Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians

by Brandon Sanderson
PRMS hard cover 308 pages
genre: humor / mystery / fantasy

April raved about this book, so I had to read it. Alcatraz is a wonderful protagonist, but the technique of self-aware storyteller got old. Alcatraz has a talent for breaking things. On his thirteenth birthday, things go worse than usual when he sets his foster parents' kitchen on fire, has his inheritance stolen, and gets a gun drawn on him.

Filled with talking dinosaurs (politely British), special lenses, and evil librarians, this is a quirky book. There were *so* many great lines in it that I wanted to jot some of them down. Fun, odd title.

Les Miserables

1935 movie
based on the book by Victor Hugo
starring Fredric March, Charles Laughton, and Sir Cedric Hardwicke
Hennepin County Library 110 minutes long

I sort of knew the story of Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert, but hadn't ever actually read Hugo's book or seen any of the many theatrical interpretations. I enjoyed this old black & white film, but am not sure how faithful it was to the original story. The only thing that really creeped me out was the relationship between Valjean and Cosette. He took care of her from the time she was a little girl and was a father figure, but acted as though he wanted to jump her bones.

I started to watch the 1952 version on the flip side of the disk, but I just wasn't up for another telling of the tale. I'll need to read the novel, but at least now I have a better understanding of the story. Now when I hear a reference to it, I'll have a connection to the text.

Somewhere in Heaven: The Remarkable Love Story of Dana and Christopher Reeve

by Christopher P. Andersen
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 6 hours
read by Edward Herrmann
genre: biography

From the back "When a 1995 equestrian accident paralyzes Chris from the neck down, the star of four Superman films battles back to become an inspiring symbol for millions. His wife Dana, no less heroic, stands steadfastly by her husband's side until his unexpected death in 2004. . . . " Then Dana's mom dies, then Dana herself, from lung cancer (though she was a non-smoker). Though there were times when I teared up a bit (mostly thinking of poor little Will), this story did not make me overflow with compassion. Mr. Reeve was wealthy and privileged in many, many ways. Though what happened was tragic, many non-famous, non-wealthy people have horrible accidents and are left paralyzed. I struggled at times with my attitude while listening to the book. They really do sound as though they were wonderful people who positively impacted many other people's lives. The author was extremely positive in his portrayal of the Reeves. It just didn't move me the way other people's struggles have. Am I anti-rich? Not consciously. I'm glad that his accident led him to improve research for others with spinal cord injuries. I'm so sorry for all three of his children that they lost their dad (and Will his mom as well) while still so young.

McLibel: The story of two people who wouldn't say McSorry

a film by Franny Armstrong
Hennepin Public Library 85 minutes long & extras
genre: documentary

I don't usually review films, but this one was very interesting. I found myself vacillating between complete agreement and "you've got to be kidding me - this is how the world works." They state that they were not fighting McDonalds so much as multinational companies. I don't think most people really consider how McDonalds, Wal-Mart, and other companies affect this planet and all the people on it. At the same time, some of the arguments seemed a bit much. Interesting, because I despise Wal-Mart and the impact of WM on the world. . . . But I kind of like McDonalds. (Perhaps I'm just an innocent victim of their insidious advertising to small children. My McDonalds connection goes waaaay back.)

In any case, thought-provoking and worth my time. I appreciate food for thought. And I appreciate something that makes me think about my choices.

It truly was stupid of the company to demand apologies for libel based on a leaflet.

Get Real: What Kind of World Are You Buying?

by Mara Rockliff
Hennepin County Library paperback 99 pages
genre: non-fiction consumerism

Finally finished putting the websites mentioned throughout the book into my delicious account! Very interesting book. Very appropos for middle school. Heavily into careful consumerism and green living.

HP #5 & #7

You know I'm feeling stressed when I read cover-to-cover something that I've already read multiple times . . . at least I didn't start with #1 and read all seven . . .

Ten Things I Love About You

by Julia Quinn
Hennepin County Library audioCDs ~10 hours
ready by Rosalyn Landor
genre: historical romance

Enjoyable. Sebastian Grey is the dashing hero - an author of gothic novels in secret. His uncle is the Earl of Newbury, desperate for an heir after his son's death. Annabel Winslow is the poor, beautiful, well-endowed young woman whose grandfather "sells" her to the Earl by pointing out the likelihood that she'll breed well.

An accidental kiss and society's disproving morals get annoying, but it's overall an enjoyable romance story. Landor's reading is good, but it's always a bit disconcerting to hear the male hero's voice through a woman's interp.

Losing Mum and Pup

by Christopher Buckley
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 6.5 hours
read by the author

Although I don't know a lot about William F. Buckley, Jr., I knew that his name was strongly connected to "conservative." The title is what caught my eye, and I'm so very glad I listened. Buckley's experiences dealing with aging, ailing parents really resonates with me right now. He writes wonderfully (making me want to read some of his other work and perhaps some of his dad's, too).

At times I thought, "What arrogant, overprivileged jerks." But most of the time, I enjoyed the memoir and the intensity of the parent / child relationships. I'm also very thankful for siblings who help to share the burdens. This was an excellent memoir.

Honor in the Dust

by Gilbert Morris
given by Penny Reynolds to me two book club meetings ago
paperback 303 pages
genre: Christian romance / hist fic

This was just not well-written at all. It lacked flow, clarity of narrative, and general interest. The thing I liked was the steadfast faith of Grace, Leah, etc. Not a particularly engaging or worthwhile story. A bit taken aback when I read about the author in the back. An older fellow who was a pastor before he was a writer, Morris says, " . . . I sometimes think I've written too many books. . . . Sometimes I think I've written the same book 221 times!" Um. Yeah. Stop already.

Thought it was funny to see Penny's red-pen English teacher marks on the use of then & than incorrectly (pages 180 & 262).

Candle in the Darkness

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.