Kathryn reads a book

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

2009-09-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

by JK Rowling

Really enjoyed much more on its own merits instead of just setting up book 4. V. good.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

2009-09-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

by JK Rowling

Another excellent read. Introducing us to scarier things to come.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2009-09-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

by JK Rowling

Easy and fun and foreshadows so much.

Where the wild things are

2009-09-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

by Maurice Sendak

Andrew is Max. If ever you want to make Andrew smile read him this book. He loves it and feels so clearly Max's plight in life.

The Tales of the Beedle Bard

2009-09-03T21:21:00.001-07:00

by JK Rowling

Just makes me happy to believe for the 20 minutes it takes to read that magic is real.

Nights of Rain and Stars

2009-09-03T21:20:00.001-07:00

by Maeve Binchy

Very good. But I prefer the stories that take place in Ireland.

The Whip

2009-08-23T12:21:00.001-07:00

by Catherine Cookson

Don't think many characters suffer so much as those in this story. Excellent book, but painful. Really.

The Boleyn Inheritance

2009-08-15T23:39:00.000-07:00

by Philippa Gregory

About Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Jane Boleyn. Crazy times -- terrifying. Like can't go to sleep at night. That Henry VIII was evil. Pure and simple, evil.

The Constant Princess

2009-08-09T16:47:00.000-07:00

by Philippa Gregory

I have a hard time with books about real people i.e. Katherine of Aragon. All the factual points are there but the story is about the romances and her thoughts, etc. And we just can't know those things. Its not like a diary or a fictitious character whose thoughts are those the author gives them....

I like it so long as I read it with a grain of salt.

Shopgirl

2009-08-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

by Steve Martin

I found this book a little depressing, I chose it specifically to read after Heart and Soul for some light reading. It was very good. But not what I expected.

Heart and Soul

2009-08-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

by Maeve Binchy

All about the people who run a heart clinic in Dublin. Do not read chapter 3 without a box of tissue. Excellent as all her books are. Thank you Ms. Binchy for telling stories.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built

2009-08-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

Another excellent installment. Mr. Smith can't write a bad book! I loved it.

Love and Marriage

2009-07-27T19:22:00.003-07:00

by Bill Cosby

I actually laughed out loud! Hilarious. Sweet.

Time Flies

2009-07-27T19:22:00.001-07:00

by Bill Cosby

Very funny taking on getting older.

Fatherhood

2009-07-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

by Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby is one of my all time favorite entertainers (perhaps from my childhood and watching the Cosby Show). We recently watched, "Bill Cosby: Himself" on demand - funny! As I was getting a book at the library, I noticed 3 of his titles. Picked them up immediately.

Its a very touching and funny book. One thing though, knowing the history of his son's shortened life, makes the love and stories about his son all the more poignant.

Read with a tissue box handy.

The Black Candle

2009-07-25T12:57:00.001-07:00

by Catherine Cookson

Very complicated and reveals the true motives of a number of main characters. Couldn't put it down.

Outbreak

2009-07-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

by Robin Cook

Ebola everywhere!

Fever

2009-07-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

by Robin Cook

What to do when you are a cancer researcher who may have developed a cure, your daughter has cancer, and nobody will listen to you?!

Invasion

2009-07-20T09:47:00.003-07:00

by Robin Cook

What if aliens take over your lover, friends, and others? What do you do?

Chromosone 6

2009-07-20T09:46:00.001-07:00

by Robin Cook

Medical Sci-Fi. Messing around with DNA and bonobos....

The Miracle at Speedy Motors

2009-07-20T09:45:00.002-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

I felt a heaviness to this story and was delighted with the ending.

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive

2009-07-20T09:45:00.001-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

Fabulous.

Blue Shoes and Happiness

2009-07-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

More delightful tales about the lady detectives in Africa.

In the Company of Cheerful Ladies

2009-07-11T13:09:00.001-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

More brilliance! I love his books.

The Full Cupboard of Life

2009-07-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

You just have to love these books. They show us a side of Africa the media never does. A charming tale, with delightful characters.

The Kalahari Typing School for Men

2009-07-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

In the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series, another wonderful trip to Africa. Funny, touching, and just a pleasure to read.

Harmful Intent

2009-07-08T18:12:00.001-07:00

by Robin Cook

A malpractice suit leads the doctor accused to investigate... Very exciting.

Abduction

2009-07-08T18:11:00.000-07:00

by Robin Cook

A entire civilization under the sea? What happens when the kidnap some oceanographers and divers? And why?

Sphinx

2009-07-08T18:09:00.001-07:00

by Robin Cook

A young Egyptologist goes to Egypt where murder and adventure are hot on her heels. Excitement abounds!

Toxin

2009-06-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

by Robin Cook

You'll never be able to eat a hamburger again. Learn how and what is in them and how disgusting individuals who care only about cash allow e. coli to happen.

Coma

2009-06-29T09:14:00.001-07:00

by Robin Cook

A whacko is putting people into comas and only a med student figured it out. Very exciting.

The Cultured Handmaiden

2009-06-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

by Catherine Cookson

Ms. Cookson is always brilliant. One of the greatest storytellers of the 20th century with character that are real people making not always the right choice and knowing it.

Acceptable Risk

2009-06-27T16:39:00.002-07:00

by Robin Cook

Salem witch trial -- a new spin. V. exciting.

Foreign Body

2009-06-27T16:39:00.001-07:00

by Robin Cook

Nothing like murdering nurses to keep one's heart pounding.

The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday

2009-06-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

What's not to like -- Scotland and Isabel at it again. I love his writing.

An Irish Country Doctor

2009-06-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

by Patrick Taylor

Hilarious. Second time I've read it, because I needed to laugh at the signal light scene. Funniest written description I've ever laid eyes on.

Playing with Boys

2009-06-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

A sort of Sex and the City (similar but not quite the same feel) featuring Latina women. Very entertaining. Its was fun to read about people in a whole different world. But didn't like all the disapproval of stay at home moms (for obvious reasons).

She's an entertaining writer, not appropriate for the prudish though too much sex and fantasy sex.

The Calvin and Hobbes 10th Anniversary Book

2009-05-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

by Bill Watterson

Its Calvin and Hobbes. Need I say more? Hilarious. Makes me miss finding them in the paper.

Frangipani

2009-05-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

by Celestine Vaite

Sequel to Breadfruit. This one focuses more on the mother daughter dynamic. Excellent again. Lovely. Wonderful.

Breadfruit

2009-05-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

by Celestine Vaite

Excellent. About a Tahitian woman (told in a similar way to the No. 1 Ladies Detective Series book) and the people in her life. Wonderful, charming. A definite keeper.

Scandal of the Season

2009-05-24T08:31:00.001-07:00

by Sophia Gee

Takes place in early 18th Century London about the characters in the Alexander Pope poem "The Rape of the Lock." Liked a lot, for one thing I've read a lot about the French during that time and it was interesting to read how the English lived then.

The Great Dog Wash

2009-04-03T16:24:00.001-07:00

by Shellie Braeuner

The dogs in the neighborhood get bathed by the kids in town. Fun for the dog loving kids out there.

Charlie Cook Reads a Book

2009-04-03T07:32:00.001-07:00

Charlie reads a book about a pirate, who reads a book about a dragon, who reads a book about a ...

Very clever. Andrew loves it and pretends to read it by himself. The rhymes make it easier for him to remember what comes next.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

2009-04-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

by Jeff Kinney

The third installment, this book is worth reading JUST for the robe story. That may have been the funniest story within a story I've read in my entire adulthood. If you ever been a kid you should read these. Looking forward to #4.

And Alex is still working on his do-it-yourself book.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

2009-04-02T14:39:00.000-07:00

by Jeff Kinney

Continues the story of Greg. He's not always the most likable kid -- his antics are not always nice, but they are hilarious. I had to reread the last 5 pages 3 times I laughed so hard.

A novel in cartoons -- v. cool.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

2009-04-01T14:11:00.001-07:00

by Jeff Kinney

For anyone whose every been in middle school. V. funny. And for anyone with boys, they'll love it!

The Last Lecture

2009-01-11T13:51:00.000-08:00

by Randy Pausch

Excellent. I had watched quite a lot of The Last Lecture on You Tube after seeing the Diane Sawyer interview. Everyone should read the book. He talked about living life to the fullest, he certainly did. The great tragedy is that he died before his kids could really know him. The great triumph is that he found ways to tell who he was and that he loved them.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

2009-01-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

By JK Rowling

The greatest writer of our times, shared some wizard tales (aka fairy tales but for the wizarding world). Excellent. Very fun and it was nice to hear from Dumbledore.

Baby's 1st Animals Book

2009-01-06T10:51:00.001-08:00

Sean loves this book. Giant horse makes an appearance as well as a donkey. He calls it a 'orse, not a dommmkey."

5 Silly Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

2009-01-06T10:50:00.001-08:00

Each one boinks its head.

Cute for the pre-k crowd.

I will never not ever eat a tomato

2009-01-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

By Lauren Child (I think, will check)

Andrew's favorite book -- the pickiest of all picky eaters found his soul mate in Lola. Lola's brother Charlie renames the foods and make it a game. Yet Andrew still won't eat cloud fluff, green drops, or moon squirters...

Auntie Claus

2008-12-19T08:39:00.000-08:00

A little spoiled brat is suspcious of her aunt's disappearance every Christmas season. She goes to investigate and in the end is a spoiled brat no more.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

2008-12-19T08:38:00.001-08:00

by Dr Suess

Clever book for kids. I'm not really a big fan of his, but all the chicklets love his books.

Rhyming, clever writing, and a few laughs here and there. Excellent Christmas time choice.

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas

2008-12-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

Very funny book for older school crowd. Kids familiar with the Night before Christmas will get a lot of laughs out of this rhyming tale of getting ready for Christmas.

And the little one will like the pictures. Definite family classic.

The Nanny Diaries

2008-12-16T10:19:00.000-08:00

by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Hilarious. This book is excellent. A great choice after a taxing tale like Ya-Ya. Light, fun, and very enjoyable.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

2008-12-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

by Rebecca Wells

Ok, I was told I had to read this book. It took me a week. I usually read very fast. But I was turned off by the whole mother-goes-nuts-and-beats-her-four-kids storyline. I got through it, its a good book but certainly not the best I've ever read. And I feel I now that I didn't have to read it, my life would have continued to be complete without it.

I love you through and through

2008-12-03T08:08:00.001-08:00

My in-laws got this book for Andrew. So sweet and cute. I love these kinds of books that go from head to toe....

And at the end, she signed it "Love, Grandma and Poppa." Its one I'll keep for him always.

Words Board book

2008-11-30T16:38:00.000-08:00

Fish
Truck
Shoes
Cat
Etc.

Very exciting when you're 3 (and even 4 and 11 months when its not being read to you!).

Saving Fish from Drowning

2008-11-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

by Amy Tan

I can't help but read her books. So so good. She's an author you can reread and enjoy over and over.

This is the story of a group of tourist in Burma/Myanmar and the lady who was to be their tour leader but died tragically before they set off. Their adventures and personalities are worth a reread.

After Bonesetter's Daughter

2008-11-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

I needed a reading break. I basically vegged infront of the tv for a week, before getting some new material. That was an intense story. Way to thoughtful to just dive into the next book in the pile. Which with as much as I read means it was truely an exceptional tale. I don't know how Amy Tan comes up with this stuff -- some must come from stories she's heard.

Amazing. Must add her to my favorite authors list.

The Bonesetter's Daughter

2008-11-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

By Amy Tan

Another excellent story. Some people have the storyteller gift and she's got it in spades. Another fabulous book, mother tells the daughter her life story. Daughter has to manage mother's dementia.

Dream Angus

2008-11-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

Not as good as his series. Part of a myth series by various writers. Certainly better than the fluffy reads but once you've met his other characters, you can't compare.

Zoobooks: Camels

2008-11-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

Most everything you ever wanted to know about camels. Well, as a kid. As a grown up, I had questions that I'll be googling later.

The Hundred Secret Senses

2008-11-08T08:13:00.001-08:00

by Amy Tan

Beautiful story about sisters. One appears to be slightly crazy but in the end it doesn't matter....

Another excellent book, thank you Ms. Tan.

The Kitchen God's Wife

2008-11-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

by Amy Tan

Excellent, but not for the peeps who can't handle a lot of misery in their literature. No one ever suffered so much... Its about hope and morals and love.

I can't wait to go another Amy Tan book tomorrow at the library (hoping the Alexander McCall Smith reader has FINALLY returned the 2 I'm waitlisted for also).

The Joy Luck Club

2008-11-02T19:25:00.001-08:00

by Amy Tan

So I realize I'm about 20 years behind the times. And I should have read this book ages ago, but I didn't. Excellent, really beautiful. Mothers and Daughters -- makes me wistful for the daughter I'll never have. And I learned somethings about the Chinese culture and Ms. Tan talks about the suffering that went down in China at the turn of the last century and then some. Really a book every woman should read.

Appreciate your mothers. Love your daughters for who they are.

Skippyjon Jones up & down

2008-10-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

The cutest cat in children's literature came out with some tot books. This one is all about opposites. Good for RyGuy and Andrew loves it too. Seany likes it if one plays find the cat and does not actually read the very short text.

Excellent tot book. LOVE the tail opposites. Skippyjon's expressions are fab-u-lous!

Animal Sounds

2008-10-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

First page: Picture of cow, word MOOO
Next page: Picture of dog, word Woof
Etc.

Very good for delayed kids like Seany who can't handle lots going on in pictures.

Don't Look Back

2008-10-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

by Amanda Quick

Ok, this is a fluffy book. I actually find the main character mildly annoying. I've read the book 3 times before (not a major commitment emotionally or on my eyes). This time I kept changing the plot and the dialogue to suit what I think they should have been doing.

I didn't finish it, because I got my newest library book.

It's Museum Madness with Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

2008-10-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

No clue who wrote it.

Unless you're a Scooby fan, this book is not for you. Very obvious from start to finish. It follows the format of the animated series and the pictures all look like they came straight out of the tv. Andrew loved it, which is as it should be, as the book is his very own.

Dream

2008-10-24T06:26:00.001-07:00

I have no good blog for this. But this is the best choice as I believe the Isabel Dalhousie books lead to this entry.

When I was a senior in high school, there was a boy. A boy that loved me. He was not someone I would have chosen (nor did I choose him). After high school, he joined the Marines. While he was at boot camp, he wrote me and I wrote back (more out of a sense of courtesy than any great fondness). By the time he came out and before he was preparing to go far off to the Arab world, I had met Mark and obviously wanted to be with him.

The boy came to visit it me during his brief leave at that grocery store where I for so long toiled. This is what I regret. I let him down on the bread aisle. I told him the truth. But upon reflection now (as a grown-up and probably more empathic than necessary self), I see how cruel I was. Why didn't I say, I can meet you at such and such time? And why didn't I give him the courtesy of a proper conversation? I knew how he felt about me, it was certainly no secret to me. And although I did not return his affection, I wish I'd been kinder to him.

The last I had heard from him was a letter from that Arab country where he was stationed. And in that letter, I learned what debauchery he claimed to be up too. I felt a moment's sadness and put him entirely out of my mine. I haven't given this guy a thought for 13 years and last night I had a dream about him.

I guess I am just regretful that I caused such hurt and I hope he worked through his problems and is happy now. I'll never know what happened to him, but I wish for him the kind of joy and love that have filled my life.

The Careful Use of Compliments

2008-10-24T06:23:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

I so enjoyed the previous book that I immediately started the next in the series. Isabel is now a mother and thing are continuing to progress well with the beautiful Jamie. The mystery lies in 2 paintings that Isabel thinks might be fakes. Very exciting.

Ok, I loved this book. But because I've read enough of his books now, I figured out the mystery pretty early on. Still quite excellent. Wonderful.

The Right Attitude to Rain

2008-10-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

This time Isabel meets a Dallas couple, engaged, neither of whom seem to be all that into the other. She suspects the woman to be a gold-digger and le drama unfolds. Things progress rather nicely with Jamie as well.

Quite enjoyed. Excellent even. Wonderful.

Liquid Glass

2008-10-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Taken from The Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith.

This not be my review, but this made me laugh.

The glass in the fanlight, Jamie had said, was the origianl pane put in
when the tenement was built in 1850. "You can tell old glass," he
said. "It is thicker at the bottom than at the top. It's liquid, you
see. It very slowly sags downwards." Like people, thought
Isabel.

Friends, Lovers, Chocolate

2008-10-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

This is the second installment in the Isabel Dalhousie series. Very very good. I think I enjoyed it more than the first because I know Isabel so much better now.

There is an extremely touching tale of heart transplant, if for no other reason, the book is worth that story. But you have to be patient, he tells the story slowly and there's a lot of character development.

Sigh. Nothing better than a well told story.

Thank you, sir.

Shall we Dance, Charlie Brown?

2008-10-19T12:14:00.001-07:00

by Charles Schultz

I'm not a fan of Charlie Brown stories, books, comics etc. They make me feel sad. Like this one. He meets a nice girl and is finally enjoying himself when his dog ruins it for him. He never gets to just have a good time, hang out with nice peeps, etc.

Not impressed.

Baby's First Baby Animals Boardbook

2008-10-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Very cute book about baby animals.

Picture, name, picture, name...

Very good for speech delayed (Seany) tots who like animals (Ryan). They get to say animal names over and over, sounds they make, practice signs...

All around good time book!

Baby Strawberry Shortcake Boardbook

2008-10-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Shortcake as a baby. Doing baby things, finding different things under the flaps. Book strawberry flavored.

Ryan tried to bite it. Seany likes to read it to me.

The Sunday Philosophy Club

2008-10-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

This is the author of the No. 1 Detective Agency books. These feature a very moral Scottish woman in Scotland. I like the writing style, he writes in character and gives the reader a feel for the place. And you can't help by like the main characters.

Very good.

I Love Trains

2008-10-06T15:22:00.001-07:00

by

This book is great for a little engineer. It features a little boy dressed as an engineer and he talks about all the types of cars and what they're for. The train goes by, the boy has a matching train set. Basically, its about trains.

I've discovered the drawback to this blog

2008-10-03T11:27:00.001-07:00

I want to be able to talk about the books I read, therefore this blog. Problem comes in, don't want to give away major plot details, give away meaning of the book, etc.

Therefore, I've warned you, you might get too much info.

Too dang bad.

Plus I want to be able to quote passages, and that would sometimes really give stuff away.

The Going to Bed Book

2008-10-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

by Sandra Boynton

Board book about an assortment of animals (lion, hippo, dog, rabbit, elephant, pig...) who live together on a boat and get ready for bed. Sometimes Sean has to 'read' this book 10 times -- by read I mean point to the pig on every page.

Very cute for the preschool crowd. And the older preschoolers like the jokes (animals in the wrong jammies...)

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

2008-10-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

by Eric Kimmel

Hershel arrives in a snowy mountain village during Hanukkah and no menorahs are lit. He discovers the goblin king hates Hanukkah and Hershel must save it.

Andrew loves it. Every goblin looks different. And I like that Kimmel throws in some Jewish prayers and teaches about the different bits of Hanukkah (driedel, menorah, different candles, synagogue, etc).

Morality for Beautiful Girls

2008-10-02T16:46:00.000-07:00

by Alexander McCall Smith

#3 in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series

Chronicles the life of Mma Ramotswe of Botswana (in Africa). She a PI and the stories are interesting, you learn about the African people without all the doom and gloom. Doom and gloom are acknowledged but this is really a series about the people.

Me likey.

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

2008-10-02T12:34:00.000-07:00

by Mitch Albom

I love this book. One of my make me feel better stand bys. I read it about 3 times a year.

Eddie, the main character, dies at 83 trying to save a little girl. He goes to heaven and all he wants to know is if he's saved her. He meets five people have five lessons to teach him. He revisits his life and learns from it. Beautiful story.

He's an excellent writer and he doesn't need 500 pages to tell you about a man's life.

Hershey's Kisses Counting Board Book

2008-10-02T12:32:00.001-07:00

RyGuy's library book.

Pictures of Hershey's Kisses.

Page 1 has 1 kiss, page 2 has 2 kisses, and so on and so forth. Good for counting and especially good for pretending to eat all the chocolates. Very fun for preschoolers and big kids (like Alex) pretending to munch all the chocolates before counting.

Fun times!

Frog on a Log

2008-10-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Seany's library book.

We haven't actually "read" it yet. He can't really handle that.

Frog, Dog, Pig, and hidden ducky. Frog falls off the log, then he or other strap himself to log and he goes round and round the log.

Very good for preschoolers, especially getting them to say words ending in g.

I read a lot of books

2008-10-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

and I'd like a place to talk about them.

Somedays I'll have something to say, somedays I'll have a book to review, somedays you'll get nothing.