Clementine's Letter by Sara Pennypacker
This is the 3rd story about Clementine, a very fresh engaging 3rd grade voice. Her teacher has been nominated for teacher trip to Egypt to be part of an archeological dig which means he would not be around for the rest of the school year. Clementine's world is thrown out of whack with this possibility and what ensues is Clementine needing to learn to deal with changes. Her voice is spot on for a 3rd grader learning lessons and growing. I found myself laughing out loud as the story went on.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
10 of 144
Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz
This is book 3 of the Van Allan Legacy. It seems like a little snippet of the story not a fleshed out story. A lot of build up. Very little resolution. Of course there are more books in the series so I guess that is the point. Keeps you reading. I just like a little resolution with my conflict.
This is book 3 of the Van Allan Legacy. It seems like a little snippet of the story not a fleshed out story. A lot of build up. Very little resolution. Of course there are more books in the series so I guess that is the point. Keeps you reading. I just like a little resolution with my conflict.
9 of 144
Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande
There was lots of potential in this book but maybe too much lack of focus. The narrator of the story is dealing with starting high school and the fall out from a break down in her friendships. She is also struggling with her faith and what role it should play in her life. Which was a good topic to explore. My problem comes with how her parents treat her and the argument/discussion they have towards the end of the story and what her mother says to her. I was tempted to stop the story right there and not finish it cause it really turned me off to the story.
The actual end of the story was good. Resolution without over the topness. Room for growth for the character.
There was lots of potential in this book but maybe too much lack of focus. The narrator of the story is dealing with starting high school and the fall out from a break down in her friendships. She is also struggling with her faith and what role it should play in her life. Which was a good topic to explore. My problem comes with how her parents treat her and the argument/discussion they have towards the end of the story and what her mother says to her. I was tempted to stop the story right there and not finish it cause it really turned me off to the story.
The actual end of the story was good. Resolution without over the topness. Room for growth for the character.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
8 of 144
The Ever Breath by Julianna Baggott
A story of twins who are polar opposites of each other. Their father has disappeared and everyone is frazzled. They go to stay with their grandmother (who is also a twin) and things start to get really wacky really quickly. There is another world and the balance between the two worlds is maintained by their grandmother and her twin sister but the balance has been destroyed cause the Ever Breath has been taken.
Her writing style is disjointed and random. Not a bad thing just a thing to be aware of when reading. Told from different points of view and not just the twins. Not solely a boy or a girl story.
A story of twins who are polar opposites of each other. Their father has disappeared and everyone is frazzled. They go to stay with their grandmother (who is also a twin) and things start to get really wacky really quickly. There is another world and the balance between the two worlds is maintained by their grandmother and her twin sister but the balance has been destroyed cause the Ever Breath has been taken.
Her writing style is disjointed and random. Not a bad thing just a thing to be aware of when reading. Told from different points of view and not just the twins. Not solely a boy or a girl story.
7 of 144
Fired Up by Jayne Ann Krentz
The first in a new trilogy for her based on her Arcane Society theme. Seems book one is written by Ms. Krentz. Book 2 will be written by her historical romance alter ego Amanda Quick. I think this story line was reference a lot in this book. Which was kinda annoying. It made me feel like I should have already read the Amanda Quick book but of course it isn't published so that wasn't an option. The third book will be written by her futuristic romance alter ego whom I have never read and actually have never had a desire to read. I'll feel conflicted when it is time to actually read the third book cause I really don't have a desire to read it but I will of course want to finish the trilogy. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. That I really don't need to make right now.
But back to actually talking about this book. It was good. The hero and heroine met up pretty early. The heroine had more information than the hero about the situation so that was enjoyable. The heroine didn't immediately fall in love and the hero actually experienced the feelings of being destined before the heroine. The search for the lamp was more involved than actually working the lamp which seems conflicting but what do I know? Continue to enjoy how this Arcane Society storyline kinda lets the characters have whatever abilities Ms. Krentz wants them to have irregardless of the abilities the other characters in other books may have had.
The first in a new trilogy for her based on her Arcane Society theme. Seems book one is written by Ms. Krentz. Book 2 will be written by her historical romance alter ego Amanda Quick. I think this story line was reference a lot in this book. Which was kinda annoying. It made me feel like I should have already read the Amanda Quick book but of course it isn't published so that wasn't an option. The third book will be written by her futuristic romance alter ego whom I have never read and actually have never had a desire to read. I'll feel conflicted when it is time to actually read the third book cause I really don't have a desire to read it but I will of course want to finish the trilogy. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. That I really don't need to make right now.
But back to actually talking about this book. It was good. The hero and heroine met up pretty early. The heroine had more information than the hero about the situation so that was enjoyable. The heroine didn't immediately fall in love and the hero actually experienced the feelings of being destined before the heroine. The search for the lamp was more involved than actually working the lamp which seems conflicting but what do I know? Continue to enjoy how this Arcane Society storyline kinda lets the characters have whatever abilities Ms. Krentz wants them to have irregardless of the abilities the other characters in other books may have had.
Monday, January 11, 2010
6 of 144
Flush by Carl Hiaasen
This was my first Carl Hiaasen (adult or juvenile). I liked it over all. Not usually a fan of adult authors who try to write for kids. Usually find that they can't bring their writing to a younger audience. Carl Hiaasen can. He has a funny voice. He doesn't take himself to seriously. Doesn't talk down to readers and brings in the environmentalist line without bashing their heads over it. I think I have Scat somewhere around here. Have to unearth it and get reading on my next Carl Hiassen.
This was my first Carl Hiaasen (adult or juvenile). I liked it over all. Not usually a fan of adult authors who try to write for kids. Usually find that they can't bring their writing to a younger audience. Carl Hiaasen can. He has a funny voice. He doesn't take himself to seriously. Doesn't talk down to readers and brings in the environmentalist line without bashing their heads over it. I think I have Scat somewhere around here. Have to unearth it and get reading on my next Carl Hiassen.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
5 of 144
Immortal: Love Stories with Bite by Rachel Caine, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Claudia Gray, Richelle Mead, Nancy Holder, Kristin Cast, Tanith Lee
I think it is safe to say I like almost all of these stories. More of these were snippets from established series than Eternal Kiss. Makes me more excited to read these other authors.
I think it is safe to say I like almost all of these stories. More of these were snippets from established series than Eternal Kiss. Makes me more excited to read these other authors.
4 of 144
The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire by Holly Black, Libba Bray, Melissa De La Cruz, Cassandra Clare, Rachel Caine, Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie, Cecil Castellucci, Kelley Armstrong, Maria V. Snyder, Sarah Rees Brennan, Lili St. Crow, Karen Mahoney, Dina James
I liked more than half of them which is good based on my last short story reading experience. Most of these stories had resolution so that is definitely a step in the right direction. Interested to read more by some of these authors. That's even more exciting.
I liked more than half of them which is good based on my last short story reading experience. Most of these stories had resolution so that is definitely a step in the right direction. Interested to read more by some of these authors. That's even more exciting.
Monday, January 04, 2010
3 of 144
Blue moon by Alyson Noel
#2 in The Immortals series
It was good. I wanted a little more to the storyline. It ended with resolution and the cliff hanger but there are a couple of plot points it will be interesting to see how she passes off in the next book.
#2 in The Immortals series
It was good. I wanted a little more to the storyline. It ended with resolution and the cliff hanger but there are a couple of plot points it will be interesting to see how she passes off in the next book.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
2 of 144
Vacations From Hell by Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Claudia Gray, Maureen Johnson, and Sarah Mlynowski
Don't read it...5 short stories that weren't worth it...plot lines not fully developed...supposedly "love thrives" through all of the hellish situations...i saw little love actually brought in to the plot lines...this is part of the "from hell" series put out by Harper Teen, includes Prom Nights From Hell and Love is Hell each with their own 5 amazingly talented author sets...didn't enjoy Prom Nights either...each of those stories actually made me angry cause they all seemed to stop on the cusp of a major event with no future reading being offered at all
maybe i just don't like short stories...i'll have to try some other collections during this 144 book challenge and see what i think of them...i'll keep you updated
Don't read it...5 short stories that weren't worth it...plot lines not fully developed...supposedly "love thrives" through all of the hellish situations...i saw little love actually brought in to the plot lines...this is part of the "from hell" series put out by Harper Teen, includes Prom Nights From Hell and Love is Hell each with their own 5 amazingly talented author sets...didn't enjoy Prom Nights either...each of those stories actually made me angry cause they all seemed to stop on the cusp of a major event with no future reading being offered at all
maybe i just don't like short stories...i'll have to try some other collections during this 144 book challenge and see what i think of them...i'll keep you updated
1 of 144
Hunted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast 1/2/2010
This is number 5 of the House of Night Series...fast moving series...3 books take place in the span of a week and half...of course they were published 6 months apart so if i had been reading them as they were published instead of all at one time to get caught up with the series i would have been very anxious for the books between publication...the bonds of credibility are a little stretched with this whole series...don't pick it up if you are looking for deep meaning but for 300 pages the rest of the world disappears cause you have to keep turning the pages cause you almost can't believe that all of this can really be happening to this girl
This is number 5 of the House of Night Series...fast moving series...3 books take place in the span of a week and half...of course they were published 6 months apart so if i had been reading them as they were published instead of all at one time to get caught up with the series i would have been very anxious for the books between publication...the bonds of credibility are a little stretched with this whole series...don't pick it up if you are looking for deep meaning but for 300 pages the rest of the world disappears cause you have to keep turning the pages cause you almost can't believe that all of this can really be happening to this girl
i'm back
it's been a while...but i'm involved in a contest...no...competition...no...challenge...yes challenge to read 144 books in 2010 so i'll keep track here too
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