Month: November 2010

(Review) A Scary Tale

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: RBI Fact or Fiction A Scary Tale
PAGES: 128
PUBLISHER: Ripley’s Books
PUB DATE: May 2010

SOURCE: I picked up a ARC of this book when I was at BEA in May/10.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Mission: Believe it or not, sightings of a strange reptilian creature have been reported by witnesses in the Florida Everglades. Investigate the accuracy of these accounts and collect factual information for the Ripley database.

Location: Florida, USA

The Florida swamplands are home to hungry gators, wild electrical storms, and a most unusual creature. Sightings of a strange lizard-like animal reach Ripley High and the RBI are sent to investigate. During their search, the RBI agents find themselves in the middle of a high-speed air boat chase, a swarm of rats, a mysterious treasure hunt, and DUL agents in disguise. But then, that’s nothing unusual when you’re a member of the RBI!

MY THOUGHTS:
This is the first book in a ten book series. I think this would be a great series of books for the middle graders.

The main characters Kobe, Zia, Max, Kate, Alek, Li, and Jack all attend Ripley High which is a school for kids with special abilities as we discovery slowly in the books. In this first book A Scary Tale we see that three of the characters (Zia, Kobe and Jack) have special abilities which are talking to animals, and dealing with the weather. I think that the kids with the most powerful abilities are granted permission to take part in missions because at the beginning of the book Max is talking about wishing he was on another mission and Zia tells him to be quiet so no one will hear him.

In each of the books the kids will travel all over the world to investigate strange sightings.

In A Scary Tale, Zia, Kobe and Jack all travel to Florida to go to the Everglades to investigate a sighting of a lizard like creature. While there they encounter some problems with another school called the DUL (Department of Unbelievable Lies). They are out to show and prove that all the strange sightings are all lies.

Before the kids leave for their mission they research their location and get as much info as they can. One teacher will provide the geography and another will be their electronic expert providing them with night vision goggles and thermal imager. Once there they will ride an air boat. Its the only way into the Everglades.

Upon interviewing some witnesses they team realizes something isn’t right and quickly realize that DUL is behind it. Will they be able to find this lizard like creature before DUL can prove that there is nothing there?

I managed to read this book rather quickly because at the end of every chapter there was a little cliff hanger and for me it left me wanting to read more to find out what was going to happen next.

Another thing I loved about the book was through out the book there was a drawing of the R-phone and it gave strange facts along the way such as:

The Florida Everglades are home to over 1 million alligators! The longest recorded length for an alligator in that area is 17 feet 6 inches that as long as a giraffe is tall. It is estimated that there are also 500 rare American crocodiles living in the Everglades.

Lightening strikes Florida more than any other state in the US about 12 strikes per square kilometer per year. Of all the US recorded hurricanes 36% hit Florida.

At the end of the book there is a section called Enter the Strange World of Ripley’s and there is information about the Everglades and the real people behind the story. There is also some collector cards included. Which Michael loved.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Green Books Campaign: Canning & Preserving

Posted on by Cindy

This review is part of the Green Books campaign.Today 200 bloggers take a stand to support books printed in an eco-friendly manner by simultaneously publishing reviews of 200 books printed on recycled or FSC-certified paper. By turning a spotlight on books printed using eco- friendly paper, we hope to raise the awareness of book buyers and encourage everyone to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books.

The campaign is organized for the second time by Eco-Libris, a green company working to make reading more sustainable. We invite you to join the discussion on “green” books and support books printed in an eco-friendly manner! A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.


TITLE: Homemade Living Canning and Preserving: All you need to know to make Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Chutneys and more
AUTHOR: Ashley English
PUB DATE: April 2010
PAGES: 136

SOURCE: Sterling Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Yes, you CAN! More and more people have discovered what grandma always knew: canning and preserving supplies you with wholesome, tasty treats year round. And this Homemade Living guide provides all the practical, hold-your-hand basics along with plenty of step-by-step photos, and 20 unique seasonal recipes created by the author.

Learn about the necessary tools of the trade, crucial safety tips, and hot water bath processing and pressure canning. Discover the all-important science of salt and sugar, and how to select the best possible ingredients, favoring seasonal, organic, and local options. Three topic-specific primers cover pickles, relishes and chutneys; jams, jellies, butters and curds; and whole fruits and veggies—and each offers at least two “Canning Classic” recipes with variation ideas.

MY THOUGHTS:
This book is FSC Chain-of-Custody certified and has been printed and bound in a responsible manner using recycled materials and agri-based inks.

(While most inks are still petroleum-based, some ink manufacturers now substitute renewable and biodegradable resources (such as soy, linseed, and corn oils) for most or all of the petroleum. Vegetable oil replacement ink meets the same specifications as petroleum-based ink, and it does not release a significant volume of VOCs into the air when it dries. Agri-based inks are produced without toxins and biodegrade, effectively eliminating environmental, health and safety hazards.)

As a book blogger getting a list of 200 books to choose from is rather hard. What to choose? Scrolling the list my decision became easy once I spotted the Home Made Living Canning and Preserving book.

I love the idea of canning and preserving food. Sadly every year it seems like I say “Oh I really should start” but the farthest I get is pickling beets (our favorite). I have to admit though I think the reason I only get as far as the beets is because honestly I don’t know alot about canning and preserving. Growing up my mother attempted to can but they never turned out and I think I am afraid to put all the effort into it and it not turning out but I think after reading this book I am determined to do it next year.

I was extremely impressed with this book and its inspired me to want to can now. Not only does Ashley take the mystery out of canning but she explains everything so well and makes it easy to understand that it makes you want to run out and start canning.

Another great think about the book apart from the great photos is that she showcases Portraits of a Canner and they are every day people who can and come from all walks of life. You realize how diverse canning really is and how important it is.

In the first half of the book Ashley talks about equipment and the process of canning safely in detail. The second half of the book is filled with delicious recipes that are typical canning recipes like: strawberry jam, grape jelly, crushed tomatoes or pickles. There is also the seasonal recipe section which is interesting and contains recipes like: Strawberry and Vanilla Sauce, Cherry and Lemon Thyme Marmalade, Tomato Basil Sauce, and Cardamom Apple Cider Butter. I love that the recipes are easy to follow.

I think this is a great book for the first time or beginners who are interested in canning. I know personally for me since having a child I am more aware of the things that go into foods and honestly its a little scary when you can’t pronounce half of whats in them. I want a healthy alternative to that and I think canning and preserving the summer and fall harvest are the way to go.

You can check out Ashley’s blog by clicking on Small Measure.

I preserve beets every year and we love them. Do you can?

My Beet Recipe
-Wash beets and boil whole. Boil until soft. This could take up to two hours.
-Prepare mason jars and put two whole cloves in each jar.
-to make brine: In a pot boil 1 cup vinegar with 1 cup sugar and bring to a boil. Stirring constantly.
-When beets are cooked run under cold water and peel of the skin. Cut beets into chunks (or how ever you want to cut them)
-Pour the brine over the beets and seal.

Lids will pop when they are sealed.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

The 2010 Green Books Campaign

Posted on by Cindy

Last year Eco-Libris launched The Green Book Campaign and they sent out a call for bloggers to take part. For some reason I thought I had taken part but can’t find my post about it. So when I got the email this year I made it a point to join this worth while cause.

Today at 1pm I will part of the 200 bloggers who will take a stand to support books printed on environmental paper by simultaneously publishing reviews of 200 such books. This number is double from last year.

You can click on this LINK to find out more about the campaign and see the 200 bloggers who are taking part in this event and read their reviews.

This year Indigo Partners with Eco-Libris to Promote Green Books. I was pleasantly surprised when I do an advance search on the Indigo site that there is even a little box I can check off to find out if the book I want is Printed on FSC/Recycled Content. How cool is that?

So don’t forget to check back today at 1pm to see what book I will be reviewing for the Green Book Campaign.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

(Review) The Allegra Biscotti Collection

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: The Allegra Biscotti Collection book 1
AUTHOR: Olivia Bennett
PAGES: 256
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
PUB DATE: November 2010

SOURCE: I obtained an ARC of the book when I went on a tour of Sourcebooks. Thanks to Paul for putting this book in my hands.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Emma Rose is SO not a diva.

She doesn’t want her turn on the catwalk—she’d rather be behind the scenes creating fabulous outfits! So when a famous fashionista discovers Emma’s designs and offers her the opportunity of a lifetime—a feature in Madison magazine (squeal!)—Emma sort of, well, panics. She has only one option: to create a secret identity.

And so Allegra Biscotti is born.

Allegra is worldly, sophisticated, and bold—everything Emma is not. But the pressure is on. And Emma quickly discovers juggling school, a new crush, friends, and a secret identity might not be as glamorous as she thought.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is the first book in a new series by Olivia Bennett. I am not sure how many books are planned for the series but I did find out that book two Allegra Biscotti: Who What Wear comes out in June 2011.

When I first got this book in August I wanted to read it right away because it sounded good but I managed to put it away so that I could read it closer to the release date.

I just have to say that my ARC cover is the same as the finished copy. I love the cover and it goes so very well with the book. Looking at it you see that its just like a sketch pad. Specking of sketching through out the book there is sketches and doodles on all the pages which I loved.

Well I picked up this book this morning and read it all today. I had a hard time to put it down.

I also loved that along with the chapters being numbered they were also titled so it gave you some what of an idea what the chapter would be about.

Okay about the book, Emma Rose is a grade eight student at a private school that her mother teaches at. Emma is like your typical girl who loves clothes and being unique and creative in what she wears but the thing that sets her apart is that one day she is hoping to make it big and become a designer. We learn right away that she has a game she plays every morning when she is on the subway to school and that is to design an outfit from the time she gets on the subway until her stop for school. She must take one item from people to make it an wow outfit. So Emma is always sketching.

At her father’s company Laceland she has a little studio set up where she puts her drawings into real pieces of clothing. One day Paige Young, who is a senior fashion editor of her favorite magazine, Madison, is in her father’s company looking at laces for her wedding dress. On her way out she spots Emma’s creations. She loves them and is curious to know the designer. A panicked Emma makes up a name and hopes that will be the end of it but its not Paige is intrigued by the pieces and wants to work with the designer.

What will Emma do? Can she pull of the scheme before its too late? What will happen when she is found out?

When Emma is not creating and designing she is at school. Struggling with her grades, a crush on a popular boy (Jackson) and loosing her best friend Holly to the popular girls known as the Ivana Bees. Will Emma be able to keep it all or will the secret identity and the secrets blow up?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

(Review) Alfred Zector, Book Collector

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: Alfred Zector, Book Collector
AUTHOR: Kelly DiPucchio
ILLUSTRATOR:Macky Pamintuan
PUB DATE: April 2010
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins
PAGES: 32 Hardcover Kids book

SOURCE: I actually borrowed this book from the library on a recent visit.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
In his warm, weathered house, stuffed in crannies and nooks, were heaps, rows, and stacks of beloved bound books.

The only thing that brings Alfred Zector joy is collecting books. And so he sets out on a mission to collect every last one, until his home on the hill is stretched at the seams with books big and small. But what happens when the rest of the townspeople have nothing left to read? In this clever rhyming story, Alfred Zector discovers what it means to find true joy in a good book.

MY THOUGHTS:
This book called out to me one day on a recent visit to my local library. I think all us book lovers really need to read this one as its something that we can all relate to.

The story is about a boy named Alfred Zector who is a book collector and he has books all over his house (like we all know we do as I can relate to this) in every nook and cranny. He was a shy boy that was always trying to fit in but never could. He found comfort and companionship in books.

As he grew older so did his piles of books (like us). With spacing running out he was starting to put books in his cupboards, fridge etc. Alfred thought that he would be happy after one more book but he wasn’t he needed more. Sound familiar?

His obession with books grew and grew but he was still never happy and he resorted to trading his shiny bike for a book because he had taken all the books that the town had. He was happy he had all the books but wasn’t really happy and decided that he must read them all and that he did. What he didn’t realize was that the town was uphappy.

When he finally read all the books in his house. He sat back to think. He was a tired old man now and was housebond. He realized that his once joyful life was now filled with doom and that basically the books were the death of him and felt that there was something missing from his life. So being housebond and blocked in from his books his only way out was by the chimney. It was then that it hit him about what was missing.

My favorite quote in the book was:

“The best kinds of books are the books that are shared.”

I have to agree with that quote and I can honestly say I do share my books and pass them on. I have to say that I think I am like Alfred with his way of thinking about just getting that one more book but that never ends with just one more right?

Looking around I don’t think my house is like his but I do have full to capacity book cases and piles of books and I should stop buying because at this rate I will never get to read them all in my life time but I just can’t help myself.

Don’t forget to check out the author and illustrator’s websites.
Kelly DiPucchio’s website
Macky Pamintuan’s website

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Holiday Spirit

Posted on by Cindy

For some reason I just noticed that this time next month I will be celebrating my 40th birthday. Its hard to believe as it honestly just feels like yesterday I was turning 30.

I also realized how fast Christmas is approaching with all the holiday commericals on tv and the huge publi sac (weekly flyers/advertising) was much thicker this week then last week.

This week I happened to notice that the Secret Santa sign ups are being posted and I decided that I was going to take part. I love getting things in the mail, other then bills and its nice to give back and share the love within the blogging community.


Last year was the first time I took part in the holiday swap and I had alot of fun doing it. You can click on here to see what I got.

The Holiday Swap form is posted and you have until November 14th to sign up.


This one I found via an email from Avis. If giving a gift is out of your budget this year why not take part in a Christmas Card Exchange? Sign ups close on November 11th. I have done Christmas card exchanges in the past and always had a ton of fun doing them.

To find out more info head on over to the Book Bloggers Holiday Card Exchange.

I discovered Jamie’s blog The Broke and The Bookish from her weekly meme Top Ten Tuesday that I occassionally take part in. When I saw this I decided that I was going to take part.

This is what I am taking part in this holiday season, what about you?

Do you know of any other exchanges happening? If so leave it in my comments.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

(Review) Too Much Stuff

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: Too Much Stuff
AUTHOR: Robert Munsch
ILLUSTRATOR: Michael Martchenko
PUB DATE: September 2010
PUBLISHER: Scholastic

SOURCE: I received Too Much Stuff from Scholastic to read and review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Temina is excited about taking a trip on an airplane, and super-excited to include ALL of her toys and dolls on the trip as well. Until mom says: “You can bring just ONE doll.” Impossible! How is she going to pick just ONE? She hatches a top secret plan and sneaks more than one toy into the airport and onto the plane. While everyone around her gawks, Temina proudly displays her beloved companions. Word spreads quickly to other children on the plane, who feel lonely without their own dolls. Temina is happy to lend out her treasures. The flight becomes a happy memory for Temina and her family, and even more so months later when her generosity is rewarded in the most surprising way! Like Temina”s dolls bursting out of her backpack, this new story by Robert Munsch is bursting with humour and surprises at every turn, beautifully enhanced by the delightful artwork of Michael Martchenko!

MY THOUGHTS:
We love Robert Munsch books. We have read them all, I believe so we were really excited to hear about this newest book Too Much Stuff. A subject all parents can relate to.

I have to admit I cringe when I think about family vacations because I know if I let Michael dictate and pack his own bag we would probably end bringing every single toy he has (which is probably enough to fill a moving van). So far the farthest we have travelled with him was to Prince Edward Island and Chicago and both times were rough because there was stuff that he just didn’t want to leave behind.

So what I tend to do is tell him that he can only bring a back pack and the only rule is that he has to bring items that will entertain him the whole trip and that once he has packed it that I am going to go through it to check. Thankfully he is pretty good but he does try to sneak additional things in when your not looking.

Just like Temina does. In a parents eye it seems like the kids have 500 of everything but Temina knows exactly how many of each item she has and is quick to tell her mother that. As far as her mother knows Temina only has one doll and one toy with her but what the mother doesn’t know that her back pack is filled with toys and dolls.

At the airport she won’t let anyone help her carry her back pack no matter who it is even the security can’t search her bag because she is afraid they will find out what is in her back pack so instead they xray it just to be sure.

Its only once they get on the plane that her mother and everyone else knows what is in that huge back pack. Thankfully Temina isn’t selfish and willing to share her toys because before you know she is sharing them with the other kids on the plane.

This is a great story for kids to read. I loved that Temina was willing to share and it didn’t bother her that she didn’t get the toys back because she knew she would get some more from her grandmother. Then a few months later she gets a unexpected surprise in the mail. What could it be?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.