The Book Review Club (December 2010)

Well, well, well. It's our last book club meeting of 2010! It's been a year chockful of interesting and thoughtful reviews. A huge thank-you to each reviewer. It's a lot of work, cranking out these reviews, and it's even more work to do such an outstanding job. I am lifting a glass of cyber champagne to each and every one of you. Cheers! I can't wait to see what you read in 2011!

Oh, and in case anyone is counting (that would be me!), this is our TWENTY-FOURTH get-together!

ROVER SAVES CHRISTMAS by Roddy Doyle is a very Irish, very funny, very silly, very imaginative middle-grade book. It makes a great read-along. And even a great read-alone!

From the flap: Fasten your seat belts, kids, it's going to be a bumpy night...It's coming on Christmas, and Rudolph's staying home sick on his one day of work a year. Santa has no choice but to call on the only fellow who's sure to have the smarts, the talent, the good looks and charm to be a proper substitute: Rover.

The author often talks to the reader (which I love). Here's an example from page 26: INTERRUPTION You're probably wondering why Kayla kept saying, "Who are you?" Well, the answer is easy. She couldn't say anything else.


The beginning of chapter 4 is a perfect example of Doyle's sense of humor.

Disclaimer: The photo above is a little misleading. Child #4 is FAKE-reading ROVER SAVES CHRISTMAS. She is actually in the middle of reading another book (one which I am not reviewing). However, we'll be enjoying Rover together by the end of the week as it's next on our list. This is probably the fouth time I've read this book! And always at this time of year.

Please click on the links below. They'll lead you to all sorts of wonderful book reviews!

MIDDLE GRADE/YOUNG ADULT BOOK REVIEWS

Stacy Nyikos: THIS BOOK IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU by Pseudonymous Bosch (middle grade)

Thao of serene hours: A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN by Kristin Walker (young adult)


ADULT BOOK REVIEWS

Kaye of the Book Review Forum: AN AMISH CHRISTMAS by Cynthia Keller

Staci of Life in the Thumb: THE REINDEER KEEPER by Barbara Briggs Ward (Christmas/Inspirational)

Stacy of The Cat's Meow: THE MISCHIEF OF THE MISTLETOE by Lauren Willig (mystery series)

David Cranmer of The Education of a Pulp Writer: RIPLEY UNDER GROUND by Patricia Highsmith (psychological thriller)

Scott Parker: SILENCE OF THE GRAVE by Arnaldur Indirdason (mystery)

Jenn Jilks of My Muskoka: A SIMPLE CASE OF SUICIDE by Laura Kendall (mystery, romantic thriller)

Patti Abbott: SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE by Libby Fischer Hellmann (thriller, historical)

Sarah Laurence: THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR by Allegra Goodman (literary)

Sarahlynn of Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips: BLEEDING KANSAS by Sara Paretsky


NONFICTION REVIEWS

Ellen Booraem of Freelance Ne'er-do-well: THE SHALLOWS: WHAT THE INTERNET IS DOING TO OUR BRAINS by Nicholas Carr


Note to Reviewers: Leave a comment if I missed you or made a mistake concerning your review. I'll rectify the situation the second I get a chance.

ENJOY!

The Book Review Club (December 2009)

Come in! Grab a coffee or, better yet, some warm apple cider and a plateful of homemade holiday cookies. Yes, those shortbread are from my kitchen.

Welcome to our last Book Review Club meeting of 2009. Wow! How time flies when you've got good books! We hope you enjoy our book reviews and maybe get a few ideas for holiday gifts!







I LOVE this book! Or, as 14 year-old Georgia Nicholson, the protagonist would say, I LURVE this book! A lot of other people love this book too. The first in a series of ten, it debuted in 1999 to a starred review from Publishers Weekly. And it was a Printz Honor Book.

It is an absolutely, laugh-till-you-cry funny young adult novel! You know what would be really fun? Getting invited to a cocktail party with the author, Louise Rennison, who is actually a British comedy writer.

From the back cover:

Her dad's got the mentality of a Teletubby (only not so developed). Her cat, Angus, is trying to eat the poodle next door. And her bet friend thinks she looks like an alien--just because she accidentally shaved off her eyebrows. Ergghhhlack. Still, add a little boy-stallking, teacher-baiting, and full-frontal snogging with a Sex God, and Georgia's year just might turn out to be the most fabbitty fab fab ever!

Told in diary form, this is the story of Georgia and her BFF, Jasmine, and some other girlfriends and how they navigate school, boys and friendship. It's a YA version of Bridget Jones Diary--only much funnier!

Guess what else? This book was made into a British movie, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Which will be released on DVD on this side of the Atlantic on DECEMBER 22. Yes, it's at the TOP of my Netflix queue!

Here's a link to the official movie site and delightful movie trailer.

I've giggled my way through this entire review. :)

Now .... Onto to our brilliant reviewers and their brilliant reviews...


YOUNG ADULT BOOK REVIEWS

Keri Mikulski: SWEET TURNAROUND J by PV Beck (young adult)

Thao of Serene Hours: BLOOM by Elizabeth Scott (young adult)

Kaye of the Book Review Forum: THE HUNDRED DRESSES by Eleanor Estes (lower middle grade)

Stacy Nyikos: BULL RIDER by Suzanne Morgan Williams (upper middle grade)

Sarah Laurence: I SO DON'T DO SPOOKY by Barrie Summy
**Seriously, folks, I did not pay Sarah to do this!! Although now I'm thinking I'd pay her to take down the photo of my as a 16 year old!!**

ADULT BOOK REVIEWS

Kathy Holmes: MISTLETOE AND MURDER by Florence Case (romance)

Scott Parker: HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS, edited by Martin Greenberg, et. al. (mystery short stories)

Jenn Jilks of My Reflections: A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES by Ruth Rendell (mystery)

Alyssa Goodnight of the Writers' Road Less Traveled: FAST WOMEN by Jennifer Crusie (humorous women's fiction)

Patti Abbott: LANDSCAPE WITH FRAGMENTED FIGURES by Jeff Vande Zande

Linda McLaughlin: THE LOST SYMBOL by Dan Brown


NONFICTION REVIEWS

Ellen Booraem of Freelance Ne'er-do-well: RESTORATION LONDON by Liza Picard (adult)

Sarahlynn of Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips: THE SURRENDERED WIFE by Laura Doyle (self help)

Staci of Life in the Thumb: SEW WHAT! 18 PATTERN-FREE PROJECTS YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE TO FIT YOUR NEEDS by Lexie Barnes


**Exceptional previous reviews are only a click away.**




Note to Reviewers: You know the drill.:) If I missed you, leave me a comment and I'll rectify the situation straight away. And award myself one less cookie today!