Welcome!

My craft blog was morphing into a book blog. So I started this blog to primarily include book reviews and related challenges in which I participate. I review young adult and adult fiction, but I mention kids books here and there.


Saturday, April 3, 2010

WG: Checking Out Libraries

Over at Weekly Geeks, this week's prompt is about libraries.
I have a mom who loves to read, so there were always books around the house. I recall going to the library and looking through the card catalog (would I be dating myself to admit that I miss those?). I loved having my own card. I'm sure that I went to the school library, but my childhood library memories involve the public library.

I now live in a larger town that has a library with several branches. I used to have the intention of visiting every branch, but that hasn't happened. I would guess that I have frequented 5-6 branches, though. I love the branch in my neighborhood because they know me and my children by name.

Since I've been blogging, I now visit the library about once every week and half. I frequent the library a lot more during the summer because I want to keep my kiddos reading. I'm cheap, so I rarely buy books. When I do, they tend to be more reference "how to" types that I typically purchase used or on clearance.

Thanks, Weekly Geeks, for the post idea!

I am a participant in the Support Your Local Library challenge.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Where am I wednesday? March 10

I signed up for a lot of challenges - probably too many! I plan to check in every other week to track what I've accomplished. Here's where I am so far.

POC Reading Challenge
   Asleep
   My Life as a Rhombus
   Six Easy Pieces
   Violet's Music
   A Chair for Always 
   14 cows for America
   Children of the Waters
  The Seeing Stick
   The Rain Stomper
   I am still reading A Thousand Never Evers and Bitter Sweets (library fines be damned!).

Short Story Reading Challenge for 2010.
   Six Easy Pieces

Finish That Series Challenge in 2010.
   The Bookman's Last Fling.

Revisit Your Childhood Favorites Challenge
   I haven't started this one yet.

Twenty Minute Book Club Challenge.
   I haven't started this one yet.

 2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge
   Six Easy Pieces
   The Bookman's Last Fling.
   The Unexpectedly Bad Hair of Barcelona Smith
   The End
   Violet's Music
   A Chair for Always
   14 cows for America
   Dear Mrs. Larue
   Lost and Found
   Children of the Waters
   the Seeing Stick
   The Rain Stomper
   Crazy Hair
   If the World Were a Village
   Finn Throws a Fit
   Those Shoes
   All the World
   Duck and Cover
   I am still reading A Thousand Never Evers and Bitter Sweets.

Support Your Local Author Challenge.
   My Life as a Rhombus
  The Unexpectedly Bad Hair of Barcelona Smith
   All the World
   I am still reading A Thousand Never Evers   

Young Readers Challenge
   The Unexpectedly Bad Hair of Barcelona Smith
   The End
   Violet's Music
   A Chair for Always
   14 cows for America
   Dear Mrs. Larue
   Lost and Found
   the Seeing Stick
   The Rain Stomper
   Crazy Hair
   If the World Were a Village
   Finn Throws a Fit
   Those Shoes
   All the World
   Duck and Cover

Flashback Challenge for 2010.
   I plan to reread The Color Purple

The Audio Book Challenge in 2010.
   I'm listening to Positivity

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Where Am I Wednesday? February 24

I signed up for a lot of challenges - probably too many! I plan to check in every other week to track what I've accomplished. Here's where I am so far.

POC Reading Challenge
   Asleep
   My Life as a Rhombus
   Six Easy Pieces
   Violet's Music
   A Chair for Always 
   14 cows for America
   Children of the Waters
  The Seeing Stick
   The Rain Stomper
   I am in the midst of reading A Thousand Never Evers and Bitter Sweets.

Short Story Reading Challenge for 2010.
   Six Easy Pieces

Finish That Series Challenge in 2010.
   I am currently reading the Bookman's Last Fling.

Revisit Your Childhood Favorites Challenge
   I haven't started this one yet.

Twenty Minute Book Club Challenge.
   I haven't started this one yet.

 2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge
   Six Easy Pieces
   I am currently reading the Bookman's Last Fling.
   The Unexpectedly Bad Hair of Barcelona Smith
   The End
   Violet's Music
   A Chair for Always
   14 cows for America
   Dear Mrs. Larue
   Lost and Found
   Children of the Waters
   the Seeing Stick
   The Rain Stomper
   Crazy Hair
   If the World Were a Village
   Finn Throws a Fit
   Those Shoes
   All the World
   Duck and Cover
   I am in the midst of reading A Thousand Never Evers and Bitter Sweets.

Support Your Local Author Challenge.
   My Life as a Rhombus
  The Unexpectedly Bad Hair of Barcelona Smith
   All the World
 I have checked out but not read A Thousand Never Evers and Trudy

Young Readers Challenge
   The Unexpectedly Bad Hair of Barcelona Smith
   The End
   Violet's Music
   A Chair for Always
   14 cows for America
   Dear Mrs. Larue
   Lost and Found
   the Seeing Stick
   The Rain Stomper
   Crazy Hair
   If the World Were a Village
   Finn Throws a Fit
   Those Shoes
   All the World
   Duck and Cover


Flashback Challenge for 2010.
   I plan to reread The Color Purple

The Audio Book Challenge in 2010.
   I haven't started this one yet.

Kid's reads

 This week's kid's books were visually entertaining.

Those shoes (Read as part of the POC, Young Readers, and Support Your Local Library challenges) I think that this one was my favorite one for the week. A young boy is saddened by the fact that he can't afford the popular shoes that all of his classmates seem to have. When his shoes fall apart, he is embarrassed by the shoes he has to take from the school's supply. His grandmother finds a pair at a thrift shop, which he buys even though they are too small. When his friend is without shoes, he makes a tough choice. This book really touched my heart while attesting to the generosity of children.

The Rain Stomper. (Read as part of the POC, Young Readers, and Support Your Local Library challenges) Beautifully illustrated, this book reminded me a great deal of my dancing daughter. The main character is looking forward to participating in the annual parade until the rain comes. But she doesn't let that stop her from expressing herself.

 If the World Were A village. (Read as part of the Young Readers, and Support Your Local Library challenges) As a former math teacher, I was really excited about the numbers in this book. Using the premise that the world is a village of a mere 100 people, this books explains how the people represent different demographics. Oh the lessons and activities I could have students do based on this book!
The Seeing Stick by Jan Yolen. (Read as part of the POC, Young Readers, and Support Your Local Library challenges) I loved this one. The illustrations were awesome, and the theme of appreciating what's around you was nicely illustrated.
 All the World (Read as part of the POC, Young Readers, and Support Your Local Library challenges) This beautifully illustrated book celebrates that mankind is one big family.
 Crazy Hair (Read as part of the Young Readers, and Support Your Local Library challenges) I enjoyed the rhythm and rhyme of this book. The illustrations were interesting as well.
 Finn Throws a Fit (Read as part of the Young Readers, and Support Your Local Library challenges) Super illustrations of a little one throwing a big fit. As the mother of a two-year-old, I can relate!
Duck and Cover (Read as part of the Young Readers, and Support Your Local Library challenges) A cute book involving animal antics.