When I first started this book, I loved it. I honestly thought I was going to like it better than the first two books in this series. However, the morWhen I first started this book, I loved it. I honestly thought I was going to like it better than the first two books in this series. However, the more I read, the story became less engaging and I found myself loosing interest in the story. I am glad I was able to finish this series, though. My favorite of the series would have to be, The Mistletoe Promise. ...more
Excellent whodunit murder mystery. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries and people who love trying to figure out who committed theExcellent whodunit murder mystery. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries and people who love trying to figure out who committed the murders in novels. (I love Poirot's personality and how he uses his "little grey cells" to figure out all the details.)...more
If you are a fan of the sweet friendships portrayed in books like Frog and Toad, or Elephant and Piggie, then I would highly recommend this book to yoIf you are a fan of the sweet friendships portrayed in books like Frog and Toad, or Elephant and Piggie, then I would highly recommend this book to you. There are three stories in this book and they are all wonderful, however, I think the last story, Give a Fish a Home, is my absolute favorite. Humorous, touching, thought provoking, fun....more
Dubois certainly had a talent for creating fully fleshed characters, an engaging plot line, and vivid settings that are easy to imagine in your mind. Dubois certainly had a talent for creating fully fleshed characters, an engaging plot line, and vivid settings that are easy to imagine in your mind. This story is the first in a series that will follow the strong and independent character, Louise. The reader will watch her make mistakes and become more independent and possibly wiser from her life experiences.
However, after much thought and consideration, I have decided to not finish this novel. This decision is based on my personal preferences and does not represent the quality of Dubois writing. My normal genre of reading are typically clean reads. Unfortunately, this story contained more nudity and sex scenes than what I am personally comfortable with. I am sure others will love this book and the strong willed Louise, but alas, this just wasn't my cup of tea....more
Heartwarming, southern read with beautiful themes about not judging people for their pasts, making friends with the unexpected and learning to deal wiHeartwarming, southern read with beautiful themes about not judging people for their pasts, making friends with the unexpected and learning to deal with sadnesses in your life. I liked how one reviewer compared this to, To Kill a Mockingbird, except it is written for middle graders. Well worth the read!...more
This is a very insightful story, written in verse, that shares the story of a 10 year old girl who escapes South Vietnam with her family and transitioThis is a very insightful story, written in verse, that shares the story of a 10 year old girl who escapes South Vietnam with her family and transitions into a new life in America. This makes for a quick read because of the verse format, but also because I found it hard to put down. I wanted to know more and see how life for young Ha' would work out. I enjoyed all of it and found myself pondering about a time that I do not know much about. I loved the author's final words that she shared on the last page. This is what she said: " I hope you enjoy reading about Ha' as much as I have enjoyed remembering the pivotal year in my life. I also hope after you finish this book that you sit close to someone you love and implore that person to tell and tell and tell their story."
Reread: November 2017 My daughter, who previously didn't want to read this book, confiscated my copy and finished it in one day. Now, we both have a soReread: November 2017 My daughter, who previously didn't want to read this book, confiscated my copy and finished it in one day. Now, we both have a soft spot for William Spiver and the poetic Ulysses. I have also decided that our next dog should be named Flora Belle. "What a lovely, melodious name."
Original Review: October 2017 I went into this middle grade book, thinking I wouldn't like it. I had gotten it out of the library hoping that either my 9 or 11 year old kids would be interested in reading it. After reading only one or two chapters, my 9 year old handed the book back to me and said she didn't want to read it because she didn't like the way the characters talked. I then decided I would read it and see what the book was all about. I am pretty sure it was the euphemisms, attitudes, and life styles that aren't, per-say, the sweetest, that caused my daughter to pass on this book. However, the more I read, the more I understood and fell in love with the humorous, quirky, bazaar, down right absurd characters, and story. I was really impressed with the subtle depth and meaning to this story and how the characters found a happiness to their lives, that they were previously missing. I could probably talk a long time about this book, about what I liked, and what I also inwardly cringed at, however, I thought it was quite brilliantly written. This may not be the perfect book for all children, but I do feel like it might be loved and cherished by many....more
I am quickly learning that it isn't easy finding a sweet, clean, book for younger readers. This, however, is a book that I wouldn't hesitate to recommI am quickly learning that it isn't easy finding a sweet, clean, book for younger readers. This, however, is a book that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to any young girl. It follows the new Disney movie very well, and actually improved upon the movie's depth for me after I read it. It has 8 pages, in the center of the book, of fully colored photos from the movie. I wish they would publish this book in a pretty, little hardcopy with a ribbon marker. I am glad my daughter told me it was one of her favorite books to read and asked me to read it. ...more
3.5 I love how a popular doll is sold with a book and there are more books in the series. Little girls can get to know their doll's character better, b3.5 I love how a popular doll is sold with a book and there are more books in the series. Little girls can get to know their doll's character better, but they can also learn solid historical details and facts that are brought out in the stories. This book is about Kit an her family. It is set during the Great Depression and it shows the financial struggles, sorrow, and self identification that can change when you loose the normal life that you once knew. My reason for a 3.5 star rating is only because I can't say it makes the best read aloud. These books are probably better for children that can read them independently....more
Why are the books that mean the most to you, the hardest ones to write your feelings and thoughts about it? Sometimes, it takes a few days, some time,Why are the books that mean the most to you, the hardest ones to write your feelings and thoughts about it? Sometimes, it takes a few days, some time, to step away from the novel you read, so you can get a feel for what you experienced from your book. I will be up-front. My five star rating is probably biased, but I love these characters too much to give them anything less than a five in this book. Jan Karon's books are special to me. They give me moments to think about life. How life is always changing and moving on. There will always be trials and hurdles to jump through, but God is with us through it all. These stories also remind me that some things never change. All people need someone to love, everyone needs to feel loved and everyone needs something to look forward too. People need to forgive one another and also seek forgiveness when we make mistakes. I also appreciate the gentle reminders that we need to put effort into our relationships if we want them to remain full of life, love, and energy. Although I would never recommend reading this book without reading the previous 11 or 13 novels ( depending on whether or not you consider the Father Tim novels as part of this series) that come before this book. Karon's later books aren't written, so much, for the characterization, but more like little vignettes into the lives of the characters she penned in her first few novels, so I think the depth and authenticity to the novel would be missing. Some touching moments in this book, for me, were when Lacy was going through her college things and all the memories flooded over her as she looked at old clothes and items that once meant so much to her. Another tender moment was when Father Tim desperately carried Chucky to the hospital. And lastly, I spilt happy tears when Dooley and Lace shared the news of how God was making the impossible, possible, in their little family. I will be honest, though. And please, I hope all you Mitford lovers won't hate me for saying this, but I feel like this should be the last book in the series. It just had that feeling to it, much like watching the credits at the end of a movie. It was wonderful, but all good things must come to an end. Now, it's time to reread this series and fall in love, again, with a younger Father Tim and a little boy named Dooley....more
It's official. I'm falling in love with children's poetry. This book is wonderful. I am now inspired to read all the Caldecott books. I know I won't lIt's official. I'm falling in love with children's poetry. This book is wonderful. I am now inspired to read all the Caldecott books. I know I won't love them all, but this is a gem and I hope I will discover more....more
If your read Wish You Were Here, by Beth Vogt, then this sequel novella is a must read. I loved seeing Seth grow as a man, in his relationship with GoIf your read Wish You Were Here, by Beth Vogt, then this sequel novella is a must read. I loved seeing Seth grow as a man, in his relationship with God, and how he found a happy peace with his life. These characters all really grew on me and I wish I could read more about my new literary friends....more
This author has a way of writing that pulls you in. With such a pretty cover, I always expect a fluffy, sweet romance, but within the pages of his booThis author has a way of writing that pulls you in. With such a pretty cover, I always expect a fluffy, sweet romance, but within the pages of his books, there is always a depth, usually something very sad, that the main character has to grow and heal from. They are sad and uplifting all at the same time. This book was fun because I enjoy bookish type books. In this story, the heroine likes to write and she wants to have her book published. She attends a writers conference and meets another author. I would recommend it to those who love Christmas stories with some depth and to those who love to read about the writing world, getting published, the beauty of words, and, of course, books with a HEA. ...more
I really enjoyed learning about the details and the lives of smoke jumpers in this book. Sometimes, I felt like the pacing was a little slow at times,I really enjoyed learning about the details and the lives of smoke jumpers in this book. Sometimes, I felt like the pacing was a little slow at times, but I am sure it was just me. The characters in this story are very easy to like. My favorite part of the story was when Jed sang the hymn, to Kate, over his walkie talkie. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series....more
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