A-Z WEDNESDAY

Vickie over at Reading At The Beach is the host for A-Z Wednesday. Here are the details if you want to play along.

To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.
Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.
(We all love comments, don't we?)
Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEK'S LETTER IS "U"
My Book is:


Product Description(Amazon.com)
She woke up with no memories...She wakes up in a hospital room...bruised...bloody...confused. She knows her name is Gemma La Porte - but that's all. She doesn't remember smashing her car. She doesn't remember anything from the last three days. But a policeman, Deputy Will Tanninger, is waiting for answers and wants to know if she's responsible for a fatal hit-and-run...But remembering her past could kill her...Hoping to restore her shattered memory, Gemma has no choice but to put her trust in Will. But if it turns out she's guilty of murder, he has no choice but to arrest her. Torn by her growing feelings for Will, and haunted by her shadowy past, Gemma is determined to learn the truth. But, in this case, the darkest truths are unknowable - and the deadliest enemies are unseen...

I haven't read this book, it's sitting on my self, but I may have to move it out and read it. The synopsis sounds intriguing. Don't forget to head over to Vicki's place to check out all the "U" books.

IT'S MONDAY, WHAT ARE YOU READING

Sheila over at BookJourney is the host for It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I thought for sure once I retired I'd get lots more reading done. Nope, isn't happening! I seem to have way toooooooo many distractions. I used to have 2 hours in the afternoon, while I was sitting in my car waiting to go to work, to read. Well I've lost that time. So I'm not getting as many books read as I used to.

This week I got
Review - Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten. This was a review book and was really very good. I truly enjoyed this book.

Review- Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer done. This is YA book and series. I am planning on reading some more of this series.

Review - City of Refuge by Tom Piazza done. This was a really thick book. It's about Hurricane Katrina that follows two families. Really good one.

What's coming up........
Sometimes Mine by Martha Moody. This is a review book. Pretty interesting so far.
I am going to be going to the library later today. What am I getting?

The Book of Fate - Brad Meltzer


Poison - Chris Wooding


Plus my book club meets this week, hoping the book is better for next month. I couldn't finish the one for June. Well, that's it for this week. Head over to Sheila's place to check out what everyone else is reading.

REVIEW - CITY OF REFUGE

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge
Suspense & Thriller[Disaster Thriller](Wrap Up)

"City of Refuge" by Tom Piazza
Product Description(Amazon.com)

In the heat of late summer, two New Orleans families—one black and one white—confront a storm that will change the course of their lives.
SJ Williams, a carpenter and widower, lives and works in the Lower Ninth Ward community where he was born and raised. Across town, Craig Donaldson, a Midwestern transplant and the editor of the city's alternative paper, faces deepening cracks in his family. When the news of the gathering hurricane spreads—and when the levees give way and the floodwaters come—the fate of each family changes forever.
# Paperback: 432 pages
# Publisher: Harper Perennial (August 4, 2009)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0061673617
# ASIN: B003IWYGYS

MY THOUGHTS: I am one of the thousands that watched this event, Hurricane Katrina, fall down on New Orleans. I watched it on t.v. I was glued to the t.v. for hours. Wondering what was going to happen to all those people. Their homes, possessions, families and friends. This book follows SJ and Craig before, during and after the Hurricane. Craig and Anne didn't loose that much. A window broken and the roof ripped off in spots. SJ lost lots more. His house was still standing but the front of it was missing. SJ also lost his sister. This book lets you see into their lives and how they coped with this disaster. How they survived before and after the storm. Did they go back to New Orleans after the storm? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5
******************************************************
This is also my wrap up of the Suspense & Thriller reading challenge. I read 12 books out of 12. Here is my list of books. This reading challenge is hosted by Book Chick at Book Chick City.

1. Murder Mystery - Evidence - Jonathan Kellerman
2. Action Thriller - The Clouds Roll Away - Sibella Giorello
3. Historical Thriller - The Murder of King Tut - James Patterson
4. Spy Thriller - The Rook - Steven James
5. Serial Killer Thriller - The Last Surgeon - Michael Palmer
6. Terrorist Thriller - The Breath of Allah - Tempest O'Rourke
7. Private Detective - Half-Moon Investigations - Eoin Colfer
8. Futuristic Thriller - Freedom's Call - John Walker
9. Hard Boiled Mystery - Rough Country - John Sandford
10. Cozy Mystery - The Twin in the Tavern - Barbara Brooks Wallace
11. Amateur Mystery - The Secret of Holly Green Manor - Karen Cogan
12. Disaster Thriller - City of Refuge - Tom Piazza

I GIVE UP

I have had this book for a month. I just can't get interested in it. What book is it? Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. It's my book clubs book for June. Our July meeting is next Thursday and I have read a little over half the book. But I haven't read any this week. This is the first time in ages that I haven't been able to finish a book. Even if I didn't like it I would keep plugging away. But this one isn't going to happen!

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon. Orphaned by their mother’s death and their father’s disappearance, bound together by a preternatural connection and a shared fascination with medicine, the twins come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution.
Moving from Addis Ababa to New York City and back again, Cutting for Stone is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal, medicine and ordinary miracles—and two brothers whose fates are forever intertwined.
# Paperback: 688 pages
# Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (January 26, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0375714367
# ISBN-13: 978-0375714368

Don't get me wrong. I was enjoying the book, but about 1/4th of the way through I lost something, don't know what, but it just wasn't holding my interest. You ever feel that way? Ever leave a book unread? Have you read this book, if so let me know how you liked it.

THE FRIDAY 56

Tonya over at Storytime with Tonya is the host for The Friday 56. Here are the details.

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

The Closest Book

City of Refuge - Tom Piazza
P.56 5th sentence

The steely armature of the code of brothers, the conviction that they were absolved by their circumstances for their misdeeds...even with those who bought into the code completely, the conviction went only so deep and concealed a molten center that could explode without warning.

REVIEW - HALF MOON INVESTIGATIONS

This book is for 5 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.26)
Countdown 2010(2006)
Suspense & Thrillers(Private Detective)
Monthly Mixer Melee

"Half Moon Investigations" by Eoin Colfer
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Fletcher Moon has never been like other kids. For one thing, he has had to suffer the humiliating nickname “Half Moon” because of his short stature. But the real reason Fletcher is different is that ever since he was a baby, he’s had a nose for sniffing out mysteries. And after graduating at the top of his Internet class, he is officially certified as the youngest detective in the world. He even has a silver-plated detective’s badge to prove it. Everything is going along fine until two things happen: a classmate hires him to solve a crime, and his prized badge is stolen. All signs point to the town’s most notorious crime family, the Sharkeys.
As Fletcher follows the clues, evidence of a conspiracy begins to emerge. But before he can crack the case, Fletcher finds himself framed for a serious crime. To clear his name, he will have to pair up with the unlikeliest of allies and go on the run from the authorities. Fletcher has twelve hours to find the guilty party--or he is the guilty party.
# Reading level: Young Adult
# Paperback: 304 pages
# Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (March 27, 2007)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0786849606
# ISBN-13: 978-0786849604

MY THOUGHTS: This is a series of books by Eoin Colfer. I love his writing. He gives you all the details and lets you figure out who done it. And I had no idea who the guilty person was until the end. What a surprise!!
Fletcher is on the hunt for someone who has stolen April's treasured souvenir from a rock group. And Fletcher is hired to find it. He starts looking at the Sharkey clan. They are the town bullies and thieves. In the process Fletcher gets attacked and is put in the hospital. Then a dancing costume is burned and the building it is in. Fletcher is blamed for that. Now Fletcher is on the run. Red Sharkey breaks him out of police custody and they have 24 hours to solve the crime.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - SAVING MAX

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge
Monthly Mixer Melee

"Saving Max - Antoinette van Heugten
(from back cover)
WHAT WOUND A LOVING MOTHER NOT DO FOR HER CHILD?
Lawyer Danielle Parkman is at her wit's end. Her son Max, a whipsmart teen with high-functioning autism, has always been a handful. But lately he's shutting down, using drugs and lashing out--violently.
Desperate, Danielle brings Max to a top-flight psychiatric facility. But rather than reassurance, Danielle receives an agonizing diagnosis portraying a severely damaged, dangerous boy--one she's never met.
Then Danielle finds Max unconscious and bloodied at the feet of a patient who has been brutally stabbed to death. Worse, Danielle is arrested as an accessory to the heinous crime.
In a baffling netherworld of doubt and fear, barred from contacting her son, Danielle clings to the thought of Max's innocence. But has she, too, lost touch with reality? Is her baby boy really a killer?
With the justice system bearing down on them both, Danielle steels herself to discover the truth--no matter how horrifying. But only finding the true killer will absolve her from having to choose between her son and her soul.
Amazon.com
# Paperback: 400 pages
# Publisher: Mira; Original edition (September 28, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0778329631
# ISBN-13: 978-0778329633

MY THOUGHTS: Antoinette van Heugten is a first time published author. This is a on-the-edge-of-your-seat murder mystery! As Danielle weeds through all the doctors, nurses, witnesses, and possible suspects she starts to see something no one has thought about. Danielle finds evidence that the killer doesn't know about. As Danielle rushes against the clock to get her evidence into court, the killer is making plans. You will be totally blown away by the ending of this book. If you get a chance to read this book, do! It's really good!!

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book.]

IN MY MAILBOX

In My Mailbox is hosted over at The Story Siren. Got any good books to share? Hope over and check them all out. You could find your next book to read! I have gotten all these books in the last few weeks.

For Review

And The Heart Says Whatever - Emily Gould


Fall - Colin McAdam


Finding Marco - Kenneth C. Cancellara


Shoulder Bags and Shootings


Spirit - Andrew Feder


The Good Son - Michael Gruber


The Secret(of Happiness) - Demosthenes Armeniades


Venom - Joan Brady

KIDS KONNECTION

Julie over at Booking Mama is the host for Kids Konnection. Here are some details:

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a (hopefully) regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books.

I recently went to the library and got two books. One is Ugly Sea Creatures by Kerri O'Donnell. This is a picture book and has some really ugly creatures in it. My review of this book is here.



Another book I got is Harvey's Horrible Snake Disaster by Eth Clifford. Harvey gets into so much trouble when he takes a snake home from school. On top of that his cousin is visiting and she always causes trouble when she comes for a visit. My review is here.

Got some kids books to share? Head over to Julie's place and check out her kids books.

WEEKEND COOKING

Beth over at Beth Fish Reads is the host for Weekend Cooking. Here are the details:

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

I have two books to share. I have been doing a lot of cooking since I retired. So I am always looking for new recipes to try. I made a run to the library last week and found two great books.

How to Zest a Lemon - Kim Upton



Loaded with lots of cooking terms and recipes. There is one for Veggie Chips I am dying to try!

8 small potatoes (or other veggies)
Salt
2 C. Corn Oil
Coarse Salt
1 tablespoon fresh Rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried

Deep fry the veggies until golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes per batch, turning once. Remove from oil and pat dry. While still hot, sprinkle chips with corse salt to taste and rosemary. My review of this book is here.

Don't forget to go and visit Beth's place. You might find supper for tonight.

REVIEW - UGLY SEA CREATURES

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges. This is also a wrap up of theA-Z Reading Challenge.
100+ Challenge
Monthly Mixer Melee
What an Animal 3
A-Z Challenge[Titles]

"Ugly Sea Creatures" by Kerri O'Donnell
(from the front page)
Have you ever been to the ocean? Maybe you saw fish in the water or a crab in the sand. Most of us only se the ocean animals that live close to the beach. However, scientists think there are millons of kinds of animals living in the ocean!
Amazon.com
# Reading level: Ages 9-12
# Library Binding: 24 pages
# Publisher: PowerKids Press (August 31, 2006)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1404235280
# ISBN-13: 978-1404235281

MY THOUGHTS: This is a picture book of creatures living under the sea. I must admit some of them are really ugly. Like the Viper-Fish. Lots of teeth on this fish. He lives really deep in the ocean where there is no light. Another one is The Fangtooth. He's really ugly! He has lots of teeth and fangs! He lives about 16,000 feet below the ocean. If your children like reading about sea creatures they will love this book.

MY RATING: 5



A-Z READING CHALLENGE WRAP UP
26 books read - finished 6/17
Thanks to Becky for hosting this reading challenge.

A. Jane Austen-Christen Encounters-Peter Leithart
B. Burn - Ted Dekker
C. A Country Called Home - Kim Barnes
D. The Day No Pigs Would Die - Robert Newton Peck
E. Evidence - Jonathan Kellerman
F. Following Fake Man - Barbara Ware Holmes
G. The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
H. Harvey's Horrible Snake Disaster - Eth Clifford
I. An Irish Country Childhood - Marrie Walsh
J. Jacob Have I Loved - Katerine Paterson
K. Kit's Wilderness - David Almond
L. The Last Surgeon - Michael Palmer
M. Mistress of the Art of Death - Ariana Franklin
N. 9 Dragons - Michael Connelly
O. One Thousand White Women - Jim Fergus
P. The Power of Half - Kevin Salwen&Hannah Salwen
Q. Q:The Autobiography of Quincey Jones - Jeffery G. Allen
R. Rough Country - John Sandford
S. Sarah's Key - Tatiana De Rosnay
T. The World in Half - Cristina Henriquez
U. Ugly Sea Creatures - Kerri O'Donnell
V. Vanish - Tom Pawlk
W. A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
X. Malcolm X - Lucile Davis
Y. Y' All Come Eat - The Deen Brothers
Z. How to Zest a Lemon - Kim Upton

The reviews of all the books are at the bottom of my side bar.

REVIEW - HARVEY'S HORRIBLE SNAKE DISASTER

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge
Monthly Mixer Melee
A-Z Challenge[titles]



"Harvey's Horrible Snake Disaster" by Eth Clifford
Product Description(Amazon.com)
When ten-year-old Harvey is visited by his cousin Nora, trouble is bound to ensue, and this year's episode with snakes is no exception.
# Reading level: Ages 9-12
# Hardcover: 128 pages
# Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (April 25, 1984)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0395353785
# ISBN-13: 978-0395353783

MY THOUGHTS: This is a great book. Harvey gets into all kinds of trouble with his sister and then his cousin comes for a visit and trouble gets really bad. It starts off at school and gets progressively worse. As Harvey and Nora help out the snake guy visiting school. Harvey and Nora help the snake guy out by going with him to take the snakes home. But Charlie, the 18 foot Python, wraps itself around the snake guy and Harvey takes over driving the car. Which leads them to court and Harvey's dad, who is the judge. Then Harvey takes the snake home and you guessed it, Charlie gets loose in the house. Great book for kids. They will love all the trouble one snake makes in the life of Harvey.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - Y' ALL COME EAT

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge
Monthly Mixer Melee
A-Z Challenge[Titles]

"Y' All Come Eat" by The Deen Brothers
Product Description(Amazon.com)
This one-of-a-kind cookbook features simple, yet irresistible recipes for weeknight meals, laid-back gatherings, potlucks, picnics, tailgating parties and more from the Deen brothers.

• Chapters spotlight the Deen brothers' specialties—from Bobby's all-time favorite goulash to Jamie's amazing cheeseburger pies.

• Fresh and upbeat, it's spiced up with lively Deen brothers' tidbits and stories giving you an inside look at their lives.

• Deen family photos and recent photos of the brothers shaking it up in the kitchen with family and friends add a special touch.
# Hardcover: 224 pages
# Publisher: Wiley; First Edition (Stated) edition (April 1, 2008)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0696233975
# ISBN-13: 978-0696233975

MY THOUGHTS: This book has lots of recipes and stories. I really like recipe books that put stories with the recipe. This one does this. The sections start with a story and pictures. Then the recipes with a little more of a story. There are some great recipes in here I'm dying to try. Great book to have!

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - HOW TO ZEST A LEMON

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge
Monthly Mixer Melee
A-Z Challenge[Titles]

"How to Zest a Lemon" by Kim Upton
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Here’s a cookbook for the person who wants to cook but can barely boil water, who enters the kitchen only with caution and despite dire predictions of disaster by family and friends. Kim Upton is coming to the rescue with amazingly simple skills for culinary success and mouthwatering recipes that anyone can master. Her incredible “Techniques” section teaches all the basics: it’s like a series of private cooking lessons. Novices who work their way from A (aerating) to Z (zesting) will have an excellent base from which to create almost any dish. Learn blanching by making Peach Crostata; mincing by preparing Pasta with Garlic and Bacon; and roasting by whipping up Rosemary Chicken. To top it off, there’s advice on kitchen essentials and entertaining tips.
# Paperback: 192 pages
# Publisher: Sterling; illustrated edition edition (April 1, 2007)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1402714432
# ISBN-13: 978-1402714436

MY THOUGHTS: This is a really fascinating book. Lots of stuff about definitions of cooking. Plus recipes! This is a new one, Proofing. It means to dissolve yeast in a warm liquid to assure the yeast is active. I'd not heard of that definition. This one sometimes had me confused. Emulsifying, to combine ingredients so that they don't easily separate. With all the definitions is a recipe. Deep Frying has one for Veggie Chips, I'm dying to try that one. Really good book.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - MALCOLM X

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge
A-Z Challenge[Titles]

"Malcolm X:A Photo-Illustrated Biography" by Lucile Davis
Product Description(Amazon.com)
A Photo biography of the Black Muslim who became a leader of a movement to unite black people throughout the world.
# Reading level: Ages 4-8
# Library Binding: 24 pages
# Publisher: Capstone Press (September 1997)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1560655712
# ISBN-13: 978-1560655718

MY THOUGHTS: This is a very well done book. It has some really great pictures and the story is simple enough that children can understand it. I didn't know his father was a minister or that he was born in Nebraska. I always thought he was from New York. Great book to pick up for your kids or yourself.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - READ, REMEMBER, RECOMMEND

I got my book Review, Remember, Recommend Saturday. I've been glued to it for days. It has so much information that's it's mind boggling. If you have a chance to get this book, it's a great investment. I got mine at Amazon.com I got a used one. No writing in the book just a little dust. It cost $6.87 plus postage.

I am also doing the reading challenge for this book over at Bibliobabe.com I decided to read at the level Notable Newbie which is 5 books. I have made my choices from the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

1)Gilead - Marilynne Robinson - 2005
2)The Known World - Edward P. Jones - 2004
3)The Hours - Michael Cunningham - 1999
4)A Thousand Acres - Jame Smiley - 1992
5)Breathing Lessons - Anne Tyler - 1989

In this book there are sections

Awards and Notable Lists - has lots of lists of books and awards
To Read - a way to keep track of books you want to read.
Journal Pages - a place to record everything you read.
Recommendations - a list of books you want to recommend.
Loaner Lists - a place to keep track of books you loan out.
Resources - lots and lots of places to check out on line.

If there is only one book you buy this year it should be this one. If your like me and keep extensive lists of books you will love this book/journal.



MY RATING 5

REVIEW - FREEDOM'S CALL

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.25)
Suspense & Thriller(Futuristic Thriller)

"Freedom's Call" by John Walker
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Johnny Locker is the leader of a massively popular movement to overhaul the nation's Social Security system. Unbeknownst to him, another movement is in place-and this one's much more dangerous. A charismatic military hero has a plan to overthrow the entire governmental system and replace it with one more closely based on the Constitution. And he wants Johnny's help. Johnny is quickly swept up in the general's big ideas, but he soon realizes that the new leader is just as corrupt as the old. With the support of other dissidents, Johnny finds himself once again leading a grassroots movement that will reshape the nation. He has always been a bit of a rebel, but to answer freedom's call, he must also become a revolutionary.
# Hardcover: 192 pages
# Publisher: Synergy Books (April 20, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0984076085
# ISBN-13: 978-0984076086

MY THOUGHTS: Would you help make a new nation? If you were called to create a new United States would you do it? This book is about creating the United States all over again. The way our fore fathers wanted it. The people running the country. All the old is out and the new is in. For the people, by the people. This all starts with one man, General Frithugh, as he tries to get the country back and together. But his idea is not good and he more or less becomes a dictator. Along comes Johnny Locker. Who is just trying to get Social Security back for the people who deserve it. As Johnny gets pulled into the world according to General Frithugh, he starts finding little things that don't sound good. John, Kyle, Joe, and Digger take over the General's complex and John is now the acting President. Only until they can hold elections. I really enjoyed this book. Makes you hope our world governments can do a better job For the People.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book.]

A-Z WEDNESDAY

Vicki over at Reading at the Beach is the host for A-Z Wednesday. Here are the details:

To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.
Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.
(We all love comments, don't we?)
Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "S "
My book is:
Shattered by Karen Robards

The past is never over. It just gets dusty.
Lisa Shewmaker was a rising star in a prestigious law firm in Lexington, Kentucky; that is, until the firm went bankrupt and she lost her job. With an ailing mother to care for, Lisa takes the first position she can find: research assistant to District Attorney Scott Buchanan. Scott is as disagreeable as he is sexy, and Lisa suspects the only reason she got the job is because of her privileged upbringing as the daughter of a wealthy federal judge.
While reviewing cold cases in the Fayette County courthouse, a particularly thick manila envelope draws Lisa's attention. The details of the case are engrossing: An entire family-father, mother, and two children-disappeared more than twenty-eight years ago. Except that's not all: The mother in the photo could have been Lisa's twin, and the toddler in the picture bears an uncanny resemblance to Lisa herself. Before Lisa can learn more about her past, a series of catastrophes strike close to home. Lisa confides in Scott, and their relationship develops into something completely different. Together Lisa and Scott unravel a terrifying web of criminal connections that could destroy the very fabric of Lisa's life-if she lives long enough, that is.

Read my review here.

REVIEW - THE REVLOUTIONARY PAUL REVERE

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge

"The Revolutionary Paul Revere" by Joel J. Miller
Product Description(Amazon.com)
"Quick in the saddle and fast out of town." Watch one of America's most remarkable heroes come alive through fast-paced prose and gripping storytelling.
The Revolutionary Paul Revere starts at a gallop and never slows down. Follow Revere's adventure-filled life from childhood through the French and Indian War; from the prerevolutionary economic disasters through the incendiary tax fights and riots; from military occupation of Boston through Revere's part in the Boston Massacre trial; from his role in the Boston Tea Party through his early service as express rider for the Massachusetts patriots; from the tragic death of his first wife through the whimsical pursuit of a new love; from his role as waterfront spy through his famous midnight ride; from his participation in the worst American naval disaster before Pearl Harbor through his eventual vindication.
Learn about Revere's life in the Freemasons and the secret political clubs of Boston. Discover his role in Massachusetts' ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Get the inside picture of his business dealings, and see how he transformed himself from poor artisan to wealthy industrialist, making everything from kettles to cannons. Revere's life story is the quintessential American story.
# Paperback: 320 pages
# Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Original edition (April 6, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1595550747
# ISBN-13: 978-1595550743

MY THOUGHTS: History has always been one of my favorites. I like reading about all the people who made our country. You always think you know everything about them, but you always find out something new. If someone asked me about Paul Revere I could tell you he rode a horse during the revolution alerting the colony's the British were coming. But as for anything else, I didn't know that much. Sure I knew he worked with metals. But did you know he was the first to use copper in his work? Or that he was a Mason? That he had 16 children by 2 women? Or that he fought in the revolutionary war? The way this book is written is lots more modern with lots of modern terms to help you understand what is going on. There are also pictures of the goings on of that era. If you like to read history you really need to pick this book up.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book.]

IN MY MAILBOX

The Story Siren is the host for In My Mailbox. Hop over and check it out.

It's been awhile since I done this and I've gotten several new books for review. If you pop over to my Review Books tab you can read all about these books.

And the Heart Says Whatever - Emily Gould
Fall - colin McAdam
Venopm - Joan Brady
Finding Marco - Kenneth C. Cancelliara
The Good Son - Michael Gruber
Spirit - Andrew Feder

I Bought



Read, Remember, Recommend - Rachelle Rogers Knight

This is also a reading challenge and you can find it over at Bibliobabe.

BLOGGIESTA TIME

I was over at Natasha's place, Maw Books. She has a new Surprise Mini Challenge for Bloggiesta up and waiting for you.

Your surprise mini-challenge:

* Take a photo of yourself (or if one of the reasons you are blogging is simply because you DON’T have to show photos of yourself, then get creative) showing off something that you are doing during Bloggiesta. Enjoying your guacamole and chips like Pedro is? Let’s see it! Are you donning a sombrero hat while frantically typing away in front of the computer? Let’s see it! You get the idea. The crazier the better.

Are you going to be brave and do this one? I did! I already sent my info to her. Go on over and join in.

I got one of my Short Term Goals done. I have been linking all my books that are in my "Books Read" tab to the review. I finally got it all done. It looks like I've only missed seven out of all the books I have there. I think that's pretty good!

BLOGGIESTA TIME

I was over at Beth's place, Beth Fish Reads. She has a post about all the stuff going on for the month of June. If your interested just pop over and visit her. That's where I found out about Bloggiesta. It's over at Natasha's place, Maw Books. So I thought I would join in. I think I need to redo my blog a little bit.

And of course that's one of the Mini Challenges. "Write Your Blogging To-Do List". You can find this over at the Blog Improvement headquarters. Kim is hosting this Mini Challenge.

This is what you need to do for this Challenge.

* REQUIRED: Be sure you’re linked up as a Bloggiesta participant (go here to do that).

* OPTIONAL: Do a blog assessment. This can be as in-depth as the 69 questions or as simple as sitting down and thinking about what you like and dislike about your blog.

* OPTIONAL: Use the assessment to write a list of blogging goals. It is NOT REQUIRED to post about this – you can do it on your own however you’re comfortable. It’s basically on an honor system that you’ve done it.

* REQUIRED: Comment ON THIS POST with one short-term blogging goal, and one long-term blogging goal.

* OPTIONAL: Implement your goals! We can’t really check this, it’s just what you should do

Short Term Goal is to clean up my labels, they are kind of messy right now. I also want to link all my books in my "Books Read" tab to my reviews. I want to change my background. Spruce it up some, go daring with a totally different look than what I'm used to.

Long Term Goal is to make my posts a lot more interesting, I'll have to work on this one!

REVIEW - THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

This book is for 6 of my reading challenges.
Books to Read Before I Die
100+ Challenge
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.24)
What An Animal III
Spring Reading Thing
Fill in the Gaps Project

"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. Routine, order and predictability shelter him from the messy, wider world. Then, at fifteen, Christopher’s carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing.
Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer and turns to his favorite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. As he tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, we are drawn into the workings of Christopher’s mind.
And herein lies the key to the brilliance of Mark Haddon’s choice of narrator: The most wrenching of emotional moments are chronicled by a boy who cannot fathom emotion. The effect is dazzling, making for a novel that is deeply funny, poignant, and fascinating in its portrayal of a person whose curse and blessing is a mind that perceives the world literally.
# Paperback: 226 pages
# Publisher: Vintage; Illustrated. edition (May 18, 2004)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1400032717
# ISBN-13: 978-1400032716

MY THOUGHTS: This book has been on my TBR list for the longest time. It was well worth waiting for. I love the main character, Christopher. He's very funny at times. some of the math stuff I didn't get, but it was amazing all the same. When Christopher is trying to get to London and his mother, I got so frustrated with the people. I wanted to shout at them to leave him alone. It's frustrating enough for a "normal" person to travel but to be Autistic and trying to travel on your own would be an awful experience. The worst part is the LIE his father tells him. What LIE is that? You'll have to read the book to find out. It's a really awesome book!

MY RATING: 5