Category: Books Read-2009

The Good Neighbors Book One: Kin Review

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: The Good Neighbors-Book One: Kin
AUTHOR: Holly Black
ILLUSTRATOR: Ted Naifeh
PUB DATE: October 1, 2008 (Hardcover) October 1, 2009 (Trade)

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Rue Silver is about to discover that her life isn’t at all what it appears to be. She returns home one day to find her mother missing — and her father blamed for her disappearance. Did he commit murder? Or is there another truth beneath it all?

As she did so masterfully in The Spiderwick Chronicles and her novels Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside, Holly Black creates a mysterious, dark world full of threat, romance, and illusion this time matched by the amazing imagination of graphic artist Ted Naifeh.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the first time I have ever read a graphic novel. The closest I have ever come to this was comic books when I was a kid. I know that is nothing like this but after reading The Good Neighbors I have to say that I think I have found another genre of books that I am interested in reading and discovering.

I really enjoyed reading book one. It was a quick read (117 pages) and the illustrations were amazing. Even though the cover is in color the illustrations in the book are done in black and white.

Looking at Rue you realize she is a regular teenager (on the outside). She lives at home with her parents (her dad is a professor and her mother is your typical stay at home mom), goes to school, doesn’t have a care in the world,

“I don’t sweat stuff. Worrying just gives you wrinkle lines or stress hives or
an acid stomach you can’t soothe with a whole box of Tums.”

and dates Dale, the lead singer of a rock band. When they aren’t in school Rue, Dale, her friend Lucy and Justin, Lucy’s boyfriend have a weekend tradition of spending their time drinking coffee and then breaking into abandoned buildings that have a history and taking pictures.

She puts on a brave face and lets everyone things nothing bothers her, but then suddenly when her mother up and goes missing for three weeks Rue can’t handle it and begins to crack. Rue has always been different and could never really explain it but thinks she is loosing her mind. Rue sees and hears things. At first they use to be just be out of the corner of her eye, but lately Rue has noticed it happening more and more and right out in the open. Is she imaging things or is it really happening?

On the night they are out breaking into a building they go up to the roof and spot police cars at Rue’s house apparently one of her father’s college students has been found dead and the Police believe Rue’s dad killed her.

When her dad is arrest Amanda, who is a family friend offers to stays with her while her father is in custody. She tells Rue that everything will be okay. Rue knows that everything won’t be okay and she is determined to find out the truth about everything. She soon discovers that in uncovering the truth that it will change her whole world as she knows it.

Is Rue’s dad really a killer? What will Rue do when she discovers that her whole life isn’t what she thought it would be?

This book was provided for review by myself. I bought this book when I heard Holly Black was coming to town.

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.

What Matters Most Review

Posted on by Cindy

TITLE: Diary of a Teenage Girl: What Matters Most (Maya #3)
AUTHOR: Melody Carlson

PUB DATE: September 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Maya’s Green Tip for the Day: Recycled fashion is one of the most fun ways to go green. A pair of jeans could be transformed into a denim skirt. A sweater into a vest. A bunch of old ties into a dress. A blanket into a poncho. Accessorize it in new way–with beads, buttons, appliqués, buckles, stencils, or ribbons…your imagination is only the limit. (65 words)

Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.

To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.

YOU CAN BUY THE BOOK HERE:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421197

MY THOUGHTS:

This is book three in the Maya series and the last in the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. I have to admit that its only been the Maya ones I have read so far but I really want to read the other books in this series. The other books are based on the characters of Caitlin, Chloe and Kim which all coincidentally are mentioned in the Maya series. You don’t have to read those previous books to read the Maya series.

Once again Maya brought her recycling tips at the end of the chapters which I thought were really interesting. It seems like we are always trying to reuse or recycle which is good and we really need to do start and become more aware of what we use and throw away.

Here are three website links that are mentioned in the book:
www.idealbite.com
www.epa.gov ( U.S Environmental Protection Agency)
http://environment.about.com

Maya is sixteen years old and is still living with her uncle. Her dad is still in Europe on tour and her mother is just about to be released from prison. Maya has a lot on her plate and it only gets worse when she has to decide if she wants to wait to graduate or graduate in the summer. She isn’t sure what to but when things get a little stressful with Vanessa making her life miserable she begins to think graduating early might be the solution to the problem. Then if that isn’t enough she has the chance of a life time to be in a band when she discovers that she does have a talent for music. What will her father think of this?

Maya’s mother gets released for prison and is already telling Maya that she owes her. Maya wants nothing to do with her mother and tells her so. Thinking she is okay with that Maya quickly discovers that her mother is in town and begins to panic. How will Maya cope with her mother around?

Maya has alot of choices to make and can she prove to everyone she is capable and old enough to do it all?

I really enjoyed reading this series and looking forward to future books by Melody Carlson.

This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah.

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 Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide Book 1

Posted on by Cindy

TITLE: The Spiderwick Chronicles: Book 1 The Field Guide
AUTHORS: Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi (author/illustrator)
PUB DATE: May 2003

ABOUT THE BOOK:
The first book in a beautifully produced series of five, The Field Guide sets up the story of the Grace children–13-year-old Mallory and 9-year-old twins Jared and Simon–who with their mother move into the dilapidated Spiderwick Estate only to quickly find themselves sucked into a dark and fascinating world of faeries.

Superficially, the Spiderwick Chronicles smack of Lemony Snicket, with its “true story” setup and breathless warnings (“Go away/close the book/put it down/do not look”). But Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black owe no one for the intensely absorbing world they’ve created. Black certainly showed fey promise in her slightly freaky debut and DiTerlizzi has weird cred to spare, from his zany Jimmy Zangwow to countless credits for the Magic: The Gathering card game.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have to admit that I have never heard of Holly Black until I heard she was coming to town on November 4th to the Chapters in Pointe Claire for a three author book signing. She is coming with Scott Westerfeld and Cassandra Clare.

With that being said I went to Chapters to see if I could find her books that I could buy and get her to sign. I managed to pick up The Good Neighbors book 1 and 2 (my reviews are to come tomorrow and Saturday). I also picked up Tithe and that review will be coming up soon.

I have to admit that I really enjoyed this book and I am sure Michael will to as its almost in his age group. I ended up reading this in one sitting as it was a quick read (107 pages). I loved the illustrations that accompanied the book. Tony DiTerlizzi did the illustrations for the book. They added to the story I find.

This is book one in a five book series.

The book opens up with Jared, his twin brother Simon, older sister Mallory and mother Helen moving into his great aunt Lucinda’s dilapidated Victorian mansion. Their father has recently left the family. We also find out that for the very first time Jared got into serious trouble at school he broke another kids nose.

I loved how Jared describes the house upon seeing it for the first time:

“like a dozen shacks had been piled on top of one another”

Its not long that they are in the house when funny things start to happen. Such as strange noises coming from behind the wall. They think its a a squirrel. When they rip the wall apart the think they have found a squirrels nest. Still hearing the noise from what they think is a squirrel the kids continue to look around. The kids quickly discover that the house has a dumbwaiter. Jared climbs in that Mallory controls the cables. Jared discovers of a hidden library.

During the night both Mallory and Simon come under attack their mother quickly jumps to the conclusion that Jared is behind the pranks and believes that Jared is still angry and acting out because the father left.

Jared has to enlist the aid of his siblings if he is going to reveal their mystery attacker who may not be human… or animal and prove to everyone that he isn’t behind the attacks on his sister and brother.

Who and what could it be? Will Jared uncover the truth?

I am really looking forward to picking up the other books in this series as I am sure Michael would love them and I will to

This book was provided for review by myself. I bought this book because Holly Black is coming to town and I wanted to get it signed by her.

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.

I am Neurotic (and so are you) Review

Posted on by Cindy

TITLE: I am Neurotic (and so are you)
AUTHOR: Lianna Kong
PUB DATE: May 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Based on the popular, hilarious website of the same name, I am Neurotic is a smorgasbord of anonymous confessions and wacky photographs that reveal people’s deepest neuroses. Author Lianna Kong has collected the best neuroses from the blog, as well as previously unreleased submissions, demonstrating how neurotic behavior is highly amusing, shocking at times, and ultimately a great human equalizer.

Did you wash your hands?
Set the alarm clock?
Lock the front door?

Better yet: Do you like even numbers? Do you fold all of your trash neatly into squares? Do you count steps? Do you carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you at all times? Everyone has his or her own neuroses. On a routine trip to the office bathroom, Lianna Kong discovered one of hers: “How could I possibly pee with my coworker sitting right next to me doing her business?” And, in that quiet moment of panic, iamneurotic.com was born.

i am neurotic (and so are you) is a smorgasbord of anonymous confessions that reveal people’s deepest, strangest, and funniest compulsions—quirks that are triggered in the boardroom, the bedroom, and everywhere in between.

MY THOUGHTS:

I had to laugh when I received this book as it came with a travel sized bottle of Purell. Which I have to admit has come in handy recently with H1N1 and flu season upon us.

I have to say I loved this book. Its filled with annonymous confessions of real life people. There is photos to accompany each confession and that was done by Matthew Stacey.

Admit it we all have some strange and funny and perhaps weird quirks we do in our daily lives? I know I do and you might be surprised to know some of mine. As I was going through this very quick read/book I realized that others do share them with me or at least one other person in this world.

Here are some of my quirks, what are yours? Do you share the same ones?

-I have a think about numbers that has to end in zero. Mainly when I am pumping gas. If it stops at $38.45 I continue to pump until its at $40.00

-I wait until right before i got out the door before putting on my pants and then as soon as I get home I take them off because I can’t get comfortable lounging with them. Needless to say I wear pj bottoms all the time.

-Everytime I go into the bathroom and the shower curtain is closed I have to punch it to make sure no one is behind it.

-I can’t fall asleep if my closet door is open even if its a little bit. I feel as though I am being watched.

-When I mail letters in the mailbox I have to check it at least 3-4 times before walking away from it.

-If I eat smarties or M&Ms I always have to check the color before I eat it and no I don’t eat the red ones last.

Those are just a few of mine that are similiar to the book.

The book is divided into ten sections. All the annonymous confessions are grouped according the the title. Some of the section titles are: can’t touch this, wiped, law and order, jedi mind tricks and it’s not you, it’s me.

If you are neurotic or know someone who is this would make a great book to give them. It was funny and entertaining to read them.

You can also check out the website at www.iamneurotic.com

To see the photographers site you can see it at www.matthewstacey.com

This book was provided for review by Harper Studio (Harper Collins). Thank you for sending me this great book to read and review. I really enjoyed it.

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.

Medina Hill Review and Tour & Give Away

Posted on by Cindy


PUB DATE: October 13 2009

This is day two of the Medina Hill/Tundra Book Tour.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
In the grimy London of 1935, eleven-year-old Dominic Walker has lost his voice. His mother is sick and his father’s unemployed. Rescue comes in the form of his Uncle Roo, who arrives to take him and his young sister, Marlo, to Cornwall. There, in a boarding house populated by eccentric residents, Marlo, who keeps a death grip on her copy of The New Art of Cooking, and Dominic, armed with Incredible Adventures for Boys: Colonel Lawrence and the Revolt in the Desert, find a way of life unlike any they have known. Dominic’s passion for Lawrence of Arabia is tested when he finds himself embroiled in a village uprising against a band of travelers who face expulsion. In defending the vulnerable, Dominic learns what it truly means to have a voice.

Trilby Kent brilliantly handles a far-off time and place to present a story of up-to-the-minute relevance.

MY THOUGHTS:
I love discovering new authors especially debut authors and Trilby Kent fits right into this category. This is her debut YA novel. She is from Toronto but currently resides in London, England.

I have to admit that when I picked the book up to read I discovered that it was a historical fiction book which really hasn’t been a genre of interest for me but I admit I was pleasantly surprised once I began to read it. The book takes place in England in the 1930s.

Medina Hill is about two siblings, a brother (Dominic) and sister (Marlo) and their summer vacation at their Uncle Roo’s in Cornwall. Their uncle suggests that the kids go with him to Cornwall so that their mother can rest since she is sick and their father will be working and there is no one there to take care of them.

I enjoyed reading about Marlo she is a quirky girl. She uses her mothers cookbook to distract herself because her mother is very sick. Although she never cooks anything from the cookbook right away she reads it.

Dominic is very nervous around people he doesn’t know and that is evident in the book because whenever someone speaks to him he clams up. Nothing can make him speak in their presence. Even with some people that he does know he is still very nervous around them, I wonder why?

While they are waiting for the train to come Dominic and Uncle Roo walk around and stumble upon a bookstore. Its there that Dominic picks up Incredible Adventures for Boys: Colonel Lawrence and the Revolt in the Desert. Its not until he is at his uncle’s that he starts to read the book.

At their uncle’s boarding house they quickly discover that the group of people living there are all quite unique and different. There is Otto, Reverend Cleary and Birdie. Dominic quickly discovers that there is a connection between the Reverend and the book he is reading. Will be able to figure out what the Reverend knows?

There is alot of characters and alot going on in this book and I thought it was too bad that the other characters couldn’t have been explored more. I would have loved to know their story and why they were there.

I have to admit it was nice to see that Dominic made the connection with Sancha and that relationship was explored. It was nice to see that he felt comfortable around her to speak finally. He stepped out of his comfort zone to help her out in the end which was really nice.

Over all I was really impressed and looking forward to reading more by Trilby in the future.

I have to say that I really liked the cover of the book with the picture of the boy sitting on a suitcase and then the picture at the bottom that is in all black of a traveling family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Trilby Kent was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in cities on both sides of the Atlantic. After completing degrees at Oxford University and The London School of Economics, she worked in the rare books department at a prominent auction house before turning to writing feature articles for publication in Europe and North America. She now lives in London, England. Medina Hill is Trilby Kent’s first novel.

These blogs are on the tour schedule today:
Kerry from http://www.shelfelf.wordpress.com
Melissa from http://www.librarianbyday.blogspot.com
Melanie from http://www.melanies–musings.blogspot.com
Lauren from http://www.laurenscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com

CONTEST TIME:
If this book sounds interesting and you would like the chance to win a copy I have been given the opportunity to give away 1 book to one of my lucky readers. Please note that you must have a valid mailing address. Sorry NO PO Boxes. Make sure when you comment that you leave your email address so that I have a way to contact you should you be a winner.

Thanks to Sylvia for asking me to read and review this book and for allowing me to be a part of the first ever Tundra Book Tour. Looking forward to being a part of future Tundra Book Tours.

This book was provided for review by Tundra Books.

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.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Seeing is Believing Review

Posted on by Cindy

PUB DATE: August 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
This all new 6th title in the best selling Ripley’s Believe It or Not! annual series, is a compendium of incredible bizarre facts, stories, interviews and features all presented in a stunning bright new design.

This year’s book also features icons that guide readers to astounding video clips on our new fully-integrated website, where they can see some of our subjects in action. Also, a dramatic eight-page gatefold section presents some extraordinary performers of the past, and additional black and white Ripley archive photographs feature throughout the book.

Be amazed at the dentist with no arms, the snake that swallowed a wallaby, an
underwater sculptor and a four-eared cat! For the legions of dedicated Ripley’s fans, and anyone else on the planet who loves unbelievable facts and jaw-dropping images, the latest annual in this successful series is a feast of delights.

MY THOUGHTS:

I remember when I use to work at Coles book store that I loved the day that the shipments for Ripley’s would come in. Myself and the rest of the staff would go through this book from front to back during our shifts. We always would put a little display of this on the cash.

Although I haven’t worked at Coles in many years I would always try to get to Chapters and look through the book. Now I actually have my own copy and I enjoyed looking and reading through this book. Michael enjoyed looking at the pictures too.

I didn’t realize that Ripley’s had 31 museums around the world. They are located in England (2), New York and 18 other locations in the US, 2 in Canada ( I have been to the one in Cavendish PEI several years ago), Australia, India, Denmark, Malaysia, Mexico (2), Thailand and Kuwait. Have you been to one?

The book is divided into twelve sections: Strange but True, Extreme Earth, Incredible feats, Unusual Customs, Crazy Creatures, Travel Tales, Fanatastic Food, Body Oddity, Strange Sites, Artistic License, Amazing Science and Beyond Belief. All filled with great facts and pictures.

I have to say that the Artistic license was my favorite section of the whole book. There is a Georgian artist who takes old books and seals them and then turns them into works of art. They are truly beautiful works of art. Michael enjoyed the pictures of the balloon art. We also enjoyed the light graffiti which you can see here: http://ripleybooks.com/annuals/2010/extras/187

There is so many great facts throughout the book and so many amazing and strange people in the world. One of the strange things is that in India they use leeches to cure a variety of aliments including blood and immunity disorders. Another thing is there is a dentist in Indonesia who has no formal training and has learned from what he has read and he has no hands. Yea that will be one dentist I won’t go to. The guy in the picture actually looks scared. I would be too.

There is so much in this book that I could blog about it all day but I can’t so if you are curious then I have to say go and pick up this book so you can see for youself. This would make a great Christmas gift.

http://www.ripleys.com/ and you can see some amazing pictures and videos here: http://www.ripleybooks.com/

Thanks to Carolina at Wellons Communication for sending this great book to me.

This book was provided for review by Ripley Publishing (Wellons Communication) .

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.

Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms Review

Posted on by Cindy

Title: Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms
AUTHOR: Jane Doiron
PUB DATE: September 2009

Thanks to Pump Up Your Book Promotion for allowing me to take part in this virtual tour of this great cookbook.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Cookbook consists of 140 family-favorite make-ahead recipes, which are recipes that can be frozen ahead, assembled ahead, or cooked ahead and reheated. The cookbook’s recipes are a combination of all three.

The Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms cookbook includes recipes for freezable meals like Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs, Sloppy Joe’s, Chicken Noodle Soup and Hearty Chili. Recipes for frozen marinated meats such as Teriyaki Chicken, Thai Chicken and Taco Meat allow for quick meals on busy nights. The make-ahead strategy assures that with a freezer stocked with make-ahead meals, busy moms will spend less time at the grocery store and less money on unhealthy prepared or take-out food.

Jane Doiron’s goal was to seek out main dish, family-favorite recipes that could be modified into make ahead meals without sacrificing the food’s taste and texture by freezing. After years of home-testing recipes, Jane has compiled this must-have cookbook with specific make-ahead directions. In addition, Jane includes her best recipes for clever side dishes, flavorful appetizers and luscious desserts. Imagine opening your freezer to pick out a family-favorite appetizer, main dish, or dessert, and all you have to do is thaw and heat it!

By making meals in advance, when time does permit, busy moms will be rewarded with quick home-cooked meals, appetizers, or desserts, when they really need them.

MY THOUGHTS:
I am going to go on record and say I love reviewing cookbooks. I usually don’t buy cookbooks because they are expensive but when given the chance to review them I am all over it and can’t wait to get them.

I was so excited to get this one because this one says I could save time, money, effort and still have delicious meals. I love trying new recipes because it takes something ordinary like chicken, pork etc and turn it into something new and exciting.

Honestly if you are like me you get tired of the same foods and are looking for something new well this is the cookbook for you or even to give as a gift.

Not only does this book offer 140 recipes but also there are some helpful tips and measurement equivalents. Jane also breaks the recipes down into what you can make ahead of time and how you can freeze it.

Another great thing about the cookbook is the ingredients are all easy to find and if your store doesn’t have that extact brand or type you can easily substitute for something similiar.

The only down side of the cookbook was there was no pictures to accompany the recipes apart from the front and back covers. With that being said just reading the recipes you could picture them in your mind.

Jane as included recipes for appetizers, breakfast & brunch, desserts, soups, side and main dishes. I have tried several recipes and looking forward to the holidays when we have company over to try some of the appetizers.

To date from the cookbook I have made:

– Bruschetta (we loved this recipe)
– Banana Bread, Bran Muffins,
– Hawaiian Bread (for this I ended up substituting macadamia nuts for walnuts as I had everything on had apart from the macadamia nuts, it was still very good)
-Mini Banana Chocolate chip Muffins (although I made these in regular muffin tins)
-Strawberry bread, Chocolate Fudge (this recipe is very similar to the one I make every Christmas)
-Oatmeal Cookies,
-Chicken Parmesan,
-Meat Pies,
-Mini Meatloaves,
-Sloppy Joes (this was great to see in the book as we love Sloppy Joes and I can only find the cans in NB and in Ontario so I usually stock up when I got but now I can make it from scratch)

I am looking forward to trying many more recipes from this great cookbook.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jane Doiron is a busy working mom of two boys. She is an Elementary School teacher with a passion for cooking and experimenting with recipes. With her busy schedule, Jane has found that make-ahead meals (meals prepared in advance) are time-savers, money-savers and are the best alternatives to eating “take-out”, which is not usually a healthy meal choice. Jane’s cookbook is the result of her years of seeking out new recipes, experimenting with family-favorite recipes, and turning them into make-ahead meals.

For more information visit: www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com

This book was provided for review by OUTSKIRTS PRESS .

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.