I hate spending time reading about the plot of a book on review sites - just tell me, Did you like it or not?

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

The House of Power

The House of Power (Atherton #1)

by





I've had this book on my to-read list for like 2 years, and I finally got around to it. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. It had just about everything I was looking for: adventure, a touch of sci-fi, some creepy creatures, secrets and revelations, no swearing or sex. Just a great book for older kids and even teens. And there was no love story - which was a huge plus. Those sure get old after you read them a zillion times.
I can recommend to anyone who is in the mood for suspense and adventure. I may read this one to my kids for a bedtime story.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Eve

Eve (Eve #1)

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Published Oct. 4, 2011 by HarperCollins

This is a pretty good book. Decent plot and pacing and a love story that doesn't include a love triangle! Yay!!

No swearing or sex, and just a bit of violence - it is a dystopian story. Can't wait to see where the next volume takes Eve and Caleb.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Across the Universe

Across the Universe (Across the Universe #1)

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Published Jan. 11, 2011 by Razorbill


I liked this book despite the "Soylent Green" overtones. I really liked the plot and the pacing. Writing was pretty good, too, and the characters were well-rounded, except for the villains, but those are usually flat anyway, so no biggie.

I will be reading the next in the series. Can't wait to see what happens!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: A Trilogy in Four Parts

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: A Trilogy in Four Parts (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #1-4)

2 stars

590 pages
Published 1992 by Pan Books (first published 1986)

I just didn't get it. Got all confused. Maybe I should watch the movie first? So I at least know what's going on?

Why is this so popular?

Monday, April 21, 2014

Turned

Turned (The Vampire Journals #1)

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Published Jan. 24, 2011

Not a huge fan of this book, mostly because the "I'm in love with a vampire the moment I meet him" theme is overdone. I was hoping that this would be different. It was not. At least it was short.

A bit of strong language, too, so watch out.


I will not be reading the others in the series.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Falling Fast

Falling Fast

Published Jan. 16, 2011
I should have stopped while I was only a third into the book, because this book was dumb, dumb, dumb. It is a literary (I use that word loosely) version of TV's The Bachelor.

Please, don't waste your time.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

A Weekend with Mr. Darcy

A Weekend with Mr. Darcy (Austen Addicts #1)

Published July 1, 2011 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published Sept. 16, 2010)

Monday, April 14, 2014

Me, You and the Kids Too


Me, You and the Kids Too

176 pages
Published March 2012 by Duncan Baird Publishers 
 
A beautifully photographed, reader-friendly cookbook for families who want to eat more healthy. My favorite part of the book was that most of the recipes had side notes showing you how to make baby food and purees for your baby from the ingredients that you were already using in the regular recipe.

The only gripe I have with the book is that the author consistently uses hard-to-find, much more expensive ingredients in her recipes, many of which I have never heard. It's hard to spend the extra money if you are on a budget.


Of course, I am a neophyte when it comes to quinoa and spelt and all those other "healthy" grains, so maybe the health benefits outweigh the financial factors. And at the risk of sounding blasphemous, I disagreed with the authors disdain for cow's milk.


But if you can overlook the author's high-brow opinions and high-budget ingredients, this is a pretty cool cookbook. I can even see myself using some of the recipes (tweaked a little) with my family.


And thank you NetGalley.com for providing this book for review.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Don't Expect Magic


Don't Expect Magic (Magic #1)

by





After reading waaaay too many dystopian novels, this was a welcome change.

Uplifting, free from swearing, sex and "dark," I enjoyed it thoroughly. And the best thing??? It's a stand-alone novel! Those are hard to come by nowadays.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Enchanted

Enchanted (Woodcutter Sisters #1)

by

2 stars



308 pages
Published May 8, 2012 by Harcourt Children's Books

This first half of the book was pretty amazing, and held so much potential! And then ... it just got weird and foundered and sank. I think the author was trying to cram every single fairy tale into one story - it just got too confusing and too lame. If she would have just stuck to one concept - the Frog Prince - things would have turned out much, much better.

Also, all the characters, with their odd names, made it that much more confusing.

I was so sad when this book ended, because so much was left wanting - a fabulous idea destroyed in the execution.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Waterfall

Waterfall (River of Time #1)

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Published Feb. 1, 2011 by David C. Cook

There was so much unbelievable stuff in this book, I hesitated to give it 3 stars. Like: Gabi being able to speak medieval Italian or sword fight with no problem. Plus the "romance" was a bit cheesy - I'm so tired of love triangles! But the premise was interesting, and I wanted to see how the author imagined life in the 1300s to be like. Also, the writing was decent, and the author knew how to move the plot along.

I doubt I'll read the next in the series, though. This book just didn't hold that much interest for me.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Big Boned

Big Boned (Heather Wells Mysteries #3)

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Published Nov. 20, 2007 by Avon A

I hope this is the last of the Heather Wells books, because this one finally had the right ending. I honestly read these books - not for the murder mysteries - but to see if Heather ever ended up with the "right" person.

I was happy with who she ended up with.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Size 12 Is Not Fat

Size 12 Is Not Fat (Heather Wells Mysteries #1)

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Published Dec. 27, 2005 by Avon Books

Totally predictable, but fun nevertheless. A spattering of swearing, but it's not too bad. This book follows the adventures of has-been pop star Heather Wells in her job as an assistant dorm director. I'll likely read the next in the series. Gotta see if she ends up with "the one." I'm a sucker for a good love story.