Cream Puff Murder

I finished reading this book this weekend.  It was a good book for me for now.  It was light and fun.  Hannah has once again discovered a murder.  For a baker, she really stumbles into trouble!  Since most of the police department are suspects, she has to use her detective skills to solve the murder and get her town back to normal.  At the end of each chapter are recipes for the good food that the characters eat - I am hoping to try out the lemon bars.  

The story isn't really that different from the first Fluke book I read.  Hannah still hasn't decided on who her boyfriend is!  I do like them though.  It's a nice thing to read to pass the time.  

The Duchess

Well, I cheated...  I was bogged down by this book and I rented the movie.  After watching the movie, I now know I will never finish this book.  I happened to grab this book at Target, as I was desperate for a book.  It's a biography about the life of the Duchess of Devonshire, who lived in the late 1700s.  She was an extremely influential woman in England during her lifetime.  She set the fashion trends and used her influence and fame to promote the Whig party and the candidates she admired.  I'm not going to finish this book because it's too slow moving and her private life is just so sad.

The Last Empress

Don't read this one. Bleck. Oh so boring...

The Heretic's Daughter

Kathleen Kent is an descendant of Martha Carrier, an interesting woman who was convicted of being a witch during the Salem Witch Trials. The story is told from the point of view of the witch's daughter.
This is a nice piece of historical fiction. I enjoyed learning about what life was like during the late 1600's in America. Overall I think it was a bit ho-hum, but I'm glad that I read it.

Book Review of A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty By Libba Bray Delacorte Press, c2003. $9.99

Don't read it.

Book Review of Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson 308 pages. Scholastic Press, c2007. $11.55

 I picked up this book after reading a review from Esme Raji Codell (Check out her blog review here at PlanetEsme).  She was so enthusiastic, I had to try it!
Alcatraz narrates this story.  He tells us of his hard life as a foster child.  He has an uncanny ability to break things.  On his thirteenth birthday, he receives a bag of sand from his Dad for his birthday.  This sends him on a most unusual adventure, where he learns about his family and the true nature of librarians.
There were a couple of passages that I really enjoyed.  Alcatraz takes the time to describe what a real library looks like (not the ones we are used to).   He says,

"Dust settles on the books like a gray perversion of rain forest moss, giving the air a certain moldy, unwelcome scent faintly reminiscent of a baledragon's lair.  At each corner, you expect to turn and see the withered, skeletal remains of some poor researcher who got lost in the stacks and never found his way out."  (p. 114)    

 
My absolute favorite part was Alcactraz's rant on people who read the last page of a story first (I really hate that!!  Don't do it!!).  He says,

"You could even scan to the end and read the last page.  Know that by doing so, however, you would violate every holy and honorable story-telling principle known to man, thereby throwing the universe into chaos and causing grief to untold millions." (p. 236)    

It was a fun little book.  I think a third grade boy would just love it.  It took me a while to get through.  It just wasn't a page turner for me.  But it was funny and quirky - time well spent.

Book Review of The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl By Phillippa Gregory Simon & Schuster, c2001. $10.08

I had to read this book because of my ignorance.  I was at a book club and realized that I was the only one who couldn't name the six wives of Henry VIII.  I knew that one of his wives had been beheaded and that was about it.  My friend recommended that I read this one to catch up on some history.
Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre, so I was very excited to get started.  Some parts I flew through and others were a bit tedious.  It covers the time from Henry VIII taking up with Mary Boleyn through to the death of Anne Boleyn, her sister.  You get to know all of the people in this crazy circle they called the Court.  It was just amazing to have all of the pieces put together in such a way that it all made sense.  It is such an amazing and exciting story.  After I finished I was motivated to find out more about the family and what happened to them all.  I spent some time on Wikipedia and now I'm ready for my next book club discussion on royalty!
I recommend reading this book and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie.  This story may be the rare exception where the movie is better than the book.  We shall see...

The Twilight Series

The Twilight Series By Stephenie Meyer Little, Brown Children's Books, c2005, 2006, 2007. $13.99 each

I have been putting off the review of these books for quite some time.  Why?  I just cannot do them justice!  These books are good.  All I can tell you is: read them.  Have your teenagers read them.  Talk about the books together.  They will absolutely take over your life until you have finished.  Then you will join me in anxiously awaiting the fourth installment, due out August 2nd.
   
Stephenie Meyer is one of my heroes.  She is just dang awesome.  How she pulls it all off, I probably will never know, but I'm so glad that she does!  It bothers me that she is so often tied with Harry Potter.  The stories are nothing alike.  Albeit, they both suck you in and are extremely entertaining.  Other than that, you just can't compare them.  Read them both!!  There's time.  For more information on the books and Meyer herself, check out my blogroll and click on her link.

Book Review of Ida B.

Ida B. By Katherine Hannigan, Read by Lili Taylor 3 CDs, 5 hours. Listening Library, c2004. $18.00

Ida B. Applewood is one of my favorite characters.  She is an imaginative fourth-grader with more plans than she can possibly accomplish.  Unfortunately she is hit with some tough circumstances and this book shows how she deals with this from her perspective.  She makes plans "to have fun, avoid disaster, and possibly save the world."
 
I couldn't imagine a better reader than Lili Taylor.  My son said, "Boy, she really sounds like a little kid." If you haven't ever listened to a book in the car, this is a good one to start with.  It's not too long and it appeals to all ages.  While my kids occasionally groan at the site of another book on CD hitting the car, their minds are being filled with great stories rather than the top music of today and yesterday.

Book Review of Zen Ties

Zen Ties By Jon J. Muth 36 pages. Scholastic Press, c2008. $12.59

This little picture book has a wonderful message.  I read it to my kiddies and they loved the pictures and the imaginative characters.  They loved the haiku and fluidity of the language.  I loved the solid moral message.  I highly recommend this one.  My two year old loved it, my five year old loved it, and I even saw my almost eight year old sneaking a quick look!

Book Review of An Inconvenient Book

An Inconvenient Book By Glenn Beck 295 pages. Simon & Schuster, Inc., c2007. $26.00

I am a Glenn Beck fan.  I love to listen to talk radio and his show is one of my favorites.  I occasionally watch his TV program on CNN, but as I try to avoid TV, I don't catch it very often.  So, when he came out with this book - especially since he was so obviously making fun of Al Gore - I had to read it.  I thought I would love it...
The book is just full of Glenn's sense of humor.  It's very sarcastic.  At first, I thought it was very funny and witty, but it got old.   Many of the chapters are filled with interesting facts, but a few are just odd.  I'm not quite sure what he was thinking.  So I have to be honest and say that I skipped entire sections.  I didn't quite get the flow of the book either.  Each chapter gave his opinion on one topic or another, but they weren't linked together.  There really wasn't a flow to the book and it ended quite abruptly.
 With all that said, I still love Glenn Beck.  I will probably not read another book of his - nor do I recommend this one.  I do understand that this may be more appealing to men.  I have a friend who is  die hard Glenn Beck fan and thought the book was fantastic.  I, however, wish I had spent my time reading something else.

Book Review of Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer Audiobook on 5 CDs, read by Nathaniel Parker Listening Library, c2004 $18.48

Artemis Fowl, Jr., is a wealthy evil genius who is bent on getting his hands on fairy gold.  He is the only one alive with the ability to get it - oh and he's 12 years old.
Eoin Colfer describes his book as "Die Hard with fairies."  I heartily agree.  My husband and my son loved all the action and cool gadgets in this story.  My daughter and I loved the strength and fire in Holly, the central fairy.  I recommend this book and would encourage you to listen to it on audiobook if possible.  Nathaniel Parker does an amazing job with voices and dialects.  He was really fun to listen to.

Book Review of The Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret By Brian Selznick 526 pages. Scholastic Press, c2007. $12.64

I just finished reading the most wonderful book.  This book recently won the 2008 Caldecott Medal.  It is very unusual and fun.  I borrowed it from the library, but I will be buying it for my personal collection. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is sure to be a classic.  It is a great mix of illustrations and story.  In order to experience this book, you should check out Brian Selznick's Site.  Have fun!

Book Review of The Pillars of the Earth

The Pillars of the Earth By Ken Follett 973 pages. New American Library, 2007. $14.19

I just finished reading The Pillars of the Earth.  I highly recommend it.  I had planned on reading it over Christmas break and had gotten a copy from the library.  I then discovered to my horror, that Oprah had recommended it.  Somehow, that just taints a book for me.  I tend to avoid Oprah books.  Anyway, my husband got me my own copy for Christmas, not realizing that I had started to read it.  It took me longer to read it than I thought, so I was glad to have my own copy for that reason.
 I am now very happy to have my own copy for another reason.  I know that I will probably read it again and I will be loaning it out.  It is absolutely fantastic.  Now, if you're of the conservative crowd, I must warn you that it is NOT "G" rated.  There are very graphic scenes filled with sex and violence.  This, however, is not like The Kite Runner where you wish you could erase from your mind what you just read.  (As a side note, just don't read The Kite Runner.  Please.)
 I have heard that the sequel to this book is as good as this one, so I will be reading that soon.  Don't let the length of this book intimidate you.  It's worth the effort!!  If you are interested in all sorts of information on this book, you can go to Oprah.com.  Also, Ken Follett will be on Oprah on January 30th.  I'll be watching.

Book Review of The Poison Apples

The Poison Apples By Lily Archer 288 pages. Feiwel & Friends, c2007. $12.71

I got this book for my cousin for her 16th birthday.  I decided I had better read it before she did - just in case.

It's about three girls who come together in boarding school.  On the surface they seem to have very little in common.  They realize, however, that they all have "evil" stepmothers.  They form a group and plot their revenge.

Overall, I liked the book.  I think it sends a positive message to teenagers - you are not your parents and you are not predestined to suffer their fate.  The characters and the story start out very strong.  It really peters out at the end.  It's like the author ran out of time and had to hurry up and finish.The ideal reader will be a teenage girl, especially one with divorced parents.  Oh, and don't be surprised to see a sequel...

Book Review of Before the Dawn

Before the Dawn By Dean Hughes 293 pages. Deseret Book, c2007. $22.95

The book opens with the good Bishop Bowen interrupting widow Leah Sorenson's plowing. He came to call her to be the new Relief Society president. Leah thought she was the worst woman for the job as she was rough around the edges. But as the times were tough in Utah in 1932, Leah was just the woman for the job.I enjoyed reading this book. It wasn't a page turner, but it was entertaining. If you have liked other Dean Hughes books (Children of the Promise, Saboteur), you will probably like this one. It was interesting to read what the Church was probably like during the Great Depression in a small town in Utah. The greater message of the book, however, is the need for Relief Society in any time, and the great purpose we sisters have to support eachother and contribute to our communities.

Book Review of The Book Thief

The Book Thief By Markus Zusak 576 pages. Knopf Books for Young Readers, c2007. $9.59

This book came to me highly recommended.  It's a Book Sense Book of the Year (2006)Award winner!  Everywhere I look there is nothing but glowing praise for this book.  I, however, did not particularly like this book.The narrator is Death.  What a fascinating idea!  The humor and imagery were amazing.  The writing was interesting, intense and unique.  But, it is another WWII story about a little poor girl in Germany.  You know how it's going to end...nothing but tears.Perhaps if I hadn't already read the Diary of Anne Frank, I would have enjoyed this better.  Maybe I'll even recommend this book to my kids instead of the Diary.  But, probably not.  It just lacks the realism that Anne Frank had to offer. While this book is excellent in form, it is not one I recommend - unless of course you feel like a good cry.

Book Review of The Brothers

The Great and the Terrible, Volume 1: Prologue, The Brothers By Chris Stewart 224 pages. Deseret Book, c2003. $17.95

I really want to read the fourth book in this series, but I just had to start at the beginning.  I hate to start a series in the middle!  This first volume of the Great and Terrible series takes place in the premortal existence.  We learn about a valiant family who is torn apart by the war in Heaven.  Satan is in open rebellion and is working hard to bring all the spirits he can to his side, while Christ and Michael are doing all that they can to not loose anyone. 

The book is very interesting.  I enjoyed Chris Stewart’

s perspective.  Previously I had not put much thought into what life was like before the Creation.  Stewart helped me to feel like a fly on the wall during great events.  I think it moved a bit slowly, but picked up steam near the end.  I will continue reading the series to see where he takes me. 

Book Review of Catering to Nobody

Catering to Nobody By Diane Mott Davidson 301 pages. Bantam Books, c2002. $7.99

Our story opens with Goldy catering a wake.  Unfortunately her ex-father-in-law gynecologist Fritz Korman gets sick and Goldy is accused of poisoning him.  The police shut down Goldy’

s catering business until they can clear her name.  As the police are very busy, Goldy takes matters into her own hands to prove her innocence.  Along the way, she gives us recipes and a peak into small town life.

I enjoyed this book.  It is a quick read that is entertaining.  It’s really fun to come across so many interesting recipes while reading a mystery.  It’

s a one-of-a-kind series.  I am hoping to try a recipe from the book soon and will post my experience.

Book Review of Tangled Roots

Tangled Roots By G.G. Vandagriff 294 pages. Deseret Book, c2007. $14.95

Tangled Roots is the third book in a mystery series about two women who do genealogical research. Alex Campbell and her friend Briggie research a genogram to help a young girl in trouble. While researching her ancestors, they discover unsolved murders that others have tried to keep secret. As they try to find the killer(s), they find themselves in serious danger.This book surprised me. I expected it to be terrible. A genealogy mystery? Come on. But, it was actually decent. I can see how some get very into genealogy. If you like a mystery, you may enjoy this book.