This book looks like a children's picture book but it's for adults. The material may be a little mature for most children (my 14 year old read it and told me he didn't get it) but it's suitable for any reader.
The story follows a woman who, while walking one night, discovers a bookmobile that houses everything she has ever read. She spends the rest of her life searching for the bookmobile. She does find it now and again but she becomes obsessed with the place.
I can understand that feeling. I can imagine touching each book I have read, re-discovering books I had forgotten (and perhaps finding those few stories that I remember but for the life of me can't remember their titles).
I don't think I would react the same as the woman in the book but I certainly can understand it.
It's really short - about a 10 minute read for most readers but it's entertaining.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Silly Street by Jeff Foxworthy
I don't normally post children's books unless they really catch my attention. I was a little shocked when I picked up this book from the library. It's a rather young children's book and not the juvenile literature I was expecting.
However, it was a really fun read. There were maybe 10 poems in this collection but every one caused me to giggle. It reminds me of Shel Silverstein and made me really wish it was longer.
It's an early reader book so nearly anyone can read this book. It's silly and funny so it should appeal to anyone with a sense of humor.
However, it was a really fun read. There were maybe 10 poems in this collection but every one caused me to giggle. It reminds me of Shel Silverstein and made me really wish it was longer.
It's an early reader book so nearly anyone can read this book. It's silly and funny so it should appeal to anyone with a sense of humor.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Time 4 Learning
I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. Time4Learning can be used for homeschool, afterschool and http://www.time4learning.com/summer-school.shtml?ref=Review+Referring. Be sure to come back and read about my experience.
It's my goal that Time 4 Learning will help my son excel in his math class which he has already taken once before and still doesn't seem to be getting it. I will post often as he has progress.
It's my goal that Time 4 Learning will help my son excel in his math class which he has already taken once before and still doesn't seem to be getting it. I will post often as he has progress.
YATopia Blog Contest
I follow a good deal of reading blogs and this week YATopia is having a contest to celebrate their followers http://yatopia.blogspot.com/2011/03/200-followers-giveaway.html
The winners can win books or a pair of earrings. Check out the site for the rules and what is up for winning. I am gunning for the Diana Wynne Jones books - Howl's Moving Castle is a family favorite and we were so sad to hear she had passed away this past weekend.
The winners can win books or a pair of earrings. Check out the site for the rules and what is up for winning. I am gunning for the Diana Wynne Jones books - Howl's Moving Castle is a family favorite and we were so sad to hear she had passed away this past weekend.
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson
I have to say it is a real treat to read 2 amazing books in a row. Joshilyn Jackson has a way of weaving a story that really complimented Joe Hill's book - not that they have anything to do with each other except that I read them back to back.
The story follows Laurel Gray Hawthorne as she deals with a family crisis. One night she wakes to find a body floating in her pool. At first she thinks it's her daughter and finds it's her daughter's best friend. Over the next few days, Laurel struggles with the death and the possibility it wasn't an accident. She worries about her daughter's involvement and her daughter's house guest, Bet, who is a 3rd cousin. Bet comes from DeLop which is a very impoverished town that houses a good portion of Laurel's mother's relatives.
It doesn't seem like a lot for a plot but Joshilyn Jackson weaves family drama, past and present, into her mysteries. Her story shows a raw side of Southern families that makes me grateful I live in Washington (not that I don't have family drama).
It's a touching, beautiful story that pulls Laurel out of her shell and makes her realize what she really wants out of life. I love that there is just enough family drama but that Joshilyn doesn't go over the top and make the reader dislike the characters. There's a little bit of each of her characters in everyone - it wasn't hard for me to see them in myself and I think that's what I loved best.
The story follows Laurel Gray Hawthorne as she deals with a family crisis. One night she wakes to find a body floating in her pool. At first she thinks it's her daughter and finds it's her daughter's best friend. Over the next few days, Laurel struggles with the death and the possibility it wasn't an accident. She worries about her daughter's involvement and her daughter's house guest, Bet, who is a 3rd cousin. Bet comes from DeLop which is a very impoverished town that houses a good portion of Laurel's mother's relatives.
It doesn't seem like a lot for a plot but Joshilyn Jackson weaves family drama, past and present, into her mysteries. Her story shows a raw side of Southern families that makes me grateful I live in Washington (not that I don't have family drama).
It's a touching, beautiful story that pulls Laurel out of her shell and makes her realize what she really wants out of life. I love that there is just enough family drama but that Joshilyn doesn't go over the top and make the reader dislike the characters. There's a little bit of each of her characters in everyone - it wasn't hard for me to see them in myself and I think that's what I loved best.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Horns by Joe Hill
It's gotten to the point that if the book is written by Joe Hill I'm going to read it regardless of the plot. I didn't really look to see what this book was about when I picked it up and was surprised by the wonderful concept that is this book. It sounds like a horror novel but plays out more like a thriller.
It's been a year since Ig Perrish's girlfriend, Merrin, was mudered. He was supposed to go to London for work but ended up staying behind as the number one suspect in her murder. His life is ruined and everyone secretly believes he did it. After going to the murder site and getting drunk, Ig wakes up with horns growing out of his head. He quickly discovers that the horns come with a particularly irritating power that encourages people to tell him their darkest secrets and ask his permission to sin.
It doesn't take long before he discovers that no one really believed he was innocent and blames him for ruining their lives. It, also, doesn't take long for him to discover what really happened that night.
The book covers just a couple days but steps back in time often to inform the reader of key events that led up to the morning of the horns.
Ig believes he is becoming a demon and begins to question God and religion. There are so many twists and turns as he discovers that he may have been the only person in his life that didn't have secrets.
Joe Hill builds up the suspense but leaves the reader with such a sweet and touching ending that you almost forget what led up to it. Great book for lovers of thrillers, horror and even those who like to ponder religious beliefs.
I can't wait for the next Joe Hill book to come to the library. I think he is going to give his dad (Stephen King) a run for the title of King of the Novels.
It's been a year since Ig Perrish's girlfriend, Merrin, was mudered. He was supposed to go to London for work but ended up staying behind as the number one suspect in her murder. His life is ruined and everyone secretly believes he did it. After going to the murder site and getting drunk, Ig wakes up with horns growing out of his head. He quickly discovers that the horns come with a particularly irritating power that encourages people to tell him their darkest secrets and ask his permission to sin.
It doesn't take long before he discovers that no one really believed he was innocent and blames him for ruining their lives. It, also, doesn't take long for him to discover what really happened that night.
The book covers just a couple days but steps back in time often to inform the reader of key events that led up to the morning of the horns.
Ig believes he is becoming a demon and begins to question God and religion. There are so many twists and turns as he discovers that he may have been the only person in his life that didn't have secrets.
Joe Hill builds up the suspense but leaves the reader with such a sweet and touching ending that you almost forget what led up to it. Great book for lovers of thrillers, horror and even those who like to ponder religious beliefs.
I can't wait for the next Joe Hill book to come to the library. I think he is going to give his dad (Stephen King) a run for the title of King of the Novels.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun by Lois Winston
I first discovered this book on a fellow writer's blog. It was interesting but I don't often find books that I see on blogs since my access is limited (I know I could go online but then my budget would never forgive me). Imagine my surprise when this book appeared on the list of new books at the library. When I finally worked my way down the pile of books from the library to this gem I devoured it. (Why is it that all my requests are available at the same time?)
Lois Winston has created a nice little mystery. Assualt with a Deadly Glue Gun introduces Anastasia Pollack, a crafts editor for a national magazine. The story starts with Anastasia's husband dying and leaving her in a mountain of debt due to his closet gambling addiction. The debts keep piling on as the story continues. And he left her with his mother who was staying until she could get back on her feet. If that's not enough, her mother's husband dies and Anastasia soon has both mothers and a house full of chaos and a co-worker is found murdered at her desk (like how I did that?).
The story is great. It does wrap up a little to quickly at the end but overall it's a great read. There is so much going on in this book that it's practically overwhelming but it's realistic. The story is peppered with humor and action (I actually laughed out loud at one point and startled myself).
I look forward to the next book in this series and highly recommend it. There are a few craft ideas in the book but I don't think it works as well as those mysteries with recipes. Crafts are really visual and I couldn't picture half of what the end results were suppose to be but that's just a little part of the book and easy to skip over.
Lois Winston has created a nice little mystery. Assualt with a Deadly Glue Gun introduces Anastasia Pollack, a crafts editor for a national magazine. The story starts with Anastasia's husband dying and leaving her in a mountain of debt due to his closet gambling addiction. The debts keep piling on as the story continues. And he left her with his mother who was staying until she could get back on her feet. If that's not enough, her mother's husband dies and Anastasia soon has both mothers and a house full of chaos and a co-worker is found murdered at her desk (like how I did that?).
The story is great. It does wrap up a little to quickly at the end but overall it's a great read. There is so much going on in this book that it's practically overwhelming but it's realistic. The story is peppered with humor and action (I actually laughed out loud at one point and startled myself).
I look forward to the next book in this series and highly recommend it. There are a few craft ideas in the book but I don't think it works as well as those mysteries with recipes. Crafts are really visual and I couldn't picture half of what the end results were suppose to be but that's just a little part of the book and easy to skip over.
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