Friday, February 28, 2014

Zom-B Baby by Darren Shan, 160 pages

This is one of the darkest zombie book series I've read. Darren Shan does dark, creepy and twisted like very few others. I mean, zombie baby, that is creepy.

Scrum Bumbs by Darby Conley, 128 pages

The bad thing about a Get Fuzzy collection is that you keep telling yourself "just one more comic strip" and before you know it, you've stayed up late and finished the whole thing. Bucky, you're an evil little tempter.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Footprints under the Window by Franklin Dixon, 177 pages

I've made it through 12 of the Hardy Boys now in my re-reading of the series. It's interesting how the time period is reflected in the attitudes towards foreigners.

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson, 275 pages

Jeana had reviewed this book and made it sound sweet and touching so I had to pick it up. Halfway through I went to Jeana and told her the book should have come with a warning label and some kleenex because it made me want to cry repeatedly. The ending was a good wrap up without being too sappy.

Monday, February 24, 2014

The Future Homemakers of America by Laurie Graham, 385 pages

This book starts off with a group of Air Force wives making friends with a local woman when their husbands were stationed in England. Circumstances and postings soon separate the women, but letters and phone calls keep them connected over the years.
This book was the February book club book and reminded me a lot of Angry Housewives Eating BonBons. I enjoyed it and look forward to seeing what the other club members thought.

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs, 399 pages

I've been waiting for the sequel to Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children for a long time. This was dark, gripping, and left me hanging just like the first one.

Bury Her Deep by Catriona McPherson, 313 pages

I've gotten hooked on these mysteries featuring Dandy. They're utterly Scottish and I like how she bumbles around into solving the mysteries.

While the Clock Ticked by Franklin Dixon, 174 pages

Another blast from my childhood, a Hardy Boys book. These take just about 2 hours to knock out, and are a nice reminder of reading them voraciously in elementary.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Of Giants and Ice with Shelby Bach, 346 pages

I love fairytale books, especially the Sisters Grimm series. This book is very similar with the "Characters" running a school for children to help train them to deal with their tale. It was funny, filled with intrigue and adventure, and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey, 403 pages

A fantasy novel set in what I believe was 1100-1300 Wales, peopled with witch hunters, fey folk and dragons. Lots of action, some plot confusion at times, but not a bad read.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Coreyography by Corey Feldman, 280 pages

I've been a fan of Corey Feldman since my childhood. Goonies and The Lost Boys were two of my favorite movies. I even watched him on the Surreal Life and My Two Coreys with him and Corey Haim. So it was a no brainer about picking up this book. I hadn't realized just how messed up his childhood had been, and how damaged Corey Haim was as a teenager. It's shocking that Feldman came through it as well as he has. If you want to be able to watch the Coreys in their movies without any regret or pity tainting it, don't pick up this book. You'll never see them in the same innocent viewpoint again.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Bad For You: Exposing the War on Fun by Kevin Pyle & Scott Cunningham, 189 pages

I came across this in the teen department, and it's an expose/tongue in cheek look at the stupid things adults try to prevent children from having or doing in the name of keeping them safe. Covering topics such as the comic book code, playground safety, and zero tolerance laws, it kind of gives you the impression that adults are idiots a lot of times.

Sultana by Alan Huffman, 300 pages

The Sultana tragedy was the greatest maritime disaster in American history, and almost nobody knows about it. So when I saw this book I had to pick it up and give it a read. I was disappointed in the fact that it dealt more with before and after, rather than the actual event. It was still informative but not what I call an intriguing read.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Charming by Elliott James, 391 pages

This falls under the genre of urban fantasy, with knights killing supernaturals, and a knight/werewolf combo who may be an abomination or a step forward in the fight against evil.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy, 264 pages

I'm a huge fan of anything Tudor based in historical fiction, but I've never read anything from the viewpoint of Anne Boleyn's mother. This was one of the best historical fiction books I've read. It had me captivated from almost the very first page, outraged and heartbroken, and the author really brought the time period alive. I put the book down exhausted and sorrowful for the cruel fate suffered by Anne Boleyn and her brother George.

What a Reckless Rogue Needs by Vicky Dreiling, 400 pages

I was sent this to review for NightOwl Reviews. I enjoy historical romances and this was a solid read. It wasn't my favorite and I found the ending a little unbelievable, but it wasn't bad.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester, 329 pages

I'd seen this book on Unshelved's Friday book talk and thought it looked intriguing. A girl with the ability to fly (the one power I've always wanted), townspeople who fear and scorn her, and a mysterious government agency who promises to train and protect her. What could go wrong? This was really a sweet and good read, and I even got my husband to read it. The only drawback is there isn't a sequel and it needs one.

The Great American Dust Bowl by Don Brown, 80 pages

This was a really well-done graphic novel looking at the causes and impact of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.

You're All Just Jealous of My Jetpack by Tom Gauld, 160 pages

Meghan had reviewed this book and it looked interesting. I ended up driving my husband crazy by repeatedly saying, "You've got to look at this one. It's hilarious." I felt snooty and high class when I got the comics and lowbrow and slow on the few I didn't. I've even included my favorite comic out of the book.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley, 315 pages

This was one of the best mysteries I've read, not just in a long time, but ever. I've loved the Flavia de Luce series from the very beginning but this one was outstanding. What's not to love about a 12-year-old girl in 1951 England who not only has a passion for chemistry but a specialized knowledge of poisons, and then you couple that with outrageously tormentive (yes, I'm using it as word) sisters, and an absentee father to create a series that grabs hold of you. This book has me in tears by page 9 and it was a roller coaster ride after that. I can't decide if I love this author or hate him for how much he's made me care about these characters.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Second-Hand Stiff by Sue Ann Jaffarian, 302 pages

Yet another big and fabulous mystery featuring Odelia Gray. I love the character development that has happened over the books, including Odelia finding long-lost relatives. These are always funny and suspenseful.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Fizz, How Soda Shook Up the World by Tristian Donovan, 282 pages

Covers the history of soda from the early days of mineral springs up to today's cola wars. There was a lot of history I knew nothing about, and it was really interesting to read about how much Coke and Pepsi have affected world economies and governments, including Presidential races. It was also neat to be reminded of some of the soda ad campaigns from the 80s and 90s. Made me have a craving for Dr. Pepper.

Monday, February 3, 2014

In the Beginning, There Was Chaos by Lynn Johnston, 408 pages

Another fabulous comic collection loaned to me by Laura. I really like reading these before falling asleep.

Surviving the Angel of Death by Eva Kor & Lisa Buccieri, 141 pages

I'd checked this book out for Samantha and ended up reading it myself. This looks at Dr. Mengele in Auschwitz and his medical testing on twins. Definitely a dark time in history.

The Great Airport Mystery by Franklin Dixon, 175 pages

I've made my way through the first 10 so far, for probably the third or fourth time.

What Happened at Midnight by Franklin Dixon, 173 pages

Another Hardy Boys book as I work my way through the series.

The Ordinary Acrobat by Duncan Wall, 322 pages

This book covered the history of the circus, with an emphasis on the circus in France. It was interesting to see how different the circus was and is in Europe.