Sunday, January 30, 2011

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Chosen to Die

TITLE: Chosen to Die
SERIES: Montana "To Die" Series, Book 2
AUTHOR: Lisa Jackson
NARRATOR: Alan Nebelthau
PUBLISHER: Recorded Books
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2010
FORMAT: Unabridged Audio CD (11 CDs - 12 hours, 32 minutes)
GENRE: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
ISBN: 978-1-4361-6313-2

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

He'll Choose Them. . .

Detective Regan Pescoli has worked the "Star Crossed Killer" case for months, never imagining she'd be captured by the madman she's been hunting. Regan knows exactly what he's capable of and avoiding the same fate will take every drop of her courage and cunning.

Abduct Them. . .

Regan Pescoli is unlike any woman Nate Santana has met before. But now she's missing, and Nate knows something is dangerously wrong. The only person who can help him find her is Detective Selena Alvarez, Regan's partner. As Nate and Selena dig deeper into the Star-Crossed Killer case and the body count rises, the truth about Regan's disappearance becomes chillingly clear.

And Kill Them. . .

In the desolate Montana woods, evil is lurking. And with time running out, the only way to save Regan will be to get inside a killer's twisted mind and unravel a shocking message that is being revealed, one body at a time. . .

MY REVIEW:

This is the sequel to Left to Die, which I read in November. That was the first book in a series that features a pair of female detectives named Det. Selena Alvarez and Det. Regan Pescoli.

The story takes place in Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains, where a serial killer stages car accidents for his victims who are driving down secluded mountain roads. He then “rescues” them, nurses them back to health, only to then tie them to trees in the wilderness leaving them to die, hence the name of the first book, Left to Die.

The sequel, Chosen to Die, picks up right where the first book leaves off. Det. Pescoli has been captured by the psychopath, and she must find a way to escape before she meets the same fate as the other victims.

The narrator, Alan Nebelthau, is terribly boring to listen to but the plot of the story hooked me.

The third book in the series is due to be released in August 2011, and I am looking forward to reading it!

MY RATING: 4 stars!

This book qualifies as:
#3 for my 2011 Audio Book Challenge
#3 for my 2011 "Whisper Stories in My Ear" Challenge
#5 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2nds Challenge 2011

Friday, January 21, 2011

BOOK REVIEW: The Littles by John Peterson

TITLE: The Littles
SERIES: Book #1 of The Littles Series
AUTHOR: John Peterson
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Paperbacks
DATE OF PUBLICATION: January 1, 1993 (first published 1967)
FORMAT: Paperback, 80 pages
GENRE: Juvenile Fiction, Chapter Books

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

Here's the tiny family that always ends up in king-sized trouble, the Littles have adventures galore in the land of the Biggs.

MY REVIEW:

I loved this series when I was a child! It was one of my favourites, and I always imagined that the Littles lived in my house and tried to think of things that they would see and do.

I re-read it with my kids, and they loved it too!

MY RATING: 5 stars!! It brought back some fond memories for me.

This book qualifies as:
#66 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

#6 for my What an Animal Reading Challenge IV

Saturday, January 15, 2011

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Bone Garden

TITLE: The Bone Garden
AUTHOR: Tess Gerritsen
NARRATOR: Susan Denaker
PUBLISHER: Random House Audio
DATE OF PUBLICATION: September 18, 2007
FORMAT: Unabridged Audio CD (10 CDs - 13 hours)
GENRE: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Historical Fiction
ISBN: 0739343246

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

Present day: Julia Hamill has made a horrifying discovery on the grounds of her new home in rural Massachusetts: a skull buried in the rocky soil - human, female, and, according to the trained eye of Boston medical examiner Maura Isles, scarred with the unmistakable marks of murder.

Boston, 1830: In order to pay for his education, medical student Norris Marshall has joined the ranks of local “resurrectionists” - those who plunder graveyards and harvest the dead for sale on the black market. But when a distinguished doctor is found murdered and mutilated on university grounds, Norris finds that trafficking in the illicit cadaver trade has made him a prime suspect.

With unflagging suspense and pitch-perfect period detail, THE BONE GARDEN deftly traces the dark mystery at its heart across time and place to a finale as ingeniously conceived as it is shocking.

MY REVIEW:

This is my first book by this author.

The central character, Julia Hamill, discovers a skeleton buried in the garden of the Boston house she has just moved into. The ring found with the remains suggests that the body is from the 1830s and is ruled a homicide. The book flashes from the present day to the 1830s. The flashbacks describe the medical system and childbirth as it was back then, often in graphic detail which might put some people off. I, personally, found it fascinating.

I thought Gerritsen did a very good job flipping back and forth between the two time periods. She even threw some historical facts into the book, including Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., who was ahead of his time when he argued that childbirth fever was spread by person-to-person contact via the doctor’s lack of hygiene.

The narrator, Susan Denaker, was very good. I enjoyed listening to her!

I will be looking for more from this author.

MY RATING: 4 stars!

This book qualifies as:
#2 for my 2011 Audio Book Challenge
#2 for my 2011 "Whisper Stories in My Ear" Challenge
#3 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

Friday, January 14, 2011

BOOK REVIEW: The Apprentice

TITLE: The Apprentice
AUTHOR: Pilar Molina Llorente
ILLUSTRATOR: Juan Ramon Alonso
PUBLISHER: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
DATE OF PUBLICATION: August 30, 1994
FORMAT: Paperback, 112 pages
GENRE: Juvenile Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-0374404321

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

In Renaissance Florence, thirteen-year-old apprentice Arduino's dreams of being a painter are challenged after he discovers the extreme measures the Maestro Cosimo di Forli will take in the name of jealousy. Arduino faces a decision that could cost him his only chance to realize his life's dream.

MY REVIEW:

I read this book aloud to my daughters. It won the 1994 Mildred L. Batchelder Award and is an ALA Notable Book.

We all loved the book! This is a great historical fiction book for studying the Renaissance time period and how people became artists.

Arduino, a young 13-year old boy, does not wish to become a tailor in the family business, so he leaves his home to become an apprentice for a local painter. Sadly, he is mistreated by his Master. He also discovers a secret that the Master is hiding, and Arduino must make a decision whether or not to confront him with it. If he does, he may lose his chance forever to become an artist.

Llorente's writing is so vivid that it was almost like being there in Florence, Italy.

MY RATING: 4 stars!

This book qualifies as:
#4 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

Friday, January 7, 2011

BOOK REVIEW: The Cricket in Times Square

TITLE: The Cricket in Times Square
SERIES: Chester Cricket and His Friends, Book #1
AUTHOR: George Selden
ILLUSTRATOR: Garth Williams
PUBLISHER: Yearling
DATE OF PUBLICATION: October 1, 1970 (first published 1960)
FORMAT: Paperback, 160 pages
GENRE: Juvenile Fiction, Classics
ISBN: 0-440-41563-2

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

Chester, a cricket, takes up residence in a New York City newsstand and teams up with a fast-talking mouse, a cat and the son of the newsstand owner to rescue the business from financial ruin. A Newbery Honor Book.

MY REVIEW:

I read this book aloud to my daughters. It won the Newbery Honor in 1961 and the Massachusetts Children's Book Award in 1976. I am sure that I read this as a young girl, but I did not remember it.

We all loved the book! The displaced cricket, Chester, from Connecticut is found in Grand Central Station in New York by a little boy named Mario, who takes Chester to his family's newspaper stand and builds a bed for him. Chester befriends two other creatures in Grand Central Station: a cat named Harry and a mouse named Tucker. The unlikely trio has several adventures, and they band together to help keep Mario's family from going bankrupt.

There are six other books in this series, and we intend to continue reading about the adventures of Chester Cricket and his friends!

MY RATING: 4 stars!

This book qualifies as:
#2 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge
#5 for my What an Animal Reading Challenge IV
#1 for my 1st in a Series Challenge 2011
#1 for my 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Classics Challenge 2011

Welcome to the Classics Challenge 2011

I have signed up for this challenge, which is being hosted by Courtney at Stiletto Storytime.

Here are the guidelines:

The challenge is simple: Read classic literature. It can be from any period or genre you choose. The only rule is that it must in some way be considered a classic. What is a classic you ask? A classic to me is a book that has in some way become bigger than itself. It’s become part of culture, society or the bigger picture. It’s the book you know about even if you have not read it. It’s the book you feel like you should have read.

There are four great levels in this challenge designed to suit any reading level and the main goal is to share classics you may or may not have known about otherwise. I encourage you to sign up below and add the challenge button to your blog. The Classics Challenge Page will also allow you to add your reviews as time goes by.

The challenge will run from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. You can join at anytime. If you have a blog fantastic! If not then we still want you to read along with us. You can post reviews from any platform or just follow along and participate in comments.

Levels

Student: Read any 5 Classic Books

Bachelor’s Degree: Read any 10 Classic Books

Master’s Degree: Read any 20 Classic Books

P.H.D.: Read any 40 Classic Books

If you want to join the challenge, click HERE.

I am going to aim for "Student" Level. I am keeping track of my progress below:

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

2nds Challenge 2011!

I am going to participate in this challenge hosted by Katy at Few More Pages blog.

Have you read a book by an author that you really enjoyed and felt moved to read another of the author's works? Or are you thinking to give an author another try even if you didn't like your first taste of their work? If yes, then this challenge is for you! You're going to go back for seconds of an author that you've only read once. The great thing about this challenge is that it's not just for your second in a series books, but the second time you've read an author as well.

Guidelines for the 2nds Challenge 2011

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. If you're not a blogger, leave your information in the comments.

2. There are four levels to choose from in this challenge:

Just a spoonful - Read 3 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.
A few more bites - Read 6 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.
A full plate - Read 12 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.
All you can eat - Read 20 books (or more) that are 2nd in a series or the second time you've read the author.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you. Any genre counts.

3. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2011. Don't start reading until January.

4. If you're a blogger, write up a sign-up post that includes the URL to this post so that others can join in. Feel free to use the button above. When you sign up in the Linky, put the direct link to your 2nds Challenge sign-up post.

5. Click here to link up your reviews!

To sign up for the challenge, click HERE.

I am aiming for A Full Plate, which level is for reading 12 books that are the second in any series or the second time you have read the author.

I'm keeping track of my progress below:

1st In a Series Challenge 2011!

I have signed up to participate in this challenge hosted by Katy at Few More Pages blog.

If you like reading series as much as I do, I hope you'll join in!

Guidelines for the 1st in a Series Challenge 2011

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. If you're not a blogger, leave your information in the comments.

2. There are four levels for this challenge:

Series Novice: Read 3 books that are the first in any series.
Series Lover: Read 6 books that are the first in any series.
Series Expert: Read 12 books that are the first in any series.
Series Fanatic: Read 20 books that are the first in any series.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you. Any genre counts.

3. The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2011.

4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2011.

5. If you're a blogger, write up a sign-up post that includes the URL to this post so that others can join in. Feel free to use the button above. When you sign up in the Linky, put the direct link to your 1st in a Series Challenge sign-up post.

6. Click here to link-up your reviews!

If you would like to sign up for the challenge, click HERE.

I love to read books in a series, so this challenge is a great one for me! I am aiming for Series Expert, which level is for reading 12 books that are the first in any series.

**UPDATE: CHALLENGE COMPLETE! EXPERT LEVEL FINISHED!!

**UPDATE: CHALLENGE COMPLETE! FANATIC LEVEL FINISHED!!

I'm keeping track of my progress below:

2011 100+ Reading Challenge!

I am participating in this challenge hosted by Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf. Considering that I read only three adult fiction novels between 2002 and 2010, I thought I would aim big!

DETAILS:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2011. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.

To sign up for the challenge, click HERE.

I am keeping track of my progress below:

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Velocity

TITLE: Velocity
AUTHOR: Dean Koontz
NARRATOR: Michael Hayden
PUBLISHER: Random House Audio
DATE OF PUBLICATION: May 24, 2005
FORMAT: Unabridged Audio CD (8 CDs - 9 hours, 30 minutes)
GENRE: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
ISBN: 0739315560

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:

It sounded like some sick kid's idea of a joke. Under the windshield wiper of his car, Billy Wiles had found the typewritten message: "If you don't take this note to the police and get them involved, I will kill a lovely blonde schoolteacher somewhere in Napa County. If you do take this note to the police, I will instead kill an elderly woman active in charity work. You have six hours to decide. The choice is yours" And then the beautiful blonde teacher is murdered and a new ultimatum and a new deadline appear .

MY REVIEW:

I am a Dean Koontz fan. His books are often dark and disturbing, but I love the psychological fiction stuff. With his books, the storyline is believable, in that the story could actually happen which I think is why they are often so disturbing.

I was totally caught up in the storyline, as I often am in Koontz novels. This book did not disappoint me! It was a fast read and very suspenseful.

The narrator, Michael Hayden, was very good. He was a pleasure to listen to!

MY RATING: 4 stars!

This book qualifies as:
#1 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2011 Audio Book Challenge
#1 for my 2011 "Whisper Stories in My Ear" Challenge
#4 for my What's in a Name 4 Challenge

2011 Audio Book Challenge!

I am going to participate in this challenge hosted by Teresa's Reading Corner.

There are four levels to the challenge (the same as last year):

Curious-Listen to 3 Audio Books
Fascinated- Listen to 6 Audio Books
Addicted- Listen to 12 Audio Books
Obsessed- Listen to 20 or more Audio Books

To sign up for the challenge, click HERE.

I am signed up for "Obsessed" level, and I am keeping track of my progress below:

UPDATE: Challenge Completed!!

2011 YA Reading Challenge

I am participating in this challenge, which is hosted by Jamie Loves YA.

Here are the rules:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Create a post about the challenge and link your challenge post up in the linky below.
--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. There are four levels:
--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
--The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
--The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
--The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

3. Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. The Challenge starts on January 1, 2011 and goes until December 31, 2011.

To sign up for the challenge, click HERE.

This is a new genre for me to delve into, having just read my first YA novel in March which was Twilight. That book has opened up a whole new genre for me, so I'm going to try for the Mini YA Reading Challenge. I am keeping track of my progress below:

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (Book #1 of The Twilight Saga)
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (Book #2 of The Twilight Saga)
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (Book #3 of The Twilight Saga)
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Book #4 of The Twilight Saga)
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer (Book #3.5 of The Twilight Saga)
Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure by B.K. Bostick (Book #1 of the Huber Hill Trilogy)
Arson by Estevan Vega (Book #1 of the Arson Series)
Ushers, Inc. by Rusty Fischer
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor (Book #1 of Daughter of Smoke & Bone Series)
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Matched by Ally Condie (Book #1 of the Matched Series)
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Book #1 of the Wolves of Mercy Falls Series)
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (Book #2 of the Wolves of Mercy Falls Series)
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (Book #3 of the Wolves of Mercy Falls Series)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 1)
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 2)
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 3)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (Book #1 of the Harry Potter Series)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (Book #2 of the Harry Potter Series)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (Book #3 of the Harry Potter Series)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (Book #4 of the Harry Potter Series)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (Book #5 of the Harry Potter Series)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (Book #6 of the Harry Potter Series)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (Book #7 of the Harry Potter Series)
Crossed by Ally Condie (Matched Series, Book 2)