If I haven't already mentioned it Netgalley.com is fabulous! It is one of the many sources I go to read galley prints (pre-published books). I started downloading books from there about the same time it started and it has grown tremendously. If you are a reader and a blogger go and sign up. It has a broad range of genre and publishers. If you have an iPod, iPad, Kindle, they got ya covered. What more can I say?
Oh, I almost forgot, there is a contest for reading the most Netgalley books at Red House Books Blog
I am not participating but it looked like fun and I wanted to promote it. There are prizes too!
Happy reading. Hoping to write more reviews soon about my latest reads.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Gerald and Piggie
I LOVE GERALD AND PIGGIE! That is all I can say they are the funniest, simplest books I know. They are great to read aloud too. Mo Willems rocks! I have read these to 8th graders and they laugh outloud! Go read them NOW!
Some that I have read recently are:
There is a Bird on Your Head!
Today I Will Fly!
Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
Really, these crack me up :)
Some that I have read recently are:
There is a Bird on Your Head!
Today I Will Fly!
Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
Really, these crack me up :)
Back again-a few reviews
Audio book---Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton
Not impressed with this book. It was a good story but I found this audio book repetitive. It didn't flow. I was very surprised because the story could have been told in a very expressive way instead of the sputtering way the story came together. I definitely felt Bethany Hamilton needed a better editor to help her tell her story. I hear the movie was great if that is any consolation. Now to leave with a positive. I did like how she connected her faith to not only her recovery but her further success and view of the world.
Anya's War by Andrea Alban
This story was very unique. It told of a Jewish family during WWII who move to Shanghai to escape the Hitler massacres. There is a clash of cultures, teen angst, and the opening of a whole new world to a young adult. I loved how the main character came away with knowing herself more but also a certain respect for her past. I came away wanting more story from this book. It was very good, but it ended a little too soon for me. Definitely worth the read.
Not impressed with this book. It was a good story but I found this audio book repetitive. It didn't flow. I was very surprised because the story could have been told in a very expressive way instead of the sputtering way the story came together. I definitely felt Bethany Hamilton needed a better editor to help her tell her story. I hear the movie was great if that is any consolation. Now to leave with a positive. I did like how she connected her faith to not only her recovery but her further success and view of the world.
Anya's War by Andrea Alban
This story was very unique. It told of a Jewish family during WWII who move to Shanghai to escape the Hitler massacres. There is a clash of cultures, teen angst, and the opening of a whole new world to a young adult. I loved how the main character came away with knowing herself more but also a certain respect for her past. I came away wanting more story from this book. It was very good, but it ended a little too soon for me. Definitely worth the read.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Non-fiction break :)
New from Annick Press is Africans Thought of It. Cool book with absolutely beautiful photos! Shows links from Africa to many many things from instruments to medical cures. Really liked this book or I wouldn't be talking about it.
Another pick from Annick Press is 50 Poisonous Questions: a Book With Bite. Again very nice layout and kids seem to love the information, especially boys. Every boy I have handed this book to can't seem to get enough. Great facts about all things poisonous!
I would think both of these books would be great additions to any home, public or school library.
Another pick from Annick Press is 50 Poisonous Questions: a Book With Bite. Again very nice layout and kids seem to love the information, especially boys. Every boy I have handed this book to can't seem to get enough. Great facts about all things poisonous!
I would think both of these books would be great additions to any home, public or school library.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Two Picture books-brief reviews
Zero by Kathryn Otoshi
Explores the concept of "zero" in a story framework. Very clever. Also, a story of self worth and positive thinking.
Monsters Eat Whiny Children by Bruce Eric Kaplan
Very cute. Will be reading this to my own kids. Deliciously describes how "whiny children" might be served to monsters!
Enjoyed both of these very clever concepts!
Explores the concept of "zero" in a story framework. Very clever. Also, a story of self worth and positive thinking.
Monsters Eat Whiny Children by Bruce Eric Kaplan
Very cute. Will be reading this to my own kids. Deliciously describes how "whiny children" might be served to monsters!
Enjoyed both of these very clever concepts!
New series-Young Sherlock Holmes "Death Cloud"
Although not "steam punk" genre, lovers of those kinds of stories might also like our hero, 14 year old Sherlock Holmes. Using his mind with guidance from friends and a tutor, Sherlock solves the mystery of the "death cloud" that is haunting his summer stay at his Uncle's home. Quite a fun read. I am currently starting the second in this series that is due out in mid November of 2011.
Sherlock has been sent to live with his uncle away from his family. His father is on his way to India with the war, his mother is "frail" (a mystery that is not solved in this book), his brother is working in the city and his sister we her little of. His new friend Mattie is the first to tell him of the first body he saw with the mysterious welts and the dark cloud that rises from the body. Together they stumble on a second body. This time it is the gardener of his uncles estate. Soon with help from Mattie, Sherlock's new tutor Amyus Crowe and his daughter Virginia Crowe they discover a plot to bring down the British empire.
A fun fast read that boys will love but girls will want to pick up too.
Sherlock has been sent to live with his uncle away from his family. His father is on his way to India with the war, his mother is "frail" (a mystery that is not solved in this book), his brother is working in the city and his sister we her little of. His new friend Mattie is the first to tell him of the first body he saw with the mysterious welts and the dark cloud that rises from the body. Together they stumble on a second body. This time it is the gardener of his uncles estate. Soon with help from Mattie, Sherlock's new tutor Amyus Crowe and his daughter Virginia Crowe they discover a plot to bring down the British empire.
A fun fast read that boys will love but girls will want to pick up too.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Latest review-TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY by Jay Asher
Whoa, what a ride. This is an awesome high school YA book. The story centers around a set of cassette tapes that are mailed to a high school student with no return address. When Clay, the protagonist, starts listening the voice of Hannah, a dead student tells him that if he is hearing these tapes he is one of the “13 reasons why” she committed suicide. Told from alternating voices of Clay and Hannah, this book really does whip up a poignant tale. Again, not a book I would pick up it was so very good I couldn’t put it down. A warning there are scenes you will feel uncomfortable reading but I suggest you deal with that and keep reading. Excellent book for high school, if you have a mature middle school student they might be able to handle it with guidance. Loved the ending too- great message.
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