That's What She Read

Review - Puddn'head Wilson by Mark Twain

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: Puddn'head Wilson
Author: Mark Twain
ISBN: 9780393925357
No. of Pages: 488
Genre: Classics
Synopsis:

"Puddn'head Wilson (1894), written in a more sombre vein than his other Mississippi writings, was Mark Twain's last serious work of fiction. It reveals the sinister forces that, towards the end of his life, Twain thought to be threatening the American dream. The central plot revolves around the tragedy of "Roxy," a mulatto slave whose attempt to save her son from his fate succeeds only in destroying him."

Thoughts: Nobody quite combines comedy and tragedy like Mark Twain. His ability to mock the most unfortunate of situations makes even the most scathing of social commentaries enjoyable reading. Puddn'head Wilson is a perfect example of this with its discussion of race and privilege in the South.

Twain accomplishes two goals with this particular work. When discussing the reversed identities, he hits right at the heart of racial prejudice. Tom’s treatment of Chambers, and eventually his mother, is absolutely appalling, especially as the reader understands the true situation. His sense of entitlement because he is “white” is as disgusting to modern readers as it is telling of the difference in mindset between the 1850s and today.

What is fascinating is Twain’s use of the beginnings of forensic evidence in murder trials. The polite interest that turns into overt mocking that then switches to apt fascination is spot on in society’s acceptance of any new scientific methodology. While presenting this new, objective methodology, Twain also continues his biting commentary on the subjectivity of a jury that is hampered by close-mindedness and social stigmas. The crowd’s reaction when they understand that a “white” man of privilege could commit such a horrible crime is humorous in true Twain fashion while simultaneously horrifying at their ignorance.

Puddn'head Wilson is a fascinating look at a society long past. In fact, modern readers can appreciate Twain’s message more than his contemporaries could because we have the benefit of hundreds of years of ingrained social messaging about the equality of races. It begs the question of what Twain’s contemporaries thought about this social commentary. Would they have appreciated what Twain was mocking? No matter what era in which this novel is being read, Puddn'head Wilson provides plenty of fodder for discussion and contemplation, as befits a true classic.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Audiobook Review - Lunatics by Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: Lunatics
Authors: Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel
Narrators: Dave Barry, Alan Zweibel, Mark Thompson, Sean Kenin, Orlagh Cassidy
ISBN: 9781611760576
Audiobook Length: 7 hours, 3 minutes
Synopsis:

"One of them is a bestselling Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist. The other is a winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Together, they form the League of Comic Justice, battling evildoers in the name of . . . Okay, we made that line up. What they do form is a writing team of pure comic genius, and they will have you laughing like idiots.

Philip Horkman is a happy man-the owner of a pet store called The Wine Shop, and on Sundays a referee for kids' soccer. Jeffrey Peckerman is the sole sane person in a world filled with goddamned jerks and morons, and he's having a really bad day. The two of them are about to collide in a swiftly escalating series of events that will send them running for their lives, pursued by the police, soldiers, terrorists, subversives, bears, and a man dressed as Chuck E. Cheese.

Where that all takes them you can't begin to guess, but the literary journey there is a masterpiece of inspiration and mayhem. But what else would you expect from the League of Comic Justice?"

Thoughts: Philip Horkman and Jeffrey Peckerman never imagined the wild ride their lives would become after a girls’ soccer game on fateful Sunday. As opposite as two people could be, they are forced together into the most bizarre situations, having to rely on the other in order to survive. The resulting story, Lunatics, is as entertaining as it is improbable. Better yet, it is made even more entertaining because of its improbability.

As the authors, Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel work well together. Each brings his own unique brand of humor to the story, creating two very distinct characters that feed off of their differences. The story is told from the two differing perspectives, creating distinct separations in tone and mood. The differences in storytelling, and perspectives, make Lunatics an absolute delight as the reader gets the pleasure of discerning the truth behind the two narratives while enjoying the banter between them.

As narrators, Dave Berry and Alan Zweibel are absolute perfect. Each embodies his character with the ideal amount of sarcasm or earnestness, crassness or patience, as required. Because they best know the comedic moments, the audio performance is even more hilarious than just reading the book. Truly, the sound effects – the mimicking of Brian Williams, Tom Brokaw, and various reporters around the globe as well as the various sound effects made by Peckerman – can only be appreciated on audio and do nothing but enhance the overall experience.

Lunatics lives up to the hype by being one of the funniest and goofiest novels in a long time. Peckerman and Horkman are a modern-day Odd Couple with a great repartee that boosts the wickedly funny narrative. Due to the coarse language and some graphic frat-humor scenes, it may not be for everyone; those who are not bothered by that however will find themselves hard-pressed to not laugh out loud multiple times either while reading or listening to it. Lunatics is a great way to wind down in the evenings or get away from the stress and idiocy of a typical work day.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Penguin Audio for my review copy!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - February 20th edition

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Hosted by Sheila from Book Journey, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

Finished Last Week:

The first of these was an audiobook, which I absolutely loved. The second was a review book that left me rather meh.

Currently Reading:

The first one is going to be on this list for a while as it is a book club selection that has been split into six parts. The book club reaction has been very subdued so far, which really surprises me.

Currently Listening:

At 48+ hours, this one is going to take me a while.

Up Next:

As always, I reserve the right to change my mind, depending on how I feel on any given day.

What are you reading this week?

The Sunday Salon - February 19th

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:00:05 PST

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. My parents are in town, and I'm taking a vacation day tomorrow (since my daycare has decided to celebrate Presidents' Day by taking the day off too). We'll be taking everyone to one of the museums downtown later today - we haven't decided which one yet, but the kids are really looking forward to it. I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon...outside of reading that is.

For those who wished Connor well on his little bet, the well wishes were much appreciated. Unfortunately, he lasted five days. Now, to be fair, we decided that he'll get the chance to try again in March. It was definitely an eye-opener for him, especially as he had a tendency to focus on the bigger, weekly chores instead of the smaller, daily ones that were the point of the exercise. We'll see next month if the lesson was learned.

Well, it's been an exciting few weeks in the family, both immediate and extended. Two weekends ago, my parents came home after a weekend away to find that they had been robbed. All TVs, computers, jewelry, gift cards, and some other odds and ends were all gone. Thankfully, no one was in the house, not even the dogs. The robbers did not even destroy or damage the house. While my parents are understandably shaken with a horrible feeling of being violated, they took only things. The entire situation could have been so much worse. As terrible as it is, we have to count our blessings. Things can be replaced; life cannot.

The town of Monroe, Ohio is in a bit of an uproar lately. It turns out that the former treasurer of the school board opted to use the funds from the building fund to pay for general expenses rather than let the board and the community know that the schools have been operating in a deficit. In order to pay the building fund, cover all expenses and the loans the district had to take out to pay payroll, the district needs to raise over $4.4 million before June. It's an absolute mess. As of right now, the district is officially under a state fiscal watch, although the district needs to vote to move to a fiscal emergency before the end of March. This means the state would then implement a committee to find a way to make additional cuts, more than the $2.2 million that have already been cut, and raise the $4.4 million that the state would loan the district but would need to reimburse them. The cuts that have been made are absolutely heartbreaking, so much so that I've volunteered to become part of the finance sub-committee. I'm afraid that I have committed myself to a second job, especially since the finances are still being straightened out and the true damage has yet to be calculated. If anyone has any ideas on how a community of approximately 12,000 can raise that much money quickly, I am all ears.

Since I didn't share the list last week, here's the list of everything that has been reviewed over the past few weeks:

The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton
Obedience by Jacqueline Yallop
Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper
Death Watch by Ari Beck
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
Bending the Boyne by J. S. Dunn
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Spin by Catherine McKenzie
Wake by Lisa McMann
Envy by Gregg Olsen

With that, I'm off to enjoy the rest of the day and capitalize on the day off tomorrow. Have a great Sunday. Happy reading!

Mini-review Saturday - Wake and Envy

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:00:01 PST

Title: Wake
Author: Lisa McMann
ISBN: 9781416974475
No. of Pages: 224
Synopsis:

"For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody- notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does — they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant...."

Thoughts: Being able to fall into people’s dreams, to see their deepest and darkest desires, is not something I would wish on an enemy. Yet Janie handles herself with aplomb, making Wake an enjoyable read. Lisa McMann’s signature style allows the reader to get a good understanding of Janie and her struggle with her power without bogging down into details or overly descriptive passages; this also makes Wake a very fast read. Janie is a fun character with a very different problem, one that makes it difficult for her to navigate her way through the tricky halls of high school. Of all the superpowers to have, Janie’s is probably one of the worst ones. A reader is immediately drawn to her fragility but her willingness to fight to control her powers. Wake is not necessarily a departure from similar stories but is enhanced by Ms. McMann’s ability to weave a story.
Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Title: Envy
Author: Gregg Olsen
ISBN: 9781402789571
No. of Pages: 304
Synopsis:

"Crime lives — and dies — in the deceptively picture-perfect town of Port Gamble (aka “Empty Coffin”), Washington. Evil lurks and strange things happen — and 15-year-olds Hayley and Taylor Ryan secretly use their wits and their telepathic “twin-sense” to uncover the truth about the town's victims and culprits. Envy, the series debut, involves the mysterious death of the twins' old friend, Katelyn. Was it murder? Suicide? An accident? Hayley and Taylor are determined to find out — and as they investigate, they stumble upon a dark truth that is far more disturbing than they ever could have imagined."

Thoughts: Billed as a true crime mystery, Envy definitely has a “ripped from the headlines” feel with a slightly supernatural element. Unfortunately, for such a tragic story with very tangible motives and actions, the twins’ telepathy is seemingly out of place. It is almost as if Olsen was trying to attract readers specifically drawn to the paranormal genre and felt obliged to add this plot device, even though the story does not need it. While enjoyable, I am getting tired of the paranormal plot device and wish YA authors would do something unique by not including it in their stories. Envy would have been a perfect story for this bit of originality. What exists instead is a creative story with an all-too-familiar otherworldly element that feels like a crutch more than a necessary narrative element. Envy is enjoyable but does nothing to separate itself from the hundreds of other YA stories with a paranormal aspect.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association for my copy.

Fabulous Friday - February 17th

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Most of the time, parenting involves a lot of guessing and worrying that we are getting it right. Sometimes, the stars align to show you just how well you are doing. This was one of those moments.

That's my girl.

What makes it a fabulous Friday for you?

Review - Spin by Catherine McKenzie

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:27:30 PST

Title: Spin
Author: Catherine McKenzie
ISBN: 9780062115355
No. of Pages: 446
Genre: General Fiction
Synopsis:

"Kate's To-Do List:
Go to rehab
Befriend/spy on "It Girl"
Write killer expose
Land dream job
Piece of cake!

When Kate Sandford lands an interview at her favorite music magazine, The Line, it's the chance of a lifetime. So Kate goes out to celebrate—and shows up still drunk to the interview the next morning. It's no surprise that she doesn't get the job, but her performance has convinced the editors that she'd be perfect for an undercover assignment for their gossip rag. All Kate has to do is follow "It Girl" Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop—and complete the thirty-day program—they'll reconsider her for the position at The Line. Kate takes the assignment, but when real friendships start to develop, she has to decide if what she has to gain is worth the price she'll have to pay."

Thoughts: Everything about Spin can fool one into thinking that this debut novel of Catherine McKenzie is yet another YA novel about a troubled teen. In fact, it is anything but. Instead, it fills a niche for Gen Y, those who are struggling to establish themselves in the workplace and continue to drift through life thanks to a miserable economy and high amounts of personal debt. It draws on the fascination with celebrity gossip and turns a scathing eye on those who are willing to do anything to be the first to break a story about the celebrity du jour, while presenting a fascinating look at the fine line between partying and addiction.

Kate is the girl who does not want to grow up. Still passing herself off as a twenty-something grad student, she has no real job and no real desire to do anything but enjoy the next night out with her friends. Her opinion on alcohol is scarily realistic, and her ability to ignore her conscience is all-too-accurate. Yet, for someone who does some pretty horrific deeds all in the name of landing her dream job, she is exceedingly vulnerable while simultaneously providing much-needed comic relief for a story that could become too intense without it.

Catherine McKenzie does an excellent job balancing the seriousness of her messages – the seriousness and struggles of addiction, the damaging fascination with celebrity watching – with the heartwarming character development elements of the story. Kate’s and Amber’s struggles are not meant to be fun, and yet SPIN is not meant to be a tragedy. There is a breeziness to Ms. McKenzie’s writing that lessens the more depressing elements and provides some much-needed hope to the entire story.

Spin flirts dangerously close to being overly trite and saccharin-sweet. What prevents it from crossing that line is Kate’s growing awareness that she just might have an alcohol problem after all. Her increasing self-awareness and battle with her inner demons adds a level of gravitas that does not exist in YA, as her demons are decidedly adult. In a society which glorifies alcohol, partying, and celebrity watching, Spin forces the reader to pause and reconsider these popular pastimes and the damage they are causing. It is a powerful message wrapped up in an easy-to-swallow, enjoyable package.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to NetGalley and Mary Sasso of William Morrow and Company for my review copy!

Review - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: The Secret Garden
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
ISBN: 0440777062
No. of Pages: 261
Genre: Classics, Children
Synopsis:

"Mary Lennox doesn't want to move to England to live with her uncle, but she has no choice. At first she hates her uncle's cold house, the gardens and moors that surround it and the servants with their funny way of talking. And at night she hears a child crying, but the servants insist it's only the wind. Curious in spite of herself, Mary wanders the house and gardens and discovers that both are full of secrets."

Thoughts: The Secret Garden is a wonderful reminder of the healing power of nature, laughter, and love. It is an affirmation of the existence of magic as well as simply a beautiful story. The lessons told within are simple and yet profound and appropriate for everyone. This is anything but a children’s story.

The Secret Garden is one of those novels I read as a child but did not remember in its entirety. In fact, while I could recall the beginning of the story quite well, I could not dredge up any memories about how it ends. Knowing my younger self, this is indicative of the fact that I must not have enjoyed the story as much as others have. Flash forward thirty years, and my experience of The Secret Garden is much different this time around. What did not resonate with me as a child definitely hit home as an adult flirting with middle age.

There is something about Mary’s and Colin’s transformation that is soothing to the soul. The remedy to their ailments is so simple and yet so profound. Today’s society has lost its connection to nature and to a simpler lifestyle, but the benefits of such cannot be denied. The pleasures of life are numerous, but we have to take the time to notice them. Happiness truly is as simple as good friends, good food, and fresh air.

If you have not had the opportunity to read The Secret Garden as a child, all is not lost. It is one of those novels that loses nothing over time. In fact, as our lives become more complicated and stressful as we get older, The Secret Garden becomes more than a children’s novel but rather a cue to take a step back and remember the uncomplicated truths which make childhood so special. It opens the reader’s eyes to the magic that exists all around us all the time.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Review - Bending the Boyne by J. S. Dunn

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: Bending the Boyne
Author: J. S. Dunn
ISBN: 9780983155416
No. of Pages: 322
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis:

"Circa 2200 BCE: Changes rocking the Continent reach Eire with the dawning Bronze Age. Well before any Celts, marauders invade the island seeking copper and gold. The young astronomer Boann and the enigmatic Cian need all their wits and courage to save their people and their great Boyne mounds, when long bronze knives challenge the peaceful native starwatchers. Banished to far coasts, Cian discovers how to outwit the invaders at their own game. Tensions on Eire between new and old cultures and between Boann, Elcmar, and her son Aengus, ultimately explode. What emerges from the rubble of battle are the legends of Ireland's beginnings in a totally new light."

Thoughts: In 2000 BCE, the world was rapidly changing. On a remote island near the North Sea, an entire culture of astronomers, or Starwatchers as they call themselves, will have their entire lifestyle threatened by a group of invaders from across the big seas. These invaders, in their searches for copper, tin, and gold, bring with them foreign ideas such as land ownership, power struggles, and violence. As the two cultures fight for control of Ireland, two people attempt to do everything in their power to bring peace and cooperation between the two societies. Bending the Boyne is their story.

Bending the Boyne is a great reminder of what societies can learn from each other when they are not too busy trying to enslave or destroy each other. It brings to mind what conquered societies must have felt about the confusing strangers who refuse to understand their ways and who insist that their foreign ways are better than anything previously established in the area. The use of fear tactics, foreign instruments, and in this case long knives made of metal, horses, and the like were powerful weapons against a peaceful society. Dunn has an amazing ability to create sympathy for the Starwatchers as they struggle to maintain their beliefs and rituals against a constantly changing world.

The details are where Bending the Boyne shines brightest. The descriptions of smelting, copper mining, ocean travel, and other aspects of this ancient era are extremely realistic. A reader experiences Cian’s wonder at the advancement he sees on his travels, while simultaneously empathizing with Boann’s confusion at the harshness and ignorance of her adopted people. As for the Invaders, one can all too easily understand their ruthlessness as they are driven to find more copper or gold in an effort to gain more riches. This era comes to life under Dunn’s careful research and comprehensive descriptions.

While one has no doubt that Dunn was extremely thorough in his research and in his descriptive passages, the very nature of some of the rituals and celestial movements create certain verbose and difficult-to-understand scenes. A reader would be advised to have a star chart handy when reading to ensure that s/he understands exactly which stars and their movements are being discussed at any point in time. Thankfully, these descriptions do not detract from the overall story too much, but understanding them is vital to understanding the crux of the clash between the Starwatchers and the Invaders.

Bending the Boyne is an absolute fascinating look at Bronze Age Ireland. The cultural clashes that occur between the natives and the Invaders set the tone for later invasions both on Ireland and throughout the world over the years. Dunn’s research is meticulous and in such detail that the reader does not need to visit the sacred sites in order to feel completely awed by the knowledge garnered by the Starwatchers and all of humanity at such a primitive time. In fact, one can go on Dunn’s website and see images of the actual artifacts used by Boann, Cian, and the rest of the cast of characters. This realism built into the descriptions makes this one story that is less fiction and more historical. In spite of some of clunky passages, Bending the Boyne is a captivating picture of a bygone era about a culture that has long been considered mysterious and which has provided some of the more memorable artifacts on the Emerald Isle. Dunn has successfully created a book that allows readers to step back in time to experience the Bronze Age for themselves.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Christina Montero from Seriously Good Books for my review copy!

It's Monday! What are you reading? - February 13th

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Hosted by Sheila from Book Journey, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

Finished Last Week:

Currently Reading:

Currently Listening:

Up Next:

As always, I reserve the right to change my mind, depending on how I feel on any given day.

What are you reading this week?

The Sunday Salon - February 12th

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:27:14 PST

I'm keeping this short and simple this week since it is already 8:30 PM. I've been taking an inadvertent online hiatus lately. Work has picked up again, and I have posts scheduled so far in advance that I do not have to worry about posting anything for the rest of the month. Winter finally came to southern Ohio with temperatures below freezing and snow showers. With the sun shining as well, it has been a little slice of heaven.

With that, Breaking Dawn is calling to me. I am finally getting the chance to watch it and am anxious to see the wedding and certain...ahem...honeymoon scenes.

Have a great remaining few hours of the weekend. I'll be back in full force next week. I promise!

Mini-review Saturday - Death Watch, The Name of the Star, and The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:00:05 PST

Title: Death Watch
Author: Ari Berk
ISBN: 9781416991151
No. of Pages: 544
Synopsis:

"They say the dead should rest in peace. Not all the dead agree.

One night, Silas Umber's father Amos doesn’t come home from work. Devastated, Silas learns that his father was no mere mortician but an Undertaker, charged with bringing The Peace to the dead trapped in the Shadowlands, the states of limbo binding spirits to earth. With Amos gone, Silas and his mother have no choice but to return to Lichport, the crumbling seaside town where Silas was born, and move in with Amos’s brother, Charles.

Even as Silas eagerly explores his father’s town and its many abandoned streets and overgrown cemeteries, he grows increasingly wary of his uncle. There is something not quite right going on in Charles Umber’s ornate, museum-like house - something, Silas is sure, that is connected to his father’s disappearance. When Silas’s search leads him to his father’s old office, he comes across a powerful artifact: the Death Watch, a four hundred year old Hadean clock that allows the owner to see the dead.

Death Watch in hand, Silas begins to unearth Lichport’s secret history - and discovers that he has taken on his father’s mantle as Lichport’s Undertaker. Now, Silas must embark on a dangerous path into the Shadowlands to embrace his destiny and discover the truth about his father - no matter the cost."

Thoughts: Death Watch is an enchanting story that brings meaning to the rituals that enhance the grieving process for those who have lost a loved one. In Silas, Mr. Berk has created a most unlikely but lovable hero, and it is with great pleasure the reader watches Silas step in to fill the role his father once held. Any reader who may be frightened of the idea of death is immediately assuaged by Lichport and the seriousness with which the town goes about its duties of official grieving. Even though it is part of a series, Death Watch is more like a stand-alone novel, with almost all mysteries resolved and the main plot tidied up nicely by the end of the story. There is something decidedly simple and refreshing in this departure from typical paranormal novels, and I look forward with pleasure to the release of the second novel of the series.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association for my copy!

Title: The Name of the Star
Author: Maureen Johnson
ISBN: 9781101535691
No. of Pages: 384
Synopsis:

"The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities."

Thoughts: The Name of the Star takes all previous Ripper novels and turns them on their heads with her reimagined hypothesis of the man behind the murders. In true Maureen Johnson fashion, Rory Deveaux is understatedly sarcastic, helping to ease the increasing tension that develops from this decidedly creepy story. The ending comes with quite a shock, making the anticipation for the next installment in this series that much greater. Even better, this really could stand alone if one so desires. There are enough answers and closed mysteries to satisfy all readers, while leaving hints at future stories to come. Undeniably funny and deliciously eerie, The Name of the Star is a welcome addition the growing canon of YA paranormal.
Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Title: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Author: Michelle Hodkins
ISBN: 9781442421783
No. of Pages: 464
Synopsis:

"Mara wakes up from a coma with no memory of the accident that caused the deaths of her best friend, boyfriend, and boyfriend’s sister. The doctors tell her parents that starting over in a new state and a new school will be good for her and that she should let the memories come back on their own. But Mara’s new start is anything but comforting when she sees the faces of her dead friends everywhere, and her world starts to fall apart. She begins to see people’s deaths just before they happen - at least that’s what she thinks she’s seeing. On top of that, the most beautiful boy ever is pursuing her, but his intentions may not be so pure…."

Thoughts: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was good but not great. The paranormal romance elements were all too familiar, and the writing was elementary at best. As with quite a few series these days, there are too many unanswered questions and open-ended plot points for the story to be satisfactorily resolved. This does not prevent Mara and Noah from being incredibly enjoyable however. Even though Noah is the too predictable perfect boyfriend/foil for Mara, there is something magnetic about his scenes that make them so pleasurable. Mara is a refreshing change from the damsel in distress heroines that permeate the genre, giving Noah a run for his money in stubbornness and independence. The cliffhanger ending is completely unexpected and has the potential to completely change what was previously known by Mara. This all combines to create an uneven novel that I wish I could have enjoyed more than I did. While I am looking forward to the next book in the series, it is not going to be one for which I have to drop everything and read. There are better series with sequels being released this year for that.
Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Fabulous Friday - February 10th

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

How can it be February 10th already? Gah!

Anyway, one of the best things in life is knowing that you are not alone in your thoughts or feelings about a certain topic. This post by Andi at Estella's Revenge deserves to be read and re-read as it succinctly captures everything I have been feeling lately about blogging but have been too afraid/ashamed to put into words. This post made my week.

What makes this a fabulous Friday for you?

Audiobook Review - Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: Nice Girls Don't Live Forever
Author: Molly Harper
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
ISBN: B0037Z2YSQ
Length of Audio: 8 hours, 29 minutes
Synopsis:

"Nothing sucks the romance out of world travel like a boyfriend who may or may not have broken up with you in a hotel room in Brussels. Jane Jameson's sexy sire Gabriel has always been unpredictable, but the seductive, anonymous notes that await him at each stop of their international vacation, coupled with his evasive behavior over the past few months, finally push Jane onto the next flight home to Half Moon Hollow — alone, upset, and unsure whether Gabriel just ended their relationship without actually telling her.

Now the children's-librarian-turned-vampire is reviving with plenty of Faux Type O, some TLC from her colorful friends and family, and her plans for a Brave New Jane. Step One: Get her newly renovated occult bookstore off the ground. Step Two: Support her best friend, Zeb, and his werewolf bride as they prepare for the impending birth of their baby...or litter. Step Three: Figure out who's been sending her threatening letters, and how her hostile pen pal is tied to Gabriel. Because for this nice girl, surviving a broken heart is suddenly becoming a matter of life and undeath..."

Thoughts: Continuing the ongoing dramedy that is Jane Jameson’s afterlife, Nice Girls Don't Live Forever picks up roughly two months after the shenanigans from Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men. This time, instead of weddings, the reader gets the pleasure of following Jane through store ownership and burgeoning civil responsibilities through her experiences with the local Chamber of Commerce, and her best friend’s impending parenthood. Wackiness ensues in typical Jane-like fashion.

What makes this third novel so special is the fact that Jane truly grows into her own as a vampire and strong female. While Jane always had sass, she did not always have the gumption for confrontation. She was not spineless, but there were quite a few paragraphs devoted to the proverbial wringing of her hands as she kept her frustration to herself. Thankfully, in her desire to become a new and improved Jane, she finally starts taking matters into her own hands, not shying from painful truths and open dialogue. This leads to some of the funniest and best scenes in the entire series, while the reader is torn between wanting to cry with laughter and cheering Jane as she does so.

Amanda Ronconi continues in the same vein as in the previous novel/audiobook experience – absolutely brilliant. She adds the perfect level of snarkiness and Southern twang to the story that epitomizes Jane. After listening to her for two novels, she has definitely become a narrator I would seek out and to whom I would listen again and again.

Nice Girls Don't Live Forever remains the fun, funny, and romantic story that one has come to expect from Molly Harper. The continual subtle mockery of the genre only adds to the overall fun. Everyone needs a good laugh every once in a while, and Nice Girls Don't Live Forever provides some much-needed comic relief from whatever ails you.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Review - Obedience by Jacqueline Yallop

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: Obedience
Author: Jacqueline Yallop
ISBN: 9780143120674
No. of Pages: 288
Genre: Literary Fiction
Synopsis:

"Set in contemporary and World War II France, this is the story of Sister Bernard: her forbidden love, her uncertain faith, and her guilt- ridden past.

A once -bustling convent in the South of France is closing, leaving behind three elderly nuns. Forced, for the first time, to confront the community that she betrayed decades ago, Sister Bernard relives her life during the war.

At thirty, Sister Bernard can hear the voice of God-strident, furious, and personal. When a young Nazi soldier, a member of the German occupying forces, asks her to meet him in the church in secret one evening, she agrees. And so begins the horrifying and passionate love affair that will deafen the heavens and define her life, tempting her into duplicity."

Thoughts: Obedience by Jacqueline Yallop is really a tale of two stories – one is historical fiction, allowing the reader insight into occupied France during World War II, and the other is contemporary fiction, showcasing the end of an era. Throughout both stories flows Sister Bernard’s history, past and present combining to highlight the lasting impact one moment’s poor decision had on the rest of her life. While Sister Bernard is forced to confront her guilt, the unfolding of her story highlights the true victims and guilty party of those past deeds. A difficult book to describe, Obedience is a compelling read for its brutally honest depiction of convent life, the pressure to conform, and the steps people are willing to take to survive when the world is torn upside-down.

The words “poor decision” when describing Sister Bernard’s life-changing moment is something of a misnomer. Her need to find love overrides every instinct her upbringing and religious life has instilled in her. Indeed, this is the true tragedy, as this need induces her to act before thinking and to take chances when to be caught means almost certain death. What is worse is the fact that her sheltered existence within the convent fails to prepare her for the true circumstances behind the presence of the German soldiers and the cruelty of mankind. Sister Bernard is simply a nun in the wrong place at the wrong time, and her overwhelming need to belong to someone places her in some truly unfortunate, horrific experiences.

Obedience itself is rather jagged in its storytelling. The sections jump from one era to the next with little to no warning or explanation of the current time frame of the story in a given section. The reader is forced to determine whether it is past or present based on certain clues. This does become easier towards the end, when the two scenes are more familiar to the reader, but can be confusing in the beginning of the novel. Similarly, Obedience is one of those novels that does not willingly share its secrets and truths. Rather, the entire story is hazy, almost impressionistic, providing no clear picture of motive, personalities, physical descriptions, or anything else which would add clarity to the truth. Instead, the reader is forced to interpret the hidden secrets, much like someone interprets a painting, based on the sweeping strokes of Ms. Yallop’s pen.

While difficult to describe, Obedience is one novel that sneaks under a reader’s skin. Languid in its storytelling, the story unfolds slowly and yet surprisingly forcefully, compelling the reader to feel the full weight of Sister Bernard’s emotional turmoil. It is a novel that leaves the reader grasping under the weight of the full knowledge of lost opportunities and lost truths.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to NetGalley and to Elaine Broeder from Penguin Group for my e-galley!

Review - The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: The Tapestry of Love
Author: Rosy Thornton
ISBN: 9780755345571
No. of Pages: 406
Genre: General Fiction
Synopsis:

"A rural idyll: that's what Catherine is seeking when she sells her house in England and moves to a tiny hamlet in the Cévennes mountains. With her divorce in the past and her children grown, she is free to make a new start, and her dream is to set up in business as a seamstress. But this is a harsh and lonely place when you're no longer just here on holiday. There is French bureaucracy to contend with, not to mention the mountain weather, and the reserve of her neighbors, including the intriguing Patrick Castagnol. And that's before the arrival of Catherine's sister, Bryony."

Thoughts: Some stories start out strong, capturing a reader’s attention from the first few pages, while others build slowly, taking their time to weave a story through detailed descriptions and careful character development. As one could guess from its title, The Tapestry of Love is very much one of the latter types of stories. Rosy Thornton’s deliberate layering of setting and character create a languid story that is as French in its meandering as it is in its set location. Do not let this description fool you however; The Tapestry of Love is a powerful story of reawakening and a coming-of-age story for the over-forty crowd.

Catherine is a bit of a conundrum. She arrives in France completely affected by the eight years since her divorce, but the reader does not get any insight into these experiences. Instead, one gets the chance to understand Catherine and her motivations slowly, through hints and glimpses into the past. This makes Catherine a difficult character to understand at first because very few people can relate to her need to move to a foreign country and surround herself with the silence of the countryside, let alone her tapestry business. However, as the reader gathers a more complete picture of her, the story, and the reader's empathy for Catherine, takes off.

Reminiscent of stories by authors like D. H. Lawrence or Thomas Hardy, the setting is as much a character as Catherine or Patrick is. Catherine’s entire growth occurs because of her house and her experiences in France versus in England. Ms. Thornton captures the ambiance and flavor of Cévennes with her lush descriptions and painstaking detail. In fact, she builds the setting color by color, just like Catherine builds her tapestries. The tie-in is brilliant and effective.

The Tapestry of Love is a simple and beautiful story told in an old-fashioned, meandering way that is perfect for the idyllic backdrop. Completely the opposite of today's more popular conspiracy thrillers or sappy romantic tragedies, it is one of those novels that all but requires a cuppa while reading. More importantly, it is meant to be savored slowly, read while enjoying a quiet afternoon or two; pauses for daydreams or naps while reading are completely allowed. The Tapestry of Love provides a great relaxing escape from the mundaneness of everyday life.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to the author for my review copy!

It's Monday! What are you Reading? - February 6th

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Hosted by Sheila from Book Journey, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

Finished Last Week:

Lunatics was an audiobook and absolutely hilarious!!

Currently Reading:

Currently Listening:

Up Next:

As always, I reserve the right to change my mind, depending on how I feel on any given day.

What are you reading this week?

The Sunday Salon - February 5th

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:35:55 PST

It's Super Bowl Sunday! While I'm not interested in any of the teams actually playing, I was able to see the oh-so-amazing trailer for The Hunger Games. Is it just me or does this movie look amazing? I really hope the commercials are better this year than they have in the past few years or so.

18 years ago, Jim and I went on our first date. We went out for Mexican food at some restaurant in Chicago that neither one of us can remember and then saw Jim Carrey perform stand-up. It was a great first date and the perfect beginning to our relationship - a little bit spicy, slightly goofy, a whole lot of funny and totally enjoyable. Love ya, babe!

It was a relatively quiet week this week. Holly had a big week with a sleepover held at our house on Friday night and then yet another birthday party on Saturday night. This makes three parties in four weeks. She has yet another one next Saturday too. I love that she has so many friends, but this is getting to be expensive!

Reviewed this week:

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Perfect by Ellen Hopkins
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

It's game time! I'll be using this time to catch up on blogging, paperwork, watching the game and reading. I hope you enjoy the game. Happy Sunday and, for those of you who do not like football, happy reading!

Mini-review Saturday - Perfect and Speak

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:00:04 PST

Title: Perfect
Author: Ellen Hopkins
ISBN: 9781442423572
No. of Pages: 640
Genre: Young Adult
Synopsis:

"Everyone has something, someone, somewhere else that they’d rather be. For four high-school seniors, their goals of perfection are just as different as the paths they take to get there.

Cara’s parents’ unrealistic expectations have already sent her twin brother Conner spiraling toward suicide. For her, perfect means rejecting their ideals to take a chance on a new kind of love. Kendra covets the perfect face and body - no matter what surgeries and drugs she needs to get there. To score his perfect home run - on the field and off - Sean will sacrifice more than he can ever win back. And Andre realizes that to follow his heart and achieve his perfect performance, he’ll be living a life his ancestors would never have understood.

Everyone wants to be perfect, but when perfection loses its meaning, how far will you go? What would you give up to be perfect?"

Thoughts: What does it mean to be perfect? The definition is as varied as the individuals trying to define it. Yet, in all instances, a person’s desire for perfection can lead to the exact opposite. Such is the lesson learned in Ellen Hopkins’ Perfect. Told through four different narrators each with their own professed goals, the drive to be perfect is pervasive no matter socioeconomic class or experiences. Readers from all backgrounds will be able to relate to at least one of the narrators. It is this personal connection that builds between the reader and at least one narrator which drives home the message of the infeasibility of perfection and the damage that ensues when trying to achieve it. As someone struggling with a mild form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Perfect struck a chord and mirrored some of my own inabilities to let go of the unattainable. Ellen Hopkins’ style is breezy, and she successfully sustains the four distinct voices of the narrators. More importantly, she maintains an appropriate level of gravitas for the situations described. The resulting novel is one that is shocking, poignant, and hits close to home.
Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
ISBN: 9780141310886
No. of Pages: 208
Genre: Young Adult
Synopsis:

"Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth."

Thoughts: Speak is a powerful and poignant novel about peer pressure, the need to fit in, and the lengths to which people will go to achieve the required social status. As a disenfranchised teen with a terrible secret, Melinda’s social status as the high school pariah is extremely disturbing because it only reaffirms her decision to remain silent while simultaneously heartbreaking because of the needlessness of the entire situation. There is nothing about Melinda’s experiences that is easy, and the effects of those experiences are appropriately complicated. It is up to the reader to discover the hidden truths behind Melinda’s actions while she unconsciously seeks solace and closure. Laurie Halse Anderson has made a name for herself by becoming the voice for hundreds of thousands of suffering teenagers who are afraid to let themselves be heard. In Speak, she brings to the fore the silent victims of date rape. It is a book that deserves to be read and discussed with every teenager in order to allow all victims the chance to be heard.
Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Fabulous Friday - February 3rd

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:45:01 PST

Eighteen years ago tomorrow, Jim and I went on our first date. While we may not celebrate this day, we do always acknowledge the date. Eighteen years seemed like a long time several years ago. Now, it feels like it passed in the blink of an eye.

What makes this a Fabulous Friday for you?

Review - The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Author: Mary E. Pearson
ISBN: 9780312594411
No. of Pages: 266
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis:

"Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox has just awoken from a year-long coma—so she’s been told—and she is still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. But what happened before that? She’s been given home movies chronicling her entire life, which spark memories to surface. But are the memories really hers? And why won’t anyone in her family talk about the accident? Jenna is becoming more curious. But she is also afraid of what she might find out if she ever gets up the courage to ask her questions. What happened to Jenna Fox? And who is she really?"

Thoughts: The Adoration of Jenna Fox is an unusual combination of story and morality lesson. While the story is geared towards a younger crowd, the morality lessons are subtle but complicated enough to be most effective for older, more adult readers. The resulting juxtaposition makes for an eerily compelling story that appeals to all generations while making it one that can easily be re-read without losing any of its impact.

The majority of the story revolves around Jenna as she struggles to rediscover who she is and her place within her sphere of influence. What follows is a fairly typical coming-of-age story as Jenna uncovers the truth surrounding the accident and her recovery and eventually finds her voice and the strength to make herself be heard. This part of the story is neither horrible nor overly well-done. It is standard young adult fare.

What makes The Adoration of Jenna Fox rise to the top is the ethics discussions that ensues while Jenna is re-discovering herself. At issue is the idea of the existence of humanity and where to draw the line medically when it comes to artificial limbs, organs, and the like. Of even more interest to older readers with children is the discussion of just how far a parent would be willing to go to save the life of a child. If anything was possible, should one take rescue efforts to the extreme? Should we draw a line between what is possible versus what is acceptable? As medical technology advances, society will have to address questions like this. Ms. Pearson puts a very empathetic face on such questions, forcing the reader to think of his or her own actions if faced with similar situations.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a hybridized coming-of-age, futuristic novel with very real questions about the feasibility versus the acceptability of the use of technology to advance humankind. Its very nature broadens its appeal to a wide audience, making it one of the rare novels that allows for parents to read it together with their teenagers. While it was not one of my favorites, I can see its appeal to others. The ethical debates alone are worth the read.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Review - A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: A Discovery of Witches
Author: Deborah Harkness
ISBN: 9780670022410
No. of Pages: 579
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Synopsis:

"Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries — and she is the only creature who can break its spell."

Thoughts: Warning - gushing to follow...

Have you ever read a book that made you smile for its entirety? A book where everything about it was enjoyable, from the descriptions to the characters to the plot and beyond? One that took a storyline that has been rehashed one too many times and made it completely new and exciting again? If you have, then you too must have experienced Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches. If you have not, well then, get thee to a bookstore or library and read it immediately!

Vampires, witches, daemons – oh my! Granted, these are not the traditional vampires, witches, and daemons. Ms. Harkness’ adaptations of the mythologies maintain the danger that immediately comes to mind when either creature is mentioned. Even better, Ms. Harkness takes her mythologies one step further. These are not humans gone bad or humans born with special powers. These are all non-humans, creating an intense us-versus-them dynamic in which the creatures are only trying to survive in a world run by humans. While it is not a major plot point, it is enough of a difference to establish an intensity to the proceedings, as Matthew and Diana try to resolve their issues while maintaining their cover as “normal”.

What sets A Discovery of Witches apart of the rest of the genre are the descriptions, accurate historical details, and adult emotions involved. The descriptions throughout the novel are simply sublime. The reader feels a part of the novel, whether the action is occurring in Oxford, southern France or in New England. Ms. Harkness has the ability to evoke the scent of a wood-burning fire or the loamy scent of earth with a few choice words. Similarly, in a novel where one of the main characters is 1500 years old, historical details and accuracy are a must in order to lend credence to his age and experiences. Ms. Harkness accomplishes this through well-researched and fun historical vignettes that close the gap between history and present-day. Even better, while there is definitely a romantic element, there is none of the juvenile emotional drama that permeates paranormal romance these days. Both Diana and Matthew have a healthy respect for each other as individuals and for their individual pasts. They make no demands of each other and just revel in being themselves. It is refreshing to see a relationship where two people come together as equals and do not get caught up in the acquired baggage each brings with them.

While one could argue that there have been enough books involving this unholy trinity, A Discovery of Witches outshines them all. Reminiscent of The Historian and Practical Magic with its Gothic feel and absolutely gorgeous descriptions with the added benefit of a heroine who can more than stand up to any Big Bad, the greatest drawback to the novel is the waiting period required until the release date of the second book in the series.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association for my review copy!

Review - Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:45:00 PST

Title: Carrier of the Mark
Author: Leigh Fallon
ISBN: 9780062027887
No. of Pages: 352
Genre: Speculative Fiction, YA
Synopsis:

"Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRÍs.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction."

Thoughts: With success comes the danger of copycats. In books, as in life, if something works very well for one person, someone else is bound to try to imitate that same success. Unfortunately, the axiom “imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery” does not apply to books. No one wants to read the same essential story, no matter how many details are altered in some way. There have been so many rehashing of the Twilight series that one can quickly lose count of all those hoping to recreate the Stephenie Meyer success story. Some of these have been surprisingly well-written and successful in their own right. Unfortunately, Leigh Fallon’s Carrier of the Mark does not fall into this category.

In spite of the extreme similarities to the Twilight saga, there are two major things wrong with Carrier of the Mark. The first of these is the myth behind the story. Paranormal stories succeed because the myths around which these stories revolve are well-known and have withstood the test of time. Werewolves, zombies, witches, fae, and even the ubiquitous vampires are commonly known, even if the details behind the myths differ region to region or even person to person. In Carrier of the Mark, Ms. Fallon goes out on a limb and creates her own myth. While she should be applauded for her creativity, her myth is just plain confusing. There is no frame of reference or familiarity for the reader to understand just what Megan and the rest of her characters are facing. This is due, in large part, to the second fundamental issue with Carrier of the Mark – the writing.

Had Ms. Fallon been a stronger writer, the myth would simply make more sense. Key elements of the story would not remain unexplained throughout the majority of the novel, and the reader might actually care about Megan’s fate. Instead, the characters are insipid, flat, and essentially caricatures of other similar characters in other similar novels. The pacing of the novel is uneven at best. Megan goes from being an unknown new kid to drawing attention to falling in love with Adam within a few short pages, while the big climax is anything but suspenseful. Many questions remain unanswered, even some of the most basic ones that really should have had resolution. The result is a lackluster story in which the reader has no real affinity for or empathy with the main characters and spends a large majority of the novel just trying to figure out what the major conflict is.

To be fair, Ms. Fallon deserves credit for trying something new. Unfortunately, it did not live up to its potential. Instead, Carrier of the Mark is a hint that the Young Adult market has truly become supersaturated with Twilight-esque novels and that there is a clear need for something more original and better written.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - January 30th

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:19:52 PST

Hosted by Sheila from Book Journey, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

Finished Last Week:

I was really thinking that this was a slow week for reading. I guess this is proof that it was not. My favorite? Nice Girls Don't Live Forever on audio. So much fun!!

Currently Reading:

Currently Listening:

I started one and finished one all in a week. It's progress.

Up Next:

As always, I reserve the right to change my mind, depending on how I feel on any given day.

What are you reading this week?

The Sunday Salon - January 29th

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Shannon) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:01:13 PST

Meine beliebte Lesern, hello! It's been an exciting week here in Shannon Teach and on the blog.

We started out the week with a special honor for Holly as she was hand-selected to help show our local school board how they have used Skype in the classrooms. She was so excited to be a part of this display and made sure she was dressed up appropriately - even if the other kids also selected were not. She did a fabulous job, being one of the only students to have memorized her lines and speak loudly and clearly. Who knew my baby was such star material?

If the economy is still struggling, one would never know it as seen by the difficulties we had buying our latest vehicle this week. Jim had ordered it a few weeks ago from the factory. While waiting for delivery, he was repeatedly frustrated at the lack of communication from the dealership. He would call with questions, and they would never respond. He would e-mail and would be met with radio silence. Even on the day of scheduled delivery, they never bothered to call him to let him know there was a delay. It took repeated phone calls and text messages to pry this information out of the salesperson. The last straw came when they sent an e-mail to Jim canceling the order because they "knew he was not satisfied" and "did not want to do business with someone who could not appreciate their efforts". WTH? Needless to say, Jim went into the dealership the next day and opened up a can to their general manager. We did receive the car, but I suspect it will be a long time before we go back to that dealership for anything.

I love when I get the chance to incorporate life lessons into one of the kids' homework assignments. Connor's main assignment this week was about the art of negotiation. He was to negotiate with us for something he wanted. The something turned out to be a new laptop. What we negotiated is a month-long test where he would have to do all of his chores without being told - no constantly having to remind him to fold clothes or clear off the table. If he could last 30 days, we would gladly get him a new laptop. You have to understand that this is the same boy who cannot remember to turn in homework assignments and cannot stay on task for longer than five minutes. Jim and I are fairly certain that he will never make the full month; in fact, I give him a week. If he proves us wrong, then it is a win-win for both parties. If he fails, he's learned that you can negotiate, but it does not always mean you will get what you want. This little lesson started today. By 9:30 AM, he had already taken it upon himself to get up with the dogs, feed them and brush them, mop the floors, clean the basement, and surprise us with breakfast. I think I'm going to enjoy this lesson!

I celebrated my third blogiversary this week. I've been doing this longer than I lived in some states when Jim was in the military. It is insane how time flies when you are having a blast. On a similar vein, this is my 1,000th post! That is an astonishing number. I used to see other bloggers celebrate this milestone and think that I would never get there. It just goes to show you to never say never.

Because I was busy celebrating my blogiversary, I only reviewed two books this week, but they were good ones:

The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau
Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

I don't know about you but I can actually see the sun today. I am going to enjoy it while I can. I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday. Happy reading!