tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69292204482979874552024-03-13T07:44:25.043-04:00Numbers ChallengeReading Books with Numbers in the Title from Jan - Aug 2010Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-83634390718075454952010-06-11T15:09:00.000-04:002010-06-11T15:09:16.228-04:00How's everybody doing?There's only 2 1/2 months left and no one has posted a review on here. Have you been reading books with numbers?<br />
<br />
Would you prefer a Mr. Linky to link up your reviews?<br />
<br />
Check in!Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-53259219380762110992010-01-26T13:12:00.000-05:002010-01-26T13:12:15.132-05:00Numbers Challenge 2010 - Info and Signup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/S18ulYccKAI/AAAAAAAADu8/gpwszfZj_Vk/s1600-h/numberschallenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/S18ulYccKAI/AAAAAAAADu8/gpwszfZj_Vk/s320/numberschallenge.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<br />
To returning challengers: What do you think of the new logo?<br />
<br />
The challenge is to read books whose titles have a number in them from Jan 1, 2010 to August 1, 2010. This includes written numbers like 'one' and numbers like 10th or first or even half.<br />
<br />
You can pick from different levels this year:<br />
<br />
1. Read one book with a number in it<br />
2. Read three books with a number in it.<br />
3. Read five or more books with a number in it.<br />
<br />
Need some help picking? See the sidebar.<br />
<br />
You can cross-over with other challenges, use e-books or audio books and re-read books.<br />
<br />
<b>Note</b> <br />
Since I'm late in posting this any book you read since Jan. 1 that has a number in it can be counted towards your goal, regardless of when you join the challenge. <br />
<br />
<b>Want to Join?</b><br />
Comment on THIS post to join. Please include a link to a SPECIFIC POST on your blog with your book choices. This will be what I link to in the Participants list. If you don't have a blog, just say so. You'll still be added.<br />
<br />
If you would also like to be able to post on THIS Blog, leave your email address. I suggest putting it like this to prevent spam: yourname AT yourprovider DOT com If you are already a member of this blog but no longer want to be, you can leave this blog through your dashboard. If you are already on and want to stay on, no need to say anything.<br />
<br />
NOTE: If you don't want to be a member of this blog but wouldn't mind your review being cross-posted to this blog, email me your review and a link to your blog and i'll post it.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-16145279507825071192009-08-01T08:11:00.002-04:002009-12-25T20:54:44.685-05:002009 Information and Sign-Up<i>*This is a Sticky Post. Scroll Down for newest Entries*<br />
</i><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SS6aiGEdsyI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/uGwzc1NmynY/s1600-h/numberschallenge.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273322124232995618" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SS6aiGEdsyI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/uGwzc1NmynY/s200/numberschallenge.jpg" style="float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>IMPORTANT: READ ALL</b></span><br />
<br />
The challenge is to read 5 books whose titles have a number in them from Jan 1, 2009 to August 1, 2009. This includes written numbers like 'one' and numbers like 10th or first.<br />
<br />
Need some help picking? See the sidebar.<br />
<br />
You can choose up to three that are on lists for other challenges. So two of the choices must not be on any list. You can re-read books but all books must NOT be read until January 1, 2009.<br />
<br />
<b>Want to Join?<br />
</b>Comment on THIS post to join. Please include a link to a <b>SPECIFIC POST</b> on your blog with your book choices. This will be what I link to in the Participants list. If you don't have a blog, just say so. You'll still be added.<br />
<br />
If you would also like to be able to post on THIS Blog, leave your email address. I suggest putting it like this to prevent spam: yourname AT yourprovider DOT com If you are already a member of this blog but no longer want to be, you can leave this blog through your dashboard. If you are already on and want to stay on, no need to say anything.<br />
<br />
NOTE: If you don't want to be a member of this blog but wouldn't mind your review being cross-posted to this blog, email me your review and a link to your blog and i'll post it.<br />
<br />
ABOUT TAGGING: If you do decide to post your reviews on this blog (and I hope you will) please note I have changed around some of the tags. Please tag your book with the number in it. If the number is between 1-9, there are tags like this: "1_One" Use those. For over 9, you can just input it either as a number or a word, depending on how it is in your book. Also tag as fiction or non-fiction. Always include your name and use the tag "Lists" for your book choices and "Wrap-Ups" for your wrap-up posts. Sorry to have rules but I'm just trying to make this blog easy to navigate so those looking for book ideas can find them.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-22864480318915265492009-07-02T17:55:00.004-04:002009-07-02T18:06:17.265-04:00The Rabbi's Cat 2 by Joann Sfar<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wZ9uzwT6rJ0/Sk0uQofOXlI/AAAAAAAABg4/GrnCqjaBZbQ/s1600-h/rabbi%27s+cat+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 50px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 67px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353986395294555730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wZ9uzwT6rJ0/Sk0uQofOXlI/AAAAAAAABg4/GrnCqjaBZbQ/s200/rabbi%27s+cat+2.jpg" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:arial;">Graphic novel, 144 pages </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Hardcover 2008</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Translated from the French<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Only the second graphic novel I've ever read, they are not my cup of tea it seems. The first was The Rabbi's Cat, which is charming, funny, and beautifully illustrated by France's top graphics artist, and a very good story. This one is the second book with the same characters. About a rabbi and his daughter in Algeria, pre World War II; the rabbi's cat can speak, it even argues Torah, and points out incongruities in people's behaviour. There are two stories here really, one about an old man and his mangy pet lion and a delightful con they have going, which is fun to read. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The second part is about racism but I didn't like it when the arguing got loud and even somewhat physical (perhaps an attempt on the author's part to prove his point?) despite everyone being of the same religion. And the author gratuitously threw in the "f" word-once, it spoiled the tone for me. I'm glad that I wasn't reading it with a child on my lap. This is a book for adults. There's no faulting the artistry or original story but I am clearly the wrong person to enjoy or to judge graphic novels.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Reviewed by Sandra at </span><a href="http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Fresh Ink Books</span></a></div>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06265301061583417768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-41633193212350919122009-07-02T17:24:00.005-04:002009-07-02T18:16:54.286-04:00The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wZ9uzwT6rJ0/Sk0nRiBOslI/AAAAAAAABgw/5jsrO9CdFho/s1600-h/fifth+child.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353978714156610130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wZ9uzwT6rJ0/Sk0nRiBOslI/AAAAAAAABgw/5jsrO9CdFho/s200/fifth+child.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Fiction, 133 pages</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Hardcover 1988 (UK)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The idea of a mother not loving her own child seems almost taboo as a subject for a novel. Such feelings just aren't possible, or at least they're not natural or normal, are they? That's the general consensus. I wanted to read <em>The Fifth Child</em> because someone said it put them in mind of Lionel Shriver's </span><a href="http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/tss-books-read-this-week_25.html"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>We Need to Talk About Kevin</em></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> which I also read and reviewed. They are both about having a child who is difficult to love. Let's be honest, even their mothers find them impossible to love. They do try, very hard, over a period of long years, but ultimately admit their true feelings. Both books are well written and I thought at first they were quite different stories. Kevin, in Shriver's book is a teenager who's killed fellow students in a school shooting before the story even begins. Ben, the fifth child to a couple who planned a large family and celebrated each child's arrival, is odd and frightening and difficult to control from the day he's born. We follow his beleagured mother and family from birth through to his teen years.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Then I realized that the only difference in the stories is whether they are related to us before disaster strikes, as in the case of Ben, or afterward, as with Kevin's killing spree. Each book hits tender spots and like most tragedies are not the easiest to read. But I think they both need to be read. The questions raised need to be faced-by everyone. Should these children be drugged? Is psychiatry or behaviour therapy enough? Should they be "put away" in cases where they cannot be controlled? Then there's the issue of blame. People seem to need to point fingers when things go wrong. Are the parents, especially the mothers, ultimately responsible for the monstrous behaviour of their children? I'm glad I read these books. I learned things, empathy being the very least of these. I highly recommended<em> </em><a href="http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/tss-books-read-this-week_25.html"><em>We Need to Talk About Kevin</em></a>. I recommend <a href="http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/fifth-child-by-doris-lessing-review.html"><em>The Fifth Child</em> </a>as well.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I have also read and reviewed the sequel <a href="http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/ben-in-world-by-doris-lessing-review.html"><em>Ben, In the World</em></a></span><a href="http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/ben-in-world-by-doris-lessing-review.html"><em> <span style="font-family:arial;">by</span> </em></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/ben-in-world-by-doris-lessing-review.html"><em>Doris Lessing</em></a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Reviewed by Sandra at <a href="http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/">Fresh Ink Books</a></span></div>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06265301061583417768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-2124313637200277352009-05-20T15:30:00.004-04:002009-05-20T15:33:47.552-04:00One Deadly Sin by Annie Solomon<div align="justify"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bwW1yf1iijw/ShRaoooPGzI/AAAAAAAABy4/DqLW6zAXSSo/s1600-h/one+deadly+sin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337991112488327986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bwW1yf1iijw/ShRaoooPGzI/AAAAAAAABy4/DqLW6zAXSSo/s320/one+deadly+sin.jpg" border="0" /></a>Edie Swann heads back to her hometown, Redbud, with one intention only - and that is revenge. She has a list given to her by her dying aunt that has the five names of the men that her father had dealings with shortly before his tragic death. Her only problem is that someone starts off-ing these men making her the main suspect in their murders.<br /><br />Local lawman and the man that makes Edie's heart race - Holt Drennen is handling the death cases of these prominent Redbud residents... but are they accidental deaths or murders? As his feelings for Edie grow so do his suspicions of her somehow being involved.<br /><br />This book can be emotional when it delves into Edie's insecurities and fears. Although on the outside she might look tough riding a Harley, tattoos all over and wearing leather - she is rather fragile on the inside. She is a strong character that has to overcome her past and learn to live for herself and her future.<br /><br />While spine-tingling is not a word that is usually associated with romance Annie Solomon makes it so by her masterful descriptions of these crimes. The not over descriptive intimate love scenes are frequent and varied throughout this read - add in a mysterious murderer, and you have a true page-turner.<br /><br />There were some interesting plot lines, and the narrative was good enough to keep me intrigued, sometimes to push me to go to the next chapter when I know I should stop and go to bed. It definitely had me guessing as to the twists and turns it was going to take and I was never able to guess whodunnit until the very end. Overall, I enjoyed the book as a nice little romantic suspense read and would definitely recommend it.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-31609534688075434852009-05-18T10:00:00.001-04:002009-05-18T10:02:24.492-04:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/ShFp-s-VBAI/AAAAAAAADTs/7VKvveTFL8A/s1600-h/one_fine_day.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337163559356138498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 116px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/ShFp-s-VBAI/AAAAAAAADTs/7VKvveTFL8A/s320/one_fine_day.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p>*Reprinted with permission from <a href="http://jeanettesbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-fine-day.html">A Comfy Chair and a Good Book</a></p><p>Title: One Fine Day<br />Author: Mollie Panter-Downes<br />Genre: Fiction<br />Pages: 241<br />Published:1947<br />Date Finished: 19 Jan 2009<br />My Rating: 5<br />Challenges: Decades, New Author, Library, Numbers, 100 +<br /><br />In this beautiful and lyrically told novel Mollie Panter-Downes chronicles a day in the life of the Marshall family, a middle class family living in post World War II England.<br />While Britain has come out of the war victorious, life has not returned to what it once was and for most, it never will. </p><p>The change the Marshall family feels most keenly is domestic. They have been left to manage a house and garden without the servants that they once had. </p><em><blockquote><em>"And it suddenly struck him as preposterous how dependent he and his class had been on the anonymous caps and aprons who lived out of sight and worked the<br />strings. All his life he had expected to find doors opened if he rang, to wake up to the soft rattle of curtain rings being drawn back, to find the fires bright and the coffee smoking hot every morning as though household spirits had been working while he slept. And now the strings had been dropped, they all lay helpless as abandoned marionettes with nobody to twitch them."</em> </blockquote></em><p>The gardener who kept Stephen's garden growing and vital was killed in Holland. The maid, nanny and cook left to help with the war effort and won't be returning. Finding new help is all but impossible as the younger generation looks to expanding possibilities that have opened up beyond their country villages. </p><p>Flighty Laura is left to keep the once beautiful, now crumbling, house together and keep dinner from boiling over, burning or being eaten by the cat. Stephen is left with only the occasional help of a slow, plodding, half-deaf old man in the garden. Their daughter, Victoria, does not remember much about life before the war and does not understand her parent's present concerns and stresses. </p><p>Mollie Panter-Downes created a very powerful, character driven novel illustrating how life has been irrevocably changed on all levels of society following the war. Through following the seemingly mundane day in the life of one family on a hot summer day we see an entire nation coming to grips with a new way of life and a new social order.<br />While there is a strong sense of what has been lost throughout the novel, there is also a sense of hope and optimism. </p><em><blockquote><em>"But never, even then, had Laura felt quite this rush of overwhelming thankfulness, so that the land swam and misted and danced before her. She had had to lose a dog and climb a hill, a year later, to realize what it would have meant if England had lost. We are at peace, we still stand, we will stand when you are dust, sang the humming land in the summer evening."</em> </blockquote></em><p>Originally published in 1947 this novel examines the war and it's impact on those left to pick up the pieces of a post war life. </p>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-51637357599251211712009-03-30T12:20:00.003-04:002009-03-30T12:23:07.412-04:00Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult<div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bwW1yf1iijw/SdDxi9zVgAI/AAAAAAAABa8/9GqELcxqw_I/s1600-h/19+minutes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319016742932283394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bwW1yf1iijw/SdDxi9zVgAI/AAAAAAAABa8/9GqELcxqw_I/s200/19+minutes.jpg" border="0" /></a>In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five. In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world, or you can just jump off it. In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.<br /></div><div align="justify"><br />Nineteen Minutes is set in Sterling, New Hampshire - a town where nothing ever happens – that is until the day that Peter Houghton walks into his high school and in 19 minutes kills and injures several of his classmates and teachers. The story is told through several perspectives and ranges anywhere from when before Peter is born until about one year after the deadly shooting. We hear from Peter’s parents, his old best friend Josie Cormier, who eventually became part of the popular crowd and abandoned her friendship with Peter, Josie’s mom, Alex - also the judge sitting on the case, Patrick the detective who was able to apprehend Peter after the shooting and, of course, Peter himself.<br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">I was so caught up in this book while reading it - there were just so many emotions that I went through (anger, despair, heartbreak, sadness, etc.) The story is written in a way that helps you relate and even sympathize with all of the main characters. I thought it gave good insight into bullying, and the torture that some kids are put through while in school. The peer pressure, the complicated tumultuous life of teens - was perfectly captured.<br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">This book will stick with me for a while, I think. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-77525821840153497632009-03-19T10:05:00.005-04:002009-05-20T15:34:30.070-04:00One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon<div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bwW1yf1iijw/ScJRgVp9-4I/AAAAAAAABVc/u8V5aMAW6YY/s1600-h/1+silent+night.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314900126261443458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bwW1yf1iijw/ScJRgVp9-4I/AAAAAAAABVc/u8V5aMAW6YY/s400/1+silent+night.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bad boys need lovin’ too! </div><br /><div align="justify">This is the story of Stryker - yes, Strykerius (tormentor of all things Dark-Hunter, Acheron and Nick Gaultier related). Yet I thoroughly enjoyed reading the bad guy’s side of the story. </div><div align="justify"><br />In this story we were able to get a glimpse of the romance between Stryker (all around Dark-Hunter nemesis) and his first-wife Zephyra (she’s a total <s>b</s>witch). Upon reading this you see Stryker in a whole new light and why he is the way he is. Yes, Stryker, was human at one point. He was a child, he loved, he made mistakes... he was/is a man. I found myself feeling sympathy for him and understanding a little more of the world that Sherrilyn Kenyon has created. </div><div align="justify"><br />Although it can be a bit confusing with all the Greek mythology she normally intertwines with her storylines, this book (I think) is like a new era for the Dark-Hunter series. Sherrilyn is involving a lot of new and different characters that I can’t help but anticipate the day when we get to read their stories. </div><div align="justify"><br />For those of you who are fans of the Dark-Hunter series, this book felt like an intermediate point, where she just filled you in on information that she was unable to incorporate into any of her other stories. If you have not read a Dark-Hunter novel before than this definitely is not the book you want to start the series on (definitely read some of her older stuff and I’m sure you’ll get snagged along with the rest of us into this world). </div><div align="justify"><br />But intrigued I am! With all the new <s>hotties</s> characters that she is introducing I can’t wait to read the next installment. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-69906466646126191872009-02-10T09:35:00.003-05:002009-02-10T09:37:53.501-05:00One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell<div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bwW1yf1iijw/SZGQ3Uk-j8I/AAAAAAAABNg/AMJIO9vdOO0/s1600-h/one+fifth+avenue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301177516482793410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 98px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bwW1yf1iijw/SZGQ3Uk-j8I/AAAAAAAABNg/AMJIO9vdOO0/s320/one+fifth+avenue.jpg" border="0" /></a>This one is a toughie. I haven’t decided whether I liked this one or not.... yet. I’m leaning towards the not liking direction though. </div><div align="justify"><br />The story revolves around the lives of the residents of a luxury building on Fifth Avenue. A place that just by living in it or being seen entering or exiting from it - meant wealth and power. Each resident of One Fifth is interconnected somehow and it was neat to see how one of their actions would cause an effect in one of their neighbors’ lives. I also liked that architecture was the center-piece of the story. I will say, that there were a lot of characters (each written in the first person) introduced all at once, which was confusing at first, but once I got passed that and actually started focusing on who was who and what was what it became easier to read and the pages began turning. The writing was very hip and fresh and I loved her comments on 20-somethings, bloggers and the Internet. </div><div align="justify"><br />But in the end, it just didn’t strike a note with me. I don’t know if it was that I just didn’t connect with any of the characters or that we have no similarities in common, but I found that none of the characters were likeable. There was one character that I did like but she was the one that we barely read about (figures). I got the impression that this book was expressly written to become a movie or tv series. </div><div align="justify"><br />All in all, if you like reading stories about New York City life, sex, lies and money, (Drama, Drama, Drama), then this is something that I’d recommend you read. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-76819924807308345272009-01-15T18:07:00.002-05:002009-01-15T18:09:15.701-05:00Kathrin's Numbers books:Apparently, I completely forgot to post my list of books here, so there you go:<br />1) Meg Cabot: The Princess Diaries 09 - To The Nines<br />2) Cameron West: First Person Plural<br />3) Janet Evanovich: Seven Up<br /><br />It is not yet complete, as you see, but I will get to it eventually. I'll link the finished books to the reviews here.<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-41826014171339914792009-01-04T09:08:00.002-05:002009-01-04T09:12:59.427-05:00NOTICE: On Labelling Your PostsI'd like this blog to be a simple way to look up books with numbers in them so please label as follows:<br /><br />your name (so we know it's your post)<br />fiction or non-fiction or children's or teens fiction or non-fiction<br />you can add a genre if it makes sense (i.e. mystery, historical fiction)<br />If it's about the Holocaust, add that as a label<br />the number in the title*<br /><br />*if it's between 1-9, the labels look like this: 1_One, 2_Two so it will be one label whether the number is spelled out or it's the numeral. For numbers above 10, please add it as a numeral if it's a numeral and a spelled out word if it's a spelled out word. So if your book says Fifteen, add the label Fifteen. If it says 15, add label 15.<br /><br />If I see posts that aren't labelled right I will relabel them. I'm not trying to be difficult I just want it to be easy to navigate when looking for books.<br /><br />NOTE: Look at the labels on the side to see what's already been used, it might give you an idea of something fitting to add to your post.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-47976347412172529302008-08-30T19:21:00.000-04:002008-08-02T19:27:45.395-04:00Numbers Challenge is OVER!<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTsKFVJ8oI/AAAAAAAABRc/9Vi0Smn-Zos/s1600-h/numberschallenge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230064725257745026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTsKFVJ8oI/AAAAAAAABRc/9Vi0Smn-Zos/s320/numberschallenge.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Your Time is UP! How did you do? Did you finish? If you were posting your reviews to this blog, please feel free to keep posting if you haven't reviewed them all yet. If you didn't finish, don't worry, you did great!</div><div></div><div>I plan on running this challenge again next year so keep an eye out in December for signups. If you write a wrap-up, please let me know either by email or in the comments of the wrap-ups post below. If you didn't write a wrap-up, or want to give me anonymous comments or suggestions, please comment here on what you did or didn't like.</div><div></div><div>See you in 2009! </div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-67666049289040919252008-08-14T22:15:00.002-04:002008-08-10T14:46:52.600-04:00Challenge Wrap-Up Posts*This is also a sticky post, scroll down for newest<br /><br />Since not everyone is directly posting their reviews to this blog, I'm going to link to everyone's wrap-up post so that you can see all the reviews. When you post a wrap-up, leave a comment here. If you already commented above, you don't need to again.<br /><br /><a href="http://susanlovestoread.blogspot.com/2008/04/yesterday-i-completed-numbers-challenge.html">Susan's Wrap-up</a><br /><a href="http://talesofabookaddict.blogspot.com/2008/03/finished-challenge-numbers-challenge.html">Tara's Wrap-Up</a><br /><a href="http://literaryescapism.myjaxon.com/2008/05/13/145/">Jackie's Wrap-Up</a><br /><a href="http://lostinagoodstory.blogspot.com/2008/06/numbers-challenge-wrap-up.html">Joanna's Wrap-Up</a><br /><a href="http://numberschallenge.blogspot.com/2008/07/tiny-librarians-wrap-up.html">Tiny Librarian's Wrap-Up</a><br /><a href="http://pilliebeebooks.blogspot.com/2008/07/numbers-challenge-wrap-up.html">Jill's Wrap-Up</a><br /><a href="http://numberschallenge.blogspot.com/2008/08/callistas-wrap-up.html">Callista's Wrap-Up</a><br /><a href="http://thoughtsofjoyblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/numbers-challenge-2008.html">Joy's Wrap-Up</a>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-6683645610116390862008-08-10T01:43:00.002-04:002008-11-27T08:00:39.749-05:00Finished upI didn't get my last few (sort of got behind on the blogging part) on here but here they are....<br /><br />I read 1 through 7 of the Women's Murder Mystery Series by James Patterson in addition to the previously mentioned Three Cups of Tea.<br /><br />The last one on the list was<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Nicolle/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Two-In-The-Far-North/Margaret-E-Murie/e/9780882404899/?itm=1"> Two in the Far North</a> by Margaret Murie. I am moving to Fairbanks, AK in a month and this was part of my purchases when I was up there in June. It's the amazing story and journals of Margaret Murie, one of the women pioneer's in the world of conserving the great outdoors for all to enjoy. She moved to Fairbanks when she was 9 and spent a large portion of her life in Alaska before moving to Wyoming where she and her husband continued to work for the national conservatory group. <br /><br />Two in the Far North tells the tale of Murie's young years growing up but also her travels with her naturalist/biologist husband through the then unchartered lands of Alaska, tracking caribou and geese. They even took their newborn son on one said research trip. Truly an amazing adventure capturing the heart and soul of Alaska.Moosekahlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16996677781862155900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-7222746041790497962008-08-02T19:14:00.002-04:002008-08-02T19:20:47.502-04:00Callista's Wrap-UpI'm not posting one to my blog so I'll post one here.<br /><br />Here's what I read (only one of which was on my original list):<br /><br />Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear by Sharon Dunn<br />One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss<br />24 Girls in 7 Days by Alex Bradley<br />My First Year as a Teacher by Pearl Rock Kane<br />When We Were Six by A.A. Milne<br />Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech<br /><br />Fav Book: My First Year as a Teacher by Pearl Rock Kane<br />Least Fav: When We Were Six by A.A. Milne<br /><br />Reviews can be found <a href="http://numberschallenge.blogspot.com/search/label/Callista">here</a>.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-61239534266003278972008-08-02T19:11:00.001-04:002008-11-27T07:50:31.250-05:00Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear by Sharon Dunn<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTp029gFGI/AAAAAAAABRU/Lw1i3u-oiJs/s1600-h/sixfootbear.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230062161599927394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTp029gFGI/AAAAAAAABRU/Lw1i3u-oiJs/s320/sixfootbear.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Stars: ***** <p></p><br />Summary: When a man turns up dead in a teddy bear costume, Ginger and the other ladies of the Bargain Hunters Network learn a lesson about trusting in God rather than in wealth as they try to solve the crime and clear one of their own. <p></p>First of all, I gotta say, that when I got the offer to review this book, I had a good laugh. After all, how often is it do hear a book title like this one? There was no way I could say no to this one, I just HAD to know what it was all about. I’m sure glad I did say yes because I relished every moment I was reading this book. <p></p>It’s not too often you have such humour mixed in with a murder mystery. I could definitely see the two being mixed in such a way that detracts from the book but Sharon Dunn put them together spectacuarly. <p></p>The whole idea of a Squirrel Convention is hilarious and at first glance you assume the author made it up for the book. However this is not the case. Well I don’t know if there has ever been a Squirrel Convention per say but there is at least one Squirrel Lover’s Club, from which Sharon Dunn got some information on Squirrels. <p></p>The book cover is splendid to look at. It succeeds in catching the eye (although the title alone would do that too.) <p></p>I didn’t guess whodunnit which is the mark of a good mystery. It’s no fun if you figure it out halfway through the book. However unlike some mystery books, all the clues are methodically explained so you can try to figure it out for yourself. <p></p>The characters were likable and real, you could truly see them as real people. There is a wide range of ages amongs the characters which you don’t usually see and was a pleasant surprise. <p></p>The book is what I consider Christian Fiction Light, Christian Fiction that is acceptable reading for a non Christian as well. I definitely want to read the first book in the Series (Death of a Garage Sale Newbie) and however many more are to come. <div></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-87016039764415354192008-08-02T19:09:00.001-04:002008-11-27T07:58:17.470-05:00One Well: The Story of Water by Rochelle Strauss<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTpUh6Ko6I/AAAAAAAABRM/RgnzYiYoYSQ/s1600-h/onewell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230061606192980898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTpUh6Ko6I/AAAAAAAABRM/RgnzYiYoYSQ/s320/onewell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Stars: *****<br />Illustrated by: Rosemary Woods <p></p>This is an awesome children’s non-fiction book about the Earth’s water. It covers such topics as how all the oceans, rivers and ponds are connected and how the water we have know is the same water that’s always been on the Earth, even billions of years ago. How water is used and how much the average person uses in different countries is covered too. At the end is talk about why it’s important to conserve water and how to go about it. <p></p>I knew most of this information but learned a few new things. For example, I knew water was used in production when cooling or heating objects or washing the parts. However I never imagined how much water was used in various ways to make objects. Did you know that about 147 000L (38 800 U.S. gal.) of water is needed to make a car? Or that about 5200 L (1375 U.S. gal) of water is needed just to make one fast food lunch (burger, fries and soda)? <p></p>The format of the book was easy to follow and kept my attention and the illustrations were wonderful. I enjoy books that show an overhead view of a large area. The more detail the better. It’s nice to have to really study a picture to see everything in it.<br />I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to children ages 10 and up who either want to learn more about water or who need information on it for school.</div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-66837460256915768912008-08-02T18:58:00.001-04:002008-11-27T07:43:02.935-05:0024 Girls in 7 Days by Alex Bradley<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTmtCFRDwI/AAAAAAAABRE/cUpzui3J2Z0/s1600-h/24girls7days.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230058728611450626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTmtCFRDwI/AAAAAAAABRE/cUpzui3J2Z0/s320/24girls7days.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Stars: **** <p></p>I read this book for the Numbers challenge.I stumbled across this book while searching for books through my library catalogue. I’m glad I did, it’s a great teen book. <p></p>Summary: <em>“So when his friends take it upon themselves to get him a date to the prom by placing an intensely humiliating ad in the school paper, they think they are doing him a favor. Jack doesn’t agree. But then the most amazing thing happens: Responses to the ad are overwhelming. So overwhelming, in fact, that Jack must narrow the list down. A lot. Not an easy task. Turns out, the girls at City High are quite the competitive bunch. From drive-by-flashings to breaking and entering to cell phone stalkers, these potential prom dates will stop at nothing to snag the suddenly popular Jack. How will he ever choose just one?”</em> <p></p>While it’s obvious the book is hilarious, it also has a serious side with a great lesson for all involved. This book would fall in the Honesty is the Best Policy lesson area. <div></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-47445303494247760512008-08-02T18:56:00.001-04:002008-11-27T07:50:31.251-05:00Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTmSCznmII/AAAAAAAABQ8/t-ufc5l5RYc/s1600-h/walktwomoons.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230058264949397634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTmSCznmII/AAAAAAAABQ8/t-ufc5l5RYc/s320/walktwomoons.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Stars: **** <p></p><p></p>Summary: <em>“As Sal entertains her grandparents with Phoebe’s outrageous story, her own story begins to unfold – the story of a thirteen-year-old girl whose only wish is to be reunited with her missing mother.”</em> <p></p>I must admit that the summary at the back did not sound all the interesting to me. However the book was very well put together. The summary just doesn’t explain enough. Sal is on the road with her Grandparents and is telling them the story of her friend Phoebe and her life, which at times seems to be very similar to Sal’s. The book switches back and forth from what is happening with Sal and her grandparents to what happened with Phoebe. It does not always alternate every other chapter, which makes it more interesting since you don’t know whose story will be continued next until you start reading. <p></p>The story has good lessons in it and would make a good school read I think. </div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-16585459975499735162008-08-02T18:52:00.002-04:002008-08-02T18:58:38.582-04:00My First Year as a Teacher by Pearl Rock Kane<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTlLLIrJ7I/AAAAAAAABQ0/dz32Bg5eeJE/s1600-h/firstyear.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230057047414482866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTlLLIrJ7I/AAAAAAAABQ0/dz32Bg5eeJE/s320/firstyear.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Stars: ***** <p></p>I REALLY enjoyed this book. I have always wanted to be a teacher except that I don’t agree with almost everything in the school system. However I love reading about teaching and learning new things so that I can attempt to homeschool my children. <p></p>This book is an anthology of short stories from teachers all across the U.S.A. telling what they remember most from their first year of teaching and what they learned. Some of the stories are about one specific student or incident and some of the stories cover many little things that span the whole first year. All but one gave really great advice and I am interested in checking out another book from the My First Year series titled My First Year as a Doctor. <p></p>If you are a teacher or are thinking about being a teacher, I recommend this book. <div></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-56744036039214657072008-08-02T18:48:00.001-04:002008-11-27T07:37:39.885-05:00Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTkdcmfdHI/AAAAAAAABQs/MFDfvhWgbcE/s1600-h/nowsix.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230056261828965490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_uhvkQ0Mbln0/SJTkdcmfdHI/AAAAAAAABQs/MFDfvhWgbcE/s320/nowsix.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Stars: *** <p></p><p></p>I'm reading this a little out of order since I haven't yet read When We Were Very Young but I needed a book with a number in it. <p></p>As I've said before, I'm not a big fan of poetry and while there were quite a few cute ones in this book, most weren't that great and one or two were really boring and confusing. You can tell for the most part that the poetry wasn't written recently. <p></p>If you like children's poetry, you will like this better than I did. <div></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-20398133291310056432008-07-27T11:07:00.001-04:002008-07-27T11:09:00.911-04:00My Wrap-UpThanks Callista for hosting this challenge! It was my first!<br /><br />Here's <a href="http://pilliebeebooks.blogspot.com/2008/07/numbers-challenge-wrap-up.html">my wrap-up</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-49116311927621334032008-07-22T14:04:00.000-04:002008-07-22T14:05:04.779-04:00Tiny Librarian's Wrap-Up<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Hooray, another challenge completed! Thanks to Callista </span><span style="font-family:arial;">for hosting this fun one!</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My books were:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1. </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://tinyreadingroom.blogspot.com/2008/02/review-no-ladies-detective-agency.html">The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith</a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">2. </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://tinyreadingroom.blogspot.com/2008/02/review-cocktails-for-three.html">Cocktails for Three by Madeleine Wickham</a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">3. </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://tinyreadingroom.blogspot.com/2008/04/review-one-of-those-hideous-books-where.html">One of those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones</a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">4. </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://tinyreadingroom.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-21-proms.html">21 Proms by various authors</a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">5. </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://tinyreadingroom.blogspot.com/2008/07/review-second-chance.html">Second Chance by Jane Green</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Favourite book?</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Well, I gave 2 of them 4 stars - </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency </span><span style="font-family:arial;">and </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >One Of Those Hideous Books...</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> I'd say my top fave was the Detective Agency because I found it really charming and it brought back my faith in McCall Smith (the last couple of his I'd read hadn't wowed me as much as </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >44 Scotland Street</span><span style="font-family:arial;">).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Least favourite book? </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I gave the other ones all 3 stars, so none of them were bad books. I'd say it was probably </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >21 Proms</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> just because I'm not really that big a fan of short stories, but I don't regret reading it.</span><br /></div><br /></div>tinylittlelibrarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889130720769404460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929220448297987455.post-2080944252209341062008-07-18T14:48:00.003-04:002008-11-27T07:51:36.949-05:00Second Chance by Jane Green<span style="font-family:arial;">At last, I'm finished! I managed to still get done in time even though I misread the rules and had to switch 2 books at the last minute.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My review of British chick lit author Jane Green's Second Chance is </span><a href="http://tinyreadingroom.blogspot.com/2008/07/review-second-chance.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">here.</span></a>tinylittlelibrarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889130720769404460noreply@blogger.com1