City of Fallen Angels review

  

City of Fallen Angles by Cassandra Clare

Type: Young Adult fantasy

 

Synopsis: Book Four of the Mortal Instrument series. Continuing the Clary, Jade, and Simon story lines.

Review: I liked it, but not as much as the other books that I've read in the series. It seemed to be lacking some of the quality the other books had. I almost want to say it was written just to continue the story so the author could keep writing books, not to grow the characters. Like I said I liked it but it just seems to be missing something.

3 out of 5 stars.

The Iron Queen review

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Type: young adult fantasy

Synopsis: This is book 4 of the Iron Fey series. I'm having problems writing synopsis for series giving the whole series away.

Review: I'm still loving this series, so if this is your type of book please, please give this series a try.

4 out of 5 stars.
 

A Breath of Snow and Ashes Review

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

Type: adult historical fiction, time-travel

Synopsis: This is book 6 of the Outlander series, same character and place as the last one.

Review: Out of the 7 books that I've read from this author all from this series. I found that I liked this one the least. Not that it was a bad book at all. In fact I still enjoyed it. But I felt it covered such a large time frame and then just hit the highlights. 



3.5 out of 5 stars

2011 Book Review

My reading goal for 2011 was to read 52 books or a book a week. I ended up reading 69 books. A few of them I didn't finish though. And this also The point of this goal was to get through some of the books on my  to read list. Infertility my to read list has started to grow uncontrollably, thanks to GoodReads recommendations.

Some of the highlights of the year:

• 7  books that I rated 5 starts
• 8 books that I tried but didn't finish
• My top pick for YA novel :   

 

• My  tip pick for Adult novel:

 So what was your favorite book or least favorite book of 2011? Any must read book for 2012?

Black Dudly Review

The Black Dudley Murder by Margery Allingham

Type: mystery

Synopsis: Dr. Abbershaw is attending a weekend house party, in a dark manor in England. During the first night one of the hosts is killed. There are all sorts twist in the events following, including a little romance. In here were are also introduced to Albert Campion, who only plays a minor part in this book but goes on to play the main character in other books.

Review: This book was originally published in 1929. So think of Agatha Christie type murder mystery. I found this to be a nice old fashioned English  murder mystery. Some of the parts didn't flow very well. Even though this is listed as an Albert Campion mystery, the main character and the one who is follows the mystery from start to finish is Dr. Abbershaw.

2.5 out of 5 stars. 

Vixen Review

Vixen by Lillian Larkin

Type: young adult historical fiction

Synopsis: Book one of The Flappers series. This is the story of three young women living in Chicago during the twenties. You have Gloria who is engaged to a man from a powerful family, but who wants to be part of the flapper crowd. Then there's Lorraine who is tired of being in Gloria's shadow. And lastly there is Clara, Gloria cousins, who is trying to hide her past, of a flapper living in New York, by being a good girl.

Review:  The first part of this book was a little slow, but when you are reading from three points of view it always takes me a little while to get into the story. I thought I was an okay read and I will probably try another book in this series to see what happens to our characters. 

2.5 out of 5 stars.

44 Scotland Street review

44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith

Type: fiction

Synopsis: Pat starting a new job and is looking for a flat to share. She ends up sharing a flat with Bruce. There are also many other characters in the book that you meet and spend time with.


Review: This was originally published as an on going series in a newspaper, so all the chapters are short. I had a hard time reading this, because of that. I probably would have loved to read it, in the newspaper, though. But as a book I found all the characters a little distracting. I do have to admit this was another book that I just couldn't finish. If I had more time with it I probably would have, as it is not a bad book, just something I couldn't concentrate on right now.

1.5 out of 5 stars.

November Best of Kid Books

  

This has got to be one of my favorite kids books that I've read in a long time. It's The Man in the Moon by William Joyce. This is part of a new series called: The Guardians of Childhood. It is the first book and this one is a picture book. And it tells the story of the Man in the Moon. It has wonderful pictures and the story was wonderful too. Down fall, it's not one for the little ones. But I read it to Monkey and she liked, and it was also interesting enough for the adult that was reading it as well. This is one I bought for our collection. I also got the second book to the series Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King. We haven't finished this one yet as is a chapter book for independent readers. I'll let you know how that one goes.

Caribou Island review

Caribou Island by David Vann

Type: Adult fiction

Synopsis: Gary and Irene have been married for thirty years and now their marriage is at it's end. They are blaming the other for how things have worked out. But during this time they are building a cabin on a remote island in Alaska.
     We also meet Rhonda and Mark, Gary and Irene's children. Jim who is Rhonda's boyfriend. Monique and Carl a couple that have come to explore Alaska.

Review: I found the book to be very sad and depressing and almost all of the characters to be dislikable or very bitter. The ending left you hanging on how the climax would effect the characters that were still left in this remote area Alaska. I found it to be an interesting read, but not something I enjoyed all that much. There was no light or happiness in the book.

2 out of 5 stars.

My Reading Life review

My Reading Life by Pat Conroy


Type: non-fiction


Synopsis: Pat talks of books and how they have shaped his life.


Review: This is another book that I didn't finish, not that it was a bad book by any means. In fact it was pretty good. I had a hard time deciding not to continue reading it. But it flowed along nicely. Nothing really stood out to me. I probably would have finished it if wasn't a library book, or if I didn't have half a dozen other books sitting at home waiting for me to read. I did in fact stop reading this book to read two other books that I just couldn't wait to read. There was nothing exciting or that enticed me to pick it up instead of watching TV. Would make a great filler book.

2 out of 5 stars

The Rose Garden Review

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

Type: fiction

Synopsis: After her sister's death Eva returns to Cornwall, a place where she spent her childhood summers. Trying to find a place where she can call home. Some how she finds herself jumping back and forth in time, from her present time to 1715.

Review:  I loved this book. I finished it in just over 24 hours. It takes for all the things I love to read about: other places, other times, some danger/adventure, a little bit of magic and toss in some romance for good measure. Seem to make a wonderful book for me. This is a pretty light read, though. 

5 out of 5 stars.

October Best of Kid Books

We didn't get through a whole lot of kid books this month. I know we read but not a lot of them stood out. Some were just read because we needed something short. On the plus side Squirm who is now 2 and half, has decided she likes to be read to at bedtime. Granted it mean crawling into her bed with her and reading, as she doesn't like sitting still long enough to be cuddle up with a book in the living room. She also likes looking at book in bed when she supposed to be going to sleep. So come morning time there is often a dozen books or so in bed with her. Can't blame her I like going to bed with a book too.

This is one of the books that did stand out for me this month. ZooZical by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Marc Brown. In brief its about what the zoo animals get up to during the long, boring winter time.

I liked it a lot. The pictures were cute and the story read like a poem.

So did you have any books that you or your kids enjoyed this month? I'm always looking for books to read with the girls.

Erak's Ransom review

Erak's Ransom by John Flanagan

Type: young adult, adventure, fantasy?

Synopsis: This is book 7 in the Ranger's Apprentice series. Timeline wise though it come between book 4 and 5. Will is at the end of his time as Halt's apprentice. And they are off on a new adventure to help their friend Erak, who has been taken hostage.

Review: I really like this series of books. They are a nice little adventure series, with knights and rangers and what not. This book would have been a lot better as the 5th book in the series, where it fits in the timeline. There is no worry about the characters because you know that the they all come out at then end, because they were in the previous books or at least mentioned. Still I really enjoyed reading it. 

3.75 out of 5 stars.

City of Glass Review

City of Glass by Classandra Clare

Type: Young Adult, Fantasy, paranormal

Synopsis: Clary and Jace and Simon are still trying to deal with all the new changes in their lives. Jace is trying to protect Clary by leaving her behind. And the Cleve is on the brink of war.

Review: So far my favorite book out of the series. So many of the ends are coming to together. Lots of emotions going on.

5 out of 5 stars.

Sink Reflections review

Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley

Type: self-help, cleaning, organizing

Synopsis: Marla helps us set up routines and to take baby-steps to clean and organize our homes.

Review: Good thoughts for most of this. I only read about a third of the book and just scanned through the rest. All of the info can be found on her website. Which is why I'm giving the book such a low rating. 


1 out of 5 stars

The Iron Daughter review

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Type: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis: Book 2 of the Iron Fey series. After learning she's the daughter of the Summer King and defeating the Iron King in the last book, Meghan is back and trying to deal with everything she's learn. She's trying to deal with her new feelings for the Winter Prince and someone is taking over as the new Iron King that needs to be dealt with. Old friends and old enemies are back.

Review: I find this to be a real intriguing series. I started this book Saturday afternoon during nap time and I finished it before I went to bed. But then I'm a sucker for these types of books. Some are better then others.

4 out of 5 stars. It seems I'm on a streak of fairly good books. I don't think it will last. I started a new one last night and didn't even enjoy the intro. And I've heard great reviews on it. I'll let you know how it goes.

City of Ashes Review

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Type of Book: young adult, paranormal, fantasy

Synopsis: Book 2 of the Mortal Instruments series. This book picks about a week or so after the end of City of Bones. Clary and her friends are trying to deal with all the changes in their lives and new ones that keep coming their way. Jace is under investigation and that add all sorts of new twists.

Review: Still loving this series. I'll have to put it on hold though for a while till I can get book 3. The only down fall of it is that the books lead right in to the next. So you finish the book and there isn't much closer. I there is some for what ever big disaster that they are trying to battle but the story just stops and waits for the next installment. Make one kind of desperate to read the next one.

4 out of 5 stars

City of Bones Review

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Type of Book: young adult, paranormal, fantasy

Synopsis: Book 1 of The Mortal Instruments series. Clary grew up your average teen but learns things aren't what the always appeared to be. Clary's single mom goes missing and she learns she's part of the this other world that she keeps catching glimpses of. She learns that werewolves, vampires, demons, fay, and angles aren't just fairy tales, there real.

Review: Loved it. What a surprising twist at the end. I'm glad that I decided to buy these books to keep in my collections. I already started the second book in the series. I've also heard rumors that there might be a movie in the works.

4 out of 5 stars

Redheaded Princess Review

The Redheaded Princess by Ann Rinaldi

Type of book: young adult, historical fiction

Synopsis: About Princess Elizabeth I from the age of nine until she becomes queen.

Review: A nice quick and easy read. There are lots of books and movies out there on this subject right now. Not one you want if you want to get into a lot of details.

Growing up Ann Rinaldi was one of my favorite authors. The fact still holds. You can definently tell it was written for an early young adult though.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Reading Promise book review

The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma

Type of book: non-fiction, reading, life

Synopsis: A girl and her dad challenge themselves to read every night for 100 nights. The then continue until he drops her off for college, 3218 nights later.

Review: I liked the thought of this book. But to tell the truth it was more about her relationship with her dad, which was okay. I just wished it had been more about the books that they had read. Some of it was hard to follow. The time line didn't always flow nicely.

It was okay to read, I started this back in June when it came out. I put it aside for library books, that were hot on my reading list. But I did go back and finish it. The beginning and the end were good. The middle kind of lost me.

2 out of 5 stars