Review: Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Loved this take on the story of Cinderella! Haddix definitely puts a different twist on the story, and shows a girl using her brain!!

Review: A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Romances of American Pioneer Christmases

A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Nine Romances of American Pioneer Christmases by Margaret Brownley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Most of the stories in this collection were good ... some of them simply "wrapped up" way to fast. I find this to be an issue a lot of times with short stories. The author needs to wrap the story up and finish it so it can be a short story, but there really needs to be more in order for things to flow naturally.

Review: The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a good book, although not the best by her that I've read. It took me a long time to get into this one, and to figure out why the main character had been "banned" from polite society in the first place (which may have been the author's plan ...)

Review: The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book ... the story moved along at a nice pace, and it was nice to get a glimpse into the lives of some characters we've met in a previous book by Ms. Woodsmall. This was a very quick read -- perfect for a weekend without a lot of time!
(I read this on my iPad, which is why there is no book cover art available.)

Review: 1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Macomber did an excellent job wrapping up the series with this one ... she was able to pull in all of the main characters and give you not only a brief synopsis of what their story had been, but also caught you up-to-date, in just a matter of a couple of pages.

Review: Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber

Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


****Spoiler Alert****  This review contains a bit of a spoiler.
Another good book in the Blossom Street series, although it was probably my least favorite among the series. I do have to say though that the doctor falls in love awfully fast, especially considering he spends almost the entire book going on about how he doesn't even like this woman.

Homecoming!

What a beautiful week we've had here in the middle of the mitten and tonight was just gorgeous for our school's Homecoming parade and game.  Just thought I'd share a couple of pictures ...

David showing his Mustang Pride!!

Jonathan and his friend McKeegan walking with their Rocket Football team in the parade!

Daddy directing the band at halftime!

Review: A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin

A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this 2nd book in the Wings of Glory series ... as much as I enjoyed the first. The stories are well written with just enough flying jargon to make you feel like you're there, but not so much that you're lost or bored. Looking forward to the third book in the series.

Starting a new school year ...

 It's been a whirlwind around here the past few weeks, getting ready for school, and then this week starting school.  Overall, the first week went relatively smoothly.  Hopefully the rest of the school year will go the same.  Jonathan is in Miss Nartker's 3rd grade class, and David has Mr. Hoyle for his homeroom teacher.  He also has Mrs. Deja and Mrs. Heller, but that's going to change in the next week, as Mrs. Heller is going to be moving to 4th grade and a teacher we've had on layoff, Mrs. Eldred, is coming back.

Jonathan is playing football this year.  David is running Cross Country.  Jonathan had his first game today.  They lost 22-0.  He didn't get a lot of playing time, but he's one of the younger kids on the team.  I'm hoping he'll get more and more as the weeks go on.

Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather.
Kati

Review: A Distant Meoldy by Sarah Sundin

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this debut novel by Sarah Sundin. The characters seemed real and were likeable, and the story was different from anything I've ever read before, taking place during WWII. Looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.

Review: The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory

The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book ... it felt like it took me forever to read it, but it was an interesting story about the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots.

Review: How To Be Single by Liz Tuccillo

How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I rarely start a book and then not finish it, but I just can't get into this one. I'm a bit disappointed -- from the description I thought it was going to be a cute book about some single women and their struggles to find "Mr. Right" ... in a way that's what it's about, but in a way it's not, and it's not cute. I thought I would find myself chuckling out loud at some of their exploits, but I didn't. It almost reads more like a non-fiction book about 4 women, and one in particular who decides to travel the world to learn how women around the world deal with being single. Perhaps I can't get into it because I'm not single and I never really did the dating scene, and I've never lived in a large city ... I don't know, but I've got too many books on my TBR list to spend time reading one that isn't enjoyable.

Review: Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The sisterhood have grown up ... this novel finds us 10 years down the road, the girls are about to turn 30. A moving story that shows even when you're all grown up, sometimes things don't work out like you thought they would and sometimes you need to still step out on faith and go after what you want. Although the original series was aimed at YA's, I'm thinking most YA's wouldn't enjoy this book as much. I think you almost have to be 30 or older to really understand the true emotions behind this one.

Review: Forever in Blue The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm glad there's a 5th book, I'm hoping some of the things the girls let "go wrong" in this book will be rectified in the next.

Review: The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This second installment of the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" series was just as good as the first. I like the way the author has made it pretty realistic. These girls experience things that really happen to people, and they show that although things may not turn out like they wanted to, in the end, they are still ok, and in some cases, even better off than they thought they would be if things had gone the way they wanted them too.

Review: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I actually read this several years ago, and remember picking up the second book when it came out, but never finished the second book because it had been so long since reading the first book that I felt confused and felt like I needed to re-read the first book before reading the second. Well, I never got around to reading either of them until now. Last week when at the library I picked up the latest book in the series ... #5. I almost just went ahead and read it even though I hadn't read 2-4, but I couldn't do it ... I decided if I was going to read it I wanted to have the full effect/experience of having read the entire series, so I went back to the library and got books 1-4. This was as good as I remember it being, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Review: A Heart for Home by Lauraine Snelling

A Heart for Home by Lauraine Snelling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great book about the people I feel as though I can call friends, the Bjorklands and their neighbors in Blessing, North Dakota. I have loved all of the books in all 4 of the series that have revolved around these characters.

Review: The Aloha Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Aloha Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great book in the Elm Creek Quilts series. I really liked that this book included a lot of history about the Hawaiian Islands -- I haven't checked, but I'm thinking most, if not all of it is really true, and it made me want to learn a bit more about how Hawaii became a state, etc. The story line was good as well, and the reader also learns a bit about how quilting/quilts are different in Hawaii than they are on the mainland. Everytime I read one of these books I think "someday I will learn to sew and make a quilt ..."

Review: An Unexpected Love by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

An Unexpected Love by Tracie Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This 2nd book in "The Broadmoor Legacy" series was much better than the first. I still would like closure on Fanny's story, so I'm on to book three in hopes I will get it. The storyline in this book seemed to move a bit faster and didn't feel like it was rehashing the same thing over and over.

Review: A Daughter's Inheritance by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

A Daughter's Inheritance by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I didn't like the way this book ended ... it seemed very abrupt, and there is no "happy ending" for the main character. I'm sure the authors have done this so you'll read the next book(s) in the series, but from what I have gathered so far, the remaining two books in the series will focus on Fanny's two cousins (Sophie and Amanda) and Fanny's story will (hopefully) be finished up, but in the background of the other two. I would have rather gotten a happy ending to Fanny's story and then had little tidbits of her continuing story as background in the next two books, but that's just me. It also seems like it is taking too long for the whole issue of Fanny's inheritance to be settled and it's taking far too long for anyone to catch on to the fact that her Uncle Jonas is up to no good.

Camping w/Grandma and Grandpa

Looks like the boys had fun ...

 

camping

I went camping with grandpa and grandma to Outdoor Adventures in Standish. I went on a water slide and David did too. We played scooter hockey at the basketball court. we rode our bikes a lot.

Review: The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Union Quilters: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another great book in the Elm Creek Quilts series. This one is completely set in the past ... during the Civil War. The story revolves around the "original" quilters of the Elm's Creek/Water's Ford area how their families were affected by the Civil War and what they did to support the Union during this time in history.

School is almost done ...

6 more days of school at Montabella. I am getting ready to relax and have some summer fun. We have been working on cleaning out our pond. We still have to rinse off the rocks and put them back ...
~Jonathan

Review: Finishing Becca (Rinaldi)

Finishing Becca: A Story about Peggy Shippen and Benedict Arnold by Ann Rinaldi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An interesting fiction account of Peggy Shippen and Benedict Arnold, told from the point of view of her maid, Becca Syng. I didn't really know much about Benedict Arnold before reading this book so it was kind of interesting. The author's note at the end was interesting as well.

Review: The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This novel definitely makes you think about the fact that you can never really truly know someone completely. More than once Viviene is faced with that knowledge and second guesses what she knows ... or thinks she knows. In one instance, this causes her to lose out on the last chance she ever gets to be with the one she loves. A great story taking place during WWII, gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of people living in an occupied territory, and the challenges they face. Thanks to the publisher for sending me an Advanced Reading Edition. I will be passing this one along to friends!

Review: Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1 (Meyer)

Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1 by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Graphic novel version of the first part of the Twilight book. I'm not a big fan of the graphic novel. I have nothing against it as a reading choice for those who enjoy it, I just don't care to read them myself. The art work was well done in this, and for the most part it follows the novel pretty closely. It does not cover the entire first novel. I'm assuming volume 2 will finish the first novel, although volume 2 has yet to be released.

Review: Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a cute book, but it seemed "simple" -- that's not really a good word, but I'm not sure how to describe what I mean. It seemed like certain aspects of the story or traits of the characters were repeated, like the reader might have forgotten it from the last time it was said in the previous chapter. It was just a bit too predictable. A nice "fluff" read, and I might consider reading another book by this author someday, but this one didn't make me want to run right out and get the rest of the series.

Introducing .... Hoss

Wow!  Has it really been almost two months since I posted again?  I hate it when life gets so busy I don't get time to do these things.  Well, we've got a big announcement today.  I know I said we weren't going to do this after Nikki died, but yes, we got a dog today.  David has been asking for one for quite some time.  We've been making him take care of the cat and do some research to see what kind of dog might be suitable, etc.  Yesterday when David looked at the Montcalm County Animal Shelter website he found a dog we thought would be a good match for us.  Well, of course when we go there this afternoon that dog wasn't there, but there was another very similar to it and after some discussion, we decided to adopt him.  His name is Hoss (we didn't name him, but he seems to answer to it very well, so we're figuring it's too late in life to change it -- it may grow on me.)  He's a 4 year old Beagle.  He needs some exercise (he's a bit on the chunky side), but seems to be a very nice dog.  He did very nicely in the car on the way home from the animal shelter, and the boys and I took him for a walk this evening and he did a pretty nice job on the leash also (which is good 'cause I'm hoping to be able to take him with me running sometimes.)

We hope all is well with all of you out there ... and if we don't get a chance to say it in person, Happy Easter!!

Review: Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood (Saenz)

Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Definitely not my cup of tea ... I had a hard time getting through this one. I just didn't care about the characters or the story at all, probably because it is just too far removed from the world I live and grew up in ...

Review: The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I liked this novel, although the ending didn't quite seem like it should be the end. I'm not even exactly sure why I feel that way, just it was all the sudden done, and I didn't feel like the story had really been brought to a close.

Review: Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James

Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a really good story, I had never thought about how society ladies weren't allowed to work because that would be demeaning to them and their families. There was a point about 3/4 of the way through this book where I thought the issue with "The Colonel" was being dragged out a bit, and then the conclusion seemed to wrap up a bit too fast, but overall, a good read, and I will probably read more in this series in the future.

Review: Stanley in Space by Jeff Brown

Stanley in Space by Jeff Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another great story about Stanley Lambchop (aka Flat Stanley, although he's not flat in this adventure) and his family. This one has the Lambchop family going to space on a mission for the President. When they arrive at the planet of Tyrra, they find the residents there were not really being friendly when they sent their message. Stanley and his family are almost captured by the Tyrrans, until they realize they are only three inches tall. After becoming friends with the Tyrran people the Lambchops find out the Tyrrans are really in trouble and need their help. Stanley comes up with a plan to help them!

Review: Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This was an ok book ... I didn't think it was anything to rave about. I think it probably qualifies as historical fiction, but I didn't get that until after I had finished it and perhaps that's why I didn't really think it was that great. Perhaps if I had gone into reading it with the mindset that it was historical fiction I would have felt differently about it.

2011 Chunkster Reading Challenge

This challenge is being hosted again by caribousmom over at http://chunksterchallenge.blogspot.com/.  The challenge runs February 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012.

Below are the details and sign ups for 2011 ... I've made a few changes which I hope you will like...ie: I've added another level of participation AND I've changed the number of books you need to read for each level.

Definition of a Chunkster:

• A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction) ... A chunkster should be a challenge.
• If you read large type books your book will need to be 525 pages or more ... The average large type book is 10-15% longer or more so I think that was a fair estimate.

The Rules:

• No Audio books in the chunkster. It just doesn't seem right. Words on paper for this one folks.
• No e-Books allowed - we are reading traditional, fat books for this challenge.
• Short Stories and Essay collections will not be counted.
• Books may crossover with other challenges
• Anyone may join. If you don't have a blog, just leave me a comment on this post with your progress (and to let me know you are playing)
• You don't need to list your books ahead of time.
• Once you pick a level, that's it...you're committed to that level!

You must pick a level of participation:

1. The Chubby Chunkster - this option is for the reader who wants to dabble in large tomes, but really doesn't want to commit to much more than that. FOUR Chunksters is all you need to finish this challenge.
2. The Plump Primer - this option is for the slightly heavier reader who wants to commit to SIX Chunksters over the next twelve months.
3. Do These Books Make my Butt Look Big? - this option is for the reader who can't resist bigger and bigger books and wants to commit to SIX Chunksters from the following categories: 2 books which are between 450 - 550 pages in length; 2 books which are 551 - 750 pages in length; 2 books which are GREATER than 750 pages in length (for ideas, please refer to the book suggestions page for some books which fit into these categories).
4. Mor-book-ly Obese - This is for the truly out of control chunkster. For this level of challenge you must commit to EIGHT or more Chunksters of which three tomes MUST be 750 pages or more. You know you want to.....go on and give in to your cravings.

1. The Book Thief (Zusak) -- 757 p. -- 3/4/11*
2. The American Heiress (Goodwin) 465 p. -- 4/7/11 
3. Her Daughter's Dream (Rivers) -- 564 p. -- 7/23/11

*Although in the US, this book is aimed at the YA market, when it was originally published in Australia, it was published as an adult book.  I think it appeals to both and for those reasons I am counting it here.

Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This story of a young girl during the holocaust is different than most as it is narrated by "Death". Overall a good book -- one that gives the reader many different perspectives of what it was like for various people during that time period.

Review: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really liked this book and look forward to reading the next two in the series. This book really makes you think about how life would be different if things suddenly changed drastically, and if you would be prepared, or forward thinking enough to put yourself in a good position to survive. The only thing that really bothered me about this book was that they had water through most of the book, but did not have electricity very often at all. I don't know how they were having running water -- with no electricity the water pump wouldn't work ... other than that, I thought most of it was relatively believable. I think anyone from about 5th grade on up would enjoy this book.

Basketball

Well, we went through a bit of a thaw and a good share of the snow we had melted ... and then we got hit with another storm and got most of back.  This week some of it has melted again -- then we got a few more inches through the night -- this morning on my way to church it was misting.  If we get rain on top of this it won't be pretty.  We've had a total of 6 snow day already -- I like a snow day now and then, but I'm about at the point where I say enough ... I don't want to be in school in the middle of June.  :-) 

David has been playing on a traveling basketball team -- his team started out pretty rough, but they are getting better and better each week.  They actually won both of their games yesterday!!  I've posted some pictures in our photo gallery (or click on the photo galleries tab at the top of the blog and choose 2011 Basketball.) I know I need to work on my basketball photography, there must be a trick to getting good pictures, I just haven't figured it out yet.

Review: The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Hannah (Chaya) steps back in time and sees first hand what some of her relatives went through during the Holocaust. A great story that will really help YA's understand what the Jews went through.

Review: Feed by M.T. Anderson

Feed by M.T. Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I have to say this was one of the most disconcerting books I have ever read. Sad thing is, I could see some aspects of this story happening in the future, and it scares me. It shows how we all need to be careful not to stop thinking for ourselves ... I would also only recommend this to older teens and even then I would warn them about the explicit language.

Review: Wish by Alexandra Bullen

Wish by Alexandra Bullen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute story, can see it having a lot of appeal for teens. It did seem like there were lots of references to alcohol, with the characters (all minors) doing the drinking though, and it all seemed to be taking place right in front of or under the noses of adults. Perhaps things are different on the west coast (not that I don't think teens on the eastern side of the country drink, they just don't usually do it so freely in front of adults.)

Digging Out??

So, what's it like in your neck of the woods?  Are you digging out?  We're not sure exactly how much snow we got, but we got quite a bit.  Chris spent almost 3 hours out on the tractor plowing out parts of the trail and driveway and says there's a bit more to do.  The boys have both been outside to play a couple of times, and I've had a chance to test out my new snow shoes.  We opened the "front" door this morning to see just what was out there and saw this large drift right in front of the porch (top left picture).  As you can see there is quite a bit of snow built up on the picnic table ... and you can't even seen the small table that is sitting right next to it.

Jonathan got creative this morning and built a small fort with his Lincoln Logs -- I need to get him to get out some other stuff and turn off the TV!!

We've already gotten the call telling us we don't have school tomorrow ... hopefully I can get all this laundry done and caught up so I can spend tomorrow relaxing.  Hope you are all keeping warm, and if you have to be out on the roads, drive safe!
~Kati