Just the Ratings Part III

Oops, this batch should have been part one.  These were read in February!


A Promise Worth Keeping by Cyndi Faria, AF, 2013, Kindle ebook, 30p, Rating=3
Source: own

Clayton has a real mess on his hands. Not only have garden vandals threatened the Remy Estate's Valentine's Day celebration, but Clayton’s girlfriend, Sarah, has proposed to him despite knowing he doesn't believe in lasting love.
By hunkering down in the garden all night, Clayton hopes to at least solve one of his problems and catch the vandals in the act. Instead, will Clayton finally face his fears and become a man worth loving?

title A Thousand Tears: A Short Story

author Martin, J.C.

AF, 2011, Smashwords ebook, 9p, Rating=4
Source: own

A tragic fantasy tale that will hopefully drive home the point: that communication is of foremost importance in all relationships.

Son by Lois Lowry, YR, 2012, Audio CDs, 8.25hrs, Rating=4
Source: library

When the young girl washed up on their shore, no one knew she had been a Vessel. That she had carried a Product. That it had been carved from her belly. Stolen.
Claire had had a son. She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. When he was taken from their community, she knew she had to follow. And so her journey began.
But here in this wind-battered village Claire is welcomed as one of their own. In the security of her new home, she is free and loved. She grows stronger. As tempted as she is by the warmth of more human kindness than she has ever known, she cannot stay. Her son is out there; a young boy by now. Claire will stop at nothing to find her child . . . even if it means trading her own life.
With Son, the two-time Newbery Medal–winning Lois Lowry has spun another mesmerizing tale in this thrilling and long-awaited conclusion to The Giver.

The Maze by James Dashner, YA, 2009, Audio CDs, 11hrs, Rating=4
Source: library

When Thomas wakes up in the life, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his home or how he got where he is. His memory is blank. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. And every night they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.
The day after Thomas arrives, a girl is sent up—the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home ... wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.
And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers—if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

Just the Ratings Part II

First four was read in April. Last one, beginning of May.


Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume, YA, 2011, Hardcover, audio CDs, 5hrs, Rating=3
Source: library

Davey has never felt so alone in her life. Her father is dead—shot in a holdup—and now her mother is moving the family to New Mexico to try to recover.
Climbing in the Los Alamos canyon, Davey meets the mysterious Wolf, who can read Davey’s “sad eyes.” Wolf is the only person who seems to understand the rage and fear Davey feels.
Slowly, with Wolf’s help, Davey realizes that she must get on with her life. But when will she be ready to leave the past behind and move toward the future? Will she ever stop hurting?

What Jamie Saw by Carolyn Coman, YR, 2000, Audio CDs, 1.5hrs, Rating=3
Source: library

"When Jamie saw him throw the baby, saw Van throw the little baby, saw Van throw his little sister Nin, then they moved."
"Nin's okay-Jamie knows that because his mom was there to catch her. And then Jamie and his mom and Nin moved into Earl's little trailer that loos like a silver toaster up in the hills in the middle of nowhere. Jamie imagines they are the only survivors of some catastrophe, them and Earl, who brings them food and makes sure they're okay. But then there's the county fair and Jamie wants to go. And there's the school and Mrs. Desrochers, Jamie's teacher, who keeps trying to get close. There isn't enough money for Christmas presents and the car doesn't always start and Jamie's mom is worried lots of the time. Jamie just practices his magic tricks and takes things as they come...until one day Van shows up.
"This chillingly rhythmic opening scene left me breathless and hooked...[this] story could have been bleak...instead, it comes laced with spiritual and literal magic."-"The New York Times Book Review.

The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop, YR, 1996, Hardcover, 64p, Rating=4
Source: library

The classic story about five clever brothers, each with a different extraordinary ability is "a dramatic retelling of an old Chinese tale". (The New York Public Library)". . . . when Bishop makes the tall brother stretch, the sea-swallower work, or the robust one hold his breath, young children will laugh and laugh".--New York Herald Tribune Books.

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks, AF, 2003, Audio CDs, 8.5hrs, Rating=3
Source: library

Nicholas Sparks expands on the romantic world he brought to life in THE NOTEBOOK, in which the enduring love of Allison and Noah transcended all barriers. Wilson Lewis is their son-in-law. When his daughter plans a wedding, Wilson contemplates his own thirty-year marriage - and is forced to admit that the romance has gone out of it. Although he is aware that his love for his wife, Jane, has only intensified over the years, Wilson realizes that he is close to losing her. But he wants nothing more than to make their marriage work. Now, with the memories of his in-laws' inspiring life together as a guide, Wilson pledges to find a way to make his wife fall in love with him again.

Starters by Lissa Price, YR, 2012, Audio CDs, 10.25hrs, Rating=3
Source: library

In the future, teens rent their bodies to seniors who want to be young again. One girl discovers her renter plans to do more than party--her body will commit murder, if her mind can't stop it. Sixteen-year-old Callie lost her parents when the genocide spore wiped out everyone except those who were vaccinated first--the very young and very old. With no grandparents to claim Callie and her little brother, they go on the run, living as squatters, and fighting off unclaimed renegades who would kill for a cookie. Hope comes via Prime Destinations, run by a mysterious figure known only as The Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to seniors, known as enders, who get to be young again. Callie's neurochip malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her rich renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, even dating Blake, the grandson of a senator. It's a fairy-tale new life . . . until she uncovers the Body Bank's horrible plan. . . .

***Images link to Amazon info/purchase.

Just the Ratings Part I

I've fallen so behind in reviews and with many books for review to read (and several book review requests pending) that I've decided not to do a full review on the fun reads I've done.  Hence, the following are just my ratings (these were read in March):


It's Only Natural by Lorraine M. Harding, NF, 2013, 271p, Kindle ebook, Rating=3
Source: own

By using natural cleaning products, not only will you be saving potentially hundreds of dollars each year but it is also an environmentally sound alternative to toxic, allergy producing house hold cleaning products. These cleaning recipes will not only leave your home and garden chemical free but are safe for children, pets, friendly for those who suffer from chemical allergies and ideal for those who just want to be more environmentally conscious.

Lightning Thief, YR, 2005, audio CDs, 10.25hrs, Rating=3
Source: library

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to stay out of trouble. But can he really be expected to stand by and watch while a bully picks on his scrawny best friend? Or not defend himself against his pre-algebra teacher when she turns into a monster and tries to kill him? Of course, no one believes Percy about the monster incident; he's not even sure he believes himself.
Until the Minotaur chases him to summer camp.
Suddenly, mythical creatures seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. The gods of Mount Olympus, he's coming to realize, are very much alive in the twenty-first century. And worse, he's angered a few of them: Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.
Now Percy has just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property, and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. On a daring road trip from their summer camp in New York to the gates of the Underworld in Los Angeles, Percy and his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena—will face a host of enemies determined to stop them. To succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of failure and betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Eat to Live by Joel Furhman, NF, 2003/2011, 380p, Hardcover, Rating=3
Source: library

Hailed a "medical breakthrough" by Dr. Mehmet Oz, EAT TO LIVE offers a highly effective, scientifically proven way to lose weight quickly. The key to Dr. Joel Fuhrman's revolutionary six-week plan is simple: health = nutrients / calories. When the ratio of nutrients to calories in the food you eat is high, you lose weight. The more nutrient-dense food you eat, the less you crave fat, sweets, and high-caloric foods.
EAT TO LIVE has been revised to include inspiring success stories from people who have used the program to lose shockingly large amounts of weight and recover from life-threatening illnesses; Dr. Fuhrman's nutrient density index; up-to-date scientific research supporting the principles behind Dr. Fuhrman's plan; new recipes and meal ideas; and much more. This easy-to-follow, nutritionally sound diet can help anyone shed pounds quickly-and keep them off.

Rings of Trust by Kittie Howard, YA, 2012, ebook, 100p, Rating=4
Source: gift from author

In a segregated South with a sharp racial divide, values are about to clash...
When David Broussard leaves Iwo Jima, the decorated Marine thinks he'll never be in combat again. He wants to be with his family, have an operation to remove wartime shrapnel, and get on with his life. But he can't, not in rural South Louisiana in 1953. The Ku Klux Klan is furious David Broussard's son, Remy, wants to go to a black friend's birthday party. The white supremacists come at the World War II veteran with unbridled fury. Since the Klan operates in secrecy, violence spreads during the night. Hit and run operations terrify those who live along the bayou road.
But something must be done. Moses Dubois is dead, lynched by the Klan. The white-robed supremacists are on the prowl, eager to kill again. When Henri Doucet disappears, David Broussard's idealism collides with the urgent need to protect his family. The Klan's left a note: 'You're next.' David can't act alone. He needs help. But whom to trust?

Return d to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs, AF, 2012, Playaway audio, 9hrs, Rating=3
Source: library

Sonnet Romano’s life is almost perfect. She has the ideal career, the ideal boyfriend, and has just been offered a prestigious fellowship. There’s nothing more a woman wants – except maybe a baby…sister? When Sonnet finds out her mother is unexpectedly expecting, and that the pregnancy is high-risk, she puts everything on hold – the job, the fellowship, the boyfriend – and heads home to Avalon. Once her mom is out of danger, Sonnet intends to pick up her life where she left off. But when her mother receives a devastating diagnosis, Sonnet must decide what really matters in life, even of that means staying in Avalon and taking a job that forces her to work alongside her biggest, and maybe her sweetest, mistake – award-winning filmmaker Zach Alger. So Sonnet embarks on a summer of laughter and tears, of old dreams and new possibilities, and of finding the home of her heart. At once heartbreaking and uplifting, Return to Willow Lake plumbs the deepest corners of the human heart, exploring the bonds of family, the perils and rewards of love, and the true meaning of home. Profoundly emotional and resonant, this is Susan Wiggs at her finest.

Every Day by David Levithan, YA, 2012, audio CDs, 8.5hrs, Rating=1
Source: library

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl. Every morning, A wakes in a different person's body, a different person's life. There's never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It's all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with--day in, day out, day after day.
With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A's world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.

Brief Reviews: Picture Books Edition

Caarina the Cooking Fairy by Julia Dweck, YR, 2012, Kindle ebook, 26p, Rating=3.5
Source: own

Caarina is all set to create a delicious feast for the Fairy Queen. However, a pesky gremlin attempts to foil Caarina’s plan. Can Caarina “beat” him? Who will be “whipped,” gremlin or fairy? Young readers will enjoy this clever fantasy adventure, sprinkled with word play and more than a dash of fabulous fairy fun for all! (Goodreads)

Cute story about determination, persistence, and faith in one's abilities.  Really lovely illustrations, very girl friendly.


Zombie-Kids by Julia Dweck, YR, 2012, Kindle ebook, 22p, Rating=5
Source: own

Zombie-Kids is a ghoulishly fun rhyming adventure. Did you know that zombies are people that have feelings, too? They like to be loved just like me and like you. Join the Zombie-Kids as they bowl, dance, skate, and go to the movies in their unique zombie-way. The Zombie-Kids will tingle your spine and tickle your funny bone. (Goodreads)

The illustrations are ghoulish and dark but the rhyming story provided an entertaining and light look.  The zombies here are fun and kid friendly.  This is my favorite Dweck book I've picked up to date.


Surprise in the Kitchen by Mary Lee, YR, 2012, 32p, Kindle ebook, Rating=3.5
Source: own

Mia is a sweet little girl with a big imagination. She loves adventure, but cooking is just not is not her thing. To show her mom just how much she loves her, Mia decides that she will try anything. The consequences are hilariously delightful. (Goodreads)

One can't help but adore Mia's adventurous imaginations.  Here her mom invites her to make cookies.  Of course it's more fun to eat them than make them.  Also more fun to imagine sweet treats in the sea, on trees, etc.  Later she decides to surprise her mom and make her breakfast.  You can imagine how that went!  ~Cute read.


The Wizard of Oz by Big Red Balloon, YR, 2013, p, Rating=3
Source: own

Based on the original L. Frank Baum's classic, this newly illustrated picture book is perfect for sharing with pre-and beginning readers. It's full of bright colorful pictures and short enough to hold their attention. This retelling even includes scenes like the giant evil spider and the land of porcelain dolls rarely seen from the original book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. (Amazon)

A synopsis kind of story telling.  For example, "Once there was a happy girl ... one day a tornado came ...then this happened, then that, ...".  A child friendly summary of the original Wizard of Oz story.  My only qualm was the size of the framing of the picture pages.  It was a bit too small (upper 1/3 of my Kindle screen) so I had to squint to read the words.


Not Just a Princess! by Mary Lee, YR, 2012, Kindle ebook, 32p, Rating=3.5
Source: own

Mia is a sweet little girl with a big imagination. She has lots of fun playing pirate, having tea with a mermaid and flying with rainbow-swans. In this adventure filled story, a girl has no limits on what she can be. (Goodreads)

Mia is not all pink, fairies, and princesses.  No, her imagination takes her to a world of pirates, mermaids, and flying swans.  This girl wants to explore.  Good for you Mia!

Brief Reviews: Young Reader Edition

Where on Earth Am I? by S. Moo, YR, 2012, Kindle ebook, 27p, Rating=3
Source: own

This is more of a teaser book since the story continues ..7 books in total.  I understand that there are fun stuff for the kids (coloring book, games, etc) in the printed version but I have the ebook edition so I don't have any of that.  Overall, it's a cute story of a cat finding a home.  The sneak peak to the second book looks interesting. --I'd recommend to cat lovers and to get the print form so that the kids can take advantage of the fun stuff.

There's No Such Thing As Monsters by Michael Yu, YR, 2012, Kindle ebook, 25p, Rating=3.5
Source: own

Bold and bright illustrations, rhythmic flow to the read, and a cute take on the fear of monsters in the dark.  I good book to introduce to toddlers that might help tame the fear of the "boogie man".

Andy and the Angry Dragon by Thomas Yu, YR, 2012, Kindle ebook, 30p, Rating=4
Source: own

A darling story about fantasy, bravery, and empathy.  It was well illustrated and I think an adorable read for toddler boys .. or tomboys.  :)

Brianna the Ballet Fairy by Julia Dweck, YR, 2012, Kindle ebook, 25p, Rating=4
Source: own

A whimsical rhyming tale of a little fairy that ends up learning that a great talent was inside of her all along.  A great self esteem booster for young girls.  The pastel illustrations added the perfect girly-girl touch.  Wonderful book!

Brief Reviews: Rodrick Rules, Your Happily Ever After, Forget Me Not

Still playing review catch up so here's a few more! Happy reading.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney, YR, 2009, 218p, rating=2.5
Source: own

The film adaptation of this book was the first of 10 movies that kicked off the $1 summer kid series at our local theatre.  The kids and I went to see it and I actually liked it!  I stumbled into the book about a month later in my son's book collection and thought, "Why not? I'm having a reading slump, I could use a laugh.".  So I read it and I definitely like the movie better!  The film version gave it a story with heart.  The book was just more antics (like first book) and was just not for me.  My 5 and 9 year-olds liked it though.  I guess I'm not a kid at heart after all!! ;)

Sidenote: We saw the film adaptation of book #4, Dog Days, when it came out this summer and it was a hoot!

Your Happily Ever After by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, NF -self-improvement, ebook, p2012, c2010,  64p, rating=5
Source:  own

This book was adapted from the author's talk in the April's General Conference in 2010.  You can read the original discourse HERE or purchase it prettied up for free for your Kindle HERE (don't know how long it'll be free). 

Here we read counsel on how we can achieve our very own "happily ever after".  Favorably geared for women but certainly the principles can apply for men as well.  Pres. Uchtdorf talks about what we can do between the "Once upon a time" to the "They lived happily ever after".  Here's an outline of what you will find in the book:

• Trial is part of the journey
• Stay true to what you know is right
• The gospel is the way to happily ever after

A wonderful, quick life affirming read.  Read it and be inspired to seize your happily ever after.

Forget Me Not by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, NF -self-improvement, ebook, p2012, c2011, 56p, rating=5
Source: own

Another General Conference talk (Oct. 2011) prettied up and made into a book by this author.  You can read the original discourse HERE or purchase it for free HERE for your Kindle. 

This counsel I greatly enjoyed.  I like how Pres. Uchtdorf premised this talk telling of the German legend of how this beautiful flower got it's name "...just as God had finished naming all the plants, one was left unnamed. A tiny voice spoke out, “Forget me not, O Lord!” And God replied that this would be its name." and then using this flower as a metaphor for his discourse .."The five petals of the little forget-me-not flower prompt me to consider five things we would be wise never to forget.". 

The five things are:

1. Forget not to be patient with yourself.
2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.
3. Forget not to be happy now.
4. Forget not the why of the gospel.
5. Forget not that the Lord loves you.

His words were simply keen, true, and inspiring.  This will definitely be one of those books I will turn to when I need a pick me up.

By the way, the images of forget-me-nots in this book were absolutely beautiful!  It's definitely now one of my favorite flowers.

Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf, a former German aviator and airline executive, is the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Uchtdorf was born to ethnic Germans Karl Albert Uchtdorf and Hildegard Else Opelt in Moravská Ostrava (German: Mährisch-Ostrau), which at the time was in the Nazi-occupied Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (now Ostrava, Czech Republic). When he was a child, his family moved to Zwickau in eastern Germany while his father was away in the army, traveling through areas being bombed. Uchtdorf's family joined the LDS Church when he was young as a result of his grandmother's encounter with a church member in a soup line.

When Uchtdorf was about ten, his father's political beliefs, incongruent with communist Russian rule, earned him the label of "dissenter", thus putting their lives in danger. They fled East Germany and resettled in American-occupied West Germany.

From 1959 to 1965 Uchtdorf served in the West German Air Force.

Uchtdorf first entered the aviation industry as a pilot, then became a chief pilot and later an executive for Lufthansa Airlines. In 1975 Uchtdorf was appointed head of Lufthansa's Arizona Training School, and in 1980 he was made head chief pilot of cockpit crews. He became the senior vice president of flight operations in 1982. (Image and profile info courtesy of Goodreads)