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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Zom-B Baby

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

So, this is the creepiest of the Zom-B books to date. I haven't finished the series, so there may be something creepier than this, but that baby? Seriously, Darren Shan, babies are normally not that creepy. Actually, babies are normally not creepy at all.

I don't even know what else to say about this book, except creepy baby. Creepy, creepy baby. Way to go Darren Shan, the baby is stuck in my head.

Author: Darren Shan
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Publication Date: 2013

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Eric a Discworld Novel

Eric by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am reading the Discworld series all out of order, but I still love them. Maybe, at some point in the future, I will read them all in order and love every minute of it. As it is, I've been getting them from the library when I can. I think it says a lot for a series that even when you don't read it in order, there is still a story great enough to keep you going. You don't have to have an in-depth knowledge of the series to enjoy each book.

Eric is a boy who attempt to capture a demon and gets much more than he ever bargained. His adventures take him throughout a history that looks similar to the one taught to children in schools around the world. It was interesting to see events like the Trojan war and the odyssey through the eyes of a fantasy writer.

There is a nod to many classical authors throughout the novel, turning their serious works on their heads and seeing what happens. I would recommend not only reading Eric, but also reading the other books hinted at. I'm not sure you can completely understand the brilliance of Eric without having at least some knowledge of the other writings.

Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: 1990

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Arthur and the Minimoys

Arthur and the Minimoys by Luc Besson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I believe this is one of the books I received for free from an elementary school. It is an interesting concept, but I found it difficult to get through. It didn't capture my attention. I personally feel like there was too much off topic information that slowed the plot down. It is possible that the information that didn't seem to belong is relevant to the second book, but it didn't make sense in this one.

This novel is about the adventures of Arthur as he tries to save his grandmother's property by finding his grandfather that disappeared many years before. He is thrust into the miniature world of the Minimoys and joins in their struggles to defeat the evil M who may know where Arthur's grandfather is.

I like the fact that this novel shows children that they can accomplish great things, even if they feel small. You can do great things if you believe in yourself.

Author: Luc Besson
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 2002

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Zom-B City

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

Darren Shan, it must be an interesting place in your head. I keep reading this series thinking that there is no where else for it to go, but then he pulls something out of a never-ending bag of tricks.

B is one of those characters that you want to protect and smack on the back of the head, at the same time. The character shows how our upbringings affect us. B is redeemed by trying to be more than the person she was raised to be. I'm wondering what happened to her parents. I'm hoping that at some point in the series, there will be an answer to that.

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

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Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I decided to read this book because the movie was coming out. After finishing this book, I don't think I would be able to watch the movie. I feel like there is something special about the story that is going to be missing from the movie. The movie could be great, but the book should also be enjoyed.

The way the story is written helps make the ending unpredictable. So many of the characters are dramatic and have their own secrets, that you wonder whose version of the events you can believe. This book is worth reading over and over.

Author: Liane Moriarty
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: 29 Jul 2014

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Leonardo's Secret: Clean Up Your Act!

Leonardo's Secret: Clean Up Your Act! by Clarence Sheridan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is a cute book for little kids. It introduces kids to the world of Leonardo da Vinci as a child trying to create helpful inventions with his friend Tuttle the turtle. Leonardo shows what great things you can achieve with determination and imagination. Things don't always turn out right, but great things can happen when you don't give up.

This book is best for younger kids.

Author: Clarence Sheridan
Publisher: Clarence M Sheridan
Publication Date: 29 Oct 2011

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Zom-B Underground

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

So, this book was kind of intense. What happens when you turn into a zombie but not the mindless kind? In this second book B wakes up to discover that she is a zombie, but can still mentally decide on what is right and wrong. While the world is trying to get rid of the zombies, B struggles to decide what side she is on.

The Zom-B series is full of gore and yet completely captivating. The gore that come from a world over run by zombies is not watered down at all. Having everything depicted in so much detail brings the story to life in a way that would not have been possible otherwise.

Darren Shan knows how to bring a story to life.

Author: Darren Shan
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 2 Jan 2013

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Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Forget Me Not is written from the point of view of Calliope June, a girl with Tourette syndrome. It is written in verse, with a side point of view written in short paragraphs. Having two different writing styles, makes it clear who is speaking at any given point.

Calliope shows what it is like to be different than those around you, and the struggles of dealing with people who don't take the time, or even want, to understand why those differences exist. This novel shows how quickly judgments are formed against someone.

The second point of view, shows the struggles of someone who wants to understand, but is also afraid that they will face the same criticism of the person being judged. It is clear that in order to stand up befriend those who are different, sometimes you risk losing other friends that don't want to understand.

This book shows the courage to be someone different, and the courage to befriend them. These seemingly small things, can have a huge impact on children and teenagers.

I read this book for the Beehive Book Awards

Author: Ellie Terry
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: 14 Mar 2017

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Solo

Solo by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Solo is about a teenager named Blade and his struggles growing up as the child of a rock and roll star. The story is told through poetry and song lyrics, making it a quick read, but also one that has a deeper meaning.

There is plenty of character development and emotion in the storyline. The book is written from Blade's point of view, which helps the reader understand the emotions and situations he is dealing with.

I find it hard to give a decent review of this novel without spoilers. There is a lot that happens, including many surprise moments. I recently bought this book, and would recommend.

I read this book for the Beehive Book Awards.

Author: Kwame Alexander
Publisher: Blink
Publication Date: 25 Jul 2017

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A Dangerous Year Gets FIVE Stars

A Dangerous Year by Kes Trester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn't too sure of this book at first, but, by the time I finished, I was ready for the next one.

This book is one of the great ones that pulls you in more as you read. It was an emotional roller coaster, at least for me. I don't even know what to say, my mind is still processing the ending. Kes Trester write quickly please, I need the next one.

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

Author: Kes Trester
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication Date: 26 Sept 2017

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Feet of Clay a Discworld Novel

Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Discworld, and Feet of Clay did not disappoint. There are so many twists and turns that I could not have predicted how everything was going to turn out. The cast of characters makes the book entertaining on a whole new level, and makes you question everything anyone does.

Terry Pratchett books are always great for the humor, especially since almost nothing is said or done as a joke. The seriousness of the characters heightens the humor.

I have not read the other books in the City Watch portion of the Discworld series, but they are on my list. I want to read more about the city watch and visit these characters again.

Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: HarTorch (Note: Publisher is based on the edition I read)
Publication Date: 1996

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Old Misery

Old Misery by James Sage
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Old Misery is a humorous quick read. It tells the story of a little old lady and her apple tree. I found the story to be entertaining and unexpected. That's a large feat for such a short story.

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

Author: James Sage
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Expected Publication Date: 01 May 2018

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Diary of a Maxed Out Kid

Diary of a Maxed Out Kid by Vic Connor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the series. Max is a kid growing up in Russia in the 80s. This is just as a warning, since some of the names and situations may be a little difficult to understand if you do not know Russian culture. This isn't a major problem, it just makes it harder to relate to some of the situations in the book.

Overall, I find Max to be a likable character. He's a boy's boy with a heart of gold. I hope his character continues to develop through the other books.

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

Author: Vic Connor
Publisher: Helvetic House
Publication Date: 13 Dec 2014

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Live Fearless

Live Fearless: A Call to Power, Passion, and Purpose by Sadie Robertson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think everyone, religious or not, should read this book and at least take some of the lessons into your life. There is good advice in its pages. As I read the book, I constantly thought about some of the stories and messages. They stay with you even after you finish reading. The only thing that really threw me, was the different versions of the Bible used. I only use one version, so it felt odd reading verses with wording I didn't recognize. It is interesting to read the different versions and see things from a different point of view. The message doesn't change, but your connection to it might.

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

Author: Sadie Robertson
Publisher: Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S
Publication Date: 06 Feb 2018

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Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes with TONS of Sass

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I used to like the Percy Jackson books, but by this point, it's just too much. I decided to finish it off with Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes with an open mind. Just because I'm over the series, doesn't mean a one off book can't be amazing. This book fell flat.

The illustrations were awesome, props to John Rocco, but the stories were all over the place. Maybe it's just me, but Percy's voice was way to prevalent. It was all over the place. It felt more contained in Percy Jackson's Greek Gods. This book seemed to be less about the actual heroes stories, and more about the snide side comments. Maybe I just relate to the other book more.

The size of the book was also an issue with me. I know it helped with the images, but the book is heavy and hard to deal with. I used a pillow to prop the book up on my lap.

All of this of course is my own personal opinion. I know there are people out there that really like Percy, so they will not have a problem with the abundance of side comments. Everything depends on what you like.

Author: Rick Riordan
Illustrator: John Rocco
Publisher: Disney - Hyperion Books
Publication Date: 2014

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Wild Born (Spirit Animals)

Wild Born by Brandon Mull
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that I'm not really sure of. I think I need to read the rest of the books in the series before I really decided. Part of my problem was the names of people and places. In my mind, it was hard for me to keep them straight. That's something that I'm sure will be resolved after I read more of the books. It's an interesting premise, and I can see how it could make a great story. I'm intrigued enough to keep reading the books.

Author: Brandon Mull
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 1 Jan 2013

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Raymie Nightingale for Beehive Book Awards

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Raymie Nightingale is about three girls with secrets that slowly come out as they become friends. It's a coming-of-age story that shows what each of the girls is going through as their views on the world change. I liked the development of the characters, but there was too much going on. I know some of the situations were made up, but it became hard for me to remember who was who, and who didn't really exist at all. This would be an enjoyable book for children in elementary school.

I read this book for the Beehive Book Awards.

Author: Kate DiCamillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: 12 Apr 2016

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Real Friends

Real Friends by Shannon Hale
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Real Friends is the autobiography of Shannon Hale as she struggles with finding friends in elementary school. The story is portrayed as a graphic novel, with the illustrations telling as much of the story as the words. This book is a great example of how events that seem insignificant to an adult can be life changing to a child.

I believe there are many children out there that could relate to the feelings of Shannon as she struggles to find real friends. Even as adults, I think people can relate to being insecure around others and wondering what they think about you, and what they might be telling people behind your back.

I was asked to read this book for the Beehive Book Awards.

Author: Shannon Hale
Publisher: First Second
Publication Date: 2 May 2017

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The List

The List by Patricia Forde
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The concept for this book enthralled me. Showing how words have power by taking them away is something I've never seen done before. Using names like Noa and Ark did make me feel uncomfortable. I understand the symbolism behind those choices, but I still would have preferred something else.

Because many of the characters only speak List, the words that are still allowed in Ark, there are times when the dialog is choppy. It's hard to read, but that seems to be the point. When something as simple as a word is taken away, you realize how much harder you have to look to find a way to express what you are trying to say. In a world where most words have been taken away, the villagers no longer have a way of expressing pretty much anything. This makes it easier for those that do have all the words to stay in control.

The end of the book becomes really dark, so if you are looking for a fun light-hearted read, this is not it. If you are looking for something that forces you to think about human nature, this is a good book to read. The List is a good book, it just was a little too dark for me.

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

Author: Patricia Forde
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Publication Date: 1 Aug 2017

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Nothing Happens in this Book

Nothing Happens in This Book by Judy Ann Sadler
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The illustrations help make this book. There are clues as to what is going to happen in the illustrations. It is a cute book for kids that is more than just words on the page.

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

Author: Judy Ann Sadler
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: 01 May 2018

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Rebel, Bully, Geek, Pariah

Rebel Bully Geek Pariah by Erin Jade Lange
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that drew me in because of the cover. The story was great. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested. The four main characters have back stories that help explain choices they make. Each one starts out as either the rebel, bully, geek, or pariah, but slowly come to realize that a person is not just a label. There are many different facets of a person.

The time jumps did leave me a little confused. When I finished the book, I realized that I hadn't really understood the beginning at all. I will have to read it again to see if I can figure out what I missed the first time.

Author: Erin Jade Lange
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: 16 Feb 2016

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Why Not Me

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I will admit, I have never watched anything that Mindy Kaling has been in, but decided to read this book. It was humorous, but was something that is really only appropriate for adults. It was a little too crude for me. If you are okay with adult humor, this is a book that you will probably enjoy.

Author: Mindy Kaling
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Publication Date: 15 Sept 2015

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Allies of the Night

Allies of the Night by Darren Shan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After reading the first book in the Zom-B series, the Cirque du Freak series still holds my interest, but it doesn't seem as dark or gory as it used to be. The story continues from past books, and brings the reader along with Darren as he searches for the Vampaneze Lord. Throughout the book, you wonder who the Vampaneze Lord is and why Darren seems to be given special attention by him.

This book takes the reader back to a location and characters that have been mentioned before. While Darren still looks like a teenager, everyone he used to know is an adult. This makes it a little difficult for him to explain why he still looks the same as he did years ago. His looks also get him in trouble when he does not appear to be going to school, even though there is an application for him.

Many mysteries are brought up throughout the book, with very few of them being resolved. This tactic draws the reader into the rest of the series.

Author: Darren Shan
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Publication Date: 2002

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Mutts Spring Diaries

The Mutts Spring Diaries by Patrick McDonnell
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I've always liked the Mutts comics, but this one fell a little flat. The layout makes it look like someone took Mutts comics and then glued them into a notebook. It didn't feel like a real book.

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

Author: Patrick McDonnell
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: 16 Jan 2018

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The Axe of Sundering

The Axe of Sundering by M.L. Forman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

There was a lot of buildup for this book. The initial publication date was pushed back when the author had health issues. This is understandable and a valid reason to not have the book ready. I think that the delay in publishing made it so the author felt he needed to get it out as soon as possible, and the story suffered for it.

I have read all the other books in the series and was looking forward to seeing how it ended. I honestly thought there would be more than five books, but this one has been announced as the final book in the series, so it had to have a strong send off. This book felt completely disconnected from the rest of the books. It was okay I guess, but Alex started getting really annoying, and characters and story lines that had been throughout the rest of the series were randomly dropped. What happened to the rest of the magic bags that Alex was supposed to be returning? All of the previous books had him return a bag, but if my math is correct, he still had at least three by the end of the series. Nothing was mentioned about them at all.

There were a lot of new characters, but they didn't seem to serve any real purpose. They were just fillers. There were plenty of characters that had been present for most of the series that I would have loved to see again. I believe there were only three that were mentioned, two of which were only mentioned for a moment. I couldn't really connect with the new characters. They hadn't been around long enough for me to care about what happened to them.

This series could have done with at least a couple more books. It was a disappointment to wait so long only to end up reading a book that seems disconnected from the rest of the series.

Author: M.L. Forman
Publisher: Shadow Mountain

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Shoeburn and the Ill Fitting Necklace

Shoeburn and The Ill-Fitting Necklace by Shoeburn Ruffet
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book was too out there for me. There were too many tangents that had nothing to do with the actual story. I couldn't tell if Shoeburn was being sarcastic or really didn't know what was going on. He is a very unlikely protagonist. This book would be great for those that like dry humor and under-dog stories, but it wasn't something I particularly enjoyed. I had a hard time keeping track of who everyone was and how all of their characters fit together.

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

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication Date: 31 Oct 2017

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Wychetts

Wychetts by William Holley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think the premise of the book was interesting, but I couldn't get past the main characters. I understand that they were young, but they were a little too childish and annoying to me. There wasn't a lot of character development, and the story was not interesting enough to make me want to read the next one in the series. Of course, the characters could grow during the rest of the series, but it didn't pull me in enough to keep reading. Middle-grade kids that like fantasy would probably really like this book. I'm sure they would relate to the characters more than I did.

Author: William Holley
Publication Date: 16 Aug 2013

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Raggedy Ann Stories

Raggedy Ann Stories by Johnny Gruelle
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I grew up with Raggedy Ann dolls, so I really enjoyed the stories. This book is one that would be really enjoyable for little kids. I liked the stories, but as an adult, I'm not sure if I would read it again to myself. If I was reading to a child, this would be a go to book. I like that it's not one long story. It's broken out into small stories that do not have to be read in order. I think having it broken out into smaller stories keeps a child's attention, which is what you want when reading.

Author: Johnny Gruelle
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 1918

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One of Us is Lying...Who Killed Simon

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that I picked up at the library just because the cover looked interesting. I'm glad the story lived up to the cover. Throughout the whole book you wonder, who killed Simon. The four main characters all have major secrets that they don't want exposed. These secrets make them look both guilty and innocent.

In today's world of technology, the search for Simon's killer leaps into the national spotlight. Thanks to all the different social media outlets out there, new evidence is discovered as the story progresses. You have to wonder, how much of this information is true, and how much is being used to frame someone that is innocent.

One of Us Is Lying is a page turner that mixes truth with lies to the point that the reader doesn't know what to believe. The ending was one that I didn't see coming, which is always satisfying.

Author: Karen M McManus
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: 30 May 2017

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7th Grade Revolution

7th Grade Revolution by Liana Gardner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

7th Grade Revolution is one of those books that is so close to being a 4-star, but, because I now know what happens, it takes away some of the suspense. I wish there was a way to read the book over again, without remembering what I already know. It is a great read the first time around when the mystery is still there.

The character development was great. With so many points of view, the reader has an inside look into the students' personal lives, and therefore, knows why some of the things they do are so important. There is a complexity to the story that is brought in by knowing the past of some of the students.

The farther I read, the more invested I was in the story. The mystery was great, but the fact that the students did everything without any adults guiding them made the story. It was a good reminder that you don't have to be an adult or even have an adults help to do great things. Everyone is capable of greatness, even if they are kids. In fact, in this book, the adults could stand to learn from the children.

I only had two issues with the book, but they are minor. I read the book on my kindle, so I don't know if a physical book would make a difference, but to me, the images were really dark and hard to make out. I could have done without them. I also had a problem keeping the characters straight. With so many points of view, it was hard for me to remember all the story lines for the different students. It is completely possible that it is just me having difficulties keeping things straight in my head. I'm sure a second read-through would help me understand who is who.

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

Author: Liana Gardner
Publisher: Vesuvian Books
Publication Date: 24 Oct 2017

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The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a cute children's book that took unexpected turns. The story line was original and entertaining. The characters changed over the course of the book, which was wonderful. There was so much going on in the story, that it would have been unbelievable for there to be no character development.

Author: Kate Saunders
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012

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Cirque Du Freak: Hunters of the Dusk

Hunters of the Dusk by Darren Shan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Cirque Du Freak series is perfect for those wanting something darker than a normal YA book, while not going off the deep end.

In the middle of the War of Scars, Darren learns that he is one of three that must search out the Vampaneze Lord and kill him in order to save all the vampires. That's a lot for a half-vampire to deal with, especially one dealing with some growing pains.

I appreciate that while the series is chronological, there are some years that are completely skipped over. The books span years, and I wouldn't not want to read about six years of war when the events that affect Darren don't happen until after that. The story flows because of the time glossed over. The reader still gains a sense of what has happened, they are not left going through something that has no real relevance to the moment.

This book does not focus just on vampires, the members of the Cirque Du Freak make a short appearance. While I wish the time at the circus had been longer, I really enjoyed the pages spent showing where the circus acts are in their lives.

On to book 8.

Author: Darren Shan
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Publication Date: 2002

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Living Like Audrey

Living Like Audrey: Life Lessons from the Fairest Lady of All by Victoria Loustalot
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Living Like Audrey takes a personal look at the Audrey the world knows. Her life outside of the spotlight is shown through pictures, quotes, and stories from the people who knew her well. The only issue I really had, was the fact that the images and quotes would break up a chapter, sometimes in the middle of a sentence. The flow ended up being choppy because of this.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
Author: Victoria Loustalot
Publisher: Lyons Press
Publication Date: 1 Sept 2017

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Clockwork Princess

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've officially finished the series, but I don't know how I feel about it. Maybe I need to read the other series to figure out my feelings.

I was okay with the book until close to the end. The ending went downhill for me. It didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story. There were some gasp worthy moments throughout the book, so I feel that it is worth the read.

I think I'm going to wait until I've read the other series before giving a final judgement.

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The Splendid Baron Submarine

The Splendid Baron Submarine by Eric Bower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Bizzare Baron Inventions series. Like the first book, The Splendid Baron Submarine is light-hearted and full of humor.

The Baron's are tasked with finding a long lost treasure to become national heroes. It seems like an easy task thanks to M and P's inventions. When you add in monkeys, ghosts, sharks, and giant worms, the task starts to seem impossible. While W.B's sanity is called into question, the family realizes that things may not be as they first appeared.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Eric Bower
Publisher: Amberjack Publishing
Publication Date: 7 Nov 2017

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Killer Fashion...or How to Catch on Fire

Killer Fashion: Poisonous Petticoats, Strangulating Scarves, and Other Deadly Garments Throughout History by Jennifer Wright
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I never knew that fashion could be so deadly. The history of the fashion is educational, but, the illustrations and poems make the book great. It's a quick read, so I don't have a lot to say about it. Honestly, I'm just glad I wasn't alive during some of these fashion trends.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
Author: Jennifer Wright
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: 21 Nov 2017

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Mervyn vs. Dennis

Mervyn vs. Dennis by Niels Saunders
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Don't let the jar of peanut butter on the cover fool you, this is an adult book. It is also not a clean book, which is why I gave it two stars instead of three. The main story was great, with memorable characters, but, there were too many moments that made me really uncomfortable.

The book shows how wrong you can be when you judge them on the way they present themselves on the outside. We all have a part of ourselves that we don't want others to see. When Mervyn meets Dennis, a snap judgement is made, causing Mervyn to try and expose him. With a character as out there as Dennis, you have to wonder if he is just a compulsive, racist liar, or if things are not always as they may appear on the surface.

As much as I didn't like the very adult moments, I do believe that at least some of them were needed to tell the story. In a way, I think Niels Saunders makes readers uncomfortable on purpose. Opinions of the characters change during those moments.

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

Author: Niels Saunders
Publisher: Imperial Press
Publication Date: 5 July 2016

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The Uncommon Reader

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Uncommon Reader is a novella that asks the question, what happens when the queen starts reading? I am normally not a fan of short stories or novellas, but I feel like this time, it worked. It didn't need the length that a full novel provides to tell the story. The pace moved along without adding a bunch of unnecessary events that serve no purpose except to make the story longer.

Growing up in a country that doesn't have royalty, I feel like I may not have fully appreciated some of what was going on in the story. It was still a worthwhile read, and I appreciate that it shows how reading can change a person, not just in how they spend their time, but in the way they look at the world. It's true, that the more you read, the more your mind is open to other people and places. Personally, I think having an open mind is a good thing for any leader to have.

Author: Alan Bennett
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication Date: 18 Sept 2007

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Ordinary Magic Being an Ord is Hard Work

Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Ordinary Magic is about a world where everyone has magic, and uses it to do everything. The question is, what happens to those people that for some reason not only have no magic, but can't be affected by the magic of others?

The premise of the story was interesting, it just took a weird turn. I was uncomfortable with the way the "ords" were treated. I understand why, but it seemed unreasonable to me that some of the parents and people in this world would treat the children the way they do. I did like the fact that even though the "ords" are different than everyone else, they have abilities that the people with magic don't. It shows that just because you are not like everyone else, doesn't mean that there isn't something special inside of you that makes you wonderful. I feel like that is what the book was really about, it just got too dark for my liking.

This is one of those books that would benefit from a sequel. I felt like there was too much left up in the air. I think if there was a sequel, I would read it and see where the story goes.

Author: Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: 1 May 2012

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If I Ran the Zoo

If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If I Ran the Zoo is definitely one of the lesser known Dr. Seuss books. Even as an adult, this book was a challenge. I feel like there were a lot more made up words than normal. I wonder if anyone has ever compared all of Dr. Suess's books to see which one has the most made up words. This is a tongue twister that forced me to slow down as I was reading. While it was enjoyable, I think this is not a book I would go back and read. there are other Dr. Seuss books that I will turn to.

Author: Dr. Seuss
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: 1 Jan 1950

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How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin Days

How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin' Days by Megan O'Russell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure about this book at first, and I think I will need to read the next book to really figure out how I feel about it. The story line was interesting, a magical phone that causes all sorts of problems for the teenagers who try to return it to its rightful owner.

I liked that the teenagers actually acted their age. It wasn't a bunch of kids finding something magic and then becoming super heroes or something. They were concerned about the magical world they had found, but also things like math and trying to decide what constitutes an emergency that would allow them to use the emergency credit card. Yes, there was some teen romance, but it was realistically awkward.

I wish the book would have expanded more on the friends and why they were so important to what was going on. Bryant can work the phone, so his roll in the story is clear, but the others are told they have rolls too, and that fate brought them all together. Why? Why were they so important. I would like their special skills to be expounded.

The aftermath of everything was left up in the air. Hopefully the next book will start out with Bryant's parents and everything that had been affected by the kids' actions. As a stand alone, I would say that it isn't really complete, but as the first in a series, it works.

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

Author: Megan O'Russell
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication Date: 15 Aug 2017

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Corduroy Lost and Found

Corduroy Lost and Found by B.G. Hennessy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm not going to lie, Corduroy was one of my first loves. Something about Corduroy brings back the innocence of childhood. I may be biased, since I grew up with the original, but there is something to books that make you feel like you are a child again. There is nothing complicated about Corduroy. It's all about friendship and caring for other people. With how crazy the world is anymore, it was refreshing to read this.

Author: B.G. Hennessy
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 14 Sept 2006

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PostSecret The World is Depressed

ReganBooksPostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives by Frank Warren
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was not what I thought it would be. It was really dark and made me kind of worried for the human race. I thought it was going to be light hearted, but it was the opposite.

Frank Warren is not the author, but the compiler of postcards people have anonymously sent him with their secrets. I like the fact that the book is not just a list of secrets, but has the images of the postcards. The way the postcards were designed give more meaning to the secret written on it.

The book was okay, but I wonder if Frank gets many cards with happy secrets. It would have helped to have had some variety to the secrets. They were all just too dark and depressing.

Author: Frank Warren
Publisher: ReganBooks
Publication Date: 2005

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Jumanji

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that needs to be read before watching the movie. The book seems calm in comparison. For little kids, this book is great. I don't really have a lot to say about this one. It's a kid's book that does not really cross over to adult reading.

Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Pulisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Publication Date: 1981

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The Anybodies

The Anybodies by N.E. Bode
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The fact that this is the first book in a series saves it. The book was fine, but the ending would have been a disappointment if it was a stand alone. The story reminds me of the Inkheart series, with power being shown through books. The Anybodies takes a different spin on it, which made the story move in a direction I did not really see coming.

I appreciate the fact that this book references so many others. It would be great if children went and read the other books because they were mentioned in this one. It made me think back on the books I've read. If you could take parts of your favorite books and make a world with them, what would you pick? I wouldn't have picked the same ones as the author, but they fit the story.

The author is like Lemony Snicket, a persona used to help the author talk directly to the reader as a character. Having the author talk to the reader is tricky. It could work, or it could be a disaster and break up the books flow. I think the author managed to do this successfully.

Depending on how the other books in the series go, I may read this book again.

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 25 May 2004

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Mary Poppins Comes Back

Mary Poppins Comes Back by P.L. Travers
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to read this series after the movie came out about Walt Disney and P.L. Travers. So many people were saying that the movie was nothing like the book. After reading the first two books in this series, I still don't get what everyone has been upset about. Besides the fact that the Mary Poppins in the book is not as nice as the one in the movie, it seems to be a pretty good representation. True, the events in the book are a little different than the movie version, but, I can see where they used the same events just in a slightly different way.

There is a pattern with the books that kind of bugs me. After reading the first two, I have a pretty good idea of how the rest of the series goes. I'm not a fan of books that are predictable, so I don't think I will be reading the rest of this series. I usually go by the idea that you should never judge a book by its movie, because the book is usually better, but this time I'm going to have to change my mind. The movie will always be close to my heart. Maybe if I had read the books before I ever saw the movie I would feel different, but that is not the case. They were okay, I didn't struggle to get through them, I just didn't find any joy in the writing.

Author: P.L. Travers
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
First Publication: 1935

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Emily's Runaway Imagination

Emily's Runaway Imagination by Beverly Cleary
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book takes place in a time when most modern conveniences had not been invented yet. It is kind of like the Little House on the Prairie books in that regard. Because of this, I think the audience is limited. There are kids that will like this book, but in a world were technology plays such an important roll in our everyday lives, I'm not sure some kids would even understand what is happening.

Emily is like me, she absolutely loves books, and sometimes has a very loose grasp on reality. She seems to over think things all the time. Instead of being a carefree child, her mind is going contently, which makes the everyday normal things seem dramatic.

This is one of those books that, as an adult, I don't think I would read again, however; I think children that are not completely consumed by electronics would enjoy it. Especially good for kids that like the Little House on the Prairie series.

Author: Beverly Cleary
Publisher: HarperCollins
First Publication: 1961

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