Illustrated by Kim Smith

I read E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and The X Files: Earth Children are Weird (illustrated by Kim Smith) in March, and never got around to finishing my post...   

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is very much like the movie in book form, and even more so because the primary characters are already children.  On the other hand, The X Files: Earth Children are Weird is more of its own story.

I've always been more of an X Files fan than an E.T. fan, but beyond that, I enjoyed the X Files book more.  Fox and Dana are children and friends, exploring the outdoors and having extraterrestrial experiences before going home.  The book was fun.

As for the E.T. book, if you liked the movie, you are likely to enjoy the book with its charming illustrations.  And of course, you can always root for E.T. making his way home.

Both of these qualify for the Canadian Book Challenge as Kim Smith is from Alberta.

Julia Buckley

The following was in a draft from October 2017...

I'm in a Goodreads group for cozy mysteries.  Each month they feature an author, and I've decided to try reading some of the featured author's works.

For September, the featured author was Julia Buckley.

I read the first book in the Writer's Apprentice Mystery series, A Dark and Stormy Murder.  I also (a little late - I think October 2nd?) finished the first book in her Undercover Dish Mysteries series, The Big Chili.

I enjoyed both, though perhaps The Big Chili a bit more.  I plan to continue both series.

I was concerned about a love triangle in A Dark and Stormy Murder, but, thankfully, the issue seemed to be resolved.  I enjoyed Lena and her cat.  The mystery itself was a nice introduction to the series.
ISBN: 9780425282601
Length: 273 pages
Obtained: Library copy

In The Big Chili, the story was interesting, and the characters seemed vivid.  I liked both Lilah and (especially) her dog, Mick.
ISBN: 9780425275900
Length: 283 pages
Obtained: Library copy

Lady Friday AND Superior Saturday AND Lord Sunday

Title: Lady Friday

Author: Garth Nix [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Series: The Keys of the Kingdom, Bk 5

ISBN: 9780439700887

Length: 304 pages

Obtained:  Personal hardcover copy ; unsure when I obtained, but despite excellent shape, book was used.

Why this book?:

I'm reading the series.

Comments:

It is more urgent than ever for Arthur and friends to move quickly.  Despite that, this story seemed more mellow than some of the previous books.

Title: Superior Saturday

Author: Garth Nix [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Series: The Keys of the Kingdom, Bk 6

ISBN: 9780439700894

Length: 278 pages

Obtained:  Personal hardcover copy ; unsure when I obtained, but despite excellent shape, book was used.

Why this book?:

I'm reading the series.

Comments:

Oh, boy.  Arthur is struggling to remain true to himself - and not be so quick to temper.  I had trouble relating to the hauteur and anger, but I definitely understood Arthur's need to stay himself.

Title: Lord Sunday

Author: Garth Nix [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Series: The Keys of the Kingdom, Bk 7

ISBN: 9780439700900

Length: 317 pages

Obtained:  Library Copy

Why this book?:

I was finishing the series.

Comments:

Hmm. I don't want to give anything away, because this was the finale.  And yet, this was the finale, so it was a big deal.  And it had a different feel from the other books in the way it was set up.  Arthur did less exploring and adventures in the world of the House, and more inner exploring and philosophical thinking (not that philosophy wasn't an underlying note in all the books) about who he is, what he's capable of, how the world should work, how things should be, etc.

The ending was sudden.  I can't say I liked it, although things were certainly tied up.  Just, whoa.

Cemetery Girl ; The Marshal's Justice ; Secret Sisters

Title: Inheritance

Author: Charlaine Harris [Website][Facebook][IMDb] and Christopher Golden [Website][Facebook][Twitter]; Illustrated by Don Kramer [Website][Facebook]; Colors by Daniele Rudoni; Letters by Jacob Bascle

Publisher: InkLit

Series: Cemetery Girl, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780425256671

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Charlaine Harris.  Plus I found the first one interesting.

Comments:

Girl can't catch a break.  Fast paced (read it within an hour).  Looking forward to book 3.

Update: Read this one about a month ago? I think? While sitting in a hospital. No worries, nothing bad.  It was one of my dad's frequent hospitalizations for his mental illness.

Title: The Marshal's Justice

Author: Delores Fossen

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue #1635

Series: Appalosa Pass Ranch

ISBN: 9780373699025

Length: 219 pages

Obtained: Free copy from BEA

Why this book?:

In the mood for quick romance.

Comments:

I did NOT believe the love between the heroine and hero.  Lust, sure.  Love of the child, sure.  But otherwise?  He spent to much of the book not trusting and not forgiving.

Update: Nothing really to add for this one. 

Title: Secret Sisters

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz [Website] aka Amanda Quick aka Jayne Castle

Publisher: Berkley Books

ISBN: 9780399174483

Length: 336 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?: it's a JAK book.

Comments:

Was not immediately gripped the way I usually am.  Liked Jack, Abe, Madeline, and Daphne well enough.

Update: This JAK is an old post that's been sitting, and I'm adding it with these others for space and scheduling reasons.

A compilation of SOME of the randomness I've recorded about my reading over the past several months

Title: A Silent Voice aka Koe no Katachi

Author: Yoshitoki Oima [MyAnimeList]

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Series: A Silent Voice, Vol. 1

ISBN: 9781632360564

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw it on Wowbrary.  The description sounded intriguing.

Comments:

So this first volume is primarily back story as to what happened in 6 years earlier between Shoya and Shoko, prior to Shoko transferring to another school.  I was a little too interested in what comes next, so in addition to requesting the library purchase the next several volumes, I also looked up the overall story arc.  I now know what is supposed to happen in general terms.  Hopefully that doesn't ruin the rest for me.

Update: I haven't read any more yet, but they won't be ruined when I do, because I've already forgotten what I looked up.

Title: Indexing

Author: Seanan McGuire [Website Bio 1][Website Bio 2][Website Bio 3][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: 47North

Series: Indexing, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781477809600

Length: 404 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've been reading a bit by this author.  While I was waiting on more from the October Daye and InCryptid series, I decided to read this.

Comments:

Took me 1 or 2 "chapters" (it was originally a Kindle serial) to really get into it, but it's a pretty fascinating concept that fairy tales are these negative types that you can be stuck in if your life has certain similarities or like characteristics or events.  I look forward to reading the next one, Indexing: Reflections.

Update: Thoughts on  Indexing: Reflections have already been posted because I wasn't paying attention...

Title: Roadside Magic

Author: Lilith Saintcrow [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Lili St. Crow

Publisher: Orbit

Series: Gallow and Ragged, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780316277877

Length: 315 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've enjoyed this author's work in the past, and read the first book in this series.

Comments:

I'm not always good with Faerie stories.  I've been reading more lately, but they can be difficult for me.  This is one whose world is especially troublesome for me, because I start to feel "trapped" if you will in all the bad events and "surrounded" by all these characters who are horrible and don't allow the primary characters, Gallow and Ragged, to escape.

 I found myself especially frustrated, because I was not even given the relief of the story ending.  Rather than individual stories that are resolved by the end (even if their is still a larger arcing story in progress), as I have come to expect of series, this ser ...

Update: I literally left that mid-word.   I think I was about to say more about it being cliffhanger, or no real ending.  But I'm not sure.

Title: Say I Love You. aka Suki tte Ii na yo.


Author: Kanae Hazuki [MyAnimeList]

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Series: Say I Love You. Volumes 1 - 5

ISBN:
9781612626024
9781612626031
9781612626048
9781612626055
9781612626062

Obtained: Library Copy

Why these books?:

Comments:

I never recorded comments at the time of reading this.  So by memory: This series almost crosses into too much for me (content-wise), but I found myself curious about the "what next"?  Unfortunately, by the time the rest of the series came in for me (I had to put them on hold), I was out of the country.  I lost that push, but I'll still follow up eventually.

Title: Grave Visions

Author: Kalayna Price [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

Series: Alex Craft, Bk 4

ISBN: 9780451416575

Length: 331 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Have enjoyed the rest of the series.

Comments:

It's about time!  I read it within a day of it finally coming in, and was eagerly awaiting the latest release date before that.  Hope the next one is a bit more timely.

Update: Short but sweet, right?

Title: The Obsession

Author: Nora Roberts [Website] [Facebook] aka Eleanor Marie Robertson Aufem-Brinke Wilder aka J. D. Robb aka Sarah Hardesty aka Jill March

Publisher: Berkley Books

ISBN: 9780399175169

Length: 453 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

New NR, need I say more?

Comments:

Great, intense intro.  Good characters... they fall within NR template.  I guessed the bad guy with the first murder.

Update: Again with the short clip.  But better than nothing.

Title: Bitter Bite

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 14

ISBN: 9781501111273

Length: 374 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Love this series.

Comments:

Oh, Finn!!!! This one had me very grumbly.  Poor Gin.


Update: This one is brief because otherwise I'd be rambling nonstop spoilers.

Half a Kind and Half the World

Title: Half a King
Author: Joe Abercrombie [Website][Twitter][Facebook]
Publisher: Del Rey
Series: The Shattered Sea, Bk 1
ISBN: 9780804178419
Length: 333 pages
Obtained: Free at C2E2

Why this book?:

Not only was it free, but I was hooked from the description.

Comments:

I started the very evening that I received it, and finished the next day.  The protagonist is someone I immediately wanted to succeed, but is he really a good guy?  Who cares?  Because I was rooting for him anyway.  It's the underdog thing, I guess.

I have since read the 2nd book, Half the World as well.

Title: Half the World
Author: Joe Abercrombie [Website][Twitter][Facebook]
Publisher: Del Rey
Series: The Shattered Sea, Bk 2
ISBN: 9780804178426
Length: 363 pages
Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I read and enjoyed the copy I received (free!) of Half a King (Bk 1) at C2E2, so I had to continue with the series.

Comments:

Generally, I'm not incredibly fond of primary characters switching within a series.  Half a King focused on Yarvi.  Half the World focuses on Thorn.   But this turned out to be more of an introduction to new characters, rather than a leave-taking of old.  I liked Thorn, despite her snarly self.  And Yarvi, who drew me into the series in book 1 (along with other characters), was still in this book.  So while he was no longer the central character, he was still an important part of the story.  I am both eager and nervous to read the third book, Half a War, due out this July 2015.

Moving on...

None of the characters in the two books I've read so far are entirely good, and most are not entirely bad.  Like real life (though more fantastically), everyone has their strengths and weakness.  This can make likeability somewhat ambiguous.  I was left deciding I did like so and so, but oh, how I wish he/she wouldn't make this choice, act in this way, or say that thing. 

Oh, and by the way, aren't the covers for both of these books striking?

Children's Books Spotlight

Since my blogging slump began I've become Downright Horrible, Terrible, and Rotten about posting anything in regards to the picture books I've been reading.  But I have been reading them!

So here are some recent highlights:

Title: Dad's First Day

Author/Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka [Website][Facebook]

Publisher: Bloomsbury

ISBN: 9781619634732

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?

I saw it on Wowbrary.  The title caught my attention first, and the blurb further intrigued.

Comments:

Very cute.  It was great reading aloud and has wonderful humor.  I haven't read it to the kiddos (yet), but I'm sure they'll enjoy it as much as I did.  Perfect for when school is fast approaching.

Title: Peanut Butter and Cupcake!

Author: Terry Border [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Philomel Books

ISBN: 9780399167737

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?

One of the co-workers with a desk next to mine showed it to me, and I checked it out once she was done with it.

Comments:

The pictures were intriguing.  I read this one to my niece (6 yrs) and younger nephew (4 years).  Both enjoyed it.  They found finishing the sentence each time I read, "And we'll go together like Peanut Butter and... [fill in the blank]!" very especially entertaining.

Title: The Princess and the Pony

Author: Kate Beaton [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

ISBN: 9780545637084

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?

One of the co-workers with a desk next to mine showed it to me, and I checked it out once she was done with it.

Comments:

I did read this one to my niece (6 yrs).  We both really enjoyed it.  The princess is a strong character, and yet the story showed strength comes in all shapes and sizes.  Plus parts of it were outright funny.  I'll be frank; farts are mentioned.

Title: Dinotrux Dig the Beach

Author: Chris Gall [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

ISBN: 9780316375535

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?

I saw this when I was helping fill in at the Children's desk/department.  The new books are directly across from that desk.  I knew as soon as I saw it that my younger nephew would love it.

Comments:

I told the younger nephew (4 yrs) to pick a book and of course he chose this.  He's very into robots, Transformers, et cetera with vehicles coming in on the list of favorites after that.  This book holds obvious appeal.

Each of the Dinotrux has it's own name - a mix between the dinosaur it resembles and the function/vehicle it represents.  A's favorites were the Tyrannosaurus Trux - the "boss one" - and the "rolypoly one" - Garbageadon - seen in an early page dive-bombing into the water.

Catch-up, Pt 4

Title: Horse of a Different Killer
Author: Laura Morrigan [Website][Facebook][Twitter]
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
ISBN: 9780425257210
Obtained: Library copy

I enjoy this series, though once again I found myself scraping my brain to remember what happened in the first two stories leading up to it.  This time around Grace's sister is suspected of murder, Grace's usual sources are unavailable to her for one reason or another, and she must scramble to find the truth... and a missing possibly mistreated horse along the way.

I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.

Title: Texts From Mittens: A Cat Who Has an Unlimited Data Plan and Isn't Afraid to Use It
Author: Angie Bailey [Website][Website/Book Facebook][Website/Book Twitter]
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 9780373893225
Obtained: Library copy

Very cute.  Parts were funny and needed to be shared.  Parts were silently amusing.  And parts were okay, moving on...

Title: Through the Woods
Author: Emily Carroll [Website (scroll down for "About" section)][Publisher Page][Twitter]
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN: 9781442465954
Obtained: Library copy 

This is a series of stories all featuring a "through the woods" element.

The thing about this book is that you need to pay attention to the recommended ages.  Because my 7yo nephew came to look at it with me, and I was reading aloud (just because I enjoy it).  He didn't understand the first story (and I didn't explain), and the second story creeped him out so bad he had nightmares.  When he saw the cover nearly a month later he called it the "bad book".  So FYI, it is intended for "Ages 14 and up".

But back to reading aloud, it works wonderfully with a low slow tone.  I loved the atmosphere and flow of the stories.  The one story I didn't care for was "The Nesting Place".  Ugh.  But otherwise the stories shared a kind of cool and creepy feel, with corresponding images.

Title: Day Shift
Author: Charlaine Harris [Website][Facebook][IMDb]
Publisher: ACE Books
Series: Midnight, Texas, Bk 2
ISBN: 9780425263198
Length: 307 Pages
Obtained: Library copy

I enjoyed this book, and Midnight Texas.  This is a multi-perspective story, but it works.

Once again, though I am left knowing I really need to read and/or re-read some of Charlaine Harris's other series.  I especially need a refresher on the Sookie Stackhouse series, because a couple more came out in this story and some of the story line actually reflected things that had happened in the Sookie series.  But I also need to read the Aurora Teagarden books (which I never did) and finish the Lily Bard books.

Title: Garden of Lies

Author: Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz [Website][Facebook] aka Jayne Castle

Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons

ISBN: 9780399165153

Length: 359 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?: I read everything new by AQ/JAK/JC

Comments:

The heroine's name is Ursula.  That is what first struck me about the book.  When I hear Ursula, I don't think historical English woman (though I suppose that suits).  I think Disney villain - one that creeps me out more than most other Disney villains.  Once I pushed past that I was able to continue with and enjoy the story.  It has many of the same characteristics that make AQ/JAK/JC books comfort reads, so it was a feel good story.  Nothing else especially stood out as being something I should mention though.

Catch-up, Pt 3

Title: O Pioneers!

Author: Willa Cather [Willa Cather Foundation][Willa Cather Archive][PBS American Masters]

Read for a book discussion.  At first it very much felt like required school reading, but eventually I became more interested.  The last quarter was strange, IMO.

Title: Paradise (Second Opportunities, Bk 1) (re-read)

Author: Judith McNaught [Website][Facebook]

Re-read just because.  I admittedly skimmed some at the beginning.

Title: Remember When (Foster Saga, 2) (re-read)

Author: Judith McNaught [Website][Facebook]

After reading Paradise, I had a need to re-read this one.

Title: Tell Me No Lies (re-read)

Author: Elizabeth Lowell [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Ann Maxwell

This was in the same box as the Judith McNaught books and appealed.  I couldn't remember much of the story, just that I had liked it when I initially read it and the one time I re-read it before.

Title: Heroes Are My Weakness

Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

The title caught my interest.  But it turns out I enjoyed it.  I liked the ventriloquist thing.  And quite frankly I liked Annie.  Though the big bad secret from the past was weird (kinda horrible, really).  And I guessed parts of the history in question before it was revealed.  I wasn't especially happy about the other stuff going on, either.

Title: Breathing Room (re-read)

Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Re-read just because.  I admittedly skimmed some at the beginning.

Title: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

Author: Jonas Jonasson [Website]

Read for book club.  This was my pick and I was so pleased to find it was hilarious.  I loved the historical elements.  Allan kinda struck me as a sociopath, but in such a way that I couldn't resist enjoying him and his exploits anyway.  Also, the author is Swedish.

Catch-up, Pt 2

I continue to attempt catching up with the many books read but not posted in months.

Title: Loot: How To Steal a Fortune

Author: Jude Watson [Website] aka Judy Blundell [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Scholastic Press

ISBN: 9780545468022

Length: 266 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

It features thieves, and I love books about thieves.

Comments:

It was okay, but not as good as I had hoped when I read the blurb and requested the library purchase it.

Christine Feehan [Website][Facebook][Twitter]'s GhostWalker Series

A friend asked me to be in her wedding.  While we were discussing old times, she asked if I still read Christine Feehan (an author I introduced her to)'s books.  I said I hadn't in a while.

But afterwards I suddenly felt like catching up on this particular series. So I read all that have been published to date.  I'll indicate if it was a re-read or new to me next to the title.

1. Shadow Game (re-read)
2. Mind Game (re-read)
3. Night Game (re-read)
4. Conspiracy Game (re-read)
5. Deadly Game (re-read)
6. Predatory Game (re-read)
7. Murder Game (re-read)
8. Street Game (re-read ... I think)
9. Ruthless Game (new-to-me)
10. Samurai Game (new-to-me)
11. Viper Game (new-to-me)

Comments:

These seem to be focusing more and more on sex.  I guess I should expect that, but it was annoying because I was skipping chunks of pages looking for the story toward the end of the series.  But I am still interested in reading more, so we'll see how it goes with future books.

Title: An Early Wake

Author: Sheila Connolly [Website][Facebook] aka Sarah Atwell [Berkley Prime Crime]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: County Cork Mystery, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780425252536

Length: 291 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've been enjoying this series and author.

Comments:

Offered an interesting look into Irish musical history.  I enjoyed the overall story, but there were some inconsistencies that frustrated me beyond belief.  I had to keep setting the book down and distracting myself from whatever inconsistency before I moved on.

Nora Roberts [Website][Website 2][Facebook] re-reading and catch-up and all new...

Title: Brazen Virtue (re-read)

Follows Sacred Sins.  I've re-read this before and know and like the story.  But this time I saw it with fresh eyes.  Oh, technology.  How it does date books so.  I was 4 yo when this book was published.

The Sign of Seven Trilogy (new-to me ; catch-up)

Blood Brothers
The Hollow
The Pagan Stone

I had some trouble with picking these up when they came out years ago (even though I do own all of them).  Once I actually started I found myself caught up.  The books were interesting, and I liked the characters.

The Circle Trilogy (new-to-me ; catch-up)

Morrigan's Cross
Dance of the Gods
Valley of Silence

If I was going to catch-up on some unread trilogies, I may as well go all the way.  I was apparently in the right frame of mind for vampires now (that is, initially, why I never read this series).  I breezed through the series; I especially looked forward to the vampire's story in the 3rd book of the trilogy.

Title: The Liar (new)

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

ISBN: 9780399170867

Length: 501 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It's the newest Nora Roberts.

Comments:

It was pretty interesting: 1) the look at verbal abuse and its spiraling effect, 2) how one falls into the web of a master con-man, 3) how someone can pick themselves back up.

Shelby did seem to go from being shamed (courtesy of lies of an abuser) to proud (she had to do all the financial pick-up herself... no bankruptcy etc. for her).  But I still liked her.  And Griffin was pretty good too.  I did figure certain key aspects out way before any of the characters in the book.  Maybe because I've seen it in other books/movies before.  And I'll say no more lest I give something away.

Catch-up, Pt 1

Life got busy and complicated and my blog suffered for it.  But I have still been reading.  I'm going to try to remember everything (except the kids books).  I'll write a little something about the books if I can (such as if I jotted notes down, or if I read it recently).  I have to do this in multiple parts because I'm limited by the tags.

Here we go...

Title: Prayers for Sale

Author: Sandra Dallas [Website][Facebook]

This was a book club read.  I had the following notes saved on my phone...

I enjoyed. Historical fiction can be so interesting, and this fit the bill. Stretched between the Civil War, the Depression, and Mining. Plus the Colorado Mountain setting, the old teaching the young, the storytelling, and the friendship aspects... They combination appealed to me. There was both sorrow and joy, but overall I enjoyed the book and look forward to trying more by Sandra Dallas. I discovered at the end that some of the characters can be found in other books so I intend to go back and discover these additional stories.

Title: Trust No One

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz [Website][Facebook] aka Jayne Castle aka Amanda Quick

Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons

ISBN: 9780399165139

Length: 327 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It's JAK.

Comments:

I like Grace and Julius. ... and that is as far as I got on this book in my draft posts from early February.

Title: The Curl Up and Dye [Goodreads]

Author: Sharon Sala [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Dinah McCall

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Series: Follows the novella Color Me Bad

ISBN: 9781402283970

Length: 288 pages

Obtained: Library ebook copy

Why this book?:

It was the January title for the discussion group I'm leading.

Comments: Also as far as I had gotten in a draft post from early February.  LilyAnn has been living a tedious life, until one day she gets a wake-up call and starts making some changes.

Is the south (southern USA) really like this?  Every time I read a book about small town southern life I wonder.

Title: The Tusk That Did the Damage

Author: Tania James [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Obtained: Free ARC from ALA Midwinter Conference

Why this book?:

I couldn't resist the cover, the title, or the little bit that I read of the blurb (the first sentence or two).

Comments:

It wasn't exactly what I expected, especially with the multiple perspectives.  But that didn't make it less interesting.  As I was adding this my nephew (7 yo) came up behind me and read the title.  I told him that some people do horrible things and kill elephants and rhinos for their tusks/horns.  He says, "Can't they just cut them off without killing them?" I say, "Cutting them off can kill them.  People don't need that stuff."  He thinks and responds, "Why don't they just cut them off dead ones?" (meaning those who've died of natural causes).  He was called away before I could respond...  ::sigh::

Dust AND Tribes

Title: Dust

Author: Arthur Slade [Website][Website Bio 2][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

ISBN: 0385730047

Length: 183 pages

Obtained: Libray copy

Why this book?:

I searched Amazon for Books by Canadian authors and Arthur Slade's books came up.  This is one that my library has.

Comments:

I didn't know what to expect of this book.  It is set in the Depression-era, when drought is overtaking the land and 5 cents is a big deal.  Robert's little brother Matthew goes missing.  At first his parents are devastated, but someone new comes to town and suddenly its seems most of the adults in town are not themselves.  Robert knows something isn't right, but what can one 11 year old boy do?

This story had a very mystical sort of twist that I did not expect.  And the title means so much more than I first realized.  I did enjoy the story - I certainly breezed through it - but it was very strange.

In some ways it was difficult to wrap my head around.

Title: Tribes

Author: Arthur Slade [Website][Website Bio 2][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

ISBN: 0385730039

Length: 134 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

For the same reason as Dust.  I found it for the 7th annual Canadian Book Challenge.

Comments:

I read this while away at the ALA annual conference.  I finished it on the plane home.  It was short and bizarre.  I did know going in that the main character (Percy) considered the various cliques to be "tribes."  But I did not realize Percy's character would be so... different.  And perhaps I should have guessed the end sooner, bu I didn't.

Elemental books

In preparation for my England trip I checked out the max number of eBooks possible on my Kindle (10) to save space in my luggage.  Among those was the first short story and first full length story in this series.  While there I ended up also downloading and reading the second book in the series (also from the library).  I hope to be reading more of the series soon.

"Elemental" (Elemental, Bk 0.5) by Brigid Kemmerer -

An interesting introduction to this YA series.  I liked the characters, Emily and Michael.  The ending is pretty suspenseful, so I moved right on to the next book ASAP.

Storm (Elemental, Bk 1) by Brigid Kemmerer -

The first full length book in the series and I expected it to see more about Michael and Emily.  Instead it features Becca and Chris.  I suddenly didn't like Michael very much, and I certainly didn't like how things turned out from his short story.  But I can't say more without major spoilers.  But Becca and Chris were okay, and you definitely get more of a feel for the world/setting.

Spark (Elemental, Bk 2) by Brigid Kemmerer -

Featuring another brother, Gabriel, and a girl named Layne.  But this book reminded me of the 1999 movie She's All That with Freddie Prince Jr. and Rachel Leigh Cook.  Even the characters names. Layne = Laney and her brother Simon (both book and movie) who live with their father...  Once I got past the similarities, I enjoyed the angsty story.  Especially Gabriel.