Tuesday, November 30, 2010

What's Next?

I have had such a string of really great books - reading has been fabulous. However, now I feel stuck. I started three different books last night. All are fine. But this morning I didn't really want to keep reading any of them. Two of them I am taking back to the library. I feel bad about it. Perhaps if they hadn't had to follow up such great books, these would have been ones I enjoyed. I may look at them again, but for right now I am going to call it quits. Should I feel guilty about this? I do.

I started two different books this morning (both before 9 AM) that I will continue. The first: Maxine Banks is Getting Married by Lori Aurelia Williams and the second: Storyteller by Patricia Reilly Giff

Monday, November 29, 2010

Susan Beth Pfeffer's Series


I just finished Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer, the first in a trilogy. This one was on my Read From My Shelves Challenge list, one I have been meaning to read for a while. Once I started I could barely tear myself away from it- it is an amazing story and also a very thought provoking one.

I feel like I am one of the last people on the planet to review it, so I hate to re-hash things too much. My very brief summary: an asteroid hits the moon, knocking it out of its orbit. This brings about many catastrophes: tsunamis, hurricanes, volcano eruptions. All alter the lives of people on Earth. Miranda, her mother and two brothers are among the lucky ones. Her mother has the foresight to look to the future and plan ahead. She quickly snatches up whatever food and supplies she can think of. They begin chopping trees for firewood in case they need it in the future. They ration food. Everything they do is with the end goal of surviving. Things go from bad to worse, and just when I thought things would have to look up, another devastating event takes place.

Because this is written like a realistic fiction novel as a diary, it seems very realistic. I can imagine these things happening if our world were to ever encounter some catastrophic event like an asteroid hitting the moon. Even people who think they could survive would still have a great deal to contend with. Miranda's mom planted a vegetable garden only to see it not produce much because of cloudy skies (due to the ash from volcanic eruptions). At first I was irritated that Miranda's mom did not want to look out for others in the community, considering only her and her children (and ex-husband and spouse). However, as time goes on and conditions worsen, it becomes clear that without this mentality Miranda and her family may not have survived this long.

This book makes me wish that I had some older students to read and discuss with. Life as We Knew It is definitely above my best fifth grade readers- if not in readability, in content. Even if they could read this book now, our conversations would not be as in depth as if it were read with some older middle school or high school students.

Life as We Knew It was absolutely amazing. The second book is already in my Amazon cart (shhhh! don't tell my husband). I don't know if I can read it immediately. The first one was a little disturbing, so much so that I think I need to read a happy book next.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

A Non-Fiction Weekend


This Thanksgiving break I have been on a non-fiction kick. My third non-fiction book, The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food and Love by Kristin Kimball, provided an inside look at one woman's adventures in farming . Kimball was on an assignment for a story when she first met Mark, a young farmer, who was attempting to live off the land and open his own farmer's cooperative. Although Kimball didn't have any background in farming herself and was living the city life, she was drawn to Mark and his way of life. The two fell in love and decided to make a life farming the land together. There were - and still are- many challenges along the way. Kimball shares the various hardships they endured while starting out- going to bed wearing hat and mittens while Mark read aloud from East of Eden. Entering their kitchen to see a rat scurry behind the wall. Having dogs attack their cow, Delilah. Somehow the two persevered, despite the many obstacles they had to overcome. Kimball also credits the help of their small community with making their dream a reality. Unlike the anonymity a city provides, Kimball enjoys and appreciates the small town she now lives in - the way they care for each other and help each other.

I appreciate anyone who is able to forego the material trappings of this world. While Kimball was able to do this, Mark is truly amazing in this regard. He buys only second-hand - including underwear, and is even looking into making his own toothbrushes so as to avoid the use of any plastic. In some ways Kimball and her lifestyle reminds me a bit of Michael Perry, whose books I so enjoy reading.

Not only did this book provide plenty to think about in regard to her lifestyle, it is also entertaining. I have lucked out this weekend, finding three great non-fiction selections - what a task it will be to find another book to follow these.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Outcasts United - Reading Hangover


I have had the good fortune of reading two really fabulous non-fiction books in a row. The first, Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, chronicles the lives of six North Koreans. Just yesterday I finished Outcasts United by Warren St. John, a book I had read about on Book Love. St. John's book chronicles the lives of a soccer team of refugees in the small Georgia town of Clarkston. Clarkston's population has shifted dramatically over the past decade. A town of mostly white Americans, it was designated as a refugee settlement center, and is now the home to refugees fro many different countries.

St. John begins by introducing us to the coach of the Fugees, Luma Mufleh. Mufleh grew up in Jordan as part of an affluent family. She moved to the United States to attend college and never returned home. After a few career moves, Luma settles in Clarkston and finds a family of sorts in the boys she coaches and their families. Luma also finds that the feeling she gets from helping these families supercedes the way she would feel if she accumulated wealth and possessions.

St. John introduces us to the various team members of the Fugees. Each one has had much to overcome, having left their home country and trying to find a new home and way to fit in in Clarkston. Money is always an issue and many of these children are forced to grow up before they should have to. However, Luma does not baby her boys-knowing that will not serve them well. Instead, she expects a great deal from her team. Her team faces many other teams that have expensive equipment, good practice facility and loyal fans. Luma's team struggles for everything they have.

Especially interesting to me was the reaction by the mayor of Clarkston, who seemed to have every intention of finding ways to thwart the Fugees' attempt to practice and better themselves. So, too, the law enforcement needed to be educated in practicing some compassion when dealing with people who have never had to know or understand the United States' legal system or its many laws and regulations.

Teaching in a very diverse school, I could see my students in the stories of these soccer players and their parents. The struggles that Luma's team faced seem to be common for refugees who are forced out of their homes and into new and unfamiliar situations. The way Clarkston dealt with these refugees also seems to represent what happens in many situations.

St. John's book was interesting and uplifting, showing how one person can help make a difference in many lives. I am struggling now to come up with a book to read that can even come close to this one. Katie from Book Love said this book was one of the best non-fiction books she had read this year. I agree with her - I will be hunting for a while to find another book that measures up.

Friday, November 26, 2010

A Long Walk to Water



Linda Sue Park's most recent book A Long Walk to Water is the true story of Salva, a boy from the Sudan who walks to Ethiopia, then Kenya where he stays at refugee camps for years before being relocated to America. Salva is one of the lost boys, young men who fled their villages after they were attacked and then walked away from their homes and families hoping to reunite with them in the future, but knowing they needed to get away as quickly as possible, or be killed themselves.


Part of Park's book is Salva's story beginning in 1985, and part is Nya's story. Nya is a girl living in the Sudan in 2008, where she must walk back and forth for water each day - a trip that takes hours of her time. By book's end, Salva's story and Nya's story intersect in a very touching and amazing way.


I have read other novels of the Lost Boys- mostly written for older readers that have included violence and been fairly graphic. This book will still convey the horror that Salva and others went through, but at a level appropriate for middle grade and young adult readers. This is another book I will be adding to my library order.

To learn more about Salva and how he continues to help his country, visit Water for Sudan.

Everything But the Horse - A New Storytime Favorite


My youngest daughter is obsessed with horses. She has been lucky enough to get to ride a friend's horse a few times and each day as we drive into town from our house we pass a horse farm that she takes special note of. For her birthday she received many horse items- horse umbrella, horse boots, clothing with horses, a horse pillow....the list is endless. Now when we visit the library we also check out any horse book on display. I will admit I have become a little tired of the non-fiction horse books on various breeds. Mostly because my daughter does not pay attention to them at all. I excitedly checked out Everything But the Horse by Holly Hobbie on one of our library visits and thought this book looked promising - and different from the normal fare she selects.

Everything But the Horse written by Holly Hobbie, the author of the Toot and Puddle books is a cute, wonderful childhood memory of Hobbie's own girlhood when she longed for her own horse. After moving from her close knit neighborhood to a house in the country with no electricity and an outhouse, Hobbie is excited by the animals she is able to have around her. And she is especially excited when she watches some other girls from the country ride by on their horses. Hobbie longs for her own horse, certain that on her birthday the surprise awaiting her in the barn will be that horse she has been longing for.

It was fun to see my girls predict what Hobbie's gift would be, and also fun to see all of our surprised faces when it is revealed. Unfortunately this one had to go back to the library, but I will be ordering a copy for my school. What a perfect story!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving Memories


Today has of course been full of lots of food and eating. I have enjoyed cherry pie and an Andes Mint pie as well. I made the Pioneer Woman's olive bread recipe that is just the right combination of salty and cheesy. I have snacked all day long. My mom and dad and my in-laws came over for lunch. After they went home, we all took a three hour nap. This evening we have put up our Christmas tree and decorations. My husband has painted the family room in the basement - part of the project he started last week with his emergency IKEA trip.

Five years ago today, our oldest daughter was diagnosed with a Stage IV liver cancer, hepatoblastoma. I remember then thinking about what our future may hold -if we could ever be lucky enough to celebrate holidays with her years in the future. Today was a milestone of sorts- a day when we are especially thankful to have three healthy daughters. Thankful that we can celebrate together, that we can create more holiday memories.


Maybe it seems as though I am stuck on the same event each and every Thanksgiving. However, that day in 2005 put everything into perspective very quickly. All it takes is a trip down memory lane to some very scary and sad moments to bring everything back crystal clear.

We don't really like reliving this time in our life, but there were blessings along the way - especially very supportive family and friends who continue to be there for us.

There are many families who are not as fortunate as ours, and we continue to remember them in our thoughts and prayers every day, but especially during this holiday season. Our holiday memories will always include the events of Thanksgiving 2005. I have decided that is not always a bad thing. It has made us much more thankful for what we have today. Hopefully we will be able to celebrate many more happy and healthy holidays in our future, and remember those who struggle during this time of year without their loved ones.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Nothing to Envy


Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick is the type of book that was hard to put down, hard to read, and amazingly well written. Demick, who spent five years living in Seoul, South Korea as a correspondent for the Los Angeles Times was able to observe from a close vantage point the plight of many North Koreans who were undergoing extreme hardships.

During the mid 1990s, when millions of North Koreans were starving to death and eking out their existence as best they could, I was happily oblivious in the midwest. I was sharing bits of this book with my husband, expressing my disbelief and wondering how I had missed this devastating time.

Demick's book makes the lives of the six North Koreans she follows for fifteen years seem very personal - it is through the stories of their lives that you realize these people have hopes and dreams which are not realized simply because they were born in the wrong country. Each person Demick includes is interesting, resourceful, and has been able to move on with their lives, starting over in South Korea. Many were very hard workers and believed in North Korea's government. Dr. Kim, a woman who stayed in North Korea and practiced medicine, leaves only after she realizes that she is never going to achieve a higher status and has been questioned by the North Korean government (despite extreme loyalty to the country). As she steps foot on Chinese soil, she stops at the first home in a small village and notices a bowl on the ground outside full of white rice. She cannot believe this - in China the dogs eat better than the people in North Korea. Slowly her eyes are opened to the lies that the North Korean government has been feeding its people. Each person has found a similar defining moment, when they discovered the type of living conditions elsewhere compared to what they have endured.

This book reads more like a novel, although sadly, it is true. I wonder what life in North Korea is like now for those who have stayed. The Communist regime is still in control, still dictating the details of every citizen's life.

I would also love to talk with my friend, Sarah, about this book. From 1996-98 she and her husband lived in Seoul, South Korea, where he was stationed as a military pharmacist. I remember a few brief conversations we had about where she lived, but I never remember any discussion about how North Koreans were dying for lack of food. I am so curious to hear what she remembers about this, what she thought was happening in this country.

Demick's book was nominated for 2010's National Book Award. While some non-fiction books may seem dry or hard to get into, this book was absolutely and immediately interesting and thought-provoking. This is a must read for anyone interested in other cultures and social issues.

Waiting on Wednesday




Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick: Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction that Changed America by Les Standiford


Due out March 1, 2011

Product Description from Amazon:
There are two periods of history that pertain to missing and endangered children in the United States: before Adam Walsh and after Adam Walsh. In the aftermath of that six-year old's abduction and slaying in 1981, everything about the nation's regard and response to missing children changed. The shock of the crime and the inability of law enforcement to find Adam's killer put an end to innocence and altered our very perception of childhood itself-gone forever are the days when young children burst out the doors of American homes with a casual promise to be home by dark. And, due in large part to the efforts of Adam's parents, John and Reve Walsh, the entire mechanism of law enforcement has transformed itself in an effort to protect our children. Before Adam went missing, there were no children's faces on milk cartons and billboards, no Amber Alerts, no national Center for Missing and Abused Children, no national databases for crimes against children, no registration of pedophiles-in fact, it was easier to mobilize the FBI to search for a stolen car or missing horse than for a kidnapped child. Such facts may be sad testimony to the weariness of a modern world, but there is also an uplifting aspect to Adam's story - the 27 years of undaunted effort by decorated Miami Beach Homicide Detective Joe Matthews to track down Adam's killer and bring justice to bear at long last. "Bringing Adam Home" tells the story-the good, the bad, and the ugly-of what it took for one cop to accomplish what an entire system of law enforcement could not. Matthew's achievement is a stirring one, reminding us that such concepts as hard work, dedication, and love survive, and that goodness can prevail.

I remember hearing the horrors of Adam's abduction as a child. John Walsh has managed to find something positive in the tragedy of his child's abduction and death by the work he does as a human and victims right advocate. Because of this, the name Adam Walsh has continued to receive recognition for over two decades after his death.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Thanksgiving Favorites

Every year I enjoy reading some holiday stories to the different classes I see as Thanksgiving approaches. I try to switch things up a bit, not always reading the same books all day long. I also try to vary a bit from year to year. This means I need to continue to expand my collection of Thanksgiving books.

My favorite, Turk and Runt by Lisa Wheeler, is one that every student here has probably heard because I have read and re-read that story to so many classes for several years. While it has been difficult not to pull that one out again, another new story has emerged for me to share and enjoy.



Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano was a purchase I made for my own personal collection last year. I have saved it all these months and can finally read it to classes.

This one is being loved by kids in kindergarten through third grade. Turkey knows he is in trouble - the time of year is fast approaching when he may become someone's meal. So, he decides to disguise himself as various farm animals - certain that the farmer and his wife won't be eating them for the holidays. His final solution is a good one, and my kids enjoyed making some predictions and participating in the story telling as well.

The oldie but goodie I have been resorting to - and still enjoying- is A Turkey For Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting. Mrs. Moose really wants to have a turkey for Thanksgiving, so Mr. Moose sets off to try and find one. He wanders around the forest looking for a turkey, collecting other friends as he goes. When he finally locates a turkey, Turkey is less than pleased to be caught. He envisions a grim future for himself -as the Thanksgiving meal. This is not at all what Mrs. Moose has in mind as she happily sets a spot for their guest.


The third story I have used quite a bit- in years past and this year- is Thanksgiving at the Tappletons by Eileen Spinelli. I love this story of a family who ends up with little to eat for their big meal because of a series of strange mishaps. Usually after this one, the students are able to share what they are planning on eating and we play a memory game as each student adds on their own food choice while still repeating all the ones said prior to them. This is a challenge, but they enjoy getting involved and sharing their own holiday food traditions.
Tomorrow is our last day of school before the two day Thanksgiving break. I will be hosting my parents and my in-laws this year. There is a lot of grocery shopping and cooking to be done yet, along with a great deal of cleaning. I'm not sure how much leisure reading time is in my near future, but I will be looking for a free minute here and there.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Prequel After Sequel


Last fall my first library order contained the book Comfort by Joyce Moyer Hostetter. I read it and loved it - set right after World War II in the South, it chronicles Ann Fay's struggle with polio as she recovers at FDR's polio hospital, Warm Springs. Her father is newly back from fighting in Europe and struggling with what he saw in combat. The whole family continues to grieve the death of Bobby, Ann Fay's four year old brother who died of polio.
I loved Comfort, which truly stands alone. But, when I found out that Blue told the story of Ann Fay before all that happens in Comfort, I quickly ordered a copy. And of course, it has sat around just waiting for me.
I loved Blue, too. Usually I really like to read things in order, but honestly, this novel can stand alone just as well as Comfort can.
Ann Fay and her family are living in the South in the 1944. Just as her father ships off to fight in World War II, a polio epidemic sweeps through Ann Fay's county. An emergency hospital opens up and unfortunately Bobby, Ann Fay's four year old brother is struck by polio. Ann Fay can't help but feel responsible. She is the one who pushed Bobby to work in the garden just before his collapse. When Ann Fay comes down with polio herself she is sent to a hospital where she is assigned a room with Imogene, an African American. For both girls, this is their first real friendship they have with someone whose skin is a different color than their own. And Ann Fay begins to see all the ways she and Imogene are alike despite their different appearance. Unfortunately the rest of the world is not quite ready to adopt Ann Fay and Imogene's ability to overlook skin color.

While the ending of this novel provides some resolution, I was happy to know how things continued in Comfort. Hostetter would make me quite happy if she chose to continue writing about Ann Fay and her family. I would love to check in on her again.

The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia


I mentioned in a post on Friday how much I was enjoying The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia by Mary Helen Stefaniak. Now that I have finished, I can say that my initial love didn't diminish at all as the story wore on. I was thoroughly entertained by this novel.

One of the big reasons I loved this one so much is Miss Spivey, the teacher who has come to Threestep, Georgia. Miss Spivey is a woman of the world, having traveled and had many adventures before trying her hand at educating the children of this small (and poor) town. It is 1938 and there is a huge divide between the white population and the African American one, which is a problem for a woman who has seen the world and has it in her mind that she can change the way things have been done for longer than her lifetime. (As I'm reading I am seeing flashes of Grandma Dowdel from Richard Peck's novels - such is the creative and entertaining way that Miss Spivey sets about to work her magic). Of course it was easy to see that Miss Spivey wouldn't be able to last in such a small town - she raised too many questions with the way she expected blacks and whites to be treated in the same way, but it was such a delight to read about the way she taught her students and her creativity.

Narrated by Gladys, her recollection of events is entertaining, and brought a smile to my face quite often. Her brother Force, named for Forceps - the method of his birth- is quite the handsome young man. When Miss Spivey spins a tale about Force being switched at birth with an Arabian knight, Gladys is a willing believer. Force has such charisma that when Gladys discovers his secret romance with Miss Spivey, it is no surprise. However, the one change I would make to this story involves resolving this relationship. While many loose ends are tied up as Gladys explains what happened to the characters, Force and Miss Spivey are not talked about again.

Threestep, Georgia or Baghdad, Georgia as the town became known - renamed for the bazaar Miss Spivey organized the first year- complete with camels- continued to celebrate this spectacular event after Miss Spivey's departure. Theo, the resident genius, an African American boy came to life each year as he recreated this annual event. While Miss Spivey wasn't able to bring the town around to her way of doing things entirely, she certainly left her mark as this activity came to be solely because of her.

Funny, entertaining, thought-provoking, touching, including a cast of off-beat characters, I can hardly wait to read more by this talented author.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Sunday Salon


Today has been a busy day - mostly filled with time sitting down or in the car. My sister's son, who is just two weeks old, was baptized today. Since I am a godparent we traveled to Des Moines for the baptism. This involved leaving our house shortly after 7 AM, arriving just before 10 AM at my sister's. My daughters changed clothes, we chatted for a bit with her husband's side of the family and then headed to church for a 75 minute service. Following that we attended a baptism service in the church chapel. The trip was capped off with a trip through the McDonalds drive-thru, much to my husband's disgust, and a car ride home.

My daughters should be rested up. My middle daughter slept on the car ride down and back, but appears to be out of sorts despite the rest. My oldest daughter announced just a while ago that she has a sore throat. Her eyes don't look quite right, but she is very worried about missing school, so I ran to the store and bought some Tylenol since we had run out and told her to have some Sucrets.

My husband is also worn out. At 1:30 yesterday afternoon he announced that he was making a trip to IKEA. For the past month we have been discussing- sometimes rather heatedly-what to do in our basement TV room. Our bigscreen television- the one that came with the house because the previous owners didn't want to deal with moving it- died. This means we need to come up with a plan. We are not replacing it with a television of equal size. We also need to purchase some type of entertainment center. The television was built into a fake wall that has a hole in it for the home theater system the previous owners had installed. UGH! I am not a big tv watcher, but we have only one other set and need to decide what we are doing in this room. We looked at a few stores yesterday morning but didn't find anything we loved. I love IKEA and had mentioned that as a solution a month ago. My husband was quite vehement in his negative answer at this suggestion. So, imagine my surprise when he arrived home at 2 AM (Did I mention that IKEA is nowhere close to our house - almost 4 hours north) with the exact same thing I had suggested. Now we still need to texture the wall, paint, move some outlets, put the shelving system together, and purchase a new TV. This may take us til next spring.

Anyway, this is why my husband is exhausted. After just 4 hours of sleep he had to get up and drive 3 more hours to a baptism. He was nice enough to drive all the way there and half way back. I didn't even complain when he asked me to drive, seriously cutting into my reading time. Wasn't that nice of me?

I have reviews I need to write on three books this weekend: The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia by Mary Helen Stefaniak, Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein, and They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Organization by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. I am also trying to finish up Blue by Joyce Moyer Hostetter, the prequel to Comfort that I read last year around this time. This is one that I can count for the Read From Your Shelves Challenge.
I'm hoping this short week before Thanksgiving will let me get some of these reviews done. I am looking forward to sharing some new holiday books with the kids at school, too.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Friday Five

The Friday Five is hosted by Kate at Kate's Library.

1. The site I visited the most frequently this past week has been nothing book related at all. I am totally entertained by the Today Show's music debut. Taio Cruz's Dynamite, done by the Today Show has been my youtube favorite.







2. National Book Awards were announced this week. I have already read Mockingbird and enjoyed it.

3. The Elevensies is a great site featuring tween and YA debut authors in 2011. I especially enjoy looking at their book covers- not that I judge a book by its cover or anything.

4. Last year I tried a new pumpkin recipe for Thanksgiving. Right about now there are tons of new pumpkin recipes - at least new to me- that I would love to try. This one is at the top of my list.

5. Meg's post about being a list maker makes me smile. I have lists going all the time. My problem is being able to locate the list when I need it.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Library Loot

This week I received several emails from my library that books I had requested are ready for me to pick up. Of course, in the process of picking these up, I happened upon 3 more on the shelves that I "needed."
I am anxious to read these, but sadly, they are at the bottom of my huge piles because I need to read several that are due very soon!

A Perfect Fit


Picking a book to read can be such a hard choice. Not because I don't know what to read, but because there are so many things to read. And while I am constantly trying to read books that I need to take back to the library, somewhat guiding and limiting what I choose, part of what I pick depends on my mood. Up next on my stack are Jen Gish's new book, World and Town, and a book by Mary Helen Stefaniak titled The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia. Gish's book I have seen around and read review of. Stefaniak's. not so much. But, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea alerted me to this one, and often our tastes are similar.

I started World and Town last night, but just didn't get into it. I need a fresh start, so decided to put it down for a bit. Instead, I have picked up The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia.

From the first sentence, I was engaged:
"Miss Grace Spivey arrived in Threestep, Georgia, in August of 1938. She stepped off the train wearing a pair of thick-soled boots suitable for hiking, a navy blue dress, and a little white tam that rode the waves of her red hair at a gravity-defying angle (1)."

With a cast of interesting characters, I am utterly in love. Names like Ildred, Ebenezer, Mavis Davis, and my favorite Force (short for Forceps, the method used to deliver him), I am hoping for some serious leisure reading time to get into this one even more.

Not a well known author or title, but worth looking into.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Bound

Antonya Nelson's novel, Bound, is an interesting, thought provoking read. As I have finished the last page I know already that I will need to ponder this one for a while and let it digest.
There are a few different story lines taking place in this novel. As the story begins, a woman is driving by herself, accidentally running off a mountain road. She hangs from her seatbelt, her dog running around by the car, eventually leaving the scene of the accident.
Catherine and Oliver have been married for almost twenty years. She is his third wife, significantly younger as Oliver keeps on trading his wives in as they age. Her mother is in a nursing home, only a few years older than her daughter's husband.
Cattie, a fifteen year old, has been sent to a boarding school in Vermont. She is a bit of a behavior problem at home, and her mother has sent her away.

All of these storylines are connected- Cattie is the daughter of Misty, the woman killed in the car accident. Misty and Catherine had been best friends in high school, and now Catherine finds herself the guardian of Cattie.

While this is occurring, a serial killer is on the loose in Wichita, the town that Catherine and Oliver live in, bringing back memories for Catherine of her high school years when the serial killer struck the family next door to Misty's house.

After I have had a bit longer, I think I will continue to find connections in this novel- ways in which this writing is brilliant.
Bound, the title, is significant, I'm sure. Oliver feels bound to Catherine, his third wife, even though he is involved in an affair. Catherine feels bound to honor Misty's request to raise her child. Cattie feels bound to her mother even after her death, still placing her mother's opinions and feelings in almost everything that happens to her.
I have also thought a bit about Nelson's characters. My first inclination is to feel sorry for Misty, the person she appears to be at the time of the accident. Somehow the image I had envisioned was not the Misty I ended up getting to know. And while Misty's ability to make something of her life should be noted, I didn't really relate to her. Cattie and her rebelliousness make her rather unlikeable, and yet, her need for someone to take care of her is endearing. I have similar reactions to both Oliver and Catherine. Some books have a cast of characters that I love and can imagine being friends with. Not so with this book. However, all of them were well developed and multi-faceted - real people with flaws.
While this book was not easy to get into - written in an almost detached manner, I was curious how the various storylines would connect, and ended up enjoying it.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday


Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week's pick:
Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
Due Out: February 1, 2011


I have enjoyed reading the Pioneer Woman's website and really like her cookbook, so I am looking forward to this retelling of how she met and married her husband.




Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Sick Day


I am so lucky that I rarely get sick (knock on wood). But, I have been battling a stomach bug and two of my daughters are also sick. Since my husband is out of town, we sent my oldest daughter on the bus, and the rest of us laid around today. I hate missing work. I am always worried that I am missing something at work. I also feel extremely guilty - so much that even though I am sick I still feel bad about missing. Today the substitute that was supposed to do my job was put in a classroom instead since she didn't have one. That meant the library was closed all day. I heard from another teacher that it was very sad to see the dark library (located in the center of our building with big windows that everyone looks in) all day long. I would agree. Luckily I am feeling better and one of my daughters is, too. My middle daughter is going to spend the day with her grandma resting a bit longer.

Tonight I am still hoping to finish The Bells tonight and have started a middle grade book, The Hard Kind of Promise by Gina Willner-Pardo. Today I had a little more time to read while laying around, but the stacks are still out of control.

Monday, November 15, 2010

You Are The Best Medicine


I was so excited to have been contacted by the publisher to review You Are The Best Medicine by Julie Aigner Clark (the founder of the Baby Einstein Company), and yet this book has sat around on my desk for a while. Not because I didn't think it was going to be good, but more because the topic of this book is tough.
You Are The Best Medicine is a picture book about a mom who has cancer. In the book she describes what she may feel and things that she may experience while undergoing treatment for cancer. While the story is sad, Clark leaves on a hopeful note, of life returning to normal. Even the illustrations, by Jana Christy are soft and comforting, done in pastels.
Although heartbreaking to think about, there are many children who must face a cancer diagnosis in a parent. You Are The Best Medicine is a wonderful resource, sharing only appropriate information that children can understand and process, still offering reassurance to them that what is occurring is a part of the cancer journey. School and public libraries should have this one at hand, as cancer is a part of many lives.
Also impressive to me is the fact that Clark is donating 100% of the proceeds from this book to UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Aigner Clark is a two time breast cancer survivor- a credential she lists before the fact that she is the founder of the Baby Einstein Company. Because Clark has lived through a cancer diagnosis -twice- and beaten the disease- twice- I feel as though she truly "gets it" and can relate to other parents who might be struggling to talk abou this with their children.
Thanks to Harper Collins for this beautiful and important book.



Stay


Allie Larkin's debut novel is another great book that has come my way (via the library) this month. Everyone knows I love memoirs, but another type of book I really love is debut novels. There is something so exciting about discovering a new author, finding yet another wonderful creator of a story that is a pleasure to spend time reading.

Savannah Leone, in her late twenties has just married off her best friend Janie to the secret crush/love of her life Peter. Janie and Savannah grew up together - Janie as rich and pampered, Savannah as the daughter of Janie's maid. Although Diane (Janie's mom) and Savannah's mom were friends, it seems now that Diane is trying to pay Savannah to stay away from her daughter and her new husband, seeing how Savannah really feels about Peter. Savannah feels more alone than ever. She has never known her father. Her mother died of breast cancer. Feeling betrayed by Diane, and left out of Peter and Janie's new life, Savannah gets drunk one night and ends up ordering a dog on the internet.
When Joe, the German Shepherd, arrives he is no ordinary dog. Joe is a pure bred German Shepherd from Slovakia. And while he is just a puppy, he is already enormous. Savannah takes him to the vet, thinking there is something wrong with her new pet, and ends up dating Alex, the lovable, kind doctor.
All this takes place early on in the novel, so predictably it isn't all smooth sailing. Savannah and Alex go through some tough times - and Savannah must confront her feelings for Peter, deciding what she really wants for her future.
While this might be predictable, it is a fun read. I enjoyed Savannah - a character that seemed very human and lovable despite her flaws. It was easy to root for her and Alex and wish them the best.
I have had the good luck in November of reading some great debut novels that have been fun and entertaining. My hope is that Larkin, like the other debut authors, continues to write such quality books in the future.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

The Atlas of Love

Laurie Frankel's debut novel The Atlas of Love was such a good, entertaining read.
Set in Seattle, Frankel's trio of women: Janey, Jill, and Katie are all friends attending grad school together. When Jill finds herself pregnant with a boyfriend not ready for this type of commitment, the three women move in together and set up house. They make sure Atlas, Jill's son, is well cared for, splitting their time babysitting with still managing their school and work duties. While it may seem obvious that this type of existence could not carry on forever, the three really had no immediate intentions of changing things. However, when Jill's ex (and Atlas' father) returns, and Atlas suffers a medical emergency, change ensues, leaving their friendship not quite as happy as before. What doesn't change is the love all three feel for this baby that is and is not theirs.
I am hoping that this is only the beginning of Frankel's writing career - I will be looking for more from her in the future.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Are You Afraid You Might Change Your Opinion?


I love, love, love memoirs. The last two days I have been reading Condoleezza Rice's memoir, Extraordinary Ordinary People, a memoir of her childhood, focusing on the impact her parents love, support, and high expectations had on her. This is a book that I know has received mixed reviews. If people were looking for a book about Rice's time in the White House, this is not it. Extraordinary Ordinary People focuses on her childhood up until the election of 2000 (this would seem to me that Rice could easily write another memoir about her time in the White House). Once I started, it is so easily readable that I stopped reading the other books I had begun, knowing this one would keep my interest.

While I was reading I had to remind myself that Rice is really a very accomplished and influential person- her book recollects a very normal, happy childhood - that eventually led to her role in the White House and prior to that as Stanford's provost. The experiences she had as a child certainly helped her to achieve these things, but this could also have been a book about many of her Birmingham peers, growing up in the South in the 1950s and 60s.

As I carried this book with me, it was interesting to see people make comments about Rice, or about not wanting to read this book because of her political beliefs. This attitude frustrates me a lot. I read memoirs by people who have varied political and religious beliefs, as well as other aspects of their identity that I may or may not agree with. Only reading books by someone whose beliefs are the same as mine seems rather narrow minded. And, believing that I like someone or dislike someone based on one aspect of that person's identity also seems narrow minded. Usually I am able to appreciate or understand someone better after I find out more about them. And while I may not agree with them, at least I can see where they are coming from.

So, despite the irritating comments I received from a few - and a few "I really want to read her book, too" - from others, I genuinely enjoyed learning more about Condoleezza Rice. I know of (and own one) two other books about Rice, but this is different as it is straight from Rice herself.

Rice's own upbringing definitely supports the idea of parental guidance as being a critical factor in her success. She is a fascinating woman. Those people who don't want to learn more about Rice, might want to rethink their stance.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Just a Friendly Little Reminder to Myself

I have not made a lot of progress on this list in a while. There are not too many days remaining in 2010, so if I really am going to complete this challenge, I need to get busy. I think it is still do-able, and I also know that I have read other books that are on my own bookshelf that I did not list here. So, while I may not be reading from this list, I have been reading some of my own books. And, of the ones on this list I have read, entering this challenge has prompted me to read some titles that I might have let sit there again this year. We'll see how many on this list I can knock off in the next month and a half.

TBR List 2010Adult Titles:
1. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
2. Clara's War by Clara Kramer
3. While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty
4. After You by Julie Buxbaum
5. The Mighty Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson
6. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
7. Shelf Discovery by Lizzie Skurnick
8. The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center
9. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
10. Mockingbird by Charles J. Shields
11. Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
12. Black and White by Dani Shapiro

Young Adult/Tween Titles:
1. Rumors by Anna Godbersens
2. Tell Me Who by Jessica Wollman
3. Dangerously Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
4. Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson
5. The Alchemyst by Nicholas Flamel
6. The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt
7. Blue by Joyce Meyer Hostetter
8. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
9. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
10. What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell
11. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
12. Percy Jackson - The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Policy Shmolicy

Anyone who has been to my house will attest to the large number of books everywhere in it. I have bookshelves in my children's rooms, the living room, basement, storage area, and my bedroom. I also have boxes of books in a few storage areas and under my bed. However, I do not normally lose library books. I have a special wicker basket where they are housed until I read them. Once I have read them or am ready to return them, I place them on a ledge in my living room/stairwell and then place them in my library bag as I get ready to take them back.

A few weeks ago I returned a large stack of books - some I had read, some that were close to being due and needed to be returned. A few days later when I was looking at my account online I noticed that two of the books were still checked out to me and would be due soon. I was sure I had returned them, but obviously the fact that they were still checked out to me planted a seed of doubt in my mind. I looked again at home, but didn't find them. I distinctly remembered putting them on the ledge and into the library bag. I cleaned out my van and didn't find them. I talked to a friend of mine who works at the library and she nicely renewed them for me, giving me a little bit longer to keep looking. Two weeks passed. The books were still not found. And I will admit, I really didn't spend hours looking. I just couldn't imagine where they would be that they wouldn't have turned up in that time.
Last Friday I went to the library and explained the situation. I asked them what I should do. They told me that they could put a "claims returned" status on them and things would continue as normal for six months. Then after that point, I would have to pay for them if they were still lost. This all sounded fine to me.
Yesterday I noticed that these books were accruing fines at the rate of twenty five cents each day. Today I called to ask them how this worked. They informed me that yes, fines would accrue. Once my fine reached $5, I would not be able to check out books. I could keep paying the fines as they accrued - for up to 6 months. Then if the book was still lost I would need to pay for the book. If I paid for the book now and it was found I would not be reimbursed, even if it was at the library and was their error. But if I didn't pay for the book I was going to be paying a rather hefty fine depending on how long this went on AND potentially the replacement fee for the book. Either way this sounds like a lose/lose proposition for me, but a pretty good deal for the library. I have asked other people what their library's policy is. Most also seemed to think my library does not have a policy that is very ethical. Most had a policy where a fine was not charged. Instead a hold was placed on that particular item, suspending a fine accruing. Then, if the item was truly lost, the patron would be billed for the replacement of it.

Now, happily, after I came home and tore my house apart like never before, I located the two books- quietly waiting to be returned in the library bag - that my daughters (no one wants to admit which one) were playing a game with.

I am glad the books are found. I am disgusted that my library didn't seem like a very friendly place that wanted to be helpful while I looked for the books in question. Instead, they seemed intent on making a buck off someone who uses the library often and generally takes care of the items that are checked out.

Does anyone know what their library's policy is regarding lost books? Admittedly, I am spoiled by the small town libraries I frequent. They are usually more than happy to give a person extra time when needed to look for a book. They will also renew things more than one time, and some don't even charge fines at all for late items.

Comments/opinions anyone?

Waiting on Wednesday



Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week I have two picks - one women's fiction and one middle grade. It looks like Spring 2011 is going to have a ton of fabulous books!
This week:
Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee
due out March 1, 2011
Product Description from Amazon:

Emily and her husband Sandy Portman seemed to live a gracious if busy life in an old-world, Upper West Side apartment in the famous Dakota building. But one night on the way to meet Emily, Sandy dies in a tragic accident. The funeral isn’t even over before Emily learns she is on the verge of being evicted from their apartment. But worse than the possibility of losing her home, Emily is stunned when she discovers that her marriage was made up of lies.
Suddenly Emily is forced on a journey to find out who her husband really was...all the while feeling that somehow he isn’t really gone. And what if he isn’t? Angry, hurt, and sometimes betrayed by loving memories of the man she lost, Emily finds comfort in a scruffy dog named Einstein. But is Einstein’s seemingly odd determination that she save herself enough to make Emily confront her own past? Can he help her find a future—even after she meets a new man?
Still no cover image for this one. Initially when I read about it, the author's name didn't ring a bell, but after looking a little further, I realized that Linda Francis Lee wrote Devil In the Junior League, a very entertaining women's fiction novel I enjoyed.
Another book that has just come on my radar is a middle grade fantasy book by Gennifer Choldenko, author of Al Capone Does My Shirts. I was able to hear Choldenko speak with my fifth grade a few years ago and really enjoyed her talk. This new novel is a bit of a departure from her historical fiction work, so I am anxious to hear more about it. Right now, all I have is a cover image and the date it comes out - February 2011.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Cay-It's Only Taken Me A Few Decades


Back in elementary school I made visits each week to our small public library and remember reading and re-reading the same favorite books over and over. I also remember looking at The Cay by Theodore Taylor many times, but just couldn't get past the cover. Nothing about it seemed appealing.

This fall I finally decided to overlook the hideous covers I have seen on this book and go with the recommendations of several friends who enjoyed this one. When I first introduced it to my fifth grade book club, they were also not impressed with the cover. One student had seen the movie and helped me sell it to the others.

Just today we finished it, and I will admit that this is yet another argument for not judging a book by its cover.

Set in 1942 on the Dutch island of Curaçao, Philip, an eleven year old boy and his mother prepare to return to the United States, fearing for their safetey during World War II. Leaving their father behind, the two board a ship for Virginia, only to be torpedoed. Philip awakens after the blast on a raft with Timothy, a black man from the island. Philip had never had any interactions with black people and knows only the racist beliefs that his mother has impressed on him. However, as time passes and Philip's blindness (an injury from the accident) makes him dependent on Timothy, he begins to realize that the color of someone's skin is no way to judge a person.

As a reader, I loved Timothy- the care he showed for Philip, the way in which he spoke, his ability to prepare Philip for life on the island without him. My own reading of Timothy's dialogue with Philip to my students left much to be desired, not being able to compare with the way in which I envisioned Timothy's voice in my head. (This is one case of me looking forward to seeing the movie version just so I can hear Timothy speak).

While I tried to have discussions with my fifth graders, only a few of them were able to really process this story on a deeper level and understand the message that Taylor is able to share in this story. Even if I had picked this book up to read as a child, I am not sure I would have appreciated it as much as I do now, yet I wish I wouldn't have waited quite so long.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Half a Life


Darin Strauss, the author of Chang and Eng (which is still on my TBR pile) has just published his memoir, Half a Life. Strauss was involved in an accident near the end of his senior year of high school when another classmate swerved while riding her bike, into the path of Strauss' car. Celine was killed, and Strauss was left to come to terms with the guilt that became a part of him. In this spare reflection on this aspect of his life, Strauss recounts his initial uncertainty on exactly how to react and feel to his present day thoughts of the accident that is always with him.

When Strauss makes contact with Celine's parents her mother makes sure to impress upon him that now he must live well enough for two people. Often Strauss finds himself evaluating his life choices and successes by this standard.

These reflections were so interesting to me - it is obvious that while Celine lost her life and her family was devastated by this, Strauss also suffered - perhaps suffers- by an act that took place over only mere seconds. The fact that he was not at fault, that her bike swerved into his path with no forewarning or time for him to react, does not lessen the guilt he has lived with. This event occurred at a time in Strauss' life when he was just finding out who he was, on the cusp of manhood. His career path, his spouse, were both decisions that may have been different had this horrendous event never happened.

Half a Life is a quick read, but one that will leave you thinking long after you are done.


Ape House

Several years ago I read Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen. I liked it, but didn't rave about it nearly as much as some of my friends. I have thought on various occasions that I should go back and re-read this one, since so many people loved it. What did I miss?
Gruen's latest book, Ape House, was one I was intrigued by from the start. As a child I had read a book by Norma Klein, Honey of a Chimp, where a family adopts a chimp, raising it as a child in their family. I read and re-read that book numerous times, wishing for this for my family. Any novel about apes seems to attract my attention, even in adulthood.
Ape House is a fictional story about Isabel Duncan, researcher, who is working in at a university research center when the building is bombed, critically injuring her. While she is recovering from her injuries, the apes - which are the closest thing to a family that she has- are sold to be the stars of a reality television show. Her fiancee, Peter, proves to be a disappointing match and their relationship ends as well. The one person Isabel feels some bond with is a reporter, John Thigpen, who has recently visited her at the lab. John's marriage and professional problems provide an entertaining subplot. Although this story didn't go where I anticipated, Gruen's latest work is one that I read quickly, happily devouring it.
While reviews are mixed on this one, Ape House gets a thumbs up from me.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Sunday Salon- Late Edition

This weekend flew by in a flash and the new work week is almost upon me. I still have lesson planning to do, but would much rather write a Sunday Salon post that work.

Yesterday was taken up by a trip to Des Moines to visit my sister, her husband, and their 3 day old baby. We didn't stay long since they just were released from the hospital yesterday, but we did get to meet the beautiful new baby boy. Afterward we moved on to the home of a college friend and his family where we were able to catch up and let all our girls play for a while. Bedtime was late- thank goodness we got to fall back!- because today not only did we have church, but we also had the Walking for Wishes walkathon to raise money for Make A Wish. Our oldest daughter was granted her wish in 2006 after her treatment for hepatoblastoma was completed. We took a dream vacation to Disney World that fall and have fabulous memories of this time. My husband volunteered himself to stand up and speak at the event and ended up being interviewed by the college TV station along with my daughter. All three girls enjoyed the face painting and balloon artist. Hopefully all three fall asleep quickly because I can already imagine how unexcited they will be to get up in the morning.


Jake


Several years ago I was introduced to Audrey Couloumbis' work when her novel Getting Near to Baby received a Newbery Honor medal. I loved that book, and have read a few more of her books since, all which I have enjoyed.

This year Couloumbis' latest book, Jake, was one I was excited to purchase for my school library. Yesterday on a road trip to meet my new nephew (he is now just three days old) I had a few hours to read and chose Jake to entertain me.

I really enjoyed this one - a perfect fit for me - a lover of realistic fiction. The story is very believable, and while Jake has obstacles he must overcome, the story doesn't become overdone with too many horrible things being thrown at the main character.

Jake and his mom are out grocery shopping on a Saturday in December when his mother slips on some ice and falls under the car. Her leg is broken, requiring an ambulance trip to the hospital and surgery. Jake is just ten, without any close family to call. Luckily he does have an elderly neighbor lady who Jake is close to. And, one of the hospital workers calls Jake's grandfather, a man Jake cannot even remember ever having met. After Jake's dad died, there was little contact between Jake's mom and his grandfather. Now with his mother in the hospital, Jake's grandfather arrives and the two begin a relationship, getting to know each other after all these years. With the holidays fast approaching Jake begins to understand what different forms a family can take.

This is just a nice story without too much drama, but still with a message. Because it is not too long my students will nto be overwhelmed by this novel. I'm expecting to find lots of kids wanting to read this one.

Friday, November 5, 2010

The Friday Five


It's time for the Friday Five again, hosted by Kate at Kate's Library. I love reading other peoples' web wanderings, so hopefully there will be a link or two you can enjoy.

1. I must have had a moment of insanity earlier this week when I signed up to participate in NaNoWriMo. What was I thinking? There is really no way I can keep up with writing even the 1,667 words per day - at least not if my family wants to eat or have clean clothes- but I am at least writing something each day, or researching something each day. I have had some ideas floating around in my brain for years now, and just want to get something down on paper - as painful as that is for me. I hate going back and reading what I have written. It all seems so much better as I compose in my mind than it does when I actually put things on paper.

2. I always enjoy reading Jen Robinson's Literacy Round-up. This week's includes information on Scholastic's new social networking site, You Are What You Read. I haven't had time to explore this yet, but I am looking forward to finding out more.

3. My kids at school have enjoyed playing FreeRice for a few years now and donating grains of rice to end world hunger. Now, Free Flour is online as well, another great site to test knowledge while helping end world hunger by donating flour.

4. The Reading Ape has a great article about Book Bloggers and how they impact Indpendent Book stores. Rather thought provoking.

5. Green Bean Teen Queen has a post listing great picture book selections for tweens. I am always looking for more picture book selections to use with my upper elementary students. This is a great list with other people's posts linked to it.

Gone


Every once in a while I try to branch out a bit and read something that I wouldn't normally pick. Sometimes this is a great thing and I am happily surprised by how many wonderful books are out there that I often overlook. And other times, my love of realistic fiction is reaffirmed.

Gone by Michael Grant is a YA dystopian fantasy novel that is fast paced from the first page. Initially I was taken in by this novel, which seemed to be a bit like the Left Behind series - only in this book it is the children ages fourteen and under who are left behind. With the adults gone - no one knows how or why - the kids must try to survive on their own. In addition to issues with survival, two groups of young teens pit themselves against each other. With no structure and rules they will do whatever it takes to survive.

I was initially intrigued by the story. But then when animals started mutating, things just became a bit too bizarre for me. As I was reading last night, I had to chuckle at the beginning of one of the chapters:

"It had been two days since Lana survived the coyotes. The talking coyotes. Two days since her life had been saved by a snake. A flying snake (284)."

Just a bit too strange for me. This is a long book, too. And while I didn't love, love it, I was Ok with it at first. As it continued, I grew to hope I would finish it soon. I can see how teen readers would love this book, though. It is fast. It is suspenseful. This book seemed like it is made to be a movie. And, at book's end (which I will admit to skimming the last hundred pages), the story iss still not resolved, because this is just the beginning of a series.

Will I read further in the series? Probably not. Will I recommend these to some of my readers? Of course. There is definite appeal for some of my students.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Book Blog Hop


Friday's Book Blog Hop is hosted by Jen at Crazy for Books. Hop over to participate.
This week's question:

"What are your feelings on losing followers? Have you ever stopped following a blog?"

This question - the question of what it means to follow a blog in general- is one I have thought about and talked with other bloggers about several times.

I have lost a follower or two at different times. Whenever I see that my number of followers has decreased, of course I always wonder if it was something I wrote/something I said. I don't try to write things that are controversial, but I also try to be honest about my reviews. Lately I have noticed that I have hardly had any comments on my posts, and my stats that show how many visits I have had to my blog are lower than they were a month ago. I'm not sure why, and I am trying to believe that my comments will eventually pick back up, as will the number of visits I get.

I haven't ever stopped following a blog yet, even though there are some blogs that haven't had a post for almost a year now. Eventually I think I should clean things up and get rid of the ones that are no longer active. And yet, part of me thinks that if these people ever return to blogging, I would still enjoy reading what they have to say, even if they have been absent from the blogging world.

I agree with Jen, who raises the question of what actually constitutes being a follower. For me, adding a blog to my blog roll is the easiest way for me to keep track of blogs I continally read. It also gives other people who read my blog a list of other places to visit. The number of blogs I follow - and really read- continues to grow, but there are some that I truly just glance at. And, overall, I am lucky to make a few comments a day.

I would like my number of followers to grow, but at the same time, recognize that blogging is a hobby for me. I have a job, three young children, and many things to keep me busy. Blogging takes a lot of time, and while it is something I enjoy very much, there are other obligations that need to come before this pleasure.

Lately I have become more selective, and as Jen suggests, I will continue to Hop around to other blogs, but look for some that I genuinely want to follow. I am hoping that some other bloggers will see my blog, like what I write, how it is set up, and genuinely want to come back and read my reviews and future blog posts, too.

Eighteen Acres


I love reading about life in the White House- even if it is fiction, so Eighteen Acres by Nicolle Wallace was a title that I immediately flagged when I saw it in an issue of Booklist.

Eighteen Acres is centered around the presidency of Charlotte Kramer, the first female president. Told by Charlotte, as well as Melanie, one of her top advisers, and Dale a reporter who happens to be having an affair with Peter, The First Husband, this is an inside look at a very interesting White House.

Wallace is no stranger to political life. She has served as communications chief for George W. Bush’s White House and re-election campaign and was also as senior advisor for the McCain-Palin campaign in 2008. Because of the inside look she has had at White House life, I felt like I was reading a story with a fair amount of reality injected into it. And, unlike some other fictional White House stories, Wallace's own political leanings are not easily discerned in the story- something I also appreciated.

President Kramer's poll numbers are extremely low when Eighteen Acres begins. Re-election is a ways off, but as things stand, serving a second term seems unlikely. Her close advisor, Melanie, has devoted her life to politics, having been in the White House with three different presidents. Now, as Melanie looks ahead, she sees that she may be able to leave Washington and start her life fresh, finally being able to develop a personal life. And, Dale, an ambitious television reporter making her way in D.C., has fallen in love with Peter, the First Husband. Their affair is not a surprise as Peter and Charlotte's marriage has run its course, and is now a marriage of convenience.

As the plot continues to unfold, Charlotte's numbers take a surprising upward climb, and the idea of re-election no longer seems entirely unlikely. Peter and Dale's relationship becomes public knowledge, and Melanie must decide if she will put her career above her own personal life.

A bit of drama, a bit of suspense, and a very interesting look at the way life in the White House could be, this novel lived up to my expectations and then some.

Eighteen Acres is a great read - especially during this midterm election season.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday




Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


This week's pick:
Almost Famous by Joan Bauer
Release Date: February 3, 2011
Product Description from Amazon:


Foster McFee dreams of having her own cooking show like her idol, celebrity chef Sonny Kroll. Macon Dillard's goal is to be a documentary filmmaker. Foster's mother Rayka longs to be a headliner instead of a back-up singer. And Miss Charleena plans a triumphant return to Hollywood. Everyone has a dream, but nobody is even close to famous in the little town of Culpepper. Until some unexpected events shake the town and its inhabitants and put their big ambitions to the test. Full of humor, unforgettable characters, surprises, and lots and lots of heart, this is Joan Bauer at her most engaging.


I have loved Bauer's other books, and haven't seen anything from her for a while. This looks like another great YA title. I love the cover already!