Wright 3

The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Picked this up in the school media center. I loved Chasing Vermeer, I mean I LOVED it. So well written, smartm, funny interesting, the type of book I would have devoured at 11 and in fact did devour at ....
So far this book picks up with the same awesome pace and interesting history, math quotes and art! Frank Lloyd Wright has always been a fascinating persona and this book highlights it!

Chasing Vermeer

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great middle school, read. The author writes well and includes a lot of fun and interesting quotes in the book.

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Christmas Mourning by Margaret Maron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First book read on my Kindle. As with all of Maron's books, well written, good character development and quick interesting read. One of my favorite authors. Got her picture with Kennedy at a book signing!!! She put it on her website.....

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Gone Girl

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not since watched the "Usual Suspects" have a Liked and disliked a book and an ending so much. It is well written, masterful and filled with interesting details that mean much more in retrospect! I am sorry so many did not like it but I think they were appalled by the dark portryal of humanity more than the writing style or skill. It is dark, and intersting and filed with many twists and turns. You certainly will have a strong feeling about the ending!

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The Ruby Red Trilogy- The Green Emerald

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emerald Green gets 4 stars. It is a well written book from Kerstin Gier. It is told from the persepective of a 16 year old girl who suddenly finds herself with the ability to time travel and some other things that would count as spoilers.
I enjoyed the English setting and the historical back and frth. I also have to say it is techinically a YA book, however, I had no trouble likig the keads and rooting for them. I loved Lucy and Paul but wish they ahd been more developed. I also think should she want Ms. Gier could definitlely write another book with Lucy and Paul as the main protagonists.
One of my favorite characters however was not only not human, but a demon! Xermerious was the best!
As far as translations go, this one was superb, if I had not had to wait for it to be translated into English I would have nver known. Flawless work!

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If you Were Here

If You Were Here by Alafair Burke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this newest book of Ms. Burke's. There has been a lot said about the lead character, McKenna Wright "not being comfortable in her own skin" or "jumpy and not focused"; I agree with these sentiments! However, instead of finding fault with the writing or book based on these assertions, I actually felt it made the character more relatable. Who can keep their focus and not jump to conclusions when emotionally invested in the subject? Which of us does not have flaws we need to overcome as a person? For me, these made the character more real and her flaws drew me into her. I wanted to see her grow; I wanted to see her gain perspective. In fact, McKenna is described as a character who hates to NOT excel and will give up on something if she cannot be the best. Therefore, as we watch he story progress she and the reader can see how these choices have hurt her and that she needs to work hard to overcome them.

Additionally, there were a lot of storylines, and possibilities, I felt Ms. Burke, tied them together and handled them well. They were well described and tied together. I loved that she kept me guessing till the end. In fact, I was so into the characters, at one point when I felt the book was going in a specific direction I was upset and rushed to read to the end putting everything else aside in my life to finish it! In fact, even though she was not "there" I felt that Susan Hauptman was well developed and allowed for emotional insight and attachment in spite of her role in the book as a character that is really not seen.

I have to say for me the fact that McKenna screws up, jumps to conclusions, and goes with her gut makes me LOVE her. Ms. Burke portrays her lead characters emotional attachment to the subject. No one is objective when they are emotionally connected to a story or incident. I think McKenna nails it. I like a character that has flaws, who of us does not have flaws? The book allows us to see McKenna’s growth! I could not read it fast enough and cannot recommend it more!


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Too Loud To See Too Bright To Hear

Too Bright to Hear Too Loud to See by Juliann Garey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was incredible!  I could not put it down.  It was disturbing, intriguing and so terribly sad.  I found myself enthralled that one could go on that long with that serious of a bipolar disorder.  I was also saddened by his lost relationship with his daughter.  I think now that I am a parent, the thought of being without my children for any extended length of time or missing any of the important milestones of their lives made it particularly piognant.  Still it is without a doubt one of the most interesting trips inside someones mind.  I was left with one important thought that followed me through the entire novel, I find it hard to believe that the author could write this without experiencing this either as a child of a parent of mental illness, a spouse, or the as one who struggles with a serious mental illness.  Her insight into bipolar was so much more than I even have after 10+ years of working with mental illness as a counselor.


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This is my fabulous package from Penny in the Great North:)
She put together a very thoughtful and delicious package.

As you can see some little people were very interested in the goodies inside of the package. She made me some wonderful washcloths, a hand made and adorable candycane ornament, jingle bell earrings that my 7 year old and I briefly argued over.....

Candy, candy and UNBELIEVABLE shortbread cookies that were in HIGH demand

As well as some yarn and some wonderful bath and body lotions and soap. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, Penny

First Day of School

It is hard for me to believe it but Katie has begun 2nd grade this year! Here are some shots from the first day. Everyday she comes home, finishes her homework and plays school with her little sister. She is trying to teach the 2 year old sight words...LOL not always a lot of interest. However, Kennedy does pretend to "read it" and she hands a lot of books to Kate to read to her. Very cute together.

Happy Birthday Two August Girls

My daughters have birthdays in August. More specifically 5 years and 4 days apart.

Kennedy turned 2 August 6 and Katie will be 7 August 10th!

They are growing so fast and everyday is a joy to be around them. Katie is going to go to PA to stay with her Grammy and Popop so she can go to KNobels with my sisters family! She is very excited and a little nervous. Unitl this year she would not even stay over night with grandparents without me! I am a little worried and will miss her but know she will have a fabulous time!

I am posting some new pictures. Thankfully, Kennedy's fall off the picnic bench happened the day after her birthday and party.


It looks much better now.