false 37 362 319 true 5642645 read 1 true 1168847 currently-reading 42 true 1168846 to-read 109 false 4387412 fantasy 105 false 4516046 picture-books 76 false 5083208 series 49 false 5591288 teen-books 25 false 4387613 mystery 21 false 4397755 fairy-tales 20 false 4489128 science-fiction 16 false 4367534 nonfiction 15 false 4387405 graphic-novels 14 false 4838493 historical-fiction 12 false 4486834 caldecott-awards 10 false 7074061 supernatural 8 false 4486801 newbery-awards 8 false 4486804 printz-awards 7 false 5154966 scary 5 false 4489724 poetry 1 false 7199984 lds 1 false 5915972 short-stories http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78775293 to: Half-Moon Investigations (Hardcover) by Eoin Colfer
bookshelves: mystery, teen-books
Oh, Eoin Colfer. How I love thee. I laughed out loud numerous times while reading this book. I have a mad crush on a 13 year old criminal type! Anywho, I was really pleased with the mystery. I did not see the ending coming at all, but it was totally believable and made total sense once all was revealed. I would definitely read more about these characters. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78602132 to: The Dragon Reborn (Wheel of Time, #3) by Robert Jordan
bookshelves: fantasy, series
Is it wrong that I enjoyed the fact Rand is almost a non-presence in this book? This is also the first book where we get any point of view from Mat, and the first time I realized he's my favorite character in this series (so far, at least). I'm still enjoying the series a lot, and I'm looking forward to the rest of it. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76778407 to: The Great Hunt (Wheel of Time, #2) by Robert Jordan
bookshelves: fantasy, series
I almost didn't give this one 5 stars, but the last 100 or so pages really saved it. I have to hand it to Robert Jordan, he could write some fantastically exciting things.

What made me almost bump down the stars: This book suffers a little from what I like to call "Frodo Baggins-itis." The characters are all split up, having their own little adventures, and the hero is kinda boring. I understand why Rand is important, but he's not as interesting to me as the other characters. Still, there were several important and interesting developments in this book, and I'm looking forward to moving on in the series. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74732901 to: Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials (Hardcover) by Rosalind Wiseman
bookshelves: teen-books
I misplaced this book during my move! I hope I find it soon, I was enjoying it immensely!

Okay, found and finished. This was a really quick read, and overall, I liked it. It's one of those frustrating books, where so many of the characters are totally evil that you just want to punch them in the face. Tragically, there are tons of people like that in the world, so I couldn't say it's unrealistic.

I'm sure I would have enjoyed this book a lot more as an actual teenager. Some of the mannerisms and the IM speak drove me a wee bit nuts. Much like actual teenagers sometimes do. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76323220 to: The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1) by Robert Jordan
bookshelves: fantasy, series
I recently decided that in spite of my frustration with the series as the years went on, I really wanted to finish the Wheel of Time. The end is not in sight (2011!), and I want to know what's going to happen. I devoted a lot of time and energy to the series when I was in junior high/early high school, but my interest in high fantasy has really waned in the intervening years.

Well, let me tell you, it's back. I remember why I loved these books with such a passion. Goodness, I even remember why I liked Rand! The world is so complex and well-developed, each character is distinct and memorable, and in spite of the fantastical elements, it feels so real. It's like rediscovering an old, really complicated, really long-winded friend. It's going to take a while, but I'm excited to hear what this friend has to say. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76323119 to: The Guns of August (Mass Market Paperback) by Barbara W. Tuchman
bookshelves: historical-fiction
This is not the type of book I would normally read, but on a road trip with my dad, we listened to this on audio. What an amazing and informative book! It was at times hilarious, heartbreaking, appalling, and shocking. I thought I knew about the reasons behind WWI, but I learned so much from this book. I may have to try non-fiction audio more often! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74384881 to: It's Pumpkin Time! (Paperback) by Zoe Hall
bookshelves: picture-books
I like that this book is basically the life cycle of a pumpkin (although I would have enjoyed some pie in there too). And I really like the pictures. The pumpkins look really awesome here. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74384714 to: Me, Too!: Two Small Stories About Small Animals (Hardcover) by Katya Arnold
bookshelves: picture-books
This book is weirdly compelling. I'm not sure why I was drawn to reading it in story time (more than once). I don't even like it that much. But there you go. The kids liked it fine. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74384367 to: The Hallo-wiener (Paperback) by Dav Pilkey
bookshelves: picture-books
Is there a way to give a book more than 5 stars? How about infinity stars? Because I love this book that much. SLJ says it "may be the funniest Halloween story ever written..." To which I can only add, Fetch Yes! Brilliant and hilarious, popular with kids and parents alike. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74384211 to: Maisy Big, Maisy Small (Maisy) by Lucy Cousins
bookshelves: picture-books
Woo! Opposites! The problem with books like this is that not everything in them is actually opposite (fluffy and spiky? Really?), and they tend to go on a little long. But Maisy always has fun pictures, and overall, it's a good concept book. ]]>