The Book Review Club (December 2011)

It's hard to fathom, but today is our final book club meeting of 2011. There are, in fact, only 24 more days left in this year. Which means it's that holiday season, where you're casting about for gifts for friends and family. Cast about no more! Think of us as your book review elves! We've put together reviews of all sorts of books, sure to please the people on your gift list and, of course, you too. Read on!


HOW THEY CROAKED--THE AWFUL ENDS OF THE AWFULLY FAMOUS by Georgia Bragg, illustrated by Kevin O'Malley.

I love this book! I already purchased it for Child #3 for Christmas. (No gift spoiler for him, as I can't imagine he reads this blog.) Sure, he's a sophomore in high school, and HOW THEY CROAKED is rated for kids aged 10+. But I can just imagine him tossing out disgusting bits of info to impress the girls at lunch. Tidbits like: "So that Tut wouldn't rot on the trip to the next life, the embalmers scooped his insides out from top to bottom. To get his brains out, a long bronze needle with a hook on the end was shoved up his nose. His brain was broken up into teeny bits and pulled out one piece at a time." (pg. 2) Yes, Child #3 will love this book too! And I think Child #4, my girly 11 year old, will also get a kick out of this book.

HOW THEY CROAKED provides gruesome details of the deaths of 19 famous people, including Henry VIII, George Washington, Albert Einstein, Elizabeth I and more. You'll also pick up interesting facts about their personalities, their lives and the times they lived in. Get a load of the opening paragraph of the chapter on "Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Brains": " It was the best of times for Charles Dickens, the richest, most famous author in the 1800s. But it was the worst of times for anyone who knew him. Dickens was incredibly talented, but he was also a moody, dirt-phobic control freak." (pg. 117)

The writing style is breezy and fun. The illustrations are great and complement the text. The subject matter is gory, gross and gripping. I have three holiday parties coming up in short order. Think of the conversations I'll start!

Please scroll down and click through for more book reviews. You won't be sorry. Neither will the people you're buying for.

Happy Holidays! Happy Reading!

PICTURE-BOOK REVIEW

Ellen Booraem of Freelance Ne'er-do-well: HOW TO BE A GOOD CAT by Gail Page

Kaye of the Road Goes Ever Ever On: THE FATHER CHRISTMAS LETTERS by JRR Tolkien, compiled by Ballie Tolkien (ages 5+, letters + pictures)


MIDDLE GRADE/YOUNG ADULT BOOK REVIEWS

Ellen Booraem of Freelance Ne'er-do-well: CIRCUS GALACTICUS by Deva Fagan (middle grade, sci fi/fantasy)

Jody Feldman: THE EMERALD ATLAS by John Stephens (middle grade, fantasy)

Sarah Laurence: STEALING BASES by Keri Mikulski (young adult)** Keri is one of our very own intrepid reviewers!

Linda McLaughlin: BEWITCHING SEASON by Marissa Doyle (young adult)

Stacy Nyikos: THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern (young adult/adult crossover)


ADULT BOOK REVIEWS

Patti Abbott: MUDBOUND by Hillary Jordan

Lucy Sartain of Ranting and Raving: THERE'S CAKE IN MY FUTURE by Kim Gruenenfelder (women's fiction)

Kathy Holmes: LITTLE BLACK DRESS by Susan McBride (women's fiction)

Scott Parker: THE HOUSE OF SILK: A SHERLOCK HOLMES NOVEL by Anthony Horowitz (mystery)

Prairie Rose of Prairie Rose's Garden: STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG by Kate Atkinson (mystery)

Sarahlynn of Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips: GHOST STORY by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #13) (mystery/urban fantasy)

Alyssa Goodnight of the Writers' Road Less Traveled: A CRIMSON WARNING by Tasha Alexander (historical mystery)

Stacy of The Cat's Meow: A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness (paranormal)

Jenn Jilks of Cottage Country: AS LONGS AS THE RIVERS FLOW by James Bartleman



MEMOIR REVIEW

Ellen Booraem of Freelance Ne'er-do-well: ALL MY DOGS: A LIFE by Bill Henderson (adult)


Note to Reviewers: Any errors (broken link, missed review, etc), just shoot me an email or leave a comment. Thank you so much for a great year of reviews!