Monday, December 31, 2012

Seeds of Rebellion / Brandon Mull / 483 pages

This is the 2nd book in the Beyonders series and it is full of action, adventure, heroism, and strange characters.  Two contemporary teens, Jason and Rachel, become Beyonders when they travel to another world in another time.  They join the mission of the blind king to save Lyrian from the evil emperor Maldor.  Accompanying them are a displacer who can remove various parts of his body, a semi giant who becomes a giant at sunset, a seed person who regenerates after death and more.  They traverse strange lands full of perils to reach the oracle in order to discover if they have a chance of winning the rebellion against the emperor.  Quite and adventure and sure to be loved by fans of Rick Riordan, Harry Potter, and other action fantasy lovers.  Recommend grades 5-7.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

The First Prophet/Kay Hooper/390 pgs.

This is the first in a new Kay Hooper series. As in some of her recent books, Hooper's new series involves psychics. The main character, Sarah Gallagher, is new to her psychic abilities--her ability surfaced when she woke up from a coma. As a "new" psychic, Sarah cannot control her "abilities," and is the target of a mysterious enemy. She teams up with novelist Tucker Mackenzie; initially he is interested in her "psychic" ability, but his interest turns more personal as the story progresses.  There is a mystery and conspiracy involved, which makes for a fast read. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

Sharp Objects/Gillian Flynn/254 pgs.

My first Gillian Flynn book was Gone Girl, so I wanted to see if any of her other books featured dysfunctional characters; in a word, the answer is "yes!" In Sharp Objects, Camille Preaker is a reporter on a small newspaper in Chicago. Her boss wants her to return to her hometown, Wind Gap, MO, to write about the murder of two young girls that has taken place in the past year. In typical Flynn fashion, Camille's family is a whole bunch of dysfunctional. Family "secrets" are exposed in the search to discover who murdered the young girls. The novel is told in Camille's voice, which makes for some very uncomfortable reading--and yet, I just had to see how the book ended! It's a pretty disturbing book, but it was interesting to read a predecessor to Gone Girl.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Butterfly Swords / Jeannie Lin / 282 pgs. / Asia

"During China's infamous Tang Dynasty, a time awash with luxury yet littered with deadly intrigues and fallen royalty, betrayed Princess Ai Li flees before her wedding. Miles from home, with only her delicate butterfly swords for defense, she enlists the reluctant protection of a blue-eyed warrior.... Battle-scarred, embittered Ryam has always held his own life at cheap value. Ai Li's innocent trust in him and honorable, stubborn nature make him desperate to protect her--which means not seducing the first woman he has ever truly wanted...."--P. [4] of cover.

A very strong heroine and an honorable hero, lots of action, and a sense of real love and respect between the characters.  An enjoyable read!  My only complaint is that things wrap up a little to neatly at the end to give the reader the romantic happy ending.  Sorry, I just don't think of Emperors during the Tang Dynasty as benevolent and forward thinking when it came to women's rights. 

***Winner of the Golden Heart Award – Best Historical Romance***

The Walking Dead: The Best Defense (vol. 5) / Robert Kirkman / 100 pgs. / Zombie Challenge

This was definitely a volume that I could have just skipped over and would have been better off for it.  In this chapter (Issues 25-30) the main heroes: Rick, Grimes, Glenn, and Michonne have been captured by a ruthless group, headed by a man called "The Governor".  The things this group does to its prisoners is far worse then the zombie attacks depicted in earlier issues.  The torture of Michonne, most of it is hinted at with (mercifully) only a bit actually drawn out; really left me feeling sick and disgusted with the thought that humans could actually think up and inflict this kind of damage on each other. 

A Heartbeat Away/Harry Kraus/370 pages

Dr. Tori Taylor is a very demanding and unforgiving cancer surgeon. But, now she is also a heart transplant recipient. Being on the other side of the care and at the mercy of the nurses who she bullied gives her new perspective before the operation. Afterwards, she finds herself weepy and uncharacteristically empathic to the people around her. She is also plagued by nightmares that she believes come from the donor heart. She and the counselor assigned to her case try to find out more about the donor.

Two stories are told in this novel. Part of the novel is told from the donor's side and the other from Tori's. There is a bit of a twist, but nothing too surprising. It's worth mentioning that this is a Christian novel because there really isn't any indication of that on the book.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

The Unwanteds/Lisa McMann/390 pgs.

According to a Kirkus Review, The Unwanteds is "The Hunger Games Meets Harry Potter." I personally feel that is a bit of a stretch. In the land of Quill, every year the 13 year-olds are sorted into two categories--the "Wanteds" and the "Unwanteds."  The Wanteds are the kids that are bright, strong, intelligent, and get to go to the university. The Unwanteds are the "artistic" kids, and since they are of no value in Quill, are sent to their deaths on the day of the "Purge." Identical twins Alex and Aaron Stowe are split up on the Purge--Aaron will proceed to the university, and Aaron will be sent to his death. What the people of Quill don't know, and neither do the Unwanteds, is that the Unwanteds are being sent to a magical place, Artime. Artime was created by Mr. Today, a magician, and exists to hide the Unwanteds from Quill. It's a place that encourages the Unwanteds to explore their creativity, and to learn how to use their creativity as a weapon--because, eventually there will be a showdown between Quill and Artime. This is book 1 in the series, and geared towards middle grade readers.

Angels at the Table/Debbie Macomber/228 pgs.

This is one of Macomber's Christmas tales featuring the angels Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy--plus their new apprentice angel, Will. At midnight on New Year's Eve, in Times Square, Will brings two strangers together, Lucie Farrara and Aren Fairchild. Since they weren't supposed to meet until further into the future, this meeting triggers events that shouldn't have happened. It's a romantic comedy with misunderstandings, discoveries, and a happy ending. A nice, light, read for the holiday season!

Lord God Made Them All / James Herriot 373 p.

James Herriot (AKA Dr. Alfred Wight) returns in this fourth volume where he continues his stories of animals, owners, families, children, partners, that he encounters during his years of practice after serving in the Royal Air Force in World War II, with tenderness, hilarity, sadness, and wonderful care

Decades Books: 1980

Sunday, December 23, 2012

The Dark and Hollow Places / Carrie Ryan / 376 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

This is the thrid book in The Forest of Hands and Feet trilogy.  It is a post-apocalyptic world and small population remnants struggle to survive in world abandoned by technology.  Gabry is alone in the Dark City as Elias has been away serving with the Regulators.  Katcher destracts guards from approaching Gabry and the disturbance on the bridge attracts Abby's attention.  Is this her long lost sister?  The sisters realize that the true enemy is the authorities who sponsor games and specialize in cruelty.  Using hot air balloons and New York City's underground, they Elias, Katcher, and other Dark City residents are able to escape and hope to establish a new community.

The Last Noel / Michael Malone / 292 pages

This is the story of two people who fall in love as young children, are soul mates throughout life, and are unable to act on that love due to their very different backgrounds.  Noni Tilden is surprised  by a nighttime, bedroom visit on Christmas Eve from Kaye King.  He comes to inform her of her sled gift and they immediately share rides on the sled.  Both are Christmas babies, but Noni is wealthy and white and Kaye is black and living with his grandmother who takes care of Noni's house and family.  Both families have their problems as does society in general.  This is heartwarming story of true love, integrity, and racial tension and prejudice and its detrimental effects on human relations presented as Twelve Days of Christmas.

Son / Lois Lowry / 393 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

The Apocalypse has occurred and the remnants of civilization have attempted to reestablish some sense of community and order.  In one of these communities, young women are artificially inseminated and make their contribution to society by being Birth Mothers, Vessels which produce Products - babies - which are then given to couples to raise for the good of all.  When young Claire gives birth, something goes wrong and she is reassigned from Birth Mother to fish hatchery worker.  She feels and irresistible pull toward her baby who is unplaced because of his irascibility and sleepless nights.  One of the day care providers takes him home each night and Claire befriends the man and volunteers in the day care center to be near her son.  When after a year the boy has still not acclimated, the care giver's son runs away with the toddler to spare his life, and Claire follows.  She is determined to find her son and she makes a pact with the Trademaster.  She trades her youth for her son.  This dystopian novel portrays the indomitability of maternal love, the theme that all life is sacred and precious even if, and perhaps especially when, it does not conform to society's expectations.  This is the fourth book in The Giver quarter.  Written after the death of the author's son in 1995, it resounds with the sense of loss and infinite love Ms. Lowry had for her own son.

Dead of Night / Jonathan Maberry / 357 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

A plague has been loosed on the earth by one mad Russian Scientist currently working for the CIA.  His entire family was tortured and murdered by a serial killer.  Perfecting Project Lucifer 113, he has created a cocktail that turns humans into flesh-eating zombies.  Working at a prison, he sought to inject killers on death row so that when buried they would be aware of their circumstances and would be consumed by them.  Unfortunately, a serial killer's aunt claims his body after death.  When the body arrives at the local mortuary, Armageddon is unleashed.  Detective Desdemona Fox and her partner JT are sent to the mortuary in response to a 911 call from the cleaning lady.  Will the President follow the suggestions of his advisers and bomb the town and all its inhabitants to contain the plague?   Is this the end of the world?

Who Could That Be At This Hour? / Lemony Snicket / 258 pages

This latest book by Lemony Snicket features the author in the starring role in a new series.  Young Snicket must solve a mystery of a missing statue which is not really missing.  Humor abounds as Lemony befriends innocent and guilty alike and regales us with his extensive vocabulary clarifications.

No Talking / Andrew Clements / 155 pages

It's boys against the girls....or is it the students against the faculty and administration?  The noisiest class in the school, the fifth graders, double dog dare each other not to talk for the next forty-eight hours.  The rules proclaim a limit of three words to be uncountable, but all other spoken words count against the team.  Inspired by Ghandi and his silence for freedom and self-realization, the scheme radically alters life and learning at the middle school.  Andrew Clements' books are all great read-a-louds with great, age-appropriate themes.

If You Know Her / Shiloh Walker / 390 pages

This is the last book in a trilogy.  Preceded by If You Hear Her and If You See Her, it tells of a sadistic serial killer and his dastardly murders which unfortunately include violence against member of his close knit, family-oriented community.  Nia Hollister, a well-known photo journalist, has returned to Ash, Kentucky to investigate her cousin's death.  She does not believe the man arrested is the guilty party.  Law Reilly, a local author, is convinced her doubts merit further investigation.  This is page-turner and a satisfying conclusion to the saga.

Infamous / Sherrilyn Kenyon / 468 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

This is actually the third book in a trilogy.  I would recommend reading Infinity first.  Nick Gautier is about to become the greatest hero mankind has ever known, or he will be the one who ends the world.  He is the Malachi and his first mandate is to stay alive while everyone, including his own father, tries to kill him.  He is a most unusual Malachi.  He was not conceived in hate and pain, but in love.  His love for his mother, his girlfriend (who is much more than she seems), and his love and respect for others may save the world...if he can just figure out exactly what he is, what powers he has, and what the intentions of his enemies are.

Patient Zero / Jonathan Maberry / 421 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

Can you "trust a man who would bypass an Oreo in favor of vanilla wafers?  It's a fundamental character flaw.  Possibly a sign of true evil."  But Mr. Church, head of DMS - Department of Military Science, is not the evil.  It is the Walkers - zombie-like beings imported into the US for terrorism and unleashed simultaneously on the citizens of Afghanistan.  Detective Joe Ledger was a part of the task force that raided the warehouse where the first Walker was found and killed by Joe.  When he reanimated, Joe killed him a second time.  Sebastian Gault, "whose company is one of the world's top suppliers of pharmaceuticals for humanitarian aid," funded the research that produced the zombies.  He is truly evil.  Has he unleashed the apocalypse?  This, in true Jonathan Maberry style, is a real page-turner from beginning to end...

Zone One / Colson Whitehead / 259 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

I'm sorry to say that this was the most boring post-apocalyptic horror novel I have ever read.  It did finally become a page-turner at the very end, but the ending was anything but hopeful.  Of course, we have a plague and zombies, but here we also have skels - zombies who are harmlessly frozen in what they were doing on Last Night.  Mark Spitz (not his real name) is one of a team of three civilian volunteers assigned to sweep New York City streets of these stragglers.  It is an easy job turned horrific.

Zombies Don't Play Soccer / Dabbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones / 70 pages / November Challenge Zombies

Eddie, the Troublemaker, puts vinegar in his soccer coach's water bottle and he quits.  Their new coach, Coach Graves, is really tough and works the kids harder than they have ever worked before.  During practice, a creepy old lady visits the coach and afterwords she becomes a zombie.  The kids try salt to de-zombify her, but she remains a zom.  They defeat the Sheldon Shooters by playing like the coach taught them and played with enough dazzle to wake the dead.
The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #15

The Stupidest Angel / Christopher Moore / 275 pages / November Challenge Zombies

I can't recommend this one...Sorry!  This is probably the stupidest Christmas story I've read/heard.  The only good parts were the snappy, cheery Christmas music that began each CD.  An angel comes to Pine Cove, California to perform a miracle.  He does, in fact, but his miracle is also a mistake.  In an attempt to raise Santa Claus from the dead, he raises the entire graveyard and the zombies attack the town.

Fang of the Vampire / Tommy DonBavand / 129 pages / November Challenge Zombies

Luke Watson knows when he gets home he's going to be in serious trouble.  He had gotten into a fight at school and although he didn't hurt the other boy, he had definitely scared him.  He also wanted to eat squirrels.  When he got home, movers were at his house and he was informed that the family was moving immediately.  They are moved to Scream Street to GHOUL, Government Housing Of Unusual Lifeforms.  His new friends include a mummy, a zombie, and a would be vampire.  Luke is a werewolf.  The kids must find a six powerful relics before the sinister landlord, Sir Otto, does.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Rudy / Daniel Ruettiger / 281

     This is a good biography written by the "real" Rudy of the film "Rudy".  Daniel Ruettiger really did most of the things in the movie that led to his 24 seconds of fame where he sacked the quarterback at the last Notre Dame football game of his senior year.  Yes, Rudy was the ultimate underdog.  Born into a working class family of 14 kids in Joliet, Illinois, Rudy was not a likely candidate for college much less Notre Dame.  However, he is the most tenacious person with a dream and although he was not big enough, he achieved his dream through hard work, lucky breaks, and listening to his inner voice. 
     This is an inspirational book written by a regular guy who achieved his dream.  He also managed to translate it into his life's work as a motivational speaker.  He is just as he presents himself.  The book is well worth reading.  (and I have 0% interest in football!)  It's not really about football.  It's about following your dreams and passions and listening for that right direction.  My husband went to the same high school as Rudy and played football as a Freshman when Rudy was a senior on varsity.  (He's very keen on the book and movie.)  Recommended for everyone.

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Final Challenge!!!!!!!!!


You didn't believe me last month about the coming Zombie Apocalypse.  But now we are in the month of December and people are coming out of the wood works to talk about THE END OF THE WORLD on 12-21-12!!!!  You know that when the local TV news station puts that lady who owns like 80 cats on; who claims that her Siamese named "Mister TiddyBomBoms" has successfully predicted that the world will in fact end on 12-21-12; that we are in for a whole Lotta trouble!  Therefore, for our last few remaining days on this planet, I challenge you to read a book about the coming Apocalypse or is a Post-Apocalypse novel.  (So basically anything in YA that has been printed in the past three years).  Your reward will be "10" points for each book.  "Ten?!!" you say, "that's crazy and unfair!!"  In the end what does it really matter?  We are not going to make it to Christmas, and if we do then you will have a wealth of bonus points to end out the competition year!  Enjoy!!  

The Age of Desire / Jennie Fields / 352 pages

Author Fields gives us a glimpse into the life of famed American author Edith Wharton from 1907 to 1910.  In a detailed story, she tells the story of Edith's life in the literary salons of Paris, life in the Vanderbilt apartment and at her grand home in Lennox Massachusetts, trips abroad and friendships with Henry James and other rich and famous characters.  One thing is missing from Wharton's life and that's love and passion.  She finds it in a cad Morton Fullerton but discovers that the cost of her marriage and her friendship with her longtime governess and secretary Anna might be too great.  A good look at the period, the people, and the inner turmoil of whether 'tis best to never have loved at all.  Good for readers of detailed historical fiction and those interested in every aspect of a character.

Woman in the House / William E. Barrett 105 p.


Konrad was raised by Russian monks—he has no memory of his family. After escaping Communist rule, he works as an iterate art restorer, still living like a monk, when he occupies an abandoned hut near Munich where rescues a sick woman who is as alone as he is.

Bomber / Len Deighton 159 p.

In 1943, on a moonlit night, 700 hundred bombers go on a raid to drop their cargo on a target in the Ruhr. Deighton puts faces to the bomber crews, the German fighter pilots, ground crews, and civilian population.

Six-horse Hitch / Janice Hilt Giles 141 p.


19 year old Starr Fowler takes the reins of a six-horse hitch and mounts a stagecoach and propels us through the hard driving world of the 1860’s frontier around Salt Lake City.  Continues the Fowler family story.

Time and Again / Jack Finney 137 p.


Si Morely, bored Madison Ave. ad agency artist, is carefully solicited to participate in a top secret government project where he is propelled back to 1882, channeling through the apartment building, The Dakota, to watch a man—a man with a mystery.  Living in two worlds, he finds himself drawn to people in both and poised to influence both.

Halic / Ewan Clarkson 59 p.

Ewan Clarkson relates the life of Halic, a gray seal, living in the coastal waters of Wales, filled with great nature information.

Cat Who Saw Stars / Lilian Jackson Braun 73 p.

Report Jim Quilleran looks forward to a peaceful vacation with his two felines, Koko and Yum Yum; where Koko, especially, and Yum Yum  leave clues about the local mystery--a missing unidentified backpacker, while Jim inhales the local culture and characters.

Simple Truth / David Baldacci 141 p.

25 years ago a man committed a horrendous crime in full view of witness; he was tried, convicted, and put away for life in a military prison...until the simple truth appears and he seeks justice; now anyone coming into his circle is winding up dead; and the circle is expanding right up to Mike Fiske and Sara Evans, clerks for the Supreme Court.

Cloud Nine / Luanne Rice 119 p.

Sarah Talbot brings sweet dreams to her customers of her bed and linens shop. Finishing chemo she longs to see her son and father, when she takes a airplane ride for her 37th birthday and discovers love with Will, the pilot.

Rainbow Six / Tom Clancy 243 p.

Terrorism knows no borders.  John Clark heads up a combined nations team of Brits and American experts who combat to keep the world safe; from air piracy to hostage situations to environmental extremists ready to destroy the modern world.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Drama / Raina Telgemeier / 233 pages

This graphic novel is set in Middle School.  The Drama Club is getting ready to put on a musical.  Callie loves theater and must work with all the kids who make the play possible.  Typical of middle school there is plenty of real life drama in addition to the play.  Callie meets two brothers, Justin and Jesse.  Justin is gay and knows he likes boys.  Callie develops a crush on Jesse but their relationship doesn't work out when Jesse is more interested in  West.  Just another day in the life of a middle schooler....short-lived but lots of drama, drama, drama.  Recommended for grades 6-9.

The Spindlers / Lauren Oliver / 246 pages

The Spindlers is what happens when you are the only one who realizes that your beloved baby brother is a changeling.  Liza goes Below to find her brother and save his soul.  She meets all sorts of creatures including a talking rat, thieving troglods, dancing nids and flesh-eating scawgs.  Eventually she makes her way to the webs of the Spindlers who are preparing to eat all of the captured souls and take over Below.  Through Liza's courage, ingenuity, and hope, she manages to rescue her brother and understand the meaning of hope.  A good read for grades 4-7.  Kids who liked Suzanne Collins Underland Chronicles will enjoy The Spindlers.  If we could all get some of those seeds of hope and spread them around, it would be a great thing.

The Mighty Miss Malone / Christopher Paul Curtis / 303 pages

Once you meet the character of Deza Malone, you will not be able to forget her.  The Mighty Miss Malone is set in Gary, Indiana during the Depression.  Christopher Paul Curtis does a wonderful job of creating a very poor African American family who enjoys being together.  Deza is determined, smart and proud, the best in her class.  Her brother Jimmy is not so great as a student, but has a wonderful singing voice.  When Deza's father cannot find work and then changes after surviving a very tragic fishing accident, things begin to unravel.  Eventually Deza, Jimmy & their mother end up in a hobo camp.  This is the story of their survival and their triumph in unbelievably hard times.  Certainly a great book to be read and shared.  There are certainly Deza's in our communities and we need to celebrate them and protect them. Recommended for grades 5-7.

The One and Only Ivan / Katherine Applegate / 304 pages

Told exclusively from the viewpoint of a gorilla, the One and Only Ivan, this book will leave you thinking about animals in captivity and what animals may be communicating.  Ivan is held captive in a mall with a circus theme for over 20 years. His only friends are an elephant, a stray dog, and the janitor's daughter who enables Ivan to communicate through art.  Ivan represses his role as a male gorilla until the owner of the Mall buys a baby elephant.  Ivan cannot bear the thought of Ruby living in her domain (ie cage) for decades and he takes action.  The story is based on a real gorilla.  A great read and one that would be good for book discussions.  It's a quick read for grades 4-7.   Just remember, to gorillas we are slimy chimps.

The Unfortunate Son / Constance Leeds / 302 pages

Historical fiction set in 1500's France and Tunisia.  Luc is born without an ear and cast aside as an abomination by his evil father, the Duke.  Beatrice is left an orphan when the Duke publicly executes her father and her mother abandons her.  Beatrice is raised by her loving governess in a small fishing village while Luc is given to a family with an abusive father.  Eventually they meet and become good friends but then Luc is abducted by pirates and sold into slavery to a Muslim scholar.  A good story though it seems like two separate stories...before pirates and after pirates.  Readers will get a good view of the contrasts of the two cultures.  The ending leaves you thinking there will be a sequel.  Grades 5-7.

The Golden Goblet / Eloise Jarvis McGraw / 248 pages

This Newbery Honor winning book was just such a good book.  It concerns Ranofer, an Egyptian boy, in the time of the phaorohs.  He must live with his abusive half-brother Gebu.  He wishes to be a goldsmith.
There is a mystery of missing gold.  Can he solve the mystery, gain friends, and change his destiny?  The story is good and the description puts the reader in ancient Egypt.  What's not to like.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly / Jean-Dominique Bauby / 132 pg.

This unusual book was written by the former editor of Elle magazine.  In 1996, Bauby lived in France and had a massive stroke that left him with "locked in" syndrome where he mind was fully operational, but he was totally paralized and couldn't speak.  What a nightmare situation to be in.  He was sent to live in a facility outside of Paris near the sea.  His story is about how he communicated and how he lived.  He was able to write the book by using the communication system of spelling out words by blinking his one working eye to a very patient friend.  He wrote the book and died the next year.  It is interesting and insightful to find out what it would be like.  The chapters are short and it was a best seller across Europe.

Among the Hidden / Margaret Peterson Haddix / 153 pgs. / December Challenge - Dystopian

In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm, until another "third" convinces him that the government is wrong.

A very quick read and a good discussion starter for kids.  I like that it brings up the topics of overpopulation, government control, protest and courage.  It also asks the question what kind of life do you want to live?  One that you control or one that you let happen to you?

This is the first book in the "Shadow Children" Series. 

Kevin Keller / Dan Parent / 138 pgs.

I'm not really a fan of Archie Comics, but I heard that they created an openly gay character to (as Veronica writer Dan Parent said) "show that Riverdale is in the 21st century." [1]

So expecting wide-sweeping stereotypes and corny after school special dialog; I found myself pleasantly surprised.  This graphic novel contains 6 issues of Archie comics which shows Kevin's introduction to the characters at Riverdale High School.  The stories are about making new friends while still maintaining old friendships, school bulling, Kevin's "coming out" story, and his life goal of serving in the military. 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Notorious Nineteen/Janet Evanovich/312 pages

Honestly, I finished this a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't get a chance to post anything until now. And I can't remember much about it. Stephanie chases after bad guys, cars blow up, Joe and Ranger make her spine tingle, her mother feeds her and Lulu wears clothes that don't fit. This is another series that needs to just fade away.

Hiss and Hers/M.C. Beaton/294 pages

Agatha Raisin is at it again. Her new gardner has caught her, and every other single and married woman's, eye. George is quite the lady's man but shows no interest in Agatha. When he is found murdered, there are plenty of suspects. Her merry band of detectives risk life and limb to find out who had the motive and the snake handling skills to get rid of George.

Agatha is getting a little long in the tooth to keep chasing after a husband, and maybe this series needs to end.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Stupidest Angel: a heartwarming tale of Christmas terror / Christopher Moore 275 p.



Pine Cove, Ca. is all out in getting ready for Christmas where ringing the bells for donations includes badgering ex-s for donations, digging up live Christmas trees for the needy, parties to plan, when a 7 yr. old boy sees Santa get it in the neck and offers up a prayer that Santa comes back from the dead; enter a new arrival who glows, Archangel Raziel, set to grant a child’s wish. At the town Christmas party, a gruesome Christmas arises with resurrected zombies seeking to feast on their brains.  They need an angel to rescue them from a Christmas massacre?  So where is he?

A comic satire from the author of Lamb: the gospel according to Biff, Christ's childhood pal. 

Apocalyptic fiction

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Flesh and Bone / Jonathan Maberry / 469 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

This is the third of four books in the Rot and Ruin series.  Benny Imura, Nix, Lilah, and Chong continue on their quest to find the plane, evidence that humanity and civilization must have survived the apocalyptic events and the zombies.  "Seven billion people had died since First Night.  Some to the zombies, some to the mad panic and wild savagery into which mankind had descended during the collapse of government and the military and society.  Some were killed in the battles, blown to radioactive dust as nuclear bombs were dropped in a desperate attempt to stop the legions of walking dead.  And many more died in the days after, succumbing to ordinary infections, injuries, starvation, and the wildfire of diseases that sprang from the death and rot that was everywhere."  They find the plane...and Reapers...and Sanctuary...and...  Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!

An Awfully Beastly Business: Battle of the Zombies / The Beastly Boys (David Sinden) / 179 pages / November Challenge Zombies

Wow!! Fablehaven move over!  You have a competitor for magic beast asylum.  This book has zombies, ghosts, gargoyles, unicorns, fairies, giants, werewolves, and knights engaged in a violent struggle to control the world.  The evil son of benevolent scientist Professor Farraway, one Baron Marackai, has animated an evil ghost using phoenix tears.  He is determined to take Howlhammer Castle, to destroy the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to beasts, and then to rule the world.  I liked Fablehaven better, but this is still pretty awesome with a great hologram on the cover.

Dust and Decay / Jonathan Maberry / 519 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

The Apocalypse is now.  Seven billion people are dead.  There is no military and no police.  Zombies terrorize the survivors.  Tom Imura, a bounty hunter, has decided to take his brother, Ben, and his friends Nix, Lilah, and Chong on a grueling trip in search of the airplane they had seen at the end of Rot and Ruin.  Tom decides that a short practice camping trip would be a good idea.  The trip turns deadly.  Gameland has been reopened and teenagers are once again being forced to battle the zombies.  This book reads reminiscent of adventure, action-packed westerns.  Lots of battle scenes, heroic action, and hero mentality make Dust and Decay a must read!!

The Laughing Corpse / Laurell Hamilton / 293 pages / November Challenge Zombies

Set in St. Louis and accompanying suburbs, this book features Anita Blake, vampire slayer.  Anita is an animator working closely with police.  Alternate lifestyles are now legal, i.e., vampires, zombies, etc.  Someone has asked Anita to animate an infamous bad man and she refuses.  Perhaps someone else has done so, because innocents are being brutally murdered.  Is the Voodoo witch involved?  Can Anita catch the slayer before he kills again?

World War Z, an Oral History of the Zombie War / Max Brooks / 602 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

"It was bedlam, exactly what you thought the end of the world was supposed to look like."  The infestation, the Great Plague, zombies, is believed to have started in China.  Spread was facilitated by denial.  Efforts to contain were often ineffective.  "It was a mess, confusion turning to anger, anger turning on our neighbors.  Every hour the conflict escalated.  Border clashes, air strikes.  It happened so fast, just three days of conventional warfare neither side having any clear objective, just panicked rage."  "We created a beast, an nuclear monster that neither side could tame..."  "Panic's even more infectious than the Z germ."  Frightening!!

Dinkin Dings and the Frightening Things / Guy Bass/ 128 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

"Dinkin Dings was afraid of everything...In fact, there were only three things that Dinkin wasn't afraid of.  He wasn't afraid of the Frightening Things" - the monster who lives in the closet, the monster who lives under the bed, and the ghost who visits regularly.  He does, however, recognize "the sound of the end of the world" and hears it when a moving van pulls in next door.  Is the new girl a flesh-eating zombie who plans on turning the whole planet into mindless, flesh eating slaves?  Do zombies really smell like sour milk and old ladies' underwear?  This book is adorable!  The great illustrations and terrific plot twist are sure to captivate and entertain.

Paranorman / Elizabeth Cody Kimmel / 242 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

Norman Babcock, a seventh grader, has seen and heard ghosts for as long as he could remember and he started talking back to them about a year ago.  "On the day he was born strange things happened.  All the lights in the maternity ward blew their fuses at the very moment the doctor announced, 'It's a boy!' Two dogs across town set up a strange chorus of howling at the same time.  And two guys coming off their shift at Witchy Weiner saw a rainbow in the sky - it was one in the morning and the rainbow was shaped like a huge question mark."  Blithe Hollow was teeming with phantom people and animals and Norman talked to every single one who found him - including the toad in formaldehyde in science class.  "If that made him an outcast, well, whatever, Norman had never really been too keen on being an incast in the first place.  As far as he could tell, most living people were vastly overrated."  It is now the three hundredth anniversary of the Blithe Hollow Witch trial and if Norman doesn't stop her, the witch will return, "raise an army of the Dead and they will devour everything in their path." The Apocalypse will begin right here.  This delightfully illustrated and entertaining tale has been made into a major motion picture dealing with friendship, bullying, acceptance of individual differences, mob violence/mentality, the paranormal, and the Salem Wtich Trials.

"By the time the Salem Witch Trials ended in 1693, more than 210 people had been tried for witchcraft and 20 of the had been put to death."

The Fear / Charlie Higson / 486 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

First there was The Enemy, then The Dead, now The Fear.  The Apocalypse has arrived.  All grown-ups have turned into zombies and are determined to eat the only fresh meat available - kids.  The kids themselves, while fighting for survival, are attempting to re-establish civilization.  Justin and his group of scientists in the Natural History Museum; David in Buckingham Palace; another group in the Tower of London...etc.  Unfortunately, they do not unite for the good of all...and the the story continues...  This is a great YA read/series.

Deck Z: The Titanic: Unsinkable, Undead / Chris Pauls / 222 pages / November Challenge Zombies

The year is 1912 and Theodor Weiss, a German scientist, has been conducting research on a plague that struck Manchuria killing thousands and turning many into soulless, flesh-hungry monsters.  He longs to find an antidote.  When he discovers that the Germans plan to use the plague as a biological weapon, he sets fire to his lab and books passage on the Titanic to take the serum to America and continue his research.  A German agent follows him and unleashes the plague on the unsuspecting passengers.  Hard to put down!

"Arrogance diminishes wisdom."

Undead Ed / Rotterly Ghoulston / 206 pages / November Challenge Zombies

Yep, that is the author's name!  When Ed Bagley is hit by a truck on his thirteenth birthday and killed, he becomes a zombie because of a curse placed on his left arm as a result of an electrocution accident at a local circus.  He is initiated into the world of the undead - ghouls, ghosts, waifs, vampires, werewolves.  In fact, his DB, Death Buddy, is a werewolf.  Ed writes this book as lessons to us the living to explain what we have to look forward to.  Chased by his arm which has detached itself, Ed faces an assortment of the undead.  "It was absolutely, mind-meltingly disgusting."...And it had great illustrations.

Prospect / Bill Littlefield 81 p.


Retired baseball scout Pete Estey is a grumpy old man who just wants to be left alone and manages it; until Louise Brown, attendant at the home, lures him away from his radio with a new hot prospect—her pitcher nephew.

Trail / Louis Charbonneau 175 p.



In 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set off to explore the Louisiana territory from St. Louis to the Pacific following the Missouri River with a small band of soldiers, mountain men, one Indian woman and a Newfoundland dog.

Toy Soldiers / William P. Kennedy 142 p.


Brilliant prankster young Billy Tepper plaques his teachers at an American boarding school in Italy until gun-toting terrorists capture the school and hold the students hostage—their safe release in return for ransom and release of political prisoners. Billy plans a grand plan for their escape while the soldiers and politicians dither.

Morning Glory / LaVyrle Spencer 179 p.


Widow Elly Dinsmore and Will Parker are living through hard times when he answers her ad for a husband.  Elly is poor and pregnant and barely scratching out a living on a tumbled down farm, while Will gets bounced out of jobs as his ex-con past catches up with him.  This chance meeting, born out of desperation, leads them both to a surprising love—strong enough to endure the war and a terrible crime.

Appeal: character-driven, amusing, bittersweet, heartwarming, moving, conversational.  

Amazing Gracie / Sherryl Woods 320 p


Gracie MacDougal, a Paris luxury hotel executive, jets to Seagull Point, Va., the only place she remembers from her childhood to recover from her workaholic life style where she finds a waterfront Victorian house that calls her to make it a bread-and-breakfast and encounters the roadblock in the shape of Kevin Daniels, a laid back Southern charmer who is more interested in getting her to become a more relaxed woman—but not a dependent—he has enough people depending upon him.

Appeal: Character-driven, Amusing, Conversational, Engaging.

Decades Books: 1990

Monday, December 10, 2012

A Fool's Gold Christmas/Susan Mallery/315 pgs.

Mallery brings a Christmas setting to her imaginary town of Fool's Gold, California. Evie Stryker, somewhat the "estranged" half sister to the Stryker brothers, was forcibly brought (by her family) to Fool's Gold to recuperate from a broken leg. While recuperating, Evie has become a dance teacher at Dominique's School of Dance. The head dance teacher, Miss Monica, has run off with her male suitor, leaving Evie in charge of "The Dance of the Winter King." This production is a big deal in Fool's Gold, and Evie is feeling the pressure of making it outstanding. In addition, the dance studio is above her brother, Rafe's, temporary office. Rafe's lawyer, Dante Jefferson, also works out of this office--and has also moved next door to Evie. Sparks fly between Evie and Dante, and each proclaims to only want  some "fun" during the holiday season. Of course, their feelings for each other develop into something deeper, leading the reader to the foregone conclusion. As I've said in other posts, Mallery is similar to Debbie Macomber--there is more of a depth and personality to their characters than to other romance writers' characters. This was a fun read, and a great de-stresser during this holiday season!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

The Perfect Hope / Nora Roberts / 324 pages

This is the third book in the Inn Boonsboro trilogy.  The last of the three brothers, Ryder Montgomery, and the innkeeper are soon to be married.  Research and Ryder's connection to Billy have resulted in the reunification of the ghosts of Lizzy and Billy who had been separated during the Civil War.  I totally loved this mini-series by Nora Roberts and can't wait to visit her BoonsBoro Inn.

Dead-Tossed Waves / Carrie Ryan / 407 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

This is the second book in the Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy.  Gabry discovers that her mother is not really her mother.  She found her on a path in the forest.  She also lost her new boyfriend, Katcher.  She and a group of friends climbed the barricades to the old amusement park.  Once there Katcher was bitten by a zombie.  The others are arrested because in crossing the barrier they broke the law.  They are sentenced to be Recruiters with non of the perks.  Gabry escapes this punishment because she runs away before the others are apprehended.  Gabry is pursued by Daniel, a guard, and kills him in self defense.  She crossed the barrier in search of Katcher and freedom.

Shadows / Ilsa J. Bick / 520 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

The Change doesn't affect little kids or older people.  In fact, it seemed to cure Alzheimer's.  Those of age not affected by The Change were called The Spared.  Those who were affected by the EMP that occurred in book one, Ashes, are referred to as The Changed or Chuckies.  They are like zombies, driven to devour human flesh over all other forms of food.  At the end of book one, Alex had escaped Rule and is captures by an organized group of Changed who add  her to their human food chain.  Tom is alive and determined to find Alex...as are Lena, Nathan, and Chris.  A military organization headed by Finn has sent bounty hunters to capture rogue unchanged...to what purpose?  The group bears the Roman numeral III insignia which stood 3%.  "That was the statistic private militias liked to throw around because only that small percentage of the American colonists actually fought the British in the Revolutionary War."  This is an awesome read!  It is probably best to read Ashes and Shadows in close proximity as otherwise Shadows may be confusing at times.

Sludgment Day / John Kloepfer / 215 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

This is the third book in the Zombie Chasers series.  We find Zack Clarke riding shotgun to Ozzie Briggs in the cockpit of the helicopter they had commandeered to escape the zombified White House with the antidote.  Zack's sister, Zoe, her BFF Madison Miller, his best buddy, Rice, and Dr. Scott, who had developed the antidote based on advice from kids, were in the back.  They're on their way to Phoenix, Arizona to unzombify Zack and Zoe's parents.  En route, They encounter Zombie pit bulls, zombie raccoons, and zombie Elvis impersonators, the world's largest catsup bottle in Collinsville, Illinois, a tornado, and the Mall of America.

The Boy Who Couldn't Die / William Sleator / 162 pages / November Challenge Zombies

When his best friend, Roger, is killed in a plane crash, Ken Pritchard is devastated.  He remembers a folktale about "a monster who hides his soul in some completely inaccessible place...He could come to no harm.  He could live forever."  Now he realizes that if sixteen year old Roger can die, he can too.  He started with psychics, then he found Cheri Buttercup, in a high rise apartment in Queens.  When she tells him she can do what he wants, but he must die first, he balks.  He also is chagrined that she will not tell him where she will hide his soul.  But since Ken, the son of rich, indulgent parents, has always gotten what he wanted, he decides he will never die and agrees to Cheri's terms.  His invincibility is proven when he is uninjured when attacked by five football players.  He convinces his parents to schedule a scuba diving vacation off a remote island which recently saw a death by shark attack.  While there he meets Sabine, a junior scuba diving instructor, who explains the terrible mistake he made.  He has become an astral zombie and Cheri Buttercup has power over him.  He must get his soul back.

Undead Ahead / John Kloepfer / 206 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

"The Zombie Outbreak had erupted yesterday around suppertime, sweeping across the country in a matter of hours."  Now it's up to Zack, Rice, Zoe, Madison, and Ozzie to save the world.  Filled with disgusting, nauseating pus-filled details about stomach-churning zombie appearance, graphic illustrations, and creative, if off-putting, chapter numerals, this second book in the Zombie Chasers series is sure to appeal to 8 - 12 year olds stricken by the lure of apocalyptic zombies.

Last to Die / Tess Geritsen / 338 pages

Jane Rizzoli's mom tells her "When you lose your family, you lose everything."  Those words echoed in Jane's head.  She knew that was why Evensong existed, a school in rural Maine for children whose entire families had been brutally murdered.  Three of those children have also had their subsequent caregivers slaughtered.  Will, Claire, and Teddy meet at Evensong.  Detective Jane Rizzoli believes that is a connection between the three and sets out to discover what it is.  Her friend Boston ME Maura Isles is visiting her foster son, Julian, for two weeks as he is also a resident of the school.  Working together, Rizzoli and Isles uncover a nefarious international plot and one scheming woman.

"When you abandon civilized standards of conduct, you run the risk of becoming a monster yourself."

The Book Without Words, a Fable of Medieval Magic / Avi / 232 pages / November Challenge Zombies

Booklist says "Avi reigns supreme in building Gothic atmosphere, and children will be thrilled by the ghostly scenes of fog-shrouded cemeteries and villains reduced to a foul lump of putrid muck!"  It is 1046 England and young Sybil's master has died.  Unbeknownst to her he has stolen the Book Without Words and is using it to achieve immortality - at Sybil's expense.  With the help of two green eyed young men, she buries the body only to see it resurrected.  A mysterious monk entreats her to return the book to him to prevent further misuse.  This will surely appeal to all as a spooky suspense tale with an important message - a true fable.

The Man Who Was Poe / Avi / 208 pages

Edmund goes into the murky streets of Providence, Rhode Island in 1848 in search of his missing aunt.  She had brought Edmund and his sister to America in response to a message from her sister, his mother.  When Edmund gets back to his room, his sister is missing also.  A mysterious Mr. DuPont helps Edmund find his sis, is amazed at similarities between Edmund and himself, and begins to write a story about Edmund's predicament.  Mr. DuPont is actually Edgar Allen Poe and unfortunately, he, too, has a drinking problem.  An excellent afterword gives a brief sketch of Edgar Allen Poe's life and describes the significance of his alias.

Little Brother / Cory Doctorw / 416 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

This was an awesome book, a page-turner, and an incredibly creative treatment of a contemporary theme.  San Francisco is attacked by terrorists and citizens are arrested, imprisoned, and questioned in torture-like fashion to determine guilty parties.  Freedom is criminally abridged.  Marcus, a seventeen year old computer whiz, is one the arrestees.  Although three of his friends were arrested with him, one has disappeared.  Marcus singlehandedly mounts an attack on the DHS in an attempt to restore freedom and secure his friend's release. 

Libraries "encourage kids to hack computers, commit vandalism and thwart law enforcement, and gives them detailed instructions on the best way to do these things."  Chad Orzel

Line of Fire / Stephen White / 371 pages

I have enjoyed reading every single book about Dr. Alan Gregory, his wife Lauren and his friends Sam, Adrienne, and Diane, learning about the art of therapy and vicariously living in Boulder.  This is the next to last book about these characters and Stephen White does not disappoint.  Do not, do not, let anyone share spoilers about this book because you won't see what's coming.  As in previous books, readers will get a feeling of what it must be like to be a therapist and those sessions can be enlightening as he explores the psyche of Gregory's clients.  In this story, White investigates what happens to our most dearly held feelings and beliefs about truth, honesty, trust, and promises when unbelievable desperation and pressure come into play.  We will behave and hold onto our highest standards....unless.

Twelve Kinds of Ice / Ellen Bryan Obed / 61 pages

Obed manages to impart the joy, the anticipation, the freedom, the love, and the exhilaration of a season that includes ice.  From the moment that a thin skim of ice is found on a pail of water to the soggy ice that hearkens the beginning of warmer weather, a family experiences skating in fields, streams, lakes and even their "garden ice."  I had no idea that ice went through so many transformations and could inspire such a compact, perfect little book.  The story written in crisp sparkling language and the pen & ink illustrations merge perfectly. Makes you want to move to Canada.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Long Walk / Stephen King / 384 pages

Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman.  This book reminded me of Hunger Games, although it predates it.  All twelve year olds must test for the Long Walk - a grueling competition with only one winner.  The winner gets whatever he wishes for the rest of his life.  The losers get death.  The ending is quite satisfying!  This is the first novel Stephen King ever wrote, begun eight years before Carrie was published in 1974, when he was a freshman at the University of Maine, 1966-67.

Bad Moon Rising / Jonathan Maberry / 608 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

John Connolly said that Bad Moon Rising "is one of the best supernatural thrillers of recent years" and I would agree with him 100%!  Continuing the story begun in Ghost Road Blues and Dead Man's Song, Bad Moon Rising "will grip you on page one and hold you in a strangle hold until page 608.  Terror reigns supreme in this novel."  The clash between good and evil explodes in an apocalyptic showdown few will survive.  Pine Deep, Pennsylvania is known for its Halloween Festival and thousands visit to be scared to death.  Ubel Griswold, and ancient psychic vampire has chosen the festival as cover for his resurrection.  In this third book in the Pine Deep trilogy, we have vampires, zombies, (Deadheads), werewolves, and corrupt humans.  Something for everyone!

My Rotten Life / David Lubar / 160 pages / November Challenge Zombies

Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie Slayer, Book 1.  Nathan Abercrombie decides to try an experimental formula developed by a friend's eccentric uncle.  Hurt-B-Gone is supposed to make one invulnerable to hurt feelings and angry put downs from school bullies.  It doesn't work quite like its supposed to and Nathan is turning into a zombie.  He friend discovers the antidote but has so much fun finding the ingredients she keeps adding to the list.  Nathan is almost back to normal when he realizes his zombiehood could save the life of his friend.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies / Seth Grahame-Smith / 319 pages / November Challenge Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms Jane Austin's beloved classic into a comedy of manners and mayhem.  Young Elizabeth Bennett is trained to be a zombie slayer and is well-renowned for her skill.  She is distracted from her craft by the arrival of Mr. Darcy, who is haughty, arrogant, and, in light of Elizabeth's perceptions of his actions, totally reprehensible.  "Complete with romance, heartbreak, sword fights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to listen to."  I would prefer the original or Mr. Hockensmith's prequel and sequel.

Invasion of the Appleheads / Annette and Gina Cascone / 188 pages / November Challege Zombies

Katie and Andy have moved to a new town, Appleton.  Of course, they are having the usual hard time adjusting to a new town, home, and school.  They are looking forward to the Halloween Parade and are putting the finishing touches on their costumes when their mom and dad insist they accompany them on a driving tour of the historical sites of the town.  One of the venues is Appleton's famous apple orchards known for its Haunted Hayride.  According to the guidebook, "Appleton Orchard was originally owned by a woman accused of being a witch...The townspeople believed the witch was putting some kind of magic potion into her apples, a potion that turned all the children in Appleton into zombies.  On Halloween Night, 300 years ago, the angry parents burned the orchard to the ground."  The witch, Yala, has improved her magic formula and now the kids are turned into zombies and the adults are turned into applehead dolls.  Can Katie and Andy save their parents, the kids, and the entire town?  This Deadtime Stories book would be a great read-aloud, especially for Halloween and is sure to please librarians/teachers/parents because Katie suggests they go to the library for answers.

The Enemy / Charlie Higson / 440 pages / December Challenge Apocalyptic Literature

Stranger Danger takes on a whole new meaning in The Enemy by Charlie Higson.  Inner city London youths refer to zombies as such.  In other parts of England they're simply called grown-ups or mothers and fathers.  Everyone over the age of 16 has become a zombie and goes into a feeding frenzy.  Kids have barricaded themselves into grocery stores and venture out to scavenge.  The zombies are getting bolder and smarter, so when Jester shows up and tells them they should leave their fortress and come back with him to Buckingham Palace they agree.  The story traces the journey to the palace and the situation there.  Simultaneously, it switches to Callum, a hold out who refused to leave with the group and Sam, a small one abducted by zombies, who escaped and is attempting to make his way to find the others and his sister, Ella.  Michael Grant, author of the Gone series, says "The Enemy grabs you by the throat...and bites off your ear...sheer fun."  "Full of unexpected twists and quick-thinking heroes, The Enemy is a fast-paced, white-knuckle tale of survival in the face of unimaginable horror."  What do you do when all the grown ups, power, and life as you knew it cease to exist?

Dreadfully Ever After / Steve Hockensmith / 287 pages / November Challenge Zombies

This is the third book bringing Jane Austin's characters from Pride and Prejudice to life in a world threatened by zombies.  Here we have Fitzwilliam Darcy bitten by a zombie (Dreadful, Unmentionable, Zed-Dash-Dash-Dash) shortly after his marriage to Elizabeth Bennett.  Elizabeth has been convinced that her days as a zombie slayer are at an end because such pursuits are not suited to a married gentlewoman.  Darcy's aunt, a fierce warrior herself, has concocted an elaborate plot to split up Darcy and Elizabeth, discredit Elizabeth and her family, and secure Darcy's affections for her daughter, his cousin Ann.  Is there a miraculous cure for zombieism?  Can Elizabeth secure this cure for Darcy?  Once again Mr. Hockensmith has created an amusing, entertaining, totally tongue-in-cheek conclusion to Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies filled with romance, heartbreak, martial arts...and an army of shambling corpses.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Zombie Makers: true stories of nature's undead / Rebecca Johnson / 48 pages

A kid's book!  Only 48 pages?  Well, let me just say, they were a fascinating 48 pages taken from real research from real scientists in the field today.  The author actually communicates with scientists around the world to get her information for this book.  I don't know how she gets the great photos.

Example:  A fly turned into a zombie by a fungus.  The fly ingests fungus contaminated food.  The fungus grows inside of the fly.  The fly is actually being eaten from the inside and will soon die, but before it does, it has the deep need to sit on a leaf up high (due to the fungus).  Then, when it dies, the fungus actually bursts through the fly spreading the fungus spores into the air so more unsuspecting flies can be contaminated and turn into zombies to do the fungus's will.

Also, note to self:  Never go to Africa where there are these fleas in the water that can get into your body and grow into 3 foot worms that eventually burrow out of your leg!!!  Yech!  Seriously.  and there is a picture of it.

As you can see, it is a great book.  Highly recommended.

Alone / Richard E. Byrd 305 p.

Admiral Richard E. Byrd elects to man a hut alone deep in the Antarctic where he will gather weather data for the 6 months of winter in 1934 and gets the greatest challenge of his career, the monumental struggle to survive carbon monoxide poisoning and retain his sanity-- all kept a secret from his base camp staff.

First person narrative, intricate details, true, nonfiction, adventure writing, historical writing, and journalistic.

Continents Books: Antarctica

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

5 Centimeters Per Second/Makoto Shinkai/460 pages

5 Centimeters Per Second was actually first released as a Japanese animated feature film, with the manga novel being released at a later date. There is no science fiction or fantasy element in this novel, instead it gives a realistic view of the struggles many face in their life: time, space, people, and love. The two main characters become close friends in elementary school and then have to move away from each other. They remain close at first, even making a trip to visit each other in middle school, but soon realize that they have begun to drift their separate ways. Unlike other manga series, this story begins and ends with one volume. We read this for manga club and watched the anime as well. Would recommend for teens, even those that don't typically read manga.



Graceling/Kristin Cashore/471 pages

Sometimes people are born with an extreme skill, for Katsa it is the skill of killing. She has been used by her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns for his dirty work, torturing or killing those that go against his wishes for years. In this fantasy adventure Katsa meets Prince Po, another graceling, and her life is changed forever. Katsa finally decides to escape from her uncle's control with Po by her side. I really think the strong female character, that kicks some booty and needs no one, is becoming  a bit overdone in the young adult genre. I really wanted Po to stand up and be "the man" once in awhile.  The story moves a little slow, especially when the characters are traveling and Katsa spends a lot of time reflecting on certain things but overall it was a good book that teens would enjoy.

The Fault in Our Stars/John Green/318 pages

Hazel is a stage IV cancer patient being kept alive by some kind of miracle drug and an oxygen tank, doctors have suggested going to a support group to help her battle with depression. Augustus is a gorgeous, ex-basketball that has had leg amputated and in remission.  Ok, you can already tell this book will not end well. A love story that begins with two teenage kids dealing with things much larger than anyone should be asked to handle and they handle it with grace, humor and yes, sometimes, anger. This is a sad story but the author has told the story and captured the feelings of not only terminally ill kids and their families, but of teens, just wanting to be normal.  Green worked as a chaplain in a children's hospital right out of college. The author says as a result of this experience   he's spent twelve years trying to write a book about kids with cancer - not poster children of strength and courage and illness-granted wisdom, but real kids and their families and friends who have to cope with the fact that they will die young. One of the best books I've read this year, grab the tissue box and start reading.

Mischief and Mistletoe/Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, et al

This is a collection of Regency Christmas stories--that pretty much sums it up! I do want to add, however, that I am a big fan of Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney, so that's what initially drew me to this collection. As a result, I have discovered that I really enjoyed the writing of some of the other authors of this collection. At this busy time of year, it was nice to have a book that I could easily put down and look forward to returning to!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Unwanteds / Lisa McMann / 390 pages

Kirkus summed this book up perfectly:  "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter."  Kids will love, love love this book about a world in which there are Wanteds who run the military, Necessaries who support the Wanteds, and Unwanteds, the creative who are condemned to death.  13 year olds who show any sign of creativity in the arts, music, language, theater, etc are culled in the annual Purge and taken away.  Their families could care less.  Alex, Meghan, Lani and Samheed think they are being sent to their deaths and instead discover that the Unwanteds are actually taken to a secret, magical place Artime where they flourish.  The book ends with discovery and battle against the Quillitary and Governors of the land of Quil.  Thankfully there is a sequel, Island of Silence, which readers will gobble up.  Recommended for kids who love adventure, fast-action, and magic.  Grades 5-8.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

How to Capture a Countess / Karen Hawkins / 357 pgs

When Rose Balfour was 16, she foolishly flirts and throws herself at Lord Sinclair at a formal event and then is shocked when he kisses her with a little bit too much enthusiasm.  Surprised she pushes Sinclair (who nickname is 'Sin') into a fountain which causes gossip and Rose's reputation is ruined and Sinclair feels humiliated.  Rose goes into hiding and Sin spends 6 years brooding over the event plotting his revenge.  So, six years later Sin's very wealthy Aunt creates an elaborate ruse to bring the two together again and watch the fireworks fly.

The writing was solid, but the story gets tired and slow.  The two characters challenge each other to see who is better at Horse riding, archery, and even croquet!  Trust me descriptions of croquet games are not that exciting.  It also did not help that Sin was really only looking for a "booty call" and the Heroine is to blinded by her crush on this guy to realize it.  So the mom in me just wanted to smack her upside the head and tell her to stop flirting with this guy since he is bad news.  This is a Romance Novel and all so OF COURSE you know its going to turn out okay in the end (which also makes me want to vomit, but this was entertaining and I like to be entertained). 

Walking Dead: Miles Behind Us, Vol. 2 / Robert Kirkman / 200 pgs / Zombie Challenge

The surviving members from volume 1, abandon their camp and search for a new home.  They come across a Self Subsistence Family Farm (how lucky is that!) run by Hershel Green; the over protective, self-righteous, head-of-the-family.  This allows the group to rest and it adds new characters to the story.  Other than the occasional Zombie attack, not much happens in this volume.