Faery Friday!! Review - Prilla And The Trouble With Clumsies

 Title: Prilla and the Trouble with Clumsies
Series: Graphic Novel #1
Author(s): Stefan Petrucha
Genre: Children’s, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Papercutz                                    
Received: Read in a B&N
Release Date:     March 30, 2010
Finished: August 13, 2010
Pages: 80
Challenges: None
Rating: 

 

 






My Thoughts: This is the first in a series of graphic novels featuring 4 tales about the Disney fairies, started in book by Gail Carson Levine.

If you have not seen my other reviews on Disney fairies books, then let me just simply put it: I love them. I pretty much enjoyed all the stories I have read on them, and the movies. The tales in this book are short and sweet. The art is wonderful. These are a great addition to the fairy franchise.

About the Author: Stefan Petrucha is the author of many of the Nancy Drew graphic novels and a few teen books. Visit him at his website, http://www.petrucha.com.

 

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Title: Eat, Pray, Love
Series: None
Author(s): Elizabeth Gilbert
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Penguin                       
Received: Bought for B&N Book Club
Release Date:     January 30, 2007
Finished: May 2010
Pages: 334
Challenges: None
Rating: 

My Thoughts: These are the true events of love lost/gained, inner peace found and food enjoyed (not necessarily in that order) by author Elizabeth Gilbert.

My favorite parts were the time spent at the Buddhist temple and the scenes with her friends while she collected money to buy a new home/work space. The least interesting was the mentioning of the different romances in her life. I felt like that was the back story, and the main thing was that she learned to be herself.

I enjoyed much of this book, even though the author and I have different thoughts on life and love.  In fact, I did not realize until I read this book what I thought of certain things.
 
About the Author: Elizabeth Gilbert is an award winning author. This book, Eat, Pray, Love, has been made into a movie starring Julia Roberts. Her website is http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/



 

Confuzzled Stories #3 - Dragon Love

“Don’t say yes!” was spelled out on a dry erase board that dropped in front of Tigo while he stood at the alter with his dragon bride-to-be. A confuzzled fey named Web was holding the board.  She sprinkled pixie dust over the board and the words changed. “You have been bewitched, my love.”

Misa, his dragon bride turned to Tigo with eyes so bright. She said,  “Tigo, what is the meaning of this?”

“I don’t know.”

Again the board changed:”Misa is the witch of Bangles. This wedding is a mirage.”

Misa glared at the fey, then turned to Tigo. “That is not true, my sweets.”

“IT IS TRUE!” was written largely across the fey’s board. “She wants only your faery gold, so she can wish for what she wants.”

Tigo laughed a little, “That is ridiculous. Faery dragons can’t wish on the faery gold because we made it.”  He was still smiling as he turned to Misa. But the smile faltered when Togi saw Misa’s image flicker and change into Mona, the witch of Bangles.

Tigo looked around the whole area. The church filled with friends and family had disappeared. He shook his head, disoriented but coming out of the spell.

Mona turned to Web, with her eyes burning bright green. She mumbled something that sounded like a curse, then pointed at the confuzzled fey and screamed. “You ruined my plan! You speck of dust! I will watch your kind expire!”

A pile of leaves lifted off the ground and swirled around Mona. She disappeared and they floated away.

Web flew to Tigo who was sitting on a rock.

“I am sorry Web.  I don’t know what happened.” He held his head and looked lovingly at the fey in front of him.

She pulled the board out again and Tigo read, “No worries.  I know who you really love.” They hugged and sat, enjoying each other.

Holiday Poems For Children by Barbara Bryan

Title: Holiday Poems For Children
Series: None
Author(s): Barbara Bryan
Genre: Children’s, Poetry
Publisher: Outskirt Press Inc
Received: From Bostick Communications for review
Release Date: October 22, 2009
Finished: August 15, 2010
Pages: 44
Challenges: None
Rating:

My Thoughts: As the title says, this is a book of children’s poems for holidays such as Easter, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Valentine’s day.

The poems simple and not really memorable. They all rhyme, but all poems don’t have to rhyme, and I think these poems could have been even better if they didn’t. It seemed like each poem was built around the rhymes instead of building around the things written about. I was a little disappointed.

For children, I think they will like the pictures, but I don’t feel the poems grab attention.

About the Author: Barbara Bryan has written two other children books: Save the Golden Tree and Just For Fun. There was no website that I could find for her.

The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut by Paul Nowak

Title: The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut
Series: None
Author(s): Paul Nowak
Genre: Children’s book
Publisher: Eternal Revolution                                     
Received: From Bostick Communications for review purposes
Release Date:     May 29, 2009
Finished: August 15, 2010
Pages: 64
Challenges: None
Rating:

My Thoughts: As it says on the book, this is based on the life and works of G.K. Chesterton.   G.K. Chesterton inspired many of today’s loved authors. His view on life made people wonder if they were truly living life to the fullest, and this book is written as a loosely truthful story about his nephew learning from uncle Chestnut how to think for himself.

I wasn’t sure about this book when I got it, but in all honesty, I really enjoyed it and learned some interesting lessons. I was surprised that the author was not the actual nephew; I was so involved with the stories that I truly believed the tales. I actually wanted more wisdom from Uncle Chestnut. Luckily, there is more to find on the actual G.K. Chesterton, and I will be checking him out.

About the Author: Paul Nowak is the author of two books, this one and a book called The Way of The Christian Samurai. 

 

 

 

Sunday Salon - A Bookish Life 8/15/10

Well I am feeling pretty good about the blog I almost kept the schedule. I have been writing posts ahead of time. I just have to remember to post them. I missed the Confuzzled Stories on Wednesday because I basically had writer’s block. I finished it though and it will be posted this week. I missed some events on Tuesday and Saturday so I think I will make the events a maybe.




Right now I am distracted because I am watching “The Hoff” get roasted. Soooo educational.. right? *eye roll* lol



This week I finished a biography of Walt Disney. Boy I really miss inspirational people like him.



Monday

Review of “Review - The Inconveneit Adventures of Uncle Chestnut” by Paul Nowak



Tuesday

It’s Tuesday Where Are You (maybe event)

Teaser Tuesday (maybe event)

Review of “Holiday Poems For Children” by Barbara Bryan





Wednesday

Confuzzled Short Story 3 - “Love Dragon” by Shannon McGee



Thursday

Review of “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert



Friday

Faery Friday - “Prilla and the Trouble With Clumsies” by Stefan Petrucha



Saturday

Weekly Geek (maybe event)

Special TBA



Sunday

Sunday Salon (event)





In Author News

Some time this week look out for a interview with author Patrick Taylor who is the author of An Irish Country Girl which I reviewed Thursday.

Faery Friday!! Review - Fluffy Meets The Tooth Fairy by Kate McMullan

Title: Fluffy Meets the Tooth Fairy
Series: Fluffy: The Classroom Guinea Pig
Author(s): Kate McMullan
Genre: Children's, Beginning Reader
Publisher: Cartwheel
Received: Received via BookMooch
Release Date: December 4, 2002 
Finished: May 15, 2010
Pages: 40
Challenges: NoneRating:

My Thoughts: This beginning reader is one in a series about Fluffy the Classroom Guinea Pig. A student with a loose tooth tells Fluffy all about his tooth and the Tooth Fairy. Soon, all Fluffy can think about is losing teeth and getting presents from the tooth fairy.

This is an easy read and good for kids who love pets. Fluffy is not only cute, but a thoughtful guinea pig. I also like that this Tooth Fairy gives things other then money. This book is a level 3 reader, which means the stories are longer.  None of the words seemed that though. All and all a cute book.

About the Author: Kate McMullan is the author of over 100 children's books. Most popular are her stories of Fluffy and the Dragon Slayers Academy series. Check out her official site http://www.katemcmullan.com.

An Irish Country Girl by Patrick Taylor

Title: An Irish Country Girl
Series: Irish Country Series
Author(s): Patrick Taylor
Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: Forge Books                                             
Received: Nicole Bruce from The Book Report Network (THANK YOU!)
Release Date: January 5, 2010
Finished: May 18, 2010

Pages: 320
Challenges: None
Rating: 

 

 

My Thoughts: An Irish Country Girl is the fourth book in the Irish Country series, which start with An Irish Country Doctor and includes An Irish Country Village and An Irish Country Christmas.  This installment is about Maureen “Kinky” Kincaid as she reminisces about being a young girl blossoming into adulthood.

I have not read the earlier books in this series and I didn’t feel like I had to to enjoy this book, but I absolutely will read the the early ones and the ones to come. I loved the character Maureen and never wanted the book to end. The description of Ireland, its people and a little folk lore added to the magic of the story telling. I felt as if I was there and believed every word that was written. Maureen has seen and felt such heartache that you ache with her because the words ring and these are things that could happen in real life.

About the Author: Patrick Taylor is also a medical researcher. He was born in Northern Ireland and now lives in Canada. So far he has released four books in the Irish Country Series and will soon release An Irish Country Courtship. Visit his Official Website at http://patricktaylor.ca

 

 

The Yellow Hummer by Ivet Graham-Morgan

Title: The Yellow Hummer
Series: None
Author(s): Ivet Graham-Morgan
Genre: Children's Picture book

Publisher: Outskirts Press                                              
Received: Received from Bostick Communications

Release Date: February 25, 2010
Finished: August 8, 2010

Pages: 34
Challenges: None
Rating: 

My Thoughts: A sweet young boy named Jordan is getting ready for Christmas festivities at his mother’s work. Jordan gets to meet Santa, who gives the other children and him presents. Eager to get his toy open, an unfortunate thing happens that makes Jordan sad. But even though he is sad, he learns what is more important.

Emotions swell easily while reading this book, especially the eagerness before and during the event that causes Jordan’s sadness. Feeling those emotions is a sign you're reading good writing. Although, I am not sure the lesson resonates because it comes suddenly.

This book does take place during Christmas, but I don’t think it is a story that can only be read during the holidays.

About the Author: This is Ivet Graham-Morgan's first book. To find out more about her, visit her official site at http://www.ivetgrahammorgan.com/

 

 

 

Body Parts by Janet Cameron Hoult

Title: Body Parts
Series: None
Author(s): Janet Cameron Hoult 
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc. 
Received: Received from Bostick Communications
Release Date: April 23, 2010
Finished: August 8, 2010

Pages: 60
Challenges: None
Rating: 

My Thoughts: This is probably the second book of poetry I have read; the first was also sent by Bostick Communications. So far I have not been disappointed. These poems are humorous thoughts about aging. With truth and rhyming, Mrs. Hoult is a wise comic sharing insights on what happens to everybody.

I enjoyed this collection of poems. One of my favorites was "Hair Today--Gone Tomorrow," where she mentions hair growing upon her face!  The only thing I didn't like was that sometimes I felt there was too much rhyming. Growing old ain't that fun, but keeping your sense of humor is essential to living life.

About the Author: Janet Cameron Hoult is a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother and an author.  This is her first book. No official website yet.

Winner of Sweet Misfortune by Kevin Alan Milne

And without further delay I have picked a winner. I chose the one I thought most sounded like it would be in the book. 

The WINNER IS DAWN M.

her misfortune was 

Somebody loves you with utter devotion. Too bad it's your stalker.
Congrats Dawn M.

look for an email from me. :)

Next Giveaway will be coming soon!

Sunday Salon - A Bookish Life 8/8/2010

I know I have been slacking as of lately.   I have not been reading as much as I normally do.  I have been more depressed then usual and it’s basically turned things I want to do into things I don’t want to and thing I am suppose to do into sleep time.   

Today I feel pretty good.  I have my mind set to get back into the blog (which I haven’t been into) because I really do want to keep sharing what I read and give gifts.  (Also that reminds me the Sweet Misfortune contest winner will be announced later today)  Like I said today I feel pretty good tomorrow could be not good.  The fact that my depression has crept into my book love makes me even sadder. But anyway....

I have closet full of books to read. Yes my mountain To Be Read pile is kept in a closet with two book shelves and one storage shelf also holding boxes of books.   So lets see what is on the menu for this week.

Monday
  Review of “Body Parts” by Janet Cameron Hoult

Tuesday
  It’s Tuesday Where Are You (event)
  Teaser Tuesday (event)
  Review of “The Yellow Hummer” by Ivet Graham-Morgan


Wednesday
  Confuzzled Short Story - “Love Dragon” by Shannon McGee

Thursday
  Review of “Irish Country Girl” by Patrick Taylor

Friday
  Faery Friday - “Fluffy Meets The Tooth Fairy” by Kate McMullan

Saturday
  Weekly Geek (event)
  Special TBA

Sunday
 Sunday Salon (event)


In Author News

Suzanne Collins author of the Hunger Games Series will be in my area in September. I haven’t read the series but I have heard great things about it.   So you never know what may come up in contests.