by Lynn Austin
Hennepin County Library paperback 420 pages
genre: Christian romance, hist fic
Sigh. I like Austin's writing, but I was really, really, really NOT in the mood for another Civil War book. Told from Caroline Fletcher's perspective from 1853 until shortly after the war, this felt too long and drawn-out. I loved Eli's faith and strength. In fact, I liked all the slaves. Caroline's spying seemed too far-fetched. Austin obviously did lots of research.
I don't remember who in book club recommended this one . . . not sure if I even bring it up at our next meeting. I just wasn't in the mood for this book.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
A Knight in Shining Armor
by Jude Devereaux
Hennepin County Library paperback 464 pages
genre: romance / hist fic & time travel
This was Ann's book club title and I was curious. I've only read one other Devereaux novel (the one with a mention of my friend Lisa Middag in it). It was an enjoyable story so far as she actually includes plot and character development (unlike "pulp" romance). The story bothered me, though. The logistics of time travel are always awkward. Dougless was too wimpy of a heroine for me. I like my protagonists to have a happy ever after. 'Nuff said. Her writing reminds me of Laveryle (?) Spencer, the only romance novelist whose books I would ever read more than once.
Hennepin County Library paperback 464 pages
genre: romance / hist fic & time travel
This was Ann's book club title and I was curious. I've only read one other Devereaux novel (the one with a mention of my friend Lisa Middag in it). It was an enjoyable story so far as she actually includes plot and character development (unlike "pulp" romance). The story bothered me, though. The logistics of time travel are always awkward. Dougless was too wimpy of a heroine for me. I like my protagonists to have a happy ever after. 'Nuff said. Her writing reminds me of Laveryle (?) Spencer, the only romance novelist whose books I would ever read more than once.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
They Called Themselves the K.K.K.
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Hennepin County Library hardcover 150 pages
Well-researched and well-written, I didn't enjoy this book. The author did a good job of providing the background for the start of the KKK. The engravings and photographs added a lot of texture. I just don't enjoy reading about such cruelty and hatred. At times, the author seemed to be making such an effort to provide unbiased, factual information that she seemed almost sympathetic to the KKK. Poor white landowners who were land rich and cash poor. The sheer brutality and horror of the KKK's reign were understated, in my opinion. Still, I learned a lot from this book. I had never before known where the name Ku Klux Klan came from. I also didn't realize that the original group were more pranksters than terrorists.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 150 pages
Well-researched and well-written, I didn't enjoy this book. The author did a good job of providing the background for the start of the KKK. The engravings and photographs added a lot of texture. I just don't enjoy reading about such cruelty and hatred. At times, the author seemed to be making such an effort to provide unbiased, factual information that she seemed almost sympathetic to the KKK. Poor white landowners who were land rich and cash poor. The sheer brutality and horror of the KKK's reign were understated, in my opinion. Still, I learned a lot from this book. I had never before known where the name Ku Klux Klan came from. I also didn't realize that the original group were more pranksters than terrorists.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Bleak Expectations
by Mark Evans (?)
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 3 hours
genre: British humor
BBC-produced, this was a radio program that felt like it should be watched. The audience laughed at things that had to be facial expressions on the cast of actors. (I envision a Prairie-Home Companion kind of thing. Produced for radio, but with performers in front of an audience.)
Funny twist on Dickens' Great Expectations, this had a Monty Pythonesque feel to it. Funny, odd, and just a bit dark. It had me laughing in my car while I listened.
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 3 hours
genre: British humor
BBC-produced, this was a radio program that felt like it should be watched. The audience laughed at things that had to be facial expressions on the cast of actors. (I envision a Prairie-Home Companion kind of thing. Produced for radio, but with performers in front of an audience.)
Funny twist on Dickens' Great Expectations, this had a Monty Pythonesque feel to it. Funny, odd, and just a bit dark. It had me laughing in my car while I listened.
Dirty Little Secrets
by Cynthia Omololu
Hennepin County Library paperback 210 pages
genre: YA fiction, troubled youth, hoarding
This book was incredibly difficult for me to read and I'm not sure why. Once Lucy decided not to call for help or tell the truth, it felt like a train wreck waiting to happen. The truth always comes out (except at the end of this story . . . ). In many ways, this story reminded me of MacCready's Buried. Buried was a much more powerful book, but it was not about hoarding. Perhaps this is the main thing I "got" from the book - how hoarding impacts the children. Never having watched any of the tv shows about this, I guess I'm just unaware. In comparison, my family's tendency toward packrat-ism seems pretty mild.
Hennepin County Library paperback 210 pages
genre: YA fiction, troubled youth, hoarding
This book was incredibly difficult for me to read and I'm not sure why. Once Lucy decided not to call for help or tell the truth, it felt like a train wreck waiting to happen. The truth always comes out (except at the end of this story . . . ). In many ways, this story reminded me of MacCready's Buried. Buried was a much more powerful book, but it was not about hoarding. Perhaps this is the main thing I "got" from the book - how hoarding impacts the children. Never having watched any of the tv shows about this, I guess I'm just unaware. In comparison, my family's tendency toward packrat-ism seems pretty mild.
Hurricanes in Paradise
by Denise Hildreth
Hennepin County Library paperback 365 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships
Book club title for August - lovely! Riley Sinclair is working in hospitality on Paradise Island. Recovering from wounds in her past, this Southern belle is doing her best to stay on track. But an eventful week brings difficult bestselling author Laine Fulton, frightened Tamyra, and widow Winnie into her life. These four women all experience breakthroughs and bonding. Wonderful storytelling. (Except for Mitch's plane trip . . . pointless.)
Makes me want to go to the Caribbean!
Hennepin County Library paperback 365 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships
Book club title for August - lovely! Riley Sinclair is working in hospitality on Paradise Island. Recovering from wounds in her past, this Southern belle is doing her best to stay on track. But an eventful week brings difficult bestselling author Laine Fulton, frightened Tamyra, and widow Winnie into her life. These four women all experience breakthroughs and bonding. Wonderful storytelling. (Except for Mitch's plane trip . . . pointless.)
Makes me want to go to the Caribbean!
Friday, August 05, 2011
Mindblind
by Jennifer Roy
Hennepin County Library hardcover 249 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction, aspbergers
Loved it! Nathaniel Clark is a memorable character who works very hard at functioning in the "normal" world. His mother is extraordinary, his dad is a clueless jerk. His friends are the real deal. Great story.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 249 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction, aspbergers
Loved it! Nathaniel Clark is a memorable character who works very hard at functioning in the "normal" world. His mother is extraordinary, his dad is a clueless jerk. His friends are the real deal. Great story.
Trickster: Native American Tales
a graphic collection
edited by Matt Dembicki
Hennepin County Library paperback 231 pages
What an interesting collection . . . Native American storytellers and a wide range of artists. There were specific things that I liked and disliked about the many stories in this collection. It's definitely worth having in my collection. One of my favorites (story-wise) is "How the Alligator Got His Brown Scaly Skin." I like this type of story, where the overbearing character gets his/her comeupance. In many of the trickster tales, I do not like how the trickster character triumphs. The artwork in some of the stories was very jarring. It was interesting to read the bios at the end.
edited by Matt Dembicki
Hennepin County Library paperback 231 pages
What an interesting collection . . . Native American storytellers and a wide range of artists. There were specific things that I liked and disliked about the many stories in this collection. It's definitely worth having in my collection. One of my favorites (story-wise) is "How the Alligator Got His Brown Scaly Skin." I like this type of story, where the overbearing character gets his/her comeupance. In many of the trickster tales, I do not like how the trickster character triumphs. The artwork in some of the stories was very jarring. It was interesting to read the bios at the end.
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous
by Georgia Bragg
illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
Hennepin County Library hardcover 163 pages
Interesting, informative, well-designed. Not as gruesome as the warnings describe, but gross enough that most middle schoolers will be caught up in it. Some of these deaths I knew about, but I definitely learned some new things. And yes, I do appreciate modern hygiene, medical knowledge, etc.
Caesar, Cleopatra, Beethoven, Einstein, Curie, etc.
illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
Hennepin County Library hardcover 163 pages
Interesting, informative, well-designed. Not as gruesome as the warnings describe, but gross enough that most middle schoolers will be caught up in it. Some of these deaths I knew about, but I definitely learned some new things. And yes, I do appreciate modern hygiene, medical knowledge, etc.
Caesar, Cleopatra, Beethoven, Einstein, Curie, etc.
Monday, August 01, 2011
Girl, Stolen
by April Henry
Hennepin County Library hardcover 213 pages
genre: YA adventure - kidnapping & danger
Book's blurb: "Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of the car while her stepmom fills a prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, the car is being stolen. Griffin hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne, but once his dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes - now there's a reason to keep her. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare because she's not only sick with pneumonia - she's blind."
The book isn't edgy enough to make you wonder if Cheyenne will make it - clearly she will survive and get back home. The question for me was always about Griffin and his future. Short, easy-to-read, interesting. I'll definitely buy this for my collection. A little bit hoky, but it works okay.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 213 pages
genre: YA adventure - kidnapping & danger
Book's blurb: "Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of the car while her stepmom fills a prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, the car is being stolen. Griffin hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne, but once his dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes - now there's a reason to keep her. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare because she's not only sick with pneumonia - she's blind."
The book isn't edgy enough to make you wonder if Cheyenne will make it - clearly she will survive and get back home. The question for me was always about Griffin and his future. Short, easy-to-read, interesting. I'll definitely buy this for my collection. A little bit hoky, but it works okay.
The Unsinkable Walker Bean
by Aaron Renier
Hennepin County Library paperback 192 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, mystery & adventure
Hmmm. Surprised that I didn't like this more. I love graphic novels in general, but I was more confused than enthralled. I felt as though there was an entire back story that I was missing . . . like this was book two and I needed to read book one to "get" it. Walker is a lovely protagonist (though how his dad - a total jerk - raised such a fine son is baffling). Grandpa asks Walker to follow through on a dangerous task that could save grandpa and all of Winooski Bay. Pirates, sea monsters, inventions, friendships, and many trials ensue. Many of the illustrations were quite involved and bear more looking at than I gave them. I'll probably buy it for my collection at PRMS.
Hennepin County Library paperback 192 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, mystery & adventure
Hmmm. Surprised that I didn't like this more. I love graphic novels in general, but I was more confused than enthralled. I felt as though there was an entire back story that I was missing . . . like this was book two and I needed to read book one to "get" it. Walker is a lovely protagonist (though how his dad - a total jerk - raised such a fine son is baffling). Grandpa asks Walker to follow through on a dangerous task that could save grandpa and all of Winooski Bay. Pirates, sea monsters, inventions, friendships, and many trials ensue. Many of the illustrations were quite involved and bear more looking at than I gave them. I'll probably buy it for my collection at PRMS.
A Long Walk to Water
by Linda Sue Park
Hennepin County Library hardcover 120 pages
genre: realistic fiction
Wow! I see why Sarah Rother wanted to use this with 8th graders - it fits perfectly with our Africa / water unit. Based on Salva Dut's real-life experiences in Sudan in the 1980s, this story alternates between his reality avoiding war and starvation and the story of Nya, a girl in the Sudan in 2008. Her reality involves walking for an entire day, every day, to get water from a mudhole for her family. Two trips barefoot. Until the day strange men show up in her village. Powerful story! Makes me sad, though, at how much we take for granted in our American lives
Hennepin County Library hardcover 120 pages
genre: realistic fiction
Wow! I see why Sarah Rother wanted to use this with 8th graders - it fits perfectly with our Africa / water unit. Based on Salva Dut's real-life experiences in Sudan in the 1980s, this story alternates between his reality avoiding war and starvation and the story of Nya, a girl in the Sudan in 2008. Her reality involves walking for an entire day, every day, to get water from a mudhole for her family. Two trips barefoot. Until the day strange men show up in her village. Powerful story! Makes me sad, though, at how much we take for granted in our American lives
Borrowed Names: poems about Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madame C.J. Walker, Marie Curie, and their Daughters
by Jennine Atkins
Hennepin County Library hardcover 206 pages
genre: biographical poetry
Fascinating concept. Poetry based on the factual evidence of three amazing women and their relationships with their daughters. This actually left me wanting to read more about these women, though I generally liked them better than their daughters! Marie Curie's daughter impressed me most of the younger generation. I hadn't even known that she existed. I read some of this to my mom while she was in the hospital and I think she found it interesting too.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 206 pages
genre: biographical poetry
Fascinating concept. Poetry based on the factual evidence of three amazing women and their relationships with their daughters. This actually left me wanting to read more about these women, though I generally liked them better than their daughters! Marie Curie's daughter impressed me most of the younger generation. I hadn't even known that she existed. I read some of this to my mom while she was in the hospital and I think she found it interesting too.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Yummy: the last days of a south side shorty
by Greg Neri
Hennepin County Lib paperback 94 pages
genre: YA graphic novel non-fic
Yummy was an eleven-year-old boy in Chicago in the 1990s. He murdered and was murdered. His life and death raised awareness and passion. Violence cannot be ignored when children are both the perpetrators and the victims. Done in black and white, this graphic novel could easily be a part of my collection with its realistic portrayal of Yummy's story, without being disturbingly graphic.
Hennepin County Lib paperback 94 pages
genre: YA graphic novel non-fic
Yummy was an eleven-year-old boy in Chicago in the 1990s. He murdered and was murdered. His life and death raised awareness and passion. Violence cannot be ignored when children are both the perpetrators and the victims. Done in black and white, this graphic novel could easily be a part of my collection with its realistic portrayal of Yummy's story, without being disturbingly graphic.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Cutting Myself in Half: 150 Pounds Lost One Byte at a Time
by Taylor LeBaron
and Jack & Mary Branson
Hennepin County Library paperback 188 pages
This caught my eye when I was getting books one day. This young man went from 297 pounds down to 145! His story is incredible and inspirational. His basic tenets are the ones I already know (exercise more, eat less, & eat good foods), but the way he shares his story amazes me.
I know myself pretty well and at age 45, I'm not interested in his Ultimate Fitness Game (treating weight loss like a video game with points). His points on goals and success are good, though. What an incredible kid. I'll buy this for my collection. I think there are some students for whom this would be very meaningful.
and Jack & Mary Branson
Hennepin County Library paperback 188 pages
This caught my eye when I was getting books one day. This young man went from 297 pounds down to 145! His story is incredible and inspirational. His basic tenets are the ones I already know (exercise more, eat less, & eat good foods), but the way he shares his story amazes me.
I know myself pretty well and at age 45, I'm not interested in his Ultimate Fitness Game (treating weight loss like a video game with points). His points on goals and success are good, though. What an incredible kid. I'll buy this for my collection. I think there are some students for whom this would be very meaningful.
Dreamer
by Pam Munoz Ryan
illustrations by Peter Sis
Hennepin County Library hardcover 370 pages
genre: YA fictional biography
This book reminds me a lot of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, except that it seemed to drag on a bit. By the time I got to the end, I had a new interest in the real life of poet Pablo Neruda. The super-large print and interspersed drawings and snippets of poetry should have made the book go quicker, but it didn't. Something failed to grab me. Not sure yet if I'll buy it for PRMS.
I've been trying to crank through the books for Camp Read-a-Lot, but I think I'd better get onto the website and participate in the discussions instead of just doing my own thing.
illustrations by Peter Sis
Hennepin County Library hardcover 370 pages
genre: YA fictional biography
This book reminds me a lot of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, except that it seemed to drag on a bit. By the time I got to the end, I had a new interest in the real life of poet Pablo Neruda. The super-large print and interspersed drawings and snippets of poetry should have made the book go quicker, but it didn't. Something failed to grab me. Not sure yet if I'll buy it for PRMS.
I've been trying to crank through the books for Camp Read-a-Lot, but I think I'd better get onto the website and participate in the discussions instead of just doing my own thing.
Trash
by Andy Mulligan
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 5 hrs 20 min.
read by a cast
genre: YA realistic fiction, mystery
This was incredible. The story never actually says the location of "the city," but I imagined Mexico City. (In looking at reviews, it sounds as though Manilla in the Philippines is more likely). Raphael and his friend Gardo pick trash together in the city dump known as Behala. One day, Raphael finds a purse with a man's wallet, a key, a map, and lots of money. This discovery sends them, along with 10-year-old Rat, on an extremely dangerous path of mystery and corruption. Powerful story!
My only complaint - the audiobook's cast is fabulous *except* for the boy who read Rat's part. His accent was inconsistent (somewhere between French, Scandinavian, and I'm not sure what else). His articulation was almost non-existent, making it hard to hear what he was saying. The few times he slipped into just normal "kid talk" with his own voice, I wondered why the director / producer didn't encourage him to use his regular voice for the entire thing.
I look forward to re-reading a print copy of this book.
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 5 hrs 20 min.
read by a cast
genre: YA realistic fiction, mystery
This was incredible. The story never actually says the location of "the city," but I imagined Mexico City. (In looking at reviews, it sounds as though Manilla in the Philippines is more likely). Raphael and his friend Gardo pick trash together in the city dump known as Behala. One day, Raphael finds a purse with a man's wallet, a key, a map, and lots of money. This discovery sends them, along with 10-year-old Rat, on an extremely dangerous path of mystery and corruption. Powerful story!
My only complaint - the audiobook's cast is fabulous *except* for the boy who read Rat's part. His accent was inconsistent (somewhere between French, Scandinavian, and I'm not sure what else). His articulation was almost non-existent, making it hard to hear what he was saying. The few times he slipped into just normal "kid talk" with his own voice, I wondered why the director / producer didn't encourage him to use his regular voice for the entire thing.
I look forward to re-reading a print copy of this book.
The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie
subtitled A Doll's History and Her Impact on Us (unauthorized)
by Tanya Lee Stone
Hennepin County Library hardcover 110 pages
genre: Non-Fic, culture
Very, very interesting book with excellent photos. I wasn't a huge Barbie fan as a kid and I never hated her, but understand the author's perspective that people either love her or hate her. This creation definitely elicits a lot of passion from people. This was interesting to me, but especially in terms of Ruth Handler's story. I would enjoy reading more about this unusual woman. Fascinating. My favorite quote came at the end of the story.
"I have a pink Barbie T-shirt and I wore it to work the other day and got a look from a guy that was like, 'Oh, how sad, you aspire to be Barbie, can't you aim any higher?' And all I could think was, 'Hey loser, my Barbie had a three-story townhouse with an elevator, a pool she floated around in with her friends when she needed to relax, a plane she could pilot on her own, a camper she could rough it in when she felt like getting back to nature, and she was the sole proprietor of a hair salon with a working blow dryer! And all this without a man in her life or the need to ask anyone for a dime to support her lifestyle. Go Barbie.'" - Jennifer O'Connell
by Tanya Lee Stone
Hennepin County Library hardcover 110 pages
genre: Non-Fic, culture
Very, very interesting book with excellent photos. I wasn't a huge Barbie fan as a kid and I never hated her, but understand the author's perspective that people either love her or hate her. This creation definitely elicits a lot of passion from people. This was interesting to me, but especially in terms of Ruth Handler's story. I would enjoy reading more about this unusual woman. Fascinating. My favorite quote came at the end of the story.
"I have a pink Barbie T-shirt and I wore it to work the other day and got a look from a guy that was like, 'Oh, how sad, you aspire to be Barbie, can't you aim any higher?' And all I could think was, 'Hey loser, my Barbie had a three-story townhouse with an elevator, a pool she floated around in with her friends when she needed to relax, a plane she could pilot on her own, a camper she could rough it in when she felt like getting back to nature, and she was the sole proprietor of a hair salon with a working blow dryer! And all this without a man in her life or the need to ask anyone for a dime to support her lifestyle. Go Barbie.'" - Jennifer O'Connell
Fever Crumb
by Phillip Reeve
Hennepin County Library hardcover 325 pages
genre: YA Sci-Fi dystopia
This one definitely kept my attention. Set so far in the future that the world of technology is a mystery known to specialized engineers, London is a somewhat calm place as nomads move closer. To trade or to invade? Fever Crumb is the only female at the Order of Engineers and has been raised to be logical and unemotional. When archeologist Kit Solent sends for her, she starts to "remember" things that never happened to her. This exciting story is both beautiful and tragic. Fever is a memorable character and I hope there is a sequel in the works!
Hennepin County Library hardcover 325 pages
genre: YA Sci-Fi dystopia
This one definitely kept my attention. Set so far in the future that the world of technology is a mystery known to specialized engineers, London is a somewhat calm place as nomads move closer. To trade or to invade? Fever Crumb is the only female at the Order of Engineers and has been raised to be logical and unemotional. When archeologist Kit Solent sends for her, she starts to "remember" things that never happened to her. This exciting story is both beautiful and tragic. Fever is a memorable character and I hope there is a sequel in the works!
Countdown
by Deborah Wiles
Hennepin County audioCDs 7 hrs 20 min
read by Emma Galvin
genre: YA hist fic, relationships & coming-of-age
I loved this! I'm not sure if my modern middle-schoolers will, though. The historical details are rich indeed, with the early 1960s coming through loud & clear (though I wasn't even born until 1966!). Franny Chapman is starting her transition from childhood to teenager and it isn't going well for her. With strict parents, an older (college age) sister who is looking beyond home life, a "perfect" little brother, and a best friend who's not being so nice, she isn't sure what to do.
This rich story has layers upon layers of beauty, from Uncle Otts and his personal history to Franny's budding love interest Chris. I guess I should buy a copy for PRMS and figure out how to "sell" it in booktalks.
Hennepin County audioCDs 7 hrs 20 min
read by Emma Galvin
genre: YA hist fic, relationships & coming-of-age
I loved this! I'm not sure if my modern middle-schoolers will, though. The historical details are rich indeed, with the early 1960s coming through loud & clear (though I wasn't even born until 1966!). Franny Chapman is starting her transition from childhood to teenager and it isn't going well for her. With strict parents, an older (college age) sister who is looking beyond home life, a "perfect" little brother, and a best friend who's not being so nice, she isn't sure what to do.
This rich story has layers upon layers of beauty, from Uncle Otts and his personal history to Franny's budding love interest Chris. I guess I should buy a copy for PRMS and figure out how to "sell" it in booktalks.
The Book Without Words
by Avi
PRMS hardcover 203 pages
genre: YA historical fiction, magic
Interesting. I thought of including this with our spring medieval hist fic unit, but the magical elements are pretty strong. The factual details jump out at me - lack of hygiene, poverty, illiteracy, etc. But I'm not sure if middle schoolers would clue into that as much as the book of spells that can only be read by a green-eyed person with great desire.
Sybil is a youngster who is happy to have a place to sleep and some food to eat, even though her new master, Thorston, is not kind. He also plans to steal her life force to make himself invincible, but she doesn't know that yet. Odo the talking crow (who's actually a changed goat), Brother Wilfrid the monk, Alfric the green-eyed street urchin, Master Bashcroft the reeve, and others make this tale intriguing if somewhat predictable. I most liked Alfric and Sybil's ability to make friends and care for others.
PRMS hardcover 203 pages
genre: YA historical fiction, magic
Interesting. I thought of including this with our spring medieval hist fic unit, but the magical elements are pretty strong. The factual details jump out at me - lack of hygiene, poverty, illiteracy, etc. But I'm not sure if middle schoolers would clue into that as much as the book of spells that can only be read by a green-eyed person with great desire.
Sybil is a youngster who is happy to have a place to sleep and some food to eat, even though her new master, Thorston, is not kind. He also plans to steal her life force to make himself invincible, but she doesn't know that yet. Odo the talking crow (who's actually a changed goat), Brother Wilfrid the monk, Alfric the green-eyed street urchin, Master Bashcroft the reeve, and others make this tale intriguing if somewhat predictable. I most liked Alfric and Sybil's ability to make friends and care for others.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Eyre Affair
by Jasper Fforde
lake book paperback . . .
genre: literary mystery
Re-read. Love this book. Clever and weird. Delightful.
12.18.15 Re-read again. Pure escapism.
I absolutely love this book! I love the cleverness, the adventure, the allusions, and of course, Thursday Next as the heroine who gets Rochester and Jane to a happier ending.
lake book paperback . . .
genre: literary mystery
Re-read. Love this book. Clever and weird. Delightful.
12.18.15 Re-read again. Pure escapism.
I absolutely love this book! I love the cleverness, the adventure, the allusions, and of course, Thursday Next as the heroine who gets Rochester and Jane to a happier ending.
The Clocks
by Agatha Christie
lake book paperback 246 pages
genre: Murder mystery
Barely a Hercules Poirot story at all. Told by Colin Lamb (code name for a secret agent), friend of HP and Inspector Hardcastle. Too many subplots and characters. Didn't see it coming together and yet wasn't surprised at all. Kind of bored, actually.
lake book paperback 246 pages
genre: Murder mystery
Barely a Hercules Poirot story at all. Told by Colin Lamb (code name for a secret agent), friend of HP and Inspector Hardcastle. Too many subplots and characters. Didn't see it coming together and yet wasn't surprised at all. Kind of bored, actually.
The ABC Murders
by Agatha Christie
lake book paperback 224 pages
genre: murder mystery
Hercules Poirot sees past the false clues to the truth. The ABC railway guides, the letters, the victims Ascher in Andover, Barnard in Bexhill, Clarke in C . . . Intriguing story. I did NOT guess the ending.
lake book paperback 224 pages
genre: murder mystery
Hercules Poirot sees past the false clues to the truth. The ABC railway guides, the letters, the victims Ascher in Andover, Barnard in Bexhill, Clarke in C . . . Intriguing story. I did NOT guess the ending.
The Sweetest Thing
by Elizabeth Musser
Hennepin County Library paperback 394 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction, relationships, mystery
Loved it! Can hardly wait 'til book club!
"Perri" Anne Perrin and Mary "Dobbs" Dillard do NOT hit it off on their first meeting. Set during the Great Depression (1933-39), Perri is a wealthy Atlanta socialite and Dobbs is a poor preacher's daughter who has come to stay with her Aunt Josie to go to school. When Perri's dad commits suicide, though, her world is turned inside out and Dobbs truly befriends her.
Suicide, depression, finances, status.
Faith, loss of faith, evangelism.
Theft, honesty, evidence, safety.
Family, love, truth, past.
Jackie, Frances, Coobie.
Mrs. Singleton, Barbara, Irvin.
Hank, Spalding, Andrew, Philip, Luke.
Parthenia, Cornelius, Anna, & Hosea.
Dellareen, Jimmy, & 5 kids.
Mr. Bill Robinson.
LOTS of other characters! Parthenia my favorite.
pg. 266 Mrs. Dillard:
"When you love, it will hurt. You have to choose to forgive, again and again. But it's worth it. That's the crux of human relationships, Dobbs. The sweetest thing. Loving deeply. And forgiving. Your father loves you so much. Talk to him. Ask him your questions. Don't be afraid of your anger and your hurt."
pg. 381 Parthenia:
" . . . I said to myse'f that once there's a bad weed in ya - well, apart from the Good Lawd ripping it out - it's gonna stay." (referring to Mr. Robinson.
Hennepin County Library paperback 394 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction, relationships, mystery
Loved it! Can hardly wait 'til book club!
"Perri" Anne Perrin and Mary "Dobbs" Dillard do NOT hit it off on their first meeting. Set during the Great Depression (1933-39), Perri is a wealthy Atlanta socialite and Dobbs is a poor preacher's daughter who has come to stay with her Aunt Josie to go to school. When Perri's dad commits suicide, though, her world is turned inside out and Dobbs truly befriends her.
Suicide, depression, finances, status.
Faith, loss of faith, evangelism.
Theft, honesty, evidence, safety.
Family, love, truth, past.
Jackie, Frances, Coobie.
Mrs. Singleton, Barbara, Irvin.
Hank, Spalding, Andrew, Philip, Luke.
Parthenia, Cornelius, Anna, & Hosea.
Dellareen, Jimmy, & 5 kids.
Mr. Bill Robinson.
LOTS of other characters! Parthenia my favorite.
pg. 266 Mrs. Dillard:
"When you love, it will hurt. You have to choose to forgive, again and again. But it's worth it. That's the crux of human relationships, Dobbs. The sweetest thing. Loving deeply. And forgiving. Your father loves you so much. Talk to him. Ask him your questions. Don't be afraid of your anger and your hurt."
pg. 381 Parthenia:
" . . . I said to myse'f that once there's a bad weed in ya - well, apart from the Good Lawd ripping it out - it's gonna stay." (referring to Mr. Robinson.
Mrs. Pollifax books - various and brief
by Dorothy Gilman
lots of re-reading
genre: spy, mystery
Faves: Mrs. Pollifax's personality & the way people underestimate her
Disfaves: marriages in every book by people who met less than a week earlier. What?!
lots of re-reading
genre: spy, mystery
Faves: Mrs. Pollifax's personality & the way people underestimate her
Disfaves: marriages in every book by people who met less than a week earlier. What?!
Starclimber
by Kenneth Oppel
PRMS hardcover 390 pages
genre: YA adventure, romance
In this story, Otto Lunardi offers Kate and Matt the chance to travel to outer space in a new ship he's had built. Although Matt is one of one hundred candidates going through intensely tough training to narrow the field to a few, it's never really a question of IF he'll be chosen, but how. In all three books of this series, I like Matt's underdog status, his creativity and problem-solving in the face of danger, and his general attitude. As usual, I can't *stand* Kate as a character. She is selfish, egocentric, and arrogant. Women's rights to vote, the reality of Heaven, and other themes are woven throughout.
PRMS hardcover 390 pages
genre: YA adventure, romance
In this story, Otto Lunardi offers Kate and Matt the chance to travel to outer space in a new ship he's had built. Although Matt is one of one hundred candidates going through intensely tough training to narrow the field to a few, it's never really a question of IF he'll be chosen, but how. In all three books of this series, I like Matt's underdog status, his creativity and problem-solving in the face of danger, and his general attitude. As usual, I can't *stand* Kate as a character. She is selfish, egocentric, and arrogant. Women's rights to vote, the reality of Heaven, and other themes are woven throughout.
Elijah of Buxton
by Christopher Paul Curtis
PRMS paperback 341 pages
genre: YA historical fiction
I started this as an audiobook while I used the elliptical at school. This is not one of my favorite CPC books, but it has a wealth of topics for discussion. My least favorite part of the story was the "preacher" and his selfish, immoral choices. My next least favorite part was Elijah's own gullibility. Grr! And I really, really disliked a dear character's death . . . however, there was so much here of beauty, truth, and pain. I know how carefully the author researches his topics and I found the story of Buxton to be encouraging and hopeful. Our sixth grade LAX classes read this book. It would be fun to get in on the discussions this coming school year.
PRMS paperback 341 pages
genre: YA historical fiction
I started this as an audiobook while I used the elliptical at school. This is not one of my favorite CPC books, but it has a wealth of topics for discussion. My least favorite part of the story was the "preacher" and his selfish, immoral choices. My next least favorite part was Elijah's own gullibility. Grr! And I really, really disliked a dear character's death . . . however, there was so much here of beauty, truth, and pain. I know how carefully the author researches his topics and I found the story of Buxton to be encouraging and hopeful. Our sixth grade LAX classes read this book. It would be fun to get in on the discussions this coming school year.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
10 Things to do Before I Die
by Daniel Ehrenhaft
PRMS hardcover 219 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
This book went from intriguing to questionable to downright stupid to mildly redeeming - maybe. The premise is the classic "what would you do if you knew you only had 24 hours to live?" Ted Burger spends much of his time at the Circle Eat Diner with his best friend Mark and Mark's girlfriend Nikki.
My favorite part was when Ted saw Billy Rifkin and saw someone whose life had changed in a meaningful way. I also liked his epiphany that sex is not to be treated lightly. The rest of the story and the characters just didn't work very well. I like Ehrenhaft's more recent work better. This one just falls short.
PRMS hardcover 219 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
This book went from intriguing to questionable to downright stupid to mildly redeeming - maybe. The premise is the classic "what would you do if you knew you only had 24 hours to live?" Ted Burger spends much of his time at the Circle Eat Diner with his best friend Mark and Mark's girlfriend Nikki.
My favorite part was when Ted saw Billy Rifkin and saw someone whose life had changed in a meaningful way. I also liked his epiphany that sex is not to be treated lightly. The rest of the story and the characters just didn't work very well. I like Ehrenhaft's more recent work better. This one just falls short.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
A Separate Peace
by John Knowles
PRMS hard cover 204 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age, historical fiction 1940s
I can't even remember the protagonist's name! His story is defined by his relationship with Finny (Phineas) while the two teenagers are at Devon in New England during the outset of WWII. I read this because a student in grade 8 LAX was complaining about it and I was curious. There were portions were I was bored, and many I want to go back and re-read. What a rich book! There is much here to discuss. As I was reading it, I thought of Gallagher's Readicide. . . what a book to be careful in neither overteaching nor underteaching. Almost makes me want to be an English teacher again!
PRMS hard cover 204 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age, historical fiction 1940s
I can't even remember the protagonist's name! His story is defined by his relationship with Finny (Phineas) while the two teenagers are at Devon in New England during the outset of WWII. I read this because a student in grade 8 LAX was complaining about it and I was curious. There were portions were I was bored, and many I want to go back and re-read. What a rich book! There is much here to discuss. As I was reading it, I thought of Gallagher's Readicide. . . what a book to be careful in neither overteaching nor underteaching. Almost makes me want to be an English teacher again!
June Bug
by Chris Fabry
Hennepin County Library paperback 326 pages
genre: Christian fiction, mystery
Spoilers ahead . . .
Liked it, but didn't finish before our book club meeting. Jodi did NOT like it. Fabry leaves some pretty glaring loose ends. . . makes me want to read Dogwood to see if he addresses them. Why does John just walk away from June Bug after raising her for seven years? What happens with Sheila? How does June Bug reconcile her history with her new life? Will Mae and Leason parent June Bug any better than they did Dana?
The story opens in a Walmart with June Bug seeing her own photo age-progressed. The realization that her dad may not be her dad leads her to question many things about their life together. I liked the way the story unfolded, but agree that there were too many things that didn't fit. The one thing that most bothered me was that no one was punished for the attempted murder and subsequent kidnapping of a little girl - at least not in this story. Dana, Walker, and John all walked away.
Still, I like this author's storytelling style and am interested in trying another of his books.
Hennepin County Library paperback 326 pages
genre: Christian fiction, mystery
Spoilers ahead . . .
Liked it, but didn't finish before our book club meeting. Jodi did NOT like it. Fabry leaves some pretty glaring loose ends. . . makes me want to read Dogwood to see if he addresses them. Why does John just walk away from June Bug after raising her for seven years? What happens with Sheila? How does June Bug reconcile her history with her new life? Will Mae and Leason parent June Bug any better than they did Dana?
The story opens in a Walmart with June Bug seeing her own photo age-progressed. The realization that her dad may not be her dad leads her to question many things about their life together. I liked the way the story unfolded, but agree that there were too many things that didn't fit. The one thing that most bothered me was that no one was punished for the attempted murder and subsequent kidnapping of a little girl - at least not in this story. Dana, Walker, and John all walked away.
Still, I like this author's storytelling style and am interested in trying another of his books.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Rainbow Jordan
by Alice Childress
PRMS paperback 127 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction, inner city
I really enjoyed this, but am not sure it would appeal to students. I thought about asking Jhanae or Tequilla to read it and give me their opinions, but I'm not sure they'd be interested. Rainbow (aka "Rainey") has an irresponsible mother who's gone a lot. Rainbow goes to spend time with Josie (foster care) and the story is told primarily from the perspective of these two - a 14-year-old and a 57-year-old. Rainbow's mother Kathie also has a "voice," but it isn't prominent.
Sad story, but Rainbow is a mature young lady who learns a bit and grows up through her life's challenges. I liked it.
PRMS paperback 127 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction, inner city
I really enjoyed this, but am not sure it would appeal to students. I thought about asking Jhanae or Tequilla to read it and give me their opinions, but I'm not sure they'd be interested. Rainbow (aka "Rainey") has an irresponsible mother who's gone a lot. Rainbow goes to spend time with Josie (foster care) and the story is told primarily from the perspective of these two - a 14-year-old and a 57-year-old. Rainbow's mother Kathie also has a "voice," but it isn't prominent.
Sad story, but Rainbow is a mature young lady who learns a bit and grows up through her life's challenges. I liked it.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It
by Kelly Gallagher
PRMS paperback 118 pages
genre: professional, education
I finally finished the last ten pages . . . after starting it last fall. Incredible book. Should be mandatory reading for all English / language arts teachers. I hate that we as educators often have the opposite effect than what we desire! Instead of creating lifelong readers, we kill the love of reading. Fantastic book with practical advice. There's a fine distinction between under & over teaching literature. Free reading "in the flow" is crucial! Loved it.
PRMS paperback 118 pages
genre: professional, education
I finally finished the last ten pages . . . after starting it last fall. Incredible book. Should be mandatory reading for all English / language arts teachers. I hate that we as educators often have the opposite effect than what we desire! Instead of creating lifelong readers, we kill the love of reading. Fantastic book with practical advice. There's a fine distinction between under & over teaching literature. Free reading "in the flow" is crucial! Loved it.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Garth Stein
PRMS paperback 321 pages
genre: dog fiction
Told from Enzo's point of view, this is a story of life and racing. Chapter one started with an old dog, ready to die. It was sad from the get-go. Enzo tells his life's story, especially as it intertwines with his owner Denny's life. I was crying so hard toward the end that I couldn't finish reading it until later. I was so angry at Denny's in-laws! And to know that there are people like that makes me sad.
I am not a believer in the idea of reincarnation, but for Enzo to want to come back as a human made sense for the story. Loved it!
PRMS paperback 321 pages
genre: dog fiction
Told from Enzo's point of view, this is a story of life and racing. Chapter one started with an old dog, ready to die. It was sad from the get-go. Enzo tells his life's story, especially as it intertwines with his owner Denny's life. I was crying so hard toward the end that I couldn't finish reading it until later. I was so angry at Denny's in-laws! And to know that there are people like that makes me sad.
I am not a believer in the idea of reincarnation, but for Enzo to want to come back as a human made sense for the story. Loved it!
Code Orange
by Caroline B. Cooney
PRMS paperback 198 pages
genre: YA science thriller
I wish I'd finished it *before* the 7th grade book club discussed it, but it was enjoyable. Mitty is a slacker rich kid at a private school in NYC. He has to research an infectious disease and what he learns about smallpox changes his world. Based on a true event (someone finding smallpox scabs in an old, old book), Cooney has used modern technology, situations, and politics to write a believable story. I didn't like Mitty as a character - he is WAY too much of a slacker kid with attitude, it was an enjoyable read.
PRMS paperback 198 pages
genre: YA science thriller
I wish I'd finished it *before* the 7th grade book club discussed it, but it was enjoyable. Mitty is a slacker rich kid at a private school in NYC. He has to research an infectious disease and what he learns about smallpox changes his world. Based on a true event (someone finding smallpox scabs in an old, old book), Cooney has used modern technology, situations, and politics to write a believable story. I didn't like Mitty as a character - he is WAY too much of a slacker kid with attitude, it was an enjoyable read.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Animal Farm
by George Orwell
Dakota County Library audiobook, 3.25 hours
read by Patrick Tull
genre: ? dystopia? Social commentary
Again, wrong book for me at the time. This is one I feel I ought to have read at some point in the last 25 years, so I finally read it. I'm glad it's short. The corruption and growing cruelty of the pigs toward the other animals frustrated me. Their willingness to consider their own memories wrong and accept whatever Napoleon told them made me sad. I had to take many breaks from the story, just because it bothered me so much. I probably should read some analytical studies of it, but I'm just glad I'm done.
Dakota County Library audiobook, 3.25 hours
read by Patrick Tull
genre: ? dystopia? Social commentary
Again, wrong book for me at the time. This is one I feel I ought to have read at some point in the last 25 years, so I finally read it. I'm glad it's short. The corruption and growing cruelty of the pigs toward the other animals frustrated me. Their willingness to consider their own memories wrong and accept whatever Napoleon told them made me sad. I had to take many breaks from the story, just because it bothered me so much. I probably should read some analytical studies of it, but I'm just glad I'm done.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Lost Quilter
by Jennifer Chiaverini
Carver County Library, paperback 337 pages
genre: historical fiction, slavery, quilting
Sigh. When I impulsively grabbed this at the library TWO MONTHS ago, I was in the mood for a little quilting "escape." Too busy, it sat & I renewed it & it sat . . . until I could renew it no more. So I HAD to read it. Alas, it was a slavery story with quilting in it and not the sweet quilting escapism I longed for. But of course I read the whole thing, because that's the kind of person I am. So now I have to pay the late fees, I haven't done any quilting, and I find slavery stories in general to be incredibly depressing. What human beings have justified as acceptable is absolutely intolerable.
Joanna's story is ultimately a story of triumph over evil, but it wasn't an especially fun read. Well-written, but not what I was looking for in a Chiaverini book.
Carver County Library, paperback 337 pages
genre: historical fiction, slavery, quilting
Sigh. When I impulsively grabbed this at the library TWO MONTHS ago, I was in the mood for a little quilting "escape." Too busy, it sat & I renewed it & it sat . . . until I could renew it no more. So I HAD to read it. Alas, it was a slavery story with quilting in it and not the sweet quilting escapism I longed for. But of course I read the whole thing, because that's the kind of person I am. So now I have to pay the late fees, I haven't done any quilting, and I find slavery stories in general to be incredibly depressing. What human beings have justified as acceptable is absolutely intolerable.
Joanna's story is ultimately a story of triumph over evil, but it wasn't an especially fun read. Well-written, but not what I was looking for in a Chiaverini book.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Freedom
by Jonathan Franzen
Chanhassen H.S. hardcover, 562 pages
genre: ? Realistic fiction, relationships
This was torture. It has taken me way, way too long to read. I kept looking for redeeming qualities. . . it was our PRMS April book club title, but we kept having to reschedule. Now we're going to discuss it in May with our May title. I think a lot of people bailed on it. Not sure why it garnered so much attention this past year. I think Patty, Walter, Richard, Joey, Lalitha, etc. think too much of themselves and their sex lives. It will be interesting to hear what others have to say about it.
Chanhassen H.S. hardcover, 562 pages
genre: ? Realistic fiction, relationships
This was torture. It has taken me way, way too long to read. I kept looking for redeeming qualities. . . it was our PRMS April book club title, but we kept having to reschedule. Now we're going to discuss it in May with our May title. I think a lot of people bailed on it. Not sure why it garnered so much attention this past year. I think Patty, Walter, Richard, Joey, Lalitha, etc. think too much of themselves and their sex lives. It will be interesting to hear what others have to say about it.
On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God
by Louise Rennison
Dakota County Library, audioCDs
read by Stina Nielsen
genre: YA humor, British
This wasn't as funny as the first book, but I still chuckled a few times (mostly at Angus). Georgia is a bit too self-centered and selfish (especially in her treatment of her best friend Jas) for me to enjoy her much. She is obsessed with Robbie (aka The Sex God) and doesn't really take any one else's feelings into much account.
Dakota County Library, audioCDs
read by Stina Nielsen
genre: YA humor, British
This wasn't as funny as the first book, but I still chuckled a few times (mostly at Angus). Georgia is a bit too self-centered and selfish (especially in her treatment of her best friend Jas) for me to enjoy her much. She is obsessed with Robbie (aka The Sex God) and doesn't really take any one else's feelings into much account.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Buried
by Robin Merrow MacCready
Carver County Library hardcover
genre: YA realistic fiction
From Amazon: "Claudine Carbonneau, a high-school senior in Deep Cove, ME, wakes up to find her alcoholic mother gone, leaving the teen to clean up their trashed home and to explain her mother's absence."
This book really gripped me. As Claudine's behavior becomes more & more obsessively OCD and more clues come to light about her mother's disappearance, I just wanted to hug her and get her some help. The story (to me) is more about OCD than alcoholism. Her mother's choices really impacted this girl. Powerful.
Carver County Library hardcover
genre: YA realistic fiction
From Amazon: "Claudine Carbonneau, a high-school senior in Deep Cove, ME, wakes up to find her alcoholic mother gone, leaving the teen to clean up their trashed home and to explain her mother's absence."
This book really gripped me. As Claudine's behavior becomes more & more obsessively OCD and more clues come to light about her mother's disappearance, I just wanted to hug her and get her some help. The story (to me) is more about OCD than alcoholism. Her mother's choices really impacted this girl. Powerful.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The Maze
by Will Hobbs
Dakota County Library audiobook, 5.5 hours
read by Ed Sala
genre: YA coming-of-age, adventure
Quick recap: orphan Rick Walker has escaped from a juvenile detention facility and finds himself in the wilderness with Lon Peregrino, a Condor Project employee.
Liked: reader's voice, the hang gliding, Lon befriending Rick
Disliked: simplicity of plot, meanness of villains, contrast between Rick's actions & consequences.
Dakota County Library audiobook, 5.5 hours
read by Ed Sala
genre: YA coming-of-age, adventure
Quick recap: orphan Rick Walker has escaped from a juvenile detention facility and finds himself in the wilderness with Lon Peregrino, a Condor Project employee.
Liked: reader's voice, the hang gliding, Lon befriending Rick
Disliked: simplicity of plot, meanness of villains, contrast between Rick's actions & consequences.
Mine Is the Night
by Liz Curtis Higgs
Dakota County Library, paperback, 447 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction
I was surprised by how much I liked this book (especially compared to book one). Elizabeth and her mother-in-law Marjory show up in 1746 Selkirk almost completely destitute. Cousin Anne allows them to stay in her tiny home and life moves on. This story parallels the book of Ruth very closely and has a satisfying romance in Elizabeth and Jack (as well as Marjory and Gibson and Anne and Michael). I think that the cat and the little boy were my favorites, though. We had a very nice book club discussion on Monday. I also got to see the Trewarthas and Keith Johnson's family!
Dakota County Library, paperback, 447 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction
I was surprised by how much I liked this book (especially compared to book one). Elizabeth and her mother-in-law Marjory show up in 1746 Selkirk almost completely destitute. Cousin Anne allows them to stay in her tiny home and life moves on. This story parallels the book of Ruth very closely and has a satisfying romance in Elizabeth and Jack (as well as Marjory and Gibson and Anne and Michael). I think that the cat and the little boy were my favorites, though. We had a very nice book club discussion on Monday. I also got to see the Trewarthas and Keith Johnson's family!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
When Dad Killed Mom
by Julius Lester
PRMS hardcover 179 pages
genre: YA grief, domestic violence
Told in alternate chapters from twelve-year-old Jeremy and fourteen-year-old Jenna, this book caught our dean's attention because of the title. I wasn't sure (not my purchase), so I took it home and read it. It's definitely for our more mature readers, but it has a unique perspective on how kids handle tragedy. The story is well-paced, honest, and powerfully written. It all comes together at the end as Jeremy and Jenna start their new lives without their parents (mom dead, dad in prison). I think it captures well the incredible power that adults have over children's lives.
PRMS hardcover 179 pages
genre: YA grief, domestic violence
Told in alternate chapters from twelve-year-old Jeremy and fourteen-year-old Jenna, this book caught our dean's attention because of the title. I wasn't sure (not my purchase), so I took it home and read it. It's definitely for our more mature readers, but it has a unique perspective on how kids handle tragedy. The story is well-paced, honest, and powerfully written. It all comes together at the end as Jeremy and Jenna start their new lives without their parents (mom dead, dad in prison). I think it captures well the incredible power that adults have over children's lives.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The Name of This Book Is Secret
by Pseudonymous Bosch
read by David Pittu
PRMS Playaway 5 hours
genre: YA mystery
This book intrigued me because of what I had heard about it. It was bugging me as I listened to it, but I plowed through the whole thing . . . The reader's voice was fine. What is it about these clever writers (think Lemony Snicket & the Unfortunate Events) that get so many readers excited but just bug me?
Cass & Max-Ernest collaborate to solve the mystery of the Symphony of Smells, the missing magician, and the Midnight Sun. The dog was my favorite character. Miss Mauvais was creepy. I'm glad I'm done with this.
This was also the first time I listened to an entire audiobook on a Playaway. Not my favorite way of enjoying a story, but helps the time pass more quickly on the elliptical.
read by David Pittu
PRMS Playaway 5 hours
genre: YA mystery
This book intrigued me because of what I had heard about it. It was bugging me as I listened to it, but I plowed through the whole thing . . . The reader's voice was fine. What is it about these clever writers (think Lemony Snicket & the Unfortunate Events) that get so many readers excited but just bug me?
Cass & Max-Ernest collaborate to solve the mystery of the Symphony of Smells, the missing magician, and the Midnight Sun. The dog was my favorite character. Miss Mauvais was creepy. I'm glad I'm done with this.
This was also the first time I listened to an entire audiobook on a Playaway. Not my favorite way of enjoying a story, but helps the time pass more quickly on the elliptical.
Monday, April 04, 2011
The Sign of the Four
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle GoogleBooks, 283 pages genre: mystery, detective Okay, not my favorite Sherlock Holmes story . . . but it's good to try new stories. Holmes is an arrogant drug user. Watson is his typical self-effacing, bumbling sidekick. The mystery is odd and the solution is disappointing. The eighth grade book club discussion should be interesting, if any of the kids read it. I had to translate three phrases (one French and two German) and look up a bunch of words I didn't know!
(Above posted 4/4/11. Below added 2022.04.23)
Libby audiobook 5 hours
read by David Timson
Published: 1888 (this version in 2005)
Interesting that I can find the title as both "The Sign of Four" and "The Sign of the Four." Little details like that extra "the" stick in my brain . . . but I don't care so deeply that I'm going to spend time and energy figuring it out!
One thing that I like about this story is Watson meeting and falling in love with Mary. (Happened fast!) I also wonder about the jewels . . . I had planned on skipping the Hound of the Baskervilles since I've read the print version, seen the movie, etc., but I think I'll just keep on with my Holmes roll.
Hard Love
by Ellen Wittlinger
PRMS hardcover 224 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
Lots of kids have checked this book out (provocative title), but I never heard much back from them. Out of curiosity, I had to see what it was about. John is an angry teenage boy with fairly absent parents (emotionally, at least!). As he is getting into the world of writing zines & reading others' work, he is drawn to Marisol, a self-labelled "Puerto Rican Cuban Yankee Lesbian." The "hard love" of the title refers primarily to his growing affection for Marisol, despite her continual reminders that she is not available. The strongest story line, though, comes through in his relationship with his mother, who has not touched him since her divorce from his egotistical father.
PRMS hardcover 224 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
Lots of kids have checked this book out (provocative title), but I never heard much back from them. Out of curiosity, I had to see what it was about. John is an angry teenage boy with fairly absent parents (emotionally, at least!). As he is getting into the world of writing zines & reading others' work, he is drawn to Marisol, a self-labelled "Puerto Rican Cuban Yankee Lesbian." The "hard love" of the title refers primarily to his growing affection for Marisol, despite her continual reminders that she is not available. The strongest story line, though, comes through in his relationship with his mother, who has not touched him since her divorce from his egotistical father.
Promises to Keep
by Ann Tatlock
Carver County Library, paperback, 343 pages
genre: Christian fiction, historical (1960s)
Roz (short for Rosalind) is at the center of this story about a woman and her three children who flee Minnesota and an abusive husband. Their lives are changed forever when Tillie comes to "her" house and inserts herself into their home. I liked the friendship between Roz and Mara a lot. I went from being irritated by Tillie to loving her. The dad creeped me out! And anyone who tries to manipulate a child by preying on her / his faithfulness as a child is just horribly wrong. Mara's maturity and character were amazing, especially as she struggled to understand her family. The end was much, much, much too quick, compressing decades into a few pages. Anti-climatic.
Carver County Library, paperback, 343 pages
genre: Christian fiction, historical (1960s)
Roz (short for Rosalind) is at the center of this story about a woman and her three children who flee Minnesota and an abusive husband. Their lives are changed forever when Tillie comes to "her" house and inserts herself into their home. I liked the friendship between Roz and Mara a lot. I went from being irritated by Tillie to loving her. The dad creeped me out! And anyone who tries to manipulate a child by preying on her / his faithfulness as a child is just horribly wrong. Mara's maturity and character were amazing, especially as she struggled to understand her family. The end was much, much, much too quick, compressing decades into a few pages. Anti-climatic.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Pictures of Hollis Woods
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Carver County Library audioCDs
genre: YA coming-of-age
This is a re-read to prepare for sixth grade book club. Wonderful story. Hollis Woods has bounced from foster home to foster home, running away when she's had enough. Then she's placed with the Regan family for the summer and she has found a true home. Until she goes up the mountain and Steven comes for her . . . Told in flashback form after she is placed with the elderly Josie, Hollis Woods is the work of an artist! Beautiful. Made me cry. I love the Regan family.
Carver County Library audioCDs
genre: YA coming-of-age
This is a re-read to prepare for sixth grade book club. Wonderful story. Hollis Woods has bounced from foster home to foster home, running away when she's had enough. Then she's placed with the Regan family for the summer and she has found a true home. Until she goes up the mountain and Steven comes for her . . . Told in flashback form after she is placed with the elderly Josie, Hollis Woods is the work of an artist! Beautiful. Made me cry. I love the Regan family.
Columbine
by Dave Cullen
Carver County Library, hard cover, 388 pages
genre: NF, school shooting
Hard-hitting. Powerful. There are so many things I could say about this book. We had a good book club discussion on this title at PRMS. Some of the things that came up were:
- how much did the parents know ahead of time? Could they have done things differently?
- have we had students who were psychopathic? How can one know?
- why did the sheriff not listen to his staff?
There was more, of course, but too much to blog about when I'm not in a writing mood. Absolutely incredible, well-researched book.
Carver County Library, hard cover, 388 pages
genre: NF, school shooting
Hard-hitting. Powerful. There are so many things I could say about this book. We had a good book club discussion on this title at PRMS. Some of the things that came up were:
- how much did the parents know ahead of time? Could they have done things differently?
- have we had students who were psychopathic? How can one know?
- why did the sheriff not listen to his staff?
There was more, of course, but too much to blog about when I'm not in a writing mood. Absolutely incredible, well-researched book.
The Jane Austen Book Club
by Karen Joy Fowler
Hennepin County Library, audioCDs
read by Kimberly Schraf
Hmmm. I really want to see the movie, which I'd heard great things about. This book didn't connect strongly for me. The book club format was an interesting way to get to know Jocelyn, Sylvia, Allegra, Bernadette, Prudie, and Grigg. But just as I was getting to know a character well, the story switched to a different line. It was kind of disconcerting. And I thought the women were a little snotty. Anyhow, it did make me want to re-read Austen's works, though I'm definitely not in love with them the way these characters are!
From my notes:
Jocelyn - dogs
Sylvia - Daniel
Allegra - Corrine
Prudie - French
Grigg - SciFi
Bernadette - talker
Hennepin County Library, audioCDs
read by Kimberly Schraf
Hmmm. I really want to see the movie, which I'd heard great things about. This book didn't connect strongly for me. The book club format was an interesting way to get to know Jocelyn, Sylvia, Allegra, Bernadette, Prudie, and Grigg. But just as I was getting to know a character well, the story switched to a different line. It was kind of disconcerting. And I thought the women were a little snotty. Anyhow, it did make me want to re-read Austen's works, though I'm definitely not in love with them the way these characters are!
From my notes:
Jocelyn - dogs
Sylvia - Daniel
Allegra - Corrine
Prudie - French
Grigg - SciFi
Bernadette - talker
Monday, March 14, 2011
Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson
PRMS paperback 198 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
This is a re-read to prep for 8th grade book club. It made me cry again. What a powerful book about one person's private pain. Being able to confide is powerful. Melinda Sordino goes through too much emotional tragedy in her ninth grade year. I love the author's notes at the end of this edition.
PRMS paperback 198 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
This is a re-read to prep for 8th grade book club. It made me cry again. What a powerful book about one person's private pain. Being able to confide is powerful. Melinda Sordino goes through too much emotional tragedy in her ninth grade year. I love the author's notes at the end of this edition.
Children of Alcatraz: Growing Up on the Rock
by Claire Rudolf Murphy
PRMS, hard cover, 60 pages
genre: Non-fiction history
Very quick & cool read about the children who lived on Alcatraz Island over the years. Lots of awesome photos! This island and its history fascinate me. There's not a lot of info here, but it's well-organized and easy to follow.
PRMS, hard cover, 60 pages
genre: Non-fiction history
Very quick & cool read about the children who lived on Alcatraz Island over the years. Lots of awesome photos! This island and its history fascinate me. There's not a lot of info here, but it's well-organized and easy to follow.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More
by Roald Dahl
Mary Verbick's copy, paperback, 225 pages
genre: short story collection, life
Mary recommended "The Swan," which she uses with her students. It disturbed me, but Dahl's work sometimes does. Reactions:
The Boy Who Talked With Animals - mob mentality, arrogance of the rich, poor tortoise, glad the boy rescued him and he rescued the boy!
The Hitchhiker - funny, but I can't believe the driver took the taunt to speed. Love how it ends.
The Treasure of Mildenhall - cool message at the end, though when Gordon Butcher went to get Ford, I thought "NO!" Interesting how greed can warp people. Silver vs. pewter . . . nice.
The Swan - I hate bullies and senseless violence.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar - long and involved. Interesting. I didn't expect the ending. Again, themes of greed, wealth, and manipulation play here.
Lucky Break - How I Became a Writer - my favorite!!! Very cool autobiographical story of Dahl's young life and unexpected start as an author. Love it!
A Piece of Cake - first story Dahl penned for Forrester to write up as a piece for the Saturday Evening Post. Very cool how this changed his life!
Mary Verbick's copy, paperback, 225 pages
genre: short story collection, life
Mary recommended "The Swan," which she uses with her students. It disturbed me, but Dahl's work sometimes does. Reactions:
The Boy Who Talked With Animals - mob mentality, arrogance of the rich, poor tortoise, glad the boy rescued him and he rescued the boy!
The Hitchhiker - funny, but I can't believe the driver took the taunt to speed. Love how it ends.
The Treasure of Mildenhall - cool message at the end, though when Gordon Butcher went to get Ford, I thought "NO!" Interesting how greed can warp people. Silver vs. pewter . . . nice.
The Swan - I hate bullies and senseless violence.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar - long and involved. Interesting. I didn't expect the ending. Again, themes of greed, wealth, and manipulation play here.
Lucky Break - How I Became a Writer - my favorite!!! Very cool autobiographical story of Dahl's young life and unexpected start as an author. Love it!
A Piece of Cake - first story Dahl penned for Forrester to write up as a piece for the Saturday Evening Post. Very cool how this changed his life!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Little Bee
by Chris Cleave
Hennepin County Library, hardcover 271 pages
genre: modern day refugee fiction, relationships
Beautiful. Painful. Haunting. Mary V recommended this last spring. I got on the reserve list in June or July. I got this copy three weeks ago and it's due back tomorrow (waiting list). Read it over the last few days.
Little Bee is a Nigerian girl and Sarah is a British woman. They met once on a beach in Nigeria. Two years later, they meet again. The front flap of the book says, "Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens. The magic is in how the story unfolds."
I'll just say that it is very worth reading, but very challenging, too. (Emotionally, mostly. Intellectually, it made me curious to know more. How close to reality is this fiction?)
I'm dying to discuss this with book club, but it's not one of our book club titles! We might have to put it there for next year.
I started to listen to the audiobook about a month ago. I remembered loving this book, but wasn't enjoying some of it as I started "reading" it this time around. I checked this blog entry and pressed on. Alas, it was due back at the library and I had a stack of other books to read. Here are my notes from the first two discs:
- scene where Andrew and Sarah O'Rourke are having sex and little Charlie shows up with poop everywhere . . . why?!
- Yvette from Jamaica, girl with documents, girl in yellow sari, and Bee from Nigeria . . . I wish I could learn more about the other women's stories. So fascinating to look at immigrants and what is happening nowadays . . .
That's it. Too many books and too little time. So I returned it to the library and wen with some other books piled up in my room.
Hennepin County Library, hardcover 271 pages
genre: modern day refugee fiction, relationships
Beautiful. Painful. Haunting. Mary V recommended this last spring. I got on the reserve list in June or July. I got this copy three weeks ago and it's due back tomorrow (waiting list). Read it over the last few days.
Little Bee is a Nigerian girl and Sarah is a British woman. They met once on a beach in Nigeria. Two years later, they meet again. The front flap of the book says, "Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens. The magic is in how the story unfolds."
I'll just say that it is very worth reading, but very challenging, too. (Emotionally, mostly. Intellectually, it made me curious to know more. How close to reality is this fiction?)
I'm dying to discuss this with book club, but it's not one of our book club titles! We might have to put it there for next year.
I started to listen to the audiobook about a month ago. I remembered loving this book, but wasn't enjoying some of it as I started "reading" it this time around. I checked this blog entry and pressed on. Alas, it was due back at the library and I had a stack of other books to read. Here are my notes from the first two discs:
- scene where Andrew and Sarah O'Rourke are having sex and little Charlie shows up with poop everywhere . . . why?!
- Yvette from Jamaica, girl with documents, girl in yellow sari, and Bee from Nigeria . . . I wish I could learn more about the other women's stories. So fascinating to look at immigrants and what is happening nowadays . . .
That's it. Too many books and too little time. So I returned it to the library and wen with some other books piled up in my room.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Phineas Gage
by John Fleischman
PRMS Mary's collection audioCDs 1.5 hours
read by Kevin Orton
Fascinating! I have been meaning to read this for years. It's much more about the brain and developing theories (in the 1800s) about how the brain works. Amazing and bizarre that Phineas survived this crazy accident.
Odd thing, though . . . the photo of his skull shows a hole in the *right* side of his face, but the book definitely talked about the spike going through the left side. Unless by "left" side, they mean as one was looking AT him . . . odd, though. I always though that when one talks about a body part, it is from the perspective of the one in the body!
PRMS Mary's collection audioCDs 1.5 hours
read by Kevin Orton
Fascinating! I have been meaning to read this for years. It's much more about the brain and developing theories (in the 1800s) about how the brain works. Amazing and bizarre that Phineas survived this crazy accident.
Odd thing, though . . . the photo of his skull shows a hole in the *right* side of his face, but the book definitely talked about the spike going through the left side. Unless by "left" side, they mean as one was looking AT him . . . odd, though. I always though that when one talks about a body part, it is from the perspective of the one in the body!
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Lady in Waiting
by Susan Meissner
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 10 hours
read by Donna Rawlins and Samantha Eggar
A dual story of Jane Lindsay, whose husband walks away from their marriage, and Lady Jane Grey, told from her seamstress Lucy's perspective, this book was not fun for me. The genuine surprise when Brad says he's not sure he loves his wife any more bothered me. The historical aspect of the tragic Jane of middle ages was more to my liking. Interesting stuff, the intrigue and power plays of those closest to power. I really liked the letters at the end, telling the story of the ring that the modern-day Jane could never know.
Our discussion was lively, as usual, with Kim E and I seeing much of it the same way. Women and choices . . .
4/8/13
I did a re-listen (it's been two years - I didn't really remember when I grabbed it at the library).
Dislike: modern Jane's wishy-washy personality and overbearing mother
Like: the story of the ring and the historical fiction that makes me want to know more about the Tudors.
Both vocal performers were great!
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 10 hours
read by Donna Rawlins and Samantha Eggar
A dual story of Jane Lindsay, whose husband walks away from their marriage, and Lady Jane Grey, told from her seamstress Lucy's perspective, this book was not fun for me. The genuine surprise when Brad says he's not sure he loves his wife any more bothered me. The historical aspect of the tragic Jane of middle ages was more to my liking. Interesting stuff, the intrigue and power plays of those closest to power. I really liked the letters at the end, telling the story of the ring that the modern-day Jane could never know.
Our discussion was lively, as usual, with Kim E and I seeing much of it the same way. Women and choices . . .
4/8/13
I did a re-listen (it's been two years - I didn't really remember when I grabbed it at the library).
Dislike: modern Jane's wishy-washy personality and overbearing mother
Like: the story of the ring and the historical fiction that makes me want to know more about the Tudors.
Both vocal performers were great!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Spy Book Recommendations
As we discussed American Assassin, the talk turned to spy novels in general (Cina loves them!). I have too many books right now, but someday I'd like to check out some Nelson DeMille (Charm School, Lion's Game, The Lion, . . . )
Monday, February 21, 2011
My Own County: a Doctor's Story
by Abraham Verghese
Scott County Library, paperback, 430 pages
genre: medical memoir
This took me a long time to read! I've had it for over two months now, renewing it multiple times. I'm kind of glad that I read Cutting for Stone first. This one deals primarily with the AIDS outbreak and his work in Tennessee. Very interesting look at the disease and how people's lives were affected. Not enough info about his family . . . I think if I check online, I'll see that he and his wife divorced in the early 90s. He was so consumed with his patients and seemed to spend more time learning about their lives than taking care of his wife and sons. Although he is very candid and comes across as humble (just a poor internist, not a rich surgeon), there remains something of the arrogance I have often seen in doctors. He delves deeply into the lives of his patients, to the point that I wondered if he had gotten their permission before publishing his book. A worthwhile read.
Scott County Library, paperback, 430 pages
genre: medical memoir
This took me a long time to read! I've had it for over two months now, renewing it multiple times. I'm kind of glad that I read Cutting for Stone first. This one deals primarily with the AIDS outbreak and his work in Tennessee. Very interesting look at the disease and how people's lives were affected. Not enough info about his family . . . I think if I check online, I'll see that he and his wife divorced in the early 90s. He was so consumed with his patients and seemed to spend more time learning about their lives than taking care of his wife and sons. Although he is very candid and comes across as humble (just a poor internist, not a rich surgeon), there remains something of the arrogance I have often seen in doctors. He delves deeply into the lives of his patients, to the point that I wondered if he had gotten their permission before publishing his book. A worthwhile read.
Popcorn Days & Buttermilk Nights
by Gary Paulsen
PRMS LA hardcover 100 pages
genre: YA coming of age
I think my sixth grade book club is going to have a hard time with this. I picked it because I had never read it before, it's short, and I had multiple copies. As much as I love Paulsen, this one was odd. The preface has someone coming into "Norsten" Minnesota. Part of that setting includes a burned-out smithy . . . and then the story starts and we learn that Carly is a troubled boy from Minneapolis who comes to stay with his uncle. I spent the whole book waiting for Carly to accidentally (or on purpose) burn down the smithy. Nope. He is reformed from his bad ways by hard work, seeing the poverty of his relatives, and helping David to build a carnival. Some lyrical passages, but not much in the way of a story.
PRMS LA hardcover 100 pages
genre: YA coming of age
I think my sixth grade book club is going to have a hard time with this. I picked it because I had never read it before, it's short, and I had multiple copies. As much as I love Paulsen, this one was odd. The preface has someone coming into "Norsten" Minnesota. Part of that setting includes a burned-out smithy . . . and then the story starts and we learn that Carly is a troubled boy from Minneapolis who comes to stay with his uncle. I spent the whole book waiting for Carly to accidentally (or on purpose) burn down the smithy. Nope. He is reformed from his bad ways by hard work, seeing the poverty of his relatives, and helping David to build a carnival. Some lyrical passages, but not much in the way of a story.
Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt
by Anne Rie
Hennepin County Library, audioCDs
genre: Christian Fiction
read by Josh Heine
Never having read any of Rice's famous vampire books, I was curious about her Christian writing. Her personal testimony is powerful and exciting and she has dedicated the rest of her career to glorifying God. However, I didn't even finish the first CD of this story. Perhaps it's because I just forced myself to listen to another story I didn't enjoy, but I just couldn't force myself to finish this one.
She starts with Jesus as a 7-year-old in Egypt. There is so little in Scripture about Christ's childhood, but it just seemed bizarre to me that he would lose his temper in a game, kill someone, bring that person back to life, and have no clue about His identity or source of power. . . I found myself thinking that I'd rather read Scripture than this story about Jesus Christ. It reminded me a lot of the book about Luke I read earlier this year.
I guess I like my fiction to be fictional. . . although I do enjoy historical fiction. This blending of imagination and Truth just doesn't work for me. Though I'm still really glad that Rice has turned her life over to Jesus.
Hennepin County Library, audioCDs
genre: Christian Fiction
read by Josh Heine
Never having read any of Rice's famous vampire books, I was curious about her Christian writing. Her personal testimony is powerful and exciting and she has dedicated the rest of her career to glorifying God. However, I didn't even finish the first CD of this story. Perhaps it's because I just forced myself to listen to another story I didn't enjoy, but I just couldn't force myself to finish this one.
She starts with Jesus as a 7-year-old in Egypt. There is so little in Scripture about Christ's childhood, but it just seemed bizarre to me that he would lose his temper in a game, kill someone, bring that person back to life, and have no clue about His identity or source of power. . . I found myself thinking that I'd rather read Scripture than this story about Jesus Christ. It reminded me a lot of the book about Luke I read earlier this year.
I guess I like my fiction to be fictional. . . although I do enjoy historical fiction. This blending of imagination and Truth just doesn't work for me. Though I'm still really glad that Rice has turned her life over to Jesus.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Beyond the Deepwoods
by Paul Stewart (illustrated by Chris Riddell)
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 6:14
read by Clive Mantle
genre: children's fantasy adventure
Oh my. This story made me crazy! Louie kept telling me to stop listening, but I was trying to figure out WHY this would appeal to kids and WHICH kids it appeals to. Twig just bumbles along from one incident to another, being a complete dunderhead and demanding to be saved by any creatures around him. There are a plethora of creatures and plants that are fantastical (and usually dangerous). There's not much in the way of a plot and the ending was trite . . . and this is only book one in a series! Argh. Made. me. crazy! Couldn't wait for it to be done. Mantle's voice work was not the problem. The story was stupid, IMHO.
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 6:14
read by Clive Mantle
genre: children's fantasy adventure
Oh my. This story made me crazy! Louie kept telling me to stop listening, but I was trying to figure out WHY this would appeal to kids and WHICH kids it appeals to. Twig just bumbles along from one incident to another, being a complete dunderhead and demanding to be saved by any creatures around him. There are a plethora of creatures and plants that are fantastical (and usually dangerous). There's not much in the way of a plot and the ending was trite . . . and this is only book one in a series! Argh. Made. me. crazy! Couldn't wait for it to be done. Mantle's voice work was not the problem. The story was stupid, IMHO.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Lightning Thief, Sea of Monsters, The TItan's Curse
by Rick Riordan
various formats - audio
reader?
genre: YA adventure, fantasy
It's been fun to re-"read" these titles. It freshens my memory for tomorrow's discussion of the Lost Hero. Interesting phenomenon that Riordan created . . .
various formats - audio
reader?
genre: YA adventure, fantasy
It's been fun to re-"read" these titles. It freshens my memory for tomorrow's discussion of the Lost Hero. Interesting phenomenon that Riordan created . . .
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Lost Hero
by Rick Riordan
Peter Mobeck's copy, 552 pages
Just like the Percy Jackson series, this was very readable, action-packed, and full of fun characters and unbelievable turns of event. We'll discuss it at eighth grade book club next week. I enjoyed it, but found the improbable last-minute escapes to be a bit much. Leo and Festus were my favorite parts. . .
Peter Mobeck's copy, 552 pages
Just like the Percy Jackson series, this was very readable, action-packed, and full of fun characters and unbelievable turns of event. We'll discuss it at eighth grade book club next week. I enjoyed it, but found the improbable last-minute escapes to be a bit much. Leo and Festus were my favorite parts. . .
Love, Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli
Hennepin County Library audioCDs, 6:20
read by Mandy Siegfried
This book bugged me . . . and I'm not sure why. Dootsie was a little brat, Stargirl was irritating, Perry was such a delinquent (though we finally find out what's up with him toward the end of the book). Spinelli definitely creates memorable characters, though. I found myself wanting to meet Arnold, Betty Lou, Alvina, and Charlie. The storyline of Stargirl writing a book-long letter to Leo back in Arizona just didn't work for me, though. I am not sure what kind of reader would most enjoy this book . . . and I kind of want to re-read Stargirl. I loved that book! Siegfried's voice work was nice, so I'm really not sure why this story bugged me so much.
Hennepin County Library audioCDs, 6:20
read by Mandy Siegfried
This book bugged me . . . and I'm not sure why. Dootsie was a little brat, Stargirl was irritating, Perry was such a delinquent (though we finally find out what's up with him toward the end of the book). Spinelli definitely creates memorable characters, though. I found myself wanting to meet Arnold, Betty Lou, Alvina, and Charlie. The storyline of Stargirl writing a book-long letter to Leo back in Arizona just didn't work for me, though. I am not sure what kind of reader would most enjoy this book . . . and I kind of want to re-read Stargirl. I loved that book! Siegfried's voice work was nice, so I'm really not sure why this story bugged me so much.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Halt's Peril
by John Flanagan
#9 Ranger's Apprentice
PRMS hardcover 386 pgs
Kind of disappointing, actually. Halt, Horace, and Will are in pursuit of Tennyson. The Genovesans are sent to kill them. Murder and mayhem ensue at a very, very slow pace. The part with Malcolm is my favorite. He rocks! This one just didn't have the momentum of the others. I kept trying to press on to get it done, but it took me four sittings to get through. Good thing #10 ends the series. It's time.
#9 Ranger's Apprentice
PRMS hardcover 386 pgs
Kind of disappointing, actually. Halt, Horace, and Will are in pursuit of Tennyson. The Genovesans are sent to kill them. Murder and mayhem ensue at a very, very slow pace. The part with Malcolm is my favorite. He rocks! This one just didn't have the momentum of the others. I kept trying to press on to get it done, but it took me four sittings to get through. Good thing #10 ends the series. It's time.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater
PRMS hardcover 390 pages
genre: YA paranormal romance
Grace and Sam are drawn to one another, but Sam is usually in the form of a wolf. Then finally they meet as humans when Sam is struck by a hunter's bullet. These two young people are lovely and their story is inviting. I most enjoyed the storyline with Isabel and her brother Jack, though. The ending was satisfying, but I don't think I'll read book two.
PRMS hardcover 390 pages
genre: YA paranormal romance
Grace and Sam are drawn to one another, but Sam is usually in the form of a wolf. Then finally they meet as humans when Sam is struck by a hunter's bullet. These two young people are lovely and their story is inviting. I most enjoyed the storyline with Isabel and her brother Jack, though. The ending was satisfying, but I don't think I'll read book two.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Bird
by Angela Johnson
Hennepin County Library audioCD 2 hours
read by Chantale Hosein (Bird), Kamahl Palmer (Ethan), & Matthew Pavich (Jay)
Bird has run to Acorn, Alabama, to find her stepfather Cecil and bring him back home. But as she stays hidden on Ethan's family's farm, she starts to realize that she misses her mother and having a safe home. Ethan is entranced by Bird, but has spent so much of his life sick and in hospitals that he almost doesn't know how to connect to someone new. Jay misses his brother Derrick, who died of a brain aneurysm. He too is drawn to Bird, especially with his best friend Googie in juvenile lock-up.
This is a very short story that seems to end too quickly. Bird's situation seemed too unresolved. She went all that way from Ohio and spent all those months hiding and watching, but then she never actually confronted Cecil.
Hennepin County Library audioCD 2 hours
read by Chantale Hosein (Bird), Kamahl Palmer (Ethan), & Matthew Pavich (Jay)
Bird has run to Acorn, Alabama, to find her stepfather Cecil and bring him back home. But as she stays hidden on Ethan's family's farm, she starts to realize that she misses her mother and having a safe home. Ethan is entranced by Bird, but has spent so much of his life sick and in hospitals that he almost doesn't know how to connect to someone new. Jay misses his brother Derrick, who died of a brain aneurysm. He too is drawn to Bird, especially with his best friend Googie in juvenile lock-up.
This is a very short story that seems to end too quickly. Bird's situation seemed too unresolved. She went all that way from Ohio and spent all those months hiding and watching, but then she never actually confronted Cecil.
The Tiger Rising
by Kate DiCamillo
PRMS paperback 116 pages
genre: YA coming of age, grief
Rob's mom has died and his grief is compounded by being picked on by the kids at his school. Then he meets Sistine Baily, an angry girl who challenges everyone and everything. Rob's tiger (literal and figurative) play a powerful role in this book. The sixth grade book club will discuss this. Great story!
PRMS paperback 116 pages
genre: YA coming of age, grief
Rob's mom has died and his grief is compounded by being picked on by the kids at his school. Then he meets Sistine Baily, an angry girl who challenges everyone and everything. Rob's tiger (literal and figurative) play a powerful role in this book. The sixth grade book club will discuss this. Great story!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Dragon's Keep
by Janet Lee Carey
PRMS paperback 302 pages
genre: YA fantasy, adventure
We'll discuss this at 8th grade book club. I'll have to hold my tongue, since my reaction was "Dreck. Waste of time. Stupid." Some of the kids have already been raving about how much they like this book. Hmmm. Why? I look forward to hearing. Poor character development, choppy plot, lack of any compelling storyline. Not even worthwhile romance, though Kye is a promising character. Rosie the princess just didn't cut it.
PRMS paperback 302 pages
genre: YA fantasy, adventure
We'll discuss this at 8th grade book club. I'll have to hold my tongue, since my reaction was "Dreck. Waste of time. Stupid." Some of the kids have already been raving about how much they like this book. Hmmm. Why? I look forward to hearing. Poor character development, choppy plot, lack of any compelling storyline. Not even worthwhile romance, though Kye is a promising character. Rosie the princess just didn't cut it.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Amy Inspired
by Bethany Pierce
Hennepin County Library, paperback, 315 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships
Interesting choice for book club. Amy is 30, an aspiring writer who teaches at a college to make a living. Her roommate Zoe is an unconventional person, also a Christian, and a writer who has been publishing. The tension between the roommates heats up when Zoe invites her friend Eli to stay with them until he can find a place of his own.
I liked the characters (especially Everett) and the roommates getting their friendship back. I didn't like Amy's dithering about what to do with her life. It seemed the dilemma of someone much younger.
Hennepin County Library, paperback, 315 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships
Interesting choice for book club. Amy is 30, an aspiring writer who teaches at a college to make a living. Her roommate Zoe is an unconventional person, also a Christian, and a writer who has been publishing. The tension between the roommates heats up when Zoe invites her friend Eli to stay with them until he can find a place of his own.
I liked the characters (especially Everett) and the roommates getting their friendship back. I didn't like Amy's dithering about what to do with her life. It seemed the dilemma of someone much younger.
The Kings of Klonmel
Ranger's Apprentice book 8
by John Flanagan
PRMS hardcover 358 pages
genre: YA adventure
Once again, I loved it! Flanagan's storytelling style just really works for me. I laughed aloud at a couple of places. I love to see the good guys triumph over the bad guys. Will's skill and his growing confidence along with Horace's friendship help them defeat the Outsiders and their attempt to take over Clonmel.
by John Flanagan
PRMS hardcover 358 pages
genre: YA adventure
Once again, I loved it! Flanagan's storytelling style just really works for me. I laughed aloud at a couple of places. I love to see the good guys triumph over the bad guys. Will's skill and his growing confidence along with Horace's friendship help them defeat the Outsiders and their attempt to take over Clonmel.
Bone Handbook
by Jeff Smith
PRMS paperback 124 pages
genre: comics, about
There was a lot in here that was a re-hash of what I already know, but enough new nuggets of info (and a few new Bone comics)that it was worthwhile. The most interesting things to me are that Smith modeled Thorn on his wife and the impact different educators had on him and on his career path. I'm glad he stuck with it! I love the Bone comics and am so glad that Smith has been successful publishing them. I love his references to literary inspirations. What an amazing man!
PRMS paperback 124 pages
genre: comics, about
There was a lot in here that was a re-hash of what I already know, but enough new nuggets of info (and a few new Bone comics)that it was worthwhile. The most interesting things to me are that Smith modeled Thorn on his wife and the impact different educators had on him and on his career path. I'm glad he stuck with it! I love the Bone comics and am so glad that Smith has been successful publishing them. I love his references to literary inspirations. What an amazing man!
Cutting for Stone
by Abraham Verghese
various versions!
genre: relationships, medicine, life
I started out reading this on Mary's Kindle, then I listened to an audiobook version until I had to return it to the library, then I finished it in print from the Scott County Library. Whew! It was a more dense read than most of what I've done this fall / winter. But it was worth the while! What an intriguing story. It's too hard for me to summarize. At one point, Louie asked me about it and I had trouble describing it. A nun from India and an English doctor from ??? a strange childhood conceiving twins while he was in a drunken state. Sister Mary Joseph Praise dying in childbirth while Doctor Stone tries to save her and kill the babies that he didn't even know about.
And on it goes - Ethiopia, America, rich and poor, politics and medicine, friends and enemies. I think that Genet's storyline was the hardest for me, especially her callous betrayal of Marion. Hema and Ghosh were amazing characters, with frailties and strength intertwined. The ending was poignant - Marion had to survive, because he was telling the story. Absolutely amazing book.
From a post I had started that was still in "draft" form almost two years later:
by Abraham Verghese
some audioCDs (Dakota County Library) - read by Sunil Malhotra
genre: "general fiction" - on the back of the CD case. Life, love, relationships, medicine
The above is from 1/22/11. I just re-listened to the audiobook (10/8/15). The relationship between Marion and Shiva (identical "mirror" twins) is what stood out the most for me this time. The differences between them and their decisions are so stark. This is so beautifully written, but at times absolutely horrible (the operating theatre has some pretty gruesome moments). This is an amazing book. I had forgotten the specifics of the ending. Marion's phone call seems almost anti-climatic.
various versions!
genre: relationships, medicine, life
I started out reading this on Mary's Kindle, then I listened to an audiobook version until I had to return it to the library, then I finished it in print from the Scott County Library. Whew! It was a more dense read than most of what I've done this fall / winter. But it was worth the while! What an intriguing story. It's too hard for me to summarize. At one point, Louie asked me about it and I had trouble describing it. A nun from India and an English doctor from ??? a strange childhood conceiving twins while he was in a drunken state. Sister Mary Joseph Praise dying in childbirth while Doctor Stone tries to save her and kill the babies that he didn't even know about.
And on it goes - Ethiopia, America, rich and poor, politics and medicine, friends and enemies. I think that Genet's storyline was the hardest for me, especially her callous betrayal of Marion. Hema and Ghosh were amazing characters, with frailties and strength intertwined. The ending was poignant - Marion had to survive, because he was telling the story. Absolutely amazing book.
From a post I had started that was still in "draft" form almost two years later:
by Abraham Verghese
some audioCDs (Dakota County Library) - read by Sunil Malhotra
genre: "general fiction" - on the back of the CD case. Life, love, relationships, medicine
The above is from 1/22/11. I just re-listened to the audiobook (10/8/15). The relationship between Marion and Shiva (identical "mirror" twins) is what stood out the most for me this time. The differences between them and their decisions are so stark. This is so beautifully written, but at times absolutely horrible (the operating theatre has some pretty gruesome moments). This is an amazing book. I had forgotten the specifics of the ending. Marion's phone call seems almost anti-climatic.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin
home library, paperback, 217 pages
genre: YA mystery
I just needed a "down time" book that didn't require much of me as a reader. This is one I enjoy (and still find myself wondering about the clues). A classic.
home library, paperback, 217 pages
genre: YA mystery
I just needed a "down time" book that didn't require much of me as a reader. This is one I enjoy (and still find myself wondering about the clues). A classic.
A Dog's Life: the Autobiography of a Stray
by Ann M. Martin
Dakota County Library, audioCDs, 4 hours
read by Wendy Dillon
genre: YA animal story
Oh my. This was kind of painful. So much potential, but it falls short. The majority of the people in this story are either stupid or mean. The dog's telling of the story lacks personal depth - everything, whether good or evil, seems to be kept at arm's length. I'm not sure what kind of reader might enjoy this story. I didn't. The Susan and Addy portion toward the end was the best, especially when Susan ditched Mrs. Oliver.
Dakota County Library, audioCDs, 4 hours
read by Wendy Dillon
genre: YA animal story
Oh my. This was kind of painful. So much potential, but it falls short. The majority of the people in this story are either stupid or mean. The dog's telling of the story lacks personal depth - everything, whether good or evil, seems to be kept at arm's length. I'm not sure what kind of reader might enjoy this story. I didn't. The Susan and Addy portion toward the end was the best, especially when Susan ditched Mrs. Oliver.
The Haymeadow
by Gary Paulsen
Dakota County Library, audioCDs, 3:32
read by Richard Thomas (John Boy!)
genre: YA realistic fiction, adventure, survival
My memory of this book was that it had a slow start, but got really exciting as it went on (once John was alone in the haymeadow and responsible for what happened to the 6,000 sheep). Though Thomas' voice work was wonderful, this time around the story seemed slow. Paulsen remains one of my favorite authors, but this one . . . not sure about it. The ending, with John and his father seemed stilted.
Dakota County Library, audioCDs, 3:32
read by Richard Thomas (John Boy!)
genre: YA realistic fiction, adventure, survival
My memory of this book was that it had a slow start, but got really exciting as it went on (once John was alone in the haymeadow and responsible for what happened to the 6,000 sheep). Though Thomas' voice work was wonderful, this time around the story seemed slow. Paulsen remains one of my favorite authors, but this one . . . not sure about it. The ending, with John and his father seemed stilted.
Godless
by Pete Hautman
PRMS hardcover 198 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
I have put off reading this since I came to the district. Both West and PRMS had a LOT of copies of this title. I know that Sharon Phelps has had this Twin Cities author as a guest before and we have lots of his books in-district. But the title and jacket blurb didn't make me eager to read this story of Jason Bock. Jason rejects his dad's Catholic fervor and his mom's hypochondria (on Jay's behalf). Along with his best friend Shin, Jay starts a new religion focused on the local water tower.
This was our 8th grade book club title, but only four of us had actually read it. We had a very interesting discussion, but I wish more kids had read the book so that we could have a more involved discussion. I found it interesting and thought-provoking. Henry is the kind of person who scares me - charismatic, dangerous, reckless, unconcerned. Shin's descent into near-insanity surprised and worried me. Jay is a worthy protangonist.
PRMS hardcover 198 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
I have put off reading this since I came to the district. Both West and PRMS had a LOT of copies of this title. I know that Sharon Phelps has had this Twin Cities author as a guest before and we have lots of his books in-district. But the title and jacket blurb didn't make me eager to read this story of Jason Bock. Jason rejects his dad's Catholic fervor and his mom's hypochondria (on Jay's behalf). Along with his best friend Shin, Jay starts a new religion focused on the local water tower.
This was our 8th grade book club title, but only four of us had actually read it. We had a very interesting discussion, but I wish more kids had read the book so that we could have a more involved discussion. I found it interesting and thought-provoking. Henry is the kind of person who scares me - charismatic, dangerous, reckless, unconcerned. Shin's descent into near-insanity surprised and worried me. Jay is a worthy protangonist.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life
by C.S. Lewis
Dakota County Library
audioCDs read by Geoffrey Howard
genre: autobiography, faith
This was much more intellectual than I expected. Not a title I would share with those I want to witness to. The portion of his story that is actually about becoming a Christian is tiny compared to all the parts of his early life that made him a determined atheist. Still, this was so interesting to listen to. Howard's voice is wonderful - it seemed as though I were listening to Lewis himself.
Some of my thoughts on this: I'm so very glad that I didn't go to an English boarding school as a young boy in the early twentieth century! Between this and Roald Dahl's Boy, I think it sounds like a wretched experience. Lewis' metacognition is fascinating. What an incredible mind. This makes me want to re-read some of his other work. His friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien also fascinates me. I would like to read more about the Inklings.
Dakota County Library
audioCDs read by Geoffrey Howard
genre: autobiography, faith
This was much more intellectual than I expected. Not a title I would share with those I want to witness to. The portion of his story that is actually about becoming a Christian is tiny compared to all the parts of his early life that made him a determined atheist. Still, this was so interesting to listen to. Howard's voice is wonderful - it seemed as though I were listening to Lewis himself.
Some of my thoughts on this: I'm so very glad that I didn't go to an English boarding school as a young boy in the early twentieth century! Between this and Roald Dahl's Boy, I think it sounds like a wretched experience. Lewis' metacognition is fascinating. What an incredible mind. This makes me want to re-read some of his other work. His friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien also fascinates me. I would like to read more about the Inklings.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Personal Finance for Dummies
by Eric Tyson
Dakota County audioCDs
genre: self-help, finance
This would be better in book form. Listening was just so-so. As with other "Dummies" books, I enjoy the author's straight-talk style. So much of this is common sense, but I'm not very good with my money. The first section was most helpful. I need to pay off my consumer debt and live within my means. Investing and the rest doesn't mean much if I charge more than I can pay.
Dakota County audioCDs
genre: self-help, finance
This would be better in book form. Listening was just so-so. As with other "Dummies" books, I enjoy the author's straight-talk style. So much of this is common sense, but I'm not very good with my money. The first section was most helpful. I need to pay off my consumer debt and live within my means. Investing and the rest doesn't mean much if I charge more than I can pay.
Astrid & Veronika
by Linda Olsson
Hennepin County Library, paperback 150 pages
genre: relationships
I don't remember where I read the review of this book, but it intrigued me. I waited from July to December to get a copy from the library and then was too insanely busy to read it! I finished it yesterday on vacation (and now owe money for the three days it's overdue). Beautiful, haunting, touching.
Astrid is old and lonely. Veronika moves in next door to write and work through her grief. The two women are unlikely friends, but become confidantes of their deepest secrets. From New Zealand to Sweden and through the course of a year, we get to know these women and their lives' stories.
Now I need to find and listen to Brahms' sonata for violin and piano, no. 3 in D minor, especially the second movement. Oh, and eat some wild strawberries. This would be a great discussion book. I'm sad for Johan, wonder about the dynamic between Astrid and her daughter, and would love to hear other women's opinions.
*** The above was written 12/29/2010. I added the below on 11/4/2019.***
I wish I had re-read this in time for the Jordan Library book club in September, but I have finally finished my re-read now. I marked some passages.
Page 138 - "January was hot and sunny and we spent most weekends on the beach. But it never got any easier. The sea became my enemy. We were fighting over the same man." Veronika, talking about her time with James. The author has such a way of expressing things and creating word pictures!
Page 153 - When Astrid shares what happened to her daughter, she says, "Perhaps it wasn't that my love wasn't strong enough. Perhaps it was that my hatred was too strong." Her love for her daughter and her hatred of her husband (and her dad) . . . what tragic sadness! Later, she says, "I think that if we can find the words, and if we can find someone to tell them to, then perhaps we can see things differently. But I had no words, and I had nobody."
Page 156 - "Here, it was as if summer and winter were intertwined: there was summer in the midst of winter, winter in the midst of summer. And there was no autumn, no spring, no time for anticipation, no time for remembrance. Only the present." Not sure why I marked this . . . Veronika is talking about her time in New Zealand. I think it made me think of how much I love living in Minnesota and having four distinct seasons. Each one has its own character and charm.
Sensory! taste, sounds, smell, sight - so evocative!
*** Spoilers below***
Page 170 - "When I think about it now, I wish there had been more time. I feel that grief has its own organic processing time, which cannot be compressed without consequences. Given time to take its course, perhaps the healing is more complete." Did anyone even know she was pregnant with James' child? How awful to deal with the double grief of losing him and then miscarrying the baby!
Page 189 - "Parents have such formidable power. They can protect you from all the pain in the world. Or inflict the hardest pain of all. And as children we accept what we get. Perhaps we believe that anything is better than that which we all fear the most." Astrid, talking about her father. Such intense conversations these two women have!
Page 218 - "And it is my favourite season, autumn. Some see it as the end of the year. Death. But to me, it has always felt like the beginning. Pure and clean, with a lack of distractions. Time to set your house in order and prepare for winter." Astrid, philosophizing to Veronika. It's a conversation of catharsis.
Page 229 - Their goodbye is sad and beautiful and fits them well.
Page 240 - Astrid's letter to Veronika at the end is lovely. "You have known me as no other person has. And I like to think that I have known you a little. . . . To some, my life may seem tragic. Wasted. That is not how it appears to me. You have given me a new perspective. You pulled me out into the bright life again, opened my eyes. Made the ice thaw. And I am so very grateful."
There's a paragraph about love on page 241 that I was going to scan and include, but I'm almost falling asleep so I'll head to bed now and perhaps re-read the book again in nine years!
Here's the list of study guide questions:
Hennepin County Library, paperback 150 pages
genre: relationships
I don't remember where I read the review of this book, but it intrigued me. I waited from July to December to get a copy from the library and then was too insanely busy to read it! I finished it yesterday on vacation (and now owe money for the three days it's overdue). Beautiful, haunting, touching.
Astrid is old and lonely. Veronika moves in next door to write and work through her grief. The two women are unlikely friends, but become confidantes of their deepest secrets. From New Zealand to Sweden and through the course of a year, we get to know these women and their lives' stories.
Now I need to find and listen to Brahms' sonata for violin and piano, no. 3 in D minor, especially the second movement. Oh, and eat some wild strawberries. This would be a great discussion book. I'm sad for Johan, wonder about the dynamic between Astrid and her daughter, and would love to hear other women's opinions.
*** The above was written 12/29/2010. I added the below on 11/4/2019.***
I wish I had re-read this in time for the Jordan Library book club in September, but I have finally finished my re-read now. I marked some passages.
Page 138 - "January was hot and sunny and we spent most weekends on the beach. But it never got any easier. The sea became my enemy. We were fighting over the same man." Veronika, talking about her time with James. The author has such a way of expressing things and creating word pictures!
Page 153 - When Astrid shares what happened to her daughter, she says, "Perhaps it wasn't that my love wasn't strong enough. Perhaps it was that my hatred was too strong." Her love for her daughter and her hatred of her husband (and her dad) . . . what tragic sadness! Later, she says, "I think that if we can find the words, and if we can find someone to tell them to, then perhaps we can see things differently. But I had no words, and I had nobody."
Page 156 - "Here, it was as if summer and winter were intertwined: there was summer in the midst of winter, winter in the midst of summer. And there was no autumn, no spring, no time for anticipation, no time for remembrance. Only the present." Not sure why I marked this . . . Veronika is talking about her time in New Zealand. I think it made me think of how much I love living in Minnesota and having four distinct seasons. Each one has its own character and charm.
Sensory! taste, sounds, smell, sight - so evocative!
*** Spoilers below***
Page 170 - "When I think about it now, I wish there had been more time. I feel that grief has its own organic processing time, which cannot be compressed without consequences. Given time to take its course, perhaps the healing is more complete." Did anyone even know she was pregnant with James' child? How awful to deal with the double grief of losing him and then miscarrying the baby!
Page 189 - "Parents have such formidable power. They can protect you from all the pain in the world. Or inflict the hardest pain of all. And as children we accept what we get. Perhaps we believe that anything is better than that which we all fear the most." Astrid, talking about her father. Such intense conversations these two women have!
Page 218 - "And it is my favourite season, autumn. Some see it as the end of the year. Death. But to me, it has always felt like the beginning. Pure and clean, with a lack of distractions. Time to set your house in order and prepare for winter." Astrid, philosophizing to Veronika. It's a conversation of catharsis.
Page 229 - Their goodbye is sad and beautiful and fits them well.
Page 240 - Astrid's letter to Veronika at the end is lovely. "You have known me as no other person has. And I like to think that I have known you a little. . . . To some, my life may seem tragic. Wasted. That is not how it appears to me. You have given me a new perspective. You pulled me out into the bright life again, opened my eyes. Made the ice thaw. And I am so very grateful."
There's a paragraph about love on page 241 that I was going to scan and include, but I'm almost falling asleep so I'll head to bed now and perhaps re-read the book again in nine years!
Here's the list of study guide questions:
Friday, December 24, 2010
Love Me When I'm Most Unlovable
by Robert Ricken
PRMS professional collection, paperback, 44 pages
These glimpses of middle school psyches really ring true. I got this at MMSA. I'll share it with my staff. One of my favorites:
When I was in 7th grade
my dad passed away.
My mom and I had a really
hard time for awhile
Mr. Clark, my history teacher
came to the wake in a snow storm.
He's the only one I believe
when he says if I need anything, he'll be there.
The author uses different fonts, bold, color, etc. to emphasize the intent of the language. Interesting, funny, diverse - just like middle school kids. This slim book is a great reminder of why we do what we do. Because we matter in kids' lives.
PRMS professional collection, paperback, 44 pages
These glimpses of middle school psyches really ring true. I got this at MMSA. I'll share it with my staff. One of my favorites:
When I was in 7th grade
my dad passed away.
My mom and I had a really
hard time for awhile
Mr. Clark, my history teacher
came to the wake in a snow storm.
He's the only one I believe
when he says if I need anything, he'll be there.
The author uses different fonts, bold, color, etc. to emphasize the intent of the language. Interesting, funny, diverse - just like middle school kids. This slim book is a great reminder of why we do what we do. Because we matter in kids' lives.
Beautiful Beds: 14 Warm and Wonderful Quilts
by Rosemary Wilkinson
Hennepin County Library, paperback 109 pages
genre: quilting!
This is gorgeous to look at! I can't possibly think of starting any new projects right now, but I love to look at beautiful quilts. This book is one that I would seriously consider getting again (or buying). The photos and instructions are quite good. Each design is shown with multiple color combos - very helpful, since fabric choices change the "feel" of the quilt.
Hennepin County Library, paperback 109 pages
genre: quilting!
This is gorgeous to look at! I can't possibly think of starting any new projects right now, but I love to look at beautiful quilts. This book is one that I would seriously consider getting again (or buying). The photos and instructions are quite good. Each design is shown with multiple color combos - very helpful, since fabric choices change the "feel" of the quilt.
Stolen in the Night
by Patricia MacDonald
long story . . .
genre: murder mystery
I had checked out the audiobook of this for my dad a year ago. The last disk was so badly scratched that he didn't find out who the killer was. I had checked out a print edition and started reading it into an audio format on my laptop while he was in Florida last winter. I finally had to return it to the library, so I just bought a copy off Amazon. Earlier this week, I finally finished reading it aloud to him.
Tess is at the center of this story. When she was a child, her sister was abducted from the tent they were sleeping in. The man that Tess identified has died via death penalty, but new DNA evidence has exonerated him. Tess and her quest for truth lead her through many suspicions and discoveries. Not my type of story . . . but my dad seemed to enjoy it, especially finally knowing the ending!
long story . . .
genre: murder mystery
I had checked out the audiobook of this for my dad a year ago. The last disk was so badly scratched that he didn't find out who the killer was. I had checked out a print edition and started reading it into an audio format on my laptop while he was in Florida last winter. I finally had to return it to the library, so I just bought a copy off Amazon. Earlier this week, I finally finished reading it aloud to him.
Tess is at the center of this story. When she was a child, her sister was abducted from the tent they were sleeping in. The man that Tess identified has died via death penalty, but new DNA evidence has exonerated him. Tess and her quest for truth lead her through many suspicions and discoveries. Not my type of story . . . but my dad seemed to enjoy it, especially finally knowing the ending!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Full Service
by Will Weaver
Carver County Library, paperback, ? pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
This was our December PRMS book club title. It was a re-read for me. Will Weaver is one of my favorite Minnesota authors. In this story, a 16-year-old boy is encouraged by his mother to get a job in town (rather than staying on the farm) for the summer. When he starts working at a gas station, he "meets the public" as his mother intended. My favorite parts are the ones with the gangster. I like this main character and his growth as a young man. The book club enjoyed it.
Carver County Library, paperback, ? pages
genre: YA coming-of-age
This was our December PRMS book club title. It was a re-read for me. Will Weaver is one of my favorite Minnesota authors. In this story, a 16-year-old boy is encouraged by his mother to get a job in town (rather than staying on the farm) for the summer. When he starts working at a gas station, he "meets the public" as his mother intended. My favorite parts are the ones with the gangster. I like this main character and his growth as a young man. The book club enjoyed it.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Hattie Big Sky
by Kirby Larson
Scott County Library audioCDs 8.5 hours
read by Kirsten Potter
genre: YA historical fiction
For the most part, I enjoyed this story. Potter was an excellent narrator. It was especially enjoyable to "read" a story of a homesteader in the early 1900s so soon after having read My Antonia. The ending, though, was a disappointment. After all Hattie went through to earn the homestead, and after all the letter writing between her and Charlie, it just seemed to flop at the end. What a letdown. Beautiful story for the most part.
Scott County Library audioCDs 8.5 hours
read by Kirsten Potter
genre: YA historical fiction
For the most part, I enjoyed this story. Potter was an excellent narrator. It was especially enjoyable to "read" a story of a homesteader in the early 1900s so soon after having read My Antonia. The ending, though, was a disappointment. After all Hattie went through to earn the homestead, and after all the letter writing between her and Charlie, it just seemed to flop at the end. What a letdown. Beautiful story for the most part.
Various Titles
by Doctor Seuss
mine, Mary Verbick's
various lengths
The 8th grade book club brought up the topic of Doctor Seuss last week. Mary read the Sneetches to me the next day and loaned me a book that had "The Green Pants Man" in it (not the real title, but there's an empty pair of green pants that scares the main character in it). Then I brought in two of my favorites to share with her - My Many Colored Days and Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! Then she loaned me "The King's Stilts" and "Horton Hatches an Egg." I had never heard of the stilts book, but knew Horton's story (mostly from the Jordan play with Matt Timmons as Horton). Fun stuff. Seuss was never one of my faves when the boys were little, but this has been fun to share titles with another reader.
mine, Mary Verbick's
various lengths
The 8th grade book club brought up the topic of Doctor Seuss last week. Mary read the Sneetches to me the next day and loaned me a book that had "The Green Pants Man" in it (not the real title, but there's an empty pair of green pants that scares the main character in it). Then I brought in two of my favorites to share with her - My Many Colored Days and Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! Then she loaned me "The King's Stilts" and "Horton Hatches an Egg." I had never heard of the stilts book, but knew Horton's story (mostly from the Jordan play with Matt Timmons as Horton). Fun stuff. Seuss was never one of my faves when the boys were little, but this has been fun to share titles with another reader.
It's Our World, Too! Young People Who Are Making a Difference
Phillip Hoose
East Union m.c. paperback 166 pages
genre: service learning
The 14 young people whose stories make up the first part of the book are inspiring. What extraordinary kids to achieve so much! Their point is that they're just ordinary kids who are making a difference the best way they know how. Very cool.
The second half of the book is a "how-to" for kids. Interesting, but not as much as the personal stories. I think I'll buy a copy for my collection, though the pictures and examples are getting pretty old (1980s). It would be great to see kids inspired to make a difference in their own community!
East Union m.c. paperback 166 pages
genre: service learning
The 14 young people whose stories make up the first part of the book are inspiring. What extraordinary kids to achieve so much! Their point is that they're just ordinary kids who are making a difference the best way they know how. Very cool.
The second half of the book is a "how-to" for kids. Interesting, but not as much as the personal stories. I think I'll buy a copy for my collection, though the pictures and examples are getting pretty old (1980s). It would be great to see kids inspired to make a difference in their own community!
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Lily's Crossing
by Patricia Reilly Giff
PRMS hardcover 180 pages
genre: YA historical fiction, coming of age
I just now realized that I'm not sure what the title is about . . . good thing we're discussing it at 7th grade book club tomorrow. Lily goes to Rockaway for the summer and is dismayed to learn that her best friend's family is moving to another state and her father is joining the war effort. She does not get along well with her grandmother. What looks to be a miserable summer is transformed by Albert, a cat, and some revelations about telling the truth.
This book felt very, very young to me. It was good, but seemed geared to upper elementary kids.
PRMS hardcover 180 pages
genre: YA historical fiction, coming of age
I just now realized that I'm not sure what the title is about . . . good thing we're discussing it at 7th grade book club tomorrow. Lily goes to Rockaway for the summer and is dismayed to learn that her best friend's family is moving to another state and her father is joining the war effort. She does not get along well with her grandmother. What looks to be a miserable summer is transformed by Albert, a cat, and some revelations about telling the truth.
This book felt very, very young to me. It was good, but seemed geared to upper elementary kids.
Sammy Keyes and the Dead Giveaway
by Wendelin Van Draanen
Scott County Library audioCDs 7:06
read by Tara Sands
genre: YA mystery
Seventh grader Sammy Keyes has a best friend Marisa and a nemesis in Heather. I've heard some kids rave about these books, so thought I'd better read one. I will need to actually read a print book, though, because Sands definitely affected the way I experienced this book. She did a fine job, but her voice work kind of grated on me. The story was interesting enough - I'll continue to booktalk it to sixth graders. The crux of the intertwining story lines is that honesty is the best policy.
Scott County Library audioCDs 7:06
read by Tara Sands
genre: YA mystery
Seventh grader Sammy Keyes has a best friend Marisa and a nemesis in Heather. I've heard some kids rave about these books, so thought I'd better read one. I will need to actually read a print book, though, because Sands definitely affected the way I experienced this book. She did a fine job, but her voice work kind of grated on me. The story was interesting enough - I'll continue to booktalk it to sixth graders. The crux of the intertwining story lines is that honesty is the best policy.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
While We’re Far Apart
By Lynn Austin
Dakota County Library, paperback, 408 pages
Genre: Christian and Jewish relationships, family, and some mystery
Set during WWII, this book covers a lot of ground for its main characters. Young Esther and Peter don’t want their father to join the military (and their mom died a year earlier when hit by a car). Penny offers to watch the children because she’s really in love with Eddie, their father, and hopes to get into his good graces. Mr. Mendel hasn’t prayed or been to synagogue since his wife was killed alongside Eddie’s wife. Throw in the anti-Jewish sentiment, Penny’s elderly and overprotective parents, and a half-dozen other threads, and this is a very good story. I especially liked Mr. Mendel’s relationship with the children and with God. His bitterness and anger turns soft – toward redemption and renewal. Beautiful.
Dakota County Library, paperback, 408 pages
Genre: Christian and Jewish relationships, family, and some mystery
Set during WWII, this book covers a lot of ground for its main characters. Young Esther and Peter don’t want their father to join the military (and their mom died a year earlier when hit by a car). Penny offers to watch the children because she’s really in love with Eddie, their father, and hopes to get into his good graces. Mr. Mendel hasn’t prayed or been to synagogue since his wife was killed alongside Eddie’s wife. Throw in the anti-Jewish sentiment, Penny’s elderly and overprotective parents, and a half-dozen other threads, and this is a very good story. I especially liked Mr. Mendel’s relationship with the children and with God. His bitterness and anger turns soft – toward redemption and renewal. Beautiful.
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief
By Dorothy Gilman
Scott County Library audioCDs 6.25 hours
Read by Barbara Rosenblatt
This isn’t one of my favorite Pollifax books, but I enjoyed it. Emily gets called in to help Farrell in Sicily. I like her innocent resourcefulness and the adventure. This is one of the few books that doesn’t have a follow-up scene with Carstairs and Bishop, which is one of my favorite aspects of the stories. Kate Rossiter and Farrell fall madly in love (someone has to) and Kate’s aunt finally decides to get married. Forged art, a poor but developing village, and the re-appearance of Aristotle are the scenery here.
Scott County Library audioCDs 6.25 hours
Read by Barbara Rosenblatt
This isn’t one of my favorite Pollifax books, but I enjoyed it. Emily gets called in to help Farrell in Sicily. I like her innocent resourcefulness and the adventure. This is one of the few books that doesn’t have a follow-up scene with Carstairs and Bishop, which is one of my favorite aspects of the stories. Kate Rossiter and Farrell fall madly in love (someone has to) and Kate’s aunt finally decides to get married. Forged art, a poor but developing village, and the re-appearance of Aristotle are the scenery here.
All Rivers Flow to the Sea
By Alison McGhee
Chanhassen HS hardcover 168 pages
Genre: YA coming of age, dealing with loss & grief
Long story short: I picked this title for 8th grade book club because I got it as a book club kit from Carver County libraries. As soon as I handed them out, I had only a half-hour wait until an eighth grader came back and showed me page 13 . . . sex. Not terribly graphic, but shocking to some kids. Ugh. I recalled the copies (though five are still out) and gave them Hope Was Here. Then I took this one home to read. It’s actually a very haunting book about a sixteen-year-old girl who’s in a car accident with her older sister. Her sister lies in a bed in a care facility, comatose. Rose struggles with memories of the night of the crash, her mother’s response, and her own numbness. My favorite characters are William T and Tom Miller. I like how William tries so hard to help Rose, scrambling eggs for her and driving her to see Ivy - “Younger and Elder” he calls the girls. Tom is a young man who sees and feels differently than his teenage peers. What a gem.
Chanhassen HS hardcover 168 pages
Genre: YA coming of age, dealing with loss & grief
Long story short: I picked this title for 8th grade book club because I got it as a book club kit from Carver County libraries. As soon as I handed them out, I had only a half-hour wait until an eighth grader came back and showed me page 13 . . . sex. Not terribly graphic, but shocking to some kids. Ugh. I recalled the copies (though five are still out) and gave them Hope Was Here. Then I took this one home to read. It’s actually a very haunting book about a sixteen-year-old girl who’s in a car accident with her older sister. Her sister lies in a bed in a care facility, comatose. Rose struggles with memories of the night of the crash, her mother’s response, and her own numbness. My favorite characters are William T and Tom Miller. I like how William tries so hard to help Rose, scrambling eggs for her and driving her to see Ivy - “Younger and Elder” he calls the girls. Tom is a young man who sees and feels differently than his teenage peers. What a gem.
Charlie Bone and the Shadow
By Jenny Nimmo
Genre: YA fantasy, mys tery
PRMS hardcover 427 pages
Charlie goes into a picture that his grandma brings home and is sucked into Badlock. The usual bad stuff ensues, though most of this story does NOT take place at Bloor Academy. Quite frankly, this series doesn’t really hold my interest anymore. It feels repetitive and pointless. I don’t think I’ll bother to read the one after this. And there were references in this one to events that had happened previously that I just don’t remember . . . but I’m confident I read all the books up to this one. If my mind wanders while I’m reading, I need to read something else.
Genre: YA fantasy, mys tery
PRMS hardcover 427 pages
Charlie goes into a picture that his grandma brings home and is sucked into Badlock. The usual bad stuff ensues, though most of this story does NOT take place at Bloor Academy. Quite frankly, this series doesn’t really hold my interest anymore. It feels repetitive and pointless. I don’t think I’ll bother to read the one after this. And there were references in this one to events that had happened previously that I just don’t remember . . . but I’m confident I read all the books up to this one. If my mind wanders while I’m reading, I need to read something else.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Jazz
by Geoffrey C. Ward
Dakota County Library audioCDs
read by LeVar Burton
genre: non-fiction, music history
This was fascinating, but I didn't finish it. I've been feeling overwhelmed and needing to pare down the "stuff" in my life. As an audiobook, I was somehow expecting more samples of the music being described in the text. There were so many names I didn't recognize. It's interesting to learn how many different people claimed to have created jazz as an art form! I'd like to read the full book sometime. I can borrow it from Scott Prescott, I'm sure.
Dakota County Library audioCDs
read by LeVar Burton
genre: non-fiction, music history
This was fascinating, but I didn't finish it. I've been feeling overwhelmed and needing to pare down the "stuff" in my life. As an audiobook, I was somehow expecting more samples of the music being described in the text. There were so many names I didn't recognize. It's interesting to learn how many different people claimed to have created jazz as an art form! I'd like to read the full book sometime. I can borrow it from Scott Prescott, I'm sure.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Holy Bible: the book of Acts
Contemporary English Version
Dakota County Library audioCDs, 2.75 hours
Narrated by Peter Jay Fernandez
One of my favorite books of the Bible! I love the way God moves so powerfully through the Holy Spirit. Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus is an incredible example of how lives can be changed by the Lord. Fernandez has a very easy voice to listen to.
Dakota County Library audioCDs, 2.75 hours
Narrated by Peter Jay Fernandez
One of my favorite books of the Bible! I love the way God moves so powerfully through the Holy Spirit. Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus is an incredible example of how lives can be changed by the Lord. Fernandez has a very easy voice to listen to.
Her Daughter's Dream
by Francine Rivers
Andrea's hardcover 574 pages
Marta & Niklas, Hildemara & Trip, Carolyn & Mitch, May Flower Dawn & Jason, Faith . . . The story begun in Her Mother's Hope is finished here. The generational love and conflict left me frustrated at first (why don't these people just talk to one another honestly?!?!?!) and then turned to contemplation. Why do families function the way they do? Why is it so hard to have honest, direct communication? May Flower Dawn's story (and Carolyn's) were my favorite part. Marta ended up being my favorite character - weird considering how much I disliked her in the previous book. Rivers writes a good story about relationships and life.
Andrea's hardcover 574 pages
Marta & Niklas, Hildemara & Trip, Carolyn & Mitch, May Flower Dawn & Jason, Faith . . . The story begun in Her Mother's Hope is finished here. The generational love and conflict left me frustrated at first (why don't these people just talk to one another honestly?!?!?!) and then turned to contemplation. Why do families function the way they do? Why is it so hard to have honest, direct communication? May Flower Dawn's story (and Carolyn's) were my favorite part. Marta ended up being my favorite character - weird considering how much I disliked her in the previous book. Rivers writes a good story about relationships and life.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
City of Light, City of Dark
by Avi, drawings by Brian Floca
PRMS paperback 192 pages
genre: YA / graphic novel / fantasy
This was yet another re-read for me, in preparation for the sixth grade book club tomorrow. Enjoyable, clean, action-packed, with some interesting observations to be made. I'm looking forward to discussing it.
PRMS paperback 192 pages
genre: YA / graphic novel / fantasy
This was yet another re-read for me, in preparation for the sixth grade book club tomorrow. Enjoyable, clean, action-packed, with some interesting observations to be made. I'm looking forward to discussing it.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Who the Man
by Chris Lynch
PRMS hardcover 186 pages
Hmmm. This took me a long time to read because I had trouble getting into it. Not sure what kind of middle school reader would be drawn to it, but it's definitely less violent and offensive than other Lynch books I've read. Earl is a large 13-year-old who can pass for an adult. His thoughts and feelings, though, are still developing between childhood and maturity. His proclivity for resolving problems with fighting gets him a week out of school.
His relationship with wimpy Bobby reminded me of Freak the Mighty. The tension between his parents was too ill-defined until the end of the book. And his obsession for Louisa was also difficult to follow. This book just didn't connect for me . . .
PRMS hardcover 186 pages
Hmmm. This took me a long time to read because I had trouble getting into it. Not sure what kind of middle school reader would be drawn to it, but it's definitely less violent and offensive than other Lynch books I've read. Earl is a large 13-year-old who can pass for an adult. His thoughts and feelings, though, are still developing between childhood and maturity. His proclivity for resolving problems with fighting gets him a week out of school.
His relationship with wimpy Bobby reminded me of Freak the Mighty. The tension between his parents was too ill-defined until the end of the book. And his obsession for Louisa was also difficult to follow. This book just didn't connect for me . . .
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Harry Potter (1-7) and updates
by J.K. Rowling
home copies
genre: YA fantasy
I re-read all the HP books over the last month or so. I think it was my version of vegging out in front of the TV. Enjoyable, relatively mindless relaxation. Louie teased me about re-reading these when I didn't get a book club title read in time . . . but it was enjoyable. And I think I *finally* understood the whole "elder wand master" thing at the end of #7. Call me slow. I thought the wand itself had physically transferred from Dumbledore to Draco to Harry. But the whole point was that the wand recognized them as its master, regardless of who physically held it. (I think this was my third reading of #7.) Ah well. On to the stack of books I've been putting off.
<Above written 11.14.10. Below added 6.5.24.>
I see that I also blogged all seven of the books in 2015. I'm re-listening to the audiobooks while I work at Mackin this summer. I actually started last summer, then decided to "save" the rest for this summer. I've just finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (#4) and I noticed a few things I've not noticed before!
Jim Dale is an amazing narrator. His voice absolutely defines the Harry Potter audiobooks. However, it most definitely sounded as though he pronounced "leprechaun" as "lepreCORN." Over and over (at the Quiddich World Cup), he was saying "lepreCORN." It made me laugh. But also - how have I never noticed this before?
I also remembered one thing about this book that bugs me as an educator. No Quiddich for an entire school year because of the Triwizard Tournament? Even though only one student from the school is supposed to be a participant? And the tournament which was started 700 years previously had not been done in over a century? That doesn't make sense! To remove a very popular activity that has 24+ participants, regular matches, and a huge fan base . . . for an activity for four people (two of whom are not from Hogwarts) and have three events (late November, late February, and late June)? That's just silly! I understand why Rowling chose to do this for her author purposes, but it doesn't make sense from a school standpoint!
<below added 6.24.24>
Libby offered me HP and the Order of the Phoenix as a "skip the line" title . . . which I accepted. But that meant I only had a week to "read" it. I listened to some of it while working at Mackin, but realized that it would be returned before my next work date. So I've been listening to it at the lake while doing a jigsaw. Last night, I finally grabbed a print version to finish the last few chapters.
So now I need to learn more about this "skip the line" thing in Libby . . . and order the next audiobook. It seems weird that none of the adults thought to communicate more clearly with Harry, though Dumbledore chalks this up to his advanced age forgetting what it is like to be young. I like when Harry is able to talk with Sirius and Lupin about his dad as a fifteen year old and make the connection that he is fifteen and not a jerk like his dad was.
<Below added 1.4.2025 from Reading Log dated 7.11.2007.>
"Harry hits adolescent angst and suffers from anger, self-pity, and hormones. When he dreams, he experiences Voldemort's mind. Sirius is killed in a fight with the Death Eaters. Harry teaches a secret Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
"Time-killer. The movie released today, but I'm sure it will be as disappointing as the others. So many things have to be skipped to make it not-too-long, and the director will need to put their personal spin on it. My favorite part is when Fred & George defy Delores Umbridge."
<Below added 7.15.24>
I got Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince quicker than anticipated. I started it while working, but finished it at the lake! I haven't read this one as often as the others . . . there were some details I forgot. (RAB and the decoy locket, death eaters fighting in Hogwarts, Harry sharing the Felix potion, . . . ) I was sad about the ending, even though I knew it was coming.
<Below added 1.4.25 from my Reading Log! entry 7.13.2007>
Harry's sixth year at Hogwart's. Slughorn is Professor for DADA. Dumbledore offers to teach Harry himself and reveals Lord Voldemort's history. Together, they try to get and destroy the six horcruxes holding pieces of Voldemort's soul. Book #7 will be released next week. Storyline is fresh in my mind now.
<Below added 8.19.24>
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Libby audiobook. I think I'm a bit too OCD . . . I finished listening to this at our family reunion in Michigan last week. The culmination of the series is so satisfying. This was another "skip the line" title and I remembered most of the plot twists (about the elder wand, Snape's true self, etc.). I was still sad and just a bit weepy when Dobby died.
How Angel Peterson Got His Name
by Gary Paulsen
PRMS paperback 111 pages
genre: YA, biography / memoir, humor
Gary Paulsen is a master storyteller. It would be interesting to interview the other guys in this slim book of stories about his adolescence. This book is cleaner than some of Paulsen's other stories of his youth. This was a re-read for me, to get ready for our 8th grade book club this week. Archie is a memorable character - older and somewhat dangerous.
PRMS paperback 111 pages
genre: YA, biography / memoir, humor
Gary Paulsen is a master storyteller. It would be interesting to interview the other guys in this slim book of stories about his adolescence. This book is cleaner than some of Paulsen's other stories of his youth. This was a re-read for me, to get ready for our 8th grade book club this week. Archie is a memorable character - older and somewhat dangerous.
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