Holes- Book Review

I bought this book years ago when the movie came out but never actually read it. Haven't seen the movie yet, either.

It is the story of Stanley Yelnats, a young boy who always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is this problem that gets him sent to Camp Green Lake. With the other boys he meets there, he begins his daily routine of digging holes.

It was hard to see where this could go. Boys digging holes in a dry lake bed? I wasn't sure it would keep me interested, but once I figure out that the Warden was actually looking for some thing out there, and staredt seeing the connections to Stanley and the back story, it became harder and harder to put it down.

Wonderful book, and a definite must read for kids and adults.

4/5


New Classics Challenge

Booking Through Thursday

Are there any particular worlds in books where you’d like to live? Or where you certainly would NOT want to live? What about authors? If you were a character, who would you trust to write your life?


I am a bit late with my answer this week. I am out if town so getting time on my laptop is difficult. It will most likely be the same next week, too.

So, I am going to go with the first part of the question, a world in books where I would like to live.

Definitely, the Harry Potter world. I know, I am an adult but that just makes it all the more appealing.

I want to be at Hogwart's learning magic and riding on broomsticks. I want to eat some Bertie Bott's All Flavour Beans and drink Butterbeer. I want to ride on the back of Buckbeak and take a bath in the Prefect's bath.

Doesn't that sound much better than having to be a grown-up? At least for a little awhile.

whiskers on wednesday

Poor little kitty is home all alone right now.

Her evil mommy and daddy have gone off to enjoy the cooler weather in CA and left her by herself.

Bad, bad mommy and daddy.

We left her food and water and many of her favorite little balls to play with. We left our bed made and accessible for her sleeping needs. We have her favorite friend visiting her while we are away.

So how is she doing?

Here is the message I got yesterday from said friend:

Jojo has decided she likes me better. You are no longer welcome in her home. :)

not much in the way of knitting

Urg, That was supposed to be turned. Oh well. :)

I am in California visiting friends and family until the 17th. I have been here since Thursday. As you can imagine, not much knitting has been done. Just this little ankle sock has been started. I am using some left over Tofutsies I had. I did bring along the clapotis and some yarn to knit squares for a friend's blanket. Maybe more will get done when I am away from SF and in Fresno insead.

By the way, while in Fresno, my internet access will be minimal.

The Thirteenth Tale- Book Review

I finished the book at 2:30 am this morning. I couldn't put it down when I went to bed last night. I had to know how the story ended. The funny thing is is that is what the book is about. Story endings.

Vida Winter is a a famous best selling author. She has written her last book, is dying and is finally ready to share her own story. The person she picks, Margaret Lea, a bookworm, antique books seller and minor biographer, has misgivings. Ms. Winters has "given nineteen different versions of your life story to journalists in the last two years alone." This time, however, she will tell the truth. The truth, the real story of who she is and where she came from, is an amazing story of secrets, family, ghosts.

This was a great book. It was hard to put down once I got started. The characters are intriguing and the story Vida Winter's shares is horrific and sad, and surprising in the end.

"Do you know the feeling when you start reading a new book before the membrane of the last one has had time to close behind you? You leave the previous book with ideas and themes–characters even–caught in the fibers of your clothes, and when you open the new book, they are still with you"

These characters will be with me for awhile.

4/5


Classics Challenge

on my nightstand

Found this today. Kind of a cool idea. Post the books you have on your nightstand each month. This will be a little hard to do today since I am not at home but I think I can remember most of what's there.



A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Housseini
Toxin by Robin Cook
The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz
Harsh Cry of the Heron by Lian Heron
Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett
The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

another contest

or two.

Go over quickly because it ends tomorrow.
Liviana is giving away three fantastic fashion forward books for Fashion Week. Go to her blog In Bed With Books for a chance to win Violet in Private, The Elite, and How I Found The Perfect Dress.

Thanks, Liviana, for letting me know about it. :)


Also, I know I really want to read The Gargoyle (amazon link a few posts below). If you do too, head on over to Bookish Ruth's for a chance to win a copy.

Change of Heart contest

Head on over to Peeking Between the Pages for your chance to win a copy of Jodi Picoult's book, Change of Heart.
Jodi Picoult has such a wonderful way of weaving controversial subjects into a highly entertaining, thought-provoking read and this one is no different.

swap gift surprise

This is what I found in the mail yesterday:




Lovely, isn't it.

My Swap Partner did an awesome job. I love it. It is perfect. :)

Book Releases

Melissa Walker's new book in the Violet series comes out this Tuesday, August 5th. I have heard really great things about this young adult series and the first book,Violet by Design is sitting on my bedside table at home. I, unfortunately, was unable to bring it with me to CA.





Other books being released this month that I am excited about:

AUGUST 2
Breaking Dawn: The Twilight Saga, Book 4 (Little, Brown, $22.99) by Stephanie Meyer

AUGUST 5
The Gargoyle (Doubleday, $25.95) by Andrew Davidson
Foreign Body (Penguin, $25.95) by Robin Cook

AUGUST 19
Mike's Election Guide 2008 (Grand Central, $13.99) by Michael Moore

AUGUST 26
Devil Bones (Simon & Schuster, $25.95) by Kathy Reichs