Hello... You Won Afraid

I'm so sorry for the delay in announcing the winners of AFRAID by Jack Kilborn, but I've been busy for the past few days in New York at BEA. I will definitely share more later about BEA and the terrific bloggers I met-- it was just an amazing experience!

Without further ado, the winners are:

allykatt

mindy

Alicia

rhapsodyinbooks

Lady Roxi

I will be e-mailing you shortly. You have three days to send me your name and address so I can forward the information to Hachette.

Check out my other giveaways:

A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY

MATING RITUALS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WASP

Hachette Mother's Day Giveaway

Review: Fern Verdant and the Silver Rose

Summary: Fern wishes she had normal parents and a normal name. Instead, she has eccentric botanist parents who named her Fern, after her father’s favorite plant. Lily, Fern’s mother, assures her one day she’ll understand their love of plants, but Fern can’t believe it. She hates plants and could do with less of them in her life.

Then Lily disappears suddenly while attending to a mysterious and rare Silver Rose. Fern and her dad are heartbroken, but have no idea what could have happened, until one day, Fern learns she has a one-of-a-kind talent: she can communicate with plants, and so could her mother! Using her newfound skill, she learns that her mother is in terrible danger, and she is the only one who can save her. With a little help from her friends, the plants . . . -- Knopf

I have been reading a lot of middle-grade fiction lately, and I can't believe how many terrific books are out there for our kids. FERN VERDANT AND THE SILVER ROSE by Diana Leszczynski is another great middle-grade novel that I will be recommending to our friends. This book had a little bit of everything -- interesting characters, action, adventure, and important messages. It also was a very fun book to read!

I really enjoyed this book; however, when I first started it, I was a little disappointed in the character of Fern. I thought she was kind of disrespectful to her parents (probably not that unusual for a child turning 13,) and I was worried that she would make a bad impression on children who were reading this book. I was so happy to see that Fern's selfish behavior only lasted for a few pages. She quickly realized her responsibilities and what was important in her life; and I loved how she developed and matured by the end of the story. She ended up being a wonderful, strong, and resourceful young girl who was anything but self-absorbed.

FERN VERDANT AND THE SILVER ROSE was definitely action-packed, and I think kids will love following Fern and her friends on their adventure. There is definitely enough excitement and strange characters in this story to attract even the most reluctant reader. The "bad guys" in this story are just so unique, and I especially liked how the author created such a vivid picture of them. I could so see this book as a movie!

I was impressed with Ms. Leszczynski and her ability to create memorable characters and an intriguing story. She certainly has a way with words and her descriptions are just incredible. Not only could I picture all of the characters, but I could "see" the trees, flowers, and plant-life too. It is evident to me that she is very passionate about saving the earth, and the message was very clear throughout the entire story. I am hoping that the author intends to write more books about Fern -- the ending of this book is pretty open-ended and even gives a hint as to Fern's next adventure. I am a fan of both Ms. Leszczynski and the character Fern and definitely intend to read the next novel in this series when it comes out.

One of the things that I liked most about this book was that the author chose to discuss so many important social issues in this novel. In fact, FERN VERDANT AND THE SILVER ROSE was the winner of the 2008 Green Earth Book Award Honor. This novel definitely showed children the importance of respecting our planet, but it also showed characters who wear natural clothes and only buy clothes made in countries with safe working conditions. I love that children who read this book will pick up on the many "green" messages; and, hopefully, they will become more conscious of the many ways that they can help to preserve the environment.

Besides the wonderful message out protecting our planet, I also liked some of the other messages that I found in this story. As the character of Fern grew up, she began to realize very important things. For example, she became much less focused on herself and her desires and began looking at the larger picture. In addition, she learned to appreciate her family and especially her parents; and she also learned how to be a good friend. I definitely think Fern's behavior in this book will go a long way in showing kids some of the character traits that make up a "good" person.

Thanks to the author and Knopf for sending me a copy of this book!

Book Blogger Panel

I'm sure that most of you already know by now that I'm at Book Expo America in New York! Today is a very big day for me because I will be participating in a Book Bloggers Panel hosted by Book Club Girl. The idea is that we'll "explore the publisher-blogger-bookseller relationship and what we can do to make it better and maximize all of our efforts to help readers find books that they'll love." Besides me, Natasha of Maw Books, Stephanie of Stephanie's Written Word, Amy of My Friend Amy, Dawn of She is Too Fond of Books, and Candace of Beth Fish Reads all will be participating. It's an amazing bunch of bloggers and I feel very humbled that I was asked to join them (and really a bit out of my league if I'm being honest!)

The panel will be held at 2:00 p.m. in Room 1E15. I'd love for you to stop by and be part of this discussion; but if you aren't going to be able to make it, you can still listen on Blog Talk Radio. Set your reminder for the live broadcast on May 20th at 2 pm EST here.

I really hope I can fairly represent the book blogging community. Wish me luck!!!

Review: Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully

Summary: Freckleface Strawberry loves her school’s Early Bird program because it means extra time on the playground—except when it rains. On rainy days Early Birds have playtime indoors . . . and that usually means facing the school bully Windy Pants Patrick in a hairy, scary game of dodgeball. Ignoring Patrick seems the safest thing to do, but when all the other kids get struck out, Freckleface Strawberry is forced to confront him alone. Can she beat him at his own game without lifting a finger? Funny and inspiring, this is an all-too-familiar problem with a clever solution that kids, families, and teachers will find easy to relate to. -- Bloomsbury

When the opportunity came up to participate in a book blog tour for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY AND THE DODGEBALL BULLY by Julianne Moore and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, I jumped at the chance. I had heard good things about the first book in the Freckleface Strawberry series, and I figured it would be a book that my four year son would enjoy. He actually did like this book and we've read it a few times already. He really thought it was cool when we were at Barnes and Noble last week, and the book was featured on a big display right in front of the store.

The author of this book is a name that most of you will recognize -- Julianne Moore. Yes, it's that Julianne Moore, the four-time Academy Award nominee. I have been a big fan of hers ever since she was on As the World Turns much earlier in her acting career. (I am desperately hoping that I will get to meet her at BEA this week!) Like many people who read lots of picture books, Ms. Moore is a mother of young children; and I thought it was evident that she understands children and what types of books they like. While I was familiar with Ms. Moore's acting and writing careers, I was amazed to learn just how much charity work she does. She is a U.S. Ambassador for Save the Children, and she is also a member of Reach Out and Read, a children's literary organization dedicated to educating parents on the importance of reading tot heir children.

FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY AND THE DODGEBALL BULLY is just an adorable book! My son thought it was hilarious, and I liked it a lot too. The character of Freckleface Strawberry is based on Ms. Moore and her children and actually was her nickname when she was a child. In this book, the seven-year-old Freckleface Strawberry encounters a bully during a game of dodgeball. She manages to find her own special way to deal with this problem that kids will certainly appreciate!

I can't recommend this book enough! Freckleface Strawberry is such a memorable character, and I think kids will just love her. As I read this book to my son, I found myself laughing quite a bit -- both at the story and his reaction to it. I especially thought it was hilarious when the reader learns why Freckleface Strawberry doesn't like dodgeball -- the sound effects alone were just too funny.

Not only did my son and I like the story, but I also thought the illustrations by LeUyen Pham were fantastic. The pictures are bright and colorful, and I especially enjoyed the facial expressions on the characters. I loved that each page had a lot going on -- loads of pictures and limited text -- because it definitely kept my son's attention while I read the story. He says that he liked all of the pictures; but being a normal four year old, he really liked the purple monster.

As a mother, I really appreciated the messages in this book. I think most school age children can relate to being afraid of things like dodgeball and a bully. In this book, Freckleface Strawberry showed that it is normal to be scared, but she also shows that there are ways to handle your fears. I also like that Freckleface Strawberry learned that anticipating the fear was much worse than when it actually happened. That's something that I try to tell my children all the time, but I think seeing a character in a book realize this might actually have a deeper impression on them. I also liked how the story ended -- the bully gained respect for Freckleface Strawberry and they began to play together.

If you want to learn more about FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY AND THE DODGEBALL BULLY as well as Ms. Moore, make sure you check out the Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tour announcement page. In addition, there is a Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully activity kit that you can download here. To order your very own copy, click here.

Make sure you take a look at the video where Ms. Moore talks about balancing work and family! If you'd like to see some more videos, click here.



A big thanks to Promo 101 Virtual Book Tours for selecting me to be part of this tour.

Blogger Signing

I'm the first to admit that this sounds kind of crazy (and more than a little fun), but I am participating in a blogger "signing"at the Firebrand booth (#4077) on Friday from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Amy from My Friend Amy will be there with me (I'm hoping that by mentioning her name more people will stop by!)

The idea behind this "blogger signing" isn't really for people to come by and get my autograph -- come one, who would really want that? Rather, it's a great way to get bloggers, publishers, and authors to meet each other. So if you're in the area, I'd love to meet you.

There are 40+ other bloggers who are "signing autographs" too at the Firebrand booth! Take a look at the schedule and make sure you stop by!

Review: Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass

Summary: Nick Rostov's father is the worst stage magician in Las Vegas. He can barely pull a rabbit out of a hat. So it is a strange morning indeed when Nick wakes up to find himself on the top floor of the Winter Palace Casino with a promise from the greatest magician in the world to teach him magic.

And not just stage magic. Real magic. Nick sets out to learn about his mother's family, the strange Russian clan of magicians that secretly run the Winter Palace. But there is a catch: Nick has the sight, the ability to see into the past. And so it must fall to him, with only his cousin Isabella to help, to pick up the long-buried clues and unravel the mystery of The Eternal Hourglass, the only magic artifact ever created that can actually stop time. -- Sourcebooks

I am so glad that I have a daughter who loves to read because it forces me to read books that I probably wouldn't have picked up otherwise. Thanks to her, I have recently discovered how many great middle-grade books are out there. MAGICKEEPERS: THE ETERNAL HOURGLASS BOOK ONE by Erica Kirov is another example of a terrific book for young readers that I really enjoyed.

I thought the basic premise of this novel is terrific. On his 13th birthday, Nick realizes that he can see into the past while looking through a crystal ball in a magic shop. He also learns that his mother, who died when he was a baby, was a member of a family of Russian magicians. His grandfather takes him to live with his "family;" and they begin to train Nick so he can learn how to use his powers. The book really takes off when Nick gets involved in a battle with the Shadowkeepers over an Eternal Hourglass that can stop time. There is a ton of action in this novel, and it's actually a very fast-paced read.

So many of the characters in this novel are extremely interesting, but I absolutely loved Nick. Nick was just a terrific character who, despite his abilities, seemed very real to me. He is a young boy who is forced to grow up very quickly and accept that his life will never be the same. Although he was constantly facing challenges that appeared to be impossible, he handled everything that came his way with a sense of maturity and intelligence. I think children will not only relate to Nick and his "normal" young teen feelings, but they will also look up to him as a hero and someone who did the right things for his family.

As is often the case in books like this, the characters must face off against evil; and in this story, it was the Shadowkeepers who were the enemy. I especially liked that Nick used not only his physical skills but also his intellectual prowess against the bad guys. There were riddles and spells that he had to figure out, and he also had to use his magical powers; however, I liked that he eventually was successful because he outsmarted them!

Not only did I find the story and characters interesting, but I really liked that there was a little historical information thrown in. The book doesn't get bogged down and read like a history lesson, but I thought it was a great idea for the author to mix in real-life historical characters like Harry Houdini and Rasputin. I can imagine that there will be some readers who are interested in learning more about Houdini and Rasputin, and this book might just make them do a little more research.

My daughter hasn't had a chance to read MAGICKEEPERS yet, but I'm pretty sure that she's going to love it. This book has all the criteria to make it a great read for middle-graders including action, suspense, and adventure. Plus there's the element of magic that certainly doesn't hurt! I think this book will appeal to both boys and girls (and their parents as well.) I am not alone in my praise for THE ETERNAL HOURGLASS because this novel is already generating some terrific buzz. Check out this review in Publishers Weekly and this review in April Kirkus.

While the actual story about the Eternal Hourglass was resolved, the author definitely leaves the reader with some questions about Nick and his family's past. It's clear to me that there are a lot more stories to tell in the MAGICKEEPERS series; and I, for one, can't wait until the next book comes out. In the meantime, if you'd like to read a sample chapter from the first book, click here.

Thanks to Paul from Sourcebooks for sending me a copy of this terrific book!

Check out these other sites and their reviews of MAGICKEEPERS.

YA Books Central
Books For Your Kids
The Reading Tub
Book Loons
Dolce Bellezza
The Written World
Blog Critics (5/27)
Abby the Librarian (5/28)
A Childhood of Dreams (5/29)
Eva’s Book Addiction (5/29)
Word Candy (5/29)
Book Views (6/1)
Looking Glass Review (6/5)
Alea Pop Culture (6/18)
Beth Fish Reads (6/23)

Hello...You Won Frenchman's Creek

And the winner of FRENCHMAN'S CREEK by Daphne du Maurier is:

Valorie

Please send me your name and mailing address so I can forward the information to the publisher. I am heading out of town to BEA so there might be a slight delay.

Check out my other giveaways:

Hachette's Mother's Day Giveaway

A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY - audio

AFRAID

MATING RITUALS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WASP

Review: Mating Rituals of the North American WASP & Giveaway

Summary: After arguing with her live-in boyfriend about his inability to commit, Peggy Adams flies to a friend's bachelorette party in Las Vegas, and wakes up next to a man she can't remember. Hung-over and miserable, she sneaks out of the sleeping man's hotel room and returns home to New York, where her boyfriend apologizes for the fight and gives her a Tiffany box containing a pre-engagement ring. Not what she expected, but close enough! The next day she receives a phone call from the Las Vegas one-night stand, Luke, claiming she's already married to him¬-and he faxes her the license for proof! Both are ready for an annulment, until Peggy arrives in quaint New Nineveh, CT, where Luke cares for his Great Aunt, and the old woman makes Peggy an offer she can't refuse.-- 5 Spot

The first time I heard about MATING RITUALS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WASP by Lauren Lipton was when I was sent a link for the Facebook fan page. I just thought the title was so smart and the cover was precious, and I have to admit that both things attracted me to this novel. (Of course, I am a child of the 80s and probably owned a shirt just like this one twenty-five years ago. I still love preppy clothes; and, I have to admit I was a little tempted when I was shopping last week and saw a Tommy Hilfiger shirt this exact style and color.....but I digress.)

I enjoyed MATING RITUALS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WASP very much. It is a light, fun story; and I have a feeling that a lot of women will enjoy reading it this summer. It really is an ideal book to read while you're at the pool or beach. The plot is basically a cute and funny romance story that takes place in reverse. The book begins when Peggy goes to Las Vegas with some friends and wakes up next to a stranger, Luke. She has no idea who he is or what she did with him (yes, there was alcohol involved.) She returns home to New York and her fiance to find that she married a stranger who just happens to live in Connecticut. This book points out that "what happens in Vegas" doesn't always "stay in Vegas." For a variety of monetary reasons, Peggy and Luke decide to stay together and pretend that they married for love. You can probably guess that they eventually do fall in love; however there are lots of ups and downs in their relationship until they both realize their feelings. See what I mean about in reverse?

I'm going to be honest and tell you that I didn't love Peggy for most of the book, and I only liked Luke, her husband, slightly better. In fact, I didn't like Peggy's long-time boyfriend or Luke's bimbo girlfriend either (but I don't think I was supposed to.) Having said that, I don't think it mattered one little bit to my enjoyment of the book. I think the negative aspects of Peggy's and Luke's characters were necessary to tell this story; and I will say that I was rooting for them the entire time! Both had serious moments of stubbornness and stupidity, but they eventually matured and realized what's important.

I liked that this book was filled with some tension between the main characters. It made it kind of a juicy read (or at least juicy for this reader.) There was a lot of confusion and many misunderstandings between Peggy and Luke (or basically Peggy and everyone) that made the story very funny. I also liked that the author kept things interesting by putting in a few twists and turns throughout the novel. I think those surprise elements are important to chick-lit, romance genre books because the basic story lines are often times predictable. I mean you basically know how the story is going to end, but it's the stuff that happens along the way that makes the book interesting.

I did find this book to be very witty, and I loved how the author poked fun of the entire WASP social set. All of the stereotypes (plus a few new ones) were in there, and I found myself laughing at some of the WASPier characters. I especially appreciated the descriptions of the food at the parties, and I thought the tailgating scenes at the football game were hilarious.

This is the first book that I've read by Lauren Lipton; however, I wouldn't hesitate to read her first novel IT'S ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND. Her writing in MATING RITUALS is very witty and smart, and I definitely thought the book was a page-turner. Besides writing novels, she is also a journalist with articles appearing in Forbes Woman, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. If you want to learn more about Ms. Lipton, you can check out her website, blog, and this Q&A; and you can read this article entitled "I Knew I'd Turned a ..."

I recommend MATING RITUALS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WASP if you are looking for a light, chick-lit type read this summer. It is an extremely entertaining book, and the characters are a hoot! It's one of those books where you can just sit back and enjoy the story.

I just happen to have an extra copy of MATING RITUALS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WASP that I'd love to giveaway to one lucky reader. To enter, please leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me one of your favorite chick lit books. To double or triple your chances, blog and/or tweet about this contest with a link back to this post. This contest will be open until June 10th, and I will announce the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. or Canada mailing addresses only. Good luck!

This tour is huge! Check out some of the other participants:

Participants include:
http://thereviewfromhere.wordpress.com/
http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com/
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/
http://kylees2009.blogspot.com/
http://www.devourerofbooks.com/
http://burtonreview.blogspot.com
http://bookopolis.blogspot.com/
http://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com/
http://www.foreigncircuslibrary.blogspot.com/
http://www.xanga.com/bravehsgirl
http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com/
http://inbedwithbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookconfessions.com/
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/
http://www.readingwithmonie.com/
http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/
http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.squidoo.com/bookbin
http://www.acircleofbooks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset
http://www.thisbookforfree.com
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/
http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://lastexilewords.blogspot.com/
http://unmainstreammomreads.blogspot.com/
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com
http://www.bermudaonion.wordpress.com/
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/
http://bookslovejessicmarie.blogspot.com
http://www.thenovelbookworm.com/
http://proudbookworm.blogspot.com/
http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/
http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
http://epicrat.blogspot.com/
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://www.thebookzombie.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/
http://www.linussblanket.com/
http://donnasbookreviews.blogspot.com/
http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/
http://www.morbid-romantic.net/
http://www.writeforareader.blogspot.com/
http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com
http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/
http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/
http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/
http://danys-san.blogspot.com/
http://www.iheartmonster.com/
http://debbiesworld.wordpress.com
http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com
http://ebogie.blogspot.com

Thanks to Miriam from Hachette for allowing me to participate in this tour!

Hello... You Won the Chosen One

Congrats to:

trishalynn0708 and

teabird

You just won an ARC of THE CHOSEN ONE by Carol Lynch Williams. I absolutely loved this book, so I hope you will enjoy reading it! I will be sending you an e-mail shortly asking for your name and mailing address. I am heading to New York for BEA first thing Thursday morning, so I won't be able to mail your books until I return. I'm sorry for the delay!

Check out my other great giveaways:

Hachette Mother's Day Giveaway

AFRAID

FRENCHMAN'S CREEK

A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY - audio

Fastasy Road Trip Contest & Giveaway

ATTN: Teens and Parents of Teens! I just received a terrific e-mail that I have to share with you!

"Even if you’re stuck at home this summer, you can still get away—just use your imagination!

Listening Library is sponsoring the Fantasy Road Trip Contest, challenging teens to create videos based on an imaginary road trip with characters from one of three great fantasy series.

Making their entries is a great way to engage teens in what they’re reading and encourage them to be creative. And since many families will be forgoing expensive vacations and summer camps this year, the Fantasy Road Trip Contest is a perfect (and free!) summer activity.

THINGS TO KNOW:

CONTEST INFO: Teens ages 13-18 should create short films that answer the questions, “If you could go on a road trip with a character from your favorite audio series, where would you go? What would you do along the way? How would you travel?”

PARTICIPATING AUTHORS: Libba Bray, author of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing), Tamora Pierce, author of, among many, many titles, the Beka Cooper series (her current series, so far it includes Terrier and Bloodhound), and Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (including the latest, The Last Olympian).

HOW TO ENTER: Teens can visit www.fantasyroadtripcontest.com to watch a video about how to enter, see video requirements and find out lots of information about the authors and their books.

WINNERS: Authors will judge the videos, each picking a winner (for a total of three), who will receive an 8GB iPod Touch and a collection of signed audiobooks.

DATES: The contest will be open from June 1-August 17; it’s a great activity to keep kids entertained while they’re home for the summer!

The contest is running in conjunction with our summer marketing campaign, “Listen Up, Florida!” This campaign is focused in the Orlando Metro area (the online contest is open nationwide) and encourages families to listen to audiobooks during their summer vacation drives, increasing awareness of audiobooks as an alternative to traditional books. They’re a great literacy tool, especially for reluctant readers and kids with learning disabilities."

Check out this video which gives you some more information about the contest:



Random House Audio and Listening Library has graciously offered to giveaway an audio copy of Libby Bray's A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY to one lucky person. This is the first book in a series, and I have been dying to "read" these books. To enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me why you enjoy listening to books. To double or triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this contest with a link back to this post. This contest is open until June 9th, and I will notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. Good luck!

Review: Frederica

Summary: One of readers favorites, Frederica is full of surprises

When Frederica brings her younger siblings to London determined to secure a brilliant marriage for her beautiful sister, she seeks out their distant cousin the Marquis of Alverstoke. Lovely, competent, and refreshingly straightforward, Frederica makes such a strong impression that to his own amazement, the Marquis agrees to help launch them all into society.

Lord Alverstoke can't resist wanting to help her

Normally wary of his family, which includes two overbearing sisters and innumerable favor-seekers, Lord Alverstoke does his best to keep his distance. But with his enterprising - and altogether entertaining - country cousins getting into one scrape after another right on his doorstep, before he knows it the Marquis finds himself dangerously embroiled...-- Sourcebooks

FREDERICA is the second Georgette Heyer book that I've read in the past few weeks -- you can read my review of A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE here. After missing out on her books all these years, I'm on a little Heyer kick right now. I'm so glad that Sourcebooks is re-releasing her books so people like me have a chance to discover her.

I enjoyed FREDERICA, but I don't think I liked it as much as A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE. Maybe it was because I'm not a huge romance reader, and it was just too soon to read such a similar book. However, I think it was because I thought A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE was just a better story with wittier writing. That's not to say that I didn't really like FREDERICA -- I definitely did. It's just that while I was reading it, I kept comparing the two books.

FREDERICA is a pretty long book -- well over 400 pages; and it did take me about 150 pages to really get into the story. It started kind of slow for me and I didn't really feel an affinity to any of the characters until I got to know them a little better. Eventually, I did really like Frederica and her family; and by the end of the story, I especially liked Lord Alverstoke.

Once again, I was impressed with how Ms. Heyer developed her characters. Frederica is a case in point -- she is still a young woman (all of 24 years old) but she feels like she must be the protector of her family. Her sole purpose in life is to find a suitable husband for her beautiful sister Charis. She never puts herself first in this story -- always her sister and her two younger brothers. As a reader, I found myself feeling a great deal of compassion towards her because she had so much responsibility. She could have been a boring, resentful character; however, I liked that Ms. Heyer gave her a smart, playful side too. It made her seem very human and very likable to me!

While Frederica was the title character of the book and the reader couldn't help but love her, I actually found myself really enjoying the character of Lord Alverstoke. I absolutely loved how his character changed throughout the course of this story. At the beginning of the book, he was a very wealthy bachelor who didn't really give much thought to anyone but himself. I loved how Frederica and her family came into his life and turned it upside down. Not only did I enjoy seeing how he fell in love with Frederica, but I also thought it was interesting to see how he came to be almost a father-figure to the two young boys.

I can definitely say that Ms. Heyer's books are well-written. I never really would have thought that I'd be a big fan of regency romances, but I think I am. I appreciate how Ms. Heyer describes the details from this time period; and I absolutely love reading about all of the styles especially the clothes. She definitely knows how to tell a story and draw the reader into the lives of the characters. In both of the books that I've read, I grew to really like the characters and I found myself rooting for them to realize (and act on) their feelings.

As was the case in A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE, I was again surprised by the humor in this book. I think Ms. Heyer's writing is just so smart and witty, especially the banter between Frederica and Lord Alverstoke. (I love how she created so much chemistry between these two characters just through their conversations.) I also found Frederica's younger brothers' behavior and their interactions with Lord Alverstoke to be hilarious. And, the family's dog even provided some of the funnier moments in this story. I think all of the humor in these books (rather than the romance) is what really makes them so special to me.

I highly recommend FREDERICA if you are looking for a good summer read. It is a very entertaining story with lots of romance. Thanks to Danielle from Sourcebooks for sending me a copy of FREDERICA.

Review: The Middle Place

Summary: For Kelly Corrigan, family is everything. At thirty-six, she had a marriage that worked, two funny, active kids, and a weekly newspaper column. But even as a thriving adult, Kelly still saw herself as the daughter of garrulous Irish-American charmer George Corrigan. She was living deep within what she calls the Middle Place--“that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap”--comfortably wedged between her adult duties and her parents’ care. But Kelly is abruptly shoved into coming-of-age when she finds a lump in her breast--and gets the diagnosis no one wants to hear. When George, too, learns that he has late-stage cancer, it is Kelly’s turn to take care of the man who had always taken care of her--and to show us a woman who finally takes the leap and grows up. -- Hyperion Books

When I found out that Book Club Girl was doing a BlogTalk Radio show with Kelly Corrigan, author of THE MIDDLE PLACE, I was so excited. I have been wanting to read this book for months, and the radio show was the perfect opportunity to move it up to the top of my list. I absolutely loved this book, and I will be recommending it to every woman I know.

When I started THE MIDDLE PLACE, I knew I was in for a treat. I had only read three or four chapters, when I went to Twitter to share my thoughts. I loved Ms. Corrigan's writing style, and I actually felt like she was one of my girlfriends and just telling me about her life. I have to warn you that this book is very absorbing and I didn't want to put it down. In fact, I actually went up to my room, crawled into bed, and pulled up the covers -- I didn't come back out until I finished the entire book.

I just love the title of this book -- THE MIDDLE PLACE. The Middle Place refers to the time in our life when we are both mother to our own children and still a child to our parents or "that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap" -- I am definitely in the Middle Place right now. It's not that I'm still dependent on my parents, but I am very close to them and I want to share good news with them (immediately after I tell my husband -- I'm not that bad.) I thought the title was just perfect because Ms. Corrigan was certainly living in her own middle place until she is forced to grow up when she has to face breast cancer.

Ms. Corrigan's story of beating breast cancer while also dealing with her father's own battle with cancer is an amazing story on so many levels. First and foremost, I was deeply touched by the way the author handled her cancer while also being a great mom. I think so many women my age fear that this could happen to them -- I know it's one of my worst nightmares; and to see someone share her story and handle it with so much grace and dignity, is absolutely inspiring. In adddition, I greatly appreciated how Ms. Corrigan portrayed the relationship between herself and her father. I know there's something special between a daddy and his little girl, but their relationship transcends even that. What a special person George Corrigan is and I feel lucky that I got to "meet" him even though it was only through a book!

I especially enjoyed seeing how Ms. Corrigan grew up and matured throughout this book. I know a cancer scare and fear of losing your father are major wake-up calls, but not everyone would handle these problems like she did. Just that she became aware that she was living in the Middle Place and needed to "bury her childhood" is incredibly insightful, and I'd suspect very difficult to do -- I'm not sure I'm quite "there" yet. This book definitely struck a chord with me. In so many ways, I could relate to Ms. Corrigan and her relationship with her family; and I found myself laughing about how similar our husbands are (or at least in some of the ways that they deal with us.)

I have to say that Ms. Corrigan knows how to tell a story. Even when dealing with the most horrific nightmare -- getting cancer in her 30s when she has two young daughters -- she managed to infuse so much humor into this book. (If you've seen any of her videos, you will clearly see what I'm talking about.) This book could have been such a dark, depressing story; and yet, it was funny, poignant, and definitely hopeful. I loved all of her stories, especially those about her father who is larger-than-life; and I actually felt as if I "knew" her family after reading about them for 250+ pages.

THE MIDDLE PLACE would make an incredible book for your next book club meeting. Not only is it a wonderful read, but there is so much to talk about. I know for a fact that my book club would just love this book because I think we can all relate in at least one way to Ms. Corrigan. And while we might not be facing the exact same issues, the themes is this book are universal to all women. I think there are so many interesting things to talk about in this book including loss, marriage, family, parent-child relationships, faith, growing up, etc. -- the list could go on and on. I was excited to find out that there are discussion questions available which will help direct the discussion.

The BlogTalk Radio show is scheduled for this week -- Wednesday, May 27th at 7:00 p.m. You can set a reminder or listen to the show live here. If you can't make it on Wednesday night, don't despair -- you will still be able to listen to the tape at a later time. I am so excited about this show and can't wait to hear Ms. Corrigan talk about her incredible book.

As I was preparing to write this review, I watched quite a few terrific videos about Kelly Corrigan and THE MIDDLE PLACE; however, none touched me like this one -- "Transcending." This essay actually appears in the back of the paperback version of THE MIDDLE PLACE, and I cried again when I read it. I know most of you have probably already seen it, but just in case....

Mailbox Monday, May 25th, 2009

Whew! What a week; and so many are books that both my kids and I will love. We've already read a few of them, and we're doing our best to read the other ones too.

THE SLEEPY LITTLE ALPHABET by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Melissa Sweet - We have already read the book many times. It is one of my new favorite picture books.

PRINCESS PIG by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Tim Bowers - Booking Son and I have also read this one already. It's very cute too.

ALVIN HO: ALLERGIC TO CAMPING, HIKING, AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS (ARC) by Lenore Look and pictures by LeUyem Pham - I think Booking Daughter is going to enjoy this one.

WAKING UP IN EDEN by Lucinda Fleeson

LAST NIGHT IN MONTREAL by Emily St. John Mandel - I'm hoping to have this finished for a book tour the first week of June.

THE AMAZING "TRUE" STORY OF A TEENAGE SINGLE MOM by Katherine Arnoldi

THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

THE SORCERESS: THE SECRETS OF THE IMMORTAL NICHOLAS FLAMEL by Michael Scott - I'm familiar with this middle grade series but I'd really like to read the first two books in the series first to get the full effect.

HOTHOUSE FLOWER AND THE NINE PLANTS OF DESIRE (ARC) by Margot Berwin

LOST BOY (ARC) by Brent W. Jeffs and Maia Szalavitz - This was from the April batch of Library Thing Early Reviewers.

THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE (ARC) by Alan Bradley - I think the neighbors heard me scream when I opened this package.

THE CRYING TREE by Naseem Rakha

SWEEPING UP GLASS by Carolyn Wall - I have already heard wonderful things about this one!

A PASSION DENIED by Julie Lessman - This one finally showed up! I am so excited since I loved the first two books in the Daughters of Boston series.

ORACLES OF DELPHI KEEP by Victoria Laurie

REAL LIFE AND LIARS by Kristina Riggle - I won this one!

CHINA: LAND OF DRAGONS AND EMPERORS by Adeline Yen Mah

FRANKIE THE WALK 'N ROLL DOG by Barbara Gail Techel - I'm participating in a tour for this one in June.

EASY ON THE EYES (ARC) by Jane Porter - I love Jane Porter's books and am so happy to have an early look at this one.

THE WILDWATER WALKING CLUB by Claire Cook -- I won this one from Bookin' with Bingo!

TEMPO CHANGE by Barbara Hall

BROCCOLI AND OTHER TALES OF FOOD AND LOVE by Lara Vapnyar -- This is a collection of short stories that I'm really excited to read (since I am trying to read more of them.)

What did you get last week?

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.

Review: Obama - The Historic Journey

Summary: Including his inauguration as the 44th president of the United States, this beautifully designed book tells the extraordinary story of Barack Obama's life and rise to power in both words and photographs.

The young readers hardcover edition is specifically written and designed to appeal to and inspire the 8-12 age group, with age-appropriate text and a different selection of photographs and illustrations. It is in a slightly smaller format (9" x 10 7/8") and includes 96 pages, with 200 full-color photographs. -- The New York Times

Regardless of your political preferences, there is no question that history was made in January 2009 when Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Like many Americans, my husband and I follow politics pretty closely (especially this election), and we found ourselves discussing it at the dinner table many times over the past year. Our kids, nine and four, couldn't help but pick up on it; and as a result, they became extremely interested in the election too. (See my little aside comment at the end of this post.)

Books about Obama's journey have been everywhere, but I was so excited to see that there was a wonderful book written especially for young readers -- OBAMA: THE HISTORIC JOURNEY YOUNG READER'S EDITION. This book is published by The New York Times and is just filled with over 200 beautiful color photographs. It does a fantastic job of capturing the entire journey of Barack Obama from his early childhood right up through the inauguration and his first few weeks in office.

I know this book is supposed to be geared towards young readers, but I absolutely loved reading it. This book contained loads of historical information about Mr. Obama and his family, but it was extremely easy to read. It had just enough information to explain the entire journey without bogging down the reader with unnecessary details. The book was divided into small chapters and then had small features within these chapters. It was also filled with tons of gorgeous photos that make this book nice enough to sit out on your coffee table.

I know I sound like a broken record, but the photos in this book are amazing! I love how so many of them captured the essence of Obama as a man rather than a political figure. It's hard to pick just one or two that really stand out because there are tens of dozens that are memorable; however, there is one of President Obama with his daughters that I absolutely adore. The way he is looking at them is just so special, and I think it really shows that he is a loving father to his girls.

I was pleasantly surprised by the coverage of the events in this book. Not only did I think the coverage was very thorough, but I also thought it was unbiased. I enjoyed the sections where I could learn about Obama's youth; however, I thought the strength of this book was on the coverage of the election. I thought the book did a fair job of showing the brilliant way that Mr. Obama ran this historic election, but it also showed some of his mishaps along the way. I also thought the book did an excellent job of capturing not only Obama's run, but also McCain's attempt and where things went wrong for him.

My nine year old daughter claims that she is a little on the young side to read the entire book; however, I did find her looking at the pictures over and over again! Of course, she did manage to read all of the sections about the Obama girls and comment on all of Michelle's dresses. I have a feeling that we will be referencing this book many times in the next few years -- hopefully to learn more about President Obama rather than his family and their wardrobe!

I highly recommend this gorgeous, yet informative, book for both children and adults alike. A big thanks to Mothertalk for allowing me to participate in this book blog tour!


A little aside: I wasn't aware that my four year old son was learning about each of the candidates at his preschool. He came home one day telling me that John "The King" and Barock Obama (he said it with a heavy emphasis on the O and then rushed the bama part -- very funny) both wanted to be president. I wasn't sure I heard him correctly because it came from nowhere. I asked him to point out each of them from pictures and he didn't hesitate for a second. He told me that "The King" was old and Obama had funny ears and a funny smile. Out of the mouth of babes!

Guest Review: The Unlikely Disciple

I'd like to welcome back Booking Pap Pap. Today, he is reviewing THE UNLIKELY DISCIPLE: A SINNER'S SEMESTER AT AMERICA'S HOLIEST UNIVERSITY by Kevin Roose. I am so glad he had the chance to read this book because I have been hearing such wonderful things about it. After reading his review, I am even more certain that I need to read this book.

Summary: No drinking. No smoking. No cursing. No dancing. No R-rated movies.

Kevin Roose wasn't used to rules like these. As a sophomore at Brown University, he spent his days drinking fair-trade coffee, singing in an a cappella group, and fitting right in with Brown's free-spirited, ultra-liberal student body. But when Roose leaves his Ivy League confines to spend a semester at Liberty University, a conservative Baptist school in Lynchburg, Virginia, obedience is no longer optional.

Liberty is the late Reverend Jerry Falwell's "Bible Boot Camp" for young evangelicals, his training ground for the next generation of America's Religious Right. Liberty's ten thousand undergraduates take courses like Evangelism 101, hear from guest speakers like Sean Hannity and Karl Rove, and follow a forty-six-page code of conduct that regulates every aspect of their social lives. Hoping to connect with his evangelical peers, Roose decides to enroll at Liberty as a new transfer student, leaping across the God Divide and chronicling his adventures in this daring report from the front lines of America's culture war.

His journey takes him from an evangelical hip-hop concert to choir practice at Falwell's legendary Thomas Road Baptist Church. He experiments with prayer, participates in a spring break mission trip to Daytona Beach (where he learns to preach the gospel to partying coeds), and pays a visit to Every Man's Battle, an on-campus support group for chronic masturbators. He meets pastors' kids, closet doubters, Christian rebels, and conducts what would be the last print interview of Rev. Falwell's life.

Hilarious and heartwarming, respectful and thought-provoking, THE UNLIKELY DISCIPLE will inspire and entertain believers and nonbelievers alike. -- Grand Central Publishing

When I first became aware of THE UNLIKELY DISCIPLE by Kevin Roose, I envisioned a book written by a liberal Ivy League self-described agnostic that would ridicule Liberty University and Evangelism. What I found instead was a well written, open-minded and respectful account of life at Liberty University.

Kevin Roose became a real student at Liberty and completely immersed himself in the student life. He enrolled in classes, dated Liberty women, participated in spiritual counseling, joined the Thomas Road Baptist Church choir and took part in a spring break mission trip to Daytona Beach. He even had the opportunity to interview Jerry Falwell, the founder of Liberty.

Roose found the atmosphere at Liberty supportive and warm. When he later told the friends at Liberty that he turned their lives into a book, to his surprise he found them forgiving and not angry. In fact, THE UNLIKELY DISCIPLE is found in the Liberty library.

The book gives the reader an inside look at one of the largest conservative schools in the country. You discover that the students are typical college students in many ways despite the strong influence of the conservative right on issues such as abortion, global warming, evolution and gay rights. Not all students are religious zealots or political activists; some even express doubts about their faith. The fact that Roose’s family (particularly his gay aunt) and his secular friends were quite concerned that he was being brainwashed at Liberty adds an interesting and humorous aspect to the book.

Roose never fully buys into the “The Liberty Way” but does express self-doubt in some of his own ways of thinking. The experiment probably taught Kevin Roose as much about himself as it did about Liberty University. I believe he now considers himself a Christian and continues the practice of prayer he learned at Liberty.

I strongly recommend THE UNLIKELY DISCIPLE. Anyone who reads it will find it entertaining, witty and thought provoking.

A big thanks to Booking Pap Pap for reviewing this book and to the folks at Hachette for sending me a copy! Check out the book's trailer:

Hello...You Won The Turnaround

Congratulations to Mark! You just won a copy of THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos. Please make sure you check your e-mail and get back to me with your name and mailing address. I was happy to see that you are already familiar with his writing, and I hope you'll enjoy this book too.

Check out my other giveaways:

Hachette Mother's Day Giveaway

THE CHOSEN ONE

AFRAID

FRENCHMAN'S CREEK

Review: Precious

Summary: The summer of 1978, ten-year-old Vicki Anderson rides her bike to the local park and goes missing. Her tight-knit blue-collar Pennsylvania neighborhood, where children roam the streets at night playing lightning tag, aboveground pools sparkle in backyards, and flowers scent the air, will never be the same. Down the street from Vicki’s house, another family is in crisis. Troubled by her past, headstrong Natalia Kisch has abandoned her husband and two daughters for another man. Frank Kisch, grappling with his anger, is left to raise their girls alone, oblivious to his daughters’ struggles with both disappearances: Eva, seventeen, plunges into an affair with her married high school teacher, and nine-year-old Sissy escapes to a world of imagination and storytelling that becomes so magical it pierces the reality of the everyday. When Natalia unexpectedly returns, the struggles and tensions that have built over the summer erupt into a series of events that change the Kisches irrevocably—forcing them to piece together their complicated pasts and commitments to each other. In this haunting, atmospheric debut, Sandra Novack examines loss, loyalty, and a family in crisis. Lyrical and elegiac, Precious illuminates our attempts to make sense of the volatility that surrounds and consumes us, and explores our ability, even during the most trying times, to remember and hold on to those we love most. -- Random House

It seems like lately I've been starting a lot of books with preconceived notions about what they were going to be like. You'd think by now that I wouldn't do that since I've been proven wrong so many times in the past few weeks; but once again, I had definite ideas about the novel PRECIOUS by Sandra Novack. While the storyline wasn't exactly what I was expecting, I quickly forgot my assumptions and became caught up in this family's story. PRECIOUS is just a beautifully written novel with very honest characters.

For some reason, I thought this book was going to be about the disappearance of a young girl. I basically processed the first few lines of the book's description without really absorbing the rest. And while the disappearance of the neighbor girl was a secondary storyline in this novel, the real essence of this novel was about The Kisch family. When Natalia the mother picks up and leaves suddenly one day, the father and remaining two daughters' lives are turned upside-down. The depth of their pain from the loss of Natalia is so intense that the reader can actually feel it. I enjoyed how the author showed how each person attempts to cope with the loss (hint: it's not always "healthy") and how each one is damaged as a result of their actions.

While I did like the storyline, I also thought the author did a great job of setting the tone of this novel. The story takes place in a small Pennsylvania town in the 1970s, and I think she captured the look and feel perfectly. I loved how she described the neighborhood the Kisch's lived in as well as their nosy neighbors. I could definitely picture their surroundings, and I think her descriptions of a small town and its inhabitants helped to enhance the story.

To me, this book is about loss on so many levels. The most obvious indications of this theme are the disappearance of the little neighbor girl and Natalia's abandonment of her family; however, I think the theme of loss goes much deeper than just the physical. The author does a terrific job of showing the devastating effects of these losses on their loved ones, but she also shows other things that were "lost" as a result. For example, there are losses of an intact family, respect, security, a child's innocence, and the trust between parent/child and husband/wife to name a few.

However, this book isn't only about loss -- it's also about forgiveness and redemption. When Natalia realizes the error of her ways and returns home to her family, she is faced (rightly so) with their anger and bitterness. Everyone in the family is forced to examine their actions and decide what's ultimately best for them. As a reader, I had a feeling that all of the family's pain and anguish would come to the surface, and I was very anxious to see how (or if) their issues would be resolved. I admit that I was surprised by a few of the outcomes; however, I liked that the ending wasn't tied up neatly with a bow on top. This book was far too good for that!

PRECIOUS is Ms. Novack's first novel, and I think it's a wonderful beginning! As I mentioned earlier, her prose is just beautiful; however, I was equally impressed (if not more so) with her development of the characters. The members of the Kisch family were just incredibly real to me, and I felt as if I really understood their thoughts and actions (even if I didn't always agree with them.) The way Ms. Novack made the reader feel their pain is just amazing, and I can promise that these characters (flaws and all) will remain in your thoughts after finishing this novel. I am pretty sure that Ms. Novack is making a name for herself with PRECIOUS, and I am very anxious to read more of her work. If you want to learn more about Ms. Novack, there is a very interesting interview with the author and you can also visit her blog.

I think PRECIOUS would make an excellent book club book. After I finished this book, I definitely wanted to discuss it with a friend. I think it would be fascinating to "analyze" these characters and their actions, but I also think the themes in this novel are worth a further look. Some examples of discussion topics are: marriage, parent/child relationships, trust, loss, and redemption. I couldn't find a reader's guide at this time, but if/when I do, I'll be sure to add the link to this post. If you are interested in taking a peak at the book, make sure you check out this excerpt.

Check out these other blogs for their thoughts:

Monday, May 4th: Fizzy Thoughts

Wednesday, May 6th: Book, Line, and Sinker

Thursday, May 7th: Redlady’s Reading Room

Monday, May 11th: Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Wednesday, May 13th: Bookworm with a View

Thursday, May 14th: Pop Culture Junkie

Monday, May 18th: Literate Housewife

Tuesday, May 26th: Book Addiction

Friday, May 29th: Diary of an Eccentric

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of the PRECIOUS book tour.

Review: The Sisters Club: Rule of Three

Summary: Alex has always been the Actor-with-a-capital-A in the Reel family, and middle-sister Stevie has always been content behind the scenes. But when the school play turns out to be a musical, Stevie (the natural-born singer of the family), decides that she may just be tired of being the Sensible One. Maybe, for once, she’d like to be the one in the spotlight! Alex isn’t so keen on vying for the same role as her younger sister, however, and soon the dueling divas -- with little sister Joey egging them on -- are engaged in a fierce competition to find out who’s got what it takes to play the Princess. Has Stevie broken the rules by going for what she wants -- or will it be Alex who hands down the biggest betrayal of all? The play’s the thing when sibling rivalry takes center stage in a funny, spot-on, all-new Sisters Club story by the inimitable creator of Judy Moody. -- Candlewick Press

I was so excited when I received THE SISTERS CLUB: RULE OF THREE by Megan McDonald to read and review. My initial thoughts were that the book sounded like something Booking Daughter would love; and then I saw the adorable cover I knew this book was going to be a winner with middle grade girls. In fact, the girls at my daughter's school were all over this book. I guess what surprised me was how much I actually enjoyed the story.

I think this book is just precious! I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this story -- both the three sisters as well as their parents. I thought Ms. McDonald captured the feel of this family and made their relationships very realistic (especially the fights between the sisters.) I also really liked the humor that Ms. McDonald incorporated into this book. Both Booking Daughter and I were laughing a lot when we read RULE OF THREE!

I liked that Stevie (the middle sister) was the narrator for a lot of this story because her thoughts about life were so insightful; however, I also liked that the reader got glimpses of Alex and Joey through some of the other chapters. Mixed into the narrative are other entertaining sections -- like conversations Alex has with her sock monkey, various quizzes, and Joey's adorable drawings and obsession with the book LITTLE WOMEN.

As a mother, I really liked the overall messages in this book. Of course the main idea was that sisters stand by each other no matter what. Despite all of the competition and fighting that took place between Alex and Stevie, they ultimately decided to support each other because their relationship was so important to both of them. Some of the other messages that I liked in this story were the importance of honesty, forgiveness, and self-confidence -- I think kids need to hear these concepts all the time. And, I really liked how the author conveyed the need for children to discover and nurture their own special talents.

Megan McDonald is a well known name in our household because she is the author of the Judy Moody and Stink books. A few years ago, I'm pretty sure that my daughter read every Judy Moody and Stink book that were available. I remember that she really liked the books and laughed a lot while reading them. I think both of the series are terrific for children who are ready to read chapter books because they have great characters and keep the kids' interest. Make sure you check out Ms. McDonald's website because there are lots of goodies for kids as well as writers and teachers.

RULE OF THREE is the second book in The Sisters Club Series. The minute Booking Daughter finished this book, I had to run to the library to get the first one. I couldn't believe how much she loved these books. She read through THE SISTERS CLUB as quickly as she read RULE OF THREE, and I'm sure that she's going to read every book in this series as it comes out. Not only did she love the stories, but she absolutely adored the three sisters! Instead of trying to describe her thoughts to you, I'll let you read them for yourself:

I think THE SISTERS CLUB: RULE OF THREE was really good. I liked it better than the first book. It is definitely in my top five favorite books ever. I liked the message and that the sisters did everything for each other. I also liked how Alex talks to sock monkey. Sock monkey is funny. I really liked the characters in the story. There were funny and changed feelings throughout the story.

Thanks to The Picnic Basket for giving me the opportunity to review this terrific book!

Review: The Hunger Games

Summary: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before -- and survival. -- Scholastic

There has been so much hype around THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins that I knew I had to read it -- everyone seems to be raving about it! I have to admit that it's not a book that I probably would have picked up prior to associating with some many book bloggers because 1) it's YA and that's just not a genre I read much of, and 2) it's technically science fiction and that's not a genre I usually read either. However, since everyone is so excited about this book, I decided to check it out of my library and see what all the fuss was about. I was more than a little concerned that it couldn't possibly live up to everyone's praise, but guess what? It did -- I absolutely loved this book!

I knew I was in trouble when I started this book on Mother's Day. I probably should have been spending some quality time with my family, but I had to read THE HUNGER GAMES. I simply could not put this book down. And, it's not one of those books that takes awhile to get into -- no sir, from the very first page, I was hooked! I became so caught up in this action-packed, fact-paced novel that I had to keep reading to find out what happened.

The plot of this book is just an amazing story -- 24 kids fighting to their deaths until there is only one remaining. What makes this story is more insane is that the event is "televised" to all the citizens of Panem -- it is a reality show that knows no bounds. While parts of the story seemed a bit like the Olympics, especially the pageantry of the opening cermonies and the special interest stories, other parts were more like the ultimate Survivor show (only this time it was a case of life and death.) From just a plot standpoint, this book was fascinating and there was never a dull moment.

However, there were so many more great things about this novel than just the storyline. I loved how the author developed the characters, especially sixteen year old Katniss. When the story begins, Katniss came across to me as very harsh and bitter -- of course, her father died in a mine explosion, her mother basically shut down, and she was responsible for taking care of and feeding her little sister so I guess she had a right to be a little angst-ridden. I appreciated that the author allowed us to see a gentler side of Katniss when she was out hunting in the woods and talking with her friend Gale. I also saw signs of Katniss' more compassionate side when she sacrificed herself for an almost certain death rather then letting her younger sister compete in The Hunger Games. Had I not seen this caring side of Katniss, I'm not sure I would have felt such an affinity to Katniss.

I absolutely loved how Katniss matured throughout the course of this novel. I can imagine that fighting for your life would make you grow up quickly. Katniss was a pretty real character for me -- a teenager who at times thought and acted like an adult, and other times who was absolutely clueless. I appreciated how she learned not only to trust her own instincts, but eventually learned how to trust others. I also liked how she came to really understand herself and her strengths (and even her weaknesses); and, I definitely think she showed signs of being a "normal" teenager when it comes to her confusion about boys!

In addition to developing the character of Katniss, I thought the author did an amazing job with showing human characteristics -- both good and bad -- in all of the other characters in the book. She created characters who had very real and honest feelings such as compassion and hope, but also greed and anger. I can only imagine how fighting for your life can bring out the best and worst of human behavior.

Another thing I really liked was how Ms. Collins wove so much insight into individuals and society into this novel. She did a great job of showing how discrimination and bias exists among people, and how the upper classes can take advantage of their situation in life. I also appreciated how she showed the effects that war has on a society especially when it comes to the children. Those are just a few examples of the thought-provoking themes that run through this book.

THE HUNGER GAMES is the first in a series, and I can't wait for Book 2 CATCHING FIRE which will be available on September 1st. When I finished this book, there were quite a few loose ends which I'm sure will be addressed in the next novel. And while Katniss did grow up a lot throughout the course of this book, I'm anxious to see what happens to her when she goes back home. She has some unresolved issues from her relationships, and I'm curious to see how she handles them.

There is a very cool website devoted to THE HUNGER GAMES. Even though the site is not geared towards me, I had a lot of fun playing around on it! There are downloadable games, excerpts from the book, and even a message board so you can discuss the story with others.

The only thing that disappointed me about this book is that my daughter is too young to read it. There is some violence and cruelty that might upset younger readers and probably would disturb her. It's not that she couldn't read it, but I think to fully appreciate the book, she should wait a few years. Plus, I'm not really ready to answer some of her questions that are sure to pop up.

I definitely recommend THE HUNGER GAMES to every teen (boys and girls alike) because I'm sure they will love it as much as I do; but I also think adults will appreciate the story for some different reasons. I think this novel would make an excellent discussion book for a teen book club or even a mother daughter book club; and I firmly intend to have our girls read it in a few years. Besides being a great story, there are so many things to think about -- namely, the effects of war on our society and especially our children.

If you haven't read THE HUNGER GAMES yet, what are you waiting for? It's a fabulous book that is sure to be a pleaser!

Review: Love Stories in the Town

Summary: From San Francisco to Savannah, Montana to Texas, Amanda Eyre Ward’s characters are united in their fervent search to find a place where they truly belong. Annie, a librarian in a small mining town, must choose between the only home she’s ever known and the possibility of a new future. Casey, a suburban New Yorker with a wry sense of humor, braves the dating scene after losing her husband. And in six linked stories spanning a decade of her life, Lola Wilkerson navigates elopement, motherhood, and lingering questions about who she wants to be when she grows up. Whether exploring the fierceness of a mother’s love or the consolations of marriage, Amanda Eyre Ward’s stories are imbued with humor, clear-eyed insight, and emotional richness. -- Ballantine Books

I consider myself a pretty big fan of Amanda Eyre Ward. I have read and enjoyed all three of her books -- SLEEP TOWARD HEAVEN, HOW TO BE LOST, and FORGIVE ME; and my book club even discussed SLEEP TOWARD HEAVEN a few years ago. So when Ms. Ward contacted me on Twitter (@amandaeyreward) and asked if I would be interested in receiving a copy of her latest book LOVE STORIES IN THIS TOWN, I almost fell over. Of course, I wanted to read it!

LOVE STORIES IN THIS TOWN is a little different from Ms. Ward's other books -- it is actually a collection of twelve short stories. To be honest with you, I haven't read many short story collections. I think I am actually a little intimidated by short stories, but I don't really understand why. (Come to think of it, that might be a topic for a future post!) Since I enjoyed Ms. Ward's other books and already appreciated her writing style, I assumed that I would probably like her short stories too. I am happy to say that I recognized Ms. Ward's writing in each of these stories, and I absolutely thought this book was a treat to read.

While the book is made up of twelve short stories, there are also two parts to this book. The first part is made of six short stories with the underlying theme of love (in all shapes and forms.) The second part of the novel also deals with similar themes; however, these six stories are all about the character of Lola. I can't really decide if I liked one part of the book better than the other, but I did enjoy getting to know Lola (maybe that's my bias because I usually read novels.) I'm sure this is always the case when someone reads a collection of short stories, but there are definitely a few stories (and characters) that really stood out to me. Having said that, I enjoyed all twelve of the stories and thought they were beautifully written; and there really weren't any that didn't cause me to think.

One story that made a strong impression on me was the very first one in the book -- "Should I Be Scared?" This story is about a woman who is living in fear in the months following the 9/11 terrorist attack. She is absolutely desperate to get her hands on some cipro; and her growing fears eventually take over her life and even harm her relationship with her husband. There is another touching story related to the aftermath of 9/11 called "The Way the Sky Changed." This story deals with a widow who attempts to enter the dating scene again. My heart just went out to the characters in this story, and it definitely pointed out how much a tragedy like this has so many rippling effects.

I'm finding it difficult not to talk about each story because there are so many things in each one that are worth discussing. I also really liked all six of the Lola stories that made up the second part of this book. These six stories span 10 years, and I really felt like I got to know the Lola character at various stages in her life. Each of these stories can stand alone, but I really like how they flowed with each other. One in particular really has stayed in my thoughts -- "Grandpa Fred in Love." In this story, Lola has to deal with her difficult father while also trying to come to terms with her daughter's delayed development. I would love to see Lola appear in either future short stories or even in her own novel.

I have such an appreciation for authors who can write good short stories. I am definitely not a writer, but I imagine that it would be so difficult to develop a story and its characters in so few pages. As I read LOVE STORIES IN THE TOWN, I thought Ms. Ward did a wonderful job with these stories. Not only the characters came to life, but the stories and even the settings were developed fully.

Another thing I absolutely loved about this book were all of the "extras" in the back. The interview with Ms. Ward is fantastic and really enhanced my enjoyment of these stories. Plus, I was just thrilled to find out that she is working on another novel! In addition, there is a reading guide that has some very thought-provoking questions about the themes and characters. I know my book club has never really tackled a collection of short stories, but I think LOVE STORIES IN THIS TOWN might make a terrific selection for us. The stories are all engaging, and there are just loads of things to discuss.

Whether you are a reader who loves short stories or one more like me who is just beginning to appreciate them, I highly recommend LOVE STORIES IN THIS TOWN. A big thanks to Ballantine and Amanda Eyre Ward for sending me LOVE STORIES IN THE TOWN.

Review: A Convenient Marriage

Summary: Horatia Winwood is simply helping her family

When the Earl of Rule proposes marriage to her sister Lizzie, Horatia offers herself instead. Her sister is already in love with someone else, and Horatia is willing to sacrifice herself for her family's happiness. Everyone knows she's no beauty, but she'll do her best to keep out of the Earl's way and make him a good wife. And then the Earl's archenemy, Sir Robert, sets out to ruin her reputation...

The Earl of Rule has found just the wife he wants

Unbeknownst to Horatia, the Earl is enchanted by her. There's simply no way he's going to let her get into trouble. Overcoming some misguided help from Horatia's harebrained brother and a hired highwayman, the Earl routs his old enemy, and wins over his young wife, gifting her with a love that she never thought she could expect. -- Sourcebooks

I guess I've been living under a rock because I feel like I'm one of the only book bloggers who hasn't read a book by Georgette Heyer. I have a few on my shelves, but it wasn't until a few days ago that I finally decided to pick one up and see what all the buzz is about. I chose to read
A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.

I'm not usually a big reader of romance books (unless you count the occasional chick lit book) so I wasn't quite sure that I was going to like A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE. I just figured that I should try one of these Heyer books that everyone seems to be talking about. When I read the book description, I have to admit that I was skeptical -- it really didn't sound like a book that would appeal to me. I couldn't have been more wrong. A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE was just a wonderful book.

I thought the storyline in this novel was extremely creative. Horatia, the youngest sister in Winwood family offers herself in marriage to the Earl of Rule to allow her older sister to marry her true love. She and the Earl agree to have a marriage of convenience, and Horatia does her best to be a good wife; however, she still finds herself in some uncomfortable situations. While Horatia does seem to appreciate her husband, she fails to realize his genuine feelings towards her. It takes awhile for them to "get on the same page," and the confusion and adventures that occur along the way are just incredibly entertaining.

I couldn't help but like Horatia, although I did get frustrated with her actions and sometimes wanted to shake her. She was such a unique girl/woman who wasn't afraid to speak her mind. She did do some rather stupid things, but I kept reminding myself that she was only 17 years old and very naive. In addition, I tried to understand that she was thrown into an entirely new life -- she married an older and very wealthy man whom she really didn't know at all. Nonetheless, Horatia was such an interesting character and I can see why the Earl was enamored by her.

Not only did I like Horatia, but I absolutely loved the Earl. He was such a wonderful male character. I found him to be smart, charming, witty, and best of all patient with Horatia. Time and time again, he saved Horatia from her own careless actions and always seemed to forgive her. It was almost as if he could read her mind and anticipate her next move. I just thought he was such a romantic man.

Of course, I was rooting for Horatia and the Earl to realize not only their own feelings, but also each other's feelings. There were many twists and turns and zany mishaps along the way, but I felt very satisfied with the ending of this book. I was happy to see that the married couple "lived happily ever after." I'm starting to think that I appreciate romance stories more than I thought!

While I was a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this story, I was absolutely blown away by how much humor was in this story. For some crazy reason, I wasn't expecting this book to be so funny -- I guess I thought a romance set in Regency England would be "stuffy." I was just incredibly wrong. This book was a hoot! The characters (especially Horatia's brother) and their escapades were extremely funny, and I found myself laughing a great deal.

After reading A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE, I definitely will be recommending it to many of my friends; and I certainly want to read more of Ms. Heyer's books. I am so glad that I have a few more of her novels on my bookshelves. She has written something like 56 books over a 53 year period (that's pretty incredible to me); and her books include romances, historical fiction and even mysteries. According to the Sourcebooks website, she is supposedly known for her "research, historical accuracy and her extraordinary plots and characterizations." Based on this one novel, I agree; and I am definitely looking forward to reading some of her historical fiction novels in the near future.

A big thanks to Danielle from Sourcebooks for sending me a copy of A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE.

Mailbox Monday, May 18, 2009

What can I really say about this week's mailbox? There are some incredible books in there to say the least. Many of them actually look terrific for book clubs too.

THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING by Joshilyn Jackson - I have been dying to read this book for months -- ever since My Friend Amy recommended it!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?: The Story of Rocco Mediate's Extraordinary Battle with Tiger Woods at the US Open by Rocco Mediate and John Feinstein - I'm passing this one along to Booking Pap Pap. We watched the U.S. Open together last Father's Day weekend, and we are both big golf fans.

IN THE SANCTUARY OF OUTCASTS (ARC) by Neil White - This book was sent to me (and recommended) by Kate from Folio Lit.

ENTERTAINING ANGELS by Judy Duarte

KILLER CRUISE by Laura Levine

CHIC & SIMPLE SEWING by Christine Haynes - A twitter win!

BLUE BOY by Rakesh Satyal

WHAT WE REMEMBER by Michael Thomas Ford

NEIL ARMSTRONG IS MY UNCLE (ARC) by Nan Marino

20 BOY SUMMER (ARC) by Sarah Oekler

WHEN YOU LIE ABOUT YOUR AGE, THE TERRORIST WIN by Carol Leifer

OLD WORLD DAUGHTER, NEW WORLD MOTHER by Maria Laurino

THE SECRET OF THE SACRED SCARAB by Fiona Ingram - This book was sent to Booking Daughter from Trish at Hey Lady.

THE MIDDLE PLACE by Kelly Corrigan - This is for a BlogTalk Radio show with Book Club Girl later this month.

THE HAKAWATI by Rabih Alameddine

What did you get last week?

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page

Review: The Midwife

Summary: An unforgettable story of the joy of motherhood, the bravery of a community, and the hope of one extraordinary woman At the age of twenty-two, Jennifer Worth leaves her comfortable home to move into a convent and become a midwife in post war London’s East End slums. The colorful characters she meets while delivering babies all over London—from the plucky, warm-hearted nuns with whom she lives to the woman with twenty-four children who can’t speak English to the prostitutes and dockers of the city’s seedier side—illuminate a fascinating time in history. Beautifully written and utterly moving, The Midwife will touch the hearts of anyone who is, and everyone who has, a mother. -- Penguin

When I first heard about the book THE MIDWIFE: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth, I just knew I wanted to read it. I have always been fascinated by the role of midwives in our history, and I thought the idea of the author living in a convent would be interesting. too While I was thinking that I'd probably like this book, I can definitely say that THE MIDWIFE far exceeded my expectations!

This is a major aside, but it might help explain my interest in the profession of midwifery. I think women who choose midwives for their birthing option have amazing experiences. However, I have to admit that I didn't choose to go that route -- mainly because I am a major chicken and wanted an epidural. (In fact, when I was admitted to the hospital to deliver my first daughter and was asked about my pain plan, I told them DRUGS - early and often.) I find it very ironic that my daughter was actually delivered by a midwife because the doctor never made it to the delivery room in time! My husband and I agreed that the woman who delivered my daughter was a very supportive and inspirational person who made my delivery extra-special.

Since THE MIDWIFE is a memoir, I was expecting it to be all about the author Jennifer Worth. I figured that this book would include information about how the author became a midwife -- the reason behind her decision as well as lots of information on her training, etc. However, much to my surprise, this book wasn't really all about Ms. Worth. Rather, the "memoir" was filled with amazing stories about the mothers (and others) that she encountered during her years as a midwife. In addition, I was surprise by how readable this book was -- there were so many touching stories as well as humorous ones that existed within the pages of this book.

I just loved reading this book and learning about all of her patients' birthing stories. I definitely gained a huge respect for the value of a midwife in the lives of these people who lived in London's East End in the 1950s; however, what I also found was how brave and strong all of these women were who lived back then. Often times, these women were living in squalid and crowded conditions with lots (and lots) of children; and their husbands were little, if any, help. In addition, birth control wasn't really an option for most of these women. The way they balanced their lives and their families is absolutely amazing; and I found THE MIDWIFE to be a very uplifting story about the power of women!

In addition to enjoying the stories about Ms. Worth's patients, I also really liked the parts of the book that took place in the convent. Because the author had worked as a nurse in the rigid environment of a hospital, she definitely appreciated the loving and caring nature of the nuns. I have no doubt that these nuns were just wonderful women with all the good they did for the families in London's East End. While I was touched by their actions, I also found myself laughing out load at the many hilarious stories about the women. I felt like these anecdotes about the women living in the convent were also very much a testament to the strength of women.

Another thing I really adored about this book was seeing how Ms. Worth grew not only as a midwife, but also as a person. I really liked her from the first pages of this book; however, my admiration for her just kept growing as I read this book. I truly believe that women that went into the midwife profession in the 1950s like Ms. Worth were a very special breed, but I loved how Ms. Worth matured through the years she lived in the convent. She began her story with a pretty apathetic view on religion; however, as she lived with these holy women and saw their faith, she began to think about her own beliefs. The book definitely doesn't hit you over the head with these messages (and maybe I was just looking for them), but I really appreciated how she ended this book.

Needless to say, I highly recommend THE MIDWIFE. I think anyone who is interested in midwifery or even medicine back in the 1950s would enjoy this book. In addition, I think women of all types will value the various stories about the amazing women she encountered.

Thanks to Caitlin from FSB Associates for sending me a copy of this book!

Review: Max Quigley

Summary: Bully or not, Max Quigley is in for a life change, as he and his sometimes victim Triffin Nordstrom are forced together by their parents. It's not Triffin's idea of a good time, and it's certainly not Max's. But it is definitely going to happen, and neither of them knows when the torment will end. -- Houghton Mifflin

Since I have a daughter who is a huge reader, I love to find middle grade books that we both can read and enjoy. MAX QUIGLEY: TECHNICALLY NOT A BULLY by James Roy was a great find! We both read this book within a few days of each other and agreed that it was a very fun book to read.

I highly recommend MAX QUIGLEY for all middle-grade readers because not only is it a very entertaining book, but it also deals with a very serious issue -- bullying. I love that this book is written for middle-grade aged children because sometimes it is difficult for kids at this age to talk about bullies. I hope this book can be the opportunity for parents to open up communication with their children about bullying -- whether they are being bullied or even are the bully!

My daughter and I both liked this book, but I think this story will resonate better with young boys. The characters of Max and Triffin are somewhat typical of boys in every school -- the bully vs. the smart boy. I think Max and his insights into life are extremely funny, but the humor is definitely geared towards boys. That's not to say that girls won't like this book too -- I'm just saying that MAX QUIGLEY is a story that boys will love!

As a mother, I realize that it's "normal" for some kids to be bullies; however, I don't think we just have to accept this behavior. I'm fortunate that (so far) my kids have not been on the receiving end of serious bullying behavior, but that doesn't mean that I don't see it. It just breaks my heart to see how much damage one child can do to another, with not only with physical abuse but also with harsh words. Our elementary school as a fantastic bully prevention program that seems to be helping, but I think books like MAX QUIGLEY might be another way to bring attention to this topic.

There were definitely some valuable messages in this book that all children need to hear. First and foremost, the issue of bullying was covered from both sides. I have read quite a few books about children who were being taunted by bullies, but I can't remember reading about a bullying situation from the bully's point of view. I love that this book got into the mind of the school bully, and I think some kids will definitely be able to relate to Max. However, what I really liked about this story was how Max eventually realized how he was being perceived by others; and I was so proud of him for realizing how to be a good friend.

Here are Booking Daughter's thoughts:

I liked MAX QUIGLEY although I thought it was kind of boyish. I think the book was not just for kids that get bullied, but also for kids that bully. I liked how Max changed throughout the story by becoming nicer. I also liked the drawings on some of the pages. I enjoyed reading about the other characters in the story, not just about Max.

A big thanks to The Picnic Basket for bringing this opportunity to my attention.

Hello...You Won The Atherton Series

Congrats to Nickolay! You won not only Patrick Carman's THE DARK PLANET, but also the first two books in the Atherton Series -- THE HOUSE OF POWER and RIVERS OF FIRE. Please e-mail me with your name and mailing address so I can forward the information to the publisher!

Check out my other great giveaways:

Hachette Mother's Day Giveaway

THE CHOSEN ONE

THE TURNAROUND

AFRAID

FRENCHMAN'S CREEK

Review: The Wonder Singer

Summary: The Wonder Singer is an operatic literary caper about one young writer's manic ambition. The ghostwriter's best chance at fame almost disappears when his Diva dies suddenly in her bath. His solution is to steal the tapes, liberate the Diva's aging husband, and write the autobiography on the run.

Mark Lockwood’s life is a small one. He’s made his living as a freelance writer, producing a series of little books for hire called How to Talk to Your Teen about . . . . But for the past few months he’s been at work on a ghostwriting assignment beyond his dreams. To prepare her “autobiography”, he has been interviewing the internationally renowned diva, Mercè Casals. When the Señora dies suddenly—floating sizable in her elegant scented bath—she is suddenly a hot property and a celebrity biographer arrives to take over the writing of her book.

But Lockwood realizes this is his one chance at greatness, and so he runs off with the interview tapes. Abetted by the beautiful but scrupulous Perla, the Señora’s nurse, and by a female impersonator who considers himself the diva’s greatest fan, Lockwood locks himself into his study, endlessly plays the tapes, and begins to craft his greatest book. Once the three conspirators rescue the Señora’s husband from the home she put him in, Lockwood’s sense of his own heart begins to expand beyond his considerable imagination.

Moving by turns through the diva’s lyrical account of her life and the frantic pace of Lockwood’s notes from underground, The Wonder Singer portrays for us just what it can mean to live a beautiful life to its fullest. -- Unbridled Books

As I mentioned last week, I am a big fan of the books that Unbridled publishes. I seem to like every one that I've read, and they are all special in their own right. So when I picked up THE WONDER SINGER by George Rabasa, I figured that I was going to be in for a treat. I was right -- I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I especially enjoyed the characters.

But I have to say that THE WONDER SINGER wasn't exactly what I was expecting. As I re-read the book's description, I think it does explain the story very well; however, I'm pretty sure that the cover through me. I have an older ARC copy of this novel and the cover is different (it's actually the hardcover version.) Like all Unbridled books, the cover is absolutely gorgeous; but is definitely less whimsical than the one they chose for the paperback publication. When I began reading this book, I thought is was going to be much more serious than it actually was. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was a great deal of fun to read. It did have some serious parts, but the majority of this book was fast-paced, action-filled, and very funny. In fact, the cover letter refers to it as a "literary caper," and I just think that captures this story perfectly.

There were a lot of things that I liked about THE WONDER SINGER. The first thing that comes to my mind is the story itself - or should I say stories? I loved learning about Merce's life which was a great read in itself, but I also liked the story about Lockwood. He was kind of a loser in both his professional and personal life; and the actions surrounding his attempts to write his book, hide the tapes from the other (more famous) writer, and figure out his personal relationships were extremely entertaining. And while I thought this book was very funny; I also appreciated the "historical" aspects -- when Merce was young and growing up in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Mr. Rabasa did a wonderful job of incorporating the history of this war with Merce's life.

Another thing that comes to my mind was the author's writing style -- I just loved it! I appreciated how he was able to tell not only Merce's life story, but also Lockwood's story about trying to get his book written. And, I was just amazed by how easily the book went back and forth between Merce's chapters (which were written in first person Merce's voice) and the antics of Lockwood and his friends (which were written in third person.) As the chapters alternated between the two stories, I was impressed with how the story's pace changed too -- Lockwood's chapters were almost happening at a frantic pace while Merce's were much less chaotic and actually gave the reader some things to think about.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how terrific the characters were in this book. I thought Mr. Rabasa did a great job of developing them, and I especially appreciated the character of Merce. As a former opera star, she was definitely larger than life; however, the author did a great job of making her seem real to me. I loved the parts of this story where Merce was talking about her life in her own words; and I very much enjoyed that the reader was able to see not only the highlights of her life, but the troubles and struggles she experienced.

I wasn't familiar with Mr. Rabasa prior to THE WONDER SINGER, but I was happy to see that he has written some other novels as well as an award-winning collection of short stories. If you'd like to learn more about Mr. Rabasa, Minnesota Public Radio conducted a great interview with him; and you can also check out his website. Another thing you might find interesting is an iTunes play list which features some songs mentioned in the novel.

Thanks to Libby from Unbridled Books for sending me an ARC of this book.

Also reviewed at:
Diary of an Eccentric

Hello...You Won Mistress of the Sun

Congratulations to nightdweller20. You just won a copy of MISTRESS OF THE SUN by Sandra Gulland. This is a fascinating book and I'm sure you're going to love it! Please e-mail me with your name and mailing address so I can send the book right out to you.

Check my other great giveaways:

Hachette Mother's Day Giveaway

THE CHOSEN ONE

The Atherton Trilogy

THE TURNAROUND

AFRAID

FRENCHMAN'S CREEK

Guest Blogger: Kathy-Diane Leveille

I'd like to welcome the author of LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU, Kathy-Diane Leveille, to Booking Mama. I recently read and reviewed this novel and thought it was a suspenseful, yet insightful, book. Like many of us, Ms. Leveille has always been a book lover; however, she decided to take the plunge and write her very own novel. I think her essay will give you some additional information about her novel as well as some of her reasons behind writing it.

Hi. Thanks for inviting me to be a guest. I’m so glad to be here. My new suspense novel Let the Shadows Fall Behind You (Kunati Books) was inspired by my fascination with disappearances. An estimated 10 million people go missing each year in the U.S. alone, but no one’s ever determined how many of these incidents defy explanation. Take the mystifying case documented by psychic, Sylvia Browne, of the man who stepped out his front door and vanished in broad daylight. His family could hear him calling, but no one could see him anywhere.

Let the Shadows Fall Behind You introduces Brannagh Maloney whose boyfriend, Nikki, disappears into thin air while conducting a bird count up north. Brannagh reluctantly returns home for a reunion of the childhood club Tuatha-de-Dananns. She hides out at her Grandmother’s cottage near the woods where her mother was murdered fifteen years ago. As Brannagh tries to solve the mystery behind Nikki’s vanishing, she is haunted by the secrets hiding the most startling disappearance of all.

This novel is Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood meets Harlan Coben. I loved writing it because I was able to combine the ingredients I crave in fiction: a dark hero, a broken and brave heroine, loyal sidekicks; and the shifting, persistent threat of evil that must be conquered. It’s a multi-layered plot, sharpened by elements of romance, suspense, poetry and comedy. I love anything Irish and grew extremely fond of these women--Brannagh, Annie, Tish and Diane— and was sad to write the last page.

The protagonist, Brannagh, is determined to leave dark secrets in her past behind, but the disappearance of Nikki leads her straight back home. So often in life, that is exactly what happens. The very thing we don’t want to deal with keeps knocking at our door until we face it head on. Brannagh learns that nothing can change the past, but the power of friendship can transform the future.

Thank you so much for inviting me to be your guest and meeting all your readers. Please let me know what you think of Let the Shadows Fall Behind You at shadowsfall@kathy-dianeleveille.com. I’d love to hear from you. I’ve met many generous writers on my road to publication and every Thursday I chat with one of them on Shadows Fall N Friends. Join us at http://lettheshadowsfallbehindyou.blogspot.com. For a schedule of who is appearing and when, subscribe to my E-muse letter at shadowsfall@kathy-dianeleveille.com. Along with the latest news and writing tips, it announces the winner of the monthly draw for a 50.00 gift certificate on Amazon.

Happy Reading!

Kathy-Diane http://kathy-dianeleveille.com

• Let the Shadows Fall Behind You
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Kunati Inc. (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601641672
• ISBN-13: 978-1601641670

May 2009 Book Club Meeting

Summary: Be prepared to meet three unforgettable women:

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody’s business, but she can’t mind her tongue, so she’s lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don’t. -- Putnam

Last night, The Preschool Moms Book Club met to discuss THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett. It's not surprising that we all really enjoyed this book -- you can read my review here. I was actually over an hour late to our meeting, so I'm not sure how much of the discussion I missed. But throughout the life of our book club, I've found that the books we really like don't always equate to the best discussions. That's not to say that our meeting wasn't a lot of fun, but the reading guide didn't really lend itself to any "controversy" in our group. Everyone pretty much agreed on all of the issues; however, there were some slight disagreements about some of the characters.

I do think the meeting went very well though. It was definitely an enjoyable night out (away from the kids) for a bunch of moms. There were lots of interesting side discussions especially since the Mike's Hard Lemonades and red wine were flowing, but there were also some interesting interpretations of some of the characters' actions. We all agreed that THE HELP would make a terrific movie, and we had a lot of fun trying to cast the characters.

Next month, we will be reading PEACE LIKE A RIVER by Leif Enger. The book came out quite a few years ago, and I can't remember if I read it or not. (If I can't even remember that, I guess it's safe to say that I need to read it again!) The book has won some pretty prestigious awards so I'm actually looking forward to reading it.

Summary: Hailed as one of the year's top five novels by Time, and selected as one of the best books of the year by nearly all major newspapers, national bestseller Peace Like a River captured the hearts of a nation in need of comfort. "A rich mixture of adventure, tragedy, and healing," Peace Like a River is "a collage of legends from sources sacred and profane—from the Old Testament to the Old West, from the Gospels to police dramas" (Ron Charles, The Christian Science Monitor). In "lyrical, openhearted prose" (Michael Glitz, The New York Post), Enger tells the story of eleven-year-old Reuben Land, an asthmatic boy who has reason to believe in miracles. Along with his sister and father, Reuben finds himself on a cross-country search for his outlaw older brother who has been controversially charged with murder. Their journey is touched by serendipity and the kindness of strangers, and its remarkable conclusion shows how family, love, and faith can stand up to the most terrifying of enemies, the most tragic of fates. Leif Enger's "miraculous" (Valerie Ryan, The Seattle Times) novel is a "perfect book for an anxious time, a book of great literary merit that nonetheless restores readers' faith in the kindness of stories" (Marta Salij, Detroit Free Press). -- Grove Atlantic

Review: Let the Shadows Fall Behind You

Summary: Filled with quirky, heartwarming characters, this novel is a late coming-of-age story shaped by the eternal redeeming power of female friendship. Brannagh Maloney returns to her hometown for a reunion of old friends, carrying the burden of thinking she has lost her lover, Nikolai Mirsky. Once there, she finds it hard to ignore old family secrets, and decides to visit the house where she was raised and treated cruelly by her grandfather. Brannagh forces the old man to tell her what happened to her mother, and the shocking truth finally sets her free as she understands why her grandfather had acted so harshly. When Nikolai turns up unexpectedly, Brannagh's life takes another turn as her mysterious past deepens. -- Kunati

When I started reading LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU by Kathy-Diane Leveille, I assumed it was going to be one of those part suspense/part mystery type of book. And there definitely was a suspense aspect to this novel, but I was a little surprised that there was so much more to this story. This book is actually much deeper than a just a typical mystery book. LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU is a deep, complex story that delves into a woman's life and her attempts to resolve issues about her past.

What I most appreciate about this book was how Ms. Leveille developed all of the characters. In fact, I thought she did a wonderful job of bringing so many complicated characters to life. (I can't remember the last time I read a book with this many characters who were carrying this much baggage.) I especially appreciated how she developed the character of Brannagh. Brannagh always felt as if important people in her life just disappeared on her, and she was trying to come to terms with not only her current relationship but also all of the relationships in her past. I wasn't sure that I actually liked Brannagh -- she was rather distant and even cold; however, as the story unfolded, I began to sympathize with her. And by the end of the book, I was hoping that she would have some closure and begin to heal.

I also enjoyed the suspense and mystery parts of this story. While I definitely think the character development was my favorite part of this book, I still liked that I was "in the dark" about so much of Brannagh's and Nikki's past. I found myself guessing as to what had happened to them and even questioning where the book was going to go. When things finally became clear towards the end of the book, I was surprised to say the least. LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU will keep you guessing and even thinking about the book after you complete it.

I enjoyed Ms. Leveille's writing style and how she told this story. The story goes back and forth between Brannagh's current life and her incidents from her past. In addition, the story also flashes back to Nikki's childhood. I liked how the reader was given little "clues" into both of the characters' pasts to help explain their current situations. It could have been confusing switching back and forth so often and with so many characters; however, I thought Ms. Leveille did a terrific job with this and kept things clear to the reader.

This book will certainly entertain a lot of readers because it is a good mix of suspense and character development. However, I also think many readers will be impressed with the deeper topics that the book explores -- -- it might even make a good book club discussion book. There are so many things to think about such as the characters' actions and reactions as well as the issue of perception vs. reality. I also think there is a great opportunity for discussion about the various relationships that occur throughout the novel.

Make sure you stop by tomorrow because Ms. Leveille will be writing a guest post especially for Booking Mama's readers.

A big thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book!

Giveaway: Frenchman's Creek

Summary: DAPHNE DU MAURIER'S LOST CLASSIC; AN ELECTRIFYING TALE OF LOVE AND SCANDAL ON THE HIGH SEAS.

Jaded by the numbing politeness of Restoration London, Lady Dona St. Columb revolts against high society. She rides into the countryside, guided only by her restlessness and her longing to escape.

But when chance leads her to meet a French pirate, hidden within Cornwall's shadowy forests, Dona discovers that her passions and thirst for adventure have never been more aroused. Together, they embark upon a quest rife with danger and glory, one which bestows upon Dona the ultimate choice: sacrifice her lover to certain death or risk her own life to save him.

Frenchman's Creek is the breathtaking story of a woman searching for love and adventure who embraces the dangerous life of a fugitive on the seas. -- Sourcebooks Landmark

Last month, I read and reviewed FRENCHMAN'S CREEK by Daphne du Maurier. I had never read a book by Ms. du Maurier before, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I highly recommend FRENCHMAN'S CREEK; and it is available for purchase at all major chain bookstores, Amazon.com and through Sourcebooks.

As a new fan of du Maurier's, I was excited to learn that today would have been her 102nd birthday. To celebrate Ms. du Maurier's 102nd birthday, Sourcebooks has a surprise for one lucky reader -- a copy of FRENCHMAN'S CREEK!

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment with your e-mail address telling if you've ever read any of Ms. du Maurer's books. To double or even triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this contest with a link back to this post. This contest is open until May 27th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. Good luck!

Guest Review: Afraid (& Free Books)

I am really excited to share this post with you! First, there is a great review by none other than Booking Pap Pap. Then, there's an opportunity for you to download a free e-book. And finally, I have a giveaway for five lucky readers so keep on reading!

Summary: Welcome to Safe Haven, Wisconsin. Miles from everything, with one road in and out, this peaceful town has never needed a full-time police force. Until now . . .

A helicopter has crashed near Safe Haven and unleashed something horrifying. Now this merciless force is about to do what it does best. Isolate. Terrorize. Annihilate. As residents begin dying in a storm of gory violence, Safe Haven's only chance for survival will rest with an aging county sheriff, a firefighter, and a single mom. And each will have this harrowing thought: Maybe death hasn't come to their town by accident . . . -- Grand Central Publishing

When my daughter asked me to review AFRAID by Jack Kilborn, I was a little hesitant because horror novels are not my favorite genre. I was actually quite surprised how much I enjoyed the book. Although the book detailed plenty of violence and gore, the premise of the story was more realistic than other horror novels I’ve read.

A small specially trained and mentally programmed military unit is dropped into the small town of Safe Haven and wreaks havoc on this quiet community of 907 full time residents. The military force of sadistic killers methodically adds to the body count as they are focused on finding one specific individual and will do anything, including unrelenting torture, to find him. The only effort to stop them is spearheaded by an elderly part-time police chief, a young firefighter and a single mom.

The book is a real page turner and the gory action and suspense starts from the very first page and builds from there. I was continually torn between continuing to read the great story and being repulsed by all the violence. The three heroes in the story are very likable characters, each driven by a good reason to fight back against the highly trained killers. The single mom’s young son and his dog also add an element to the high suspense. If you are a fan of horror novels then this is a must read. But I must warn you, it’s not for the squeamish.

Thanks to Miriam from Hachette for sending Booking Pap Pap an ARC of this book.

Now, here's the fun stuff - Hachette is offering a free eBook that you might find interesting. Here's what they have to say about it:

The e-book is called SERIAL, a terrifying tale of hitchhiking gone terribly wrong by Jack Kilborn and Blake Crouch. SERIAL is a horror novella. Like a deeply twisted version of an “After School Special,” it is the single most persuasive public service announcement on the hazards of free car rides.

The SERIAL eBook also contains a Q&A with Kilborn and Crouch, author bibliographies, and excerpts from their most recent and forthcoming works: Kilborn’s AFRAID and Crouch’s ABANDON. Here's the link for the download! SERIAL is located under "Book Extras" in the bottom right-hand corner. Readers can download it either as a PDF file or there's also an ePub version of the book (the Sony eBook Reader format).

And on top of the free download, Hachette is also graciously offering to giveaway five copies of AFRAID. To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment with your e-mail address. To double or even triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this contest with a link back to this post. This giveaway will be open until May 28th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winners the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. or Canada mailing addresses only -- no p.o. boxes please. Good luck!

Review: Crocodaddy

Summary: Celebrate the imagination—and the love between father and son—with a fun, rhyming, and totally original picture book. On a hot summer’s day, a young boy playfully sets out on a “crocodaddy hunt” in the lake. Following the creature’s shadow, dark and wet, he’s soon taking a wild ride on the grinning croc’s back. And when they leave the water, something wonderful happens: Crocodaddy transforms into…just DADDY. Bright, energetic illustrations (complete with wily crocodile in Dad’s swim trunks) highlight the story’s humor and warmth. -- Sterling

CROCODADDY by Kim Norman and illustrated by David Walker is just a precious little book for the toddler or preschooler in your life. When I first showed this book to my four year old son, he wanted me to read it to him right away because he liked the cover and the title. Like most little guys, he adores anything animal related and the thought of a little boy riding a crocodile was just too exciting.

The basic idea of this book is that a little boy and his daddy go to the lake together, and the boy pretends that his daddy is a crocodaddy. He then sets off on a hunt to capture the elusive crocodaddy. I love how the story encourages kids to use their imaginations while they play; and, I really liked the message that little boys and their fathers have special relationships. (That's not to say that my son and I don't have a bond, but I can't really see me pretending to be a crocodile.)

I had a great time reading this book to my son. The text is rhyming and very catchy, and there were only a few lines of words on each page. Lots of pictures and few words make this book ideal for preschoolers and perfect for reading out loud. While I enjoyed the story, I really appreciated the illustrations. The pictures were bright and colorful with lots to look at; and I loved the facial expressions on the boy.

When I asked my son what was his favorite part of this book, he immediately replied (with a huge grin) "Everything!" I tried to get some specifics, and he said he liked when the boy and his daddy were together at the end. He might say that was the best part for him, but I heard quite a few giggles when the boy fell in the water and when he fed the crocodaddy a sandwich. We've read this book a few times already, and it always manages to keep his attention.

I definitely recommend this adorable picture book for toddlers and preschoolers. I'm pretty sure that they will enjoy it as much as my son has, and I think parents will like reading it too!

Thanks to Kidzbookbuzz.com for allowing me to participate in this book blog tour.

Make sure you check out the other stops on this tour:

A Christian Worldview of Fiction
A Mom Speaks
A Pathcwork of Books
All About Children’s Books
Becky’s Book Reviews
Cafe of Dreams
Dolce Bellezza
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Fireside Musings
KidzBookBuzz.com
Looking Glass Reviews
Maw Books Blog
Never Jam Today
Olive Tree
Our Big Earth
Reading is My Superpower
SMS Book Reviews
The 160 Acrewoods
Through a Child’s Eyes

Review: The Chosen One & Giveaway

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much---if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.

But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle---who already has six wives---Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever. -- St. Martin's Griffin

I can't remember where I first heard about THE CHOSEN ONE by Carol Lynch Williams, but I just knew I had to read it. I have been on a pretty big YA kick lately and am truly loving all the amazing books in this genre. Plus, I admit that the story about a young girl who lives on a polygamist compound does fascinate me -- I am a big fan of the HBO series Big Love. The multitudes of praise for this book are beyond positive. Having said all that, I couldn't wait to read this book; and once I started it, I couldn't put it down -- I actually read it in one sitting. I thought this book was just terrific! I have a feeling that it's going to be one of those books that everyone is talking about.

There are so many terrific things to say about this novel. The storyline is definitely intriguing, and there's a little bit of everything in this book (including lots of action and suspense which I wasn't really expecting.) I am absolutely fascinated by the entire polygamist lifestyle and especially interested in the life these girls and women have on these compounds. As I read this book, I found myself often time shocked; but more than that, I was outraged by their treatment. The abuse, both mental and physical, that the children in this book experienced was horrific.

While I found the story just amazing, I also think I enjoyed this novel so much because of the character of Kyra. She was an amazing choice of narrator for this book, and I loved all of her insights and perceptions about her life. I also liked that Kyra had a love of books (what reader can't relate to that feeling) , and she was passionate enough about her desire to read that she often times sacrificed her well-being just to be able to visit a library and check out a book. In addition, I was just blown away by her inner strength -- she had her own ideas about what was right and she wasn't afraid to share her opinions with authority figures. She knew she was different from her other family members and children on the compound, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the author portrayed Kyra's internal struggle with this conflict.

I think young girls are going to absolutely love this book. I know I would have been very interested in learning about Kyra's life because it was so totally different than anything I had ever experienced. Even though Kyra's parents, home life, schooling, etc. are very unique to her situation, I think young girls are still going to find themselves relating to her character. While Kyra's problems are hopefully unique to her situation, her feelings and insecurities are common themes to all young women. Many girls will relate to her fear of disappointing of parents and her feelings of not belonging. I also think girls will definitely enjoy the forbidden love angle and the exciting end to the story.

I was also extremely impressed with Ms. Lynch Williams writing. The story captured my attention from the start, and I just couldn't wait to see how Kyra's story ends (although I'm still wondering that myself.) The author did a wonderful job of creating and developing memorable characters, and I thought she captured the thoughts and actions of a young teen girl perfectly. And I absolutely thought Kyra's voice was spot on! I was also impressed with the amount of research that she conducted while writing THE CHOSEN ONE. I would love to read more by this author if this novel is any indication!

As you can clearly see, I highly recommend this book to both teens and adults alike. In fact, I think it would make an excellent book for your next book club meeting. I wish the girls in our Mother-Daughter book club were the target age for this novel because I would be insisting that we all read it and discuss the serious issues in this story. However, it's going to be a few more years until they are ready for this book since they are only nine and ten years old. I was fortunate enough to receive a discussion guide brochure with my ARC copy, but I haven't been able to find the questions yet on-line (as soon as I do, I will set up a link.) There are just so many fascinating topics to discuss in this book including polygamy, family relationships, parent/child relationships, differences between the sexes, physical and mental abuse, etc. I guarantee that you could talk about the characters and their actions for hours.

I know there is a lot of buzz out there for this book, and I'm thrilled to say that I have two ARC copies (courtesy of St. Martin's) to share with two very lucky readers. These ARCs even have a CD sampler from the audio book. For one entry, please leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me why you want to read this book. To double or triple your chances, you can blog or tweet about this contest with a link back to this post. The contest is open until Tuesday, May 26th at 11:59 p.m. I will announce the winners on the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. Good luck!

Mailbox Monday - May 11, 2009

Another fantastic week. I like that I received a lot of middle grade books that my daughter and I can both read!

REAL SOLUTIONS FOR BUSY MOMS by Kathy Ireland - I "won" this autographed book on Twitter and can't wait to read it. What mom doesn't need a book like this?

THE PAGES IN BETWEEN: A HOLOCAUST LEGACY OF TWO FAMILIES, ONE HOME by Erin Einhorn - Another Twitter "win"

PERFECT LIFE by Jessica Shattuck - This book was a great surprise!

THE SISTERS CLUB: RULE OF THREE by Megan McDonald - My daughter can't wait to read this one since she loved the Judy Moody books when she was younger.

NETHERLAND by Joseph O'Neill - HUGE surprise! I was just "talking" about this book on Twitter after I heard that President Obama was reading it.

AMERICAN EVE by Paula Uruburu - This book looks amazing!

DRAGONBREATH (ARC) by Ursula Vernon - Another middle grade book that looks fantastic!

EXIT MUSIC by Ian Rankin - A twitter win for wishing Mr. Rankin a "Happy Birthday."

OBAMA: THE HISTORIC JOURNEY - This young reader's edition is for a future book tour.

MAGICKEEPERS: THE ETERNAL HOURGLASS BOOK 1 by Erica Kirov

THE HOUSE OF FORTUNE STREET by Margot Livesey

THE LAST WAR (ARC) by Ana Menendez

THE FIXER UPPER (ARC) by Mary Kay Andrews

DISMANTLED (ARC) by Jennifer McMahon

THE LATE, LAMENTED MOLLY MARX (ARC) by Sally Koslow

And some other ARC goodies courtesy of Ballantine Books!

What did you get last week?

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page

Review: Either You're In or You're In the Way

Summary: The hilarious, implausible, and touching story of twin brothers accomplishing the impossible—making a feature film (with a cast and crew with 11 Academy Awards and 26 nominations) with no experience, no money and no contacts.

When identical twin brothers Logan and Noah Miller's homeless father died alone in a jail cell, they vowed, come hell or high water, that their film, Touching Home, would be made as a dedication to their love for him. Either You're in or You're in the Way is the amazing story of how—without a dime to their names nor a single meaningful contact in Hollywood—they managed to write, produce, direct, and act in a feature film alongside four-time Academy Award-nominated actor Ed Harris and fellow nominees Brad Dourif and Robert Forster.

Either You're in or You're in the Way tells of the desperate struggle of two sons fighting to keep a vow to their father, and in so doing, creating a better life for themselves. A modern-day Horatio Alger on steroids, this fast-paced thrill ride of heartbreak and redemption will both captivate and inspire.-- Harper

When I first heard about the book EITHER YOU'RE IN OR YOU'RE IN THE WAY by Logan and Noah Miller, I just knew I wanted to read it. The story of two brothers who decide to make a movie about their father in just twelve months is an amazing story The Miller Brothers actually wrote, produced, directed, and even acted in the movie -- and they were totally self-taught! As I read this book, I couldn't believe what they were able to accomplish through sheer will. It definitely goes to show that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading EITHER YOU'RE IN OR YOU'RE IN THE WAY. The whole idea behind the making of the movie is extremely interesting, but I also liked the way the brothers told their story. The book consisted of seven major "parts;" and each part is made up of brief (and amusing) anecdotes about their adventures in movie-making. Many of these stories were just incredible, and I definitely think the Miller Brothers would agree that they had more than a little luck on their side. As I read this book, I really got the feeling that this movie was meant to be!

Many of the things that happened to them along the way of getting their movie made were outrageously funny, but I also found myself deeply touched with their endeavor. I felt their ups and downs as well as their intense stress levels; and I have to say that I have a huge amount of respect for these two guys. This book is extremely entertaining, but I walked away with some wonderful messages about life too. The Miller Brothers showed not only the value of keeping your word, but also how persistence can pay off even in what seems to be an insurmountable undertaking.

After reading this book and learning the background on the movie Touching Home, I desperately want to to see this movie. I am so interested in seeing the final product of all their efforts (and I absolutely adore Ed Harris so that doesn't hurt either.) One thing that kept running through my head as I read this book was that this actual story -- the making of the movie -- would make a terrific movie too. There would be drama, action, suspense, intriguing characters, and even some humor!

I recommend EITHER YOU'RE IN OR YOU'RE IN THE WAY if you are interested in learning how a movie is made, but also if you are looking for a heartwarming and inspiring read that is guaranteed to make you laugh. Check out this video from when The Miller Brothers appeared on a morning television show:



Thanks to Julie at FSB Associates for sending me a copy of this book.

Hello...You Won Things I Want My Daughters to Know

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! I absolutely loved that Harper Collins is allowing me to giveaway five copies of THINGS I WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO KNOW by Elizabeth Noble.

Here are the winners:

Wendy

teabird

Annie

Amber

Brimful Curiosities

If you haven't had a chance to look at the comments on my initial giveaway post, I highly recommend it! I asked for "a little piece of advice that is appropriate for a daughter -- it doesn't matter if you have one or not." I got some incredible answers that are definitely worth reading. I loved all of your answers and wished I had copies of this book for all of you!

Check out my other giveaways:

Hachette Mothers Day Giveaway

MISTRESS OF THE SUN

The Atherton Trilogy

THE TURNAROUND

Review: Little Chick

Summary: How Little Chick longs for her carrot to grow tall, for her kite to fly high, to be able to reach up and take her star from the sky. But her carrot is small, her kite bobs along on the ground and she can't stretch up far enough to touch her star. Sometimes things just don't turn out quite the way you want them to. But, as Old-Auntie shows Little Chick, there is just as much wonder in things that are small and far away – if you only look! -- Walker Books

LITTLE CHICK by Amy Hest, with pictures by Anita Jeram is such a charming little book for toddlers and preschoolers. When my four year old son saw this book, we had to read it right away. He was immediately drawn to the cute picture of the "little chick" on the cover.

I was surprised to see that this picture book was actually made up of three separate little stories -- The Carrot That Would Not Grow, The Kite That Would Not Fly, and The Starry Night. Each story was just a few pages, and my son had no problem paying attention to all three stories at one sitting. He loved all three stories, but his favorite was the one about the carrot -- I think that's because his daddy has a garden. I liked that even if you have an active toddler who doesn't normally sit well for books (like my daughter was), you can still read one of the chapters quickly and complete the story.

This book was very appealing to me and my son. The pictures were just precious and there were weren't many words per page. There illustrations were simple, and yet there still was a lot to see on each page. I especially loved Little Chick and all of his expressions. And my little guy couldn't stop giggling when he saw the pictures of the "leaf kite."

I also liked the messages that were in this book -- that sometimes things don't always work out for you. Not only did Little Chick realize that his carrot didn't look exactly like he wanted and that it was okay, but he also learned that patience is important. The Old-Auntie hen was a terrific teacher to Little Chick and was always teaching her valuable life lessons like how to look at things a little differently. I think these themes are very important for children today, and I love how this book gives parents the opportunity to discuss them with their child.

Thanks to Walker Books and The Picnic Basket for sending me a review copy of LITTLE CHICK.

Review: The Turnaround & Giveaway

Summary: On a hot summer afternoon in 1972, three teenagers drove into an unfamiliar neighborhood and six lives were altered forever.

Thirty five years later, one survivor of that day reaches out to another, opening a door that could lead to salvation. But another survivor is now out of prison, looking for reparation in any form he can find it.

THE TURNAROUND takes us on a journey from the rock-and-soul streets of the '70s to the changing neighborhoods of D.C. today, from the diners and auto garages of the city to the inside of Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital, where wounded men and women have returned to the world in a time of war. A novel of fathers and sons, wives and husbands, loss, victory and violent redemption, THE TURNAROUND is another compelling, highly charged novel from George Pelecanos, "the best crime novelist in America." -Oregonian -- Back Bay Books

Thanks to Miriam at Hachette, I recently discovered a new-to-me author George Pelecanos. As a one-time resident of the DC metro area, I have been familiar with his work both as an author and a writer/producer of The Wire for a number of years; but for some reason, I had not picked up one of his novels until a few weeks ago when I read THE WAY HOME -- you can read my review here. I enjoyed that novel a great deal and immediately picked up THE TURNAROUND. I found that I liked this one even more!

There are so many great things to say about this novel, but I was blown away by how Mr. Pelecanos set the tone for this story. I mentioned earlier that I lived in the DC suburbs for over 10 years and even worked in the city for quite a few of those. While I didn't really spend too much time in the places he writes about, I can attest that his descriptions of the area are incredibly real. Even if you aren't familiar with these places, I have no doubt that you will see them vividly through his words and even "feel" as if you are there. In addition, I love how Mr. Pelecanos incorporates music and songs into this story. Not only do the songs help set the tone of the book, but they also help make the characters more real and allow the reader a better understanding of them.

Perhaps my favorite part of this novel was in how Mr. Pelecanos handled the entire wounded veteran storyline. I love how he showed that Walter Reed isn't this horrible place that is so often covered in the news (having said that, it is in desperate need of renovations.) He portrayed the employees as being very noble people who truly make a difference in these soldiers' lives. In addition, I can't say enough about how Mr. Pelecanos portrayed the wounded veterans. I think we all appreciate what these young men and women have done for our country; however, I know I often times forget the cost it can be to them personally. Mr. Pelecanos did an incredible job of showing how strong these soldiers are and how optimistic and hopeful they continue to be as they are faced with adversity.

I read both THE WAY HOME and THE TURNAROUND in preparation for the BlogTalk Radio show with Mr. Pelecanos that was took place in mid-April. I was fortunate enough to get to ask him a question or two! And while I liked both books, I really appreciated them after listening to Mr. Pelecanos talk about his writing. I found his passion towards the characters and the social issues that he discussed to be admirable. I was also so impressed with how much research he conducts while writing his novels. Plus, I thought he was just a brilliant man who constantly was saying insightful things. I now consider myself to be a big fan and can't wait to go back and read his earlier books.

Although I really liked THE TURNAROUND, I'm not sure that it a book that is going to appeal to everyone. Mr. Pelecanos' books are very real and often times "gritty," so I tend to think that men will probably enjoy them more (however, I hate to make a general statement like that.) I will say that the male characters in his books are extremely complex and well-developed, and I know that they would be fascinating to analyze and discuss. I also think it would be very interesting to delve into the themes of change and redemption. There is a reading group guide available if you'd like to take a look at the issues in this novel, or you can read an excerpt of Chapter 1 here.

If you are interested in winning a copy of THE TURNAROUND (I just happen to have received an extra one), please leave a comment telling me if you've ever read a book by Mr. Pelecanos or if you've seen The Wire. For an extra entry or two, you can blog and/or tweet about this contest with a link back to this post. I will accept entries until Friday, May 22nd at 11:59 p.m.; and I will announce the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. or Canada mailing addresses only. Good luck!

I'm at ReadingGroupGuides.com Today!

I am so excited to share with you that I have a guest post at ReadingGroupGuides.com's Blog today! Since Mother's Day is just a few days away, I thought it was a good time to share how much our Mother-Daughter book club means to me. Please check it out and let me know what you think!

Guest Blogger: Emily Listfield

I'd like to welcome Emily Listfield, author of a fantastic new book called BEST INTENTIONS. I recently read and reviewed this book, and I just can't stop thinking about it. You really must read it!

I am so excited to have "discovered" a new-to-me author and will definitely be reading her other books. As you can see from her essay below, she is just a great writer and definitely has a way with words. I love how she touches on so many of the issues in her novel that really made me think.

As a writer and a mother, the line between life and fiction is an ever vacillating one. People are naturally curious about how much of a character is based on my experiences – but the truth is often blurry. In Best Intentions, the narrator, Lisa, has two daughters, Phoebe, 11, and Claire, 13. Though I have only one 15-year-old daughter, I used elements of her personality (and her friends) in both girls – Phoebe’s unique blend of ‘laser like focus and forgetfulness – she can concentrate on an assignment for hours but will leave it on the bus,’ the way gum-chewing, fashion-loving Claire “is still slightly uncomfortable in the nascent world of teen rebellion and wavers dizzyingly between affection and affectation.” (Okay, maybe the way Lisa suddenly feels a need to hide her own gum-chewing habit, to ‘take the parental high road ‘is just the slightest bit autobiographical.)

Most of all, though, there is Lisa’s love of her children and how much it weighs into her decisions about her marriage. Lisa is 39, married to Sam, her college boyfriend. With two children and mounting financial pressures, she feels Sam pulling away from her. She begins to suspect he is having an affair. As the evidence accumulates, Lisa doesn’t know what to do. She is hesitant to confront Sam, to risk losing all that they have together. “Children change your stake in the world,” Lisa thinks. “certainly in your marriage, It sometimes feels – this afternoon, tonight – that you are in a fragile boat together and every instinct is to right it, keep it afloat no matter what, and the fear that you will make the wrong move, tip it over, can still the breath in your lungs.” It is only when she begins to suspect that Sam may have committed a crime far worse than adultery that everything comes to a head. What is he capable of? What is she capable of?

You’ll have to read Best Intentions to find out what Sam did or didn’t do and whether Lisa stays in the marriage or has an affair. The truth I will tell you now, though, is that having children always raise the ante, in fiction and in life. And it is never more important to ask yourself – how well do you really know the people you love?

Hello...You Won Sounds Tough! and Sounds Funny!

Congratulations to the following winners of SOUNDS FUNNY! and SOUNDS TOUGH! BIG NOISY MACHINES:

Belinda

Katrina

LorieJean

Please check your e-mails because I need your names and mailing addresses so I can forward them to Duo Press.

Make sure you check out my other giveaways:

The Atherton Trilogy

MISTRESS OF THE SUN

THINGS I WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO KNOW

Hachette Mother's Day Giveaway

Review: Best Intentions

Summary: What happens when you think you know the person you love -- and you're dead wrong?

From the acclaimed author of Waiting to Surface comes the story of four college friends whose reunion reawakens old desires and grudges -- with fatal results.

After tossing and turning all night, thirty-nine-year-old Lisa Barkley wakes up well before her alarm sounds. With two daughters about to start another year at their elite Upper East Side private school and her own career hitting a wall, the effort of trying to stay afloat in that privileged world of six-story town houses and European jaunts has become increasingly difficult, especially as Manhattan descends into an economic freefall.

As Lisa looks over at her sleeping husband, Sam, she can't help but feel that their fifteen-year marriage is in a funk that she isn't able to place. She tries to shake it off and tells herself that the strain must be due to their mounting financial pressures. But later that morning, as her family eats breakfast in the next room, Lisa finds herself checking Sam's voicemail and hears a whispered phone call from a woman he is to meet that night. Is he having an affair?

When Lisa shares her suspicions with her best friend, Deirdre, at their weekly breakfast, Deirdre claims it can't be true. But how can Lisa fully trust her opinion when Deirdre is still single and mired in an obsessive affair with a glamorous photographer even as it hovers on the edge of danger?

When Deirdre's former college flame, Jack, comes to town and the two couples meet to celebrate his fortieth birthday, the stage is set for an explosive series of discoveries with devastating consequences.

Filled with suspense and provocative questions about the relationships we value most, Best Intentions is a tightly woven drama of love, friendship and betrayal. -- Atria

I usually think that I have a pretty good grasp on knowing about books that I'd enjoy. But evidently, I'm living under a rock -- and in this case, a very big rock because I wasn't familiar with the novel BEST INTENTIONS by Emily Listfield. When I first read the description, I just knew if was a book that I had to read and probably one that I'd enjoy. I was right! I really, really liked BEST INTENTIONS.

I couldn't put this book down, and it definitely captured my attention from the very start! Even before the murder part of the storyline was introduced, I was already caught up in Lisa's life as a mother and a wife. While I am approximately the same age as Lisa, I can't really say that I related to her; and I'm not even sure that I really liked her all that much. However, I loved her as the narrator of the story. I thought her insecurities about her job and marriage made for great reading; and I definitely thought seeing the story through her eyes made it all the more interesting. When Lisa's entire life (her marriage, friendships, career, etc.) was turned upside-down, I really felt as if the author made her behavior realistic; and I eventually found myself feeling a great deal of compassion for her.

One of the main reasons for that was I loved how this book toyed with my mind. There were so many twists and turns as well as questions of betrayal by almost all of the characters that I found myself really having a hard time figuring out who was responsible for Deirdre's death. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the author would add one more thing to further confuse me. In addition, I found myself doubting Lisa's husband, her marriage and even her friendship with Deirdre -- much in the same way that Lisa was throughout this novel. I realize that I was only getting Lisa's viewpoint on everything because she was the narrator of this story, but it made for quite the suspenseful and intriguing story.

As I mentioned earlier, I am so disappointed in myself for never having read any books by Ms. Listfield. However, on the positive side, I love that I've found a "new-to-me" author; and I can't wait to go back and read her earlier works. I absolutely loved her writing style and I found many of her characters' insights into life as quite honest and refreshing. I thought she did an amazing job of telling this story and creating questions not only in her characters' minds but in my mind as well. If you'd like to learn more about Ms. Listfield and the background on BEST INTENTIONS, you can check out this very interesting interview with her. She also has a great website and blog that I enjoyed looking at -- you might want to visit her blog because she is running a five book giveaway this week for BEST INTENTIONS.

I absolutely recommend BEST INTENTIONS for a book club pick because I think it will be a terrific discussion book. BEST INTENTIONS will probably be a departure from your normal book club picks because of the mystery/murder aspect; however, don't let that deter you from choosing it. The characters and their relationships are very complex and will be sure to stir up some controversy. I can guarantee that there won't be a lack of things to discuss. I was so happy when I found this reading guide because I think the questions are very thought-provoking. I was also excited to see that the reading guide had some suggestions for ways to enhance your book club meeting. Some of the ideas sounded fun especially the one which involves looking at a map of Manhattan and trying to figure out what places in the novel were real.

Make sure you stop by tomorrow because I will be posting a guest essay by Emily Listfield that you won't want to miss.

A big thanks to Lauren for sending me a copy of BEST INTENTIONS! I am so very grateful.

Review: Madewell Brown

Summary: As recorded in Rick Collignon’s second novel, Perdido, a tall black man with one arm longer than the other walked into Guadalupe, New Mexico one morning about 50 years ago, stayed pretty much to himself for seven years, and then walked back out of town. No one knew who he was or what became of him. Now, as his last act, an old man named Ruffino Trujillo tells his grown son Cipriano a story about what became of the black man. After Ruffino’s death, Cipriano discovers an old canvas bag bearing the name of Madewell Brown. Inside are a hand-carved doll, an old blanket, an unlabeled photo of a Negro League baseball team, and a small, yellowing envelope that was never posted. Thinking it the least he can do, Cipriano mails the letter. When it arrives in Cairo, Illinois, it comes into the hands of a young woman named Rachael, who believes it is from her lost grandfather. She believes this because of all that she’s been told by the raggedy old man who taught her everything: Obie Poole, who was Madewell’s friend and the orphaned Rachael’s anchor, the man who gives this eloquent novel its authentic sense of history lived. Drawn magically forward on Rick Collignon’s direct and haunting prose, we follow Rachael to Guadalupe in search of her own identity and we watch as Cipriano tries to make sense of the story his father told him about a dead man who didn’t belong there. This fourth installment in Collignon’s beloved Guadalupe series is as magical as its predecessors, as emotionally honest, as surprising — and it firmly establishes Rick Collignon as a master American storyteller. -- Unbridled Books

I consider myself a pretty big fan of Unbridled Books. It seems like every Unbridled book that I've read, I've enjoyed; and the latest one, MADEWELL BROWN by Rick Collignon, is no exception. This book isn't very long, a little over 200 pages, but it does leave a big impression on the reader.

Now here's my issue: I have been putting off writing this review for a week now because I'm having a very hard time articulating my feelings about this novel. I realize that sounds like a negative thing, but it isn't. I really did like this book -- a lot, but I just can't get my hands around why I enjoyed it so much. I'm venturing to say that it was all about the way Mr. Collignon told this story.

The basic premise of this story is interesting, but I don't know if I would have picked up this book on that alone. An old man tells his son the story of a black man who showed up in Guadalupe 50 years ago -- Madewell Brown. When the old man dies, his son Cipriano finds a duffel bag with Brown's possessions including an old letter that he decides to mail. Rachel, a young woman who believes she is Brown's granddaughter, receives the letter and sets out for Guadalupe to learn more about her past.

There are really two separate stories being told in this novel -- Rachel's search for information about her grandfather and Cipriano's attempt to resolve questions about his father's story about Brown. Both stories are interesting in their own right and contain just enough of a mystery to keep the reader interested; however, I thought the beauty of the novel was how Collignon wove these two stories and the characters together. Both Rachel and Cipriano were each trying to discover the truth, and I loved how the author took turns telling their stories while also showing their individual struggles.

I truly believe that Mr. Collignon is a fabulous writer! I thought his descriptions of New Mexico were perfect. You could not only get a sense for what the land looked like, but you could almost feel and even smell the town of Guadalupe. I also really appreciated the honesty in this novel -- both in the story and the characters and their actions. I thought he did a wonderful job of developing the characters, and I have to admit that they have remained in my mind for many days.

MADEWELL BROWN is the fourth book in Collignon's Guadalupe series. I haven't read the first three to compare them against this one; however, I am interested to go back and learn more about this town and its inhabitants. I realized that there were references in this book to characters from the prior novels, and I'm curious to learn more about them. But having said that, MADEWELL BROWN definitely stands on its own. In fact, I had no idea that this novel was part of a series until I began looking for more information about Mr. Collignon and his books. I definitely intend to read the entire series, and I am so excited that the first book, THE JOURNAL OF ANTONIO MONTOYA, is being reintroduced by Unbridled in Fall 2009.

A big thanks to my friends at Unbridled Books for sending me an ARC of MADEWELL BROWN.

Review: Secret Keeper

Summary: When her father loses his job and leaves India to look for work in America, Asha Gupta, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba’s brother and his family, as well as their grandmother, in Calcutta. Uncle is welcoming, but in a country steeped in tradition, the three women must abide by his decisions. Asha knows this is temporary—just until Baba sends for them. But with scant savings and time passing, the tension builds: Ma, prone to spells of sadness, finds it hard to submit to her mother- and sister-in-law; Reet’s beauty attracts unwanted marriage proposals; and Asha's promise to take care of Ma and Reet leads to impulsive behavior. What follows is a firestorm of rebuke—and secrets revealed! Asha’s only solace is her rooftop hideaway, where she pours her heart out in her diary, and where she begins a clandestine friendship with Jay Sen, the boy next door. Asha can hardly believe that she, and not Reet, is the object of Jay’s attention. Then news arrives about Baba . . . and Asha must make a choice that will change their lives forever. -- Delacorte Books

I have been on a huge YA kick lately -- it's like I just discovered a whole new genre that I absolutely adore. And I feel really lucky because all the YA books that I've read recently have been terrific. SECRET KEEPER by Mitali Perkins is no exception. I thought this was a very well-written novel with a very interesting story.

SECRET KEEPER takes place in India in the mid-70s when India is going through a huge state of change. I really appreciated how the author incorporated some of India's political history and other pertinent cultural pieces into the book. I love learning about foreign countries and their customs, and I'm pretty sure that young girls will enjoy that part of this novel too. Much of what Asha and her sister Reet experience in this novel will seem very odd to American girls who live in current times; however, what I truly loved about this novel is that young girls will still be able to relate to these characters. The feeling that Asha has about boys and becoming a woman are universal themes to all teen girls.

And speaking of characters, I couldn't help but fall in love with Asha and Reet. While both girls were very different, they had a love that can only be shared between sisters. I think they were brought closer by their father's departure and their mother's depression, and I liked that they confided in and unconditionally supported each other. Many of the supporting characters were also wonderful, and I especially liked their cousin and Asha's love interest Jay. These two characters especially were some of the only positive things in these girls' lives.

Asha was definitely my favorite character in this novel. She was a strong, brave, and intelligent; yet she also was able to give of herself to the point of self-sacrifice. I loved how the author showed that she had issues with "becoming a women" and even challenged what was expected of her. There were many times in this novel where my heart just broke for her; however, I always felt that she was ultimately a survivor and things would turn out okay for her.

Since I'm haven't been a big reader (or even follower) of YA fiction, I wasn't familiar with Ms. Perkins' books. She has written quite a few other ones that look great like THE NOT-SO-STAR-SPANGLED LIFE OF SUNITA SEN and RICKSHAW GIRL which both fall into the age range of my almost 10 year old daughter. In addition, I think FIRST DAUGHTER: EXTREME AMERICAN MAKEOVER and FIRST DAUGHTER: WHITE HOUSE RULES look like part of a fantastic series. If SECRET KEEPER is any indication of her previous books, I definitely want to read them. Ms. Perkins also has a great website that you should really check out. And, if you think you or your daughter might be interested in reading SECRET KEEPER, you can read this excerpt.

This book would make a wonderful selection for our mother-daughter book club. The book is geared towards 12 year old and up, our girls will have to wait a few more years; however, I think young teen girls will really enjoy this story. There are so many complicated themes to discuss such as mother/daughter relationships, relationships between sisters, issues between men and women, and even friendship and love. And even though the book takes place over 30 years ago and in a foreign country, there are still so many things that young girls will relate to.

A big thanks to Delacorte Press and The Picnic Basket for sending me a copy of SECRET KEEPER.

Mother Daughter Book Club Meeting #11

Summary: Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse -- Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon, a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods. -- Hyperion Books for Children

What a terrific book club meeting we had yesterday afternoon! We read THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan; and everyone absolutely loved it. I don't think we've ever had a book that all the girls liked -- there's always at least one or two who don't like it. The girls had a great time discussing THE LIGHTNING THIEF, and it was definitely the most excited I've ever seen the girls about any one book.

The girls weren't the only ones who enjoyed reading THE LIGHTNING THIEF -- the mothers liked it too. I read the book last week and I thought it was great. The story was exciting and I loved all the characters. I'm so glad that I bought a boxed set with the second and third books in the series because Booking Daughter and I both can't wait to read them. And, Booking Daughter doesn't know this yet, but I ordered signed copies of the fourth and fifth books in the series from Clinton Books for Buy Indie Day.

One thing that amazed me about this book was how the girls reacted to it. THE LIGHTNING THIEF is a pretty big book for third and fourth graders -- around 375 pages. A few of the mothers were concerned about the length and even hesitant for their daughters to attempt to read it. I think we were all surprised by just how much they enjoyed this book. They absolutely loved the story of Percy's quest and their excitement was infectious. It was evident that they all comprehended the book and spent a great deal of time thinking about Percy and his actions. A few of the girls immediately picked up the next book in the series after finishing this one, and one girl has even read through the fourth book already.

Another thing that I found especially cool about this book was that there were just tons of references to Greek mythology. I was somewhat familiar with the various god and goddesses and the associated stories, but these stories was entirely new to the girls. All of them were fascinated by these characters and the myths, and they wanted to learn more about them. I think that any book that makes kids want to read more and learn more is wonderful.

Next month, we will be reading a Nancy Drew book -- THE CLUE IN THE CRUMBLING WALL by Carolyn Keene. As a child, I was a huge Nancy Drew fan. So much so, that I bought my daughter the entire series for her ninth birthday. She's only read a few of them so far, so I'm hoping that she catches the Nancy Drew "bug" after reading this one. And since I haven't read one of these mysteries in ages, I'm really looking forward to it too.

Summary: While trying to locate a missing dancer who is about to gain a large inheritance, Nancy Drew finds a clue leading to the solution of yet another mystery. -- Barnes and Noble

Mailbox Monday - May 4, 2009

I had a pretty slow week until Friday, and then I was bombarded with books! My kids and I have already read two of the kids' books, but I need to get moving on the grown-up ones.

DORK DIARIES: TALES FROM A NOT-SO-FABULOUS LIFE (ARC) by Rachel Renee Russell

SACRED MOUNTAIN: EVEREST by Christine Taylor-Butler - I "won" this beautiful childrens' books on Twitter. I think my nine year old is going to really enjoy looking at it.

FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY AND THE DODGEBALL BULLY by Julianne Moore and illustrated by LeUyen Pham

THE SPARE ROOM by Helen Garner

HOME SAFE by Elizabeth Berg

FODOR'S NEW YORK CITY 2009 - I wanted a copy of this book so my family and I could check out all of the things to do in New York. We are heading there the end of the month of BEA.

DARLING JIM by Christian Moerk

THE LAST SECRET by Mary McGarry Morris

FERN VERDANT & THE SILVER ROSE by Diana Leszczynski

MAX QUIGLEY: TECHNICALLY NOT A BULLY (ARC) by James Roy

ANNIE'S GHOSTS: A JOURNEY INTO A FAMILY SECRET by Steve Luxenberg

THE WALKING PEOPLE by Mary Beth Keane

STRANGE ANGELS (ARC) by Lili St. Crow

BUSY WOMAN SEEKS WIFE by Annie Sanders

BELONG TO ME by Marisa de los Santos

And.....

I got an awesome tee-shirt from my new friends at GetGlue.com. If you haven't checked out what Glue can do for you, take a loot at the video!









What did you get last week?

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.

Hello...You Won Luke on the Loose

Congrats to:

liane66

You won a copy of LUKE ON THE LOOSE by Harry Bliss. I hope a little kid in your life will enjoy this book as much as my son does.

Check out my other terrific giveaways:

Mother's Day Giveaway -- 3 winners/5 books each

SOUNDS FUNNY and SOUNDS TOUGH - 3 winners

MISTRESS OF THE SUN

THE ATHERTON TRILOGY

THINGS I WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO KNOW - 5 copies

Giveaway: Things I Want My Daughters to Know

Summary: How do you cope in a world without your mother?

When Barbara realizes time is running out, she writes letters to her four daughters, aware that they'll be facing the trials and triumphs of life without her at their side. But how can she leave them when they still have so much growing up to do?

Take Lisa, in her midthirties but incapable of making a commitment; or Jennifer, trapped in a stale marriage and buttoned up so tight she could burst. Twentysomething Amanda, the traveler, has always distanced herself from the rest of the family; and then there's Hannah, a teenage girl on the verge of womanhood about to be parted from the mother she adores.

But by drawing on the wisdom in Barbara's letters, the girls might just find a way to cope with their loss. And in coming to terms with their bereavement, can they also set themselves free to enjoy their lives with all the passion and love each deserves?

This heartfelt novel by bestselling author Elizabeth Noble celebrates family, friends . . . and the glorious, endless possibilities of life. -- Harper

A few months ago, I read and reviewed THINGS I WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO KNOW by Elizabeth Noble. I really enjoyed the family dynamics in this novel as well as the mother-daughter relationships. You can take a peek inside the book here.

Since Mother's Day is approaching, Harper Collins has agreed to giveaway five copies of THINGS I WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO KNOW! To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment (with your e-mail address) sharing a little piece of advice that is appropriate for a daughter -- it doesn't matter if you have one or not! To double or even triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this giveaway with a link back to this post. The contest will be open until Saturday, May 9th; and I will announce the winners on Mother's Day! This giveaway is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only -- no p.o. boxes please. Good Luck!

Review: The English Patient

Summary: With unsettling beauty and intelligence, Michael Ondaatje's Booker Prize-winning novel traces the intersection of four damaged lives in an abandoned Italian villa at the end of World War II.

The nurse Hana, exhausted by death, obsessively tends to her last surviving patient. Caravaggio, the thief, tries to reimagine who he is, now that his hands are hopelessly maimed. The Indian sapper Kip searches for hidden bombs in a landscape where nothing is safe but himself. And at the center of his labyrinth lies the English patient, nameless and hideously burned, a man who is both a riddle and a provocation to his companions—and whose memories of suffering, rescue, and betrayal illuminate this book like flashes of heat lightning. -- Vintage

This month, my on-line book club decided to read THE ENGLISH PATIENT by Michael Ondaatje. I was really looking forward to reading it since this book has been sitting on my bookshelves for over 10 years. I admit that I had high expectations since I knew this book had won the Man Booker Prize, and many people think say it's one of their favorites. After finishing this novel, I can definitely say that I'm glad I read it; but I don't think it goes down as one of my all-time favorites.

I feel like something might be wrong with me because I didn't love this book. I kept asking myself what was wrong with me -- what was I missing? I did feel a little better when I found some others on Twitter who agreed with me that the book was a little hard to get into. I think I had problems connecting to the characters; and I even wonder if the writing style kept me from
actually becoming absorbed in the story. (plus, I just felt it read very slowly.) The author also backed into the story, and it wasn't until the end of the book where everything came together -- I found myself a little confused at times.

While I enjoyed this book, it wasn't until the second half that I really understood what all of the praise was about. Don't get me wrong - from the first paragraph, I knew the writing was something very special. Mr. Ondaatje's descriptions are just incredible, and I could almost "see" the villa and the characters. My problem was that I just didn't love the story or the characters. It wasn't like I wanted to quit reading -- it was more like I just wasn't dying to go back to the book after I put it down. However, I can honestly say that I am very glad I kept with it because THE ENGLISH PATIENT was a beautiful and deeply touching story.

By the end of the book, I did feel a connection with the characters especially Hana and Kip. They both were so young and had seen and experienced so much pain in their lives. I was glad that they found some comfort in each other, and I think their relationship helped them both to heal. I thought the author did an amazing job of developing both of their characters and allowing the reader to actually "feel" the devastating effects that the war had on each of them. I also enjoyed that I saw a glimpse (albeit brief) of them in the future.

One thing that I really appreciated about this book (besides the lyrical writing) was how everything came together in the end. At times, I wasn't too sure where the novel was going and how everything was going to work out; but I have to say that I thought it was brilliant how the story lines were all tied up. I loved how the author interwove the characters' pasts; and I definitely was surprised with a few of the associations -- parts of this story were almost a mystery.

THE ENGLISH PATIENT was a difficult book for me to read because so much of the story was incredibly sad. Naturally a book about the effects of a war is going to be depressing, but I liked that the book was also about love. There were actually two love stories woven into this novel that showed that even in hard times, the love of another can help someone cope. I truly appreciated that the love stories and relationships were very honest and not at all overdone.

I also really enjoyed how much this book made me think. Not only did I find myself thinking about each of the characters, but I also like that the author showed that people and events aren't always what they appear to be at first glance. Once you spend the time to really learn about a person, you can discover so much more about them and even appreciate their differences. There were quite a few powerful messages in this novel. One that I walked away with is that "life is not black and white, but rather many shades of grey."

I am very excited to discuss this book later on today. There is a terrific reading guide which I hope we'll use to start some of our discussion. I read over the questions and they really do give the reader a lot to think about. I think it's going to not only be interesting to hear whether everyone enjoyed the book, but also to learn what they think about the characters and their actions. There are also so many deep themes to discuss such as Hana's relationship with all three men (as well as her father) and the effects the war had on each character.

I'm kind of torn really recommending this book to everyone. I know quite a few readers who will love the story and the writing style; however, I also know a few friends who will not enjoy the pace of the book. It is no doubt a beautifully written novel that will touch your heart; and the characters will continue to haunt your thoughts for quite awhile after finishing the book. I do recommend it for books clubs that are looking for a literary book that has a lot of deep issues to explore.

Giveaway: Patrick Carman's Atherton Series

Summary: In the dazzling conclusion to the epic story of Atherton, Patrick Carman takes readers on the most rewarding journey of all, to the perilous realm of The Dark Planet: Earth.

When Edgar discovers a way to leave the mysterious satellite world of Atherton, he couldn't have imagined the gloom that awaited him on the dark planet, where the oceans are toxic, the forests are full of mutant monsters, and children toil in darkness, controlled by ruthless maniacs. Max Harding, an orphan of the Silo, the maker of Atherton, and the last hope of a dying world, left this place behind, and now Edgar is determined to complete the mad scientist's spectacular plan, revealing Atherton's true purpose.

Edgar's quest to discover Earth's dark secret leads to an out of this world adventure in the final book of the Atherton trilogy. -- Little, Brown Kids

On May 1st, the last book in Patrick Carman's Atherton trilogy for middle grade readers was released -- THE DARK PLANET. I have not read any of the books in this series (yet), but I have to say that Booking Daughter and I both think these books looks great! Patrick Carman is the best-selling author of some other terrific book series including Skeleton Creek, Elliot's Park Adventures and The Land of Elyon; and he has also won numerous awards for his books. Check out this very interesting Q&A with Mr. Carman:

First, let's talk a little about Atherton:

Which character in the book do you most relate to? Why? Which character do you WISH you were like?

Oddly enough, I relate to AND wish I were more like the same character, and that would be Edgar. Some of the things I love doing the most are also things I prefer to do alone. While Edgar likes to climb alone, I like to fly fish, write, and mountain bike alone. I enjoy doing the outdoor activities with friends and family too, but I like these things better when I can go off by myself. I’m not entirely sure why this is, but I do enjoy my own company (maybe too much!). I also feel as if Edgar and I are both risk takers, though I’m not as crazy as Edgar. Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time skateboarding, snowboarding, paragliding – that sort of thing, so Edgar and I share a love of risky endeavors as well. I think if Edgar lived in our time he’d be endorsed by a lot of extreme sports companies!

Why did you choose to place this story in an alternate world instead of on Earth?

I wanted to explore (and get readers talking about) the idea of a future earth that’s been abused to the point of no return. What would happen if we really did go too far and Earth was pushed to a point of no return? In addition, I’d been playing with the idea of a made world for awhile and this seemed like the right combination of ideas. A broken world, a mad scientist who makes a new one, and then what?

Is The Dark Planet supposed to be Earth? If so, why do they call it The Dark Planet now?

You guessed it! It’s called the Dark Planet because of the way it looks. This is a future earth of very little green and blue, a lot of pollution, and thick brown skies. Earth in the future has become colorless and dead. From space it’s no longer white clouds and blue oceans – it’s a dark planet.

What’s up with Dr. Harding?

What a loaded question! All I’ll say for sure is that he’s a mad scientist and that he’s managed to mysteriously disappear. Oh, and we might see him again someday.

It seems that a lot of responsibility is placed on Edgar, Isabel and Samuel by the adults in the book – why did you choose to make them responsible for so much?

Interestingly, on Atherton, the young characters know about as much as the adults do for reasons you’ll only understand if you read the book. But more than that, the story is told through the experience of young people who must face the conflict of a changing world. They know how to operate in this world as well or better than the adults, so they have a big role in how things play out.

Can you give us a sneak preview of the next book? C'mon! Just a quick teaser?

If you’re looking for Dr. Harding, you might find him in the second book. Also, the world of Atherton isn’t through changing. It has a ways to go!

OK, enough about the book – let’s talk about you!

Did you have a favorite superhero growing up?

Many! I was a comic book nut when I was in grade school, and I especially liked the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, and Batman.

What kind of books did you read back when you were a kid? And how about now?

The first books I loved that weren’t comic books were tales of adventure like Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island, and Swiss Family Robinson – for some reason, I had a real thing about being stranded on a desert island or finding buried treasure. I also liked books about growing up by SE Hinton, which I read over and over again (The Outsiders, Tex, That Was Then – This Is Now, Rumble Fish).

Do you like pizza? If so, what’s your FAVORITE topping (OK, we’ll give you two!)?

I do enjoy a good slice of pizza, especially when it’s homemade. My favorite toppings are sun dried tomatoes and pepperoni, preferably both at the same time.

If you had to choose between ice cream and JELLO, which would you pick?

That’s like a trick question, right? I can’t imagine anyone liking JELLO better than ice cream unless the ice cream was melted and there was a lot of dirt floating around in it. On that same topic, I’d offer these favorite ice cream flavors: peanut butter chocolate, tin roof sundae, and just about any flavor of Ben and Jerry’s (by the way, why haven’t they come out with a flavor called Neapolitan Dynamite yet?)

What else do you like to do besides writing?

Playing with my kids, talking to my wife (she’s a very good listener),off road motorcycling, fly fishing, hiking, listening to music, watching a really good television series all the way through in about three days on DVD, and reading great books.

When you were in school, what were your favorite subjects? Did you know then that you wanted to be a writer?

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I liked recess the best. I was VERY good at recess. I guess I was pretty happy with writing, art, and social studies, but I didn’t care for math. I do remember liking books from early on, though it wasn’t until I hit college that I started thinking seriously about being a writer. After that, I couldn’t stop thinking about it!

How can I become a writer when I get older?

You’re already a writer! Everyone that can put two words together is a writer, it’s more a question of what sort of writer you want to be. If you love the craft of writing so much that you want to be published, then it’s pretty simple: spend a lot of time writing and reading. And when you write, write things you care about. Things will fall into place if you keep at it long enough.

I thought this was a great Q&A especially for kids who are interesting in reading Mr. Carman's books! If you'd like to learn more about Patrick Carman and the Atherton series, as well as other exciting extras such as excerpts, virtual tours, videos and free downloads, visit AthertonSeries.com and PatrickCarman.com. Readers can also play a game by visiting UnlockDrHardingsBrain.com.

And now for the really exciting part, I am happy to announce that I am going to giveaway not only a copy of THE DARK PLANET, but also the first two books in the series -- THE HOUSE OF POWER and RIVERS OF FIRE. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me something you found interesting from the Q&A. To double or triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this contest with a link back to this post. This giveaway will be open until Friday, May 15th at 11:59 p.m.; and I will announce the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only -- no p.o. boxes please. Good luck!

Guest Review: Angel of Wrath

I have to admit that I wasn't sure that ANGEL OF WRATH by Bill Myers was a book that Booking Pap Pap would enjoy. In fact, I wasn't even sure that he would read it because it really isn't a genre that he's ever explored -- Christian Suspense. However, I'm so glad that he decided to pick it up, and I'm even happier that he decided to write this review!

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Jazmin, her ex-Special Ops uncle Charlie, and former FBI agent Lisa are reunited in the second of the Voice of God series to stop a an assassin driven to murder members of a megachurch led by Lisa's brother. This assassin has drawn in a coven of teens toying with satanic practices to support his efforts. The naive youth engage in ceremonies that appear to usher in the death of each of his victims. When their rituals open a portal into the spiritual realm, a terrifying and mysterious entity crosses over to our world.

The battle culminates with the capture of Lisa's father as the next target and a Black Mass requiring both their deaths as a sacrifice. The team will, once again, have to rely on all their wits, strength, and faith to survive in this action-packed, unearthly warfare. -- Faithworks

ANGEL OF WRATH by Bill Myers is classified as a spiritual thriller novel. Myers is recognized as a prominent Christian writer and I was interested in reading one of his books. ANGEL OF WRATH was a good choice. The characters are very interesting and the plot is well developed. The book moved smoothly and quickly through the story line of good versus evil and addresses issues that face organized religion today. I couldn’t stop reading as I became curious as to how Myers would bring this book to a conclusion.

The people targeted by the serial killer are being judged by him as being less than stellar in living their lives despite their active involvement in a megachurch. Issues of adultery, theft and gossip result in the death of these churchgoers. The killer in enforcing his warped religious zeal utilizes some unique methods to punish his victims.

The storyline requires an open mind as Myers describes an evil creature released by the satanic practices of a group of teenagers. The creature has the ability to remind its victims of sins of their past. The creature and the serial killer join together to provide a challenge to this unusual trio of heroes who are working together to solve the murders. Some of the physical challenges these characters face and overcome are more difficult to believe that the creature created by the satanic worship ritual.

The book is very entertaining and provides food for thought regarding evil, sin, worship and the power of prayer. At the same time it showed Myers’ terrific skills as a writer.

Thanks to Miriam from Hachette Book Group for sending me this book, and a big thanks to Booking Pap Pap for another great review!

Mother's Day Giveaway

In honor of Mother's Day, I am giving away three sets of mother-related books courtesy of Hachette Book Group.

Each set of books will contain the following:

MIRACLES OF MOTHERHOOD: PRAYERS AND POEMS FOR A NEW MOTHER

ODD MOM OUT By Jane Porter

MOMMY GRACE By Sheila Schuller Coleman

BEGINNER'S GREEK By James-Collins

THE ROAD HOME By Rose Tremain

For your chance to win, just leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me who is your favorite fictional mother. To double or triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this contest with a link back to this post. The giveaway will be open until May 31st at 11:59 p.m. EST; and I will announce all three winners the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. or Canada mailing addresses only -- no p.o. boxes please. Good Luck!

Review: First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria

Summary: In this laugh-out-loud funny memoir, a pampered city girl falls head over little black heels in love with a Peace Corps poster boy and follows him —literally–to the ends of the earth. Eve Brown always thought she would join the Peace Corps someday, although she secretly worried about life without sushi, frothy coffee drinks and air conditioning. But with college diploma in hand, it was time to put up or shut up. So with some ambivalence she arrives at the Peace Corps office–sporting her best safari chic attire –to casually look into the steps one might take if one were to become a global humanitarian, a la Angelina Jolie. But when Eve meets John, her dashing young Peace Corps recruiter, all her ambivalence flies out the window. She absolutely must join the Peace Corps - and win John's heart in the process. Off to Ecuador she goes and - after a year in the jungle - back to the States she runs, vowing to stay within easy reach of a decaf cappuccino for the rest of her days. But life had other plans. Just as she's getting reacquainted with the joys of toilet paper, John gets a job with CARE and Eve must decide if she’s up for life in another third world outpost. Before you can say, "pass the malaria prophylaxis," the couple heads off to Uganda, and the fun really begins--if one can call having rats in your toilet fun. Fortunately, in Eve’s case one certainly can, because to her, every experience is an adventure to be embraced and these pages come alive with all of the alternatively poignant and uproarious details. With wit and candor, First Comes Love, then Comes Malaria chronicles Eve’s misadventures as an aspiring do-gooder. From intestinal parasites to getting caught in a civil war, culture clashes to unexpected friendships, here is an honest and laugh-out-loud funny look at the search for love and purpose—from a woman who finds both in the last place she expected. -- Broadway

Ever since I saw FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MALARIA: HOW A PEACE CORPS POSTER BOY WON MY HEART AND A THIRD-WORLD ADVENTURE CHANGED MY LIFE by Eve Brown-Waite on The Debutante Ball, I knew I wanted to read it. I try to read each one of the Debs' books as they are released because these books always seem to appeal to me. And because I am a regular follower of "the ball," I feel as if I kind of "know" the authors. I'm happy to say that FIRST COMES LOVE was another fantastic book that didn't disappoint!

I don't know if many of you know this about me, but I live kind of a pampered life (and I always have.) My husband takes really good care of me and my parents did too when I was a child. I am not really an outdoorsy-type of gal; and besides running outside, I tend to gravitate to more sedentary/indoor hobbies like knitting, crocheting, and reading. I am also definitely not a risk-taker or adventuresome in the least -- my idea of a visit to Africa is the safari ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom. So when I picked up this book about a woman who joins the peace corps and then chooses to live in Africa, I knew this was going to be one of those books that I'd enjoy because it was so different from anything I had ever experienced.

I absolutely loved Ms. Brown-Waite! I found myself continually in awe of her life experiences, yet I couldn't help but feel an affinity towards her as she realized what she was getting herself into. She's without a doubt much tougher than I could ever be, but I still felt a great deal of compassion towards her as she realized just how primitive her living conditions were. Some of the things she faced were just incredible to me -- forget about the shootings, I couldn't even handle the bugs! I also loved how Ms. Brown-Waite shared the story of how she met (and fell in love with) her husband. It was a terrific love story that definitely deserved telling.

I found it so easy to like Ms. Brown-Waite as a person, but I also really liked her writing style! Her story is an interesting one, but I really appreciated how honest she was in telling it -- it was so refreshing. I love how she was willing to share not only the funny stories and the humor in her life (because she does have loads of entertaining tales), but I also really respected that she shared with the readers her fears, insecurities, and even her personal challenges. I found her ability to cope with all types of terrifying situations, as well as her ability to adapt to be very admirable.

FIRST COMES LOVE is a wonderful book that I am definitely recommending to my friends. My only complaint is that I want more of Ms. Brown-Waite's life experiences -- I am sincerely hoping that there will be a sequel to this book. I think FIRST COMES LOVE would make a great book club pick too especially for those groups who tend to gravitate away from non-fiction. While this book is filled with lots of very real discussion issues, it is also a great and entertaining read. I was thrilled to find that there is a reading guide available.

Thanks to Kate from Folio Literary Management for sending me a copy of this wonderful book!

Also reviewed at:
Worducopia

Hello...You Won

I just love giving away books and I have a lot of winners to announce today. So without further ado....

ADMISSION by Jean Hanff Korelitz goes to:

Serena










TESTIMONY by Anita Shreve goes to:

Mishel










And the two winners of BECAUSE I LOVE HER: 34 WOMEN WRITERS REFLECT ON THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOND edited by Andrea N. Richesin are:

Natalie

Kaye

If you haven't had a chance, you should really take the time to look at the incredible comments I received about mothers. There are quite a few guaranteed to touch your heart!

Congrats to all the winners. Make sure you check your e-mails because I need your full names and addresses to send to the publishers. I hope you enjoy your new books!

Make sure you check out my other giveaways:

LUKE ON THE LOOSE

SOUNDS TOUGH and SOUNDS FUNNY

MISTRESS OF THE SUN