false 15 815 760 true 5630536 read 1 true 3804235 currently-reading 54 true 3804234 to-read 326 false 4082762 mystery 218 false 3910904 kids_and_ya 136 false 4383616 fantasy_and_sci-fi 119 false 3949918 childrens 53 false 4471225 historic-fiction 51 false 4573166 paranormal_twist 49 false 4082890 books-into-movies 43 false 4573178 supernatural 36 false 4520573 dragons 35 false 3949926 ya 34 false 4471252 realistic-fiction 31 false 4672551 romance 25 false 4937153 fairy-tale-twists 23 false 4573208 appalachian_elements 16 false 4471049 non-fiction 15 false 5169991 adventure_suspense 15 false 4471156 graphic_fiction 14 false 5153124 books_from_my-childhood 12 false 5291085 urban_fantasy 10 false 5279479 long_ago_but_fondly_remembered 8 false 4482800 abc_books 6 false 4661330 environmental_issues 4 false 5190743 animal_fantasy_fiction 4 false 4482802 counting_books 4 false 4482696 horror_suspense 3 false 4471053 biography http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78222443 to: Evan Help Us (Constable Evans Mysteries #2) by Rhys Bowen
bookshelves: mystery
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77599406 to: The Vampire's Assistant and Other Tales from the Cirque Du Freak (Cirque Du Freak, #1-3) by Darren Shan
bookshelves: horror_suspense, supernatural, ya
As I read the first of these three volumes, my initial two thoughts were (1) Snakes are not slimy and (2) I don't really like Darren's character very much--and this bugged me. Now that I've finished these three stories, I have to admit that I ended up liking Darren's character after all and enjoyed the story--and, book 3 left me wanting more. Is Evra safe? Will Darren see his family again? Steve? Debbie? Does Mr. Crepsley rejoin the Generals? What about the Little People? Is Lefty a friend? Long and short? I was pulled in. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74445964 to: Playing with Fire (Skulduggery Pleasant, Book 2) by Derek Landy
bookshelves: adventure_suspense, kids_and_ya
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75156528 to: The Siege of Macindaw (Ranger's Apprentice, #6) by John Flanagan
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/38425077 to: Thai Die (A Needlecraft Mystery, #12) by Monica Ferris
bookshelves: mystery
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70117006 to: Three Cups of Tea (Young Reader's Edition) by Greg Mortenson
bookshelves: kids_and_ya, non-fiction, ya
This book was handed to me by my high school intern, who had read it as part of a "one school one book" program. She loved it and actually brought her personal copy in for me to read. The story would work well as a read aloud and I think lends itself to wonderful discussions with a class or one on one. The Young Reader's Edition includes photographs and an interview with Mortenson's 12-year-old daughter. I found the following review online and want to include it as it explains it better than I could. I recommend both these books for school libraries--K-12. (Yes, even the picture book, which is a work of art in and of itself!)

“Three Cups of Tea: The Young Reader’s Version” is aimed at children ages 9-12. This paperback version has been adapted for young readers and updated. It includes new photos, illustrations, a glossary, and an interview with Mortenson’s 12-year-old daughter who has traveled with her father.

“Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg & Three Cups of Tea” is aimed at even younger readers. Accompanied by collages by Susan L. Roth, Mortenson tells his story in simple words. At the back of the book are photographs and a note from Roth about the creation of her collages."

I initially gave this book 4 stars, but in retrospect have changed that to a 5-star rating. The story has stuck with me more so than any I've read in a long, long time.

]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74445891 to: Skulduggery Pleasant (Book 1) by Derek Landy
bookshelves: kids_and_ya, mystery, supernatural
Another one recommended to me by my son. He finished it first and loved it and handed it to me with directions to "READ"! I did--and didn't want to put it down. We liked it so much that we heaved our crummy-feeling selves (no longer contagious) to the bookstore to get Book 2. He got dibs on reading it first. Not sure how that happened. Dang it. At any rate, here's my blurb. . . .

Magic, mystery, mayhem follow 12-year-old Stephanie as she finds out there was more to her favorite author/uncle's supernatural stories than her family may have realized. Skeletal detectives, the power of names, mythical sceptres and hidden rooms are just part of the story--along with a way cool Bentley, a magical library, and a whole lot of adventure--all packed together in one page-turning super read that leaves the reader wanting more.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/58911483 Gilda Joyce: The Ghost Sonata (Gilda Joyce, #3) by Jennifer Allison
bookshelves: kids_and_ya, mystery, paranormal_twist
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71769081 to: Black Hills (Hardcover) by Nora Roberts
bookshelves: mystery, romance
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/38319550 to: Twilight (Twilight Saga #1) by Stephenie Meyer
bookshelves: books-into-movies, kids_and_ya, ya
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