Review: Frat Girl

Frat Girl by Kiley Roache
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dates Read: December 30-31

Melissa's Musings

The sociologist in me loved this book. It features Cassie Davis, a high school student from Indiana, who comes up with an interesting way to earn the first year of a scholarship to a prestigious college. Conduct a social experiment in order to conduct research on culture inside a frat house, social norms within Greek organizations, and potentially disband the frat. What she doesn't anticipate is the far reaching effects, both on her personal life, and the lives of the fraternity brothers.

My own college experience was far removed from Cassie's. I didn't go to any frat parties, I only had a few friends. But I could definitely still relate on some levels. I lived in coed dorms all four years, so there was the general banter between all of us, that's similar to the banter between Cassie and her "brothers".

My sophmore year of college I had a roomate much like Leighton. Complete with Louis Vuitton luggage, and the haughty attitude that said she felt she was much too good to be sharing a room with the likes of me. I endured the riduculous screeching of her sorority sisters when they stopped by our room and I happened to be there. Frat boys sleeping over, and the ridiculous drama that came with too much drinking, (Hers, not mine) Needless to say, I had a single room for the remainder of my college life because the experiences with this roomate were not ones I wanted to suffer through again.

Cassie as a character is probably not too much like me personally, other than studying sociology and gender issues. I'm not a girly girl, and she seems to be one, at least on some level. But I do like her edginess. She stands up for what she feels is right, and doesn't give a fuck about it.

So much so that at one point she almost blows her entire experiment when she bursts out of an interview room to talk to one of the subjects after the recount a painful experience. The researcher in me was thinking "Oh no, what are you doing?!?! The other part was thinking "I probably would have done the same thing.

The author does a nice job of intermixing formal writing, for the research parts of the story, and the parts that deal with some of the heavier subject matter when the characters are discussing feminism, and keeping it real, and genuine. Although I really could have done without the use of the word "fuckbois". That's just an annoying textspeak term to me, but I see why she used it.

As Cassie gets more involved both with pledging, and with her project, you can tell that its going to be difficult to see how this all will turn out. She gets personally involved, which I know would be hard not to do, social experiment or not. But, because of the experiment, her experiences and friendships are based on mistruths.

The "relationship" she has with Connor is stereotypical. He only wants one thing, and turns into an ass when she says no. Her relationship with Jordan is sweeter. Though I didn't find it overly ridiculous, like it could have been. It felt just right.

I also really liked Duncan's character. He's the perfect mixture of a macho football player but someone who also cares about people. Cassie really seems to have an impact on him, as is apparent in one of his last scenes in the book.

The serious subjects of the book are important, and dealt with well. This also gave me some serious laughs. Since this is an ARC, I can't quote directly, because I can't compare with the finished book, but lets just say there is a scene where the frat brothers talk about "laying eggs" that had me laughing pretty hard.

The twist from Peter at the end isn't really one I had expected, but I definitely appreciated it. On the level of the impact of Cassie's influence, and on a personal level, I agreed with what he had to say.

Given that Cassie has to propose a new project each year to maintain her scholarship, I think there's room for Roache to continue with these characters and I wouldn't be disappointed to see more of them, but I imagine it'd be difficult to maintain the quality and keep it fresh like this was.

Does anyone have any college stories they'd like to share? Do you think you might consider reading Frat Girl?

*I won a copy of this via Goodreads Giveaways*

Review: Money and Teens: Savvy Money Skills

Title: Money and Teens: Savvy Money Skills

Series: N/A

Author: Darby Karchut and Wes Karchut

Publisher: Copper Square Studios

Published: August 2012

Genre: Non-Fiction

Format: Kindle

Pages: 190

Source: Received from Author

Read: March 3-4, 2013

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add This To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Parents: Hand this book to your teen before handing them a credit card.

Teens: Learn real-life, money skills. Practical, no-nonsense ways that help you waste less and have more money. Read this book before you hand over your credit card, take out a student loan, sign a cell phone contract, apply for a car loan, start a job or buy one more thing online.

"Ensuring financial literacy for all young adults is one of our most pressing challenges…MONEY AND TEENS is a great and timely resource to help get us there." - Dr. Walt Cooper, Superintendent, Cheyenne Mountain School District, Colorado Springs, CO

Master the skills you need to get the things you want - computers, cars, a college education, even a home.

Melissa's Musings

This book breaks down everything from balancing a checkbook to loan payments and the basics of taxes. It's certainly no substitute for professional advice, but it's enough to get someone started at the very least. I learned a thing or two myself when reading it. This book is written in a basic, down to earth tone that I think teens can appreciate without having the feeling that they're being talked down to.

The only thing I didn't like were that some of the vignette examples at the end of chapters were a little corny. That's just a personal preference though, and likely the result of my not being a teenager anymore, and having a very different mindset when it comes to spending money.

This book has lots of helpful resources, charts, and examples for teens who are just learning to manage their money and those of us who need a push to start a budget, or manage our finances a little more carefully.

Blog Tour: Escucha Means Listen Review and Giveaway

Tour Schedule

Escucha Means Listen

From the mowing of the lawn to the splish-splashing of rain puddles, Talia Aikens-Nuñez’s bilingual picture book Escucha Means Listen introduces toddlers and babies to the sweet sounds around them.

Take a journey through the world—just listening. Escucha Means Listen helps children discover sounds around them in English and Spanish.












Excerpt
Buzz. Buzz. Qué oyes? (What do you hear?)
Las abejas (The bees) circling the flowers.

Woosh. Woosh. What do you hear?
El viento (The wind) is whistling by.

Shh. Shh. Qué oyes? (What do you hear?)
Las hojas (The leaves) are dancing on the trees.

Purchase

Publisher * Amazon

Author Talia Aikens-Nuñez  

Talia Aikens-Nuñez wanted to be a meteorologist, a politician and a lawyer. She never thought she would be a writer. It was the birth of her daughter that caused her to start writing. Raising a bilingual child inspired Talia to write lyrical children’s books. These ‘first experience’ books introduce Spanish to children and parents too! Talia’s family loves nature so much that she and her husband vowed that they will always try to live close to water. She, her husband and daughter live on a river in Connecticut with their daughter Isabella.

Facebook * Website 

My Review:

5 stars

Escucha Means Listen is a delightful children's book that will teach children and adults alike basic Spanish words. There are several different fun sounds for readers to hear, and learn the words for, including the sounds of the lawn mower, sounds of squirrels running through the trees and bells ringing in the tower. The book is well illustrated with bright and cheerful pictures. Each of the Spanish words has it's English translation right next to it making the association between the words very easy for the reader.

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/21/12

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Review: Dottie and Weasel: The Lemonade Fiasco

Title: Dottie and Weasel: Lemonade Fiasco

Author: Charlotte Panning 

Publisher: Ginnie's LLC

Published: August 21, 2012

Format:  Kindle

Genre: Chlildren's Stories

Pages: 31

Source: Received from the author 

in exchange for an honest review

Read: December 30 2012

In A Few Words: Sweet story

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add This to your To-Read Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

"Dottie and Weasel: Lemonade Fiasco" is a whimsical tale about two lovable and adorable dogs.  Dottie has a tendency to be high strung, bossy, and charming.  Weasel, on the other hand, is kind and good natured.  In the ebook, the two dogs go loafing around the neighborhood.  During their stroll back home, a fiasco unfolds.  Both dogs end up in deep trouble. But don't worry; the ending creates a chuckle.

Dottie and Weasel have many neighborhood friends. In this book, the two dogs meet up with Flex the cat.  He and Dottie have what many describe as a love-hate relationship.  The two are good pals at times and archrivals at other times.  In the "Lemonade Fiasco," the archrivals part of their relationship comes out.

Melissa's Musings:

This is a very sweet story about two friendly dogs and their rivalry with a local neighborhood cat. It's a fun read that any child would enjoy. It touches on important issues especially that of pressure to do things, when Dottie feels guilty that they have to sleep outside after being doused in lemonade. She worries about Weasel and touches on the fact that if she hadn't pressured Weasel to leave the yard, they wouldn't be in the situation they're in. 

The fact that the story is almost told entirely from the animals point of view is fun and engaging as well. The only thing I would have liked more would have been if the drawings had been in color, it would have made the characters come alive even more.

Beautiful Wild Rose Girl by B. Magnolia Review and Giveaway

Title: Beautiful Wild Rose Girl

Author: B. Magnolia

Illustrator: Jamila Keba

Publisher: Mystic World Press

Published: April 23 2012

Format: Paperback

Pages: 34

Source: Received from Publisher

in exchange for an honest review

Read: December 4, 2012

In A Few Words: Sweet, well illustrated

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add This To Your TBR Shelf

Amazon Book Synopsis:

This illustrated original fairy tale, appropriate for ages 7 and up, has been awarded a Gold Medal as part of the 2012 Children's Literary Classics International Book Awards. Excerpt form review: "'Beautiful Wild Rose Girl' is a touching story with an important message of love and acceptance of one's self. There is a lovely melancholy feeling to this story which is told in a style reminiscent of the old fairy tale classics. Little girls will find many questions, and even more answers within the pages of this heart-warming book which has an enchanting, happily-ever-after ending." Summary: If everyone in the village calls her Beautiful Wild Rose Girl, why does this poor, sad girl live in a Swamp? And why, when she goes to bed every night, does she hear Bullfrogs singing to her: Trooonk! Trooonk! Trooonk! What A Stupid Ugly girl! This is a story about learning to see yourself as the beautiful person you really are. And how sometimes, to break a terrible spell, you need love, the understanding of a pure-hearted shepherd, and the help of a Very Mysterious Moth.

Melissa's Musings:

This story is sweet the overall message is excellent for children. It teaches you that you should love and accept yourself for who you are. The poor sad girl feels like she is ugly since she lives in the swamp and imagines that the frogs who live there are croaking at her telling her that she's ugly. It's only when she stops and listens to the shepherd when he tells her that everyone in town thinks she's beautiful because she lives among the roses, that she comes to realize that the frogs were actually saying that she was beautiful all along. And the roses tell her too, by letting her pass through their fields and allowing her to pick them to sell at the market, she just doesn't see it.

This is a lesson that we all can learn from, young or old. People often put themselves down, or see themselves in a negative light and are worried that others see them negatively when really, that isn't true at all.  The poor sad girl is also a strong role model for little girls as she's an example that she can support herself. It's a bit of a reversal in gender roles as she moves into town and is able to take care of the shepherd with all the money that she's earned from selling roses.

The illustrations are simple, but well done. I'm curious to see what they are like in color, but the work well in black and white. I also liked the variety of fonts throughout the pages and the additions of some smaller drawings at the bottoms of certain pages.

Giveaway Time!

When sending my review copy, the publisher was also kind enough to send two additional hand bound in addition to the paperback print I reviewed. With the publisher's permission I am going to give away one of the handmade copies for a reader of this blog!.

The handmade copies are really beautiful and unique in this day and age of modern printing. I don't think I have ever had a hand bound book before. It will be a wonderful addition to the winner's book collection.

Here is a picture of the cover and binding for the copy the winner will recive:

Giveaway Rules:

The giveaway will be limited to US ONLY as I'm sending the book myself.

You do NOT have to be a follower of this blog to enter. Anyone who chooses to follow is appreciated

This giveaway will follow the guidelines outlined in my Review Policy located at the top of the blog.
This giveaway will run from December 13 2012 to December 30 2012 at 12:00 am Pacific Time
There are NO Mandatory entries, do as many as you like

Fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter:

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This giveaway is NOT associated, sponsored nor endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, or any other social media site.

34 Pieces of You by Carmen Rodrigues is an Intense Read

Title: 34 Pieces of You

Author: Carmen Rodrigues

Publisher:  Simon Pulse

Published:   September 4, 2012

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336

Source: Sent to me by the author 

Read: September 22, 2012

In  A Few Words: Intense, and powerful

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add This to Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

A dark and moving novel—reminiscent of Thirteen Reasons Why—about the mystery surrounding a teenage girl’s fatal overdose.

There was something about Ellie... Something dangerous. Charismatic. Broken. Jake looked out for her. Sarah followed her lead. And Jess kept her distance, and kept watch.

Now Ellie’s dead, and Jake, Sarah, and Jess are left to pick up the pieces. All they have are 34 clues she left behind. 34 strips of paper hidden in a box beneath her bed. 34 secrets of a brief and painful life.

Jake, Sarah, and Jess all feel responsible for what happened to Ellie, and all three have secrets of their own. As they begin to confront the darkest truths about themselves, they will also find out what Ellie herself had been hiding all along..

Melissa's Musings:

All I can say is wow. This book is intense, to say the least.

It touches on so many different issues. In some books, this might be a bad thing, meaning that there's not enough focus and it feels a little aimless, or just like a laundry list of issues to spout off. That's not the case here. While there are lot of issues mentioned within the first chapter or two,  it's done in a natural way, so that you don't get bogged down in them.

This book touches on everything from divorce, to drinking, to sexuality, to sexual abuse, and several other complex issues. 

It's a very hard book to put down because you get so drawn in, so fast. Or at least I did. And the characters are all so interconnected, in ways that you wouldn't even think of. Ellie is the magnet, the one that draws them all in. To her, and to each other. I think that Ellie enjoyed that, in a way that it gave her power. But, at the same time she was hurting and lost and lonely, even surrounded by all these people that it was just too much for her. 

In reading it you might say that Sarah was affected the most, because she attempted suicide with Ellie, but survived, so the survivors guilt must be horrible. Which, I'm sure it is a horrible thing. But, I wouldn't necessarily say that she was the one who suffered the most. I think they all did, in their own way, each equally painful and significant.

I felt the most for Tommy and Jess, because they were the ones who had plenty of secrets of their own to hide, and they were with people who didn't necessarily openly want to be with them, or who were lusting after other people. I'm not mentioning other names because I don't want to give away major plot points or spoilers. Lets just say that when you read it you might be surprised at just how interconnected they all are with each other and some relationships develop that you might not expect,  that you'll be rooting for.

The evolution of the characters is intense, as these painful events draw out memories that they want to forget. The evolution of all the characters is significant in it's own way, even the more minor characters like Jake and Ellie's parents. It was good to see the book from both the kids and the adults perspective, which can be rare for YA books. Usually the parents are distant, or not around at all, and in this case, while they were not the major characters, they played more of a significant part in the story.

I also really liked the way that the story was set up, structurally. Each of the chapters was told from a different character's point of view. But, prefacing each of the chapters was one of Ellie's 34 secrets that she kept in a box under her bed. They were secrets about all of them, what she really felt. And each one set up the coming chapter perfectly. I also like how the chapters are titled either "Before" or "After" because I think that's a mindset that many people can get into when a loved one dies. There's life before it happens, and then life after.

I am very glad that I got the opportunity to read this book and I can't wait to see what comes next from Carmen Rodrigues. If you're looking for something to make you think, this is it.

Have you read this? If so, what did you think?

Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft is Awesome

Title: Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft (Audrey's Guides #1)

Author: Jody Gehrman

Publisher: Magic Genie Books

Published: June 30 2012

Format: E-book/Kindle

Pages: 306

Source: Received from the author

in exchange for an honest review

Read: September 9-14 2012

In A Few Words:  Vivid, colorful, sensory experience

My Rating: 5  stars!

Goodreads:   Add this to your TBR shelf

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Falling in Love, baking a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer—it’s all in a day’s work for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training. When her mother goes missing and her twenty-one-year-old witchy cousin shows up out of the blue, Audrey knows something’s gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now it’s up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to her mother’s secret past.

Melissa's Musings:

I absolutely LOVED this book! It was already a highly anticipated read on my list, so when Jody contacted me about reviewing it, I immediately said yes. I'm so glad I did! This book combines two of my favorite subjects to read about, witches and baking. 

Audrey is a regular girl, who has a bit of a self esteem issue (what high schoolers don't??) Her sister is the social butterfly, who always attracts all the guys. As a result, Audrey is a little down on herself, and has lower self esteem. But not when it comes to her friends. Audrey is fiercely loyal and protective of her best friend Bridget, who is teased by the queen bee of the school Dallas. I loved reading the interactions between Audrey and Dallas because I envied the boldness that Audrey had when fighting with her.  I wish that I could have stuck up for myself the way that Audrey sticks up for Bridget. The friendship between these two characters is real and fun. I love how Bridget is always coining new words and phrases. And Audrey is sarcastic at times.

I also like Audrey because she loves to bake, and she's good at it. Baking is something that I've begun doing in the last couple of years and I really love it, so it was a point that I could really identify with her on. Especially since she makes her own alterations/ additions to recipes, I do that all the time.

The romance between her and Julian is really nice. It's not insta-love, but there's a real connection between them which is quite obvious and almost literal. I don't want to give too much away, so lets just say that it's electric. The great thing about the dynamic between Julian and Audrey is that he knows that there's something going on with her, but he doesn't push, and he's not weirded out by the strange things that happen to her. He forces her (in a good way) to be as honest as she can with him, and he accepts that there are things she's not able to tell him (specifically about her magic) They even come up with a code word for when she can't tell him something, which is cute. I really appreciated the fact that Audrey's magic was dealt with directly by Julian.

"Try looking at it from my point of view, though, Audrey. I really like you. Am I going to get totally hammered here because your life is complicated and you can’t explain just how complicated? Am I always going to be an outsider looking in?"

Jody Gehrman. Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft (Kindle Locations 4027-4028). Jody Gehrman. 

A lot of times in books about witchcraft when there's a witch and a mortal involved, there's a lot of lying to cover up the fact of the magic, and it's never really addressed by the character who's having things kept from them. The fact that Julian brings it up is a really nice change from the usual here.

In the same token, there are a few classic lines that you see often in books about witchcraft too, like "Sometimes we have to risk one, for the good of the many." All in all, it's a good mix of classic and modern elements.

One thing that grated on me a little bit was the dialogue. At times it was okay, but then at other times it got totally "teenager" maybe by a bit too much. But, the fact that Bridget coined her own terms made up for this.

One really amazing thing about this book is that it's so descriptive, and involves your other senses too, making it easier to imagine the scenes. There's amazing use of color in this book. I don't know why, but when authors write vivid, descriptive scenes with colors, they always stick out as I'm reading. There are so many here, it's wonderful. Uses of color happen every few pages. You might think that it would get old, but it doesn't. The author doesn't repeat color sequences, and it's not just "oh his eyes are blue" kind of stuff. Here are a couple sections where she talks about color that really stuck out.

The sun had set, but enough light remained to stain the splotchy clouds a beautiful orange, as if a neon tangerine had been smeared across the sky carelessly.

Jody Gehrman. Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft (Kindle Locations 2405-2406). Jody Gehrman. 

I felt my skull bust open like a magnolia on speed. Colors raced inside my body—a riot of blues, purples, greens, reds and golds—all of them ricocheting off one another before gushing through the fresh opening in my head. I felt like a kaleidoscope heated up until it explodes, sending a thousand glowing shards of color spinning wildly into the air.

Jody Gehrman. Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft (Kindle Locations 2226-2228). Jody Gehrman. 

Those are just a few examples but there are lots more in the book. In addition to the colors, I like how Gerhman incorporated smell into the story too. Audrey and Sadie's magic each has it's own specific scent. The dark magic has a stench, and it's easy to imagine from the descriptive reactions that Audrey has to it. One of the battles is particularly gruesome because of Gerhman's ability to set the scenes with such vivid imagery. It definitely had me cringing.

Both Bridget and Audrey really grow into their own, which is really nice. There's one sticking point with this for me though. You can see Bridget's growth (I won't say how) in some of her actions toward the end of the book, but the impact is lessened somewhat as Audrey explains the meaning behind the actions to Sadie. It would have been more powerfully shown if there hadn't been additional explanation.

Overall, this is an absolutely amazing book, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves books about witchcraft. A little heads up for Harry Potter fans, there is an HP reference! I can't wait to see what happens next in this series.

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Published: March 22 2011

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 359

Source: Library

Read: September 15-16 2012

In A Few Words: 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads: Add this to your TBR shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Melissa's Musings:

A few days ago, I posted my review of Hex Hall. Let me just say that Demonglass is just as good. I was so involved in the story that I didn't quite see all the twists and turns that come up in this book, so I was nicely surprised there.

There is a love triangle, but to be honest I really kind of enjoy this one. I know that I've said in the past that some love triangles are horrible, but this one is really well done. The dynamics that Sophie has with each of the guys are really different, so they're easy to differentiate, and she really has different feelings for each one. It's kind of a forced love triangle in a way since Cal is betrothed to her, but it still works well. I feel for Cal, he's so nice and it's clear that he cares for her a lot, so it's a shame that she doesn't feel the same way. Although judging by some actions toward the end of the book this may change, it'll be interesting to see what happens between them in the next book.

There's a lot of action in this book, and a lot more magic and spells. A lot more dark magic, of course, now that Sophie knows she's a demon. There's cool teleportation, Sophie's bound to a ghost, people are trying to kill her, it really is jam packed. But, the laugh out loud humor is still there, which is awesome. I loved it in the last book and I loved it in this one too.

The progression of the relationship between Sophie and her father is really great to watch too. At first, she's unsure, and doesn't trust him. I wouldn't either, if he'd been gone from my life for 17 years. But then as she starts to trust him a little more, she grows to care for him. It's clear that she wants to make him proud, and that she recognizes that he has a lot that he can teach her. 

The story leaves you wanting so much more. I don't want to put in any spoilers but let me just say that I'm so disappointed that my library doesn't have the third book, I'll have to get it ASAP so that I can find out what happens.

Echoes From the Infantry by Frank Nappi is Powerful and Poignant

Title: Echoes  From The Infantry

Author: Frank Nappi

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Published: November 1, 2005

Format: Kindle/E-book

Pages: 256

Source: Downloaded when it was 

free on Amazon.com

Read: September 19-21, 2012

In A Few Words: Powerful and poignant

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads: Add This to Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

Frank Nappi is a school teacher on Long Island who, over the last several years, befriended aging World War II veterans in his community. As he heard their reminiscences he became absorbed in their stories of simple heroism--and of trying to recapture what they'd left behind when they returned home. They are the stories of men who never asked for recognition or adulation, only a place in the free and prosperous society they'd built with their own blood, sweat and tears--men who could never entirely leave behind the horrors of the battlefield, or explain them to their own children . . .
Now, Nappi has synthesized those reminiscences and crafted them into a heartwarming and at times harrowing novel: Echoes from the Infantry. It is the fictionalized tale of one Long Island veteran, the misery of combat, and the powerful emotional bond that connected him to his fiancée back home and that allowed him to survive the war with his soul battered but intact.
It is about a father and a son, and their ultimately redeeming struggle to understand the worlds that shaped each one--one a world at war, the other a world shaped by its veterans

Melissa's Musings:

A few months ago, I read and reviewed The Legend of Mickey Tussler, and Sophomore Campaign, both by Frank Nappi. You can read both of those reviews HERE So when I was emailing his publisher to thank them for letting me review the books and hold that giveaway, she asked me if I'd be interested in reviewing Echoes from the Infantry. When I said yes, she let me know that it just happened to be free to download on Amazon that day, so I went and downloaded it right away. And I'm so glad I did. Just like the first two books I read by Frank Nappi, this one is powerful and meaningful.

The story weaves itself throughout the present and the past as it goes along. In the present, James Mcleary has lost his wife, and is depressed, and his sons are trying to figure out what to do about him.  In the past, we see small glimpses of James' life before the war, happy, carefree with Madeline. Then we live through what it was like for him in Germany, fighting the war, losing friends, the constant risk of losing his life. Then there's his life after the war. The war has taken its toll, physically and emotionally. He withdraws from life, he feels like he doesn't fit in, he can't process all the things he's done and seen. 

Of course he moves on to a point, he still has a life to live, but it's almost as if he's not really there, a ghost of his former self. James is a creature of habit. He likes things regimented, and his way, mainly, he likes the control of that. And his kids do suffer for it, John most of all. John spends his childhood wishing for his fathers' approval and growing tired of his mother making excuses all the time. 

The relationship between John and James is strained, at best, and Madeleine's death only makes it harder. John is the one who's left with the responsibility of cleaning out the house and it's while he's cleaning that he finds the letters his father sent to his mother during the war and gets to see a different side of his father. 

The letters were one of my favorite things about this book. They are full of love, even hope in such desperate situations. They are a sharp contrast to the stoic, rocky, seemingly impassive character we are first presented with. And I think these letters are really what make the book so powerful. As you read them you have the same wondering thoughts that John does. "Who is this man and why have I never seen this side of him.?" At first the letters made me sad for John, because it's clear that it was this type of father that he's been looking for all this time, and the letters are a confusing juxtaposition to the man he's always known. 

All throughout the book I found myself hoping that there would be some sort of redemption, some sort of peace that would come through it all. I won't spoil it, but I'm happy to say that it does happen, and John helps to bring it about.

In addition to the great writing, and the story itself, there is also excellent imagery. You can really feel the emotions of the characters as you read, see yourself in their situations. I love the scenes where the guys in James' platoon all talk about food to try and keep themselves warm with the thought of it in the cold winter nights. 

This is an extremely powerful book about war, and the long lasting effect it can have on those who went through it and their families.

Ambition's Not An Awful Word by Zack Zage, Illustrated by Adam Watkins

Title: Ambition's Not An Awful Word

Author:  Zack Zage

Illustrator: Adam Watkins

Publisher:  Ivy Court Press

Published: March 1, 2012

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Source: Won From a Goodreads
Giveaway
Read: August 3 2012
In A Few Words:  Ambitious, Colorful, Realistic
My Rating: 5  Stars
Goodreads: Add this book to your to-read shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

When Mrs. Grundy asks her fourth grade class what they want to be when they grow up, Zack Zage goes all out. To his dismay, his precocious dreams are not met with great enthusiasm. Children will love this story about an ambitious little kid with big dreams. Ambition’s Not An Awful Word will have you and your kids laughing out loud. 

The illustrations by Adam Watkins are fabulous. And, the glossary is unforgettably funny. It is a gift to all the parents who have struggled to stay awake while reading a bedtime story to the kids.(less)

Melissa's Musings:

Ambition's Not An Awful Word is funny, educational, realistic, and hopeful all rolled into one. 

The first thing that caught my attention of course was the color. I love the color purple, and stars, so even though I'm not the 9-10 year old audience this is directed at I liked it just for that picture alone. 

Then once you get inside the book it's even better. It starts out with Zack's teacher asking the class what they want to be when they grow up.

I remember being a kid and having tons of answers just like Zack does. If I'm honest, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, even at 26. I may have a bit more focus now, but I still have lots of ideas. 

And just like the title says, these ideas are ambitious. They range from artist, to banker, to doctor and just about everything in between. The format of the story is that Zack has big dreams, and he wishes them wildly, putting in extravagant details of how his life as a certain professional would go. Then, on the next page, his dreams are taken down a notch with some realistic rebuttals.

My favorite of these is:

 "If I were a chef, Cordon Bleu at Versailles, I'd wear a white tuxedo, cummerbund and bow tie. I would saute like a maestro. My souffle would be premier. Julia Child would be my mentor. And I would have no peer."

 But the stove would yell out, "STOP! Don't put that oil in there. YOU still have a chance but I won't have a prayer. Tell the truth, you can't boil water, or make a piece of toast. Go outside. Light a fire. Have yourself a weenie roast." (pages 9-10)

As an adult, I see this from both sides. I appreciate Zack's hopefulness, and ability to dream big. But at the same time, I can also appreciate the other side. The side that says that no matter what your dreams are you may not always be able to achieve them, because life can get in the way. That right there is what I mean when I say this book is realistic. 

Regardless of that, there's absolutely nothing wrong with having big dreams. Like the book jacket says, this book is funny, but the true heart of it is found within the last ten words:

Oh, the moon left you this message, "It's okay to dream."

That's an important message for anyone, child or adult alike. No matter how big your dreams are, go for them.  You never know what could happen.

What are some of your dreams? 

*Sorry about the varying colors within this post, I'm having some formatting issues that I'm not sure how to solve with this post

Jaime Lea And The Bumblebee by Adrian Thorpe, Illustrated by Matthew Thorpe

Title:  Jaime Lea and the Bumblebee

Image is from Amazon.com

Author: Adrian Thorpe

Illustrator: Matthew Thorpe

Publisher:  Mathelian Books

Published: February 2012

Format:  Paperback

Pages: 24

Source: Won in a giveaway @ Pen To Paper

Read: August 3

In A Few Words:  Imaginative and well-illustrated

My Rating: 5 Solid Stars

Website For This Book: *Jaime Lea and the Bumblebee Site

*Note:  According to the jacket of the book, for every book sold through the  website    £1 will be donated to the UK based disabled children's charity 'Whizz-Kidz.'The donation is the same whether the order is based in the UK or an international order.

Paraphrased Synopsis:

Unfortunately there isn't a synopsis available from Goodreads as this book isn't on the site. But, basically it is the story of a little boy named Jaime, who happens to be in a wheelchair. He often sits outside, looking at the bees as they fly by. One day, he gives a bee some honey to give it energy, and the bee talks to a garden fairy, who then goes to Jaime and asks him, "If you could be anyone who would you be?" Jaime says that he knows that his mom and dad love him, and that there's no one he'd rather be. The fairy is so touched by this that she sheds a few tears, and the tears of a fairy grant the wish of the person they fall upon. It's Jaime's wish to be fly around with the bees, so he becomes a bee for the day and gets to fly around and experience life as a bee.

Melissa's Musings:

I was so happy to get this book in the mail. For one, because I don't often get mail all the way from the UK. And secondly, because this is a wonderful book, and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to read it.

This book is wonderful for kids. It teaches a valuable lesson in that when the fairy asks Jaime what he wants to be, rather than being something different he is perfectly happy as he is. This is a good lesson for all children, for them to be comfortable and happy with themselves just as they are. I think that it's also a particularly important insight for children with disabilities (and adults with disabilities who may need a gentle reminder) that they should be happy just as they are.

Many times people with disabilities are seen as being different, or having something "wrong" with them. I am a firm believer that there is nothing "wrong" with disabled individuals. Many people are just uncomfortable with things that are different, or that they aren't used to. Sometimes in society, disabilities are seen as something that needs to be fixed, and that can cause disabled individuals to feel like they want to be "normal" Well, not in this case. The fact that Jaime is happy just as he is the way he is  is an important lesson for everyone.

In addition to the insightful lessons and the sweet story line, the illustrations in this book are wonderful. The colors are bright, vibrant and rich. I also enjoyed that the whole inside back jacket after the last printed page is a full illustration rather than just blank white space. I have been reading the book with my niece, who loves all the flowers in the book. 

To find out more about this wonderful book please visit the website for Jaime Lea and the Bumblebee. For every book purchased through the website £1 will be donated to the UK based charity 'Whizz-Kidz'. 'Whizz Kidz' primary goal in addition to providing wheelchairs, mobility equipment and training and advice for kids outside the NHS, is to give kids the independence to be themselves.

Review: Citizen Scientists Be a Part of Science From Your Own Backyard by Loree Griffin Burns

Title:  Citizen Scientists: Be A Part of Scientific Discovery

From Your Own Backyard

Author: Loree Griffin Burns

Publisher: Henry Holt &Co. (BYR)

Published: February 14, 2012

Format:  Paperback

Pages: 80

Source: Won from Goodreads First Reads

Read: July 9-10th

My Rating:  5 Stars

In A Few Words:  Engaging and  fun

Goodreads: Add it to your To-read shelf

Goodreads Synopsis
Anyone can get involved in gathering data for ongoing, actual scientific studies such as the Audubon Bird Count and FrogWatch USA. Just get out into a field, urban park, or your own backyard. You can put your nose to a monarch pupa or listen for raucous frog calls. You can tally woodpeckers or sweep the grass for ladybugs. This book, full of engaging photos and useful tips, will show you how.



Melissas's Musings:


I have to say right off the bat that this is a great book. It's informative, well written, and most important of all,  fun.

The first thing that caught my eye was the author's definition of citizen science. It's a very basic definition but still important. Burns defines citizen science as: "The study of our world by the people who live in it."

This resonated for me in particular because having my degree in Sociology, I can really relate to that. Granted, Sociology is more narrowly defined, being that it's the scientific study of society and the way it works, but broadly, the two are very similar.

Although the book is meant for children, to help foster their love for learning and studying animals, I really think adults can learn a lot from it too.

The language is easily broken down and well illustrated by lots of pictures and examples of the activity that the author is describing. The author also really promotes getting outside, and doing these different tasks in order to help the various species and the research efforts for each one.

I really enjoyed the structure of the book. It's divided into four sections, one for each of the four seasons, with each season highlighting a different animal. Fall is dedicated to butterflies, Winter to birds, Spring to frogs, and Summer to ladybugs. There are also quizzes at the end of each section. Plus there's an extensive list of resources and an excellent glossary at the back of the book as well.

I believe that this book is geared toward ages 10-12 but I really think that any age child can enjoy it, even if it just means looking at the photos. The photos, by the way are beautiful and varied.

I'd recommend this to anyone who has a curious youngster (or who may just be curious themselves) who wants to learn about these animals.

*Please note that I won this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads Program*

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins * May Contain Spoilers*

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Published: October 31st, 2008

Format: Hardcover

Pages:  374

How I received this book: Got it as a gift

Read: May 23-25

My Rating: 5 stars

In  a Few Words: Powerful, poignant, brutal

Goodreads: Add it to Your Shelf

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.(less)


Melissa's Musings:


I realize that there are already thousands of reviews on The Hunger games out there in the blogosphere, but I've finally gotten around to reading it. (I jump on the bandwagon of books that get really popular really late in the game.) So, I figured I'd add my two cents as well.

I was immediately hooked and glued to the story right down to the last page. Not just the first line, but the whole first paragraph, speaks volumes. I immediately wanted to know more.  There were very few things that I didn't like about this novel. While not perfect, this is an excellent read. I can't wait to get started on reading the rest of the series.

The Hunger Games is so immensely popular that I don't think there's anything I can say about it that hasn't already been said. Regardless, I'll still tell you all what I thought of it.

Collins does an extremely good job of hooking the reader in and keeping them engaged throughout the story. The pacing is perfect. I didn't find any spots that were too slow, and it also wasn't so fast that you'd get overwhelmed. Just enough to keep you turning pages and not wanting to put it down.

One of the best parts of this book is the imagery. I'm a complete stickler for details in novels, particularly the use of color as I've mentioned in some of my previous reviews. Collins' descriptions of Katniss in her opening  ceremonies outfits really stayed with me. The images of her and Peeta being on fire in their matching outfits  struck a chord in my mind, I could see it as I read.

There's also really great contrast between the stark, bleak environment of the districts and the rich, luxury of the Capitol.  In the districts you can just see that Katniss and the others don't have the luxury of a hot bath and yet in the Capitol Katniss has a shower with 100 different bubble bath types/scents at her fingertips.

I think Collins might have used some of these smaller details to make the brutality of the Games themselves more potent. At least that's what it did for me. As a reader it took me to a place in my mind where I thought about how there's a lot I take for granted. While I may not have a shower with 100 different kinds of bubble bath I do have the luxury of some basics that many other people in the world have never had, so it did cause me to think twice and be more grateful for what I do have.

One of the more scary descriptions that stuck with me both in terms of imagery and in terms of an interesting plot twist is the description of the mutts that are attacking Cato, Katniss and Peeta on the cornucopia. I won't explain who they are so I don't ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it, but just the idea of wolf like beasts with 4 inch claws chasing after someone  is creepy enough to give you the shivers. It certainly threw me for a loop when I read it.

The relationships in this book are intricate, even the brief ones. Even though the conditions are mostly brutal, there is a real opportunity for relationships to form. Some of them are underdeveloped but still powerful. Some are formed out of necessity.

Katniss and Gale's relationship feels to me  like it's still forming. I think they're floundering around with their feelings for one another. Over the course of the Games it seems like Katniss comes to realize that she has feelings for Gale because she is so concerned about getting home to him. I have to say I felt cheated when Gale's thoughts get cut off as he is saying his goodbye to Katniss before she leaves for the Capitol. Another way to keep us sucked in.

Katniss and Peeta's relationship at first is out of requirement, as a strategy for the games. It really works in their favor too. They become the favorites of the Games and the rule change that their relationship results in (and the subsequent twists and turns with the ending of the games because of that rule change) really drive the plot forward. The sad thing is, Peeta's feelings for Kat are real, and she's just playing along. I really felt for Peeta. Especially with his history with Kat and the things he's done for her. It doesn't seem like much but in the scheme of things it's a lot, and it's clear that he cares for her a great deal.

The one thing I don't like, is that I know, or at least I think I know where one set of relationships is heading. I have a feeling that there will be some sort of love triangle situation between Kat, Gale and Peeta in the next two books. Call me bitter, or cynical if you want, but love triangles just seem so cliche to me right now. I think that's just a sign that I've been reading too many stories with love triangles in them.

*****SPOILER ALERT******

The relationship that I thought was the most powerful, however brief, was the one between Katniss and Rue.    Rue and Katniss really look out for each other, regardless of the fact that they're supposed to be fighting against each other for their lives. Kat feels strongly for Rue, she becomes a surrogate little sister. You can tell how much she cares for Rue in the scenes immediately before and  after Ru"e's death.  Rue asks Katniss to sing for her, and Katniss doesn't want to but then she thinks,

...But if this is Prim's, I mean Rue's last request, I have to at least try."

Katniss has transposed her sister, the very person she sought to protect in taking her place as a tribute in the Games with Rue. In this scene, they are one in the same, and the love that Kat feels for Rue is obvious in the song as well as her thought to cover Rue in flowers. I particularly enjoyed this scene for it's poignancy both in the relationship between Kat and Rue and also for the slight against Capitol in that seemingly innocent yet blatantly defiant acts.

*****END SPOILER ALERT****


As powerful and moving as that scene is, it brings up another point which is one of the other negatives of this book and that is the horrible prospect of children killing each other. Story or not, the whole prospect of this is brutal and harsh. It's shocking, which is a good way to draw readers in, I 'll give it that. I just wish that there were more explanation of the background of why Panem has to be this way. I wish there were more reflection from the characters as to the brutality of it, even though somewhere in my head I know that numbness to it is how they have to be to survive it.

It's this element of the story that kept me from getting the book for my nephew as a birthday present. He really wants to read it, but I just didn't feel comfortable giving him a book where the majority of the plot revolves around kids killing one another. I just wasn't sure if at 10 years old he should really be reading that kind of a story, or if he would fully understand the implications of it.

I'm hoping that in the next books there will be more explanation for the reasoning behind the Games and how Panem came to be the way that it is.

One of the fun little details that I truly liked, just because I tend to pay attention to these sorts of things were the variety in the characters names. Katniss especially, although I hope that many people don't start naming their daughters Katniss as a result of the popularity of The Hunger Games. (I'm sure there have been some already)

I also really hope that Cinna plays a part in the next book because I really enjoyed his character and his connection with Katniss as well.

Although there were a few elements that I didn't care for in this novel I would recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent dystopian story.

Stop Eating Your Heart Out: A Review

 

How I got this book: Received it from the author for an honest review.

Read from: April 6th-8th

My rating: 5 Stars

Emotional eating. We all do it at one point or another. Sometimes we eat mindlessly, when we're bored or sitting in front of the TV. I know I'm guilty of  it. I don't find it all that surprising that there were many instances where I could think of myself just sitting in front of the tv eating. One of the most ironic instances is me eating dinner and watching The Biggest Loser. 

Now, I'm not overweight by any means. But, I have gained weight in the past year or so. Some people tell me that I was too skinny before, and they like the look of me with "meat on my bones" but I know that I weigh more than I would like. And I also know that some of my weight gain is caused by overeating and not enough exercise.

Stop Eating Your Heart Out: The 21 Day Program to Free Yourself From Emotional Eating gives readers tools and tips to work on triggers and issues that surround their eating habits. I believe it's meant to be done by doing one exercise a day, one day at a time, but since I was reading this for review I didn't have that time to take. I did however do some of the exercises as I went along. They are simple, but some of them can be emotionally charged, so you may want to make sure your prepared for that.

There are lots of different tips and techniques to try. Some of the most interesting to me personally are the ones involving energy techniques. I think that these could not only be helpful for overeating but in other areas of my life as well.

Now, I do have to admit that at the first mention of a higher power/spirituality, I became a bit skittish. I'm not a religious person and don't like to be preached to. I know that religion and spirituality are different concepts but sometimes people can blend the two and the line becomes blurred. Beck was very open about her discussion of spirituality and higher power in terms of self work and what that means in regards to overeating. She made some important distinctions which I greatly appreciated.  She stated that spirituality unifies and religion separates, and that spirituality lies beyond religion.

I took this to mean that religion has a set of rules that you must follow or be left out of the group, and spirituality is more free form. You can be spiritual in whatever way makes you feel comfortable.  You don't have a set of rules that you have to follow or anyone dictating what you need to do.

Interestingly, this book also references another book that I read a little over a year ago called Zero Limits by Joe Vitale. The concept of self work is the same, but there are less varied techniques. (I think that's one reason I was less happy with that book because I felt that it just kept repeating the same things over and over.)

The book often references the Twelve Step Program, similar to AA but alcohol is replaced with food. It's not completely the same, but it has a foundation using that. This book is more individualized though. You get all the tools to use but you don't necessarily have to do them any certain way and you don't have to use them all if you don't want to. 

This is an excellent resource for someone struggling with overeating or other food issues. It also has a list of other valuable resources that you can refer to if needed. In addition to helping people resolve their issues with food I think this could be used more generally to increase positivity in your every day life as well.. 

I'm grateful to the author to sharing her book with me so that I could write this review.