Monday, October 29, 2012

a single thread by Marie Bostwick


 It's a long way from Fort Worth, Texas, to New Bern, Connecticut, yet it only takes a day in the charming Yankee town to make Evelyn Dixon realize she's found her new home. The abrupt end of her marriage was Evelyn's wake-up call to get busy chasing her dream of opening a quilt shop. Finding a storefront is easy enough; starting a new life isn't. Little does Evelyn imagine it will bring a trio like Abigail Burgess, her niece Liza, and Margot Matthews through her door.
Troubled and angry after her mother's death, Liza threatens to embarrass her Aunt Abigail all over town unless she joins her for quilting classes. A victim of downsizing at the peak of her career, Margot hopes an event hosted by the quilt shop could be a great chance to network-and keep from dying of boredom.
As they stitch their unique creations, Evelyn, Abigail, Liza, and Margot form a sisterhood they never sought-but one that they'll be grateful for when the unexpected provides a poignant reminder of the single thread that binds us all. (www.goodreads.com)

I have been reading mysteries with thread as a theme such as buttons and embroidery. When i picked this book up i thought it was something similar. But unknown to me, yes it has theme of quilting (thread) running through the story but also ladies helping each other dealing with breast cancer, the camaraderie.  It was a good read! I am looking forward to reading the next in the series 'a cobbled court quilts novel'. 

Wonder by R J Palacio

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

I read Wonder , this is a quick and easy read. I enjoyed this book. Auggie is a hero, I called my son a hero as well when he graduated from high school. He has Aspergars he was picked on, ridiculed and just tormented every day of school, even on his soccer team when he was in elementary school. It was terrible to watch I just didn't know what else to do after making administrators aware of it. I even think it made life worse for my son.  I can imagine how life was for August. Heroes they are.
Pick the book up and enjoy the read.

Fifty Shades Trilogy

Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
I have read where this trilogy is on the NY Times Bestseller list. I ask myself how this is possible. When I picked up the first book in the trilogy I did out of curiosity.  I have read many novels  that were erotic, romance with eroticism and many other types of erotics. I probably read Fifty Shades of Grey cover to cover skipping very few pages. As i read the 2nd book Fifty shades Darker, I was hoping Anastasia had grown more back bone and went on with her life. But no she succumbed to Grey. I was talked into reading the 3rd Fifty Shades Freed by colleagues. I can say I should have listened to myself and not have purchased the book. Over the 3 books I probably read less of this book then all of the other 2. I skipped more pages looking for the story of the book.
if you are looking for an erotica book go to your book store their are so many more worth your time. One such author is Karen Marie Moning her Highlander series is erotic.  I am now beginning to read her new series MacKayla Lane novels, DarkFever.
I recommend passing on the Fifty Shades Trilogy and find another author with great romance and eroticism.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

Trouble twins" Dallas and Florida are orphans who have given up believing there is such a thing as a loving home. Tiller and Sairy are an eccentric older couple who live in the beautiful, mysterious Ruby Holler, but they're restless for one more big adventure. When they invite the twins to join them on their journeys, they first must all stay together in the Holler, and the magic of the place takes over. Two pairs of lives grow closer and are changed forever.(goodreads.com)

This was the first book I have read by Sharon Creech. I really enjoyed this story. 2 couples, one a set of twins considered trouble makers and the 2nd a husband and wife. The older couple brings the twins into their lives. Tiller and Sairy give the twins a home, confidence and reassures them they are normal kids growing up. Dallas and Florida do wonder about the older couple but do enjoy the adventure. A good read quiet and unassuming it will bring smiles into your life. 


Waltzing at the Piggly Wiggly by Robert Dalby

An irresistible Southern charmer about small-town gossip, second-chance romance, strange weather, and ballroom dancing in the most unlikely places.

Laurie Lepanto is on the horns of a dilemma. Her favorite market, the Piggly Wiggly, of Second Creek, Mississippi, is on the verge of closing its doors, nearly done in by a new Mega-Mart across town. Over the years, the Piggly Wiggly has been more than a supermarket-it's been a community center and town hall, and it's even seen a little romance blossom in its aisles.
Laurie-who has never met a problem she can't solve- is determined to help Mr. Choppy, the Piggly Wiggly's manager, keep his business afloat. She enlists her fellow "Nitwitts," a formidable array of the town's most influential widows, and the town's most eligible silver fox, Powell Hampton, a sixtysomething widower and former ballroom dance instructor. For two hours a week, Powell will waltz-or fox-trot or tango-at the Piggly Wiggly with Second Creek's ladies while the salesclerks do their shopping for them.
In a place like Second Creek, where everyone knows everyone, waltzing at the Piggly Wiggly soon becomes the town's most festive event. And after a few turns around the floor with the handsome and charming Powell, Laurie soon begins to make plans for romance as well as civic renewal. (goodreads.com)

This was a good read, romantic, charming and loving with friendships.

The Shack by Wm. Paul Young

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his "Great Sadness," Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.

I found comfort reading this book, it gave me a sense of goodness and peace, as if the Trinity was leading me through a dark path as it was leading Mark to find a way to forgive himself.

Flyboys by James Bradley

Flyboys is historical fiction but as I read the book it seemed so real. its subtitle is 'a true story of courage'. As I read this book there were times where I had to stop reading the book just to be able to continue reading the book. The scenes seemed so real.  To think that our fighter pilots were treated with such barbarism.  As i read this book I kept thinking about Heart of the Samurai. How the Japanese tried very hard to keep others(foreigners) out of their country.
This acclaimed bestseller brilliantly illuminates a hidden piece of World War II history as it tells the harrowing true story of nine American airmen shot down in the Pacific. One of them, George H. W. Bush, was miraculously rescued. The fate of the others-an explosive 60-year-old secret-is revealed for the first time in FLYBOYS. (goodreads.com)


I recommend reading this book. We need to remember how American pilots and soldiers were treated because we are being treated the same by middle easterner radicals. They have/ had no care for life.


The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

        Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close— the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?
Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.
Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare. . . .
In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of          Camp Half-Blood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six--who will complete the Prophecy of Seven?
The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophesy remains a mystery. . . . (goodreads.com)

I enjoyed this 3rd book in the trilogy of the Heroes of Olympus. At times it got alittle confusing with all the various places in Italy.  Wish i knew more about those places of interests. Now I must wait until Fall 2013 for book 4 The House of Hades.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Powerless by Matthew Cody

Powerless I liked alot, probably because of Daniel. The new kid in town who uses his power to save his new friends. Daniel doesn't have the same powers as his friends so how can he save them?  What is he saving them from?  Read Powerless.

I had to force myself to push through this book. I just didn't get it until the end. I wish the cover looked a bit more inviting and interesting for a middle school students.

No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko











No Passengers Beyond this Point by Gennifer Choldenko. Wow this is a different story. At first it was a family being split because of their home being foreclosed on and Mom needing to stay back to finish out the school year. The children are sent ahead to live with their Uncle.  Mysteriously the children's plane land in an area or town where everything is perfect. All the children need to do is agree to stay. Finn and Mouse decide fast they don't want to stay but India wants to stay in the perfect world. Finn and Mouse try to get India to realize the perfect place isn't for them. India has alot of soul searching to do. Does she go along with Finn and Mouse?    Do the children get to their Uncle's house?

This is a mystery with a twist of fantasy.  Enjoy!