Category Archives: Uncategorized

VAMPIRE KISSES: THE BEGINNING
Author: Ellen Schreiber

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (April 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006177894X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061778940

SYNOPSIS:

A new guy in town.

Rumors of vampires.

Dangerous first love.

This is where it all begins. . . .

The mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood empty for years. But one day it seems to be occupied, and its mysterious, handsome inhabitant Alexander Sterling becomes the source of much talk around town. Raven, a vampire-obsessed Goth-girl who has always considered herself an outsider in “Dullsville,” is determined to uncover the truth surrounding the secretive Alexander. As she gets to know him, and their spark intensifies, Raven finds herself in some unanticipated situations. Can Alexander make her lifelong dream come true? But love always has its complications—especially when it can only be awakened at nightfall.

MY TAKE:

This was a vampire story for young adults. At least that is what it says on the product description. I would have to say though, that if toddlers could read, they wouldn’t even bother with it. This book features the first three books in the Vampire Kisses series. The first book was okay to read, but as you moved on to the second and third book you sill start to feel like throwing it in the trash. The writing was juvenile, the plot was boring, and we hardly even get to hear from the main paranormal character of the book! We get to hear from Raven and her life at school, her friendship with Becky, and her constant bickering with Trevor who is the class snob! I am glad I had this on loan from the library and didn’t spend my money on it. If anything, I would only recommend the first book in this series. I don’t even think I will bother with reading the rest in this series.

MY RATING:

I did not enjoy this

book

THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH
Author: Allison Hoover Bartlett

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (September 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594488916
• ISBN-13: 978-1594488917

SYNOPSIS:
Rare-book theft is even more widespread than fine-art theft. Most thieves, of course, steal for profit. John Charles Gilkey steals purely for the love of books. In an attempt to understand him better, journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett plunged herself into the world of book lust and discovered just how dangerous it can be. Gilkey is an obsessed, unrepentant book thief who has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of rare books from book fairs, stores, and libraries around the country. Ken Sanders is the self-appointed “bibliodick” (book dealer with a penchant for detective work) driven to catch him. Bartlett befriended both outlandish characters and found herself caught in the middle of efforts to recover hidden treasure. With a mixture of suspense, insight, and humor, she has woven this entertaining cat-and-mouse chase into a narrative that not only reveals exactly how Gilkey pulled off his dirtiest crimes, where he stashed the loot, and how Sanders ultimately caught him but also explores the romance of books, the lure to collect them, and the temptation to steal them. Immersing the reader in a rich, wide world of literary obsession, Bartlett looks at the history of book passion, collection, and theft through the ages, to examine the craving that makes some people willing to stop at nothing to possess the books they love.
MY TAKE:
I found myself doubtful at reading a non-fiction book. To tell the truth, I think they are too slow, and when I read I want to escape real life. I thought this was just going to be a book about someone who just collects their favorite books. When I first started reading it though, I found similarities in this man and my obsession with books. I thought to myself, OMG! That could so be me! I love the part where he describes how people love to show off their bookcases and calls them my library! I am constantly showing off my new books and I am always telling my husband that we need a library room. I would be in heaven! Frankly, it scares me now. Am I destined to be a book thief? No. Do I collect books? Yes. I am obsessed with collecting books. If I find a great author, I instantly want to own every book this author has published. I even have a shelf of books, which my family knows it as ‘Touch-this-shelf-and I-chop-off-your-hands!’ shelf, that includes my ARCs and signed copies. Would I ever steal them from someone? No. So, I am overjoyed to know that I am not that bad. This book opened my eyes to the many amazing books that we hold so dear and rare. To think people actually pay up in the hundreds of thousands for some books. I can see where someone would want to own them, but I don’t think I could go so far as to steal them as this man has. This is a true story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession just like the subtitle states. You will get sucked in from the first chapter all the way to the last. Be warned though, you may not like the similarities in the book thief and yourself!

MY RATING:

THE WELL-BEHAVED CHILD: DISCIPLINE THAT REALLY WORKS!
Author: John Rosemond

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785229043
• ISBN-13: 978-0785229049

SYNOPSIS:

A parenting workshop in a book!

The biggest frustration felt by today’s parents is in the area of discipline. Family psychologist, best-selling author, and parenting expert John Rosemond uses his thirty-six years of professional experience working with families to develop the quintessential “how to” book for parents. Rosemond’s step-by-step program, based on biblical principles, traditional parenting approaches, and common sense, covers a wide range of discipline problems applicable to children from toddler to teen.

Sections include:

• Essential Discipline Principles
• Essential Discipline Tools
• Perplexing Problems and Simple Solutions
• Not Your Everyday Problems
• General Questions and Answers (Troubleshooting)

Filled with real-life examples that anyone who’s ever been around children can relate to, this book is sure to be one of the most valuable, helpful resources parents have ever stumbled across.

MY TAKE:

I admit it. I have a 4 year old that is a problem child. She could scare Super Nanny away within 5 minutes! I have searched high and low for a book that would help me get her under control. After reading this book, I am still looking. Every suggestion in this book are ones that I have already tried and have already failed. This book just puts a new spin on the current methods that are already out there. This book would be great for a new parent of an infant to help them have a guide to start with, but since I didn’t get to have this book from the beginning, I find myself still searching for the one thing that will work for me. Maybe these techniques can work for your child, so don’t be afraid to try this book! Maybe I just have a stubborn child who refuses to listen to her mom!

MY RATING:

A Decent Read