Where are the Pictures?

The last couple of reviews didn't have any pictures... I thought I'd post as to why:

Well, I go to Amazon.com so I can copy and paste a picture of the particular book... sometimes they have this weird 'Search Inside' thing where you can read the first chapter or so of the book on the Internet; when they do this they have this weird 'Search Inside' icon, and it didn't feel right to have 'Search Inside' icon on the picture of the book... Sorry about this! At least some books don't have it...

Until next time!


Galaxy

Second Sight

(no picture available)

Author: Gary Blackwood

My Description: A very interesting entertaining and suspenseful story. I really enjoyed it and had the hardest time putting it down.

I especially enjoyed this story because the author talked to me, and he talked in such a way that I really felt like he was talking to me, Galaxy. The way he described his story was almost like getting a tour of a house, and he made me feel at home. It was really nice just to follow him as he led me around through all the amazing places and happenings of his Second Sight... and he described it all so well that I could see it clearly in my minds eye. It was just a really good story, and I was wondering through the entire book whether or not he was going to have President Lincoln die in this slightly altered version of the end of the Civil War.

I highly recommend you read this book!

Back-of-the-Book Description: In fall 1864 Joseph and his father appear on the Washington stage in a skillfully performed mind-reading act. Their success eases the family's poverty and leads to Joseph crossing paths with fellow actor John Wilkes Booth and with President Lincoln, whose wife is attracted by the boy's supposed clairvoyance. Although their act is based on a verbal code, Joseph comes to believe that Cassandra, a girl who lives in the same boardinghouse as his family, actually does have psychic abilities. When she foretells the shooting of President Lincoln in a theater box, Joseph feels compelled to take action.

Starting Date: Unknown...

Ending Date: Unknown...

Reading Time: 5-6 days???

Pages: 288

Recommendations: To those who enjoy history and would like a bit of a twist, to those who enjoy mysteries, to those who enjoy suspenses and to a family reading together.

Writing Rating: 8 1/2

Story Rating: 7

Overall Rating: 7 3/4

Book #37 of '08

The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio

(no image available)

Author: Lloyd Alexander

My Description: The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio was a humorous and entertaining book. The story was interesting, though a bit predictable at a few points, and some thing weren't really explained, the characters were fun and (mostly) likable and I enjoyed it.

All in all, not my favorite book, but it's Lloyd Alexander, you gotta love it.

Back-of-the-Book Description: Since his parents' death, Carlo has worked for his uncle, a merchant, but Uncle's patience with Carlo's daydreaming wears so thin that he finally gives the young man a purse of coins and ships him off to nearby Campania. Carlo, who has just discovered a treasure map in an old book, travels across the sea to the Middle Eastern port that marks the beginning of the Road of Golden Dreams. Planning to follow that perilous route to the treasure, Carlo hires two traveling companions: Baksheesh, a lazy, loquacious camel puller, and Shira, a young woman bent on revenge. Against all advice, Carlo follows his dream, only to find it changing as he comes to know himself through the crucible of the journey.

Starting Date: (unknown)

Ending Date: July 20th

Reading Time: 4-6 days

Pages: 320

Reccomendations: To 9-12 year olds, a family reading together or just someone who loves Lloyd Alexander as my family and I do.

Writing Rating: 8

Story Rating: 7

Overall Rating: 7 1/2

Book #36 of '08

The Titan's Curse

Author: Rick Riordan

My Description: A great book. Bunches of action, adventure, cool stuff, humor... but for once in this series, there was death.

Two people died, and I was not expecting it. Yeah, the prophecy did say that 'one would be lost in land without rain' and 'one shall perish by parent's hand' but I really was expecting Mr. Riordan to find away around it. And he didn't. There's hope for one, but none for the other, and the other was a really awesome character who I did NOT want to die. She had such sorrow in her life, and she was finally happy... it just wasn't right. And it really depressed me. These books had never had such grief in them... I just wasn't expecting it. I guess that Riordan felt that for it to be realistic someone had to die. He didn't have to make it them. It wasn't fair.

Now that I'm done whining about death, I would like to say that this book is just as clever, humorous and downright fun as it's predecessors and I recommend it, but be prepared.

Back-of-the-Book Description: Just after finding Bianca and Nico, two newly discovered half-bloods, Percy, Grover, Annabeth, and Thalia end up trapped between a helicopter and a manticore. Artemis and her Hunters save the day, but Annabeth disappears over a cliff; then Artemis rushes off to hunt a dangerous monster. Back at Camp Half-Blood, the Oracle foretells that Artemis must be rescued and makes a prediction that bodes ill for one of their number—but which one? Percy, who is supposed to remain behind while others pursue the quest, follows in search of the missing Annabeth. Their adventures range widely across the U.S., taking them to locales that include Washington, D.C., and the deserts of the Southwest and pitting them against the usual assortment of colorful adversaries.

Starting Date: July 9th

Ending Date: July 10th

Reading Time: Two days

Recommendations: To those who enjoy fantasies and/or Greek mythology with a splash of humor.

Writing Rating: 8

Story Rating: 8

Overall Rating: 8

Book #35 of '08

The Gorgan's Gaze

(no picture available)

Author: Julia Golding
My Description: Another of my types! This one was very very enjoyable. A great come-back and sequel to the first in the Companions Quartet (Secret of the Sirens). I highly enjoyed it and expect you will too.
Also, I really understood and liked the Kullervo part near the end. I truly related as to how Connie felt. In most instances where the lead refuses to kill the villain, I find it very stupid and unbelievable. In this one, it made sense, and I really got it.
Back-of-the-Book Description: Connie Lionheart's calculating great-aunt and uncle try to take her away from the tantalizing reach of the Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures. What they don't realize (or do they?) is that Connie is the Society's most important member--she is the only universal companion able to bond with all mythical creatures. Connie's great gift also puts her in great danger, as the evil shape-shifter Kullervo needs her power to destroy the Society once and for all. But how can Connie help anyone, even herself, when she hasn't learned how to use her gift yet? In this second book of the Companions Quartet, Connie and her friends team together again to protect the fragile bonds between humans, creatures, and the world we must share.
Starting Date:
Ending Date:
Reading Time:
Pages: 320
Recommendations: To those who enjoy fantasies with adventure.
Writing Rating: 7
Story Rating: 7
Overall Rating: 7



Book #34 of '08

The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren

Author: Wendy Toliver

My Description: Did I miss something? I found this book on Amazon.com while looking for pictures of some of the books I've read to put up on this blog. The lowest rating in reviews of this book was four stars. I was really disappointed.

The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren is really crass. The other word for a female dog was used at least twice, butt was used a lot (though that word isn't bad, the way that it was used was just weird), and the s-word was uncountable. Teenagers were drinking, and doing other inappropriate things, and not only all of this, but the way the Lead--Roxy--talked was just crass too. It was hard to like her sometimes, and you know me, I need to like the lead.

The story was mostly predictable to me, though the ending was slightly surprising, and though the story did make me laugh a couple times, it really wasn't that funny. As I said in the 'About the Journey' article on my side-bar, there are some books I just can't relate to. Maybe if I had gone to school/high school I would understand the characters better, and I'm sure there are some (thus the five star rating on Amazon) who love this book, but I really didn't. The one redeeming quality was the slightly sweet ending, though at that point it didn't really matter.

Back-of-the-Book Description: Geeky to gorgeous in sixty seconds...
Roxy's about to turn sixteen, but life isn't so sweet. As a band geek, Roxy can barely get the cute guys to notice her, much less go out with her. Then, on her birthday, Roxy is transformed into a siren: seductively beautiful with the power to control all men. She thought sirens were an ancient myth, but suddenly Roxy can get any guy she wants with just a few notes on her flute.
There are only two rules: don't tell anyone about being a siren, and don't fall in love. When she starts dating Zach, the guy everybody's crushing on, Roxy realizes she could get used to this siren thing...but how can she keep herself from falling in love?

Starting Date: June 18th

Ending Date: June 19th

Pages: 304

Recommendations: To people who don't mind bad language and other such things in a romantic comedy--definetly over 14.

Writing Rating: 5

Story Rating: 6

Overall Rating: 3

Book #33 of '08

The Sea of Monsters--Percy and the Olympains #2

Author: Rick Riordan

My Description: Another of my kind of books. This one being a little more serious than 'Siren Song', it's still light-hearted and fun. I really loved it. It has a tiny bit of humor and many surprises and twists that make it a real page turner and is sure to give you all the action and excitement that you could want in a book.

Back-of-the-Book Description: In this second installment in the series, Percy, Poseidon's 13-year-old demigod son, is desperate to rescue his friend Grover, captive of the bloodthirsty Cyclops Polyphemus, and to retrieve the healing Golden Fleece. The sheepskin is needed to restore the protection around Camp Half-Blood, the only safe haven for the children of gods and humans, heroes-in-training in our modern world. However, the camp has already been compromised and the quest for the Golden Fleece has been awarded to the bully Clarisse. Encouraged by Hermes, Percy sets off for the Bermuda Triangle anyway with his friend Annabeth and classmate Tyson, who turns out to be a half-brother and a Cyclops as well. Adventure follows chaotic adventure at a rapid pace, and readers with even a passing acquaintance with the Odyssey will enjoy this fresh use of familiar stories.

Starting Date: May 31st

Ending Date: June 2nd

Reading Time: Three days

Pages: 288

Recommendations: To anyone who likes Greek Mythology or adventure.

Writing Rating: 8

Story Rating: 8

Overall Rating: 8

Book #32 of '08

Siren Song--The Cronus Chronicles

Author: Anne Ursu
My Description: This is my kind of book! I loved it! Anne Ursu gives us humor, fun, and at the same time suspense. This book is one that can make you you feel the thrills and suspense without getting gloomy and at the same time make you smile. This is a very rare book--a light hearted one! I just can't get over how fun it was, though it was a little unjust here and there, but you couldn't really get around that with what happened in the first book in this series. I do promise you this, though, it ends happily!
Back-of-the-Book Description: Ever since Charlotte Mielswetzski and her cousin, Zee, saved the world, life has been rather ordinary. Ordinary, that is, if you call being ultramegagrounded (in Charlotte's case) or treated as if you might fall to pieces (in Zee's case) ordinary. Either way, heroes deserve better.
Of course, no one knows Charlotte and Zee are heroes. It's not like they can simply announce that Greek myths are real or proclaim they have returned from the Underworld, where they rescued all of mankind from Philonecron, a deranged demigod with delusions of grandeur. Instead, they are forced to keep this terrible knowledge to themselves, and are stuck in a state of extraordinary ordinariness.
But things aren't quite as ordinary as they seem. For Philonecron is the grandson of Poseidon, and you don't mess with the progeny of the second most powerful god in the universe. And Philonecron himself isn't so happy about having all of his delicious plans thwarted by mortal children. He wants revenge, and with his grandfather to help him, he is going to get what he wants.
For Charlotte and Zee, their not-so-ordinary lives are about to be disruptedonce again. This time it's not the world they must save -- it's themselves.
Starting Date: May 28th
Ending Date: May 30th
Reading Time: Three days
Pages: 448
Recommendations: To anyone who likes Greek mythology but wants a little twist, or likes adventure with a constant sprinkle of humor.
Writing Rating: 9
Story Rating: 7 1/2
Overall Rating: 8

Book #31 of '08

Pirate Curse

Author: Kai Meyer
My Description: Great first part. Despite Munk's parents getting killed it was light-hearted and fun and I really liked it. And then it came to the next part and it just went down hill. It became frightening, gloomy, frustrating, and sad. Can't there be any lighthearted books out there? (that stay lighthearted anyway) Oh, and it's kind of silly that the description doesn't even mention Griffin, a boy who likes Jolly, who quite infuriated me because Munk likes Jolly too, and I liked Munk (not in that way, of course).
Back-of-the-Book Description: Fourteen-year-old Jolly is a polliwog. She can literally walk on water. Raised by a pirate captain, she loves her life until Bannon and his crew are betrayed and only Jolly escapes. She is washed up on a tiny island, discovered by Munk (another polliwog), and quickly drawn into the plans of the mysterious Ghost Trader, who insists that the very existence of the world is threatened by the imminent return of the Maelstrom. Somehow, the polliwogs hold the secret to defeating the ancient malevolent force, even if they are only teens.
Starting Date: Somewhere around May 20th?
Ending Date: May 28th
Reading Time: Approximately 8 days?
Pages: 336
Recommendations: To people who don't mind goriness, and to those who like pirates. I didn't really enjoy this book, but I'm sure others will.
Writing Rating: 8
Story Rating: 8
Overall Rating: (for me) 4


Book #30 of '08

Secret of the Sirens

Author: Julia Golding
My Description: A really good book (for those readers of my regular blog this is the one I was reading in the rain) with awesome characters and cool magical beings... There were a few things I didn't get (like why the Heroine's parents send her to live with her aunt and her brother to boarding school? Or some other unanswered questions that I can't quite remember...) but overall it was a pretty good book that I would recommend it... and don't be fooled by the word 'Siren' like I was, this book isn't really that much about Greek mythology.
Back-of-the-Book Description: When Connie Lionheart is sent to live with her eccentric aunt by the sea, she's not expecting anything great--not to make friends with Col, the coolest guy in town, and certainly not to discover that mythical creatures still exist, that an ancient society had protected them for centuries, and that a dark and treacherous force lurks in their midst.
Most of all, she doesn't expect to learn that she has the rarest of talents, greater even than her secret ability to communicate with animals. With Col's help, she could achieve unimaginable power--and face the terrifying choices that come with it.
Starting Date: May 19th
Ending Date: May 23rd
Reading Time: Five days
Pages: 357
Writing Rating: 6
Story Rating: 7
Overall Rating: 7

Book #29 of '08

Here's a Siren I drew as it appeared in this book... I just thought I'd put it in.

The Shadow Theives

Author: Anne Ursu

My Description: A wonderfully witty and fun book--for once, it doesn't have that dark atmostphere that more than 90% of our books have these days(well, it does get a little dreary here and there, but it's much better than most in that aspect)! Again, it's got Greek Mythology , fun humor, interesting characters (who you can like quite easily) and a great theme. I'm not sure I really liked how the author did Hades, and the villain of the book needed a bit of work, but besides that, I really did enjoy this book and I will be looking for the next in the Cronus Chronicles!

Back-of-the-Book Description: Charlotte Mielswetzki is in such a bad mood that she doesn't notice a freakish man in a tuxedo following her home from school. But something extraordinary is about to happen. Charlotte's cousin Zee lives in England, where all of his friends are becoming mysteriously and seriously ill. Sent to Charlotte's family in America, he discovers that the same thing is happening to his new friends. It turns out that Philonecron, born in the Underworld, is determined to overthrow Hades and builds an army from children's stolen shadows, getting at them through Zee. The quick-paced novel takes readers on a danger-filled journey from the Midwest to Hades, where Charlotte and Zee make their final stand against the evil threatening to destroy the world of the dead.

Starting Date: May 7th

Ending Date: May 11th

Reading Time: Five days

Pages: 432 (it passes by quickly)

Writing Rating: 8

Story Rating: 8

Overall Rating: 8

Book #28 of '08

The Princess Bride

Author: I'm not sure if it's Willam Goldman, or S. Morgenstein...
My Description: This book was (very) confusing, and slightly frustrating (not to mention a little boring), but there were a couple good parts... I think I liked the movie better. Back-of-the-Book Description: The Princess Bride is a true fantasy classic. William Goldman describes it as a "good parts version" of "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure." Morgenstern's original was filled with details of Florinese history, court etiquette, and Mrs. Morgenstern's mostly complimentary views of the text. Much admired by academics, the "Classic Tale" nonetheless obscured what Mr. Goldman feels is a story that has everything: "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles."
Goldman frames the fairy tale with an "autobiographical" story: his father, who came from Florin, abridged the book as he read it to his son. Now, Goldman is publishing an abridged version, interspersed with comments on the parts he cut out.
Starting Date: April 28th
Ending Date: May 4th
Reading Time: Seven days
Pages: 300
Writing Rating: 4
Story Rating: 9
Overall Rating: 3 1/2

Book 27 of '08

The Case of the Demure Defendant

Author: Erle Stanley Gardner
My Description: Another wonderful Perry Mason book! I really loved it.
It's definitely the most suspenseful of the them all... I never would have guessed who dunnit! I had no idea how Perry was going to pull this one off!
Back-Of-The-Book Description: A young woman under the influence of the "truth" serum sodium penthahol confesses to her doctor that she poisoned the older man in whose house she had been living. After the man's death, she says, she threw the bottle containing the poison into a lake. The doctor, armed with this information and a recording of the session, consults Perry Mason, bringing the famous lawyer into the case.

The police have no knowledge that anyone has been murdered. The possible victim's cause of death was put down to natural causes when he died. Now, though, the police get wind of the confession, and Mason finds himself racing against time to determine whether a crime has been committed at all. He goes to the lake and succeeds in finding a bottle that, thankfully, does not contain poison. Apparently, the case is at an end. The "confession," he thinks, was just a product of the woman's imagination and guilty conscience. However, just when Mason thinks he can rest easy, the police recover a second bottle.

Now, not only is Mason's client back in hot water, but Mason himself is also facing legal trouble. The police, it seems, suspect Mason of having planted the first bottle... Can Perry Mason save his client--and himself?
Starting Date: April 25th
Ending Date: April 28th
Reading Time: Four days
Pages: 242
Recommendations: To anyone who likes mysteries. Again, Erle Stanley Gardner has proven himself a most fabulous writer!
Writing Rating: 7 3/4
Story Rating: 7 3/4
Overall Rating: 7 3/4

Book #26 of '08

GOAL REACHED!!!

Hooray! I've read 25 books just like I wanted--am I even halfway through the year yet?!?!?! Anyway, I'm very happy and I look forwards to seeing how many I devour by the end of the year!

The Case of the Shapely Shadow

Author: Erle Stanly Gardner

My Description: Fabulous! Amazing! Wonderful! READ IT!!!

The mystery was very interesting and highly unpredictable. Perry (yes, this is another Perry Mason book) did a great job in solving the case, and I think this book was wonderful--it really kept you on your toes and guessing.

One negative thing is that near the end they kept talking about putting the Defendant on the stand, and I was getting really excited about that, but they didn't, and that made me a little disappointed. Besides that, this book was great, and I highly recommend it!

Back-Of-The-Book Description: When Janice Wainwright shows up in Perry Mason's office with a suitcase full of money and a story of her employer being blackmailed, Perry, Della, and Janice start recording the numbers of as many bills as possible. However, when her employer ends up murdered, the evidence points to Janice as a blackmailer and a killer. Even more surprising, Perry Mason puts on no defense evidence, effectively betting Janice's life on one small detail, a detail which sets off a firestorm of legal fireworks and has Hamilton Burger (District Attorney) spitting nails.
This is a novel that defines Perry Mason; one where he goes up against a mountain of evidence, but finds a different analysis of it, combined with legal tactics which run circles around the district attorney. Highly recommended.

Starting Date: April 20th

Ending Date: April 24th

Reading Time: Four days

Pages: 162

Recommendations: To anyone who loves/likes mysteries. This is fabulous.

Writing Rating: 7 3/4

Story Rating: 7 3/4

Overall Rating: 7 3/4

Book #25 of '08

The Case of the Fabulous Fake

Author: Erle Stanley Gardner

My Description: It's Perry Mason! I love Perry Mason! (there's a black-and-white TV show starring him on weekdays at noon, Fox. It's a great show. Wonderful mysteries) Perry Mason is an lawyer, who not only proves his client innocent, but finds the actual Murderer in the process. This case was wonderfully written, highly suspenseful, and kept me guessing 'til the very last line.

I love Perry Mason.

Back-Of-The-Book Description: Perry Mason's beautiful new client isn't giving anything away, not even her name, and he suspects that what she does choose to reveal is mostly lies. Certainly the bag full of cash she carries isn't shopping money. All the mystery woman asks is that Mason make himself available for a few days in case she needs him--for what purpose, she remains silent as the grave.In fact, his headstrong client, who identifies herself only as "36-24-36," is headed for disaster--not only into a blackmailer's clutches but into a lethal trap from which not even Perry Mason's brilliant courtroom sorcery may be able to extricate her. Alive, anyway . . .

Starting Date: April 19th

Ending Date: April 21st

Reading Time: Three days

Pages: 180

Recommendations: To anyone who likes mysteries.

Writing Rating: 7 1/2

Story Rating: 7 1/2

Overall Rating: 7 1/2

Book #24 of '08

The Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan

My Description: I love ancient Greek mythology. I love, love, LOVE ancient Greek mythology. So I love, love, love, LOVED the Lightning thief, a story about a young boy name Perseus--a.k.a. Percy--who tries to save his mother from death, man kind from World War III and his father's--Poseidon, god of the sea--reputation on a journey with some very interesting characters.

I highly recommend this book... I'll definetaly be looking for the second!

Back-Of-The-Book Description: Perseus, aka Percy Jackson, thinks he has big problems. His father left before he was born, he's been kicked out of six schools in six years, he's dyslexic, and he has ADHD. What a surprise when he finds out that that's only the tip of the iceberg: he vaporizes his pre-algebra teacher, learns his best friend is a satyr, and is almost killed by a minotaur before his mother manages to get him to the safety of Camp Half-Blood--where he discovers that Poseidon is his father. But that's a problem, too. Poseidon has been accused of stealing Zeus' lightning bolt, and unless Percy can return the bolt, humankind is doomed.

Starting Date: April 16th

Ending Date: April 19th

Reading Time: Four days

Pages: 375

Recommendations: To anyone who likes/loves greek mythology and to kids 9-14 who like fantasies.

Writing Rating: 7 1/2

Story Rating: 8

Overall Rating: 8

Book 23 of '08

Shakespear's Secret

(no picture available--sorry!)

Author: Elise Broach
My Description: It's a very enjoyable mystery about a girl named Hero and her search for the rumored 'Murphy Diamond' that is said to be within her newly bought house.
Shakespeare's Secret had a lot to do with history and--shocker--Shakespeare, I had a lot of fun reading it... and though there are a few things that Hero and some of the other main characters do that I don't quite understand, I definitely would recommend this book.
Back-Of-The-Book Description: Hero has always hated her Shakespearean-based name, for, as her new sixth-grade classmates are quick to tell her, it's better suited to a dog than to a girl. Resigned to their constant teasing, she concentrates instead on her new found friendship with her kindly, if somewhat eccentric, elderly next-door neighbor. Mrs. Roth tells Hero about the missing "Murphy Diamond," a precious jewel that supposedly disappeared from the house where Hero now lives. Mrs. Roth has the necklace that once held the diamond, an heirloom that possibly once belonged to Anne Boleyn, and she is convinced that it is still hidden in the vicinity. She and Hero set out to find what the police could not, and, with help from Danny, a popular yet self-assured eighth grader who befriends them both, they succeed. Only then do the real connections among the three of them come to the surface and change their lives forever.
Starting Date: April 13th
Ending Date: April 15th
Reading Time: Three days
Pages: 272
Writing Rating: 6 1/2
Story Rating: 6 3/4
Overall Rating: 6 3/4

Book #22 of '08

The Riddles of Epsilon

Author: Christine Morten-Shaw
My Description: I really loved the way this book was written! It was a girl's (Jess's) Diary most of the time, and every once in a while it was the print-outs of her in a chat-room on the computer talking with either Epsilon or with her friend Avril(who I personaly don't like... she's a bad girl).
The Riddles of Epsilon has awesome riddles, a highly interesting plot, and bunches of cool twists and turns. I really liked it!
Back-Of-The-Book-Description: Jess has moved to a remote island called Lume off the coast of England. Her parents are restoring an old house, and Jess discovers an abandoned cottage on their property Inside the cottage Jess encounters an eerie presence--something like a ghost but suffused with a comforting energy. She also finds three locked boxes. Inside each she finds antique papers that send her mind spinning.
As Jess unravels the mysteries of Lume, she finds the writings of Sebastian, a boy who lived one hundred years ago and whose life contains unsettling reflections of her own. To her horror, the dangers he unearthed in 1894 now begin to threaten Jess and her family. Something dark has awoken, and Jess doesn't have much time to do something about it.
Jess has a talent for solving puzzles, riddles, and codes. She is confronted with a series of riddles that she must unlock in order to save her mother from a dark and ancient threat. Jess is guided by the creepy presence in the cottage. The mysterious guide is called Epsilon, but is he a guide from the bright side, or the dark?
Starting Date: April 9th
Ending Date: April 12th
Reading Time: Four days
Pages: 375
Recommendations: To late pre-teens and teens. It's a little spooky, and there is one swear word, but it still is a great book!
Writing Rating: 8 1/2
Story Rating: 8 1/2
Overall Rating: 8 1/2


Book #21 of '08

The Xanadu Adventure

Author: (the amazing, the fabulous, the really really awesome writer) Lloyd Alexander

My Description: It's another of those Vesper Holly books! I really loved all of them, but they did get a little repetitious... I was very disappointed when they never introduced a new villain, (of course different accomplices, but the same main villain) and I got a little bored. Not only that, but I had a picture of this one character--'The Weed' as Vesper nick-named him--and as it turned out, I was way off and some of the things that happened I was completely unprepared for because of that different picture I had of him... anyway, besides all that, Vesper Holly is as cool and Indiana Jones-ee as ever, Brinnie is still her Dear Old Tiger, and all in all it's a very good book.

Back-of -the-Book Description: Vesper Holly loves archaeology and adventure. So when she is told that archaeologist Herr Schliemann has found the ruins of ancient Troy, she's determined to go investigate further. So she and her friends Brinnie, his wife Mary, and the knowledgeable oddball The Weed (not his real name) set out to Hissarlik. But things rapidly go awry. A sinister boat captain dumps them off in the wrong place, and a sputtering archaeologist -- who claims he, not Schliemann, has found Troy -- turns out to be working for the malevolent Dr. Helviticus. And this time, the doctor has far-reaching plans not only to take control of the world's oil, but to rule the world itself from his own luxurious Xanadu...

Starting Date: April 4th

Ending Date: April 6th

Reading Time: Three days

Pages: 145

Recommendations: To all who loved the other Vesper Holly books, and to those who like Indiana Jones.

Writing Rating: 8

Story Rating: 8

Overall Rating: 8

Book #20 of '08

The Best Written Award Nominee(#1)

It's time to award the book that I just keep thinking about. A book that I couldn't get out of my head. A book that was really good. A book that I enjoyed, though the end depressed me.

I will award...

Sirena

(by Donna Jo Napoli)

Sirena is a beautifully written book. Even now I just keep thinking about it. It had a large impact on me... The story is so sweet, so sad, so... I just loved it. It's one of those books that you can't tell what you think of it until it's over. Then you hate it. But as time passes you know you love it. I do.


Honorable Mentions:

Waiting For Odysseus
Holes

That's all, Folks!


Galaxy

Unclaimed Treasures

Author: Patricia MacLachlan
My Description: I didn't like it much. It's about a girl named Willa mostly, though it does include her twin brother Nicholas and their friend Horace.
The story was confusing, and it was hard to get what was going on. It took me a while to actually start liking Willa a little bit, and since I like liking the main character right away because their such a wonderful person, the story didn't quite take me in... and of course, it didn't help that it was so confusing. I really didn't like it that much, but maybe it would appeal to someone. I don't know.
Back-Of-The-Book Description: Oh, to do something special, something extraordinary! That, and to find a true love...
Willa was always watching for her true love, in every line outside the movie theater, or ice rink or at the bank. He would, she knew, be tall and solemn.
Willa does fall in love, but it isn't at all the way she dreamed it would be. And just what is extraordinary? Willa, her twin brother Nicholas, and their new friend Horace Morris all wonder about that. Willa's mother will have a new baby soon. That seems ordinary to Willa. Horace's mother has left to "seek her fortune." That, Willa thinks, is extraordinary. There are other new friends: Old Pepper, ancient and wrinkled; Horace's maiden aunts, the Unclaimed Treasures who play Beethoven by the garden; and Horace's father, tall and solemn.
What is ordinary, what is not? Old Pepper knows. And by the end of the long summer of laughter and talk under the old apple tree, Willa and Nicholas know too. And each does something quite extraordinary.
Starting Date: March 16th
Ending Date: March 19th
Reading Time: Four days
Pages: 118
Recommendations: Too... young girls... I don't know. You'll have to decide yourself. I didn't really like it.
Writing Rating: 4
Story Rating: 3
Overall Rating: 4

Book #19 of '08

A Ring of Endless Light

Author: Madeline L'Engel

My Description: It was a good book. I really enjoyed it... It was very... deep. One thing I will say is that this book is about life and death... consiquently, this book is full of life and death...

Also, the book didn't end, it just stopped. I didn't understand what was going to happen to the characters, or how it was all going to work out. I enjoyed this book, but it definetly is for older readers.

I can't say anything more.

Back-Of-The-Book Description: Vicky Austin is filled with strong feelings as she stands near Commander Rodney's grave while her grandfather, who himself is dying of cancer, recites the funeral service. Watching his condition deteriorate as the summer passes on beautiful Seven Bay Island is almost more than Vicky can bear. To complicate things, she finds herself the center of attention for three very different boys: Leo is an old friend wanting comfort and longing for romance; Zachary, whose attempted suicide inadvertently caused the Commander's death, is attractive and sophisticated but desperately troubled; and Adam, her older brother's friend, offers her a wonderful chance to assist in his experiments with dophins but treats her as a young girl just when she's ready to feel most grown-up.

Starting Date: March 12th
Ending Date: March 15th

Reading Time: Four days

Pages: 336

Recommendations: Mostly for girls 13 and up

Writing Rating: 8

Story Rating: 7

Overall Rating: 8

Book #17 of '08

The Lost Queen

Author: Frewin Jones

My Description: It's a really good book. I highly enjoyed it. The Lost Queen is sequel to The Faerie Path, and though I didn't think this book was better than the last, I do believe that this was just as good, and that's saying something considering how good the first was!

I won't say mauch about this book--so I won't give it away--but I will say that I really loved it and highly recommend reading it--after you've read the first that is--oh, and it's a cliff-hanger, so be warned.

Back-Of-The-Book Description: Once upon a time, Tania was an ordinary girl. But then she was swept into another world, where she was the long-lost princess of the elegant and magical court of Faerie, and only she could save the court from great peril.

Now Tania--and her true love, Edric--will go back to the Mortal Realm to seek Queen Titania, lost hundreds of years ago while searching for Tania.

Their return leads to struggles with Tania's much-loved mortal parents and friends as she and Edric try to conceal their secret. But much more serious dangers lurk: The sinister Lord Gabriel Drake is not yet defeated, they are pursued by dark supernatural forces, and Tania's two worlds are about to collide in amazing and frightening ways she never could have anticipated.

Starting Date: May 13th

Ending Date: May 14th

Reading Time: Two days

Pages: 331

Recommendations: To anyone who liked the first one.

Writing Rating: 7

Story Rating: 8

Overall Rating: 8

Book #16 of '08

(Okay, I know I didn't put this up on the 'what I'm reading' thing, but I started this after I started the other book and didn't have chance to put this up. Sorry. I'll finish "A Ring Of Endless Light" soon)

The Young Unicorns

Author: Madeline L'Engle

My Description: Another great book by Miss L'Engle. The Young Unicorns is the continuation of The Moon By Night, and The Moon By Night is the continuation to The Arm of the Starfish. I really liked The Young Unicorns. It was very interesting. It had mystery, suspense, adventure, plot twists, the one thing I would change is I would have had it a little more centured on Vicky, and not so evenly dispursed. I like Vicky.

Anyway, I can't say what happened without giving away awesome secrets, but I will say, though the begining was a little confusing and it took a bit to figure out what was going on, I LOVED IT! (oh, and it has NOTHING to do with unicorns, don't ask me why it's called that)

Back-Of-The-Book Description: "You called me?"

When Suzy and Rob Austin and their friend Emily Gregory find an old lamp, rub it, and appear to conjure up a tall, powerful figure in long, smoky green robes and pale blue turban who says he is "the genie Hythloday, the servant of the lamp," they are completely unaware that a bizarre and terrifying plot to rule New York City is under way. It means extreme danger for the Austin family and their friends, all of whom are targets for the corruption--or destruction. But luckily their "genie" is on their side.

Starting Date: March 3rd
Ending Date: March 11th

Reading Time: Nine days

Pages: 285

Recommendations: To people who like suspenses and mysteries. I would say this book is good for ten and up, (or a family reading together) because it would be to hard for younger children to understand some of the scientific content. Though the previous book in this series had some facts in it that I wouldn't recommend to younger children, this one is fine--as long as you have someone who can understand science!

Writing Rating: 7

Story Rating: 8 1/2

Overall Rating: 8 1/2

Book #15 of '08

The Name Of This Book Is Secret

Author: Pseudonymous Bosch

My Description: It had a wonderful beginning. It made me laugh. It made me smile. It was--I tell you--a wonderful beginning. I loved it.

Then the book continued. It was suspenseful. It millions of questions, it was gripping. I was scared. It was great.

Then it ended, and I tell you, it put me in a bad mood. Not only no one believe them, but they got blamed for all the bad things that happened! Also, some people who turned out to bad were people I really didn't want to be, though I guess I suspected it... The book just had an awful ending. Do yourself a favor, and skip chapter 32. Go strait to chapter 32. (really, that wasn't a typo, the have two chapter 32s. One you can write yourself) Then end the book before you get put in a foul mood... But I guess the worst part was, I NEVER LEARNED THE SECRET!

Back-Of-The-Book-Description: If this were a normal cover for a normal book, I would tell you that this book is fantastic! Gripping! (according to their covers, all books are fantastic and gripping) You'd meet the brave young heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest*. And you'd hear about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. If this were a normal book, I would brag about the hair-raising adventures that follow--about the brain twisting riddles Cass and Max-Ernest* solve and the nefarious villains they fave. But, sadly, I can't tell you about any of those things: they might make you want to read the book.

You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story is too. For it concerns a secret--a big secret--that has tormenting people like you for over... OH NO! Did I just mention the Secret? Then it's too late.

I'm afraid nothing will stop you now. Open the book if you must, but please, tell no one.

With apologies, Pseud. Bosch

*not their real names.

Starting Date: February 29th

Ending Date: March 1st

Reading Time: Two days

Pages: 360

Recommendations: To people who are at least 10 or a family reading together. I guess some people may not mind the ending, but I do, and I wouldn't like you to feel as I do, so I would recommend to play it safe and follow advice I gave earlier.

Writing Rating: 9

Story Rating: 8

Overall Rating: 8 (you know, had it not been for the ending, it would have been one of my favorite books... *sigh, sigh sigh*)

Book #14 of '08

Stardust

Author: Neil Gaiman

My description: I didn't like it. It was kind of growse, very gorry(sp?), written in such a way I didn't figure out what the heck was going on until over halfway through the book, and it had a sad ending!

Some things in the book made more sense than the movie, like it was much longer than a week before Tristran (the main character) got back to Wall(Tristran's home town), thus giving him and Yvaine (the fallen star) more time to fall in love, but most of the story was not as good as the movie for me personally. Maybe the book would apeal to an older audience, as it is apparent that that is what this book was intended for. If you plan to read the book, read the book first. Then the happy ending from the movie will stick in your head (hopefully). And if you're planning on reading the book and you've already watched the movie, wait until you are older.

Back-Of-The-Book Description: In the sleepy English couintryside, at the dawn of the Victorian Era, life comes at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall, so named for an imposing stone barrier that divides the village from an adjacent meadow. Armed sentires guard the sole gap in this wall, in order to keep the curious from wandering through. Only once every nine years do they relax their vigil, when a market fair unlike any other comes to the meadow.

Here in Wall, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester. But Victoria is cold and distant--as distant, in fact, as the star she and Tristran see fall from the sky on a crisp October evening. For the coveted prize of Victoria's hand, Tristran vows to retrieve the fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends the lovelorn swain over the ancient wall, and propels him into a world that is strand beyond imagining.

But Tristran is not the only one seeking the heavenly jewel. There are those for whom it promises youth and beauty, the key to a kingdom, and the rejuvenation of dark, dormant magics. And a lad compelled by love will have to keep his wits about him to succeed and survive in the secret place where fallen stars come in many guises--and where quests have a way of branching off in unexpected directions, even turing back upon themselves in space and in time.

Starting Date: 26th
Ending Date: 29th

Reading Time: Four days

Pages: 235

Recomendations: To adults and late-teenagers who don't mind witches and gore.B

Book Or Movie?: The movie without a doubt.

Writing Rating: 4 (because it was so confusing)

Story Rating: 9 (I loved the basic story idea, it was really cute: Guy goes to find a fallen star for a girl he likes, star is a woman, he and the star go on journeys, guy and star fall in love. But I didn't like the way it was intorduced)

Overall Rating: 4

Book #13 of '08

Septimus Heap: Physik

Author: Angie Sage
My Description: This is the third book of the Septimus Heap series, (including Magyk and Flyte) and it's lived up to the title. Another fabulous, interesting, suspenceful, and slightly humorous fantasy by Angie Sage. Wonderful. All I can say is I can't wait for the fourth!
Back-Of-The-Book Description: When Silas Heap unSeals a forgotten room in the Palace, he releases the ghost of a Queen who lived five hundred years earlier. Queen Etheldredda is as awful in death as she was in life, and she's still up to no good. Her diabolical plan to give herself everlasting life requires Jenna's compliance, Septimus's disappearance, and the talents of her son, Marcellus Pye, a famous Alchemist and Physician. And if Queen Etheldredda's plot involves Jenna and Septimus, then it will surely involve Nicko, Alther Mella, Marcia Overstrand, Beetle, Stanley, Sarah, Silas, Spit Fyre, Aunt Zelda, and all the other wacky, wonderful characters that make Magyk and Flyte so memorable.
With heart-stopping action and a dash of humor, Angie Sage continues the fantastical journey of Septimus Heap.
Starting Date: February 23rd
Ending Date: February 25th
Reading Time: 2 days
Pages: 544
Recomendations: To anyone from 12-12,000 who enjoys funny fantasies and has read the first and second book.
Writing Rating: 8
Story Rating: 8
Overall Rating: 8


Book #12 of '08

He's The One

Author: Nina Alexander

My Description: This is one about a girl who likes to date bunches of guys at the same time, and when it get's serious, she likes to break up. The thing is, she meets a guy named Craig who she wouldn't mind getting serious with. I enjoyed this book. I won't say it was wonderful or anything, but it was pleasant to read. Though it was filled with all those moments where one of them thinks the other is doing something wrong, and the other think the one of them is doing something wrong, and one tries to make it right but the other won't because they think the other is doing something else... Though infact, Jill (the main girl) is doing something wrong, but she straitens out in the end because she loves Craig.

Back-Of-The-Book Description: Jill Gersten has never been a one-guy type of girl--after all, variety's the spice of life. So Jill's become a master at juggling dates. As long as she can get away with it, she has no need to commit to just one person. And with the tourists flooding her town on the Delaware shore in the coming weeks, Jill's sure to have a guy crazy summer!

Then Jill meets Craig Miller. With his deep green eyes and intense personality, he's, well... different. When Jill's friends tease that she's finally fallen for someone, Jill protests. She's still not interested in settling down--no matter how cute Craig is . But when Jill spots Craig kissing another girl, she's sick with jealousy... Now she wants Craig all to herself... but can she give up her playgirl ways?

Starting Date: February 23rd

Ending Date: February 23th

Reading Time: 1 day

Pages: 176

Recomendations: To girls in their early to late teens who like Romance books.

Writing Rating: 6

Story Rating: 6

Overall Rating: 6

Book #11 of '08

Hercules: The Man, the Myth, the Hero

(this is a little book, so my review will be different than usual)

Autor: Kathryn Lasky

Illustrator: Mark Hess

My Description: It's an awful story. I rented it because of my love of Greek Mythology. I did NOT like it. Oh my gosh... Poor, poor, poor, short tempered Hercules! The illustrations were beautiful--they really POPPED--but they weren't of things I actually wanted to see... And like I said, the story was just AWFUL. So many horrible things... Please, don't let me begin to THINK about them. I want to write a sequel where Hercules goes to the realm of Hates (the Land of the Dead) and get's his family back, then goes to get revenge on that nasty vengeful Hera! It's not Hercules' falt that his father is god who won't stay true to his wife (Hera) and has countless children (in this case Hercules) with mortal women.

Back-Of-The-Book Description: Listen to my tale, one of cunning and glory. A story of a monster and a man, a hero and a man. But all with one name: Hercules...

So begins the monumental saga of one of the most fascinating Greek hheroes, Hercules. The son of Zeus and a mortal woman, he is the most hated enemy of Zeus's jealous wife, Hera. Only the unique gift of godlike strength that Hercules posesses will serve as his salvation from Hera's treachery. But it will also become a frightening and monstrous force that Hercules will have to learn to control in order to find the peace that he seeks.

Staring Date: February 23rd

Ending Date: February 23rd

Reading Time: 1 day

Pages: 30

Writing Rating: 4

Story Rating: 3

Illustration Rating: 8

Overal Rating: 4

Book #10 of '08

Hard To Resist

Author: Wendy Loggin

My Description: Hard To Resist is not a bad book, and not an exceptionally good book either. It isn't quite right, in the sense that the love story in this book is about a girl who falls in love with her best friends boyfriend. Yeah. Not quite right. But other than that I enjoyed reading the book, because it's not just about romantic love, but about friendship, and it kinda goes over the ups and downs of that kind of love, so I think that this one is better than the other Love Story books I've read.

Back-Of-The-Book Description: Leigh Feralano's move to Buffalo has been a blast, thanks to her fun-loving new friend Kerry Cole. Now Leigh's psyched to begin her junior year, and curious to meet Kerry's boyfriend, Christian Archer, who's been studying in England for the past year. Leigh can't believe Christian could possibly be as cute and charming as Kerry claims.

The second Leigh meets Christian, she discovers he's all that... and more. As much as she wants to, Leigh can't deny that she's beginning to develop serious feelings for him. And the more she sees Christian, the more she suspects her's into her too. Still, there's no way anything can happen between her and her bestfriends boyfriend... is there?

Starting Date: February 20th

Ending Date: February 22nd

Reading Time: 2 days

Pages: 192

Recomendations: To girls in their early to late teens who enjoy romances.

Writing Rating: 6

Story Rating: 6

Overal Rating: 6 1/2

Book #9 of '08

The Egyptian Cinderella

(this is a little book, so there will be some differences in this review)


Author: Shirley Climo
Illustrator: Ruth Heller
My Description: It's about a girl named Rhodopis who was born in Greece and captured and taken to Egypt and sold as a slave. It's basically 'Cinderella' from there, and it is based on a true story. It didn't really impress me, but the story wasn't written badly and I enjoyed reading it.
Back-Of-The-Book Description: In the land of Egypt, where the green Nile River widens to meet the blue sea, lives a maiden called Rhodopis. Because she is Greek, and a slave, Rhodopis is scorned by the Egyptian girls. She had only her rose-red gold slippers, which flash like fireflies as she dances. When a falcon swoops down and snatches a slipper away, Rhodopis is heartbroken. How is Rhodopis to know that the falcon has delivered her slipper to the great Pharaoh himself? She cannot guess that the Pharaoh will search all Egypt to find the owner of the tiny shoe and make her his queen.
Starting Date: February 20th
Ending Date: Feburary 20th
Reading Time: 1 day
Pages: 28
Writing Rating: 7
Story Rating: 6
Illustration Rating: 7
Overal Rating: 6 1/2

Book #7 of '08

My Favorite Book Of The Year So Far Award (#1)

I've decided to every once in a while give an award for the book I liked best of the of 2008 so far. I didn't need to think twice about what book I was going to award first. The book I am to award REALLY stood out, and is one of the most amazing books I've ever read... and the award goes to...

Holes

By Louis Sachar

I don't think I could award any other book I've read this year besides this one. Wow. Whenever I think of it, I think, 'Wow, that was an AWESOME book!'. Holes is without doubt one of the best books I've ever read, and my current favorite out of all the books I've ever read in my entire life. The only word that can describe Holes is 'wow'.

Honorable Mentions:

Waiting For Odysseus (a close second)

The Faerie Path

The Moon By Night

Well, that's really all I have to say!

Galaxy

The Moon By Night

Author: Madeline L'Engel
My Description: It's about a girl named Vicky who is growing up, and going though a lot of changes that are happening in her life. She and her family go on a camping vacation all around America and a little in Canada and in the end Vicky is a little bit wiser, and a little bit more knowing than she used to be. I really enjoyed this book, because I'm at almost the same stage of 'growing up' as Vicky, and can relate to her. I also love Madeline L'Engel books:)
Back-Of-The-Book-Description: Vicky Austin is filled with uncertainty about everything. Her parents call it Vicky's "difficult year". But fourteen-year-old Vicky is not so consumed by her problems that she can't enjoy the exciting adventures of her family's cross-country summer caming trip--and the attention of the gorgeous, black-haired Zachary Grey, who just happenes to pop up wherever the Austin family makes camp. It will certainly be an interesting vacation...
Starting Date: Not recorded... somtime in Febuary after the last book.
Ending Date: Not recorded... sometime in Febuary...
Reading Time: Three to four days
Pages: 250
Recomendations: The story brings up some facts about the Nazis that shouldn't be heard by a younger reader... I say that only people 13 (okay, I know, I'm not quite there yet, but that section was a little upsetting for me, and I would have liked to wait a bit longer to hear it, but I will be 13 soon...ish) and up should read this book for that fact, other than that I think it's a MUST for girl teenagers who are going through this ROUGH stage of life.
Writing Rating: 8
Story Rating: 8
Overall Rating: 8


Book 7 of '08

Waiting For Odysseus

Author: Clemence McLaren
My Description: Waiting For Odysseus is a retelling of The Odyssey, and I love it! True, in a couple of places the Ms. McLaren could have taken her time a little more than she did, but besides that the story was beautiful, well written, and it had a happy ending! My favorite character was Penelope.
Back-Of-The-Book Description: From the moment she first sees the cocky warrior Odysseus, Penelope knows that one day she will be his wife. What she doesn't know is that Odysseus's pride will take him away from her to fight the Trojan War. Penelope must become an expert at waiting, and it is this waiting that proves to be the ultimate test of her courage, patience--and love.
The sorceress Circe has been waiting for Odysseus to land on her island so she can seduce him with her spells, just as she has countless other men. She never expects to fall in love with him, though, or that he willl be the first man capable of resisting her charms.
Odysseus has always been the goddess Athhena's favorite mortal, for he, like she, is famous for his wiles. As Athena guides Odysseus through his many trials, she waits with compassion and love to see if he will learn to temper his desire for fame and discover the truth of his own humanity.
Finally, his Nanny, Eurycleia, has watched Odysseus grow from a mischievous child into a great hero. As she waits for her beloved master to return home, she keeps loyal watch over those he has journyed twenty years to see again.
In this innovative retelling of Homer's Odyssey, Clemence McLaren author of Inside the Walls of Troy, presents the story of Odysseus's epic journey through the hearts of four women who loved and waited form him.
Starting Date: Febuary 7th
Ending Date: Febuary 8th
Reading Time: Two days
Pages: 149
Recomendations: To girls 12 and up... it's a REALLY awesome book, and an absolute MUST!

Writing Rating: 8
Story Rating: 9
Overal Rating: 8 1/2--a.k.a. REALLY GOOD!

Book #6 of '08

The Land of Green Ginger

Author: Noel Langley

My Description: What a delightfully funny book! It's been so long since I've read a book that made me laugh! The story was really cute and it had so many funny things in it... It really is a great book and I highly recomend it!

Back-Of-The-Book Description: This beloved classic opens with Aladdin, now Emperor of China, trying to decide what to name his new son, a child who won't stop talking and is already far too articulate for his own good. The Genie of the Lamp announces that Abu Ali should be the child's name, and that his destiny is to rescure the magician who created the Land of Green Ginger (a sort of fabulous floating garden) and then turned himself into a Button-Nosed Tortoise by mistake. Abu Ali is told he is the only one who can find the peripatric island, locate the Button-Nosed Tortoise and reverse the spell. So begins a series of adventures that invoke a comemorable cast of characters, some despicalble, some feckless, and some (no surprise) beautiful and feisty.

Starting Date: Feburary 5th

Ending Date: Feburary 7th

Reading Time: Three days

Pages: 149

Recomendations: For a family reading together, and to people who are 16 or younger... it's a funny book, but a little childish, and I'm not sure if adults (or people close to adults) would like to read it.

Writing Rating: 8 (because it was sooo funny!)

Story Rating: 7

Overal Rating: 7 1/2

Book #5 of '08

Stolen Kisses

Author: Liesa Abrams

My Description: Please don't ask why this book is called Stolen Kisses. I really have no clue. It was pretty much your average teen-romance novel; Girl hates Boy, Boy likes Girl even though she has a boyfriend, Girl starts to like Boy, Boy is haunted by the memory of Girl, Girl keeps thinking about Boy, Boy gets Girl, The End! But one thing I will say for Stolen Kisses is that it made me laugh numorous times with small jokes and all things considered I did enjoy reading it.

Back-Of-The-Book Description: Laura has great friends, the lead in the school play, and the attention of Ted, a hot senior guy. So why does she end up kissing Mark at a party one night? Sure, Mark's hot, but he's also the most nortorious player in her school--clearly not boyfriend material. Laura knows she's got to put him out of her mind, because kissing Mark was just a dumb mistake... wasn't it?

Starting Date: Febury 4th

Ending Date: Febuary 5th

Reading Time: Two days

Pages: 175

Recomendations: Girls who would like to read a bit of Romance, and don't care if it's that cheezy.

Writing Rating: 7

Story Rating: 5

Overal Rating: 6--a.k.a. GOOD

Book #4 of '08

Sirena

Author: Donna Jo Napoli

My Description: Sirena has a very depressing beginning. Very awful. Then, it gets better. Then it's enjoyable. Then I really like it. The funny thing is that the story is written like Sirena (a mermaid) is telling it to us, yet she says it all in present tense... Like this: I shout out loud. Then it ends very sadly. It still was a good book.

Back-Of-The-Book Description: Sirena is cursed. She will not become immortal unless she is loved by a human man. The siren song she sings with her mermaid sisters makes men adore her--yet it leads them to their deaths. That is why she hides when she finds a young soldier abandoned on the isle of Lemnos. He wants to know her, though she should not let him near her, or allow him to hear her sing. But how can she fight a love she's been waiting for all her life--a love that will make her live forever.

Starting Date: Febuary 3rd

Ending Date: Febuary 4th

Reading Time: Two days

Pages: 210

Recomendations: To girls who like sad fantasy romances.

Writing Rating: 9 (because it's such a wonderfully different way of writing... all in present tense)

Story Rating: 6

Overal Rating: 7 1/2--A.K.A. PRETTY GOOD

Book #3 of '08

The Faerie Path

Author: Frewin Jones
My Description: The Faerie Path was a very enjoyable book. While I read the story, I just kept flipping pages! They passed far too fast and I really couldn't stop... It was a very wonderful story and I enjoyed reading it very much; though some aspects of it made me a little angry. Oh well... That's just how some stories are. It did have a happy ending though, I don't really like stories with unhappy endings.
Back-Of-The-Book Description: Anita was living an ordinary life... until an elegant stranger pulled her into another world. Swept away into a court of magic and beauty, she discovers she is Tania, the lost princess of Faerie: the youngest daughter of Oberon and Titania. Since Tania's mysterious disappearance on the eve of her wedding day five hundred years before, Faerie has been sunk in darkness and gloom. The courtly Lord Gabriel Drake, who Tania was once to marry, found her and brought her back. With Tania's Return, Faerie comes alive again and as a lond of winged children, glittering balls, and fantastic delights. But Tania can't forget Anita's world, or the boy she loved there. Torn between two loves and between two worlds, Tania slowly comes to discover why she disappeared so long ago. She possesses a singular magical ability and she must use it to stop a sinister plan that threatens the entire world of Faerie.
Starting Date: Febuary 2nd
Ending Date: Febuary 3rd
Reading Time: 2 days

Pages: 312

Recomendations: I would recomend this book mostly to girls in their early to late teens, especially people who like fantasy-mystery-tiny bit of romance books.
Writing Rating: 8
Story Rating: 8
Overal Rating: 8--A.K.A. REALLY GOOD!

Book #2 of '08

Holes

(this book has received the 'Best Book Of The Year So Far' award)

Author: Louis Sachar
My Description: Holes was amazing. It's one of the few books I've ever loved that isn't a fantasy. It was amazing. I'd started it a long time ago but I got side tracked and didn't finish it. When I came back to read it, I thought I'd skip the first part, because I'd already read that. I decided to just read a little of the first part. I couldn't stop. The way it was written was slightly humorous, spellbinding, enjoyable, interesting, fun... I could go on and on. I've never read a book that had fewer holes than Holes. Everything linked together. It was made up of four different stories, one of which was very sad, but really tied it all together. Each story intertwined so beautifully... I just couldn't stop reading!
Back-Of-The-Book Description: None
Starting Date: Not recorded
Ending Date: Not recorded
Reading Time: 2 days
Pages: 233

Recommendations: Anyone over 10 years old, or a family reading together
Writing Rating: 9
Story Rating: 9
Overall Rating: 9 1/2--a.k.a. AMAZING!

Book #1 of '08