Monthly Archives: August 2014

Coming Soon …..

Posted on by
2

….  On a Bookshelf near you!

In September I hope to read…

last breath

Publication Date: September 30, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA

Goodreads: From a remarkable new voice in suspenseful women’s fiction comes an emotionally searing drama about a woman who risks her life to discover the devastating truth about her family… 

Humanitarian aid worker Gia Andrews chases disasters around the globe for a living. It’s the perfect lifestyle to keep her far away from her own personal ground zero. Sixteen years ago, Gia’s father was imprisoned for brutally killing her stepmother. Now he’s come home to die of cancer, and she’s responsible for his care—and coming to terms with his guilt. 

Gia reluctantly resumes the role of daughter to the town’s most infamous murderer, a part complete with protesters on the lawn and death threats that are turning tragedy into front-page news. Returning to life in small-town Tennessee involves rebuilding relationships that distance and turmoil have strained, though finding an emotional anchor in the attractive hometown bartender is certainly helping Gia cope. 

As the past unravels before her, Gia will find herself torn between the stories that her family, their friends and neighbors, and even her long-departed stepmother have believed to be real all these years. But in the end, the truth—and all the lies that came before—may have deadlier consequences than she could have ever anticipated…

What is coming soon …. to a bookshelf near you?

Let me know – I am always looking for a good read!

Truth and Kisses

Posted on by
Reply

Author:  Laurie B. Friedman         kiss
Publisher: Lerner Classroom
Genre:  Middle Grade
Source:  BEA

 

Publication Date:  September 1, 2014

 

Goodreads:  April’s New Year’s resolution: to get back together with sweet, funny Billy. But what’s going on between Billy and their friend Brynn? And why does April want to keep her friendship with Matt, her hot neighbor, a secret?

Ope’s Opinion: This is the third book in this series.  I have not read book one or two.  Book three read just fine without having read one or two.  I do think I was missing some back ground of April’s relationship with Brynn, but it was still a good read.

April, Brynn and Billy are average middle school students.  They miscommunicated and got their feelings hurt – it felt realistic.  I like the way the adults treat the students.  The adults are obviously in charge and have a relationship with the kids.

I think a parent would be comfortable having their middle grade child reading this book.

I would read another book from Laurie Friedman.

Rating: Four Chairs: I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
de9fc-4chairs

 

The Homecoming

Posted on by
2

Author: Robyn Carr                       homecoming
Publisher:  Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Romance
Source: Little Bird Publicity

 

Publication Date:  August 26, 2014

 

Goodreads:  In a small town, reputation is everything. In her latest novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr explores the burden placed on a young man returning home to face his mistakes—the first step in claiming the life he was meant to live …

At the age of nineteen, Seth Sileski had everything. A superb athlete and scholar, handsome and popular, he was the pride of Thunder Point. Destined for greatness, he lost it all in a terrible accident that put an end to his professional football career when it had barely begun. The people in his hometown have never forgotten what might have been.

Seth has come to terms with the turns his life has taken. But now he’s been presented with an opportunity to return home and show his father—and the people of Thunder Point—he’s become a better, humbler version of his former self.

Winning over his father isn’t the only challenge. Seth must also find a way to convince his childhood neighbor and best friend, Iris McKinley, to forgive him for breaking her heart. With his homecoming, will Seth be able to convince the town, his family and especially Iris that he’s finally ready to be the man who will make them all proud?

Ope’s Opinion:  There were some great things in this book and a few disappointing things.  Let me start with the disappointing so we can end on a good note.  Robyn Carr does not usually use the “f” word and she used it in weird places in this book.  This book is part of a series.  Robyn usually updates us on all the other characters we had met in the past – there were not many updates in this book.

Now, lets get to the good part.  Seth and Iris are a really cute couple.  It was fun to watch them come together.  I love how Robyn Carr handles secrets with her characters – she does not wait until the last pages to reveal the secret.  She gives plenty of time for her characters to work things out.  She really knows how to tell a story.

I really liked how Robyn Carr handle the abusive situation.  I thought it was great to see a school counselors responsibilities.  It was encouraging to watch these characters confront abuse head on – as scary as that is.

As usual I am looking forward to her next installment in this series.

Rating: Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
3 chairs

 

Positive

Posted on by
Reply

Author: Piage Rawl, Ali Benjamin            positive
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Genre:  Memoir
Source:  BEA

 

Publication Date: August 26, 2014

 

Goodreads:  An astonishing memoir for the untold number of children whose lives have been touched by bullying. Positive is a must-read for teens, their parents, educators, and administrators—a brave, visceral work that will save lives and resonate deeply.

Paige Rawl has been HIV positive since birth, but growing up, she never felt like her illness defined her. On an unremarkable day in middle school, she disclosed to a friend her HIV-positive status—and within hours the bullying began. From that moment forward, every day was like walking through a minefield. Paige was never sure when or from where the next text, taunt, or hateful message would come. Then one night, desperate for escape, fifteen-year-old Paige found herself in her bathroom staring at a bottle of sleeping pills.

That could have been the end of her story. Instead, it was only the beginning. Paige’s memoir calls for readers to choose action over complacency, compassion over cruelty—and above all, to be Positive.

Includes twenty-five photos from Paige’s personal collection throughout.

Ope’s Opinion:  Before I start this review, you should know I am not a big reader of memoirs.  I have read several books about HIV and teens – I did not realize the bullying and isolation were still happening today.  I would have thought by now with all the information that is out there, people would not be so misinformed.

Paige’s voice in this book was clear and informative.  She was not whiney even though she was dealing with a lot of difficult situations.  I actually thought she was very mature for her age.  It was great to see Paige use her illness and hard lessons for good.

Being positive is a theme in this book. Even though Paige is HIV positive, she tried to have a  positive attitude. Paige wants us to look at life from a positive perspective.   I think she also wants others to treat everyone in a positive manner.

 

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
de9fc-4chairs

Random House and Jodi Picoult

Posted on by
Reply

Random House put on an awesome event with Jodi Picoult.

jodi picoult

Jodi Picoult talked with Jane from Good Housekeeping.
It was very entertaining and kept the audience laughing.

jodi talking

There were stations – food, chocolate, and wine –
what more could you want – books?? Yes, those too!!

book and random house

And we had a chance to get our books signed by Jodi Picoult.

signing

Awesome event with my daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings!

Can’t Look Away

Posted on by
Reply

Author: Donna Cooner              look
Publisher: Point
Genre:  Young Adult
Source: BEA

 

Publication Date:  August 26, 2014

 

Goodreads:  Donna Cooner establishes herself as our own Jodi Picoult in this timely tale of sisters, loss, and redemption.

Torrey Grey is famous. At least, on the internet. Thousands of people watch her popular videos on fashion and beauty. But when Torrey’s sister is killed in an accident — maybe because of Torrey and her videos — Torrey’s perfect world implodes.

Now, strangers online are bashing Torrey. And at her new school, she doesn’t know who to trust. Is queen bee Blair only being sweet because of Torrey’s internet infamy? What about Raylene, who is decidedly unpopular, but seems accepts Torrey for who she is? And then there’s Luis, with his brooding dark eyes, whose family runs the local funeral home. Torrey finds herself drawn to Luis, and his fascinating stories about El dio de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.

As the Day of the Dead draws near, Torrey will have to really look at her own feelings about death, and life, and everything in between. Can she learn to mourn her sister out of the public eye?

Ope’s Opinion:  Grieving is hard enough, then add being a teen, your sister and doing your grieving in public.  For Torrey that is what happened.  Watching her navigate her way through this tragedy felt realistic.  She is a typical teen – she is concerned about what other people think, how she looks and who is watching her.  

There were a host of characters, as there usually is any teens life.  Those characters were interesting and brought a lot to the story line.  There were some unexplored aspects of those characters that would make an interesting companion novel to this one.

It is good to see the progression of her healing.  It was a slow process – which felt realistic. I think Torrey is a good example to a young person who may have lost someone close to them.

I think those readers who enjoy blogs and youtube videos would enjoy this read.

 

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
3 chairs

Finding Daddy Warbucks

Posted on by
Reply

Author: David Hwa                       warbucks
Publisher: Wellworth LLC
Genre:  Fiction
Source:  Alyssa Livolsi

 

Goodreads:  We never know how God may lead us. The twists and turns of life often leave us confused and deflated. For 10-year-old Haley, the unexpected loss of her father was such a twist. When all is lost, a little light in the darkness can make all the difference. The world is a big place for a little girl. For that matter, it’s a pretty big place for anyone who has lost their way. Hayley finds her solution in a modern day prince, but she can’t pull off this miracle by herself. Nick, an attorney struggling to save his job, wouldn’t seem to be much help to a little girl trying to create a miracle. But life has a way of bringing us the people we need most, at just the right time. Still, there is so much that could go wrong, especially when her headstrong mother doesn’t fall for the prince. But there’s something Hayley doesn’t see coming, something she can’t see. Something she doesn’t want to see, something that hides in the dark where she can’t go, something unspeakable. Follow Haley’s journey into the light and see how redemption is there for anyone, even the condemned. And see how love can find you-even through the darkness.

Ope’s Opinion:  The chapters in this book are really short.  That was nice for being able to pick it up and put it down, but it made it hard to get into it.  It felt it was  a little choppy for me.  

The cover and story itself were endearing.  It took me a while to get into it because every time I figured out what was going on, we switched chapters and characters.  It finished too fast too.

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
3 chairs

 

Brunette Ambition

Posted on by
Reply

Author: Lea Michele                                         lea
Publisher: Harmony Books
Genre: Non-fiction
Source:  My daughter
Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

 

 

Goodreads:  The star of the hit show Glee shares her experiences and insider tips on beauty, fashion, inner strength, and more in an illustrated book that’s part memoir, part how-to, and part style guide.

Lea Michele is one of the hardest working performers in show business. Whether she’s starring as Rachel Berry on Glee, rocking a glamorous look on the red carpet, recording her solo album, or acting as the spokesperson for L’Oreal, Lea is the ultimate multi-tasker. She knows better than anyone that it is difficult to be your best self and keep things in perspective when your to-do list is overflowing and you are faced with challenges, so she’s developed a foolproof system for remaining healthy and centered. In Brunette Ambition, she reveals the lessons and advice that have worked for her–from beauty and fashion secrets to fitness tips, and career insights. Supplemented with never-before-seen photos and revealing anecdotes, it’s the book Lea wishes she’d had in her teens and early twenties: A practical and inspirational guide to harnessing tenacity and passion and living the fullest life, no matter what obstacles life puts in your way.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is a pretty easy, simple review.  If you like Lea Michele and/or Glee, you will like this book.  It has a lot of pictures of Lea and her family and friends.  It lets you in on her childhood, her broadway shows and her Glee family.  It also has some advice and recipes.  Check it out.

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
de9fc-4chairs

 

 

The Swap

Posted on by
2

Author:  Megan Shull                              the swap
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Genre:  Middle Grade
Source:  BEA

 

Publication Date:  August 26th

Goodreads:  “YOU BE ME…AND I’LL BE YOU.”

ELLIE spent the summer before seventh grade getting dropped by her best friend since forever. JACK spent it training in “The Cage” with his tough-as-nails brothers and hard-to-please dad. By the time middle school starts, they’re both ready for a change. And just as Jack’s thinking girls have it so easy, Ellie’s wishing she could be anyone but herself.

Then, BAM! They swap lives—and bodies!

Now Jack’s fending off mean girls at sleepover parties while Ellie’s reigning as the Prince of Thatcher Middle School. As their crazy weekend races on—and their feelings for each other grow—Ellie and Jack begin to realize that maybe the best way to learn how to be yourself is to spend a little time being someone else.

Ope’s Opinion:  Ever heard the saying “Walk a mile in my shoes” or ” The grass is greener on the other side of the fence”? Well, this book is a great story of both of these sayings.

Let me tell you, this was about middle grade students, but it was written so well, it felt more like a YA book.  It kept my interest the whole time.  It was written very mature, but very age appropriate for a middle school student to read it.  I am sure they could relate to either the girls or guys point of view.

Jake and Ellie remind me of students  in middle school.  That is a hard age – it does look like other people have it better – until you live in their life.

I loved how positive Megan Shull wrote the story.  You could see how each of their lives were not perfect, but they each saw the best in their own lives by living in the other persons shoes.

This book surprised me in such a great way!

 

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

de9fc-4chairs