Book Review: "Fly Away Home"

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was another quick read by this author. I liked it and again, it was very easy to follow the plot and little concentration was needed. (Are you seeing a pattern? Prego-brain!) I felt bad for Sylvia when she realized what her husband had done. I felt even worse for Lizzie because of all that she had been through and how she was the black sheep of the family. I couldn't believe Diana was doing nearly the same thing her father had done and I loathed her husband, Gary. Overall, the characters were easily-liked and easy to relate to on some level or another. I at least felt sympathy for them all because of what Richard had done. No one likes to be in the limelight for a scandal.

I know this isn't a series, but I wish that J.W. had written it to be a series so we can find out what happens with Lizzie and Jeff and whether or not Tim becomes part of the bigger picture for Sylvia. Oh well.



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Book Review: "The Next Best Thing"

The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really liked this book. It was a quick read (for me) and the plot wasn't twisted or hard to follow after setting the book down for a few hours. (I am recently having a hard time focusing on reading with my little Cirque du Soleil acrobatist performing in my belly.) I could relate to the struggle the main character had with her appearance (although I am not horribly disfigured!) and the awkward relationships she had with her coworkers. I found myself cheering her on and being really disappointed when everyone tried to "fix" what she had written for the tv show. I didn't enjoy the steamy parts of the book and was frankly embarassed when they came up as I was NOT expecting them. But, getting past that, this was a great read and I really like this author for quick reads that don't require me to pay too much attention.





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Book Review: "The Sunshine When She's Gone"

The Sunshine When She's Gone by Thea Goodman

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


**Spoiler alert**

The PM sent me the hardback copy of this book and I really wanted to like it. It has a great title and the cover was very eye-catching. However, the characters were somewhat boring and the entire plot was just weird. I can understand the wife, Veronica, not being interested in having sex with her husband--She just had a baby and a hysterectomy. Ok, it's awesome that the husband, John, takes the baby out for awhile so she can get some much-needed and deserved rest. I don't really understand why she freaks out about it--her husband has just as much of a duty to take care of the baby as she does and she should just chill out and let him do his thing. But then, when he leaves the COUNTRY with their baby, I lose all hope for him. Has he lost his mind!? First of all...the baby has been on a strict diet since birth and he actually gives the child cow's milk!? She isn't even able to sit up by herself, how is she supposed to digest cow's milk? Absurd. And how crazy do you have to be to take your daughter to another country without letting her mother know beforehand?! Who does that?! Then he smokes pot? I just can't even comprehend what an idiot this guy is.

Just to make this short and because I have better things to do: I didn't like the book. I didn't like the characters, couldn't relate to them, and the ending was vague. Did I mention the title had nothing to do whatsoever, with what happened in the book?



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RTT: Cat-Interruptus, Online Splurging, Ivy then and now...etc.

• The most annoying sound on earth is a the sound of a cat grooming itself or a dog licking itself. Disgusting!
• Does your cat need to be held or "loved on" often? Mine does...especially if I am sitting at my desk doing schoolwork. 

• What special allowances do you make for your pets? I put a blanket on my desk for Toby to lay on so he doesn't try to lay on my books or laptop.

• If you have a cat, what does it most like to get into? Mine loves to get into the trash and knock it over. He's always looking for Q-tips.
• I finally got my plant to look like it isn't dying! My Mama helped, but I have kept it alive...so that counts! 

2011                  2012

•  Do you like to buy things online? I do. I recently purchased a book for my History 201 class online {but accidentally sent it to my Mom's address...} and a necklace from The {Posh} Daisy! Yesterday I ordered 4 books from the Bargain bin on BAM's website and they arrived this afternoon {Wednesday}! Awesome Sauce!

 

• Can anyone please tell me why the pictures I add to a blog post always show up under the last picture posted, or they start at the top if they're the first photo? I always have to copy and paste my text above the photo, because it won't let me rearrange the photo by clicking and dragging. It's quite annoying! 
• I had to meet J on the base this morning at 11 so that he could pick me up at the Visitor's Center to get me through the gate. I didn't realize it, but my Military ID expired on the 11th and I was afraid they wouldn't let me on base. Anyway, they wouldn't let me fill out the information or renew my ID without J present. So ridiculous! Anywho, I got it all done and hopefully I won't have so much trouble next time! 

Sorry this is late, I've been trying to catch up in my History and English classes and the teachers keep adding more work to do! Ugh! Hope everyone had a great Tuesday!
Head on over to visit Stacy who is still keeping the Randomness alive while Keely has abandoned us for all eternity! is still on sabatical... :) 

 

You didn't eat your Wheaties, did you?

Finally went to get my books yesterday at the campus bookstore. The little chick running the cash register was rude to me! I asked if I could post-date a check until I received my financial aid check and she acting like she didn't even know what a post-dated check was. Then she asked if I was on "the list." First of all, I don't even know what "the list" is and how can I know if I'm on it if it's not posted where I can check it. She said, "I need something with your name on it." Um...an ID? Driver's License? Student ID? A piece of mail? I can write it on a post-it for you.. I hand her my Driver's License and she takes it to the backroom to compare to "the list." Apparently I'm awesome enough to be on this "list" and she hands me a form to fill out. As I'm filling it out, I ask her if I need to return in person to pay or will they just cash my check on the 31st if I don't show up. She said I had to return in person or they would cash my personal check... UM, duh; that's what I just asked! I told her that I planned to deposit my financial aid in my personal checking account anyway, so it will come directly from my account. She didn't say anything so I just ignored her while I finished filling out the form. I also asked if it was ok if my checks had my husband's name on it and she had to ask her manager. Her manager said that as long as it had the name of the recipient of the financial aid on it, then it would work. The chick said, "But it has someone else's name too." Good grief girl, are you related to the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz? Idiot. So I just filled out my check and dated it for the 31st. We'll see what happens. 

• Successful Writer's Handbook {English 102}- $60.81
• World of Psychology & Study Guide {Psychology 200}- $175.20
• Visions of America Binder 201 & 202 {US History 201}- 87.84

After the bookstore, I headed over to the Financial Aid office to make sure my check had been mailed; it had. Then Mom, Amanda and I walked over to the BDH building for our History 201 Orientation. Online, it said it was in BDH 216, so we waited in there for over 45 minutes until there were at least 10 other people in there, then some lady came to tell us that she was sorry, but the classroom had been moved to 210 and she was late putting up the sign. 
There was already a sign in the front of the room saying that Wednesday's orientation had been moved to 210, so I had already walked down there to that classroom to ask if it had been moved for Thursday's orientation as well. The lady in there asked who I was looking for. I told her "David McRae" and she said "Well, I'm not David McRae. What time is it supposed to start?" I told her "12:30." She said, "Well, come back at 12:30, I won't be here." She was really rude. I didn't eat breakfast yesterday and didn't sleep so well on the crappy bed at Mom's, so I really felt like slapping that lady. Why do people have to be so rude? 
I wanted to ask her why she didn't eat her Wheaties for breakfast...

Book Review: So Damn Lucky

So Damn Lucky by Deborah Coonts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SPOILER ALERT:

Alright Lucky! I enjoyed this book a lot more than the last. I was disappointed though, that Lucky is still having to solve murders. WTH is up with that? Why can't she just be the Customer Relations person for the hotel and nothing else? Coonts needs to just go ahead and declare Lucky a P.I. alongside The Beautiful Jeremy Whitlock and get it over with.

This time, instead of a swarm of bees, Lucky is dealing with a UFO convention and a bunch of magicians that are already getting on my nerves in the first few chapters. It was no surprise that Dimitri Fortunoff body disappeared when he "died" in Houdini's water box of death, or whatever it was called. I just can't figure out who stole his body and why? Why didn't Coonts reveal that at the end? I don't know. Maybe I just missed that explanation.

I was a little upset when Teddie started acting a fool and was being stand-offish towards Lucky. But, then I was hopeful that she and Dane might hook up, finally!

In the first two books, I was praying that she and Dane would be an item. Obviously, there was an attraction. I was overjoyed though, when she and Teddie finally realized their love for one another. He seemed like the perfect guy. I had a feeling though that he would become a flake once all the fame and fortune went to his head while he was out performing. So, it came as no surprise that he and Lucky called it splits afer one more rendevous. I'm thinking that Lucky won't be as intriguing once she's married off and probably this is what Coonts is thinking as well.

I really liked this book while I was reading it, but now that I'm actually writing the review, I'm going to change my rating to 4 stars. I now feel like it was missing something. The last page of the second book, Lucky Stiff tells us that Lucky's Mother, Mona is pregnant! But she really doesn't go into detail in the third book. I'm glad that they are finally going to go public with the secret of The Big Boss being Lucky's father. Yay for them. The truth will out!

You're in for a surprise when you find out who Lucky decides will be her next man. I was shocked!


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Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book! I couldn't get enough of it. I stayed up reading so late that my eyes were blurry and glazed-over before I could even put the book down. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of reading a few reviews that didn't rate it highly. I won't be making that mistake again.

I think Kathryn Stockett did a wonderful job voicing these black women from the 60's. No, I'm not a black woman and I don't know what it's like to be one, nor will I ever. But I do know what it's like to be born and raised in the South. {Where I STILL live.} Racism is still a part of life in some places, whether we recognize it or not. Segregation in the 60's isn't something I've witnessed, but my Mama did. She told me that my high school Principal {an African-American man who holds a Doctorate in teaching} used to go to a different school just for blacks. And then when they integrated the schools, he was allowed to go to the local public schools. He is a man I greatly admire and it amazes me how anyone who was treated with such hatred can still rise above their opressors and make the world a better place.

Written in the voice of white, frizzy-haired integration-supporter, Skeeter Phelan as well as several African-American maids, The Help is a novel that makes you think. I caught myself thinking more than once {or even 10 times} how none of us are really that different from each other. Of course, I've always known that. We ALL bleed red!

I've sat here for over 20 minutes thinking of what else I should say about this book without sounding like I'm trying to make up for being white, so I'll just say this: There's a reason this book made it to the number-one best seller's list.

And remember The Golden Rule {no matter what decade you're living in}: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. 


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Book Review: Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

LOVED this book!



When a woman takes a plunge out of a helicopter belonging to the most luxurious hotel-casino on the Strip in Las Vegas, Lucky O'Toole has her work cut out for her to keep this story away from The Babylon. As head of Customer Relations at The Babylon, it's her job to make sure things run smoothly but of course, Lucky takes it one step further to prove that this is no suicide.



Full of sarcasm, quirky characters and surprises, Deborah Coonts has written a fast-paced mystery/romance novel that keeps you turning pages until it's finished! {I personally stayed up til almost 2, two days in a row to finish this book.}



I loved the characters, especially Teddie; Lucky's female impersonating best friend and star entertainer at The Babylon. {He reminded me of Rachel Porter's best friend in Tortoise Soup. He also is a female impersonator, but gay.} I knew about half-way through the book who took the photo on her desk and if you want to know what I'm talking about...I guess you'll just have to read the book yourself!   



I highly recommend this book to anyone who doesn't like romance novels that are too mushy or risqué and anyone a fan of Janet Evanovich, Jessica Speart and even Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series!



I can't wait to read Lucky Stiff when it comes out at the end of November!






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RTT: "Here are your buh-ooks"...

Haven't posted an RTT in awhile. I always come up with the best posts in my head right before bed or while I'm busy doing something else and then by the time Tuesday rolls around, my brain is fried and all I can remember is if when my crops are ready on Farmville.

Watched one of mine and my bestie, Amy's favorite movies the other day. She's the Man. We practically know every line. :P "I gotta lifetime-a knowledge."

The bug man came today to put some peanut-butter-looking-gunk in the cabinets. I haven't seen any bugs in our kitchen other than the ants at the beginning of summer and this is the first time this guy has been around since he sprayed in June. Hmm... Must be because we're fairly clean people. He said he services 1300 apartments every month and he sees some really nasty places. And all I'm thinking is I hope none are hitching a ride on your clothes. 

My new niece will be here on Monday! I can't wait! I'm so excited! My sister accuses me of not caring because I never visit with her. But seriously, it's an HOUR away. I HATE driving period and an hour is so tedious. I really do love my nieces and nephews though. 

Speaking of my sister; she LOVES Christmas and since she's going to be taking care of a newborn and two toddlers between Thanksgiving and Christmas, she's already put up her Christmas decorations and wrapped the presents she's already bought... Have I gotten any shopping done? No. And I probably won't be able to do much, since no one is hiring and J will be out of work for two weeks during Christmas. He really wants to go see his brothers in Florida over the break and right now, that isn't possible. If we sell my old car, then we will be able to go on Vacay...maybe. I just hope everyone understands that we won't be able to buy much this Christmas. That's not what it's all about anyway. Maybe I'll make 'em something. Anyone want to donate some toilet paper rolls and glue? I'm serious about this...

J is using my car this week since his is out of gas. I took him back to work today after lunch and then went to the library. They called me yesterday to let me know a book I had reserved a month or more ago, was finally in. The Help by Kathryn Stockett! I'm so excited. Right now, though, I'm reading Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts. I was contacted via email by a publicity manager for Deborah Coonts. She wanted to recommend the book because I love Janet Evanovich. 

 So far, I've read 180 something pages and I LOVE it! She's right about it being similar to Janet Evanovich's characters but not too similar. I love how they flow quickly and make you want to keep reading until dawn. Also, I noticed some similarities between characters in this book and Jessica Speart's Rachel Porter series. Where Lucky has an apartment neighbor/best friend who dresses in drag and is straight, Rachel has {in one of the books} a best friend/neighbor who dresses in drag and is gay. Really similar there and in a few other areas Wanna Get Lucky? reminds me of Stephanie Plum {in Janet Evanovich's books} where she has more than one hottie vying for her attention. Can't wait to see what happens next!

I'm tired of fighting for the keyboard with Tobias, so I'm going to go work on a puzzle. Hope everyone has a great Tuesday! :) This time next week, I'll have a new baby niece! :):):)

Not enough random for you? Check out Stacy's blog, Stacy Uncorked; she's still hosting this shindig!

30 Day Challenge: Day 04

Day 04: A picture of your night.

 Me reading and Sabrina and Tobias chillin'.

{Tobias says, "HEYYY!"}

As you can probably tell, it's light outside...lol. 

I forgot about the post last night because J came home from

drill. So we staged what I normally do at night. Haha.

I usually read half a book if not the whole thing.

This pretty much sums it up.

{I borrowed this from my pinterest board}

Book Review: House by Frank E. Peretti, Ted Dekker

House by Frank E. Peretti

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I picked this book up because I remembered seeing it on a friend's bookshelf at their house several years ago. Other than that, I had no clue who the authors were or what the book was about.



The story takes place in Alabama {Creepy right?} somewhere between Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. Stephanie and Jack are a couple having marital problems, on their way to a counseling session in Montgomery when they take a wrong turn and get pulled over. The cop gives them directions to get back to the highway and they end up stranded in the middle of nowhere with the only structure for shelter, being an old plantation home that has been turned into an inn. Once inside the inn, they find no one running the place, only another couple. After inspecting the ground floor, they run into the "inbred" proprietors, Betty, Stewart and Pete.



After dinner turns rotten in their mouths, they encounter a cloaked, masked man who locks them in the house and drops a can down the chimney with "House Rules". The most deadly of the rules, produce one dead body before dawn, when the game ends.



Full of deceit, terror and suspense, this book kept me up until 2:30 am. The middle of the book got a little repetitive with the chase scene in the basement dumping the couples out at the same point over and over, but overall it was a great read!



A great lesson in how the sin and evil in our hearts can manipulate our lives and the lives around us.



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Book Review: The Rag Nymph by Catherine Cookson

The Rag Nymph by Catherine Cookson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pretty good read. Took me awhile to get used to the dialect of the characters. Hard to read such improper language. lol. I really loved the characters and how simple the plot was.



Raggie Aggie takes in an abandoned Millie Forester after her mother leaves her on the street while running from the law. Millie is a beautiful and already well-learned child and Aggie knows that no good can come from her being left to her own vices, so she becomes her guardian until the mother is released from jail. But, unfortunately, the mother kills herself to keep from becoming a prostitute. Aggie raises Millie, just as she raised Ben when he came to work for her father when he was little.



Throughout the novel, we watch Millie grow into womanhood and the trials she faces on the street, at school and in her relationships at her first job. All the while, Ben falls even more in love with Millie and she doesn't even notice.



This is a great easy-read and worth your time if you love the Victorian era.


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Book Review: Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this installment in the Odd Thomas series. I have had this book on my to-read list for quite awhile, along with the others in the series and this one didn't quite live up to the other two, but it was still a great read.



Odd has gone to live with the monks at St. Bartholomew's Abbey after the massacre in the mall that resulted in the death of his beloved Stormy. Odd has ventured to the Abbey to learn to live fully again and with the help of the Brothers, Nuns and Orphaned children, he is finding his way.



But of course, trouble is never far away where Odd Thomas is concerned. The bodachs are back and this time, there are children involved. As Odd ventures out to find out what the bodachs know that he doesn't, he stumbles across a monk in the oncoming-blizzard. Before he knows it, he's being conked on the head and the monk is gone. Then he encounters a never-before-seen entity that has him puzzled and observant. There are even a few questionable characters staying at the Abbey, including one of the novices!



Odd Thomas' adventure is worth reading and re-reading. Just don't read this one at night like I did. I had some strange creatures in my dreams!



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Book Review: Multiple Choice by Claire Cook

Multiple Choice by Claire Cook

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Originally I rated this three stars, but I changed my mind after I summed it up for my husband when he asked what I was reading. It was just so ho-hum.



March and Olivia, mother and daughter, are both attending college at the same time, just not at the same school. However, when forced to take on an intern position, they both choose the same radio station by coincidence. Olivia acts like a stuck-up, spoiled teenager who's parents pay for everything. {I don't understand this at all, especially since I've always paid for my own things.} I sided with March, even though she's a middle-aged college drop-out who has decided to have a mid-life turn-around or something.



The producer or whatever he is, at the radio station decides to fill a time slot that is being vacated by this crazy lady who has no clue what she's talking about. The new show will be co-hosted by March and Olivia. March has a crush on a guy at the station and feels like her marriage is dull.



Those are the major points. I mean really, nothing happens. There was no climax or anything significant. I could have gone forever without reading this and never felt any regret. I hate to be so harsh, but when I read a book, I like for something to happen.



Maybe pre-menopausal women will appreciate this more than I, especially since I don't have kids and have only been married 3 years. If you're looking for a book that doesn't require any brain-power, this book might interest you. Otherwise...



**Note: This does not reflect on the author as a whole, just on this book.**



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Book Review: If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan

If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow. I loved this book. It should be a requirement for all high school Holocaust/history students.



Hilary is a neo-Nazi sixteen-year-old who is injured in a motorcycle accident and sent to a Jewish hospital, where she lies in a coma. She begins to relive the life of Chana, a Jewish teenager whose family suffered tremendously during the reign of Hitler in Poland.



The story as a whole makes you realize that no matter how bad you think you have it, someone somewhere else has had it worse. This is a great book to teach kids how to appreciate differences in religion/race/etc.



Even though Hilary started off as a neo-Nazi supporter, when she awakens from her coma, she realizes the mistakes she has made and plans to turn her life around.



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Blog Review: Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not what I was expecting. I really need something more substantial to happen to Stephanie. Like, hooking up with Ranger. I don't know about the rest of this series' readers, but I picture The Rock when I think of Ranger. Who wouldn't want to be with him!?!



Overall, I liked this book better than the last one. I still don't understand the point of recapping who she is, what she does and who everyone else in the book is. It's a waste of space. Who's going to start out reading this series on the sixteenth book? But, if you took out all that redundant information in this book, it would have been incredibly short. What's up with the really wide margins and huge text? I felt like I was reading a book for a 4th grader. My first chapter book! Woo-hoo!



That said, I can't wait for the next book. I love reading about Stephanie's adventures. And Lula is hilarious. J.E. please bring on something new for Stephanie!






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Book Review: Summer Blowout by Claire Cook

Summer Blowout by Claire Cook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this book! I started reading it after finishing The Gates by John Connolly. I didn't want to have nightmares and this looked like a light read. I was right, but I was also surprised at how quickly I read it. Only a few hours. I couldn't put it down! I was reading it in bed while J was sleeping and had to keep myself from laughing too loudyly, quite a few times.



This is my first Claire Cook and I'm glad I wasn't disappointed. I have seen her other novel, Must Love Dogs but have never read it, since I've already seen the movie. I think I will read it now anyway.



I love Bella and her entire family. She reminds me a lot of Janet Evanovich's character, Stephanie Plum. {Crazy, large family} It cracks me up that she's addicted to lipstick and chapstick, but then again, she is a make-up artist. Her dad is a wanna-be-Italian and I just find him adorable. I wish that Claire Cook would write a sequel to this novel. I would love to find out what happens between Bella and Sean Ryan. Also, what other mischief she and her siblings can get into whilst doing make-up. lol.



I definitely recommend this if you're looking for a light, quick-read. It would also make a great beach book.



And who doesn't love the little dog, Cannoli! I love being able to relate to characters who talk to their pets. :P


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Memorable Quotes: {That made me LOL}
"I pulled my suitcase out of the backseat of my bug, along with Cannoli's new travel case, a spiffy animal print pet backpack on wheels. When I first saw it, I thought maybe the dog was supposed to wear the backpack, but it turned out the person wore the backpack with the dog in it. It had a pull-up handle and wheels, just like my suitcase, so you could also roll it along the ground. It had mesh vents in the front and on the sides to let in lots of air. I unzipped the top and popped Cannoli inside, then attached the safety harness to her jeweled collar. She looked up at me in horror. "Don't worry," I said. "I won't zip up the mesh part until we absolutely have to."




   I extended the handles on my rolling suitcase and pet carrier, got them positioned evenly behind me, then hooked my shoulder bag over my head and under one arm, like a beauty pageant sash, so it wouldn't fall off. I reached back with both hands and started pulling. We moved along at a brisk, comfortable pace. The rolling suitcase was one of the best inventions ever, maybe right up there with the ionic hair dryer. I sure would like to have been the entrepreneur who thought up one of those two.
  I heard a choking sound behind me. When I looked back, Cannoli was hanging from the backpack harness with her hind legs circling frantically in the air. She looked like she was riding a bike just above ground level.
  "Cannoli," I yelled. I unhooked her and made sure she was breathing on her own. When I tried to get her back in the backpack, she whimpered. I talked to her soothingly yet firmly, then tried again. This time she started howling like I was hurting her. 
  People turned and stared as they walked by. "What are you looking at?" I said to one couple. I suddenly felt true remorse for every time  I'd stared at a parent with a toddler throwing a tantrum. I made a vow to be a better aunt to Tulia's kids if I ever made it out of this parking garage. I pleaded with Cannoli one more time."

"There also wasn't one single bit of grass or dirt outside the airport. Even the median strip was a concrete sidewalk. Where did Atlanta's pet travelers pee? Maybe city dogs just learned to use the sidewalk. We kept walking. It looked like if we crossed the road that all the cars used to get onto the highway, we might come to a planted-up area, but we also might get killed.

  Finally, I just lifted Cannoli up and plopped her down on a great big ashtray built into the top of the trash barrel. "Good thing you're not a German shepherd," I said.

Book Review: The Gates by John Connolly

The Gates: A Novel by John Connolly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think my library is unaware that this book and The Book of Lost Things are both young adult. So far, this book is creepy and I'm only on page 51. I mean, my neighbors are annoying sometimes, and certainly they get on my nerves when their dog barks too much or their car alarm won't stop going off {like today, it went off every 5-10 minutes. All. Day. Long. (10-03-11)}. But, thankfully, they have never held a seance to open a portal to Hell. That I know of...



More to come.



Pretty good read over all. I think it would be somewhat scary even for young adults. I definitely wanted to find out what happened to Nurd, but I liked how the book ended anyway.



I enjoyed the character that was meant to eat Samuel. {The one under the bed.} I thought it was quite funny how he didn't know what he was doing. I found myself giggling while reading his part and the weird thing in the pond. How did he get to be left behind when the portal was closed?



And the conversations between the Vicar and Mr. Berkeley was very humorous, too. I've included it in my favorite quotes as well.



"I don't think," he said, "that a vicar is supposed to beat a bishop to death, or even back to death."

Mr. Berkeley looked down upon the remains of Bishop Bernard.

"If anyone asks, we'll say he fell over," he said. "Lots of times."


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The Book of Lost Things

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book reminded me of books I read when I was younger, like before I was a teenager. It even has a life-lesson! I found it in the adult section though.



The book starts off during Hitler's reign. The main character, 12-year-old David, has just lost his mother. To deal with it, he escapes to his books. They soon begin to whisper to him. His father finds a new wife and they soon have a baby boy. David becomes even more angry and escapes into his imagination. Soon, he can't differentiate between his fantasy world and reality.

He goes down to the garden in his backyard and is transported to another world that strangly reflects the stories in his books.

This world, that has no name, contains heroes, monsters, and a King that holds the Book of Lost Things. David teams up with a Woodsman that promises to help him get to the King so that he can help David get back home.

This book is full of adventure and heroism. I'm hoping that there are more books like this, written by John Connolly.



I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, adventure and super-natural.


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Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Book Thief is not what I was expecting, but that seems to be the theme here lately. This book has been on my to-read list for quite a while. I had no qualms about it being categorized as Youth. No one I know has read this book and I think that is a shame. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of WWII/Hitler's reign and fictional accounts of the years 1939-43. I had to read Night by Elie Wiesel in 9th grade. I think this book should also be a required read despite it containing quite a few profanities.



The main reason I rated this book 5 stars, is because Death is the narrator. I had never read anything quite like this before and Death makes for an interesting viewpoint.

Death was very busy during the reign of Hitler and despite what we think we know about Death, he is very interested in the lives of some humans. {well, at least in this book.} He comes in contact with Liesel only a handful of times, but he knows her story because he finds a book she has written about these times. He carries it with him and The Book Thief is his account of her life from the time she leaves her brother's grave to the end of her life when she is very old.   



The Book Thief is a young German girl growing up during Hitler's reign. I was expecting to read about a Jewish Book Thief, but was surprised to be reading about one of Hitler's Youth. I think, just by reading how Liesel reacted to the parades of Jews, that most German children, had no clue what was really going on.

The first book Liesel "steals", is a guide to grave digging. Weird that there would even be a book for that but whatever. Her foster father helps her learn to read with this book, so perhaps it is the most important to her.



I won't go into detail because I'm sure most everyone would hate it to be spoiled, but, you're going to get attached to quite a few characters. Try not to expect too much excitement with this book, because it is written for Youth and it doesn't go into detail about the Holocaust.



This book is well-written and doesn't leave you hanging at the end. I would like to have known what Liesel did with herself after the war up until she died, but I'm guessing the author wanted to leave that up to the reader's imagination. Kudos.






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