I haven't done one of these in awhile, so I was excited to find a Mormon Mention in Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project. She's talking about a goal she set for herself to "Go off the path." In an effort to learn about topics she'd never cared about before, she'd go to a magazine store, close her eyes and choose issues at random. In one magazine, she found an article on hosting a "mocktail" party. She mused:

"Is it the case that people in social sets where most people don't drink - observant Mormons, say - a host would serve 'mocktails'?" (129)

Even if you've never met a real, live Mormon, the one thing you probably know about us is that we don't drink alcohol. We prefer hard liquor. Ha ha. Just kidding. Seriously, we follow what's called the Word of Wisdom, which prohibits "strong drinks." You're not going to be kicked out of the church if you sip a glass of champagne, but observant Mormons completely abstain from drinking alcohol.

As for "mocktails," I can honestly say I've never had one. And I've been to plenty of Mormon parties. I guess if you've never tasted a cocktail, you wouldn't be craving a "mocktail," right? We teetotalling Mormons usually just go for non-caffienated soda, non-spiked punch, or plain ol' water. Even on that, you'd be surprised at how crazy things can get.

I'm not even sure what a mocktail is. I do enjoy ordering virgin pina coladas when I'm in Jamaica - does that count?

In a world that's short on everything, salvaging is big business. Even a scrawny teenager like Nailer Lopez could make his fortune with one "Lucky Strike." While he's fantasizing about the good life, though, Nailer's got to live his real one, which means making quota. Every day, he squirms through rusting supertankers looking for anything that can be sold off for profit - copper wire, aluminum, nickel, steel clips, and, scarcest of all, oil. If he brings out enough of the good stuff to satisfy his boss he'll keep himself employed, earning barely enough to feed himself. It's a hardscrabble existence, but it's the only one he's ever known. A long time ago, he's heard, people lived in mansions, ate whenever they pleased, and traveled the world in gas-guzzling automobiles. That world is gone now, drowned in the sea, and this brutal new existence is all that remains.
When Nailer discovers a luxurious clipper ship run aground after a hurricane, he knows he's finally found his own, personal "Lucky Strike." There's all kinds of scavenge on the boat, not just metal, but food and swank stuff like furniture, art and silk clothing. All of it ripe for the picking. But as Nailer combs through it all, he discovers a different sort of scavenge - a beautiful girl, half-dead, decked out in enough gold to feed Nailer for the rest of his life. He could kill her, take her jewelry, her ship, her food. He'd probably be doing her a favor. His father would do it in a heartbeat, but Nailer's not that cold-hearted. Besides, the girl represents the one thing he wants more than anything else - escape. All he has to do is keep the swank hidden from rival scavenge gangs until her people come to rescue her. Then, he'll have it made.
What should be a simple rescue mission quickly becomes a frenzied race for survival. As Nailer smuggles snooty Nita Chaudhury into the sunken city of Orleans, he'll have to outwit the bloodthirsty bounty hunters who track his every move. Is snobby Nita really worth the effort? Will she keep her promise once she's rescued? Or is Nailer destined to risk his life over and over again in pursuit of the kind of life that just doesn't exist for a scrappy ship breaker like him?
Paolo Bacigalupi's debut YA novel, Ship Breaker, is dystopian at its very best. The National Book Award nominee (2010) combines colorful characters, heart-stopping action, and strong, vivid prose to create a story that comes alive with startling vibrancy. Although the story takes place in a fractured world, it's Bacigalupi's deconstruction of humanity that makes the novel so impactful. To put it simply, Ship Breaker is fast-paced, finely-plotted, first-class entertainment. Blood and rust (as Nailer wold say), I loved it.
(Readalikes: a little bit like The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins and The Maze Runner by James Dashner)
Grade: A
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), violence and mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Ship Breaker from the generous folks at Hachette Book Group. Thank you!

What do you get when you mix one scrawny 11-year-old, one swirlie-loving bully, one ex-best friend and the first day of middle school? A disaster, that's what. David Greenberg isn't exactly thrilled to be starting junior high, especially since he and his closest pal had a big fight. Now, David has to navigate the confusing world of Harman Middle School all on his own. To make things worse, his BFF's now hanging with the biggest bully in town. Their favorite target? You guessed it. David Greenberg.

At least David's troubles give him plenty of fodder for his online talk show. With the help of Hammy, his talented pet, David just knows that someday he's going to be as famous as his idol, Jon Stewart. When a new friend spreads the word about his videos, TalkTime goes viral. Suddenly, David's getting hundreds of hits and comments. He's an Internet sensation. Only his popularity doesn't follow him to school. If anything, it makes him a bigger target for the bullies. What's a short, nerdy sixth grader to do? Can he handle being a star? Can he make it out of middle school alive? As David treads the treacherous waters of middle school, he'll learn a whole lot about family, friendship, and the importance of following your dreams.

How to Survive Middle School by Donna Gephart is a laugh-out-loud funny story that perfectly captures the ups and downs of preadolesence. David's an engaging narrator, completely lovable and empathetic. Kids will find his woes familiar, his triumphs encouraging. With an engrossing plotline, interesting characters, and an upbeat tone, this charming treat of a novel is perfect for children dreading the jump from elementary to middle school and their parents (who are dreading it even more). I loved it. Hamster and all.

(Readalikes: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney [sans illustrations])

Grade: B+

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for very mild sexual innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of How to Survive Middle School from the very generous Donna Gephart. Thank you!

If you've got a Little Women fan on your Christmas list this year, you've just found the perfect gotta-have-it gift idea: it's the Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women DVD. Based on Harriet Reisen's 2009 biography of the beloved author, the PBS film delves into both the commonly and uncommonly known facts of Alcott's life. It recalls her unconventional upbringing; lessons she learned from literary greats; her service as a nurse in the Civil War; her prolific writing career; and the painful physical maladies that caused her early death. The film biography also notes the Alcotts' immense poverty, a condition that forced Louisa to write pulp fiction in order to support her family. Her abolitionism, feminism and fiercely independent spirit are also highlighted in the movie.

Elizabeth Marvel, a three-time Obie winner, plays Louisa to perfection. By turns playful, morose, and determined, the actress shows us all the faces of the writer. Commentary by Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks (March) and other Alcott scholars round out the story, offering an absorbing and complete picture of a most fascinating woman. Although the film gets a little long (84 minutes), it really is enchanting. I enjoyed it immensely and cannot wait to read Reisen's book.

For more information on Louisa May Alcott or to purchase the DVD for yourself a loved one, please visit http://www.alcottfilm.com/

To the FTC, with love: I received a free copy of this DVD from the generous folks at Newman PR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

When I was a teenager, the only thing that was cool to read - or at least to be seen reading in public - was horror. So I went through a bit of a dark phase that included several Stephen King epics. Not all, though, which is why Book Chick City's Stephen King Challenge caught my eye. Not that I need to be joining another challenge, but hey, why not, right? Plus, I went ahead and bought Under the Dome since I was never able to get it read before the library demanded I return it. So, there you go. I'm joining the challenge. Wanna join me? Since I can't remember which King books I've read and which I haven't, I'm going to make a tentative list. Six is the minimum required for the challenge; since I'm not sane enough to stick with that and I'm not quite enough of an overachiever to go for 12, I'm going to aim for 10. We'll see how I do.

• On Writing
• Needful Things
• Under the Dome
• The Shining
• Carrie
• The Tommyknockers
• The Stand
• Duma Key
• Insomnia
• Firestarter

I can't wait to get started! Who else is in?

I usually don't post twice in one day, but I wanted to chat up the Book Blogger Hop before I crawl into bed. I've been (unsuccessfully) fighting a cold, so I'm officially admitting defeat and taking a nap. The baby's sleeping, the big kids won't be home from school for a couple of hours, the house is nice and quiet - yep, I'd say it's a solid plan.

This week's question is: What do you like most about reading book blogs?

- For me, it's all about camaraderie. I love interacting with people who love books as much as I do. It's fun to "meet" so many other readers, peek into their lives (and bookshelves) and swap comments, reviews and recommendations. It's just fun!

If you want to join the Hop, head over to Crazy for Books to get all the details. If you're visiting from the Hop, thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment so I can return the favor.

Happy weekend, everybody!

If you're one of the millions who tune in every week to see what new drama's unfolding on Wisteria Lane, you might be interested in Debra Ginsberg's The Neighbors Are Watching. Just like Desperate Housewives, the novel's filled with ordinary people hiding disastrous secrets behind tidy homes and manicured lawns. Their San Diego suburb may appear disappointingly run-of-the-mill, but as Bree, Gabby, Susan, Lynette and the other housewives could tell them, things are not always what they seem, secrets rarely remain such, and skeletons have a funny way of escaping their closets. Of course, none of these things happen quietly or privately, not on tv or in a book, anyway - they explode publicly, violently, blowing everything in their pathways to smithereens. Which, as we all know, makes for some serious entertainment.

The Neighbors Are Watching begins with the arrival of 17-year-old Diana Jones in a quiet Carmel Valley neighborhood. Not only is she pregnant, but her shabby appearance and cafe au lait skin make it perfectly clear that she does not belong on Fuller Court. Still, it only takes one glance for restaurant manager Joe Montana to recognize her as his daughter. He's never been the fatherly type (as his wife, Allison knows all too well), yet he feels compelled to help Diana, who's on the outs with her mother. The girl's presence unsettles Allison, whose anger at Joe and the girl who's allowed to have what Allison never did, turns her into a glassy-eyed lush. None of the Montanas' neighbors know quite what to think of Diana, whose sharp-tongued, unapologetic attitude makes them all uncomfortable. It's like she knows every single one of their carefully-guarded secrets. And maybe she does.

When a wildfire threatens Carmel Valley, forcing the residents of Fuller Court to evacuate, Diana disappears. Leaving her newborn behind. Some, like "equal opportunity bigot" (140) Dick Werner say good riddance to bad rubbish, but others on the street are worried sick about the young mother. Diana may not have been a perfect angel, but she wouldn't abandon her own child, would she? Did she go willingly or did someone drag her away kicking and screaming? The teenager knew hardly anyone in town - could someone on their street have hurt her? Her own father, perhaps? Or the woman who resented Diana's presence in her home? Or maybe the rebellious boy who loved her so fiercely he wouldn't have been able to take her rejection? Or the racist father who didn't want her darkening the neighborhood let alone his son? Everybody on the street has something to hide, but does anyone know what really happened to Diana Jones?

As character-driven as this novel is, it was actually the mystery I found most intriguing. Although I felt no great love for Diana, I still wanted to know what happened to her, and who or what was responsible for her disappearance. That's what kept me turning pages, not the characters, since I found the lot of them unlikable. Sympathetic, maybe, but repugnant nonetheless. Because the cast members are all so unhappy, the book gets awfully depressing. For those reasons, I don't know if I can say I enjoyed the novel. It's definitely a compelling pageturner, if not an overwhelmingly appealing one. Maybe it needs a little Housewives humor to warm it up? Overall, though, it's an interesting, fast-paced mystery that will have you looking askance at all those neighbors you once considered normal.

(Readalikes: Reminds me a bit of Faithful Place by Tana French)

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for language, sexual content and depictions of illegal drug use

To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Neighbors Are Watching from the generous folks at Crown Publishing (a division of Random House). Thank you!

I haven't Hopped in a couple of weeks, so I'm excited to get started. Since Google won't let me Follow any more blogs (which is just annoying), I'm going to skip the Friday Follow for the forseeable future. Not that you should. It's a fabulous event. But, lots of the same blogs are listed on both the Hop and FF, so I'll still be able to find a bunch of new ones (*shivers in anticipation*).




If you're here from the Hop, please let me know so I can drop by and check out your blog. For Followers new and old, welcome to BBB and enjoy your stay :)

I've read plenty of books about slavery, but none as powerful as Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. What makes the story so compelling? Perhaps it stands out because of its unique time period or because of the subtlety with which Anderson weaves the tale of a young girl's fight for freedom with America's own struggle for independence. Or it could be the simple fact that I can no longer read stories like these without picturing my daughter. What would her fate have been, with her milk chocolate skin and tight black curls, in an age of absolute intolerance toward anyone with even a drop of African blood? The mere thought is enough to send ice through my veins. For all these reasons and more, Chains swallowed me whole, ravished my insides, then spat me back out, desperate for more. It's not an easy read, not at all. It is troubling, touching, illuminating and very, very worthwhile.
The story opens with the death of Miss Mary Finch, a passing that both saddens and cheers 13-year-old Isabel. Although her mistress was kind, the slave girl can't wait to be her own boss lady. But before she's allowed to get even a taste of the freedom Miss Finch promised her, Isabel finds herself sold to the highest bidder. Along with her younger sister, Ruth, Isabel sails from Rhode Island to New York, where she becomes a servant in a grand house on Wall Street. Her new owners, the Locktons, are proud and wealthy Loyalists, disdainful of American rebels and slaves who dare use their tongues for anything other than licking the boots of their betters. Isabel's determined to keep her head down, avoiding her cruel mistress whenever possible. It's only when Madam does the unthinkable that Isabel puts up a fight. And is violently punished for her efforts.
Although Isabel cares little for the mounting conflict between the British and the Americans, aiding the Locktons' enemies gives her some small satisfaction. Not only is she fighting back against her hateful owners, but selling their secrets means winning favor with Patriot bigwigs who she hopes will repay her with freedom. Plus, she owes Curzon, the slave boy who once saved her life. Spying is a risky business for anyone, let alone a slave girl whose fate lies at the hands of an already malicious mistress. While the American Revolution explodes around her, Isabel must fight with everything she has - for her freedom, for her sister, for her life.
Every book I've ever read about slavery in America took place during the Civil War era. Somehow, I never even thought about the practice existing 100 years earlier. Anderson dissolved my ignorance with exhaustive research and painstaking detail, painting a heartrending portrait of early American slavery. The irony of a group of people risking life and limb for independence but refusing to grant it to others snakes through the story, bringing home the astounding hypocrisy embraced by so many people throughout the history of our young country. Anderson's message blares loud and clear, although it flows delicately through tight prose, vivid detail, and memorable characters. Although the author takes her time telling the tale, Chains offers a story that's enthralling, empathetic and exquisitely engineered. Historical fiction at its absolute best, this important book is not to be missed.
(Readalikes: Day of Tears by Julius Lester; Black Angels by Linda Beatrice Brown; Numbering All the Bones by Ann Rinaldi; Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson [sequel to Chains])
Grade: A-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for depictions of cruelty, racism and war-related violence
To the FTC, with love: I bought Chains with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.