And now the second - One for the Money.
This book was recommended to me by my sister (you can check out her blog here) and she assured me I would enjoy it. I'm going to tentatively say I did.
Here's why tentatively - it wasn't at all what I was expecting. AT ALL. It really threw me off guard at first and it took me a while to settle into the plot. I strongly suspect that when I read it again (knowing what's coming) I will enjoy it very much. That's how it usually works.
And I know you are probably thinking: "What were you expecting?" Well...here's the deal. Everyone who told me to read the books (there were several) raved about how funny they are. And from the previews of the movie, I knew it was about a bounty hunter. So I was expecting a farce, satire, or other situational humor type book about a bounty hunter. Incorrect. It is at its heart a murder mystery - it is just told from a different point of view. Don't get me wrong - it is funny. Stephanie Plum is rather sassy and Joe Morelli reminds me vaguely of House. I definitely laughed a lot. But I also found myself double checking my locks every night and getting nervous every time my curtains moved.
Like I said - knowing what I'm getting into will probably make the second reading more enjoyable. I've just started the second book (Two for the Dough) and I'm prepared for it so I think that will also help me engage my true feelings toward Ms. Plum.
One for the Money is followed by seventeen other novels that I would rather not type out.The Stephanie Plum Series is written by Janet Evanovich and published by Scribner in hardback and later by St. Martin's Paperbacks.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey
It has been a little over a week since my last blog, but it was a really busy week so I guess that's okay. Because in that week I read two (that's right - two!) books. This post will be about the first one - The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey in case the title didn't tip you off. I will refer to it as Perilous Journey from now on though - because it is shorter and faster to type.
I read the first book (The Mysterious Benedict Society and there's a second part too!) a few months ago and very much enjoyed it. The second installment was equally enjoyable. I can't wait to read the third one. While there were not as many surprises in this one, I think the puzzles were more challenging (I'll admit that there were several I didn't get until the characters explained them) and the character were much better developed. I found the character of Constance to be infinitely more endearing (thanks to a twist at the end of the first book) in this book and I have to say I found it more nerve-wracking as well. I was up until all hours of the night reading it. I have the distinct impression this will be a series I truly miss once I'm done reading it.
Trenton Lee Stewart (author) has truly done a magnificent job creating a world that is as intriguing and mysterious as the characters who populate it. He has done for intelligence what Rick Riordan has done for mythology - he's made it cool. This is a great series for gifted and talented (or high achieving) students - especially those who aren't always comfortable being "the smart kid" in class.
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey is preceded by The Mysterious Benedict Society and followed by The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma. The Mysterious Benedict Series is written by Trenton Lee Stewart and published by Little, Brown and Company.
I read the first book (The Mysterious Benedict Society and there's a second part too!) a few months ago and very much enjoyed it. The second installment was equally enjoyable. I can't wait to read the third one. While there were not as many surprises in this one, I think the puzzles were more challenging (I'll admit that there were several I didn't get until the characters explained them) and the character were much better developed. I found the character of Constance to be infinitely more endearing (thanks to a twist at the end of the first book) in this book and I have to say I found it more nerve-wracking as well. I was up until all hours of the night reading it. I have the distinct impression this will be a series I truly miss once I'm done reading it.
Trenton Lee Stewart (author) has truly done a magnificent job creating a world that is as intriguing and mysterious as the characters who populate it. He has done for intelligence what Rick Riordan has done for mythology - he's made it cool. This is a great series for gifted and talented (or high achieving) students - especially those who aren't always comfortable being "the smart kid" in class.
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey is preceded by The Mysterious Benedict Society and followed by The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma. The Mysterious Benedict Series is written by Trenton Lee Stewart and published by Little, Brown and Company.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Bartimaeus: The Ring of Solomon
A little math to get us started: one $25 B&N gift card + one educator card + one membership card + one 20% off coupon + $8.15 = 6 brand new books. I love that kind of math. Why can't all math be that awesome?
When I shop for books unsupervised (which isn't often) I have to know exactly what I'm getting. If I go in to "browse" and just "find" something, I usually find five or six or seven somethings. So I marched myself into Barnes and Noble the other day and headed off to find One for the Money which they didn't have unless you bought it in a pack (and I knew I could get in cheaper online so I didn't get that either). Then I moved on to my favorite section - Children's Literature. I was looking specifically for The Secret Series (which was recommended to me by my students in the form of a very well written, well decorated, signed petition) and the last two books in the Mysterious Benedict Society Series (as you may recall I read the first one a while back). But, what should catch my eye but a brand new Bartimaeus book?
I have only written briefly on Bartimaeus in the past, but I absolutely love him. The Bartimaeus Trilogy is in my top 5. So, needless to say, I was thrilled upon discovering a new installment had been written. While this book does stand alone from the series (pick it up and you won't be lost - promise) it brought back one of my favorite characters and gave him a new lease on life. Often when I read a book I cry because it is sad. Only a handful of times have I cried because it was over: Harry Potter (like a baby during the book and movies), The Hunger Games (I missed Katniss so much when I finished reading), and Bartimaeus.
The Ring of Solomon takes place in Israel in 950 B.C.E. during the reign of King Solomon. Bartimaeus is an enslaved djinni who has zero filter and more than average intelligence. He is clever, cunning, witty, and sarcastic. He is also a great deal more calculating than others of his kind. He gets into trouble routinely - but somehow always manages to escape. Usually. These personality traits are really the only connecting factor between the new book and the original series. The writing style and main character are the same, but he is joined by a new host of supporting characters, including a wrathful king who is more than he seems (Solomon - yes that Solomon), a cruel and vindictive master with a huge secret (Khaba the Cruel), and a young, beautiful, misguided assassin (Asmira). When you add this to the distinctive narration of Bartimaeus, you remain on the edge of seat - which is dangerous because you are likely to laugh yourself to the floor if you aren't careful.
I will conclude with a plea - I know that these blogs are occasionally read by people far more important than myself (one was actually read by the author of the book I was writing about!). If any big-wig Hollywood producers are reading this: PLEASE bring Bartimaeus to life. And ask Matthew Gray Gubler to call me. Thanks!
Bartimaeus: The Ring of Solomon is written by Jonathan Stroud and published by Disney/Hyperion. It is a stand alone continuation of the best-selling Bartimaeus Trilogy which includes: The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate.
When I shop for books unsupervised (which isn't often) I have to know exactly what I'm getting. If I go in to "browse" and just "find" something, I usually find five or six or seven somethings. So I marched myself into Barnes and Noble the other day and headed off to find One for the Money which they didn't have unless you bought it in a pack (and I knew I could get in cheaper online so I didn't get that either). Then I moved on to my favorite section - Children's Literature. I was looking specifically for The Secret Series (which was recommended to me by my students in the form of a very well written, well decorated, signed petition) and the last two books in the Mysterious Benedict Society Series (as you may recall I read the first one a while back). But, what should catch my eye but a brand new Bartimaeus book?
I have only written briefly on Bartimaeus in the past, but I absolutely love him. The Bartimaeus Trilogy is in my top 5. So, needless to say, I was thrilled upon discovering a new installment had been written. While this book does stand alone from the series (pick it up and you won't be lost - promise) it brought back one of my favorite characters and gave him a new lease on life. Often when I read a book I cry because it is sad. Only a handful of times have I cried because it was over: Harry Potter (like a baby during the book and movies), The Hunger Games (I missed Katniss so much when I finished reading), and Bartimaeus.
The Ring of Solomon takes place in Israel in 950 B.C.E. during the reign of King Solomon. Bartimaeus is an enslaved djinni who has zero filter and more than average intelligence. He is clever, cunning, witty, and sarcastic. He is also a great deal more calculating than others of his kind. He gets into trouble routinely - but somehow always manages to escape. Usually. These personality traits are really the only connecting factor between the new book and the original series. The writing style and main character are the same, but he is joined by a new host of supporting characters, including a wrathful king who is more than he seems (Solomon - yes that Solomon), a cruel and vindictive master with a huge secret (Khaba the Cruel), and a young, beautiful, misguided assassin (Asmira). When you add this to the distinctive narration of Bartimaeus, you remain on the edge of seat - which is dangerous because you are likely to laugh yourself to the floor if you aren't careful.
I will conclude with a plea - I know that these blogs are occasionally read by people far more important than myself (one was actually read by the author of the book I was writing about!). If any big-wig Hollywood producers are reading this: PLEASE bring Bartimaeus to life. And ask Matthew Gray Gubler to call me. Thanks!
Bartimaeus: The Ring of Solomon is written by Jonathan Stroud and published by Disney/Hyperion. It is a stand alone continuation of the best-selling Bartimaeus Trilogy which includes: The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate.
Monday, January 30, 2012
New Year's Resolutions
Holy Crow! Can you believe it has been more than three months since I last blogged!!! I think I was seriously delusional when I thought that I would be able to blog every day AND teach fifth grade. The truth is, I probably can't. It takes discipline to blog daily and after a long day at work - discipline doesn't usually make it home. So why am I blogging about not being able to blog? Aha! That is not why I'm blogging! But you probably knew that already.
First, I want to let you know about the one (and only) resolution I am making this year. I am going to keep blogging, and blog more regularly. I realize now that daily is a bit preposterous for my life, so I'm amending it to weekly. My goal now is to blog at least once a week about what I'm reading. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately) I've not been reading as much as I did over the summer so one blog a week should more than suffice to keep you up to date with what's going on in my library.
To go back and blog about the past three months of books would be ridiculous (there are at least fifteen books). Perhaps someday soon I will list the books I've read recently so you are up to speed - but don't expect more than that. We will start with new books. Not today. Maybe tomorrow. I'm reading The Astounding Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl but I'm only four pages in, so I can't say much more. I'm on the way to the book store now (the girl I mentored for her senior project gave me a gift certificate - yes!!) so I'll probably move to one of those pending purchases. One for the Money is at the top of that list.
So to recap - I'm still here! I'll be blogging weekly (hopefully). And, I'm enjoying the weather. That is all.
First, I want to let you know about the one (and only) resolution I am making this year. I am going to keep blogging, and blog more regularly. I realize now that daily is a bit preposterous for my life, so I'm amending it to weekly. My goal now is to blog at least once a week about what I'm reading. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately) I've not been reading as much as I did over the summer so one blog a week should more than suffice to keep you up to date with what's going on in my library.
To go back and blog about the past three months of books would be ridiculous (there are at least fifteen books). Perhaps someday soon I will list the books I've read recently so you are up to speed - but don't expect more than that. We will start with new books. Not today. Maybe tomorrow. I'm reading The Astounding Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl but I'm only four pages in, so I can't say much more. I'm on the way to the book store now (the girl I mentored for her senior project gave me a gift certificate - yes!!) so I'll probably move to one of those pending purchases. One for the Money is at the top of that list.
So to recap - I'm still here! I'll be blogging weekly (hopefully). And, I'm enjoying the weather. That is all.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
As a second year fifth grade teacher and former second grade teacher, I'm almost ashamed to admit I'm just now reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I'm ninety percent sure that ninety percent of my current and former students have read these books. I am positive that many of my students are only readers today because of these books. And so, I feel equally positive I should have already read them. But I hadn't...until today.
I read the first book today (they're really easy and fast reads for grown-ups and a pretty moderate read for fifth graders). I found it incredibly enjoyable. Greg (the main character) makes me laugh, and reminds me so much of my students. I'm amazed at how well the author was able to capture the essence of a ten-year-old boy. I wish I had gone ahead and brought the second book home so I could have started on it already...but I look forward to pulling the second one out and watching my students freak when they see I already finished the first one. Seriously - their faces are hysterical; they are absolutely amazed at how fast I read. Sometimes I think I only read to impress them.
On a side note: my class as almost read 10,000,000 (the TEN million) words already this year. I'm super proud! Yay!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is followed by Rodrick Rules, The Last Straw, Dog Days, The Ugly Truth, and as of November 15, 2011 Cabin Fever. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is written by Jeff Kinney and published by Amulet Books.
I read the first book today (they're really easy and fast reads for grown-ups and a pretty moderate read for fifth graders). I found it incredibly enjoyable. Greg (the main character) makes me laugh, and reminds me so much of my students. I'm amazed at how well the author was able to capture the essence of a ten-year-old boy. I wish I had gone ahead and brought the second book home so I could have started on it already...but I look forward to pulling the second one out and watching my students freak when they see I already finished the first one. Seriously - their faces are hysterical; they are absolutely amazed at how fast I read. Sometimes I think I only read to impress them.
On a side note: my class as almost read 10,000,000 (the TEN million) words already this year. I'm super proud! Yay!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is followed by Rodrick Rules, The Last Straw, Dog Days, The Ugly Truth, and as of November 15, 2011 Cabin Fever. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is written by Jeff Kinney and published by Amulet Books.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Power of Six
Sorry it has taken me forever to post...especially since I finished this book nearly a week ago...but two words have ruled my waking hours since then - report cards. *full body shiver* My report cards took me FOREVER. I seriously sat at this computer for thirteen hours on Saturday and worked on them. And that's just the entry part - nevermind the grading and folding and stuffing and writing and calculating it took to actually get them home. But home they are. Thankfully. And so - back to blogging.
If you didn't see "I am Number Four," which was out in theaters in February - good. Go read the book. It was infinitely better. While the script was fairly accurate (especially the first scene), the acting was not exceptionally wonderful and the actors failed to bring to life the characters they were set to portray (with the possible exception of Callan McAuliffe who played Sam and the definite exception of Jake Abel who played Mark). As much as I love Glee and really wanted to love Dianna Agron - I really didn't. Peter - don't hate me - but I feel this movie had a bad case of the "Twilight"s. Meaning - substandard actors asked to play larger than life characters. But this movie had better starting material and didn't have Kristen Stewart. Again, Peter - sorry.
But all that is really neither here nor there because I'm not even talking about the book I am Number Four. I'm talking about (or supposed to be talking about but seriously failing) the book's sequel - The Power of Six. Number Four (a.k.a. John), Number Six (a.k.a. Six - she's not terribly creative), and Sam (a.k.a. Sam - he's not an alien so he doesn't get a nickname) are running from the law - but more importantly from a group of murderous aliens. But the author(s) throw a change up and introduce a new Garde (fancy term for the good aliens - Numbers One thru Nine, even though One, Two, and Three are dead), Number Seven. She begins the book and I'll admit I was thrown when we suddenly changed back to John (Number Four - keep up). Different fonts help keep the characters and plots separate - which I greatly appreciated at three in the morning when I was finishing the book. All-in-all, The Power of Six was just as thrilling as the first, introduced some new characters that you'll fall in love with, and answered some lingering questions while (of course) posing new ones. While I'll admit it isn't exactly the most mysterious book (some plot twists were easily figured out well in advance - not quite ruining the ending, but almost) it is a fun read and I look forward to the movie. Assuming of course they make one.
The Power of Six is preceded by I am Number Four. The Lorien Legacies series is written by "Pittacus Lore" (a pseudonym for James Frey and Jobie Hughes - and a mysterious character in the book) and published by HarperCollins. There are a total of six proposed books - but The Power of Six just came out in August so be prepared to wait for them.
If you didn't see "I am Number Four," which was out in theaters in February - good. Go read the book. It was infinitely better. While the script was fairly accurate (especially the first scene), the acting was not exceptionally wonderful and the actors failed to bring to life the characters they were set to portray (with the possible exception of Callan McAuliffe who played Sam and the definite exception of Jake Abel who played Mark). As much as I love Glee and really wanted to love Dianna Agron - I really didn't. Peter - don't hate me - but I feel this movie had a bad case of the "Twilight"s. Meaning - substandard actors asked to play larger than life characters. But this movie had better starting material and didn't have Kristen Stewart. Again, Peter - sorry.
But all that is really neither here nor there because I'm not even talking about the book I am Number Four. I'm talking about (or supposed to be talking about but seriously failing) the book's sequel - The Power of Six. Number Four (a.k.a. John), Number Six (a.k.a. Six - she's not terribly creative), and Sam (a.k.a. Sam - he's not an alien so he doesn't get a nickname) are running from the law - but more importantly from a group of murderous aliens. But the author(s) throw a change up and introduce a new Garde (fancy term for the good aliens - Numbers One thru Nine, even though One, Two, and Three are dead), Number Seven. She begins the book and I'll admit I was thrown when we suddenly changed back to John (Number Four - keep up). Different fonts help keep the characters and plots separate - which I greatly appreciated at three in the morning when I was finishing the book. All-in-all, The Power of Six was just as thrilling as the first, introduced some new characters that you'll fall in love with, and answered some lingering questions while (of course) posing new ones. While I'll admit it isn't exactly the most mysterious book (some plot twists were easily figured out well in advance - not quite ruining the ending, but almost) it is a fun read and I look forward to the movie. Assuming of course they make one.
The Power of Six is preceded by I am Number Four. The Lorien Legacies series is written by "Pittacus Lore" (a pseudonym for James Frey and Jobie Hughes - and a mysterious character in the book) and published by HarperCollins. There are a total of six proposed books - but The Power of Six just came out in August so be prepared to wait for them.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Son of Neptune
Before I beginning talking about my most recent book, a bit of breaking news. If you haven't already heard, Steve Jobs died today. While I don't think I actually owned anything he helped bring about, the death of a cultural and technological icon is upsetting. Not to mention he is the same age as my mother and leaves behind a great deal of mourners. Even knowing the end of his cancer battle was likely imminent, I admit I got a little choked up when I called my mom to tell her.
The good news is: The Son of Neptune was AMAZING!!! The bad news is: the next installment is not scheduled for release until fall 2012. Which is incredibly depressing. Especially considering it is about my favorite character who wasn't in this book save one flimsy dream sequence!
I should probably go back a bit and tell you about Rick Riordan. His most popular works revolve around mythology. He began with Greek, moved to Egyptian, swung back up to Rome and has now begun blending Greek and Roman. When I was a kid - mythology was geeky. If you liked mythology, understood mythology, or (Heaven forbid) remembered and regularly referred to mythology in your everyday life (guilty!) then you were a super nerd. Period. End of discussion. But Rick Riordan has single-handedly made mythology cool. Not just that, stunningly impressive, engrossing, and thrilling. Children (and fifth-grade teachers) eagerly await his newest releases. They wait with bated breathe for the next jaw-dropping discovery.
Unfortunately I cannot say too much about the plot of the book for two reasons: A) even the first page is packed with major spoilers if you are currently reading any of the other books (with the exception of the Kane Chronicles - though I suspect those paths will cross someday), and B) you probably would be immediately lost if you haven't read the other books. That being said, the book was surprisingly stand-alone when looked at in conjunction with the first book in this series, The Lost Hero. I do however, wish to share two quotes from the book that struck a chord with me.
The first: "Life is only precious because it ends, kid." This is spoken by Mars - the god of war (or Ares for you Greek followers). A surprising idea to come from the patron god of bloodshed. But while the Greek counterpart was especially known for his savagery, the Roman god was more tame and understanding of the true nature, and cost, of battle. Interesting.
The second: "There is no fairness in Death." Equally, or perhaps more so, surprising than Mars' quote, this quote comes from a central plot character in the only scene to include him - Thanatos, or Death. He realizes that his job, his duty, includes an unavoidable amount of unfairness, and he seems truly remorseful about that. But, like it or not, he understands that while unfair, he still has a job to do. I wonder now if the author of The Book Thief used this mythological Death as his inspiration when writing that book. The two characters seem strikingly similar - almost as though written by the same hand. Food for thought.
Anyway - read the book(s)...you really ought to read the first book, and the entire Percy Jackson series for the matter. And while you're at it - throw in the Kane Chronicles too.
The Son of Neptune is preceded by The Lost Hero. The Heroes of Olympus series is written by Rick Riordan and published by Disney/Hyperion. I guess the argument could be made that it is also preceded by the entire Percy Jackson series: The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian.
The good news is: The Son of Neptune was AMAZING!!! The bad news is: the next installment is not scheduled for release until fall 2012. Which is incredibly depressing. Especially considering it is about my favorite character who wasn't in this book save one flimsy dream sequence!
I should probably go back a bit and tell you about Rick Riordan. His most popular works revolve around mythology. He began with Greek, moved to Egyptian, swung back up to Rome and has now begun blending Greek and Roman. When I was a kid - mythology was geeky. If you liked mythology, understood mythology, or (Heaven forbid) remembered and regularly referred to mythology in your everyday life (guilty!) then you were a super nerd. Period. End of discussion. But Rick Riordan has single-handedly made mythology cool. Not just that, stunningly impressive, engrossing, and thrilling. Children (and fifth-grade teachers) eagerly await his newest releases. They wait with bated breathe for the next jaw-dropping discovery.
Unfortunately I cannot say too much about the plot of the book for two reasons: A) even the first page is packed with major spoilers if you are currently reading any of the other books (with the exception of the Kane Chronicles - though I suspect those paths will cross someday), and B) you probably would be immediately lost if you haven't read the other books. That being said, the book was surprisingly stand-alone when looked at in conjunction with the first book in this series, The Lost Hero. I do however, wish to share two quotes from the book that struck a chord with me.
The first: "Life is only precious because it ends, kid." This is spoken by Mars - the god of war (or Ares for you Greek followers). A surprising idea to come from the patron god of bloodshed. But while the Greek counterpart was especially known for his savagery, the Roman god was more tame and understanding of the true nature, and cost, of battle. Interesting.
The second: "There is no fairness in Death." Equally, or perhaps more so, surprising than Mars' quote, this quote comes from a central plot character in the only scene to include him - Thanatos, or Death. He realizes that his job, his duty, includes an unavoidable amount of unfairness, and he seems truly remorseful about that. But, like it or not, he understands that while unfair, he still has a job to do. I wonder now if the author of The Book Thief used this mythological Death as his inspiration when writing that book. The two characters seem strikingly similar - almost as though written by the same hand. Food for thought.
Anyway - read the book(s)...you really ought to read the first book, and the entire Percy Jackson series for the matter. And while you're at it - throw in the Kane Chronicles too.
The Son of Neptune is preceded by The Lost Hero. The Heroes of Olympus series is written by Rick Riordan and published by Disney/Hyperion. I guess the argument could be made that it is also preceded by the entire Percy Jackson series: The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian.
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