Category Archives: book review

Doomwyte by Brian Jacques

Hello my name is Jessie and I love books with talking mice, and shrews, and otters, and moles with funny accents, and any other little woodland talking creature as well.

I  think that by this age most have out grown their love of small furry talking creatures, but…well…I haven’t.

This is one of the newer Redwall books and I love all of these books.

I love them because the good guys always win.

Because even though they win the war they usually lose a few good “men” along the way.

Because swords are not in themselves evil, just the nasty varmints who wield them.

Because friendship always wins.

Because there is always a riddle to solve.

Because the Dibbuns (children) are always getting into mischief.

And most importantly, because when all the fighting is done there is always a feast.

I read Mossflower when I was in middle school, it’s still my favorite, but well, as you can see I thought the rest were pretty good too…

Would I recommend it? Yes, I’d rank it among my favorites, but if you’ve never read any I always recommend starting with Mossflower. I’m impatiently waiting until I’m able to read these aloud to Ivy.  Unfortunately we are currently at the point that even a Franklin book is enough to start Ivy shaking with fright.  I’m thinking we’ve got quite awhile before we can read about marauding sea rats, raven tyrants, and wildcat queens!

Sleep is for the Weak edited by Rita Arens

Did ya catch the title?

Let’s look at it, just in case.

Now, either you feel an overwhelming urge to read a book with such a title, or you are someone like my brother (Hi Ty!) and have no interest whatsoever.

One more time..

Would I recommend it? I’m here to tell you, that so long as you fall into the overwhelming urge to read camp, you won’t be disappointed.

Good Night, Baby Bear by Frank Asch

As I read one of our new library books out loud today I had the feeling I had made a mistake in bringing it home from the library.

Not because I’d already read 37 books out loud today. Often a problem.
Not because it was a poorly written story. Sometimes I hate the books we bring home.  I try and sneak those ones back in the library bag when no one is looking.
Not because it was too scary for Ivy. She gets scared in a full body shaking sort of way, even when little lambs get lost in the snow.
Nope none of those normal occurrences, it was because I was afraid it would give her… ideas.

In this seemingly innocent book Baby Bear and Mother Bear are getting ready to hibernate for the winter. Having never slept in a cave before Baby Bear needs some help going to sleep. He needs: a snack, something to drink and then, the moon.

(I bet you already know the “ideas” Ivy had at bedtime tonight.)

The book is good, when Baby Bear asks for the moon and Mother Bear says “You need what?” It was like the book was written from a conversation between Ivy and I.

The real kicker was at the end. Baby Bear needs one more thing: “‘What now?’ grumbled Mother bear” … …and he of course needs a kiss.

Awww how sweet.

OK, Now that we are done feeling all cute let’s replay a conversation that Ivy and I had today.

While I try to be exact in my replications of our conversations this one may be a little off. Thats because we have a variation of this conversation ALL THE TIME.

Ivy: Mom!
Me: What?
Ivy: What are we havin’ for lunch?
Me: Noodles with green sauce.
Ivy: Mom!
Me: What?
Ivy: Is there goin’ to be shakin’ cheese?
Me: If you get it out of the fridge.
Ivy: MOM!
Me: What?
Ivy: I don’t know how.
Me: Well no cheese for you then.
Ivy: Oh I can get it.
Ivy: Mom!
Me: WHAT?
Ivy: I wuv you mom.

Aww, isn’t she sweet.

Except I’m certain she knows she’s pushed me to the brink and then is saving herself from being put up for adoption every time she does it!

Then of course when she headed up to bed a mischievous glint lit up her eye and she needed, a snack (You already had one.), a drink (Here is your water.), the moon (Sorry, new moon was on Tuesday and it’s cloudy, no moon tonight.)

I’m pretty sure I spoiled the game with a refusal to get her a moon so I was never asked for a kiss. I’m not worried though, tomorrow just when I’m ready to put her on Craig s list, she’ll “wuv” me.

Would I recommend it? Yes. I’m just not sure you should read it to your kids!

The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg

After quite a few “fluff” books I thought I’d go for something a little more serious. This book certainly fit the bill.

The subject matter is deep and often unpleasant and the book is populated with unlikable characters, sounds great so far doesn’t it?

BUT, the characters have depth and realism beyond what I expected when I first started the book and the writing is interspersed with great lines like this:

“I kept my smile tight to hold back my pride and stuck all my fingers between all my toes for the low pull of pleasure.”

Would I recommend it? Yes.  Not any easy read but a good read.

Betrayal in Death by J.D. Robb

While I’m sorry to have been such a spotty poster the last few days I’m going to blame at least half of the lack of posting on this book.

I do most of my writing and posting late at night when sensible people are sleeping, unless I’ve had too many nightmares and woken up screaming too often. Then I try to get more sleep instead of sitting up late at the computer.

Is this book that frighting? Probably not.

Am I that big of a wimp? Sure am.

Would I recommend it? Hmmm… gives me nightmares, a bit cheesy, (writen by Nora Roberts in disguise) yet good characters, and interesting setting…

I think due to my late night screaming and sleeping issues I am unable to give this book a decent recommendation.

Anyone else want to help me out here?

Widow’s Walk by Robert B. Parker

This spring I read Robert Parker’s westerns;  Appaloosa, Resolution, Brimstone and Blue Eyed Devil and very much enjoyed them but I didn’t see what else he had written until just now.
While I usually avoid murder mystery type books I was feeling brave at the library the other day and picked this up. Same sparse wording, quick reading, dry humor, manly men with brawn and guns defending dumb beautiful women, different setting- same feel.

Note this is not  a good choice for anyone looking for a great female characters!

Would I recommend it? I’m thinking he’s looking like a good overall author but I’d recommend Appaloosa before this one.

High Noon by Nora Roberts

I had previously held out on Nora Roberts. I’m not sure why, just a general distrust of following the crowd and doing what people expect of me. I have a tendency to hold off reading the popular books ’till I darn well feel like it, thank you very much. Inconsequential and silly of me,  but still true.

In any case…

The librarian gave me this one when I was searching for a book recommendation and it’s about what I expected.

Romance, mystery, suspense, hostages, exploding bodies, crazy people, shut ins, lottery winners and happy endings.

Well,  maybe I didn’t expect all of that.

Would I recommend it? Well… I wouldn’t not recommend it. Did I think it was the greatest thing since sliced bread? Not so much. Would I rather read an Evanovich book? For sure. Apparently my murder-mystery-romance book fix runs more to the humorous side.

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich

I sat down with a piece of left over Christmas chocolate (alright two pieces) and a Diet Coke (so it was really four pieces)  to read a chapter of the new Janet Evanovich book (but one was a coconut one so you can’t count that) and before I knew it I was immersed in rude monkeys, cupcake obsessions and supernatural events.

Next thing I knew the book was done and Clara was awake.

So much for a productive nap time.

Would I recommend it? Only if you like laughing.

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

Have I ever mentioned that I forgot books almost as soon as I read them? These little reviews I write, I do them immediately. Except for this one. It’s been a few days, and 3/4 of the way through my next book the details of this one are getting fuzzy already, so I’ll make it short.

Philippa Gregory is one of my new favorite authors.

Her books are excellent.

You should read them.

This one had lots of battles, traitors and people with the same name.

Would I recommend it? Yes.  Look here and here for other books I’ve read by her.

The Silent Sea by Clive Cussler

I listened to this on CD starting when we headed out to Kansas.

Then I discovered that it is very difficult to find time to listen to a book that involves a lot of shooting, fighting and killing when you have little girls in the house.

So I just finished this week.

Good one liners, and humor mixed in with a lot of descriptions of crazy weapons, attack strategies and a modern day treasure hunt – I’d call it a boy book fortunately I enjoy a good boy book every now and then!

Would I recommend it? Not good enough writing that I’d straight up recommend it. Good enough plot that I do recommend it if you are looking for a good dry humor blow stuff up book.