Category: Books

I've decided to share the books I've received once a month instead of every week, so I thought the first Monday in the month would be perfect.  Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of  A Girl and Her Books and is being hosted by Serena of Savvy Verse and Wit this month.    Here’s what I found in my mailbox, or delivered to my Kindle, over the last month of so: Boca Knights by Steven M. Foreman (Won from Tea Time with Marce. Thanks!) Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain (Received from Crown.) Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather  Lynn Rigaud (Won from Palmer's Picks for Reading. Thanks!) Jack The Theorist by Jon Hartless (Won from Freda's Voice. Thanks!) Two and a Half Dead Men by Jason Krumbine (From Pump Up Your Book for blog tour.) Beautiful Outlaw: Experiencing the Playful, Disruptive, Extravagant Personality of Jesus by John Eldredge (From FaithWords via NetGalley) Stories for Nighttime and Some for...

I don't usually read anything special for Banned Books Week. I just don't go out of my way to read books that have been challenged in libraries or schools. I have read several, but that was because I wanted to read them or had to for a class, not to "Read a Banned Book." This year, however, as I was reading some of the Banned Books Week coverage, there was an article which of course I can't find right now, but the girl in it after having had And Tango Makes Three read to her class or group was so happy because it depicted a family that resembled hers. I had heard of the book before but had never read it, so since our library had a copy available I picked it up last night. And Tango Makes Three is a cute little story aimed at preschoolers and young elementary kids. Two male penguins, Roy and Silo, spend all their time...

In honor of Banned Book Week (September 24 through October 1), I have posted the list of the top 100 banned or challenged books in 2000-2009 from the American Library Association. The titles I've read I've struck through. The titles I own are in italics. The titles I want to read are in bold. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r (series), by Myracle, Lauren The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison Forever, by Judy Blume The Color Purple, by Alice Walker Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger King and King, by Linda de...

Can I review The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths without talking about the mystery? Probably not, but the plot is not what kept me engrossed in the book, it was the setting and the main character that held my attention. I listened to this on audio, read by Jane McDowell. That's the one thing about going fishing, it gives me plenty of time to listen to books. I can fish and listen easily enough, especially when I'm not catching many fish. McDowell did an excellent job, but I will give a small warning. The book is written in the present tense, which is rather unusual. I'm not sure if I would have noticed if I hadn't been thinking about tenses already. I actually tend to write in the present tense myself, but I know it can be off-putting for some people. Ruth is an archaeologist, a single woman closing in on 40 who lives with her cats in a remote area of...

"Alafair, you stupid girl. It's First Samuel. First Samuel, for goodness' sake." Mrs. Evangeline LeBlanc rustled to the table in her black silk gown, taking up the heavy Bible from the table and flipping rapidly through its pages until she'd found the correct chapter and verse. "First Samuel, chapter 28. You had the pages turned to Second Samuel, chapter 24." Her daughter shrugged. "Really, Mama, do you think any of these people will notice whether it's First Samuel or Second Samuel or a page from Mrs. Gaskell? It's so dark in here you can't see your hand in front of you face." There you have it, the first two paragraphs from the prologue to India Black and the Widow of Windsor by Carol K. Carr. Would it grab your attention? I really wish the bit had featured India. I love her brashness. Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea....

First, a side thought. I never know whether to include the book's subtitle in my post title. In this case I did because it really is essential, usually I don't though. Honestly, subtitles in fiction just tend to annoy me. Give me a good title without feeling you need to explain further. Just my opinion. Back to the book. I am a die-hard Sherlock Holmes fan. While Doyle's stories will always be first in my heart, I do enjoy the new adventures, re-tellings, re-imaginings, sequels. For a second there, I thought I was talking about Austen's works. Unfortunately, this wasn't my favorite of the pastiches. Appropriately, Between the Thames and the Tiber is a collection of  Holmes' adventures transcribed by the ever-loyal Watson. It mirrors the originals in tone and style, but the I just didn't like the stories. They were missing the spark that makes Holmes enjoyable. Yes, Holmes uses his deductive reasoning and Holmes and Watson's friendship matches the originals,...