Saturday, December 27, 2008

JF: Looking for JJ (YA) (5/5)

JF: Looking for JJ (YA) (5/5)

Looking for JJ tells the story of Jennifer Jones, who killed her best friend when she was 10 years old. JJ did her time and now has been released from prison, with a new identity to help her make a fresh start. Newspapers are trying to find her but she is trying to move on with her life. JJ's mom is a creepy, abusive woman who basically sold herself and her daughter throughout the entire book. This book will suck the reader in; it is gritty realistic fiction.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

JF: Impossible (YA) (5/5)

JF: Impossible (YA) (5/5)

Impossible is a mix of realistic fiction and fantasy. The book centers around a curse on Lucy's family--one that she has a limited time to try to break. Lucy is a great, strong female character. Good characters in this book, good action and the reader will be hooked as the novel progresses. Nancy Werlin is a great author and I continue to enjoy her books.


Tuesday, December 23, 2008

JF: The Host (4.5/5)

JF: The Host (4.5/5)

The Host tells the story of The Wanderer, a soul inserted in human Melanie's body. This book started out slowly for me but picked up in the middle and I ended up really enjoying it. The story tells of finding love in unlikely places, getting past prejudice and finding new ways to define family. I am not a big fan of science fiction but I really liked this book.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

JF: Morrigan's Cross (5/5)

JF: Morrigan's Cross (5/5)

Morrigan's Cross is one of the paranormal mystery/romance boos by Nora Roberts. This is the first in a three book series. A group of six are trying to save the world from being overtaken by vampires. This book has a good mix of action, mystery and romance.

Friday, December 19, 2008

CR: Morrigan's Cross

At lunch today I was reading Morrigan's Cross. This is the first in a three book series by Nora Roberts. Some vampires, some magic, all good things. I'm about halfway through this book and have #2 of the series in my TBR pile.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

CR: The Host

I am currently reading The Host. I'm about halfway through and am enjoying it so far. I really liked her Twilight series so I wanted to read this book.

Review of The Underneath (YA)

The Underneath (YA)

This book tells the story of a hound, a calico cat and her two kittens. There is a parallel story of an almost Native American nature as well. I enjoyed the part with the hound and the cats but didn't really follow the parallel story much. There was some animal abuse parts that bothered me and I could see being disturbing for younger readers.

I rated this book a 3.5/5.

Melissa

Saturday, November 29, 2008

JF: The Streams of Babel (YA) (5/5)

A YA book about a bioterrorist attack on a water supply. 3 young adults are affected by it and 2 adults die from it. In this book, young people take an active role in fighting back against the terrorist. Gripping--keeps you reading.

Friday, October 17, 2008

JF: The Third Lucretia (YA) 4/5

JF: The Third Lucretia (YA book) (4/5)

Two girls are trying to solve a mystery involving forged artwork. Good art history and travel in this book. Sometimes felt a little young (main characters were in 9th grade but sometimes they seemed younger). Decent read.

JF: Halfway to the Grave (5/5)

JF: Halfway to the Grave (5/5)

The first in a paranormal mystery/romance series. The main character is a half human, half vampire who is a vampire slayer. Good action, good romance and good characters. Great read!

CR: Shift (YA)

Saturday, October 4, 2008

JF: Tears of the Tiger (YA) (5/5)

JF: Tears of the Tiger (YA) (5/5)

Andy was the driver in a car accident in which his friend was killed. Andy tries to deal with the guilt that he feels about the accident. This was a powerful book, told in alternating narration chapters, that I think young adult readers will really like. This was good, realistic fiction for both boys and girls.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

JF: Sisters by Danielle Steel (5/5)

JF: Sisters (5/5)

Their mother is killed in a car accident. One of the sisters, Annie, is in the accident and is blinded. The other sisters decide to live with Annie for a year so she can become used to being on her own and cope with her blindness. This is a nice tale of sisterly love.


Friday, September 26, 2008

CR: Halfway to the Grave

I am currently reading Halfway to the Grave. The main character is half human, half vampire. She hates vampires and goes around killing them. It's a really good, quick read so far.


Wednesday, September 17, 2008

JF: Dying in Style (5/5)

JF: Dying in Style (5/5)

Josie is a mystery shopper who gets accused of murder. She decides to find the real murderer. A good cozy mystery. First in a series.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

CR: The House at Riverton

CR: The House at Riverton

I hope to start this book tonight. I have heard good things about it so I'm looking forward to it.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

JF: Girls that Growl (YA) 5/5

JF: Girls that Growl (5/5) (YA)

This is book #3 in the series. Rayne has to become a cheerleader to figure out if the squad members are werewolves or not. Rayne and her vampire boyfriend go to England to find a cure. There is a lot of humor in this book, as usual.


Tuesday, August 26, 2008

CR: The Black Widow Agency

I'm still reading The Black Widow Agency. The 4 ladies who run the agency have quite interesting back stories.

Monday, August 25, 2008

CR: The Black Widow Agency

I am currently reading The Black Widow Agency. This is a group of women who investigate wayward husbands for suspicious wives. I just started it but it is good so far.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

CR: Pillars of the Earth

Most of my reading today has been in Pillars of the Earth. I'm about 250 pages into it and am enjoying it so far.


Saturday, August 23, 2008

JF: Shop Till You Drop (4.5/5)

I just finished Shop Till You Drop. I rated it a 4.5/5. I liked the twists and turns--I didn't know how it would end up. I loved Thumbs the cat and am glad he stayed with Helen. I plan on reading more in this series.

Friday, August 22, 2008

CR: Shop Till You Drop

Still working on Shop Till You Drop. Didn't get much reading done today. Moved The Host up in my TBR pile.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

CR: Shop Till You Drop

I have about 50 pages left to Shop Till You Drop. It is a good cozy mystery and the first in the series.

Introduction

I am a HS English Teacher in upstate NY. I enjoy reading cozy mysteries, historical fiction, young adult literature and chick lit.