YA graphic novel award winner....

Nothing can Possible Go Wrong

By: Prudence Shen & Faith Erin Hicks

Genre:  YA graphic novel

Pages: 288

Published: 2013

Read: May

4 out of 5

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I felt it was well done and includes a little of everything – humor, romance, competitions, friends, and struggles with being a teenager. The illustrations are artistic and I especially enjoyed the detailed facial expressions. I wish I could understand why the majority of graphic novels don’t use color illustrations though. I felt color would have been an added bonus. I also felt it was strange that the robotic competition was held on Thanksgiving. I am not sure what that added to the story and why an organization would hold it on such a big holiday, but then again the retail stores are open as well on Thanksgiving (YES, that bothers me)! I do believe this book was deserving of the YALSA Great Graphic Novels of 2014. 

A childhood classic

 From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

By: E.L. Konigsburg

Genre:  Juvenile fiction

Pages: 125

Published: 2003

Read: May

3.5 out of 5

This was a reread from my childhood. I didn't remember much about the story, but I know I enjoyed it. I love the idea of running away and staying locked in a place overnight.  I think it's a dream of every child at one point or another.  As a child, I would probably have chosen a library :) As a teen, the mall!  I loved how innocent Claudia and Jamie were - making sure clothes were washed, learning something new everyday, took baths, and yet solved a mystery too. The book really teaches a lesson about growing up, being responsible and even money management yet in a very exciting setting.  As an adult, I had a couple minor issues; the biggest one being: why did the emblem have to look like a beer can, wouldn't a soda can have been a better choice? Overall, I believe this book is a timeless classic and a good selection for 8 to 12 year olds.

A long, but very good read

 The Goldfinch

By: Donna Tartt

Genre:  Adult Fiction

Pages: 771

Published: 2013

Read: May

4 out of 5

I was not expecting to enjoy this book. I heard patrons saying not much happened and even co-workers believed it wasn’t “my type” of book. Well, the book proved everyone wrong. I loved it! The action started from page one and continued throughout. Tartt writes with such intricate wording and in-depth characters you are drawn right into story. You feel like you live in the same neighborhood and travel with Theo across the United States. The book also travels through many genres – realistic fiction, mystery, suspense, romance, and so much more.  You will love some characters, hate others, but it makes you realize everyone has a friend they probably shouldn’t be friends with; just don’t know how to break the ties. Even as much as I enjoyed the book, I was ready to have it end. It was way over my enjoyment level for a book and near the end I just wanted to move on to a new one, which is why I gave it 4 stars.

Skip this book...Seriously!

 The Pleasure of My Company

By: Steve Martin

Genre:  Adult Fiction

Pages: 176

Published: 2004

Audiobook: 4 CD’s (5 hours)

Read: May

1 out of 5

I had several issues with this novella. First off, everyone knows that Steve Martin is funny – NOT in this book and he is not a good narrator; very monotone. Daniel is portrayed to have weird tendencies that would be perceived to most as OCD, but he is not consistent in his compulsions. It reads as though Martin made the compulsions fit the particular surrounding at time in story versus the other way around. He falls in love with EVERY woman he encounters including his therapist, who he starts babysitting for and invites her to sleep at his house which she accepts.  This wasn’t a story about an inappropriate relationship, therefore I felt this was a ridiculous addition and completely unnecessary. It ends with no resolution for Daniel and his OCD tendencies except being able to walk over curbs (Seriously, who cares??).  However, Martin ends the story as though Daniel is “fixed.” Definitely, skip this book and read The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion instead.

Do you know when Opening day of hunting season is?

The Grace That Keeps This World

By: Tom Bailey

Genre:  Adult Fiction

Pages: 303

Published: 2006

Read: May

4 out of 5

This book was a suggested One Book One Community book. I didn't feel it would be a good choice for my community, however I choose it for my book club. I really enjoyed the story and it has several good discussion points.  It is based in a small hunting community in upstate New York, which was interesting to me as my dad used to hunt a lot and I remember him preparing for opening day of the hunting season. If you aren't familiar with hunting season (or against hunting) this is probably not a great book for you. I felt it was well written and showed how the hunting season can dictate a family's life and the community as a whole. My favorite aspect was that the novel was written from the perspectives of different community members which gives the reader several completely different insights on the story.   

Favorite Audiobook of all time!!!

Walking on Water (The Walk #5)

By: Richard Paul Evans

Genre:  Adult Fiction

Pages: 320

Published: 2014

Audiobook: 5 discs (est: 5 hours)

Read: May

5 out of 5

I was highly anticipating the release of this book and was not at all disappointed.  I loved taking the journey from Spokane, Washington to Key West, Florida with Alan, but very sad our travels have ended.  Before beginning this story, I was curious if after such a long gap between the release of book four and five if my emotional attachment for the characters would still be there. Immediately, my  friendship was renewed.  Evans is such a great narrator you can't help feeling for and with the characters. Without trying to ruin the story, I must warn you this one is definitely a crier and I don't cry easily while reading books.  I think this series is the best audiobook I have ever listened to and I may have to try more of Evans' books now.

A Juvenile Classic...

Indian in the Cupboard

By: Lynne Reid Banks

Genre:  Juvenile fiction

Pages: 192

Published: 1980

Read: May

3 out of 5

This is the first time I read this book, which I read with my 7 year old son. I have very mixed feelings about the story. We both loved the story and it was very well written. My problem is that the boys lied a lot to Omri’s parents about the magic of the cupboard and the word “hell” was mentioned several times; this caused me to question whether it is an appropriate book for younger children. This especially raised a red flag for me because my son has had issues with lying. I felt the book almost justified and encouraged lying since they never were caught or reprimanded for their lying. However, we both loved the story, so I would only encourage parents to evaluate whether it is appropriate for their own child.