Review: What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really liked this book and will look for another Sarah Dessen on my next trip to the library! McLean is a teenager without a home and with a habit of redesigning herself with every relocation. Even though we only hear about previous personas in passing, I was hooked by the idea. Who hasn't wanted a chance to reinvent themself at one time? As the story evolved and McLean changed, her relationships were able to change and the final result (the end of the book) was satisfyingly 'right' for her, her friends and her family. Excellent book!



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Review: The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I enjoyed the Percy Jackson series and was happy to see that there were more books about Camp Half-Blood residents. I was hoping it would be Percy Jackson-esque but the writing reminded me of the Kane Chronicles instead, which is unfortunate because I didn't enjoy KC. Or the 39 Clues series, actually.

I liked the heroes in this book, especially Leo. I missed the camp time, though, as the book is almost completely about a quest and included only 3 brand new campers and not enough info on the other camp.

I will read more in the stories as my kids enjoy the characters and stories and I like the exposure to Greek and Roman mythology. My son has dyslexia and ADHD and I like that they powerful, brave, strong, clever characters have similar challenges. It's nice to have positive images for him.



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Review: Midnight Angels: A Novel

Midnight Angels: A Novel by Lorenzo Carcaterra

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I had high expectations of this book. It sounded like it might be the art history version of Indiana Jones or The Librarian...but it wasn't. Implausible situations, unlikeable characters, unrealistic reactions to situations...and bad guys that simply can't understand the concept of 'kill the targets instead of chatting with them.' I tried to like this book but finally gave up and quit reading it after Edwards and Raven had a completely ludicrous conversation where they talked about killing each other but walked away instead.



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Review: Range of Motion

Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is my first Elizabeth Berg book and I'll definitely be reading more! It wasn't the plot that kept me reading, it was the language. There were so many places in the book that I wanted to read aloud or write down. There were passages I read multiple times simply because the words expressed some feeling that I would have considered unexpressable. I want to read more simply because her words were so moving.





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Review: The Folk Remedy Encyclopedia: Olive Oil, Vinegar, Honey and 1,001 Other Home Remedies

The Folk Remedy Encyclopedia: Olive Oil, Vinegar, Honey and 1,001 Other Home Remedies by FC&A Medical Publishing

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I had expected information on herbal treatments, poultices, uses for honey, etc. Instead, the book is focused on 20-30 health issues (ranging from dementia to constipation) and ways to treat them. 90% of the treatments amount to exercise, eat right and take vitamins.



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Review: The Wish List

The Wish List by Eoin Colfer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



One day, Beelzebub called St. Peter and asked for a favor. Of course, saints can't lie but demons are practically required to, especially when Pete insists on calling them "Bub." It's these small details, woven into Eoin Colfer's stories, that make me laugh. Most of his books are filled with quirky, cute or irreverent (or sometimes all of the above!) comments that keep me coming back for more.

I really liked this book and can't even pick a favorite part. The pudding that fell out of Meg when she forgot to concentrate on it? The poor Belch, forever bonded with his just-as-mean dog? The random vaporizing of spit turners in Hell? I loved all of it.

This isn't a book for everyone, of course. I like to think of it as "Hitchhiker's Humor" since The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was the first book I read (and fell in love with) that used imaginative nonsense and craziness in unorganized-but-works-in-the-end style. This book reminds me more of Colfer's "And Another Thing" than the Artemis Fowl series.



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Review: The Trickster

The Trickster by Muriel Gray

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I tried to like this book but eventually I couldn't even stand to read it. When I reached the halfway point and still hadn't been scared or thrilled (or even interested) by the book, I quit. I read the last few pages to see if it ended predictably...and it did.

The most interesting character was the truck driver frozen in his truck. Unfortunately, he was killed off rather quickly.



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