The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
The plot sounds promising, but the execution falls flat. A teen reader may enjoy this one; but if you require deeper character development and believable flow, this one isn't for you.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Ashes to Ashes
Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag
Description from Amazon:
"He performs his profane ceremony in a wooded Minneapolis park, anointing his victims, then setting the bodies ablaze. He has already claimed three lives, and he won’t stop there. Only this time there is a witness. But she isn’t talking. Enter Kate Conlan, former FBI agent turned victim/witness advocate. Not even she can tell if the reluctant witness is a potential victim or something more troubling still. Her superiors are interested only because the latest victim may be the daughter of Peter Bondurant, an enigmatic billionaire. When Peter pulls strings, Special Agent John Quinn gets assigned to the case. But the FBI’s ace profiler of serial killers is the last person Kate wants to work with, not with their troubled history. Now she faces the most difficult role of her career—and her life. For she’s the only woman who has what it takes to stop the killer . . . and the one woman he wants next."
My thoughts:
Suspense with a little romance thrown in, Hoag creates a compelling mystery. The characters are engaging and the plot moves quickly. A recommend for the romantic suspense or the mystery enthusiast.
Description from Amazon:
"He performs his profane ceremony in a wooded Minneapolis park, anointing his victims, then setting the bodies ablaze. He has already claimed three lives, and he won’t stop there. Only this time there is a witness. But she isn’t talking. Enter Kate Conlan, former FBI agent turned victim/witness advocate. Not even she can tell if the reluctant witness is a potential victim or something more troubling still. Her superiors are interested only because the latest victim may be the daughter of Peter Bondurant, an enigmatic billionaire. When Peter pulls strings, Special Agent John Quinn gets assigned to the case. But the FBI’s ace profiler of serial killers is the last person Kate wants to work with, not with their troubled history. Now she faces the most difficult role of her career—and her life. For she’s the only woman who has what it takes to stop the killer . . . and the one woman he wants next."
My thoughts:
Suspense with a little romance thrown in, Hoag creates a compelling mystery. The characters are engaging and the plot moves quickly. A recommend for the romantic suspense or the mystery enthusiast.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
The Backyard Homestead
The Backyard Homestead: Produce All the Food You Need on Just a Quarter Acre by Carleen Madigan
My alter ego is reading again. This book advises you what to plant, and when, in small spaces. I really enjoyed it. I love the idea of producing one's own food. Hopefully someday my alter ego will be given free reign!
A recommend for the gardener or homesteader.
My alter ego is reading again. This book advises you what to plant, and when, in small spaces. I really enjoyed it. I love the idea of producing one's own food. Hopefully someday my alter ego will be given free reign!
A recommend for the gardener or homesteader.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
To Tempt a Scotsman
To Tempt a Scotsman by Victoria Dahl
Amazon Description:
"After finding herself at the centre of a very public scandal that left one man dead and another on the run, Lady Alexandra Huntington has exiled herself to her brother's estate and is content to manage his affairs. But the arrival of darkly handsome Collin Blackburn awakens her curiosity and her desire - and the advantage of being a fallen woman is that she can be ruined only once...After a promise sworn to his father, Collin Blackburn is compelled to seek the aid of the woman who brought about his brother's death in a senseless duel. Yet Lady Alexandra is not the shameless femme fatale he expected. In fact, Collin suspects she is guilty of nothing more than a hunger to experience passion, and the brawny Scot is certainly equipped to oblige. But the quick-witted, keenly sensual Alexandra has a few lessons of her own to impart - on life, love, and the delicious joys of succumbing to temptation..."
My thoughts:
A mindless romance, always good to pass the time! The characters weren't well developed, but overall, the story was decent.
Amazon Description:
"After finding herself at the centre of a very public scandal that left one man dead and another on the run, Lady Alexandra Huntington has exiled herself to her brother's estate and is content to manage his affairs. But the arrival of darkly handsome Collin Blackburn awakens her curiosity and her desire - and the advantage of being a fallen woman is that she can be ruined only once...After a promise sworn to his father, Collin Blackburn is compelled to seek the aid of the woman who brought about his brother's death in a senseless duel. Yet Lady Alexandra is not the shameless femme fatale he expected. In fact, Collin suspects she is guilty of nothing more than a hunger to experience passion, and the brawny Scot is certainly equipped to oblige. But the quick-witted, keenly sensual Alexandra has a few lessons of her own to impart - on life, love, and the delicious joys of succumbing to temptation..."
My thoughts:
A mindless romance, always good to pass the time! The characters weren't well developed, but overall, the story was decent.
Monday, May 20, 2013
The Money Class
The Money Class: How to Stand in Your Truth and Create the Future You Deserve by Suze Orman
Amazon Description:
"In nine electrifying, empowering classes, Suze Orman teaches us how to navigate these unprecedented financial times. With her trademark directness, she shows us how to tackle the complicated mix of money and family, how to avoid making costly mistakes in real estate, and how to get traction in your career or rebuild after a professional setback. And in what is the most comprehensive retirement resource available today, Suze presents an attainable strategy, for every reader, at every age.The Money Class is filled with tools and advice that can take you from a place of financial fear to a place of financial security. In The Money Class you will learn what you need to know in order to feel hopeful, once again, about your future."
My Thoughts:
Very well written and informative. I wouldn't recommend reading this book from cover to cover. Instead, choose the chapters that are applicable to your life. I feel that Orman gives good advice, especially for those who are not financially savvy.
Amazon Description:
"In nine electrifying, empowering classes, Suze Orman teaches us how to navigate these unprecedented financial times. With her trademark directness, she shows us how to tackle the complicated mix of money and family, how to avoid making costly mistakes in real estate, and how to get traction in your career or rebuild after a professional setback. And in what is the most comprehensive retirement resource available today, Suze presents an attainable strategy, for every reader, at every age.The Money Class is filled with tools and advice that can take you from a place of financial fear to a place of financial security. In The Money Class you will learn what you need to know in order to feel hopeful, once again, about your future."
My Thoughts:
Very well written and informative. I wouldn't recommend reading this book from cover to cover. Instead, choose the chapters that are applicable to your life. I feel that Orman gives good advice, especially for those who are not financially savvy.
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Vegan Girl's Guide to Life
The Vegan Girl's Guide to Life: Cruelty-Free Crafts, REcipes, Beauty Secrets and More by Melisser Elliott
I am not a Vegan, but I fully support the concept of living a life that minimizes cruelty to other living creatures. Elliott provides a very creative, inspiring view of life as a Vegan.
I really enjoyed this one.
I am not a Vegan, but I fully support the concept of living a life that minimizes cruelty to other living creatures. Elliott provides a very creative, inspiring view of life as a Vegan.
I really enjoyed this one.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Your Farm in the City
Your Farm in the City: An Urban Dweller's Guide to Growing Food and Raising Animals by Lisa Taylor
I believe I mentioned my fantasy of living on a farm and growing food. Along those lines, this book was a gem! I got some great ideas on growing food in small spaces. I personally don't want to raise animals for food. But I want to have some, for enjoyment!
A recommend!
I believe I mentioned my fantasy of living on a farm and growing food. Along those lines, this book was a gem! I got some great ideas on growing food in small spaces. I personally don't want to raise animals for food. But I want to have some, for enjoyment!
A recommend!
Monday, May 13, 2013
The Last Place You'd Look
The Last Place You’d Look: True Stories of Missing Persons and the People Who Search for Them by Carole Moore
I torture myself with missing person cases. Especially missing children. One of my biggest fears has always been being abducted. Now that I'm a Mother, that fear is magnified for my children.
The news is overflowing with stories of people who are taken or simply vanish. I keep a spreadsheet of certain cases and follow up on every year. Only a small percentage are ever truly solved.
This book profiles many different cases. The writing was below average, but the content was good. I would have rather read a book that focused on a few of these cases, as opposed to just a small bit of information about multiple cases. Overall, though, I appreciated this one. God bless all the people who search for the missing.
I torture myself with missing person cases. Especially missing children. One of my biggest fears has always been being abducted. Now that I'm a Mother, that fear is magnified for my children.
The news is overflowing with stories of people who are taken or simply vanish. I keep a spreadsheet of certain cases and follow up on every year. Only a small percentage are ever truly solved.
This book profiles many different cases. The writing was below average, but the content was good. I would have rather read a book that focused on a few of these cases, as opposed to just a small bit of information about multiple cases. Overall, though, I appreciated this one. God bless all the people who search for the missing.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Kaffir Boy
Kaffir Boy: A Autobiography--The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa by Mark Mathabane
Amazon Description:
"Mark Mathabane was weaned on devastating poverty and schooled in the cruel streets of South Africa's most desperate ghetto, where bloody gang wars and midnight police raids were his rites of passage. Like every other child born in the hopelessness of apartheid, he learned to measure his life in days, not years. Yet Mark Mathabane, armed only with the courage of his family and a hard-won education, raised himself up from the squalor and humiliation to win a scholarship to an American university. This extraordinary memoir of life under apartheid is a triumph of the human spirit over hatred and unspeakable degradation. For Mark Mathabane did what no physically and psychologically battered "Kaffir" from the rat-infested alleys of Alexandra was supposed to do -- he escaped to tell about it."
My Thoughts:
Heartbreaking and powerful, Mathabane's childhood is recounted in this autobiography. At times, it is almost too painful to read about the horrors of life for his family. Living in shocking poverty, they do what is necessary to survive each day. I put myself in the position of Mathabane, a starving child who doesn't understand why he is starving. I put myself in the position of his Mother, not being able to provide for my children and being helpless to change that. It's hard to even imagine, but so painful to even try.
This story is about Mathabane's individual experience in South Africa. It is about apartheid, family dynamics, cultural differences and finding faith.
Every child is born pure; when young Mathabane starts to realize that his circumstances are tied to hatred and racism, it brought me to tears. This young man had the strong will to survive and change his circumstances through education and hope. So many millions of others have not been so luckly.
Admirable and emotional, I highly recommend.
Amazon Description:
"Mark Mathabane was weaned on devastating poverty and schooled in the cruel streets of South Africa's most desperate ghetto, where bloody gang wars and midnight police raids were his rites of passage. Like every other child born in the hopelessness of apartheid, he learned to measure his life in days, not years. Yet Mark Mathabane, armed only with the courage of his family and a hard-won education, raised himself up from the squalor and humiliation to win a scholarship to an American university. This extraordinary memoir of life under apartheid is a triumph of the human spirit over hatred and unspeakable degradation. For Mark Mathabane did what no physically and psychologically battered "Kaffir" from the rat-infested alleys of Alexandra was supposed to do -- he escaped to tell about it."
My Thoughts:
Heartbreaking and powerful, Mathabane's childhood is recounted in this autobiography. At times, it is almost too painful to read about the horrors of life for his family. Living in shocking poverty, they do what is necessary to survive each day. I put myself in the position of Mathabane, a starving child who doesn't understand why he is starving. I put myself in the position of his Mother, not being able to provide for my children and being helpless to change that. It's hard to even imagine, but so painful to even try.
This story is about Mathabane's individual experience in South Africa. It is about apartheid, family dynamics, cultural differences and finding faith.
Every child is born pure; when young Mathabane starts to realize that his circumstances are tied to hatred and racism, it brought me to tears. This young man had the strong will to survive and change his circumstances through education and hope. So many millions of others have not been so luckly.
Admirable and emotional, I highly recommend.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Oh the Glory of It All
Oh the Glory Of It All by Sean Wilsey
This memoir fell flat for me. The beginning is interesting, but then too much tedious detail follows. His life is simply not that interesting! His parents divorce, his Mom has emotional issues, his step-mother doesn't like him very much. That sentence sums it up without the 500 extra pages.
I wouldn't recommend this one.
This memoir fell flat for me. The beginning is interesting, but then too much tedious detail follows. His life is simply not that interesting! His parents divorce, his Mom has emotional issues, his step-mother doesn't like him very much. That sentence sums it up without the 500 extra pages.
I wouldn't recommend this one.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
One Man's Wilderness
One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey by Sam Keith and Richard Proenneke
Beautiful and poignant, Keith recounts Proenneke's life in the Alaskan wilderness. This is so rare, at this time in history, that a man can dwell in a land unchanged by man. Proenneke builds his own log cabin and lives in the wild, relying only upon himself.
I loved this memoir; so inspiring.
Beautiful and poignant, Keith recounts Proenneke's life in the Alaskan wilderness. This is so rare, at this time in history, that a man can dwell in a land unchanged by man. Proenneke builds his own log cabin and lives in the wild, relying only upon himself.
I loved this memoir; so inspiring.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
It's All Too Much
It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff by Peter Walsh
Amazon Description:
Amazon Description:
"When Peter Walsh, organizational guru of TLC's hit show Clean Sweep and a regular contributor to The Oprah Winfrey Show, appeared on national television shows and told people how they could reclaim their lives from the suffocating burden of their clutter, the response was overwhelming. People flooded Peter's website (www.peterwalshdesign.com) with success stories about how his book had changed their lives. Peter's unique approach helped people everywhere learn to let go of the emotional and psychological clutter that was literally and figuratively choking the life out of their homes. With his good humor and reassuring advice, Peter shows you how to face the really big question: What is the vision for the life you want to live? He then offers simple techniques and a step-by-step plan to assess the state of your home, prioritize your possessions, and let go of the clutter you have been holding on to that has kept you from living the life you imagine. The result is freed-up space, less stress, and more energy for living a happier, richer life every day."
My Thoughts: Clutter? ME??? Did I actually follow the ideas in this book...um...no. But I enjoyed it; good ideas. I added it to the large piles of books I have taking up half my basement.
My Thoughts: Clutter? ME??? Did I actually follow the ideas in this book...um...no. But I enjoyed it; good ideas. I added it to the large piles of books I have taking up half my basement.
Friday, May 3, 2013
In the Land of Invisible Women
In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom by Qanta Ahmed
Description from Amazon:
"The decisions that change your life are often the most impulsive ones. Unexpectedly denied a visa to remain in the United States, Qanta Ahmed, a young British Muslim doctor, becomes an outcast in motion. On a whim, she accepts an exciting position in Saudi Arabia. This is not just a new job; this is a chance at adventure in an exotic land she thinks she understands, a place she hopes she will belong. What she discovers is vastly different. The Kingdom is a world apart, a land of unparalleled contrast. She finds rejection and scorn in the places she believed would most embrace her, but also humor, honesty, loyalty and love. And for Qanta, more than anything, it is a land of opportunity. A place where she discovers what it takes for one woman to recreate herself in the land of invisible women."
My thoughts:
Ahmed's experiences in the Saudi Kingdom are detailed and informative. I believe it is important for people to be educated about other cultures. Reading about women's rights under Sharia law reinforces how lucky I am to be living in a country where women are treated as human beings, rather than property. In the Kingdom, women cannot drive, they cannot move about freely without a male escort, they cannot show their hair in public--these are only a few "freedoms" that women in my country wouldn't even consider a "freedom" at all. Stunning commentary that made me feel grateful for my circumstances.
On the flip side, this book was not edited well. It is too long!! There is quite a bit of detail that should have been cut out to make the point of the book more effective. I felt Ahmed came across a bit superior and judgmental, but overall I enjoyed her experience.
Description from Amazon:
"The decisions that change your life are often the most impulsive ones. Unexpectedly denied a visa to remain in the United States, Qanta Ahmed, a young British Muslim doctor, becomes an outcast in motion. On a whim, she accepts an exciting position in Saudi Arabia. This is not just a new job; this is a chance at adventure in an exotic land she thinks she understands, a place she hopes she will belong. What she discovers is vastly different. The Kingdom is a world apart, a land of unparalleled contrast. She finds rejection and scorn in the places she believed would most embrace her, but also humor, honesty, loyalty and love. And for Qanta, more than anything, it is a land of opportunity. A place where she discovers what it takes for one woman to recreate herself in the land of invisible women."
My thoughts:
Ahmed's experiences in the Saudi Kingdom are detailed and informative. I believe it is important for people to be educated about other cultures. Reading about women's rights under Sharia law reinforces how lucky I am to be living in a country where women are treated as human beings, rather than property. In the Kingdom, women cannot drive, they cannot move about freely without a male escort, they cannot show their hair in public--these are only a few "freedoms" that women in my country wouldn't even consider a "freedom" at all. Stunning commentary that made me feel grateful for my circumstances.
On the flip side, this book was not edited well. It is too long!! There is quite a bit of detail that should have been cut out to make the point of the book more effective. I felt Ahmed came across a bit superior and judgmental, but overall I enjoyed her experience.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Prince Charming
Prince Charming by Julie Garwood
Description from Amazon:
"Only her beloved grandmother, Lady Esther, knew how devastated Taylor Stapleton had been when her fiancé eloped with Taylor's cousin. Now dear Esther -- one of London's richest and most formidable matriarchs -- lies dying. But first she was going to help Taylor pull off the scam of the season.
To escape becoming a ward of her unscrupulous uncle, Taylor would wed Lucas Ross, a rugged American rancher. Lady Esther's money would enable Ross to return home to Montana. Taylor had her own urgent reason to go to America...a precious legacy she hadn't revealed to Ross, for they had agreed to part ways once they reached Boston. But as her handsome new husband spoke of life in Montana, Taylor began planning a new future. To Taylor, the wide-open spaces of Montana sounded like paradise...."
My thoughts:
Compared to some of Garwood's work, this book was mediocre. However, compared to other romance authors, Garwood is always above average.
I liked this book, but didn't love it. It is pretty forgettable. I had issues with the pace of the story. I moves very slow at the beginning, but then, all of the sudden many things are thrown in. It was hard to stay focused.
Description from Amazon:
"Only her beloved grandmother, Lady Esther, knew how devastated Taylor Stapleton had been when her fiancé eloped with Taylor's cousin. Now dear Esther -- one of London's richest and most formidable matriarchs -- lies dying. But first she was going to help Taylor pull off the scam of the season.
To escape becoming a ward of her unscrupulous uncle, Taylor would wed Lucas Ross, a rugged American rancher. Lady Esther's money would enable Ross to return home to Montana. Taylor had her own urgent reason to go to America...a precious legacy she hadn't revealed to Ross, for they had agreed to part ways once they reached Boston. But as her handsome new husband spoke of life in Montana, Taylor began planning a new future. To Taylor, the wide-open spaces of Montana sounded like paradise...."
My thoughts:
Compared to some of Garwood's work, this book was mediocre. However, compared to other romance authors, Garwood is always above average.
I liked this book, but didn't love it. It is pretty forgettable. I had issues with the pace of the story. I moves very slow at the beginning, but then, all of the sudden many things are thrown in. It was hard to stay focused.
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