Appaloosa

Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This was a traditional western. Lawlessness + rogue + showdown= appaloosa.

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Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the love story of Henry and Claire and their overcoming his handicap of time travel. The many obstacles they must surpass of their age difference, drinking problem, other relationships and their knowledge of their short time together encourages them to make the most their shared time. Claire deals with this issue by being thankful for the little snippets of his life and not concentrate on the time he is away even when he dies she lives the rest of her life waiting for him to rerun to him.

The story is a bit confusing when you first start reading it but once different areas of their lives come together the puzzle becomes whole and as the reader you are anxious to find out what one visit means to the other. Having the story told from both Claire's point of view and Henry's ensures a full experience.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone who enjoys a tragic love story. Can't wait for the movie to come out.

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Breathers

Breathers: A Zombie's Lament by S.G. Browne


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This story follows Andy and his experience being a zombie, being alienated by his friends and family. Zombies have no rights, are attacked, persecuted, tortured and shunned by society in general. Andy with his support group "Undead Anonymous", tries to survive and get the government to reinstate their rights.

When you first start this book it seems a bit humorous. But the story becomes dark when "breathers" mistreat zombies walking down the street and frat guys using them for their pledging while society condones it. You will be drawn into their existence and their will to survive.

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Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

3 out of 5 Stars
Fellow Jane Austen addicts have spoke of this as a must read. But the title is totally misleading. I expected a journal type reading from Courtney's life and how being a Jane Austen addict has affected her in a day to day basis. But this is nothing like that. Courtney Stone wakes up one morning in the 1800's of Jane Austen and living the life of a single girl waiting to get married, named Jane Mansfield.

She spends most of her time trying to decipher the bits and pieces of Jane's lif...more Fellow Jane Austen addicts have spoke of this as a must read. But the title is totally misleading. I expected a journal type reading from Courtney's life and how being a Jane Austen addict has affected her in a day to day basis. But this is nothing like that. Courtney Stone wakes up one morning in the 1800's of Jane Austen and living the life of a single girl waiting to get married, named Jane Mansfield.

She spends most of her time trying to decipher the bits and pieces of Jane's life and trying to figure out how to get back to her own time period in the 21st century. Meanwhile she is actively being pursued by the local eligible bachelor and toying with the affections of the stable boy while trying to escape her mother's tyranny. The idea
of the book was very promising until I read it. Jane /Courtney should
have just enjoy being in that world instead making every one else's
life miserable including Mary, her best BFF and go with the flow. That's what a true Austenite would have done and tried to find her Mr. Darcy.I understand she had to describe her surroundings to get an idea of her totally different environment but I felt it was a bit belabored.
It's distracting having Courtney correcting herself whenever she
referred to herself as Jane. She isn't really Jane, but Courtney. Yea. We get it. Let's move on.The book overall was entertaining mostly for the Jane Austen references.


The highlight of the book, which I sort of expected was when she met
Jane Austen. I thought for sure this will be interesting. But the
writer totally messed it up by making her into a babbling idiot. She went on and on about how the future would love her writing. Why
would she mention the movie renditions of her book? That part was totally lame.

So don't believe the hype and read other fun things instead like "Austenland" and sequels to "Pride and Prejudice" like, "Mr. Darcy's Diary".

Best Friends by Jennifer Weiner

Best Friends Forever: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was different than Jennifer Weiner's past books. Though the story was interesting, it was missing her dry humor. I missed her little comments and observations that are present in her other lead characters.

The two best friends, are not very likable. One is self centered and bossy while the other is a doormat. I really didn't feel much for either character. The "hero" of the story iffy as well. But I still had to give her four stars because I'll read anything she writes.

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Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was the first Harry Potter book I've read. I was intrigued by the story once I saw the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think because it takes place with Harry as a teen having to deal with love and relationships as well is impending doom. Also, because it's the second to the last of the books, so I know there is an ending in sight. I could not force myself to read 7 books knowing that the first 5 are just fillers.

*spoilers*The story was very exciting dealing with the back story of Lord Voldamort and how he was bad from the get go. Draco and the rest of the Death Eaters are plotting on taking over Hogwarts therefore, getting to Harry. I have also placed my theory on why Snape is so sneaky. I do think he is working on the good side because he was on the bad side in the beginning but changed his mind after LV killed the woman he loves. AKA Lilly Potter. Yea that's right! That is why he is so resentful of Harry. Well that is my theory.

I also enjoyed this book because it is a great source of new and unique names. Each page has wonderfully crafted names that can be used either on pets or future children. :) Can't wait to get a new tabby cat named Snape. :)

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The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
*Spoilers*This was my first Holmes mystery I read and was disappointed. I was hoping for more action, crazy clues and surprise endings. Honestly I knew it was Stapleton from the get go. Only because he was only one who was not tied down to the area and recently arrived.

Since this book was written after Holmes' famous demise and reappearance, I think I will give his adventures another chance and read his earlier stories.

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Day in the life of a librarian. Day 2

As part of "Library Day in the Life" project, here is my entry. Click here if you'd like to see more postings of other libraries.


8:30 am - 11am
Open library, turn on lights, walk library. Turn on computer and check emails. Open safe and count money.
Checked last night's receipts because amounts were not balanced. Made notes on collection report to reconcile at the end of the month.
Turn in books I checked out and place in shipment box.
Upload book review to shelfari.com, goodreads and blog.
Wrote out and displayed "shelf-talkers" for the "We the People" bookshelf.
Work on teen Summer Reading video and try to add music that is not copy written. (2hours!!)
Fax warrant release to regional office.
Go over with assistant on the collection report discrepancy.
Short break - ate banana.
Read email
12pm Opening library
Make sure only children are on the children computers.
Check new materials for proper processing.
Add new books to shelf and add rest to shelving cart.
Read, answer and forward email.
Open mail.
Do computer reservations.
Assisted children with finding the answer to our art trivia question.
Try to order new copy of "Sister Wendy's 1000 Masterpieces" because someone cut out pages of the favorite works of art. (Held back curse words.)
Book no longer available for purchase. (Held back more curse words).
Give out SRP prizes to children guessing our trivia question.
Customer wanted calligraphy books.
Handed Page list for call number corrections received from Cataloging.
Updated status on facebook and twitter accounts for tonight's show.
Help order books.
Go through cart full of donations. 90% not for our collection.
Tallied the entry forms for the Teen SRP, to determine last week's staff winner of sign up.
1:30 - 2:00 lunch
read emails and return calls.
F/up on performer's status for today's show.
Planned storytime for special ed HS students class visit tomorrow.
3 - 5 Reference and crowd control during the performance.
5pm Give instructions to closing staff, go home. :)

Day in the life of a Librarian

As part of the online project to post a day in the life of a library, here is my entry. If you want to see others check them out here

Monday:
9 - 12
Open up library, turn on lights. Walk through and make sure building is in tact. Open safe and count money. Make deposit slip for assistant to take to bank. Open email and read all the headquarter instructions for the new printing system that will be implemented that morning.
Print out NY Times and LA Times best sellers lists.
Read the new policies and procedures.
Use personal library card to test new procedure on public library computer. Program not functioning as it should. Used spouse's card to test system again. Computer not responding. Tried item payment again. Called IT to get override code. 4th attempt. Computer not responding. Frozen. Try to log out and use another computer. Login out button not visible. Turn off and re-start computer. Unable to log back in as user. Give up.
Continue with opening mail and emails. Forward emails to assistant and print out policy for aides.
Fill out time adjustment sheet for staff that did not work on Friday.
Work on monthly report.
Research teaching techniques for students with special needs for class visit on Wednesday. Received call from aide, who wont' be coming in due to jury duty.
Take short break and eat bannana.
Staff starts coming in and update them on new policy. Move poster announcing new fines to front of circulation desk.
Give assistant deposit to take to the bank.
Meet with assistant when she gets back to review policy.
Discuss with aides new policy and go over any questions.
Remind them of the increase in fines and provide them with a copy of the new circulation policy.
12pm Library opens.
Reference: Children turning in SRP forms and give prizes.
Computer reservations over the phone.
Review new materials and make sure they are processed correctly.
Add to new book shelf and organize display.
Check library yahoo account, myspace and facebook.
Reference questions.
1:30 - 2:30pm lunch
2:30 return calls and help customers with their questions.
3pm - 5pm Reference
3:20 Parade of HS students walk through library on their way home and use the water fountain. Try and engage them to participate in the SRP.
Work with aide and assistant to sort out the kinks on the new printing system. Review new policy with second shift of part time staff.
Reference: which includes ordering books, helping children print pictures of homework assignments, sign up kids for AWE computer, order books for customers, etc...
Confirm SRP performer for tomorrow.
Explain to a teen that we have the volunteers we need and give her resources of where else she can go to complete her hours.
Answered questions for customer who had received a collection letter for her large amount of fees. Contacted our ILS office and cleared up the confusion.
Made computer reservations.
5 - 6Work with assistant and aide to print out SRP certificates of completion.
Fax time adjustment forms.
Email accounts to be deleted to ILS department.
Review cart full of donations. Only 5% can be possibly added to collection, 5% sell for book drive and 90% discards.(If it's water damaged, more than 5 years old or full of writing, we don't want it.)
Review to do list for tomorrow and leave instructions for closing staff.
Go home. :)

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great mystery that takes place in 1950's English countryside where Flavia de Luce lives with her family. When Flavia discovers a dead body in her family garden, it is up to her to clear the name of her father who is the main suspect. What makes Flavia up to the challenge is her keen knowledge of chemistry and her eagerness to learn the truth. The story takes her beyond the walls of her home and she has to overcome obstacles due to her age and her two sister's blase attitude towards the situation.



This story is filled with great descriptors of the countryside. It is well written and one forgets the story is being told through the eyes of an 11 year old child. It does not read as a children's book such as Harriet the Spy and is not dumbed down. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a good English mystery.


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Why am I fascinated?

I pride myself on being one of the few people who do not enjoy reality shows nor talk shows such as Jerry Springer. Why? Because I don't enjoy seeing other people making mistakes just for the limelight. I don't like seeing people dumber than I ruin their lives so that they can get a reaction from an audience. I feel sorry for people who all they have going for them is that their spouse/sibling/parent has cheated on them or abused them, therefore they can become famous. So why am I so fascinated with the show Weeds?!

It's the same thing!! The main protagonist, Nancy Botwin keeps making the same mistakes over and over and getting deeper and deeper into the drug world. Her first mistake was selling pot to begin with in order to keep the lifestyle. I mean from what I can gather she went to college. I'm sure an entry level job wouldn't have kept her and her boys in her new home in the valley, but still. Her fight for survival was what brought me into the show. Now she is just sad.

Long story short, she is involved with the Mexican drug cartel/mafia and can't get out because she is carrying the "jefe's" baby. I don't know about you, but this has just turned into a "telenovela". After the season premier yesterday, I think I'm out. There is nowhere for her to go but down. Especially now that her kids are getting into the family business as well. The show had potential because she was trying to survive and the whole premise was that she started doing it to keep her children in the lifestyle they were accustomed to when their father was alive. But now? Forget it. She has lost me as a fan.

Weeds on Monday nights @ 10pm on Showtime.

Lust, Loathing a little lipgloss, by Kyra Davis

Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis

My review

This newest Sophie Katz mystery was great. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and how Sophie's character has changed. Her character has evolved from a needy woman, to a leading protagonist that takes control. In this edition, Sophie isn't obsessed with her on again off again relationship with Anatoly, but concentrates more on her life, in addition to solving a murder.

This time around Sophie is purchasing a home and ends up running into her ex-husband who she adamantly hates. He tries to weasel his way into her life and at the same time be her Realtor. Bodies are found. New people in her social group are involved and her whole family is involved in this mystery. I was glad to see that her friends Marcus and Dena make an appearance, they are fun characters. Sophie's relationship with Anatoly is so cute, I'm glad he is permanently (hopefully) back in her life.

I really recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good murder mystery and laughing at the same time.


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Big Sleep

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Chandler's storytelling style is classic. His descriptions of surroundings and people is uncanny, where you feel like you are really there. The story is enveloping. I highly recommend this people to those who enjoy a good mystery.


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Judge a book by its cover?

Heck yea! I'm notorious for doing that. Why? Because they do say a lot about the book. Growing up I had to deal with the cheesy covers placed on Judy Blume and Beverly Clearly books. They contained cartoonish characters that made me want to gag. I didn't want to be seen dead with those books! And I was right. I hated Beverly Cleary books and the Judy Blume books I did read where the more sophisticated ones with teenagers on the covers.

The covers that are placed on teen books today are awesome! It makes me want to read them. For example look at Luxe.

It has this classy look to it. I personally favored those books that looked grown up. I always picked up a book that was large and had a classy cover.

Even today, I pick books with nice covers such as "Twilight", "Plain Janes", "The Pursuit of Love" and "Blue Bloods" to name a few. I seriously picked them because of their cover. I hate reading the summary from a book jacket. It's like the whole story and key plotlines ruin it for me. So I use the cover and the first paragraph of a book to guide me. If I can't get through the first paragraph, forget it!

So I say, YES!! Judge a book by its cover. Honestly I think this "saying(?)" was made up back when publishers had no choice with their book jackets and every single book had a plain leather cover with some gold embossing. Now it's like come on! You can do better than that.

Pip, pip! and all that rubbish!

The Pursuit of Love & Love in a Cold Climate: Two Novels by Nancy Mitford

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed the Pursuit of Love. Mitford's style of writing is fun to read. I enjoyed the peek into the inner sanctum of an entitled English family. The details of everyday life and how the family evolved are for great storytelling. Linda's pursuit of love didn't lead her in the right direction but the matter of fact way in which the narrator tells her story makes you laugh and cry.

Love in a Cold Climate was very fascinating but not as funny as POFL. Mitford's writing and her inside look to the privileged English family is interesting and allows you to see how the other half lives. I recommend this book to all who are interested in English life.
My favorite quote of the book: "Be kind to the young ladies, you never know who they may marry".


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Princess Diaries V: Grandmere Rocks!!

Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This 5th installment of the PD is very entertaining. Mia starts to realize what she is good at and nurtures it by writing for the school newspaper. While once again her friend Lilly is no friend at all, her mother is self absorbed with her own problems and her boyfriend doesn't understand how much the prom means to her. I am so hooked on this series.

It seems to me that Grandmere is the only person who understands Mia. Whenever there is something wrong or is bothering her, Grandmere is the only one to catch it and actually asks her what is wrong and helps her solve it. Neither her BFF or her mother (not to mention her absent womanizing father) take the time to talk to her and be there for her. Grandmere rocks! I also enjoyed this book more because it included more Michael. :)


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Koyal dark, mango sweet.

Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet by Kashmira Sheth

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was a nice coming of age story, though the author's point was a bit belabored in her attempt to establish Jeeta as an independent thinker. Jeeta's voice in the book made her seem younger than her 16 years.



It's a very simple story of a young girl’s struggle to defy convention and decide her own destiny. I realized too late there was a glossary of terms at the end of the book, which would have helped me understand it better. I do recommend it as a book club selection as a way to start introducing your teens to other cultures and their dating rituals.




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Princess Diaries IV: More Michael please!!

Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Slowly but surely Princess Mia is starting to believe in herself and be confident. With her first trip to Genovia, she has gained some confidence and implemented some changes, much to her Grandmere's chagrin.



I liked reading about her first trip to her kingdom, but wish there was more on her and Michael. Of course, less Lilly.


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Everlost

Everlost by Neal Shusterman

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book has a slow start but once you get past the fact that the main characters are dead children, you get engrossed in the story and their journey. The book is very reminiscent of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with excerpts from books on how to survive in the world of Everlost. At times the story was a bid morbid but over all the book was interesting.






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Princess Diaries Part Tre

Princess in Love by Meg Cabot

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ok, so it's silly I know, but I really like this series. Princess Mia is hilarious!! These books are way better than the movie. In my opinion they left out the best character from the book. The grandmother. Grandmere in the novels is a fun and annoying character. She is not likable and makes Mia's life worse than she thinks it already is, but at times gives good advise. The main thing that keeps me coming back for more is to see if the relationship between Michael and Mia blossoms and that Mia finally ditches her annoying best friend. Lily is the worst BFF ever.


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Dumb questions?

Q: How can I stop my child from using my library card w/out my permission?
A: Take better care of your library card and control your child. DUH!

Scrubs

I love it when two things that I love merge together for entertaining purposes. Like the Jetson's meet the Flinstones and any show with with muppets. Scrubs and the Muppets were awesome. The best line ever "Grover five!"

Princess Diaries Volume II: Lilly's revenge

Blog Entry 1/27/09 @ 1:48am

As I am unable to sleep, I finished reading Princess Diaries Volume II: Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot. The main thing that I came away with from this book is that Lilly is the worst friend ever. She is so self absorbed that she doesn’t care about Mia or the new problems and responsibilities she has to deal with now that she is a princess. Mia needs to really be “self actualized” and figure out that Lilly is a horrible BFF and should be rid of, so that Mia can have a happy life.

REASONS WHY LILLY SUCKS (WARNING Book Spoilers)

1. She gets mad at Mia for doing an interview and instead of comforting her on the horrible result, she rages against her and worries about how she, Lilly, was portrayed by being grouped with the “freaks” crowd in school.
2. She takes advantage of Mia’s vulnerable state during a slumber party and tapes a conversation with her to later broadcast it on television and does not apologize nor feels any remorse. Mia forgives her!!!
3. Hypocrite. By helping Hank and not telling Mia about it.
1. Because she supposedly does not care about skin deep attributes in people.
2. She obviously keeps secrets from Mia and gets totally out of control when Mia doesn’t tell her what is going in her life to the point of giving her the silent treatment. While Mia thinks nothing of it.
   

I hate Lilly and hope that she disappears in future books. Once Mia and Michael do end up together hopefully Lilly will get lost in the outreaches of the jungle while working for Greenpeace.

p.s. Martha Stewart’s short cameo, as Mia's hero by carrying a hot glue gun in her purse (hilarious!!) proved to be a better BFF than Lilly has ever been in the course of these books.

p.p.s. This diatribe must be excused for it was written during sleepless night. But I still hate Lilly.

p.p.p.s Overall the book was fun and I can't wait to read Volume III.

Princess Diaries

I finally got around to reading The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot. It has been on my list of teen books to read but never got around to it because I've tried reading Cabot's adult novels and they are lame. Each time I tried reading one I couldn't get past the first 3 chapters. But since I enjoyed the movie version PD and love Anne Hathaway, I thought I would give it a try. I really enjoyed it!

Mia, a 14 year old awkward freshman, finds out she is really a princess heir from the country Genovia. Her parents chose to keep this information from her all this time for reasons I don't quite understand. The book is written journal style and Mia's thoughts and observations are hilarious.

So now I am a Meg Cabot (Teen book) fan. While browsing through her blog, I noticed that Judy Blume has a blog! She is one of the most influential authors in my life. But she doesn't have a feed!! I can't add her to my Google Reader to read her entries everyday. Judy please add one. Here is her link Judy Blume's blog .

History

I'm so excited. I am here watching history in the making during the Obama Innauguration. I am so emotional. I never thought I would see it in my lifetime. I am so proud of our country.
He will be using Abraham Lincoln's bible which he used as he was being innaugurated.

The Clinton's were cheered as they came out.
Cheney was in a wheelchair.
W. was booooo'd and they tried to tone it out.


Change has happened! I'm happy to be here to witness it.

My Sweet Audrina

by V.C. Andrews is very creepy!!! I haven't read it since I was 13 or 14 years old and thought it was awesome!! Now I'm in my (gulp) 30's and I don't know what I saw in it. I really hope it's not that I related to the main character Audrina at the time. If I did, I think I may have been a bit too melodramatic.


V.C. Andrews Challenge
Update

1. January - My Sweet Audrina: still in the middle of it and a bit creeped out.

V.C. Andrews book Challenge

I am participating in Reviewer X's V.C. Andrews challenge. Since I love VCA it's not much of a challenge at all. My first book I will be reading is "My Sweet Audrina". It's super fantastic! Who would like to join me?! I dare you! Visit Reviewer X's website and let us know if you would like to participate.