Caldecott Award winner
The house in the night / written by Susan Marie Swanson and illustrated by Beth Krommes
A timeless good-night book for the very young, inspired by the pattern of the traditional poem, "This is the key of the kingdom”. What a lovely bedtime book, the illustrations were really amazing and I love the use of color (yellow) to highlight something in the darkness.
(Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award Winner
Are you ready to play outside? / by Mo Willems
Elephant and Piggy adventure. This adorable reader have to deal with a rainy day which at first seems like they won't have any fun but then becomes more fun than a sunny one. Mo Willems is excellent as always - he really knows the voice of preschoolers.
Newberry Award Winner
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The story begins with a man named Jack who has just murdered 3 people and is looking for the 4th, a just walking toddler who escapes to the graveyard at the top of the hill. The ghosts of the graveyard protect the boy and name him Nobody Owens. Bod grows to be an unusual boy who is the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians' time as well as their timely ghostly teachings-like the ability to Fade. But when he tries to not stand out in the real world he finds it more difficult than he thinks it will be. Plus he is determined to find out who murdered his family.
Gaiman has this way of telling a story that is part horrific yet draws you in to find out the ending. I listened to this on CD and it was told by Gaiman and he did an excellent job telling the story. I liked the music as well as it has this folk like touch.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Life as we knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer
It's almost the end of Miranda's sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver's license. When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon, it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options.
Told in diary entries we see the shock and fear that develop when the world seems like it is coming to an end. Is there hope or even a chance of life going back to normal? Who knows? How would you react if the same situation? Would it be only yourself first or would you help others? This book really makes you think about what would happen if I was in her place? What really matters is one keeps their humanity yet still survive.
I had read about this book before and found the story really intriguing. Because of the diary entries the fear and horror of death is distant but yet it is there on the edge creeping in. This is for both teens and adults as it is something that could be our future.
It's almost the end of Miranda's sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver's license. When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon, it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options.
Told in diary entries we see the shock and fear that develop when the world seems like it is coming to an end. Is there hope or even a chance of life going back to normal? Who knows? How would you react if the same situation? Would it be only yourself first or would you help others? This book really makes you think about what would happen if I was in her place? What really matters is one keeps their humanity yet still survive.
I had read about this book before and found the story really intriguing. Because of the diary entries the fear and horror of death is distant but yet it is there on the edge creeping in. This is for both teens and adults as it is something that could be our future.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Whose body? by Dorothy L. Sayers
When Lord Peter Wimsey is called in by Her Grace the Dowager Duchess (AKA Mother) to help extricate the timid Mr. Thipps from a case of body in the bathtub he finds himself embroiled in for far more than he has bargained. For one thing, the church architect's excess body, naked except for a Gold pince-nez, appears to be inexplicable. When it turns out that Sir Reuben Levy, an important financier is missing, the police become convinced that the body is that of Levy, and seize Thipps and the maid as the guilty party, despite all evidence to the contrary. Now Wimsey must work quickly with his friend Inspector Parker to solve both crimes and save both Thipps and the leaking church roof.
Accompanying Lord Peter is his most excellent manservant Bunter, who served with him in the war and has become a loyal and true companion. Bunter is the straight man for many of Wimsey's quips and quotes, but has a wry wit of his own, and is probably the first forensic photographer in detective fiction. Lord Peter's other aide in this and ensuing tales is Inspector Parker who is of the same age and equally bright in his own right.
This was the first book to introduce Lord Peter Wimsey and it is very different that than the later books. But is interesting to see just a taste of his character and know what he will become. The ending is a bit strange and really you could have no clue as to the outcome. I listened to this on CD and it was very well done.
When Lord Peter Wimsey is called in by Her Grace the Dowager Duchess (AKA Mother) to help extricate the timid Mr. Thipps from a case of body in the bathtub he finds himself embroiled in for far more than he has bargained. For one thing, the church architect's excess body, naked except for a Gold pince-nez, appears to be inexplicable. When it turns out that Sir Reuben Levy, an important financier is missing, the police become convinced that the body is that of Levy, and seize Thipps and the maid as the guilty party, despite all evidence to the contrary. Now Wimsey must work quickly with his friend Inspector Parker to solve both crimes and save both Thipps and the leaking church roof.
Accompanying Lord Peter is his most excellent manservant Bunter, who served with him in the war and has become a loyal and true companion. Bunter is the straight man for many of Wimsey's quips and quotes, but has a wry wit of his own, and is probably the first forensic photographer in detective fiction. Lord Peter's other aide in this and ensuing tales is Inspector Parker who is of the same age and equally bright in his own right.
This was the first book to introduce Lord Peter Wimsey and it is very different that than the later books. But is interesting to see just a taste of his character and know what he will become. The ending is a bit strange and really you could have no clue as to the outcome. I listened to this on CD and it was very well done.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Vanishing act by Thomas Perry
Jane Whitefield is half Native American and is in the business of helping people disappear. She has spent the last ten years of her life hiding people with the full knowledge that if they can disappear, without leaving a trail, and stay hidden for two or three months, the chance of ever being found drops considerably. Her clients run the gamut from wives escaping spousal abuse to informants escaping the mob -- all innocent people who cannot be suitably protected without some kind of help. Jane is considered a "guide". She guides people out of their fragile situations with the aid of her network of willing accomplices who help her with new identifications and transport for these runaways.
Now an alleged new victim has invaded Jane's upstate New York house: John Felker claims that he's a cop-turned-accountant, is being framed as an embezzler and has a contract out on his life. Almost immediately, the men chasing Felker appear, and Jane leads him to Oregan so he can build a new life. But as they go along she introduces him to people who help her hide people and tells him more than she should. After he seems to have left for his new life she quickly discovers that John is not who he says he was and people are starting to die, people she led him to. Now she must hunt him down before he kills her.
This book had many flaws as Jane seems too trusting of John for someone who helps people disappear. But the time period is in the mid-1990's before everyone had computers and it took a lot more effort to establish someones identity. I did find the connection she feels for her native american side as she has to look inside herself for the strength to finish the job.
I would definitely read more as I know that this series has more and I'm curious how it has developed.
Jane Whitefield is half Native American and is in the business of helping people disappear. She has spent the last ten years of her life hiding people with the full knowledge that if they can disappear, without leaving a trail, and stay hidden for two or three months, the chance of ever being found drops considerably. Her clients run the gamut from wives escaping spousal abuse to informants escaping the mob -- all innocent people who cannot be suitably protected without some kind of help. Jane is considered a "guide". She guides people out of their fragile situations with the aid of her network of willing accomplices who help her with new identifications and transport for these runaways.
Now an alleged new victim has invaded Jane's upstate New York house: John Felker claims that he's a cop-turned-accountant, is being framed as an embezzler and has a contract out on his life. Almost immediately, the men chasing Felker appear, and Jane leads him to Oregan so he can build a new life. But as they go along she introduces him to people who help her hide people and tells him more than she should. After he seems to have left for his new life she quickly discovers that John is not who he says he was and people are starting to die, people she led him to. Now she must hunt him down before he kills her.
This book had many flaws as Jane seems too trusting of John for someone who helps people disappear. But the time period is in the mid-1990's before everyone had computers and it took a lot more effort to establish someones identity. I did find the connection she feels for her native american side as she has to look inside herself for the strength to finish the job.
I would definitely read more as I know that this series has more and I'm curious how it has developed.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Second Sight by Amanda Quick (aka Janye Ann Krentz)
#1 in the Arcane Society series
Photographer Venetia Milton considers herself a spinster in Victorian London. Economically strapped, she's also the sole support of her aunt and younger siblings. Things start to look up when she is chosen to photograph a collection of artifacts belonging to the Arcane Society, a 200-year-old clandestine organization founded by an alchemist. The collection is housed in an isolated gothic mansion, and Venetia finds herself there in the company of handsome and mysterious Gabriel Jones. Deciding that it's now or never for love, Venetia seduces him, only to lose the man of her dreams in a fire set by an unknown enemy.Venetia resourcefully moves on, opening a portrait shop and assuming the persona of Gabriel's grieving widow. Venetia, now the talented photographer, Mrs. Jones, has becomes the toast of London, when her dead husband shows up her doorstep very much alive. Now she has to figure out how to adapt herself to this latest turn of events.
As usual Amanda Quick (aka Janye Ann Krentz) is great at merging suspense, romance and some good old fashioned paranormal in the mix for a fun historical romance novel.
I'm more found of her more science fiction romance books she writes under the name Jayne Castle but I had heard about this series so thought I would give it a try. Of course it seemed familiar as I realized I had read it just over 2 years ago right before I moved back to Phoenix. But I read it again anyway, just to freshen my memory. She is a fun and easy read.
#1 in the Arcane Society series
Photographer Venetia Milton considers herself a spinster in Victorian London. Economically strapped, she's also the sole support of her aunt and younger siblings. Things start to look up when she is chosen to photograph a collection of artifacts belonging to the Arcane Society, a 200-year-old clandestine organization founded by an alchemist. The collection is housed in an isolated gothic mansion, and Venetia finds herself there in the company of handsome and mysterious Gabriel Jones. Deciding that it's now or never for love, Venetia seduces him, only to lose the man of her dreams in a fire set by an unknown enemy.Venetia resourcefully moves on, opening a portrait shop and assuming the persona of Gabriel's grieving widow. Venetia, now the talented photographer, Mrs. Jones, has becomes the toast of London, when her dead husband shows up her doorstep very much alive. Now she has to figure out how to adapt herself to this latest turn of events.
As usual Amanda Quick (aka Janye Ann Krentz) is great at merging suspense, romance and some good old fashioned paranormal in the mix for a fun historical romance novel.
I'm more found of her more science fiction romance books she writes under the name Jayne Castle but I had heard about this series so thought I would give it a try. Of course it seemed familiar as I realized I had read it just over 2 years ago right before I moved back to Phoenix. But I read it again anyway, just to freshen my memory. She is a fun and easy read.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton
Spoken in Frankie's voice we introduced to the friendship of the Wednesday Sisters.
The story revolves around no-nonsense, athletic Linda, super smart Brett, quiet Frankie, Southern Belle Kath & shy Ally, friends who first meet every Wednesday in the park for play time with their kids, but where they eventually start to discuss what books they've been reading and the general small talk of forming friendships. Later, they discover that each has had a small desire in one way or another to become writers, so the Wednesday meetings change to writing critiques, as they each try to help the other into becoming better writers. We see their hopes, dreams and challenges of young families and budding friendships. We get a glimpse into 5 years of their friendship and watch through their eyes as the world is changing around them (the story starts in the summer of 1967) and how they themselves grow as individuals with the rest of the world.
It is an interesting view into a slice of American history we don't hear much about. Late 1960's in Palo Alto, CA before the computer & big dot.com boom. You really feel like you are living their lives as they meet weekly to support one another and each one in their own way become writers. Some more successfully than others. We see them struggle to find their own identity of the world is changing for women and Americans. Each friend has their own struggle, some physically and some emotionally but they are there for each other through it all.
I found myself really drawn into this story that at first I thought would be really superficial but ended up being thought provoking and enjoyable.
Spoken in Frankie's voice we introduced to the friendship of the Wednesday Sisters.
The story revolves around no-nonsense, athletic Linda, super smart Brett, quiet Frankie, Southern Belle Kath & shy Ally, friends who first meet every Wednesday in the park for play time with their kids, but where they eventually start to discuss what books they've been reading and the general small talk of forming friendships. Later, they discover that each has had a small desire in one way or another to become writers, so the Wednesday meetings change to writing critiques, as they each try to help the other into becoming better writers. We see their hopes, dreams and challenges of young families and budding friendships. We get a glimpse into 5 years of their friendship and watch through their eyes as the world is changing around them (the story starts in the summer of 1967) and how they themselves grow as individuals with the rest of the world.
It is an interesting view into a slice of American history we don't hear much about. Late 1960's in Palo Alto, CA before the computer & big dot.com boom. You really feel like you are living their lives as they meet weekly to support one another and each one in their own way become writers. Some more successfully than others. We see them struggle to find their own identity of the world is changing for women and Americans. Each friend has their own struggle, some physically and some emotionally but they are there for each other through it all.
I found myself really drawn into this story that at first I thought would be really superficial but ended up being thought provoking and enjoyable.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
Popular Cooking with Gusto! host Augusta Gus Simpson, a widowed mother of two adult daughters who's about to turn 50, is tiring of her many obligations, which include throwing an annual birthday bash for herself. But to add to her worries is that her show is not as popular as in the past and there is a risk of it being canceled! When she is told she has to do a live taping of her show she decides to do her best and go with it. Throw into the mix the introduction of saucy former beauty queen and YouTube star Carmen Vega as Gus's cohost: Carmen is younger, hotter and very tight with the boss. Plus she films the show with her adult children and other friends to help balance it out. But the battle lines have been drawn between Gus and Carmen.
It's soon apparent on the set that this new situation isn't working, so the everyone is packed off to a corporate team-building weekend, complete with New Age guide. When the resort's head chef calls in sick, a team-building opportunity presents itself. There is much sexual tension between various relationships plus between Gus and Carmen on their cooking style. We see each others point of view by alternating chapters from each other's point of view.
Now this book is a bit over the top in some ways but I enjoyed the slight digs to reality TV and Food Network. I watch a lot of Food Network and Bravo reality shows so caught quite a few of the references.
I listened to this on CD and at first found it a bit annoying but got used to the reader and just enjoyed the ride.
Popular Cooking with Gusto! host Augusta Gus Simpson, a widowed mother of two adult daughters who's about to turn 50, is tiring of her many obligations, which include throwing an annual birthday bash for herself. But to add to her worries is that her show is not as popular as in the past and there is a risk of it being canceled! When she is told she has to do a live taping of her show she decides to do her best and go with it. Throw into the mix the introduction of saucy former beauty queen and YouTube star Carmen Vega as Gus's cohost: Carmen is younger, hotter and very tight with the boss. Plus she films the show with her adult children and other friends to help balance it out. But the battle lines have been drawn between Gus and Carmen.
It's soon apparent on the set that this new situation isn't working, so the everyone is packed off to a corporate team-building weekend, complete with New Age guide. When the resort's head chef calls in sick, a team-building opportunity presents itself. There is much sexual tension between various relationships plus between Gus and Carmen on their cooking style. We see each others point of view by alternating chapters from each other's point of view.
Now this book is a bit over the top in some ways but I enjoyed the slight digs to reality TV and Food Network. I watch a lot of Food Network and Bravo reality shows so caught quite a few of the references.
I listened to this on CD and at first found it a bit annoying but got used to the reader and just enjoyed the ride.
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