Coraline

Coraline by Neil Gaiman; illustrated by Dave Mckean

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0380977788
ISBN-13: 978-0380977789

I must admit that I came to read this book because of Gaiman's latest novel, The Graveyard Book. I was so enamored with his writing, I am trying to read all his works.

This is the story of a young girl named Coraline (who remains polite, even when you call her Caroline). She has moved with her parents into an old house which has been converted into four flats. Both of Coraline's parents work at home, and sometimes she feels a bit ignored and bored. Her neighbors inclue the Misses Spink and Forcible - two retired actresses who live together in the bottom flat - and Mr. Bobo - an avid mouse trainer who lives in the topmost flat.

Coraline's flat has many doors and windows. There is one door, in the drawing room, that remains locked most of the time. When her mother opens this door for Coraline to see, there is nothing behind the door but a brick wall. But when Coraline's parents aren't home, she opens the door and it leads into another flat - a flat very much like her own, only with her "other" mother, father, neighbors, and a talking cat. Thus begins Coraline's adventure.

Gaiman is a wonderful storyteller and I thoroughly enjoyed this deliciously creepy novella. Originally published in 2002, this book won the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Novella, the 2003 Nebula Award for Best Novella, and the 2002 Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers. It has been compared to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland because of its surrealism and plot based on an alternate-reality. Coraline has been adapted into a 2009 stop-motion film directed by Henry Selick.

Let There Be Light

Let There Be Light: The Story of Rural Electrification in Kentucky by David Dick

Hardcover: 314 pages
Publisher: Plum Lick Pub
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0975503731
ISBN-13: 978-0975503737

This book is David Dick’s history of how electricity came to rural Kentucky. The book features a chapter on each of the state’s 26 electric co-ops, told through the experiences of the people whose lives were changed by the coming of electricity.

When the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) came into existence in 1935, 90% of the rural areas in the United States had no electricity. Dick tells this story using extensive interviews with Kentuckians before and after the introduction of electricity.

A fascinating read, especially after the ice storm of 2009 crippled Kentucky’s electrical infrastructure.

Way Back Wednesday - The Tin Woodman of Oz

The Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Tin Woodman of Oz is the twelfth Land of Oz book written by L. Frank Baum and was originally published on May 13, 1918. The Tin Woodman is unexpectedly reunited with his Munchkin sweetheart Nimmie Amee from the days when he was flesh and blood. This was a backstory from The Wizard of Oz.

The book was dedicated to the author's grandson Frank Alden Baum.

The Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow are reliving tales at the Tin Woodman's palace in the Winkie Country when a Gillikin boy named Woot wanders comes to see them. After he is fed and rested, Woot asks the Tin Woodman how he came to be made of tin. He relates how the Wicked Witch of the East enchanted his axe and caused him to chop his body parts off limb by limb, all because he was in love with her ward, Nimmie Amee. Each chopped limb was replaced by the tinsmith Ku-Klip with a counterpart made of tin.

The Tin Woodman is unexpectedly reunited with his sweetheart Nimmie Amee. He also meets a fellow tin man - Captain Fyter - as well as a Frankenstein monster-like creature - Chopfyt - who is made from the combined parts of both tin men.

The Tin Woodman of Oz also provides backstory for Oz itself; it was not always a fairyland, and became one by being enchanted by the Fairy Queen Lurline, who left a fairy behind to rule it. In Glinda of Oz Ozma says that she herself was that fairy, though in The Marvelous Land of Oz we are told of her restoration to a throne long held by her ancestors.

Bluegrass: A True Story of Murder in Kentucky

Bluegrass: A True Story of Murder in Kentucky by William Van Meter

Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Free Press
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416538682
ISBN-13: 978-1416538684

In 2003, college student Katie Autry was murdered in her dorm room at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. She had been raped, stabbed and then sprayed with hairspray before being set on fire. This horrific story not only rocked the Commonwealth, but it also made national headlines.

Van Meter is a journalist originally from the town of Bowling Green and he explores Autry’s notorious murder case. The book details the events of the murder all the way up to the trial in March 2005. Although many of the residents of Bowling Green and WKU's administration were not happy about the release of this book, it is compelling reading and hard to put down. I felt connected to Autry and I empathized with her family.

Way Back Wednesday - The Lost Princess of Oz

The Lost Princess of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Lost Princess of Oz is the eleventh Oz book written by L. Frank Baum. Published on June 5, 1917, it begins with the disappearance of Princess Ozma, the ruler of Oz and covers Dorothy and the Wizard's efforts to find her. The introduction to the book states that its inspiration was a letter a little girl had written to Baum: "I suppose if Ozma ever got hurt or losted, everybody would be sorry."

The book was dedicated to the author's newborn granddaughter Ozma Baum, child of his youngest son Kenneth Gage Baum.

Dorothy is up early to start the day and she is seeing to her friends in the Emerald City when she notices Ozma has not awakened yet. Dorothy goes into Ozma's chambers only to find she is not there. She is nowhere in the palace either. And not only is Ozma missing, but all the magical instruments in Oz that can be used to find her are also missing.

Dorothy, Glinda and the Wizard work together with several other friends to track down the magical instruments and find Ozma. We also are reunited with several old characters: Button-Bright, the Winkies, and Betsy. New characters we are introduced to include King Coco-Lorum, Cayke the Cookie Cook, Frogman, and Lavendar Bear.

The House of Night

First she was MARKED, then she was BETRAYED. The next thing we knew, she was CHOSEN and UNTAMED. Now, Zoey Redbird is being HUNTED.

For fans of the HOUSE OF NIGHT series - written by the mother/daughter team of P. C. and Kristin Cast - March 10th is the day we can finally get our hands on the 5th book in this addictive young adult series.

With over 3 million books in print, this will be the first book released in hardcover.



To read the first chapter of HUNTED, please visit the House of Night website by clicking here.


Listen to the audio of the second chapter of HUNTED:

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Mrs. Lincoln: A Life

Mrs. Lincoln: A Life by Catherine Clinton

Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Harper
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060760400
ISBN-13: 978-0060760403

With the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, this is a timely book about the life of his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln.

Because of her questionable mental health, this extraordinary woman has always been misunderstood. This is one of the most comprehensive books about Mrs. Lincoln I have ever read.

If you think you’ve read everything there is to know about the 16th First Lady, you will be engrossed with the new information provided in this wonderful book.

Way Back Wednesday - Rinkitink of Oz

Rinkitink in Oz by L. Frank Baum



Rinkitink in Oz is the tenth book in the Land of Oz series written by L. Frank Baum. Published on June 20, 1916, with full-color and black-and-white illustrations by artist John R. Neill, it is significant that no one from Oz appears in the book until its climax; this is due to Baum having originally written most of the book as an original fantasy novel over ten years earlier, in 1905. Most of the action takes place on three islands — Pingaree, Regos, and Coregos — and within the Nome King's caverns. Since the original ruler of the nomes, Roquat — who later re-named himself Ruggedo, was deposed in 1914's Tik-Tok of Oz, Baum had to cleverly rework the tale to accommodate his selfish but well-intentioned replacement, Kaliko.

Of all the Land of Oz books, this is my least favorite, but for the sake of the series and the beautiful book cover, I felt I needed to include this book to complete the Way Back Wednesday.

Kill For Me

Kill For Me by Karen Rose

Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446510300
ISBN-13: 978-0446510301

This book picks up right where Die For Me and Scream For Me left off, so if you haven’t read Rose’s other books, this may not be the one to start with.

Susannah Vartanian – sister to Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s special agent Daniel Vartanian - is one of the girls raped thirteen years ago by the clique of “rich boys” in town, but she has managed to pull herself together and go on to live a fairly normal life. She has learned to lean on Luke Papadopoulos and they have developed a true bond. Just remember, nothing is as it seems.

Rose is a modern author who has the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is action packed and fast paced and will keep you turning the page until the very end.

Way Back Wednesday - The Scarecrow of Oz

The Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Scarecrow of Oz is the 9th book set in the Land of Oz written by L. Frank Baum. Published on July 16, 1915, it was Baum's personal favorite of the Oz books and tells of Cap'n Bill and Trot journeying to Oz and, with the help of the Scarecrow, overthrowing the cruel King Krewl of Jinxland.

Cap'n Bill - a sailor with a wooden peg-leg - and his friend - a little girl named Trot - set out from California on a calm day. The calm day suddenly turns dark and stormy and Cap'n Bill and Trot and washed overboard and are carried by mermaids to a cave where they meet an ostrich-like flying bird called an Ork.

The Scarecrow is at Glinda's palace in the Quadling Country and wants to help Cap'n Bill and Trot, so Glinda sends him to Jinxland with some of her magic to aid him.

Besides Cap'n Bill and Trot, we meet several other new characters: Button-Bright, Googly-Goo, King Krewl, and Bumpy Man. Dorothy, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion do not make appearances in this book.



(Inside book photos by Rare Antique Books)

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060530928
ISBN-13: 978-0060530921

This book just won The John Newbery Medal.

Nobody Owens - Bod for short - had an unusual childhood – he was raised in a graveyard. After the horrific death of his parents at the hands of a knife-welding murder, the toddler ends up in the graveyard on top of the hill and is adopted by a group of ghosts who live there. Mr. and Mrs. Owens have been married over 200 years and never had children, so they quickly take the child under their wings.

In an attempt to hide the child from his would-be murder, they name the child Nobody, because nobody knew who he was. The entire graveyard have a hand in raising Bod, teaching him to read and write, providing him a place to sleep and food to eat.

Although this book has a bizarre plot, it is a fascinating read from cover to cover. Gaiman is a wonderful storyteller and this is a book children and adults alike will enjoy.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Last Straw (#3) by Jeff Kinney

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Amulet Books
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0810970686
ISBN-13: 978-0810970687

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a new children’s book series that debuted in 2007. Although the books are intended to get children reading, adults will also enjoy this series.

Greg Heffley has always been a wimpy kid and no amount of prodding by his father will get him to change his ways. His father’s last straw is a threat to send Greg to a military academy. Greg realizes something must be done.

This book is very funny and full of juvenile humor your kids will enjoy. Twentieth Century Fox will be producing a live action movie and are currently seeking out the right boy to play Greg.

Kentucky's Boone: The Pioneer Spirit

Kentucky’s Boone: the Pioneer Spirit by K. Melissa Burton

Perfect Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: McClanahan Publishing House, Inc.
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934898031
ISBN-13: 978-1934898031

This children’s book describes Kentucky's frontier people and the daily hardships they faced when they arrived in Kentucky. You will learn how the pioneers survived attacks by the Shawnee Indians and learned to live in the savage land of “Kain-tuck-ee”. You will also learn what the pioneers and ancient mummies of Egypt have in common and why Kentucky was called the Dark and Bloody Ground.

Alzheimer's From the Inside Out

Alzheimer's From the Inside Out by Richard Taylor

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Health Professions Press
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1932529233
ISBN-13: 978-1932529234

Learning a family member or friend has Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating, but it is becoming more prevalent in our society. How do you treat someone with this depilating disease? What will happen to your loved one?

Taylor has answered these and many other questions in this informative book about Alzheimer’s. Diagnosed with the disease at age 61, this former psychologist shows us his slow transformation through a series of essays.

There are really no definite answers for Alzheimer’s, but Taylor asks all the right questions from a first-hand point of view. Not just for health care professionals, lay-people will find this book easy to read and comforting. He buts the focus back on the patient instead of only seeing the disease.

Way Back Wednesday - The Patchwork Girl of Oz

The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L. Frank Baum

This is the 7th book set in the Land of Oz. The book was first published on July 1, 1913, with illustrations by John R. Neill. In 1914, Baum adapted the book to film through his "Oz Film Manufacturing Company."

Ojo the Unlucky is a young Munchkin boy devoted to life with his uncle Unc Nunkie. They live in the wilderness but are on the verge of starvation. Ojo goes to see a neighboring "magician" and old friend of Unc’s, Dr. Pipt. While there they see a demonstration of the Pipt-made Powder of Life, which animates any object it touches. Unc Nunkie and Dr. Pipt's wife are also the sufferers of the consequences of another of the Doctor's inventions, the Liquid of Petrifaction, which turns them into solid marble statues.

This book revolves around Ojo's adventures in finding the antedote for the Liquid of Petrifaction Other characters in this adventure include the Woozy, Scraps (the patchwork girl), Dorothy, the Shaggy Man, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman.

The Patchwork Girl of Oz was made into a silent film by L. Frank Baum's The Oz Film Manufacturing Company. There is also a 2005 animated version of The Patchwork Girl, but I haven't been able to find it for sell anywhere. Although the 1914 version is in black and white, it is a very good short film.

Way Back Wednesday - Tik-Tok of Oz

Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Tik-Tok of Oz is the eighth Land of Oz book written by L. Frank Baum. Published on June 19, 1914, the book actually has little to do with Tik-Tok and is primarily the quest of the Shaggy Man (introduced in The Road to Oz) to rescue his brother, and his resulting conflict with the Nome King.

Queen Ann Soforth of Oogaboo, a small monarchy separated from the rest of Oz's Winkie Country, sets out to raise an army to conquer Oz. Betsy Bobbin, a girl who is a year older than Dorothy, and her loyal mule Hank are washed ashore during a storm. They all work together to rescue Tik-Tok from the well where the Nome King had tossed him.

This book also reunites us with the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, the Hungry Tiger, and the Saw-Horse. New characters include Queen Ann, Tittiti-Hoochoo, Rose Princess Ozga (who is a cousin to Ozma) and Private Files.

Tick-Tok is also a character that shows up in the Disney movie Return to Oz.

The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues #1)

The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues #1) by Rick Riordan

Children/Young Adult
Hardcover: 220 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1st edition (September 9, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545060397
ISBN-13: 978-0545060394

The 39 Clues series is like The DaVinci Code for children. Each book of this projected ten book series will hold clues to a mysterious fortune from around the world.

Amy and Dan Cahill are orphans who learn they are distantly related to Benjamin Franklin. In order to win the fortune, they must collect and solve 39 clues – only two clues are presented in this first book.

Although this book is a blatant marketing ploy – trading cards and on-line games are also available – the book is fresh and clever and will appeal to most children. Although Riordan – author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series - plots the story arcs, several other children’s authors will also be writing installments. Gordon Korman – an award winning Canadian children’s author - writes the next book, One False Note.

The first Cahill card series features 56 thoroughly intriguing evidence cards that kids need to hunt down the 39 Clues. The oversize cards (3.25 x 5) are loaded with top-secret Cahill information and intriguing puzzles that unlock the family's secrets. Each pack contains 16 randomly assorted cards, with at least one rare or ultra-rare card per pack.

Married in Seattle

Married in Seattle by Debbie Macomber

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Mira
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778326799
ISBN-13: 978-0778326793

This wonderful romance book by New York Times Bestseller Macomber is actually two stories in one book.

Exactly how does a woman find a husband in Seattle, Washington?

The first story is about a controversial “arranged” marriage. Janine Hartman is outraged when her grandfather arranges a marriage for her – the groom-to-be is also outraged. But knowing Macomber’s romantic writing, there is more to this story than meets the eye.

The second story is what happens when a teenager places a “personal ad” in the paper on behalf of her mother - Wanted: Perfect Partner. Meg Remington is further humiliated when her daughter announces she has found the perfect partner.

Easy to read and a fun way to spend an afternoon, you will not be disappointment in this newest book by the author of The Blossom Street series.

The Tablecloth

The Tablecloth by Brenda Hughes Vanderpool





Paperback: 172 pages
Publisher: Booklocker.com, Inc.
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601455232
ISBN-13: 978-1601455239

"This book is an inspirational memoir about a small-town, ordinary woman who has had more than her share of heartache,trauma and loss; and yet views her life, not as tragic, but rather as rich and blessed."

The Tablecloth is the remarkable story of an ordinary woman from the Bluegrass state of Kentucky - how could I not like a story by someone from my home state? Vanderpool has been through the trials and tribulations of most everyday women, but she has also suffered tragedy and loss. Through it all, she has managed to keep her faith and unbiased point of view.

Like many women from Kentucky, Vanderpool fell in love with and married her high school sweetheart when she was 18 - I can totally relate because I married my high school sweetheart when I was barely 17. Trying to make ends meet, she and her husband, Abe, were forced to move north to look for work.

They live a normal life as young newlyweds, not realizing that tragedy is on their doorsteps. Just as they are celebrating the birth of their 2nd child, a son, they are also faced with personal devastation when their 1st child, a daughter, dies. In dealing with grief, the couple realizes how much they miss their families, so they make the decision to return to their Kentucky roots.

Vanderpool's lyrical prose shows us that God has a purpose for our lives and that all things happen for a reason. It would be so easy to become cynical and bitter after the death of a child, but through the grace of God the family sticks together.

Heartbreak and hardships were not done with Vanderpool, but she has been able to persevere. This book will make you laugh and it will make you cry and you will not want to stop reading until you reach the very end - and then you will be wanting more. I easily read this book in one sitting and then I immediately passed it on to family members to read.

You will not be disappointed by reading The Tablecloth. Vanderpool has a unique voice that begs to tell more stories. I eagerly await the next book by this talented author.

The Associate

The Associate by John Grisham

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Doubleday
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385517831
ISBN-13: 978-0385517836

Kyle McAvoy is pending graduation from Yale Law School with plans for a life of public service, when an incident from his past surfaces. In trying to save his reputation, he is blackmailed into joining a prominent New York law firm as a spy and spilling secrets from the firm’s largest trial.

Lesson learned: your past will always come back to haunt you.

This was a fast-paced read and if you love Grisham it is a must read. Although I have been a Grisham fan for many years and I enjoyed this book, I didn’t think it lived up to The Firm or A Time To Kill.

Way Back Wednesday - The Emerald City of Oz

The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Emerald City of Oz is the sixth of Baum's 14 Land of Oz books. Originally published on July 20, 1910, it is the story of Dorothy Gale and her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em coming to live in Oz permanently. While Dorothy and family are toured through the Quadling Country, the Nome King is assembling allies for an invasion of Oz. This is the first time in the Oz series that Baum made use of double plots for one of the books. This book was also adapted into a Canadian animated film in 1987, but I haven't been able to find this to watch it.

Baum had intended to cease writing Oz stories with this book, but financial pressures prompted him to write and publish The Patchwork Girl of Oz - next week's book - plus 7 more Oz books. An interesting fact about Emerald City is revealed in this book: Emerald City is described as having exactly 9654 buildings and 57,318 citizens. We didn't see all this in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, did we??!!

Blogland Black Hole

I feel like I've been in a blogland black hole - no cable in our home also means no Internet. So not only have I missed out on watching TV to take my mind off the ice storm, but I haven't been able to post to my blogs, read other blogs or keep up with what my bloggy friends are doing.

Tomorrow is a brand-new day! Although I'm ecstatic to finally have the Internet back, I'm too wiped out to give you more than an update.

I'll be back up to blogging at warp speed starting tomorrow. Until then ...

Let's Be Friends

Lynda from Lynda's Book Blog has honored me with this "Let's Be Friends Award." Thank you Lynda, I am truly honored.




The award says:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

I will be passing this award on later - this ice storm has wrecked havoc with all my plans.

On another note, Lynda has another blog I enjoy reading: The Holistic Knitter's Blog. If you love knitting and knitters, you will love this blog!

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Book #1) by Michael Scott (375 pages)

Like most children - and some adults- I was disappointed when the Harry Potter series ended. But now there is a new young adult series that feels like an addition to the world of Harry Potter: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. Nicholas Flamel - the 14th-century alchemist who could turn base metal into gold, and make a potion that ensures immortality - was mentioned in several of the Potter books

In The Alchemyst, Sophie and Josh Newman are 15-year-old twins who take summer jobs in San Francisco: Sophie at a coffee shop and Josh at a bookstore owned by Nick and Perry Flamel. In the vey first chapter, armed robbers storm the bookshop, take Perry hostage and steal a rare book of magical wisdom, The Codex.

The siblings, lead by Flamel are drawn into a mythology world to stage a battle between the Dark Elders and a necromancer named Dr. John Dee. This book is a fast read and is populated by the likes of werewolves and vampires. It ends with a cliff-hanger I'm sure will be picked up in the next book, The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel.


The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Book #2) by Michael Scott (464 pages)

In this exciting sequel to The Alchemyst, Sophie and Josh Newman are in Paris with Nicholas Flamel, when they come up against the villian Dr. John Dee and his accomplice, Niccolò Machiavelli. Dee has learned that Josh and Sophie are phophesised in The Codex - the magical book stolen in The Alchemyst - so he seeks to win them over to his side.

The twins are coming into more of their power and Flamel is teaching the children how to control and use these powers. We also get to meet Joan of Arc, several Greek gods and goddesses, as well as the gargolyes of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

This is a great installment in what is supposed to be a six book series. The next book, The Sorceress: The Secrets Of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Book #3) will be released on May 26, 2009.



Both of these books are great fun to read with children!

Way Back Wednesday - The Road to Oz

The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Road to Oz is the fifth of L. Frank Baum's Land of Oz books. It was originally published on July 10, 1909 and documents Dorothy's fourth visit to Oz.

Dorothy is near her home in Kansas when the story begins. As she travels through Oz on her way to the Emerald City, she is welcomed by old friends - Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, Jack PumpkinHead, Tik-Tok and Billina the Yellow Hen. Everyone has gathered at Emerald City to celebrate Osma's birthday.
We meet several new characters in this book: the Shaggy Man, Button-Bright, and Polychrome. At the end of this tale, Dorothy is wished home by Ozma's Magic Belt.

Of all the Oz books by L. Frank Baum, this one is probably my least favorite. I loved meeting my favorite characters again, but the story was a little disjointed.

Way Back Wednesday - Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum

Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz is the fourth book set in the Land of Oz written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by John R. Neill. It was published on June 18, 1908 and reunites Dorothy with the Wizard from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Dorothy and her kitten, Eureka, is sent to visit her uncle in California - operator Hugson's Ranch. She strikes up an acquaintance with Hugson's son and her cousin, Zeb. Dorothy, Eureka, and Zeb are riding a horse buggy when an earthquake starts and opens a crevice beneath them, sending them hurtling into the bowels of the earth. They land in the land of the Mangaboos, vegetable people who blame the earthquake on Dorothy.

Although the book has "In Oz" in the title, Dorothy and the Wizard spend very little time actually in Oz, but it doesn't matter. This is another great installment in the Oz series.

The Dragon's Eye (Erec Rex #1)

The Dragon's Eye (Erec Rex #1) by Kaza Kingsley

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 345 pages
Publisher: Firelight Press, Inc.; 1 edition
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0978655567
ISBN-13: 978-0978655563

Erec Rex is a 12 year old boy who has been living in a non-magical world, when he was actually born in a magical world. Sound familiar? Well, this is where the similarities between Erec Rex and Harry Potter end. For all those clamoring for a new fantasy series to read after the ending of Harry Potter, then look no further - Kaza Kingsley has given us a unique and interesting take on the world of magic.

Erec unknowingly enters the magical world of the Kingdom of the Keepers while searching for his mother. Erec has an unusual gift - the dark thoughts. When the dark thoughts take over Erec's mind, he must do what they say. When the dark thoughts tell him to go in search of his mother, he encounters a new friend, Bethany, who helps him search for his mother.

Erec soon finds himself in a tournament to become one of the new rulers of the Kingdom of the Keepers. The current rulers are King Piter, King Pluto and Queen Posey - but King Piter has been ill for over 10 years. It was King Piter's own children - triplets - who were to be the new rulers, but they mysteriously died as babies.

People are not always what they appear to be in the uniquely different world of magic and mayhem. Allies become enemies and enemies turn out to be friendly - it is unclear whom to trust in this newly created world.

This books gives you many unusual new items and animals, as well as magical devices:

Magical seeing eyeglasses - let you see the person you miss the most.
Cloudsicles - yummy snacks to eat.
Aniballs - different colored balls which turn into animals.
Inquizzles - will answer one question for you.
Nitrowisherine - a liquid that explodes, then grants a wish.

This is a wonderful new series for young adults, and adults who are young at heart. The second book in the series is The Monsters of the Otherness. The third book - The Search for the Truth - will be released this summer.

Visit Kaza Kingsley's blog at The Memory Mogul and the official Erec Rex website at Erec Rex

Hope Is In the Air

The enthusiasm is contagious! Everything is building to a crescendo for this all important day in history. Hope is in the air and with hope comes the emergence of a new day in America.

After agonizing over whether to allow my daughter to stay home from school today - I did decide YES - today ended up being a snow day. So now she can stay home without fear of all the work she's missing!

My hubby called last night - he is in Washington for work - and he said the crowds and the traffic are unbelievable! He said just going a short distance takes hours and hours. But he did say most people are excited and even helpful. Plus, he got to see Keith Olbermann doing Countdown from the temporary set for MSNBC!

Today is one of those "Where were you" moments in history our children and grandchildren will be talking about. Write down your hopes and feelings. Talk to your family about what is important to you. Someday, a family member will feel honored to know what YOU were feeling on this important day.

Remember to sign-up and volunteer your services to your community. Even if it is only a small step, every little small step counts towards making our nation stronger.

Happy Inauguration! God Bless America!

LOST Book Challenge

The LOST Books Challenge will be the first book challenge I have accepted so far in 2009. I like the idea of this challenge because I have become absorbed in the LOST legend over the past 6 weeks.

I didn't start out watching LOST when it first came on, but I have rented the entire series from Netflix and have been watching one episode after another. I will finish the 3-part season 4 finale tonight, so I'll be ready for the season 5 premiere on Wednesday.



Here are the books I am considering for this challenge - I am giving myself a list of 10 from which I will finally choose my 5 books:

1.) Are You There God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume - this book was a favorite when I was a little girl, but it's been over 30 years since I've read it.

2.) A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - another favorite from my childhood, the book that started my science-fiction craze.

3.) Dune by Frank Herbert - I love this movie, but I've never read the book.

4.) Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - actually I read this book again last year, but I plan to read the Annotated Alice. This may be a deviation from the books, but that's my plan.

5.) Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll - see #4.

6.) The Stand by Stephen King - my favorite King book, but I haven't read it in years. I plan to read the expanded version which is over 1100 pages.

7.) Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling - these 7 books will probably be bonus books. They are my comfort books, so whenever I'm sick or not feeling well, I'll pull out one and start reading.

8.) The Gunslinger by Stephen King - I have plans to re-read this entire series, but I'm not sure when.

9.) Watership Down by Richard Adams - another favorite book from my childhood. I read this one so many times before the animated movie was released. It has probably been 20+ years since I last read this one.

10.) The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis - again, a favorite series. I re-read the books before the first movie was released, so I have plans to read again before the next movie.

Happy Reading!!

Frost Bites

Frost Bites (Nodessy Adventures #2) by Charles Ogden

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Aladdin
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416954643
ISBN-13: 978-1416954644

Although I was not familiar with these books before last week, most children under the age of 12 know Edgar and Ellen from their animated television series. Ogden – who is mysteriously missing in action - has cleverly written a series of books about these michevious twins and their adventures in the town of Nod’s Limbs. The Nodessy Adventures is the second series featuring the twins.

In this book, Edgar and Ellen are in pursuit of their nemesis, Stephanie Knightleigh, who leads them to Frøsthaven, an Arctic village whose cheerful citizens and strange customs remind them of home.

Also, there are clues embedded in this book that will lead the reader closer to the missing author of this series.

Blue Moon

Blue Moon (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter book #8) by Laurell K. Hamilton

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425223833
ISBN-13: 978-0425223833

For all those interested in the vampire genre, the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series is for you. Anita makes a living as a necromancer – someone who raises the dead. She also executes rogue vampires and other villains. Vampire marks bind her to Jean-Claude, the Master vampire of St. Louis, and to Richard, her ex-fiancé, a powerful werewolf who heads up the local pack. Anita shares some of their magic, and her own power over the dead keeps growing.

In Blue Moon, Richard has been thrown in jail and Anita arrives to save the day, only to realize the local cops are very corrupt. Once again, Anita finds herself in over her head having to rely on her quick wit and skills, in addition to reinforcements from the vampire and were-pack communities.

To better understand the world of Hamilton’s vampires, it is best to read the earlier books in this series. But if you love vampires, they are well worth the read.

Way Back Wednesday - Osma of Oz

Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Ozma of Oz was first published on July 29, 1907, and was the third book of L. Frank Baum's Oz series. Happily, Dorothy returns in this book, after being absent from The Marvelous Land of Oz.

Uncle Henry has been ordered by his doctor to take a vacation from his Kansas farm and he goes to Australia. He and Dorothy are aboard a steamship traveling there when they are caught in a fierce storm and separated. Dorothy is blown overboard along with a yellow hen - Billina - from her uncle's farm that was on the ship. The movie Return to Oz also gets many of its ideas from this book, especially the lunch pail tree, which I find fascinating.

Dorothy and Billina are constant companions during this tale. We also get to meet Tic-Toc, the Nome King, and the hungry Tiger. Dorothy is also reunited with the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Lion.

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians book #3) by Rick Riordan

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1423101480
ISBN-13: 978-1423101482

This young adult book series is a great introduction to ancient Greek mythology. Percy Jackson is a teenager with half mortal and half god genes who lives in the world of ancient mythology. In order for this book to make sense, you really need to read the first two books in this proposed five book series: The Lightening Thief and The Sea Monsters.

In The Titan’s Curse, Percy is on a rescue mission to save his best friend Annabeth and the goddess, Artemis. Our hero must deal with various mythological beasts, as well as his ever growing mythological family – in particular, his distant, godly parents. Percy also learns there is a dark side to being a hero.

If you love Greek mythology and have been searching for a new series of books to read after the conclusion of Harry Potter, then Percy Jackson and the Olympians is just the place to start.

Tales of Beedle the bard

Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling (111 pages)

For all you Harry Potter fans who have been in withdrawal since the 2007 release of The Deathly Hallows, this book is for you. Rowling has finally given us the fairy tale book first introduced in the 7th Harry Potter book.

This slim book contains five fairy tales: "The Tale of the Three Brothers", "The Warlock's Hairy Heart", "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot", "The Fountain of Fair Fortune", and "Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump."

Although not in the same league as the Harry Potter series, this is a must read for fans of Rowling. It makes an excellent bedtime story book for children (and adults) of all ages.

Way Back Wednesday - The Marvelous Land of Oz

The Marvelous Land of Oz was published on July 5, 1904, and is the second of L. Frank Baum's books set in the Land of Oz, and the sequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It is the only book in the series in which Dorothy Gale does not appear.

A little boy named Tip is under the guardianship of a witch named Mombi in Gillikin Country. Tip makes plans to escape from Mombi by frightening her with a scarecrow. Unfortunately, he has no straw to stuff the scarecrow, so Tip makes a man out of wood and gives him a pumpkin for a head, naming him Jack Pumpkinhead. Mombi is not scared and she sprinkles the Powder of Life on Jack, bringing him to life. Mombi then threatens revenge on Tip.
Tip and Jack run away to the Emerald City, which is currently ruled by the Scarecrow. The Tin Woodman now rules the Winkie Kingdom. The Lion is mysteriously absent, just like Dorothy.

We are introduced to several new characters from the Land of Oz: General Jinjur's all-girl Army of Revolt, the Wogglebug, the flying Gump, Jackdaws, and most importantly Ozma who is the rightful ruler of the Emerald City.

Return to Oz is a 1985 Disney film which has many elements from The Marvelous Land of Oz. Of all the Oz books, I think this is my least favorite because Dorothy is missing, but I did enjoy the Return to Oz movie.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my readers!!! Here's to a bright and shiny 2009!!