Like many a young lawyer, 32-year-old Caitlin McLoughlin entered the profession to help people. But after putting in her time as a public defender, always scoring the worst possible clients, she's tired and bitter. Working long hours leaves her with little time for a social life, barely enough money to support herself and her mentally handicapped sister, and no energy for anything resembling exercise or a home-cooked meal. She longs to spend her time convicting the bad guys instead of defending them, but prosecuting jobs are not exactly plentiful. For the moment at least, she's stuck with a career that's less than fulfilling, a social life that's going nowhere fast, and an expanding waistline courtesy of Costco's frozen food aisle. Although she's an excellent lawyer, her future feels about as bright as Utah's dull winter landscape.

Saving Madeline by Rachel Ann Nunes opens with a frustrated Caitlin trying to deal with her less-than-satisfying life. Given the constant stream of lowlifes coming through her door, she assumes her newest client will be just like the others - creepy as heck and guilty as sin. Except that Parker Hathaway's not what she expected. She senses sincerity in his insistence that he kidnapped his daughter only out of desperation to keep her safe from her meth-addicted mother. The only problem is that there's no real evidence to back up Parker's claims. Without a solid lead, Caitlin can do little to protect him from rotting in prison. Still, she has to try - 4-year-old Madeline's safety is at stake.

Caitlin prides herself on never letting her personal life interfere with her work, but suddenly she seems to be starring in her own soap opera. She's finally caught a glance from pretty boy Mace Keeley; another co-worker's showing definite romantic interest; and she can't deny her growing desire to be in her client's arms. Parker obviously feels the same way about her, but acting on their mutual attraction can only end badly - for their case as well as for Caitlin's vulnerable heart. And there's always the possibility that Parker's playing her to keep himself out of jail. What if he's lying about his ex-wife's drug use? What if he really is the same kind of scumbag Caitlin always defends? And what about Madeline? Time's running out. How much danger is she really in? Can Caitlin sort the truths from the lies, and what will the answers mean for a desperate father, an innocent girl, and a public defender with her heart on the line?

According to Nunes, Saving Madeline was inspired by the recent case of a Utah infant dying after ingesting meth from a plastic baggie she discovered on the floor of her home. Sadly, the baby's fate is not uncommon. Every year, thousands of children are harmed as a result of their parents'/guardians' drug use. Thus, the idea of a non-abusing spouse "kidnapping" his child to rescue her from a dangerous situation, then being punished for it, intrigued me. I anticipated an exciting legal thriller that dug under the skin of a common occurence, probing, questioning and opening my eyes to all the legal and moral complications of such a case. What I got was ... not quite what I was expecting. For one thing, the novel is more romance than thriller, a fact that really started to bug me after awhile. I get that Caitlin's supposed to be beautiful, but seriously, every guy she meets falls in love with her and vice versa? Gag me. Luckily, the story had a little more substance than that. Although the reader pretty much knows exactly where the story's going, Nunez does throw in a few surprises. The novel would have benefited from tighter editing, better character development and more suspense, but overall, it wasn't half bad.

Although Saving Madeline is not an LDS novel, it's a clean read featuring characters who are flawed, but determined to do the right thing. It reminded me of a Mary Higgins Clark mystery - just add (a lot) more romance and subtract the heart-pounding finales for which Clark is known. Like the Queen of Suspense, Nunes offers a quick, clean read that's enjoyable if predictable. If you're looking for a mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, you'll want to look elsewhere, but if you're in the mood for a nice, easy romance with a little legal thriller thrown in, Nunes delivers.

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild sexual innuendo and brief references to rape and murder

(Book image from Deseret Book)

Gram says Lily's problem is that she doesn't think. But, that's not true. She does think. A lot. She thinks about her beloved Poppy, fighting the Nazis in some unknown land; she thinks about her friend Margaret, whose older brother's been MIA since D-Day; and she thinks about Albert, who worries about the family he left behind in Hungary. It should be another idyllic summer on the Atlantic shore - just like every other she's spent at Rockaway - but this is 1944 and nothing is the same as it used to be.

Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff, is the touching tale of an impetuous 5th grader whose life changes irrevocably during one remarkable summer. As she fishes, swims and enjoys her liberation from the nuns at St. Pascal's, she becomes an eyewitness to the drama and heartache brought on by the Second World War. She's not thrilled about eating boiled cabbage, receiving censored letters that keep her father's location secret, or eating bakery cookies made bland by the scarcity of butter and eggs. The war's one big inconvenience, destroying the lazy summer Lily was hoping to enjoy with her dad. Although she's known for telling whoppers, she can't lie to herself anymore - the summer of 1944 is the worst she's ever experienced.

When Lily meets Albert, her whole outlook changes. A refugee from Budapest, he escaped his war-torn home with only the treasures sewn into the collar of his coat. He doesn't know what's become of his parents, his Nagymamma, or his little sister. While Lily has observed the war, Albert has lived it. Desperate to bring their loved ones home, the pair hatch a plan - one that will put not only their friendship, but also their very lives, in jeopardy.

With authentic period detail, endearing characters and an adventure-filled storyline, Lily's Crossing is a beautifully-rendered novel about a special friendship between two aching children. It's funny, tender and true. Sniffling my way through the end made me realize it's been way too long since a book moved me as much as this one did. Lily's Crossing is simply a lovely little read.

Grade: A

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild language and suspenseful action scenes

Willow Run, the sequel to Lily's Crossing, follows Lily's friend Meg Dillon through her own adventures during the summer of 1944. The Dillons leave Rockaway, New York, for Willow Run, Michigan, where Meg's father has taken a job in a factory. A former pilot, his poor eyesight has kept him out of the war - anxious to help the war effort, he will be helping to build B-24 bombers. Meg wants the Germans defeated as much as anyone, but she's not happy about leaving her seaside home. Especially when she sees her new digs:

Mama, are there any angels Black like me?

I've been as good as any little girl can be.

If I hide my face, do you think they will see?

Mama, are there any angels Black like me? (13)

When a writer like Sharon G. Flake Tweets about a book and says she "loved every word," doesn't it make you wonder what kind of story could be so moving? Doesn't it make you want to track down such a gem for your own enjoyment? It certainly did for me. After reading this post at The Brown Bookshelf, I clicked right on over to Amazon and ordered Black Angels by Linda Beatrice Brown for myself. Two days later, I'm sitting here trying to describe the power of this exquisite novel. Can I do it justice? I'm pretty sure I can't, but I'm going to try because this just might be the most outstanding book I've read this year.

Black Angels is the story of 3 orphans on the run. With war raging all around them, the trio are all lost in the woods of North Carolina, each following the river for his/her own reason. There's Luke, an 11-year-old runaway, heading north to escape the cruel hands of his master; 9-year-old Daylily, terrified and confused after watching Union soldiers murder her mistress; and little Caswell, a 7-year-old white boy who's running from his burning home, trying desperately to find his mother. Fate brings them together, need keeps them that way. Feeling responsible for the youngsters, Luke becomes their fearless leader. As they trudge north, hunger, fatigue and hopelessness settle in. Still, they march onward. Leaving wild animals, fever, soldiers, spies, and vast, bloody battlefields in their wake, they emerge from the woods changed forever.

Their dangerous trek forges an unbreakable bond - the ragtag children become the strongest sort of family. But, two escaped slaves and a rich, white child can't be brothers and sister, at least not in the eyes of a nation divided by race. Even when the war ends "times were bad. It seemed as one war got over, another, trickier one had started. It didn't look good for Black people and freedom" (253). Fearing punishment for abandoning their plantations, Luke and Daylily live in constant fear. After surviving the loss of their homes and kin, how can they bear to lose their newly-formed family, too? If there are angels in God's heaven - Black or otherwise - where are they now? Where and how will three children find the strength to survive in a world ripped apart by fear and hate?

Strong and hopeful, Black Angels is the incredible story of an extraordinary friendship. It celebrates courage, faith and family in all its forms. Unflinchingly honest, but beautifully rendered, it's simply a triumph. A rich, touching, powerful triumph. I can't say it well enough, so I'll let Flake convince you:

"Young people will be reading Black Angels for generations. Teachers will be assigning it and studying it for ages. It's a history lesson, adventure story, and a lesson in love, surviving tough times, and depending on God and one another, all at the same time ... I loved every word."

All I can say is, Amen to that.

Grade: A+

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild language and violence related to war and slavery

Bingo!

The winner of Horse Song by Ted and Betsy Lewin is:

Stacie!

Congratulations, ladies. Shoot me an email (blogginboutbooksATgmailDOTCOM) with your snail mail addresses, and I will get your books to you ASAP. Thanks to all who entered!

So, I've seen features comparing book covers, but what about plots that are eerily similar? When I received an ARC for Tom Dolby's Secret Society (available 9/29/09) from Harper Teen, my first thought was, "This sounds just like Blue Bloods." At that point, I hadn't even started Melissa de la Cruz's vampire series, but, since I happen to have copies of all the books (Thanks, Disney!), I decided to delve into it first. After reading both books, I realized just how right my first impression was - the books are very similar. Not enough to be called copycats, but enough to be a little ... weird. I'm not accusing the authors of anything, I'm just saying ... well, you be the judge ...

The first book in de la Cruz's series - Blue Bloods - introduces us to the creme de la creme of New York society. Graced with wealth and privilege, it's a group whose family roots stretch back to the Mayflower. The new generation swaggers through the doors of the elite Duchesne School swathed in True Religion jeans, tottering on Manolo Blahnik heels, and swinging the newest Prada handbags. Chauffered Town Cars whisk them home to their Park Avenue penthouses or off to Neiman Marcus for a session with their personal shoppers. The Manhattan social scene cares less about their age than about the limitless funds on their credit cards - weekends sail by in a swirl of frothy drinks, glittery parties and celebrity companionship. With their trust funds, $500 highlights, and closets jammed with designer pieces, the new generation is just as rich, just as powerful, just as glamorous as its elders.

Although her blue-blooded ancestry makes her one of the elite, 15-year-old Schuyler van Alen hardly fits in with the snooty, moneyed crowd. Although her family's fortune made Manhattan what it is, the money's long gone. It's just as well - Schuyler's style has always been more vintage than Versace. She's content enough dressing like a bag lady, hanging out with her best friend Oliver, and watching the in-crowd from afar. There's only one problem: Schuyler's changing. Not only is she seeing weird things, but her blue veins seem to be popping out of her skin. Oddest of all, Duchesne god Jack Force is suddenly paying a lot of attention to her. Then comes the invitation that changes everything. A summons from The Committe reveals the secret of the Blue Bloods, the secret of what she and her friends really are - vampyres. Only Schuyler's not quite the same as the others, which makes her a very enticing target.



Secret Society begins with a familiar scene: wealthy teenagers lined up outside a trendy nightclub, waiting admission into an inner sanctum filled with drinks, drugs and pretty playboys. The kids come from the upper echelon of New York's high society - their parents are business tycoons, society ladies and politicians. Like their elders, the new generation sops up the designer labels, the Upper East Side prep schools, and the VVIP lounges in the city's glitziest clubs. The most promising of them are inducted into The Society, a group so hush-hush no one's sure if it really exists.
Phoebe Dowling, a 16-year-old transplant from L.A., hardly considers herself among the elite upperclass. Sure, she's attending the prestigious Chadwick School, but inclusion into its in-crowd hasn't been exactly forthcoming. A chance encounter with handsome Nick Bell changes all that. Suddenly, she's getting invitations to the most exclusive parties, one of which leaves her with a woozy head, an ankh tattoo on her neck, and a forced loyalty to The Society. Before she really knows what's happening, Phoebe's jumping at The Society's every command, attending a dizzying array of late-night parties, moving in circles approved by its leadership, and asking no questions. At first, it's incredible - she's finally experiencing the New York she's always dreamed about. By some miracle, she's even managed to land a show at an exclusive art gallery. Everything she's ever desired is now within her grasp. So, why is she so unhappy? Why does the silly little club terrify her? And why are her friends disappearing? It's becoming more and more obvious that The Society doesn't just give - it also takes. Everything.
Like I said, the plots of these two books diverge enough that they're not identical, but the similarities are many. The New York settings, the privileged cast members, the prestigious prep schools, the secret societies - it's all there. Both books feature teenagers with absent parents who don't notice or don't care that their underage children are parading all over the city drinking, smoking, snorting coke and cozying up with anyone who's willing. Speaking of parents (and grandparents), characters in both Blue Bloods and Secret Society discover theirs are harboring some serious - and similar - secrets of their own. There's also the issue of Schuyler Van Alen and Patchfield Evans - the former lives with her grandmother in a once stunning, now dillapidated palace, muses on her family's dwindling wealth, visits her comatose mother on the weekends, and wonders about the father who died when she was an infant; Patch (of Secret Society) also lives with his Gram in a crumbling dwelling with a prestigious address, ruminates that "he and his grandmother had the oldest kind of old money: the kind that didn't exist anymore" (17), spends time at the hospital where his mother has been institutionalized, and misses the father who died when he was a child. Uncanny, don't you think?
The other big similarity between Blue Bloods and Secret Society (note the matching 2-word, alliterative titles) is that I didn't love either one. None of the characters in either book develop much, the writing's similarly stiff, and both plots need work. That being said, I think Secret Society is the better book. It has more depth, more believable conflict, and more sympathetic characters. I still don't get all the whys and wherefores of it, but at least it didn't get as ridiculous as Blue Bloods did.
I know you're all dying for the answer to the big question: Will I be reading the sequels? Since Disney so kindly sent me the rest of the Blue Bloods series to review, I will be reading it. If I didn't have the books on hand, I wouldn't bother. As for Secret Society, the semi-cliffhanger ending makes it pretty obvious that a sequel is forthcoming. Yes, I will be reading it. Why? Because even though I didn't love the book, I liked it enough to care about what happens to the characters. So, yeah. Pretty ho-hum about these two.
Okay, here's how it all stacks up in my grade book:
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
Grade: C-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language; some sexual content; scenes with underage drinking, smoking and drug use; and violence
Secret Society by Tom Dolby
Grade: C
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for some language; some sexual content; scenes with underage drinking, somking and drug use; and violence
(Book images are from Barnes & Noble)

Between my home, my family, church duties, blogging, volunteering and everything else, I've got a lot going on. Like most desperate housewives (desperate for more sleep and more hours in the day, that is) I can use all the advice on time management I can get. Unfortunately, not every principle used in the corporate world transfers to household management; otherwise, I would have found Nicolas Soergel's Happy About An Extra Hour Every Day much more helpful. Not that I didn't get any new ideas. I did. Overall, though, the book's designed for career people, who will no doubt find it much more useful than I did.

Soergel, who has been a successful businessman for many years, insists that by using time more efficiently we can all make better use of the 24 hours/1,440 minutes/86,400 seconds we're given each day. He encourages us to "spend time as consciously as you spend money" (3). How, exactly do we do this? Soergel gives us the usual advice: Get up early, so that you can work when it's quiet and you're less likely to be interrupted; Tackle difficult tasks first; Avoid procrastination; Watch less tv; Keep your desk clean and organized; Reduce clutter; etc. He's also got a few unorthodox solutions such as ridding your desk of "decoration" (i.e. framed photographs, personal books, etc.); eliminating the use of Post-It notes; programming your mouse so that you can single-click instead of double-click, etc. Soergel also addresses sticky situations like how to deal with a boss who's constantly interrupting your work; how to get chatty people off the phone; and how to configure your office in a way that maximizes efforts and minimizes unwanted visitors.

Not all of Soergel's suggestions deal exclusively with the corporate world. In the chapter titled "How to Save Time at Home," he discusses standard strategies such as decluttering, creating a cleaning schedule, planning weekly meals, taking a Polaroid of shoes to glue on the outside of shoeboxes, etc. A couple struck me as funny: He encourages readers to reduce primping time by keeping hair short and "us[ing] a decent color for your nails" (34). I did learn a few things, but I'd heard most of it before.

The biggest thing Happy About An Extra Hour Every Day has going for it is that it's a fast, easy read. It's not particularly engaging or well-written, but it does move right along. It also has some excellent links (I especially like http://www.gubb.net/, which Soergel recommends for list-making). I do wish the book was more focused, more upbeat, and better edited, but all in all, it's not bad. Most of it wasn't really relevant for me, but business people should find it helpful.

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: G, but man, would it be boring!

Everybody's doing it. I've been wanting to do it for a while, but didn't want to pay the money unless it was really worth it. Then I found out it's only $10/year. That, I can handle. So, I now on the domain name www.blogginboutbooks.com . It may take a couple of days to update, so if things are a little wonky around here, that's why. Blogger automatically re-routes traffic from the blogspot.com address to this new one - you should probably still update your feeds, though. I wouldn't want to lose you :)

So many things are making me happy today that I just had to celebrate with a giveaway. Before we get to that, though, don't you want to know why I'm so giddy today? Of COURSE you do (If you really don't, just scroll down to the bottom for the contest info).

• It's still a million degrees here in the Phoenix area, but some of the bushes in my yard just popped out with some gorgeous colors. They're vibrant reds, purples and even white. "How can white be vibrant?" you ask. I don't know, it just is. Anyway, when we pulled up to our house this morning, my 4 year old gasped. "Mom!" he exclaimed. "Look at all those colors. Who made that?" At a loss, I answered, "Um, God?" In astonishment, he replied, "You mean God is our yard guy?" LOL. I'm still chuckling.

• As of last night, I have read 100 books this year. I should be more than able to hit my goal of 150, but I'm wondering if I can get to 200. What do you think? Reviews of Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani and Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick are coming soon.
  

• My oldest nephew (13) and my youngest niece (3) are both celebrating birthdays today!

• I talked to David Boreanaz on live tv this morning! Well, not exactly, but I'm still geeking out. Let me explain: Rick D'Amico, a local reporter, often interviews celebrities on his morning show. The night before these chats, he sends a message to all his Facebook friends/fans (one of whom is my husband) asking which questions they want him to ask. So, last night, I was glued to something on my computer (probably one of your addicting book blogs) when I heard some white noise. It sounded something like this, "RickD'Amico'sinterviewingthatBonesguytomorrowWhaddayawannaaskhim?" When I came back to Earth, I realized this was my chance to ask Booth himself a deep, scintilating question. What I came up with was, "Has he read the books?" by which I meant the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs, on which Bones is based. The query came off the top of my head, wasn't all that intelligent, and didn't fully convey the depths of my lust for him, but, I was still interested in the answer.
  

  So, this morning as I was bathing the baby, my husband yells, "Hey! He's answering your question." And he was. David (see how we're on a first name basis now?) said that no, he hadn't read the books on which the show is "very loosely based" because he didn't want them to influence his performance. He wanted to make Booth into his own kind of character. Smart, no? I've wondered why the producers chose to bring Tempe's character to life, but not Detective Andrew Ryan's. Is it because female readers can handle seeing literary leading ladies brought to life but not their leading men? I can't imagine any actor playing Ryan to perfection, even Boreanaz.

  I do have the sinking suspicion that the very handsome Boreanaz might night be much of a reader. Even if he doesn't want Reichs' books to influence his performance, wouldn't he be too curious to resist? I would. Now, I could be wrong. Maybe he reads acres of books, but somehow, I doubt it. I'll ask Dave about it next time we chat :)

• It's Book Blogger Appreciation Week. 'Nuf said. If all the bloggy love floating around isn't making you giddy, I don't know what can. Oh, maybe a giveaway ...

• I've actually had this book for a while, but it got a little buried under mount TBR (To Be Reviewed). Now that I've unearthed it, I'm excited to give it away. Last year, Ted and Betsy Lewin visited my kids' school. I bought two copies of Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia, which the Lewins signed. Of course, my children got one copy, but the other will go to one lucky winner. Recap: This is a brand-new hardcover signed by the authors. You can check out the details on its Amazon page.

  
  

  To enter: Leave a comment on this post telling me what's making you happy right now. Each of the following will earn you one extra entry: Post about this giveaway on your blog or stick a blurb on your sidebar (leave me a link); mention it on Twitter and/or Facebook; follow me on Twitter (there's a link on my left sidebar); and become a Follower of my blog. Now, I have to say that this last one is very hypocritical, because I don't follow any blogs. I have you all on Google Reader and I can't handle another feed management tool. If you have similar issues, you can subscribe to the blog via your reader (just let me know). That being said, I love my followers. You will all be making an appearance on my sidebar very soon. Oh! If you're already a follower/subscriber, that counts! The nitty gritty: I will draw the name of one winner on Wednesday, September 23. It's a short contest, so sign up now. This giveaway is open to all of my readers, wherever in the world you may happen to be! If you don't have a public blog, please leave me a working email address. If I can't reach you, you can't win.
  

• That's it. Have a happy day, everybody!

... 'cause it's awards time. I'm sure you know by now that it's Book Blogger Appreciation Week. This is such a fun idea. Huge shout out to Amy and her crew for putting it all together. Congratulations to all the winners and to every book blogger out there - we have truly transformed the book reading universe. As I've said, my favorite part about BBAW is all the new blogs I find because of it - my Google reader is positively groaning under the weight of new feeds. It's so exciting to realize just how big the book blogosphere really is! Considering how many excellent book blogs are out there, it's a wonder mine gets any traffic at all, let alone earns prestigious bloggy awards :) Thanks so much for passing these on - receiving them just gives me the warm fuzzies. Who doesn't love recognition for their hard work?

Thanks to BBAW, I've added all kinds of new book blogs to my Google reader. I spied this fun meme on Sandy's blog, You've GOTTA Read This. Since no one IRL cares this much about my reading habits, I thought I'd share my answers with you. I love to get a glimpse into other people's book-related OCD, so let me know if you've done this one on your blog.

Hardback, trade paperback or mass market paperback? I prefer hardback books, just because they're so ... substantial. They feel good in my hands, ya know? They're also expensive, so I usually buy trade paperbacks. For some reason, I'm not big on mass market paperbacks. I'm not sure why that is. I'll have to discuss that one with my therapist ...

Waterstones, Borders or Amazon? I've never heard of Waterstones (is it in the U.K.?), but I'm a little too familiar with the last two. Borders is my bookstore of choice, because (1) it's close and (2) the coupons and Borders Bucks get me every time. I actually don't buy a lot of books off Amazon, although I do all my pre-ordering through them.

Bookmark or dog-ear? Dog ear? *gasp* Who would do such a thing? I bookmark, baby. I do, however, have a bad habit of leaving books open, facedown on tables, couch arms, my desk, etc. The practice makes my book-lovin', retired librarian MIL shudder.

Amazon or brick-and-mortar? Evidently, I'm not a very patient person (just ask my kids), because I prefer a brick-and-mortar store over Amazon. There's just something about being able to see, touch and skim through a book that makes me prefer IRL buying encounters.

Alphabetize by author, or alphabetize by title, or random? I was that nerdy kid who alphabetized her CDs. Books are another matter. My bookshelves (which don't contain any ARCs or review books - they're in another spot) are kinda sorta organized. I have shelves for adult fiction, YA fiction, LDS fiction, LDS non-fiction, dieting/health books (I have a lot of those), homemaking/craft/organizing manuals, parenting, etc. My fiction shelves are double and triple stacked. Either I need to start weeding or I need more bookshelves. I'm thinking the latter.

Keep, throw away, or sell? Throw away?? What kind of savage are you? I actually answered this question in a recent post. In a nutshell: I keep the books I love, donate those I don't to the library and my kids' elementary school, and store ARCs in a box in my garage since I'm not sure what else to do with them. I've only trashed one book. It was really, really, really bad.

Keep dust jacket or toss it? *Shudder* Dust jackets remain on at all times. I repeat, on at al times. Remind me never to loan you a book.

Short story or novel? I avoid short stories like the plague. Novels only, please.

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket? HP wins every time, although I like Lemony Snicket, too. I'm somewhere in the middle of the Unfortunate Events series. I love Snicket's voice, but I'm getting a little tired of the redundant plots.

Buy or borrow? Both. I love to buy books, but they cost a lot of moola, which I don't always have on hand. Therefore, I wait until there's a sale, I have a coupon, or I have Border Bucks. If all of these things happen at the same time, I do a dance of joy. Then, I head to Borders.

Buying choice: book reviews, recommendations, or browse? Good question. Usually I have an idea of what I'm going to buy before I head into a bookstore. Not always, though. I'd say 90% of the books I buy have been recommended to me either by an IRL friend or through a review on a blog, in a magazine, or on the Internet somewhere. About 10% of the time, I pick up whatever looks interesting.

Tidy ending or cliffhanger? Call me old-fashioned, but I love me a happily-ever-after. Actually, I don't like stories that end perfectly - I just want the finale to be satisfying. Give me twists, turns, cliffhangers, whatever, but make the ending ring true. That's all I ask.

Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading? I have to choose? Tell me it ain't so! I read whenever and wherever I can - in bed, in the car (while waiting, not driving), in the bathtub, laying in bed, while I eat, while feeding the baby, while on hold,
etc.

Stand-alone or series? Either. I love series', because I love "knowing" characters well, but I'm also delighted by standalones. So, I guess my answer's really, both.

Favorite series? I have a million: HP; Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan books; Grace Valley by Robyn Carr; Virgin River by Robyn Carr; Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series; Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani; tons and tons.

Favorite children’s book? Hm. I'm too indecisive to have just one favorite. I like so many: Little Women; Anne of Green Gables; I Love You, Forever (makes me cry every time); Green Eggs and Ham; The Polar Express; Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes; tons.

Favorite YA book? The Hunger Games comes to mind. Also, The Book Thief by Marcus Zuzak.

Favorite books read last year? I can barely remember what I read this year, let alone last year. The Hunger Games probably.

Favorite books of all time? I'm going to go classic with Little Women, Gone With the Wind, Anne of Green Gables and Jane Eyre.

Favorite book to recommend to an 11-year-old? If you happen to have an almost 11-year-old boy like I do, I'd recommend A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket; the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books; and anything by Gordon Korman. If your kid is a little more ambitious in his reading than mine is, I'd definitely suggest Mr. Harry Potter.

Favorite book to re-read? I rarely re-read books. The only book I've read more than once is The Book of Mormon. And picture books. I'd go with the picture books if I were you. Kidding, kidding.

Do you ever smell books? I'm not sure you can help smelling books. I happen to love the scent - old, new, doesn't matter, I love that book-y scent. I agree with Sandy - someone should make book-scented air freshener. And perfume!

Do you ever read primary source documents like letters or diaries? You mean like Anne Frank? Or primary source documents that aren't actually books? Yes to the first, no to the second - unless they were written by family members.

What are you reading right now? An ARC of Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani. It's her first YA novel, and I don't think it has anything to do with Italians. It already seems as if it's missing something ... My bathroom read is Diane Mott Davidson's Catering to Nobody. Obviously, I don't spend enough time in there (do I need more fiber in my diet?) because it's taking me forever to read this one. It's just okay.

What are you reading next? I was just debating that. I've had Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke out for months, so I need to get to it. I've also got a mountain of review books, many of which I'm dying to read. Then, there's Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, which I finally got from the library. Decisions, decisions ...

If you're dying to dish about your reading habits, I'm dying to listen. Really. Just do the meme, already.

Is anyone else missing Jay Leno on The Tonight Show? I don't know what it is about Conan O'Brien, but I'm just not that into him. Quirky little leprechauns aren't my thing, apparently. I know Jay's going to be back on tv very soon - in the meantime, I'm boycotting O'Brien on principle. And because he bugs me. Anyway, one of the features I liked best on Jay's show was "Headlines." He read funny snippets from newspapers, bulletins, signs, etc. - lines full of grammatical errors, misspellings, and idiotic comments. If you, like me, are missing "Headlines," try this new book on for size: I Judge You When You Use Poor Grammar by Sharon Eliza Nichols (available September 29 - the book, that is, not Sharon). The blogger and law student has collected dozens of error-filled signs into a collection sure to send grammar snobs into fits of laughter.

From the classic "Kids With Gas Eat Free" sign to bizarre spellings ("Bokay for $5") to "apostrophe catastrophes" ("Mow'in Joe's Lawn Cutting") - this book documents it all. Since most of Nichols' examples have to do with punctuation errors, they're more embarrassing than funny, although there are some downright hilarious signs (like the "peonies" example on Page 31). Nichols' commentary is sometimes witty, sometimes ... not so much. Luckily, most of the signage speaks (poorly) for itself.

Now, I don't know that punctuation errors and "creative" spellings technically come under the grammar umbrella, but they are pretty entertaining, if only because they help English majors (like myself) feel superior. I did get a little tired of Nichols' numerous examples of its/it's, their/there/they're, your/you're mistakes - they're only sometimes funny. Pathetic is more like it.

I love the idea of this book, I just thought it would be more humorous. I don't know how Jay finds such gems for his segments. Nichols' version doesn't come close, but it will do in a pinch. It's instructive, anyway. After all, gooder grammar doesnt come naturally to most folks - its a learned kind of thing. No what I mien?

If you want to connect with other grammar snobs, check out the I Judge You When You Use Poor Grammar Facebook group.

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: I'm not sure how Hollywood would make a movie out of this one, but there is a little bit of profanity and one reference to, um, "peonies."

(Book image from Barnes & Noble)

Avoid Catching Fire? Are you kidding? It's the hottest book in town. Everyone's reading it. Yes, yes, I know. But, really, you shouldn't. Why not, you ask? Is it:

Boring? No, not for minute.

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for violence

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In my excitement over Catching Fire, I somehow forgot to mention Michelle's awesomeness. I don't know if she designed these buttons herself or what, but aren't they fun? It made me laugh, especially since Laura mentioned how much the Gale-Katniss-Peeta thing reminded her of a certain vampire-teenage girl-werewolf triangle. If you want to show your love, click here and steal some buttons for yourself. Click around while you're there - she's up for a BBAW nomination, and would no doubt appreciate your vote.

BTW: I vote Gale. I also vote Edward. What does that say about me? Hmmm ...

January 6, 1971 - That's the day Jesus walks into Frannie's 6th grade classroom. At least that's what the new kid calls himself - he doesn't pronounce it the Spanish way, either, but the regular, Bible way. As if that's not enough to make him stand out, the kid is white. Not just light brown like Trevor, who has a caucasian daddy, but white white. Almost blue-white. White like no one else at Frannie's school, like no one else on her side of the highway. The only explanation for his strange, sudden appearance, according to Frannie's friend Samantha, is that he really is Jesus. Even though Samantha's a preacher's daugher, Frannie can't help but wonder if she's a little delusional. Still, the boy's calm, cool in the face of ridicule, and forgiving of his tormentors. Frannie's not exactly the churchgoing type, but she's beginning to wonder if there isn't something to Samantha's theory. After all, as Samantha says, "If there was a world for Jesus to need to walk back into, wouldn't this one be it?" (33)

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson brings Frannie's world to vibrant life. It's a time of Afro picks, Black Pride, Michael Jackson moves, and bridges over troubled water. It's also a time of war, worry and racial tension. When Jesus walks in, it also becomes a time for Frannie and her friends to confront their own prejudices. The girls avoid the kid, preferring to discuss him from a distance; some of the boys, however, decide to confront the problem with their fists. When Jesus shows them his true colors, the questions really start to fly - who is this kid?

Frannie knows firsthand how ignorant people can be - she hates it when people assume her brother's stupid just because he's deaf. Still, Frannie's not exactly ready to sit with Jesus at lunchtime. She just wishes she could get the white kid out of her mind. His gentle example's making her think of hope and miracles and healing the world. If that's not God's influence, what is? The more Frannie questions, the more it all makes sense. Maybe not the world's kind of sense, maybe just her own kind. And, maybe, just maybe, that's enough.

It's hard to describe this middle grade novel, except to say that it's exquisite in its simplicity. It examines the idea of hope from the standpoint of the most hopeful among us - the children. It also looks at prejudice in its many forms - against those with impairments and disabilities, toward those with nontraditional families, and between different races/cultures. I've read countless books about racism, most of which focus on mistreatment of African-Americans by caucasians - it's oddly refreshing to read a story about racism exploding in the opposite direction. I don't mean refreshing in a "See-it's-not-just-white-people" kind of way, but in a "See-we're-all-just-human" kind of way. Feathers makes a brave admission: All of us harbor prejudices of some kind. The important thing is to be able to look past them, to judge people not by their appearance, but by their actions. I think Frannie's mother sums it all up very nicely: "If that's the way he came into the world, that's the way he's staying. It's us we need to change" (51-52).

This kind of understated eloquence is what made Feathers stand out to me. I know several reviewers rank it among their least favorite of Woodson's books, so I guess I'm in the minority when I say I love it. So be it. I loved it.

Grade: A

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG - Although there's no profanity, Feathers contains some mature subject matter (like miscarriage, racial slurs, etc.) that may not be suitable for children under 10

So, the shortlists for Book Blogger Appreciation Week were announced yesterday - sadly, BBB was not on there. *sniff* Ah well. The fact that even one person thought I deserved an award for Best Writing made my day. Truly, it was an honor (and such a confidence booster!) just to be nominated. So, thanks, y'all. Be sure and hit BBAW's "voting booth" to show some love for your favorite shortlisted blogs.

Did you notice how many book blogs Amy and her team sifted through? Over 1000. 1000! That's incredible. I have several hundred on my feeder, but that's not even a fraction of the awesome book blogs out there. My favorite part of BBAW is exactly this - I'm always thrilled to discover fantastic new book blogs. Thanks to Amy and her hardworking crew for putting this fun event together.

Since none of you seemed too offended by my last post of complete randomness, I figure why not do another one? I just thought you might like to know that I finished up the non-fiction portion of my commitment to ELLE. Emboldened by Megan, I decided I have no reason to feel guilty over abandoning the last two of the nominees. After all, the magazine only requires that I review my top 3 choices; I read enough of the last two books to know they didn't have a chance of toppling my Holy Trinity of non-fiction picks. Just because I didn't care for them, however, doesn't mean they aren't worthy of consideration, so here (for your reading pleasure) are quick synopses of the two memoirs I didn't finish:

Losing Everything by David Lozell Martin - This is Martin's story of growing up with a rage-filled father and a mother who is literally insane. It's about how history repeats itself, and how one man finds his way home after going through hell on Earth. The beginning is well-written, but a little slow and a lot depressing. When I got to the part where Martin's mother tries to seduce him and his hormonal teenage self actually considers it, I was sickened to the point that I couldn't read anymore. I appreciate his honesty, but it was just way too much for me. I believe - and hope - that his story comes to a hopeful end - I just couldn't stick around that long. The book is garnering excellent reviews on Amazon, which you can see here.