Monday, April 30, 2018

Wade in the Water

Title: Wade in the Water: Poems
Author:  Tracy K. Smith
Publisher: Graywolf
ISBN: 9781555978136
Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: This collection of poems was very approachable, the sections were easily understandable, and all would make for great discussion.

Rating: 4/5

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Purrfect Voyage

Purrfect Voyage
by Ruth J. Hartman
published by Turqouise Morning
2011
ISBN n/a
Why read? Review


Purrfect Voyage by Ruth J. Hartman is a fun, escapist read.  While Hartman is known for her historical romances, this is a contemporary one, but it still features a cat, and this time as the catalyst for the whole story.

Children's author Kitty Carter's cat Arthur has gotten away from her again.  While chasing him, she finds herself onboard a yacht where she slips and falls, knocking herself unconscious.  When she comes to, she finds she is on a two-week voyage with another Arthur - this one a ruggedly handsome man.  However, Arthur (the cat) is nowhere near done with his mischief.

The voyage part of this was exciting and super sweet.  Once they got off the boat, though, it dragged and the resolution left too much open.  But if you love cats and romances, Ruth J. Hartman is definitely the author for you!

Rating 3/5

Perfect Is Boring

Title: Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss
Author:  Tyra Banks & Carolyn London
Publisher: Tarcherperigee
ISBN: 9780143132301

Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: Before reading this I could care less one way or another about Tyra Banks, but this book was so much fun and had such a positive message, that I definitely like her now.  And her mom is great!

Rating: 5/5

The Immortalists

Title: The Immortalists
Author:  Chloe Benjamin
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0525497633

Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: A rather dark and depressing novel.  While it was probably the happiest, I had the hardest time with Varya's story.

Rating: 3/5

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Stacking the Shelves: 4/8-4/14

LibraryThing Early Review:
Running with the Wolves by J. E. Reed

Received in April's Scriptd:
Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. by Alice Birch
Sweat by Lynn Nottage

Bought from Usborne Books & More (link is to my consultant site):
Race to the End of the World by A. L. Tait
The Sword of Kuromori by Jason Rohan
Shadows of the Master by Emily Rodda

Friday, April 13, 2018

Playing for Keeps

Title: Playing for Keeps
Author:  Angel Lawson & Rochelle Allison
Publisher: self
ISBN: n/a
Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: I know this was an in between novella, but it read more like deleted scenes, which made little sense having not read the first book.

Rating: 1/5

Thursday, April 12, 2018

I'm Just No Good at Rhyming

Title: I'm Just No Good at Rhyming and Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups
Author: Chris Harris
Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN:9780316266574
Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: Most of these poems are pretty funny and can, indeed, be enjoyed by all ages.  My top favorites were "Alphabet Book (by the Laziest Artist in the World)" and "Out on the Farm on a Saturday Night".

Rating: 4/5

Indigo Sky

Title: Indigo Sky
Author: Gail Ingis
Publisher: Soul Mate
ISBN: n/a
Why Read?: Fresh Fiction

Thoughts: This was highly unbelievable, which is detrimental to historical fiction.

Rating: 1/5

One Day at Horrorland

Title: One Day at Horrorland
Author:  R. L. Stein
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN:9781467608688
Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: The first three-quarters were enjoyable yet dated, but the last quarter was not needed; it felt like Stine had finished and then was told "add more" and then "add more" again and again and again.

Rating: 2/5

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Heart Breaker

Title: Heart Breaker
Author:  Erin McCarthy
Publisher: Loveswept
ISBN:9780425284599
Why Read?: Fresh Fiction

Thoughts: The plot points, especially when they appeared in the second half, seemed forced and almost an afterthought.

Rating: 2/5

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers

Title: Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers
Author:  John Dougherty
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
ISBN:9781101996621
Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: The perfect reluctant reader book.  This story was well-written and hilarious with excellent pacing.

Rating: 5/5

Butterflies

Title: Butterflies
Author: Susanne Gervay
Publisher: Kane Miller
ISBN: 9781610670432
Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts:  Great message, but the writing was not up to par.  The main character was almost 18, but definitely written for a younger audience; plus, there were some inconsistencies.

Rating: 2/5

How Oscar Indigo Broke the Universe and Put It Back Together Again

Title: How Oscar Indigo Broke the Universe and Put It Back Together Again
Author: David Teague
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780062377494
Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts:  Fun middle-grade book about baseball, friendship, and the ramifications of stopping time.

Rating: 3/5

Saturday, April 7, 2018

The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole

Title: The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole
Author: Michelle Cuevas
Publisher: Dial
ISBN: 9780399539138
Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts:  Adorable story with a very deep lesson in loss.  Not really sure why it was set in the late 70s, though.

Rating: 4/5

The Haunted Mask

Title: The Haunted Mask
Author: R. L. Stein
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9781682680056
Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts:  I think this one has stood up better than some other Goosebumps, but its take on bullying really shows how different things were before social media.

Rating: 4/5

Stacking the Shelves: 4/1-4/7

For possible review (on Bookloons):
Damselfly by Chandra Prasad

LibraryThing Early Review:
Fallout Girl by Katie Rose Guest Pryal

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

You're Doing a Great Job!

Title: You're Doing a Great Job!: 100 Ways You're Winning at Parenting
Author: Biz Ellis & Theresa Thorn
Publisher: Countryman
ISBN: 9781682680056

Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts:  Humorous short book about celebrating all the little accomplishments from obtaining a baby through toddlerhood.

Rating: 4/5

The Sonic Life of a Giant Tortoise

Title: The Sonic Life of a Giant Tortoise
Author: Toshiki Okada
Publisher:Samuel French
ISBN: 978-0-573-70423-9

Why Read?: For Fun

Thoughts: I really have no clue what I read.  I know there were different characters, but it seemed like one giant monologue.  Either something majorly got lost in translation or I do not understand contemporary Japanese theatre.

Rating: 1/5