February Reads

February Reads:

1.  Pride (YA)  4/5
2.  The Gilded Wolves (YA)  5/5  1st in series
3.  Cat Stories (5/5)
4.  Those Who Save Us (5/5)  Kindle
5.  The Red Address Book (4/5)  library book
6.  The Wild Robot Escapes (YA)  4/5  2nd in series
7.  My Life Among the Underdogs 5/5  Kindle

14 books read in 2019

My Life Among the Underdogs

Book #14 Read in 2019
My Life Among the Underdogs by Tia Torries

I love the show Pit Bulls and Parolees.  Tia is the founder of that organization and this book focuses on a special dog of hers in each chapter.  Details of her life are disclosed through the dog stories but I would have liked to know more background.  Overall, a must read of pit bull lovers.

The Wild Robot Escapes

Book #13 Read in 2019
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown

This is the second book in a children's series that focuses on Roz, a robot.  In this book, Roz is now owned by a widower farmer and cares for the farm while growing closer to his young children.  But she longs to be back on her wild island, with her gosling son and her other animal friends.  Will the children help her escape?  This is a great series for upper elementary and middle school readers.

The Red Address Book

Book #12 Read in 2019
The Red Address book by Sofia Lundberg

Doris is an elderly lady living in Sweden, whose only family is a great-niece, Jenny, in America.  Doris has health issues and ends up in the hospital.  She has kept track of everyone she has ever met in a red address book, though most have now "dead" marked by their names.  Doris has been writing her life story down for Jenny to read--about her missed love with Allan, surviving World War 2, losing her job etc.  This is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

Those Who Save Us

Book #11 Read in 2019
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum 
 
This is a good piece of holocaust/historical fiction.  Anna is a German woman, in love with a Jewish man, and the daughter of a Nazi.  She becomes pregnant and her father turns in her lover and kicks her out of the house.  She finds shelter with a local baker, who leaves food for the Jewish prisoners in a concentration camp.  Anna's daughter Trudy witnesses much in her early childhood and the mother and daughter do not have a close relationship.  This book will keep readers engaged until the end.  I read this on my Kindle.

James Herriot's Cat Stories

Book #10 Read in 2019
James Herriot's Cat Stories by James Herriot

A must read for any cat lover.  This book, written by an English vet, tells of various cats he has owned, been owned by, or treated medically.  Each story brings the cat's personality to life.  A nice gift book for the crazy cat people in your life.  I borrowed this book from the public library.

The Gilded Wolves

Book #9 Read in 2019
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

This is the first book in a young adult fantasy series and it was a great read.  The main group of characters all have their own talents and work together to acquire treasures.  There is action, magic, romance and heartbreak in this book and high school and adult readers will love it.  I look forward to reading book 2 whenever that comes out.  I received this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.

Pride

Book #8 Read in 2019
Pride by Ibi Zoboi

This is a retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and is well done.  It was a bit slow to start, so I don't know how many of high school readers would stick with it.  Set in neighborhood near Brooklyn, there is a girl who thinks that the Darcy boys are too rich for her neighborhood.  The Darcy boy thinks her family are money grubbers.  And star-crossed lovers happen.  It has romance, interesting characters and a relevant comment on society.

January Reads

January 2019 Reads:

1.  The Wicked King (YA)  5/5 2nd in series
2.  Bully on the Bus (3/5)
3.  Killing the SS (3/5)  Library book
4.  The President is Missing (4/5)
5.  Calm the F*ck Down (4/5)  Library book
6.  Puddin' (YA)  4/5  2nd in series
7.  I'll Be Gone in the Dark (4/5)  Library book