Booking Mama

Review: So Far Away

2012-05-29T00:08:00.000-04:00

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Natalie Gallagher is trying to escape: from her parents' ugly divorce, and from the vicious cyber-bullying of her former best friend. She discovers a dusty old diary in her family's basement and is inspired to unlock its secrets.

Kathleen Lynch, an archivist at the Massachusetts State Archives, has her own painful secrets: she's a widow estranged from her only daughter. Natalie's research brings her to Kathleen, who in Natalie sees traces of the daughter she has lost.

What could the life of an Irish immigrant domestic servant from the 1920s teach them both? In the pages of the diary, they will learn that their fears and frustrations are timeless.So Far Away is an affecting story of mothers and daughters and how solace can be found in the most unlikely places. -- Reagan Arthur

Last year around this time, I reviewed THE ARRIVALS by Meg Mitchell Moore. I loved this book and especially Ms. Moore's writing style; and I thought she did a wonderful job of creating authentic characters and capturing the essence of family dynamics. So it should come as no surprise that I've been anxiously awaiting her new novel SO FAR AWAY. I definitely enjoyed this novel too, and it reminded me why I think Ms. Moore is such a terrific writer.

SO FAR AWAY tells the stories of Natalie, a teen who is trying to handle her parents' divorce, her mom's depression and some major cyber-bullying from some girls at school; and Kathleen, an archivist who is also trying to escape from a painful past -- one where her teenage daughter just up and left with no word. Natalie and Kathleen's lives collide when Natalie enters the Massachusetts State Archives one day to conduct research on her ancestors for a school project. Both Natalie and Kathleen fill a much-needed void in each other's lives, and they soon become close. When Natalie discovers a diary from an Irish servant girl in the 1920s, Kathleen and she both realize that the aren't alone with their feelings and insecurities; and not only do they take comfort in this girl's words, but they also find strength in each other.

I really, really enjoyed SO FAR AWAY, and it is one of those books that managed to touch my heart and make me think. I will admit that I thought the book got off to a slow start, but that might have been the mood I was in when I first picked up the book because shortly thereafter, I was hooked and desperate to discover more about Kathleen and Natalie's lives.

As was the case when I read THE ARRIVALS, there were quite a few positive things that stood out to me in SO FAR AWAY. First and foremost were the characters of Natalie and Kathleen. I adored both of them and thought they were so real and honest. Once again, that's a testament to how well Ms. Moore can create characters that resonate with readers. Maybe it's because I'm a mother to a girl who is close in age to Natalie, but my heart really went out to her. She was in so much pain because of her parents, the loss of her best friend, and the bullying; and it just made me sick to see how unfair her life was. On the other hand, my heart broke for Kathleen too. As a mom, I can't imagine losing my daughter the way she did, and to never know what happened to her is just gut-wrenching. It was because of this pain that these characters were able to connect -- they each "saved" the other, but it was also because this pain that I became so interested in their stories.

While Natalie and Kathleen really did make this book special, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention another secondary character that I liked. Kathleen's co-worker Neil was terrific, and he actually added a lot to this story. He did provide some lighter scenes in the book, but I think it was his interactions with Kathleen that made her a more authentic character to me. Their relationship demonstrated the importance of friendships in our lives, and the way they unconditional loved and supported each other was so heart-war,ming.

Another wonderful thing about SO FAR AWAY was how Ms. Moore presented these stories. For the most part, the book was written in third person alternating between Natalie and Kathleen's lives. However, I also really liked the diary entries of the 1920s Irish servant girl. I am the first to admit that I don't always like when journal entries are inserted in a story like this, but I think it was particularly effective in SO FAR AWAY. Not only did I find her story to be interesting, but I loved how the other characters were able to learn from it and gain strength from her actions.

Naturally, SO FAR AWAY lends itself to book club discussions. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a link to discussion questions, but I am sure they will be available in the near future. All of the characters and their actions are very interesting, but there are also some recurring themes that are worthy of some discussion. Some of the topics you might want to talk about include mother/daughter relationships, loss, depressions, grief, bullying, friendships, love, hope, and strength.

I so enjoyed SO FAR AWAY and I highly recommend it to fans of women's fiction. It is a beautiful story about love and friendship, and it's guaranteed to touch your heart.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: The 500

2012-05-28T00:40:00.000-04:00

Summary: A gripping thriller debut, set deep in the heart of the world's most powerful political arena

A year ago, fresh out of Harvard Law School, Mike Ford landed his dream job at the Davies Group, Washington's most powerful consulting firm. Now, he's staring down the barrel of a gun, pursued by two of the world's most dangerous men. To get out, he'll have to do all the things he thought he'd never do again: lie, cheat, steal-and this time, maybe even kill.

Mike grew up in a world of small-stakes con men, learning lessons at his father's knee. His hard-won success in college and law school was his ticket out. As the Davies Group's rising star, he rubs shoulders with "The 500," the elite men and women who really run Washington -- and the world. But peddling influence, he soon learns, is familiar work: even with a pedigree, a con is still a con.

Combining the best elements of political intrigue and heart-stopping action, THE 500 is an explosive debut, one that calls to mind classic thrillers like The Firm and Presumed Innocent. In Mike Ford, readers will discover a new hero who learns that the higher the climb, the harder -- and deadlier -- the fall. -- Reagan Arthur

It's no surprise to many of you that I'm a big fan of the Reagan Arthur imprint. So much so, that I co-host the Reagan Arthur Books Challenge with Bermudaonion. I love the uniqueness and diversity of the Reagan Arthur books, and they definitely have accomplished their goal -- "to give readers what they want most: the unique and lasting pleasure of sitting alone with a good book, being moved and entertained and even changed forever" -- in my mind. The latest Reagan Arthur book that I read and LOVED was THE 500 by Matthew Quirk.

THE 500 is an incredible thriller set in the political environment of our nation's capitol -- Washington D.C. Mike Ford is fresh out of Harvard and accepts a job of the Davies Group, Washington's most prestigious (and powerful) "consulting" firm. (Notice the quotation marks around the term consulting...) For the first time in his life, Mike seems to have it all -- a great job, financial security, and even the perfect girl. However, when he becomes involved with a project that is much more "complex" than he first thought, he finds himself scrambling for his life and using all of the "survival" skills he learned growing up.

I thought THE 500 was an outstanding example of everything a thriller should be, and I pretty much read this book straight through without setting it down. I'm warning you now, this book is addictive so you better have a few hours to just read it! I hesitate to say this because I don't like to make comparisons, but elements of this story reminded me of Grisham's THE FIRM... only I thought THE 500 was even better. I loved the writing, the storyline, the setting, and the suspense; and it's probably going to be one of my favorite thrillers of the year.

One of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much was the character of Mike. The story is told in his voice and I thought he was an excellent narrator. Not only did I genuinely like him as a person and admire him for turning his life around, but I loved his sense of humor, especially when it was at his expense. While the book was definitely filled with lots of high pressure scenes, I thought the author used the element of humor effectively to deflect the tension. In fact, there were times that I actually laughed out loud at Mike and some of his predicaments.

As far as suspense goes, THE 500 had a lot of it and it was very well done. I loved the intrigue as well as the action-packed scenes and I thought the pace of the novel was excellent. (That's probably why I couldn't put it down!) It became pretty obvious early on who the real "bad" guys were, but there was enough question about some of the other characters that I was kept guessing. In addition, Mike found himself in such a precarious situation that I couldn't possible figure out how he was going to get out of it. I don't want to give to much away but it's a good thing he was brought up by a con-man and extremely intelligent because the final outcomes were very creative... and very risky!

The entire time I was reading this book, I kept telling myself that this book would make a fantastic movie. So it shouldn't have come as any surprise to me that THE 500 is in development for a major motion picture by Twentieth Century Fox. The characters, especially Mike, are so interesting; and there is so much action and suspense that I have no doubt that this novel is perfect for the big screen. I keep trying to figure out who should star in it, though, and I'm just not sure. For those of you who have read this novel, do you have any ideas?

I thought THE 500 was an excellent suspense book and I highly recommend it to fans of this genre. I can pretty much guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Review: I Love Corn

2012-05-27T00:02:00.000-04:00

Summary: I Love Corn gathers 50 of the best corn recipes from around the world, including soups, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Some of the dishes you'll find are Jalapeño Corn Muffins; Sweet Corn Fritters; Fresh Corn Gazpacho; Grilled New Zealand Venison with Corn, Cocoa and Chipotle Relish; Polenta Stew; Corn Pudding with Bacon and Leeks; Yankee Corn Bread; Popcorn Pudding with Salted Caramel Corn and Butterscotch Sauce; and Fresh Corn Ice Cream. Also inside this colorful, gift-worthy package you'll find tips for buying, storing, cooking, and grilling fresh corn, along with instructions for easily cutting kernels off the cob.

With recipes that have been painstakingly crafted by creative, award-winning chefs from around the country, such as Dan Barber, Michelle Bernstein, and Hugh Acheson, I Love Corn makes corn the irresistible ingredient of choice for all of your favorite dishes. -- Andrews McMeel

I love getting books -- who doesn't? But when I opened up a package and saw the new cookbook titled I LOVE CORN by Lisa Skye, I wasn't exactly jumping up and down. What can I say? I am not a huge fan of corn, much to my kids' dismay. I enjoy the occasional corn-on-the-cob or piece of corn bread, but I definitely don't go out of my way to eat corn. I almost cast this cookbook aside because I figured that there wouldn't be any recipes that interested me.

However, I am a huge fan of cookbooks and I couldn't resist taking just one quick peek. And much to my surprise, there were quite a few recipes that I wanted to try. I LOVE CORN is a collection of fifty of the world's best corn recipes -- and some of them are pretty darn unique. The recipes were gathered from famous chefs and are served in well known restaurants around the world, and they range from simple to complex.

The cookbook begins with a Forward and an Introduction, but it was the following section called "Everything Corn" that I found especially interesting. These few pages teach you lots about corn from how to buy it and store it, to all of the different ways you can prepare it. In addition, there are instructions for how to serve it and how to freeze it. The book is then divided into the following chapters: Breakfast, Soups, Starters, Mains, Sides, and Sweets. Of course, I went straight to the corn desserts because I was extremely curious.

I knew immediately which recipe I wanted to try -- the Cornmeal Cake with Honey and Bananas by Eve Nasetti. It is a very simple recipe and it has ingredients that I usually have on hand -- corn meal, egg whites, sugar, honey, unsalted butter, baking powder, salt and bananas. I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for quick and easy recipes that I can make without having to head to the grocery store. The recipe only took me a few minutes to prepare and I admit that I wasn't too sure it was going to turn out. The whole fluffy egg white portion added to the corn meal and butter portion just looked a little slimy to me. However, the cake did turn out and it was delicious. The chef recommends serving it at room temperature with some whipped cream and strawberries; and I'm sure it would be terrific that way. But I tested it while it was still slightly warm and I can't imagine it could get much better.

In addition to the Cornmeal Cake with Honey and Bananas, there were some other recipes that definitely piqued my interest including the Lobster and Corn Bruschetta; the Sliced Sirloin with Spicy Corn, Shiitake, and Bacon Salsa; the Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salad; the Spicy Stir-Fried Corn and Broccoli; the Jalapeno Corn Muffins; and the Blueberry Financier with Corn Bread Streusel. For those of you with more adventurous tastes, there are recipes for Popcorn Pudding with Salted Caramel Corn and Butterscotch Sauce, Chilled Corn Soup with Nutmeg, and Grilled New Zealand Venison with Corn, Cocoa, and Chipotle Relish.

And there's one more nice little tidbit about I LOVE CORN that I wanted to share with you. A large portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to The Dougy Center, the national center for grieving children and families.

If you are a fan of corn or just curious about an entire cookbook with corn recipes, then I suggest giving I LOVE CORN a chance!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this cookbook.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Kid Konnection: Gilt

2012-05-26T00:48:00.000-04:00

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to review a new historical fiction young adult book which also happens to be part of the Class of 2K12.

Summary: When Kitty Tylney's best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII's heart and brings Kitty to court, she's thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat's shadow, Kitty's now caught between two men--the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat's meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head. -- Viking

Just when I thought I was a little bit tired of historical fiction -- or at least the king and queen variety, I heard about the new young adult novel GILT by Katherine Longshore. I admit that my interest was definitely piqued because GILT sounded like an original approach to a famous story.

GILT tells the story of Kitty Tylney who is best friends with Catherine Howard, one of the women who ends up marrying King Henry VIII. The story follows Kitty and Catherine's friendship as they move from their childhood home to King Henry VIII's court. It's filled with glamor, romance, scandal, and intrigue; and I think it will not only appeal to teen girls, but adult women as well.

Overall, I enjoyed GILT a great deal. I realize I'm not the target audience, but I liked that the book focused on the friendship between Kitty and Catherine rather than the relationship between Catherine and the king. I thought this angle was refreshing and brought some special insight into the character of Catherine. Of course, I also appreciated how the author chose to portray Kitty's character and I thought she was a fabulous narrator.

Needless to say, it's hard not to fall in love with Kitty. She is such a sweet girl and loyal friend, and I thought she was an wonderfully complex character. It's hard enough to be a teen and navigate the world, but for Kitty, it was especially difficult. She was torn with how Catherine treated her, yet she was also loyal to a fault. In addition, she began discovering the opposite sex despite living in Catherine's shadow; and she found herself caught between her true love and a man who seemed to desire her. I thought Ms. Longshore did a great job in bringing Kitty to live and making her a realistic and sympathetic character.

I also enjoyed how the relationship between Kitty and Catherine was portrayed. While I immediately felt an affinity with Kitty, that certainly wasn't the case with Catherine. I had a hard time accepting her "attitude" and how she treated Kitty (as well as her other so-called friends.) What I thought was so special about their relationship, though, is how relevant it still is today. I believe that many teen girls who read this story will relate to Kitty and how she was mistreated by Catherine. In all honestly, I hear similar stories from Booking Daughter almost daily about the "queen bee" behavior at her school.

Another part of GILT that I enjoyed was how the author brought this time period to life. I think one of the reasons that so many women enjoy historical fiction is because of how glamorous that time period seemed. Ms. Longshore definitely described the dresses, the jewels and the opulence beautifully, but she also managed to convey all the cut-throat behavior that was going on in the background. In many ways, GILT read like a true drama. It was filled with lies, betrayals, and adultery; and it was juicy... in a good way.

I think teen girls who tend to appreciate historical fiction will love GILT. It's a nice change from all of the dystopia out there, and it also offers some characters that will resonate with the readers.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

A few months ago, I introduced this new feature on Kid Konnection. For those of you who missed it, here's the scoop:

Throughout 2012, I will be featuring many of the authors from the Class of 2K12. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Class of 2K12, it's a group of middle grade and young adult authors who have books being released some time during 2012. You can learn more about the authors and their books here. (And while you are visiting the blog, make sure you sign up for their mailing list. You are going to want to stay informed because there will be many opportunities to win some fantastic prize packs!)

You might notice that I used the word interview in the previous sentence, and that's because I didn't really interview the authors. Rather, I asked each author to do one simple thing:

Describe your book in 200 characters or less.

I asked Katherine Longshore author of GILT to describe her book in just a few words; and here's what she had to say:

When her best friend marries Henry VIII, a previously disregarded maid-in-waiting must learn to walk the fine line between secrets and treason, knowing her life and the Queen's could be threatened by any wrong word spoken (and those left unsaid).

*****
Katherine Longshore grew up on the northern California coast. At university, she created her own major in Cross-Cultural Studies and Communications, planning to travel and write. Forever. Four years, six continents, and countless pairs of shoes later, she went to England for two weeks, stayed five years, and discovered history. She now lives in California with her husband, two children, and a sun-worshipping dog.

You can find Ms. Longshore on her blog, Twitter, and Facebook.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Guest Review: Capitol Murder

2012-05-25T00:10:00.000-04:00

Summary: Private investigator Dana Cutler and attorney Brad Miller have overcome more than a few daunting challenges and powerful enemies to see justice done. Against tremendous odds, they successfully unmasked an American president's involvement in a chain of murders. They also saved the life of a Supreme Court justice while foiling a conspiracy by rogue members of the CIA to fix a case headed for the court.

Now wicked threats old and new are about to bring them together once again. Convicted serial killer Clarence Little has escaped from death row in Oregon, and Brad receives threatening messages in D.C., where he is working for Senator Jack Carson, a high-ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. A dead body, murdered according to Little's M.O., is found in the senator's Georgetown home, and Carson has disappeared. While Dana is in Oregon digging into Carson's shady background, a terrorist cell is poised to destroy a packed professional football stadium in one of the biggest attacks on American soil. As the senator's personal life begins to dovetail with the cell's evil plan, Brad and Dana will risk it all again to uncover the truth and save their country.

Phillip Margolin proves once more that he is a true master of suspense, delivering another high-octane thriller set in Washington's legendary corridors of power. Capitol Murder's breathtaking pace and electrifying twists will have old fans and newcomers racing to the final, stunning page. -- Harper

In my pre-blogging days, I used to be a big fan of Phillip Margolin and his suspense novels. It's been awhile since I've read one (probably more than five years), but when I received a copy of CAPITOL MURDER, I remembered why these books appeal to me so much. Unfortunately, I knew I wasn't going to be able to get around to reading this book in a timely manner, so I passed it along to someone I know who could read and review it quickly -- my dad. Here are his thoughts:

CAPITOL MURDER is Phillip Margolin’s latest suspense novel. Private investigator Dana Cutler and attorney Brad Miller, characters from past Margolin novels, are brought together again. In CAPITOL MURDER Dana is hired as an investigator for a famous defense attorney while Brad takes a position on the staff of U.S. Senator Jack Carson. It doesn’t take long for their paths to cross and become involved in a national security threat.

Margolin takes the reader on three different plot lines. The first story involves serial killer Clarence Little, another character from a past novel, who escapes from prison and poses a threat to Brad. The second storyline involves Senator Carson, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, whose appetite for women has put him in a very compromising position regarding national security. The third plot involves Pakistani terrorists who plan to blow up a football stadium full of enthusiastic fans.

Margolin brings the three storylines together transitioning smoothly from one to another throughout the novel. The characters are very believable even if there is some confusion due to the large number of them. Since the book draws from two past Margolin novels it probably would benefit the reader to read those books first. However, the book does stand nicely on its own.

CAPITOL MURDER is an entertaining page turner that includes plenty of suspense and action with a surprise ending. This novel is an easy read that should appeal to anyone who likes suspense thrillers.

Thanks to Booking Pap Pap for his review and to the publisher for providing a copy of this novel.

Review: The Man in the Rockefeller Suit

2012-05-24T00:15:00.000-04:00

Summary: This shocking expose goes behind the headlines to uncover the true story of Clark Rockefeller, wealthy scion of a great American family, who kidnapped his own daughter and vanished. The police and FBI were baffled. Tips poured in, but every lead was a dead end … because “Clark Rockefeller” did not exist. In a gripping work of investigative journalism, Mark Seal reveals how German native Christian Gerhartsreiter came to the United States, where he stepped in and out of identities for decades, eventually posing as a Rockefeller for twelve years, married to a wealthy woman who had no idea who he really was. Fast-paced, hypnotic, and now updated with more stunning details, The Man in the Rockefeller Suit chillingly reveals the audacity and cunning of a shape-shifting con man. -- Plume

When I was pitched THE MAN IN THE ROCKEFELLER SUIT: THE ASTONISHING RISE AND SPECTACULAR FALL OF A SERIAL IMPOSTER by Mark Seal, I was surprised that I hadn't heard about this unbelievable story. I asked my husband if he was familiar with the story; and of course, he was. He had seen features on various new shows, so I figured it was time for me to become educated about the man who called himself "Clark Rockefeller."

German born Christian Gerhartsreiter had been living in the United States for decades posing as different people... including Clark Rockefeller a member of the prestigious Rockefeller family. While some people found him to be a bit strange, Gerhartsreiter basically pulled off impersonating a distant Rockefeller cousin for almost twelve years. It wasn't until he kidnapped his daughter and then mysteriously disappeared that the police and FBI began investigating this very strange story.

THE MAN IN THE ROCKEFELLER SUIT was an amazing book -- it was even an Edgar Award Finalist and People Magazine gave it four stars. I can honestly say that his story proves the saying that "truth is stranger than fiction." I admit that my initial reaction to the story was incredulity. I had a very hard time believing that one man could re-create himself so many times and fool so many people. I figured he was preying on the innocent and maybe not the sharpest tools in the shed, but in actuality, he conned so many professional and successful people (including his wife.) But you have to understand. This guy was good... really good. In fact, it makes me wonder how successful he could have been at something legitimate if he had used his intelligence and charm in a positive way.

There is no doubt that Gerhartsreiter's story is amazing in any way, shape or form; however, I do think THE MAN IN THE ROCKEFELLER SUIT was very well written. I appreciated the way the author presented the story, and I liked his writing style. It was apparent that the book was thoroughly researched (the author even traveled to Gerhartreiter's hometown) and he also managed to interview many of the individuals who had met Gerhartsreiter and were conned by him. By reading their words about Gerhartsreiter's actions and their feelings about his duplicity, I got a better idea about how he operated. Furthermore, I thought this book demonstrated how people are willing to see and believe what they want to see and believe. There is little doubt that this man was extremely intelligent and was able to read people very effectively, but THE MAN IN THE ROCKEFELLER SUIT also pointed out some interesting things about basic human nature.

I'm not sure that I initially considered THE MAN IN THE ROCKEFELLER SUIT as a book club selection, but I did find that there is a reading guide available; and that made me rethink things. After realizing that this book did have some intelligent insights into human behavior, I can see how people would want to discuss this story. Some of the topics you might want to explore -- besides what makes Gerhartsreiter tick-- include duplicity, dishonesty, gullibility, pressure, the American Dream, and trust.

I thoroughly enjoyed THE MAN IN THE ROCKEFELLER SUIT and I definitely recommend it to fans of true crime stories.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

Geraldine Brooks Luncheon & Giveaway

2012-05-23T00:29:00.000-04:00

Geraldine Brooks at Friends Author Luncheon

I can't believe it's taken me this long to write about this event! A few days ago (actually almost two weeks now!), I had the opportunity to attend the Council of Friends of Lancaster Country Author Library Luncheon featuring Geraldine Brooks. She won the Pulitzer Prize for goodness sakes!!! And I got to meet her!!!!

I arrived early at the luncheon to help my favorite bookstore Aaron's Books. They helped sponsor the event and they were also selling Ms. Brook's non-fiction and fiction books. Of course, I considered it a very lucky day for a number of reasons, but one of the highlights was that I got to live out a dream of mine... to be a bookstore employee. Because my friend Sam was under-the-weather, I got to actually help Aaron's sell books! I had a blast and, not to pat myself on the back or anything, my favorite Brooks' novel sold out! Just saying...

Grammy and I taking a break from selling books.

My friends at Aaron's didn't work me too hard, though; and I was fortunate enough to have a very nice lunch with my sister too. I also was able to sit in the auditorium for Ms. Brooks presentation. Her topic was "Caleb's Crossing and The Writing of Historical Fiction" and it was incredible. She was a very dynamic speaker and she also had a dry sense of humor. I swear she had about 400 people in the palm of her hand while she spoke about her career as a journalist and novelist. I was amazed by how she comes up with the ideas for her novels, and I loved learning that the characters "speak" to her. (She must be a great listener!)

One of the most fascinating aspects of her talk was when she discussed how she researches her books. There is no doubt that her past as a journalist has helped her with her fact-finding methods. She does all of the research herself and she is extremely thorough. She gave specific examples of the types of research she did for CALEB'S CROSSING and PEOPLE OF THE BOOK, and I was truly blown away! Ms. Brooks has to be one of the most intelligent individuals that I've ever encountered.

This luncheon was a wonderful experience for me, and one that I will always treasure. If you are more interested in reading about the event, you can check out this.

Giveaway alert: I have two copies of Ms. Brooks' latest novel CALEB'S CROSSING to share with two lucky readers. The first paperback copy is one that I received for attending the luncheon. It is signed, but I want to let you know that it's a signed bookplate-- not an actual signed book. The second paperback copy will be provided by the fine folks at Penguin. To enter, just fill out the form below before June 7th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winners the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck! &amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Review: The Boy Next Door

2012-05-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

Summary:
To: You (you)
From: Human Resources (human.resources@thenyjournal.com)
Subject: This Book

Dear Reader,

This is an automated message from the Human Resources Division of the New York Journal, New York City’s leading photo-newspaper. Please be aware that according to our records you have not yet read this book. What exactly are you waiting for? This book has it all:

Humor
Romance
Cooking tips
Great Danes
Heroine in peril
Dolphin-shaped driftwood sculptures

If you wish to read about any of the above, please do not hesitate to head to the checkout counter, where you will be paired with a sales associate who will work to help you buy this book.
We here at the New York Journal are a team. We win as a team, and lose as one as well. Don’t you want to be on the winning team?

Sincerely,
Human Resources Division
New York Journal

Please note that failure to read this book may result in suspension or dismissal from this store.

*********This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage mechanism.********* -- William Morrow

When Book Club Girl started the Meg Cabot Read-Along, I knew I wanted to participate! Booking Daughter has been a long-time fan of Meg Cabot's -- you might remember my dilemma at BEA a few years back when I couldn't get an ARC of her latest middle grade book; and I absolutely loved Ms. Cabot's energy and humor when I heard her speak. Booking Daughter read all of the Allie Finkle books when she was younger, and now she's determined to read every single one of her Princess Diary books. I figured that while Booking Daughter is working her way through the Princess Diary series, I could participate in the read-along, and we'd just have a big Meg Cabot love fest in our house this summer.

When I sat down to read the first read-along book THE BOY NEXT DOOR, it dawned on me that I've only read Meg Cabot's books for kids. I really can't remember ever reading one of her adult books, and that's really surprising to me because I used to read a lot of chick lit. Needless to say, I was excited and I had a feeling that I was in for a treat.

And THE BOY NEXT DOOR was a treat. It was highly entertaining and a great way to escape from life's little problems for a few hours. I was a bit surprised when I opened the book to see that the entire novel was written in the form of emails. In the past few years, I have read a few books that used this technique (i.e. HOLLY'S INBOX), and I find that I enjoy the quick pace of the story. (For some reason, reading emails comes very easily to me -- could it be that I read a lot of emails every day?) I love the way the characters interact in the email messages and I found it ironic that many of their exchanges took place during work hours on work computers -- much like real life!

THE BOY NEXT DOOR tells the story of Mel, a single woman who writes as a gossip columnist for a New York City newspaper. She aspires to write "real" stories as well as meet to meet Mr. Right, but she seems to be in a bit of rut.. until the elderly woman who lives next door is almost murdered. The woman's "nephew" moves in to help take care of the pets, and Mel finds herself very attracted to him. When Mel discovers that neither the crime nor the nephew are what they first appear, she realizes that she has to uncover the truth and get to the bottom of both stories.

One thing that really stood out to me about THE BOY NEXT DOOR was just how funny it was. I'm talking laugh out loud funny in certain places. Of course that shouldn't come as a surprise to me since Meg Cabot is a hoot, but I think she's especially effective at incorporating humor into her books. There were a few scenes that were hilarious, but I also appreciated the more subtle humor that took place in the characters' day-to-day lives. For example, I thought come of the characters' insecurities were very funny because they were so real; and the insanity of the office politics was spot on!

Another wonderful thing about THE BOY NEXT DOOR were the characters; and by that I mean almost all of them -- even the ones who weren't exactly likable. Naturally, I adored Mel and wanted to her find some happiness in both the professional and (more importantly) personal aspects of her life. However, I also found myself really enjoying the scenes (emails?) with Mel's friends, especially Nadine. Nadine was getting married and had a constant battle with her weight; and I think many women will be able to relate to some of her statements. Furthermore, I liked Mel's love interest and I appreciated that the book included email exchanges between him and his family.

In addition to all of the romance and confusing plot twists, there was an "almost murder" mystery in the story. It wasn't a major part of the story but it was definitely an important plot point because it set all of the events into motion. I won't say that the reveal of the culprit came as a surprise to me because it was fairly obvious to the reader that the initial suspect wasn't guilty of the crime, but I did enjoy how the "criminal" was eventually caught.

Overall, THE BOY NEXT DOOR was a very funny read and a great summer escape book. Recommended for fans of chick lit!

I read this book as part of Book Club Girl's Meg Cabot Read-Along!

Review: The Diva Digs Up the Dirt

2012-05-21T00:06:00.000-04:00

Summary: Trouble in spades… Determined not to be a garden-variety diva, Sophie Winston’s neighbor, Natasha, cultivates a plan to shine on television—using Sophie’s backyard. As the cast and crew of the makeover show Tear It Up With Troy bulldoze through her backyard—and vacation—Sophie retreats to her perennial boyfriend Wolf’s to replace a dead rose bush. But her tender deed goes awry when she digs up a purse belonging to Wolf’s missing wife. As speculations sprout, Wolf bolts, and then a body crops up in a garden. Is Wolf’s thorny past raising a dead head? This is one case the domestic diva can’t let wither on the vine… -- Berkley Prime Crime

My personal life has been absolutely crazy the past few days, and I've had a hard time finding a few minutes here and there to read. When I do sit down to read, I either can't concentrate on the story or I fall asleep. So I decided that it might be the perfect time to pick up a cozy, and I grabbed THE DIVA DIGS UP THE DIRT by Krista Davis. I had reviewed THE DIVA HAUNTS THE HOUSE a few months ago and thought it was very cute, and I was curious to see what was in store for Sophie and her friends.

I think THE DIVA DIGS UP THE DIRT definitely hit the spot as far as my reading slump goes. While I can normally read a book like this in one sitting, it did take me a few days; however, it was a fun story that was a very easy read. I enjoyed THE DIVA DIGS UP THE DIRT, but I don't know if I liked it quite as much as THE DIVA HAUNTS THE HOUSE. Of course, I thought the entire Halloween theme of the prior novel was especially fun so it might not be fair to compare the two books.

In THE DIVA DIGS UP THE DIRT, domestic diva Sophie's professional (and personal) rival Natasha arranges for a television crew to come in and build her a much-needed garage. Since Natasha is never really looking out for Sophie, she's a bit suspicious about her intentions; however, she figures it's worth a shot not to have to worry about street parking in Old Town Alexandria. Meanwhile, Sophie goes to her boyfriend Wolf's house to surprise him with a new rosebush and "digs" up a purse belonging to his missing wife. Wolf becomes the prime suspect in the mystery surrounding her disappearance. And then, another dead body is discovered that complicates things even more. Sophie and her friends find themselves caught up in trying to prove Wolf's innocence while at the same time trying to figure out who is behind all of the mayhem.

THE DIVA DIGS UP THE DIRT is a cute story (or at least as cute as some murders and poisonings can be!) In the case of this book, I thought the mystery was pretty good. There were lots of suspects and Sophie and her friends had many different imagined scenarios, but I ended up getting a little confused about how all of the characters were linked -- both in the present and the past. I think that's probably because my attention span isn't up to speed right now, but parts of the story did get a little jumbled for me. Having said that, everyone was resolved by the end of the book and I understood all of the connections. In addition, there were a few surprises at the end of the book.. and they weren't all related to the whodunit aspect of the story.

There is no doubt that I enjoy the Domestic Diva series, especially the characters and the setting; and I do like the helpful decorating/gardening hints that both Sophie and Natasha provide at the beginning of each chapter. I also loved all the descriptions of flowers and gardens that appeared in this book. However, since I'm not exactly a "domestic diva" when it comes to all the gardening stuff, I found that I appreciated the food descriptions even more than the plant ones. Ms. Davis includes recipes for many of the treats she mentions throughout the book including Caramel Banana Muffins, Arnold Palmers, and Pesto, Prosciutto & Goat Cheese Crostini; and the recipes sound delicious and seem relatively simple.

Overall, THE DIVA DIGS UP THE DIRT was a fun mystery and a great way to spend a few hours by the pool or at the beach.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Review: Taste of Home Cooking School Cookbook

2012-05-20T00:31:00.000-04:00

Summary: Home cooking comes to gorgeous full-color life with the Taste of Home Cooking School Cookbook! It’s loaded with instructional photos, easy-to-follow recipes and insightful tips from our Cooking School experts. Delicious dishes from breakfast to lunch to dinner and including dessert, of course.

Contemporary topics are comprehensively explored with techniques ranging from simple basics to true wow-factor recipes. Each recipe has been tasted and reviewed in the Taste of Home test kitchen, plus there are practical, proven tips, storage charts, and at-a-glance prep and cook times—so you’ll enjoy perfect results every time. -- Reader's Digest

When I was contacted about potentially reviewing the TASTE OF HOME COOKING SCHOOL COOKBOOK: 400+ SIMPLE TO SPECTACULAR RECIPES, I could barely contain my excitement! I am a huge fan of anything Taste of Home. I have subscribed to the magazine (plus two of their sister publications) for years. I own at least 10 of their cookbooks, and I've even attended the Taste of Home Cooking School twice with my mom and sister. Needless to say, I love Taste of Home and their recipes!

And the TASTE OF HOME COOKING SCHOOL COOKBOOK was everything I hoped it to be. This is truly an excellent cookbook and perfect for my busy life-style -- especially with the commitments we have around the dinner hour. There are over 400 recipes for all types of food from appetizers, to soups, to salads, to main dishes, to desserts; and the instructions are very simple. I especially appreciated that the recipes use easy-to-find ingredients and that the nutrition facts are included for every recipes.

The cookbook is divided into the following sections: Introduction, Appetizers, Drinks, Better than Takeout, Soups, Beef & Pork, Poultry, Seafood, Vegetarian, Side Dishes, Breakfast, Baking, Desserts, References, and Indexes. In addition, there are hundreds of photographs and loads of instructions making it ideal for any levels of cooks. The Introduction section contains a great deal of valuable teaching tools such as what you need for a well-stocked kitchen including the types of knives, cookware, and bakeware.

For those of you (like me!) who love cookbooks with photos, the TASTE OF HOME COOKING SCHOOL COOKBOOK has tons of them. Not only are there small colored photographs for every single recipe (yay!), there are even step-by-step photographs for some of the cooking techniques -- i.e. how to braise, how to peel a kiwi, how to easily finish a cake (frost it), and many, many more.

I admit that the first time I looked through the TASTE OF HOME COOKING SCHOOL COOKBOOK, I was a bit overwhelmed. I couldn't even begin to mark the number of recipes that I wanted to try. So many of them looked so good... and so easy. Since I aim to cook a meal that we can all eat given Booking Son's allergies, I was quickly able to narrow my search. (Lots of these recipes do have dairy!)

The first recipe that I tried was for Pepperoni Pizzazz. It's a baked penne pasta dish with cheese, pepperoni, sauce, and a few vegetables Not exactly the healthiest of meals, but I figured everyone would like it! I found Boar's Head pepperoni that Booking Son would eat, and I was able to separate a bit of the pasta mixture and add his soy mozzarella. I also substituted fresh mushrooms for the canned ones that were called for in the recipe. It was extremely simple but did take almost an hour to bake. Since it served nine, I did have leftovers to serve on a busy night later in the week. The Pepperoni Pizzaa was a pretty big hit with my husband and me, but the kids thought it was a little spicy. Everyone ate it though and I consider that a success!

The following night, I decided to try something a little healthier and made the Pan-Seared Chili Salmon. Of course, I had a feeling that the kids would prefer theirs plain with just a little salt, but I made my husband's and mine exactly like the recipe instructed. I have to say that my husband and I aren't huge salmon fans, but I figured the little kick might change our minds. Once again, the recipe was extremely simple and this time, it was very quick to prepare; and we both thought it was delicious. Definitely a keeper!

I still have a few more recipes to try including a simple Honey Grilled Shrimp and the Shrimp 'N' Spinach Risotto that I intend to make within the next few days. And after that, I'll continue to try one or two recipes a week. If I keep to this schedule, this cookbook could feed us for some time. And don't even get me started on all of the wonderful sounding desserts. The recipes I want to try are in the dozens!

I highly recommend the TASTE OF HOME COOKING SCHOOL COOKBOOK. Since it does have lots of instructions, it's perfect for beginner cooks; however, I also think the recipes are simple enough to appeal to busy moms. It's definitely my new favorite cookbook.

Thanks to FSB Associates for providing a review copy.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Kid Konnection: Wonder & Giveaway

2012-05-19T00:04:00.000-04:00

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to feature one of my favorite books of 2012!

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

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a New York Times bestseller, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out. -- Knopf

I should probably begin this review by telling you that there is absolutely no way that I can do justice to the middle-grade novel WONDER by R.J. Palacio. I had heard some wonderful things about this book from some fellow bloggers (namely Kathy and Sandy) and my go-to-source for books Entertainment Weekly even selected it for their Must-List, so I kind of figured that I would enjoy it. What I wasn't expecting was just how much I loved this book.. and how much it moved me. WONDER is, without a doubt, one of the best books I've read this year. And it just might go down as one of my favorite middle grade reads ever!

WONDER tells the story of Auggie, a 10 year old boy who is making the transition from being home-schooled to attending a middle school. Beginning a new school can be difficult enough, but when you add that Auggie has a severe facial deformity, his experiences are even more difficult. Auggie is convinced that he's just like everyone else, but as we all know, middle school kids can be cruel... sometimes very cruel. In this heartwarming story, Auggie learns the true meaning of friendship as well as his own inner strength.

WONDER is mainly Auggie's story and the book begins and ends with sections in his voice, but the reader also gets to hear other characters' stories. In addition to Auggie's chapters, there were also sections narrated by Auggie's sister Via, a few of his friends, and even Via's boyfriend. Of course, I adored Auggie and loved learning his perspective on himself and the events in his life; however, I also really appreciated seeing how the other characters were affected by their relationship with Auggie. These sections gave the book an added depth and provided me with some wonderful insight into the true meaning of friendship.

WONDER absolutely blew me away and it is exactly the type of middle grade book that I love. It has great characters (especially Auggie), but it is also an entertaining story and there is definitely some humor. All of these things make it a book that will appeal to kids; however, as a mom, I loved that WONDER is chock-full of valuable life lessons. I believe that while most kids aren't dealing with the severity of Auggie's issues, they will still be able to relate to many of the events that take place in the story. Auggie isn't always treated very well by his classmates (that's kind of an understatement), and I think most kids will relate (either directly or indirectly) to the bullying that occurs in this story. Furthermore, I'm betting that children will also be able to relate to many of the peer pressure issues that Auggie's friends faced.

Needless to say, WONDER would make a wonderful discussion book -- either for book groups or in the classroom. The author has a fantastic link on her website for teachers that includes some thought-provoking questions, but I think mother/daughter book clubs could use these resources as well. Some of the life lessons that children will learn (and want to discuss) from this story include inner strength, friendship, loyalty, family love, devotion, and staying true to one's self.

WONDER is an incredibly touching book that had me crying more times than I can count (even during my son's karate class); however, it is also very uplifting and has some wonderful messages about the inner beauty of individuals. I believe this novel has the power to be life-changing for readers of all ages; and I can't recommend it enough! I loved WONDER and want to put it in the hands of every child (and adult) I meet!

I received a copy of WONDER from a friend.

Giveaway alert: Thanks to the fine folks at Random House, I have an amazing contest! I am giving away a signed copy of WONDER to share with one very lucky Booking Mama reader! To enter, just fill out the form below before May 31st at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. 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If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Guest Review: The Floor of Heaven

2012-05-18T00:35:00.000-04:00

Summary: It is the last decade of the 19th century. The Wild West has been tamed and its fierce, independent and often violent larger-than-life figures – gun-toting wanderers, trappers, prospectors, Indian fighters, cowboys, and lawmen –are now victims of their own success. They are heroes who’ve outlived their usefulness.

But then gold is discovered in Alaska and the adjacent Canadian Klondike and a new frontier suddenly looms - an immense unexplored territory filled with frozen waterways, dark spruce forests, and towering mountains capped by glistening layers of snow and ice.

“Klondicitis,” a giddy mix of greed and lust for adventure, ignites a stampede. Fleeing the depths of a worldwide economic depression and driven by starry-eyed visions of vast wealth, tens of thousands rush northward.

Joining this throng of greenhorns and grifters, whores and highwaymen, sourdoughs and seers are three unforgettable men. In a true-life tale that rivets from the first page, we meet Charlie Siringo, a top-hand sharp-shooting cowboy who, after futilely trying to settle down with his new bride, becomes one of the Pinkerton Detective Agency’s shrewdest; George Carmack, a California-born American Marine who’s adopted by an Indian tribe, raises a family with a Taglish squaw, makes the discovery that starts off the Yukon Gold Rush – and becomes fabulously rich; and Soapy Smith, a sly and inventive predator-conman who rules a vast criminal empire.

As we follow this trio’s lives, we’re led inexorably into a perplexing mystery. A fortune in gold bars has somehow been stolen from the fortress-like Treadwell Mine in Juneau, Alaska, with no clues as to how the thieves made off with such an immensely heavy cargo. To many it appears that the crime will never be solved. But the Pinkerton Agency has a reputation for finding the answers that elude others. Charged with getting the job done is Charlie Siringo who discovers that, to run the thieves to ground, he must embark on a rugged cross-territory odyssey that will lead him across frigid waters and through a frozen wilderness. Ultimately, he’ll have his quarry in his sights. But then an additional challenge will present itself. He must face down Soapy Smith and his gang of 300 cutthroats. Hanging in the balance: George Carmack’s fortune in gold.

At once a compelling true-life mystery and an unforgettable portrait of a time in America’s history when thousands were fired with a vision of riches so unimaginable as to be worth any price, The Floor of Heaven is also an exhilarating tribute to the courage and undaunted spirit of the men and women who helped shape America. -- Broadway

While I have been reading more nonfiction lately, it's usually in the form of memoirs -- not history. So when I heard about THE FLOOR OF HEAVEN: A TRUE TALE OF THE LAST FRONTIER AND THE YUKON GOLD RUSH by Howard Blum, I knew it sounded like a book that my dad would enjoy. Here are his thoughts:

In THE FLOOR OF HEAVEN: A TRUE TALE OF THE LAST FRONTIER AND THE YUKON GOLD RUSH, author Howard Blum traces the lives of three seemingly unrelated characters and brings them together in an exciting conclusion with the Yukon gold rush as a backdrop.

Jefferson “Soapy” Smith was a cowboy turned con-man. Smith earned his nickname from a scam he ran persuading people to bid on a bar of soap with the promise that some would contain a $100 bill. He also ran shell games and other con games. He wore out his welcome in most places and ended up controlling the illegal activity in Skagway, Alaska, the gateway town in the Yukon gold rush.

George Carmack was a marine deserter who married into the Tagish Indians in Alaska and actually considered vying for the position of Chief of the Tagish tribe. Like his father before him, he always dreamed of finding gold. After many disappointments he and two Indian friends found gold in Alaska and set off the famous Yukon gold rush.

The third character in this saga was Charlie Siringo, a cowboy who became a Pinkerton detective in the hopes of adding new adventures into his life after his cowboy days were over. Siringo traveled to Alaska and worked as an undercover agent to solve a crime involving gold theft from a local mine. The pursuit of one of the thieves led him to Skagway.

Blum spends a considerable amount of the 407 page story in setting up the characters from their early years up until the gold rush. He moved smoothly back and forth from one character to another amusing the reader with countless stories. He tells of Smith’s escapades in Colorado and Carmack’s life as a marine and later living as an Indian. Blum relates stories of Siringo’s cattle drives and his effort to settle down, marry and run a tobacco store. He weaves in mentions of Billie the Kid, Bat Masterson and other notorious characters of the Wild West.

The three men’s lives intersect in Skagway in 1898 in an armed clash when Soapy Smith and his outlaw gang set up a plan to steal George Carmack’s gold not knowing that Charlie Siringo is an ally of Carmack.

Howard Blum uses memoirs, news accounts and memories recorded from descendents of the three main characters to develop his true story. Although it’s classified as an historic narrative some questions may arise as to the truthfulness and accuracy of the reference documents. After all, Smith was a con man whose life centered on lying, Siringo often misled people in his job as an undercover detective and Carmack was a marine deserter who lied to avoid arrest. Additionally, with high profile characters like these three, information often gets exaggerated as it’s passed on over time. There is no real way to know.

Nonetheless THE FLOOR OF HEAVEN is a very enjoyable book that gives the reader a great perspective of the Yukon gold rush and its impact. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history of the Alaska gold rush period.

Thanks to Booking Pap Pap for his review and to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

May 2012 Book Club Meeting

2012-05-17T00:14:00.000-04:00

Summary: Jane Levitsky is a bright light in the field of nineteenth-century Russian literature, making her name as an expert on the novels of Grigory Karkov and the diaries of his wife, the long-suffering Masha Karkova. Jane is also wife to sweet, reasonable Billy and mother to lovable (if demanding) Maisie, roles she’s finding surprisingly challenging to juggle along with her ambitions. But when Jane uncovers evidence that Masha may have been more than muse and helpmeet to her famous husband, she seizes her ticket to academic superstardom. Little does she know that she has set in motion a chain of events that will come perilously close to unraveling both her marriage and her career. Lady of the Snakes will be instantly familiar—and instantly unforgettable—to anyone who has ever felt torn between two worlds. - HMH

For our May meeting, we read LADY OF THE SNAKES by Rachel Pastan. When my friend first picked this book, I figured it was historical fiction; and since he haven't read this genre for quite awhile, I was looking forward to it. However, when I actually sat down to read this novel a few days prior to book club, I discovered that it does take place in the present day; and it actually wasn't anything like I was expecting. I wasn't disappointed because the premise of the book was interesting (and to a certain extent it was), but I have to admit that overall I ended up being kind of "meh" about it.

There were only three of us who completed the book, so it wasn't as good of a discussion as I had hoped. Having said that, I do think LADY OF THE SNAKES had the potential to be a great discussion book, although I'm pretty sure my group didn't do it justice. Two of us thought the book was just okay; while another member really liked it; and I do think our differing opinions did help make the discussion more interesting. However, there were so many universal themes about the roles of women through the years, and I don't think we delved deeply enough into these issues.

Next month, we will be reading 1984 by George Orwell. I haven't read this book since high school (or maybe it was college), but I don't remember loving it. I'm hoping that twenty-something years later, I see the book in a different light. But even if I don't, I suspect it will make for an interesting discussion.

Summary: Written in 1948, 1984 was George Orwell’s chilling prophecy about the future. And while 1984 has come and gone, Orwell’s narrative is timelier than ever. 1984 presents a startling and haunting vision of the world, so powerful that it is completely convincing from start to finish. No one can deny the power of this novel, its hold on the imaginations of multiple generations of readers, or the resiliency of its admonitions—a legacy that seems only to grow with the passage of time. -- Signet Classic

Review: An Uncommon Education

2012-05-16T00:15:00.000-04:00

Summary: A young woman tries to save three people she loves in this elegant and remarkably insightful coming-of-age debut.

Afraid of losing her parents at a young age—her father with his weak heart, her deeply depressed mother—Naomi Feinstein prepared single-mindedly for a prestigious future as a doctor. An outcast at school, Naomi loses herself in books, and daydreams of Wellesley College. But when Teddy, her confidant and only friend, abruptly departs from her life, it's the first devastating loss from which Naomi is not sure she can ever recover, even after her long-awaited acceptance letter to Wellesley arrives.

Naomi soon learns that college isn't the bastion of solidarity and security she had imagined. Amid hundreds of other young women, she is consumed by loneliness—until the day she sees a girl fall into the freezing waters of a lake.

The event marks Naomi's introduction to Wellesley's oldest honor society, the mysterious Shakespeare Society, defined by secret rituals and filled with unconventional, passionate students. Naomi finally begins to detach from the past and so much of what defines her, immersing herself in this exciting and liberating new world and learning the value of friendship. But her happiness is soon compromised by a scandal that brings irrevocable consequences. Naomi has always tried to save the ones she loves, but part of growing up is learning that sometimes saving others is a matter of saving yourself.

An Uncommon Education is a compelling portrait of a quest for greatness and the grace of human limitations. Poignant and wise, it artfully captures the complicated ties of family, the bittersweet inevitability of loss, and the importance of learning to let go. -- Harper

When I read the description for AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION by Elizabeth Percer, I had a feeling that it was going to be a book that I'd enjoy. I love female coming-of-age stories (Heck, who am I kidding? I love all types of coming-of-age stories!), and I especially enjoy novels that take place at schools. I most definitely wasn't wrong in assuming that I'd like this novel. I found the story and characters development to be a very strong and I thought the writing was outstanding.

AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION tells the story of Naomi, a young girl who sadly has to face losing those people closest to her. First, her only friend Teddy unexpectedly disappears from her life. Then, her father dies of a heart condition. And finally, Naomi "loses" her mother to depression. Because Naomi is determined to "save" her loved ones, she decides to dedicate her life to becoming a heart doctor and sets her sights on attending Wellesley College. She is accepted into Wellesley; however, she discovers that she is still an outsider and has a hard time making any real friends.

One day, Naomi witnesses a girl fall into lake in the middle of winter and her life begins to open up. She is accepted into a secret Shakespeare Society, and she truly begins to blossom. She becomes involved in theatrical productions, but, more importantly, she begins developing some friendships. Naomi finally seems to have found some happiness, and she almost was able to forget the tragedies from her childhood until a big scandal occurs at Wellesley that involves her best friend. Naomi is determined to help her and, once again, trying to save those she loves. Throughout the course of AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION, Naomi matures and begins to realize the before she can fix everyone else's problems, she must first save herself.

I thoroughly enjoyed AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION. I found the character of Naomi to be extremely complex and I was fascinated by what made her tick. The book spent a lot of time in Naomi's childhood setting up the events that made Naomi into the young woman she eventually became; and while I appreciated learning about her family and youth, I have to admit that I was a bit surprised by how much of the book centered around this time. I guess I was expecting more of the story to take place while Naomi was at Wellesley gaining her "uncommon education." This isn't a complaint about the novel -- just a small surprise to me.

While I did appreciate learning Naomi's background, I must say that the book really took off for me once Naomi left for Wellesley and discovered the people in the Shakespeare Society. I loved seeing how Naomi began discovering not only the world around her, but herself as well; and it was refreshing to see her belong to a group of people and even develop some special relationships. I very much appreciated seeing Naomi's growth as a woman and her ability to truly understand herself and those around her.

I hesitate to even mention this, but for much of the novel, I felt as if a major part of the childhood portion of her story was just dropped. (I know that sounds vague, but I don't want to give away any spoilers!) At some point, like Naomi, I think I was able to almost "move on" from her childhood experiences while she was away at Wellesley; however, part of me still wondered what happened (probably just like Naomi!) By the end of the novel, that storyline and character did reappear (in a rather surprising way); and I was very grateful for the way everything was wrapped up. I ended up being very satisfied with how the book ended as well as the life lessons that Naomi learned as a result of this closure -- it definitely worked for me.

I found a lot of things in AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION to be very impressive, but nothing more so than Ms. Percer's writing. Ms. Percer has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize three times so it shouldn't have come as a surprise that she is a skilled writer; however, I do admit that I was surprised to learn that this is her first novel. I thought she did an outstanding job with the character development and I loved so many of her descriptions. Plus, the prose truly was beautiful. I appreciated how she brought the settings to life, especially Wellesley College; and she effectively incorporated many recurring symbols and themes into the story.

AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION would make a fantastic book club pick for groups who enjoy literary fiction. There is a reading guide available with ten interesting questions. The book has some fascinating characters as well as some universal themes about human nature so there is a great deal to discuss. Some of the topics you might want to explore include mother/daughter relationships, mental illness, honor, friendships, education, trust, and discovering one's self.

I thought AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION was a wonderful (and thought-provoking) read. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag

2012-05-15T00:05:00.000-04:00

Summary: When Jennifer Gilbert was just a year out of college, a twenty-two-year-old fresh-faced young woman looking forward to a bright future, someone tried to cut her life short in the most violent way. But she survived, and not wanting this traumatic event to define her life, she buried it deep within and never spoke of it again.

She bravely launched a fabulous career in New York as an event planner, designing lavish parties and fairy-tale weddings. Determined to help others celebrate and enjoy life's greatest moments, she was convinced she'd never again feel joy herself. Yet it was these weddings, anniversaries, and holiday parties, showered with all her love and attention through those silent, scary years, that slowly brought her back to life.

Always the calm in the event-planning storm—she could fix a ripped wedding dress, solve the problem of an undelivered wedding cake in the nick of time, and move a party with two days' notice when disaster struck—there was no crisis that she couldn't turn into a professional triumph. Somewhere along the way, she felt a stirring in her heart and began yearning for more than just standing on the sidelines living vicariously through other people's lives. She fell in love, had her heart broken a few times, and then one day she found true love in a place so surprising that it literally knocked her out of her chair.

As Gilbert learned over and over again, no one's entitled to an easy road, and some people's roads are bumpier than others. But survive each twist and turn she does—sometimes with tears, sometimes with laughter, and often with both.

Warm, wise, alternately painful and funny, I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag is an inspiring memoir of survival, renewal, and transformation. It's a tale about learning to let go and be happy after years of faking it, proving that while we can't always control what happens to us, we can control who we become. And instead of anticipating our present in a goodie bag at the end of an event, we realize our presence at every event is the real gift. -- Harper

Every once in awhile the mood strikes for me to pick up a memoir. I don't know if it's one of my favorite genres, but I appreciate it when I can read a book about someone who inspires me. And that certainly was the case with I NEVER PROMISED YOU A GOODIE BAG: A MEMOIR OF A LIFE THROUGH EVENTS -- THE ONES YOU PLAN AND THE ONES YOU DON'T by Jennifer Gilbert. I read this book in one sitting because I was riveted to Ms. Gilbert's life story; and after I finished this book, I couldn't stop thinking about her. In fact, I thought I NEVER PROMISED YOU A GOODIE BAG was an outstanding memoir -- possibly one of the best I've read in recent memory.

I honestly wasn't expecting all that much when I picked up I NEVER PROMISED YOU A GOODIE BAG. I thought it had the potential to be a good book, but I wasn't expecting it to affect me like it did. I figured there would be some cute stories about Ms. Gilbert's event planning business -- dealing with some Bridezillas as well as some averted party disasters; and there were certainly some of those entertaining stories. However, this book was so much more. It was a book about survival and change and making the best of your life despite the setbacks that can occur.

Jennifer Gilbert was a twenty something recent college graduate living in New York when she was brutally attacked by a stranger. She was stabbed multiple times and basically left for dead. Rather than letting this act define her, she devoted herself to starting her own event planning business; and she found huge success with her career and making others happy. However despite taking care of every one's problems, she didn't fully deal with the fall-out from her accident, nor did she allow herself to have happiness in the form of a successful personal life. It wasn't until she realized that her true love was in the most unexpected place that Ms. Gilbert truly discovered what life was all about.

I absolutely treasured each and every page of I NEVER PROMISED YOU A GOODIE BAG. It's possible that it was just the right time for me to read this book, but I am confident that this book has the power to change readers' lives. Ms. Gilbert went through a horrific experience that could have destroyed many people; however, she took control of her life and found true happiness. It most definitely wasn't an easy road for her, and it took an amazing amount of strength and courage to recover from the physical and mental injuries. Ms. Gilbert is certainly an inspiration.

But it's not just the facts of Ms. Gilbert's story that are inspirational. It was her insight into her life and the way she was able to communicate what she learned that made this memoir so amazing. Naturally there are many parts of her story that are sad (and even a little scary), but there is also a lot of humor in this book. She has managed to keep such a great perspective on everything (although I suspect that wasn't always the case), and I found her life lessons to be incredibly wise and motivational.

I don't know if this is the place to go into how much Ms. Gilbert's book affected me, but I just want to give you a little idea so you will understand the potential power of her story. I have had a very fortunate life with little serious issues so it's not as if I could directly relate to her recovery. What I gained from reading I NEVER PROMISED YOU A GOODIE BAG is the desire to face the adversity in my life (whether it be small things or big ones) with the grace and strength that Ms. Gilbert did. In addition, her story made me realize that while I'm tempted to go 100 miles per hour on every task I take on, I need to slow down and appreciate what I do have -- sometimes the best things are right in front of me and I don't see them.

The last few chapters of this book about Ms. Gilbert's role as a mother and wife, however, were ones that I could relate to. I so appreciated how Ms. Gilbert embraced motherhood full-on and was able to balance her professional and personal lives. (I shouldn't have been surprised because she is someone who can keep things in perspective.) In addition, I loved how much she was able to learn about life from her husband and children. When one of her sons faced a health crisis, it taught her a thing or two about control (or lack thereof) as well as the ability to handle what life throws at her.

In summary, I want to leave you with one of the most powerful passages in the book:

Everything in my life has taught me this:

You can't control what may happen to you in this life, but you can control who you want to be after it happens.

I highly recommend I NEVER PROMISED YOU A GOODIE BAG. I found Ms. Gilbert's story to be so inspirational, and her honestly and candidness even changed the way I look at my life.

Thanks to Engelman & Co. for providing a review copy of this book.

Review: Sacrilege

2012-05-14T00:32:00.000-04:00

Summary: A gripping historical thriller set in sixteenth-century England and centered on the highly secretive cult of Saint Thomas Becket, the twelfth-century archbishop murdered in Canterbury Cathedral.

London, summer of 1584: Radical philosopher, ex-monk, and spy Giordano Bruno suspects he is being followed by an old enemy. He is shocked to discover that his pursuer is in fact Sophia Underhill, a young woman with whom he was once in love. When Bruno learns that Sophia has been accused of murdering her husband, a prominent magistrate in Canterbury, he agrees to do anything he can to help clear her name.

In the city that was once England's greatest center of pilgrimage, Bruno begins to uncover unsuspected secrets that point to the dead man being part of a larger and more dangerous plot in the making. He must turn his detective's eye on history—on Saint Thomas Becket, the twelfth-century archbishop murdered in Canterbury Cathedral, and on the legend surrounding the disappearance of his body—in order to solve the crime.

As Bruno's feelings for Sophia grow more intense, so does his fear that another murder is about to take place—perhaps his own. But more than Bruno's life is at stake in this vividly rendered, impeccably researched, and addictively page-turning whodunit—the stability of the kingdom hangs in the balance as Bruno hunts down a brutal murderer in the shadows of England's most ancient cathedral. -- Doubleday

When I was pitched the novel SACRILEGE by S.J. Parris, the book definitely appealed to me; and I was so tempted to accept it. I am always on the look-out for novels for my Mystery Monday posts, and I love historical fiction thrillers set in this time period. The only thing standing in my way was that SACRILEGE is the third book in a series of novels starring Giordano Bruno, a former monk who now acts as a spy. I'm really not very fond of starting series part-way through, but I have been making exceptions lately. I knew I wouldn't have time to read all three books, so I decided to take the plunge and start with this one.

And I am so glad that I did. SACRILEGE was an excellent historical mystery, and I honestly can't believe that I hadn't discovered this series until the third book. Needless to say, I will be going back and reading the first two. That's not to say that SACRILEGE didn't work as a stand-alone book, though, because it did. The author gave enough background information to keep the reader informed about the characters' pasts. However, those very same references made me curious about the events in the prior books and most definitely made me add them to my wish-list.

But back to SACRILEGE... SACRILEGE takes place in England in 1584 and centers around the legend of the death of Saint Thomas Becket, the 12th century archbishop who was murdered in the Canterbury Cathedral, as well as the recent murder of a prominent magistrate. When the ex-monk (and current spy and philosopher) Bruno discovers that he is being followed by none other than his past love Sophia who is accused of murdering her prominent (and abusive) husband, he agrees to help her find the real culprit. They head to Canterbury to begin his investigation; and while there, Bruno becomes heavily involved in uncovering some secrets about the magistrate's death and a larger plot concerning the disappearance of Becket's body. Bruno has to balance his feelings for Sophia with his quest to solve the mysteries, and he also has to try to resolve these issues before another murder is committed.

There were so many outstanding things about SACRILEGE from the mystery, to the character development, to the historical aspects of the time period. In fact, I'm not entirely sure what I appreciated the most. As far as mysteries go, I thought it was a very good one. It was complex (but not in a bad way) and I had absolutely no idea where the story was going to go (which is a very good thing in my mind!) In addition, the ending was a pretty big surprise, although I began suspecting some parts of the surprise a few pages before it was revealed. I'm guessing that the author planned it that way rather than believing that I was especially intuitive.

Perhaps even better than the mystery were the characters. All of the characters were very interesting and well developed, but I absolutely adored Giordano Bruno. I loved his voice and the way he told this story. He was brilliant and insightful, but at the same time, he was very human. He fell hard for Sophia and allowed his emotions to get in the way of some of his actions. In addition, he was an ex-monk who had doubts about religion and faith in a time where he could have been put to death for his views. I was extremely impressed with his detective skills, and I also loved his sense of humor especially when it was aimed at himself.

And finally, fans of historical fiction will devour this novel. I thought Ms. Parris did an excellent job with all of the historical details, and it is obvious that she researched the heck out of this time period. So much of this novel delved into the political environment of this time, and she managed to explain the intricacies in such a way that I could understand the complexities. I love that I not only read a fantastic mystery with intriguing characters, but that I also learned a thing or two while reading this book.

Overall, I thought SACRILEGE was a wonderful reading experience, and I highly recommend it to fans of historical thrillers. This novel definitely ended with a cliffhanger; and I, for one, couldn't be happier that there will be more adventures for Bruno!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Look What I Got!

2012-05-13T00:07:00.000-04:00

On Friday, I was lucky enough to see my sister at Council of Friends of Lancaster County Public Libraries Author Luncheon featuring Geraldine Brooks. (More on that later this week, but I'll give you a hint -- it was amazing!)

Since we hadn't seen each other for a few weeks, my sister gave me my belated birthday gift. It was the adorable scrabble tile necklace pictured above! She also got me a Knitting charm and a Paisley one so I could switch them out depending on my mood.

I immediately had to check out Homestudio's Etsy Store and see what other handmade charms were available. Booking Daughter immediately fell in love with all the cute cupcake charms as well as the dance ones, and she's already hitting up her aunt for a future birthday gift.

There are hundreds of charms and it's a good thing they are priced so reasonably (between $6 and $9) because I found so many cute ones that I'd love to own someday. Just check out all of the scrabble tile charms pertaining to books and reading. I can barely even begin to pick a favorite one... or two... or three.

One little warning: the charms are sold without chains, but Homestudio has them available for a very reasonable price!

Kid Konnection: Picture Book Assortment

2012-05-12T00:30:00.000-04:00

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to feature some cute picture books.

Summary: Squares, rectangles, ovals, triangles, and other colorful shapes are sorted and arranged into - two robots! But why stop there? Shape by shape, costume by costume, Robot and Robot play a game of oneupmanship that zips, zooms, and whirrs from friendly to hilariously out of control in nanoseconds. Robot Zombie? How about Robot Zombie Frankenstein? Can you handle Robot Zombie Frankenstein Pirate? What could be next? Where will it all stop? When the race makes a surprise (and delicious) turn, Robot and Robot are happy to be plain old robots - and buddies - once again.

Perfect for high-energy story times, this cumulative tale is a madcap mash-up featuring robots, shapes in motley amalgamation, and . . . pie! -- Candlewick Press

ROBOT, ZOMBIE FRANKENSTEIN! by Annette Simon is a book that kids and parents alike will appreciate. Kids will love this book for it's adorable illustrations and parents will like the tongue-in-cheek look at today's competitive society. It's definitely a book that can be read over and over again!

ROBOT, ZOMBIE FRANKETSTEIN! tells the story of two robots who try to one up each other with better shapes and costumes. They start as simple robots, but with their multiple costume changes, they become "robot zombie Frankenstien pirate superhero-in-disguise outer space invader chefs" by the end of the book. They also find that they are now robot buddies and they celebrate by sharing pie!

As cute as the story is, I think I was most impressed with the illustrations. These robots and their costumes are extremely cute. The robots are full of bright colors and the costumes just keep getting sillier and sillier. Kids will like seeing the various shapes that make up the characters and some might even be tempted to create their own shape drawings.

Highly recommended for both classrooms and bedtime reading!

Summary: The walls would tremble. The dishes would break.
Oh, what a terrible mess we would make!

If all the animals came inside, bears would run down the stairs, kangaroos would bounce on the couch, and hippos would play hide-and-seek through the halls! Join one family's wild romp as animals of all shapes and sizes burst through the front door and make themselves right at home.

Extraordinary collage artwork from beloved illustrator Marc Brown (Arthur series) pairs with Eric Pinder's hilarious rhyming verse to make this the perfect book to read aloud again and again. -- Little, Brown

IF ALL THE ANIMALS CAME INSIDE by Eric Pinder and illustrated by Marc Brown
is another silly book for little ones. Eric Pinder's imaginative story about what would happen if you let wild animals into your home, combined with Marc Brown's awesome (there really is no other word for them) illustrations, is a sure-fire hit!

IF ALL THE ANIMALS CAME INSIDE describes all of the zaniness that would take place when elephants, hippos, pandas, and many more animals come into a family's home. There's lots of trembling and shaking, and a huge mess is made. Of course, the kids are loving all of the excitement, but the parents are less than thrilled. I would imagine that youngsters will find this part of the story to be hilarious!

After all of the chaos, there is a cute message at the end of the story. The kids start to realize that living with wild animals isn't all fun and games. They decide that a cat and a dog are enough for them; and it's at this point, that the parents reading this story can relax.

Very cute with wonderful (and exciting) illustrations! Kids will love this book!

Summary: Vroom! Vroom! From the backseat, what do you see? Whether on a cross-country road trip or a quick jaunt across town, there’s no end to what a child can see from the backseat of a car. Using familiar road signs, this striking book introduces little ones not just to the alphabet but also to the world around them. Equally perfect for transportation-obsessed children and those just learning to read, this fresh and dynamic picture book will entertain and educate at home, in the classroom, and on the go. -- Chronicle Books

I sure wish BACKSEAT A-B-SEE by Maria van Lieshout had been available when Booking Son was a toddler. It is positively adorable! BACKSEAT A-B-SEE is an alphabet book with a twist. This picture book features different street signs for each letter of the alphabet. For example, B is for Bike Route and S is for Stop.

The book is extremely simple with black backgrounds, white capital letters and big street signs; however, it all works perfectly. In addition to teaching and/or reinforcing the alphabet, this book also introduces kids to the various road signs. I guarantee most kids will want to start searching for these signs during their daily travels.

Take a quick peek at this video to get an even better idea BACKSEAT A-B-SEE:

Thanks to the authors and publishers for providing review copies of these books.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Guest Review: Turn Right at Machu Picchu

2012-05-11T00:23:00.000-04:00

Summary: What happens when an adventure travel expert-who's never actually done anything adventurous-tries to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu?

July 24, 1911, was a day for the history books. For on that rainy morning, the young Yale professor Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and encountered an ancient city in the clouds: the now famous citadel of Machu Picchu. Nearly a century later, news reports have recast the hero explorer as a villain who smuggled out priceless artifacts and stole credit for finding one of the world's greatest archaeological sites.

Mark Adams has spent his career editing adventure and travel magazines, so his plan to investigate the allegations against Bingham by retracing the explorer's perilous path to Machu Picchu isn't completely far- fetched, even if it does require him to sleep in a tent for the first time. With a crusty, antisocial Australian survivalist and several Quechua-speaking, coca-chewing mule tenders as his guides, Adams takes readers through some of the most gorgeous and historic landscapes in Peru, from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco to the enigmatic ruins of Vitcos and Vilcabamba.

Along the way he finds a still-undiscovered country populated with brilliant and eccentric characters, as well as an answer to the question that has nagged scientists since Hiram Bingham's time: Just what was Machu Picchu? -- Plume

When I was cleaning out the books in my basement, I found a copy of TURN RIGHT AT MACHU PICCHU: REDISCOVERING THE LOST CITY ONE STEP AT A TIME by Mark Adams. I knew I wasn't going to get around reading it in the near future, so I passed it along to my dad. Now, I'm thinking I should have made the time to read it. Here are his thoughts:

A visit to Machu Picchu has always been in my travel bucket so I was excited to review TURN RIGHT AT MACHU PICCHU: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams. Adams, an adventure-traveler writer, recounts his efforts to retrace the steps of explorer Hiram Bingham III on the one hundredth anniversary of Bingham’s “discovery” of Machu Picchu in 1911.

Adams’ journey with an Australian guide and a group of Quechua-speaking (native Peruvian Andes language) mule tenders gives the reader a humorous account of the travels of a greenhorn adventurer who hikes the Inca Trail, climbs Huayna Picchu and sleeps in tents for the first time in his adult life. Particularly humorous were Adams’ discussions of Peruvian Time, the Peru penchant for always being late and the Peruvian affinity for Nescafe coffee in a country that grows some of the world’s best coffee beans. He also spends time criticizing the excesses of the current tourist business at Machu Picchu.

TURN RIGHT AT MACHU PICCHU is more than a humorous travelogue. The author expertly researched the history of the Aztec Empire and the invasion by the Spanish under Francisco Pizarro. As Adams followed the route of Bingham, he alternated chapters between his experience and that of Bingham. Adams also weaved into the book an investigative report of Bingham, one of the greatest explorers of the early twentieth century. The author pulled no punches as he discussed if Bingham was the true discoverer of Machu Picchu and whether he smuggled out priceless artifacts that belonged to the Peruvian government. Adams even explored the unsolved mystery of the purpose of Machu Picchu.

The one difficulty I had in reading the book was trying to keep all the Aztec and Peruvian names and places straight. For example, it was very difficult to remember the difference between Huayna Picchu and Huayna Pacura or what Choquequirao was. The author does offer some help with a very good Glossary in the back of the book. He also included some pictures of his journey as well as Bingham’s and a timeline that really helps the reader visualize the Machu Picchu adventure.

TURN RIGHT AT MACHU PICCHU is a good history of Peru, a good adventure tale and a good summary of Hiram Bingham’s exploration of Machu Picchu. If you’re interested in South American history, early twentieth century explorers or plan to visit Machu Picchu this is a book you should read. It certainly encouraged me to keep Machu Picchu in my travel bucket.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book and to Booking Pap Pap for his terrific review.

Review: Calico Joe

2012-05-10T00:28:00.000-04:00

Summary: A surprising and moving novel of fathers and sons, forgiveness and redemption, set in the world of Major League Baseball…

Whatever happened to Calico Joe?

It began quietly enough with a pulled hamstring. The first baseman for the Cubs AAA affiliate in Wichita went down as he rounded third and headed for home. The next day, Jim Hickman, the first baseman for the Cubs, injured his back. The team suddenly needed someone to play first, so they reached down to their AA club in Midland, Texas, and called up a twenty-one-year-old named Joe Castle. He was the hottest player in AA and creating a buzz.

In the summer of 1973 Joe Castle was the boy wonder of baseball, the greatest rookie anyone had ever seen. The kid from Calico Rock, Arkansas dazzled Cub fans as he hit home run after home run, politely tipping his hat to the crowd as he shattered all rookie records.

Calico Joe quickly became the idol of every baseball fan in America, including Paul Tracey, the young son of a hard-partying and hard-throwing Mets pitcher. On the day that Warren Tracey finally faced Calico Joe, Paul was in the stands, rooting for his idol but also for his Dad. Then Warren threw a fastball that would change their lives forever…

In John Grisham’s new novel the baseball is thrilling, but it’s what happens off the field that makes CALICO JOE a classic. -- Doubleday

Many years ago, I couldn't wait to pick up the latest John Grisham book, but that's not really the case anymore. It's not that I have anything against the guy or his books, it's just that there's so much out there I'd rather read. When I saw that his latest novel CALICO JOE wasn't a traditional legal thriller, rather it was about America's favorite past-time -- baseball, I thought why not? It is that time of the year and baseball is pretty big in our house now that Booking Son is officially playing tee-ball. Plus, I do love me some baseball!

So I sat down one afternoon and thought I'd check out CALICO JOE. The premise sounded good enough -- a book about the rise and fall of Joe Castle, aka Calico Joe; and much to my surprise, I read the book straight through. And what came as even a bigger surprise to me is how emotional I got while reading this story. I actually cried at the ending (and I don't mean just a little tear or two.) Darn you, Mr. Grisham! You tugged at my heartstrings and I even knew that's what you were going to do, and yet I still fell for it!

CALICO JOE tells the story of Joe Castle, a young baseball player from Calico Rock, Arkansas, who gets his big chance in the majors when the Chicago Cubs have a slew of injuries. He absolutely wows the country when he hits home run after home run, and he becomes the hottest thing in baseball. He garners loads of attention from people around the country, and even Paul Tracey, the son of an aging and bitter Mets pitcher, finds himself riveted to the record breaking actions of Castle. Paul finally gets his chance to see Castle play against the Mets (and his father), and his dream day becomes a nightmare when his dad throws a fastball that not only takes Castle, but ends his baseball career.

CALICO JOE takes place in the present and is told in the voice of a grown-up Paul. Paul no longer adores the game of baseball and his relationship with his father is pretty much non-existent; however, when he learns that his father is dying from cancer, he decides to track down the reclusive Castle and arrange a meeting between the two. What happens next is a heartwarming story (and a bit of a tearjerker if you're like me) about the complexity of father/son relationships. But it also contains a powerful message about the power of forgiveness.

I actually enjoyed CALICO JOE quite a bit, but it's not just for fans of baseball. It's a touching story about fathers and sons as well as forgiveness and acceptance, and I think it's a great idea for the upcoming Father's Day holiday.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

Review: Girl Unmoored

2012-05-09T00:09:00.000-04:00

Summary: Apron Bramhall has come unmoored. It’s 1985 and her mom has passed away, her evil stepmother is pregnant, and her best friend has traded her in for a newer model. Fortunately, she’s about to be saved by Jesus. Not that Jesus—the actor who plays him in Jesus Christ, Superstar. Apron is desperate to avoid the look-alike Mike (no one should look that much like Jesus unless they can perform a miracle or two), but suddenly he’s everywhere. Until one day, she’s stuck in church with him—of all places. And then something happens; Apron’s broken teenage heart blinks on for the first time since she’s been adrift.

Mike and his grumpy boyfriend, Chad, offer her a summer job in their flower store, Apron’s world seems to calm. But when she uncovers Chad’s secret, coming of age becomes almost too much bear. She’s forced to see things the adults around her fail to—like what love really means and who is paying too much for it. -- Fiction Studio

When author Jennifer Gooch Hummer approached me about reading her new novel GIRL UNMOORED, I jumped at the chance to read this novel. I really wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this novel, but I figured there was a pretty good chance that I'd like it... especially when I read the blurbs from some well-respected authors. Little did I know just how much I'd end up loving this story. It was that good!

GIRL UNMOORED tells the story of Apron, a young girl whose life is falling apart. Her mother has died and her father is marrying her pregnant stepmother whom Apron does not like. To make matters even worse, her best friend at school has decided to hang out with a different set of friends. So when she enters a church and meets a man who looks just like Jesus, she finds that her life begins to change in more ways than she could have ever expected. Because of the time she spends with Mike (aka Jesus) and his boyfriend Chad, she learns some valuable life lessons about love and loss, and she finds that a good friendship can help her become "moored" again.

I know I'm a sucker for a good coming-of-age story, but GIRL UNMOORED knocked my socks off! I was drawn into Apron's story from the get-go and I immediately fell in love with her. Life was so unfair to this child and my heart broke for her over and over again; but I sensed that she was a survivor and I just knew that she was a special girl. And what a special girl she was! Apron managed to impress me time and time again with her maturity and insight into some very complicated issues. In fact, I'd have to say that Apron taught me a thing or two about love and friendship.

One of the things that I appreciated about GIRL UNMOORED was the setting of the novel. It took place in 1985, and year when I was close in age to Apron. Maybe because I grew up in the 80s, I could relate to many aspects of the story, but I truly believe that Ms. Hummer did a great job of bringing that time period to life. I was reminded of the intolerance for gay couples as well as the ignorance and fear about the AIDS crisis, and in many ways, I recognized how far we've come (and how far we still need to some.)

There were many fabulous things about GIRL UNMOORED, namely the characters and Ms. Hummer's writing, and I can't say that I was very surprised by the quality of the novel. What did manage to surprise me, though, was my reaction to this story. I became heavily involved in Apron's complicated life and I was quite emotional while reading this book. There were many sad scenes that would affect even the hardest of hearts, but Apron's unique way of handling these tragedies was remarkable. Apron was, without a doubt, one of the most memorable characters I've encountered in recent memory; and despite the sadness in her life, I felt uplifted by her words and actions.

GIRL UNMOORED most definitely worked for me; however, I also think tweens and teens will appreciate Apron and her life lessons. In fact, I wasn't not quite sure whether I should classify it as a young adult book or not; and then I realized that it doesn't really matter. A good book is a good book regardless of who the intended audience might be. The only reason that I even mention that it GIRL UNMOORED has cross-over appeal is because most of what I read isn't suitable for my daughter. For the most part, that isn't the case with this novel; and I would love for her to eventually read this book. While the book does address some "adult" issues, they are handled in a respectful way and seen through the eyes of Apron.

GIRL UNMOORED is the second book that I've read from the Fiction Studio, and I have to say that I'm once again very impressed. This might sound awful, but I'm hesitant to try new publishers; however, after reading NIGHT SWIM (my review) and now this book, I think I'm sold. Both books were fresh and original, and I found the writing to be very, very good!

Because I loved this novel so much and it really did cover a lot of important issues, I think GIRL UNMOORED would make a fantastic book club selection... for adults or teens or even mother/daughter groups. There is a reading guide available with some challenging questions, and I think they are just perfect. Some of the topics you might want to explore include parent/child relationships, friendships, death, loss, acceptance, forgiveness, coming "unmoored," and growing up. There are also many symbols in the story which are begging to be discussed!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by just how wonderful GIRL UNMOORED was. It is a story that touched my heart and left me with a huge smile on my face. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: These Days are Ours

2012-05-08T00:13:00.000-04:00

Summary: Six months after September 11th, New Yorkers are instructed to get on with their lives despite the terror advisories, streets filled with 9/11 merchandise, and mail that may contain Anthrax.

But for Hailey, still jobless after college and living in her family's Fifth Avenue penthouse, getting on with life means getting closer to Michael Brenner, the Princeton graduate and future human rights lawyer who seems to have it all. The city feels as if it's on the brink of apocalypse, and seeking out any sort of future seems pointless. So Hailey and her friends - Katie, already working at Morgan Stanley; Randy, a trust-fund kid who wears sweaters with holes in them; and Jess, confident of her future success regardless of her present inertia - stay out all night, dream up get rich quick schemes and aspire to greatness while questioning how much that greatness really matters.

But when Hailey meets Adrian, a transplanted Pennsylvanian and recent Brown graduate who doesn't belong to Hailey's privileged mileu, she begins to realize that her view of the world might not be the only one there is, and soon she is questioning everything she thought she knew. -- Grand Central Publishing

Like many Americans, I was devastated by what occurred on September 11, 2001. Our family had just moved from the Washington, D.C. area a week and half before these events, and I felt as if we had sort of dodged a bullet. I passed the Pentagon every day on my way to the office and I couldn't get over that something this horrible had happened so close to where I spent most of my waking hours. I was grateful that I was now "safe" in Central PA, but I knew things would never be the same for our country.

Even though many years have passed since that tragic day, I can still remember my emotions when I discovered that America was under attack. Maybe it's my way of never forgetting, but I've found that I am drawn to books that delve into the subject of 9-11. So when I learned about a new book called THESE DAYS ARE OURS by Michelle Haimoff, I knew that I wanted to read it. Of course, it didn't hurt that the book had received Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist; and the blurbs by well-known authors (like Jonathan Tropper) were pretty impressive.

THESE DAYS ARE OURS takes place just six months after September 11th in New York City; and it tells the story of Hailey, a recent college grad who is trying to get a job and basically figure out what direction she wants her life to go. It's a tough time for Hailey -- her life is full of fear and change, and Hailey isn't so sure it's worth the effort to try that hard at being successful. She spends more time thinking about Michael, a Princeton grad who seems to be "perfect" than trying to find a job. (Of course, she can do that since she lives is her family's Fifth Avenue penthouse.) When she meets Adrian, a sweet guy who doesn't really fit in with Hailey and her friends because he isn't "elite," Hailey is forced to reevaluate her perspective on her life. Along the way, she learns that there is much more to her and her aspirations that she first realized.

One of the initial reasons I wanted to read THESE DAYS ARE OURS was because it was supposed to offer an insider's view into New York City after the 9-11 attacks. I realize that I wasn't directly affected by these terror strikes and I know how much it changed me, so I can only begin to wonder what it was like for the citizens of New York. I can definitely say that Ms. Haimoff captured the essence (and darkness) of what it must have been like, and I appreciated how honest she was in showing the desperation of the people... especially the younger ones who were really just beginning their grown-up lives.

In so many ways, THESE DAYS ARE OURS is a coming-of-age story, and I do love a good coming-of-age book. While Hailey's character is extremely different from me (both now and when I was in my early 20s), I did enjoy her story. I found the ways her character evolved to be interesting, and I did get caught up in the drama of her life. That's not to say that I always liked her or agreed with her actions though. At times, I found her to be spoiled, selfish, and immature; however, I kept reminding myself that she had a privileged upbringing and that she was very young.. and she was ultimately growing up and becoming more aware of what's important in life.

THESE DAYS ARE OURS is one of those books where you don't have to relate to the characters to appreciate the story; and that hasn't always been the case with me recently with novels. I think that's a testament to the author's writing style. Ms. Haimoff is a very talented writer and she did a very good job of evoking a lot of emotions in my while reading this story. I felt the devastating pain of the 9-11 aftermath as well as the insecurities that Hailey was feeling about her future; however, I also liked that the story was smart and funny and very entertaining. I believe Ms. Haimoff managed to effectively capture the essence of a young generation that was trying to find their way after a life-altering tragedy.

Overall, I do think THESE DAYS ARE OURS would make an interesting book club pick. I'm not sure it would work as well for my club since we are all middle-aged women in Central PA, but I do think it would be excellent for a younger group. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find formal discussion questions although I'm not sure that they are necessary to generate discussion. Some of the themes you might want to talk about include loss, grief, change, friendships, parent/child relationships, love, forgiveness, change, maturity, expectations, and discovering one's self.

I found THESE DAYS ARE OURS to be a well written novel with some very interesting character development. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: Guilt by Degrees

2012-05-07T00:08:00.000-04:00

Summary: Someone has been watching D.A. Rachel Knight--someone who's Rachel's equal in brains, but with more malicious intentions. It began when a near-impossible case fell into Rachel's lap, the suspectless homicide of a homeless man. In the face of courthouse backbiting and a gauzy web of clues, Rachel is determined to deliver justice. She's got back-up: tough-as-nails Detective Bailey Keller. As Rachel and Bailey stir things up, they're shocked to uncover a connection with the vicious murder of an LAPD cop a year earlier. Something tells Rachel someone knows the truth, someone who'd kill to keep it secret.

Harrowing, smart, and riotously entertaining, GUILT BY DEGREES is a thrilling ride through the world of LA courts with the unforgettable Rachel Knight. - Mulholland

A little over a year ago, I reviewed GUILT BY ASSOCIATION by Marcia Clark, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I really shouldn't say "surprised" since I had read Ms. Clark's memoir about her experiences as a prosecutor for the O.J. Simpson trial and found her to be a decent writer; however, I was more than impressed with her storytelling abilities in her debut novel. After I read GUILT BY ASSOCIATION, I concluded that Ms. Clark has a real talent for writing crime fiction and I couldn't wait to see what was the future would hold for D.A. Rachel Knight.

So when I received an advance copy of GUILT BY DEGREES, I was a little surprised to see that the book was HUGE! While I enjoy Ms. Clark's writing and her characters, I wasn't sure that I wanted to read this big of a book... about any subject. However, I quickly realized that the ARC was actually a copy of both GUILT BY ASSOCIATION AND GUILT BY DEGREES; and I gave a little sigh of relief that her latest novel wasn't 800 pages. And then I decided that the folks at Mulholland were pretty smart to package the books this way because if you read one of them, you will definitely want to read both!

GUILT BY DEGREES is a fantastic mystery about the murder of an unidentified homeless man -- but that's just the quick and dirty description. This novel is actually a pretty complex and exciting ride! When this homicide case ends up on Rachel's plate because she couldn't bare to see it dropped, Rachel and her detective friend Bailey end up investigating this very complicated crime. As they dig deeper into the case and begin to identify some of the major players, they discover that this murder is linked to the murder of a LAPD cop. The closer Rachel gets to uncovering the clues, the more she realizes that someone wants to keep her quiet and that her life might be in danger.

When I started writing this review, I took a peek at what I had to say about GUILT BY ASSOCIATION. Interestingly enough (at least to me), I found many similarities in my reaction to this novel. Once again, I was impressed with Ms. Clark's ability to weave a good mystery, but I also appreciated the character development - especially as it pertained to Rachel. I just adore Rachel and love her spunkiness. She is dedicated to her job as a public servant and most definitely wants to see justice served, but she's also extremely tough and almost fearless about getting to the bottom of her cases.

In GUILT BY DEGREES, the reader gets to know a little more about Rachel on a personal level. We already know that she's a workaholic and appreciates drinks and a good meal, but we also see that she has some baggage from her past that affects her relationships. There is a some romance for Rachel, and along with that comes some relationship issues, but I enjoyed how the author balanced Rachel's work problems with her personal ones.

I was extremely impressed with the mystery aspects of this novel -- they were truly very well done; and I loved how complicated they were. What I appreciated even more in this novel was how Rachel (and Bailey) investigated this crime. Their quest to solve the mystery and sort through all of the information was so detailed, yet at the same time, I thought it was crucial to the story. Nothing about the crimes in this book was simple or trite, and I loved how the story unfolded at just the right pace.

Another part of GUILT BY DEGREES that I liked was how Ms. Clark brought the Los Angeles setting to life. I love reading about all of the buildings and restaurants that Rachel visited, and I think Ms. Clark does a wonderful job of describing Rachel's favorite places. Needless to say, I was so excited to discover this on her website -- it's descriptions of Rachel's Los Angeles with photos!

GUILT BY DEGREES takes up right where GUILT BY ASSOCIATION left off and there are a few references to the first novel. Having said that, GUILT BY DEGREES definitely stands on its own and can be enjoyed without knowing the background on Rachel's prior case. Ms. Clark did a great job of explaining all of the references to situations, places, or characters. While it's not necessary to read these books in order, I do recommend reading both of them, not because you have to, but rather because they are just that good.

Once again, I think Ms. Clark wrote another winner with GUILT BY DEGREES. I am anxiously awaiting the next Rachel Knight book to see what's in store for her -- both professionally and personally! Highly recommended for fans of police procedurals and mysteries as well as fans of stories with kick-butt female characters!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Happy 20th Anniversary, Junie B. Jones!

2012-05-06T12:59:00.000-04:00

Summary: She's spunky, she's sassy, she's one-of-a-kind! Now, for the first time ever, the book that started it all, Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, is available in a full-color, hardcover edition with original, never before seen material—including an interview with Barbara Park conducted by the world's funniest first grader herself! -- Random House

If you've ever had a beginner reader in you life, then I'm sure you're familiar with the Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park. This bestselling series has sold over 52 million copies in all formats! My daughter loved these books when she was in first grade, and Booking Son has even been know to pick one up when he wants a good laugh.

Believe it or not, it's been twenty years since JUNIE B. JONES AND THE STUPID SMELLY BUS was first published. (Does time fly or what?) To celebrate this milestone, Random House has issued a 20th Anniversary Full-Color Edition of JUNIE B. JONES AND THE STUPID SMELLY BUS. This book has adorable illustrations by Denise Brunkus along with fourteen pages of never-before-seen material.

JUNIE B. JONES AND THE STUPID SMELLY BUS is one (if not the first) chapter book that both of my kids read so it holds a special place in my heart. In fact, it's actually one that I can say I've read a few times. Booking Son still talks about the scene on the bus when Junie B. has to go to the bathroom and he laughs like a nut!

When I showed this new version to Booking Son, his eyes lit up. He has yet to read it again, but I pointed out that there are some colorful pictures; and he did take a peek. I also showed him the special material in the back of the book. There is a brief biography of Barbara Park and a very cute interview where Junie B. asks Ms. Park some questions. In addition, there is a section with some of Ms. Brunkus's sketches of Junie B.

In celebration of the 20^th Anniversary edition of JUNIE B. JONES AND THE STUPID SMELLY BUS, there is a brand new website JunieBJones.com that you won't want to miss. Some of the highlights include:

Junie B. Jones Jokes (where kids can share their favorite funnies)
A Photo Activity with Junie B. ( where grownups can upload a photo of their favorite child and put them next to Junie!)
Food Fight Game with Junie B. (be careful.. It's addicting! You can actually have a Food Fight with Junie B and friends)
A special 20th anniversary page with printables and sneak peeks of all our favorite Junie B Jones books and more.
A scrapbook where you can meet all of Junie B.’s friends!

In addition, there is a new Junie B Jones Facebook page at Facebook.com/juniebjonesbooks where fans will learn news about the series and access exclusive printables.

There is no doubt that Junie B. and her stories have been a huge part of early readers' lives for the past twenty years, and I'm sure kids will continue to read these books for many years in the future. Ms. Parks has created an extremely entertaining character that keeps kids coming back for more; and as a mom, I just appreciate that she gets kids (even the reluctant ones) reading!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this classic book!

Kid Konnection: Belles & Giveaway

2012-05-05T00:52:00.000-04:00

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to feature a fun book in a new YA series by one of Booking Daughter's and my favorite authors.

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls' lives forever. -- Poppy

A little over a year ago, Booking Daughter I had the pleasure of meeting Jen Calonita at my favorite independent bookstore Aaron's Books when she was touring to promote the last book in her SECRETS OF THE HOLLYWOOD LIFE series. She was so much fun and I loved hearing her stories about Hollywood personalities and her approaches to writing her young adult (and middle grade) novels. Booking Daughter came home from this event equally charmed by Jen, and she immediately had to read everything Jen has written. She loves her books!

So when I discovered that Jen has started another new young adult series, we were both thrilled. First, because there is another "Jen" book, and second because we know there are more in the works! The first book is titled BELLES, and based on the description, it sounded like a winner to me. I read it right away and loved it, but sadly, Booking Daughter hasn't had the chance yet with all of her spring activities. I keep telling her it's a must-read book, and I know just devour it... once she finds a few spare hours.

While I did really enjoy BELLES, I know I'm not exactly the target audience; however, I do know that I would have loved this book as a tween or teen. BELLES is exactly the type of book that my daughter and her friends will love; and as a mother, I am just so excited that Jen writes books like this. Not only are they entertaining and filled with lots of fun characters (both nice and naughty), but they are clean... and have good messages.

BELLES tells the story of Isabelle and Mirabelle, two very different girls whose lives are unexpectedly thrown together when Isabelle is forced to move in with Mirabelle after a family tragedy. Both girls are from North Carolina but couldn't be more different. Isabelle is from the wrong side of the tracks, while Mirabelle lives a life of luxury. The girls don't have a lot in common, and Mirabelle is less than thrilled when she has to help her cousin Isabelle integrate into her school. Isabelle learns the hard way that girls, including Mirabelle, can be very cruel. However, when a shocking family secret is revealed, both girls find that their lives will be forever changed.

I have a feeling that tween and teen girls will just adore BELLES. The story is very entertaining, and they will be able to relate to many things in this novel. Initially, I think they will be drawn to Isabelle and her plight as an underdog; however, as the story progresses, I think some will find that they understand Mirabelle and her dilemmas with her family and peer pressure. Both girls are extremely interesting and complex characters, and I think girls will be anxious to discover what the future holds for both of them.

In addition to liking and relating to the characters, there are many universal teen issues that will resonate with readers. For example, BELLES addresses parent issues, grief, teen insecurities, friend and boy problems, school stresses, mean girls and bullying, and peer pressure. You can see that there's a little bit of something for everyone. But what makes this book so special is that all of these issues are wrapped up in a very entertaining story. And that's what makes this book such a wonderful pick for teen and/or mother/daughter book clubs -- it's fun and it addresses some serious (and very real) issues.

I really can't stress enough how much fun BELLES was to read. Highly recommend to teen and tween girls... and their moms!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

And now for a quick Q&A with Jen:

Booking Mama: BELLES is the first book in your new young adult series, and I think tweens and teens are going to love it. What was your inspiration for this book and the characters?

Jen Calonita: I loved the idea of two very opposite girls tackling life in very different ways and seeing how their methods influenced each other. Izzie has such spunk and pride and Mira is such a lady. It is cool to see how they play off each other and deal with their problems. Emerald Cove is practically a character of its own. The parties, the wealth, the mindset...it was so much fun to write.

Booking Mama: In addition to your successful series SECRETS OF MY HOLLYWOOD LIFE and now BELLES, you've also written a few stand alone books. Do you find it easier to write these stand-alone books or the ones in a series?

Jen Calonita: I like writing series. I think my brain is wired to think of stories told over time. I like getting to know characters through several stories. I love how Kaitlin grew over the six books in SECRETS and I hope readers will get to have the same experience with Mira and Izzie in BELLES.

Booking Mama: In SECRETS OF MY HOLLYWOOD LIFE and BELLES, you wrote about two very different settings -- Hollywood and North Carolina. Do you have personal experiences with either of these locations or did you write about them solely based on research?

Jen Calonita: Hollywood is a world I knew well. I was an entertainment editor for five years for a teen magazine and I spent my days interviewing teen stars. Some of the ones I interviewed influenced the character of Kaitlin and her story. I drew on many of my experiences for that series and it was so much fun to write about. BELLES required research. I have always loved the South, but never lived there. I spoke to a lot of friends who live there or went to college there. The heart of BELLES though is two girls and how they both navigate the affluent world of Emerald Cove.

Booking Mama: Can you give us any hints about what you're working on? I'm assuming that there are more BELLES books in the works, but are you also working on another book?

Jen Calonita: My life is all about BELLES right now! There are four books planned and I am in the middle of editing book three and outlining book four. I can't wait for readers to get to read book two, Winter White, this October. The girls are dealing with cotillion and a town rite of passage that goes with it.

Booking Mama: I know you are in a book club because I responded to one of your tweets about a potential book. What is the one book that generated the best discussion in your group?

Jen Calonita: Well, I just started a book club among moms in my town so we are only on the second book now! But in my other book group for teens I would have to say The Hunger Games got people talking the most. We discussed the themes and characters for almost two hours. I love when a book brings out that much emotion in people.

Booking Mama: When I have the chance, I always ask authors this question. What are some of your favorite books and/or authors? What is currently on your nightstand?

Jen Calonita: My nightstand is overflowing! In addition to my Nook (I just downloaded Jonathan Tropper's This is Where I Leave You), I have Kieran Scott's latest, This is So Not Happening, a bunch of Jackson Pearce's books (because we are touring together), The Help (already read it but love it too much to stick it in a drawer) and a few Sarah Dessen novels I have long wanted to read.

Thanks so much to Jen for taking time to answer a few of my questions. I'm very excited that there will be another Belles book in just a few months!

Giveaway alert: I have a copy of BELLES and a special Belles lip gloss to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before May 18th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!

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If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!