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REVIEW: My Monster Burrufu by Alberto Corral

December 15, 2011 By 3 Comments

Title: My Monster Burrufu
Author: Alberto Corral
Illustrator: Alessandra Sorrentino
Pages: 102
★★★★★

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com) Seven-year-old Olivia has just moved to a new house — the same house where a lonely monster named Burrufu lives hidden in a secret attic. One night, unable to resist the smell of delicious cookies, Burrufu sneaks out and is discovered by Olivia. The two soon learn that you can find friendship in the most unexpected places. ‘My Monster Burrufu’ is a story of overcoming fear, a curse, and a most unusual monster who learns from a little girl how to trust his heart.

Review: I found My Monster Burrufu to be a cute short story of a little girl, who in a way, reminds me a bit of my Carli. She is outgoing and friendly and has a ton of energy. But most importantly, she pays no attention to society standards of “normal” and will befriend just about anyone who needs a friend.

Burrufu is a monster that is used to being an outcast and so therefore hides in the attic, writing novels to pass the time. He hates rejection and more than that, he hates the idea that he scares people. So when Olivia finds him, he doesn’t really know how to react. Naturally, defensive. He didn’t want to be hurt!

Although the book was a bit simplistic in writing, it definitely has a great message and would make a good read aloud. The book says that it is good for ages 9 and up, but I think it is more appropriate for ages 6-9. If you’re a teacher or a parent looking for a good read aloud; a book during quiet time, or bed time, then I do recommend My Monster Burrufu. It’ll open the lines of communication and help children learn about the importance of tolerance and acceptance.

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Children, Ratings, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #94 Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

May 7, 2011 By 4 Comments

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Pages: 372
ISBN: 978-0525423270
★★★★★

Synopsis:

(Taken from Amazon.com) Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris – until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he’s taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near – misses end with the French kiss Anna – and readers – have long awaited?

Review

I decided to read Anna and the French Kiss because it seemed as if everyone was saying how much of a sweet and adorable read it was. Realizing I am more into chic-lit than I lead myself to believe, I figured I would give it a shot. Anna is the daughter of a world famous author. Her father writes books that are likened to Nicholas Sparks in romance and tragedy and Anna doesn’t think much of him.

Anna is whisked away to study at the School of America (Paris) also known by the students as S.O.A.P. to finish off her remaining year in high school.  Having to leave her best friend, Bridgette behind in America, as well as the boy who could have turned boyfriend, Anna is more than reluctant to study abroad. What upsets her even more is that she never even had the choice.

Anna meets a fellow schoolmate, Etienne St. Clair (who everyone calls St. Clair). St. Clair is half-French, half-American was born in the states to an American mother but grew up in England with his French-father, whom he hates.  Anna is torn between her life at home and the boy she left behind, and the friendship she’s formed with taken St. Clair.

Anna and the French Kiss takes place in one of the most romantic countries in the world and is filled with mentions of the wonderful Parisian foods and locations with a little bit of history in the mix. Although I didn’t find the novel to be life-changing, it was what it was, a cute story in the heart of France. I never felt really attached to the book with the nagging urge to continue reading, but I did find it an enjoyable read. What bugged me, though, was the emotional affair that plagued St. Clair while he was attached to a long-term girlfriend. There were things that happened, that I won’t get into for the sake of spoilage, but it’s not something that was truly understandable. It wasn’t an emotional affair I could sympathize with. I think St. Clair behaved rather selfishly and Anna was too innocent and naive to stay out of it. Normally I hate infidelity in novels, and so it bugged me that infidelity was an issue. It’s very hard to root for a relationship that starts from lies. While I felt affairs were more justifiable in Something Borrowed, I don’t believe it was as easy to accept in Anna in the French Kiss.

That aside, I think it would be a perfect read for a rainy day or an afternoon on the beach.

 

If you have read Anna and the French Kiss, and reviewed it — you may link to your review using the linky tool below:


Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Chic Lit, Genre, Reviews, Romance, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #93 Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen

May 2, 2011 By 7 Comments

Title: Water for Elephants
Author: Sarah Gruen
ISBN: 978-1565125605
Pages: 350
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis:

(Taken from Amazon.com)
As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell.

A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

 

Review:

When I saw the movie trailer for Water for Elephants, I knew I just had to read the book. With blazing reviews, it seemed like it was a book that couldn’t lose. While I’ve seen Water for Elephants in stores for quite a while now, it never interested me to pick it up. Just being honest, here.

Am I glad that I did, though? Sure. Water for Elephants was a beautifully written novel alternating between present day 90-something year old Jacob in a nursing home/retirement center/assisted living facility and 20-something old Jacob during the Great Depression. The circus has come to town and it has caused Jacob to think about his short time working as a veterinarian on a moving circus show.

Jacob meets a lot of interesting characters; crazy, bizarre, and ruthless.  We are introduced to cutthroat circus world. Yes, you heard that right — cutthroat!  Seeing that Sara Gruen spent a long time researching this era, I am going to assume that the way the business worked couldn’t be too far off and so therefore, I am a bit shocked in general at how dark circuses really are.

Gruen does a wonderful job painting a picture — however, it was never a book that I could not put down. It was enjoyable but not gush-worthy enjoyable. I really expected to be “hushing” my husband while I was reading this but I did not. It’s (for the most part) not fast paced. It takes a long time for Jacob and Marlena to even show any kind of connection. While reading it, I kept waiting for it; waiting for the tension between them and the lust. I truly wanted to feel their love. But I didn’t — not entirely, really.

For the most part Marlena was very doting on her husband, August. So when the affair between Jacob and Marlena starts it really does appear shocking and unbelievable. Maybe had there been some more red flags earlier on then maybe it would be more understandable. Instead everything is explained after the fact, way towards the end of the novel.

I also did not find a huge emphasis on Rosie, like I had expected. I kind of assume that Marlena and Jacob would bond over the training of Rosie but they didn’t. Rosie did not even come into the picture until maybe 3/4ths done with the entire novel.

I think in the case (for me) of Water for Elephants, it may be a book much better enjoyed read aloud or on audio. I also think that while the book was semi-enjoyable, because of the theatrics of the era, the movie just may be better. Maybe.

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #86 The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

March 14, 2011 By 1 Comment

 

Title: The Ask and the Answer
Author: Patrick Ness
ISBN:1441888985
Pages: 536
★★★★★

Synopsis:(Taken from Amazon.com)We were in the square, in the square where I’d run, holding her, carrying her, telling her to stay alive, stay alive till we got safe, till we got to Haven so I could save her – But there weren’t no safety, no safety at all, there was just him and his men…Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor’s new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode…”The Ask and the Answer” is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. This is the second title in the “Chaos Walking” trilogy.

Review: This is the second book in the Chaos Walking trilogy. If you have not read The Knife of Never Letting Go then I highly recommend you start there and not read this review as it may contain spoilers. I am the type of person that will refuse to even read the back cover of a book in a series until I have finished the book before it. So, needless to say, I wouldn’t want to ruin anything for you.

I have to say that I thought The Ask and the Answer was rather disappointing. Todd and Viola are separated for most of the book. Rather than the face-paced adventure in book1, we are pulled through a slow sludge of chores in Book 2. Todd is forced to work with the native aliens, the spackle. Used and abused, the spackle are forced to be inventoried and sorted and Todd has to do so with the son of his enemy, the Mayor. *Yawn*

Viola is in a different location learning her way as a healer. The entire book is spent going back and forth between Todd and Viola (which I didn’t like). Todd’s lack of education was rather endearing in Book 1, but in book 2 it made him rather unlikeable and weak. There was nothing particularly impressive about either character and it caused me to not feel as into the book as I should have. I kept reading to find out what happened but never felt compelled to read nonstop.

I will read number 3 but I don’t feel the urgency to do so. I hope that Ness redeems himself in the third installment because the series has such potential for a permanent place on the ‘must read’ list of Dystopian novels for years to come.

Allison
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

 

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Suspense, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #76 One Amazing Thing

April 26, 2010 By 2 Comments

Title: One Amazing Thing
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
ISBN: 1401340997
Pages: 240
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com)
Late afternoon sun sneaks through the windows of a passport and visa office in an unnamed American city. Most customers and even most office workers have come and gone, but nine people remain. A punky teenager with an unexpected gift. An upper-class Caucasian couple whose relationship is disintegrating. A young Muslim-American man struggling with the fallout of 9/11. A graduate student haunted by a question about love. An African-American ex-soldier searching for redemption. A Chinese grandmother with a secret past. And two visa office workers on the verge of an adulterous affair.

When an earthquake rips through the afternoon lull, trapping these nine characters together, their focus first jolts to their collective struggle to survive. There’s little food. The office begins to flood. Then, at a moment when the psychological and emotional stress seems nearly too much for them to bear, the young graduate student suggests that each tell a personal tale, “one amazing thing” from their lives, which they have never told anyone before. And as their surprising stories of romance, marriage, family, political upheaval, and self-discovery unfold against the urgency of their life-or-death circumstances, the novel proves the transcendent power of stories and the meaningfulness of human expression itself. From Chitra Divakaruni, author of such finely wrought, bestselling novels as Sister of My Heart, The Palace of Illusions, and The Mistress of Spices, comes her most compelling and transporting story to date. One Amazing Thing is a passionate creation about survival–and about the reasons to survive.

Review:
There are a few things that make this (would-be) amazing book, a little less amazing. Maybe it was because I had an ARC copy, so I would like to think there have been some additions/changes made — but I was unhappy with the ending. For one, it just ended. No resolution. Nothing. It just — ended. It left me wondering, “Okay — what?”

How did these characters grow? What happened when they left? DID they leave the disaster? It wasn’t quite clear. And for that in particular, it drives my rating down a notch. It would be one thing if this book was “Book 1″ of a series, but from what I can tell, it’s a stand alone book.

Another issue that brought the rating down was character voice. Each character was so different in history but so similiar in the way they talked and the way they told their stories. Plus one minute they are telling the story as a third person, and then the next, first person. Which was it? I couldn’t tell.

The concept behind the book, and the mini stories themselves are enough to take you from page 1 to the very end. You can tell that it really wants to reach down into your very soul and teach you a little more about yourself and about society. Interesting, definitely. Finished? Hardly.

One Amazing Thing has the right idea, but needs a little help getting there.

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #75 Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

April 26, 2010 By 7 Comments

Title: Uglies
Author: Scott Westerfeld
ISBN: 1435248244
Pages: 425
[Rating: 3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken From Amazon.com) Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that?

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can’t wait. Not for her license — for turning pretty. In Tally’s world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally’s new friend Shay isn’t sure she wants to be pretty. She’d rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world — and it isn’t very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

Review:
I was highly recommended Uglies by Scott Westerfeld again and again — so naturally (being Dystopian and all) I already had high hopes. Unfortunately if my high hopes were a 5, this only reached about 70% of the way. It wasn’t particularly bad, per say — just a little above average.

It’s very hard to attach yourself to a character who is ingrained to be so superficial. Although I understand the whole point in poking fun at society in general, I don’t think it was AS beautifully done as it could be. What made the book enjoyable was Tally’s journey to find her friend, who had escaped being sent to Pretty Town. I loved the idea of hover boards and how they worked as well as the filter that filtered fresh water (even from urine!) and also hydrated their dehydrated food. (Even if it was only the same dish over and over!)

The thing about Uglies by Scott Westerfeld — is that it’s not a novel that is truly capable of being this amazing multi-dimensional novel that even highly educated adults would enjoy. It’s more of a novel that limits itself to young teenagers. It’s not particularly WELL-written. It just has a pretty neat concept with a touch of danger and excitement. It will surely attract young teens who are broadening their literary horizons to the Dystopian genre!

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Dystopian, Reviews, Suspense, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #74 Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella

April 16, 2010 By 4 Comments

Title: Remember Me?
Author: Sophie Kinsella
ISBN: 0440242401
Pages: 448
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken From Amazon.com) When twenty-eight-year-old Lexi Smart wakes up in a London hospital, she’s in for a big surprise. Her teeth are perfect. Her body is toned. Her handbag is Vuitton. Having survived a car accident—in a Mercedes no less—Lexi has lost a big chunk of her memory, three years to be exact, and she’s about to find out just how much things have changed. Somehow Lexi went from a twenty-five-year-old working girl to a corporate big shot with a sleek new loft, a personal assistant, a carb-free diet, and a set of glamorous new friends. And who is this gorgeous husband—who also happens to be a multimillionaire? With her mind still stuck three years in reverse, Lexi greets this brave new world determined to be the person she…well, seems to be. That is, until an adorably disheveled architect drops the biggest bombshell of all. Suddenly Lexi is scrambling to catch her balance. Her new life, it turns out, comes complete with secrets, schemes, and intrigue. How on earth did all this happen? Will she ever remember? And what will happen when she does?

Review:
On the surface, it’s another superficial Sophie Kinsella novel. But whose to say it’s not enjoyable? Sure Kinsella is unable to write about any “normal” person not in the upper class, able to spend a lot of money — but I still enjoyed the book and read it in about a day.

The novel also had some British slang inconsistencies. I realize that it was written first in the UK and then “translated” to the US (because, you know — us Americans are unable to catch on to slang other than our own..) but other than that (and the superficiality thing) it was an enjoyable read.

Remember Me?is the sort of read that would be perfect for the beach, or on a vacation of some sort. Nothing that requires a lot of thought and if you’re in the mood for a light, fluffy read. I found the concept of losing a big chunk of memory pretty interesting. One minute Lexi’s in a bad relationship, broke, partying with her friends — and the next, she’s married, a successful professional, and with money to spare! Watching the protagonist piece her life back together was quite interesting! I recommend it to anyone who wants something easy to read.

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Chic Lit, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #71 Among the Hidden

March 30, 2010 By 8 Comments

Title: Among the Hidden
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
ISBN: 0786230517
Pages: 185
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken From Amazon.com) In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family’s farm, until another “‘third’” convinces him that the government is wrong.

Review:
In my opinion, this book would make a good “Child’s First Dystopian Novel”. Simple in text, as it’s aimed towards late elementary schoolers, Among the Hidden is the story of a young boy forced into seclusion by the government. In efforts to control a food shortage, they’ve decided to limit the amount of children born into their government/country. Each family is limited to two and only two children — with the third being punishable by death.

Luke doesn’t fully comprehend why he has to be hidden away — but as the government tightens it’s leash, hiding becomes even more difficult. He’s no longer allowed to go outside to play, or even eat dinner with his family (as who knows who can see them inside!) Because of this, Luke is miserable and losing all hope in a comfortable existence until he meets another child — another hidden.

Among the Hidden had a slow start and although interesting in concept, did not have it’s eloquent writing style and quotes that I love to see in well-written children’s novels. However, once it got going — it was pretty interesting as well as frustrating (emotionally) to read. Maybe because it’s not so far from the truth — as in other countries, there are population limits!

I recommend this for any child 5th grade and below. I would say a good age is 8-10 (possibly 12). It’ll open interesting discussions in your home!

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Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Dystopian, Reviews, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #69 Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

March 18, 2010 By 8 Comments

Title: Living Dead Girl
Author: Elizabeth Scott
ISBN: 1416960600
Pages: 176
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com)

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends — her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice’s story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

Review:

This book, Living Dead Girl,  has a touch of genius — touching on a topic in all its honesty that is both unsaid and harsh. We are taken into the life and mind of a teenager, abducted when she was a child while on a Field Trip with her school. Forced to be called “Alice” and dress and act like his incestuous daughter.

“Alice” is raped repeatedly day after day — but why doesn’t she attempt to escape, you ask? Some would say psychologically she had bonded to the captor, but I did not feel this way at all. Her hate for him was apparant, and her fight for survival was immense. “Alice” did what she had to do to survive the day in and day out torment of Ray.

Ray has a disgusting and vile fascination with little girls — and “Alice” knows her time with him (and her life) is expiring as she is growing older and cannot control how tall she grows, or her womanly cycles. In Living Dead Girl, we are brought on “Alice’s” journey to find a replacement for her so she can make her escape.

I was torn with this novel. On the one hand, I couldn’t put it down. On the other hand — the way it was written, it must be for young teenagers. The wording was very simple and descriptions easy to imagine. The writing level was well below college-level. More likely at a middle school level. However — the context of the text was way, WAY, too adult to have a child read. So who EXACTLY is this book geared towards?

Unless you want to look at the simplicity of the writing as the thought process of a teenager who was kidnapped (and therefore without schooling) since she was 10 — then it would make some sense. But because I am so confused as to who the intended audience is for.. I can’t exactly say it was “phenomenal”.  In bookstores, Living Dead Girl is considered YA, although I think it’s way too deep and inappropriate for children (or young adults/teenagers) to read as it discusses rape and fellatio — as well as the obvious age difference [i.e. adult with child]) It seems immoral to subject young readers to such a twisted text.

Do children need to know of such possible dangers? Sure — but in such detail? I don’t really think so. It gives me a slight “ick” factor. Then again — I was reading V.C. Andrews, “Flowers in the Attic” in the 8th grade and that (just as well) touches on absuse as well as sex and incest. So maybe — I am thinking too much about it. I have no absolute idea. I just know that Living Dead Girl was intense and a read I wouldn’t allow my below-high schooler to read.

The last issue I had with the book is the ending is rather vague. While discussing it with a reader, we both discovered we had completely different interpretations on how the book ended. One of us thought she lived, while the other thought she died. Neither of us fully understand the truth.

While mentioning @EScottwrites (the author on Twitter) and asking her about a possible sequel –she said she had no intentions but has learned to “Never say ‘never’.” It’s hard to ask an author via Twitter what happened to the character without spoiling it for others.

But if you HAVE read Living Dead Girl, I would like to hear what you think. Did she live? Die? What do you think happened with “Alice” next?

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Reviews, Suspense, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #61 Horrid Henry’s Underpants

March 8, 2010 By 1 Comment

Title: Horrid Henry’s Underpants
Author: Francesca Simon
ISBN: 1402238258
Pages: 112
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com)

Horrid Henry makes a deal with his parents in return for eating his veggies; accidentally wears girls’ underwear to school; tries to prove he is sicker than his brother; and writes the meanest thank-you cards ever (and makes money on it too).

Francesca Simon is one of the world’s best-loved children’s authors. She is the only American to have ever won the Galaxy Book Award, and her creation, Horrid Henry, is the #1 bestselling chapter book series in the UK—with a hit TV show and over fifteen million copies sold! Each book contains four easy-to-read stories and hilarious illustrations by the one and only Tony Ross, so even the most reluctant of readers won’t be able to resist Henry’s amazing talent for trouble!

Review:

Rarely do I ever see a major protagonist who is also an antagonist .. Henry is mean, a bully, and generally unlikeable. In fact, Henry is just absolutely horrid (har, har).

Basically Henry has a pretty normal family – a younger brother named Peter (dubbed “Perfect Peter”) and two loving parents who only want what is best for him. Somehow, though – Henry is all about being just plain nasty and manipulative (a true sociopath in the making!) (Anyone want to put dibs on an adult version titled “Homicidal Henry”?)

The book is split into a few stories, all of which Henry is trying to accomplish some self-absorbed selfish task. In the first story, his family is trying to coerce him into eating his vegetables but all Henry wants is junk food, junk food, junk food. They agree that if he eats his vegetables every day for 5 days, they will take him to his favorite fast food restaurant. Henry agrees – but that doesn’t mean he’s going to give in easy to his promise.

Horrid Henry has humerous bits – and I think it’s an entertaining read for it’s age group (9-12) though I think kids as young as 5 would really enjoy this type of book. I think it would allow children, through reading, to live out their fantasies as being “tricky”. I do encourage parents to, after their children have read the stories, to discuss it with each other. After all, we wouldn’t want Henry to suddenly become a hero.

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Children, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #60 Once a Witch

March 8, 2010 By 3 Comments
Title: Once a Witch
Author: Carolyn MacCullough
ISBN: 978-0547223995
Pages: 304
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com)

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin’s magic never showed up.

Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all.

This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant

Review:

Truth be told, it took me over a month to read this (rather short) novel. But — why exactly? I have no clue. While it certainly wasn’t terrible (or even bad – nor boring). .I just neglected to grow the “oomph!” while reading it. Maybe it was my busy state of mind , with too many things to do and think about?

Once a Witch was interesting, though – truly.  I think it’ll be a novel that many young adults and adults-alike will enjoy reading.  Of course anything with magic is typically a sure win! While it’s not on my pile of favorite reads — simply because it didn’t make me want to keep reading above all else, it certainly was a book I did want to finish.

If you enjoy movies that include magic (a little bit of romance) then I recommend Once a Witch.

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Paranormal, Reviews, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #59 YOU – Having a Baby

February 4, 2010 By 2 Comments

Title: You – Having a Baby. The  Owner’s Manual to a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy
Author: Michael F. Roizen & Mehmet C. Oz
ISBN: 1416572368
Pages: 464
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com)

Can I get a cavity filled while pregnant? Will avoiding spicy foods make my kid a picky eater? Can I really increase my baby’s IQ while she’s in utero?

Whether you’re pregnant for the first time, are trying to start your family, or already have enough children to start your own basketball team, you’re bound to have questions about what it means to be pregnant — and how you can increase your odds of having a healthy and happy pregnancy. But no matter how much you’ve read, watched, studied, or talked about this amazing biological journey, you have never read anything like this.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz act as mythbusters for the hundreds of questions surrounding pregnancy in the same scientific, informative, and entertaining ways that have made them America’s Doctors. In these pages, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the miracles of fetal development, your health throughout the pregnancy, and providing the best possible environment for your growing child.

Pregnancy is a complicated balancing act, but it doesn’t have to be frightening. The doctors will help you de-stress as they describe accurately and rationally what happens during a thrilling nine months of life. While every pregnant body is different, odds are you’ll experience some of the cravings, crying, and discomfort that almost all women go through. Your best tactic? Learn why these things are happening — and what you should do about them. YOU: Having a Baby will teach you everything you need to know about what to eat (should I be eating for two?), how much to exercise, and what guilty pleasures will actually make pregnancy easier on you (and the loved ones who get to be around you for the whole thing). Each phase of pregnancy has different challenges, but the right information will prepare you for what’s ahead. The interactive week-by-week calendar inside provides an even more detailed guideline for how and what you should feel through every step of the process.

Exciting, cutting-edge scientific research in the fi eld of epigenetics has changed the way the medical profession looks at pregnancy, and now it can change your perspective, too. Epigenetics explores what makes us develop in certain ways — why some people thrive at math while others are prone to chronic diseases. It turns out that there are easy things you can do that will not just help your baby’s development in utero but will actually improve his or her chances of living a healthy, fulfi lling adult life.

Filled with recipes for nutritious, satisfying snacks and meals even Pop can cook (yes, he can!), safe exercises for staying fit, and tons of YOU tips that will help you stay comfortable, YOU: Having a Baby is the ultimate guidebook for what to do from the moment of conception to the weeks after your child has arrived home. From morning sickness and food cravings to choosing a doctor and changing a diaper, YOU: Having a Baby will give you the real scoop about what’s in store for you during this amazing time in your life.

Review:

This book was a humorous way of looking at pregnancy. Even though I’ve read pretty much every pregnancy book out there, I have to say this was the most entertaining. It surely didn’t feel like 400 pages of non-fictional informational text! The pictures included also added a sense of ease when reading new concepts. I am not very science minded so I appreciated the visual aids.

A new concept was introduced which is really interesting and makes me wonder what I did while I was pregnant to turn on the “sweet & friendly” gene of my 19 month old. They theorize through a new medical finding/study that certain traits are turned off or on during pregnancy dependent on what the mother does/eats, etc. Now that I am pregnant again, I wonder daily what genes I am turning off and on.

I also got to understand morning sickness a little better. With my last pregnancy, I did not have any real big food aversions. With this one – I had quite a few. INCLUDING Soda! So for the most part, I’m drinking water ALL day. (Can’t complain!) :)

Overall – if you have to read a book on pregnancy, I recommend this one above all others. It’s informational, entertaining, and a fast read!

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #55 Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater #Book

January 4, 2010 By 5 Comments

MAGGIE_STIEFVATER-SHIVER

Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
ISBN: 978-0545123266
Pages: 400
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com)

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf–her wolf–is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human–or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Review:

It took me about a month (??) to finish this book. 80% in part due to the lovely thing I call “morning sickness”. It sort of creates an apathetic feeling towards doing anything that you’ve enjoyed doing it before. Luckily I am feeling better and was able to finish the book this week – finally.

Grace has this odd fascination by wolves, even though she was almost killed by them as a young child. Even though one pulled her from her swing one day in her backyard and savagely started biting her – she recovers quickly only to have this obsession with watching them, especially one wolf with yellow eyes, who she believes saved her from the others who attacked her.

The wolf is Sam, a boy her age who is werewolf. When the temperatures are hot, he is able to take his human form again, but when they drop below 50 degrees, he changes into his wolf counterpart and watches Grace from afar. The part I did enjoy about this  book is that it showed it is possible to develop a connection with a species other than yourself. Something that involves mutual respect and understood boundaries.

What I didn’t understand is how (psychologically speaking) she was drawn to the wolves after her attack. Why and how did she not get some form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? Personally, after almost being run off the road by a Winnebago last February on Valentine’s Day, I still have a terrible visions of almost running into a cement wall. When cars drive too close, or begin to sway towards my direction, my heart starts beating fast and I verge on freaking out – as if I am going to relive it all over again. What I don’t get – is, how does Grace not have some sort of anxiety with the wolves?

I hope that Maggie Stiefvater has some sort of explanation for this in the book that is to follow. Over all, Shiver was an enjoyable (although not particularly thrilling, suspenseful or life altering read). It was simply – entertaining. The characters were a bit flat.. as Grace did not seem to have much of a personality, and going in between view points between Sam and Grace was difficult as there were no particular differences in voice.

I enjoyed Shiver, but more than likely will look into borrowing the sequel from the library rather than purchasing it.

If you have read & reviewed Shiver, please feel free to add to Mr. Linky below. Please keep in mind that I am using the more modern Mr. Linky on this review which requires that you leave a comment and click on the box that will include you in participating in this Mr. Linky.

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Paranormal, Reviews, Romance, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,