Hogfather

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In my continuing journey of reading the Discworld series out of order, I read the Hogfather, where Death decides to take over for the missing Hogfather, Discworld's version of Santa. Poor Albert has his hands full with Death taking following the job to the letter, even if it causes more harm than good.

Along the way, many new characters are introduced as fabled characters everyone stopped believing in start turning up causing mayhem.

Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: Corgi
Publication Date: 1996

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Not a Box

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is adorable. As soon as I finished it I made my mom read it. The book is a celebration of a child's imagination. The illustrations fit the text and add to the adorableness. Highly recommended for little kids.

Author: Antoinette Portis
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 1 Jan 2006

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Lost on the Amazon

Lost on the Amazon by R.A. Montgomery
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I grew up loving the Choose Your Own Adventure series and still do. There is something about having your choices affect the story that I enjoy. I found myself being safe in my choices with this one. For some reason, I really wanted my character to get out alive with no problems. For the record, that didn't happen.

Author: R.A. Montgomery
Publisher: Chooseco
Publication Date: Sept 1983

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Daughter of a King

Daughter of a King by Rachel Ann Nunes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I feel like this book is a good one for every teenage girl to read. It was written based on the LDS faith, but I think the message that you are an important person that is meant for great things is a good message for any girl. Remembering that you have worth is important in today's world.

Author: Rachel Ann Nunes
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication Date: 1 Oct 2001

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The Story of Babar

The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I was little, Babar was a television show. I didn't know it was a book series until recently. This is an adorable children's book, and I can't wait to read the others in the series. One thing that confuses me as an adult is why no one in the book seems to think it's weird that an elephant is going out buying clothes and driving cars. Does this happen often?

Author: Jean de Brunhoff
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 1931

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Another Whole Nother Story

Another Whole Nother Story by Cuthbert Soup
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the series, and it is just as weird as the first. While the story is written in such a way that younger kids could read it, I feel like you have to be a little older to actually understand it. There is time travel and name changes that sometimes make it hard to remember who is speaking, and what is going on where they are at.

There is nothing serious in this series. Even situations that seem like they would be serious, somehow end up being the opposite. This series almost reminds me of A Series of Unfortunate Events. It has the same type of tone.

Author: Cuthbert Soup
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: 23 Nov 2010

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Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger

Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger by Jon Scieszka
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Frank Einstein series. It was just as entertaining as the first. The series teaches children about science without getting boring.

My main issue with this book, was the color choice. While yellow works well on the cover, I had a hard time reading the first line of every chapter. Yellow on white paper does not show up very well.

This series is great for children that have any interest in science.

Author: Jon Scieszka
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Publication Date: 17 Mar 2015

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A Bear Called Paddington

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I remember Paddington from when I was a child, but I had never read the book before. Now that I have, I have to say, Paddington is everything I aspire to be. Maybe it's just his attitude. Everything is an adventure in his mind.

Now that I've read the book, I might watch the movie. Hopefully, it will live up to the book.

Author: Michael Bond
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pubication Date: 22 Jul 2014

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I'm Not Your Sweet Babboo

I'm Not Your Sweet Babboo! by Charles M. Schulz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I own Peanuts collections, but I have never read any of the comics compiled in this book.

There is not a lot to say about Peanuts that is not already known. The characters are great, and I liked being able to see them in new situations. Anyone who enjoys Peanuts should read this collection. Most likely, you will read Peanuts comics you haven't read before, or at least, haven't read in a while.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Charles M. Schulz
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: 13 Mar 2018

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The Temptation of Adam

The Temptation of Adam by Dave Connis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Temptation of Adam was either going to be really good, or really bad. Dealing with topics like drug abuse and porn addictions, there isn't a middle ground. Luckily, even though I started this book feeling skeptical, it ended up being a good read.

This is a book that without a doubt is meant for mature readers. It is a YA book, but that doesn't mean that it is appropriate for anyone that reads at that level.

Adam is a teenager addicted to porn, and his actions reflect the affects of the addiction. Of course, most people can't see the damage they are doing, and have a hard time accepting help. When Adam is told he has to join the Knights of Vice in order to be able to return to school, he starts on a road to change that he never expected.

While dealing with the topic of porn is difficult, especially in a book geared towards teenagers, I feel that it is important to show how your life can be affected by it. The book also shows the struggles other have with their various vices. It's not just a one note warning. We all have our vices, and sometimes it takes a lot to admit to having them and start to move forward.

The Temptation of Adam shows addiction through the lens of someone who has an addiction, and someone who is watching someone else go through the struggle. Hopefully this book and other like it serve as a wake up call to anyone that might be struggling with something like that.

This is a recommended read, especially for those who may be struggling.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Dave Connis
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Publication Date: 21 Nov 2017

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Little Carp (Marzi #1)

Little Carp by Marzena Sowa
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Little Carp is a comic about Marzi, a girl living in Poland in the 80s. The comic is an autobiographical account of the authors childhood. I think that choosing to write your biography in comics is a brave choice. It helps to bring everything to life, but it also limits the amount of detail that can be provided.

I struggled a little with this book, because Poland in the 80s was very different than the world I grew up in. There are cultural things mentioned in the book that I have no experience with. I don't think that can be avoided, it how it really was at the time, but it does make it harder to understand what is going on.

Although this is a comic, I would recommend this book for older kids to teens.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Marzena Sowa
Publisher: Europe Comics
Publication Date: 19 Jul 2017

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Big Foot and Little Foot

Big Foot and Little Foot by Ellen Potter
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Big Foot and Little Foot is a cute story for children showing the importance of not judging someone without actually getting to know them.

Hugo is a Sasquatch who has heard terrible things about humans, but when he finally has a chance to see one up close, he risks everything for that one peak. He is soon has a secret involving Boone, a child. As Hugo grows closer to Boone, the reader wonders what the rest of the Sasquatch will do if they see one of the humans they fear so much. Hugo and Boone have to work together to stop the stereotypes plaguing both sides.

Once you get to know someone, the differences don't seem as big, even if you are a Sasquatch and a human.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Ellen Potter
Publisher: ABRAMS Kids
Publication Date: 10 Apr 2018

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Death By Cliche

Death by Cliché by Bob Defendi
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book had an interesting concept. I had a hard time understanding parts of it because I don't play the types of games the book mentions. I was able to understand the gist of it, but I'm sure there are finer details that I did not catch.

This is definitely a book for adults. Maybe older teenagers, but it is not YA. The beginning of the book was hilarious, but it didn't keep up for the whole story. I have the second book in the series to read. We will see if I understand more of what is going on once I start that book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Bob Defendi
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication Date: 2008

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DragonWatch

Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm ready for the next book in this series. I'm excited to have the characters from the Fablehaven series back. I'm not sure how I feel about the new ones that have entered the story, but time will tell how I really feel about them.

I do wish that Seth had matured at least a little more. He is getting a little annoying. I keep getting the grandparents mixed up. I know they were in the other books, but I still can't remember which ones are which.

Author: Brandon Mull
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication Date: 14 Mar 2017

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Zom-B Angels

Zom-B Angels by Darren Shan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This series is completely unpredictable. It's hard to keep track of who is good and who is bad. I'm not sure how I feel about the Angels. I'm going to have to keep reading the series to decide. I kind of feel like each book by itself is hard to review. Once I finish reading the whole series, I will be able to do a better one.

The Angels are an interesting concept. I can't wait to see what role they play in the rest of the series.

Author: Darren Shan
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publication Date: 1 Jan 2013

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