The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.
This audiobook is narrated by the author. At first, I wasn’t keen on the narration; however, as the story continued on, I realized that the accent portrayed was perfect for the character. Yes…it was a little annoying, but it fit Arnold Spirit. While it’s early in the year, this book just might make my top audiobooks listened to in 2009.
Recorded Books won the 2009 Odyssey Award for this title.
http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/january2009/ymaodyssey.cfm
Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
Along with Boy Toy and Hunger Games, this is a recent book group pick. Although it’s a bit fluff, and a somewhat tidy ending, I did enjoy this book.
Eighteen-year-old Dani and her mother travel from town to town, scamming the rich and stealing silver. Having never gone to school or had a normal childhood, it is all that Dani knows. That doesn’t mean that she is happy with their life of crime. While her mom gets a high from stealing silver, Dani doesn’t enjoy it.
When they arrive in a small coastal town called Heaven, Dani knows the drill. Unfortunately, she encounters a few things that are very out of the ordinary – at least in her experiences. She finds a friend amongst the rich kids. She also finds a guy who seems genuinely interested in her as a person…and who she likes, as well. Too bad he’s a cop.
As I said, it’s a bit fluff, but I did like the story. Dani does grow as the tale is told, even though her mother stays the same (which actually works well for the story…and makes it a little more real).
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Hungry for a good book?
Sitting beside me is a stack of materials I need to review. Three are print books, one is an audiobook, and the last item is a DVD. We won’t discuss how long some of these items have been sitting on my desk. Let’s just say it’s been less than a month…I think.
So, without further ado…
Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton
As usual, Anita gets mixed up in some sort of trouble. This time it happens when her ex-fiancé, Richard, winds up sitting in a small town jail cell in Tennessee. Falsely accused of attempted rape, Richard refuses a lawyer. This would be problem enough, but it’s just days before a blue moon – the second full moon of the month, and Richard needs to keep his werewolf tendencies hidden.
After a call from Richard’s brother, Anita – and an entourage from her boyfriend, Master Vampire/Master of the City, Jean-Claude – travel to Tennessee to make sure Richard gets out of jail in time for the full moon.
The Master of the City in that part of Tennessee is none too pleased at their arrival. That’s just one of the foes Anita and company encounter while spending time in the hills of Tennessee.
I almost didn’t finish this book. It just wasn’t up to snuff compared to the previous books in the series – especially compared to the first few. I contemplated just quitting the series after this one, as well, but did start reading the next in the series – Obsidian Butterfly. Maybe the series will recapture the magic of the first few books. I’m not going to hold my breath, though.
While I like books that are, well, a bit on the freaky side, the turn this series has taken just doesn’t ring logical and true.
This is an adult book.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is reality TV like you’ve never seen it. It’s Survivor like you’ve never imagined it. For Katniss and the other 23 tributes (a boy and a girl from each of the country’s twelve districts), it is a matter of life and death…and everyone in the nation will be watching.
Every year two teens are chosen as their districts representatives. Only one will survive and return home with fame and riches. When sixteen-year-old Katniss’ younger sister is chosen, she volunteers to go instead. Katniss has skills that may keep her alive.
Let the 74th annual Hunger Games begin.
This book has been on my “to be read” list for ages, but I hadn’t gotten around to it until last week. It was a quick read…but that might also because it is such an engrossing tale. Full of action and intrigue, I did not want to put the book down. The sequel comes out this fall. I cannot wait!
I've heard nothing but great reviews of this book. It's definitely on my recommended reading list!
This is a teen book.
Here’s the website for the series:
http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/index.htm
Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
A lot can happen in five years. Teens become adults. Middle school students become high school seniors. Baseball averages get better. The teacher who had an affair with you when you were twelve gets out on parole.
For Josh, a lot has changed…but a lot has stayed the same. Convinced that everyone knows his secret - that he seduced his seventh grade history teacher, Josh has kept mostly to himself over the last five years. He continues to get straight As, to excel in baseball, hang out with his best friend and to see his therapist on a regular basis, and occasionally takes his anger out on others, but the events of five years ago continue to eat away at him.
Then Eve is released from prison after serving less than half of her sentence. And Rachel – the girl who inadvertently uncovered the scandal – finally gets Josh to talk to her. With six weeks left until graduation, can Josh come to terms with what happened and get on with his life?
This book was crazy. Crazy because the sex scenes are mostly between a twelve-year-old boy and his 24-year-old teacher. It felt wrong to read those parts.
But that’s not my biggest beef with the story. Josh has issues. Understandable. Who wouldn’t after such a thing! My problem with the book is that the end is wrapped up all nice and neat. Too neat. And I think that takes a lot away from the story.
I’m not such a big fan of baseball that I follow stats. Josh is. That’s great. I know people who would love that. I’ll admit I kind of skimmed those parts.
This is a teen book.
The other to items will have to wait until later. Duty calls!
So, without further ado…
Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton
As usual, Anita gets mixed up in some sort of trouble. This time it happens when her ex-fiancé, Richard, winds up sitting in a small town jail cell in Tennessee. Falsely accused of attempted rape, Richard refuses a lawyer. This would be problem enough, but it’s just days before a blue moon – the second full moon of the month, and Richard needs to keep his werewolf tendencies hidden.
After a call from Richard’s brother, Anita – and an entourage from her boyfriend, Master Vampire/Master of the City, Jean-Claude – travel to Tennessee to make sure Richard gets out of jail in time for the full moon.
The Master of the City in that part of Tennessee is none too pleased at their arrival. That’s just one of the foes Anita and company encounter while spending time in the hills of Tennessee.
I almost didn’t finish this book. It just wasn’t up to snuff compared to the previous books in the series – especially compared to the first few. I contemplated just quitting the series after this one, as well, but did start reading the next in the series – Obsidian Butterfly. Maybe the series will recapture the magic of the first few books. I’m not going to hold my breath, though.
While I like books that are, well, a bit on the freaky side, the turn this series has taken just doesn’t ring logical and true.
This is an adult book.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is reality TV like you’ve never seen it. It’s Survivor like you’ve never imagined it. For Katniss and the other 23 tributes (a boy and a girl from each of the country’s twelve districts), it is a matter of life and death…and everyone in the nation will be watching.
Every year two teens are chosen as their districts representatives. Only one will survive and return home with fame and riches. When sixteen-year-old Katniss’ younger sister is chosen, she volunteers to go instead. Katniss has skills that may keep her alive.
Let the 74th annual Hunger Games begin.
This book has been on my “to be read” list for ages, but I hadn’t gotten around to it until last week. It was a quick read…but that might also because it is such an engrossing tale. Full of action and intrigue, I did not want to put the book down. The sequel comes out this fall. I cannot wait!
I've heard nothing but great reviews of this book. It's definitely on my recommended reading list!
This is a teen book.
Here’s the website for the series:
http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/index.htm
Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
A lot can happen in five years. Teens become adults. Middle school students become high school seniors. Baseball averages get better. The teacher who had an affair with you when you were twelve gets out on parole.
For Josh, a lot has changed…but a lot has stayed the same. Convinced that everyone knows his secret - that he seduced his seventh grade history teacher, Josh has kept mostly to himself over the last five years. He continues to get straight As, to excel in baseball, hang out with his best friend and to see his therapist on a regular basis, and occasionally takes his anger out on others, but the events of five years ago continue to eat away at him.
Then Eve is released from prison after serving less than half of her sentence. And Rachel – the girl who inadvertently uncovered the scandal – finally gets Josh to talk to her. With six weeks left until graduation, can Josh come to terms with what happened and get on with his life?
This book was crazy. Crazy because the sex scenes are mostly between a twelve-year-old boy and his 24-year-old teacher. It felt wrong to read those parts.
But that’s not my biggest beef with the story. Josh has issues. Understandable. Who wouldn’t after such a thing! My problem with the book is that the end is wrapped up all nice and neat. Too neat. And I think that takes a lot away from the story.
I’m not such a big fan of baseball that I follow stats. Josh is. That’s great. I know people who would love that. I’ll admit I kind of skimmed those parts.
This is a teen book.
The other to items will have to wait until later. Duty calls!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Come along on a fantastic voyage...
I’m nearly finished with Voyager! While I am immensely enjoying the series, I am going to take a break for a book or two. The books are wonderful…but LONG. Voyager is 36 CDs!
So, once I finish it (hoping that it will be tonight), I am going to start The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (and also narrated by him). I’ve read the book, and enjoyed it. The audiobook is the 2009 Odyssey Award winner.
I think my next audiobook will be Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy; narrated by Rupert Degas. This is another book that I’ve already read and enjoyed. It was a 2008 Odyssey Award honor.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon; narrated by Davina Porter
In the third installment of the Outlander series, Claire prepares to return to the 1700s – and to Jamie. Upon making the trip through the stone circle once again, she makes her way to Edinburgh, where she believes Jamie to be living. She does reunite with Jamie and with his family.
When their nephew Young Ian is kidnapped, the couple head for the West Indies in hopes of finding the teen.
I enjoy this story as much as I have the previous tales. The only reason I’m taking a break from the series is that the books are long – and each takes well over a month to complete.
I’m reading several books, including Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (a teen book). I just started Hunger Games, so I don’t have much to say about it yet.
Blue Moon is the eighth book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. It’s OK. At this point, I’m continuing the books just because they are decent enough vampire fluff, and I’m still in the mood for that type of book. I’m about halfway through this one, so I’ll wait to write more about it.
So, once I finish it (hoping that it will be tonight), I am going to start The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (and also narrated by him). I’ve read the book, and enjoyed it. The audiobook is the 2009 Odyssey Award winner.
I think my next audiobook will be Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy; narrated by Rupert Degas. This is another book that I’ve already read and enjoyed. It was a 2008 Odyssey Award honor.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon; narrated by Davina Porter
In the third installment of the Outlander series, Claire prepares to return to the 1700s – and to Jamie. Upon making the trip through the stone circle once again, she makes her way to Edinburgh, where she believes Jamie to be living. She does reunite with Jamie and with his family.
When their nephew Young Ian is kidnapped, the couple head for the West Indies in hopes of finding the teen.
I enjoy this story as much as I have the previous tales. The only reason I’m taking a break from the series is that the books are long – and each takes well over a month to complete.
I’m reading several books, including Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (a teen book). I just started Hunger Games, so I don’t have much to say about it yet.
Blue Moon is the eighth book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. It’s OK. At this point, I’m continuing the books just because they are decent enough vampire fluff, and I’m still in the mood for that type of book. I’m about halfway through this one, so I’ll wait to write more about it.
A little bird told me...
Also decided at the ALA Midwinter Meeting is the Notable Children’s Books (also called Notables). A complete list of the 2009 Notable Children's Books can be found at www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/childrensnotable/notablechibooks/index.cfm
While working the Children’s desk recently, I read a few of the picture books on this list. One had me nearly in tears.
Bird by Zetta Elliott; illustrated by Shadra Strickland
This tale is told in free verse. Bird loves to draw. His art is an escape from the sad realities of life, which includes death of close family and the drug addiction of his beloved older brother.
The illustrations are beautiful. The artist’s use of color – and of absence of color – enhances the text of the story as the reader’s eyes are drawn to the details. You can feel Bird’s confusion, pain and sorrow…and his hope.
While working the Children’s desk recently, I read a few of the picture books on this list. One had me nearly in tears.
Bird by Zetta Elliott; illustrated by Shadra Strickland
This tale is told in free verse. Bird loves to draw. His art is an escape from the sad realities of life, which includes death of close family and the drug addiction of his beloved older brother.
The illustrations are beautiful. The artist’s use of color – and of absence of color – enhances the text of the story as the reader’s eyes are drawn to the details. You can feel Bird’s confusion, pain and sorrow…and his hope.
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