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Monday, October 22, 2012

"Madeline"

by Ludwig Bemelmans, YR, 1967, c1939, 48p, rating=4
Source: library

Madeline is one of the best-loved characters in children's literature. Set in picturesque Paris, this tale of a brave little girl's trip to the hospital was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1940 and has as much appeal today as it did then. The combination of a spirited heroine, timelessly appealing art, cheerful humor, and rhythmic text makes Madeline a perennial favorite with children of all ages. (Goodreads)

I recognize this famous name and I do not doubt that the story, whether through book or TV show. have come across my way.  But I do not remember such a specific event (you may recall, I have a memory of a thousand elephants) so I wanted to read it and experience this well loved classic picture book. 

Certainly Madeline, the character, had spunk.  A lovable Anne of Green Gable spirited quality that is likable.  Madeline stood out among the twelve children and put fun into a rigid routine.  She initiated the spirit of being a lovely, carefree child which later the rest wanted to emulate. 

This is a wonderful and simple rhyming book for young children.  The illustrations were a great compliment as well.  The setting, a treat.  Overall, a read that was whimsical and invited this reader to see Madeline's sweet outlook.  It gave me a bit of a homesick feeling for similar innocent times in my girlhood. 

Simply a charming book.  The children exemplified what being a child at heart means. 

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Book Loot Giddy

Yikes, it's been 3 weeks since my last BLG!  Lots of giddiness went on too!! 


Woohoo, I got a book in the mail!  The author signed it and wrote a sweet note for my daughter too!!  Thank you so much Ms. Trudi Trueit.

Won:
Stealing Popular




Kindle freebie:
Afraid



Fallen Autumn



HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE (BELLYACHE, #2)

Silver (The Silver #1)



True of Blood (Witch Fairy #1)



Under a Prairie Moon



Witch Eyes (Witch Eyes, #1)



For Review:
All I Want



Finding the Baby Jesus



Once Upon a Baby: A Tale of Adoption



Reaping Me Softly



Free Download from Internet:
The Last Ringbearer



Purchased (getting ready for Christmas!):

I bought these in one sitting!  Talk about book loot giddy!!

Top 3 books in stack + plant book were actually gifts from my
local library during Family Library Day

Friday, October 19, 2012

Grimm Diaries Prequels by Cameron Jace

 
Snow White Blood Red; Ashes to Ashes Cinder to Cinder (didn't read this one); Beauty Never Dies; Ladle Rat Rotten Hut; Mary Mary Quite Contrary: by Cameron Jace, YA, 2012, Kindle ebook editions, rating=4
Source: purchased individually for free

What if all you knew about fairy tales was wrong?

Book description of Snow White Blood Red: A Grimm Diaries Prequel as told by the Snow White Queen:

I have always wondered why you never asked about my name. Was I so superficial to you? So stereotypical and mundane? Why did you treat me as if I were just the monster of the week? You know what I think? You never had the time to really hate me. You wanted to hate me, long before you even met me. You wanted to scrape my existence and avenge your childhood princess by laying all blame on me. What if they didn’t call me the Evil Queen, what if I told you the real story from my point of view instead of hers, would you ever think of me as an angel? Could I ever make you care? I know that deep inside of you, you adore me,but you’re just scared, afraid to admit how much you love the Snow White Queen.

This Grimm Diaries Prequels are a number of short books in the form of epistolary diary entries. The diaries are more of teasers for the upcoming series: The Grimm Diaries, allowing you to get a glimpse of what to expect of the series.

*Reviewing the prequels as a whole instead of individually*
 
I lucked out and discovered these prequels during the one-prequel-a-day freebie promotion (bummer, I missed the second book, I must have been having sex that day).  What gems!  They were strange yet fantastic twists to classic fairy tales.  They were quick and enjoyable reads.  The storytelling was imaginative with a touch of humor.  I truly got a kick out of the takes and I think those who especially like fairy tale re-tellings will do too.  Furthermore, these prequels did their job, now I'm pumped for Grimm Diaries!

This author is a gem as well.  Apparently, the initial publication had many writing errors.  He took these critiques (some quite harsh) and made the necessary changes.  What a trooper.  Certainly a sign of a great author in my book.  Well done, Mr. Jace! 


Monday, October 15, 2012

Here Comes the Boom!

This is my kind of movie!  I needed some cheering up and for the hour and forty-five minutes that this was on, I was definitely cheered.  I laughed, cried, and was inspired.  I came out of this motion picture, happy.  It was laugh out loud funny and heartwarming.  The ultimate recipe for a winning film!  Thanks Honey for a great movie choice for our date night.

The cast was incredible.  They all were a perfect fit.  Every role was important to the story and I couldn't help but fall in love with them all!  They all contributed to conveying the message of conquering fears, dreams, goals, and much more.  I love, love, love this movie! See it and you'll understand. 

Here Comes the Boom had a lot of heart and you know I love hearts!  I give it 5 stars ..a must see! Now, this needs to be written into a book and I'm on it like white on rice!  :)


“Without music life would be a mistake”

In the comedy Here Comes the Boom, former collegiate wrestler Scott Voss (Kevin James) is a 42-year-old apathetic biology teacher in a failing high school. When cutbacks threaten to cancel the music program and lay off its teacher (Henry Winkler,) Scott begins to raise money by moonlighting as a mixed martial arts fighter. Everyone thinks Scott is crazy – most of all the school nurse, Bella (Salma Hayek) – but in his quest, Scott gains something he never expected as he becomes a sensation that rallies the entire school.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Cover Reveal: The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

I'm a couple of weeks late but here it is!! It comes out first day of 2013.  Hoping to get my hands on it ..maybe win an ARC copy from the author's contest HERE (hurry it ends today)?  ;)

I absolutely loved Ms Harrington's book, Clarity, so I'm eager to read another of her books.  Clarity's sequel Perception is on my wish list and now so is this one! 

Inviting cover, huh?  Sure makes me want to find out what got her to that point!


Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school -- until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Freebie Alert: Afraid by J.A. Konrath and Jack Kilborn

Here's one that seems like a perfect read for Halloween.  ~Horror's not my cup of tea but it might be yours.

I'll give it a shot.  If it gets too scary I'll just close the book ..or in this case, tap the home icon. ;)

Kindle ebook edition 
Get it for free HERE

SSMG Winner!



Congratulations Rhonda D.!  You are my Sharing Some Mail Giddiness winner.  You have won a copy of Justice at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels.  You have 72hrs to reply to the email I sent you.

Until the next time!  Take care.

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