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 ...