Jocelyn Shaw: Book Reviews

Summer Reading Club Book Reviews

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:05:32 GMT

Book Reviews from participants in the Pollinate Your Mind Summer Reading Club

5th Horseman by James Patterson: Patterson's legal thriller comes through like a beacon, shining light on the craze for malpractice suits against human doctors and hospitals, while making not even hospitals and doctors seem safe anymore.

Double Cross by James Patterson: Another "hit" in the Alex Cross series. I just can't get enough of it!

Sail by James Patterson: Good summer reading.

You've been warned by James Patterson: It was a great book. Kept me guessing.

Buckingham Palace Gardens by Anne Perry: So great to have a new book by one of my favorite authors. I did miss the antics of Charlotte Pitt in this one, though.

Cleaning by Real Simple: This book is amazing for anyone who ever had a question about what to clean with or how to clean. What kind of vacuum? Your answer is here! I clean homes so this book is Real Good, by the Real Simple Publishers!

Dr. Dre: the biography by Ronin Ro: At times a frustrating read for lack of chronological order. Ronin Ro delivers a rare and honest look into one of hip hop's greatest, most misunderstood. You don't have to appreciate hip hop to respect the genius of Dr. Dre.

Mom for Christmas by Doreen Roberts: Very, very good book--really pulls at the heart!

Summer Reading Club Reviews

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:57:13 GMT

Book Reviews from participants in the Pollinate Your Mind Summer Reading Club

Acorna's Triumph by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Scarborough: A remarkable conclusion nto a remarkable series. Keep up the good work Ms' Scarborough and McCaffrey.

Acorna's World by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Scarborough: As the "Acorna" series progresses, the books get better and better. In "Acorna's World", the author has changed from Margaret Ball to Elizabeth Scarborough, who seems to have brought in remarkable sense of wit. Good read.

Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl by Kate McCafferty: A hard look at reality during the slave era. Heartwrenching.

Deadly Lust by Vernon and Marie McCay: I didn't really care for the way the authors wrote this true account of a serial killer. For some reason, it just didn't "grab me".

Foreclosures.com guide to advanced investing technniques you won't learn anywhere else by Alexis McGee: A good read.

Crucible by Arthur Miller: Once you are part way through Act 2, the rest is a quick read.

Charade by Gilbert Morris: The book was a little disappointing at the end. This guy planshis revenge and in the end he becomes a Christian and so doe the "bad guy". It would be nice if the real world worked that way, but it doesn't. The end was just too over simplified. Still, a good read.

4th of July by James Patterson: This is truly the spookiest novel lthat I've read of Patterson's. Not only does it accurately call attention to the bias of society,mbut also makes you aware of the horrors of suburbia.

New Books in June 2008

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:24:07 GMT

New Items at HPL in June 2008

We have an updated Excel file for our 2008 new items

Summer Reading Club Book Reviews

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:14:41 GMT

Book Reviews from participants in the Pollinate Your Mind Summer Reading Club

Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen: A little too gross satire for my taste. Recommended for those who don't mind so much swearing and unusual thinking.

Past Perfect by Susan Issacs: Thrilling comedy! These two words say it all.

Book of the King by Jerry B. Jenkins: This book is for kids. It's an easy read, but it was very interesting. It's a start of a new series. It's about a boy surviving in the world and finds out he is destined for more in another world.

My Soul Cries Out by Sherri Lewis: A good book to read for married relationships. It moves you. Emotional, it makes you pray.

Deadfall by Robert Liparulo: Great. Fast paced. Edge of your seat suspense!

Portrait of a Burger as a Young Calf by Peter Lovenheim: I will never look at dairy or cheap beef the same way again. From now on, if it isn't organic and grass fed we probably won't be getting it.

Acorna's Quest by Anne McCaffrey and Margaret Ball: I'm a big fan of the "Acorna" series. In this book, 2nd in the series, Acorna goes out to find her people but they end up finding her instead. Stay tuned to book 3 to learn more about her people, though. Good read. Suspenseful.

Acorna's Rebels by Anne McCaffery and Elizabeth Scarborough: Acorna goes to RK's world to free them from oppressive powers. Real plot turner. Good read.

Summer Reading Club Book Reviews

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:49:29 GMT

Book Reviews from Participants in the Pollinate Your Mind Summer Reading Club

Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: A very good read. It looks huge but reads fast.

Plague Ship by Clive Cussler: Riveting thriller dealing with cults, gruesome deaths, exciting rescues. Couldn't put book down.

Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan: I liked that this book took off right from the beginning. I liked that Mark had a deeply troubled past that didn't expose itself until the end. I would recommend this book to people who like mysteries.

Money Hungry by Sharon Flake: This book was about a girl named Raspberry. She loved money and would do anything to get it. Well, Raspberry and her mom weren't the wealthiest. They lived in the suburbs, they were doing good until everything fell apart and they ended up homeless. But eventually they find a place in Pecan Landing with the help of her mom's boyfriend, Dr. Mitchell.

The Well adjusted child: the social benefits of homeschooling by Rachel Gathercole: Book shows that time and again that all socialization arguments against homeschooling just aren't valid. If you need encouragement that kids are better off learning at home and in the community, read this book.

Cool in Tucson by Elizabeth Gunn: I liked the plot, characters, etc., but the foul language turned me off. This may be "realism", but I do not choose to read it.

Crazy Eights by Elizabeth Gunn: Continuation of the Jake Hines series. Great characters.

Seventh Inning Stretch by Elizabeth Gunn: Great series. Love the characters.

Summer Reading Club Reviews

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:46:47 GMT

Book Reviews from Participants in the Pollinate Your Mind Summer Reading Club

Spinal Cord Injury and the Family by Michelle Alpert: Did not pertain to our circumstances (degenerative disease)

Simply Love by Mary Balogh: I like the fact that the main characters aren't standard issue drop dead gorgeous. Love will find a way.

Simply Magic by Mary Balogh: This is the 3rd book of the series that I have read. Each book was different and expressed an individual moral. This book suggested that we all look deeper into ourselves before we can claim a less than shallow life.

Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh: This is the first book I have read by this author. I am glad I borrowed the entire trilogy! I liked the plot twist and the fact that the gentleman was besotted and twisted himself into knots while the "damsel in distress" refuses him! I laughed, a lot!

Crossworder's Holiday by Nero Blanc: 5 short stories that were fun, fast reads and the crosswords were great.

Earth Changes Update by Hugh Lynn Cayce: Not current, but substantiates other books we are reading about predictions/psychic abilities.

Tenderness by Robert Cormier: This book was deeply intriguing. One reason that I liked it was because it allowed you to enter the mind of both Lori Cranston AND Eric Poole. The ending was greatly unexpected but definitely interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in murder/suspense/realistic fiction type books.

Pollinate Your Mind: HPL's Summer Reading Program

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:48:37 GMT

Pollinate Your Mind: Summer Reading 2008

This week 58 people participated in the Summer Reading club and read 135 books! So far, 81 people have read 232 books. The winners and their prizes will be announced later in the week.

This week's books were:

Author	Title
Alpert, Michelle	Spinal cord injury and the family
Anderson, Poul	Genesis
Austen, Jane	Mansfield Park
Austen, Jane	Persuasion
Austen, Jane	Persuasion
Babbitt, Natalie	Tuck Everlasting
Bader Hilary	Star Trek: Klingon
Balogh, Mary	Simply Love
Balogh, Mary	Simply Magic
Balogh, Mary	Simply Unforgettable
Blanc, Nero	Anatomy of a Crossword
Blanc, Nero	Another word for murder
Blanc, Nero	Crossworder's Holiday
Blanc, Nero	Death on the diagonal
Bray, Libba	Great and terrible Beauty
Bray, Libba	Rebel Angels
Bray, Libba	Sweet far thing
Cabot, Meg	Darkest Hour
Cabot, Meg	Jinx
Cabot, Meg	Queen of Babble
Cabot, Meg	Queen of Babble in the big city
Cabot, Meg	Teen Idol
Cabot, Meg	Twilight
Cannell, Dorothy	Goodbye Ms. Chips
Cayce, Hugh	Earth Changes Update
Chase, Loretta	Miss Wonderful
Cheeseman-Meyer, Jason	Vanishing Point
Clark, Carol Higgins	Burned
Coben, Harlan	Hold Tight
Coben, Harlan	Hold Tight
Coben, Harlan	Woods
Cormier, Robert	Tenderness
Cussler, Clive	Plague Ship
Cussler, Clive	Plague Ship
Davidson, Diane Mott	Dying for Chocolate
Davidson, Diane Mott	Main Corpse
Delinsky, Barbara	Flirting with pete
Dickey, Eric Jerome	Sleeping with Strangers
Dickey, Eric Jerome	Storm
Dickey, Eric Jerome	Waking with the Enemy
Duncan, Lois	Killing Mr. Griffin
Edwards, Kim	Memory Keeper's Daughter
Fairstein, Linda	Final Jeopardy
Fairstein, Linda	Likely To Die
Flake, Sharon G.	Money Hungry
Fluke, JoAnne	Candy Cane Murder
Gathercole, Rachel	Well Adjusted Child: the social benefits of homeschooling
Grippando, James	Last Call
Gunn, Elizabeth	Cool in Tucson
Gunn, Elizabeth	Crazy Eights
Gunn, Elizabeth	Seventh Inning Stretch
Harrison, Kim	Every which way but dead
Heitzmann, Kristen	Honor's Disguise
Heitzmann, Kristen	Honor's Price
Heitzmann, Kristen	Honor's Quest
Heitzmann, Kristen	Honor's Reward
Hiasson, Carl	Nature Girl
Hurwitz, Gregg	Kill Clause
Isaacs, Susan	Past Perfect
Jakes, T. D.	Daddy loves his girls
Jenkins, Jerry	Book of the King
Kenyon, Sherrilyn	Unleash the night
Kindlon, Daniel	Raising Cain
King, Stephen	Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption
Koontz, Dean	Good Guy
Koontz, Dean	Odd Hours
Kostova, Elizabeth	Historian
Lewis, C. S.	Last Battle
Lewis, C. S.	Silver Chair
Lewis, C. S.	Voyage of the dawn treader
Lewis, Sherri	My soul cries out
Liparolo, Robert	Deadfall
Lovenheim, Peter	Portrait of a Burger as a young calf
Lucas, George	Empire Strikes Back
Lurie, Alison	Foreign Affairs
Maher, Bill	New Rules
McCafferty, Kate	Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl
McCaffrey, Anne	Acorna's Quest
McCaffrey, Anne	Acorna's Rebels
McCaffrey, Anne	Acorna's Triumph
McCaffrey, Anne	Acorna's Triumph
McCaffrey, Anne	Acorna's World
McCay, Vernon	Deadly lust
McGee, Alexis	Foreclosure.com's guide to advanced investing techniques
McLaughlin, Emma	Dedication
McLaughlin, Emma	Nanny Diaries
Michaels, Fern	Hey Good Looking
Michaels, Fern	Hokus Pokus
Miller, Arthur	Crucible
Miller, Linda Lael	Deadly Deceptions
Morris, Gilbert	Charade
Niffengger, Audrey	Time Traveler's Wife
Oke, Janette	Drums of Change
Parker, Robert B.	Boxer and the Spy
Parrish, P. J.	Thousand Bones
Patterson, James	4th of July
Patterson, James	5th Horseman
Patterson, James	Beach Road
Patterson, James	Cradle and All
Patterson, James	Double Cross
Patterson, James	Sail
Patterson, James	Sail
Patterson, James	Sundays at Tiffany's
Patterson, James	You've been warned
Pearson, Ridley	Killer Weekend
Perrin, Kayla	We'll Never Tell
Perry, Anne	Buckingham Palace Gardens
Poitier, Sidney	Measure of a Man
Real Simple	Cleaning
Reilly, Giff Patricia	Pictures of Hoolis Woods
Ridenour, Austin	Will my doggie go to heaven
Rigler, Laurie	Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
Ro, Ronin	Dr Dre: the biography
Robb, J. D.	Creation in Death
Robb, J. D.	Strangers in Death
Roberts, Doreen	Mom for Christmas
Rowland, Laura Joh	Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte
Sandford, John	Phantom Prey
Shan, Darren	Cirque du Freak
Sherman, David	Star Wars: Jedi Trial
Siegel, Sheldon	Judgment Day
Sittenfeld, Curtis	Prep
Speare, Elizabeth George	Witch of Blackbird Pond
Stewart, Jon	America
Tanenbaum, Robert	Escape
Traviss, Karen	Star Wars: Sacrifice
Triple Crown Publications	Street Love
Williams, Montell	Living Well
Williams, Saul	Said the shotgun to the head
Woods, Stuart	Beverly Hills Dead
Yons, Don	Cars of the 50s
Zahn, Timothy	Star Wars: Allegiance
Zale, Dynah	Drama in the Church
Zane	Honey Flava
Zedde, Fiona	Bliss

Summer Reading Program News

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:25:44 GMT

Summer Reading Book Reviews

High Noon by Nora Roberts: A great suspenseful read-filled with twists and turns. A great way to spend a summer afternoon.

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson: A little difficult to get into- but once engaged-it was profoundly touching.

Orc King by R. A. Salvatore: When you say "a typical R A Salvatore" you are saying a great book. Established characters as well as new are woven together to bring to the reader a great book.

Your Backyard Herb Garden by: Miranda Smith: Finely written, very informative.

Australia published by Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet guides have always had a reputation for comprehensive travel information. This guide about Australia covers everything from North to South and East to West; Accommodations to Zoos.

Shame on it All by Zane: the book was extremely entertaining and a real page turner!

Book reviews from Summer Reading Participants

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:12:43 GMT

Summer Reading Book Reviews

Cool in Tucson by Elizabeth Gunn: A new series by an established writer. Good character development.

Sisterchicks go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn: The sisterchicks books never cease to make me laugh. They are a quick read and are a good way to spend a couple of afternoons.

Dreaming Void by Peter Hamilton: Typical Peter Hamilton. Excellant space opera!

Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef: This book is a must have guide for anyone perparing to visit Australia. It contains detailed information of the many sights to see.

Americana Folk and Decorative Art: This book is about antiques found in American homes of everyday working people, things our grandparents used in the daily lives and certain special things they kept on hand to look at and enjoy. This book tells the origin of the things our grandparents used and owned.

Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith: Another winner from the Ladies #1 Detective Agency. Full of wisdom, sensitivity, humor, and love. Thoroughly entertaining.

2nd Chance by James Patterson: As usual, Patterson keeps you guessing until the end!

Book Reviews from Summer Reading Participants

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:22:33 GMT

Summer Reading Book Reviews

Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton: Very bood book, the best he wrote.

Pleasure by Eric Jerome Dickey: This book was very erotic, not one of his best but a good read none the less.

200 Crochet Tips, Techniques, and Trade Secrets by Jan Eaton: I enjoyed this encyclopedia of crochet stitches and techniques. The book is filled with clear colored pictures of every crochet stitch needed to complete the patterns found in other books.

Fear and Yoga in New Jersey by Debra Galant: The story moved a little slow. I expected it to be funnier. The humor was centered around the dysfunctional/stressed-out family. At least it had a happy ending.

Something Blue by Emily Giffin: Loved this book.

Best Friends: The True story of the world's most beloved animal sanctuary by Samantha Glen: This is the wonderful story of how the Best Friends Sanctuary came to be. A must for animal lovers.

Harvest for Hope by Jane Goodall: You will never look at meat the same again. You may not even eat it again.

Book Reviews from Week 1 of HPL's Summer Reading Club

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:20:40 GMT

Summer Reading Book Reviews

Sounder by William Armstrong: I thought Sounder was an incredible book about family bonds. It is amazing to me how bad African American people were treated. I enjoy reading the Classics.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: A classic.

Matter by Iain Banks: Great!

Nick of Time by Ted Bell: More for youth--average plot--a cut above average.

Templar Legacy by Steve Berry: I was disappointed to find that it was an abridgement and so it was shortened :( I like lots of details in my books.

East Coast Australia: a classic overland route by Lindsay Brown: Lonely Planet zeros in on the East Coast region of Australia. The book is filled with maps, facts, and information to prepare for a vacation along the beautiful East Coast of Australia.

Where are you now? by Mary Higgins Clark: This book is a great mystery with, of course, a surprise ending. I love to try to figure out "whodunit." And even with the surprise, I get part of it!

Summer Reading Week 1

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:03:42 GMT

Summer Reading 2008

Summer Reading is off to a great start! 41 readers read 97 books this week. Winners and prizes will be announced later in the week when the winners have received their prizes.

This week's books were:

Week 1
Author	Title
Armstrong, William	Sounder
Ash, Sarah	Tracing the Shadow
Austin, Jane	Pride and Prejudice
Banks, Iain	Matter
Barron, Stephanie	Flaw in the Blood
Bell, Ted	Nick of Time
Berry, Steve	Templar Legacy
Brashares, Ann	Forever in Blue
Brown, Lindsay	East Coast Australia: a classic overland Route
Brown, Rita Mae	Catch as Cat Can
Brown, Rita Mae	Cat's eyewitness
Brunstetter, Wanda	Dear to Me
Brunstetter, Wanda	Going Home
Brunstetter, Wanda	On her own
Clark, Mary Higgins	Where are you 'now?
Copeland, Sebastian	Antarctica: Global Warning
Cornwell, Patricia	Book of the Dead
Cornwell, Patricia	Front
Cornwell, Patricia	Predator
Crabtree, Caroline	Quilting Patchwork and Applique
Crichton, Michael	Andromeda Strain
Cussler, Clive	Lost City
Davidson, Diane Mott	Dark Tort
Davidson, Diane Mott	Double Shot
Dickey, Eric Jerome	Pleasure
Eaton, Jan	200 Crochet tips and techniques
Evanovich, Janet	Twelve Sharp
Fairstein, Linda	Killer Heat
Fluke, Joanne	Suger and Spice
Folman, Bill	Scandal Plan
Fowler, Karen Joy	Wit's End
Galant, Debra	Fear and Yoga in New Jersey
Giffin, Emily	Something Blue
Glen, Samantha	Best Friends
Goodall, Jane	Harvest for Hope
Gordon, Roderick	Tunnels
Gray, John	Why Mars and Venus Collide
Grisham, John	Appeal
Gunn, Elizabeth	Cool in Tucson
Gunn, Robin Jones	Sisterchicks go Brit!
Hamilton, Peter	Dreaming Void
Heitzmann, Kristen	Honor's Pledge
Higgins, Jack	Thunder Point
Hoffman, Jilliane	Last Witness
Holmes, Shannon	Bad Girlz 4 life
Jones, Ferwin	Faerie Path
King, Stephen	Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born
Lalbachan, Pamela	Complete Caribbean Cookbook
Lesko, Matthew	Free Money to Change your life
Levine, Judith	Not Buying it
Lonely Planet	Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef
Lucas, George	Star wars: A new hope
Lynch, Wayne	Penquins of the World
Madigan, Mary Jean	Americana Folk and Decorative Arts
Miasha	Mommy's Angel
Orman, Suze	Money book for the young, fabulous and broke
Paolini, Christopher	Eragon
Patterson, James	2nd Chance
Patterson, James	3rd Degree
Patterson, James	Lifeguard
Perry, Anne	Buckingham Palace Gardens
Phillips, Suzanne	Chloe Poe
Plollan, Michael	In Defense of Food
Plowden, David	David Plowden: Vanishing Point
Porter, Jane	Mrs. Perfect
Pronzini, Bill	Fever
Quinn, Hope Stanely	Downsized not delegated
Reader's Digest	Treasure in your home
Reaves, Michael	Death Star
Rehder, Ben	Holy Moly
Reilly, Matthew	6 Sacred Stones
Robb, J D	Creation in Death
Roberts, Nora	High Noon
Robinson, Marilynne	Gilead
Robinson, Peter	Friend of the Devil
Salvatore, R A	Orc King
Schlesinger, Chris	Grill it!
Schroy, Ellen	Antiques and Collectibles 2009
Scott, Devon	Unfaithful
Searle, Teresa	Fabric Jewelry
Sebold, Alice	Almost Moon
Silber, John	Architecture of the Absurd
Smith, Alexander McCall	Miracle at Speedy Motors
Smith, Miranda	Your Backyard Herb Garden
Smith, Tom Rob	Child 44
Smitz, Paul	Australia
Swanson, Faith	Herb Garden Design
Thomas, Trisha	Nappily Married
Tolkien, J. R. R.	Hobbit
Trumbull, Robert	Silversides
Turner, Nikki	Riding Dirty on I-95
Wall, Paula	Wilde Women
Walsh, Peter	How to organize just about everything
Weight Watchers	All time favorites
White, Randy Wayne	Black Widow
Zane	Chocolate Flava II
Zane	Shame on it all

Kissing

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:25:12 GMT

Kissing

Kissing is something we all like to do, whether it is a peck on the cheek of a child or a loving kiss with a spouse. If you want to know more about kissing try the book Kissing: everything you wanted to know about one of life's sweetest pleasures by Andréa Demirjian. It is a light hearted look at kissing in general. Ms. Demirjian includes some facts on the history of kissing and what different cultures think about kissing. It is a fun read.

Stealing Buddha's Dinner

Tue, 27 May 2008 20:05:00 GMT

Stealing Buddha's Dinner

Many Vietnamese families escaped Vietnam at the end of the war, and arrived in the United States. Stealing Buddha's Dinner is the memoir of a woman who, as an infant, was brought by her father, along with her sister, her grandmother, and two uncles, to the United States and eventually settled in Grand Rapids. She talks about growing up in a community without much diversity and being one of the only children who was not blue eyed with blond hair. She explains how she desperatly wanted to fit into a culture that was very different from the one she was growing up in in her home. It is a very interesting look at being an outsider and how difficult it is for immigrants to choose between keeping their home culture intact or embracing the new culture into which they have moved. It is a very interesting book.

Children of God

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:28:57 GMT

The Children of God

This is a continuation of the story that was started in The Sparrow. In The Children of God the story is told from the point of views of the people on Earth after Emilio returns from Rakhat, and from the people of Rakhat after he leaves. The two storylines come together so the reader can see how the original Jesuit mission has changed the society on Rakhat. As in the first, it has a nice blend of faith and science fiction.

The Sparrow

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:07:34 GMT

The Sparrow

An interesting combination of theology and science fiction, The Sparrow is the story of Emilio Sanchez, a Jesuit priest, and his friend's discovery and voyage to a planet in a different solar system. Emilio is an expert linguist and is able to learn the language of the first beings they meet. They are very surprised when they find that there is another species on the planet that is also verbal. The two groups have an odd relationship, which the party from Earth tries to figure out. Some of the party from Earth believe in God, some do not, and this is one of the themes throughout the book. Another theme is how a new group can bring new ideas into an established way of doing things, and the changes that can occur because of this.

The Sparrow's sequel is Children of God

Keeping Faith

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:45:54 GMT

Keeping Faith

"Keeping Faith" by Jodi Picoult. It's based on a 7-year-old girl named "Faith" who's parents divorce. After the divorce, Faith starts talking to an "imaginary friend", whom she reveals later is her "Guard". At first her mom doesn't think a whole lot about it, however, she starts noticing some peculiar things happening with Faith. Her grandma has a massive heart attack and dies at the hospital. After she is pronounced dead, Faith and her mother are allowed in to see the body. Faith climbs onto the table and breaths into her grandma's mouth. This brings the grandma back to life and restores her to perfect health. Then Faith has the appearance of stigmata to her hands. Then her mother realizes that she's not seeing her "Guard", she's talking to "God". The problem is that Faith has no idea who God is. Her parents have never taken her to church and have never discussed religion with her or in her presence. Faith begins speaking Hebrew and reciting passages from the bible. She also heals a baby who has AIDS.

This wreaks havoc on the family when the press finds out about Faith. They stake out at her house and so do hundreds of people who want Faith to heal them and lay hands on them. Her father finds out about the scene and decides to take Faith away from her mother, thinking that her mother is causing the situation for attention. They ensue in a court battle and ends up leaving everyone a believer in God.

This book is extremely well written. I would recommend it to anyone who likes religious fiction or just enjoys reading Jodi Picoult books. (KL)

She's Such a Geek

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:55:10 GMT

She's Such a Geek

I was traveling recently and wanted something fun to read on the plane. I like reading science books, so I scanned the 500's looking for something interesting and found She's Such a Geek: women write about science, technology & other nerdy stuff / edited by Annalee Newitz & Charlie Anders.. This is a great book for any woman who likes science and technology but felt that society was not exactly jumping up and down in encouragement. The essays range from rememberances from liking science and computers in high school, to working in a science lab now. Some of the women had little encouragement, some had lots. They all finally found a place to be comfortable. It was a great book

Midnight's Children

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:37:21 GMT

Midnight's Children

My daughter read Midnight's Children by Salmon Rushdie for a class in college and suggested I read it too. It was an interesting novel about India just before and after independence from Great Britain. The main premise of the novel was that children born near to midnight on the night of independence were granted various supernatural gifts. The main character was able to read minds and communicate with all the other children. Some of the children could travel through time, others were able to travel from place to place via smooth surfaces, such as mirrors. The main character finds out when he is 10 that another child was born at the same time and the two babies were switched. He, who was the natural child of a poor family was raised in luxury, while the child of the rich parents was raised in poverty. They became rivals. The story follows the upheavals with Pakistani independence and the war that split Pakistan and Bangledesh. The history of the countries mirrors the narrator's life. It was a very interesting book, with many illusions to both Hindu and Muslim religious practices. The book woon the Booker Prize in 1981.

Saving Fish from Drowning

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:10:02 GMT

Saving Fish from Drowning

Amy Tan's novels are always interesting and Saving Fish From Drowning is no exception. It is the story of a trip to China arranged by the narrator, who dies before the trip takes place. The travelers go despite having their guide and run into all sorts of episodes because of their lack of awareness of the culture which they are visiting. The narrator tries to help them with their troubles, even though she is dead. During the book we get glimpses into her life and, finally, the cause of her death. It is a fascinating look at the collison of cultures.

A Grief Observed

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:25:23 GMT

A Grief Observed

C. S. Lewis is one of the more famous religious writers of the 20th century. When his wife died, he kept diaries of his thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Close to his own death his diary was published as A Grief Observed. It is an intimate description of the experience of losing a spouse...from the initial anguish and rage at God and the world, to, finally, a kind of acceptance or coming to terms. It is well written and deeply moving. A good book for anyone who has lost a spouse, or knows someone who has.

The Alchemist

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:00:12 GMT

Book Review: The Alchemist

This book was suggested to me by my best friend and my son. The Alchemist tells the story of a young shepherd in Spain who has a dream about the Pyramids. He sees a fortune teller who tells him he should travel to the Pyrmamids, then he meets an old man who also tells him to travel in order to fulfill his life's destiny. He decides to sell his sheep and travel. He runs into many troubles, but meets many kind people who help him, as he helps them. He finally meets the Alchemist in an Oasis on the way to the Pyramids. He learns much about himself and the world, about belief and personal strength. It is a wonderfully written book about personal growth.

Book Review: The Golden Compass

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:13:20 GMT

Book Review: The Golden Compass

My husband and I read this book to our kids when it first came out. We were all mesmerized by the world created by Philip Pullman. The Golden Compass tells the story of Lyra, a young girl who finds a golden compass with strange symbols on it, which she finds she can interpret. Lyra lives in a parallel world to our own, one in which every person has a daemon. The daemon takes the form of an animal and is always in close proximity to their person. Lyra's daemon can take the form of almost any animal, but when Lyra becomes an adult she and her daemon, Pan, will choose which animal he will be. Lyra's interpretation of the compass leads her to discover evil in her world, and find allies to fight it. It is one of the best fantasy books written in recent years, and is hitting the big screen this weekend.

Book Review: The Phantom Isles

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:02:06 GMT

Book Review

This is a teen's book, called The Phantom Isles. It's a fantasy filled with fresh ideas. An old man donates his (moldy) book collection to the library, but locked in the pages are a variety of ghosts, both pleasant and malign. In the actual book (the one the reader holds) the illustrations are behind the type, so it looks like the novel itself is haunted

Book Review of 'The Lady of Godey's'

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:55:23 GMT

Book Review: The Lady of Godey's: Sarah Josepha Hale

The Lady of Godey's is an oldie but goodie. It's a biography that is surprisingly modern in its outlook and honest assessement of its subject. Hale was one busy lady, one of the first woman achievers in 19th century America. She edited Godey's Lady's Book for decades; wrote novels; campaigned for sensible dress, public education, urban sanitation, etc. and retired at 89. Now she's best known for getting Lincoln to establish Thanksgiving Day, and for writing 'Mary had a little lamb'.