for his funeral and to find out what is going on. Twists and turns in this book and a lot of action.
Allison and her four friends are the only survivors of a cult that took the lives of their parents and all of its members. They were told by Jacob, the cult leader, that in five years their greatest fear will kill them. Harold is the first to die and the others head back to their hometown for his funeral and to find out what is going on. Twists and turns in this book and a lot of action.
Monday, February 1, 2010
They Found Him Dead (3.5/5)
They Found Him Dead (3.5/5)
Silas Kane dies shortly after his birthday party. At first it is thought to be a heart attack but when his heir dies not too long after, it is starting to look a little suspicious. Inspector Hannasyde is called in to look into the deaths and has to figure out many twists and turns. This mystery had a formal feel to it; one that seemed appropriate for a British mystery. The characters in this book were somewhat stiff and formal but that fit well with the writing style of this book.
This was my first book by Heyer. This book, while being the third of the books to feature this investigator, was able to stand well on its own. The writing style reminded me of Agatha Christie. I enjoyed it but I am more of a fan of a more cozy mystery style, with books featuring a hobby or culinary aspect to them.
This book was sent to me by SourceBooks to review.
Silas Kane dies shortly after his birthday party. At first it is thought to be a heart attack but when his heir dies not too long after, it is starting to look a little suspicious. Inspector Hannasyde is called in to look into the deaths and has to figure out many twists and turns. This mystery had a formal feel to it; one that seemed appropriate for a British mystery. The characters in this book were somewhat stiff and formal but that fit well with the writing style of this book.
This was my first book by Heyer. This book, while being the third of the books to feature this investigator, was able to stand well on its own. The writing style reminded me of Agatha Christie. I enjoyed it but I am more of a fan of a more cozy mystery style, with books featuring a hobby or culinary aspect to them.
This book was sent to me by SourceBooks to review.
Mr. Darcy's Great Escape (5/5)
Mr. Darcy's Great Escape (5/5)
This is the third book in Altman's series, which picks up where Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice left off. In this book, Mr. Darcy and Dr. Maddox head off in search of their brothers. They end up kidnapped by the father-in-law of Dr. Maddox's brother, Brian. He is holding them hostage to try to get Brian to return with his daughter. Mr. Darcy and Dr. Maddox's imprisonment has some lasting effects on them. Not ones to sit at home waiting, Lizzy and Caroline end up going after their husbands to rescue them. They enlist the help of Darcy's cousin and the brother of the Count holding them hostage. The families of the Darcys, Bingleys, and Maddoxes increase throughout the book. They're a fertile bunch.
Once again, Altman remains true to Austen's writing style and characters. Mr. Darcy is a tad different in this book but it is realistic given what he goes through. More importantly, Darcy and Lizzy's love for each other shines through once again.
I enjoy this series a lot and this book was no exception. I hope Altman continues it. A chunkster at almost 500 pages, this book flew by. I rated it a 5/5. This book was sent to me by SourceBooks to review.
This is the third book in Altman's series, which picks up where Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice left off. In this book, Mr. Darcy and Dr. Maddox head off in search of their brothers. They end up kidnapped by the father-in-law of Dr. Maddox's brother, Brian. He is holding them hostage to try to get Brian to return with his daughter. Mr. Darcy and Dr. Maddox's imprisonment has some lasting effects on them. Not ones to sit at home waiting, Lizzy and Caroline end up going after their husbands to rescue them. They enlist the help of Darcy's cousin and the brother of the Count holding them hostage. The families of the Darcys, Bingleys, and Maddoxes increase throughout the book. They're a fertile bunch.
Once again, Altman remains true to Austen's writing style and characters. Mr. Darcy is a tad different in this book but it is realistic given what he goes through. More importantly, Darcy and Lizzy's love for each other shines through once again.
I enjoy this series a lot and this book was no exception. I hope Altman continues it. A chunkster at almost 500 pages, this book flew by. I rated it a 5/5. This book was sent to me by SourceBooks to review.
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