Category Archives: book review

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble

Ivy: “Why did the girl turn into a horse?”

Me: “Oh, it’s an old, old, story and all kinds of magic things happen in old stories.”

Ivy: “Yeah, I think that can happen at Disney World.”

Would I recommend it? Despite (or because of?) Ivy’s odd connection between Native American folk lore and Disney World (where she has never been) this has been one of her chosen library books many times. The pictures are beautiful, the story captivates the kids and it’s got a pile of awards including the Caldecott Medal. I have a vague memory of John thinking it was a boring story but all of us girls would recommend it.

And yes I realize I just wrote a whole page on mini-book reviews not having spoilers but that totally doesn’t count when talking about children’s books! Why? Because I’m the Mom and I said so. That’s why!

Bark: Stories by Lorrie Moore

I thought it was me.

In light of the events of the past few weeks I forgot that I started a book club eight years ago.  This, of course, was the book of the month which I then read in one rushed sitting in the final days before we met.

Which is not the way short stories are meant to be read.

So I thought it was me.

But then I went to book club…

Would I recommend it? Well, let’s just say it wasn’t just me who enjoyed the occasional humor but missed any greater sense of purpose behind the stories…

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Last night, long after the girls were in bed, I went to bed myself and started reading this book.

I stayed up finishing this book until the clock showed numbers which I refuse to admit to anyone for fear my husband, who watched me “help” this morning, have actual facts and not just suspicions as to the extent of my sleep deprivation.

I have spent the afternoon within the fog of the book – lines, characters, events and ideas rolling over and over in my head.

Would I recommend it? Yup, this one swallowed me whole.

The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini

Probably, this is one of those times where I really should have read the dust jacket before I read the book.

But, since I hate spoiling the story, I glanced at the synopsis, read the first page, thought, “I like the Civil War,” and dove right in.  Had I read a bit more I might have realized I was reading about an actual historical figure which would have been good to know.  Apparently my book selection method only works most of the time…

Would I recommend it? I’m glad that I read it, but I don’t feel that I can unequivocally say you should too. I was, however, fascinated to find that Elizabeth Van Lew was a real person, something that also explains the serious amount historical facts the book contained. It’s possible if you dove in thinking “fictionalized biography” rather than “novel” you’d enjoy it much more. Or, it’s possible that I should read, just a bit, about a book before I start in myself!

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

Sometimes people will ask me for a book recommendation and I will offer a few ideas.

Sometimes I read a book I like so much that I assault, friends, family and random strangers at the chiropractor’s office with my recommendation.

This was one of the latter.

I will admit that with the guy on the far right as my dad,

and the woman third from the bottom as my mom, 1975wiscw8aand both being preceded by Gramps,

that it’s quite likely I was inundated with so much rowing talk as a child that I couldn’t help but like this book.

Oh and so long as we are sharing pictures, I thought you should know that those people who raised me, they were pretty good too…1975 national open champions-Sue Ela photoThe Boys in the Boat, you should probably just go find it now before I corner you in the grocery store and talk your ear off about it!

Xander’s Panda Party by Linda Sue Park and Matt Phelan

“Xander planned a panda party…”

And even though it caused him “…great pains and perspiration” not to mention “consternation,” my kids loved Xander’s “celebration” with all it’s “conversation” “participation” and “jubilation.”

Fortunately, between the excellent vocabulary and fantastic rhyming, not to mention the ridiculously cute illustrations, their mother was happy to read it to them the 102 times it was requested.

Would I recommend it? Yes! It’s got everything I wish for in a kids book. (For some of my criteria you can check out this old post Pick A Good One, O Best Beloved. Ivy no longer stutters but I still feel the same about children’s books.)

The Heist by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldburg

I am always excited to find a new Janet Evanovich book on the shelves. This one has a new co-author, is the start of a new series and possibly my new favorite of her books!

Would I recommend it? Yes! It’s a super fun, light, easy read and while not as laugh out loud funny as her Stephanie Plum books, it’s also not quite so frivolous. John and I were both surprised by how much we liked it!

I’m the Vampire, That’s Why by Michele Bardsley

I read this book because the title and cover cracked me up:

It’s pretty much what it looks like.

Would I recommend it? I can’t recommend it because then you might read it and think things like “She liked this?! She read this?!” and that would just be embarrassing. But, I will quote Janet Evanovich when she says: “Romance novels are birthday cake and life is often peanut butter and jelly. I think everyone should have lots of delicious romance novels lying around for those times when the peanut butter of life gets stuck to the roof of your mouth.”

Personally I’m not actually sure a person needs lots but one every now and then…

P.S. To answer Johns ever present vampire question- No, these vampires don’t sparkle.