Follow Friday

So I'm trying out another weekly meme. Let me know if you like it or not. It's a recap of sorts for my week of reading. I might play around a bit and add in a little video to my blog with these weekly memes. Would you watch it?

My review for the week: 

Buddy's Tail by K. Anne Russell
If you are looking for a book to enjoy with your elementary aged child this summer (have you signed up for your library's summer reading program?) I recommend giving this book a try. I give it 4 tail shakes (ok, that was my attempt at funny). Also check out Anne's website for instructional material - http://www.buddystail.com





Reading on my Nook:

Lethal Remedy (Prescription for Trouble) by Richard L. Mabry

I received my Nook on Monday and already love it. I've played several games of Sudoku, but also started reading my ARC from Netgalley.com. It is kind of ironic that I am reading a fictional tale about an experimental drug trial, when I'm also reading a non-fiction book on why we shouldn't vaccinate our kids.




Listening to:

It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Not sure if I'm going to make it through this audio book. I can't remember why I thought I might like it. It is off to a very slow start. I'm on the 4th chapter and if the story doesn't start moving soon I might call it quits. I'm taking suggestions for my next audio book choice.




In my hands (traditional printed books):

The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker

This is such a phenomenal read. I should finish it up this weekend. Unfortunately you won't see my review until sometime in June when I am the featured Little Known Blog. I'm just going to go ahead and tell you - get your copy NOW, you won't regret it.





Vaccine-nation: Poisoning the Population, One Shot at a Time by Andreas Moritz

I'm reading a little each day so I should eventually finish it. I just noticed the price on Amazon.com for this book. Only a couple of chapters in and I don't think you should waste your money. It has the feel of an infomercial that plays on late night TV. 





Question of the week:

What are 5 quirky habits or facts about you?

1. I don't like my food to touch, unless it is food that is meant to be mixed together (ie chicken pot pie). Chinese food is the only exception.
2. I love to cook, but I hate touching raw meat.
3. My guilty pleasure is reading Twilight fanfiction
4. I'm kind of anti-technology, but I got a smartphone and a Nook this weekend (use the Nook a lot, the phone not so much).
5. I will read horrible and scary stuff in a book, but I won't watch a horror movie.

An animal tale that isn't too sad: Buddy's Tail by K. Anne Russell

by Donna Huber

April 2011; 978-1456411954
audio, ebook, print (178 pages); children's

After signing up with Book Blogs, I started receiving emails about books for review and one of them happened to be a 4th-grade level book. Though I typically stay far away from animal stories (I was traumatized by Old Yeller as a child), I chose to review Buddy's Tail for a couple of reasons. One, I have a niece that will be entering 4th grade in the fall. Two, I can't really remember what I read as a 4th grader, but I sure haven't recognized the titles my niece and nephew talk about. Three, on a related note, I wanted to have a book that I could talk to my niece and nephew about - my niece isn't really into books due to a slight reading disability, but my nephew loves books. I am really glad I chose to review it. It was a really good read.


Like I said, I can't really remember what I read when I was their age (I guess this might have been the age I was reading The Bobbsy Twins). When I received it in the mail. I remember thinking it was kind of long for a children's book (I have adult books that are only 10 - 20 pages longer). I mentioned it Mom (who has worked with kids all her life) and she reminded me that kids are reading Harry Potter at this age. 


The summary of the book pretty much tells you everything about the book so there were no surprises. I prepared myself for the dogs to die. It was a little sad, but since their story continues after death, it wasn't like they disappeared. Also, there isn't a lot of human interactions to make me feel attached to the dogs on that level. I did get a little teary eyed at the end, but I won't spoil for you.


Buddy's Tail would be great to use in a classroom when studying the southwest US as there were many geographically specific references. I was a little disappointed with the stereotyping that Russell used with the dogs. A chihuahua that "speaks" Spanish, lives with a Hispanic family and likes Taco Bell seemed contrite. Maybe 4th graders are assumed by it, but I thought it condoned stereotyping. The book is also good for a vocabulary lesson. I'll admit that I had to look up a couple of terms - granted they were architectural terms. Again, the southwest influence of language was present which would easily lead to discussions of sense of place. Russell has a website with additional classroom tools. The book (which I think this was supposed to be the main point) deals with animal neglect and responsibility of having a pet - lessons a child should learn. This is the fourth reason I wanted to review this book. In the overview that came in the email announcement, it was mentioned that the book was to teach children about animal cruelty - I was curious about how the subject would be handled to be age appropriate. I thought Russell did a good job. I think in the back my mind I thought it might push for vegetarianism or more extreme PETA-like propaganda, but it didn't. Like I said it touched more on being a responsible pet owner.

I would recommend this to teachers and parents (it would make a good summer read for all those summer reading programs). For the parents: what are your kids reading? For my readers without young kids: what books did you read as a child?

Buy Buddy's Tail at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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It's Monday! What are you reading?

 

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is weekly meme hosted by Book Journey to tell everyone what you have read or planning to read. If you would like to join in or see other blogs participating click on the icon above.

I had a good weekend reading. Here is what is on my plate this week:

The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker

I'm about half way through it after starting on Friday night. If I hadn't had somewhere to be on Saturday morning, I might have stayed up all night reading. After just 20 pages, I thought this might just be the best book I have ever read. My blog is going to be the June feature for Little Known Blogs and I will be posting my review there (I post a link on my blog when it is up).

Vaccine-nation: Poisoning the Population, One Shot at a Time by Andreas Moritz

I haven't made it very far into this one. My opinion of it might be a bit biased, but I am really trying to read it with an open mind. When the titles was sent to me by email I choose to review it because I like to see different opinions on a subject. It might be a few more weeks before this review goes up.

Lethal Remedy (Prescription for Trouble) by Richard L. Mabry

This book is my first request from Netgalleys.com. My Nook is suppose to be delivered today so hopefully I will be able to load it on there. It sounded good. It is a Christian fiction novel dealing with medicine and government conspiracy/cover up. 

It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Philips

I'm listening to this book this week. Not sure if it will be something I like or not, but thought I would give it a try none-the-less. 

Okay, that is my round up of what I'm reading this week. A peek at a review that will post later this week:

Buddy's Tail by K. Anne Russell

This was good book. A bit sad (it involves animals so that was a given) but not overly so and has a sweet message. I look forward to sharing this book with my niece and nephew.

What are you reading this week? 

A Fun Chick-lit Novel: Twenties Girl

Cover of Twenties Girl: A Novel

Twenties Girl: A Novel by Sohie Kinsella
audio book
Published July 2009 by Books on Tape
ISBN 9781415962978
Listened May 2011

Ok. I decided to give audio books another go. By listening to books, I can get more in during the week (because I can listen to it while at work). This book came up on a suggested read based on something else I read and also happened to be available at the digital download library. I have never read her Shopaholic series, nor saw the movie.

I liked this book from the start. I could so relate to Lara as she came to terms with her break up with Josh and trying to make her career a go. The jury is still out on whether I liked Sadie or not. When her character was introduced I was reminded of the paranormal romance I gave a try a month or so ago - Spirit Intervention. However, the things that irked me with that story were no where to be found in Twenties Girl. I always knew we were in England,  had a clear background story on Lara, and I couldn't necessarily guess what would happen next.

If you read my post of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you might remember that I said I had trouble paying attention. I had that problem again with this book. BUT this time it was work that I found myself distracted FROM as my attention was fully focused on the story. It had moments that were funny, times that were frustrating (Sadie acting like a petulant 5 year old grated on my nerves), occasions I could totally relate to ("There was the real Josh and then there was the Josh in my head"), and there was happy endings.

The scenes with Ed were almost always good for a chuckle. The whole "you didn't want to be my girlfriend, did you?" interactions between them had me rolling my eyes at times, because you just wanted to shout "WAKE UP". But at the same time, it was sweet and totally realistic as both had unresolved issues with past relationships. I was cheering for Lara when she finally grew a backbone and stood up for herself (or maybe she just grew up and the maturity lent itself to her new self-confidence). I love the 1920s era and often wished that I could have experienced it, particularly the clothing. So it was an added bonus for me that Sadie kept demanding Lara relive the era with her. Speaking of Sadie, I am not sure what I think about her. At times, she truly acted like a toddler (throwing a tantrum because Lara kissed Ed because Sadie wanted Ed to be her's - HELLOOOO! Sadie, you're dead) and at other times her acts brought around positive changes for Lara. You also feel a bit sad for Sadie (and like Lara, forgiving her childish outbursts). I don't know anyone that has lived to be 105, but Sadie probably is an accurate portrayal of those who have long outlived their heyday and are all but forgotten by family.

This was a light and fun listen, bit like Jennifer Crusie's Anyone but You. However, there is no described sex, though there is reference to Lara and Ed getting to know each other in the bedroom (that is almost word for word how Lara explained it). So I'm happy to find a light and fluffy author that doesn't see the need to include sex. I will definitely be adding Sophie Kinsella to my list of authors to turn to when my other reading has become to heavy.

Related articles

• Life can change...with a ghost's help! (dihsbooks2010.wordpress.com)
• Easy Excess: the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella (vulpeslibris.wordpress.com)
• Sophie Kinsella: 'You can be highly intelligent - and also ditzy and klutzy' (guardian.co.uk)

Upcoming Reviews

I'm really enjoying these two books and wanted to give you a preview of what will be coming up next on Girl Who Reads.

Buddy's Tail by K. Anne Russell
Published April 2011 by Createspace

With my niece about to be a 4th grader, I decided to give this book a chance.

From Goodreads.com: Buddy Boutonniere, a big-hearted Standard Poodle, subsists in the bare backyard of a tract home in the desert city of Yucca Dunes. MacKenzie, a Border Collie, and Javier, a Chihuahua, provide Buddy with scraps when his neglectful owners forget. When Buddy's owners decide to move, Buddy meets a wonderful lady who visits his house with prospective buyers. The poodle's humans try to sell him and Buddy goes through a series of unsuitable situations. The final family returns Buddy not realizing his owners are out of town. His only lifeline, MacKenzie, is killed by an evil Hummer driver. Javier tries to support Buddy with the aid of Dumb Derek, a brain-damaged Rottweiler. The two are unable to help. Buddy dies, but is brought back to life by Sonny, the Good Shepherd. Sonny grants Buddy's wish to live with the lady, in return for his promise to go with Sonny when he comes back for him. Buddy has a happy life with the lady and her dog, Skootch. Together they rescue abandoned Leroy and abused Roxanne. Years later, during Skootch's fifteenth birthday party, Sonny comes for Buddy. Sonny takes Buddy to Haven, canine paradise, where he is reunited with MacKenzie. Sonny explains the rules; dogs acquire free will and give up caring for humans. Their only responsibility is to help guide other dogs to Haven. Buddy excels at guiding, but on a mission to bring back a bomb dog from Afghanistan, Buddy helps a human, the dog's Marine partner. The residents of Haven are furious and Buddy is exiled to the perimeter of paradise. There he meets a girl who has died of cancer and befriends her, another infraction. He is dragged before the communal tribunal, where MacKenzie defends him. With the help of the marine and the girl, she convinces the judges that Buddy is not an offender, but a hero.

Twenties Girl: A Novel by Sophie Kinsella
Published July 2009 by Books on Tape


I'm giving audio books a second chance.


From Goodreads.com: Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they?

When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie–a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance–mysteriously appears, she has one last request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years, and Sadie cannot rest without it. Lara, on the other hand, has a number of ongoing distractions. Her best friend and business partner has run off to Goa, her start-up company is floundering, and she’s just been dumped by the “perfect” man.

Sadie, however, could care less.

Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie’s necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different “twenties” girls learn some surprising truths from each other along the way. Written with all the irrepressible charm and humor that have made Sophie Kinsella’s books beloved by millions, Twenties Girl is also a deeply moving testament to the transcendent bonds of friendship and family.