Book Chat: We're Just Like You..., The Glass Castle, The Hundred Secret Senses, 11/22/63

We're Just Like You, Only Prettier (Confessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle) by Celia Rivenbark
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"I found this book very comical. (I actually did laugh so hard I cried.) Each chapter is a short story in itself, so it is a fast and easy read.  Although some references are "southern," as the title implies, you don't have to  be from the south to enjoy these anecdotes." - Tracy Sitz


The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
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"A memoir of survival in a dysfunctional family.  The book provides an insight into life on the move, often homeless and frequently hungry.  A great story." - Megan Knowles

The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
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"What a storyteller Tan is!  Sometimes though,  I got lost between the present and the past.  The relationships of the two sisters and the extended Chinese family were a great part of the book." - Karla Armbrister

11/22/63 by Stephen King
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"I am not usually a Stephen King fan, but I enjoyed this book very much.  It definitely has many surprises that you don't see coming.  It certainly doesn't turn out as you expect, but of course it makes perfect sense."  -
Kristen Book

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Kids will enjoy riding a rocket through the solar system as they read Zoom, Rocket, Zoom! by Margaret Mayo.   Travel along with the astronauts as they have many exciting adventures exploring new terrain, riding in moon buggies, living in space stations, flying in space shuttles and much, much more.

You can only begin to imagine what would happen if wild animals came inside a house.  Read Eric Pinder’s, If All The Animals Came Inside, and join one family’s wild adventure as animals of every shape and size take over their house and make themselves right at home.  This rhyming story comes to life with colorful collage illustrations by Marc Brown the creator of the bestselling Arthur Adventure book series.    

Zorro is a cute little pug that has a pretty good life.  Then one day, Zorro’s owner gets him an outfit.  Zorro doesn’t want to put it on.  He’s embarrassed!  When he goes out on a walk, other dogs laugh at him.  Even Slim, the cat, makes fun of him in his new super hero cape.  While he is at the park, someone new shows up.  Read Zorro Gets An Outfit by Carter Goodrich and see if Zorro changes his mind.

Book Chats: Neverwhere, Fallen in Love, and The Doctor's Wife

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

*****

“Incredibly imaginative. It is a quest not unlike Lord of the Rings mixed with Alice in Wonderland. The plot is a complex puzzle, every time you think you’ve figured it out, it twists and shows you the opposite. High recommendations to all fantasy lovers.” – Emily Gibson

Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate

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“Good ‘companion’ story to the ‘Fallen’ series. It expanded on the supporting characters a lot more than the books in the series. Loved that the story was set up in a medieval city on Saint Valentine’s Day. The book ended too soon!” – Danielle Greenfield

The Doctor’s Wife by Elizabeth Brundage

*****

“This being the author’s debut novel, she hit it with a psychological suspense thriller. There were twists and turns that held the reader spell bound. The only disappointment I felt, was the ending. She was very detailed with the entire story, then at the end she shut it down quick. But I think I was so engrossed in the storyline, I wanted it to continue a few more pages.” – Charlotte Kraft

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Beep beep! Bow wow!  Pug puppies load up in their green bug and take to the road headed for The Pooch Parade.  Carolyn Crimi’s, Pugs In A Bug, is a playful, rhyming read aloud book with plenty to see and count.  Kids will enjoy traveling along with the pugs through city and country as they head to the parade. 

Bat and Rat are best friends living in the big city together.  These two friends love doing everything together especially playing in a jazz band.  Bat plays the piano and Rat sings.  One night they are having trouble coming up with new song lyrics to sing at an upcoming show.  Read Bat And Rat by Patrick Jennings and find out how ice ream helps them solve their problem and teaches them what friendship is all about.       

Do you like using your imagination and creating your own story?  A Ball For Daisy is a book about a dog and her ball but the rest of the story is up to you.  Caldecott Medalist, Chris Raschka, illustrates a delightful wordless picture book, fun for kids or adults who enjoy making up their own story line.  Check this book out and let your imagination run wild!