Hamlet

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Of the Shakespeare plays I have read, this is one of my favorites. There is so much emotional, philosophical, and theological conflict which makes this interesting to read. I recommend watching the Kenneth Branagh film while or after reading.



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Please (Don't) Ignore Vera Deitz

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I read this book for part of a Community Reads project and really enjoyed it. King is in touch with what it means to be a teenager and her writing reflects this understanding. I definitely recommend this book to all who like high-stakes and suspensful reads.



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Citizen Science

Citizen Scientists by Loree Griffin Burns

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Although I am not much of a scientist, I loved this book. Each of the projects which Burns presents is so intriguing and the way she explains everything really makes me want to get out into the field and explore. I highly recommend this book to share with kids and nature-lovers. It's fun to read, there are beautiful pictures, and it has great projects. Citizen science all the way!



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Clarity is a Clear Hit

Clarity by Kim Harrington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a fantastic read. I love a good mystery and this book definitely exceeds my criteria for a good mystery. It's fast-paced, has a great mood, and will keep you puzzling until the very end. Also, the Fern family's abilities are really intriguing and add a lot to the excitement of the book. I highly recommend it to anybody looking for an interesting, thrilling, and chilling novel.



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Photo and review from Goodreads

Everything is Booked on New Year's

Today is New Year's Eve and 2011 is quickly approaching. As always, we usually create New Year Resolutions for ourselves. The first few days can come easily but it's more challenging to committ in the long run. Work, school, taking down Christmas decorations, and schedules interfere with goals and may sometimes cause the resolution to fade away. One book may be able to help with that problem.

When Turtles Fly by Nikki Stone, gold medal Olympian and motivational speaker, tells stories about intriguing people who have accomplished great things. I've been reading the book recently and the stories are incredible. They show how people's efforts pay off with practice, dedication, and hard work. At the end of each story there is a tie-in to the book's theme and a challenge. These challenges are truly helpful in achieving goals. I definitely recommend this book for people striving to accomplish that New Year's Resolution.

2011 is almost here. A quick stop to the bookstore may be a good way to start the year off.

More details on Nikki Stone's book can be found on her website, http://www.whenturtlesfly.com/index.html

The Dog Days of Summer

Although the temperature outside may slowly be decreasing, there is still plenty of time for dogs this summer and I've read two perfect books about man's best friend.

The Dog Gone Mystery by Bryan Gatley is for children ages eight through twelve and features siblings Colin and Verity as they search for their missing dog, Strags. This story "takes place in the northeast corner of America a long time ago," and reflects tidbits of local history. The character Ruth B. Thistletip is one such example as she was inspired by Ruth Buck, a suspected witch from Westborough. Colin and Verity use their sleuthing skills and resourcefulness to find their dog and face the terrifying Ruth B. Thisteltip. This would be a great story to read with a class or aloud with an audience.

White Dog Haikus and Things We've Learned from our Westie by Kathy Troidle Jackson is another great book for all ages. This books contains several haikus about the Westie, Islay Bear, in different situations like  facing the different seasons, finding mice and chipmunks, seeing other dogs, and eating. There are great pictures of Islay Bear, a cute Westie, decorating the pages. There is even a list of advice, "The Things I've Learned from my Westie,"  with items like "Hold no grudges," "Live in the moment," and "A little bacon makes everything taste better." This a light-hearted read that I'd recommend to any dog-owner.

These dog books may be purchased through the following sites:
The Dog Gone Mystery
White Dog Haikus and Things We've Learned from our Westie

An A+ for The Alphabets

Wow! Cecelia In Lee's The Alphabets is quite the read. This story follows ten different seniors in high school. The reader realizes how they relate to each other and is left hanging with suspenseful twists and serious issues like divorce, drug addictions, and secretive scandals with this rich young adult group in the city called The Alphabets. As this group goes through several parties and hangovers they realize how important they are to each other.

This book has very dynamic characters. They really pop off of the page and each deal with their own issue in a distinct way that reflects their strong personalities. I felt like I was among them when I read and I really cared about the people. Cecelia also creates a clear image of their relationships with each other with both comical and serious scenes. I definitely recommend this book to somebody who is looking for a fast-paced, action-filled read.

To purchase, visit the book's website. See http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=72671

The Last Olympian= Gold Medal Success

Although it doesn't have to do with the Olympics, Rick Riordan's The Last Olympian is an outstanding book.
This book may have been a quick read, but I loved it. Rick Riordan describes his characters so well that they became clear people and images in my brain. Quite often when I read books I picture the characters looking like somebody I have seen before but with his series, I have always had a clear illustration of who the people are. They really pop off of the page and make the reader care about them and their multi-faceted personality. One character who I particularly liked was Hestia. She came off as a sweet girl but with great wisdom and values.


The ending was not in the least disappointing either. I was curious as to how Riordan would end his series. I was afraid that Percy was going to end up being the hero and somehow work the Great Prophecy so he is not defeated by Kronos. But I was more than happy with the twists in the ending, between Sliena's valiant death (another scene which was vivid in my mind) and Luke's ultimate sacrifice in the end when he realized that he had made a big mistake. The ending to this series is not at all cliché but still has a happy resolution that left me smiling. 5 out 5 stars!

(This is a link to my Goodreads account where you can find this review and others.)
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/118400964