Baby-sitters Little Sister #59: Karen's Leprechaun

Baby-sitters Little Sister #59: Karen's Leprechaun by Ann M. Martin

Paperback pgs.93

rating: 2stars

05/31/2011

From back of book:

Karen and Andrew are going to be in the St. Patrick's Day parade. The parade director is a funny little man dressed all in green. He tells Karen he is a leprechaun.Karen is not sure if she should believe the leprechaun. But Karen loves his tales about rainbows and pots of gold. Could the leprechaun stories be big trouble for Karen?

My Review:

Karen and her brother Andrew were asked to be in the Stoneybrook St. Patrick's Day parade by the eledrly couple down the street. On their way home they spot a dog on their front stoop. After looking for the dog owner they end up keeping the dog (with their parent's permission) but their other pets don't get along the dog, Lucky. At the end Karen finds Lucky and home.

What I didn't like about the book? At one point they thought someone was breaking in. Karen's mom and stepfather told them to stay in the bedroom. Of course Karen thinks she can come to the rescue. The parents did not address the fact that she disobey what they told her and that if it had of been a real burlger she could've made things worse. I would have liked that addressed. I also didn't like that Mr. O'Casey apologize about telling her he was a leprechaun. He is an adult, her going off on her own is another act of disobeying whether she believed he was a real leprechaun or not. The last was that O'Casey ending up seeming a little creepy with the letters.

Challenges:

YA of the 80s and 90s Reading Challenge

The Baby-sitters Club Challenge

Baby-sitters Little Sister #21: Karen's New Teacher by Ann M. Martin

Baby-sitters Little Sister #21: Karen's New Teacher by Ann M. Martin

Paperback pgs. 103

Rating: 4stars

05/31/2011

From back of book:

The meanest teacher ever
Karen loves her second-grade teacher. Ms. Colman never yells, and she makes school interesting. Karen's class is learning about math by making pizzas!

But now there's bad news. Karen and her friends are getting a substitute teacher. Mrs. Hoffman has lots of rules, like NO TALKING. She even makes Karen clean the sink.

Please come back, Ms. Colman

My Review:

Karen has a very close attachment to her teacher so when Ms. Coleman announce that she will be out for a month she is gigundo (her favorite word) upset. She doesn't like the first substitute because she treated them like little kids by doing things like reading from a picture book. She doesn't like the second substitute because she had way to many rule, especially no talking.

Mrs. Hoffman was indeed a strict teacher that most kids would hate. I find that I really kike the Little Sister series. Karen is a little girl who speaks her mind. I feel that she is written older than the seven year old she is suppose to be but so far each story has something that I remember I would have related to at that age. For this book it would be the favorite teacher mine at the age range was Ms. Clayton.

Challenges:

The Baby-sitters Club Challenge

YA of the 80s and 90s Reading Challenge 2011

It's Monday! What Are Yu Reading? 05/30/2011

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.

Books I finished last week:

Tough Customer by Sandra Brown - Great mystery & suspense story. Has a subplot of romance. Keep me interested to the very end.

The Baby-sitters Club #2: Claudia and The Phantom Caller - Claudia and friends receive calls where the caller hangs up without saying anything. It just so happen that there is a robber who is doing the same thing. Are the calls they are receive from the Phantom Caller?

Baby-sitters Little Sister #9: Karen's Sleepover - Karen has a sleepover but a too-grown-for-her-own-good classmate is ruining the fun. On top of that Karen had a fight with her best friend. Will she make up with her bestie? fav line from this story: "we are not best friends, we are best enemies."




Books I'm reading this week:
The Baby-sitters Club #1: Kristy's Great Idea - When Kristy Thomas has the great idea to form a baby-sitters club-a chance to earn money and spend time with her friends all while doing something they each love to do-she has no idea how much the club will change everything.

Crank calls, uncomfortable toddlers, wild pets, untruthful clients ...running a business is hard work! Kristy and her co-founders , Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey, are sure they can handle anything. But only if they stick together...


Baby-sitters Little Sister #21: Karen's New Teacher - Karen loves her second-grade teacher. Ms. Colman never yells, and she makes school interesting. Karen's class is learning about math by making pizzas!

But now there's bad news. Karen and her friends are getting a substitute teacher. Mrs. Hoffman has lots of rules, like NO TALKING. She even makes Karen clean the sink.

Pleas come back, Ms. Coleman!


Baby-sitters Little Sister #5: Karen's Leprechaun - Karen and Andrew are going to be inn the St, Patrick's Day parad3\e, The parade directr is a gunny little man dressed all in green. He tell Karen he is a leprechaun.

Karen is not sure if she shold believe the leprechaun. But Karen loves his tales about rainbows and pots of gold. could the leprechaun stories be big trouble for Karen?


The Baby-sitters Club #39: Poor Mallory! - There's some bad news in the Pike family: Mallory's chlad has just lost his job. And since money is going to be tight until Mr. Pike finds a new job, all eight of the Pike kids decide to help out.

Nicky gets a paper route, Vanessa tries selling her poetry, and Mallory takes a baby-sitting job in Kristy's ritzy neighborhood. But being around the Delaneys only makes Mallory feel poor. They have a cat that cost $400 and tennis courts in their backyard!

Poor Mallory-she needs the Baby-sitters now more than ever!

It's my birthday so I'm not sure how much reading I will get done today but this is the plan thus far.

The Baby-sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea by Ann M. Martin

The Baby-sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea by Ann M. Martin
paperback pgs.156
rating: 4stars
05/29/2011

From back of book:


When Kristy Thomas has the great idea to form a baby-sitters club-a chance to earn money and spend time with her friends all while doing something they each love to do-she has no idea how much the club will change everything.

Crank calls, uncomfortable toddlers, wild pets, untruthful clients ...running a business is hard work! Kristy and her co-founders , Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey, are sure they can handle anything. But only if they stick together...

My Review:
It was a great idea. I wish that I could have been apart of a baby-sitting club. Well I would have had to live in an area where there were baby-sitters. I thought it was smart of them to keep records and a notebook of experiences and all of that (be carefully the IRS may audit you for not paying your kiddie taxes). Kristy is very relatable character. She is a preteen who is smart, upset about the divorce of her parents, she is jealous of her mom new boyfriend, and she tries hard not to like him. I think most people who have had parents who'd divorce when they were young can relate to Kristy.tbr list #2 I gave this such a high position on the tbr list because of its iconic nature.

Challenges:
YA of the 80s and 90s Reading Challenge 2011
The Baby-sitters Club Challenge

Tough Customer by Sandra Brown

Tough Customer by Sandra Brown
Audiiobook 12cds
rating: 4stars
05/25/2011


From Goodreads:
Hard-living detective-turned-P.I., Dodge Hanley tries not to dwell on the past. But when he gets a call from Caroline King, “the one” who got away, there’s no time for looking back; their daughter is in trouble.

Caroline has told Berry that Dodge is an old friend they can rely on to prove she didn’t shoot her ex-lover, even though she’s already told the cops she saw the real culprit. It was Oren Starks, Berry insists, a former co-worker fired for stalking her. Dodge believes his daughter…and he’s pretty sure Deputy Ski Nyland does, too, considering how hard he’s working to find Starks. Berry’s told them he’s depraved, and from what they learn, she’s got him pegged. But nut jobs play by their own crazy rules. The only thing clear to Dodge is that Starks is obsessed with having Berry…or killing her, and neither is acceptable to a man who’s determined to right some old wrongs, even if he has to risk his life—not to mention his heart—to do it

My Review:
This was a great story. It had several little stories going on. The main plot is that the main character Dodge is called by his ex, Caroline, to help their daughter Berry. Berry is being stalker by a previous co-worker, Oren. Deputy Nyland is called to the house when someone has called in a 911 of someone being shot.
It is apparent that Nyland has developed feelings for Berry right off that bat. Berry also feels something for Nylan too though the two fight it for awhile. Dodge and Caroline are not honest about their relationship to Berry but she soons figures it out. All the while Oren is killing and creating havoc. There is a pretty good twist in the book. And the ending is expected but still goood. tbr list #2 the narrator voice keep the story moving forward. he changed tones to differentate characters.

Challenges:
Whisper Stories in My Ear 2011
2011 Where Are You Reading?
Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge

Do you ever feel like you’re in a reading rut? That you don’t read enough variety? That you need to branch out, spread your literary wings and explore other genres, flavors, styles?

Oh my yes. Right now I am reading a lot of urban fiction. I would love to read more literary works but they just don't seem to hold my attention as much right now. I am really into quick reads right now and I find that the books I would like to read would take awhile to get through. Maybe once falls rolls back around I'll be more willing to cuddle up with a more serious book.

Baby-sitters Little Sister #9: Karen's Sleepover by Ann M. Martin

Baby-sitters Little Sister #9: Karen's Sleepover by Ann M. Martin
Paperback pgs 102
rating: 3stars
05/23/2011

From back of book:
Karen's having her first sleepover ever! She and her friends are going to tell spooky stories, try on makeup, and raid the refrigerator.

But then Karen and Nancy get into a big fight. Karen doesn't want Nancy to come to her party. A new girl comes instead, and she is no fun! What will Karen do now?

My Review:
This is about Kristy little stepsister Karen. Karen is a smart seven year old who's a little too smart for her own good. She decides that she wants to have a sleepover and after her dad and stepmom ok she invites all the girls in her class to it. Then she gets into an argument one of her best friends and it just so happen a new girl enters the class named Pamela. Pamela is way too grown for her age and it soon becomes apparent that she shouldn't have been invited to the party. Good story about friendship and also about how people are not what you think they are by just looking at them.

Challenges:
YA of the 80s and 90s Reading Challenge
The Baby-sitters Club Challenge

The Baby-sitters Club #2: Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls

The Baby-sitters Club #2: Claudia and the Phantom Caller by Ann M. Martin -
paperback
4stars
05/23/2011


from back of book:
Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, and Stacey have had some strange adventures since they started the Baby-sitters Club. But nothing's been as spooky as what's going on right now. The baby-sitters have been getting mysterious phone calls whn they're out on their jobs. When a phone rings and they pick up, there's no one on the other end of the line.
Claudia's sure it's the Phantom Caller, a jewel thief who's been operating in the area. cluadia has always liked reading mysteries, but she sheoesn't like it when they happen to her. So she and the baby-sitters decide to take action-with some very mixed results!


my review:
This story revolves around Claudia Kishi. She is a smart pre-teen girl in the seventh grade. She loves art and have an...unique sense of style. The baby-sitters include Claudia, Stacey McGill, Kristy Thomas, and Mary Anne Spier. The story is about a jewel theif who calls the household (presumelying to make sure no one is home) before breaking in. The girls get paranoid as two of them get calls where the caller never says anything. And the other two are just spooked from the thought of the caller. The side story is about Claudia and her crush on a boy named Trevor Sandbourne. (YA)tbr list #3 it's a fun quick story but if you been waiting to read other books did it count definite wait

Challenges:
The Baby-sitters Club Challenge
YA of the 80s and 90s Reading Challenge
2011 Where Are You Reading?

It's Mondy! What Are You Reading? 05/23/2011

It's Mondy! What Are You Reading?

A weekly meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey .




Books I finished last week:
Divergent by Veronica Roth - Great book 5stars. I am reveiw this with Lisa and Lah. So a review will be coming soon for this

A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber- Good chick lit book that does a great job telling the story of several women lives while linking them all together through the knitting store.


Reading this week:
The Baby-sitters Club #2: Claudia and the Phantom Caller by Ann M. Martin -
from back of book:
Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, and Stacey have had some strange adventures since they started the Baby-sitters Club. But nothing's been as spooky as what's going on right now. The baby-sitters have been getting mysterious phone calls whn they're out on their jobs. When a phone rings and they pick up, there's no one on the other end of the line.
Claudia's sure it's the Phantom Caller, a jewel thief who's been operating in the area. cluadia has always liked reading mysteries, but she sheoesn't like it when they happen to her. So she and the baby-sitters decide to take action-with some very mixed results!

Baby-sitters Little Sister #9: Karen's Sleepover by Ann M. Martin -
from back of book:
Karen's having her first sleepover ever! She and her friends are going to tell spooky stories, try on makeup, and raid the refrigerator.
But then Karen and Nancy get into a big fight katen doesn't want Nancy to come to her party. A new girl comes instead, and she is no fun! What will Karen do now?

Tough Customer by Sandra Brown -
from back of book:
Colleagues, friends, and lovers know Dodge Hanley as a private investigator who doesn’t let rules get in his way—in his private life as well as his professional one. If he breaks a heart, or bends the law in order to catch a criminal, he does so without hesitation or apology.That’s why he’s the first person Caroline King—who after a thirty-year separation continues to haunt his dreams—asks for help when a deranged stalker attempts to murder their daughter . . . the daughter Dodge has never met. He has a whole bagful of grudging excuses for wishing to ignore Caroline’s call, and one compelling reason to drop everything and fly down to Texas: guilt.
Dodge’s mind may be a haze of disturbing memories and bad decisions, but he arrives in Houston knowing with perfect clarity that his daughter, Berry, is in danger. She has become the object of desire of a co-worker, a madman and genius with a penchant for puzzles and games who has spent the past year making Berry’s life hell, and who now has vowed to kill her.
Dodge joins forces with local deputy sheriff Ski Nyland, but the alarming situation goes from bad to worse when the stalker begins to claim other victims and leaves an ominous trail of clues as he lethally works his way toward Berry. Sensing the killer drawing nearer, Dodge, who’s survived vicious criminals and his own self-destructive impulses, realizes that this time he’s in for the fight of his life.

A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber

A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
narrator: Linda Emond
Audiobook
5cds 6hrs
Rating:4stars
05/20/2011

From back of book:
In the year since it opened, A Good Yarn has thrived-and so has Lydia Hoffman, the owner. A lot of that is due to Brad Goetz. But when Brad’s ex-wife reappears, Lydia is suddenly afraid to trust her newfound happiness. Elise Beaumont joins one of Lydia’s popular knitting classes. Living with her daughter, Aurora, Elisa learns that her onetime husband plans to visit and that Aurora wants a relationship with her father, regardless of how Elise feels about him. Bethanne Hamlin is facing the fallout from a divorce and joins the knitting class as the first step in her effort to recover a sense of dignity and hope. Courtney Pulanski is depressed and overweight teenager. She’s staying with her grandmother, who’s trying to help by taking her to the knitting class.


My Review:
This is a chick lit book that deals with the lives of several women all center around the knitting store called A Good Yarn. Lydia, the owner of the store, has survived two bouts with cancer. She has made friends with the ladies of her knitting class. She starts a new class for sock knitting and it’s a rocky start at first.

Bethanne is recently divorce and has lost all self-confidence. I have to admit she was a bit pathetic and annoying. Elise had lost most of her money in a bad real estate scam and is living with her daughter when her ex-husband shows up. Courtney is living with her grandmother while her father is out of the country on assignment.
The novel does a great job of telling each individual story while linking them all together. It is about love and friendship. It is about women coming together to support one another.

The narrator voice was pleasant. Her voice draws the listener into the story. I am a crocheter learning to knit so I really enjoyed this story. tbr list #3...it's a great story and a quick read

Challenges:
Whisper Stories in My Ear 2011
2011 Chick Lit Challenge
2011 Where Are You Reading?

Follow Friday May 20

Follow Friday


To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
  




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• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing at Parajunkee.




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• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"




• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers




• If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q. It's circle time. Time for us to open up and share. Can you tell us FIVE quirky habits or things about you? We all have them...

1. I'm a bit OCDish. I put my bills in order by domination and then seriel number.
2. I like the small of gas (petro) so if I pull into a gas station and it stinks I'll leave and go to a better smelling one.
3. I try to read 3 books at a time: Audio, Ebook, Hardcopy
4. I love nachos!
5. I can't focus on one thing at a time. To get anything done I need to have several things going on.

New Challenge Ideas

So next month is the end of the Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2011. Many of you have expressed that you would like to keep the challenge going. All the prizes from the challenge come out of my pocket. They are not donated so I can only afford to do one challenge that involve prizes. So here the options I would like y'all to vote on:

Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2011-2012
It will start on the 1st of September (like the books) to June 30th 2012. It will have the same classes. There will be mini challenges. I'll throw some twists in there to keep it interesting.

Generic High School Challenge 2011-2012
It will start from Sept 1 through June 30th 2012. . There will be the 4 main subjects (English, Math, History, and Science), a lab (you choice of a Math or Science lab) and two electives (Music, Art, P.E. or your choice of an extra class of the main 4). There will be mini challenges for this as well. Instead of houses there will be homerooms.

Robert Langdon Reading Challenge 2012
It will be from January 1st to December 15th. There will be teams. The will be puzzles, clues, and code breaking (you have to solve a puzzle, clue, or code to move on to the next part of the journey). There will also be mini challenges. Mini challenges will give a winning team an advantage on the next puzzle, clue or code.

To vote use the poll on the sidebar. Thanks everyone!

Midsummer 's Eve Giveaway Hop June 21-24

Midsummer 's Eve Giveaway Hop
June 21st - June 24th

This is my first giveaway Hop so please bear with me. For this hop I will be giving away Nora Roberts Gallagher trilogy. Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon, and Heart of the Sun. These books are second hand from a library book sale. Winner will be chosen through Random.org

To Enter:

+1 You must be a follower of this blog - leave a comment stating that you are already a follower or new follower

Extra Chances To Win:

+1 Follow me on Twitter - leave a comment with your twitter name
+1 Tweet the following: Midsummers Eve Giveaway @Bunnitaz

WINNER: TeamWolf1988

Thank you to everyone who participated in my first ever hop won't be my last.

Booking Through Thursday May 19

Booking Through Thursday is a meme hosted here

This weeks question:

In contrast to last week’s question–What do you think of censoring books BECAUSE of their intended age? Say, books too “old” for your kids to read?

Yes I absolutely do. I'm going back to read The Babysitters Club series for YA of the 80s and 90s Reading Challenge. If it wasn't for that challenge I probably wouldn't re-read those books as I feel I'm too old for them. I definite wouldn't read any meant for an even younger age than that.

As far as censoring books no I don't believe in it, for the most part. Should a young child read some of the urban fiction or erotica books I read, no. However, I think most books that have been censored are not censored because it's explicit but because it deals with uncomfortable situations such as religion, sexuality, and such.

Waiting on Wednesday: Justify My Thug

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.





This week it is Justify My Thug. I am one of those people who once I have started a series I have to finish it out. This book is the newest in Wahida Clark's thug series. It has just came out but I haven't been able to get it yet.

From Borders:

Justify My Thug continues the scintillating drama of Wahida Clark’s bestselling Thug series. Following the action of Thug Lovin’, the story rejoins the saga’s favorite couple, Tasha and Trae, as they try to overcome their troubles and make their marriage work. Meanwhile, Jaz is facing drama of her own. In the torrid world of sex, drugs, and crime, Wahida Clark continues her definitive Hip-Hop soap opera that fans have come to love.

Teaser Tuesday: Divergent

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:
Then, with a gasp I can't contain. I shift my hand forward, and my blood sizzles on the coals.

pg.47 Divergent by Veronica Roth

Payback With Ya Life by Wahida Clark

Payback With Ya Life by Wahida Clark
Tradeback pgs.302
rating:3.5stars
05/15/2011


From back of book:
She lost her integrity, her best friend…and nearly wound up dead. Now Shan is making her move, far away from Memphis’s mean streets, to wipe the slate clean and start over. But she can’t hold back what she’s feeling for Briggen, a wealthy drug dealer who want her to be his one and only for life. Her brother, Peanut, can’t afford to lose her – or the one shot he has at getting back on top of the drug game. And the ruthless convict who tricked Shan into loving him is out of lockdown…and out to settle lethal scores with her and Peanut. Now, with everything at stake and a vicious turf war taking no prisoners, Shan must put it all on the line to save her future - or die trying.


My Reviews:

This was a good book but it did not hold my attention for long periods of time. Usually I can read these books in 2 to 3 days it took over a week for this one. There was a lot going on. Fans of urban fiction will like this as it gives you all that you've come to expected from these types of books. Clark touched on just about every subject in this book. Miscarrages, infidelty, drug dealing, prison, murder, rape...you name it, it's in here. TBR list#3 *if you are not an urban lit fan this is NOT for you


Challenges:
Clue Board Reading Challenge
2011 Where Are You Reading?
Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2011

Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen

Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen

narrator: Tanya Eby
9cds approx 10hrs
rating: 5stars
05/13/2011



From back of book:
In Wyoming for a medical conference, Boston medical examiner Maura Isles joins a group of friends on a spur-of-the-moment ski trip. But when their SUV stalls on a snow-choked mountain road, they’re stranded with no help in sight.
As night falls, the group seeks refuge from the blizzard in the remote village of Kingdom Come, where twelve eerily identical houses stand dark and abandoned. Something terrible has happened in Kingdom Come: Meals sit untouched on tables, cars are still parked in garages. The town’s previous residents seem to have vanished into thin air, but footprints in the snow betray the presence of someone who still lurks in the cold darkness—someone who is watching Maura and her friends.
Days later, Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli receives the grim news that Maura’s charred body has been found in a mountain ravine. Shocked and grieving, Jane is determined to learn what happened to her friend. The investigation plunges Jane into the twisted history of Kingdom Come, where a gruesome discovery lies buried beneath the snow. As horrifying revelations come to light, Jane closes in on an enemy both powerful and merciless—and the chilling truth about Maura’s fate.

My Review:
This book was great. It moved forward and never seemed to get bogged down. The story pulled you in. The characters each had their own personalities and though Gerritsen doesn't go into the back story of the characters you get a sense of what type of people they were. The one character that got on my nerves though was Arlo (no sure if I'm spelling the name right). All he kept talking about was food. I mean really with all that was going on.... Oh and he was a food snob. The ending had a twist so you think you know how things ended up the way they did but nope it all started in an expected way. Perfect name for the village too...Kingdom Come. I just knew something bad had happen and was going to happen there. In fact, if it was me I would've been reluctant to even step foot pass the gate. Narrator voice was great. She did a great job of reading the suspense. TBR list #1





Challenges:
Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge
Whisper Stories in My Ear 2011
I Spy Reading Challenge

It's Mondy! What Are You Reading?

It's Mondy! What Are You Reading?

A weekly meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey .


Books read last week:
Payback With Ya Life by Wahida Clark– An urban fiction book where a lot drama happens. Shoot out, back stabbing, sexuality, baby mamas, drug dealers...you name it's in here.

Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen - Wow this book was very suspenseful. I think not figure out the ending and that kept me interested. It is about a group of people getting lost. They happen upon a village where something went wrong and now they fear not being found. From there things just get even more interesting.

Books reading this week:

Divergent by Veronica Roth –
From Amazon:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

I also need to write reviews for Too Good to Be True by E. Lynn Harris, Payback With Ya Life by Wahida Clark, and Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen. Plus update my challenges.

The Baby-sitters Club Challenge

I am doing the YA of the 80s and 90s Reading Challenge. So I decided to read as much of The Baby-sitters Club series that I can. All the books hopefully will can be found through my library network and the main Boston library system. I'm looking for company so feel to join me, leave a comment with your Babysitters Club posts so I can check it out!

The Baby-sitters Club
1. Kristy’s Great Idea – 1986
2. Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls – 1986
3. The Truth About Stacey – 1986
4. Mary Anne Saves the Day – 1987
5. Dawn and the Impossible Three – 1987
6. Kristy’s Big Day – 1987
7. Claudia and Mean Janine – 1987
8. Boy-Crazy Stacey – 1987
9. The Ghost at Dawn’s House – 1988
10. Logan Likes Mary Anne – 1988
11. Kristy and the Snobs – 1988
12. Claudia and the New Girl – 1988
13. Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye – 1988
14. Hello, Mallory – 1988
15. Little Miss Stoneybrook…and Dawn – 1988
16. Jessi’s Secret Language – 1988
17. Mary Anne’s Bad-Luck Mystery – 1988
18. Stacey’s Mistake – 1988
19. Claudia and the Bad Joke – 1988
20. Kristy and the Walking Disaster – 1989
21. Mallory and the Trouble With Twins – 1989
22. Jessi Ramsey, Pet-sitter – 1989
23. Dawn on the Coast – 1989
24. Kristy and the Mother’s Day Surprise – 1989
25. *Mary Anne and the Search for Tigger – 1989
26. *Claudia and the Sad Good-bye – 1989
27. Jessi and the Superbrat – 1989
28. Welcome Back, Stacey! – 1989
29. Mallory and the Mystery Diary – 1989
30. Mary Anne and the Great Romance – 1990
31. Dawn’s Wicked Stepsister – 1990
32. Kristy and the Secret of Susan – 1990
33. Claudia and the Great Search – 1990
34. Mary Anne and Too Many Boys – 1990
35. Stacy and the Mystery of Stoneybrook – 1990
36. Jessi’s Babysitter – 1990
37. Dawn and the Older Boy – 1990
38. Kristy’s Mystery Admirer – 1990
39. Poor Mallory! – 1990
40. Claudia and the Middle School Mystery – 1991
41. Mary Anne vs. Logan – 1991
42. Jessi and the Dance School Phantom – 1991
43. Stacy’s Emergency – 1991
44. Dawn and the Big Sleepover – 1991
45. Kristy and the Baby Parade – 1991
46. Mary Anne Misses Logan – 1991
47. Mallory on Strike – 1991
48. Jessi’s Wish – 1991
49. Claudia and the Genius of Elm Street – 1991
50. Dawn’s Big Date – 1992
51. Stacey’s Ex-Best Friend -1992
52. Mary Anne and 2 Many Babies – 1992
53. Kristy For President – 1992
54. Mallory and the Dream House – 1992
55. Jessi’s Gold Medal – 1992
56. Keep Out , Claudia! – 1992
57. Dawn Saves the Planet – 1992
58. Stacey’s Choice – 1992
59. Mallory Hates Boys (and Gym ) – 1992
60. Mary Anne’s Makeover – 1993
61. Jessi and the Awful Secret – 1993
62. Kristy and the Worst Kid ever – 1993
63. Claudia’s Friend – 1993
64. Dawn’s Family Feud – 1993
65. Stacey’s Big Crush – 1993
66. Maid Mary Anne – 1993
67. Dawn’s Big Move- 1993
68. Jessi and the Bad Baby-sitter – 1993
69. Get Well Soon Mallory! – 1993
70. Stacey and the Cheerleaders – 1993
71. Claudia and the Perfect Boy – 1994
72. Dawn and the We Love Kids Club – 1994
73. Mary Anne and Miss Priss -1994
74. Kristy and the Copycat – 1994
75. Jessi’s Horrible Prank – 1994
76. Stacey’s Lie – 1994
77. Dawn and Whitney , Friends Forever – 1994
78. Claudia and Crazy Peaches – 1994
79. Mary Anne Breaks the Rules – 1994
80. Mallory Pike #1 Fan – 1994
81. Kristy and Mr. Mom – 1995
82. Jessi and the Troublemaker – 1995
83. Stacey vs. the BSC – 1995
84. Dawn and the School Spirit War – 1995
85. Claudia Kishi , Live from WSTO! – 1995
86. Mary Anne and Camp BSC – 1995
87. Stacey and the Bad Girls – 1995
88. Farewell , Dawn – 1995
89. Kristy and the Dirty Diapers – 1995
90. Welcome to the BSC , Abby – 1995
91. Claudia and the First Thanksgiving – 1995
92. Mallory’s Christmas Wish – 1995
93. Mary Anne and the Memory Garden – 1996
94. Stacey McGill , Super Sitter – 1996
95. Kristy + Bart =? – 1996
96. Abby’s Lucky Thirteen – 1996
97. Claudia and the Worlds Cutest Baby – 1996
98. Dawn and Two Many Sitters – 1996
99. Stacey’s Broken Heart – 1996
100. Kristy’s Worst Idea – 1996
102: Mary Anne And The Little Princess – 1996
103. Happy Holidays, Jessi – 1996
104. Abby’s Twin – 1997
105. Stacey The Math Whiz – 1997
106. Claudia, Queen of The Seventh Grade – 1997
107. Mind Your Own Business, Kristy! – 1997
108. Don’t Give Up, Mallory – 1997
109. Mary Anne To The Rescue – 1997
110. Abby the Bad Sport – 1997
111. Stacey’s Secret Friend – 1997
112. Kristy and the Sister War – 1997
113. Claudia Makes Up Her Mind – 1997
114. The Secret Life of Mary Anne Spier – 1997
115. Jessi’s Big Break – 1998
116. Abby and the Best Kid Ever – 1998
117. Claudia and the Terrible Truth – 1998
118. Kristy Thomas, Dog Trainer – 1998
119. Stacey’s Ex-Boyfriend -1998
120. Mary Anne and the Playground Fight – 1998
121. Abby in Wonderland – 1998
122. Kristy in Charge – 1998
123. Claudia’s Big Party – 1998
124. Stacey McGill…Matchmaker? – 1998
125. Mary Anne in the Middle – 1998
126. The All-New Mallory Pike – 1999
127. Abby’s Un-Valentine – 1999
128. Claudia and the Little Liar – 1999
129. Kristy at Bat – 1999
130. Stacey’s Movie – 1999
131. The Fire at Mary Anne’s House – 1999

Super Specials
1. Baby-sitters on Board
2. Baby-sitters’ Summer Vacation
3. Baby-sitters’ Winter Vacation
4. Baby-sitters’ Island Adventure
5. California Girls
6. New York, New York
7. Snowbound
8. Baby-sitters at Shadow Lake
9. Starring the Baby-sitters Club
10. Sea City, Here We Come
11. The Baby-sitters Remember
12. Here Come the Bridesmaids
13. Aloha , Baby-sitters
14. BSC in the U.S.A
15. The Baby-sitters European Vacation

The Mysteries
1. Stacey and the Missing Ring
2. Beware, Dawn
3. Mallory and the Ghost Cat
4. Kristy and the Missing Child
5. Mary Anne and the Secret in the Attic
6. The Mystery at Claudia’s House
7. Dawn and the Disappearing Dogs
8. Jessi and the Jewel Thieves
9. Kristy and the Haunted Mansion
10. Stacey and the Mystery Money
11. Claudia and the Mystery at the Museum
12. Dawn and the Surfer Ghost
13. Mary Anne and the Library Mystery
14. Stacey and the Mystery at the Mall
15. Kristy and the Vampires
16. Claudia and the Clue in the Photograph
17. Dawn and the Halloween Mystery
18. Stacey and the Mystery at the Empty House
19. Kristy and the Missing Fortune
20. Mary Anne and the Zoo Mystery
21. Claudia and the Recipe for Danger
22. Stacey and the Haunted Masquerade
23. Abby and the Secret Society
24. Mary Anne and the Silent Witness
25. Kristy and the Middle School Vandal
26. Dawn Schafer, Undercover Baby-sitter
27. Claudia and the Lighthouse Ghost
28. Abby and the Mystery Baby
29. Stacey and the Fashion Victim
30. Kristy and the Mystery Train
31. Mary Anne and the Music Box Secret
32. Claudia and the Mystery in the Painting
33. Stacey and the Stolen Hearts
34. Mary Anne and the Haunted Bookstore
35. Abby and the Notorious Neighbor
36. Kristy and the Cat Burglar

Super Mysteries
1. Baby-sitter’s Haunted House
2. Baby-sitters’ Beware
3. Baby-sitters’ Fright Night
4. Baby-sitters’ Christmas Chiller

The Baby-sitters Club Friends Forever
BSC Friends Forever Super Special 1: Everything Changes

BSC Friends Forever 1: Kristy's Big News
BSC Friends Forever 2: Claudia vs. Stacey
BSC Friends Forever 3: Mary Anne's Big Break-up
BSC Friends Forever 4: Claudia and the Friendship Feud
BSC Friends Forever 5: Kristy Power
BSC Friends Forever 6: Stacey and the Boyfriend Trap
BSC Friends Forever 7: Claudia Gets Her Guy
BSC Friends Forever 8: Mary Anne's Revenge
BSC Friends Forever 9: Kristy and the Kidnapper
BSC Friends Forever 10: Stacey's Problem
BSC Friends Forever 11: Welcome Home, Mary Anne
BSC Friends Forever 12: Claudia and the Disaster Date

BSC Friends Forever Super Special 2: Graduation Day

Baby-sitters Little Sister
BSC Little Sister 1: Karen's Witch
BSC Little Sister 2: Karen's Roller Skates
BSC Little Sister 3: Karen's Worst Day
BSC Little Sister 4: Karen's Kittycat Club
BSC Little Sister 5: Karen's School Picture
BSC Little Sister 6: Karen's Little Sister
BSC Little Sister 7: Karen's Birthday
BSC Little Sister 8: Karen's Haircut
BSC Little Sister 9: Karen's Sleepover
BSC Little Sister 10: Karen's Grandmothers
BSC Little Sister 11: Karen's Prize
BSC Little Sister 12: Karen's Ghost
BSC Little Sister 13: Karen's Surprise
BSC Little Sister 14: Karen's New Year
BSC Little Sister 15: Karen's in Love
BSC Little Sister 16: Karen's Goldfish
BSC Little Sister 17: Karen's Brothers
BSC Little Sister 18: Karen's Home Run
BSC Little Sister 19: Karen's Good-bye
BSC Little Sister 20: Karen's Carnival
BSC Little Sister 21: Karen's New Teacher
BSC Little Sister 22: Karen's Little Witch
BSC Little Sister 23: Karen's Doll
BSC Little Sister 24: Karen's School Trip
BSC Little Sister 25: Karen's Pen Pal
BSC Little Sister 26: Karen's Ducklings
BSC Little Sister 27: Karen's Big Joke
BSC Little Sister 28: Karen's Tea Party
BSC Little Sister 29: Karen's Cartwheel
BSC Little Sister 30: Karen's Kittens
BSC Little Sister 31: Karen's Bully
BSC Little Sister 32: Karen's Pumpkin Patch
BSC Little Sister 33: Karen's Secret
BSC Little Sister 34: Karen's Snow Day
BSC Little Sister 35: Karen's Doll Hospital
BSC Little Sister 36: Karen's New Friend
BSC Little Sister 37: Karen's Tuba
BSC Little Sister 38: Karen's Big Lie
BSC Little Sister 39: Karen's Wedding
BSC Little Sister 40: Karen's Newspaper
BSC Little Sister 41: Karen's School
BSC Little Sister 42: Karen's Pizza Party
BSC Little Sister 43: Karen's Toothache
BSC Little Sister 44: Karen's Big Weekend
BSC Little Sister 45: Karen's Twin
BSC Little Sister 46: Karen's Baby-sitter
BSC Little Sister 47: Karen's Kite
BSC Little Sister 48: Karen's Two Families
BSC Little Sister 49: Karen's Stepmother
BSC Little Sister 50: Karen's Lucky Penny
BSC Little Sister 51: Karen's Big Top
BSC Little Sister 52: Karen's Mermaid
BSC Little Sister 53: Karen's School Bus
BSC Little Sister 54: Karen's Candy
BSC Little Sister 55: Karen's Magician
BSC Little Sister 56: Karen's Ice Skates
BSC Little Sister 57: Karen's School Mystery
BSC Little Sister 58: Karen's Ski Trip
BSC Little Sister 59: Karen's Leprechaun
BSC Little Sister 60: Karen's Pony
BSC Little Sister 61: Karen's Tattletale
BSC Little Sister 62: Karen's New Bike
BSC Little Sister 63: Karen's Movie
BSC Little Sister 64: Karen's Lemonade Stand
BSC Little Sister 65: Karen's Toys
BSC Little Sister 66: Karen's Monsters
BSC Little Sister 67: Karen's Turkey Day
BSC Little Sister 68: Karen's Angel
BSC Little Sister 69: Karen's Big Sister
BSC Little Sister 70: Karen's Grandad
BSC Little Sister 71: Karen's Island Adventure
BSC Little Sister 72: Karen's New Puppy
BSC Little Sister 73: Karen's Dinosaur
BSC Little Sister 74: Karen's Softball Mystery
BSC Little Sister 75: Karen's County Fair
BSC Little Sister 76: Karen's Magic Garden

Baby-sitters Little Sister Specials
BSC Little Sister Special 1: Karen's Wish
BSC Little Sister Special 2: Karen's Plane Trip
BSC Little Sister Special 3: Karen's Mystery
BSC Little Sister Special 4: Karen, Hannie, and Nancy
BSC Little Sister Special 5: Karen's Baby
BSC Little Sister Special 6: Karen's Campout

list from here & here

Just Too Good to Be True by E. Lynn Harris

Just Too Good to Be True by E. Lynn Harris
narrators: Adenrele Ojo, Bahni Turpin, Mirron Willis
8cds 10hrs
rating: 3stars

From back of book:

Harris serves up a treat that will capture and enchant audiences everywhere—a big, bold, and irresistible novel about football, family, and secrets.

Brady Bledsoe and his mother, Carmyn, have a strong relationship. A single mother, faithful churchgoer, and the owner of several successful Atlanta beauty salons, Carmyn has devoted herself to her son and his dream of becoming a professional football player. Brady has always followed her lead, including becoming a member of the church’s "Celibacy Circle." Now in his senior year at college, the smart, and very handsome, Brady is a lead contender for the Heisman Trophy and a spot in the NFL.

As sports agents hover around Brady, Barrett, a beautiful and charming cheerleader, sets her mind on tempting the celibate Brady and getting a piece of his multimillion-dollar future—but is that all she wants from him, and is she acting alone?

Carmyn is determined to protect her son. She’s also determined to protect the secret she’s kept from Brady his whole life. As things heat up on campus and Carmyn and Brady’s idyllic relationship starts to crumble, mother and son begin to wonder about the other—are you just too good to be true?

A sweeping novel about mothers and sons, football and beauty shops, secrets and lies, JUST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE has all the ingredients that have made E. Lynn Harris a bestselling author: family, friendship, faith, and love.

My Review:
First I must say that the first person to start the narration for this voice made me cringe. I did not like her voice at all.

This story is about a college football player who mother brings him up with Christian values. He took an oath to save himself until marriage but breaks it after he falls in love. When a cheerleader with her own motives set her eyes on him Brady world is turned upside down. He finds out that everyone he thought he could trust has told him lies. He becomes lost. The is a book about how lies will eventually expose themselves. It is also about forgiveness and how your actions affect yourself and others.

*was lost on the name Brady (Tom Brady) Bledsoe (Drew Bledsoe)...not sure if this is where Harris got the name from but these two players are known to be/been the best in football and the character is suppose to be best of the college football team he plays for.

Challenges:
Whisper Stories in My Ear 2011

Booking through Thursday

Do you read books “meant” for other age groups? Adult books when you were a child; Young-Adult books now that you’re grown; Picture books just for kicks … You know … books not “meant” for you. Or do you pretty much stick to what’s written for people your age?

Yes I do read books meant for other ages groups. I sometimes read YA books. I am actually about to get ready to re-read the Babysitters Club series for the YA of the 80s and 90s Reading Challenge (if you are interested in reading along with me leave a comment I would love the company). I don't have any children so I don't read any books younger than YA.

Waiting on Wednesday: Mistress No More

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.










This week my W.O.W. is Mistress No More by Nobia Bryant. This isn't a synposis for this title yet but I love her writing. The novels are always fast paced and stucks you in. I am not sure if I will get this right when it comes out but I will get it eventually.

Queen of the Night by J.A. Janice

Queen of the Night by J.A. Janice

10cds 11hrs 30mins

rating 3stars

05/06/11

From back of book:
When a couple is murdered while observing the seasonal blooming of the Queen of the Night flower, Dr. Lani Walker, border patrol agent Dan Pardee, and homicide investigator Brian Fellows are tasked with protecting the victims’ daughter, who witnessed the gruesome crime. Meanwhile, detective Brandon Walker comes out of retirement when a witness steps forward with information regarding a decades-old unsolved murder.

My Review:
Okay, this book started off slow. I was seriously thinking of not finishing it by the end of the first c.d. However, things started to pickup and soon the book got interesting. There are many different story lines going on so it can get confusing but there is one main character who is directly and indirectly affecting the lives of the rest of the characters. The plot is one that has been in the news before and continues to be now...family violence. The one thing I could not understand and still do not understand is the significance of the temperature at the beginning of chapters. TBR list #3 it turned out to be a good read .

Challenges:
2011 Where Are You Reading?
Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2011
Whisper Stories in My Ear 2011

Spontaneous by Brenda Jackson

Spontaneous by Brenda Jackson
Ebook pgs. 129
rating 3stars
05/08/2011

From back of book:
Kimani Cannon knows she's in trouble the second she lays eyes on 6'4" of luscious male. The best kind of trouble, too…mm-mmm! Duan Jeffries turns out to be the perfect man—charming, considerate…and the best lover she's ever had. Too bad Mr. Delicious is just a one-night stand….



Until Kim needs a date to her mother's (fifth) wedding! Duan's willing to act the part of her fiancé… as long as it means full benefits. More amazing sex? No problem!

Then Kim finds out that Duan's got his own private agenda. Suddenly, she doesn't know what to believe. Her head and heart are telling her to be careful. But the sensual thrumming in her blood is turning out to be much more persuasive….



My Review:


This should have been a face paced book but for some reason it took me a while to read it. The plot was great. It centers around a steamy sexual affair turned romance between the two main characters. Jackson also was able to throw in a bit of suspense with the storyline concerning Kim mother's fiance. TBR List #4 though it was good there's no rush to read this.

Challenges:
2011 Sexy Reading Challenge
2011 Chick Lit Challenge
2011 Where Are You Reading?

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:

"I loved him so much, Born. I was even willing to stay with him and work it out. But then Brianna came over and she said that Sha proposed to her."

pg. 151 Payback With Ya Life by Wahida Clark

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Mondy! What Are You Reading?

A weekly meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.

Books read last week:
Spontaneous by Brenda Jackson – A romance about two people who are super attracted to each. For similar reasons each decide that what they have can only be physical relationship but soon it becomes more but each thinks the other doesn’t want to how they truly feel.

Queen of the Night by J.A. Janice –
A suspense novel where a disgruntle guy life changes with a heat of the moment act. His actions afterwards change the lives of many in his path.

Books reading this week:

Payback With Ya Life by Wahida Clark –
From back of book:
She lost her integrity, her best friend…and nearly wound up dead. Now Shan is making her move, far away from Memphis’s mean streets, to wipe the slate clean and start over. But she can’t hold back what she’s feeling for Briggen, a wealthy drug dealer who want her to be his one and only for life. Her brother, Peanut, can’t afford to lose her – or the one shot he has at getting back on top of the drug game. And the ruthless convict who tricked Shan into loving him is out of lockdown…and out to settle lethal scores with her and Peanut. Now, with everything at stake and a vicious turf war taking no prisoners, Shan must put it all on the line to save her future - or die trying.

Divergent by Veronica Roth –
From Amazon:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen –
From back of book:
In Wyoming for a medical conference, Boston medical examiner Maura Isles joins a group of friends on a spur-of-the-moment ski trip. But when their SUV stalls on a snow-choked mountain road, they’re stranded with no help in sight.
As night falls, the group seeks refuge from the blizzard in the remote village of Kingdom Come, where twelve eerily identical houses stand dark and abandoned. Something terrible has happened in Kingdom Come: Meals sit untouched on tables, cars are still parked in garages. The town’s previous residents seem to have vanished into thin air, but footprints in the snow betray the presence of someone who still lurks in the cold darkness—someone who is watching Maura and her friends.
Days later, Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli receives the grim news that Maura’s charred body has been found in a mountain ravine. Shocked and grieving, Jane is determined to learn what happened to her friend. The investigation plunges Jane into the twisted history of Kingdom Come, where a gruesome discovery lies buried beneath the snow. As horrifying revelations come to light, Jane closes in on an enemy both powerful and merciless—and the chilling truth about Maura’s fate.