Serafinas

There are a couple of books about a gal named Serafina.  The one I read for work was Serafina and the Black Cloak.  It's the first in a series.  There's also a Dragon Born Serafina.  I didn't read any in that series.  And then there is this Serafina.  And I haven't read any of those.
For a few years now I have been told by friends, "Have you read Serafina? It is so good!  You have to read it!" and these friends are friends who read YA and Children's lit and so now I have no idea if they meant any of these Serafinas or another Serafina altogether. 
All I can say is, I really liked Serafina and the Black Cloak.  I loved the Vanderbilt stuff, I loved the animal stuff, I loved the whole temptation of the Black Cloak and the question that Serafina asked herself.  She was wondering if she was "good" or "bad" and did the "bad" people even know that they were doing bad things, did all "bad" people think they were doing "good."
Anyway, I will read the next one! 

Journies

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise is a very enjoyable book.  Dan Gemeinhart has quickly become one of my "watch for it" authors.  When he has a new book out, I want to try it!  This was a really good one.  It was funny when it was trying to be and also touching throughout.  It was just a little hard to get my attention at first but then I was into it.  I really enjoyed it.  I see that the group that I used to belong to that thinks about Newbery possibilities is reading it for this month.  I am not sure if I think it is Newbery worthy...certainly Newbery Honor worthy.  Good, good book. 

So True

Never That Far is a really good book.  It's short.  It's simple, but it's real.  Yes, dead people visit the living.  But still.  It's real.  It's about loss and the end of this life.  And there is a woman preacher!  And she is both kind and annoying!  And the book isn't what people come to think of as "Christian Fiction."  Actually, I think that a lotta people who read "Christian Fiction" might be offended by it, thinking it isn't "Christian" enough.  But that's my issue! 
Good stuff. 

Really, Really Good

When Elephants Fly is not an easy book.  It doesn't have a fairy tale ending either.  It is so well done.  There is a LOT going on here, but it is all so well, well done.  I know I read another book in which a mom who is mentally ill tries to kill her child...but I can't remember what it is.  And I need to find out!  Anyway, this was a very, very, very good read. 

Just Really Good!

Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now came out this year and is another example of what I think has been a really great year so far for new books.  I am so glad that I randomly spied this one on the downloads available from my local library!  Dana L. Davis is a new to me author and well, I guess she is new to many as this is her first book!  It made me super happy to see that she already has a new one coming out next year.  And while that seems so far away, it will be here before we know it.  So I will be patient!
This was quite good.  Quite good.  Dealt with hard issues in a very real way and wasn't a "problem" novel, formulaic, that kind of thing.  I have to say that this was just really well done from all perspectives. The faith perspective is always the most interesting to me and I thought this was really well done.  Very real.  Good, good stuff.  I loved Tiffany and I ached for her and admired her.  I also loved Mrs. Stone.  And I didn't know what the DNA test results would show but I had my hopes the whole time.  And I was very happy with the results.  I also thought that Mr. Stone was such a real character.  So well drawn.  And London, too.  Just a really good read. 

Learning More

So much to learn from reading!  Boarderlines is the second in the Joe Gunther series and I learned a lot more about Vermont!  Especially the whole Woodchuck vs. Flatlander deal!  This was good, but I wasn't sucked in that much, but I am for sure going to read the next one.  I like Joe a lot!

Colors

was a fantastic movie.  The Astonishing Color of After?  Well, it just didn't work for me.  I think it was the writing style, maybe?  Just too descriptive and flowery for my personal taste.  I guess I also didn't get all of the drama there was about Leigh not getting to know her grandparents.  A lot of people don't get to know their grandparents, for a lot of different reasons.  But this seemed to be SUCH a huge point of contention.  Not to say it shouldn't be a point of contention-- everyone would love to have a close family.  Yes, that is ideal.  But for it to be SUCH a big deal...well...
I did appreciate the mention of the good uses of electroconvulsive therapy, which is so often misunderstood.  I have a dear friend who found this to be the only cure for her depression.  And I know it does work for some.  Most times when it is demonized, it is because people get it confused with a lobotomy and think of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or they don't realize how different it is now, from when it was first used.  Not to say that others wouldn't like it, but I had a hard time finishing it. 

Three Things I Loved about This Book

1.  I loved the ending.  It worked out the way that I had hoped.

2.  It was sad, but it was hopeful. 

3.  The grief expressed here was so real.

I also loved that the people were human.

Tell Me Three Things was a great story.  And I loved the step-brother.  

And I loved that there were no easy answers and so it was no surprise that Julie Buxbaum has "been there."

So that is more than three things.  I hope to read more from Buxbaum in the future.  This was her first young adult book but there is another one out now! 

Life Goes Quickly?

Sometimes!
But sometimes it seems like the clock never moves!
Even when one is old, like I am, there are still times when things move in slow motion.  But I do have to say, life does seem to move faster than slower.
Speed of Life was a very well done book.   Carol Weston is a great author!  I want to read more from her!
I love that same sex marriages don't even seem like a big deal anymore, in some circumstances.  That was random, and not a big part of this story, but it was a little detail and I just thought that was neat.  That is wasn't THE story, but just a little detail in the story.  Really good book.  Really REAL.

In My Humble Opinion

Rita Williams-Garcia is going to go down as one of the finest writers for young people of all time.  Her talent is incredible.  The Gaither Sisters are among the best characters in children's literature.   If, after reading this awesome historical/period fiction series, you need anymore proof of that, Clayton Byrd Goes Underground is sure to make you see that I am right.  I count her right up there with the greats for being able to take a reader back in time, and/or into a character's mind and world, all of that which makes a book a magical trip, you know?  Like Christopher Paul Curtis, like Katherine Paterson, like Gary Paulsen, like Madeleine L'Engle.
I don't know much about the Blues.  I wish I did.  This novel and my recent trip to New Orleans were I heard some great street blues bands, makes me want to know more.  Here is a great website that helped me understand the difference between blues and jazz music!  The novel begins in Washington Square Park where Clayton is playing blues with his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd and Papa Byrd's friends in a blues band called the Bluesmen.  A lot of the book takes place in the subway system of NYC.  Just a great, great book.

From His Soul

I know a little about Mr. Spinelli.  I have such great respect and love for him.  And do believe that he writes from his beautiful soul. I mean, I guess most writers write from their soul?  But when a soul is a beautiful as Mr. Spinelli's and he writes from it, well, books like The Warden's Daughter are born.
This book is something else.

Loved

If I Was Your Girl,  I REALLY liked so much about this book.  No, I will just say it, I really liked this book!
I thought the way that faith was handled was really well done.   And I liked that it was just a love story, too.  And I loved Meredith Russo's note at the end.
Here is something to think about if you google Meredith Russo.  There are some hater sites out there.  And if you look at the sites that make mention of Russo, you will see that these sites have a distinct flavor to them.  Just please remember that in legal/divorce cases there are often stipulations that parties do not disclose information.  Also cases that just "die" and charges and followed up, often do so because they were false!  Just please look at the sources.
Many, many thanks to Russo for this work and blessings to her for future books as well.

My Favorite Star

has to be sun, right?  I mean, without the sun, what would we do?  We wouldn't do anything, we'd all be dead.
That has nothing to do with The Sun is Also a Star.  I can't remember why this title fits.  I mean, I can't figure out the reason for the title.  The fact is mentioned in the book.  Natasha is fond of "provable facts" and really doesn't want to have faith or trust in anything that is not a "provable fact."  Whereas Daniel believes dreams are important, that passion is important, that feelings are important.
And girl meets boy and they fall in love.
But the book is more than just boy meets girl and they fall in love.  It is really beautiful.  It is really moving.  It is really well written.  This is my favorite for the Printz this year.  Will it win?  Probably not, but I would like it to win!

Sorry

Maybe a Fox was a book I had to read for the group that I follow for possible Newbery winners.
All I can say is, I didn't like this book at all.
I really didn't.
I am sorry.  I liked nothing about it at all.

It Only Takes a Second

In an instant life can change.  For the good and the bad.  Of course, as quickly as things can change in an instant, I am not a believer in the idea that things are then set in stone.  The story is never over. Every Single Second is a good example of that.  Here are two instances in which lives were changed in an instant.  But it wasn't the end of the story in either case.  Tricia Springstubb is a new author for me and I want to read another book by her because I really thought this was super well written, I just really didn't like the main character and I really didn't like how the book ended!  Which probably means that it was a super great book because it made me think a lot. This is a very timely book and I think it is well done, I just REALLY didn't like how it ended!  I also like that it is about Roman Catholic schools.  There just aren't a lot of books written about Roman Catholic schools.  I gave it three stars at first, but I am moving it to four, now that I have had a day to think about it.  And I would 100% recommend it.

Won't You Open that Door

Love Ricky Skaggs, Honey Won't You Open That Door kept running through my head while reading Honey by Sarah Weeks.  I wonder if "Honey" in the song is her name or a term of endearment.  I knew a lady named Bunny once.  

Anyway.  Sarah Weeks is becoming a favorite author of mine.  I don't know why, but it is surprising to me that the more I read, the more I discover that there are a lot of really great authors out there. Honey is the story of a young tween, Melody, whose mother died shortly after she was born.  Her dad is great.  And they get along super well.  But he may have fallen in love, Melody has heard him call someone "Honey" over the phone and while Melody has hoped that her father would find love, the woman Melody suspects him of loving is anything but her choice.  Good, short story.  Great supporting best friend.  Good good book.