I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME
Author: Lisa Schroeder
Source: Library

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse (January 8, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416955208
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416955207

SYNOPSIS:
Girl meets boy.

Girl loses boy.

Girl gets boy back…

…sort of.

Ava can’t see him or touch him, unless she’s dreaming. She can’t hear hisvoice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she’scrazy, but she knows he’s here.

Jackson. The boy Ava thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. He’s back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds.

MY THOUGHTS:

If you are looking for an amazing read, then this is the book. It is written in verse, which fits the mood of the book perfectly. I loved this book. I finished it in about 30 minutes, but it was a long 30 minutes due to crying along the way. You can feel the pain and sadness that Ava goes through, the helplessness her parents go through, and the guilt felt as well. I cried like a baby with this book. Then when I tried to tell my hubby about it, I cried all over again. This author knows how to write a book to move a reader. This is a young adult book, but also a great book for adults as well.

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!


THE GHOST, THE EGGHEADS,
AND BABE RUTH’S PIANO

Author: Larry Sweitzer
Source: Author
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

  • Reading level: Ages 9-12
  • Paperback: 180 pages
  • Publisher: iUniverse (November 7, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1440171041
  • ISBN-13: 978-1440171048

SYNOPSIS:

It’s the summer of 2004 and Freddie Holtzman can’t wait to get to Camp Mason, a summer camp for eggheads or rather, gifted teens. He hopes to reconnect with Ginny Haig, a girl he met at camp last year. Freddie’s old friends, Logan and Monty, are there along with some new faces. He tries to win Ginny’s affection, but every time he tries to talk to her, he says-and does-nerdy things.

At Camp Mason, a science fair pits the eggheads against one another for the top prize of a five thousand dollar scholarship. But, when the projects go missing, friendships are put to the test, relationships get put on hold, and everyone’s a suspect. To make matters worse, the camp is haunted by young Billy Mason who died there decades ago. The boys are determined to solve the mystery of the ghost and the missing science projects.

Freddie’s quest to win the scholarship-and the girl of his dreams-are constantly in jeopardy. There are complications at every turn: the ghost, a creepy caretaker, Freddie’s high school nemesis, a cantankerous camp manager, and a saboteur all threaten his chance to win the prize and Ginny’s heart.

MY THOUGHTS:

First of all I would like to thank the author, Larry Sweitzer, for the ARC and signed copy of this book!

Teens and adults who read this book will get a wonderful story to sit down and read. It features ghost stories, boys trying to get the girls to notice them, camping and great writing. I was so thrilled with this book! The only thing I didn’t like was how short it was! I was so wrapped up in reading this book that before I knew it, the story came to an end and it only took me about an hour. I so wanted this book to keep going even though I know that all books must come to an end.

This story has humor, young love, spooky ghost stories, and a story that will keep you glued to the last page! I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next!

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!


GOD GAVE US LOVE
Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren

Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge for an honest review*

  • Reading level: Ages 4-8
  • Hardcover: 40 pages
  • Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 15, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1400074479
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400074471

SYNOPSIS:
As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable. In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because… “Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.” This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”

MY THOUGHTS:
When it comes to reviewing book for children, I use a few different things to determine my opinion on it.
Was my child focused on the book as we read it together? Yes
Did she enjoy all the pictures or artwork throughout the book? Yes
Did she understand the meaning of what the book was about when we
discussed it afterwords? Yes
Did she ask me to read it again? Yes

My daughter and I both enjoyed this book. We are loving all the artwork and the story. The author writes themes with a child in mind. Easy for them to comprehend and enjoy at the same time.

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!


GOD GAVE US CHRISTMAS
Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren

* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
Source: Publisher

  • Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  • Hardcover: 40 pages
  • Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 10, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1400071755
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400071753

SYNOPSIS:
As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… “Who invented Christmas?”
Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that… Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.

MY THOUGHTS:
When it comes to reviewing book for children, I use a few different things to determine my opinion on it.
Was my child focused on the book as we read it together? Yes
Did she enjoy all the pictures or artwork throughout the book? Yes
Did she understand the meaning of what the book was about when we
discussed it afterwords? Yes
Did she ask me to read it again? Yes
An all around book that my daughter and I both enjoyed. The artwork is gorgeous and my daughter could understand what was being told through the authors words. A perfect book to share with a child.

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!


DECODING THE LOST SYMBOL
Author: Simon Cox
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
Source: FSB Associates

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Touchstone (November 3, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0743287274
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743287272

SYNOPSIS:
Dan Brown’s new novel once again features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, this time in the United States, racing to uncover clues and crack codes involving secrets that are perpetuated to this day. But how much of the novel is true and what is pure fiction? Simon Cox, bestselling author of Cracking the Da Vinci Code and Illuminating Angels & Demons, offers the first definitive guide to all the mysteries featured in The Lost Symbol.

Based on extensive research, this A-to-Z guide lists the real people, organizations, and themes featured in Dan Brown’s latest novel, explains their histories and their meanings, reproduces and analyzes the symbols themselves, and provides insider knowledge gleaned from years of exhaustive study. From the monuments of Washington, D.C., to the secrets of Salt Lake City and the hidden enclaves in Langley, Virginia, Cox knows where the facts are hidden about the Freemasons, Albert Pike, the Rosicrucians, the Founding Fathers, and more.

This is the only resource you’ll need to understand and enjoy the complex new world of The Lost Symbol.

MY THOUGHTS:

I was one of those people that didn’t like The Da Vinci Code or Angels & Demons. You had to think to much to understand what was going on and when I read or watch a movie I want to enjoy, not to cause brain overload. So I knew I was not going to be a fan of The Lost Symbol.

Now that I have read this book, I understand things more clearly and have gotten an idea of secret meanings and conspiracies. This book explains things easily for some of us that like to just enjoy, not think too much. It explains the meaning of symbols, The Great Pyramids and even the symbolism of the dollar bill. I received a history lesson while reading it and I actually enjoyed the lesson!

This is a great book for fans of the movies and books. It gives you the insider track on everything!

MY RATING:


Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!