Monster, Be Good! by Natalie Marshall (Blue Apple Books)

from goodreads

4 stars

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas. I met with my book club last night and a few were quite excited about gift cards to bookstores they received. I was happy with the time I got to read.

My list of books I want to read this coming year seems long but I am so excited about it. I am ready to get reading. I usually don't try to map out what I want to read over the year. I have my book club books obviously, but other than that I just let the wind take me. So this is new. But as I looked at my to-read shelf get bigger and bigger and bigger on goodreads I knew that I needed to attempt to make a slight dent in it. I chose 25 books from it to be my to-read 2015 books. We will have to see how well I do and if I like this mapping out process. Of course, if a new book catches my eye on the shelf, I will probably through caution to the wind and read it. We'll see.

Synopsis

This book is full of helpful tips for taking care of your very own monster.

My Thoughts

This was a really cute book. The monsters were definitely monsteriffic. You are in charge of monsters and need to manage their behaviour. It is basically a parenting book, but instead of picturing children it is monsters and sometimes that is an apt substitution.

There is a rainbow of colour in each page's illustrations. The pictures help make the monsters look less menacing and more whimsical.

When reading this with the kids they don't see their own bad behaviour in what the monsters are doing. Yet they know exactly how the monster should act. So hopefully some of this learning will sink it. Yet, from the screaming fit that occurred last night, I don't think it has. Though we did provide some birth control to the passing group of older teens passing our van who heard it.

See you in 2015! I hope the beginning of your new year is a great one. Do you have any reading goals, or books on your list to read for 2015?

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

from goodreads

2.5 stars

The other day on Facebook one of my friends posted her results for one of those online quizzes. This quiz was about art work and asked if you could match the name with the popular piece of art. I decided to take it, not because I know a lot of art, but just to see how well I would do. Amazingly I got 10 out of 10. This is due impart to the pieces actually being popular and the fact that it was multiple choice so I was able to deduce the title and honestly a bunch of luck.

This got me thinking to what we consider great art. What makes a piece great? What makes it not so great. Is there an actual method to deduce art or is it subjective? Is there a way to classify great art, or is just a crap shoot?

The same could be said about books. Is there a methodology that we could use to deduce what is the pentultimate book? I wish there was then we wouldn't have to read bad ones. But it is good that there isn't. Every author is so different and every reader is so different. Our life history can influence our choice of reading material. Yet, when the right book meets the right reader at just the right time magic happens. Though it can be rare it is beautiful when it does.

Synopsis

This book follows a boy and then man named Theo Decker. In his early teens he is in a bomb attack that kills his mother. This sets off a chain of events that takes Theo into the upper crust of New York's social scene, then to the dredges of Las Vegas and then back to New York and the high end antique scene. The glue that holds his scattered world together is a painting, a painting that acts like a compass in his whirlwind life.

My Thoughts

I don't know what to think about this book. It is a real head scratcher that's for sure. The language and descriptions used were awesome. Though at times the story felt a bit wordy, yet the wordiness added a richness to it, sometimes. The length was quite something at 771 pages. I think that page number will stick with me.

The story at times kept me thoroughly engaged. The beginning section was quite intriguing and I was thinking that this was going to be a really awesome read. I also liked the section when he moves back to New York. It again piqued my interest.

But then when he goes to Las Vegas, and after awhile in New York, it just seemed to drag on and on. I wished the Las Vegas part had been cut down a bit. While I understand why it was necessary as part of the story, I wished it had been severely edited. To see someone waste and risk their lives with so much drug abuse was horrible. And the gross negligence of Theo's father, despicable. It's like why force Theo to go to Las Vegas when he had a more stable environment where he was.

So, I can't give it a full solid three, as there were many times I wanted to give up. I'm not sure why I kept going. I guess the blurb on the flap made me think that it would be getting really exciting. I think if there was a bit more action and a bit less drug use described it would have made for a more interesting read as the drug culture doesn't interest me at all.

The use of art and getting a glimpse into the antique world was also interesting. I guess that is the thing that was neat about this book. You got a glimpse into worlds and interests you might not normally get to see. It has piqued my interest in learning more about art, but that's about it.

When I finished the story I felt relief of it being done and that's about it. There are some books that stick with you for a while and you think about what you read or about the characters. This is not one of those books. Whenever I happen to think about it I just think of the gross parental neglect shown in Las Vegas and the waste that can happen when there is not a parental figure that shows a genuine interest. It is sad.

For what it is worth, The Goldfinch won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Sometimes I don't understand books that win prizes. Perhaps I am just not as deep and in tune with the art form as I need to be. Clearly other people liked it more than I. I guess this book just wasn't my thing.

Snow by Uri Shulevitz

from goodreads

4 stars

Despite the title of this book, I think it is going to be a green Christmas here in Waterloo. Not that I mind the green. It means it is warm enough that we can do things outside, but then it is too warm to have snow, which we want to do the things outside we want to do. It is sort of a Catch-22 (a book that I have tried to read and just didn't get). Tomorrow, as long as it is not raining, we will be going skating which will be fun. There is an outdoor rink in the uptown square and luckily it has a cooling system, so no ice will be melting on us!

I guess snow does make the Christmas atmosphere more Christmasy. But, when you think about it, Christmas is celebrated all over the world, and that means that it isn't snowing everywhere when Christmas is. So I guess we are having a southern hemisphere Christmas this year, and that is okay with me. Now if only we could have southern hemisphere temperatures too!

Synopsis

When boy with dog sees a snowflake he keeps up the hope of a great snow even though all those around him tell him not to get his hopes up.

My Thoughts

I like this book. I like what the author calls some of the characters: boy with dog, grandfather with beard and man with hat. I also like how he captures the atmosphere before a snow. How everything was gray. It is amazing how gray November and December can be when there is no snow. Even the grass seems to be gray.

It is great how he builds up the snow. At first it is just one flake then two etc. By doing that he seems to build up a kind of anticipation. Will it snow or will the adults be right?

It got kinda weird when the statues from the bookstore start to dance with the boy, but to others it might be a nice touch of whimsy.

The illustrations are interesting. They match the story and set a great tone for the book.

It is a great book for when you are waiting for the snow to come.

Ithaca by Susan Fish

from goodreads

4 stars

There are times, during nap time mostly, when I stop and think, what next? By that I mean. When my kids are all old enough to be in school during the day, or when they are grown up and have left the house, what next? What does that next chapter in my life look like. Do I want a career outside the one in my home? Do I want to harness the ultimate power in my domestic engineering life? What next?

I haven't come up with any definitive answers. All I know is that whatever "what next" is I want to be an amazing person, and an amazing and supportive wife and mother. If I can check those boxes, I think "what next" is going to be okay.

Synopsis

Daisy Jane finds herself in a bit of a transitional place. Her husband of nearly forty years has died suddenly and her only child lives half way around the world in Singapore. She is now trying to navigate in a world where she has never been alone. When she sees a sign about fracking and decides to take a night course to learn more about it her eyes are opened to what she herself can contribute, even if it is just soup on Wednesdays.

My Thoughts

I picked this book up mainly because it was written by a local author. It is kind of neat to know that in this small city we have authors. Usually, I think of authors being aloof or in a metropolis or in a secluded farm house. Really, they come in all sort of shapes and locales.

I was very pleasantly, not really surprised, but content, satisfied, I don't know the word but what ever it was I was that, pleasantly.

The location of Ithaca was superb. I have never been there but next time I am in that general area I think I will go. It sounds beautiful. I forgot that Cornell University is there and the Moosewood Cafe. I definitely need to check it out.

The character of Daisy Jane was super interesting. I think it is because she is going through what I feel I might go through at some point. She was a homemaker now thrust into making lots of decisions. She no longer had her family to focus her energy on. She had to take stock of herself and decide what she wanted to do for herself. That kind of personal inventory is not the easiest to do.

I love the idea of a community soup night where you open your home to whomever. And the soups sounded delish! I know that in downtown Kitchener there is a family that has a potluck every week. What a great way to build community.

The comparison between losing a spouse due to dying and then losing a spouse due to a chronic disease was interesting. Disease does change people. In the terms of the one characters wife, she had MS. She was unable to do the things she used to do. Her personality changed, the dynamic of their relationship changed. Is that harder or just different than if the spouse had just died. While grieving is still part of the process, is any of it easy? It gave some interesting food for thought.

Then there was the story line about the fracking and environmental aspects of it. Fish did a great job with this, describing the issue without it feeling like we were in a lecture hall. She wasn't preachy and really left it up to ourselves what we thought about it.

For a book that really wasn't that long there were many seeds of ideas that were planted. It was an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

Red Car, Red Bus by Susan Steggall

from goodreads

2 stars

Has this ever happened to you. You are reading a book to your children and the whole time you are thinking, I could have written this. This has happened to me on many occasions. Now, I am sure a lot of thought and love go into the books, but sometimes you have to wonder.

Perhaps if I can get my life organized I might put my hand at it. Because seriously, if some of these people can do it then I should be able to do so as well. I'm sure my stories couldn't be any worse.

Synopsis

Colourful traffic drive through a town.

My Thoughts

Well... what to say. If you have kids who really like cars and trucks then they will love this book. If you are trying to teach colours then this would be a great book. If you are looking for something that is a little tedious to read this is the book for you.

I did not enjoy this book. It just identifies the colour and type of vehicle on the page in different sequences. It is a very awkward book to hold as it is super long, so it is almost impossible to hold with one hand, which is important sometimes when you have kids.

The only saving grace is the art work. I love how it shows a little story of a woman and her child trying to catch the bus. There are other little stories that are woven throughout the pictures.

This book didn't hold any of my kids attention. Miss V. liked the fact that she could read all the words, but thought the book was kind of "weird". By the time you get to Miss. V and Miss G. age you are looking for a bit more depth in the story. Even Miss P. didn't like it. She would much rather read Don't Push the Button which is more of an engaging book.

So as said above, a young boy who likes vehicles will like this book. The pictures are worth seeing, but as a whole I didn't really appreciate the book as much as the author and publisher may have hoped for.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

from goodreads

4 stars

I would consider myself to be an introvert. I like being able to have quiet so I can focus on the task at hand. At the end of the day I am glad when the kids are in bed so I know I have my physical space to myself. I can be by myself and be quite content in my own company. Small talk sucks, and I like to observe and analyze before jumping into things. I can be shy on occasion but also outgoing when the occasion calls for it. But, I do value my quiet time.

It can be hard sometimes navigating in a world that likes people who are always bright, bubbly, and almost exhibitionist. I like keeping private things private and don't often need the whole world to see every single detail of my life.

What I think we all are trying to do or at least should be doing, whether we are an introvert or an extrovert is to be striking some sort of balance. We need to find ways to bring the strengths of being an introvert and being an extrovert together in some way. Both personality types have beautiful qualities and it is finding those qualities and using them to reach our full potential that is so important. I think that might take some time, but, it would be worth the effort.

Synopsis

Susan Cain take an in-depth look into the world of the introvert. She looks at how workplace configurations, the extrovert ideal and selling ourselves can affect the introvert. She also quietly suggests that the world may need re-evaluate the way they view those people of a more quiet nature.

My Thoughts

What an interesting read. While she goes a bit more in-depth then what I would about what is an introvert, and people being more sensitive etc. this was really enlightening. The amount of research she did was shown in the details.

What I found interesting was the perception of trust and expertise in the workplace. If you are not loud and overbearing it seems that people aren't going to take your word for it. While it is necessary to present your findings, I find it quite crazy that just because you aren't loud and brazen your thoughts would not be as valued, even though they may be more correct.

I liked how she compared western culture and eastern culture. The different values each culture places on personality. It was quite interesting. I also thought the analysis of open plan work places was interesting. I had never thought about open plan work places and how it might not work for all people before. The more I read, the more I realized I wouldn't like the open plan concept as much, it is nice to have a private place to just knuckle down and get to work.

I love how she doesn't say introversion is the best and extroversion is bad. She shows that both are necessary and that each personality type can learn from each other. I think this book is just the beginning of a very interesting conversation about what we value in our life. I also think this should be a must read for all business school instructors. Perhaps wall street blunders could have been avoided if the introverts (who were trying to warn their bosses) were paid the respect and attention that they warranted (though perhaps that is a bit simplistic).

While some parts of the book were a bit dry and hard to get through, on the whole this book was engaging and very thought provoking. It was a fairly easy read without being overly simplistic. It is a definite must read for introverts and extroverts alike.

Pinkalicious - Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann

from goodreads

4 stars

Has Frozen taken over your house yet? Miss V. and Miss G. love to sing the songs but their enthusiasm is starting to wane. Miss P. on the other hand wants to be watching the movie 24/7. When I purchased the movie I was able to get the blu-ray, dvd, digital combo pack for the same price as the regular dvd (thanks Target). So we decided to put the movie on our ipad so the girls could watch it on our long trip. Not a problem. Or, at least it wasn't, until Miss P. discovered how to unlock the ipad, and locate the app in which Frozen could be watched. As soon as she gets up from her nap Miss P. says "Let it Go" over and over (that is what she calls Frozen) finds the ipad (which I thought I had hid very cleverly) and starts the movie up. Now I think Frozen is an alright movie. I even find some of the songs to be rather catchy, but seriously little miss 21 month old! Enough is enough! Luckily over the past week she has been bringing me Pinckalicious to read instead of the ipad. So maybe, just maybe, we are turning the corner. One can hope.

Synopsis

One a rainy day Pinkalicious and her mother decide to make pink cupcakes, but more turned out pink than just the batter.

My Thoughts

This is a really cute book. From the series of books about Pinkalicious, I think it is one of the best. The art work is awesome. I love the different textures used to create the pictures. I love the story. It is believable but with just the right touch of whimsy to make it magical. And for the little girl in your life you loves pink, what book could really be better?

I love the line that the mother uses when Pinkalicious asks for another cupcake. She says, "You get what you get and you don't get upset". The first time I read that I was like "GENIUS" and now that is my go to line when my girls start to pester me with their requests.

The only thing that I didn't like about it was how they portrayed green healthy food. I know that the point of view is from a little girl and that most kids would rather have pink cotton candy than a dill pickle. But at the same time don't use the word yuck in the same sentence as healthy choices. I don't want my kids to think that brussel sprouts are supposed to be yucky when right now they eat them right up. I know, it's a kids book, don't read to much into it, but at the same time I want my kids to like green food. This is just a minor thing, and I omit the "yuck" when I read it so I guess no harm no foul.

I highly recommend this book. The author also writes all the learn to read Pinkalicious books so they are actually nice to read instead of tedious.

The Root Cellar by Janet Lunn

from goodreads

4 stars

Well, I finally read this book. I was supposed to have had it read by my October book club meeting. Unfortunately, the library only had one copy. By the time I got around to putting it on hold someone else already had it on hold. For a pretty fast read both patrons sure took a long time reading it, especially the last one which returned it three days after it was due!

Now I know that libraries can't possibly hold all known books, or multiple copies of them on their shelves, but seriously, how inconvenient. What are the odds that three people in this city wanted to read this book at the same time? (My other book club ladies either owned a copy or use a neighbouring city's library system.)

Oh, well. That being said, I love the library. I love that my kids love the library. Yesterday Miss G. (click here to find out more about Miss G. Miss V. and Miss P.) was so excited to tell our favourite librarian, Sam, about officially becoming a Spark and Miss V. felt comfortable asking Sam to help her find a new book series. It is nice when you can go into a place and feel completely at ease. That is what our library does for us. What do you love about your library?

Synopsis

When Rose's grandmother dies she is sent from New York to small town Ontario, Canada to live with an Aunt and family she has never met. Scared, shy and a bit overwhelmed Rose has a hard time adjusting. When she discovers a root cellar behind her Aunt's house she is pulled back in time. Rose goes on the adventure of a lifetime and learns from the past how to be more happy in her present.

My Thoughts

This was a really interesting book. As stated above this was a book club pick. The only thing I knew about it going in was that a girl goes into a root cellar and back in time. So I was picturing it being set in Saskatchewan or some prairie setting. I was really surprised when it ended up being set in Prince Edward County. I spent two weeks of my summer on the island of Prince Edward County every summer for about 8 years of my youth. So I know that setting well. Then when the setting in the book changed to Oswego, New York, I was like, "whoa, I've been there". My family and I spent time in a State Park that is near by and did our laundry in Oswego. I wanted to walk around the town more, but it was raining when we were there, but I would love to go back. It is always fun when you read a book and the setting is a place where you have been and know fairly well.

The story was engaging. It was an ingenious concept. You get sucked right in. It was interesting to learn more about the history of the Civil War and the aftermath that followed. I never really thought about Canadians going down to fight in the war, but I guess that would have made sense. (Well I guess we wouldn't have been technically Canadians yet, but you know what I mean.)

There was only one thing that drove me up the wall, and that caused me not to give it a full 5 stars. What's up with the family? Rose's Aunt and cousins completely spaz on her and call Rose, ungrateful, rude, hateful etc. Where did that venom come from? It seemed completely out of left field. Rose really hadn't done anything to cause such anger to come from these people. They showed no compassion for her or her circumstances. You would think the Aunt or Uncle would have had a little bit of a clue to the fact that Rose was shy and trying to get her bearings after being completely uprooted. It just all kind of threw me for a loop. Everything gets rectified at the end, and it is all good, but I don't get it at all. I guess I would have expected more build up to that kind of negative emotion and reaction, but there really wasn't.

Even with all that, I would thoroughly recommend this book. I would say it would be a great book for ages ten and up.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

from goodreads

5 stars

The year is winding down. And though the holiday season is gearing up, I feel eerily relaxed. Perhaps I am missing something or forgetting about something. I don't know. I hope not. But it is such a nice feeling that when you can be relaxed about things. That does not mean to say that everything is ready for Christmas, but rather, I have this feeling that everything will turn out okay.

I am in the process of making some presents currently. And it has been fun. I haven't been reading as much, but I have been enjoying re-watching one of my favourite BBC mini-series Hamish Macbeth. I think when I start to sew I will listen to some audio books. That is always nice to do. That is how I read The Book Thief and reread the Harry Potter series. The orators are so good. They bring a whole other dimension to the story. It is just magical. I still remember how emotional I got at the end of The Book Thief when Liesel called out "Papa". Man it was a blurry eyed moment. Do you like listening to audio books? Which is your favourite?

Synopsis

The mouse took a walk in the deep dark woods, and to all the animals he looked tasty and good. Then he meets a Gruffalo.

My Thoughts

I have read, and read, and read, and read, and read this book to my kids and man, they love it and so do I. The rhythm and the poems are so top notch. I love putting different voices to the different animals. I love how saavy that mouse is. I love the pictures and illustrations, I love everything about this book.

I love how the mouse thinks he has outwitted all these other animals by inventing the Gruffalo and then all of the sudden he runs into one. Yet does that keep him down, nope, the mouse just rolls with it and in the end enjoys a nice acorn without anyone bothering him. My kids love it when the mouse meets the Gruffalo.

I don't know what else to really say about it other than it is just top notch. It is one book that I can stand to read over and over again, and that is saying something. I just love it so much.

So, if you haven't read it yet, well get on it. You will not be disappointed.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

from goodreads

4 stars

If you could picture your dream reading place where would it be? Is it lazing in a hammock on a warm summers day? Is it in front of a warm fire with snow gentle falling, sipping on your favourite herbal tea? Is it reading out loud surrounded by your kids or grandkids?

I don't know why, but when my brain has down time that tends to be where my thoughts have been drifting. What is my ultimate reading location? What I keep picturing is me, in some comfy stretchy leggings, with big wooly socks over top. I am wearing a cozy sweater, (the one I picture I don't own yet, but I know where I can get one. Christmas hint) and am cuddled up with my honeybush and orange blossom herbal tea. It is also silent. The kids are either napping, or at school or something. And I have a feeling of being guilt free. Guilt free reading is the best.

Reading is a personal activity, but it is great because you can do it even when optimal conditions aren't there. I love it when I go to Toronto and ride the subway. I love people watching and in particular seeing what people are reading. Is it the Globe and Mail, or a steamy romance. I love going to the library and watching people and see what books they choose, or what they are returning. I'm always interested in what people read, and sometimes like to picture what their reading nook is like. The books we choose are at times a small glimpse into our souls. I love reading.

Synopsis

This is like two companion novels in one. The first half is written from the view point of a secret operative from Britain who was captured in France during World War Two. After being tortured by the Gestapo she agrees to write down all she knows about the airbase defenses in England. She does this through telling the story of her and her best friend Maddie. 

The second half is written from the point of a pilot with the Air Transport Auxillary who was also in France. She writes about her experience meeting up with members of the resistance and trying to find out what happened to the secret operative.

My Thoughts

This was a lovely story. The author did a great job of keeping the two voices separate. They sounded distinct. I love how everything gets wrapped up in the end. Some of the holes that were in the first half get filled in the second half.


I found the first half not as enjoyable. I found it sometimes bland, and sometimes confusing. The protagonist would be talking about her story and then all of the sudden she is talking about what is happening in her prison now. Also it was a bit repetitve. We get it, you think you are miserable because you are squealing. Either do it and get on with it or say you have changed your mind and don't do it. I think the self-loathing, while probably accurate, was a bit monotonous.

The second half was much better. I liked seeing how everything was co-ordinated and I liked seeing the vindication of Verity. There was more action being done so the story didn't move as slowly as the first half. The whole clandestine part of it was rather exciting. I also liked so see the fleshing out of Engel's character a bit more. I wonder what happened to her after the end.

This was a great story that highlighted a part of the war that I didn't know about. I never thought about who would help ferry pilots and planes around England to the different airbases. I also didn't think that much about how the British helped the resistance in France. I knew such help existed I just didn't know how it was done.

I was reading this book around Remembrance Day here in Canada. It was a really nice book to read at that time as it helped me think of the sacrifices people did then and continue to do now. It set the tone for a nice reflective Remembrance Day which I was happy for.

This was definitely a historical fiction at it's best. There is a second book called Rose Under Fire that I am excited to read.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

from goodreads

5 stars

One month until Christmas! And I am actually feeling pretty good about it. I have a handle on the presents that I am making myself. I feel confident that my kids aren't going to be sad come Christmas morning, and I won't be sad with more junk. I think it will be good. Now we just need to figure out where we are going to put our tree.

This will be our third Christmas in our house and each year we have had to change where we put the tree. Our first Christmas we only had three chairs in our living room. This meant it was pretty sparse and we cold put our tree wherever we wanted. Then the couches came so we had to move the tree from one corner to another. This year we brought in a piano so now that corner is no good. I am thinking of putting it right in the middle of our front window. I think it will look pretty from the inside and the outside as well. Now we just have to figure out when we are going to cut it down. Since we moved and have no carpet we have been going to a tree farm and cutting our own down. It has been so much fun. My husband was skeptical of the whole real tree thing, but I think we have made a convert out of him.

How is your Christmas looking with a month to go?

Synopsis

Princess Elizabeth has it all; a castle, an awesome wardrobe, and a handsome prince named Ronald. But all that changes when a dragon comes and smashes her castle burns her clothes and carries off Prince Ronald. What's a girl to do?

My Thoughts

This book is a classic. I loved it when I was a kid and I love it now. If you are looking for a strong female role model, Princess Elizabeth is it. She strategizes she is brave, and she can make a paper bag work, fashion-wise.

This book totally shows us that we need to make lemonade out of the lemons in our lives. It also shows us that sometimes we need to take stock of our life and be honest with ourselves. For Elizabeth it took the whole dragon thing for her to see Ronald in his true light. We don't have dragons to do that for us, but sometimes we to figure out how we can do that, even when we might not want to know the truth.

This book is great for kids. It isn't that deep and it isn't beating the kids over the head with morals. It is just fun. Here is the link to listen to the author read the story. Some find him annoying, but as a kid, I loved listening to him tell this story. To be honest, I still do.

The illustrations are awesome. I love Martchenko's work. He captures the the emotions of it so well. Love it.

Some of his books are crazy and not as good, but this book is stellar. If you read only one Munsch book this is the one you have to read. You will love it.

Rump: The true story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff

from goodreads

4 stars

This morning I went to the dentist. I don't know about you but I love going to the dentist. My one friend on Facebook calls the dentist the tooth spa. I find it relaxing and sometimes I almost fall asleep (I did that when I was getting a cavity filled a few years ago). Now why am I so relaxed at the dentist? There are no kids touching me or talking to me.

I love my kids. I really do. They exasperate me, yet, they also make me laugh. But sometimes it is just nice to know that you aren't going to be asked to pick them up, or get them food, or change their diaper. At the dentist I can just sit back relax, and let the hygienist do their work. Best time ever!

And the best news, they found a few little cavities, though I am a religious flosser, so I get to go back in a couple weeks to get that work done. YAY!!! Relaxing at the tooth spa, here I come!

Synopsis

Rump hates his name. He knows that it is incomplete but his Mother died before she could let anyone know the rest of it. Where Rump lives your name and your destiny are intertwined. Rump decides to find out what the rest of his name is and thereby find his destiny.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this book. What an interesting back story of a character that we don't know too much about. It was neat to gain an understanding of why Rumpelstiltskin showed up in time to spin the straw, how the whole baby thing happened, and why he had the gift to spin in the first place. The author does a great job of staying true to the original story and yet offering these tidbits of information.

I also liked how the author explores the importance of names and how we are truly the makers of our own destiny. When you are naming a child a lot of thought goes into it. When you think of a name you are picturing a personality and a set of a achievements. A name is more than something used to differentiate one person from another. It could have long reaching consequences, or sometimes not. A name is a powerful thing. I appreciated how Rump goes through a time of not liking his name, but then in the end loves it. Growing up I did not really like my name. It was long, and people didn't always spell it correctly and it was not cute. When I was 5 I wanted to be called Diana. Now, I really like my name. It still annoys me slightly when people don't spell it correctly, but that's okay. I am used to spelling out for people now as par for course. I am really glad my name is not Diana. (No offense to those of you named Diana, it is still a lovely name. I just feel I am a better Meredith than Diana.)

There were some connections I wanted to know more about. Red and her granny, the trolls, and the whole yonder thing. I am wondering if any connections will be made in subsequent books. There is one about Jack and the Beanstalk set to be published in 2015. Some of the characters like the trolls and the wool witches, while somewhat essential to Rump's revelation of who he is, seemed just to be placed there and then that was it. There was no real depth or reason why they were in the story. Not much was done with them and it would have been nice if they were fleshed out a bit more.  I guess I wanted more depth and connection with other parts of the story.

I am looking forward to reading more in this fairy tale series by this author. I am looking forward to reading these out loud to my kids. I think this might be a great one for the summer. I think this would be a great book for ages 9 and up to read by themselves. There is enough adventure, slime and magic to hold their attention and keep them in awe. It was a fun book for this adult too.

The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock Bill Peet

from goodreads

2.5 stars

Man it is blustery out there today. School buses in the country around us were all canceled. Unfortunately, living in the city, I still had to brave the elements to get my kiddies to school. Thank goodness for my chariot stroller. That thing goes through snow like a hot knife goes through butter. We are on our sixth winter with it and it is still in amazing shape. I love it.

Synopsis

Prewitt Peacock does not have the nicest of tails. One day his tail decides to grow and become wild. The other peacocks have a problem with that and give him an ultimatum. Either the tail goes or Prewitt does.

My Thoughts'

This was an alright book. But it was kinda weird. It has a great message of "be proud of who you are and looks don't matter", but it was still strange. The dream sequence kinda freaked me out.

I picked this book up because of the author. Bill Peet worked for Disney and was part of the story development and animation process for many films. His movies are among my favourites. The drawings are classic Bill Peet. I could almost see them in animation form. The story to me just felt lacking. It was okay but for me it just didn't have that special quality about it.

My kids liked the book well enough but, they were not asking for it to be read again and again. So, in my view that means it was a sort of a meh book for them too.

If you do decide to pick up this book, I would say you would be enjoy the illustrations and the nostalgia of Bill Peet.

The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King

from goodreads

4 stars

It's snowing!!! My middle daughter looked out the window this morning and saw the snow falling down and exclaimed, "It's the first day of winter!" I then proceeded to explain, as I have done on previous occasions, that although the weather outside might depict a certain season, it doesn't mean it is that season. There is often overlap between the weather and the seasons, usually with snow starting in fall and continuing on into spring.

That still did not deter her excitement. She is ready for the snow. I just wished it has stayed warm for two more days, as tonight we have a school function where there are going to be food trucks. It would have been nicer to stand in line without doing the shiver dance. Oh well. I don't have to cook dinner tonight so bring it on.

Synopsis

Thomas King depicts "White" and "Indian" relations in North America. He mainly focuses on Native People's lives from the time the white man settled to now, he does go into pre-colonial histories. He looks at the good and bad in these relationships and gives his hopes for the future.

My Thoughts

This was the winner of the Waterloo Reads competition held in October.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh, it made me feel sad, it made me feel like he was just getting started and that there is so much more that could be said. I loved his writing style. He made it easy to read and it did not read like a history text, which it definitely is not. These are his own views mixed with historical research. It is written with a bias, but it is his, it is his story so if course there will be a personal bias and slant to it. This bias does not change the fact that I think this is a must read for everyone, especially those living in Canada and the United States.

There were times where I felt he went on a bit too much. In the second half it seemed like it was one bad thing after another. Surely there must have been something good, but then again, maybe not. I like how he doesn't really put blame on "white" culture as a whole. There are things that are done in the past, in every country around the world, that does not shed the best light on those people, but it does not a bad people or person make.

While this book doesn't give answers to everything it is a great book to get the conversation started on aboriginal people and the dual worlds they live in. Because of this book I am beginning to understand the treaties a bit more, understand their view of land and property/land claims a bit more, and their view of their own sovereignty a bit more.

A few complaints that I have heard from other sources is that he concentrates sole on the massacres that whites inflicted on the Native population. They feel that he should have talked about how the Iroquois decimated the Hurons and other massacres that Natives did on their own people before settlers arrived. I think a mention of these might have been good too, but the whole point of the book was really to look at the relationship between the white government and the Native people and the problems that are arising because of it and need to be resolved in the future. Those past native on native massacres, while fleshing out the narrative, don't explain how the relationships between Natives and whites will be changed and helped for the better.

I highly recommend this book. As with everything read it with a grain of salt. And whether you like or agree with his musings or not, it is a great book to promote discussion and thought.

Queen Victoria's Knickers by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Today in Canada it is Remembrance Day. A day of remembrance and reflection. This is when we think of those who fought in wars to garner our freedom.

My oldest daughter and I were talking about it this morning and she said she was sad. I asked her why. She said because of the soldiers and stuff. This got me thinking, for while I think Remembrance day is one a day to be somber and solemn, I don't feel the need to be sad. Do I think that there were lives wasted, you betcha, especially when thinking of the First World War. To me it was stupidity and waste personified. Do I wish that the atrocities that happened and still happen didn't. Sure do. But I do not feel sad about it, sorry that it happened, but not weepy sad. It just gives me a greater resolve to raise children to be kind, loving and accepting. It gives me a greater resolve to be kind and generous myself.

So on this somber day of remembrance, let us reflect on how we want to live our lives in light of the sacrifices of others. Conflicts will be a norm in human history, but how we decide to lead our individual lives, that is where true victory lies.

Synopsis

This is the tale of the background of how Queen Victoria got her first pair of underwear.

My Thoughts

To me this is the weirdest story. It is cool to go in the history of underwear. Underwear is something that I think we all take for granted now. We probably don't even think about there ever being a time when underwear was non-existent. I love the what the grandmother said when she found out that the Queen wanted the mother to make her knickers. She said, "I don't approve of knickers. If a girl wears proper petticoats and takes ladylike steps she doesn't need knickers." Hilarious.

My kids like this book. I think anything that deals with underwear is going to be a hit with kids. I don't know what it is about underwear but it puts my kids, and I would wager most kids, into a fit of giggles. My kids really liked when the family was envisioning all the different kids of underwear they could make for the Queen. I like the ones with the bows and arrows.

To me, this book was just weird. When I read children's picture books it is hard for me to pinpoint exactly what I am looking for. To me there is no set formula of what a book needs for me to like it, but I can also tell when I don't like it and, again, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what I don't like. I just feel it my bones. This book, while I think great for kids, just does not fill me with enthusiasm when I read it and I groan a little inside when my kids bring it to me to read. But read it I do and I try my best to hide my displeasure. (Though, on occasion, I have faked business and asked them to get their father to read it to them instead. I know, I'm bad.)

So if you ever wondered about royal underwear of days of yore, this book might just be for you.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

from goodreads

4 stars

Oh November. You may be the month of leafless trees and dreary gray skies, but you are also a month of hope. Hope? you may ask. Well, yes. You see November is when American Thanksgiving is, and that means new kids movies coming out for the holiday season. Which means, perhaps if I'm lucky, I will no longer have to listen to "Let It Go" on a daily basis. Perhaps we will move onto the next greatest thing.

Now I like "Let It Go" as much as the next person, but when my 20 month old hunts the house for the ipad and then says "wet i go" over and over. Gak! I am able to convince her that Winnie the Pooh is sometimes an okay thing, but inevitably "Let It Go" is played. Luckily there are so many versions on youTube we can get some variety. But the hope remains. So, please film makers. Make something that will trump this song, for all our sakes.

Synopsis

(My own synopsis would not do this book justice so I will take the synopsis from goodreads.) Set in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. Here Steinbeck created some of his most  memorable characters and explored his most enduring themes: the mystery of identity, the inexplicability of love; and the murderous consequences of love's absence.

My Thoughts

I had no preconceived notions going into this book. I have never read Steinbeck before and didn't know anything about this book. To sum it up in one word I would have to say epic. This was a huge book. It covered a lot of years and locations.

We got to see Adam Trask from the beginning of his life to near his end. And while the the book sort of revolved around him, I wouldn't consider him to be the central character. It seemed the book was more of a cast of characters and each played his/her role in creating the society.

At times I found it a bit confusing. All these people seemed to be philosophers and understood these hidden meanings or never fully explained what they were trying to say. It got a bit frustrating during those parts and I was like, "just get on with it!"

Also, at the beginning of some of the chapters Steinbeck talks about his own family's history, this does not always line up with the current time/era that the story is in and made it a bit awkward. I was always trying to figure out how it tied in to where the story was, and quite often, it didn't.

I love the characters of Sam Hamilton and Lee. I would love to spend the afternoon with them and eat some tarts.

All in all, it was an enjoyable story. I had to read the large print version as the others were out at the library so my hands fell asleep a few times, but it was worth it. It gives you something to think about. The pictures Steinbeck is able to put in the readers mind are breathtaking.  This is one of those books that is about everything and nothing all at the same time which makes it the classic it is and will remain. It truly is timeless.

One Watermelon Seed by Celia Barker Lottridge Illustrated by Karen Patkau

from goodreads

3.5 stars

After a sugar high weekend my girls have firmly shifted their focus to "the Christmas List". They are dutifully writing or drawing everything that their little hearts desire. I fear there will be some disappointed little kiddies Christmas when they do not have all the twenty billion things on the list. Oh well, thems the brakes.

I have finally sorted out everything that I want to do for the cousins for Christmas. Now I just have to make it. As for my own kids. I don't want to get them anything. Isn't that horrible? I think I have reached my threshold of toys and clothes and craft stuff. I totally get where the Grinch was coming from. It's a good thing my husband is soft-hearted. I'm sure he will get them something lovely.

Synopsis

Max and Josephine plant a garden. They get to see their plants grow and enjoy a bountiful harvest. Plant and count along with them.

My Thoughts

While there is not much of a story this was a neat book. The illustrations are fresh and made me think of spring and summer. The book invites the children to count without it seeming predictable. My kids are already planning what we are going to plant in our garden next year and are asking for the seeds as part of their Christmas list. So, in that regard, this book is great for getting kids to get excited about gardening and producing their own food.

I like how at the end they show the inside of each food. I also like how they have a bit of an eye spy finding game at the end as well. It helps the kids learn more about food as well as the whole ecosystem of a garden.

While reading it there was one thing that super bugged me. Okay, maybe two. It was the harvest yields and timing. The way the book goes they are picking strawberries the same time as pumpkins etc. Fruit and vegetables have different growing seasons here people! Hello! I know the point of the book is to count and to help kids get excited about gardens and it would be hard to talk about different harvest times of the fruits and vegetables. I know it's not the biggest deal. At the same time I don't want my kids to think they are going to get watermelons in October.

The second thing was the yield amounts. Some of them seemed a bit off for the number of seedlings planted. Yes, yes, I know it is a kids book and they are teaching about math and counting. I know. I know. But still. It bothered me.

Now that I have the rants out of me. I still liked this book. I like it mostly for the catalyst it provided for my children's imaginations than for the the story or factual accounts of gardening. So read this book, and dream about next years harvest.

The Hypnotists by Gordon Korman

from goodreads

2 stars

Well, the weather forecast says that we have snow coming in our future. I don't really believe it, though, it most probably is true. With the cold winter of last year and our cool summer, it seems impossible that winter could already be starting again. To quote on of my friends, "I'm still waiting for summer".

Oh well, at least with the cold weather we get to bundle up in our sweaters, have mugs of hot tea or chocolate and hibernate with our reading list stacked beside us. Here's hoping for a milder winter. Bring on the snow.

Synopsis

Strange things always happen around Jackson Opus. Superstar athletes stop being good. Doctors act like monkeys. Girls actually notice him. When he realizes he is actually a hypnotist he learns how to use and harness his powers. But others with less pure intents take notice too.

My Thoughts

I love Gordon Korman. The MacDonald Hall series made me laugh and I love his book I Want to Go Home. I still remember my mom passing the book back and forth because we couldn't get through a section we were laughing so hard.

This book, not quite as good. I read it because the second book in the series just came out and it looked interesting but I thought I should read the first book first. It starts off really good and in usual Gordon Korman fashion you are hooked. The chapters were exciting and interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Then, the rest of the book happened. I don't know what it was. Perhaps, how naive Jackson was, but I found myself just not caring. I didn't care for the characters, or what happened to them. By the end I was skimming just to get to the end faster. I only kept reading, one, because I hoped it would get better (it didn't), and two, I wanted to see if the "bad guy" was able to get found out at all.

I may have felt annoyance at the characters because I am an adult reading a kids book. Perhaps kids wouldn't notice how ignorant people were being, though kids are more savvy than we think, so, I'm not sure if that is the case. But kids might be more forgiving of the characters faults and the story's flaws than I am.

I am not sure if I am going to read the second book. The premise sounds interesting, but then, so did the premise of this one and I ended up disappointed. We will have to wait and see.

Despite the poor review for this book, I still highly recommend the author. You should definitely check him out.

Superhero School by Aaron Reynolds Illustrated by Andy Rash

from goodreads

3.5 stars

It is almost Hallowe'en. We carved our pumpkins on Sunday so they are all ready to go. When I go looking for pumpkins I tend not to go for the most perfect looking ones. I like the ones that are oddly shaped, or have weird bumps on them, or have scratches and scars. I find that those are the pumpkins that end up giving the jack o' lantern so much character. Also, my carving skills are not top notch. Triangles and a couple toothed grin are about the extent of my jack o' lanterns so the odd ball pumpkins are good enough for me.

We live in a rather aging neighbourhood. We don't have a lot of kids on our street. Our first year in our house we had two kids, not including my own. Last year we had no kids but we did have university students going around giving us chocolate to raise awareness about free trade chocolate. (It was very yummy).

The kids have gone to Hallowe'en parties at Brownies and Sparks (those are branches of the Girl Guide organization). It is always fun to see what other kids decide to wear. All the Sparks, so that is girls aged 5-6, were wearing princess costumes except for one wonder woman, and my girl who was a very fashion witch. At brownies, which are girls aged 7-8 there was a greater variety. There were zebras and cheerleaders and even Amelia Earhart. It's amazing what a year or two will do to children's interests.

Now the real test will be having my kids not change their minds about what they want to be before Friday. I am costume finding/making out. What do you like to do for Hallowe'en?

Synopsis

Leonard knows that there is something special about him so it wasn't a surprise that he was enrolled in a special superhero school. What he didn't know was they would be doing math instead of fighting monsters.

My Thoughts

This was a fairly amusing book. It was nice to see that even superheros need to have a basic education, that they cannot rely on their talents alone. It was cool how the author was able to weave math into superhero stuff and I loved how the kids were tested on their math skills.

Superhero stuff is so over done now with all the different movies that are out now. This book was able to have a fresh vibe with it, though it still had some cliche superhero stuff thrown in.

For me it was just meh. My kids enjoyed it more. I am glad that I read it, but it wouldn't be my first choice in books to read to them. So, the 3 stars come more from just a personal preference then anything negative or lacking from the author or illustrator.

So if you want to read about math learning, ice zombie finding superhero students this book might be right for you.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

from goodreads

4.5 stars

Have you ever gone through a period where you feel distracted. It is hard to keep your focus and you flit between projects like a butterfly. That's how I feel right now. I seem to be flitting between household projects, church projects and different books.

It's weird when you are not able to just hunker down and get one thing done and then move on to the next. It's like you are juggling a billion balls and making sure none of them drop. Hopefully I'll be able to get out of this pattern soon as it can be quite stressful at times. But, that's the fun thing about life. Things are always changing, it doesn't stay stagnant for long. (At least that is my life, especially with young kids.)

Synopsis

This is a beautifully simple and lovely story that follows two primary characters. The first is Marie-Laure. A girl who lost her eyesight at age six and lives in Paris with her father, a key maker that works for a Museum. The second is Werner, an orphan who lives in a children's house in Essen. He has a raw talent for building and working with radios.

The book shows us their experience during WWII. Though they live hundreds of kilometers apart, their tales are compatible and interwoven through their love of knowledge.

My Thoughts

What a magical and wonderful story. I really enjoyed this book. The era and locations in which this book was set are of great interest to me and I felt that this author gave great justice to the history and societal happenings of the time. You get a glimpse at the complex nature in which Europe found itself, without being bogged down by names, dates, and overloads of other data.

I really loved how we get to see the characters before the war and then get the opportunity to watch them evolve as the war goes on.

I loved the character of Werner. I felt for him. The author did a beautiful job at showing Werner's confusion and stalled behaviour. Werner's inability to react to and understand the mean, nasty and inhuman actions that went on around him gave voice to those in Nazi Germany who were in the same position. It would not have been an easy position to be in. You know something is wrong but you are not sure what to do about it. Risk your life or safety, or put up your blinders.

The story of Marie-Laure and Etienne was heart-warming. It was great to see them come together and emerge from their shells. The juxtaposition of Marie-Laure's action and Werner's inaction was very interesting. Though Marie-Laure is physically blind she sees truth and right and acts on it. Werner can see yet he puts on blinders.

I wish we knew more of the thoughts and background of Volkheimer. He seems like a sensitive soul I would have liked to know better. There were a few other little frays that I would have liked to see wrapped up or know about, such as what did Frederick's father do? Was he high up in the Nazi regime? I know that everything can't nicely wrapped up and that the not knowing makes the story realistic to the time period, but it would still have been nice to know.

While I do like happy endings, and in my dream world, no one would die, this did not happen and yet I felt satisified. Sometimes when characters die it seems senseless and ridiculous. (Thinking about Divergent series.) In this book it made sense and in some way made the story seem more complete because of it.

This book is definitely a must read. I found it to be lovely. I now want to live in Brittany in a 6 story home. I think visiting St. Malo will be on my bucket list. I would also love to see the models that Marie-Laure's father made as well. What a thoughtful man he was. What a sweet story this is.

Fleas! by Jeanne Steig illustrated by Britt Spencer

from goodreads

3 stars

What a busy past few days. Saturday seemed so jammed packed, yet I was barely out of the house. It seems as if there is always something to do, and not enough time to get my reading done.

I am probably one of the lone people out there, but I can't wait for the Christmas holidays. Two weeks when I don't have to be rushing in the morning getting things ready, and I can stay in my pajamas all week if I want. That sounds like bliss to me. I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet. But I'm not worried. I think this year we will go simple and sparse. My kids already have so much, they don't need much more. It will be nice when they get older and they will be happy with cash and gift cards. That will be bliss indeed.

Synopsis

Quantz is helpful and scratches a dog. In return for that favour Quantz ends up with the fleas! He then continues to make trades with people he meets. What will he end up with?

My Thoughts

Well, it was kind of a cool story. It was interesting to see what he would end up trading for. The wrap up at the end was very satisfactory. This book is not life changing and awe inspiring, but it does make a good story for bedtime. It isn't offensive, and it isn't the best. It just is, and that's great.

There were a few things that made this a book I wouldn't necessarily have on my shelf at home. One, what the heck is up with the name Quantz? What is that? I didn't even know it is a name. Perhaps it is a more of a region specific name. I have never heard of it before, and a first I thought he was going to turn into an alien or something. For a kids book, that is predominantly going to be read in North America, Quantz might not be the best name to use for the main character. Now, I am all for interesting or obscure names, but Quantz, I just don't know. How about Rosco or Gonzoro instead?

Two, some of the drawings were really bazaar and one kind of scared me. They also didn't match the story exactly. Some children when looking for a picture cue to go with the story might be confused when they don't see it.

One the whole, it was a cute story. My kids like it. It just wasn't my favourite. If you don't have an aversion to the name Quantz, then this book might be for you.

Flee, Fly, Flown by Janet Hepburn

from goodreads

4 stars

After a beautiful long weekend it is now a very gray and wet week. I was awoken today by crazy hard rain and wind blowing. My only thoughts were, of course it is raining and probably will stay raining when I take the kids to school. It always rains at either drop of time of pick up time. What's up with that.

By the time it was time to go to school the rain had lightened to a light drizzle and no wind. Much more preferable.

Now, I love rain. I know it is important and I love that it gives us puddles to splash in. I just don't love it when I have to be standing outside waiting for kids. I want to enjoy it on my own terms. Usually that means curled up with a caf-lib and and blanket on my couch with my latest read. That's the kind of rain I am talking about.

Synopsis

Lillian and Audrey live at Tranquil Meadows. While other residence seem to enjoy their time there Lillian and Audrey are plotting their escape. When they finally make it out their trip is almost doomed, until they meet a young man named Raine who agrees to drive for them.

My Thoughts

This was  a beautiful story. It is told from the vantage point of an octogenarian who has dementia, the beginnings of Alzheimer's. This sometimes makes the story seem a bit confusing as it shows that she herself is confused. But, it was also great to have her view point and understand how people suffering with that condition feel and think and how frightening and frustrating it must be for them.

As I have travelled the same route as the characters it was kind of fun to picture it as I went along. I could actually visualize where they were and how desolate Northern Ontario can be. It has lots of rocks, trees, and lakes, and to me the trees are all scraggily. Not the nice, thick lush trees of the south. But, some people may prefer the scraggily trees, and that's fine too.

I love the character of Raine and wished that he could have been fleshed out a bit more. He seemed like a decent guy, yet, you are still not quite sure, so I wished that could have been explained a bit more.

While I was reading this, the story really hit home. My parents are quite a bit older. My dad is 80 and my mom will be turning 74 in November. My father is suffering from dementia and I know what a toll it takes on not only him, but my mother, and then slowly trickles down to us, but not as much as what my mom gets. And things are starting to slip for her too. This book helped put a voice to what my parents are going through, that I don't always get to see, or what they are not telling me. (I live quite a distance away and don't get up to see them as often as might be helpful.)

I love how the book shows these elderly people as people who still have hopes and dreams. They have the desire to be loved, appreciated and respected. I think to often we see people's limitations and think that is all there is. Usually there is a lot more going on under the surface than we realize. We don't need to patronize them as if they are completely helpless. It can be a hard line to walk.

The ending was sort of open ended. I hope that the old girls made it to the coast. That would make me super happy.

Despite some feelings of repetition, some awkward plot moments and the need for some meatier character construction this was a great read. I highly recommend it.

Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin Illustrated by Harry Bliss

from goodreads

3.5 stars

I am a day late posting. Yesterday was such a busy day and then my little one decided that would be a great day not to nap. I don't know about you but I need the nap time to get things done. I am able to do some stuff when she is around. But other things, it is impossible to do, like computer items or putting anything away (as she promptly take it out again).

Yesterday I had to do the finishing touches on an activity that I was co-ordinating at my church. It was really fun. We learned how to make our own laundry soap and salad dressings and sweetened condensed milk. It was really interesting and yummy.

Today is my catch up day and luckily the little one is napping! Oh the things I will be able to do. I think I might read my book!

Synopsis

We get an in-depth look at this little spiders life. We get to see spider from is prospective. Very cool.

My Thoughts

This was a really cute book. I like how they showed the spider going to school, the rivalries between spiders and insects, yet, they also showed things spiders do like molting and catching wind to make their webs.

The drawings were really neat and engaging. It was great seeing some of the fun ways the illustrator interpreted the authors words.

The negative to this book, is that it is not the best read out loud story. There are the journal entries but then the pictures themselves have word-bubbles or other words that I had to read to my kids, as they are still learning to read. It broke up the flow of the story and I had to pause to explain things as it wasn't automatic.

My seven year old liked it more, she is able to read more than the 5 year old, and could get more from it on her own. My five year old didn't really like it as it was harder for her to engage with the book. It is definitely a picture book for an older child.

That being said it was a fun read, it is just better for older kids.

The Second Deadly Sin by Asa Larsson

from goodreads

4 stars

The past little bit has been preoccupied with what books I want to contribute to my book club selection. We are doing the same thing as last year. We have chosen three broad themes and then we are each to choose a book that belongs in that theme.

This year we are to choose a classic (this means a book that stands the test of time and is considered to be a classic, not necessarily a book written in a particular time period), a mystery, and then one of our choice which could be literally anything.

I don't know why but I always stress over this selection process. I make lists and then try to whittle them down. I think I stress over it because I don't want to pick dud books. I don't want my book club to say "That Meredith, she sure picks some really 'interesting' books." Or worse they could say, "Let's not let her pick out any next year."

Most of the books are from my "to read" list, so at least I can hopefully get that list a little shorter this year. I think I will still show up with two selections for each theme and have them choose... maybe... I'm not sure. I don't even know when we are supposed to have them chosen for. Hopefully November's meeting.

Synopsis

When a hunter takes down a bear that has given a community in northern Sweden quite a scare, a gruesome discover is made in the bears stomach contents. A human bone. Then, when a woman is discovered murdered in her house Prosecutor Rebecka Martinsson starts to see a connection.

My Thoughts

This was an amazing read. I didn't know about his author or the Rebecka Martinsson books before. It was on my to read list on goodreads so I decided to get it from the library. I am now going to have to go back and read the rest of the series. I hope they are as good as this one.

This is part historical novel part mystery. It follows two time lines. One starts at the onset of WWI and goes until the war is over. The other time line is set in modern day. The timelines are done very well, you are not confused when they change and you get excited to see how the two stories are going to join up.

In the historical time line I really felt for the character Elina. She was definitely a girl ahead of her time. A lot of heartache could have been done away with if she and others were honest with themselves. And the one guy... what a creep. If only women weren't scared and could speak out against him. Though I did like what happened to him in the end. I felt satisfied, in a morbid kind of way.

I loved the landscape that was painted in this book. It makes me want to book a trip to Sweden right now. I want to enjoy a fire fueled sauna and go berry picking. I know it might sound sort of stereotypical but it sounds very ideal to me. A simple and slower pace. Sign me up. I think I will ask my husband for a cabin in the woods for Christmas.

This is a book that is going to keep you guessing until the end. But you feel justified that the jerk people get their comeuppance and the good guys prevail. I just loved it.

Little Monster Knows Excuse Me by Connie Colwell Miller Illustrated by Maira Chiodi

from goodreads

5 stars

I am exhausted today. I didn't have the best of sleeps last night. My energy is way low. My husband was snoring like a bear, and then the little one started to fuss so I slept in her room on the recliner. Well at some point she ended up on my chest asleep. And while she may have been sleeping, I was not. She loves to twirl hair and since my long luscious locks were available she decided to twirl her hand up in mine! No matter what I did or how I rearranged her and my hair her hand kept on getting into my hair. Perhaps I should get it cut.

Oh well, if my husband snores tonight it will be his turn to embark on the great exodus. I can only be so kind for a little while.

Synopsis

Monster goes grocery shopping with his mom. There he is able to show off his manners.

My Thoughts

This was such a cute book. What a fun way to teach kids about using their manners instead of just plowing through people and things. I like how it showed all the different contexts in which "excuse me" can be used.  I also like how it shows that it is okay if a mistake was made or an accident occurred. You just need to make sure that you fess up to it and try your hardest to make it right. So good.

This is one in a series of monster knows books. I am excited to read the other ones, which are all manners based. I hope that the concept sinks into my kids. If a monster can be polite then so can I.

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour bookstore by Robin Sloan

from goodreads

2.5 stars

Yesterday I went to the chiropractor. I love him. I always feel great after he works his magic on me. He even worked magic on my toe. So I am not hobbling as much any more. There are still some painful spots on my toe, but on the whole it is a lot better. Definitely more range in motion.

It's always nice when magic occurs in the real world. Okay, I know that chiropractic practices and techniques don't constitute magic because there is a science behind them. But to me, with the immediacy of effect, it is magic. 'Cause I don't completely understand it. I just know it works and I am so grateful it does. 

Other things in life are like that. I don't completely understand computer coding etc. I just know it works and I am glad it does. Are there things like that in your life? You might not understand all the science behind it or reasoning behind it, it just works and you are grateful?

Synopsis

Clay Jannon has felt the hit from the recession. When he finds himself jobless he happens upon a advertisement for a 24-hour bookstore. He gets the job and starts on the graveyard shift. After a while he begins to suspect there is something more to this bookstore than meets the eye and he is determined to get to the bottom of it.

My Thoughts

This is a really hard book to rate. There were some parts of it that were really interesting and there were other parts of it that were so boring and seemed to just drag on.

This book is definitely a book for font geeks, google lovers and computer enthusiasts. I wonder if the author has a deal with google or works for google, with all his talk about google. Reading it definitely makes me want to work at the google campus. Free lunch that sounds delicious and I don't have to make it myself. Yes please! I think I would have enjoyed it better if I was one of the above as I found some parts confusing and other parts, well, I just didn't care about.

Most of the characters seemed a bit one dimensional to me, especially the google employee girl that I can't even remember the name of right now... I guess I should have written it down before I returned the book. Seriously girl, computers are not the end all and be all of life. (Living in the tech town of Waterloo, I guess I should keep that opinion quietly to myself. ;)

The plot always seemed to pique my interest right as I was about to give up, but as I said the mystery part of it seemed to drag on forever. I just wanted to get to the answer.

I like how it discussed the idea of a marriage between new technology and technology of the past. How innovation is great but it is not going to be the answer to everything. Sometimes you need to embrace your roots. It also helped show light on the debate of whether the printed hard copy book will become obsolete and everything will become digital. I for one like my hardcopies. I like the feel of paper.

I also liked getting an insight into the museum world and how artifacts can be verified. Very cool. I also liked learning about how lucrative fonts can be. I think I might have to develop one... or find someone who understands coding etc. to help me design one. I am willing to split profits.

All in all this book left me wishing for more depth. Depth in storyline and depth in characters. I would consider trying this author out again, but I would not be in a hurry to do so.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

from goodreads

5 stars

This week I have been forced to slow down and take it easy. It's good to do that once in a while, but it is better if it is not put on you and you can decide to do that for yourself. I am trying to make the most of it but it is still somewhat frustrating.

What happened you ask? I totally bruised the side of my foot, possible toe breakage, while trying to get around my 18 month old. I totally smucked my foot hard against the door frame. So silly, but man it hurt. So now I am a hobbler. I am trying to rest it as much as possible to aid in healing.

The worst thing I had so much energy and I was going to really tackle some house projects and get the ball rolling on things. Oh well! Hopefully that energy comes back when my foot is back to normal. Until then, at least I am getting a whole lot of reading done. :)

Synopsis

Sam-I-Am, server of all things green eggs and ham, is trying to convince this tall hatted man to try some.

My Thoughts

I loved this book when I was little and I love it now. My kids have been asking for this one quite a lot. My oldest is very proficient at reading it and I am always catching my youngest grabbing it and rifling through it.

I love how persistent Sam-I-Am is. Nothing seems to get him down and cause him to give up. He doesn't get exasperated or angry, unlike me when I am trying to convince my own kids to try something new. I like all the different scenarios that are offered too.

It is amazing how a book with only 50 different words, (even though I only got 49, so If you want to count them and see what you get that would be awesome) can be such an entertaining story.

Hopefully the kids are not only entertained, but also get the message of it, try food you will like it. This book is truly a timeless classic,. Its theme is universal. I think that is why it has had such great staying power over the 50+ years it has been in print.

Here is my favourite rendition of Green Eggs and Ham by the Canadian indie band Moxy Fruvous. Enjoy!

The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan

from goodreads

2.5 stars

It is such a beautiful day. The sky is blue and cloudless and when I look out my front window the orangy yellow of the leaves against the blue is brilliantly breathtaking. Across the street there is a beautiful maple tree whose leaves are the brightest orange. I love how it looks in the sunlight, almost like a the tree is on fire.

I love the cool mornings. I love the pumpkin scented candles that are out now. I love eating pumpkin bread. I just love autumn and all that comes with it. Hopefully we will have another week or so of this gorgeous weather. I could handle it.

Synopsis

Antionette and Marie van Goethem are sisters who are living in poverty in France in the 1800s. While Marie and Charlotte, their younger sister, are sent to the ballet, Antionette becomes an extra on the stage and eventually a laundress. This book follows their struggles of survival, as well as, their struggles for bettering their situation. Are they doomed to be stuck in the squalor they were born in or are they able to rise above it and make something of themselves?

My Thoughts

The book started out really well. It was very interesting and excited to see what was going to happen. About half way through it got a bit tedious and by the end I felt quite indifferent to it and the characters.

I liked learning about the ballet system in Paris. It was interesting to see how those in poverty saw it as their ticket out of their current conditions and would do anything to be successful. The whole abonne system, was quite interesting as well. Rich, married men, carrying on with and sponsoring rising ballet stars. Creepy.

For me I found the book repetitive. Marie, felt she was ugly, and went on and on and on and on about it. I guess, as a teenage girl trying to do her best in a system that truly valued a certain look for ballet, and who was surrounded by other girls all day, it would be something that would be on her mind a lot. But, I just didn't care. The whining about her looks didn't make me feel sympathetic, it just made me want to read through faster to be done.

As for Antoinette, I didn't really like her at the beginning of the book. I liked her a bit more at the end. It was frustrating how blind she was when it came to her love interest. I guess we can all get like that at sometimes but I just found it ridiculous.

I found the ending rather abrupt. You sort of know how their lives ended up, but it left it rather open. It would have been nice to see how they got from the lowest point to where they were at the end. I think that would have been interesting. I also found the last bit a bit confusing. The point of view changed every other page and I wasn't sure what exactly was going on. Was Marie's downward spiral happening in just an afternoon or was this over a course of sometime?

It also would have been nice to explore what happened between Marie and Degas a bit more. I think that might have been interesting.

With historical fiction it's hard because you don't want to be too out there with what you think these real live people said and did. You don't want to insinuate anything that will make historians be up in arms. But at the same time, you do have some license in stretching the truth or showing what might have been. I think I would have liked it if that book took more of that license.

One theme that Buchanan brings out which I think was very interesting was the idea of being able to change ourselves and behaviour. At the time Emile Zola was out with his book and play that stated that certain facial features meant you would be a bad person and if you had these bad facial features you were born just to do bad things and there nothing you could do about it. No matter what good you tried to do eventually you would change end up bad. It was in your nature. While we know facial features don't mean you are good or bad, yet, it can still affect ourselves and those around us. And this whole nature vs. change for the better idea gave some great food for thought.

While others really loved this book it didn't do anything for me. I guess I am glad I read it, but I would have been fine not reading it too. It just was too blah to me. There were some special moments, but they were few and far between.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering

from goodreads

4 stars

So I can probably already hear what you are saying. "Hey where the heck are the picture books?" I promise next week I will be back with the picture books. But this book did have pictures throughout and it is a great one to read out loud, so to be fair, this is kind of like a picture book.

At the tail end of summer it was reading crazy here. I got through so many books. I want to post about the books I read before they get too far away from my memory. I do write down some of my thoughts but when I go to write my posts the book I write my thoughts in always seems to be missing. Seriously, I have elves in my house.

So next Tuesday I promise I will get back to the picture books.

Synopsis

Since his birth there has been something odd about Despereaux. When he falls in love with a human princess named Pea, the rest of the mice feel they must deal with him. It is truly a tale of love, kindness and being accepting of others.

My Thoughts

This has been on my list for quite awhile and I am so glad that I picked it up. It was on the feature wall in our library and I thought, why not. I will be reading this to my girls when they get a little older.

I loved the fantastical world that DiCamillo created. It's like it could be real life but there were some silly parts that made it seem other worldly. Such as, humans not thinking it strange that mice and rats could talk and that they knew the animals could understand them when they talked to them.

I loved the whole conflict of trying to be the same as everyone else, but then staying true to who you are. Despereaux, loves to read the books instead of nibble them. He loves staring at the light through the window instead of quickly running into the mouse hole. He finds love in unlikely places. All this causes conflict with the other mice, as they don't know how to deal with his oddities. This is a great story to introduce the concept of acceptance of those who do and see things differently.

The same for the rat Roscuro. He lives in the dungeon. As a rat he is not supposed to like light, and is always supposed to be mean to those who are thrown into the dungeon. Well one day he sees light, and it changes him.

It was interesting to see how being different affected Despereaux and Roscuro differently.

This book also demonstrates human cruelty in away that doesn't hide it but presents it in a kid friendly way. The character Miggery Sow makes me want to scoop her in my arms and love her.

I love how the author uses big words, stops the story and then either asks you to go look it up in the dictionary or explains it herself. Very cool. It's learning but in a fun and inviting way.

This was a fun book, a light book, a book that will make kids and adults think. This would be a great book to read out loud together. I think if you read it out loud it would be good for ages eight and up. If you were going to have your child read it by themselves I would suggest ages ten and up.