August 2012 - Library of Clean Reads

Thursday, August 30, 2012

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves
Plume (Penguin Group)
ISBN: 978-0142196724
Published July 10, 2012
Trade paperback, 336 pages

Almost as soon as I got this book, I was in the mood to read it. I started it, thinking I was just going to dip into it, but then I couldn't put it down! I read half of it that first day—I actually wanted to finish it but, alas! daily activities of everyday living got in the way—and finished it the next day. I wanted to know what would happen to the characters, how they would survive, how long they would be stranded on the island, and how they would deal with their unique situation. It was tragic, suspenseful, exciting and funny at times.

The premise is different. Anna Emerson, a thirty year-old English teacher and T.J. Callahan, a sixteen year-old cancer survivor are heading to his parent's summer home in the Maldives, where Anna is to tutor T.J. on all he missed during his illness. But when their seaplane crashes and they are stranded on an uninhabited island, one among thousands in the Maldives, their life becomes one of constant survival and interdependence.

I'm not a huge fan of books where older women fall for really young guys, but this book handled this topic well. The author made it work for several reasons: 1) She does not romanticize the tragic situation of two people stranded on an isolated island after a plane crash. Both Anna and T.J. had to work hard to stay alive, and I shudder at some of the things they survived. 2) T.J. starts out as a sixteen year-old teen and grows to a mature twenty year-old man. Their relationship as a couple only begins when he is nineteen, of legal age. 3) They were in an extreme situation, having to do things together that most people never do in their lifetime, (think sharks, starvation, illness) hence making the reader cheer for them when they survive one bad situation after another. 4) The author deals with the difficulty and challenges of their age difference realistically. And finally, Anna and T.J. mutually respect each other throughout their ordeal. Their relationship transitions from teacher/student to deep friendship and finally to adults who feel a mutual attraction to one another and fall in love.

The author alternates the short chapters with Anna and T.J.'s point-of-views and this worked so well for me because I saw the whole situation from both perspectives, that of a mature woman and teacher, to that of a teenager who was changing daily, from a boy to a man. We gradually see the changes in the characters as time progresses so that they are no longer the same people they were at the beginning of the story. I loved both these characters who were strong and fought their weaknesses not only to survive but to help one another.

The only thing that could have made their journey better was if Anna had actually used the time on the island to tutor T.J.. They had so much spare time on their hands, and I would have loved for the author to have explored more of what they could have done to keep intellectually stimulated so as to keep at bay their feelings of isolation and desperation. Island inhabitants make useful things from the land using leaves, rocks, sand, grass, plants, etc, but for a school teacher, Anna was not creative.

This novel was pleasurable and easy to read, and it made me think. Ultimately, it's a beautiful love story. If you want to escape into a different world for a few hours, this book is entertaining and will have you questioning what choices you would have made to survive.

Note: This book is rated P = profanity for a few f-words, other curse words, and religious expletives. And it's rated S = sexuality for sex scenes and sexually-related situations.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Penguin for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Whisk Bliss - Universal Cooking Base (Product Review)

Whisk Bliss - Universal Cooking Base

Company: Shirley J

Recipe made with this product:

Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

Whisk Bliss is a universal cooking base that can be used whenever you need a quick sauce or creamy soup base. I was sent a 2 oz package to use for my review of this product. Out of the three easy recipes found on the back of the package I chose to make the Broccoli and Cheese Soup. It contains only 3 ingredients: the Whisk Bliss powder, cooked broccoli florets (from frozen or fresh) and cheddar cheese. I decided to use fresh broccoli and old cheddar cheese, since it's a favorite in our house. It took me 15 minutes to whip up this soup that looks and tastes like I spent a whole lot more time making it.

It was delicious! I kid-tested it, of course, and my kids also loved it. This is remarkable because my kids are not crazy about broccoli. But the creamy and cheesy taste won them over quickly. The 2 oz package serves 2 adult portions, or in our case, 1 adult and 2 kid-sized portions. This is a quick, delicious and versatile product as it claims on its package, but I question if it's as healthy as it also claims to be.

The product has 0 trans fat, 0 saturated fats and no hydrogenated oils or MSG. The product is also available gluten-free. So far so good. However, it does contain 680 mg of sodium per ounce of product or per 1 cup of prepared product. So my portion of soup would have contained that plus whatever is in the cheese. When I looked at the sodium content for the gluten-free Whisk Bliss it was 790 mg per cup of prepared product! According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation a healthy sodium intake from canned soups is 480 mg or less.

This product is currently only available in the United States. I called Customer Service and had a friendly conversation with the rep who told me that Canadian customers can order by phone, but would pay more for shipping. Here are the shipping prices:

Order Shipping to United States Shipping to Canada
$0 to $25 $6.50 $16.50
$25 to $50 $10.00 $20.00
$50 or more Free $10.00

So for Canadians the best option is to order $50 or more of products to pay the least expensive amount of the shipping cost.

If you're looking for a versatile product to make quick sauces and creamy soups, Whisk Bliss is delicious and easy to use. If you're watching your sodium intake, however, you may want to limit the use of this product.

For more information on this product and the many ways it can be used, visit the Shirley J website.

Reviewed by Laura and kids

Disclosure: Thanks to Shirley J and MediaGuest for sending me this product for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? for August 27

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at Mailbox Monday. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. 5 Minutes for Books will be hosting for the month of August. You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

This is what I got for review:

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

Two people stranded on an island struggle to survive—and slowly fall in love—in the runaway New York Times bestseller, now available with a reading group guide and a letter from the author. Anna Emerson is a thirty-year-old English teacher desperately in need of adventure. Worn down by the cold Chicago winters and a relationship that’s going nowhere, she jumps at the chance to spend the summer on a tropical island tutoring sixteen-year-old T.J. T.J. Callahan has no desire to go anywhere. His cancer is in remission and he wants to get back to his normal life. But his parents are insisting he spend the summer in the Maldives catching up on all the school he missed last year. Anna and T.J. board a private plane headed to the Callahan’s summer home, and as they fly over the Maldives’ twelve hundred islands, the unthinkable happens. Their plane crashes in shark-infested waters. They make it to shore, but soon discover that they’re stranded on an uninhabited island. At first, their only thought is survival. But as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.’s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

Nobody's Dog by Ria Voros

For thirteen-year-old Jakob, the summer is looking pretty bleak. His only friend has moved away and no one else seems to have any time for him — except the girl who lives downstairs. But she's a little weird. Then again, so is Jakob. A few months ago, he was in a car accident that killed both his parents, and though he can't remember exactly what happened, he can't stop turning it over in his mind. No wonder people leave him alone.

Then out of nowhere, a stray dog befriends Jakob. Together they begin to roam the city streets by night, discovering an exhilarating secret world where they can both taste a new kind of freedom. But as their nocturnal adventures take Jakob farther and farther away from the safety of home, the truth of that awful night begins to emerge.

Will he be strong enough to face it — and who will be there for him when he does?

Exploring the heartbreaking loneliness of grief with sensitive assurance, Nobody's Dog is a powerful and uplifting tale about family, love and survival, and finding friendship in the most unexpected places.

Dear Canada: A Sea of Sorrows by Norah McClintock

After a massive potato famine strikes Ireland, thirteen-year-old Johanna Leary flees to Canada with her family.

But typhus and other illnesses plague the "coffin ships," so named for the staggering number of immigrants who died enroute. One by one Johanna loses the members of her family — first her baby brother on the journey over, then her mother in the Grosse Isle fever sheds where sick passengers are quarantined when they reach the port of Québec, and her father soon after. Johanna has only her brother Michael left when she sets foot on Canadian soil.

When her brother is mistakenly told that she too has died, he sets off to find their uncle "somewhere in Canada," leaving Johanna to face a new life in a strange land... totally alone.

A Sea of Sorrows captures a dreadful time in history for those desperate, impoverished Irish families who hoped to make Canada their home. Johanna's incredible journey of survival is told with insight and sensitivity by master storyteller Norah McClintock.

I Am Canada: A Call to Battle: the War of 1812 by Gillian Chan

It's 1812. War has begun, and thirteen-year-old Alexander (Sandy) MacKay is jealous when his older brother Angus goes off with their father to fight the Americans attacking the Niagara region. Too young to know the darker side of battle, he resents being left to shoulder the work on his family's farm.

Itching to get in on the action, he sneaks away from home and heads to Lundy's Lane to join up with the local militia. But battle is imminent, and now there's not much his father can do except try to shield him from the worst of the fighting.

Sandy's idealized notions of what battle will be like are shattered when the man standing before him is killed by a musket ball and Sandy's own brother is severely wounded. At the battle of Lundy's Lane, the united Canadian/British forces turn the tide against the American troops, but Sandy comes to know how chilling war can be.

Just in time for the bicentennial of the War of 1812, A Call to Battle is a sobering look at the realities of war. Author Gillian Chan skillfully depicts the transformation of an impetuous young boy, full of boyish enthusiasm, into a more realistic young man who emerges on the other side of war.

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read.

Read and reviewed:
Overseas by Beatriz Williams (mixed feelings about this one)

Currently Reading:
On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves (Un-put-downable!)

Still Reading with my daughter:
The Tale of Time Warp Tuesday by Susskind

Still Listening to:
The Drama Years by Haley Kilpatrick (enlightening)

Have any of you read these books?

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Overseas by Beatriz Williams

Overseas by Beatriz Williams
G.P. Putnam's Sons
ISBN: 978-0399157646
Published May 2012
Trade paperback, 464 pages

After reading a few rave reviews, I was excited to dig into this novel. It has all the elements I love in a story—time travel, historical fiction, suspense and romance. I was hooked as I started reading the first atmospheric scene which takes place in the early morning shadows in France during WWI, until I got to page 6 and was jolted back to the present where f-bombs began raining down so hard I didn't know where to run for cover. After chapter two, I stopped counting. Some of the characters used the f-word in almost every sentence. C'mon, was that really necessary? I can easily skim over a few f-words, but this was excessive. Thus began my struggle with this book. Apart from the profanity, I had a few other issues with the story.

Kate Wilson is a Wall Street analyst who meets the dashing British billionaire Julian Laurence at a business meeting. He is attracted to her, falling in love with her almost instantly. This baffles Kate until she discovers that he is actually Julian Ashford, a celebrated war poet and infantry officer who mysteriously time-travelled from France of 1916, where he supposedly died at war. But Julian is keeping a dangerous secret from the past from Kate and is overprotective of her, until it all comes to a head and Kate believes she must travel back to the past to save him.

The premise is wonderful, with a love that transcends time and space, and actions that Julian and Kate take to keep it alive when there are factors that threaten their very existence. The problem is that the danger or threat was never too real to me because the secondary characters were underdeveloped and overshadowed by the romance. Yes, the romance. I felt like I was reading a Harlequin romance novel where the hero and heroine just can't get enough of each other and every scene is permeated with kissing and sex talk. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy romance as much as the next girl, and I loved Julian's old-fashioned chivalry, but if the editors would have cut 100 pages and reduced it to 350 pages, I think it would have been less romance-laden and felt more like I was reading fiction published by Penguin. It is said that less is more. And it certainly would have made their timeless love more powerful rather than cloying at times.

Williams is a good writer, though, and one could easily mark the difference between the modern men and their speech versus Julian and his poetic expressions of love to Kate. The story alternates between the past and the present, a technique which really worked for this story. It initially builds the suspense, but then midway it lags in the present and finally merges with the past toward the end. I would have liked more scenes in the past (they were the ones I enjoyed the most) and more on Kate's impressions with being hurtled back to France during WWI. The whole time travel aspect was okay, but I feel it could have been explored a little more.

I had high expectations for this book, and I was disappointed. I felt the story could have been so much more, with a better developed plot. However, I know that there are other bloggers who loved it, so you may want to check out their reviews as well.

Note: This book is rated P = profanity for lots of f-words and religious expletives. Rated S for sexual content and sex scenes.

I will count this book toward the following challenges: Time Travel Reading Challenge

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Penguin Canada for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Shoemaker's Wife Giveaway!

In anticipation of the paperback publication of The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani (that's coming out today actually), Harper has decided to give away one copy of this fabulous historical saga to one of my readers. I read this book earlier this year and loved it. It made it to my list of best reads for 2012.

You can read my review of The Shoemaker's Wife and see why "I was transported from the fresh Italian Alps to bustling Little Italy in New York City at the turn of the century, to the glamorous Metropolitan Opera House and later to Minnesota. I enjoyed every setting and found the events flowed smoothly in this novel. Rich with details and believable characters, I was transported to a different era, to a time when my own great-grandfather sailed a ship that took him from Italy to Boston."

How to enter:

Mandatory:

Leave a comment stating why you want to win this book. Include an email address.

Extra entry:

MUST be a separate comment or it will not count.
If you are a follower, new or current, leave a comment telling me so.

*Buttons for following found on top left-hand corner of blog.
*Giveaway ends August 31, 2012.

*Open to Canada and US.

*Please read my Giveaway Policy before entering my giveaways.

Thanks for reading my blog!
Laura

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Mailbox Monday, and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? for August 20

Twelve Months by Steven Manchester (for review)

Don DiMarco has a very good life – a family he loves, a comfortable lifestyle, passions and interests that keep him amused. He also thought he had time, but that turned out not to be the case. Faced with news that might have immediately felled most, Don now wonders if he has time enough. Time enough to show his wife the romance he didn’t always lavish on her. Time enough to live out his most ambitious fantasies. Time enough to close the circle on some of his most aching unresolved relationships. Summoning an inner strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve months is time enough to live a life in full.

A glorious celebration of each and every moment that we’re given here on Earth, as well as the eternal bonds that we all share, TWELVE MONTHS is a stirring testament to the power of the human spirit.

The Unfinished Garden by Barbara Claypole White

James Nealy is haunted by irrational fears and inescapable compulsions. A successful software developer, he's thrown himself into a new goal—to finally conquer the noise in his mind. And he has a plan. He'll confront his darkest fears and build something beautiful: a garden. When he meets Tilly Silverberg, he knows she holds the key…even if she doesn't think so.

After her husband's death, gardening became Tilly's livelihood and her salvation. Her thriving North Carolina business and her young son, Isaac, are the excuses she needs to hide from the world. So when oddly attractive, incredibly tenacious James demands that she take him on
When a family emergency lures Tilly back to England, she's secretly glad. With Isaac in tow, she retreats to her childhood village, which has always stayed obligingly the same. Until now. Her best friend is keeping secrets. Her mother is plotting. Her first love is unexpectedly, temptingly available. And then James appears on her doorstep.

Away from home, James and Tilly forge an unlikely bond, tenuous at first but taking root every day. And as they work to build a garden together, something begins to blossom between them—despite all the reasons against it.

The Drama Years: Real Girls Talk About Surviving Middle School--Bullies, Brands, Body Image and More by Haley Kilpatrick and Whitney Joiner (audiobook)

Today's middle school girls have it rough. In those few short years, girls go through an incredible number of biological and emotional changes, making it the most formative-and risky-time in their lives. Groups form and turn on each other, childhood friends can reveal trusted secrets just by sending a text message or updating a Facebook status, and deciding where to sit in the cafeteria can be a daily struggle. As any tween will tell you, life for a middle school girl can be summed up in one word: drama.

Haley Kilpatrick's own turbulent middle school experience inspired Girl Talk, a nonprofit organization in which high school mentors offer a "just been there" perspective to tween girls, helping them build self-esteem and develop leadership skills. Here, Haley delivers the definitive guidebook for parents, teachers and anyone who works with middle school girls. Written from the trenches, The Drama Years is packed with anecdotes from real girls around the country. Filled with practical strategies from tweens and teen mentors to help adults understand what girls today are facing, The Drama Years is a must-read for anyone struggling to help girls navigate the often difficult transition into adolescence.

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read.

Read and reviewed:
Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren (Great debut to a new historical fiction series.)
Trophy: Rescue by Paul M. Schofield (Action-filled sci-fi which I enjoyed even if this is a genre I don't usually read.)
Evertaster by Adam Glendon Sidwell (Great middle-grade action adventure that left me hungry and salivating!)

Currently Reading:
Overseas by Beatriz Williams (half-way through)
The Tale of Time Warp Tuesday by Susskind (with my daughter)

Listening to:
The Drama Years by Haley Kilpatrick (enlightening)

Have any of you read these books?

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Kid Konnection: Evertaster by Adam Glendon Sidwell

Evertaster by Adam Glendon Sidwell
Future House Publishing
ISBN: 978-1441473844
Published June 7, 2012
Trade paperback, 304 pages

When I read the premise of this book, I knew I wanted to read it. An 11-year old picky eater? A desperate mom in search of something for her son to eat? The discovery of a legendary recipe that takes the Johnsonvilles on a wild adventurous journey through ancient ruins, deep jungles and forgotten caves? Yup, we were in. I read this book with my daughter and we loved it! We especially liked all the descriptions of the food and how they tasted. We were drooling and hungry every time we read it.

Guster Johnsonville is a picky eater whose taste buds are so enhanced he can taste where the orange was grown the minute he bites into it. This can bring untold delight if he eats food prepared by a chef who uses only the best ingredients and has spent countless hours perfecting the meal, but becomes a problem for him when his mom puts together a simple casserole. He refuses everything she makes, making him hungry and so skinny it drives his mother to desperate measures. Sounds familiar?

They end up at a patisserie in New Orleans where a dying pastry chef tells him of the One Recipe called The Gastronomy of Peace, a recipe so delicious that if you tasted it, you'd never want to eat anything again. Then he gives Guster an old eggbeater just before they are attacked by an evil chef dressed all in red who chases them with a meat cleaver. They discover the eggbeater has symbols engraved on its handle and instructions they figure leads them to the One Recipe. So together with all his siblings, including his smart sister Mariah and his toddler brother, Guster's mom piles her family into the car and they take off. Thus the adventure to faraway lands begins.

In many ways this book reminded me of The 39 Clues series, because the Johnsonvilles were on a search for a formula (the One Recipe) that could change the world. It was full of adventure, quirky characters, funny situations and dangerous missions. I loved that there was a mom involved in this family adventure story. She was a cool, but typical mom.

The evil chef was part of the Cult of Gastronimatti who were also after the One Recipe. The chase was on and Guster and his family tried to stay one step ahead of them, making this an exciting and suspenseful read. Sometimes my daughter would ask me to re-read certain sections because she didn't quite get what was going on (there was a lot of action), but overall we loved the action and appropriately felt both Guster and his mom's dilemmas. The scenes are so vivid, we could easily see them in a movie, and no wonder for the author has a career that puts his computer graphic skills to use in creating characters for blockbuster films.

This is a story that celebrates good food, family unity, mothers, and ultimately the love that comes from a good home-cooked meal. We're excited that further perilous delicious adventures are soon to come in the second book of this series, Evertaster – The Delicious City. For all lovers of chocolate, good food, and action-adventure tales, Evertaster will have you looking for that One Recipe in your life too. Highly recommended if you want a fun book to read!

Note: This book is rated V = mild violence for scenes with the evil chef and his meat cleaver. Not scary.
I will count this book toward the following challenges: A - Z Book Challenge

This is one of the best book trailers I have seen! You can tell the author is in the movie-making industry.

About the author:

In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He’s been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can’t wait to fall into the sea.

Connect with the author on his Website and on Facebook. Find the book on Amazon.com.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks the publicist for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Every Saturday, Booking Mama hosts a feature called Kid Konnection—a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, visit Booking Mama.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Trophy: Rescue by Paul M. Schofield

Trophy: Rescue by Paul M. Schofield
Galactic Publishers
ISBN: 978-1468132267
Published Feb 17, 2012
Trade paperback, 304 pages

This novel is the second book in the Trophy Saga, an action-packed sci-fi story that I enjoyed just as much as I did Trophy, the first book in this series.

The story continues from where the first one left off. The setting takes place 500 years in the future, where mankind is under the authority of the New Victorian Empire, with ten women Guardians who are the custodians of CENTRAL—a massive computer government that rules the Earth and the colonized Solar System. However, mankind is on the brink of extinction because of a genetic mutation and the only solution is to travel back in time through the Keyhole to transport genetically sound humans from the past. But the New Victorian Empire is not the only one interested in going back to the past, so is an underground rebel organization bent on eliminating the Empire's rule.

Once again, as in the first book, the author has a vivid imagination and he succeeds in transporting me with his brilliant world-building. I could easily picture the futuristic space crafts, the Solar stations such as Europa Plus, Io Station and Mars, the Montana mountains, forests, and fauna back on the Earth, and the powerful and fascinating human mind to animal link. The author's love for animals shines through, and I thought this combination of both Earth scenes and space ones was a great balance that made the story and setting believable and exciting to me. The scenes involving the mission in the Montana region and the confrontation with the grizzly bear were heart-pounding!

The villains from the first book don't play a big role in this book, but Lieutenant Janet Rogerton, Pilot Kolanna, Star-Commander Abigail VanDevere, and the androids Martin and Panther are back in the action. I loved the plot twists, and especially the scenes with Martin and Panther. New characters are introduced, such as Doctor Eng and Marco Sanchez, who I liked immediately. I hope to see more of him in the next book. Sometimes it was hard to keep track of all the characters (two of them have dual names and personas). The Guardians have no names but are identified as numbers, and they all sounded alike, except for Guardian I, who had the features and disposition of a wise American-Indian, and Guardian V who plays a crucial role in the rescue mission.

The editing was much better in this book, allowing the author's storytelling skills to come through in a well-paced, and well-written story. Some of the dialogue is still awkward, though, because it's still used as a means to explain the story and action. This could be resolved with the use of inner dialogue and backstory, cutting redundant dialogue and building more tension.

The first book hinted at a love interest between Janet and Martin, but nothing romantic happens in this book, not even a longing glance, so that the dilemma Janet mentions to Kolanna about her and Martin didn't seem realistic to me. I hope the author chooses to explore this in the next book (Marco Sanchez could very well demonstrate it!) as it would add the missing element of life in the Victorian Empire—eros love and family life.

If you like sci-fi stories, I suggest you start with the first book. The ending to this one is very open and the third book should prove even more interesting, as much more is at stake. I can't wait to see where the author takes the story, and I look forward to reading it!

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
I will count this book toward the following challenges: Time Travel Reading Challenge

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Galactic Publishers for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren

Glamorous Illusions (The Grand Tour Series) by Lisa T. Bergren
David C. Cook
ISBN: 978-1434764300
Published June 2012
Trade paperback, 416 pages

This is the first book in Lisa T. Bergren's new Grand Tour series. Its historical setting in the early 1900 quickly caught my attention, and I enjoyed the beginning of this series very much. Unlike the River of Time series, this one has a slower pace and is more character-driven than action-packed, although there is plenty of action as the young characters set out on a Grand Tour of Europe.

Cora Kensington is a young woman who grew up on a farm in Montana. She returns home in the summer of 1913 from her studies to become a teacher. But the crops are failing and her father is ill. It seems that things are bleak until a rich stranger appears at their door and everything in Cora's life changes. She is given the opportunity to do the “Grand Tour” of Europe with kin she's never known on a journey meant to educate and refine.

Bergren does a fine job of building characters that stand out and that I cared about. I love Europe and so the setting really appealed to me. Cora is on a journey of self-discovery. Her love for the farm, the simple life she left behind with parents she adores causes her to struggle with her new enjoyment of the life of the privileged and rich that she is now experiencing. Although I always enjoy a rags to riches story, I felt things came a little too easy for Cora. Having been raised on a farm, she should have struggled more with the etiquette of the rich, but instead she seemed to fit quite well and hardly made any faux pas. She seemed too perfect.

I loved William's character the most because his actions fit well with his station in life. He was very real to me. I understood and empathized with his struggles. The story alternates between Cora and William's point of view and I liked this, although Cora's is written in first-person, whereas William's is in third-person. Cora catches the eye of wealthy Frenchman, Pierre de Richelieu, in France where their journey ends in this first book. She has budding feelings for both him and William, which I'm sure will be further explored in the next instalment.

I look forward to reading the next two books in this series, Grave Consequences (Spring 2013) and Glittering Promises (Fall 1013).

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? for August 13

ShirleyJ's Whisk Bliss
Product description from website:
Whisk Bliss is a unique UNIVERSAL COOKING BASE that creates quick and delicious sauces, soups, and endless savory sensations that are healthy for you and your family. Pasta Alfredo, Old-Fashioned Sausage Gravy and Broccoli and Cheddar Soup all become easy, quick and healthy thanks to Whisk Bliss. The proof is in the taste , and satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read.

Read and reviewed:
The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer (Just became a new fan of this author!)
The Woman Who Changed Her Brain by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young (Facinating...)
You Just Can't Help It! by Jeff Szpirglas (Fun and engaging)

Currently Reading:
Trophy: Rescue by Paul M. Schofield

Have any of you read these books?

Saturday, August 11, 2012

You Just Can't Help It! by Jeff Szpirglas

You Just Can't Help It! Your Guide to the Wild and Wacky World of Human Behavior by Jeff Szpirglas and Josh Holinaty
Maple Tree (Owlkids)
ISBN: 978-1926818085
Published Feb 15, 2011
Paperback, 64 pages

Owlkids has a knack for publishing highly engaging, fun books that teach kids all about the world around them. You Just Can't Help It! focuses on science and biology, highlighting these topics in an attractive and cool way. My daughter loved this book. She said it was fun and easy to read and she learned a lot of stuff.

The book is divided into four parts: how we sense the world through our five senses, how emotions affect the way we act, how we communicate—with or without words, and how we interact with others. Each section is filled with pictures, colorful illustrations, text boxes, and includes a scientific experiment that is depicted with a cartoon strip.

The idea is that we can't help our human behavior and this book shows how science can explain it all. I like that the book deals with this because when we don't understand someone's behavior we tend to be more judgemental. Reacting the way we do in certain situations is part of being human and it's good for kids to learn this.

For example, do you know why you curl your upper lip when you're disgusted? Or why you feel uncomfortable in a crowded elevator? Or why you gesture with our hands even when speaking on the phone? Are your tears different when you shed them because you're cutting onions as opposed to when you are sad? As I read through this book, I had the idea to share it in my day program with my seniors who have early stage Alzheimer's, just like I did with the book You Asked? and once again this book also engendered a good discussion. It made us think, laugh and learn new things.

This is a visually appealing book that is perfect for middle-graders, both girls and boys, reluctant readers, teachers, and parents homeschooling their kids. It's a fun book whether read alone or with a group of friends. Like You Asked?, this one too can be thrown into the car on long drives or slipped into the tote bag for sleepovers. It's a great boredom buster. Highly recommended.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
I will count this book toward the following challenges: TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Owlkids for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Friday, August 10, 2012

The Woman Who Changed Her Brain by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young (Audio Book Review)

The Woman Who Changed Her Brain by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young
Post Hypnotic Press
Released May 24, 2012
Narrator: Lisa Bunting
Duration: 9 hours 15 minutes
Unabridged

Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating. When I saw this title, I knew I wanted to read it. Part memoir and part educational and resource book, The Woman Who Changed her Brain, is about the story and work of Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, a remarkable woman and Canadian pioneer in the practical application of “neuroplasticity.” Not only was she born with severe learning disabilities that had her struggling with language, spatial awareness, and symbolic thinking, but she overcame them after she came upon the works of famous Russian neuropsychologist Alexander Luria, which inspired her to invent cognitive exercises that changed her brain!

Arrowsmith-Young explains how the brain is not a machine, it is malleable, plastic, and can change itself. It can be rewired or remapped so to speak. It is ever-changing, physically, chemically and functionally. She states, “Just as our brains shape us, we can shape our brains.” And so that is what she did by doing cognitive exercises for many hours daily until there was a shift. The author interweaves her personal story (her own anguish and constant learning battles) with the school she went on to open and the brain training program she developed that has helped thousands of children and adults. I found both her story and that of the case studies fascinating and touching. Some might find that there are too many case studies but I liked hearing them all.

I love the field of neuroscience and since I work with individuals who suffer cognitive deficiencies because of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and stroke, I always look to learn more so as to better understand the population I work with. My knowledge of neurological deficits and how they are manifested has been opened up with this book. When she mentioned that some children diagnosed with ADHD or other behavioral problems may be in fact suffering from neurological deficits, a light bulb went on in my head. I worked in this field and saw countless children given drugs (Ritalin) at an early age when perhaps they could have been helped through tailored cognitive exercises?

I enjoyed listening to the audio version of this book. The narrator's voice was that of a mature woman, which suited this book since the author uses the first person POV and so I almost felt like it was the author herself talking to me. The narration was appropriate to the subject. Listening to this audio has convinced me I need to get the print book too. Because there is information in this book that I would love to access readily, I would have liked if the chapters would have been indicated on the CDs, so that if I want to listen again to, let's say, the chapter that dealt with object and face recognition, I would know on which CD it was found.

This book is inspirational. Being a practical person, though, I would have liked to know more (oh, much more!) regarding the tailored cognitive exercises Arrowsmith-Young developed. This is a brilliant, compassionate woman and her revolutionary teaching methods have inspired me in my own career. In other words, I now want to do more research on how to help those suffering from a neurological deficiency. And it has also inspired me to challenge myself to keep my brain as active as possible.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about how the brain functions. I think it's an enlightening book for teachers, parents, and anyone working in the helping field. It will increase your empathy toward others as you might recognize that the reason Joey is misbehaving in class is because he has a symbolic thinking deficit and cannot properly process the teacher's instructions. One of the best book I've read in 2012.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
You can find more info on this audiobook and other educational ones at Post Hypnotic Press.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Carlyn Craig from Post Hypnotic Press (through Audiobook Jukebox) for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sound Bytes is hosted by Devourer of Books, a weekly Friday meme where you can link up your audiobook reviews.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer

The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer
Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0764208393
Published January 1, 2012
Trade paperback, 352 pages

This is the first Amish-themed historical fiction book that I read and I loved it. Cramer managed to keep my interest throughout the story with real characters facing difficult and life-changing situations. Although the book cover and the synopsis would lead a reader to believe this is a just a romance, it's really more of a family saga taking place in the 1920s, and Miriam's struggle with her feelings for Domingo, a half-breed Mexican man who isn't Amish.

Miriam's parents, Caleb and Martha Bender moved their ten children and their families to Paradise Valley in Mexico to pioneer a new Amish colony. But life is difficult because of the bandits that roam the mountain range and disease that hits the small colony. The Amish people are gentle and will not resort to violence to protect themselves. They rely on their faith and this theme, along with that of God's forgiveness is strong and well-suited to the story without overwhelming the reader.

The characters are well-rounded with strong traits and flaws that made me care about them and their outcome. I loved Miriam's strength and her relationship with her younger sister, Rachel. She wasn't afraid to do what was right even if it was unconventional. Domingo was courageous, as was his sister Kyra, and true to himself. He respected Caleb, who he worked for, and he was a man of principle. He was kind, yet could be fierce to protect those he loved. And the author succeeded in making him a sexy man in an Amish novel!

The author deftly drew me right into their conflicts, and I was transported to the dusty and dangerous mountain range of Mexico where there was plenty of action with the bad guys. None of it was predictable and I read this book quickly to see how it would all turn out. There was a scene that left me in tears. The ending was realistic and left me searching more works from this author, which I now want to read. (This is the second book in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series.) I have to mention one last thing that endeared me to this author's writing. He includes a character who is mentally disabled, portrays her realistically (I've worked with this population) and gives her a role that made me cheer.

I am Dale Cramer's newest fan. If you like Christian historical fiction that is well-written, clean, with a great plot and memorable characters, you should try this author. Not to be missed.

Note: This book includes some scenes of violence with bandits who attack. It is not gratuitous or over the top.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, what Are You Reading? for August 6

So we're back from vacation, but still in vacation mode. My kids spend loads of time at the pool, especially since my daughter is preparing for her synchronized swimming competitions coming up. And well...I supervise while reading a good book...

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at Mailbox Monday. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. 5 Minutes for Books will be hosting for the month of August. You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

This is what came in the last two weeks:

A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick (for review)

The early twelfth century is a time for ambitious men to prosper, and royal servant John FitzGilbert Marshal is one of them. Raised high as the kin of the deceased King Henry battle each other for England's throne, John reaps rich rewards but pays a terrible price for the choices he makes-as does his family.

His wife, fragile, naive Aline is hopelessly ill-equipped to cope with the demands of a life lived on the edge and, when John is seriously injured in battle, her worst nightmare is realized. And sometimes keeping your honour means breaking your word ...

Sea Change by Karen White (for review)
For Ava Whalen, a new marriage and a move to St. Simons Island means a new beginning. But what she doesn’t realize is that her marriage will take her on an unexpected journey into the deep recesses of her past that will transform her forever…

For as long as she can remember, Ava Whalen has struggled with a sense of not belonging, and now, at thirty-four, she still feels stymied by her family. Then she meets child psychologist Matthew Frazier, and thinks her days of loneliness are behind her. After a whirlwind romance, they impulsively elope, and Ava moves to Matthew’s ancestral home on St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia.

But after the initial excitement, Ava is surprised to discover that true happiness continues to elude her. There is much she doesn’t know about Matthew, including the mysterious circumstances surrounding his first wife’s death. And her new home seems to hold as many mysteries and secrets as her new husband. Feeling adrift, Ava throws herself into uncovering Matthew’s family history and that of the island, not realizing that she has a connection of her own to this place—or that her obsession with the past could very well destroy her future.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth E. Wein (from NetGalley)

A compelling, emotionally rich story with universal themes of friendship and loyalty, heroism and bravery.

Two young women from totally different backgrounds are thrown together during World War II: one a working-class girl from Manchester, the other a Scottish aristocrat, one a pilot, the other a wireless operator. Yet whenever their paths cross, they complement each other perfectly and before long become devoted friends. But then a vital mission goes wrong, and one of the friends has to bail out of a faulty plane over France. She is captured by the Gestapo and becomes a prisoner of war. The story begins in "Verity's" own words, as she writes her account for her captors.

Songbird Under a German Moon by Tricia Goyer (win from BookJourney - Thanks, Sheila!)

The year is 1945. The war is over, and 21-year-old Betty Lake has been invited to Europe to sing in a USO tour for American soldiers who now occupy Hitler's Germany. The first night's performance is a hit. Betty becomes enthralled with the applause, the former Nazi-held mansion they're housed in, and the attention of Frank Witt, the U.S. Army Signal Corps Photographer. Yet the next night this songbird is ready to fly the coop when her dear friend, Kat, turns up missing. Betty soon realizes Frank's photographs could be the key to finding Kat. Betty and Frank team up against post-war Nazi influences and the two lovebirds' hearts may find the answers...in each other. But will they have a chance for their romance to sing? The truth will be revealed under a German moon.

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read.

Read and reviewed:
Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey (not as good as I'd hoped)
Wild Ink by Victoria Hanley (great resource for new writers)
You Asked? from Editors of chickaDEE and OWL Magazine (fantastic book for middle-graders)

Currently Reading:
Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren

Have any of you read these books?

Saturday, August 4, 2012

You Asked? Over 300 Great Questions and Astounding Answers

You Asked? Over 300 Great Questions and Astounding Answers from the Editors of chickaDEE and OWL Magazine
Owlkids Books
ISBN: 978-1926818146
Paperback, 160 pages

Most of us are curious beings, especially kids, which is why books such as You Asked? Over 300 Questions and Astounding Answers are popular. So much so that OwlKids had reissued a 35^th anniversary edition. My kids were thrilled when they got it. It's filled with questions many of us never ponder on but once asked stirs our curiosity. For example: What makes your stomach growl? Why does hair turn gray as people get older? What happens when you get the hiccups? Why are storm clouds gray, while other clouds are white? Why do apples turn brown after you cut into them?

These are all questions kids have sent in to chicaDEE and OWL magazines over the past 35 years and compiled into this book. It's divided into 4 sections that cover questions about space, technology, nature and the human body. The book is filled with beautiful full-page photos and cartoon drawings. It's an attractive book that gives concise answers, turning even complex scientific facts into fun reading. And making this book both entertaining and educational.

In fact I found this book so visually appealing that I used it in my day program with seniors who are in the first stages of Alzheimers. It was a hit. The photos and questions made for a whole hour of learning, reminiscing and stimulating discussion. A good amount of laughter too.

If you have middle-grade kids who are into learning fun facts, this book will definitely be a winner. It is great as a springboard for science projects and family fun night. Throw it into the car on long drives and slip into the tote bag for sleepovers. It's great for reluctant readers too. Or for grandparents to share with their grandkids and vice versa. Highly recommended.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

I will count this book toward the following challenges: TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Owlkids Books for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey
Revell Books
ISBN: 978-0800720469
Published January 1, 2012
Trade paperback, 325 pages

When I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I wanted to read it. It's August 1944 and Paris is on the cusp of liberation. The Nazis who have been stealing priceless art work are now after the Mona Lisa and OSS (Office of Strategic Services) agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler are assigned to retrieve the famous painting from its hiding place and return it to the Louvre. I had high expectations for this book, and although I enjoyed it I had some issues with it.

The story begins with a prologue, and we are introduced to Bernard Rousseau who becomes a hero as a member of the Resistance. We also meet, Colette, his girlfriend who works as a curator at the Louvre. These characters are central to the story and their feelings portray much of what Paris has suffered through the Occupation. The agents, Gabi and Eric, were characters from The Swiss Courrier, who are now on their second mission in this second book. I did not read the first book, and therefore felt a lack of depth in their characterization. I did not feel this was their story at all, but that of Bernard and Colette, which really dealt with the war, their loyalties and their patriotism. Which I was happy about, except for their unresolved ending! My emotions were invested in them and not Gabi and Eric.

The chase for the Mona Lisa only truly started halfway through the book. And half the time I was frustrated with Gabi and Eric's poor decision-making. I had a hard time seeing them as agents. Gabi finds a book hidden in the false bottom of a safe stolen from the Nazis and she decides to put it aside to look at later. Really? She actually forgets about it until later in the story when it becomes convenient to find it. The chase is not really a chase because they dilly-dally, instead of running with the painting. Again poor decision-making that made me want to slap some sense into them. They could have prevented what happens later, but instead their actions just gets more frustrating.

Thank goodness the ending was good. I liked the twist, because until then, the whole story was pretty predictable, with the authors spelling everything out for me. I kept thinking, couldn't you have let me guess that? Furthermore, Gabi's father, who was a top agent was also a congregation pastor. This didn't jive with me. Isn't his role to preach salvation by God's kingdom and not organize rescue missions involving ruthless criminals with possible killing involved?

So the premise of the book is really good, but the plotline could have been better. It was not as exciting as the book cover (which I love!) led me to believe. However, it has stirred up my interest in the Mona Lisa and her history during the two world wars. The authors include in their acknowledgments the names of a few books that caught my interest. I will be doing more research.

Note: This book is rated V = violence, for descriptions of horrific killings and brutality against a child. I found the violence a little over the top for a Christian publication.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.