Library Queue

Dive the Cayman Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 22:31:00 +0000

Dive the Cayman Islands by Lawson Wood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Felt like this was probably better for divers than snorklers, but still a useful guide.

Frommer's Portable Cayman Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 22:30:00 +0000

Frommer's Portable Cayman Islands by Darwin Porter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Best guide my library carries. Definitely did the job admirably.

The Hating Game

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 22:30:00 +0000

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Laugh-out-loud funny. Good beach read.

Domina

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 22:28:00 +0000

Domina by Barbara Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this historical move fictionalizing what it would have been like to be a female doctor in the late 1800s. A bit of a soap opera, but super entertaining.

Bambi

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 22:27:00 +0000

Bambi: A Life in the Woods by Felix Salten
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is not the cutesy Disney Bambi. The real Bambi is beautifully descriptive, full of tough situations and real-life meaningful lessons. I enjoyed studying this with my kids, ages 10 and 12.

One True Loves

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 21:37:00 +0000

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While this book presents an interesting dilemma to noodle over, I was disappointed with how the main character chose to figure out what she wanted. The ending was wrapped up way too neatly for such a messy situation.

The Bird and the Sword

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:35:00 +0000

The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You can definitely tell it's self-published (editing, pacing need some work), but it's a fantastic story. Plus, reading a standalone fantasy is always refreshing.

2016 Books

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 21:33:00 +0000

Christmas Wonders

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 22:23:00 +0000

Christmas Wonders by Robyn Buttars
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Strong start, but the ending was flat for me.

The Christmas Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 21:29:00 +0000

The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So I knew this was going to be a tear-jerker, but I didn't think it would be a sobbing-in-public-40-pages-before-the-end-of-the-book-tear-jerker.

Little House in the Big Woods

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 21:26:00 +0000

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed studying this with my Littles. Somehow I think I missed reading these as a child!

The Story of the Other Wise Man

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 21:24:00 +0000

The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet story of the journey of a life well-lived.

The Mansion

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 21:23:00 +0000

The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A perfect cozy Christmas tale, one I'm glad to have finally read.

Star of the East

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 22:21:00 +0000

Star of the East by Tasha Alexander
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Short, sweet, and fun to see these characters in a different setting.

The Crossover

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 21:19:00 +0000

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yes, this WILL get tween/teen boys to read poetry, but it has mass appeal. I loved it.

Saint Anything

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 21:25:00 +0000

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not a standout Dessen book, but I liked it.

The Rough-Face Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 21:06:00 +0000

The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A beautifully-illustrated Native American version of Cinderella. My kids enjoyed this with me.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 21:05:00 +0000

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So sad, but so good.

Secrets of a Charmed Life

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 21:02:00 +0000

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The storyline and themes are super engaging, and I read it in just over a day. But, the writing left something to be desired--it was too Americanized and sometimes pedestrian. It really needed a better (and British) editor.

Golden

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 21:00:00 +0000

Golden by Jessi Kirby
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Quick summer read. But too many clichés, forced themes, and elements that were somewhat far fetched.

P.S. I Like You

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 21:00:00 +0000

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really cute.

When You Reach Me

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:37:00 +0000

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-read this out loud to my family. Still 5 stars from me!

My prior review can be found here.

Inside Out & Back Again

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:34:00 +0000

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Semi-autobiographical free verse novel about a refugee from the Vietnam War. Very timely and very good.

Heart of a Shepherd

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:33:00 +0000

Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet, touching story.

The One and Only Ivan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:31:00 +0000

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My 12 year old has been begging me to read this all year. I loved it as much as he did.