The Tales Of Beetle The Bard by J.K. Rowling

Title: The Tales of Beetle the Bard
Series: Harry Potter Series
Author(s): J.K. Rowling
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Children's High Level Group
Release Date: December 4, 2008
Finished: July 2009
Pages: 111
Challenges: None
Rating:

My Thoughts: Here we have a book of fairy tales that exist for the witches and wizards of the Harry Potter Series.

For the most part, the stories were not very memorable, and the notes written at the end of some of them, supposedly Dumbledore's thoughts about the tales, were too dry. I am glad that all the proceeds go to charity. I guess you can't expect much for a book the author didn't think would be published, or did she?

About the Author: J.K. Rowling is best known as the author of the seven-book Harry Potter series. You can go to her Official Website JKRowling.com

Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

Title: Skeleton Creek
Series: Skeleton Creek
Author(s): Patrick Carman
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: February 1, 2009
Finished: July 2009
Pages: 185
Challenges: None
Rating:

My Thoughts: An interesting combination of web videos and books. The book introduces us to Ryan and his best friend Sarah Fincher. Ryan's parents wish he wasn't friends with the troublesome Fincher, and even forbid him to see her again. Sarah can't seem to keep herself out of trouble, and now she is pushing her and Ryan's luck as she sends secret emails with passwords that open creepy videos that can be seen (by Ryan and the reader) online.

In some ways this book reminded me of Paper Towns by John Green, but the writing was not as good. Like Paper Towns, it's got the girl who leaves secret words and gets into trouble, and it has the love sick puppy friend who follows her through fire.

I enjoyed the videos even though the acting was sub par. I am not sure if I will read the second book in the series, Ghost in the Machine. The story was a little predicable because you knew from the start that there would be no story if Ryan listened to his parents and did not contacted Sarah.

About the Author: Patrick Carman has written other children's book series, the Land of Elyon series and the Atherton series. Visit his official Website PatrickCarman.com

Tales From The Slayer Vol. 1 by Various Authors

Title: Tales of the Slayer: Vol. 1
Series: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Author(s): Various
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: January 7, 2004
Finished: July 2009
Pages: 280
Challenges: None
Rating:









My Thoughts: This book is connected to the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Its tales feature the slayers before Buffy became the vampire slayer. There is 7 stories in the volume, most of which are only okay and not memorable. Pretty much all of the stories were about the last days and battle of the former slayers.

There were 2 stories I enjoyed. First was The White Doe by Christie Golden about a Native American tribe with a slayer know as White Doe. The second was Die Blutgrafin by Yvonne Navarro, in which the big bad is based on a real person, Countess Bathory, said to have bathed in the blood of virgins.

About the Authors: There were various authors in this book, and a few, including the ones I mentioned above, have written more then one Buffy-related book.

Straight From The Horse's Heart by R.T. Fitch

Title: Straight From The Horse's Heart
Series: None
Author(s): R. T. Fitch
Genre: Nature Writings
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Release Date: January 8, 2009
Finished: July 2009
Pages: 266
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: It is obvious as you read this book the author has an eccentric relationship with his rescued horses. First we meet the various horses, and they all have their own personalities as any children would. The author then begins to listen to an inner voice that he believes comes from the horses and has an urgency to understand.

It took me a while to get into this book, mostly because I was trying to believe that the horses were talking to him. I don't know why really, I am an animal lover and own a dog who I think speaks very freely, but for some reason the way the prose was written didn't make me believe all the time. Although I do believe what the author experienced was spiritual for him.

About the Author: R. T. Fitch has been obsessed with horses ever since his wife introduced him to them. Although they are not the first animals he has worked with, being a ex-employee of Sea Life Park in Hawaii, Mr. Fitch spends most of his days now working with Habitat for Horses. To see his official site, go to rtfitch.com

Strange But True America by John Hafnor

Title: Strange But True, America
Series: None
Author(s): John Hafnor
Genre: Trivia, Facts, Reference
Publisher: Lone Pine Productions
Release Date: August 31, 2009
Finished: July 2009
Pages: 160
Challenges: None
Rating:









My Thoughts: I don't know how strange some of the facts/trivia in this books are. Interesting, yes, but not that strange. There are facts and quirky trivia about each state in the U.S.A. Each gets it own page, sometimes more then one, and one page of drawings. The drawings fit well with each each tale. There are even postcards you can collect for each state that feature the drawings and some of the interesting trivia. I enjoyed it, laughed out loud at times and shared some of the factoids with my husband.

About the Author: John Hafnor has written other Strange America books, including one specifically about his home state of Colorado. You can find more info on the books and author at http://www.strangetrueus.com/

No, Never by Sally O. Lee

Title: No, Never
Series: None
Author(s): Sally O. Lee
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Release Date: June 9, 2009
Finished: July 2009
Pages: 34
Challenges: None
Rating:









My Thoughts: Daisy says that she will never do her homework or take a bath or do anything that sounds like a chore. Will not doing these things keep her dreams from coming true?

If you have kids who have trouble doing their chores, this book could be helpful. It's brightly colored and hand painted by the author. In a way I relate to Daisy and am inspired by the message of the book.

About the Author: Sally O. Lee has written and illustrated 15 children's books. Check out her official website, LeePublishing.net

Gruffen by Chris D'Lacey

Title: Gruffen
Series:: The Dragons of Wayward Crescent
Author(s):: Chris D'Lacey
Genre:: Children Picture Book
Publisher: Orchard Books
Release Date: September 1st 2009
Finished: July 2009
Pages: September 2009
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: This is a cute introduction of the dragons that are featured in Chris D'Lacey's The Last Dragon Chronicles. The book takes place before The Last Dragon Chronicles first book, The Fire Within, and features Liz Pennykettle and her young daughter Lucy. Lucy fears that there is a monster in her bedroom. Her mother soothe her fears by making a special guard dragon named, Gruffen. Like all the Pennykettle dragons made this dragon comes to life but only for Lucy, her mother, or when no one is watching. As for Gruffen, he does his job well, keeping Lucy safe.

I am a fan of The Last Dragon Chronicles so revisiting the character from the book before the series starts is thrilling. Even if you haven't read The Last Dragon Chronicles you can read this new series about the dragons. I thought this book was adorable and a good start for young readers.

About the Author: Chris D'Lacey is the author of The Last Dragon Chronicles the most recent, Dark Fire, due out this month. You can visit his Official Website.

Raising Yoder's Barn by Jane Yolen

Title: Raising Yoder's Barn

Series: no

Author(s): Jane Yolen

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Publisher: Little Brown and Company

Release Date: 1998

Finished: July 2009

Pages: 32

Challenges: None

Rating:

My Thoughts: This is a interesting picture book that teaches children about Amish life. On one Amish farm, a stroke of lightning hits the barn, and it burns to the ground. The next day, the whole Amish community gets together to raise (build) a new barn. The are so orderly and prepared that it makes on wonder, how often does a barn burn down? It is an educational book for kids that shows a community coming together to help each other.

About the Author: Jane Yolen has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America. She has written over 300 books, and you can visit her site at JaneYolen.com

Ripley's Believe It Or Not : Seeing Is Believing!

Title: Ripley's Believe It Or Not: Seeing Is Believing!
Series:: Vol. 6
Author(s):: Ripley's Entertainment, Geoff Tibballs
Genre:: Facts and Trivia, Reference
Publisher: Ripley Publishing
Release Date: August 2009
Finished: September 2009
Pages: 256
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: This is one of those books you really cannot find fault with. What's not to love, with it's small paragraphs full of shocking, sometimes grotesque, facts about people who've done strange and unusual things, with pictures!

There are thousands to pick from, but some of my favorite tidbits are the Japanese artists who carves really detailed art into watermelons, and the dental tech who draws small portraits of famous people, on teeth.

One of the more shocking facts, at least in my mind, is about a guy who tattooed his eyeball.

I enjoyed every minute of reading this book. And I got a feeling of accomplishment after finishing it. Maybe I even felt a little wiser. It's a perfect gift for adults and kids.

About the Author: Ripley's Entertainment has been around for more then 85 years entertaining and educating folks from all over. Check out there webiste at Ripleys.com

Geoff Tibballs is author of many fact books and some joke books as well.

Looking Forward not Behind

I'm back! I am sorry I had to take a little unannounced vacation for health reasons but I am back now for anyone who may be still watching.

I also apologize to those of you waiting for books from me I will have them mailed out this week.
I am not sure what I am going to do about Refer A Book Weekends I haven't been having them and honestly money might be getting tighter on my end to send the books out. So I am probably not going to have RABW any more or I might have it on rare occasions. I will still have the signed book giveaways.

I have about 15 reviews to write. If you look at my goodreads profile under currently reading it say I am reading like 20 books. Which isn't really true I am only reading about 7. The rest of the books I have finished reading and are just waiting to be reviewed. So I am a little behind or a lot behind.

And on a sad note I just want to mention that one my dogs, Smokey(who I mentioned in this post), passed away. You can see more pictures of her on her Dogster page and you could visit her sister, Nala's, page because she needs love too.

Thank you to those of you that emailed me. Now I just have to get my head in the game and post more.