REVIEW - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

This book is for 5 of my reading challenges.
Gothic Challenge(2/12)
Outdo Yourself(23/200)
Vintage Mystery(1/6)
A - Z Challenge(H)(8/26)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.9)

"The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Product Description(Amazon.com)
For generations the curse had hung over the Baskerville family. Now another life had been claimed by the mysterious and terrifying beast. Was it a demon or an animal lurking on the desolate moor? Would the new master of the Baskerville home be its next victim?
# Paperback: 162 pages
# Publisher: Tribeca Books (February 20, 2011)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 193659403X
# ISBN-13: 978-1936594030

MY THOUGHTS: I have of course seen the movie with Basil Rathbone. I didn't really like the movie very much. But the book was so much better. Holmes and Watson are going around collecting clues in this mysterious case. There are lots of characters to choose from and I had no idea who it really was. Actually I thought it was someone else totally different from Holmes' thoughts. I was beginning to think it really was a demon dog from Hell. But of course Holmes proved it wasn't. Great book, if you have a chance pick it up and read it.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - THE GRAND DELUSION

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(22/200)
A - Z Challenge(Title -G)(7/26)

"The Grand Delusion" by Heath Sommer
(from back cover)(Amazon.com)
Addy Siwel only wanted answers when she signed up for a freshman course in theology--what she got was the attention of a murderer. In The Grand Delusion, Dr. Heath Sommer brings to life the precursor stories of characters John Joe, Addy Siwel, and Merci Bowku, who were introduced to the world in the 2009 contemporary mystery The Manufactured Identity. Terror-struck, the three protagonists vie against a backdrop of ironic evil as they are stalked by an unidentified villain who breaks all the rules and sends Chief of police and reluctant clairvoyant Frank Murphy scrambling against the clock in a murder mystery showdown that leaves all questioning what is real and what is beyond this world.
# Paperback: 408 pages
# Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises (October 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1616635592
# ISBN-13: 978-1616635596

MY THOUGHTS: I read Mr. Sommer's previous book, The Manufactured Identity last year. I really enjoyed reading it. This one didn't disappoint me either. It is full of physiological terror. Along with mystery and murder. You know something big is going to happen, but you don't know who will be the culprit. The true psychosis of the villain was great. The author is able to make the villain seem like any person you might know. Do Addy, John, Merci and Frank find the person? What do they find out when they do? Is the mystery solved? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

{This is a free review book.]

REVIEW - THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN

This book is for 4 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself(21/200)
Just For Fun(1/12)
A - Z Challenge(6/26)
Fill in the Gaps Project(55/100)

"The Christmas Train" by David Baldacci
Product Description(Amazon.com)
This edition of the "New York Times" bestseller--a heartwarming tale of humor, romance, and mystery by the bestselling author of "Split Second" "Baldacci whips up a pleasant holiday confection."--"People."
# Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
# Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reissue edition (November 1, 2004)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0446615757
# ISBN-13: 978-0446615754

MY THOUGHTS: This book has been on my TBR list for ages. I'm glad I finally read it. Wonderful book filled with mystery, love, romance, and lots of stories being told by everyone on the train. There is a thief on board who isn't who everyone thinks he is. A masquerading police officer, I didn't see this one coming. And a really big surprise ending that I totally didn't see coming. If you haven't read this book, you really need to. It's written beautifully and will keep you glued to the chair so you can finish it.

MY RATING: 5

FRIDAY BOOK MEMES

Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for The Friday 56. Katy over at A Few More Pages is the host for Book Beginnings. Want to discover some new books to read, then head over and check these two places out. You'll get some great ideas.

The Friday 56

"Well, actually, our families don't, you know..."
"Don't know you're getting married?"
"Don't know and don't approve of us getting married," said Julie as she dabbed at her eyes with the back of her hand.
The Christmas Train - David Baldacci P. 56

Book Beginnings

"Tom Langdon was a journalist, a globetrotting one, because it was in his blood to roam widely. Where others saw only instability and fear in life, Tom felt graced by an embracing independence."
The Christmas Train - David Baldacci

I've had this book on my list to read for a few years. I've just never got to read it for some reason. Well, there are so many books to read and not enough time. That's what I'm saying and I'm sticking to it. The thought of being a journalist and traveling all around the world intrigues me. Getting to see all those places and writing about the life there. I think that is one reason this book grabbed me at the beginning. But as I got into the rest of the book it isn't really so much about traveling as about how he's traveling. On a train, at Christmas time. Plus he's using this premise as a base for a story. I have about 3/4th's of the book done and have been enjoying it immensely. Watch for my review in the next couple of days.

JUST ME

Well it's Thursday again. And we are under another Winter Storm Warning. Will it never end! I am sooooooo ready for spring. This week the twins went to the doctor. We had rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow all on the day they went to the doctor. It's bad enough we had to listen to them cry while they got 4 shots into their little legs, but I had to drive home in that stuff. I was not a happy camper.



Luke is pulling up to things, he is so ready to walk. But he hasn't quite figured out what to do with his feet. This is Luke showing off for grandma.



Me and Bella playing around last night. Daddy took the picture.



As for reading, well, that's coming along slowly. I'm trying to read Cross Fire by James Patterson but it's going kind of slow. I just can't seem to get into this book right now. Maybe it will have to wait for another day. I am reading The Christmas Train by David Baldacci. I am really enjoying this book. Well, that's it for now, have a great weekend.

REVIEW - QUILTS

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Home Town Challenge(3/5)
Outdo Yourself Challenge(20/200)
A - Z Challenge(Titles)(5/26)

"Quilts: Their Story and How To Make Them" by Marie D. Webster
Product Description(Amazon.com)
A milestone in the history of quilting, this was the first quilt book, originally published in 1915. With wit and wisdom, it traces the origins of applique and quilting in the ancient world, in medieval Europe and in the pioneer days of America. Twenty-four of Marie Webster's own quilts are illustrated in color, with 60 additional black and white photos of historic quilts and needlework from the original edition, as well as photos from Marie Webster's family album.
# Paperback: 244 pages
# Publisher: Practical Patchwork (September 1990)
# ISBN-10: 0962081167
# ISBN-13: 978-0962081163

MY THOUGHTS: I am a self taught quilter. I learned from reading books, magazines and t.v. I loved reading this book as there is a lot of quilt history here. Marie D. Webster lived in my home town and ran her quilt business from her home. Her house is still there. It has been restored and is currently home to The Quilter's Hall of Fame. There is a sentence in this book that really stuck out to me.

There is in existence today no complete collection of quilts readily available to the public at large. No museum in the country or abroad has a collection worthy of the name, the nearest approach to it being in the great South Kensington Museum in London.

With all the museums around today and all the collections of quilts Marie D. Webster would be astonished. Her quilt patterns are still in use today by quilters, young and old. There is a gathering of quilters from far and wide in my home town every July. With quilts classes, vendors and lots and lots of quilts to see. If you are a quilter you will enjoy reading this book.

MY RATING: 8-12

REVIEW - WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(19/200)
A-Z Challenge(4/26)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.8)

"When No One Is Watching" by Joseph Hayes
Product Description(Amazon.com)
On the eve of announcing his run for Congress, a charismatic Chicago politician causes a deadly accident. Panicked, he frames his best friend, a good-hearted alcoholic, and flees the scene. As one man tries to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, the other embarks on a meteoric rise to political stardom. But when a dogged detective digs deeper into the case, the political superstar must decide just how far he is willing to go to keep his dark secret and avoid an explosive scandal that could ruin him and rock the entire nation. In this suspenseful thriller, author Joseph Hayes asks, is "the greater good" just a lie we tell ourselves to justify the sins we commit when no one is watching?
# Paperback: 320 pages
# Publisher: Synergy Books (October 5, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0984387943
# ISBN-13: 978-0984387946

MY THOUGHTS: This book is full of suspense and consequences that can happen when you try to cover them up. That is exactly what happens to Blair after being involved in a car accident. He puts all the fault on his best friend Danny. Now Blair goes on with his political life and forgets about this. But secrets usually come back to haunt you eventually. This one has come back to bite Blair in the butt. But does he take the consequences of his actions? Does Danny get his life back together? You'll have to read the book to find out. Really great book, I enjoyed reading this book. The author kept the flow going through the whole book. I really like that in a book.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book.]

I'M SICK

For those that stop by and wondering what has happened to me. I'm sick, I've got the flu. This is the first time I've been on the computer for 3 days. But not for long, the couch is calling me.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS

Sam over at Tiny Library is the host for Wonderful Wednesdays. What exactly is this? Here is some info:

Wonderful Wednesdays is a meme about spotlighting and recommending some of our most loved books, even if we haven't read them recently. Each week will have a different theme or genre of book to focus on.

This week's theme, Guilty Pleasures.

I usually read just about everything. If it has words I'll read it. I'm kind of an eclectic reader. But my GUILTY PLEASURE when I just want to read something for me is..............

Janet Evanovich
Sue Grafton

I love the Stephanie Plum series. But of course I didn't start them at the beginning, which is a fault of mine, so I've started them from the beginning so I can catch up. I think I'm at #5 right now.

The same applies to the Alphabet Murders, the Kinsey Millhone series. I also didn't start at the beginning of this series, so am playing catch up now. With U already out I've got quite a ways to go. But they will be there at the library when I'm ready, they have the whole series from A to U.

REVIEW - CITY OF TRANQUIL LIGHT

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.7)
"City of Tranquil Light" by Bo Caldwell

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Will Kiehn is seemingly destined for life as a humble farmer in the Midwest when, having felt a call from God, he travels to the vast North China Plain in the early twentieth-century. There he is surprised by love and weds a strong and determined fellow missionary, Katherine. They soon find themselves witnesses to the crumbling of a more than two-thousand-year-old dynasty that plunges the country into decades of civil war. As the couple works to improve the lives of the people of Kuang P'ing Ch'eng— City of Tranquil Light, a place they come to love—and face incredible hardship, will their faith and relationship be enough to sustain them?
Told through Will and Katherine's alternating viewpoints—and inspired by the lives of the author's maternal grandparents—City of Tranquil Light is a tender and elegiac portrait of a young marriage set against the backdrop of the shifting face of a beautiful but torn nation. A deeply spiritual book, it shows how those who work to teach others often have the most to learn, and is further evidence that Bo Caldwell writes "vividly and with great historical perspective" (San Jose Mercury News).
# Hardcover: 304 pages
# Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (September 28, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0805092285
# ISBN-13: 978-0805092288

MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed reading this book. The way it's written is so relaxing and vivid. It's like reading someone's journal. The pictures it conjurs up while I was reading are wonderful. As the story follows Will and Katharine, you can see they their devotion through their faith in God. Do Will and Katharine keep their faith? Do they save The City of Tranquil Light? You'll have to read the book to find out.

RATING: 5

[This is a free review book.]

REVIEW - I NEVER FORGET A MEAL

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself(17 of 200)
The 50 States(New York)
The Foodie Challenge

"I Never Forget A Meal" by Michael Tucker
Product Description(Amazon.com)
In a witty memoir, the popular actor chronicles the events of his life, his marriage to actress Jill Eikenberry, and his lifetime love affair with food. 20,000 first printing. $20,000 ad/promo.
# Hardcover: 244 pages
# Publisher: Little Brown & Co (T); 1st edition (December 1995)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0316856258
# ISBN-13: 978-0316856256

MY THOUGHTS: When I first got this book the cover was confusing. I couldn't remember where I had seen this guy. I couldn't place what t.v. show I had seen him on. As I kept reading it kept bugging me so I Googled Michael Tucker. Once I saw what t.v. show he was on I said duh. I should have got that right off. I was a big fan of L. A. Law. Great show! Anyway in this book Michael takes you across the U.S. and across the continents with his food memories. But mostly this book is based in New York. My favorite story is A Child's Crab Feast in Baltimore. Michael tells the story so well that you feel like you are there with his family and friends eating all that awesome food. Phil, a family friend is taking Michael and his brother Ed out in a rusty leaky boat to catch crabs. Michael was sure he was never going to make it back to shore, he was to bail out the water while they were out in the bay. But of course they did make it back and had an awesome meal. The book is scattered with recipes for some of Michael's favorite food. This is one I'm going to try out.

Mrs. B's P.K.s

6 large unpeeled Idaho potatoes
1 large yellow onion
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup matzo meal
a handful chopped parsley
salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups olive oil

Shred the potatoes either by hand with the coarse side of a grater or with the shredding disk of a food processor.
Grate the onions on the same coarse grater. Combine with the potatoes, then dran the potato-onion mixture in a colander. Squeeze out the excess moisture.
Return the potao-onion mixture to a bowl and add the eggs, matzo meal, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir.
Heat the oil in a large skillet until quite hot. Slide in large spoonfuls of the pancake mixture. Flatten them and reduce the heat.
Cook the pancakes until golden brown, then turn them and cook the other side. Drain on brown paper bags.

RATING: 5

I'm also linking up to Beth Fish Reads for Weekend Cooking.

SATURDAY SNAPSHOT

Alyce over at At Home With Books is the host for Saturday Snapshot. Want to play along? Here is more info:

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky below. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. All I ask is that you don't post random photos that you find online.

My hubby getting a hair cut by our son. Why you might ask? Because my hubby thinks 15.00 is too much for a hair cut at the barber. So he went to K Mart and bought some hair clippers. This all happened a few years ago. But our son still cuts his hair for him and he does a pretty good job at it.

THE FRIDAY 56 & BOOK BEGINNINGS

Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for The Friday 56. Want to join and share your book? Here's the rules.

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky.

It's that simple.

I Never Forget A Meal - Michael Tucker

Synopsis(Amazon.com)
In a witty memoir, the popular actor chronicles the events of his life, his marriage to actress Jill Eikenberry, and his lifetime love affair with food.

Page 56
After Amsterdam was Brussels and my first taste of moules mariniere. (Mussels)

I'm also joining Katy over at A Few More Pages for Book Beginnings on Friday. This is my first time joining in on this book meme. So here goes.

When I was nine or ten years old, we went for a long weekend down to Middle River in east Baltimore--my mom, my dad, my brother, and I--to visit the Haases, Lil and Phil. It wasn't my first trip to their place nor my last, but it's the one that will stick forever in my memory.

These first 2 sentences grabbed me right off. I wanted to find out more about this trip he made and the food. After all this book is about food. He relates stories and memories to food in his life through out the book.

JUST ME

I almost forgot about posting my weekly feature Just Me. It's been a really fast week and COLD. It was -10 this morning when I got up. Burrrr, tooooo cold. Not much going on this week. Bella and Luke are growing so fast. They are seven months old today. They have just about out grown the playpen.



We also got some more white fluffy snow this past weekend. I'm really tired of snow and cold. The weather man says we are headed for a warm up this weekend, high 40's.



I baked a cake today. It's a recipe a friend gave me years ago. It's a pineapple cake. It's really yummy. Now all I have to do is get the icing on it and eat.



If you want the recipe I've put a tap at the top of my page with recipes. I'll be putting it there. That's it for now. Have a warm weekend.

REVIEW - FRANKENSTEIN

This book is for 5 of my reading challenges.
Gothic Challenge(1 of 12)
Outdo Yourself Challenge(16 of 200)
Back to the Classics(Banned Book)
A-Z Challenge(Titles)(3 of 26)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.6)

"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
Product Description(Amazon.com)
This is one of the best known horror stories ever. Victor Frankenstein, a Swiss scientist, has a great ambition: to create intelligent life. But when his creature first stirs, he realizes he has made a monster. A monster which, abandoned by his master and shunned by everyone who sees it, follows Dr Frankenstein with murder and horrors to the very ends of the earth.
# Paperback: 288 pages
# Publisher: Puffin Books (February 2011)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 014133441X
# ISBN-13: 978-0141334417

MY THOUGHTS: If you have seen any of the Frankenstein movies, old or new, you are missing out on lots by not reading the book. The book is totally different from the movies. The book gives you so much more information than the movies do. I didn't know that the monster had killed Victor's brother. That's not in the movie. As Victor is telling his story, all the details are given about how this monster came to life. It's also totally different than the movie. If you haven't read this book, please do. It is well worth the read.

MY RATING: 5

WONDROUS WORDS WEDNESDAY

Kathy over at Bermudaonion's Weblog is the host for Wondrous Words Wednesday. Found any new words in your reading? Head over to Kathy's and share them.

I am reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. My words come from there.

1. Chimerical - Produced by a wildly fanciful imagination
This is the sentence the author used the word, so I'm assuming he's talking about this new science as being wildly fanciful for it's time.

If, instead of this remark, my father had taken the pains to explain to me that the principles of Agrippa had been entirely exploded, and that a modern system of science had been introduced, which possessed much greater powers than the ancient, because the powers of the latter where chimerical, while those of the former were real and practical; under such circumstances I should certainly have thrown Agrippa aside and have contented my imagination, warmed as it was, by returning with greater ardor to my former studies.

2. Tertiary - Coming next after the second and just before the fourth in position
I am assuming they are talking about years in school. As this is what it refers to. The person talking is talking about going to collage.

He might dissect, anatomise, and give names; but, not to speak of a final cause, causes in their secondary and tertiary grades were utterly unknown to him.

That's all my words. Dig you find any new words?

REVIEW - OUR TOWN

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Home Town Challenge(2 of 5)
Outdo Yourself Challenge(15 of 200)
A - Z Challenge(Titles)(2 of 26)

"Our Town" by Cynthia Carr
Product Description(Amazon.com)
The brutal lynching of two young black men in Marion, Indiana, on August 7, 1930, cast a shadow over the town that still lingers. It is only one event in the long and complicated history of race relations in Marion, a history much ignored and considered by many to be best forgotten. But the lynching cannot be forgotten. It is too much a part of the fabric of Marion, too much ingrained even now in the minds of those who live there. In Our Town journalist Cynthia Carr explores the issues of race, loyalty, and memory in America through the lens of a specific hate crime that occurred in Marion but could have happened anywhere.
Marion is our town, America’s town, and its legacy is our legacy.
Like everyone in Marion, Carr knew the basic details of the lynching even as a child: three black men were arrested for attempted murder and rape, and two of them were hanged in the courthouse square, a fate the third miraculously escaped. Meeting James Cameron–the man who’d survived–led her to examine how the quiet Midwestern town she loved could harbor such dark secrets. Spurred by the realization that, like her, millions of white Americans are intimately connected to this hidden history, Carr began an investigation into the events of that night, racism in Marion, the presence of the Ku Klux Klan–past and present–in Indiana, and her own grandfather’s involvement. She uncovered a pattern of white guilt and indifference, of black anger and fear that are the hallmark of race relations across the country.
In a sweeping narrative that takes her from the angry energy of a white supremacist rally to the peaceful fields of Weaver–once an all-black settlement neighboring Marion–in search of the good and the bad in the story of race in America, Carr returns to her roots to seek out the fascinating people and places that have shaped the town. Her intensely compelling account of the Marion lynching and of her own family’s secrets offers a fresh examination of the complex legacy of whiteness in America. Part mystery, part history, part true crime saga, Our Town is a riveting read that lays bare a raw and little-chronicled facet of our national memory and provides a starting point toward reconciliation with the past.
On August 7, 1930, three black teenagers were dragged from their jail cells in Marion, Indiana, and beaten before a howling mob. Two of them were hanged; by fate the third escaped. A photo taken that night shows the bodies hanging from the tree but focuses on the faces in the crowd—some enraged, some laughing, and some subdued, perhaps already feeling the first pangs of regret.
Sixty-three years later, journalist Cynthia Carr began searching the photo for her grandfather’s face.
# Paperback: 512 pages
# Publisher: Three Rivers Press (March 27, 2007)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0307341887
# ISBN-13: 978-0307341884

MY THOUGHTS: I had heard about this for years as I was growing up. The lynching of two black teenagers. But had never heard all the story, just about the hanging of the three people. I am ashamed to say this happened in my home town. I was outraged that something like this could happen and no one offered to help those poor boys. Cynthia Carr came back to Marion to research this book. She came up against a brick wall when trying to find people to talk about this. Even in the early 2000's no one wanted to talk about it. But thankfully Cynthia Carr kept digging and wrote this book. She even got to talk to James Cameron, he's the man that escaped the hanging. There is lots of information in this book about my home town that I didn't know. So I learned a lot from this book.

MY RATING: 8-12

IT'S MONDAY, WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Over at Book Journey you can join in on the fun. It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Here's some info:

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.

Last week was a good week for reading. I got 3 books read and finished another one. They are:

Trust - Kate Veitch(review book)
Elvis & Olive: Super Detectives - Stephanie Watson
Naming Liberty - Jany Yolen
Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen(book club pick)

As for what I'm reading now:

Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
City of Tranquil Light - Bo Caldwell(review book)
One Amazing Thing - Chitra Divakaruni(book club pick)
I Never Forget A Meal - Michael Tucker
Our Town - Cynthia Carr(watch for the review tomorrow)

So what are you reading? Hop over to Book Journey and check them all out.

REVIEW - TRUST

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(14 of 200)

"Trust" by Kate Veitch
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Susanna Greenfield has given her all to being a good daughter, sister, wife, and mother. Somehow, she's maintained her profession as a college art teacher, as well as rearing two headstrong teenagers and nurturing a twenty-year marriage to Gerry, a confident, ambitious architect. She's also the eternal peacemaker between her pretty younger sister Angie, former junkie turned born-again Christian, and their strong- willed mother, Jean.
Just when Susanna is struggling to revive her creative career, a devastating accident rips apart the fabric of her world, exposing secrets which threaten to destroy both a marriage, and a life. Plumbing the rich emotional vocabulary of faith and betrayal, loyalty and forgiveness, Trust is the story of a woman's challenge to find her self.
# Paperback: 368 pages
# Publisher: Plume (June 29, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0452296358
# ISBN-13: 978-0452296350

MY THOUGHTS: This is the first book I've read from this author. It won't be the last. Very good story line and well written. Susanna's life is turned upside down after the accident and she struggles to get it back. But along comes a family secret that throws a monkey wrench into everything. I can't really say too much about this as it will give away the whole book. But if you get a chance to read this book, please do, I really enjoyed reading this book.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book.]

THE FRIDAY 56

Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for The Friday 56. Here's some info:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky.

It's that simple.

One Amazing Thing - Chitra Divakaruni


Page 56

"Why isn't anyone trying to get us out?" Malathi whispered to Mrs. Pritchett. "Do you think they've forgotten us? Do you think we're going to die down here?"

JUST ME

This has been a really fast week. And I lost a day somewhere along the line. I posted my Teaser Tuesday on Wednesday. So Tuesday got lost. Maybe it was the winter storm that blew through this week. We got snow, sleet, freezing rain, wind and arctic cold temperatures. Our electricity even blinked off and on several times. This looks like snow but it's 4 inches of sleet.



Bella and Luke are growing like weeds. Luke is trying to sit up while on his tummy and also trying to climb up to the sides of the crib. Bella is up on her knees and rocking. She's about a month behind her brother.



I've also got to work on my afghan some more this week. It's getting bigger.



As for books, my book club meeting is tonight. Wonder what we will be reading this month. Hopefully it will be a smaller book than last month. Tourist Season was a really thick book, but really good. You can see my review HERE.
Have a great weekend and stay warm.

MONTHLY BOOK REPORT

One of my goals this year is to post a wrap up of the month on the books I read. I am going to keep this goal! As for January:

6 reading challenge books
5 review books

MY LIST
Going Over All The Hurdles - John A. Beineke
Elvis & Olive - Stephanie Watson
Food - Laura K. Egendorf
Murder List - Julie Garwood
The Food Bible - Judith Wills
Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
Dismissed With Prejudice - Fletcher Cockrell
Remarkable Creatures - Tracy Chevalier
The Double Cross - Clare O' Donohue
Mo' Dirty - Darrell King
Repairing Rainbows - Lynda Fishman

REVIEW - ELVIS & OLIVE: SUPER DETECTIVES

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(13/200)
Young Readers Challenge(2/12)

"Elvis & Olive: Super Detectives" by Stephanie Watson
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Natalie and Annie decide to put their detective skills to use as they open the E & O Detective Agency to solve neighborhood mysteries. Together they stumble across an incredibly intriguing one when Mrs. Warsaw, their elderly neighbor with memory problems, begins spreading news about a woman named Zina Zeolite hiding in her bedroom closet. Mrs. Warsaw often speaks of seeing strange things so Natalie doesn't believe her. But Annie insists that they take the case.
As the detectives start investigating, Natalie and Annie discover that Zina Zeolite is the name of the world's first female comic book superhero. But could Zina Zeolite also be a real person? And what does a superhero have to do with the ailing Mrs. Warsaw?
The girls must band together to help Natalie win her school election, solve this mystery, and stay friends.
# Reading level: Ages 9-12
# Hardcover: 288 pages
# Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (July 1, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0545151481
# ISBN-13: 978-0545151481

MY THOUGHTS: This is the second book of Elvis & Olive I've read. It's very well written and takes you back to your own childhood. When simple pleasures were the best. Like meeting under a porch, knowing your whole neighborhood, and playing with friends. Elvis & Olive are actually Natalie and Annie. They are best friends and like to solve mysteries. They take jobs among their neighbors to solve mysteries. Like the missing sandal, a missing sack of books and others. But the really big is finding out who or what is Zina Zeolite. I can't really tell you too much as it would give away the whole book. But let's just say she's a really famous comic book and is banned from the library in Mrs. Warsaw's time.

MY RATING: 5

TEASER TUESDAY

MizB over at Should Be Reading is the host for Teaser Tuesday. Here's some more info:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser

"No more spying," Natalie reassured him. "Just helping. So if you need any help...."

P. 65 Elvis & Olive: Super Detectives - Stephanie Watson