2012 READING CHALLENGES

Have you found any reading challenges for 2112? If not head over to A Novel Challenge to check them all out.

2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge

Challenge goes from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Levels:

Level 1 - Read 12 library books
Level 2 - Read 24 library books
Level 3 - Read 36 library books
Level 4 - Read 37+ library books

Since 99% of my books come from my library I thought this would be a good reading challenge to join. I'm going for Level 4.

REVIEW - JANE WAS HERE

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(165/200)

"Jane Was Here" by Sarah Kernochan
Product Description(Amazon.com)
A mysterious young woman called Jane appears in a small New England town. She claims a fragmentary memory of growing up in this place, yet she has never been here before in her life. Searching for an explanation, she arrives at the unthinkable: that she is somehow connected to a beautiful girl who disappeared from the town in 1853. Is she recalling a past life? Jane becomes convinced of it. As she presses onward to find out what happened in this town over 150 years ago, strange and alarming things begin happening to some of the town's inhabitants. A thunderhead of karmic justice gathers over the village as Jane's memories reawaken piece by piece. They carry her back in time to a long-buried secret, while the townspeople hurtle forward to a horrific event when past and present fatally collide.
Hardcover: 330 pages
Publisher: Grey Swan Press (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0980037727
ISBN-13: 978-0980037722

MY THOUGHTS: Jane, a woman lost in the past who must find herself before she is lost once again in the present. Jane wanders into a town where she's never been. Finds a house that she's never lived in. Brett is immediately taken with her. A private investigator shows up, claiming the girl's name is Caroline. Is she crazy, or is she a reincarnation? Very suspenseful book, full of mystery. Does Jane find out who she is? Does Brett stay in her life? You'll have to read the book to find out.

RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

2012 READING CHALLENGES

I have found another reading challenge I'm joining. You can find lots more 2012 reading challenges over at A Novel Challenge.

"Bucket List" Reading Challenge being hosted by Jamie over at The Eclectic Bookshelf.

Rules
1. Challenge starts on January 1, 2012 and goes until December 31, 2012.
2. You don't need a blog to participate.
3. Create a "sign up" post and link to the linky below.
4. There are 4 levels to this challenge....

a. The Mini Cooper level - 4 "bucket" list books
b. The Mid-sized Sedan level - 8 "bucket" list books
c. The Pick Up level - 12 "bucket" list books
d. The Semi level - 13 or more "bucket" list books

NOTE: I am adding a stipulation to this challenge. If you originally decided to start small with the Mini Cooper level and decide to upgrade that is fine. But once you decide to go big you can NOT downgrade.

5. Each month a review link will be posted. Please feel free to link up your reviews where ever you happen to post them...your blog, goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

My List of Books
The "semi" Level-13 or more
1.Fire by Night - Lynn Austin
2.Talking to the Dead - Bonnie Grove
3.Dead Man Docking - Mary Daheim
4.Travels with Carley - John Steinbeck
5.City of the Dead - T. L. Higley
6.The Beekeepers Apprentice - Laurie R. King
7.The God of Small Things - Roy Arandhati
8.The English Patient - Michael Ondaatje
9.Snowflower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See
10.The Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman
11.Of Human Bondage - Willam Somerset Maugham
12.Cry, The Beloved Country - Alan Paton
13.Drowning Ruth - Christina Schwarz

REVIEW - KALEIDOSCOPE EYES

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(164/200)
50 States Challenge(New Jersey)

"Kaleidoscope Eyes" by Jen Bryant
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION(Amazon.com)
When Lyza helps her dad clean out her late grandfather’s house, a mysterious surprise brightens the sad task. In Gramps’s dusty attic, Lyza discovers three maps, carefully folded and stacked, bound by a single rubber band. On top, an envelope says “For Lyza ONLY.” What could this possibly be? It takes the help of her two best friends, Malcolm and Carolann, to figure out that the maps reveal three possible spots in their own New Jersey town where Captain Kidd (the Captain Kidd, seventeenth-century pirate) may have buried a treasure. Can three thirteen-year-olds actually conduct a secret treasure hunt? And what will they find?
Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (May 12, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375840486
ASIN: B005K6671U

MY THOUGHTS: This book is all about buried treasure. As in Pirate Treasure. Lyza's grandfather passes away, leaving an envelope only for her. The information in the envelope leads her and her friends on the hunt for a buried treasure. This is the treasure of Captain Kid who is buried near her home. A great book. Does Lyza find the treasure? And what is the treasure they find? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

2012 READING CHALLENGES

Looking for new reading challenges for 2012? Head over to A Novel Challenge. There are 13 reading challenges there now. But I'm sure there will be more. Haven't had a chance to check them all out, but have found 2 that I want to do.

The Outlander Reading Challenge
being hosted over at Literary Escapism

New Author Challenge
being hosted over at Literary Escapism

REVIEW - COYOTE AUTUMN

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(163/200)
50 States Challenge(Oklahoma)

"Coyote Autumn" by Bill Wallace
(from inside flap)
After living in Chicago apartments his whole life, Brad loves his new home in rural Oklahoma. He's even got an instant best friend: Nolan, his neighbor at the next farm. And now that his family has a house with a yard, he's sure his parents will finally let him get a dog. But all his dad keeps saying is "We'll see."
Then Brad discovers an orphaned coyote pup and decides that this is the dog he wants. Soon he is secretly taking care of the wild animal, feeding it, training it, and playing with it in the old dog pen behind his house. He figures he'll tell his parents about Scooter once he's tame. But can Scooter ever be tames? Can a wild animal ever be a pet?
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Aladdin (September 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743428366
ISBN-13: 978-0743428361

MY THOUGHTS: This book is all about Brad and the wild Coyote's that roam the fields where he lives. One day, while he's fishing at the Pond with his best friend Nolan, they stumbles across a baby coyote. Knowing that the little pup will die if he doesn't help it, Brad takes the coyote - who he's named Scooter - home. Brad and Nolan shelter the pup and take care of him. They keep him a secret from his parents. They feed him, play with him and keep him inside the old dog pen behind
the barn. But one day the whole thing comes apart. Will Brad be able to keep the pup? Does he get a dog from his parents? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

FINISHED FOR FRIDAY

I've finally finished my green stripe ripple afghan. I started this last winter, but had to put it away during the summer. Way to hot to have an afghan laying on my lap. Got it out a few weeks ago when it started getting cool. I finished it this week. Now on to the granny square blanket.

This is also the reason why I haven't been reading as much. I still have three books to finish. They are almost done, just a few more pages. Then my reviews will be posted. Now that I've gotten this afghan done hopefully I can get back to reading. Did you finish something today? Head over to Lit and Laundry to check out all the finished items.

READING CHALLENGES

It's almost the end of the month. That means November is coming up fast. And that only leaves 2 months to finish up reading challenges. I've got a few that I'm not going to finish and some that are almost done. So I'm going to make a cut on the ones that aren't moving along. The ones that are going are....

Gothic Reading Challenge - read 12 books, I've gotten 6 done.
Romantic Suspense Challenge - read 12 books, I've gotten 7 done.
YA Historical Fiction Challenge - read 16 books, I've gotten 6 done.
The Pulitzer 1's Challenge - read 10 books, I've gotten 1 done.
Follow the Blurb Challenge - read 10 books, I've gotten 1 done.

If your keeping count, that's 39 books to read in 2 months. I'll never be able to do that in 2 months. So I'm going to work on the ones I'm close to finishing. These are the ones I'll be working on.....

Outdo Yourself Challenge - 38 more books.
Just For Fun Challenge - 2 more books.
War Through The Generations Challenge - 3 more books.
The 50 States Challenge - 6 more books.
52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge - 8 more books.

That's 57 books and they can cross over to each other. So I can get 2 or 3 challenges done with 1 book. How are your reading challenges going?

REVIEW - THE YEAR MONEY GREW ON TREES

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(162/200)
50 States Challenge(New Mexico)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.43)

"The Year Money Grew On Trees" by Aaron Hawkins
Product Description(Amazon.com)
With frostbitten fingers, sleepless nights and sore muscles, 14-year-old Jackson Jones and his posse of cousins discover the lost art of winging it when they take over an orchard of 300 wild apple trees. They know nothing about pruning or irrigation or pest control, but figure it out they must—if they are to avoid losing $8,000 (because of an unfair contract).
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Sandpiper; None edition (November 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547577168
ISBN-13: 978-0547577166

MY THOUGHTS: This is a story about a 14 year old boy who is given the opportunity to come into ownership of an apple orchard. The catch? He has to make $8000 from it the first year... and he doesn't have anyone to help! Jackson takes the challenge only because he doesn't want to work in a salvage yard for the summer. Jackson soon encourages his cousins and sisters to help. None of them know a thing about Apple trees, but they are learning. There is a lot of togetherness of family in this book. They all have to give and take to get the apple trees to produce. Wonderful book and I enjoyed reading all about Jackson's adventure. Where does the money on trees come from? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

NEEDLEWORK TUESDAY

I've started a new project. I'm making a crochet Granny Square blanket. I've gotten 2 rows done and joined. And I've gotten 7 more squares in the wings for the next row. Haven't decided how big to make this. So I'm just adding granny squares as I go until I decide how big I want it. I'm using odds and ends yarn for this project.

Want to see more needlework, head over to Heather's place, Books and Quilts.

IT'S MONDAY, WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Sheila over at Book Journey is the host for It's Monday, What Are You Reading? So what have you been reading? Head over to Sheila's place to check out what everyone's reading. You might find your next book there.

I've been busy working on a couple of afghans. With the cooler temps I get the urge to crochet something warm and cozy. My ripple afgahan is almost done. I've been crocheting like crazy to get it done. You'll see it tomorrow for Needlework Tuesday.

As for reading, I only got 3 books done this week. Blame it on the weather or the crocheting, but that's all I managed this week. These are linked to my reviews if you want to take a peek.

The Misfit - Nancy Rue
Kiss Her, Kill Her - Lisa Dewar
Every Secret Thing - Laura Lippman

What I'm planning on reading this week. I'm trying to finish up.....

The Year Money Grew on Trees - Aaron Hawkins

and start......

Coyote Autumn - Bill Wallace
Kaleidoscope Eyes - Jen Bryant

REVIEW - EVERY SECRET THING

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(161/200)

"Every Secret Thing" by Laura Lippman
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Two little girls banished from a neighborhood birthday party find an abandoned stroller with an infant inside on an unfamiliar Baltimore street. What happens next is shocking and terrible, causing the irreparable devastation of three separate families.
Seven years later, Alice Manning and Ronnie Fuller, now eighteen, are released from “kid prison” to begin their lives over again. But the secrets swirling around the original crime continue to haunt the parents, the lawyers, the police, and all the adults in Alice and Ronnie’s lives. And now another child has disappeared, under freakishly similar circumstances.
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (August 16, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006207489X
ISBN-13: 978-0062074898

MY THOUGHTS: The story is narrated from multiple viewpoints. Ronnie and Alice, who are teenagers now. The story gives you information on what happened 7 years ago and into the present. Which girl is really the killer? Who is to blame for the second child disappearing? The girls or the system? I really liked the way the author set this up. Coming from the perspective of all involved it makes a lot more sense.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - KISS HER, KILL HER

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(160/200)

"Kiss Her, Kill Her" by Lisa Dewar
Product Description(Amazon.com)
THE PREDATOR New York City has a monster on the loose and his name is Tarryn Cooper Love. No one had given a second glance to the handsome taxi driver, but in reality he had been molded to be a killer since early childhood. His mother, who valued a juicy murder above all else, had taught him well. Just one more trophy and he is set to reach his goal, surpassing his mother's idol, the infamous Ted Bundy. THE PREY When a beautiful young woman gets into his cab flashing a wad of cash, he thinks he's hit the jackpot. As she starts confessing her plans for ending her own life he decides to listen to her story, hoping to charm her back from the brink of death, to heighten his game. What he discovers is a twisted tale that has taken her from the hardened streets of LA to the upper crust of New York...a story that might even rival his own. Tarryn has to decide within the space of 24 hours, if he should kill her or save her - and perhaps save himself in the process.
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: iUniverse.com (September 23, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1450259987
ISBN-13: 978-1450259989

MY THOUGHTS: This was a fast book to read, keeping me right on the edge of my seat to the end. It's all about Tarryn Cooper Love, the serial killer and Carmen, who wants to die. Tarryn's hero is Ted Bumdy, he wants to kill more women than Bundy did. Carmen wants out of an abusive marriage, she wants to die, which shakes Tarryn up so he decides to help Carmen want to live before he kills her. This creates an odd codependent relationship. Can't tell too much, don't want to give the ending away. Really great book, enjoyed reading this one.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

THE FRIDAY 56

Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for The Friday 56.

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. Add the post url, not your blog url.

It's that simple.

The Year Money Grew on Trees - Aaron Hawkins

P. 56
He was very interested in the money and how much of it could make and kept repeating, "Well, I don't think you can do it without me".

(The main character is trying to talk his cousin into working for him in an apple orchard. If he gets all the apples sold he gets to keep the orchard. Keeping in mind this is a 14 year old boy and there are over 300 apple trees.)

WWW WEDNESDAY

MizB over at Should Be Reading is the host for WWW Wednesday. Want to join in? Just hop over and check out what everyone is reading, you could find your next book.

What are you currently reading?

My book clubs choice for this month is Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman. Pretty interesting so far.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Misfit by Nancy Rue. Set before the Civil War, the boy in the book just wants to have some adventures and make some new friends. But his parents are Abolitionists. They are spending some time with his Uncle in South Carolina and the slavery is a big problem with his parents. My review is here.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron Hawkins

REVIEW - THE MISFIT

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(159/200)
The 50 States Challenge(South Carolina)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.42)

"The Misfit" by Nancy Rue
Product Description(Amazon.com)
With the crusade to abolish slavery nearing its peak, 11-year-old Austin Hutchinson (Great-grandson of Thomas Hutchinson) goes to Charleston to live with relatives. He is eager to make friends with his cousins (even though they're girls!) and experience the adventures he's dreamed of. But when Kady, Polly, and Charlotte take little interest in him, and Henry-James, the slave boy, won't trust him, Austin is convinced that he doesn't fit in after all. And if that isn't enough, Jefferson, his bratty younger brother, is spoiling everything! Then Austin hears an incredible story about Jesus, Who is the best friend anyone could ever have. Can He help Austin find his place and a friend? Or will Jefferson ruin these plans, too?
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1561795607
ISBN-13: 978-1561795604

MY THOUGHTS: I loved reading the story of Austin Hutchinson, an 11-year-old boy, who has spent his life traveling with his abolitionist parents. But his mother has taken ill and needs some help. So they all go to Charleston, South Carolina to stay with his mother's brother. Austin just wants to make some new friends and have some fun. Austin's father almost ruins their chance for staying there. His father gets in an argument with his uncle about slavery. But things are fixed up and they get to stay. Austin even gets to drive a carriage. Does Austin get to have adventures and make new friends? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

MUSING MONDAYS

MizB over at Should Be Reading is the host for Musing Mondays. Head over and check it out.

This week’s musing asks…

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Oh yes, I am one of those people. I'll pick up a book just because I like the cover. Here are a couple that I picked up at my library because I liked the cover.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Keeper by Kathi Appelt

They were both really good books so my choice wasn't a bad one. I've linked them to Amazon.com in case you want to check them out.

REVIEW - THE BEACH TREES

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(158/200)

"The Beach Trees" by Karen White
Product Description(Amazon.com)
The moving new novel from bestselling author Karen White.

From the time she was twelve, Julie Holt knew what a random tragedy can do to a family. At that tender age, her little sister disappeared-never to be found. It was a loss that slowly eroded the family bonds she once relied on. As an adult with a prestigious job in the arts, Julie meets a struggling artist who reminds her so much of her sister, she can't help feeling protective. It is a friendship that begins a long and painful process of healing for Julie, leading her to a house on the Gulf Coast, ravaged by hurricane Katrina, and to stories of family that take her deep into the past.
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade; 1 edition (May 3, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451233077
ISBN-13: 978-0451233073

MY THOUGHTS: This book has two subplots told by the prime two females; Aimee in the 1950s and Julie in the present. I like the way the author weaved a mystery in the story. I really like how this story unfolds. Learning all the family secrets that laid buried for so many years. I like the characters Julie and Aimee. The plot of the story keeps you guessing till the very last page. Does Julie find her healing process here? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book. This is my own opinion.]

REVIEW - THE FIRST FOUR YEARS

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(157/200)
50 States Challenge(South Dakota)

"The First Four Years" by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Laura Ingalls Wilder is beginning life with her new husband, Almanzo, in their own little house. Laura is a young pioneer wife now, and must work hard with Almanzo, farming the land around their home on the South Dakota prairie. Soon their baby daughter, Rose, is born, and the young family must face the hardships and triumphs encountered by so many American pioneers.
And so Laura Ingalls Wilder's adventure as a little pioneer girl ends, and her new life as a pioneer wife and mother begins. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America's frontier past and a heartwarming, unforgettable story.
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (May 11, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060581883
ISBN-13: 978-0060581886

MY THOUGHTS: I must admit that I haven't read any of this series of books. But Little house on the Prairie was one of my favorite t.v. shows. While I was reading this book I kept thinking of Laura from the t.v. show. Her face would pop right into my mind. There is an introduction at the beginning of the book that tells how this book came to press. This book takes you through the first four years of Laura and Almanzo's marriage. Almanzo has talked Laura into staying on their land claim for 4 years to see if they can make it as farmers, although Laura is against it, she agrees to stay. They have the worst four years of crops. Snow, hail, not enough rain and constant winds. Their daughter Rose is also born during this time. As well as the loss of their son. I really enjoyed reading this book. Now I have to read the whole series.

MY RATING: 8-12

THE FRIDAY 56

Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for The Friday 56. Got a book to share? Head over to Freda's and check out who's sharing.

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. Add the post url, not your blog url.

It's that simple.

My snippet comes from:
Every Secret Thing - Laura Lippman

P. 56
She whispered encouragement as the policewomen rushed the girl through the corridors, Ronnie's feet barely touching the floor.

This is my book club's choice for October. I've never read a Laura Lippman book before. Have you?

REVIEW - AFTERSHOCK

This book is for 2 of my reading Challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(156/200)
50 States Challenge(Rhode Island)

"Aftershock" by Kelly Easton
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Seventeen-year-old Adam and his parents are driving home to Rhode Island from a peace rally in Seattle when the accident happens. In a single, horrible moment, his parents are gone. And Adam is alone.
In a speechless state of shock, Adam begins walking across the country, toward home. But he can't think in a straight line: The past and present merge in his thoughts, and the future's a blank. As flashes of memory come to him -- some wonderful, some violent -- he begins to wonder if he has truly lost everything.
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (November 6, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416900535
ISBN-13: 978-1416900535

MY THOUGHTS: This author takes you into the scene of a car accident. Mother, Father and son are in the car. Mother and Father are killed and son is in shock. What to do? Where to go? Adam leaves and tries to make it home. He is in shock and can't talk. He also has trouble remembering things. His memories keep jumping back and forth from the past to the present. Adam is hitchhiking and runs across some people that are nice and some that are not nice. Does Adam make it home? Does he talk again? You'll have to read the book to find out. Very well written and believable.

MY RATING: 8-12

REVIEW - NORTHWARD TO THE MOON

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(155/200)
50 States Challenge(Nevada)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.41)

"Northward to the Moon" by Polly Horvath
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Jane and her family have moved to Canada . . . but not for long. When her stepfather, Ned, is fired from his job as a high school French teacher (seems he doesn’t speak French), the family packs up and Jane embarks on a series of new adventures. At first, she imagines her family as a gang of outlaws, riding on horseback in masks, robbing trains, and traveling all the way to Mexico. But the reality is different: Setting off by car, they visit the tribe of Native Americans with whom Ned once lived, head to Las Vegas in search of Ned’s magician brother, and wind up spending the summer with his eccentric mother on her ranch out west. As Jane lives through it all—developing a crush on a ranch hand, reevaluating her relationship with Ned, watching her sister Maya’s painful growing up—she sees her world, which used to be so safe and secure, shift in strange and inconvenient ways.
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (February 23, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375861106
ASIN: B0058M7F5S

MY THOUGHTS: Jane is ready for her whole family to hit the road - and their choice will lead them to many adventures with relatives and strangers alike. This book is told through the eyes of Jane. She wants an adventure, but it turns into a family reunion for Ned, her stepfather. When Ned gets a bag of money left from his brother they are off to find him, but can't so they head to Ned's mothers place. Ned's mother falls off a horse and is bed ridden, so Ned calls his sisters to come help. This turns into a family reunion for Ned. They all end up trying to help Ned's mother but they seem to forget to ask what Ned's mother wants. The characters in this book are very good and I enjoyed reading about their lives. Does Ned and his family get things worked out? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 4

NEEDLEWORK TUESDAY

Heather over at Books and Quilts is the host for Needlework Tuesday. Want some more info? Here it is.

Needlework Tuesday is open to all readers looking for inspiration, encouragement or who want to share their recent needlework project. Introduce yourself in the comments and be sure to leave a link to your current post. Feel free to grab the cute little mouse for your post.

No progress on the doily. But I did get to put a few more added to my green striped ripple afghan. I'm hoping to get it done this winter. I'm using my odds and ends of green yarn so it may change color soon as I'm getting low on some of the green.

Make sure you head over to Heather's place. She has some great projects she is starting and some she is finishing.

REVIEW - CONFLICT OF INTEREST

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(154/200)

"Conflict of Interest" by Adam Mitzner
(from inside flap)
Alex Miller is a criminal defense attorney and, at thirty-five, the youngest partner in one of the most powerful law firms in New York City.He's a man at the top of his game with the life he's always dreamed of, complete with a loving wife, who remains patient with his long hours and hi-stakes cases, and a beautiful young daughter.
At his father's funeral, Alex meets Michael Ohlig--a mysterious and nearly mythic figure in the Miller family history--who presents Alex with a surprising request: to represent him in a high-profile criminal investigation...an alleged brokerage scam that has lost hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Wealthy beyond words, Ohlig insists he's done nothing wrong, and Alex, who's experienced enough to know that clients always lie, uncharacteristically believes him.
But as the facts come out, shocking secrets are revealed that threaten everything Alex believes in--about the law, his family, and himself. But his desperate need for the truth propels Alex to unscrupulous depths, and to confront a past defined by deception and a future in jeopardy...with the realization that one false step could destroy everything Alex holds dear.
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books (May 17, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439157510
ISBN-13: 978-1439157510

MY THOUGHTS: I thoroughly enjoyed the author's description of big law firm life. Alex is restless inside. He becomes more questioning of his life and his choices after he takes on the representation of Michael Ohlig, a mysterious figure from his childhood. This book has a lot of humanity and heart. All the characters are believably human. An edge of your seat book. If you want to read a great legal thriller this is the book for you.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book. My opinions are my own.]

SATURDAY SNAPSHOTS

Alyce over at At Home With Books is the host for Saturday Snapshots. Want to join in? Here's some 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. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

We are having our Indian Summer right now. It's bee in the low 80's this week. Beautiful outside. The twins, Bella and Luke went out to play. They had a wonderful time playing on the slide, in the dirt, climbing and walking while daddy watches over them.

REVIEW - THE DANGER BOX

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(153/200)

"The Danger Box" by Blue Balliett
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Left by his father on his grandparents’ doorstep as a baby, Zoomy has grown up happily with them in a small Michigan town, despite the extreme nearsightedness that leaves him legally blind and the fact that he has no friends. He has never known his cruel, troubled, alcoholic father, who shows up early in the novel and leaves behind a mysterious box, probably stolen, for safekeeping. The box’s contents set in motion a chain of challenging experiences, including an intellectually exciting puzzle, a devastating crime, a perplexing mystery, and a rewarding friendship. Chapters of the story are interspersed with issues of a child-produced newspaper featuring writings from an individual whose identity its readers are invited to guess. With enough story elements to explore in three books, the novel ultimately seems less than the sum of its many parts. Still, Zoomy makes an appealing, original character, and the insightful first-person narration will definitely keep readers involved in his story, right down to the final secret-code letter and the author’s note.
Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439852099
ISBN-13: 978-0439852098

MY THOUGHTS: This is a very poplar book at my library. I've been trying to get this book for months. Every time I went to get it, it was gone. Who ever had it last kept it. The copy was gone and the library had to order a new one. It was well worth the wait. There are several secrets (mysteries) going on in this book. And Zoomy is telling the story about all of them. The first one comes in the form of a box and what's inside it. It's an old journal written by.........I won't tell, it will ruin the story. But this journal has Zoomy and his new friend Lorelle trying to figure it all out. A mysterious man appears looking for the journal and causes lots of trouble. But Zoomy and Lorelle get to work and figure it all out. Do they find the Journal after it's stolen from them? Do they get it back to it's rightful owner? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5