What Mary's Reading

Moving on over to GoodReads

2009-12-08T21:18:00.003-05:00

I'm going to start keeping tracks of books that I've read (along with books I want to read, and books I'm in the middle of reading) with GoodReads. Go to http://www.goodreads.com/librarymary to see the latest stuff on my list!

A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball

2009-11-25T09:48:00.001-05:00

A nice quiet novel about three women friends in their 50s who decide it's time for a change, sell their houses and buy a "fixer upper" in the Shenandoah Valley. Very enjoyable.

Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

2009-11-21T22:40:00.001-05:00

Dear Tara, Heather, Robert, David, and everyone else who has told me to read Terry Pratchett,

You were right. I am really enjoying Wee Free Men. I think I did try to read it before but I must not have been in the right mood. It reminds me of so much funny British fantasy literature that I have enjoyed - Expecting Someone Taller by Tom Holt, and of course Good Omens by Gaiman & Pratchett.

Heather bought me the trilogy, so I'll be reading about Tiffany Aching's adventures for a good long while, and savoring every word.

Books of late

2009-11-17T16:32:00.001-05:00

Snow Flower & the Secret Fan by Lisa See -- yes, I know, I'm 5 years late on reading this one.

According to Jane by Marilyn Bryant -- fun chick lit about a woman who shares space inside her head with Jane Austen

Forty Words for Sorrow by Giles Blunt -- just couldn't finish this one, even though it was extremely well written -- not after it started telling the story from the serial killers' point of view. Too much bad mental hygiene.

Mind Your Manners, Alice Roosevelt by Leslie Kimmelman (picture book) -- Fun

Betsy Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace -- can you believe I never read this? I think I would have loved it as a kid.

Sleep While I Sing and A Chill Rain in January, both by L. R. Wright -- not as enjoyable to me as her first novel "The Suspect" because both of these novels involved sociopaths or psychopathic killers and that's just not my thing,

Bleeding Heart Square by Andrew Taylor

2009-11-04T12:19:00.001-05:00

Oh. My. God. WHAT a book! Amazingly gripping and gothic and scary and well-done. Set in London in the '30s. I got drawn in by the first paragraph and savored this one to the very end. And with each revelation I became more and more in awe of the author's skill at keeping the tension going so expertly. At the end I actually gave a physical shudder (both of horror at how the book ended and delight that it was done so well). I cannot WAIT to read more books by this author. Why haven't I ever come across him before? Have I been living under a rock? Wow. I'll be recommending this one to pretty much everyone I know, for awhile. Give it a try if you like gothic novels, thrillers, or just a damn good read.

The Suspect by L. R. Wright

2009-11-01T18:51:00.000-05:00

I forget where I read about this book (originally published in the mid 80s) but it got a rave review, and I must say I quite enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series!

this weekend's book bonanza

2009-10-19T09:27:00.001-04:00

East of the Sun by Julia Gregson. Thanks to Diane D for recommending this book to me - I really enjoyed it. It's about three women who head to India in the '20s and what they find there. Once I started the first page, I was hooked and it was really hard to put down.

The Lace Makers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri -- also a recommendation by Diane D., also a good book. This one is about a tightly-knit group of women in Ireland and how they are changed by the arrival of a young woman who is traveling to escape her painful past.

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. Really a fascinating book on how what we think we know about kids and how they develop may not be entirely true. It also gave me a better understanding about how parents might need training too, in order to get better at helping their babies and kids learn. Seat of the pants works okay, but sometimes it's good to have a little more information.

Denville Book Barn Rocks My World

2009-10-17T10:30:00.000-04:00

Check out this immense pile of books - 25 of them, for $25.00 at the Denville Book Barn! (It's on Pocono Road in Denville NJ, hours are 9 to 1 on Tuesdays & Saturdays. And yes, they take donations too, but only 2 bags or 2 boxes at a time.)

You'll notice there are a lot of different types of books in the pile. This is because I am responsible for keeping my father, my mother and my aunt in books, and buying used is a good way to do it, especially since for some strange reason my mother has a complex about library books. She is afraid they will get lost in her house and she will owe a fine.

My dad will occasionally agree to read a library book, but it makes Mom nervous even knowing that there is one in their house. My aunt and I are the only two people in my family who use the library regularly.... and although my parents claim they have library cards, I fear they may have expired long ago.

Now please excuse me, I have to go get some reading done!

latest reads

2009-10-10T21:29:00.001-04:00

The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir by Diana and Liz Welch (on my Kindle)

You Were Always Mom's Favorite: Sisters In Conversation Throughout Their Lives by Deborah Tannen (on my Kindle)

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson (on my Kindle)

Not Becoming My Mother by Ruth Reichl (library book)

Damn you, Kindle! You make it much, MUCH too easy to purchase books! So every time I see a great book review I download a sample and more times than not, I find myself purchasing the book at the end of the sample chapter. With the result that now, the backlog of books to be read on my Kindle is probably as large as the backlog of actual books on my shelf waiting to be read.

Wait a second... why am I writing this? I could be reading!!! Excuse me...

Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert

2009-09-23T08:48:00.001-04:00

Stayed up late last night reading Melissa Gilbert's honest, funny and engaging new memoir. I really enjoyed it.

Greenstone Grail by Amanda Hemingway

2009-09-23T08:47:00.001-04:00

At first I could not figure out whether this was a teen or an adult book. I'm still not entirely sure. Some libraries have it in their teen section, others in the adult fantasy section. I would say, having read about half of it, that it would be for older teens, not younger ones.

Although I enjoyed the writing, it was a slow-paced book and once I found out that it (and its sequels) was a retelling of the Arthurian legend, I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. I don't know why, but Arthurian stories do absolutely nothing for me.

I do think this is a book that many people who enjoy fantasy and/or Arthurian legends will enjoy. It just doesn't happen to have been my cup of tea.

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

2009-09-19T15:44:00.001-04:00

This book is currently generating a lot of buzz and I can see why - I quite enjoyed it. The characters were appealingly flawed, and I liked how Tropper wrote the family dynamics, even though reading about how they interacted was kind of like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

Bumbling and ultimately hopeful, the main character's confusion and existential anxiety were very well written. It's nice to read a book like this, where people screw up, they act irrationally, and yet you are still left with a feeling of hope and redemption at the end.

The Little Lady Agency and the Prince by Hester Browne

2009-09-19T15:41:00.001-04:00

This was a fun, frothy ending to a really nice trilogy of books featuring Melissa Romney-Jones, a very appealing and real heroine. If you haven't read the Little Lady books, you are missing out!

A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss

2009-09-19T15:40:00.001-04:00

It took me a good week and a half to get through this dense 18th century thriller by the author of Whiskey Rebels (which I really enjoyed). This one was good too, and interesting, but I didn't like the characters much (including the main character, Benjamin Weaver), and I don't care much for this time period, so I probably won't read any more of Liss' novels featuring Weaver.

Stone's Fall by Iain Pears

2009-09-05T16:44:00.001-04:00

Wow. This one was hard to put down. A great novel of suspense and mystery, interesting and well written. Anyone who enjoys slightly dark, gothic tales (like Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfeld or Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon should probably give this a try.

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

2009-09-05T16:42:00.001-04:00

A quick read; a magical and charming kid's book.

Recent reads

2009-09-02T17:41:00.001-04:00

Shelter Me by Juliette Fay - really enjoyed this debut novel. Well written characters, an absorbing plot and a flawed but likeable protagonist. I'm looking forward to more of Fay's work.

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich. Pretty hilarious. Not high literature by any means, and the ending was kind of weak, but I still enjoyed it.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper. Too bad the book doesn't live up to its tagline, which is fabulous - "She's a librarian with a really long shelf life." I just couldn't get into it.

Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne -- the sequel to Little Lady Agency. Good chick-lit fun.

The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne

2009-08-29T09:55:00.001-04:00

Funny and sweet novel about a woman who basically inherits a decrepit old finishing school and tries to modernize it. The class she creates on "Handbag Love" was so apt, I'd have taken the class myself!

Good reads

2009-08-26T08:40:00.001-04:00

Three excellent reads I just finished up:

Thirteenth Child by Patricia Wrede -- a teen novel about magic in frontier days on an alternate Earth. It's just wonderful, I loved the female protagonist and I even enjoyed the first person narrative, which doesn't always work for me. I have always been a Wrede fan and this one, the first in a new series, makes me feel like pawing the ground in frustration because I have to wait for the next one to come out.

The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne -- fun British chick-lit, well written and with a great sense of humor. A nice sensible heroine too, not some dithery vague twit that I can't relate to. Really looking forward to reading the sequels to this - and anything else Browne writes!

Wish You Were Here by Lani Diane Rich -- I love a good romance novel that makes me laugh out loud, and this one did, several times. The main characters were likeable and well-written, the dialogue was snappy, and I'm so glad I discovered this author. Can't wait to read more of her stuff.

recent reads

2009-08-18T12:20:00.001-04:00

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory - this is her latest, and not bad, except I didn't really care much for the main character, so I felt it hard to root for her.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly - a fun read about an unconventional girl growing up in the early 1900s in Texas.

The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr by Judith St. George - an interesting kid's book about these two men who ended up fighting a duel and inspiring one of my favorite commercials.

Retirement Homes Are Murder by Mike Befeler - What would happen if you had no short-term memory and someone accused you of murder? This feisty old guy fights back.

The Second Mouse by Archer Mayor - Couldn't quite get into this one, but it is probably one that a lot of people would enjoy.

latest books

2009-08-12T03:43:00.001-04:00

Angry Management by Chris Crutcher - the latest offering from one of the best teen authors out there includes 3 short stories featuring characters from many of his books, all stuck in Mr. Nak's anger management class. A very good read.

Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal -- a fun cooking/romance, I thought. Publishers Weekly's didn't like it much, but I enjoyed the descriptions of what it is like to be a female chef in a male-dominated world, the food and restaurant where the protagonist works, her relationship with her (dead) relatives, and the descriptions of Colorado.

The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff -- one of my favorite entertaining fantasy writers is back with another urban fantasy, this one set in Calgary. Quite entertaining. And hey, did you ever read Tanya Huff's "Blood" series? Toronto private eye Vicki Nelson and her undead sidekick Henry (bastard son of Henry VII) kick some serious demon/monster butt in this great series, which came out in the early 90s.

Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin

2009-08-08T10:12:00.002-04:00

I really enjoyed this memoir of growing up on Long Island in the 40s and 50s. Doris Kearns Goodwin never disappoints.

New Tricks by David Rosenfelt

2009-08-06T21:20:00.001-04:00

I love this guy's books! This is the latest in a series about Andy Carpenter, a lawyer who lives in Paterson NJ. It's well written, suspenseful and funny. What could be better? If you've never tried this series, you can start with the first one, Open and Shut. Fans of Harlan Coben will probably enjoy this, as will anyone from this area of New Jersey - it's fun to be reading along and then stop and realize "Hey! I know exactly where this guy is talking about! I've been there."

Recent Reads

2009-08-03T10:28:00.001-04:00

Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci. An enjoyable book of short stories by popular authors of teen literature. Not all the stories resonated with me, but that's the best part about short stories, you can skip the ones you don't like. Highly recommended (especially if, like me, you were considered a geek or nerd in high school).

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Meredith recommended this kid's book to me and I am about 1/4 through it. So far it is excellent. The kind of book that I makes me wish I didn't have to come to work today, so that I could lie around and finish it.

Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham.

Holly's inbox is pretty boring, actually, and she could do with a good editor.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larssen.

I don't deny that these are very gripping thrillers, but I don't think they are quite as amazing as all the stuff I've read about them suggests. They are certainly not literary masterpieces. Other writers have created equally good damaged female characters (Carol O'Connell's Mallory's Oracle for one), and I wonder if part of the "mystique" of these books is that the names and places are very unfamiliar to us, so that adds to its cachet. Plus, not to sound cold, but let's face it -- it always helps a book's publicity when an author dies unexpectedly.

Latest reads

2009-07-13T12:44:00.001-04:00

Last Resort by Linwood Barclay -- a funny, poignant memoir about the author's growing up running a campground in rural Canada with his family.

Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger - a re-read, one of my all time favorites.

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I'm stuck halfway through. I don't know if I'll be able to make it all of the way.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry - a fun kid's book

Scat by Carl Hiaasen -- another great teen book by Hiaasen, whose Hoot appears on lots of school reading lists. I really enjoyed this one.

Origins of the Specious by Patricia T O'Conner and Stewart Kellerman - fun to page through and learn the origins of certain words and conventions of language

Dying to Meet You: 43 Old Cemetery Road, Book 1 by Kate and M. Sarah Klise - thanks to Trisha for this kid's book recommendation. Enjoyed it a lot.

still with the thrillers

2009-07-05T11:07:00.001-04:00

Skulduggery Pleasant and Playing with Fire (teen fantasy/thrillers) by Derek Landy - for fans of the Rick Riordan series

Lone Wolf and Stone Rain by Linwood Barclay - the last two Zach Walker mysteries - I could barely bring myself to put them down long enough to go to sleep

Recent reads

2009-07-02T10:09:00.002-04:00

Beastly and A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn - two enjoyable teen novels that retell fairy tales in a contemporary setting.

The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society by Beth Pattillo - not bad, but a little disappointing. I enjoyed Pattillo's previous "Betsy" books but this one didn't seem quite as good.

(Many more than) Fifty Books For Our Times

2009-07-02T04:41:00.004-04:00

Check out this week's Newsweek cover story, Fifty Books For Our Times, if you need inspiration about what to read this summer:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/204300

Need more ideas? Oprah Magazine published their top beach reads for 2009 here:

http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200907-omag-beach-reads

Or, you could check out Amazon.com's Summer Reading bookshelf at

http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Reading-Books/b/ref=bhp_6p_sr_02?ie=UTF8&node=341154011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_r=0QV03PQBDP7YV7TG5F7N&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=482560611&pf_rd_i=283155

Or just ASK A LIBRARIAN! :)

Thriller time

2009-06-30T09:25:00.002-04:00

I'm still on an escapist thriller kick (get to vicariously kick butt!)

Bad Move and Bad Guys, both by Linwood Barclay -- funny thrillers featuring SF writer/newspaper reporter Zach Walker. I'm looking forward to reading the next ones in the series. Fans of funny thrillers by Carl Hiaasen, Bill Fitzhugh, James Swain, Elmore Leonard should enjoy this author.

Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline. Curse you, Phyllis, for getting me hooked on Scottoline! She writes a really good, interesting thriller and both of the ones I've read so far feature strong female main characters -- terrific reads. My favorite quote from this one is when the main character, Natalie, has a revelation. "As much as she loved teaching, she was beginning to think she wasn't very good at it. Could she really suck at her passion? Women's magazines never admitted this as a possibility." Don't know why, it just struck me as hilarious.

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen. Okay, not a thriller, but at least a mystery. It was cute, but didn't really do anything special for me (could have just been my mood).

Book bonanza

2009-06-23T19:05:00.001-04:00

I've been too busy reading lately to keep up with the reading log. Here's what I have been reading:

Nonfiction

Seeking Peace: Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World by Mary Pipher. A wonderful, helpful, sane memoir by the author of Reviving Ophelia, which had a big impact on me when it first came out in the early '90s. What I like about Pipher's book (and also about Sylvia Boorstein's writing) is how matter-of-fact she is about the inevitability of screwing up, then picking yourself up and trying again. It's nice to be reminded that we ALL screw up, and she's very honest about that.

Thinking About Memoir by Abigail Thomas. I loved Thomas' memoir A Three Dog Night (and highly recommend it if you haven't read it). This small volume is a great way to get starting thinking about your own life and what's been important in it. I found the writing exercises that Thomas intersperses through the book to be very helpful.

Why Do I Love These People by Po Bronson. This guy's previous book What Should I Do With My Life dealt with people who were struggling to find their vocation/avocation and people who had done so. This book is about families - how they stay together, how they come apart. Bronson has a great talent for telling stories about ordinary people trying to do the best they can, and the extraordinary things that sometimes result.

Fiction

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson -- (fantasy) -- a real page turner. Didn't quite grab me as much as his "Hero of Ages" trilogy but I can see that a sequel might be in the works - and I hope so. Please God, let Sanderson not get sucked into the neverending nightmare of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Let him just write one book to wrap it up and then get off the Wheel of Time & go back to building his own worlds and creating his own kick-butt characters. Have I mentioned how well he does strong female characters? He does. Read him. You won't be sorry.

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline (thriller) -- wow. Phyllis recommended this book to me. I'd never read anything by this author (though I knew she was popular with the readers at my library). It was great - I couldn't put it down. I ignored everything around me. I refused to speak when spoken to. All I could do was read. Wow.

Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay (thriller) - I was lucky enough to score an advanced reader's copy of this book, which will not be published till August. This is the first book I've read by this author and all I can say is -- why haven't I heard of him sooner? The man is a really really good writer. Fans of Harlan Coben should get to their library RIGHT NOW and check out one of this guy's books. I've already started adding him to my repertoire of books to recommend to people as they check out at the circ desk.

Too Close to Home by Linwood Barclay (thriller) - another excellent thriller.

The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss (historical thriller) -- WOW -- I loved this book. I don't think I've ever read a historical thriller that was done so well. It's set in the United States about 10 years after the American Revolution. Terrific thriller, and wonderful historical novel - all wrapped up in one delicious literary package. Can't wait to read more of Liss' work.

And Only To Deceive by Tasha Alexander

2009-06-12T08:13:00.003-04:00

Eh.

Nice thorough review of the Kindle DX

2009-06-12T08:13:00.001-04:00

CNET has a nice review of the recently-released Kindle DX.

http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-readers/amazon-kindle-dx/4505-3508_7-33643953.html

The two things that I covet from this version are the ability to switch to landscape viewing mode and the increased font size (you can jack it up higher than on previous Kindles.) And of course the bigger display is nice, but that is offset by the fact that I can't carry the thing around in my purse and the fact that it's heavier than previous Kindles... and the price, of course.

I'll stick to my Kindle 1 for now -- it's working great for me, I love it -- but will continue to watch and see what Amazon does!

Recent reads

2009-06-03T10:18:00.001-04:00

The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar - interesting and powerful

Still Alice by Lisa Genova - a profoundly sad, and truthful, book about a woman descending into Alzheimer's disease

Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart (yes, Diane, I finally got around to reading this one!)

What I've been reading

2009-05-26T21:52:00.001-04:00

Birds by Kevin Henke - a fun, gorgeously illustrated picture book. I could look at it all day.

Help Me, Mr. Mutt by Janet Stevens (picture book). Dogs write in to Mr. Mutt for advice about their people problems and he answers them in his advice column. My favorite one is the dog who complains that his people like to dress him up. I must confess Jim and I used to make Daisy wear his superhero robe and pretend she was Superman. And also, just this year, we made Molly wear a headband with rabbit ears on Easter. Oh goodness, I wonder if Molly wrote to Mr. Mutt about ME??!

Flygirl by Sherri Smith (teen) -- a fictional account of a black girl who passes for white so she can join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and help her country during World War II. I've always enjoyed books about the WASP and this one was no exception. Very good.

Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child. The latest Jack Reacher thriller. It was just fine for what it was, though I find that I prefer the books in the series where Child writes in the third person instead of the first person.

The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly. Normally I enjoy Connelly's books but I have a thing -- call me crazy, but I just don't enjoy reading about serial killers -- so about the 3rd chapter I had to stop. The book was giving me bad mental hygiene. But if you don't mind serial killers I'm sure you'll like it. It did get good reviews.

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman (teen fantasy) -- This really needs to be marketed for older young adults. Heavy themes, sometimes disturbing, and a frustratingly wussy main character. It got good reviews (4 stars in Bookmarks magazine!!) and I wanted to like the book, I did, but I just couldn't. The book was too long but didn't really focus on any one aspect of the character's development for enough time to satisfy me. And it ended with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that I guess is supposed to make the reader want the sequel but I was just glad it was over. Can't recommend this one.

Rebel Without A Minivan: Observations on life in the 'burbs by Tracy Beckerman

2009-05-12T09:47:00.001-04:00

I picked up this book at one of my local independent bookstores (Sage's Pages in Madison, 973-377-7777, in the Madison Plaza on Main Street. If you live around here, be sure to go - it's a lovely place. But also be prepared to spend money. You can feel good about keeping them in business while simultaneously indulging your wanton desire to buy lots and lots of books and, in my case, stationery. But I digress.)

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book, which is a collection of humorous essays taken from a column that Beckerman writes for the local paper. She's quite a good writer, and funny too. I'm going to donate this copy that I bought to my library (thus feeling DOUBLY virtuous) and then demand that all my library patrons read it.

What's been on my list lately

2009-05-09T15:04:00.001-04:00

Dogs and Goddesses by Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart & Lani Diane Rich.

I wanted to like this, really I did -- the writing was very good, and the characters were interesting, and there were dogs -- but I just couldn't swallow the supernatural premise (ancient goddess tries to take over town) and had to reject it 1/3 through. Oh well.

Emily the Strange: The Lost Days by Rob Reger & Jessica Gruner

Weird, but interesting, teen novel that will be coming out in a few weeks (I snagged an advanced reader's copy). It kind of reminds me of those Ellen Raskin mysteries I used to read as a kid, the ones where you never quite knew what was going on until the end (and maybe not even then), only updated for the 21st century. Enjoyable.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Many thanks to Pat D who recommended this book to me. What a delightful read! I loved the cranky 12-year-old heroine and I loved the characters and the writing and... well, it was really good. I am looking forward to the others in the series.

Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn

Quite a satisfying conclusion to the Lady Julia Grey trilogy of Regency romance/mysteries. I can't wait to see what Raybourn writes next!

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

I liked the writing and the characters, but I enjoyed the verbal sparring between the characters much more than the actual love scenes because... ahemm... the love scenes were a bit too steamy and torrid for my tastes. But that's just me.

New Kindle

2009-05-06T17:28:00.003-04:00

Jeez, how many Kindles is Amazon going to unveil this year? They just announced the new Kindle DX, which will be available sometime this summer and which is aimed at the university market (people who have to lug textbooks around). The NYT published an article about it here.

One thing that I think is neat about the new Kindle (aside from the larger screen size) is you can choose whether you want to read landscape or portrait.

But I'm not sure I personally could use the Kindle as a substitute for a "paper" book if I was in school, though. The highlighting/note feature on the Kindle is hard for me to get used to (I'm a "stick post-its everywhere, underline and highlight things" kind of gal). But maybe the younger generation, unlike fuddy-duddies like me, won't have a problem with this.

It will certainly be an interesting thing to keep an eye on. And just think of all the future back problems that could be averted for kids and college students if they could just carry a Kindle instead of 15 different textbooks!

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

2009-05-06T17:25:00.002-04:00

****Fantastic*** finale to the Lightning Thief series, which if you haven't read yet, why are you still reading this blog post? Get thee to a library and check the first one out! You won't regret it.

This satisfying book leaves the door open for a new series of adventures with Percy Jackson and the other demigods, which can only be a good thing.

Rick Riordan is a fabulous writer, engaging, funny, interesting -- I can't say enough good things about him or this series.

Still haven't read it yet?

What the heck are you waiting for? GO GET IT!!! Don't make me come over there.

Reading is fun

2009-04-24T08:16:00.001-04:00

I've been reading some pretty light stuff lately (and enjoying myself unrepentantly).

Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn. The second in the Lady Julia Grey series. Anyone who's a fan of Regency romances, strong female characters, witty repartee with sexy private enquiry agents, excellent writing, laugh-out loud humor or any of the above should run out and start with the first of this series, Silent in the Grave.

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci. A very fun food/failed romance memoir. Well written and easy to read. I gobbled it up in one afternoon. Then I made some pasta. :)

The Man with the Golden Torc by Simon Green. Thank you Tara for recommending this one to me. (See? I remember!) It was very entertaining. I enjoyed the first part quite a lot, but then it became sort of... I don't know... less interesting to me as the book went on. Here's what I know, though. Any guy who makes disparaging comments about women reading romances (not that they would dare risk the intimidating Librarian Stare by saying that to me) would then hear a tirade from me about how this type of book (and Jim Butcher's series, and a whole host of others) are totally romances for guys. They just have lots of explosions, magic, etc. thrown in. So don't let anyone fool you into thinking guys don't read romances. They do... but usually they are more well-disguised than the romances women read. (At least romances marketed to women don't usually sport a half-dressed Fabio on the cover anymore. Publishers have become *slightly* more subtle about it.)

Recent reads

2009-04-10T16:27:00.003-04:00

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. TERRIFIC fantasy novel. Thanks to Tara for recommending this to me. Couldn't put it down. I'm dying for the sequel. Dying, I tell you!

Fashion Kitty & the Unlikely Hero by Charise Mericle Harper - I thoroughly enjoyed this third in the Fashion Kitty graphic novel series (targeted to tweens, probably 3rd grade and up).

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and Frankenstein Takes the Cake by Adam Rex -- this guy is amazingly talented. These books of funny poetry for kids (and monster-lovers) are beautifully illustrated with lots of sight gags. These are the kind of books that people of all ages will enjoy - adults for different reasons than kids.

Lucy Ann's Kindle 2

2009-04-03T05:22:00.001-04:00

When I found out Lucy Ann commutes to work on the train every day and also loves to read, I told her she MUST come see my Kindle because it is perfect for people like her. My sales pitch worked -- she was hooked -- and a week later she was back to show me HER Kindle, which is the newest model (and therefore innately cooler than mine). Yep, it was awesome to touch it. I still love my Kindle but what I really like about the new model is the "text to speech" feature. It's easy to switch from reading the book visually to having the book read to you (in a somewhat computerized voice, but not as horrible as the voice in the grocery store self-checkout line). This would be great for commuters like ME, who resent having to get in the car to drive to work because it means we have to stop reading our book and concentrate on the road.

I tried to get Lucy Ann to look the other way, even distract her with chocolate so that I could "borrow" her Kindle 2 for a few days, but she was having none of it. She's already loving it. I'm so glad that she does, but I must admit a pang of guilt as a librarian, because maybe she won't use the library as much! Still waiting for Amazon to come up with a way of allowing libraries to purchase e-books and then lend to their patrons, but I doubt it'd be a wildly profitable thing for them (and there's also that digital rights management thing) so it'll be a while, if ever, before that is ready for prime time. For more on that subject, I recommend this article from the Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0318/p09s01-coop.html

What's been on my "shelf" lately

2009-04-03T05:12:00.000-04:00

Honolulu by Alan Brennert -- this is a really good historical novel about a Korean woman who comes to Hawaii in the early 1900s as a "picture bride." It's narrated in the first person. I really enjoyed it and could hardly put it down. A great book not only because the main character's journey through life is so interesting and so fleshed out, but also because Brennert makes the history of Hawaii (and Honolulu) during that period of time come alive. I don't know how he writes women characters so well. But I hope he keeps writing.

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn -- a fun regency mystery/romance featuring the wry and observant Lady Julia Grey as protagonist. Think of this as a slightly updated version of a fun Georgette Heyer novel, with a modern-thinking protagonist matching wits with the extremely sexy inquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane. Delightful! Thank you to Amazon, for suggesting this book when I was looking up The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King because I wanted to re-read it on my Kindle.

Kitty and the Silver Bullet by Carrie Vaughn -- Read this one on the beach (on my Kindle, which only got slightly sandy). Fun, light entertainment. Perfect beach read. The third in a series about Kitty Norville, werewolf and radio talk show host of the supernatural.

Molokai by Alan Brennert -- looked this up as soon as I finished Honolulu. This is an earlier book of Brennert's, about a woman named Rachel living in the leper colony on the island of Molokai in Hawaii, in the early part of the 20th century. Once again, I love the way Brennert describes his characters so well and I really enjoy his meticulously researched (but not boring) descriptions of life as a leper. This man can write.

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett -- thanks to my coworker Janet, who said she read this book to her kids when they were young and they adored it. How did I miss it, growing up? What's interesting is that I read the book on my Kindle first and then I had to read the "paper" version of it because the Kindle just didn't do the illustrations justice. I don't think, in terms of children's books with lots of illustrations or picture books, that the Kindle is quite ready for prime time. I can't imagine reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret on it. Some things, you still need paper. (Especially for a picture book that's in color.)

The Saddlemaker's Wife by Earlene Fowler -- thanks to Phyllis for recommending this interesting book about a woman named Ruby who brings her husband's ashes back to his hometown only to find herself embroiled in family dramas and a years-old mystery. Fowler has a great way of defining the characters in her book. I enjoyed it.

Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools by Philip Caveney -- yes, Michelle, you recommended this to me months ago and I forgot all about it and rediscovered it on my own recently. It was great! I should have listened to you earlier. Mea culpa. Just don't be too hard on me. You'll get old too and you will have the same problem.

Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Anne Shaffer (re-read) -- I don't often re-read books any more, but this one is so wonderful (and was so conveniently available on my Kindle) that I had to. And I still adore it.

Pete & Pickles by Berke Breathed -- a charming picture book with great illustrations and a nice story

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan (kids/teen book) -- if we MUST wait (im)patiently for The Last Olympian, the fifth and final book in the Lightning Thief series (due out May 5, 2009) then this book of short stories and brief character bios will have to tide us over. A couple of fun short stories about Percy and other demigods are interspersed with "interviews" with some of his classmates and other fun stuff. A quick read, but as always with this series, extremely enjoyable.

Man on Wire (documentary DVD)

2009-04-03T04:51:00.001-04:00

Xena and I really enjoyed watching this fascinating documentary about Philippe Petit, the French wirewalker who spent 45 minutes walking back and forth between the Twin Towers on a wire in 1974. The story of how he and his friends set this up and pulled it off is pretty riveting. Well, okay, maybe not THAT riveting, since Xena fell asleep... but she's a cat. What do you expect.

I love my Kindle, but apparently I should feel guilty about it

2009-03-24T19:27:00.002-04:00

This article from the Christian Science Monitor has some good points (and raises some serious concerns) about Amazon's model of Kindle and e-book usage. http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0318/p09s01-coop.html

And I agree with almost all the points they make... but that doesn't mean I am going to give up my Kindle. At least not until something better comes along. Even if it does mean I'm a bad librarian... I guess I'll just have to live with the guilt. Now please excuse me, I have to go download another sample chapter from Amazon, spawn of the devil and bane of the e-publishing industry.

Why We Make Mistakes, by Joseph T. Hallinan

2009-02-21T12:22:00.003-05:00

I enjoy reading books about human psychology, behavioral economics and the like. I will read anything by Malcolm Gladwell, I adored Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely, and I have read lots of other books with titles such as Nudge and Sway.

What I liked about Hallinan's book, Why We Make Mistakes, is that it gives a great overview of the whole genre of books like this. You can get a real feel for how people actually think and behave (vs. how we THINK we think and behave) from this quick and easy read. Hallinan has clearly done his homework and his research, but he never makes things dry or boring. I was really interested and engaged throughout the whole book.

I highly recommend this book!

No! I don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a 60th Year by Virginia Ironside

2009-02-02T12:00:00.001-05:00

Absolutely *loved* this book. Funny, insightful - made me laugh out loud, made me really think about things. I really hope this author writes either a sequel, or another book. I enjoyed her perspective on things.

Reading Time Magazine on my Kindle

2009-01-28T16:03:00.001-05:00

The other night the newsstand was closed when I wanted to buy Time so I could catch up on the post-inauguration news. So I downloaded a copy of the latest Time magazine to my Kindle for 99 cents. After reading it, I can now say that I do not like reading magazines on my Kindle.

First of all, what's up with the no pictures? (Though, to be fair, the Kindle can't really handle graphics that well.)

Second, the order of articles in the Kindle version of the magazine was totally different from the way the "paper" copy of the magazine is put together. A person gets used to seeing the Milestones section at the front of the magazine, not randomly when I'm 3/4 through the thing, thank you very much.

Third, I guess the way I read magazines is very different from how I read books. I am a skimmer, and in fact I often read magazines from the back to the front. The Kindle doesn't really lend itself to skimming all that well. And the tactile pleasure I get from holding a magazine and flipping through the pages and seeing all the shiny pictures (fine, yes, I admit it, I like the pictures. I'm shallow. Sue me) was just not there on the Kindle.

So no more magazines on the Kindle for me... but I did just download the fourth book in the Kitty Norville series. And... I just heard they are planning to maybe release a Kindle 2.0 into the wild within the next few weeks. I wonder how different it will be. I wonder if it will be better. I wonder if they will give me a discount on it because I already own one. I wonder if it will handle magazines better! I can't wait to see it. I fear I am turning into a bit of a Kindle slut.

What I've been reading lately

2009-01-28T15:58:00.001-05:00

Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds - a fantastic book with lots of great tips on how to avoid putting your audience through PowerPoint hell. Too bad it doesn't talk about what to do when you are part of the audience when someone ELSE is presenting a PowerPoint from Hell... wondering whether you will ever get this hour of your life back. Highly recommended - lots to think about, and divided into easily digestible chunks of ideas.

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan - a memoir from the NY Times Bestseller List. I read it on my Kindle. Interesting and engaging, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy another one of her books. I did love her portrayal of her dad, though.

The Associate by John Grisham -- this latest Grisham didn't really grip me, and I got bored halfway through and stopped reading. I just didn't find the characters engaging or interesting enough.

What I DId For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips -- very satisfying romance novel. I do like this author quite a lot.

The Dogs of Bedlam Farm - a memoir by Jon Katz. I always enjoy his writing.

Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn - the third book in the Kitty Norville series. Very satisfying. I enjoy the series quite a lot. If you're into werewolves who are also radio talk hosts (and really, isn't everyone?) then you'll like it too.

Daemon by Daniel Suarez

2009-01-24T09:36:00.001-05:00

Good techno-thriller, hard to put down and exciting. Note to self; do not read this kind of book before bedtime anymore. Had awful nightmares!

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (re-read)

2009-01-21T07:48:00.001-05:00

I had read this book a couple of years ago and enjoyed it (always have liked things written about that era in English history, for some reason). The other day my friend Trisha and I watched the movie that was recently made. About the best I can say about it is "Boy, were the people and the costumes pretty." Even if I hadn't read the book, I'd have thought the story was choppy and would not have been committed to the characters. So, I thought I'd re-read the book again. And it was still good. My favorite books by Philippa Gregory are this one and her most recent one, The Virgin Queen I think it was called. I've read some of her others and they just haven't grabbed me.

Anyone who is a fan of Philippa Gregory might also like Dark Angels by Karleen Koen, another really good historical fiction read about an intrepid girl trying to survive the courtly intrigue of an English king's court.

What I've been reading

2009-01-18T18:19:00.001-05:00

I've been bad about recording what I've read lately. And of course now I can't remember half of it. But here are some highlights:

The Naked Mole Rat Letters by Mary Amato (a kid's book - maybe for 5th thru 7th grade - very good)

I read just enough of Warriors: Into The Wild by Erin Hunter to understand what the craze among fifth through eighth graders is about, but I've never been that big of a fan of books like that (except Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien - that one was awesome).

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick -- Ms. L, the librarian at Central School, recommended this to me and I loved it!

What Were They Thinking?: Crisis Communication -- the Good, the Bad, and the Totally Clueless by Steve Adubato -- a great read, fascinating and I learned a lot.

I reread Mistborn: The Final Empire and The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson. Got halfway through rereading the third book, Hero of Ages, before I got distracted. I'll probably go back to it again at some point.

I also reread Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold, one of my all-time favorites.

Just now I've finished Kitty and the Midnight Hour and Kitty Goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn -- two very good books about a radio host/werewolf. I really like the characters and the way it's written. It reminds me of the style of writing of Tanya Huff's Blood series (Blood Price being the first one).

Here's the sad thing, I know there were a BUNCH of other books that I've read since the last time I posted, but dang if I can remember them. Oh well.

Oh, and I can also report that the more I use my Kindle, the more I dislike holding an "actual" book in my hands. Mass-market paperbacks are too hard to hold open with one hand unless you are vicious and break the spine, and large hardcovers tend to be too heavy for me to hold comfortably (what can I say, I have small hands). So.... you can have my Kindle when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!

I reread

Books I've read lately

2008-12-21T10:32:00.001-05:00

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher - an enjoyable and interesting, frothy and funny memoir

Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix - (teen) - recommended to me by a 7th grader at Lunch in the Library with Ms. Lommel last week. Fantastic book! I couldn't put it down. The next day I foisted it onto another person who I know will enjoy it.

Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter (kids/teen) - also recommended at Lunch in the Library. I read enough of it to get a feel for it, but for some reason I've never been a big fan of books written from the perspective of animals (Watership Down, the Redwall series, etc) -- except maybe for Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. So I stopped reading it. But the writing was good and I could see why all the kids love it.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (teen) -- WOW. Amazing book, unputdownable. The first in a trilogy. Now I have to wait for the others. Meanwhile I plan to go to the library on Monday and check out the first one in Collins' series for younger kids, the Gregor series. How have I missed this author??

Black and White and Dead All Over by John Darnton -- thanks to Pat D for the recommendation. I enjoyed this interesting, well-written mystery -- and learned a lot about the newspaper publishing business along the way.

Looking for something to read?

2008-12-16T09:05:00.001-05:00

My favorite book review magazine, Bookmarks, is tracking the top 10 book lists from magazines and newspapers across the country. Browse their selection at http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/taxonomy/term/696%2C736

Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

2008-12-16T08:46:00.001-05:00

I have been meaning to read this history of Abraham Lincoln's rise to the presidency, and his presidency during the Civil War, since it came out in 2005. I finally managed to do it! It took me about 3 weeks but it was well worth it. It was a fantastic, interesting, wonderful book that made history come alive for me.

Recent books read

2008-12-02T08:22:00.001-05:00

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Extremely interesting. This man could describe watching paint dry and I'd read him. This book talks about how we think about success, and how factors that we haven't even considered also play into whether someone will be a success or not. I couldn't put it down. Fascinating.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter. A very heartwarming read, and enjoyable. Warning: ending is sad.

A Supremely Bad Idea: Three Mad Birders and their Quest to See It All by Luke Dempsey. At the beginning of the book there was a nice balance between the author's snarkiness and his wonder at all the interesting and wonderful birds he was seeing, but after a while the snark factor took over and I decided not to finish the book.

Books I've been reading

2008-11-25T08:39:00.001-05:00

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman (teen). I've always enjoyed this writer's adult fiction (Intuition is one of my favorite books ever) and this was quite an enjoyable foray into teen literature.

Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell. Not a bad read, but certainly more lightweight than I've come to expect from this writer. If you really want to see what she is capable of, read The Sparrow or A Thread of Grace.

Unexpected Blessings: Finding Hope and Healing in the Face of Illness by Roxanne Black (nonfiction) -- A good read for anyone who lives with chronic illness. Black (who suffers from lupus) provides some good perspective and food for thought.

Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (teen) -- a fun read that made me laugh out loud several times. It seemed to drag on a bit long, but maybe that's because I have the attention span of a gnat lately.

Lily Quench and the Dragon of Ashby by Natalie Jane Prior (children's book)

2008-11-12T10:25:00.001-05:00

Very cute and enjoyable!

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly

2008-11-07T08:22:00.001-05:00

Another great thriller from Mr Connelly-- just what I was looking for!

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

2008-11-07T08:21:00.001-05:00

A grim but interesting tale about a girl growing up during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. Slightly uneven but gripping.... I stayed up till 1:30 am to see how it ended (I couldn't put it down).

Book lineup

2008-11-01T08:30:00.001-04:00

Flights Against the Sunset by Kenn Kaufman

2008-10-31T09:44:00.001-04:00

I loved this book of short essays on birding, interspersed with Kaufman's musings on his relationship with his parents and his visits to his mother's room in the care facility where she is living. (One of my favorite essays was "Hell's Birders," about a gang of Harley-riding hardcore birders.)

I really enjoy Kenn Kaufman's writings about birding (Kingbird Highway was also excellent).

Forever Changes by Brendan Halpin (teen/young adult)

2008-10-31T09:41:00.001-04:00

If Brendan Halpin wrote a version of the phone book I would probably read it. Ever since I read his book Donorboy I have really enjoyed all his writing - his fiction as well as his memoirs.

This book is wonderful - about a nineteen-year-old high school senior who has cystic fibrosis and is trying to decide what her life means (and what she should do with the rest of it). Really well done. I highly recommend it.

Half-finished/skimmed books

2008-10-22T16:12:00.001-04:00

I haven't found anything in the last couple of days to hold my interest. But here's what I've been skimming and half-finishing:

Mothstorm: The Horror from Beyond Georgium Sidus! by Philip Reeve. The third in the Larklight series (for children). Funny, with great illustrations, but I just wasn't in the mood for it at the time.

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo (another kid's book). Have been meaning to read this book for a long time, as it's the first in a pretty popular series for kids. I read enough to know that I would like it, if I was in the right mood. I'll probably go back to it at some point. But at least now I know enough to feel comfortable recommending it to others.

Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster (adult, memoir). Well, I'm sorry Heather (who recommended this), I gave it a shot. It definitely had some funny bits but the author's constant snarkiness and negative attitude (about pretty much everything) weren't really doing it for me, so I gave up halfway through. (Hey Heather, have you ever read anything by Laurie Notaro? She writes similar funny stuff about her crazy life but for some reason I don't find her as grating. Or maybe, once again, I just wasn't in the right mood.)

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall

2008-10-20T09:43:00.001-04:00

I absolutely love the Penderwicks and I love how Jeanne Birdsall writes about them. I have been savoring this book for a couple of months now - I'll read a few pages on my Kindle and then put it down, because I simply don't want it to end. I don't think I can explain quite why I adore these books so much. Part of it is the subtle humor, part of it is the sweet way the family interacts with each other (not too sweet, though -- it's not saccharine), and part of it, I think, is a hope that there are some families out there who are actually like this one!

In any case, I am almost done with the book, and I really hope Ms. Birdsall is planning to publish another one. Can't wait to read it!

Hero of Ages (Book 3 of the Mistborn trilogy) by Brandon Sanderson

2008-10-20T09:40:00.001-04:00

I'd been waiting for this book ever since I finished book 2 in early September. I knew its release date. I pre-ordered it from Amazon and then worried that because it came out the day after Columbus Day, I wouldn't get it on the date. Then (thank you Amazon) it was sent one-day UPS on Monday, so I got it!

Then I looked at its hefty size. It is huge! And small print too. And I discovered that it was available in Kindle format. So I thought about it (for about 2 seconds). And then I bought the Kindle version (and donated the hardcover to my library). My brother said "That is SO you." (He meant the part about buying multiple copies of a book.)

But enough about how I got the book (and how many times I bought the book), let's talk about the book. It was excellent, a wonderful end to a terrific series. I am impressed with Brandon Sanderson's world-building skills. How many worlds does this guy have in him? He did a great job in Elantris (a stand-alone novel) and now in this trilogy he really did a terrific job not only of creating an interesting world, but also of creating characters that you care for.

I devoured this book and was very sorry to see it end. I am looking forward to rereading the entire trilogy in a year or so, back to back, so I can enjoy it all over again. Meanwhile, I am delighted that Brandon Sanderson was tapped to write the last book in the late Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. If anyone can bring that big, complicated world and its story to a satisfying conclusion, it'll be this guy.

Books I read this weekend

2008-10-20T09:34:00.001-04:00

Off the Deep End by W. Hodding Carter - a pretty funny (and honest) memoir of this 40+ guy's attempt to qualify for the Olympics in swimming.

My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor - a very interesting account of the author's stroke and recovery. Since she is a neuroscientist she brings an extra level of knowledge to the table.

Frommer's Honolulu & Oahu day by day (2008). Oh yeah, someone's going to Hawaii in a few months. And that someone would be ME! Hot diggity.

Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains by Laurel Snyder (illustrations by Greg Call) - this is a delightful kid's book (recommended to me by Trisha). Very enjoyable.

Business books I've been reading lately

2008-10-14T07:12:00.001-04:00

I'm working on a presentation about organizational culture, emotional intelligence at work and that sort of thing. It's been fascinating to prepare for it - I've read lots of very interesting books, including:

Dealing with Difficult People by Roberta Cava

A Survival Guide to Working with Humans by Gini Scott

The Nonverbal Advantage by Carol Goman (fascinating look at how you can learn to read body language and use it to guess what's going on in peoples' minds)

How to Reduce Workplace Conflict and Stress by Anna Maravelas

Authentic Conversations: Moving from Manipulation to Truth and Commitment by Jamie & Maren Showkeir (thanks to Cindy for sending me this one)

The Manager's Book of Decencies: How small gestures build great companies by Steve Harrison -- I really enjoyed and learned a lot from this one

The Civility Solution: What To Do When People Are Rude by P. M. Forni -- this one is a really useful one, good for dealing with any situation in which people are rude.

Coping with Toxic Managers, Subordinates... and other difficult people by Roy Lubit. Fascinating, well-written, but it's really scary to know how many different types of toxic people are out there.

Corporate Culture: Illuminating the Black Hole by Jerome Want. A very comprehensive look at different factors that influence corporate/organizational cultures

Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka (autobiography)

2008-10-14T07:04:00.001-04:00

What a great book - short enough for kids to read but funny enough for people of all ages to enjoy - especially people who grew up around the time Scieszka (rhymes with "Fresca") and his 5 brothers did. The book had me howling out loud several times throughout, and I forced several of my coworkers to listen to my dramatic recitation of Chapter 33, "Car Trip." They probably didn't thank me for that, but you'll thank me for recommending the book. Trust me. Your kids loved Scieszka's books and series such as Trucktown, The Stinky Cheese Man and the Time Warp Trio -- you'll love this one.

What I've been reading lately

2008-10-13T11:02:00.001-04:00

"The Brethren" by John Grisham (thriller) - one I never read before, published in the mid-90s, very good

"A Talent for War" by Jack McDevitt (sci fi) -- one of his early ones, in fact the first in the Alex Benedict series. Okay, but not my favorite.

"Izzy and Lenore: Two Dogs, An Unexpected Journey and Me" by Jon Katz (memoir) -- I always enjoy Jon Katz' memoirs because he is so honest about the ups and down of life, and also of course because I love the descriptions of his dogs and various farm animals. This book was especially moving to me, because it talked about Katz's work as a hospice volunteer with his dog Izzy. (Saw the book in Borders, thought about buying it there, but ended up downloading it to my Kindle and reading it.)

"The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington by Jennet Conant (history - also reading this on my Kindle) -- Very interesting book, engaging and well-written. Kind of depressing because it is clear that shenanigans and immoral doings have been going on in Washington DC since time immemorial... the one problem I have with the book is the cruddy editing. Words are left out every so often, just often enough to rudely yank me out of the world in which I am reading and make me think "Huh?" So then it takes me a while to get back into the flow. Grr.

The Partner by John Grisham

2008-09-29T08:16:00.001-04:00

I really enjoyed this John Grisham thriller (published in the mid-90s). It was a well-written, intricate thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end (and even afterwards). One of the best Grisham books I've read!

Introvert Power by Laurie Helgoe

2008-09-28T13:23:00.003-04:00

What a wonderful, celebratory book for those of us who are introverts! From the introduction: “Because extroversion lines up so well with American values, we introverts often deprive ourselves of what we most enjoy and thrive on. So, for all of you who draw energy from inside, behind, underneath, or away from it all, welcome home.”

I had "a-ha" moments at many times while I was reading this book. "You mean I'm not the only person who feels this or does this?" It was extremely validating.

I really got a lot out of this book.

The Enemy by Jack Reacher

2008-09-28T13:22:00.003-04:00

A very enjoyable Jack Reacher novel, written during the period when he was still an Army MP. Not a new book, but I am catching up on my backlog!

In His Sights: A True Story of Love and Obsession by Kate Brennan

2008-09-28T13:22:00.002-04:00

A scary, scary true tale of what it is like to be stalked by a whack-job ex. Remind me never to date again. I don't want this to happen to me.

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

2008-09-25T10:50:00.001-04:00

Very enjoyable, interesting modern gothic novel. I liked it very much.

Just Grace by Charise Mericle Harper (children's book)

2008-09-20T10:35:00.000-04:00

What a cute, delightful book! Harper does the Fashion Kitty series of graphic novels for kids, which I just got hooked on, so I thought I would give this book a try too. I'm glad I did.

Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel (adapted by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin)

2008-09-20T10:34:00.001-04:00

This was very enjoyable. I had never been able to get into the Artemis Fowl series of books, but the graphic novel grabbed my interest and now I think I might give the books a try again.

Almost Like Being In Love by Steve Kluger

2008-09-12T20:34:00.001-04:00

I can't even begin to convey what a wonderful book this is - a terrific love story, funny, heartbreaking, and so well-written. Towards the end I found myself slowing down my reading because I was sure there was no way the novel could end satisfactorily - things had gotten too complex, something was bound to go wrong -- but dang if the author didn't pull it off amazingly well. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I borrowed it from the library, but I think I need to own it.

The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory

2008-09-11T08:36:00.001-04:00

Oh.... my.... GOD!!! This was a fantastic book. Wow. I just loved it. It tells the story of Mary, Queen of Scots and her imprisonment in England from three different perspectives: her own, the Earl of Shrewsbury, and the Earl's wife, Bess, who was an amazingly strong woman in her own right.

Just as good as The Other Boleyn Girl, my other favorite historical novel by this author.

Brava!

Books I've read lately

2008-09-10T17:16:00.001-04:00

Safekeeping: some true stories from a life by Abigail Thomas. Very good, I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Fashion Kitty vs. the Fashion Queen by Charise Mericle Harper (children's graphic novel) -- Wonderful!

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson -- fantastic - the second in a trilogy. The third one is coming out in October. I can barely contain myself!!

Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger

2008-09-01T11:24:00.001-04:00

WOW. Thanks to Stephanie B for recommending this book to me. How did I not find this when it first came out in the late '90s? I really, really enjoyed it. Anyone who likes sports, baseball, novels written in the form of letters, or funny books will probably enjoy this book. I just bought a copy for my dad and fully plan to foist copies of it onto whomever I can convince to take it. WONDERFUL book.

Attitudes of Gratitude: how to give and receive joy every day of your life, by M. J. Ryan

2008-09-01T11:22:00.001-04:00

Thought-provoking and interesting book.

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

2008-09-01T11:21:00.001-04:00

An excellent fantasy novel - I had a really hard time putting it down. I have my coworker Deborah B to thank for recommending Brandon Sanderson to me - what a great author. Am looking forward to reading the next book in the Mistborn series.

Lie Down with the Devil by Linda Barnes

2008-09-01T11:20:00.003-04:00

Another excellent book in the Carlotta Carlyle, P.I. series -- I really enjoyed it.

A reading weekend

2008-09-01T11:20:00.001-04:00

I spent a good portion of this weekend reading. Here's a summary:

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies (picture book - adorable, wonderful.)

Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel (picture book - funny as heck)

Poor Puppy by Nick Bruel (ditto)

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon & Dean Hale (a fun graphic novel for kids)

Fashion Kitty by Charise Harper (thanks to Trisha for recommending this fun graphic novel for kids)

The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness by Jerome Groopman

The first step is always to admit that you have a problem.

2008-08-29T08:51:00.001-04:00

My name is Mary, and I have a problem. Yesterday I took 2 paper-bound books plus my Kindle to work with me (plus my spare book that is always rumbling around in the back seat, JUST IN CASE). I stopped at a used bookstore on my way to my grandmother's and bought 2 books. When I got to work, six books that I had reserved through inter-library loan had arrived (okay, 2 of them are picture books so that won't take long). Then our box of advanced reader's copies came in. (Boy was Pat excited to find the latest P.D. James and Michael Connelly in there. I know what SHE is doing this weekend. But I digress.) So I added to my pile an Advanced Reader's copy of a book I've been hearing a lot about. Then while I was creating the new acquisitions list for this month, I noticed a new Linda Barnes had come out and we owned it! (Plus it was on the shelf.) Well, I haven't read any of her mysteries for a while so off the shelf and into my bag it went.

Total books brought to work: 3 (plus a spare)

Total books brought home from work: 12 (plus a spare)

Net gain: 9 books, one herniated back from lifting a very large overstuffed bag, and a realization that I have a serious problem.

But I'll deal with that later. Now I have to go finish my book. (One of them, anyway.)

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall (kid's book)

2008-08-28T18:07:00.001-04:00

I adored this charming, funny little kid's book. It reminds me of a book I used to read over and over when I was growing up - Five Little Peppers and How They Grew -- only a bit more contemporary. Four sisters and their intrepid dog ("Hound") have all sorts of adventures on their summer vacation. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

Babymouse: Monster Mash by Jennifer & Matthew Holm (kid's book)

2008-08-28T18:06:00.001-04:00

Babymouse and Halloween - what could be better? Yet another terrific book in the Babymouse graphic novel series for kids.

The Laughter of Dead Kings by Elizabeth Peters

2008-08-28T18:05:00.001-04:00

Another Vicky Bliss novel?! FINALLY! I have been waiting since Night Train to Memphis (1994) for more Vicky Bliss novels. I devoured this in one sitting. It was terrific - just what I would expect from Ms. Peters. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner (kid's book)

2008-08-28T17:47:00.003-04:00

Skippyjon Jones is a young Siamese cat who dreams about being "Skippito Friskito, who fears not a single bandito" (picture a cat-like Zorro, wearing a mask). This cute picture book is a lot of fun and would be a great read-aloud for parents to read to their young kids.

Bad Kitty Gets A Bath by Nick Bruel (kid's book)

2008-08-23T16:49:00.002-04:00

This book made me giggle helplessly. Anyone who's ever dealt with a cranky cat will get a huge kick out of it. Nick Bruel not only writes well, but as an illustrator, he also catches that special disgruntled look that only cats have perfected. I can't wait to read the earlier picture books he wrote, Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy.

Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

2008-08-23T13:20:00.000-04:00

Oh man, now I have to wait for the 5th book in this series along with everyone else! Hurry up and publish it, Mr. Riordan. I can't wait to find out what will happen next in this wonderful series.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

2008-08-23T13:18:00.001-04:00

Some parts were pretty funny but on the whole I agree with most of the reviewers -- this is not Sedaris' best work. I remember when I read Naked, one of his first books -- I laughed so hard I nearly peed my pants. This one is definitely not like that. In fact, Sedaris seems more thoughtful and sad in this one than he has in previous ones.

Flap Art

2008-08-21T15:33:00.001-04:00

If you are like me, you spend an inordinate amount of time craning your neck in public places trying to see what people are reading. If you are one of the people who finds this behavior annoying and obtrusive, I apologize, because I can't stop doing it. I also can't stop myself from striking up random conversations with people who are reading books that I like, even though it's clear that they only want to be left alone to read.

To shield yourself from prying eyes (and also play a practical joke on people who are prying), you might want to check out Flap Art at http://www.flapart.ca/.
Some of these are mighty funny.

The Sea of Monsters and The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

2008-08-20T18:05:00.001-04:00

Dang, I adore this series! Rick Riordan can really write. I am currently working my way through the fourth book in the series, The Battle of the Labyrinth, which I practically had to wrestle out of some poor kid's hands (he had just returned it, actually, and I snagged it out of the book drop immediately). This is one of those series that is just as much fun for kids as for adults. And I get a big kick out of talking about these books with kids - and then hearing what other books they think I should read as well.

Yay, Percy Jackson and the Olympians! Rick Riordan, please hurry up and write the next book in the series. Meanwhile I will continue savoring Book 4 until I have to finish it. Then I may go back and re-read the whole series again. That's how awesome it is.

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

2008-08-20T18:03:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Deborah for recommending this great fantasy novel to me. She was describing it to me, and I thought it sounded interesting, but then she mentioned it was written by the guy who wrote Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians and I knew it had to move to the top of my list! Well-written, interesting and hard to put down. I'm looking forward to reading more of his stuff.

The Reader's Bill of Rights

2008-08-10T14:16:00.001-04:00

From Better Than Life by Daniel Pennac

The Reader's Bill of Rights

1. The right to not read

2. The right to skip pages

3. The right to not finish

4. The right to re-read

5. The right to read anything

6. The right to escapism

7. The right to read anywhere

8. The right to browse

9. The right to read out loud

10. The right to not defend your tastes

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (kid's book)

2008-08-10T10:54:00.001-04:00

I've been hearing about this book for a while now and finally, after reading Vampirates, I thought I'd give this one a try. WOW. It was fantastic. It completely lived up to the hype I'd heard about it. I couldn't put it down.

Rick Riordan knows how to keep your attention - probably due to the fact that he has been a middle school teacher for several years. This book was interesting and funny and sad and everything good.

The funniest part for me: when the hero and his co-questors attempt to enter Hades, only to discover that it looks like a toll plaza on the Jersey Turnpike and there are three lines to enter: two regular lines and one EZ-DEATH (which is the one moving fastest, of course).

My chief disappointment is that this is book one of a series, and I only checked out the first one from the library. Now it's Sunday and the library is closed, and none of the books are available on Kindle or I'd download the second one right now and start reading! Dag nab it.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

2008-08-10T10:50:00.001-04:00

I am grateful to my friend Melissa for mentioning the title of this book while we were sitting around last Sunday reading the papers (she was reading the New York Times Book Review). The title was intriguing enough that I downloaded the first chapter as a sample to my Kindle, and by the time I'd read the first 500 words I was hooked. I have always loved books that are written in the form of letters written between people ("epistolary novels," though I've never been able to pronounce that word). This book is fantastic - letters between a novelist living in post-WWII London and the members of a literary society on the Channel Islands, which had been occupied by the Nazis during the war.

I literally could not put this book down. I read and read and read until I was finished. I highly recommend it. If you're interested in reading more wonderful books in the form of letters, I would also recommend 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff and of course the wonderful Daddy Long Legs (and its "sequel," Dear Enemy) by Jean Webster.

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper (kid's book)

2008-08-10T10:46:00.001-04:00

Thanks to my friend Trisha for recommending this terrific book to me. The characters are well-rounded, the plot interesting, and I think this book could be really popular with tween boys and girls alike. Newly orphaned twins Grace and Connor must contend with pirates and with "vampirates" in this page-turner. I recommend it highly - and have already downloaded both sequels to my Kindle!

The Handholder's Handbook by Rosette Teitel

2008-08-04T18:06:00.001-04:00

Subtitled "A guide for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's or other dementias," this is a very straightforward and useful book. The author's husband suffered a slow decline with Alzheimer's, and she shares the wisdom and knowledge she learned through their last years together.

For me, since I am dealing with a grandmother with dementia, I found chapter nine "The Child Speaks" to be most helpful. It contains some interviews with children whose parents suffered from dementia, and really helped me feel that I am not alone in the thoughts and feelings that I have been experiencing.