Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal
2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)



The Promised World by Lisa Tucker

I've read quite a few favorable reviews on this one that made me want to read it immediately. I'm always interested in family dramas and this book has all of that and then some. I knew right away that something wasn't right with Lila and her twin brother Billy, but it took some time before I could really figure out what their relationship was all about. I thought the writing was really strong and the story had elements of mystery that I enjoyed trying to figure out. In the end, I felt my heart going out to Lila and felt that maybe she would find some peace. However, I thought the ending was abrupt, strange, and left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
My rating:







The Elephant's Magician by Kate DiCamillo
** Because I've loved pretty much everything DiCamillo has written, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Oh, it was so beautiful. I absolutely loved the illustrations, but I do wish they were a bit darker. The story was fantastical and filled with love, patience, longing, and having faith in your dreams. I would have to say that this comes in second behind The Adventures of Edward Tulane. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone!!!


My Rating:

Vlog Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are

I told Debi that I would consider doing a vlog and lo, behold.....I was able to talk my son into doing this!! Please disregard all of my goofy facial expressions. We had no idea what we were doing as you will be able to tell while watching this. Actually, we had a blast!! We've decided that we're going to do our movie reviews this way!!

This movie review was brought to you by Marc and Mom's Cinematic Adventure.

Library Loot-October 27th

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

I'm really trying to keep myself in control with the number of books I've been checking out. I hate to take back books unread, so I'm not doing as much "browsing" as I normally do. Because when i browse, books somehow JUMP into my book bag!!



The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
** Looks like I can blame Indie Books for my wanting to read this one. I do know that I've read a lot of great reviews on this one. Keep your fingers crossed that I'll actually get it read!!





The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney
** I know someone out there is responsible for this one. I distinctly remember reading a great review of this and immediately put it on hold from my library. Who did it???

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

Back in her mother's kitchen, Grace wondered if her grandfather had indeed arranged her parents' marriage. She'd read about such things in books, but rarely did it happen amongst the People.

p.205 from The Missing (Seasons of Grace *Book Two) by Beverly Lewis
______________________________________________________

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

Mamma left her family and her Amish community in the middle of the night. Whatever is going on with her? I have to find her, because Dat's heart is broken. Plus, we love her and need her back with us....no matter what the secret may be that she's hiding.

~ The Missing by Beverly Lewis

Mailbox Monday- October 26

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

I'm hosting a few book tours in the next couple of weeks so these books arrived for me to read:


Now and Then by Jacqueline Sheehan
** When I was asked if I wanted to be a part of this tour I eagerly said yes. I had just read a few weeks earlier and absolutely loved it. I've already finished this one and all I can say it that I was not disappointed. Come and visit me November 5 for my thoughts on this one!!




The Cutting by James Hayman
** This one is described as a suspense thriller. I'm always looking to read new authors and I liked the sound of the story. Stop by on November 10th, when I share my thoughts on this read.

What came for you?

Let's Rejoice and Spread the News: We've come to the end of another great Read-A-Thon

Update:
The October 2009 Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon has come to another end. What a glorious day of reading, visiting, sharing, eating, and supporting each other!! I had a blast and can't wait to meet up with everyone again next year!!

Here are my stats:

Total Time Spent Reading: approx. 9-10 hours

Books Completed: 6

Pages Read: 981

Blogs Visited: 50+ not really sure

Mini-Challenges Completed: none, I was a total slacker this time...Sorry!

How much fun did I have: A TON!!

Big thanks to the crew that works so hard on putting this event together. You guys rock and we all owe you a big hug, hot cup of coffee/tea, and a back massage!!! Thanks for all you do!!!

Coming into the homestretch!

Update: O.K. I'm a loser....fell asleep at some point last night, don't even remember. Hubby tucked me into bed. So now I'm up and at them at 5:30 am!! I'm off to do my cheering that I slept through last night and to finish book 6. How is everyone today????

Half-Way Mark! Refueling and Book 6

Update: Well, I'm still feeling fairly chipper, but I'm sure that will change as I get closer to midnight. I'm going to have a big bowl of yogurt, blueberries, and bran cereal!! Brain food right??? I will be cheerleading soon which will be a fun break from reading. Hope to visit a lot of blogs and you know I'll try my best..but I am still in the dark ages...I have DIAL-UP!!


Book 6: my best friend, the Atlantic Ocean, and other great bodies standing between me and my life with Giulio by JaneHarrington
Time Started: 9:00 pm
Finished: 7:50 am next day
Pages: 174
Quick Thoughts:
Loved this book!! Fun look into a teen's life through her journal!!

Hours 9 and 10: Book 5

Update: I have just gotten my second wind!! We'll see how long it lasts!! I'm almost done with laundry. Now I'm thinking I'll dust during my eye rest break!! How is the reading going for the rest of my friends???? I'm going to do my cheerleading during the 14 hour mark.....it will help keep me awake and hopefully allow me to stay up just a tad bit later than I thought I would make.

P.S.- Don't forget I'm reading YA/children's books so I'm able to get through them a little faster!!! I choose this genre just for that purpose and because I've been wanting to read these books for some time now!! I have to keep my recommendations fresh for the students at my middle school!!!

Book 5: Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best-Friend Must Do In Europe by Jane Harrington
Time Started: 5:55
Finished: 8:22 pm
Pages: 160
Quick Thoughts:
I adored this book from the beginning to the end. Written in letter form Brady (a girl) is on a week long European cruise with her mother. Her best friend Delia wrote on her hand 4 things she HAD to do!! Absolutely hilarious!! There is a sequel which I will be starting next!

Hour 7 Update: Sleeping and moving on to book 4

So somewhere after I started Book 3, I dozed off!!! Eventually I woke up and finished it!! Now, I'm back recharged (a bit), doing my 3rd load of laundry, drinking more caffeine, and ready to tackle Book 4!!!

Book 4: Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis
Time Started: 3:45 pm
Finished: 5:30 pm
Pages: 199
Quick Thoughts:
Oh my goodness how I loved this little gem!! Emma-Jean is a cross between Nancy Drew and Emma from Austen's books. She is too logical for her age and completely naive. Love her...must remind myself to get book #2 on Monday.

Going into Hour 4 and 5: Starting book 3

Update: EDITED at 1:07 pm

Weather is still the same. Took out some Little Caesar's crazy bread and personal pizzas for me, Marc, and the extra two boys that Marc always has with him! :) Will be starting lunch in about 10 minutes and then I will jumping into my next book. Oh yeah, I have a load of laundry going also. I have to multi-task so no one can say I was just laying around reading all day!!

EDITED: I cheered for about an hour stopping in and saying hi.....now I'm back to reading!

FOR EVERYONE STOPPING BY TODAY....THANK YOU AND I WILL BE MAKING MY ROUNDS SOON!!!!

Book 3: the happiness of kati by Jane Vejjajiva
Time Started: 1:07 pm
Finished: 3:04 pm
Pages: 139
Quick Thoughts:
Interesting story which takes place in Thailand. Kati's mother has ALS but this is something that she doesn't remember because she's been living with her grandparents since she was four. When her mother's condition worsens, she finally is reunited with her. This was a good read.

RAT- Book #2 Hour 2

Update:

So since 8:10 I've browsed the internet, updated a few things, made a second pot of coffee, took a shower, and finished my first book.

Weather update for Nise: No sun in sight on this side of Michigan. The wind is blowing, it's dreary looking outside and it keeps sprinkling off and on!!


Book 2: Behind You by Jacqueline Woodson
Time Started: 10:16 am
Finished: 11:45 am
Pages: 128
Quick Thoughts:
This book is beyond beautiful. Each chapter is told from a different person's POV of healing and trying to move past the daily grieving from losing someone they all loved.

Let the Wild Reading Rumpus Begin!

I'm sitting in my husband's comfy chair, quilt on lap, t.v. on low for background noise, hot coffee in my mug and my first book ready to go!!



Book 1: If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson
Started: 8:10 am
Finished:10:00 am
Pages: 181
Quick Thoughts:
I absolutely loved this one. Heartbreaking and oh so real. Now I'm off to read the sequel.

What I'm Reading for 24 hours!!

I decided to stick with YA and Children's books that I've been wanting to read for a while. Better yet I was able to pick them off of my library shelves. I wanted to stay with short, good reads so that I could feel like I accomplished something!!

Here's the list from the bottom to the top of my pile:

All The Lovely Bad Ones: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn
Summary: While spending the summer at their grandmother's Vermont inn, two prankster siblings awaken young ghosts from the inn's distant past who refuse to "rest in peace."

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Summary: When her brother is sent to fight in Vietnam, twelve-year-old Jamie begins to reconsider the army world that she has grown up in.

Behind You by Jacqueline Woodson
Summary: After fifteen-year-old Jeremiah is mistakenly shot by police, the people who love him struggle to cope with their loss as they recall his life and death, unaware that Miah is watching over them.

The Happiness of Kati by Jane Vejjajiva
Summary: With the impending death of her mother, Kati, a young Thai girl, completes the puzzle of her past and discovers the reason why her mother gave her up as a baby.

Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos
Summary: Fourteen-year-old Nadira, her sister, and their parents leave Bangladesh for New York City, but the expiration of their visas and the events of September 11, 2001, bring frustration, sorrow, and terror for the whole family.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis
Summary: A quirky and utterly logical seventh-grade girl named Emma-Jean Lazarus discovers some interesting results when she gets involved in the messy everyday problems of her peers.

Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing by Guo Yue, Clare Farrow, and Helen Cann
Summary: In Communist China in 1966, eight-year-old Leap Forward leanrs about freedom while flying kites with his best friend, by trying to get a caged wild bird to sing, and through the music he is learning to play on a bamboo flute. Includes author's notes on his childhood in Beijing, life under Mao Zedong, and the Cultural Revolution.

Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning by Danette Haworth
Summary: In 1970s Florida, eleven-year-old Violet's world is upturned by the arrival of a girl from Detroit who seems bent on stealing Violet's best friends.

my best friend, the Atlantic Ocean, and other great bodies standing between me and my life with Giulio by Jane Harrington
Summary: As a class assignment, Delia keeps a journal and records her life and her fantasies about the Italian exchange student Giulio, who also happens to be Brady's boyfriend. And, oh, by the way, Brady is Delia's best friend.



I'm really excited to participate again and what a wonderful way to celebrate Dewey's love of reading and her love for the book blogging community!!

Library Loot- October 21

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

I brought home one book this week and it was actually a hold request that came in. The crazy thing is...I don't remember putting a hold on this book. In fact, I don't even know where I read about it!!! So if you've reviewed this one, let me know because maybe you're the reason why I'm losing my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Disappearnce of Irene Dos Santos by Margaret Mascarenhas

Irene dos Santos disappeared at age 15. Believed to have drowned while on holiday with her best friend, Lily Martinez, her body was never found. Now, years later, she appears ghostlike in Lily's dreams, prompting a quest for the truth behind her disappearance. Mysteriously, Lily, eight-months pregnant with her first child, slips and falls on the same day that the statue of Maria Lionza, Patron Saint of their Venezuelan town, cracks in two. Confined to her bed, Lily is surrounded by her family and closest friends, who agree that a Novena to Maria Lionza will guide the baby's spirit safely into the world. Together, through their nine nights of prayer, each offers a story to entertain Lily and her baby. What emerges is a vivid picture of Venezuela during a time of revolution and uncertainty-and the unraveling of the mystery behind Irene dos Santos


Books Read in 2009 to date: 147
Number of Books Checked out from the library:20
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 273 last week 278 this week

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

Here are things that Anna could have used in 1844. Duct tape. Why couldn't she have been transported with a fat, gray roll of duct tape?

p.99 from Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan
________________________________________________

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

Right now I'm sightseeing in Ireland with my friend. I've just been through a heartbreaking divorce and I'm not sure what to do next. A strangle little lady has given me a box and she acts as if she knows me. What is going on here?

~ Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan

Mailbox Monday- October 19

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

My mailbox was filled with goodies that I won!!!


The Shell Seekers By Rosamund Pilcher
** This came courtesy of the generous and wonderful blogger Brenda. If you are in need of a positive approach to your daily life please do yourself a favor and visit Brenda's blog
It's a Beautiful Life.





Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
** I won this from Heather of Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World. My copy came from the author herself and was autographed!! I hooted and hollered!!

What Came for You?

Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal
2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)


Sleepwalking in Daylight by Elizabeth Flock
Recommended to me by Heather's awesome review at Book Addiction.

I really, really loved Me and Emma (her first book) so picking up this book to read was a no-brainer. This one is a complete 360 from Me and Emma, no psychological suspense, just straightforward writing about a family falling apart. There were times when I saw myself in Samantha (main character, wife, mom...not sure who she really is) and could really relate to the emotions that she was experiencing. Young couples fall madly in love, enjoy spending time with each, then they marry, have children, and wake up one day to realize they have totally disconnected from each other. Even though this book made me sad and depressed, I still enjoyed reading it. Be prepared for a few surprises along the way!
My Rating:






The Last Bridge: A Novel by Teri Coyne
Lisa at Books and Cooks wrote a FANTASTIC review of this one...I had to read it!

I honestly can't believe that this is Teri Coyne's first novel. She absolutely grabbed me with her very first sentence and I had to finish this book before I did anything else. The plot is gruesome in nature...a mother commits suicide which brings home the wayward daughter. Alex spends time "cleaning" up the mess left behind and trying to put to rest the demons from her past. The suspense was perfect and the pacing of this novel was phenomenal. I highly recommend this to anyone who is up for a psychological mind blower!
My Rating:

Winner of Last Dickens

I've sent you an email Icedream
!! Thanks to everyone for commenting.
Another copy will be up for grabs on my Giving Books Back to You Blog later this week!!

Book Review: Hate List

Title and Author of book: Hate List: A Novel by Jennifer Brown
Fiction or non-fiction: Fiction
Genre: YA
Where did I get the book: My public library

Who recommended this book to me? Lenore's review had me captivated and I immediately requested this book!! Click here for her thoughts.

Summarize the plot but don't give away the ending!

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets. Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.


What did you like most about this book? This book was written in a very realistic manner and the author did not shy away from the gritty and horrific reality of school violence. Val is a character that a young person can identify with. I know that almost everyone has been a victim of bullying at some point in their life, but there are others who face it on a daily basis. The brutal honesty in this book is what I liked the most. Val doesn't try to make any excuses for her behavior. Instead, she is trying so hard to put her life back together and to find some sort of "new" normal.

What did you like least? Not a thing. This book is an exceptional read and the whole story was well written. I would like to see a discussion guide added to this when it comes out in paperback. I feel that adults, educators, teens, parent groups, book clubs would really be able to have thoughtful and important dialogue after reading Hate List!


Tragically, this book seems to be a fitting read at this time. Most of us remember Columbine and watching as this school shooting unfolded. Just two days ago, a fifteen-year old boy was doused with rubbing alcohol and set on fire. He may not live. A month ago teens from rival gangs beat to death a sixteen-year old boy in the streets of Chicago. Violence is real and until we step up and educate ourselves and others, these headlines will continue to be a part of our daily existence. I am standing on the rooftops shouting, "YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!"

** You can read the first chapter HERE.

If you've read and reviewed this book please leave me a link in the comments so that I can add your review to this post!

Win a copy of The Last Dickens Here!!

Just leave me a comment and a way to get in contact with you!!! This closes tomorrow night at midnight!!
U.S. Residents Only

Library Loot- October 14

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

The Promised World by Lisa Tucker
Synopsis: A provocative novel about a woman whose seemingly perfect life unravels when her twin brother commits suicide after he is accused of child abuse.

** Dar wrote a wonderful review on this book so I requested it immediately from my public library.



The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morten
Synopsis: "A foundling, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, an aristocratic family, a love denied, a mystery The Forgotten Garden is a captivating, atmospheric and compulsively readable story of the past, secrets, family and memory

** Mary from Bookfan Mary featured this book on her Friday Finds post. I thought it sounded extremely intriguing!!


Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffennegger
Synopsis: Niffenegger weaves a captivating story in Her Fearful Symmetry about love and identity, about secrets and sisterhood, and about the tenacity of life--even after death.

**I have been waiting patiently for this book. I loved The Time Traveler's Wife so I just had to get my hands on this one.



Books Read in 2009 to date: 144
Number of Books Checked out from the library:21
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 270 last week 273 this week