Little Women & Me

Little Women & Me
By: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
314 Pages

Summary:
Emily's English teacher gives an assignment that changes Emily's life forever: Pick a book you love. Then list 3 things you love about it and 1 thing you would change if you could. As she re-reads the book, she is literally sucked into the book. How did she get there? Why is she there? How can she get back? And, what does she change?

Emily is the middle child and is suffering from sibling rivalry. She has a crush on the boy who likes her older sister. After informing him that her sister is with someone else, Jackson then decides to set his sights on Emily's younger sister. Well, that wasn't how it was supposed to go.

When she embarks on her English homework, her life changes. Emily must pick a book she loves and choose 3 things she likes about it. But, she also has to pick 1 thing she would change if she could. Emily chooses Little Women and sets out re-reading the book. Next thing she knows, she's no longer reading Little Women, but in the story itself.

Emily decides the reason she's there is to prevent Beth's death. She also decides that it will be her who ends up with Laurie- not Amy or Jo. But, all is not happy in the story while waiting for these to happen. Despite trying to force her way into situations, she never really feels like she belongs there.

But is she the only person who's been sucked into the book? Nope. Enter a plot twist! There are, not one, but 2 other characters in the story who were sucked into the book after criticizing it, too. Who are they? You will also see how they altered the book in a dramatic way. Once she learns what happened, Emily has a choice. She can either alter the story to suit her wants, or she can right the wrong that was done.

I loved Little Women And Me so much! This book was so creative from beginning to end. The whole idea of taking a beloved book and altering what you didn't like about it is an assignment I think English teachers should do today. Lauren Baratz-Logsted has such a talent for writing. I love how she merged the past and present so well. She didn't avoid making the obvious comparisons between the two eras, but embraced them with humor. I loved reading this book! I was sucked into it just as Emily was sucked into Little Women. Lauren Baratz-logsted is an author I will be reading more of in the future.

Rating: BUY IT!!

My Very UnFairy Tale Life

My Very UnFairy Tale Life
By: Anna Staniszewski
198 Pages
Ages 12+

Summary:
Jenny is an Adventurer. She travels to different worlds helping solve their problems. However, the charm of this is loosing it's sparkle. Klarr is her worst bad guy yet. Will she fight to save the land he's taken over, or will she opt for the quiet, mundane life of your average teenager?

This isn't my usual type of book, but I was curious. The plot sounded like it could be really good. I'm glad I read it, because I enjoyed it. It was a great fantasy read that, I think, many tweens enjoy as well.

Jenny has spent the last 3 years of her life going from one different world to another. Whenever there's a problem, she's sent to solve them. But Jenny has grown tired of going from one world to another. She longs for the boring life most kids her age hate: homework, school. She would love to get some sleep, too. When she learns the lengths the Committee has gone to in order to disguise what she's doing, Jenny has reached her limit. An evil sorcerer, dressed as a clown, named Klarr has proven to be her hardest challenge. What better time to call it a day? But can she walk away? Is the life she misses everything she thinks it is?

I loved the way Anna Staniszewski wrote My Very Unfairy Tale Life. The humorous way jenny sees things was a joy to read. She got things started off right away and kept them moving until the end. I loved the sidekick character, Anythony. His sarcastic nature and food munching was funny. Jenny and Anthony were a cute pair to read about. I also loved Dr. Bradley. I would love to have someone like him in my life.

This book was a pleasant read that I strongly recommend. My bookshelf has a spot waiting for it.

Rating: Buy It/Borrow From The Library

Reality Jane

Reality Jane
By: Shannon Nering
259 Pages

Summary: Jane moves from Canada to LA to work as a Producer on reality television. See how this Canadian transplant deals with the backstabbing nature of LA, interacts with the men she meets, and handles landing the "dream job" she desperately wanted.

If you have ever wondered what it's like behind the scenes of reality shows, you're about to get a front row seat. Jane starts working on a reality show called The Purrfect Life and finds out why she needed to report to work right away. The star of the show is less than nice, polite, & cooperative. Jane also gets a hard lesson in friendship dynamics in the work place. Not to mention trying to navigate dating in La-La land.

But everything changes when she applies for her  "dream job" on Fix Your Life. The show she thought she was going to be working for turns out to be anything but. Reality brings a cold hard slap on her face and Jane has to decide how long she can handle it in order to reach the goal she set for herself. Not only does she have to deal with her morals, but will she have to choose between her "dream job" and her dream guy? And will she burn bridges with real friends along the way?

Overall, the book was a fun read. This book was what really happened to the author. While names of shows have been changed, it's pretty obvious which shows they were. It was interesting to see how these reality shows work. I had to hand it to Jane, I wouldn't have lasted nearly as long as she did.

Rating: Borrow From The Library

Escape From Verona Romeo & Juliet Part 2

Escape From Verona  Romeo & Juliet Part 2:
The Lost Diary of Juliet Montague
By: David Gray
496 Pages

Summary:
What if Romeo & Juliet didn't really die in the tomb? What if they faked their death and escaped Verona in order to be together? How would they do it? Would they be able to do it? Can they escape their enemies before lies, false accusations, and murder are charges Romeo and Juliet are forced punished for?

*** I must preface this review with a confession: I have NEVER read anything by Shakespeare- including Romeo & Juliet. ***

Escape From Verona literally picks up where Shakespeare left off. The story begins with Romeo and Juliet in the tomb. Juliet awakens from the potion she took and is about to kill herself when she realizes that Romeo is not dead, but under the influence of the same potion Juliet took. From here she smears Paris's blood on herself and stages her own stabbing. Under the darkness of the night, Juliet smuggles herself and a deeply sleeping Romeo out of the tomb and out of the graveyard. However, they don't go unnoticed. A night watchmen comes upon them and Juliet leads him to think she is a witch, sending the watchmen to run in fright to report this. And here starts her charges of witchcraft.

Juliet manages to get them out of the city, but life is never the same again. Romeo & Juliet are now on the run for peace- and their lives. A cat and mouse game is soon begun between them and Ugo. Not born of noble birth, Ugo wants all that nobility gives, and isn't afraid to do the dirty work he has to do. He has quickly figured out that capturing the two lovers is key, and sets forth to manipulate everyone he can to his advantage.

While Rome and Juliet are running through the forests and country side trying to get out of Verona, Ugo is one step behind them staging murderous scenes. Ugo kills several and carves RM into the bodies so it looks as though Romeo is a murderer. Eventually Ugo manages to get ahead of them, all the while watching and waiting their every move.

I enjoyed this book very much. I worried that I may have trouble since I've never read the original Romeo and Juliet, but you are given all the information you need at the very beginning. The story of this book is every bit as good as the actual story itself. The original manuscript for parts of this book were buried within a house's walls centuries ago. David Gray tells you which parts are from the manuscript and which parts he adds. 

I loved that Othello makes more than one appearance in the book. There could have been other Shakespeare characters in here as well, but I only recognized Othello's. I loved how he's introduced and the role he plays in the book. His storyline, though brief, was thoroughly enjoyable.

The one aspect I struggled with was the missing romance factor. I found very little romance between Romeo and Juliet in this book. For being a legendary story, and for having gone to such extremes to be together, I would have thought there would be more time dedicated to that love. For a time in the beginning Romeo came off as impatient with Juliet. He seemed to have little tolerance for how hard everything was on her. While I understand the situation didn't call for a lot of a peaceful "honeymoon", I would've thought his attitude could have been slightly different. For about the first half of the book it seemed that Juliet was the smarter of the two, but that changed in the second half of the book.

This book is a good read. Fans of the legendary couple may or may not like it. You don't get a lot of the romance factor that made these two characters so famous. However, you do go on one hell of an adventure with the two. I wish there was more of a romance storyline, but there is a reason there isn't.

Rating: But It- I'd buy it if it were in the bargain section./Borrow From The Library

Eleanor Roosevelt's Life of Soul Searching & Self Discovery

Eleanor Roosevelt's Life of Soul Searching & Self Discovery
By: Ann Atkins
176 Pages
** reviewed by: Betsey Brooks **

Summary:
See how this remarkable woman learned to forge her own way in life even when the odds were against her. See how she stood on her own two feet and did things her way at a time when that was never what a woman was supposed to do.

I am a huge fan of Eleanor Roosevelt, so I was very interested to read Ann Atkins' book. Having read several books on Eleanor's life I was curious to see what new things I would learn about this amazing woman. The book starts by introducing  your to her parents and their world of wealth and high society.  This helped me to have a better understanding of how Eleanor was raised.  Her childhood was one of neglect and put downs. She was not the pretty, outgoing child her mom had wanted.  Eleanor learned to stay in the background as a way of protecting herself from being embarrassed by derogatory comments made in front of her.

The brightest spot in her world was her father who, unfortunately, was seldom with her. Being an alcoholic lead him to make many promises, but seldom kept them. After her mother's death, her grandmother decides to send Eleanor to a private school. This was her saving grace. She flourished and made many friends. One of her teachers took Eleanor under her wing and gave her love and encouragement. Eleanor proved to be a good student, made many friends, enjoyed discussing politics and finally learned to express her own opinions.  This was not a trait that was approved of in the world she returned to.

Meeting and marrying Franklin was a happy time except for his overbearing mother Sara Roosevelt. She doted on Franklin and continued to manipulate him throughout her life.  Eleanor had six children, but sadly lost their third child . Depression set in. Sara Roosevelt ran the household from choosing the place they lived to picking out furniture and continued on undermine Eleanor's place as a mother. Sara spoiled the children, showering them with gifts.  Eleanor didn't seem to be able to deal with this so she concentrated on her husband and helping him with his ambitions.

Life changed completely when she found out that Franklin had been having an affair with her social secretary and friend Lucy Mercer. Eleanor offered him a divorce. Once again Franklin's mother took control and threatened to cut him off from the money she doled out to him so lavishly. His dreams of a political career would be finished so he promised to end the affair. Franklin would continue to be involved with women for the rest of his life. Lucy Mercer would discreetly remain in the picture. Eleanor slowly established her place in his world.

Ann Atkins adds bits and pieces about the people of this time. It is interesting to see how she shows Eleanor mature and finally become the strong intelligent woman we all think of today. Many people helped to mold Eleanor.  The effects these people had on  Eleanor and history are amazing. She goes from being the lonely wife and mother to  a full time nurse for Franklin when he is struck with infantile paralysis and continues on to campaign for Franklin's presidential run.  Her campaigning and globe trotting helped to shape our history. One of her many achievements was the passing of  the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This book tells of many of the concessions she had to make to achieve her goals along the way. Eleanor Roosevelt continued to give to her country and the world until she passed away. 

I would recommend this book to those of you that enjoy reading about history and the people that helped make it. Enjoy.

Head Over Heel: Seduced By Southern Italy

Head Over Heel: Seduced By Southern Italy

By: Chris Harrison

320 Pages

I have always loved reading what I called "destination books". These are books that take you different countries in the story. Since I can't afford to travel abroad, I get to "travel" through the characters. A match made in Heaven, if you ask me.

Through Head Over Heel, I get to venture my way through southern Italy- one of my favorite places to explore. Between the beautiful scenery, delicious foods, and embracing customs I jump at any chance to read a book taking place in Italy. This book was no disappointment. Mr. Harrison has a talent for turning the supportive characters from people I will never meet to people I feel like I've known. He has an amazing talent for telling a story that pulls you in and holds you there..

Chris Harrison falls in love in an instant. But not just with anyone, a woman who is about to go back to her home country of Italy. Eventually he joins her there and the fun begins. You get to see how an Australian adjusts to life in a foreign country with customs very different from his own. Between the lax airport security to the slow pace of the Italian police you will have a pleasant read on your hands. More than once I chuckled at his descriptions and events that unfolded for him. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Rating: Borrow From The Library/ Buy It

Always The Wedding Planner, Never The Bride

Always The Wedding Planner, Never The Bride
By: Sandra D. Bricker
320 Pages

Summary:
Sherilyn and her fiance, Andy, met and fell in love very quickly. They were engaged on their 10th date. On top of planning a wedding, they move back to their hometown of Atlanta. Both have pasts to put to rest and a future to get ready for. It would be a lot easier if her wedding dress choices would stop disappearing.

Sherilyn meet, fall in love, and get engaged all within their first 10 dates. As if that wasn't enough, they decide to move back to Atlanta. Sherilyn gets the wedding planner job at the Tanglewood, a wedding destination hotel. Both she and Andy make friends, but both are struggling with their past, and the rapid pace their relationship has been on. Andy freaks out when they tour a possible house, she may be allergic to him. Throw in a famous actor, known more for his behind the scenes antics than his talent, and you have cute visit.

I thought this book was cute. It was a great way to pass the time in between books and would be perfect to read after having finished a heavy read. I enjoyed meeting all the characters and watch them interact. Russel, the actor, was great! I thought I had Sherilyn's mysterious past upset all figured out, and I was wrong. This isn't a book you can't put down, but it was an enjoyable read.

A great, relaxing read. Get comfy in your favorite reading place and enter the world of Tanglewood.

Rating: Borrow From The Library