Melissa's Reading

new blog address

2009-08-16T17:39:00.001-07:00

I've moved my blog to http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Please check it out!

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

2008-12-27T06:09:00.000-08:00

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.

JF: Impossible (YA) (5/5)

2008-12-25T12:47:00.000-08:00

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.

JF: The Host (4.5/5)

2008-12-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

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.

JF: Morrigan's Cross (5/5)

2008-12-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

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.

CR: Morrigan's Cross

2008-12-19T10:28:00.000-08:00

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.

CR: The Host

2008-12-17T15:49:00.001-08:00

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)

2008-12-17T13:04:00.001-08:00

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

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

2008-11-29T16:22:00.000-08:00

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.

JF: The Third Lucretia (YA) 4/5

2008-10-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-10-17T14:10:00.000-07:00

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)

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

2008-10-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

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.

JF: Sisters by Danielle Steel (5/5)

2008-09-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

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.

CR: Halfway to the Grave

2008-09-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

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.

JF: Dying in Style (5/5)

2008-09-17T17:18:00.001-07:00

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.

CR: The House at Riverton

2008-09-03T15:32:00.001-07:00

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.

JF: Girls that Growl (YA) 5/5

2008-08-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

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.

CR: The Black Widow Agency

2008-08-26T15:09:00.001-07:00

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

CR: The Black Widow Agency

2008-08-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

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.

CR: Pillars of the Earth

2008-08-24T16:40:00.001-07:00

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.

JF: Shop Till You Drop (4.5/5)

2008-08-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

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.

CR: Shop Till You Drop

2008-08-22T18:20:00.003-07:00

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

CR: Shop Till You Drop

2008-08-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

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

Introduction

2008-08-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

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