Friday, January 21, 2011

Some good reads...

As of 1/17/11, I have over 130 books on my Nook Color...which means I need to start reading, right? Well, so far I have read four books...and I thought I would share which ones:

Scat by Carl Hiaasen (I checked this out via online library through Mid Continent)
During a field trip to the Black Vine Swamp, the most feared teacher at Truman School vanishes. Could a bitter student be responsible for her disappearance?


I really enjoyed this young adult book, it was mysterious and kept me on the edge of my seat. I had to find out what was going to happen next. http://www.kidzworld.com/article/16233-scat-book-review#ixzz1BhJZvFdW The

Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (checked out online through Mid Continent)
"Being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread."


I found this hard back book a few years ago when I started substitute teaching (mostly younger grades like first & second) but I never finished it until now...and I have to say I loved it! It is very different than the recent film that was made depicting it, but it is a wonderful book for any age/gender to enjoy. Its romantic, suspenseful, funny & makes you yearn for more! http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/fairytales/fr/despereaux.htm

I planned on finishing the following, but due to time running out (I checked them out via online library & you only have 20 days):

Willow by Julia Hoban
Seven months ago on a rainy March night, Willow Randall’s parents drank too much wine at dinner and asked her to drive them home. But they never made it – Willow lost control of the car, and both of her parents were killed.
Now seventeen, Willow has left behind her old home, friends, and school – numbing the grim reality of her new life by secretly cutting herself. But everything changes when one of Willow’s new classmates, a boy as sensitive and thoughtful as she is, discovers Willow’s secret and refuses to let her destroy herself.

My thoughts...I only read about half way through the book. I found it very interesting that someone would want to cut themself to heal their inner pain (in this case - Willow, the main character believes she killed her parents since she was driving the car). I was really starting to like the new relationship she was forming with 'Guy', but it didn't seem like it was going anywhere since she couldn't get over her depression/cutting habit. So not sure about this one? http://www.yareads.com/willow-julia-hoban/book-reviews/1119

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.
My thoughts...this book is very much a fantasy - but I found that the author really wouldn't get to the point - what is Mackie? Is he a werewolf, vampire, monster? She never really says...I read about half way, and I have to say I was a sort of bored. There is alot of bad words, and you keep asking yourself what is going on? Maybe I will try to read it again someday, and find out what happens - but for now, its going on the bottom of my list. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7507908-the-replacement

Over the next couple of weeks I am planning on reading:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (I borrowed this from the library)
I have heard rave reviews about this book, and have yet to ever watch any of the movies associated with it...so I thought I would check it out & see if it is something I would like. Truth be told, I haven't read a lot of books in my time - I wish I had the time to read more...so we will see if I can finish this book.


The following books are from NetGalley (a free site where you blog/review the book for 60 days). I am hoping to read all six books below before my 60 days are up, so we will see what happens...as you can see, most are juvenile fiction, which I love! Why wouldn't I? I was a teacher, and hope to be one again someday.

Bless this Mouse by Lois Lowry
A resilient and quirky colony of church mice fears another Great X more than they fear cats. Under Mouse Mistress Hildegarde's leadership, they save themselves from one danger after another—sometimes just by the skin of their tails! Can one ultimate act of bravery during the feast day of St. Francis get Father Murphy to bless these mice and keep them safe forever?

Rife with humor and personality, this young middle grade novel has an old-fashioned feel with the makings of a modern classic.


Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowen
In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince--she's a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next--but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!


Dead is Not an Option by Marlene Perez
It’s springtime of senior year, and psychic sleuth Daisy Giordano is preparing to say goodbye to Nightshade High. But no college acceptance letters have arrived yet, and she’s beginning to worry about where she’ll end up come fall—and if it will be anywhere near her boyfriend, Ryan. But that’s not the only uncertainty Daisy’s dealing with. There’s a vamps-versus-shifters war going on in Nightshade, and things are so tense that there is talk of canceling the prom. The conflict is carrying over to the Giordano home, since Rose and Daisy are both dating werewolves and Poppy’s new boyfriend is a vampire.

Can the paranormal community in Nightshade finally find peace? And will Daisy and her friends survive graduation? All of these questions and more are answered in the explosive final installment in the Dead Is series.


Jane Austen: A Life Revealed by Catherine Reef
Basically a biography of Jane Austen's life...I am sorry to say that I have never read any of her books - but I would love to!


Suddenly in the Depths of the Forest by Amos Oz
In a gray and gloomy village, all of the animals—from dogs and cats to fish and snails—disappeared years before. No one talks about it and no one knows why, though everyone agrees that the village has been cursed. But when two children see a fish—a tiny one and just for a second—they become determined to unravel the mystery of where the animals have gone. And so they travel into the depths of the forest with that mission in mind, terrified and hopeful about what they may encounter.

Tom Thumb by George Sullivan
When Charles S. Stratton was born in 1838, he was a large baby, perfect in every way. But then he stopped growing. At age four, though a happy and mischievous child, he was just over two feet tall and weighed only fifteen pounds—the exact same size he had been as a seven-month-old baby. It was then that the notorious showman P.T. Barnum dubbed him Tom Thumb and put him on display, touring him around the world as a curiosity. A natural performer, Charley became enormously popular and wealthy, more so than any other performer before him. In this spirited biography—the first on its subject—George Sullivan recounts the fascinating adventures of Tom Thumb, and raises challenging questions about what constitutes exploitation—both in the 19th century and today.

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