Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Despite my negative comments about Bella’s IQ level, I’ve liked this whole Twilight series. As a writer, Stephenie Meyer is not my favorite, but she’s getting better with each book. And she is a strong storyteller—as evidenced by the popularity of this series. I still think Bella is an idiot. Seriously. My 17-year-old daughter and I have a mantra, “Bella is an idiot.” We don’t understand her motivation. And I really don’t get this relationship. Why does Bella love Edward? Because he’s beautiful. Why does […]

September 4, 2007 | 1 Comment

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

Like it or hate it, Harry Potter is part of our cultural identity. I would guess that J.K. Rowling has added more new words to our collective lexicon than any other single individual. She is certainly the only author I know of who has created a 7 book series that has continued to grow in popularity and gain readership with each new installment like this one has. The Star Wars franchise is the only other thing I can think of that comes close, and personally, […]

August 2, 2007 | 3 Comments

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Pretties is book #2 in the Uglies trilogy (which is now a quadrilogy due to this). Again, the theme is that pretty on the outside doesn’t guarantee pretty on the inside, and sometimes you have to really fight for what you want—in this case, freedom. It also takes a look at what jealousy, betrayal and power can drive people to do and to become. Pretty Tally is sort of annoying at first. She and Shay are BFFs because neither one of them can clearly remember […]

July 20, 2007 | 0 Comments

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies is book one of a trilogy. My daughter read this and loved it, so I had to read it too. She’s not allowed to have book reading fun without me. I loved this book! I think this action-packed and highly entertaining futuristic novel which examines the definition of beauty should be required reading for all teens, but especially for 14 to 18 year old girls. I think boys would like it too, if they can get past the fact that the main character is […]

July 16, 2007 | 3 Comments

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy is written for 9 to 11 year old girls and I think it absolutely hits that target reader. As an adult reader, I thought the story moved a little slowly at times, but that is a reflection of life on Mount Eskel—and most middle grader readers won’t even notice. Although learning to be a princess and the unexpected win of the underdog are common plot scenarios in a lot of middle grade fantasy stories, in this book it felt fresh and new. I […]

July 6, 2007 | 5 Comments

Counting Stars by Michele Paige Holmes

This was the “stretch” book for a reading challenge because I really don’t care for romance novels. I think the reason I dislike them so much is because when I was 16, my aunt gave me 4 LARGE paper grocery bags filled with romance novels. I think I read at least 100 of them that summer—more than enough to last a lifetime. So, even though some of my best friends are romance novelists, when anyone mentions reading one of those kind of books, my eyes […]

July 5, 2007 | 10 Comments

Sheep’s Clothing by Josi S. Kilpack

*While there is nothing explicit in this book, it does deal with the harsh reality of internet predators, kidnapping, and assault. If your children have access to the Internet, you need to read this book. If those children are over the age of 12, they need to read this book. I liked the Prologue, which sets the tone and foreshadows events to come. I liked the way Josi started each chapter with e-mails between Jess, Emily and Colt. It was unnerving to see how subtle, […]

June 29, 2007 | 2 Comments

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

New Moon is book #2 in a series about a teenage girl who is in love with a vampire. In Twilight (book #1), we’re introduced to Bella when she moves to cloudy Forks, Washington to live with her father. She very quickly falls in love with Edward, one of a family of “good” vampires who do not drink human blood. He reluctantly falls in love with her and through trials and danger, their relationship develops. In New Moon, Edward decides he is a danger to […]

June 24, 2007 | 5 Comments

My Not So Fairy-Tale Life by Julie Wright

Due to subject matter, I recommend this book for older teens, 16 and up. Although not offensive, it deals with some tough subjects. Suzanna “Cue” Quincy has had a rough life—an abusive mother, emotionally absent father, drugs and alcohol. If that’s not enough, she discovers she’s pregnant and isn’t sure who the father is. Suzanna’s mother kicks her out of the house because she won’t get an abortion. Her friends abandon her because she will no longer party with them. With nowhere else to turn, […]

June 21, 2007 | 2 Comments